Henry Saunders was a brilliant man. It was how he'd landed his government job, how he knew how to fix practically any car with his eyes closed and how he knew when people were lying to him. It was how he knew his daughter was holding something back about her attack and how he knew Bishop was up to no good. And while it would give him great pleasure to reveal Bishop for what he really was, Henry also knew Bishop was a dangerous man who should be handled very carefully.
That's why Henry put a trace on his daughter's e-mails, bugged her phone and set the security cameras outside her bedroom window. His daughter might be naïve about the way the world worked but her father wasn't and he was going to make damn sure no one harmed his little girl while he was still on this earth.
* * * * * *
On weekends, Violet's family normally went into the city to see a play or do some shopping. That had all ended the moment her father was diagnosed with cancer; city trips just didn't hold the same appeal they once had. Instead, Violet found herself at the stables behind her house, visiting with her family's three horses. Copper was her baby, a beautiful mare whose color matched her namesake. She was a rescue horse Violet's grandfather had adopted and Violet had been so eager to help that he'd willed the horse to her, along with Serenity, a golden Palomino, and Limelight, a pale grey filly with a white star on her forehead. Occasionally, Joey would help her care for them but the horses were really her responsibility. When her father's diagnosis had come, Violet began to fear that the family would have to sell the horses, for money or convenience. It was a selfish fear and Violet felt a wave of shame wash over her.
Maybe if Donnie would respond to his e-mail I'd find some peace, she thought bitterly, directing her black mood to another cause. It had been four days since she'd e-mailed Donnie. What could possibly be keeping him?
All kinds of terrible thoughts flooded her mind each time she thought about it. What if Bishop had gotten to him first? What if he was hurt or worse, dead? What if she never saw him again? Each question made her mood sink and her head pound. This was not the way to be spending a Saturday afternoon.
As if knowing she needed a distraction Copper nudged her in the back, demanding attention. "Silly boy," she said, smiling for the first time that day. She busied herself, preparing the mare for an afternoon ride and soon her mood had lightened. She clucked her tongue after smoothly mounting, loving the feel of the wind in her hair as Copper took off at a steady trot. Tilting her head back to the sky Violet willed her thoughts to minor details: the color of the leaves, the pattern of the clouds, the way the light shimmered through the trees. The practice paid off and quickly she was smiling, laughing as she urged Copper into a gallop. The peace wouldn't last but for now it was a gift and Violet treasured it.
When the sun began to set Violet turned Copper back towards the stables, taking a shortcut directly behind the house and right by the kitchen window. Her mother would see her putting Copper inside for the evening and she'd save herself a scolding for being late for dinner; two birds, one stone. Violet slowed Copper, looking up to the kitchen window to wave at her mother but found the window surprisingly empty. Maybe she's helping Joey or Catie with something, Violet mused before catching sight of rich emerald curtains flapping on her small balcony. I could have sworn I left those doors closed, she thought, frowning. Yes, I'm almost positive…
"Hurry up, Dragonfly," her father called from the kitchen window, smiling down at her. "Your mother's getting Catie cleaned up and then we're going to eat."
Violet smiled, all thoughts of the curtains leaving her mind. "Be right there, Daddy."
* * * * * *
"Hurry up, Donnie," Raph hissed, inclining his head enough to see the young woman's attention turn from her bedroom window to her father's voice. She called out a response and turned the horse towards the stables. "She's puttin' the horse up."
"She notice the windows?" Donnie asked, eyes never leaving the computer screen as he eagerly searched Violet's hard drive.
"Yeah," Raph said quietly. The windows had been his idea - leave them open if they had to make a quick getaway. It had been a gamble, both turtles knowing she might notice the change in her room, therefore giving them less room to search for connections to Bishop.
"This is interesting," Donnie muttered and Raph tensed, seeing Violet leave the stables, snap her fingers as if she'd forgotten something and walk back inside.
Raphael hated this. It wasn't being so close to humans or the searching; on the contrary, he'd enjoyed the prospect of Violet's underwear drawer until Donnie's bo met his chin, quietly threatening. No, Raph hated the questions, the way there was nothing concrete about this scenario except Donnie's obvious attraction to the human girl. Things were easing at the lair but until this little mystery was solved the tension would remain. On top of all that Raph had to admit he was also a little bit jealous. Or maybe a lot. It depended on how generous he was feeling at the moment.
When the turtles had been younger the prospect of love, mating or any physical contact had never occurred to them. With time, however it was becoming increasingly obvious that they would either miss out entirely or endure major losses and compromises to enjoy what humans often took for granted. To love and be loved in return for exactly who and what they were would be difficult, if not impossible to find. Donnie was getting an idea at what that might be like and like his other brothers, Raph was envious.
I'm not jealous, Raph thought, arguing with himself. But if he gets laid before me then so help me-, his thoughts were broken with a stern knocking at Violet's bedroom door. "Shit!" He hissed.
"Violet," Mrs. Saunders called, knocking again. "Dinner, honey!" She swung the door open and Don and Raph both tensed from their impromptu hiding places.
