A/N - quite good chapter. Plenty of emotional moments. I think you'll like it

The Zeo rangers were given temporary quarters on the Megaship. Ashley walked along the corridor of the deck where she and the other Astro rangers resided. With a large, empty box in her hands. She stood in front of Cassie's quarters and took a deep breath before going in. She set down the box at the head of the bed, and began to collect Cassie's personal belongings. Ashley picked up Cassie's brush as well as her lipstick and other cosmetics and put them in the box. She saw various framed photos of herself and her friends, as well as Cassie's family. One by one, Ashley took a look at the photos and put them in the box. She then grabbed a stuffed teddy bear from Cassie's bed and looked at it. It was the one Ashley had given Cassie for her birthday. Ashley began to cry. She tried to wipe them away, but she wouldn't stop crying, causing her to become frustrated. She screamed angrily as she tossed the bear against the wall.

The door slid open and Andros walked in. "Hey." Said Andros as he walked in.

"Hey." Ashley responded with her back turned to Andros, trying to pretend that everything was alright, trying not to show the tears that had been wiped away. She had temporarily stopped crying. Andros's presence made Ashley more determined not to show her tears.

"I know it's hard. I'm here if you need me." Andros said as he walked closer to Ashley.

"I'm fine Andros." Ashley lied. She wasn't all fine. She was barely holding it together.

"No, you're not. No one expects you to hold it together. Cassie wouldn't want you to bottle up your emotions."

"I said I'm fine!" she snapped as she turned around. "I'm sorry." She immediately apologized.

"Don't be. I know how hard it is to lose a friend." said Andros. He was only a couple inches away from her now.

Ashley turned around and faced Andros. Tears began to fall from her eyes again. Ashley buried her face in Andros's chest and began to cry. "I miss her so much." she said as she sobbed.

"I know." Said Andros, with his arms wrapped around Ashley. "I miss her too." He said.

Carlos was in his quarters alone. He sat at the edge of his bed and kicked his soccer ball against the wall, over and over. He couldn't sleep because he had so much on his mind. He was thinking of Cassie, as well as the upcoming mission. It was also the first time he had lost a close friend.

(FLASHBACK)

Carlos watched as Cassie tried to balance a ball on her feet and fail, repeatedly.

"You make it look so easy." She said.

"Practice makes perfect." He responded.

Cassie finally gave up. She picked up the soccer ball and returned it to Carlos.

"We all have our strengths. Mine is soccer." Said Carlos.

"And mine is singing and playing matchmaker. So if you've got a girl you like, let me know. I'll hook you two up." Said Cassie with a wink.

(END FLASHBACK)

"Wish you were here, Cassie." Said Carlos.

Karone was in the mess hall, getting a drink. She went up to the synthetron, and stood there. Finally, Karone ordered some Oolong tea, in memory of Cassie, who loved Oolong tea, as well as some doughnuts. Karone sat down at a table. She placed the doughnuts in the middle of the table, but kept the tea in her hands.

(FLASHBACK)

Karone was sitting alone at night, in the mess hall, with a cup of kek'tal tea. As she sat alone drinking her tea, Cassie came in.

"Hey." She said.

"Hi." Karone replied.

"Can't sleep?" she asked.

"No. How about you?" asked Karone.

"Just woke up with a sudden craving for Oolong tea and doughnuts." Said Cassie as she brought over a mug and plate of doughnuts. She pushed the plate towards Karone.

"Thanks." Said Karone as she reached for a doughnut.

"When you've got a lot on your mind, doughnuts are the cure." Said Cassie.

Karone took a bite. "So what's on your mind?" asked Cassie.

Karone lowered her head and looked at her tea. Cassie analyzed Karone's face and instantly knew what was bothering her.

"It's a boy. You don't like Carlos, do you?"

"What? No. Carlos is a great guy, but I'm not attracted to him." Karone answered.

"It's not T.J., right? Cause he's taken. By me."

"No, it's…"

"Zhane?!"

"Sh! He might hear us." Said Karone.

"You like Zhane? You know, if you want, I can find out if he likes you too." Cassie offered.

"I don't think he likes me. We get along, but, I doubt he likes me in that way." Said Karone.

"Your brother was just like you. Now he's dating Ashley. So maybe your chances are higher than you think. Look, I'll find out for you if he has any interest in you or not."

"Thanks." Said Karone.

(END FLASHBACK)

"Thank you, Cassie." Karone said quietly as she looked at the plate of doughnuts.

Zhane sat in the Captain's seat. He looked over at Cassie's former station, Communications. He thought back to the time he and Cassie were alone on the bridge.

(FLASHBACK)

Zhane sat alone in the bridge. It was late at night, and Zhane was working.

"Hey" said a female voice from behind.

Zhane turned around and saw Cassie come into the bridge.

"Hey. Shouldn't you be sleeping?" he asked.

"Can't sleep." She lied. She wanted to find out whether Zhane liked Karone or not.

"So…" Cassie began to say as she sat down on the chair left of where Zhane was sitting.

"…What?" asked Zhane.

"Okay, I'll be blunt. You're attracted to Karone, aren't you?" asked Cassie.

"What?"

"Karone. You like her, Don't you?"

"No." he lied. "Why do you say that?"

"I've seen the way you look at her. It's the same look Andros had when he looked at Ashley. I know romance when I see it." Said Cassie.

