Disclaimer: I don't own the Rangers. I do own the characters of Mera and Jesson – Andros and Karone's parents. This is another Andros and Zhane friendship fic. Out of all the Ranger series and people in it, these two are my all time favourite to write for. This is the first in a series of fics; I've already got the second chapter half done, so expect that soon. Now, for that one reviewer that always reviews my Andros and Zhane fics and has requested I incorporate some more action… just wait, you won't be disappointed, I promise! Anything in Italics is thoughts Mouse, January 2004.

Beginnings: First Meeting

By Angel Mouse

Just at the end of From Out of Nowhere:

He watched as one by one, the former turbo rangers went into the rooms he had given them to refresh and get some sleep. In the morning he'd show them around the mega ship and explain various things to them. He had helped heal them from their minor injuries and given them shipboard uniforms, along with DECA and Alpha's help of course.

He gave a tiny smile as he walked along the corridor. The two of them had ganged up on him to make him realise he needed them as much as they needed him. It would be good to have some company again, aside from DECA. He paused a moment outside the door next to his, resting his hand gently on it, wishing that it's occupant was there with him. They had asked whose room it was and he had ignored the question, stating it wasn't important. It was next to his and that's all that mattered.

Sighing softly, he went into his room and taking off his jacket, he lay down on the bed. Staring at the roof he thought back over his adventures for the last couple of years. It would be good to have some company again; he'd been alone too long. Unwittingly, his mind went back to a time when he was alone before, when he was very young.

Karone was still a toddler, barely two years old, when Andros began attending school. He was four and even at that young age he was a bit of a loner. The only person he was close to was Karone, as it had been drummed into him to look after her, always. In these uncertain times it was only logical for his parents to tell him that. So his first few weeks of school had been hard for him, leaving Karone.

But it was interesting, meeting new people and learning new things, but still, he formed no new friendships, preferring instead to explore the library and practice his gymnastics and fighting. Finally though, after about a month, he had settled down and fell into a routine. It was then he began noticing the quiet kid in the corner.

He was tiny for a kid of their age; his blond hair was so pale it might as well have been called white. He was the same as Andros though, quiet, loner and practiced his fighting with an intensity that was only matched by Andros in the classes. They soon found themselves paired off against each other and Andros found himself drawn to the quiet, younger child.

Some discreet questioning of his teacher had found that the boy, whose name was Zhane, was an orphan and just six months younger than Andros was. He had been brought to the capital from an outlying settlement, the only survivor of a recent raid. He was being raised by a very distant relative, but from what Andros could tell and from what his teacher had told him, it wasn't much fun for Zhane as the relative was taking him in only out a sense of family duty.

His protective instinct flaring up again, Andros decided to get to know the younger boy. He was just as quick as Andros in their fighting lessons was, and just as smart as well, although he hid it better. Andros found himself looking forward to his fighting sessions as the two of them had begun to be given harder instructions. So, with all this in mind, Andros set out to get to know him, with all the single-mindedness and determination that only a four-year-old could muster.

It was lunchtime and the class had been released to go play in the park for an hour, then to come back for maths lessons. Andros had asked his mother to make his favourite seed cakes today, saying that he wanted to share them with a friend. His mother, who had been despairing that Andros would ever make friends, had been more than delighted to do so.

So, taking the precious cakes in his hand, Andros searched the park relentlessly for Zhane, finally finding him by the pond. He walked over and sat down next to Zhane, giving the other boy a tiny smile.

"Hello Zhane." Zhane looked up, startled. His blue eyes were extremely clear and soulful for one so young.

"Oh, hello Andros. Is it time to go back or did you want to practice fighting?" Zhane's tone was soft, quiet and diffident. Andros gave him a grin and held out the seed cake.

"None of the above. My Mum made me some seed cake and always gives me too much, so I thought I'd share with you." Andros smiled encouragingly at him. Zhane looked down at the cake in his hand and then up at Andros, his eyes confused. But Zhane saw more than the seed cake being offered, he saw a friendship as well, and it was something he desperately needed right now.

Taking the cake from Andros's hand Zhane gave him a tiny, tentative smile, the first since his family had been killed. Andros's dark eyes lit up and he grinned even more.

