Never Let Go
Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers.
Summary: Sequel to "Can't Let Go." Read that first. After tragedy strikes, can Ashley and Andros find their way back to each other.
Pinkrangerfan: Poor Ava. Hopefully aunt Karone and her daddy get there in time. Yeah I kind of pictured Zhane as a fainter. He can't handle that kind of drama. Lol!
Vampire's Heartache: OMG, I can't wait either! Lol! This chapter is a little better, the tables are starting to turn.
JasonLeeScottFan: Thanks! I love doing things like that to Zhane. He's fun to pick on. Lol! Thanks for your suggestion, I'll work on that. Here you go!
Chapter 9: Hope
"Hang up." Karone called to Andros.
"Why, he's seen me already?"
"Yeah and then he passed out." She explained. "And I don't want to risk anyone walking by and hearing your voice or seeing your face. They all think you're dead, remember?"
"Good point." He hung up and handed the link back to Karone.
She dialed Zhane. "Come on. Pick up." She whispered.
"Um… hello?"
"TJ?" Karone asked. "Unblock video." She ordered. "What's going on?"
"Kate and I just got into town. We're at the hospital now and we found Zhane lying here. I think he hit his head when he went down. They're checking on him now."
"TJ you have to get to Zhane, he needs to talk to the president of NASADA and get him to put Ava in a cryogenic sleep before it's too late."
"Karone we don't have that-"
"Just do it, TJ. It's the only way we can save her!" She snapped.
"Okay. I can get in touch with President Riley." TJ caved. "Will he know what you're talking about?"
"Yeah he should. Please hurry, TJ. Call me back when you hear from him." She disconnected.
"What now?" Andros asked.
"We have to wait until we hear from TJ. DECA," She called to the AI. "Please get us there as fast as you can."
"I will Karone."
Andros covered his mouth as he yawned.
"When was the last time you slept?" Karone asked.
"I can't remember."
"Go get some sleep. Don't argue with me." She interrupted when she felt his rebuttal coming. "I'm gonna wait for TJ to call me back. And I'll let you know if anything changes. There's nothing else we can do from here."
He couldn't argue with her. "Fine, but let me know if anything changes."
"I promise. Go to bed." She watched Andros leave the bridge and waited and few minutes before she made the call.
Andros's room
Andros sat on his bed and sighed. He didn't know how Karone expected him to sleep at a time like this, but sure enough as soon as he head touched to pillow. He was fast asleep.
Bridge
"Hello." The woman answered. "It's Karone isn't it?"
"Yeah. I hope it's not too late there."
"I couldn't really sleep anyway." Sondria answered her face filling the bridge's viewing screen. "I forced my husband to sleep then I couldn't get to sleep."
Karone smiled a little.
"You have his smile. Your brother's." She commented. "I'm going to have to get used to calling him Andros now."
"You know, he really loves you guys. I know my brother and I know that he's going to want you in his life. I just wanted you to know that. And I wanted you to know that I don't have a problem with you guys being in his life as long as he's happy."
Sondria's smile was radiant. "Thank you. It means a lot coming from you. It's obvious that you really love him."
"I do." She couldn't stop the tears from falling. "We'd barely gotten a chance to know each other again, before he was taken from me."
"You're making me cry." She wiped away a stray tear. "But what do you mean?"
"That's a long and complicated story." Karone smiled through her tears.
"I have time."
Karone found herself strangely at ease with Sondria and began to pour out her story.
Earth
"Thank you President Riley." TJ walked down the corridor with the President of NASADA.
"Andros was a great man. It's only right that we do everything we can to save his daughter." Riley replied. "Ava is being put in the cryochamber as we speak." They entered the waiting room where Carlos and Kate waited. "You'll keep me informed?"
"Yes sir." TJ responded and turned to the others once Riley left.
"What did they say?" Kate asked.
"Ava's in the cryochamber. She was stable the last time they checked." TJ answered. "How are Zhane and Ashley?"
"Zhane's got a mild concussion, but the doctors said he'll be fine." Carlos answered. "Cassie's in the room with Ashley the doctors are waking her up now."
"Okay." TJ pulled out his phone link to call Karone.
"TJ? Is everything okay?" Karone was obviously panicked.
