Seth was sitting at the patio table the next morning, watching the swimmer take her tenth lap. Gabriella had decided that with the convenience of Mike's pool, she would start a regime of doing laps each morning. She decided that fifty would be a good start. Seth had told her it seemed excessive to begin with, but Gabriella insisted she was capable. He watched her form and admired her strokes, taking note that she seemed to grab quite a bit of water with each, propelling herself effortlessly through the pool.

Gabby loved the water and it had been a while since she had enjoyed the element. The only time she could swim was when the professor took her to remote lakes and rivers. But the professor's health had been keeping them home more and more of late. She never had the pleasure of swimming in a pool before. It was quite exciting for her to have that convenience so readily available to her!

Before she knew it, she had completed the full fifty laps. Seth was impressed.

However, Gabriella didn't seem quite right. She was in the middle part of the pool where it was at it's deepest. She looked around at him and the expression on her face showed - pain! She had a cramp and was struggling to ease it and make it to the side of the pool. But, it was proving difficult.

Seth, realizing that Gabby was barely treading water, quickly dove in to assist her. She grabbed onto him, allowing her cousin to pull her through the water and up the shallow end. " Ow," she exclaimed, " It really hurts!!" she cried.

He picked her up, then, walking through the water until he reached the steps. She noticed that Seth hardly exerted to lift her. He was well built, broad shouldered, but lean, and stood just a little taller than she did - that is, if she were standing. Momentarily, she felt her insides do something she had never felt it do before. And it confused her!

Carrying her over to one of the chaise lounges, Seth carefully put her down. " It's my right leg! It hurts really bad!" she complained.

Seth admonished her, "See, told you! Fifty is just too much first time in. Here, let me rub it out." Seth took her leg and worked the tense muscle; he could feel it all knotted up and contracting.

Gabriella winced, complaining, " Hey, that hurts! Stop it!" She tried to pull her leg back.

But Seth firmly kept a hold of it and continued the massage, saying gently, " It will for a moment. Be patient!"

He seemed to notice her for the very first time, though, sitting there beside her. He felt odd and didn't know what make of it. He thought back to the night before when she sat down next to Devon instead of him. Seth had felt a little unhappy about that, until - of course - she called Devon 'Bro'! Then, everything seemed fine; perfect actually! Bro! That sounded so much better than Devon, Seth had thought at the time. He didn't know why, but he almost felt elated as if he had an advantage in his friendship with Gabby.

Finally, after about five minutes, the muscles started to relax and the pain subsided. Gabriella sighed in relief, " Thanks. Wow, I've never had one of those before! Thought I was going to drown!"

" Glad I was here!" Seth admitted. Then, he looked sternly at her, " Promise me something, Gabby? Don't ever go in the pool unless someone is here on the sidelines, okay? " Seth sounded so serious and almost chastizing. She nodded her head, realizing how dangerous it would have been had Seth not been there.

He looked at her and realized just how scared he was watching her struggle the way she did. Seth was getting to where he more than liked Gabriella. In that moment, he knew that he needed to stop massaging her leg. He set it down on the lounge next to the other one and stood up. " Let me get that towel." And he turned back to grab her towel that was on the lounge next to her. She took it from him, but then Seth suddenly walked off.



Gabby towled dried herself dry as best she could and then put her pool robe on. She embraced it's warmth since becoming chilled while sitting on the lounge as Seth took care of her leg cramp. He was currently over by the firepit, having walked there while she dried herself off. She thought it was weird how he had just given her the towel and left.

"Are you mad at me, Seth?" Gabby asked as she came over to where he was at the 'pit.

He was silent and seemed to be brooding. He didn't want to look at her because it just made his insides do flip flops. He knew why and he also knew that it was a waste of energy since there wasn't anything he could do about it. Finally, he faced her, resolved in his decision, " I don't think it's good for us to be alone together anymore, Gabby!" His face was like stone, almost unemotional.

