Raph woke early the next morning, November 27, to find a dark haired and green eyed girl staring at him. She was the spitting image of Olivia apart from her eye colour. "Who are ya?" he asked. "And what's with the starin'? Ain't ya never seen a guy before?"
"A guy? You're a large, talking tortoise. Quite remarkable. I've never seen anything like it before."
"I'm not an it and I ain't a tortoise," Raph hissed, disliking the girl. "I'm a turtle and a boy."
"Whatever. You're still a unique specimen. I bet the scientists would love you. Maybe I should call a couple and tell them about you."
"Rachael," Olivia said, entering the room. "If you can't be civil to our guest, please leave the room."
"Whatever. You're making a big mistake bringing that thing to our home, Olivia."
"Out!" Olivia said, shoving her sister out of the room and closing the door. "I'm so sorry, Raph. My sister can be a bit hostile to newcomers."
"I'm used ta people treatin' me like that," Raph said, shrugging, and trying to make light of it. He was, but it still hurt him every time.
"That doesn't make it right," Olivia said sadly. "You can't help the way you look, just like I can't. I'm sorry. You don't deserve it and if people were more tolerant, the world would be a much better place. Anyway, how are you feeling?"
"Better, thanks and I appreciate all ya've done. What time is it?"
"Little after eight. Would you like some breakfast?"
"Would love some, please."
"Coming up. I truly am sorry about my sister. I'll talk to her."
Olivia went to the kitchen and found Rachael sitting at the table, drinking a cup of coffee. "Rach, what you said to Raphael wasn't cool," Olivia said. "He's been through so much and the last thing he needs is someone hating on him."
"Raphael, that's the thing's name? What, is it trying to be posh?"
"He's not an it. He's a boy. He has feelings and thoughts just like us, Rach, and he hurts when someone's mean to him. Can you imagine all he's been through looking like he does? Poor soul."
"Oh, boy. You like him, don't you, sis? You like that thing. Is he going to be your new boyfriend? Wow and I thought your last boyfriend was weird."
Olivia's eyes blazed and she said coldly, "While he's here, I'd appreciate you being nice to him."
"Why should I? He's a freak."
"No, he's not. He's a kid like us."
"He's nothing like us."
"Who's nothing like us?" Laura said, entering the kitchen, flanked by Samantha.
"Have we missed something?" Samantha said.
"Liv's rescued the most gruesome creature," Rachael said. "It's upstairs in her bed and probably leaving its scent behind. Ew. I hope she washes the linen."
"He's not ugly. What was I supposed to do, leave him to die?"
"Call Animal Control! He's a frigging reptile. They'd deal with him."
"They'd have sent him to a lab to study him."
"So, what? He's a freak of nature and belongs in a lab. Not here in our house."
Raph had heard the bickering, and as sore as he was, he knew he couldn't remain in the house any longer. Grimacing he strapped on his belt and weapons, donned his gear and headed to the source of the arguing.
Entering the kitchen, Raph said, "I'll leave. I don't want ta be a nuisance ta anyone. Thanks for everythin', Olivia."
"No, Raph, you don't have to leave."
"Whoa," Laura said, her eyes bugging at seeing Raph. "I've never seen anything like you before. What are you?"
"What happened to you?" Sam asked. "You don't look so good. Who banged you up like that?"
"I'll see ya around, Olivia," Raph said, turning and heading to the front door. Opening it, he stepped out into the bright sunshine and promptly slipped on a patch of snow and landed on his butt. Fuck, he thought, standing up gingerly and dusting himself off. "Raph, you okay?" Olivia asked, standing on the porch and looking at him. She'd told her sisters to stay inside. "Fine. I'm gonna go. Thanks."
"Wait!"
Olivia approached him and said, "Raph, will I ever see you again?"
"Most likely not. Yer sisters don't like me and we're too different. I gotta get home ta my brothers, but thanks for all ya did. I'd have died otherwise and…"
"You're in no shape to be out of bed."
"I've had worse injuries than this. I'll get home fine. Thanks."
