Chapter 29 -Rescue-
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Donatello had cursed quietly when he saw Jack grab Beverly, but he'd promised her he wouldn't attack Jack, so he waited.
She seemed convinced she could talk to him. I'll give her a chance. He watched through narrowed eyes as they conversed, growing increasingly tense.
Bev's scream acted as an electric current direct to Don's spine. He never felt his feet leave the porch, wasn't even aware of the battle-cry that roared forth as he crashed into Jack Koban, rolling him away from his sister and into the grass. Jack was on his feet in an instant, crouching in a fighting stance. Don matched his pose, putting himself between Jack and the trembling woman.
"Don't you touch her, Jack," growled the turtle.
"You." Jack spat the word. "What're you doing with my sister?"
"Protecting her from an insane man," snapped Donatello. "You were going to hurt her. Your own sister! And you called me an animal."
"She betrayed me," Jack shot back. "She turned on her own flesh and blood."
"You're crazy," said Donatello. "She helped me. She didn't have to do that, but she did."
"She felt sorry for you," sneered Jack. "She always was soft."
"She's the strongest person I've ever met," Don told him.
Beverly cried out as he lunged, catching Jack in the chest with a swift right jab. I'm sorry, Bev, but I can't let him hurt you.
Jack swung, and the knife sliced into Donatello's left arm.
"Don!" Beverly's anguished cry hurt more deeply than the wound. He jerked back, his gaze flicking to the blood flowing down his arm before returning to Jack, who was circling now, looking for an opening. Beverly scrambled out of the way.
Jack darted forward, aiming a blow at the place where Don's plastron ended, leaving his neck exposed. Don dodged aside. At the last instant, Jack adjusted his aim, diving low for the sensitive place between the shell and plastron. The turtle twisted so that the blade glanced off his shell-plates, hissing as it nicked his side.
He spun as Jack slid past him, aiming a punch at Jack's head. Jack ducked instinctively. Donatello growled low in his throat, landing and throwing out a sweep. Jack landed with an almighty crash, but rolled aside before Don could pin him.
Donatello scrambled to his feet, dodging another lunge. Jack thrust forward with the knife, sweat showing clearly on his brow now. Don grabbed his wrist and flipped him neatly over his shoulder. Jack crashed to the ground again, landing with a distinct thud. The knife flew out of his hand. Don was on him in an instant. He grabbed the man's throat, pinning him to the ground. Jack's eyes were wide in his pale face. Vaguely, as if from a distance, Donatello could hear Beverly's muffled sobs.
Slowly, a sneer crossed Jack's features. "You… won, turtle," he hissed. "Go ahead. Finish it."
For an instant, Don wanted to squeeze the life out of the man. Rage surged in his chest. He'd threatened Beverly, threatened to hurt the woman he loved… Don felt a thrill of shock.
I do love her. How could I have been such a fool? I almost lost her, and I never would've had the chance to tell her.
"No," he said slowly. "You're not worth it. Honor does mean something." He looked up, meeting Beverly's tear-filled eyes. "At least to me." He got up, releasing Jack's throat. "Get some rope, Bev. I'll tie him up and you can run into town and call your policeman friend."
"Donatello, look out!" shouted Beverly, her eyes going wide.
Don spun. He'd underestimated Jack Koban. The man was on his feet, lunging toward him, the knife glittering in his hand. Don stepped back and by an incredible piece of bad luck, his heel caught on an uneven spot in the lawn. Tilting backward, he crashed to his shell. Jack uttered a guttural cry of triumph.
It happened in a flash, before Don could draw a breath or react to shield his exposed neck from the blade. He saw Jack's eyes, stretched wide with crazed fury, an instant before he crashed into the turtle's plastron.
The knife dropped from his sagging hand. Donatello's eyes widened. He scrambled out from under Jack's limp form and turned to stare at Beverly. She was standing, her eyes wild, panting, with the bo Don had fashioned for her in her hands.
Don glanced at the fallen man. There was a distinct patch of red spreading through his dark hair where his sister's bo had split his scalp.
