ZEDD - TWO WEEKS LATER

I'm staring at the view screen, but not really seeing it. This last week has been very calm and relaxed compared to the week before. Seeing Sam and David again was - fortunately - much less exciting than our last visit. David gave Scorpina samples of the herbs that are used in the vision quest thing - which I still cannot get Thomas to explain to me - and talked to her about it. Much to my dismay, Pina sided with Thomas in that I should not be allowed to perform the ceremony without telling me more either.

"Zeddic, if you were to do this, there is every chance that you would kill everyone in a five mile radius if things were to go badly - including Goldar, myself and your mate."

I still want to know what it is, but that statement ended any desire I had to actually do it. Loading the last of Thomas' things in the ship took almost a whole day - especially since I grabbed a few pieces of furniture that he obviously didn't want to leave behind. According to Hayley and Jason, they're special pieces to him and I can't wait to surprise him with them later. Instead of moving his workout equipment, we've left it behind for Jason to use and I've ordered new equipment to be delivered - not to mention contracting a builder to build an outbuilding to serve as a practice area and workout room in inclement weather.

Hopefully Thomas will like it all just as much as we enjoyed and appreciated the Christmas presents he gave us. I can feel the grin spread across my face as I think about it.

"Here Goldar" Thomas said as he handed Dar a brightly wrapped gift.

"What the hell is it? It feels like a ton of bricks."

"No, that I'm saving that for your birthday." Cute. "Open it."

Hesitantly, Dar tore the paper off to find a small stack of books. "Books? Tommy, I'm not really a reader like the rest of you…" His voice trailed off for a minute. He looked at my mate incredulously. "Cookbooks?"

Thomas had nodded. "You guys liked the things I'd made after you were sick, so I thought you might be interested in trying some more Earth recipes. I marked some that I thought you guys might like, a few that I know I like that I never mastered or haven't had in a long time just because it makes no sense to make such large batches for just me. One of those books is very, very old and I don't know how long it'll keep holding together. It belonged to my mom's grandmother."

Dar was very obviously touched by the gift even as he'd said gruffly, "You could have just said that you wanted more Earth food, brat."

"Yes, but this way you won't screw it up, jerk" Thomas shot back with a grin, obviously pleased he'd managed to invoke some true emotion, aside rage that is, from my best friend. Letting Goldar look over the books Thomas left the room for a minute and returned with a small plant for Pina. She smiled and took it from him. "Thank you, Tommy. What is it?"

"It's called a Venus Flytrap."

"Didn't I create a monster out of one of those before?" I questioned, as the name sounded oddly familiar.

"You did" he agreed with a smile, before returning his attention to Pina. "I thought you might like it as it's actually a carnivorous plant."

"Really? That's very interesting." She was very intrigued and in truth so was I.

"So when it gets bigger, will it eat our enemies?" I questioned, recalling my earlier statement of running out of room to hide the bodies of all those that challenged me once word got around that I'd gone soft, at least where my mate was concerned.

"I don't think it'll get big enough for that, Zedd" Pina told me, though the idea had clearly sparked her curiosity as well.

Suddenly, Jason and Hayley exchanged looks and started laughing, Thomas joining them a moment later.

"See, what'd we tell you bro, took all of one minute" Jason had teased, much to our confusion, even as my mate gave a nod.

Still laughing Thomas picked up a small package and handed it to Pina as he explained the joke we weren't getting. "When I told them what I was getting you, they were amused at the idea that the plant, which eats insects, might mutate from eating alien insects from home. Something similar to this." He gestures to the package which she ripped open quickly after setting the plant carefully aside. It contained a movie called Little Shop of Horrors. "We'll watch it later if you want to." Which we did and I still say that humans as a species are weird.

Thomas turned his attention to me. "Here, mate." He handed me a package and sheer curiosity almost made me forget to thank him before I opened it. Paper cast aside, I look at the leather bound book before me. The cover is embossed with the words 'Our Baby'.

"Thomas?" I'd asked cautiously. "Is there something I've missed about your species?"

After a moment of confusion, he'd started to laugh. "No, Zedd, you haven't. Open it."

