A/N: Enter Katie.

Donnie: Well, I admit, Katie's not so bad.

Mikell: See, Don, I'm not out to make your life totally miserable.

Donnie: *grumbling* As long as she doesn't try kissing me!

Mikell: heheh, still sore about that little kiss with Sylvia? Ow! *rubs bruised shoulder*
On with the story!

Please read and review, as always! :)

Chapter 10 -Katie-

Donatello's peace didn't last long. A soft knock on the door had him leaping to his feet and out of the tub, splashing water everywhere. He balanced on the bathtub's rim, crouched in a defensive stance as Benjamin Kanar entered the room, carrying a towel. The man's eyes widened in surprise. He reached for a device hanging on a cord around his neck. Donatello had time to drop to the floor and hold out his hands in supplication before Kanar's finger touched the button. Donatello braced himself, but the pain did not come. Kanar's had moved slowly away from the device.

"I'm sorry, old chap, but you did give me quite a start," said Kanar, holding out the towel. "I'm afraid I very nearly gave you a nasty shock."

"I'm glad you didn't," replied Donatello grimly. "I'm not sure how this band will react with water."

"Oh, never fear, it's specially designed. It's waterproof, and quite difficult to damage. The shocks are particularly painful, of course, but they won't kill you. At least… not right away. An extended shock, however…" Kanar shivered. Donatello's mental discipline allowed him to remain passive, at least outwardly.

An extended shock would raise the victim's blood pressure to dangerous levels, releasing adrenaline in massive quantities. Eventually my heart would give out from the stress.

"Let's talk of more pleasant matters, shall we?" Benjamin Kanar smiled. "If you're quite finished, I'll escort you to Miss Katie's quarters. You're to share a meal with her."

"I'm supposed to sit down to supper with the kid, like a dinner guest? Why not just drag me there in chains?"

"Now, now, I do hope you'll make an effort to be polite," said Benjamin. "My dear boy, you are a… unique… sort of person. I can see that my brother may have underestimated you. Please do not make the same mistake with him. His ways may seem simple, dear boy," Kanar motioned toward the silver ring fastened to Donatello's arm, "but he's quite determined. He will do literally anything to secure his daughter's happiness."

"Even kidnapping innocent people?"

"If he thinks it will make her happy, nothing is too extreme, dear boy. Please do try to understand. I'd hate to see anything happen to you."

Don almost smiled. "On that, at least, we agree," he said mildly.

Kanar laughed. "Come, Donatello. Let me introduce you to the delicate jungle flower that is Miss Katie Kanar."

Donatello snorted, but kept his adverse comments to himself. Great. At last, here's my chance to meet a simpering, spoiled school-girl.

He dried himself with the towel Kanar offered, and, after replacing his pads and mask, followed Kanar through the acres of mansion. To Donatello's surprise, Kanar led him out through the huge front doors and back to the tram.

"Katie prefers to live separately from her father, in specially built quarters," explained Kanar. "She spends a good deal of her time in the jungle."

She has her own house? "How old is she?" asked Donatello.

"Miss Katie is sixteen," said Benjamin. "Ah, here we are." The car slid to a silk-smooth stop, and Donatello stepped out into the late-afternoon sunshine, blinking.

Katie's quarters were smaller than her father's imposing mansion, to be sure, but were still impressive by most people's standards. She had a small house all to herself. Stone pathways wound through the jungle, as if it were an overgrown English garden. Colorful parrots called from the trees, and Donatello was certain he spotted a spider monkey darting across the canopy.

"Wait here. I'll announce your presence," said Benjamin.

"You mean she doesn't even know we're coming?" Donatello stared at the man.

"You're a surprise," said Benjamin with a slight grimace. "A gift, for her sixteenth birthday."

"Great. I suppose I should be glad he didn't try to staple a bow to my shell," grumbled Donatello.

Benjamin disappeared down one of the paths. Donatello stood, looking around in amazement. He hadn't seen such an array of flora and fauna anywhere before. The very air around him seemed to vibrate with life. He noticed a strange growth protruding from a nearby tree. The scientist in him took over, and he walked toward it, curious.

"Stop right there!" A commanding female voice froze Donatello in his tracks.

He turned slowly toward the source, and had to stifle a gasp. A raven-haired young woman stood a few yards away on the path. Her eyes glittered green, the same green as Benjamin's and Damien's.

That's got to be Katie. Some school-girl!

Don's stomach tightened as he noticed she had one of the button devices around her neck, and at the moment, it was clenched in her fingers. "You move, and I'll summon the guards," she said warningly. Don saw her finger twitch on the button and he flinched, but she didn't press it. Yet.

"Wait, please," he said, holding out his hands. She took a step back.

"I'm warning you!"

"Please, don't push that button," he pleaded. He moved his arm so the sunlight glinted off the band. The girl gasped, dropping the device as if it burnt her fingers.

