Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT.

Chapter 14

Mating season had passed one week later. He had scheduled a dinner party at April's in two weeks. Anya was beside herself with excitement. Why she wanted to meet the rest of his family was beyond him?

Don entered Anya's apartment to find Anya reading Crime and Punishment to Lydia, who merely yawned. Don laughed, dropping his duffel bag, causing Anya to turn. "Why are you reading that to her? She probably doesn't understand it yet?"

Anya closed the book. "It's never too early to read the classics. What's in the bag?" Don brought the duffel bag over, opening it. Anya wrinkled her nose. "Clothes?"

Don nodded. "You said it bothered you that I was always naked, despite my argument that I have a shell which covers all the important parts. April, as an early birthday present, bought him these clothes. I'm bringing them here so they don't smell like the sewer."

"You have a birthday?"

Don shrugged. "Sort of. Master Splinter remembers that it was cool but not cold when he found us. He believes it was in the fall. So, when we were six, Mikey saw a birthday party on television and decided we needed a birthday. Mikey was the one who picked Halloween. It was the one night we could walk around without being afraid. People are pretty generous when you're dressed up and its your birthday. So, it stuck. Every Halloween we go out and celebrate our birthday."

Anya was pulling the clothes out. "I'll have to remember that." Anya smiled. "This is a lot of clothes. Are you going to model them for me?"

Don laughed. "Ah, no."

Anya finished pulling all the clothes out. "So, you're moving in?"

Don went from making faces at Lydia to staring at Anya. "Huh? Do you want me to move in?" Don's heart was racing.

Anya frowned. "I asked you first."

Don swallowed. "Well, my clothes will be here. And I already spend all my free time here."

Anya started naming things. "You also have a toothbrush, extra laptop, DVDs, extra work equipment and orange soda in the fridge."

Don smiled. "You are having too much fun with this, aren't you?"

"Tons. Come on, why don't you move in? Lydia would love it. I would love it. Why not?"

Don sighed. "I can't leave my family like that. They would not be able to handle all the security systems and repairs without me."

Anya sat back on the couch. "And, if anything should happen to you, how would they get along without you?"

Don opened his mouth to respond, but froze. He never thought of that. If he were to die in battle or some other death, his brothers would not have a clue about how to work the security system. They didn't even know the password to get into his computer. He looked at Anya. "You're right. That's something I have to work on."

Anya leaned against Don's arm. "How much work did I just create for you?"

Don laughed. "Too much." He hugged her. "But, if I did get this done and showed at least Raph had to work it, then maybe, just maybe, I'd be free to live with you."

Anya jumped up, grabbing a legal pad and pen. She handed it to Don. "Get started." Don took the utensils and began scribbling while Anya feed and changed Lydia. An hour later, Anya plopped Lydia into Don's unexpecting lap. "Can you watch her so I can take a nice long hot shower?"

Don just nodded in response. Don heard the shower start and he got up with the baby. Lydia had her eyes open again, looking at him. "Hello." He sat down in front of the computer. He turned Lydia so she could see it. "This is a computer. It's a very important machine. I'll teach you how to use it when you get a little older. I'll teach you how to program and protect yourself and your mommy...how's that?" Lydia just sighed, looking at the machine. Don laughed. "Yeah, that's how my brothers feel about it too." He walked back into the nursery, sitting in the rocking chair he began to tell her a story about the lazy hare and the turtle, which kicked the hare's butt and won the race.

Later that night, Don awoke with a start. His hand immediately reaching across the bed, finding it empty. He sat up, looking around the dark room. Something wasn't right. He moved slowly to the hallway, grabbing his bo that had been resting against the wall, then towards Lydia's nursery. He opened the door with his bo, looking into the small room. He immediately saw Anya on the floor. He went to her side, touching her neck. A pulse. He sighed. She was alive. Don's reflexes reacted to movement on his right and he turned, standing in a defense stance over Anya's unconscious body. What he saw made his veins run cold. Lydia was in the arms of Karai, in all her black leather glory. Her mask was off and cape swayed lightly in the breeze from the open window.

Don growled. "Put her down."

Karai looked up. "Hush. You'll wake 'er." Karai rocked the baby, caressing her head. "I have no qualms with you, turtle." She wrapped Lydia's form tightly with a blanket. "And, your lady friend shall be waking any minute."

Don tightened his grip on his bo. "Then, what are you doing here?"