Gabby was stunned, " W- Why? What'd I do? I don't understand?"

Seth wanted to tell her how he felt about her, but he knew it would have complicated things further. He answered her, "Because, it's - just not a good thing. We may be cousins, but we're still flesh and blood, okay! I think that considering we're just getting to know one another, we should exercise caution so we don't..." he thought of how to say it, then " ... end up starting something unnecessarily! And, that's all I'm going to say!" With that, he left the firepit for the house, leaving Gabriella stunned and more confused that before.

Gabby stayed out at the pit for a while, mulling over the event that just transpired. Then, shivering, she ventured back to the house. Climbing the stairs to her bedroom, she felt a deep sadness over what Seth had said to her. She didn't have a clue what he was referring to, but Gabby did know that she liked him. Seth was the first friend close to her own age she had made and it just didn't seem right that he would decide to put restrictions on it. If only she could understand why!

As the morning progressed, more and more of the household came out to the pool. It was proving to be a warm September and everyone was going to get as much out of the good weather as they could.

Riahna and her mom were doing some gardening, while Don prefered just staying inside at the guest cottage. Thomas still didn't have any new information on the beating. Don had called the San Francisco precint that had reported Raph's assault, trying to get more information on those that did it. But, they were at a stalemate as well. Don had also contacted Gaele.

Raph was finally able to get up a little bit; Gabriella coming downstairs to stay with him through the rest of the morning. Leo and Mike moved him out to a chaise lounge on the patio so that Raph could get some sun to assist in the healing. He had slept better the night before, although he still had a sizable headache and his memory of things was still fuzzy.

Earlier, Devon had taken off for the music studio as he had missed a couple days and needed to play catch up with some of the work there. He felt relieved that no longer was it a secret that he and Gabby were half siblings. He rather liked her and was looking forward to getting to know her better. But, Seth's interest in Gabby bothered him. He was glad to get back to work and glad for the distraction.

Seth wasn't anywhere to be seen and that bothered Gabriella a lot. Since his comment earlier that morning, she had continue to worrying over his words and trying to understand him.

Mike had decided to stay home to help care for Raph and wait for any news from the police. He seemed edgy, like wanting to do something, but not knowing what. He was uncharacteristically grumpy.



Gabby's preoccupation with Seth caused her to be moody, as well. At Raph's request, she went into the house to get him something to drink. When she came out and gave him the glass, he asked about her subdued behavior. "Hey, Gabby - waz happen'n? You look out of sorts!" He was concerned, since the day before she had been pretty upbeat.

Gabby just shrugged and sat back in the lounge next to him.

" I do anything to bother you?" he asked her.

She quickly looked over at him and replied reassuringly, " No, not at all, it's just....." She didn't know what to say. She had so many strange emotions coursing through her; feelings that conflicted with each other - ever since Seth had rescued her from nearly drowning earlier. Don had been the only member of the family who had picked her up before then, and it was not one she looked back on fondly.

However, thinking about Seth lifting her out of the water caused a strange stirring in her heart. She felt compelled to fein a similar incident and have him 'rescue' her all over again! What's with that anyway? She could have drowned with that leg cramp.

Still, the idea of someone coming to her aid and 'whisking' her off to safety gave her a giddy feeling. She needed to talk to Seth. But, he didn't seem to be anywhere inside or out.

" Raph, I'm going go inside for a while. Do you need anything before I do?" she asked her father.

" Hey, don't worry 'bout me! I have lots of people here more than willing to help out!" and he smiled at her. Gabby leaned down and gave him a hug. Then, she was off to the house to look for Seth. Raph felt all right with the worl, a big grin on his face. He didn't mind sitting back on his 'can' if it meant getting a hug from his daughter! Not one bit!

No one was in the kitchen or family room area. Leo must have gone over to the guest cottage to visit with Don because he wasn't in the house. Mike looked like he was heading on over to Don's as well. The turtle was about halfway there from the main house. Gabby wondered if Don finally had some news on Raph.

