Being a werewolf had its advantages. Raphael was sitting across the room, and he was nervous. Maxine could tell by the scent he was giving off, not exactly human pheromones, but not too far off either. His eyes kept darting around the room, resting most often on his own hands that were splayed over his knees. To say that Raphael was uncomfortable would have been an understatement. Maxine thought he probably wasn't used to being around a lot of people outside his immediate family.

Asha had been right about him. Raphael was not ugly, but he would take some getting used to. Max had gotten past everything except for his overall size and the presence of his extremely prominent shell. April was the one that had described them, and she hadn't exaggerated a single detail. It wasn't that she thought there was anything wrong or bad about any of them, after all she was a shifter herself and had even known a rare lizard shifter who was a chameleon. She simply found Raphael to be an enigma, one that she would love to solve if given a chance.

His other brothers were easy to peg. Mikey was the goofball and obviously the little brother. Maxine had a little brother and he was every bit as annoying and lovable as Mikey. Donnie was the quiet observing one, and he was also completely taken with Asha as he kept smiling and looking at her. Leo, the ex, was the quiet storm. She couldn't peg whether he was older or Raphael. She had gathered that Leo was in charge, but it didn't make him older. Many a pack alpha were younger than some of the beta males they ruled over. Raphael she had surmised was no beta even though he was not in charge. Raphael was an alpha male through and through, but his quiet demeanor seemed more borne of the simple unfamiliarity of being out of his comfort zone. From the way his hands would sometimes curl into loose fists, she figured he was probably most like Asha. Ready for fighting and prone to violence as a solution to problems.

Maxine crossed her long legs and smiled in Raph's direction. In response he gave a very small half-smile that was quickly hidden by a turn of his head. His eyes darted over to see if she was still looking his way, and glanced down when he saw that she was. He didn't know how much more of this being watched like a hawk crap he could take. He got up heading to the kitchen for more water, then cursing himself as he realized it took him right past this Maxine chick. When he had first walked through the door, she was standing to greet them all and he found she was quite tall, much taller than Asha. She had taken it pretty well actually. She didn't scream or act all weird, and for Raphael that was weird in and of itself. As a matter of fact, she kept looking at him like she was trying to figure him out. He wished she would either say something to him, or stop staring like an idiot. What was she looking at so hard anyway? He was a turtle. From what he was told she was a damn werewolf, so she had a nerve constantly eyeballing him.

Raphael was pouring himself some cold water when Maxine walked in right behind him. She just stood in the doorway, blocking it and staring at him…again. He drunk the water slowly not bothering to acknowledge her presence if she wasn't gonna have the cojones to talk.

"So, um, how tall are you?" Maxine asked, then immediately felt stupid. It was a lame question and not an ice breaker. Usually she was the smooth one, but in this case she found herself at a loss with how to approach a giant turtle for casual conversation.

Raphael slowly took the glass from his lips and looked at her, an annoyed look on his face. What kind of a lame question was that? He guessed he would answer it though, at least she finally said something rather than psychotically staring.

"I dunno, almost seven feet or so I guess. Never actually measured it," Raph said in a tone much nicer than his expression. He rinsed the glass and then moved towards the doorway, hoping like hell she would move without asking anymore dumb questions. Thankfully she did move, but she put her head down when he passed.

He looked back briefly at her to find her expression a bit deflated. He felt a little bad. He hadn't said anything wrong, but perhaps he could have stood to be a little more open to a small conversation. He caught her eye contact before he turned away.

"Sorry, that was a lame question," she said trying to play it cool. He could respect that.

"S'okay," he managed, shrugging one large shoulder before getting back to his seat. Maxine brightened and returned to her own seat.

"Donnie," Asha said patting the space on the floor next to her. "Why don't you come sit over here, and tell us about these Kraang things or whatever they're called."

Donnie happily scooted himself next to Asha. He was much more comfortable now that he had rested his equipment in the corner and off his shell. It was starting to take a toll on his neck and shoulders.

