Chapter 48: Theorizing

Following on from their meeting with Nolan, Nick dropped Rebecca back to where she could get safely down into the lair. For the most part of the journey he had talked and she had listened. They had not agreed anything with Nolan - there was no blood letting and no swearing on any oath, so as far as she was concerned she had not done anything wrong. Whether the others would see it like that was a different matter. She had a funny suspicion that Leo would be a tad upset. Be technically she hadn't lied. She had told him she was meeting Nick and he hadn't asked what they would be doing; he had obviously just trusted that an NYPD detective would take care of her. Now whether she would have told him had he asked she was still quite undecided. But she didn't actually make the choice to see Nolan until after the visit to the house so yet again technically she wouldn't have been able to tell him anything. She did, however, feel a little guilty and spent most - if not all - of the journey back to the lair thinking about how she would broach the subject.

Nolan was not only back in New York but it appeared that he was stronger than ever and a lot more confident. The way he carried himself she found to be extremely irritating. He was so cock-sure it really rubbed her up the wrong way and he didn't seem to care; he wasn't here to make friends. Before they'd parted ways he even admitted he'd watched her in the shower when she'd been at her dad's house; this not only freaked her out but also made her feel sick to her stomach. Luckily their meeting was over at that point and her and Nick had been able to leave. He'd watched her go and said he'd be in touch. She really didn't want him to but at the moment felt she didn't have any choice. He was right about one thing - this was not going to be an easy fight.

Back inside the lair she hung up her jacket and removed her pumps.

"Am I glad you're back!" Donatello's voice sprung up behind her and made her let out a little scream. He was leaning in the lab doorway and looking really pleased with himself.

"What have you done?" she asked, pushing up her sleeves.

"Come and see - you won't quite believe it!"

Eyebrows raised and a light smile on her lips she stepped past him and into the lab. What took her by surprise was the fact that they were all in there. Even Splinter. Donatello directed her to the containment unit and there inside sat the Fire Opal - surrounded by what looked to be the analyser which he'd created. She glanced over at Leonardo who sent her a wink. Colour rapidly filled her cheeks and she felt butterflies swarm into her stomach.

"So you have to see what I've found!" announced Donatello excitedly as he made an entry on the computer "Prepare to be blown away!"

"Prepare to be bored.." Raphael appeared alongside her - arms folded across his chest and a smirk on his face "I've seen this ten times...trust me...it's boring"

"No it is not Raphael, just because you have no appreciation of science and transport of energy" Donatello pulled down his goggles and stood back "Just keep watching the stone"

Rebecca watched as the machine alongside the stone began to hum.

"Why he wears those things I have no idea...I mean are the rest of us supposed to just go blind?" added Raphael

The Fire Opal began to glow and as the beam of light shot out from the analyser, the Opal almost seemed to inhale it.

"Keep watching..." encouraged Donatello, looking like he was going to burst.

Suddenly the light beam disappeared and all was quiet.

Rebecca felt like she didn't understand so she looked at Donatello expectantly.

"I know...it's amazing right?!"

She glanced towards Raphael who was trying to stifle a laugh with his hand.

"Erm sorry Donnie but I don't know what I saw.."

Raphael could hold it no longer and burst out laughing; he even had to hold onto Mikey for support.

"Ignore him D...I think it's cool" commented the youngest whilst trying to get Raphael un-attached.

"Thanks Mikey" Donatello took Rebecca's hand and directed her to the chair "Sit here and let me show you"

Raphael now landed on the floor - he was still laughing.

"Ignore Mr Uneducated! You will understand it I'm sure"

Leonardo shot a look at his brother and Splinter dragged Raphael to his feet telling him to 'behave' or he'd find himself back swapping places with the Opal in the box.

