Chapter 18
Chapter 18
"Donatello!"

A chorus sang out his name as he looked to all of them with a relieved smile. Lark stood back next to the door to watch the others embrace Donatello with open arms. She realized at that point how very lucky he was to have such a loving family. A family to be so worried and now so happy for his safe return to them. Splinter was the first to approach him, then April came over to give him a big hug, Michaelangelo gave a one-arm hug, Raphael punched his shoulder and tapped his chest, and lastly Kate approached and extended a friendly handshake.

"Hi, Donatello. I'm Kate. It's nice to meet you."

Donatello smiled and took her hand.

"It's nice to meet you, too Kate. And you can call me Don." Don backed up with a hand behind Lark to push her forward to the group. She stared to the floor. "Um, hokay, I know what you're all gonna say so, um, let me just get past the intros. Lark...." He pointed around to everyone. "This is my sensei, Splinter, my brothers Raphael, Michaelangelo, that's April, and heh, the one I just met for the first time, that's Kate. Um, everyone, this is Lark, one of the lab assistants here."

Lark waved a shy hand. She could see they were not too pleased with her and looked skeptical of her being there. Don looked to her, then the group.

"Lab assistant, Don?" Michaelangelo sized her up. He thought she was cute but because of her title, he kept his distance from her.

"The first clue is the lab coat, Mike." Raph said to him dryly. "Unless she's incognito too."

"No, this is my, my work clothes." Lark glanced to Raph, then regretted doing so.

Donatello shook his head. "Ahh, hey. It's okay, Mike, Raph. It's fine, guys. She's on our side. She helped Casey and I out of our entrapment."

Raphael crossed his arms. "But did she help you and Casey into your entrapment?"

"Raph-"

"Well, what would you believe?"

"That it wasn't of her control, Raph."

Michaelangelo cut him off. "Don's gone soft, again."

"No, I haven't Mike." Don groaned to them.

April looked to Lark with a hurt expression. "Is that true? You locked up my husband and Don in a cage?"

"I- I didn't know Casey was your husband." Lark said with a shaky voice. "Nor did I know who Don was at the time of when they....um, when they gave him to my lab room to look over. I was told to do it as my instructions." Lark couldn't make eye-contact with anyone. Everyone glared to her. Raph was the hardest to look at.

Donatello sighed, glancing to her again. "Look, guys. She's not one of them. She's just a student that took the wrong job at the wrong time."

"Got that right." Raphael sneered.

"What do you want....uh, ah...." Already, she forgot his name. "Look, do you want it in writing?" Lark moved forward to Raph, almost in his face. "I think I said sorry to your brother plenty of times of what I did wrong!"

"You didn't say it to me." He told her coolly.

"Fine! Sooooorry!" Lark huffed and turned away from him, placing a hand to her eyes. "Sorry to all of you. I'm sorry for what I did, sorry for trusting the wrong people. Sorry for everything!"

"Whoa, Leo would love her." Mike joked. Splinter walked closer to Lark, placing a hand to her arm. She looked down to him.

"I'm sorry, um, what was your name again?"

Splinter chuckled. "It is Splinter, my dear. And I forgive you for what you have done."

"Why? I've done a terrible thing. How can you forgive me so quickly?" She moved that nervous strand of hair again.

"What you have done to my son and her husband was, as Donatello said, not of your control." Splinter looked to the group. "But, as time runs out, we must let it go..." He looked to Raph. "All of us to let it go. She has apologized for what she has done and there is nothing more to say on the matter."

The group slowly nodded. Lark looked to Raph whom still gave her stink-eye. She attempted to smile. He snorted and turned his back to her.

"Thank you, um, Splinter." He bowed and smiled to her. Lark blinked and looked to the surroundings. "Um, did we walk in on something?"

"Yeah, we-" Michaelangelo paused as he got closer to her. He feared any person with the word 'lab' in their job title. He cleared his throat and gestured to the cage on the table. "We, I mean Raph and I, um found her. She's going to have kittens. Like now!"

"Oh, goodness!" Lark approached the cage. The stillness from the cage worried her. "Oh, Jemina! She was reported to have them last night. The poor thing. Has she been locked up the whole time?"

"Well, no. Just once when a group of men scouted this room." Mike said, frowning to the cage.

"We need to prep her. She's more than ready to deliver her babies."

"Duh!" Raphael spoke up from the sink.

Lark ignored him and looked to Mike. "Michaelangelo, was it?" He nodded. "Please, fetch me some clean towels from the cupboard."

"Right!" Mike went to the cupboards, pausing to stare at her again. Lark was bent over in front of the cage, stroking Jemina as she slowly pulled her out into the open. He sighed, feeling bad for doubting her. It was hard trusting the right people when you wonder if they're the wrong people as well. He walked back over with towels in hand.

