Chapter 37: The Change

Andros was sitting in the conference room, Zhane sat beside him. Andros was rubbing his head, staring at the mission data pad in front of him. Kinwon had instructed them not to unlock them until the meeting had started. "So how is Ashley enjoying Earth?" Zhane asked.

"She said she's happy to see the others again, but she can't wait to be back on KO-35," Andros replied.

Zhane just smirked a little. "Think we should be worried about this one?" he asked.

"Probably not," Andros replied, "It's been quiet on this side of the Universe."

The door opened, Mekhi entered the room followed by Ajax and then Kinwon. Immediately, Andros and Zhane were on their feet. "At ease, Rangers," Kinwon told them. They sat back down.

"This mission we are asking only one of you to volunteer for it," Mekhi stated.

A hologram appeared in the middle of the table. Andros leaned forward when he recognized who they were showing. "General Venjix, how the hell did he escape Zordon's powers?" he asked.

"He and his team were at the right place at the right time, now he has a new mission in place," Kinwon explained.

Ajax hit a button on the table to show them on the moon. "Do you know what could be on the moon that he could be wanting to use?" Ajax asked. Andros stood up, staring at the hologram.

"Serpenterra," Zhane murmured.

"We were afraid of that," Kinwon answered.

Andros looked at the three older men in the room and stood straight with his shoulders squared. Zhane looked at his best friend, wondering what he was about to say. "I will take this mission," he stated, "I'm qualified with my abilities with staying hidden and disguises. Zhane is needed here for surveillance, if anything goes wrong Zhane needs to make sure everyone on KO-35 can go to our Beta Site."

Ajax lowered his head, knowing his son would be the one who would volunteer as well as give reasons to why he was better for the job. "The mission is yours, Andros," Mekhi stated.

"Thank you, sir," Andros answered.

Zhane stood up and they were dismissed.

Zhane went after Andros. "Are you crazy? Going after General Venjix by yourself?" he asked.

"You need to stay here with Karone," Andros replied, looking at him, "If he gets Serpenterra going, Karone will be his next target after going after Earth."

"You're her brother, you should stay behind and protect her. You should let me go," Zhane insisted.

Andros looked at him as he stopped walking. "I'm her brother, but you're her match. She'll need you more than me," he answered.

"That's bullshit," Zhane insisted.

Andros shook his head. "You're staying here, Zhane, that's an order," he stated firmly and then walked away.

"Hey, you can't just pull the Red Ranger leader card whenever it suits you!" Zhane called after him.

Andros ignored him and kept walking.

Later that day, Ashley and the girls returned from their visit to Earth. Andros was on the landing platform waiting for them. The girls ran off the ship's platform excitedly. "DADDY!" they shrieked happily.

"There are my girls!" he said smiling as he bent down to their level.

The girls ran as fast as they could to him, the impact of two little bodies hitting his sent him back on his backside on the ground making him laugh. Ashley walked over, shaking her head slowly with a laugh. "Look at you, you guys have gotten bigger!" he commented.

"No way, daddy," Andrea replied, hugging him.

Andros hugged them both back. "Yes, you two just keep growing," he murmured. Andros held his daughters close. "I missed you so much," he added.

Standing up from the ground, he set the children on the ground before Ashley embraced him. He pressed a kiss to her neck and shoulder. They held each other close, her hand moving up and down his back.

They arrived home and Andros watched as the girls went upstairs to play with their toys. Ashley looked over at her soul, holding his hand. Andros kissed her knuckles with a smile before he pulled the hand up and spun her around in a circle. Ashley laughed softly, wrapping her arm around his neck. He started swaying with his soul in the middle of the den, just to music in their heads. "I love you," she said softly.

"I love you," he answered, "Forever."

When their lips touched it always felt like fireworks went off in their heads. Pulling away, they just held each other with their foreheads resting together. "I have something to tell you," she said softly.

"Yeah? What's that?" he asked.

Ashley's smile was brighter than he could ever imagine it could ever be as she held onto his hands. "I'm pregnant," she whispered.

Those words stopped him in his tracks. His hazel eyes grew wide and immediately his hands released Ashley's and went straight for her still flat belly. "Really?" he asked. She nodded with a small laugh.

"Yeah, I had found out right before we left Earth. Cassie talked me into taking a regular Terran test again," she replied.

"But you really are?" he asked.

"Yeah," she replied.

Andros pulled his love into his arms. Ashley hugged him tightly with a huge smile on her face. As he held his love in his arms, the reality of his choice just hit him. He had agreed to go on one of the most dangerous missions he had ever gone on besides his suicide mission to save Karone and now Ashley was pregnant again.

Throughout his evening, Andros kept going back and forth on his decision to do this mission when he felt arms move around him. "What are you thinking about?" she asked softly. Reaching up, he moved his hand along her arm and let out a deep breath.

"I made a decision that I shouldn't have today," he replied.

"What choice did you make, my love?" she asked softly, kissing his ear.

Andros ran his thumb over her wrist. "General Venjix survived the battle against Dark Specter. He's now trying to find Serpenterra. I volunteered to keep track of him. Ashley moved her hand over his chest. "I should call Kinwon and tell him I change my mind," he added.

"No, you won't," she replied.

Ashley rested her head against his and let out a sigh. "My love, we have always agreed that we have a duty to save the Universe, always," she said softly, "We can't be selfish, even though sometimes we want to be." Ashley kissed his ear. "We love you, we're so proud of you," she added.

"I can't leave you alone here with the kids," he answered, "Especially when we have this baby on the way."

"You will be back before this baby's born," She assured him.

Ashley hugged him a little tighter. "I love you," she added. Andros held her hand in his, kissing her knuckles.

"I love you," he answered.

Ashley rested her forehead against his. "Forever," they said softly together.