Catching Devon by the arm, Seth pulled him towards the left side of the room. Gabby was winding down her song, so he gave her a nod to keep singing. "Pick another song!" he indicated to her. She nodded!

"YES!" he exclaimed softly.

"'Yes' what?" his brother asked.

"I'll tell you later!" Seth whispered.

The song ended and Gabby said something to the man at the karaoke machine. He shrugged his shoulders, telling her he couldn't get the machine to work. Undaunted, Gabby went back to the microphone and began to sing Memories despite the lack of an instrumental backup. For her, it wasn't necessary, since in her mind she heard the music of the opening piece perfectly. This time, the hecklers remained silent, convinced their 'services' were no longer required.

Gabby watched her escorts as they moved unnoticed through the crowd. She sang effectively enough to enrapture the audience. She marveled at the speed and stealth that her husband-to-be and brother demonstrated. Yes, she would definitely have to learn how to do that! But, Gabby kept her attention to the task at hand, keeping to the character of the piece she was singing. She casually watched the man who was targeted and in one instant, he disappeared! Not a sound did he make, he just - vanished!

Hoping that no harm would come to him immediately, she realized that the door closest to him was the one that Raph had been waiting by. She really wanted to be there when this human stared face to face with the turtle he had beaten so many weeks ago. But, she had a job to do and was determined to finish it.

When the song finally ended, Gabby excused herself from the stage. There was a round of enthusiastic applause and a request from the proprietor to come back again the next night - which she politely declined. Seth met her at the bottom of the steps and smiled, giving her a look that things were under control. She smiled weakly and then allowed him to lead her through the crowd and outside.

She could see Raph and Leo, with Devon walking from behind, had the man supported between them. He was barely conscious, Seth doing a fine job of just partially knocking him out while inside the bar. For all those that might have seen them, the man looked drunk.

It had been decided early on that the only one the man would see would be Raph. Every precaution would be taken to avoid his seeing the others. As it turned out, it was a wise decision; he would have most certainly had recognized Devon.

They took him around back behind the building where it was dark. The only thing they wanted to do was to question him and to see if there were others. One thing that was not going to happen was no harm would come to him - not yet, anyway.

Don and Leo met them in the far corner of the alley behind the bar. It was a blind alley and a dead end. A higher wall further back acted like a screen to the buildings that bordered the opposite side. The tall trees that grew there aided in shielding any activity from public view. The open end of the alley was not well traveled, but they still had Devon keep an eye out for anyone. He hid in the shadows, concealed from their prisoner's view.

After Don determined that they wouldn't be interrupted, he brought the man fully awake.

As Don applied acupressure along the man's neck, Leo had his hand planted over Craig's mouth. Both of the turtles held firm to the human's arms, holding them back fast behind him. Then, the man woke up. He jerked back in fright as he came face to face with Raphael. He tried to scream, but it was too muffled to bring anyone to his defense. With his arms pinned behind him by Don and Leo, there wasn't any way this guy was getting lose. Mike stood just behind his two brothers as back-up, just in case things became ugly. He held his chuks low and out of site.

"So...you recognize me, do ya?!" Raph sneered. "Do ya?!" he asked quietly, almost in a shouting whisper so as not to draw attention to the ally. Though it was dark, getting that close to the man's face made it possible for him to see Raphael. The music at the karaoke bar started up again, obviously the problem with the machine solved. It couldn't have come at a better time, too.

The man muffled something and Raph asked him, "Can't understand you! Say again?"

"Yef!" he tried a second time, terrified if he didn't say it, they would make him.

"Was that a 'yes'?!" Raph asked. The man nodded vigorously.

"So, tell me someth'n. Why'd you jump me? What'd I ever do to you?" Raph asked, seething.

Leo advised the man as he stood behind him, "I'm going to release my hand from your mouth so you can answer. You do anything else other than that and you won't be walking out of here, understand?!" The man nodded, completely terrorized and in tune to what was being said to him.

