Chapter 1 Twelve Years

She reluctantly went back to the same cell where she had been for the past twelve years. Another committee meeting and same verdict, she was to remain in the custody of the state of California. No matter what she did, or how she acted, nothing ever changed. Even her counselors had bought her act of remorse and thought her to be rehabilitated, but the committee never gave her parole from the dismal sentence.

She sat down on her thin bed as the warden locked up her cell. She picked up a piece of chalk and marked down another year gone by on her wall with another slash mark.

"Twelve years." She marveled to herself as she gazed upon the small 8 by 8 cell that had become her home. It was completely bare, no one mailed her anything, and she had no contact with the outside world. The starkness of the cell suddenly bothered her and she wondered how many years she would have to endure here.

"And for what?" her mind cried out in protest to her imprisonment. "I don't think I can stand another year in this joint, only to be turned down for parole again." Anger filled her as the hopelessness of her situation crept upon her. "Haven't I paid enough? How can they do this to me?" She clenched her fists as she paced her small cell.

"Lights out Ladies!" The warden bellowed as she shut out the lights in the corridor, leaving her in complete silence. Lying down on her bed, she began to calm as a plan began to form in her head, a smile coming over her for the first time that day.

She had heard of one prisoner who had simply crawled underneath the fence of the southern part of the courtyard. She left and was never heard of again. She didn't know if she had died, but she only dwelt on the fact that she had escaped. Nothing else mattered. The freedom she once took for granted, she was determined to get back. She didn't once consider that she deserved her punishment, she simply didn't believe she had committed any crimes.

The first five years in prison she had tried in vain to find a lawyer to appeal her case to the court. But no lawyer would accept her case, calling it a lost cause.

The last one said, "There is simply too much evidence for the prosecution. There is no way I could possibly sway a jury to think otherwise. I'm sorry." After that, she could not even convince a lawyer to visit her in prison.

"If I am really going to do this, it's got to be soon." She decided as she headed with the other inmates to the dining hall. The prison's security was more relaxed on the weekends, and even another week locked up would be too much. Her gaze was everywhere, looking for any means of escape possible. Refusing to accept her court appointed destiny, hope surged through her as she dreamed about getting out. No body notices when she doesn't show up for recreation time, as she had claimed she had laundry to catch up on. She had traded with Annette in the next cell, who knew of her plan only out of necessity. She had to stall security incase they got too nosy, leaving Shelley enough time to escape on the laundry truck.

Ashley clocks out at noon to meet her brother at the café down the street for their weekly lunch meeting. Both their lives are so hectic, but they are determined to still make time for each other. She grabs her purse as she waves to her boss Marissa and closes the door to Nonchalance behind her.

Ashley breathes in the warm spring air as she walks along the crowded sidewalk. Many people are out shopping on their lunch hour, and Ashley smiles at the scene. She got the job working at Nonchalance from her fashion professor, and hoped to open her own boutique someday. After she settled down with Andros she thought, a wide grin coming over her face, hoping he might propose soon.

They had been dating for three years now, and Ashley was looking forward to joining the group of other married rangers. She thought about Kim and Tommy, and Kat and Adam, and how happy they all were. Logically, she believed her and Andros were the next couple to be wed, but logic flies out the window when you're in love with an alien.

"Hey Ash! You must be having a good day." Her brother observed as he caught up to her at the door of the café that Kat had opened last fall, conveniently located right down the street from the Dojo.

Ashley blushed as she realized her thoughts must have been transparent on her face. "Not too bad Jeff, and you?" she asked in return as the duo got settled into their favorite booth in the café. Kat was right over with their drinks, a lemonade and root beer, which they always ordered.

" I'm doing well. So how's Andros?" Jeff questioned, opening up the conversation as they waited for their food.

Ashley was about to reply when her brother cut her off and commented, "Wait. Never mind, I only have an hour for lunch." He kidded with her as Ashley shot him her not amused look, before giving into laughter herself.

"He's fine." Ashley replied as the thoughtful smile returned to her face.

"You were thinking about him when I saw you weren't you?" He commented suddenly. Ashley's face turned a light pink in admission. "Has he asked you to marry him yet?" Jeff inquired seriously.

"No." Ashley whispered softly, as she looked anywhere but at her brother.

"What's he waiting for?" Her brother commented in disbelief. "Are you sure he's worth waiting for himself?" Jeff asked in brotherly concern, grabbing her hand and forcing her to look at him.

