Can't Let Go
Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers.
JasonLeeScottFan: I know. It's sad right. Of course they'll get her back… sooner or later.
CSJ: Thanks! I don't want it to be over 25 chapters. I'm writing chapter 16 now. It shouldn't be too much longer.
Signkat: Here's the next chapter.
sunflowerlily: I'm happy you commented though. I'm not quite sure how Karone will be saved or who will save her. So it may surprise us both. Lol!
Chapter 11: How to Deal
Medical Bay
Ashley sat on the gurney with her legs hanging over the edge as Andros ran a scanner over her. Her khaki skirt was dirty and the yellow top she had worn that day had blood on the back of it from her head wound. And Andros thought that he had never been so happy to look at her as he was now, but the happiness was bitter sweet. He had saved the woman he loved, but he lost his sister.
"Ashley has a minor concussion and minor bruises. She should be fine in a couple of days." DECA's voice told them.
"Thanks DECA." Andros commented as he replaced the scanner.
Ashley knew what he was feeling, and she knew that he was fighting not to feel it. He was beating himself up about Karone. She couldn't let him go through the loss of his sister alone again. "Andros?" When he turned she could see the anguish on his face. She held her arms out to him.
He practically ran into her arms and wrapped his arms around her waist. He didn't realize how much he needed the comfort until she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her cheek to his.
She felt his tears on her face even though he didn't make a sound. They didn't say anything; there was no need. They stayed that way for a while receiving and giving comfort.
Cassie's room
Cassie and Carlos sat on Cassie's bed together. "I can't believe Karone is Astronema again. Andros must be devastated." Cassie stated with sadness in her voice.
"Zhane and Ashley too." Carlos added.
"I know they're upset too, but this is the second time Andros has lost his sister. I just hope he's alright."
Carlos lowered his head in defeat. "I can leave so you can check on Andros." He stood to leave but Cassie stopped him.
She didn't want him to go. "Ashley is with him, she'll probably know how to approach him better than I would anyway. I guess in the end Ashley's the better woman."
Carlos slowly sat back down. "Maybe for Andros she is, but not for every guy."
"I'm not sure I know a guy who wouldn't go for Ashley." Cassie stated somberly.
"I wouldn't." Carlos stated before he could stop himself. "Someone else already has my heart."
Cassie frowned a little. She wasn't sure why the thought of Carlos liking someone else upset her. "So who's the lucky girl?"
Not knowing what else to do, he leaned over and kissed her on the lips. When he pulled back to look at her, the shocked expression she wore had him regretting his actions. "I'm so sorry." He said quickly. "I know you and Andros just broke up and you still have feelings for him, but I've always had feelings for you and-"
His rant was cut off when Cassie pressed her lips to his.
Zhane's room
Zhane lay on his bed with his arm covering his eyes. He felt like his heart was broken and he couldn't put the pieces back together. He couldn't feel Karone. If she hadn't been standing in front of him on the dark fortress, he would have sworn that she was dead. And for all intents and purposes she was.
He ignored the knock on his door, but when it slid open he sat up. "Andros?"
Andros stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. He sat down beside his friend. "I won't ask how you're feeling, I can feel that myself. I just didn't know how strongly you felt about Karone."
"I feel so empty without her." Zhane whispered and seriously looked at Andros. "How's Ashley?"
"She's sleeping now." And Andros wanted to get back to her soon. He didn't like being away from her for too long, but his friend needed him now.
"Don't be stupid Andros. Hold on to Ashley."
"Don't worry. I won't let her go this time." He put his hand on Zhane's shoulder and they sat together in silence.
Ashley's Room
Ashley didn't know how long she spent tossing and turning in her bed. She just couldn't sleep. Not with Karone back as Astronema, not to mention feeling her own grief over it as well as two others. She sat up when her door slid open.
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to check on you." Andros said timidly. "I'll just go now." He turned to leave.
She could feel his concern for her, but she could also feel his longing. "Andros?" She called. "Do you wanna stay here?"
"Yeah I do." The door closed as he made his way to her bed. Ashley moved over to make room for him. They lay on their sides facing each other.
"You think Zhane's gonna be okay?" Ashley whispered.
"Yeah he's stronger than he gives himself credit for."
"I'll talk to him tomorrow." Ashley was surprised when she didn't feel any hostility from Andros.
"That's probably a good idea." He smiled when Ashley covered her mouth and yawned. "I think we should try to get some sleep." Andros kissed her forehead and held her tight. He couldn't believe he had broken up with her because he was afraid of letting her get too close to him, especially because all he wanted now was to be close to her.
"I think you're right." She murmured. She let her eyes close and fell asleep in Andros's arms.
The next day
TJ teleported back to the ship. He had spent the night and most of the day with his parents and his little sister. After everything that had happened yesterday, he had the strong urge to go and see them. He turned into the food hall and rolled his eyes at the sight before him. "What the hell is this?" He asked exasperated.
