A/N: Sorry I haven't uploaded in a while! I've been busy with school and steel drum stuff...oh yeah, I play the steel drums. It's really cool and funn! And they sound awesome too! Do any of my non-existent readers play steel drums? Anyone? Anyway, here's chapter 10.

Disclaimer: Let's see, computer, clothes, books, a box of poptarts (yum!), and a few necklaces. TMNT isn't on that list. I don't own it. I do, however, own Mars! She is mine!

"That's a really great system, Don! I think it will work fantastically," April was saying as she and Don exited his lab. She glanced around and turned to the other mutants, asking, "Where are Casey and Mars?"

"Topside," Mikey mumbled from his pout on the couch. "Enjoying their freedom."

Don saw anger and...was it hurt? flash in April's eyes. He was about to say something, but the redhead beat him to it. "Well, when he gets back -whenever that is- tell I went home and that he better come in quietly because I am NOT waiting up for him and he's gonna get hell if he wakes me up."

"Got it," Raph said as he plopped down on the couch beside his orange banded brother. "You want me to add a punch in there somewhere?"

"If you want," April said as she strode towards the door. "See you guys."

"Bye, April," they all said in unison.

"So," Casey asked, turning to his petite companion. "What do you want to do?"

Mars looked at him. They were standing in an alley where they had just exited a manhole. "I am not sure. I am not aware of the options. What is there to do?"

"Well, we could go get something to eat, or we could catch a movie. We could take a walk through Central Park. I think mini golf is still open too, if you wanted to do that."

Mars thought for a moment. "I would like to try more food. Could we do that?"

Casey nodded. "Sounds great. Let's go." He started toward the street with Mars right behind him. They reached the street, which was packed with people, and stepped out. Out of the corner of his eye, Casey saw Mars stiffen and jump back into the dark and empty alley. Turning back, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's...crowded."

"Duh, it's New York City."

"Yeah, but...I'm a ninja, okay? Ninjas live in secrecy and darkness where no one can see them. I am not used to being in such...open and crowded conditions."

Casey sighed. He understood, but how were they supposed to do anything if she was afraid to go anywhere in public? "Look, can you just, like, deal with it for this one time? I mean, we can't go see a movie or go eat if you're afraid to go."

"I'm not afraid!"

"Then let's go." Casey turned and walked into the street. With a quick glance over his shoulder, he saw with satisfaction that Mars was following him. She came up to walk beside him. He looked over and smiled. "Glad you could join me!"

Mars cast a few nervous glances around before looking down at her black suit and exclaiming, "This outfit is making me stand out even more! Why isn't anyone looking at me in a weird way?"

Casey shrugged. "This is New York City. People here aren't surprised by much."

Mars quieted but her anxious glances did not cease. Casey guided them through the crowd and stopped in front of a red and yellow building. Looking up at it, Mars asked, "What's this?"

Casey gaped. "You've never been to McDonald's?" Mars shook her head and Casey pulled her inside.

They went up to the front, but stood back, away from the counter so they could decide. "Casey, I'm not sure what to get...I've never heard of these things before. What is a McDouble? What's a McFlurry?"

Casey sighed and answered, "Why don't I order for you and then you can just try whatever I get you?"

"Okay."

"Go grab a table."

Mars gave a curt nod and went and sat at a two seated table. Casey approached the counter. The young blonde behind the counter asked, "What can I get you?"

"I'll have a McDouble -no- make that two McDoubles, large fries, and two McFlurries -one M&M, one Oreo."

"Anything to drink?"

"Uh...a medium Coke and a medium Dr. Pepper."

The cashier punched up the numbers. "Let's see, that'll be $8.56"

After paying the cashier and getting the food, Casey joined Mars at the table. He handed her a McDouble, a Coke and an Oreo McFlurry. He got out the remaining food and set the bag aside. Unwrapping the sandwich, Casey took a humongous bite. Mars copied him and slowly raised the sandwich to her mouth. She took a bite, chewed and swallowed, then looked into Casey's expectant face. "It's pretty good," she said and took another bite.

After taking another bite, Casey ate some fries and offered some to his petite companion. She took some and stuffed them into her mouth. "Oh my god!" she mumbled. "These are so good!"

After finishing their sandwiches, fries, and drinks, they dug into their McFlurries. Mars extremely loved her Oreo McFlurry. She even stole some of Casey's when he wasn't looking.

Casey threw away their garbage and, sitting back down at their table, asked Mars, "So, you want to just wander and see if there is anything we want to do?"

"Sure."

"Alright, let's go." Casey led Mars out of McDonald's and into the packed street. Though it was obvious that she still wasn't comfortable, Mars seemed less stressed than before. They wandered down the street and looked at the various buildings. All of a sudden, Casey stopped. Mars halted and stood beside him, looking up at the building he was gazing at. The name, Blue Star, was in bright blue neon lights. "What is this place?" Mars asked.

"It's one of the hottest clubs in New York City. I've never been in, though, because April forbid me to go in. She said it was where all the nasty hookers or whatever go."

