Okay, I know this is literally cutting it close with today being Day one of the 12 days, and I have a little over that to come...

But, I love the 'Alick' pairing... so... here's their version...

Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers... if I did, Merrick and Alyssa would've gotten together for sure!-

Merrick Baliton was walking along a shopping district, getting groceries for Willie as one of his many, many tasks for the coming 'Holiday season'.

Since he was from the past, 1,000 BC to be exact, Merrick had no idea what a Holiday was, but it seemed to include more than sweeping around his home… so it couldn't be anything good.

As he was walking out of the store, he noticed a group of singers all… well… singing together.

Merrick had to force his hands from clinching at the sound of the songs they were singing, as, once again, he wasn't used to Modern music, and mixing that with his annoyance of the coming holidays wasn't a help.

So, he continued on, shoving past several others as he did, too annoyed to care about anything else but returning to his work/home, Willie's Roadhouse.

When Merrick returned to the Roadhouse, he got to work putting the assortment of foods in their required places in the kitchen.

As he did this, though, he made sure to set a bowl of milk outside, knowing a wild half-wolf would come by pretty soon.

But, when he got back into the main room to play a round of pool, by himself which wasn't annoying as one might think, a familiar black-haired woman in white and light pink stood in the doorway, looking both cold and wet at the same time.

Merrick frowned and walked up to her, "What happened to you, Alyssa?"

She sighed, "Someone shoving me into the snow when I was listening to some Carolers."

"Carol-what?" Merrick frowned.

Alyssa blinked, "Oh… right… you've never celebrated the Holidays before… Carolers are singers that go around places, either asking for money or just singing to keep spirits up."

Merrick nodded softly, "Why sing such…?"

"Did you only… ever play the Deer's Song? Is that the only song you ever heard?"

Merrick nodded simply, "Yes."

Alyssa looked like she wanted to hit her head, but didn't. Instead, she sighed.

"Merrick, carols are meant to lift other's spirits, make them happy… by 'others' I mean people." Alyssa added at the still confused look on his face.

"Now that makes sense." He relented.

Alyssa nodded, then sneezed into her elbow

Merrick jumped before he realized his jacket might have been long sleeved, but Alyssa's was simply a vest, and her over jacket looked pretty thin.

He quickly pulled her overcoat off and put it on a coat rack before sitting her as far from the outer doors as possible and walking into the kitchen to make what his 'boss' had called 'Hot Chocolate'.

When he walked back out, he gave her the cup of liquid as softly as he could before he sat next to her.

"Say… uh… why are you here to begin with?" He frowned in confusion.

"I was getting cold…" Alyssa let out, "So I had to go to the closest place I knew the people of… that being you and Willie."

Merrick nodded, "I see… while you're here… uh… could you please do me a favor?"

"Sure." Alyssa nodded in agreement, clearly not even caring what that favor what.

Merrick smiled on the inside… that was Alyssa through and through, she was willing to help anyone, no matter what, and, from what he hears from two of their mutual friends, can do pretty much anything to keep that true.

On the outside, Merrick didn't let his enjoyment of Alyssa through.

Well, his eyes gave it away, but she didn't notice.

"Can you tell me everything about the Holidays?" He requested slowly.

Alyssa blinked, then nodded, "Sure thing."

After explaining as much as she could, Alyssa felt warm enough to leave back to her 'home'.

Merrick protested, wanting to listen to just listen to her talk, making her hot chocolate every time she ran out, and just watch her.

But, she insisted she needed to leave, so Merrick finally relented, watching as she headed out.

When she was completely out of sight, he closed the door and looked at the severally cupped filled tables.

"Willie is going to kill me if I don't fix that."

#######################################################################################################

Alyssa sighed softly as she walked the path to her current home, hearing some Christmas tunes as she passed the same group of Carolers she was listening to before she was pushed to the ground.

They were humming one of her favorite songs.

The Christmas Waltz.

It had been the only song she'd listen to when she was training during the Holiday season, so she could also work her dancing into the moves.

As she listened, she couldn't help smiling as she walked passed them.

The song was beautiful, and the Carolers truly held that Christmas Spirit needed for the song.

At the thought of the cheer one should have around the Holidays, Alyssa stopped in her tracks.

She'd mentioned the basics to Merrick… but never went into detail about any of them…

But the one thing she didn't bring up at all, was the Spirit of the Holidays.

She shook her head and quickly continued on, making sure no one had noticed her freeze.

When she reached the entrance to her 'home' she raised the crystal she kept in her jacket pocket, letting it glow to life, and let her step inside.

And reappear on the Island of the Animarium.

She pulled off all her extra layers besides her vest and made sure it was still dry before she sat at the main table, hoping no one had noticed her definitely late reappearance on the Animarium.

But, one did.

Her best friend, Taylor, walked up to her, her usual posture of folded arms giving off a far more annoyed vibe than usual… and that's saying something considering how annoyed Taylor usually was.

"Where have you been?" Was the first thing out of Taylor's mouth the moment she saw Alyssa.

"Enjoying the sights." Alyssa answered plainly.

Taylor frowned, then nodded, accepting the answer, "Speaking of sights… do you think you could help the others? I need to show Cole around the city… can you believe he's never known anything about Christmas?"

Alyssa allowed herself a soft smile, "Nope… but, sure, I can help the others… I'm guessing it's decorating for Christmas too?"

Taylor nodded, "Thanks. I owe you."

Alyssa simply nodded and walked off.

While she wanted to help her friends, she really needed to think of some ways to show Merrick something important for the season.

The True meaning of the Holiday Spirit.

Chapter one is done, be ready tomorrow for chapter 2!

In the meantime, please review... and please no hate!