"Thank you Andros." Andros nodded.

"Any time. Now, eat up, it's the best you'll ever taste." The two boys tucked into the cake and soon afterwards found them chatting away. If Andros was doing the majority of the talking at first, then that was to be expected. By the end of the week they were fast friends, and were practically inseparable during school hours, and Andros began bringing Zhane home with him.

Andros's parents were delighted but careful not to overwhelm the shy, introverted little boy. Karone loved the fact that her older brother had a friend, and had soon adopted Zhane as her other brother, always making sure she had a smile and a hug for him whenever he visited. It was after about four weeks that Andros approached his parents one night.

It had taken a few weeks but he had finally won Zhane's trust that the shy boy had opened up to him and told him what had happened to him and his family, and about his current situation. Andros already knew from his teacher that Zhane's position wasn't a happy one, but he hadn't realised how unhappy. So, after talking with Karone and getting her approval, he approached his parents.

Andros found them in the kitchen; softly talking about something or other, when he walked in they stopped and looked at him. Andros took after his mother with his blond and black hair, whereas Karone took after their father with her blonde hair. His father smiled at him and Andros took heart at this.

"Andros, shouldn't you be in bed, it is school tomorrow." Andros nodded, coming over and sitting on the stool next to his father.

"I know. But I have something important I need to ask you and it can't wait." Andros's mum leaned over the bench, noticing the concern in his eyes and the serious demeanour he had adopted. Her little boy was growing up.

"What is it Andros?" Taking a deep breath, Andros began. His parents had taught him the best way to get something difficult done was to get it out in the open straight away, and then it wouldn't look so hard.

"Mother, Father. You know Zhane's situation right?" Andros had told them a few nights ago after returning from playing at Zhane's house. The first time he'd actually been there. He had been upset at what he'd seen and so had told his parents.

"Yes, we do. In fact, we were just talking about it." Andros nodded, pleased in a way.

"Well, I was thinking. I wouldn't mind a brother about my age, and Karone loves him as well. Why can't we adopt him? Or at least bring him here to live with us?" Andros's parents were stunned and shared incredulous glances. His father beamed and gave him a hug.

"Son, I'm very proud of you. Your mother and I had actually just decided to ask you would you mind having him as a brother. I'm pleased to see once more; you beat us to the punch." Andros beamed.

"So you'll do it?" His mother came around the bench and gave him a hug.

"Yes, we shall. We'll go fix up all the paperwork tomorrow. Do you want to tell Zhane after we do that, or straight away?" Andros thought a moment; his practical nature then asserted itself. At four and a half he was extremely practically for his age. Most of the children on the colony were unfortunately due to the dangerous times they were living in.

"We'll wait until you get the approval before telling him, I don't want to raise his hopes. Thanks Mum and Dad, you're greatest." He gave them both a hug and took off to bed.

The next four weeks that passed were agonising for Andros. He couldn't tell Zhane about his request of his parents, so he spent the time with him getting to know him better. Zhane soon went from friend to best friend to trusted brother in that time and the two become close.

Then one day when Andros got home from school, with Zhane in tow, he found his parents waiting for him, with big smiles on their faces. Karone was sitting in his mother's lap, practically bouncing with joy.

"What's going on?" Andros's mother smiled.

"We have some good news for you. Zhane, Andros, sit down please." The two boys shared a look and then sat down on the couch. Andros's father smiled warmly at them both but his eyes were fixed on Zhane.

"Zhane, four weeks ago, Andros came and asked if we could do something about your situation." Zhane began to look worried and wary.

"And what did you do?" His tone was fearful and Andros put his arm around him, smiling warmly at him.

"It's all right Zhane, nothing bad I promise, right Father?"

"That's right Andros. Zhane, we approached Family Services and asked if we could adopt you. Andros and Karone already think of you more of a brother than a friend, and we've started to think of you as a son. Today they gave their okay for it to go ahead, that's if it's all right with you?"

Zhane looked incredulously at them. True, things hadn't been good between him and his distant second uncle, but to have Andros and his family open their arms and lives to him was more than he ever dreamed. Tears began to stream down his face and swallowing hard, he nodded. After a moment he managed to find his voice.

"Yes, I'd like that very much." Andros hugged his friend hard.

