Part 25
Part 25

The train ride was very quiet on the way to Yonkers. Leonardo and Raphael slipped into their trench coats and hats. Poor Raphael had to settle for his dirty coat and bent hat. Risa fairly fixed the creases in it, making it look somewhat presentable. At the Manhattan station, she was able to change into more comfortable attire of a burgundy sweatshirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. She was screaming the 'grunge' look but felt very comfortable.

"See, how us women worry about everything?! I'd still be in that ghastly uniform if I didn't take some belongings."

"Yeah, but babe, when you gotta get out, you can't dilly dally and think nothing's going to happen."

"I know, Raph. I know." Risa looked down, still seeing visions of that book on the table. She had a hunch it's what saved her and Raph from the ghost stalking them. Greedy as she may sound, she wanted the book more than anything else out of that whole place. May all her clothes burn to a crisp. With magic, she could create more clothes! Sam, of course, would have to do it since Risa doesn't know anything about that stuff. Only what it does is how she would use it.

Leonardo sat on the other side in deep thought. He didn't want to think he was making a mistake. He knew he had to go. Even if she died, he still had to know for sure.

Around Wednesday morning, Risa got to a phone to call the family. Using her parent's 1-800 call anywhere free charge, she dialed the house. Risa talked to Aunt Phoebe where the
conversation seemed to lose it's battle every so often. Risa would almost get hung up on but she would bounce back and explain her reasons for seeing Jenny. Eventually, the answer
was yes after Risa mentioned she traveled all the way from Manhattan to come see her friend.

The meeting was distant, cold, and very unusual. Aunt Phoebe constantly stared to Leo and Raph, somewhat remembering her first meeting with Leo before. She didn't want them to
come but Risa insisted they were part of her group and also friends of Jenny's. When asked who they were, Phoebe looked to Leo with a, "Oh, him" remark. Then something sparked.
Since she took Jenny from the city, the girl talked incessantly about someone named Leo. "The one from-" "Yes, Aunt Phoebe! The one you met at the hospital!" That was how it
usually started when he was brought up in conversation. Jenny became ill the day she left Manhattan. Risa, Leo, and Raph got somewhat of an explanation on the car ride over.

"She started to get a fever when we first got home." Phoebe started to say. "Her pulse was slow but we didn't seem to notice anything. By the time the evening came around, her fever increased and she was starting to hallucinate." Phoebe looked down biting her lip. "It's like she wasn't herself anymore." She took a glance at the rear view mirror. "I want to know who you people really are and why you want to see her in this condition."

Risa sighed and looked to the backseat.

"Phoebe, it's a long story. But I'll give you the short version."

An argument arose in the parking lot of the hospital. The woman was stubborn, not falling for any of what Risa told her. She started to break down in hysterics.

"I lost my sister and now I might lose my niece as well!" She was saying through sobs. Raphael rolled his eyes. "I came to get her when she was already in another hospital for a surgery I knew nothing about. All she told me was that the school she attended was unfit for her and that the illness was brought on by the stress of losing her mother. That's it!" She looked to each of them questionably. "What more could there possibly be?"

"What is her health status now?" Leonardo looked her in the eyes.

Phoebe put a hand to her forehead, letting out a heavy sigh.

"I can't explain it. It's like....something I've never seen before. It's... oh, God, I can't do this!"

Leonardo waited a few seconds for her to calm down.

"Phoebe. I met Jenny at her school. Although our time was short together, she trusts me and I her. If she is ill, you must give me the right to see her."

"But she's not herself...." Phoebe whispered. "I can't even bear to look at her anymore. She looks at me with her frightened eyes, begging for help. Other times, her eyes...they...." Phoebe almost fell over had Raphael hadn't been standing there. "It's like she's possessed." Her last words were an echo in Leo's ears.

"Phoebe, please. I came all this way and I'm not leaving until I see her. You have my word I would never hurt her."

Phoebe looked at him. His green wide face.

"Your eyes tell me you speak the truth. But, I've never seen anyone like you at all." She looked to Raph. "Both of you. How do I know I can trust you?"

"Take me to Jenny." Leonardo said slowly. "Then, judge for yourself."

Michaelangelo looked around the shack before closing it's doors forever. Donatello brought out to the last of their belongings to the front of the dump area. Sam carried her own baggage with her, looking to see Don approach her.

"How do you feel this morning?"

She stretched to get the feel of the backpack and satchel on her body.

"Strange. But good. I don't know. I can't stop thinking about what Risa said. About, you know, us changing."

"Into a beast."

"Right."

"Well, that's why I ask you how you feel. Do you feel different? Do you feel yourself changing?"

"Yeah, but in a mature way!" She smiled wide. Don rolled his eyes. Mike came over and gave her a quick peck. "Hey, cutie." She pinched his leg below his shell.

