Summary: Andros has lost everything that ever meant something to him… did he?
Scarred
Chapter 44
"Zhane." Ashley smiled when she saw the caller on the screen. "Long time no see – oh, wait a minute, I'll call Andros."
"That really isn't nece…" Zhane started, but as Ashley called Andros' name, he shrugged.
"Maybe not for you," Ashley said, turning back when Andros yelled an affirmative, "but we've wanted to talk to you for a while now… together."
"Okay… did I miss something?" Zhane screwed up his face.
"You could say that." Andros laughed as he appeared.
Ashley got up to let Andros sit down before sitting herself down on his lap, settling herself in comfortably with a teasing grin. Zhane made a face at them and they laughed.
"Oh I see," he mock complained, "You called him over so you could go all mushy in front of me. Now what did you want to talk about, before I feel like puking?"
Andros and Ashley laughed again and looked at each other for a moment.
"You tell him." Ashley whispered to Andros.
"Well, I finally managed to pry Ash from her brothers' overprotective arms about." Andros started.
"Oh no!" Zhane exclaimed in mock horror. "Sickeningly sweet cuteness 24/7."
"Shut up for a moment." Andros retorted with a laugh, unable to keep up a serious façade for long. "The only reason I got Ash out is because we set a wedding date."
"Well, congrats you two, when?"
Ashley bit her lip and sighed.
"We really wanted to tell you sooner, but with us not knowing where you were and having to rely on you calling, well, we just missed each other." Ashley explained before adding, a little more quietly. "Two months."
"We really want you there along with our parents." Andros informed him. "But we can only push it back as far as a week."
"I'll see what I can do on the parents department. If anything I'll just get back there myself and go look again afterwards." Zhane promised.
Ashley shook her head, leaning forward pleadingly. "When you come home, you're coming home to stay." She told him softly, firmly. "Zhane, please, don't make us say goodbye again."
"Then how?" Zhane sighed in reply.
"There are others, but you can't keep doing this to us or Esai. She's happy, I know she is, but she'd be so much happier with you, in your own home."
Zhane sighed and nodded. "You're right. I miss Esai too, and I guess that old house is still covered in dust and dirt…"
"You don't think we're playing maid for you, now did you?" Andros commented.
Zhane laughed and shook his head.
"I should get going again." He glanced around and gave them a regretful smile. "Again, congrats you two. I'll do what I can about, um, everything, promise. Tell the other's I said 'hi' and give Esai a big hug and kiss for me."
"We will. Now take care, Zhane." Ashley smiled.
"Don't get into trouble, since we aren't around to get you out of it." Andros teased and Zhane stuck out his tongue.
After a final wave Zhane cut off the connection and Andros reached out, turning the com system off.
"Hey," Ashley said in surprise, "what are you doing that for? Now they can't reach us anymore."
"That's the idea." Andros grinned, one hand leaving her waist and coming to rest at the back of her neck.
With a little smile of understanding, Ashley let herself be pulled into a kiss, pouting when Andros broke it.
"So what did you have in mind that you don't want to be reached?" Ashley murmured softly.
"This."
He got to his feet, cradling her in his arms. He pressed his lips to hers again as he slowly walked in the direction of their bedroom.
"I could get used to this." Ashley laughed gently, just as the bedroom door closed behind them.
A week later
Ashley sat with her legs crossed in the middle of Karone's bed. She held a datapad in her hands, scrolling through dress designs. Karone was standing in front of her closet, sorting through the clothes in it.
"How about this one?" Ashley asked, holding the datapad up for Karone to see. The other girl spared a moment to glance over her shoulder before turning back to her closet, shaking her head. "Yeah, you're right," Ashley agreed out loud. "Too frilly. It's not me…" She looked up to see Karone nod absently as she rummaged through her closet. Grinning a little mischievously, Ashley added loudly, "You know, Zhane's not coming back for a while. You'll have plenty of time enough to shop for a whole new wardrobe to impress him."
"What makes you say that?" Karone turned to look at Ashley suspiciously.
"Oh, come on!" Ashley laughed light-heartedly. "Andros told me you went on a date with him when you were Astronema, and how obvious were you two before he left?" Ashley sniggered. "It's nothing to be ashamed of you know." She added reassuringly, leaning back on the bed. "I know he's my cousin and all, but I'll still admit he's good looking."
"And so I should just date him because he's good looking and we get along?" Karone asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes and no." Ashley shrugged. "Zhane's looks are just a plus; the getting along, as you put it, would be the reason for dating."
"What if he's met someone else while out looking for other colonists?" Karone countered. "Or what if that attraction, as you put it, is gone?"
"What if it's still there? You might regret ignoring it." Ashley shot back. "And he hasn't mentioned meeting anyone yet. Trust me, every time Andros and I talk to him, he's always asking about you."
"I-… I don't know, Ash." She looked away bashfully. "I mean, okay, so I like him, but he's Andros's best friend-"
"And I'm Zhane's cousin but that doesn't stop me from being with Andros. Trust me, Andros wouldn't mind." Ashley said firmly. "But it's your decision. We can't force you to date him." She paused before saying, "Just do me one favour."
"Of course." Karone smiled.
"If you decide to date Zhane, give Andros a heads up? He'll be okay with it, but he'll need some time to stop seeing the little six-year-old you were whenever he looks at you."
"Is it smart to date his best friend then?"
"Absolutely." Ashley answered with a drawl. "Zhane knows how much you mean to Andros and Andros knows he can trust Zhane. You'll be saved the embarrassment of 'The Big Brother Speech' being given to your boyfriend."
"The big brother speech?" Karone laughed.
"Yeah, you know, hurt my sister and I'll hurt you and that sort of crap. I will honestly admit," and here she let out a rueful laugh, "that I was glad your dad was there when Andros and I told Brand and Rise that we had set a wedding date and were moving in together." Ashley raised her eyebrows meaningfully.
Karone sat down next to Ashley and stretched out beside her on the bed. "You really love my brother, don't you?" She whispered, looking up.
"Yeah." Ashley smiled softly. "More than anything. I can't imagine a life without him that would be worth living."
"How… how did you know he was the one?"
"Well…" she shrugged and fell backwards to lie next to Karone. "I got along with him better than any of my other friends. I mean, we just understood and got through to each other on a totally different level than we did with other people. I knew I liked spending time with him and I took a chance on him when he decided to take a chance on me and ask me out." Ashley turned her head and smiled a little, teasingly. "The way you should with Zhane."
"Maybe… But, I mean… how do I know I can have… that, with Zhane?" Karone asked in a small voice.
"By taking a chance on him. You're not evil Karone, you never have been and it's not wrong to feel good about yourself. Even if it doesn't last, there's no reason not to enjoy the attention."
"You know… I just might do that." Karone smiled shyly. "Guess we'll just have to wait for Zhane to get back."
A/N: And on that note… I'm ending the chapter. Please review?