Staring down her brother, she replied, "Yes, Jeff. I would wait forever for Andros. I know we're meant to be together, I can't imagine a life without him anymore." She confessed. He was surprised by her admission, Ashley had dated several people before Andros, even Carlos, but he was her first serious boyfriend. He didn't want her to have to settle for the first boy she fell in love with.

"I just don't want him to hurt you Ash." Jeff declared. "What if he's never ready to settle down?" His question caused Ashley a few moments of reflection, during which the two finished their meals.

"I don't get that sense from him that he won't settle down. We're both young, and he's given me no indication that we won't get married." She stated. Jeff was about to interject, but she continued. "But if he didn't want to settle down, then there's nothing I can do, right? I mean it's not my fault if he doesn't want to get married." She said, the thought of not being with Andros leaving a bitter taste in her mouth, as her appetite waned and she pushed her plate away.

He sighed a breath of relief. "You're right Ash. I know you're both young, I just want the best for you." Jeff said, glad that she had at least heard what he had to say and was considering it. Ashley had really grown up in the last few years. As reluctant as he was to admit it, he knew her relationship with Andros had caused a lot of the changes in her.

Before they knew it, it was ten to one, so Jeff picked up the check and walked Ashley outside where they parted ways.

"When are you going to hook me up with that gorgeous brother of yours Ash?" Kari called from across the vacant store, as the two cleaned up before locking up for the night.

"In your dreams Kar. I mean he makes fun of me for being in love, and yet he's in love and doesn't know it!" The tall brunette retorted back to her friend. "Honestly, I think he would be better off trying to fix his own love life than mine." Ashley decided as she finished clearing out the dressing rooms.

"What's wrong with your love life?" Kari demanded of her co-worker. "He takes you out, he sends you flowers, and of course always gives you his undivided attention."

"I know." Ashley sighed contently. "Jeff just thinks Andros should have asked me to marry him by now." She finished.

"You're what? 20 years old. I don't think you should be worried about that yet. I mean many people never get married, it's very in vogue right now." Kari advised her seriously as she finished the display in the front window. Peering out, she recognized the subject of their conversation and began to make her exit.

"Speaking of your love life, here he comes now." Kari announced as Ashley reappeared from the back. "I'll see you tomorrow Ash." She waved goodbye as she stole out the back door. Ashley giggled to herself as Andros knocked on the front door.

"What's so funny?" Andros demanded as Ashley opened the door, a wide grin on her face. "Nothing." She replied as she wrapped her arms around his neck to give him a big hug. He returned the hug gladly and even surprised her with a long, gentle kiss.

"You ready to go then?" she nodded and turned out the lights, and the pair left the store. "I thought we could walk the streets for a bit before dinner. I don't have reservations until 7pm." Andros informed her as they strode hand in hand away from the boutique.

"Reservations huh?" She teased, in reference to their many low-key dates. While Ashley never complained about eating at the Surf Spot or going on dates with their friends, she always enjoyed his company, especially when they had the chance to be alone together.

"Yeah, I thought it would be fun." He said casually, glad that she was happy to be going to dinner with him.

They were content to walk in silence as they enjoyed each other's company. Andros' thoughts were focused on Ashley, while hers were focused on the store signs that they passed. She didn't know if it was coincidence but hadn't they just passed the florist, the bakery, and a jewelry store? Her thoughts quickly turned back to the conversation she had with her brother at lunch.

Across the street another woman is enjoying the fresh air for a different reason. "I can't believe it was that easy. I should have tried to escape twelve years ago, instead of waiting for the incompetent judicial system to do it for me." She complained as she climed out of the laundry cart she had been traveling in since that morning. Stretching her legs, she ditched her assigned jumpsuit for a simple sweatsuit she had managed to dig out from another load. Cracking the door a little at a time, she peeked out, and the first time had an unobstructed view of the world. Hopping down she gently shut the doors and walked away from the truck as unobtrusively as possible. But with the traffic buzzing around her, no one noticed.

"This place sure has changed in twelve years." She thought to herself as she attempted to stroll down the streets casually. She couldn't believe her plan had actually worked. And now she was enjoying the freedom, she was denied for so long. Anger again filled her as she considered the circumstances of her incarceration. "How could they believe those kids?" "If only I could see them again, I'd make them pay." Forcing the scowl off her face, Shelley continued down the street, walking with a marked purpose.

