Ashley's grin faltered as she heard what Kara suggested. She felt Andros secure his arms around her, as she felt her vision cloud. She vaguely heard Aidan's cries, and she heard Cassie calling out her name.
"Ashley!" Andros cried out, catching her arms, and securing them around Aidan as she fell against his chest. Karone ran over to where they were, and transferred Aidan out of Ashley's unconscious arms, and held him as he cried. "Ashley…come on wake up," he whispered, shaking her gently. He picked her up bridal style, and headed for the infirmary.
"Andros…" Kara started, putting her hand on Andros' shoulder, but he shrugged it off.
"Not right now Mom…" Andros stated, and headed for the infirmary. Ashley started to stir in Andros' arms, and her eyes popped open.
"Andros," she whispered, and he stopped to turn to his and Ashley's room, opening up the door. Andros didn't say anything he just laid her down on the bed, brushing her hair from her eyes.
"Are you ok?" he murmured, sitting down next to her.
"Yeah…" she said, trying to sit up, but Andros' hand stayed her. She grabbed Andros' hand, and squeezed it. "I'm ok really," she whispered, but she wasn't. Kara and Lamont wanted them just to up and leave to go to K0-35. Ashley couldn't leave her family…not after they just made up with her. Andros knew better, and he laid down next to Ashley wrapping his arms around her. As Andros was about to open his mouth to try and comfort Ashley, who was clearly freaking out, Karone opened the door, carrying Aidan. Aidan was bawling, and whatever Karone tried to do, he wouldn't stop. Ashley started to detangle his Andros' arms from her, but Karone just walked over to her and transferred Aidan to Ashley's arms. "Thanks," she whispered to Karone. "Sh…Aidan," Ashley said holding Aidan against her. "Mommy and Daddy are here," she cooed.
Aidan wiped his eyes as he heard Ashley talking to him. Seeing his Mommy and Daddy, he calmed down instantly. Snuggling closer to Ashley, he let out a sigh. Andros gently laid his hand on Aidan's cheek, and Aidan wrapped his arms around it squeezing it as tight as he could. Karone awkwardly stood in the middle of the room, and finally walked back over to Ashley, "You doing ok?" she asked.
"I don't know," she admitted, as she gently stroked Aidan's head, and gave him a kiss on his forehead.
"Ashley…I know Mom didn't mean for you to feint like that," Karone said, sitting down next to her. Ashley stiffened in Andros' grip, and he rubbed her shoulders, making them relax once again.
"It just surprised me…" Ashley admitted, as Aidan started to gurgle at her.
"Ashley…nothing is set in stone," Andros said, turning around so he was completely facing her and Aidan. "I know you don't want to leave your family," he whispered. "So we can stay on Earth," he said, putting a kiss on her lips. Ashley was surprised with Andros. She would have thought he would have jumped at the opportunity to go back to his home, at KO-35, especially since his parents are back.
"Andros…" Ashley said in a shocked voice, but he just gave her a warm smile, and once again wrapped his arm around her, and his other arm around her Ashley's. Aidan let out a happy squeal. Karone looked in shock at Andros.
"What about Mom and Dad?" Karone asked.
"Karone…please don't be mad," Andros pleaded with his sister, not wanting her to hate him for not going home. "Besides…you deserve to have the time you lost with them," Andros gently reminded her.
"Andros…I wanted that time we missed as a family," Karone whispered, tears stinging at her eyes.
"Karone…I can't leave Ashley…I love her, and I love Aidan too," Andros said with a defensive tone. "I cannot ask her to leave her family…" Andros brought Ashley closer to him.
"So you can just abandon yours?" Karone growled, and Aidan started to whimper a little bit, sensing the anger and unease. Instantly guilt washed over Karone's face, "I'm sorry Aidan," Karone tried to reach for him, but Ashley shrank away from her, anger plastered on her face.
"Karone…just leave please," Ashley said in an even voice, managing to keep her voice from having anger hit it. Karone just nodded, and left their room. Ashley sighed, and turned to Andros. "I'm sor-," but Andros cut her off by putting a kiss on her lips.
"It's ok Ashley…it will be ok," he promised. "I am going to keep my promise to you," he whispered. Ashley snuggled into him and felt Aidan start to fall asleep again. "I'll get him," Andros mumbled, taking Aidan away from Ashley. "Say night night to Mommy," Andros said, and Aidan made a happy sigh, and Andros gently put him down in the crib. "I love you Aidan," he whispered kissing his son on the forehead. Aidan moved around a bit in his crib, before closing his eyes, and going to sleep. Andros walked back over to Ashley, and gave her a kiss on her forehead. She looked dead tired, and Andros was once again worried about her. "Ashley…" he murmured.
"I'm just tired," she said with a yawn. Andros laid down next to her, and wrapped his arms around her. "What about your parents…and Karone?" she mumbled as she started to fall asleep.