"This is our Fire Opal" Donatello pulled up a graphic image and pointed at the screen "This is our energy source" Pressing a few more buttons she saw what appeared to be the laser entering the Opal, just what she'd already seen "This goes in but doesn't go through! The analyser is supposed to scan it all the way through but it just get's absorbed. This Opal is like a battery. It takes an energy charge and holds onto it, converting it into something useful"

Rebecca looked at the image and then back to Donatello "What will it mean for the prophecy? Sorry Donnie, I'm still a just a little lost"

"It means this Opal is vital to the prediction - it's a charge - a unique power source - we just need to know for what...My idea is that it could be to do with the same way that energy was taken from you"

"Donnie, have you heard yourself, energy wasn't taken from Becky - she's here ain't she?" Raphael was once again stirring for a rise. Donatello remained calm. He was very used to his brother.

"Yes Raphael, of course she's here but she's also created what can only be described as an in-complete clone in the Phoenix. It appears that this entity has harvested her memories for it's own gain. It took power from her in the form of emotional power and my guess is that it used the Opal for this purpose as a sort of 'conductor'"

"So how did I get rid of it?" asked Rebecca, feeling the need to ignore Raphael's third fit of giggles.

"It wasn't prepared for the power that you possess Miss Madison and that is what allowed you to dispel it..clever eh?"

"Sounds like a load of crap to me geek boy"

Rebecca slapped Raphael hard on the arm "Knock it off!" she hissed "Donnie sounds like he has it spot on. I for one am very impressed" She stood up and planted a kiss on Donatello's cheek which made him blush deep red "I will wait to hear more. Well done Donnie and thank you" She turned round and passed a sarcastic smirk at Raphael who was rubbing his arm and shaking his head.

"I agree with Rebecca, Donatello my son you have obviously worked extremely hard on all this. Raphael you will now follow me to the Dojo where we will engage in some further unarmed combat training"

Leonardo came behind Rebecca and after she left Donnie to it, albeit with unwanted help from Mikey, the eldest brother snaked two arms around her waist and pulled her closer adorning her neck with kisses.

"Missed you.." he murmured.

"I was only gone a few hours" replied Rebecca giggling latching her hands over his own and allowing him to 'walk her' to the kitchen.

"Too long..."

Once inside he picked her up and placed her on the counter whilst taking up position in front of her. Stretching her arms about his neck she kissed him softly on the mouth as his hands rubbed her back, eventually they ended up on her hips as he slid her further forward so that their bodies had no space between them. She pulled back slightly and smiled at him, he in turn looked at her intensely before kissing her once again whilst reaching over and switching on the kettle.

"Usual?" he asked. Reluctantly letting her go to grab a mug and a tea bag from the cupboard.

"Yes please"

As she watched him busying himself with her drink she couldn't help but smile. He was so lovely and caring. How would she tell him that her and Nick had met up with the enemy? But, she theorized, it was only like him hooking up with Karai...because, after all, she was the enemy too.

"What?" He had caught her looking at him and she immediately felt herself blushing.

"Nothing" she muttered, averting her eyes away from him to look into the empty lounge.

"So why don't I believe you.." He put his hands on her thighs and rubbed them causing the blood to rush to one area in particular "Come here beautiful" Sliding her forward again he kissed her passionately and placed one hand up to her face so he could gently hold it.

"Can we chat?" she asked, feeling a little apprehensive.

He moved away and finished sorting her drink.

"Will I like it?" he asked, popping the used teabag into the bin.

Rebecca paused. Probably not.

"Maybe.." she mumbled "Let's just see shall we"

Hopping down off the counter she made her way to the lounge and the sofa. He put down her drink and slid the table forward so she could reach it. He then took up residence next to her and put a large hand onto her knee.

"Okay..I'm listening"

She angled her body round to face him "Promise me you won't get mad"

He furrowed his brow ridge "I don't like the sound of this already...it means there's a possibility that this is going to make me annoyed"

"Not necessarily" She took his hand in her own "I know we all agreed to talk later when Josh is back but I thought I would tell you now.."

Leonardo's eyes looked a more intense blue than normal. These were the eyes you could quite easily get lost in.

"Go on.." he urged

"Well, you know I was with Nick this morning, and I was, the only time he left me was when he dropped me here.."

"And...?"

"We went to Baker's house - oh Leo he is mixed up in all sorts of bad stuff and I mean really bad as in 'demonic' bad"

"Did you remember anything?"