"I'm down here, Mama," Violet called in the distance and her mother pulled the door shut, walking back down the hall.
"Damnit, Donnie," Raph growled. "Get what you need and let's get the hell out of here."
Donnie dropped down from the ceiling in Violet's closet, holding a CD. "Got it."
* * * * * *
"It doesn't make any sense," Donnie said, scrolling through the information he'd hijacked off Violet's computer. "She's got a trace from two different locations. Who else could be monitoring her?"
"If you weren't the one asking the question, dude," Mike said, "I'd think it was you."
The brother's were standing behind Donnie inside the van, watching Donnie's fingers whiz over the keyboard. "I was thinking the same thing," Donnie agreed. "There," he said, pulling up a screen that meant absolutely nothing to anyone inside the van but himself.
"Um…Don?" Leo began and Donnie nodded.
"I've backtracked the second trace. Whoever did it definitely knows what they're doing. It's weird, though."
"What is?" Leo asked, leaning forward to stare at the screen. Maybe if he looked at it long enough…
"The trace is coming from within her house," Don said, frowning.
"So either she set a trace or one of her parents did?" Leo asked. "That doesn't sound right."
"No, it doesn't." Donnie frowned. "Unless…"
"Unless Bishop wants us chasing our tails, questioning everyone including your girlfriend," Raph said, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't like it, Don. I know you like this chick but c'mon. Is she really worth the hassle?"
Donnie clenched his jaw, continuing to work on the other trace. "If she wasn't do you think I'd be going through this hassle?" The word was laced with danger. "But if you don't want to be involved…"
"Chill, man," Mike said, plopping down in a seat. "Raph just likes to ask the hard questions." He paused for a moment, looking pensive. "Or he's just being his normal pain-in-the-shell self. Either way, all is right with the world." He crossed his legs quickly and held out his hands in mock-meditation.
The three other turtles glanced at one another before looking back at the computer, opting to ignore their younger brother for the time being. "So what do you want to do, Donnie?" Leo asked.
Donnie thought for a moment before saying, "There's only one way to get the answers I need. I'm going to have to talk to her myself."
* * * * * *
Violet woke that night to a light breeze whispering on her cheek, rustling her covers and splaying her hair over her forehead. Fluttering her eyes open, Violet lifted her head to see her balcony doors wide open, her curtains swaying in the wind. A dark figure was perched on the balcony railing, folded in on himself. "Donnie?" She whispered. She couldn't be dreaming this, could she?
"Over here," his familiar voice called out softly from the corner of her room where it was the darkest.
Sleep tugged at the corners of Violet's mind but she knew she wasn't dreaming now. His outline was faint but it was there. He sat in her computer chair, leaning forward on his knees and she knew without the slightest doubt that he was watching her intently.
"When…how?" A moment of clarity broke through the confusion and she smiled. "You're all right! I was so worried that-," she stopped herself, hand still on the cover, ready to throw it off and go to him. She'd forgotten in her happiness that she was still kept at arms length from him. "I'm glad you're all right. I've been really worried."
"Have you?" The question was cold, solid like iron. "Or are you just doing what you're told?"
"What?" She asked. "I don't understand."
"Bishop's a clever guy, Violet. Picking a pretty girl to flirt with his enemy isn't beneath him." Her eyes widened at the implication. She was shocked and hurt he'd actually think she was actually part of Bishop's screwed up plans - whatever they might be.
"How can you even ask that?" She gasped, looking dumbfounded.
He remained silent, his gaze never faltering. Finally, "I have to ask the tough questions, Violet. Otherwise someone gets hurt or dead. Typically someone I love."
She ran a hand through her unruly hair, shaking her head. "I don't even know how to respond to that. Do you really think that I'm working with Bishop? That we set this whole thing between you and me up? Or is this just a really convenient way to put even more distance between us?"
His silence was thick, almost suffocating and Violet finally shook her head, anger taking the place of reason. "You know what gets me the most? This entire thing has been on your terms. You don't want to be seen so I agree, no face to face interaction. I have to come back home but we can still talk…as long as it's your terms, again. Then, on top of getting harassed by some creepy government agent I have to wait for you to get back to me and let me know you're all right.
"And now here you are, asking questions but offering very little in return. You've even got backup." She jerked her head back in the direction of her balcony. "What are you really afraid of, Donnie? What questions do you really want answered? Am I working with Bishop or is it easier for you to believe that so you can move on without any regrets?" Her words were harsh, anger lacing each and every one. She was on the defensive which to some might make her look guilty but right now she just wanted to hurt him as much as he'd hurt her.
"You done?" He asked calmly. No emotion, no reaction and it enraged her. His heart might not be on the line here but hers was.
"Not even a little bit," she hissed, throwing the covers off and stalking towards him. "You want answers, you're going to have to give something up first."
