Chapter 4: Rangers with envy

Disclaimer: Still don't anything, only the plot and non-existing characters are mine

A/N: Finally, here's chapter 4! I know you had to wait extremely long for this one, I'm really sorry for that, but I've started college and really haven't had any time to write, only late at night a couple of lines before I felt a sleep. I hope I'll be able to update more frequently in the future. Anyways, enjoy this one!

Review Responses:

Star fata: Thank you very much! I've read the stories from ManaRose too, I think they are awesome but she doesn't write anymore, unfortunately. Hope you'll enjoy this one too :)

JainaSolo18: Thanks for the compliments, it really made me proud. And thanks for telling me the stupid errors, it's just when I'm writing, I become kinda 'carried away' and I don't see the faults than anymore. But I'm glad you noticed them, will change it!

Phantom Rogue: Plenty of jealous Andros in this one, and jealous Carlos too! Sorry for the long wait!

Darkhonda: Sorry matey, I planned a chapter before Halloween :P But Halloween will follow too, don't worry!

Ashley Hammond/Astro Yellow: Hahahahah! Sorry, I didn't caught that! You are so right, Zhane is thinking with his little brain! But Andy too! Boys will be boys…sighs

Alexandra Khayman: Glad you like it, thanks for your sweet reviews! Sorry for the long wait, here's more!

In the time that Zhane and Ashley were enjoying the sunset and each others company, Andros was pacing up and down on the bridge.

Where the hell were they? He thought. They were already gone for hours! What if something had happened?

"Of course not" a little voice in his head said. "Deca would've detected a disturbance on Earth. Don't be stupid! Besides, Zhane would protect Ashley with his life, and Ashley him! They don't need you, they are having fun without you!"

Andros shook his head, trying to get rid of the voice screaming in his head.

It wasn't that he couldn't be happy that his best friend had adjusted him self in the team so well and so quickly, it was just that…

He had seen the look on Zhane's face when he was introduced to Ashley. He knew his friend so well.

He had seen flirting with hundreds of girls on KO-35, and dating with several. But this was different, what he had seen in Zhane's eyes was different.

It was love.

Love at the first sight.

Andros knew he had to be happy for his best friend, but it was killing him to think of Zhane and Ashley together.

Why had it to be Ashley? Why not any other Terran girl?

"You know exactly why he like Ashley" the voice screamed again. "The same reasons why you like her!"

It was extremely hard for Andros to admit to himself that he liked Ashley. He had been so cruel and mean to her, to protect himself. He had to get used to the feeling of love again, cause he hadn't felt it in years.

He liked her..very very very much.

He had been hurt so much in his young life, so much that his heart was as frozen as Zhane had been in the cryo.

From the day he met Ashley, his heart was melting a little every single day.

And now, his heart had started freezing again.

Why him? Why wasn't he lucky, just once in his life?

"You don't deserve her" the evil voice continued. "You would never be able to protect her, just like you weren't able to protect your sister, parents and your best friend! This best friend gave up his life for you, just be happy for him now!"

"Andros? Are you…allright?" Cassies concerned voice broke up his thoughts.

"I'm fine!" he snapped, but he immediately felt miserable.

"I'm sorry Cassie..I've got a headache"

Cassie shrugged and gave him a small smile.

"Well, it seems like Ashley is showing Zhane the whole city!" TJ came in grinning.

"Yeah" Cassie said. "They have been gone for hours already!"

"Maybe something happened" Andros exclaimed.

"Ah no Andros, I don't think so, we would've known if that was the case!" Carlos said, turning around in the chair in front of the consol.

"Well, I want to know it anyway, with these sudden monster attacks we need all the rangers we have" Andros returned quickly.

"Liar liar pants on fire!" the voice echoed true his head. "You just want to know what they are doing!"

"Deca main viewing screen a map with the location of Ashley and Zhane please" he ordered

"Acknowledged" Deca's red light blinked once.

"They're in Angel Grove Park!" Cassie exclaimed, pointing to the screen. "What the heck are they doing there? Do they know how cold it is outside?"

Andros sighted. Angel Grove Park? He couldn't resist.

"Deca, main viewing screen Ashley and Zhane" Andros ordered.

Deca waited a couple of seconds before her light blinked and she followed Andros' order.

