CHAPTER FOUR

Michaelangelo was showing Naomi around their den, " This is the training room," he announced throwing the door open and she peered inside.
" I used to do some black belt," Naomi recalled.
" Are you still doing it?"
" No…I quit because work took up most of my time," Naomi paused, " I was on the yellow belt."
" If you want, I could teach you," Mike suggested.
" That'd be great. I need to defend myself in case I run into Garland again."
" Naomi, we really need to know why he's after you," Mike reminded her, " We've told you all about us, now its your turn,"
" You know why I can't tell you Mike," Naomi protested, " I'd like to…but its too risky."
" We can take care of ourselves." Mike reassured her, " Believe me this Garland is nobody compared to our previous foes."
" I'll think about it," Naomi sighed, " But now, I have to get going. It's nearly ten pm."
" Okay," Mike agreed and they went back into the living room.
" Thanks Raphael and Mike for saving me," she paused, " Again."
" It's been a pleasure meeting you," Leo replied and the others echoed their sentiments. Don jumped up from his computer.
" I'll walk you back," he offered, " You'll get lost in the sewers." Once they were gone, Leo turned to Raph.
" Can we trust her?" he asked.
" I don't know," Raph admitted, " But I hope she can trust us."

* * *

" Thanks Donatello, I can walk home from here," Naomi said as she and Don climbed up out of the sewers.
Don glanced into the darkness apprehensively. Knowing Garland was still out there, it wasn't safe for Naomi to be out at night.
" I'd feel better if I walked you to your apartment," he said. Naomi shrugged and they walked a few blocks to Terrace Way. They stopped at an old, federation building.
" Do you want to come in?" Naomi offered.
" No thanks, its kinda late," Don said, " But I hope you'll visit us soon."
" I will," Naomi leaned over and gave Don an impulsive hug, " Thanks again. You guys are my life-savers." Don waited until she was safely inside the building. He could still feel her arms around him and his heart was beating faster than usual. He walked away and the image of Naomi stayed in his mind.

The following morning, Naomi walked into the library and Sarah nearly pounced on her, " Where've you been?" Sarah demanded, " I called about five times last night until I gave up."
" I was kind of tired so I went to bed early,"
Sarah frowned, " it must have been early because I started calling around six pm and stopped about nine,"
" Well, I went out before then, came home around eight and went to bed," Naomi started putting the returned library books onto the trolley.
" Why do I get the feeling you're hiding something?"
" You're paranoid?" Naomi suggested.
Sarah shook her head, " No, because I'm your best friend and I can usually tell when you're keeping something from me. Come on out with it. Did you end up finding your knight in shining amour?"
Calling sarcastic Raphael her knight in shining amour was laughable, " I might as well tell you," Naomi said with a defeated sigh.
" I knew you were lying," Sarah's green eyes glinted with triumph, " Who is he?"
" I found him in that pub…the Red Door? We introduced ourselves and I found out he's basically a jerk and developed a big head since the night he saved me. Thinks I owed him a favor," she paused, " if you get my drift."
" He wanted you to sleep with him just because he saved you? He really is a jerk!" Sarah's eyes went wide with disbelief, " I hope you told him off."
" Big time. I told him I never wanted to see him again and that I can take care of myself." Naomi hated lying to Sarah, but she had no choice. Sarah wasn't very good at keeping secrets; she can be a blabbermouth and a gossip.
" What a disappointment," Sarah commented.
" You said it. Now that I've told you, can we not talk about it from now on?"
" Sure," Sarah agreed and the door opened and a crowd of customers entered the library. Sarah went to help one while Naomi sat at the Issues desk. She was busy stamping a book when she looked up and caught a glimpse of a familiar trench-coat man disappearing behind a bookshelf. She got up and hurried over.
" Hey," she whispered. The turtle was browsing and turned. It was Donatello.
" Hi," he greeted her, " It's a nice library."
" Thanks," she paused, " Why are you here?"
" Me and the guys want to know if you'd like to have dinner with us,"
" It's a nice offer…" she trailed off uncertain. The less interaction she had with the turtles, the better off everyone would be.
" C'mon," he cajoled, " Mike does most of the cooking and he's a great cook."
" Well…all right," Naomi agreed, " I can't say no to a home cooked meal."
Don didn't want to leave the library just yet, " So…how old are you?"
" An ancient twenty-three," Naomi said, " I don't mean to rude, but-" she gestured to the Issues desk where a line was forming. Sarah was busy helping a customer.
" Aren't there any other staff besides you and that red-head?"
" Two others…we don't need more than four. It's a small library," Naomi explained, " What time do you want me for dinner?"
" Around six," Don headed for the door, " Bye,"
" See you," Naomi watched the turtle leave. Tonight should be interesting, she'll get to know the turtles better. She hoped they wouldn't ask any more questions about who she really is.