Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT. Just Anya, her family and anyone else I decide in create for this little universe.
Don finished baking the second batch of chocolate cookies. Despite popular belief, Don could cook. Well, bake. Baking was completely different. It took precision, method and skill to bake. It was just like an experiment. A teaspoon could be the difference between culinary excellence and stomach turning disaster.
He had e-mailed Anya last night like she asked. He was rewarded with her number, AIM name and cell phone number. He sent her his contact information. He hesitated before hitting the send button. Was this a trap? No, Anya was no spy. Was she? Don hit the button. Oh well, he'd find out sooner or later if he had misjudged her. He really hoped not. Her liked Anya. She was turning into a close friend. A sister just like April, he thought. But, then, he thought about all the conversations he and April had mostly about Casey. Don frowned. Hopefully, Anya's pregnancy would keep her from dating. It was a terrible thing to say but he didn't think he could handle another talk about the idiot that is male. Plus, that would keep her all to himself for some time. Don shook his head, disgusted with himself. He needed to do something more productive with his time than think about his friends' love life.
Don put the cooled cookies on a tray and moved to Mikey's room. Don sat with his back to the wall next to Mikey's room. Mikey had not come out for morning practice. He had not come out for breakfast or lunch. It was closing in on dinnertime and no Mikey. Don knocked on the door. "Mikey? I have a present for you."
Don heard a muffled reply. "I don't want it."
Don sighed. "But, it's your favorite: chocolate chip cookies with a hint of cinnamon.
The door opened a crack. Don was rewarded with a green hand sticking out waiting for a cookie to be placed into it. Don complied. The hand was quickly taken back into the room and Don heard the distinctive chunky noise his cookie made when bitten and devoured. Mikey stuck his head out. "Not bad. Can I have another?"
Don offered the tray to Mikey, who grabbed the tray and stuffed his face. Don smiled. "Feeling better?"
"Mush," Mikey said with a mouth full mouth of cookies.
"Are you going to come out of your seclusion?" Mikey stood, motioning for Don to follow. Don stopped in the doorway, taking in a deep breath. "Mikey, you have to clean this room. It smells like something died in here."
Mikey rolled his eyes. "It's paints and thinner. I'll clean my room before Leo comes back." Don frowned and Mikey laughed as he put the empty plate on his bed. Mike opened his arms wide. "Ta-dah."
Don came around the corner and froze. Mikey's room was an L-shape. He had his art supplies by the door and the corner his computer and games. The other end of the L-shape had his bed that consisted of a king mattresses on cinder blocks. But, instead of the endless posters of Playmates and super models the wall was painted. A jungle. Don walked up to it about to touch but Mike yelled, grabbing his arm. "It's still wet."
Don gasped. "Mikey. This is amazing." Not only had Mikey captured the trees, vines and varies vegatation but when you looked deep enough you saw hidden treasures. A leopard on a tree limb with its tail in mid-swing. There was a monkey swinging from the trees, a hippo in the water, and, Leo, perched on the farthest branch watching. Waiting for trouble. Ready to pounce at a moment's notice. Don looked to see Mikey looking at his Leo as well. His eyes were sad and wet with unshed tears. Don put his hand on Mike's shoulder. "He'll be back."
Mikey nodded. "I know. But, now, when I sleep…Leo's still watching over me."
Don smiled. "I think you should stay with me until this dries. The fumes alone could kill you."
Mikey nodded. "You just want to man-cuddle."
Don laughed. "No. I don't want you to kill what brain cells you have left."
Mike frowned, punching Don in the arm. "Hey, not cool dude. I'm plenty smart."
Don looked around the rest of the room. "How about I get a fan and help you clean this place up?"
Mike sighed. "What is with you and cleaning? Everything does not have to be color-coordinated and labeled."
Don placed a hand over his heart. "What? There's more to life than alphabetizing my DVD collection? I won't believe it."
Mikey laughed. "I'll make you a deal. If you make me another batch of cookies, I'll get the fans and start cleaning my room. Then, you can finish it."
Don pointed a finger at him. "No sweeping junk under the bed. I want to see garbage bags and smell Fabrese. Deal?"
Mikey grunted. "I hate Fabrese."
"Deal?"
"Make it two batches and it's a deal." He extended his hand.
Don took it. "Done." Two hours later, Michelangelo's room was a work of art. His paints had been cleaned and organized. His current comic book attempt was stacked and piled on his drafting table. His computer was dusted and the games were put back into their cases. Don had reinforced Mike's bed and stripped the sheets. He would have to call April to see if he could use her washing machine. The lair's machine had a minor mishap when Mikey attempted to tie-dye his T-shirt. The two turtles finished cleaning, setting fans up to move the fumes out and dry Mikey's creation.
