Disclaimer: The Phantom Ranger does not belong to me. No one does. Except my own characters. Skim other chapters for those characters. Others are Saban's/Disney's/Buena Vista's…

Author's Note: This has to be my shortest chapter. Okay, I don't have much to say, so I'll let you read. Enjoy!

Onstage

It's him. The thought came unbidden to Ashley's mind. The whole brutality of it impacting her so suddenly, that last note was choked out of her as tears began to stream down her stricken face.

"Ashley?" Cassie whispered. "Are you alright?"

Not trusting herself to not blubber if she talked, she could only nod.

"Ashley." Cassie repeated softly. "You're not alright. Talk to me."

Gulping and breathing deeply, "Wait. Backstage."

Nodding slightly, they made their exit off the stage.

"Okay." Cassie asked softly, as they walked to a more secluded corner amidst the bustle of stage boys/girls wandering around, carrying wires, programs and random stage stuff.

"He." Ashley choked on the word, tears starting to pour out as she came to terms with what she'd seen. "Cassie I saw him! He" Gulping air furiously, she sobbed desperately. "He's here!" she finally blurted out. "Here, in this building, in this room, just a few feet away!" Her hysterical cry alarmed and startled Cassie, who rubbed her friend's arm comfortingly, her own eyes moist.

"Are you… sure?" Cassie asked, inwardly wincing at how lame it sounded and how distraught her friend was that she probably wouldn't even notice.

"No." Ashley mumbled, sliding down so her back rested against the wall. "I'm not sure of anything anymore. I'm can't even be sure that I love him anymore… I used to be so positive… seeing him again, I just can't decide. Do I love him or hate him?"

"It can't be easy." Cassie agreed, sliding down to sit with her best friend. "But just think about it; maybe you don't love him, maybe that love you two once shared was never meant to be, the breakup was just so sudden that you wanted so desperately for some closure, you just refused to let go of your feelings for him. That dirty, cheating… meteorite!" Cassie added that last part maliciously, trying to cheer up her desolate friend.

Scoffing slightly, Ashley turned to face the former pink ranger. "Yeah," she finally sighed. "Maybe, maybe you're right, maybe I don't love him anymore." She paused slightly, before bursting out in tears. "I feel so lost! I feel like, like I'm doing a maze, a maze with no way out, and I'm just walking around, no idea where I'm going, no idea where I am, like, like…"

"Like something's missing in your life, and you don't know what it is, but you know that you need it and want it badly? Whether it's a closure of your feelings, or a part of you that needs to be completed. That's what you have to decide."

"Yes." Ashley said softly, turning to stare in amazement at Cassie. "How did you…?"

"Cause I felt the exact same way when Phantom left, except I had more time to contemplate it." Cassie whispered.

"Cassie…" Ashley sniffed slightly, rubbing her arm.

"Give it time." Cassie hugged her friend tenderly, squeezing warmth and comfort into her.

Audience

Oh, god, what have I done…?

Author's Note 2: Well, I have seven chapters done and I'm working on eight. I'll get there. In the meantime, my account of has some poems. But we won't dwell on that.

RR! Now, Ashley Hammone/Astro Yellow, I miss "Born To Fly otherwise known as The Freak" already. Sequel please? (small giggle) Anyway, glad you like the songs, I actually came up with them while I was in bed, it's good thinking time. You never know what you'll think up. (giggle) I came up with a song chorus, a speech and tons of AU scenes for PR. Anyway, thanks for the review, I like to know I can count on you for something to make me smile. Thanks! Jedi Takura, thanks for the review. Yeah, I guess I can't see Ashley as mushy gushy, I guess I meant that she forgives him quickly and they get together doon as well... I want to do the other ending. Maybe I'll write both and set out teasers and see which one people like better... thanks again!