Ruby never left her sister's side, just like Raph never left his daughter's. When they started going on sweeps again, Ruby was drafted by Amber to go, so Leo stayed behind to watch over the second born twin. Those who stayed behind, usually including Mikey, Angela, Alice, Cathy, Michael, John, and Anna, usually watched TV, their weapons strapped on.
Gem sat on her father's lap, being held like a small child, her face buried in his neck, while Rose sat next to her father, leaning on him as he had an arm wrapped around her shoulders, his head on hers.
As they were watching 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation', Amber thought it best that just her and Sapphire do the sweep for once, and headed out. When Ruby's ears perked and she snarled deep in her throat, making everyone around her tense. But when Gem sniffed the air, she perked, looking towards the door expectantly.
"Ben? Andy?"
Rose perked, looking at the door and seeing both boys there, on the brink of consciousness, and surprise filled her nearly crimson eyes.
"Andy!"
"Rose…I'm sorry…"
He fell unconscious, and Rose jumped over the couch, running to his side.
"Andy! Wake up, damn it!"
She lifted him up, and Gem helped pick up Ben. Ruby didn't seem too happy about it, but helped her sister a little, and they brought both boys to the infirmary, Don following them. As he checked them out, he found some whip scars on their backs, making Gem whimper and Rose nearly break a desk, though Anna was able to save it.
"When I get my hands on that jackass, he'll wish he'd died eight years ago!"
Rose threatened, looking murderous enough to do just that. Raph sighed, thinking, 'That temper seems familiar…' The two girls stayed in the infirmary, watching over the unconscious boys with either Don or Anna, until they started stirring. Rose jumped up when Gem shot up from her seat, and Ben sat up, a hand to his head.
"Ben! You're okay!"
He seemed surprised, and his eyes widened when he saw Gem.
"Gem? Where are we?"
"You're at the lair. Are you okay?" Gem questioned softly, putting a hand lightly on his forehead.
"We got away from him…we needed to make sure you guys were okay…"
Gem nodded slightly.
"We're sorry for what we did…it wasn't our fault…"
Rose turned to Andy, who looked guiltily at the floor.
"Then why'd you do it?" Rose questioned, her voice and eyes softening involuntarily.
"We sold our souls to him…to protect our family…but let's just say he didn't keep his end of the deal…and we have to do as he says regardless…"
Rose's grip on the desk had increased to devastating proportions, and she snapped a large chunk off. She looked at it in surprise, then smiled sheepishly.
"Oops…"
"Rose…"
She turned to her Uncle Don, who had his arms crossed and was tapping his foot.
"Sorry…I didn't mean to…"
Donnie sighed, saying, "Its okay…just this once…" Rose smiled gratefully, and watched as Don checked the boys for injuries. Andy still seemed guilty, probably thinking Rose hadn't forgiven him, and she couldn't help the guilt in her stomach that chewed at her entrails like a fox.
Donnie sighed, saying, "They'll be fine…but Leo and Amber will have a long talk with you two about what you did." Gem sighed, saying, "Mommy and daddy have tempers, but they shouldn't be too mad…" she smiled slightly.
"But Ruby hasn't learned how to trust people very well…"
The boys sighed, and Ben said, "We knew we wouldn't exactly be welcomed back with open arms…" Rose nodded slightly, saying, "You had their trust…but it's hard to get it all back…" Gem nodded, saying, "I'm gonna get a drink…you guys want anything?" her sweet, trusting smile seemed to make Ben blush scarlet, but both brothers turned down her offer. She left to get her drink, and Rose shifted somewhat uncomfortably. When Ben finally settled to sleeping, Rose looked at the ground, strangely shy.
"Andy…"
He looked up, probably still uneasy, and she couldn't help the crimson blush that spread across her cheeks.
"I-I'm not mad at you…I've already forgiven you…"
"…Why?"
She blushed deeper, muttering something.
"What? I didn't hear you…"
She mumbled it louder, but he could barely hear her voice.
"Rose, what is it? I can't hear you."
He moved closer, leaning in to hear better.
"…Because I love you…"
He didn't think he'd heard her right, and gave her a surprised, questioning look. Her face turned redder, if that was possible, and she nodded, saying, "I love you…" the questioning look in his eyes faded to a softer emotion, and she could hardly make eye contact.
"I love you, too…"
She looked up at him in surprise, when she felt his lips on her own. It was such a foreign feeling, but not one she disliked. She closed her eyes, kissing back, when the sound of people falling over made them both pull apart. She opened the door to see her whole family, minus her mother and aunt, on the floor, anime-style, in shock. She started tapping her foot, hands on her hips.
"May I help you?"
They all looked up, most of them nervously, especially since she had that serious, angry expression on her face.
"Um…I swear, we didn't see anything-!"
Don's explanation was blown when Alice and Cathy stood up, saying,
"You guys were so KAWAII!! You're cute when you're shy!!"
A vein pulsed in Rose's forehead, and she pulled her fist back, ready to strike, but Andy came up behind her, grabbing her wrist.
"Calm down, Rose!"
She glared at them, saying, "You're all pretty lucky my sai are in my room!" Gem smiled sheepishly, saying, "I'm just gonna go see Ben…" she moved past Rose like a shadow, a flash of gold the only thing showing she had moved inside, and Rose rubbed the bridge of her nose, fighting a migraine.
"When I open my eyes, I better not see anybody…for YOUR sakes…"
She heard a frantic scuffling, and opened her eyes to see everyone had run off. She sighed, turning to Andy.
"They don't understand the word 'privacy'…"
He smiled, nuzzling her neck.
"Do you want me to leave, too?"
She smiled softly, feeling the weight lifted off her shoulders.
"No…I don't want you to leave…"
'Never…I never want to lose you…'
