A/N – Hello there all (a special massive shout out and HUGE thank you to WOLFJADE28 who has been so very supportive of this story by reviewing each chapter all the way – I really appreciate it – my one and only fan!). This will be my last entry for a while but I do have an end in sight for this story and believe it or not I do have it all planned out in my head; though it may not seem like that at times…. This chapter is going to be a bit of a rollercoaster so I hope you enjoy the ride! x

Chapter 54: Fights, fury and finding out

When Rebecca left police headquarters she found herself wondering the streets for a while and then strangely ended up back at her former home. Nick Houston had already given her the go ahead so it's not like she would confronted by lone cop again. Once inside she felt herself sadden. Sitting down on the sofa she looked round the room – it felt so empty and quiet without her dad and she knew that whatever happened she would have to do something about the apartment – there was no way she could ever live back here as it was.

There was no way she could really do anything with Nolan still around – but how to win against someone who is virtually indestructible? She was hoping that an answer would have come forward by now but instead she had been greeted with nothing concrete; only suspicion.

Stephen Baker was about as useful as a fan on a cold winter's day and she really couldn't understand why the police were using him. But, admittedly, he was an 'expert' and yes he had experience of all things strange and unusual but he was also a crook and he had dealings with the very guy they were trying to take down.

So now Rebecca was in a conundrum: Baker knew where her mother was and he said he was willing to show her but she didn't trust him one iota so had refused to go through with a meeting. But if he was the only link to her real mom she would have to follow his lead eventually. Putting a hand on her stomach she could feel the baby moving inside her – and that was another thing that worried her…the whole baby scenario! She couldn't believe that at some point (and, she noted, it could be at any point judging by the speed of growth) there would be a little being that would rely on her totally. She knew nothing about babies. And the fact that this baby could be 'different' made her even more apprehensive. Raphael said he would stand by her but what if he didn't? What if all of a sudden she was left alone with this baby? She didn't really know how serious Raph was and even though he told her everyday that he loved her she still had her doubts. Her head was so messed up. She lay down and closed her eyes; she just needed to rest for while. Pulling her jacket round her she tried to switch off.


The turtles were getting ready to go out on patrol – each of them had been practising – honing their skills ready to face the Shredder should he crawl back out of the woodwork. That night in particular Leonardo had a 'feeling' – it felt weird but he just got the feeling that something bad was going to happen so he warned all of his brothers to be extra vigilant. Raphael as usual took it that Leo was just being bossy and dismissed him as being on a power trip.

Leaving Splinter behind they headed up and across the rooftops all the time keeping an eye out for any trouble. It didn't seem to take long to find it – or rather she.

"Well, well, well…what have we here? Four stupid turtles all ready to die" Karai's voice was as smooth as silk. She jumped down from an upper level followed by at least 20 ninja's, who in turn surrounded the brothers "Take them" she ordered making a bee-line for Leonardo who she soon embroiled in a fight.

Michelangelo found himself knocked forward by a group of foot ninjas and struggled to get back up until Donatello offered him his bo-staff as leverage spinning round and knocking all them down like dominoes.

"These guys are tough!" shouted Mikey as he was slammed into the wall.

"Tell me about it!" called back Donatello.

"Wimps!" Raphael knocked two of them out in one blow and turned his attention to the ones who had hold of his brother.

"It'aint just the guys that are tough" added Leonardo "And no-one here is a wimp!"

He knew that their capabilities were because of a certain addition to their make-up and he also knew that Mikey was right: they were tough. Being pummelled didn't appear to faze them atall.

"Enough!"

They all froze and turned to see the noticeable figure of the Shredder standing where Karai had been several minutes ago.

"Foolish turtles, you think you are good enough to face my army and win?" He laughed.

"I got a bad feelin' about this.." muttered Michelangelo

"You got a bad feelin' about everything!" replied Raphael, gripping his sais and heading straight for Shredder.

"Raph, wait!" shouted Leonardo. He hadn't told his brother: He'd had a bad feelin' all day.


Rebecca suddenly sat up – she was surrounded by darkness and at first she didn't realise where she was but gradually as her eyes adjusted she remembered that she had come home; to her and her dad's apartment. She didn't think she had been here that long though – certainly not long enough for the sun to set and night to close in.

Getting to her feet she felt a strange feeling and then she heard it or rather him: Leonardo; reaching out and asking for help.

After locking up she jumped into the lift and headed straight to the lair. She realised she had left her mobile phone somewhere – quite frankly the way her brain was behaving she wasn't particularly surprised.

She wondered what could have happened? Why would Leo need her help? And then she had one small thought that just popped in there: what if this was a trap?

She quickly dismissed the idea – there is no way that Nolan knew where the turtles were; surely if he did he would have appeared already?

Arriving at the lair she soon found out why Leo had contacted her – it was Raphael, he was injured and badly injured – they needed him to be healed. Really she should have guessed it was something to do with her powers and as they all watched she placed her hands above the red-banded turtle and allowed the energy from her body to heal the wounds on his. There were some very deep gashes which were explained by a conflict with the Shredder which didn't go according to plan.

