A/N: So, I don't know if half of you care, but I got a horrendous haircut. The color is hot though. Anyway, hope you guys like this installment. I love hearing from you all. So, obviously Raph, Mimi, and even Mike and Maureen talk without proper grammar occasionally, and it's really starting to get to me. Hahah, I keep saying things like 'ain't' in real life for me and that's like a huge no-no for me. Gah. Oh well, I love writing them.
Disclaimer: The TMNT and all that are associated with them do not belong to me. Plot, Mutant Babes, and others are mine, however.
Music for this chapter:
Drive – Incubus
Dizzy – Goo Goo Dolls
P.S. (I'm Still Not Over You) – Rihanna
Chapter 7
Homecoming
"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it. "
- George Moore
Mimi hated this, more than she hated shopping. It was uncomfortable, it was long, and it was just plain gross. Mimi gripped the chairs of the pedicure chair so tightly her knuckles had started to hurt. The chair that was supposed to massage and ease the tension in her back seemed to only make it harder to get comfortable as it jabbed her back and made her lurch forward.
"You haven't had a pedicure in a while, have you?" Said the woman scrubbing one of Mimi's feet. Mimi was trying hard not to kick the woman away for tickling her, and smiled tightly.
"No." She said quickly, the woman smiled and scrubbed some more.
One of Mimi's feet was in a jet-powered jaccuzi for your feet. Or maybe it was a pot of boiling water, she couldn't tell at this point. All she knew was that it was too hot, and both her feet were not comfortable. Her nails were still wet with neon purple polish, the manicure she could deal with. The hair salon, she could deal with; she even liked the purple streaks in her hair. The makeover was painful and grueling but it was not as bad as this. She looked over to the three girls lined up in their own chairs; deep content looks on their faces.
"This is crazy." She mumbled and clamped her eyes shut.
"Good idea, Angel." Groaned Maureen, and opened her eyes, looking over to Mimi. Bright pink streaks running through her platinum hair, "How do you like 'Girl's Day'?"
"Umm." Mimi cringed, "It's…new…"
"It's amazing…" Cooed Joanne and Mimi bit her lip as the woman put her foot back into the water and removed the other one.
"What's amazing is that my foot looks like a giant, pink, raisin."
"Are you complaining, Miranda?" Angel asked with that disgusting content look.
"Of course not." Mimi cringed, "You only dragged me out of the comfort of my own home, and sent me to three different torture chambers where you pay to spend grueling and painful long hours for a so called 'improved look.'"
"Looks like we've got a bit of a tomboy on our hands…" Said the woman doing her pedicure. The girls, minus Mimi, chuckled.
"I'm not a tomboy, I'm just simple." Mimi said marginally offended.
"Mimi, you and simple can't even be used in the same sentence." Joanne laughed, looking over to her best friend.
"I meant appearance wise!" Mimi said, "Ugh, I'm never doin' this stupid 'girl's day' thing again…"
"Aw, guys stop!" Angel said, "I think we hurt poor Mimi's feelings." She teased.
"Psh, whatever." Mimi responded looking at her nails, "Are we done here?"
"Yes, I just –" The woman began, "Excuse me, you should sit –"
"You said we're done." Mimi replied grabbing her black flip-flops and heading out.
"Mimi!" Angel called and then rolled her eyes, "She's more trouble than she's worth sometimes."
"Angel, be nice!" Maureen scolded.
"You just have to know when to let her cool off." Joanne replied calmly.
"So we just let her walk out?" Angel asked," She's our ride home, if you didn't notice."
"She's probably waiting for us outside with Killer." Maureen sighed.
Mimi sat cross-legged on the sidewalk out side the nail salon. Killer was in her lap gently gnawing at her hand, wanting to play. She tugged on her finger and they began a game of tug-o-war. He bit down harder and pulled and she yelped in surprise and took back her finger. She chuckled a little and scratched his ears.
"Y'know, Killer, this manicure was no were near worth the money…" She shook her head and the dog cocked its head to the side. "I'm goin' out with Raph tonight…" The dog's tail wagged at the mention of his name, "I'll make sure you get to say hi." She chuckled, "God, how long does this take?"
"Isn't patience part of your ninja training?" Angel said coming out of the salon, and Mimi refused to reply.
"I hope Killer wasn't too bored out here!" Maureen said as Mimi stood picking up the puppy with her, Maureen pet him and laughed.
"He was probably biting at strangers ankles." Joanne replied,
"Good, you're done." Mimi replied walking towards April's car she was borrowing wile April was out of the country.
