Author's Note:  Well, everyone, here's the next chapter!  Word of warning here that things are gonna start to get pretty intense after this, so watch out.  *evil grin*  Thanks for your reviews, too!  Hope you all enjoy this!  (Oh, and Splinter…you can tell Donny to put away his wallpapering videos now.  Hee hee.)

*Chapter Eight*

Michaelangelo:

Ouch...  What the hell?

 I was cramped.  My legs and neck were both bent at an odd angle, and it took me a moment to move them.  Where was I?  Obviously I wasn't in bed.  Or in Shannon's bed, for that matter.  I gave a short yawn and rubbed my eyes, blinking them several times as I became accustomed to my surroundings.  I was on Shannon's couch, on my back with my face to the wall.  I closed my eyes again and breathed a few times, letting alertness come to me, before turning to the open room.  Bright sunlight filtered through the window panes and caught the millions of tiny dust particles in its yellow-gray light.

I felt warmth at my feet and looked down.  Shannon was curled up in a ball at the opposite end of the couch.  In her sleep, her left hand had found its way over to me, and it rested lightly on my shin.  The tie holding the robe closed had come loose through the night, and I could see a hint of her soft breasts, rising and falling as she breathed.  I smiled at her, and attempted to stretch.  Falling asleep on the couch had seemed like a good thing to do at the time, after her confessions from last night, but my muscles were stiff from the lack of breathing space.

Something else brushed against me.  My eyes reluctantly turned away from Shannon's face and wandered to my side.  I smiled as I saw Mufasa the cat curled up in a ball beside me.  Had he been there all night?  Somehow I doubted that, and guessed that I probably hadn't noticed him before because I had been so lost in my own thoughts, and in Shannon.

She moaned softly and snuggled her face into her arms, crossed beneath her head.  I smiled again, and pulled my legs away from her slowly, careful not to wake her or the cat.  I slid to the floor and crawled over to her face, considering the thought of waking her.  I glanced at the clock.  Still early.  I didn't have to wake her yet.

 I smiled as I used my free hand to push some loose strands of her dark brown hair gently behind her ear.  God, she was so beautiful.  I loved everything about her.  I traced my finger along the rim of her ear and down her jaw, then brushed it over her lips.  I wanted to kiss her, but I knew that would wake her up.  Let her sleep a few more minutes.

I rested my hand lightly upon her cheek, trembling slightly as the warmth from her face radiated to me.  I loved the feel of her skin, the heat from her body.  She moaned softly, and in her sleep, nuzzled against my hand.  The smile slowly fell from my face as I considered all of the words that were said last night.

Her confessions.

I was still trying to decide how I felt about what she'd told me.  No, I wasn't really suspicious of her.  And it didn't make me love her any less.  Hell, I didn't think anything could make me love her any less.  There was no doubt in my mind concerning how much I cared for her.  Instead, I found myself wondering how much she really loved me.  How could she have not told me sooner, if she was seeing someone else?

She wouldn't have told you at all if she didn't love you, I reminded myself.

That was true, and it offered me some comfort.  She was honest with me, even when she didn't have to be.  I wouldn't have even known if she'd broken up with him quietly, although I was sure I would've eventually figured it out if she'd kept a relationship going with him.  But if she was calling it off anyway, why bother to tell me?  Why make a confession like that.  Maybe it was for no other reason than to say she was sorry, which she did over and over.  And I believed her.  I knew she was sorry.

I sighed as I rolled back on my heels, then sat down cross-legged beside the couch, watching her.  If I could've painted or sketched or written a freakin' sonnet to express what I felt for her, I would have done it.  But all I could do was watch her and wait patiently for her to awaken.  I wasn't artistic, although I could remember Splinter at one point praising a narrative piece I did.