The image on the screen caused Cassie and TJ to laugh, Carlos to walk away from the bridge suddenly and Andros to gulp.

The screen showed Zhane and Ashley in the park, wrapped in each others arms, kissing each other.

And not a brother-sister like kiss, it was sparkling between them of passion.

"Dddeca close main viewing screen" Andros stuttered. He slammed with his fist on the console in front of him, not able to hide his feelings.

TJ and Cassie hadn't noticed Andros' upset reaction. They were still laughing and joking.

"Well, it seems that Ash won't be cold tonight, that's for sure" TJ joked

"Yeah, she has her own electrical blanket! Only in human form" Cassie giggled.

Andros couldn't take it anymore and stormed off the bridge. He headed straight to his quarters.

"What's wrong with him?" TJ asked surprised.

Cassie shook her head. "Probably his headache"

Cassie was wrong, not headache, but heartache was the right word to describe how Andros felt.

Andros ran to his quarters and let him fall on the bed. Tears were burning in his eyes. He slammed on his pillow.

Why? Why Ashley and Zhane? Why not Ashley and him?

Andros wasn't the only one thinking if that.

Carlos stormed off the bridge at the sight of a kissing Zhane and Ashley. He went to his room, changed in sport outfit and went for a work out on the Simudeck.

Three months and he still wasn't over her. Okay, they were in a long term relationship, so it wasn't very strange that it was difficult for him, but the sight of his former girlfriend with another guy, another ranger was just too much.

Anger ran through his veins. He slammed against the box ball as hard as he could, trying to get rid of the anger in his body and soul.

His time with Ashley had been so wonderful. They did everything together, everything.

They were friends and lovers at the same time, and it had been a great combination.

Carlos was happy that he and Ashley were still friends. Not many couples managed to do that after breaking up.

But still he had to suppress the urge of touching her, kissing her, telling her how much he still loved her.

Carlos sighed and whipped away the sweat from his forehead with a towel, before continuing attacking the box ball, desperately trying to empty his head.

At the same time, completely unknown of the emotions they'd caused, Ashley and Zhane were having dinner at the Surf Spot.

They were sitting on a little table in the corner, enjoying each others company while eating a burger and fries.

"Zhane..before we go back to the ship, I got to tell you something" Ashley started, looking the handsome guy straight in his eyes.

Zhane held her gaze, swallowed down his food and asked "What? Don't tell me you've got an evil twin sister hiding under your bed who wants me to?"

Ashley laughed. "Nah, I don't think you would be able to handle two of mine, one will be hard enough already" she teased.

"Nah, I don't think one Ash will be a problem for me" Zhane joked back and he lovingly caressed her cheek.

Ashley blushed and looked away, before taking a deep breath, looking at him again and started to talk.

"Look..I don't know what the customs are on KO-35 about dating and stuff, but…welll..you're just not my first boyfriend. And the main thing I wanted to tell you before you'll find it out anyway, is that Carlos, the black ranger you met this morning, is my ex-boyfriend."

Ashley stopped a few seconds, before continuing

"We split up three months ago, after we had a thing for about one and a half year. I just wanted you to know ok. Just don't think that I only fall in love with rangers, cause that's really not the case, it's just coincidence…"

She stopped babbling when Zhane grabbed her hand. He smiled softened by her words.

"Ash…don't worry so much! At least I know that I can expect a punch here or there from Carlos when I kiss you on public tonight. No but seriously, it's not a problem at all to me. I've dated several girls on KO-35."

The blond haired guy took a sip of his drink and continued.

"On KO-35, they believe you're not only bonded with your true love, cause you're true love is destined, but also with the lovers you will have before you will find your true love. Your choices and your feelings make you bonded to someone. So it's absolutely no problem that I'm not your first boyfriend, I understand you're still bonded to Carlos. Don't worry Ash."

Zhane squeezed her hand and gave her a reassuring smile.

Ashley smiled too, feeling warm and calmed by Zhane's sweet words.

"Thanks Zhane, you know, I think it's a beautiful philosophy that they believe in on your planet." She took a sip of her milkshake.

Zhane nodded. "You know, not to become cheesy or something, but the moment I saw you I felt we were bonded. I just felt it immediately."

Ashley laughed and gave him a short kiss. "We surely are!"

