HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! THIS IS YOUR Christmas/New Years/Hanukkah present, because January is going to be BUSY for me. Ill update whenever i can, but until then, Hang tight, Read, Review, AND DRINK HOT CHOCOLATE! :D


"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!" I sat on the couch, shrinking slightly away from a pacing Casey Jones. After we crashed into each other, and he got out of his shock at seeing little ol' me, he then had proceeded to drag me to the couch, and was now hiving me a lecture that put Aprils lectures to shame.

"I didn't burn to death, so thats a plus." I added weakly. Casey groaned, pinching the brige of his nose, seemingly composing himself for another round of tongue lashing. "... Explain to me, Victoria, why you didn't go to the police, or better yet, A HOSPITAL?" He snapped. I was quiet for a while, mulling Over my options on responses, until-" First, its Victorious, second... Why should i have to?" I asked bluntly. I was well aware of more then one pair of eyes giving me 'are you serious' looks, along with Case. The four turtles, since I had been dragged to the couch, were now watching from an appropriate distance, should Casey start throwing crap around.

I wish i had been as smart as to get into a Psycho-Proof bunker. It would've proven effective against Case. "I mean, cmon Case... How am i supposed to talk my way out of an interrogation with the hospital?" I watched Jones furrow his brow... Then fumbles for an excuse... Before finally giving up and simply slugging me in the shoulder. "Yer still a idiotic brat." I smirked at my victory. "And your a overgrown man-child. That makes us even." He smacked the back of my head lightly with a smile, and I noticed a hint of relief in his eyes, and I chuckled. He was an idiot, but at least he cared.

"Sooooo..." We both turned to look at a grinning Mikey. "Victoria, eh?" I went to correct him, but then sighed and nodded in defeat. He giggled, "The masked one has a name!" He exclaimed for the world to hear. He paused and suddenly looked between me and casey, confusion in his eyes. "Wait... How did you two know each other?" His eyes widen. "Casey! Your cheating on April?!"

Case had just taken a chug of cool gin, but it almost came back up as he sputtered in coughed. "M-mike! Ick... NO!" He growled. "God dam- shes just my employee at the shop!" I gave him a startled look, jaw dropping at how easily he gave away that information. I glances at the turtles, and caught Leo staring at me in surprise, as though it never occurred to him that i was a working woman. I scowled at him and glanced away to the others.

"So, how do you know these guys, Case?"I asked, my curiosity finally overtaking my thoughts. Casey and Raphael suddenly shared a smirk, a deep, dark, probably devious secret shared between them... And I Felt a chill go down my spine. "We did each other a favor." They said, then chuckled, probably remembering old times.

"So..." I started, calling everyones attention to me. Suddenly my question felt foreign to ask at the moment, so instead i shoved it aside for a less important question"... Hows April?" I asked lamely, my real question. Casey sighed, swirling glass of gin in his hand. "Worried, obviously. Called several people to see if they can poke around the site of the fire, but no responses." I shrunk slightly in my seat, guilt rising. "... She even had Lucas do some poking around for her."

I instantly felt my blood boil, and a growl slipped from my lips. "Lucian," i spat, "Can NOT be trusted. Don't ask him to do shit, Casey." Casey blinked in surprise at my mood swing, and started to ask why when Red broke in. "How do we know YOU can be trusted, Vicky?" He sneered. I glared at his choice of nicknames, but he ignored it, taking out his Sai and suddenly admiring the blade of it.

"After all, WE barely know ya." He said, as i glowered. "For all we know, you could've been playing Casey for an idiot this entire time. You wouldn't be the first." Casey cried out in complaint at the comment, but Raph ignored him, fixing cold, anger filled Amber eyes onto my own violet ones. "So how the shell do we know we can trust ya?" He asked simply. Silence followed his words, and I was seconds away from leaping up and going to my own defense, even if no one, including Casey, would.

But then I was interrupted.

"Raphael!" Called out an older, wisdom accented voice called from behind him. We all looked over quickly, and i was the only one who shrieked in shock at the sight of the large... Mouse, i think, standing in the doorway. It wore dark brown monks robes, held a large wooden walking cane in his clawed hand, and currently had an irritated look fixed on Red. "Raphael, lower your voice." He ordered. "My meditation does not call for your shoutin-' He faltered, suddenly fixing pure black eyes on my wide purple ones. I suddenly felt like I was truly, completely, and utterly screwed. I coughed, and waved weakly. The mouse's (still debating rather it was a mouse or some other type of rodent... a opossum perhaps?) tail twitched angerily, and i saw Leonardo step forward. "Sensai," He began. " This is the Ninja we told you about, Vic-... Shadow.' He finished lamely, and i gave him a look. "Don't do me any favors with hiding my identity." I scoffed, and got an exasperated look in response. A loud crack of wood against stone jerked our attention back to the rodent.

"I believe." He began, keeping his eyes on me. "We need to talk."

... Why was I so uneasy with the way he said it?

(Uh oh... Shadow is in trouble with Splinter... What will happen next?! XP

Anyway, i hope you guys have a safe Holiday season, and keep an eye out for updates, and feel free to review!

JE2)