Disclaimer: Not mine, please don't sue me, I have no money anyway.

Juzblue: No, Zhane and Aria aren't together. Zhane's with Karone/Astronema, and Zhane and Aria are just friends.

Ashley Hammond/Astro Yellow: Keep guessing. : )

GreenDayfan1: I know, aren't Andros and Ashley just the perfect couple? They're so cute together.

Chapter 16: Secrets

The engine room

"Sit," Zhane ordered Aria.

She rolled her eyes, but obeyed.

"So you know," he said

"Yes I know," Aria said, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "Neither of you are very good at hiding it."

"How did you find out?" Zhane asked.

"You left the picture in your jacket," Aria said. "And you left your jacket on the Simudeck."

"Oh," Zhane said.

"I wasn't planning on following you," Aria added. "I just saw you and thought that it'd be very interesting to see what you were doing."

"You have too much free time," Zhane said.

"Duh," Aria replied.

"You should get a boyfriend," Zhane suggested helpfully.

Aria glared at him.

"I was joking," Zhane added hastily, as she took a step towards him.

"Just like you were joking with Andros and Ashley earlier?" Aria asked, grinning. "That was hilarious."

"Have they-"

Aria shook her head. "I don't think so. Come to think of it, I'd rather not know."

"How long before they get married?" Zhane asked. "You know that they're going to."

"How long before Andros gets the nerve to ask her?" Aria said. "You know that it'll take him awhile."

"He'll do it eventually," Zhane said.

"How many kids do you think they'll have?" Aria asked.

"At least two," Zhane said immediately. "A boy and a girl."

"How do you know?"

"Twins run in his family," Zhane said. "Always. And always a boy and a girl, too."

"Where'd he get the hair from?" Aria asked curiously. "That run in the family, too?"

"His father's side," Zhane said. "The eyes are from his mother. He and Amara got her eyes. The blue eyes I think are on his father's side. Karone and Jadon had those."

"It's hard to think of Andros raising children," Aria said. "I just can't picture it."

Zhane nodded. "I know. It's just not possible."

"You should just tell him," Aria said abruptly. "About you and . . . Astronema? Karone?"

"Astronema," Zhane said. "She doesn't answer to Karone."

"That's becaue she knows that she is Karone," Aria said. "And she can't admit it."

"Aria!"

Aria jumped at the sound of her brother's voice.

"In here, Gabriel," she called, and Zhane saw her face take on a distinctly guilty expression, as if she'd been expecting this.

"Aria," Gabriel said, entering. "What have you been doing?"

He saw Zhane. "Can I talk to my sister for a minute?"

"Stay," Aria said. "This won't take very long."

"Aria," Gabriel said. "What have you been doing? Where have you been going?"

"I've been doing what I have to," Aria replied. "And I've been going to see Mom."

She chose her wording carefully, not wanting to lie any more than she had to. And she had been going to see her mother, who was still in a very deep sleep. Gabriel didn't need to know where else she'd gone to.

"I won't even bother to pretend like I have any control over you," Gabriel said. "But will you please start going to school again?"

"Fine," Aria agreed.

Gabriel looked at her for a long time before he left.

"What was that about?" Zhane asked.

"We all have secrets, Zhane," Aria said softly. "That's why I'll keep yours."

She gave him a long look, almost pleading, and left. Zhane watched her go, wondering what hers was.

A/N: You'll have to wait awhile for the next chapter. Sorry, but I won't have time to write. Just be glad I didn't end this chapter with a cliffhanger.