By Angel Mouse
Looking out the window, Andros sighed softly, not really seeing the stars as they floated by. These past few months had been so hectic, so confusing, so busy and so full of upheaval that right at this moment he just wanted to be alone with his thoughts. And at the moment his thoughts didn't seem to want to settle down into any sort of a pattern. He leaned his head against the glass, the coldness of it not noticed by him. Everything had come to a head this past few days and he felt strangely alone in a ship that once more had people in it. Sighing, he turned around, putting his back against the wall and slid down to the floor, laying his head against his knees. The events of the last week had left him feeling drained and even more alone than he normally felt. Suddenly he decided that he didn't want to be on the ship any more, with the sympathetic looks, understanding words and whispers behind his back. He shot to his feet and made his way to the jump tubes.
"DECA, I'll be back."
"Where are you going Andros."
"Just out. I need a drink." And with that, he was gone.
The desert planet was far behind them, as the refugee ships made their way to a new home. A jungle planet he had been told, totally different from what they had just left. He had just smiled, said great, and retired to his quarters. Everything in the past two weeks had happened to fast for him to really accept and understand. So he'd done the only thing he could think of to get some time and space, and that was leave for a while. Zhane flopped down on his bunk, the frown on the face looking out of place. The last few days weighed heavily on his mind. Oh, it wasn't the abortive date with Astronema; it was the way things were between he and Andros. The misunderstanding over Ashley, the practical joke gone wrong. It was the culmination of many things and Zhane was trying to figure it all out. Sighing he suddenly decided he didn't want to be around people, he sprang to his feet and was soon on his way to the airlock. Kinwon stopped him on the way and Zhane just looked at him.
"I'll be back. I need a drink." And with that, he was gone.
The tavern on this backwater planet had seen many interesting things over the years. The tavern keeper knew how to keep his mouth shut and also how to keep the relative peace within his walls. He'd had seen all sorts in his establishment over the years, good and evil, and his place soon gained a reputation of providing privacy, good food and drink, and a neutral setting. He tolerated no funny business within his walls and it was respected. But even he was taken aback by his two latest customers. Two people he hadn't seen for years and hadn't honestly expected to see ever again.
The Red Ranger had come in, hood pulled up to hide his face, but as soon as he had spoken softly and ordered his drink, he knew who it was. He took the order himself, the other barkeeper staying away. He mixed the drink and handed it over with a small smile.
"Haven't seen you around in a while. I hear you've been keeping busy." He could have swore there was a ghost of a smile on the face as the red ranger looked up.
"You could say that." He noticed though that his eyes looked more haunted and tired than usual.
"You've been looking after yourself? I'd hate to think that the person who taught me how to mix those," he gestured to the mean looking red drink cradled in the Red Rangers hands, "wasn't watching his back. Time was that there wasn't a week that didn't go by when you or your partner were in here having one of these." He paused a moment. "But then after what happened, I wasn't surprised you hadn't come back in." The Red Ranger nodded, sipping his drink. After a moment the Red Ranger spoke again, surprising him. Normally, when they were in here, the Silver Ranger did all the talking for the two of them.
"It brought back too many memories. Too many memories of happier times if you know what I mean." He nodded in agreement, smiling slightly at the memories. He defiantly knew what the red ranger meant. Another figure walked through the door and he faltered. It couldn't be. He was dead, wasn't he? The Silver Ranger spotted the Red Ranger at the bar and couldn't help the smile on his face as he walked over. Now he knew why the Red Ranger had returned. The Silver Ranger had as well. The Silver Ranger stood next to the Red, grinning slightly at the barkeeper in greeting.
"I'll have the same thanks." He grinned and quickly poured another drink, handing it over to him.
"Good to see you up and about. We heard you were dead." This got a slight flinch from both of them and he wondered at what the story was. The Silver Ranger slid some coins over the bench as he took the drink.
"Not quite, but something similar. Thanks for the drink." He knew a tacit dismissal when he heard one and something just screamed out to him that there was a problem between these two. Nodding at them both, he moved away slightly. He watched as the Silver Ranger turned slightly to the Red Ranger, the hood of his cloak having not been put over his head to hide his features. The Red Ranger nodded and grabbing their drinks, they moved away to a corner table. For once he wished he was a fly on the wall, he would be greatly intrigued by what they were going to be talking about.
Andros looked across the table at Zhane, having pushed back the hood on his cloak to watch his friend better. A smile flickered across his face as he remembered all the times they had come here, and each and every time, Zhane had never taken pains to hide who he was or what he was. Andros preferred the background and shadows, staying away from attention. But they were both accorded respect and privacy when they wanted it here, something they had both come to appreciate over time.
"What are you thinking about?" The question surprised him somewhat and he looked up and then gave Zhane a tiny smile.
"The first time we came here. The reaction we got when they found out who we were." Zhane smiled back at him and laughed softly.
"Yeah, that was interesting wasn't it. I seem to remember the place was like a rogues gallery and then we walked in, and somehow they knew we were Rangers." Andros's smile mirrored Zhane's.