"Eep!" Michaelangelo rubbed his leg. "Save that for later, Sam!" Sam continued to grin, then stopped when she looked at Don. Mike cleared his throat. "Ready to go? Casey should be stopping by soon."

"Mm, hmm. I need a vacation from here. What's it like where he lives?"

"I'll just give you one word: Paradise!"

"Mmmm!" Her moan sounded pleased. She looked to Don again. "And your opinion?"

"Freedom." He echoed.

A beat-up old station wagon came up along the side of the road. When it stopped, a cloud of white smoke bellowed out from the exhaust pipe. This car fit right in with the dump. A tall, muscle-bound man stepped out of the driver's seat looking like he was having a bad day. He looked to the three of them standing in the doorway of the dump. Mike went over to him, sizing up the car as the smoke started to circle around him as well. Mike started to cough and wave a hand around him.

"Gaack! I'd say you should leave that thing here and steal a better one!"

"Nah, April would get suspicious!" Casey grinned widely. Then shoved Mike into a bear hug. "Hey, shorty! Howzit going? I haven't seen you in twenty-five thousand years!"

"Has it been that long? Seem to lose count after awhile."

Donatello came over next and got a punch in the arm. He groaned to him and started to rub it.

"Yo, Donny! Haven't changed much, eh? Your eyes look a little blood-shot. Still tinkering with the computers?"

"Still D.U.I.?"

"Hey, I'm sober this morning!" Casey pointed to him. Donatello crossed his arms.

"Yeah, this morning."

Casey, still pointing, shifted his eyes up to Sam whom stood silently watching the reunion. He smiled to her and went over with a hand out.

"You must be Samantha."

She took his hand. "And you must be Casey. Nice to meet you. Mike's told me a lot about you."

"I hope all the good stuff!" He laughed a little and she smiled shyly. He then looked to all her baggage. "Is this all your stuff?" Before she answered, he already guessed, removing it from her. "Jeez, you women pack enough stuff for a month." He started to put it in the trunk and Sam shrugged.

"Well, I'm gonna need a month's worth of stuff. Maybe more. I lost everything else in the fire."

Casey smacked a hand to his head. "Oh, that's what Mikey was saying on the phone! Shit, I'm sorry! I'm not good with bad things happening and, man, that just sucks!" Sam smirked and nodded slowly. Casey looked around her for more belongings. "Look, is this all?"

"Yup."

"I'm real sorry. I've been there. I know what you're going through."

Sam looked to Mike and put an arm around him. "I understand. I've been there, too." Mike gave her a quick squeeze. And a pinch to her butt! "Aaah, you cad!" She grinned and smacked him.

"Well, guys! Let's load 'em up!" Casey swung his arms toward the car. Donatello walked by him.

"Are you sure you haven't been drinking?"

"We'll find out won't we?" Casey opened the door with a grin. That scared Don.

"I'm riding in the front incase I have to grab the wheel."

"Or strangle Casey." Michaelangelo smiled, ushering Sam into the back seat.

"That too, Mike."

Michaelangelo shifted around in the back. "Aw, man! The seatbelts are under the seat again."

Sam found a large string of thick rope and lifted it up. "How 'bout this?"

Casey was not amused. "Alright! That's enough! I'm a good driver!"

"Yeah, but he's terrible at the drinking game." Mike whispered with a chuckle.

With a roar to the engine, the car sped away from the sidewalk. They were off for a good, long, and crazy, country view drive.

She was asleep when he walked through her door. As quietly as he could, he crossed the room to her beside, careful not to wake her. The morning light shone through the venetian blinds. He watched her sleep; her chest rising and falling. A monitor off to the side beeped slowly to indicate her heart rate. Everything seemed to be working fine.

"I'm here, Jenny." He murmured. Her body stirred but her eyes remained closed. He touched her forehead. Cool as a cucumber. At least they got the fever down. Maybe there was
hope for her after all. Her fists would occasionally ball up, then reflex back. Something was stirring inside her subconscious. It was waiting for the right time. She could hear someone
calling her. Whether it was male or female, she couldn't tell. Opening her eyes, she saw him.

"Leo." Her breath escaped. Raising a hand to reach out, he took it with a smile.

"Hey. How'er you feeling?"

Jenny looked around her, seeing all the machines and bright lights.

"I feel.....different. Weak."

"You're going to be fine. You'll be out of here in no time." Her breathing was slowing down, her temperature dropping. "Jenny, don't do this to me. You're not going to die." He stood up and looked around. "Your chart. Where is it?" He ran to the door and found a chart on the wall. All the diagnosis were a long list under her name. Leonardo almost fainted. Pneumonia, influenza, all congestive tracks and throat area covered with viruses. A lot on the list was marked 'unknown' for the different causes.

Stepping out to the front, he caught a doctor with Phoebe. Risa stood by listening. Raphael was nowhere in sight. It appeared Phoebe was shaking her head, sobbing, saying something
about not wanting to do it. Risa was consoling her when she happened to see Leo there. Walking over to him, he could see her eyes all puffy. He clutched her shoulders.

