A/N: All right here we go!! Things are getting really, really interesting now. I really hope you're enjoying this, because I know I am. Anyway, still looking for art and junk! Seriously, if you loved a particular moment in the story or just want to draw the girls, I'd be like super grateful.

NOTICE: Oh yeah, I've been writing some drabbles and song fics for this story. I'm thinking of putting up a companion fic for this with those in mind. Its just stuff I was inspired to do…so, ask me for updates or keep a whether eye out.

Disclaimer: As sexy as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are, I do not own them, or anyone/thing associated with them. I know Roger, Mimi, Angel, Joanne, and Maureen are sexy, and I'm proud to say I do own them.

Music for this chapter:

Burn- The Alkalaine Trio

Chapter 13:

Hopeless Hints

Maureen's favorite quote:

"Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times."

-- Anon

If it was one thing Maureen was good at, it was making people smile. She wasn't the smartest, that was, after all, Joanne's job. She just did what she did to make people smile. It gave her that sort of satisfaction, knowing someone was happy, and if only for a moment, whilst being in her presence. She completely and totally believed that smiles were contagious.

Which is why as she strolled down the streets of New York, she plastered a silly, but happy smile upon her face. Some people simply stared at her and shook their heads, while others returned a smile. If they were faking she didn't care, if they were laughing at her for some reason, she didn't care. All she cared about was seeing them smile.

Of course, she wasn't just wandering the streets of New York City to make people smile. That would be insane, and Maureen was proud to be almost completely sane. The blonde mutant fox girl, who did not have ears and a tail at this moment, was on her way to pick up a treat for her good friend, Miranda Jones.

She knew her sister-like-friend was going through a lot lately. In the past week she had been beat up by one of her friends, Leo, which hurt her pride more than she wanted to let on. She also had worked her butt off to save up some money for her own car, and she was still too far away to even consider looking for a car. She realized she was being stalked by a cute, but crazy kid and then her boyfriend accidentally hurt her while trying to pretty much murder her stalker. She needed a break.

So, as Maureen happily strolled down the streets, she racked her brain for something Mimi would really appreciate. Maybe some candy? She had been eating a lot of it lately, but laid down when Donnie told her he would send her to a dentist if she replaced a meal with a candy bar again. Maureen giggled and decided she would use candy as a back up.

She passed a florist and figured Mimi could appreciate some flowers, maybe. She wasn't the girly type, but she seemed happy when Roger had gotten her those wild flowers for her birthday. Maureen walked into the shop getting a small boquet of wild flowers, and looked around. She walked around for a long time, and it was getting darker.

She found her last stop with a childish giggle. A stationary supply shop, it was perfect! Mimi was always writing something in those cheap twenty-five cent spiral notebooks. She might like something prettier to write in, and maybe a couple of pretty pens would be nice for her too. Maureen was grinning.

"Aw, man…" Maureen groaned as she exited the stationary shop.

It had gotten dark, and Maureen was nervous about walking home when it was dark. Especially when she was alone. And she figured none of her friends, or her sisters would approve of her walking home, alone, in the dark. She shrugged herself and quickened her pace, she had wandered far from home.

Maureen was no ninja, and she wasn't trained to be able to know when she was being followed, but she had a great nose, and even better hearing. She had her mutation to thank for that. She realized though, that unlike her siblings and Mimi especially, she never had the urge to defend herself. Simply to get away, and avoid violence all together.

Her hearing caught foot steps matching her own, and some voices saying her name. Describing where she was going, how fast she was walking, and scariest of all, saying they were right behind her. She looked over her shoulder cautiously, but saw no one that looked suspicious.

Still she hurried home, she didn't want to take any chances. The Foot were obviously back in business lately, and Angel had mentioned some thing about that Roger kid being in with them. She was five minutes from home, and she was getting more and more panicked.

"What's your rush?" The cool familiar voice made Maureen stop in her tracks, "You're…Maureen…right?"

"Yeah…" Maureen gulped looking at the bruised dirty blonde in her path, "You're Roger, right?"

"Yup." He smiled and it gave Maureen chills, "Are those for Mimi?" He asked referring to the gifts in her hands, the blonde nodded. "How is she?"

