A great big thank-you to all who voted for The Yosutebito Daughter in the FanFiction Competition under Best Don Scenes! I really appreciate your support a lot. Needless to say, I was deeply touched to be nominated! Good golly, I'm blushing!

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The alarm went off at four-fifteen A.M. It was Wednesday in Big Sur, but as Gabby stood up out of bed, she knew it was seven-fifteen in the evening over in Japan for Seth! Not wanting to give up her laps in the pool, she decided to rise each morning fifteen minutes earlier just to have some quiet time when he was supposedly praying for her. That was one thing Leo could not take away! She smiled, thinking about how wise Seth had been to coordinate that so Gabby could 'participate', despite being nearly nine thousand miles away.

The water in the pool was chillier than the morning before, but Gabby was resolved to do this. She did her laps with more strength and resolve, finishing sooner than expected. She toweled off, slipping her pool robe on tightly around her to warm her and then absentmindedly looked towards the guest house. The curtains were parted in the window that faced the pool - and she could see Leo watching her! She blushed and immediately turned away, heading back towards the house.

The coffee hadn't been made, yet, so Gabby went about making some. While it was brewing, she grabbed a pear and ate hungrily. Then, she thought about the book of Romans. Seth wanted her to read it rather than recall it, but Leo had the book now so it was a moot point. However, if she could remember portions at a time and then ruminate what was there, maybe she might still learn something.

She took the first chapter. When she arrived at verse nine and ten, she thought of Seth and how he was praying for her. Then she thought about what the professor mentioned that Seth might return at Christmastime! She continued on and thought that whole first chapter could have been about Seth and his desire to be with her. But, when Gabby arrived at verse sixteen and seventeen, she knew then that his desire was not for her to be with him - but for her to be with Christ! The remaining verses exposed the sins of the heart and the flesh. As Gabby read and studied, she realized her own rebellious heart was part of that litany of sin. She was starting to understand Seth's spiritual desires for her and, more to the point, her failings the evening before with Leo. Gabby felt convicted, but she still needed to read more to realize why and how to make amends. She looked at the clock and saw that it was nearly five-fifteen.

Gabby poured herself a cup of coffee and grabbed a muffin from the pastry keeper. She re-read that first chapter as she ate her breakfast. There was so much there to consider. Why hadn't she taken the Bible more seriously when she had read it the first time? More importantly, why didn't the professor talk with her about it when she read it years ago? He never shared with her any kind of insight other than to tell her what faith he had been raised in. She knew he was Catholic by his upbringing, but other than going through the traditional education of catechism, he rarely attended church. He had been pleased that Gabby memorized the book, but that was as far as he took it.

Maybe, because she was a mutant hybrid, he felt she was unqualified to go any further with it. Thinking about verse twenty three where it mentioned people making false images of god, even using reptiles, no less, maybe that was a clue to explain away her surrogate father's negligence in this area. It bothered her and she knew she would have to ask him about it that evening.

It was now five-thirty. Gabby saw that Mike was coming down the stairs as she raced up them.

"Hi, Gabs! What's doing?" he said as she passed him.

"Gotta get ready!" she said hastily.

Mike chuckled after her, "Boy, you seem excited!" and tripped down the steps as he smelled the freshly brewed coffee waiting for him in the kitchen.

Gabby wasted no time in getting ready. She put her still-damp hair up in a ponytail and quickly dressed into her uniform. Back down the stairs she flew, jogging through the family room in her haste to make her 'meeting' with Seth. Gabby looked through one of the windows that faced the guest house, but didn't see Leo yet. She was elated about having those fifteen minutes alone with his son!

She said a quick 'hello' to Mike. He sitting at the breakfast bar, sipping his coffee and reading the paper. He watched her with great interest as she passed him. A small smile crept onto his face. He chuckled once and then went back to his reading. Soon, Gabby disappeared through the entrance to the gym, closing the door behind her.

