Chapter 11: Children of the Sun

Almost a month had passed since Andros's return. However, Andros became afraid to even sleep at night, because of the nightmares of what Dorjan had done to him kept haunting him.

One night, while Ashley was sleeping peacefully, Andros was struggling with his nightmares.

(Andros's Dreams)

Andros was at the bridge looking over his coordinates. "DECA, scan the area for any ships," he instructed.

"Acknowledged," DECA answered.

Andros looked at his ring and let out a sigh as he thought about his family. Just then, DECA's alarms went off. "What is it, DECA?" Andros asked.

"Unknown intruders have boarded the ship," DECA replied.

Andros saw dozens of hooded figures coming his way. "DECA CLOSE THE DOORS!" Andros shouted as he ran out of the bridge.

"Acknowledged," DECA answered.

As Andros was running down the hall towards the equipment room. He took off his morpher and took a deep breath. "Good luck son," he whispered. He sent the morpher to KO-35 and then got in a guarding stance.

"Give it up Red Ranger," Dorjan snapped.

"Not happening," Andros answered.

The hooded figures surrounded him and pinned him down. "GET OFF!" Andros shouted. Dorjan laughed as he pulled out the dagger.

"You'll give me the answers I need," he sneered.

Andros tried to fight them off and tried to get rid of the dagger when he suddenly felt a sharp pain go through his eye. "Next time I kill you," Dorjan snapped. Andros collapsed to the ground holding his eye in pain. "Take him to the castle," he ordered. The hooded figures bowed before disappearing with Andros.

(End Flashback)

Andros jolted awake and looked over to see Ashley still asleep. Andros slowly got out of bed and went to get some air. He walked out onto the balcony and let out a breath.

(Somewhere in Space)

Dorjan was in one of the hooded figure's bodies as a substitute until go took back over Andros. Dorjan watched the former Space Ranger with a glare. "Keep an eye on him. I have just enough strength to gain my control over him again," he informed. The lead hooded figure nodded and got back to work.

(KO-35)

Andros let out a breath and traced the scar that went from his temple to his chin. He closed his eyes and sat down on the chaise that sat on the porch. He looked at the stars and crossed his arms over his chest. "You alright?" Ashley asked. Andros looked up at her.

"Yeah…yeah, I'm okay," he replied.

Ashley walked over and sat next to her husband on the chaise. She curled up next to her and placed her head on his chest. "This is familiar," she commented.

"Yeah?" He asked.

Ashley nodded. "Except the last time we were laying here like this was the night before you went on the mission we were lying here trying to comfort each other," she replied. Andros kissed the top of her head.

"We usually lie on this chaise when we have a hard time sleeping. When Andreas had the colic, when you were pregnant with Astra and the twins," he commented.

Ashley kissed his bare chest and found herself tracing the scar on his side from Dorjan's sword. Andros closed his eyes and she felt the pain and stopped touching his scar. "Sorry," she murmured. Andros shook his head.

"Not your fault. I'm just having a hard time dealing with this that's all," he confessed.

She looked up at him. "Andros, why didn't you say anything?" She asked. Andros stepped out of her embrace and got off the chaise.

"Because that's not me, Ashley. You've known me for years and tell me the last time I easily told you what was wrong with me?" He asked.

Ashley bit her lip as she looked at his pain filled eyes. "I can't get what he did to me out of my head. I can't get what he planned to do to you and our kids out of my head," he confessed. Ashley stood up and walked over to him.

"Everything's going to be okay," she assured him.

Andros shook his head slowly. "No…it's not. I can still hear his thoughts, Ashley. I know what he's trying to do," he murmured.

"What is he trying to do?" Ashley asked.

"He's going to try to take over me again and then he's going to try to find the Children of the Sun."

Ashley bit her lip and shook her head. "Andros…I know where the Children of the Sun are," she murmured.

"What? Where?" He asked.

Ashley held her husband's hands. "They're right by our room," she whispered. Andros's eyes widened.

"Apollo and Solana?" He asked.

She nodded slowly. "Why didn't you tell me in the beginning?" He asked.

"Because I didn't know if his spies were watching us. They could be watching us now. I didn't want to put our children in danger," she replied.

Andros placed his hands on her face. "Nothing will happen to our kids," he whispered. Ashley placed her hands over his. "I promise that nothing will never, ever happen to our children," he added. She nodded her head slowly.

"I know nothing will happen, as long as they have Artemis and Selena as their siblings and you as their father," she agreed.

Andros pressed his forehead against hers and ran his fingers through her hair. Ashley reached up and traced the scar on his face again. He was about to pull back from her touch when he suddenly realized that her touching it didn't make it seem as horrible as it was when he first got it. He lifted her chin up and kissed her. Ashley kissed him back. Andros picked her up and carried her back into their room. While at the same time, he used his telekinesis to lock the door so they wouldn't be disturbed in the morning by Apollo and Solana. For the first time in so long, Andros and Ashley felt free and grateful, because they had found each other once again.