Chapter 28: When it rains, it pours

"So what you gonna be doin?" Raphael had leaned over me giving me the part puppy dog part worried expression "I could tell old Fearless that I don't feel like training and stay here with you" He ran a hand down my thigh.

"I'll still be here when you get back" I muttered "So that way you can train in anticipation"

"You're a tease" We exchanged a look and he kissed me on the mouth, gently encouraging my lips to part further and accept the tip of his tongue, I placed my hands round his face and pulled him closer, this exchange was becoming hotter with each exploration. Pulling away with a reluctant groan he stood up, gently touched my face and after faffing around for a while, he eventually left me to it.

And now here I was standing in Donatello's lab staring at the device. A device given to me by strangers containing words spoken by a man I never knew; a man claiming to be my father.

I shuddered.

This could very well change everything.

The reason behind my decision to try to hold it again was an idea that came from a film where the lead character also had access to a hologram device. He used it in different locations and had varying results; I just figured that today I was 25 so perhaps it would tell me something else...something new and something which will 'fill in' a few of the gaps.

So, I thought to myself, time to be brave.

And I grabbed it.


"I am gonna floor you Mr Big I am" hissed Karai, lowering herself down and getting ready to fly forward at Raphael. He anticipated her move, blocked her, flipped her over so she landed roughly on her back.

"I am Mr Big so get used to it sweetheart" he replied, giving her a grin. She swept her leg, twisted it over so he went off balance but remained upright. "Nice try"

"He's right" announced Karai, getting up "I can't shift him from that position" She dusted off her hands.

"Oh but you can" added Leonardo offering her a hand and guiding her over "Lemme show you"

Raphael watched with a raised eye ridge as his brother instructed her to get back into the same position. Michelangelo giggled and nudged Donatello who shook his head.

"Children please...when you've quite finished" scolded Leonardo "I am merely showing Karai a move that can counterbalance from the floor"

"Yeh" laughed Michelangelo "Sure looks like it"

"Time for a lesson" instructed Leonardo "From this position it looks a little difficult for her to move my great hulk of a brother but...Raph can you stand where you were..." Raphael huffed but did as asked "Now if you use this leg instead and put your weight into this foot also..and..."

Seconds later Raphael was on the floor with Leonardo standing over him "And that's how it's done!" he announced. Raphael copied the move and knocked his brother flat out besides him. Karai couldn't help but smirk.

"Double demo" added Mikey "But for what's it worth - count me out"

"That's okay little brother, we are all done for today" Leonardo got himself up "But you should practice - works 9 times out of 10" He smiled at Karai who returned the gesture and took the towel that he offered.

"I'm a fully trained Kunochi Leonardo but, thanks for the tip"

Donatello stopped Raphael as he went to leave, towel in hand, keen to get the first shower before Mikey hogged it "Is Rosie really okay? I mean I know she didn't want to watch us train but did she appear any different to you...any different at all?"

"No" came the grunted response "She's fine".

Raphael exited the dojo and went straight to the bathroom, he was keen to get back to Rosie and spend some 'quality' time together. He only hoped she hadn't got bored and deserted the bed. She had been right, anticipation of intimacy was a great driver. He'd felt good in training. Strong. Powerful. One things for sure he certainly showed that smart ass brother of his. And as for Donatello, that one was too much of a worrier, Rosie was fine, everything would be fine.

Once clean and fairly dry he rushed to his bedroom but Rosie was no where to be seen. Dumping his towel on ground, which would really annoy Leo, he went out to the lounge and kitchen, she wasn't there either. The bathroom was occupied and it sounded like Michelangelo - he couldn't sing and he didn't seem to realise.

Poking his head around the door to the dojo Leonardo and Karai were still in there. It looked like they were having far too much fun to be just practicing Ninjitsu.

Where was Rosie?

Just as he was beginning to panic he noticed the wall. The map was gone. Had she cleaned it off? why would she do that?

"Raph...Raph you need to come with me..it's Rosie" Donatello was suddenly in his face looking all flustered.

"What..what is it?"

The two of them returned to the lab. The lab - of course - why hadn't he checked there? Come to think of it he cursed himself for not checking on her first before he had a shower.

She looked like she was sleeping. His brainiac brother had hooked her up to monitors again and as before it was showing flat line but she was breathing.

He held her hand - it was dead cold. With pleading eyes he stared at his brother: "Help her D...please..I can't lose her..."

"Technically it's a little hard to help someone who reads as clinically dead" Donatello pushed up his glasses and stared at his older brother.

"But she's breathing you idiot - that must mean she's alive!" snapped Raphael

Donatello let out a small protest squeak "Technically only half alive.."

Raphael lunged over her body and grabbed his brother by the shoulders "And if you know what's good for you you will make her better do you hear me?"

"I don't know what happened to her" defended Donatello wriggling under the pinch to his skin.

Raphael let him go and bent closer over Rosie "Sweetheart, can you hear me?" Tears were pin pricking his eyes "Help us to help you...what happened"

"I did find this" Donatello showed Raphael the device "She was lying near it so my guess is she used it"

"How? Why?"

"I don't know"

Rosie had been non-responsive the first time this happened and Raphael thought she may be in a similar state this time but if she had been she didn't stay that way.

"The map's gone" added Raphael "Do you think this has something to do with it?"

"Probably...without talking to her I don't know..sorry brother"

Her lips suddenly parted and a whimper escaped them. Raphael grasped her hands tightly and encouraged her to talk. Her eyes opened and she looked at him.

"What happened?" The tenderness of his voice was so apparent but then so was the look of worry the was etched into his brow. For a moment I couldn't remember what had taken place in this room but like a bolt of lightening a memory flashed through my mind.

A man.

Words.

"I'm am sorry for this curse that will pass upon you but my child now you are through the first stage this will be the second. You and your direction will become as one. You will know what to do and where to go. Understanding is the key to your new reality"

New reality?

I felt cold. Raphael, seemingly anticipating my chills, covered me with a blanket.

I also felt strange; I felt different. Like as if I was detached from my own body - like we were not as 'one' anymore.

"The device.." I began "I held it"

"Why? Why on your own? Why didn't you wait for me to be with you?" His beautiful green eyes looked so sad.

"I don't know... I guess I wanted to be brave...you can't protect me all the time" My throat was sore and my voice raspy as I spoke.

"I can try" He kissed me lightly on the forehead - his mouth felt warm "I want to try, I love you"

"I love you too" I murmured. And I did.

It was then that I noticed the equipment set up along side me and Donatello busying himself "Am I sick?"

"No..no..you're not sick..." whispered Raphael - still holding my hands.

I then clocked the heart rate monitor and the single flat line passing over the screen.

"My God.." I mumbled "It's real..."