I have pumped up the dialog from this point on. The first three chapters were to set up the attitude and the angst that Gabriella is going through. I do tend to overstate things, so please forgive me if I've succeeded in doing that! :0) I also tend to over-explain scenes; my feeble attempt to make things as clear as mud! LOL Either way, this is- after all- my first fanfic. So, one cannot expect to do it right the first time! Well, some may - as I have perused other writings in this site and found some first-timers with excellent fics!! Yes, I finally spelled `peruse' correctly! I knew how before, but that `u' sneaked in there unexpectedly!! There may be other spelling `oops' and maybe a word or two I neglected to delete when I proof-read my work before uploading it. It happens - so, as Raph would say, deal with it! I mean that in the kindest way, of course!
Now, on with the story.........
The landing was dreadful, but Gabriella kept herself quiet. It was a windy evening in San Jose and there was one point where the jet lurched in protest. Gabriella let out a short muffled cry, but she quickly put her hand over her mouth. Don never turned his head or indicated that he noticed, however.
Once the plane had stopped, Gabriella exhaled, almost as if she had held her breath for the entire trip!
" Hey, we're here!" Raph reported to her and patted her hand.
Gabriella nodded weakly, still trying to recover from the experience of landing. She unbuckled herself and then bent down and reached under her seat to grab her coat. But, it was gone! She put it there right after she took it off to visit the restroom. She was desperate! Gabriella looked out the small window and saw people milling around the plane, unloading the luggage and doing whatever they did to planes that arrived. She was feeling herself panic. Then, turning back towards the interior of the plane, she noticed that Raph was no longer sitting next to her.
Don was!
"Lose something?" he asked cooly, clearly aware of her plight. He watched her intently, discerning her next course of action. He saw the panic set it, almost before Gabriella realized it herself.
"Um, yeah....my coat!" she replied weakly.
"Gone!" he announced. He laced his fingers together and lifted his chin up as if to challenge her.
The look of sheer terror was on Gabriella's face, now! " Wh..what do you m..mean, gone?" her voice quivered as her anxiety heightened.
" Gone" Don said simply, but with determination as he looked at her. "Yes, she's definately edging towards critical" he observed silently.
" I- I can't leave this plane without ...." she started to explain.
But he interrupted her, " Maybe in Connecticut, but here in California you will not need it. It's too warm!" Don shifted his position slightly, just in case she decided to bolt. He was ready to catch her if that's what she chose to do.
" I don't CARE! I WANT my cape back." and this time Gabriella was angry, her fear now replaced by indignation as she realized Don had taken it! She glared at him defiantely.
" Too bad! " he said sternly and narrowed his eyes at Gabriella, noticing her attitude. Don then stood up and offered his hand to her.
Gabriella refused it and sat back deeper in her seat, glaring up at him. She was truely afraid of him, but was getting tired of feeling that way! "How dare he...." she began to say to herself, but then......
Without any warning, Don deftly grabbed her arm and hoisted her up so effortlessly and quickly, she was dizzy from the sudden assent. "GABRIELLA, I will not argue with you on this and I will not placate your obstinance! One point of resistance from this moment on and I will have you darted and knocked out. You will have a headache afterwards and will not feel at all well. If you prefer that to gracefully exiting this plane, just let me know!" Don's voice was stern and completely serious.
He waited.
Gabriella gulped and her eyes widened. Gone was her anger! Now she felt that old trepidation coming back again! She actully considered his offer of being knocked out, but then realized she would look so stupid being carried off the jet. The memory of Don hoisting her up and into the plane in Connecticut was still fresh in her mind! Gabriella opted for the more dignified way.
She nodded meekly in his direction and, allowing him to take her hand, was helped out of her seat. He then stepped aside to let her out. He smiled faintly, pleased that she had made the better of the two decisions.
Gabriella did not notice his change in expression, though. She was concerned about something else entirely!
She asked Don, "Where's Raph?" She had wanted to walk out with him since Thomas was already down the stairs and warming up the car. Gabriella looked around but didn't see the other turtle. She had become used to him and was getting a bit aprehensive that he wasn't anywhere nearby.
Don replied, " He's left already."
"Oh...that was quick" was all she said. Gabriella was trying to remember how long she had looked out the window. It didn't seem that long to her and it was quite unsettling to think that Raph could move fast enough to just 'disappear' like he did. Maybe she was more tired that she realized. It was nearly midnight for her since Gabriella was still on Eastern time.
"Yes, he is quick!" Don smiled. " He had an appointment to make."
" Will he be back?" The girl asked softly.
"Yes, tomorrow sometime. " her escort replied evenly. It was good, he thought, that Gabriella was starting to see some comfort in one of them. It was obvious to Don that sitting next to Raphael during the flight had helped Gabriella adjust a little bit to them. Hopefully, it would assist in facilitating her to accept Mike and his family, too!
With a sinking heart, Gabriella was realizing that she would be walking out with Don, which only made her more ill at ease! Especially how he had threatened to dart her!
With much trepidation, Gabriella descended the stairs gingerly, trying not to look around. She could sense Don behind her, following her from behind. What was worse, she could 'feel' his eyes on her back and it was most disconcerting! He was on his cell phone and talking in a hushed whisper as he monitored Gabriella's progress down the steps.
However, because of not having her cape to hide within, Gabriella was too nervous to pick up on his conversation.
Once on the tarmac, she instictively hunched her shoulders out of insecurity of not having her hooded coat! There were so many people milling around her direct vicinity that it made her edgy. Suddenly, Gabriella flinched backward when one attendent walked innocently by her. But, he paid her no mind, which was just fine with her! However, Don continued walking, which forced Gabriella to pick up her pace a bit so that she wouldn't get run into by him!
The jet had been parked near a hanger where it would be stored until the next time it was needed. Gabriella saw a limousine sitting just a few yards away, but it seemed like a hundred yards to her with being out in the open like she was! Thomas was there and as Gabriella reached the vehicle, he opened the rear passenger door. She smiled weakly and thanked him. He nodded back and returned the expression. "You're going to be fine, Miss!" he said encouragingly. Gabriella gulped down her trepidation, not too confident about that!
Finally, once safely hidden in the car, she relaxed. Thomas quickly opened the other door to allow Don to get into the sedan. Then, the valet slid into the driver's seat and started up the engine.
Don seemed fidgity, at first, but then - much to Gabriella's horror - realized he was scooting closer to her! By the time he was settled, Don was sitting right next to Gabriella. She froze! "What is he doing?!" she asked herself. She kept her head facing forward but allowed herself to look out of the corner of her eye at him to see what he would do next. He just sat there, passive, and looking straight ahead, his hands on his lap.
Gabriella didn't understand why he had to sit so close to her and it made her very uncomfortable. Finally, she turned away to look out the tinted window. People were still milling around the jet, getting it ready to be rolled into the hanger. They seemed very efficient at their job. But, most surprisingly, as she thought about it, not at all concerned with her while she was walking from the plane to the limousine! It gave her something to consider; maybe California was used to Don and his family! Maybe she could get used to them, as well?! It was certainly food for thought!
The car started to move and before too long, Thomas had them cruising along the main highway. The ride was long. But, it seemed longer to Gabriella with Don sitting so close to her.
"Where exactly are we going?" she asked after a while.
" To my brother's place in Big Sur. I think you will like it there." Don answered her.
His right shoulder was brushed up against hers from the moment they had left the airport. Gabriella had tried to put some space between herself and him, but Don was sitting so close to her, she was unsuccessful. Just being so near to this reptile, this turtle that wouldn't take diddly squat from her, intimidated Gabriella to no end. Because she had been able to manipulate the professor so easily throughout her life, it didn't occur to her until now that he had been too soft with her. She was starting to miss him all over again and felt her throat constrict!
Don had no intentions of making this easy on Gabriella. He had promised the professor he would see to her 'education' and the more uncomfortable he made her, the better his results would be. From the time the jet set down in San Jose, unbekown to Gabriella, her training had commenced! Don's first job was to push her to the point of breaking, to wear down that stubbornness she possessed naturally.
"Why couldn't her father had been Leo or Mike!", Don lamented. But, he knew it was Raph who had been captured so many years before. His brother would most certainly have to get involved with Gabriella's training, as he would better understand her. But, for now, Don's job was to whittle her down to size while he had the time to do so. He had business to attend to the following week, so it was going to be an interesting. if not challenging, experience until then!
After two hours through south-bound traffic, they connected with Highway 1 and continued their southerly direction. The landscape gave way to the Pacific coastline, with crashing surf on the right side of the car and fields with an occassional city on the left. Gabriella was fascinated with the beach area and it seemed to call to her. She couldn't see too much because it was dark, but the phosphorus in the waves intrigued her. She pushed her face closer to the window to see past the tint, totally transfixed by the scenery.
