When her eyes fluttered open she looked up to see the lights dimly lit. It wasn't hard to tell that she was in the medical bay, but for some reason she couldn't remember why. As she tried to shift her position she realized that she was pinned beneath something. It was Andros lying beside her. He had fallen asleep with one arm over her lap and the other holding her hand draped across her stomach and his head lay face down on the bed. She smiled as she stared down at him. He was still in his uniform with his highlighted brown hair now pulled back into a tight ponytail.
Glancing to her other side a look of confusion came across her face as she saw her hand wrapped in bandages. Gasping aloud she shot up from where she lay, forgetting that Andros was even there. An intense fear gripped her chest, and without warning the room had changed around her. Back at the top of the Mega Ship her hand was wrapped tightly around the power cords absorbing currents upon currents of electricity through her body.
Then all of a sudden an arm seemed to jerk her back into reality.
"Ashley?" She was in the medical bay now; Andros squeezing her shoulder and holding her hand reassuringly as silent tears started running down her face. She swallowed hard and turned to face him. Worry and concern were etched in his expression and then she turned away, shaking her head as she tried to banish the memory.
"It's ok. I'm ok" She didn't like the way her voice sounded but she didn't know what else to say, it had felt so real. What was she thinking, it was real; she had been there in the midst of it all. And then through all her mixed emotions somehow she felt Andros lean his forehead against the side of her head and he kissed her temple. Surprise overcame all of her feelings as she turned to look at him. It was something she hadn't expected him to do, and it warmed her heart to see him reaching out to her. He had done the same thing the night before when he brushed her tears away and held her close.
"What?" Andros asked, smiling shyly. She hadn't realized that she was staring at him with shock written on her face.
Blinking, Ashley shook her head again. "Nothing," she said trying to drop the subject, Andros squeezed her shoulder again and stood up without saying anything else. When he turned away from her though she continued to stare at him. Years of him serving as a ranger had made his body hard, lean, and well built. It wasn't something she could easily miss.
As he started to turn back around Ashley wiped the tears on her face away. Then suddenly she felt him take her hand and he pressed a small plastic cup in it. "Here take this, it's a benzodiazepine, DECA says that you use them on Earth."
"What is it for?" she asked looking down at the yellow syrup.
"It's something that will help calm your nerves, don't worry the power should compensate for any side effects." She shrugged and swallowed the liquid, but she realized her mistake only after she had drank. It tasted awful and she noticed Andros smile when her expression turned sour. "Next time DECA you should flavor whatever you put in that stuff." She said coughing. Andros took the cup from her without saying anything and set it back down where DECA had made it. Turning back around to face her he crossed his arms. "How are you feeling?"
She blinked, looking down at her arm. She hadn't really noticed. The pain in her hand and arm wasn't hurting as much as it had the day before. It was now down to a dull ache and her headaches and feeling of weakness had stopped completely. "A lot better actually."
Andros nodded "I expected as much. You were dehydrated, DECA and I gave you some IV's for fluid." Glancing down she looked at her good arm and noticed a bandage wrapped around her elbow. "She also gave me some ointment to treat your burns, and something that would help stop any infection."
"Penicillin?" she asked curiously.
He shrugged, "Something like that, it was actually produced on KO-35."
She lifted her eyebrows, "Oh…"
"You'll be good to walk around today if you're up for it, but don't push yourself all right?" She stifled her smile noticing the protective tone in his voice. "You should be able to take off those wraps by the end of the day and then we can put some more ointment on your skin, you might not even need it if the power does its job." She nodded and then when she looked up she noticed Carlos lying on the patient bed toward the other side of the room.
"How's Carlos doing?" she asked, but Andros didn't answer right away. When she turned to look at him she noticed that he was staring out distantly at their friend.
"Andros…?" She saw him blink and when he turned to face her he gave her a rueful expression. Ashley shook her head. "You can't keep doing this to yourself. There was nothing you could have done for me, or Carlos. What happened happened, Carlos doesn't blame you, and none of the others do either. Nobody could have predicted that we were walking into a trap."
He shook his head, "I should have known, I should have tried harder."
"And you did Andros, you did as much as you could have done. Don't be so hard on yourself, things happen that are out of our control, you can't expect them to always go right. We make mistakes, and just because we're rangers doesn't mean we're perfect, we just have to remember well enough so that we don't make them again." There was a long pause where Andros didn't say anything and Ashley reached out with her good hand to entwine her fingers in his. Her intention worked breaking him from his thoughts and Andros turned to look at her relaxing.