"Right there on the table. Thanks, Michaelangelo." She smiled and placed the cat on her lap, then onto the table with the towels.

"No prob. And Lark?" Lark looked up with a nod. "You can call me Mike."

Leonardo, Casey, and Jack set out on the northern trail of the woods toward the warehouse on the east side. Leo was determined not to let any more harm come to anyone of his family, if God willingly, would help him. He carried his weight with him, a new change of heavy attire as well as the trusted katana blades he's had since day one. They clung tightly to his shell, swinging back and forth with every left to right foot step upon dead leaves and hard snow. Just as he was, the swords were shined up, sharpened, and ready for action. If he could save his dying niece from a night through a hellish forest, he could withstand the stronghold that was yet to face him and his friends.

Casey walked alongside Leo, stealing a glance carefully as not to make it look obvious. He hated the turtle for the fact that Leo was always right, always the one who knew the good from the bad, and always, and this angered him the most, he was too damn honest. Never gives up to arguments, considers the last word to be he own, can find fault with anything he does. This all played in Casey's head. He was fighting against someone whom only wanted justification. To Leo, Casey was like Raphael, except in human form. Leo took his jokes lightly but felt not everything was meant to be funny. Casey was aware of his thoughts on the situation. That's what he disliked of him. You're a bully, Leo. You never have any fun. Leo took that stolen glance into his own gaze, making Casey quickly look to the ground. Damn, turtle. Why can't you ever be wrong for a change?

Jack walked next to Casey on the furthest side away from Leonardo. Though, rifle in hand, he had no idea what he was getting himself into. He knew deep down he couldn't let Casey and his odd character friend go it alone against an army of deranged military soldiers. He packed enough arson to blow up the entire countryside, including the little rest stops with the disgusting bathrooms that never got cleaned in years. The extra bullet shells clanked as he walked, giving Leo a good reason to keep his distance from him even more.

Along the way, they were stopped by soldiers passing them. Assuming the three as hunters and nothing else, the soldiers questioned if they had seen anything unusual within the last 15 or so miles of the area. Leonardo lowered his wide-brimmed hat and looked down from them, knowing they'd see his green face plainly.

"Just a few questions, if you please-"

"Can't my friends and I enjoy a brisk walk without having the likes of you interrupting it?"

Good, Jack, real good. Leo thought to himself. One of the soldiers looked to him, making Leo turn away. The soldiers were too close for Leo's comfort. Casey could sense the uneasiness and attempted to step in front of their view of the turtle. The first soldier looked to the three, then continued.

"There's a dangerous man and an alien creature on the loose. They're suspected to be roaming around these parts of the woods."

Jack's eyes widened with surprise. A mock surprise. "Dangerous man? Alien creature? The likes of us would know better than to be huntin' for that type of riff raff if ya know whut I mean."

"We didn't say you were hunting them, we just wondered if saw anything out of the ordinary."

The suspicious soldier walked up closer, looking to Leo again. Leo could see at shoulder-level, and side view, the man was reaching for his gun.

Jack continued. "'Fraid not. Have you called the National Enquirer? Perhaps they would know. Or perhaps they're out here doing a cover story on the mysterious Big Foot lurking around. One can never be too sure what they find out here." He was being sarcastic. Casey smirked at him.

The soldier nudged the first one, giving him the signal to wrap it up. "Um, look, if you're not going to be any help, then we'll be moving along."

"That's the best news I heard all day." Jack moved forward.

Leonardo stared at the group of men as they left. The soldier was pulled away from his gaze, whispering to another and pointing. Leo didn't like the exchanged information and gesturing. It didn't take Einstein, a rocket scientist, or even his brainiac brother, Don, to figure out what those men were plotting at. If the timing was just right. If only he knew when they would strike back.

"Sick of all these interruptions." Jack mumbled. "Let's take this route."

"Fine." Leo started to walk, then quickly looked back. "But, let's be careful."

An upper trail avoided less traffic for the travelers. From a worthy, detoured trip to the farmhouse, Leonardo snatched his lucky compass from the bureau and found it to be very useful on their trek. The stop was not just for the compass but among other useful things that their back packs could carry.

"The warehouse was east of the farmhouse. That was the direction Don was heading when we split up four different ways from the wolves."

"And from me, Leo. Why didn't you just hang around where I was left TIED up until those damn people dragged my ass away?" Casey glared to Leo, long enough for him to glare right back. "Would have saved us a lot of time instead of using a stupid compass to find our way."

"I was on my way back to you, Casey, but I got sidetracked."

"Yeah, by what?"

"Not by a what. By a who."

