Summary: The return of an old love changes the rules of the game.
Phantom Rogue: But in Carlos's case they're good because then I don't have to feel so bad about Ash. No, Karone's call couldn't wait, this more fun. –ponders- -remembers- Zhane: Andros, make your sister have sex with me.
Arwennicole: Yeah, poor Drosy, he was so close too.
Johnny: But unfortunately, Andros won't find out.
PurpleLeopard: Thanks, well, I won't send you for my groceries then.
Titanium Ranger: But Ash won't find out. Andros can't control what he dreams! I see I can send you for a banana and you won't come back with an elephant.
Jfkpommie09: Not if no one finds out. And Andros is cute period!
SweetSas: He can't help what he dreams! Yeah, you do realise Zhaney's yours in that chapter right? Unconsciously I must have put it in for you. Yay! You'll come home with a banana too.
Challon86: -hugs- Good, you should be, because now I don't have to feel so guilty throwing Ash in Andros's bed. Poor Andros about the dream bit. Peeling an elephant… ouch.
PRISFAN: I'm not saying when Andros can stop dreaming. I won't send you out to do my groceries, that's for sure.
Mita427: But I love trix!
Piper xox Leo: Don't, it's too much fun doing this to him, and trust me… Life's got it's own revenge. Ash won't find out.
bRaInWaVe: Don't worry, more's on the way. Yeah, it would take long to peel and elephant.
Slytherin-Angel44: Yeah, poor Andros, he was having such a good dream. No, Ash won't find out.
AstroYellow: Yeah, well, I did mean to create the illusion that he was actually getting Ash back. Don't worry AA WILL TAKE OVER THE WORLD! That's why, of course, this story will once again end up AA… I don't believe I've ever writing anything but. And Ash won't find out about Carlos.
Forbidden Love
Chapter 9
"Hey Querida." Carlos smiled, placing a tender kiss on Ashley's cheek.
"Hey Sweetie." Ashley smiled back, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. "I watched your match. You were great."
"I do try." Carlos laughed. "So did you manage to get your paper done?"
"Yeah, I managed to email it this morning."
"That's great. Then we have the whole evening to ourselves. We could go out or something. Maybe curl up on the couch and rent one of those romantic movies you like?" Carlos winked suggestively.
"Titanic?" Ashley replied teasingly.
"If you must." Carlos nodded, making a show of sighing dramatically.
That night
Ashley laid awake wrapped up in Carlos's arms, listening to his soft snores. She didn't know why, but all of a sudden his snoring wasn't cute anymore. It was just slightly annoying and was somehow capable of keeping her from sleep completely. She didn't think Carlos had noticed, but they hadn't been the same either. Everything that used to come naturally had become uncomfortable and slightly forced.
They had both make a few stupid mistakes that night, but she couldn't love him any less. He didn't mean it, he wasn't in control. When he was sober he was still the same guy she married – and that was most of the time. Just not after winning a game. She could learn to live with that. It would be stupid to just give up like that.
She still loved him and yet she almost had to force herself to touch him, kiss him deeply and make love to him. She'd probably just need some time to get used to knowing even Carlos had a darker side just like everyone else. His was revealed by alcohol, so she just had to make sure he wouldn't drink enough to completely overcome his senses.
It had just shocked her that sex could actually hurt every once in a while and she was still adjusting to that. But she and Carlos would pull through, she knew they would. After months of trying… surely… she would be pregnant soon. Once they had their baby things would get easier, she knew. Her pregnancy – lack thereof, anyways – was putting some minor strains on him too, also because they couldn't try as much as they would like. That was definitely pulling down the odds of her getting pregnant.
But she would, she had faith in it. Before long their baby would be growing inside of her and she would be the happiest woman in the whole universe.
Lulled by the thoughts of her future baby and with possible names floating around in her head, Ashley slowly drifted off to sleep.
KO-35
"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty." A soft voice whispered in her ear and she felt a tender kiss on her temple.
"I smell breakfast." She yawned in reply as she sat up
"You smell breakfast in bed." Zhane grinned, placing a tray with all her favourite foods on her lap.
"Oh, Zhane, this is… You shouldn't have." Karone mumbled sleepily, deeply touched by the gesture.
"Nothing's too much for my brave fighter." Zhane replied easily, sitting down on the bed to watch her eat. "Have I told you how proud I am to have you here? I really hadn't expected you to take my offer so soon."
"You should thank Andros. I didn't think I'd ever be able to move here, but he pointed a few things out to me and I knew I had to grab my chances." Karone said through a bite of food. "… Losing… our baby… it's hard, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Not yet anyway." Her throat felt clogged, and she struggled to say the words. "Maybe… in a while… we can try again?"
