"This looks awesome," Leo Corbett exclaimed. His eyes danced with mischief as he glanced around with a smile. "I can't believe this is the same MegaShip that was just so plain yesterday!" He paused and added, "not that I care."

Alpha 6 looked at Leo in slight confusion, then commented on the first thing he had said, "well, you can believe this is the same place because it is."

Maya looked curiously at Leo from his reaction of the decorations. "From the way you're acting, it makes it seem like you've never celebrated Christmas like this..."

Leo's face darkened and then he shrugged, "Oh, I don't know.. This place just looks awesome."

Maya gave Leo an odd look, but shrugged it off, and glanced around again at the colorful and dark room. "It does look awesome, doesn't it?" Her eyes slid back to Leo, who was staring at the Christmas tree with a far away expression on his face. "What are you thinking about?"

Leo seemed to break from the reverie he had felt himself slip into. "Huh? Oh, nothing Maya." He shook his head and quickly left the Bridge, a light frown on his face. He disappeared into his quarters.

Maya sighed, and glanced sadly over to the doors, "what did I say wrong this time?"

***

Leo climbed onto the bottom bunk of his quarters on the MegaShip. His gaze stared miserably up at the top bed, as memories of the past came back in haunted forms.

Five years ago - (Leo's 14)

Leo grinned as he jogged down the street in Angel Grove, California. School had just let out for winter break and he couldn't wait to get home. He paused to tie is loose show string, then frowned as he stood back up. Something, like a feeling of deja vu, but not quite, passed over him. Quickly, he ran the rest of the way home and came to a screeching halt as his eyes focused on his house.

An ambulance's lights were flashing brightly, and a black-covered stretcher was being pushed into it. He could hear cries coming from his mother. As he got closer, he could hear the murmurs of Mike, his older brother, and his father. He bowed his head as he walked the rest of the way to his house, afraid to know what had happened that had brought the ambulance to his home.

"Leo!" Leo's head snapped up at the call of his name from Mike. His face was deathly pale.

"Where's Kayla?" Leo frowned, a feeling of dread settling in his stomach as he saw the expression that entered Mike's eyes. Kayla was his little sister, by three years, and was quite the pest. She always wanted to hang around Leo and his best friend, Skylar, and it got quite annoying. Leo looked worriedly at Mike when he didn't answer him. "Where is she?!"

"Leo, there... There... Was an accident." Mike's voice was choked with emotion, eyes filling with tears.

"Accident?"

"Kayla was swimming in the pool.. I was watching her, well, I was supposed to be watching her..." Mike's eyes darkened. "I had only turned away for a second! To grab a dry towel for us. She had splashed water on me and I had been holding her towel, so I told her I'd be right back with a dry one. She said she was going to practice her diving, so I said okay, but be extra careful since I wasn't out there. She promised, "I will, Mike. So careful it'll be like I'm flying! That's quiet, flying like I have wings in the sky." I had laughed and headed inside. The phone rang... It was Leah. She said she couldn't make our date, so we were discussing plans for tomorrow when I heard a scream, then a loud crack... It had sounded like Kayla! I dropped the phone and ran outside. There she was," Mike stopped, his voice breaking out in sobs. "Leo, it's all my fault! I killed our sister!"

Leo staggered backwards, shock shook his body. "She's...dead? But.. But I just saw her this morning! She was talking about how happy that Skylar and I would be on break so she could make us take her to the beach. She.. She can't be dead!"

Mike's eyes were closed, he slid to the ground, body wracking with sobs, "she is. It's all my fault. I should have been out there. But I wasn't..."

Leo slid to his knees, wrapping his arms around Mike in a tight hug, still in shock, "Mike, it's not your fault. It was an accident. Don't blame yourself." Leo looked around helplessly, unsure of what to do. He still couldn't believe it. Dead? Kayla? But she just can't be! We were just arguing this morning about what beach to go to tomorrow.. Leo's gaze wandered to his parents. His father's arms were wrapped around his sobbing mother and he had to look away. The scene was too sad. His gaze flickered to the ambulance which was just pulling away. With his sister. Beautiful and cute Kayla.. Who had her whole life ahead of her...

Leo's body began to shake as tears sprang to his eyes. Thinking of that time was so hard to do. His family had never been the same. The bounce in his life, Kayla, had disappeared. The loving, simplicity that was always there was gone now. Everyone had changed, and not for the better.