"Well, there isn't a whole lot to tell. I haven't had an opportunity to study or learn anything about the creatures we encountered. All I really know is what we saw. They are pink almost gelatinous creatures similar in appearance to a human brain. They have some kind of tentacles they use to walk, or scuttle, or whatever you wanna call it," he said. "I saved the napkin that I cleaned my weapon with after dispatching them. I've placed it in a container that should keep it fresh enough to study when I get it back to the lab," he finished, then grabbed another slice of pizza.

"Karai looks like she has something she wants to say," Asha said noting how Karai seemed to not be taken by as much surprise as the rest of the group. Karai looked up and gave Asha a sharp look before preparing to speak.

"I can't be completely sure about what I'm about to tell you, but I believe I may know at least a small bit of information that could help us figure out what these things are," Karai said, placing her plate with a single slice of pizza on the floor next to her.

"My father was highly secretive about mutagen and the origin of the substance. He always told me it was from…"

"Outer space," April said in the same childlike voice she had when she'd first seen the substance in her father's lab. Her eyes took on a look as if she were lost in a memory.

"Yes," Karai said, wondering how April could know that. Everyone looked at April.

"My father used to work for Eric Sacks. He let me come there most days after school since we didn't have a nanny to watch me. I'd come there and do my homework," April said, turning towards Karai, addressing her directly for the first time since she'd made her reappearance.

"It was there in that lab that I met the four turtles and the rat who would one day become who they are now. My father was one of the scientists charged with monitoring the effects of the mutagen on them after they were injected. I remember asking about it, mesmerized by the container and how everyone spoke about it in hushed tones, like it was a holy relic or something. My dad told me that it had come from outer space. He said that's what Eric told him, but that he didn't know any more than that." April went silent after that as did the whole room.

"What happened to your father?" Karai asked. April's head whipped around, her lip trembling.

"Sacks killed him that's what happened. Your so-called step brother, that's what happened to my dad," April was sitting up straight and looking directly into Karai's eyes with all the pent up emotions concerning that whole situation brimming just underneath the surface.

"I had nothing to do with that. I was a girl myself at the time," Karai defended although she saw it made little difference to April. To her, Karai represented all the circumstances surrounding the loss of her father. Oddly, Karai could relate completely to the feeling.

"Your foot clan family had everything to do with it though," April's voice was shaking a little as she sat up a little more, turning her whole body to face the female ninja.

"What do you want me to do or say at this point? I'm doing my best," Karai was a little exasperated. Her fatigue and frustration catching up to her. She didn't know April's story and didn't realize how she sounded.

"You and your foot clan 'family' have been causing me problems since the 90s. Eric killed my father after he found out that his employer was working for the Shredder. When it all came to a head my dad set the lab on fire. I was the one who saved the turtles and Splinter, only to have to help them turn around fight with you and your loving father. So excuse me if I'm not exactly jumping for joy about being around you, or kneeling at your feet oh great princess of the foot clan!" April cried, and then went into the bathroom to compose herself. Everyone was stunned at the level of vitriol in April's voice, none of them really having ever seen her this worked up. Mikey got up and checked on her, going into the bathroom with her. Her angry crying could be heard in the small apartment.

Asha's phone rang suddenly startling her so much she jumped off the floor a little. Maxine giggled at her, causing Asha to playfully shoot her a look. It was Casey telling her he was too drunk to make it. She told him Raph was with her and he begged to talk to him. Asha got up and surprised Raph by handing him the phone. Once he heard Casey on the other end, she could see his shoulders relax as he got into a loud conversation with a very inebriated Casey.

Asha took the opportunity to see about April. She and Mikey were coming out of the bathroom by the time Asha got up.

"You okay sweetness?" Asha asked April placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah I'm fine, just got myself upset. I feel so silly for letting her get to me," she said smoothing her hair into a quick ponytail.

"Don't feel bad. It's okay to let it out. I'm gonna put on my night clothes, I'll be right back out," Asha said as she disappeared into the bedroom.

Before she could take her clothes off she heard a knock.

"Come in," she hollered through the door. Leo eased himself in closing the door behind him. Asha stood looking at him but didn't say a word.

"I know you probably don't want to talk to me right now, but please hear me out," the pleading note in his voice making her heart soften.

"What's up?"

"Well, the first thing I want to do is apologize to you," he started. Asha fanned him down and started to turn away as if he didn't need to say that. He grabbed her hand and held it, turning her to look at him.