"I think he's going to be alright." He put in giving her a half smile, "DECA was able to get most of the toxin out of his system last night, now its up to him when he decides to wake up." She nodded relieved from hearing the news. Sliding down off the bed, she noticed her strength was better than it had been yesterday. She still felt a little tired but she expected as much. Turing to look back at Andros she saw that he still seemed troubled. He was staring at Carlos again.
"Andros…." Her voice grabbed his attention.
"Yes?" he was looking at her expectantly, and when she couldn't answer she tilted her head confused. "What were you thinking about just now?"
He shrugged as if it wasn't of real importance, "Just trying to figure out where our next step should be." Ashley rolled her eyes and smiled, but he continued as if he hadn't noticed, "I'm thinking about how we're going to find Zordon and at the same time find where this weapon is on Earth. The thing is, if we go after him, you know Astronema is just going to send Quatrons to your planet so that they can find the weapon themselves, and at this point I'm not sure how much longer Zordon is going to be able to handle being in captivity."
She really hadn't thought that far ahead about what they were going to do and what the significance of this weapon was going to have on their mission. The only option they seemed to have would be to split up, but there just weren't enough of them, nor did they have the resources. They were going to need help, "We should talk to the others."
NEW POV
"Can we run a diagnostic test on the Photovoltaic Cells?"
"Running diagnostic procedure." He slid his gloved fingers across his data pad, it took a few minutes, but when the results came up on the screen the systems all turned out normal. He expected as much since he hadn't taken any major hits during the fight. "Check the engines, thrusters, and propellant."
"Proceeding, diagnostic check on propulsion subsystem."
Taking out one of the side covers from his ship he started to check the environmental systems. As he continued pulling wires he let his mind wander a little and thought about his appreciation towards the rangers and their hospitality. He hadn't slept that well in a long time, in fact he couldn't even remember the last time he had slept on a bed let alone get 6 consecutive hours of sleep at once.
He knew though that he couldn't stay here for very much longer. As good as it felt to have their companionship and no longer having to be alone, he knew if he stayed any longer he probably wouldn't be able to leave at all. Cassie was pushing him and seemed to do it with no reserves. She was coming dangerously close to finding out who he was and what he was hiding. But there were so many variables. The forces of evil were too powerful and he would never forgive himself if she were put in a position to keep his identity a secret or sacrifice her life for it. It had taken him a while to come to terms with what had happened in his past, and if he admitted it he still had nightmares about what happened that day. So the only way to prevent her from finding out was for him to leave again.
"SAM, show me the results of the propulsion subsystems."
"Certainly."
"SAM?" Stopping what he was doing he slowly closed his eyes. He really wished she hadn't come. He knew that he was going to have to face her eventually but he was hoping not to have to do it alone, where he was more vulnerable. When he finally looked at her he wasn't sure what he expected but he certainly didn't picture her wearing jeans and a pink shirt that stopped right above her waist. He swallowed hard.
"Who's SAM? …Sorry I didn't mean to startle you." He shook his head trying to ignore his wandering thoughts while she smiled.
"No…. you did not." Clearing his throat he continued, "SAM is the built-in CPU for my armor and star fighter. She is just as advanced as DECA." Cassie nodded leaning forward to look at his ship more closely and then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as it fell forward.
"Do you need any help with anything?" Surprised by the question he didn't answer right away. He only seemed to be able to watch her as she stared at his ship, her arms now across her chest. Slowly he found himself walking towards her. Kneeling down he put himself at eye level and almost without thought his hand went to her shoulder. It was the second time he had done that. It made him feel secure inside, she was still safe, and alive despite all that she had been through as a ranger. And it was all he could offer her despite the fact that they both seemed to want more from each other.
He held out his data pad with his other hand and started explaining what he was fixing and telling her the different parts of his ship. When she reached out and pointed to something, just by speaking his data pad responded pulling up images of what it was. He explained what they did and as he clarified certain points, she knelt down next to him, putting her significantly closer.
He was frozen in place as he inhaled the scent of her hair. His hand was still on her shoulder but he hadn't expected her to be this close. He almost couldn't focus, as she continued asking questions and making comments. He had always wanted to know what it would be like to be so near to her, but he hadn't given thought to how he would react. It was a miracle that he was somehow answering her questions at all.