A litter of six kittens was born at 10am sharp that morning. Lark tended to the birth with Splinter assisting her. April was at hand close by. The two girls fretted around with the little things of importance that would in any way make this mama cat the most comfortable feline of the entire building. Michaelangelo was glowing at the site of the miniature babies that crawled blindly around on the towel.

"Mike, you mean to tell us she was in labor for almost 3 hours?" Lark stroked the mother's head.

"Too many interruptions for her liking." He shrugged as he removed the lab coat attire. Raph did the same at his spot. Both felt it useless to wear that stuff anymore.

Kate stared with glistening eyes. They were so small and helpless. She bit her lip and looked to April. "They're so beautiful. So young. I....I." Before April said anything, Kate walk-fast out into the hall and down through another door.

"Where's she going?" Raph turned around from the sink, noticing her leave. April thumbed to the exit and shook her head. "Hmmm..."

A small room with a side-entryway exit was the spot Raphael found Kate resting on her haunches against the outside and the inside of a rusty, door frame. They had found this exit earlier. While she and April were alone, doors that were left unlocked turned out to be surprises behind each one. Kate spotted this door that led back to the wide outdoors. Though dark at the time during the early morning hours, she could tell it was still a one way escape.

Raph quickly looked to the surroundings to see if anyone was lurking around the near-by trees and bushes. Putting his guard half-way down, he approached her from behind, watching smoke escape her lips with a puff from her mouth, followed by a horrible cough.

"I see you found your lighter."

"No, I had to rub two sticks together to make a fire. It fell in a hole in my pocket, Raph."

He grinned. "Wise ass." She said nothing. "Why'd you leave without tellin' anyone?"

"I needed some fresh air."

"Oh, good one. So, you light a cigarette for that healthy air to kick in, eh?"

Kate shook her head, sucking in the nicotine and puffing out. "The sight of the newborns was too much for me. Made me think of Andy. My one and only gift from heaven." Raphael didn't understand, but took her words in anyway. She glanced up, removing the butt from her mouth. "Smoke?"

Raphael reached down. "Like a fuckin' chimney." He inhaled a nice, long drag. It felt so good. Kate took it back, staring it at deeply.

"I've been meaning to quit; my doctor tells me I have to stop."

"Don't break the mood, Kate." Raph slumped down next to her. "Besides, I thought smoking came after the action."

"The warehouse is deserted, Raph. I thought you and your brothers would have to fight your way through this place, but-"

"That's not the type of action I meant." Kate looked to Raph whom smiled evilly. He leaned in to kiss her but she coughed in his face. "Hey!"

"Sorry, Raph!" Kate turned and covered her mouth, coughing like a seal. "That seems to happen every time I light up. Can't help it."

"Whatever." Raph wiped the spit off his cheek, making a face. "Warn me next, time, eh?"

"Oh, right, Raph." If my lungs don't collapse. "If there is a next time." Her eyes started to water as she patted her chest.

"What?"

"I said oh, right, Raph-"

"No, not that part. What did you mean by 'if there is a next time'?" Raph stood up, looking down to her awkwardly.

"Nothing. It meant noth-"

"Bullshit. What the hell are you trying to pull? If there is a next time, meaning, if you let me kiss you like that without coughing up crap in my face. Are you saying you don't want to go with me after you threw out all the signals? Is that what you meant?"

"No, I didn't mean it like that." She blinked to him. "What signals?"

"Hmph.....Oh, the lioness has entered willingly." Raph sounded as feminine as he could, flinging his arms around and batting his eyes. "Oh, there's always time for pleasure, Raph! All that shit! All the suggestiveness. You don't think I see what you're up to?"

"Oh, jeez. Let it go you big lug. I say stuff like that all the time. They don't actually mean anything."

"Is that a fact?" Before she nodded, he kicked the wooden door with such force, it put a hole in it. "Well, bitch, let me tell you something. I don't like my feelings being fucked with, and if you don't mean what you say to me, I'd sure as hell wanna be the first to know about it!"

"Raph! You're totally blowing this all out of proportion! That's NOT what I meant!" Kate turned to cough. "Not....at...all."

"Then tell me! What did you mean?!"

Kate threw the cigarette on the ground, stamping it like it was a wild fire. "I meant that I might be dead the next time you see me. Okay? There, I said it. I don't know what'll happen today, if we live or die here or god knows what. But, this may be our only time together. At all." She started to leave but he grabbed her arm.

"Hey, I won't let anyone kill you, you got that? Your sweet ass is protected as long as I'm around."

"You can't save me, Raph." Her tone softened as she got closer, her eyes filled with tears. "I'm dying on the inside."

Raphael stood stunned. Dying? Did she have some sort of disease she didn't tell him about? She never showed any signs of weakness or sickness except for the coughing which he noticed for the first time. The first time he saw her light up. The only signs he plainly saw was of her fooling around with him. She was female, it was typical and somewhat sleek on her part to play with his mind. He looked down and shrugged to those last words.

