Disclaimer: See Chapter One. Here it is. The long awaited epilogue I promised. I'm sorry it's taken so long, but I came down sick with the flu really bad and didn't touch this for two weeks. Please, enjoy and kindly leave a review. I love reviews. But don't worry, this won't be my last Andros and Zhane friendship fic. Mouse, March 2004.


Beginnings: Epilogue

by Angel Mouse

After Countdown to Destruction

It was late at night. The Mega Ship was on it's way to Earth after KO35 had been resettled and their people finally back home. Andros smiled; everything was finally as it should be in his life. He glanced down at the dozing form of Ashley in his arms and his smile widened. For the first time in his life, he was content, happy and totally at peace with himself.

He looked over to see Zhane smiling back at him, Karone snuggled in his arms as well, dozing lightly. It had certainly been an emotional day for them all today, but especially for these two women in their arms. They four of them had come up to the observatory to watch the stars go by, snuggling up on the floor on sleeping bags and cushions. The two girls had settled into their boyfriend's embraces without thought, but they weren't complaining. Zhane caught Andros's eye and smiled.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Just remembering actually, those heady days after you woke up and came back into my life." Zhane grinned slightly.

"They were busy, weren't they?" Andros nodded.

"I was just remembering everything that had happened before you left to stay with our people. I never understood why you did that Zhane?" Zhane sighed softly, so as not to disturb Karone.

"I'd just had that abortive date with Karone, I was confused about where I fit in with you and the other rangers and I was trying to sort through everything. It just seemed at the time what I needed to do. You weren't alone any more, so I felt okay about leaving for a little while."

"I missed you, you know."

"I know. I was feeling the same. And I wasn't gone that long."

"I know, but it still felt too long. I had only just gotten you back. A lot had happened." Zhane gave a tiny laugh.

"Yes, it had." Andros reached out with his mind and linked it together with Zhane's. He wanted to show his friend just exactly how important Zhane was to him. Zhane's mind opened up as well, sharing with Andros his own feelings and thoughts from that turbulent time in their lives when they were finally reunited.


Andros walked in front of the other rangers, unable to contain the grin on his face. He slowed down as they neared the bridge, hearing Zhane's voice.

"And then the monster grabbed me up, so I called my silver cycle and lifted up…." Andros grinned, knowing the exact spot to break in to the conversation. Zhane's presence back in his mind was enough to make him jump for joy.

"As I recall, I was the one who lifted him up." Zhane grinned at Alpha; almost knowing what he would find when he turned around.

"I'll have to finish this story later." Zhane turned around, grinning widely at Andros.

"Andros!" Andros walked forward, the smile of his face threatening to split it in two.

"Zhane! It's so good to see you." They embraced a myriad of emotions going through their minds as all of a sudden they were reunited. Zhane was confused though, and concerned, as Andros seemed to be really upset over something. And who were these new guys?

Things were moving too fast for Zhane. They released and Zhane looked at Andros, concern on his face. Waking up in the cyro chamber had been a bit of a shock. Then finding monsters on the Mega ship had been bit more of a shock, and then finding Andros with four other Power Rangers fighting a bigger monster outside had been the biggest shock of all. Time for some answers from his reticent best friend.

"What happened to me? The last thing I remember is KO35 was being attacked." Andros put his hand on Zhane's shoulder, lending support. His voice was soft but strong when he spoke.

"You've been in hypersleep for two years."

"Two years?" Zhane reeled back emotionally and if it weren't for Andros's mental and physical support, he would have fallen over.

"I'll explain it all later. First, I'd like you to meet my friends." Zhane smiled here mildly surprised. Andros was calling someone beside himself a friend. The tall black man at the back grinned.

"I'm T.J." Obviously the blue ranger, they always had a competent air about them. The young man next to him grinned.

"Carlos." Black Ranger, defiantly black ranger Zhane thought. Black rangers were usually the most friendly and outgoing people. The young woman in pink smiled warmly at him.

"Hey, I'm Cassie." And then she stepped forward and Zhane could feel Andros's heart speed up. Obviously his friend was smitten big time by this lovely girl before him in the yellow top.

"I'm Ashley." Zhane decided to tease Andros slightly as Ashley held out her hand.

"That's called a handshake, it's a greeting." Zhane glanced sideways at Andros.

"I know. I've just never met a female power ranger before." Ashley blushed and stepped back. Zhane turned to Andros, confusion all over his face.

