Chapter 25: Contact and confusion

Returning to the lair and the seclusion of underground Rebecca hosted mixed feelings. She was tired so was glad to be able to flop out on the sofa but she felt uncomfortable and irritated as well – annoyed that no-one had believed her – not even her own father. The doubt that others had expressed made her doubt her own mind and even her own sanity. She could not believe that she was that disturbed she would just dream him up. After all, she hated this guy – he was the stuff of nightmares – why would she want him to be there? It made no sense to her so why did it not make the same to those who considered themselves her friends and carers. She could hear low voices coming from the kitchen; they were obviously talking about her and didn't want her to hear. It was vastly becoming another source of irritation. Getting up she went over to the entranceway and remained just out of sight.

"She really believes it happened" began Donatello

"Yes I know but her father said there was no-one there" Leonardo sounded very convinced by her father's point of view and so quick - too quick - to doubt her.

"I know – none of it makes sense"

"You guys are ridiculous. Do you seriously think she would make something like that up?" At least Raphael was sticking up for her. Nice to know she had one ally amongst them.

Exiting the kitchen it was clear to see that he was annoyed as he was muttering under his breath. Rebecca could understand his frustration as she felt it too.

"Thanks for that"

At the sound of her voice he stopped and turned "You ear wigging?"

She went to the sofa and sat back down curling her legs up alongside her "Do you blame me? I just didn't expect that particular reaction – not from any of them"

Raphael sat on the table in front of her "Well you heard me – I told them they are being ridiculous. Why they don't see it is beyond me" He reached forward to put a hand on her leg "Don't let it get to you"

Putting her feet down she wriggled towards him, wanting some comfort and reassurance. He willingly gave it to her "You know I only have to give you a cuddle and it gets me going" he teased running a hand down her back. She giggled and pushed herself closer to him. He did give good hugs – they always made her feel safe.

Pulling away he gently touched her face with his fingers "You shouldn't have to deal with all this"

She closed her eyes "It will always be like that – my life will never be simple"

"You want to try looking like this – now there's a complication"

She smiled and looked at him "I think you're lovely"

Raphael actually looked embarrassed "You would - I've brain washed you with all that time we've had together" he paused "But I am the most handsome out of the four, that I will admit to" As they locked eyes she could feel her body heat up in response. Her lips were slightly apart and her breaths were becoming deeper. Brazenly she made the first move and put her mouth onto his, her arms linking around his neck. Suddenly he stood up and broke their connection – she assumed someone had come in but they were still alone.

"Sorry" he mumbled

"It's okay, my fault, I shouldn't really" She could feel her cheeks burning and quite literally was begging now for the ground to open up and swallow her. This was the most awkward situation ever. Still blushing furiously she got up and went to leave but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.

"It's not you"

"Don't do the 'it's not you it's me' speech, really I can't bare it." She shook off his touch and went to seek solace in her favourite place to seek solace in: the bathroom. Raphael watched her go and found himself punching seven bells out of the chair. She would probably never forgive him for that. He felt like such an idiot. Him and these feelings.

"You okay Raph?" Donatello and Leonardo were both giving him funny looks.

"Yeh I'm fine" replied Raphael – knowing full well that he wasn't.

"You want to tell that to the chair?" added Leo

"Sorry but I don't talk to furniture – that's more your bag ain't it Lame-o?"

Leonardo shook his head and after asking where Rebecca was he went to try to recover her from the bathroom. Donatello stood in front of his brother "What's happened?" he asked, studying him closely – waiting for the answer.

"Nothing"

"It's Rebecca isn't it?"

"No"

"Yes it is" Donatello could see the rising rage but he continued "You're falling in love with her aren't you?"

Raphael snapped – grabbing Donatello he pushed him on the floor "NO. I am not. Say it again and I'll beat the green off you" He smacked his brother across the head and walked away. Damn Donatello. How did he know?

Leonardo managed to persuade Rebecca to exit her hiding place. Begrudgingly she took his outstretched hand and let him lead her back into the lounge where he proceeded to coax out further detail about what happened. She didn't really want to talk about it at all after all what was the point? He didn't believe her anyway. So when he started asking more questions she raised a hand and put a stop to it.

"I'm done Leo okay – I've gone over it a thousand times"

He put an arm round her shoulders and pulled her closer for a hug.

"No problem" He held her tightly.

Not for you maybe – but for me it is.

After half an hour together he left her alone once more she found herself feeling bored. It would be ages until her father would arrive and the guys all seemed to have things to do but she had nothing. Perhaps Donnie would lend her his laptop so she could check her emails. Deciding that would be a good idea she went to hunt down Donatello. His lab seemed like a pretty good place to start. Knocking on the door she waited for a reply but heard nothing. Creeping inside she scanned the room. He was nowhere in sight but she did spot his laptop. Siddling over to it she flipped it open. She didn't think he would mind her using it but she didn't want to just take it without asking.

"Don't tell me you're turning into a geek"

Raphael was standing a few feet from her a broad grin on his face and his arms folded.

She could feel herself blushing scarlet again "No course not I just wanted to use the laptop that's all. I thought he'd be in here"

She turned away and pretended to be fiddling with something on the desk – she had to do something – anything than look at Raphael. Her stomach was on spin cycle when she felt a pair of strong arms wrap themselves around her body and hot breath on her neck.

"I'm sorry about before – I get so mixed up inside sometimes I guess I let things get on top of me"

She felt goose bumps forming on her skin as he spoke to her.

"Wouldn't mind you on top of me though" He planted a line of kisses along her neck, moving her hair to do the same the other side. Hands crept their way up to her breasts massaging the sensitive skin through her top. She let out a soft moan.

"I love hearing you do that" he whispered

Turning round she embraced his mouth as it found her own. Backing up against Donnie's desk she could feel him lifting her up onto it and knew exactly where this was going.

"We can't – not here"

Raphael frowned "Why not?"

She hopped down from the desktop "You know why"

"You think Brains is gonna catch us?"

Rebecca nodded "And after last time I don't think we could explain it away again"

Raphael admitted defeat "S'pose but I'm all in gear now"

She smiled "Me too but.."

Donatello opened his lab door to find the pair of them innocently standing there – he looked equally shocked though.

"Hi Donnie, just wondered if I could borrow your laptop?" Rebecca thought she would get in there first with a reasonable question – it seemed to do the trick and break Donnie's trail of thought.

"Sure" he handed it to her "Knock yourself out"

After setting it up she said thank you she left the lab laptop in hand and went back to the lounge. Raphael followed her sitting next to her on the sofa, putting an arm round her waist and giving her a tickle. She giggled and squirmed away from him; complaining that she had things to do. He tried to protest but to no avail so reluctantly he left her to it and went to lift some weights in his room. Rebecca wasn't sure if that would be all he would be getting up to in there.

Trying to get her mind of carnal pleasures she scanned through her inbox – there was nothing outstanding in there and nothing from college. She assumed her father had contacted them but reminded herself to check with him later. Scrolling down she began to delete a number of old entries to cut her inbox down to size. An old email from her father concerning the work he used to do suddenly gave her an idea. April found nothing about Nolan but surely within Dimension X they would know about him – what he was and what he wanted. Her father had long parted ways with that world but he would still have contacts and Stephen would definitely have contacts. He had to. If no-one would help her she would have to help herself.