A/N: I do not own Mount St Mary's Cemetery nor do I own Booth Memorial Ave, or Fleming. Also, LaGuardia International Airport in New York. These are real places and they would cost me too much money to buy them out. Besides, what do I need with a cemetery in New York when I live in California?

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The sun was making its way towards the horizon. It created deep shadows in the yard as it moved behind the giant redwoods. The chill in the air was crisp. However, with her jacket on, Cassie was comfortable. Having lived on the east coast for most of her life, she had her own understanding of what 'cold' was. She watched as the waterfall spilled its contents into the pool, making a pleasant sound that added a peaceful ambience to the yard.

With Serena's relationship to her now known to the family, she felt complete. Cassandra thought about what her daughter had asked Gabriella. She hoped that the clan would allow it. With Cassie's concert in Carmel re- scheduled due to her injury, there would be enough time for them to consider the offer. One of her dreams was to have both her daughters joining her on stage. Hopefully that dream would be realized. Carmel already knew of Gabby's singing ability; what harm could it do?

Don came out from the house and stood next to her. She had sensed him before he had even ventured outside.

Cassie knew that he had been standing on the other side of the sliding patio door just watching her. Why, she didn't know. But, it made her uneasy. Not for any other reason than just because he had glanced her way a few times during the meal. If she didn't know any better, he was checking her out.

Don seemed too focused on her whenever she would converse with another member of his family. She could tell he watched her as she ate and wondered if maybe he was assessing her manners. But when she would catch him looking at her, she wondered if maybe he was showing just a little too much interest. It made her uncomfortable.

"Beautiful night for December." Don commented as he stood beside her.

"Guess so. This will be my first Christmas here." Cassie remarked, forcing herself to be calm.

"Hmm...that reminds me. Do you mind if I stop by Christmas Eve after hours so I can pick up that item I bought last month?" Don asked as he turned towards her.

"No problem. I'm not planning on going anywhere that night." She replied evenly, glancing his way.

"You're more than welcomed to spend the holidays with us. You're family, now." Don welcomed as he smiled.

"I'll consider it. I probably will since my daughter now lives here." she looked back at the cascading waterfall.

They were silent for a while, the gentle sound of splashing echoing a little across the yard. Then Don asked as he turned back towards Cassie, "Is Serena fully aware of whom her father was?"

Cassandra thought a moment and then she answered, turning to face Don, "Yes and no. She knows that he was not a very nice person. Saki was bigger than life, Don; you know that. To take someone like Serena who was raised in a sheltered environment and then tell her that her father was evil seemed cruel. How would you like to find out that your father was Hitler?"

She sighed as if she had become unusually tired. Cassie then admitted, "I wanted to, but I decided against it. She knows that I hated him and that he engaged in criminal activities." Looking up at Don with a melancholy expression she added, "Sometimes too much information is – well - too much." She resumed her gaze towards the back of the property.

He nodded in understanding. Turning back to face the pool, Don watched the water run off the rocks. The gurgling and splashing sounds that it made pleased him. He had always liked being at Mike's.

Finally Don asked her, "I would be honored if you would have dinner with me one night after the holidays are over."

Cassie smiled and realized then why Don had been observing her.

"I'll think about it." She said coyly, not looking at him.

Don looked over at her with one eye ridge cocked up, "You'll think about it?" He smiled, "You're the first woman in a long time to refuse my offer of dinner date; do you know that?"

"Oh, really?" she turned towards him, saying mischievously, "And, pray tell, how many dates have you had in that 'long time'?"

Don shifted his weight a little, saying weakly, "A few."

"Liar." She chided him. "Just your body language told me that."

Don laughed, "Yes, you caught me. I haven't had a date since – well – in a long time; about twenty-five years ago."

"Hmm... that long, eh? How come?" Cassie asked.

"I had my reasons. I would still like to take you to dinner, though." He looked at her and Cassandra saw nothing but sincerity.

"And, like I said, Mr. Tello," Cassie smiled teasingly, "I'll think about it."

With that she left the side of the pool and returned to the house, leaving Don perplexed and somewhat amused. Soon he walked back inside, determined now more than ever to get Cassie to have that dinner date with him.

******

Gaele was comfortably dressed in sweats and a jacket. She was lounging in a patio chair that was situated right up to the edge of the pool. The air was pretty chilly but with her jacket on she was warm enough. Living on the east coast had toughened her to cold weather. What Big Sur had just couldn't compare to what she trudged through during the winter back home.