Before too long, they were traveling through a large city and then soon after that a smaller town. The town had a quaint feel to it with a bit more foot traffic than the larger cities had. This forced Thomas to slow their progress. It was late, so there were few people milling outside the shops and along the walkways. Still, there was enough to force Gabriella to shrink back into her seat! As a result, she found herself nestling into Don's side. Gabriella was between a rock and a hard place in that moment. She was afraid of both the people and the person sitting next to her. But, right now, Don was the lesser of the two 'evils'.
Don smiled. Out of compassion, he put his arm across her shoulders to comfort. He would have opted for a less aggressive approach to this young hybred, prefering a gentle kindness like he showed his niece, Gaele. But, Gaele had been trained long before he had come into her life, so there hadn't been any need to be overly stern with her.
However, with Gabriella, in all his years he had never experienced anyone so obstinent - other than Raphael! It was going to be a difficult process for everyone, but most definately for her. He sighed at the thought and hoped, really hoped, that she would realize her uniqueness and accept her place in his family. Otherwise, they where all going to be in for quite a ride!!
Feeling Don's arm embrace her, Gabriella recoiled. However, he held on, gently and affectionately rubbing her right arm. She was confused completely now! His conduct towards her in contrast to his previously harsh behavior was just too extreme. Though she did not find his comfort offensive, she just didn't know how to react to it! Finally, she resigned herself to where she was and allowed his affection.
Despite her fear of him, Gabriella was starting to get a little more used to Don. It wasn't lost on her that they was related in some fashion. It was just that she had never seen anyone quite like him or Raphael before today. Though the professor had never directly told her, Gabriella truely thought herself unique and one of a kind. To know that there were others like herself, but not quite like herself, frightened her. But, the greatest concern she had for the moment was what they would be expecting from her!
About thirty minutes south from the little town, Thomas turned the car left and up onto a private road. The area was guarded by the biggest trees Gabriella had ever seen! They were huge compared to what she was used to back in Connecticut. She could make out only their base in the darkness whenever the sedan's headlights would illuminate them. But what she did observe caused her to gasp. The trees were as wide, if not wider, than the car she rode in was long! She was speechless and wondered excitedly how tall they would have to be in relation to their width! Gabriella relaxed even more, becoming distracted from who she was sitting next to by what she was seeing through the car's window. Don sensed it immediately, sighing in relief. Hopefully, he thought to himself, she was starting to calm down
They evenutally came upon a rod iron fence that stretched left and right as far as the eye could see, disappearing into the thick grove of trees. Once the security gate opened, the road contined through the forest of tall redwoods.
Just before the house came into view, the driveway opened up to an expanse of lawns and landscaped meadows. There were lights here and there to illuminate the yard and for an instant, Gabriella caught sight of a small herd of deer. She leaned forward and pressed her face against the window to see them better. The tint of the windows didn't help much, since it was after eleven in the evening. The artificial illumination that was there helped to diminish the darkness, but the animals almost looked ghost-like in the shadows of the trees. At the sound of the car, though, the deer suddenly scattered, bounding into the blackness of the forest. Gabriella had counted ten deer, all together, with some of them being juveniles. She rarely saw such wildlife, other than when she lived in Montana with the professor. During that time, she saw more than she ever had in Connceticut. But it was so long ago she had forgotten about it until now!
Then, the house came into view! It was a house to match the trees, the biggest Gabriella had ever seen up close. To think that she was going to stay the there, excited her. For a moment, she forgot about her home back in Connecticut. Since she was so recluse and housebound due to the professor's need to keep her hidden, a large house like what she was seeing before her was very inviting!
As they closed in on it, the house seem to grow larger. "I've never seen a house that big before!" she exclaimed softly.
"It's about eight thousand square feet. Mike wanted ten thousand, but Rahab didn't want to have to bike from one end to the other just to get to the kitchen!" Don commented, chuckling a little.
Gabby smiled wide at his humor, but then yawned. She then realized how tired she was, even with the nap she took on the plane. "Must be the time difference." she said to herself. She thought about it and realized that it would be two in the morning back in Connecticut. Then, she thought of the professor. Her excitement over the trees and the big house waned just a bit. But they had finally reached the mansion and were now maneuvering around the right side of the house. Gabriella's attention was now on who would be there to greet her!
Thomas drove the car in behind the garage that was to the right of the house and along it's side. He moved the car under a canopy that seemed intentionally set up just for the sedan. Beyond that was a garden and then just passed the garden was a cottage. It was relatively small compared to the main house, but was of decent size. Perfect for overnight guests, all in all.
Gabriella thought the overall archetecture was interesting. From her channel surfing with cable television in Connecticut, she occassially would watch the home shows. She decided that the cottage style was Mediteranean and it matched the much larger house in design. There were verandas both on the second and first story of the mansion and one that wrapped around the single story cottage home. She liked both houses very much and wondered which of the two she would be sleeping in tonight. Don was right, she was going to like Mike's place afterall!
No one met them, however. They had come upon the home while everyone was asleep, it appeared. It was well passed 11 in the evening and a Sunday to boot. So, Gabriella wasn't too surprised and not too dissapointed for the lack of greeting.
While she had slept on the plane, Don had called ahead to tell Mike not to make a great big fuss over their arrival. He explained to him what transpired at the Professors home and how difficult Gabriella had been. Much to Don's chagrine, Mike had busted up laughing, thinking of Raph getting his dues with not only having a son with an attitude, but now a daughter! He thought that pretty amusing until he was told that Gabriella would be staying with them rather than at Don's house in San Jose!
That sobbered Mike up pretty fast!
" Ah, Don - we just got Devon where he's actually hospitable!" Mike complained.
Mike had given Devon a job at his music studio a few years before and found, to his delight, that the boy was truely gifted in management! He didn't manage right away, but seemed willing to work his first position as music filer as if that were the highest rung in the success ladder. Before too long, though, he proved himself invaluable in many other ways. It seemed to also generate an improvement in their difficult relationship. But, there was still some work to be done with Devon and his dad, Raphael.
" She needs to be around people like us, Mike. I need your gym. Plus, the overall expanse of your place will be an asset in calming her down. I don't need her in a large town where she could get lost. Or, worse, if she happens to run away!" was Don's reason.
Mike had finally found the logic in it, but said, "I'm fine with it, but you better square it with Rahab first!! Otherwise, you'll be on her bad side - and you know better than to go there, Bro!"
Don never did enjoy having to facing Rahab. Despite the fact that she was bascially unskilled in the 'arts, she had proven herself to be more than a match for him when it came to words and getting things done her way! He admired her greatly, but she was still a formidable combatent in discourse! He was always baffled by the way she could get him to jump at her beck and call!
Fortunately, after Mike put her on the phone and Don explained the situation, she was open to the idea.
" At the very least", she had said," Gabriella can be reassigned to the guest house if she brings too much disturbance to the family!"
Don was amused at her clearly deliberate attempt at humor. The guest house was where he always stayed whenever he spent the night at Mike's!
Gabriella momentarily hesitated to exit the car. She knew that there were people here like Don, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to meet them. It pleased her no end that her arrival happened while the rest of the family was asleep. What were the others like, she wondered. Would they be like Don? Maybe worse! So far, he had proved to be most unmoveable and intimidating, though the ride to the house had shown a softer side to him. Raph had become somewhat of a comfort to her, but he wasn't there at the moment. Gabriella was filled with dread and anxious anticipation.
Don offer his hand to her to help her out and she reluctantly accepted. He smiled at her, pleased that she had not shrunk back against the far door like she had been doing with every other stop since they had left the professor's home. Good for her that Gabriella didn't because Don would have had to exercise some discipline if she had!
The night air was cool for late summer in California, but to Gabriella it seemed warmer. Back in Connecticut, the September nights were becoming increasingly chilly, sometimes frosting the landscape by morning. Winter would be setting in over the next few weeks and Gabriella wondered what California was like compared to her home back east. She had heard it seldomed snowed out west!
There were still times in Connecticut where the temperatures were in the eighties during September days, but the night time cooled things off pretty well. The smell of the leaves decomposing would bring a heady, earthy flavor to the landscape. It was always the catalyst to getting Gabriella in the mood for snow and the holidays. But here at Mike's, in California, where she had heard the weather was quite monotonous, she wasn't sure if that would appeal to her. However, she could taste the salt in the air from being so close to the ocean. She rather liked it!
As they walked towards the guest house, Thomas said his good-nights and headed for the main garage where an apartment on the second story awaited him. Gabriella automatically started to follow the valet, but Don quickly, yet gently, took her arm. He told her quietly, "You'll be staying in the guest cottage with me, Gabriella. Thomas has things to do tomorrow and there is only enough room in his apartment for one person."
She was truely disappointed. Even though Thomas was as much a stranger to her as Don was, at least his human features brought her a sense of familiarity. The valet looked back at her and smiled, then headed for the outside stairs that led up to his compact residence. The apartment gave Thomas a strategic view of the front property, which - considering his training - he rather prefered. Thomas was more than a valet to Don and had seen to his employer's and the family's safety on more than one occassion!
