That Special Gift

"I think that's everything," Emma said stepping over to the table.

"Yeah…I think so," Gia replied taking a seat next to her.

Troy glanced over at Jake; he had a wide grinned stained across his face. He chuckled; Troy knew besides being a ranger that Jake rejoiced anytime he was in Gia's presence. He honestly couldn't blame him, Gia was a very pretty girl, it didn't help that she was smart, witty and could handle her own. It was no wonder she always had an array of guys falling at her feet. Troy wondered if too, if she enjoyed all the constant attention that guys, including Jake gave her.

He shrugged; anyway, what did he know, love was always elusive for him, he couldn't ever really remember a time when we he cared for a girl. The only times the the idea of being alone hit him, was during the holidays mostly. Sometimes, it did bother him seeing all the couples happily embracing one another, and people talking about all the gifts they were giving to their significant others. Troy sighed; reeling in those thoughts, if there was any solace he was happy to spend Christmas time with his good friends, believing that's truly all he needed. As he looked up taking a sip of his juice, and saw Emma beaming his way. Troy smiled turning away; he felt his face growing a bit flushed.

What was that all about?

Maybe something else other than all the holiday cheer was going on with her. She was acting a bit more cheery than usual, and what was up with all that smiling. Troy scratched his head turning his attention back over to his juice.

"Hey girls…whatcha got there?" Jake asked curiously.

Both Emma and Gia glanced slyly at one another.

"These are all of our Christmas gifts…" Emma cheered.

"Christmas gifts you say," Jake said.

"Yup, and guess what?" Gia started peering his way.

"What?" he asked leaning forward.

"This one's for…" Gia turned away pulling out a large box wrapped in sliver, "for you."

Troy looked over at Jake watching his eyes lit up with both excitement and fulfillment.

"For me? Really?"

Gia nodded eagerly.

"I mean…what is it?" he asked trying to play off his delight.

"It's meant to be a surprise…so you'll have to wait and see." Gia teased placing his gift back in her bag.

Jake sighed; slumping back in his chair. Troy turned to Jake chuckling just like Gia to get him going.

"Have you guys finished your Christmas shopping yet?" Emma asked.

But, before they could answer Gia turned to Emma, "Don't be silly…I know…" she said turning her attention over to both him and Jake, "they wouldn't forget to give us presents."

Troy turned his attention over to his juice, he hadn't he hadn't gone Christmas shopping, at all and obviously Jake hadn't either from his mute tone.

"Mmmmph….so…" Jake started trying to curtail the attention away from them.

Troy sat up throwing up his hand; he couldn't think a plausible excuse to come up with.

"Hey guys!" called a familiar voice.

Troy turned spotting Noah, he wondered where he had gone off too.

"You want to see something funny?" he cracked with a smile.

"Yeah," Jake called hopping from his seat.

Troy nodded vigorously; at this point anything would suffice to distract the girls' attention away from their lack of gifts for them. They followed Noah; stepping over to the edge Ernie's he pointed over to the Christmas tree display in the courtyard.

"There," he announced.

Troy looked over at the tree chuckling at the sight before them.

"Ohhhh, that's awesome!" Jake cried excitedly.

"He wanted to observe what humans do at Christmas."

"Santa's hat is a nice touch," Troy commented.

He still was in awe of seeing their teammate out in the open like so but then again it was for a good cause, and he was hoping that everything would be okay with him being out there like so.

"Oh okay…hey look at the time…" Jake called glancing nervously back at both Gia and Emma, "I should be finishing up my Christmas shopping."

"That's a good idea," Emma said stepping between them.

"Oh…and I…" Gia started stepping besides Jake, "love expensive stuff," she said running a hand over Jake's chest.

Obviously, taken aback Gia's assertion, he plopped his head against some of Ernie's Christmas decorations.

"Ouch…" he cried starting off in the opposite direction, with Noah quickly following behind him.

"So you haven't gotten them anything?" Noah called after Jake.

"Wait up…" Troy called.

Jake stopped leaning against one of the decorated beams.

"I haven't finished my Christmas shopping for the girls…" Noah admitted.

"I didn't think we were doing any gift exchanging," Jake said.

"Yeah…me neither…" Noah sighed.

"What about you Troy?" Jake asked.

He shrugged shaking his head.

Noah let out a long frustrating sigh. "Guys…like what are we going to do?" Noah inquired.

