A Christmas To Remember
Chapter 2: Movies and 'Tailor'
"'A Nightmare Before Christmas' . . . do I really wanna watch that? Or should I go back home to Mikey's Christmas crazy attitude? . . . Nah".
Raphael stood outside the movie theatre, gazing at the bright screen showing what was on just above the ticket booth. The only showing was 'A Nightmare Before Christmas' and it wasn't even real! Instead of going back home to his nagging brother, Raphael decided to watch the movie. He paid for his ticket - after receiving a funny look from the woman in the booth - and walked into screen 7, his trench coat wrapped tightly around him.
//
Raph leaned back in his seat at the back of the theatre. So know one would look at him strangely, he sat right in the corner on the right-hand side of the room.
Raph gazed at the people coming in, even at this time of the year it wasn't very full. An old woman walked in with her husband; a small, young girl walked in with her dad; two teenagers sat at the front; and an usher stood at the back of the room.
Raph rolled his eyes when the trailers came on. Why do they play these things when no one pays any attention to them?
Something appeared out of the corner of his eye. Raph turned his head to the entrance of the room and - despite the darkness - could see that it was a girl. But what struck Raph most was her hair.
It was long, VERY long, it flowed pass her big, baggy, blue jumper and nearly reached her knees. She wore dark, blue jeans - from what Raph could tell - and a gold choker chain sparkled around her neck. Raph eyes opened wide when he saw her eyes. Bright blue. He could even see them sparkling in the movie light.
He watched as she laughed - a laugh that showed her small dimples - at a 'Lilo and Stitch' trailer and sat at the back, on the opposite corner to him.
Raph watched as she stopped laughing and looked at him. He quickly turned his head, but could still feel her gaze on him. He turned his head back and she gave him a brief smile and turned her gaze back to the big screen.
Raph shrugged, he never liked mingling with humans, but she had just caught his eye. He shook his head, clearing all those thoughts, and watched as the lights dimmed and the movie began to start.
//
Raphael walked out of the theatre an hour and a half later. He watched as the old couple, the young girl and dad, and the teenagers walked out of the theatre.
It was completely dark now, and the streets were lit up with lights from the other buildings. Raph shoved his hands in his pockets and began to walk the two blocks home.
He glanced as he saw the girl with the long hair walked out of the theatre. She wrapped her arms around herself and started to walk down a long alleyway.
It was only two seconds later that Raph saw a teenage boy creep down the same alleyway that he decided to follow her.
He rubbed his hands over his weapons, making sure they were still there, hopefully, he wouldn't have to use them.
//
"Let go of me, Scott! I haven't got any drugs! Why would I? I don't smoke!"
Raph hid under the shadows, sliding along the walls of the thin alleyway. He could see clearly now that the boy had hold of the girl and was pinning her against the cold wall.
This Scott had a wicked looking face. His dark, black hair fell over his eyes in curtains and his handsome, but evil, face smiled.
"Well maybe we should forget the drugs and go elsewhere", by the sound of his voice, this Scott, was not a nice person, Raph thought to himself.
"Do you think I came back from India to see YOU? I came to see my aunt!"
"Where's you Dad?" asked Scott in a nasty tone.
"Not that it's any of your business; but he's still in India, he just came to see me off here".
"Aww, c'mon Tailor, let's go somewhere else".
Raph grabbed onto his weapons tightly, encase this punk did anything nasty. He watched as Tailor tried to struggle free from Scott's arms, but failed.
"I'm not going anywhere else! The only place I'm going to is my aunt's. And don't think your invited, 'cause your not!"
Raph watched as Scott snorted. "You think I wanna go anywhere near that O'Neill woman! She's a tart!"
Raph opened his eyes wide in shock. This girl, was April's niece?! But it couldn't be, could it? He felt anger burn to his fingers when he heard Scott call April a tart.
"She's not a tart! She's great! Better than you! Let go of me!" Tailor struggled out of his grasp and stumbled backwards.
Scott watched as she knocked her head against the cement wall and landed on her side on the floor, but what struck him most was that she didn't move . . . After a couple of minutes he kicked her gently, but received no sign of life. "Great, she goes and knocks herself out, well don't think I'm helping her".
Raph growled angrily as he watched Scott shove his hands in his trouser pockets and walk down the dark alleyway and round a corner. He wanted to punch this guy's lights out, but he didn't bother starting a fight because seeing April O'Neill's niece lying unconscious on the floor made him pause.
