Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers; I do own Andrew (he's mine!), Jaden, Ciara, Zayla, Kacia, the plot, the feelings and everything else you don't recognize!

A/N: This one chapter is made a little different, a little break from talking about the feelings that tear Andrew apart, next chapter is going to be two steps higher on emotional distress mates. See yourselves as warned…
And…. you guys… really cried reading the previous chapter?

Phantom Rogue: Andrew used to be super-perfect, you will see that (or have I already shown you?) in a few chapters.

GinaStar: Thanks a bunch for your review:)

Slytherin-Angel44: here ya go! ;hands chapter; thanks for your reviews, matey:)

PernDragonrider: thanks! Let me just tell you this, whenever I get angry or sad, sometimes even desperate, I come to Quest into Space II (or the sequel…) and write my feelings away.. Sometimes I feel sorry for Andros, because eventually, it's all thrown out on him.

DizneeDol: thanks mate:) Karone is very important for Andrew, and you will see a bit more of the Karone-Andrew relationship is you'd scroll down the page a little;)

zeopurple: Andrew is not going anywhere, not without the signature he needs and not without talking with his father again. Ashley….will tell her reason later on (possibly next chapter). I don't want you to think Andrew is twisted, it's Andros and Ashley who made him this way, and you know what? They haven't even noticed….. (Now please remember I promised a compensating end :D. eventually..)

Star Fata: thanks mate:)

SweetSas: if you want to kick Andros' butt, please do, just make sure I'm there and that you kick his butt in slow motion….;)

C.C.C.: Don't worry, everything will turn out morphenomenal. Eventually…;snickerevilly; thanks for your review!

thepoweroflove: there ya go, thanks for your review!

Quest into Space II: Father and Son
by DarkHonda aka Tal

Chapter 3

A gentle poke on my shoulder woke me up; I was in deep dreamless slumber, lying on my abdomen, my face sunk in the pillow, I was hugging it close; sleeping was bliss, redemption from the emptiness that waited for me in consciousness.
I was covered with thick flannel blanket that kept me warm and made me feel cozy, almost at home; it made me feel secured, almost without a worry in my life, I felt as if there was finally hope, I felt… like I belonged, yet somewhere deep inside I knew it wasn't my home but I let myself forget all about it. 'I'll deal with it when it comes,' I told myself. Another gentle poke, this time in my ear, tried to revive my sleeping form, and now I could clearly feel the additional weight that laid on my back, 'what's going on?' my mind slowly recovered from the sleeping haze. Something, or rather, someone, was sitting on my back!
I turned my head and tried to look behind my shoulder, mumbling incoherent words, grumbling actually, for my miserable fate that sentenced me to wake up that early. On my back giggling shamelessly, sat my two and a half years old baby cousin, Ciara, and was ready to pull out my hair. I chuckled, I never could resist a baby, whether it was Scout Rin, Ciara or Kacia, I was enthralled by their innocence, innocence I no longer believed. I sighed as I slowly rolled over, knocking the giggling Ciara on the bed, then I got up, fixed my hair to a ponytail and scooped the baby into my hands, tickling her on my way to the living room.

When I entered with the giggling form of Ciara in my arms, Aunt Karone smiled happily as she and Uncle Zhane made breakfast, she was making pancakes and I knew it was for me solely, because pancakes were my favorite breakfast, Uncle Zhane was setting the table and I guessed Zayla and Jaden were getting ready for school. I already decided yesterday I won't go to school today, 'what if dad comes looking for me?' I thought horrified, school was already a nightmare and I couldn't let dad make it any worse. I sat on the couch, releasing Ciara to run around the house, in the direction of Jaden's room, I suspected. A few moment later a shout was heard; I guessed right, I chuckled slightly and walked out to their yard, it was large, not as gigantic as ours but large enough, I took a long breath, it was a beautiful morning, a beginning of a new day and maybe a new start for me.
Maybe, if dad signed the papers I would join the SPD Police Academy immediately and I would finally find peace and quiet, on Earth. I closed my eyes for a moment, breathing the cool morning air, wishing that when I open my eyes I would see Angel Grove Park; but when I opened them I saw an empty yard, a beautiful empty yard. Empty. Like my entire life until this crucial point. I slowly got back inside, disappointed;

Aunt Karone was now feeding Ciara that set on her baby seat, Uncle Zhane was sitting in front of her, I took my place next to him. Rushing in Zayla entered the dinning room, one look at me and I could feel her disgust; she hated me and I knew it, she never bothered to hide it or give me any chance. She never admitted in public I'm her cousin. We were both in the same school but she never said hello, not even when I accidentally bumped into her in the halls. She was 15 years old and proudly carried the title: "First Astro Kid", until 4 years ago, when my family was reunited. She was so mad about it, she loved that honor, she loved that general anticipation that she would become a ranger, but I was there and I beat her up with it. Jaden, her 10 years old brother, on the other hand, adored me, he saw the big brother he never had in me, and whenever he could he would invite me to his house and play holo-glash with him. When he entered the room, it was suddenly filled with joy, he sat next to his mother and in front of me, freezing in place when he noticed me.

"Drew!" he called, obviously surprised, his surprise made me a bit giddy as he grabbed three pancakes and shoved him to his plate, "Wha're ya doin'er?" he asked him mouth full of maple syrup and pancakes, "Did you sleep over?" I nodded and his eyes glinted with happiness, "will you be here when I come back from school?" he asked enthusiastically and I found myself smiling faintly.

