Chapter 5: Living in the Past

After another battle against Astronema, Andros had gone into the room that he put Zhane into after the last fight on KO-35. He touched the ice and let out a sigh. "Hey, Zhane. A lot has happened since you fell into that coma," he started. He looked over at the computer that was keeping track of his vital signs. "I spoke to Drisana, she misses you so much. Nearly crushed her when I gave her the news of what happened to you. She wants you to know that she loves you and hopes that you'll make it out of this," he informed. Andros slowly closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh.

(Flashback)

Andros came into the room. "Zhane, you okay?" He asked. Zhane looked over at him.

"Gee, I'm fifteen-years-old and getting married how do you think I feel?" Zhane asked.

Andros laughed slightly. "Well, Adora and I have been starting to get used to the idea. Nervous for the fact we'll be getting married not long after you do," Andros answered. Zhane let out a sigh.

"This is weird, Andros. I get my morpher and a wife at the same time," Zhane commented.

"Well, Adora and I are going through the same problem," Andros answered.

Zhane took a deep breath. "Ready?" Andros asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Zhane replied.

Andros patted Zhane's back before they left the room.

(End Flashback)

Andros opened his eyes and he looked at his frozen friend. "I need your guidance, man. I'm so lost and confused. Ever since Adora was killed and you've fallen into this cryogenic sleep for so long, I've had no idea how to even run my life," he explained. He looked over at his wedding ring that still sat on his hand. "Wake up, Zhane," he added. Then he turned and left.

Ashley looked up when Andros came on the bridge. "Where've you been?" She asked. Andros stopped.

"Why is it your business? Are you like my keeper now?" He asked.

Andros walked to the front console. "Setting in coordinates," Andros informed. He typed in some coordinates. "Scan the area once we get there, DECA," Andros instructed.

"Acknowledged," DECA answered.

Andros went towards the door. "Andros, where are you going?" Ashley asked. Andros stopped and looked at her.

"I need to be alone for awhile," he replied.

Ashley nodded and watched him leave, she was a bit worried about him, but then she went back to work to find Zordon.

Andros sat in his quarters. "DECA lock the doors then leave me in privacy," he instructed.

"Acknowledged," DECA answered.

He walked over to his dresser and opened the top drawer. He pulled out a picture of him and Adora that was taken a week after they were married. He sat down as he just stared at the picture. "Why did you leave me, Adora? Why did you have to go so soon?" He asked quietly. Tears welled up in his eyes as he just stared at Adora's face.

She had chin-length light brown hair, brown eyes, and she was wearing her Space Uniform.

Andros had his arms wrapped around her waist and she had her head tucked under his chin with her arms around his waist.

(Flashback)

Andros was holding Adroa's hands with a smile on his face. "Adora, I promise to love you, to be your best friend, to respect and support you, to be patient with you, to work together with you to achieve our goals, to accept you unconditionally, and to share life with you throughout the years," he vowed. Adora smiled as she held onto Andros's hands.

"Andros, I promise to love you, to be your best friend, to respect and support you, to be patient with you, to work together with you to achieve our goals, to accept you unconditionally, and to share life with you throughout the years," she vowed.

Andros was glad that his parents chose Adora to be his wife, because he wouldn't have had it any other way, even though he promised Adora that once he was Emperor of KO-35, he was going to change some things, that included the marriage age. Andros took Adora's ring and slipped it onto ther finger. "With this ring, I promise my heart, soul, and life to you," he vowed. Adora took the other ring and slipped it onto Andros's finger.

"With this ring, I promise my heart, soul, and life to you," she vowed.

The minister nodded to them. "I now pronounce you husband and wife," he announced. Andros took a deep breath as he leaned forward and kissed Adora, his best friend and now his wife.

(End Flashback)

Andros came out of his daze when someone knocked on the door. "Andros, can I come in?" Ashley asked. Andros put Adora's picture away and composed himself.

"DECA unlock the doors," he instructed.

Ashley came in with a smile that made Andros's heart skip a beat. "Hey," she greeted.

"Hey," he answered.

"You okay? You've been acting funny all day."

"I'm fine."

Ashley nodded her head slowly. "Andros, you know that if you need anyone to talk to, anyone at all that I'm here," she reminded.

"I'll keep that in mind," he answered.

Ashley started to walk away, but then she turned and looked back at him. "By the way, it's my birthday tomorrow. We're going to celebrate in the park. If you want to come that is," she informed. Andros looked at her confused. "On Earth we celebrate the day we're born. We have cake and presents, it's lots of fun," she added. He nodded his head slowly.

"I'll be there," he answered.

"Great. See you tomorrow. Goodnight, Andros," she told him.

Andros watched her leave. "Goodnight, Ashley," he answered. He let out a sigh and he walked over to the dresser again. He opened the second drawer and searched to give Ashley something. It felt weird, this was the first girl in two years that made his heart fly. So he wanted it to be special. He found a box and opened it. "Perfect," he whispered.