Adelle walked by, serving food and drinks to the tables. "I wanna hear this one missy!" she said winking to Ashley, pointing with her finger to Zhane, who looked surprised.

"Yeah, get used to that Zhane. Adelle loves to speculate and to gossip about my love life" Ashley told him. "But she's a great woman. Be right back, I'm gonna pay our bill" and she headed to the bar.

So are you Zhane thought, while putting on his jacket. He was still stunned about Ashley, and the feelings he already had for the yellow ranger.

"Ready?" he asked Ashley when she came back, and grabbed her coat.

"Yup! Let's go!" Ashley said, taking his hand.

Outside, they searched for a safe, empty alley to teleport back to the Mega ship.

"Wait Ash! Before we go back to the ship…I want to thank you for today." Zhane said, placing one hand on Ashley's cheek. "It was a great day"

"Don't worry about it Zhane, it was my pleasure. I really enjoyed it." Ashley said, feeling butterflies flying in her stomach as she one again looked in the pair of most gorgeous light-blue eyes she'd ever seen.

Ashley wrapped her arms around Zhane's neck, and he put his other hand on her waist.

Their faces became closer and closer and their lips eventually melted in a tender kiss.

"I could stand here all night with you like this, but we have to get back to the ship" Zhane grinned when they finally broke apart.

He raised his communicator and said. "Deca, two to teleport back to the Mega ship" and they disappeared in a flash of yellow and silver light.

Back on the Mega ship, the couple arrived in the holding bay, where TJ and Cassie were sitting at the table talking.

"Hey you guys! Finally!" TJ joked as Ashley and Zhane joined them at the table.

"Now tell me Zhane, how was your day?" Cassie asked curious.

Zhane looked at Ashley and they both had to laugh like idiots.

Cassie and TJ exchanged a glance. The cheeks of the couple in front of them were red from the cold, but there was a shine in their eyes.

"You'd better tell them Zhane, they are going to hear about our rollercoaster adventure anyway" Ashley laughed, standing up.

"Where are you going?" Cassie asked surprised.

"I have to go talk to Carlos." Ashley said, suddenly looking very uncertain.

TJ nodded. He immediately understood what Ashley meant. He knew the situation between his best friends became a little awkward after their break-up, and TJ knew that Ashley wanted to tell Carlos about her and Zhane, before he would hear it from anybody else.

In fact, Carlos already knew.

Zhane was telling Cassie and TJ everything about their day while Ashley set course to the Simudeck.

Carlos was busy with his cooling down, when Ashley came in.

"Hey Carlos" Ashley greeted him casually.

"Hello Ash! Back again?" Carlos said, not able to hide the sarcasm in his voice.

Ashley sighted…Carlos knew her too well, he already noticed that she liked Zhane.

"Look…Carlos…I just wanted to tell you that…well…Zhane and I…we're sort of together.." she started. "I want to tell you this in personal…you know…you're my ex and my best friend, you deserve to know it first."

Carlos sat down on the mat, motioning Ashley to join him. Ashley sat in front of him, looking at his face for a reaction.

"I know…." He sighted. "It's just…well…it's hard for me Ash…what we had was amazing, you can't deny that."

"I don't Carlos…I understand that's not easy for you…it isn't for me either. But we have to move on Carlos…I already did, now it's your turn" Ashley said, tears were shining in her eyes. It was hard for her to see the hurt in Carlos' eyes.

"You're right…I wish it was that easy.." Carlos said, looking Ashley in the eyes. "Hey..I'm happy for you bonita..as long as you are happy"

Hearing his nickname for her made Ashley's inside melt. "I'm happy Carlos. And you will always be my best friend. Always"

They hugged each other.

"And you'll always be mine" Carlos said.

At that same moment, Zhane was looking for Andros. He told Cassie and TJ everything about their little Earth-tour, included that he and Ashley were together.

"Andros? Are you here?" Zhane asked, knocking on Andros' quarter door.

"Come in" Andros called and unlocked the door.

"Hey mate! What are you doing in here?" Zhane asked, turning on the light and he let himself fall in a chair.

"Nothing, I had a headache. How was your day?" Andros asked casual.

He didn't want to loose his best friend. He would try to be happy for him. Try…

A/N: Pleasssseeee review :)