As she hit the bottom of the stairs, she reached over to flip the light switch on, but then stopped. In that moment, she decided that the dark would help her focus better. Taking a deep breath, she walked out into the middle of the unlit gymnasium and sat down on the floor. The old fear was still there, but her resolve to do this was greater and stronger. Taking the example that Don and Leo showed her when they meditated, she crossed her legs under her, allowing her hands to rest comfortably in her lap. She relaxed and breathed out slowly, taking in air just as quietly, and then let her mind focus on Seth. The scripture she had 'read' earlier came to mind as she prayed. She wasn't sure how to pray, but if it meant thinking good thoughts and asking for help from a greater power than her self, then that's what she did. This faith of Seth's was new to her as far as applying it on this level. But, Gabby was determined to learn and understand it - with or without the physical book!

However, as she sat there in thought and meditation, she 'felt' something. That was odd. Not wanting to be distracted, she dismissed it. But, now and then through the first few minutes, it returned like a tickling on the nap of her neck. What was that? She opened her eyes, but - of course – she couldn't see anything for the darkness of the room. Determined not to be thwarted in her quiet time with Seth, she pushed away the feeling. A few more minutes passed successfully without any interruption, but then - that odd sense came back again.

"Okay, that's just too weird!" she thought. Trying to go back to her meditation she realized that niggling on the back of her neck just wouldn't go away. Gabby finally decided she just had to figure out what it was.

Once she focused on it she realized its source. It was from someone watching her! That startled Gabby big time. She stood up immediately in defense, not knowing what she had conjured up! No way could there be 'something' here! She thought of passages in the Bible which talked about evil spirits. That had her really spooked! What had she done?

Then, she sensed him - Leo! He had been there the entire time!

"He must have come in here while I was upstairs!" she lamented silently to herself.

His voice was soft and even as he spoke," I am glad to see you have taken it upon yourself to challenge the dark, Gabby! This is a big milestone for you." He paused for a moment. Then he asked her more intently, "What have you learned from last night?"

Gabby was chastised through the heart and she knew what he wanted to hear. She was thankful that the lights were out! She was sure her face was flushed with contriteness.

Gabby replied softly, "I disappointed you. I am sorry for not coming to you first." She felt terrible having to face him so soon. It was never her intention to deceive him or to sneak around. But, that is what she had done last night and he had caught her. Now, she wanted to make amends. "I don't want the book or the letter back." Gabby declared.

"Why?" he asked quietly.

"Because....I don't deserve them." she said sadly.

"You may be right about that, but there are many things that we have in our possession that we do not deserve - and yet, they are ours to have. Why don't you think you deserve it?" Leo asked her.

Without hesitating, Gabby answered him, "I deceived you. I wasn't planning on doing that, it wasn't really in my thoughts at the time."

"Is that right? You mean, sneaking into Seth's room, taking that which was in Seth's nightstand, making sure that no one was looking when you came back out and going to your bedroom, only to then lock the door and lying to me about why you did it? That wasn't planned deception? "Leo asked her sternly.

Gabby realized he was right and she felt a tear escape, grateful yet again for the cloak of darkness. She thought about what Leo had said and then realized that her main objective the night before was to procure the book without anyone knowing. She thought of the word deception. It meant a great many things but the one that convicted her was "the adoption of a stratagem or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end"! She had lied about why the door was locked just so she didn't have to tell the truth about why she did it - which was to keep someone from walking in on her while she read Seth's letter!

The only reply to his question Gabby could give was, "I guess I did mean to deceive." and felt another hot tear escape.

"You 'guess'? You're not sure?" Leo asked, clearly irritated.

Darn him! Why did he delight in bating her so much! Still, she knew that it wasn't a 'guess', but a fact, "No, I'm sure. I'm really sorry." and managed to keep the third tear from cascading down her cheek.

There was a long period of silence in the dark; it seemed to weigh heavily upon Gabby. Then, with a little more enthusiasm, Leo exclaimed, "Good! No doubt you have thought long and hard about this. Now, let's get to work. Close your eyes. I'm going to turn the light on!"