The man stammered, "I...ah...some buddies of mine and I don't like you guys.... just the way it is...'kay. Don't like all the businesses getting bought up; feel like we're getting taken over. Some of my buds are from New York and they remember a long time ago someone doin' jus' that. Caused a lot of problems for us. Didn't want that happe'n here. Saw you..." and he looked at Raph, " here at the bar an' thought we'd make an s'ample of you." and he glowered at Raph. Raph glowered back, but it was a little more intense than Craig's! The man cowered!

"First," Don began as he stood behind the man," We don't 'take over' towns. Our family lives here and because of the very thing you just told us about how you don't like us is the reason why we take a vested interest in some of the businesses. We want our family to be able to shop hassle free! We don't tolerate the kind of prejudice you have so eloquently demonstrated here on our brother!" Don's composure was just barely under control. He continued, speaking softly, " And as far as the businesses we bought up, we treat our associates in those businesses very well! We tripled the wage their employees made, we added health insurance and we keep abreast of any problems they are having. We are not loan sharks and neither do we exact a price for security. If you had done your homework, you would have already found this out. But, you didn't and now we have to follow up on this problem you've created!"

Leo's hand was already over the man's mouth again, but the human's attention never left Don's voice. He was listening intently.

Don then thought of another situation and asked his prisoner, "What you just said about those friends of your in New York – and I would suggest you be straight about this – did they attempt a hit on us a few weeks ago? "

At first Craig remained mute, but his arms were quickly pulled up short, eliciting a groan from the man.

"Just answer the question, yes or no. How difficult can it be?" Leo suggested.

Craig nodded 'yes'.

Don asked, "Was it a one time thing or was it more organized than just a random hit?"

Craig shrugged his shoulders as best he could, considering the strength that both Leo and Don exhibited against his arms.

"No, you need to be absolutely 100% sure. Was it or wasn't it organized." Don entreated.

Leo said, "I'm going to release my hand once more. You know the rules."

Craig replied, "Look, I just told the guys back east to scare you, okay. Nothing more than that. We were going to follow it up with a note of warning, but the guy we sent in to do it told us to back off. Something you told him scared the crap out of 'em. We decided to just drop it after that."

Raph snickered, "Probably a wus!" and glared at Craig.

Craig said defensively, "Naw, not Johnny. He's Navy Seal. Noth'n scares that guy. But… someone did."

There was a moment of silence and then Raph exclaimed, "Okay, now that you know what we're all about, we're going to want some help from you! You gonna help us, right?! 'Cause if you don't, my friends here will give you a good reason to!"

Craig nodded his head yes.

"Great. This is what you are going to do and I want you to know, we're going to follow you! So, don't get smart and think you can outrun us - because you can't - or out fox us, because you can't do that, either! Understand?" Raph explained.

The man nodded, his eyes getting bigger, not knowing what was going to be asked of him.

"This is your mission - you're going down to the police station in Seaside and you're gonna tell them everything about the night you beat me up! You're going to tell them the truth, that you did it and you're going to tell them the names of the others who were part of this hit on me and my other family member! We have friends on the inside so we're gonna know pretty quickly if you've complied. Got it?! Cause if you cooperate, I won't have them tear your arms off!" Raph said.

The man was visibly shaken, terrified nearly witless.

"Oh, and one more thing" Raph added, "...we know where you live! You have a step son named Jason, right?! "

The man's eyes grew big at the mention of Jason's name.

So, what's it gonna be? You gonna cooperate?" Raph asked, sneering.

It didn't take Craig long to figure out he had no problem complying!

"Good!" Don said, "because if you do, I will make it possible for you to get off with a lighter sentence than the rest. If all goes well and you follow through with this to the letter, when you get done doing your jail time there will be a monetary reward for you - and plane tickets to Australia for your family! Don't worry about starting a new life; I'll have one waiting for you when you arrive in Sidney!"

Craig asked, "Were you the ones who sent Jason and Melissa there?" His voice started to get a little edgy as he was getting accustomed to his situation.

"Let's just say that Jason needed a holiday and we provided the means and the transportation. It's an all expenses paid kind of thing. We're quite glad he followed through with our offer, too!" Raph explained. "And I suggest you do the same!"

