Summary – What was Tommy's favorite book as a kid?

-o-

Rough Day

Tommy

- o-

Landing on my butt, thank you Hayley for fixing that teleportation glitch, I force myself to my feet. Well at least Kat and Jason are still at work. My work, but then who's being technical right now.

Somewhere in the back of my mind I realize I need a bath or a shower and quite badly if I have any hope of even finding the wounds and bandaging them up.

Limping up the stairs and to my bathroom I realize with some concern that I'm trembling. Probably due more to shock than anything, still though it makes me slightly leery with my condition. Leaning against the porcelain sink I try to calm my body down and accidentally get a glimpse of myself in the mirror. In absolutely no place is my costume clean. Splotches of red stand out dully against the mud and grim, the crystalline armor has clearly been torn in several places, my shredded flesh showing through in more than one spot. Even my helmet failed to escape damage, deep scratches from the clown's nails rack from the nape of my neck all the way to the visor. "Power Down."

Closing my eyes as I wait for the power loss I'm almost floored when it doesn't hit. Looking back in the mirror, then down at myself I don't know whether to laugh or scream. Great, I was worried that the clown had damaged my morpher to an extent where I'd be unable to maintain the morph, but no, turns out to be just the opposite. Great. "Power Down." No go.

Muscles aching, head pounding, eyes blurred by dizziness, I really wish someone would just show up and beat me the rest of the way into unconsciousness. Before I even realize I'm doing it I've already stripped off half of my costume. Well can't to do it the easy way, might as well go for old fashioned. Unbuckling the two clasps on either side of my helmet I toss it to the now bloody floor.

Finally free from the suit and my clothing underneath I hobble to the tub, not daring to look at my body yet. I know even if the gashes aren't that bad, I must be completely black and blue. God I hope the kids are better off. I'm going to send Hayley to check them over just to be sure, but man I hope they escaped most of this damage.

Heaving a sigh, I pull the handle back causing the faucet to spew cool water. "This is really gonna hurt." After a deep breath and stealing myself for the pain I pull up the shower lever, cutting off the water to the faucet and redirecting it to the silverish shower head above me. The scream of agony is torn from me before I can stop it. The blast of icy water on my abused skin sets every one of my nerves on fire. I actually think it'd hurt less to have someone shove nails into me then to experiences this. Desperately wanting to shut off the stream of arctic water and end at this agony I try to distract myself until my body adjusts.

It takes a good five minutes, which coincidentally feels more like five days, for the pain to subside. Thankfully it does though and the now warm water actually feels rather nice. Had it not been for the constant throbbing pain encasing my body I might actually be inclined to stay here for a few more hours. Grabbing the bottle of soap I unscrew the cap and lather myself up, well aware that if I don't get every wound absolutely clean they're more than likely going to get infected. Not something I can afford to go through right now. All but biting my tongue I scrub each gash extensively.

Only after the tub is littered with gravel and grim, not to mention tinted a very charming pinkish red, do I finally feel clean. To bad I can't say the same for the bathroom, filthy and stained tub, bloody pile of clothes and costume on the floor, bloody hand prints on the sink. "Screw it."

Shutting off the water, and not even bringing myself to care about the mess I stagger out, narrowly escaping a nasty fall. Great let's just add cracking my skull open to complete this fabulously fabulous day. As the room suddenly tilts more I know I'm going to be violently sick.

Dropping to my knees, I barley make it over the toilet before I heave my guts out. Well now this hasn't happened in how many years. What is wrong with me, I shouldn't be heaving up things I ate five hours ago, geez. Growing rather upset, I find myself suddenly wishing someone was here to hold me, or at the very least stroke my hair back while I puke. Okay snap out of it Tommy, you're going on twenty eight, not two, you clearly ate some bad eggs this morning and that fight just did it in. Snap out of it. Forcing myself up I flush what's left of my breakfast and push the stray tears off my face wondering if it's too early to have a midlife crisis at twenty eight.