"And then you push back your hood, grin and say we just wanted a drink." The two of them laughed together softly in the shared memory, holding each other's gazes. The smiles faded and Zhane sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I'm sorry Andros." Andros looked up, surprise on his face.
"For what?" Zhane stared down at the mug in his hands for a long moment and then up at Andros.
"For everything really. For leaving. For that stupid joke I pulled. For leaving the first time, and now leaving you again." Andros just stared, Zhane's eyes were sad and full of pain, his words were deadly serious. Andros sighed softly and held Zhane's gaze with his own.
"Zhane, leaving the first time wasn't your fault. You saved my life at the risk of your own. You had to heal. I couldn't live with myself if I hadn't given you that chance. For that prank the other day, yes, that was stupid. But somehow, I think I understood why you did it. But leaving me again, that I don't understand. What's wrong? Why can't you tell me what's bothering you?" Zhane sighed and stared down at his drink.
"I'm not sure what's bothering me exactly Andros. It's a whole bunch of things I think." Andros sipped his drink, waiting for Zhane to continue. If there was one thing Andros knew about Zhane was that he had to be coaxed sometimes to get him to talk about what he was feeling. Andros knew that Zhane may appear to all to be carefree, happy and lively individual, but to Andros he was the most caring, kind, selfless and warm-hearted person he knew. Zhane preferred to have the universe think he was carefree and happy, because the only person that knew Zhane, the true Zhane, was Andros. It was Andros that knew Zhane's secret fears of being left alone by everyone he loved. It was Andros Zhane had turned to when his parents were killed when they were younger. It was Andros that Zhane had swore to fight side by side with and vowed to stay by his side forever. And it was Andros that he had practically died for. So Andros knew that for all times Zhane had been there for him - Karone's kidnapping, their training as Rangers, all the battles they had fought together - he knew that this once, he could be there for Zhane. He was always beside Andros's side and Andros had dearly missed his presence for the last two years. Andros had berated himself constantly since the misunderstanding with Ashley, and somehow he felt that it was part of the reason Zhane had left.
"It's not because of me is it Zhane? I haven't done anything have I to push you away?" Zhane looked up, his eyes confused.
"Yes. No. I don't know." Andros couldn't resist gently teasing his friend.
"Well that explains everything then." Zhane flashed him a ghost of a smile and then went back to staring at his drink. "Zhane, please, it's tearing me up inside seeing you like this. I can't help thinking that I've had something to do with this." Zhane sighed and ran his hand through his hair again and then sipped his drink.
"You have, in a way." Zhane looked up, holding up his hand to stop Andros protesting.
"But not in a bad way Andros. Please, try to understand what I mean, not what I say. This isn't easy for me, you know that." Andros swallowed the lump that was in his throat.
"I know. Please, just tell me what's going on." Zhane sighed and looked at Andros.
"When I woke up, you broke the news to me in such a way that I didn't have much of a chance to understand it and come to terms with it. And then the whole thing with Ashley and discovering my powers were extremely limited wasn't easy. And getting them restored was even harder." Andros frowned, curiosity winning out. He would think about Zhane's words later, for now, he wanted to know some details.
"Just how limited where they? And how did you get them restored, Alpha wouldn't say. He just told us you had a problem with them." Zhane flashed a quicksilver grin.
"I asked him not to." Zhane sighed. "I couldn't hold a morph for longer than two and a half minutes." Andros stared at him.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Obscurely Andros felt betrayed. "Why didn't you trust me with that?" Zhane looked stricken but continued on.
"Because you had enough to deal with. The whole thing with you liking Ashley, trying to co-ordinate a search for Zordon with four people who were still getting used to the dangers of space, still searching for your sister. You didn't need anything else to worry over Andros. I didn't tell you not because I don't trust you. I trust you with my life. I told you because I didn't want to burden you." Andros stared at Zhane, a feeling of guilt reaching up and engulfing him. He had pushed his best friend away. He had to put this right and put it right now.
"I never meant to push you away Zhane. I never wanted you to feel that you couldn't come to me with anything." Zhane looked distressed but his gaze never wavered.
"Andros I didn't want you to feel responsible for what happened to me. Or feel guilty. The same guilt I can see eating at you now. It was my choice to try and deal with this by myself, it was my choice to keep it a secret and it was my dam choice to go get hit by lightening to get my powers back. All so I could fight by your side again and not have you worry about me. My choice Andros. I just didn't want to worry you any more." The last was said in a soft whisper, completely different to the slight anger in his earlier words. But Andros latched onto the bit about the lightening and paled.
"You let yourself get hit by what?" Zhane managed a tiny smile, looking suddenly sheepish.
"My powers needed a bolt of intense energy to get back to normal. Alpha said that they had been slowly drained by the hyper sleep. So, I found a thunderstorm, held up my morpher and let it get hit three or four times. Then I was able to morph again and as you saw, fight by your side again at my full powers." Andros reached over and took Zhane's left hand and turned it over. There was a faded red mark on it and Andros looked up at Zhane.