Raph kneeled down beside her and moved a layer of hair from her eyes. He looked at his watch; 8:00, damn, April wasn't back from work till 9:00. He sighed, he couldn't leave her here, and April wouldn't like it if she found out he left her niece unconscious in a dark alleyway.
Raph slid his hands beneath her and gently picked her up. For a girl who looked like a teenager, she was incredibly light. He walked down the alleyway where Scott had gone and checked round each corner. Making sure the coast was clear he held Tailor in his arms and made his way home . . .
//
"Are you crazy?"
Raph looked up from the sofa where Tailor was lying and smile slightly at Leo. "You know Leo, I have a feeling you've said that before, don't you?"
"Raph, you should have taken her to a hospital". Leo folded his arms and stood behind his brother.
Raph turned round and stared at his brother. "Oh yeah Leo, I'm just gonna waltz right up to the reception and say; 'excuse me, can you just help her? She was attacked in alleyway . . . as for the turtle look, I can explain' . . . that kind of thing Leo?"
"That's not what I meant".
"Leo you don't understand, she's -."
"A girl you picked up off the street and we have no idea where she lives or if she even belongs here".
"No she's -."
"Unconscious, I know".
"No LEO! She's April's niece!!"
Leo unfolded his arms. "Oh yeah, and you just pick her up off the street and . . . wait . . . what did you say?"
Raph sighed. "She's - April's - niece".
"But? . . . What? . . . When? . . . HOW?"
Raph smiled at his brother's shocked look. "Leo, she's April niece, I heard her say so, I had to bring her here".
Leo closed his open mouth. "Why didn't you take her to April?"
Raph rolled his eyes. "Don't you think I didn't suggest that? April's at work today, Mikey told me".
Leo frowned and looked at Tailor. "Well maybe we can get her to April before she wakes up".
Raph nodded. "Where are Donnie, Mikey and Splinter?"
"Out, they'll be back soon". Leo sat down on the floor next to his brother and looked at Tailor. April never told them she had a niece. But she was pretty, Leo thought, even if she was knocked out.
//
"Say that again, Michelangelo?", Splinter sat in his armchair gazing at the unconscious Tailor on the sofa. Raph sat on the floor opposite her, with his arms folded. Leo sat next to Raph. And Donnie and Mikey were standing up facing their Master.
Mikey smiled at Tailor then turned back to Splinter. "April told me that Tailor was planning on coming down this Christmas so they could spend some time together. Her dad was coming with her but from what Raph's told us, I guess he had plans. I don't think April knows Tailor's here, but she was expecting a letter from her".
Splinter nodded. "Well, looks like she's here in person. I suggest we put her in my room and ring April to get here, let's hope April takes her home before Tailor wakes up".
//
"SHE'S WHAT!"
"Ow, chill April", Donnie took the phone away from his ear a bit and shook his head. April was shouting all questions from everywhere down the phone. "April, April, stop! She's fine, just knocked out I think, we want you to get here before she comes to".
"Sure Donnie, be right there", April put the phone down. Tailor was here? She was supposed to be in India!
April sighed and looked out of her office window where Charles was standing, talking to an employee. I just hope he gives me some time off, she thought, I had to take some hours off yesterday to visit the guys.
//
April arrived at 8:30 sharp. She looked as though she ran because she was panting. She ran up to Donnie and rested her hands on his shoulders, the rest of the guys sitting on the floor, watching her.
"Ok . . . w-where - I-is . . . she".
"Chill April . . . breathe, she's fine, she's in Splinter's room, go on, go see her".
April smiled and patted Donnie's shoulder. "T-thanks Donnie"
//
Tailor stirred. Slowly she put a hand to her forehead and opened her eyes. Ouch, was her first thought, where am I? She looked around the candle lit room and frowned. Last thing she remembered, she was falling. Tailor shook her head and quickly regretted it. Her head banged in all places. Must have taken a nasty fall, she thought as she looked around the room, or KIDNAPPED! She gasped when the door to the small bedroom opened. Tailor tried to sit up, but immediately lay back down again. The door slowly opened and she waited . . .
"APRIL?"
"Tailor!" April rushed to her niece and hugged her tightly. "I'm so glad you're awake!" She quickly let her go. "Oh my God your awake, this is not so good".
Tailor frowned. "Gee, thanks for caring April", Tailor took one last attempt to sit up and succeeded, she slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up properly.