Stumbling and limping into my bedroom I don't even bother to dry off or cover myself up. No one's home, and besides the cool air actually feels incredibly good against my aching body and burning wounds. Modesty's got nothing on excruciating pain.

Collapsing onto my unmade bed I try to locate a position that doesn't make me want to rip my skin off. Not gonna happen. After no more then a few minutes of restlessness I gladly let my body shut down and drift into a state of half consciousness. My rest is ghastly and upsetting at the very least. Images of battles, of my team, of children and teachers that I went to school with, my father's passing, it all flashes through my mind.

Time must have passed, though I don't recall it happening, for the next thing I know a strangled cry meets my ears. Gee thanks, like my head just didn't hurt enough already. As if that isn't enough, it's quickly followed by rapid speech and a few curses. Guess they're home. They must have seen the bathroom. Guess I should have cleaned up the tub after all. Oh well, live and learn.

"Tommy? Tommy where you?" Here. Did I close my bedroom door? Too tired to open my eyes and look. Even my eyes hurt. Damn you know you're bad off when you can't even open your eyes. I hope I closed the door, though I seriously doubt I locked it if I did. Maybe I should cover myself up.

The footsteps echo down the hallway, pausing at each room. I really should cover myself up at the very least… Maybe just another minute of rest first. Forget it I'm laying on my stomach, they aren't gonna see anything.

By the volume of the footsteps I'm going to assume that that's Jason that just ran in. Hey can you like throw a sheet over me or something before Kat comes? Not that she's hasn't already seen what there is to see but it's just considered polite I think. "Tom." The single word is laced with immeasurable volumes of concern and alarm.

"Hi. We won."

"I'd hate to see the condition of the guys who lost." Haha. As I hear a female gasp and then begin to mutter a few choice words, I'm guessing Kat's here too. "Geez bro, maybe you should think about doubling up on the armor next time." I'll take it into consideration. Hissing as Jason's fingers graze my back, I really just wanna go back to sleep guys.

"Come on, sit up." No. Wait, why? Glancing up and seeing Kat holding a pair of black boxers and a black T-shirt in her hands, I don't see why they can't just let me lay here in pain like I want to do.

"You guys suck." Letting myself be helped up and dressed carefully, they've been here for all of two hours and already they're bossing me around. "Ow, come on, let me sleep, it's my birthday. Okay well two days before my birthday, but close enough."

"We know, what was that all about anyway?" What was what about? At my lost look, Jason gets up and flips on the TV. Really don't want to watch the highlights of the battle, bro. "Did you see…no, okay probably not, but that demonic woman was running her mouth saying how the Black Ranger was done for, scared the hell out of us."

Sitting up as Jason finds a channel re-playing the scene he was referring to, I frown as Elsa is in fact standing on a building rambling away about how I'm done for and her plan went off perfectly. Um, sorry to tell you but I'm still very much alive here.

"So bow before me you sniveling, pathetic human. Perhaps if you give yourself up to my master now you'll live." Ew scary, especially coming from a Matrix reject. Okay she's actually looking around like I'm going to show up and give myself over to her. Yeah and I'm the one who's got the concussion.

Huffing as I don't appear before her eyes, she places her hands on her hips and glares at the camera. "Fine, but you shall pay! Oh how you shall pay! We'll see just how brave and resistant you are tomorrow when you get your birthday wish." Huh?

Exchanging shrugs with Jason and Kat I flop back onto my pillows and make a dismissive gesture. "She's nuts, we already knew this, turn it off."

Silencing the leather clad ditz, Jason returns to the bed side, giving me a small smile. "So this wasn't exactly how we had the day planned out." So I gathered. "So I guess you're not up for cruising the town huh?"

"Half the town will be shut down until tomorrow, they're not as easy going as Angel Grove was for some reason."

