Disclaimer: Check part one. . .

First Step
Part six: In the Middle
By: stargazer_1017

"MOM!" Cassie called out, laying on the floor. "What are you doing?" Even her scream didn't seem to affect her mother. She was fine not too long ago. Her mother still approached her, the strange look still glinting in her eyes. Cassie gasped and crawled quickly to her right.

Her mother moved quickly and intercepted Cassie. Cassie cried out in pain as her mother kicked her in the stomach, causing her to drop to the floor completely. "Dear," her mother purred calmly, "you'll pay for doing this to me."

"I don't understand. . ."

Her mother glared at her. "Remember this?" she asked and waved her right hand over her face--and a two-inch scar showed up on the right side of her face.

Cassie gasped. "I never. . ." Then her eyes widened. "It can't be. . .you're not--"

Her mother laughed again. A purple bolt appeared in her hand and she aimed it at Cassie. Then suddenly, she cried out in pain. Cassie tensed in anticipation, watching her mother drop to her knees. Suddenly, her face shifted appearance. "Astronema?" Cassie whispered.

Her mother's face suddenly shifted to show the true appearance of Astronema. About a few seconds later, her face shifted back to her mother's. "What do you think you're doing, Astronema?" Cassie said, trying to glare at Astronema with as much anger she could muster, despite the pain she was under. "How did you--"

"None of your business. Doesn't matter anyhow--I win." She held up hand and a bolt appeared.

"Cassie!"

Astronema and Cassie looked towards the voice, which was at the bottom of the stairs. "Mom!" Cassie called out, trying to warn her of the danger.

"Goody. Another one to take care of," Astronema smiled evilly. She aimed the energy bolt towards Evelyn Chan.

"No!" Cassie screamed. To Cassie's own surprise, she somehow jumped up and tackled Astronema to the floor at the same time Astronema fired the bolt. The bolt flew a foot off course--and missed Cassie's mother.

"Don't you dare. . ." Cassie growled savagely. Astronema suddenly relaxed under Cassie's hold. Before Cassie could even register the thought, Astronema shoved her away. She staggered to her feet.

"This--isn't over," Astronema said, gasping for breath. She took a quick glance at Cassie's mother and then growled, "I'll be back." With the snap of her fingers, she disappeared in a flash of purple light. Cassie watched as the light shimmered away--then remembered.

"Mom!" Cassie also staggered to her feet and ran to her mother. "Are you all right?"

Evelyn nodded. "I'm fine sweetie. . .what--what happened? Did she hurt you?" She asked, pulling Cassie towards her and hugging her tightly.

"I'm fine," Cassie replied quietly. Her eyes turned upward at the ceiling. Now what's Astronema up to?

***

I feel like the walking dead.

Cassie plopped down on one of the seats at the dining table in the Mess Hall. Her mother was slightly suspicious with the attack--after all, a woman looking like her mother had walked into the house and started firing off energy bolts. Cassie could only lie and make up stories about the attack, and was relieved that her mother was exhausted. She might've asked more questions than I can give lies for. Sometimes I wish I could tell her. . .then maybe she'd see she was wrong about me. After making sure her mother wasn't in any more danger, Cassie had taken her Galaxy Glider back to the Megaship to rest.

What the hell is Astronema up to? Cassie wondered as she rubbed her eyes. She opened her eyes and tried to think.

"You'll pay for doing this to me. . ." Astronema's taunting voice rang in Cassie's ears. For some reason, Cassie couldn't help but smiling slightly. Serves her right--she called me weak. The smile dropped from her face. But now she's after me--and mom. . . How did she know about her? There were too many questions that haunted Cassie--and she had no clue how to get any answers. Cassie felt certain it wasn't over with yet.

"Cassie? Where were you, I've been worried," Andros' voice interrupted Cassie's thoughts. Cassie looked towards the entrance of the Mess Hall and watched as Andros slowly approached her. "Are you all right?"

Cassie gave him a tired smile. "I'm fine," she replied. She sighed. "Astronema attacked me today, at my mother's house."