Craig boldly asked, "Is this how you guys handle things?"

Raph leaned in closer to the man's face, "Why do you want to know? Don't like our offer? We could go to 'door number three' on this and save ourselves and the taxpayers quite a bit of money? So, you still have a problem?"

Craig vigorously shook his head 'no'.

"Good, 'cause I hate it when things get messy! Now, Craig, this is what you're gonna to do. My friends here are going to release you, but you're to remain as you are. Stand still – there, that's the way…" Leo and Don released the man's arms. He brought them in front of him and rubbed the ache out as best he could while he stared at the turtle in front of him. Raph continued, "The next thing you're gonna do is blink and squeeze them eyes nice and tight for a second. Good!"

Craig blinked hard and then next instant when he opened his eyes, he was alone in the alley.

Seth had taken Gabby back to the suburban while her father and his took Craig to the ally. "Where's Don and Mike?" she asked.

"Busy. Get in, Gabs." Seth said calmly.

"But...what are they going to do to that man?" she asked as she sat down in the seat.

"Not for you to know. You did your job, okay. Good work, too!" and Seth kissed her.

"Seth, they're not going to kill him, are they?" Gabby looked worried.

"I don't think so, Gabby. If he cooperates, they'll go easy on him - easy according to them, that is. If he doesn't....!" Seth held Gabby's hand and squeezed it gently. "What they do they're doing for the welfare of the Clan. They don't just waltz in and cause mayhem, okay! "He looked at her and saw fear in her eyes. He put his arms around Gabby and held her close, saying close to her ear, "Hey, don't go all worried. Don's smart, he's not going to do anything stupid. But, he and the others are seasoned warriors and they know how far to push someone." He kissed her and said, "You were amazing on that stage! I think if Cassandra had been there, she'd be proud of you!"

Then Gabby said something that surprised him, "I think she was, Seth! I think she messed with the sound. I felt her presence!"

It took a while before the turtles returned to the Suburban. Seth watched as his father and uncles approached the vehicle. Then, he told Gabby, "Ah, Gabs - let's not do a Q and A with them right now! They're still coming down off of doing business and it would be better to wait until they decide to bring us up to speed, Okay?!"

Gabby heard the warning in Seth's voice and decided to obey without question. She could tell each turtle had a different expression than what she had ever seen them with. They were all serious and edgy, like they were just a second away from doing damage to someone. While getting in the car, Raph saw his daughter briefly look at him; he offered her a small smile and a wink. All had gone well! She smiled briefly back to him and then looked down at her lap, intimidated by the edge to his face.

Once in the SUV, they sat silently and waited. Gabby could feel the energy coming off them and it scared her! She wanted very much to know why they were just sitting there, but the stress levels were telling her to be still. Gabby casually observed Raph, who had taken the front passenger seat. She was sitting behind Mike, who was at the wheel, so she had a good view of her father. The look he had was lethal, his jaws working against each other as he kept control of his anger. She squeezed Seth's hand harder in concern and she felt his reassuring squeeze in reply.

After a while, she saw the man that she had identify nearly run up the sidewalk towards the main highway! He looked like he had just seen a ghost and was frantically fumbling in his pockets looking for something. He seemed to swear as whatever it was that he had finally found refuse to budge from his pocket. Finally, it gave way, and he pulled out a set of car keys. The man didn't go too much farther, signaling a car to unlock three spots up with his key fob.

"Perfect timing!" Raph expelled quietly.

Don commented, "Don't pull out right away, Mike. Let's give this guy a few car lengths!"

The car pulled away and started up Ocean Ave. towards the main road. That was when Mike put the SUV in gear and pulled away from his parking spot. One other car managed to pull out in front of them between their car and the man's, but it was still an easy tail. "Better we have someone in between us so he can relax a little. Keep back, Mike, and give the guy some breathing room!" Don directed.

They followed the vehicle about six car lengths behind for several miles as it made its way north along Highway One towards Monterey. They traveled that way about fifteen minutes in that direction along Highway One towards Seaside. They followed Craig's car as it exited at Canyon Del Rey Blvd. He turned right as soon as it was safe to do so, making it obvious to the occupants in the black SUV four lengths back to where he was going.