"She's fine." The blonde replied tightly.

"She got hit pretty hard last time I saw her…" He narrowed his eyes.

"No thanks to you." Maureen said surprising herself with a dark tone, "She's fine."

"And your sisters…how are they?" He asked.

"They've never been better." Maureen said trying to move past him, but he moved so he was in her way again.

"What're their names again?" He asked rhetorically, "Angel and Joanne?"

"And April, can I please get by now?" He chuckled and moved out of the way for her.

"Are you scared?" He called after her and she didn't respond, though she picked up what he said next under his breath, "Because you should be…"

Reaching the steps she skipped every other one in her haste to get inside. She practically ran to the elevator, and when she reached it she pressed the button impatiently. Finally it dinged with it's arrival and she stepped in quickly, pressing the button to close the doors quickly. She sighed, feeling a little relieved.

When she arrived into the nice apartment, she found a note on the fridge, informing her April and Casey went on a date, and the girls were at the lair. She smiled softly at this, they had helped Casey pick out an engagement ring for April, they were all just waiting for him to ask the final question.

"Good luck." She muttered to them, even though they were no where near her.

She sighed putting the flowers in a vase, and placing them at the center of the dining room table. She smelled the flowers and smiled softly, the scent reminded her of Mimi. She looked down to the special notebook she had bought and opened it. She wrote a note on the first page and made her self smile, only hoping Mimi would enjoy it.

The sound of the window being opened made her freeze and her stomach drop. Her breathing picked up, as she did not recognize the scent as any of her turtle friends. She felt the white ears that had appeared on her head twitch a little, as they stood straight up. She pretended to be flipping through the pages, the quiet footsteps, and the sound of weapons could only mean one thing…

'The Foot…'

She quickly began writing a message, trying to look casual. She knew it wouldn't do much good as a message, seeing as it was in the middle of the notebook. She still had to try, she couldn't just let them…do whatever it was they wanted to do…without trying to save herself. And it was useless to fight them, she was never a fighter. She closed the book, and set down the pen, before turning around.

"Hello…" She wasn't surprised to be met by many ninjas.

"Well, aren't you cute…" That voice again, she narrowed her eyes.

"You have serious issues, dude." The blonde growled at a smug looking Roger.

"I'm not the one with a tail, Sweet Cheeks." He said back.

"Seriously, you're a pathetic nut job." She said venomously. Maureen yelped as a cold blade was pointed at her throat, with her head tipped up.

"I'd watch what you say, I have at least a dozen ninjas at my command just in this room, and more ready, whenever."

"Can't do the dirty work yourself?" Maureen said though her voice betrayed her.

"Just keep your mouth shut and come with us." Roger growled impatiently.

"I don't know how to shut my mouth." Maureen snapped sacredly, and the blade pushed against her skin.

'What's…happening…?'

Maureen felt her heartbeat rapidly increasing. Roger was smirking, and speaking but a loud ringing in her ears was drowning that out. He apparently had asked her a question because he was looking at her expectantly and the blade was being pressed against her throat harder, a small drop of blood rolling down the exposed throat.

Maureen was losing consciousness and fell limp, falling to the floor. The room was still as no one knew what was happening. Maureen's eyes opened wide, being a shocking deep jet black. She let out a horrible scream as if she was being tortured, which she was, pain racked her body. She writhed on the floor, in too much pain to wonder why she was hurting so much.

"What the fuck?!" Roger yelled above her screams, one of the ninjas pulled out a tranquillizer they had stolen from Winters.

"She's mutating." He explained.

"Holy shit…" Roger said as he looked to where the blonde once had been, there was now a snow white fox, black eyes standing out considerably. It peeked its head out from underneath the shirt she had been wearing earlier, her clothes on the floor. The ninja shot it and it was out cold in seconds.

"Is she going to be okay?" He asked as one of them picked up the animal. When they didn't answer he narrowed his eyes, maybe this was more than he bargained for.

"Seriously, Mikey!" Mimi squealed from her perch on his shoulders, "Put me down!"

"Chill out, dudette!" Mikey chuckled, "I figure with the two of us we could take down Raph and Leo!"

