Never Let Go

Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers.

Summary: Sequel to "Can't Let Go." Read that first. After tragedy strikes, can Ashley and Andros find their way back to each other.

(A/N: So this story isn't gonna be 12 chapters. Just thought I'd throw that out there.)

Pinkrangerfan: Thanks! Yeah everything is going well. Hopefully I won't get pessimistic and change everything. Lol, I probably won't.

emily bradit: Me too! I think I'll keep this a happy ending, mainly because I have a not so happy story coming up.

Vampire's Heartache: Thanks! Ashley, Karone and Zhane saw everything that happened with Andros since the crash. I can't really explain it, but remember their telepathic. It just seemed necessary for them to know and understand Andros's life since the crash.

JasonLeeScottFan: Thank you! I hope it goes well too! Lol!

xSapphirexRosesxFanx: I love this couple too! They're my favorite!

Chapter 13: Meet the Parents

Megaship Observatory – Taurus's Orbit

"Wow!" Trenton gazed at his surroundings in awe. "This place is amazing."

"That it is." Sondria smiled at her son.

"This is Rikai's ship?"

"Yes," Sondria answered. "But you have to remember, his name is Andros now, not Rikai."

Trenton frowned as if considering. "I like Rikai better."

"So do I son." Zavier agreed. He still wasn't sure about everything that had happened. Rikai had said that their relationship wouldn't change, but he had a hard time believing that these people from Rikai's past wouldn't hinder it in some way.

"He was born Andros." Sondria countered. "If he says you can still call him Rikai, then that's fine."

"Yes mam." Trenton pouted.

"So how do we get this ship started?" Zavier asked.

"That's my job." DECA stated, successfully startling the family.

"Daddy what is that?" Trenton grabbed his father's hand.

"My name is DECA. I am the computer operator of this ship."

"Oh!" Sondria exclaimed. "Karone told me about you. Hello DECA."

"Hello, Sondria. Are you all ready to leave?"

"We're ready DECA." Sondria sighed. "It's too bad Trinity couldn't come."

"She's swamped at the hospital." Zavier answered. "I'm sure we won't be gone too long anyway."

Sondria rolled her eyes. "Trenton, see what you can investigate over there for a minute." She pointed to the control panel in the back of the room. Once Trenton ran along, she turned to her husband. "Could you please stop being so pessimistic? It's that kind of thinking that started arguments between you and Andros in the first place."

"Rikai," Zavier corrected, sadly. "He'll always be Rikai to me."

"You haven't lost him, Zavier. And no one's trying to take him from us." She hugged him. "But he did have a life before we found him, and we have to find a way to merge with that life. I'm sure it's what our son wants."

"What if it's not what his friends want?"

Sondria caught sight of something over Zavier's shoulder. "They don't look like people who would try and stop it." She pulled away and turned him towards the pictures Trenton somehow put on a screen.

"Look!" Trenton exclaimed. "DECA helped me put these up. Are these Rikai's friends?"

Zavier turned t the screen and saw the seven faces smiling from the picture. He only knew one of those faces, and he couldn't deny that his son did look happy. "That must be Ashley." He pointed to the stunning young woman to the right of his son. She was wearing the necklace they'd found with Rikai.

"Bringing up files on Ashley and Andros." DECA announced. Images of the two began to randomly appear on the screen.

Zavier fought back tears. You could practically see the love between them. And Zavier couldn't take comfort in that. He couldn't compete with that. If Ashley wanted them away from Rikai, there was no doubt in his mind that Rikai would be done with them in a heartbeat.

Earth

Ashley stirred when she felt eyes on her. She opened her eyes and laughed a little. "Don't do that it's creepy." She closed her eyes and smiled.

"Sorry," He smiled back in the near darkness. The small lamp on his nightstand was on. "I couldn't help it. You're just as beautiful asleep as you are awake." He kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you." She opened her eyes and frowned when she couldn't hear his thoughts. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." He assured her. "I was planning on doing this tomorrow after my parents got here, but I don't want to wait."

"Andros…"

He smiled at her nervousness. "We've been through this once before; I'd think you'd be more prepared for it this time." He turned to his nightstand and took the ring out of the drawer. "Ashley Danielle Hammond, will you marry me?"

Ashley felt the tears sting her eyes at the sight of her ring. "Where's you find it?"

"Zhane gave it to me." He explained. "He said it fell out of your bag. So…what's your answer?"

She hugged him. "Yes, yes, yes." She replied softly. "A thousand times yes."

Andros looked at her and smiled as he slid the ring onto her finger. "So it's official…again."

Ashley smiled mischievously. "Not quite." She pressed her lips against his and straddled him.

