Summary: The return of an old love changes the rules of the game.
Flame Rising: Get a life! Or jump off a cliff, you'd do us ALL a favour.
Challon86: I'm not a big A/C fan either, don't worry, I'm all about A/A.
SweetSas: Thanks Sas, though I really could care less about what that guy says. He's done the same thing to others with the same review. Well, I'm not rolling over and playing dead for someone like him. Here's more.
AznIntegra: Here's more.
Slytherin-Angel44: You'll feel worse once the story goes on.
Titanium Ranger: This soon enough?
PurpleLeopard: Of course I will :D
PRISFAN: Here's more, I know the other was short, but prologues are just introductions, this story didn't need a long one.
Jenny: YOU REVIEWED! Um… since the beginning of time? A/A RULES! Vote for me?
Alexandra KHAYMAN: -drools- Here's more? Happy? I'm updating, I'm updating. Thanks for your kind words to our friend Flame Rising.
Chan-Valerte: Well… A/A RULES! So… you can guess… I think.
Puasluoma: Don't worry, I'm A/A through and through.
Phantom Rogue: Maybe because I love bashing Carlos and suddenly he gets the girl? Yeah, Nicole told me I just missed you. Your own fault.
Cassie Chan Astro Pink: Well… I wouldn't say set things right…
Forbidden Love
Chapter 1
Ashley giggled as Carlos carried her over the threshold of their new apartment. The others had decorated and furnished it for them in the two weeks they had been on their honeymoon – she had to admit it: they had done a wonderful job.
Carlos set her down on her feet and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, placing a soft kiss on her neck.
"So what do you plan to do now?" He murmured.
"Mmm… I seem to recall a long, hot bath being on the agenda." Ashley replied with a breathy laugh.
"Want some company?" Carlos whispered huskily.
"As much as your little friend would like that." Ashley grinned, turning around in his arms. "You've got more unpacking to do then I have. Or at least, less time to. I'm not the one starting that contract with Angel Grove's soccer team, remember?"
"Did you have to remind me?" Carlos groaned. "I'm never going to balance soccer with college."
"But it does provide for us – we have money to live in this apartment, pay for college, the bills… and vacations." Ashley reminded him with a smile.
"You're right. I'll go get our bags. You draw that bath if you want. We're ordering take out tonight." Carlos told her before exiting the apartment to pick up the bags from the car.
Ashley smiled and walked into the bedroom. It was roomy, containing a large bed with soft covers and fluffy pillows. A nightstand on both sides. A large closet divided in two and a vanity table.
She walked over and sat down at the table, staring into the mirror. She had had her hair cut again, just above her shoulders; it flowed down before bouncing up at the ends. Her deep brown eyes sparkled and a soft smile played on her lips as she studied her reflection.
Her eyes landed on a particular feature and she frowned. The silver of her necklace gleamed in the light of the setting sun and the yellow gem in the pendant sparkled with mirth. Tentatively she dared touching it and sighed quietly as memories long past floated to the front of her mind.
"You didn't have to get me anything. I don't expect you to know all the weird customs here on Earth."
"Actually. Happy Birthday, Ashley."
"Wow."
"The stone's a rare gem from KO-35… I hope you liked it."
"I love it…. Thank you."
Quickly she shook herself out of her thoughts when she heard the front door shut. Staring at the necklace for a moment longer, she gently reached behind her neck. Unconsciously, tears sprung into her eyes as she undid the clasp and took it off.
"I guess this is truly goodbye." She whispered softly as she opened her jewellery box and placed the necklace at the very bottom, closing it with the feeling of ending a part of her life.
"Ash, you okay?" Carlos asked, walking into the bedroom with their bags and spotting her.
"What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine, just thinking. I'll go take that bath now, you can decide what we have for dinner." She told him, getting up and leaving a small peck on his lips before disappearing into the bathroom.
She turned the tap open and squirted some bubble bath into the tub. Her eyes caught her reflection again as she slowly stripped off her clothes. As she stared into the mirror another memory drifted past, teasing her with the affection that lingered with the memory.
A pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist and she gasped in surprise as a pair of lips placed a gentle kiss on her neck.
"Morning." A sleepy voice greeted against her skin.
Turning them around she smiled into the mirror at her reflection being held by a just-out-of-bed Andros, his hair tangled and sleep still evident in his eyes.
"Morning." She replied as they stared into each other's eyes through the mirror. "I was just about to take a shower, care to join?" She added teasingly.
"I never could say no to you." Andros grinned, spinning her around in his arms and placing a tender kiss on her lips. "Last night was amazing."
"More then amazing." Ashley grinned against his lips. "It was perfect."
"I love you." He told her softly.
"Love you too." She smiled and tugged a lock of hair playfully.
She looked up when she noticed the tub was nearly full and quickly turned off the taps. She smiled as she lowered herself into the hot water. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she relaxed as the pleasant temperature sooth away her thoughts. She was married to Carlos now. Andros became part of her past when he chose KO-35 over her.
An hour later
Ashley smiled as she sat down at the dinner table. She picked up her chopsticks and laughed at Carlos's tentative expression.
"It's over, remember? I'm not going to break down in tears; otherwise I wouldn't have married you." She told him, picking up some of her rice and popping it into her mouth.
Carlos visibly relaxed and started eating too. After eating half their food in silence, Ashley started up a conversation about where they'd go from now. Ashley laughed at the picture Carlos painted for her and shook her head.
"I'm not a baby factory, Carlos." She chocked. "You might have come from a family with seven children, but two or three are more then enough to satisfy me."
Carlos laughed and got up when their plates were cleaned of all food.
"I picked up a little surprise for you with dinner." He told her, bringing the plates to the kitchen.
Ashley squealed in delight when she spotted the bag in his hands when he returned.
"Fortune cookies!" She beamed as he place the bag in front of her.
She divided them equally and broke her first open. She laughed and shook her head.
"What does it say?" Carlos asked.
"Yours first." Ashley grinned in reply.
"In due time you'll see the light." Carlos shrugged.
"You're no fun!" She accused. "Mine says; 'You will learn eat your words someday'." She adopted a fake accent before flashing him a smile.
Carlos shook his head with a smile and opened his next cookie.
"Lying will destroy what you're trying to salvage." He read. "These things are total crap. You know that, right?"
"Your biggest weakness will cause you pain and joy." Ashley read and nodded. "Yeah, total crap, but still fun."
Carlos laughed and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek as she yawned.
"You go to bed, I'll do the dishes." He told her.
Ashley nodded and got up, casting him an affectionate smile. In the bedroom she changed into her nightgown and curled up into bed, thinking about those fortunes. Maybe they were total crap, but then why did they stay in her head – and why was she suddenly remembering one that had changed her life – one she had during dinner with Andros that had said 'Something you never thought possible will come sooner then you think'? And why did she just happen to sleep with Andros that night, totally unexpected?
She never thought she'd lose her virginity to him. She didn't think she could mean so much to him. And yet he had opened up completely to her that night, shared with her everything. She never regretted it, even after he said those four heartbreaking words that said KO-35 meant more than her. What they had had was amazing and indescribable, but then so impossible too. They were just too different, unlike Carlos and her.
Not much later Carlos entered, changed and crawled into bed beside her. She curled up at his side and slowly drifted to sleep. Things were just perfect right now, absolutely perfect and nothing could ruin this.
A/N: Okay, so I'm still saying I hope you liked it. Review! And don't kill me!
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