Walking under the New York City streets was about as glamorous as it sounded. Attempting to stay in the light to see anything was worrisome enough but the further we got from the lair, the harder it was. I felt April's hand on my arm to steady me as she laughed good heartily at my unbalanced steps.
"Hey Don, I think we may need some help." She called to the tall terrapin.
"Oh right. Sorry Mags." A light illuminated his concentrated face from his wrist on a tablet screen as yellow fog lights along the tunnel turned on. The brother's turned to look at me as April helped me back out of the way of debris that lay in our path. Cement pillars and piles of bricks block the straight path to our destination up to the street. I may have ended up killing myself if we stayed in the darkness with my not so Ninja like reflexes, eyeing a large cement pillar with a metal spikes sticking out that we pass way.
"Better?" April asked feeling my face heat under everyone's gaze.
"Yeah, sorry." I say as Mikey breaks from the group, putting his arm around my shoulder.
"No worries babe. It's not like you're a trained Ninja." He joked.
"Yeah, no... Not so much. Just a social worker with no social life." I quip with my self deprecating humor.
"Is that what you did in your universe?" April asked.
"Yeah mostly case management. I work with kids, finding them good homes or at least try to. It's difficult, especially in the city." I shrug as April nods.
"You're doing good though." Donnie chips in. "Changing those kids' lives, being an influence when they didn't have one." He says with a smile as I match it.
"I actual reference you guys a lot with the kids... Talking about Splinter and him taking you all in, training and teaching you all about honor and Bushido... They get really into it. I had one kid actually join a Karata class and end up opening his own Dojo in the city it ended up doing really well." I say with pride of 'my kids' getting out there and making something of themselves. I notice Leo's strides slowing to listen better. Raph made a noise of approval, nodding his head but, still hanging ahead. He was still him after all, not exactly knowing who I was and not ready to just welcome me with open arms.
"Seems like you're doing a lot of good in your universe." Leonardo said his pace now walking along side me. I can only nod as I quickly catch eyes with him before looking back down at the rubble coated ground ahead. It's silent now, as we walk, side my side, stride and stride with my heart pounding hard in my chest. I chance another look at him and his face is looking ahead, forward and head held high with such pride and dignity in his walk. I let my eyes take him in up this close in my peripheral vision. My nerves settling slightly of the pure excitement or possible fear of him stalking towards me angrily, demanding what his name was, was gone and I could now look at him without falling into a puddle of helpless goo.
His height is about a foot taller than me and with the shell on his back and katana it was hard not to notice him, or his size. However, his strides were quiet and calm, barely even a noise from the gear and metal hanging from his belts. Not like Mikey or Raph who echoed in the tunnels as they walked, or Donnie who's gadgets beeped and buzzed as he spoke with April. I bit my lip, daring myself to take him in further. His arm at his side, swinging in time with my own was powerful, beautiful. The green emerald of his complexion was so foreign to my eyes but, enchanting at the same time. My fingers twitched at my sides to slide across and feel it's texture. Tattoo covering his bicep of turtles in a line almost looking tribal allowed me to study the curves and divots of his muscle more. I chanced to look further, taking in the grayish scaring from obvious harsh gashes and cuts. I winced knowing his years of fighting he and his brother's have gone through. All the trials and tribulations they had already faced whether I knew of them or not, they shown bright and true across his flesh. Looking back up to his face, he still looked ahead to where we were walking knowing I was taking him in and he was letting me…
"You came here to help us, it seems without a second thought." He spoke, breaking the silence of our walk. He could feel my eyes on him. I was gawking after all. I felt my cheeks heat and looked back to our path, waiting for his question. "Renet didn't give you much time to choose or really decide, from the sound of it. She just high jacked you down here so… Why? Why come here for us without knowing anything so quickly?"
"Well to be honestly Leo, the way Renet explained how you guys were in trouble, how upset she was..." I sighed, remembering her face flash with horror as she had a flash of seeing into the future and what might become of them. "I mean, I still don't know if this is a coma induced dream or real but the desperation in her voice was enough to make me want to help." I shrug. "Like I said earlier, you guys mean a lot to me regardless if you know me or not. Just like I'm sure you mean a lot to a lot of people up there..." I say pointing above our heads. "You've saved people's lives, it's only fair that someone can return the favor. You guys need the help so, I'm here to help." I try to make my tone sound like this is the last I want to speak of it. I'm here and that's that, but I'm sure it'll be questioned again. I'm sure I'll have this talk constantly with no just him but the second eldest as well...
