ZEDD - A WEEK LATER

We're almost home. It's been one hell of a trip and, quite frankly, not one I'm in a hurry to make again. On the whole, things have gone much better than I'd dared hope for. Thomas has settled his affairs on Earth, most of my family has accepted - and even likes - my mate. Jax is in serious trouble with my parents over how he's been handling some things - both personal and professional. I really can't contain my glee at that little bit of information.

Still, I'm glad it's over. I know we still have a lot of work ahead of us once we get home - rearranging rooms and furniture and whatnot - but I'll be glad to do it, especially considering it means that Thomas will be officially home for good. Smiling slightly at the thought, I can't help but feel relieved. I'd always had the slight nagging feeling that with him having a home still on Earth he would maybe one day decide to take off for some reason, now however with this being viewed as his home that fear is greatly reduced. He gave up that safety net so to speak and that I think says a good deal about his trust in me. Still lost in thought, I jump slightly when Thomas slides his arms around me from behind. "What're you thinking about, mate?" he purrs in my ear.

I pull him around onto my lap and kiss him quickly. Ever since we got the excess medication out of his system, he's been extremely - affectionate. Pina assures me that all the tests show he's back to normal, so I'm guessing he's trying to make up for his behavior during the time while he was messed up from the medication. Not that it's necessary. After all, I still need to try to make it up to him for putting him in the hospital in the first place. In response to his question, though, I answer, "Hmm. Don't remember. Must not have been all that important."

He laughs lightly before kissing me back. "Liar" he says lovingly. "Come on, tell me."

"One thing I was thinking about was you" I offer.

"Good choice" he laughs again. Damn it's good to see him happy! "But what about me?"

"Aside all the deviously wicked things I want to do to you once we get home you mean?"

"Yeah, aside that."

"Trying to figure out how to make it up to you for putting you in the hospital and letting them restrain you."

He sighs. "I told you that I understood and that you were forgiven. Your father explained it to me - told me just how sick I really was. Let it go, lover."

"I know, but I still feel bad about it. After all, I promised you-"

He presses his lips against mine, cutting off the rest of what I was going to say. He kisses me thoroughly, only backing off when we both need air. Softly he commands, "That's enough, Zeddic. Let it go."

For now, I suppose. "Fine, but only for the time being, as I will eventually think of something to do for you that will make up for it" I vow, smiling as he rolls his eyes at me. "That aside though, thought you were taking a nap."

"Don't like going to bed without you. Besides it's early still, wanted to spend some time with you since I knew you were alone." About to ask him how he knew that, I stop as I recall Goldar excusing himself earlier to go check on Pina and never coming back to the bridge.

"They woke you up, did they?"

Smiling he gives a nod. "And they say we're loud."

"Hmm, well you know you're more than welcome to stay here with me, mate. Though you might be tired by the time all is said and done. After all it'll be rather late when we get home."

He grins at me. "Too late to play?"

"Of course not. After all, I want to welcome you to your new home properly."

"I like the sound of that. I can't wait to be officially moved in. The visit to Earth and to your parents' was nice, but I'm honestly happy to be back home."

Unable to stop the grin that spreads over my face at his words, I give a nod. "Me too. Though we do still have a while before we get there."

"Hmm. Sounds like you want something to do. Want to make out for a while?" Fortunately, he explained this slang term to me while we were on Earth.

"Definitely."

A FEW HOURS LATER

A tone goes off on the console, letting me know that we're very close to home and it's time to turn my attention toward landing the ship. I give Thomas one last kiss before we straighten our clothes. Just in time too as Pina and Dar join us on the bridge.

Smiling Thomas gives me a look I haven't seen since I'd first retrieved him from that backwards planet of his. "That's your home?"

Recalling how he'd said the same thing when he'd first seen it all those months ago and in a similar manner, I shake my head. "Nope."

Raising a brow and thinking I'm not playing along, his confusion is clear. "No?"

"No, not my home, love. Our home."

Smiling widely now, he wraps his arms back around my neck. "Like the sound of that."

"Me too."

Apparently not the only one happy to be back either, Pina catches our attention when she sighs at the sight of the castle. "It's good to be home."

Dar agrees. "It's nice to get away sometimes, but…"

Thomas grins. "But there's no place like home!"

"Especially with ones you love" I chime in, smiling at him. I turn my focus to getting us landed safely and quickly. Once done, I turn to my companions. "I suggest we worry about unloading the crucial things tomorrow or the day after."

Unsurprisingly, everyone agrees and we all leave the ship. Thomas and I head for our room, both of us tired but still looking forward to playing. I lock the door behind us and turn only to find that he quickly has me pinned against the door, mouth devouring mine. We break for air and he slips his hands under my shirt. "Want you, kalleimat."

"Wait, Thomas."

"Wait?" Smiling teasingly, he shakes his head. "Didn't know that word was in your vocabulary." To quote Dar, 'cheeky little brat'.

"It is, though it's rarely used" I admit as I gently remove his hands from my skin before I frame his face, thumbs caressing his cheekbones. "Welcome home, my love."

He smiles softly at me. "Thank you, mate." I kiss him softly, pressing him back so that I can move us away from the door and toward the bed. He retaliates by pulling my shirt off. "I love you, Zedd."

"Love you too. Let me show you how much?"

The question earns me the slow, sexy smile I love so much. "All right, but you know that we'll want to get some sleep - and food - at some point."

I give a very put upon sigh. "I suppose so. I guess I just have to settle for showing you for the rest of our lives."

Thomas shakes his head. "No, that won't work either. If I let you do that, then I won't have any chance to show you how much I love you and we'd thus be out of balance again. That's not fair."

"Oh really now."

"Yep, so I'm afraid you only get half the time and I get the rest. Sorry, but just how it is."

I sigh again. "Well, if you must cut into my time…"

He laughs and pulls me close. Just before he kisses me, he says, "Don't worry. I'll make it worth it."

"I don't doubt you will."