Gaele loved looking at the night sky with its glittering of stars. The artificial lighting in the yard was minimal so it wouldn't defuse their beauty. The crispness of the air gave the heavens a crystalline view.

Seth sauntered out to visit with her. "Nice evening, eh, Sis?" he asked her. He was dressed in warm sweats, as well. But, he hunched his back against the chill. He wasn't as acclimated as his sibling was.

"Yep, sure is." She replied back. "So, brother dear, how do you like being married?" She looked up at him as he stood next to her chair.

"Great. Glad I did it." He answered as he watched her. "Gabby's wonderful. I don't know what I'd do without her."

"Probably take lots of cold showers, I suppose, eh?" Gaele teased.

"Ha, you're a real funny bone, you know that?" her brother commented, looking over at the waterfall.

"I'm surprised you haven't shot out of here! Where're you going to spend the night? The main house is too – busy, if you know what I mean?" Gaele asked with a glint in her eye.

"Ah, well, I'm in no hurry, Sis. I've my entire life with her. Once we move into ...." Seth began to say, but his sister interrupted him.

"Already did it, have you? Thought so. Wondered why it would take you two hours to get casual. Guess you two ended up good and casual, huh?" Gaele commented.

Seth looked mortally offended, "You know it's really none of your business. But... yeah, we did." He said softly as he blushed.

Gaele began to laugh as she saw Seth starting to turn several shades of red at her correct implications.

Then, he brightened up and looked down at where she was sitting.

"You know, sister dear, there is something that I've been meaning to do for you." Seth began with just a hint of mischief in his voice.

"And, brother dear, what would that be?" she replied, completely unaware.

"This!" And the next thing Seth did was he picked up the chair that Gaele was in and tossed her screaming into the pool. "That makes us square!" he declared brightly.

Sputtering to the surface, Gaele yelled, "SETHYOUCREEP! DOYOUKNOWHOWCOLDTHISWATERIS!!!"

Seth was howling, doubling over in complete hysterics as he watched his sister flounder in the water. She was now trying to get to the side of the pool.

"You deserved it, Gaele. For setting me up and lying to me! I told you I'd get back and now we're even!" he snorted.

"Oh no we're not!"she spat out as she hauled herself up out of the water and stood dripping like a waterfall, "I – did – not – get – you – all – wet – like – this!"

Gaele was livid and Seth knew in that instant he was dead.

"Sh.. "he groaned and then headed for the house as quick as lightening.

Gabby saw him race in and asked accusingly, "What'd you do to her?"

Seth gave her a quick peck on the cheek and said, "Got even, but I think I over did it. G'night, Gabs. See you in the morning."

He shot up the stairs. Seth was in his room in a flash about the same time as Gaele charged into the house. She was soaked to the skin and madder than a wet hen.

Dripping water all over the tile floor, she seethed "I'll kill him... I'll rip that tail right off his butt. So help me....where is he, Gabby?"

Gabby had all she could do to keep from busting up, but she knew Gaele would not appreciate it at the moment. "I think he ran to his room. I heard him lock it, though."

Mike and Rahab came out of the living room to see what the commotion was all about.

"Hey, what'd I say about not coming into the house all wet. " Mike exclaimed, but then he noticed that Gaele was not in her swimsuit. For that matter why would she be? The pool was too cold in December." Hey, how come you went into the pool with your sweats on?" he finally asked her.

"I-WAS-THROWN-IN!" She bellowed.

"Who threw you?" Rahab asked as she handed the dish towel she was holding to Gaele.

Gaele looked at it as if insulted. "A lot of good this will do me!" But she took it anyway.

Mike had it all figured out, though. He started to laugh, which only rewarded him with an icy stare from Rahab.

"Who else? Seth! " their daughter hollered as she wiped her face dry.

Rahab looked up towards the second story landing and started for the stairs. But, Mike held her back saying, "They're even. Let them work it out. They're adults, after all."

Rahab glared at her husband, saying, "Gaele could get pneumonia with how cold that water was. As far as being adults, Seth could have fooled me!" and stomped towards the kitchen.

Mike just laughed and then said to his daughter, "Let's get you dried off. Maybe after you've warmed up a bit you'll see the humor in it!"

She replied tartly, "Only if I can beat him up first!" and then she trudged up the stairs with her father.

Gabby had a hunch she would be sleeping by herself that evening; unless she could get Seth to open his bedroom door for her.

******

Six weeks later, Don sat pensively in his seat as he meditated. His heart was heavy. So much had happened within the past several weeks.

