Author's note: First of all let me say I'm blown away by some of the Turtles fanfiction I've been finding around here. While this is my first attempt at writing a fic I want the other authors out there to know that I'm open to constructive criticism and would love to get a dialogue going. I'm no serious writer, but doing this for fun is no excuse to get sloppy. I hope everything fits together like I've planned it, I'm getting used to the site and taking it all in so bear with me if I skip a beat here and there. - Dee

Rebound

Chapter I

Up to her eyes in paper work and a desktop screen full of browser windows, April rubbed her eyes and slumped down in her office chair with a sigh. Casey was seeing some friends and wouldn't be getting home for another hour or so. The overworked young shop keeper turned anthropologist turned shipping entrepreneur made up her mind that enough was enough and she was done for the day. Monitor off, binders closed, game over.

She twisted herself around, cracking her back and peering into the kitchen to read the time off the microwave clock. It was 8:20, too late for a big dinner but too early for anything decent on TV. She could exercise or practice her martial arts, but the motivation and energy required had left her ages ago. Hanging on that thought, she smiled to herself as a new idea presented itself. A long overdue catch up talk with Donatello was just what she needed. April couldn't remember the last time she'd had a meaningful conversation with him and felt a pang of guilt as soon as she realized this. At least she could try and smooth things over tonight, the boys had finally convinced their master that unless the city was under siege or a threat presented itself, Saturday evenings were generally their one night frees of training or patrolling. Practically beaming in anticipation of her surprise call, April picked up the cordless phone and walked towards the living room couch while she dialled the lair.

"Carl's party services, currently on hiatus... uh hello?" An unenthusiastic voice answered.

"Its Cowabunga Carl to you Leo, if I was booking my kid's birthday I'd expect more from from such a reputable entertainment company." the familiar voice of April answered back.

"Ah April, I'm thankful its just you. I've almost given up on answering the landline entirely, I don't know how to handle some of these customers," said a relieved Leonardo. "Especially since Mikey's sent ''Carl' on what he's been calling an 'extended vacation of no known return'."

"You think they're bad? Just try Donnie's job for a day then, I dare you. By the way is he around?" April asked nonchalantly while sprawling out to fill the the length of her couch.

Leo hesitated for a few seconds on the other end, just long enough for April to catch it. For some reason alarm bells immediately went off in her head. What had she said now? "Uh, I was actually told my brother was going to be with you this evening... I think I'd better get going." He answered in his eerily calm 'just discovered I've been lied to' voice.

"N-no wait!" April exclaimed, her head racing to make up something on the spot as she got up off the couch and began pacing in front of it. "He will be. We didn't settle on a time and I was wondering if I had a minute to run downstairs to mail something. Could you tell me when he left so I'll know when to expect him?" It was a lie, a total lie, but perhaps vague enough that Leo would let it go.

Another, longer pause on the turtle's end. It was very possible he was testing April, she she kept her mouth shut. "Around eight, actually." He finally answered coldly. "I hope you two enjoy yourselves, I'll be sure to ask Donnie all about it tomorrow."

"Good night, Leo." sighed April, clicking off the phone without waiting for the turtle's good bye. She couldn't stand it when Leo took that indignant tone with her. It didn't happen often but when he did it was usually in situations like these where one of his brothers had used her as a scapegoat. She didn't need this right now, but knew she should call Donnie's cell and find out what was going on. They had to get their stories straight for tomorrow's interrogation, and maybe he could tell her why he needed lie about where he was in the first place. Over the weeks following the Winters episode the two of them had slowly started growing apart. As one of the last people known to talk to Max Winters before his mysterious disappearance and abandonment of his company, April was dealing with the police, her lawyer and the press on top of her already demanding work schedule. While not a suspect, there was still a lot of media attention around the young entrepreneur and she couldn't risk being followed by reporters in fear of exposing the turtles. During her last visit to the lair she spoke with Splinter in private and told him everything that had happened, seeking his council. Until the case was settled and the media had moved on to their next story, master Splinter and April came to the agreement that she and Casey should keep there distance from the family for the safety of everyone. It was April's request to the rat that he did not break the news to to his sons right away, she knew how much they would worry about her and if anything were to happen they would blame themselves for not offering her protection. Splinter agreed that this was best and promised to follow the news and hold a family meeting discussing April's situation when the time was right.

The time on the microwave clock flashed 8:41 by the time April picked up her cordless phone again. This call was going to be a quick one, her conversation with Leo had put her in a bad mood and now all she wanted was answers. If she was lucky she could grab a shower and crawl off to bed before Casey got home and pretend to be sleeping. Maybe her life would return to normal in the morning.

How was my April? If you've checked out my user info you'll know that I'm not as familiar with the 2003 series as I'd like to be, so the April above is more 2007 movie-based. Let me know if I'm way off, eek.