Summary: 'You're the only truth I know, you're the road back home.' After years apart, Andros and Ashley can finally start building their life together with their children. Sequel to Secrets Untold.

Phantom Rogue: Noah's always cute! Glad you liked it.

Tay: Well, here you've got your wishes. Or at least some of them.

Johnny: Actually, I've just been told Chris is even worse. Yeah, Ash definitely feels better with her boys there with her.

Star Fata: Glad you liked it. Here's more.

PrettyDiva: Well, this is what happens next. Um… My bro wouldn't…

Titanium Ranger: Yeah, of course. Delgado touched his mom. Chris is the best. Here's more.

Alexandra KHAYMAN: -drools- Sorry, Tal already put claim on Chris, you've got Noah, remember? No delay for a while anymore. Got tons of chapters finished… or at least, that's what it feels like.

SweetSas: Everyone expected Chris to react like that. Glad you like my cutey Chris :D

Mita427: Clarify what? Oh! His sister Danne was named after Ash's first Karovan friend without ranger influence. It's explained in SU chapter 40-something bonding.

BlackHalliwell: Thanks.

C.C.C.: Chris is great! Here's more.

The-power-of-love: Here's more.

Mel: Yay! You caught up!

Dragoneyes5000: Nope, Chyler's having too much fun teasing her bro.

Zeopurple: Yeah, she couldn't really keep it from them, now could she? It definitely wasn't easy for her, or Andros.

Slytherin-Angerl44: Here's the next chapter. Enjoy.

Living Truth

Chapter 19: The Trial

Ashley sighed, a shiver running down her spine. Andros held her hand, rubbing gentle circles with his thumb. They were waiting for the verdict. Telepathically he was whispering soothing words to her, but they hardly registered. She felt nauseous, the air in the room was slowly suffocating her and all she wanted to do was run to the bathroom.

Few people were in the courtroom, since the case was being kept away from prying eyes. It was hard considering ambassador Josh and his head of security, not the mention the son of the Karovan ambassador, were present, but they managed.

The presence of Tommy there was one she was most thankful for, though. He was keeping a firm, almost constant, grip on Chris, preventing the boy from beating James up like Andros had done. Chyler was wrapped up in Kim's arms. She looked rather calm, but Ashley knew, on the inside she was even more furious than Chris was showing on the outside. The cuts and bruises that had been covering both their bodies since they had been told, were silent witnesses of their rage.

She glanced over at the other side of the courtroom for a moment and whimpered almost inaudibly, but in reaction Andros's hand tightened around hers for a moment. Over at the other table James looked rather relaxed, as if he was sure he would go free. It unnerved her, fear growing in her with every passing minute.

When the door opened, spilling the jury back into the courtroom, she couldn't breathe anymore.

"All rise for Judge Fauver."

Ashley felt her knees go weak as she stood from her chair, trembling at the thought of what could happen. Andros kept a steady, but gentle, arm around her waist, providing both physical and emotional support.

As the black-robed judge swept regally into the room and seated herself, the rest of the courtroom mimicking her actions, Ashley felt a chill run down her spine and she glanced at the jury fearfully. One of the women caught her eyes for a moment and she quickly looked down at the table she was sitting at with Andros and their lawyer.

"Has the jury come to a decision?" The judge asked, turning the attention to them.

The foreman rose from her seat and looked straight at the judge.

"Yes, we have." She answered. "The jury is of opinion, given the evidence, that the accused, James Delgado, is guilty of all charges."

Ashley looked up in wondrous amazement. Numbly she let Andros pull her into his arms and kiss her temple.

"We did it, Ash." He whispered in her ear. "We've won."

James was shouting in obvious disagreement while most of the courtroom was now filled with satisfied murmurs. The judge called for order after a moment and looked over at James.

"Will the defendant please rise?"

James got to his feet reluctantly and stood tall to hear the verdict.

"You are sentenced to ten years in jail. Your medical license is to be revoked, and the restraining order filed by Mrs. Hammond has been approved. You are not allowed within a ten-mile radius of her or her family."

"I want an appeal." James immediately shouted when the judge finished.

"Those matters will be dealt with at a later time." The judge countered smoothly as she cast him a look.

James sank back down in his chair. He had lost and he knew it. Yet instead of feeling happy and ready to celebrate, all Ashley really felt like doing at that moment was rushing to the nearest restroom and puking. The moment they were out of the courtroom, that's exactly what she did.

"Are you okay?" Andros asked, concerned, as she came back out, rubbing her head wearily.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She muttered. "I just… want to… go home and curl up in bed. My stomach's not agreeing with me right now." She gave him what she was hopefully a reassuring smile.

Andros pulled her into his arms for a moment, gently holding her as she calmed down a little. She gratefully leaned against him and tried not to cry.

"Come on." He sighed. "Let's go."

She nodded and started to walk, pressed against his side.

"Where's everyone else?" She asked after a moment.

"I sent them home already. Tommy and Kim took the kids with them and are picking Noah up from Tracy's too. They offered to let them stay the night and I accepted. They need to get away from this for a moment." Andros told her and she nodded in silent agreement.

The kids did deserve a moment of rest from this; they had been too tangled up in this whole mess of court cases and lawyers and legal matters. Especially the twins, since they had been called on to testify that Ashley had never done anything to encourage James's advances.

In silence the two left the courthouse. The trial was over, but this was only the start of a long healing process.

A week later

"Hey, will you be okay?" Andros asked softly as he sat down on the edge of the bed, stroking some hairs out of Ashley's face.

"Yeah, I think I just caught the flu, I'll be fine." She reassured, nodding. "I'll just stay in bed for the day. Are you sure you don't mind taking Noah with you to work?" She asked again, rolling over a bit to look at him.

"We'll be fine." He promised, kissing her forehead. "You just rest and I'll see you again when I get back."

Ashley just nodded and watched him go, nuzzling deeper under the covers. Just lying there, she was feeling better already.

When the front door slammed shut though, her eyes suddenly shot open. Something was very wrong.

Two hours later

Ashley paced the floor of the bedroom impatiently. Never before had time seemed to crawl on this slowly. She jumped a little when the alarm sounded. She turned to the bathroom door after silencing it.

"It's now or never." She muttered softly, slowly opening the door.

A/N: HA! Cliffy. Hope you liked it. REVIEW!