Chapter 24
Chapter 24
"Okay, Leo. It's done!"

Michaelangelo pulled the large bird out of the oven, the aroma filling the entire room. Even Leonardo turned from what he was doing to inhale the wonderful smells. Casey floated in with a big smile to the two, followed by Splinter and Raphael who's eyes were lit up with hunger. Michaelangelo really outdid himself this year but he couldn't do it all by himself. Leonardo proved to be very useful when he said Mike might need his help. Leo prepared most of the side dishes that Mike couldn't get to in the meantime of working on other foods.

"Where's April and Don?" Casey asked. "Did they go out?"

"Jeez, you musta slept the whole damn time!" Raphael blinked to him. "They've been gone for quite awhile."

"They went to go bail out Lark." Leo replied while pulling out a large casserole dish. "They'll be back soon."

"Well, should we start without them?" Raphael looked to the large variety of delicious sides, his eyes widening in a hunger stare. A large moist turkey sat on top of the stove and along the counter top were bowls and trays of monstrous portions of the following: the stuffing, cranberry sauce, yams, gravy, mashed potatoes, biscuits, a green bean casserole, and lastly, Shadow's favorite macaroni and cheese. He stared with mouth drop, feeling his stomach growling. The five paused to hear a door slam.

"Hello!"

Donatello and April walked in and immediately began to melt from the smells of the dinner. It filled the whole house and gave off a warm, comfort feeling. The way a home should feel. Casey emerged out of the kitchen and over to give a smooch on April's lips.

"Hello, gorgeous. How are ya?"

"I'm starving. Feed me." April smirked.

Leonardo came out next and approached Donatello. "Don, how's Lark? Were you able to help her?" Don looked away from him with a face of regret.

"Uh, yeah, she's out...but, we, I mean...gaaah! Let's not talk about this now, okay? Let's go eat and I'll tell you everything later." Don marched off to the kitchen after that.

Leo's eyes widened. "April?"

April pulled back from Casey. "It's a long story, Leo, one I don't want to get into right now. We'll tell you what happened after we eat. Okay? Come on." April paused and looked up to the ceiling. "Wait a minute. Casey, have you checked on Shadow since we left?"

Casey and Leo both looked up. There was silence. "No. I woke up just before you and Don came in. And it wouldn't be a smart thing to have one of these guys check on her."

"I'll go check on her. Go start filling your plates." April turned and climbed up the stairs. Casey grinned to Leo.

"You heard the lady. Let's go!"

April turned on the light in the hall and entered Shadow's dark-filled room, worried that there were no sounds coming from the bed. She felt Shadow was too old for the 'mirror' technique but she wanted to make sure anyway. Creeping over, she picked up a hand mirror from the dresser and carefully placed it under her nose for a few seconds. Turning to the light in the hallway, there was a small spot of steam on the glass.

"Good." April sighed and returned the mirror to the dresser, closing her door half-way. She headed down to the dining room and looked to Leonardo with a small smile. "She's fine, just very tired. She was far too quiet when I came in and I had to make sure she was still breathing."

Donatello looked to her as he sat down with his plate. "You did the mirror trick, huh?" April nodded as she headed into the kitchen with Leo following.

"Mirror trick? What's that?"

"Oh, it was something I used to do when Shadow was younger." April got in line to serve herself, catching Leo still staring with bewilderment. "Okay, all you do is take a regular hand mirror and place it under the child's nose. If a small steam spot appears, it means he or she is breathing and the mother won't have to faint in a panic."

"Oh. Hmmm..." Leonardo shook his head, wondering why he asked.

"Why wouldn't she be breathing?" Raphael asked through chews of snacking while filling his plate. "That's what I don't get."

"You mean you never heard of crib death?" The rest looked up to her. "I guess not. Well, it's something I feared and I always checked on Shadow every night before I went to bed. Call me paranoid, but it made me feel better knowing she was okay."

"Then, you'd have to call me paranoid as well." Michaelangelo grinned as he headed out to the dining table. "I did the mirror thing, too!"

"Damn, you'd think the snoring alone would indicate that she's breathing." Raph had a smirk to April as he left the room.

"She doesn't snore!" April frowned to Leo whom shrugged at her. Casey bit his lip. "And wipe that grin off your face Mr. Chainsaw!"

After piling gobs of food onto each plate, all seven sat down at the dining room table, head bowed and hands together. April decided to give a small speech of grace. "Lord, we are thankful for this meal that you have provided us with and may everyone in the world equally enjoy the food that we are about to eat. Amen."

In a small apartment community two miles from town, four people sat down for a quiet Thanksgiving feast. A feast, thanks to Boston Market! No one had time to get a meal together with all that happened before. No one was home to cook it, anyway! This was just as close to being the real thing, except for the plastic containers and utensils. Lark brought out the nice silverware and glass plates to have some tradition remain. Hours before the meal were full of much arguing, shouting, and crying. Each said something they would regret years from now but what was spoken went soon forgotten later on.

"I never asked. How was your flight, Mom?" Lark asked while reaching for the biscuits. Her Mom didn't answer right away but her father spoke up.

"The ride over was just fine, Lark."

Lark looked up to Jesse eating heartily and keeping his head down to his food. He seemed to be the only one that was doing just fine.

"I hear New York is already starting to decorate for Christmas isn't it?" Lark asked eagerly.

"Mm, hmm...it's been very lovely." Her mother nodded.

"Yes, yes. The decorations are coming up, they're getting a tree ready for Rockefeller Center..." The father spoke casually, stopping in mid-sentence. "But that's not the topic I wanted to talk to you about." Damn! So close. "I want to know everything from when you started working at that place, until that weird-looking green man called out to you at the station."

"Okay, fine. Dad, Mom. I'll tell you everything." Lark glanced to Jesse whom still had his head down to the table. "But, remember. I'm completely innocent-"

"Until proven guilty."

"Shut up, Jesse!" Lark gave him a harsh glare. "You don't have to be so blatantly honest; even cops have been known to screw up, too." Jesse put his fork down, sipping his water next. Both parents got real quiet after that 'so true' statement. "I'm not perfect either, damn it. I've made mistakes that I'm not proud to admit...but." She looked to her father. "But, I guess, as parents, you have a right to know why I was in jail."

"Then, tell us Lark." Her father spoke more calmly. "Please, tell us what you feel that we need to know about."

Basically, that meant nothing. Like she said before, she wanted to forget about all of it but her father refuses to give up so easily. If he wanted to know, she was going to tell him.

"I guess I should start when I was first hired at the place a few weeks ago...."

From sleeping for so long, it seemed later than she realized. Shadow woke up to hear her stomach growling. Hospital food was not considered real food to her at all. They gave her cold eggs, dried fat-free bacon, and a side of bread that was so stale, it could break a window. The floor vents sent a lingering smell so tempting, she had to get up and see what she could go eat. THUMP. Out of bed and on the rug. The first step to venturing towards the goods she hungered for. Shadow paused when she heard the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs toward her room.

"Hurry up, Mike! Grab your coat. We'll wait outside."