Raph was standing outside Mike's room when Don and him finished. Don looked at Raph. "Hey."
Raph nodded. "What are you two chuckleheads doing?"
Mikey laughed, dragging Raph into his room. Don followed. Raph's reaction to Mike's jungle piece was similar to Don's. He was speechless. They all knew that Mike was the creative one but to see his work was an experience in itself. Don saw Raph turn to Don. "He did this?"
Don nodded. "All of it."
Raph shook his head. "Waste." He turned and left the room, not seeing the hurt look on Mikey's face.
Don hugged Mikey. "Don't listen to him. It's amazing."
Raph charged back into the room. "It's a waste. Don't waste your time on Leo. He ain't coming back. He left us." He turned. "I'm going out."
Don didn't object. It was pointless. He wasn't in a mood to fight. They heard Raph move loudly through the lair and out the door. Don looked at Mikey, who gave him a sad smile and opened his arms wide. "Man-cuddle?"
Don laughed. "No. That's ok. Thanks for the offer though." He picked up a few garbage bags. "Let's get rid of this junk and then we can watch a movie." Mikey only nodded, picking up some bags and following his brother to their disposal. "He didn't mean it. It's Raph. He's a jerk."
Mikey stopped. "I know he's upset but why did he have to take it out on my art. Leo was an afterthought. Dude, I didn't even think about him while I was doing it. I was so in the zone. It wasn't until after I stepped back and realized what I had created that I felt…I don't know, guilty. So, I stuck him in some tree. I wonder what Raph's reaction would have been without mini-Leo in it?"
Don smiled. "You saw it. The look on Raph's face before he saw your Leo was true amazement. You got the creative gene. I sure as hell didn't get it. The best I can do is stick figures."
Mikey smiled as they tossed the bags. "Really? You really think he liked it?"
Don wrapped an arm around Mikey's shoulder. "Most definitely. Now, let's go finish eating those cookies because tomorrow we have practice." Mikey groaned but agreed.
Two nights later…
Don was typing at his desk when an AIM appeared.
HelloNurse83:Don? You there?
Don titled his head. It was 10:02pm. He typed back.
DonMatrix:Yes. What's wrong?
HelloNurse83:Nothing. What are you doing tonight?
Don looked out into the lair. Instead of admitting he was an insensitive jerk, Raphael invited Mikey to go with Casey and him on patrol. Don had agreed that some activity outside the lair would clear their trouble minds and help them focus on getting back into the dojo. Or, this is what he told Splinter.
DonMatrix:Nothing. What are you doing tonight?'
HelloNurse83:I'm getting used to the graveyard shift. I was going to the bookstore near
my apartment and wanted some company. You available?
DonMatrix:What time?
HelloNurse83:11pm. PTA books.
DonMatrix:See you then. Bye signed off
Don went into his lab and retrieved his baggy jeans, hoodie and oversized coat. He removed his bandana and wrapped a cloth around his head, bringing the hood up to cover his head. When he was satisfied, he got the directions and headed to the bookstore.
He found Anya standing akimbo, staring blankly at a row of books labeled 'Maturity.' He walked up next to her. "What kind of book are you looking for?"
Anya jumped. "Wow, you're quick." She turned and took out a coffee, handing it to Don. "I didn't know how you take your coffee so there are creamers and sugar in the tray." She pointed to the tray.
Don shook his head. "Black is fine."
Anya wrinkled her nose. "Black. Yuck. I need at least three sugars and cream in mine before its even bearable."
Don shrugged. "To each his own…or her own. So, are you looking for a specific book?"
Anya shook her head, sipping her drink. "Not sure what I'm looking for. Maybe something to help me stop swearing or something to help me deal with my mom, who is taking this grandma thing way too far."
"Well, I don't know about your mom but I could try to help with the swearing. I could let you know when you're swearing that way you become more aware of it. And, hopefully, that will help you to stop." Don pointed at her drink. "I hope that's not coffee."
Anya sighed. "No. Only Chai." She whimpered. "I miss coffee."
Don moved to the shelf, taking off the book that looked interesting. He opened the book to a very graphic photography of a head crowning from a female's nether region. Don shut the book quick. "I think I burned my retinas. That was unnecessary."
Anya laughed. "Well, that's what you get for not reading the description first." She turned it over, reading. "Enjoy a pictorial account of the miracle of life."