He kissed her and grinned. "This all seems vaguely familiar."

"Then you should know what's coming next." She kissed him again.

The Next Morning…

Ava sat in her high chair happily eating the applesauce her daddy was feeding to her. She opened her mouth eagerly as he gave her another spoonful.

Andros looked at Ashley who was finishing up the last touches for breakfast. "Where are Zhane and Karone?" He asked. "My parents are going to be here soon. What could they be doing?"

"Babe," Ashley said lightly as she finished putting the coffee on. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

Andros frowned. "Ew…no."

Ashley laughed and turned towards him and their daughter. "I'm sure they'll be down before your parents get here. Until then, tell me what you think of everything. You think they'll like it?"

"Ash, the house looks great. The food looks and smells great. Everything's great. Sit down for a minute, please."

Ashley took the seat beside him as Zhane and Karone came into the kitchen. "Good morning, you two." Ashley called

"Yes it is." Karone grinned.

"Okay, wipe that look off of your face now." Andros ordered his sister. "It's disturbing and it's making my stomach churn."

They all laughed.

Karone's communicator beeped. "DECA?" She responded.

"We are in Earth's atmosphere and ready to teleport."

"Okay. Send them to the den, and teleport their luggage upstairs."

"Affirmative."

Andros took Ava from her high chair and handed her to Ashley. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Ashley responded.

They moved into the den just as Zavier, Sondria and Trenton appeared. Trenton giggled. "Teleporting tickles."

Andros smiled. "You get used to it."

Trenton's eyes lit up. "Rikai!" He ran to his big brother. "I missed you."

Andros swept the boy up in a hug. "I missed you too buddy." He put Trenton down and ruffled his hair before looking at his parents. "Hey."

Sondria moved to him. "Hello honey." She hugged him. "You look good."

"Thanks." He sighed and rolled his eyes playfully. "Could you please acknowledge Karone? She's about to jump out of her skin."

Karone punched his shoulder. "No one asked you to channel me." She looked at Sondria. "But it's true." She nervously played with her hands. "Hi."

"Come here, sweetheart." Sondria held out her arms for Karone. "It's nice to finally see you in person."

"You too." Karone smiled. She gently pulled away and grabbed Zhane. "This is my fiancé, Zhane." She introduced him.

"Hello Zhane. I've heard a lot about you."

"I hope it was good." He said shyly.

"It was." She assured. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

"You're all Rikai's friends, right?" Trenton asked.

"Zhane is his best friend." Karone answered. "I'm his sister."

"Does that mean you're my sister too?" Trenton asked excitedly.

Karone looked at Sondria who nodded in approval. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Cool. I think I like having a sister."

"Just wait." Andros muttered, receiving another hit from Karone. "Ow. See what I mean Trenton."

Trenton laughed. "I like her."

"Traitor." Andros ruffled Trenton's hair again, then looked over his shoulder at Ashley. He reached out and took her free hand. "Mom, this is Ashley and our daughter Ava."

"Hi." Ashley spoke softly.

"Hi." Sondria smiled in return. "Come here." She pulled Ashley into a hug both being mindful of Ava. She felt Ashley relax and breathe a sigh of relief. Sondria gently pulled back and looked at the baby in Ashley's arms. "She's beautiful."

Ava cooed and smiled in response. "She looks like her daddy." Ashley commented with a smile. "Do you want to hold her?"

"I'd love to." She held her hands out for Ava. "Come to grandma." She quickly looked at Ashley. "Is that alright?"

Ashley smiled. "It's fine." She assured. "My mother goes by Nana so it's perfect."

Sondria sighed in relief. "Hi beautiful." Ava grinned in reply.

"I want to see the baby." Trenton begged.

"Okay." Sondria looked at Andros who was staring at Zavier. "Let's move over here."

"Dad?" Andros called grabbing Ashley's hand again and moving towards his father.

"Hello Rikai." Zavier looked at Ashley. "You're even more striking in person." He continued when she looked surprised. "DECA, showed us pictures on the way."

"Thank you." Ashley smiled nervously. She wasn't sure why she said it, but if Zavier was anything like Andros, and she had a feeling he was, he would want to hear this. "You're his family." She said abruptly taking Zavier off guard. "You were his father for over a year and you're still his father now." Ashley's voice filled with emotion. "You saved him, and you took care of him, and you loved him. And for that, I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life."

Zavier gave a teary eyed smile. "I see now why he loves you so much." The tension in the room before faded away at his words. He moved forward and embraced his future daughter in law.

(A/N: That was sweet. I bet I had some of you guys scared for a minute. Lol! Tell me what you think. Love to hear from you guys!)