"Okay! I'll be right down." A door near hers opened and then slammed. Shadow stepped out to look around. The hall was dark and empty. She wondered where April and Casey were or where those other voices went off to. The hunger growls started to erupt again. On her hands and knees, she looked down the large stairs. It was considered a hard task with her weak state. A door behind her opened up as Michaelangelo stepped out as quietly as possible. He paused when he saw her and the two let out equal gasps. "Oh....you're awake-"

"Eeep!" Shadow breathed out and pressed herself against the wall, gawking up at him. "Huuuh, huhhhh...."

"Shhh!" Mike flattened his hands downward but she kept panting and staring wide-eyed. "No, wait. It's okay-" Shadow bolted up and ran down the stairs. She tripped a bit, landing at the bottom on her backside. Dazed from the fall, she looked behind her to see Michaelangelo starting to slowly come down. "Wait-" Squealing, she jumped up and ran out the front door passed everyone on the porch. "Aw, no!" Mike looked to his brothers and Splinter whom stared at him wide-eyed. "Someone get April or Casey! Hurry!"

Before Raphael could warn him, Michaelangelo cleared the three steps in one jump, pursuing after her. Shadow had a head start down the driveway but her speed was decreasing greatly. The ground of snow, dirt, and rocks proved to be too painful for her tender bare feet. She looked behind her to see Mike running very fast up to her. Much as she was terrified, he couldn't let her run off and risk getting hurt. Shadow kept running until she felt herself being scooped up off the ground. More leg power started to kick and thrust in all directions.

"Please...no!! Oh, please let me go!"

Michaelangelo said nothing, aside from small grunts, and carried her wiggling body back up to the farmhouse. Somehow, she got the strength to squeeze herself down and out of his grasp back onto her two feet. He spun around to reach for her while she backed away and sprinted off. Again, he caught up with arms circling her waist. She attempted to step on his foot but it did no good. Leather hiking boots against soft feet? He hardly felt it.

"Shadow, come- " Michaelangelo felt explosive pain as Shadow twisted her foot inward and swung a very hard kick into his leg next, causing the knee to bend backwards. "...yeeowch!" A dull snapping sound was heard and Mike lost his grip on her again. This time she took off to climb a large tree nearby. Mike growled and looked up to her. A tree? What does she think I am? A wolf? He limped over and rested against the tree, puffing to catch his breath. "Shad- ow! Owch!" A pine cone dropped down on his head, followed by another. Michaelangelo staggered back and looked up with eyebrows slanted and teeth gritted.

"Get away!" She climbed to a higher branch and hugged the tree bark.

"Hey, Mike!" Michaelangelo spun around to face Casey. "What the hell is going on?!"

"Why not ask your daughter instead?" Michaelangelo snapped angrily as he turned to leave. His leg was hurting badly with every step that applied pressure on it. "Damn..."

"Casey!" April ran out next to see him climbing a tree. "What's going on?" She approached Michaelangelo and gasped to see him limping toward her. "Mike! My God, are you okay?"

"Yeah....it doesn't hurt too much."

"Who did this?" His eyes turned upward in Shadow's direction. April looked to her, then to him. "Shadow?! She did this to you?"

"Good guess, April. If you ever consider signing her up for ISKA, let me know about it first."

April watched him continue limping to the house with an occasional grunt of pain. Donatello rushed over to help him up the stairs with apologies that should have been said from the person who kicked him. He still felt the need to say sorry to him. The others looked to both situations of Michaelangelo limping and Shadow playing squirrel. April said encouraging words to get her out of the tree while Casey pulled her down carefully. The Turtles decided to go on a walk anyway, at a much shorter distance than what was originally planned.

Shadow was brought back inside, still feeling a bit shaken up from what just happened. Casey couldn't really reprimand her for what she did to Michaelangelo. Both he and April knew she was afraid of him and did it in an act of protecting herself. She looked out the window to catch the five walking over to the large, red barn. The one she kicked limped slowly behind the group. After discovering each were harmless, it gave her a good reason to feel a bit guilty about what she did to him. Deep down, all five loved her very much. But right now, that love was certainly being tested on each one of them.

"Are you sure you are all right, Michaelangelo?" The rat rested a hand upon his shoulder.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Mike squeezed his eyes as Leonardo wrapped an ace bandage around his knee, frowning to his reaction.

"It's only a torn hamstring." Leonardo mumbled to the degree of the damage. "Had you been wearing your garment pads, she would've gotten the worst of it than you. But, then again, that wouldn't be a good thing either."

"Why not?" Raphael asked with arms crossed.

"You know damn well I'd take infliction for her any day." Mike glared to him, then shook his head. "But, I never thought I'd get the infliction from her."

"So, what happened?" Donatello pulled away from the wall and crossed over to sit down next to Leo. "One minute we're all on the porch and the next, you're chasing after her!"

"My fault." Michaelangelo raised a hand to show who the guilty turtle was. "She came out from her room just as I went up to grab a coat. We met in the hall and she freaked out and then high-tailed for the front door. Naturally, I panicked, well, we all did, and that's when I went after her."

"To get hurt?" Raph raised his eyebrows.

"To make sure she wouldn't get hurt." Michaelangelo droned, shifting the leg and wishing he hadn't. "But damn, not only did she kick me, she started throwing pine cones!"

"I saw that." Raph pointed to Mike's head with a laugh. "Two direct hits!"

"Master?" Mike turned to Splinter with a frown. "How long will this stupid amnesia thing last?"

"It can take amnesic victims quite a long time for them to restore a full memory." Splinter rose from his kneeling position and brushed the hay off him. "If we are lucky, it may only last a few days. She is very young and her parents will constantly remind her of who she is, who they are, and who we are to her."

"Look at it this way, guys. We're another step closer to earning her trust then where we were before." Donatello sat up, then sighed quickly. "I...ah, sorry, Mike, I don't mean to shrug off your injury like it's no big deal. It is...none of us wanted it to happen to you."

"I understand what you're saying, Don." Michaelangelo said while softly rubbing behind his knee. "She got a good look at us so hopefully it won't be long before she'll be back to her old- er, young self again." Don and Leo nodded.

"Great." Raphael stood upright, glancing down to Michaelangelo. "But, until then, I'm keeping my protective gear on. You were right, Master. I should have taken your words more seriously."

"No, Raphael." Splinter gestured to the others, Mike especially. "It is your brothers that you or myself should have warned right away."

Lark moped around the apartment as her mother nagged her about the little things that weren't perfect. She meant well, but once a nag always a nag. Her father on the other hand was more quiet and could care less of how they decorated. Modern-day furniture was Lark's favorite simplest choice to pick from. While the guys sat and watched TV such as news, weather, Thanksgiving around the world and such, her mother gave Lark a wonderful idea.

"I need to sort and wash some of my clothes, Lark. Will you help me with a load of whites and colors?"

"Sure, Mom." Lark drifted into hers and Jesse's room with a smile. Now, to see if I can find one of those damn uniforms. God, I hope I'm not wasting my time. Lark pulled the dressers out as far as they would go, digging all the way to the bottom to find something remotely close to what Don described to her. All she found was his regular police uniforms, none of which bared the name of F.U.C. She checked the unlikeliest places such as his underwear and sock drawer. Nothing. She opened the closet on his side and shifted back all the pants and shirts. Still nothing. She opened the hamper in the bathroom and dug through it contents. No funky-labeled uniform yet. "Damn!"