Mimi was on he drivers side, of course, and had the car started, music blaring, waiting for the girls to catch up. Joanne got shotgun, and had to be a seat for Killer who needed to be up front with Mimi. Maureen and Angel piled into the back, and sat back. Mimi changed the station as commercials came onto the one she was listening to before.
Pulling out of their parking spot, she began towards home. Looking at the digital clock, she saw that it was only three in the afternoon. Of course that was hours later than when she had left the house. Luckily they weren't too far from home, and were there shortly after they had left. Plus Mimi had a tendency to drive just over the speed limit, just to tick Angel off.
The girls were giggling and laughing when they entered the house, and Casey was snoozing on the couch. The TV was on, and his head drooped to the side as he sat up right. Mimi rolled her eyes, and sat on the far corner of the couch. The girls made themselves comfortable on the floor and took over the television. Mimi picked up the thick-rimmed glasses on top of the book Donnie had gotten her for her birthday. Opening the book where she had left off, she began to read. Killer rested himself in her lap, and watched television.
Mimi was a slow reader, partially because she would read the same page twice if she found something particularly interesting about it. She knew Joanne or Donnie would have this book done in an hour. She was so surprisingly immersed in the stories of famous women struggling for credit in the Rock and Roll community she lost track of time.
Night had fallen and the girls had long since gone to her room to do…whatever it was they did. Casey woke up, ruffled her hair, teased her about her make up and ate some left over food. He must have gone to his room to catch up on sleep, because she was alone in the living room.
"Well, well, well," A gruff voice said from the window, "Ya' can read."
"Raphael." She grumbled putting down, the book, and he raised an eye ridge.
"I don't know what's weirder…" He said, "The glasses…or the make up."
"How about the manicure." She held up her hand, "Not my idea." Killer, who had woken up when Mimi took off her glasses and put them on the coffee table, jumped up and ran toward Raph. The turtle simply stared down at the dog, "Like it or not, he's attached to you."
"Yeah, whatever." Raph shrugged, "You ready to go?"
"Depends on where we're goin'." Mimi folded her arms over her chest, "Are we goin' to kick some can, or just…out?"
"I figured we could see a movie or somethin'…" He shrugged and she raised her eyebrows.
"Are you askin' me out on a date?" She was slightly amused.
"Well…" Raph rubbed the back of his neck and Mimi had to bite her lip to keep from smiling, "Yeah…I guess…"
"And how do you plan to walk around without people knowin' your big secret." She said the last part with the roll of her eyes.
"I got these." He put on a tan fedora and matching trench coat.
"That's s'posed to cover you?" She almost snorted, "I could see right through that."
"Well, that's 'cause ya' know we exist…" Raph raised and eye ridge, "Everyone else is too busy to care, to them I'm just a creepy fat guy with a skin issue."
"Nice." Mimi smiled, "And I'm supposed to be seen with you?"
"Are ya' comin' or not?" He was annoyed and she had to chuckle.
"Yeah, let me grab my jacket." She said moving towards her room.
"It's like eighty degrees out there!" Raph called, and got no answer. Mimi came back out with the girls following her. She picked up Killer at his feet and handed him to Joanne.
"Behave." She told the dog sternly and it barked in response. She chuckled scratching his ears and then turning to the girls, "I'll be back later… Tell Casey, April wants him to call her to make sure he knows what time to pick her up tomorrow."
"I want her home by midnight, Raphael." Angel said in motherly tone, but a smile was present on her face.
"Thanks, Mom." Mimi rolled her eyes and stepped out of the open window, onto the fire escape.
"So is this a date?" Maureen asked with a bubbly laugh, Mimi blushed a little outside ad looked at the sky scratching the back of her head.
"So what if it is?" Raph smirked at the blonde who attempted at a suspicious look but failed and ended up giggling like a fool.
"Come on, Killer." Joanne said to the fluffy dog, "Mommy and Daddy need to have some alone time." She winked and turned for Mimi's bedroom, Mimi's mouth dropped as she yelled,
"Joanne!" In a scolding manner, the other girls laughed and bid their farewells, "Oh my god…" Mimi clenched her eyes shut, "That was…they're so…"
"I know." Chuckled Raph, "I got siblings too, remember?"
"Yeah but they're not even related to me, which is twice as bad." She groaned, "Whatever, can we just go?" She requested and he chuckled yet again.
"Hold on tight, Kitten." He said as he picked her up bridal style, she just rolled her eyes as he jumped from the fire escape.
"Are you going to make me watch some crappy horror movie?" Mimi said as they walked side by side down the street.
"I ain't watchin' no chick flick." Raph shot out and she rolled her eyes.
