Talk in the Sewers

(Don Comes up with a Brilliant Idea)

L.A.: Here's the next chapter. Also, I do not know what new inventions the US Military have come up with. This is totally made up.

It seemed the wag convinced Don of something since his eyes widened as he said, "Oh, shell."

"What's wrong, Don?" Leo asked.

I cocked my head, grinning at Donnie's discomfort.

"Uh, nothing," Donnie grinned guiltily. "I'm going for a walk…with Sophie." He motioned me to follow him as he waved to his brothers and Lindsey, "See you!"

I ignored the confused stares as I followed him out. We walked a little ways into the sewers before he turned towards me.

"I'm nuts," Donnie said as he rubbed his forehead. "This concussion must have rewired my brain. This can't be possible."

I growled. "Come on Don. Don't tell me that you brought me out here just to say that."

With a sigh, Don squated down so that he was level with me. "If you are Chloe, nod your head."

I nodded.

Donnie stood back up, crossed his arms and studied me for a moment. "Someone could have taught you to nod." I rolled my eyes. "Okay sit on your hunches and place your left paw on your nose while raising your right paw."

I did as he instructed.

"Okay now…"

"Don," I growled, "Enough already. I'm Chloe."

He looked stunned. "Alright, you're right. I guess you are really Chloe." He winced. "Aw shell, sorry about trying to make you eat dog food and sticking a thermometer up your rear…"

WHAT!

"Oh," Donnie said when he saw my reaction. "I guess you didn't know about that…never mind."

When I got opposable fingers again I was going to wring his neck.

"So, Chloe," He said awkwardly. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Right, you would have told us if you could." He sighed. "This communication barrier could be problem." He glanced back towards the lair. "And I can't tell the others."

I nodded. Donnie had a concussion so if he told them, they might think it was a product of it. Plus, as selfish as it may seem, a part of me was afraid for them to know. I felt as if I finally had a family. Lindsey and her family had seemed like relatives to me but not my immediate family.

The turtles, Master Splinter, the lair, that was my immediate family. It was strange that I felt this way after two weeks but it was true.

Also, as a dog, you get to see people differently. There are no false pretenses maintained around pets since they didn't think poorly of your faults. When you're human, it's different. Already, I could see a change in Donnie. He was closing himself up, becoming shy.

I still wanted to be thought of as Sophie, the dog, the friend.

Not Chloe, the human, the stranger.

Donnie was lost in thought so I bumped his hand. I whined trying to tell him what I was feeling. Strangely enough, he must have understood me since he patted my head and said. "It's okay girl er Chloe. You've seen us at our worst and still seem to like us. Just because you're really human doesn't mean I won't like you. You're still my friend." He smirked. "But you can't sleep in my bed anymore."

I nodded. I figured as much. Smiling up at him, I said "Thanks Don."

Don frowned. "Okay, we really need to fix the communication problem."

I sighed. He understands my feelings but can't figure out a thank you.

"You know," He said as he tapped his chin. "When I hacked into the US military…" He trailed off when he saw my expression. "I mean what I heard from the US military is that they were working on a portable device that would automatically translate one language to another. It utilizes sonar waves to recognize the inflections, words, and tones in one language and incorporates it into a miniature computer. The computer runs the information through its database before relaying it out to its recipient." He smiled. "I bet I could configure one for you to wear. Would you like that?"

I was so excited that I tackled and hugged him.

Donnie was blushing furiously. "Uh, I'll take that as a yes." He glanced back towards the lair. "I guess we should head back. They're probably wondering where we are."

I quickly got off of him and followed him back.

Mikey was the first to notice us. "Great timing Don. Sensei was about to tell Lindsey how we were created."

"Oh, okay," Don said reluctantly. He looked longingly at his lab before coming to sit down with the rest of us.

I tried to listen to the story but my mind was elsewhere. I was finally going to be able to speak and people could understand me. I frowned. Did Master Splinter say something about ooze? I didn't have time to figure it out since he was introducing the guys.

"Leonardo," Master Splinter said.

"Nice to meet you," Leo said.

"Raphael."

"'Sup," Raph said with a slight wave.

"Donatello."

"Huh?" Donnie said as he looked up from the paper he was doodling on. "Oh yeah, that's me." He went back to his designs.

"And Michelangelo," Master Splinter finished.

"All the good ones end in o" Mikey said with a cheeky grin.

Raph lunged at him but he jumped away laughing.

With a growl, Raph chased after him.

Seeing Lindsey's bewildered expression, I shook my head.

Poor girl, she had no idea what she was getting into.

It seems Chloe is one step closer to her goal. Also, I am going back to school next week so I will be updated less frequently. Anyway, tell me what you think!