With the lights on, Gabby saw that her familiar pail and toothbrush were nowhere to be seen. "I'm not going to wash the floor today, Sensei?" she inquired.

Leo was surprised, so he asked her, "I wasn't planning on it, but if you would like to…" He smiled at her.

"Ah, not really, Sensei, but I was starting to believe it had something to do with preparing the room." Gabby responded quickly.

Leo replied, a slight smile evident on his face, "The only preparation that I expect from you is a willing heart and your obedience. You have already proven yourself capable in both areas. Now, let's get to work!"

Over the next few hours, Leo introduced Gabby to the remaining equipment. He was impressed with how quickly she learned, but then after yesterday, he was half-expecting her to!

However, Gabby had more difficulty with the nunchuks since they seemed to have a mind of their own. With two sticks held together with a simple chain, it was easy to handle one end only to have the other end whack her in the thigh or the arm. It smart like crazy and Gabby knew she was going to have some bruising when she was done. It was all a matter of focusing on holding one end firmly while controlling the other end at the same time. She caught on faster than Leo thought, but it frustrated her since Gabby's own expectations were on a whole different level.

Leo gave her a rest period at around nine, allowing her to refresh herself in the restroom. When she returned to the side of the gym, he had a steaming cup of his herbal tea for her. He explained that it would help heal the bruising that was appearing on her arm and thigh. He also shared with her more about the Clan, this time focusing on Splinter.

As he talked about his beloved mentor, Gabby noted a tremendous amount of respect in Leo's voice towards his deceased master. There was love there that her sensei expressed as he described Splinter's wisdom and knowledge. Leo seemed to talk in an awed whisper and it was obvious that he missed his father terribly. She wondered if any of his students back in Japan felt towards him the way he did his revered sensei.

Hearing about the kind of integrity and honesty that Leo's mentor espoused, Gabby felt the weight of her transgression from the night before. She tried to apologize again to Leo. "Sensei, I'm feeling so bad about last evening. I'm truly sorry!" She felt her throat tighten with the sincerity of her feelings.

He told her sternly, "Apologies are a dime a dozen, Gabby! I'd much rather see a change in heart and habit! Work on those things rather than words!"

She dropped the subject entirely after that.

Resuming her training, Leo wanted her to test the strength of her foot. She didn't limp anymore. When he had her run the length of the gym up and back again, the pain was gone entirely.

"I think we can try teaching you some simple moves, now! Nothing complicated, yet. Maybe by Monday when Mike trains you he can step it up a notch!" Leo said.

So, Leo demonstrated to her several kicks that she could do which would stretch her right foot, but would not put unnecessary stress on it.

"They call this 'kick boxing', but we call it ninja kicks!" and he smiled. Obviously, it was meant as a joke, but the force with which Leo demonstrated it kept Gabby from seeing the humor. The instant he showed her how to execute it, Gabby realized how easy it would be to kill someone with a simple kick like what he did! Leo performed it with deadly precision! He was able to stay on one foot and then repeatedly kick high and up like a jackhammer! All Gabby could do was to remain mute while he showed her. She was truly impressed with his skill.

She didn't find the exercise all that difficult. With her experience on the uneven bars and the balance beam, her equilibrium was already developed. She had a natural kick with a strength that surprised her. But Leo felt she could do better! So, over the next couple of hours, he pushed her into using more power than she had been, alternating feet so that both would get a workout and varying the techniques.

At one point, Leo stopped her, "Gabby, you have more force in your legs than you are using here. What's the problem?"

Gabby still didn't feel comfortable with the idea of protecting herself with physical force, "I've never had much experience in trying to defend myself. Guess I don't have the 'edge' that you do."

"That's nonsense. You just have to create a situation in your mind and then ask yourself how far you would go to protect it. Who would you defend with your life, Gabby?"