Splinter.  I'd told him he could meet her.  Maybe it was time to set that meeting up.  She had asked a lot of questions about my family, and I knew she wanted to meet them, even though she wouldn't come out and ask me if she could.  I got the impression that her last boyfriend was real secretive about his home life.  But I didn't mind.  I'd told her everything she'd asked, and I figured I'd better tell her the truth, too, since she'd inevitably meet them.  When Splinter requested an introduction, he had surprised and elated me at the same time.  That made it immensely easier to bring her down if I knew she would be accepted.

And Splinter wasn't the only one who wanted to meet her.  Leo was getting more and more persistent, wanting to know where I had been disappearing to lately.  I knew better than to tell him I was seeing somebody and leave it at that.  That might be fine with Raph, but Leo was too suspicious.  And for that matter, I knew Raph was interested in who I'd managed to get laid with.  Don had a right to know, too, when I was slacking off on chores that he usually covered for me.  I owed him a few favors... more than I could count.

It was easy to determine that I should take her down.  But how to go about doing it was another thing altogether.  I thought about calling my family in advance, but then decided against it.  It would be better if it was a surprise.  Getting Shannon to take the day off work was another problem.  I wasn't too worried about that, though.  My Michaelangelo charm could work with almost anything, and I felt pretty confident that this was not an exception.  Although it wouldn't hurt to have some added insurance...

I watched her for a moment longer and she shivered slightly.  I rose to my feet soundlessly and walked to the bedroom, retrieving the thinner of the two blankets.  I didn't feel much like carrying the huge comforter through the hallway, tripping along the way.  When I returned, I laid it over her carefully and smiled as she pulled it close, snuggling into it.  Then I turned and headed for the kitchen, humming a tune softly under my breath.

Shannon:

I was alone.  At least in the sense that the warm body that had fallen asleep beside me was missing now.  Instead, I was covered in a blanket, more than warm enough but already missing his presence.  I stretched and blinked my eyes rapidly as they adjusted to the light.  I scanned my surroundings for any sign of Michaelangelo, but only Mufasa was in the room, curled at the other end of the sofa.  Had he gone? 

It would serve you right, an inner voice whispered bitterly.

I sighed.  Get a hold of yourself.

Consciousness slowly found its way through the darkness in my mind and I yawned.  Taking in a deep breath, an unfamiliar smell reached my nostrils.  It was almost like... someone was cooking?  The thought puzzled me for a moment.  I strained my ears to listen and found that I could hear the faint sound of moving pots and pans.  Mike was cooking?  I'd had no idea that he could cook... 

No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than he emerged from the kitchen, holding a plate of pancakes.  "How 'bout some breakfast in bed?" he asked, grinning at me.

I smiled back.  "'Cept I'm not in bed."

"Close enough," he shrugged, setting the plate of pancakes on my lap.  It smelled wonderful. 

"I didn't know you could cook," I mumbled as he handed me a knife, fork, and napkin and sat down on the couch beside me.

He laughed quietly.  "Well, now you know.  I can cook.  But whether or not it's edible is for you to decide."

The teasing tone in his voice brought a smile to my face.  There was no question that he had made these right.  I could tell just by the warm, buttery smell.  I hesitated just for effect and tried a bite, then chewed it tentatively, my eyes growing thoughtful.

"Well?" he asked hopefully.  "You like them?"

Suddenly, utilizing all of my drama skills, I gasped, dropping my fork.  It landed with a clatter on the plate, then tipped off the side onto the cushion.  I made my eyes grow wide and brought my hands to my throat, pretending to gag.  After what felt like a sufficient amount of time, I let myself grow limp, closing my eyes, trying to keep the plate balanced on my knees as I played dead.

I could almost feel his smile as he studied me.  The cushions shifted slightly as he rose and stepped carefully around the blanket which lay sprawled out on the floor.  "Shannon?" he whispered, feigning concern.  "You okay?"

I tried hard not to laugh and instead focused on remaining as still as possible.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him bend slightly and pick up the fork.  I thought I saw a glint in his eye, but I had to close mine because at that moment he stood and looked me directly in the face.