"Damn. Well want to show us this bat lair of yours?" Jase I can barely breath right now, really not in a tour giving mood. And thank you for smacking him Kat, I knew there was a reason you're my best female friend.

"We'll go show ourselves around and get some food. You rest." Yes mam. Snickering as I give her a solute, she drops a pillow on my head before dragging the reluctant Jason to the door. "Just give a holler if you need anything."

"Or a pain filled scream either one." Will do.

-ooooooo-

(Few hours later……)

Moaning and turning over on the bed, I don't know what is wrong with me tonight, I took the good stuff, my body should be so numb I could have open heart surgery preformed right now. So why am I still aching like I got hit by a truck?

Pulling the covers up further and closing my eyes again, I need to get some sleep. I have to go teach my class tomorrow. Man can't believe I'm even teaching to begin with. It's crazy this is the job I finally chose after all the trouble I had starting out in school.

-oooo-

(20 years ago)

"Daddy?" Peeking into his room, and seeing him still up and reading in bed, I guess it's not so late after all. Good, maybe he won't make me go back to my room since I'm not waking him up.

Looking up from his book and tilting his head, he gives me a smile. "Tommy, it's late, I put you to bed two hours ago kiddo." Oh, oops. "What is it Tommy? You have a bad dream?"

Nodding and looking down, I really don't wanna go back to my room. "I watched the scary clown movie when I was coloring today. Can I sleep with you tonight?" Stupid clowns, go around eating people and melting them with acid candy. Stupid babysitter for letting me watch it.

Sighing and muttering something about finding a new sitter, he sets his book down before patting the bed. "Sure, come're." Well if you really want me to.

Running over to the bed and letting him pick me up, I laugh a bit as he sets me down beside him. "Oh you are getting so big. Pretty soon you're going to be driving, bringing home girlfriends, going off the college, saving the world." Sure I will, whatever you say. Girlfriends? I already have friends that are girls.

"Daddy." Giving him a look though at his driving and saving the world thing, I am not amused. I can't even get up on the bed myself without trouble not to mention I'm the smallest kid in my class. Stupid sickness.

"What? It's true." Sure it is. I don't think Spiderman was as short as me when he was eight. Also I doubt he had trouble reading and holding things without shaking.

Laying down and curling up into the soft covers, I think sometimes he forgets all the troubles I have. "Na uh, can't even run and play tag without getting tired and achy."

"Oh and like playing tag is going to be the deciding factor in you saving the world. Do you think Batman and Superman play tag? Noooo, well maybe, but not when saving the world." How do you know, have you ever asked them?

Pushing him playfully, I think he needs more grown up friends to hang around. He's watching too many cartoons. "You're silly."

"Thank you." Welcome.

Not really wanting to go back to sleep yet, I pick up his book and hold it up. "Will you read me a story?" Not that I really wanna hear an adult story as they're usually boring, but it's better than nothing.

"I already read you your story before I tucked you into bed two hours ago." Oh yeah. But I'm up again and technically being put to bed again so than shouldn't I get another story? Hm that probably won't work because he hasn't even gone to bed once yet.

Thinking it over and trying to find some way to get out of sleeping again so soon, I look around the room before spotting my excuse. He was reading a book so he seems to want a story before he sleeps too. So than I'll just read him one and than everyone gets a story and I get to stay up longer. "Can I read you a story?"

"You wanna read me a story?" Well I'd rather you read me one since that way wouldn't take nearly as long, but sure I don't mind reading you one. When I nod he thinks for a minute before finally putting his own book away and giving me an okay sign. "Alright, what story would you like to read me?"

"Um…" Well I hadn't thought that far ahead. Looking around again and knowing I'll never be able to read what he was reading, I wonder if I left any of my books in here. I don't wanna go back to my room by myself and find one. Who knows if those clowns are around. Darn it, I don't- yes! "That one." Pointing to the big blue book on his desk, I am so glad I don't have to go back to my room in the dark and find one.

