PART ONE
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
CHAPTER ONE
FAME
Danger: Okay so for those of you who did NOT see that frustrated review yet, I must explain. LOL I do not know a DAMN thing about html and it was sss979's great idea for me to post this. *growl* And SINCE that chapter needed special formatting, I couldn't just save it as an html file, I actually had to put the formatting IN there. Twice I tried, twice I failed, and now S has fixed it so HOPEFULLY it should be readable now!! *growls low at computer*
Sss979: *snickers quietly so as not to get beaned with the nearest readily available object*
He strolled through the front door at half-past midnight, looking as if he didn't have a care in the world. "Where have you been?" Leonardo demanded. "Sensei was worried about you."
"Takin' a bath, Leo. Want some?"
Raphael swung at his brother with a blood-drenched hand and Leo jumped back. "Arg! Will you go wash that off before you stain the rug?"
Raph smiled on his way to the bathroom. "Yeah, Leo, I'm fine," he retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "No, really, I am. Of course this isn't my blood, I've just been out enjoying the night air."
Leo glared at him as he turned away, offering no explanation. Arms crossed over his chest, he watched his rebellious brother walk into the bathroom, and heard the water spray into the sink. Finally, he sighed and followed him, leaning against the doorframe as Raphael washed the blood from his hands and arms. His weapons dripped red as well. "Looks like whatever they did to you, you hit them back twice as hard," Leo mumbled, disgusted.
"Not quite," Raph answered. "Which isn't to say I didn't try."
"Obviously."
Raphael shut the faucet off and flicked water at Leo. He recoiled reflexively. When he looked back, Raph was studying a cut on his forearm. It was still pouring blood. For a moment, he was concerned. "You need me to stitch that?"
"Nah, it's not deep," Raphael mumbled, clapping his hand over the wound. He looked up and smiled. "Good morning, Leo."
"What happened to you?"
"Me?" Raphael laughed, pushing past Leo and rummaging through the cabinet, looking for the first aid kit. "Casey got himself shot. He's in the hospital right now." He sat down on the sink and rummaged through the box beside him until he found an ACE bandage.
"You don't sound too worried," Leo observed.
Raph shrugged. "Hey, he did it to himself. And it's not like he's dying. Just not too comfortable at the moment."
Leo watched him struggle with the wrap for a few moments before taking it from him. Raph held out his arm and let his brother wrap it. "What happened?"
"Casey and I've been watching this drug ring for the past three weeks. Wanted to take it down in one shot, you know?" He cringed as Leo turned his arm none-too-gently and fastened the bandage. "Tonight was the night, 'cept there ended up being about three times as many guys as we were expecting."
"And you still attacked?" Leo sighed. "You could've asked for some help you know. There would've been another opportunity."
"Yeah, tell that to Casey," he mumbled. Their eyes met. "For once, I didn't start this one."
Leo wasn't entirely sure he believed that, but he wasn't going to argue with him. "Raphael." They both spun and saw Master Splinter standing a few feet behind them. "What has happened?"
Raphael sighed. "Drug ring. We got in over our heads."
"Who else are you referring to?" Splinter questioned.
"Casey. He got shot, but he should be okay. He's in the hospital."
Splinter studied him for a moment. He said nothing as he turned and walked away. Leo shot one more tired look at his brother, and headed toward his room. Raphael watched them go, then breathed a sigh of relief. Well, that wasn't too bad. Of course, showing up wounded always seemed to lessen the lecturing.
He turned and looked in the mirror. He looked like hell. Didn't feel too good, either. But he wasn't going to be sleeping anytime soon. He could still feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Besides, the night was young. It was only 12:30.
He rinsed off his weapons and considered flipping on the TV to see if the bust had been big enough to make breaking news. But he'd seen enough blood for one night, and he wasn't really interested. He'd find out tomorrow how many millions of dollars in cocaine they pulled in. Probably a more interesting statistic would be how many rounds of bullets he'd managed to dodge. What a workout. They'd barely gotten out in one piece, and at least a dozen of the dealers got away. Another three dozen were in a lot of pain by the time the cops showed up, and five of them were dead. There was no getting around that, when there were so many of them.
Raphael shoved his weapons onto his belt. Leo and Splinter had already gone to bed. That meant that if he went out again, they wouldn't be waiting for him when he came back. That had its advantages, although technically it was considered sneaking out. Oh well. It wasn't like he'd never done it before. He walked to the phone and quickly dialed the first number that came to mind.
"Hey Brandon, you home?" he asked the answering machine. "Pick up the damn phone, you dick; I know you're awake."
There was a loud scratching sound as the phone was answered. "Yeah, I'm here."
"You screening your calls again?"
"Rachel's been calling every fifteen minutes. Driving me nuts."
