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

AH/AY: Sorry about the cliffie but it was just the way it had to be. Glad you liked it.

tay: Unfortunately it is bad news but it will get better.

Alexandra Khayman: Sorry for the long wait but the next chapter will be up within a few days, I promise.

PRISFAN: I just had to do. Have to keep the reader's interested.

Slytherin-Angel44: Everyone has to use cliffies every once in a while. Wait no longer.

Phantom Rogue: Can't tell you. You'll have to read to find out.

Mita427: Read to find out.

Ch. 20 Bad News

"Is what?" Ashley demanded when the doctor paused.

"We took some x-rays and they show a partially fractured lower vertebra," the doctor explained.

"Meaning what?" Karone asked, not liking that the doctor wasn't getting to point.

"Meaning Andros is probably paralyzed from the waist down," the doctor finished. "It's probably not permanent and with physical therapy won't last long but I'm not sure how he'll take the news."

"Not good," Ashley whispered. "Not good at all."

"So, he doesn't know yet?" Zhane questioned, hoping the doctor had the sense to let one of them be the one to tell Andros. The doctor shook his head and Zhane added, "Good. He's less likely to hurt one of us."

"We moved him to a regular room now," the doctor told them, knowing that Ashley probably wanted to be with Andros more than anything right now. "He should still be asleep but he could wake up at any time." They all nodded and followed the doctor to Andros' new room. "Ashley, can I talk to you a minute?" She looked at the doctor in surprise, praying he didn't have more bad news. She motioned for her friends to enter the room and looked at the doctor expectantly. "I just wanted to let you know that there is a possibility that we caused the fracture while we were trying to stop the bleeding. If you want to move your husband to another hospital I'll understand."

"Doctor Grant," she began, "I don't blame you. If it wasn't for you my husband wouldn't be alive right now. I know you were trying to work fast meaning you probably couldn't take all the precautions you normally would. I won't take Andros anywhere else, you'll just have to deal with us until he's better." He smiled and nodded in thanks before leaving to make the rest of his rounds.

She entered the room to hear Zhane asking, "How are we going to tell him?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Ashley replied from the doorway, slowly making her way to the chair on the other side of Andros' bed. "I think it'll be best if I tell him. He's not going to like it but hopefully he'll listen when I tell him it's not permanent." Andros groaned softly and they all stared at his still form. "Here goes nothing," Ashley whispered more to herself than anyone else in the room. She reached out with her hand and smoothed back the stray hairs while whispering, "Andros, can you hear me?"
Andros opened is eyes slowly, the pain almost enough to coax him back to sleep, but Ashley was calling him. He blinked his eyes several times trying to clear his vision and was finally able to make out the image of his wife sitting beside him. He tried to talk but found that his throat was too sore so he settled for telepathy.

'What happened?' he asked Ashley and then the images began to slowly appear in his mind. He tried to sit up but found that he couldn't move his legs. Panic quickly set in and tears streamed down his face.

"Andros," Ashley whispered, "you have to calm down." She and Karone were both trying to calm him, neither having much success. "Come on Andros! Calm down before they come in here and knock you out again." That seemed to have some effect as his breathing calmed down and he tried to control his emotions.

'Why?' he questioned his wife, sister, and best friend.

"The doctor said it happened during the explosion but they didn't realize until they ran the other test on you. You have some appointments with the best physical therapist here so it is possible that you will walk again." Andros only had time to nod before there was a knock on the door. "Come in."

"I guess you've had time to tell him," the doctor stated and Ashley nodded. "Your x-rays show a lot of promise. You will probably walk again but it will take a lot of hard work." The doctor glanced at the chart at the end of the bed and nodded his head. "Everything looks good. If you need anything just let one of the nurses know." As he exited the room the police chief entered.

"I thought you'd like to know that we've arrested your fathers and they will be put on trial for three counts of attempted murder," he explained. "Your testimony will be required but we'll try to wait until you're out of here." Andros nodded and watched as he left the room. He pointed to the glass on the table and his sister helped him get a drink, making his throat feel much better.

"How are Ashton and Skyler?" he asked Ashley, his voice still a bit horse.

"They're fine," Ashley replied. "In fact, my mom and brothers have them in the waiting room if you want to see them." She didn't even wait for a reply, sending T.J. to retrieve the rest of the group. Andros smile widened as his children were brought into the room. Ashley handed him Ashton and he couldn't help the tears that came to his eyes. Even though he couldn't walk things were finally okay for his family and that's all that really mattered.

A/N: Please Review! School's almost out, only one more week and summer vacation! It's about time!