Cassie and Carlos abruptly ended their make out session and jumped apart. "TJ, we didn't see you there." Carlos commented, looking at everything but TJ.
"Yeah I noticed." TJ put a hand to his head. "Does Andros know about this?"
"Andros and I broke up." Cassie stated.
TJ turned when he heard someone else walk in the room behind him. He looked at the couple's intertwined hands. "And I take it you two are back together."
Ashley and Andros glanced at each other before Andros spoke. "Yeah I guess so."
"So what about Zhane?" TJ inquired.
"Touchy subject." Ashley started. "He and Karone kind of had a thing for each other."
TJ nodded considering. "And everyone's okay with this?"
"Looks that way." Carlos answered and reached for Cassie's hand. Cassie put her hand in Carlos's and stepped closer to him.
"Good, now could you please keep it this way?" He rubbed his forehead again. "All of this partner swapping is making me dizzy." He walked past Ashley and Andros and out of the food hall.
The couples stared nervously at each other. Ashley was the first to break the tense silence.
"Okay. So this is a little awkward." She paused and looked at each person. "But there isn't any hostility is there?"
"No." Andros answered first.
"None from me." Cassie followed suit.
"Nope." Carlos responded.
"Good. So let's just eat lunch."
They managed to get past the uneasiness and into a smooth conversation over their meal. They all stopped when Zhane entered.
He looked at the four people before him and turned and hurried away. He wasn't mad at them, but it hurt seeing them together and not being able to be with Karone.
"Zhane." Ashley called but he had left the room already. She stood to follow him but looked back at Andros.
He grabbed her hand reassuringly. "It's okay go after him. I think he needs you right now."
"Thanks." Ashley kissed him and ran after Zhane.
Zhane's room
Zhane ran into his room and sat on his bed, covering his face with his hands. He vaguely heard the knock on his door.
Zhane?
It made him feel a little better to hear Ashley's voice in his head. Come in. He responded.
Ashley came in and sat on the bed beside him. "How are you holding up?"
Can we please talk telepathically? It's comforting. He explained.
Sure. She grabbed his hand and he squeezed hers in return.
How did you do it Ash? How did you deal with not being able to feel Andros? Even his mental voice was full of pain.
It was hard, but having you there made it easier for me.
He smiled a little. Glad I could help. Zhane put his head on her shoulder. It's so unfair, I feel like me and Karone never really had a chance to really be with each other. What if we can't get her back?
You will have a chance with her because we will get Karone back. I promised her that before we were taken and I'm going to keep that promise.
You sound so sure.
Because I am sure. She took his face in her hands and spoke to him. "We are going to get her back. And I need to hear you say it."
"We're going to get Karone back." He forced himself to believe it.
"Ashley, Zhane," DECA's voice filled the room. "Andros needs the two of you on the bridge. I am picking up an energy signal from the nearby planet, Centaur B."
"Andros will understand if you're not ready to go." Ashley stated.
"It's okay. I'll be fine." Zhane responded.
"Alright." Ashley stood. "Let's go."
Centaur B
Andros led his team through the harsh conditions. They each wore protective masks over their faces and large hooded cloaks to protect their faces and bodies. They also used the masks to communicate.
"I don't see how anything could survive on the surface of this planet." Cassie stated.
"She's right." Andros agreed. "Let's get back to the ship." Just as they were about to turn back they were surrounded and disarmed by what looked to be soldiers.
"You all are coming with us." One of the soldiers stated. The rangers were lead into an underground chamber.
The leader of the soldiers stepped in front of the rangers as their masks and cloaks were removed. "So you are the one's responsible."
"Responsible for what?" Andros demanded.
"Yatri, what is the meaning of this?" An older man interrupted before Andros received and answer.
"These are the spies responsible for turning our people into coral, Kin Won" Yatri stated.
"Kin Won?" Zhane and Andros said simultaneously.
"Andros, Zhane." Kin Won moved to them and embraced the two rangers.
"What are you doing here?" Zhane asked.
"Tykwa and I managed to get some of the people from KO-35 to safety and bring them to this planet." He looked at the two of them. "Tykwa will be glad to know that you two are okay."
"They are spies Kin Won and they must be destroyed." Yatri insisted.
"They will not be harmed."
"Fine." Yatri's voice changed and had the rangers on alert. "If you won't destroy them, I will." There was a flash of light then Darkonda appeared where Yatri previously stood. "We meet again rangers."
"Kin Won get everyone to safety." Andros ordered and looked at his team. "Ready? Let's Rocket!" The rangers morphed and stood before Darkonda.
"Allow me to introduce you to someone." He gestured to the doorway where a large coral like monster now stood. "Meet Coralizer." He turned to the monster. "Destroy them!"
"You guys go after the monster. I'll take care of Darkonda." Zhane lunged at Darkonda and chased him down a corridor before the others could respond.
(A/N: If you know the power rangers storyline, you know what's gonna happen next. Hope you liked it! Please read and review.)