"No Asha I mean it. I am so sorry. When you called me a liar I was offended and couldn't believe you said that, but when I thought about it I did lie to you. I led you on, but I never ever meant to hurt you. I wasn't sure about how I felt about you, and I should have been man enough to say it from the start," Leo took a deep breath, his eyes shining.

"Leo it's okay, you don't have to say…" she began but he interrupted her.

"I do have to say it. It wasn't okay, any of it. What you did for me tonight, coming to help me…why?" He was asking genuinely as if he couldn't guess.

"To tell the truth I thought about ignoring that message. Not because it was you, I actually didn't know that it was you, but because I needed some space and figured you guys have been hanging this long without me, you don't need my help every time something goes down. Then when I thought about it I checked the phone. When I saw it was you and you were in distress, nothing else mattered at that moment. Whatever my feelings are on the matter, you're my friend, and even though we're not together I didn't stop caring about your well-being," Asha said, sitting on the edge of her bed and dragging Leo along to sit next to her.

"I don't hate you. I don't think I could ever hate you Leonardo, but I have to admit fighting it out with Karai actually helped me release my emotions about it. Be careful about her by the way. I know you have a good heart and you want to believe the best, but tread carefully," Asha warned. Leo looked down sheepishly.

"You don't have to be ashamed, I just don't want you hurt. I'm not saying she hasn't changed, because I would guess dying and coming back might work wonders, but I'm just saying," Leo nodded. He reached over and smothered Asha in an embrace. When he pulled back he looked at peace.

"I don't know how you feel about the situation, but you should maybe talk to Donatello. He loves you, I know that he does. If you don't want to be with him, please don't make the same mistake I did with you. I know it sounds so hypocritical coming from me but, trust me on this one. He's super logical and practical, but Donnie is also very sentimental and sensitive," Leo said, watching as Asha's shoulders slumped.

"I know how Donnie feels about me. The truth is that I love him too, but you know he would not dare make a move without knowing for a fact that you were okay with it regardless of how he feels," Asha said. Leo nodded knowing that she had Donnie pegged on that.

"Well, why waste time?" Leo said standing. He leaned down once more and kissed the top of Asha's head.

"Thank you for accepting my apology. It means a lot to me," he said and then quickly exited the room.

When he stepped out he saw Donnie making his way to Asha's room, but blushed and turned around when he saw Leo come out of it.

"Hey Don, come here man," Leo said stopping Donnie in his tracks.

"Uh, yeah Leo? I was just trying to see if…I just wanted to know if…" Donnie stammered a bit, not being able to find the proper excuse, and feeling bad for needing one. Leo wrapped an arm around Donnie's shoulders.

"It's alright. Asha's in her room and I think she wants to talk to you," Leo said smiling and nodding towards Asha's room. Donnie's eyes brightened as much in disbelief as happiness to get the green light he thought he might never get. Leo patted his shell and went to take his seat next to Karai.

Suddenly Donnie was nervous. He walked up to Asha's room, the memories of their moment in her bathroom flashing through his mind. He swallowed a lump that had nestled in his throat. Lightly he knocked.

Asha was just putting on a long T-shirt and was about to put some leggings on when she heard the knock.

"Come in," she called, not surprised to see it was Donatello. He smiled nervously, pushed his glasses up for the millionth time, and fidgeted a little while standing in the doorway.

"I didn't mean to disturb you Asha, if you want me to just wait in the living room…I'll wait in the living room," he said blushing and turning around to leave. What was wrong with him? Where was the Donatello that leaned in for a forbidden kiss a couple of months ago? Spring mating season went away, and he went with it is what happened, he thought to himself.

"Donnie," she called to him softly, and it reminded him the way she called his name that night. Suddenly he felt her fingers on his forearm pulling him fully into the room and into an embrace. He enveloped her in his arms and held her tightly, like he had done in so many dreams of his.