"Something wrong, dear?" Her mom came over holding a white laundry basket.

"No, Mom. I just can't find something."

The two walked downstairs with the white and colored baskets each. It was already dark outside but the complex was well lit up and had a security gate surrounding the entire area. A person could do laundry at 3 a.m. if they had nothing better to do. That's what Lark liked about this quiet neighborhood. Plus, living with a cop (whom she hated his attitude but didn't mind his skills), no one was going to mess with her.

The laundry room was empty except for an old woman and a young man sitting down to watch their wash tumble around and around in the big machines. Lark brought enough money with her for both loads and some extra change incase she wanted a snack in the vending machine. Waiting makes you hungry, sometimes.

"Oh, Lark! Don't eat that! We're going to have pie later!" Her mom griped as Lark smiled to plunk in her coins. She wanted a snack and damn it, she will buy a snack! Then again, maybe not. "Lark, dear? Where did you get this shirt from? Is it one of Jesse's?"

"Huh?" Lark walked over to see her mom pull out a large shirt with long sleeves and collar. In the upper left corner, there was an embroidery of F.U.C. It was one of Jesse's shirts that Leo saw! He didn't throw them away just yet. "Oh, my God. The turtle was right." Lark's mother shrugged and put it in the wash as Lark looked back to the vending machine. Slamming the coin return button, she received her change and headed out and around the corner. "Be right back. I just need to make a quick phone call."

Forget the damn Snickers bar! Lark plunked her snack money into the payphone, feeling herself getting very upset. She was so mean and heart-less to him back at the station, she wondered if she could even get a word in edge-wise. The police station would have been the first place a person would call when finding something out, but, an apology was more important to her at the moment. The phone number was quickly forgotten but she strained her brain in trying to think what it was and fast.

The grandfather clock played it's pretty little tune, followed by seven chimes to indicate the time was 7 p.m. After Shadow had a small but desirable amount of food, dinner was finally wrapped and put away as leftovers. That is, what little was left after a family of eight with large appetites wolfed it down. As the Turtles and Splinter stepped out for awhile after the little kick boxing lesson, Casey sat with Shadow and tried to explain everything she had trouble with remembering.

"I'm Dad. D.A.D." He pointed to his chest. "I'm your father, okay? And that lady over there cleaning up the table is April. She's your Mom. Got it? M.O.M."

"Casey, she's amnesic, not illiterate." April wiped the dining table down with a wet cloth. "It's getting late and the guys will be coming back soon. Better refresh her about them."

"Good idea, April. Okay, you know those green guys that scared the shit out of you earlier? They're your uncles. Okay?" Shadow's lip curled up with a perplexed expression. "They look that way because they're mutant turtles. And the large rat is a mutant too. He's your grandfather, okay?"

"Splinter. My grandfather." Her face remained the same and Casey nodded.

"I think she's getting it, April!" He grinned. "I know it all sounds like a whole load of crap but it's true. These guys...you know, damn...they've been around since you were a baby." April returned to watch the two with amusement.

"They won't hurt me...will they?"

"They'd better not or I'll kick their-" Casey caught himself. "Uhm, no, they won't hurt you. But you hurt Mikey pretty bad-"

"Mikey?"

"Yeah. Well, you say Uncle Mikey sometimes. He's the one you kicked."

"Ohhh..." Shadow dropped her mouth.

"Mm, hmm." Casey nodded and looked away. "Damn, I should sign up you up for those Tae Kwon Do lessons after all."

"Casey." April walked over to him. "Let's try to wrap this up. It's getting very late and Tom is supposed to call any minute." She sat down next to Shadow with a small smile. "Shadow, honey. Your uncles and grandfather will be back soon so, please. Don't be afraid. You are in no danger with any of them. I promise."

"Did I really hurt...Mikey?"

"Well..." April glanced to Casey. "I'm not sure. I haven't seen him since that happened but, I'm sure he'll be all right. Just don't do it again, okay?" Shadow nodded as the door knob jiggled a bit. The five entered slowly and looked to the three sitting on the couch. "Hi, guys. Thank you for the delicious food. Everything was wonderful, Mike. You did good."

Michaelangelo gave a small smirk to that as the group moved past them toward the staircase. Shadow watched each one of them leave, her eyes falling onto Mike. He looked over to her with squinted eyes but proceeded to follow without saying one word. In fact, all of them said nothing. April continued her tiresome methods of jogging Shadow's memory back to normal. She sat up with her and an old photo album full of past family gatherings.

"April?" Raphael stood in the doorway. "Did Tom ever call while we were out?" Just as he said that, the phone rang. "Shit, I'll get it-"

"I got it. I'm right here." April reached over her bed to pick up the phone on the end table. Raph stood by, watching breathlessly. "Hello? Who? Oh! Lark?" Raph sighed and stepped back, eyeing Shadow on the bed. She eyed right back. "Hi, I didn't expect you would be calling- I, huh? Oh, um, okay...hang on..." April clutched the phone and looked to Raph. "Raph, go get Don...uh, huh..." Raphael nodded and left the room.

Leonardo sat up in his room listening, by choice, mind you, to a rather talkative Donatello. He told him all about with Lark, the police station, her parents getting there before him, her not wanting to see him again, him almost losing his mind when she told him that, April telling him he might be in love with her, Lark having the same thoughts, him feeling-

"I get the picture." Leo stopped him in mid-sentence and let out a small but noticeable groan. "All too clearly."

"I know; I'm boring you, aren't I?" Don asked defensively.

"No, that's not it. It's the whole love part I'm not too sure about. That's definitely something to put into perspective. I don't want to see you getting hurt from this situation. I haven't personally met her yet, but from the way you described her, she sounds like a nice girl that is kind to anyone, regardless of...species."

"It would just make me feel a lot better..." Don said slowly. "Knowing she had any compassion for someone like myself. Even if I never heard from her or saw her again. Just to hear those words-"

"Yo, Don?" Raph tapped on the door and entered the room. "That Lark chick is on the phone. She wants to talk to you."

"Um...." Donatello blinked and turned to Leo, almost smiling. "Oookay. Would you mind holding that thought, Leo?"

"Sure. I'll hold it for you." Leo smirked as Don jumped up and left in a hurry.

"Why not have it chisled on his tombstone instead?" Leo went to say something to Raph but he was already gone. Hmm, the poor guy was still on the edge with belated news about Kate. It seemed good news always took no time to tell while on the hand, bad news took longer to hear. Both Shadow and April looked up as Donatello came in, hardly showing any enthusiasm at all. Somehow, he was able to conceal his wicked smile before entering the room.

"Oh, here he is. Okay, take care. Bye." April stood up and passed him the phone. "Don, it's Lark."

"Hmmm...." Donatello sighed and took the phone, sitting down on the bed cross-legged. "Hello?"

"Hi, Don." Lark glanced around the Laundromat. "It's me, Lark."

"I know who it is. What do you want?" It was a simple question, but the tone sounded so bitter coming from him.

"Uh...right. Look, I know you're not happy with me right now." What was her first guess? "And I know you probably want to hang up on me..." I'm inches from doing that, woman. "But, please. If you would just let me explain-"

"Why should I?" Donatello snapped. "You didn't let me explain what I had to say back at the station."