Mike had gone from fun-loving and care-free to so serious. He and Leah, his girlfriend for near three years, stopped dating. Leah claimed he changed too much and she couldn't bear being near him in his new 'form.' Three years after the accident Mike joined up on the Terra Venture project, preparing for when it launched two years later into space. He left home and wasn't heard from much after that, until the month before it went into space. He still remembered the conversation...

One year ago - (One month before TerraV is launched)

"Hey, little bro." Leo's head turned towards the oh-so familiar voice. His eyes lit up when he spotted Mike.

"MIKE!" he cried, jumping to his feet. Leo threw himself into his brother's arms and hugged him tightly. He slowly backed up when he noticed the greeting wasn't being returned. "Mike? What's wrong?" Leo could detect the difference in his brother who he hadn't seen in months.

"I'm leaving on the Terra Venture when it goes up into space." He stated quietly. Leo's eyes rose in slight surprise.

"You are? Really?" Leo asked excitedly. "Can I go with you? I heard it was going to be the adventure of a lifetime."

"No."

Leo paused, surprised at the coldness he felt in the so simple statement. He opened his mouth to say something then quickly closed it.

"I want to get away from everyone. Away from this family.." Mike muttered. Mike regretted his words when he saw the crushed expression cross Leo's face. "I don't mean you Leo." Mike added quickly. "It's just that.. Being around this city, around all these familiar faces.. It's too depressing. I need a permanent change of location. Please don't feel too sad."

Leo said nothing, turning away quickly. He couldn't look at him. Not after what he had said.

"Please understand Leo." Mike's hand touched his brother's shoulder. "I'll see you sometime. But stay here. TerraV is too dangerous for you."

"Whatever." Leo muttered. He said nothing else, and he listened as Mike walked away, perhaps never to be seen by the last Corbett child ever again.

Leo continued to cry into his arms on his bunk in his room. He was unaware of the sound of approaching footsteps in the hallway. He glanced up, sniffling, as his bedroom doors slid open. He could vaguely see a shape standing there. Maya. He sighed inwardly, not wanting to see the yellow ranger. He turned away. "Go away." He muttered.

"No." Maya's voice was firm and held an echo of understanding. "I'm not going away Leo. You need someone and I won't leave you alone, sobbing in your room on night before Christmas Eve."

"I don't need anyone," Leo snapped out. His eyes flickered to the petite form then away again. "Especially from you."

Maya looked hurt, "why wont you accept help from me Leo? What harm do I hold that scares you away? What?"

Leo didn't answer her and turned back to his pillows. "Just go away."

Maya sighed, and he heard her leave. He felt a pang of regret as the doors slid shut. Maybe I should have said something. She only wanted to help, and no one deserved that treatment...

Leo sighed again, and buried his face into his arms and slowly cried himself to sleep.

***

Maya paced in front of her bed in her own quarters she shared with the new Pink Ranger, Karone. She sighed, eyes filling with tears as she paced more quickly.

"What's wrong?" A soft voice groused out, "you won’t stop that pacing so I know something's up."

Maya jumped at the sound of Karone's voice and she glanced across the room at Karone's side of the room. Karone sat up in bed, a worried frown across her face as she watched Maya.

Maya sighed and looked down. "It's nothing."

"Maya," Karone warned. "Don't play games with me. If it were nothing, you wouldn't be this upset. Spill it."

"Well," Maya blurted out everything that had happened that night. The 'conversation' at the tree and the conversation in Leo's quarters. Karone sighed and shook her head. "What?" Maya asked curiously. She had caught the look on Karone's face, brief as it had been.

"Nothing," she muttered. Karone's face turned serious, "Don't be too hard on him. If he's that upset, there must be a reason. Don't take anything personally. If he wants to talk to you, he will."

Maya nodded and turned away, facing her bed. She brushed a few fallen tears off of her cheek. "I hope so."

***

It was the morning of Christmas Eve. Terra Venture was quiet for once, not one monster attacking. It was almost like Trakeena had taken a Christmas vacation of her own, because the situation had been the same for the last few days. Kai, the Blue Ranger, had figured she was just planning a massive attack but that theory was far from Leo's mind as he walked along the trails in the Forest Dome, lost in thought. He didn't hear as a silent form approached him from behind and tapped his shoulder.

Leo jumped, spinning around, automatically slipping into a fighting stance. He breathed a sigh of relief when he found it was only Mike.

"Hey little bro," Mike greeted with a smile. "Don't worry, I'm not going to attack you."

Leo smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, we've all been on the alert lately and I really didn't expect anyone else to be in here right now..."