"I wish you had let me know. I could have been there with you." Zhane took his other hand and closed it over Andros's, smiling gently, his eyes slightly clearer now.
"I know." Andros smiled back, squeezing it gently. They were quiet a moment and then Andros spoke again.
"Besides that, what else has been bothering you. There's something more Zhane, I can tell."
Zhane sighed and letting Andros's hand go and draining his drink, he signalled for another for them both. Andros finished his own and their drinks were quickly replaced. Once the innkeeper had left Andros studied Zhane a moment. He smiled slightly at Zhane and Zhane looked back at him.
"What?"
"Are you going to tell me what else has been bothering you, besides getting your powers back in the most spectacularly idiotic and foolish way I've ever heard of?" Andros's wry tone caused Zhane to smile slightly. Zhane sipped his drink and sighed softly.
"It's just that two years is a lot to take in Andros." Zhane shook his head. "It's just that I feel so out of place with you, with the others, with everything right now, that I didn't know what to do." Andros looked at him, slightly confused.
"Nothing I've done to make you feel like that, have I?" Zhane shook his head.
"No, it's nothing specific Andros. Just that the others were trying too hard you know, trying to get to know me and find out all about me. I was beginning to feel smothered slightly. Plus I just feel cut off from everything. Even you."
"This isn't because of Ashley is it?" Zhane shook his head.
"No, not that. I couldn't be happier for you to be honest Andros. I truly couldn't." Andros could see the earnestness in his eyes and knew that Zhane was telling the truth. "I just don't feel a part of things at the moment. I just need some time. Time to be with some of our people, time to think things through and time to adjust Andros." Zhane sighed again. "I'm not saying this very well, I know. And I know this isn't your fault Andros. Somehow I don't think things can go back to the way they were fully before this happened. Two years ago I could get you to laugh more smile a little bit more and stop taking life so seriously occasionally. Now, the only time I see you smile is if Ashley is with you, even then it's sometimes barely there. The only time I've seen you relax is when we went to the movies on Earth. You've changed Andros in two years. Become so controlled, so wound up, so unwilling to let people close to you that you're barely letting Ashley close, and I can tell how much you like her. I haven't changed Andros. But our situation and circumstances have." Zhane frowned but his gaze never wavered from Andros's. "Andros. You're my best friend and you always will be. I'll fight by your side forever. But right now, I just need a little bit of time to think things through. For the moment, you have the others and will be okay for a little bit longer without me. But I just need some time. Please, tell me you understand that?" Andros thought over Zhane's words for a few moments, absently sipping his drink. He looked up and studied his friend's eyes, seeing the truth and the cost to Zhane to say those words behind them. This was the one thing he could do for his friend, and he knew it. Zhane just needed time, and that he could give him. Andros knew that Zhane was thinking of them both and doing this for the both of them. And Andros knew Zhane like no other person in the universe, and Zhane knew him, they would do anything for each other, including tell the sometimes hard to hear truth. Andros's respect and admiration for Zhane's unfailing courage rose to even greater heights. What he had just said took enormous strength of will. But he expected nothing less from Zhane. Andros smiled and reached his hand out, Zhane automatically clasping it.
"I understand Zhane. And it's okay. You take what time you need. After all, we're only a thought or a com call away from each other, aren't we." Zhane smiled in relief that Andros understood. And Andros did in a way. He would just be patient, Zhane would return in his own time to his side. And in the mean time he had the others and he was slowly learning to lighten up again.
"Thank you Andros. That means a lot to me." Andros grinned.
"Hey, what are best friends for." They laughed softly and sipped their drinks again. Zhane looked at Andros serious again for a moment.
"There is one thing you can do immediately for me Andros."
"Anything, name it."
"Promise me that you'll never, ever put me in that thing again. I couldn't go through that again. I couldn't bare to be parted from you again." Andros nodded.
"That's easy. I promise you I won't Zhane. I couldn't bare to be parted from you like that again either. We'll fight side by side forever."
"Always and forever. To the end." They shared a smile and drained their drinks. They sat in companionable silence for a few moments, things feeling easier between them than they had for a while. After a few minutes Andros sighed and grinned slightly at Zhane.
"We should get back."
"Yeah." They stood and went over to the bar, putting some coins on the top and the tavern keeper looked at them, smiling slightly. This was only the second time he'd see the red ranger without his hood and this time, things looked a lot better for the two young men. They were also a lot more relaxed and open since they had come in almost two hours ago.
"Thanks. We'll see you later."
"Anytime Rangers. Always an honour and a pleasure." The two young men exchanged smiles and then nodded at him.
"Next week, same time?" The Red Ranger smiled at the Silver Ranger's words and slapped him on the back.
"Sure thing. Race you to the edge of the system?" The Silver Ranger laughed and suddenly the two of them were off and running out the door, pushing and shoving each other like little kids playing. The tavern keeper grinned as he scooped up the coins. Things would defiantly be livelier around here now that these two were back, that's for sure. And that was a good thing.
The End.