Here's my attempt of doing a holiday special with this couple. I decided that instead of a one shot, I'm going to do a two-shot special. Now there are a few reminders for this story.

It does not follow the plotline and it is far ahead of my current story. I suggest that if you're reading this for the first time, I would recommend reading my other story, The Path He Took since this is based off that.

The Andros and Ashley in this special are not currently a couple. They're slowly becoming more than just friends.

I think that's about it. Without further ado, heres the Thanksgiving Special of 2007. Hope you enjoy it.

"Here we are! The supermarket!" Ashley proclaimed. She looked at her disgruntled companion. She couldn't help but giggle at the face he was making. "Oh come on. It wasn't that bad!"

Andros rolled his eyes in response. "Going through the entire stock of those merchants is not what I called fun."

"Stores Andros. We call them stores here." Ashley giggled as she corrected him. "Do you have stores from where you're from?"

Andros shook his head. "Not always. Merchants would seldom visit us because of our hidden location. While on missions, we were forbidden to make contact with outsiders unless it was absolutely necessary."

Ashley smiled. "Well at least you're learning something with me," She took his hand and pulled him into the store. "This is where we buy our food. Come on. You'll love this place."

Andros casually walked into the store despite Ashley yanking on his arm. "I think I know how to walk Ashley."

"I know." Ashley shyly responded. "But I don't want you getting lost in here."

'I just want to hold your hand.' That's what she really wanted to say but she couldn't bring herself to say it. Each time she wanted to express her feelings to the soldier, she felt butterflies in her stomach and chickened out at the last second.

Ashley sighed. 'He's just so isolated from people… I wish he would open up more to me.'

Andros noticed the blank look on Ashley's face and waved his hand, hoping to get her attention. "Ashley?"

'Smart thinking Andros. After all your training, you still don't know how to handle a woman.' His mind sarcastically retorted. He continued to stare, wondering if all earthlings were like her. He removed his hand from hers and gently shook her.

Slowly, Ashley's mind returned to her body, and she finally registered the people around her. She started blushing when she realized how close Andros had gotten.

Andros noticed that Ashley was back to herself and sighed. "Do all earthlings space out like you? Maybe I should let Dark Specter conquer this planet after all." He muttered.

"Hey!" Ashley replied, smacking him lightly on the arm. "Did you just make a joke?" Her eyes widened as when she realized what he said.

Andros grunted as he started to walk off, wanting to explore this "Store" on his own. He wanted to see what was so special about this place.

"Uh-huh! You're coming with me!" Ashley quickly looped her arm around his and dragged him towards the fresh vegetables section.

As the two made their way through the section, Andros became fascinated with the types of food the store had available in one place. There was so much variety just in this one section. How was a person supposed to choose between Chocolate Chip Cookies or Peanut Butter Cookies? They were both cookies for crying out loud.

"What are we buying here?" Andros spoke up as they left the aisle.

"Well tomorrow's Thanksgiving and this year, it's my turn to host." Ashley explained as she looked for some fresh vegetables. "Hmm… Broccoli or String Beans…"

"What's Thanksgiving?" The soldier spoke up once more.

Ashley gasped. "You don't know Thanksgiving?" When she saw Andros shaking his head, she remembered whom she was talking to. "Sorry. I forgot that you're not from here." She answered in an apologetic tone.

"Don't worry about it. I get that a lot." Just as the soldier was about to turn around, Ashley caught his arm, stopping him from leaving her side.

"Where are you going?" She inquired. In her hands was a bag full of broccoli, looking fresh and green.

"To walk around?" Andros replied. He wanted to see more of this place by himself and maybe find out more about this thanks and giving thing that Ashley was talking about. It must be something special if she was putting a lot of effort into it.

"Who's going to help me search for potatoes?" Ashley asked, putting on a small pout.

"It seems to me like you're already an expert judging from the tone of your voice. Don't worry. I'll be right back." Andros gave her hand a little squeeze for reassurance, letting her know that he will be back.

"Well… Okay. I'll be here waiting." Ashley reluctantly replied.

Andros nodded as he walked off, wondering if the store carried something sweet. During his time on Earth, he developed a soft spot for these sweet treats. It made a great snack while he was taking a break from training.

As he looked around, he saw that this place was infested with earthlings, scrambling for their stuff. It was like they were searching for something valuable. Making a right turn at a random aisle, he found himself at the center of the store and grinned.

Knowing that he found the treasure, his eyes slowly wandered from one item to the next, taking his time to make his decision. "Excuse me. Do you need help?" A very sweet voice spoke up.

Andros didn't bother acknowledging the person. He was too busy deciding which one he wanted. "No." He bluntly replied.

"It looks like you need some help sir." The voice insisted.

Andros sighed and stood up, his attention finally focused on the voice. "I'm just…browsing."

The girl smiled at him. "I recommend Starbursts if you're interested. They're chewy and has flavor too."

Andros raised his eyebrow, confused at her recommendation. Why would a star busting be chewy? Exploding stars and planets were always a depressing topic and this girl was talking like they were a good thing. "Excuse me?"

The girl giggled. "You know. Starbursts! The candy. By the way, my name is Sandy."

- - -

Ashley sighed for the 15th time in the last ten minutes. All these potatoes looked the same. Deciding that she had enough, she was randomly picking potatoes that felt firm and bagged it. With her mission accomplished, she set off to look for Andros.

She could only imagine the look on his face as he wandered around. Surprised, interested, and probably annoyed. She couldn't help but smile at the mental picture. If only he would act like that around her. Not that she was complaining. They were taking their relationship slowly and she would wait for that day when he finally opens up to her.