"So how much more do you have to do?" She wanted to know, and he took a deep breath.
"I am just about finished actually." Cassie nodded still staring at his ship, "So then are you planning to leave?" She asked turning to look at him. He exhaled sharply and finally let go of her shoulder. He didn't want to answer that question.
"You know that I must." She tilted her head and gave him a sad smile.
"Not everything you know has to be up to you. There's always going to be something more, weather it be saving another planet, defeating Astronema… Dark Specter… When does it end?"
There was a long silence as he forced himself not to say anything. There was so much he wanted to tell her and at the same time so much he was afraid to tell her. But he continued the silence and they just sat there staring at each other until DECA's voice was heard. "A strategy session is convening on the bridge. The presence of the Astro Rangers have been requested, and the Phantom Ranger is invited as well." Abruptly Cassie stood up and started walking toward the door to the hanger bay. When he stood up he noticed her turn around to look at him. He thought it was to see if he would follow, but when she hesitated at the door he knew there was something else she wanted to say.
"…I hope you know… I can't wait forever…." And with that she turned and left, leaving him to follow or stay behind.
NEW POV
She could hear TJ complaining just as she and Phantom walked onto the bridge.
"All this so I could miss breakfast?" Cassie noticed Andros first, standing in the corner with his data pad as he ignored TJ's comment and looked to the others,
"The question is what do we do?" When she walked in with Phantom behind her they glanced up.
"What's going on?" She asked looking around the room. TJ was sitting across from Andros in the middle of the bridge and Ashley was over on the other side, she still looked tired and pale but seemed to be acting more like herself than she had the day before.
"We're looking at possibilities." TJ said crossing his arms over his broad chest. "Zordon has been in custody for more than three months. Now we know he's strong, but we still don't know how much more he can take being where he is. And then there's the weapon, which Astronema knows about and if we make one move out of this system Earth will not only be vulnerable for attack but the weapon could also be discovered." She heard Phantom shift behind her.
"Astronema will not attack earth." He said getting everyone's attention, "Right now her only focus is to find the weapon. It would be a waste of time for her to do so especially if she finds what she's looking for." TJ nodded his agreement and then Andros picked up the conversation. "Which means we can't go off and try to find Zordon expecting Astronema not to look for the weapon while we're gone. It's too risky."
Listening to what they were saying made her realize that she hadn't really thought how this weapon was causing more harm than good. At first, the thought of being able to have something more powerful seemed like a beacon of hope; but now in the grad scheme of things, it only seemed to be making things more complicated. And still nobody had said anything since Andros' last comment. It wasn't until she heard Phantom step up behind her and that was when her heart sank, because she knew what he was going to say.
"The Astro Rangers should stay here and protect earth. I will continue my efforts at tracking Zordon. It is what I have been doing since he has been captured and I am not bound by any planet such as you." When she turned around to look at him she saw him staring back, and as hard as she tried she couldn't hide her pain.
"You're only one person; how do you think you're going to bring him back?" TJ pointed out seeming skeptical. Phantom looked away from Cassie and faced the others.
"I do not intend to bring him back. I will travel to Forza, where the survivors of Eltar are in hiding and they will supply me with what I need. I will continue my search for Zordon from there. If I find any sign of him I will send you a signal. I can only hope that by that time you will be in possession of Zordon's weapon. If you come to my aide we may have a chance to thwart Dark Specter's reign over him."
Cassie stepped out of Phantom's line of sight trying not to look at him; her face had grown hard and angry. It wasn't as if she hadn't expected him to say something like that, but it still hurt. Andros was talking to him now, slowly starting to agree with his decision, and the other rangers were wary but were considering the same option. And the more points her teammates brought up thinking that the idea could work, the guiltier she felt, feeling how she did. She didn't dare say anything, knowing that it would only torture her more, and she wasn't sure she would be able to control what came out of her mouth if she did.
"Andros." DECA's voice interrupted, and the conversation stopped. She noticed Andros look up, giving DECA his full attention. "You wished for me to inform you of any change in Carlos' condition." At that point she had everyone's attention. "My sensors detect a sudden modification in his vitals, he should be waking momentarily." Andros stood up from where he was, and walked out of the bridge towards the infirmary with his data pad still in his hand. Ashley stood up and followed, with TJ walking right behind her. Cassie noticed Phantom still standing by the door as everyone passed, but she decided to ignore him and continued to follow her teammates.