But, where was Seth?

Gabby went into the kitchen and fixed herself a glass of water. She wandered around the family room and then noticed the gym door was opened slightly. The closer she came to the door, the louder the noise was. It seemed to be like someone was working out. She sat her glass down on the dinette table and then went over to open the door slightly, a bit of trepidation seeping into her resolve. The last time she went through that door, Don had been livid about her trip through the forest. He had practically chased her down the steps.

But, the breathing she heard from the stairwell intrigued her. It was younger sounding and the person was working hard. Gabby tip-toed down the steps, careful not to close the door entirely. She edged along the wall, stooping low as the gym came into view. She didn't go all the way down, but just enough to stay in the shadows and still be able to observe who was there.

It was Seth!

He had some black exercise pants on, but his shirt was off. He was perspiring. He currently was wielding a sword, jabbing, dashing, and swinging it around in a ballet like motion. His form impressed Gabby quite a bit. He reminded her of the DVD his father, Leo, was featured on. They were so much alike, anyway, but here in the gym, Gabriella was awestruck with their similarities.

Seth had worked up a good sweat as he parlayed his invisible adversary. Leaping, kicking, and doing forward as well as backward flips, he fully demonstrated his prowess in the 'arts. His tail seemed to assist him as he spun around in an attacking posture, his legs kicking out with leathal speed! Gabby sat there in the dark recesses of the shadows, watching and transfixed as Seth maneuvered his way through a variety of routines. She also noticed more readily his physique and understood, then, why he and Devon were in such good shape!

There were moments when Seth's actions were so fast and precise, he seemed to 'transport' from one end of the gym to the other in just seconds. Faster than she could follow, anyway. That was when it occured to her. Like Don, Mike, Leo, and Raph .... Seth was ninja, too! She was stunned! For some reason, even when he was telling her about ninja history, when she asked him if he had ever killed anyone, Gabby just didn't realize what he was!

She wanted to leave right about then, frightened that she had invaded a secret part of the clan. She didn't know the rules, other than what Seth shared with her yesterday. He told her there was two important understandings that had to be followed. Never get your picture taken and when asked to keep silent about issues, one did as told.

However, try as she did to move her legs back up the steps, she sat frozen in place. She was engaged with a royal struggle between not being found out by Seth and wanting to learn. Finally, she resolved to leave the stairwell and head back up to the family room.

Just as she eased herself up to a stand to assend the steps, Seth spoke, " You'd make a lousy ninja, Gabby!" He stopped his workout just about in line with her on the gym floor, clearly aware of her presence on the stairs.

" Oh!" She was startled and pressed herself against the wall." Sorry, I - I saw the door opened and thought I'd come down to see what was going on. I .... didn't know you were here!"

" Is that right?" Seth wondered, not seeming to be too much out of breath for his workout. " You didn't notice that I was the only one not outside? "

Gabby swallowed, defending herself, " How was I to know you were down here? You could have been in your room for all knew!"

Seth considered what she said, conceeding, " Yes, that might have been true. But, you were looking for me! Otherwise, why would you even venture down here?! Considering your last experience with Don a couple days ago, I would think you'd avoid this place entirely!" His look was stern and confrontational.

His sudden change in how he looked at her from earlier in the morning made her feel very uneasy. Gabby replied, " Hmmm...well, I can see that you're busy, so I'll leave you to your work." She was slightly miffed by his attitude and began to turn around to go back up the stairs.

His movement was so quick, there wasn't any time for her to react. Seth was on the stairs and by her side in a flash. He gently grabbed her and pulled her around to face him. She pulled back, resisting, not knowing what he was going to do, but he held her firm. Gabby cried out in fear, unsure of his intentions. After watching him just a moment ago, she had developed a healthy bit of respect for him.