Raphael smiled. Brandon and Rachel had just broken up, and it wasn't pretty. "Hey, you busy?" Raph questioned.
"Bored as hell. Hey, you haven't seen my car yet!" he suddenly remembered, excited.
"Oh, so you finally got it huh?"
"It is sweet as hell. You wanna take it out for a spin?"
"Sure."
"Come on over then."
"'K. Later."
Raphael hung up the phone. He'd met Brandon two months ago, right after he'd broken up with Jessica, at a bar. From the first time they'd talked, it was all about this black Corvette that Brandon would sell his soul for. A week ago, he'd announced that he'd begged and pleaded enough to convince his parents to buy it for him. Raph just shook his head in disbelief. How much money did his parents have to shell out that kind of money because their son had a crush on a car? Not that he was complaining.
He paused in the living room to make sure no one was watching him, then walked to his bedroom. He opened the door and shut it again in case anyone was still awake and listening, then tiptoed to the door. Without a sound, he slipped out of the lair and into the long, damp tunnel.
***
"I'm gonna be home a little late tonight, honey."
Those words were getting to be a regular occurance for Matthew Richardson. He'd never expected this, when he'd worked himself to the bone in bio-medical school. He had to get that degree, had to get that career. He had to make that one discovery that would put his name in the books. It was the fame even more than the money that had driven him. It was never supposed to be like this.
His team had been working for the past three years to perfect this vaccine. And they were no closer to pinpointing it. It wasn't really needed yet. But someday it would be used to combat a lab-grown disease in the event of biological warfare. Few people knew of the experiments. Fewer still knew of their success. But it would do them no good if they couldn't perfect this damn vaccine.
He sighed as he rested his head in his hands. He was through logging the day's progress, though there was little to report. The string that they thought for sure would work had left them with another dead dog and nothing to show for it. Maybe this wasn't where he should be. Maybe he should've pursued basketball, like his college coach had said. But no, he wanted to prove that he had the brains to make a discovery that would change the way the human population thought. Foolish. Twenty years later, he was right where he'd started.
Out of nowhere, he suddenly felt a prick against the back of his neck. He jerked involuntarily, and leaned forward. The sharp object, whatever it was, followed him. "Dr. Matthew Richardson," a cold, emotionless voice said from behind him.
Dr. Richardson felt a chill run down his spine. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice shaky. "How did you get in here?" He knew this building was heavily guarded.
The voice didn't answer him. He could feel the tip or a dagger or a sword maybe, pressed against his skin, and he dared not move. "What do you want?" he demanded, thinking maybe that question would be more readily answered.
A low, evil laugh came as a reply. "To make you famous."
***
"Hey lookit this," Brandon pointed. Raph looked. Alongside their car was a red Mustang convertible. Even more interesting than the car were the girls in it. The driver had long dark hair pulled up into a high ponytail. She was wearing a leather jacket, and a low cut top. Her passenger was a blonde with crimped hair and long legs that were up in the open window.
"Cute," Raph grinned.
"Very."
Brandon honked the horn. Raphael didn't have a whole lot of time to react, so he did the first thing he thought of. He hid, sliding down into the seat. Damn it! Sometimes Brandon just did not think!
"Hey baby!" Brandon called. "Got a name?"
Raphael could hear them giggle, and Brandon revved the engine. He stole a quick glance and saw the blonde sit up, dropping her legs in front of her. She was wearing a strapless shirt, cut straight across just above her breasts. Raphael's eyes were glued instantly.
"Lisa," the driver called back. Raphael glanced up at the light. It was still green for the other way.
Brandon laughed quietly. "Your place or mine?" he asked.
Lisa giggled again. "Gotta catch me first, stud!"
She turned back and watched the light. Brandon laughed as she revved the engine. "Well, she's game," he mumbled. "Are you?"
Raphael sighed. "Brandon, when're you gonna get it through that thick skulla yers that I ain't even human. I can't do shit like this."
"What, you sayin' you wouldn't do that cute little blonde she's got over there?" Brandon challenged.
Raphael glared at him. "You got a..."
The light changed and tires squealed. Raphael gripped the armrest as they lurched forward. He could hear the transmission shift as Brandon floored the gas. "Holy shit!" he cried. "You tryin' to get us killed?"
Brandon's mind was on other things. He watched the road, dodging cars as the needle on the speedometer climbed steadily. "We pass a cop and you're done for," Raphael warned.
"Relax, man," Brandon laughed. "Sit back and enjoy the ride."
Raphael grinned evilly. "Hey, we get pulled over and you're the one who's gonna be in deep shit, not me."
"You think so?" Brandon challenged.
Raphael smiled knowingly, but didn't bother to argue. He knew damn well that he could be out of this car and halfway to the lair in ten seconds flat. They'd never find him.
