DISCLAIMER: Andros, TJ, Carlos, Ashley, Cassie, Zhane & all other PR characters are not mine. The only characters that are mine are the monsters that will be making very short appearance J. (If you would like to use them please let me know.) Power Rangers are the property of Saban Entertainment & the Fox Network. I'm not making any profit off this story. Someone else will also be writing under another name so don't be surprised if you see the continuation of this story that is under that name, for the series is still the same.
Speaking His Heart
By SpaceRanger
Andros knew he had to leave soon, but the question is when? He spent his time in the cell sleeping and stretching to conserve energy. He himself had energy storage training back on Eltar while his best friend, Zhane, was searching for the legendary Silver Ranger powers. Zhane was successful in his search and Andros had passed that training. And from time to time his training was helpful in keeping his energy stored away until needed. Come to think of it he still have 50% left over from the last time he had saved his energy.
He curled up in a corner and dozed off a bit wondering what Ashley was doing now. In his semi-conscious state he wasn't even startled when he somehow knew that Ashley was sleeping because of a sleeping serum that she had requested Deca to give her.
Andros James could not concentrate on his duties. He clinched his fist and slammed his fist on the computer consol.
"It wasn't your fault, Phantom." A soft voice said from beside him. Andros knew that she had came up to the bridge so he wasn't startled at her comments.
"I know." Andros James said frustrated. "But I can't help it." It was quiet for a while as the two of them sat in companionable silence.
"Ranger instinct." She piped up.
"What do you mean Cassie?" He asked puzzled.
"Your frustration," Cassie explained. "It's a Ranger instinct."
"Are you certain?" Andros James asked. Cassie nodded.
"Everyone feels it." Cassie says. "T.J., Zhane, Carlos, we all feel it. And we hate it. It gives us the feeling of helplessness. But no matter what, we can't change what had happened. We just have to hope that we would find a way to get them back." Andros James tried to cover his shock at her speech and gave up when he remembered that he still have his armor on. He wondered distractedly what would have happened to the planet of his birth""correction""the planet he was raised on if the Eltar Colony One had already formed their Rangers. He also thought about the teammates that he should have been able to work with were they alive.
"I suppose you're right." He said after a moment.
"You suppose." Cassie said amusement in her tone, "Well if that's the case you should get some rest. I think there's an empty room across from Ashley's and mine that you can stay in."
"Thank you," Andros James said.
"No problem," Cassie said extending her hand to him. Andros James smiled a little and grasped her hand allowing her to assist him.
You had better come back quickly brother of mine. We just found each other and I""no""all of us...want you back as soon as possible. Andros James thought sternly at the stars in which his brother may be.
Zhane sat by Ashley's side as she slept. He knew that he didn't have to, but Andros was""is""he scolded himself his best friend it was the least he could do for his sacrifice. Zhane's eyes grew blurry and he blinked back tears. A hand gripped his shoulder gently.
"Are you alright?" Tommy's voice asked.
"Oh I don't know, my best friend allows himself to be captured, and I knew there was nothing I could do to prevent it." Zhane said half-sarcastically.
"I know how you feel," Kat's voice said. Zhane turned and saw Kat kiss Tommy. "Everyone of us was worried about this little unlucky leader when he was taken."
"Little!!!!!" Tommy exclaimed with mock-horror. Kat giggled. "Yeah Kat's right. Either Ashley will break him out or he would break himself out. Just give them time." Zhane sighed.
"Are you tired?" Zhane asked changing the subject.
"Yeah, we better get going." Tommy said. The two turned away and Tommy looked back at him puzzled.
"Where do you stay on Earth? Maybe we can take you home." Zhane looked at the former Ranger with a raised eyebrow.
"I live here." Zhane said tilting his head a bit.
"Here?! In this room?" Kat asked with both of her eyebrows raised.
"Of course, this is, after all, a spaceship. And on long voyages we're bound to have rooms." Tommy nodded with understanding.
"By the way do you think we can use your comm. system to just say hi to Zordan?" He asked.
"Um..." Zhane fidgeted nervously at the look on their face. "You can use it, only problem is you can't call Zordan."
"Why not?" Kat asked puzzled.
"Um...Zordanhasbeencaptured." Zhane mumbled quickly
"What?!" Tommy exclaimed wide eye.
"Zordan has been captured."
"Explain." Tommy said, going into leader mode he just can't seem to turn off during crises.
