Missing

L.A.: Okay, as promised, here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy!

Although we didn't admit it, I think everyone knew that Donnie and I were together. Well, Master Splinter knew because he's omnipotent but the others seemed to have some hint. For one thing, whenever we were in the lab, they would make sure to knock before entering. Polite, yes, but also embarrassing. Apparently, they expected us to be making out every waking minute.

And yeah, I mean we did do it occasionally; but, Don's so busy with work that it's hard to get the guy to sit down and relax.

I did tell Lindsey though. She found out the same day that Raph, Mikey, Casey, and April found out about her and Leo. I was with Donnie at the time so I wasn't sure what happened. All I know is that Mikey ran screaming through the lair for fifteen minutes straight claiming that he had been scarred for life.

Needless to say, Donnie and I weren't really willing to confirm their suspicions after that which was probably a good thing. If Donnie found a logical reason why we couldn't be together, he would take it. Out of all the turtles, Donnie had to be the one with commitment issues. Go figure.

I swear, if I didn't like the guy so much I'd strangle him.

Before I even realized it, a week had past. We all had settled into our own routines. Mine seemed to focus mainly on being in Donnie's lab which neither Donnie or I minded.

We were working on the Battle Shell again. I was excited even if Donnie was watching me with a scrutinizing eye. We had the hood up and were focusing on the engine.

I was trying to loosen a bolt but for some reason the darn thing wouldn't come off.

I felt Donnie come up behind me.

"Having problems?" He asked, his lips twitching.

I glared. "You screw these things on too tight."

"Someone's a little cranky," He said as he deftly took the wrench away from me and set it aside.

"Dude, that was my wrench," I said.

He raised an eyebrow. "You've been hanging around Mikey too long."

I shrugged. "When you're around Mikey, you tend to pick up the occasional surfer's lingo and loose a few brain cells."

Donnie laughed slightly as he took my hand. "I think you need a break."

"Really," I said as I let him lead me away. "Are you taking a break?"

"Possibly," He said as he sat down on his swivel chair and pulled me into his lap.

I giggled as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I want a pony…and, uh, a puppy... and, uh, Disney world."

He smirked. "Don't ruin it."

I just smiled as I leaned in to kiss him.

Our kiss lasted for a few minutes before it was interrupted by a loud pounding sound. I was so startled that I fell out of Donnie's lap and hit the stone floor with a loud thud.

Moments later, Lindsey and Leo came in. Both of them looked highly amused.

Blushing like mad, I whispered. "I fell."

"What do you want?" Don asked, blushing as well.

"Pizza's here," Leo said as Lindsey help me up. "That is, if you two are still hungry."

"Busted," Lindsey whispered.

"Shut up" I said as I playfully shoved her.

I was really started to get annoyed with this. Falling asleep and waking up in this lab. The silver tables were off to my right and the tubes filled with the strange green fluid were off to my left. No one was in sight.

"I died here," a voice said behind me.

I turned around and saw myself…er, Sarafina, staring. She wasn't looking at me but rather through me. It kind of gave me the creeps.

"I wanted to make a difference in the world," She said as she passed right through me and walked towards the tubes. "I wanted to find the connection." She vanished.

She reappeared again in the tube. Her eyes were closed and her body motionless.

I slowly crept up towards her to see if she was okay.

Her eyes snapped open and her voice filled my ears. "Have you figured it out yet?"

"Jeez," I said as I sat up right. My hand went immediately to my clammy forehead. Side effects or not, this had to stop.

I glanced at my digital clock and groaned. It was after one. There was no way I could fall back to sleep now.

I frowned as I cocked my head. I could hear muffled voices coming from downstairs.

A rustle to my right alerted me that Aristotle was awake as well.

"What's going on?" I asked.

Aristotle shrugged. "Don't know but they sound upset."

Curious, we both crept out of our room and to the top of the stairs. The turtles and Master Splinter were in the den.

Leo was pacing back and forth while the others were gathered around him.

"Wait, slow down, Leo," Don said. "What happened?"

"They took Lindsey," Leo said as he rubbed his forehead. "I had just left. I heard her scream and they took her. I couldn't get back I couldn't…"

"What?" I said as I came down the steps with Aristotle right behind me.

They all flashed me guilty looks. Apparently, they hadn't wanted me to hear.

"Chloe," Master Splinter said as he held out a piece of paper. "This piece of paper was left at your friend's house. Do you know what it means?"

I took the piece of paper and frowned.

P16 B19

"No," my eyes widened. "It was Kai, wasn't it? He took her, didn't he?"

