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: The very better end of the deal! I wouldn't say no one wants to sleep with her… no one wants to sleep with her just yet. Andros need lots of better excuses… he just can't think of them. Andros's job? He sits around… files some thingies… tracks some evil… files some more thingies… and basically does nothing but something at the same time.
Mz. Daydream: I am EVIL! Yay! I'm SO going to do a giddy happy dance. Yeah, well, she shouldn't review before me! Glad you love my story. I love writing it! I'm actually torturing Andros for once.
Arwennicole: Um, should I get you a bucket? A toilet? A whole bedroom? Because it's not getting better any time soon. I actually got Andros puking because of it in chapter 18. I promise you, there is hope. He'll get out of it eventually.
Star Fata: Technically… she will. But yeah, it would definitely ruin my story if he found out too soon. Just trust me… it'll get EVEN easier to hate Maura.
SweetSas: Sorry! I just want lots of reviews. Poor, poor Andros.
Tal: Andros is VERY bad at avoiding Maura, but then again, they do live in the same house. You get your Astro Delta Megazord ready, at the end of the story is all yours. Josh didn't say anything because I think she mentioned it while explaining things to him before that dinner. That's how Josh recognized him.
Lady Kimiko: Yeah, it's the sweetest. Later you'll hear exactly what it says.. I think. And Andros can definitely do without that practise.
Slytherin-Angel44: They should definitely be together... but it'd kill my plot!
Piper xox Leo: This is what happens next.
Jenny: I was working very hard on getting that RR done! I didn't mean to offend you. Please forgive me!
Mita247: She is! Very bad!
C.C.C.: I love the bracelet too. Go on, hate her! She's bad! Wait till the end of the story and then you can help Tal kill her!
Zeopurple: She'll feel a bit better soon. I promise. Andros can keep avoiding it… as long as he can.
The-power-of-love: This fast enough?
Secrets Untold
Chapter 6: Hiding Out
"Zhane?" Karone asked tentatively.
"What's up?" Zhane inquired, turning off the news and pulling Karone onto his lap.
Karone giggled and relaxed a little.
"I just wanted to talk to you a bit." She muttered, a blush creeping up her neck.
"About what?"
"Well, you still don't seem to have figured out the way to your bed at night…" Karone started and Zhane just grinned.
"It's lumpy." He complained playfully, toying with a lock of her hair.
"Yeah - and I really don't mind. I like falling asleep in your arms." She hesitated before continuing. "It's just… we weren't together romantically until we got betrothed and it's only been three months since then… and I… I just wanted to point out it wouldn't really surprise me if I turned out pregnant soon." Karone mumbled.
"Are you?" Zhane asked gently.
"No, not yet." Karone smiled slightly, leaning against him. "I just wanted to know if you really want it… that it's not going to fast for you."
"No, but if it's going to fast for you…" Zhane replied softly, trailing off.
"No." Karone smiled. "I'd love to have a baby."
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Zhane grinned wickedly.
"Again, no, you'll have to wait another month before you can get me knocked up." Karone grinned when Zhane pouted and placed a kiss on his nose. "I can't get pregnant when having my period, I'm not a dog."
"Yeah, I know." Zhane smiled, gently brushing his lips over her neck. "Andros would be ecstatic though."
"Yeah, remember when Ashley dragged him with her to her part-time job at that day-care?" Karone smiled, raising her hand to lie on the back of Zhane's head and gently ran her nails over his scalp. "He's great with kids, whether he'd admit it or not. He'd be a wonderful uncle."
"And a great dad." Zhane sighed. "I just don't think that would count for Maura kids though."
"Maybe, maybe not. Who knows?" Karone muttered. "I wish people could just see how miserable they made him by marrying him to Maura. I mean, how many evenings has he been over here already, just to avoid Maura coming onto him?"
"Too many. You know what, let's just turn in early tonight. Andros was working late, so he won't be showing up and I think all this is draining us both."
"Yeah, not to mention keeping the truth about Ashley from him." Karone whispered sadly and Zhane hugged her close.
"What we think it's the truth about her." Zhane reminded gently. "Now, no more worries about this for the rest of the evening."
With that he slipped one arm under her knees and one behind her shoulders and got up, carrying her up to her bedroom. They both changed almost reluctantly and got into bed. Zhane drew the covers around then before slipping his arms around her and holding her close. Gently he placed a kiss in her hair.
"Sleep tight." He whispered and Karone shifted a little, getting more comfortable in his arms.
"You too." She muttered, already nodding off.
Zhane let out a silent sigh and closed his eyes, only then realising how tired he really was. Within moments both were sound asleep.
Andros's office
Wind and rain were beating against the window while the thunder raged right above the building. The storm had picked up about half an hour ago and was already at full force, showing no signs of clearing any time soon.
He didn't mind, he decided as a fork of lightning crossed the sky. He had still been going over some files, useless ones, but effective in keeping him from home. The storm just added to that. There was no way he was going to walk home in this weather. There was a perfectly good couch in his office and immediately his first day, Zhane had opened one of the closets with a wink, revealing a pillow and blankets.
He hadn't used them yet, Maura had yet to jump him. Tonight was as good a time as any to see if the couch was comfortable enough to make it half a habit of doing over time and sleeping in his office when Maura became too demanding.
With a sigh he got up and opened the closet, pulling out the pillow and quilt, tossing them onto the couch. Then he kicked off his shoes and shrugged of his jacket before sitting down and pulling off his socks. Lying down, he settled himself on his side and drew the cover up to his shoulders. It wasn't too bad, he decided. Comfortable enough to get used to, that was for sure.
It only took him moments to nod off, his sleep much more relaxed then it had been in months.
It seemed only minutes later when the none-too gentle shaking of his shoulder woke him up. The smells of fresh coffee and baked bread were the first things registering in his mind as he pulled himself from sleep.
"Mmm." Andros groaned rolling over to his back and stretching.
"Karone figured you could use something better than an instant breakfast for once." Zhane's voice slowly penetrated his foggy mind.
"Wha?" He mumbled, trying to get up.
"Food." Zhane explained in men understandable morning language. "Your wife called us out of bed early tomorrow. She was hysterical that you didn't come home last night. Karone managed to calm her down and decided to get you some good food. Baked the bread herself, you know."
Andros squeezed his eyes tighter shut and stretched again. Finally he managed to push the sheets away and get up, eventually opening his eyes along the way. Zhane pushed a large carton cup with the steaming coffee into his hands.
"I know you're not too thrilled drinking it, but it'll help wake you up."
"Thanks." Andros yawned, taking a large gulp and pushing his sleep tussled hair back.
Zhane watched in amusement as the paper bag containing the still slightly warm sandwich floated willingly over to Andros as his brother attacked it instantly.
"Your sis is a great cook." Zhane commented with a wink. "You should make a habit out of sleeping here, maybe she'll keep sending me here with homemade. Which means I get heavenly breakfast too."
One of Andros's shoes flew by Zhane's head, barely missing it by an inch. Zhane just laughed and shook his head.
"I'll see you at that meeting in an hour." He said before slipping out of the office again.
Andros sighed and swallowed the last bite of his breakfast, taking another big gulp of coffee, before setting out to get himself to look more presentable. This was going to be a long day.
A/N: Hope you liked it. Review.