Disclaimer: Not mine

Ashley Hammond/Astro Yellow: Like I said, I was goinig to have Karone 'play' with matches... :P

Juzblue: I know, Karone does some interesting things when she's angry. : )

Jenny: I updated and then I went and read ch. 9 of "Andros' Life," and it was pretty funny because I think that part there was exactly the same, but all A/A authors have a psychic connection, remember? And yes, there is a sequel, and I'll put it up tomorrow. And how did you manage to work in that you know what AH/AS wrote next? It's one thing when it's her stories, but when it's mine... that's talent. TEACH ME! And stop staring at me like I'm crazy:P... Um, I probably always had AIM, I just didn't know it was AIM. : ) starcloud248? Now I know what screenname to block. Kidding:P And yeah, I love the chapter you gave me. It's one of the best Andros/Ashley moments (that was in the show, at least.) :D

Princess Emmie: Thanks. Karone had to stand up to them, I couldn't let Andros be abandoned by his sister on top of everything else that happened to him.

Arwennicole: His parents are awful people. Karone basically showed them that she wasn't the little angel they thought she was.

AA Lover: All Andros and Ashley stories have to have something sad in them, but then it's sweet at the same time, because then Andros gets to open up to Ashley, and that's the best part. : )

Chapter 22

"I never thought we'd have to say goodbye," Ashley whispered, tears trickling down her cheeks as she walked with Andros. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

Andros sighed, and turned to face her, wiping her tears away and taking her hands. "KO-35 is my home," he said softly. "The people here need me. I owe it to them to stay."

Ashley started crying again, not understanding at all. His life here had been horrible. Why was he staying? She swallowed hard, trying to keep herself from falling apart completely. A part of her did understand. He still wanted to make up for the mistakes he thought he'd made. Without another word, Andros pulled her into his arms, holding her close. Ashley buried her face in his chest, no longer making any effort to dam her tears.

When their communicators beeped, Andros answered his, knowing that Ashley wasn't able to speak. "It's time," TJ's voice floated quietly up to them. "We'll be right there," Andros said, breaking the connection. He tightened his grip on Ashley. "Come on, Ash. You have to go now."

Slowly, reluctantly, they began walking in the direction of the Megaship, Ashley fighting back the urge to throw herself at him, begging him to let her stay, Andros fighting back the urge to beg her to stay.

As they finished their goodbyes, Ashley cast him one last sad glance as the hit the button that would seal the door. Andros didn't take his eyes off of her until he could no longer see her. The instant she was gone, he knew that the mistake he was making now was much bigger than anything he thought he'd done before.

"Zhane," he said, turning to his best friend, who was standing beside him, alongside his sister. The three native Karovans had decided to remain together, no matter where it took them. "Karone. I can't."

Zhane and Karone looked at each other as Andros teleported himself back onto the Megaship without another word. Zhane muttered something along the lines of, "Took you long enough," before following, Karone right behind him.

Andros landed just outside the bridge, where he could see TJ and Carlos standing around awkwardly as Cassie tried to comfort Ashley. "Are you going to be okay?" Cassie asked.

"I just miss him so much," Ashley choked out.

"Deca, set a course for Earth," Andros said, stepping into the room.

"Andros!" Ashley shouted, jumping up and throwing her arms around his neck.

"My home is with you," he said in her ear.

"Hey," Zhane said, poking his head in the room. "The Mega Winger's in the shop. Can we get a ride to Earth?"

"We'll have to think about that one," TJ said, grinning.

"Not nice," Karone laughed, appearing next to Zhane. "We'd be stuck here forever."

"Let's go home," Carlos suggested.

"I like it," Cassie agreed.

Still caught in Andros' arms, Ashley relaxed against him and joined the other rangers in joking around, eager to get home and begin her new life with the man that she loved.

Elsewhere

"We must move now, Master." The speaker felt his heart pound as he finished, and waited with bated breath for a reply.

On the telescreen, the former Power Rangers were laughing, their guards let down completely, their morphers gone. They were now defenseless, and could be overpowered easily.

"Yes," came the breathless reply. "We must move now." He laughed, a sound that echoed eerily throughout the compound. "The rangers have won their war, but the red ranger will never escape me."

A/N: Okay, Part I is over. Onto Part II. I should really decide these things BEFORE I right the story, not the chapter before the last chapter. But you still love me. :P Hoped you liked it. Please review.