She was close, surprisingly close but it was still too dark to make his face out. She saw muscles, lots of muscles and when they moved she could barely keep up. His hand whisked out, grabbing her wrist and spinning her against the nearest wall. He caught the other, pulling them together above her head and held them together with a vice iron grip. She gasped, angry, shocked and excited that she was finally so close to him. Technically she was facing the wall but still…he was pressed right against her back, hard and solid and wonderfully real. "Something I said?" She asked quietly before he slid a piece of fabric over her eyes. "Wha…?"
He spun her around, pressing her back against the wall, still holding her hands over her head. "Are you going to behave?" He asked quietly, his free hand sliding along her side, over her curves and finally resting on her hip. Her breath hitched and he chuckled. "Well, Violet?" She grit her teeth together, tempted to scream to startle him but knew she'd instantly regret making him leave. Finally she nodded. "Good."
* * * * * *
Donnie watched Violet carefully as she nodded her consent. He took in every aspect of her he'd been unable to experience during their rooftop meetings: her slightly chapped lips, cool, soft skin and the scent of soap, mint toothpaste and…was that hay? A smile quirked at the corner of his mouth and he was surprised she'd remained so quiet under his hold. Earlier, she had looked ready to clock him but good.
Not that he blamed her. He had insulted her, insinuating that she was part of Bishop's twisted plot and she had reacted exactly the way he expected. He had to credit her though, despite her obvious anger she'd kept her tone even. No one would come knocking on her door tonight. He leaned into her, very pleased with that revelation.
"I've upset you." She grimaced. He was stating the obvious. "I didn't mean to." "Yes, you did," she replied quietly.
She was right. He'd been testing her, seeing if it was a genuine reaction, wondering if she was a great actress, easily tricking him into believing her.
"I don't blame you, though," she said, just as quietly. "You have a family and you're worried about them. I was thinking about myself…and I'm sorry." A tear slid down her cheek and he reached up, wiping it away.
"I didn't mean to make you worry. I just haven't known where to go from this point." She remained quiet so he continued. "Bishop hates me and my family, Violet. He doesn't just want to hurt us, he wants to kill us. And he'll use you to get to me if he thinks he can. You have two traces on your computer, probably a bug on your phone…you need to be careful."
"Things are about to get very dangerous, aren't they Donnie?" She asked quietly.
"Violet, they already are."
The silence lulled between them and Donnie realized he'd been tracing lazy circles on her hip, shifting the fabric under his hold. Does she always sleep in this? he wondered, looking at the tank top, shorts and oversized men's button down hanging wide open. Thoughts he didn't need and couldn't afford right now slid into the back of his mind and he had to close his eyes, shaking the lusty images from his mind. Still…what would happen if…
His mouth lowered close to hers, breath warm on her skin. She tilted her head back, almost expectant. He could kiss her and be gone within a moment, no worries of seeing her response. He moved his head back from hers, wondering at the possibilities. Her legs were already brushing his own and his plastron was pressed against her chest, allowing him to feel the delicious rise and fall of her chest. His hand was still holding her arms over her head - had she even realized he only had three fingers instead of five?
He'd never kissed a woman but his mind was opening up dozens of options right now that all seemed equally enjoyable and equally dangerous. That only heightened his curiosity and for Donatello, curiosity needed to be sated.
"Donatello!" Leo's voice hissed from the balcony and Don jerked. He'd forgotten about his brother.
"Crap," he muttered, leaning his forehead against hers.
"I take it that you aren't going to kiss me then?" She sounded tired and disappointed and he chuckled, lowering her hands but not releasing them.
"Honestly, I'd really like to but now probably isn't a great idea."
"You have to go?"
"Yeah but I'll be in touch. Take this." He slid a shell cell into her hand, closing her hands around it. "Keep it safe; keep yourself safe."
Violet nodded. "You too."
He backed away slowly, quietly then turned, leaping off the balcony with Leo close behind.
* * * * * *
Watching Donnie and Violet had been harder than Leonardo had thought. It brought back too many memories about Kairi that he still wasn't ready to confront just yet. He closed his eyes, turning his head away from Donnie and Violet who were pushed together in a tempting position. He couldn't save Donnie if Don didn't want to be saved. He couldn't blame him either. Some things are just…hard to resist.
"You're late," he said as Kairi rounded the corner into a dark, quiet alley. The full moon was their only light but neither needed it; they had both become attuned to the night long ago.
"I'll make it up to you," she said, strolling forward, already sending his hormones into overdrive.
His voice was low and raspy when he spoke again. "I know you will."
Leo opened his eyes. Violet wasn't Kairi, he reminded himself. Still, did that even matter? She was human and that might be all it took. Maybe love wasn't possible for their kind but even for Leo that seemed too cruel to be true.
"Donatello!" He hissed, having hit his limit. Next time Mike or Raph could play babysitter. Donatello slid away from Violet, handing her something and then he was running, leaping off the balcony before he could change his mind. Leo remained a moment, watching Violet tug Donnie's bandana off and saw her breath catch when she saw him still watching her.
"My brother trusts you, Miss Saunders. I hope for his sake that it isn't in vain."