"Don, wait, please, it's very important-"

"I'll bet it is! And what I had to say was very important, too! If you can't be bothered to hear me out, why should I even bother-"

"Because you were right!" Lark interrupted, hearing silence afterwards. "God, you were so right and I was so wrong. I shouldn't have acted like a bitch to you and said those horrible things at the station." He could hear her crying in her words. "I know it doesn't help much to say it now but....I'm sorry."

"Lark..." Donatello sighed, glancing around the room. "You're not a bitch, okay? I made a promise that I would help you out of jail. But, something came up and I couldn't make it to you right away. I tried to tell you why but you wouldn't listen to me."

"I know. I should have but..." She sniffed softly. "I was hurt."

"Well, that makes two of us." He replied that on a flat note. Silence passed for a few seconds. "So, where are you now?"

"I'm at the Laundromat. That's why I called to tell you."

"You called to tell me you're doing laundry?"

"No." Lark laughed breathly with an added sniff. "To tell you that you were right. Or your brother, Leo, was. My mom found one of Jesse's shirt with the F.U.C. logo. It is true. I did have some doubts but the proof is right in front of me....or, more like it's in the spin cycle right now." Don sat as still as a statue. April had already left the room but Shadow still lingered on the bed, curious of who was on the phone and plainly curious of Don himself. "I've decided I'm going to take your advise and turn Jesse in with what I have."

"Good. Let him get a taste of what you went through."

"I just hope this doesn't go to court."

"You never know Lark. I have a feeling with all the stolen and injured animals in the area, this is not going to lay to rest just yet."

"No, but I have friends and family that will back up my story. That is, if you're still my friend..."

Donatello smiled. "Lark, you know the answer to that. I was always on your side."

Shadow crawled around the bed next, checking out other parts of his body such as the one hand that was resting near his shell, his large, green thighs with all the muscles protruding from them, his feet tucked under his legs that she decided to find and tickle at the wrong time....

"Really?" Lark's own smile lifted.

"Of course! Well, um...I can't very well show up live in a courtroom with all those people but you know I would most definitely support your case. And not just meee- yaaahahaha!" Don's voice hit a high pitch as he stood up to round on Shadow. "Don't do that!" Her eyes flew wide to him and she bounded out of the room.

"Don?" Lark's eyes widened. "What happened?"

Don groaned and shook his head with a slight chuckle. "It was...uh...nothing....didn't mean to yell like that..."

"I'd better let you go, Don. I should go check on my laundry." Lark looked over to her mother with a wave. "Um...again, I'm sorry-"

"Hey, it's okay. I heard it the first time. I accept your apology."

"All right. Thanks for hearing me out."

"No problem. And good luck. Hope it works out for you." Donatello hung up, glancing around the room in deep thought, the smile returning to his lips. I still got a girlfriend! Hahahahaha! Maybe? Hmm... Before getting up to leave, the phone rang out once more to him. He got it on the first ring with a smile still on his face. "Did you forget to say something- Oh...um, hi..." Don sat back down again with mouth slowly open. "Uh...I...oh...um..okay...I'll tell him right...um, just give me a minute, don't hang up." Donatello placed the phone on the table and stood up to walk out across the hall to his room.

Raphael was reading on the bed, Michaelangelo was surfing on Don's laptop and April was chatting quietly to them in the doorway. All three looked up to him as he came in closer. They knew something was wrong. He looked like he was going to speak but had trouble finding the words and ended up staring like a cod fish gasping for air.

"Don?" April placed a hand to his shoulder. "Is Lark okay?"

"Yeah." He swallowed, looking over to Raph. "But Kate isn't. Tom called right after I got off the phone with Lark. Raph, it...um...I'm sorry bro...it doesn't look good..."

Raphael, never taking his eyes off him, rose up and dropped the book to the floor. Michaelangelo already stopped clicking while April cupped a hand to her mouth. The three were breathless and staring like he just said the world was coming to an end. In a way, it was, for one person.

"What did he say?" Raph asked with a choking voice, his fists balling up.

"Well..." Don sighed and looked skyward. "Uh...the surgery went through but he said they weren't out of the woods yet. Tom didn't say much...um, Raph..." Don thumbed backwards. "...I left him on the line if you want to talk-" Raphael shoved past him and April without a word. Don caught his breath and looked to the two. "....to him. Riiiight." April looked like she was about ready to cry or worse, faint on the floor. Michaelangelo sat very still in the chair, one hand pressed to his chin and staring blankly.

"I'm...going to get some water." April mumbled and left the bedroom. Heading downstairs, she caught Shadow looking at the photo album on the living room couch. "How are you doing, Shadow?" She didn't answer. April walked closer and tapped her arm. "Hey, how are you?"

"Head hurts." She shrugged, rubbing it a bit. April walked over and felt her head.

"Your head feels hot. We got you some Tylenol in the chewable brand. You can take that." Shadow made a disgusted expression. "I'm sorry, but it will help get rid of your headache." April started to leave just as Leonardo came down the stairs. April entered the kitchen and caught him following behind. "Oh, hey, I was getting her some tablets. Need anything?"

"No, I'm fine. Uh...we only have the gelcaps that Splinter was using. She's not swallowing now, is she?"

"No. We stopped on the way home to get her this." April lifted the Children's Tylenol bottle to him. She paused in her roundabouts, glancing to him. "Oh, I don't know if you heard. Tom called. Don spoke with him and he said Kate is not doing well." Leo sat down at the table for this one as April continued. "He..uh, said she got through the surgery but there's still a lot of complications to battle with. I...." April sat down across from him, rubbing her head. "I hate having a gut feeling, Leo...but..."

"April..." Leonardo said softly. "I also had a gut feeling. So did Splinter and when he does, you know it's serious." She nodded without looking up.

"Yeah...I only knew her through Raph and when we met again at that warehouse. She seemed like a nice person to know." April finally looked to Leo's soft and glistening eyes. Pursing her lips, she sat back in her chair. "I really hope she pulls through. Not just for herself and for her family. But for Raph as well."

"I know. I hope so, too."

"April?" Raphael came through with a discouraged, pleading face. "Would you mind taking a little drive to the hospital? I have to see her."

"Not at all, Raph." April stood and glanced to Leo. "I'll go tell Casey and get my coat." Leo and Raph followed April out of the kitchen and paused half-way when they caught her walking over to Shadow to give her the medicine with a cup of water. "Here, sweetie." She looked to the two as she headed upstairs. "Make sure she takes them. She's been known to hide them in the sofa."

"Oh, really?" Raphael said with a grin lifting. He too, hated taking pills but certainly enjoyed watching someone else having to suffer. He moved around to sit on the arm of the couch to get a better view. "Well, we'll just see about that."

"No, this may take awhile. You'll be gone by the time she gets done." Leonardo went over to the rocking chair. "Come on, Shadow. Take your medicine."

Shadow stared at the four pink pieces of medicine on the napkin, making a face. "Yuck."

Casey was not hesitant in the least to go along for the ride yet he felt unsure of leaving Shadow behind with the other turtles and Splinter. But since it was nearing her bedtime, she'd probably sleep the whole time they were out. Or maybe not. He found her on the living room couch with a set of aging pills in front of her.