"Kate. Damn it, I'm sorry, I didn't know that....I-" Kate silenced him with the belated kiss that he wanted earlier, then turned and headed off back to the others. He watched her leave and groaned. "Shit."

Back at the lab room, Splinter pulled Donatello aside to talk with him about everything that happened up until now.

"So, you're all here except for Casey and Leo." Don glanced around, then back to Splinter. "I talked to him briefly on the communicator but when I blacked out, I haven't heard from him since. Haven't heard from anyone." Splinter nodded to him. "What about Shadow? Where is she?"

"When the wolves attacked at the house, Shadow ran away and was lost in the woods." Splinter spoke solemnly. Don's eyes widened. "Leonardo found her and was on his way to town when we last spoke with him."

"Town? Why would he go there?"

Splinter sighed. "To take her to the hospital. She was greatly injured within the woods and needed medical treatment."

"Wow." Don started to scratch his arm from where the needle was injected. He looked to see it was reddened and irritated. "Hope she gets good treatment, ahh, the proper treatment that is. More so than what I got, heh."

"Mm, do not scratch that, Donatello." Splinter said, observing him. "You might cause an infection." Don waved as if it were nothing too serious. "As for Leonardo, I pray that he arrived safely with Shadow and has not had any trouble."

"But, hearing about an alien around town means he was spotted, sensei." He glanced down to himself. "I lost my communicator when taken captive. I know we were all given one. Hmm...that reminds me of something that's been long forgotten." Don moved away and approached April whom was all excited over the kittens. "April?"

"Ohhhh, aren't they cute?" She held one in the palm of her hand. It's tiny body was covered in a stained towel.

Don half-smiled. "Very cute. Um, can I steal you away for a minute?" April handed it back to Lark and stepped over to Don. "When's the last time you talked to Leo?"

April groaned. "Hours, I'm afraid. I couldn't keep mine on because the battery is dying."

"Oh, April! He might of tried to call! Here, give me your communicator." April frowned and passed it to him. He looked up, patting her shoulder. "Sorry, it's okay. We'll find them." The communicator was indeed low on power. Don flipped the volume switch and pressed the button. "Come in Leo. Leo are you there?"

"Leo? Leo?"

"What the hell is that? Am I hearing voices now?" Casey circled around to the surrounding woods. Jack bit his lip.

"No." Leonardo paused and lifted up his jacket to reach the communicator on his belt to show Casey. Casey grinned stupidly while Leo pursed his lips to him. "It's Don." He then put it up to his face. "Hope the damn thing still works....Leo here."

"Leo?"

"Speaking."

"Leo! It's Don!"

"Hey...where are you?"

"Still at this god-forsaken place. Haven't gotten far at all."

Leo heard him chuckle slightly. He smiled. "It's good to hear your voice again."

"Same here, Leo. Where are you?"

"I'm right now heading east to the warehouse with some back-up. Are you all right?"

"Could be better. Ran into some trouble but I'm okay. I met up with April and the others so, heh, I'm basically up to date with all the crap that happened the other night and today."

"Glad to hear that. Glad to hear you're okay."

"Look, ah, before this damn thing dies on us, I wanted to warn you about the outside grounds. You're still in the woods. Be very careful. I told you they had Casey here and I watched out for him. He escaped from his captive holding and the soldiers from the warehouse are on the look-out for him."

"I know, Don. Casey is with me now. Back in human-form."

"Good. Casey's fine. Touched base again."

"More like lucky guess. I found him at that Jack Russell guy's house. I figured he'd go to him so that's where I went after returning from town."

"Yeah, uh, Leo? I heard about your trip to town. Your appearance somehow made a report all the way back here. I dunno who saw you, maybe soldiers, but, the woods are being combed, looking for a green alien creature.

Leo stared blankly. "Town? I didn't bump into any soldiers in town except for....officers....those officers....are corrupted...." His voice drifted.

"What did you say?" Don looked into the communicator.

"The officers!"

"Officers?"

"Officers!"

All three turned around to see two officers on horseback trotting behind their path.

"So much for the interruptions." Jack said.

Leo groaned under breath. "Damn it."

Casey looked to him. "You know these guys?"

"All too well."

Don's voice became worried. "Leo? Leo, what's wrong? What officers?"

"Don, you'll have to call me back. We seemed to run into some old friends. Damn." Leo turned to stare at the familiar men, groaning.

"What? Wait- Don't hang up! Leo-"

"Ut!" Don heard a click, then static. He stared to April. "He hung up on me!"