"They will pay. I'll make sure of it." She promised herself. There was no way in hell she would go back to prison. But her bitterness and anger precluded her from simply walking way. Freedom wasn't enough. It was time for revenge. She didn't notice that one of the two people she longed to have vengeance against was a mere few hundred feet away. She blended into the shopping crowd as she started to plot her next move.

She had no features that would make her stand out in a crowd. She was once considered pretty, but the years in prison had only accelerated the aging process until her beauty had all but faded. She had once been bitter because of it, but now it served to her advantage. No one would take a double glance at her. If only she could keep her nerves calm, and stop glancing over her shoulder she'd be okay.

"Andros, could we go to the park instead?" She asked suddenly, causing him to turn to her in concern.

"Whatever you want Ash." he said as they stopped walking, and he tried to read her facial expressions. "I thought you loved to shop." He teased gently, trying to break the sober mood that had suddenly descended on them.

"I do. But when you work here all day, it sort of loses its excitement." She replied with a small smile. He didn't pretend to understand nor did he catch on to her nervousness, but agreed to go to the park anyways. He held his comments, thinking maybe she was just tired, wondering where his usually bubbly girlfriend had gone.

"Are you okay Ash?" Andros asked her in concern. "You seem a bit distracted tonight." He observed as the two walked hand in hand in the park. Usually Ashley loved the park, and being with Andros, but tonight she could find no satisfaction. Her conversation with her brother at lunch ran through her mind, and no matter how hard she tried, she could not banish it from her thoughts.

"Actually, I'm a bit tired. Do you mind if we go home early?" She replied hopefully.

Andros looked at his girlfriend. There was something going on there, he knew for certain, but this time he was going to press her on it.

"I don't mind Ash." He said and the pair headed back to Ashley's apartment where he bid her goodnight. He was about to walk away, but he decided he had to say something. "You know you can talk to me about anything right?" He asked his girlfriend.

"I know Andros. Can we talk tomorrow? I'm really tired." She answered softly. She looked up at him expectantly and he knew it could wait till tomorrow. "Yeah, goodnight Ash." He said as he gave her a tight squeeze and a kiss goodnight.

Ashley shut the door and locked it. Sitting on her couch, she watched out the window as Andros disappeared down the street. She was going to kill Jeff for putting doubts in her head about her and Andros. They had been together for three years. She knew he would never mislead her in anyway.

"I don't need a reason to be discontent." She mumbled to herself as she paced around her apartment. Tired of that she finally decided it might be time to have a talk with Andros. She couldn't stand hiding anything from him, he was such a good listener, he might think her crazy but he always respected her feelings. Feeling more at peace, she did climb into bed with a calm heart.

But the peace didn't last long. Shortly after midnight, Ashley woke up frantically, sweaty and her heart racing. She tried to recall what her dream was, and after a few moments' concentration she remembered. She had a nightmare that Shelley had escaped from prison. She didn't know why she should think of that now, she had finally gotten over the nightmares two years ago when she had shared her experiences at the abuse meeting, and finally let her friends into her not so perfect world.

Clutching her blanket around her, Ashley stumbled out of bed and picked up the phone and dialed her brother.

"Hello." Came the clear deep voice of her older brother. Relived that she hadn't woken him up, she answered his greeting.

"Jeff, it's Ashley." Her tone of voice stilled any comments he might have made. "What's the matter?" he requested gently.

"I had the worst nightmare Jeff. I dreamt that Shelley had escaped from prison." Ashley rambled, her voice betraying the calm she was struggling to hold on to. She was clearly upset.

Jeff was shocked, this was the last thing he had expected to hear from her. Alarmed he responded, "I'll be right over." Before Ashley could even protest he had hung up the phone.

Ashley saw him coming down the walk and had the door open before he could even knock. He simply pulled his distraught sister into his arms, like he used to when they lived together.

"What made you think of Shelley?" Jeff wanted to know, as he led the brown haired girl to her couch.

"I don't know. I just had the strangest feeling that it was true." Ashley commented, still a bit shocked herself.

"Well what were you doing tonight?" He asked, trying to figure out some rational reason for this nightmare.

"I was out with Andros. But we left early because of our conversation this afternoon. I couldn't concentrate at all." She said, trying to make him feel a bit guilty.