Don then led Gabriella towards the cottage, his pace steady and deliberate. He was tired and wanted to get to bed. He noticed that he did not have to pull Gabriella along, which pleased him no end. Don was hoping against hope that Gabriella would adjust quicker than he had predicted. In this he would not mind being wrong! At the very least, it would be easier on her in the long run!
As she walked towards the cottage, Gabriella inquisitively looked around the back part of the property and noticed that it was softly lit. She spied a pool to her left behind the larger house. There was a fire pit and a rather large barbeque area and at least three tabels with umbellas. Also, a waterfall slide that connected to the pool. The landscape dipped and rolled here and there to add interest with rows of flowers and other greenery for color. It was rather attractive to Gabriella. A garden with a open ended portico covered with vines afforded seating with wood benches built into the structure. It was quite appealing to her and she thought that maybe tomorrow she would visit that part of the yard.
The redwoods were easily discernable with the outdoor lighting. But their true size still could not be determined due to the increasing darkness. Gabriella tried to judge their height. However, where most trees would have topped off, these kept going past the line of light and beyond, stretching upwards towards the stars. The moon was not up, yet, so Gabriella used the constellation to determine how tall these montersous trees were. She was quite impressed when she was forced to hold her head way back to actually find where the star field began! " WOW!" was all she said.
Don looked back at her and asked, " You okay?"
" Yeah. Those trees are bigger than I thought, and I thought they were big earlier!" She sounded geniunely excited.
Don turned back towards the cottage and smiled. Yep, she was going to like it here, he thought.
He turned the handle and opened the door, stepping aside for Gabriella to enter first.
" Is this where you stay when you visit?" she asked, noticing the decor was much different from the archecture.
The style of the interior was oriental, or Japanese. A small laqured table made from bamboo wood sat just to the right of the frontdoor. A lit lamp was placed there, illumintating a soft glow to reveal the room. A futon was opposite the door against the far wall, covered in a black material. A coffee table, again made from bamboo wood and laqured, sat in front of it. A fireplace was to the right along an exterior wall with a mantle that had several undetermined items decorating the top. She noticed some artifacts gracing the wall above the fireplace, but she paid it no mind as she was taking in the rest of the room. Gabriella noticed to the right of the fireplace by the front window a simple stuffed chair in black leather that afforded additional seating. The window afforded a view of the larger home and the garage, next to which was parked the sedan that had brought her there.
"Yes, but I don't visit often since I have my own home in San Jose. I'm currently building a house here in the reserve just a little ways from here, though. It will end up becoming Gaele's when I'm gone." Don replied. "But, Mike's place offers some amenities that I need right now!" and he closed the front door.
"I didn't know you had a home in San Jose. How many do you have?" she asked as she looked around the cottage curiously.
"A few. One in Japan, one in New York, one further south from here in the desert, and a few in Europe for when I do business there. I like to know my surroundings and security measures, so since I have the means...." Don answered.
Gabriella walked deeper into the living room. She noticed to the left from it an eating area with a dining table made from the same bamboo wood as were the occassional table in the living room. Chairs painted in black lacquer graced it's perimeter. On the table was a whispy floral centerpiece with a single stalk of bird of paradise flower. In addition, some rabbit's foot ferns filled in the arrangement. Accenting the display was a tall, skinny branch curving around the entire piece and up and over the large floral bloom. Gabriella walked over and looked at it closely. She saw that the flowers sat in a round black ceramic bowl and were secured by a floral frog. The stems were resting in about two inches of water and surrounded by Cobalt blue stones. But, the stones had either been moved aside. or, for some reason, not placed too well, exposing the frog. Out of reflex, Gabriella attempted to move the stones to cover the frog more evenly.
"Don't do that!" Don corrected, " Riahna will know that someone tampered with her work and then she'll be mad!"
" Who is Riahna?" Gabriella asked as she stopped what she was doing. She turned to face him.
" She is Mike and Rahab's youngest daughter. She loves flowers and they've discovered she likes to arrange them. She's ... a rather special young lady. You will meet her tomorrow." Don explained.
" Oh." Gabriella replied. " Ah, where do I sleep?" she asked quietly as she noticed that the cottage only had one bedroom. From her vantage point by the table, she could see the bedroom from the hallway that was between it and the kitchen, which was to the right of the dining area. Gabriella could see the bed from where she stood and she also determined that the one bathroom was located at the end of the hall. The bedroom shared the common wall with the living area where the futon was placed. It was a well laid out, if not compact, floorplan.
Don answered her, " You will take the bedroom tonight. I'll sleep on the futon. Tomorrow evening, you'll probably stay in the bigger house."
Gabriella yawned again, which prompted Don, " And none too soon, it looks like! You've had a big day. Tomorrow will be even more so! Best you get your rest."
Gabriella looked at him and wondered why tomorrow would be bigger than what she had experienced today. In her mind, this day was a day to beat out any she had previously experienced! But, she figured that with Mike's family, maybe that is what Don had meant. She nodded to him and grabbed up her backpack, heading for the bedroom. A little while later, she was in bed and asleep in no time.
Don was talking to her, "Gabriella, time to wake up!"
"Hmmph, wha..?" She stirred, " Wha' time'z it?" she asked, groggy.
" Six in the morning!" he replied.
" Wake me later!" and she turned away from him, snug and warm under the comfort of the blankets.
Don gently shook her. " Get up, Gabriella" he repeated, but a bit more insistantly.
" Go 'way. I'm tired and I want to sleep! Six is too 'rly" she growled, hunkering down in the bed a little more and pulling the blankets close around her.
Before she even realized what was happening, the covers were yanked off of her, exposing her to the cool morning air of the room. She shot up straight into a sitting position and tried to grab the covers back. But Don had deftly thrown them into the hallway, sheets and blankets all, well out of her reach.
" Hey! What was that for?" she complained loudly, wrapping her arms around her for warmth.
"Time to get up!" and Don left the room, grabbing the blankets and sheets from the floor as he walked into the hall. He closed the door to give her some privacy. She glared after him, not at all amused!
Gabriella was in a foul mood because of her rude awakening, banging around the bedroom in anger at being woken so early. She grumbled out loud, complaining about the unfairness of it all, having to move clear across the country against her will, being forced to do things she didn't want to do, etc.... She even made comments about having to be with people stranger than she was!
Don heard her from the living area as she moved gruffly around the bedroom. He was quite amused by her ranting. But, her response was exactly where he had wanted her. Don wanted to provoke her and get her riled, for it was from that point he would take her to where she was manageable. Push it always to the limit to see how far you can go, then adjust the 'volumn' to a comfortable level. It was where Splinter had often taken him and his brothers when, in their youth, they would irritate the revered rat. Mostly, it was Raphael who earned that kind of attention. Or, sometimes, Splinter would just ignore them when they behaved inappropriately, which was worse! Don decided that Gabriella would have welcomed being ignored, so he took the first approach. He was counting on her keen intelligence to figure it all out.
After a while, she finally came out of the bedroom, dressed, but then headed for the bathroom. It was occupied.
"Great!" she complained, so she went back to the empty living room. She noticed the floral display once again. Those rocks just didn't look right. How would Riahna know if the rocks were smoothed out? She wouldn't be coming into the cottage. She had the bigger house to live in. So, just to be obstinent, Gabriella evened them out, though Don specifically had told her not to. Part of her motivation, however, was to irritate Don! She wanted to get back at him for waking her the way he did! She smiled, amused at herself.
Not too long after that, Don came out of the restroom. He had showered and was feeling pretty upbeat. He liked being at Mike's. It was a place where he could let his guard down and just relax.
"Good morning, Gabriella. Isn't it a beautiful day!" he smiled at her.
Gabriella grunted, unamused, and headed for the bathroom.
Don shook his head and chuckled to himself, "Going to be a great day! " and started whistling a tune about absolutely nothing.
Gabriella went into the bathroom and closed the door while Don ventured through the dining room towards the kitchen.
Passing the dining table, he quickly noticed the even spacing on the stones. He then realized that Gabriella had done specifically what he had requested her not to do. Although it did not dampen his mood, he knew that Riahna would be visiting shortly and then there would be fireworks. He would not put the stones back nor would he take the blame, but would let Gabriella handle it all by herself. At the very least, she would get a quick initiation into the Angelo's household! He started whistling again, only more intently as he imagined Riahna's reaction!
" STUPID GIRL!!!" the iguanoid female screamed, standing in the cottage dining room. "STUPID GIRL!!" again, Riahna yelled. Gabriella just stood there, shocked and impressed by this incredible emotional display. Riahna took up the bowl of flowers gruffly and, in the process, splashed water on the floor. Then she stomped angrily out of the cottage with it, clearly not happy with Don's guest. What was more startling to Gabriella was the irrate girl had a tail!! That, coupled with her blue hair, made Riahna more different and strange than Don! "What were these people, anyway? " Gabriella asked herself, shaking her head, her eyes big with trepidation.
