PART II

DONNIE WATCHED THE NEWS TWO AND A HALF WEEKS LATER. It was as if nothing had ever happened. The Kraang had surely abducted all the humans for slave labor in Dimension X, but they'd covered their tracks. The small TV set he was focused on had antennas that needed to be adjusted constantly or the picture would be fuzzy. The news was being covered by regular-looking humans that Donnie would bet were actually Kraang androids.

His hands fisted in rage, but he controlled his feelings when April walked by to go to the kitchen. As usual, not many people in the house were awake at the early hour. Miwa was still sleeping soundly in the pullout. Donnie was perched on the edge of the bed near her feet. Master Splinter was probably meditating in the attic where he'd established a new dojo while it was winter. Raph was watching over Leo in the upstairs bathroom like he did 24/7.

Donnie was afraid that Leo wouldn't wake up soon. Raph and Sensei were both depressed, Renet needed time to heal, Miwa was mentally and physically exhausted, and April and Casey were just trying to hold everyone together. When they'd first arrived at the farmhouse, Donnie had explored the old barn on April's property to distract himself during the first few days. He and Mikey went through all of the old junk although Mikey often got distracted. Donnie inventoried the assorted tools and random supplies. There was an old car, ancient iron bed, a long workbench littered with a mass of disorganized tools, and. . .

"Bro, check this out." Donnie recalled the conversation he'd had with Mikey. He'd glanced at his little brother only to find him wearing a pair of ancient overalls. He looked ridiculous. Donnie sighed and rolled his eyes. Donnie had decided he would fix up the car. It would keep him busy—and his mind wouldn't wander to Leo's stagnant condition. He climbed into the loft of the barn. There were a few old, musty bales of hay, but it was otherwise empty except for some nondescript animal droppings.

He jumped back down and walked back over to the workbench. Mikey randomly asked, "D, do you think that turtles and humans can have babies?"

Donnie dropped the box load of tools he'd discovered. Metal-on-metal clanged, piercing the silent barn. "Well, um, humans have babies, but turtles lay eggs… so…"

"No, I mean together. I tried to ask Renet if she knew, but she got all weird about it and changed the subject." For someone who was considered so stupid and immature, Mikey did notice many social cues that others missed. Donnie was probably the most oblivious one.

Donnie didn't think it was likely, but he had to ask, "Are you… thinking about having babies with Renet?" It was unbelievably uncomfortable having this conversation with Mikey, but Donnie was the scientific one. Mikey would never leave him alone unless Donnie answered his questions. Mikey should have been asking Leo, but their older brother wasn't available and Donnie was the next best thing.

Mikey chuckled. He was lighter green than the others, so Donnie could tell when he was embarrassed. His plump cheeks turned slightly pink. "No way, D. I was just wondering… in case… you know."

Donnie winced. Oh. . . Oh. Now he was beginning to understand the curiosity. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to use some protection just be safe." He hadn't thought about taking the next step with Miwa yet, but it was something they would also have to talk about first . . .

April banged some of the cupboards in the kitchen, jerking Donnie out of his memories. Miwa shifted, rubbing her foot against Donnie's thigh. April wiped eye boogers and walked back upstairs after making a piece of toast. Once she was gone, Donnie turned and smiled knowingly at Miwa. She looked adorable—eyes still full of sleep and a bleary expression on her face. Donnie settled over her, pressing her back against the mattress.

"Good morning," she murmured, letting him wedge his knee between her legs. He nipped her neck and shoulder softly, loving the smooth texture of her skin against his mouth. Miwa giggled, brushing her fingers against his sides in an effort to tickle him. Donnie laced his fingers with hers, pushing her further into the creaking couch.

"I'm not very ticklish." Donnie informed her.

"Please give me the scientific explanation of why you are not ticklish." Donnie rolled his eyes at her sarcastic expression. Miwa turned onto her side, tangling her lower half in the sheets. They went on for a few minutes before several pairs of feet began stomping through the hallway upstairs. Miwa broke away first while Donnie thought about his and Mikey's conversation.