I did and the first thing I saw were some laminated sheets. A quick read told me that these were the legal papers that made Thomas the son of the Olivers. I turned the pages to find that it's actually a photo album of the beginning of his life from the day they adopted him until he was about ten human years old.

It put a lump in my throat then and it does again now. I'm still not in a hurry to be a parent, but when it is time, I do hope that our children are as adorable as he was. In fairness they'll probably have to be to offset any evil behavior they get from me, especially if I'm the one that has to carry them. That thought in mind though I feel another pang of sorrow for my mate. Poor Thomas won't have the opportunity to carry any offspring we choose to have. Of course that also means he won't have to look like a bloated cow when the youngling gets near ready to be removed. Or will he? I mean true he doesn't have the needed genetic make up to carry a child, but then neither do I technically. But what's to say as a halfbreed now he might not be strong enough to have the needed procedure to temporarly house at least one offspring? I'll have to remember to ask Pina about that at some point.

I shake off that line of thought as the computer alerts me that we're getting close to Eltar. Steeling myself, I input the commands to call my parents' house, grateful that the others are elsewhere on the ship right now. Thomas and I have informed Pina and Dar that he supposedly doesn't understand Eltarian, but speaks Iotian in addition to his native English. Dar did express some concern about our little plan, pointing out that sometimes it's necessary to speak to Thomas in Eltarian to calm him down. Thomas was quick to remind him that I'd spoken to him in Eltarian long before he'd ever even thought about learning it. Thomas had also confirmed a theory of mine that the Eltarian helped him refocus after an episode because it does not connect in any way to his trauma. Either way though I know that if such a thing becomes needed due to a panic attack, my parents learning that he knows our language will be the least of my concerns at the time.

I refocus myself as the call connects. I'm rather surprised to see my parents, rather than the housekeeper, on the screen as I'd actually hoped. At least the help is afraid of me to a degree, my parents, well... Reflexively, I speak in my native language. "Mother. Father. I've come for a short visit."

Mother smiles at me, but she doesn't seem happy. "Zeddic-"

Father speaks next, interrupting her. "If you are on the run from something, Zeddic, you can't hide here. We're still dealing with the trouble you caused last time." Hijack one royal ship and suddenly the whole damn planet is up in arms.

"I'm not currently being hunted for a bounty if that's what you are suggesting." Pausing briefly as I think this over, I amend my statement slightly. "At least no new or noteworthy bounty."

"If it's a financial issue then-" And it begins.

"Actually, Father, I was bringing someone to present to you as my mate."

They exchange quick looks and if I'm reading them right the silent message between them is not a good one. "It's not that Scorpina, is it?" Mother asks. "After all, I rather got the impression that she was mated with Goldar."

And now they think me capable of breaking up mates? I grit my teeth briefly before I respond. "No, Mother, it isn't although both Pina and Dar are with me as well."

Looking only further displeased, Father's own guess now is one that makes even me groan. "Oh by the powers, it's not Goldar." No, if it was Goldar, I'm fairly certain he would have killed you by now.

"No, it's not Goldar either."

"That's good. Not that there's anything wrong with them." Of course not, you just make Pina want to deafen herself and Father has sent Goldar into a homicidal and binge drinking rage the last two times they've encountered each other. "I just didn't think she'd be a good match for you, nor him."

"Of course" I agree, mostly for the simple fact of agreeing.

"I look forward to meeting your mate." Well at least worst case scenario Mother can fake pleasantries for the moment.

"I'm certain. By the way, you haven't recently learned any Earth languages have you? Say English, perhaps?"

Father looks a little disgusted. "No. The humans on Earth have such short life spans, it's not really worth cultivating contacts on that planet, even with them taking up Ranger powers once more. Why?"

"Because my mate speaks English primarily."

Now Mother seems concerned. "How will we talk to them then? I mean I suppose you could translate, but…"

"He also speaks Iotian."

My father's eyes narrow even as Mother says, "Well that's all right then. So, he's not Eltarian? Is he from a good family?"

"No, he's not Eltarian. As for his family, the short answer is yes, he is."

"What's the long answer, Zeddic?" Father demands.