I felt the couch dip a little as he sat down on my other side, so close he was nearly sitting in my lap, and I briefly considered opening my eyes again and giving myself up.  It was obvious I didn't have him fooled and I didn't really want to find out whatever it was that he planned to do with that fork.  Before I had a chance to act on that thought, I felt something jab lightly at my side through the robe.

"Shannon?" he called again, and I bit my lip.  Now that he wanted to play games, I was definitely not going to give up.  He poked harder.  I cringed, trying desperately not to move.  I could almost feel his smile.

"Hmmm... she's not breathing..." he whispered, pulling the fork away.  I felt his breath against my cheek as he leaned into me.  "Better give her mouth to mouth..."

His lips closed over mine and he exhaled a slow, steady breath into my lungs.  I accepted it, and felt his lips move slowly against mine, kissing me gently.  I remained still as his kiss deepened, then finally gave in as I felt his tongue run alongside mine.  I forgot the game, surrendering instead to the emotions he drew inside of me.  I kissed him back, and my eyes remained closed as he pulled away slowly.

"Shannon?"

I sighed deeply and opened my eyes slowly to meet him.  "Mmm?"

"Take the day off."

I blinked a few times, surprised.  "What?"

He licked my lips and kissed me again, but I hesitated.  After a moment, I pulled away.  "I can't do that," I informed him.

He smiled.  "Oh, sure you can.  Or do you need a little prodding?"

He jabbed at me again with the fork and I grabbed his wrist.  I couldn't hold him.  I knew that.  Even with both hands, I couldn't get the weapon away from him.  He jerked his arm back, pulling me with him and then slammed it against the sofa.  I lost my balance and fell over, laughing.  I wasn't letting go of him if my life depended on it.

He moved his other hand to my stomach and in a flash, his cool fingers were against my stomach.  "Ah!"

He tickled relentlessly and I brought my knees up to my chest, trying to shield myself.  Still, I didn't let go.  Eventually, he let me have the fork and brought both his hands down, slipping inside my robe and tickling my sides.  I kicked my feet at him until he grabbed my ankle and turned his attention to the bottom of my feet. 

I screamed, unable to stop laughing.  "Mikey, stop it!" I gasped.  "I'm gonna slap you, dammit!"

He grinned evilly at me.  "Can I pick where?"

For the instant that he was distracted, I had the advantage.  I took the opportunity to jab him lightly in the side with the fork.  He cried out sharply and fell onto his back on the floor, clutching his side as he rolled around in mock pain.

"Ow," he moaned, squeezing his eyes shut.

I glared at him as I pulled myself up to a sitting, and more dignified, position.  I pulled the robe closed over my chest, shivering at the chilly air.  "Serves you right," I smirked at him.

I stood to my feet and set the plate and fork carefully on the couch, moving to stand over him.  I shoved him with my foot, chuckling softly as he curled up even tighter.  Then suddenly he stopped moving, and I lowered my foot.  Uh oh... Did I go to far?  I didn't think I'd poked him that hard, but he'd told me before that skin was really thin and sensitive.  Maybe I really did hurt him...

I leaned down next to him, slightly concerned.  "Mike?"

Before I realized what had happened, he'd pulled me down on top of him.  My eyes went wide as I struggled instinctively against his hold on my wrists, laughing gleefully.

"Two can play at this game," he informed, eyes sparkling as he pulled me close to him.

I tried to break away, but I knew that getting away from his vise-like grip was going to be next to impossible.  He spread my arms wide apart, and I had no choice but to lay down on top of him.  He pressed his cheek against mine and blew at my hair to get it out of his face.  I decided to be nice - maybe he'd let me go - and shook my head, throwing my hair over my opposite shoulder.  He nuzzled against me and whispered in my ear again, "Take the day off."

I sighed.  "Mikey, I'll get fired."  I turned my face toward him, pulling away as far as my spread position would allow.  "Why do you want me to take the day off, anyway?  Didn't you get enough of me last night?"

