The next day, Rita carefully monitored any activity going on in and around the building.
Donny looked at the screen. "Everything's quiet."
"For now." said Rita.
"Listen Rita, they aren't gonna do anything in the daytime. They can't. They need to conceal themselves in darkness like we do." said Donny.
Rita sighed heavily and turned away from the computer. "I guess you're right. Its just that, well, I've never dealt with something like this before. You all told me what these dragons are like; I'm scared half out of my wits now."
Donny sat in front of her and held her hand. "Don't be, its gonna be okay." he said, looking into her eyes. "We've dealt with them before, and we'll do it again. Don't worry yourself."
Rita looked into Donny's eyes; they were so deep and compassionate, she found herself feeling at ease as Donny held her hand. "Okay, I'll calm down."
"Good." smiled Donny. Then he stood up and helped Rita up. "Now let's go and continue setting up your lab."
"Okay."
Rita and Donny picked up some things needed for the lab, and headed over to where Rita's lab was to be set up.
Leo looked over at Venus who sat meditating. She was determined to find out what the dragons were planning; it gave her such an uneasy feeling not to know.
Venus then opened her eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. "Its no use, I can't get through."
"Maybe you should relax a while; you've been at it for a good while." said Leo.
"I know. I just don't want to let anything happen. I promised Chung I . . . ."
Leo held Venus as it looked like she was about to cry. "Don't cry Mei, you just need some rest, then you can try again later. I know you can do it."
Venus leaned into Leo. "Thank you." she said softly. "I hope I can."
Splinter came and sat down on the couch in the den where Pidgina spent a lot of time reading. He sighed as he sat down.
Pidgina looked up from her book. "Is something the matter?"
Splinter glanced over at her. "This problem with Dragon Lord is not something I expected to happen at all. If Donatello is right about his theory with the ooze, we are in great danger."
Pidgina looked worried. "Oh dear me, I hate danger." she looked somewhat down for a moment. "If anything happens I know I won't make it, I'm no young birdy anymore. Look, feathers are coming out and everything." she said some feathers fell from her wing. "And if I don't make it, who will take care of Rita, and Corina, and Shelly? They may be smart, but they don't know everything about life yet. Who will protect them?"
"I have similar worries about my sons, and my daughters. Leonardo is very well skilled in ninjitsu, as are the others, but their young recklessness causes things to happen sometimes. Who will scold Raphael for riding his loud motorcycle? Who will break up the arguments? Who will comfort young Ashton and teach her how to cope with life when she feels so alienated from everyone else?" Splinter then looked down. "So much to teach them, so little time."
Pidgina sighed. "We do what we can Splinter." she said patting his hand. "And then, we hope for the best."
Splinter sighed and nodded in agreement. "Do what we can." he repeated quietly.
Raph and Cori walked down a sewer corridor on their way to the sparring area.
"You've been doin good these past few times, I'll admit. But this time, you're goin down." said Raph.
"Stop talkin that cheap crap Raph; you've been saying that for the past couple of weeks. Get off yourself." said Cori.
As they walked along, they saw Ashton coming from the opposite direction. "Hey you two." she said, looking like she was holding back laughter.
"Hey Ash, what's the smile about?" asked Raph.
"Kodak moment up ahead." said Ashton, pointing back to where she came from. She then kept on walking.
Raph and Cori looked at each other, then shrugged. As they walked on, they realized what Ashton was talking about. Mikey and Shelly stood in the middle of the corridor, lips pressed against each other's.
Raph and Cori looked surprised, and somewhat amused.
"I don't think they even know we're here." said Raph.
"We'll have to fix that won't we?" grinned Cori. "Wooooo, yeah!! Go Shellster!"
Mikey and Shelly were startled out of their kiss, and turned to the two.
Raph and Cori burst out laughing.
Mikey smiled sheepishly. Shelly blushed.
"H, how long were you two there?" asked Mikey.
"Long enough." laughed Raph.
"Ashton saw you too." said Cori.
"Oh like, maybe we should go back to the lair, y'know?" suggested Shelly.
"Yeah, good idea." said Mikey. Then he took Shelly's hand, and the two walked back to the lair.
Raph and Cori's laughter died down. As they stood up straight again, they found themselves facing each other. They stared at each other for a long time before Raph turned away. "Come on, we should keep going." he said, somewhat uncomfortably.
"Yeah, good idea." said Cori as she followed him.