"I know this probably isn't the best time," Donnie began, "but, um, do you think we should maybe…"

Miwa moved so she was sitting, raising her eyebrow questioningly. Sometimes she had to put distance between herself and Donnie so that she could think clearly. When she tilted her head, the scar on her neck and jaw became more pronounced. Donnie thought of Leo upstairs. He needed to go check on his older brother soon.

"Well… it's just… we've been sleeping in the same bed together for some time now. Things are bound to happen… so we should just be prepared, you know, in case." Miwa squeezed her mouth shut so she wouldn't laugh. He was fumbling so much and it was cute. "Donatello," Miwa said very seriously, lips pinched, "Are trying to give me 'The Talk?'" Donnie's eyes widened to the size of saucers. His lips moved, but no sounds came out. Before they could continue, Mikey appeared.

"Let's move it, Miwa. I'm ready for some pancakes."

"We don't have any milk." Miwa told him while staring at Donnie.

Mikey halted where he stood. He was on his way to finish his chores for the morning. "Can't you just use water? Or pizza sauce? Whichever you prefer."

Renet skipped down the stairs behind him. "Don't be disgusting." Her gunshot wound was healed and she was almost back to her regular positive self.

"I think it sounds good," Mikey pouted, stomping towards the front door. He would have to settle for cereal or toast.

Miwa gave Donnie a meaningful look. "I'll run to the store to get some later." If his skin hadn't been dark green, he would have blushed as much as Mikey. Instead, he tried to speak, but it continued to come out in a garbled mess. She thought she heard "car" and "fix" as he rolled out of bed and headed upstairs.

Renet leaned over the arm of the couch, putting her face inches from Miwa's. "We have two gallons of milk."

"Really?" Miwa asked innocently, "I had no idea. Well, I'm sure we need more things from the store anyway." She readied herself for the day. Renet made them some toast with butter and jam while Miwa pushed the milk to the back of the fridge. Their anger was put on the backburner for now. They had to stick together in times like these to support the brothers. Nothing had turned out as Miwa wished, so they had to adapt and overcome the circumstances. Leo would recover—Miwa knew it. Leo was stubborn and Donnie was giving him expert care.

Raph finally came downstairs to eat. They didn't see him often, so it was a relief that he'd ventured away from Leo's side. "You up for training? I need to blow off some steam."

Miwa decided the store could wait. "Sure."

"Okay. Hurry up." Renet raised an eyebrow at Miwa when he turned his back. He lumbered outside in the front yard to begin warming up.

"Can't keep him waiting," Renet said, handing her friend a piece of toast. Miwa swallowed it without tasting it. She dressed in loose leggings and a long-sleeved thermal, brushed her teeth, whipped her hair in a pony-tail, and grabbed her shinobigatana. Miwa raced down the stairs, nearly toppled Donnie over in the hallway, and met Raph outside in less than five minutes.

Miwa taunted, "No crying when I beat you."

"What a joke." Raph flicked his sai in each hand, then sheathed them in their holders on his shell. Miwa made no comment. She simply dropped her weapon on the dead grass and faced him. They bowed respectfully and began their day.

Their routine played out this way many times in the past couple of weeks. Raph would come down to rouse anyone within yelling distance. He took over his brothers' training since Splinter was too preoccupied with his grief and Leo was incapacitated. Miwa supported it because it got Raph away from his own depression. Eventually, Mikey joined them. Donnie couldn't be coaxed out of his hideaway in the barn, so Raph promised a brutal evening session. They couldn't get weak while they were away from New York. Raph planned on going back to destroy the Kraang with or without his brothers.

Miwa sat in the passenger seat of the van while April drove. Renet was lounging in the middle of the bucket seat between the two, fiddling with the radio. The three didn't talk much on the way, so Miwa stared at the gorgeous countryside around them. Although most of the trees and shrubs were dormant now, the bare hills and yards had an eerie appeal all their own. Each woman was bundled in a thick coat, jeans, and hat. The nearest town was forty-five minutes away from the farmhouse.