Mike just shook his head, "It's okay. Really. I was just coming to ask you something, it'll only take a second then I'll leave you alone again."

"What's that?"

"I was just wondering, what's going on tonight?"

"What do you mean?" A frown crossed Leo's face in confusion. "What would be going on tonight?"

"Christmas, remember that little holiday eve?"

Leo's face darkened. "I don't celebrate Christmas."

Mike's face etched with surprise. "You don't? Since when?"

"I haven't celebrated in five years." He said softly. Mike's eyes clouded when he realized what had happened five years ago.

"Oh."

"Don't act all that shocked. Mom and Dad just stopped caring when... They lost two children. So we never did much. I didn't really care though, who felt like celebrating when we had lost so much?" Leo paused, then asked in a hushed tone, "why Mike? Why did you have to leave us alone when we needed you the most?"

Mike didn't have an answer. How could he answer that? He didn't even know himself. Something had just snapped inside of him when he had realized what he had done to Kayla. Killed his own sister! "I don't know." He whispered at last.

"You were a coward, that's why." Leo spat out. "I stayed and helped them as much as I could. It was hard to do that. They both loved me, but it was hard for them to see me and not be reminded of you and of Kayla."

"Leo, please," Mike started.

"I won't listen to you anymore." Leo told him, eyes slanting in anger. "You left me alone when I needed someone too. I can't forgive and forget, as hard as I tried to do that these last few months."

"Leo, please listen to me. I want to explain."

Leo glanced at his watch, then shook his head. "I have to go. I'm supposed to be reading a story to the kids at the Day Care Center. Someone has to be there for them. And I'll make sure I am at least for someone." Mike cringed as Leo turned and left.

"I'm sorry," Mike whispered, wiping a tear from his cheek as he watched Leo storm off.

***

"...And then, the Princess' eyes fluttered open, staring up at the Prince above her. The Prince's kiss had awoken the Princess from eternal sleep. He touched her face with his hand, and asked her to be his bride. Happily she agreed and they lived happily ever after."

Leo smiled as he walked up the path towards the park where a group of children sat. They were all huddled in a circle around Maya as she took her turn reading the group a story.

"Hey guys," he called out softly. Billy, a little boy of seven, jumped to his feet and ran to Leo, throwing his arms around him. Leo laughed, "Hiya Billy."

"Leo! We've been waiting for you." Billy's voice quieted, "We want a REAL story. Not some girl fairy tale."

"Like what?" Leo chuckled. "I think fairy tales are very nice."

"They're for GIRLS!" Billy cried, nose wrinkling in disgust. A chorus of "yeah!" followed his statement. Leo laughed again, shaking his head and glancing over at Maya. She smiled at him, and he couldn't help but smile back.

"Sure everyone. What story then?"

A little girl, named Jade, looked from Leo to Maya. "But I want to hear a Christmas story!"

"A Christmas story?" Leo paused, staring at her in almost surprise. "What story do you want to hear then?"

"The Night Before Christmas!"

"Alright.." Leo sighed softly and went to take Maya's seat who quickly jumped up to make room for him. "Let's see if I can remember this... "'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring.. Not even a mouse. The stockings were hung, next to the chimney with care, in hope that Saint Nicholas would soon be there.." He paused, struggling to remember the words. It had been a long time since he had last heard the story.

Leo glanced up and sighed, as Mike joined them, continuing on with the story. A few minutes later, the story was finished and all the kids were now scattered in between the two brothers.

"What a good story," Jade said with a giggle. "Thank you Mike for finishing it!"

Mike grinned, "No problem Jade.. I love that story."

"Me too." She giggled.

Leo watched the exchange with a sigh. "I.. I have to go. See y'all later. Merry Christmas." He turned and quickly jogged from the scene.

Maya watched Leo run off, and glanced over at Mike, who was staring at the ground miserably. "Mike, can we talk?"

Mike glanced up in surprise at Maya's voice. "Oh, hi, sure.."

Maya grabbed his arm and led him away from the kids who were now scattered around, playing a group game of tag.

"What did you want?" Mike asked, slightly curious at her expression.

"It's about Leo." Maya told him. She watched in surprise as his face turned so serious. "Do you know what's wrong with him?"

Mike nodded, staring at the ground. "Five years ago our sister was killed three days before Christmas. It tore me apart, because it was my fault. I never let myself grieve over like everyone else and I quickly left home and began working on the Terra Venture project. When it went up into space, I took it as my cue to leave my old life behind. Leo and I were talking an hour or so ago... He told me he thought I was a coward. I had left the family when they needed me the most, leaving Leo to have to try and be perfect."