That startled her! She had never thought about it before. The professor was always protecting her, so she never entertained the idea of doing likewise for him. Then, there was Seth, but it seemed ludicrous since he was more than capable of doing that himself. Who did she feel the need to protect that would be helpless in a life and death confrontation? Finally, it occurred to her.

"Riahna." she said.

Leo's eyes went wide, "Riahna? Really? You mean, even after she gave you that riot act about disturbing her floral arrangement?"

"You know about that?" Gabby asked, her face blushing in embarrassment.

Leo laughed, "Know about it? Gads, Mike couldn't stop talking about it!"

Gabby had to smile. Thinking back to that morning, Riahna had in one fell swoop intimidated her so badly it soured any interest she had in meeting the rest of the family - which of course, spawned a whole new set of problems for Gabriella! Where Riahna's mind was incapable of learning any effective means of physical self defense, she could hold her own with a simple emotional outburst. Gabby could see the humor in it for the first time.

So, for the next set, Gabby tried to visualize an unseen attacker going after Riahna. There was some improvement, but Leo didn't see enough to convince him that Gabby understood the concept. So, he had her stop.

"I'm going to bring out a punching bag for you to work with. I think when you feel what it takes to make a solid 'hit', you'll understand the principle!" he said as he went to the far side of the gym.

Leo pressed an area in the wall and it retracted and then slid to one side. Leo pulled out a large canvas bag a little longer than a man's torso. It was connected at the top with a chain and swivel that was attached to a steel beam that, when fully extended out as far as it could, dropped a pair of support legs to steady it. It was very high tech. When Leo tested it, the beam held firm.

Leo looked back at Gabby and said, "This is what I want you to do!" and he stepped back, leaped up, and firmly connected dead-center with the bag using his right foot. The force of his kick sent the bag up in the opposite direction and just about horizontal to the floor!

"The bag weighs in at about two hundred pounds. It's heavier than most only because it needs to stand up to the abuse we subject it to." Leo explained. "Now, I want you to do as I did. I don't expect you to perform as well, okay? This isn't one-upmanship. But, I think it will show you what you need to do."

Gabby looked at the bag and felt its weight. The canvas was triple thick, almost hard. She looked back at Leo, unsure if she wanted to do this, but if she were to make up for last night, she would have to. Looking back at the apparatus, she stepped back the way Leo did. Then, she jumped up and kicked out at the bag - only to come up short and miss it completely! She went down onto her back, letting out a squawk of surprise when she hit the floor!

Leo could not contain himself and let out a short laugh. He knew she would miss when she stepped too far back. He regained control, noticing that Gabby was not amused, "I'm sorry, Gabby, but I knew in an instant that you were going to fall. Here, let me help you...."

"NO, Sensei! I can get up." and she quickly righted herself to a stand. Feeling humiliated and then angry that Leo would laugh at her, she resolved to kick that bag into the next county! Before Leo could give her any instruction, Gabby leaped up higher off the gymnasium floor than the first time and, with lightening speed, connecting hard with the bag with her left foot. It reacted by flying up in the opposite direction and nearly colliding with the steel support beam that held it!

Leo just stared openmouthed - and Raph and Mike were stunned silent at the same time in the monitor room!

Gabby winced, though. She was sure she had strained her left foot!

"Ah, nice job, Gabs!" Leo commented, his eyes widening. "Guess you understand the principle, now. " He looked at his niece and smiled. "Glad I wasn't on the receiving end of that kick!"

"Um… me, too!" was all Gabby could say. She was just as unprepared for the force she used as her uncle was.

"Well, I'd like to end your morning session on a high note. So, you can take your lunch-break, now!" Leo instructed happily. He looked back at the bag, now swinging like a pendulum, and shook his head slightly. Letting out a sigh, he gave Gabby a pat on her back as he moved past her towards the stairs.

Rahab was allowed to visit with Gabby again during her lunch time. They talked about the holidays coming up and the traditions that she and Mike had established. Halloween was just a few weeks away and it was probably the one night when the entire family felt comfortable going into town. In fact, the people of Carmel expected them and would have been disappointed if they didn't.

