A/N: It's been a rough couple of weeks and I haven't felt up to updating lately and I'm sooo sorry. This next chapter is a little bit more fluid and progressive, I hope. For the sake of my readers I've been trying to update when I can. I love you, Duckies! I hope you enjoy this :)

NOTICE: THIS STORY HAS OC CHARACTERS. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT ANY OF THEM LOOK LIKE, PLEASE CHECK THE LINKS ON MY PROFILE FOR YOUR VISUAL AID.

"Sure, I like you too, Mr. Bonetta! See you!" With a leap into the shadows, Aanika was gone and Jeremy was sitting on the roof by himself. He was warm inside at out in response to her answer. But damn, he was working up the courage to try and at least kiss her cheek and she just bolted.

The two teens were left with the greatest feeling, they felt on top of the world after the evening they'd had. But Aanika's good feeling came an end a lot faster than Jeremy's when she came home, luckily before her parents, to find all of her sisters and uncles waiting for her with unpleasant frowns. She got possibly the biggest scolding she'd ever received from all six of them than she had from Leo and Shiho. Even though her menagerie with Jeremy had come to an end, Raphael's kick to her ass couldn't stop the powerful beating of her heart.

No one, not even her parents, could bring her down from Cloud 9 tonight.

It was with a consorted amount of extraordinary effort that Aanika was able to sit put and ride out the rest of her restriction and punishment. Her uncles and sisters kept a constant and sharp eye on the teenage fox after making the deal that they wouldn't tell her parents about her sneaking out to see Jeremy if she promised to hold off until her punishment was over. Begrudgingly, she agreed. She only agreed because she didn't want the scorn of her parents anymore than what she had already received. They kept up their communications while they waited it out, Jeremy had a knack for keeping her spirits and morale high when she was more than exhausted from the vigorous hours of schooling, training, and working out that her parents put her through.

Shiho and Leo were none the wiser to her recent prison break, in fact they became more and more like Gomez and Morticia Addams with every day that passed. Constantly amorous and all over each other as romantically as they possibly could. But Shiho had been making a visible effort to give Aanika the attention she needed and had even agreed to let her come out on the patrol tonight, this being her last night of being cooped up in the lair. Aanika was bubbling over the brim with her barely contained excitement, wondering if she'd be able to catch a glance at Jeremy. But she knew better. Even so, Aanika rather liked this change in her parents despite what it took to obtain it.

Lounging on a recliner with her laptop in her lap, the fox was watching her younger siblings and cousins while the adults conditioned in the dojo. The young ones were gathered around the television with an assortment of pizza and popcorn with a movie playing. It was Ginny and Freddrick's turn to pick the movie this afternoon. Naturally, they chose the one movie that none of their cousins were remotely interested in, some astronomical documentary. Aanika paid no attention and kept her eyes trained on the screen as she chatted with Jeremy. Erasmus broke his focus from the boring film and noticed his sister buried into her laptop.

"What are you doing, Annie? Mommy said you're supposed to watch us," He spoke up, leaning on the arm of the chair and snooping into her conversation. With a frustrated growl, she minimized her chat and gave the young turtle a rotten glare.

"None of your business, runt! Leave me alone and watch your stupid movie, I'm busy."

"You know, Uncle Leo says you're not supposed to be mean to us, Annie," Ginny spoke, her head turning from the screen. Aanika's eyes rolled in her skull as she sneered and apologized to Jeremy for her delay and beside her, her cell phone buzzed with a text message. It was Jeremy, a message to just text instead. With a grin, she closed her laptop.

"Fine. You'll all tattle on me like a bunch of rats anyway. We're changing the movie then," All at once, the kids breathed a sigh of relief except for Ginny and Freddrick who genuinely wanted to watch the documentary.

"Stop whining, everyone is bored-"

"Aanika! Come into the dojo!" Leo's voice called from the other room. With a satisfied grin, the oldest fox left the younger kids to sort it out themselves and trounced to her father's call. Inside the dojo waited her uncles and parents. The sisters had been dismissed to get dinner started.

"What is it, Daddy?" She said after bowing in front of Leonardo. Shifting a gaze between his brothers and his mate, Leo clasped his daughter's hands and held them together.