"Ya' may got two of ya' but you're very top heavy," Smirked Raph, "All we gotta do is knock Mimi off."

"Are you calling me fat, Raphael?!" Mimi asked outraged.

"I dunno, am I?" He asked casually.

"Alright, Mikey, if you know what's good for you, you'll put me down…"

"As you wish, fair dudette!" Mikey said setting the girl down.

Raph stood in a ready position, and Mimi hopped of Mikey's shoulders in a ready position. Leo sat next to Angel, and Joanne on the sidelines, with Donnie coming in with drinks. The guys, including Mimi had a training session and the two sisters decided they wanted to watch. It ended up just being them all messing around, but it was fun.

Mimi was smiling despite herself, and Raph even had a small smile. As she moved to pounce at him he picked her up easily and threw her away. She landed gracefully on her feet, and went to pounce again. This time she knocked him off balance and he fell back on his shell with a grunt. Mimi had a look of pure triumph practically straddling him on the dojo floor.

"You just got totally owned by your girlfriend, Raph!" Snorted Mikey and Raph rolled his eyes.

"I win." Mimi giggled and moved to get off but Raph rolled them over, into what looked like a provocative position. Leo cleared his throat,

"We are all in the same room, guys…"

"Yeah, Raph." Mimi said teasingly.

"Just you wait." He narrowed his eyes before moving onto his knees, and helping her stand up.

"Hey, has any one heard from Ree? she's not picking up her cell…" Joanne said checking her phone for any missed calls.

"I haven't seen her since she left to go shopping this afternoon" Angel said and Mimi narrowed her eyes, "She could've got lost, it's happened before."

"But she would call one of us for directions." Mimi said, "Someone should've gone with her…" She sounded angry.

"Don't look at us, you could've gone too!" Joanne defended.

"I asked her and she told me no." Mimi said, "She wasn't gonna let me come."

"She's probably fine, guys…" Leo rolled his eyes.

"Shouldn't we go and check?" Mimi offered.

"Yeah, just to see if she's at home." Angel agreed.

"Look, we don't have any proof this human involved with the Foot. We can't risk anymore exposure…We need to lay low for a little while." Leo explained.

"Layin' low and doin' nothin' are two different things, Leo." Mimi responded coldly.

"There's nothing we can do!"

"You can patrol our part of the neighborhood more often, have one of you sleep at our home, there is plenty you can do." Angel said, and Leo sighed.

"That would just be burden to Casey and April."

"It's not a burden if you're keepin' us safe!" Mimi replied feeling her temper slipping.

"Mimi, he's just a kid with a crush on you, we can't assume he's with the Foot!"

"He could be." Mimi said, "Karai wants you all dead, and what better way to get to you than through us?" There was silence after this, "You said it was a danger before, and it still is now."

"Well you didn't seem to agree before," Leo replied.

"I did agree, I just thought you'd be smart enough to try and prevent it from happenin'." The cat girl turned on her heel to leave and Angel stood up quickly.

"Angel…" Leo said in question.

"I already told you, I think she's right…" She shrugged and followed after her friend.

"How long has she been gone?" Mikey asked, and Joanne shrugged.

"Since a little earlier this afternoon."

"It should be dark out already," Raph observed, "Maureen hates walkin' in the dark…"

"She would've been home by now…" Mikey said in quiet concern.

"Come on, Mike, we'll go check for ourselves…" Joanne stood up guiding the other turtle out.

"If she's missin' we have to look for her." Raph said to his remaining brother, "There's a chance that piece of shit is workin' for Karai, and I don't want the girls dragged in to it."

"I think it might be too late for that." Leo said darkly.

"She was home…" Mimi said as her and Angel walked in the door, she looked at the flowers, "Wildflowers…"

"Those are your favorite, right?" Angel asked curiously, and Mimi nodded absently.

"Maureen, are you home?" Mimi called and walked to her bedroom, no one in there, she checked Casey and April's room, she wasn't in there either. "I don't think she's here!" Mimi called checking the bathroom.

"Where would she go, alone and after dark?" Angel asked.

" I dunno, I thought she hated walking alone at night." Mimi sighed.