Gabriella had just come out of the bathroom and had heard someone yelling in protest. Obviously, Don had told Riahna who had messed with her design. Gabriella had no idea who she was at first, transfixed by her appearance. But the girl had been glaring at the floral display. It was then realized that the blue-haird igunaoid female must have been Mike's youngest daughter. That was when Riahna started telling Gabriella that she was stupid!
" Y - You told her I did that?" she stammered at Don after Riahna left.
" Well, I wasn't going to take credit for it? You were told last night...." Don said as he had his hands up in defense.
"Yeah, I know..... but why didn't you tell me she was autistic?" Gabriella asked, truely irked with Don and still overwhelmed by Riahan's appearance.
" Didn't think I had to justify my request. You were told, that should have been enough!" Don was getting irritated, now. " Besides, I felt it better for you to come to that conclusion on your own about Riahna. She can be a sweet kid to most, but for you - that won't happen for a while. She has a good memory and a way of getting back - despite her autism!" and he smiled, returning to the kitchen!
Gabriella was not amused with him and resigned herself to the living room while Don fixed breakfast. She mulled over the past sixteen or so hours and had to remind herself that she was in California, now, and not Connecticut. That and the fact that probably at this moment the professor was going in for his treatment. Gabriella had to swallow back the lump that was forming in her throat at just the thought of her father back east, all by himself with just the hospital staff for company. She did not want to cry, though, not after the way Don scolded her yesterday. So, she instead inspected the living room more closely. It was then that she noticed it.
Gabriella remembered from the night before that there were some decorataive items on the mantle, but something more interesting was on the wall above it. She had been too curious about the rest of the house to take a closer look at it, though. Plus, she had been tired.
Now, Gabriella looked at the artifact on the wall above the fireplace and saw that it was a long sword with an ornate handle. It sat in a mounted wood holder, which was fastened to the wall. The handle had a jade hilt with the blade being about 3 feet long. It looked quite sharp and gave the girl the jitters just looking at it.
" You collect weaponry?" she asked Don as she stared at the sword.
He quietly replied from the kitchen, " Of sorts." and continued with his whistling.
Gabriella shivered at the sight of the leathal-looking tool. She looked closer and noticed some color on the blade. Was that blood? She touched it and some of it flaked off.
"Ewwwwe, there's blood on this thing! You didn't hack anyone up did you?" she asked, wiping her tainted finger on her jeans. She was getting comfortable in talking, now that she was somewhat used to being in Don's company.
The whistling, however, stopped. Gabriella realized a sudden mood change in the room, like a blast of cold air! Her innate ability to sense things went on high alert! She turned around slowly and saw that Don was standing at the kitchen doorway looking at her, his eyes narrow and serious.
" Ah, only kidding?" she meekly offered, noticing he looked quite unhappy. Not mad, just - unamused.
Don sighed, shook his head slowly, and went back to the kitchen to finish making breakfast . He didn't resume his song.
Gabriella was deeply affected by the sudden shift in his mood and wondered what was with the sword to make Don react the way he did. "He's certainly one who doesn't have to say much to get his point across, that's for sure!" Gabriella thought to herself as she timidly sat down on the futon. She looked back up at the sword and wondered how that blood really did get there. Seemed she was at square one again with Don, too!
He called her to the table a while later and they ate their breakfast in silence. Gabriella knew that Don was upset with her, but it was a different kind of 'upset' than yesterday. Yesterday, he would have glared at her and it would have shaken her down to her bones. Now, he seemed distant, like he was lost in a sea of thoughts that she, herself, had generated! His ignoring her seemed worse than his glare, for some reason. Maybe it was because she had just recently seen a different side to Don! He was kinder, by far, during the ride from the airport and most certainly his whistling this morning appeared to be out of character - based on what little she knew of him. She rather liked his whistling, in fact! Forgotten was her rude awakening. Gabriella was, now, more concerned with why he was not talking to her - and it surprised her to no end that she felt that way, too!
Wanting to start fresh and hoping to make amends, she meekly offered, " I'm sorry if I offended you."
" No offense taken, Gabriella." he said as he took a bite of scambled egg, his expression flat.
She didn't buy it for one moment. Gulping back her fear, she took the proverbial 'bull by the horns' and asked, " Well, if I didn't offend you, why did your mood change?" Gabriella anticipated a warning look from him.
But, she received something entirely different!
Don looked over at her, or, rather right through her. It put a chill up her spine, almost unnerving her. He stared long and hard, so much so she just wanted to crawl under the table to get away from it. "I'd rather be yelled at than looked at like that!" she mused to herself, her eyes widening slightly.
Finally Don told her, " Gabriella, there are some things about me that you will never know. Just as there are things about you that I will never realize. The comment you made earlier about the sword was done in jest, but I saw no humor in it. It was careless of you to say what you said, especially when you speculated what the sword was used for!"
Don went back to his meal, leaving Gabriella to ponder his words.
Actually, it freaked her out. What exactly did he do anyway? She knew from his conversation at the Blue Pelican that he had `businesses here and there world-wide' but what were they and how did he `manage' them? There was an edge to him that silently indicated he was not to be trifled with on this topic. She worried about this, all the while trying to eat her breakfast. She started thinking a lot about a great many things that had happened to her since leaving Connecticut yesterday! She did her best to keep her hands from shaking.
Don did his best not to notice! He smiled inwardly, though, realizing he had just given her something new to think about.
Gabriella had the chore of cleaning up. Actually, she rather enjoyed it since it brought back memories of the day before, when she was cleaning up breakfast at her home in Connecticut. A bit of meloncholy seeped into her mood, though. She was hand washing the dishes, per Don's request. As she thought about the professor, she felt a tear run down her cheek. She wiped it away absentmindedly with her hand, but had forgotten that it was covered in soapy suds. She managed to get the soap on her face and in the one eye. " Ow!" she cried out from the stinging. She rinsed the suds off of her hands and reached for a paper towel to clean off her face.
" You all right?" Don asked from the living room. He was reading the paper that Riahna had brought in earlier. It was her way of welcoming her uncle back `home'; sort of a tradition of hers - along with the flowers.
" Yeah, I'm fine. Just got a little soap in my eye is all." she sniffed quietly. She was still bothered by Don's earlier comment and was somewhat miffed at him for being so evasive about the sword. She didn't like being spooked like that. He could have been nicer, she thought. What was he trying to do? Intimidate her with presumed gory stories with the sword? Did he really hack someone up with it? "Good golly, if that were true, did my father even know about this? What if he didn't?" she asked herself silently.
" How'd you get soap in your eye?" he asked, turning the page of the newspaper.
Gabriella was not going to own up to crying, not after yesterday, so she just said she had an itch and forgot she had suds on her hands.
Don laughed at that, thinking it was pretty funny, but Gabriella was not amused. The the soap had stung.
"You have a strange sense of humor, Don!" she complained irritably from the kitchen, banging a pan in her frustration.
"Hey, look who's talking! You make fun of a bloody sword!!" and he went back to his reading.
Not the least bit amused and the stress of the past day catching up with her, Gabriella stormed into the room and shouted, " Well, gee - Don - how many people have bloody swords in their houses anyway? One would think you were - ah - " she was trying to remember the word from the few Asian movies she had seen, but her anger muddled her brain, " What is it they call them...." she asked in exasperation.
" Ninja?" he offered quietly.
" Yeah! A ninja!" and then she stormed back into the kitchen to finish the dishes. She wanted to really cry, then, but her anger overshadowed it. Instead, she banged around a few more of the pans that Don had used to make breakfast with.
He looked after her thoughtfully and, chuckling to himself, knew that there was going to be a great deal of learning today!
After she was done with the dishes, Gabriella apologized to Don about mouthing off at him, "Sorry about yelling. The soap stung and I guess I didn't find it at all funny."
He accepted it graciously, taking note of a turn in Gabriella's composure. Don's smile surprised her so she returned the expression sheepishly, trying to appear to put aside her fear of him and whatever resentments she was harboring. She was smart enough to know it would do her little good to continue demonstrating it. She was here in California and there wasn't much Gabriella could do about it, for now anyway!
When Don was ready to go over to the big house, Gabriella mentioned having to use the restroom " I'll catch up with you!" she said, trying to sound convincing. She had other plans, though - despite her changed composure earlier - and they didn't include going anywhere near the house; not after Riahna's outbursts! Autism or not, Riahna's effect upon Gabriella had created an insecure feeling with her about meeting the rest of the family. She was sure that they were already well informed about the drama over the floral display. There was something else that deflated her enthusiasm for meeting everyone, too.
Gabriella feined interest, " I really want to see the inside of that house!" she smiled as she went into the restroom.
Don asked her, " You feel all right about coming along by yourself?" He wasn't too convinced, considering the experience he had with her in Connecticut.
