The old paved road wound out before her like a grey and yellow ribbon. Her red hair blew freely in the rushing wind. Occasionally a bug hit her in the face and left a stinging red mark. She only smiled and shook her head as the sped up around a sharp turn. This was her favorite feeling in the world, just her and her motorcycle exploring back roads and small tucked away towns that the world had forgotten. Out here alone she could be herself with pretense or expectations.

Wind rushed against her bare arms as she careened around another s-bend. It lead her to a canopied straightaway covered in flame covered leaves. She was so distracted by the beauty of the scene that she failed to realize that the road had run out. A flash of white light blinded her causing her to hit the brakes in a panic. When she could see again the trees were replaced with sky scrapers and brick apartment buildings. Dead ahead was another motorcycle. They swerved to avoid each other at the same time. The sudden motion caused her to lose control of the motorcycle and sent her skidding across the pavement. For a moment all she could to was lay there in agony and try to assess the damage. Her left arm was most definitely broken, and she could feel the extensive road rash covering her arms and legs. Wet sticky blood matted her hair to her head. With a groan she managed to sit up, her entire body protesting the action.

At the other end of the street she saw the other motorist lying face up on the pavement. She forced herself to stand up; the fact that the world was spinning turned the simple action into a herculean task, and limped over to him. As she got closer she noticed that there was something strange about the man that she had run off the road. His skin was a dark forest green, and he had what was unmistakably a shell. Her ragged breath quickened as the brain tried to process this information. It was not a man lying in the middle of the street but a man-sized turtle. She knelt beside him and check for a pulse. The slow, steady rhythm throbbed under hear fingers, reassuring her that he was still alive even if he wasn't conscious. Tucked into his belt, miraculously unharmed, was a cell phone.

Right as she was about to reach for it it began ringing. With trembling fingers she plucked it from his belt, "H-hello?"

Silence for a moment and then, "Who is this and why do you have my brother's phone?" To her surprised the voice had no hint of anger or accusation, only curiosity and concern.

She took a deep breath in an attempt to steady herself, "There was an accident. He's okay…I think. He's breathing and nothing looks broken but he's unconscious."

"Okay, just stay calm. My brothers and I will come to you. Where are you right now?" The calm assertiveness in his voice helped ease her panic.

She looked around trying to find a street sign or land mark while ignoring the pain shooting through her head. "We're at the corner of…seriously? Eastman and Laird."

"Okay," He said again, "Just stay where you are. We'll be there in just a few minutes and if Raph wakes up tell him we're on our way and to not move." Before waiting for a confirmation he hung up, leaving only dead air in her ear.

With nothing to do but wait for help she began examining Raph's injuries in and attempt to take her mind off her own. The road rash stood out against his green skin while bits of black asphalt were embedded into his plastron. On the surface none of his bones appeared broken, and she hoped that the helmet had done its job in protecting his head.

A few agonizing minutes later a large armored truck turned the corner and came to a halt behind her, blocking the narrow street and three more turtles climbed out of the vehicle. She had barely enough time to scramble out of the way before they charged to their brother's side. Don carefully removed Raph's helmet and used the small pen light in his med kit to check his pupil dilation before checking for any other serious injuries. After a few minutes of thorough examination the purple clad turtle turned to his brothers, "He's fine. The impact knocked him unconscious but he'll wake up in a couple of hours, probably feeling like he just went head to head with Shredder."

Leo's shoulder's sagged in relief, "Come on we should get him home before anyone sees us." Donnie nodded in agreement and helped get Raph into the back of the Battle Shell.

Mikey watched the two load his older brother into the back of the vehicle before he noticed another figure huddled next to the driver's side door. "Hey," he walked up to her and extended his hand, "you okay dudette?"

She looked up at him and for the first time in his life he did not see fear in a stranger's eyes, "Concussion, broken bones. Everything is spinning..." Her voice broke off as she clutched her head harder as though it would make the pain stop.

It was only then that he noticed the dark stain where her hand was that could only be blood. "Hey Don," His voiced contained a touch of fear, "Raph's going to be okay right?"

"Of course Mike. He just needs a place to lay down until he regains consciousness. Why...?" He poked his head out of the back of the truck and looked to where his little brother was pointing. "Oh." Without another word he climbed out of the Battle Shell and walked over to her. "Mind if I take a look?"

She attempted to nod her head but stopped when the pain made her vision go black. Donnie shined his flashlight into the wound on her head. "We need to get you to a hospital. Your skull could be fractured, not to mention other internal injuries." He turned to his orange masked brother. "Mikey help her in back. We'll drop her off at the nearest hospital on the way home. Then you take her motorcycle back to the lair. Leo will take Raph's."

"You got it dude." Mikey said, giving his brother a thumbs up. He knelt down next to their new friend and attempted to put his arm around her back.

To his surprise she pushed his arm away slightly. "Don't need help." She murmured as her braced herself against the side of the Battle Shell and attempted to pull herself up.

Once again a spasm went through her head and she doubled over. Instinctively Mikey reached out to catch her. "Whoa take it easy. Let me help you."

With a resigned sigh she leaned on him as he guided her to the back of the truck. "Thank you Michelangelo," The words of gratitude that escaped her lips were barely a whisper but his sharp ears still caught them.

He stared at the woman now sitting on the floor next to Raph and couldn't help but smile. Behind his purple clad brother cleared his throat, "Go on and take the bike back to the lair. I'll take good care of these two."

Mikey gave his brother a cheeky grin before bounding down the street. Don watched him in amusement before turning his attention to the two patients. "What's your name?" He asked her as he sat her down on the floor of the truck.

She leaned her head back against the cool metal, "Natalie."

Donnie gave her hand a quick squeeze, "Don't worry Natalie I'll get you to a hospital where they'll take good care of you. I just need you to stay awake until then." Without waiting for a response he climbed into the driver's seat and started the truck. There was a slight jolt as it lurched forward.

"When Raph wakes up can you tell him I'm sorry?" Her words were still strained.

Donnie gave her a small but surprised smile. "Sure."

The rest of the journey passed in silence until Don pulled up to the hospital's Emergency Room entrance. "We're here. Let me help you up."

This time Natalie didn't protest as he helped her to her feet and opened the door for her. "Thank you, and thank you brother's for me too."

"Of course," He watched her hobble through the automatic doors and up to the receptionist's desk. Satisfied that she was safe he and Raph headed home.