Disclaimer: They don't belong to me.
A/N: Chapter 11…this is a little over the ½ point. I have about 16 or 17 chapters planned, depending on how it works out. I do have plans for a sequel, which will tie directly into this one, however. Sorry for my strange page breaks of lines of dots. For some reason this site will never let me add the page breaks :/
April snapped her Com closed with more force than necessary and pursed her lips in thought. It pained her greatly having Donatello snap at her like that, but more than anything, she was troubled by his behavior toward her. Her instincts were screaming at her that there was far more going on here than the appearance of the Dreggnaut.
She suddenly noted a dull throbbing in her fingers, the edges of her Com biting into her palm and fingers. In her tension she had been subconsciously gripping the Com with dire force. She slipped it back into her purse, flexing her fingers slowly to dissipate the stiffness of her joints.
"Vernon!" she called to her cameraman. "I'll be back soon…uh…I need to powder my nose!"
One person – if he could be referred to as such – that she did not miss at all after leaving Channel 6 was her old co-worker, Vernon Fenwick. He was an egotistical, sexist coward who made her skin crawl just being in his presence. However, she was stuck working with him at this point for the day, per her agreement to do a guest spot for her old boss, Burne Thompson. If she had known the job would include working with Vernon…
"You never change!" he snapped back, moving the camera away from his face and sticking his hookish nose in the air. "You realize we're due on in 10 minutes, right? I don't know how punctual they are in 'freelance land', but here at Channel 6 we pride ourselves on a timely report…something you never understood when you worked with me. No wonder I've always been the number one reporter in the city. Personally, I think Burne really fired you instead of you quitting."
April scowled at Vernon as she headed toward her car. "Sure, Vernon, you keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep better at night. That's the reason why you're behind the camera right now, and I'm the one doing the report."
He huffed in indignation as she left. "Women…" he muttered to himself.
April threw open her trunk and rummaged through it for some disguises for her friends. She kept a few on hand, just for situations such as this. When she spotted the four she was searching for, she stuffed them in a large paper bag which tore at the edges from the force she was exerting on it in her haste.
She checked her watch with a momentary glance out of the corner of her eye, taking heed of the time remaining until she was due back. She pulled out her TurtleCom again to hone in on Donatello's signal and made her way into the woods.
… … … … … … … … … …
Donatello paced back and forth, the leaves which littered the forest floor crunching under his feet with every step. He was watching the screen of the TurtleCom fervently as if it were playing some Universal secret meant for his knowledge only. Mike was seated on the ground, picking up handfuls of dirt and then slowly sprinkling them into piles. Raphael had leaned himself against a tree, fiddling with one of his sais absently as he tended to do when frustrated.
All three of them heard the approaching footsteps simultaneously. Mike and Raph went to hide in the brush, but Don shook his head at them, motioning to the TurtleCom to silently indicate it was April. The foliage was not exceptionally dense this close to the outskirts of suburbia, so April quickly came into view. She placed the bag she was holding on the ground, her gaze deliberately moving to each of the turtles, the questions growing in her eyes with each passing second. Donatello ceased his pacing mid-stride and met her gaze, their eyes locking. He knew what she was going to ask before the words even left her lips, and the pained expression on his face reflected this.
"Where's Leonardo?" she queried.
"He's sick, dudette," Mike explained, his normally carefree tone serious and forlorn. He brushed the dirt from his bottom and legs as he stood. "And it's mondo serio-so."
Raph nodded gravely. "Yah…and that's why we need to get on the Dreggnaut to see if Dregg is behind this, or if there is something onboard for Donnie to use to cure Leo."
April's mouth formed an "o" of surprise, being caught speechless for a moment. She nervously fumbled through the bag, pulling out the disguises until the shock wore off and her motions became more fluid, only her trembling hands betraying her emotion.
"Of course guys, anything I can do," she said, setting her mind solely on the task at hand. She tossed three of the disguises at each turtle and continued to speak. "I know the military has been called to take a look at the ship. No one has forgotten what Dregg tried to do to Earth and they are taking this seriously. The media is only here because they haven't secured the area yet. So, you're not going to have much time to get in there and look around, just to warn you. But, if you go in appearing like members of the military, it might buy you a little more time."
Raphael held his disguise out in front of him, grimacing at the green camouflage pattern. "This green is so not my color…it clashes with my skin tone…"
"It's better than those creepy masks we used to wear, dude" Mike commented as he put his on. "And just keep telling yourself that this is for Leo."
"Yah, for Leo," Donatello added quietly. After he had slipped his outfit on, he went over to April and stood before her. "April," he addressed her, his voice bordering on ashamed, "thanks for your help. I know this is risky for you…and the way I treated you earlier was not fair. I'm sorry for that."
April gave Don a small, reassuring smile, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder as she adjusted the beret on his head affectionately with her other hand. She said gently, "I understand, it's ok. I'm worried about him too. It's only natural to be a little emotional." She glanced at her watch again. "But I've got to head back. I'm due on the air in a few minutes and I don't want to seem suspicious. Good luck guys."
She disappeared into the trees and the brothers expressions' grew determined.
"Let's do this," Raph stated, speaking what was on all their minds.
A/N: Sorry for the shortness and definitely not one of my best chapters, but this is a transition chapter of sorts, I guess. Until next time, and again thanks for the reviews, favorites, and follows, it means so much to me! Hope you enjoyed!
