Just like I said, not another one-shot, and this chapter's a lot longer than the other one, I promise.

Now, before I go on...

Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers. If I did, this OTP of mine would've been cannon.

And so now, Please enjoy this!

Merrick Baliton

"I feel stupid," I grumbled softly.

"Just be glad the others are either on that cruise, trying to get a job at a vet, or back at the airbase," Alyssa commented plainly.

I sighed before she finally wheeled me into an elevator, before pressing the button to go up.

I was silent, before I relented, "How long did the Doctor say I had to be in this thing?"

"The Wheelchair?" Alyssa raised a brow, "He said you should stay in it for the week, the last three days are when you should try walking."

Biting down my moan, I nodded, "Okay."

With that, the Elevator dinged, causing me to look up at it before she helped wheel me down the hall to a light salmon shaded door, that she opened a moment later and pushed me inside.

When we got inside, I noticed that the living room was right across from the entrance, and three of the four walls were a rust shade, the one with a fireplace and hanging TV was a sandy color.

There was a claret-shaded couch, and two complimenting mint green love seats on either side, two damasks rose colored pillows sat perfectly in each, and a coffee table right in the middle.

"Here," Alyssa gently helped me out of the wheelchair seat and onto the couch, "…Nice and easy."

I hissed a bit as she sat me down before she sat next to me, a worried look in her eyes.

"…Thank you." I appreciated.

She smiled, "No problem… are you hungry?"

"No. I'm okay." I lied.

And my stomach gave it away as it growled.

She nodded, "It's no trouble if you're hungry… come to think of it… I'll make us both something."

With that, she walked into the kitchen area, and I watched her go.

There was an attached island on the that had burners sticking out of it, as well as cabinets all around.

Speaking of Cabinets, hers were laid out straight against the ceiling, like Willie's.

In fact, her kitchen reminded me of Willie's, except for the color.

Where Willie's was wooden and metallic, Alyssa's walls had a subway-style look with periwinkle and sandy shaded specks of color here and there.

"What do you wanna have?" She inquired, gaining my attention again.

Normally, if I was at Willie's and I was hungry, I'd say his special since that was what helped me the first time I was ever hungry in the 21st century.

But, I wasn't at Willie's.

"Whatever you're wanting." I decided plainly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," I replied before I sat back slowly.

"…Okay." She sighed a bit, "Oh, the remote for the TV is on the coffee table…"

I looked down at the coffee table before me, it was glass with White wired stand.

I picked up the controller and, much like Willie would do when he was watching sports, turned on the TV.

It flicked on and began playing classical music, that I closed my eyes to, relaxing.

As I did, I could smell Alyssa's cooking…

And if it tasted as good as it smelled, there was no way I was gonna be hungry for long.

Half an hour later…

"Here you go." She gently helped me sit by the island, putting the plate before me.

"Thank you." I smiled before I dug right in.

She sat across from me, eating her own meal.

I took a bite of my food, then blinked in amazement, and kept eating.

"The bedrooms are on opposite sides of here, actually." She revealed slowly.

"Ah, so you'll sleep in the master?"

"Um, since you're recovering, you should probably take the master… the closet in the second bedroom jets out before the bathroom… so…" She trailed off.

"You sure?"

She nodded, "Yeah… let me take you."

"I can do it on my own," I assured plainly, trying to roll the chair… only to pull a little too far, almost causing me to fall off it.

Alyssa held me up, "Let me help you."

I didn't want to, but I nodded, "Fine."

She sighed softly before she undid something holding the wheels before she started rolling me down the area into the master bedroom.

There were pops of color for each room, that was easy to see… except for the Bedroom, had a muted grey tone with a black herringbone pattern as the feature wall, which were right behind the headboards.

"If you're ever curious, the closet for the Master is right after the bathroom." She informed me, nodding to the door that was still open.

"Thanks." I sighed, "Don't know how that's gonna help me with being stuck in this thing."

"Merrick, I know this is hard for you." She sighed, "But… I promise… in a week… you'll be happy."

"How can I be happy if I can't even move without being in pain?" I retorted sharply.

She winced at my tone, and I felt stupid instantly.
"I'm sorry." I apologized, "…I think I'm just a little tired."

She nodded softly, "I see… do you need my help?"

I shook my head, "I think I can manage this time…"

"Okay…" She mumbled before she walked out, shutting the door behind her softly.

I took in a soft breath as I looked around before I slowly moved closer to the bed, then shakingly stood up.

I gritted my teeth tightly, not wanting to alert Alyssa before I fell onto the bed.

