Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers in Space, nor will I ever do. I mean, since I don't make any profit from this, where do you think I'll get the money to own the series? Hint, hint ;-)

Author's Notes: This is book two in "Road to Completion" with one more to go after this one. If you haven't read the first installment, you might get lost on a few things that happen here. This book takes place about two weeks after Andros returned home, and would be taking over the second season of PRiS in the main timeline.

First Step
Part One: Re-establishing and Discovering Reality
By: stargazer_1017

"I can't believe you're going to be living here now. Best friends aren't supposed to be far away," the tall, dark-haired woman said wistfully as she and her friend walked along the park's sidewalk.

"Come on, Ev, you're making me teary again," the blonde woman said playfully. "Besides, I'm not so far away."

"Yeah, only a couple of hours away, Rina," the other woman responded back. She sighed and forced a smile on her face. "But staying here's a great opportunity. I'm happy for you. . .really."

Rina smiled back. "Thanks, Ev. Come on, this is your last day here--let's just make the most of it." They walked in a comfortable silence for only a moment before Rina said, "Look! A fortune-teller!" she said, pointing at a young woman sitting at a table. "I've never noticed her here before. . .let's go see what our destinies have in store for us."

"Rina. . ."

"Come on!" Rina insisted. Ev raised her eyebrow, but followed her friend to the table. "How much for a reading?" Rina asked when she reached the table.

The young woman at the table smiled. "A dollar for both of you."

Rina reached into her pocket, but Ev stopped her friend and put two dollars onto the table. "My treat," Ev said. "Since I'm leaving."

"Who would like their reading first?" the young woman asked.

"I would," Rina replied. The young woman gestured for Rina to step forward.

"Give me your hand," the woman said. When Rina did as she was instructed, the woman said, "What is your name?"

"Rina."

"Rina. . ." the young woman closed her eyes. "I see. . .something wonderful. You'll be taking a higher path in life. . ."

"Higher?" Rina echoed. She turned to Ev. "I guess she's right--moving from South California and ending up here, North."

The young woman's eyes snapped open at her comment, but in a split-second, she closed them again. "There are also children in your future. . .one set of twins."

"Really?" Rina asked as the woman opened her eyes and pulled her hand away. "Twins. . ."

The young woman turned to Ev. "Are you ready now?" she asked.

Ev hesitated. Then she gave a snort. "I don't believe in fortune-telling," she said. She turned to Rina. "Come on, let's go."

"Come on, Ev. Please, just do this. It wouldn't hurt anything," Rina pleaded. "Just do one reading, and then we'll go. I promise."

Ev looked back at the young woman, who had no expression on her face. Ev sighed. "Fine," she said, thrusting her hand forward.

The young woman grabbed her hand and closed her eyes. She was quiet for a moment--and then she was savagely thrown off her chair and flew backward. Ev and Rina gasped in horror. "Are you. . ." Ev trailed off as she walked towards the fallen woman.

The woman got on her knees and then onto her feet. "You--you. . .must be careful."

Ev's face went pale. "Wh--what?" she stammered.

"I saw it. . .evil will enter your life. . .and if you aren't careful, you will not be here in the near future, Evelyn."

"How. . .did you know my name?"

"A battle will ensue. . .I saw you. . .and a woman who looked like you. Be careful, Evelyn, be careful," the young woman was now howling the warning. "Be careful. . ."

A sob escaped from Evelyn as she backed up slowly. She spun on her heel and ran off.

***

"D.E.C.A., I need you run a scan on Mega Deck Nine," Andros said. He was seated at his position the bridge, running system checks on the ship.

"Scanning Mega Deck Nine," D.E.C.A. confirmed. "Scanning complete. There has been no unusual presences on the Deck, Andros."

"Good," Andros replied, sitting back on his chair. "Keep it that way."

"What's on Mega Deck Nine?" Cassie asked from behind. Andros spun around to look at her.

"Cassie. . .I didn't know you walked in," Andros replied lamely. He watched as Cassie walked over to him, a frown on her face. For a moment, Andros thought she was going to press him for information. Instead, Cassie held her hands up and shrugged.

"Fine," she replied, stopping the subject before it went any further. She took a look around the bridge. "Where is everyone?" she asked.

"Ashley and Carlos went down to Earth," Andros replied. "And T.J.'s supposed to be checking the Engines."

Cassie shook her head. "It really amazes me."

"What does?"

"You," Cassie said, gesturing at him as she took a seat at her usual position on his left. "You were hurt pretty badly when you returned, and now everything's back to normal with you. You're up and around and running the ship like you never left."

"Well, it took me almost a week before any of you allowed me to even morph."