"You got a hold of Leo?" She stared at the communicator. "Is he okay? Is Shadow okay? What about Casey? You mentioned Casey-"

"Yes, yes, yes." Don hesitated. "Leo sounded fine, I assume Shadow is still where he left her, and yeah....Casey's with him. They're on their way here now. Leo found Casey at Jack's house-"

"Why'd he hang up?! Don-" April snatched it from his hand and clicked it several times, getting nothing. He watched her closely.

"April, when you and the others were on your way to this place, did you see or bump into anyone I'd say, oh....of the law?"

April frowned, then gasped. "Oh, yes! We ran into two officers on horseback. Well, more like they ran into us. They were looking for an escaped convict."

"Harris." Donatello mumbled. "Did they say if they saw anyone suspicious? Not including the convict?"

"No, nothing." April looked like she was trying to figure out a math quiz. "It was early in the morning when they ran into us. They said nothing else except one showed us a mug-shot photo of the guy. They were passing them out to everyone they came across. It's starting to worry me."

"Did they?" April nodded. Donatello looked down, thinking. "Let me see this photo. You still got it?"

April dug into her one of her waist pockets. "Yeah, I...I uh, sort of crumpled it when I stared at it. He gives me the creeps." Donatello took and held it up closely. Closing his eyes, his visions recalled the news reports.....Is expected 'At Large', escaped heading into the dark woods of Northampton.... Don clutched the photo, almost wanting to rip it to shreds. "Don?"

"Hm?"

"What are you thinking?"

Donatello stared back at the photo. Then, without speaking, he walked over and showed it to Mike. They whispered, pointed to Lark and both nodded. Don then walked over to Lark. "Get ready for a shock. Lark? I have something to show you." Don tapped her arm, pulling Lark away from the table.

"Huh? Uh...Don? What are you doing...what's wrong-" He shoved the photo into her hands. Don signaled Michaelangelo to get behind her which he did once he knew was Donatello was hinting on. Lark clutched the photo, her hands starting to tremble. She screamed, "OH, MY-" but Mike muffled the rest of the loud squeals. Don smiled and gave his brother a thumbs up. Lark clutched her chest next, falling backwards with her eyes rolling up. Mike was unprepared but caught her anyway, looking to Don whom shrugged.

"Well, I didn't know she would faint over it."

At that moment, Raphael and Kate walked in. Raph looked to see Lark passed out in Mike's arms and smirked to his brother.

"Damn, I always come in at the wrong time, don't I?"

"Uh, Jack..." Casey backed next to Leonardo whom was putting the communicator away, keeping his eyes fully on the officers.

"It's okay, guys. I know these gentlemen." Jack stepped in front of the them. "One of them is an old friend of mine."

Leo glanced up to him. "Et tu, Jack?"

Casey crossed his arms to the officers. They were indeed, the same ones trotting around all night and all morning to seek out answers from passersby. Instead of looking for a convict, their hearts were set on catching the green alien that has been requested to be found.

Jesse frowned to Leo, glancing to Bob. "Hey, I think that's the guy. You know....the green guy."

Bob frowned also, nodding. "I think you're right. Let me handle this." The two pulled their horses closer. "Well, if it ain't Jack Russell." He looked to Jesse, and gestured to Jack. "Jesse, this is my friend, Jack Russell."

Jesse quickly waved. "Morning."

Bob continued. "So, Jack. What brings you out this far?"

"I was about to ask you that. I decided to do some hunting, Robert. Nothing too exciting."

"I see." Bob spun his horse to the side, pulling on the reins. "Mind telling me who your friends are?" He lifted a hand to his brow, winking secretly to Jesse.

"Well, pardon my manners. I didn't think this was a social meeting. This is my friend, Casey Jones." Leo slipped behind the two, shaking his head to Jack. "And he's just along for the sightseeing."

"Hmm, nice." Bob tried to look around Casey and Jack. "I was wondering if you could help us out here. You see, we bumped into a character back in town. Not normal, I'm afraid to say. He's about yea big-" Bob showed a flat hand to the air. "- heavily clothed...and, um, oh, he's got green skin. He kinda looks like that fella right behind you. Your little friend who's looking quite shy."

Leonardo couldn't hide it anymore, nor could he withstand the ridiculous act. He stepped forward, glaring up at them. "Enough of this." He glanced to Jesse whom was smirking quite proudly. "It didn't take you long to find my trail, did it?"

Jesse shrugged. "Hey pal, we're just doing our job."

"And you're preventing me from doing mine. If you know what's best, you will get back-up, go after the real culprits and leave us be."

"I can't let you do that just yet." Bob dismounted, approaching Leo whom watched him carefully. "Now, now son." Leo stared at him. Son? "I'm not going to hurt you. We just want to ask a couple of questions. That's all. You're so unusual. I've never seen anything like you before."

