The Love of a Father…

BY AMI MEITSU

A/N: This takes place during the Comet Empire timeline when Desslok’s there…

People often have the feeling that Zordar’s ‘gone soft’ when dealing with Invidia, while others think it’s all Invidia’s doing and that she’s nothing but a baby…

“What do you mean you can’t use these?” Invidia snapped as she glared at Desslok, who was busy ripping up a paper of hers as they argued in Zordar’s sitting room.

“These plans are really just unnecessary.” He stated.

“No they are not! I spent weeks drawing these up! They are necessary! Tell him, Father!” Invidia gave Zordar a defeated look.

“Look Princess, I’ll tell you the truth, some of them are necessary but others aren’t, like this…” He put one of her diagrams on the table in front of him. “You can see here that we don’t need ships in this area yet. I have to make negotiations first, that’s what next week’s reception is for, remember?”

“He’s right; you don’t need to put ships in an area that we’re not conquering…” Desslok told her.

“Excuse me? What ‘we’? Who said you were included?! It’s my Father and I who will do the conquering you stupid, blue freak!”

“Pale, hideous ghost!”

“Idiot!”

“Bitch!”

Invidia growled and made a move to slap him but Zordar pulled her back.

“You two stop arguing!”

“But Father! He called me a bitch!” Invidia struggled to get out of her Father’s arms but he pulled her into his lap.

“Shush, Princess…” He hugged her. “Just calm down, okay?” He gently ran his fingers through her hair.

“No Father! I…I…” She gave up and leaned her head on him, he was warm and she always liked it when he ran his fingers through her hair, it was somehow soothing…

Desslok scoffed. ‘Look at her!’ He thought. ‘She’s nothing but a big baby! I mean, cuddling with her Father at her age?! It’s ridiculous…She’s been loved and spoiled too much that’s her problem…’ He turned and left them alone. The whole time he was here he saw Invidia as serious and mean when around others but when she was around Zordar she became cuddly, and lovable, just like a little kid! It was a little sickening…

‘I don’t know how Zordar puts up with it! It’s just babyish…’ He sighed as he headed down the hall to his room to edit his own plans and not only outshine Invidia but get her away and out of her Father’s favor…

He then presented his plans a couple days later, but it was probably the worst time for meetings. The heating/air-conditioning system was screwed up again, making it really hot throughout the palace.

‘You know… I don’t understand how they can keep messing that thing up!’ Desslok thought as he came into Zordar’s suite, only to find him not in his sitting room working like usual…instead he was in his room, on the bed, with Invidia.

She laid out in front of him, on her side in a short, navy blue sundress with nothing on her feet while Zordar sat behind her, running his fingers through her hair and sometimes even rubbing her head with a cool cloth.

“What’s wrong with her now?” Desslok asked.

“It’s hot, so she doesn’t feel well…”

Invidia looked up at him with a pathetic look in her eyes.

“Yes, I know you don’t feel well…” He ran the cloth across her forehead again and reached back for something on the nightstand, it was a smoothie glass, he then gave it to her.

‘How does he know what that look means?’ Desslok thought. ‘She didn’t say anything!’

“Father, I’m not thirsty, don’t bother…”

“Come on, it’ll keep you cool…”

Invidia gave up and actually took a small sip before Zordar put it back.

“Good girl…” He teased. “Now, Desslok, what did you want?”

Desslok looked at her again before answering, he’d never seen her in a dress that short…and by the looks of it he was pretty sure she wasn’t even wearing a bra…

“Oh, I wanted you to look at these…”

“I will, in a couple of minutes…” Zordar looked at his clock. “It’s almost time for our meeting, you can present them then.” He then looked at Invidia. “Come on, Princess…” He gently picked her up.

“Why do that?”

“I told you, she doesn’t feel well, and doesn’t do well when she’s hot. And when she doesn’t feel well she just likes to be held.” He carried her out and almost into her room but, she stopped him.

“Father, what are you doing?”

“We have to get your shoes, Princess…”

“No, I…I like being barefoot, and I won’t be on my feet a lot, just carry me.”

“All right…” He carried her on as Desslok followed.

‘Can she spell ‘baby’? Getting her Daddy to carry her because ‘she doesn’t feel well…’ Please! When I felt bad I was up and about during the day, and I only had servants! Oh, well, at least I can get her partly out of my way by replacing her ridiculous plans…’

Once they were in the meeting room Zordar put Invidia down and sat in his own seat next to hers. Invidia looked around; she noticed that most people weren’t wearing their full uniforms because of the heat. She did not understand how those who were could stand it, she hated wearing her gown in the heat, almost as much as she hated Desslok…While he saw her as a baby she saw him as a horrible person. Taking away her Father’s time, throwing away her plans…and worse, taking her Father’s favor! Making him reject her! Luckily, that was over and Zordar had made amends for his horrible treatment of Invidia and was back to loving her, just not as much…it seemed…She sighed as she thought about it just as the meeting began.

