"Just to think, all of this from an unknown green goo found at a meteor crash site." Rita marveled.

Donny nodded. "It is fascinating."

Rita nodded in agreement. "That it is..." She sighed. "I wish I had more time and the facilities to further delve into our unique mutation, but our nomadic lifestyle doesn't allow for anything like that."

"Speaking of, how long until Rita is ready to leave?" Salina asked quite matter-of-factly.

Everyone turned to her.

Salina was almost startled by all the eyes suddenly on her, accompanied by varied expressions.

Leo looked confused. "Leave?"

"Yes, leave." Salina sighed. "You all are so nice, but we can't stay here. Not forever anyway. Those scientists will find us again, they always do. And we couldn't put you in harm's way."

Leo looked at Salina. "But we can protect you."

"You have no idea what these people are capable of….I couldn't do that to you guys. Especially not after you've helped us so much." Salina looked towards Donny. "Please, when will she be ready?"

Rita stared at Salina for a moment, deciphering whether to say something or not, but eventually just looked down and sighed.

Donny looked over at her, then back at Salina, unsure of how to respond at first. "Uhhm, a couple of months, at best. I mean, she's asthmatic, still at high risk for pneumonia, and her lungs are still very weak. I have to make sure she's fully recovered. That could take a while. Plus she needs time to restore her strength, especially for the kind of travelling you all do."

"I sense that you all need to restore your strength if you are to continue your journey." Master Splinter added. "I urge you, stay, rest a while. No harm will come to you here."

Salina looked at the guys, before reluctantly responding. "Ok, I guess….but only until we're strong enough to go."

Cori rolled her eyes, got up from her chair, letting out a frustrated sigh, and quickly walked off.

Rita looked to where Cori walked off, then to Donny. "I think I'd like to lay down again."

Donny got up and walked over to her. "Here, let me help you." He gently helped her get up, and guided her back into the lab.

Shelley looked as Rita feebly entered the lab, then leaned towards Calla, who was sitting next to her. "Just between you and me, no like, offense to Rita, but I hope it takes a llooonnng time for her to get better."

Calla nodded. "Yeah…"

In the lab, Donny helped her into the bed, which he'd been able to make more comfortable for her by lowering it, adding a mattress, and putting it in a more private corner.

"There, are you comfortable?"

"Yeah…" Rita muttered, slowly laying on her side.

Donny noticed the change in her demeanor. "Are you ok?"

Rita was quiet for a moment. She started to say something, but stopped. "It's fine….it's whatever Salina wants. Always is..." She looked up at Donny. "Can you hand me the blanket please?"

Donny reached for the blanket at the foot of her bed, and spread it over her.

"Thank you." Rita got settled into bed. She could tell Donny was still concerned as he looked at her. "I'm ok, really. I just need to sleep."

"Ok..." He placed her inhaler on a table by the bed. "In case you need it. If you need me, don't hesitate to give a holler."

Rita offered a weak smile. "Okay."

Donny then left the lab.

Master Splinter observed the scene in the living room thoughtfully, before walking by Salina. "Come."

Salina was somewhat surprised. But recognizing him as the patriarch of the house, she respectfully followed him into the kitchen.

In the kitchen, they both sat at the table, and Splinter sat silently in deep thought before speaking. "What is your plan my child?"

The question confused Salina. "My plan?"

Splinter turned to her. "Yes, your plan. Leonardo has informed me that you are their leader. Where will you lead them?"

Salina looked uneasy. "To the next state I guess…to safety. Wherever that may be. That's how we've kept safe all this time, keep moving."

"Keep running…" Splinter corrected her as he stroked his beard in thought. "An interesting concept..." He turned to her. "…but can you run forever?"

Her thoughts raced, but being unable to formulate a worthy answer, she simply just looked back at him with a 'deer in headlights' expression.

"You are their leader, and though you will not have all the answers, you must have some answers." He sat up a little more. "How will you find food? Where will you rest? How will you defend yourselves? A leader has many responsibilities, and the world is a very dangerous place, as I'm sure you have experienced, and it is not getting any safer as time goes on. These are things you must think about, not just for today, but tomorrow as well." He got up from the table. "Think carefully my child."

Master Splinter's words resonated deep within her, and Salina looked down in deep thought, feeling more conflicted than ever. She sighed deeply and muttered to herself as she rested her head in her hands again. "Why me Daddy…"