So it had been decided that Mona would at the Hamato house whenever her mother was away on business or she just felt lonely. Kimora decided upon this, much to the chagrin of her husband. However, after telling him about Mona's situation, Splinter softened and welcomed Mona into their home. She was very helpful around the house but most of the time the boys wouldn't even let her lift a finger. It was mostly Raph and Leo taking over her part. When they both tried to do that at the same time, they would start arguing over Mona, and it sometimes become unbearable for Mona to stay in the same room with them, let alone their house. So most of the time she hung out with Mikey and Donnie. They would all just talk about things going on in their lives. As Mona kept coming over the past few months whenever her mother was away, the more comfortable they got with each other, even to the point where the topic of girls came up one day.

"I think you guys should just talk to them. I mean what's the worst that can happen?"

"Uh rejection?" Mikey said. Donatello nodded in agreement.

"Okay? You act like that is the worst possible thing in the world. If it happens, which I highly doubt, you move on. But if you don't talk to them because of the fear of rejection, then you will never know how they feel about you." She said. Mikey and Donnie looked at each other. They thought about their crushes on Renet and Allie. It was true. What's the worst that can happen? After that, Donatello went on a date with Allie. Mikey on the other hand was still shy about Renet, which shocked Mona.

When she wanted to hang out with Leo and Raph, she had to do it separately. They just fought too much for her to bear.

When she was with Leonardo, he was very calm and kind to her. Never once would he raise his voice and curse at her. She was stoic, yet kind. Leonardo was classically handsome, with a bit of flair. Hair in a bun with a short goatee, no wonder why the girls drooled over him. Mona was curious as to why he would pay so much attention to her. She was nothing special. He would always compliment her. Sometimes she felt like he was going to kiss her but didn't. She thought it was all in her head.

But Raphael was a WHOLE different story. High strung, stubborn and sarcastic, Raph's personality clashed with Mona's sweet tempered nature and at times, like their first "date", they would get into screaming matches, which mostly stemmed from his boxing career choice. But even though they fought hard, there was something there with Raphael that Mona couldn't point out. It made her want Raphael more than Leonardo. When she was at her house, all she would do was think about him and those piercing eyes.


Mona was hanging around the Hamato household with Kimora. She wanted to help Kimora cook dinner but Kimora insisted that she would cook dinner tonight. Mona sat down in the kitchen reading a book while Kimora cooked. Mona heard the front door open and close. Splinter came into the kitchen.

"Hello Mona." He smiled down at her. Splinter warmed up to Mona quickly. He thought she was a good influence on his sons and was happy to have her there. She helped Raphael and Mikey with homework. She made dinner sometimes when Kimora wanted to rest. She kept Leo and Raph in line. She reminded him a lot of a young Kimora. And also a daughter he never had. Splinter walked over to Kimora and grabbed her. He dipped her, she yelped loudly, and kissed her forehead.

"Ay Splinter, not in front of Mona!" She laughed. Splinter pulled her back up and cleared his throat. He turned to Mona.

"I am sorry, Mona." Mona smiled.

"It's okay. I'll go to the living room and leave you two alone." She got up and went to the living room. She sat on the couch. She couldn't concentrate on her book. She could her Kimora giggling and Splinter humming a melody to her. She blushed. She wanted what they had. She thought about Raphael and how they were getting closer these past few months. She sometimes thought of them together like how Splinter and Kimora were. She smiled to herself thinking about him kissing her and wrapping his arms around her waist. She shivered with delight.

She heard the front door again. This time it was Donatello and came in and put their bags on the floor. They sat next to a day dreaming Mona. Donnie and Mikey looked at each other and smiled.

"So Mona, you okay?" Donatello asked. Mona snapped out of her day dream.

"Uh I-I'm fine!" Mona felt embarrassed.

"Yea right! You were day dreaming." Mikey laughed.

"No, I wasn't." She opened her book and started to read.

"Oh you wouldn't have happen to be thinking about a certain person that lives in this house." Mona quickly shut her book.

"No, I wasn't. I was thinking.. about school!" She said matter-of-factly.

"Uh huh." Donatello said. He got up and went towards the kitchen.

"Oh come on! Get a room!" Mona and Mikey heard him yell. They then heard Kimora and Splinter laughing.