"Well," Mike commented, "look like he's doing what we told him to!"

Pretty soon, the car turned left onto Harcourt Ave. "Yep, goin' straight for the police station! Good choice, buddy!" Raph mumbled under his breath.

The man pulled into the public parking lot, but Mike drove on by. He made a U-turn at one point and came back, but slower. When they saw the man walk purposefully into the sheriff's main lobby, they found a spot directly across the street from the building.

They parked out front and waited. Other than Mike's and Raphael's comments, no one else made a sound. They watched as the man nearly collapsed on the front desk. He was talking rapidly and it seemed that with every second that he talked, a deputy would come around to where he was. Finally, those in the SUV saw the man get handcuffed and it almost looked like he was relieved. His head hung low against his chest as his escorts led him into another room, out of view from those outside.

About thirty minutes into their watch, Don's cell phone went off. He let it ring a few times, and then answered it, "Don Tello...." He paused as he listened to the receiver. Then, "Good. Sounds like the guy has a lot of information!" He paused to listen and then replied back into the receiver, "Yes, go ahead and alert the San Francisco police. I'd appreciate it, though, if some consideration went to this man who turned himself in. I know the law has to be observed, but if he ID's the rest of them, some leniency ought to be given." Don paused yet again, but then insisted, "Again, if he cooperates, some consideration should be given...."

Raph grumbled, "Such as a rearranged face, for one!"

Don shot him a look to tell him to shut up. Gabby could sense that one easily enough. It made her smile.

Raph just grumbled and muttered something about 'No justice."

Gabby couldn't help but giggle a little, which was met with a gentle nudge to her side by Seth and a firmer squeeze of her hand! Getting the message, she quieted back down.

After Don closed his cell phone back up, he told Mike, "Well, except for gathering up the others and the trial, that chapter's closed! Guess we can all go home, now!"

Once they had arrived back at the house, the atmosphere in the Suburban returned to normal. Mike and Raph joked around about the incident and Seth openly talked with Gabby. Raph was feeling better, now that his attackers were getting found out. Don and Leo were having one of those 'silent' discussions where only a few cryptic words, if any, were said. Gabby had the distinct feeling, though, that it was about her!

As they were coming into the house, Raph nudged Seth and said something under his breath. Seth looked back at Gabby, smiled, and then let go of her hand. He left her side and headed for the stairs, leaving her with her father.

"Gabby, come - I want to speak with you!" Raph said. He led her into the den where he had taken up temporary residence. Sitting her down in one of the chairs there and taking the second one for himself, he began, "I was quite proud of you tonight! You did a great job at the Beaches! I think we have the guy; no, I'm positive we have him!"

"What did you do to get him to go to the police?" she asked, concerned.

"Don't bother yourself with it...." he started to reply.

"Look, if I'm going to be part of this family and in the way you want me to be, don't keep sheltering me! I'll admit, some of this stuff seems overstated, but I can't keep staying in the shadows about way you and the rest work - no pun intended!" Gabby complained.

Raph looked hard at his daughter and nodded, "Okay, I'll be straight with you. We intimidated him. Got right down into his face. He only saw me, which is quite enough as it is. We told him we knew where he lived and that we knew he was responsible for beating me up. He recognized me right away, which was confirmation at the very least. He also has contacts in New York. He and his gang didn't like Don buying up property here like he did back east. They wanted to make an example out of us. " He watched as Gabby took it all in. Then, he laid the bombshell on her. "This guy is Jason's step-dad, Gabby. Looks like it's all in the family."

Gabby was shocked but not surprised by the last statement. The way Jason had treated her and his less than honest friendship with Devon would have had to have its roots somewhere close to home. She appreciated being filled in.

"Thanks." After a moment, she added, "I'm sorry for not sharing what I knew sooner. So many things were happening and I just felt the timing was off. Maybe I should have spoken up before now?" She seemed contrite and unsure.