Maya stared at him in surprise, then looked away miserably. "I had no idea... No wonder his moods have been so weird lately." On a after thought, she added, "it wasn't your fault, Mike. I'm sure your sister's accident was all that. An accident."

Mike nodded, and looked down, tears coming to his eyes, "I don't know how to get him to listen to me. He wont talk to me anymore."

Maya looked away thoughtfully, "Maybe he'll listen to me this time.."

"This time?" Maya quickly told him about the way that Leo was acting the night before. "Sounds like him," Mike nodded and looked at Maya, then smiled. "Can I ask you something personal?"

Maya nodded.

"You like him, don't you?"

Maya stared at Mike in surprise, not sure how to reply to the question. Do I like him? No, I know I don't like him... I love him. "No." She stated quietly. "I think I love him."

Mike smiled at her, "I'm glad. He needs someone in his life to help him. There's only so much everyone else can do..."

Maya nodded, her gaze still lingering on Mike. "Are you going to be okay?"

Mike nodded. "Of course I will be. I have been for the past five years, now's no different."

Maya didn't say anything else, and turned in the direction Leo had left in.

***

Leo stood again in his quarters on the MegaShip. A scrapbook lay open on his desk, photos displaying his happy past, and the last few months of being on the Terra Venture.

He smiled faintly, remembering when he had sneaked onto the plane. He had felt so excited. It had been the trip of a lifetime. The old woman's words still haunted him. "They need good young men like you."

He glanced back down at his desk and closed the photo album. Staring at the pictures of his once happy family was too hard, especially on Christmas. He looked up at the sound of his doors opening. Maya stood there.

"Hi Leo," Her voice was timid as she flashed a smile at him.

"Hi Maya." Leo echoed, his eyes turned away from gazing at her. "Something you wanted?"

"Yes." Maya's voice was light and soft as she watched him. "I talked to Mike. And I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for everything that has ever happened to you. And.."

"Maya, please don't," Leo pleaded. "I don't want to talk to anyone about it."

Maya glared at him, "No I won’t stop. I.. Care about you a lot and don't want to see you so upset. Talk to your brother."

Leo gazed with surprise at her expression, "Alright, Maya, I will... Sometime." He watched her and thought to what she said, A lot? What does she mean by that?

"What?" Maya asked, noticing that he was staring at her. She looked away with a blush.

Leo seemed to pause, in his thinking, doubting his own thoughts. "What did you mean by 'care about you a lot'?"

Do I tell him what I feel for him? The topic is so... I've never loved anyone before, not like this. What.. what happens if I tell him and he doesn't return the feelings? She sighed and looked down at the ground, undeceive about what to say. I only live once, I suppose.. And if he does feel that way in return, maybe, just maybe... "You really want to know?" She asked. He nodded calmly, giving her a slight encouraging smile. "Like I said, I care about you a lot. I think.. I think I'm falling..." Maya paused, her mouth suddenly going dry. "I can't do this. I..I'll talk to you later maybe. Bye." She quickly ran from the room.

Leo stared after her in surprise. "What just happened?" He asked out loud, and almost jumped out of his skin when a voice replied,

^It appears that Maya has left the MegaShip,^ DECA's monotone voice reported. ^Would you like me to contact her?^

"Oh, no," Leo quickly replied. "I... Just don't understand her."

^Perhaps that's the point.^

"The point?" Leo echoed, he stared up at DECA's red light in surprise. "What would the point be to be confused?"

DECA seemed to pause, picking her words carefully. ^The point is--^

"What I think DECA is trying to say is..." Leo spun at the sound of Alpha's voice. "Well, let me tell you a short story. When the Space Rangers were living on the MegaShip, there were special bonds between particular Rangers. Andros and Ashley; Cassie and TJ; and Karone and Zhane. Each of them all took a long time to admit they liked each other. There was sometimes a lot of tension and confusion as the weeks went by. Finally, I remember Andros deciding to talk to Ashley. He had admitted he really never had been in a relationship before and didn't know how to approach it. So they went slowly together, and now, they live in Stone Canyon with two kids."

"Wow," Leo murmured. "When I had seen them, they didn't seem like they'd gone through all that...."

"Well, Andros is a very private." Alpha shook his head and continued, "TJ and Cassie are now living in Los Angeles together. Well, they were... I'm not sure what's up with Cassie from recent events, but I know those two are very much in love because they finally admitted to each other that there was something there. And as for Zhane and Karone..." Alpha sighed, looking down briefly then stared seriously at him. "Karone got too scared to tell him what she truly felt, and Zhane was killed in an accident on KO-35."

