Merrick lowered the flute from his lips, his eyes warm and full of life for a change. When he was being totally honest with himself, he knew that the only thing that kept him going each day was spending this time with the Princess each morning, when they sang to the Deer Zord. His life was dark; full of guilt and remorse for his past actions, and he knew that he would never, ever forgive himself. He had a lot to redeem himself for and it would take the rest of his life. But the one bright thing in his life was the Princess and he wasn't going to ever miss one of their mornings together. He was brought out of his musings by the feeling of being watched and he looked down to find the Princess smiling warmly at him. He couldn't help the tiny smirk that appeared on his face as he returned her gaze.

"Yes Princess?" Shayla smiled at him as she linked her arm through his.

"How many times have I told you to call my Shayla while we're alone. And come on, you're coming back with me this morning." Shayla began to drag him along, but frankly he wasn't putting up much of a fight.

"Princess," at her glare he relented and smiled gently at her. "Okay, Shayla, this isn't really appropriate behaviour you know." Shayla smiled at him and once more his heart clenched as her nearness drove its presence into his soul.

"Bother what's appropriate Merrick. It's just you and I here this morning. The rangers have gone into the city to do something called Christmas shopping. So, I thought we could breakfast together, something we haven't done in a long time." Merrick thought a moment and then smiled gently down at her.

"I would love to." Shayla laughed, such a carefree and spirited laugh that he remembered so well from a happier time. Pleased that he was the cause of such laughter, Merrick allowed himself to be dragged along by her towards the temple. They arrived at the temple to find a basket sitting on the table and a neat handwritten note from Alyssa. It stated that the picnic basket was all packed and they should enjoy themselves. Shaking his head and laughing softly along with the Princess, Merrick picked the basket up and smiled at Shayla. He held out his arm to her.

"Shall we?" Shayla clapped her hands together in glee and hooked her arm through his.

"We shall." Laughing together, something they hadn't done for a very long time, they moved away from the temple and deeper into the Animarium.

The rangers arrived back in a cluster of chatter, bags, boxes and generally high spirits. They had spent the day explaining Christmas to Cole and then buying presents for each other, their families and having a lot of fun. They came tumbling into the main temple area to find Shayla and Merrick sitting next to each other by the pool, talking softly. Their body language and way they were sitting; spoke volumes about their feelings for one another. Feelings that all the rangers knew that neither of them would act upon. The habits of centuries were hard to break. But their posture was also open, and more relaxed than any of the rangers had seen from either of them for the longest of times. They smiled warmly as they bounced into the temple suddenly boxes, bags and numerous things were strewn everywhere. Merrick raised an eyebrow and looked at Shayla; she returned the look and smiled gently. She looked out at the assembled rangers and smiled.

"Are you going to tell me what all these things," she gestured to the assembled packages scattered around the table, "are for? Apart from creating a mess." Her voice was softly teasing and Merrick hid a smile. The Princess was the biggest tease he knew; she was forever teasing him and the others a long time ago. Taylor grinned and gestured to the boxes.

"These are Christmas presents, and Christmas decorations. We're getting ready to celebrate Christmas here before we go and spend it with our friends or families." The two people from Ancient Animaria looked confused.

"Christmas? What is that Taylor?" The other rangers exchanged confused looks and then Max hit himself gently on the head.

"Oh man, we forgot. The Princess and Merrick will have no idea what we are talking about. We'd better explain it to them like we explained it to Cole." The rangers gathered around them and began talking, telling them both all about Christmas and what it meant.

Merrick wandered along the park, thinking hard about what the others had said. He had left the Animarium not long after the other rangers had told them about this Christmas holiday that the whole world seemed to celebrate now. He had gone back to the roadhouse and asked Willie some questions about it and now he was wandering around Turtle Cove, thinking hard. The whole gist of this holiday seemed to be the giving and receiving of gifts to the one you love. As he stood leaning against a railing, over looking the pond, he smiled in remembrance at the Princess face oh so long ago when he gave her the necklace she still wore. It was his fondest memory and the one that had helped to break the spell of Zen-Aku. He absently watched the children playing by the pond, sailing boats, playing with their families and he couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his face. This is what it was all about. All the fighting; sacrifices; the pain, guilt and anguish. It was all for them. And for the first time in a long while, Merrick didn't mind so much. His dark eyes watched a boy and girl, obviously brother and sister, play with a ball and for a moment, just a moment, he let his mind dwell on what could be, what may have been. It filled with him with warm feelings and for a moment he let himself indulge in his innermost fantasy, the one that he never let out, even to himself sometimes. Suddenly, the perfect gift for Shayla came to him and pushing himself off the railing, he headed into the city. He had some things to purchase.