Karai sighed. "My job. I was 'ired to follow Ms. Anya, to see if the child could be yours."

Don frowned. "Mine?"

Karai nodded. "My ninjas have been watching you from afar. We saw your relationship with Ms. Anya was close, even romantic."

Don growled again. "Why are you telling me all this?" He released one arm, extending it. "Give me the baby."

Karai grinned. "As I said, I have no qualms with you." She lifted a vial for Don to see. It was filled with a red liquid. "This should satisfy my employer that this child is not yours."

Don let out a staggered breath, controlling his rage. Karai, not only, had invaded their home, knocked Anya out, but took blood from Lydia's little body. Don pointed the bo at her. "Who hired you?"

Karai shook her head. "My reputation does not allow me to answer. Just know, there are 'umans out there wondering if you and your brotha's can reproduce. My employer thought he had the answer...but no." Karai caressed the baby's head once more, before laying her in the crib. "If I were you, I'd distance myself from this child. Others will come. My employer was only the highest bidder."

Don swallowed hard. Others. Don yelped when something stuck him in the arm and was ripped out. Don touched his arm, seeing blood on his fingers. He looked to see Karai holding another syringe attached to a crossbow. "My employer also wanted a sample of you. Even though this child is not yours, it does not mean you cannot have children...my employer will put this DNA to good use."

Don lunged at her, missing. She moved to the window. "Good-bye, turtle. Keep your human family safe, the others will not be as kind as I." Before Don could lunge again, Lydia began to cry, probably from the cold draft, he turned back to the window but Karai was gone. Don dropped his bo, lifting Lydia out of her crib. He held the baby close, rocking her. Don let silent tears fall down his face. He touched Lydia's upper arm where a red bruise marked Karai's violation. He heard a thud and the muffled cries of a struggle. Don moved quickly. He placed Lydia in her car seat holder and placed her in the coat closet, leaving the door open a bit. He then grabbed Anya's body and hides her in the bedroom closet, where he could lay her down. Once he knew they were safe, in one fluid motion, he ran into the nursery, grabbed his bo and headed up to the roof. What Don found at the top, surprised him. It was the Night Watcher, fighting Foot soldiers. Don noticed Karai was gone, but beside one fallen ninja was a vial of blood, smashed. Which one? His or Lydia? He prayed it was his. His family had too many enemies with unnatural knowledge of genetic manipulation and engineering. That's all he would need: a suped-up clone of him running through the streets of Manhattan like Bebop and Rocksteady or Toka and Razar. His mind was brought back to the situation when a foot ninja nearly collided with him.

The Night Watcher yelled. "Are you just going to stand there? Or help me?"

Don jumped over the fallen solider, using his bo, to kick another solider in the face. The reliving ninjas had started to retreat but a few stubborn ones stayed behind. Raph and Don stood shell-to-shell. "What did you do to piss them off?"

Don growled. "I was happy."

Don couldn't see it, but he knew Raph had a confused expression under that helmet. Within minutes, the last of the ninjas were disbanded, and two very tried turtles were left panting on the roof.

Raph took his helmet off. "What the hell was that about?"

Don sighed. "It was only a matter of time before you found out. Come on." He indicated to Raph to follow him. Raph reluctantly did so. They entered the nursery and Don told Raph to "stay."

Don went to the coat closet and retrieved Lydia, who was wide-awake now, tears streaming down her face. Don brought the baby into the room, lifting her out, hugging her to his chest, rubbing her back in an attempt to comfort her. Raph gave Don, 'I don't get it' look.

Don turned the baby so Raph could see the chubby cheeked wonder. "Raph, this is Lydia. My...adopted daughter, as it were."

Raph crossed his arms. "Come again?"

Don sighed. "Lydia's mother and I am a couple. She was pregnant when I meet her almost ten months ago."

Raph sighed. "How old is the baby?"

"Lydia is about three weeks old."

Lydia was staring at Don. "Why is she staring at you like that?"

Don looked down at Lydia and smiled, making Lydia get excited, waving her arms. "From what I've read, babies can hear in the womb. They learn who's voices are friendly. She heard mine and she knows me now, because she recognizes my voice." Don tickled her cheek. "She loves me and I love her."

Raph ran a hand over his face. "Man, brainiac. When it rains, it pours with you. I thought you had a crush on April?"

Don laughed. "Uh, yeah, when we were fifteen." Don jumped. "Oh, jeez. Anya." Don forced Raph into the rocking chair. "Here, hold her, while I go see if Anya is ok."