“First order of business, negotiations…” Zordar said.

“Well actually I was…” Invidia started to stand up, but Desslok got up faster.

“I was thinking that with the reception there should be one or two planes around the planet.”

“That’s stupid!” Invidia said. “We need more!” She slammed her fist on the table. “We have to show them that we mean business!”

“Invidia!” Zordar scolded.

“Do not scold me!” She snapped. “He interrupted me, I had the floor, I am speaking Father.”

“Invidia!” He pulled her back into her chair. Then he leaned closer and fiercely whispered to her. “I will deal with you later Princess, but for right now don’t start with your nonsense! Everyone is already frustrated because of the heat, do not make it worse!”

“Fine…” Invidia grumbled as Desslok kept talking, and the worst part was…

‘They actually agree with him? They choose a Gamilon upstart over me? Their Princess? Oh, I will get him later!’

She pouted and after he finished she got up and slammed her hands on the table. “How can you people agree with him?! One or two? Sure it shows that we have defense but we mean business, don’t we? And we have more than that! I mean, who does he think we are? Those pitiful people he calls Gamilons? No!” She leaned over the table to face the staff. “I ask you; wouldn’t you think another planet that showed us only two planes was weak? Or even just a pair of destroyers?”

“Uh…” One of the cadets, who was there for training, raised his hand slightly. “Permission to speak freely?” He asked.

“What?!” Invidia snapped.

He gave her a sly look. “You know, you talk about a ‘pair’ of destroyers, which would be nice, but have you looked at your own ‘pair’?”

She glanced down at her chest and then slapped him. ‘I knew I made a mistake in not wearing a bra!’ She thought. “Throw him out! I will not have someone who makes those comments around me! Out!”

Two generals threw him out and Invidia continued, and after she was done Desslok and another general said something, then Invidia retorted back, causing a huge argument to which they were all separated. Zordar took Invidia, a royal guard took Desslok and a servant took the general.

“Invidia, that was ridiculous!” Zordar snapped once he had her in his room, in private.

“I don’t care! They were being idiotic! And I threw that cadet out for being a jerk! You heard what he said!”

“I know why you threw him out; I’ll get him later but that argument was just stupid! You’re supposed to negotiate! I taught you that!”

“But…I hate him, Father! I do not want to negotiate with the likes of Desslok! He’s a stupid bastard! He made you reject me!”

“That was my fault not his.”

“No it was his fault! He came in and became the son you always wanted! I know you didn’t want a girl!”

“Yes, but I love you, as soon as I saw you I didn’t care anymore, I…”

“Everyone else sees it too!” Invidia continued. “You don’t want to deal with me! But you always have time for Desslok! Oh yes, because he’s a guy! He’s the ‘son’ and I’m second! I’m just the woman who gets pushed aside because I’m me! That’s just wrong and sexist!” Invidia then walked passed him and left.

She headed back to her room, and didn’t come out until dinner, even then she didn’t speak and right after dinner she just got in the bath, and got ready for bed.

“You know, Mistress, I think what you said was a little out of line…” Shamura said as she dried her hair. “Your Father isn’t sexist, he loves you, but I think he does like having Desslok around. And if it helps, I hate him as much as you do, I mean, what he says about you…it’s wrong.”

“Thanks Shamura…” Invidia pulled the towel off her head. “Now, can you go get my pajamas please? Something cool…”

Shamura nodded and came back with a set that she bought Invidia for a gift, but that she had never worn. Invidia hesitated for a minute but she put it on and then climbed into bed. Just before she was about to go to sleep though, Zordar came in, with Desslok.

“Oh, what do you want?” Invidia whined.

“Invidia…I wanted to say that I’m sorry if I made you feel rejected, but I do love you Princess, a lot. All I wanted to do was apologize and maybe if you let me, put you to bed and talk to you?”

“Fine, and him?”

“I came to give you my plans so you could look at them before judging my skills.”

“Oh, you mean the skills of an idiot…”

“Invidia…” Zordar said.

“Look, you…!” He walked over.

“Try me!” Invidia taunted as she cracked her knuckles, not caring that her blanket had come halfway off.

“Well, I can’t hit a woman, but I must ask, who are you trying to get into bed with?”

Invidia blushed and used her hair to hide it. He was talking about the outfit Shamura bought, which could be described as ‘sexy.’ The only things she wore were a lacey black camisole and her black panties, but luckily he only saw her top. “I’m not getting in bed with anyone! I…I was just hot…” She admitted.

