Chapter 15: Trying to Heal Part I

Andros went to find Ashley and found her in their quarters. Ashley was lying on their bed staring at the far wall. "Ashley," Andros called. Ashley didn't answer; she just stared at the wall. Andros walked over and sat next to her on the bed and stroked her hair. "Ashley, it wasn't your fault that the baby's gone," he murmured.

"Then why is it gone?" She asked.

Andros kissed her cheek. "Because the Psycho Rangers killed it," he replied. Ashley reached over and held his hand.

"Stay with me," she whispered.

Andros nodded and lied down behind her. She turned around and placed her head on his chest and held onto him. "We'll try again later on, Ashley. Even if you carried the baby to term, the baby would've been in constant danger," he pointed out.

"I know…but…it was still our baby," she answered.

Andros kissed her forehead and sighed. "I know," he murmured. Ashley buried her head into his chest and let out a shaky sigh. "I promise once this is all over, we'll have the family we've always wanted," he assured her. Ashley nodded and closed her eyes. "Just rest, Ash, I'll be right here," he murmured. She slowly nodded off and Andros just stared at the opposite wall while holding her to him.

(Few Hours Later)

Andros was able to get up and he left Ashley alone to sleep. The others looked up when Andros came on the bridge. "Hey, how's Ashley?" Cassie asked.

"She'll hang in there. She just needs to rest right now," Andros replied.

"What about you?" TJ asked.

Andros shrugged. "I'll be fine, been through worse," he replied. Andros walked over to the controls. "DECA, go to these coordinates," he instructed.

"Acknowledged," DECA answered.

They knew they wouldn't get much more out of him so went back to work.

Carlos came into the simu-deck to already see Andros working out there. He stood back and watched the leader of their team really go at the simulation. Not sure how long Andros was there, but he could guess with tired Andros was getting. Andros finally stopped and de-morphed. The Red Space Ranger was exhausted and used his telekinesis to get the towel across the room. "How long have you been standing there?" Andros asked without turning around. Carlos sighed.

"Enough to know that you're going to make yourself go into a stroke if you keep working out like this," Carlos replied.

"What are you my caretaker now?" Andros asked.

Carlos sighed. "Andros…I know that you're upset about what happened, but you and Ashley can pull through this," he assured him. Andros sat down.

"No, Carlos. My unborn child was murdered and I have to see my wife cry herself to sleep and blame herself that it happened," he answered.

"But you know it wasn't your fault or hers."

Andros stood up. "Easy for you to say when this isn't happening to you," he mumbled. Carlos sighed.

"Ashley's like my sister. I would die for her just like you would. Remember what Ashley told you when I was injured when you thought Karone came back to KO-35?" Carlos asked.

Andros sighed. "What affects one of us affects all of us," he replied. He looked at Carlos. "This isn't like before, Carlos. You may think it is, but it isn't. Things between Ashley and me won't ever be the same," he added. Andros then turned and left the simu-deck.

Andros had to practically go all around the ship to find someplace that no one would find him. Everywhere he went he ran into one of the others. While Ashley was asleep, all he wanted was to be left alone. He needed time to think and to let the fact that his wife was hurting that Psycho Yellow killed their unborn baby. The fact that he had to see it all happen in front of his very eyes. Sure, the baby was unexpected and he stood by what he said to Ashley. If she had carried the baby to term, it would be in constant danger. He placed his head in his hands feeling ashamed that he couldn't protect her. "I couldn't protect her…again. I failed her again. How can I even be the Red Ranger if I can't even protect my wife and unborn child," he pondered.

(Dark Fortress)

Psycho Red laughed. "Yes, the Red Ranger has lost his confidence. Once he's alone on the Earth, I'll make my move," he laughed.

(Megaship)

Andros let out a sigh and stood up. He walked over to the jump tubes. "DECA, I'll be back. Don't tell the others where I am," he instructed.

"Acknowledged," DECA answered.

Andros jumped through his jump tube and went to Earth.

(Earth)

Andros de-morphed and started walking alone around the lake. He lifted his hand and traced his ring.

(Flashback)

Andros let out a sigh as he came home from visiting his parents. He had to talk to his father about his place as his father's heir, but he wasn't looking forward to it. "Hey," Adora greeted.

"Oh hey," he answered.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind."

Andros sat down and Adora sat next to him. "Want to talk about it?" She asked. Andros shrugged his shoulders.

"It's just this whole thing about me becoming Emperor. I don't know if I want it," he replied.

"Aww, poor little Andros," she teased.

Andros laughed and wrapped his arm around her waist. "You know, I've been thinking," she told him.

"Yeah?" He asked.

Adora looked at him. "I know we have to wait two years, but about the family we're going to have," she commented.

"Yeah? What about it?" He asked.

"You think we're ready for it?"

Andros sat back with a sigh. "After our Ranger training, I think we can do anything," he replied. She placed her head on his shoulder.

"I want a little boy and a little girl," she commented.

"Yeah? Sounds like a plan."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Andros kissed her forehead with a smile.

(End Flashback)

"Hello Red Ranger," A voice laughed. Andros spun around to see Psycho Red standing there. Andros got in a guarding stance.

"You killed my unborn child," Andros snapped.

"Yeah? That was my plan. Now I have the chance to destroy you."

"I don't think so. LET'S ROCKET!"

To Be Continued…