Disclaimer: Hmm…checks Hope Chest for ownership….finds none. What's a hope chest for, anyway, if you can't hope, right? Well, as stated previously, Ramica owns Ramiela and Reinbeauchaser owns Gabby. All others belong to either Eastman and Laird or Wendy A. Peabody!

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CHAPTER 10 - Conflicting Arguments

"Rahab, sweetheart, you don't understand…." Mike begged, throwing his hands up in the air in frustration.

"Understand? How can I NOT understand? You think I don't know what one of your kids LOOKS LIKE?" she yelled. "Ramiela's practically the SPITTING image of you!" Rahab seethed out.

The couple stood facing each other in their master bedroom while they argued over Ramiela' assumed parentage. They had been going at it for over two hours, yet, in spite Mike's best efforts, he just could not convince his wife of his innocence.

"No matter how many times you ask me, the answer's still going to be the same!" Mike grounded out. The more he had thought about it, racked his memory, and dug around his gray matter, Mike just could not accept that Ramiela was his.

"You were doing an awful lot of promoting nineteen years ago, Mike. You were gone quite a bit back then, too. It would have happened while we were living in Beverly Hills." His wife reasoned and then accused tartly, "Think about it, maybe at one of those parties you got yourself drunk!"

"No, I gave up drinking before you and I married. I would have remembered something like that; especially about fooling around." Mike explained impatiently. "Rahab, I swear there isn't any way that Ramiela is my kid!"

"Well, MIKE…it seems the evidence sleeping in that guest wing says otherwise!" Rahab yelled with finality.

Mike lowered his head at his wife with a sudden spurt of anger, defiant and completely exasperated. His voice ripped at his next volley of words as he stared his antagonist down, "I - don't – care – what - Don's – labs - found, RAHAB, I DID NOT fool around! That's the TRUTH, DAMN IT!"

She glowered at her mate, seeing his rage and hurt, yet feeling those same emotions herself. How could Don's labs make such a grievous mistake and yet just looking at the girl told her that the lab results were correct. Ramiela's facial features were obviously a mix between human and turtle influences, but the reptilian aspect of her DNA practically screamed out 'Mike'!

"My dear," Rahab cooed sarcastically, her eyes narrowing, "how can you just stand there and act so innocent? How can you deny Ramiela as being yours? HOW?" She took a step towards him, causing him to back up just a bit, "You fooled around, admit it! Just ADMIT it!" Rahab begged, turning away from him and walking over towards their fireplace in exasperation. She whirled around and faced him once more, huffing in anger with her arms folded across her chest in front of her. She wanted her husband to confess his indiscretion and yet, a large part of her wanted to believe him, too. It wasn't like Mike to deny the obvious. That was the oddest thing to her about this whole situation.

"I won't admit to a lie, Rahab! It goes against everything I believe in and you know it! Yet it seems to me that you're playing this very one-sided, don't you think?" Mike exclaimed as his eye ridges raised.

"What do you mean?" Rahab asked reluctantly. She knew that Mike was well versed in distracting the topic away from the intended target, his ninjitsu training affording him that ability.

"Hmm…seems it was only twenty-five years ago that you and Leo…." He smirked defensively, but then Rahab cut him off, pointing at him sharply.

"DO NOT GO THERE, MIKE! You know as well as I do that Leo's tea made me loopy; in my mental state, I couldn't tell Raph from a rock! So, don't go trying to compare Seth with Ramiela! It won't work." Rahab was livid and it showed as she clenched her fists. She started to tear up right about then, too. Rahab was hurt that Mike would even up bring such a topic. Yes, she had Seth by Leo while she was still married to Raph, but it wasn't deliberate on her part and in fact, she believed it had been her husband at the time and not her brother-in-law! It was not until Seth was born that Leo confessed to his indiscretion. Unfortunately, her marriage to Raphael eventually suffered as a result, their divorce happening two years later. It was soon after that when she fell in love with Mike and married him, bringing one more child into the family - Riahna.