“Whatever…” He left and she glared, then she looked at her Father. “Okay, talk…” She said. He did for awhile and got her to forgive him, then he laid her down for bed and left. The only thing he didn’t do was tell her that he might use Desslok’s plan, but that was a discussion for the next meeting, which was right before the reception. Of course Invidia went off on them and stormed out, unfortunately she could do nothing about it, the reception was the next night! And everyone was there, even Rossana and her friends! How they got it? Invidia never knew, but she kept her distance as she followed Zordar in her new, long, dark blue dress greeting people and discussing plans as Rossana talked with Desslok from afar. Desslok like Rossana, she had the same opinion he did, Invidia was just a big baby in disguise.

“I know what I can do; we’ll humiliate her and prove a point…” Rossana said.

“What?” Desslok asked.

“Just wait until she comes by again…”

They did and as soon as she came by Rossana stuck her foot out and tripped Invidia into the buffet table, which fell when she hit it, as there was already enough weight on the table. She didn’t move for a second…

“Invidia?” Zordar went over. “Are you okay?”

She stood up, ignoring the pain that was in her leg and picked up some kind of chocolate dessert, she threw it at Rossana.

“What the hell?” Rossana asked.

“I know you did this to me! You’re just a horrible freak!” Invidia said as she jumped Rossana. Once she was on her it turned into an all-out cat fight.

Invidia screamed as Rossana pulled her hair and then actually ripped her dress. “My dress! This is a three-hundred dollar dress!” She punched Rossana who retaliated and hit her in the stomach as they rolled around and fought, causing a big scene. Several people watched, mostly cadets because…girls in pretty dresses going at it? What cadet wouldn’t want to see that? They formed a group as Zordar came though.

“Invidia, stop it!” He snapped as he tried to grab her. “Vicara! Control you daughter!” He called to Rossana’s father, who came over and grabbed her as Zordar grabbed Invidia, separating them.

“Let me go, Father!” Invidia demanded as she struggled to get out of his grasp.

“No!” Zordar said.

“But she started it!” They both said as they were dragged off in different directions by their Fathers. And, a few days later, Invidia lay on her bed pouting.

‘Grounded!’ She thought. ‘I can’t believe that I’m grounded! Me! How old does Father think I am? Seven?’ She sighed, after the fight she spent an hour getting lectured, then another ten minutes having what was a cut on her leg looked at and then she was punished. Zordar took away her TV in her sitting room, her books, her cooking privileges, her servants and she couldn’t even take baths! She was stuck taking small showers, and for a month nonetheless, he wanted to make sure Invidia had no fun, and that she was taught a lesson. ‘I hate this! I’m only allowed to go to meetings and eat and sleep that’s it! And he even took away my blanket! How could he? He knows I love it!’ She moved over on her side and sighed, being grounded was boring, there was nothing to read, no one to talk to, and even no TV, and Invidia didn’t even watch TV that often. She closed her eyes and tried to take a nap, but just as she did, her phone rang.

“What?” She snapped.

“Invidia, don’t snap at me!” Zordar said. “Come down to the hangar, they’re testing the new guns for the planes and I want you to see too.”

“Fine.” She said, then she hung up the phone, put on her shoes and stomped off to the hanger. Though, she and Zordar weren’t directly in the hangar, they were above it, watching through a glass barrier.

“What’s this for anyway?” Invidia asked in an annoyed tone. She didn’t want to be near her Father and was forced to be.

“To see if they work right.” Desslok replied in a ‘duh’ tone.

“Quiet!” She snapped. “I wasn’t asking you!”

“Invidia you be quiet! They’re starting…” Zordar said as they looked down to see the test done by Generals and then cadets, and one very nervous cadet.

‘I didn’t know that Zordar and the Princess would be watching!’ He thought. ‘I just hope I can make this work, I mean I don’t want to look bad and she’s the Princess! I…I have to make it work if I ever stand a chance at being with her.’

Then he shakily went over to where it was being tested…but nervous cadets with sweaty palms and guns did not mix…After a minute or so he slipped and it moved…and shot directly up at where Invidia was…

The glass broke and she was thrown against the wall behind her, Zordar went over.

“Princess?” He picked her up slightly. “Princess? Princess?!” ‘Come on Invidia! Please get up!’ He then noticed something on his hand. ‘Blood?’

“What happened?” One of the generals asked.

“Because of your stupid cadet my daughter’s hurt! Badly! He’s to be sent to me for disciplinary action later!” Zordar snapped, then he left.

“Why is it such a big deal?” Desslok asked. “We’ll take her to the clinic, get it worked on and that’s it…she’ll be fine.”