Just as she was about to walk out of the bridge, her arm was pulled in the opposite direction. Phantom was dragging her back and before she could question him his gloved fingers came across her lips silencing her. He looked to where the other rangers had gone making sure nobody was coming back and then tugged on her arm again until they were in the center of the room.
"What's-."
"Do not speak," He said quietly and without another word he placed his hand in the middle of his chest and the bridge dissolved into a shade of black and red.
When the traces of color had left, Phantom let go of her arm. It was dark and she could barely make out who was in front of her, but it didn't stop her from recognizing that they were in the room he had slept in the night before.
"DECA…" The lights dimmed, brightening the room around them, "Please leave us." And then the red light in the corner went out and they were alone. She still hadn't said anything, almost afraid to now. And when he lifted his hand toward her face her body stiffened in anticipation. He seemed to have sensed it and hesitated deciding instead to lay his hand on her shoulder again. It was almost like their common ground.
"Cassie…." She felt a chill go up through her arms at he way he said her name, "I… I do not know how to begin..." She was tense, finally understanding what was happening.
"Phantom-"
"Do not call me that…" He said firmly turning his head away from her. She kept silent as her heart pounded against her chest. When he decided to speak again he turned back and faced her. "Kaeth… My name is Kaeth. …Cassie, you must understand that what I am about to tell you must keep guarded safely, not just because of me, but because of you. Your life will be in constant danger from not just Dark Spector but from enemies that could possibly be worse." She blinked and furrowed her brows. "I'm a Power Ranger, I know the risks." He squeezed her shoulders.
"Yes, you are a ranger, but because of me and who I am, what I have done; if Dark Specter believes that you have any information about me he will hunt you down until he knows who I am." She nodded to let him know she understood. "I must stress how careful you need be, if you are to be captured then I will, by any means necessary, do what ever it is within my power to get you back, even if that means is for me to surrender." She drew in a breath about to speak, but he silenced her again. "This is my choice and you would do well to remember it." She almost protested again but then thought better of it. What could she do really? She had no control of what he decided to do if it were to happen.
"Cassie… It is possible that after this conversation it will change your opinion of me."
She shook her head wanting to prove him wrong. He didn't protest her stubbornness, but continued with what he was saying.
"Before I speak though, there is something that I wish to do." Cassie tilted her head. His hand then was back on his chest and all of a sudden a bright flash of red surrounded him. Shielding her eyes she waited until it passed and then a boy stood in front of her not much older than she was. He was wearing a long black tunic with cream-colored pants, and tall dark boots. His hair was long and shaggy, and she almost couldn't see his eyes because of his bangs covering them but they were impossible to miss. Bright green, a color so penetrating that they seemed to stare right through her. His muscled arms were white almost pale matching the skin on his face. When she looked down at his hands she noticed his ruby attached to a small golden chain, and she couldn't help her gasp of exclamation. When he realized her concern she saw him shake his head, "Do not worry, as long as I have possession of my ruby crystal I am safe and in no danger." Lifting it up he placed the necklace around his neck and then looked back down at her.
"Is… Is that what you wanted to show me?" She asked staring back at him. He tilted his head in response.
"…Not quite." Slowly lifting his hand he brushed her long dark hair away from her face until he rested it gently on her neck. His skin was warm against hers, and her pulse began to speed up as his other hand ended up on her waste. She took one step backwards and somehow she was pressed up against the wall. His green eyes being just as dominant as before, she couldn't mistake what was happening. When her eyelids fluttered closed she could feel his breath on her skin. He captured her mouth slowly, but passionately. It wasn't hesitant at all, and she had no doubt in her mind that he knew exactly what he was doing. He kissed her a second time as if she was so delicate.
She didn't know how but her hands ended up on his chest as she pressed closer and he kissed her again. The moment ended too soon when he slowly pulled away. His forehead pressed against hers, and the hand that had been on her neck was tracing the outer part of her right ear. He kissed her gently on the lips once more and then pulled away from her completely. Her body felt like it was on fire aching for more. But he continued walking to the other side of the room until he leaned against the bed. Her legs felt weak and she almost sat down until he started talking.