Gabby was doing better, considering the professor had only been gone a month. She missed him terribly, of course. But being a newlywed seemed to be helping Don's niece through her grief. She and Seth were given the guest house as their first home, with plans on enlarging it before the baby was born. Construction was already underway, forcing them to temporarily sleep in Gabby's room. It was the farthest bedroom situated from the rest of the family's, affording them the privacy they needed.

Aside from the house in Connecticut, Don had given them a brass bed as a wedding present. Gabby was quite perplexed by it since it didn't look brand new. It just seemed out of character with her uncle. Otherwise, she thought it quite beautiful.

Don had told Seth and Gabby the day he offered it to them, "It's to be carried down through the family. It was given to us many years ago, but we decided as a clan that, if we had kids, the first of our offspring to marry would get it. Guess you two are the winners!"

But with regards to the professor's passing, Don deeply missed his old friend and mentor.

It happened just after the first of the year. Gabby was visiting with the professor in the guest house. He had wanted a glass of water and so she went to the kitchen to get one for him.

His nurse, Jean, was cleaning up the breakfast dishes and Gabby had stopped for a moment to chat with her. When she finally returned to the bedroom she noticed that her father had fallen asleep. But in the next instant she saw how still he was.

It was Gabby's loud wail that brought her family running out of the main house and into the cottage. Jean was found holding onto her as Gabby cried hysterically. Seth had to carry her sobbing out of the house while Don confirmed the truth. Once Perry was declared deceased, Rahab and Gaele both broke down and cried.

Raph had moved out of the den just a week earlier, so he wasn't there when tragedy struck. He had returned to his simple low rent apartment down by the wharf in San Francisco.

Leo had gone back to Japan just a few days before to continue his work there with the Ryu he and Splinter had started thirty years earlier. Though Raph was able to get to Mike's to help console Gabby, Leo was stuck in Japan. There were some problems there that were Foot related, so he had to take care of that before he could do anything else. But he was heartsick for his daughter-in-law.

A few days later, Perry's memorial was held at a local Catholic church. It was a fitting location for the professor's service since it was the faith that he had been raised in. Don smiled as he thought back to the bravery Gabby exhibited when she sang the half dozen or so songs her father had wanted her to sing for him.

It was a good call on the clan's part to remove her restrictions to music while her father was still alive. Because of that, Gabby made time each evening to regale him with her singing. Don knew that when the professor's time came, Gabby would have fewer regrets. His wisdom on the matter proved itself true as a result.

Singing for Perry at his service had been the hardest thing Gabriella had ever done. Seth had worried about her and their unborn baby. But, she pulled it off with flying colors, only breaking down near the end of when she sang Time to Say Goodbye. There hadn't been a dry eye in the service after that song was sung. Not even Don escaped its affect.

Now, here he was with his three brothers, heading east for what had become a tradition over the past fifteen years. Not all of them were able to make this sojourn every year. In fact, this was the first time in over five years that all of them were together for this trip.

"Hey, Mike – you have everything ready?" Don asked, "We're about thirty minutes away from landing."

"Yep, everything's good to go." Mike replied eagerly.

He was currently in the kitchen area of the plane. He had the basket filled with the food they would be bringing. Two full thermoses were tucked inside, along with four glasses. He picked the basket up and walked gingerly into the seating area, swaying with the roll of the plane as the pilot tried to keep its flight path on an even keel.

"Here we are. Got enough for all of us." Mike exclaimed happily.

Raph was lounging in the seat opposite from him. He looked at the basket and then closed his eyes. "Did you use fresh ingredients, Mike?" he asked his younger brother.

"Of course. Wouldn't have it any other way, bro!" he quipped.

"You did buy the right brand, correct?" Leo asked as he stretched his arms above him.

"What'd you think I'd do? Mess with tradition. Trust me; it'll be perfect!" Mike complained. "Sheesh, you guys are the ones who've made every excuse in the world not to go the other times."

Raph opened his eyes and glared at Mike, "You know as well as anyone that I'd have been there. Things for me were, well, just dicey. Can't help circumstances, sometimes."

Leo ignored Mike's comment and buckled his seatbelt when the sign to do so came on. "Looks like it's getting closer to landing. Better for all of you to buckle up."

"Yes, Leo san." Raph chided. Then, grinning, he secured himself in his seat.

Leo just smirked and shook his head at his surly brother.

Don was already belted in. He looked at his brothers and smiled. Yes, finally all of them would make the pilgrimage this year. He had missed their presence over the past several years; only Mike had made the majority of these visits with him.

Then Don's thoughts went to Jason.