"So, Mike, my dear, let's get back to the subject at hand, shall we? Who was it that did the deed with you?" the iguanid seethed out between bared teeth.

"I swear to you, Rahab, since we've been married, I haven't once messed around behind your back, not once! Why should I? I don't have any reasons or excuses to do that. None!" he insisted. "What ever 'needs' I have, you have always been there and the only one I would go to, anyway. That's the truth, regardless of how lame it looks with Ramiela!" Mike's own emotions were nearing critical as well, his voice tired and hoarse from yelling

"Well, one thing is for certain, Mike!" Rahab snapped out, pausing and waiting for her husband to take the bait.

Rolling his eyes and shaking his head, Mike asked just a bit too sarcastically, "What's that, Rahab, dear?"

"Whatever 'needs' you have will be best taken care of in the shower – preferably a cold one!" his wife spat, turning on her heels and leaving the bedroom in a huff. Before she was out of earshot, however, she remarked loudly, "Oh and feel free to use the den tonight and the next several nights until you can admit to your little 'romp in the hay'!"

Mike fell back hard onto his bed, letting out a long deep sigh and a string of unsavory words best left to the imagination.

Rama awoke to voices in the hallway outside the bedroom where she was resting. She thought she heard Rahab, but between the comfort of the bed and the piles of blankets on top of her, she found it difficult to arouse her muddled brain. Finally, she stretched to rid her body of its sleepiness and then yawned big as the last remnants of slumber escaped her. She then thought back to when she first arrived at Mike's house. Ramiela remembered the accusing glare that Rahab had given him, the smoldering look that, if it were possible, would have kicked him all the way down to Los Angeles. Rama smiled to herself at the memory. However, she suddenly felt guilty for doing so. Although she was still livid with the whole lot of them concerning the way they lied and manipulated her, Mike was innocent of only one crime. He was not her father. Just the same, for now Ramiela would have keep silent on that little fact. Despite Rahab's ire at her husband, Mike would have to suffer for just a little while longer until the girl could figure out what to do.

Once she was sufficiently awake, Ramiela pushed up onto her elbows and visually took in the room. The yellow print wallpaper seemed to match the comforter that was snuggled around her. It was not necessarily her 'cup of tea', but she had to admit that it was cozy just the same. Rama then noticed a tall armoire. It stood across from where she lay and then a dresser with a mirror sat along the opposite wall from the bed. Other than the bedroom door, two additional doors piqued her curiosity. She had been so tired when she had first arrived that she failed to notice them, having only enough energy to flop on to the bed and then falling asleep almost immediately.

"Hmm…wonder where they lead to?" she asked herself.

The voices she had heard moments before seemed to have gone away, so she ignored them for the moment. Pushing the covers off her, Ramiela stood up from the bed and made her way to the door closest to the armoire. When she opened it, she noticed right away that it was a storage room or closet. A few miscellaneous items of clothing hung on hangers and there seemed to be a large trunk tucked in the back under some freestanding shelves. Nothing of interest caught her attention, though, so she decided to check on the other door.

Ramiela smiled big when she discovered the other door led to an impressively large and detailed bathroom. There was a long counter with double sinks, a toilet, and then a bathtub and shower combination. "Just what the doctor ordered!" she exclaimed gleefully. "But, maybe I may have to wait on the shower, though."

Rama smiled to her self. In a family as large as hers, it was almost impossible to find a free bathroom. Many times, they would run out of hot water, forcing everyone else to take cold showers. She knew that when they had first moved into their last home, her Uncle Donatello had put in quite a few bathrooms. He anticipated the possibility that the clan would enlarge with subsequent children, but he had not realized then just how large their family ended up becoming. As it was, he could have made a couple more bathrooms and added as many hot water heaters to compensate. Still, Rama was always grateful they ended up with as many as they had.

Yet, having a private bathroom like the one she was staring at now was enough to make Rama feel incredibly lucky. No waiting and no having to hit the shower before anyone else did. Now, to her, this was a luxury that she could relate to and enjoy!