Casey elected to stay back with the turtles. They didn't need to be looked after, but he was determined to make himself useful around the house. Miwa still hadn't figured out how he was doing that, but she wasn't going to make that comment to April since she was almost positive they were sleeping in the same room now.

Inside the small store, April pulled out a grocery list. "We could split up," Miwa suggested, "so that we finish quicker."

"What's the hurry?" Renet wondered, "Do you really want to go back to boredom?"

April scuffed, "Right, you always sound so bored at night."

Renet was stunned at the joke for a moment. She blushed bright pink and tried to get words out of her mouth, making loud huffing noises instead. Finally, she stuttered out, "What are you implying?"

"Huh?" April smiled innocently, "Oh, nothing,"

Miwa reconsidered her plan. "You know, Renet," she began, "I hope you're using protection." April burst into laughter, pushing the cart forward and away from them so she could catch her breath. "You, too, April."

April spun around and wiggled her eyebrows at the two. "I know all about that. Do you?" Miwa clamped her lips together to keep from spouting a sarcastic reply. Truth was, she was having a hard time not laughing. It was nice to get away from the farm for a while and talk about things other than Leo's lack of progress, the Kraang, New York, and what their plan was going to be if they could ever figure one out.

After their trip, the trio loaded all of their supplies and groceries into the old party wagon. They didn't have a lot of money left, so Miwa figured they would have to resort to stealing unless they could find a way to begin farming some of their own food. They already had eggs and chickens, so they could probably convince Mikey to start a winter garden for them. Miwa thought about Sensei and her reality. She hadn't done so in a long time because it made her miss Sensei too much. She sent him letters and asked for advice. After about a week at the farm, Renet was well enough to go visit him and deliver the notes. He encouraged her to stay strong. If anything happened to Leo, she would have to be there for the others. Miwa knew about that sort of loss and could help them overcome it. At least, that's what Sensei believed. Miwa wasn't sure she'd ever recovered.

"Whatcha thinkin' 'bout?" April asked nonchalantly as she cruised down a windy mountain road. Soft country music hummed in the background as that was the only kind of music the radio ever seemed to be able to pick up.

Miwa surprised herself by being open, "Home."

Renet glanced at her friend. It saddened her that she felt that same emptiness and loss. There would always be that dark spot in her heart, but Renet had accepted it. Mikey filled her with happiness and joy often, but it didn't change the fact that Renet still loved the Mikey she met first. She always would in some way. Renet didn't want that love to fade—it made her newfound love so much sweeter.

"Me, too." April whispered.

When they returned to the farmhouse, it was unusually quiet and empty. Whenever anyone went for supplies, the others would come outside to help unload the van. Miwa frowned at their rudeness and carried a few large paper bags to the front door. There was no one watching old reruns in the living room. Donnie had folded the couch back up, but she hadn't seen him walk out of the barn when they pulled up. The kitchen was empty, so Miwa figured they were all hiding upstairs so they wouldn't have to put the food away.

"What a bunch of jerks." April huffed, blowing her red hair out of her eye.

Renet went to the base of the stairs, hands on her hips. "HEY! If you don't help us, you don't get to eat any of the food we got!"

There was a lot of loud shuffling and exclamations. Finally, Mikey came tumbling down the stairs. "Renet—Miwa—April—come upstairs now!"

Miwa's heart dropped to her feet. Leo. She shoved Renet out of the way and barreled up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Mikey barely got out of her way to avoid getting pummeled. No. No. No. Please not again. Please. She chanted those words over and over again in her head. Don't do this to me. Please. She burst through the bathroom door expecting to see Leo pale and puffy. The others were gathered around the tub. Donnie was leaning against the porcelain. Splinter turned to look at Miwa, shifting ever so slightly. Leo turned to glance at Miwa, grimacing.

His unused vocal cords rasped, "Glad to see you."