"Two years?" Andros clapped him on the shoulder and smiled gently at him.

"Come on, I have a million things to tell you." Laughing the two of them walked out of the bridge, heading towards their quarters.

Zhane was sitting on the floor, legs pulled up to his chest, staring out the window of his room, the lights completely out. His mind was reeling with the impact of everything Andros had told him. KO35 was being abandoned just over two years ago. Andros searching the galaxy by himself up until a few months ago; looking for Zordon, Karone and their people. And now he had new Power Rangers travelling with him. He had woken up to a universe that was upside down and inside out for him.

And he wasn't sure if he could cope with it. But there was one thing that hadn't changed, and that was his friendship with Andros. Even now, he could his friend approaching his room, concern for his well being radiating off him in waves. Zhane gave a tiny smile; he supposed if their positions were reversed, he'd be doing the same.

Doors open Andros. The door opened and Andros walked in, glancing around and finally seeing Zhane sitting in the corner in the dark. He walked over and joined him on the floor, the door closing silently behind him.

And just why are we sitting on a cold, hard, metal floor when there's a nice soft bunk right there? Zhane flicked Andros a quick grin and then looked back out at the stars, the smile fading. Andros matched his position and they sat there, in silence for a long time. Often past times had found them sitting like this, watching the stars. Words sometimes weren't needed between them. But tonight, there was something between them and Andros aimed to find out what it was.

I know what you're thinking Andros. And I'm doing okay.

That's utter nonsense and you know it. You've always been good at hiding your feelings and what you're thinking Zhane, but not from me. Not today, now I've finally got you back. Zhane just sighed; knowing Andros wasn't going to let up until he started talking. And to be honest, right now Zhane needed Andros to be with him. Zhane blinked a few times and pushed back the tears that were threatening to come out.

"Two years…" he muttered. The whole concept was alien, foreign and more than a little frightening. "You've been alone for two years. I'm really sorry that I had to do that to you." Andros shook his head, a tiny smile on his face.

"Only you could apologise for saving my life." Zhane turned slightly, his troubled blue eyes meeting Andros's concerned brown ones.

"But I left you alone for two years." Zhane blinked once and Andros saw straight into Zhane's soul, something his friend let happen very rarely. "I can't forgive myself for that Andros. I promised I'd be at your side forever. And I left you alone." Andros reached over and gently wiped away a tear that had formed at the corner of Zhane's eye and smiled at him. He leaned forward until their foreheads were touching.

"Zhane, I was never alone. I knew you were with me in my heart. You just needed some time to heal, which is all I could do for you. I knew you wouldn't leave me, and I had hope that one day you would wake up and we'd be together again, like always." Zhane blinked a few times and then he managed a small smile.

"Together." They separated a moment, and Zhane lay his head on Andros's shoulder. "You know, I dreamt while I was in there."

"Really? About what?"

"The future. We'd defeated Dark Spectre and all his cronies. We'd found Karone and you were reunited with your sister and family. KO35 was finally free of being attacked and everyone was happy."

"What about you?" Here Zhane frowned, continuing after a few moments.

"I just found myself watching you from afar. Seeing how happy you were with Karone and your family around you. And I felt complete in someway as well." Andros gently wrapped his arm around Zhane.

"They are your family too you know."

"I know. But I never really felt like I belonged you know, they were your family. I was only there because I was your friend." Andros looked down at the tousled fair hair, frowning slightly. This was something that had never, ever come up between them before.

"Zhane? How come you felt that way? My parents did everything they could to make you feel a part of the family you know. You are my brother in all the ways that matter most. In our hearts, minds and souls we are brothers. More than brothers, best friends." Zhane mulled this over a moment before answering.

But sometimes, I couldn't help but wonder what my life would have been like if I hadn't have meet you. I'd just be one of those young hoodlums they conscript into the defence forces. I would have never become the Silver Ranger, and I would never have gotten to know you. I have no regrets Andros, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change a minute of the past few years. Silence fell in Andros's mind for a moment, and then Zhane's voice came back a little stronger and slightly more ironic than normal. Well, maybe I'd change one thing. They both gave a tiny laugh at his words. Andros leaned his head against Zhane's.

