Disclaimer: Not mine. If anyone thinks it is, you're wrong. Sorry. Wish it were mine, though.

Author's Note: I decided to be nice, upload a new chapter. And this begins right after the last chapter. I suggest reading back a little. Other than that, enjoy!


"Thanks Cassie."

"I didn't say I'd like it; don't get your hopes up." Blowing away a strand of hair, she plopped down on the grass. "So, what do you want me to do?"

Sitting down beside her, Andros wrinkled his nose and contemplated that thought for a moment. "Sing. You obviously know more about song choice than I do. Choose one, and sing."

Cassie studied him intently for a moment and nodded slowly. "Songs are… strong. They can convey a lot of feeling. I need to know exactly what to look for."

Andros sighed. This was one jam he couldn't get out of. "I love her. And I guess I was just hoping that our love… what we shared, was strong enough to last. I guess I was just hoping that she'd wait for me. Hopeless hope, I guess."

Cassie blinked, realizing just what trust he'd placed on her, telling her these thoughts, trusting her enough to help him, carrying this knowledge with her. In that instant, Cassie decided to forgive him. "You know, you're wrong."

"What?" He looked at her confused, surprised and a little nervous.

"You said neither Ashley or I would forgive you anytime soon," she said gently, a smile blossoming in the wake of her coming to terms. "I forgive you. I'm not forgetting, nor do I completely trust you; but I'm forgiving you." She added the last part rushed, when he appeared ready to hug her.

He smiled at her, a true, genuine smile. "Thank you."

"So c'mon! If you're going to win back Ashley, you have to tell me more!"

Back At The Apartment of Ashley and Cassie

Ashley sniffed, poking her head out of her room. She faintly recalled Cassie telling her she had gone to the park, but she still felt very alone and abandoned. Taking a deep breath, she walked out, her hands unconsciously gliding along the wall, seeking the sturdy stableness of it. She turned into the living room and stopped. On the cabinet sitting directly in front of her was a picture. A picture of the group was propped up, framed in a dusty, unpolished gold design. Each had been circled in their signature color, but the red circle had a thin line running through it diagonally. She faintly remembered that day, just after Andros had broken up with her and… left…

She couldn't stop crying. She just cried and cried, sobbing over even the most trivial things. A picture of the group, pasta, she claimed it had been his favorite dish; a scratch on the doorway, made by him; and everything else that he had left his mark on. The rest of the group was in confusion, denial, and disarray. They had been the perfect couple; anyone could see how much love they had been in. And now this… It had been the perfect night and he, instead, broke her heart.

"C-C-Caaasssiiieee…"

"Oh, god, Ashley, what happened? Did he hurt you?"

"Ph… Physically, no. Emotionally…Oh god Cassie, he broke up with me!"

"What? I-I think I heard you wrong. Did you just say he broke up with you?"

"YES! Cassie, why? Why? I loved him! And on the eve of my birthday!"

"Ashley, come on; it's probably just a mistake. Maybe he had a bad day or some weird mood swing, or something. Boys are like that; weird. But, Ashley, it can't be real. I mean, you guys are the couple to be. You're in love. Plain and simple."

"I thought it was real. I thought he loved me. I thought. Big word there."

"Why don't you talk to him? Demand an explanation?"

"I c-c-caaan't! Oh god, it hurts just to think of him!"

Cassie stared at her best friend in shock and rage. How dare he? That… that… Argh! She didn't dare even think of something that could currently describe Andros. All she knew was that if this was true, she desperately wanted a sledgehammer and Andros in a brick room. Desperately.

… Two days later, he vanished. Like that! Just vanished into thin air. Like the cheating, mean, rude, stupid, idiotic idiot he is. But Ashley was a wreck. She was so emotionally fragile that everyone that just saw her could glimpse the emotion- filled heartbreak she was going through. At the moment, everyone hated Andros.

Ashley began sobbing loudly, crying in despair. She remembered just after he left, Cassie had found her sobbing over a picture of the whole group. Narrowing her eyes, Cassie had snatched the picture out of her hands and said she would 'take care of it all, don't you worry'. She never did find out exactly what Cassie did to it, but just the day after, the picture was framed, with their respective colors circling them and an X through the red circle.