"So much for being a gentleman." She said lowly and he snorted.
"I ain't a gentleman." He said plainly and she laughed,
"I know." She said and he pushed her slightly, "So what are we gonna see then?"
"I don't know," Raph said almost annoyed, "Why can't you just wait until we get there?"
"Because it annoys you when I ask questions." She replied innocently,
"So why do you keep askin'!?"
"'Cause it's fun." She chuckled and he gave her another push, "So…no word from Leo lately?"
"There hasn't been word for months, what makes ya' think that changed?" Raphael's voice was even more annoyed and slightly suspicious, "Have you heard anythin' from him?"
"Uh…no…not at all." She said, and shrugged, "Just wonderin' was all."
"Yeah well, if he ever decides to come back he better not expect a welcome home party." Raph stated bitterly.
"Ya' can't just assume he gave up on us all." Mimi defended, "I'm sure somethin' happened to make him stay…"
"Yeah, well whatever it is, it better be good…" Raph said gruffly and she stopped putting her hands on her hips, and an angry look on her face.
"He could be hurt somewhere and all you can think about is how you got screwed over!" She said with a sharp tone, "You should be worryin' about whether or not your brother is even alive!"
"Leo's alive," Raph said almost reassuringly, "And I'm just sayin' he could do more, y'know?"
"Sure." Mimi said tightly beginning to walk again, and he sighed.
"Mimi…" He began but she just looked at him.
"I refuse to believe that everyone has given up on me…" She said, "Even if things are gettin' better, it's been a year, Raph."
"I didn't give up on you, Mimi." Raph said, and she rolled her eyes, "Ya' think I just stopped caring?" He asked and she didn't answer, "Mimi I thought about ya' everyday, I felt like a jerk!"
"Well you should have!" Mimi said frustrated, as they approached the movie theatre, "You were the one person I expected to actually stick by me, y'know?" There was a pause where she shook her head, "But whatever…"
"What am I supposed to say?" Raph said annoyed, "You ain't gonna believe anythin' I tell ya' so why should I try?"
"Good question." Mimi replied stubbornly, and he gave a near growl.
Things were a little tense from then on, and Mimi was kicking herself mentally for being so stubborn, but wouldn't do anything to change her attitude. Raph was frustrated with her, and was thinking of anyway he could earn her trust again. They eventually decided on the most recent action blockbuster and things seemed to ease up from there.
"Raph, this movie is terrible…" Mimi whispered crossing her arms, and sinking into her seat, "Let's go sneak into somethin' else."
"It's almost over, cool it." He whispered back and watched the movie intensely, Mimi rolled her eyes.
"None of this is even realistic…" She whispered at him, "That scrawny wimp couldn't land that jump…"
"It's a movie, Mimi…" Raph grumbled, "They're allowed to bend the rules."
"That doesn't make the movie any better." She said and rolled her eyes as the movie ended with a cliffhanger, and crappy tagline, "Thank you for waistin' two hours of my life."
"Anytime." Raph said as they exited the movie theatre Mimi munching on some candy she had left, "I can't believe you complained the entire time."
"Your idea." She replied, "I'm feelin' tacos, you down?"
"Yeah, why not?" Raph shrugged, and she rolled her eyes slightly.
Raph and Mimi ate tacos at a little shop Mimi had found a while back and enjoyed the homemade recipe. They teased and bickered like they always did, they laughed and walked through Central Park. Mimi seemed to be troubled by something, and Raph noticed, but decided to not bother her about it for once. Approaching midnight, Raph walked Mimi home.
"Well…this was fun…" She said as they stepped in, "You want something to drink?"
"Nah, I'll pass." He said sitting on the couch, she grabbed herself a soda and sat next to him turning on the T.V.
"Since I watched your crappy movie, we're watching mine."
Raph grumbled a lot, and Mimi had to bribe him with an assortment of treats, but he finally agreed. Mimi casually rested her head on Raph's shoulder, and he felt a small smile on his face. He smoothly yawned and stretched out his arms extending one to wrap around her shoulder.
"Smooth." She said in an amused tone and he chuckled, she bit her lip and sat up, turning to face him. She sat crossing her legs, "We got a call from April the other day…"
"Yeah…" He replied slightly confused, "What's it matter?"
"She said…" Mimi stopped and scratched her head, "She found Leo…"
There was a tense pause where Raph looked at Mimi who was biting her lip. She wasn't really sure if she should have told him. She had no idea how he was going to react and she generally liked the idea of knowing what he might say before telling him. Raph narrowed his eyes and turned back to the television.