But, Seth put one finger to her lips to hush and reassure her that he was not going to harm her. Then, taking Gabriella in his arms, he leaned in and kissed her gently on the mouth. His one hand cuped behind her head to support her, he pulled her closer to himself, wrapping his tail around her legs, extending his kiss even longer and deeper. Time seemed to have stopped for both of them in that instant!



Gabby had no clue what a kiss was. The professor had kissed her on her forehead occassionlly. But this, what Seth was doing, was totally different. And - Gabriella liked it! In that moment, she resigned herself to his embrace. She felt warm all over and lighter than air. " Is this what love is? she thought as his embrace tightened.

But, in the next moment, Seth pulled away and it was then that he seemed out of breath. He looked at her deeply, longingly... then pushed her back and took one step down to put some space between them, his tail brought back behind him once again.

" I cannot run away from you, Gabby. Try as I might, I can't put you out of my head or my heart. I know that we just met and am vexed by the fact that we are related and cannot have what my soul desires!! I am sorry if I offended you just now. Please forgive me!" and he bowed ceremoniously in her direction. Straigtening up, he declared softly, almost painfully, " I should have exercised more control!"

Seth had the most chastised look on his face that Gabby had ever seen. It was almost like he had committed some horrible, unforgiveable sin and just realized it.

" Why are you apologizing? I am not at all offended! In fact...." she started to say, but he cut her off.

" NO! It cannot happen; just forget I kissed you, okay? PROMISE ME THAT!" His emotions were now gyrating upwards towards panic. He was reeling internally, caught between desire and common sense. What was he going to do? He had to get away from her before..... He had to leave - now!

In that instant, before Gabriella could tell him that there wasn't any way she could ever forget his kiss, Seth shot up the stairs and out the door, leaving her in his wake confused and more alive all at the same time!



Seth ran up the stairs to his room, taking three steps at a time. He slammed the door to his bedroom in frustration and headed for the bathroom. A hot shower, that's what he needed. Get the grime of sweat off of him, steam himself back to his senses.

Turning the water on full, he stripped his clothes off and stepped into the shower. He let the warm water cascade over him, allowing it to wash away his shame. What was he thinking, kissing Gabriella like that? What was she thinking right now? What would his father and his uncles think if they found out? His mom, for that matter?

He could just hear Devon. All the times that Seth had come down on him for going too far with the girls, and, now, he of all people - his Christian witness in jeopordy - caving in to temptation! At first, Seth compared his kissing with Devon's more intimate relationships. It was just a kiss! Not that bad, really. Was it?

The more Seth evalulated it the more he realized that it wasn't so much the act itself as what generated it. His passion for her surprised him silly. He felt ashamed. He knew better. He knew that the only intimate relationship he would ever have is with his wife - whomever, if ever, she will be. Yet, considering his and Devon's, not to mention Gaele's, limited supply of compatible mates, it was a slim chance at best to find anyone like themselves.

Seth had never felt so out of control! In the heat of his work-out, he had become focused and determined. He was one with his body, the air around him, and the equipment he used. It was a prolonged instant of clairity when he worked the arts with that kind of power. The moment Gabby came down those stairs, his focus changed directions. In a moment, he had lost control - but only for a moment and he was grateful he had regained control when he did!

Seth's entire reason for going down into the gym was to expel the energy he had built up for Gabby - his COUSIN!!! " Oh, man, what am I going to do. Now I've got her going and she hasn't a clue what it's all about! " He knew that she had never dated, never kissed before, never even considered it a possiblity to experience romance. Probably didn't even know it existed, given her very reclusive lifestyle.

He, on the contrary, had socialized with human females. But his Christian faith had kept him chaste and he showed more respect towards them than most young males his age. Certainly more than Devon did! Seth was no longer a child but an adult, there was no argument there. Yet his training under his father's watchful eye proved to him that it took strength to deny himself rather than give in to temptation. But, in a moment of weakness, he was willing to do away with everything he believed in!

He upped the temperature of the water, hoping the heat would do something to calm him down. He thought about that moment she came into the gymnasium...