"Oh, no it's not that! It's -." April sighed and held her niece's hands. " - Before I ask you what you're doing here, I bet you're wondering where you are".
Tailor nodded. "Just a little".
April smiled slightly at her niece's confused attitude. "Well, I have these friends . . . there, well . . . how do I put this . . . not like you and me".
Tailor frowned. "I'm not sure I get ya April".
"Well . . . I can't explain Tailor, you're gonna have to come out and see them". April nodded at her niece; this was harder than she thought.
Tailor nodded slowly a second time. "Oook . . ."
"BUT, promise me you won't scream".
Tailor shrugged. "Ok I won't scream, can your friends give me some tablets, I have a killer headache!"
April smiled a bit, but she was still worried. "Sure, c'mon". She helped her niece get up and put an arm around her shoulder. April got her niece near the door and stopped her. "Wait here, please".
Tailor frowned but waited as she watched April walk out of the room.
//
April clicked the door softly behind her and smiled at the guys. "I'm afraid . . . she's awake".
Raph was sat on the floor and got up. "Can't we just go in our rooms while you lead her out of here?"
April frowned. "And how do I explain walking out of the sewers?"
Raph shrugged. "Dunno".
Splinter got up and put her hand on his son's shoulder. "Then, we have to tell her, let's hope, that she doesn't take this hard".
//
"Ok, tell me why I'm blind-folded again?" Tailor walked to where April was leading her.
"Because when I undo it, you're going to get a BIG surprise".
"Fine, but I really don't see the point".
"Oh, you'll see the point all right", April said under her breath when she walked into the main area of the lair.
//
The guys were all sat on the sofa, except for Leo who was standing next to his Master's armchair. Splinter smiled when April came in and April gave him a small smile back.
"Ok, Tailor, take it off".
April left go of Tailor's hands and sat down on the arm of the sofa, next to Donnie.
Tailor frowned but put her hands behind her head and removed April's scarf. She shoved her hair behind her head and opened her eyes.
First her eyes darted to April, who gave her a small nod.
Then she put her eyes on Donnie and her mouth flew open. Choking on her words. Tailor lifted a finger and pointed at Donnie.
"Oh . . ." She then pointed at Mikey. "My . . ." Then Raph. "Good . . ." Then Leo. "Well . . ." Then Splinter. "GOD!"
Tailor walked backwards and put her hands to a wall. "Oh my God! I'm DEAD! I'm well and truly dead!"
Donnie smiled slightly and nudged April. "Sound a little familiar to you?"
April gave him a small smile. "Yeah, it does".
"APRIL! You're talking to it!"
April got up and took her step toward her niece, just as Tailor took a step back. "Tailor please, calm down".
"CALM DOWN! I'm standing here facing four large turtles and a rat! And you want me to calm down? I know I'm not seeing things!!"
"Please, I know what you're feeling, I went through it too".
"You spoke to it!!"
April sighed and took a step back and sat back down next to Donnie. She put a hand on his shoulder. "It's a boy, Tailor, not an 'it', this one's Donatello: Donnie."
Donnie waved a little at Tailor and smiled. "Hi".
Tailor twisted a piece of hair around her finger. "He SPOKE to me, oh my God, ok, this is well freaky, all I wanted to do was see a movie and go to your house April, not come here! Please, take me home!"
April lifted herself up and took Tailor's hand. "Tailor please; come sit down".
Tailor glanced at the others, and then nodded. "Ok", she said in a whisper.
April smiled and let Tailor sit down on the floor, about one metre away from the guys.
Tailor put her arms around her knees and carried on twisting her hair around her fingers.
"Don't do that Tailor, you're making me nervous", April sat down on the floor next to her.
Tailor carried on twisting her hair and kept her eyes on the guys. "Sorry April, I can't help it".
"Look", April took her niece's hand. "We both know that when you're upset, or nervous, you twist your hair, now, please, listen to what Splinter has to say".
Tailor frowned. "Splinter?"
April nodded and pointed at the old rat. "Him".
Tailor turned her head back slowly to Splinter.
Splinter gave her a warm smile. "Hello, my dear child"
Tailor frowned. Did he always call girls 'child'; she shrugged and listened to what he had to say, still clutching April's hand.
Splinter smiled and nodded at her, knowing what she was thinking. "15 years ago . . ."
Tailor listened carefully. He seemed ok. But meeting a mutant rat for the first time was a little freaky. She smiled when he smiled at her and let him continue his story . . .
