Phantom Rogue: I agree, they are the cutest couple ever.

Ashley Hammond/Astro Yellow: Thanks. I'll keep updating as long as people are reviewing.

Jenny: Thanks a lot. It's good to know there are other people that feel the same way about them.

Disclaimer: As much as I would like for it to be, Power Rangers is not my creation.

Ch. 9 Breaking Down the Walls

When they broke apart Andros started crying. Ashley rushed to comfort him, wrapping her arms around him. She didn't know what was wrong, only that she was in love with this extremely pained boy and she was determined to help him no matter what. Ashley quietly waited out the storm knowing that she was helping him by just being there.

Once he calmed down she asked, "What's wrong?"

Andros finally looked up at her, eyes nearly swelled completely together from the tears, and answered, "You're the first person that's never judged me. You don't even know everything I've done and you say you love me."

"Why don't you tell me?" she questioned gently. When she saw him flinch she added, "I think it'll make you feel a lot better."

"Promise you won't tell the others," he said as he pulled away from her. As she nodded he continued, "My father never wanted me. He already had the one son he needed to take his place as Commander of Eltare and all he needed was two daughters. One to take my mother's place and one to watch over her until she was grown. He had them both before I came along and wrecked it all. As early as I can remember he was beating me and I would always take the blame for my siblings because I didn't want them to go through the same thing I was. Then, when I was six, Karone was kidnaped and he said it was all my fault but I was only four-years-old. The beatings increased until I was recruited to become a ranger two years later." He took a break them unsure if he should go further. Ashley squeezed his hand reassuringly, urging him to continue. "At first my mom was on my side but soon my father had her believing that I was to blame. When I was ten my best friend, Zhane, was given the power of the Silver Ranger. Things were pretty good for a while and then my brother called me to tell me we had a new baby sister. Of course I went to visit her and my father beat me yet again only this time my mother joined in. When I returned I went down to fight with a broken arm and later that night Zhane discovered it. I said that I had gotten hurt during the fight but it was actually my parents that had done it. I haven't had contact with them in the past six years and you're the first person I've ever told." He hoped that she wouldn't ask what happened to Zhane, he really didn't want to re-live what had happened to his best friend any more than he had to.

"I'm glad you can trust me this much, Andros," Ashley whispered quietly. "But what happened to Zhane?" She saw him flinch again and she immediately knew that he didn't want to tell her but she knew that he needed to tell someone.

"Two years ago, after the older rangers had been destroyed," he began, "Dark Specter returned with a vengeance. Zhane and I were the only two remaining rangers and we went to protect the last of the evacuation ships escape. I was knocked down by a monster and Zhane ran over to protect me. He hit the monster and then they both fell down and exploded. Zhane was severely injured and I brought him back here and put him in cryogenic suspension."

"How long will it take for him to get better?" Ashley asked as he began to shake again.

"Who knows, he's been in there two years already. He may never wake up," he answered sadly.

"Andros," she began, searching for the words that would make him feel even the slightest bit better, "he will get better and everything will be okay now." Andros managed a nod and then even a small smile for her. He leaned in and kissed her again before she suggested, "Let's go see what the other's are up to."

A/N: Please review.