So, there were mixed emotions about how I left things off with Emma, April, and the Turtles. But despair not; here's somethingthat just might satisfy your fickle minds. Or put them on the fast track to a meltdown.

Reading of the last few chapters of 'Optimum Illusion' is recommended to know what's what in this story.

(August, 2015)

Everything is awesome! Mikey recited through the tight steps of his pacing on the rooftop of April's apartment building. Everything is cool when you're part of a team…

Argh! The lyrics weren't working. Why was The Lego Movie failing him? He would've thought that after all the Die Hard quotes and Braveheart speeches falling flat, it would undoubtedly come to his rescue. But no, his palms were still sweaty, his heart pounding to the point of making him go deaf…

"Mikey?"

Mikey's scream echoed up and out into the fading twilight of New York City. He put his hands on his nunchaku, but saw that it was only Emma and bent forward, hand over his heart. Who else could it have been, doofus? You invited her up here.

And she was here, obviously off from the clinic. She was working there right up to when she was heading out for the dolphin place… in four days. Mikey had peeked down into the girls' apartment and there were boxes crowding the corners of the rooms. Which brought up the question, who was helping her move? Who would she be living with once she got to North Carolina. Would they be nice to her?

But he wasn't going to think about it! He had bigger fish to tackle, er fry.

"Hi, Emma!" Mikey exclaimed, perhaps louder then need be. Emma raised a brow at him. Her hair was disheveled and stuck out from her skull from the humidity. It'd been a hot one, this summer. She had on that cool white lad coat that all clinic employees had to wear. What was it with the medical profession and white coats? Oh, wait, no bunny-trailing. He needed to be focused.

"You're here." Mikey announced in a softer voice, "That's good, that's great."

Now both Emma's eyebrows rose up on her forehead. "Sorry if I'm late… it's still light out, should you be up here?"

"Oh no, it's cool." Mikey pshawed her concern. "This' actually the best time for ninjas; all the shadows and stuff. Makes perfect cover for us ninjas. Because… we're, ya know ninjas. And this ninja had to see you."

"Mikey," Emma looked him over, taking a step closer. "Are you okay?"

"Peachy." He blurted with a thumbs-up.

"Peachy?" Emma repeated.

"Yeah, like," Mikey shrugged. "A peach. Fuzzy, juicy, and… round."

Get on with it!

"So, you're leaving soon and I… well…" Mikey breathed in and out a couple times. "You remember when we talked about our bucket lists."

"Sure," Emma gave a reflective smile. "What, you add something new to yours?"

"No…" Mikey drew it out like he might with Master Splinter. "Yes! I mean… there's something on it that I didn't tell you about."

Emma kept her gaze on him expectantly. "Okay… what?"

Mikey drew in the bravest breath he could. "I want… to have a date with you."

Emma's head jumped back. Mikey cringed at it; here it came, the laughter, her laughter, chasing him back down into the sewers. She didn't move, didn't look away from him. "A da- that is… where?"

Well, it wasn't laughter.

"The roof with the water tower." Mikey rushed out. "That's all I really want to say because I want to surprise you. Except, I'm bribing Casey to bring up those quail and waffles we wanted to try- ya know, with hot sauce on top? But, we don't need that if…"

He stopped because Emma continued to look at him, saying nothing. That wasn't right because Emma ALWAYS talked! Even if you didn't want her to; it was one of the glorious bonds that they shared. He hadn't seen much of it since they had rescued her from the Kraang. His eyes almost went to the scars on her forehead, but he stopped. He had promised himself not to make a spectacle of her. He'd even looked up the word- ok, Donnie had looked up the word!- to make sure that he reminded himself correctly.

Say something, Emma. Mikey pleaded silently.

She didn't. Rather, her cheeks began to warm… was that the color known as dusty rose?

"Mikey…" she breathed out at last. "A date with you would be great, but… you're not going to try to convince me not to leave, are you?"

"Yes and no." Mikey answered. Like he could ever lie to her.

"Ok."

Mikey thought he'd gone deaf. "Ok, what?"

Emma's smile came back. "Ok, what time are you picking me up?"

"Oh…" STUPID! "I thought it better that we meet there. I mean… nine, ok? Tomorrow night?"

"I'll be there." Emma nodded.

They stood awkwardly for a moment before Emma began backing up and retreating down the fire escape. Mikey waited until she was for sure out of sight. Then he started running, spinning around the roof, flipping and vaulting between one ledge and then the other. He stopped at one point, arms open toward the bustling street below. "That was a yes, New York! She said yes!"

He let himself fall back, rolling onto his shell and left to gaze happily at the sky. A reddish-orange- like Emma's hair. What would it look like on a date? The thought hit Mikey and he sat up. Wait a second… WHAT'M I GONNA WEAR!?

}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{

Emma didn't go into the apartment building, as she had intended. Rather, she took off walking down the sidewalk, heart pumping faster then her feet could walk. What had she just agreed to? She leaned hard against the building she happened to be closest to. What'm I gonna wear?

Oh yes folks, THIS is happening! Happy New Year!