UNINVITED GUEST

December 25, 1995

Okay, okay, I know... I should've posted this sooner. You all reviewed and you DESERVED another chapter a hell of a lot more quickly than I got this one out. Sorry sorry sorry... lol Life happened and it wasn't fun. But I'm back on track and posting again. We have one more post after this (Could probably make it into two, but I don't wanna torture all of you because I'm nice.) Anyhow, enjoy and please review.

MICHAELANGELO:

"Where is Leonardo?" Master Splinter asked as he stepped out of the dojo.

I glanced at Donatello, then back at Sensei. "I'm not sure," I answered. "Is he still asleep?"

"It is not like Leonardo to sleep so late," Splinter observed.

"Well, he was out kinda late last night," Donny mumbled. "He still wasn't home when I went to bed and that was almost eleven."

"He's with Anna."

We all turned to see Raphael. "He spent the night with her?" I questioned, not sure I believed that.

"I don't know where he spent the night, but I'd be willing to bet that's where he is now."

Raphael's voice was cold and emotionless. A worried look crossed Splinter's face before he turned and walked out of the room. Raph watched him go, then turned and walked into the kitchen. I glanced once more at the rerun on TV, and followed him.

I stopped in the doorway. He sighed as he turned to me, then pulled the fridge open and stared inside. "You talked to him last night, didn't you?" I assumed.

"So?" Raph shot. "I talk to him every day. Didn't know I needed to report to you first."

"I heard him come home."

"What's your point, Mike?" he demanded, throwing the door closed. He seemed disinterested.

I leaned against the doorframe. "Is he okay?"

"Well, it would've been kinda hard to talk to him if he wasn't all in one piece."

"No, I mean..." I started. He pushed past me before I had a chance to finish. "Raph, come on," I called after him. He stopped, but didn't turn around. "What'd I miss? You're pissed off and Leo's playing hookie from practice, now something is up."

He was still for a minute, then he turned around. "I'm not pissed off," he informed me. "I've just got a lot on my mind right now. And if you wanna know what's up with Leo, you'll have to ask him."

Without another word, he turned around.

ANNA:

I awoke slowly and rubbed my eyes as I sat up. I was in bed, still in my robe, but I wasn't entirely sure how I'd gotten here. Fuzzy memories came back to me slowly. Leo was here last night. He'd carried me to bed when I'd practically fallen asleep in his lap. I wondered if he was still here.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and glanced at the clock. It was almost noon. I rubbed away a slight headache and opened my bedroom door. "Leonardo?"

The apartment was empty. There was no sign of him. I yawned and walked to the bathroom, where I splashed a handful of cold water on my face. I shouldn't have slept this late. "Miss Anna!"

A little girl was pounding on my front door. I dried my face and retied my robe on the way to the door. It was Kristie. "Miss Anna, did you say Jenny could have Starburst for breakfast?"

I glanced at the clock, still half-asleep and not totally comprehending the words. "Little late for breakfast, isn't it?" I asked, stepping back to allow her into the room.

"Did you just wake up, Miss Anna?"Kristie laughed.

I ruffled her hair. "Yeah, Miss Anna was up late last night."

"Doin' what?"

"Talking to a friend."

"Was it Mikey?"

"No, honey, it was Leo."

"Oh," she grinned.

"What's that look for?" I laughed giving her a slight shove.

She giggled. "You like Leo, don't you Miss Anna?" she smirked.

"Of course I like him," I answered seriously. "He's a very nice person. And he saved my life besides."

"Yeah, but you got a crush on him!" she laughed.

I'd had a feeling that was what she was getting at. I smiled. "Comere you!" I cried, lunging at her. She shrieked as I caught her around the waist and dug my fingers into her sides.

We stumbled around my living room for a few minutes before I finally let her go. "So what'd you guys talk about?" she asked, plopping down on the sofa.

"Good question."

I spun, startled by the unfamiliar voice. Michaelangelo was crouched in my windowsill. Kristie jumped up. "Mikey!"

He smiled at her briefly, and dropped to the floor as she threw her arms around his waist. But his gaze quickly returned to me. "What did you guys talk about?"

For a moment, I wondered how long he'd been there. But I realized it probably wasn't important. If my girls could tell I was in love with Leo, it would be no surprise to Michaelangelo. "Why?" I asked. "What's wrong?"

"He missed practice this morning," Mike informed. "Raph said he might be here."

I shook my head. "He was here last night but I don't know where he went this morning."

Mike studied me carefully. "Is he okay, Anna?" he asked, his voice more serious than I'd ever heard it. "It's not like Leo to stay out all night. And Splinter's worried."

Splinter. The name brought a wave of memories rushing back to me, all at once. I had thought Leo would be eager to talk to him first thing this morning. I wondered where he'd gone to if not home. "Anna?"

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. "No, I... don't know where he went."

"Perhaps I could help you find him!" came a dark voice from the window. I spun again and saw a man with his face half-covered and a metal helmet on his head. He had spiked metal gauntlets, and a dark purple outfit. "I could certainly give him some incentive to show himself."

I could feel the tension as Michaelangelo stepped in front of me and Kristie. "Shredder," he growled.