"Is he comin' back with her?" He asked and Mimi closed her eyes drooping her head.
"I don't think so…" She said quietly in response, "Not yet…" There was another pause, and she stood up, "I wasn't sure if I should have told you, y'know…" She hesitated, "I wasn't sure how you'd react…"
"Do the girls know?" He asked not really watching the T.V.
"No." Mimi said softly, "They'd get their hopes up, and I didn't want them to be disappointed…"
"I have to tell Splinter…" Raphael said and Mimi nodded a little, "But the guys…"
"Donnie might be able to work out that he's not coming back…yet…" Mimi added, "But Mikey…he's…"
"Yeah…" Raph nodded, "She's comin' back tomorrow right?"
"Who, April?" Mimi said and then nodded, "Yeah, she is…" Mimi sat down again, and hugged her knees to her chest, "So, was I right to tell you?"
"I woulda been pissed if ya' hadn't." He said plainly.
"I'll take that as a yes…"
Casey came home at about three A.M. and by then Mimi was asleep alone on the floor, and Raphael was long gone. He stumbled in and passed out on the couch, not even bothering to take off his hockey mask, and simply discarding his bag of weapons against the couch.
Mimi slept like a rock, and had a pillow with a blanket. Killer was sleeping next to her and only opened his eyes once to see who had climbed through the window. The two slept out of sheer exhaustion, even as the girls left to go grocery shopping. Ten minutes after the triplets left, the phone rang and neither of the two seemed to stir.
"Casey can't come to the phone right now, 'cause were hardly workin' " Casey's voice said on the answering machine and Mimi opened her eyes frowning a bit.
"Casey!" Groaned Mimi, "Get the phone." Casey reached over to the coffee table groaning as he put the phone to his ear,
"This better be good…" He grumbled,
"Casey," It was April's aggravated voice, and Casey sat up knocking over his sports things, "I am standing on a dock with a priceless statue and no delivery truck…" There was a small pause were Casey threw off his mask and looked around the room, "So, my question is…. Where. Are. You?"
"Uh…April!" Casey said and Mimi sat up having some kinks in her back from sleeping on the hardwood floor, "Hey, babe. I am so sorry. I set the alarm clock but…" He paused looking at the alarm clock on the coffee table he had put there purposely and began banging it on the coffee table, so it beeped, "It's broken…the clock…"
"Loser." Mimi mumbled under her breath, and Casey looked over to her. April gave a frustrated sigh on the other end.
"It's bad enough you're out every night play 'vigilante', but we've got a deadline to meet!" Mimi could hear April's aggravated and slightly distressed tones from where she sat on the floor.
"I'm sorry…" Casey said genuinely, rubbing his eyes, and Mimi mouthed 'Leo' which made him jump, "Oh, wait, babe, real quick. You left a message saying you found Leo…" Mimi held her breath, "I mean, is he there with you?"
"No." April sighed and Mimi let out a disappointed breath, and Casey visibly deflated, "I found him." She sounded resided when she said, "He's not coming back."
"But…" Casey began, "Didn't you tell him weird things have gotten with the Turtles?"
"Look," April said, "Casey, we're going to lose the biggest client we have if you don't get down here."
"Alright." He sighed, "I'm on my way." He clicked the phone and looked to Mimi, "Sorry, Squirt."
"It's okay…" Mimi half smiled, "I didn't expect him to come runnin' home, y'know?"
"Good thing we didn't tell everyone…" Casey sighed, and Mimi nodded, "Gotta go pick up Ape, I'll be back…" He stood ruffling Mimi's hair that now reached her shoulders.
"You're a lousy boyfriend, I hope you know." Mimi teased.
"Yeah, whatever…"
"Ow!" Maureen laughed punching Mikey lightly on the chest, "Don't pinch me!"
Music lightly flowed through Mike's room as the two lay on his bed. Tangled in what would at first seem to be very provocative position, was really innocent wrestling. Mikey had one of Maureen's forearms and showed no signs of letting go, while she was trying to push her self away from him with one arm. Their legs kicked and pushed against each other.
"Lemme go!" She giggled and hit his head lightly.
"Ow…" Mikey chuckled tickling her ribs lightly making her laugh even more.
"Stop!" She
yelled and he rolled his eyes.
"You started it."
"Well, I'm going to end it!" Maureen laughed and they continued their wrestling match.
"Isn't…" Mikey said struggling a bit, "April coming home today?"
"Yeah…" Maureen grunted a bit still trying to wrench her arm away, "Why…do…you…ask?" She said between grunts.
