Chapter 14: Ashley's Memories

Ashley was lying on her side, she looked at a picture. "You look like your father," she whispered. She placed a kiss on the picture before falling into a deep sleep. Instead of having nightmares or a desperate dream of being with her family once again, she dreamt about all the times she shared with Andros. Especially the time when she thought she was never going to see him again.

(Ashley's Dream)

"POWER DOWN!" Andros yelled. Ashley was stunned to see that he was human. She circled him and stopped at one side. She then poked him in the shoulder twice before speaking.

"You're human," she commented.

"What did you expect?" He asked.

"I don't know. You're not from earth, are you?"

"Earth isn't the only place humans live. I'm from a space colony, KO-35, it's in the Karova system."

"So, you're from outer space?" T. J. asked.

Andros nodded, but didn't say anything.Carlos then was able to say something. "Incredible," he commented. Cassie then stepped forward.

"I'm Cassie, nice to meet you," she stated.

"And I'm Ashley," Ashley cut in.

"Carlos," Carlos informed.

T. J. then stepped forward. "And I'm T. J.," he stated. He held his hand out to him and Andros just stared at his hand. Andros slowly held his hand out and shook T. J.'s hand.

"T. J., I'm called Andros," he stated.

When DECA called him that the ship was repaired, he went to the ship. Ashley was watching him dreamily. Cassie walked over and poked her shoulder. "You're...human," she mocked. They started laughing.

"I didn't know. He could've been a giant lizard," she objected.

Then they walked towards the ship.

Ashley caught Andros trying to leave. "Going somewhere?" She asked. He stopped what he was doing and looked up.

"Hey, I was just..." he trailed off.

She walked over to him. "Andros, you can't...leave," she insisted. She stood a few feet in front of him.

"I have to try," he stated.

Ashley was a loss at words, she knew she couldn't stop him. He started to walk away when he turned back around to look at her. "Look...if I don't see you again--," Ashley interrupted him. She hurried over and placed her hand up while shushing him.

"I will see you again," she assured.

"Right," he agreed.

Ashley watched as he morphed and took off into space. Her heart aching as she watched him leave.

After saving Karone, Earth, and all of the other planets, Ashley realized that she was going to be saying goodbye to Andros that was going to be permanent. They were walking around hand-in-hand and shared a few glances. They stopped and Ashley took a deep breath. "I never thought I'd have to say goodbye," she murmured.

"I know," he agreed.

"Are you sure you don't want to go with us?" She asked.

He reached down and took her hands in his. "KO-35 is my home," he insisted.

Ashley and Andros were saying goodbye, but Ashley was watching him with a heavy heart. She never expected to fall in love at such a young age, especially with a man from another planet, but she did and she was. She pushed the button on the panel and watched him until the door was closed completely.

As Ashley went to sit down, her heart was breaking at every step she took. She sat down and listened to the beeping of the keys when Cassie touched her shoulder. "You gonna be okay?" She asked. Ashley gave her a glance before answering her.

"I miss him so much," she replied.

She lowered her head in sadness and then someone familiar spoke. "DECA, set a course for earth," Andros instructed. Ashley spun around to see Andros standing there.

"Andros!" She gasped.

Ashley jumped out of her chair, ran over to him and embraced him. "My home is with you guys," he murmured.

(End Dream)

Ashley woke up in tears. She closed her eyes when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Please, Alric, no more," she begged. She sat up and looked at him. "Please, no more," she insisted. Alric sighed and touched her face.

"All right, my angel, you'll have a day off," he assured.

Ashley sighed in relief as he left.

Alric then returned to his throne room. "Milord, shouldn't you be enjoying your new bride?" His servant asked.

"I have promised her a day off," he replied.

Just then, a beautiful woman came into the room. "You have summoned me, my lord?" She asked.

She had shoulder-length sandy-blonde hair, green eyes, she was wearing white high heels, a long white dress, and around her head she wore the same band Ashley had to wear.

"I want you to take care of my newest queen until it is time for me to reprogram her memory," he replied. She bowed her head and Alric touched her face. "My beautiful, Atara," he murmured.

"I live to serve you, my lord," she assured.

She then left to take care of Ashley.