Epilogue:

"Seriously, Mikey…I'm telling you…if you want to beat the Griffin, you have to use Quen!" I gestured toward the television screen where he, Donatello and I were all focused, pointing my finger toward a rune-like symbol on the upper left side of a circular menu. "You can't beat him at this level if you only use Igni…you have to counter with Quen!" I turned to Donatello, laughing softly as I nudged his upper arm lightly with my elbow. "Go on, Donnie…give him the odds…."

With a confident smile, Donatello lightly cleared his throat and straightened his glasses. "She's right, Mikey. The old adage "The best offense is a good defense" rings true in both strategic planning and probability more often than not. As a matter of fact, you raise your percentage of victory by approximately 33% by simply – "

Mikey rolled his blue eyes, at the same time clicking his fingers across several of the buttons on the controller to bring the videogame back to life. "Seriously, bro…reign in the math lesson…I'm trying to destroy this Griffin with FIRE! Now diiieeeeee!"

With a battle cry that sounded more like a distressed kitten crying for milk than a brave Witcher charging into battle, we watched the television screen with stifled snickers as Mikey proceeded to send poor Geralt to yet another untimely grave.

"Really?! What the hell, dude? I totally had you!" With a growl that sounded strangely like Raphael, Mikey shoved the controller my direction; his blue eyes flashing with childlike annoyance as I took the controller from his hand.

I smiled warmly, doing my best to mockingly placate his displeasure. "Here sweetie…let me show you how a real Witcher kills a Griffin." As I pressed the buttons on the controller and restarted the game, Michelangelo continued to pout beside me; crossing his arms across his chest before finally sticking his tongue out at me.

"Ya know, babe…I think I'm starting to see why you and Raph get along so well. You both can be so mean…."
At this I openly laughed, nearly missing the final button presses that brought the Griffin I'd been fighting on the screen to a quick and bloody end. Upon seeing the beast fall my laugh turned into a victory shout, which Donatello quickly echoed as we both shot up off the couch and exchanged a high five. Mikey simply scowled up at us, making a face much like someone who'd just swallowed a mouthful of sour milk.

"Oh sure…go ahead…rub salt in the wound. See if I ever invite you over for game night again…"

At this point Donatello and I were laughing so hard we were nearly in tears, and it wasn't until we heard a soft voice behind us clear his throat that we attempted to stifle our laughter.

"Perhaps, my son, you will take this as a reminder that there are indeed times when the best offense is a good defense."

We all turned as one toward Splinter, who had been meditating silently in his accustomed spot near the middle of the living area. He regarded us with a slight smile on his wizened face, as he ever so calmly stroked his long, graying beard with his left hand. Donatello and I immediately reined in our laughter, and we both turned our eyes back to Michelangelo as he rubbed the back of his head in discontent.

"But Sensei…that doesn't work on every opponent." He paused, leaping dramatically up onto the couch to bounce lightly on the squeaking cushions like an excited toddler. "Sometimes…the only thing that works is a strong offense." He paused again and deftly whipped out one of his nunchaku, which he promptly began swinging toward Donnie and I like he was about to cast a magical spell on us. "Sometimes…you have to burn them all…with Fiiirrreeeee!"

At this, both Donatello and I burst into a fit of laughter, as did Michelangelo as he leaped nimbly off the couch and snatched the controller from my hand. Then, with an amused giggle, he immediately tucked his weapon away and went back to playing the game, bellowing at the next monster he came across to "beware his flaming ninja strike!" This brought a chuckle from even Splinter, and Donnie and I exchanged an amused shake of our heads before returning to our spots on the couch beside him.

We watched Mikey continue on his fiery path for several minutes, killing monsters and scaring innocent villagers with his flaming antics. Then without warning Raphael was suddenly at my side; nudging my shoulder softly to draw my attention away from the television.

"Hey Tess…I need to borrow you for a second."

I was about to respond, but couldn't stop the short snort of laughter that escaped my lips as I watched both Donatello and Michelangelo suddenly glance between myself and Raphael before turning to look curiously at each other. Donatello said nothing…but, of course, Mikey couldn't seem to resist.

"Uh, dude…I hate to break it to you…but, as you can see, Tess is already engaged in helping me in a very important mission…and since "dibs" is the law of the land around here, I'm afraid you're - !"

Without missing a beat, Raphael stepped forward, shoving his open palm into Michelangelo's face to stop him from speaking.

"Didn't ask you, motor mouth."

In almost the same instant, he turned his piercing amber eyes on me and extended his other hand in front of me. "Tess…please?"

Without hesitating I was instantly on my feet; my hand slipping lightly into his as he led me quickly away from the couch. I heard Mikey grumble something behind us, but I couldn't make out what he said…I was too busy trying to match Raphael's hurried strides.

I followed quietly as he led me toward their training dojo, and once there he stopped, glancing hesitantly around (apparently to see if it was occupied). I suddenly recalled that Leonardo would often come here alone to train or meditate at times, but he didn't seem to be here at the moment.

Suddenly Raphael turned toward me, a look of unease in his amber gaze as he somewhat reluctantly let go of my hand. I didn't like the awkward silence, so I smiled somewhat hesitantly and lifted my eyes to meet his.

"So…you wanted to talk to me about something?" I hesitated, unsure by the apprehensive look in Raphael's amber eyes as to whether this was going to be a good conversation…or a not so good one. "What's up?"

Raphael sighed, the nervousness on his normally stony façade growing in intensity as he shifted his weight uneasily from one foot to the other.

