Can't Let Go
Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers.
JasonLeeScottFan: Who doesn't love Zhane? Soap opera? Is that good or bad?
sunflowerlily: Thanks for reviewing! Here you go!
Chapter 4: Complications
Ashley's room
"So let me get this straight." Zhane stated as he sat next to Ashley on her bed. "You and Andros dated, and then you guys got into a fight and broke up. Enter Cassie, who is your best friend and now Andros's girlfriend." He took a deep breath. "You and Andros agreed to be friends, but for one reason or another he over reacted because he thinks he saw something between us?"
Ashley nodded slowly. "Yeah pretty much."
"Wow. Andros's social life has really grown in the past 2 years."
"Yeah I guess so." She laughed. "Unfortunately, I don't think his social skills have grown."
"Give him a break. He's been through a lot."
"I know he's been through a lot, with his sister and you and KO-35 being destroyed. But anytime I asked him about it he would get all depressed and moody. The only reason I really knew anything was because when he was dreaming I would see them too."
"You saw Andros's dreams?"
"Yeah, it was before I could control my telepathy." Ashley sighed and rolled her eyes. "The dreams were really depressing and it was worse because he wouldn't talk to me about it." She added. "And now he blocks himself off from me, or at least he tries to. I can get through if I want."
"So that's why I couldn't get through to him when I was in the cryogenic sleep." He said thoughtfully. "I think him trying to block you out is blocking out any telepath around him."
"You're probably right." She yawned deeply.
"I guess I should let you get some sleep." He stretched and yawned a little himself. "Wow. You'd think after two years of sleep I would be well rested."
"Yeah you'd think." She looked at her clock and frowned. "I didn't think it was so late." She watched Zhane stand at her door. "See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah." The door slid open when he pushed the panel next to it. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight Zhane." She smiled to herself as the door slid shut behind him.
Andros's room
Cassie timidly knocked on Andros's door. She'd decided to give him a little space before she approached him. The time she gave was as much for herself as it was for him. She figured if she ran in there immediately after everything that happened, she would have just accused him of still having feelings for Ashley and they would have ended up in a huge fight. She knocked again when he didn't answer. "Andros, it's Cassie. Can I come in?"
From inside his room, Andros lay on his bed and sighed. He really didn't want to see Cassie right now, and he was fighting the urge to go to Ashley. Not that Ashley would accept him after he snapped at her for something that wasn't her fault. Not to mention involving Zhane in that comment. He groaned when she knocked a third time. "Come in. It's unlocked." He called.
The door slid open and Cassie entered. "I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you were okay." She walked hesitantly over to him and sat on the bed. Even after the time they had been a couple, she still wasn't sure how open he was to her comfort.
"I'm fine." He was a bad liar and he knew it, but he didn't think 'I really want to go see Ashley right now and you're kind of hindering that' was a good response.
Cassie sighed. "You're upset about what you said to Ashley aren't you?" It was deeper than that and she knew it. She saw the way he glared at Zhane and Ashley.
"Yeah, I am. I really need to apologize to her. And Zhane." He sat up and shifted into a sitting position beside Cassie. "I'm gonna go see if they're awake."
"Wait!" Cassie said a little too urgently. She recovered quickly. "Can't this wait until tomorrow? I mean maybe they're not ready to be approached."
Since he didn't really have a valid reason for seeking Ashley or Zhane out at this particular time, he had to agree with Cassie. "Okay I'll wait."
"Do you mind if I stay here tonight?" She didn't want to be turned a way. She was pretty sure that if she left, he would go find Ashley. And she definitely didn't want that.
"Sure." Andros got back in his bed and waited for Cassie to take off her boots and jacket and join him.
She got into bed with her boyfriend and snuggled in close. "Goodnight Andros."
"Goodnight Cassie." He was still getting used to the way Cassie felt against him. It always took him longer to fall asleep with her than it did with Ashley. He sighed a little. I have to stop doing this. He thought. I have to stop comparing her to Ashley. I'm with Cassie now. I want to be with Cassie. No matter how many times he told himself that, he still had a problem believing it.
Dark Fortress
"So the silver ranger is back." Astronema considered as she watched the images from the earlier fight.
"It appears that way, princess." Ecliptor responded.
"The only reason he defeated us was because we weren't expecting him. Next time Ecliptor and I will be ready." Darkonda added.
"Darkliptor right?" She continued when Darkonda nodded. "Ecliptor, you hate Darkonda. It's no secret. So how did he get you to join forces that way?"
"I will do whatever it takes to destroy the rangers for you my princess." Ecliptor tried his best to hide his disgust. "Even if it means merging with Darkonda."
Astronema's eyes narrowed on Ecliptor. She knew her father figure was hiding something, but she didn't know what it was. "So be it." She turned to Darkonda. "Study the silver ranger's moves and be prepared to fight him again soon."
"As you wish." Darkonda bowed his head slightly and turned to Ecliptor when Astronema left the room. "Well that wasn't so hard was it?"
"Shut up, Darkonda." Ecliptor spat.
"Now, now." Darkonda sneered. "You remember our agreement. You do what I say and I don't tell your precious princess where she really came from."
Ecliptor tensed. "I swear I will find a way to destroy you."
"And until then, you are under my beck and call." Darkonda vanished out of the room.
Ecliptor pounded his fist against the console. He couldn't let Astronema find out about her true past. He would lose the girl he came to think of as his daughter forever. And he couldn't let that happen.