"I want to apologize for earlier." His voice is soft almost melodic reaching my ears, as though he had to lean in to say it. My feet stop instantly turning to him placing my hand on his plastron to stop him where he stands. I drop my hand immediately to my knee-jerk reaction as a small smile turns up on the corner of his mouth. The others look at us and Leo nods them ahead as they continue to the ladder ahead I'm assuming leading to the street.
"You're apologizing?" I say, shock covering my tone as he arches an eye ridge.
"Is that something I don't normally do?" He asks, a chuckle coating his tone. I open my mouth only to close it with a shrug, not knowing what to say, not knowing him as well as I think I should. Disoriented as fuck and my heart ramming in my chest every time those eyes reach mine.
"I-I mean... Not right away? I-I don't really know though. It's different with your brothers. Well, Raph really..." I say as his head falls with a smile. My heart leaps to my throat at the gesture. I'm going onto cardiac arrest.
"Yeah, well... Raph and I have an interesting relationship... " He says looking towards his younger brother in red before looking back to me. "But, how I acted earlier was unacceptable. I was..."
"I get it Leo." Swallowing down my ramming heart I reach out to place my shaking hand against his large forearm. My lungs finally give with the breath I was unaware I was holding. My hand lands on his tough skin and everything inside of me ignites. From my fingertips across my arm down to my stomach to my feet, it feels like an electric bolt of energy is shot through me but, I'm not shocked by it to step back from the touch. I lean into him, wanting more. His skin under my palm is like leather to the touch but with a softness as it gives against my hand. My thumb brushes softly against his muscle as they twitching and move under his beautiful emerald skin. I looked up to his eyes already staring intently in mine and my breathing is caught again, held prisoner by those ocean blue eyes still so bright even in the dark tunnels. I let it out slowly, shuttering as I licked my dry lips to speak nearly forgetting what I wanted to say... "You have to protect them at all costs, it's what you were raised to do. You're their leader." His shoulders raise and fall with a slow breath. I watch the mesmerizing movement of his large plastron, expanding and deflating with his deep steady breaths. His beautiful green skin just above where his chest and shoulders meet then his neck and jaw. My eyes rake over him this close letting this moment sink in. I don't know if this will happen again or if I'll wake up from a dream and it'll all be over. I wanted to drink him in while I can. I wonder if he felt what I felt, if those breaths of to steady his thought from racing as mine are.
"It's going to take a while..." He said, breaking me out of my rambles. My eye finding his again, softer and kind meeting mine. I let my hand drop from his forearm, remembering the heat and texture.
"What?" I ask as we started walking again to catch up to the others.
"You knowing... Things." He said slowly as I bite my lip, chewing on it nervously. Maybe I should cool it on the miss know-it-all act.
"Maybe it'll be good too if I get to know you, instead of just... Assuming?" I ask as he smiles a little.
"I guess that's something we both need to work on." He says as we reach the ladder. He opens his hand to me and I look at it for a moment, not fully understanding the gesture. Placing his arm around the ladder, his foot below mine, he cages me in. I suck in a breath to his sudden close proximity and look over my shoulder at him. "Ladies first." His voice his soft but with a playing tone as I take his hand climbing the first rung of the ladder. I looked back at him following up after me and smiled to myself, my ass was in perfect view for him, did he do that on purpose or was he being a gentleman?
Mikey's hand came into view as a grabbed it from outside the manhole cover. He lifted me as thought I weighed nothing setting my feet back on the ground. I covered my mouth from a squeal of the surprise of being picked up from the ladder, completely not expecting anyone to handle my full weight with just one arm. He smiled at me as Leo came from the manhole, Raphael putting the cover back in place. I took a slow breath looking around at their New York, it looked exactly like my New York except it was warmer here, probably Spring. We were between two buildings in an alleyway under florescent lights with the narrowing mouth of the alleyway opening to the street several yards ahead. It was night, late but New York was still bustling with taxis and people walking the streets.
"So this is her?" I hear a female voice say as I take in the sights. I furrow my brow to the unknown voice and turn to see a woman standing about as tall as me with a curvy frame walking slowly up to me. Her face was beautiful, sharp features and pouty full lips and a pair of icy blue eyes surrounded with heavy black eyeliner. Her hair was long and dark, but coming to the light shown a bluish black. I furrow my brow as she leans against Raphael's side. She downed baggy, ripped up jeans, a white ribbed tank top tight to her body and a oversized leather jacket faded with age and a white hockey mask pushed back from her face and bat over her shoulder held tight in her grasp. My expression changed from confusion to shock as it slowly dawned on me.