"Keep staring and you will have seen something like me before." Leo scowled. "We don't have time to discuss about myself. My family is in danger at that warehouse and you officers aren't doing a damn thing about it."

"Oh, so it's your family now? And how are we supposed to believe that after what you did to us?" Bob inched closer.

Leo closed his eyes briefly. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I have done nothing to you two."

"Oh, really? So, you would call stealing my partner's horse... nothing, hm?"

"No. I'd call it borrowing. Your horse was safely returned, unharmed. I told you I needed transportation to town."

"Oh, that's right!." Bob raised a hand to his chin. "You told us you had to rush an ailing child to the hospital. That was a good one, wasn't it Jesse?"

"I've heard better." Jesse continued to smirk.

Casey looked to Leo questionably. Leo continued to stare at Bob as he went on.

"And now, you're saying your family is in trouble at some warehouse?"

"Yes!" Casey and Leo said it at the same time. Jack looked to the both of them. Casey stepped forward. "It's our family and my wife that is in trouble. We have to go there before something bad happens to them."

"I'm sorry. I can't let the alien loose after we've been told to find him."

"Welp, you found him, boys! Games over. Now we can go." Casey said, acting like it was a hide and seek romp. Silence passed and the three started to walk away. Jesse finally frowned and looked to Bob whom became upset.

"Stop! Hey, come back! You can't do this! I have orders! I won't let you go!"

"Watch us." Leonardo mumbled as he walked off with Casey and Jack following. Bob stepped closer but remembered what happened when he tangled with him the last time. Landed on the ground in a painful thud. Jesse felt confused, either to call for back-up or go after them on horseback. He looked to Bob again as if telling him to do something more forceful.

"I said, stop! I forbid you to go!" Casey lifted the middle finger to him. Bob backed away, huffing with anger. "Jesse, get back-up on the radio. We've got our creature." Jesse nodded and again, on his radio, called in to his friends.

"Hey, it's Jess. The one and only. Yup, we got 'em. In the clearing. Over."

Leo heard that and whispered to Casey, "They're making a big mistake."

"I thought we were making the mistake of disobeying an officer." Casey and Leonardo both looked to Jack. "What?"

Several yards away, a gun shot was heard and Leonardo fell face-down to the ground with a shout.

"Leo!" Casey rushed to his side, looking left to right. "Who the hell shot that?" Jack shrugged, also running over. Casey bent down. "Leo, Leo talk to me. Talk to me, man! Are you all right? Leo!"

Leo rolled over, heaving a sigh. "I'm fine. They shot at my shell. Bounced off...it." He coughed, looking around. "The officers-"

"It wasn't them. Someone's following us, bro. We have to hurry to safe ground." Casey started to help him up.

"I already told you." Leo coughed a little more. "We're not safe anywhere."

"Mike, what the hell happened?" Raphael went over to help him get Lark to a chair. The others watched quietly.

"Beats me! She took one look at Mr. Ugly and passed out!"

"Mike, I didn't mean for you to insult yourself, but-"

"HIM!" Michaelangelo yanked the photo out of Lark's gripping fingers and shoved it at Raph. Splinter leaned in to look at the photo, then closed his eyes.

"Oh, him..." The old rat sighed and April crossed her arms, getting a chill. Raph glanced to them, then saw Kate was looking frightened. Looking back at the photo, it finally hit him.

"Him?! The asshole that's here?!" Raphael glared at the photo, then to Splinter whom stood at his side. "Excuse me.....Don, are you sure?! The same schmuck we ran into earlier?! Tell me I'm wrong. It can't be the same guy."

"It is Raph. The one and only." Donatello nodded, looking down to her. She was out cold. "Lark's been playing a fool to take tests, study unknown animals for him...basically do his dirty work, thinking him as a boss and not a dangerous criminal."

"Doesn't watch the news, does she?" Raph walked over, looking down to her.

"Oh, I think she does." Don calmly said. "But, I think she and everyone else here has been brainwashed."

"Don, he's playing with all of us." April walked over, gesturing the photo. "I didn't recognize him until you pointed out who he was. How did you know?"

"I've been watching him all morning, April." Don rubbed the back of his head. "Until, I blacked out, heh, it hit me as to who it was that was running this whole operation. We watched the news reports but I decided to look him up online." He smirked to his brothers. "Yeah, I'm a geek, but I had to know for sure."

"Just remember, you said it....geek." Raph pointed, smirking back.

Donatello turned his attention to Lark, patting her cheek. "Lark? Hey, wake up." Her eyes fluttered and she stared up at him. "You okay?"

"I.....I think so. What happened?"

"You passed out." Raph said plainly. "After you were shown this."

"Huh?" Raph passed the photo back to her. She only gasped this time, closing her eyes. "Don...." Lark grabbed his hand and stood up, staring at the photo. "Don, where did you get this photo?"

