Chapter Fourteen: Fear

I couldn't help but enjoy the happy scene laid before me. The danger had passed. Leo had survived. However, like all good things this too soon ended as Leo let out a yawn. In turn, I also yawned. Catching sight of this, Donnie gestured to Raph and Mikey that it was time to leave.

"They need to get some rest," Donnie said, practically pushing Raph and Mikey out of the lab. After they had left, Donnie closed the door to the lab leaving Leo and I alone.

The room was dark except for a single lamp lit in the corner and the brightness of the monitors that displayed Leo's and my vitals. Given all the equipment that was set up, one would think that it would be noisier in the room. However, it was eerily quiet. The silence made me very uneasy. What was worse was that Leo still hadn't said one word to me. He hadn't even looked at me after our brief exchange upon him waking.

I tried speaking his name, but my throat had gone dry and no sound came out. What was wrong with me? I thought. Only moments before I was so eager to talk to him. Now that I should be able to, I can't? What's going on here?

I heard Leo's voice in the darkness.

"It's my fault," he said sadly. He still had not turned to face me. By the dim light of the lamp, I could barely make out the outline of his shell.

Your fault? I couldn't believe my ears! How could it possibly be his fault? No, this was not his fault. It was mine.

"No, Leo, it isn't," I answered him. "If anyone is to blame, then the blame should go to me."

"How can you say that?" he countered. There seemed to be just a hint of anger in his voice.

"It's because of me that you got injured. It's because of me that no one knew if you were even going to wake up. It's because of me that we went to Foot headquarters in the first place," I replied, suddenly angry with myself.

"I promised you that we would rescue your family. They are not here," he stated, and then softer, "I've failed you."

"No, Leo. It's because of me finding you that you even made that promise. I didn't really give you guys much of a choice," I said sadly. If you knew how I was able to find you, then you wouldn't be blaming yourself, I thought.

"There is always a choice," Leo said.

When I didn't answer, Leo seemed concerned. I could hear him trying to shift his position. Having cracked ribs made it very difficult to move. Being ever so determined, Leo turned as much as he could. After much effort and several pained grunts, I heard him settle once again.

"Lauradane?" he said breathlessly. I still didn't answer.

"Lauradane?" he said again, this time with a hint of desperation. "What's wrong?"

I squeezed my eyes shut in an attempt to stop the tears that had formed in them. "I...I can't...tell you," I barely whispered. How can I? I can't say how I was really able to find Leo and the Turtles that first night. At best, they'd think I was crazy. Mostly though, they'd probably never speak to me again...

"Why not?" I heard Leo say, snapping me back to reality.

"Because..." I needed to say something, fast. I could try lying, but he'd see right through it. Despite what Leo had said about choices, I knew that I had no choice this time. He has to know the truth. "Because," I started again, "You'd hate me."

"Why would I hate you? I could never..." Leo stopped short when I sniffled. "Lauradane, please look at me."

I turned as much as I could which also took a lot of effort given my current state. When I looked at Leo, his eyes were full of concern. That only made this more difficult. It took everything I had to not glance away. Leo waited patiently before saying, "Please tell me."

There's no going back now, I thought to myself, sighing. "I guess I should start at the beginning," I said tentatively. The earnest look in Leo's eyes gave me my answer. Taking a deep breath, I continued.

"The night I first met you and your brothers, I had just returned home from work. The lights to my home were turned off, as they usually were, because everyone is normally asleep. When I walked into my home, I knew something was off because it was eerily quiet. As you know, after searching through my home for any trace of my family I found the Foot symbol in my son's bed. I remembered thinking that this was ludicrous. The Foot didn't actually exist in my world. How could this be?"

Leo looked confused. "What do you mean they don't exist?" he wondered. He and I both knew just how much they existed in his world, but...

"In my world, the story of you, your brothers, Master Splinter, the Foot, and Shredder is just that... a story... a work of fiction," I answered.

Leo's eyes were as big as saucers. It was as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. I pushed forward. "So, to say the least, I was very surprised to find that swatch in my son's bed. However, nothing prepared me for what happened when I decided to go looking for them. As soon as I stepped outside my house I was suddenly in your world. I was completely disoriented and in a state of disbelief. Then, in one brief moment, I decided to look for you guys. I figured if this was really happening, then you'd be the ones that could help. So, I put my knowledge to use. Since it was night, I knew that you'd all be out on patrol. It didn't take long to spot you and your brothers. However, as quickly as I saw you, you disappeared. The next thing I knew, I was flat on my back staring at the tip of a katana blade... and the rest is history," I finished.

Leo just stared at me, seemingly trying to process this. Brace yourself, I thought, waiting for what I expected was coming. To my surprise, Leo began asking questions instead.

"So... in your world you know all about us, but we're not real?"

"Yes," I answered him.

"Okay..." he said slowly. "So what made you decide to look for us?"

"Well," I said, unsure of the reason. "I just... had a feeling that if this swatch could appear then maybe there would be some connection between it and you."

Leo was quiet for a moment as he considered all of this. Suddenly, he verbalized a thought that had never occurred to me, "Maybe that's why Shredder took your family."

Now it was my turn to be surprised. "Wow!" I exclaimed. "You're right, Leo. Maybe he knew about my fan knowledge and took them to get me to tell him about you guys and Master Splinter."

That really got to me. He still had my family and right now there was nothing I could do about it. I was in no condition to go anywhere.

Sensing my anger, Leo said, "I promised you before that I would save your family. I will get them back, no matter what. Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes?" I asked eagerly.

"I don't hate you," he declared. "It is more honorable to tell the truth than to keep secrets. It takes integrity to do the right thing even if you think it might hurt others."

I smiled at that. He always seems to know the right thing to say. Then, I remembered something I needed to say. "Hey, Leo?"

"Yes, Lauradane?" he answered.

"Before you woke up, Donnie told me what happened that night with Shredder after he had thrown me against the wall. I just want to say... thank you. You saved my life. You acted so selflessly and risked your life to save mine. You are truly noble, and I am forever grateful," I told him.

Leo simply smiled, staring with those famous caring eyes. Then, out of nowhere, I yawned. I had forgotten that we were supposed to be resting.

"I think we should get some rest," I said, yawning again. Leo nodded and closed his eyes. I closed my eyes as well and for the first time in a while I slept peacefully.

To Be Continued...

Sorry this took a while to come together. There is so much going on right now that it is difficult to get time to write. Thank you to anyone still with me on this story. Your continued support means a lot to me. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well and please review. Thanks! :)