"Then we probably shouldn't go in."

Casey looked at her. "Why not?"

"I trust April's judgement. If she thinks it is not a good place to go, then I don't want to go."

Casey snorted. "Where's your adventurous side?"

"Not here at the moment."

"Well, go find it 'cause we're going in." Before Mars could protest, Casey pulled her through the doors.

They were greeted by dim lights, a crowded dance floor, and pounding music. It almost overwhelmed Mars, but she grasped her composure.

"We should leave," she said.

"We should dance."

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"We should get a drink."

"...Fine. One drink."

A few drinks later, Casey pulled Mars onto the dance floor. She wasn't drunk, but she wasn't...completely herself. Casey recognized the song. It was Chasm by Flyleaf. His body racked against Mars' as they rocked to the music. They bumped into other people on the crowded dance floor, but no one seemed to mind as they were too busy dancing.

The song ended and another one began. Again, Casey recognized it as Over and Over by Three Days Grace. Though it wasn't an extremely slow song, it was slower than the last one, so people slowed their dancing. Casey wrapped his arms around Mars' waist and she wrapped her's around his neck (though she had to reach up some since her head only reached his shoulder). They swayed in time with the song. The song ended and they stopped dancing. Casey looked at the large clock on the wall and said, "We better be getting back." Mars nodded stupidly, still under the influence of her drinks.

They pushed through the crowd and left the club. Casey led Mars back to the alley they started in and lifted the manhole. They made their way through the sewers and stopped in front of the mutant's door. Mars was about to go in, but Casey touched her arm and she turned to face him. He said, "I had a good time."

Mars nodded but did not reply.

"Maybe we could do it again sometime."

"Maybe."

Casey suddenly leaned down and pressed his lips to her's in a quick kiss. Surprised, Mars stood there, dumb folded. The muscular man entered the lair like it hadn't happened.

Mars followed, still shocked by the unexpected affection. Raph was on the couch, flipping through channels. Mikey was asleep with his head leaned against Raph's shoulder. A soft snore escaped him. A dim light drifted from Don's lab, suggesting that he was in there doing one of his late night experiments. Raph looked up when they entered. Gently pushing his younger brother off of him, the hothead stood and approached them. He stopped in front of them with his arms crossed. "You two were gone long."

"Yeah, and we had fun. Where's April?" Casey asked.

"Oh yeah," Raph said and proceeded to punch the large man in the arm.

"Ow!"

"She went home and left a message."

"Le me guess, the punch?" he asked, rubbing his arm.

"No, that was my own personal touch. She said that you better go home quietly and not wake her up cause you'll get hell if you do."

"'Kay. I'm off then. See ya, Raph. Bye, Mars."

"See ya, Blockhead," Raph called to his friend.

"Bye," Mars said quietly.

A movement attracted the remaining two's attention. Don exited his lab, noticed them, and walked over. "Hey, Mars," he greeted. "What'd you and Casey do?"

"We went to McDonald's and then to Blue Star and then he..."

The two brothers finally noticed the strange look on her face. "Mars," Raph asked. "What's up with ya? You alright?"

"He...he kissed me..."

"He WHAT?" Don exclaimed. "He's dating April! He's living with her for God's sake! What...what the hell for?"

"I don't know."

"What, did you just let him do it? Don't you know that he's dating someone else?"

"I-"

"Calm down, Don," Raph said. Then, he asked Mars, "You were in shock, weren't ya?" Mars nodded. "See? It's all the Blockhead's fault. God, why is he such a dumbass?"

"I don't know, Raph," the purple clad turtle said. "He's your best friend, you tell me."

Raph sighed. "Whatever. It's late, I'm going to bed."

Mars left for her room. Don looked over Raph's shoulder at their snoring little brother. "Are we leaving Mikey there?"

"Nah, I'll get him. You go get some sleep, Brainiac. You got a gazillion bags under yer eyes."

Don smiled sleepily and nodded. "Will do." He left for his room.

Raph turned and sighed as he looked at his little brother curled up on the couch. He walked over and slipped his arms under his body. Picking him up, Raph carried Mikey bridal style towards his room. Mikey's head rested against his older brother's plastron as he slumbered. Reaching his little brother's room, Raph set his orange banded brother down on his bed and proceeded to tuck him in. Mikey murmured quietly in his sleep and the hothead couldn't help but smile. He left, stopping in the doorway to look at his little brother once more. Entering his room, he removed his sais, laid down on his hammock and instantly fell asleep.

Mars watched this all from her doorway and smiled. Why the hell was I trying to change him? she asked herself. He's fine the way he is. He's such a sweetheart. Turning back into her room, she laid down. She smiled again, then fell asleep.

A/N: Holy snicker doodle, that was super long! That's, like, the longest chapter I've ever written! I'm pretty happy with this chapter and I just couldn't resist the little Raph/Mikey cuteness.. :)

The songs Chasm & Over and Over do not belong to me! They belong to their respective owners (which does not include me)!

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