"Uhm, April bumped into some officers and one handed her that. They're looking for-"

"Harris. My boss...." She interrupted, her voice was small and shaky. "My boss...from here...."

"Exactly, Lark. That's what I've been trying to tell you. You've been conned by a con-man."

"I... I know. I mean, now I know." Lark looked deeply at it, frowning horribly. "Oh, God.....oh... I...I have to get out of here. I have to go-"

"Hey, hey it's okay." Don patted her arm. "We all have to go, Lark. We all need to get to the police and-"

"No, no. You don't understand. I have to go like right now." Her voice started to rise and shake. "If he finds me with you guys, finds out what I've done....ohhh, Don! I can't stay. I can't stay here another minute."

"Wait, wait. Stop, calm down." She glared at him and he raised his hands. "Fine. You're right. We're going." Don looked to Mike, whom looked to Raph and a big chain reacted. April was relieved to hear they were leaving but was confused as to why she was acting so strangely. Lark placed Jemina back in her cage with her newborns in a fast but careful manner, every so often pulling the nervous hair strand behind her ear. Donatello started to walk out, glancing to Lark. "Alright, Lark....let's get going-"

April stopped him and glared with a worried face. "Don! Wait a second! You talked to Leo. He's with Casey! They're on their way now! If they're coming here to meet up with us, and we're all gone, what...how.....we all can't-"

"April." He sighed and took her hand into his. "It's you that's going. We're staying behind."

"But, Don..." She sounded tearful. "It's dangerous for you guys to stay here-"

"April. Listen....Leo told me he had back-up which probably means he and Casey got the police involved. And from those officers you bumped into earlier, the cops have already been tracking this convict down. If they follow Leo and Casey, they're bound to smack into Harris and arrest him in the act."

"But, Don-"

"And I am not leaving until I see that man cuffed and put back in prison where he belongs." He went to leave but she grabbed him again.

"But, Don-"

He smiled and leaned closer into her face. "No more buts, April. We have to do this. You understand, I know you do."

"Yes, but it's an understanding...." She sniffed. "....that I don't want to understand anymore!"

"I'm ready, Don. But I'm taking Jemina with me. I'm not leaving her behind." Lark gestured to the cage. "I've got to get her to a vet hospital....um, we're so far away....uh.....what's the quickest way to town?"

"Do you know how to ride a horse?" Lark turned to Kate whom shrugged. Within minutes, the group assembled single file as quietly as they could out in to the awaiting wilderness. All was quiet for the most part. The grounds were completely deserted of the troops with only the remainder of the so-called scientists that lurked around inside. The sun went into another dark cloud, indicating a heavy storm was drawing nearer. Kate ducked low but ran to the awaiting steeds still tied to a tree. They look tired when she approached them, making her frown.

"So sorry to do this to you both." She patted their noses as the others came closer. "As soon as we get to town, I must take them back to the ranch and then get my car. Anyone's free to come but there's only two so the weight is limited."

"Not a problem." Michaelangelo walked over to April. "April, you go with Kate and Lark. We'll stay here and wait for the others to arrive."

"Right, Mike." April said miserably and unexpectly wrapped her arms around him. "Don already gave me the lecture. Just becareful and save me the stress and an early heart attack, okay?"

"Um, okay." Mike said, his eyes remaining wide the whole time. "But you're gonna worry no matter what we do."

April laughed and pulled away. "Exactly. So, is it just me, Kate and Lark that's going?"

"No, I'm going, too." Raphael stepped forward. Kate looked down to the ground, away from his gaze.

"Wait, Raph, we may need you." Donatello quickly said. "If something happens, we have a better chance with a greater number."

Raph pointed to the road as if someone was out upon it. "Yeah, but something might happen to the girls on the way to town, Don."

"Nothing's going to happen to us, Raph. They're not after any women." April stared up to the horse, heaving a sigh. "Besides, Don's right. When Leo arrives, you four will be together again."

"I'll be fine Raph. Trust me." Kate brushed a hand across his cheek. "Here." Then she tossed the last of her cigarettes to him. He caught it perfectly. Next she handed him her favorite lighter and leaned closer to his ear. "I won't be needing those for awhile." She winked to him then turned to hoist herself up onto Augustus. Raph stared down at the pack and lighter, almost wanting to smash it all to pieces.

Lark climbed up awkwardly onto Garret with some help from Michaelangelo. He next handed her Jemina's cage.

"Later, Lark. And, heh, Jem. Take good care of her." He lightly tapped her nose through the holes of the cage door.

"She'll be fine, Mike. You take care of yourself." Lark positioned the cage to keep it steady. She half-smiled to Mike before trotting over next to Kate.

April was lifted up onto Augustus, with Don's assistance, where she clung for dear life at Kate's waist.