"We want you to start joining us on patrol on a daily basis after tonight. You've been more than obedient with your training and punishment and your mother, uncles, and I think it's time you gained your privileges back. You need to learn the ropes of being a leader, might as well start now."

Suddenly, Aanika broke into a beaming grin and was barely able to contain the excited squeal as she erupted and threw her arms around Leo's neck. He was stunned and nearly fell backward as she wriggled and hugged him tightly, grunting as he regained his footing. The brothers and Shiho chuckled at the spectacle, Leo didn't notice and embraced his child close and planted a kiss to the side of her head. His eyes glanced upwards to capture Shiho's violet gaze, she was communicating that they'd made a step in the right direction. Aanika practically vibrated in her father's grip as he returned her to her feet on the ground.

"Really, Daddy?! I get to go topside?!"

"Yes, yes. But, you're coming up with me tonight. Just you and me, go get your katanas and meet me at the door. I need to talk to you about something," Aanika was too overwhelmed to let that bother her and did as she was told, disappearing back out into the lair where they all heard her giggling and squealing all the way to her room.

"You sure this is a good idea, Leo? I mean…what if she-"

"Don't worry, Raph. I'm not gonna let her out of my sight," He attempted to reassure his brothers but they didn't appear completely convinced. Shiho was the most nervous of all and conveyed her uneasiness by gripping her mate by the arm. "Hey, it'll be okay. I'm taking the easy route tonight and I'll have her back in one piece. You trust me?"

Twisting her lip into a small frown, Shiho gave it a bit of thought before nodding and nuzzling into his muscle. He knew what he was doing and knew just how to approach Aanika about any issue. That wouldn't stop her from worrying about the safety of her child any less despite Leo watching her like a hawk. Leo sensed his mate's radiant apprehension and tilted her gaze upward with a guiding finger beneath her graceful chin. Amber eyes bore into those violet hues until she blushed like a young girl and nibbled her lip shyly. Damn he was handsome, so utterly gorgeous in Shiho's eyes that he turned her insides to jelly. In one motion the vixen was tucked tightly in his masculine arms, enveloped in an embrace that swept her off her feet.

"Leo!" She shrieked, grasping his shoulders.

"Hehe…just wanted a kiss," He muttered quietly against the curve of her glossy lips, making them tremble. Relaxing her grip, the fox slipped her hands up Leo's neck and held his jaw in each of her palms so she could lean in and kiss him hard on the mouth. Both mates shut their eyes to enjoy the moment of tasting and kissing, Leo taking a nip out of her lip in the process. He kissed her long and slow to rid her mind of any doubt, it seemed to be working because she was absolutely squirming in his arms.

"Mmm…you're mine when you get home," She whispered into his mouth, his hot breath fresh on her tongue. That damned smirk came to his face as he set her onto her feet.

"We'll see about that, the pet never tells her Master what to do," Leo flashed her a wink and gave her rear a firm slap before he disappeared out of the dojo to meet with Aanika. Shiho was left flustered and utterly horny. Rat bastard…er…turtle bastard. His bothers were left with her faces in their palms; they'd completely forgotten the audience that seemed to be there. Blushing, Shiho waved innocently and slipped past them to tend to her other children. Raph was the first to burst.

"Jesus! It's like livin' in a softcore porn movie!"

"You wouldn't be saying softcore if you accidentally walked in on them," Donnie shuddered. Both his brother's placed an apologetic hand on his shoulders. Poor Donnie.

Topside. At last, Aanika was outside and this time she didn't have to escape from under her parents' watchful eyes. Thus far, she'd assisted her father in stopping two robberies and even got to punch her first purse snatcher. Tonight was a good night, but she could sense something on her father's mind that seemed to have him distracted. He'd almost taken a fist to the jaw tonight; it was as though he was somewhere else completely. She imagined that he was going to lecture her some more when he came to the rooftop that he and Shiho favored. Leo corrected her on a few stances and attacks before he finally let her rest and settled his arms on the concrete wall on the roof.