"We're not sure," Mikey said slowly.

Leo let out a sigh. "I'm going to go look for her."

"Leo, wait," Raph said as Mikey and he ran after him.

I was about to follow when Don grabbed my shoulder.

"What do you think you're doing?"

I glared. "What do you think? I'm going after my best friend."

Don shook his head. "Chloe, you need to stay here. You're too close to this."

"And, you guys aren't?"

Don let his hand drop. "I admit, we are; but, we have had years of ninja training to keep us focused."

I crossed my arms and snorted. "You really think Leo is in a capable state of mind?"

"Leo believes that the world's fate rests on his shoulders," Don said slowly. "We can't stop him but at least we can keep an eye on him." He quickly turned and walked away. "Now, stay here."

I was about to protest when I felt Master Splinter walk up behind me.

"Come Chloe, let us drink tea and meditate."

Although he said it kindly, I knew it wasn't a request but more of an order.

As I slowly followed him to his chamber, I said, "No offense, Master Splinter, but I'm not really in the mood for meditation."

He motioned for me to sit down in front of him. Aristotle came and lay down beside me. Although Aristotle didn't want to admit it, I think he was worried for me.

As he poured the tea, Master Splinter said, "Meditation is good for the mind and spirit. It allows us to see problems from a different perspective."

I doubted it but I just kept my mouth shut as I accepted my tea.

We sat and drank our tea in silence.

As he refilled my cup, I asked. "Master Splinter, why doesn't anyone trust me to look for Lindsey. I may be upset but I'm still useful."

He set down his teapot and placed his hands on his knees. "It is not that they don't trust you but that they fear for you. If something were to happen to you, we wouldn't be able to forgive ourselves." He looked me directly in the eye. "You are like family to them and our bonds with family run deep." He reached for the teapot and poured himself another cup. "And, even though I have never had a daughter, I consider you to be like one."

My eyes widened as a feeling of pride ran through me. Although it was obvious we were like family, it was nice to be told it.

"Thank you, Master Splinter," I said as I sipped my tea.

It was early morning when the turtles returned. From the way their shoulders slumped and the dark rings that circled their eyes, I could tell that they hadn't found a trace of Lindsey.

The mood in the lair was somber that day. Not even Mikey felt up to cracking jokes. Casey and April said that they would keep an eye out for any clue.

Other than that, we were forced to wait uselessly, until darkness fell.

When night came, the turtles grabbed their gear and made plans to scour the city once more.

I was sitting in the den area watching TV when they headed for the door. Leo and Raph were quiet while Mikey made a half-hearted attempt to smile.

"Don't worry," Don said as he threw his duffel over his shoulder. "We'll find her."

I nodded and gave a slight wave. "Good luck."

My attention turned back to the TV.

Apparently some sort of party was being held in Central Park. The news man rattled off a list of names. I barely paid attention as I played with the pillow. However; my ears perked when I heard a name.

"…will be speaking tonight. Karai, who took over after her father's strange disappearance, has been very generous in her donations. Sources say…"

All the sudden, everything faded away. The only thing I could focus on was the picture of a woman with short black hair and hard eyes being flashed on TV.

Karai, why did that name sound so familiar?

What Mistress Karai doesn't know won't hurt her.

My eyes widened. Now I remembered. When they were experimenting on me, Kai had mentioned her. She was the current leader of the Foot.

I stood up as I glared at the TV. Although I didn't want to worry everyone, I couldn't sit by and be useless. My mind was made up. I knew what I had to do.

"Where are you going?"

I jumped. I had forgotten that Aristotle had been following me around all day.

"Nowhere important," I said as I looked around to make sure Master Splinter wasn't there.

Aristotle's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You found out how to get to Kai didn't you?" He stood up and stretched his back. "Well, I'm coming too."

"You can't," I hissed. "It's too…"

"Dangerous," He cocked his head. "Didn't they tell you the same thing?"

I winced. Even though Aristotle couldn't speak English, if he barked enough someone would figure out what he was trying.

"Look," He said as he hopped off the couch. "These humans killed my friend, Sarafina. I can't sit idly by when they are still out there."

Right then, he had sounded just like me.

I sighed. "Fine, but you've got to stay quiet."

Aristotle nodded. "So, where are we going?"

"We are going to see the leader of the Foot, but first," I grinned, "I've got to make a stop at the zoo."

L.A.: Yes, another one of my notorious cliffhangers but don't worry I will update soon. Anyway, tell me what you think!