Brandon swerved right behind Lisa's car and flashed his bright lights. A sign flew by, and Raphael caught a glimpse of the blur. The speed limit was forty. They were bordering seventy miles per hour. The light up ahead was yellow. He closed his eyes. Shit, he was going to die if anyone found out about this. If not sooner.
Lisa slammed the brakes and squealed to a stop. Raphael was glad he was wearing a seatbelt or he would've kissed the dashboard. "Not bad," Lisa called.
"Not bad youself."
Raphael looked the other way as they talked some more, and braced as he saw the light turn yellow for the other direction. As they pulled away, they swerved in front of Lisa's car and Brandon hit the brakes. He turned into his subdivision and she followed. Once they were off the busy road, he slowed and came to a complete stop in the middle of the road. She flashed her bright lights, and he burned rubber as he pulled away. She followed close behind.
A moment later, he pulled into his driveway. She stopped in front of the house, but didn't get out of the car. He shut off the ignition and walked over to her, grinning smugly. "So now that you caught me, what're you gonna do with me?" she cooed.
Brandon grinned. "Oh, I could think of a few things."
Raphael sat alone in the car, weighing his options. He didn't like this. Not that he had any problem with a fling, but these girls weren't drunk and that seriously cut the chances that anything was going to happen. They were way out in the suburbs, and Raphael would have a hell of a time getting back on his own. Being green also affected his ability to hitchhike. Damn it, why was Brandon always forgetting this?
"Hey."
The blonde was leaning on the windowsill of the driver's side. Through the windshield, Raphael could see Brandon and Lisa kissing. That man wasn't going anywhere until he got off. And that meant Raph was going to have to find another way home. This was such a bad idea.
"You got a name?"
Raph stole a glance at the blonde. He could see straight down her top, and she wasn't wearing a bra. In spite of himself, he could feel his body reacting. "Raphael," he answered. "You?"
She gave a quiet, sexy laugh. "You can call me anything you want."
Raph sighed and looked away again. The blonde opened the door and slipped into the driver's seat. "So are you the quiet, shy type?" she guessed.
Raphael smiled to himself. Quiet and shy. That was the first time in his life he'd ever heard that question. "Not exactly," he replied. The conversation was loosening him up, and he fought to keep his defenses up. This wasn't going to end well, and he knew it.
"You wanna come in?" she asked him seductively. "Or would you prefer to stay in the car?"
He considered that for a moment. The car was dark. Maybe he could... Shit, who was he fooling? How the hell to you hide a shell? He couldn't even kiss her without her noticing the difference. Her fingers ran over his arm, through the jacket. He sighed. "Look, baby, you don't wanna do this."
"Why not?" she breathed, leaning on his arm. She nuzzled against him and kissed the side of his face. She still hadn't noticed.
"Because I'm not exactly..."
She noticed. He wasn't sure what had told her, but she jerked away from him and stared with wide eyes. He looked away. "My god, what are you?" she cried. "Some kind of freak?"
He clenched his jaw and yanked the doorhandle. He stood and slammed the door as he walked away from the car. "Hey Raph, where you goin'?" Brandon called.
"Where the fuck do you think I'm goin'?" he yelled back. "No reason for me to be here."
Brandon watched him go as Lisa nipped at his ear. Then he turned and smiled at her.
***
"Where you been?"
Raphael glared at his brother. "What, were you waiting up for me?" he demanded.
Michaelangelo shook his head. "No. Rei had a nightmare and it woke me up. Can't get back to sleep. You alright?"
Raph flopped down in the chair next to the couch. "Fine," he growled.
"You look pissed."
Raphael's eyes slid closed. "I just jogged fifteen miles in a trenchcoat, Mikey. Am I supposed to be happy?"
Mike grinned. "You shoulda called. I would've come picked you up."
"Not worth the risk of Leo possibly answering the damn phone."
Mikey turned his attention back to the movie for a moment. He'd seen it before, and it wasn't particularly good the first time. It was even worse the second, but he was bored and it was four in the morning and he needed something to do. For a long time, Raph was quiet. "Hey, Mike?"
"Yeah?"
"Let me ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?"
Michaelangelo thought about that for a minute. "What do you mean?"
"I mean anything," Raph pressed.
"Like, something I've done?" Mike asked. "Or something I am?"
"Something you are."
He considered that thought for a long time. "I don't know," he finally answered. "I don't really think I'd change anything. Now if you'd asked me that five years ago..."
Raphael looked away. Why was he not surprised? His brother watched him. "This about a girl?"
Raph shook his head. "It's about life," he sighed. "A society that we watch from the outside looking in, and we'll never be a part of."
