Hi all, okay time for a new story. Have to get these stories out and be done with them. You all know the drill. Please R&R.

Voyeurism II

How to Train Your Mate

Chapter 1. In a rut.

The blaring of the six o'clock alarm awoke Michelangelo from a deep sleep. He yawned and stretched before turning over to nudge his mate and lover, Donatello, awake. "Donnie." Mikey said, stifling a yawn, "time to wake up."

Donnie yawned and stretched. "Okay Mikey." He said, sitting up. He got out of bed and made his way toward the bathroom. While Donnie readied himself for the day, Mikey made his way toward the kitchen to make breakfast. Half an hour later, Donnie sat at the table eating and reading his newspaper while Mikey sat across from him, picking away at his food. Every now and then, he would look up at Donnie and sigh quietly.

"So are you ready for your presentation Don?" Mikey asked in an attempt to get some sort of conversation going, anything to make the silence between them go away.

Donnie nodded, his eyes never leaving his article. "I'm always ready Mikey."

Mikey nodded at him. "What time do you think you'll be home tonight?"

Donnie shrugged, again his eyes continued to roam over the paper. "Not sure." He said. He took a bite of eggs. "I'm hoping by six thirty but, if everything goes well, the boss might want to take me out for drinks again."

"Oh." Mikey looked back at his food. "Can you call me and let me know?"

"Why?"

Mikey shrugged. "I thought it might be nice to have a celebration dinner." Mikey said, "If everything goes well."

Donnie looked at his watch and nodded. "Okay, I'll call and let you know." He told him. He stood up and gathered up his papers. After placing them in his briefcase, he grabbed his keys and jacket. "Enjoy your day." He said and left without giving Mikey a second glance.

Mikey stood by the window of their condo and watched as Donnie got into his car and drove off. With a deep heavy sigh, he slowly walked back to their dining table and began to clean up, rather slowly as he thought of a time when Donnie would kiss him passionately before going off to work. A time when they would stay in bed long after the alarm would go off and they would 'play' until they both had to get out of bed and rush off to work or school. Mikey sighed sadly, he missed those times.

The two turtles had moved into their new place a year ago and at first, life was filled with passion and laughter. But shortly after Donnie had graduated from college, top of his class and way ahead of schedule, he was quickly hired by a research facility and their life, as well as their wild love, had suddenly taken a complete turnaround. And no matter what Mikey did, he just couldn't seem to get the spark back into their lives.

Mikey sighed again and walked over to his computer to turn it on. After a few seconds, he began typing up his term paper. He was currently on spring break and since he had nothing else to do, he decided to get his school work done. A few months back, Mikey had been hoping he and Donnie could have gone on vacation. They had been planning on doing something like last spring break, but once again, Donnie got another assignment from his boss and they had to put their vacation on hold. This was not the first time and, Mikey feared, it was not going to be the last. Especially since Donnie's job seem to be taking top priority these days.

Mikey worked on his term paper for the first part of the day. At about noon, he shut the computer down and walked over to the refrigerator for some lunch. As he was debating about what to make, a knock on the door drew his attention away from the food.

He opened the door and bowed in respect upon seeing his landlord and ninjutsu instructor, Hamato Splinter. "Good morning Master Splinter," Mikey said, somewhat tiredly, as he straightened. "Are you here about the air conditioning unit?" Mikey asked as he gestured for Splinter to enter. "I've heard this summer is supposed to be a bad one." He fanned his face with his right hand. "It's only spring and already the temps are in the high seventies." He chuckled lightly. "And tomorrow is supposed to be really hot, upper eighties I hear."

Splinter chuckled as he walked toward the end of the room. "Yes Michelangelo." He said. "I am surprised you and Donatello have not decided to go somewhere for your spring break." He commented as he began to look over the AC Unit.

Mikey shrugged. "We were supposed to but…"

"But Donatello got another assignment at work?" Splinter looked at Mikey with a questioning gaze.

Mikey nodded dejectedly then went back to the kitchen. "Would you like something to eat or drink Master Splinter?"

"Some tea would be nice, thank you Michelangelo." For the next hour, Mikey watched as Splinter took apart his AC unit then piece it back together again. "If you are looking for something to do, I could always do with some help at the dojo." Splinter told him.

Mikey shrugged. "I've got term papers to write." He stated dryly. "But I'll definitely be there for the afternoon classes."

Splinter nodded then stood up. "I am going to need a new part," Splinter told him as he prepared to leave. "I will order it today and it should be in sometime next week."

"Thank you Sensei." Mikey said, walking him out.

"At least you have the pool to enjoy." Splinter told him with a chuckle. "Oh I almost forgot." He said suddenly, he dug into his tool box and brought out a key. "I am expecting a new tenant tomorrow but I am uncertain as to what time he will be here." He handed Mikey the key. "Would you mind giving this to him, it is his spare key and I do not wish to leave it in the mailbox for fear someone might take it."

"Certainly Sensei," Mikey said taking the key and placing it on a side table by the door. "What does he look like?"

Splinter gave a chuckle. "He is a turtle like you." He told him. "You may actually know him; he works in the gym next to the dojo." They bowed to each other and Splinter took his leave.

Mikey went back to his computer and attempted to finish up on his term paper, but thoughts of Donnie kept distracting him so he finally decided to put his school work aside for the rest of the day. He ventured to the dojo and stayed for two classes then went to the local market. He then came home and, after turning on the computer, pulled up a recipe for margherita pizza. It was the first pizza Mikey had made for Donnie when they first moved in to their apartment. Mikey smiled as he gathered the ingredients. Maybe, he thought and hoped; it would put his lover into a fun mood.

At six in the evening, Mikey had the pizza ready to be put in the oven and waited for Donnie to either come home or call. But the hour came and went and Donnie did neither. At seven, Mikey put the pizza in the refrigerator and made a sandwich for himself. He was starting to get worried. He attempted to call but all he would get was Donnie's voicemail. Finally, at nine at night, Mikey got himself ready for bed. He sat on the couch and waited, there was nothing he could do except watch TV and wait. Finally, at about ten, he recognized the familiar sound of their car coming into the driveway. He stood by the door and waited with arms across his chest, along with a very disapproving look, for Donnie to come in.