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.
Phantom Rogue: Yeah, I can stay! Party! Yes, Ashley won't talk to any of the rangers any time soon. Zhane and Karone are very cute together, almost as perfect as Andros and Ashley. And explaining things to Ashley would indeed ruin the whole story, undermine the plot and basically kill the Plot Monkeys.
Fantasywriter13: Andros's father isn't actually that bad, he's the nicest of them all. And Maura would be a VERY ditzy bystander. Take all the time you need in updating, I'll wait. I really love the story.
Lady Kimiko: So you've got a problem with airheads in general as long as they're not power rangers… ME TOO!
Arwennicole: I can hate her too… but then again, I know how this story is going to go and end and all, so I can't really talk. You got Andros completely figured out… now if only Ashley had your brains. I'd lend you my blaster if I didn't need Maura's hands ON Andros at some points in the story. Sorry :(
SweetSas: So you can't hate her either… Rosa! You got an ally.
Tal: Well, actually the Plot Monkeys as we have established… but yeah, they made me do it, I've got no control over them. You can take revenge when the story is finished… okay?
Jenny: I know that story is VERY true… but otherwise I'm an angel… right? RIGHT! Yeah, it was Rosa. I love that What-If you wrote, you know it, but you also know you can't put it up until chapter… um… 9 or something I think?
Slytherin-Angel44: Good, someone more to hate Maura with me.
Piper xox Leo: Maura is SO stupid! She doesn't even notice Andros doesn't want her.
AstROnAut: Glad you like my story.
DizneeDol: Andros does belong to Ashley, with all his heart and soul until the ends of time and beyond.
Jessica01: Good for you.
Mz. Daydream: Well… there is… like: Maura's a bitch. But that's okay.
The-power-of-love: Good! Someone on my side from the beginning! Yay!
Star Fata: Yay! Keep hating her… you'll end up hating me for writing what I did, but do keep on hating her.
Mita427: Glad you liked it.
Zeopurple: Don't worry, you will, you definitely will. She'll eventually get a clue… but it won't solve the marriage.
MackenzieW: She's not supposed to be written in that way just yet, she's too naïve to. Her life has been too sheltered from the rest of the universe to. And about the responding to reviews in my chapters. I know, but no one ever complained about it and I give good indications to where the actual chapter starts, so if it annoys someone they can just skip that part. I get fanfiction won't let us post copyrighted lyrics anymore, but this is just stupid.
C.C.C.: You will. Keep no liking her and it will grown into hate, trust me. You'll definitely hate her when I post chapter 17. And this story will have a very happy ending.
Dana Mitchell-Carter Grayson: They'll find her… eventually. Keep on hating Maura. Andros and Ashley will be sad for some time longer… some long time longer.
Secrets Untold
Chapter 4: Old Friend
Ashley strolled down the street from her work to her cramped apartment, if it was even big enough to call it that. She had confessed about her pregnancy to the university and they had suggested putting her on hold for a year so she could have her baby without having to worry about her studies. She didn't even have to doubt about getting a place next year and she wouldn't have to apply all over again. So now she was working to pay for the rent and her needs until she could move into the college dorm next year.
"Ash?" A voice behind her asked. "Ashley Hammond?"
Ashley whirled around and looked at the guy standing in front of her, panting slightly and red-faced, suggesting that he probably run after her.
"Excuse me, do I know you?" She asked politely, struggling to remember if his face should look familiar.
"So I was right." The guy laughed, grinning down at her when he noticed she didn't recognize him. "It's me, Josh. Joshua Weaver?"
"Oh my god, Josh!" Ashley exclaimed, happily throwing her arms around her friend's neck. "Man, it's been a long time since I've seen you."
"Two and a half years, yet you haven't changed a bit. Not much anyway." He added, giving her a look over, his eyes fixing on her growing stomach.
"A present from my ex." Ashley sighed, deciding not to lie to him, though tears started pressing against the back of her eyes.
"Tell you what, I'll walk you home and you'll tell me all about it." Josh told her, placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her around with gentle force.
Ashley didn't protest against his touch and he kept an arm around her shoulder as they started walking again. A few minutes later Ashley pushed her rusting key into the lock of a splintering door with a faded copper 9 nailed to it.
"Cosy." Josh commented lightly as he looked around the small living room/kitchen.
"Don't even try - it's cramped and old and I'll likely have to magically transform a closet into a bedroom when the baby gets here." Ashley sighed. "Mind if I take a shower first?"
"No, of course not." Josh smiled. "I'll wait; and you're right… this is way too small for even you to live alone in, with your sugar level and all."