"Without going into details, his birth parents died when he was an infant and he was adopted by another couple. He didn't find any of his birth family until he was a young man, that's actually where we've just come from, visiting with his bloodline family." Close enough.

"He wouldn't happen to by chance be a power holder, would he now?" Taken back by Father's question, I know I should tread carefully as there must be a reason for him asking, but as of yet I just can't see what that is.

"He's held power in the past as well as served under Zordon, Dulcea, and regretfully Demetria's command" I agree, knowing there's really no use denying it.

"This isn't the human that Calan assaulted, is it?"

I freeze. "How did you hear about that?"

"From Calan." Of course.

Mother shakes her head. "I heard about it from Arabesta." Damn gossipy female. "However I wasn't certain if what she told me was accurate as she also said that he's not entirely human. And that you're bonded?"

The shock on my father's face is rather satisfying. "He's a half breed now, yes. And we are bonded."

"You forced a human to bond with you? Are you out of your mind?"

My mouth falls open at, again, the things that he thinks me capable of. Mother sets her hand on his wrist, stopping whatever he's about to say next. "Stop, Kerch. Let him get here and fill us in properly before we start throwing around accusations."

"He has no idea what he's getting himself into, not to mention what scandal this will cause-"

"Kerch, love, stop. I'm certain he can explain things. Give him a chance to tell us his side of it."

"His side of it? Mara, his side of it has so far included thirty different planets lusting after his blood." Thirty one if you count Triforia. "The royal family banning him from Eltar" Which Zordon managed to overrule somehow. "His existence almost ending when the illegal dark power he'd acquired was ripped away" Zordon still owes me for that, unbanned from my home planet or not. "And now he's bonded to one of the least evolved species in this sector of the universe." In fairness the universe is a very big place, so I find that a bit of an exaggeration.

"Don't forget, I also got kicked out of boarding school."

Opening his mouth to respond to my baiting, Mother however has apparently had enough.

"Zeddic, silence. Kerch, don't. Take a breath and don't. We haven't seen him since he was near death and I for one would like to meet his mate, human or not."

His jaw locks for a minute before he says grudgingly, "All right, Mara. Zeddic, we'll see you when you get here and don't cause any trouble on the way."

The screen goes dark and I exhale heavily. I have no doubt that Thomas will be ready to go home tomorrow if they talk like that in front of him and part of me almost hopes they will so I can be done with this whole mess and get back to focusing on my true family, my business, and my mate. I jump when I hear Thomas' voice. "Well, this is going to be interesting."

I look over to see my mate leaning on the wall, out of sight of the screen, looking thoughtful. Oh hell. "Love-"

"I'm not upset or angry, Zedd. Not yet. And don't worry. You'll be proud of me."

"I already am."

A COUPLE HOURS LATER

The four of us leave the ship, each carrying a bag. The butler stands there, my parents nowhere to be seen. "Lord Zeddic."

"Long time no see, Talic."

Nodding in acknowledgment, he informs me of what's going on. "I'm to show you to your rooms before I take you to your father and your mate to your mother."

"Hell, no." Thomas shoots me a puzzled look. Even though I know he understood what was said, I 'translate' for him before I turn back to the butler.

Thomas stops me. "It's all right, Zedd. I'm familiar with the divide and conquer method. It'll be fine."

I can feel how calm he is, and truthfully, I don't understand how he can be. "Familiar with it or not, I don't like this."

"It'll be okay, mate. Besides if I get into trouble or can't handle it you'll know through the bond, right." True, however the idea of sending him off alone still does not set right.

"Are you sure?"

He exchanges grins with Pina and Dar. "Oh, yeah. They've been tutoring me on correct behavior for this situation. I've got this. You just focus on staying calm while you deal with your father for now."

Exhaling heavily, I nod at the man waiting patiently. He shows Pina and Dar to their room first and then Thomas and me. Honestly caught off guard as I had expected them to expect us to sleep in separate rooms – not that I would have allowed it, but still - I give the butler a curious look.

"Your father assumed it was pointless to try and pursued you to sleep in separate chambers from your mate, especially given the fact you claim him as your mate and not one that you are currently courting."