He grinned up at me and shrugged.  "No, but that's besides the point."

I pulled against him again, and he let me go this time. I rested my arms on his chest, supporting my weight.  "I can't call in to work, Mike, you know that."

"Call in sick."  His voice had turned pleading.  "Or better yet, I can call in for you.  They'll think you've lost your voice."

I found myself laughing.  "Mike," I tried again, matching his pleading tone.

He arched his neck up and kissed my lips lightly.  "Pleeeeeeease?" he implored as he backed away, turning his best puppy dog face up at me. 

I closed my eyes and placed my hand over his face, palm down.  "Don't give me that look, Mikey, I hate it when you do that."

He actually licked my palm.  I jerked my hand back, surprised, and he laughed.  "Ew!"

He grabbed my shoulders as I was still trying to wipe the spit off my hand.  He shifted me underneath him, pinning me to the floor on my back, and straddled me.  I glared up at him playfully.  "Why?" I demanded.  "Why do you want me to lie and take off work?"

He smiled and ran his hands down to my wrists, then raised my hand toward his mouth again.  I shrieked and tried to pull away, but there was no way I was going to be able to pull away from him.  It my great relief, he kept his tongue in his mouth and instead kissed the tips of each one of my fingers, then moved down over my palm.  I relaxed as he reached my wrist and nuzzled his face in my hand as he kissed there.  "I want to show you something," he whispered.

Well, you're certainly going about persuading me in the right way...

I considered that for a moment.  "Something like what?"

He lowered my hand to my side again and grinned down at me.  "It's a surprise."

"If you don't tell me, I might not go."

He laughed.  "Sure you will."

"How can you be so sure?"

He nodded toward the couch.  "'Cause I made you breakfast, and I'm pleading with you in the sweetest way possible, and if you don't, I'll have to settle for staying here all day and ravaging you mercilessly."  He glanced away, thoughtful, as he considered that.  "On the other hand, that might be kinda fun..."

I shoved him back and he almost fell onto my legs.  The thought of Raphael made me pause.  I had told him to come by tonight.  I had told him Mike wouldn't be here.  But persuading him not to come back was going to be a little more difficult than I'd planned for.

"I did make you breakfast in bed," he reminded me again.  I glanced over at the pancakes on the couch.  Upon seeing them, I laughed.

"Looks like someone else has discovered them too," I told him, pointing.  He followed my finger, and his face broke out into a grin.  I stared at the spectacle thoughtfully.  "I didn't know Mufu liked pancakes."

Mike's eyes sparkled as he watched the orange cat who was gratefully nibbling on what was once my breakfast.  "Oh, well, I'll make some more for you then.  As long as you promise to take the day off."

He had me.  But at the same time, I knew I had him.  "Alright Mike," I relented at last, "but on several conditions."

He backed onto my legs and pulled me up to a sitting position.  One arm went behind me to support my weight and the other went to his plastron.  "What kind of conditions?"

"First," I began, "I have to be home by early evening."  Before he could cut in, I raised my finger to his lips to silence him and continued, "and you have to promise me that you won't spend the night.  If I'm to go into work tomorrow, I want my sleep."

He considered this, at last nodding his head in agreement.  "Alright."  He paused and studied my face thoughtfully.  "But first, there's something else I want to do."

He didn't bother to explain as he drew closer to me, running his hands up my arms.  His fingers curled around the collar of the loosened robe and pulled down slowly, pressing his lips into mine as the cool air hit my warm flesh.

Raphael:

I didn't want to be awake, but I was.  I groaned as I rolled over onto my side to look at the clock near my bed.  It read half past noon.  I moaned again and closed my eyes, willing the slight headache that was beginning to form behind them to go away.  It wasn't like I'd had that much to drink.  I had only stopped at the bar for two hours or so.