"Oh no." The distress in her expression almost made Donatello feel sorry for her. Almost. He was too busy controlling and concealing his own ragged emotions to spare much concern for her. Don's knees felt weak. By force of will, he stayed on his feet, outwardly steady, as the girl moved hesitantly toward him.

Geez, Don, has Kanar broken you already? he scolded himself mentally, deliberately slowing his breathing. Get a grip. It's just a little shock…

"Did my father put that thing on you?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Then he's brought you here… I'm so sorry. I asked him not to do this again! Oh damn," she swore. She stopped a few feet from Donatello, staring.

"What… who," she shook her head, obviously flustered. Donatello didn't try to help her. He just stood, and waited.

"Who are you?" she asked finally.

He answered the question she asked, ignoring the one she left unspoken. "My name is Donatello."

"Katie? Miss Katie? Oh! There you are." Kanar hurried up the side path. Katie turned on him.

"You knew about this? You brought him here? I told you, Uncle Benjamin, you simply must stop father from carrying out these insane schemes!" Benjamin fell back a step in the face of Katie's fury.

"Now, Katie, my dear, you know how insistent your father can be…"

"No! I won't have it, Benjamin! You take him straight back to the house and make father let him go at once!"

Donatello breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, someone sane. Surely a father who wanted to please his only daughter would give in to her demands.

"Katie, you know I can't do that," said Benjamin. "Your father won't send him back."

Katie's rage deflated as quickly as it had risen. "You're right, of course, Uncle Benjamin." She turned sad eyes toward Donatello. "I'm afraid you're stuck here. This island is like the Hotel California, you can check out, but you can never leave."

"What? What are you talking about?" Donatello started to sweat. He felt as though he were living in a nightmare.

"Now, let's talk of more pleasant things," said Benjamin quickly. "Donatello is to join you for your evening meal, Katie, if that arrangement suits you. By the way, do be careful with your distress signal. Your father has equipped our guest with one of those horrid bands…"

"I saw it. I nearly shocked him," Katie snapped. "Damn it, Uncle Benjamin, why does he insist on doing this? I've told him I don't want him bringing…" she glanced at Donatello, "… people here like this. Why won't he listen to me?"

Kanar shook his head sorrowfully. "He loves you, Katie, in his own way."

Katie sighed. "I know." She held out her hand to Don. "You must be hungry. Do you want something to eat?" There was something subtly patronizing in her tone that made Donatello scowl. He took a fighting stance.

"Let's get one thing straight right now," he growled. "I am not a pet."

Katie's eyes widened. She glanced at Benjamin.

"I think you'll find, Katie," said Benjamin gently, "Donatello is quite as intelligent as you are. He's not like the others your father has brought you. We haven't had an opportunity to test his IQ, but I can assure you, he will be able to carry on an intelligent conversation with you, and I daresay he will understand your work here. I believe your father has, finally, provided you with a companion who will challenge your intellect."

Katie's glance flicked back to Donatello. Don was surprised to see a cool, calculating brain working fast behind those green eyes.

She's pretty, he realized with a shock. More than pretty, she's gorgeous. And smart, too?

"I'm sorry, Donatello," Katie said. "I should not have assumed… anything, based on appearance alone. I hope you will forgive me, and join me for supper." She made a formal little bow. Donatello returned it automatically.

"I'd like that," he said, surprised to find he meant it.

Katie's green eyes sparkled. She smiled, showing a row of perfect, white teeth against her tanned skin. "Good. Please, follow me."

Kanar bowed as they passed. "If you require anything, anything at all, Miss Katie, I will be in the main house."

"Thanks Uncle Benjamin. I think I can handle things from here." Katie smiled. Donatello noticed she had the same sad smile as Benjamin, a "let's make the best of it" expression.

What must it be like to have Damien Kanar for a father? he thought. I never realized how lucky we are to have Master Splinter. It must be awful to have a father without honor.

"So, Donatello, where are you from?" Katie glanced over her shoulder as she led him through a glass sliding door into the most beautiful room Donatello had ever seen.

The wood floor was like satin under his feet. The walls were cream-colored, and textured in a southern style. Plants adorned much of the space, lush greenery bringing the jungle indoors. The furnishings were simple, mostly made of wood, but the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail was obvious.

"I'm from the city," he said cautiously.

"Which one?" Katie asked, turning. She watched him war with his emotions. "I can just ask Uncle Benjamin, you know."

"True. New York, then."

Katie grinned. "I've always wanted to visit New York. Is it as loud and smelly as my father says it is?

"It's amazing," said Donatello. "It really is the city that never sleeps. You can get a pizza delivered at 4 AM. If you want company, there's always someplace open and people around. If you want to be alone, the rooftops offer solitude, and an incredible view of the stars."

"It sounds amazing," said Katie with a wistful smile. "Of course, any place off this island sounds amazing to me."