Leo gazed off up the street, watching the traffic as he appeared to struggle to find the words to say to his daughter. Aanika couldn't stand the suspense. Was she in trouble again? She couldn't think of anything that she could have possibly done recently that would make him upset with her. Leo never clammed up around Aanika and she couldn't help but become more and more uncomfortable with every second of silence that passed. Standing beside him, the young fox wrapped her arm around his bicep the way Shiho often did to express unease. Switching his attention to the teen beside him, Leo smiled and ran his hand through her wavy hair.

"Gosh you've really grown up, way faster than I would have liked. You did well, tonight, Annie. I'm real proud of you," He spoke, breaking the tension between the two. Sheepishly, Aanika smiled and hugged his bicep a little tighter.

"Been practicing like crazy. Daddy, did I do something wrong?" Leo released a breath at the sound of her innocence.

"Not really. But, honey, we need to talk about something," Leo muttered as he moved to stand behind Aanika, his arms once again resting on the wall with her tucked against his plastron. They weren't in any danger, but he couldn't stop himself from shielding her. Immediately, her tall ears flattened in fear.

"About what?" Leo sighed.

"Your uncles told me where you went that night that Mom and I went on a patrol run. And, Annie, I'm scared," He admitted, resting his chin on the top of her head. Aanika's blood ran cold and her stomach tied into knots. "Your mom and I know about Jeremy."

Aanika didn't say anything and fought back the hot tears as best she possibly could. Her uncles sold her out and she was caught. But…Leo wasn't scolding her…he wasn't lecturing. Something was out of the ordinary. He said he was…scared?

"Daddy I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do I-"

"Let me talk Annie," She shut her mouth. "Listen. I know how hard it is being different from the rest of the population. I also understand how difficult it can be to live in the family you do without someone else to talk to, someone outside the everyday craziness. We're not mad, we're not upset. But we are worried. Can you understand why?"

Silently, the fox nodded her head and wiped her tear streaked cheek with the back of her hand.

"He's a stranger and we don't know anything about him. You're only 16 and we don't want you to get your hopes up. But, if he's important to you-"

"He is! He is important to me," Aanika hushed once again when she heard an agitated sigh escape her father's throat. "Sorry…"

"Mom and I are willing to give him a chance. But only one chance. How long have you been keeping this from us?" Gently, Leo turned the now trembling teenager around until she faced him. Her eyes were rimmed in thick tears and were looking everywhere else but to him. Wiping her cheeks with his thumb, he pushed back her bangs from her forehead.

"About 7 months…" She quietly muttered.

"Annie…why so long?" The low voice of her father helped ease the terror that was building up inside her and she swallowed thickly so she could speak. Her throat was sore from holding that lump that kept growing.

"I was scared you and Mom would take him away from me. And…he's my friend, Daddy, he likes me he said so! I've been trying so hard not to think about him, but whenever I'm alone I'm talking to him and I can't stop. He makes me feel normal, Daddy…even though…" The words that had come stumbling out of her mouth suddenly stopped as her ears dropped to the sides of her head in what looked to be defeat.

"He doesn't know about you. Annie, look at me," Leo softly ordered. She did as she was told and gazed upwards with glassy blue eyes. Leo hated that look on any of his kids. "Do you love this boy?"

Aanika gasped and her ears suddenly popped open.

"I…I don't know. I haven't known him for very long and I've only seen him twice…but I know I like him, Daddy…I like him a lot…and I don't know what to do. What if he thinks I'm a freak?" Now, she started to cry. His daughter's tears and cries were agonizing to see and hear, so he gathered her in his arms and she wept against his plastron. Leo knew this conversation was coming someday, he just never imagined it would be when she was 16. He was 24 when he fell in love; he didn't know this suffering until much later in his life.

"Shh…" Leo cooed, pressing many kisses to her head as he smoothed through the locks with his fingers. Annie calmed her cries after another few minutes, the fear beginning to wither away. "Annie, it's scary. I'm not going to lie and say that it isn't. But, you have to accept that if he doesn't understand…if he shuns you then he was never right for you."

That realization brought about another wave of tears, shaking her entire body. Leo had thought in the beginning that she was overreacting. But then remembered that he'd possessed the same fear when he realized he was in love and again when Shiho said goodbye to Micah. That constant, cold, tormenting fear of not being good enough. Just thinking about that dark time in his mind made him feel like he was suffocating.