"Oh, man. Just take your damn pills, already!" He eyed at her as he crossed the room.

"I will." She mumbled.

Casey walked over to her. "Well, you'd better by the time we get back. Will you tuck yourself in?" She nodded slowly. "Okay. And don't think we're not gonna check those sofa cushions!" She pouted to him. Casey went over to meet up with April and Raphael at the door. "All right, let's go."

Raphael stared out the dark window of the moving van. He kept telling himself she was going to make it, she was going to make it, but some other voice kept fighting with him, repeating the opposite line of, she's going to die, she's going to die, she's going to-

"Shut up!" Both April and Casey turned to give him a strange look. "Sorry."

April turned back and looked to Casey, taking his hand into hers. Casey smirked and gave her a quick squeeze. She was so sad with all that's happened and what was about to happen minutes from now. At the very beginning of the trip, it was one problem after another.

And Leonardo was the first to detect it all from the start. From the hard-working skills of training with body AND mind together, he can sense things much faster then the other three. She figured it was from his strong intuition of picking up on the slightest hint when the word 'problem' was ever used in a sentence. There was no way of hiding anything from him, oh, how she tried to conceal her emotions or secrets. He could see right through her.

Michaelangelo also has a strong intuition but chooses to keep it to himself or bring it out through the simplest explanations. While Leo felt something was deeply wrong with Casey, Mike blamed it on the typical reasons. He got drunk and overslept from a massive hangover. Michaelangelo's gain is to be involved in anyway possible and help with what he can do or say to make things better. Now with Shadow on a loose end with him, his brothers and Splinter, he knew he was needed the most.

Donatello, on the other hand, pulls his intuitions and answers them in a scientific way. But hating to settle differences with a friend of his, he will take his words, arguments, and anything else and keep them to himself unless it's forced out of him. All he wanted to do was spend time on his computer, tinkering with any invention he scrapes up, and enjoy a restful vacation. Why do so many bad things happen to them, he only wished he could have the answer to that. They, whoever they are, say the worst is yet to come. But for this family, the worst is with them every single day.

The parking lot was only filled with the hospital staff's vehicles. Everyone was tired and getting ready to go home for the evening. The front door opened and the three entered the halls, eyeing around in silence. Were they too late or right on time? Answers were needed but not necessary by the way the place looked so uplifting. April's, along with everyone else's heart sank when they arrived at the front lobby to see Nicole bent over with Tom hugging her.

"Tom? Nicole?" April rushed over and sat down. "What happened?"

Tom raised a shaky hand. "Nothing's changed since I talked to you on the phone. She's still fighting it; Jack's with her now."

"How is Kate?" April sat down, patting Nicole's shoulder.

"She was so pale. Her features aren't even recognizable anymore." Nicole mumbled. She started to explain a little bit. "I'm so scared, April. I'm afraid we're going to lose her."

Raphael turned to head down the hallway in a numb state, listening to Nicole's words growing fainter as he walked off. They didn't even notice he left. Eyes fixed forward, he took each step one at a time, passing other noisy rooms with the TV sets, noises he chose to tune them out and listen to the voices echoes within.

"She's so pale....pale...pale...pale...Her features aren't even recognizable anymore....more....more....more...." "She's still fighting it; Jack's with her now...now...now...now..." "I'm so scared...I'm afraid we're going to lose her...her...her...her..."

"Raph...Raphael?"

Raphael started to run next, his boots clomping loudly down the hall. Pausing in the doorway, his eyes flew wide to her blank ones. Jack was holding her hand when he looked up and over to him. Raph stood motionless in the doorway.

"Hello, Raphael." Jack swallowed to him. "Did Tom tell you...about-"

"Yeah, he told us. I know about the operation."

"Did he tell you we lost her during surgery?" Raph inched closer and looked to Jack with jaw tightened. "The doctors revived her but now, it's only the machines that are keeping her heart pumping. She's too weak to work the muscle on her own." He watched him cover his eyes briefly with one hand. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't apologize, Jack. It's not your fault."

"What is there to life when you're not with the one you love?" Jack mumbled, caressing her limp hand. "When I was attacked by those wolves, I thought I was dead to the world. But God gave me a second chance and I lived! I live, but with the curse of the werewolf beast inside of me, the same as Casey. I feared Kate wouldn't accept me for what I had become. I abandoned her trust....and I abandoned my wonderful family."

"Jack, you made one mistake and there's nothing you can do to change that."

"Raphael, I love my wife. I never wanted to see any harm come to her. The worst I could ever have done was never confess to my problems. And now, she'll never know how much she means to me. The doctors have said it, Nicole said it, and yes, her own brother admitted the truth. In her idle state, Kate only has minutes left..."

Raphael didn't argue with him. A machine to keep her alive was his final acceptance of letting her go, one that he wanted so too much to deny to the fullest. Both looked down to her. Raph hated the way her eyes stared in one direction without moving. The heart monitor beeped ever so slowly. Jack was right, everyone was right, but Raph didn't want to hear it out loud. Kate was going to die.

"I... Jack, if you don't mind, I'd like to have a minute with her alone. Please."

Jack was a little taken back by that request but hearing from Nicole how the two became very close friends, he agreed to it without hesitation. "Sure, Raphael." He kissed her lightly on the cheek before walking out into the hall and closing the door behind him.

"Hey, Kate?" Raphael walked closer, picking up her hand. It was cold and clammy. "Kate?" He read the monitor. Her heart was still pumping but he was getting no response. "Shit, Kate. If this were a mime contest, you'd definitely beat me!" Raph laughed, bowed his head over her chest, and spilt his tears down the front of her gown. "Goddamn it, it's so fucking unfair! You were so strong with me this morning. You were talking for God's sake!" He looked up again. Frozen image. "Kate?! Please, just answer me. Squeeze my hand, come on..." Raph gave it a hard squeeze. "Babe, please....all I need is a response. One small response is all I ask of you." Nothing. Raph bent over again, throwing his arm and head across her chest. She was breathing that wheeze he remembered her doing earlier.

Kate whispered something with her lips hardly moving. Raph looked up with his tear-stricken face, sniffling.

"I know I barely got to know you, but shit, you're quite a woman!" He calmly caressed her cheek. "For what it was worth, I will always treasure the moment's we shared together."

Kate inhaled deeply and breathed out with a lifted, faint smile. She squeezed his hand softly as the breath died down to nothing. Closing her eyes off of him, the smile remained on her face as she slowly drifted away.

Raphael leaned in and kissed her lips tenderly. Suddenly the lights cranked up to full blast upon her. Raphael turned and stepped out of the room to catch Jack standing there clutching a clipboard and pen, tears in his eyes. He did it. He signed the paper. A doctor took the clipboard away and proceeded to do as what was told. Eyes fixed forward again, Raph overheard the machines shutting down and Jack repeating his final words over and over of 'I love you' to her. The final sound he heard made him briefly close his eyes.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-

At that moment, nothing else mattered to him anymore. April and Casey had already went to cry in each other's arms while Tom and Nicole had left to meet up with Jack. He was all by himself to mourn the loss of her. The smells and the people were too much for him to endure. He had to get out of the hospital to clear his head of what just happened. The bench proved to be a savior for his weak state as he sat down to watch the people go by him. The old, the young, the tall, the short, the fat, and even the slim...it didn't matter. Everyone was going to die someday. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But for Kate Russell, it was today.