"Terrific! I've got a new brother!" Karone jumped from her mother's lap and into their arms as well.

"I have a new brother! Now I have two brothers!" The three children dissolved into a pile of giggling, energetic little people and the two adults smiled indulgently at them.

The next six months flew past and Andros and Zhane were now counted as five-year-olds. They had begun to train harder and given more instruction in tactics and fighting. They had both showed great aptitude for it and much promise. Karone was three now and beginning her telekinesis training.

Andros and Zhane were terrors at theirs, the two of them causing mischief and mayhem when they could. They had become so close that they now shared a mental bond as well as a physical and spiritual one. They were practically inseparable now, which heartened Andros's parents greatly.

One day they came home to find Kinwon waiting for them. Andros's parents led him into the lounge area and they sat. The children were out playing. Andros and Karone were in the park playing with the telekinesis ball and Zhane had stayed behind at school to work on a special project. Kinwon sat down with them and smiled.

"Mera, Jesson. The ruling council of KO35 has come to a decision."

"What sort of decision and why are you telling us?" Mera was silent, having a sneaking suspicion of where this was leading. She worked in planetary defence; she knew the whole situation. Kinwon studied them for a moment and then nodded.

"We've decided that with the increase in attacks that in ten years at most, possibly sooner, we will not be able to hold them back any more. We have decided to select now, two young people to become Power Rangers to help defend the planet when that time comes. We are selecting them now, so that they can begin the training now that they will need to help them in these trying times." Mera and Jesson shared concerned glances. Mera broke the silence.

"Why are you telling us this?" Kinwon hesitated a moment and then took the plunge.

"We have selected Andros and Zhane to begin training along with several others to become Power Rangers." Mera and Jesson were stunned.

"But, they are only five and a half. Almost six, they are too young!" Kinwon was stunned at Mera's harsh tone with him. She, of all people, knew how things were. Jesson reached out and put his hand on her arm.

"Mera, the boys may be young, but they are more than capable of taking on this additional responsibility. Look at how Andros was with Zhane when they first met, and how they are now. I think they are more than capable of handling this. But, I think that we don't tell them about this honour for at least another year or so, until they can handle it better." Mera looked ready to protest but then at the last minute changed her mind.

"Alright. We don't tell them for at least two years. That way, they can enjoy what little childhood they have left." Unfortunately, Mera didn't know how prophetic her words were.

The next three days passed in a blur of activity and grief. While Kinwon had been talking to Andros's parents, Andros and Karone had been playing in the park. While they had been playing Karone had pushed the telekinesis ball away from Andros and he had run to get it. He had come running when he heard Karone screaming, just in time to see something or someone running away with Karone.

He tried to follow them but no luck. He raised the alarm but it was too late. His parents were distraught and Kinwon himself lead the search for Karone on that fateful day. It wasn't until night had fallen that someone had remembered to go pick Zhane up from school. Jesson walked along in a daze, walking up the path to the school. He saw Zhane sitting on the steps, tears streaming down his face. He walked over and sat down next to him.

"Zhane, what's the matter?" Zhane gulped down his tears and looked up, his eyes fearful and sad.

"I thought you didn't want me anymore, so you forgot to come and get me." Jesson winced as Zhane's words cut through the tattered remains of his heart. Jesson wrapped his arms around Zhane and held him tight against him.

"Oh no Zhane, we hadn't forgotten about you." Jesson was hard pressed to keep back his own tears. "It's just that something has happened." He felt Zhane stiffen beside him.

"Is Andros dead?" Jesson blinked back the tears and swallowed hard. Zhane's fears were extremely strong and even the short time he had been with them hadn't erased them fully.

"No, he isn't dead. He's just very upset. Something's happened." Zhane looked up and Jesson saw the pain in his eyes.

"Is it Mera? Has she gone?" Zhane's fear was more evident now. Having lost one family, he didn't want to lose his new family.

"No, Mera is fine. She's at home with Andros. It's Karone." Jesson couldn't continue with what he wanted to say and he looked away, trying to clear his mind and focus his thoughts. After a few moments the small body in his arms squirmed and he looked down to find Zhane watching him.

"Karone's gone, isn't she? She was killed. Just like my Mummy and Daddy were…" Jesson shook his head.

