Chapter 29

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own TMNT.

The next night…

Don and Anya were fighting again. This time, Don was arguing about fish. Raph shook his head, leaving the Lair for some air. He never pegged Donnie as confrontation. He was so laid back. Even when he fought with Raph, he was only working on a tenth of what he had when he fought with Anya. The strange thing was that they seemed to thrive on these little "fights." Raph shook his head. He'd never understand them.

Raph climbed up the fire escape to one particular window. He tapped the glass with a large finger. He was rewarded with a sleepy Julie, opening his window, confused. She must have been sleeping, he thought. She was wearing baggy seats with a loose tank top. He hair was frizzy and messy. Her eyes were thick with sleep. "What do you want?"

Raph smiled. "Just stopping by to say hi."

Julie grunted, moving away from the window to allow him access into her bedroom. Raph entered, watching Julie flop face first back into bed. She waved her arm. "Beer's in the fridge. Keep the noise down."

Raph moved out of Julie's small bedroom into the rest of her apartment. Her apartment was the afterthought of a brownstone renovation. Her kitchen and living room were wide open with her bedroom the size of a small walk-in closet. The bathroom was so small and disorganized that you had to step over the toilet to get to the shower. But, these quirks made it cheap rent for Manhattan.

Raph took out a bottle of beer, hearing Julie's breathing slow and even out as she fell back to sleep. They had come to an arrangement where Raph could use her place as a refuge so long as he was quiet and cleaned up after himself. Raph snuck into Julie's room to watch her sleep. It was just as calming as watching Lydia sleep. He wondered what that meant. Julie was cool but…she had reservations about him and his brothers. Raph nearly choked on his beer when he realized that he was rubbing his hand along Julie's arm. He stood quickly, terrified, leaving the room. He froze outside the room. He had scent-marked her. It was slight and not noticeable…but he had done it. And, not realized it. Raph sat wondering if the small pull in his chest was the start of something more…could he be attracted to her? Like Donnie was to Anya? He took another swig of beer. Damn.

Back at the Lair…

Don grunted. "You are being ridiculous."

Anya huffed. "Me? Ugh." She went into their bedroom, slamming the door.

Lydia stood next to Don, sighing. Don looked down at that little girl. "Yeah, sweetie. Mommy's mad at me. I took her tuna fish sandwich away."

Lydia hugged his leg. Don took a bite of the sandwich. Anya was starving but she forgot about the no-fish rule. Don freaked and took it away. Anya, accusing Don of controlling her, began to argue with him.

Lydia left Don, heading to Splinter's room. Leo stopped her. "No-no. Grandpa Splinter is sleeping."

Lydia looked at Don. He laughed. "Listen to uncle Leo."

Lydia yawned, walking into Leo's awaiting arms. "Should I put her down?"

Don looked at his watch. "Yeah. I wouldn't go near Anya, but you can use Mikey's room. He has the porta-crib."

Leo nodded, taking the little princess to bed.

Don closed the door to their room. Anya was on the computer, checking her mail. She looked over at him. Don placed a plate down next to her. Her stomach betrayed her by growling loudly at the sight and smell of the sandwich Don had prepared for her. No fish. Anya was angrier that she didn't remember the no-fish rule, which caused her to be confrontation towards Don. She looked up at him. She opened her mouth to apologize but Don captured her mouth his the most heated kiss they had shared in months. Anya's pregnancy hormones began to rage. Don had mentioned that he didn't want to have sex until he talked to Dr. Perry. The way Don was moving towards the bed with her, he must have gotten the okay. Anya realized that she missed his touch. That's what had been missing.

Master Splinter was with in Mikey's room, watching Mikey paint. They both looked up when Leo came in the room with Lydia, babbling in his arms. Leo smirked. "Master, I thought you were sleeping."

Splinter shook his head. "No. I won't be going to bed for awhile."

Leo nodded, placing Lydia into the porta-crib. "Well, then, Mikey…you're with me."

Mikey grunted. "Wha?"

Leo pointed. "Raph's off tonight. Don's…indisposed."

Mikey grunted. "Gross, dude. Okay, let me finish and I'll be right there."

Splinter stood. "I shall watch Lydia."

A few hours later…

Leo jumped and landed on a rooftop's ledge. He crounched down, looking over the street. Raph was off tonight so Mikey was his wingman. Mikey had veered off and was checking down the streets, two alleys away. Leo would wait here until he returned.

Leo froze when a familiar scent filled his nostrils. He unsheathed his katana and turned, deflecting Karai's kataana. Leo frowned. "Stabbing someone in the back is not your style." He pushed her back, standing in a fighting stance.

Karai sheathed her katana. "It got your attension."

Leo smirked. "I could smell you." Leo was rewarded with Karai's cheek tinting with the slighest of pink. She was good at controlling her emotions...except with him. "What do you want?"

Karai looked around before speaking. "A warning. Dr. Perry may be a genius but he is not smart with his information."

