Leo's 26
Don's 25
Mikey's 24
Raph's 22
Cheshire born Rachael Fox was a stunning twenty-five-year-old dark haired and eyed girl, who had almost everything she could ask for: loving parents, a wide circle of friends, an older sister, Jessica, who was her best friend and a promising career as a chef, but something was lacking. Love. Rachael had never been short of male admirers, but none of them had lasted long. It wasn't because she was a tramp. She absolutely wasn't. They'd been emotionally and physically abusive and she was beginning to wonder if there was something with her that she always found those guys. It wasn't what she wanted. She wanted a normal, decent guy, who had a steady job, who liked kids and animals. Someone she could share her life with through the good and the tough times. Why was that so darn hard to find? Her last two relationships had been pretty good until she'd come home early from work one day and had discovered the one in bed with her ex-best friend, Emma, and learned that the other was a drug dealer with a long rap sheet. Those discoveries had been like a knife twisted in her heart and she'd sworn off dating. No. She wanted love, but she wasn't sure she could trust again. What was the point? She always got hurt, so it was better to stay single and build walls. Trusting only lead to heartache.
Rachael loved her job, but she wanted to do more with her life and was bored with her environment. She wanted to travel, especially to New York and Japan. The Japanese culture fascinated her and she'd long dreamed of going there and seeing the ancient temples and artefacts for herself. She'd dated a Japanese guy, who'd been pretty nice and had told her stories about his childhood in Tokyo and about some of their customs. Rachael had been entranced. The relationship ended after four months, because the mother didn't care for her. Why, she never knew, but her boyfriend had dumped her and almost immediately was dating a Japanese girl. Maybe that was why. She wasn't Japanese.
On the morning of January 22, Rachael passed a travel agency and saw advertisements for both New York and Japan. A summer special, which was twenty-five percent off if she paid now and all drinks and meals included at the hotel. A real bargain and she had the money, but she'd never travelled anywhere by herself and that idea was daunting. There were many horror stories of women, who travelled alone, but Rachael shoved them to the back of her mind and decided that this could be her chance to do something different, instead of the same monotonous routine she'd had for years. Get up, work, come home, sleep, et cetera. No. It was time for a change, but where should she go? New York or Japan? Both places intrigued her.
A female voice said, "You looking at the specials, honey?"
Startled, Rachael glanced around and saw a middle-aged portly woman with hazel eyes and bleached blonde hair gazing at her. "Yes, Ma'am. Just deciding where to go."
"I had a blast in New York with my late husband. Godbless his soul. We saw everything from Central Park to the museums and the night life is incredible. The city never sleeps and Broadway's just magical. You have to do that. Tokyo's pleasant, but New York's the place to be. Lots of opportunities. You planning on holidaying there or emigrating? You could get a work Visa and then extend it and then apply to stay permanently. The men there are pretty handsome too. I met a rather distinguished man and if I hadn't been married, well, let's just say that I'd have been more than happy to be his wife," the woman said with a twinkle in her eyes. "I have a friend named Mildred, who lives in Manhattan. Nice lass. We went to convent school many moons ago, back when the Nuns still taught. You Catholic?"
"No, Ma'am."
"Please call me Sabrina or Rina, as you like. Ma'am is for old crones and I'm only fifty-six."
"Rachael."
"Anyway, Mildred has a condo in Manhattan. I can give you her number and I'll vouch for you. I'm sure she'd put you up until you find a place of your own. How about it?"
"I don't know. This is all so sudden. My job, my family, everything I know. I want to go, but…."
"You have a husband and kids?"
"No."
"Then you need to take this opportunity, Rachael, and go. My goodness. If I were your age, I'd go in a nanosecond, but…Oh to be young and carefree again."
"You're not old."
"No, but I have duties. An aged mother to care for. No. It's not a duty. I love looking after her. even if it gets overwhelming at times. Anyway, I'm rambling. Go, my dear. See the world and be sure to write to me if you can be bothered. I like receiving letters. I'll come in with you and then we can phone Mildred."
"You've twisted my arm," Rachael said with a smile. "Let's go inside."
XXXX
An hour and a half later, Rachael was sipping tea at Sabrina's place and wondering how to tell her family the news that their usually responsible daughter had been impulsive and was moving thousands of miles from them, but then she realized she didn't need to get their permission. She was an adult and she was fully capable of making her own decisions. Her gut told her she'd made the right one. Who knows, maybe she'd find her soulmate in New York? No, she immediately chastised herself. It's about finding myself and creating a new life. Love just isn't on the cards for me and I need to accept that.
XXX
On March 30 at six p.m. Rachael kissed her family goodbye at Heathrow Airport. They'd driven her there and went through the security to the international departures area. She got a coffee and waited to board her flight, while gawking at the planes on the runway. It wasn't long now and she'd be off to a new life. She had Mildred's details and the lady would be waiting for her at JFK International.
Her flight number was called at eight p.m. She boarded and went straight to business class. She'd decided to treat herself, having saved up ever since she was nine, so she had quite a large nest egg. She placed her cases in the hold and sat down in her comfortable white chair. Rachael had quit her job and had decided she'd relax for a while and use her savings, before looking for something different. She loved cooking, but this was about new experiences, so maybe a new job. Something with animals at a zoo or a vet perhaps. She adored animals, especially dogs, but hadn't owned one since her dog, Betsey had passed away. Her death had been traumatizing, the dog had died in her arms after being hit by a car on the highway, and she hadn't been ready to get another one yet. Maybe one day. Her parents owned an adorable cockapoo named Marcy and she saw a lot of her. That was enough for the moment.
