Disclaimer: Nothing is mine! Nothing:wild cackle:

Author's Note: Yes, you saw right. Updated! Finally! Actually, the story's almost over; I'm thinking about three more chapters, epilogue included. And then a sequel if I can hold my interest in it without making it sound like this story. Anyway, enjoy Ch 13!


Later On…

"So, we've agreed that we have to do something." Carlos cast his gaze across the former rangers.

"This is a crisis," Zhane agreed. "It is absolutely essential that we get my future brother-in-law and his soul mate together in time for my wedding."

"Again with the wedding stuff!" T.J threw his hands up in despair. "Why in time for the wedding?"

Karone sighed and patted Zhane on the back. "Forgive my fiancé's troubled mind; what he means is that if Ashley is to be one of my bridesmaids then she should need someone to escort her. Except that Andros is probably going to be the best man, therefore ensuring his position."

"And then, who'll bring Karone down the aisle?" Zhane demanded. "You see? Andros has way too many parts in my wedding!"

"Um, forgive me if I'm wrong," Carlos looked confused. "But isn't the father of the bride supposed to bring her down the aisle? And why don't we just get someone else to bring Ashley down if she's a bridesmaid."

"Actually," Karone looked up. "I was trying to decide between Ashley and Cassie as my maid of honor. If Ashley was to become my maid of honor, then wouldn't need an escort."

"Exactly!" Zhane threw his arms around his fiancé. "So Ashley becomes maid of honor, Andros becomes my best man and Commandeer Kinwon can escort you!"

"Commandeer Kinwon? I was thinking more of Leo Corbett, the Red Galaxy Ranger."

"Why him?"

"Well, we became close friends while I was the Pink Galaxy Ranger, and since I don't know where my parents are… unless you want me to ask Kai or Damon."

Zhane chuckled. "Leo it is! Besides, aren't you inviting the whole Galaxy team to our wedding?"

"Yes, I am, but weren't we talking about my brother and his, in your words, 'Soul Mate'?"

"As a matter of fact, we were!"

"Okay." Carlos leaned in. "I was up for a while last night thinking about this, so here's my plan. Since we kicked off the 'Welcome Back' party thing with Cassie and Ashley's performance, let's have Andros declare his never-dying love in a song!" At the incredulous looks he shrugged helplessly. "It sounded good at the time."

"Well… first off, Andros can't sing, but the song part wasn't so bad." Karone cocked her head in thought. "Music can be a powerful thing; why don't we show the just how much they're meant to be in a song?"

"One problem," Zhane raised his hand. "None of us can sing to save our lives."

Karone sighed and grinned, "That's where Cassie comes in."

And Now… CC.!

Cassie flipped through the song she had been sent just yesterday. She chanced upon the note that had been attached, reading:

Hey, Cassie,

Look over these lyrics and meet me on Wednesday. Make sure to get the feel in the song.

- M. M

She snorted. That note was obviously code for:

Hey, Cassie,

Get these lyrics memorized and try singing them with emotion. Meet me on Wednesday and we'll go over it in a sample run.

M. M.

Her manager was demanding that way. She was just glad that it wasn't a duet song that would require Ashley to do the same.

Her gaze swung over to the hallway that led to the bedrooms, where Ashley had holed herself up, claiming to have work to do. She shook her head sadly, cursing Andros for doing this to her. Just then, a soft song began to play. Recognizing the tune that was reserved only for the communications link between her and her best friends, Cassie snatched up her cell phone and found a voicemail message.

Cassie, it read, be at the park at the pond at 10:13. T.J. Grinning, Cassie glanced at the clock that glared at her with two red numbers: 10:10. Leaping up, glad for a chance to get away from the words and notes speaking of heartbreak and betrayal (one of her sad songs), she pulled on her shoes and grabbed her purse.

"Ashley! I have to go out, will you be okay?" A weak, 'Yes,' was her only reply, but it was enough. She fished her keys out of the handbag before casting one last nervous look near the general direction of her best friend. Sighing one last time, Cassie pushed open the door and left, locking it firmly behind her.

Plots! Plots! And More Plots!

Cassie found herself standing in the shade from a large oak, staring out at the pond where sunlight glimmered off the clear, sparkling water.

"You came." The voice sounded surprised and utterly dangerous, or dangerous to her. Narrowing her eyes, she spun around and found herself facing the very man that had tipped her life out of reasonable limits and destroyed the true happiness of her best friend.

"What are you doing here," Cassie spat. "I came to talk to T.J. Not you."

Wincing at the venom in her voice, Andros sighed. "Look, the message didn't say to meet T.J. It just said to be at the pond by 10:13." Lifting his sleeve, he glanced at a strap wrapped around his left wrist. "It's 10:15," he added nonchalantly.

Letting out a cry of frustration, Cassie moved to walk away, but Andros grabbed her arm before she could leave.

"Let. Go. Of. Me. Now!" Accenting her words with a sharp yank, she attempted ripping her arm out of his grasp, but his hold was iron and firm.

"I have to talk to you." Growling, Cassie continued to pull, but stopped at his next words. "It's about Ashley."

"I swear… if you hurt her again…"

"I have no intention of her hurting her, I never did."

"Reality check, Andros! You still did. And you totally knew what you were doing. Why should I trust you this time?"

"Because… because… because I want to help Ashley. If not for me, for Ashley. Help me for Ashley."

Gritting her teeth, Cassie turned around and pried his hand off of her. "What do you want?"

"I want you to forgive me, I want Ashley to forgive me. But since that isn't about to happen, I want you to sing something for me."

Groaning, Cassie turned away, but didn't leave. "It's called karaoke, hello! Besides, I'm sure she'll appreciate you going to the 'trouble' of getting up on stage and stating your feelings to her; if she doesn't run away in fright at your voice first."

Andros scowled slightly, but he kept his temper in check, partially knowing that what she spoke was true. "Look, you just said it yourself, I can't sing. Besides, it did take a lot of bravery to face your wrath and come ask you. Maybe she'll appreciate that."

"WRATH!" Cassie whirled around and daggers of venom shot out of her eyes. "I'll show you wrath!" Holding her fists in front of her in a defensive position, she narrowed her eyes. "Come on, Skunk Boy! Think you can take me? Huh? Can you face the wrath of true friendship? Huh? Come on! Don't be a coward!"

Raising his eyebrows, Andros stared calmly at Cassie. "I understand that you're not going to forgive me anytime soon, but can you at least help me? For Ashley?"

Her eyes wary slits, Cassie slowly settled down. "How can I be sure that you won't hurt Ashley again," she asked warily.

"Because if I do, T.J, Carlos, Andrea and you would hurt me. Not to mention all the self-beating I would do."

Sighing, Cassie nodded slightly. "I'll help you. Not saying I'll like it, but I will."


Author's Note 2: If anyone thinks Cassie's giving in too easily, just wait until the next chapter. Actually, I'm trying to make her character as real as possible. But, I was laughing hysterically while writing that whole 'wrath' scene. I've always wanted to call Andros 'Skunk Boy'. You know, I like picking on Andros. It's fun.

Author's Note 3: I've been thinking about changing my pen name. What do you think of Star le' Faith? Or maybe Star le' Fay? Or, I could modernize it even more to Star of Faith. Anyway, leave me your thoughts.

RR! Ashley Hammond/ Astro Yellow, Do I really care that your reviews aren't interesting? (Not that they are.) As long as you keep updating your stories, all is fine. Phantom Rouge, Well, you've updated about five times between my last update and now. So, I'm going to go bang my head on the wall. Don't worry; I'll still be able to write. :)