Disclaimer: ...

Summary: Mornie utúlie. Believe and you will find a way. Mornie alantie. A promise lives within you now. He went on a mission never to return again. Or so they said.

Necroblade: It's okay, you really don't have to apologize. I'll have some fun with Ray and Aurora, don't you worry, but maybe not where you want it to be.

Juzblue: I always update soon, if only it is to keep you guys from going nuts.

Arwennicole: Yes, soon, but not as soon as you want it to be. Oh and I won't scream… yet…

Jenny: I know I have plenty of fans, luckily, else I wouldn't be writing anymore. Tracy and Christopher kissed, you know! Got that little bit of information from a friend some time ago. See my review at 'Twist Of Fate' for more information about it. Yes, I know how long it takes to write my name, but it's not my fault, someone hogged Astro Yellow, but doesn't seem to use the account anymore. :( I get Ashley pregnant with Andros' child a lot, don't I? Hmm, I wonder if she would hate me for that?

Ghostwriter: I know I get reviews, but that doesn't mean I can't threaten to scream if I don't get any.

Phantom Rogue: My lips are sealed, and yours better be too Jenny. Or I'll find someone else to beta-read. If I DO decide to get her pregnant with Andros' kid again, it surely won't be a twin. I mean, come on, Karone already has one, that's quite enough twins as grandchildren for her parents if you ask me. And what could be more fun than Andros beating up Derek? Um, let's think, scaring him half to death, maybe? Oh, and I won't quit stalling just because you asked for me to.

Ashleigh: Glad you like it.

What Was Lost

Chapter 21

Aurora put down the phone and looked at Ray.

"That was mom. She wants us to come to NASADA after school."

"Why?" Ray wanted to know, stuffing his peanut butter and jelly sandwich in his mouth.

"She said it was a surprise." Aurora replied.

NASADA

"Look Ash, we don't want to intrude on your life, but…" Karone started.

"But we would really love you to let us back in it." Cassie continued.

"I'll have to think about it." Ashley replied.

"You'd better do it quick." Zhane muttered. "Both Cassie and Carlos live in Crystal springs now."

"Really?" Ashley asked surprised. "Since when?"

"A week ago." Carlos replied.

"The Friday before Carlos moved." Cassie answered.

"Nice neighbours?" Ashley informed.

"The Banks' are. I haven't really met the other neighbours yet." Cassie smiled, glad to have a semi-normal conversation with Ashley.

"Banks'? You live next to Lancene?"

"Yeah, you know her?"

"Her daughter Genesis is Aurora's best friend."

"Really?" Cassie asked, suddenly remembering something. "Was Aurora in Ireland recently?"

"We just came back. How did you know?"

"When we were moving in Lacene said Genesis was out seeing her friend off to Ireland."

"I had to go to a conference there. We always go to those things together and have a small vacation afterwards." Ashley explained. "Look, I'll give you guys another change, but I can't speak for others."

"You mean Aurora, right?" Zhane asked.

"Yeah." Ashley answered distantly.

Before anyone could command on that, Karone had practically bounced forward and wrapped Ashley into a hug.

"Glad to have my sister back." She smiled brightly.

Ashley returned Karone's hug having missed it for so long. Ashley tightened her embrace as she felt tears sting in her eyes. When Karone released her, she felt two strong arms slip around her waist. She closed her eyes as she leaned back against Andros, who had wisely kept his mouth shut the whole time.

"It's okay. You're not alone anymore." Andros' soft comforting words carried through the quiet room.

Ashley let his calmness wash over her. Once they found they could sense each other's feelings, it wasn't long before they figured out how to project one emotion onto the other and apparently it was like riding a bicycle, once you learned it, you never forget how to do it.

"Does Aurora know yet?" TJ asked, curiously and Ashley shook her head.

"She's coming her after school, she won't know until she gets here."

"But she's telepathic. Surely she must have noticed Andros' presence returning back in her mind." Carlos protested.

"You don't know half of it." Ashley muttered softly, making sure only Andros could hear that, before speaking out loud. "Her blocks are up so high, even I have trouble getting through to her sometimes."

"Why?" Cassie asked.

"The loss of Andros hurt her deeply. She's been trying to protect herself from having to feel that kind of pain again. There's only one reason why she didn't completely distance herself from me."

Zhane noticed Ashley didn't want to talk about that reason, so quickly changed the subject to save her.

"Hey, Ash. Is Aurora still so small for her age?"

Ashley laughed.

"No, not anymore. She's still smaller than most of the girls here age, but the difference is an inch at most and last time I checked she was still growing, even if it goes very slowly."

Andros smiled as he listened to Ashley talk about their daughter, trying to picture her in his mind, growing prouder with every word Ashley spoke.

A/N: Hope you liked it. Review.