Zhane didn't respond. "Don't worry. Karone's not around." Said Cassie.

"Fine. I do." Zhane admitted.

Cassie grinned. "So, have you told her?"

"No. I doubt she likes me like that. Besides, she's Andros's sister." Said Zhane.

"Well, it's Karone's choice. Besides, Andros likes you. I think it'll be okay. Oh, and Karone likes you too." Said Cassie.

"She likes me?" he smiled.

"Totally. Go for it, man."

"Thanks Cassie." Said Zhane as he left the bridge.

(END FLASHBACK)

Zhane looked at the chair Cassie sat in when she told him about Karone's feelings for him. "Thanks Cassie." Said Zhane with a small smile.

"Hi." Said Karone from the door. Zhane turned around and saw Karone come in.

"Hey. How are you doing?" he asked.

"I've been better." She said sadly. Karone sat on Zhane's lap and they leaned back on the chair.

"I miss her." Said Karone.

"Me too." Said Zhane.

"We owe it to her, you know." Said Karone.

"Yeah, we might not have been together without Cassie." Said Zhane.

"Be careful tomorrow." Said Karone as she rested her head on Zhane's chest.

"I will."

Andros had helped Ashley clear Cassie's room. Ashley went to bed while Andros went to put Cassie's belongings in the shuttle to take down to Earth tomorrow. On his way, he went to the Cargo Bay and picked up a couple bottles of Terynic. He stopped by the mess hall to get a glass. When he arrived, he saw a plate of doughnuts on one of the tables, so he cleared the table. Andros got his glass and left, towards his room. He opened the bottle and poured some Terynic into his glass. He drank it and then refilled it. He drank to try to forget about Cassie, who meant a great deal to him.

(FLASHBACK)

"She has feelings for you too, you know." Said Cassie. She was lying on a medical bed, her left leg was Barillian, not human, as a result of the Barillian Sting.

Andros looked away from Cassie. "I don't know what you are talking about." He lied.

"Andros, you may be a great ranger, but you can't fool me when it comes to romance. I've seen the way you look at her, the way you treat her. And I trust that you're going to continue to be there for her." Cassie said.

"I-"

"You don't need to say anything. And thank you for doing everything you can to help me. And I hope you find Karone one day."

(END FLASHBACK)

Andros gripped his glass tightly until it shattered in his hands. His hand had been injured. Andros winced in pain and examined his hand. It required medical attention so he went to the infirmary to get treatment.

T.J. pulled the trigger of his Astro blaster. He was in the shooting range practicing. He shot at immobile and mobile targets. All he had on his mind was killing the pink psycho ranger, Kelsa, and avenging Cassie.

(FLASHBACK)

He used his Astro axe to block the hammer from above. Torzen had amazing strength. He felt vibrations pass through his body as soon as the hammer and the axe touched. In the corner of his eye, he saw Cassie, trying to get up. He also saw Kelsa with a blaster, pointed at a reporter and cameraman.

"Cassie!" he cried. He tried to run, but Torzen swung his hammer again and hit T.J., sending him flying.

As soon as Torzen retreated, T.J. ran over to Cassie who was on the ground.

"Cassie!' knelt down beside her and checked her pulse. There was none.

"Cassie…Cassie!" T.J. began to sob. He couldn't believe he had just lost Cassie, the girl of his dreams.

(END FLASHBACK)

T.J. screamed angrily and rapidly fired on the targets. The shots from the blaster destroyed the target, leaving no traces of the target. T.J. took deep breathes.

The door slid open and Andros walked in. T.J. ignored him and commanded Deca to put up another target.

"We need to talk." Said Andros.

"About what?" asked T.J.

"I need to know if you can remain objective during the mission. If you can't follow orders, you're no good to us. You'll only be a liability." Said Andros.

T.J. put down his blaster and looked at Andros. "You think I won't be able to focus? You think I'm obsessed with getting even?"

"Zhane was the same, and that's why he was losing to Tenkar that day. If you can't stay focused, we might lose you too."

"You're worrying over nothing."

"Am I? I know how you feel. I was miserable too when I thought Zel died. I've lost friends too." Said Andros.

"You weren't there when you thought Zel died! I was less than ten meters from Cassie!" T.J. yelled.

There was a pause. "If you want to kill Kelsa, that's fine. But don't do let that desire blind you, or else we might have to have a funeral for you." Said Andros.

"You can trust me, Andros. I'll be focused." Said T.J.

Andros walked closer to T.J. and looked him in the eyes. After a moment, Andros turned around and began to walk away.

"Just remember, your lack of focus could mean the deaths of Ashley or Carlos, or anyone else." Said Andros before leaving.

T.J. turned back to the target and picked up his blaster. He pointed it at the target and fired.

A/N - Special ish chapter. Good character moments, wouldn't you say? Man, I wish I could film this fanfic and turn it visual with like a good hollywood budget.

Inspace - that Zhane/Karone moment was just for you.

Here's the next preview. I was thinking of previewing another section of the chapter, but I thought it would have been too much of a spoiler so I didn't use it.

"Hurry up and kill him already, Kosin, or else I will." Said Morana.

Kosin grabbed his blaster and pointed it at Morana. Immediately, Tenkar drew his blaster on Kosin.

"You don't give the orders around here." Said Kosin.

"And you don't point weapons at Morana." Said Tenkar.