"But I want him to be right, Daddy. I want it so much."

Leo knelt down after pulling her off his plastron to look her in the eyes again, now red from tears. His hands rested firmly on her shoulders as he smiled to calm her once again. After a few hiccups and sniffles, Aanika dried her eyes and took a deep breath so she could listen. Once he knew that he had her attention, he began to speak.

"I know you do, Baby. And I want you to have everything in the world that makes you happy, your mom and I both want it for you. I just want you to understand what you might be facing, because if he hurts you I don't know what I'll do. Annie," Her gaze had shifted and he brought her back to his firm amber stare. "You'll always be my baby girl, and no matter what happens or how mad we get at each other I'm going to love you. I just want you to be careful. Okay? Annie, relax, I'm not angry and you're not in trouble."

"I know –hic- I know…" She was still between hiccups as a result of her crying. "I'm just s-scared. You weren't supposed to know yet and…and then he might not like me once he finds out and…"

"Ah don't start crying again. I can't handle that, Honey. Come here," Leo opened his arms once again. The teen rushed into his embrace and pressed a kiss into his cheek while his arms came round and he lifted her up and against him. Her arms held him tightly around the shoulders and neck as her barriers of defiance and fear crumbled into dust until all that was left was the strength to take the next step.

"I love you, Daddy," She said with a sniffle. Leo sighed contently and smiled, closing his eyes as he nuzzled into her hair.

"I love you too, Annie. Come on, we aren't done yet, we still have a perimeter to run before we get home."

Shiho paced that lair while she cradled her youngest, Artemis, on her hip. A youngling with an upset stomach meant little sleep for the mother. She soothed and sang her lullaby before coming to rest on the couch, lying down with her son on her chest. He wasn't going to sleep any time soon. Donnie was going through the fridge to find anything for his nephew to ease his painful stomach ache. Shiho was filled to the brim with worry; first she discovers her daughter has a secret relationship with a human, then Leo takes her topside, and then her son develops the worst case of stomach flu that he's ever had. The tears in his eyes and his small fists clenched into her robe were the signs of just how uncomfortable he really was.

"I found some ginger ale, sis. That should help with his belly pain," Donnie whispered. Sitting on the arm of the couch, he handed his leader the child's cup. Artemis groaned pitifully and clung to his mother as she sat up and held the cup for him to drink from.

"Thanks, Donnie. He must have picked it up from Casey two days ago when he stopped by. Poor baby…" Shiho soothed, stroking her son's head as he rested it against her breast. Donnie looked on, feeling guilty that he couldn't do more.

"If I had some magic medicine, I'd give it to ya, Arty. I'm going to bed, so you get to feeling better, 'kay?" Donnie said with a smile, his nephew smiling weakly. Even the emerald green of his skin looked pale.

"'Kay Uncle Donnie."

"What do we say?" Shiho reminded, looking down to her son knowingly.

"Oh, thank you Uncle Donnie."

"Heheh, you're welcome, kid. Leo called, he'll be home any time now. G'night, sis," Donnie kissed Shiho's cheek and began to make his way for bed.

"Night, Donnie. You hear that, Baby? Daddy will be home soon," Shiho mused, trying to cheer her youngest up. His little smile made its appearance and his strangely violet eyes regained a little bit of their glisten.

As if on cue, Shiho's ears turned backwards at the sound of Leo and Aanika coming into the lair. The reaction was instant and her son had a beaming smile on his face. Leo noticed his mate on the couch and told Aanika to wait.

"Hey Babe. Artemis?" He looked surprised to see his son awake and out of bed at well past 1am. "What are you doing up, son?"

"Oh, your wonderful pal, Casey, gave your son his stomach bug. He started getting sick about two hours ago. Annie? Are you alright?" Shiho noticed her daughter standing just a few feet away, ducking away in the dark. Her cheeks look tear stained.

"Oh my poor boy. C'mere," Leo stretched out his arms and lifted his son out of Shiho's embrace. "Come on, let's go see if JiiJii can help you feel better, Mommy and Annie need a minute," His voice retreated deep into the lair until he was out of sight, Shiho watching the entire time in case he decided to vomit again. With no such episode, her attention redirected itself to Aanika.