Cassie shrugged. "Just watching out for your well-being, Andros. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

Andros looked up at her after her last statement and the look he gave her surprised her. I wonder why he's looking at me like that, Cassie thought. "Did I say something wrong?" she asked outwardly.

Andros shook his head. "No," he replied softly. "It's just that what you just said sounded very familiar."

"Who said it?"

"Remember when I went to the other dimension?" Cassie nodded. "My other self. . .he used to say that to your other self a lot."

Cassie frowned slightly. "Why would he. . .why would he say that?" she asked.

"It's because--" Andros was cut short by T.J. walking onto the bridge.

Cassie groaned inwardly. It always seems like bad timing, Cassie thought with silent frustration. . .Somehow, we're always interrupted. This was about the second time that she and Andros were interrupted in the middle of the conversation. Always when Andros was going to discuss about the Andros from the other dimension.

"Are Ashley and Carlos--" T.J. cut off quickly when he noticed Cassie. Cassie raised her eyebrow as T.J. quickly added, "I mean, are they back from Earth yet?"

Andros shook his head. "They said they were gonna be gone a couple of hours," Andros replied. "Did the engines check out okay?"

T.J. nodded. "The engines are fine."

Andros nodded. "Great. I think it's time for a break."

Both Cassie and T.J.'s jaws dropped at the suggestion. "A--" T.J. trailed off.

"Break?. . ." Cassie finished.

Andros nodded again. "Yeah. We haven't really gotten the chance to really just kick back and relax and enjoy ourselves since you've all become rangers," he replied. "What do you guys say to a picnic at Angel Grove Park?"

Cassie glanced over at T.J. It didn't seem like he would be talking soon. Cassie spoke up instead. "Really?"

"Is there a problem with that?" Andros asked lightly.

"No!" Cassie said quickly. T.J. agreed by shaking his head. "It's just. . .it seems, sorta unlike you, Andros."

"It's become my new motto," Andros replied, looking down for a moment. "I've learned a lot since being in the other dimension. You can't take life too seriously or it'll pass you without notice," he added quietly. He looked up into the solemn faces of T.J. and Cassie. Giving a small laugh, he said, "So let's just relax at the park, all right? Either take it or leave it."

"We'll take it!" Cassie replied.

***

"Come on, guys, up for a game of flag football?" Ashley asked, picking up the football T.J. had brought from his quarters on the Megaship. She looked at everyone.

"I'm game!" Carlos answered.

"Sure, why not?" T.J. replied, smiling as he and Carlos got up.

Ashley turned to Cassie. "How about it?" Ashley asked.

Cassie shook her head and patted her stomach slightly. "No thanks. I think I'm stuffed, and if I move another inch, my jeans might snap," she joked.

"How about you, Andros? Are you up for a game of football? We could teach it to you," Ashley offered.

Andros hesitated and then shook his head. "It's all right," he replied. "I think I'll just keep Cassie company."

Ashley frowned slightly, but it was for a small moment--long enough for Cassie to catch the glance. "All right. Well. . .we'll be right over there if you guys wanna join us," Ashley said, nodding. She walked away and joined Carlos and T.J. waiting a few feet away.

Cassie gently nudged Andros. "Not up for playing some football? You don't have to be ashamed of not knowing how to play. I mean, the guys play pretty smoothly--I guess," Cassie added lightly, smiling.

Andros smiled back. "I've got plenty of time to learn about it," Andros replied. "Besides, I thought I'd keep you company."

Cassie's breath caught in her throat as the words Andros spoke registered in her mind. Cassie stared at Andros. "You know, Andros, since you came back. . .you've been acting differently."

"How so?"

"Nothing bad," Cassie added quickly. "I mean, I'm loving the new you. . .I mean--" Whoops. As soon as the words came out of Cassie's mouth, she instantly regretted them. I make it sound like I'm in love with him, Cassie thought with slight embarassment.

Wait a minute. . .what's there to embarassed about? The next thought invaded Cassie's mind immediately. You're friends--nothing's changed. Well, except for maybe Andros. . .and maybe--

"You were saying?" Andros brought Cassie out of her reverie.

"Huh?" Cassie blurted. "I was saying what?"

Andros smiled gently. "You were talking about loving the new me," he replied lightly.

You see? If it was a month ago, Andros wouldn't have said anything like that. He wouldn't even be talking to you! "Oh yeah," Cassie replied. "I meant, it's great to see you with a different perspective on life. You're much more free than you used to be."

"So I was worse?"

Is he joking with me? "No!" Cassie replied quickly. Gain your composure, girl. . .Cassie took a deep breath. "You were my friend when you were--less carefree, and you're my friend when you're much more carefree. It's as simple as that." Cassie grinned. "And it's great to have someone I can joke with on the team." There, you did fine.

