The turtles and I made quick time back to my apartment, which was thankfully free of Foot clan activity. My motorcycle was still parked in the garage exactly as it had been a day and a half ago (which seemed like much longer, considering I'd neither ate nor slept since then) and my apartment was just as I'd left it…aside from an indignant feline who proceeded to berate me profusely with pitiful meows as soon as I stepped through the door.

After numerous apologies (which included lots of ear and chin scratches, fresh water and food, treats, and a sprinkling of catnip) Seras seemed to accept my attempts to placate her, and even decided (much to my surprise) to saunter up to both Donatello and Raphael (who had entered via the fire-escape/patio) and give them a full inspection.

This seemed to enlighten Donnie, who gently petted her head and scanned her with his various gadgets as she rubbed against his legs. While Raphael only grunted and gave her a half annoyed stare as she proceeded to curl up resolutely on his lap and purr herself into a catnap.

I was glad Seras was keeping the boys entertained, as I took the opportunity to freshen up, change clothes, grab a quick bite to eat, and gather my First aid kit and various supplies. Once I had everything together (which only took about 30 minutes), I made sure the door was bolted securely, bid my feline companion adieu, and followed the turtles (who were nice enough to carry the bags of supplies I'd packed) back out and down the fire escape.

Once in the cover of the alley, I took a moment before we moved on to respond to the 5 missed phone calls I'd received from Pops. I wasn't surprised in the least when he picked up before the first full ring was even complete.

"Hai Pops…it's me…."

"Child…where have you been? You said you would call me."

"I know…and I'm sorry…but I've been kinda busy. And I can't exactly get good cell service where I've been."

"What do you mean? I have been very worried."

I couldn't help the smile that brushed across my face. "I'm sorry Pops…I haven't meant to worry you…but you're gonna have to trust me when I say I think the less you know about the situation, the better. I don't want you getting tangled up in anything that could get you hurt on my account."

He paused, then replied in Japanese, "Are you in danger, child?"

I sighed, my smile quickly fading. "I might be…but not because of anything I've done that's wrong – I promise."

Again he paused, and I heard his heavy sigh through the speaker. "Is it your Storm?"

I couldn't help glancing toward Raphael, and was surprised to see his amber eyes staring right back into mine. He regarded me with a curious gaze, as if he were searching my face for an answer to a question that rested solely in his mind. I smiled softly at him, feeling my cheeks flush slightly as his eyes suddenly became a mixture of concern and something else…something that warmed my heart and drew me in like a moth to a flame….

"Child?"

Pop's voice over the phone brought me suddenly back to the moment, and I smiled apologetically to Raphael as I dropped my eyes back to the filthy alley floor.

"He needs my help," I replied in Japanese, being careful to measure my words before I spoke. "Someone is sick…it's family. I have to help him."

For a long moment, Pops and I shared the silence. Sometimes we did that…just sat quietly with one another, as if we were able to communicate with our thoughts alone. I guess there are times when words just aren't necessary…and Pops and I both seemed to enjoy sharing silence as much as words.

Finally Pops replied, his voice sounding much more tired over the phone than it had been. "Do what you feel is right, child. I know I could not change your mind even if I tried. I will look in on Seras for you until you return." He paused, sighing deeply. "Please do not be gone long…you know how this old man worries."

I smiled sadly, wishing I could have talked to him in person, but I didn't want to risk his safety. "Don't worry Pops…I'll be back before you know it."

I hung up the phone and stashed it into the pocket of my jeans, glancing up as I did toward Raphael. He was still regarding me with that same curious stare, his amber eyes glinted as he stepped toward me and fidgeted with the toothpick in the corner of his mouth.

"Everything Ok?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Pops is gonna keep an eye on my place and take care of Seras until we get this nonsense with the Foot figured out."

Raphael nodded, his eyes searching mine closely. "You sure you're ok, Tess?"

I smiled sheepishly, a slight laugh in my voice as I replied, "Are you kidding me? Other than being short on sleep, this is the most excitement I've had in a very long time." I paused, my smile becoming more sincere as I readjusted the strap of my pack over my shoulder. "Seriously Raph…I'm good. I'm thankful to have met you –" I blushed "- all of you…and I'm happy to do anything I can that might help make Splinter well again."

Raphael continued watching me closely, his eyes flashing momentarily with that strange warmth I'd seen in them only moments before. Then, apparently satisfied, he nodded stoically, then glanced toward Donatello who was glasses-deep in his comms unit.

"Ok Donnie…next stop, TCRI. What's our route?"

"Uh…yeah…about that…" I interjected, nervously pulling at the straps of my pack. "I was thinking…having these supplies with us might be a bit cumbersome if we run into trouble at the lab."

Donatello and Raphael exchanged glances, with Donnie finally nodding in agreement.

"She's right. If we run into any Foot clan activity, there's a good chance of damaging or even losing the supplies we've gathered so far."

It was my turn to nod. "And I honestly don't want to risk anything happening to the IV supplies we've got – Splinter could really use the support of some IV fluids, especially if I can get my hands on the meds I'm thinking we'll need." I paused, glancing from Donatello to Raphael before continuing. "So…considering all that…and since we have to clean before we can even think about starting what testing we can do, I was thinking maybe it might be a good idea for us to head back, drop off our supplies, and then make our way to the lab."

Raphael grunted, turning quickly to hand the bag of supplies he'd been holding to Donatello. "I have a better idea – Donnie, you know what to do with all this, so how about you head back home and get things rolling while Tess and I head for the lab." His words were more of a statement than a question, and Donatello glanced nervously between the two of us before taking the bag from him.

"But Leo wanted us to stay together. Why don't I check in with him and –"

"Look Donnie, you heard what Tess said. Splinter needs what we have, and the sooner we get it to him, the sooner he can get better. So I'm not gonna stand here and waste time talking to Leo when we could be on our way to getting the medicine that will help Dad the most."

I could hear the intensity of Raphael's voice building as he spoke, and Donatello seemed unwilling to argue as he took the bag from Raphael without another word. Then, stepping over to me, Donnie held out his arm on which he wore his comm device and nodded to the picture on the small screen.

"Ok, look…this is live security cam footage from outside the TCRI labs. See those armed guards right inside the doors?"

I nodded, immediately recognizing the front of the building where I worked. What I didn't recognize, however, were the two armed guards themselves.

"They've never had guards before…not even after the robbery."

Donatello nodded. "I'm betting they're linked to the Foot, either directly or indirectly. There's heightened security all over the building…and activity around that whole block has jumped dramatically over the last 48 hours. With all those increased variables, there's more than a 37% chance of you being spotted." He paused, his green eyes seeming to light up from the LED reflection of his comm device. "Something's not right. You two had better be extra careful."

Raphael nodded confidentially as he slipped up beside me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "We'll be fine. We've dealt with these losers before. Tess…you ready?"

I nodded, glancing nervously between the two of them. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Raphael winked at me, his amber eyes flashing with a fire that helped quell the nervousness I was starting to feel.

"Alright then…let's get moving."