Alyssa, Max and Danny had spent the morning decorating the temple area while Cole and Taylor had gone to the supermarket to get food for the evening's supper. They returned and quickly set to work getting things ready. Shayla watched all this preparation feeling slightly out of place, more so than she normally did. Taylor was off to spend Christmas with Eric Myers, the quantum ranger. Alyssa was taking Cole with her when she went home to spend Christmas with her family. Danny and Max were spending it with their respective families. They all had asked both Merrick and Shayla this morning to join them, but they both had declined, knowing that they would both be out of place. She managed to keep a smile on her face though as they worked, played and laughed. Finally after a long while, supper was ready, presents were wrapped and placed around a small tree that Danny had provided and Alyssa had come over and dragged the Princess over to the table. Taylor pressed a glass of a yellow looking liquid in her hand and grinned.

"It's egg nog, a traditional drink. You may like it." Shayla sniffed at it and sipped it slowly. She wrinkled her nose at the taste and looked up at Taylor, handing it back.

"I'm sorry Taylor. I don't like it." Taylor nodded, smiling as she took back the glass.

"It's not for everyone." Danny brought over a plate of food for her and she nodded her thanks, but her attention was suddenly drawn to a figure lurking in the bushes. Merrick caught her eye and jerked his head and Shayla nodded. He slipped away without the other rangers knowing he was there. Shayla put the plate down and as the other rangers got involved in the unwrapping of gifts and laughter she slipped into the bushes, following Merrick quietly.

After a few minutes of searching she finally found him. He was standing by the bushes where they met each morning to play for the Deer Zord. His arms were folded and he was staring up at the cliff where the Deer watched from each morning. After a few moments he finally acknowledged her presence as she stood next to him. He turned to look at her and there was something in his eyes, something that she had only seen once before. She looked at him, her own eyes soft. Merrick suddenly gave her a shy smile, and it made him look even more handsome than he normally did. She was drawn to his stare, his deep eyes. It made her feel warm, safe and loved. She began to feel the feelings she knew she wasn't supposed to feel, that long ago both of them had agreed to deny. Their positions, their responsibilities had never let them give into their feelings, but for one fleeting moment Shayla entertained that notion. For one fleeting moment, their eyes locked and they were both thinking the same thing. Merrick's hand came up slowly, and he gently ran it along her face.

"It always amazes me each time I see you how beautiful not only are you in person, but also in spirit. My soul rejoices each time I see you, or spend time with you." Shayla's own hand reached up and gently held it against his cheek.

"You have always been by my side, been my protector, my saviour and a part of my soul. A part that I never want to be without." He said nothing to her words, he didn't have to. They both knew how they felt about each other and both knew that for while there was danger; they wouldn't; couldn't act on their feelings until the danger to the Earth was gone. Almost as one, they lowered their hands but their eyes held each other's gaze. Merrick gave her a small smile and reached into his pocket.

"I was thinking, about what the others told us, about Christmas. And the giving of gifts." He lowered his head slightly and then looked up at her, his bangs hiding his eyes for a moment in the pose that she so loved. "And anyway, I wanted to give you a gift. I am not going to be by your side forever Shayla, and my heart dreads that day like no other. So I want to give you something, something to remember me in the years to come when I am no longer able to be with you." Shayla opened her mouth to protest but then closed it again. She knew the truth in his words and her heart ached to hear them, but she listened intently. "So, I want you to have this." He held out a small package wrapped in a soft cloth. She took it in her gentle hands and carefully unwrapped it. What she saw there took her breath away.

"Oh Merrick, it's so beautiful." It was a delicately carved figurine made out of a crystal found deep in the Animarium. It was in the shape of a wolf, standing up and looking her straight in the eye, just like Merrick in a way. Shayla hugged it to her breast and looked at Merrick and smiled.
"Thank you Merrick, I will treasure this always." Merrick smiled at her and for a moment, their eyes locked again. He spoke softly as his eyes held hers.

"It's to remind us of what could have been. What we could have had." His eyes were intent even though his voice was soft. "But I would not change a thing Shayla. I treasure each and every moment I spend with you." Shayla swallowed and nodded.

"And I you Merrick. But one day, one day..." He nodded, knowing what she meant. Smiling gently he reached out and closed her hands over the figurine and they stood there for a long time, just enjoying each other's presence.