Leo felt his stomach go cold but he held his ground. "And that concerns me...why?"

Karai took in a deep breath. "They know about the baby, Leonardo."

"Who knows?"

"Bishop."

Leo hissed, tighening his grip. "So, what is your part in all this?"

Karai clenched her fists. "I came to warn you, baka. I came to tell you that Bishop is planning on getting Anya and that baby by any means necessary. They want to hire the Foot to get her. I want to refuse, but, if I don't, they will hire those without honor. I won't hurt her or the baby."

"But, Bishop will. You know what he's capable of."

Karai nodded. "I do. That is why I'm warning you. Protect her...from me."

Leo frowned. "I hate this."

Karai nodded. "I, too, am not thrilled with this development." She turned to go. "Good-bye Leonardo."

As Leo watched her go, he couldn't help himself. "I still love you."

Karai turned. Leo was shocked to see tears in her eyes. "You chose your path as I have chosen mine."

Leo shook his head. "No, we didn't. It was chosen for us."

Karai cleared her throat, willing the tears away before they were shed. "Did you know that you could reproduce?"

Leo shook his head. "No, not until now."

"Is the baby...healthy?"

"So far."

Karai wrapped her arms around herself. "What did the Ancient One tell you? What did he say to make you leave?"

"He told me that it was not the right time for us. If we were together, my family would suffer. If I continued to see you...Splinter would have to exile me."

"I would of taken you into my home just as I took you to my bed."

Leo smiled. "I know. I think that was the problem. They knew I would go to you. So, they sent me away to South America. It was boring." Leo looked around. "My brother will be coming soon. You better go." He sighed. "Thank you for the warning."

Karai nodded. "I hope to one day meet this little one under better circumstances." She turned, preparing to jump off the rooftop.

Leo moved quick, grabbing Karai around the waist, kissing her. She didn't protest but poured every emotion Leo was giving her in that one kiss. He moved away slowly. "You will. I promise."

Karai backed away. "I still love you, too, koibito." She jumped off the rooftop, leaving Leo alone.

Leo didn't have time to sulk because Mikey came bouncing on the rooftop. "Man, you should see this pizza Bo is making on 57th. It's a big as my shell. Seriously!"

Leo grinned. "Ready to head back?"

Mikey nodded. "Dude, you okay. You seem a bit off."

Leo sighed. "I'm fine."

Raph was reading The Republic while sitting on Julie's couch, sipping a mug of coffee. It probably would surprise his brothers that this book was his favorite because it was a "smart" book. But, Raph liked it. It was about Socrates going around asking questions, pissing people off and confusing them. Raph enjoyed the choas.

He heard Julie yawn loudly. She was getting up to get ready for work. She walked into the kitchen, heading towards the coffee maker. She stopped when she realized that the coffee was already made for her. She quick turned, yelping when she saw Raph. "Crap. I forgot you were here."

Raph put the book down, shrugging. "Not my problem that you are not observant."

"Jerk." Julie spat, storming into the bathroom. Raph heard the shower running. He got up and began to make Julie breakfast. He liked cooking but rarely got to do it. Sometiems he would sneak to April and Casey's to cook. They were sworn to secrecies so far as they got to enjoy what Raph made in the kitcehn. He pretended to dislike the food network shows that Mikey watched but secretly he stored those recipes in his head and thought about how to make them better. Today, he was making a spicy pepper omelet for his new friend. He knew she liked spicy stuff from the contents of her cabinets and fridge.

She came out twenty minutes late with a large fluffy robe around her body and towel twisted around her hair like a turban. She sat at the island, looking at the omelet with toast, coffee (black with two sugars) and orange juice ready for her. "You made this?"

Raph nodded from his spot on the couch, back into The Republic.

Julie smiled. "Thanks."

"Welcome."

She took a bite. "Wow, that's spicy." She took another bite. "But, good."

Raph watched her eat the whole contents of the plate in less than five minutes. She looked at him. "Could I hire you to be my personal chef?"

Raph stood, leaning against the island so he was close to Julie. "How ya gonna pay me?"

Julie frowned. "You're a pervert."

Raph laughed. "At least I'm a pervert who can cook."

Julie stood, tightening her robe around her. "I have to get ready for work." She went into the bedroom, closing the door. But, Raph noted, she didn't lock it. He went back to his book.

Don and Anya were sitting on the couch, watching an show on Discovery. Lydia was in Anya's arms, sleeping. Don's arm was draped over the back on the couch with his hand, lightly caressing Anya's shoulder.

She looked at him. "I want to name the baby."

Don furrowed his eyebrow ridges, confused. "I didn't know you weren't naming the baby."

"Well, you picked Lydia's name. I want to pick this baby's name."

Don grinned. "Okay." He touched her cheek. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head. "Just..." She didn't get to finish her sentence because Leo and Mike walked in with dinner. "Never mind."

Don frowned. Something was bothering her. "We'll talk after dinner." She nodded, heading to the table with Lydia still sound asleep in her arms.