There was a look about her that Shiho sensed was new, she looked relieved but with a shade of new fear that she'd never seen in her daughter before. Rising from the sofa, Shiho approached and sat with Annie on the stairs, clutching her hand and lacing their fingers. Aanika gulped and waited for her mother to start the conversation, she had no idea where to begin. Shiho picked up on this apprehension in no time and let go of Aanika's hand to wrap her arm around her narrow shoulders.

"How was the run? Did you learn anything?" Shiho started, quietly.

"Mhmm. Learned a lot tonight. I'm sorry Arty is so sick, had I known I would have picked something up from April's place," Her mother smiled and shook her head.

"He'll be alright, no need to wake them up. Anything else happen?" Aanika became quiet for a few moments and Shiho just waited.

"I talked with Daddy…"

"Mhmm, I know. I asked him to talk with you tonight. Even agreed to let you go topside," Aanika found this oddly surprising and glanced at her mother her only raised her eyebrows with a smile. "And what did he talk with you about?"

Aanika nervously fidgeted and played with her fingers.

"About Jeremy…" A heavy sigh rolled Shiho's shoulders and she ran her fingers of her free hand through that dark hair. Aanika found herself leaning into her mother's touch of comfort. And so it begins, the parental dilemma of dealing with a teenaged girl who found her first, and possibly her only, love interest. "I'm sorry I disobeyed you, Mom…it was stupid."

"Yeah, but I think I understand why you kept it a secret. So?" Shiho decided she was going to let Aanika come out of this on her own; there was only so much a mother could do when it came to issues of this matter.

"Daddy asked if I loved Jeremy, but I don't know if I do yet," A hum vibrated in her mother's throat, a hum of understanding as she nodded her head. This helped ease the tension in her tight shoulders as she started to relax against her mother's side. "I know that I really like him. But…Mom what if he's the only one?"

Shiho twisted her lips thoughtfully, trying to think of the right thing to say. Truth be told, there was really no right or wrong answer when it came to their kind and finding love.

"Annie, we're different and it's just something we have to accept. If Jeremy really is the only one in the entire world who will love you like your dad loves me, then hold onto him. But, if he doesn't understand, you know what you'll have to do."

"I was afraid you would say that…Mom, how did you know when you loved Daddy? How did it feel?"

Shiho took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as she thought that question over. The start between her and Leo had been rocky at best.

"Well, the first night that we met, I sort of knew. I'd never felt so safe in my life than when I fell asleep in his arms, after I had my moment of freaking out because I'd never seen any other mutants in my life other than our sisters and Micah. But I was so scared, terrified actually."

"Why? I mean, it's Daddy."

Shiho chuckled.

"Take a look at the difference between him and I. The obvious issue was we were both mutants but I'm more human than he is, and I was afraid of falling in love with a mutant. Even though he saved my life. But I think as he became my friend, every day seemed easier to deal with and I finally admitted it to myself. I loved him."

Aanika noticed a deep shade of crimson blushing across her mother's cheeks as she smiled like she was hiding a secret. She looked radiant in her state of remembering.

"How did you know, though?" Aanika studied Shiho's face, watching as her eyes glittered with each memory that came to mind.

"When the idea of not being with him hurt so much I couldn't breathe. He could just look at me and I'd never felt more wanted. When I realized that I couldn't live without him was when I knew. Granted, I ran away at first. That's another story for another time, though," Shiho mused, wiggling her nose. She didn't feel like coming clean about her few weeks as an erotic dancer using her mutations as an identity on stage.

"Who said it first?" Aanika pressed on. She'd never been so interested in anything in her life.

"I did. Your dad came to get me after I'd run off and forced it out of me. I put him through hell and he still loved me. Hm…" Shiho wrapped her arms around herself and smiled, a smile that she'd never seen before.

"That's my smile."

Both foxes jumped at the sudden intrusion of Leo's voice on their conversation. He had no Artemis and left Shiho to conclude that he'd fallen asleep in Splinter's bed. Aanika scooted closer to Shiho as Leo sat down and sandwiched her between them, parents on either side of her.

"Your smile?" Aanika questioned, perplexed.