"Well…I, uh…I sorta…." He paused, a flash of irritation suddenly leaping across his amber gaze as he squeezed his eyes closed and tensely rubbed his forehead. Then, with a soft growl, he slipped his hand into one of the small pouches on his belt, pulled something out, then hastily shoved his clenched hand my direction.

"Here."

I turned my head curiously to one side, my eyes glancing from his hand, to his face, then back to his hand. I slowly lifted my upturned hand toward his, and couldn't hold back the small gasp that escaped my lips as he carefully placed a small, bright red box in the palm of my hand.

I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe; my eyes widened in surprise as my cheeks flushed a vibrant shade of fuchsia and my heart began to pound like a giant kettle drum. The butterflies in my stomach were lost in a whirlwind of emotion, and the only thing my dry throat could squeak out came forth in nearly a whisper.

"Ummm…Raphael…what is…?"

I paused, the words catching in my throat as I suddenly watched Raphael rest his own hand nervously over top of my own. Then as I glanced up at him, our eyes met, and the apprehension between us seemed to slowly melt away as we both focused in solely on each other.

His amber eyes were inebriating, and the touch of his warm hand on mine sent ridiculously pleasing shivers down my spine. I wanted to be closer to him…to rest my cheek against his chest and allow myself to be enveloped by his intoxicating scent…to focus on nothing but the sounds of our shared breathing and the feel of my body nestled tenderly against his….

Suddenly, Raphael gently squeezed my hand, and my mind slipped back to reality as he smiled somewhat bashfully down at me.

"Uh…aren't you gonna open it?"

I blushed, giggling softly as I brushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear and sheepishly nodded my head. I hated feeling his hand slip from mine, but did my best to keep my composure as I slowly reached up and lifted the lid off the small box resting in my palm.

I couldn't help the gasp of wonder that rushed from my lips as I carefully lifted Raphael's gift off of the small bed of cotton on which it rested. Before my eyes, on a beautifully delicate silver chain, dangled a small, sliver pendant. On the pendant was an ivory colored cameo, in a style that reminded me of the old, Japanese brush paintings that Pops and I were so fond of. But instead of a person (as most camo's are), this unique piece was carved with the image of an intricately sculpted little turtle. The carapace shell on its back appeared to be a solid piece of carved jade, and, surprisingly enough, the thin border around the piece that separated the silver backing from the ivory was a beautifully vibrant shade of red…an almost perfect match to the red mask that covered Raphael's handsome face.

I felt my jaw drop open, and suddenly tears began welling in my eyes as I glanced up at Raphael and tried to find the words to express the emotions I was experiencing.

For a moment he simply returned my gaze, his amber eyes flashing nervously as he glanced between the pendant and my tear-filled blue-green eyes. "It's old…an antique actually. Hand made in Japan." Raphael hesitated, lifting one of his three-fingered hands to nervously rub the back of his head. "We have a friend who owns an antique store…so I, uh, told her I wanted to find something special for you…and that you like Japanese stuff…and she thought you might like this…."

I didn't know what to say. It was so beautiful…so unique…and so completely perfect. I tried to speak…tried not to cry and tell him exactly how much I adored it…but after several failed attempts, I did the only thing I knew to do – I clutched the necklace carefully in my hand, then stood on my tip-toes, slid my free hand lightly around his neck, and wordlessly shared my gratitude with a soft, gentle kiss.

He responded in kind, wrapping his arms fervently around me as he pulled me so close I felt the tips of my toes actually lift off the ground. It was warm and wonderful, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling as he held my body so firmly against his own. After a moment he gently set me back down, then smiled amorously at me as his amber eyes glanced toward the necklace still clutched in my hand.

"I'm guessing that means you like it."

I smiled elatedly up at him, leaning back just enough so I could lift the necklace up where we could both see it.

"I absolutely love it. It's honestly the most beautiful thing anyone's ever given me."

Raphael raised a shrewd eyebrow, almost as if he didn't believe me.

I glared back at him, poking his plastron with an accusatory finger as a soft grin played at the edges of my lips. "I mean it! It's gorgeous!" I paused, turning slightly to one side as I swept my long, blonde hair up into my hand and glanced questioningly toward Raphael. "Would you mind holding my hair for me so I can put it on?"

Raphael chuckled, somewhat reluctantly removing his arms from around my midsection as he gently took hold of my hair. Then I carefully undid the clasp of the necklace, slid it up around the back of my neck, and reattached the clasp in its proper place.

My smile widened as I glanced down and saw that the slender, delicate chain held the little pendant so it fell right across the middle of my breast bone. It was perfect; as if measured and created for the sole purpose of hanging decoratively around no one else's neck but my own.

I smiled up at Raphael, who's eyes were in turn beaming down at me; at that moment, he looked so completely happy…so utterly at ease and content…I only wished I could always see this kind of light reflecting in his amber eyes.

Turning toward him, I slid my hands gently up over his broad shoulders, then tipped my head questioningly to one side as he tenderly draped my hair back over my shoulder.

"Well…what do you think?"

Raphael smiled, a strange wistfulness in his amber gaze as he gently fondled the small charm for a quiet moment. Then he sighed, his smile widening as he wrapped his strong arms around me and pulled me close.

"I think you're beautiful Tess…." He hesitated, his amber eyes flashing warmly as he slid his hands gently around my waist. "…and I think red is definitely your color."

THE END.

I just want to say a very big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me through this writing process! Everyone I've met in this community is amazingly supportive and kind, and you all make me feel extremely proud of my writing, in spite of being an unpublished author.

And I'd like to give a very special "Thank you" to my wonderfully supportive husband...who, among other things, is my real-life Raphael. I love you honey...this one is for you! 3