"I don't know all the details but Phantom, Andros, and the other Rangers would probably explain it better. What I heard was the hand-me-down info that Andros, Ashley, Carlos, Cassie, and T.J. told me when I woke up from hypersleep." Zhane warned before beginning his explanation.
When Zhane finished his explanation, Tommy was so shocked that he sat down hard on the stool and Kat clang on to his hand.
"I can't believe this," Tommy whispered hoarsely. "I wish I could help."
"Me too," Kat said with a sad smile. "I guess this is good-bye, for now." Tommy hugged his fiancée. Kat moved away from the two of them
"If you need me, you know where to find me." Kat said smiling at Zhane.
"Deca, teleport Kat to..." Zhane trailed off.
"Back to London." Kat said and gave Deca the coordinates. With a column of white light Kat disappeared.
"I heard from T.J. that what you called "'racing season' was over right?" Tommy nodded.
"If you like, we have extra guest rooms on the ship you can stay in. I think there's an empty one across Andros' and my room."
"Thanks," Tommy said. Zhane got out of his seat and lead the way to the guest room. They got out of the lift and nearly ran into Cassie and a black armored Ranger with a red ruby on his chest.
"Hey!" Zhane said cheerfully. Tommy noted that Zhane and Zack could have gotten along just fine if they had met each other.
"Phantom Ranger, this is Tommy Oliver, the former Green Morphin Ranger, White Thunder Ranger, White Ninja Ranger, Red Zeo Ranger, and Red Turbo Ranger before T.J." Cassie said, "Tommy this the Phantom Ranger."
"I am pleased to met your acquaintance, son of Zordan." Phantom said extending his hand to Tommy. Tommy shook Phantom's hand.
"You must be mistaken Phantom, I am not Zordan's son as much as he seem to be a Father I never had except with my adopted family."
"Ah, but your are," Phantom insisted, "How else would you have became the White Thunder Ranger or even the White Ninjiti? The White Ranger powers are only past down through Zordon's family."
"But what about Dimitria?" Tommy protested.
"Dimitria is the White Ranger of Inquirius while Zordon is the White Ranger of Eltar."
"That makes me the White Ranger of Earth." Tommy pointed out.
"No one except for Zordon has ever controlled the White Tiger and the White Falcon, the fact that Saba trusted you out of every other rangers in the universe makes you the Zordon's descendent. There is also the fact that those powers are reserved only for Eltarians."
"So that makes me half Indian and half Eltarin. But what about my brother David, wouldn't he be Zordon's son too?" Phantom shook his head. No, your genes are based on Zordon and your mother and David has someone else's genes along with your mother's."
"So you're telling me that we are half brothers not full blooded brothers?" Phantom nodded. Suddenly the door to Andros' room opened and out stepped...
"Andros?" A voice behind them said with disbelief. Tommy turned to see Ashley standing behind them.
"Are you not suppose to be asleep?" Phantom asked not sounding at all as startled as everyone else. Tommy looked from Andros to Ashley and back again with disbelief on his face.
"You're Back!" Zhane gasped from beside him as he engulfed his friend in a hug.
"Whoa Zhane, you're hugging me too tight." Andros said with a twinkle in his eyes. At the sight of Ashley Andros could do nothing but stare.
"Andros?" Ashley repeated softly. Andros nodded slowly. Ashley ran into Andros' arms with a sob.
"Andros, I was so worried about you." Ashley said crying.
"Shhh..." Andros said softly putting his arms around her, "I'm here, don't worry, Ashley."
The door to Carlos's room slid open along with T.J.'s the two stepped out into the hall way rubbing their eye's sleepily.
"What's going on?" T.J. said yawning. "Can't you people see it's 1 in the...Andros?!"
"Hey T.J., Carlos," Andros said nodding at his friends. He did not let go of Ashley who had her head buried in his chest.
"Welcome back." Carlos said hesitantly. "Um… Can someone tell me how he got back?" Andros James turned his head to look at Tommy, all at once everyone, with the exception of Ashley who was still quietly crying on him, turned to look at Tommy.
"It is the work of Zordon's son," his brother said quietly.
"But I didn't do anything!" Tommy protested.
"You're Zordon's son?!" T.J. and Carlos exclaimed.
"According to Phantom here I am." Tommy said in an annoyed tone of voice. "Now explain this to me: How the *hell* could I have brought Andros back and heal Ashley at the same time!"