Gabby was not amused, "I find it offensive that on a night where people dress up to be scary, its deemed fit for us to go into town!"

Rahab had remembered a time when she thought the same way, but it had become so much apart of what they did as a family now that she had accepted it. "I can see how you might feel about that, Gabby. But, it's what we do. It can be a lot of fun. You can choose to stay home if you want, though."

"I'll think about it." was all Gabby said.

When she was young, the professor had encouraged Gabriella to take advantage of using Halloween as a cover for getting out of the house. But, she found the reaction from people she would procure candy from distasteful. "Oh my, what a creature you are tonight!" she remembered some saying to her. Even worse she would hear, "Isn't it fun to dress up as something scary?!" or, "Look, John, this one's dressed up like a Martian!" from well meaning, if oblivious, candy-givers. The experience had turned her off early on.

Then, the topic changed over to Raph and the ongoing investigation revolving around his beating from a week and a half before. He was still unable to recall the events of that night, which was quite frustrating for everyone, including him! "Nothing yet has surfaced to give them any idea who did it. Don has Thomas working on it here, but even he has come up empty." Rahab said.

Gabby hadn't forgotten about the clues her father had mumbled in his sleep, about caramels and beaches, nor did she forget about the man at the karaoke bar and the comments he made in his drunken stupor. She was the only one able to identify him, so Gabby did not want to say anything just yet until she could put fit the pieces together. One thing she wanted more than anything else was to give Don a solid piece of evidence so that whoever was responsible for Raph's assault would be brought swiftly to justice!

Rahab told Gabby, "Leo said you picked Riahna when he asked you who you would protect! I'm surprised where she yelled at you the first day you arrived!" her aunt said.

"Riahna is an innocent and it would be wrong not to want to protect her. Besides, we made up a while back." Gabby explained. She hadn't seen much of Riahna due to her training, visiting New York and her infamous jaunt into Carmel last week. She'd catch glimpses of her outside sitting along the pool or maybe cultivating what was left of Rahab's flower garden. But, other than at the dinner table and that day Riahna switched Gabby's food and the ensuing bear-hug she gave her, there hadn't been much time to get to know her. Still, she saw her youngest cousin as vulnerable and needing a protector.

Soon, lunch was over and Gabby was back on the training floor with Leo. She bowed respectfully towards him. He returned the gesture, and then they resumed training.

She found that her foot had not been bruised but had only reacted to the force she had kicked with. For that, Gabby was grateful.

The afternoon went swiftly enough and Gabby began to understand force and intent with her kicking. Her experience with the gymnastic apparatuses back in Connecticut helped immeasurably with her balance, which only enhanced her progress. Still, there seemed to be an endless amount of instruction that Leo kept giving to her. Gabby was glad for her quick memory, all in all!

Five o'clock came around faster than she had anticipated and she was famished! She was amazed how her appetite had increased since she began training. She was concerned about gaining weight, but noticed that - if anything - her doji seemed to hang on her a little more than normal. She had only been in training for three days and already she felt stronger and leaner, which pleased Gabby to no end!

Dinner brought the same level of talking as the nights before, but there was a marked difference in part of it. Gabby felt connected finally! It wasn't anything said, but the look of respect she was starting to receive from Mike, for example, had changed. Before, he was only amused by her antics, sort of like a congenial Dutch uncle who imparted words of wisdom now and then. But, since yesterday, he had a different way about him when he would talk to her. It was almost as if he saw her as truly part of the family.

Leo, too, seemed less judgmental in how he observed her. Before, it was like he was trying to figure out what was wrong with Gabby so that he could fix her in some way! Now, he had enough experience working with her to know there was more to his student than previously thought.

Gabby noticed the same from Raphael, but then he was her father, so it didn't make as much of an impact on her. Devon, however, remained somewhat sullen and distant, more so this night than the night before. She was pretty sure her comments the night before hit home with him. Either way, Gabby felt a little more connected with the clan.