I had intended to go right home after leaving Shannon's place, but as I passed the bar on the way to the lair I figured I was gonna get it no matter what, so I had decided that a couple more hours out wouldn't hurt.  I was amazed that no one had woken up on my way in, but I figured it didn't really matter.  I knew I wouldn't get out of the lecture from Leo or maybe even Splinter.  I'd just get it first thing in the morning.  Er... afternoon.

I sighed and turned onto my back, staring up at the ceiling.  I had already stayed in bed for a while.  Any longer, and I was just avoiding the inevitable.  Better to just get up and get this over with.  Didn't want to, though.  I turned and faced the wall, curling slightly under the warm blankets.  I was only half-conscious when the door opened, but I felt his presence anyway.  Speak of the devil...

"Nice of you to stop by," his voice shot through the darkness.  "It take you 'til after two in the morning to find your way home?"

I groaned inwardly, realizing that he knew I was awake.  He'd come in without even knocking.  Had I expected him to knock?  Not really.  But it pissed me off all the same.  I turned my face into the pillow.  Maybe if I ignore him, he'll go away.

"And just where were you, at two o'clock in the morning?"

Yeah, Raph, in your dreams.

He liked that he had a time, even though it wasn't accurate.  I'd actually been out until almost three-thirty.  "Wha'the fuck, were you waiting up f'rme?" I growled, facing away from him. 

He flicked the light on and my eyes burned.  I closed them tightly, but I couldn't block out the white-hot light.  I growled and pushed myself up from the bed, twisting around to face him.  "Damn you, Leo, get out."

He stood in the doorway to my room, looking like the perfect mother hen.  I needed a fucking lock on my door.  Dammit, why couldn't he just leave me alone?  But no.  He wouldn't leave until he had an answer.  Damn him… "None of your goddamn business, Leo," I snarled, glaring darkly at him.  This was really getting old.

"None of my business?" he shot back, voice rising in anger.  "Like hell it's none of my business!"

I considered getting off the bed and killing him where he stood.  He had to put in his two cents every single damn time, even though it was the same thing every single damn time.  He wouldn't leave until he'd said it, and interrupting him would only prolong his stay.

Just ignore it.  Tune it out.

"You take off, telling no one where you go, and you insist that it's none of my business?"  I turned away, clenching my teeth.  What I did on my time did not concern him.  And the sooner he figured that out, the sooner we would find each other possible to live with.

"Like it or not, Raphael, whatever you do is my business, because you are a part of this family."

I felt my muscles tense, and I bit my tongue to keep from yelling back at him.  I might be part of this family, but I have my own life and my own decisions to make and they do not concern you!

"For all I know, you could be putting us in danger, and if you had any honor and any sense of responsibility at all, you'd see that what you're doing and saying is totally irrational and reckless, and I'll be damned if that's not my business."

That was it.  He'd pushed me too far.  I threw the blankets aside and in a flash, I was on my feet.  The world spun around me for a moment as I struggled to gain my balance.  "You have no fucking right..."

He smirked at me.  "Oh no, Raphael, I have every right.  You may not give a damn about us, but someone has to.  I have to protect this family from you just as much as I have to protect us against threats from the foot."

"Get the fuck out of my room!" I yelled at him.  "Or you're gonna be in need of some protection!"  Don't think that because I just woke up I ain't ready to take your ass down...

He ignored me, his eyes narrowing.  He had about three seconds before I made him get out.  "You're gonna be our death one day, you know that Raphael?"  Two...  "You're more of a threat to us than a help."  One...  "I have no idea what Splinter ever saw in you…"

I'd had enough.  "Fuck you, Leo!" 

I put my arms up to shove him back, but he blocked me.  Undeterred, I pulled my arm back, fully prepared to deliver a solid blow.  "Get out of my fucking room," I growled.  I thought better of hitting him and instead shoved him back with my free hand.  He resisted.  Bad idea.

I struck at him full force, and he deflected the blow just enough so that it hit his shoulder.  Fire blazed in his eyes.  He wanted to fight.  Fine.  He'd damn well come to the right place.  He tried to twist his arm and lock mine underneath it, but I pulled away in time.  I ducked to avoid his straight-edge blow and took his legs out from underneath him as he fell.  He grabbed my wrists on his way down and used his legs to flip me over him. 