"I was a Ranger before a team could be formed on my planet. I had had much training before my first mission, but it wasn't enough to prepare the soldiers and I for what was going to happen. The mission itself should have been peaceful, but we had walked right into a minefield. The explosions killed everyone. I had been morphed at the time but the blast drained my energy for a time and I was left barely alive. Quade, leader of the defense division, and my best friend, had stayed behind that day to guide our efforts. When he hadn't heard anything from me he went out to look for us with a squadron. I was the only one he found alive."
"Many of the doctors that were there treating me didn't think I was going to survive the night. My power ruby is a morpher to me but the decision was made that it would be the only thing to save my life. With Zordon's help, he connected my power ruby to my life force so that I could survive, but it meant that I could not be separated from it. Which at times can be a grave weakness as you have witnessed."
"A few years after the incident and six years ago now, I became more experienced and grew to become respected from my people. My planet Siri at the time became a member of the United Coalition, so that we could have protection from the Defense League. The Intergalactic Council decided that there should be a new ranger team and I was to be its leader. Our home world had not seen any war but Dark Specter's forces were getting stronger. So Zordon formed a new team of Rangers. We were a group that was to be known throughout the galaxies, but because we were very young, it was important that the Intergalactic Council keep us hidden. I was the only one on the team at the time who had any experience in war. If Dark Specter were to find out that a new group of Rangers were forming he would not waste an instant in trying to destroy them. But it had turned out that our worst fears had come true and that Dark Specter did know of our team, only weeks after we had started training. We were not prepared, and I was the only one who even had possession of a Morpher."
"So Dark Specter destroyed you're team." She didn't question it but stated it as a fact. Phantom hesitated and it seemed that this next part was difficult for him to say, and she almost stopped him when the pause went on, but he continued.
"Yes… Dark Specter destroyed my team. And even though I was experienced then I was still very young. It was then that I had truly experienced love for the first time. Her name was Celestial." Cassie didn't know how she felt about that but tried to ignore her feelings and focus on what he was saying.
"So what happened?"
"It turned out that I hadn't know my teammates as well as I thought I did, and that the Council had not chosen as carefully as they had believed either. If we had tested the morphers on them we possibly could have known what was to happen, but we hadn't and I didn't know anything until I had been taken hostage. Celestial was the leader of the conspirators that betrayed my world. Somehow Dark Specter had gotten to each of the team members and when I managed to escape there wasn't enough time to be able to save my planet. Dark Specter had destroyed much. There was no hope of wining or gaining anything back from what had been lost."
"We had no defenses, I had been my world's only hope and I failed. While I was in custody my captors searched the planet for the morphers that were destined to be theirs, what Dark Specter did not anticipate though was the power of the morphers rejecting them; instantly knowing what was in their hearts."
He paused again, "I was lucky that I was able to escape with my life because Dark Specter had ordered for my destruction. Somehow I was able to get a hold of the morphers and I hid them, ruining his plans to have the Ranger Power. He will stop at nothing to get revenge on what was taken from him. Knowing that he would come after me, I went into hiding; joining volunteer groups from different systems around the galaxy. I didn't want anything to do with being a ranger at that point and I was afraid that my people would associate me with the betrayed. So I would go to whoever would take me, mostly groups that didn't require any identification or care who I was or what background I'd had. I left my name behind and remained anonymous for almost two years."
"Then one day I was assisting survivors from a recent fight for territory against one of Dark Specter's leaders. Among the wounded I somehow ended up finding, Quade. I was taken aback to find out that the people fighting for the land were refugees from my home world. I stayed with him and it was like we had never been apart. Quade was still heading the defense division of the Sirionian survivors. I wasn't surprised when he told me that he thought I had been dead for the past two years, and so I told him what had happened after the battle on Siri. He had wished that he could have been there for me after the struggle, but I knew that it had been my decision."
"What made you go back?" She asked after he had paused. He turned around to look at her and shrugged.
"They said that I was needed as a ranger, and that they could use my help. I agreed but only if I would be known and only known as a Power Ranger. Dark Specter was still hunting me and I knew that I wouldn't be able to help if I was constantly trying to fight him. I changed my uniform so that I wouldn't be recognized for who I once was. My new name came as the Spirit Ranger. I started by helping my own people that had survived by staying on Kavi, and then I began traveling throughout the Tonti System, and then the Kirassa Galaxy. I was called many things and wasn't known as just the Spirit Ranger anymore. The Lone Ranger, Ghost, or Phantom as you have called me, were well used throughout the Galaxy. I stretched out even further going into the Quadrant as a whole and becoming a legend in my own time. I have always managed to escape the inevitable with my life. Going on missions that give hope to the solders and people when I come. My name though has also put a target on myself. I have escaped many foes and Dark Specter one too many times for me not to be noticed, and I believe that he is working hard to try to find out who I am."