"She only smiles like that for me. Or when she's thinking of me and doesn't know that I notice," He teased. Shiho winked and nodded a few times before gazing at her mate, that smile not leaving her face. "See?"

"Hehe…yeah. So…what now?"

"Talk to Jeremy, and let him know that you can see him a few more times before we want to meet him. But, don't make your father sound too nice. We want a little fear in the kid," Said Shiho with a chuckle. Amber eyes rolled about in Leo's skull. Aanika couldn't help but giggle and wiggled her tail when both of her parents leaned in and each wrapped an arm around her and gave her a squeeze. Maybe there was more to this talking thing that she had initially given it credit for. No one was yelling, Aanika wasn't in trouble, and Shiho wasn't beating the sand out of a practice dummy.

"Thanks…Mom, Daddy?" Both mates looked up to their teen with expectant expressions. "I'm sorry about all the hell I've put you guys through. Real sorry…I know I was a pain in the neck, and that you do so much for me. I love you.

Leo and Shiho looked over Aanika's head and exchanged surprised glances, they hadn't expected her to say that. But they accepted the humble apology, Leo most notably so by kissing her temple. Letting down her walls seemed to be helping with her chances of ever seeing Jeremy again and she'd have to remember it.

"We love you too, Annie. Now, go to bed or whatever, Mom and I need to have a talk of our own."

Quickly, Aanika darted backwards up the steps and away from her parents who were obviously about to go at it again. She honestly didn't understand what it was about having sex with each other that was so addicting, but then again, being a virgin didn't give her much of a margin for an opinion. That was a discussion for a completely different occasion, which she wasn't close to ready for. Though, she imagined if Leo ever found out that Jeremy put his hands on her he'd kill the kid or come close to trying. Aanika hugged herself and blushed at the mere thought of even kissing Jeremy and disappeared into her room.

"So, what do you think?" Shiho breathed, her attention breaking once she heard Aanika's door close. Leo brushed her cheek with the backs of his fingers tenderly before shrugging his shoulders with a handsome grin.

"Dunno. Guess with something like this we just have to wing it. Hey, it'll be alright," Leo consoled once he noticed Shiho's gaze darken and shift away to the ground. He held her hands and kissed her knuckles to reassure his fretting mate. "We can't protect her from everything, no matter how much we want to."

"Leo, he's going to notice that she isn't human. I'm so afraid-"

"I know. Shh, Baby, I know. We talked about that. We'll do what we can but things like that, those are things that only she can deal with on her own. Shiho, mm, Shiho look at me. Jeez now I know where she gets this from," Leo sighed and gave a small shake of his head. Shiho tried not to think about Aanika having her heart broken, the idea alone was menacing.

"I can't handle the tears in her eyes if he rejects her, Leo. I just can't."

"Come on, you gave birth three times without any drugs. You can handle your teenager having her heart broken," Leo mused. Shiho huffed and shook her head incredulously before standing.

"Leo, you know that isn't what I mean. Do you know what he could do to her? She's so close to being human but just misses the mark. You couldn't begin to understand what that feels like. Being just within arms' reach of having something normal but your differences pull you back."

Leonardo didn't like where this conversation was going and hushed his mate by embracing her from behind. Shiho had started her nervous pacing, a sign that she was close to another breakdown. His beak lowered and he began to kiss up the length of her neck and giving way to delicate, soft moans. Leo's ability to blur her mind was uncanny and bizarre but Shiho didn't seem to mind. His hands roamed her body, gripping and massaging as they went along.

"Stop it, she'll be alright. If she falls, we'll be there to catch her…" Leo began to groan when his mate reached up and behind to slither the fingers of her left hand to the back of his neck and the fur of her tail came between his legs. The motion caused him to bite down into her shoulder.

"Nngh…Leo, I'm sorry, Darling…" She hissed when he withdrew his teeth from the fresh new bite, soothing the wound over with his tongue before traveling up her neck to nip at her jaw.

"Come on, let's go to bed. I count that as a fight…" He muttered teasingly into her ear. Shiho giggled as she turned around and jumped up in his arms, her legs coming around his shell with his hands holding her rear for support. They barely made it up the stairs and down the long walk to their room without toppling over and making love on the floor.