After dinner, Mikey, Donatello, and Leo along with their father went to the living room to watch TV and digest. Mona and Kimora stayed in the kitchen to clean up. Kimora looked at Mona. She had dreamy eyes. Kimora being the curious one tapped Mona's shoulder. Mona snapped out of it and looked at Kimora.

"Ye-yes?" Mona stuttered.

"Are you okay? You seem.. how do they say? 'Out of it'?" Mona looked away.

"Is it about my son?" Kimora asked as she dried a dish. Mona looked shocked.

"N-no! I was thinking about school!"

"Hm hmm. Don't lie to me. I see how you two look at each other." Kimora smiled as she put the dish away. Mona let out a sigh.

"Look at me. You two need to tell each other how you feel! I know Raphael won't do it, so you as a strong woman must do it."

"I don't know. What if he doesn't feel the same way?"

"And what if he does? You have to take that risk." Kimora filled a tea kettle with water. 'Now where have I heard that before?'

"Okay. I'll try." Mona sighed. Kimora squealed.

"Aw you two will look so cute together!" Mona smiled at the thought.

"Can I ask you something?" Mona asked shyly.

"Si, go ahead!"

"How did you and Splinter meet?" Kimora's attitude immediately changed. She kind of looked like a teenager in love.

"Oh I remember that day so well. Me and Splinter were in the same middle school. He just came over from Japan and I had came from Columbia a few years before. I didn't have much friends in the beginning seeing that I couldn't really speak the English. So when Splinter came to school, he was just like me, didn't really speak the language and didn't have friends. I decided I didn't want him to have the same experience as me. I tried talking to him in English, the best I could, so we can be friends. Slowly but surely we became friends, helping each other learn the language. He more than me." Mona smiled. She loved this story.

"Wow. That's so cute!"

"I know, right!" Kimora exclaimed.

"How did he ask you out?"

"Him? Ask me out? Ha! I did the asking. He was like most man a big bebe. Didn't have the huevos to do it! But it was a lovely first date. He went all out for me." Mona laughed at the thought of a shy Splinter. She always thought he was strong and confident.

"You need to get the huevos now, girl! Ask him, okay?" Mona nodded. She felt nervous at the thought of asking him. Just then Raph came into the house.

"Hey Raph!" Mikey yelled. He dropped his bag on the floor and sat on the couch next to Donnie. He was beat. He was at the gym for hours. He saw from the corner of his eye, Mona by the door with his mom. She was getting ready to leave.

"Yo, you leaving already?" He called out. Mona jumped. She didn't see him.

"Yea, it's getting late." Mona put on her coat and boots. Raph jumped up.

"Hey, I'll drive you home." He took the car keys off the hook by the front door.

"Uh no! It's fine. I can walk." She opened the door and a gust of cold air hit her face. She quickly closed the door.

"On second thought, that ride seems kind of good right now." She smiled. Raph laughed and opened the door again. Mona said her goodbyes to the family and followed Raph to the car.


The car ride was a silent one. Mona thought about asking Raph but every time she opened her mouth to ask, she got nervous and looked out the window. It was starting to snow by the time they got to her house. Raph parked the car and opened his door. He got out and went to open Mona's door.

"Oh! Such a gentleman." She giggled as she got out. Raph gave her a smirk and shut the car door. They walked to the front door and stood there in silence.

"Do you want to come in?" Mona asked. Raph nodded. She unlocked and opened the door. She walked into the living room while Raph shut the door behind him. They took off their coats.

"Want some hot chocolate?" Raph nodded and she headed to the kitchen. She grabbed the hot chocolate mix from the cabinet. She then got some milk and put it in a pot to heat up on the stove. She waited for the milk. It was really quiet. She wondered what Raph was doing in the living room. Usually he was a bit loud. She got lost in thought about how to ask him.

She then felt arms wrap around her waist. She jumped a little. She looked up and saw Raph looking down at her. He kissed her forehead and then went to her neck. He kissed it and nibbled. Mona started to breathe a bit faster. She turned around to look at him. He took her by the waist and pulled her into him. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He then lifted her up and placed her on the counter. They started to kiss. Then the kissing turned into a makeout session. Raph started to go under her shirt. He took a hold of her breast and squeezed a bit. Mona moaned a bit. She realized that they were going too fast. She broke the kiss and took his hand out of her shirt.