I've missed this, more than you know. I've missed being able to sit here and talk with you. There have been countless times over the past few years where I've done something or seen something and turned to tell you about it but you weren't there. I'm glad you back Zhane, more than you'll ever possibly know. Zhane didn't say anything but just reached up with his free hand and took Andros's in his, squeezing it tight.

I think I do Andros. And honestly, right now, if it wasn't for you being here beside me, I don't think I'd be coping very well. In fact, I don't think I would have liked waking up without you being nearby. Zhane's matter of fact tone stunned Andros. He knew that Zhane would have trouble adjusting, but he didn't realise how much trouble. Andros shifted his position slightly so he could look Zhane in the eye.

"Zhane. No matter what, I'm here for you. I'll always be here. You can count on that." Andros reached over and lay his hand against Zhane's chest. "Zhane, I'll always be in here to. Nothing will ever, ever change that." Zhane's eyes held Andros's for a long moment, the pain and confusion he was feeling showing clearly in those eyes and finally, they began to tear.

"Andros." And with that, Zhane began to sob. Andros gathered him gently in his arms, cradling his friend as he leant against him. Andros laid his head against Zhane's blond hair and whispered soothing words.

"It's okay Zhane. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."

Days later, things were much different. Andros and Zhane had come near to wrecking their friendship - over Ashley of all things - but it had gotten sorted out as a misunderstanding from Andros's part. It had been quite amusing in the end to watch Andros apologise for something that had stuck him completely out of the blue. Seeing Andros jealous had actually been worth the accusation from him earlier that particular day Zhane had ended up thinking.

His friend had certainly matured more and was more outgoing now, something he would never have believed before then. Zhane had been quite startled over the depth of his best friends feeling for the yellow ranger, but it was good in a way. Andros would have someone just in case anything happened to him on the most foolhardy thing he was about to try.

Alpha and DECA had tried to stop him, but he couldn't just sit idly by and watch Andros and the other Rangers get the so-called living daylights beaten out of them because of the mantis monster. He had to do something to restore his powers. And as he said to Alpha, what good was the Silver Ranger if he couldn't morph!

DECA had teleported him to a remote desert location and he looked around, trying to see the best spot to get hit by lightening. That's right, he was going to go and get deliberately hit by lightening to restore his powers fully. It was the only thing that would work aside from getting a direct energy boost from a morphing master and they were pretty short on the ground these days.

So, here he was, at the base of a fairly high and impressive cliff, staring at it. Taking a deep breath, steadying his nerves, he began to climb. Wind and rain lashed at him as he began the arduous task of climbing the sheer cliff. Lightening crashed all around him as if the elements themselves where against him. Sheer will power and the knowledge that Andros and the others were counting on him was all that kept him going.

He was about three-quarters of the way up when suddenly he slipped, giving a yell and suddenly hanging on by one hand. Swinging himself around he grabbed on with his second hand and breathed a sigh of relief. Grinning maniacally at how close he had come to killing himself, he began to climb back up.

Finally, after a massive effort, he reached the top of the small mountain. Breathing deeply, he stood there, watching the sky a moment. The air felt electric and thick, his skin tingled at the massive amount of charge there was in the higher atmosphere. Taking out his digi-morpher he opened it up and held it up to the sky. Holding his breath, he waited for just a moment and then suddenly, lightening hit him.

Andros stared in shock at Zhane. He couldn't believe what Zhane had just shared with him. He knew that Zhane had gotten his powers re-energised somehow, but to do that!

"You didn't tell me this!" Zhane just shrugged gently, careful not to disturb Karone.

"You didn't need to know Andros. I got my powers back, that's all that was important."

"But you could have been killed!" Zhane gave him a grin.

"I'm too lucky to be killed Andros, you should know that by now." Andros stared at him a moment and then laughed softly. He could never stay angry with Zhane. Shaking his head he looked at Zhane with a tiny, wry smile.

"Just never do it again Zhane, I was never as scared for you as I was that day." Zhane grinned at him, his eyes unrepentant.

"Don't worry, I won't." Laughing softly together, they continued reminiscing.

Andros and Ashley sat in the park, trying to figure out why the Psycho rangers were attacking innocent people. They had just returned to the Mega Ship after coming up with nothing when suddenly Andros got a flash of pain from Zhane and then nothing.

Excusing himself from Ashley for a moment, he quickly went back down to Earth, trying to concentrate and find Zhane. He knew his friend was on the planet somewhere, helping them search for the Psycho's but he wasn't sure where. But it was to no avail; he couldn't reach his friend. He was walking through the park, on his way back to the secluded area he used to teleport down to, when he heard the sound of his communicator.