Mike glanced back at the TV, although he wasn't really interested it in anymore. Raphael was in one of his famous moods and he didn't figure there was anything he could do about it. He sighed. "Raph, it's not like you can't ever leave the lair," he offered. "I mean, pardon me for saying so, but you do pretty damn well for a mutant turtle among a crowd of humans."
"Yeah," Raph mumbled. "But costumes aren't always part of the plan."
Mike fell silent. He knew better than to get into this conversation. The last time he'd tried, he almost got his ass kicked. Not worth it. The fact of the matter was, Raphael would never be happy with a long term girlfriend that knew about him and accepted him. He wanted the one night stands. Unfortunately, he was a mutant turtle. And that made it a little hard.
Raphael sighed as he stood up. "I'm goin' to bed," he mumbled.
"Night, Raph."
Mike looked up just as his brother was about to walk out of the room. "Hey Raph?"
"Yeah?"
They stared at each other for a moment. "What would you change?"
Raphael hesitated. "I think you already know the answer to that."
"What if it meant you had to leave your family behind?"
There was a long pause as Raphael thought about that. He wasn't sure how to answer, so he didn't. He turned away, shut the door, and went to bed.
***
The phone rang at two in the morning. Adam Travinski reached blindly, knocking things off the bedside table as he fumbled for the receiver. "H'lo," he mumbled, his mind still fuzzy.
"Adam, it's Dr. Richardson."
Why the hell was his boss calling him at two in the morning? "Wha'da wan'?" he slurred.
"I need to you get down to the lab. I have something you've gotta see."
He sounded more enthusiastic than Adam ever remembered him being in the years that they had worked together. He forced himself to wake up, and opened his eyes. "What'd you find, doc?" he muttered. "You get the vaccine?"
"No, even better. I think we may soon have the opportunity to study an entirely new species."
That got his attention. "What kind of species?" he asked, sitting up. "Plant? Animal?"
"Well, it's an animal but... I'm not quite sure what to categorize it as after that."
"What do you mean?"
"It's like it's part... oh, never mind. Get down here now. Hurry up."
The phone went dead and Adam stared at it for a moment before replacing it. Then he slipped out of bed and got dressed.
He arrived at the lab in record time. His other collegues were already there. The four of them had spent every waking hour recently working on the vaccine that would save the world. They'd put in more overtime in the past month than they normally did in a year. To Adam and Raymond, the youngest of the group, it was damn good money without a lot of sacrifice.
Raymond Alex was only 27, and the decision to include him in their research had been heavily debated. He didn't have the level of experience that they did. But he was dedicated, and he had no family. He worked overtime without complaints, much like Adam who was divorced. Patricia Callihan complained a little more than either of them, especially when her fiancee decidede to throw a hissy fit over her crazy hours. She was the least willing to put in the overtime. But her intelligence was absolutely necessary to the project. After all, it was her formula that had convinced the government to fund this project. Dr. Matthew Richardson was in charge, and the father of three. He hated being away from his family, but had given his life to his work. He put in the most hours out of the four of them, by far.
"What is it?" Travinski asked.
"Take a look at this," Richardson urged.
Travinski took the Polaroid photo from his hands, and stared at it for a moment. What he saw confused him. "What is it?" he questioned.
"I'm not entirely sure," Richardson answered.
"It's some kind of human/turtle... crossbreed maybe," Callihan suggested, brushing her fingertips over a second photo. "My god..."
There were two of them in the picture, on a sofa. One was hiding his face from the camera and the other was glaring at it. "Are you sure it's real?" Alex questioned. "I mean... it could be a costume. Or computer generated."
"It is not a costume."
The unfamiliar voice nearly gave them all a heart attack. They spun and looked to the window. A dark figure sat on the windowsill. "Who're you?" Travinski questioned.
"You do not need to know my name," the shadow answered.
"I got the photos from him," Richardson explained.
"And where did you get them?" Callihan demanded of the guest.
He glared at her. "That is not your concern. If you cannot take me at my word, I will take my information and my help elsewhere."
"What kind of help?" Travinski asked. "Are these things still alive?"
The shadow nodded. "And I can help you to capture them. Alive."
"You can bring one of them to us?" Alex asked eagerly.
"No," Richardson protested. They all looked to him. "We should study them in their habitat first," he explained. "To see how they interact. If this is truly a new species, there is much to be learned before we take any action."
The shadow considered their words for a moment. "If you can provide me with equipment, I am sure I could place it for you."
They looked at each other. "Equipment like cameras?" Travinski questioned.
"Yes. And microphones. I am quite sure they would not suspect anything. Their habitat is well hidden and they have no reason to think they would be discovered."
Richardson nodded. "Then it is settled. I will put in a request immediately, and have this cleared with the board in the morning."