The professor seemed tired this evening. He was taking oral medication for his post cancer surgery treatment since the normal chemo and radiation therapy was not recommended. At his age, it would have been far more draining on him. The new meds were advancement in cancer therapy and he was very anxious to be one of the first to try them.

During their flight out to California, the professor had told Gabby, "If it can be proven as effective as or more so than the old methods, what a blessing for those who would normally have to endure that torture!"

She had been concerned that a more aggressive treatment plan was not being considered. Her father's enthusiasm for the new way encouraged her and so she dismissed her worry.

But, this evening, after watching the marked weariness on the professor's face, made Gabby wonder if the medication was doing the job it was meant to do. She would have to speak with Don about it once he returned from his meeting in Europe.

Gabby offered to help clean up the table after the meal was over. She helped the professor to the living room and, after making sure he was comfortable, went back to the kitchen.

"I heard from Gaele this afternoon, Gabby!" Rahab exclaimed. "She's planning on visiting for Halloween and then she'll be coming out again for Thanksgiving and staying through the end of the year! She hasn't taken a vacation since she started working for Don's labs back east and decided to cram all that time in at once!" Rahab sounded very excited!

"You haven't seen her in a long time, then, I take it?" Gabby asked as she scrapped the leftovers into the disposal.

"She comes out for a couple of days around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it's always too short a time. I think you two will get along quite well. "Rahab commented as she started putting the dirty dishes into the dishwasher.

Gabby was apprehensive about meeting Gaele. She was just now getting used to everyone here, but to throw someone completely new into the mix made her insecure.

Then, she thought of something, "I'm not using her room right now, am I?"

"No. Gaele's room is further down the hall next to Seth's. It overlooks the front of the house." Rahab answered, and then asked, "Why?"

"I was just wondering. I would feel uncomfortable knowing I had her room. I would have moved out to the guest house, of course, if that was the case." Gabby replied.

"We have two more bedrooms that are not being used at the moment. Raph took over the den when he was hurt and we've decided to let him stay there until he's completely healed. When Don returns, he will probably take one of the extra rooms upstairs. The professor will stay in the guest house with Leo until....he gets better." Rahab assured her niece.

Gabby caught the hesitation in her aunt's voice and it made her feel anxious. What kind of prognosis did the doctors give him? Don was so busy filling Gabby in on her heritage during the flight home and there had been so much going on since then, she hadn't had a chance to inquire. All she was glad for was that she and her surrogate father were together again! She was appreciative; too, that Leo elected to stay out there during the night while the rotation of nurses came during the day. Don had pre-selected them to make sure they understood the uniqueness of his family and to assure the professor the best care money could buy.

The evening training consisted of Clan wisdom and rules. The obvious one that Leo brought up was the restriction on getting one's photo taken - especially without permission. There were several levels of discipline that could be implemented if a member disobeyed and managed to get their pictures publicly produced. Being stripped of their equipment for a time was one. Gabby remembered Devon commenting about Gaele's tools getting taken away by Don. But, from what Gabby could discern, her infraction was different.

The most serious discipline was expulsion and there were different levels to that, as well. The minimum penalty was temporary removal from the family, while the maximum penalty was permanent disownment from the Clan. All contact was forbidden by the one expulsed. Basically, they were treated as if they never existed! That frightened Gabby to no end - and Leo was quite aware that it had!

"However, for one not yet initiated into the Clan, the punishments are usually more lenient!" he assured her.

He then explained the 'no harm' rule about hitting humans. "We can't under any circumstances harm a human. For one, we're too strong and it would be easy to kill. Second, when your father was incarcerated for killing and maiming some men in a bar fight years ago, we knew then that our own freedom could be in jeopardy. That was when Splinter implemented the 'No Harm' policy. Gabby, you have to understand that we are not like everyone else! We scare people very easily. All it would take to put us behind lock and key would be for one of us to go on a rampage within the human community. Not only that, but because we are all related in one way of another, Mike and Don could lose their financial security through litigations. So, keep in mind these facts if ever you find yourself among humans!"