"Good-bye, Kate." Raphael muttered to no one in front of him. "I'll never forget you."

An hour had passed since they left. It was almost going on 10 p.m. Donatello stretched back in his chair when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. It was getting later and he too started to feel tired after sitting up at the computer for quite awhile. He had no idea when the others would return but when they did, either Raphael would seem his typical self or he'll start throwing a fit over losing a woman he started to fall in love with. Don hoped he would be in a deep sleep if that happened. Same as April and Lark, he thought she was a nice girl from the short time they spent together and hearing she was dying saddened him deeply.

For the late evening, he decided to check around the house before turning in for the night. On the top floor, the rooms were all silent; he assumed everyone that stayed home had gone to bed. From the staircase railing, he could see one of the lamps were still on downstairs. Leo or Mike must have left it on for when the others get back. He descended the stairs half-way and heard the phone ringing, making him run the rest of the way down.

"Hello?"

"Hi...it's me, April. I, uh...thought you guys wanted to know...about Kate...um...I'm sorry to tell you this....we lost her." She paused for a moment, the line going quiet on both ends. Donatello nodded and closed his eyes briefly.

"That's too bad, April. I thought she'd make it."

"Um, yeah. Me too...but, it was a fifty-fifty chance..."

"Are you all still there?"

"Yes, we're still here. Um, but we'll be home in awhile; you don't have to wait up for us."

"Okay, April. Tell Kate's family we're all very sorry to hear the news."

"I will."

"Hang in there."

Donatello hung up and sat gazing at the wall for awhile, swallowing and blinking. He felt a choking sensation and had to get something to drink. He stood up with wobbly legs and headed for the kitchen. Between the pouring from the pitcher to the cup is when he lost it. Softly, he let out a cry and felt a tear slide down his cheek. Why was he crying if he hardly knew her? The sorrow for her family, the pity for Raph who would need plenty of one's shoulder if he allowed it, and finally what did it was when April was crying over the phone.

A car door slammed quietly outside the front of the house, followed by boots crunching on the gravel toward the steps to the porch. Donatello walked out of the kitchen to see a shadowy silhouette standing near one of the windows, trying to look in. Knocking was heard next.

"Hello? Anyone home?"

Don recognized the voice and went to unlock the door and slide the chain away. He opened it up to see her tear-streaked face.

"Hey. What are you-"

"Don...." Lark fell into his arms, sobbing on his shoulder. "I didn't know where else to go." She mumbled. "I had to see you. April called me and...oh, it's Kate, Don. She's-"

"Yeah, I know." Don pulled her back to look her in the face. "I got the call, too. Come on in, have a seat." He guided her in to the couch and closed the door behind her. Lark sat down and held herself, continuing to sniffle, sob, and wipe her eyes. "Man, do you fly low? She just called here. When did she call you?"

"Not that long ago. When I heard the news, I came over as fast as I could. It's just not fair!" Lark squeezed her arms and shook her head. "I hardly knew her, but I still feel awful!"

"Hey, it's okay." Donatello put an arm around her. "I hardly knew her either. We both kind of met her at a weird time. I was duped up on drugs while you were playing a mad scientist. I wouldn't be surprised if Kate labeled us as weirdoes when she first saw us." Lark chuckled a little through her sobs.

"With a job like I had, I thought I was the weirdo more than you."

"No, I was. Always will be. Heh. But, hey, Kate thought Raph was a great guy so you know she would have opened up to all of us just the same."

"Yeah...if she had lived..." Lark started to cry again and Don groaned. Maybe she shouldn't have said that, because he too started to get emotional all over again.

"Please, stop." He told her softly. "Please, don't cry anymore." Lark ignored him and cried harder. She couldn't help it but he didn't want to cry just after stopping. As a last resort, he leaned in and kissed her lightly on the cheek. It did what he intended. She stopped her crying but now, she blinked and gave him the weirdest look.

"Uh..."

"Sorry, I don't know what came over me." Lark continued to stare at him. He stared back with a little uncertainty. Was she going to slap him, scream, run away, or all of the above? That's the typical multiple choice of answers that went through his mind. Instead, she leaned in and kissed him back in a more passionate manner. Donatello closed his eyes when her lips pressed against his.

Suddenly, he wasn't in the living room. He felt lighter than air, drifting high in the clouds and skies above. Cloud nine, seventh heaven, one of those places sounded about right. Lark reached and placed a hand to his cheek, drawing him closer to her female persuasions and rising hormones. He put his other arm around her and continued to suck on a long-lasting smooch. The feeling both scared and pleased him at the same time while Lark, on the other hand, was completely satisfied. It may have kept going if they weren't so rudely interrupted within the next few seconds-

"Don?" Lark and Donatello heard Leo's voice and quickly pulled away to sit on opposite sides of the couch just as he came trampling down the stairs. "Don-"

"Leo?" Donatello stood up, wiping his mouth and taking in a heavy sigh. "What's up?" Leonardo paused to look to Lark, then to Don, then back to Lark. One eyebrow went up.

"I was about to ask you that. But then again, I think I know the answer. Uh...I came down to ask you something....else...um..." Leo crossed the room, glancing to the phone sitting there. "Oh. I heard the phone ringing upstairs. Has April called?"

"Um, yeah, she already called here not that long ago. Not to check in but, to uh..." Don looked up to him sadly. "Tell us the news....about Kate."

"Uh, oh. She...didn't make it, did she?" Don look down and Lark hug herself. "Oh, man." Leo looked to the phone, then back to them, letting out a groan. "April told me eariler that she had a gut feeling and....I did, too. But of course, we hoped for the best."

"We always hope, Leo." Don did a slight roll to the eyes. "Though, it doesn't seem to do a damn thing for us."

"You know..." Leonardo sat down in his favorite rocking chair, the one that prevents him from hitting the floor instead. "I've decided not to keep track of everything bad that happens to us anymore. I thought the evening was going to end on good terms. But then the news about Kate came up..." He groaned again. "I swear, Don. If it's not one thing, it's something else."

"Yeah." Don looked to Lark whom sat and watched the two quietly. "I don't know what to do or say when Raph gets home. He's going to be so hard to deal with since he knew her the most. And then there's the grievance of her family. Wow."

Leo agreed. "Yes. I feel sorry for what Kate's family must be going through right now. I mean, this is something that not only happened to us, but to them as well. That's a real shame she didn't make it. An awful shame." Donatello nodded to him in silence. The extra company in the room finally came back to Leo and he frowned to Lark. "Um....who're you?"

"Oh, sorry. I'm Lark Hanson." Lark stood up and went to him. Leo's eyes widened as the name registered in his brain. Yes, that's the one Don was talking about...incessantly. Lark noticed his face and thought he was upset with her. "Oh...I know I just showed up unannounced. My manners must suck royally right about now, huh?"

"No." Leonardo softened his eyes and lifted a very small smile to her. "Well, under the circumstances, it shouldn't make a difference. My manners aren't very top notch either." He stood and extended his hand to her as he gracefully does for any introduction. "I'm Leonardo."