"You've never been off the island?"

"Nope. I was born here, and likely I'll live here for the rest of my life. Father doesn't exactly encourage travel, if you hadn't noticed." She made a face. "After all, why would I want to leave? He gives me anything I ask for, and," she held out her hands, indicating the jungle outside the home's many windows, "This is paradise."

"That's awful, Katie. I'm sorry," said Donatello, stricken. "To be held prisoner by your own father…"

"Don't you dare. Don't you dare feel sorry for me," she snapped.

"I'm sorry."

"It's ok. It's just… I feel the same way about pity as you do about being thought of as an "animal". If I let people feel sorry for me, it takes away what dignity I have. No. This is my life, and I live it to the best of my ability. No feeling sorry for myself. No whining about how I wish things were different, how I wish Mom was still here with us, I wish Dad wasn't the way he is. Come on; let's eat. I hope you like fresh fruit."

Donatello's eyes widened when he saw the table, already laid out with a lavish meal. There were trays of fresh-cut pineapple, mango, banana, and other exotic fruits Donatello couldn't identify by sight. More platters held roast, and some sort of rice dish. A rich soup was cradled in a silver tureen. Donatello noticed two place settings laid out, and frowned.

"I thought you didn't know I was coming," he said, pointing.

Katie looked at the table, and shook her head. "Obviously Clara knew," she said. "It was rotten of her not to tell me about this. She was probably afraid I'd lose my temper." She unconsciously fingered the device at her neck. Don felt himself go cold.

"I wish you wouldn't do that," he said quietly.

"Do what? Oh!" She took her hand away, and glanced at him guiltily. "Sorry. Clara has one of those bands, too. She's scared of me, even though I'd never shock her."

"I don't blame her," said Don. "It's… unpleasant."

"It's meant as a protection for me, Father says. The device also summons the guards. It will only activate the band within a certain radius. If you're far enough away when I hit the button, you won't get shocked."

"I'll keep my distance, then," said Don dryly.

Katie frowned. "I'm sorry, Donatello. I really am," she said. "If there were a way to get the key…"

"There's a key to these things?"

"Well, Father has it. They only come off for maintenance or medical attention," she explained. "And then he makes sure Jon's always present, or he uses restraints. No one's ever escaped this island, Donatello."

"Your mother did. You said she'd left."

"Mom died." Her tone was so flat and cold, Donatello blinked.

"I'm sorry."

"It was a long time ago. I was just a baby then. Let's talk about something else."

"Ok. Benjamin mentioned your work. Do you mind if I ask what you do?"

"I study and catalog the plant and animal life. My concentration is on the plants, though. The cures for so many diseases have come from the world's rainforests. I hope that by studying the plant life here, I might find new resources to benefit human kind."

"Wow."

Katie laughed. "After we eat, I'll show you the lab." They sat down to the table. Don's mind was racing.

A laboratory? Maybe there are tools I can use to dissect this band…

"Plants aren't really my thing," admitted Donatello, "But I do know my way a laboratory. Maybe I can help you."

"Really? That'd be great," said Katie. "Maybe Uncle Benjamin was right, Father finally sent me someone who I can actually talk to. Most people are bored stiff looking at plant leaves under the electron microscope and analyzing compounds."

"You have an electron microscope? Here?" Donatello choked on the mango he'd just bitten into.

Katie smiled. "Donatello, you met my father. You know, the guy who had you kidnapped and flown here for my amusement? I have the latest technology. I have the best of everything. He gives me anything, everything I ask for," she said sadly.

"Everything except your freedom."

"There is that."

"I can… sympathize." Donatello rubbed his arm above the band.

"At least he hasn't stuck one of those things on me yet. Well, you know about my family. Father and Uncle Benjamin are it, all I have. How about you? Do you have a father? Sisters? Brothers? A mom?"

"I have three brothers," said Donatello slowly. "And our father."

"It must be great to have brothers," said Katie. "At least you're never lonely. What are they like?"

"They're the best. And, I have to warn you, Katie, if they find out where I am, they will come for me. Your father doesn't know what he's gotten himself into."

Katie shook her head sadly. "I hope they don't, for their sakes," she said. "Father wouldn't hesitate to destroy them."

Mikey's goofy grin flashed through Donatello's mind, but then he remembered Raphael's determined glare, and Leonardo's calm, collected intelligence. "Don't worry, they can handle themselves," he said.

Katie glanced at him, taking in his rippling muscles and determined look. "Well, if they're all like you, I believe it," she said.

Donatello, much to his chagrin, found himself blushing under her gaze. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the surge of unfamiliar emotion that welled up in his chest.

Don't forget, she's the enemy, he scolded himself. Her father's the one who brought me here. I can't let my guard down, not for an instant. The guys will come for me. They will. I just have to keep my head together until then.