"Just wonderin'." Mikey laughed, "You're not getting away, dudette…" He said knowingly.
"Yeah I will." Maureen smiled, "You should come over for dinner or something…"
"Depends on what your having…" He said.
"Honestly Michelangelo," Maureen said stopping her strugging for a moment, "One night of something besides pizza will not kill you."
"But pizza is a meal for true heroes!" He almost whined and she rolled her eyes slightly, "You're going to be an old, fat turtle one day."
"I resent that!" Mikey said with wide eyes, "I'm a ninja dude, remember?"
"A lazy ninja dude!" Maureen teased, "When was the last time you did some real training?"
"Umm…" Mikey frowned in concentration, and while he was distracted Maureen pulled her arm away, "Since two months after Leo left, I think."
"Exactly." She laughed, "Even Donnie takes a break to beat up the old punching bag every once in a while."
"I'm a busty guy, y'know!" Mikey said defensively as Maureen crawled over him to change the track on the old radio.
"Right…" She said sarcastically.
"I am, dudette!" Mikey cried out, sitting up as Maureen raised her eyebrows.
"Please do explain, your ninja-ness." She gave an exaggerated bow.
"I'm runnin' a booming business, and it's hard recovering from those countless birthday parties!"
"Oh please, you entertain elementary school kids, how hard could it be?" Maureen rolled her eyes.
"Harder than you think, Pinky." He said and she looked as pink strand of hair falling into her face, "Have you ever been beaten with a foam bo-staff?"
"Mikey, they're made of foam!" She laughed, "Suck it up, be a man!"
"Have you?" He insisted.
"No." Laughed Maureen, "Most normal people haven't."
"Well, I think you should learn the pain…" He narrowed his eyes pulling out a purple foam bo-staff toy, one of the many he gave out when he was working.
"No fair!" Maureen laughed, "I don't even get to defend my self?"
"Nope." Mikey smiled and attacked her with the purple toy, "Suck it up, dude!"
"Oh shut up!" She said pushing the weapon away, but he hit her over the head, "Mikey!" She scolded with a laugh. When he did it again she tackled him to the bed attempting to steal the toy.
He laughed and wouldn't let go. She bent the foam weapon and hit him over the head with it a couple times. He pushed her hand away and hit her in the stomach. She attempted to kick him, but it didn't work. He continued to beat her with the toy, even though it didn't really hurt. She just laughed and tried pushing the ever assaulting weapon away.
"Alright, alright…" She began in defeat, "ALRIGHT!" She finally yelled and he paused mid swing, "You win."
"That's what I thought." Mikey replied stoically and Maureen rolled her eyes, punching him in the arm.
"So are you coming tonight or not?" Maureen asked catching her breath.
"I'll try." He said with a small laugh, "I got a birthday party at seven…" He sounded less than pleased, "If I can survive it, I'll be there."
"You're such a drama queen." Maureen laughed.
"You're the drama queen, I prefer drama king, thanks much." He replied in a mockingly stiff tone.
"Whatever, you're still a pain in the butt."
"Thanks, I really feel loved." Mikey pouted and Maureen chuckled hugging him close to her.
"Oh you are." She cooed, "You're the only pain in the butt I'll put up with."
"Thanks…I guess?"
"You're welcome." She smiled kissing his beak lovingly, and giggling.
The two met in a lip lock, that was at first really sweet. Maureen pulled away as Mikey lightly sucked on her lower lip and pulled her back in. His fingers lightly caressed her bare shoulders almost subconsciously, and the contact made her feel a tingling sensation. Mikey's tongue found it's way to hers and they began to move across each other.
She had a feeling they'd be in here for a while.
"Ma'am…" Donnie began, rolling his eyes, "Ma'am, please…" The woman on the other line continued to rant, "Ma'am, you're going to have to swipe the computer…" He paused and waited for the woman to stop asking questions, "You can take it in to a local electronics shop, they should be able to do it for you…" Another pause, "Have a nice day, ma'am." Ending the call he groaned, this job really wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. A noise from one of his other computer screens caught his attention, seeing that he had received an IM he clicked on it.
'Nice convo?'
He looked Joanne who sat at the couch with her laptop, she glanced up at him and he narrowed his eyes.
"Not really." He responded aloud and she began typing.
'Oh, come on now, actually conversating is no fun!'
"Joe, seriously…" Donnie said, and another ding signaled a new message.
'Can't hear you…'Donnie spared one last glance back at her before rolling his eyes.
'Is there a reason for your pestering?' He typed quickly.
'Not necessarily…''Then why are you IM-ing me instead of speaking?'