Trying to sound as convicing as she could, Gabriella replied, "Hey, I survived Riahna! What else could happen!" and she laughed as she closed the door.
" Okay. Then I'll see you in a few minutes!" Don smiled, appreciating the sudden turn in maturity she had taken. " Maybe things will work out after all!" he said to himself as he left the cottage. His mood lightened up considerably.
Now, on with the story.........
The landing was dreadful, but Gabriella kept herself quiet. It was a windy evening in San Jose and there was one point where the jet lurched in protest. Gabriella let out a short muffled cry, but she quickly put her hand over her mouth. Don never turned his head or indicated that he noticed, however.
Once the plane had stopped, Gabriella exhaled, almost as if she had held her breath for the entire trip!
" Hey, we're here!" Raph reported to her and patted her hand.
Gabriella nodded weakly, still trying to recover from the experience of landing. She unbuckled herself and then bent down and reached under her seat to grab her coat. But, it was gone! She put it there right after she took it off to visit the restroom. She was desperate! Gabriella looked out the small window and saw people milling around the plane, unloading the luggage and doing whatever they did to planes that arrived. She was feeling herself panic. Then, turning back towards the interior of the plane, she noticed that Raph was no longer sitting next to her.
Don was!
"Lose something?" he asked cooly, clearly aware of her plight. He watched her intently, discerning her next course of action. He saw the panic set it, almost before Gabriella realized it herself.
"Um, yeah....my coat!" she replied weakly.
"Gone!" he announced. He laced his fingers together and lifted his chin up as if to challenge her.
The look of sheer terror was on Gabriella's face, now! " Wh..what do you m..mean, gone?" her voice quivered as her anxiety heightened.
" Gone" Don said simply, but with determination as he looked at her. "Yes, she's definately edging towards critical" he observed silently.
" I- I can't leave this plane without ...." she started to explain.
But he interrupted her, " Maybe in Connecticut, but here in California you will not need it. It's too warm!" Don shifted his position slightly, just in case she decided to bolt. He was ready to catch her if that's what she chose to do.
" I don't CARE! I WANT my cape back." and this time Gabriella was angry, her fear now replaced by indignation as she realized Don had taken it! She glared at him defiantely.
" Too bad! " he said sternly and narrowed his eyes at Gabriella, noticing her attitude. Don then stood up and offered his hand to her.
Gabriella refused it and sat back deeper in her seat, glaring up at him. She was truely afraid of him, but was getting tired of feeling that way! "How dare he...." she began to say to herself, but then......
Without any warning, Don deftly grabbed her arm and hoisted her up so effortlessly and quickly, she was dizzy from the sudden assent. "GABRIELLA, I will not argue with you on this and I will not placate your obstinance! One point of resistance from this moment on and I will have you darted and knocked out. You will have a headache afterwards and will not feel at all well. If you prefer that to gracefully exiting this plane, just let me know!" Don's voice was stern and completely serious.
He waited.
Gabriella gulped and her eyes widened. Gone was her anger! Now she felt that old trepidation coming back again! She actully considered his offer of being knocked out, but then realized she would look so stupid being carried off the jet. The memory of Don hoisting her up and into the plane in Connecticut was still fresh in her mind! Gabriella opted for the more dignified way.
She nodded meekly in his direction and, allowing him to take her hand, was helped out of her seat. He then stepped aside to let her out. He smiled faintly, pleased that she had made the better of the two decisions.
Gabriella did not notice his change in expression, though. She was concerned about something else entirely!
She asked Don, "Where's Raph?" She had wanted to walk out with him since Thomas was already down the stairs and warming up the car. Gabriella looked around but didn't see the other turtle. She had become used to him and was getting a bit aprehensive that he wasn't anywhere nearby.
Don replied, " He's left already."
"Oh...that was quick" was all she said. Gabriella was trying to remember how long she had looked out the window. It didn't seem that long to her and it was quite unsettling to think that Raph could move fast enough to just 'disappear' like he did. Maybe she was more tired that she realized. It was nearly midnight for her since Gabriella was still on Eastern time.
"Yes, he is quick!" Don smiled. " He had an appointment to make."
" Will he be back?" The girl asked softly.
"Yes, tomorrow sometime. " her escort replied evenly. It was good, he thought, that Gabriella was starting to see some comfort in one of them. It was obvious to Don that sitting next to Raphael during the flight had helped Gabriella adjust a little bit to them. Hopefully, it would assist in facilitating her to accept Mike and his family, too!
With a sinking heart, Gabriella was realizing that she would be walking out with Don, which only made her more ill at ease! Especially how he had threatened to dart her!
With much trepidation, Gabriella descended the stairs gingerly, trying not to look around. She could sense Don behind her, following her from behind. What was worse, she could 'feel' his eyes on her back and it was most disconcerting! He was on his cell phone and talking in a hushed whisper as he monitored Gabriella's progress down the steps.
However, because of not having her cape to hide within, Gabriella was too nervous to pick up on his conversation.
Once on the tarmac, she instictively hunched her shoulders out of insecurity of not having her hooded coat! There were so many people milling around her direct vicinity that it made her edgy. Suddenly, Gabriella flinched backward when one attendent walked innocently by her. But, he paid her no mind, which was just fine with her! However, Don continued walking, which forced Gabriella to pick up her pace a bit so that she wouldn't get run into by him!
The jet had been parked near a hanger where it would be stored until the next time it was needed. Gabriella saw a limousine sitting just a few yards away, but it seemed like a hundred yards to her with being out in the open like she was! Thomas was there and as Gabriella reached the vehicle, he opened the rear passenger door. She smiled weakly and thanked him. He nodded back and returned the expression. "You're going to be fine, Miss!" he said encouragingly. Gabriella gulped down her trepidation, not too confident about that!
Finally, once safely hidden in the car, she relaxed. Thomas quickly opened the other door to allow Don to get into the sedan. Then, the valet slid into the driver's seat and started up the engine.
Don seemed fidgity, at first, but then - much to Gabriella's horror - realized he was scooting closer to her! By the time he was settled, Don was sitting right next to Gabriella. She froze! "What is he doing?!" she asked herself. She kept her head facing forward but allowed herself to look out of the corner of her eye at him to see what he would do next. He just sat there, passive, and looking straight ahead, his hands on his lap.
Gabriella didn't understand why he had to sit so close to her and it made her very uncomfortable. Finally, she turned away to look out the tinted window. People were still milling around the jet, getting it ready to be rolled into the hanger. They seemed very efficient at their job. But, most surprisingly, as she thought about it, not at all concerned with her while she was walking from the plane to the limousine! It gave her something to consider; maybe California was used to Don and his family! Maybe she could get used to them, as well?! It was certainly food for thought!
The car started to move and before too long, Thomas had them cruising along the main highway. The ride was long. But, it seemed longer to Gabriella with Don sitting so close to her.
"Where exactly are we going?" she asked after a while.
" To my brother's place in Big Sur. I think you will like it there." Don answered her.
His right shoulder was brushed up against hers from the moment they had left the airport. Gabriella had tried to put some space between herself and him, but Don was sitting so close to her, she was unsuccessful. Just being so near to this reptile, this turtle that wouldn't take diddly squat from her, intimidated Gabriella to no end. Because she had been able to manipulate the professor so easily throughout her life, it didn't occur to her until now that he had been too soft with her. She was starting to miss him all over again and felt her throat constrict!
Don had no intentions of making this easy on Gabriella. He had promised the professor he would see to her 'education' and the more uncomfortable he made her, the better his results would be. From the time the jet set down in San Jose, unbekown to Gabriella, her training had commenced! Don's first job was to push her to the point of breaking, to wear down that stubbornness she possessed naturally.
"Why couldn't her father had been Leo or Mike!", Don lamented. But, he knew it was Raph who had been captured so many years before. His brother would most certainly have to get involved with Gabriella's training, as he would better understand her. But, for now, Don's job was to whittle her down to size while he had the time to do so. He had business to attend to the following week, so it was going to be an interesting. if not challenging, experience until then!
After two hours through south-bound traffic, they connected with Highway 1 and continued their southerly direction. The landscape gave way to the Pacific coastline, with crashing surf on the right side of the car and fields with an occassional city on the left. Gabriella was fascinated with the beach area and it seemed to call to her. She couldn't see too much because it was dark, but the phosphorus in the waves intrigued her. She pushed her face closer to the window to see past the tint, totally transfixed by the scenery.
Before too long, they were traveling through a large city and then soon after that a smaller town. The town had a quaint feel to it with a bit more foot traffic than the larger cities had. This forced Thomas to slow their progress. It was late, so there were few people milling outside the shops and along the walkways. Still, there was enough to force Gabriella to shrink back into her seat! As a result, she found herself nestling into Don's side. Gabriella was between a rock and a hard place in that moment. She was afraid of both the people and the person sitting next to her. But, right now, Don was the lesser of the two 'evils'.