She noticed the towels on the towel rack and walked over to touch them. They were just as soft and luxurious feeling as the bed was, unlike the thin second hand towels back home. She took one up and rubbed it along her face, closing her eyes in pleasure from the densely soft material. Oh, to have a dozen or so to take back home with her; that would be the nicest gift of all to give to her family!

After she refreshed herself a little, Rama stood in front of the mirror and assessed her physical condition. She turned around a little to view all of her injuries. She saw that the gashes in her leg and one arm seemed to be healing, but it would still be a while before she could have the stitches removed. That alone disqualified her from taking a much-desired shower. Ramiela's other cuts were also healing and had scabbed over nicely. The purplish abrasions were somewhat numerous and it was then that she recalled Rahab's recoiling expression from earlier when she first removed her coat.

Rama had always seen her battle scars as something to be proud of, something that gave credibility to her role as kunoichi of the clan and future jonin. Not a single person in her family ever reacted the way Rahab had. Yet, now, Rama looked at herself with a new awareness. Thinking about Gaele looked, and now Rahab, Ramiela was starting to see her own self differently. Though she never cared for those 'bubble-headed' girls on television, who worried constantly about their looks, just being in the company of her own kind who were free of any marring made her feel quite insecure. Rama had noticed Don and the other turtle's scars, but they looked old and weathered compared to the freshness of her own.

A horrible thought then occurred to her. "What…if they think I'm – ugly?" The last thing she wanted was to concern herself about that; it went against everything that she had been raised to believe. One's honor and integrity, as well as the way a person treated others, was a beauty beyond the physical manifestation of the flesh. A kunoichi did not worry about such things but trained to be strong physically as well as mentally.

"True beauty comes from inside. Do not forget what Splinter used to say – 'A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a person perfected without trials'." she told herself and smiled a little, comforted in that knowledge.

With a sudden burst of determination, Ramiela shoved the errant thoughts from her mind. Pursing her lips determinedly, she stared hard at her reflection as she mused defiantly, "They'll have to accept me for who I am, that's all there is to it! If they can't, then maybe they aren't worth the trouble to worry about."

As she was coming out of the bathroom, she startled. Don was standing in her room.

"Don't you have any manners? It's common knowledge to knock before entering a person's room, ya know!" Rama curdled out sarcastically.

"I did but you didn't answer." He replied easily, a shadow of a smile on his face.

"Then you should have just gone away." Ramiela was not at all pleased with his intrusion, "Or, at the very least, waited outside until I came out, before barging in uninvited." She informed him in a sharp miffed tone.

"Hmm… Anyway, I thought you would like to come downstairs for dinner. It's up to you, though. Maybe you're not hungry." With that, Don slipped out of the room and closed the door behind him.

As she thought about it, food did sound good to her. Although the sandwich she had earlier had helped to ease her hunger, its emptiness was not completely placated. Rama felt a low rumbling in her stomach and a renewed interest in heading downstairs.

She slowly eased out of her room and made for the stairs. Along the way, Rama felt her anger and disdain for being here against her will rise up again. For a short while, the opulence of Mike's house had impressed her, allowing Rama to forget how she came to be in his home in the first place. Now, after her little 'pep talk', she was getting back to the 'task at hand', which was to be a big pain in the behind!

Yet, as she took in the foyer while heading down the steps, the awe she experienced earlier when she first arrived crept into the folds of her emotions once again. There was no doubt about it, whatever circumstances had made it possible for Don and his brothers to live like this, Ramiela had to admit that the end results were very nice. She could not deny that it was a gigantic improvement on sewer life. What kind of business did Don do, and what about Mike? Remembering when she was seven how her own mother, Shay, had tried to kidnap her to Las Vegas to make money on her uniqueness, maybe one or more of them had done just that? Rama was quite aware of how easily amused humans were by such trivial distractions. She had seen too many 'freak' shows when the small circuses came to town. Hidden under their disguises, her family would take in these shows occasionally, if only to reinforce what could happen to her or any of them if discovered by those who displayed such oddities. Although she highly doubted the people on stage or inside mock cages were there by force, Rama knew all too well that she would have to be! It served its purpose well and for that, she was grateful.