Minutes later, a stewardess arrived and offered her a bowl of warm nuts and a drinks menu. Rachael thanked her and ordered Veuve Clicquot. Why not have champagne? It was free and she was celebrating. The wine was crisp and pleasing to the palate and, as she munched on the nuts, Rachael thought about New York and what she'd do. She couldn't wait. Another six hours or so and she'd be there and living the American Dream.
The plane started up a while later and Rachael clutched her hand rest nervously, her face pale. She'd never flown before. The elderly gentleman next to her noticed her ashen features and said, "It's going to be okay. Don't worry, miss. This pilot will have flown many times before and knows what he's doing."
Rachael thanked him and settled back in her seat, feeling calmer.
Once the plane was in the air and on course, Rachael ordered a cocktail and studied the inflight entertainment. Nothing really jumped out and she was tired anyway after all the stress of packing, going to the airport and the excitement. She closed her eyes, but before she could doze off, a stewardess asked her if she'd like to see the meal menu. She decided on gravlax, calamari and shrimps for her starter, beef, couscous and stir-fried veggies for her main and a kind of Eton mess mousse thing for dessert. Everything was scrumptious and she rounded it off with the best cappuccino she'd ever had. Then, she pushed her chair right back, covered herself with a blanket and went to sleep.
XXX
Six hours and a bit later, the pilot announced that they were landing. Rachael immediately woke and sat up, again holding onto the arm rest, nervous, but the landing went smoothly. She grabbed her cases and disembarked, following the passengers into the airport and after going through security (she didn't have anything to declare at customs," she went into the arrivals area and glanced around for Mildred.
She soon saw the white haired and blue eyed Mildred, who unlike her pal, was skinny, and wore a white blouse and matching skirt. Rachael approached her and after a quick introduction and hug, Mildred took her to her car, a black M6. The woman clearly had money.
Rachael placed her bags in the trunk and they climbed into Mildred's car, the woman talking non-stop. It was late evening, eleven, and Rachael remembered that New York was five hours behind London. The streets of New York were still busy, people having late suppers, going to the theatre, movies and just enjoying their lives. So different from Nantwich, where the streets were empty most nights at ten. And there wasn't much to do in Nantwich either, but here she was spoiled for choice.
Rachael marvelled at the twinkling lights, her eyes wide in awe, and she just knew. She was meant to be here. She was home and she'd build an amazing life for herself.
XXX
Down in the sewers, twenty-six-year old Leo was unusually attacking the punching bag in the dojo, venting his frustration and rage. Patrol hadn't gone well that evening. That was an understatement. Raphael had ignored his orders to stay back when a dozen Foot had appeared and had charged into the fray, resulting in a deep gash to her shoulder, which would have been worse had Leo and the others not intervened. They'd won the battle, but Mikey now sported a broken arm, putting him out of commission for a good few weeks and Raphael? Leo had ordered her to go to bed once Donnie had treated her arm. The temperamental turtle had amazingly agreed and Leo had gone to the dojo.
Leo was beyond pissed with Raphael. She never listened and he was at his wits' end. It was time for another talk. He'd do that in the morning, because he wasn't ready for more shit at that moment.
A female voice said, "Leo, can we talk?"
"Go away, Raph," Leo snapped.
"No," Raphael said, touching Leo's arm, her green eyes boring into Leo's sapphire ones. "I wanna talk. I'm sorry for what I did. I didn't listen ta ya and I…"
"You never do!" Leo hissed, whirling around, his sapphire eyes stony. "I've had enough. I can't trust you and if I can't trust you, how the hell am I supposed to be with you? Love is about trust, Raphael, and I can't do this anymore. You could have died, do you know that? What then? Why won't you listen?"
"What are ya sayin', Leo?" Raphael asked, her eyes filling with tears. "I just…I love ya so much and I'm sorry, Leo. Baby, please. We can talk and fix things. Please."
"No," Leo said sadly. "We can't. You're never going to listen, Raph, and I can't…"
"Do ya love me?" Raphael asked, pressing her plastron up against Leo's. "Ya do, right? Baby, please listen ta me. I'm sorry. I want one more chance. Please. I love ya, Leo, and bein' without ya will kill me." Raphael pleaded with her stunning green eyes and Leo, who'd never been able to resist her, caved and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"All right," Leo whispered. "One more chance, Raph. I do love you. I was just scared and I'd be lost without you. You're my world and I need you. I need to trust you. Please listen when we're on a mission. Please. I'd die without you."
"Now let's go ta bed," Raphael purred. "Let me make it up ta ya, my love, and give ya all my affection and devotion. I love ya so much. I know I try yer patience sometimes, but I'll work on that. I promise.
Before Leo could comment, Raphael kissed him deeply, French kissing him, and unable to stop himself, despite his earlier intentions to end things, Leo returned the kiss, putting his heart and soul into it, as they churred.
Raphael broke the kiss when the need for air was great and said breathlessly, "Ta bed, Leo. Let me love ya."
Leo allowed himself to be lead to their bedroom and they made love, but long after Raphael had fallen asleep, snuggled up to Leo, her head buried in the crook of Leo's neck, the leader was still awake and thinking. Is this the best I can look forward to, Leo thought? I love Raph, but she….Is she really the one for me or is there someone else better suited to me? I can't help thinking there is. I want more than constant fighting and my opinions being challenged. I want trust, understanding, love, respect and communication. Raph's not the one, is she? Or is she and I'm being a fool thinking otherwise? After all, Raph's sexy and she's a female mutant turtle and it's not like a human would want me. No. This is the best I'm going to get and I should be grateful, instead of yearning for something more.
A/N Will Rachael and Leo find what they're searching for? This is a story for my friend, Rachael. Hope you like it, Rach.
They discovered Raph was a female when she was ten, but she insisted on keeping her name. She and Leo have been together on and off since they were teens.