Don smiled. Out of compassion, he put his arm across her shoulders to comfort. He would have opted for a less aggressive approach to this young hybred, prefering a gentle kindness like he showed his niece, Gaele. But, Gaele had been trained long before he had come into her life, so there hadn't been any need to be overly stern with her.
However, with Gabriella, in all his years he had never experienced anyone so obstinent - other than Raphael! It was going to be a difficult process for everyone, but most definately for her. He sighed at the thought and hoped, really hoped, that she would realize her uniqueness and accept her place in his family. Otherwise, they where all going to be in for quite a ride!!
Feeling Don's arm embrace her, Gabriella recoiled. However, he held on, gently and affectionately rubbing her right arm. She was confused completely now! His conduct towards her in contrast to his previously harsh behavior was just too extreme. Though she did not find his comfort offensive, she just didn't know how to react to it! Finally, she resigned herself to where she was and allowed his affection.
Despite her fear of him, Gabriella was starting to get a little more used to Don. It wasn't lost on her that they was related in some fashion. It was just that she had never seen anyone quite like him or Raphael before today. Though the professor had never directly told her, Gabriella truely thought herself unique and one of a kind. To know that there were others like herself, but not quite like herself, frightened her. But, the greatest concern she had for the moment was what they would be expecting from her!
About thirty minutes south from the little town, Thomas turned the car left and up onto a private road. The area was guarded by the biggest trees Gabriella had ever seen! They were huge compared to what she was used to back in Connecticut. She could make out only their base in the darkness whenever the sedan's headlights would illuminate them. But what she did observe caused her to gasp. The trees were as wide, if not wider, than the car she rode in was long! She was speechless and wondered excitedly how tall they would have to be in relation to their width! Gabriella relaxed even more, becoming distracted from who she was sitting next to by what she was seeing through the car's window. Don sensed it immediately, sighing in relief. Hopefully, he thought to himself, she was starting to calm down
They evenutally came upon a rod iron fence that stretched left and right as far as the eye could see, disappearing into the thick grove of trees. Once the security gate opened, the road contined through the forest of tall redwoods.
Just before the house came into view, the driveway opened up to an expanse of lawns and landscaped meadows. There were lights here and there to illuminate the yard and for an instant, Gabriella caught sight of a small herd of deer. She leaned forward and pressed her face against the window to see them better. The tint of the windows didn't help much, since it was after eleven in the evening. The artificial illumination that was there helped to diminish the darkness, but the animals almost looked ghost-like in the shadows of the trees. At the sound of the car, though, the deer suddenly scattered, bounding into the blackness of the forest. Gabriella had counted ten deer, all together, with some of them being juveniles. She rarely saw such wildlife, other than when she lived in Montana with the professor. During that time, she saw more than she ever had in Connceticut. But it was so long ago she had forgotten about it until now!
Then, the house came into view! It was a house to match the trees, the biggest Gabriella had ever seen up close. To think that she was going to stay the there, excited her. For a moment, she forgot about her home back in Connecticut. Since she was so recluse and housebound due to the professor's need to keep her hidden, a large house like what she was seeing before her was very inviting!
As they closed in on it, the house seem to grow larger. "I've never seen a house that big before!" she exclaimed softly.
"It's about eight thousand square feet. Mike wanted ten thousand, but Rahab didn't want to have to bike from one end to the other just to get to the kitchen!" Don commented, chuckling a little.
Gabby smiled wide at his humor, but then yawned. She then realized how tired she was, even with the nap she took on the plane. "Must be the time difference." she said to herself. She thought about it and realized that it would be two in the morning back in Connecticut. Then, she thought of the professor. Her excitement over the trees and the big house waned just a bit. But they had finally reached the mansion and were now maneuvering around the right side of the house. Gabriella's attention was now on who would be there to greet her!
Thomas drove the car in behind the garage that was to the right of the house and along it's side. He moved the car under a canopy that seemed intentionally set up just for the sedan. Beyond that was a garden and then just passed the garden was a cottage. It was relatively small compared to the main house, but was of decent size. Perfect for overnight guests, all in all.
Gabriella thought the overall archetecture was interesting. From her channel surfing with cable television in Connecticut, she occassially would watch the home shows. She decided that the cottage style was Mediteranean and it matched the much larger house in design. There were verandas both on the second and first story of the mansion and one that wrapped around the single story cottage home. She liked both houses very much and wondered which of the two she would be sleeping in tonight. Don was right, she was going to like Mike's place afterall!
No one met them, however. They had come upon the home while everyone was asleep, it appeared. It was well passed 11 in the evening and a Sunday to boot. So, Gabriella wasn't too surprised and not too dissapointed for the lack of greeting.
While she had slept on the plane, Don had called ahead to tell Mike not to make a great big fuss over their arrival. He explained to him what transpired at the Professors home and how difficult Gabriella had been. Much to Don's chagrine, Mike had busted up laughing, thinking of Raph getting his dues with not only having a son with an attitude, but now a daughter! He thought that pretty amusing until he was told that Gabriella would be staying with them rather than at Don's house in San Jose!
That sobbered Mike up pretty fast!
" Ah, Don - we just got Devon where he's actually hospitable!" Mike complained.
Mike had given Devon a job at his music studio a few years before and found, to his delight, that the boy was truely gifted in management! He didn't manage right away, but seemed willing to work his first position as music filer as if that were the highest rung in the success ladder. Before too long, though, he proved himself invaluable in many other ways. It seemed to also generate an improvement in their difficult relationship. But, there was still some work to be done with Devon and his dad, Raphael.
" She needs to be around people like us, Mike. I need your gym. Plus, the overall expanse of your place will be an asset in calming her down. I don't need her in a large town where she could get lost. Or, worse, if she happens to run away!" was Don's reason.
Mike had finally found the logic in it, but said, "I'm fine with it, but you better square it with Rahab first!! Otherwise, you'll be on her bad side - and you know better than to go there, Bro!"
Don never did enjoy having to facing Rahab. Despite the fact that she was bascially unskilled in the 'arts, she had proven herself to be more than a match for him when it came to words and getting things done her way! He admired her greatly, but she was still a formidable combatent in discourse! He was always baffled by the way she could get him to jump at her beck and call!
Fortunately, after Mike put her on the phone and Don explained the situation, she was open to the idea.
" At the very least", she had said," Gabriella can be reassigned to the guest house if she brings too much disturbance to the family!"
Don was amused at her clearly deliberate attempt at humor. The guest house was where he always stayed whenever he spent the night at Mike's!
Gabriella momentarily hesitated to exit the car. She knew that there were people here like Don, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to meet them. It pleased her no end that her arrival happened while the rest of the family was asleep. What were the others like, she wondered. Would they be like Don? Maybe worse! So far, he had proved to be most unmoveable and intimidating, though the ride to the house had shown a softer side to him. Raph had become somewhat of a comfort to her, but he wasn't there at the moment. Gabriella was filled with dread and anxious anticipation.
Don offer his hand to her to help her out and she reluctantly accepted. He smiled at her, pleased that she had not shrunk back against the far door like she had been doing with every other stop since they had left the professor's home. Good for her that Gabriella didn't because Don would have had to exercise some discipline if she had!
The night air was cool for late summer in California, but to Gabriella it seemed warmer. Back in Connecticut, the September nights were becoming increasingly chilly, sometimes frosting the landscape by morning. Winter would be setting in over the next few weeks and Gabriella wondered what California was like compared to her home back east. She had heard it seldomed snowed out west!
There were still times in Connecticut where the temperatures were in the eighties during September days, but the night time cooled things off pretty well. The smell of the leaves decomposing would bring a heady, earthy flavor to the landscape. It was always the catalyst to getting Gabriella in the mood for snow and the holidays. But here at Mike's, in California, where she had heard the weather was quite monotonous, she wasn't sure if that would appeal to her. However, she could taste the salt in the air from being so close to the ocean. She rather liked it!
As they walked towards the guest house, Thomas said his good-nights and headed for the main garage where an apartment on the second story awaited him. Gabriella automatically started to follow the valet, but Don quickly, yet gently, took her arm. He told her quietly, "You'll be staying in the guest cottage with me, Gabriella. Thomas has things to do tomorrow and there is only enough room in his apartment for one person."
She was truely disappointed. Even though Thomas was as much a stranger to her as Don was, at least his human features brought her a sense of familiarity. The valet looked back at her and smiled, then headed for the outside stairs that led up to his compact residence. The apartment gave Thomas a strategic view of the front property, which - considering his training - he rather prefered. Thomas was more than a valet to Don and had seen to his employer's and the family's safety on more than one occassion!
Don then led Gabriella towards the cottage, his pace steady and deliberate. He was tired and wanted to get to bed. He noticed that he did not have to pull Gabriella along, which pleased him no end. Don was hoping against hope that Gabriella would adjust quicker than he had predicted. In this he would not mind being wrong! At the very least, it would be easier on her in the long run!