It came out as a question, as Karone looked up shyly at Zhane.
"It's not as if I got you pregnant on purpose to piss off Andros or anything!" Zhane protested, smiling when it drew a muffled laugh from Karone. "I wasn't even sure I wanted to have children until you told me you were pregnant. Now I know I want them, with you. But I can wait, don't worry about that. Take all the time you need, we'll take this slowly."
"And together." Karone smiled.
"Every step of the way." Zhane agreed. "Now, most dreadfully, my lovely lady, I have to go to work. They seem to be under the impression that I like it there. I shall, most unfortunately, have to leave you to be all alone in our humble home. But fear not, Milady." He added dramatically. "For if there is anything you need, you only have to call and I will come on my noble steed, ready to serve with both sword and heart."
"Drama Queen." Karone rolled her eyes, shoving him every so slightly.
Zhane fell off the bed in exaggerated slow motion. Karone laughed and shook her head.
"Out, or you'll be late." She sniggered.
"As you wish, my darling, but remember, call and I, your humble servant, will be at your feet to do your humble bidding." Zhane told her, bowing and leaving the room shuffling backwards.
"If they ever invent time travel in our life time, maybe we should dump you in those Shakespearean times Ash told us about." Karone called after him. "You'd fit right in."
"I do try, oh fair maiden." Zhane called back just before she heard him close the door behind him.
She had to giggle again. Zhane went out of his way to make her smile sometimes. It was overwhelmingly endearing, and, she had to admit, it was just one of the reasons she had fallen in love with him.
Earth
Andros walked into a showroom. After pulling some strings back at KO-35 and NASADA, he was now holding a brand new drivers' license and a large debit card to buy himself a motorcycle for means of transportation.
He scanned the motorcycles on display and his eyes were immediately drawn to a red one in a far corner. Just as he was about to walk up to it to take a closer look, a salesman found his side.
"Can I help you, sir?"
"Is that red one in the corner on sale?" Andros inquired.
The salesman looked over to where Andros pointed and a bright smile spread over his face.
"Ah, I see you have an appreciation for speed. That's a Kawasaki Ninja and it's most definitely on sale. That particular paint job makes that one most unique and expensive, but here, it's quite a deal. Yes, you won't find that one for such a price anywhere else."
"Money's no problem." Andros shrugged, walking over to the bike with the salesman on his heels.
While the man babbled on about the bike, Andros looked at it closely. Eye-catching scarlet, silver accenting, it was streamlined and appeared almost like a lightning bolt with a black core and room for two passengers. Something told him that no matter how many other bikes he'd look at, this was the one. The salesman realised this too and slowly began to halt his stream of words.
"If you follow me, I think I know the perfect helmet and jacket to go with that."
And indeed he did; a matching helmet, with red, black and silver swirling together to simulate flames, it gleamed appealingly. Even after the helmet, the jacket still managed to meet his expectations. Black leather, wide red stripes ran down each arm and two narrow bars crossed the front from one side to another, one red, slightly wider than the lower white. It was perfect.
After the promise of a large tip, Andros was able to step outside with his new bike and a full tank less than an hour later. Insurance and everything was taken care of and now he had a way to get away from it all. He was free.
A/N: Hope you liked it. Review and I will write you another chapter.
Special thanks to Phantom Rogue for helping me along with describing my precious found motorcycle for Andros plus accessories.
Zhane and Karone are dedicated to Alexandra Khayman; thanks for helping me with that fill up.
Andros and his motorcycle go to Arwennicole because I stole the idea from her.
And honorary mentioning will of course me Jenny, my dearest beta-reader. I BEGGED YOU TO DESCRIBE THOSE PICS FOR ME! NOW LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO BY NOT UNDERSTANDING! –looks very innocent-
Oh and these two pieces were cut from Jenny's beta, because, one didn't fit and the other… well I had my reasons, but I still like to share them with you so Jenny's work won't be all for nothing:
"Worry not, my beloved knight. For this common maid shall have little difficulty busying herself in organizing our humble home." Karone rolled her eyes, shoving him every so slightly.
I have to mention this one was cute because Andros chose to have a motorcycle himself, he could very well have bought a car, KO-35 wouldn't have cared:
Andros walked into a showroom. After pulling some strings back at KO-35 and NASADA, he was now holding a brand new drivers' license and a large debit card to buy himself a motorcycle for means of transportation (honestly, he had little idea why a motorcycle, but he was in no position to complain, seeing as how they had just granted him a rather large sum of money).