TOMMY - MORNING

I wake before everyone else, which is no surprise. If it wasn't so far, I'd consider going back to the ship and getting Zedd some coffee so that he'll be tolerable before noon. I know there is a hot spring nearby so I head over and grab a quick wash before the others are up. My mind wanders and I can't help but wonder what Dulcea saw in Jacob yesterday. Did she see his animal spirit? Does he even have one? Does he have dark power like Zedd and Mara Jane? Or no power at all? I really want to know, but I don't know how to ask her. Not to mention I'm a little afraid of the answer, especially given his almost natural ability to not only draw two power linked animal guides to him, but also communicate with them better than I even can.

When I return, Dulcea is there along with Jacob and his new friend. Maybe he'll have the white tiger spirit? I refocus when I hear Dulcea gently chastise my son. "Save some for your fathers and sister, little one."

"But it's so good!" he protests.

"Jacob," I say.

"Sorry, Daddy, but it is. And she brought lots to eat" he says.

I shake my head, amused by his almost Zedd-like logic. "I hope you remembered your manners, son."

"I said thank you" he replies around a mouthful of fruit. Remembered one at the cost of another, apparently. Fortunately, the warrior seems more amused than offended.

"It's all right, Falcon. Youth provides him freedoms that age does not. You and he should enjoy his youthful behaviors while he is still young enough to have them."

"My grandfather said something similar about Zedd once. He told me to enjoy Zedd's candor before he becomes too old to use it so often."

"And?"

"I often do" I admit. "But children still need to be taught what's appropriate and what's not."

She laughs again as she hands me a steaming beverage. I take a cautious sip as she says, "There's time and they will learn." I don't know what the drink is, but it's good. Hopefully, it'll serve as a reasonable substitute for coffee for Zedd or it's going to be a long morning.

We're chatting lightly when Mara Jane joins us, giving me a quick hug before she sits by her brother and greets Dulcea, looking more concerned then anything else as she plays with a piece of fruit rather than eating it.

"What's wrong, young one?"

Shrugging, she glances up at the warrior. "I'm nervous."

"Why?"

"Because Papa never said what he decided."

"He decided that it's too damn early to be dealing with any of this nonsense" comes the grumpy reply, as Zedd staggers towards us, hand rubbing his eyes in an almost child-like manner. "Or to be able to function without any coffee or proper ma-" Pausing as he finally seems to realize who his audience is, he quickly and thankfully changes his last word mid-rant. "-caroni to make up for it."

"Macaroni?" Looking to her brother and obviously confused now, which in fairness though is better than the alternative, Mara Jane exchanges a shrug with my son before looking back at her Papa. "Why do you want macaroni for breakfast?"

Glancing at me pointedly his response is not highly surprising. "Because I haven't had any for five days." Right, like it's my fault his idiot brother decided to attack our children and make us put our own personal time on hold.

"Well good morning to you too, sunshine."

Eyes only half open, he glares at me. "Don't start."

I sigh silently as Dulcea hands him a hot drink as well as topping up my own. My mate's manners are absolutely absent as he continues to grumble, claiming it's again too early, there's still no coffee, sleeping on the ground is not for him, and if he doesn't get any 'macaroni' soon he's going to have to destroy a planet to help relieve his pent up energy. He continues on to the point that the children are looking at me, unsure how to react to this side of their father they've never seen before. Finally, I've had enough and I let him know it as I say, "Zedd, shut up." He looks up at me and I nod to the kids giving him a pointed look of my own.

He sighs. "Sorry, but you know how I get when my comforts are messed with." Do I ever. The morning the coffee pot gave up on us without so much as a drop coming out was horrible. Fortunately, Kira was able to make some passable coffee until Dar could get back from the closest supplier that carries the damn things - well, close enough anyway. As a result of that morning, there are no less than a half a dozen coffee pots in one of the storage areas in the castle, not to mention a spare in the kitchen itself. Even at the houses on Earth and Eltar, I made sure there was at least one spare. Not to mention a couple kinds that don't require electricity in case of a power outage because hell only knows what'll happen if anyone - even me - makes him instant coffee again.

Whatever the drink is that Dulcea brought us must be close enough though, because it doesn't take all that long before Zedd starts being a bit more tolerable. After he and I have managed a bit of breakfast he looks at Dulcea. "So how long is this going to take?"

"It depends on what you've decided."

He looks at the cup in his hands. "I guess we really have no choice. I'd rather she be able to keep herself safe than to take a chance on something happening to her or her powers just kicking in one day and maybe she loses control of them because she doesn't know how to handle them. Unlock her powers."

Softly, Mara Jane says, "Thank you Papa."

"I hope they don't cause you more problems than good, baby girl."