Andros' expression told Cassie that somehow, she didn't surprise him. "Are you all right? Is your mother all right?" He asked.

Cassie frowned. "My mother? How did you know?"

Andros heaved a heavy sigh and took a seat across from her. "When I was in the other dimension, the other Cassie gave me a message to relay to you." He shook his head. "I can't believe I forgot about it until now." Cassie raised her eyebrows in silent question and waited for Andros to go on. "She told me to tell you to watch out for your mother."

"So my mom mom might be in danger too?"

Andros shrugged. "She might be--not everything that happened in the other dimension'll happen here. At least I hope not."

"Did she say how? Or what?"

Andros shook his head. "I--it was the last thing I talked with her about since. . ." Andros trailed off and Cassie understood immediately. She didn't press on.

Instead, she looked down at her hands, which were now clasped together on the table. "So. . .how did the movies go with Ashley?"

Cassie expected to be met with disappointment--at least for her. Instead, she was slightly relieved. "It was okay."

"Okay? Okay as in 'Love to do this again', or okay as in 'Uh, maybe some other time'."

"It was okay as in 'maybe some other time'," Andros replied with a small smile. "It didn't go as well as I'm sure Ashley planned. Are you going to check on your mother again?" Cassie nodded. "I'd love to come with you--since I broke my promise the last time. I also want to make sure you'll be safe." Cassie looked away for a moment and opened her mouth to speak--then she closed it. Andros frowned. "Is something wrong, Cassie?"

Since you brought it up. . ."Andros, I've always wanted to know something." When Andros nodded, Cassie went on, "Since you came back, we've talked like we never did, and you always talk about wanting to get to know me." Here goes. "Is it because of the other Cassie, the one in the other dimension?"

Andros looked slightly confused. "What do you mean?"

Cassie got up from her seat. "Lately, when we talk, you always bring up the other Cassie. We never really talked. I think. . .you're basing me on someone you talked with somewhere else. She isn't me, Andros--and I'm not her."

"No, you're not," Andros replied quietly.

I can't believe this. I didn't want to be right. Cassie heaved a sigh. "You know, since we met. . .I've always tried to get to know you. You've always been busy with Ashley or vise-versa. The point is, I've always seen you, Andros--I don't know if you see me. Sometimes, I think you only see the Pink Ranger." Andros opened his mouth to speak, but Cassie cut him off. I can't deal with this right now. "Look, I'm tired. I'm going to get some rest, all right? I'll see you later." Cassie didn't even wait for Andros' response. As she walked away, she heard Andros say something softly, but she couldn't comprehend what he said. See when you have to be curious and get your hopes up. He's not interested in getting to know you--just someone who happens to look and act like you.

***

"No, you're not," Andros replied. The he immediately regretted how he sounded. Great choice of words, Andros. He opened his mouth to re-word what he said, but before he could speak Cassie had forged on.

"I can't believe this," Cassie said, and Andros could see that she was slightly crushed. He listened as Cassie talked about how she could see Andros and had always wanted to get to know him, but he never opened up to her. Had I wanted to get to know Cassie because I liked the other Cassie? Andros had to answer no. He could always see the difference between the two young women. Knowing the other-dimension Cassie only made him want to know his Cassie.

My Cassie. . . Andros scoffed inwardly at himself. With the way things were going, he didn't think he'd have a chance at even talking to her for awhile. I've gotta prove to her. . .that I actually do see her, because I do. Andros got up from his seat and started to head back to his quarters. Suddenly, a thought came to him. That's it! Andros walked past his quarters and headed towards T.J.'s. Andros entered the room and shook his arm. "T.J.--I've got a question."

***

"Why isn't this working? I thought you said this gave me the ability to change appearance! I was barely able to hold it for even a minute!" Astronema said frustratedly to Ecliptor.

"It takes up energy, my princess," Ecliptor replied. "You took up too much energy too quickly."

Astronema groaned. "What good is this power if I can barely use it! It's pathetic" She looked at the screen in front of her, which showed a picture of Earth. It's not over yet, Pink Ranger. It's far from over.

To be continued. . .