"Things were just different in the other dimension."

Cassie nodded. "Yeah, you were going to tell me about that, but we keep getting interrupted."

"You and I. . .I mean, Andros and Cassie were both--together in the other dimension."

Cassie's jaw dropped at the revelation. "Wait--wuh, what?"

Andros laughed. "Yeah, exactly. That was my first reaction when I got there too. At first, it didn't fit. . .and then when I watched how Andros was around Cassie, and how he himself acted, it was something that I had always wished I could be."

"Like how?" Cassie asked quietly, watching Andros' reaction carefully.

Andros turned to her. "He was so--free. . .happy. And this is the same person who had the same background that I did. I--never thought I could ever be someone like that. I was always afraid that if I did, I would lose it. I was lose the happiness."

"What would make you think that?" Cassie asked. When Andros turned to her in question, she added, "I mean, it's never wrong to be happy--you only have one chance at life. Might as well make the most and best of it."

Andros smiled at her. "I feel like I've been given a couple of chances to live. I mean, with that blast taking me to the other dimension and coming back. . .I want to start over, and open doors I've never even thought to open."

Cassie felt herself smile back. It sounded like Andros had underlying meanings behind his last statement, but she didn't want to push it. Well, I am curious.. "Like what doors?" she asked.

". . .Like with new relationships," Andros replied, looking at her.

To Cassie, it was almost like he was looking right through her. I don't know what's come over me lately. . . she thought as she smiled at Andros. The feeling didn't come just lately, it's just been noticed. . .

"Whatever you decide, Andros, I'm sticking by you," Cassie replied earnestly. Andros smiled at her and nodded. The two sat in comfortable silence, watching the other three rangers throw the football around. "Come on," Cassie said, breaking the silence and getting up. She extended her hand. "Let's stop being couch potatoes and play some football."

Andros looked at her in surprise, but took her hand. After he pulled himself up, he said, "But I don't really know how to play football."

"Something new to learn. Come on, I'll teach you," Cassie replied.

As they walked towards the other rangers, T.J. called out, "You guys finally ready to play?" He tossed the football in the air a couple of feet and caught it.

"Hey, I don't have a quick acting stomach like you do, Teej," Cassie joked. She opened her hands to signal to T.J. to pass her the football. T.J. passed the football to T.J., but it passed overhead and a few feet away near the sidewalk.

"Sorry Cassie," T.J. said, apologetically.

Cassie laughed and ran off after the ball. "I've got it," she called out over her shoulder as she jogged towards the football. She gave a small laugh as she bent down to pick up the football. A clicking sound on the sidewalk made her turn to the left. "Oh, my gosh," Cassie muttered, spinning on her heels. She started to walk back to her friends when the woman called out to her.

"Cassie? Cassie Chan, is that you?" the woman called out.

Damnit. . . Cassie stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around. "Hi Ms. Sherridan," Cassie said, forcing a smile on her face. Everything else after came out in a rush. "Nicetoseeyouwellgottago--"

"Cassie, wait," the blonde-haired woman said, making her way towards her. "How have you been?"

Cassie nodded coolly. "I've been all right," she replied. She darted her eyes around the park. "Are you--visiting Angel Grove?"

"Actually, I just moved here," Ms. Sherridan replied. "You know Cassie, your mother really misses you. She would love to know how you've been doing."

A snort escaped from Cassie. "Why, to gloat? Maybe she's going to point out that yes, I haven't been able to make it on my own yet, and I was better off doing all the things she wanted me to do."

"Your mother loves you, Cassie, and you know that." Ms. Sherridan's face darkened. "And she's also received a threat."

Cassie frowned. "Threat?"

Ms. Sherridan nodded. "What was the words again? Oh! It was, 'Evil will enter your life'."

"And the person that said this was. . ."

"A fortune-teller."

Cassie raised her eyebrow. "Ms. Sherridan, I don't think that counts as a threat. For all you know, the fortune-teller could've been. . .making something up." Cassie sighed. "Did my mother follow you here?"

Ms. Sherridan nodded. "She helped me move in, but I haven't seen her since she took off running from the fotune-teller's table--and I've been trying to reach her ever since. She's not answering."

A slight pang of worry went through Cassie but she ignored it and nodded. "It was nice seeing you, Ms. Sherridan. If you ever do get in contact with my mother, let her know I'm okay."

"You mean you're not going to tell her yourself?"

Cassie shook her head. "No," she said firmly. She turned to look at the others, who were now approaching her. "I'll see you around." Cassie turned around and walked up to the others.

"Is everything all right?" Andros asked, slightly concerned.

Cassie nodded and forced a smile on her face. "Fine. Just fine."