The instant she breezed into the stairwell, it was like a breath of fresh air coming through the doorway. Seth felt Gabby steal herself down the steps as if she could even try to sneak up on him. At first, he had been mildly amused at her attempt! But then, he had tried to ignore her. It proved to be impossible! He could have discerned her a mile away; he felt so drawn to her.

He discovered that interesting fact there at the pool. Massaging her leg to ease the cramping, he was geniunely trying to help her. Unprepared for what happened next, he was shocked when he felt the stirrings, looking at her in that bathing suit! It wasn't too revealing, but she certainly had fewer clothes on than normal. He had to get away from her as quickly as he could. Yet, he knew he had confused her even then.

"Stop it, Seth" - he chided himself. "Don't go thinking things like that - for cry'n out loud, she's your cousin - stop it! "

But he couldn't! She was beautiful! Striking with that auburn hair, her pale green skin, her form and her lucid retort to his question about how she felt seeing them for the first time, - Seth couldn't help but take note of her And then, that voice!!



He had missed her first 'solo' when she calmed Raph out of his flailings. But he had heard her the night before after Raph had called for her. He had stopped when everyone else had. At first he thought it was from the television, but when he saw that it was just another sitcom, he looked around. His parents and uncles had stopped talking and were listening. He had quietly asked who was singing, not wanting to interfer with it's enchantment. Rahab mouthed at him, smiling - "Gabby!". He was stunned.

Don had the silliest expression on his face and his dad had his eyes closed, as if he could hear better that way. Mike's back was to him, but he had his head bowed, maybe out of respect? It didn't matter, for in that moment, Seth realized Gabriella's worth to the family. Despite her childish ways and behavior, despite her rebellion towards Don, she had expressed talent and intellect like no one else in the family - except for maybe his uncle and Gaele!

Seth turned the water from hot to cold, the heat just wasn't doing it. He nearly jumped out of the shower for the shock, but it was what he needed to get his head back on straight. Yes, he was going to have to talk to Leo, his dad. And, maybe Don to see if there had been anymore news regarding the genetic investigation his uncle had started up again.

Still, the idea that Gabriella was his cousin had been firmly planted into his head - and into everyone else's, for that matter! What would the other's think if they knew how he felt towards her? Japan looked mighty inviting at present!

Seth towled himself off. He put on a fresh pair of sweats and a tank shirt. Noticing himself in the mirror his well developed deltoids and chest, noticing probably for the first time the well muscled definement of his body - he quickly pulled his tank shirt off. He laughed to himself, remembering how the girls back during his school days had dressed in provocative styles, just to get him and his friends to notice them. He never cared for that much! But here he was, realizing that the way he had been dressing was probably just as provocative to Gabriella as those girls tried to be with him. Seth never thought he have to worry about things like this. Seth was determined to change all of that, beginning now! He switched his shirt with one that covered more. "There, that seems to hide the obvious!, he thought.

Flopping himself down on the bed, he grabbed his Bible. This situation certainly called for some in-depth reading. He opened his book to Colossains 3 and read it through. He re-read verse 5 -

' ..Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry...'

Greed? He did not like sharing Gabby! He wanted her for himself and when she sat down next to Devon the night before instead of him, Seth was irritated! He did not want to share her with anyone, especially Devon! It was a humbling realization for him.

Then, he turned to Psalm 119: 9 through 16 -

" How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."

Seth continued to read from parts of the Bible that he had tagged years ago when faced with temptation. He was completely responsible for how Gabriella allowed herself to be kissed. If he had just kept his focus, if he had just allowed her to accend the stairs unnoticed!! That was all he would have had to do; so simple. He was contrite of heart! He knew that, for now, he would have to avoid her. Until such time that Don could confirm the true parentage of himself, Leo, and Raph, Seth could not have Gabby following him around. He just could not spend time with her.

