Chapter Six: Uncertainty

Ashley hummed as she cut back another branch of the rose bush. Kim had given her many ideas about how to help the roses along, but had insisted with a strange smile that they needed love most of all.  Ashley had asked her what she meant and Kim shook her head.

"...You mean he didn't tell you about the roses?"

"Who? Andros?"

"Yes." Kim walked over and touched a thorn. "You have heard of Natalie, I suppose?"

"I have met the... lady." Ashley kept her voice calm.

"This garden was given to her by Andros, but her love proved unfaithful, and he left them to die when she left him."

"Oh." Ashley's voice was small. "I had no idea."

"That is why I was amazed he allowed you to try to bring them back to life, although perhaps he has finally forgotten all about her and her evil ways..."

Ashley shook her head and sat back from the roses, thinking about that earlier conversation. Why had Andros allowed her to try and bring them back to life? It made no sense, usually he refused to be reminded of Natalie, and this must have been a terrible reminder to him. Unless Kim was right and he had put it all behind him.

"Giving up?"

She looked up to see Andros standing over her. "Of course not. I'm just resting."

"Good." He held out a hand and helped her to stand. "Then perhaps I have caught you at a good time."

"Oh?"

"Would you care to walk to the beach? It's a lovely day."

"Pleasantries Andros?"

"There are some things I need to speak to you about which may concern our guests."

Ashley wondered for a moment why her heart lurched when he said "our guests". Shaking herself mentally she nodded. "Then lead the way."

*          *          *          *          *

Zhane watched the couple walk away from the gardens and the castle with a frown. Andros had better not tell her about the Valentines, which would spoil all the fun.

"Zhane?" A soft voice asked from the doorway.

Zhane swung around. "Tori."

"I ah, do you have a moment?"

"Of course." He smiled at the vision before him. When he had told her she was lovelier than he had last saw her he was telling the truth. Her green eyes glowed like small gems, and her hair was an amazing yellow gold. She was beautiful, and he couldn't figure out how he had never noticed it until now.

"Good." She walked into the room. "I was hoping you could help me with my valentine. I seem to be horrendous when it comes to writing."

"Help you? But that would require you to tell me who your valentine is."

"No, not really. I could only give you characteristics of him and you could help me out."

Zhane thought for a moment. True, the only two names he manipulated were Andros and Ashley's, so he had no clue who anyone else picked.

There would be no harm in helping her, especially if it meant spending more time with the sweet young woman in front of him.

"Deal. Why don't you start by telling me about this person."

"Well, he's quite handsome, and rather witty. I know him to be an extremely intelligent man." She smiled.

Zhane stood up straighter. What compliments he was receiving!

*          *          *          *          *

As they walked in silence, Andros worried about how to break the news to Ashley. As they neared the cliffs, he resigned himself to tell her.

He was sure she wouldn't like to hear it, but he knew he had to let her know, for her own well being.

When Zhane had come to him the night before, Andros knew something was wrong. He had been drinking, something he rarely did, and although not quite drunk, he was certainly loose-tongued. The things that Zhane had confided to him last night were perhaps not shocking, but surprising nonetheless.

Now, he knew more than he would like to, and was afraid he was about to break Ashley's heart. He couldn't let her find out on her own, that was for sure.

"Ashley..."

"Yes?" She stopped walking, surprised at the sound of his voice.

Andros pointed over to a flat patch of moss on the cliff overlooking the sea. "Shall we?"

Ashley sat down on the dark green moss, smoothing her jeans out and looking over the ocean. She sighed. "I truly envy you the years you have had, able to gaze out over the sea whenever you wish."

Andros sat down beside her, stunned slightly. "You may visit the sea whenever you wish Ashley."

Ashley laughed slightly. "I know, but it is not *my* sea."

He was at a loss for words, and just nodded.

"But you did not ask to talk to be about the sea, did you?"

"No. I did not." He took a deep breath. "Ashley, what do you think about Zhane?"

"Zhane?" She asked, surprised. "Why, he is a great friend, I love him dearly."

"You love him?" Andros couldn't believe what he was hearing. Something inside him was nearly screaming, wrenching at his stomach.

"Of course. He's a wonderful friend."

"Then I don't know how to say this Ashley, but..." He faltered. How could he do that to her? How could he break her heart? "I'm sorry."

"Andros, there have been many times you made no sense to me, but you are really pushing it here. What the hell are you talking about? I'm surprised, to say the least, that you walk with me all the way out here to ask what I think about Zhane. You should *know* what I think about him! You are his best friend, after all." She turned to him, her eyes brewing like the sea below. "What is going on, Andros?"

All he could do was stare at her. At her eyes. Their colors swirled together to create such an amazing brilliance that he couldn't think straight.

Perhaps it was her eyes, or perhaps the roaring of the sea, or perhaps the way her lips slightly parted as she gazed at him in confusion.  Whatever the reason, he suddenly found himself wanting to take her in his arms and kiss away any thought she had of his friend. He found himself leaning towards her when her voice softly questioned.

"Andros? What's wrong?"

As if awakening from a dream he looked up. "What?"

"You looked as if you were in another world there for a second."

"Perhaps I was." He smiled slightly.

"Well perhaps you could come back to this world for a moment and tell me what you brought me here to tell me."

"Perhaps I shouldn't."

"Well why not?" She nearly screamed.

"Because you love him."

"What?" Confusion washed over her.

Andros stood up abruptly. "Because he's in love with Tori." Before she could say anything he stalked away, leaving Ashley alone and bemused.

"Oh you ridiculous man." She smiled. "I knew that. Did you think it would break my heart?" A strange warmth began to fill her. Perhaps there was more to Andros than she though. She smiled.

Then a dark thought crossed her mind.

"Or perhaps it has already broken yours."

She turned back to look at the sea. Was Andros in love with Tori then as well?