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: Of course Ashley should know first, but she finds out in a special way. Lol!

Vampire's Heartache: Ashley actually doesn't know yet. Zhane just wants to tell her, which he doesn't get the chance to do. But hold onto your seat because I think you're gonna like this chapter, or be frustrated. Lol!

JasonLeeScottFan: I had a feeling that question would come up a lot. Ashley is going to find out in this chapter. All will be well.

LunarFairyPrincess1989: Thanks! Ava has to be okay! All other questions answered in the next two chapters. Here's one of them!

Chapter 10: Meant to Be

Megaship – Bridge

Karone shut off her link and put it in her pocket.

"You're so much like your brother." Sondria commented with a smile. "He likes to avoid things too." They'd been talking for over two hours when Karone got the phone call.

"Well at least I told them." Karone shrugged.

"Yes, right before you hung up on them."

"I didn't know what else to say. This isn't the easiest situation."

"You could've taken the time to explain everything."

Karone frowned. "Am I getting lectured?"

Sondria laughed. "Yes you are young lady. I should make you go to your room. And no pouting."

Karone tried to suppress her smile and failed. "Okay, so I could have handled that better. Andros has a much better way with words than I do."

"Yes, when he's not avoiding the situation entirely."

"You really do know him well."

"He reminds me a lot of Talon."

"Your first born son." It was only one of the things she and Sondria had talked about.

"Yeah. I still miss him so much."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay sweetheart."

"I can only imagine what Ashley's going through with Ava."

"How are they?"

"Everything's seems really good actually. Ava's in a cryochamber and Andros and I can get the antivirus to her in time. Ashley had to be sedated earlier, but they're waking her up now. And they'll be able to give her some good news."

Sondria smiled. "Looks like everything is getting better there." Over the time they'd been talking, Sondria realized that she really liked this young woman. Karone had been through a lot and yet still had so much life in her. "When will you get to Earth?"

"Not too much longer and I'll send the Megaship to you guys as soon as possible. I can't wait to see you in person." She beamed.

"And I can't wait to meet you." Karone's happiness was contagious. "Send Ri…Andros," She corrected. "Our love."

"I will." Karone waved. "Bye." She felt strangely happy at the thought of meeting this woman and suddenly realized this was the first sort of mother – daughter talk she'd had, and it had been nice.

"So what do you think?"

Karone turned around to see Andros leaning against the entry way smiling at her. She smiled back. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Not too long." He moved to stand next to her. "Are you going to answer my question?"

Karone's excitement filled the room. "She's great! We talked for hours. It was like I'd known her forever. Are the others like her? We talked about Trenton and Zhane and she talked me into telling Zhane that I still love him once we get back to Earth and-"

"Karone!" Andros laughed. "Slow down. I take it you like her."

"I love her!"

"I'm glad."

"Oh! I can't believe I nearly forgot."

"What?"

"They put Ava in the cryochamber. And we'll be in Earth's atmosphere soon, and I told the guys that you were alive." She said the last part on a whisper.

"Yeah I heard." He sighed. "Ava's gonna be okay." He hugged Karone. "And don't think I didn't hear that last part."

"Damn it." She muttered releasing him.

"And since you're not on the phone now, I can only guess that Ashley wasn't around when you told them."

"That would be correct. But they're bound to tell her."

"I'm not sure I want her to know yet."

"Why not?" Karone asked confused.

"I don't know what to say to her Karone. And part of me wants to wait until I see actually her again."

"Andros she loves. She never stopped."

"You said she's with Zhane now. I haven't forgotten that." He sat at the console.

"I know it's weird, but they only got together because they thought you were dead and because I left." She put a hand on his shoulder. "You remember what happened the last time they were together right?"

"Ashley broke up with him because of his connection to you."

"So what do you think will happen when you come back from the dead?"

"I don't…" Andros rubbed his eyes. "Know."

"You okay?"

"I just feel really tired all of a sudden." He said on a yawn.

Karone turned and looked at DECA's readouts. "We'll be in Earth's atmosphere in about an hour so…Andros?" She questioned when she turned to him and saw that his head was down on the console and he was fast asleep. "I guess he was more tired that he thought."

Earth

Ashley lay on the hospital bed. Her eyes kept drifting close. Maybe the meds aren't completely out of my system. She thought lazily and slipped into unconsciousness.

She stood on the balcony of her house like she had what seemed like a lifetime ago. She never dreamed that she would be here now, with the man that she'd always loved.

She smiled when she heard the patio door slide open and absentmindedly played with the necklace around her neck.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder. "The kids are finally asleep." He whispered and kissed her cheek.

"Sorry to leave that up to you."

"It's okay." He sighed. "I owed you for last night anyway. I swear that boy just doesn't like to sleep."

She laughed. "Talon believes he's going to miss something if he closes his eyes. Let's just hope he grows out of that by his next birthday."

He grabbed her right hand and kissed the light scar on her palm before touching her necklace. "Third time's the charm." He teased referring to the third last time he'd given her the necklace. "Did you think we'd ever end up here after everything that's happened?"

"No." She turned in his arms and kissed his lips. "But I guess some things are just meant to be."

"Ms. Hammond," A voice called. "Ms. Hammond, wake up."

There was a light shining in her eyes and she turned away from the source.

"Is she okay?"

That was Zhane's voice. Ashley groaned and sat up, frustrated that she'd been awakened from the dream she'd been having. "What happened? How long was I asleep?" Her voice came out a hoarse whisper.

"You've been out for nearly an hour and you weren't responsive." The doctor replied. "We were afraid you had an adverse reaction to the anesthesia we'd given you and had slipped into a coma."

Ashley went to speak but coughed instead. "Water." She croaked.

"I've got it." Cassie called and grabbed a glass off the table beside Ashley and poured some water. "Here you go." She handed the glass to Ashley.

Ashley nearly drained the glass. "Thanks."

"Ashley there's something I need to tell you." Zhane called and moved next to her bed.

Cassie grabbed him and whispered in his ear. "Not now. At least let the doctor check her out before you tell her something like that."

"Now seems perfect Cassie." Zhane argued.

"What are you two talking about?" Ashley sat up slowly and went to set the glass down on the table, but missed. Without thinking she reached down to clean up the mess. "Damn it!" She shouted when the glass cut her flesh. She looked at her hand and froze.

"I don't think it'll need stitches." The doctor said as he looked at her hand. "Let's get it cleaned and bandaged." He paged the nurses' desk and asked for the things he needed.

"Ashley, are you okay?" Cassie asked when she noticed her friend's expression.

"It wasn't a dream." She stated tears falling from her eyes. "It was real. Oh my god I can still feel him."

"What are you talking about, Ash?" Cassie asked her.

"She knows." Zhane smiled. "She knows he's alive."

Ashley shook her head. "Not just that." She gave a teary eyed smile. "He's here."

(A/N: Finally! Bet you can't wait to read the next chapter, aptly titled 'The Return.' Let me know what you think. Love to hear from you guys.)