"I told you I had a bad feelin…" began Michelangelo "If Raph had.."

"Leave it Mikey, Raph will be okay" Donnie covered the minor injuries with a ointment and then helped Leo haul Raph to his bedroom. Rebecca watched whilst he rested.

"What exactly happened?" she muttered, holding onto Raphael's hand tightly.

"He got too cocky as always and jumped in" explained Leonardo

"Didn't you try to stop him?"

"Of course but you know what he's like – thinks he can take on the world and then some"

Rebecca got up; looking at Leo with sad eyes "He shouldn't, I would have thought he had more important things now" She exited the room and joined Michelangelo in the lounge.

"You okay sister?"

"Not really.." replied Rebecca, leaning her head on his shoulder; her body felt wrecked and her brain felt fried. He took up her hand in his and squeezed them.

"He'll be okay, try not to get upset, you know what he's like"

She knew it was Mikey's way of offering comfort but all Rebecca could think was yes she knew exactly what Raphael was like but she hoping he would think just a little more and not be so rash.

Leonardo flopped down opposite them having left Donatello to monitor Raphael for a while. Splinter had expressed his disappointment in the entire thing and as usual Leo took it all on his shoulders. He was the leader so he felt responsible.

"So what did you mean when you said what you did back there? You talking about the baby?"

Leonardo's questioning made her feel awkward – yes that had been what she was referring to but she knew all too well that she should tell him the child was looking like his.

"I guess" she mumbled "I don't know, I just thought he would think a little more that's all, not just about the baby, about me, about us"

"Raphael, think? C'mon, he never thinks – well only about pounding bad guys and getting' laid" chirped up Michelangelo. Rebecca frowned at him.

"We're all different" reasoned Leonardo "Raph included"

Rebecca sat up properly and stretched out her arms "I suppose I should head off"

Leonardo got up too "You sure? You're welcome to stay"

She forced a smile "Thanks but I really need home comforts"

Truth was she just wanted to escape – she could feel herself getting upset.

"Hey we have tonnes of home-comforts here!" said Mikey excitedly "You name it, we got it!"

"Thanks Mikey but I just a time-out".

She popped to see Raphael who was being cared for by his brother. She felt so torn but knew he was in capable hands. As she left the lair Leonardo came behind her and insisted on walking her out.

"Sorry I had to contact you but I didn't have a choice – I did try your mobile at first"

"It's okay, I've left it somewhere so don't worry"

A silence passed between them – Rebecca could almost hear his mind still whirring with questions.

"I'm going to talk with Donnie about the, you know, mind thing – I have to – it's driving me crazy not understanding it"

Rebecca stopped walking and took a breath "Really?" she whispered

"Yes, I mean, I know you know all about it – you've experienced it – I don't and I don't get it. Donnie knows about most things. You okay?"

His face was expressing concern with her sudden halt.

"I'm fine" she looked at him "Maybe we should talk first – before you see Donnie…"

"You think so? I'd like that, if we could talk I mean, that's one thing I've really missed – our talks"

"Let's talk tomorrow – it'll be better – it's late now, I'll come tomorrow"

She felt she couldn't face another thing tonight. Luckily Leonardo readily agreed. He gave her a hug before helping her up and out. As he watched her go he felt something he hadn't in a long time: hope. He was pleased that she finally wanted to talk.

Rebecca didn't feel like going to April and Casey's but she went back anyway – without her mobile phone she couldn't let them know where she was and in turn knew they would worry. April was really relishing the big sister role and as soon as she was back grabbed her in a hug and fed her some dinner. Casey was much more relaxed – if he had been slightly concerned he didn't show it.

Rebecca got into bed and under the blankets, April brought her a drink and then left her to sleep – asking no other questions other than where had she been. She knew she had met with Detective Houston but was holding on asking until the following day.

Tears flowed down Rebecca's cheeks: she felt so lost and it hurt so bad.

Why did it have to be like this?

Balling her hands into fists she punched the bed over and over again – stopping only when a spring from the mattress broke through and slashed her knuckles. She wanted to scream but resisted – to do it that would risk disturbing April and Casey as well as possibly causing a lot of damage.

Taking deep breaths she watched as her hand healed in front of her eyes.

"How?" she whispered to herself, finally reflecting on the enormity of the situation "How do I deal with all this?"

She put a hand on her stomach and sniffed "Any ideas little one?" she asked – knowing full well that the baby wouldn't answer "Didn't think so, you're the silent reflective type like your daddy." At the 'd' word she sighed "I'm going to tell him tomorrow, tell him that you belong to him, that your Leo's but Lord knows what can of worms that will open but I can't keep lying, I can't. I never say my mom growing up and I don't want you to go through the same thing"

Little late night chats had become her way of connecting with the baby and at least he wouldn't judge her.

But someone else was listening in – Leonardo wanted to check she had got home okay so had once again borrowed Donnie's laptop and he had heard everything.

Him?

A dad?

He couldn't quite believe it.