"I hope," I almost whispered, but he heard me and shoved a piece of mapled pancake to his mouth, I looked carefully at Aunt Karone. She nodded slightly, giving her permission for my staying, I nodded a silent thank you and looked at my mug of hot chocolate again.

"Aren't you going to school?" Zayla asked innocently and I shook my head for a 'no', she looked satisfied, 'I bet you think I'm skipping school, don't you, cousin?' I thought bitterly, 'well, guess what, I am!' I wanted to yell, but of course I couldn't, not when I was staying at her parents' house.
I stared down at my mug; I could feel my Uncle and Aunt's anger and Jaden's slight grudge, 'I am the cause for this,' I told myself, disgusted, 'Am I tearing a family apart?' I wondered and slowly rose from his seat, Uncle Zhane got up faster, laying his hand on my shoulder softly.

"Andrew…" He started saying but I stopped him, I could feel the worry boring through him.

"Don't.. Uncle Zhane, I just want to change my clothes," I tried to calm him, I looked over at Aunt Karone who glared at her daughter, again the queen of evil aura surrounded her and I had to do something about it. I sat down slowly, not wanting to provoke a scene, I sat there and pretended to be air; if it wasn't for their family's sake, then for me, I didn't want to feel guilty. Even tiny Ciara sensed the tension and didn't fuss with her food, Aunt Karone glanced at me occasionally, examining my expressions, studying my mood. She knew how to read me, how to read my most sullen expressions; not even mum could do so! But she could. She was someone I could talk to, and it felt good to talk to her too. It wasn't lonely anymore, not completely.
Soon the kids finished eating and Uncle Zhane grabbed his coat, kissed Aunt Karone and little Ciara, he even patted me on the back, and drove Zayla and Jaden to school. I stayed at their home with Aunt Karone and Ciara, I sat on their purplish couch and closed my eyes desperately.

"Drew, how do you feel this morning?" she ask and I nodded, it was supposed to convey 'I'm fine, could you leave alone?' but she didn't, she never left me when I was down and weary, always tried to do what my mum and dad failed to. I was grateful for every little effort, every little try out of conversation, she was always so persistent with me and somehow gave me a little slack, loaded my battery a little longer so I wouldn't fall down.

"I can't say I feel better, only less empty," I answered, knowing that she always demanded my full honesty with her, my sincerity and willingness to share my thoughts and emotions with her. She never played games with me, she accepted me for who I am and didn't judge me, no matter what I did or what I said. It always seemed she knew exactly how I feel, she always made me see things differently and I admired it in her.

"Andrew, you have to talk with them, let them know you're here," she said quietly, Ciara nuzzled close to her, sleepy. I looked away from them, I knew I couldn't deal with them, with my own parents; in a way, they weren't my parents anymore, they were strangers. 'What do they know about me?' I thought bitterly and looked out of the window. I felt her hand on my shoulder, I looked behind me and she sighed. "Please allow me to call Andros and tell him you're here," she said and after a moment added, "I know he's going crazy now. They're probably worried to death, please let me tell him," she begged and I nodded my agreement.
Her hand slowly slid from my shoulder as she was walking to Ciara's room, to tuck her in and after a while when I just stared out of the window I woke up from my haze and called after her gently.

"Aunt Karone," I said and she turned around, "I don't want him to come here, I just want him to sign the papers," I almost whispered and closed my eyes for a minute before standing up and grabbing my now dry clothes from the guest room. I gently took off the grey shirt and folded it, then I donned my red shirt again and pushed down the blue PJ pants in favor of my black training pants. I walked to the living room, Aunt Karone was sitting there, waiting for me slowly, I sighed desperately. I didn't feel like talking again, I just wanted to be alone, but I couldn't deny her hospitality; I sat next to her and she slowly touched my cheek, then hugged me, I laid my cheek on the shoulder, my head resting in the crook of her neck.

"What's bothering you?" she asked in the silence, "I don't understand you, instead of getting closer, you draw distance," she whispered, her voice unsteady now. I sighed and wiped her tears gently from her cheek. "You are just a little boy, baby," she cried, "If Jaden had replaced you, I would have died," she sniffed as her tears were streaming down her face, "there is so much anger in you…" she whispered and I tilted my head and looked at her crying form. I hugged her and sighed, I wanted to be alone, her sorrow was hurting me and I wanted to have the chance to think about the last two days over. I needed a break from KO-35, I needed to be alone, and as always there was only one gateway…

"I want to be alone," I said and stroked her hair, trying to calm her, "I'm sorry but I…have to think everything over. Do you think I can go out for a jog?" I asked and she kissed my hair, her eyes all wet and gently pushed my head on her shoulder.

"Of course you can, Andrew…" she started to say but I cut her off, "Please, Aunt Karone, call me Drew, I can't bear the name Andrew," I told her quietly and she lifted my head from her shoulder and looked deep into my eyes. A bit shaken, I got up and walked into the guest room, I slowly put on my shoes, feeling empty, and tied my shoe laces, then I walked to the living room only this time, furious hazel eyes were waiting for me there…

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A/N: so…how crappy is that? I know it's different but I couldn't cope with the sadness….
Next chap will deal only with Andros-Andrew-Ashley relationship… and yes, it's gonna hurt…