Once again though, it was one of those mini computers. And then suddenly he realised what the psycho's had been hunting. A quick trip to a nearby electronic store and he had what he was after. He returned to the Mega Ship about twenty minutes after he'd left Ashley and walked onto the bridge, his stride determined now he knew what was going on.

"This is how the psycho rangers are tracking us, this." He opened the small computer and it beeped, exactly like their communicators. "We have to stay off our communicators." They all nodded and Cassie raised her hand.

"I'll tell Zhane…" and then she hesitated, putting it down as she realised what she was about to do. TJ suddenly frowned.

"Oh no."

"What?" Andros's stomach suddenly went cold. He didn't like the sound of this.

"I called Zhane a few minutes ago. He was in the Angel Grove mall, looking for the psychos." Andros's stomach completely froze now and he felt like his heart would stop.

"Come on!" TJ followed him off the bridge and minutes later found them in Angel Grove mall, searching for Zhane. TJ suddenly spotted something and they rushed over to a secluded corner. Frowning Andros knelt down, picking up the scanner Zhane had been using. He slammed it against his palm and the worry intensified. Now he knew why he couldn't reach Zhane, and what his friend had been trying to tell him earlier.

They rushed back into the bridge; Andros's words were terse and clipped. Worry was racing through him like nothing else. He couldn't loose Zhane again; he wouldn't allow that to happen.

"They've got Zhane." Andros's mind was frantically searching for any trace of his friend, while his fellow rangers began to scan for his power signature. After a few tense moments Cassie turned around, a smile on her face.

"Found him. He's here." Cassie managed to get a picture on the view screen and Andros's heart went out to his best friend. Zhane was tied up to chair, in a dark and dingy room and he looked like he was knocked out. No wonder he couldn't reach him with his mind. Fury and anger went through Andros; no one hurt his friend and got away with it.

The psycho Rangers had done the one thing he couldn't stand - hurt Zhane. They raced quickly down to where the old Angel Grove library was where Zhane was being held. But something stopped them, some sort of forcefield. The psycho's were prepared for them to attempt a rescue. Andros cursed fluently in his mind in various languages. He had to get to Zhane! Moments later though, a plan came to him.

A little while later Andros managed to raise his head, pain flaring through his body from the deadly attack from the psycho rangers. Their diversion plan hadn't worked as well as they had hoped and the psycho's had caught them attempting to rescue Zhane. The battle had been long, fierce and very deadly. Suddenly, gentle hands helped him to sit up and he opened his eyes, blinking a few times to bring them into focus. Kneeling before him was Zhane, concern and worry in his eyes. Andros didn't even try to figure out how he got there.

Are you all right? You look terrible. Andros managed to push himself upright and clung to Zhane to keep himself from falling over. Trust Zhane to ask about him first.

I feel terrible. Are you okay? We were coming to rescue you. Zhane gave him a wry smile and glanced around at his fellow Rangers.

I'm fine, I rescued myself. You all look like you could use a week in medical. Zhane gently helped him to his feet and steadied him. He glanced around at the other Rangers, helping themselves to stand. Suddenly he grinned at them all, unable to resist.

"Good thing I rescued myself isn't it." A few half-hearted smiles and the tired grin from Andros made it all worth it. Zhane slung his arm around Andros and held him up.

Thank you Andros. I do appreciate it. Andros just nodded, knowing that his friend was now safe and sound making the beating he'd taken totally worth it.

Zhane looked at him, startled by the intense emotion the memory brought.

"Were you really thinking that?" Andros nodded.

"Yes. I'd not long gotten you back again, and here they were attacking you. I really wanted to kill them for that." Zhane looked at him, staring into his eyes. Once more, Andros could see the depth of his friend's soul and Zhane smiled gently.

"Thank you. That means a lot." Andros just nodded.

"I know you'd do the same for me. In fact have done the same for me. It's part of who we are Zhane, what we are. We are best friends. We will always be there for one another."

"Always and forever Andros. When we swore to work as a team, we swore forever." Andros reached out with one hand, Zhane doing the same and they clasped them together. Through their link each other could feel the depth of their friendship and love for one another. In unison, grinning at each other, they spoke.

"We'll fight as a team forever."

And it must be said in passing, that they did.

The End.