Don and the others brought Gabriella back home Saturday morning from Cassandra's. Considering how they had treated her during her ordeal, they tried their best to console and encourage her along the way. It was the least they could do. Though they were not privy to all that she was going through, they had to admit that there were enough signs to have warranted a better response from them. Mike was the most quiet, though; which was very uncharacterstic for the normally exhuberant turtle. It was not lost on Gabby and she was quite perplexed with him.

As they drove up to the house, Gabby remembered Don mentioning that Seth had flown in from Japan when he found out that she had been sick. Not knowing how he would react to her and what she had allowed Jason to do, she was nearly hysterical as she pleaded, "I don't want to see him! Please! I can't face him quite yet!"

They had her wait out in the parking area. Leo then went in and took Seth down to the gym with the excuse of going over a bit of training.

Once it was all clear, Don escorted Gabby up stairs, where she stayed the entire weekend in her room resting and reading her Bible. She was desperate to find solice in the words of Seth's book, hoping to confirm what Casandra had told her earlier. From talking with her that morning before Don and Leo had arrived, the woman told Gabby that it wasn't a requirement to be perfect in order to come to God. In fact, one of the main conditions for salvation was imperfection. God could then apply His Grace and Mercy, where if the opposite were true, all that He was would be for naught. For Gabby, it was a joyeous and tearful revelation. She couldn't wait to get back to her reading.

After she ensconced herself in her room, Gabby allowed Gaele up to stay with her. Her cousin had to fly back home the next morning to resume her work. So Gabby wanted to get as much time in with her as she could. She forgave Gaele for telling Rahab about her pregnancy as Gabby realized quickly that she had put an awful burden on her cousin. The two of them both cried over what Jason had done, bringing them closer together in their friendship. But, other than either Gaele or Rahab, no one else was allowed up to Gabby's room. Not even Seth.

The two girls were allowed to take their lunch in the room. Gabby was trying to get used to the fact that most of the family now knew she was with child, but she wasn't ready to go downstairs quite yet. She was having a hard time accepting her pregnancy as it was and the last thing she needed were stares directed at her, caring as they might be.

Seth knew from when Raph had challenged him on it earlier. But once Seth had returned from the woods and Leo saw how angry his son was, the father realized he had to have a talk with him. Leo then took Seth into the family room where they both sat down on one of the couches. They were alone while the others were elsewhere either in the expansive house or outside.

"Father, I need to know – did Devon do this to Gabby?" Seth had control of himself, now, but Leo could sense the rage boiling just beneath the surface of his son's composure. "Since I wasn't supposed to say anything to him, I figured he must have done it!" Seth kept clenching and unclenching his fists as he sat there, waiting for his father to respond.

Realizing in that moment what Seth had started to believe, Leo knew he had to tell him, lest when Devon returned that afternoon there would be a major blowup.

"No, he did not." Leo stated simply.

"Then, who did? I need to know; I have to know, Father!" Seth's eyes began to tear.

Leo shook his head, "I can't say for now. We don't know for sure, but you need to be strong and not say anything to your brother until the tests are done! It's imperative that you follow to the letter my request on this!"

"Why can't Devon know that Gabby's pregnant?" Seth asked. But, then, just as he spoke the words, he had it figured out, "If he knew that Gabby was pregnant...then… he would know who did it! Isn't that right?" His eyes were growing wider as he realized the truth of what he had just said.

"Just do as I ask and try not to figure it out, okay? We need proof; solid proof before we can act on this. If any of us jump the gun too early, we will lose the advantage. Patience, Seth, has its own reward!" Leo admonished gently.

"Was it someone at Mike's studio?" Seth persisted. He mentally went through the list of employees that worked there, trying to discern who would be stupid enough to even think of taking advantage of one of the clan members.

"Okay, down to the gym. You need to work off some of that pent up frustration!" Leo directed as he pulled his son to a stand.

"You're not going to tell me are you?" Seth asked his father as he allowed himself to be brought up.

"NO! Now, get going!" Leo insisted.