"Ava's in the cryochamber. We're just waiting on you now."
Karone smiled with relief. "We'll be there within the next couple of hours. How are Zhane and Ashley?"
He finished updating her. "We'll let you know if anything changes before you get here."
"Wait." Karone called before he could end the transmission. "There's something you guys need to know."
"What is it?" TJ asked warily.
"It's about Andros. I just don't want to show up and surprise you guys with this."
"Spill it Karone." TJ ordered.
"Well Andros is," Karone hesitated. "He's…alive."
"What?!"
Karone jumped when three faces entered the screen.
"What do you mean Andros is alive?" Carlos nearly yelled.
"I'll explain when we get to Earth, or he can. But just trust me when I tell you he's alive. Zhane knows. That's why he passed out. I'll talk to you guys later." Karone rushed.
"Karone wait." TJ called but the screen went blank.
"Wow." Kate sighed. "This is amazing."
"I can't believe it." Carlos stated in shock. "He's alive. Andros is alive."
Ashley
She could feel him. It was like he was here with her. It was so comforting that she just wanted to stay right where she was.
Her mind tried to hold on to him even as she felt herself being pulled away. Pulled back into consciousness. No, she couldn't go yet. She could feel him here, but it was impossible wasn't it? "Andros, don't leave me." She whispered as her eyes drifted open.
"Hey." Cassie stated as she held Ashley's hand. "Welcome back." Cassie stepped away from Ashley so the doctor could check her vitals.
"She seems fine." The doctor stated and turned to Cassie. "Just make sure she takes it easy for while.
"I will."
Ashley turned glazed eyes to the doctor. "Where's my baby?" She asked softly, her voice still slightly sluggish.
"Your daughter is being put in a cryogenic sleep until the antivirus gets here." He explained. "If everything goes according to plan, Ava should be fine." The doctor smiled. "I'll come and get you when Ava's ready."
"Thank you." Cassie replied when Ashley simply cried.
The doctor nodded and left the two women together.
Ashley felt her heart lighten and finally let herself hope for the best. "Maybe it was a sign." She said more to herself than to Cassie.
"What was a sign?" Cassie asked curiously.
"This is gonna sound weird, but when I was asleep, I swear that I could feel Andros, and I still do. Maybe it's a sign that Ava's gonna be okay."
"I thought I heard you say his name." Cassie commented. "I think Andros is looking out for her.
"Yeah." Ashley smiled and sat up on the bed.
"Wait Ash." Cassie grabbed her arm and held her in place. "The doctor said you should take it easy. I think you should stay here for a while."
"No." She responded simply. "I need to talk to Karone and I want to see the others. Are they in the waiting room?"
"Yes, but you are not going anywhere." Cassie insisted. "I'll tell the others that you're awake now. You are going to stay here and wait for the doctor to take you to see Ava."
Ashley sighed. "You're right. I need to see my daughter first. She's what matters now." She looked at Cassie. "Where's Zhane?"
"Okay don't get upset, but Zhane has a mild concussion and they admitted him to the hospital." She stated quickly.
"What?! What happened?"
"I said not to get upset."
"Cassie!"
"Okay." Cassie held her hands up in surrender. "Apparently he passed out and hit his head on the way down. TJ and Kate found him."
"I have to see him Cass." Ashley argued and stood.
"No. We agreed you're staying here." She pushed Ashley back on the bed. "I will go get the guys and bring them here and I will see if Zhane is awake and able to come here too."
"Fine." Ashley gave up and lay on the bed. "You're getting into this mommy role kinda early don't you think?"
"It's never too early to practice." Cassie smiled and walked out of the room. She'd just turned the corner when she bumped into Zhane. "Whoa what are you doing out of bed?"
"I have to talk to Ashley." He said urgently.
She looked at the bandage on his left temple. "You look pale. Maybe you should sit down."
"I'm fine Cassie. My head is fine I'm not in pain and it's not the reason I'm pale. I have to get to Ashley."
"What's so important?"
Zhane calmed himself. "You're not gonna believe this."
"Try me."
He put his hands on Cassie's shoulders. "Andros is alive."
(A/N: Yay, all the rangers except Ashley, k now that Andros is alive! Lol! Tell me what you think! Love hearing from you guys!)