It took almost a week, but I'm back far before the Midnight Hour.
But now, before I go on...
I still wanna thank those who have reviewed so far. it means a lot.
Alright, now, then...
Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers. If I did, this OTP of mine would've been cannon.
And now, Please enjoy!
Merrick Baliton
I gasped, slowly sitting up.
While it wasn't the same nightmare as before… I hadn't been expecting it.
Either way, it didn't help that, as I woke up, Alyssa was gently knocking on my door.
"Yeah?" I sighed softly.
She opened, frowning, "You're awake?"
I nodded, "Yeah… I guess your idea helped…"
"See?" She smiled a bit.
I glanced away, nodding, "Yeah… so… uh… when's that doctor getting here?"
"In about 2 hours." She relented calmly.
I nodded, "Okay…"
"Are you nervous?"
"A little…" I relented as I climbed into the chair, "…I've tried to deal with my nightmares my way for a while now… and… I really don't know how this is gonna help… but, I'm willing to try."
"That's good." She nodded a bit, "So… um… I made breakfast if you're wondering. Dr. Talbot said you should eat something before she gets here."
With that, she walked out.
"Good idea." I sighed, following her out.
As I followed her my mind raced.
I didn't want others to know what I dreamed about.
But, I wanted to get these Nightmares gone, for good.
And as much as it literally pains me…
If that meant I'd have to see this doctor, so be it…
2 hours later…
"Sorry, I'm late." A woman with a slightly distinct accent that I couldn't place was let in by Alyssa, "Traffic was horrendous, even this early."
"Thank you for coming." Alyssa breathed out before my former teammate brought us into 'my' bedroom.
"Glad I could make it." Dr. Talbot assured, "You're Mr. Baliton, I presume?"
I nodded, silently, not wanting to say anything.
"Don't worry so much." She reasoned, before deciding, "Why don't you get into that bed of yours, I need to ask a favor of you, Miss. Enrilé… in a separate room."
"Of course." She nodded before the two left.
I took in a weak breath as I climbed back into the bed, sitting up as best as I could.
"This has to work… it just has to…" I insisted to myself.
Dr. Talbot stepped back in a few moments later, "Okay… now that, that's sorted… Mr. Baliton-"
"Call me Merrick." I requested, "Please."
"Alright, Merrick, I'm gonna need you to drink this for me." The Doctor handed me a cup of water.
I raised a brow, "Why?"
"Calms the nerves." Was all she relented.
While I wanted to keep asking questions, I simply took a sip of it, then nodded.
"Now, lay down…" She gently helped me do that, "And just… talk about what you'd see in your nightmares."
"I'd… I'd see my family attacking… someone." I relented plainly.
"How would you say they're attacking?"
"Hurting her…" I let out, "…I can't describe it more than that… but… I... I can't help her… it's like… like…"
"Like you're being held back?"
"Yeah," I confirmed.
She was silent before she decided calmly, "Mr. Baliton, try to picture that… close your eyes, and try to picture what you would be seeing…"
I bit my lip, "Are you sure?"
"Facing your nightmares can help rid of them."
I took in a soft breath before I closed my eyes, and I didn't have to picture it.
The scene of Alyssa being hurt was practically ingrained into my eyelids at this point.
"Okay… I'm going to count backward from ten," She gently put a hand on my shoulder, "With each one, you're gonna begin to get sleepier and sleepier till you're in the nightmare… ten… nine… eight… seven… six… five… four… three… two… one…"
The second she finished; I no longer felt her hand as I felt myself going… into the nightmare.
I grunted, breathing heavily, as I struggled against my restraints, "Let me go!"
But, of course, they didn't.
I gritted my teeth before I heard a very distinct scream of pain.
One that didn't seem like it was an echo, like usual.
Like it was real.
"Alyssa!" I shouted.
She groaned, looking over at me.
"Merrick!"
I struggled, again, against my restraints but nothing seemed to help.
"Let… her… go!" I demanded.
As I shouted that, I felt a rush of energy fill me, and this time, I finally was able to be released from the 'binds' and rushed up to her, pulling her away from any more attacks on her.
I stood up, turning to those who'd hurt her.
"You will not harm her again! Do I make myself clear?!"
"You don't scare us…"
"You don't scare me either." I growled, "You do not harm another hair on her head, do I make myself clear?! Cause if you do, so help me…!"
"Merrick." Alyssa gently took my hand.
I looked down at it, then a little at her.
"Don't make it worse… please."
I gritted my teeth, not liking it, but I nodded anyway.
"Come on." I helped her stand up.
She gently hugged me after I did, and I closed my eyes relishing in it…
Alyssa Enrilé
I gasped, sitting back up.
