Raphael entered the lounge, a huge grin upon his face and his arms still wrapped around Leia's waist and Leo said, "I take it you two are an item now. I'm so happy for you guys."
"We're dating," Raphael declared and nuzzled Leia's cheek with his beak, which stunned Leo. He wasn't used to Raphael being so openly affectionate. The volatile turtle did hug his brothers, but his displays of affection were rare and he always seemed so embarrassed when it happened. Now he seemed almost proud and who could blame him? Leia was definitely a looker, Leo thought. And if I wasn't still so in love with Karai, I'd pursue her. Karai. I know I said we were done, but I wish…I wish she were here.
"Thanks, Leo," Leia said. "I couldn't believe it when Raph told me how he felt. Was convinced he hated me."
"Nah," Leo said. "I doubt anyone could hate you, Leia. You're too adorable."
Is Fearless flirtin', Raphael thought jealously and narrowed his eyes? He wrapped his arms tighter around Leia, shot his brother a death stare and said, "She is and mine!"
Leo chuckled and said, "I wasn't making a play for her, Raph. Relax. This calls for a celebration. I'm going to make something special for dinner."
Raphael's eyes widened in horror and he said, "No! The kitchen can't survive ya again, Leo! And anyway, I'm takin' her out for dinner."
"What happened?" Leia asked.
"I'm getting better," Leo said defensively. "Mikey's been giving me cooking lessons!"
"No!" Raphael said. "Ya said that last time and ya burned the kitchen down. Took us weeks ta fix. Not gonna let ya do that again. Let us professionals cook, Leo!"
"Fine," Leo huffed and said, "You cook, Leia?"
"Love it. My dad and I sometimes cooked together. I miss it," Leia said, and looked distant.
"Cheer up, sweetheart," Raphael said and kissed her cheek. "Ya will see him again. We'll find him."
Sweetheart, Leo thought? Raph has it bad for this girl. I haven't seen him this…uh..sweet since Mona and I like it. Long may it reign!
"I hope so," Leia said. "He was an awesome dad and no matter how busy he was, he always made time for me. We did everything together. He took me fishing, camping and taught me everything he knew. Said I was his pride and joy. We were everything to one another, especially when Grandpa was killed in battle when I was eleven."
"And yer mom, Leia?" Raphael asked.
Leia's face clouded and she said, "My parents met when they were teenagers. He was fourteen and she was sixteen."
"I'm fourteen," Raphael said. "And I'd peg ya as sixteen or so."
"That's right, so our age," Leia said. "She was from a neighboring galaxy and was also a turtle, but a commoner, so there was no chance they could marry even if they wanted to. The royals insisted that royalty marries royalty. Their romance was short. Lasted three months and during that time she discovered she was gravid with me, which devastated her, because she didn't want to settle down and have a family. She wanted to travel and make something of her life. And she was in love with someone else. Dad was just a fling. I was a huge mistake."
"That's awful," Leo said. "I'm sorry, Leia. If you don't want to continue, we understand. It must be hurtful knowing your mom didn't want you."
Raphael nuzzled her cheek affectionately and said, "I'm sorry, baby."
"It's all right," Leia said. "Of course it stung when I learned about it, but I'm okay. Her loss. Well, Dad was anxious when he learned about the impending birth, but also so happy and he told my Grandpa, who wasn't as pleased, but he loved my Dad and he'd have done anything for him, so he put my Mom up in the palace until she'd laid the egg. She left two days after that and that was the last time anyone saw her. There was a law stating that illegitimate children couldn't ascend the throne, but when Grandpa saw me, he was so entranced and wanted it changed. Parliament agreed and I will become Queen when Dad passes. My spouse will be a prince and he'll be expected to take my last name of Moon."
"Moon Raphael," Leo said. "Suits you, Raph."
"If that's what I gotta do ta be yer lifelong mate, I'll do it," Raphael said. "I don't care what my surname is, as long as I have ya, Leia."
"And the commoner rule?" Leo asked.
"Oh. That still applies, which is why I was in deep trouble with my last boyfriend, but I don't care. I'll be with whomever I please and if no one likes it, their problem," Leia said, setting her mouth into a thin line.
"What if that meant losin' the right ta the throne, Leia?" Raphael asked.