"Is he…?" Bev couldn't seem to catch her breath.
Don leaned over, gingerly touching the man's neck.
"He's alive," he said, feeling the steady beat under his fingers.
The bo hit the ground with a thud. Beverly swayed, pale. Don rushed to her, wrapping his arms around her just in time to keep her from sliding, boneless to the ground.
"I thought… I thought he'd kill you," she whispered against his plastron.
"Oh Bev," whispered Don. "I'm so sorry."
"I… couldn't let him." Her voice caught on a sob. "I couldn't let him… Oh, Don, I couldn't… I love you."
Warmth surged in Donatello's chest, threatening to overwhelm him. Tears stung his eyes. He wanted to run and shout and sing. He wanted to draw her closer still. He wanted to keep her wrapped up in his arms, safe and warm and close forever. He felt her tremble against him, sobs shaking her shoulders.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, pulling away.
Don held on, keeping her close.
"No, Bev, I'm sorry," he whispered quickly, realizing she'd misunderstood his silence. "I'm such a shell-head. Can you ever forgive me? I… I love you too." The last he whispered, as if it were a secret. He felt himself tremble with exhilaration and a sudden fear.
Her arms came around his shell, drawing him close, clinging. The fear dissolved, replaced by a warm peace. Don felt as if all were right with the world. He never wanted to let her go again.
"I'm sorry, Don," whispered Bev. "For Jack."
"I'm sorry, too, Bev," said Don softly. "I know you care about him. He's your brother."
She sniffed. Reluctantly, she let him go, leaning back slightly to look up into his eyes. "What now?"
"I think you should call that sheriff friend of yours." said Donatello.
Tears slid down Beverly's cheeks. "He'll go to jail," she said softly.
"Are you sure you're going to be OK with that?" asked Don. "Beverly, you know it's the right thing to do."
Beverly glanced at her unconscious brother. "Yes," she said softly. "I've been protecting him for too long. He needs help. He can't get it hiding out in the woods."
"Ok," said Don softly. "Bev… about us…"
She laughed, choking on a sob. "What about us, Don? I… I love you. Will you stay with me?"
Donatello gazed into her eyes, longing filling him, warring with the pain that rose, sudden and sharp. "I… I can't, Bev."
He sucked in a breath at the shattered expression that passed over her features.
"I want to," he said quickly, reaching up to caress her cheek. "More than anything in the world. Please understand, I have a family who's counting on me. My brothers…"
"I… I understand," she said softly. Her arms fell away, and she crossed them over her middle, hugging herself as if she would fall to pieces if she didn't hold herself together. "I don't expect you to leave your family."
"Bev, wait…" Donatello felt as though a hollow had opened up in his middle. Without her pressed close, he felt incomplete, lost. He reached toward her almost involuntarily. "Don't be like that. We'll… we'll figure something out…"
Jack moaned, stirring.
"You'd better tie him up," said Beverly. She turned away, but not before Don saw the glitter of tears standing in her eyes. "You'll have to help me put him in the truck. I don't want Andy coming out here. Will you… will you be here when I get back?"
The question hung in the air. Don swallowed hard. He had no reason to stay, really. He was well enough now, to make the journey back to the farmhouse, to return home. If we can't be together, maybe a clean break would be better, he thought.
She turned, meeting his eyes and Donatello caught his breath. Bev's eyebrows rose, and he knew she'd guessed what he was thinking.
"I'll wait for you." The words came out before he realized he was going to speak. She stared at him. He could see her wondering if he was telling the truth. He returned her gaze steadily.
"Bev… I give you my word of honor. I promise, I'll wait for you. We'll work this out. Somehow," he said, reaching out to brush his fingers against her hair. Bev reached up, catching his hand in hers. She turned her face and pressed her lips against his palm, sending shivers of pleasure racing down Donatello's spine.
Jack moaned again. Donatello dropped to his knees next to the man, ready to knock him out again if he showed signs of getting up.
"I'll get the rope," said Beverly quietly.
A/N: There. Happy now? One chapter to go...