"No, she wasn't killed Zhane. She was kidnapped by a monster. She was playing with Andros in the park and was taken from there."

"They didn't take Andros?" Fear was in his softly spoken words.

"No, he was getting their ball from where they had been playing. I'm just glad he wasn't taken as well." Zhane looked at him a moment, his young blue eyes showing more depth than his short years should allow.

"It's not Andros's fault you know. Please don't blame him." Jesson stared at Zhane, amazed at the insight he was showing. "It's not his fault. You mustn't blame him." Jesson stared in those soft blue eyes and somewhere, found a smile for Zhane.

"No Zhane. I won't blame him. Come on, let's get you home. I'm sure Andros could use you about now." The two of them stood and slowly made their way home.

Andros was in his room, curled up in a little ball on his bed. His door opened and Zhane crept in. Mera had said that Andros wanted to be alone, but Zhane knew his friend better. He could tell from the anguish he was feeling through their mental link. They had decided a little while ago not to tell anyone about their mental link, it was their secret and theirs alone. He closed the door behind him and went slowly over to Andros on the bed. Climbing up he moved next to his friend and reached out a hand.

"Andros?"

"Go away. Want to be alone. It's my entire fault. Don't want anyone round me… you might be taken next." Zhane's heart broke and with a resolve that he didn't know he had, he scooted closer and wrapped Andros in his small arms.

"I'm not going anywhere Andros. And I'm never, ever leaving you. No one is taking me from you Andros. No one. Ever." The firmness and strength in Zhane's tone finally got through to Andros and he lifted his head, staring in his friends blue eyes. He saw love, respect, sadness and strength in them. With that, he broke down once more, clinging to Zhane.

"I lost her Zhane. I lost her…"

"I know Andros. But I'm here. I'll always be here." They were in his room for the next two days. And when they emerged their roles had been reversed. Before Karone's kidnapping, Andros had been talkative to his family, confident and had even began to be more friendly towards others, whereas Zhane was always quiet, shy and seemed to be the less confident of the two.

When they emerged from Andros's room at the end of the third day, the differences in them were apparent. Andros was withdrawn, solemn and quiet, giving one or two word answers when he was spoken to. Zhane on the other hand was more outgoing and confident. He spoke for the both of them when answers were required, and he suddenly, was more protective of Andros now. It had always been the other way around before.

Zhane was still quiet around people he didn't know, but now, he was the voice for the pair of them. Mera and Jesson were worried about Andros, naturally, but in their grief for the loss of Karone, they could barely function themselves, let alone spare much thought for Andros. So Zhane stepped in and they became closer than ever.

After three long weeks, the search for Karone was called off. The ruling council reluctantly concluded that she had been taken off planet and they had no luck tracking her. Mera and Jesson never gave up hope though, and Andros swore to them both that he would find her one day, and bring her home. Zhane had promised Andros he would stay by his side to help to realise that promise.

They began training harder than before, and also began the extra training they would need to complete to be Power Ranger candidates. Mera had changed her mind, and had informed the two young boys of the honour that they had been picked for. It seemed to be the tonic Andros needed, as he threw himself into all aspects of their training with a zeal that they hadn't seen before. Only Zhane knew it was because of the guilt Andros was carrying over Karone's kidnapping.

Security recordings had finally been released to the family, and they watched with broken hearts what had happened. The entire time Zhane's eyes hadn't left Andros and what he saw in Andros's brown eyes almost broke him then and there. But it strengthened his resolve to be there for Andros and do what ever he could to aide his best friend. After the recording had finished, Andros had gotten up and left the room, going outside, without saying anything. Zhane stood to follow him, stopping a moment to look back at his foster parents.

"It'll be okay, you'll see. Andros promised he'd get her back, and he doesn't break his promises." He left them then, following Andros outside and sitting next to him on the bench in the garden. For a long time they said nothing, Andros just being comforted by Zhane's presence. After a long while, Andros stirred slightly and looked over at Zhane.

"Thank you. For being here." Zhane smiled gently at Andros and reached over, clasping his hand in his.

"I'll always be here for you Andros; I'll never leave you alone."

Tbc…

In the next chapter, the two of them begin their training in earnest..