"I don't care about money or power, Raph. The only thing that matters is love. It's sometimes difficult to find and if you do find it, you need to nurture and cherish it. That's always been my philosophy and if my dad didn't accept my mate, it'd be hard, but I'd… I'd run away. I'm old enough to know what I want and make my own decisions. Besides, the royal life isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, you live in a palace, have servants catering to your every whim, but it's so damn boring at times with all the damn rules and protocol, I go stir crazy. I'm not even allowed to go out on my own. Always have to take a bodyguard or three with me. It sucks. I just want to be a normal teenager and go out with my friends and have fun. They can visit, but my Dad also has to approve of my friends first and does a background check. Says one can't be too careful. I guess he's right, because he hasn't been popular since agreed to an energy deal with one of our sworn enemies, but Dad was only protecting our planet. Since he signed the deal, we have one less enemy, so I don't get the anger." Everything that Leia said was true and she was surprised she was talking so freely about herself. She was usually cagey and didn't like talking about herself.
"Well," Raphael said. "Ya can't be a normal teenager here, because of the fuckin' humans, but I can promise we'll have tons of fun," he added and winked.
"I trust you'll use condoms," Leo broke in, earning a glare from Raphael.
"I wasn't talkin' 'bout sex and I ain't as dumb as Mikey. Course I would use them, assumin' we're gonna have sex," Raphael snapped. "But we ain't gonna until we're married, so relax in yer shell. And yer one ta talk with all the screwin' ya do! I'm surprised ya ain't a daddy too!"
"What's this about Mikey?" Leo demanded.
"Forget I said anythin', Leo!" Raphael said in alarm. "Please. Mikey will kill me." Not knowing what to say, Leia stood closer to him and tried to reassure him with her eyes that she was there for him.
Leo crossed his arms and said in his strict leader voice, "Now, Raphael, or you're not going out for the rest of the month. Now!"
Raphael heaved a deep sigh and said, "Renet's pregnant."
"You're joking?" Leo said in disbelief.
"I would never kid 'bout that, Leo. She's pregnant and Mikey asked…"
"Why am I the last one to find out?" Leo raged, his sapphire eyes blazing. "I am the leader and he should have told me!"
"Chill. Ya ain't the last. Donnie and Dad don't know…."
"Don't know what, Raphael?" Splinter said, entering the room.
Raphael froze at seeing his dad and whispered, "Mikey's gonna be a dad."
Splinter's eyes widened in shock, he swished his tail from side to side angrily, making his sons tremble, and tapped his cane on the ground. "MICHELANGELO!" he roared. Then he added, "Who else has been sexually active? Raphael? Leonardo? Do I need to have a pep talk about sex with you lot?"
"Too late for Leo," Raphael muttered.
"What was that?" Splinter asked, turning his gaze on his hothead son. "Speak up, Raphael?"
"Nothin', Dad."
"You said something. What is it? MICHELANGELO!"
"I had sex, Sensei," Leo said. "And I didn't use protection, because I thought it was impossible that humans and turtles could have babies together."
"YOU CARELESS BOY!" Splinter shouted, and backhanded Leo so hard, his head spun. "How could you be so stupid? Michelangelo, I can maybe understand, but you, Leonardo? I thought you knew better. You have greatly disappointed me!"
Leonardo hung his head in shame, as Raphael also bowed his head and studied the floor. Splinter was furious and returned his attention to Raphael. "I have every confidence you have been intimate with Miss Leia," Splinter yelled. "Given your passionate nature and blatant disregard for rules! I said that your brothers could have company, but I forbade sexual liaisons. I am disgusted that they have given into their hormones and not controlled themselves. MICHELANGELO!"
Before Raphael could comment, Mikey entered the room and seeing Leo with his head lowered and Raphael, whose lower lip was quivering, said, "What's up, Sensei?"
"I'll tell you what's up?" Splinter bellowed and slapped Mikey across his face, making him wince."Your penis, Michelangelo, and your news that you're a dad. How could you be so dumb, Michelangelo? Having relations is one thing, but not using protection? I'm incensed! You boys are all a disgrace! To the dojo now!"
"You promised you wouldn't say anything, Raphael!" Mikey hollered. "I trusted you!"
"I'm sorry, Mikey. I was…but Leo got it outta me!"
"May I say something, please?" Leia asked.
Splinter yelled, "Donatello! Miss Leia, this does not concern you. This is a family affair."
Don came to the lounge, and sensing the thick tension, said, "Yes, Sensei?"
"To the dojo now. I am deeply ashamed of you all," Splinter said. "From now on, there will be stricter regulations and you can thank yourselves for that."
Splinter headed to the dojo, followed by the brothers, their shoulders slumped, heads bowed and spirits low, knowing that their punishments would be severe.
A/N Thanks for the support, Rach. :) What will the punishments be?