Raph jumped. "No way. I'm no nursemaid."

Don growled. "Sit."

Raph complied, removing his upper amour. Don placed the baby in his arms, showing him how to support the head. Lydia didn't seem to mind so Don ran to the bedroom.

Raph looked down at Lydia. She was looking at him. He smiled. "So, you're Lydia." He held his finger out. "Nice to meet you." Lydia grabbed his large finger in her two small hands. She tried to put his finger in her mouth. Raph moved away. "Sorry, babe, you don't want that." He touched her cheek. "Your…dad, has been keeping you a secret. I just found out about you last night. I came here to see you and check up on Don. Good thing I did, huh? But, that will be our little secret. Okay?" Lydia yawned. "I'll take that as a yes."

Anya was just waking up when Don opened the closet door. She held her heard and moaned. Don knelt down. "Anya? It's Don."

Anya turned her head. "What happened? And, why am I in the closet?"

Don laughed. " One of my enemies found us and knocked you out."

Anya sat up. "Lydia."

Don held her shoulders. "…is fine. My brother is holding her."

"Mikey?"

"No, Raphael."

"Uh-oh."

"Yeah. Can you get up?"

Anya nodded, slowly rising. She pulled at her shirt and shorts, putting them back into place, then rubbed her face. "Ok, I'm good." Don led her into the nursery where they found Raph smiling at the baby, who was trying to suck on his finger. Don cleared his throat, causing Raph to stand.

He walked over, handing the baby to Anya. "Uh, I think she's yours."

Anya smiled. "Thank you."

Raph blushed, scratching his head. "Uh, yeah. No problem." Raph looked at Don. "Why were they here?"

Don helped Anya to the rocking chair. When she assured Don she was fine, Don said, "Karai was hired by someone to find out if Lydia is my child, biologically."

Raph looked at Anya and Lydia then at Don. "Is she?"

"No," said Don in an exasperated tone. "I wish she was, but she isn't. But, the Foot has seen us together and thinks it's a possibility. Karai took a vial of her blood and my blood. But, I saw one of them shattered on the roof. So, they could be back."

Raph sighed. "I think we need to tell Splinter and Mikey."

"They know."

Raph raised his eyebrow. "Mikey knows? And, he kept the secret?"

Anya giggled. "Apparently."

Raph grunted. "Don, this could be big. We need to consult Splinter." Raph growled. "See what you did, you're making me sound like that loser Leo. What happened to protecting the family?"

Don pushed Raph. "I am. I make sure everyone is home safely. The security systems are updated and functional...I do everything to keep you and Mikey and Master Splinter safe. I'm allowed to be happy. Anya and Lydia make me happy. Being the Night Watcher makes you happy and I didn't make you stop. Did I?"

"You're the Night Watcher?" inquired Anya, shocked, but the brothers ignored her.

Raph looked the side. "No, ya didn't. But, this is different."

Don felt Anya put her hand on his shoulder. "Don, will they be back tonight?"

Raph answered. "Probably not. But, you may want to go to a safe place, just in case."

Don looked at Anya. "I'm sorry."

Anya smiled. "Don, I knew the risks. You made sure I did. I just didn't think it would happen so soon." She rubbed Lydia's back. "I'll go pack a bag and go to a hotel."

Don shook his head. "I'm going to call April."

Raph looked at the two. "Wait, April knows too?"

Don smiled. "Sorry, bro. You were kept out of the loop." Don opened his shell cell and dialed. Once plans were made, Don held the phone open. He looked at Raph, then Anya. He dialed one more number. "Mikey, it's Don. Can I speak to Master Splinter?"

An hour later, Don was entering April's apartment, with Lydia in his arms. Raph was bringing Anya on his bike, after he stashed his Night Watcher gear away. Don entered to find April and Casey at the kitchen table, with newly poured coffee in their mugs. Master Splinter sat at the end of the table. Mikey immediately jumped up. "Let me see my niece."

Don smiled, handing the child over to Mikey, so he could unload the diaper bag and his bo. He walked up to the kitchen, taking a coffee mug out, pouring himself a cup. He sat, facing Master Splinter. He bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Master Splinter. I took a large risk bringing Anya and Lydia into our world."