"She does." Angel said, "I think she got those flowers for you, there's a notebook on the table…I'm going to try calling her again…"

Angel went on the fire escape, to look out for her, and get better reception. Mimi moved to the table, and admired the flowers. Her brow was creased with concern, and her mind spun with other possibilities besides the Foot being involved. That was the worst case scenario, and she wanted to cover any other possibility before having to confront Roger. She picked up a scrap of paper on the notebook that said 'To: Mimi, from: Your spaz.' She smiled at that and ran her hand over the notebook

It really was nice, and she couldn't wait to write something in it. It was hard covered, with the photograph of the city. It was black, and the picture was in black and white. The two pens she had gotten her were red and purple, Mimi's favorite colors. Opening the book, it had neatly lined paper, and it was gorgeous. She smiled at the note on the first page.

'Dear Mimi,

I know you've been through a lot of weird stuff lately, and I'm sorry all that had to happen. But then again, I think you're the only one of us who could have handled it without totally freaking out.. I guess I'll be thankful it wasn't me. I decided you deserved a gift to show how much we appreciate you, I know we didn't do enough the past year and it still bugs me. I got you this notebook because you're always using those crappy and cheap notebooks. I figured you might like something nice to write all your favorites in. Oh, and I got you some pens too. Just to spice it up, I know writing in black all the time can be boring…Well, I hope you enjoy your new notebook, and your flowers.

Love,

Maureen'

The cat girl smiled softly, and flipped through the pages. She thought she saw writing on one of the middle pages, but couldn't find it again after she did it. Her attention was grabbed by Angel walking back in to announce that Maureen's cell was either off, or destroyed. The cat girl sighed and plopped herself down on the couch.

"Where are you?"

It was dark, too dark for her liking. Maureen's eyes blinked a couple of times, and took moments for them to adjust. Tears pricked the innocent teen's eyes as she felt a sore pain through out her body. Mimi had said fully mutating hurt like no other, but she failed to mention the after affect. She was so confused, she had no idea where she was.

"Hello?" Her voice was broken and soft, and there was no response.

She sat up and felt around. She was met by the cold and smooth feel of metal. The floor was metal, and she couldn't see any walls. Maureen shivered and felt herself. She was almost naked, only wearing a short piece of cloth she couldn't identify.

The shock and confusion wore off as the pain took full affect. The Foot had captured her, and there was a slim chance her friends would find her. She yelled out for anyone to hear her, accompanied by sobs. She engaged on a pointless search for anyway to get out, crawling helplessly through the black void.

Her heightened senses were in affect and still she heard nothing but her own breathing. It was so quiet. Her eyes adjusted to were she could see her own hands in front of her, but other than that it was just black. She could only smell her own scent, mingled with sweat, salt from her tears, and to her disgust, blood. She screamed out with a sob for anything, anyone.

Hours that seemed like days passed, while the teen lay on her back staring at the blackness, listening to the silence. She had to wave her hand in front of her eyes to make sure she still had her eyes open. Her breathing was even, and she tried her hardest to sit still, but every now and then she would have a terrible out burst. Screaming and writhing on the floor, this was driving her insane.

A light from behind made her cry out and jump. It hurt her eyes, but she couldn't be more happy to see light in her life. And sound, the sound of foot steps coming toward her, she had never been so happy to hear noise. She sat up and faced the light behind her. The silhouette of a man etched out by the light, she recognized his scent and tears leaked from her eyes some more.

"You look tired, sweetie, didn't you get any sleep?" His voice was torn between a tease and actual sympathy. She didn't respond, "Cute little trick you did, you're the cutest little fox I've seen." He chuckled kneeling in front of her. She dragged herself backward with a whimper.

"Stay away." She whispered sacredly.

"Is that what you want? To be all alone in the dark again?" He asked and when she didn't answer he chuckled, "You really are the baby, aren't you?"

"W-what?" Maureen stuttered.

"You were the easiest to catch, and the easiest to scare…" He said moving towards her and she stiffened, "Tell me, do you have a freaky boyfriend too? A turtle?"

"What does he have to do with anything?" She asked and he smirked.

"Everything." He replied darkly, "I knew Mimi was different, but this is … it's insane."