"Hi, Leonardo." Lark took his hand and shook it. "Don's told me a lot about you."

"Heh, he did? I hope he told you the good parts." That brought a smile to her face. "It's a pity we had to meet at a bad time as this, Lark. I mean, with the news of Kate passing away-"

"Oh, it's okay. I don't mind. Not at all." Lark shrugged and stepped away. Leo looked to her, then to Don back and forth. Lark felt uncomfortable with that stare. "What?"

"Nothing. I'm just...nothing." Leonardo stood, glanced to the to the stairs, the safety retreat, then back to Don one more time. "Don, let me know when April gets home. I'll be upstairs. Lark..." He turned to her. "It was nice meeting you." Leo smiled as he headed toward the stairs.

"He knows something." Lark said.

"Hmm...it seems that way. But, he wouldn't have come down here for no reason. I guess he sensed it."

"Ohh, I hope he didn't see us. It would be a hard thing to deny." Lark looked to Don shamefully.

"We shouldn't deny it." Donatello approached her and put his hands on her shoulders. "If we really meant it."

"I know. I just...worry."

"Yeah, like....what if Leo never came downstairs? How far would it have gone?"

"Uhm..." Lark glanced down to his hands, swallowing with a hint of guilt. "Good question. Um...one I don't think I want to know the answer to-"

"Me neither." Donatello removed his hands and stepped away. "Maybe you should go, then, before the others get back, you know-"

"Yeah, good idea. Yeah...mm hm...." Lark looked up to him again, biting her lip. "Walk me to my car-"

"Absolutely." The two walked out to the cold night breezes and paused near the driver's side of her SUV. Nice, car, Donatello thought to himself. He gave a quick glance back to the house, then to her. "So, how'd you escape your family?"

"I told them I needed to go for a drive by myself." Lark leaned in closer. "After Mom and I left the Laundromat, I took one of those shirts out of the basket and placed it in my car. I'm going to take it all nice and clean to the station the first thing tomorrow morning. Before everyone wakes up."

"Good." He placed a hand on her chin. "If anyone deserves the same treatment you got, it's him."

"Please, come with me, Don." She picked up his hand. "I don't want to go alone."

"Um..." Donatello looked back to the house again, wondering if any of them were watching the two. "I'm not fully sure what our plans are for tomorrow. We're supposed to be leaving for New York Saturday morning."

"Oh, I see. Well, I was hoping you could visit a little more before I went back to school on Monday." Lark put her hands on his shoulders. "Only three days till it's back to the books."

Donatello sighed and shrugged. "All right. I can ask April if I can stay behind a little longer. We've stayed alone at the farm house before."

"But you won't be alone." She smiled coyly. Don couldn't help but smile back. "Look, I don't have to have an answer right away. I'll just give you a call tomorrow morning, okay?"

"Okay." Don reached over and Lark gave him a kiss on the cheek, embracing him next. "Will you be all right getting home?"

"Yeah." She sighed. "I will. I'll just leave you with this..." Lark pulled away and smiled, leaning in again to kiss him on the lips. Don wrapped his arms around her and the two suddenly felt themselves getting much warmer. Hotter, even. Don spun his body around to face the house to make sure once more no one was looking at them through a window or from the screen door. Lark also looked around. "Hope I don't get you in trouble."

"Really." He whispered. "But, I can take the heat. In fact, I'm taking it right now. Does it feel warmer to you or is it just me getting hot flashes in my young age?"

"No..." Lark pulled back and fanned her neck. "You're not the only one seeing red...I'd better go before things get real steamy."

That made Don smirk as he watched her climb into her vehicle. "We're so bad, Lark. I don't even want to think what your parents would say about all this."

"What they don't know won't hurt them. Bye, Donatello."

Lark blew him a kiss and closed the door behind her. Don backed away and watched her pull out with a quick wave. Busted big time, the never-ending lecture from Splinter or his brothers. The quiet ones always get the worst reprimanding of who to love, who to leave, who's right for them, who'd make their life a living hell and so on. Don hated being told what to do and if this relationship with Lark was starting to spark, then damn it, let the sparks fly! But, now, to go back inside and deal with any suspicious eyes glaring at him.

Raphael sat in the window seat of the mini-van and fought back the tears as best as he could. Kate wouldn't want him to feel that way for her. He even said himself he wanted to remember the good times and treasure them always. It made him wonder of the Irish traditional funerals. They are of a happy occasion because the families celebrate the life of that person, not mourn it. If Kate was Irish, and he was invited to her funeral, he damn sure didn't want to have a good time. The first person to tell him to lighten up would get a sai shoved where the sun don't shine.

"Raph, are you okay?" April looked back to him.

"Swell." He muttered.

"I'm so sorry this happened." She started to say. "Sorry that to-"

"There was nothing that could have been done...." Raph snapped in a surprisingly gentle tone. "...to save her from the inevitable. Just...let it go already."

"Oh, Jack wanted to see you tomorrow, Casey." April turned to her husband. "While him and Tom were out in town today, he came across something you might be interested in."

"What's that?" Casey asked.

"I don't know. He didn't tell me. Whatever it is, he says it's very important."

Raphael tuned out their conversation and thought back to when Kate and him were both at the warehouse. Sitting together, sharing the same cigarette, talking about dumb things...and then something happened and he found himself in her arms, her lips resting over his. It was magic that held him close, a bond so strong, he could feel the tingle of his skin as it shivered under all his layers of clothing.

"Why?" He whispered to his dark reflection in the window. "Why did she have to die?"

The scenery gave no explanation. Only the quietness of the blackened woods and the humming of the engine was all he got back in response. Raphael continued to stare at his reflection, his eyes matching exactly, his mouth closed tight. Then, his mouth moved without him doing it.

"Raph...." Raph blinked to his mouth. The reflection repeated. "Raph-"

"Whoa, shit!!" Raph unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up near the sliding door. April and Casey looked to him strangely as he groaned to them. "Uh, I'm just lettin' you know, I'm very sober and I don't use drugs! Got it?" The two glanced to each other, wondering what made him say that or caused him to bolt.

"Whatever." Casey looked in the rear-view mirror.

Raphael shook his head before resuming his seat, this time fastening the seatbelt more closer to the isle and away from the window. He looked to it anyway, his reflection repeating the same look he gave. She wasn't going to haunt him. He feared he'd never be the same if she did that. Before closing his eyes to surrender to sleep, Raph took one last look to the window at himself, only now seeing her pale, ghostly face looking inward to him.

"Remember me, Raphael." Her words spoke within his head. "Remember...."

"Shhit...." He muttered under breath. How can I possibly forget with you doing this to me? The image faded and Raph collapsed on the seat. April looked back to him with a sigh. He must have been emotionally exhausted. She too, felt it coming on and was soon asleep in her own chair. Casey, on the other hand, had to stay awake to drive the two, including him, back home.

"Some vacation." Casey grumbled to his own reflection. It grumbled right back at him.

It was long after midnight when the three walked in to an empty, quiet house. The only lamp on was in the living room near the couch. The rest of the house was in pitch darkness. April tapped Raphael's shoulders as he slowly removed his heavy coat; the other two starting to do the same. It was so late now, none could begin to talk, cry, or do anything for the moment. Sleep was what called them. Raphael headed for his room as April looked to Casey and pointed to Shadow's room.