The next morning – Ashley's Room
Ashley was just putting on her uniform jacket when she heard someone knock on her door and felt a strong presence in her mind. "Come in." It didn't surprise her to see Zhane come in after the door slid open. "Hey."
"Hey. How are you feeling?" He asked nervously.
"I'm still pretty sore, but much better than yesterday." Even if she hadn't been looking at him at that moment, she would have been able to tell that he was nervous. She could feel it like it was her own emotion. "Are you okay?" She teased.
He winced slightly when he remembered that she was telepathic and probably knew what he was feeling. "It's nothing. I was just wondering if you would like to go get breakfast with me." Her smile nearly took his breath away. She was beautiful.
"I'd like that." She laughed when he continued to stare at her. "Zhane, you ready to go?"
Zhane shook his head as if coming out of a dream. "Yeah I'm ready." He let her go out in front of him and moved beside her as they walked through the hall.
Food Hall
Andros, Cassie, and TJ were sitting at the table finishing up their breakfast and discussing yesterday's events.
"Darkliptor is strong." TJ started. "We wouldn't have beaten him if it weren't for Zhane."
Andros tried not to tense. "Yeah, but Darkliptor will be prepared next time and so will we. Which reminds me, did anyone tell Carlos that we're training later this afternoon?"
"Yeah I saw him in the hall on my way here." Cassie answered. She had decided to go to her room and shower before breakfast, and caught him in the hallway. "He'll be back after soccer practice."
"Okay." He nodded. "Has anyone seen Ashley and Zhane? I need to talk to them." He'd had a chance to calm down the night before and decided he really should apologize for his outburst.
"Looking for us?" Zhane asked as he walked in with Ashley.
Andros's expression immediately hardened when he saw them together. The calm he felt quickly leaving him. Ashley should be with me. He thought grudgingly.
Zhane and Ashley frowned at him, but quickly looked away.
"Um TJ," Cassie thought quickly. "You want help finishing the last touches on the cloaking device? We're headed for the Ventura system after training."
"I think it would be safer if we stayed." TJ countered taking in Andros's expression.
"It's fine TJ." Ashley answered. "You and Cassie go ahead."
TJ shrugged. "Okay. Good luck." He added and walked out the door.
Cassie gave Andros's shoulder a quick squeeze before she followed TJ.
"You wanted to talk to us?" Ashley asked knowingly as she took a seat across from her ex boyfriend.
"We're listening." Zhane said taking the seat next to Ashley.
Andros willed himself to calm down. These are two of my closest friends and I shouldn't be glaring at them. Ashley and I were over before Zhane got here. And Cassie is my girlfriend now. Besides, Zhane and Ashley just met. It's not like something is going on between them now. He took a deep breath, and managed to give them a genuine smile. "I'm really sorry I snapped at you guys yesterday. It was wrong, and I don't know what came over me." He knew exactly what came over him, but he didn't have to say it. "Forgive me?"
"It's okay." Ashley shrugged. "I forgive you."
"You know me." Zhane started. "I'm not serious enough to hold a grudge."
They laughed easily together for the first time.
Andros stood from the table. "I'm gonna go do a search for Karone."
"You told them about your sister?" Zhane asked surprised. He figured Ashley would know, but not the others.
"Actually Carlos saw me watching a video of the day she was kidnapped and I didn't really have a choice." Andros answered.
"Oh. Well that makes more sense." Zhane nodded considering that option. "It makes more sense that you were forced."
Andros let out an exasperated sigh. "Am I that stubborn?"
"Yes." Ashley and Zhane answered at the same time.
"Whatever." He walked towards the door. "I'll be on the bridge if anyone needs me. And remember, we're training this afternoon." He walked out of the food hall.
Ashley's smile quickly faded when she looked at Zhane. "I wonder if he knows his telepathic block goes down when he's pissed."
"I doubt it." He looked at Ashley. "So you felt all of that too?"
"Felt… and heard." Part of her knew that Andros still wanted to be with her, but it was definitely confirmed today. She had never heard him so clearly before. She loved Andros; she never tried to hide it from herself, but sitting here with Zhane felt…different…in a good way.
Zhane smiled at her a little before going to the synthetron. "What are you having?"
"Pancakes please."
"Sure." He drew out the word. "What are pancakes?"
She laughed at his confused expression. "Order two plates." She continued when he sat next to her with their food. "Some people like theirs with whipped cream and fruits. I do too. But today I want syrup, lots of syrup." She picked the syrup up off the table and poured some on both of their pancakes. She cut a piece of his with a fork and held it out for him. "Try it."
He looked unsure but let her feed him. A smile slowly formed on his face as he chewed and swallowed. "These really are good."
"Told you." She smiled as his eyes met hers again, but her smile slowly faltered as his emotions filled her head. He slid the fork out of her grasp and leaned forward. She knew what was coming, and couldn't find a reason to stop it. And when his lips met hers, she didn't fight it and kissed him back.
When he slowly pulled away, he couldn't help but think that he ended it too soon. He frowned when her outward expression contradicted with what he was feeling from her. Her eyes were focused on her hands in her lap. "Did I do something wrong?"
Ashley's eyes finally met his again. "I think things just got really complicated." It was the only thing she said before she leaned forward and kissed him again.
(A/N: Lol! Hoped you liked it!! Please review and tell me what you think. I have started school and a part time job, so I will try to update once a week, every two weeks at the most. Please be patient. Thanks.)