Chapter 11: Noticing

A few months passed and Ashley was starting to show now. She stopped going to school and she spent most of her time on the Megaship. They got a crib for Ashley's room, it was too dangerous for Ashley to think about bringing the baby off the ship after it was born.

One afternoon, Ashley was laying on her back with a hand on her slightly swollen stomach. She bit her lip as she thought about raising a baby. She looked over at the crib and the clothes that was ready for when the baby came. "I'm only five months," she muttered. She sat up and she pushed her hair out of her face. She ran her hand over her stomach and she closed her eyes. Ashley jumped when there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" She asked.

"It's Karone," the person answered.

"Come in."

Karone came in with a smile. "Hey, how are you feeling?" She asked. Ashley shrugged slightly.

"Well, I can't say I'm ready to go back facing the school," she replied.

Karone gave her a comforting smile and she placed a hand on her knee. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared," she added.

"Well of course you're scared," Karone agreed.

"It's just that, I never thought I'd be giving birth to my enemy's child."

"Everything will be okay."

"I surely hope so."

Ashley sighed and she rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, mind if I ask you if we should go to the infirmary and check things over?" She asked. Ashley sighed.

"Hurray, another checkup," she said sarcastically.

(Infirmary)

Ashley laid back on the medical table and Karone ran a scanner over her stomach. "So, what do you want? A boy or a girl?" Karone asked. Ashley sighed.

"I really want a girl. I don't know if I could handle it if it's a boy," she replied.

"What would you do if it is a boy?" Karone asked.

Ashley sighed as she rubbed her stomach again. "I guess I'd learn to live with it, but I know the baby would grow up looking like it's father. That scares the hell out of me," she replied. Karone patted her shoulder.

"Well in four more months we'll find out," Karone commented.

She nodded her head slowly and she sat up slowly. "I need to get some air," She informed. Karone nodded and watched as she left.

(Earth)

Ashley sighed as she sat on the docks looking at the water. "Hey, wasn't expecting to see you here today," a voice commented. Drake walked over and sat next to her.

"Just thinking," she answered.

"About?"

"My baby."

"Oh…right…the baby. How is the baby?"

Ashley sat back showing him her slightly protruding stomach. "You tell me," she replied. Drake smiled slightly.

"Mind if I…" he trailed off.

"No go ahead."

Drake reached over and he placed his hand on her stomach. "You wouldn't be able to feel the baby kicking or anything yet," she answered.

"Well, at least it gets me close to you," he commented.

Ashley giggled slightly. "That's the lamest line I have ever heard," she giggled. Drake chuckled slightly and they both froze when they felt the baby kicked. "Oh my gosh!" She gasped.

"I thought you said I wasn't supposed to feel it kick yet?" He asked.

Ashley bit her lip. "I guess it just decided to do it today," she replied. Drake pulled his hand from her stomach as if his hand was on fire. "You okay?" She asked.

"Um…yeah…uh…I have to go," he replied.

He got up and he left. "DRAKE!" She called. He didn't answer, he just hurried down the street without looking back.

(Dark Fortress)

Demion pulled his gloves on and walked by Ecliptor. "Is everything alright my prince?" He asked. Demion stopped halfway to his room.

"I'm not sure," he replied.

"Dark Specter contacted us while you were down with the Yellow Ranger."

Demion froze. "He wants you to destroy the child she is carrying. He believes the child is the Black Ranger's," Ecliptor informed. Demion rubbed his forehead. "If you don't do it, he will," he added. He looked over at Ecliptor.

"I can't do it, Ecliptor, and I can't let Dark Specter hurt her," Demion answered.

Ecliptor stood there, in disbelief of what the Prince of Darkness was saying. "My prince, are you declaring forbidden feelings for the Yellow Ranger?" He asked. Demion thought about it for a minute.

"So what if I am?" He asked.

"Then Dark Specter will destroy her and then he'll destroy you."

"I won't let him hurt her, Ecliptor. I won't let it happen."

Demion disappeared in a crimson red light.

(Megaship)

Demion appeared in Ashley's room once again. He turned DECA off as well as the alarms. He walked over and he covered Ashley's mouth. Ashley went to scream but Demion had her stay quiet. "Listen to me, you're in great danger. If I take my hand away you have to promise not to scream," he whispered. Ashley stayed still. "You promise not to scream?" He asked. She nodded her head slowly and he pulled his hand away.

"You only care because I'm carrying your heir," she hissed quietly.

"Not true."

"Why would you care about me?"

Demion leaned forward until his lips reached her ear. "Don't leave the ship. He's after you because of forbidden feelings I have for you," he whispered. Then he disappeared.