Chapter 10: Never stop Searching

Andros sighed as he tried to work in his garage. Zhane looked up when Andros came in. "Whoa! You look terrible," Zhane commented.

"Thanks," Andros mumbled.

"How much sleep did you get last night?" Zhane asked.

"Gee, dad, I got only three hours of sleep last night."

"Sorry, you're like my brother I have the right to get worried about you."

Andros rolled his eyes. "So, what do we have here?" He asked.

"Umm, the engine blew out," Zhane replied.

Andros nodded. "Okay, let's get started," Andros informed.

"You got it boss," Zhane answered.

Andros started to get to work when he stopped. "Zhane…remind me again why on earth we started a garage. We're smarter than this," Andros commented.

"Yeah, but we've been trying to blend in. On earth we're just mechanics on KO-35, we're generals," Zhane replied.

Andros sighed as he tried to back to work. "But you know, it doesn't seem right now. I mean, my wife is missing and what am I doing to show for it? FIXING BUSTED ENGINES!" Andros shouted. He chucked a wrench across the garage. Andros sat down breathing very heavily. Zhane walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Then what are you doing sitting around here for?" He asked.

Andros nodded. "You're right. I'm going to find my wife," Andros informed. Zhane nodded with a grin.

"It's been two months, Andros, it's time to find her," he added.

Andros stood up. "Can you handle things here?" He asked.

"Of course I can," Zhane replied.

Andros got up and left the shop. "Good luck," Zhane mumbled as he went back to work.

Andros got onto the Megaship. "DECA start a search in Angel Grove for Ashley," he instructed.

"Searching now," DECA informed.

Andros at down in his chair with a sigh. He lifted his hand up to see his wedding ring staring at him. Ashley's wedding ring sat on a chain under his shirt. "Where are you, Ashley?" He asked.

"Ashley is not in Angel Grove," DECA informed.

He let out a sigh. "Scan the next city, DECA," Andros instructed.

"Acknowledged," DECA answered.

Andros rubbed the back of his neck and once again looked at his wedding ring. "Where are you, Ashley?" He pondered.

As they hours ticked by, Andros's heart sunk lower and lower into the pit of his stomach. "Where can she be?" He pondered. He turned around when the doors opened. Zhane, Cassie, and Carlos stood there. "What are you guys doing here?" He asked.

"We care about Ashley too. We're going to help you find her," Cassie replied.

Zhane walked over to the other computers. "Okay, DECA, start a search near KO-35," Zhane instructed. Andros turned around.

"Why are you searching out there?" Andros asked.

"Ashley's smarter than that, Andros. You know that. There's the possibility that she didn't ust leave Angel Grove, she could've leave earth completely," Zhane replied.

Cassie started putting in coordinates and she let out a sigh. Carlos placed a hand on her shoulder. "You okay?" He asked. Cassie shook her head.

"Carlos, I knew she would do something like this. You knew too."

Tears fell down her face. "We all knew and we didn't do anything," she whispered. Zhane walked over.

"Cassie, look at me," Zhane insisted.

Cassie looked up at him. "This isn't your fault. This isn't anybody's fault," Zhane insisted.

"Except mine," Andros put in.

They looked over at Andros. Andros stood up. "This is my fault. My wife was raped and I couldn't protect her. Now she's gone and IT'S ALL MY FAULT!" Andros shouted. He kicked the nearest wall before pressing his forehead against it. Cassie walked over and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Andros, it wasn't your fault," she assured him.

Andros looked at her. "Of course it is. I'm the universe's worse husband in the world. My wife was abused by her father and I didn't even see it. She married me to escape her father's abuse. I had one chance…Cass. I had one chance to protect her from getting her spirit broke again and I didn't do anything," Andros explained. Andros slid to the floor with tears falling down his face. "My wife is broken and I didn't do anything to prevent it from happening," he whispered. Zhane kneeled in front of Andros and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"Andros, buddy, this can't be your fault. You didn't know," Zhane insisted.

Andros didn't answer him for a minute. "You still have Sierra. Your girlfriend hasn't gone through what my wife has," Andros answered. He got up. "DECA search the next system," he instructed.

"Searching now," DECA answered.

(Miranoi)

Ashley sighed as she practiced her telekinesis. Karone came in and sat across from her. She held her hands up and pushed the ball back over to Ashley. "Thanks," Ashley told her. Karone smiled. "So, she'll be two years next week?" Ashley asked. Karone nodded.

"Yeah, Kiana will be two," she replied.

Just then, a little girl came running into the room.

She had chin-length blonde hair, hazel eyes, she was wearing white buckle shoes, a pink flower dress, and a headband was in her hair.

Karone smiled. "Hi, Kiana," she greeted. She picked the little girl up and set her in her lap.

"Mommy, where's daddy?" She asked.

"Daddy had to work sweetie," Karone replied.

Kiana pouted, but Karone lifted her daughter's chin up. "Turn that frown upside down," she instructed. Ashley watched the image in front of her. Karone then tickled Kiana's stomach and the little girl shrieked with laughter. Ashley found herself placing a hand on her stomach. Her baby was still growing inside of her. The mystery of the father still sat in her mind. She really hoped it was Andros's baby. After months of trying, it would have been wonderful if the baby was his after their struggle of trying to have one. Her mind drifted back to her very first reason to marry Andros. Karone looked up.

"I'm okay," Ashley answered quickly.

Karone didn't answer and looked at Kiana. "Sweet heart, why don't you go play? Mommy has to talk to your Auntie Ashley," she informed. Kiana nodded and ran upstairs. Karone smiled at her daughter.

"I remember when you first got pregnant with her," Ashley commented.

Karone nodded and looked up at the room that her daughter was playing in. "Ashley…are you sure about this?" She asked.

"What?" Ashley asked.

"Staying away from Andros while you're going through this hard time. I mean, Andros was always there for you during your troubles before."

"I don't want him to be here this time, Karone. If this baby is Todd's, it'll tear him apart."

"How do you know?"

"Because it's tearing me apart just thinking about it," Ashley replied sadly.