Author's Notes - Sorry if it's crappy, I really couldn't get a version I was happy with, this was like a five attempt part which is way it's going up later then usual, so yeah.

Summary – Tommy takes back control of the situation, while Zedd is more affected by Zordon's words then he'd like.

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Too Close but Not Close Enough

Tommy

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(Angel Grove Park)

The lake coming into view I shake my head as I can already make out the figure standing before it in the dim twilight. I knew he'd be here. I'm not certain how I knew, maybe instinct, maybe just arrogance on my part, but I knew he would come, just like he knew I would last time.

-ooooooo-

(2 days ago)

Entering the Command Center, my team still grumbling behind me about Goldar's latest attack, I hold back on the urge to ask them to just leave and let me handle the debriefing as they've been nothing if not in foul moods for the last five days and truly I am sick and tired of it. Honestly between them and Zedd I'm not sure which is pushing my patience more at this point.

"I'm just saying that if we gave him Zedd he might very well have stopped before the battle escalated." Thank you Zack, don't think I thought of that? However I also took into consideration that if I stopped fighting mid-battle and left to go get Zedd you all probably wouldn't be alive when I got back.

"Or been distracted enough that we could have taken them both out with…" Trailing off as I turn to give her a look that could rival our enemy's, Kimberly gives a huff of submission before letting it rest. "Just a thought."

Definitely not in the mood for any more thoughts of that nature after a week of hearing many just like them my response is curt. "Well from now on keep such thoughts to- Zedd."

Door sliding open to allow us to enter the main chamber we all stop short as we see our current guest having what looks to be a rather heated argument with Zordon.

"HE'S GOING TO GET HURT."

Glaring down our mentor, body language showing just how agitated he is, Zedd shakes his head in fevered denial. "I'll protect him." Protect who? Me?

"HOW WILL YOU DO THAT WHEN YOU'RE THE ONE ASSIGNED TO HURT HIM?" Shaking his head at Zedd's glare, he continues almost too calmly. "IF YOU'RE BEING HONEST, AND YOU REALLY DO CARE FOR HIM THEN YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO THAT THE BEST WAY TO KEEP HIM SAFE IS TO STAY AWAY FROM HIM. THE ELDERS DON'T KNOW YOU ARE HERE, NOR DO THEY KNOW MUCH OF ANYTHING ABOUT THOMAS BEING TAKEN BY YOU BEFORE. HOWEVER IF YOU CONTINUE TO PULL STUNTS OF THIS NATURE THEY WILL EVENTUALLY FIND OUT AND IF NOT ABLE TO GET TO YOU THEY WILL TAKE HIM." Feeling my blood go cold at this bit of information, I try my best to shake it off. It's not as if I hadn't thought about that, at least a bit. But to hear Zordon actually state it…

Perhaps seeing the loss of color in my face or just impacted as much as I was by our mentor's words of warning, Jason's hand is suddenly on my shoulder, squeezing strongly and reassuringly.

Turning to give him an uncertain look, I feel a small sense of relief wash over me as dark eyes find mine and the pressure on my shoulder is increased as if to say that despite our disagreements this past week he'll be damned if he let's such a thing happen.

As other hands are placed on me as well, all soothing and supportive, I realize with growing awareness that Zedd had been right. Despite our disagreements and their anger towards me at what I'd done, how I'd deceived them, they do all still care and will fight beside me, for me, in the end if need be.

Silent and still for a good minute, Zedd's response is soft and as close to defeated as I've ever heard him. "I hate you." Can't say I'm too fond of him myself right now.

"YOU USED TO BELIEVE IN DOING THE RIGHT THING ZEDD. YOU WERE NEVER SELFISH OR STUPID. BUT STAYING AROUND THE BOY AT THIS TIME INVOLVES YOU BEING BOTH OF THOSE. JUST THIS ONCE PERHAPS YOU CAN BE THE PERSON YOU WERE AND DO THE RIGHT THING."

Looking back at my team torn between what I should do, my choice is made as I get a round of reluctant, but nevertheless supportive nods.

Moving forward with loud, purposeful steps I bring the two Eltarians attention to me for the first time since we stumbled upon their little scene. "The right thing, right because everyone is so concerned with doing the right thing these days."

