Holy shit! Ya'll really wanted this! Now I feel equal part excited to write and sorry that I stopped... Well, lets get this thing going again. It's been litteral years, so please excuse any style changes that might seem odd. And, you know, thank you all for your encouragement. I was so worried that noone would be interested anymore. Ya'll sure showed me XD

*)O(*

It took roughly three days before she could come to terms with what she was doing, or what she might be doing. Obviously the difference in anatomy couldn't be too grevious if Sara had been able to concieve. She also knew that Becca seemed to enjoy a healthy sex life. Things would just... Sort themselves out.

Resolve strenthened, she made appointments to pamper herself. She got her hair done, followed by her nails. It was nice to be able to take Sophia out with her, too, and spend time together while they weren't at home.

She didn't notice at first, but Sophia had been messing with her mouth. It wasn't until they were sitting in the pedi chairs that she figured it out as Sophia scared the poor technician that was doing her toes. "Aunt Tasha, look!" A tooth was presented. "I wanna show Leo! And Mikey! Take a picture!" The girl squealed, sticking her tongue in the space she'd made. She reminded her that it was still early for the guys to be awake, but took the picture and told her she'd send it later. Pacified, Sophia spoke about how much money she'd get for the tooth.

She handed her niece off to Bea for her next appointment, a visit to her chiropractor. She let Bea know about the tooth before they arrived, glad Sophia wasn't coming to the next place. It was a glaring reminder that she was starting to get old, she grumbled as she waited for her massage, her body already lighter after her adjustment. On her way home, she stopped when a dress caught her eye, a shimmering blue. It matched his eyes, his mask. Becca often wore orange for Mikey, maybe Leo would like it if she wore his color, too?

Bag in hand she texted Bea, making sure she was okay with having Sophia all night. She recieved a bland yes as her answer and she worried over Bea's thoughts on the matter. She hadn't told her anything, but Bea was quick and probably knew what was going on already. She didn't want to lose her babysitter, but she also didn't want to miss this chance. It'd been years since she'd felt like this. All she had to do was ask out a giant mutant turtle.

*)O(*

Sara wouldn't look at him. It made him unbelieveably uncomfortable. They might not always see eye to eye, but this had never happened before. He tried to stop her and ask her what he'd done, but she just shook her head and mumbled a, "Sorry." He was even more confused now. He'd thought he'd done something, but she was apologizing? He scratched the back of his head as he watched her nearly run from him.

He felt his phone buzz and he looked down at it. He'd become more comfortable with the device due to his increased use of the object. Every now and then he'd get the phantom feeling of it vibrating on his belt. He opened it to see a message.

Tabitha-Lynn: Hey, want to come over tonight? I got Bea to watch So-So. It'll just be us. ;)

Gaping at his phone, he tripped over his own feet. When he landed on his chin he felt the familiar spike of pain at biting his tongue.

"Dude, the fuck?" Donnie looked at him, stunned. Heat started to consume him as embarrassment ate at him pride.

"Did Donnie just cuss?" Becca squeaked.

"Dude, are you okay? Donnie? Bro?" Mikey called.

"Yeah, I...fine. I'm fine." Donnie blinked at Leo then turned and walked away from him. What ever had brought him towards Leo being deemed unimportant. Leo silently thanked him. He scrambled to his feet and bolted for his room.

Alright, Leo spoke to himself. This is just another misunderstanding. I'm projecting. He cut himself short, wondering if that was the right word.She doesn't mean it like that. It's just her being nice. We're going to be alone, I've never been alone with her. Which might not have been true, but he wasn't wrong, either.

A knock on his door startled him, making him jump. He was frazzled. A mess with a shell. "My son, I would like to speak with you in the dojo." In a moment of hopelessness, Leo smacked him head again his door. "Yes, Sensei," he schooled in voice into neutrality. He could swear his father laughed on the other side. Pushing everything out of the way, emotionally, he opened his door. His father was decending the stairs, waving for him to follow.

Nothing was said until they were sitting across from each other in the dojo. "How are you doing, my son?"

"I'm doing fine. What did you want to talk about?" Over time the feeling of being a child waiting for their scolding had faded, but never left completely. So, in lue of knowing what this was about, he sat waiting to be told how he'd failed. There seemed to always be something that flew under his radar, something that he wasn't good enough at. What was it this time?

"I have a question for you, not only as one of my sons, but as the head of this family."

Leo sat straighter. Concern rippled across his skin.

"I was thinking about asking Mik on a date. Would that be alright?"

His father had asked him many odd questions in his life. Looking back now he couldn't remeber one feeling as odd as this one. It was so ridiculous. He alsmost laughed. Almost. "Dad, what, or, why would you ask me that?" He gaped, still surprised. "What happens between you and Mik is none of my business!"

Splinter cocked his head at him. "I don't need anyone's permission to pursue something romantinc with someone I find attractive?"

Leo opened his mouth to say something along the lines of 'Of course not.' Clamping his jaw shut so firecely it felt like it jarred his skull, he pushed out, "Oh." He took a breath and looked down at his hands. He couldn't look at his father. "Hmm?" Splinter questioned with a hum. It made Leo look up and see a smirk that had him burning with embarrassment. "I understand," Leo choked out. The sound was so strained it was almost a whisper. "How? How, when you've been good friends for a while? What if," he grimaced. "She doesn't like you back?"

"Then I respect her wishes and we stay friends. I must respect my own wishes as well, isn't that right? And," his father adds quickly. "What if she says yes? Isn't that chance worth it?" A paw lands on top of his head. "Thank you for your advice. I think I'll go talk with her," his father chuckles.

"Wait, I-"

"Go ask Miss Tabitha-Lynn out." Splinter shoos as he walks out of the dojo. "Oh, and figure out when we're moving."'

*)O(*

The tending of the numerous plants had fallen to her almost the moment Sara had given birth. Mik didn't mind. It kept her occupied and it was nice to see the little things prosper under her paws.

There was a swishing of something across the ground and then the scrape-tap-scrape of Splinter's approach. "Good afternoon, Splinter," she smiled.

"Good afternoon, Miss Mik."

"You haven't called me 'Miss' in a while." Water rains down on her chosen plant, but she quirks an ear Splinter's way. He takes his time, but speaks eventually. "Yes, I suppose that is true." Claws scrape on the floor and the swishing of his tail increases, but he gets no closer. She cocks a brow. He's nervous? "Do you have a moment?"

She wondered at the puns that could be made about her curiosity. She set the watering can down and turned to the older rat. "I always have a moment for you, Splinter." He shuffles again.

"I was wonder if you would like to- um- I was- you." If fur was condusive to blushing the Splinter would be red. "I want, if you," he huffed. A laugh followed, then, "Mik, I like you. If you feel the same, then I would like to court you."

She blinked. Once. Twice. Something like tape finally snapped from around her heart. Not at all minding that she souldn't stop herself; she threw her body at Splinter. They almost fell to the ground, but he caught them. He was so strong and warm. "Of course!" Happy tears pooled in her eyes.

A laugh had her pulling back to look at him. "I fell like a child," he grins. A soft knuckle wipes away the tears before they can fall. "May I kiss you?"

She nods dumbly, feeling akin to a bobblehead. It's awkward, but they press their lips together and the heat it sparks fizzles pleasently. She smiles into it.

*)O(*

He scrambles away, backwards. Horrow glueing his eyes to the scene in front of him. Finally, turning away, he still fumbles to stand. The shout tears from his lungs as a warning to the others. "Ew! Mom and Dad are kissing!" Mikey finally finds his feet, running.