I turned in mid-air to land on my back, knowing I had the least chance of getting hurt that way, no matter what I landed on.  It was the end table, and a lamp which shattered into a million pieces as it hit the floor.  The wooden table collapsed under my weight with a loud crack and before I had a chance to look up.  I grasped his shoulders as he gripped mine, and glared up at him.

"How dare you…" he hissed at me.

I brought the heel of my palm up to his jaw and heard the loud clack! as his teeth came together.  I grabbed his jaw and reached for the back of his head, knowing that if I could manage it, he would be forced to give up as I could snap his neck.  Right now, I wasn't so sure I'd pull short of that.

He hit my hand away and put the tips of his fingers to my throat.  He could kill me with one quick jab, but I knew he wouldn't.  And unless he wanted to, this was no threat to me.  He couldn't hurt me unless he intended to kill me.  "You know what your problem is Leonardo?" I snarled up at him.  "You just don't know when to stop."

I hit his hand away and grabbed the edge of his plastron.  I pulled him toward me to get him off balance, then used both my arms and legs to throw him to the side.  I rolled off my back and crawled to him quickly, grabbing his upper arms.  "I don't go poking around into your life, interrogating you every time you're not within a ten-inch radius of me," I continued angrily.  "I don't even go into your room without asking permission first, not like I'd ever go looking for you anyway.  And you know what else Leo?" 

He pushed me back forcefully and I crashed into the coffee table, hitting my shoulder hard on the corner.  The pain fueled the anger I felt.  That blood running down my arm was going to be accompanied by a decent-sized bruise.  It took him a minute this time to get to me, and I had all the time I needed to set up.  I flipped him over me, just like he had done to me earlier, and he crashed into the loveseat, toppling it over backward. 

I sprang to my feet, catching a glimpse of Donatello as he opened the door from his room with a confused, dreadful look on his face.  Ignoring him, I grabbed the bottom of the overturned loveseat and heaved it forward, pinning Leo in the small triangle between the floor, the arm of the chair, and the back of it.  I put my weight on it, knowing he had no chance of getting out from under there.  I glared down at him.  "I'm sick of it," I hissed at him.  "It's not my problem that you can't accept me for who I am, and just because you feel that way doesn't give you any damn right to go and try to change me.  So let me enlighten you on something, in case you haven't figured it out for yourself yet, oh wise leader: nothing you do or say is gonna make a bit of difference to me.  You ain't gonna change who I am.  And I suggest you stop trying."

No sooner had I gotten the words out than I felt Don's hands wrap around my biceps and pull me back as hard as he could.  I nearly toppled into him before I regained my balance.  I thought about fighting against him, but decided against it.  There was no need now.  I'd said all I needed to say.  Leo pushed up on the loveseat and rolled out from underneath it.  We glared at each other for a moment, but neither one of us moved.  I counted the seconds, wondering how long it would take Splinter to emerge from his room and ream me for this.  I didn't care.  I'd made my point. 

I jerked my arms away from Don and turned to the front door.  I didn't really know where I was going, but I knew I had to get out of here.  The door opened as I reached for it, and I stepped back, slightly surprised.  Mike almost ran me over as he stepped over the threshold, then jumped back.  "Oh!  Sorry Raph."  His eyes immediately went to the blood dripping down my arm.  "You okay?  What happened?"

He looked over my shoulder at Donatello and Leonardo.  I looked over his shoulder and my breath caught.  I blinked, not sure I believed my eyes.  I'd hit my head in that brief struggle... maybe harder than I'd thought.  I shook my head slightly, willing away the hallucination.  But my vision was as clear as ever.  I wasn't imagining it.

It was Her. 

TBC

LOL…suspense!  And remember…REVIEW!  That isn't a request….

*g*