Chapter 6: Test of Fate

Ashley came out of the bathroom with the test in her hands. "Here, take this," she instructed. She handed Andros the test.

"What am I supposed to see?" He asked.

Ashley rubbed the back of her neck. "Two pink lines," she replied. Andros stared at the test.

"I see two lines," he answered.

"Two pink lines?" She asked, her heart thumping.

"These lines look more like red ones."

Ashley looked at the test. "They're pink…" she whispered. Tears fell down her face. "They're pink!" She repeated loudly. Andros threw the test out and walked over to Ashley.

"You sure these tests are accurate?" He asked.

"I took the test at least over a dozen times. I think I know what a positive test looks like," she replied.

"Yeah, but I mean, there's a chance it could be faulty."

Ashley let out a sigh. "What do you suggest?" She asked. Andros took her hand.

"Come on, we're going to the Megaship," he replied.

He led Ashley to the Megaship to see if the scanners there give the same result.

Ashley lied back on the examining table and Andros kissed her forehead. "I'm right here," he assured her. He then took the scanner and ran it over her abdomen. The scanner beeped and Andros sighed. "You're pregnant," he informed.

"Can the scanner indicate who's it is?" She asked.

"No…it's too early into the pregnancy," he replied.

Ashley sat up. "Great. For all we know I could be carrying my rapist's child," she mumbled. Andros sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"I told you, Ash, we'll get through this," he assured her.

Ashley shook her head. "Andros, I don't want you to bring this problem into your life too. I mean, I let Todd take advantage of me. I was a Power Ranger. I fought Astronema, Divatox, Quantrons, Piranhatrons, and Ecliptor. I let one group of men beat me. I brought this on myself…" she babbled. Andros hugged her tight.

"It wasn't your fault," he assured her.

Ashley buried her head into his shoulder and cried. Andros stroked her hair and kissed the side of her head. "I love you. I love you very much," he murmured.

"I love you too," she answered.

Andros rocked her back and forth in his arms and continued to place soft kisses on her head, face, and neck to soothe her. He continued to hold her even when she cried herself to sleep against him.

(Three Days Later)

Andros was sitting alone in his lab. He was staring at his wedding ring and closed his eyes.

(Flashback)

Andros was staring into the lake when Ashley found him. "Hey," she greeted. Andros didn't look at her. Ashley sat down next to him. "Look, I'm sorry that my parents said those things to you," she told him.

"Don't make their apologies for them," he answered.

He looked at her. "What if they're right? About us getting married. I mean, maybe it would ruin everything you worked hard for. We're only nineteen," he commented.

"On KO-35 if you were still there you would've been married at seventeen and probably would be starting a family by now," she commented.

Andros shook his head. "Things are different now, Ash. Now that everything's been restored to KO-35. I mean when I told Commander Kinwon about the engagement, he wasn't all happy about it either. They all think we're too young," he explained. Ashley had him face her.

"Andros, listen to me. I think we're fully capable for making this decision ourselves. We're legal adults now. We became adults when we turned eighteen," she answered.

Ashley placed her hands on his face. "I want to marry you, Andros. I'm going to marry you,' she told him. Andros smiled. He placed his hand on the back of her neck and pulled her into a kiss. Ashley wrapped her arms around his neck as she kissed him back. He pulled her into his lap and continued kissing her. Ashley pulled back and tilted her head back as he rained kisses on her neck and throat. "Not here," she told him. Andros pulled back and nodded. They stood up and went back to her apartment.

The next morning, Andros woke up and smiled to find Ashley asleep in his arms. It was bliss and nothing could take away that moment he had with his soon-to-be wife. Ashley opened her eyes and looked over at him. "Hey," she greeted.

"Hey," he answered.

Ashley ran her fingers up and down his arm. "When do you want to get married?" She asked. Andros pulled her so she was on top of him.

"As soon as possible," he replied.

Ashley giggled and leaned forward and kissed him again.

(End Flashback)

Andros opened his eyes when the computer beeped. "Transmission from KO-35," DECA informed.

"Main viewing screen," Andros instructed.

Kinwon appeared. "I hear you are having problems, General Andros," he informed.

"Admiral Kinwon. It's my wife. A month ago as I told you before, a man has taken advantage of her," Andros informed.

"Yes, I remember you telling me," Kinwon answered.

"Sir, my wife is pregnant. We're not sure if the child is the rapist's or mine."

"I see, and what would you like me to do?"

"I want to know if there's any kind of technology on KO-35 that can determine whether or not the child is mine or the rapist's."

Kinwon remained quiet. "How far along is she?" He asked.

"About a month, sir," Andros replied.

Kinwon let out a sigh. "I'm sorry, Andros. But it is impossible to detect whether or not the child is yours or the rapist's until Ashley is at least five months along," he informed. Andros fell back in his chair.

"So that's it? We wait?" Andros asked.

"I'm afraid so," Kinwon replied.

"This is tearing her apart, Kinwon. Isn't there any new technology that you had your scientists develop just incase something like this were to happen on KO-35?"

"I'm sorry, Andros. We have not been able to have our technology got that far into enhancement yet."

Andros rubbed his forehead. "What are Ashley and I supposed to do if this child is the rapist's?" Andros asked.

"You know very well of what you should do, Andros. Stay beside her and support her. Your wife will need your support throughout this entire ordeal," Kinwon replied.

Andros nodded and stood up from his chair again. "I will be waiting for your report again in four months," Kinwon informed. Andros saluted.

"Yes, sir," he answered.

"End transmission," DECA informed.

Andros let out a sigh and looked over at Ashley to see her standing in the doorway. "How much did you hear?" He asked.

"Enough," she replied.

Ashley turned and walked away. Andros sat down again. "Why us?" He whispered. He placed his head in his hands and let out a heavy sigh. A question that couldn't be answered. Why?