As she walked towards the cottage, Gabriella inquisitively looked around the back part of the property and noticed that it was softly lit. She spied a pool to her left behind the larger house. There was a fire pit and a rather large barbeque area and at least three tabels with umbellas. Also, a waterfall slide that connected to the pool. The landscape dipped and rolled here and there to add interest with rows of flowers and other greenery for color. It was rather attractive to Gabriella. A garden with a open ended portico covered with vines afforded seating with wood benches built into the structure. It was quite appealing to her and she thought that maybe tomorrow she would visit that part of the yard.
The redwoods were easily discernable with the outdoor lighting. But their true size still could not be determined due to the increasing darkness. Gabriella tried to judge their height. However, where most trees would have topped off, these kept going past the line of light and beyond, stretching upwards towards the stars. The moon was not up, yet, so Gabriella used the constellation to determine how tall these montersous trees were. She was quite impressed when she was forced to hold her head way back to actually find where the star field began! " WOW!" was all she said.
Don looked back at her and asked, " You okay?"
" Yeah. Those trees are bigger than I thought, and I thought they were big earlier!" She sounded geniunely excited.
Don turned back towards the cottage and smiled. Yep, she was going to like it here, he thought.
He turned the handle and opened the door, stepping aside for Gabriella to enter first.
" Is this where you stay when you visit?" she asked, noticing the decor was much different from the archecture.
The style of the interior was oriental, or Japanese. A small laqured table made from bamboo wood sat just to the right of the frontdoor. A lit lamp was placed there, illumintating a soft glow to reveal the room. A futon was opposite the door against the far wall, covered in a black material. A coffee table, again made from bamboo wood and laqured, sat in front of it. A fireplace was to the right along an exterior wall with a mantle that had several undetermined items decorating the top. She noticed some artifacts gracing the wall above the fireplace, but she paid it no mind as she was taking in the rest of the room. Gabriella noticed to the right of the fireplace by the front window a simple stuffed chair in black leather that afforded additional seating. The window afforded a view of the larger home and the garage, next to which was parked the sedan that had brought her there.
"Yes, but I don't visit often since I have my own home in San Jose. I'm currently building a house here in the reserve just a little ways from here, though. It will end up becoming Gaele's when I'm gone." Don replied. "But, Mike's place offers some amenities that I need right now!" and he closed the front door.
"I didn't know you had a home in San Jose. How many do you have?" she asked as she looked around the cottage curiously.
"A few. One in Japan, one in New York, one further south from here in the desert, and a few in Europe for when I do business there. I like to know my surroundings and security measures, so since I have the means...." Don answered.
Gabriella walked deeper into the living room. She noticed to the left from it an eating area with a dining table made from the same bamboo wood as were the occassional table in the living room. Chairs painted in black lacquer graced it's perimeter. On the table was a whispy floral centerpiece with a single stalk of bird of paradise flower. In addition, some rabbit's foot ferns filled in the arrangement. Accenting the display was a tall, skinny branch curving around the entire piece and up and over the large floral bloom. Gabriella walked over and looked at it closely. She saw that the flowers sat in a round black ceramic bowl and were secured by a floral frog. The stems were resting in about two inches of water and surrounded by Cobalt blue stones. But, the stones had either been moved aside. or, for some reason, not placed too well, exposing the frog. Out of reflex, Gabriella attempted to move the stones to cover the frog more evenly.
"Don't do that!" Don corrected, " Riahna will know that someone tampered with her work and then she'll be mad!"
" Who is Riahna?" Gabriella asked as she stopped what she was doing. She turned to face him.
" She is Mike and Rahab's youngest daughter. She loves flowers and they've discovered she likes to arrange them. She's ... a rather special young lady. You will meet her tomorrow." Don explained.
" Oh." Gabriella replied. " Ah, where do I sleep?" she asked quietly as she noticed that the cottage only had one bedroom. From her vantage point by the table, she could see the bedroom from the hallway that was between it and the kitchen, which was to the right of the dining area. Gabriella could see the bed from where she stood and she also determined that the one bathroom was located at the end of the hall. The bedroom shared the common wall with the living area where the futon was placed. It was a well laid out, if not compact, floorplan.
Don answered her, " You will take the bedroom tonight. I'll sleep on the futon. Tomorrow evening, you'll probably stay in the bigger house."
Gabriella yawned again, which prompted Don, " And none too soon, it looks like! You've had a big day. Tomorrow will be even more so! Best you get your rest."
Gabriella looked at him and wondered why tomorrow would be bigger than what she had experienced today. In her mind, this day was a day to beat out any she had previously experienced! But, she figured that with Mike's family, maybe that is what Don had meant. She nodded to him and grabbed up her backpack, heading for the bedroom. A little while later, she was in bed and asleep in no time.
Don was talking to her, "Gabriella, time to wake up!"
"Hmmph, wha..?" She stirred, " Wha' time'z it?" she asked, groggy.
" Six in the morning!" he replied.
" Wake me later!" and she turned away from him, snug and warm under the comfort of the blankets.
Don gently shook her. " Get up, Gabriella" he repeated, but a bit more insistantly.
" Go 'way. I'm tired and I want to sleep! Six is too 'rly" she growled, hunkering down in the bed a little more and pulling the blankets close around her.
Before she even realized what was happening, the covers were yanked off of her, exposing her to the cool morning air of the room. She shot up straight into a sitting position and tried to grab the covers back. But Don had deftly thrown them into the hallway, sheets and blankets all, well out of her reach.
" Hey! What was that for?" she complained loudly, wrapping her arms around her for warmth.
"Time to get up!" and Don left the room, grabbing the blankets and sheets from the floor as he walked into the hall. He closed the door to give her some privacy. She glared after him, not at all amused!
Gabriella was in a foul mood because of her rude awakening, banging around the bedroom in anger at being woken so early. She grumbled out loud, complaining about the unfairness of it all, having to move clear across the country against her will, being forced to do things she didn't want to do, etc.... She even made comments about having to be with people stranger than she was!
Don heard her from the living area as she moved gruffly around the bedroom. He was quite amused by her ranting. But, her response was exactly where he had wanted her. Don wanted to provoke her and get her riled, for it was from that point he would take her to where she was manageable. Push it always to the limit to see how far you can go, then adjust the 'volumn' to a comfortable level. It was where Splinter had often taken him and his brothers when, in their youth, they would irritate the revered rat. Mostly, it was Raphael who earned that kind of attention. Or, sometimes, Splinter would just ignore them when they behaved inappropriately, which was worse! Don decided that Gabriella would have welcomed being ignored, so he took the first approach. He was counting on her keen intelligence to figure it all out.
After a while, she finally came out of the bedroom, dressed, but then headed for the bathroom. It was occupied.
"Great!" she complained, so she went back to the empty living room. She noticed the floral display once again. Those rocks just didn't look right. How would Riahna know if the rocks were smoothed out? She wouldn't be coming into the cottage. She had the bigger house to live in. So, just to be obstinent, Gabriella evened them out, though Don specifically had told her not to. Part of her motivation, however, was to irritate Don! She wanted to get back at him for waking her the way he did! She smiled, amused at herself.
Not too long after that, Don came out of the restroom. He had showered and was feeling pretty upbeat. He liked being at Mike's. It was a place where he could let his guard down and just relax.
"Good morning, Gabriella. Isn't it a beautiful day!" he smiled at her.
Gabriella grunted, unamused, and headed for the bathroom.
Don shook his head and chuckled to himself, "Going to be a great day! " and started whistling a tune about absolutely nothing.
Gabriella went into the bathroom and closed the door while Don ventured through the dining room towards the kitchen.
Passing the dining table, he quickly noticed the even spacing on the stones. He then realized that Gabriella had done specifically what he had requested her not to do. Although it did not dampen his mood, he knew that Riahna would be visiting shortly and then there would be fireworks. He would not put the stones back nor would he take the blame, but would let Gabriella handle it all by herself. At the very least, she would get a quick initiation into the Angelo's household! He started whistling again, only more intently as he imagined Riahna's reaction!
" STUPID GIRL!!!" the iguanoid female screamed, standing in the cottage dining room. "STUPID GIRL!!" again, Riahna yelled. Gabriella just stood there, shocked and impressed by this incredible emotional display. Riahna took up the bowl of flowers gruffly and, in the process, splashed water on the floor. Then she stomped angrily out of the cottage with it, clearly not happy with Don's guest. What was more startling to Gabriella was the irrate girl had a tail!! That, coupled with her blue hair, made Riahna more different and strange than Don! "What were these people, anyway? " Gabriella asked herself, shaking her head, her eyes big with trepidation.
Gabriella had just come out of the bathroom and had heard someone yelling in protest. Obviously, Don had told Riahna who had messed with her design. Gabriella had no idea who she was at first, transfixed by her appearance. But the girl had been glaring at the floral display. It was then realized that the blue-haird igunaoid female must have been Mike's youngest daughter. That was when Riahna started telling Gabriella that she was stupid!