"Are you alright?" Dr. Talbot quickly rushed up to me.
I nodded, then inquired slowly, "Yeah… wh… what was in that drink?"
She sighed, "It's called African Dream Root… it links whoever ingests it in their dreams. Such as you and Mr. Baliton. I couldn't disclose this, or, from what you've told me, he wouldn't have taken it… and the full effect of the Dream Root only occurs when neither party knows about it on the first go. I'm truly sorry."
I shook my head softly.
Any other person would be angry, I'm sure.
But, that… dream root still helped.
"How long do the effects last?" I inquired.
"It's hard to say… some have thought the link's only broken when one of the dreamers is… well…" She pursed her lips.
"What? What happens?" I questioned.
She sighed, "Dead."
I blinked, "A… are you sure?"
"Not fully. It could go away on its own… so I'd advise you be a little vigilant."
"Quit." I breathed out, "Is… Merrick going to be okay?"
"Let's find out how he's doing now, then I'll give my estimation." She decided plainly.
I nodded in understanding as she gently helped me stand before we walked into Merrick's room.
He looked to be awake, but, when we walked in, I noticed him shivering.
"What did you make me do?"
"It's called African Dream Root, and I felt like you needed a calm guiding hand." Dr. Talbot wasn't put off from his tone, "African Dream Root, when used properly, links two people into a dream."
"Is that why you wanted to see Alyssa?" Merrick growled softly.
"I'm okay, Merrick." I assured him, "Your dream didn't physically hurt me."
He looked away, shaking more.
"Merrick." I gently touched his arm.
"Don't." He bit, before looking at the Doctor, "So? Am I cured or…?"
"Not yet it seems." She relented, "It could take a while for your Nightmares to go away all together… but you're getting there…. Now, if that is all?"
She began to walk out, and I followed her.
"Thank you," I informed her.
She turned to me, frowning, "You're welcome… please, follow up with me, though, if Mr. Baliton shows any signs of relapsing with those nightmares."
I nodded in assurance, "I will."
"Good… and I'd advise we all look at little deeper into that Dream Root, to know what it's capable of. But, with that," She grabbed her jacket, then nodded to me. "Have a nice day, Miss. Enrilé."
With that, she left.
And, I was stuck with my thoughts.
I'd been inside Merrick's dream…
And I know he said it was bad… but…
Who could've been willing to hurt someone Merrick considered a teammate?
It didn't make any sense…
Later that night…
After we ate dinner, I put the dishes in the dishwasher, then turned on the TV.
"What would you like to watch?" I inquired, not unkindly.
"…The stars, if it all possible, he sighed, looking out on the balcony.
I blinked before I turned the TV off, then nodded, "Sure, no problem."
I opened the Balcony door, letting him roll out with me following close behind.
We both looked up at the night sky, and I found myself biting my lip, and looking down at him.
"…When I first had that dream, here in the modern era… I didn't know who it was." He informed me, "But… I remember the night I'd gotten it. The first night after you came to the Roadhouse…"
"Really?" I blinked, then nodded, "I… uh… see…"
He scoffed, looking down, shaking his head, "Weird… I know… I never thought about it…"
"Maybe it's nothing?" I reasoned calmly.
"I know… but…" He sighed softly, "I still don't understand it entirely…"
"You will." I assured, "I'm sure you will… eventually."
He nodded, then smiled a bit up at me, "Thanks… I... uh… don't think I've really said that enough with you."
I smiled, shaking my head, "It's okay… no worries."
He smiled a little more before he looked up at the night sky again, "You know… 3,000 years ago… I never really cared about the stars… but… they sure do look beautiful now…"
"Yeah." I smiled, looking up at it as well, "My first night on the Animarium after I gawked at how amazing everything else was… I was too mesmerized by the sky to even sleep…"
"Really?" Merrick inquired, shocked.
I nodded a little, "It was so close… I felt like I could reach out and touch them…"
"…I miss it, you know? It's not even been a week… and… I really miss it."
"Same here." I sighed.
But, I quickly shook my head, looking back down.
"Come on, let's get back inside… it's really getting late now." I reasoned, following him back inside, closing the balcony doors behind us.
In doing so, I could swear I saw a reflection of Zen-Aku in Merrick's place for a moment.
Okay, I don't actually know how a sleep specialist works... but, with this one-off character, I think I could have some leeway.
Also, I don't know the full effects of African Dream Root either... so...
Anyway, the question remains... is Merrick free of his nightmares? And What about Alyssa?
Well, you're gonna have to wait to find out!
In the meantime, please review, favorite and follow!
See ya tomorrow!