"You have been unconsciously using your power," Andros said.
"Now wait just a minute here," Zhane said wide-eye, "You *know* about this, Andros?!"
"Sort of," Andros admitted.
"Look guys," Cassie interrupted, "I know this conversation is very intrusting but right now we need to get some sleep. Especially you Phantom." Andros suppressed a grin as he saw Cassie usher his brother into the guest room.
"I'll just be...uh...going back to sleep," Carlos said retreating back into his room. T.J. yawned nodded at them and disappeared into his also.
"I'll show you to your room." Zhane offered. Tommy nodded.
"Thanks." Tommy said and the two disappeared into the other guest room.
Slowly Andros realized that Ashley had fallen asleep in his arms. Andros smiled, he was still at the doorway of his room he place one arm underneath her shoulder and the other underneath her knees, turned around, and walked in to Ashley's room.
Andros gently placed her on her bed and tucked her in. Ashley stirred and turned her head toward him. Andros wondered idly what would happen if she decided to open her eyes.
Ashley chose that moment to open her eyes.
"Andros?" She whispered struggling to sit up. Andros couldn't help but smile at the wonder in her voice.
"That's me."
"Tell me I'm not dreaming."
"You're not." Andros assured her looking down at the ground. Ashley reached out and touched his face. He was startled and met her gaze with wide eyes. Andros didn't move not knowing what she was going to do. He sat, frozen, as Ashley pulled his head closer to her face–and then, her lips softly touched his. Something tightened in his mind and he felt a strange desire stir within him that's hasn't stirred since...the thought vanished when Ashley stopped kissing him.
"You're not dreaming," Andros said staring into Ashley's dark eyes, "But I might be." Ashley's ever bright smile lit on her face and it was all he could do to keep himself from asking her to *do that again.* His startled expression must have communicated itself to her, for her smile faded slowly. She pulled his head forward once more and, she kissed him again and he tried very hard not to let it affect him. But his efforts were in vain, and in moments he found himself responding to her gentle kiss with his own.
*She is the One,* Andros thought dimly. His heart and his rational mind were warring within him as his pause raced and his heart won.
"I care about you a lot, Ashley." Andros said quickly before his mind could edit the thought. He could see the surprise in her eyes as she said.
"Say that again." Andros smiled and touched her cheek with his hand.
"I care about you a lot, Ashley and I have always cared about you ever since I first saw you." Ashley's ever bright smile warmed his heart.
"And you thought you were dreaming." Andros grinned with relief, he don't normally share his feelings with anyone and he was glad he did this time. He leaned down and kissed her a little harder than he had intended. His rational mind fought back and he quickly drew away when his more rational mind won.
"I...I'm sorry." Andros stuttered, "You're tired, I should not have done that." There was an amused twinkle in her eyes and she let out an amused huff.
"Excuse me, who kissed whom first?" She asked. Andros smiled relieved that she was not mad at him for doing that.
"Good point," Andros admitted. "But I should let you sleep." Andros chuckled as Ashley raised an eyebrow with amusement and disbelief on her face.
Ashley got out of bed, took the pillow and the blanket from the top bunk, and placed it with her own against the wall. Climbing onto the bunk, she leaned against the makeshift backrest and cocked her head at him. Andros smiled at her invitation and he joined her, crawling over her bunk and propped himself up on the pillows. He allowed his head to lean back against the makeshift backrest and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Ashley leaned her head against his chest as she snuggled closer to him. A few seconds later Andros of KO-35 fell asleep with Ashley in his arms.
Andros James sat down on his bunk, wrapped his hand around his ruby, and demorphed. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Someone gasped. Andros James snapped opened his eyes and looked around to see who had intruded into his room. His eyes widened when he saw Cassie at the doorway staring at him.
"Andros?" Cassie said hesitantly.
"Hello," Andros James said awkwardly, "I am Andros James of El""um""KO-35 and Eltar."
"Why two planets?" Cassie asked with curiosity in her tone.
"I had recently discovered that I was born on KO-35 before I was kidnapped. Zordon found me half-alive on a diplomatic mission and took me to Eltar in order to find a way to keep me alive." Andros James swallowed trying to repress the pain of the injuries he had sustained over the years of being Shadow and Phantom Ranger. "It was the Red Eltarin Ranger who suggested combining my life force with my ruby."
"Is that why your are so dependent on your ruby now?" Cassie asked softly.
