Hard to describe this one... so...

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 took in a soft breath as I woke up the next morning.

My sleep was still without a nightmare… which I couldn't be happier for.

However, as I climbed into the wheelchair, I almost slipped as I held my head a bit.

But, I caught myself and sat down, though I still held my head a bit.

"What the heck…?" I groaned.

After a moment, that pain went away, and I shook my head before I rolled out of the room, right as Alyssa was coming in.

"Oh… you're up early…" She blinked.

I looked her up and down, seeing her in some sort of runner's gear, "Where you off to somewhere?"

"Just a little exercise… I usually do on Fridays." She relented, "Speaking of which, in two days, you can try to walk around."

"Oh… right." I blinked, "Um…"

"What?" She raised a brow.

I shook my head, "It's… it's nothing."

"…Merrick?" She frowned.

"Really," I assured plainly.

She nodded after a moment, "…Anyway, I was gonna leave you a note… but… since you're up, why don't I make breakfast?"

"I can try making something on my own." I reasoned, "Don't worry about me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah… besides… in two days' time, I'll be able to walk around a little… might as well learn the kitchen a little more." I relented.

"…Okay… if you're sure." She frowned, "The cookbook's on the counter…

"Got it." I nodded.

As she moved a little back, I noticed her bite her lip.

"…What's wrong?" I inquired.

"Nothing… it's just… I… um… remember when we 'cut off Zen-Aku's horn' as it were?" She let out slowly.

I nodded, "Yeah…?"

"And when Toxica was destroyed the first time how a cut off horn already weakens a Duke?"

"What are you getting at?" I sighed.

"Um… nothing…" She shook her head, "It's… it's nothing… really… I better go."

With that, she grabbed a gym bag and ran out.

I frowned, surprised a bit.

That… was strange?

Shaking my head, I rolled into the kitchen and looked at where the book was.

Gritting my teeth, I leaned to the side, not wanting to put pressure on my feet.

Finally, grabbed the book, then looked it over.

On it, however, scrawled in Alyssa's handwriting was a message to me.

Um, Merrick, if you find this, please get something from the fridge instead.

Signed, Alyssa.

I groaned, rolling my eyes, then put the book down and rolled over to the fridge.

"I can't wait for this to be over!"

Half an hour later…

I was finishing up some cold cereal when Alyssa came back in.

"Oh… hey Merrick." She let out.

I looked away, sliding her the note.

"Oh… uh… I can explain." She reasoned.

"Then please do," I grumbled, annoyed.

"I wrote that three days ago… I didn't think you'd be fit enough to wanna cook just yet."

"I said I can take care of myself, didn't I?"

"I know… I just… I'm sorry."

Alyssa Enrilé

I hadn't really expected him to find that note.

But, that got me to asking him something.

"…Can I ask you something now?"

"What?" He scoffed, looking over me, "You don't trust me enough to cook for myself-"

"That's not true!" I insisted, "I honestly didn't think you were well enough… so I wrote that note and stuck it on the book… and I forgot about it… I'm sorry…"

"Stop, saying that." He gritted his teeth, looking up at me, "It's getting really annoying.

"What else can I say?" I retorted.

He rolled his eyes, not looking away.

I wanted to comment on that, but I still wanted my answer from before.

If I could get the question out this time, that is.

"You didn't let me ask my question actually."

He sighed, "Fine. What is it?"

"…I… keep seeing Zen-Aku in your reflection… even though we cut off his own… do you know why that is?" I bit my lip.

He looked me dead in the eye and said, "No."

I frowned, then nodded, "Okay. If you say so…"

While I said that, though, I could feel he was lying.

Later that night…

I rolled Merrick out to the balcony like we'd been doing the last few nights.

Looking up, I blinked, "Hey look… a full moon."

He blinked, then followed my line of sight, "Wow…"

I looked over at him, then smiled a little, "I… I think this is the first full moon we've shared together since we first met…"

He scoffed, "Yeah… I was stupid… just like now."

"You weren't stupid, Merrick." I denied.

"I shouldn't have tripped on that path." He retorted, turning away, "If I hadn't-"

"You'd still be having nightmares." I reminded him, getting in front of him, "You can't change the past, Merrick. Just be glad it brought you to a point you don't have to worry so much."

He scoffed, shaking his head, only to groan and hold it.

"Are you okay?" I questioned quickly.

"Y… yeah." He breathed out, looking up, "J… just a slight headache… that's all…"

I frowned, then slowly nodded, "Okay…"

Gently, I brought him back inside, then closed the doors behind me.

"Don't cover the blinds… please." He requested.

I raised a brow, "Why not?"

"B… because." Was all he said.

I didn't want to, but I said it as I pulled the blinds down anyway, "It's my home, Merrick."

He was silent for a long moment before I heard him breathe out softly, "Sorry…"

I blinked, looking back at him, "Say what?"

"I'm sorry. There." He grumbled, then winced a bit, rolling into his room, "I'm going to bed."

With that, he closed the door before I could follow.

I frowned before I shook my head and my meditation started, trying to relax… severally trying to relax.

Whatever's up with Merrick cannot be all that bad…

I mean, just because I keep seeing Zen-Aku…

"It's probably 'cause of what he did before." I figured.

Or Probably not.

Is Merrick gonna come clean about Zen-Aku... or is Alyssa gonna have to figure it all out?

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

In the meantime, please review, favorite and follow!

See ya tomorrow!