"What did the doctor say?" He whispered.

"Leo." Risa stared at him. "He's done everything. They don't know why she's not getting better." Risa stood thinking, then gasped suddenly. "Wait, the creature's blood! It's still inside
her. Maybe that's what's causing the illness. She needs a blood transfusion. If they put in an antibiotic to kill the bad blood cells, there might be a chance."

Leonardo stood to think for a moment. Yes! That was it! He tapped her shoulder and quickly walked over to the doctor whom gave him the size-up treatment.

"I need to talk to you about Jennifer."

"Who is this person?" The doctor looked to Phoebe whom sighed with a shrug. "Do you even know the girl's present condition?"

"Look, we don't have time for this. All I know is that she needs a blood transfusion right away."

"Oh, really?" He looked again to Phoebe with confusion. "Look, I don't know who you are, but according to her charts, there was no need for a blood transfusion. If the patient doesn't need one, we won't do it. She'd have to be hemorraging, been in an accident, or has blood clotting. Which none of the above happened. We ran some tests in her skull and thought we saw a blood clot, but it all turned up negative. So, no. She doesn't need a transfusion."

Leonardo persisted. "But she does. Didn't you take a regular blood sample or anything?"

"Of course. And the tests came up negative. Look, I'm sorry, but we've done all we can."

"Except a blood transfusion! How can you be so stubborn?! If I'm telling you what needs to be done, you should do it!"

The doctor's eyes raised. "And just who are you? A doctor? You can't tell me what to do and what not to do with my patients!"

Leonardo flung his hands with frustration. "This is matter of life and death and you're denying her medical attention?! What do I have to do to convince you that she needs a blood transfusion?!"

"And what do I have to do to get you off my back?! Now, either you get out of this hospital, or I am calling security!"

Risa finally took a stab at it.

"Doctor, listen. She was intoxicated with some kind of drug that went into her blood stream. A blood transfusion might save her life. You have to believe him. If not him, then believe me."

After much convincing, a table was set up for Risa to use. Finding her to be Type 0, the same as Jenny, she was able to donate some of her blood. The procedure went as planned, and Jenny was sent back to her room later on. Hours passed and Leonardo sat with her again, thankful for the outrage, and glad he got someone to listen to him.

"Who was the donor?" Jenny whispered, being asleep throughout the entire process.

"Marisa did it. She happened to have the same blood type. Isn't that a coincidence?" Jenny looked away, suddenly feeling worse.

"Oh, Leo." She sighed. He frowned to her.

"What? What is it?" He could hear her sniffling. He got closer and turned him to face her. "Why are you crying? You'll be fine now that the creature's blood is out of your system."

"Leo?" She sat up and looked him in the eyes. "Don't you realize?" He shook his head. "We just passed the same blood from one body to the next."

Horror struck Leonardo's face. He had forgotten Risa still had the blood inside of her. He turned away from her, suddenly feeling empty. Sickened. Standing up, he started to pace the room, a pain striking him deep in his stomach. Why Jenny? Why couldn't it have been someone else from that god-awful place? From what he saw on her chart, the transfusion would have stopped her from changing form but then everything else would slowly kill her within the hours. The doctors were right. The stupid doctors were for once, right. There was nothing left to do now. Leonardo turned back to her lying in the bed. She looked terrible. Her face and skin were pale, her eyes sunken in. Time was slipping away from her.

"Jenny." He walked back over to her and sat down. This act seemed familiar before. "There's nothing I can do to stop this. I wanted so much to help you, but now...." He couldn't
bear to look at her after awhile. He cleared his throat. "Now, um, if there's anything I can do, just name it. And I'll do what I can."

Jenny stared back to his face. His sad, tired face. Such energy was drained from him. He tried desperately to save her. She took her hand in his.

"Hold me, Leo. If there's anything in the world that I loved the most, it's when you held me. That's all I ask."

"As you wish." He whispered.

Removing the sheets and covers, Leonardo gathered her in his arms and stood up fully, looking deep into her hazel eyes. She placed her arm behind his back and with the other, clutched the front of his coat. Stepping away from the bed, he moved toward a chair and sat down, feeling the weight being lifted from his tired legs. She looked to him and rested her head against his warm chest.

"You know, it's funny, Leo." She said quietly.

"Hmm?"

"I don't feel anymore pain."

He looked down to her.

"What do you feel?"

"Absolutely nothing."

"You should get some rest now, Jenny."

She smiled, playing with his coat button. A small laugh escaped her lips. "Doctor's orders?"

Tears slid down Leo's cheeks as he kissed the top of her head.

"Nope. Mine."

He sat silently with her for a few minutes more, closing his eyes and rocking her gently.

"Love you, Leo." She whispered.

"Love you, too. Jennifer Morrison."

He felt her arm fall limply behind his back.

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