"Well, since we are here at the mall we could go and find gifts for the girls," Jake suggested.

"Yeah…I agree, we still have time to get them something before the party starts," said Noah.

"I'm down for that, how about you Troy?"

"That's cool."

"I guess we could try this store here," Noah suggested.

Much to Troy's dismay he sucked in a long breath following them. Christmas shopping was truly something he dreaded, not only was he afraid of buying something that someone didn't like or want, but Troy never had to shop for a girl before, so this made the idea even more unnerving. He slowly stepped inside the store; completely frazzled on where to start. Spotting, both Noah and Jake Troy made a quick beeline for one of the middle aisles.

"Gia…I really appreciate you helping me out with this."

Gia smiled; "Hey what are best friends for!" she chirped putting on the elf hat.

"How do I look?" she asked.

"Like the cutest elf ever," Emma cooed.

Gia clapped in delight stepping over to side. Emma couldn't express how excited she was when Gia agreed to help her by playing one of Santa's elves for the meet and greet for some the kids from one of the nearby shelters.

"Here let me help you with that," Gia offered helping her readjust her elf belt.

"Thanks, girl."

"Looks like the kids are starting to line-up," Gia said.

Emma turned her attention over to the other side of the shelter. "Great…" she said stepping over to the Santa.

"Ready to go?"

"Yes, my dear," he replied.

"Awesome, I'll get the kids," Emma said.

As excited as she was for this…she still couldn't help but to think about their Christmas party and the hope that Troy would like the present that she had for him.

"Alright, kids, are you ready to meet Santa?"

"Yes!" they all cheered with delight.

"Awesome…now follow me…and let's line up here in the middle," she instructed.

She turned her attention over to Gia, she was standing right next to Santa. She threw a thumb up. Emma nodded her consent, started lining the kids up, taking the first one up to Santa…

Troy threw his hands up in frustration, as they stepped inside the store. This had been the third store that they visited, and he still had yet to find anything.

"Guys…I think this store is the one," Noah announced.

"I certainly hope so," Troy replied with Jake nodding in agreement.

"We need to hurry," Noah started, "we only have like limited time before the party starts," he said glancing down at his watch.

Troy sighed; wondering if he would ever find something for the girls. Then suddenly their motto started ringing inside his head.

"Earth's Defenders Never Surrender."

If they could bust monsters and pilot megazords then how hard could it be to pick out a gift for your friends?

So with that mantra in mind Troy sprinted ahead, determined to come out as the victor in this conquest...

Jake trotted inside Ernie with arms swinging and head held high. "Mission accomplished guys!" he chirped slapping both Noah and Troy's hands.

Troy grinned, plopping down at their usual table. Finally, the last store that they visited proved was the one that they had all the gifts that they needed. Troy peaked inside his bag, not only did he find a good gift, but the store wrapped up their gifts too. Troy was rejoicing finally able to find the perfect gifts.

"Noah…buddy where you headed off too?"

Noah clutched the large box in his hand. "This…here is a special gift for Robo Knight."

"Oh…yeah?" Jake said.

"Yup!" he cried peeking out their teammate standing outside of the shop.

"What is it?" Troy asked curiously.

"Just a little something, that I think will help him get into the Christmas spirit and to show him that he has officially become part of the team."

"Awesome!" Jake cheered.

"Guys…I'll be right back," Noah said sprinting through the exit.

Jake turned to him smiling, "so Troy what did you end up getting?"

"It's a surprise," he said.

"You too?" Jake sighed.

Troy nodded smirking. He would rather Jake find out when they exchanged gifts…

He stepped through the door of rooftop clutching Robo Knight's Christmas gift. Noah shivered, feeling a sharp chill cut through the air. He hurried over to the edge of the building, peering down below. He smiled; watching all the people down below gathering together with all their Christmas cheer. He sat down the box on a small ledge adjusting the tag. Noah wasn't too sure if his plan was working by having Robo Knight posing as a toy, but he sure hoped that their companion would appreciate his gesture of good will. Noah really wanted him to know that, he and the others were truly grateful to have him be a part of their team and that this was just a small token of their appreciation.

Noah glanced over at his watch, "I better hurry Christmas party is starting soon."

He hurried over to the door, glancing over his shoulder.

"Merry Christmas Robo Knight," he said stepping through the door.