"Oh, Dad, do I hafta?" Seth complained. He was still tired from jet lag with the fifteen hour difference between Japan and Big Sur. It was a lot to catch up on in so short a time. So far, he was losing ground. Earlier, his temper was the first to raise its ugly head. Now, Seth's attitude seemed to be tanking.

"Yes, you 'hafta'! Now, get!" and Leo pointed to the gym door.

Reluctantly Seth made for the gym, grumbling about the disadvantages of belonging to a ninja family. "Any excuse 'ill do to kick butt!" he decried as he trudged down the steps.

Leo gave Seth a fatherly pat on the back as he followed him, saying good-naturedly, "Yep and it's even sweeter when it's your son!"



*****

Jason had been convinced that Gabby was seriously sick by the way Devon explained things Saturday morning. He was somewhat concerned, too. If she was getting sick, then that could mean she might be pregnant. But, he dismissed it as impossible based on the fact that Devon never had to worry about such matters. Humans and humanoid reptiles were not genetically compatible he had been told. Though Jason knew from talking with Gabby that she was a hybrid between the two species, Jason figured it made her more of a freak than her family. Being able to get her pregnant was never a concern for him.

However, he had his suspicions on Monday when Mike ordered the entire work force at the studio to undergo an annual physical. Jason expressed his refusal to Mike, although he didn't state why.

"Hey, Jas, it's just for insurance purposes. Chill out. I'm behind on it and my adjustor's been giving me grief. That's it! Just go in and do the blood tests, okay?!" Mike had said.

So, later on that week along with everyone else he worked with, Jason unwittingly gave his blood and the precious DNA sample that was needed to convict him!

*****

That same Monday, while Mike's crew was being informed of the physical, Gabby had gone into San Francisco with Rahab and Don to the doctors. After a swift inspection by the physician in the examination room, it was confirmed that Gabby was indeed pregnant.

Gabby had hoped the home test would be proven defective. But she now had to resolve herself to accept the fact that she was indeed officially expecting.

Don knew the moment Rahab and Gabby came out of the exam room that it was official. Gabby didn't cry, but she didn't refuse her uncle's hugs, either.

When she returned home, she went straight to her room, much to Seth's consternation. Leo had to physically hold his son back from approaching Gabby as she made her way to the stairs. She never looked back at him to confirm his presence, which confused Seth even more. Despite Rahab's gentle counciling to give Gabriella some time, her son just didn't understand why Gabby wouldn't want to at least acknowledge him.

Of course, Seth was frustrated about Gabby's absence for the entire weekend. It was even worse when she decided to sequester herself in her room on Monday after the doctors visit. He had missed her so much while in Japan and had looked forward to seeing her when he returned Friday night. The fact that she hadn't been at the concert was disappointing. But then being forced over to the Musical Note was frustrating and Seth had all he could do to be civil. He recognized that his jet lag had a lot to do with his attitude. Yet, all he wanted to do was to return home to see Gabby. When they finally did return to the house, he was not allowed to wake her. He reluctantly obliged. However, waking up Saturday morning only to find out that she was missing really had Seth in a turmoil.

He thought for sure after the weekend that Gabby would want to see him. He was more than disappointed; he was almost angry with her.

Seeing how upset her son was, Rahab explained that Gabby needed quiet and no distractions so she could adjust to her new situation. "Patience had its own reward", she told him!

"No offense, Mother, but if I hear that adage one more time, I think I'll explode!" Seth complained.

"Then maybe you need to have your father spar with you for a while down in the gym!" Rahab tartly suggested .

Seth replied irritably, "That's not even remotely funny!" and stormed off to the backyard.

Rahab had no idea what he was talking about and only shook her head as she watched her son head for the forest. "Kids!" she mused.

*****

Monday evening Don and his brothers took Seth and Devon down to the gym. They locked the stairwell door as a safeguard. Then, after telling them about Gabby's situation, Devon went ballistic! It took his father and his three uncles, plus Seth, to hold him down.