"Maggie, this is..." April started going over to her friend.
"Casey Jones..." I gasp out as April throws her arms up in disbelief.
"That's right." She smiles as Casey crosses her arms over her amble chest.
"So you really know us huh? You don look like a stalker?" She says as I snort a laugh.
"You don't look like a dude." I shrug as she furrows her brow.
"What?" She says, putting her bat down as I press my lips together stifling another laugh, trying not to get my ass kicked.
"It makes a lot more sense that you and April have an apartment and Donnie cool with it." I chuckle looking at the turtle in purple as his face reddens. I start to laugh a little harder, covering my mouth, shaking my head. "I'm sorry. This is so fucked up... " I say between laughter. "Jesus Christ." I say, putting my hands to my face. What is even happening.
"Is she OK?" I heard Casey asked. I put my hands over my head, clasping them behind my head as I turn back to the group.
"Yeah, I'm good." I say, rolling my eyes. "Ya know, just went through a worm whole to a completely new universe and I'm staring my childhood heroes right in the face! But, yeah besides that. I'm doin' fuckin' peachy. Doin' fuckin' great, aces." I say shaking my head. "Do you have alcohol?" I ask looking at April as Casey snorts a laugh.
"I like 'er." She says as I sigh heavily, shaking my head.
"We have wine in the apartment." April says, putting her arm around my shoulders giving my arms a reassuring rub. "Just, try and breathe. You're good." She says softly as I take a deep breath. "Let's head inside, we'll meet you in there." She says looking at Donnie as he nods and April Casey and myself head to the street.
"So, I'm a dude?" Casey asks as she takes out her keys to their apartment. I nod slowly as she laughs. "Wow... That's fuckin' trippy."
"If it makes you feel better, you're way hotter in this universe." I say with a shrug as she chuckles and April joins in. She presses the button on the elevator as we enter.
"So, you have a boyfriend or girlfriend back home?" April asks as I look up at her, shaking my head.
"No... No time or interest really." I shrug as she nods. The elevator dings to their floor avoiding the opportunity of awkward silence to my great surprise. I follow them to their door as April opens the door, flicking on the lights. I jump to the sight of all the turtles already in the living room, suspecting that April or Casey would have to open a window and let them in. Casey and April chuckle as I put my hand over my chest.
"You get used to it." Casey says, going over to Raph and giving him a kiss. "Hey Red." She says as he hums giving her a kiss back. I look down to their intimacy, same as I did with Donnie and April. I smiled, happy that they had someone. My eyes snapped to Leo's, my stomach sinking thinking of Karai. He's leaning against the small kitchen entryway, his eyes crawling slowly up my body as he studies me, still wary of my presence. I smile meekly at him as he gives a small one back, it's going to take some time.
"Where should I put your things?" He asks, my bag still over his large shoulder. I look to April, not really sure this is my first time in their apartment.
"Oh, the guest room Leo." She says as he nods, heading that way. I follow after him hesitantly as he opens a door off from the living room, between another door that's closed and a spacious bathroom. There's another door at the end of the hall that's also closed that's painted a beautiful green color.
Stepping into the guest room it's neutral colors with a queen sized bed, TV and dresser. Simple. Leo places my bag on the bed.
"Thank you." I say, putting my hand over it. "You didn't have to carry my stuff." I shrug as he smiles.
"Least I could do after bombarding you in the lair." He said as I smiled.
"I get it..." I say again as he nods.
"I-I know you do..." He says slowly, his brow furrowing. "Oddly enough." I look up at him and another feeling of heat, lighting, something ripples through me. I shutter to the feeling and I think he takes notices... "I know you're here for a reason." He said softly, his eyes falling from mine. A chink in his prideful armor slowly fell away at the gesture. "We should discuss things in the morning about EPF and Bishop." He said, his tone changing almost immediately. The chink finding place back in it's home. "Come down to the lair with April and Casey whenever you all get up and we'll make a plan. I'm sure you're eager to head back home." His eyes look back to mine.
Am I eager to go back?
"Sounds like a decent plan." I say with a smile.
"Good..." He said with a returning smile. He hesitated for a moment, still standing at the foot of the guestroom bed. My mind was screaming at him to stay with him, not to go, we could literally talk all night about anything and everything. Spill all you need to on to me, I will be your emotional sponge. But, all that came out was...