Master Splinter sighed, slowly standing. He went to Mikey, who was making faces at Lydia. Poor Lydia didn't know what to make of the silly turtle and was whimpering. Splinter took the child from Mikey's arms, as Mikey whined. The child was crying now, small sounds of displeasure coming from her little mouth. Splinter brought the child to Don, who took the child. Lydia immediately stopped fussing and rested her head against Don's plastron. Don caressed Lydia's hand, and Lydia wrapped her little hand around Don's finger as far as it would go. Her eyes began to drop.

Splinter sighed, again. "Donatello. I see now why you were so eager to become independent. So eager to learn to be an adult. You were going through something that none of us have ever gone through. Even I, who know the joy and love of being a father, did not witness my children being born. When did you meet?"

Don nodded. "I meet her the night Leo left." He looked down at Lydia's sleeping form. "I love them, Master Splinter. I love Anya and I love Lydia. And, I put them in danger."

Splinter rested his hand on Don's head. "Oh my son, I have always hoped that you would find love one day. I prayed for it. You four are unique and thus stuck in the world of the shadows. Not many people are willing to give that a chance, even for love. But, you found it. You found love. I am extremely disappointed that you kept this secret from me. But, I understand. I am proud of you."

Don looked at his father. "Why? I endangered our family by bringing them into our world. I endangered them."

Splinter shook his head. "You do not understand, my son. You found love."

Raph and Anya came into the apartment, arguing. Everyone looked up, surprised. Anya threw her bag to the side, pointing a finger at Raphael. "You are such a jerk, as I thought you'd be." She turned, seeing Don with Lydia, April, Casey, Mikey and a large rat looking at her. "He drives like a madman. And, he did two wheelies. Two."

Raph laughed. "It was funny to hear her scream."

Anya grunted. "Such a jerk."

Don smiled. "Anya." Anya stormed to Don's side. Don nodded. "This is my father, Master Splinter."

Anya extended her hand and Splinter took it. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Don's told me a lot of about you."

Splinter shook then released Anya's hand. "I am glad to meet you."

Mikey bounced to Anya's side, extending his arms. Anya smiled and hugged him back. "You didn't call me back."

Mikey shrugged. "Cowabunga Carl got a concussion, so I wasn't talking to anyone for two days."

Anya pouted, caressing Mikey's arm. "Poor baby."

Mikey leaned his head on Anya's shoulder. "I know. Can't sleep, evil children will get me."

Don chuckled. "Quit it, you two."

April came over to Don. "Can I hold her?"

Don looked at Anya, who nodded, and gave the baby to April. April smiled wide. "She's so pretty."

Casey stood next to Raphael. "Ape, don't get any crazy ideas in your head now."

April gave Casey a nasty look before turning back to the baby.

Casey shrugged. "What'd I say?"

Raph shrugged. "Women."

Anya grunted. "Men."

Mikey pointed to himself. "Turtle." Everyone, including Splinter, groaned. Mikey chuckled. "What?"

Anya sat down. "So, what do we do now?" Her happy demeanor twisting into worries and fear.

Splinter smiled. "Tonight, you stay here. Tomorrow, Donatello shall be rigging your apartment with his security system. After that, we discuss possible routes to take in this endeavor."

Anya placed her head in her hands. Don rubbed her back. "I warned you."

Anya sighed, dropping her arms. "You did."

April smiled. "Anya, you get used to it."

Anya chuckled. "What? Motherhood or ninjas knocking you out?"

"Both," answered Mikey.

Anya turned to Don. "So, who was in my apartment?"

"Her name is Karai. She's the leader of the Foot Clan, a group of highly skilled mercenary ninjas." Don began explaining.

"And, she kinda hates us because we killed her dad." Mikey chimed in.

Anya went wide-eyed. "What?"

Don nodded. "Her dad was an evil man named the Shredder. He was pure evil. Anyway, apparently, the Foot has been following you for a while. They thought we were more romantically involved that we are.." Don blushed. "They thought Lydia was my child. They wanted to kidnap her to test her. But, Karai, realizing that the child was human, only took a blood sample back." Don rubbed his arm. "She also took some of my blood. But, on the roof, I saw one vial shattered. Meaning..."

"They'll be back for the missing sample." Raphael finished.

Splinter sat. "Could this be Bishop or Stockman?"

Don shrugged. "Who knows. It's not the first time we've encountered a problem with a mad scientist."

Lydia began to cry. Anya took the baby. "I have to feed her. Is there a room I could use?" April immediately showed her to the bedroom, leaving Anya to give her some privacy.