"What? Did I do something?" Raph asked. He was flushed and a bit hard. He didn't expect her to be a great kisser.

"No. I just don't want to go too fast." She said. She jumped down off the counter. She went to the milk and turned off the stove.

"Okay. I understand." Raph had to sit down. He didn't want her seeing his boner.

"I need to ask you something though." Mona looked at him. Raph could tell she was nervous.

"What is it?"

"I really like you, Raph." Mona said quickly.

"I like you too, Mona." Mona smiled.

"Really?" Raph nodded.

"Okay, so we've known each other for 5 months now and I was wondering if you would like to go out with me?" Raph didn't respond, he just stared at Mona. Mona didn't like the silence.

"As boyfriend and girlfriend?" Mona nodded. Raph sighed. He looked away. He didn't know if he was ready to be in a relationship again. He knew he wanted her. He wanted her badly but he didn't feel like he could be what she wanted in a relationship.

"I don't know. I just-I don't think I can be in a relationship right now." Raph looked at Mona. She was teary eyed.

"Uh okay. I-I was just asking." She turned around and got the hot chocolate ready. She handed it to Raph and they drank in silence.


When Raph got ready to leave, Mona stood in the kitchen cleaning. She had to do something to get her embarrassment out of her mind. Raph came into the kitchen. He looked at Mona cleaning disks. He walked over and put his arms around her again. She pulled him off of her. He put his arms back again. He nuzzled her neck.

"Stop." She said. He kissed her neck and his hands ran up her stomach.

"I said stop!" She moved away from him. Raph looked shocked.

"What's your problem?" He asked.

"My problem is you touching me."

"You didn't have a problem before!"

"I just don't want you to touch me! I don't want to fool around with you." Mona said.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want you to fuck with my mind god damn it! I want something serious and you don't. I don't want to feel like we have something when there's really nothing." She sighed. "From what we decided, we just need to be friends." Raph started to breathe harder from frustration.

"You know what? Fine! Let's be fucking friends! See ya later pal!" Raph yelled. He walked towards the front door.

"Fuck you!" He heard her yell. He stopped and looked at her. "I don't want to be friends with you! Your attitude fucking sucks! Now get the fuck out of my house!" Raph continued to walk towards the door. He flipped her off and she returned the favor. He slammed the door behind him. Raph breathed heavily, grumbling while walking. Once he got into his car, he let out a loud yell and banged on the steering wheel.

"Goddamnit!"

Raphael breathed heavily and attempted to calm down before driving home. His parents were very keen when it came to him and his anger. He didn't want to set off any alarms, but he knew he probably would.

He didn't get it. He was attracted to her. He wanted her and to be with her but he really didn't know. He didn't know if it would work out or if it would last like his other relationships. Hell, he didn't know if she would even like him anymore after tonight.

"Who am I kidding? I'm better off without her." Even though he thought he would be, what he was truly feeling was the complete opposite.

Shaking his head, he drove back to his house, and entered his house and went up to his room without saying a word to anyone. Splinter and Kimora had a feeling something was up, but neither said or did anything, for they wanted to let Raph figure it out, somehow. Raphael took a quick shower and laid in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. And all he could see was Mona's tear-stained face. Taking a deep breath, he turned the light off, and tried to get to sleep, but all he dreamed about was the girl he told he didn't want to be in a relationship with, but he really did.


Mona was pissed. She was BEYOND pissed. But she was also hurt. She really did like Raph, but what is the sense of falling for someone who doesn't truly want you.

She decided to call Kimora and let her know that she would be staying home for a couple of days. She wasn't questioned by the older woman, but Kimora let her know that if she needed anything, to call her. Mona felt happy that Kimora was on her side, but it was up to Raphael to make the final decision, and tonight, it seemed he did. Mona went into her room to lay down. She texted Slash and also told him what happened. Long story short, Slash wasn't too happy with Raph.

She just went to bed and tried to erase the memory of that night from her mind, but it lingered until she fell into a deep sleep. Tomorrow, she would figure out what else to do. But, right now, sleep was her number one priority.