"Cat in the Hat, huh. Well now, how amazing is that that you knew that was the exact story I was hoping you'd read me?" I'm just good like that.

"Really?" Crawling off the bed and retrieving the book, I am going to get through this book if it kills me. We've only had for like five years, you'd think I'd be able to get it by now. Sigh, but no, takes me forever to read it all the way and how stupid is that. While I'm trying to read this little kid book the other kids in class are reading chapter books like 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', or 'Harriet the Spy'. I mean I know he'll read them to me if I just ask or help me read them, but it's not the same as doing it by myself.

"Really." Reaching down and putting me back up on the bed, he gets us settled before opening up the book. "All comfortable?" Nodding, I settle down in his arms as he holds the book up so we can both see it. "Okay than read away."

"K." Flipping to the first page and starting out, I have to at least get through this part. I've been through it a million times. "The sun did not sh..shh shine. It was too wet too play. So we sat in the how..ho.. uh…help?" Man not even the first page!

"Sound it out with me okay?" Pointing to the stupid word he goes through each letter. "H-ou-se." Going sound by sound like him, I want to kick myself as I always get stuck on that and it's even in the picture! Sigh. Once I get it, he gives me a rewarding kiss on the head. "Good boy, you are getting very good at this you know." Yeah right.

Shrugging and really hating that word for messing me up again, I am so tired of being dumb. Okay so he will definitely never let me or anyone else call me dumb and wouldn't like that I thought it but it's true. He can call me special or talented or whatever he wants but I'm still laughed at by everyone else.

Looking at me closely for a minute, he knows I don't believe him. Well how can I? I don't think I blame some of the kids for making fun of me in school, I'd make fun of me too at this rate. "Tommy you are. You're getting much much better. Do you remember when you couldn't even get through your ABCs? Or how about when we first got this book, huh? We couldn't get past the first few words and now you can get through the whole book with just a little help. I'm not even reading it for you, I'm just helping you remember how to sound a few tiny words out."

"I guess." Giving in when he gives me a stern look and says I am surely, I don't think there's much point arguing. He'll always think I'm special and smart, and while that really makes me feel better it still doesn't actually make me special or smart. Oh well. "Okay. The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the h-ou-se all that cold, cold, wet day."

Continuing to read through the book, I make it to the Thing one, and Thing two part before closing it and giving up. That took forever and now I am sleepy. I heard the big clock in the livingroom chime two times, which means it's two in the morning. I'm sure that's a long time from when I came in and started this.

"You getting tired, Tommy?" Yes. You're yawning too. I think he would have asked to go to sleep pretty soon anyways with how much he's yawning. When I nod, he takes the book from me gently and sets it by his on the night table. "Me too. Tell you what how about you finish reading this to me tomorrow, okay? I think it's time we both got some sleep now."

"K." Snuggling down into the covers again and curling up on him, I listen to his heart beat. "Night daddy, love you."

Giving me one more kiss on the head and a hug, he turns off the lamp and settles down too. "I love you too, kiddo. See you in the morning."

-ooooo-

As a door slamming suddenly wakes me up, I really wish he'd be more quiet when he gets the paper in the morning. Oh well, up now. Sitting up and rubbing my eyes, I pull the covers up around me more, feeling a bit cold. Hey, these aren't my covers. Looking down at the black sheets and blankets, I frown as this is definitely not my bed, or my room. And where are my pajamas? I know I didn't go to bed only wearing this huge black T-shirt. "D-dad?"

Looking around the strange room and seeing the sun coming in through the window, it's clearly daytime, so where is he? Did he bring me here when I was sleeping? I don't remember going for a car ride. "Daddy?!"

Not liking this at all and suddenly having trouble breathing calmly, I wanna go home. Where am I? Whimpering and curling up against the pillows, I guess I'll just wait here until he comes back. Please let him come soon.

To be continued……….