A single scream.

Through out all the noise in New York, between drunkards arguing, car horns blaring and music thumping in night clubs, all he could hear is a lone shriek in the night. Donatello leaped from his perch on to another rooftop then another. It echoed out again drawing him closer, faster. Only a few blocks and the normal sounds of night life faded away as he traveled further into the slums of the city.

Out from a shadowed alley, he watched a blonde girl errupted like lightening into the open street followed closely by two men hot on her trail. The road was empty of any curious eyes when he pounced down, aiming it just perfectly so his foot connected with the second man's shoulder. An almost sickening pop came from where he had hit, he didn't turn to check the damage fully knowing the arm had came out of socket.

The first man, too intent on the prey to notice his fallen comrade, closed in on the girl now cornered on the in closed walls. Tears welled up in her eyes as he snapped a switch blade loose, a sadistic grin spreading to his cheeks. "Dont be that way, Blondie," he laughed, licking the dull edge of the knife. "I just wanna play."

"Please," she begged, her knees gave out from under her from pure exhaustion. "Dont, please!

She could barely register the next few seconds. In a flash, a figure snuck up from behind the man, sending furious jabs to his arms and ribs. He went limp but before he could hit the ground the shadow picked up his body and slung him into the road.

She struggled away from the new danger, tears rolling freely down her pale cheeks. "I'm not going to hurt you," he called to her, slowly approaching. "Here, come on." He offered his hand out. She looked from it up to his face which had been shrouded by darkness. Shaking violently, she grabbed it and was whisked a little too quickly to her feet. As she stumbled forward an arm caught her from falling back down.

"Thank you," she managed out, releasing herself from his grip.

"Not a problem," he smiled, and began to turn away.

"Wait!" She almost yelled, he glanced over his shoulder a confused look crossing his face. "I don't wanna trouble you but..."

"But?"

"Um, could you possibly walk me home?" She glanced down at her feet, then added quickly. "I mean if it's not too much to ask, of course!"

He chuckled lightly. "No trouble at all." She took too a slow stride beside him, occassionally trying to catch glimpses between his hat and trench coat. He on the other hand scanned her freely after he noticed her attempting to check him out. She was small, nearly a foot and a half shorter then himself, her tusseled blonde hair held faded multi-colored streaks ranging from pink to green, and skin so pale it looked as though it belonged only on a porcelain doll or vampire.

"I'm Nell by the way," she smiled up to him, in a bold mood move she took his hand in her own.

He froze briefly, waiting for the frightened reaction from his three large digits, but it never came. She must not have noticed, and so long as their fingers didn't intertwine it would hopefully stay that way. "Donatello," he offered, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

They traveled down several streets in a comfortable silence, stopping briefly in central park for a drink of water from the fountains. While it had been a good hour walk from their original place it felt only like minutes to Donnie. Nell broke away from their grasp slowly as she turned to her door. "Well, I guess this is it then," she shrugged, not wanting to leave her present company.

"Yeah, I suppose so," he scratched awkwardly behind his neck.

"Unless you'd like to come up," she suggested. "For coffee or something?"

He sighed. "I'd like to but I can't."

"Oh," she tried hiding the disappointment in her voice, though it was in vain as Donnie picked up on it instantly.

"But maybe we could talk sometime," he gave her a reassuring smile. "I don't have a phone but we can chat still if you have an instant messanger, of course."

"Yeah," she almost squeaked out. "Here." She dug into her purse quickly retrieving a marker, she scrawled out her user name on a discarded napkin then offered it. He looked over the small, neat writing before carefully placing it in his pocket.

"I'll talk to you soon then," he gave her a wave and began walking away.

"Oh, I forgot something!" Before he could look back she grabbed the collar of his jacket, standing on her tip toes, her lips collided with his own and for the few seconds it lasted Donnie forgot how to breath. A small giggle passed through her lips when she pulled away, a noticeable blush forming over her lightly freckled cheeks. "Anyways, bye."

Donnie stated after her when she slipped into the apartment complex, wondering what he had just gotten himself into. With haste, he climbed on top of the first building around the corner, making no effort to get back to the lair quickly. The naive side of his brain hoped beyond all doubts that it wouldn't end up in another April stituation but the logically side argued at best they could be friends. At best, he scolded himself.

No human girl could ever find a mutent as himself pleasing to eye. Holding hands, the kiss had just been out of gratitude and that alone. He pulled open the large manhole cover with ease. After dropping down low enough on the ladder he covered it once more, groaning inwardly that he hadn't just kept walking longer. At least long enough to clear his head of the nights events.

Trudging down the way, he kicked a few rocks into the murky water mindlessly. He stopped just outside of the door into his home, taking in a sharp breath then releasing it as he entered. "Hey!" His brothers greeted warmly.

"Everything go smooth tonight?" Leo asked.

"Yeah, it was pretty quiet on top," he replied, keeping his tone of voice in check.

"There's pizza in the fridge," Mikey yelled over not blinking away from his video game.

"I'll eat a later," he waved them off then added. "If you need me I'll be in the lab.". He casually strolled passed them all, giving Raph a slight nod of acknowledgement. Silently he shut the door behind himself before making his way to the computer desk. With excited fingers he logged into his IM account typing in the screen name he collected from his pocket. The screen pinged as he messaged was delivered.

PurpleTech: Hey, it's Donatello.

He tapped his foot as the seconds went by. Waiting as patiently as his nerves would allow, he began to ponder to himself. Did he not wait long enough? He tried to recollect about what April had told them about what to do after getting a boys number. That stupid three day rule, he remembered, too soon is desperate, too late is inconsiderate. The logic always failed him on these kinds of subjects, nothing was ever straight forward. He groaned out loud in confusion, circling in his chair. A return ping sounded from the computer making him nearly jump out of his skin.

NRave13: What took you so long ;)