//
"This is Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and, as April already pointed out, Donatello".
Tailor allowed 'hi''s from each turtle and a small nod, from, Michelangelo? No that was the orange one . . . it was Raphael, she found out he was the one that saved her.
"Thank you", she whispered, putting a piece of lose hair behind her ear. Raph nodded a 'your welcome' at her and folded his arms and leaned back on the sofa.
Mikey smiled and sat down on the floor opposite Tailor. "Hi - ya"
Tailor allowed a small smile. "Hey".
Mikey stuck out his hand. "Shake?"
Tailor kept her hands on her knees and looked at April, who was now sitting in between Raph and Donnie. April smiled and nodded at her.
Tailor turned her gaze back to Mikey. He smiled sweetly at her and nodded. Tailor slowly extended her hand and put it in his. She smiled, his shake felt warm and gentle. She looked at his three fingers, but gazed back at his face. "You know", she said after a few minutes silence, "for a turtle, you're kind of cute".
Mikey smiled and went a ruby red in the cheeks. "Erm thanks".
Donnie and April laughed, along with Raph. Splinter and Leo just smiled to stop themselves from laughing at the embarrassed look on Mikey's face.
"Go, Mikey", Donnie smiled at his brother and lifted himself off the sofa. He too, extended his hand. "Hey, I'm Donnie".
Tailor smiled and shook Donnie's hand. "Tailor".
Donnie nodded and sat back down.
"Hey Tailor, I forgot to ask you, what are you doing here?"
Tailor frowned and looked at April. "I came to see you, my dad was supposed to come, but he has business, so he came to see me off".
"But, where are you staying?"
"Oh, I'm at Emma's house . . . well, I'm not staying there, but she said she'll look after my stuff, but". Tailor looked at her watch. "It'll be too late to go now, her family go out at night".
April nodded. "Don't worry, we'll sort something out, anyway, it's not like you to wear trousers and baggy jumpers, is it?"
Tailor smiled and shrugged. "It's normally so hot in India, it's so cold here so I had to bring baggy jumpers". She tugged on her jumper. "Even though I don't like wearing them".
April smiled. "You still look pretty".
Tailor blushed and smiled. "Thanks April so do you".
Donnie smiled when he realised they treat each other just like sisters. He put an arm around April's shoulder. "Yeah April, you'll always be pretty to me".
Leo and Splinter joined in the laughing this time. Even Raph laughed when April's cheeks flushed. April shrugged. "Tailor, I know I keep asking you questions, but, why were you knocked out?"
Tailor blinked, as if trying to remember. Then she turned to Raph and frowned, trying to picture him being there, Raph frowned as well but didn't say anything. Tailor turned her head back up to April. "Scott".
"What?"
"Scott, that boy I went to school with before I went to India, he's a druggie! He wanted me to give him drugs then go somewhere, I managed to struggle out of his grasp, then I fell back and . . . then I ended up here".
"Looks like you got knocked out".
Tailor looked at Leo and nodded. "Guess so . . . Leo, is it?"
Leo nodded and smiled. He walked forward and gladly shook Tailor's hand. "Nice to meet you Tailor".
Tailor smiled. "You too"
Leo let go and stood beside his Master.
Tailor looked at Splinter. "April", she said still gazing at Splinter. "I don't want to be rude but can we go?"
April nodded. "Sure".
Tailor got up and slowly walked up to Splinter. Without saying anything she put out her hand.
Splinter smiled and took Tailor's hand in his.
Tailor smiled a little. She felt she could trust him. Maybe they weren't so bad after all. "Thank you, for what you've done, I hope I can see you again".
Splinter nodded. "Feel free to come and visit, it was no trouble at all".
Tailor nodded back at him. "I promise I won't tell anyone".
"I have a feeling . . ." Splinter began. ". . . That we can trust you".
//
Tailor sat in April's van 5 minutes later. She saw April sharing a few words with Leo. Tailor watched as April hugged him. When she left she didn't hug any of them, it still felt a bit weird, but maybe she would get used to it. She frowned slightly, that Raphael, or Raph, didn't say much, either he was shy, which seemed hardly possible, or he didn't like humans that much, but she couldn't blame him; if she lived down in the sewers for 15 years without any contact with humans she wouldn't trust them either. Tailor leaned back against her seat. Man what a day, she thought, and to think it all started by taking a trip to the movies.