"Have a good evening Leo..." I sigh out as he nods.
"See you in the morning. You should get some sleep and have some tea it'll calm you." His eyes moved slowly over mine, the energy fizzing in the air between us. My hands clenching at my sides to not reach out and grab him. He took a step back from me, turning to leave the room. I took a slow shuttered breath as he left, clenching my eyes shut tightly as I had a moment to myself. I wanted to scream. "C'mon Mike." He said, going to the large window in the living room as April and Donnie sat at the kitchen table in April's small kitchen. Mikey hugged April and dabbed Donnie's fist, making his way over to me and giving me a hug. I smile giving him one back.
"Awesome meeting you today babes." He said as I smiled.
"It was amazing meeting you guys too Mike." I say as he nodded.
"Well see you tomorrow?" He asked as I nodded with a smile. "Sweet." He kissed my cheek as walked over to the window with his brother.
"Not too late Don." Leo said as Donnie nodded.
"Not to worry Leo." April said giving him a smile. The two Ninja left out the window as I watched in awe their shadows flip and leap over the roof tops in the distances before disappearing.
"Wow..." I say.
"I put on a pot of tea for you." April said kindly placing a hand on my shoulder breaking me out of my amazement for the hundredth time this evening. "Also, there's fresh towels if you want to shower."
"Where are Raph and Casey?" I asked, looking around the empty apartment.
"Oh they're gonna be out for hours." April said rolling her eyes as she grabs some cups. I nod, pulling a chair out for myself as I sit at the table. It was an old glass top table with dried flowers pressed between the glass and wood. I smiled at the craftsmanship of it.
"Beautiful table." I say as April smiles, handing me a cup of tea.
"Thanks. I run an antique store I inherited from my dad. This piece was my great grandmothers." She says as I smile, nodding my head.
"Second Time Around?" I ask as she stops from sitting and looks at me, her eyes catching Donnie's from across the table as he shrugs.
"It's going to take some getting used to." She said.
"We're all so used to hiding and being secretive." He added.
"I know, I'm sorry. I should stop with the know-it-all bullshit." I sigh, taking a slow sip of mint tea
"I'm sure you can't help it." Donnie shrugged.
"This coming from a know-it-all." I smirked as April chuckles. "It's all very um…" I try and think of another word than weird or fucked up because I've said that a million times today.
"Weird?" Donnie said.
"Fucked up?" April said. I laughed nodding my head.
"Yeah that." I took another sip of my tea as I covered my mouth with a yawn. "If you guys don't mind, I think I might take that shower?" I ask as April nods.
"Of course. Here, lemme show you." She says, kissing Donnie's cheek as we go to the bathroom. "Towels…" She says opening a cabinet. "Um, I don't know if you had time to grab everything, but we have extra stuff." She says opening another cabinet with shampoo and body wash. I smile nodding my head to all the commodities. "If you need anything just give me a holler." She says as I nod.
"Thanks April, for everything…" I take a slow breath, feeling tears well in my eyes. "I don't think this would have been as smoothly if you weren't… You." I say with a shrug as she smiles, her eyes glossing over as she nods, pulling me in for a hug.
"Thank you." She says softly, pulling me tighter. "They're my family…If you can save them then I love you as much as I love them." She says, sniffing as she pulls away from me. She wipes her face, shaking her head. "Take a shower, calm your body. You'll need it." She sighed heading back to the kitchen. I heard Donnie asking what was wrong as she replied with nothing.
I went through my shower routine, the hot water and pressure feeling like a spa after the day I had. I tried to wrap my head around it all, from Renet, the worm hole, landing in the lair, the turtles… Leo. I sigh remembering his beautiful eyes, ocean blue and shining bright as they looked at me, the electricity of energy that comes through me every time were alone or touch. What the hell is that? … His body large and intimidating, muscles flexing under taunt green skin, unfamiliar and unusual to my eyes but still fuckin' sexy as hell. I groaned at myself, dunking my head straight under the spray of the shower head. This was not why I was here. Plus, he could be with Karai, or someone else. You don't know.
Turning off the water, I wrapped my hair in a towel and one around my body as I walked to the guest room. I looked through my bag, grabbing something to sleep in, looking at the bed longingly. It wouldn't take very much for me to fall asleep. Crawling in between the sheets, cooling against my legs I sighed, laying back against the comfortable mattress.
I lay for a moment but, my eyes are too heavy to think of much before I'm drifting into a heavy sleep...
