Training Sessions: Keeper of Secrets

By: M14Mouse

Summary: They have a strange sort of friendship. Colonel Truman hates tea. Theo loves it and also likes to drive him nuts.

Disclaimer: Don't own them at all.

Takes Place Between Embodied and Ghosts

Theo watched Mason glanced at the Scrabble board then at him. Then he picked up his mug then took a sip of his coffee.

"That isn't a word, Theo."

"Now, how would you know, Mason?"

"Because the word sounds ridiculous."

"Ask one of your soldiers to look up on their cell phone or something," He said with a grin.

"I will do that." Mason said casually. He grinned when Mason looked to one of his men and nodded his head. He watched the soldier pull out his cell phone and started typing. Mason set down his mug. He picked up his cup and took a sip of his tea.

"Are you going to answer my question?"

"You asked a very vague question."

Mason's eyes narrowed at him.

"Why did you say that the rangers can't defeat Venjix in their current state?"

"You already know my answer."

"You gave a vague answer."

He grinned slightly as he took another sip of tea. The slightly bitter and sweet taste made him sigh. Once the rangers defeat Venjix, he is going to find himself a real cup of tea.

"I hate repeating myself. I told you before….their circle is incomplete."

"There are five of them. That is more than enough."

"So?"

Mason slammed his fist down on the table.

"Just answer the damn question."

He took another sip of his tea and watched the tiles move. He is going to ruin their game if he doesn't keep his cool.

"Stop banging on the table and calm down. YOU know as well as I do that not all teams are the same."

"The higher ups won't like it."

"Your higher ups are idiots."

A brief smile played on Mason's face.

"No arguments there."

Then he heard Mason sigh.

"How much longer?"

"Now, how I would know?"

"You have a very annoying habit of knowing things that most people shouldn't know."

"It's a remarkable thing called paying attention. You should try it sometimes."

He could hear Mason's teeth grinded together from where he sat. Even after all of these months, he can still get to the man. His friends would probably found his comment amusing. He knew Dom would.

"Sir…Idas is a…"

Before the soldier could speak, a loud beeping noise came from the second soldier's pocket. The soldier picked up the radio and listened for a moment.

"The rangers are completely out of range of radar, sir."

Mason took a deep breath and sighed. For someone who has hid behind his rank, he was a very emotional man. Marcus would never say it out loud. He worried about his son constantly. Let not forget the guilt, the angry, and a million other emotions between those two. Sometimes, he wanted force them into therapy or hand them a pair of staffs and let them go at it.

He is leaning toward the second choice.

"Well…aren't you going to say anything?" Mason said

"You know how I feel about the subject," He said as he took another sip of his tea.

Mason scowled him.

"I'm surprise that your sharp tongue hadn't add anything else to subject."

"Give me five minutes. I will think of something."

Mason snorted.

"I have a question."

"You are full of questions much like my cubs are."

"I'm not one of your cubs."

"Thanks the spirits for small favors."

Mason chuckled as he took a sip of his coffee.

"How are Reese and Victor doing?"

"They are doing well. After this mess with Venjix is over, I am hoping to find one of my fellow Masters. The cross-training would be good for them."

"If your other Masters are anything like you…they would be traumatized."

"Mason…I am surprise at you. You made a joke. Should I write this down?"

"Hah….very funny, Theo. But I'm curious why on you agreed to train Ranger Green?"

"He asked for it, Mason. That makes a difference when you are trying to teach someone to fight."

"It doesn't show."

"He comes to me with fewer bruises…less soreness….less complaining after every fight…after every lesson. He has taken pride in his achievements. I am not changing how he fights. I am changing how he views himself. That is sometimes the most important tool of them all."

Silence full the air between them. He glanced over at him from time to time. The man seemed so tired. Tireless battles…the tireless planning…and it wears down the soul. He saw it in Ziggy and Dillon…if he got to know the other rangers. He would see it in their souls as well. His soul was marked by it as well. Mason messed with cup for a moment then sighed softly. The poor man bowed his head and placed it into his hands. He glanced over at the soldiers. They were looking away at the pond. Smart.

"I…"

"It is okay to be afraid."

Mason's head snapped up and lashed out in a bitter tone.

"Who said I was afraid?"

"Who said you were afraid for yourself?"

Mason stared down at his coffee cup.

"Sometimes, I think I should send some of my men to a temple and leave them there. You are entire too wise for your age, Theo."

"Temple was part of it. Life made me old, Mason. I doubt your men could last a week at our temple anyway."

"I'm glad you have faith in my soldiers," Mason said with a brief grin.

"I know where to put my faith."

Mason stared at him. He lowered himself down from his levitating position. He grabbed his cane next to him.

"You really believe that they can win?"

"Of course…don't you?"

"Sometimes, I don't know."

"Soon."

"Excuse me?"

"Soon…their team will be whole. Then…the true fight begins."

Mason stared at him in amazement.

"How would you know that?"

He shrugged.

"Magic."

"I don't believe in magic."

"The people of Brairwood would probably beg to differ and probably the Mystic Force Rangers as well," He said as he tried to keep the disappointment out of his tone.

Some days, he felt older than most.

-JFRPMJF-

Mason stared at the file sitting on his desk.

Nothing.

Utterly Nothing.

He had no new information today. Theo had mentioned Mystic Force quite a few times. He wasn't sure how Pai Zhaq knew the Mystic Force rangers. It was just another mystery to add to the man. He wondered sometimes if that man knew how annoying he was. He had to say he underestimated the man but he did. But behind Theo's small statue was a sharp tongue, enough tricks to make a magician look foolish, and a cane that should be banned in Corinth.

Someone he would never associate with…he would end up calling a friend. He flipped the file to the very back. He read over the brief summary of the first time he met him. Theo had save those people in that hospital even if he isn't sure how he did it. He had a sneaky feeling other times as well when the Grinders "suddenly" disappeared.

Medical personal surrounded the patients. Grinders' parts lie everywhere. He could smell the smoke in the air. People were running back and forward to do some important task.

"Where are those power rangers?" He shouted.

"They are busy with a monster, sir," A soldier stopped to tell him.

"Tell them to get here as soon as possible!"

"Perhaps, someone should learn patience. It is a valuable tool…especially dealing with a team that isn't whole."

He twisted around so fast that he nearly hit the soldier standing next to him. It was one of the patients. An Asian man was sitting in a broken down chair with a cane close by. He was strangely calm even with anyone running around. His blue clothes were tore in several places. A few cuts and bruises here and there but he looked whole. He looked younger than his sons…until he got to his eyes. His eyes looked old.

"I have no time for patience."

"Perhaps, it would be a good time to learn. No time like the present."

"Do you have a name, boy?"

The man shrugged.

"Boy is someone under the age of 18. Last time, I checked I haven't been under that age for about 4 years now. How would you feel if I called you tall-black-man-with-no-patience…or would that be a bit too much?"

The soldier beside him grasped. A small smile appeared on his face. He shouldn't find himself amused by this man.

"I'm Colonel Truman."

"Well…I will have to remember that, Mr. Truman."

The heavens above could that man get under his skin. The information…when he was willing to share information was valuable. He closed the file and sighed. He stared at the black bold print on the tab.

Martin, Theo: Keeper of Secrets.

End of Keeper of Secrets.

Next Chapter; Debts

A/N: Another twist in my little tale. Mason and Theo's friendship will be touched on again later in the story. Thanks for the reviews. And as always read and review if you wish.