"Thomas-"

Waving off Zedd's concern or was it a protest, I continue in much the same too calm manner Zordon had carried with him. "You left me there to die in that gorge six months ago because retrieving the Sword of Power was more important. Was the right thing at the time. Zedd saved me that day, broke all the rules and codes of the game so I could live because it was the right thing. I decided I couldn't stay with him, that I'd have to come back, accept the white powers because it was the right thing. And then in the end I used them to save him because, guess what, it was the right thing. Are we seeing where this is going?"

Teeth and fists clenched, I give them both a much needed glare. "I am so sick of hearing about what the 'right thing' is. If I hear either one of you use that god damn phrase one more time I will kill you both. I will smash your tube in a fit that will make my Evil Green Ranger days look tame, and then, then I will hunt you down and hand you over to the Council gift wrapped!"

Both staring at me in shock while my team, my friends look on in what appears to be a small sense of satisfaction, I continue in a more collective manner. "I am taking back control of my life. I am not your errand boy that you can send off to do your dirty work and then discard when it's done, nor am I your pet or plaything that you can just bend the rules with because you feel like it. You two have made your choices in life and now I've made mine. I am not the concern of either one of you, I am the White Ranger, leader of the Earth Power Rangers and I am done with this drama."

Both silent and still as the minutes begin to stretch on, it's unsurprising Zedd who speaks first. Eyebrow raised and gaze turning to Zordon, he shakes his head. "And you think he needs protecting?"

-ooooooo-

Sighing and shaking away the still fresh memory, not wanting to recall how I'd told him to leave after that, how I'd watched him bow with a parting goodbye to me and threat of death and destruction to Zordon and my team, most of which simply rolled their eyes at his attempt, I move closer to the loan figure before me.

"Thought you might come."

Shaking my head, I stand beside him watching as the light fades almost completely, giving way to the soothing darkness of the night. "Figured it was only fair, after all you came for me last time."

Smiling but thankfully not making the lude joke, which I know is on the tip of his tongue, he continues to stare out over the water. "You've grown up."

"You haven't."

"No, I suppose I haven't. At least not in Zordon's eyes. He has this funny little notion that I'm still ruled by my emotions." You are. And it's quite clearly not a good thing considering who you're working for.

"Is that what he told you."

"Among other things." I'll bet.

"Other things, like you not associating with me." Though in all fairness I basically told him the same thing with my parting rant. Not that I meant it exactly, but still…

"More or less." Finally turning to look at me, I expect a smart response, something filled with his usual sarcastic wit, something that is basically a 'fuck what he wants though' statement. However what I get is anything but. "He's right you know." What? "I'll deny I ever said it, but for once he's…he's right."

"No he's not."

"Yes he is Thomas. The Council will come after you if they find you're involved with me. They'll use you as a bargaining piece. I can't allow that to happen." Holding up a hand when I go to protest, he apparently isn't having it. "And before you go off on another rant, despite how amusing they are, you know I'm right. You're human Thomas, Ranger or not you are still very easily injured and broken. I can't allow that to happen. Not because of me."

Swallowing back a lump in my throat, I turn away from him, only to have something placed gently around my neck. Looking down and catching the flash of gold even in the diminished light, I feel my anger begin to overtake the hurt of rejection. "This is yours. I gave it to you."

"And I'm giving it back. I can't keep it. If the Council Elders found out you gave it to me they'd…it's better if you keep it." Coward.

Voice tight, I wrap my hand around the coin which I'd given him, the coin with helped save his life. "Fine."

"I'm sorry." Bull.

"Don't be." Moving to leave, unable to ask if I'll see him again, already certain I know the answer, I'm stopped as strong arms are suddenly around me, turning me back and pulling me into a comforting if not restraining hug.

"I'm sorry, but I can't…I can't put you through what I went through. It's not about you feeling you're strong enough, or about what your friends, Zordon, any of them believe. It's about what will happen, what could happen to you because of me." Laying his head on top of mine and breathing in such a manner that makes me almost certain he's struggling not to cry, I don't know what Zordon told him but whatever it was it's clearly hit him much harder then I ever thought anything could. "I can't let that happen again." Again.

"I'm not the first am I." That's it isn't it. That's why he's so scared about what will happen. I'm not the first he's been involved with. Not the first he's not suppose to be involved with. And what happened to the others? Was he, she, they harmed because of it? He couldn't protect whoever came before me could he, just like he can't protect me now.

Voice sad but laced with determination his response is anything but comforting. "You're the first I can do the right thing for." The right thing. Right. It's always about the right thing isn't it.

The End

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Sequel 'Red Delusions' will be posted by next Friday.