'Because you don't answer…' She paused, 'I called your name like seven times…'
'I was kind of busy, if you didn't notice…' He raised his eye ridges,
'No need to get snippy.'
'I'm not snippy!' He replied looking back at her with a small frown, and she had an amused smile on her face. 'You're messing with me again, aren't you?'
'Maybe.'
'The prank calls were not funny!'
'I thought it was.' She paused again, 'Besides both times you looked like you needed a break…'
'So by being endlessly annoying, you're helping?'
'That's the logic, yep.'
'How do you know it's working?'
'You're smiling, aren't you?' He looked back to see her smug smile as she looked back at him.
'Alright, so your pestering was helpful this time.' He admitted, 'Where are Mike and Ree, he's got a party in less than fifteen minutes…'
'They've been in his room since this afternoon…' She paused and then began typing again, 'I thought I heard them earlier, but they've been quiet for a while…'
'That could be a problematic…' Donnie typed with a frown, 'Maybe we should go check on them.'
'They're not five years old, Don…' Joanne rolled her eyes from her position on the couch, 'Hey are you coming to April's welcome home dinner tonight?'
'Sure, why not.' He typed and then began again, 'It's better than pizza…again…'
'Haha, don't complain you know you love pizza.' She laughed as she typed it and he shook his hed with a smile.
'Not every night, I don't.' He typed and then paused, 'There's supposed to be a documentary special on tonight, you wouldn't want to come down and watch it with me, would you?'
'It's a date.' She typed biting her lip with a smile.
"What are you two doin'?" Raph yawned coming down the steps, "Cyber-sex?"
"Raph!" Donnie scolded and Joanne laughed.
"Well you're both smilin' like idiots, eyes glued to your computers…" He shrugged, "And it's not like I know what you do when you're alone with your technology…"
"You have a sick mind…" Joanne said a smile still on her face, "You coming up to April and Casey's for dinner?"
"Sure, I ain't got nothin' better to do." He shrugged jumping over the side of the couch and sitting a distance away from Joanne, "Hey, do you two know what Mike and Ree are up to?" He asked, "I heard 'em messin' around and then it got all quiet…"
"Dude, I'm gonna be sooo late!" Mikey said tearing down the steps, Maureen following after him laughing.
"I told you!"
"Yeah whatever, babe." Mikey grumbled, running out the door.
"Do I wanna know what you two were doin'?" Raph narrowed his eyes, and Maureen frowned lightly.
"We were just messing around…" She said rolling her eyes, "Do you guys have to think the worst?"
"I just need to know if I gotta clobber Mike or not." Raph grumbled, nodding to Maureen who rolled her eyes.
"I'm a big girl, Raphie." She insisted and he snorted in response, "Has anyone seen Mimi all day?"
"She went job hunting today," Joanne said, "She said something about being useless all day…"
"Why did she quit her other job?" Donnie asked and Joanne shrugged.
"She said she came into work late and her boss flipped, so she quit."
"Well at least she's looking for a new one." Donnie shrugged, and Joanne snorted,
"Tell me about it, she's been sleeping in all day for the past month…"
"Who does that sound like?" Donnie said with an innocent glance to his brother who looked to both of them before shrugging.
"Don't look at me, I'm up ain't I?"
"For now…" Joanne mumbled and laughed as Raph shoved her lightly.
"So, are you glad to be home?" Angel asked her older sister before sipping some coffee. April sat down next to her on the couch with her own cup of coffee.
"Yeah, I missed the city…" April admitted with a small smile, "You guys did a good job looking out for Casey and Mimi…" She laughed a little, "The house was a wreck last time I came home."
"They were a little whiney, but we got them to keep it in good shape." Angel smiled, and there was a small pause.
"I'm sorry I couldn't convince him to come back with me…" April said softly and Angel looked confused.
"Convince who to come back with you?" She asked, and April looked confused now.
"Leo…" She said as if it were obvious, and Angel frowned.
"How could you have convinced him to come home?" Angel asked,
"I left a message saying that I found him, Casey didn't tell you?" April asked and Angel shook her head, the older red head rolled her eyes, "Well I found him in South America…"
"Oh…" Angel responded quietly, "….How is he?"
"He's…fine." April said a little tiredly, "I told him how everyone was doing…"
"Did he say why he stopped writing?" She asked and April shook her head, "Did he say when he would come home?"
"He he'd be back when he was ready…" April replied softly, "He asked about you…"
"Oh…" Angel said, "Well, I mean, at least we know he's okay…"
"Angel, I know he misses you…" April said and Angel's expression was tight and angry.
