Chapter 1

April walked through the tunnels to the entrance of the lair. The butterflies were so bad in her stomach that she almost felt nauseous. She had made her decision. Tonight was a night of celebration and it was the perfect time to admit everything to Raphael. She had been holding everything in because she felt ridiculous and she was judging herself for the way she felt, but after what they had all been through she didn't care anymore. She didn't care if he rejected her, she didn't care if he thought she was nuts, she had to say her peace and be done with it. Whatever his answer may be would be the final thought to the matter. They had lived through the terror of the Shredder, the Kraang, and every other evil and non-evil mutant running around the city. They had won another long battle with the Shredder and though it probably was not over, they had lived and she was going to make the most of everything and that included the possibility of a life with Raph.

The door of the lair swung open as she reached her hand out to enter. The orange clad turtle enthusiastically greeted her with a hug that lifted her off the ground, "It's about time! The party can't start without you, angel cakes!"

She pushed her long dark auburn hair from her face as she giggled at Mikey, "Sorry, I had to pick up sustenance." April said holding up the beer in her hands.

Mikey grinned and ushered April inside, "You're the best!"

Inside everyone was in a cheerful mood. The lair had been decorated with streamers and the table was covered in colorful plates and snacks. April knew it had probably been Mikey's doing.

"Angel cakes is here, guys!" Mikey announced and set the beer in the fridge.

"Hey, guys!" April greeted and made her way to hug everyone and say hello.

There were a couple extra friends with them tonight that really helped out with their latest run-in with the Foot, Karai was standing with Leo. April hugged both of them. Karai had finally gotten to a point where that didn't bother her anymore. It probably helped that April had gotten upset and a little drunk and admitted to Karai that she wanted Raph. She kissed Donnie on the cheek as he smiled, but kept working on the stereo so the tunes could begin. Casey wrapped her in a big bear hug and Vern did the same. Splinter gently kissed April's hand. She didn't care if he was a rat, Splinter was like a father to her now and nothing was more calming than his touch. April looked around and saw Raph leaning against the wall by the dojo and she was lingering by him. April tried to not let it get to her. Carla was a street wise woman that infiltrated the Foot to help the turtles. She was very grateful for Carla's help in every way, but April could tell she was taking a liking to Raph and that little green monster always lurked in her mind when she saw Carla hanging on Raphael.

Raph looked up while Carla was talking to him about something, but he zoned out when he looked up and saw April smiling at him while Splinter spoke to her. His stomach was doing flips. He loved that smile, the one she seemed to save for him. He always tried to talk himself out of what was happening whenever he caught her glancing at him or whenever she would stay up late with him watching movies. But he couldn't make himself believe it was anything more than friendship. How could it be? Why would she want him? She was perfect and he wanted her every minute of every day and he couldn't have her.

April excused herself from Splinter and began walking to Raphael and Carla. She discretely sized Carla up as she walked over to Raphael. She was nice and very street smart, tough as nails, and attractive. She was tall, much taller than April and toned like Karai since she was a fighter. She had shoulder length dark blonde hair and green eyes. If April was honest with herself, she truly was a better match for Raph. They were into the same things, were a little more anger prone, and loved to fight. It almost made her feel like changing her mind. Raph smiled at her and she felt weak in the knees.

"Hey, April." Carla greeted pulling her out of her Raphael trance and giving her a quick hug.

It stunned April, but she quickly recovered and returned the hug, "Hi, Carla. How are you?"

"Better. How are you holding up?"

"About the same. A little sore." April replied.

"Carla," Karai called from across the room, "come grab a drink."

April knew Karai was lending her a hand by getting Carla away.

Carla grinned, "Coming. Excuse me, guys."

Carla skipped away leaving Raph and April alone for a moment.

"Hey." Raph grinned shyly.

April blushed a little as she smiled, "Hey."

They stood for a moment before Raph put his arm around her for a hug and she quickly reciprocated and took in his scent of leather. He broke the hug before he got lost in translation and felt stupid. April didn't want him to let go.

"I'm glad you're feeling better. You really took a beatin' out there. You're getting' tough hangin' out with the ninjas, huh?" Raphael joked.

"It's about time I had something going for me other than being a wimpy reporter." She laughed.

Raph shook his head, "There's never been anything wimpy about you."

April took a deep breath as a huge red faced smile spread across her face and she was at a complete loss of what to say next, so it was a perfect time for MC Hammer to start blaring loudly through the lair. She and Raph jumped and Raph glared over at Donnie.

"It's working, you guys!" Donnie yelled proudly.

Mikey ran up next to him and handed him a beer, "Let's paaarrrrtttyyyyy!" He yelled above the music.

As the evening went on, everybody loosened up with a couple of beers. The 80's jams kept on coming and the more Mikey and Leo drank, the more hilarious and outrageous the dance moves got. April walked back to the fridge and grabbed another beer. She leaned against the barrier between the kitchen and the main room and watched them dance. Mikey had no shame whatsoever. He and Leo were basically having a silent dance off. Karai was blushing as she watched Leo move. He kept making eyes at her trying to be sexy while he dropped it low. The ponytail on top of her head bounced as she broke into a fit of laughter. Everyone waited for Mikey to take his turn to see if he had anything up his sleeve to offer next. Mikey grinned at Leo, turned around so his backside faced the party, and began to twerk. The room broke out in laughter. Karai couldn't take it anymore, she got up from the pizza box sofa laughing and joined April in the kitchen, while Leo bowed down to Mikey as the king of dance. Karai grabbed a beer and stood next to April.

"So?" Karai said giving April the eye.

April looked at her confused, "So?"

Karai rolled her eyes, "Don't play stupid, it's not becoming, April. Why haven't you told Raphael?"

She sighed and the butterflies returned full force, "I don't know what to say."

"Jesus, April, it's Raphael. Go tell him and for God's sake, get Carla away from him. She is insufferable." Karai said taking a sip.

"She's not so bad, Karai." April said, "And I don't even know how to start the conversation."

"She may not be so bad now, but she's going to make a move before you and you'll be screwed. He feels the same way about you as you do him, just say what's in your heart."

"How did you and Leo… get started?"

Karai rolled her eyes again, "It doesn't matter. We're different beings, it won't work the same just because he's a turtle. Now go!" She slapped April on the ass, "Go get him."

April nodded to Karai and went in. She looked around and Raph wasn't in the main room, she walked down the hall and peeked in his door but he wasn't there either. The bathroom was empty as well. She made her way to the weight room where he could usually be found if nowhere else. April was about to walk in when she heard Carla's voice. She froze in her tracks and quietly looked around the corner just in time to see Carla sliding her arms around Raph's neck and placing her mouth to his. Raph's eyes popped open in shock at first, but they eventually shut and he placed his arms around Carla's waist reciprocating her kiss.

April jerked her head back around the corner and covered her mouth to keep from letting out a pathetic whimper. He kissed her back. He kissed her back. He wrapped his fucking arms around her and kissed her back. April felt like her heart was going to come clean out of her body in a thousand pieces. She could feel the tears welling up and let her beer fall out of her hand. It hit the floor breaking open.