"I'LL KILL THAT CREEP! How can he do something like that to my own sister!! I want time with him - I want to give him pain so bad he'll never forget it!" he seethed as he struggled within the strong restraint of his father and uncles' arms.

Devon finally collapsed when it dawned on him how he had been unsympathetic towards his sister's dilemma. Unable to control himself, Devon cried, "How could I be so stupid! All the signs were there. How?" he lamented.

Raph sat down next to him and said, "We're all responsible, Devon. We all ignored her attempts to tell us. We should have asked her more questions; allowed her to voice her complaints more readily. Blame me, if you have to. It's because of my past that we didn't give her a chance. Maybe from this experience we can change that rule; at least enough to where if anyone of us is accused we'll have more of a say in the proceedings."

Don concurred, "Yes, I think when this is over, we'll need to have a meeting and include the junior members as well as the initiate. I do not want to ever make the same mistake again as we did with Gabriella!"

Of course, Seth had already done his share of ranting, but he was still upset knowing that Jason was the suspect. More than anything, though, he wanted to see Gabby. But, as before, Rahab told him later after he emerged from the gym that until she asks for him, he was to leave Gabby alone. Seth realized that no matter how upset he became, nothing would change. Since there wasn't anything more that he could do but pray for her, he made a daily pilgrimage into the forest to meditate. It was all he could do and it was better than nothing until Gabby called for him.

*****

Gabby cried whenever she would come to certain passages in the Bible that talked about trials and tribulations. The book was full of sad situations, some far worse than her own. But she finally realized that from reading Romans as well as other books, many things happen, whether good or bad, for a reason. She was trying to trust that something good would come from her dilemma.

Finally, by Wednesday evening, she had made a decision, one that she knew Seth had been anxious to hear.

When Gabby was ready, she called for Devon first. He was, after all, her brother and it was his friend who had done the deed.

When he faced Gabby privately, he cried. It was just the two of them in her bedroom. He apologized to her for not taking her more seriously. She held onto him and told him it was okay.

"How can you say that, Gabs? He took advantage of you!! " Devon retorted angrily.

"Yes, he did. But, I let him. I couldn't bear to have him hurt any of you! " she replied. "If I trusted the family more, I would not have had to go through any of this! So, it's as much my fault as his!"

"NO, it is not your fault! Jas had no business even thinking of taking advantage of you. Mike paid him off, he paid for the medical, gave him time to heal. Jason's an idiot!!" Then he added, "Don't you ever again tell me that it was your fault. If Jason had the integrity he pretended to have, he wouldn't have even looked at you dishonorably! You're made of better stuff than him. Don't you ever blame yourself!" Then he added with a wry smile, "Or I'll work you over in the gym!" He was only kidding, of course, but it was a typical Devon-statement said in jest.

After talking with Devon, Gabby finally called for Seth. He couldn't take the stairs fast enough. He was afraid that if he wasn't quick she would change her mind – and he was not going to let that happen.

At first, all he did was embrace her; never saying a word. He was quiet and not wanting to talk. At least ten minutes went by like this.

Finally, while still holding onto her, he lamented sorrowfully, "I'm so sorry you went through what you did. If Devon and I had done our job in keeping watch over you when we took you into Carmel, none of this would have happened! I would have been in town and Jason would have left well enough alone. I feel so bad, Gabby!" He cried softly into her hair.

All she could do was let him. She relished his embrace, the warmth of his breath as he cried softly against her. She had missed him so much and yet she knew that she had grown in strength and maturity because of it.

Her reply to his lamentations, however, surprised him as much as herself. Speaking eloquently and softly, she quoted from the Bible, Romans 8:28-30 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose! For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified!"

She pulled away and smiled at him and then said, "As you have told me before this day, God is in charge of everything. Nothing is created or done without His approval. Whatever child I am carrying will be one that He has determined to be good. It will be our responsibility to make sure that nothing gets in the way of that."

Seth kissed her passionately and then cried on her shoulder as he realized the depth of her growth, knowing that it was the trials that had strengthened her. He prayed with her and gave God thanks for protecting her from life-threatening harm.

