Boy, am I cutting it close for the Mid-West... and Sorry for those on the East Coast...

I honestly got sidetracked, and I didn't know how to end this perfectly.

Now, before I go on...

And before the Disclaimer... I wanna thank those who have reviewed so far. it means a lot.

Now, seriously...

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

And now, Please enjoy!

Alyssa Enrilé

When the next morning came, I got up and began to make breakfast.

As I did, I heard Merrick in the bedroom.

"No… no! Please…!"

I dropped what I was doing and rushed over to his room, gently knocking on it, "Merrick?!"

"Stop it!" He cried out.

I opened the door, then quickly rushed forward, gently pressing his shoulders into the bed, "Merrick! Wake up!"

"Don't… hurt her…!" He begged weakly.

While I didn't want to, I gently shook him, "Merrick!"

He gasped, his eyes flying open.

As he bolted up, I stumbled a bit away.

"A… are you…?" I wanted to ask, but couldn't.

He looked over at me, then looked down, nodding, "Yeah… um… I'm fine… I guess…"

"You sure?" I asked not unkindly.

He nodded again, "…It was just another nightmare…"

"You were near screaming." I shook my head, "I think you need to see a sleep specialist."

"You mean a doctor?" He raised a brow, "No way!"

"You're only hurting yourself if you don't!" I insisted, "Please, Merrick…"

He didn't meet my eyes, "I'm not going to another kind of Doctor, Alyssa… not like this…"

"You're not helping your body heal if your mind doesn't." I reasoned, "Please, Merrick."

"My answer is no, Alyssa."

"Why not?" I stared at him, "Even after the Week's up… you could still have nightmares."

"And I'll deal with them."

"Forcing yourself from sleeping is not dealing with them." I countered.

"Why do you care so much?" He finally groaned, slowly getting into the chair.

"Because I care about you, Merrick… and I don't want you having these nightmares." I breathed out.

"Well, I'm sorry, but you can't help me with them."

"I can try… if you'll just let me… please." I pleaded.

"No." He denied, rolling out.

I groaned, rubbing my head, "Looks like I'm going back to my Yoga Class today after all…"

2 and a half hours later…

"I'm back, with some groceries," I called into the room, bringing the bags inside.

"Really?" Merrick tried to look back at him, hissing a bit before he turned his chair instead.

I nodded, "I figured I needed to restock… I was planning on living alone… so, I'd only bought enough for me…"

"Oh…" He breathed out, coming closer, "Do you need my help to put any of that away?"

I shook my head a bit, "I think I'm fine… thank you for asking though."

I walked into the kitchen and started putting everything away, biting my lip to keep from sighing.

There has to be a way for Merrick to open up to me more… but… I don't know what!

When I revealed my weird nightmares, that helped but… I told him all I knew about those.

"Hey, Alyssa?"

I blinked, turning to look at him for a moment, "Yes?"

"…Uh… if I were to agree with you… and let you take me to a Sleep Specialist… could it be soon?"

I nodded, "Sure… and we can make a house call if you don't wanna leave the apartment."

"Sounds good." He agreed, then bit his lip, "Uh… and… one other thing?"

"What?" I raised a brow.

"…Are you hungry yet?"

I blinked, then nodded, "I'll make something right up."

"Thank you." He breathed out.

I couldn't help chuckling as I began getting the food I'd be needing out.

Merrick Baliton

5 hours later…

I watched some sports on the TV, bored.

"…Alright." Alyssa's voice got my attention, "I just talked to Dr. Talbot, she said she could do it tomorrow since none of us have anything planned at least."

I nodded, "Good idea… uh… till then-"

"You're not staying awake." She denied.

"I don't wanna risk the chance of another nightmare." I reasoned calmly.

"But you can't… not sleep." She reasoned, "That's very sickening… and I mean that in the kindest way possible, Merrick."

"I can't sleep without dreaming." I retorted.

She groaned, then stopped, "Maybe if you heard some kind of music… you wouldn't be afraid like that?"

"How so?" I frowned.

"…I meditate, every night." She sat next to me, "And I use a specific kind of music to relax me… once I'm done Meditating, I can put the music on for you and… maybe you can sleep without the worry of nightmares?"

"And what if I can't?"

"Let's not focus on that part right now." She shook her head a bit, "Would you at least be willing to give it a chance, at least?"

I frowned, then nodded, "Yeah, sure. Fine."

"Great… I start meditating at about 10… so…" She blinked, then sighed, "Problem."

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"I meditate alone, in the living room in silence other than the music." She relented, "I can't just ask you to stay awake and watch me… that's creepy on so many levels… and I'd rather you not… but you can't be in your room, cause I don't know how long my meditations take sometimes, and it could be hours…"

"I'm willing to wait in my room if you want." I reasoned calmly, "Do what you think's the best idea, alright? Really, that's all I'm asking for."

"…Okay." She sighed a bit, "If you say so…"

Later that night, at about 10…

I was getting very tired, but I wasn't about to fall asleep just yet.

So, I rolled over to the window and looked outside.

I couldn't really make out my reflection, live alone Zen-Aku's, but I could see a lot of buildings aglow beneath me, as well as cars…

I didn't know it till I did it, but my hand had been going for the latch, which was locked.

I pulled away, taking in a soft breath.

"Okay… modern sleep deprivation is very bad for me." I decided softly.

But, I didn't know what else I could do.

On the one hand, I didn't think this was gonna work anyway.

But, on the other, I was willing to give anything a try.

Especially when it comes to my nightmares.

I don't know why I keep getting them, or why I got them in the first real place.

But… I was willing to do anything to get rid of them.

That was for sure.

No matter what it takes, at that.

"Even if they'll probably come back later…" I mentally noted but didn't voice the thought aloud.

I didn't wanna see someone I cared for getting hurt like that… even in my sleep.

It scared me to think it could even be possible.

"If Alyssa ever actually got hurt… and it was because of me…" I frowned but didn't dare finish that thought.

I can't feel like that with her… not now.

Not like this.

If you are an SPN fan, I'm sure you can tell who 'Dr. Talbot' is.

No, she will not skip out on Alyssa, since this is from 2002, and that season takes place in 2007.

But, what do you guys think the Sleep Specialist can do to help Merrick?

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

In the meantime, please review, favorite and follow!

See ya tomorrow!