Disclaimer: Not mine

Ashley Hammond/Astro Yellow: You liked that? I thought it was sweet, too. :P

the-power-of-love: Thanks, only two more chapters. :P

DizneeDol: Don't worry, there's two more chapters. I'm glad you like this one better. :P

Sreym: Thanks. Sol killed himself so the rangers couldn't. Andros and Ashley do have twins a lot, don't they?

Chapter 14

Andros woke first, Ashley's body warm against his. He kissed her forehead gently, still not daring to believe that this was real, that it hadn't just been a dream. He stroked her hair with his good hand, not wanting to wake her and disturb the peaceful expression she was wearing.

Her eyelids fluttered, and she opened her eyes slowly. When she saw him, a slow smile spread across her face. "Hi," she whispered.

In answer, Andros leaned in and kissed her hungrily. Ashley returned the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck as his lips left her mouth and moved down her neck. She ran her fingers through his hair, sending a tingling sensation all across his scalp. Deca chose that moment to interrupt.

"Zhane and Karone wished to be notified when you were awake," she informed them. "Are you awake?"

"Deca," Ashley groaned good-naturedly.

Andros laughed. "I missed you too, Deca," he said. He looked longingly at Ashley and sighed. "I guess we're awake."

"I will notify them," Deca said.

"Wait," Andros said. "Where are we? What time is it? What day is it?"

"Today is Thursday. It is seven twenty a.m. in Angel Grove, and one a.m. on KO-35. The journey back to KO-35 is at the halfway point," Deca said. "Estimated arrival time is eight-sixteen in the morning, KO-35 time."

"Thanks, Deca," Andros said. The red light blinked at him before disappearing. Andros stroked Ashley's cheek gently, stopping to touch the marks on her neck guiltily. He'd come so close to losing her...

"It's all right," Ashley said, laying one of her hands over his. "I'm fine."

"I'm still sorry," he said so quietly Ashley almost didn't hear him.

"I know you are," she said, squeezing his hand. "But I don't want you to be. It wasn't your fault."

Andros kissed her gently, his hand dropping to her stomach. "I love you."

Ashley smiled. "And I love hearing you say that... Andros, I love you so much."

"We should get up now," Andros said half-heartedly. The idea of staying here with her all night was tempting.

Ashley sat up and stretched. "I'll go tell Zhane and Karone that you're fine, if you want to sleep," she offered. "I'll bring you some food, too."

"I already told you," Andros said, sitting up as well, "I'm not letting you out of my sight."

He swayed unsteadily on his feet, and Ashley quickly wrapped an arm around his waist. With Andros leaning on Ashley for support, maybe a little more than he needed to, they made their way to the holding bay. Zhane and Karone were already there, and Andros gave them both a hug as he sat down. Ashley ordered him some food, and he ate hungrily.

"So what are we doing once we get back?" Zhane asked. "Do Karone and I have to find another house?"

Andros crammed some more food in his mouth, leaving Ashley to answer. "Well... we haven't set a date for the wedding yet, so you can stay for a little while longer."

"I'm assuming you'll want to be married before the babies are born?" Zhane said. Andros nodded, and glanced at Ashley.

"We could get married on Earth, if you want," he offered. "That way your parents and Jeff won't have to travel... what's wrong?"

Ashley's face fell. "Jeff wants to come," she said, "but my parents, they, well... they didn't take the news so well, and then when they found out I was pregnant..."

"Would it make things worse if I talked to them?" Andros asked her softly. Ashley sighed and nodded.

"Probably," she said. "But Jeff wants to see KO-35."

"So you'll get married there, then," Zhane said decisively. He hesitated and glanced at Andros. "Are you familiar with the term 'double wedding?' "

"Zhane..."

"Karone, will you marry me?" Zhane asked, slipping out of his seat to kneel before her, producing a ring out of nowhere.

"Silly," Karone said, giving him her hand. "Of course I will."

Andros tried hard to turn his grin into a stern expression, and failed miserably. He was getting married. His best friend was marrying his sister. Ashley was pregnant with twins.

"Andros, how about a month from now?" Ashley asked, slipping her left hand into his right one. His thumb grazed the diamond ring on her finger and he smiled. "That'll give us time to plan, but we'll have plenty of time before the babies."

"Anything you want, Ash," Andros said, squeezing her hand. He glanced at Zhane, who was now holding Karone in his lap. "I'll need a best man."

"So do I... but you'd better make it three," Zhane informed him. "I told TJ, Carlos and Cassie that we found you. They'll be waiting for us on KO-35."

"How'd they get there?" Ashley asked him. Zhane laughed.

"Wouldn't you like to know."