Ashley approached several different aisles looking for Andros and eventually making her way to the center of the store but the sight before her made her stop.

There was Andros talking to another girl. Another female besides her! 'Oh no she doesn't.' Ashley quickly walked over to Andros, determined to show this girl that he was spoken for.

- - -

"Andros!" Ashley called out.

Andros looked up and turned his attention away from the girl. "Are you done with your shopping Ashley?" He inquired.

Ashley nodded her head as she held up the items that she was searching for. "What are you looking for here?" She slowly glanced at the girl, giving her a look that said 'Back off.'

"I was searching for something sweet." The soldier responded. Andros turned his attention back to the candy.

"I can show you something sweet." Sandy spoke up, throwing a smirk towards Ashley.

"What's sweet?"

The girl only smiled as Ashley felt some anger growing inside her. She was watching as some ditzy blond making a move on her man while she was right there. "Me." She heard the girl answered before giggling at her own flirtatious joke. 'Gah.' Ashley mentally choked. Could this girl be more idiotic?

Her hands found themselves on the sack of potatoes, slowly squeezing them until they were mashed.

Both girls glared at each other, each wishing that the other wasn't here right now. Tension began to rise but it was unknown to the only male in the area.

Andros shook his head, disagreeing with her. "You can't be sweet."

The girls turned their attention back to their prize, shocked at his statement. "The only thing sweet here is Ashley."

The girls were speechless but for different reasons. Sandy glared at Andros before storming off, muttering a string of curses under her breath. Ashley dropped the sack of potatoes and stared at Andros, still not believing that what Andros had actually said.

"Ah. This looks good." He slowly lifted up a bag of Tootsie Rolls. "I think this is a good choice."

Ashley continued to stare in awe. She could feel her heart swell up with joy. Never before had Andros defended her like that. This was just the sign that she was looking for. A sign that showed that he cared. Her eyes started to water as she watched the man that she cared for smile at a bag of candy. "Oh Andros…" She quietly said.

Andros looked up from the bag of candy and saw Ashley's face, ready to burst into tears. "Oh damn…What did I do now?" He quickly thought back, trying to figure out what he did wrong. He noticed that the veggies that Ashley picked out where on the floor, making him wonder if there was fighting involved. He quickly scratched that idea out as he panicked.

"I…"

Before Andros could finish that sentence, Ashley quickly hugged him, burying her head into his chest. "Thank you…"

Leaving Andros speechless, he was feeling a bit awkward. His training never prepared him for this. Unsure of what to do, he did the only thing that came to mind, do the same thing that she was doing and hoped that it was right.

The two stayed in their embrace for a good minute or so before they became the center of attention. Ashley reluctantly released her hold and when she saw that they have drawn a crowd with their little hug, her face matched the color of Andros's shirt.

"What are you looking at?" Andros released a small growl. The crowd sensed the danger in his voice and slowly dispersed.

"How about we go do that checkout thing?" Andros softly spoke up, keeping one arm wrapped around Ashley's waist. He didn't know what compelled him to leave his arm there but it felt so right.

"Yes..." Ashley nodded. "Let's get out of here."

Outside Ashley's apartment

Ashley slowly led Andros to her apartment, taking her time and watching Andros struggle with the bags. He insisted that he could handle it and refused any help from Ashley. She couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous he looked right now. His face was determined to finish this task.

She walked ahead and stopped at the front door, watching Andros slowly making his way over. 'How does one man go from sensitive and caring back to distant in a split second?' She thought.

Ashley wrapped her arms around her body, the hug still fresh in her mind. She could almost feel his warm and caring embrace. No matter how much she wanted Andros to express his feelings, there was no way that he could. He was making progress slowly and that was good enough for her.

"Andros?"

"Yeah?" His voice seemed troubled as he struggled to hold on to the bags.

"Um…" Ashley hesitated for a second. "Would you like to come over for Thanksgiving tomorrow?"

"Ah..." Andros was caught off guard by her question. Even though he was interested in finding out more about this holiday, he wasn't expecting an invitation. The soldier could almost picture how the day would turn out. First Carlos and Zhane would probably start a fight and then throw him out. He wasn't exactly on the best of terms with them. "I don't think it's such a good idea Ashley." He replied. He already caused enough trouble for Ashley and didn't to make her holiday even worse.

"Oh." Ashley answered, not even trying to hide her disappointment.

Andros noticed her disappointment and felt a sudden pang of guilt. He didn't want to be the cause of her crying again. He still shuddered from the time Cassie almost crucified him for making Ashley cry. That girl was really scary when she needed to be.

He didn't know what it was about Ashley. She was slowly entering his life and opening doors for him. Each time he saw other guys looking at her, he felt his blood boil but it didn't last long. He just glared at them and they just disappeared.

All of this feeling stuff was pretty new to him but one thing was for sure, he liked the feeling of holding Ashley in his arms. Whenever he saw her sad, he just wanted to hold her tightly and make it all go away.

"Would it mean a lot to you if I did come?" He found himself saying.

Ashley's face slowly brightened. "Yes. Yes it would."

Andros hesitated. "Alright then… I'll come. For you."

"Great! I'll see you tomorrow afternoon then." Ashley tiptoed and gave him a kiss on the cheek, blushing herself as she did that. She took the groceries off Andros and went into her apartment, feeling very satisfied and happy.

Andros stood outside her apartment, his face remained speechless. His hand slowly went up to his cheek, feeling the area where Ashley just kissed him. He fought a smile that slowly appeared on his face, determined to keep his cool exterior.

"I still don't know what Thanksgiving is…" Andros muttered as he left her apartment building.

End of Part 1. Part 2 will be up on Thanksgiving.