"Asha," he breathed into her hair and he twined his fingers into it. It was soft and curly and big and smelled of coconuts. She lay her head on his plastron, melting into the cool hardness of it. He wasn't cuddly from every angle, but he was there and real and grounded. She tilted her head to look into his eyes. Her bedroom light was on, and she lifted his glasses so that she could see them. She knew he could see her very well. He smiled, his gap teeth a perfect imperfection. His eyes weren't captivating on first glance like Leo's, but they were full of intelligence and depth, and threatened to draw her in and not release her if she allowed.

With her hands on either side of his face, she stood on her toes and pulled him towards her. His heart hammered in his chest. This was better than a dream, this was real. Asha was here in front of him, holding him and wanting to kiss him. He leaned down, a million thoughts running through his mind. Were his lips dry? Did his breath stink? His mind was going a mile a minute, and then came to a complete halt when he felt her thick soft lips, lightly and delicately touch his wide thin ones. She kissed him as though she were not sure if this was the right thing. Donnie assured her by drawing her in deeper, kissing her but not really moving his lips. He wasn't trying to French kiss her. He pressed his lips against hers with force, as if he could convey all his emotions for her through them. She reciprocated by wrapping her arms around his neck and lifting herself onto him. Donnie grabbed and held her by her hips and lower back, just holding her close. He broke the kiss first and rested his head atop hers, smiling and eyes closed, as she nuzzled in the crook of his neck, using one hand to play with the beads he wore around it.

Not putting her down, Donnie backed up until he was sitting on the edge of her bed. She ended up straddling his lap. At any other time his tail would have acted out, but it wasn't about that right now. She simply looked into his soul with those amber eyes of hers, holding his face again and looking straight into his eyes. She was seeing him. His hands kept rubbing up and down her back absently as they smiled at one another, neither of them needing words to express what they were feeling. She giggled and gave him one last hug around his neck.

"I think we should go back out there before they think we're up to no good in here," she whispered in his ear and it sent a current down his bridges.

"I think you're right," he said. He stood and reluctantly released her out of his embrace. She handed his glasses back to him and they left the room holding hands.

Mikey noticed something very different about his brother when he came out of the room with Asha. He was about to tease him, but when he saw Donnie holding her hand he decided not to. This was a long time coming for Donnie, as he had confided in Mikey many a time about how conflicted he felt about Asha. Being in love with his brother's girlfriend was seriously messing with his genius brother's sense of honor. Mikey looked at Donnie and gave him a wink. Donnie blushed in response and sat, holding Asha's hand in his lap. Mikey nudged April, and when she saw it she smiled brightly at the both of them.

Raph had long since ended the conversation with Casey, and everyone had eaten to their fill. A bad horror movie was playing more for background noise than any other reason. They all looked at each other, not knowing what to do next. They needed to make some kind of plan to counter the foot. Only problem was they had no idea what the foot were even up to. Having to deal with aliens was another issue altogether.

"We need to figure out what the foot clan are up to, that's the first thing I think we should be concerned about," Leo said, and then all eyes were on Karai.

"What? I don't know either," she said.

"Yeah but you're the only one who knows how they work dudette. You gotta have at least some idea right? I mean, if you were head of the foot in this situation what would you do Karai?" Mikey asked. Everyone murmured their agreement. Karai sighed loudly as she thought about how to answer it.

"Well, the first thing I would do is get rid of all those who were loyal to the man I just killed and surround myself with people I trusted, or at least people who fear me," she said. All of a sudden her face brightened as if she'd had an idea.

"I think I know what to expect. The two women who are in charge now are ambitious if nothing else. They would get rid of the council by killing them and any other possible defectors. This makes the ranks thin. They would need to recruit more foot soldiers."

"Okay, but what the hell does that have to do with anything?" Raph asked. He was already not liking this even though he had no idea what Karai was thinking.

"We need to spy on them, and bringing in a new recruit would be a perfect way to place a mole in the ranks. This person will need to be basically trained in martial arts, or at the very least have the propensity for learning it. Question is who could we get that fits that bill?" Everyone went into deep thought over that.

"Why can't you do it?" Mikey asked.

"I'm supposed to be dead. They have no idea I'm alive. New recruits would not recognize me but I can't take the chance that one of the veteran members would. I need the element of surprise on my side as long as possible," Karai explained.

"You're dead, yeah that's right! Forgot about that, hehe, sorry," Mikey said sheepishly. Raphael just shook his head, resisting the urge to just reach over and pop his head.