Raph quickly assured her, "No, the timing was perfect! If you had shared this when you first learned of it, we never would have allowed you back in that place. That and I wouldn't have been able to participate. I think waiting like you did was the smart thing to do, all things considered. But, what happened to the music? Why did the karaoke stop working?"

"Dunno. Just - stopped! Even the deejay was puzzled by it. I have my suspicions, though!" Gabby replied, commenting, "I think Cassandra was there! I could sense her!"



Gabby was tired. She decided to call it a night. She was exhausted and her physical condition had made her more so. She went out to visit with the professor, though, before going up to her room.

"You look tired, Gabriella! Why don't you go to bed!" he begged her.

"I haven't seen you at all today and I feel badly about that! How have you been doing?" Gabby asked as she hugged him.

"Oh, the nurses are doing their best, but my energy level just can't seem to perk up any! But, Thanksgiving's in three days and that friend of yours, Cassandra, is coming over - isn't that right?"

Gabby brightened, "Yes, she is! I'm really excited for you to meet her. She's really nice. I think you will like her, Father."

"I'm sure I will, Daughter! If you have found her to be worthy of your time, then she is of good character! Now, tell me - I heard you helped nab one of the people responsible for beating Raphael up! I want to know how you did it!"

And so, Gabriella told her father as much as she knew; her singing, then the sound going out, then locating the man. She told the professor about how it seemed that she only had to think about what she wanted Seth to do and he did it!

"It was the weirdest thing! While I was singing, Seth and I locked eyes. I don't know if I gave him an expression or what, but what I was telling him was to pay attention! Then, he did! It almost caused me to stammer on the song. But, as I directed him in that way over to where this man was, he did it again! It wasn't like anything I've experienced before. "Her excitement was quite obvious.

The professor was quiet throughout Gabby's telling of what happened at the bar. As she finished, with the man turning himself in and Don getting a confirming call from the sheriff's, her father commented, " Seems you have learned more than you thought down in that gym, my dear! "

"Why is that?" she asked.

"Did you tell Don about how you connected with Seth in the bar?" he asked her.

"No, not yet. When they came back to the Suburban, Seth told me not to start asking any questions. I guess they were still uptight from everything. Things were kind of tense for a long while. It wasn't until we were on our way home that they seemed back to normal." Gabby replied. Then she asked him, "Why?"

"I think you need to talk to Seth about this and then, maybe, Don as well. You will be surprised, I think, with what they will tell you." her surrogate father said.

Gabby was quiet. She was curious, now, about what had transpired silently between Seth and her. It had been a most amazing experience. Maybe it had something to do with ninjitsu.

Tuesday morning, Seth mentioned to Leo about taking Gabby ice skating, but his father recommended against it.

"She's with child, Seth! One fall and she could lose the baby. No, I don't think it would be a wise thing to do. She can wait until after the birth."

Gabby was disappointed when he had to tell her, but she realized that it was probably best. She had fallen a few times in her youth, so she knew how much falling on ice could hurt.

She sat out by the pool on one of the double lounge chairs. It was after lunch and Gabby was watching the water reflect the beauty of the redwoods. Seth walked up quietly and sat down beside her. "Hi! How're you feeling, Gabs?" he asked. Seth put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her.

"Fine. The morning sickness seems to have eased up a bit. I don't have it as much now. "Gabby replied. She leaned into him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Seth was quiet for a moment, looking like he was trying to put into words what he wanted to say. Finally, he began, "When you were singing back at that bar Monday evening and you looked at me… "

Gabby's heart skipped a beat, realizing what he was going to say, "You heard me, didn't you?" she asked excitedly.

"Yes, I did! It was like when my father and uncles get together and they don't say anything, but you know they're 'saying' something! Like a silent conversation. That's what I felt Monday night with you!" he answered her.

"How does that happen, Seth? What does it mean?!" Gabby asked.

"It means, my dear Gabriella," Seth declared," that you have taken a major turn in your training in ninjitsu - and so have I!"

Gabby was confused, "How can that be ninjitsu?"