She stood there just staring at him unbelieving. One so young who had been through so much, and it made her wonder why she was the one special enough to have been trusted with this secret. He seemed to have mistaken her silence when she didn't answer.
"I am sorry… I hope I did not overwhelm you…" She shook her head still not saying anything, he seemed unsure from her response and at the same time had a guilty expression, but the fact was, was that she didn't know what to say. She could only think to do one thing. Slowly she walked towards him with her arms out. He embraced her when she came close holding her tight and it comforted her to feel him finally holding her.
"Cassie…" He sighed his chin resting on her head. "You have no idea how long I have waited to be with you."
NEW POV
When she knew that her best friend was all right, she didn't want to stay long. TJ was beside her talking with Carlos while Andros stood some distance behind them. After they had talked and exchanged reassurances she nudged TJ, hoping he would see what she was trying to convey. When he noticed Andros behind them TJ finally clasped Carlos' hand and ended their conversation. He muttered something about going to finish his breakfast and then turned to leave. Ashley followed him out but didn't go towards the lift as TJ had.
As she continued forward she thought about Carlos, not able to suppress her relief to know that he was finally recovering. For some reason it felt like it had been a while since they had last been able to talk and It made her realize the distance that seemed to be coming between them. She and Andros hadn't been together for that long but it just felt like Carlos and her conversations lately had been absent. She missed their normal exchange, but at the same time the only reason why she was feeling this way was because Andros wasn't around to be with her. Which she had to admit was probably true. Why didn't she feel bad about that?
It wasn't as if she was doing it on purpose, but the more she thought about it the more it made sense that it was probably bound to happen, even if it wasn't something that she wanted. Ashley knew though in her heart that Carlos would always be there for her, and she would always be there for him. They were a team, and they had something that no other friends on earth could have. They were rangers and it created a bond that extended beyond friendship. It almost made them family. They sacrificed their very lives for each other every time they morphed.
She kept on walking realizing that even though her life had become so complicated in the past few months she was still so lucky. She wondered how Phantom felt about having the Ranger Powers. His circumstances were quite different than hers. It seemed that the uniform for him was almost a lifeline. He can't survive without his power ruby, and it lead her to wonder if he had always had to rely on it. Where was he anyway? Somehow at the same time Cassie had conveniently disappeared as well; she hadn't even seen them come down with the others. It wasn't hard to guess though since Phantom had just announced his departure and Cassie didn't seem all too happy about it. She suspected that they would probably come down in their own time… Hmmm time…. What day was it?
"DECA, what's the date?"
"It is the 16th of August Year 1998." She stared at the AI in surprise. How could the summer have gone by so fast? When was the last time she had even gotten the chance to see her parents? She had been so caught up in their search for Zordon these past few weeks that she hadn't thought to contact them. Not to mention the boyfriend she had now. Ashley smiled at the thought; just thinking about him had that effect. She couldn't help it. Andros was something new and different in her life that she had never thought to experience. An alien boyfriend… She wasn't sure exactly how her parents were going to react. They had met him before of course, on the few occasions this summer that they had free time and had gone to her house to hang out. Maybe they already knew? Everyone on the team seemed to know after all.
Suddenly she felt a chill in the air and she crossed her arms unconsciously. She pulled away instantly when she agitated the wound on her arm. It throbbed painfully and she squeezed her eyes shut waiting for it to pass. Concentrating on something else she thought about maybe going to go visit her parents but then decided against it immediately. There were bound to be questions about what had happened to her if they saw her the way she was. And as far as she was concerned the less they knew the better off and safer they were. She almost envied Cassie for not having to tell her parents what happened in her life, but then again what did she tell the people who she was staying with down on Earth? They couldn't possibly know that she was a Ranger. The more she thought about it the more she realized that it was probably easier in her position than it would be to be in Cassie's. She wondered if TJ knew where she was staying.
Yawning she walked up through the Mega Ship until she reached her room. Pressing in her code the door opened and she walked in. She really could use a shower but it seemed like too much work. When she sat down on her bed she realized just how tired she was, it made sense since she hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday. But she really didn't feel like getting up and walking all the way down to the holding bay either. She lay down and closed her eyes and finally fell into a restless sleep.
