Okay, today hasn't quite been my day... but, here's the next day...

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

Merrick let out a soft sigh as he woke up the next morning, rubbing his face.

Today was the final day before his twelfth day… and that meant he really needed to come up with some way to talk to whoever his 'Special Friend' was.

If it was Taylor… he was screwed anyway…. But if it was the Princess….

Merrick froze as he was getting up.

If it really was the Princess… he was gonna be in deep, deep water with her.

But…. Then again…. If it was Alyssa.

Merrick sighed at the thought and shook his head.

It can't be here… she's too perfect for him anyway…

But… if there was a chance….

"No! There is no chance!" He mentally snapped as he continued to get up, then grabbed his flute.

He can only hope she wasn't up by the time the song was finished today.

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Alyssa, like everyone else, was awoken by the DeerZord's song.

While the others were tired and complained about it, Alyssa listened closely to Merrick's playing.

She knew how the song usually ended, with Merrick's final notes being loud enough that she could hear it, even when she was in the Roadhouse.

The others didn't notice her lack of focus, so Alyssa's little distraction went unnoticed.

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Once the song was finished, Merrick was heading to the exit of the Animarium, when he saw Alyssa making breakfast for everyone.

While he didn't wanna intrude, his stomach growled.

"Hey… Alyssa…" He stepped over to her, "Whatcha making there?"

"Some Omelets… do you want one?" She asked, trying not to look at him.

"Yes, please." He sits down at the table, close to her.

Alyssa smiled at him as she finished making an omelet before she flipped it onto a plate and gave it to him with a fork, "There you go."

Not a second later, Merrick dug right in.

Alyssa didn't want to pry… it wasn't her thing… but… she couldn't help asking, "How'd you know about the gift yesterday?"

Merrick glanced up, then shrugged, "Just luck, I guess."

"Really?" Alyssa blinked, then nodded, "Okay then…"

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After Merrick left, he made a quick detour to the woods, biting his lip in thought.

Today was Five Golden Rings… and he had no idea how he was gonna make a good activity for her with that in mind.

"Ugh!" Merrick rubbed his face again before he actually got an idea.

If he could do something with his gift of Five Silver Rings… then…

"That could work!" He grinned softly, "It'd be perfect for Alyssa! And I can split the rings with her so we both have a memory of this…"

It's crazy… but he was desperate.

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Alyssa walked out from a shop selling a special 11 pipers piping gift.

Well… 10 pipers piping, since he loved to play the flute so much.

As she walked down the street, she noticed Merrick rubbing his head close by.

Frowning, she walked up to him, "Merrick?"

The Lunar Wolf jolted a bit, looking up at her, "Oh… hey Alyssa… what's up?"

"Everything okay?" She asked kindly.

"Yeah…" He sighed softly, shaking his head a bit, "Yeah, I'm fine… honest."

Alyssa frowned, not buying it, "Merrick?"

"Alyssa, really. It's nothing." He insisted.

"Are you sure?" She questioned.

Merrick nodded, "Yes."

"Okay…" Alyssa let out slowly before heading off.

Merrick took in a soft breath before he quickly got up, and headed into the woods.

Alright… if his plan was gonna work, he had to get it done quickly… before his Special Friend left her gift.

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

Alyssa frowned as she received a text from Merrick about something being in the woods.

She sat down her daily gift and quickly headed to the woods to check on him.

As she headed out, her mind started to race on what he could've possibly seen that was so important to text her about it.

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

When Alyssa got there, she was confused when she saw five golden rings in tree.

Walking further into the scene, she saw a note… which she simply read.

Dear Alyssa,

Today is about five golden rings, but I figured you'd like some challenge to get them…

So, I placed them in trees…

Signed,

Your Secret Admirer.

Alyssa didn't recognize the handwriting, but she figured she knew what she had to do.

"Alright… here goes…" She sighed before she jumped into the first tree.

Merrick watched from afar as the White ranger easily swung from each branch, grabbing the rings like they were nothing.

Until she slipped on the third.

It broke, and she was sent free-falling.

"Alyssa!" He rushed forward, jumping up into the air to catch her.

When he did, she blinked up at him before they both landed safely.

"Merrick?" She frowned.

"Are you okay?" He asked gently.

"I… I… I'm fine…" She assured as he gently let her go, letting both of them stand up easier.

"Why… why don't I get the other two?" He advised.

"No… it's-"

But, Merrick was already starting to climb the trees, easily getting the last two before grabbing a piece of the third and walking up to her.

"Here." He held them out.

She shook her head, "Go ahead and keep them…"

"But… then you'd only have-"

"It doesn't matter… it's still golden rings." Alyssa assured kindly, "It'll be okay."

Merrick frowned, then nodded, "Okay…. Will I see you at the Roadhouse later?"

"I'm gonna be kinda busy…" She let out, "I have something really important to do tomorrow."

"Oh…" Merrick tried not to sound upset, "Okay…. But I'll see you the day after, right?"

"Probably…" Alyssa nodded.

Merrick smiled softly, "Okay… well… I'll see you later then… and I hope you enjoy your gift…"

With that, the Lunar Ranger headed off.

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

When Merrick got back to the Roadhouse, sure enough, his Christmas gift sat in front of the door…. This time with a Silver 11 on it.

He picked it up, along with the letter, and walked inside.

Deeg bounded up to him, sitting in his usual spot as Merrick sat his gift down.

"Alright… 11 pipers piping… let's see what she came up with…" He opened the letter first.

He'd gotten so used to seeing the handwriting, he was surprised it'd changed up a bit.

Dear Merrick, as tomorrow is the day you'll find out who I am, I decided to give you a little hint.

This is my actual handwriting.

Also, today's gift is something you'll truly love, as you love to play the flute.

Signed, A Special Friend.

Merrick smiled as he read that part before he blinked.

He had no idea any of the three's handwriting!

"Oh come on!" He moaned before he pulled out his gift.

It was a flute holder with ten flutes around it.

"Eleven Pipers Pipping… this is for their rest." He nodded softly at the thought, "Okay… not bad…"

And, that just left tomorrow, then the mystery will finally be revealed.

"I just hope they won't be upset if it's not who I think…"

Merry Christmas to all.

Tomorrow is Alyssa's final '12 days of Christmas... but Merrick is just getting started... so... stay tuned.

In the meantime, please review and please no hate. It's the holidays.