Now, as she stepped off the last stair step, she hesitated. Don never said exactly where dinner was going to be. She had only been in the kitchen with the attached family room and the foyer with the living area off to one side at the front of the house. Aside from her bedroom, those four were the only rooms of which she was aware.

Just as she was about to call out and ask where everyone was, a lone figure walked softly into the foyer and took note of her. "Hey, there, I guess you're Ramiela, huh?" it asked.

Rama startled back in surprise. He had come upon her very quietly, almost ninja quiet in fact. "Yes, I – ah…" and then, suddenly, she couldn't say anything more. The one who stood before her had completely mesmerized her in one single instant.

He stood just a little taller than she did, yet his shoulders were much broader and thicker in muscle mass that hers were. She noted the rest of his reptilian physique was muscled well, too - and taut, as if he worked out on a regular basis. His countenance expressed confidence with serenity that appeared quite familiar to her, yet, she just could not place it for the moment. His easy smile was engaging and drew her into him easily.

Yet, the one attribute that was most intriguing to her, though, was his coloring. It was pale green in depth, more so than the others were, with a slightly yellow cast to its hue. His eyes were clear and almost colorless, yet hypnotic and piercing as he looked upon her. In a single instant, Ramiela felt her heart leap and her stomach quiver. She swallowed just a little, allowing an involuntary smile to crease her face.

Finding her voice again, she continued, "Ramiela, my name's Ramiela …." Then almost before she could catch herself, she invited, almost shyly, "But…you can call me Rama!"

"Rama, huh? I guess I rate right up there with Mike, then, eh?" he said with a wide and engaging grin.

She scowled just a little, remembering Mike's duplicity. She corrected him, "For the moment, maybe even a little higher!" Then she quickly bit back the next volley of descriptive words that she was thinking regarding her pseudo father figure. This incredibly handsome creature standing before her, now, would only deserve her very best behavior, if she had anything to say about it.

"Um…and you are?" she asked coyly. She was appreciating even more his unassuming confidence that she sensed from him. The way his muscles moved under his supple skin, as he brought his right hand out to take hers in a gesture of welcome, made her breath hitch just a little. She felt a bit of a flutter in her own heart and ducked her head as she felt herself begin to blush a little. Maybe coming here was not so bad after all, Rama thought to herself. However, she was not quite willing to give up her grudge against the other three turtles just yet. They still had to learn that she would not accept such treatment from them under any conditions.

"Seth Angelo, at your pleasure." He replied, his smile widening even more.

"My pleasure, indeed!" Rama thought coyly. Taking his hand and then feeling its strength, for a moment Ramiela drew back her emotions in sudden alarm.

Seth.

"Gaele mentioned him once; Don did, too. However, there were so many things to consider at the time, such as where and who I was." Rama thought to herself.

There was something special about Seth and yet Rama could not place it for the moment. His eyes captivated her as he gently but firmly turned her around towards the rear of the house. He gently placed the flat of his right hand along the back of her carapace as he guided her under the staircase landing and towards where the others were waiting.

"We're eating in the dining room tonight in your honor, Rama." He said evenly. "I hope you like what's prepared. Mike's a great cook and he's gone all out just for you!"

Rama allowed Seth to lead her across the foyer and towards a wide opened doorway opposite from where the kitchen was. She took in the smells that wafted tantalizingly towards her, becoming stronger as Seth led her closer to the room. Within seconds, she found everyone in the expansive dining area.

The room faced the rear of the property with huge monstrous windows exposing the backyard in the dimming twilight of the day. Huge trees of comparatively large proportions stood like sentries along the rear border of the years, yet, Rama ignored the view for the moment as she spied the only vacant seat. Conveniently situated between Don and Raph, it invited her to join them.