"Oh," she whispered softly, her tears subsiding. She picked up the picture gently. She still treasured it as a memory of happier days. True, lingering evil and media had been around, but they'd been together and cherishing the freedom of youth and love. She lightly ran her finger across the thin red X. Pressing her lips together in a futile attempt to stop the tears, Ashley hugged the picture tightly, sobbing, sliding down so sat on her knees, her legs splayed to the side. She leant over, rocking slightly, the memories of days before rushing through her mind…

There was a bright flash of red light and then silence. Ashley stared in awe at the being in front of her; instead of the giant, scaly lizard she had been bracing herself for, she found herself staring at one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. At least… she thought he was human. Slowly, gathering up her courage, she approached him, circling him slowly. As she completed her 360 inspection, she poked him and muttered something.

"You're human." Her voice was surprised and she immediately blushed as she realized that everyone had heard her.

"Not all humans are from Earth. I'm from KO-35." His voice held pride, concealed by a haughty, cold tone. That cinched it; Ashley Hammond officially had a crush on… What was his name? Ah, yes, T.J's talking with him right now.

"My name is Ashley," she offered quickly, not wanting to look slow.

"I am called Andros," he said slowly, still sounding hesitant to trust them.

Ah, Andros. What a lovely name. Whatever it means

She couldn't believe this was happening. As she dragged her feet along the smooth, metal floors of the Megaship, Ashley fully began to realize what she did. She was saying goodbye to the man she loved. Forever; there would be no turning back, no e-mail of greetings, no notes of love, no messages, no phone calls, no familiar ring of her communicator. She loved hearing his voice, whether it was to talk of a monster attacking, or laughing with her on a rare ordinary day in Angel Grove. She'd never hear him again.

Her walk slowed to barely moving as she reached the Bridge. Slowly sinking into a chair, she stared blankly at the panel in front of her, unable to process the information running through her mind. She'd never see him again. Never. She wouldn't be able to touch him, see him, see him smile, laugh… Staying on KO-35 seemed more and more desirable. But, she knew that she was needed on Earth… she hated duty. Duty sucks.

"Hey, are you going to be alright?" It was Cassie. The raven-haired teen in pink stared at her best friend with worry evident in her eyes and expression.

"I just miss him so much," she managed to stammer, tears clouding her vision. I am seriously going to go into depression after this.

Just then, the six most beautiful she'd ever heard were heard. Actually, it was the voice that said it that was most beautiful… "DECA, set a course for Earth." It was Andros…

Okay, Ashley, pull yourself together. Ashley pulled herself into a kneeling position, reaching up and placing the frame back on the table. Falling onto her hands and knees, the young woman crawled weakly into the tiled kitchen, the cold slabs of stone numbing her knees as she shakily stood up and pulled a plastic cup out, for fear of her shaking hands dropping a glass one. Pressing her lips together, Ashley hobbled to the freezer/fridge and pressed the cup against one of the levers in a small cave-in. Water gushed out and filled the cup up not too quickly. Snatching it away once it was half-full, the trembling girl lifted the cup with both hands and touched her lips to the edge. Slowly, she tipped the cup and let the cool, refreshing liquid pour down her throat.

Once the cup had been drained clean, Ashley sighed, feeling calmer and stronger. She walked back to the living room and glanced at the clock. It read 10:36. Pressing her lips together, Ashley realized just how hungry she was; depression makes you hungrier. Falling back on the couch, she decided that she really did not feel like cooking. I wonder if The Power Mania Café is open…And with those thoughts, Ashley Hammond stood up and headed to her bedroom to change into something suitable for lunch.


Author's Note 2: It's almost done! I have about half of the next chapter done, so that should be out within a few, maybe ten, days. I still guess about two, three more chapters. I'm desperate to get this done so I can focus on "Forever Light". Anyway, review help!

RR! Phantom Rogue, I already changed my name, see? Well, I do like it better now. And the reason why Andros left has been mentioned tons of times, but go back to the first chapter, and it should be there. And if they don't get together, please flame me to knock some sense back into me, okay? Okay. Ashley Hammond/ Astro Yellow, Well, this story focuses on them working through their kinks and trying to get together. They'll be together by the end, don't worry! Skimmboardergurl, Cassie has a big part as the protective, best friend who, kind of, hates Andros for hurting Ashley. Besides, I love writing Cassie, cause I can be mean to Andros without worrying!