"They'll be here still," Andros said, as she laid her head on his chest. "I love you,"
"Love you too," Ashley breathed, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms tightly around him before falling asleep. Andros stroked her hair, and watched as she slept in his arms.
Karone sighed as she walked out of Andros and Ashley's room. Was she mad at Ashley, for taking her brother away from his family? No…she was just upset that Andros wasn't willing to go home at all. She walked back onto the bridge, and saw Kara and Lamont were a bit upset. They turned to their daughter, and walked over to her. "What's going on?" Lamont asked.
"Ashley just feinted…" Karone explained.
"Is she ok?" Cassie asked from where she and Carlos were.
"Yeah…" Karone replied, but she couldn't help but let out a sigh. Zhane walked over to her, and wrapped his arms around her from the behind.
"What's wrong?" he asked, squeezing her gently.
"Ashley doesn't feel too comfortable about leaving Earth…or her family here. Andros picked up on that, and is wanting to stay with her," Karone breathed. Kara and Lamont looked at each other, exchanging worried looks.
"We can't really expect them to get an answer right away," Lamont said to Kara.
"Lamont…he should be home…he completed his mission," Kara shot back.
"Well you aren't suggesting that he just leaves her are you?" Lamont said, grabbing onto his wife's hand. "You remember how my parents were…I am not going to allow us to be the same and demand that he leaves her to come home. We can't leave our grandson without his parents,"
"You're right, but that doesn't mean I don't like it," Kara muttered. "Where is Andros at?" Kara asked her daughter.
"In his and Ashley's room," Karone said. "But I wouldn't go in there though…" but Kara didn't listen and headed for their room. Opening the door slightly, Kara saw Andros holding Ashley against him. She saw the same look of love in Andros' eyes that she had seen many times in Lamont's eyes. Andros' gaze drifted up to his Mom's and he sighed, gently transferring Ashley to the bed. He walked out of his room, and gently closed the door.
"What's going on?" Andros questioned, as they walked away from the door.
"Andros…sweetie, don't you think it is time to go back home?" Kara asked, gently putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Home?" Andros asked. The Mega Ship had been his home ever since he left KO-35, and now Ashley was where his heart now longed to be. He gently took his Mom's hand, and turned to her. "Mom…this has been home for me since I was fifteen. And…I can't…won't ask Ashley to abandon her family to be with me," Andros said. "I hope you understand Mom…but I can't come to KO-35. I have a son to worry about,"
Anger hit Kara's face, "Andros…you know that it possibly won't last between you two,"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Andros growled letting go of her hand. Ashley stirred as their voices started to rise against each other. She pulled the sheets away from her, and opened up their door. "How can you say that?" he shot at her.
"Well teenage love doesn't last forever…" Kara said, realizing her lapse in judgment
"Did you think I was just going to up and leave Ashley without even talking with her about this? Mom, you and I both know that this isn't a decision to make lightly," anger hitting his voice.
"What's going on?" Ashley asked, not fully getting out of their room. Andros instantly turned around and jogged over to her.
"Ashley…" he said a touch of worry hitting his voice. "I thought you were sleeping," he murmured.
"I was…what's going on?" she asked, still plainly seeing the anger playing out on Andros' face. Kara walked over to the couple, and Andros pulled his arm protectively around Ashley.
"I was just talking with Andros," she said simply.
"She is wanting me to go back to KO-35 with or without you," Andros growled, leveling his mother with a glare. Ashley grabbed and squeezed onto his hands.
"Andros…do you want to go back?" Ashley asked, barely audible to herself, but Andros heard her. Andros just wanted to be with Ashley, no matter where they were.
"Ash…I just want to be with you and Aidan…I really don't care where we live, as long as we are together," he said cupping her face with his hands. Kara didn't seem too happy with that answer, and she folded her arms over her chest.
"Kara, stop bugging them," Lamont said, glad he finally found his wife. He walked over to them and grabbed onto her. "Andros…we don't expect you to do anything you and Ashley aren't comfortable with," he assured his son. "This is yours and Ashley's choice to choose where to live, and we won't force you to come back to KO-35,"
"Lamont…" she started, but he gave her a glare.
"Ashley I am sorry," Lamont apologized, and he patted Andros on the shoulder. "Come dear…" he said, and he lead her away from Ashley and Andros.
"Andros…I know you probably want to go home…" Ashley said, sadness entering her eyes. Andros shook his head, and put a kiss on her lips.
"My home is where you and our son are," Andros said, running his hands through her hair. Ashley gave him a teary grin, and he wrapped her into a hug. "Ashley, I know you don't want to leave your family…and I doubt they would be altogether happy about moving away to another planet…"
"Andros…" Ashley whimpered, wrapping her arms around him. Andros rubbed her back, and he made some calming shushing noises. "Its just I can't help feeling that you do want to go back…"
"Ashley, I admit that I would love to be home, but I love Earth, where you grew up," Andros whispered. Andros kissed her forehead, "Ashley…I know you are close with your family…and I am sorry that you lost contact with your parents for a while. I don't want to put you in that kind of situation again," Ashley squeezed him gratefully, and rested her head onto his shoulder.