Ashley playfully slapped his shoulder before ducking into the bedroom to get some fresh clothes to change into. Josh had settled himself on her worn couch when she entered the living room again to get to the bathroom. He told her with a casual wave to "go have that shower, he would be just dandy".
Half an hour later she entered the living room again, her bare feet padding softly on the musty old carpet wringing her hair out in a towel.
"Well, I must say you still look gorgeous, Ash." Josh complemented jokingly.
Ashley raised an eyebrow at him and he laughed, quickly bringing up his hands in defence.
"No romantic feelings, remember?" He reminded her, patting the couch next to him. "Now come have a seat on this luxury leather sofa and tell me what's going on."
Ashley did and started telling him from the beginning.
"… and then when I went over to tell him, he was marrying another girl. I was just in time to catch the ceremonial kiss." She added bitterly. "I got myself back to Earth as fast as the shuttle would let me. When I came home… god, I cried for I don't know how long before I found the acceptance letter to the university here in the mail. Now here I am, waiting out a year to have my baby before starting college, on advice of the school board, where I'll still probably have to rely on welfare or something so my baby and I don't starve."
Josh reached out and hugged her as fresh tears slipped from her eyes.
"Will you accept help from people never going to Angel Grove again anytime in the near future?" He muttered into her hair.
"What do you mean?" Ashley sniffled, pulling back.
"My dad got me an apartment close to that college, since I go there too. Mom won't accept child support, so he pays my college money and the rent. I've got two free rooms, one of which I still had to turn into a study, but I could easily change them into a bedroom and a nursery. If you come live with me, then you don't have to work to pay the rent anymore and you could save up money for your future." Josh suggested.
When Ashley raised her eyebrow again he shook his head.
"I was engaged too, to The One with capital t and o. She died in a car crash this summer on her way to visit her parents. I'm not going to be over her for a long time and I don't want to get over her." Josh told her softly, the Ghost of Memories haunting him briefly.
"Can I think about it?" Ashley asked, sorely tempted to say yes right away.
"Of course!" Josh replied, his grin returning. "Say, what are you eating?"
"Um… I don't know yet, probably something instant." Ashley answered.
"Oh no you don't - go get some shoes on, I'm taking you out to dinner. I want to know everything else that's been going on since I've moved. Like, is Carlos still the Soccer Star Sensation of Angel Grove?"
Ashley laughed and nodded.
"Okay, you got yourself a deal, but then I want to hear all about your life here in Florida up until now."
"Deal." Josh laughed.
Some time later
"Fancy." Ashley whistled when Josh guided her into the restaurant.
"New girlfriend, Josh?" One of the waiters asked.
"Never." Josh replied, clasping hands with the guy briefly. "She's an old friend from Cali, I'm sure I've mentioned her to you once or twice."
"Oh, so this is the famous Ashley." The guy observed. "Every bit as pretty as you described her and more. It's a shame Lu never got the chance to meet her."
"Yeah." Josh agreed sadly. "Ash, Terrance Walker, a friend of mine. Terrance, do you have a free table somewhere?"
"For you? Always." Terrance grinned and led them to a table for two near the window overlooking the beach and the sea.
He helped Ashley into a chair like a gentleman and walked off. Josh watched him go and shook his head.
"Don't trust him for even one second." He said, turning to Ashley.
"Is your father paying for your food too or is Terrance giving you free meals?" Ashley inquired jokingly, looking around the restaurant. "This place looks way too expensive for a student to be able to afford."
"It is." Josh agreed. "But seeing as my mom owns it, I can eat here for free."
Ashley smiled and suddenly spotted a familiar face coming their way with two drinks.
"Ashley, it's great to see you again." She greeted, placing the drinks on the table before drawing Ashley into a hug.
"It's good to see you again too." Ashley smiled, returning the hug.
"Hey mom, nice to see you too." Josh grinned.
"Taking Ashley out to dinner I see." The woman smiled, slightly ruffling Josh's short brown hair.
"Yeah, I ran into her and we decided we had some catching up to do." Josh replied.
"That's nice. Well, I have to get back to managing this place. Enjoy the food and I expect to see the both of you at my place soon. I want to hear what brings you here too." She smiled before walking off again.
Ashley relaxed and took the menu from Terrance when he came back to bring them, ordering her favourite dish. During dinner she happily chatted with Josh about old times and a bit more about what happened after Josh moved. And for the first time since touching down, she truly felt at ease with leaving.
A/N: Hope you liked it. Please review. This is a birthday present for Tal (07/11) go wish her a Happy Birthday!