She shook her head "No, I just had a real strange connection to some of these drawings that he had. Nick took photographs of them and he'll be sending them through. Anyway, after we left I err, we err,...met Nolan"

There. She'd said it. Now she waited. Waited for it to sink in - to be digested and spat back out.

"What? Why? Why would you do that?" Leonardo's face changed automatically. He looked pretty irritated and also slightly annoyed by her revelation.

"Look he knows stuff, he could help, hey it's only like you meeting with Karai?"

He shot up out of his seat and towered over her "It is nothing like it and you know it. Karai is, was, a human being! This guy is a monster! Have you forgotten what he did? To you? To your family? To your relationship with Josh?" He had begun to pace the room.

"Yes I did forget but now I remember it doesn't change anything - we cannot take this demon on and expect to survive. This was predicted at the time of Jesus - as in 'a long time coming'...take a hint Leo, it's massive, huge, end of the world as we know it stuff, not a quick ninja wrestle"

He stopped walking and turned to her. Now he looked really mad. Instead of responding he just walked away towards his bedroom. A feeling of panic overwhelmed her. Was this it? Had he given up on them just because she'd met Nolan? Tears pricked her eyes and she pulled her knees up to hug them. Usually it was her that did all the running away and instead she was left here feeling like some soft of intruder in the lair. Unwelcome. Unwanted. Unloved.

Getting up she wiped her eyes dry and picked up her drink strolling to the kitchen she tossed it down the sink and put the mug on the side. If that was how he wanted it then two can play that game. She pulled on her jacket and pumps and marched out of the door refusing to say to anyone where she was going or what she would be doing. After all it only seemed to land her in trouble.

Five minutes after she'd left Leonardo re-entered the lounge. Having had time to reflect he realised he'd over-reacted and he wanted to explain. All he felt was the overwhelming need to protect her and knowing that she'd met with Nolan upset him because he wasn't by her side. He couldn't stand the thought of losing her again knowing that he had only just got her back.

He checked the lounge: Empty. Kitchen: empty. And then her usual hiding place; the bathroom - which was also empty. He only had the lab left - she wouldn't be in the dojo - not with Splinter inflicting some serious training punishment on Raphael.

"You okay bro?" Michelangelo put down the beaker he was playing with "You look stressed"

"You guys seen Becky, we had a few words and now I can't find her"

"Words? Serious words?" Donatello popped his head up from under the work bench.

"Yeah..." replied Leo "I feel really bad..I didn't want to argue.."

"Not like you to lose your rag bro must have been a biggie...can I dare to ask what it was concerning and more to the point are you two back on?" Both Michelangelo and Donatello looked at him expectantly.

"I guess you'll find out eventually but...yeh..." He looked towards his feet and shifted about uncomfortably. Michelangelo raced at his brother and pulled him into a massive embrace.

"Ye-Heeee! I am so chuffed - you two are made for each other - will there be a wedding?"

Leonardo was about to respond when Donatello held up a hand "Not a put a dampener on the entire reunion - which, is great by the way...but you ever thought how Raphael might react? He was, after all, in a relationship with her when she was taken..?"

Michelangelo released his brother and hung his head "Awww, D...now you've gone and ruined it!"

"I have thought about it" replied Leonardo "And I'm not worried. He stole her from me in the first place and she's made her choice now...least I hope she has...after the way I just reacted she may have changed her mind"

"We need to save this!" announced Mikey, punching the air with a fist "What we need is a plan and luckily for you oh brother of mine I have just the plan!"

They both turned to him.

"We take the van up topside, rescue her and then I cook you guys a lovely romantic meal whilst D here puts Raphael in the box"

"I err don't think that would work but I do like the first part"

Donatello held up a hand "Yes Leo you can take the van - go ahead - I'll stay here to throw 'you know who off the scent'...just until you're ready to tell him"

Michelangelo was, by now, jumping up and down excitedly "Orange and blue on a mission to save our damsel in distress!"

Leonardo frowned and shook his head. You could never accuse Michelangelo of being overly dramatic.