Chapter 2: Movies and 'Tailor'
"'A Nightmare Before Christmas' . . . do I really wanna watch that? Or should I go back home to Mikey's Christmas crazy attitude? . . . Nah".
Raphael stood outside the movie theatre, gazing at the bright screen showing what was on just above the ticket booth. The only showing was 'A Nightmare Before Christmas' and it wasn't even real! Instead of going back home to his nagging brother, Raphael decided to watch the movie. He paid for his ticket - after receiving a funny look from the woman in the booth - and walked into screen 7, his trench coat wrapped tightly around him.
//
Raph leaned back in his seat at the back of the theatre. So know one would look at him strangely, he sat right in the corner on the right-hand side of the room.
Raph gazed at the people coming in, even at this time of the year it wasn't very full. An old woman walked in with her husband; a small, young girl walked in with her dad; two teenagers sat at the front; and an usher stood at the back of the room.
Raph rolled his eyes when the trailers came on. Why do they play these things when no one pays any attention to them?
Something appeared out of the corner of his eye. Raph turned his head to the entrance of the room and - despite the darkness - could see that it was a girl. But what struck Raph most was her hair.
It was long, VERY long, it flowed pass her big, baggy, blue jumper and nearly reached her knees. She wore dark, blue jeans - from what Raph could tell - and a gold choker chain sparkled around her neck. Raph eyes opened wide when he saw her eyes. Bright blue. He could even see them sparkling in the movie light.
He watched as she laughed - a laugh that showed her small dimples - at a 'Lilo and Stitch' trailer and sat at the back, on the opposite corner to him.
Raph watched as she stopped laughing and looked at him. He quickly turned his head, but could still feel her gaze on him. He turned his head back and she gave him a brief smile and turned her gaze back to the big screen.
Raph shrugged, he never liked mingling with humans, but she had just caught his eye. He shook his head, clearing all those thoughts, and watched as the lights dimmed and the movie began to start.
//
Raphael walked out of the theatre an hour and a half later. He watched as the old couple, the young girl and dad, and the teenagers walked out of the theatre.
It was completely dark now, and the streets were lit up with lights from the other buildings. Raph shoved his hands in his pockets and began to walk the two blocks home.
He glanced as he saw the girl with the long hair walked out of the theatre. She wrapped her arms around herself and started to walk down a long alleyway.
It was only two seconds later that Raph saw a teenage boy creep down the same alleyway that he decided to follow her.
He rubbed his hands over his weapons, making sure they were still there, hopefully, he wouldn't have to use them.
//
"Let go of me, Scott! I haven't got any drugs! Why would I? I don't smoke!"
Raph hid under the shadows, sliding along the walls of the thin alleyway. He could see clearly now that the boy had hold of the girl and was pinning her against the cold wall.
This Scott had a wicked looking face. His dark, black hair fell over his eyes in curtains and his handsome, but evil, face smiled.
"Well maybe we should forget the drugs and go elsewhere", by the sound of his voice, this Scott, was not a nice person, Raph thought to himself.
"Do you think I came back from India to see YOU? I came to see my aunt!"
"Where's you Dad?" asked Scott in a nasty tone.
"Not that it's any of your business; but he's still in India, he just came to see me off here".
"Aww, c'mon Tailor, let's go somewhere else".
Raph grabbed onto his weapons tightly, encase this punk did anything nasty. He watched as Tailor tried to struggle free from Scott's arms, but failed.
"I'm not going anywhere else! The only place I'm going to is my aunt's. And don't think your invited, 'cause your not!"
Raph watched as Scott snorted. "You think I wanna go anywhere near that O'Neill woman! She's a tart!"
Raph opened his eyes wide in shock. This girl, was April's niece?! But it couldn't be, could it? He felt anger burn to his fingers when he heard Scott call April a tart.
"She's not a tart! She's great! Better than you! Let go of me!" Tailor struggled out of his grasp and stumbled backwards.
Scott watched as she knocked her head against the cement wall and landed on her side on the floor, but what struck him most was that she didn't move . . . After a couple of minutes he kicked her gently, but received no sign of life. "Great, she goes and knocks herself out, well don't think I'm helping her".
Raph growled angrily as he watched Scott shove his hands in his trouser pockets and walk down the dark alleyway and round a corner. He wanted to punch this guy's lights out, but he didn't bother starting a fight because seeing April O'Neill's niece lying unconscious on the floor made him pause.