" Y - You told her I did that?" she stammered at Don after Riahna left.
" Well, I wasn't going to take credit for it? You were told last night...." Don said as he had his hands up in defense.
"Yeah, I know..... but why didn't you tell me she was autistic?" Gabriella asked, truely irked with Don and still overwhelmed by Riahan's appearance.
" Didn't think I had to justify my request. You were told, that should have been enough!" Don was getting irritated, now. " Besides, I felt it better for you to come to that conclusion on your own about Riahna. She can be a sweet kid to most, but for you - that won't happen for a while. She has a good memory and a way of getting back - despite her autism!" and he smiled, returning to the kitchen!
Gabriella was not amused with him and resigned herself to the living room while Don fixed breakfast. She mulled over the past sixteen or so hours and had to remind herself that she was in California, now, and not Connecticut. That and the fact that probably at this moment the professor was going in for his treatment. Gabriella had to swallow back the lump that was forming in her throat at just the thought of her father back east, all by himself with just the hospital staff for company. She did not want to cry, though, not after the way Don scolded her yesterday. So, she instead inspected the living room more closely. It was then that she noticed it.
Gabriella remembered from the night before that there were some decorataive items on the mantle, but something more interesting was on the wall above it. She had been too curious about the rest of the house to take a closer look at it, though. Plus, she had been tired.
Now, Gabriella looked at the artifact on the wall above the fireplace and saw that it was a long sword with an ornate handle. It sat in a mounted wood holder, which was fastened to the wall. The handle had a jade hilt with the blade being about 3 feet long. It looked quite sharp and gave the girl the jitters just looking at it.
" You collect weaponry?" she asked Don as she stared at the sword.
He quietly replied from the kitchen, " Of sorts." and continued with his whistling.
Gabriella shivered at the sight of the leathal-looking tool. She looked closer and noticed some color on the blade. Was that blood? She touched it and some of it flaked off.
"Ewwwwe, there's blood on this thing! You didn't hack anyone up did you?" she asked, wiping her tainted finger on her jeans. She was getting comfortable in talking, now that she was somewhat used to being in Don's company.
The whistling, however, stopped. Gabriella realized a sudden mood change in the room, like a blast of cold air! Her innate ability to sense things went on high alert! She turned around slowly and saw that Don was standing at the kitchen doorway looking at her, his eyes narrow and serious.
" Ah, only kidding?" she meekly offered, noticing he looked quite unhappy. Not mad, just - unamused.
Don sighed, shook his head slowly, and went back to the kitchen to finish making breakfast . He didn't resume his song.
Gabriella was deeply affected by the sudden shift in his mood and wondered what was with the sword to make Don react the way he did. "He's certainly one who doesn't have to say much to get his point across, that's for sure!" Gabriella thought to herself as she timidly sat down on the futon. She looked back up at the sword and wondered how that blood really did get there. Seemed she was at square one again with Don, too!
He called her to the table a while later and they ate their breakfast in silence. Gabriella knew that Don was upset with her, but it was a different kind of 'upset' than yesterday. Yesterday, he would have glared at her and it would have shaken her down to her bones. Now, he seemed distant, like he was lost in a sea of thoughts that she, herself, had generated! His ignoring her seemed worse than his glare, for some reason. Maybe it was because she had just recently seen a different side to Don! He was kinder, by far, during the ride from the airport and most certainly his whistling this morning appeared to be out of character - based on what little she knew of him. She rather liked his whistling, in fact! Forgotten was her rude awakening. Gabriella was, now, more concerned with why he was not talking to her - and it surprised her to no end that she felt that way, too!
Wanting to start fresh and hoping to make amends, she meekly offered, " I'm sorry if I offended you."
" No offense taken, Gabriella." he said as he took a bite of scambled egg, his expression flat.
She didn't buy it for one moment. Gulping back her fear, she took the proverbial 'bull by the horns' and asked, " Well, if I didn't offend you, why did your mood change?" Gabriella anticipated a warning look from him.
But, she received something entirely different!
Don looked over at her, or, rather right through her. It put a chill up her spine, almost unnerving her. He stared long and hard, so much so she just wanted to crawl under the table to get away from it. "I'd rather be yelled at than looked at like that!" she mused to herself, her eyes widening slightly.
Finally Don told her, " Gabriella, there are some things about me that you will never know. Just as there are things about you that I will never realize. The comment you made earlier about the sword was done in jest, but I saw no humor in it. It was careless of you to say what you said, especially when you speculated what the sword was used for!"
Don went back to his meal, leaving Gabriella to ponder his words.
Actually, it freaked her out. What exactly did he do anyway? She knew from his conversation at the Blue Pelican that he had `businesses here and there world-wide' but what were they and how did he `manage' them? There was an edge to him that silently indicated he was not to be trifled with on this topic. She worried about this, all the while trying to eat her breakfast. She started thinking a lot about a great many things that had happened to her since leaving Connecticut yesterday! She did her best to keep her hands from shaking.
Don did his best not to notice! He smiled inwardly, though, realizing he had just given her something new to think about.
Gabriella had the chore of cleaning up. Actually, she rather enjoyed it since it brought back memories of the day before, when she was cleaning up breakfast at her home in Connecticut. A bit of meloncholy seeped into her mood, though. She was hand washing the dishes, per Don's request. As she thought about the professor, she felt a tear run down her cheek. She wiped it away absentmindedly with her hand, but had forgotten that it was covered in soapy suds. She managed to get the soap on her face and in the one eye. " Ow!" she cried out from the stinging. She rinsed the suds off of her hands and reached for a paper towel to clean off her face.
" You all right?" Don asked from the living room. He was reading the paper that Riahna had brought in earlier. It was her way of welcoming her uncle back `home'; sort of a tradition of hers - along with the flowers.
" Yeah, I'm fine. Just got a little soap in my eye is all." she sniffed quietly. She was still bothered by Don's earlier comment and was somewhat miffed at him for being so evasive about the sword. She didn't like being spooked like that. He could have been nicer, she thought. What was he trying to do? Intimidate her with presumed gory stories with the sword? Did he really hack someone up with it? "Good golly, if that were true, did my father even know about this? What if he didn't?" she asked herself silently.
" How'd you get soap in your eye?" he asked, turning the page of the newspaper.
Gabriella was not going to own up to crying, not after yesterday, so she just said she had an itch and forgot she had suds on her hands.
Don laughed at that, thinking it was pretty funny, but Gabriella was not amused. The the soap had stung.
"You have a strange sense of humor, Don!" she complained irritably from the kitchen, banging a pan in her frustration.
"Hey, look who's talking! You make fun of a bloody sword!!" and he went back to his reading.
Not the least bit amused and the stress of the past day catching up with her, Gabriella stormed into the room and shouted, " Well, gee - Don - how many people have bloody swords in their houses anyway? One would think you were - ah - " she was trying to remember the word from the few Asian movies she had seen, but her anger muddled her brain, " What is it they call them...." she asked in exasperation.
" Ninja?" he offered quietly.
" Yeah! A ninja!" and then she stormed back into the kitchen to finish the dishes. She wanted to really cry, then, but her anger overshadowed it. Instead, she banged around a few more of the pans that Don had used to make breakfast with.
He looked after her thoughtfully and, chuckling to himself, knew that there was going to be a great deal of learning today!
After she was done with the dishes, Gabriella apologized to Don about mouthing off at him, "Sorry about yelling. The soap stung and I guess I didn't find it at all funny."
He accepted it graciously, taking note of a turn in Gabriella's composure. Don's smile surprised her so she returned the expression sheepishly, trying to appear to put aside her fear of him and whatever resentments she was harboring. She was smart enough to know it would do her little good to continue demonstrating it. She was here in California and there wasn't much Gabriella could do about it, for now anyway!
When Don was ready to go over to the big house, Gabriella mentioned having to use the restroom " I'll catch up with you!" she said, trying to sound convincing. She had other plans, though - despite her changed composure earlier - and they didn't include going anywhere near the house; not after Riahna's outbursts! Autism or not, Riahna's effect upon Gabriella had created an insecure feeling with her about meeting the rest of the family. She was sure that they were already well informed about the drama over the floral display. There was something else that deflated her enthusiasm for meeting everyone, too.
Gabriella feined interest, " I really want to see the inside of that house!" she smiled as she went into the restroom.
Don asked her, " You feel all right about coming along by yourself?" He wasn't too convinced, considering the experience he had with her in Connecticut.
Trying to sound as convicing as she could, Gabriella replied, "Hey, I survived Riahna! What else could happen!" and she laughed as she closed the door.
" Okay. Then I'll see you in a few minutes!" Don smiled, appreciating the sudden turn in maturity she had taken. " Maybe things will work out after all!" he said to himself as he left the cottage. His mood lightened up considerably.