Suddenly, Seth bent down on one knee, "Gabby, I love you more than life itself and I know that God loves you more. Still, I would be so happy if you would marry me!"

Gabby was not expecting this, but in that instant she knew it was right. "Yes!" she said and met him on her knees, kissing him with the same force and passion that he had kissed her.

Then, she told him, "I've accepted your Lord as my own. I've found Him to be of great comfort and the words of His book a resource for my healing. I've asked for forgiveness for being so rebellious. If I hadn't gone to that bar alone none of this would have happened. I know that Jason is more responsible for what he did, but I am trying to forgive him. "

Gabby saw the look of anger on Seth's face and so she said, "Don't! Even as badly as he treated me, Jason still needs forgiveness. I know what he did was awful and there's no excuse for it. But, in the big scheme of things, when eternity is considered, I wouldn't want my worse enemy to spend time in hell. I want to forgive Jason, but right now it's too early for that. I still have nightmares! But in time I'm hoping to get to the point where I can actually just forgive him. I think you will want to as well."

Seth nodded reluctantly. He still harbored a lot of anger for Jason, knowing the pain he caused Gabby.

Finally, realizing something he had almost missed, Seth embraced Gabby tightly, crying against her shoulder. Not from the trials she had gone through nor her desire to forgive Jason, but from the sheer joy knowing of her salvation!



*****

On Friday of the following week, Mike called Jason into his office. The young man was surprised to see not only his boss, but his employer's three brothers, as well. He felt a fearful foreboding that told him something was up. He nervously took the seat offered to him. Expecting the others to sit down as well, since there were enough chairs allotted, he was surprised when they didnt. It was then that he took notice of their expressions. It did not look good.

Don approached him and stood so close to the young man that it forced Jason to look up at the turtle. This filled the human with a fear he had never experienced before. Don looked down at him, his expression flat, but serious, studying Jason intently for a moment. All Jason could do was stare back, his eyes getting ever wider as the seconds swept by.

Then, with a voice deep and serious, edged with warning, Don began, "This is how it's going to work, Jason. You are going to stop seeing Gabby in the utility room..."

"How'd he know that?" Jason asked himself, becoming alarmed.

"....then, you are going to stop threatening my family!" Don added.

Jason's composure changed in an instant, being replaced with an angry face as he started to challenge them.

But before he could utter even one word, Don cut him off, knowing what the young man was going to say, "Because if you don't, Jason, I will personally file rape charges against you. Gabby is pregnant and we have proof it was you! DO NOT THINK YOU CAN OUT-MANEUVER ME! I'VE TAKEN ON BIGGER PROBLEMS THAN YOU!" Don yelled as he leaned over the now trembling young man.

Jason was plastered against his chair, trying to scrunch down, his eyes wide with terror and his head back as far as it could go to take on the full force of an enraged Donatello. He was completely mute from intimidation.

Straightening up, Don reclaimed his calm composure, saying "It just so happens that we have matched your DNA with that of the baby Gabby is carrying." Don took the information off the nearby desk and handed Jason copies of the papers regarding the official findings.

Don continued to say, " So, unless you want this fact sent to all the newspapers of coastal California and most certainly those facts sent special delivery to your intended fiancé', Melissa, I'd take the road less traveled and get out of town!"

Jason nodded quickly his acceptance, not wanting to challenge this very intimidating humanoid reptile. The papers in his hands shook from the trepidation that had hold of his entire body.

"Also, we will need your signature here on these papers." Don handed him some papers and a pen. "Don't worry about reading it; we're not trying to buy your soul." He saw the young man try to read the fine print anyway, and so Don entreated, "And I'd hurry it up if I were you - and press hard; there are several copies.!"

Jason gulped and quickly signed where indicated on the papers. When he was done, he asked, "Ah, what did I sign?"

Don took the pen and papers back, making sure that Jason had his copies and then handed copies to his three brothers, keeping the originals for himself.