"Well, Karai can't do it, the turtles definitely can't do it," Asha said as the turtles and Karai first looked to her and then to Maxine.

"No, and no," Asha said. "First, Maxine can't get involved with this. She isn't a fighter and she's certainly not a killer. Secondly, I may be able to get away with them not knowing me, but as soon as I get an opportunity I'm going to shift and then go on a killing spree," she shrugged and took a swig of soda. "It's just the way it is."

"I think I can speak for myself chicka," Maxine piped up. Asha shook her head vehemently, followed by Leonardo.

"Don't shake your head at me, I could handle that," Max said, getting annoyed at being spoken for.

"Maxine you don't have an evil bone in your body. You hate fighting, and you don't even like shifting really if we're being honest. You'd rather chill and have fun and be sweet. These foot clan people are ruthless and you've spent your whole life avoiding people like them. It's why I'm your bodyguard, so just let me guard you from this," Asha pleaded. She knew Maxine would struggle against her own nature if it meant helping Asha. She would never forgive herself if Maxine got hurt on her account.

"Maxine, I don't know you, but if Asha says you aren't prone to fighting this won't work for you. I would not feel right placing you in such imminent danger," Leo said. Maxine wasn't happy at all, but deferred to the judgment of her friend on this issue.

"I will do it," April said. The room went quiet again.

"No angel cakes, no. I can't let you do that," Mikey said, a rare stern note in his voice. The worry in his eyes was readily apparent.

"Mikey, sweetheart, this is my choice. I'm the only one here that even has a chance at this," April said, stroking Mikey's face as his eyes brimmed with unshed tears. Just thinking of her in danger broke his heart in two. He grabbed her hands in his and got to his knees.

"Please April, I'm begging you not to volunteer for this. I'll do anything you ask if you just promise me you won't," Mikey pleaded. She could feel him start to shake. April got to her own knees.

"Mikey calm down, please sweetheart. I'll be okay,"

"No you won't be okay! It's too dangerous," the tears started to fall as she wiped them.

In the background Karai had to stifle a groan and stop herself from rolling her eyes. She wasn't used to such…weakness.

"Listen to me Michelangelo. I have a bad feeling that if I don't do this, then many more people will be in trouble, maybe lose their lives. No one else among us can do this. I'm a reporter and a damn good one. I'm used to sneaking around and finding out things I'm not supposed to know. I need you to trust me on this, please Mikey, please," April pleaded with him.

Mikey's lip was quivering and she could see he was wrestling with it, trying to trust her as she had asked. Finally after a long while he kissed her hands and a hard resolve came over his amiable features.

"If you have to do this, then fine, but I have to train you," he said. Karai shook her head.

"No, that won't work. I'll train her," Karai said. Mikey's head snapped in her direction. She was taken aback a little as she had never seen true anger on the orange clad turtle's face before.

"I said I would do it and I meant that," Mikey said, a rare growl underlining his words.

"Mikey is more than capable to train me, I don't need you to do that Karai," April said backing Mikey up.

"Wow," Karai said, a smile breaking out on her face as she chuckled and shook her head. "Michelangelo, you are more than a capable ninja, which goes without saying, but you can't train her the way she needs to be trained."

"How do you know what I can and can't do, huh Karai? You don't know everything!" Mikey countered.

"No, I don't know everything, but I know the foot and I know what it takes to train around them. You would be too soft on her. Every time she cried out in pain you'd stop and check on her, or give her a potty break when she asked for it. Tell me Mikey, could you really unleash on April, bruise her possibly or hurt her and then not lose sleep over it?"

Mikey put his head down. He knew at this point that Karai was absolutely correct. He could never hurt April. No one said anything. Not even Leonardo could argue with that line of logic. Knowing that the plan had been solidified by collective silence, Karai nodded her head.

"Then it's settled," Karai said as April contemplated whether she had made the right decision. "April, we will begin your training tomorrow."


A/N: I know the chapters are getting a little long, and I promise I won't keep doing that the whole way through. It's just that there's a lot to say sometimes, and not always wise to drag certain things on for more than a few chapters. Thanks so much for hanging in there with me.