"Listen, I get off shift tonight at six. If you're feeling up to it, you're welcome to come over for dinner. It'll just be me. My sisters are going to friends."
"Why? Is this a pity thing? Feel sorry for the mutant turtle?"
"No, I have so much food over from yesterday. You'd be doing me a favor. And I wouldn't mind some company."
"What about yer boyfriend?"
Olivia's eyes clouded for a minute. Then she said, "He passed six months ago. So, we on?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't know. Now I feel like an ass."
"It's okay, Raph. You didn't know and I'm all right. Is six fine?"
"I'll have ta check with Leo, but I'm sure it is. Anythin' ya want me ta bring?"
"Just yourself. Hey, can I have your phone number just in case my boss makes me work a double shift and I have to reschedule?"
"Oh, sure." Raph gave it to her and said, "I'll be seein' ya then."
"Take care, Raph."
Raph left and hadn't walked a few paces before it started snowing. "Raph," Olivia said, running after him. "You can't be out in this. You'll catch a cold or worse, go into brumation."
"Ya know 'bout that?" Raph said, surprised.
"Yes. Come with me. I'll make you something hot to drink and you can go home when it's stopped snowing."
"But yer sisters won't like that."
"Don't care," Olivia said, wrapping her arms around his waist. "There's no way you're going out in this and looking at your injuries, I honestly think you shouldn't be going anywhere soon."
"But my family…."
"You can call them and let them know and they can come here if they wish."
Olivia and Raph went inside and she helped him back to bed, making sure he was settled under the thick blankets. They hadn't come across her sisters, which pleased Raph. The last thing he wanted was another fight with Rachael. "Rest here, Raph. I'll be back with your drink now. Hot chocolate okay?"
"Great, thanks. Can I phone my family?"
"Yes. I'll see you now."
Raph dialled a number and said, when he heard his older brother's voice, "Hey, Leo. Just callin' ta tell ya I won't be comin' home yet. Snowin' out there and I ain't feelin' so hot, so I'll be back when I'm better. The girl who saved me said I can stay here until then."
"You okay, Raph?" Leo asked, his voice laced with concern. "We can come get you."
"No, ya shouldn't be out in this weather either."
"I'm not letting you stay in a stranger's house, Raph. What if she works for the Foot or Bishop or…"
"She's nice, Leo."
"Give me the address. I want to check things out for myself."
"Leo!"
"Raphael, you're my baby brother and it's my job to look after you. I won't rest until I know for myself that you're safe."
"Okay, Fearless. Fine," Raph said, and rattled off the address.
"See you now, Raph."
Raph disconnected the call and sighed. Leo's such a worrywart, he thought. He should have been born a woman. All he does is nag.
"Got your drink, Raph," Olivia said, entering the room and setting the mug of hot chocolate on the dresser.
"Thanks. My big bro's coming over. Wants ta check on me."
"That's great. My sisters left a note saying they'll be at friends for a few days, so you'll be fine if you stay here."
"Leo will probably take me home."
"I see," Olivia said, trying not to show her disappointment. "I have some chores to do. I'll call you when Leo arrives."
Did I imagine it, Raph thought, as he watched her leave the room, or did Olivia seem disappointed that Leo's gonna take me home? Nah. I must be imaginin' it. No way a girl like that would like me.
Leo arrived sometime later with Mikey and Olivia showed them to her bedroom, where Raph lay fast asleep. "Raphie!" Mikey squealed, rushing to the bedside. "Raphie, we're here."
"Don't call me that," Raph said irritably, opening his eyes. "I hate it."
"I'll leave you guys," Olivia said, and left the room.
"Wow, she's hot," Mikey said. "Is she your girlfriend, Raph? She couldn't keep her eyes off of you."
"Ain't my girlfriend," Raph growled. "She just helped take care of me. If it weren't for her, I'd have died."
"Ohhh. I think he does. Look at Raphie. He's blushing," Mikey teased. "Red suits you, bro."
"Stop teasing him, Mikey, or he's going to clobber you and I won't stop him," Leo said. "How you feeling, Raph?"
