Chapter 12: Saving Andros

Thank You: Thank you SciFiNutAlways1999 for helping me create the rest of the story you're the best.

Security came and dragged Mr. Hammond away while Andros made his way to Ashley and took out the knife in his stomach. He grabbed onto her hand. Ashley removed the wires on her stomach and got down on the floor with him and pressed her hand against the wound. "A--Ashley," he whispered.

"I'm right here," she assured him.

Doctors came in just when Andros was trying to tell her something. "Miss Hammond, you have to step back," one of the doctors instructed.

"I cant leave him please? Andros..." The doctor cut her off.

""If you want us to save him you have to step back."

Ashley got back into bed and another doctor got her hooked back up to the fetal monitor. They got Andros out of the room. A few minutes later the doctor came back. "Miss Hammond we found this in his shirt," he informed. He handed her the blood stained bracelet that Andros took from the house the night Ashley tried to escape. Ashley took the bracelet.

"That's the bracelet he gave me..." She said with tears in her eyes.

"We're trying all that we can to save him."

Carlos was able to come in. "Ashley, I just heard," He said. Ashley looked at Carlos. her hands were still full of blood and hand the bracelet in her hands. She was shaking.

"He was protecting me," she whispered.

Carlos sat next to the girl that's been like a sister to him and pulled her into a sisterly embrace. "He'll be okay. He's cheated death before remember? He's lucky he survived fighting Astronema," he pointed out.

"He was protecting me from my father." Ashley whispered.

Carlos sighed. "I know," he answered. Ashley held the bracelet in her hands and cried. After a few minutes she started to calm down again. Carlos had her sit back. "Listen, Cassie's trying to find out what's going on. Your father's been thrown in jail," he informed.

"Good he deserves it," she answered.

"Ashley, why didn't you at least tell me? You and I have known each other longer than the others. You couldn't' tell me what your father had done to you?" He asked.

"I was scared. I didn't know how to tell anyone."

Carlos sighed again. "Ashley sit back and try to relax okay? This won't help the baby," he stated. Ashley nodded as she calmed herself down even more. Carlos stroked her face. "Wow...think of it now, Ashley. You're going to be a mom," he commented.

"I can hardly wait," she answered.

Carlos smiled as he tried to keep her mind off of everything. "Remember when we were Rangers and your grandmother thought that you and I were dating?" He asked.

"Oh god that was so crazy," she replied with a smile.

"Well you started it. Stomping on my foot and told me to play along."

"It was just to make my grandma happy."

"Yeah, T.J. and Andros still tease me about how I actually played along with it."

Ashley laughed slightly. "Where is T.J.?" She asked.

"Last I heard he was on his way here. He might be with Cassie," he replied.

"I want to know how Andros is," she insisted.

"I know."

An hour later the doctor came back in. "Miss Hammond?" She asked. Ashley looked up.

"How is he?" Ashley asked.

"He's fine. He's in recovery. He's a very lucky man. You're a very lucky woman."

"When can I go home?"

"In a few days, we want to monitor the baby."

"Is my baby okay?"

The doctor smiled as she walked over to the screen. She pointed to a spot. "See that?" She asked. Ashley looked at the screen. "That's your baby's heartbeat." She informed. Ashley smiled and felt weight get lifted off her shoulders.

"It's so nice to hear," she commented.

The doctor nodded and looked at Ashley. "The baby's lucky. A beating like you got would've made another woman miscarry," she pointed out.

"If this baby is anything like Andros and me, he or she is strong," Ashley answered.

Carlos noticed the sad look on her face and stroked her hair. "They said he's going to be okay, Ash," he pointed out.

"I know," she answered.

"Why are you so sad?" He asked.

"I wish Andros was hear to listen."

Carlos ran his hand up and down her arm in a comforting way. "I know," he murmured. Ashley took a deep breath.

"Thanks Carlos," she told him.

"For what?"

"Everything."

"I just got all the news today so I'm in a little bit of shock."

"No you were there for me. Thanks. And Cassie there too."

Carlos nodded. "You're our best friend, Ash. We hate seeing you get hurt," he answered. Ashley smiled and placed her head on Carlos's shoulder. "You sure you want to marry this guy?" He asked.

"I'm carrying his child," she replied.

"So?"

"Carlos."

"Yeah you're right."

Ashley laughed and then her hand found it's way to her stomach. Her baby was growing peacefully inside her. "I'm going to go down and see him in a few hours," she informed. Carlos nodded.

""Fine. Oh and I haven't gotten the chance to tell you. I got a soccer scholarship," he informed.

"That's great."

"What about you? I mean, are you going to be the fashion designer that we all know and love?"

"I'm thinking about holding that off for a bit. I'm moving to KO-35 with Andros."

"Starting over eh?"

"Yeah. After the trial, school and everything else."

"You know what? If anyone needs to start over you surely deserve it."

Ashley smiled. "Thanks Carlos," she told him. Carlos kissed her forehead.

"And I mean it too," he added.

Ashley then let out a yawn. "Ashley, when was the last time you slept? I mean actually slept without any attacks?" He asked.

"It's been awhile," she replied.

"Well now you can get all the sleep in the world."

"Sounds great."

"Yeah, until this little one comes out then you'll be sleep deprived again."

"That I wouldn't mind."

Carlos kissed her forehead. "Get some sleep, Ash. I'll take you to Andros's room when you wake up," he informed. Ashley nodded as she fell asleep.