Leo looked down, "That's so sad. I know what it's like to lose a loved one... Not a fun experience."

"No, it's not," Alpha agreed.

"But..." Leo looked up at Alpha, confusion etched all over his face, "What did those three things have to do with me? I'm not in love with anyone."

"Your not?" Alpha sighed, and stared at Leo in almost pity. "I would have thought differently than that."

"Oh?" Then, Leo's face recognized what Alpha meant. "Miranoi," He whispered. Leo looked away, lost in thought at that word. Do I have feelings for Maya? If I do, wow... It makes so much sense then. And what was that what she was going to tell me before?

"I have work to do, so if you'll excuse me..." Alpha moved around Leo, heading onto the Bridge of the MegaShip.

What do I feel for her? I.. I really don't know though. He sighed, his eyes glancing around his room and they finally landed on a picture on his table. The picture was of him and Maya, sitting side by side on a bench outside the Forest Dome. They'd been talking about their homes before living on the Terra Venture and Kendrix had snuck up in front of them and snapped their picture, and had presented them both with copies of it, plus other pictures of their little group.

His heart ached at the thought of Kendrix. One of his best friends, gone.. Never to be seen again. It wasn't fair. He'd already lost one person in his lifetime, Kayla, and then he'd lost Mike.. And now Kendrix. Why couldn't it have been me? Or someone? Not her... She didn't deserve it.

Leo glanced at the picture once more then sighed, and crawled onto his bed and drifted off to sleep.

** Hours Later **

"Hey, Leo, you on the Ship?" Leo groggily glanced up at the sound of Kai's voice.

"Yeah.. In my room," Leo called out.

"We have trouble," Kai reported, his face appearing in front of him. "I guess Trakeena got bored and sent a bunch of Sting Wingers after Maya. They captured her and they can't be found on the scanners!"

Leo's eyes widened, "Oh no.. We have to do something!"

Kai nodded, "Come on then... Commander Stanton has the scanners searching the galaxy." Leo jumped to his feet and the two Galaxy Rangers teleported out.

***

Maya paced inside of a dark cavern on the outskirts of Terra Venture. Villamax and a bunch of Sting Wingers had captured her, telling her if she didn't hand her Quaser Saber over she'd be dead. She'd defied and wouldn't hand it over, so they grabbed her and teleported away before she could morph or call for help. So now, she was waiting.. Waiting to live, waiting to die.. Waiting for an absolution in battle that may never arrive.

Maya sighed, and sat down on a rock with a light thud. She buried her face into her hands and began to cry. I shouldn't have run earlier.. I should have told him how I felt. If only I had done that, then I wouldn't be here. I'd be in his arms..

"Hello Maya," A cold voice spat out. "We've been expecting you." Maya glanced up and glared at Villamax. "So good of you to join us here,"

"Save it," she said quietly. She shakily stood up and glared defiantly. "I want to go home."

Villamax seemed to pause, then growled, "Don't we all? Don't... We all."

"I need to go home. You can't kill me on Christmas Eve. I know you're evil, but even beasts like you must care about someone on your side at this holiday!" Maya gazed at Villamax with a hopeful look, and then thoughtfully paused. "I bet Trakeena would be glad to see you! I know you like her... Go celebrate the holiday night with her."

His eyes seemed to get misty but he just merely growled again and blasted at the Sting Wingers that were guarding the cave entrance. "Get out of here before I change my mind!" Maya nodded, and smiled gratefully, and disappeared before Villamax said another word. I hate human holidays! But I wonder if she's right about Trakeena...

Villamax disappeared in a flash of silver and purple flame.

***

Leo and Kai stood besides Commander Stanton as the scanners scanned the Terra Venture surface. Mike, Damon, and Karone soon joined them. "Any luck?" Mike asked breathlessly as he walked up besides Leo.

Leo shook his head. "None at all."

"Wait! Look!" Everyone crowded around Stanton as they radar began flashing. It showed a single life form on the outskirts of the Terra Venture property.

"Let's hurry, and go get her," Leo said excitedly. He began to leave when Mike stopped him. "What are you doing?! We have to go get her!"

"It's too dark to go out there, especially alone. You don't know what's out there."

Leo glared at his brother, "You might think you know what's best for me, but you don't. I love her and I won't let her just be out there alone in danger. You can either go with me, or get out of my way. I'm not like you. I help the ones I love." Leo cringed as the words came out, instantly regretting them. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that..."