It was soft… and, as I weakly got under the comforter, I can swear I smelled a sweet scent… something I couldn't place at the moment.

I yawned softly before I slowly closed my eyes, and drifted off.

Alyssa Enrilé

I felt stupid for not trying to help Merrick even more.

But, what else could I do?

He refuses to let me help him… even when we were Power Rangers.

The only time he really didn't was when we helped him defeat Zen-Aku.

I walked down the path to the main area and turned off the TV that was still on.

Once that was done, I pulled out a mat for some last-hour meditation, which I definitely think I'm gonna need for the days coming.

I turned on my music player, turning it to a soft setting as not to wake Merrick, or annoy him.

Closing my eyes, I started to clear my mind of all my troubles, letting the music guide me.

However, as I did, my mind wandered back into a memory of my first bit of alone time with Merrick.

Flashback…

I grunted as I carried my large amount of books into Willie's Roadhouse.

Willie was a family friend, and since I started living here, I was always welcome to study.

And since Merrick still wasn't willing to be around the others and myself, I really need some alone time.

Stepping inside, I was greeted by Willie's Roadhouse Special, my favorite meal to get when I couldn't really concentrate on my work.

However, I was surprised to see Merrick sitting by the bar, eating that meal.

"Merrick?" I blinked, walking up to him, while also setting my bookbag on the bar.

He jumped, looking up at me, "Alyssa! Wh… what are you doing here?"

"I could… um… ask you the same?" I frowned.

"…I work here… trade for service." He relented.

"Oh, that's nice of Willie… he's a family friend." I explained calmly, looking away.

Technically, Willie was the only part of the family that I could handle being around right now.

"Ah." Merrick's voice got my attention, "What's with the bag then?"

"I come here when I need to study," I replied.

"You come to a Roadhouse…?"

"It's not always busy." I commented plainly, "And if it is, Willie lets me do my studying in his office… where is he anyway?"

"He said he was going to the store… said I was in charge till he got back." Merrick shrugged, "You just missed him, actually."

"Oh, okay… do you mind…?"

"No, go on ahead," Merrick assured.

With that, we sat down, and I pulled out my books, beginning to read them.

Flashback End…

After then, I came by every other day, both to study, and to keep Merrick compony.

I don't know if he enjoyed it or not, but I did.

He was a good listener… when it didn't come to his well-being.

When it came to that, well… he was more a stubborn mule than a lone wolf.

The team cared about him… but none more so than our 'mentor' of sorts, Princess Shayla.

3,000 years ago, she loved him, but, he had to let her go… and that was flipped just two days ago.

I shook my head and continued the meditation properly.

15 minutes later…

Once I was done with that, I got up and walked over to my bedroom, then into the bathroom, wanting to take my makeup off.

Both bathrooms had subway tile styled walls, which had pops of azure or lemon yellow… it wasn't my best choice, but, I needed to add color to something to the sleeping areas of the apartment considering the bedrooms looked the exact same, other than where the beds, and therefore the headboards and feature walls, were placed.

Once I got all the makeup off, I walked out of the bathroom and walked out of the bedroom.

It was too stuffy, and I needed some air.

On the back, connecting to the Living room, was a balcony, that I calmly went out to.

I closed the door behind me, then took in a soft breath, trying to relax.

Merrick Baliton, someone I really liked, was now under my care for the next 10 days.

Usually, when someone I knew was hurt, I'd try to help them to the point I might annoy them.

But, Merrick was different.

I know he doesn't like help unless he absolutely has no other choice and that he'd try resisting my help.

But, it had to be done in order for him to be completely healthy again.

I groaned, rubbing my hands against my head, "What am I going to do?!"

Taking in another soft breath before I walked back into the apartment, closing and locking the Balcony door behind me, then pulled down the pink-tented blinds.

Once that was done, I started to walk back into my temporary bedroom.

However, I heard a moan of pain coming from Merrick's, which made me frown before I walked up to it, curious.

"No…, please… I didn't…" I heard him moan softly.

I bit my lip as I weighed my options.

On the one hand, I could go in and check on him.

On the other, I could just bring it up tomorrow at breakfast instead.

Either way, he was gonna deny it ever happening.

I took the second option and walked into my room, closing my door slightly and began to change into my nightclothes.

If it happens again tomorrow, I'll intervene then.

Till then, I walked over to my bed, got under my blankets, turned off the light, and laid fully down.

I closed my eyes, before I finally drifted off into a peaceful, and dreamless, sleep.

Thank you for reading so far!

Question though: What could Merrick be having bad dreams about?

Well, you're gonna have to wait to find out!

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See ya tomorrow!