Seth wished for moment that he had explored what Gabby understood about the Bible, having memorized it - as she had admitted two nights prior. It was a delightful surprise to learn she had read his favorite book, the one he adopted as his faith so many years ago. Now, he lamented for losing the opportunity to witness to her. He felt deep sadness in his heart.

An hour of reading later, he came to a conclusion. He knew what he must do!

Seth did not just walk out his bedroom door. He eased out of it once he made sure that Gabby was not on the landing. Her door would be the last he would have to pass before he could descend the stairs He hoped she was still in the gym, but he knew better. He was certain she was offended by his quick departure! Seth crept along the hallway and as it opened up to the foyer, he looked down. No, she wasn't down there, either. Good! He momentarily thought about just jumping over the railing and down to the foyer floor, but he decided it was risky at best. Wouldn't it just be peachy if he landed wrong, turned his ankle, and then have Gabby wait on him until he could walk. He was not that clumsy, but in haste he might be. Injuring himself would defeat but good his trying to stay away from her!

He looked out the window below and, though it had limited viewing because of the angle, he didn't see her outside, either!

Seth decided that Gabby might be in her room. He went into stealth mode, going ninja out of desperation. He had to get passed Gabby's door without her hearing him and his training would do the job!

However, just as he was succesfully making his way by her door, he heard her crying. " Oh, man, I should have jumped!" he complained to himself. He was just going to let it go and continue down the stairs, but Gabby's crying was so heart wrenching! Seth felt his own emotions tumble, but he was resolved. He would go to his father and request to be sent back to Japan! That was the only way he could avoid temptation! He took the first step down the stairs and then Gabby's door opened.

"So, sneaking off, are you?" Gabby looked mad. " What is wrong with you, Seth?" she demanded. " Why did you leave me in the gym like that? I felt so stupid just standing there!!" She had barely stopped crying.

" How'd you know I was here?" he growled, more mad at himself than anything.

" Hmph, you think I can't tell when someone is outside my door?" she declared.

" Well, not the way I was walking, no!" Seth straightened up to his full height, truely offended.

Gabby saw that he was mortified of being found out. He had the most contrite look on his face! Her mood changed in that instant. She tried to keep from laughing, but Seth looked so deflated because she knew he had been outside her door. Then, she lost it completely. "HA!" and doubled over, forgetting for a moment her irritation with him.

"What's so funny?" he was confused by her sudden mood change - and not too happy to be laughed at, either.

" The first step squeaks! I can hear it from my room. I noticed it the first night I slept here! I don't know why, maybe the wood is warped, but I always know when someone is on the first step!" Her laughter reduced to a giggle.

Seth didn't seem amused.

Gabby stopped and cleared her throat. The previous mood now taking root again, " I take it you really didn't want to kiss me, back there in the gym?" She looked strickened!

Seth was stunned, " No, that's not it, it's just - well - we're cousins, Gabby! It doesn't matter how I feel towards you, it's just not right!" She was truely upset, he could see that, " I'm not trying to say I don't like you because that would not be the truth at all. I just know that kissing you like I did was inappropriate - even if we weren't cousins! That's why I left! I need to go talk to my dad, now, okay?" Seth then smiled weakly and continued down the stairs, leaving Gabby more confused and hurt than before!



The more she thought about how Seth ran away from her, the more mad she became - despite his explanation. The tears started to fall as she watched him descend the stairs. She went to the railing, watching him go out the patio doors. Gabby couldn't stop the deluge or her sobs. And then, Rahab came into the foyer from the kitchen and looked up and saw her niece!

" Mike, do you know where my dad is?" Seth asked as he came out from the house.

" Ah, he's over at the guest house with Don. Why?" his stepfather answered.

" No reason. Just need to talk with him s'all" and Seth started walking towards the little house.

Raph was there, listening to the short conversation. Finally, he said, " Hey, Seth..."

