Again, sorry this is a little late, East Coast...

But, happy Christmas Eve, Eve, Eve, from the Mid-West!

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

Alyssa bit her lip as she walked off the Animarium the next morning.

Her head hurt from her crying and the position she'd had it in, but she pushed through that.

Dos was with her as they walked into the city for the gift of Eight Maids a-milking.

Taylor woke up just after Alyssa and watched her leave.

The Yellow Ranger was still angry with her best friend for doing what she was… until she saw a letter on the table next to Alyssa's abandoned gift search.

She picked it up and looked it over.

It was Merrick's handwriting, and it looked fairly recent.

As she read the letter, Taylor felt a pang of guilt inside for how she snapped at her best friend.

Alyssa was just being who she was….. kind.

Taylor had, honestly, thought she was doing it because the white ranger loved the lunar…

Not to mention she hadn't told him who the 'Special Friend' was…

But she wasn't until the twelfth day.

And, much as the Eagle ranger wanted to suggest Princess Shayla go see him on that day… Alyssa was broken enough and didn't deserve that kind of pain.

With that in mind, Taylor put the letter back down before she looked around, making sure no one saw her.

She then headed off the Animarium for her morning jog.

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Merrick walked back the Roadhouse after his usual playing for the DeerZord.

He was tired, sure, but quickly changed to confusion when he saw Alyssa sitting outside the doors.

"Hey…" He got down to her, "What's wrong?"

Alyssa rubbed her eyes a bit, "Nothing… it's nothing… honestly, Merrick."

"Alyssa…" He gently caressed her cheek, rubbing under her cheek softly, "Please… tell me…"

"It's just… something Taylor had told me last night…" She let out softly.

Merrick nodded, then figured, "You know… there's a Turtle Dove exhibit in town square today… do you wanna go?"

She shook her head, "I don't really feel up to it… can I just stay here?"

"Alyssa… whatever Taylor had told you, don't dwell on it… she was probably just trying to spite you… you're amazing and sweet… whatever she said… don't listen to it." Merrick took her hands, "Now, please?"

Alyssa slowly let him pull her to her feet, before she quickly pulled away, looking down.

Merrick gently lifted her head up to look at him.

"I mean it, Alyssa… you're sweet and kind… don't let Taylor beat you down… whatever she said… she's wrong. Okay?"

Alyssa nodded, "Okay…"

This made Merrick smile a bit before he gently took her hands, "Now come on, let's get going…"

The Lunar Wolf guided the White Tiger away from the Roadhouse, and Alyssa bit her lip when he wasn't looking.

"We can't love each other… we just can't…" She denied in her head.

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

When they got to the Town center, Alyssa fought the urge to grin at the beautiful sight of so many Turtle Doves all being released by couples all around them.

"Come on… I think someone already signed your name up to release a dove." Merrick walked over to a small stand and secretly wrote his name off the Turtle Dove's tag that he was given.

Alyssa took the other and they calmly moved to a secluded area.

"Ready?" Merrick whispered.

She nodded softly before they let the birds fly.

The two pure white birds wrapped around each other as they flew into a tree, the male of the two keeping close to the female.

This was reflected with Merrick taking Alyssa's hand as she smiled for the first time that day at the sight.

The White Ranger jumped a bit but didn't let go.

Instead, she gave his hand a gentle squeeze before they walked back to the table to get some certificates for their doing so, then walked away.

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

When Merrick got back to the Roadhouse after dropping Alyssa off at the Animarium, he walked straight into his room and fell onto the bed, already completely exhausted and actually glad Willie gave him the day off for once.

As he closed his eyes, wanting to drift off, he heard his Lunar Caller sound off with a message.

He sighed and checked it.

"Merrick? It's Taylor…. Listen, if Alyssa's with you… tell her I… please tell her I'm sorry…. I was upset last night and I took my anger out on her…. I didn't mean to, of course… but… I really don't think she'd believe me if I actually told her… and… if she mentions anything about the Princess… tell her I'm sorry about that too… again, it's Taylor. No need to call me back." With that, the message ended.

He got up, suddenly fully awake.

As he was about to go outside again, the traditional knock on the door came about.

With a sigh, he waited a single beat, then opened the door.

Once he did, he saw the letter and the bag, this time with a white 8 on the side.

He picked both up and walked back inside, closing the door behind him.

Deeg, who'd been sleeping till right then, got up and jumped onto the table, ready to dive into the bag once it was empty.

"One second, Deeg." He patted his head softly before he opened the envelope.

The letter inside was a little crinkled, but it was the exact same handwriting nonetheless.

Dear Merrick Baliton, I actually saw you with Alyssa today… she'd seemed to be in a bad mood and I'm happy that you pulled her out of it.

Today, I thought I'd get you something nice and shiny… since 8 maids a-milking is hard to think up, I got the first thing I could decide on…

Sorry if it's not right…

Signed, A Special Friend.

Merrick pulled out the gift and shook his head.

It was eight different shaded, but empty, crystal milk jugs all in a single container.

"I can use these around the Roadhouse, or use with spreading out food." He mumbled some ideas, "It's not bad at all… it's perfect."

With that, his pup jumped into the bag and started to play in it, causing the Lunar Wolf to laugh softly.

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

Alyssa was in her bunk instead of the table, looking over gifts for Nine Ladies Dancing.

As she was, Taylor walked up to her.

She hid her things, but Taylor sighed.

"Listen… Alyssa… I'm really sorry I jumped down your throat… I didn't mean to…" She repeated her apology from the previous night, "And…. I read Merrick's letter… he really likes you."

"He probably wrote it with Princess Shayla in his mind as the-"

"Even so, you were kind enough to start the gifts early… and I am so sorry I wasn't supportive yesterday…" Taylor let out, "But… I am now."

Alyssa raised a brow at her, "What do you mean?"

"Tomorrow's Nine Ladies Dancing, right?" Taylor inquired, gaining a nod, "There's a store selling a music box with nine ladies dancing when you open it."

"Do you think Merrick would like that?"

"The guy plays the exact same song every single day… trust me, I think he will." Taylor nodded.

Alyssa smiled softly, then hugged the yellow ranger, "Thank you so much, Taylor."

She patted the white ranger's back, "Anytime."

Well, the twelve days of gifts from Alyssa are almost over... but will Alyssa show herself as the gift giver?

Find out Tomorrow/Soon.

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