Chapter 2:
Being Found:
The girl and her son had packed their camp and moved to another place, a clearing about half a mile from the forest line. It was near a pond to bathe in and it was closer to good spots to find their food. The little boys unpacked their food, watching his mother start a fire.
"What eat now?" The boy asked.
"Meat. No fish. Save fish for breakfast," She answered.
The boy took out a package of wrapped up rabbit meat.
"That is good," She smiled.
Andros sat in his room, wondering what state he would find Tia in.
She is a survivor, 'Dros, that you can be sure of.
How does that help me, Zhane? I mean that she and my son are out there...somewhere and I have no idea how we will find them.
If your son is anything like his mother...than they will be alright. I want to find them just as much as you do, 'Dros, I do. I mean she's my sister. I would like to get to know my nephew. I know that Karone thinks the same. We all want her back, 'Dros, we all want her back.
But...I...I just wish...I just wish that I had been able to find her earlier. But I wasn't able to...and then your accident. I gave up, Zhane, on everything. On life, on love, on everything. I mean, what use am I if...(groan)...
Andros, we want to find her as much as you do. I mean...I never really knew her, but from what Zhane has been telling me...She's a good person.
She is, Karone, she is.
Andros, why don't you tell me about her. Something...I want to help.
When she was...On her 16th birthday, 2 days before I left...I was a little depressed because I thought that I might not get the commission. So she started a food fight, flinging a giant glob of frosting at Zhane's head and hit him head on.
I have never seen him laugh harder than that day, Karone. And she had good aim. Got my on the bridge of my nose, splattering across my face and a little into my hair. He laughed so hard that he started choking.
That sounds happy.
It was.
Zhane, do you think we can find her?
Yes, 'Dros, I do. I do.
The other rangers sat around the table in mess.
"So, what is the real deal on this girl, TJ?" Cassie asked.
"She's Andros' ex. He, Zhane, and Zhane's family were told that she was dead. Zhane said that it has been tearing Andros up for years..." TJ answered, "Tearing him up at the fact that he could have done something. That he could have searched for her. That he could have found her."
Ashley gasped.
"The poor guy," She sighed sadly.
"Yeah...just imagine it, Ashley. That you are in his shoes. That your first love disappeared the day you took Ranger duty. Finding out that she was dead. Spending 6 years thinking that you would always be alone. Then to find out that she's alive..." TJ stopped himself.
"What else, man?" Carlos asked.
"Andros...he should tell you, guys. It's not my secret to tell," He replied.
D.E.C.A. wondered, So, she is alive. I can find her. I will find her.
The rangers went about their business stopping only when D.E.C.A. told them that they had reached KO-35.
"Thank you, Deca," Andros sighed.
"I am landing us near a signal that I picked up. It matches Zhane's DNA signature, so I believe that it may be the girl that you are looking for," D.E.C.A. answered.
"Thank you, Deca," Andros said more happily, then he got on the comm, "Okay, guys, Deca is landing us near a signal she picked up. It matches Zhane, so it must be Tia. Hurry up and meet me...in command. We have to suit up, Zhane, as Tia would say, do it Old School."
"What the hell does he mean, Zhane?" TJ asked.
Zhane gave a knowing and evil-esque grin.
"Something that he, Tia, and I used to do. She helped us train. This is Tia School, kiddies," He grinned.
The rangers shook their heads and rolled their eyes, following Zhane.
"I will find you, Tia," Andros told himself., "And our son. We can finally be together."
"Andros, you will find her. I daresay that I am tired of you bitching and moaning about never finding her," D.E.C.A. sighed, "I have spent so many years listening to it and I am tired of it."
"Well, D.E.C.A., you won't have to worry about it anymore. All you will have to worry about is babysitting duty," Andros smiled.
"Ah, your son," She realized.
"Yes, Deca, my son," He shook his head.
"Just remember, Andros, that you never were alone," Deca reminded him.
"Go to forest line. Stay there. When see man with same hair like you, lead him here. I take care of rest," The girl told her son.
"Yes, mama," He said hugging her.
"Be careful, Adam," She called to him as he ran toward the forest line.
The other rangers were suited up and ready to go. Andros found them instead of them finding him.
"Ready, guys?" He asked.
Andros saw something in the forest line.
"Zhane, keep it quiet," Andros whispered.
Andros walked toward the forest line when he saw a boy. The boy pointed to him and then Zhane and the others.
"Follow me," Adam said, "Mama talk. Want to see you."
Adam pointed to Andros as he said, 'Want to see you.' Andros called the others over. Adam stared at Karone.
"I know you," He said, "Mama no believe. I know. You aunt. She thought you gone forever. Now tell her told you so," He smiled.
"What is your name?" She asked him.
"Adam. Says my name has 2 letter like my father's. 'A' and 'D'. Not much, she say, but at least something," He replied.
Adam led the rangers to the camp. Andros froze when he saw the girl at the fire.
"Adam, go check trap for crabs. Take gloves. No get snipped like last time," She asked her son.
When Adam had gone further down river, the girl straightened and sighed.
"He isgood boy. Like hisfather," She sighed.
Andros stepped forward.
"Tia?" He whispered.
"Haven't heard that name in a long time," She said clearly.
Andros, Zhane, and Karone sat at the fire.
"So, they found you," Tia nodded to Karone.
"Yeah, they did. A couple of years ago," Karone smiled.
"I was surprised, ya know. When you attacked your own world," Tia sighed, "It was dangerous for Adam. He was only 3. Was scared out of his wits. But he saw his uncle leaving a tent. Sobered him up right quick. He knew that our family was alive...that if Zhane was alive...then maybe Andros was out there somewhere."
Andros sat next to Tia and took her hand into his.
"Hey, Zhane, can you help Adam? Please?" Tia asked.
"You need to talk to Andros alone?"
"Well, I'll take him further into the forest to talk. More quiet there."
"Okay, little sister," Zhane laughed as he stood and followed the path that Adam had taken.
"So, you wanted to talk?" Andros sighed as he leaned against a tree.
"I want to ask you something, Andy. Now that you have found me, do I have to raise Adam alone?" She asked, tearing forming.
Andros took Tia into his arms.
"No, Latia, now that we are together again...Adam will have us both," He kissed her hair.
I want to thank AA Lover for the good review for the first chapter. I hope you like this one.