"Apparently not enough to come home…or even write anyone of us a letter…" She said.
"You're mad at him too, then…" April sighed, she reached into her purse, "He told me to give this to you…" She handed her a envelope and Angel looked at it, "Give him a break, Angel…He's already going to get enough heat from Raph."
"And he deserves it!" Angel responded angrily, "He left us without a word for a year, and then expects us to just wait until he feels it's the right time to come home?" She ranted, "Now, is the right time for him to come home, Mimi's getting better, we're all here, and the guys are as good as they're going to be with him gone, he needs to put an end to this and just come back."
"Angel…" April said, "It's going to take a lot more than him just coming back to fix all this…"
"Which is why he should come home and start fixing." Angel said, "I've waited a year for him, April, a year!" She shook her head closing her eyes, "I don't want this…" She tried to hand her sister back the envelope, "It's just going to be an apology and a list of explinations for himself…"
"Don't you want an apology?" April asked hopefully, and Angel shook her head again.
"I want it from him." The teen sighed, "I mean, what am I supposed to do, April?" She asked, "Just welcome him home with open arms?"
"That's one option…" April said softly, "He's guilty Angel, I could see it all over his face." She tried, "That's probably another reason he's hesitant to come back…"
"He's supposed to be their leader…" Angel said, "He should be able to deal with confrontation…"
"Angel, him being their leader has nothing to do with your relationship." April said, "If you're upset because he hasn't written, then that's—"
"That's not it, April!" Angel defended, "And yeah it sucked not hearing from him, yeah I miss him more than I can say, but that can't excuse him from abandoning us all…"
"You know you really can't say anything about abandonment, seeing as you barely gave us a word while you were back home." April said and Angel stared at her, "Joanne was constantly in contact with Don and Mimi, Maureen called Mikey every night, even though we didn't know she did, they made an effort…"
"I called Mimi –" Angel began,
"Once a month…" April said, "It may not be as bad as Leo, but to Mimi it's all the same."
"This isn't about Mimi!" Angel said, "Why is everything always about Mimi?" She asked, "Mimi's depressed, Mimi's being stubborn, Mimi's not talking to anybody, Mimi's shutting people out!" Angel said frustrated, standing up, "Well, what's changed?" She asked, "That's how Mimi's always been!" April watched her sister begin to pace, "And of course, Raphael is the only one who can ever get anything out of her, and of course they're patching up their relationship so everyone has to be involved…"
"Are you…jealous?" April asked and Angel folded her arms over he chest looking out the window, feeling the painful lump in her throat.
"No…" Angel said, "They're just all so happy…and I mean, I'm glad they're happy…"
"But…you miss Leo…" April smiled sadly, "Angel…he misses you too…more than you think…"
"So much that he doesn't even write?" Angel replied wiping her tearing eyes, "Sounds like he misses me a lot…" She added sarcastically.
"Just read the letter…" April said handing her the envelope, "It might be more than an apology… He knows you better than you think." She kissed her little sister's head and went to bed, Angel sighed opening the note. It was definitely his clean, neat writing.
'Angel,
I know you're probably really upset with me, and I don't blame you. And I know it doesn't mean much in a letter but, I'm sorry. I heard things aren't going so well at home, and I know that it's mostly my fault. I need you to keep things together until I come home. That's probably a lot to ask since you haven't had a word from me in a while. Seeing April gave me a sort of a reality check, I guess. There's a letter for my father in the envelope too. If you could deliver it for me, I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one who would be grateful. I really hope April was exaggerating when she said things are really bad. And I hope you haven't given up on me…or us. I miss you a lot, and I'm thinking of you… a lot…
Love, Leo
P.S. I'll be home sooner than you think.'
"Angel?" Mimi's voice cut through Angel's haze as she hid the letter behind her back, turning to the girl, "You're up late."
"I…was just going to bed…." She said wiping her eyes a little.
"Are you okay?"
"I…" Angel said softly, "I don't know…"
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Mimi asked with a small frown.
"Uh, no." Sniffed Angel, "I just want to get to bed…thanks though."
"Angel…"
"Seriously Mimi…" Angel pushed past her, "Just leave me alone…"
"What's up with Angel?" Raph asked Mimi as she untied her black bandana, taking the chance too look her over, "She came to give Master Splinter somethin' and then booked it without so much as a hello…"
"She's been actin' weird since Monday…" Mimi said taking off her turtleneck to replace it with an easy t-shirt. "I just kinda let her have her space…"
"What do you think it was all about?" He asked putting his helmet into the duffle bag.
