I personally love how this chapter ended... you'll see when you get there...

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

Keeping his cool wasn't usually his thing since he had such a short fuse.

But Merrick shoved everything else inside him down as he walked with Alyssa to the Pear Tree Orchard the next day.

He was nervous though… and he himself knew exactly why too.

He wanted Alyssa to be surprised… he wanted her to be happy… but he didn't know what'd it take.

But, Merrick didn't feel quite as nervous after they arrived at the Orchard.

"Which tree do you think they put the Partridge in?" Alyssa looked around the three trees filled with all different kinds of Partridges.

"Uh… one second…" Merrick looked at his phone to see which tree he'd put the Partridge in, making it look like he was looking at text messages.

The Right Tree, Silver, White, Pink, and Navy colored Partridge. Was the message he'd left himself.

"Uh… a silver, white, pink, and navy colored Partridge on the Right Tree." He confirmed with a nod.

"Oh, I think I see it!" Alyssa saw a Partridge with the exact colors, "Think that's the one?"

Merrick nodded, "Want me to get it down for you?"

"Did they have Pear Trees 3,000 years ago?" Alyssa asked carefully, "Not to be rude…"

"It's okay." Merrick assured, "And, on second thought… why don't you do it?"

Alyssa smiled before she jumped into the tree, grabbing the Partridge before bringing it back down.

Once she was back down, she looked it over.

"Open it." Merrick let out when she didn't, "Don't you wanna open it?"

"Maybe on Christmas." Alyssa decided after a soft breath, "It's so beautiful… I don't think I should do anything to it just yet."

Merrick nodded, "I see… well…. Come on… we better get back to Willie's… who knows what Dos and Deeg can do while we're away?"

Alyssa giggled softly before they started walking away.

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When they got back to the Roadhouse, Alyssa packed her things from the previous night and was about to leave when Merrick offered her a cup of hot chocolate.

She wanted to deny it, but… she was pretty thirsty… and everyone knew where she was anyway…

As she drank some of the liquid, Merrick asked her why she didn't wanna open the Partridge.

Alyssa looked at the object, then sighed. "I don't want the others to know about this…"

"Why not?" Merrick frowned.

Alyssa shook her head, "I can't tell you…"

Merrick raised a brow, "Why's that?"

"I promised I wouldn't." Was her reply.

Merrick nodded, though he didn't like it, "But… you'll open it on Christmas, promise?"

Alyssa smiled and nodded, "I promise…"

With that, she got up and was about to walk out the door when she looked at the missing door-hanger.

"You should put up a mistletoe."

Once she said that she headed off.

"Mistletoe?" Merrick raised a brow.

"It's a tradition to kiss under the mistletoe." Willie walked out, "And she's right… can't believe I haven't put it on the door yet."

Merrick's eyes went wide, "Mistletoe?"

Willie nodded simply, then raised a brow, "Why?"

Merrick bolted the storage room next to his own and grabbed a fake, two leaf plant with two red 'berries'.

When he came back out, he opened the door slightly and started tying the plant to the doorway.

As he did someone tapped his hand outside, causing him to jolt a bit.

He looked at where that tap had come from, but he didn't see anyone in the general area.

With a sigh, he finished putting up the plant before he opened the door further and saw a bag with a 7 on it, and the letter.

He picked both up and carried them inside.

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

Alyssa took in a soft breath as she hid on the other side of the Roadhouse, watching as Merrick walked inside.

She wasn't expecting him to put up the Mistletoe so soon after she'd suggested it.

But, she really hoped no one would notice it before Christmas Day.

And with that in mind, she quickly headed back to the Animarium.

Merrick sat the bag on the table as Deeg came running from the back, where Merrick had sat his treats.

The Wolf ranger smiled before opening the letter first.

Dear Merrick Baliton, you are a very nice man, and I am hoping you like today's gift.

Same a yesterday, it's much like an optical illusion… but, it's tricky to find a gift for seven swimming swans.

Signed, A Special Friend.

Merrick held the letter close to his heart before he pulled out the gift.

It was a swan with mirrors around it, making it look like seven, and was swimming in water, honking once in while when it sensed motion in front of it.

"That's gonna be fun." Willie grumbled.

Merrick shrugged him off before he heard Deeg jump into the bag and he chuckled softly at his pup.

"Yeah… I can guess so.

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

Alyssa was soon looking at gifts for Eight Maids a-milking… before Dos jumped up beside her, purring as she rubbed her owner's chest lightly.

Alyssa giggled as this before she picked her kitten up and walked a ways away. "Do you want something, Miss. Attention-hog?"

Dos mewed softly, hopping onto the ground and nudging her bowl forward.

"Oh… sorry, Dos… I told Max to feed you." She sighed before Alyssa went to grab the food and water she'd told Max to put down for her kitten.

While Alyssa was distracted, Taylor walked over to the table to see what she was up to.

When she did… she felt both betrayed and angry.

On the table were several sheets of paper, all consisting of gift ideas and the Eighth day of Christmas.

All for one person… Merrick himself.

She took in a soft breath before she walked up to Alyssa as she was getting up.

"You said it was a good idea to get Merrick and the Princess back together." The yellow ranger accused.

"What?" The white ranger frowned, "What do you…?"

"You're getting Merrick the Eighth day of Christmas. Why?" Taylor demanded.

"To… spread Christmas Cheer?" Alyssa figured, "There wasn't any way he'd come up here eight days ago for a Christmas party… he didn't even know what Christmas was until I told him… I just wanted to spread some cheer. Besides, the 12 days are almost up… once they are, I'll lay off…. Okay?"

"No." Taylor growled, "I can't believe you'd do this. What if he falls for you instead?"

"Believe me… the gifts are anonymous… and he thinks it's the Princess anyway…." Alyssa nearly choked on a sob as she explained, "I'm just trying to be nice, Taylor."

Taylor looked at her best friend, then sighed, "I'm sorry I jumped on you like that… but the Princess loves Merrick… and I'll do anything to make sure they get together happily."

Alyssa nodded, silent.

With that, Taylor walked away, but not before being swatted at by Dos as she jumped onto the table as her owner sat down.

Alyssa looked at the gifts before she slowly put everything away and leaned against the table, crying herself to sleep.

-Okay, so... yes it's weird I like how Taylor snapped at Alyssa's kindness... but... it'll work out... in the end.

And sorry for making Alyssa seem weak, but Taylor's her friend... who's accusing her... so I figured she'd be easily saddened by stuff like that.

But can she get over it?

Find out Tomorrow.

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