"Andros, wait." Alestra's plea was soft as the long-legged blonde stood in the pale moonlight of the Kerovian Orbit Cafe. "Give me another chance, you know I love you."
The red Astro Ranger's breath came out in a hoarse whisper, "no, Alestra, we're through. I can't deal with you anymore. The team . . . We aren't a team since I agreed to try things with you. Things were so much easier when we were just friends. Please understand."
Alestra's blue-green eyes filled with tears, but the pink Astro Ranger remained calm, "Alright Andros . . . We can be . . . Friends again."
Andros glanced behind his shoulder, past his shoulder length striped hair, at her tearful expression, "some how, I doubt it'll be this easy."
"I love you," came the response, "so, you're doubt is right."
"Why are you telling me that?" Andros whispered, "I can't believe that anymore. I know it's a lie. I saw you with Keiran the other night."
"It didn't mean anything," Alestra protested, "we were studying! That was all."
"On what," Andros asked dryly, his eyes tinting with sadness, "how to French kiss?"
"NO! Andros, please . . ."
"Ally," he saw her eyes tear up at the use of the pet name, "I have spent so many hours since Friday crying over this and other instances in the past, and we just aren't happening anymore. It's like . . . Once you got me as yours, after all those hours we discussed the consequences of this, you got bored with me. I can't deal with a relationship when I'm all alone."
"You're not . . ." She trailed off, knowing he was right.
"I love you," he paused, "rather I did love you, but it's not the same anymore. I've spent so many hours with Krysta, just talking over the direction we were headed."
"You love her." she stated quietly.
"What?"
"Krysta. You love her, don't you?"
Andros looked at her in surprise, "maybe I do. She's been there for me, the times I needed her. The times I felt like killing myself because I was so distraught over you. The times when I just needed to smile in my darkest hour, she was there with some strange joke or just her bright smile to cheer me up."
Alestra smiled sadly, "I do love you Andros. Kei is just a friend. I know I can't undo the distrust, but I can try."
He shook his head, eyes closing, "something Krysta told me . . . I have to do what's best for me, not just you. And what's best for me is to be away from you right now. I've," he took a deep breath, "decided to take a temporary break from Rangering." His eyes closed tighter together at her gasp, "the decision is made and final."
"You're . . . WHAT?!"
"I can't do it anymore, Ally, I just can't. A break is my only way out. Krysta's joining me. We'll be back, don't worry."
"But . . ."
"No, buts." he said firmly, "It has to be done."
It came by surprise, but Alestra glared at him, "NO, it doesn't have to be done. You're being a coward and running away from us. From me."
He stared at her, not sure what to say. Finally he just looked away, eyes slipping shut.
"I love you Andros. I want to be with you. You have to believe me."
His eyes opened at that, anger evident in the hazel orbs, "No, I don't have to believe you and I wont. What you give me is pain, not love. When was my last happy memory of us? The day before we started going out. I am not going to be the player in your game anymore, Alestra. This is goodbye."
He turned on his heel and left, leaving the blonde shaking in front of the restaurant.
***
Andros walked around dejectedly, not really caring where he ended up. He was just walking, hoping to ease the pain from earlier. He'd finally told her the truth, the truth he'd wanted to say so many times before.
"Andros."
"Go away!"
"Andros, its Krysta," the yellow Astro Ranger repeated, "are you okay?"
Andros spun, his hollow eyes staring daggers at her crystal sea-green eyes, "do I look okay?!"
"No," she said lightly, "that's why I asked."
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her comment. "It's just hard right now. I . . ."
"You told her, didn't you?"
Andros nodded, "if I needed to do that, why does it hurt so much?"
"You loved her."
"I guess."
Krysta sighed, "well, seeing how you're all messed up right now, might be the best time to tell you this . . ."
"What, that you love me too?" He joked lightly. He looked up to see her reaction but only sighed when she didn't laugh.
"Yes," she said calmly, "that's exactly right."
"Stress," he muttered, "seems to love me tonight."
"Andros," she said in a whisper, "I think I fell in love with you that first night I helped you with Alestra. You looked so sad and vulnerable, just so full of anger and confusion, I just couldn't stand it! I vowed then that I'd help you and be there for you, and . . . After a while, that vow turned into something more serious. Turned into desire of wanting to be that person you thought for hours over."
"Friends," he said softly, "don't admit this to one another."
"Friends don't," she agreed, "but crushes do. People who wish for more. Don't get me wrong," she said quickly, "I don't expect you to return the feelings, especially after ending things with Alestra so quickly, but I have to tell you this. You mean more to me then I mean to myself."
"I," he paused, "honestly don't know what to tell you."
She nodded vaguely, "I know you don't. I wish with all my heart you did know what to say, that maybe you returned the crush, but I understand. You'll probably want to stay single for a while," she smiled bitterly, "and you'll declare once or twice that you love being single, that this is just what you needed, but," she paused, "you'll be wrong. You need another piece, to complete your soul. Maybe that piece will take a while to solve, like a jigsaw puzzle, but through all the trying, it'll be worth it because you'll find her and that piece will just snap into place, like it was destined."
"You're," he murmured lowly, "starting to sound like a Earth Hallmark card."
That earned him a small smile to crease her serious face, "why thanks."
"Maybe," he sighed, "you're right. But I can't think about this right now. I don't know what I want to do right now. Maybe I'll end up getting back together with Alestra, I really don't know. But," he smiled, "I'm glad you told me. If it means anything, I'm flattered you like me . . ."
"No offense," she gave him a half smile, "it doesn't mean much. I like you too much to be very happy you're 'glad' I like you." she chuckled lightly, "I want you, but not in the sense of, well, silence and imagination."
He nodded. "Yeah.. But, I have to go now. Maybe we can talk later. Or some other time, but for now, I just want to fall into my bed slice the night demons with my spiral saber."
She laughed, "I'm sure they'll be on the lookout then."
He stared at her for a moment and smiled, "thanks, by the way, for all your help with Ally. I don't know what I'd do without you half the time. Too good for me."
She shrugged, "I told you I'd always be there for you. And no matter what I tell you, always remember this," she gazed seriously at him, "I will always be there to listen to you. No matter what it is. Always."
He nodded, and leaned over, hugging her tightly, "thanks. You don't know how much that's appreciated," he glanced at his watch and gave her one last smile, "thanks and night."
"Night," she echoed, watching him leave. "I love you," she whispered as she turned her own way for the night.
End
Author's question: If this is liked, I was thinking of expanding the ideas I have for Andros' old team. Please tell me what you guys want! :)