"I'll go check on her real quick." Casey nodded and entered their bedroom, doing what he does best. Collapsing face-down on the bed. Ahh, felt good to rest.

During the night hours, some slept just fine with no bad dreams or no awakenings to any weird noises. While others, on the other hand, tossed and turned. He finally couldn't stay in bed anymore. He had to get up to get some air...and maybe a little excercise. Raphael walked around in the dark house, the shadows following him with every step. Adorned in full battle gear but lacking winter clothes, he stepped outside and headed for the barn. The punching bag was mocking him when he entered the area. Raph sneered at it, elbowing it lightly.

"Hey...I've got a question for you, fatso..." The bag swayed silently as Raph spun around it. "When death comes knocking at your door, do you welcome it inside?" At that, he began pounding onto the punching bag, kicking and twirling up and down on it. "No! You kick the living shit out of it's sorry ass and then throw it's fucking carcass out...*kick* in *kick* to *kick* the *kick* snow!" Gritting his teeth, he jumped and made one final kick at the defenseless bag, knocking it clear off the chain into a dark corner of the barn. The bag rolled and seeped out it's contents all over the dirt and hay.

Panting and wheezing, Raph look skyward to hear a clap of thunder. He turned to the hayloft and climbed up to the top, stepping out the large window and up toward the roof. Snow started to fall down in a heavy sheet upon the tired and mournful warrior. Raph reached the very tip of the barn near the weathervane and stood upright, inhaling deeply.

"Death came knocking." He whispered. "And she welcomed him in without a fighting chance." The snow started to sting his bare skin but he ignored it. "Stupid bitch...you didn't even try! You gave up on yourself! You gave up on me! Stupid whore, I hate you!" There was another clap of thunder accompanied with lightning. Raphael slumped down and straddled the roof, releasing a soft moan. "I...I could have loved you, goddamn it....I could have, so God help me. I...want to see you...let me see you. One more time. Let me see you just once more and then I'll let go. Please-"

"Raph!" Raph blinked to attention and gazed down to the ground to see Leonardo standing there with eyes wide. Aww, what did HE want? "Raph, come down from there, now!"

"What for?!" Raph yelled back. In one flash of lightning, he saw Leo was gone. "Hey!" Raph stood up, scanning the ground. "Leo, where'd you go?!" Turning around, his body slammed into something hard and black. Raph gasped and stared up at it. "What the hell-" The figure reached down and lifted him up by the shell. "Hey, what the fuck are you?!"

"Knock....knock..."

"Yaaaah!"

"Hyeeeeaaah!" The sound of a katana sliced into the dark figure from behind, causing the figure to drop Raphael with a thud. Screeching in pain, it turned to face a new threat standing there. Leonardo gritted his teeth and gripped one of his trusty swords. The figure took out it's weapon of choice, a sythe, and swiped it at him. Leo stepped back to dodge the hit. "Ehhhh...."

"Leo!" The figure turned back to Raph whom slid a leg out to trip it. "Grrrrah!" Both heard an unholy growl emerge from the dark shrouds as it became airborne and lifted itself off the roof, looking from one to the other. Leo stepped closer to Raph with his sword still prepared. "What is it? What the fuck is it?"

"I don't know, Raph." Leo mumbled, staring at the figure. "But it would have killed you."

"Raphael." The figure suddenly said in a feminine voice. "Raph, please. Come to me."

"It's Kate!" Raph went to jump off the roof but Leo stopped him.

"No, it's not Kate! Stop! Don't-"

"Raphael." The figure weeped. "I need you."

"Like hell you do!" Leo sliced the air with his katana, the figure hissing at him. "Get away from us!" Another lightning bolt danced across the sky and the two could clearly see it's face.

"Holy Christ!" Raph mumbled to Leo. "It's death, or some form of it. Shit, I should have known!"

"What do you want from us?" Leo demanded with his sword up and ready.

"Wait, Leo! Never-"

"Diiiiie!" The figure swiped it's weapon at them. Leo and Raph ducked and fell backwards, sliding down the slippery side of the snow-covered, roof. At the edge, the two clasped onto the storm drain and hung to it for dear life. "Haaaaa...." The figure swooped down and beside them. The gutter started to crack and snap from their weight.

"It's not that far to the ground." Leo said in a growl. "The snow...will break our fall..."

"Leo, you should never ask death what it wants!" Raph gasped at him.

"Why not?!" A snapping sound was heard and they both fell to the ground with a shout and landed in a white puff. Lucky for them the snow was soft. The two made a deep imprint in the snow but were unharmed. Raph finished his sentence huffing and puffing.

"Because the answer is always the same." The figure circled above them in a screeching, cackling voice. Raph looked up to it, not amused. "Ah, fuck off you loser!" The figure stopped, cocked it's head to one side and zoomed away into the dark clouds. Raph and Leo blinked at one another for a few seconds. "Um, what just happened?"

"I...." Leonardo sat up in a daze, rubbing his head. "I think we were spared, Raph. This time." Raph sat up next, also rubbing his head. "Are you all right?"

"All right?! I was almost killed by death and you have the gall to ask me if I'm all right?!"

"I'll take that as a no." Leo stood up and straightened with a crack sound. "So, why were you out here-"

"I have my reasons." He snapped.

"Which are-"

"None of your goddamn business!" Raphael started to walk to the front of the barn with Leo following. "Look, I don't want to talk about it, okay? Especially not with you."

"We heard what happened to her." Raph stopped and stood still. Leo circled around to face him. "April called from the hospital." Leo waited for him to speak but he was too busy staring at the snow-covered ground. "Raph, I know you're missing her, that's understandable. I never even got to meet her but I am aware of what a great person she was to you."

"Does this discussion have a point or are you just rambling again?" Raph looked back to him with annoyance.

"My point is..." Leo sighed. "You have to accept what's happened and let it go."

"Why? What if I don't want to accept it?" Raph glared to Leo hatefully. "What if I don't want to let it go?!"

"You have to! You can't go on like this!" Leo pointed with gritted teeth. "There's nothing you can do to change what's been done. You have to accept it and move on with your life."

Raph started to walk, pause, and then...respond. "Look, I know I have to accept it but I don't need to hear it from you! I don't need to hear it from anyone! Just leave me the hell alone!"

Leonardo watched him run off back to the house, leaving him to stand alone in the snow. "You're welcome..."

By now he was soaked from head to toe. Damn thing to...where was his sword? The katana he held while battling the black figure had disappeared somewhere; perhaps when they fell from the barn roof. Leo returned to the spot they landed and found it pierced downward, the pointed end stuck in a large patch of snow. There were no traces of blood on it but he knew he gave that thing a good swipe. Maybe it was their damn good and even vivid imagination playing tricks on them.

"I know you hate listening to me." He mumbled to himself. "And it's not just the listening part either." Leo retrieved the sword and gripped the hilt tightly, returning to the house with a feeling of exhaustion and remorse. Raphael would soon get over it, and then there'll be something else that will come up and then the vicious cycle will start all over again. Can't wait for that.

In the morning comes a new day. And with a new day comes a whole new chapter.

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