She scowled at the realization that she was being book-ended once again. Before she could utter some scathing and sarcastic comment, though, Seth graciously pulled the chair out for her, allowing Rama to slip in and sit down. Reluctantly complying and taking her offered seat, Rama tried her best not to huff. She then let this 'vision of a god' push her towards the table. Once she was settled, she waited and watched with hungry eyes as her escort walked around to the opposite side from where she sat to take his own seat.

However, the two that sat on each side of her rekindled her acerbic tongue. Ramiela teased out as she looked left and right at them, "Guess I'm still a prisoner, eh? I need sentries even at the dinner table? What are ya afraid of, that I'll just up and disappear?"

Don rolled his eyes, shaking his head, "Let's just this attitude of yours rest for a moment, Ramiela. At least while we have dinner!"

"Or what?" she sassed back. She smirked to herself as she surveyed those sitting around the table. She could see that Rahab was slightly amused by her antics, yet there was still the tell-tale expression of discord in the iguanid woman's face. Mike sighed in resignation and nudged at his silverware, obviously trying not to attract too much attention. Rama then noted that Seth was watching her, as well, but with a sober expression as if he were studying her.

Slightly chagrined by her own words, Rama bit back the next selection she had prepared for her antagonists as Don replied to her challenge.

He responded evenly, a slight smile to his face, "Well, you can go back up to your room and skip dinner all together, if you want!"

Considering how hungry she was feeling, Rama prudently decided that, for now, she would put aside her rants. Thinking to herself, "Let Don think that he's won this round for now. I can work on him later anyway!" Rama took up her napkin and placed it deftly across her lap. Then, she took in the remaining members of the clan, noting their placement around the table

Mike sat at one end while his wife sat at the other. Both of them seemed greatly subdued as they avoided looking at one another. "Yep, had a fight, that's for certain!" the young mutant mused lightly. Although Rama did not have any animosity towards Rahab, she had to maintain her displeasure for the female's mate. The Mike of this world was going to find out the hard way exactly how miserable his life could get! Moreover, Rahab would not have to flick even a claw to do it, either. Not if Ramiela had her way, that is!

Rama smiled inwardly. She was well versed in warfare and the tactics behind it. She also had a wide variety of practical jokes in her repertoire that she could bring into play if necessary. Silently she recalled about how she had tried to drive Cathy off with her practical jokes. It had almost worked too, until her dad and sensei had reminded her of the clan rules regarding guests. They pointed out how she had disregarded the guest rule and how she had greatly dishonored them by her actions. She knew, with absolute certainty, that she could make people very uncomfortable with her little jokes. In fact, the entire clan dreaded April Fools Day because that was the one day they permitted Rama to cause total terror. She even had clan approval to do so. Sensei never had a clue what torture he was getting the family into when he allowed that years ago. Rama was certain that if he had, Leo would have never sanctioned it!

Scanning the table some more, she noticed that, next to Seth, there were three other individuals. To his left was a female mutant, who was maybe a little older than Rama and who had the same blue and white hair as Rahab and Seth. To Seth's right was a younger mutant, maybe all of three years of age, who sat in a high chair and, by her clothing, Rama determined her to be female. On the child's right was another adult mutant, a female as well.

Before Rama could assess the last member of the family, the child squealed out to her as she waved excitedly, "Hi, hi!" with a grin that nearly swallowed her own face. The toddler's eyes sparkled with eager excitement and it was obvious to Rama that the girl was welcoming her to the table. Rama gave at tiny wave in reply, but remained silent. She noticed that the child seemed disappointed, but was quickly distracted as the female to the girl's right placed a bread roll on her tray. The toddler grabbed the roll up and began hungrily devouring the article of food

As Rama watched the little girl and listened to her chatter through her snack, she decided that the child was close in age to her brother, Tyler, maybe even a little older. Rama sighed softly, realizing suddenly how much she missed her annoying brother. Yes, he did enjoy bugging her, that was something she couldn't deny. Yet, as she reflected upon him, it made her miss him even more.