NEW POV
When Carlos had started dozing he did nothing to prevent it. Instead he stayed in the infirmary, checking to make sure all his vitals were normal. He felt slightly better after talking with him and seeing for himself that he was going to be all right. "DECA? …Where's TJ?" He wanted to know sliding his hands across one of the screens in front of him.
"The Blue Ranger is currently on the bridge." He pressed a few more buttons and then did a few last things before finally telling DECA to dim the lights. He went directly to the lift, not saying anything to DECA when he stepped inside, he knew she would take him to where he wanted to go. As the doors opened again to let him off he saw TJ facing the computers with a data pad in his hand. The opening of the lift doors caught the boy's attention and TJ turned around and gave him a smile when he noticed who it was.
"Hey Andros, what's up?" He asked casually as he looked back down at his data pad. Andros found himself just shrugging.
"Carlos seems to be doing a lot better." He confirmed, leaning forward against one of the control consoles. TJ nodded out of the corner of his eye.
"I'm just glad he's alright." He said keeping his attention on the data pad in his hand, "I was getting worried there for a little while." Andros agreed and nodded in return.
"Yeah, I know what you mean…" There was a long silence that filled the room and all of a sudden he felt nervous. Taking the anxiety out of his mind he focused on what he was going to say, "Actually TJ…there is something I wanted to tell you." The boy beside him stopped what he was doing and when he turned to look at him he frowned.
"Is something wrong?" TJ asked seeming concerned, which he had every right to feel, since Andros never tried to start a conversation with him before.
"No everything's fine," He said shaking his head. "I just wanted to let you know that… you made the right decision yesterday… about going back to Earth." He knew he had hesitated, but it had been harder to come out with than he thought. "I know how hard that decision was for you to make since we weren't all together, but there was nothing you could have done for us. You did the right thing." He saw TJ look back down at his data pad and sigh, but Andros knew he wasn't ignoring him.
"You have to know that I never wanted to leave you behind." Andros nodded, reassured that TJ seemed willing and relieved to talk about what had happened.
"I do know. You work so hard to keep this team together. I can see that and I know you would do anything to protect it. I choose you to stay behind because I knew you could handle the responsibility of leadership that was needed. I've seen what you can do and I trust your judgment."
TJ nodded, smiled and reached out to clasp his hand. He took it without hesitating and another warm feeling went through him, but it wasn't the same feeling that he felt when he was around Ashley; it was different. He felt for the first time in a long time a bond of friendship forming with his team. It felt good to be apart of something, and when TJ had shook his hand the same way TJ had done with Carlos earlier, it made him feel like he belonged.
When their contact was broken he glanced down at TJ's data pad. "I'm up for some repair work could you use some help?" He offered. TJ's face brightened.
"Sure, maybe we can see if Ashley's up for it too? Hey DECA, where's Ashley?"
"Ashley is currently in her room sleeping. Would you like me to wake her?" He saw TJ look at him questioningly and without a second thought he shook his head and turned towards DECA.
"No, let her sleep, she needs it. We'll be fine on our own." TJ nodded, "Alright then, let's get to it."
NEW POV
As he stood there holding Cassie in his arms, his guilt continued to plague him. He hadn't told her everything, and he didn't know if she would be able to understand why he hadn't. The memory was too painful, that was the excuse he wanted to give himself, but he knew what his real fear was. Would she ever be able to accept him for what he had done to survive?
She was holding him tightly. Her arms making him feel secure amongst his conflicting emotions. He wished that they had more time. He wanted to know more about this girl that he knew would always be the center of his heart. And if it came to it he would do anything to protect her.
NEW POV
A light breeze passed through the humid desert pushing her light blue hair behind her shoulders. She gripped her wrath staff tightly in her right hand as Dark Specter towered before her, seeming none too happy of their recent predicament. With the Phantom Ranger free from the Barox, the Rangers had obviously found out about Zordon's weapon. In her mind it had been inevitable, bound to happen, and she had more than one plan up her sleeve that she hoped to prove useful.
"Astronema I am growing impatient with you failures. The rangers are getting too close to finding Zordon."
"My plan is underway Dark Specter. My spies are bringing back the Praying Mantis as we speak. I have a plan that will take care of everything. We just need to be patient. Don't worry Dark Spector no harm will befall our plan for Zordon's destruction. He is ours now."
"I hope for your sake that you are right."
