ZEDD - SIX MONTHS LATER

We're on our way to Earth for the Ranger reunion. Things have settled down considerably with Mara Jane since we discovered that she's going through the chemical and hormonal equivalent of human puberty. There are still land mines, but we're working through them. It helps some that she's spending time with my mother and sister actively helping plan her coming out party in the next decade or so.

My thoughts are interrupted when Thomas comes on the bridge, brushing his hair out of his eyes. For some reason, he's decided to let it grow out again. Not that I mind, but he's also been behaving strangely lately. Going out alone - to bars, no less - coming back at all hours, doing less with the business, sleeping less, working out more - he's even dressing differently, more like when he was younger. Not to mention that his looks are becoming somewhat of an obsession with him - to the point that he's even rivaling me! Every time I try to talk to him or ask him about it, he brushes me off, telling me that I'm being paranoid.

"How much longer, Zedd?"

"Couple of hours or so."

He sighs. "I hope that Hayley or Jason remembered to make sure that at least one of our vehicles has been serviced recently. I don't want to rent a car again."

He wasn't pleased, to say the least, when both our vehicles had to go in for service on one of our visits due to lack of maintenance in our absence. "I double checked last week - both of them have been in the shop less than a month ago."

"Good. So, we get to Earth, head out to the hotel, reunion is tomorrow. Anything else?"

"Not that I'm aware of. What's going on with you, love?"

Thomas sighs loudly. "Nothing, Zedd. Same as the last thirty times or so you've asked. What the hell is going on with you?"

I stand and give him my full attention. "Thomas, please, I'm not stupid. You've changed a lot lately and I don't understand why. If there is something wrong, I wish you'd talk to me."

He shrugs. "I'm just exploring some changes, checking out some new things."

"Are you getting bored with us? With our life?"

Now he's obviously offended. "Jeez, Zedd, just because I make a few changes doesn't mean I don't want to be with you anymore. Stop looking for problems."

"I'm not looking for problems, Thomas, but you don't seem to be yourself anymore and I don't know how to handle it."

"How exactly am I not myself anymore?"

I know there's no way to answer his question without making things worse. "I'm sorry, Thomas. I'm not trying to start a fight. Just forget about it." I return to my seat, completely at a loss as to how to express my concerns to him without causing a blow up.

I'm startled when he turns my chair to face him. "No, Zedd. No more dodging me. Tell me what changes you think you see."

I exhale heavily. "Thomas, I'm probably just being foolish - as you've said before."

"First of all, I never said foolish. I said you were being paranoid. Second, if it's still bothering you, then it needs to be addressed. Brushing it aside won't help and you obviously need more reassurance than what I've already told you."

"You just - don't seem happy with our life anymore. You're hardly doing anything with the business these days - like you're bored with it, you're becoming obsessed with your looks, working out more, you've changed how you dress, letting your hair grow out and you're going to bars of all places."

He opens his mouth but immediately shuts it again. In fact, he's silent for a good five minutes before he answers me. "Zedd, I'm not unhappy with our life, per se. I'm unhappy with me. I'm trying some things, making some changes, trying to find what will make me happy with me again. I'm not looking for another mate or someone to be with behind your back. I just - feel like I've lost myself somewhere along the way and I'm trying to find myself." He shrugs. "It's the best way I can explain it."

"Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"No. I have to figure this out on my own."