"Yes," Andros James said and turned his head so Cassie would not see him wince. Cassie appeared automatically at his side.
"Are you alright?" Cassie asked concerned.
"I am well," Andros James said deadpan.
"Take off your shirt." Cassie said in a commanding tone of voice. Andros James looked at her startle. Cassie blushed.
"If you're not going to tell me at least let me see what's wrong, Andros James." Andros James nodded and took a deep breath before closing his eyes. He pulled his black and red shirt over his head and grunted with pain as he let his tunic drop on beside him on the bunk. He couldn't help but stare at her as he watched her examine his wounds.
"Andros James! What did you do to this wound!" Cassie hissed. Andros James looked down and flinched when he saw the deep gash re-open where Ecliptor had slashed him that morning on Hercuron and his red blood began oozing out. Cassie grabbed his arm and pulled him up and he swayed dizzily from loss of blood. He clinched his hand on his ruby and his normal vision was replaced by the data feed of his visor.
Cassie asked Deca if she would leave them alone for a while and not let anyone intrude there. Deca had agreed and her camera blinked off. She removed a first aid kit from it's storage area to help Band-Aid his wound. Even before she looked up she knew he had flinched from the touch.
"I'm sorry." Cassie apologized softly.
"S'Okay" Phantom""or Andros James""said. "I'll live."
"Are you and Andros related?" Cassie asked.
"Yes," Phantom/Andros James said dryly. "You must have noticed that we look alike, making us twins." Cassie smiled involuntarily.
"So what do I call you now?" She asked.
"Andros and Ashley has been calling me by my real name when we are alone but Phantom when I am with others. So, I believe it is your choice, Cassie."
"Ashley knows about this!" Cassie exclaimed quietly. Andros James nodded.
"Don't tell any of the others this but..." Andros James leaned forward and whispered something in her ear. Cassie nodded with understanding.
"I see what you mean Andros James." Cassie tilted her head a bit. "Is that why he came back for us?" Andros James looked thoughtful.
"Subconsciously, yes," Andros James said a moment later, "But consciously he knew he needed help to rescue Zordon."
"You know, you're different from your brother." Cassie observed. Andros James grinned.
"I'll take that as a complement." Andros James joked. Cassie let out an involuntary giggle.
"By the way, thanks."
"For what?" Andros James asked.
"For your gift." Andros James smiled. "I loved it. How'd you know that I've wanted it?" Andros James looked a bit sheepish.
"I...uh...kinda asked Ashley since...uh...I didn't know what to get you."
"That was sweet of you Andros James." Cassie said. "Thank you for the gift."
"Anything for you." Andros James said. Cassie paused in her wrapping and touched his cheek. Andros James smiled.
"I really like you Andros James." Cassie slowly leaned forward and kissed him gently. As she pulled back she stared into his eyes finding him staring back at her.
"Cassie," Andros James whispered.
"Yes?"
"You're incredible, and..." Andros James took a deep breath. "And I...I...love you." Cassie smiled and scoffed her toe on to the deck shyly.
"I love you too, Andros James of KO-35 and Eltar..."
Ashley awoke, tense, then last night's activity came crashing back to her and she smiled. She held her breath and heard soft breathing from above her.
"I know you're awake Ashley," Andros said from above her in an amused voice. Ashley blushed as she climbed out of bed and up to the top bunk where Andros had moved up to at 3 in the morning.
"Morning," Ashley said grinning sheepishly. Andros chuckled as he raised one hand to move her hair from her face. Then he sat up.
"I guess I'd better go." Andros sighed. Was that disappointment on his face? Ashley wondered.
"Yeah, if the others catch a wind of this we'll never hear the end of it." Andros chuckled as he climbed down. When he reached the doorway he turned back to her.
"Um...Ashley."
"Yeah Andros?
"It's a custom of my people to...what I'm trying to say is..." Andros paused and sighed. Knelling on one knee he took her hand and said, "Ashley Hammond will you marry me at the end of June?" Ashley's eyes widened. But something within her told her this was the Day. Ashley smiled at Andros who had changed so much from being reluctant and withdrawn to someone who will open up and smile once in a while. Her smile turned into a grin.
"Yes," Ashley whispered with tears of happiness in the corner of her eyes. "Yes Andros, I will marry you at the end of June." Andros grinned at her as she threw her arms around him tightly.
"And now it begins." Andros said softly in her ears.
You know the drill, tell me what you think!
sion.Ý "