"When you are in the field and working, you need to communicate with your partners. Because you are working within the shadows, you can't say anything. Sometimes you need a silent form of communication to discern what the other wants from you. It can develop like telepathy or just in recognizing what the other's facial expressions are saying. I can do it with Devon and with Gaele once in a while since we've been around each other nearly our whole lives. But, I was surprised when you and I did it!" Seth smiled at her.

"So, it's sort of like mind-reading?" she asked, concerned.

"Sometimes, but it's more like recognizing what is being said by watching and understanding the expression in the face and eyes! You have to know the person very well or be connected very tightly. We've only known each other for a short time, Gabby, but I feel like I've known you forever! "Seth then kissed Gabriella. He looked deeply and longingly at her.

"Come with me!" Seth's eyes said.

Gabriella's own eyes brightened in acknowledgement.

Then, the two of them stood up and walked back towards the perimeter fence. He climbed over it and helped her to follow him. She didn't know where he was taking her, but it didn't matter. She felt safe with him.

Seth walked her through the forest, the chill of the November air more intense in the shadows of the giant trees. Gabby shivered a little, so Seth held her close to him as they made their path through the foliage. They walked for quite a ways, talking little, but listening much.

An outcropping of rocks to their right enticed them and so Seth started in that direction, guiding Gabby along. They both climbed the mass of rocks, finding little trails here and there to minimize the rough assent. At the top, there was a crop of smaller trees in the middle that huddled together in almost a complete circle, forming a natural shelter. A tree-width opening allowed them in.

The first thing Gabby noticed was the peace! Except for the gentle wind that nudged the very tops of the trees to and fro, the interior of the cluster was nearly stone silent and still. It was not as cool there, either, which was a respite from the chill Gabby was starting to feel during the walk. The size of the enclosure was nearly half as large as her bedroom and she could imagine all sorts of things one could do with this unique creation of nature.

"Here is where I sometimes come to collect my thoughts!" Seth began. "When you were in your bedroom that weekend after running away, I would come out here to pray and to think. It minimized any visual distractions for me. I don't think anyone knows that it's here." Seth looked up at the height of the trees, then looked back at Gabby and smiled. They sat down opposite from the opening, their backs to the tree that centered the nearly circular growth. Seth wrapped his arms around her while Gabby nestled up against him and closed her eyes. She felt completely at peace, the first in a very long time. The two sat there, time slipping by as they enjoyed the closeness of their company.

Seth looked at Gabby and wondered if he would be able to love the child growing within her. The reason for her condition made his blood boil. But, he thought maybe he could learn to love through Gabriella. He tipped her chin up at him and bent down to kiss her fully. She, in turn, wrapped her arms around his neck, allowing Seth to pull her into him. They kissed for a very long time in that way. Finally, pulling away from her, his eyes filled with the warmth of love, he whispered to her, "We need to get back to the house, Gabby."

"Why? I like it out here; I like being with you!" she said breathlessly, her mind heady with the emotions she was feeling towards him.

Seth could feel the softness of her breath as she spoke and it nearly broke his resolve. But, he prevailed, "Because....the way I'm feeling right now, the way you're feeling, we could dishonor ourselves too easily! I just wanted to show you my refuge! But, this place is far too private and out of the way for us to be here where we are not yet married! Gabby, we need to go - now!" Seth stood and helped her up.

She resisted, not wanting to go back to the busy-ness of Mike's house. Too many people; too many prying eyes! Too many senseis!! Even though she was temporarily out of training until the baby was born and she recovered from childbirth, Gabby still saw her father and uncles and her brother as her mentors. It seemed impossible to relax when she was around them!

"Gabby, I'm serious! We can't stay out here any longer. We need to get back." Seth insisted. Finally, she relented and allowed him to pull her to a stand. "We only have about a month and then we will visit this place again!"

"But, it will be too cold, then!" she complained as he led her out of the enclosure.

Seth just laughed and helped her down the rocky outcroppings, mindful of not letting her slip for fear of injuring the child she carried. They traveled slowly back to the house. They talked about the wedding to come, the next day when Gaele would be flying in, Thanksgiving the day after that, and having Cassandra over for the big meal!