ZEDD - FOUR MONTHS LATER

Thomas had some work he wanted to get done around the house while the kids are at school, so I'm dealing with the grocery shopping. I shake my head. How far I've come in being able to deal with this planet and its inhabitants! Quickly, I get through the checkout line and start loading the trunk. My phone goes off as I toss the last bag in the trunk.

I answer the device as I close the trunk. "Hello?"

"Zedd, where are you and Tommy?"

I frown at Jason's question. "I'm just leaving the store and Thomas is at home working on some thing or another. Why?"

"He's not answering his phone. What is he doing?"

There's an anxiety and an edge to his voice that's making me nervous. "I'm not sure. Jason, what's wrong?"

"Big John is out."

"WHAT?" Quickly, I start the car and start heading for home.

"I already have Hayley getting the kids and taking them to the café in case he heads to Tommy's old house. I have units headed for both places, but-"

Grimly, I answer, "I'll get there first. I'll see you later."

I disconnect the call, throwing the phone on the passenger seat. Thomas has taught me several racing tricks which were fairly easy to learn with my superior senses and reflexes and I use them to good advantage now. I glance at the clock on the dash and start swearing in every language I know. I've been gone from home for an hour and a half. Praying to the powers that he's safe, I make it home in record time, tires squalling as I slam on the brakes and throw the vehicle in the park. I shut it off and hurry up to the house.

I stop outside the door, take a breath and gather myself. There are a hundred perfectly good reasons that Thomas might not be answering his phone. My eyes fall on the door that's not quite closed. There is no good reason for that. I push the door open, listening carefully as I do. Slowly, I make my way into the house. I can't feel Thomas through the bond and that's worrying me even more. Carefully, but quickly, I search the lower level. I freeze as I think I hear something upstairs.

All the doors are wide open - except our bedroom door. I push the door open and am shocked at what I see. Thomas, on the floor at the foot of the bed, naked, bound and obviously beaten all to hell. He groans quietly as I feel a flare of pain through the bond as he regains consciousness. I can't help myself and hurry across the room and kneel in front of him. Softly, I say, "Thomas?"

He raises his head slightly and I remove the gag that's muffling him. His face is black and blue and bloody, most of that from a head wound. His voice is nearly gone as he croaks out, "Behind you."

I catch the faint rustle of clothing and move swiftly. Unfortunately, it puts Thomas in the line of fire, so to speak, and he takes the attack full on. I hear the solid crack as the bat breaks Thomas' shoulder. He cries out in pain, but it's far weaker than it should be before he returns to oblivion. I turn my attention to the intruder even as I hear Jason call out from downstairs. John swings the bat again, but this time I simply catch it and wrench it out of his grasp.

"This time you die" I hiss. "I gave you a chance and you just wasted it."

In a move that feels oddly familiar, I pin him against the wall by his throat. He swings at me, but I block it with ease. "I told you - you got your one and only shot."

He, however, doesn't block my punch and is out instantly. I'll kill him in a minute but first - Thomas. I drop John in a heap, barely noticing that several humans descend on him. In a minute, I'm back at my husband's side, carefully undoing his bindings. Jason's at my side. "There's an ambulance on the way and Dana will meet us at the hospital."

"Bare minimum, besides the bruises, he has a head wound and his shoulder is broken" I inform the former Ranger. Before I can say any more, Thomas starts to heave. I shift him slightly in spite of his obvious damage. Still unconscious, he vomits up a puddle of pink - something. I catch the smell of blood. "He's throwing up blood."

A quick glance at Jason and I return my attention to my mate. Why has Jason gone pale? "Blood is red, Zedd. That's blood and something else."

Abruptly, I reach the same conclusion that he already has. The blood is from a torn throat. Red and white make pink. My rage spikes to an entirely new level. My gaze snaps up to the newly conscious intruder. "You touched him. You forced yourself down his throat - again."

"And he's just as tight now as he was then. Not using your new toy to it's fullest?"

I snap and launch myself at him, completely ignoring the humans around him. I barely hear Jason. "Zedd, no!"

He tackles me to the floor. "He dies! He dies NOW!"

"Not now" he says firmly.

"Yes, not now" John mocks. "They won't let you kill me or they'll have to arrest you for murder with all these feds as witnesses."

I struggle to get free, but Jason's not having it. I may be stronger, but he has a few tricks up his sleeve to keep me immobile. "Get him out of here!" The humans drag my target out of the room.

"NO!"

"Zedd, focus! Tommy needs you!"

Tommy? No. Thomas. My mate, my husband. My love that that filth dared to touch and use! A final useless snarl and I stop fighting Jason. I turn my head so that I can see Thomas. "Thomas."

Cautiously, Jason releases me and I move over to Thomas, still unconscious. "Hang on, Thomas. It'll be all right." Gently, I run my fingers through his hair as I plan my revenge. First step will be to have Dar and Pina retrieve the little bastard. Suddenly, another worrisome thought crosses my mind.

"Mating and kissing are the only things that he didn't taint."

Did he have time to do more than that to Thomas? Has he, in fact, tainted more now? Softly, I say to Jason, "Dana is going to have to do a complete exam. We'll need to know if John - took him."

"Can't you tell or find out or something?"

"You don't want me to do that right now. If he has, then there is not a force on this planet that will stop me from killing him where he stands. I don't care if I have to return to what I once was to do it, either."

"You can't do that, Zedd. Tommy's going to need you."

Guilt bubbles up through the rage. "He needed me now and I've failed him - again. I'll do whatever I have to do to make sure this never happens again."

Medical personnel hurry in and Jason starts relaying stats to them even as they begin to move him. Reluctantly, I move back so that they can tend to him. Without taking my eyes from him for more than a few seconds at a time, I send a message to Pina and Dar. I know they left the planet for a bit, but I can't remember where or what for. In no time, they have him on a gurney and are headed out of the room. "Jason-"

"You can go in the ambulance with him, Zedd. I'll take care of the clean up after CSI is done and Hayley will keep the kids tonight. We'll figure out the rest tomorrow. I'll be there as soon as I can."

I start to hurry after my mate when a stray thought returns. "Jason - how in all the hells did he get out?"

He sighs. "By mistake. They released the wrong prisoner."

I nod. "It won't happen again." I turn and head out, catching up with them quickly. Once settled in the ambulance, I take Thomas' hand. "Hang on, my love."

A FEW HOURS LATER

They've finally moved Thomas to a room and I'm right beside him. He's not been settled in very long when Dana comes in. "Dana, shouldn't he be awake by now?"

She shakes her head. "I gave him a mild sedative to keep him under for the exam. I didn't want him to wake up and freak out depending on what I was doing at the time."

I'm not sure I want to know, but I have to ask. "How bad?"

Thankfully, she knows what I'm asking. "He didn't rape him, Zedd, not that way. He did take his throat as you and Jason suspected and probably while he was unconscious. Beyond that - he hurt Tommy very badly, but nothing that the powers can't take care of. It's going to take a bit of time, though. I don't think, even with powers, he'll be able to go home for at least two or three more days and even then he'll probably have to have his arm in a sling."

"Thanks, Dana." She leaves the room and I take Thomas' hand. "I'm here, Thomas."

I settle in to wait.