Don took the book back and replaced it on the shelf. "Well, I don't need visual aids, thank you very much."
Anya sipped her tea. "How do you think I feel? That will be me one day."
Don shuddered. "I suggest a lot of drugs."
Anya nodded. "Already in the birthing plan. If possible, I don't want to remember the experience."
Don took the books from Anya's arms. "Well, in eight months we will see."
Anya picked up a book. "Seven months. I had my first gyno visit today. It sucked. I have to take all these vitamins and crap."
Don nudged her. "Swearing."
"Crap is not a bad word. It's better than shit."
Don nodded. "That it is. You said in your e-mail that you were going shopping with your mom on Saturday. Still going?"
"Yep. She wants to decorate the nursery already. And, I don't have a nursery. I guess I could use the second bedroom but its full of cr…" Anya stopped and corrected herself, "stuff."
Don smiled. "See, it's working already."
Anya snorted. "And, what color do you buy for your baby when you don't even know if it's a boy or a girl? Yellow? Green? Purple?"
"I'm sure you will have fun."
Anya nudged Don's side. "How are your brothers?"
Don shrugged. "Fine. They are hanging out right now. Raph was an insensitive jerk towards Mikey and so now he's making it up to him the only way Raph knows…violence." At Anya's confused expression he continued. "Raph bonding time includes taking out some Purple Dragons or thugs on the street."
Anya nodded. "Ah. Got it. Note to self: Don't piss off Raphael."
"Well, I'll be sure to give you ample time to prepare before meeting him." Mentally, Don hoped they never met. Anya and Raph had two very strong independent spirits that would clash if put together long enough. When Don came out of his trance he noticed that Anya had moved to the bargain bin. Don walked over to her. "Anything good?"
Anya tossed her tea in the trash and picked up a large book. "Maybe." She flipped through some pages. "What kind of turtle are you?"
Don came up behind Anya to see she was looking at an animal encyclopedia. "Well, we were red eared sliders before we were mutated."
Anya nodded, flipping faster until she found what she was looking for. "Let's see. So, you're a terrapin. Likes include: swimming, basking, and eating crawfish. Wait," she pointed to a paragraph, looking up at Don. "You can't produce salvia? How do you digest food?"
Don laughed. "Uh, I think I said before we were mutated. Things changed after that. I think we came in contact with human DNA during the mutation process. I have run some preliminary tests and from what I can tell we are only about 30 turtle anymore."
Anya put the book down. "Do you have the red lines on your face? Like your cousins?"
Don nodded his head. "They are very small." He turned his head, moving closer to Anya. Anya touched his face where he pointed. She was unafraid and that made Don smile. "See, the little red dots going from my eye up. That's what's left of it. Our masks hide it most of the time."
Anya nodded. "I see it. That is interesting."
Don laughed. "I guess so." He held the books he was holding out to her. "So, which one are you doing to buy?"
Anya shook her head. "I think I'm going to buy all of them. You would think I had some experience with babies with my little brother."
Don titled his head. "I didn't know you had a brother. How many siblings do you have?"
Anya held her fingers up. "Two. I have a sister, Becky, who's 25 and in college to be a vet. And, my brother, Barnaby who is 13 going on 25."
Don laughed. "Well, by the age difference I can assume that Barnaby was an unexpected child."
Anya took her baby books from Don's hands. "Unexpected but never unwanted."
Don walked Anya to the checkout line and moved to the entrance to hide his face. It was 1am. He had to get back to the lair. Anya walked up to him, checking her bag. "Well, I'm off. See you in two weeks."
"Could we make it 10pm instead of 8pm. I don't want to get stuck with a crowd of people."
Anya took Don's arm as they began to move down the street. "I got a better idea. How about I cook you dinner at my place. Then, you won't have to worry about being seen. You bring the entertainment. I'll provide the food. What do you think?"
"I think you got yourself a date. I mean, not a date-date but a get-to-together. Not that I wouldn't want to date you…it's just." Anya's fingers on his lips stopped Don's rant.
She laughed. "I get it, Don." She stopped him, commenting on his blush. "This is me." She kissed Don's cheek. "Thanks for keeping my company."
Don blushed deeper clearing his throat. "Thanks for inviting me."
Anya opened the front door to her apartment complex. "See you in two weeks."
Don waved. "Talk to you online."
Anya pointed at him with a 'you-got-me-there' expression before heading into her complex.
Don frowned when she was finally out of sight. "Not a date-date. Donatello, you are pathetic. She probably thinks you are some socially inept idiot now." He headed home wondering how someone so smart could become so dumb just by a pretty face.