Disclaimer: As much as I would like for it to be, Power Rangers is not my creation.

Phantom Rogue: Yes, he is. It only seems fair.

AH/AY: She is cute.

tay: Kind of a mix.

Jessica01: I know. I was just making a statement.

Ch. 11 I Believe In You

The rangers slept later than usual the next morning. They didn't have school and DECA saw no need in waking them up early. It was obvious to everyone else that Andros had gotten very little sleep as he and Ashley entered the work bay. He forced Ashley to sit down while he got them breakfast. When he sat down the bags under his eyes became even more apparent and Zhane made a decision. He quickly left the room and concentrated hard on Ashley.

'Ash?' he asked. 'Can you hear me?'

Ashley jumped slightly but replied, 'Yes, what's wrong?'

'How much sleep did Andros get last night?' he questioned.

'I'm not sure,' Ashley answered. 'He disappeared twice last night. I didn't even bother to look for him the second time. It wasn't much though, why?'

'I wanted to know if I should sedate him,' Zhane explained. 'A Red Ranger isn't going to do us much good if he's falling asleep in the middle of a battle.'

'Do it,' she ordered. He did as he was told getting Andros' favorite drink, pineapple juice, and added a sedative, knowing that the sour taste would coat the medicine.

"Zhane," DECA began, "what are you going to do if there's an attack?"

"Hopefully," he responded, seeing the obvious set backs of being short even one ranger, "we'll be able to handle it. He needs the sleep no matter what." DECA couldn't argue that, she only wished she could tell the other rangers what had happened the night before but Andros had ordered her not to and so far there was no need for them to know. Zhane returned to the work bay and sat the cup down in front of Andros. "Drink." When his friend drank without question it was obvious to Zhane he was really tired. It didn't take long for the sedative to take its desired effect and Zhane was able to catch Andros before his head hit the table. "Teej, could you give me a hand here?" T.J. hurried over to Zhane and got a grip on Andros.

"He just wouldn't go to sleep," Ashley stated as they left the room. "He just wanted to get Karone back." She was close to tears now and Marcus came over to comfort her.

"It's okay, Ash," he whispered. "As soon as we get Karone everything will be fine." His twin nodded slightly against his shoulder and he hoped that everything would be fine shortly.

Five hours later Andros woke up slightly confused of his surroundings. He distinctly remembered having breakfast but had no idea how he had ended up in his room. He climbed out of bed slowly and went to search for Ashley. He found her as well as everyone else gathered on the Bridge discussing their options for getting Karone back.

"Don't I get a say in this?" he asked from the doorway, although a smile was already forming on his face. He walked to his seat and sat down, pulling Ashley onto his lap. 'Sorry about last night,' he apologized silently. She snuggled deeper into his embrace and he took that as an okay. They had gotten into an argument about him not sleeping and it had lead to him leaving after she had finally fallen asleep. He wasn't ready to tell any of them what had happened and hoped he never would.

"What'd you have in mind?" Zhane questioned.

Andros carefully cleared his throat before answering, "I need to show her my necklace but I need to go alone." Before anyone could interrupt he continued, "You can watch from up here or possibly even hide somewhere nearby, but we know she's not going to trust all of us."

"When are you going to set up this 'meeting'?" Ashley asked and he looked at her guiltily.

"Actually," he began, "I already have. Later today at the beach." He looked up then, almost afraid of what he may see in Ashley's eyes, but all he saw was happiness. He hugged her tightly and whispered, "I'm finally going to get my sister back."

The hours passed slowly while Andros waited for the time to meet his sister. Ashley had been trying to distract him by discussing their wedding plans and possible baby names. Andros had been willing to do anything to get his mind off Karone but told Ashley that he wanted to wait for the wedding until Karone was back. Ashley had agreed although she had her doubts. When the time came for Andros to go down to the beach Zhane decided he was going to go with him.

"Be careful," Ashley whispered, as she hugged Andros. "I'm not raising this baby or babies alone."

"I'll be fine," he promised, smiling at her last statement. "We'll be back in a little while." With that he and Zhane teleported to the beach.

"So," Zhane began, going over the plan once again, "unless you say, 'Oh, no!' I stay here?"

"Zhane," Andros sighed, "I told you just keep an eye out for trouble and don't forget about me while you're watching all those girls." Zhane only laughed although his attention returned to the girls surfing. "There she is."

Astronama shifted uncomfortably in her new attire. She thought showing up in her battle gear might have drawn some undesired attention. She watched as the Red Ranger slowly approached her as if he was afraid she would run, which was on her mind.

"What do you want, ranger?" she questioned when he stopped a few feet away. He took off his necklace and opened it before handing it to her. When she saw that his held the same pictures as hers she fell to her knees. He was at her side instantly but she quickly pushed him away. This had to be a trick. He had to be lying. But somewhere in her mind things became clear. All her memories of her childhood resurfaces. Playing with Andros, Ashley, Marcus, and Jeff at the park, staying up and talking way past their bedtime, and the dreadful day that Darkonda had taken her. "I remember."

"You do?" Andros questioned, on the verge of tears. Karone nodded and he pulled her into his arms and spun her around. "I finally found you." Tears were now running down both their faces but for once they were tears of joy.

"Let's get back to your friend over there," she stated simply, dragging him behind her. At his confused look she added, "You don't expect me to believe Ashley would send you down alone, do you?" Andros shook his head as the rejoined Zhane and teleported to the Megaship.

A/N: Please Review!