Disclaimer: Not mine, not ever… just the kiddies and all other characters you don't know from the series or Starhawk's fanfics. :D
Summary: The return of Andros's parents changes all future plans of Andros and Ashley. It's doubtful they'll ever see each other again. But there's a secret Ashley's carrying around just dying to come out.
Secrets Untold
Chapter 1: All Messed Up
"We'll be back soon, Ash. I promise." Andros said, placing a tender kiss on his lover's lips.
"I'll be waiting." Ashley grinned, only a little sadly, enjoying the last few moments in the arms of the man she loved.
"And we'll get married the moment I get back." Andros promised lovingly, smiling at the way her eyes lit up.
"Okay, break it up you lovebirds." Zhane called jokingly. "Andros, your parents haven't seen you in three years and Karone even longer… and, well, my parents still think I'm dead." He frowned before adding, "Let's go ease their worries. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner you can be back her telling Ashley that 'you do'."
"Well, that's my call." Andros sighed, reluctantly pulling away from Ashley and taking a few steps back to the shuttle waiting for him.
"Take care." Ashley called after him, waving slightly. "All of you!" She added, with a reluctant little grin. "I don't want the three most important people of my wedding getting hurt – and I especially don't want to be a widow before I'm even married!"
Karone's jubilant laughter met her ears and Zhane just waved her away.
"Don't worry, we'll take care of ourselves and make sure Andros doesn't do anything stupid." He called. "See you in a few days, Ash."
'Yeah right.' Andros thought listening to the minister talk about growing love and the joys of marriage. 'See you in a few days, Ash. Andros won't do anything stupid, Ash. We'll make sure of that, Ash.' He thought mockingly and bitterly.
"I do." The words left his mouth involuntarily, but they were another person's words, and he could feel no joy or excitement in those two powerful syllables.
'What the hell am I doing here?' He wondered as he slipped the elegant ring around her finger.
"I do." The sweet voice of the woman next to him echoed in his ears and he felt the cold metal band invade his hand.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Reluctantly he lifted the veil, closing his eyes as he leaned in, sealing the marriage with the ceremonial kiss. Earth and KO-35 weren't too different when talking about wedding traditions. He remembered Ashley's joy when they found out. She had been imagining her wedding from when she was little, following all traditions. Yet she had insisted that they'd mix traditions only to happily find out that there was no need.
When he opened his eyes he stared down into two bright water sapphire eyes and he fought the urge to cringe, knowing that the happiness from her eyes was not reflected in his own. He had so hoped to wake up from a bad dream and see the two loving chocolate brown eyes that had captured his heart – and weren't letting go anytime soon. Life kicked him once again, like it had every time he thought he was getting back on track.
He quickly diverted his gaze, searching for Zhane and Karone, the only people he could trust here. They stood there, applauding with everyone else, but they shot him pained, sympathising and helpless looks. They had tried, so hard, all three of them. But his parents, the people he had once called Mom and Dad, had waved away any protests, refused to listen, sharing looks that could only say "poor boy, must be pre-wedding jitters".
He felt his heart break when he thought of Ashley. How long would she wait for him? How long until she thought he had left her, abandoned her on a distant planet? Thought he left because of the engagement? It hurt him to think she was going to hate him. He couldn't go to Earth to tell her for Maura would have to come with him and he really didn't want that confrontation. He was sorely tempted to ask Zhane and Karone, but their wedding was scheduled for next month, and neither set of parents would let them go.
They had been lucky. With Zhane thought dead and Karone never to be seen again, no partner had been arranged for them. Zhane's sly suggestion of betrothing him to Karone and being able to solve both 'problems' at once had been welcomed with open arms, saving the two from the pain he had to go through. Later Zhane had apologized to him, but he had dismissed his apology. Ashley had already pointed out there was a spark between the two and it wouldn't be long before they started dating. He was actually happy his sister got the shot at happiness that was stolen from him.
"Congratulations you two." A guest called.
"You two make a lovely couple."
"Great catch, Maura."
All the compliments made Andros feel sick to his stomach. Maura didn't catch his heart, she never would. She might be happy now, but she'd regret marrying him soon enough. He might be robbed of his chance to be with Ashley, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to be loyal to her.
"The moment we can get away from here, I promise we'll explain to Ash." Zhane hissed in his ear. "We'll just go on a 'honeymoon' to Earth."
"Thanks." Andros muttered back, looking at his soon-to-be brother-in-law gratefully. "I owe you one."
Karone walked over and gathered her brother into a big bear hug.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered into his ear, looking for all others like she was congratulating him. "We tried." Her voice choked slightly, and he knew she was thinking of the women that should on his arm, the women that should be accepting all these compliments, the women that he should have married.
"I know." Andros sighed, holding her close just a little longer than necessary. "Just promise me you'll be happy."
Karone nodded as she pulled back.
"If you promise not to be too miserable." She told him silently, her voice filling his mind.
He just nodded in reply. This was probably the worst day of his life, closely followed the day he welcomed his parents back to KO-35. They had singled out Maura from their group of colonists for him to marry. He silently cursed the one tradition on KO-35 about weddings that didn't get along with Earth's and the only one he never told Ashley.
He wasn't particularly proud of the fact that children were betrothed at the age of 15, the wedding being held the day the youngest turned 16. KO-35 had been evacuated before his parents had found him a girl. Apparently… they hadn't stopped their search and decided that even though it would be a bit later than Maura's 16th birthday, they were still to marry.
Now he wished he had told Ashley. It would have made it so much easier to explain the situation to her. Maybe she would even have insisted on coming along, instead of listening to him and continuing to look around for colleges.
College suddenly didn't seem so important anymore… nothing did. Without Ashley, nothing seemed worth living for. Just a few minutes into his wedding and undeniable separation from Ashley and he had already lost her outlook on life. He couldn't see through her eyes anymore, because he couldn't see anything that might even resemble a bright side to this situation.
Suddenly he realised there was one little bright spot in the endless dark (though if he'd been able to follow through with his plans with Ashley it wouldn't have mattered). Just like royal families on Earth, married couples from important families on KO-35 slept in their own bedroom. His parents did; the only ones more important and respected than rangers were ambassadors, and his family happened to be both.
Nobody noticed the figure in the shadows of a group of trees a small distance away. Tears were running down her cheeks as she turned around and ran.
A/N: Hope you liked it. Review. Oh and I'm putting this up because today is my birthday yet again. Nineteen whole years on the planet… and still no way to get off it:P Anyway my present to you (also again): A preview of my new story. The rest won't be up until I finish up the Zodiac. :D And you know… the more reviews I get the more I'm stimulated to write… :P
Oh and read JDPhoenix's story 'When It Rains', it's great!