“Look, I like you but I can’t condone you saying such things. She’s hurt and it’s probably serious! Get off of her case! Some things just can’t be helped!” Zordar snapped as they walked, then he stopped. “Take her, I’ll be back…”

“Wait, I don’t want her!”

“Then go make a call, here…” He gave him the number of her doctor. “Tell him to meet us there! Go!”

Desslok ran off as Zordar went in the other direction. ‘Princess…Just hold on, you’ll be fine…I hope…and why aren’t you moving?’

At that moment her hand moved and she looked up at him. “Father…” She whispered.

“What?” He took her hand…”

“What happened? I…I can’t feel my arm…I…”

“Shush…” He said. “I’m working on it…” Luckily, there was actually a clinic really close to where the hanger was from the accidents and injuries they often had, and, when he arrived Dr. Baisley was waiting.

“What’s wrong with her?” He asked.

“I don’t know, but there’s a lot of blood…” Zordar handed her off.

“Wait…Father…don’t leave!” Invidia begged.

“I have to…Sorry Princess…” He left and Invidia cried as she was taken away again…

Two hours or so later she woke up in an unfamiliar room…she looked around.

“Mistress! You’re up!”

“Huh?” She looked over and saw Shamura coming toward her. “Shamura…where’s my Father? What happened?”

“You’re in the hospital, you were thrown back during a testing misfire…you had glass in your arm and it had to be removed…afterward they put you in here. And the reason you probably don’t remember anything is because you were out during the removal…” She then moved some of Invidia’s hair out of her face.

“And where’s my Father?”

“He went to go get your things since you’re going to be here for a couple days while the doctors run tests.”

“No! I don’t wanna stay here, I…” She sat up quickly and then grasped her arm as tears formed in her eyes.

“Lie down! There’s no need to strain yourself…” Shamura laid her back down.

“Shamura…what happened to my clothes?!”

“They were taken off so that you could be looked at and then have the glass removed. And you don’t want to wear that dress anyway; it’s stained with blood now.”

Invidia looked down just as Zordar came in.

“Here….” He said as he handed Shamura something. “I picked this up like you asked…” He then went over to Invidia. “Hi Princess…how are you feeling?”

“Hurt.”

“I know…but I have something for you…I’ll give it to you after Shamura gets you dressed…” He then left and Shamura went over to help Invidia with the nightgown Zordar brought, since she couldn’t move her arm very well.

“Where’d this come from?” She asked as she cringed and Shamura pulled it on her.

“I bought it for you, I thought it suited you and after your Father called me he mentioned that you need more pajamas with short sleeves or spaghetti straps, so I got this.”

“I like it…It’s cute…” Invidia looked down, Shamura had given her a simple black spaghetti strap nightgown that stopped a little past her knees.

“You’re welcome…Zordar, you can come back!”

He did and he handed another something to Invidia.

“My blanket!” She hugged it with her free arm. “But I thought…”

“You’re hurt and you need comfort, so I brought you some things, and while you’re hurt you’re not grounded.”

Invidia smiled at him. “I love you.” She said.

He gently hugged her. “I know, Princess.” He then sat on the bed and stayed with her until he had to leave for another meeting, but a couple minutes after he left Shamura came back, as, she had left earlier.

“Mistress, I got you another present.” She came in with an armful of stuffed animals, and then she placed a big blue teddy bear on the bed. “This is from me…” She put down some more, two other bears, and a rabbit. “Bleak, Dyre and of course your Father…” she put Sabera-bear next to Invidia. “They can be your fuzzy buddies!” She teased.

“No.” Invidia said. “Don’t say that, I like them though, thanks.”

Shamura sat on her bed. “You know, even though you weren’t supposed to see me, your Father called me. He said you needed someone besides him…he wanted you to have a friend with you…I think it’s sweet.”

“It is…and he really does love me, even if he doesn’t always show it…and Shamura?”

“Hm?”

“Do you think I’m a baby because I love my Father?”

“No, I think it’s sweet and you need him. He’s the only parent you have and sometimes you do just need a Father’s love…”

“Thanks…” She smiled at Shamura. “Now…I’m hungry, when’s dinner?”

“I don’t know, but your Father said he’d have something sent up for you, something you’d eat, like a salad…”

‘That’s kind of sweet…he’s actually thinking of me first! Me! Finally not Desslok, not that staff, me, his Princess! His daughter! He does love me…’

And later, Zordar came back in and sat on her bed, letting her lay her head in his lap while he ran his fingers through her hair and rubbed her back…

Invidia sighed, Shamura was right, maybe all she did need was her Father’s love…and just because he couldn’t be there all the time didn’t mean that he didn’t care and he did still loved her…and he always would…for now and for always…just like she always said…