"We can go visit KO-35…I would like to see where you, Karone, and Zhane grew up…" Ashley said as an afterthought. Andros would like to go just for a visit, but he knew that Karone would be mad at them for not staying. They walked back inside their room, and looked at Aidan as he peacefully slept. Ashley pulled the blanket up to his chin after she saw the infant shiver. Ashley turned to Andros and once again wrapped him into a hug.
"Andros…thank you so much," Ashley whispered. "I know you did this to stop my worrying…I love you," she whispered.
Andros wrapped his arms around her and chuckled. "I love you too. You aren't worried anymore?" Andros asked.
"Nope…I feel so much better," Ashley said looking up at him. Andros gave her a grin, glad to finally get all of the fear of Aidan being kidnapped. "Do you want to go find Karone and try to talk with her?" Ashley questioned. Andros shook his head, and planted a kiss on her lips. Both Ashley and Andros turned when they heard Aidan giggle in his sleep.
"Wonder what he is dreaming about," Ashley mused, as they continued to watch Aidan sleep. Ashley laid her head on his shoulder, and let out a tiny chuckle as she saw Aidan kick off his covers. Andros pulled the blanket back over his son, so he didn't get cold again. Andros focused on the tiny dresser, and a pair of tiny socks floated over to him. Pulling the blanket up a little bit, and put the socks on his tiny feet.
"You doing ok Ashley?" Andros questioned as they continued to watch Aidan as he slept. She nodded, and gave Andros' hand a squeeze.
A couple hours laterKarone walked over towards Andros' and Ashley's room, but stopped when she reached their door. Zhane was right next to her. "Karone you can do this…" Zhane whispered in her ear. Zhane wrapped his hand around hers and gave it a squeeze.
"But I was…just mean…" Karone whispered.
"He is your brother…and Ashley loves you like a sister…they'll forgive you," Zhane whispered, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks…" she whispered, finally getting up the courage to knock on the door. Karone heard Aidan giggle on the other side of the door, and Ashley opened it up. Aidan made a gurgling noise seeing his Aunt, and Zhane.
Ashley wasn't sure how to react to seeing Karone. "Hey…" she said in a neutral voice.
"Hi," Karone said. "Look about before…"
"Karone…really it is ok," Ashley said. "I am sorry that this decision is so hard…I don't want anyone to be hurting," she murmured, as she tickled Aidan's tummy.
"I wanted to apologize to Andros too…" but she stopped talking when she finally saw Andros on their bed sleeping peacefully. "I guess I'll just try to catch him later," Andros stirred, and opened his eyes.
"Hey…" Andros said, sitting up. Ashley moved her and Aidan out of the way, and let Karone and Zhane in. Andros beckoned Karone over to the side of the bed, and she sat down next to him.
"Andros…I'm sorry…" Karone murmured. Andros wrapped his arms around his little sister.
"Me too," he whispered. "We are just going to have to talk about what we are going to do now that we destroyed Dark Specter…" Karone nodded, and he pulled away.
"So what are we going to do now that he is destroyed?" Zhane questioned, putting his hand on Karone's shoulder. Andros really didn't know what there was going to be left to do. All he was thinking about was spending his time with Ashley and Aidan.
"I really don't know…I guess we were just going to settle down, and be good parents for Aidan," Andros finally said, as Ashley walked over to him with Aidan. Andros gave Aidan a grin, and Ashley transferred Aidan to his arms. "Hey buddy," Andros said, and Aidan gurgled at him. Karone let Aidan wrap his fingers around her pinky and he let out a squeal.
"For now…" Zhane suddenly said. "We should be celebrating that Dark Specter is finally gone…and worry about this stuff later. We deserve to have a little down time. Maybe we will have some better outlook on this," he suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Karone said. "Doesn't that sound good to you Aidan?" she asked the baby. He just gave her a smile, and let out a happy squeal once again. "I guess we'd better leave you alone with your Mommy and Daddy," she said giving her nephew a kiss on the forehead. "Once again, I'm really sorry…" Karone apologized.
"Its ok…" Ashley said.
"Really…I understand why you would want all of us to be together," Andros said giving her a peck on the cheek. Karone and Zhane left the room, and Ashley walked up to Andros and Aidan.
"So…what are we going to tell her and your parents?" Ashley asked.
"I don't know yet…whatever we choose, Dad will support us…and Mom…eventually," Andros said looking down at Aidan. "Whatdya think Aidan?" Andros asked, and he just stared back at his father. "Yeah…I don't know either…"
