Present Day
Karone tossed her bags on the bed and begin to unpack, anything to keep her hands busy so she wouldn't strangle Ashley.
"I'm sorry. I wanted to surprise your brother….. he misses you."
Karone sighed. "I know. I miss him too, but you know why I left."
Ashley sat on the bed. "Look this weekend will be amazing. You get to catch up with everyone. Please don't be mad."
Karone turned around. "I'm not mad."
She looked at Ashley's face and sighed again. "I just didn't know there was going to be a party. I don't have anything to wear."
Ashley jumped up, smiling and hugged Karone. "Thank you, thank you for not packing it up and leaving…. Plus I have the perfect thing and it's your size."
Karone laughed, "I bet you do."
"NO… I am not wearing this. No way, no how. It won't happen.", states Karone from behind the door of the bathroom.
"Oh come on. Let me just see it. Besides the party tonight is formal and it's themed. Black and white."
Karone walked out of the bathroom. She was wearing a long white dress with a heart shaped neckline and side cut outs.
Ashley pretended to consider the dress and motioned for Karone to turn around.
"Well we can't have you looking better than the bride now can we." Ashley made a frustrated sound in her throat.
"Ok well Karone it's either that one or this one." She handed Karone a black dress bag.
"I'm going to get myself ready. Just pick one and wear it." Ashley smiled at Karone.
"Thanks", mumbled Karone as Ashley bounded out the door and down the hall.
She looked down at the bag in her hand. Well here goes nothing.
Karone stepped out of the room and smoothed the sides of her dress down. She glanced at the mirror on the wall in the hallway. She didn't look half bad.
Her hair was down but pulled back and to one side. It hung in curls with smaller curls framing her face. Her makeup, which Ashley had sent someone to do, was soft, not overdone.
Soft color for her full lips brought attention to a smoky eye that made her green-blue eyes sparkle.
Karone made her way to the stairway and looked down on the party. She spotted him immediately standing with her brother laughing.
His blonde hair was a little longer than when she had last seen him but other than that he was unchanged.
A man next to the top of the stairs cleared his throat. "Shall I announce you ma'am"
"Karone Lorein, KO-35", whispered Karone unable to take her eyes off Zhane.
"A miss Karone Lorein of KO-35." Announced the man loudly, holding his hand out to assist her.
Karone raised her chin and placed her hand in his. She descended the stairs.
She knew all eyes were on her. She wore a floor length black lace overlay dress, underneath was shimmering silver (see picture on profile).
She looked down at the crowd and met his eyes. His mouth was open and he was staring at her.
She looked up quickly. She could have sworn she saw recognition in his eyes quickly replaced by something else.
Andros met her at the bottom of the stairs and embraced her.
"I can't believe you're here. I missed you so much."
She smiled and hugged him back. "Thank your beautiful wife to be."
Ashley laughed and spun around. "What do you think?"
Karone nodded her approval of the beautiful white dress with black lace top.
"What is with you and lace?"
Ashley laughed, "Better than your obsession with leather."
Karone smiled at the reference to her alter-ego Astronema's choice of outfit.
Carlos, Cassie, and TJ all hugged her close, commenting on how much they missed her and how had she been. Karone looked over their shoulder at the man who still could have her go weak in the knees.
"Hello Zhane", she said shocking herself at how her voice did not crack.
"Hey Karone. ", Zhane said glancing around as if he were looking for an escape.
"If you'll excuse me.", he said brushed past Karone. She looked up and met his eyes. He paused for an instant and looked down at her. Then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd.
"I think I need some air.", whispered Karone making her way to the patio nearby.
"Well that went well", mumbled Ashley. Andros smiled down at her.
"Just give them time. He thinks she has moved on and she doesn't know that he remembers."
"But Andros, she thinks he is engaged. After what that little bitch Macey did, putting an announcement in the newpapers on Earth."
Andros laughed at Macey's foolishness, trying to trap Zhane into marriage.
"Well my dear Ashley this is your plan I'm just doing as told."
Ashley wrapped her arms around his neck. "Good boy."
Zhane stepped out on the patio and breathed deeply.
"Damnit", he muttered kicking a stone across the brickway. He leaned against the railing and closed his eyes.
He replayed her entrance over and over again.
Her hair was darker now, but she was as beautiful as ever. She has looked right at him and she raised her chin. Her usually warm eyes went cold at this site of him; a look that reminded him of Astronema.
She had been beautiful and determined to show him just how much she was over him.
He clenched the railing and saw her face. He knew the curve of her cheek and the taste of her lips. How when he would kiss her she would gently tug on his bottom lip.
Zhane groaned and inhaled deeply again. The scent of vanilla sugar filled his nose.
He opened his eyes suddenly and looked across the patio. She was there.
She hadn't seemed to realize he was also outside.
He stepped forward instinctually towards her.
She turned towards him, the sound of his footstep alerting her to his presence.
"Zhane", she whispered. "What are you doing out here?"