"I don't know." Mimi said kicking off her shoes and taking off her stockings, "What'd she give Master Splinter?"
"I dunno, but he sure was happy." Raph replied and put the duffle bag next to the bike.
"Whatever, she said she didn't want to talk about so…" Mimi trailed off, "I'll meet you…"
Raph wanted to mess with the bike a bit before he decided to go relax. He spent almost an hour on the bike before deciding it was time to get cleaned up. He wiped the oil and grease off of himself before turning off the bad light in the garage and heading to the lair. Donnie and Mikey were both asleep in the living room with the television on.
Raph shook his head with a sigh and small smile, he walked towards the kitchen to grab a soda. He heard Splinter speaking in the room where they did most of their meditating, which was something they rarely did now. He then heard another voice.
"I'm sorry I failed…"
"On the contrary, my son…Now you are much stronger."
"No way…" He said quietly to himself standing straight. He forgot about the soda and walked over to the partially opened door, staring in.
Raph felt a pit in his stomach as the familiar sight of his older brother standing to face his father. Splinter gave Leo some kind of medal. The older turtles skin was lighter, like he had gotten a lot of sun. Raph didn't know exactly what to do, or if he should say something. Seeing him was just so sudden, and it made him almost…mad.
"Your strength is needed here now." Splinter said as Leo looked at the medal, "You owe me no apology, but perhaps you should talk to Raphael." Said turtle wondered if his father knew he was listening in, "Your absence has been particularly difficult for him…though he'll never admit it."
Leo seemed hesitant as he said, "I'm certain things will be back to normal in no time, master."
"Good." Splinter said shortly, "Because until you act as one, you are forbidden to fight."
"Yes, sensei." Leo replied obediently.
"I have missed you, Leonardo." Splinter said hugging his eldest son,
"I've missed you too, father." Leo said with a relieved sigh, as they broke apart the rat turned to the door slightly.
"Raphael!" He said happily, and his brother turned to the door as well, "Your brother is home."
Raph opened the door all the way and rubbed the back of his neck, Leo smiled and said, "Hey."
"Hey." Raph replied shortly, "Uh..welcome home…"
"Yeah." Leo said awkwardly, "Thanks." There was a pause where Raph glanced over and saw Mimi grabbing a soda. He yawned and stretched,
"Well, I'm goin' to bed." He looked to the floor and then turned to leave. Passing the sleeping turtles he pushed the magazine off of Donnie's head saying, "Hey, Leo's back. Better go say hello before he leaves again." He headed over to Mimi who handed him a soda.
"He's really back…" Mimi asked looking at the three turtles, Leo trapping Don in a headlock.
"Yeah…" Raph said shortly, "You comin' to bed?"
"I'll be there in a sec." She said, and looked at him.
"Whatever." He replied, and walked towards the stairs.
"Huh, Leo?" Mikey asked, falling off the couch his chips falling as he did, "Is that really you?"
"Yeah." Leo said with a wide smile, he opened his arms for a hug, but Mikey wrapped his arms around his brother.
"I'm like dreaming aren't I?"
"No," Leo said a little annoyed, "Mikey you're not dreaming." He exhaled laughing softly.
"Oh, good. I have nightmares about birthday parties." He said and hugged his brother tightly.
"Leo!" Mimi yelled running at him and jumping. He barely caught her, but she hugged him tightly when he did, "What's up, man!"
"Whoa, Mimi…" He laughed putting her down, "It's good to see you."
"Dude, you too!" She laughed, "These dweebs have been a bore without you around, believe me." She sighed, "And your girlfriend's havin' issues."
"I know, I've got a lot of damage control to do." He said breathlessly, "I heard I missed a pretty big birthday…"
"Eh, it wasn't s'posed to be a big deal, but you know the girls…" She smiled.
"Don't let her fool you, she enjoyed herself." Donnie said.
"Well, I hope you don't mind that a got you this…" He handed her a thin box and she looked at him sort of surprised.
Mimi was hesitant to open it, but pulled the lid off. Two very thin black silk drawstring cases sat in it. She looked at him, and he nodded. Mikey was bouncing in anticipation. Mimi sighed picking up one of the cases and opened it. Whatever it was, it was heavier than it looked. She took it out and it was a black Japanese fan, made of steel. Also known as a tessen, an old Japanese weapon.
"Twin tessen…" Mimi said breathlessly, opening it the fan and then looking at Leo, "Oh my god…" She said.
"Master Splinter might have to give you some pointers, but it's the only thing I could see you actually using…" Leo said and she hugged him again.
"Thank you." She said, "It's good to have you home…"
"It's good to be home."