"All right. Then let's proceed." Dulcea moves us where she wants us. Jacob on the bench off to the side with an admonition to stay put until we're done, Zedd and I opposite each other and Tatiana and the warrior herself in the other two spots. "You go in the center, child, and face Zedd."

"Here?" Moving into position, Mara Jane fidgets nervously waiting to see what will happen just like the rest of us.

Nodding once she's in place, Dulcea says, "That's good, but you need to be on your knees."

"No." I'm startled as I take in the sudden mutinous look on my daughter's face.

Obviously taken back himself, Zedd however manages to find his voice before I can, "Mara Jane –"

"I'm not supposed to kneel to anyone. Daddy said so."

Quickly, I speak up, realizing the problem now. "This isn't the same thing, honey."

Turning to look at me, clearly torn, she shakes her head. "You told me not to. You said I'm Lord Zedd's child and I am not to kneel to others just because they say so."

Ignoring Zedd's own surprised look now, I respond as reasonably as I can. "I know, but this isn't the same thing. There are certain situations, such as this, that respect is demanded, and kneeling or bowing to others is needed. You weren't old enough at the time I told you that to understand the difference in such situations, but you are now. You're almost at the age where you will be considered a young lady and a very powerful one at that, and you need to know that many times things aren't always as simple as they were when you were a little girl. Dulcea is only trying to help you, not dominate or control you. I trust her and I'd like for you to trust her as well as your Papa and myself and do what she asks."

"We will all be kneeling except Tatiana" Dulcea informs her. Seeing her still slight reluctance, I signal Zedd down even as I settle myself in the desired position. Once we're all in position, Mara Jane kneels as well. "Close your eyes, child, and breathe slowly while you focus on the power within you."

The great cat to my left begins to purr loudly, blocking out much of the ambient noise. The warrior continues, her voice soft, almost hypnotic. "See it in you, right now, caged, sealed in a box, small holes allowing air to keep it alive but also allowing it to creep out from time to time. Do you see it?" At Mara Jane's nod, she goes on. "See yourself prying open the box, setting it free. But it doesn't come out right away. It's afraid because this is something new - being allowed out fully. Zedd, let your power flare up just a little. Call to it. Coax it out."

Immediately, my eyes lock on my husband, disturbed by this development even as he does as she says. What the hell is she doing? Doesn't she know or understand the temptation that this is for him? Why tease the beast? Suddenly, I understand when she speaks again. "You can feel it, can't you, Zedd? It feels similar to yours but it's a little different, too. So very similar that you can use it and manipulate it and absorb it if you must. Oh, but that difference. You know that it's not yours, not exactly like yours. You know that's hers and you don't want to hurt her and it helps you want it less, doesn't it?"

He nods almost as if he's asleep but I can clearly see that he's not. Brow furrowed, he's too focused on controlling himself, his power and sensing Mara Jane's like she's telling him to do. Dulcea returns her attention to Mara Jane, talking her through much as she just did Zedd, more or less planting the idea that each power isn't attractive to the other one. While I'm not thrilled by the idea of implanting suggestions in my family, it's actually rather brilliant. They should be able to help each other stay in check while restraining the desire to drain each other dry, so to speak. The only real problem would be if they both were so far gone that they would join forces rather than rein each other in.

Suddenly, Mara Jane sinks to the ground, moans softly and is still. Right after, so does Zedd. What the hell has she done? I realize that Tatiana has stopped purring and is lying down instead. "They are all right, Falcon. This was - very tiring. Odds are they will sleep until morning and then they will be very hungry. I'll make sure that you have the needed supplies come morning. I'll see you again before you leave."

She rises and leaves, unsteady on her feet. I need to get them to our shelter so that they can rest. "Jacob, come with me." I look to the tiger. "Can you watch him until I get back?" She bobs her head in confirmation so I pick my daughter up and make my way to our sleeping area. I get her settled in and look at my son. "Jacob, stay with Sissy and I'll be back with Papa in a bit, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy." Quickly, I return to my mate. Fortunately, since my enhancements all those years ago, I can lift and carry him almost as easily as he does me. Again, build differences do come into play, but as far as actual weight goes, it's no problem. I get him back and situated. "What do we do now, Daddy?"

"We wait, son. It's just you and me right now. What would you like to do?"

"Tell me a story?" His hopeful gaze is very much Zedd and it makes me smile.

"Sure, buddy. Let's grab some of the leftover fruit from breakfast for our lunch and I'll tell you a story." And very soon I'm settled against a tree with my precious son at my side. "What story do you want?"

"Tell me the one about the dinosaurs and how they became est- ets- how they died off."

"Extinct, buddy" I tell him with a smile.

"Yeah, that."

"Okay. Once upon a time, many million years ago…" I weave a tale for him as I have so many times before, teaching him part of the history of my home planet in the guise of a 'story'.