After Irma's parents got back from their trip, Raph could not visit as often. One afternoon, Irma came home early and texted Raph to come over. He was there in a matter of minutes. He walked down the hall to find the girl fixing a snack in the kitchen. An old song called "More Than a Woman" was playing in the kitchen as a rerun of the teenage werewolf show Irma liked played in the living room. The girl smiled extra-large as she saw her friend sit down on the couch.

"Hey!"

"What's the special occasion," he asked as Finley jumped into his lap.

"Oh nothing. You want anything?"

"I'm good. Must be something you're not telling me."

"Well if you insist." She ran over and plopped down next to the turtle. Raph started to eat some of the chips she'd brought over. "I have a date."

Raph nearly choked on his food. "What," he coughed.

"I have a date."

"That's what you called me over for?"

"It's a big deal for me. I have never been asked out before."

Raph hesitated and thought about his tone. "My bad. So tell me about this guy."

"Well his name's Brandon and he asked me today in the library."

"What a romantic."

"Oh shut up," she retorted, pushing him in the arm as he laughed at his own joke.

"Sorry. So," Raphael paused for a moment then continued, "You…like this guy?"

"Well, yeah actually."

"And he likes you?"

"I think so. He was really shy when he talked to me today. His friends were waiting for him in the back."

"Oh." Something didn't feel right about this to Raph. He was happy for her but at the same time was indifferent towards the idea of the date.

"So when is it and where are you going?"

"It's tomorrow at this school dance."

"What time?"

"Nine 'til eleven."

"So…. We can't hang out tomorrow?" His tone was disappointed.

"Don't think of it that way." Irma placed a hand on Raph's shoulder. "Think of it as a night all to yourself." Raph tried to smile but what came was half-hearted. They stood up together.

"Alright."

"Good. So I'll see you Saturday?"

"Sounds great. One more thing Champ," he said as he turned from the hallway.

"What's that," she asked as she cleaned the coffee table.

"Please be safe." The girl turned to face the mutant with her arms crossed.

"Always Raph."

He nodded his head, "Always."

Friday night found Raph wandering down the familiar sewer path. He had learned earlier that peace and quiet was not what he needed that day, so forty five minutes after nine, Raph grabbed his old stereo system and made his way to the manhole. He was going to wait for Irma to get home and make sure she was safe. And maybe get a glimpse of this Brandon guy Irma fawned over. She had told him that no one in the apartment building used the roof, so Raph climbed the ladder without caution. He jumped over the side and walked to a box. As he began to set up, he noticed something peeking around the corner of a large rectangle box. Raphael slowly walked over to the object and as he got closer, he realized the exposed object was the corner of a blanket. Irma was hiding behind the box covered in a blanket crying. As she saw who the stranger was, she wiped her face and said,

"Oh hey Raph."

"What are you doing here?"

"Getting some fresh air." She continued to wipe her face. Her hair was curled, and despite all the tears, she looked beautiful.

"Didn't you dance start almost an hour ago?" Raph sat down next to the distraught girl.

"Oh, that. He never showed up."

"He stood you up?"

"Yeah. I called to ask him if he was running late and he told me to drop dead and stop acting desperate."

"He told you that?"

"In so many words. He said it was all a joke."

Raph began to grow angry. He moved to stand up but Irma grabbed his hand. Her face was sad but she had stopped crying.

"Don't. He's not worth it."

"He may not be but you are." He managed to make her smile.

"Raph as much as I appreciate your chivalry, I'd much rather you stay here."

The turtle sat back down next to the small girl. She fell to his shoulder as they sat in silence. Suddenly Raph was struck with an idea.

"Get up," he said.

"Why?"

"Just do it."

"Help me up."

Irma held out her hands to a standing Raph. As she rose the blanket fell to reveal a black one shoulder dress and red heels. Despite the shoes, she was still shorter than her mutant friend. Raph looked down and replied, "Nice touch."

"Thanks."

He took her hand and led her to the other side of the box. Raph nodded toward the box and hesitantly place his hands on her hips.

"May I?"

Irma bowed her head and smiled.

"You may," she replied, resting her hands on his shoulders. The boy gently lifted the girl to rest neatly on the box. As he finished, he ran over to the stereo and began fiddling with it. Knowing she liked old music, Raph had begun listening to it also. He quickly found a song that he felt would quickly cheer her up and ran behind the roof entrance. The song began to play and Irma smiled. She didn't begin to laugh until the turtle's head popped out from behind the door.

"You're just too good to be true," he sang, now standing on top of the entrance. "Can't take my eyes off of you. You'd be like heaven to touch. Oh, I wanna hold you so much. At long last love has arrived and I thank God you're alive. You're just too good to be true. Can't take my eyes off of you."

As Raphael continued to sway and sing, Irma was in stitches. She had completely disregarded the originally ruined night. All she could think about was how sweet Raph was to wait on her and cheer her up. As the song led up to the chorus, Raphael began to flip with the beat. And just as they chorus began he leaped from the entrance and slid to rest at Irma's feet.

"I LOVE YOU BABY! AND IF IT'S QUITE ALRIGHT I NEED YOU BABY TO WARM THE LONELY NIGHTS I LOVE YOU BABY TRUST IN ME WHEN I SAAAAAAAYYYYYY!"

By this time he had grabbed Irma off the box and was spinning her around. They continued to do this until the song's end when Irma brought Raph into a hug.

"Thank you for making my night so much better."

"Hey, it's my job. You gonna be alright now?"

"I think so," she smiled.

As the turtle made his way to the side of the stereo it began to play 100 Years by Five for Fighting.

"OH RAPH THIS IS MY FAVORITE!"

Raphael was amazed at how fast the girl was because before the song had really started, she had pulled him back into the open space. "Dance with me," she pleaded. Raph was hesitant because he didn't know how to slow dance. But he replied with his normal smile and it began. This was Irma's favorite part of the night. Things had turned from absolutely horrible to incredibly amazing. Although her stomach had started throbbing, Irma wouldn't tell Raph to stop. She buried her head in his chest and Raph watched her. He smiled and rested his chin on her head. As the song ended, they stood apart still linked by hands.

"Thank you for making this night so much better."

"My pleasure Princess."

He bowed to her and made his way to the edge before Irma could get out, "You truly are the best," to his face. But he still heard it and it made his night as he ran back to the lair throwing his fist in the air in accomplishment.


I apologize for it taking this long. Life got difficult but JL is back momentarily. Hopefully I will be able to start on Chapter Ten soon. Reviews are appreciated and I love you all and hope you enjoy!