I do not own the TMNT that right belongs to Nick, I only own the oc's in this story

Much to poor Keith's dismay, Ebony only seemed to get worse. She woke up just long enough to eat and drink every day but her body was still weak. Unable to control her own body temperature, Keith had to constantly keep checking on her to make sure she didn't overheat or freeze. Spending most of her time asleep, Ebony put on a surprising 11 kilos over the next 3 weeks.

Early one frigid morning, 24 days after Ebony first woke up; Keith plods through the snow to the barn after spending the night in his own bed for a change. Pulling the collar of his snow jacket closed against the winter air, the Border collie looks at the snow covered, large classic red barn. Keith hoped Ebony had survived the night without him, the night before being far too cold to risk going out to check on her.

A few animals look at him as he slips inside the barn and climbs up the ladder to the hayloft. Keith nearly falls when he looks at the 'nest' in the hay that Ebony has occupied for a month. The blankets that had covered her were crumpled to one side, the snow jacket Keith had left just encase was missing and Ebony was gone!

Frantic, Keith scrambles down the ladder to look for any sign of the mutant feline. A faint scent that led out the barn door was all he could find. Pausing only to zip up his snow jacket, Keith slips out the barn door, pulling it closed behind him.

Looking around, Keith discovered footprints in the snow that he hadn't noticed before he went inside the barn. They were his only clue to where Ebony could have gone, prompting him to follow them. Keith couldn't help but be confused as the footprints led him to the farm's large pond which was completely frozen over.

Plodding closer through the deepening snow, he could see scratches and shallow gouges in the ice. He didn't have time to wonder what could have gone out on the ice. Suddenly, something erupted out of a snow drift right in front of Keith and pounced on him with a roar. He fell onto his back with a yelp, the creature pinning him down.

Keith tries to struggle for a moment but instantly stops when he hears purring. The fluffy creature hugging him was Ebony. He smiles happily at her, glad that she was OK. Ebony lifts her head from his chest and grins at him.

Ebony "I've got you now Keith! Thank you so much for saving me!"

Keith "It was nothing... now please... not so... tight... can't... breathe!"

Ebony instantly stops hugging him so tight, having forgotten her own strength in her enthusiasm. Despite not being back up to full strength yet, she could still do a lot of damage. Keith gasps for breath.

Ebony "I'm so sorry! I'm still weak and I thought I wouldn't hurt you"

Keith "You're... still... weak?! I don't... believe... that"

Ebony rolls them so he is lying on top of her so he could breathe easier. Keith slowly stops gasping for air as he catches his breath. He smiles at Ebony to reassure her that he is OK.

Keith "Wow you are strong"

Ebony giggles then smiles at him, relieved that he wasn't hurt. She rolls them over again so she was on top of him then sits on his belly, her hands on his chest. Keith looks up at her, blushing.

Ebony "I've spent a great deal of my time training, honing my body into peak physical condition"

Keith nods, speechless. His crush on Ebony grew stronger as she smiled down at him, completely trusting. Keith's intimate view of her made his heart race and caused him to blush bright red. Ebony giggles and swishes her long fluffy tail.

Ebony "You are so cute when you blush"

Ebony's casual comment only deepened his blush, making her giggle more. Keith was partially relieved when she eventually got off him and stood up. Ebony easily helped him onto his feet and looked up at him.

Keith stood 6 foot 3 to her 6 foot. Ebony was pleasantly surprised that he was 3 inches taller than her. He had known she was tall but until then, he couldn't tell how tall. Being reasonably similar in height, it wasn't hard for them to look each other in the eye.

Keith "Oh, you have to meet Jenny and John! They've been waiting ever since I brought you here"

Ebony "You mean ever since you saved my life. You go on ahead. I want to enjoy the snow a little longer"

Keith nods and heads for the farm house. Now that he thought about it, it was a good idea for Ebony to lag behind as John would possibly tease him gently about his crush on her. He glances back at her and smiles, seeing her goof off in the snow. He doesn't see her dive after something, catching it in her hands.

Keith almost runs inside in his excitement and tells Jenny and John about Ebony's disappearance and sudden reappearance. The couple look at each other cryptically, leaving Keith confused.

They all look towards the front door as Ebony walks in, carrying a small thin bird in her hands. Her gentleness and genuine concern for the little bird tugged at their heart strings. Ebony looks up at them from the bird.

Ebony "It fell out of the sky and nearly fell onto a rock. I caught it but it's cold and thin..."

Jenny "Bring it here"

Ebony walks over to Jenny and carefully hands her the bird. The elderly woman checks the bird over and mixes up a little moist warm bird feed for it. Setting it in a box in the hot water cupboard, Jenny turns to Ebony.

Jenny "With time and care, it should make a full recovery"

Ebony smiles in relief. She slowly relaxes in the elderly couple's presence as she learns more about them. No one noticed the passing of time until it was midday, almost 5 hours later.

Keith "Hey Ebony, would you like a tour of the farm?"

Ebony "I'd love that"

Jenny and John give each other cryptic looks as the two teens walk outside. After Ebony's tour, Keith talks Ebony into horseback riding. Her caution and hesitation were mainly because of her inexperience with horses. Keith smiles at her as he leads the quietest horse on the property over to the tack room from the paddock.

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