In her own room, and on her laptop, Aanika shuddered when she heard her parents pass by her closed door. Shiho's laughing gave away what they had planned for each other once their door was closed. With that in mind, she decided to call Jeremy. Sticking the small earpiece into her ear and dialing Jeremy's number, she waited only two rings before he picked up.

"Hey, Annie! How are you? I was just wondering when you were gonna call."

God it was so good to hear his voice. They'd spoken just that afternoon, but he had to leave for work. She promised she'd call him once she knew he was home, and after tonight's conversation with Leo, she just needed to hear him talk.

"Hi, Jeremy! I'm great actually. I was wondering when you were free again?"

On the other line, Jeremy paused in taking off his shoes and stared at his phone in disbelief. He could have sworn she was still in trouble with her parents and locked up tighter than an Alcatraz prisoner.

"Uhm, well I'm off tomorrow night and the night after. You wanna hang out? I mean, can you hang out?"

Hearing that girl laugh was music to Jeremy's ears. That was a good sign.

"Yes, I'd love to. Had a talk with my dad and he said it's okay for me to see you. But he and Mom want to meet you eventually, he said. But we can hang out first."

Jeremy gulped and undid the buttons of his work shirt, suddenly he began heating up and he didn't know why. After closing himself in his room, he flopped down onto his bed and continued his conversation.

"Great. I get to meet your dad. So, we can have some pizza on the rooftop if you like? You said that the next time I get to see you it's a date, remember?"

The blush deepened and Aanika squeezed her eyes shut, incapable of stopping the painful smile that burned her cheeks. No words could possibly describe just how utterly happy she was on the inside. If her entire family wasn't asleep and Artemis wasn't sick, she'd scream to emphasize what she was feeling.

"I remember. I'll bring a blanket to sit on. What time?"

"How does 10 sound? Think your dad will be okay with that?"

Aanika sat in thought for a moment. She couldn't just get up and ask Leo if it was alright, she'd walk in on something that she'd never be able to unsee. That was an unpleasant experience she'd rather pass on and decided that Leo would just have to deal with it.

"Yeah, that should be okay. I'd ask but, eheh, I don't want to go blind."

"Blind?"

"My parents had to be rabbits in their previous lives. Either that or they just reeeeally love each other."

"Oh jeez…that's embarrassing. You know, I've missed you, Annie."

Jeremy instantly regretted letting that confession slip, he had no idea why he'd even said it but couldn't stop it from coming out. It was true, however, he couldn't get the girl out of his mind. Those eyes of hers haunted his dreams when he tried his hardest to have one night of sleep without thinking of her. He had no way of knowing what those words were doing to her on the inside.

"I miss you too, Jeremy. Very much. But, hey, I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah…I wish I could see you now, though. But I don't wanna get you in trouble…Hey Annie?"

"Yeah?"

"Next time, don't take off without a goodnight kiss, okay?"

Damn! Aanika's chest tightened painfully and her throat became dry, her eyes wide with shock. He wanted to kiss her? He wanted to kiss…her? Aanika couldn't wrap her mind around anyone wanting anything to do with her let alone share something as intimate as a kiss. Bashfully. Aanika closed her eyes with a soft smile.

"Okay. I'm gonna go to bed now, so…goodnight, Jeremy."

"Yeah me too, I'm worn out from work. I'll be thinking of you, sweet dreams, Annie."

And before she could respond, he hung up. Aanika stared at her phone for a few seconds before her shaking hand reached up to removed her earpiece. Her heart pounded painfully under breastbone and her face felt hot as she collapsed against her pillows, hugging her stuffed rabbit tightly. She began to wonder if this really was love that she was feeling for Jeremy, she'd never felt so vulnerable in her entire life. How she wished her mother wasn't busy so she could describe this unusual but wonderful feeling, or just to anyone at all. The smile that she swore was going to bruise her cheeks just wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Aanika just didn't feel the strength to fight this beautiful feeling, this wild fluttering of her heart. She only imagined it would amplify tomorrow…but what was she going to wear?

A/N: That wasn't too horrible, I don't think... ;-;. Leave me reviews please! I need them to know that you enjoy what you're reading!