"You're insane." Maureen spat.

"Is it so wrong to be in love?" He asked innocently, "Mimi deserves to be loved by someone who understands her, someone who loves her despite her…attributes…" He reached to touch one of Maureen's ears.

"She is loved by someone who understands her!" Maureen yelled, "Raphie is better than you in every way!" The soft and sympathetic look left his eyes as she was suddenly gripped by her throat.

"Do not compare me to that…monster…"He growled, "Your little pet will get what he deserves, all of them will, and you girls will thank me in the end." Maureen choked and clawed at his hands around her throat. He let go and she whimpered scurrying away from him. "Behave yourself…" He pet her head and put a plate next to her, "The light will be on an hour a day so you can eat…and if you're cooperative I might just take you out for a walk…"

He was gone, and the light remained from an unknown source. She heard the clank of metal, and the sound of the lock. She rolled over and looked at the food. She picked at it, but just basked in the light. What was all too soon later, a ninja came to take her food, and then the sound of the door and the darkness was back. Maureen was tired, but willed her eyes to stay open.

She thought of big baby blue eyes staring wide at her, light green coloring with human like freckles. A huge grin you could see reach his eyes, and that unmistakable laugh. The smell of pizza, soda, and sweat on his skin. The taste of his lips, and the way he clamped his eyes shut when she kissed his beak. A hot streak of fluid fell from her eye and fell down the side of her face, getting in her hair.

"Michelangelo…"

"MAUREEN!"

Mikey screamed sitting up in his bed. Sweat glistening on his forehead, his breathing troubled. He gripped the covers on his bed so tightly his knuckles were a paler shade of green. He fell back against the thrashed bed, letting his breathing get back to normal. Maureen had been gone for almost a week now, and he was finding it hard to sleep. Hell, he was finding it hard to do anything.

Casey, April, Mimi, Joanne and Angel scowered the city during the day, whilst Mikey found himself helpless in the sewers. Raph and Leo tried to get him to practice, and meditate, but he was insistant on checking over Donnie's shoulder who was helping with the search.

Everyone was on edge, and everyone was scared. Mikey wouldn't let any of the girls go anywhere alone. He had let Maureen down, he wouldn't let them down. He wouldn't let his brothers go through the sickening worry and paranoia he was feeling. A knock at his door made him trudge through the room. He opened his door to find his genius brother, and his toughest brother staring back at him.

"We heard ya' scream." Raph observed blandly, "Everythin' okay?" Mikey's blood began to boil.

"No, everything is not fucking okay!" Mikey yelled, his brothers visibly blanched, "She's been missing for a week, and we have no fucking clue where she is, everything is totally screwed!"

"We understand you're worried, Mike…" Donnie said soothingly.

"NO, YOU DON'T!!" Mikey yelled.

"We're worried too." Donnie said as if Mikey hadn't just yelled at him. Raph was still in shock of his littlest brother's outburst. "We're doing all we can right now, and we're all a wreck."

"We're gonna find her." Raph said sternly, and Mikey met his gaze, "No way in hell we're losin' Ree, or any of the girls, ya' got that?" Raph said gruffly.

"I can have Joanne bunk with Raph and Mimi if you want to sleep on my floor tonight." Donnie said.

Donnie had been Mikey's comfort whilst Leo and the girls were away, and the two knew how to deal with each other when the other was grieving or miserable. Raph figured this was fitting seeing how Raph simply exhausted himself so he would sleep as long as possible and be venting anger when he was awake. He had never really been there for his brothers.

"I don't wanna be alone…" Mikey nodded and Don looked to Raph who gave a short nod. Don went to wake Joanne and Mikey moved to leave but Raph put a firm hand on his little brothers shoulder.

"It's gonna be okay, Mike." He said in softly soothing voice, Mikey tried to ignore the tears pricking at his eyes, but clamped his eyes shut and flung himself at his older brother. Raphael faltered for a moment, before hugging his brother.

"Thanks, Raph…"

SO sorry for the delay, last weekend was my party, and you know how those get. Chaotic. Anyway, Chapter 14 will be up soon, I'm having some writers block.

Hope you enjoy!

-- Whispered Lies