AH/Ay: I have seriously thought about killing college, but the I'd just have a job keeping me from writing.

Phantom Rogue: Andros is going to be fine, at least until his mom shows up again. But of course Ashley will be there to make him happy again.

Jessica01: Yes, he is really going to try but only because he wants to keep Ashley happy.

SpookyandLumpy: Don't worry about it. It took so long to find time to update that I'm sure many people forgot about it.

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

Ch. 22 Desire

Six months had passed since the death of Andros' father. He had kept his word on trying to forgive himself and although he had his slips sometimes everyone could see that he really was trying. Aidan, Cestra, and Michelle had returned to Eltar but were surprised to find that their mother had not returned. It was then that they had all realized that Dark Specter's evil ran too deep for them to ever get their loving and caring mother back. Andros had been sad to see his siblings go but Cestra told him that they knew that he was going to be okay especially with Ashley to take care of him and that he didn't need them as much anymore.

Now, he and Ashley were sitting on the Observation Deck simply enjoying some needed alone time. They had started out watching a movie but soon the movie had been forgotten and they had began kissing. Andros had resisted at first, trying to be the level-headed one, but Ashley had soon tore through his defenses and he was returning each of her kisses with more and more passion. Soon he was picking her up without breaking their kiss and headed towards his room.

When they arrived at his door he placed Ashley on the ground and keyed open the door as quickly as possible. He barely had time to step through the door before Ashley semi tackled him and pushed him onto the bed. At first Andros was surprised by her actions but soon he had given himself up to her touch and began returning the caresses. Ashley's hands slid under his shirt causing him to shudder but he soon found his hands moving under hers. Suddenly, clothes were flying in every direction and Andros was lying on top of her.

"Are you sure, Ashley?" he knew that if he didn't ask now he wouldn't ever be able to. She answered by kissing him hard on the lips and that was all the answer he needed. They made love for the first time that night and knew now that they were truly meant to be together.

When Andros woke up the next morning he smiled at the sight of Ashley sleeping peacefully in his arms, right where she belonged. He knew that the others had already suspected that they were sleeping together and now they would be right. He really wanted to keep their personal life a secret, at least until he asked Ashley to marry him, but he knew living in the close proximity of the Megaship it would be impossible. His train of thought was broken when Ashley stirred beside him. Andros ran his hand gently along her check and then slowly across her soft lips. He couldn't help but smile as she lightly kissed his fingers.

"Good morning," she whispered into the air. Suddenly, she opened her eyes, obviously remembering what had happened the previous night, and blushed.

"What's wrong?" Andros asked, teasingly. "I had a great time last night. How about you?"

"You don't regret it?" Ashley questioned seriously and Andros quit joking.

"Of course not!" he replied. "Did you?"

"No," she mumbled, "it's just I don't know where our relationship is going and I don't want to do something that might hurt it."

"Ashley," he began, lifting her chin up, forcing her to look him in the eye, "I love you and nothing will ever change that. Last night just helped me show that love even more."

Before Ashley could reply DECA broke in, "Darkonda is attacking Angel Groove." They jumped out of the bed as quickly as possible and put on their flight suits. When they stepped out into the hall the other rangers were also heading to the holding bay. No one said anything about them coming out of the same room but both Cassie and Zhane had intentions on asking their best friends when they returned.

They landed in the park and quickly saw Darkonda and some Quantrons surrounding a group of small children. Andros didn't wait for the others he just ran at Darkonda seeing Karone's kidnapping again and again in his mind. The monster turned around and kicked Andros squarely on the chest sending him back about ten feet. Ashley and Zhane rushed over to him helping his stand while Karone put a forcefield between the children and Darkonda.

"RUN!" T.J. yelled at the children and they ran from the park.

"What a pity," Darkonda began, "I was planning on turning one of them into the next Princess of Darkness."

"You'll never kidnap another child as long as I'm alive," Andros spat as he climbed to his feet.

"Red Ranger, you can't stop me!" Darkonda yelled. "You couldn't protect your sister then. What makes you think you're any stronger now?" Without waiting for a reply, he disappeared into the air.

"What was that all about?" Cassie questioned as all the rangers regrouped.

"He was just trying to get to me," Andros answered. "Let's get back to the ship." When they arrived back on the ship they were all surprised when Andros was willing to go relax on the Semi-Deck. Usually he would have reviewed what Darkonda said thousands of times trying to find a hidden meaning behind it. It was then that they could all see that he was really trying to make an effort to forgive himself and not push himself so hard all the time.

"Before we go," Zhane began, "I want to talk to you alone." Andros shrugged and followed his best friend to his room. Once they were there he began interrogating Andros. "How long have you two been sleeping together? Did you have sex? What if she gets pregnant?"

"Zhane, slow down!" Andros commanded. "First, we've been sleeping in the same bed for a while now but we've only had sex once and that was last night. And by the oddest chance that Ashley does get pregnant then I guess that will really give me a reason to ask her to marry me sooner."

"You're planning on marrying her?" his best friend asked confused.

"Yes," he answered. "I'm going to try to wait until she graduates but if something should happen before then I'll do it sooner."

Meanwhile, in a room down the hall Cassie was asking Ashley the same questions and getting almost the exact same answers.

"What if you get pregnant?" she asked and Ashley laughed. "What? That's not funny!"

"Well, if I get pregnant I guess I'll get the ring Andros is hiding in his room a little earlier than graduation."

"You mean, you two are going to get married?"

"I hope that's what it means," Ashley answered glancing down at the necklace she had received on her birthday.

A/N: Please Review. One very important question. Should Ashley get pregnant now or should I wait? It's all up to you.