He then answered him, "You basically signed away all rights to ever visit with or having anything to do with Gabby's child. You cannot make any claims against the child's fortunes for monetary compensation with anything that might befall you. Also, you have formally and legally disenfranchised yourself as the baby's father. It is binding and completely irreversible. Trust me on this one; I never make mistakes in this regard!" Don explained eloquently.

Jason looked around and saw confirmation of what Don had just said on the faces of the other three turtles. He looked down at his lap with alarm and wondered silently if that was it; hoping against hope that he would now be able to leave.

But, with a wry smile that matched his other three brothers', Don then added, "Oh, and there's one more thing ...."

As if on cue, Seth walked in followed by Devon! Jason's face froze in horror, realizing he was in deep and probably not walking out of the studio. At least, not for while, anyway. He tried to smile at Devon hoping to illicit that friendly banter he shared with his friend. But Devon met Jason's grin with a steely gaze that if it had been a weapon, Jason's head would have fallen to the floor.

Things were definitely not looking good.

Don saw the young man's fear, "Oh, don't worry, Jason, you'll live to tell about it – BUT I SUGGEST YOU DON'T! One word coming from you to anyone and we hear about it, you'll be sorry." He looked at his nephews and then kneeled down to look Jason evenly in the eyes. He explained softly, "Now, I guarantee you no skin will be broken and no bone dislodged, but I do promise you extreme discomfort measured out equal to what you did to Gabriella!"

Jason felt his life was over in that instant.

He was still whole after his harrowing ordeal. Jason never realized he had areas on his person that, when manipulated, could be so incredibly painful and yet not leave a mark! Whatever it was that Seth and Devon knew went far beyond what Jason learned at the little martial arts school he attended. The fact that their fathers and uncles witnessed everything done to him told Jason there was no way he could fabricate being beaten up. They also had him own up to raping Gabby, setting him up in such a way that he couldn't do anything but admit to it. It was recorded on DVD and they played it back for him.

"It will stand up in court if you push it that far!" Don warned him. "Believe me, Jason, you will regret the day you were born if you do!"

Then, Mike surprised Jason even more than the acupressure Devon and Seth performed on him. His ex-boss handed him an envelope. This too, was visually recorded.

Mike explained, making sure his expression was all bright and cheery and caught on camera, "I think you'll be able to use this to get yourself set up somewhere! I would suggest Australia for starters! Heard the waves are awesome along the Gold Coast at Paradise Beach! "

Jason opened the envelope and nearly fainted. Mike had written him a check for one hundred thousand dollars! He just stared at it while he tried to ignore the still painful areas on his body.

"Yeah, I-I'm sure that sounds just about perfect." he uttered solemnly. The check was starting to ease his discomfort quite a bit. "But, why give me all of this? I don't understand?" Jason asked nervously, fearful of what else they were going to do to him.

"We want your silence and cooperation! Period! " Don said between clenched teeth. He so wanted to have meted out the pain that his nephews had the pleasure of doing. But, where they had been punished for not keeping Gabby safe so many weeks ago, it was a fitting thing to allow them to do the honors to Jason. It gave them satisfaction to appease Gabby's dishonor. Don suggested to Jason, "Again, if that isn't enough, we can give Melissa good reasons to seek a life-mate with someone else!"

"No... ah.... this is good. Yeah. It'll do. Thanks. I guess." Jason replied meekly.

"Good. Then we have a deal! Oh and here's something else…." Don announced. He could see Jason recoil just a bit as if more pain were headed his way. Don smirked.

Mike handed another envelope to the young man.

Jason opened it and saw two pre-paid airline tickets on Quantas airlines to Australia with a departure date set for one week from that day. "This soon?" he asked, "Missy and I were…."

Don finished, "You are going to get married in Australia. That is, if she still wants you. No telling how she will react with having to move so far from home. But, it's either that or…."

"NO, I'm sure she'll be thrilled. She's often talked about wanting to see kangaroos and koalas in the wild. Yeah, no problemo!" Jason quickly replied.

With that, Devon opened the office door and told him to not take his time leaving.

Jason moved faster than any of them thought possible!

*****