"All right, April." Donatello said lightheartedly. "You hanging in there?"

"I don't have a choice! I have to hang on! Oh, if Casey could see me now, the things he would curse!" She thought for a moment. He was arriving here and at the same time, she was leaving. She looked down and sighed. "Don, when you see Casey, could you tell him-"

"I'll tell him you love him, April. Don't worry."

"Thank you, Don."

"Yeah. No problem."

"Are we ready?" Kate looked behind to April, whom grinned nervously, then over to Lark whom nodded. Kate nodded back, then glanced down to the Turtles and Splinter. "Then, we're off. Good luck, guys. We'll see you later." Raph stared at her for a long time until she smiled and blew a kiss to him. He blinked to it and finally looked away, hearing the sounds of hooves trotting away. Then, silence.

"Well..."

"Well, what?" Raphael slumped against a tree, pulling out the cigarette pack Kate tossed to him. Mike soon joined him.

"Now, what do we do?"

"We wait, what else is there?" Donatello sat on the ground beside Mike, scratching his arm again.

"Stooop scratching!" Mike flapped his hands at his brother's evil nails. "You'll infect it, turn it gang green, and die!"

"Mike, I'm already green."

"Fine. You'll infect it, and you'll die."

"Well, then, that's a risk I'm willing to take."

Mike glared hurtfully to Don. "I don't think so!"

Raphael puffed out. "Here...." then passed his cigarette to Don. "Put that on your arm. It'll burn so fuckin' much, you won't wanna scratch it."

"Thanks Raph, but I think I'll just leave it alone." Don glanced to Mike whom still had the same hurt look. "Stop staring at me like that."

"Not until you promise you won't scratch that arm." The two heard Raph snort to that. "I'm serious!"

"Hey, where'd Splinter go?" Donatello lifted his neck, looking left to right.

"Now, don't try to change the subject on me, Don-"

"No, I'm being serious! Did either of you even see him leave? Where is he?"

All three quickly stood up, searching everywhere. The sounds of winds blowing, trees rustling, birds chirping, and little critters chattering, was what was heard. Donatello circled around the tree they sat next to, Michaelangelo walked further down a dirt trail, and Raphael scouted near the side-entrance to the warehouse. Splinter wasn't anywhere in view. The Turtles felt like calling out his name but knew better than to give themselves away, especially being this close to enemy territory. For all they knew, Splinter could have been snatched away by hiding soldiers and gagged quickly before he had the chance to utter one word, one cry for help.

About 10 minutes passed, now came the time to start worrying or doing some sort of action. Donatello reached at his belt, cursing under breath that he remembered he lost his communicator and that it was April's he used to contact Leo. He thought for a moment. Splinter did not receive a walkie talkie, anyway. They had no way of reaching him! Unless.....

"Guys!" Donatello whispered and signaled his brothers to come over to him. The three met up with one another, their faces plainly shown of puzzlement and fear. Don looked around before speaking again. "Look, ah, Splinter's not here."

"Ya think?" Raph rolled his eyes.

"This isn't good. Something happened to him; he wouldn't just leave like this." The two shook their heads. "I was thinking. Maybe if we try and meditate, try to contact him through our thoughts, we might be able to find him. It's worth a try, I mean, Leo's not here, but I think we can do it without him."

"That won't work-"

"Yes, it can, Raph. It has and it will!" Don looked to Mike for help. "We have to do something instead of....nothing."

Michaelangelo looked to Raph, nodding. "All right. Let's call the corners." Don whapped him on the head. "Ow! I mean, let's do it."

The three wandered deep into the woods and sat down in an Indian-style circle on patches of ground that was spared of any snow upon it. A frost-bitten backside was not at all a comfortable way to try and concentrate on the mind! Don closed his eyes, slanting one up to see if the others were doing the same. Mike's eyes were tightly pressed and Raph's were closed but rapidly moving around within.

"Relax, Mike." Don said calmly. Raph lifted a lid to look over. "Relax and concentrate." Someone suddenly sneezed. "Gesundheit." The Turtles opened their eyes, staring at one another. Don looked to Mike. "Did you-"

"No."

"Raph, did you-"

"Wasn't me."

"Ah, okay. Then, that means, we've got company."

Shouts rang out from attacking soldiers from behind, followed by a mass amount of struggle and pounding. It happened all so fast, they didn't even get a chance to fight back. There were too many at once. Arms grabbing, reaching for them and legs kicking and resisting, it was too late to escape. The scenery started to fade to darkness but the noises still remained vividly in their minds. No response from Splinter, no calling to say that he was all right. The last thing that was heard was as before. The sounds of winds blowing, trees rustling, birds chirping, and little critters chattering continued......while three bodies were dragged away, unconscious, into captivity.

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