Disclaimer: All the Power Ranger characters don't belong to me, except for Ashley's younger brother, Tommy, he's mine.
Summary: AU What if a young girl fell in love with a guy from another world and he asked her to come back with him? Will she have the strength to give up everything she's even known to be with him?
Note: Just wanted to point this out, if this story sounds familiar, it's because I posted a similar version called A Long Time Coming in the Neverending Story category. The reason I'm reposting is because I wasn't very happy with the previous version and wanted to rewrite it.
Please R&R and let me know what you think!
Chapter One: Falling for You
When I imagined falling in love, this isn't what I pictured. As a child, I had always hoped I would date someone I had grown up with. But when he walked into my life, even though I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved, I couldn't help myself. It's ironic that when I finally fell in love, it was with someone from an alternate universe.
"That's not fair, Andros! Your legs are longer than mine!"
At the sound of Tommy, my younger brother's childish protests, I placed my pen down and closed my journal. With a smile I pushed open the sliding glass door and walked out onto the balcony overlooking the backyard. Folding my arms across my chest, I leaned over the railing and watched.
"Just because you're short, Tommy doesn't mean you can't make a basket."
"But you're taller!"
Dribbling the basketball around the court before tossing it into the basket and scoring a point, Jeff, my older brother, smirked at his best friend, Andros, as he grabbed a towel. Beads of sweat poured down his face and seeped through his T-shirt.
Andros shook his head before kneeling down before Tommy. "It's no fun being short, is it? How about another game, you and me against Jeff?"
Jeff nearby choked as he took a sip of water while Tommy's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Andros! You're supposed to be on my side."
"Cut the kid some slack, Jeff. How's he going to get better if he doesn't practice?"
Grumbling something on his breath, Jeff agreed. I pressed my lips together and tried not to laugh. That was just like him, but he had been just like Tommy when he was younger.
Unconsciously my gaze returned to Andros. Some time ago he had taken his shirt off, revealing a very developed, muscular chest. It was hard to believe he wasn't of this world. Several years ago, Jeff had stumbled across a portal leading him to another world. There he had met Andros and the two had embarked on a journey to save that world from destruction. Whenever I thought about his adventures there, they always held an uncanny resemblance to The Neverending Story, one of my favorite books. I had always thought stories like that were pure fantasy, but now I wasn't sure.
After his latest adventure, Jeff had invited Andros to come visit and that's how it happened almost every day he came to visit our world, slowly growing accustom to our mannerisms. Although I didn't make Andros feel unwelcome, I wasn't exactly friendly either.
I think one of the reasons I was wary of Andros was that he always seemed to be watching me. One time I had been reading a book outside, enjoying the warm, spring weather, when I caught him watching from the kitchen window. If it were only that one time, it wouldn't have mattered. But it continued, so I told Jeff. Then about six months ago, when I got to know Andros, everything changed.
"Hey, Ashley!"
I blinked and found three pairs of eyes staring up at me. Feeling my face growing warm at being caught staring at Andros, I gave a small wave.
"You want to play, Ashley?" Jeff asked. His ever-growing smirk made me wonder if he knew.
I shook my head. "I can't. I have some things I need to finish. I was just taking a break."
"What some help?" Andros called, brushing his sweat-slicked hair back.
"Thanks, Andros, but I'll be all right. I'm meeting some friends later."
"Will Carlos be there?"
My face flushed at Tommy's comment. Although a year ahead of me, Carlos had made it blatantly obvious he liked me. While it was common knowledge that whatever Carlos Valerte wanted he got, I just wasn't interested. Apparently he hadn't picked up on my subtle hints to back off.
"I don't know." I shrugged. "Maybe."
"You like him, don't you?"
That's when I became aware of Andros staring at me, his expression dark. Was he jealous?
"Tommy," I gave an exasperated sigh, "you, above all people, should know that I can't stand Carlos." I glanced at Andros, but he had his back turned. I sighed. Maybe it had just been my imagination. "I'll be inside if you guys need me."
Reentering the house, I picked up my journal and hurried up to the attic. It was times like this that I liked to get away and think. Quickly unlocking the door and fumbling for the light switch, I stretched out across the couch, one arm folded behind my head.
Down below I felt the deep rumble of the water running, but I closed my eyes and tuned it out. Why do guys have to have such a big pride issue when it comes to showing their feelings? Although I had had my fair share of crushes, I had never felt something like this for anyone. But I couldn't tell if Andros felt it too. One minute we would be flirting harmlessly and the next he would be ignoring me.
Was this even worth fighting for?
"Ashley, are you up there?"
My eyes snapped open. How long had I been asleep? I thought as I listened to his footsteps steadily getting closer. The door hinges creaked as he pushed it open and poked his head in.
"Hi."
"Hi," I said, my voice a little scratchy.
"Did I wake you?"
"No. What's up?"
"Can we talk?"
My brow wrinkled at his serious tone as I sat up and motioned him closer. "Is everything all right?" I tried to ask, but I couldn't.
Silently I stared at him as he sat down beside me but didn't say anything. Unconsciously I bit my lip, my palms sweaty, as I waited for him to speak.
"There's something I've been meaning to-to ask you."
As he turned towards me, I was caught off guard at the intensity in his bluish black eyes. I swallowed and nodded, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart.
"You know I'm going back to KO-35 day after tomorrow?"
My chest tightened at the thought of him leaving. I tried to speak, but couldn't.
"I want you to come with me."
My mouth dropped as I stared at him. Go with him? I shook my head, struggling to process his words. Whatever I had been expecting him to say, it wasn't that.
"Come with you," I repeated slowly. "You…you mean for a visit."
He shook his head. "No. I'm asking you to come back with me…I'm asking you to marry me."