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

Slytherin-Angel44: Here's more.

Jessica01: Yes, he's going to paly matchmaker and he's actually going to do a pretty decent job at it.

Ch. 29 A Slight Misunderstanding

That night of late night planning had led to many more nights of planning. It wasn't long before Zhane found himself decorating the Simu-Deck for his best friend and Ashley's first date. He had finally convinced Ashley that it was time for her to make the first move. They were both tired of waiting on Andros and given what had happened to Akako in the first place it was unlikely that he would ever make the first move. Ashley paced nervously around the corridors of the Megaship waiting impatiently for Zhane to finish his work on the Simu-Deck and give her advice on how to handle her date with Andros. She didn't want to push to hard and push him back into the shell that she had worked so hard to get him out of. Just as she was about to give up on Zhane every getting done he emerged from the door.

"Finished!" He announced proudly, locking the door behind him.

"Let me see," she whined but he put an arm firmly around her shoulder and led her away.

"Not until it's the right time," he told her. "We have to go figure out how you're going to get lover boy to agree to going on a date." Ashley sighed but followed Zhane to his room. Little did they know Andros had seen them walking into his best friend's room.

'How could he do this to me?' Andros fumed silently. 'I thought he understood. I thought he knew I liked her and he wasn't to go near her.' He walked around angrily kicking the wall and surrounding consoles. The other rangers looked at him in shock but he ignored them and headed to his own quarters, to upset to do any work.

Just as he was about to flop down on his bed DECA interrupted, "There's a monster attacking Angel Groove." He sighed heavily at the thought of having to fight along side his best friend but he couldn't let more innocent people get hurt.

"Is everyone ready?" he questioned, making it a point not to look at either Ashley or Zhane. At their nods he yelled, "Let's Rocket!" Within seconds they stood on the beach looking at a giant crocodile. "What do you want?"

"I want to destroy you, rangers," the monster stated. "My master wants you all dead, especially you, Red Ranger."

"Who's your master?" Andros questioned, hoping that it was anyone except his sister or Darkonda.

"Darkonda," was the answer and Andros could feel the color draining from his face. If Darkonda was back that meant that there was something bad coming their way.

"Well, tell him he'll never destroy us," he heard T.J. state from somewhere to his left but he couldn't bring himself to focus on the situation in front of him. Instead he was seeing an all too familiar scene, Karone's kidnaping. He shook himself from the memory when he felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked over to see his best friend. He felt Zhane trying to comfort him in his mind and he pushed his friend away, blocking any telepathic messages from him.

Inside his helmet Zhane frowned. 'Why'd he push me away like that? Did I do something wrong?' Zhane shook his head figuring that Andros just didn't want to appear weak to him and he quickly joined the fight. It didn't take him long to fight his way to Andros' side but he was surprised when Andros wouldn't work with him. "What's wrong with you?" he questioned, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"You know exactly what's wrong," Andros replied before throwing himself completely into the fight. Zhane joined him again, trying desperately to help his brother but Andros wouldn't let him. He kept pushing him further away and it was apparent to Zhane that he was taking more blows while fighting with him so he backed away to help the other rangers. "T.J., you go help him." To Zhane's surprise Andros seemed to have no problem fighting with T.J. by his side and his mind started to rake through the events of the past several days. What had he done? He hadn't said anything out of the way or done anything to hurt his friend he thought.

The monster was defeated quickly and the rangers found themselves staring up at the sky at Darkonda. He was making threats but Zhane was more worried about his friend. He could see that Andros was shaking slightly but quickly decided against trying to comfort him. It wasn't long before they were back on the Megaship and Andros found himself staring once again at Ashley. ZHane saw this and smiled to himself. Maybe Andros wouldn't have to be pushed as hard as he had originally thought. He started to head for the door when he heard Andros trying to make his move.

There's no way I'm missing this,' he thought silently as he turned around. His attention was diverted by the cupcake on Ashley's plate. 'No reason for me to starve to death.' He reached out and grabbed it, shoving it all into his mouth.

"Hey!" Ashley yelled, her attention diverted from Andros so quickly that she didn't notice the scowl that formed on his face. "That was mine." Zhane just shrugged while licking his fingers.

Upon noticing that Andros wasn't going to continue their discussion with him in the room Zhane excused himself, "I'm going to go start some scans. Do you want to help?"

"Sure," Ashley answered, watching as he left for the Bridge. "So, what did you want to ask me?"

She was surprised when Andros looked at her and stated, "Forget it." He turned and went back to work. She sighed and headed for the Bridge. Andros watched her go sadly, wishing he could just come out and tell her how he felt.

'Zhane's better for her anyways,' he told himself. 'All I'll do is hurt her.' He looked up as Zhane entered the room and sighed silently.

"DECA's located the source of the message," he reported. He watched as Andros continued to work and wondered yet again what he had done. "What's going on with you?"

"You damn well know what's wrong," Andros answered, whirling on Zhane, grabbing the front of his shirt, and slamming him into the wall. "I thought you knew I liked her. I finally find someone else and you just have to take her."

"Ashley?" Zhane asked surprised and Andros nodded. "We're just friends. In fact, we've been trying to find a way to get you to ask her out."

"Really?" he question, his grip on Zhane's shirt loosening slightly.

"Yeah," his friend replied. "You knew I wouldn't do that to you." Andros nodded letting go of Zhane completely.

"Darkonda is attacking," DECA stated, interrupting their brotherly moment.

"We're on it," Andros answered as the other rangers joined them. "You guys take care of Darkonda's lab, Zhane and I will take care of him." Zhane placed a hand on Andros' shoulder, glad that he didn't pull away. Everyone nodded and went to their jumptube.

"Red and Silver Ranger," Darkonda began, "I wish I could say I'm surprised to see you but I'm really not."

"What do you want?" Andros asked.

"I want to destroyu you," he answered with a sneer. "Of course, then I thought about how funny it would be if I got your sister to do it for me." Andros and Zhane both fought hard to keep their rage in check but in the end it proved to be to much. They both charged at him but he had disappeared by the time they got there. Andros and Zhane demorphed and walked toward the lab.

"Come on, Andros," Zhane began, trying to lighten the mood, "you have a date to go on." At Andros' baffled look they disappeared in bright lights.

Three hours later Andros sat on the Simu-Deck with Ashley in his arms wondering how he had gotten so lucky. After a lengthy apology to Zhane he had been caught off guard when Ashley had entered the room in a simple you eloquent yellow tank top and skirt. It had taken his breath away and by the time he was able to pay attention again Zhane was gone and only Ashley remained. Silently he cursed and thanked his friend. It had taken them both several minutes but eventually he had managed to ask her out. Zhane came back into the room and blindfolded them both before leading them to the Simu-Deck where a replica of the park in KO-35, Andros' favorite spot, was waiting. He and Ashley had eaten a delicious dinner and talked for what seemed like forever. Now, Andros was building himself up for the big finish. Slowly he placed a hand on Ashley's chin and forced her to look at him.

"I've been alone for so long," he began, stroking her cheek gently, "that I had forgotten what it felt like to love." He pulled her closer and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I love you."

"I love you too," Ashley stated, leaning in for another kiss.

A/N: Please Review!