"What now?" Looking curious for the sake of putting on a good show, Thomas waits for me to again supposedly translate.

"We're horrible, unwed sinners and trying to force me not to ravage you at a moment's notice is obviously too great a task for my parents and the household staff."

Covering his mouth quickly to hide his grin and laugh, he however doesn't succeed very well, making me grin in amusement myself. "Oh. Well maybe you misunderstood, maybe it's me they're worried about not being able to stop ravaging you for even one night."

"In that case why wait until tonight? What's say we skip this little meeting and get to it now?"

Holding a hand out to stop me as I move for him, Thomas grins widely, but apparently isn't having it. "Nice try, but no."

"It'll be more fun."

"I don't doubt that, mate. However your parents are waiting, and the last thing I want is for them to think I have absolutely no self-control, you know being from a lesser species and all that." Oh brother.

Sighing, I shake my head. "As you wish, mate, though I still say my idea would have been the better one." We drop our bags and I shoot a look at the servant. "If Father is in his office, I know the way, and just so you know anything happens to him before he's returned to me and not only will I burn this house to the ground, I'll use you as kindling."

Having heard similar threats from me in the past, the man for the most part is unfazed. "As you wish, Lord Zeddic." He bows slightly and beckons Thomas to follow him.

My mate shoots me a wink and follows his escort from the room. Still worried about him becoming upset I make certain to keep a fair amount of focus on the bond as I head out to meet with my father. Outside his office door, I take a deep calming breath and square my shoulders before knocking. I'm not all that surprised that he makes me wait a good minute before bidding me to enter and grudgingly I realize I'd very likely do the same to him if we were in my home right now. Heaving a sigh, I enter after a moment's debate, closing the door behind me and moving to stand before his desk, hands locked behind my back out of old habit. He frowns. "Zeddic, while I don't approve of much that you do, you are no longer a youngling. Sit down."

Okay, this is an odd turn of events. Uncomfortable, I perch on the edge of the chair as I try and figure out what his game is. We study each other in silence for a minute before it gets to me as he knows does. "Look, I don't want to be here, and I know you don't want me here, however my mate gave me little choice in the matter, so if we can just do this and get it over with that would be great."

Raising a brow, he continues to study me in silence for a long moment before finally speaking. "What does he have on you?"

"What?"

"What does he have on you? Information, power, some sort of life debt?" At my confused look, he continues seriously. "You in the last few hundred years alone have enslaved thirty planets-"

"Thirty one" I correct out of habit.

Eyes narrowing, he grudgingly goes on. "Thirty one. Trapped a power guardian and mentor in essentially a glass tube, made a reputation as one of the most deviantly evil creatures in this and nearly all neighboring galaxies, and yet your human mate commands you to bring him here and you state that you had no choice in the matter."

"That's right." At his continued look of surprise and disbelief I relent slightly. "I know that you're ashamed of me, but Thomas wanted to meet my family as I'd gotten to meet his – if I'd refused him, his feelings would have been hurt as he would have somehow felt it his fault - especially after Scorpina and Goldar informed him that our courtship hasn't exactly been up to expectations for our people."

He seems to grit his teeth for a minute before he answers slowly. "He's right, it hasn't."

"And if it were up to me it still wouldn't, however again he was rather insistent and the last thing I want to do is have him upset over something so pointless."

"So essentially your mate wanted to meet us, no doubt despite you attempting to convince him otherwise, and you knew that we'd want to meet him, despite his original species being human and this being anything but a proper courting. It sounds like the reluctant party here is you, Zeddic, and I can't help but wonder who exactly it is that you're ashamed of to not want to present them to the other party."

"Ashamed isn't exactly the right word, Father."

He leans back in his chair, linking his fingers together. "Oh? Then what is the right word, Zeddic?" When I don't come up with a word quickly, he nods. "I promised your mother that I would listen to you before I made any decisions, not that you'll likely abide by anything I tell you anyway, but still given the situation..." Given the situation I would wager I can very likely count myself removed from my title in the family. Well assuming that hasn't already occurred that is.

Once more, I feel like a child being forced to explain my actions. Wishing my grandmother were here, I begin. "A few months ago-"