"Still sore, but I'll be okay. I told ya guys not ta come out in this weather."
"Yes, but you're my bro and I told you I'm coming. We left Don behind, because his flu still hasn't gone. I'm taking you home."
"But, Leo…"
"No buts. You can tell Olivia thanks, but you're going home where we can take care of you."
"Whatever ya say, Leo," Raph said sulkily. "But she was takin' good care of me."
"You like her, don't you?" Raph's flushing told him volumes. "It'll never work, Raph. You're a mutant turtle and she's a human. You can't give her what she wants and vice versa, Raph. I don't mean to be harsh, but you have to face reality. It'll never work."
"I know, Leo, but she was so nice, I hoped she did like me."
"Raph, she doesn't and was merely being nice," Leo said, placing a hand on Raph's shoulders. "I'm sorry, Raph, but that's how it is. Humans don't want us. We're freaks to them. Let's get you home and we'll…Mikey will make your favorite meal and we can play video games."
"Ya suck at them." Leo did, but Raph knew it was his way of trying to make him feel better.
"Yes, but it means we can bond together."
Raph rolled his eyes and said, "Yer cheesy, Leo, but thanks." Leo's right, Raph thought. There's no way in hell Olivia would like me. Gotta forget 'bout the idea. No one's ever gonna love me, except maybe Mona Lisa, who likes me and I don't feel the same way.
Leo and Mikey said goodbye to Olivia and she turned to hug Raph and said, "You be safe, Raph. Will I ever see you again?"
"No," Raph said, hating saying it, but knowing it was for the best. We're too different and would never work out, he thought. "But thanks for everythin'. I appreciate it. Be safe, Olivia, and look after yerself."
"But why, Raph. You said you'd like to come over? I thought we could be friends. I don't understand."
"Then let me explain it ta ya," Raph said coldly. "I don't mix with humans. They don't give a shit 'bout me and I don't give a shit 'bout them. Goodbye, Olivia."
"But you said…"
"That don't matter. What matters is what I'm sayin' now. Goodbye."
Leo and Mikey helped Raph into the van and placed him on a stretcher. Leo sat in the back with Raph, while Mikey drove. Goodbye, Olivia, Raph thought sadly. I'm sorry if I hurt ya, but there's no way we'd have worked out. "Cheer up, Raph," Leo said, patting his shoulder. "You'll meet someone better suited for you."
"Ya mean like that Mona Lisa? Pass. I'd rather stay celibate for the rest of my life than date her."
"She's not so bad, Raph. Give her a chance, okay? She's actually rather sweet and she likes you a lot."
"I know."
"So will you call her? Like when we get home?"
"If it'll stop you naggin', I will."
"Great. I like her and I know she'd be good for you."
When they arrived home, Leo and Mikey put Raph to bed and he made a call. "Hey, Mona? It's Raph."
"Raphael, how are you?"
"I'm good. How are you?"
"Terrific."
"So, um, ya doin' anythin' this weekend?"
"No, why?"
"Wanna come ta Earth and hang out?"
"Hang out where?"
"With me."
"On a date?"
"Yeah."
"I'd love that, Raphael."
"Ya would?"
"I've been hoping you would ask me out. I'm surprised you have. Didn't think you liked me."
"No, I do, but I'm kinda shy," Raph lied. "Took me ages ta summon up the courage."
"I'm glad you did, so I'll come to the lair tomorrow."
"Great. See ya then. Take care, Mona."
"Hey, Raphael?"
"Can I call you Raphie?"
"If ya want. I don't mind, although I usually hate it."
"Cool. See you tomorrow."
"Bye."
Maybe Leo's right, Raph thought after he'd disconnected the call. Mona's such a sweet girl, really, and I've probably been very unfair ta her. I'll give her a chance. I have a better chance at love with her than with Olivia. And honestly, Mona's kinda cute and she does kick butt and I know she likes me. We could work out and maybe even have a family. Gonna forget 'bout Olivia and focus on Mona. Raph shut his eyes and was soon fast asleep.