Mike sighed, "I deserved that. But you're right... Let's go together and get her," Mike glanced back at the other three Rangers. "We're going after Maya. You three stay here and alert us at the mention of danger."

Kai nodded. "Right Mike."

"Let's go little bro," Together the two Corbett brothers turned and left.

***

Maya walked aimlessly among the rocks, completely lost. Her communicator wouldn't work; Transmissions weren't strong enough to teleport her more then a few feet. She had never been in this area before and even her jungle instincts weren't much help. She passed yet another huge rock and sat down heavily on it. There was no use, it was getting dark and soon she wouldn't be able to see at all. Some Christmas this is turning out to be! She noted miserably.

She glanced around again, and then perked up lightly. She could have sworn her name was being called... She sighed when no one was in view.

A few miles away, Leo and Mike trudged along in the dirt, shouting out Maya's name every few feet. Leo sighed, rejected at last. "This isn't working." He noted at last. "She can't seem to hear us anywhere."

"Let's not give up yet," Mike whispered. He looked at his brother from the corner of his eye, "Hey... Can I ask you something?"

"Of course." Leo looked at him curiously.

"Do you hate me? I know its really personal... And I don't blame you if you do. I did terrible things. I killed our sister, then just ran out on everyone when they needed me to be around."

Leo sighed, and turned to look completely at him. "I don't hate you, Mike. You're my brother. I admit, I really am upset from what you did... Just deserting us... But I love you. You were always there for me before that, and have been again these past few months since you came back." On an after thought, he added, "And it's not your fault about Kayla. It was a freak accident that would have happened anyway."

Mike nodded unhappily, "I know. It's just so hard to let go, even after all of these years..."

Leo reached over and hugged his brother, "I know.. But we can work through this together now. You'll see."

Mike smiled, "Thanks." After another couple minutes of brotherly love, they moved on, continuing to call out for their missing friend.

Leo suddenly stopped and began walking towards the left.

"What are doing?"

Leo paused, and turned back to look at Mike, "I thought I saw something up this way. Come on and help me look." Mike nodded and quickly jogged to catch up with his brother.

The two shortly came upon a shivering Yellow Ranger sitting on a rock a few feet from them. "MAYA!" Leo shouted. The Yellow Ranger turned, and a smile lit up on her face.

Maya jumped to her feet, "Leo! Thank God.. I was getting worried out here that no one would ever find me!"

Leo smiled lop-sided and wrapped her in his arms in a hug, "I'd always search for you Maya. We would have eventually found you."

Maya smiled back, and then looked briefly over at Mike, "Thank you both." Mike just smiled good-naturedly and hugged her too.

When they pulled away, Mike whispered into her ear, "Talk to him later. He was really worried about you." Maya smiled at the words.

"Guys, can you hear us?" Kai's voice was faintly heard from their communicator. "TerraV to Leo. Can you hear us?"

Leo looked at the others and grinned and brought his communicator to his lips, "I read you Kai. We found her!"

"Three to teleport," Was the last thing they heard before their signature colors were lit in the sky.

It was near midnight now, and six Galaxy Rangers sat around the tree on the MegaShip Bridge. "This has been an interesting two days," Mike noted with a yawn. He glanced over at his brother and they exchanged a smile. Leo nodded in between a mouthful of Hershey Kisses.

Kai stood up a second later. "I'm going to bed. See you guys tomorrow. Merry Christmas!"

"I'm going too," Damon agreed. "Merry Christmas!" The two Rangers left quickly, each departing in their multi-colored beam of light.

Leo glanced around, and sighed. "This day has been very exhausting."

"I second that," Maya nodded with a shake of her dead. "Chaotic too."

Karone stood up at that comment, "I'm really tired. I think I'm going to bed too. Night!"

"Night Karone," Leo echoed with a smile.

"Can I walk you to your room?" Mike asked Karone with a smile. She blushed and nodded.

"I'd like that," She whispered. The two left, hand-in-hand.

Leo gazed after his brother and chuckled. "Who would have thought those two?"

"Not me," Maya agreed with a smile. "Sooo, we're alone.."

Leo glanced around then looked back at her with a smile, "So we are."

"Leo-"

"Maya, can-"

The two looked at each other and smiled. At that second, the clock struck midnight.

"Maya..?"

"Mmm?" She looked over at him. Before another word could pass between them, he kissed her lightly.

"Merry Christmas, Maya."

Maya smiled, and returned the kiss with much eagerness, "Merry Christmas Leo!"