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

JasonLeeScottFan: No, Zhane's not going to end up in cryo. I just couldn't find it in myself to be that mean.

sunflowerlily: You'll start to find out in the next chapter.

Ch. 18 Letting Go

As the months passed the pain felt by their friends' deaths didn't go away completely but for Zhane and Karone it at least weakened over time. Andros, however, seemed content with blaming himself and keeping his pain bottled up. When Zhane and Karone tried to approach him he just pushed them further away. Not wanting him to completely block them out they had stopped pushing although their worry for him increased everyday.

The only thing that really seemed to be keeping Andros alive was Brytan. He had grown a lot over the past six months and was now crawling happily around the Megaship. The first time he had managed to escape their watchful eyes they decided it was time to baby-proof the ship. With DECA's help it hadn't taken very long and now Andros felt comfortable letting Brytan explore a little on his own since he knew that DECA would keep a close eye on him. It wasn't until Karone found her brother sobbing I his sleep one night that she knew she and Zhane were going to have to force him to talk.

"Dros," Karone stated carefully from the door of the observation deck, "we need to talk." She didn't wait for a reply she just walked over and sat down beside him. She remained silent, watching Brytan play quietly with his toys, until Zhane joined them. "I'm tired of watching you beat yourself up over something you had no control over. You're either going to talk to us willingly or we'll drag it out of you."

"I don't want to talk,: Andros stated stubbornly. "I know that I should have been able to do something to save them. We shouldn't have split up. If we would have stayed together they'd still be here." Karone and Zhane just let him rant, knowing that at least he was getting some of his feelings out. When he began talking about Jenna he broke down completely and they did their best to console him. It took them by complete surprise when he mumbled, "But I wasn't able to save any of them and I'm starting to realize it wasn't my fault."

"And I was thinking we'd have to beat him over the head for him to ever say something like that," Zhane whispered just loud enough for everyone to hear. They all laughed and spent time talking about their old teammates and playing with Brytan.

Almost five months had passed and Andros, Zhane, Karone, and DECA were preparing for Brytan's first birthday. Everyone could easily feel the sadness radiating from Andros. They had all expected this especially since Brytan's first word had been 'Mama'. Karone was hoping that the surprise party she and Zhane had set up, with a lot of help from DECA, for Andros and Brytan would take away some of the pain.

"Brytan?" Zhane called as he wondered through the ship. Karone and DECA had sent him on the mission of finding the birthday boy and his father. 'It's not like we couldn't have just called Andros,' he thought to himself, knowing that he didn't want to face the wrath of the two girls onboard.

The subjects of his search were easily found when he heard Brytan giggle, "Top, Daddy!" He walked into his best friend's room and found Andros tickling his son. "Ane, help!" Zhane rushed over and saved his nephew.

"How's the birthday boy?" he asked. "All ready for a party I hope.: Zhane groaned when he realized what he had said but Andros just smiled.

"I think he's as ready as he's going to get," Andros replied. "Just let me put on some clean clothes and we'll see exactly what you and my sister have been up to." He changed quickly and followed his friend to the Simudeck which was filled with balloons, presents, and stuff that Brytan loved to play on. "You outdid yourself," he informed his sister as he watched Zhane and Brytan start to play.

"Anything for my nephew," she whispered, pulling him into a hug. "Anything for you." Andros nodded his head against her shoulder in silent thanks, knowing that if he tried to speak he would break into tears. For the next hour they played, ate, and opened presents until there was only one left. "This one is for both of you," Karone explained, handing the present to Andros who had Brytan in his lap. Brytan took it from his father and opened it, the present making Andros' jaw drop.

"Look, Daddy," Brytan said excitedly. "Mommy!" Andros didn't respond, he was to focused on the photo in the frame. In the photo were him, Jenna, and Brytan. He felt the tears threatening to fall but did nothing to stop them. "No cry," Brytan whispered. "Mile." Andros forced a smile for his son and then went to hug Zhane and Karone.

"Thank you," he managed. "That's the best present ever. Now he'll never forget her." Zhane and Karone hugged him hard, knowing now that this had been a fantastic idea.

"No more resents?" Brytan asked sadly a few minutes later.

Andros laughed lightly and admitted, "You have one more present. It's not a toy but I think you'll like it." Brytan pouted but then decided that if it was a present for him it couldn't be bad. Andros picked him up and carried him to his final present. Karone and Zhane followed, already knowing what to expect, but wanting to see their nephew's reaction. "Are you ready?" Andros questioned as he put his son down in front of the room across from his. Brytan nodded his head and the door slid open. He rushed in and was amazed to see his very own big boy room. "This is you room now."

"No more Daddy room," he whimpered, on the verge of tears.

"You can still stay in Daddy's room," Andros promised. "But this will be your room when you're ready okay?" The little boy nodded and hurried off to play. It wasn't long before he fell asleep in his new bed. "You guys can go if you want. I'm going to stay so he's not worried when he wakes up." Karone nodded and she and Zhane went to clean up the Simudeck before DECA had a chance to get mad.

A/N: Please Review!