"Sensei, what would happen if one of us did hurt a human, though?" she asked.

Leo replied sternly, "Consider the levels of punishment for having your picture published! It basically runs along the same lines!"

After Leo had explained all the infractions and their different levels of punishment, Gabby realized that she, Devon, and Seth had gotten off light!

Before Leo dismissed her, he asked if she had any questions. There was one that had been bugging her since New York with Don finding out that Gabby's photo appeared in the Carmel Pine Cone Newsette. "Sensei, what happened with regards to my photo and that newspaper?" she asked quietly.

Leo answered, "Well, we couldn't touch the reporter; he had too many connections and his rep was stellar! However, the karaoke deejay had a criminal record. We managed to spread a rumor that he was known for interjecting vocal recordings in with the karaoke sessions when he felt the performer was going to be a 'sour note'! We left it that he falsely portrayed you as an accomplished singer." Leo paused, watching for Gabby's reaction. "Basically, the report said the deejay used the actual recording made by Serena Brightwell and that he turned the mic off. In short, you didn't sing at all."

Gabby was quiet for a while, staring ahead as if in thought. She was still feeling the pangs of guilt for what she did, but the last few days had helped distract her from focusing on it too much. Looking down at her feet, she finally said solemnly, "Guess you had to do that."

Leo replied, "Yes, we did, Gabby. I'm sorry!" He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed compassionately. It was the first caring gesture he had shown her since her back went out on Monday - and it meant a lot!

After her session was completed, Gabby bowed to Leo and made her way over to the guest house to see the professor. He was sitting on the Futon, watching some television when Gabby walked in.

"Ah, my ninja daughter has finally arrived!" he joked, turning the television off with the remote.

"Father, I am not a ninja! Please!" Gabby replied in mock irritation, closing the door behind her.

"Ah, my dear, with the excellent training that you are getting, you soon will be!" he remarked.

"Well, I'm not so sure I want to be, but I am learning a lot and it is exciting!" Gabby commented. She went to the kitchen to start the water for tea. Leo had left a healthy supply of the special herbal leaves he concocted for the professor. It was good for Gabby's foot, too, so she made sure there was enough for both of them.

They sat and discussed the day's events, Gabby telling the professor about finding Seth's Bible the night before in his room and then the letter. She decided that since someone had been feeding her father a daily report on her, she might as well be upfront with everything.

After she had told her father about trying to deceive Leo, he gently scolded her, "You should never think that you can put one over on Leonardo, Gabriella! He is one very intelligent and insightful fellow. I don't know how he does it, but he can discern many truths as well as untruths with very little effort." the professor chided Gabby, "It is good that you made yourself accountable to him!"

This brought Gabby to ask her father about religion, "Why didn't you tell me more about your god and this Bible? I read it but you never helped me to understand it."

"Ah, yes... well, quite honestly I didn't know how, considering your origins. I was having a difficult time separating what God had created and what man did. What God created in man was a need for grace and mercy. What man created in - well - this mutant humanoid reptilian family....? I just didn't know where grace and mercy would fit in. I decided to let you come to me if you had any questions of this nature. When you didn't, I left it alone." he paused as he noticed his daughter's perplexity. "This disturbs you?"

Gabby then said, her eyes pleading, "Seth told me before he left for Japan that God created everything - even me! Just because man put together the chemicals and the situation, God allowed it to happen. He sees God as having complete control and authority over every living thing in the world. I was afraid that the reason you didn't explain the Bible to me was..... you didn't think I was meant for.....salvation."

The professor took Gabby's hands and reassured her, "No, my dear that is not true. You have to understand that I was overwhelmed with how you could memorize books so easily! I counted on the Bible to supply you with what you needed to know. I didn't realize that you might have had questions." He pulled away from her and, with a smile, said, "I am sorry for that, but I am glad this Seth has seen to the answers!" He then kissed her forehead, patting her cheek affectionately.