Raph kneeled down beside her and moved a layer of hair from her eyes. He looked at his watch; 8:00, damn, April wasn't back from work till 9:00. He sighed, he couldn't leave her here, and April wouldn't like it if she found out he left her niece unconscious in a dark alleyway.
Raph slid his hands beneath her and gently picked her up. For a girl who looked like a teenager, she was incredibly light. He walked down the alleyway where Scott had gone and checked round each corner. Making sure the coast was clear he held Tailor in his arms and made his way home . . .
//
"Are you crazy?"
Raph looked up from the sofa where Tailor was lying and smile slightly at Leo. "You know Leo, I have a feeling you've said that before, don't you?"
"Raph, you should have taken her to a hospital". Leo folded his arms and stood behind his brother.
Raph turned round and stared at his brother. "Oh yeah Leo, I'm just gonna waltz right up to the reception and say; 'excuse me, can you just help her? She was attacked in alleyway . . . as for the turtle look, I can explain' . . . that kind of thing Leo?"
"That's not what I meant".
"Leo you don't understand, she's -."
"A girl you picked up off the street and we have no idea where she lives or if she even belongs here".
"No she's -."
"Unconscious, I know".
"No LEO! She's April's niece!!"
Leo unfolded his arms. "Oh yeah, and you just pick her up off the street and . . . wait . . . what did you say?"
Raph sighed. "She's - April's - niece".
"But? . . . What? . . . When? . . . HOW?"
Raph smiled at his brother's shocked look. "Leo, she's April niece, I heard her say so, I had to bring her here".
Leo closed his open mouth. "Why didn't you take her to April?"
Raph rolled his eyes. "Don't you think I didn't suggest that? April's at work today, Mikey told me".
Leo frowned and looked at Tailor. "Well maybe we can get her to April before she wakes up".
Raph nodded. "Where are Donnie, Mikey and Splinter?"
"Out, they'll be back soon". Leo sat down on the floor next to his brother and looked at Tailor. April never told them she had a niece. But she was pretty, Leo thought, even if she was knocked out.
//
"Say that again, Michelangelo?", Splinter sat in his armchair gazing at the unconscious Tailor on the sofa. Raph sat on the floor opposite her, with his arms folded. Leo sat next to Raph. And Donnie and Mikey were standing up facing their Master.
Mikey smiled at Tailor then turned back to Splinter. "April told me that Tailor was planning on coming down this Christmas so they could spend some time together. Her dad was coming with her but from what Raph's told us, I guess he had plans. I don't think April knows Tailor's here, but she was expecting a letter from her".
Splinter nodded. "Well, looks like she's here in person. I suggest we put her in my room and ring April to get here, let's hope April takes her home before Tailor wakes up".
//
"SHE'S WHAT!"
"Ow, chill April", Donnie took the phone away from his ear a bit and shook his head. April was shouting all questions from everywhere down the phone. "April, April, stop! She's fine, just knocked out I think, we want you to get here before she comes to".
"Sure Donnie, be right there", April put the phone down. Tailor was here? She was supposed to be in India!
April sighed and looked out of her office window where Charles was standing, talking to an employee. I just hope he gives me some time off, she thought, I had to take some hours off yesterday to visit the guys.
//
April arrived at 8:30 sharp. She looked as though she ran because she was panting. She ran up to Donnie and rested her hands on his shoulders, the rest of the guys sitting on the floor, watching her.
"Ok . . . w-where - I-is . . . she".
"Chill April . . . breathe, she's fine, she's in Splinter's room, go on, go see her".
April smiled and patted Donnie's shoulder. "T-thanks Donnie"
//
Tailor stirred. Slowly she put a hand to her forehead and opened her eyes. Ouch, was her first thought, where am I? She looked around the candle lit room and frowned. Last thing she remembered, she was falling. Tailor shook her head and quickly regretted it. Her head banged in all places. Must have taken a nasty fall, she thought as she looked around the room, or KIDNAPPED! She gasped when the door to the small bedroom opened. Tailor tried to sit up, but immediately lay back down again. The door slowly opened and she waited . . .
"APRIL?"
"Tailor!" April rushed to her niece and hugged her tightly. "I'm so glad you're awake!" She quickly let her go. "Oh my God your awake, this is not so good".
Tailor frowned. "Gee, thanks for caring April", Tailor took one last attempt to sit up and succeeded, she slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up properly.