Seth turned around. He saw Raph on the lounge by the pool. He was smiling and Seth thought it odd. Their relationship had improved over the years, but he still had a deep seated anxiety whenever he was around his uncle. Raph had finally accepted Seth, but the pain of losing Rahab over what Leo had done was still there - albeit, buried under a lot of training he went through afterwards in Japan. At that time, Leo had gravely hurt Raph when he violated the sanctity of Raph's marriage to Rahab. That seemed to be the catalyst for the marriage to die. Things were never right between them from that point on.

Seth was beyond the guilt he once harbored after being told about it from Leo years ago. There was a lot of forgiveness that had happened. Still, Seth had made a point to always be respectful to Raph - no matter how unkind Raph had been to him in the past.

" Yes, sir?" Seth replied.

Raph smiled and nodded. " I just wanted to say 'thank you' for keeping Gabby safe this morning."

Seth smiled back and nodded, " Would do it for anyone, sir!"

" Yeah? Glad to hear that, son!" Raph replied. " Guess she's going to have to do fewer laps, eh?!" Seth nodded in agreement. Then Raph added, with a twinkle in his eye, " Unless she enjoyed being rescued, that is!" and he let out a big laugh, which made him wince as he was still in a bit of pain.

Seth blushed and turned on his heels, making his way over to the cottage as fast as he could. Mike and Raph laughed together as they watched him retreat.

Seth did not expect that from his uncle! Guess his feelings for Gabby did not go unnoticed by them. How many others in the family saw it that way, too? Now, he wondered if he should even talk to his father? He wanted to do it out of earshot from everyone - especially Don. But, there was little time and he needed to talk now before he lost his resolve.

He rapped on the door. He heard voices as he approached, but then they went silent when Seth made his presence known. The door opened and Don stood there. " Oh, Seth, good that you're here. We have something to tell you!"

Seth just stared. Okay, this is weird. He chided himself for not being more careful in hanging around Gabby. What was he thinking? Stupid, stupid, stupid!!! Seth was mentally coming down on himself and now not wanting to go inside the house. " Maybe I'll come back another time?" he ventured.

Don grabbed him and gently pulled him in, "Naw, this is a great time. C'mon in, Son!"

Seth was not too sure of Don's mood. It seemed vaguely familiar to him from the night before when Don threw him in the pool with Gabby. Seth realized later that Don did it all in good fun! But what would the consequences be now considering how he felt about his own cousin? Seth considered it to be a whole lot worse than a nickname!! Would Don get on Seth's case? Would he lecture him, yell at him. Don was not to be messed with, that was for sure. Seth had a fearful respect for the big guy.

As Seth hesitantly entered the house, he wondered about this uncle of his. The way he sounded, like last night, suggested Don knew something and it could either be good or bad news. Whatever it was, Seth was glad that Leo was there. Don wouldn't kill him in front of his own father!

Unless Leo was equally upset!!

As Don finished explaining his findings to him, Seth asked, " Why didn't you know this years ago when you first found out about the differences?"

Don replied, " The genetisist I hired didn't realize the eggs could have had more than one fathering. He was unware of how pet shops work in propegating their inventory. He was focusing on the mother! When I called Gaele and told her what Gabby suggested last night, she called this Dr. Miller. Since he already had the DNA information available, it only took him about an hour to discern the dissimilarities. Quite a find, eh?!"

" Yeah, I guess. So, this means what? You and Leo are the only full brothers in this family?" Seth asked, not sure where that put Raph and Mike.

Leo answered him, " Yes, but it doesn't discount the rest as family, okay. Raph is still our half-brother, but we also consider Mike one, as well! We've all lived together too many years, going through what we did as any family would. Family is not necessarily defined by blood, Seth. It's defined by unity and committment!"

" It just explains why Raph is the only wild one in the group! Guess there was a snapper in that DNA afterall!!" and all three of them laughed at Don's humor!

Leo then asked Seth, " So, now, on to why you came to us! Was there something important you needed?"

He was not sure what to do, now. Seth was so confident about his decision to leave for Japan and realized, in that moment, he didn't have to. But, maybe he should, just to give some space between Gabby and himself, " I need to return to Japan!" was all he said.