Rama went back to watching the child across from her. She saw that the girl wore a full head of auburn hair, almost copper in color and wildly curly . Her facial features seemed just a little more human than Seth's and more so than even her own. The girl's coloring was paler, as well, and as Rama thought about it, seemed more human in hue than reptilian. Yet, as the kunoichi looked over to the female on the toddler's right, she saw where the child had inherited her hair coloring and some of her facial features.

The one to the child's right was the most intriguing mutant Rama had ever seen. Sensei's daughter, Kaliann, with her golden locks, was exquisitely beautiful and had inherited her mother's delicate features. Between the one at the table and Rama's cousin, the two of them had the same even mix of reptilian and human features - the high cheekbones, the narrow almost feminine face, the slight body type. Yet, where Kaliann had blonde tresses, this one at the table had the same curly auburn hair as the child. The only difference was, her hair was longer in length, with the curls aiding its complete disorder. If it weren't for the clips the female had used, her hair would have been wild and unruly.

She smiled at Rama and then introduced herself, "Hello, Ramiela, my name is Gabriella, but you can call me Gabby, if you choose."

Rama noted the sweet sounding soprano voice as Gabby breathed out her introduction. She smiled back in reflex, trying to piece together what she had learned about her back in New York. Gaele had mentioned a Gabby to her and that this Gabby was supposed to be someone whom Rama would like. Gabby was also credited with managing Gaele's brother quite well. Rama sat there for a second and thought about what else Gaele had told her. There was another piece to this puzzle that she was missing, and then, suddenly, it thrust itself ungraciously onto her. Remembering what Gaele had told her, that Gabby was supposedly married to Gaele's brother, Rama suddenly realized in horror who that brother was.

By his proximity with the other two and the way that he had looked at her when she couldn't take her eyes off of him, how amused he seemed to be with her, she knew beyond all doubt, now, that Gabby's husband was Seth.

Right then, Rama wanted to die.

Instead, her heart crashed and as she recalled when her first met her in the foyer, how she stood there speechless, and all weak in the knees, she blushed several shades of red. This 'vision of a god' was Gabby's husband, Leo's son, and someone that was definitely off limits to Rama.

That sudden realization only made Rama's mood more surly and reticent.

"Okay coming out here was most definitely a bad idea," she thought irritably to herself as she recalled her first steamy thoughts when she had first seen Seth.

Growling under her breath, she moaned silently to herself, "Great, the one guy who has all the right goods and, not only do I make a fool of myself in front of him, but he's already taken. Could my life get any worse than this? I think not!"

DANCEINGFAE – Yes indeed, Rahab DOES have a temper. If you're familiar with Wendy Peabody's rendition of her in 'RAHAB', then you're well informed! I mean, Lady Lizard was able to get at Leo with her claws in that fic! I just about busted a gut reading that part, too! Anyway, Rahab isn't necessarily warming up to Mike, but she does have enough honor and integrity that, not matter how mad she is or for what reason, letting someone get into trouble when it's not even their fault goes against everything she believes in! Ah, but the couch may be where he ends up at least for the first night…depending on how long Ramica and I make him suffer! LOL Thanks for reading and reviewing! Be blessed.

LADY VENOM2 – Ah, Rama doesn't think of Mike at all, but it's her ninja honor and integrity that came to his defense. Other than that, she's quite pleased Rahab's giving him what for! LOL Well, upon reading this chapter, I'm sure you know how Mike faired with his wife! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Be blessed.

PRETENDER FANATIC – Thanks for the heads-up on what Rama should call Splinter. I've made the changes per Ramica's suggestion. I didn't know about that, so I really appreciate your eagle eye on it:0) Ah, yes, Rama and her jokes and tricks and….hopefully we will be able to let Ramiela be herself while 'trapped' in Gabby's world! Yeah, we had to get Raph in on the egging, too! Well, thanks for reading and reviewing! Be blessed!