"Oh, no it's not that! It's -." April sighed and held her niece's hands. " - Before I ask you what you're doing here, I bet you're wondering where you are".
Tailor nodded. "Just a little".
April smiled slightly at her niece's confused attitude. "Well, I have these friends . . . there, well . . . how do I put this . . . not like you and me".
Tailor frowned. "I'm not sure I get ya April".
"Well . . . I can't explain Tailor, you're gonna have to come out and see them". April nodded at her niece; this was harder than she thought.
Tailor nodded slowly a second time. "Oook . . ."
"BUT, promise me you won't scream".
Tailor shrugged. "Ok I won't scream, can your friends give me some tablets, I have a killer headache!"
April smiled a bit, but she was still worried. "Sure, c'mon". She helped her niece get up and put an arm around her shoulder. April got her niece near the door and stopped her. "Wait here, please".
Tailor frowned but waited as she watched April walk out of the room.
//
April clicked the door softly behind her and smiled at the guys. "I'm afraid . . . she's awake".
Raph was sat on the floor and got up. "Can't we just go in our rooms while you lead her out of here?"
April frowned. "And how do I explain walking out of the sewers?"
Raph shrugged. "Dunno".
Splinter got up and put her hand on his son's shoulder. "Then, we have to tell her, let's hope, that she doesn't take this hard".
//
"Ok, tell me why I'm blind-folded again?" Tailor walked to where April was leading her.
"Because when I undo it, you're going to get a BIG surprise".
"Fine, but I really don't see the point".
"Oh, you'll see the point all right", April said under her breath when she walked into the main area of the lair.
//
The guys were all sat on the sofa, except for Leo who was standing next to his Master's armchair. Splinter smiled when April came in and April gave him a small smile back.
"Ok, Tailor, take it off".
April left go of Tailor's hands and sat down on the arm of the sofa, next to Donnie.
Tailor frowned but put her hands behind her head and removed April's scarf. She shoved her hair behind her head and opened her eyes.
First her eyes darted to April, who gave her a small nod.
Then she put her eyes on Donnie and her mouth flew open. Choking on her words. Tailor lifted a finger and pointed at Donnie.
"Oh . . ." She then pointed at Mikey. "My . . ." Then Raph. "Good . . ." Then Leo. "Well . . ." Then Splinter. "GOD!"
Tailor walked backwards and put her hands to a wall. "Oh my God! I'm DEAD! I'm well and truly dead!"
Donnie smiled slightly and nudged April. "Sound a little familiar to you?"
April gave him a small smile. "Yeah, it does".
"APRIL! You're talking to it!"
April got up and took her step toward her niece, just as Tailor took a step back. "Tailor please, calm down".
"CALM DOWN! I'm standing here facing four large turtles and a rat! And you want me to calm down? I know I'm not seeing things!!"
"Please, I know what you're feeling, I went through it too".
"You spoke to it!!"
April sighed and took a step back and sat back down next to Donnie. She put a hand on his shoulder. "It's a boy, Tailor, not an 'it', this one's Donatello: Donnie."
Donnie waved a little at Tailor and smiled. "Hi".
Tailor twisted a piece of hair around her finger. "He SPOKE to me, oh my God, ok, this is well freaky, all I wanted to do was see a movie and go to your house April, not come here! Please, take me home!"
April lifted herself up and took Tailor's hand. "Tailor please; come sit down".
Tailor glanced at the others, and then nodded. "Ok", she said in a whisper.
April smiled and let Tailor sit down on the floor, about one metre away from the guys.
Tailor put her arms around her knees and carried on twisting her hair around her fingers.
"Don't do that Tailor, you're making me nervous", April sat down on the floor next to her.
Tailor carried on twisting her hair and kept her eyes on the guys. "Sorry April, I can't help it".
"Look", April took her niece's hand. "We both know that when you're upset, or nervous, you twist your hair, now, please, listen to what Splinter has to say".
Tailor frowned. "Splinter?"
April nodded and pointed at the old rat. "Him".
Tailor turned her head back slowly to Splinter.
Splinter gave her a warm smile. "Hello, my dear child"
Tailor frowned. Did he always call girls 'child'; she shrugged and listened to what he had to say, still clutching April's hand.
Splinter smiled and nodded at her, knowing what she was thinking. "15 years ago . . ."
Tailor listened carefully. He seemed ok. But meeting a mutant rat for the first time was a little freaky. She smiled when he smiled at her and let him continue his story . . .
