Chapter 9: A New Level

Andros was sitting in the simu-deck with a box in his hand. Karone walked over and sat next to her brother. "Are you okay?" She asked.

"I'm fine, Karone," he replied.

He took a deep breath as he looked at the simu-deck. "I'm going to propose to Ashley tonight," he informed. Karone's eyes widened in disbelief. "I'm going to make the simu-deck to look like one of her favorite places she's been wanting to go to. I'm going to give her this...if she says yes," he added. Andros opened the box to reveal the ring he wanted to give Ashley.

The ring was simple, slender, and elegant. It had a marquise shaped emerald and diamond ring was a beautiful accent on any hand. 3 round diamonds graced the sides of the band offering a fine twisting illusion.

Karone recognized the ring. "That's mom's," she whispered. Andros nodded and smiled to know that his sister remembered the ring. "She's going to say yes, Andros, you know she will," she assured him. Andros nodded and closed the box.

"I have to get things ready for tonight," he informed.

Karone nodded and left her brother be. Andros stood up from the floor and walked over to the panel. He pressed a few buttons and let out a sigh. "Begin simulation," he instructed. Andros looked over at the simulation and stepped out onto the ground. He found himself sitting perfectly where Ashley dreamt of being in, Paris. Andros had programmed it to be on the Eiffel Tower and he was going to propose to Ashley right there.

Ashley came into her room and found a note on the desk along with a box. She walked over and picked the note up and started to read it.

Ashley,

Meet me on the simu-deck at 6:00. Inside the box is a nice present, but inside is also a blindfold please, put it on, it's a surprise. I'll see you at six.

Andros

Ashley put the note down and opened the box. A smile came across her face as she placed the blindfold on the desk while she pulled the dress out.

The dress was long, curve hugging stretch of lemon yellow matte jersey Celanese Fortrel polyester. The bodice had an empire waist trimmed at the top with a variegated grosgrain ribbon in colors that subtlety deepen from pale lemon to gold. The 1" wide straps were also grosgrain. It closed with a back zipper.

Ashley saw the shoes and picked them up too.

The shoes were yellow high heels that had a classy patent T-strap sandal with looped detailing. Ankle strap had adjustable buckle closure.

Ashley smiled. "All right, Andros, what are you planning?" She asked. She found another note in the bottom of the box and picked it up to read it.

Ashley,

Before you say anything. I was going to give this to you on your birthday, but since I accidentally missed it, I think it's fitting to give it to you now. I hope you like it. Love you. At 6:00, stay by the door off the simu-deck and I'll have Karone lead you into the room. You'll love this surprise, I promise.

Andros

Ashley nodded before slowly getting out of her uniform and putting the dress on. She brushed out her hair and pulled it back in a half-ponytail. She got the shoes on and looked at herself in the mirror. She fixed the necklace that Andros gave her two years ago. When 6:00 came around, Ashley went over to the simu-deck. "DECA are the others on the ship?" She asked.

"The rest of the Rangers besides Karone are exploring the planet below," DECA replied.

Ashley nodded and stood beside the simu-deck and put the blindfold on. Karone came over and smiled at Ashley. "Come on, this way," she insisted.

Andros was waiting on the simu-deck and he nodded to Karone. "Andros?" Ashley asked.

"I'm right here," he answered.

"What's going on?"

"You'll see."

Ashley heard some of the buttons beeping. "Begin simulation," Andros instructed. Andros walked over and turned Ashley around so she would face him. He removed the blindfold and smiled. Ashley looked at him, surprised at what he was wearing.

Andros wore black shoes, black pants, a red button-down shirt, a black jacket, and his hair was pulled back in a half-ponytail.

"Okay, turn around," he told her. Ashley turned around and her eyes widened at the simulation.

"Paris? You made the simu-deck look like Paris?" She asked.

"Do you like it?" He asked.

"I love it," she replied.

Andros watched as she walked over to the edge of the railing. "You even programmed it so we're on the tower," she murmured. Andros nodded and stood beside her. They started to have a small conversation when Andros let out a sigh. "What's wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing. I was just thinking," he replied.

"What were you thinking about?" She asked.

"I was thinking about when I was in that cell. You know, I was so close to death many times. However, each time I felt like I was going to give up, only one thing pulled me back."

"Oh yeah? And what's that?"

Andros held her hand and kissed the top of it. "You. Ashley, you made my life okay when I was down. When I thought there was no way out. You showed me a new way out. I mean it, Ashley. You've been my best friend, I can tell you anything and you'd understand. Ever since I was rescued, not a day went by when I couldn't stop thinking about you. I love you and nothing can change that at all." he explained.

"I love you too, Andros," she murmured.

She touched her boyfriend's face and then Andros took a deep breath. "I was thinking that this is the time to take our relationship to a new level," he informed. He then got down one knee, pulled the box out, held onto her hand, and looked u pat her. "Ashley, will you marry me?" He asked. Ashley felt tears well up in her eyes as Andros opened the box with his telekinesis.

"Yes, of course," she replied with a shaky breath.

Andros slipped the ring onto her finger and hugged her tight. This was the happiest moment of Andros's life, he was going to marry the greatest girl in the world. That is, only if Balavan didn't ruin anything. Andros pushed the thought away as he hugged Ashley tight. Ashley buried her face in his neck and let out a sigh. "I love you," he murmured.

"I love you too. I love you so much," she answered.

Karone watched them with a smile. "Mission accomplished," she murmured. Then she walked away with a smile on her face.