Disclaimer: As much as I would like for it to be, Power Rangers is not my creation.

Slytherin-Angel44: Yeah, it gets worse.

Jessica01: It is very sad.

Ch. 17 Denial

Almost a week had passed since Zel and Katerina's deaths but their children were still feeling a lot of pain, worst of all Andros. While Kinwon had made every arrangement for them to see Dr. B, she just couldn't seem to get through to Andros, it was like he was on a completely different planet. They had continued fighting because they had to, they didn't want anyone else to die. Little did they know one of their own was very close to it.

Andros snuck quietly through the corridors of the Megaship, right to the Med Bay. He had commanded DECA to go off-line every night for the past week at the same time, right after everyone else was in bed asleep. He rummaged through the contents of the drawers looking for his next fix. He knew that taking these drugs was a bad idea, but it was the only way he could work through the pain. Sometimes it even helped him get some sleep.

'And not eating isn't the best idea,' he decided as his stomach once again threatened to empty the few bites and drinks he had that day. He managed to keep it down though swallowing the three white pills in his hand. No one knew what he was doing and he planned to keep it that way. He always had food in his hand at the right time and by the time the others woke up the major effects of the drugs had worn off, he just hoped he could keep it that way.

He made his way back to the Bridge and pulled up screens of his sleeping siblings. After a moment his eyes fell on his youngest sister, who was now sleeping in the room he shared with his brothers. Ever since they had explained to her that their parents weren't coming back she wouldn't sleep in her own room or even with Karone. That's what had led to Andros and Karone moving into another room. As he watched his siblings sleep he could only pray that he was strong enough to keep them all safe because he knew he couldn't live without them. Andros turned away from the screen then, tears pouring down his face, as he tried to concentrate on the drugs numbing all his pain.

Several weeks passed and the other rangers were noticing changes in Andros' attitude. He had become cold and distant, even from Akako, and he was beginning to spend more and more time alone. As much as they asked DECA she didn't have an answer. She had been programmed to go off-line and there was nothing she could do about it. They had confided in Dr. B, asking her if she could try to find out what was wrong with their leader, but she couldn't. All his symptoms seemed to be the same as an young child going through grieving and though she also felt there was more behind it she had no proof. It was then that the rangers decided that they were tired of the lies and that they were going to find out what was going on.

They all took turns staying up each night and watching Andros' movements. It wasn't until Zhane's night that they found out the truth. Zhane had decided to take a different approach than the others. Instead of deliberately following Andros around he hid out in his room and used DECA's eyes to see what was going on. When he saw Andros going to the Med Bay he waited but as soon as the pills came out he rushed down the corridors until he was standing toe to toe with his best friend and brother.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked, taking the pill bottle. When Andros just stared at his feet Zhane took a hold of his shoulders and gave him a good shake. "Answer me!"

"I don't deserve to live, okay?" Andros answered. "I just don't deserve to." Tears began to run down his face as he dropped to his knees.

"DECA, wake the other," Zhane commanded as he sunk down to the ground beside Andros and pulled him into his lap. He wasn't surprised at how light his brother was, he had a suspicion that this problem also had something to do with starvation. The other rangers were at their sides within minutes and their brothers and sisters quickly joined their hug.

"What's going on?" Zarkin asked after Andros had calmed down. He looked back and forth between his two brothers several time before spotting the pill bottle in Zhane's hands. "Andros, you're not…" he couldn't find the words to finish the question but Zhane's nod was all the assurance he needed. "We're taking you to Dr. B," he stated, taking over as their father would had.

"I'm fine," Andros whispered, attempting to rise from the floor only to collapse.

"No, you're not," Karone stated. "We're taking you to the hospital whether you like it or not." Andros knew better than to argue with his sister and allowed himself to be lifted off the floor and supported by his brothers. As they walked from the room they all knew this was the beginning of a very long journey.

A/N: Please Review!