//
"This is Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and, as April already pointed out, Donatello".
Tailor allowed 'hi''s from each turtle and a small nod, from, Michelangelo? No that was the orange one . . . it was Raphael, she found out he was the one that saved her.
"Thank you", she whispered, putting a piece of lose hair behind her ear. Raph nodded a 'your welcome' at her and folded his arms and leaned back on the sofa.
Mikey smiled and sat down on the floor opposite Tailor. "Hi - ya"
Tailor allowed a small smile. "Hey".
Mikey stuck out his hand. "Shake?"
Tailor kept her hands on her knees and looked at April, who was now sitting in between Raph and Donnie. April smiled and nodded at her.
Tailor turned her gaze back to Mikey. He smiled sweetly at her and nodded. Tailor slowly extended her hand and put it in his. She smiled, his shake felt warm and gentle. She looked at his three fingers, but gazed back at his face. "You know", she said after a few minutes silence, "for a turtle, you're kind of cute".
Mikey smiled and went a ruby red in the cheeks. "Erm thanks".
Donnie and April laughed, along with Raph. Splinter and Leo just smiled to stop themselves from laughing at the embarrassed look on Mikey's face.
"Go, Mikey", Donnie smiled at his brother and lifted himself off the sofa. He too, extended his hand. "Hey, I'm Donnie".
Tailor smiled and shook Donnie's hand. "Tailor".
Donnie nodded and sat back down.
"Hey Tailor, I forgot to ask you, what are you doing here?"
Tailor frowned and looked at April. "I came to see you, my dad was supposed to come, but he has business, so he came to see me off".
"But, where are you staying?"
"Oh, I'm at Emma's house . . . well, I'm not staying there, but she said she'll look after my stuff, but". Tailor looked at her watch. "It'll be too late to go now, her family go out at night".
April nodded. "Don't worry, we'll sort something out, anyway, it's not like you to wear trousers and baggy jumpers, is it?"
Tailor smiled and shrugged. "It's normally so hot in India, it's so cold here so I had to bring baggy jumpers". She tugged on her jumper. "Even though I don't like wearing them".
April smiled. "You still look pretty".
Tailor blushed and smiled. "Thanks April so do you".
Donnie smiled when he realised they treat each other just like sisters. He put an arm around April's shoulder. "Yeah April, you'll always be pretty to me".
Leo and Splinter joined in the laughing this time. Even Raph laughed when April's cheeks flushed. April shrugged. "Tailor, I know I keep asking you questions, but, why were you knocked out?"
Tailor blinked, as if trying to remember. Then she turned to Raph and frowned, trying to picture him being there, Raph frowned as well but didn't say anything. Tailor turned her head back up to April. "Scott".
"What?"
"Scott, that boy I went to school with before I went to India, he's a druggie! He wanted me to give him drugs then go somewhere, I managed to struggle out of his grasp, then I fell back and . . . then I ended up here".
"Looks like you got knocked out".
Tailor looked at Leo and nodded. "Guess so . . . Leo, is it?"
Leo nodded and smiled. He walked forward and gladly shook Tailor's hand. "Nice to meet you Tailor".
Tailor smiled. "You too"
Leo let go and stood beside his Master.
Tailor looked at Splinter. "April", she said still gazing at Splinter. "I don't want to be rude but can we go?"
April nodded. "Sure".
Tailor got up and slowly walked up to Splinter. Without saying anything she put out her hand.
Splinter smiled and took Tailor's hand in his.
Tailor smiled a little. She felt she could trust him. Maybe they weren't so bad after all. "Thank you, for what you've done, I hope I can see you again".
Splinter nodded. "Feel free to come and visit, it was no trouble at all".
Tailor nodded back at him. "I promise I won't tell anyone".
"I have a feeling . . ." Splinter began. ". . . That we can trust you".
//
Tailor sat in April's van 5 minutes later. She saw April sharing a few words with Leo. Tailor watched as April hugged him. When she left she didn't hug any of them, it still felt a bit weird, but maybe she would get used to it. She frowned slightly, that Raphael, or Raph, didn't say much, either he was shy, which seemed hardly possible, or he didn't like humans that much, but she couldn't blame him; if she lived down in the sewers for 15 years without any contact with humans she wouldn't trust them either. Tailor leaned back against her seat. Man what a day, she thought, and to think it all started by taking a trip to the movies.