Chapter 3
FINALLY I know right? lol
Anyway as always! R&R!
Raph paused at the top of the stairs the led down into the lair. Everyone was crowed in the living room. Shay was sitting on the couch in the middle of Donny and Mikey. Spliter was sitting cross legged on the floor. Casey and April were sitting on either side of him.
He couldnt see her face but he could see enough to know that she was crying. Her small frame wracked with sobs.
"This is my fault." He herd her say.
"If it wasnt for me...Leo would've come back 6 months ago." Raph frowned. He didnt like her blaming herself for his brothers stupidity.
Leos death was so very far from being her fault.
At that moment Donny looked up and saw him.
"Raph.." At Donny voice Shay looked over her shoulder at him.
"Raph there you are." She said standing up. Mikey stood up with her a protective hand against her back.
Raph ignored the sudden twinge of annoyance at his youngest brothers protectiveness and walked down the stairs as Jess moved around the couch.
"Shay I-" Raph started. Before he could finish she ran to him flinging herself into his arms.
"Oh Raph...Raph...I'm so sorry..I-" She said whipering as tears spilled down her face.
He wraped his arms around her resting his chin on top of her head.
"Its alright Shay...Its not your fault." He whispered rubbing her back.
He held her as she sobbed. Ignoring his family trying not to watch the scene in front of them. For his brothers this was probably a shocking reaction. Being that the two of hadnt said a civil word to eachother in weeks.
He felt his heart breaking with each of her sobs. He wasnt sure if she was fully greaving his brother or upset because of the fight they'd had moments before they'd gotten the news. Either way he hated it. But he silently hated himself even more.
He held her for a while until she stoped crying. She looked up at him. Her blue eyes full of pain and saddness. "Raph do you hate me?" She asked.
He frowned down at her.
"Of course not stupid. Why would I hate you?" He asked.
"Because if it wasnt for me Leo never would've stayed gone. He would've come back after the 6 months. If-" He stoped her before she could continue blaming herself for something he was equally guilty of.
"Dont. Dont ever blame yourself Shay. The blame is solely on Leo. He could've come back. He could've stayed. But never were you at fault for his leaving. If anyone was it was me." He said.
She chewed her lip considering his words.
"Thank you Raph." She whispered hugging him again.
He hugged her back. "Your welcome little one." He whispered against her neck.
He wasnt sure what she was thanking him for but if it made her feel better then he was all for it.
"Come now my children it is time we pray for Leonardo." Master Splinters calm voice called from the dojo.
To Raphs suprise she didnt walk away from like he thought she would. She took his large hand in hers and led him over to the others.
The four of them kneeled infront of their master who had lite candles all around the room.
"Now in this hour of need we shall bow our heads and pray for Leonardo. Do not fall victim to the temptation of blame. Nor should you place blame on anyone. You need eachother right now more then ever." Spliter said.
Raph sighed trying to take in his senseis words. Shay sat between him and Donny with Mikey on the outside. He silently asked Leo to lend him some of his strength not only as a leader, but a brother and a friend.
Something had shifted with the news of Leos death. Weither that something was good or bad time has yet to tell. But he knew one thing for curtain the wall that been placed between him and Shay had been broken down. Not totally but just enough that she had allowed him in. When she should've slaped him. He wasnt sure how he felt about that just yet. But for now it was ok.
-A few days later-
Shay bit her lip fighting the tears that were threatening to spill yet again. It had been two weeks since the news of Leos death reached us.
Everyone had pretty much kept to themself. Mikey was almost always away from the lair. Donny was locked in his room working. Raph was the only one who hung around. Which was surprising. I would've thought he'd be long gone.
Leos death had been hard on master Splinter. He'd never admit it but he felt like his oldest sons death was his fault. It broke Shays heart to see him day after day sitting in meditation in front of Leos picture.
April and Casey still came around once in a while. April had been Shays shoulder to cry on. Casey had been the same to Raph.
Shay was sitting in Leo's room looking through some old photo albums he had put together before he left.
They were mostly pictures of the others and a few with her in it. Including her favorite one with Splinter.
Shay ran her thumb over Leo's face in the picture."I miss you so much." She whispered softly. For the first time in days she allowed the memories to return.
FLASHBACK
"Here try this one." Leo said through his laughing.
Shay frowned at him unsure weither she trusted him or not.
"Go on its ok. This one is the sweet one." He said.
"You better be right! You damn near killed me with the last one." She spat back.
He hid his smile.
Shay cautiously diped the chip in the second bowl of Leos home made salsa. Then with just as much caution she took a bite of the chip.
It was sweet in deed with just a hint of the spices he added.
"Ok thats good!" Shay praised him.
He beamed. "Told ya so!" He chirped.
Shay playfully shoved him. And to her suprise he toppled off the stool he was sitting on,
"Oh my gosh Leo are you ok!" Shay shreiked.
He flinched and rubed the back of his head.
"I'm fine but next time measure your strength. Now help me up." He said.
"Sure." She said bending over to grab his hand to pull him up. As soon as she took his hand she tryed to yank it back, but he was much stronger then she was so when he pulled against her Shay fell on top of him.
A tickling match ensued untill neither of them could breath. Some how he had managed to get on top of her and held her hands gently above my head with one hand. The other was used as his tickling weapon.
"OK ok I give I give!" Shay screamed as his fingers attacked her sides.
"I knew ya would." He said smugly allowing me the use of her left arm.
"Yeah only because you out weigh me and cheated!" Shay said poking his side.
He laughed.
"True enough I guess." He said.
Suddenly the mood changed and they both seemed to notice the very intimate nature of their position. He was settled between her legs, a hand on each side of her head.
Shay saw the hesitation in his eyes and seized the moment. She leaned up and gently pressed her lips to his.
His shocked expression made her laugh.
"What...Why?" He studdered.
"I dont know...I just wanted to." Shay replied.
The confusion slowly faded from his face and a satisfyed look appeared.
"May I?" He asked.
Shay smirked at his politness.
"What do you think." She shot back a challenge in her voice.
He took the bait and closed the distance between them.
Their first kiss was gental, yet held more passion then any one kiss after that moment...
END FLASHBACK
[A/N] ANNNNNND BAM! :) Was going through our stacks of CDs and I found one with a couple stories on it! Including three for this one that I thought i had lost forever when my computer died!