Everyone sat around April's table. Casey laughed, causing everyone to look at him. "Don, dude. You're a dad."

Don smiled. "I am. Biologically or not, I feel like her dad."

Mikey stretched. "And, I'm the bestest uncle in the world."

Anya called from the bedroom. "Would the world's best uncle come to change Lydia's diaper?"

Mikey cringed. "OK, maybe I'm a good uncle."

Don shook his head. "I should go back to the apartment. See which vial broke?"

April placed a hand on Don's plastron. "I'll go. I can take the sample and bring Anya more clothes and baby supplies. I have a feeling she is going to be staying for awhile."

Don smiled. "Thanks, April."

Casey was already getting his mask and hockey stick. "Finally, some freakin' action." Raph smiled, grabbing his motorcycle helmet.

Splinter stood. "I shall go as well."

MIkey went to the kitchen. "I'll cook some pizzas for the team's return."

Anya came out of the bedroom to find Don sitting on the couch, watching television. Mikey was rolling dough and cooking something that smelled really good in the kitchen. Everyone else was gone. Don turned. "Hey."

Anya smiled, adjusting Lydia in her arms. She sat down next to Don, cuddling up to him the best she could. Don wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He kissed her temple. "Are you ok?"

Anya shrugged. "I guess so. We're safe. I'm numb." Anya saw that the portable crib had been set-up. She rose, placed Lydia in the crib, and then jumped next to Don again, bringing a blanket around them. "Where did everyone go?"

"To your apartment. April is getting you some things. Casey and Raph are checking the place for any lingering Foot and Splinter went to see if he could recognize any smells."

Anya wrinkled her nose. "Smells?"

Don nodded. "Master Splinter had an amazing nose. If Karai had been close to her employer recently, Splinter will be able to tell. And, Mikey, is cooking so when they get back we can eat dinner."

Anya turned her head to see Mikey. "Thank you, Mikey."

Mikey nodded. "No problem, dudette. I am more than happy to cook for you." He made kissing noises. Don grunted.

Don rubbed Anya's arms. "Anya, you're freezing." Anya nodded, wiping some unshed tears. Don froze. He stood with Anya, heading to the spare bedroom. "Hey, Mike. Keep an eye on Lydia."

Mikey, with his back to them, said, "No problemo."

Don closed the door. "Anya?"

Anya waved her hand as she sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm ok. I just had a mini-meltdown. We're safe. Right?"

Don knelt down in front of Anya. He hugged her. "We're safe." He felt Anya hug him, crying. He ran his fingers through her hair. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Anya pulled away, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. "No. I'm okay." She took Don's face in her hands. "You told me this might happen. I just wasn't expecting it. And…" She shrugged. "I thought I was stronger. But, look at me." She wiped her eyes. "Something happens and I turn into a bubbling mess."

Don took her hands, kissing them. "You are a lot stronger than you think. April fainted the first time. Maybe you should talk to her. She's been through a lot because of us. And, she stills hangs out with us."

Anya laughed. "I'd prefer it not happen again."

Don frowned. "I most likely will. I can promise you that I'll be there."

Anya sniffled. "Do you think I should go to my parents' house?"

Don sighed. "Maybe. I don't know. Do you want to go?"

Anya nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. "Will you come with me?"

Don sighed. "If that's what you want…"

"It is."

Don nodded. "We'll go. As soon as I know your apartment is safe."

Anya nodded. She looked at the bed. "I'm going to take a nap." Don stood, taking Anya's cheek into his hand and bringing her into a kiss. Anya kissed him back. "Love you."

Don smiled. "Love you, too." Don tucked Anya in and stayed with her until she drifted off to sleep. Don left the room, letting out a long breath. What was he doing? When he returned to the kitchen, Mikey was taking two large pizzas out of the oven. Don covered his growling stomach. "Bro, that smells amazing."

Mikey pointed to the crib. "I think Lydia's awake."

Don moved to look down at Lydia. She was awake, but looking around, fists in her mouth. She didn't seem like she needed a bottle or changing, so Don left her to go back into the kitchen.

Everyone returned twenty minutes later. Splinter frowned. "Karai was hired by Bishop."

Don felt his body grow cold. "I was afraid of that."

April brought two big bags into the apartment. "Where's Anya?"

Don pointed. "Sleeping."

Raph looked down at Lydia, who was staring at him. "She's kinda cute."

Don smiled. "Thanks."

Raph sat next to Don. "So, where the real dad?"