Both Don and Leo stood there, speechless. " I thought we were going to stay here until this problem concerning Raph was settled?" Leo asked, remembering the discussion he had when they first arrived two nights ago.

"I've decided that whatever happens, my services won't be required. I think it's best I return home!" Seth replied, his resolve to follow through with his decision getting stronger.

" That didn't really answer your father's question, Seth!" Don challenged.

" Why would it be best? This is your home, remember? You've been in training with me in Japan, but Mike's place has always been your home. What's going on?" Leo asked. He knew the relationship between his son and Gabby had become close. Up to today, they had been spending a lot of time together either in the house or out by the pool. Nothing inappropriate was ever noticed, but it was obvious the two liked being around each other. It was very obvious to just about everyone in the family - especially to Leo!

Seth was getting very uncomfortable about this confrontation. He knew he couldn't leave, now, not until he told them the truth. Finally, he asked Don, "No disrespect, Uncle, but I would like to speak with my father alone!"

Don's eyes widened and then he nodded, " By all means!" and smiled, graciously taking his leave and left the house.

"But it was wrong of me, Father!!" Seth insisted a while later.

" Kissing is not wrong, how many times do I have to say it?! You care for her and it sounds like it's mutual." Leo was getting impatient with his son. He understood Seth's consternation, but he felt his 'offense' greatly overstated.

"Okay, kissing may not be wrong, but what motivated it was!!" Seth insisted.

Leo just looked at his son and smiled, " So? If you did not feel that way towards her and kissed her like you did, THAT would be wrong because you would be giving her a false impression of how you feel towards her! Seth, you are of flesh and blood and it's normal to have these feelings! Especially as pretty as Gabby is! How can you not?"

Seth turned the tables," Okay, so what about the rest of you? She's related to you and Don only through the female turtle that laid the eggs. Raph had a different dad! What does she do for you?"

" She's my niece, more so in that way than you are her cousin because my line to this female turtle is closer due to my kinship with Raph through our mother. The line was deluted further through Rahab - your mother! - and more dramatically because Gabby's mother is human - or mostly, anyway."

" Yeah, but Don admitted the professor saying that she was mutated by Raph's DNA!!! That counts for something on the genetics scale, doesn't it?" Seth was frustrated. He so wanted to believe his father, but until he explored and argued every point available on this topic, he refused to even entertain the possiblities.

"DNA - not sperm!!! Okay! There's more genetic material in sperm than in the little bit of DNA they took from Raph! The professor said this Foot woman only developed a partial hardening of her back and some of Raph's mood swings. But, it was hard to tell if those moods were brought on by her pregnancy with Gabby or the mutation. She only acquired enough of Raph to bridge the gap between the two species - and she was the only one of the five to survive the procedure as it is!" Leo felt exasperated.

" I don't know. It just seems too convenient. Did Don ask Gaele to extrapolate the like DNA cells and if there would be any deviant outcome? That concerns me more than anything else. I don't want to find out the hard way!"

Leo replied, " Gaele's working on that as we speak. She's the best Don's lab has right now and is making some headway along those lines, anyway. The fact that the professor was able to successfully connect the dots between our species and the humans is a milestone. However, we just don't want to bother him with this right now until he's out of the woods from his operation!"

" How is he doing, by the way?" Seth asked, not trying to change the subject, but he knew how badly Gabriella missed him.

" Better, actually! Don talked to the nurses this morning after he called Gaele. Seems to be improving. Still not sure of his life expectancy, though. That may take a while." Leo answered.

Then, he admonished Seth, getting back to the subject at hand, " So, as far as you returning to Japan, the answer is no! I think that you need to find strength within the storm! Diamonds aren't diamonds without a little pressure!" and he cuffed his son affectionately across the jaw, then grabbing him in a bear hug and held on tight. "You are so fortunate, Seth. Just stop fighting it, okay??"