But Jeff wasn't biting. "I'm sorry if I said things you didn't want to hear Ash, but that's what brothers are for. I'm here to protect you. Always. That's my job." He said, attempting not to start another argument, especially when there was another issue involved.

"I'm not mad Jeff." Ashley admitted. "You just gave me a lot to think about, and I didn't have to time to process it before meeting Andros after work. When I got home, I decided to have a talk with him tomorrow about our future."

"Good for you." He encouraged her. "So there wasn't anything that triggered this feeling?" he said aloud, not as a question for her, but for him just trying to understand the situation.

"I feel silly for calling you Jeff. It just sort of freaked me out. I'm sure it won't happen again." She apologized.

"None the less, I'd feel safer if I stayed over tonight." Jeff decided, leaving no room for argument. He sent Ashley back to her room with a cup of tea and found himself a blanket and curled up on her couch.

"What's the matter Ash? You look like you saw a ghost." Carlos kidded her as he met her at the university coffee shop before heading off to the Western Civ class.

Ashley shook off her shock, deciding she must be seeing things, as she hasn't been sleeping well lately. "What? Did you say something Carlos?" She questioned her Hispanic friend as she took one last look over her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" He asked this time, concerned at her appearance. Her face was void of all color and it appeared as she might pass out.

"I'm okay Carlos. Let's just go to class." She said, pasting a smile on her face for his benefit. As they took their seats, Ashley wondered how she was going to get through this class.

"I'm going to drive myself crazy. I'm sure I'm only thinking I'm seeing Shelley because of that dream I had last night." Ashley said to reassure herself. "There's no way she could have escaped." Clinging to that belief, Ashley shook the incident from her mind and drove herself down to the boutique.

The afternoon flew by for Ashley as Fridays always did for her. Andros had to work late on Fridays, so she spent time after work in the dance studio. After the exhausting events of the day before, dancing would be just what she needed to get her mind off of things for a while.

But tonight for some reason as soon as she walked into the dance studio, she felt uneasy. The circumstances were no different than any other Friday. The studio was empty as usual, giving Ashley free reign over the facility. Her high school cheerleading coach had given her a key to use whenever she had a chance.

Shaking off her nerves, she turned on all the lights and put on her favorite cd. After a few minutes of warm ups, she threw herself into her routines, and the uneasy feelings simply faded away. A loud noise interrupted the dancer and she raced out the door to see what it was. Ashley screamed at the top of her lungs when she plowed into another person, only to discover it was only Andros.

"What are you doing here?" She shouted as she tried to get her heart to stop pounding. Leaning against the wall, she was waiting for his answer while she caught her breath.

Andros looked confused. Glancing at his watch, he replied, "It's eight o'clock Ash. I always come here at this time." He gazed at her in concern. Ashley was never this jumpy. Her calm determination had been one of her greatest attributes as a ranger; she was not given to react irrationally. "Are you okay? What are you doing outside?" he questioned, as he led her back inside the dance studio to collect her stuff and lock up.

"I heard a loud noise and then I saw someone looking in the window." She described as she zipped up her bag and slipped her yellow sweatshirt over her head.

"You saw a person?" Andros probed his girlfriend. Ashley nodded in confirmation. At first, he thought it was probably just a raccoon or something, but now he grew concerned for a minute, before rational thinking came back to him. He could never think rationally when Ashley was involved. He had dared to love her and to be loved back and he would be damned if something happened to her.

He drew her close to him to comfort her and himself as well. While he could not think of anyone who would want to scare her, he did not deem it impossible, after all as rangers they had made many enemies. Andros closed the dance studio door behind them and they headed towards his red jeep. "I'm sure it was nothing Ash." He said as he could think of no reason to be concerned.

Andros and Ashley grabbed a quick dinner before he dropped her off at her apartment. She gave him a hug and big kiss goodbye, promising tomorrow they would spend the whole day together. She sighed as he waited as he always did for her to get into her apartment. She knew he knew that she could take care of herself, but it was nice to know that he cared about her.

Reaching for the handle, she was shocked to find it loose. "Did I leave my door unlocked?" she wondered as she pushed it open and stepped inside. Ashley tried to recall the morning's events, but could not remember if she had locked it or not. The nightmares had her tossing and turning all night, and she had overslept her alarm. She had raced around in a hurry just to meet Carlos on time at the coffee shop. "I suppose it's possible, that I left it unlocked." She thought to herself. Shrugging, she firmly closed the door, and hurried off to bed.