Don stood, digging through the drawers until he found the pizza slicer. While he cut the slices, he said, "In California. He was a womanizer. He was already engaged to another woman while he was with Anya. She didn't know. When she got pregnant, he dismissed her. He told everyone at the hospital, Anya's a nurse that Anya was a stalker and the baby wasn't his. It really shook her up. She tried to include him with the baby planning but he wouldn't return her calls, return her mail or answer her e-mails. So, she gave up."

Mikey frowned. "Wow. I didn't know that."

Don shrugged. "It wasn't important for you to know."

Casey sat across from Don. "So, when did you two become a couple?"

Don placed the slices on plates. "A couple of months ago."

Casey smirked. "Have you…" He never finished the sentence because April and Splinter whacked him.

Don laughed. "That is definitely none of your business."

April brought out a bag with the broken vial. "I'm going to run some tests. Be right back."

They ate and watched television. There was a late late movie on that seemed to catch everyone's attention. Splinter was fascinated by Lydia. He brought a chair over to watch her sleep. At one point, Lydia woke up, whimpering. Splinter picked her up and rocked her. "Hush, little one." Don handed Splinter a heated bottle. Splinter allowed Don to show him how to feed the baby. He did so, loving every minute.

Mikey chuckled. "Master Splinter has the grandpa act down to a science."

April came in. "It's human blood."

Don frowned. "Damn. I hate to think what Bishop is doing to my blood. But, now Lydia's in danger again."

Mikey shrugged. "Maybe Karai told him that the baby was human and he'll leave her alone."

April frowned. "Doubtful. He's going to want proof."

Don nodded. "Karai was hired to bring Lydia to him."

Splinter brought Lydia to Don, who tickled her chin, making her smile. Splinter said, "We have to bring them to the lair until this is over. We are protected there."

Raph crossed his arms. "We don't have the equipment to take care of a baby?"

Don nodded. "Plus, the conditions are not ideal." Don sighed. "And, I can't ask Anya to spend the rest of her maturity leave in the sewers."

Splinter sighed. "Very well."

Don pointed to himself. "I'm going to Anya's apartment tomorrow to rig it up with a security system that will be connected to our grid, just like April's apartment."

"Why doesn't Anya stay here?" April said. "I'm going to be gone in South America and it will just be Casey here. They can stay until its safe to go to their apartment."

It was agreed. Anya and Lydia would stay with April until Don had a chance to complete the security system repairs on Anya's apartment. Then, Don and Anya were going upstate to stay with Anya's parents for a few weeks. Splinter also suggested teaching Anya some basic self-defense moves. The next morning, the plan was told to Anya, who reluctantly agreed. Don could see she was unhappy but at this moment he wasn't sure how to keep her and Lydia safe or make her feel any better.

It took three weeks until the apartment was ready to go. April left for South America and Anya was left with a sloppy, lazy and unreliable Casey as a roommate. Anya hated every minute.

Lydia was now six weeks old. She still wasn't very active but her eyes turned a light blue, just as Don had hoped. She was everyone's joy. No matter how bad things were or how depressed someone was, all they had to do as hold Lydia and her laugh seemed to revive them. Raphael seemed to take a liking to the child. And, vice versa. When Raph walked into the room, Lydia would make a loud shrill until Raph came over to hold her. Don had a tinge of jealously but when he saw Lydia smile at him, he knew it was only for him.

Don, wearing his human clothes, was walking around April's apartment, checking the security system. Anya ran down the stairs and into Don's arms, kissing him. Don backed up, holding Anya around the waist. "What was that for?"

Anya smiled evilly. "Just because." She turned and walked away, leaving a stunned Don standing in the kitchen. Anya's cell phone rang. It was her mother. Anya made up some story about her building being infected and everyone had to leave so it could be fumigated. Her mother wanted her to come home and Anya agreed to come up in a few days, with Don. Her mother was excited. Anya made her promise that no one except them and Barney would be there. She plopped on the couch. "I hate lying to my mother."

Don frowned. "I know. In two nights you'll be back in your apartment. And, then, we'll go upstate."

Anya sighed. "Good, because we have some unfinished business." She picked up Casey's dirty sock from the coffee table with her cell phone's antenna, throwing it on the floor. "If I have to stay with Casey anymore than I have to, I will not be responsible for my actions." She kissed Don quick on the lips, stood and went back to her room without another word. Don didn't know if that was a good thing or bad thing.