The boy had arrived safely in Australia and was immediately put to work at one of Don's companies. The money Mike had given him was forfeited until Jason could prove himself trustworthy. Because he had gone back on the order to leave the country, he now had to work for the incentives that Mike had freely given to him. Hopefully the young man would dispense with his bitterness and get on with the kind of life that was afforded him.

The list of dojos he had given Don that were fronts to the Foot organization proved helpful. However, the twenty-four members of that assault team provided more information than Jason had. Whether Jas was holding out or was just ignorant, it didn't matter. Don had systematically shut the schools down one at a time. But, rather than use his crew and go in there like gangbusters, he used the local police forces instead.

Acting on tips of gang training facilities and drug running, the various law enforcement agencies conducted raids on these martial arts schools. Dozens of these dojos closed up almost over night all along the coast of California. It was still an on going investigation since it was very dangerous to just waltz in and take control. It could have all been done swiftly, but Don's focus was to incarcerate the key players at these training facilities.

Once the dragon's head was cut off, the effectiveness of the organization would be minimal at best. Then, Don and his personal assault crew could go in and do clean-up. Though it would have been like old times, he preferred to keep his family out of the action. Besides, Raph and Mike were still recovering from their injuries.

The plane landed with a gentle thud at LaGuardia International in New York. Once it had slowed to a safe speed it was taxied to its hangar.

A sleek black sedan greeted them as the four turtles and one human ambled down the stairs. After making sure that everyone was aboard, Thomas slipped into the driver's seat.

A short time later, they were cruising east along Astoria, eventually connecting with College Point Blvd. They traveled south for about a mile. Soon they turned left onto Booth Memorial Ave and then finally into Mount St. Mary's Cemetery.

Thomas knew exactly which plot they wanted to visit. The drive only took a few minutes longer through the cemetery before he finally parked the sedan. Slipping out the driver's side, Thomas whipped around to open the door for Don and his brothers.

With Mike carrying the basket, the four of them walked solemnly towards their destination. Thomas followed behind them with four folding chairs, two under each arm.

The gravesite was marked with a beautiful headstone and a fresh bouquet of flowers. Don made sure they were always fresh; it was what he paid for. He never gave forewarning as to when he'd be by to pay his respects. And every time, the cemetery groundskeeper made sure that a large bouquet of daisies would be there at her gravesite.

The gravestone had angels etched on it with a small angel statue standing on the very top of the granite marker. Her wings were spread out as if she were protecting someone. Don always like that angel. He smiled as if he were greeting an old friend once again.

Mike sat the basket down and retrieved its contents. He handed a plate to each of his brothers. Reaching back into the basket he pulled out four zip locked baggies. Each of his brothers took one and opened it, placing the contents onto their plate.

Then, the thermoses were opened, the contents being poured out and filling four glasses with the cool liquid. The scant snow on the ground added a chill to their already cold beverage, but the turtles wouldn't have it any other way.

With Don starting, they placed their offerings down around the gravesite. Then, they stood erect and were silent for a good long time.

Finally, Don began; addressing the deceased as if she were right there to hear him. He talked about the recent events with Gabby's marriage and about her surrogate father passing away. He described the way Gabby had tried to run from them initially when she first met them in Connecticut last year. But he also shared how much she had grown in maturity and that she was expecting a baby. For some reason, Don decided not to share the details of its conception; not that it would have mattered. The person he was talking to had been dead for fifteen years.

Then, Mike's turn came. He talked about his wife, Rahab, and their two daughters. He talked about the mountain lion he had killed the year before, which saved Gabby's life. Mike assured his deceased friend that she would have liked her. Finally, his emotions overwhelmed him. Mike couldn't finish what he had wanted to say, he could only express his love and respect, "You were the best! Sure miss you."

Leo was next. He straightened up and bowed deeply towards the marker. He spoke of his son and of the time he spent with him in Japan and in the mountains of Nepal. He had a lot of catching up to do with sharing his life from the past few years. "You would appreciate his faith, I believe. He follows the same Christ that you did." Leo also shared about Gabby and that she had married Seth. He told of the battle and how well the 'kids' fought. He nodded towards the marker again out of respect and then he was done.

Raphael stood stoic. He was fighting back the tears. He did not like to cry and that was the one reason why he always had an excuse not to visit this site. It was just too hard for him. He had loved her, too, but Don had the advantage. Raph thought if only he had been more aggressive, maybe.... But he knew that it would have turned her off. He knew this and that was why he had not pursued her so many years ago.

Raph then began to share about his daughter and what a surprise it was to know he had one. He was quite proud of her tenacity and told the deceased she reminded him of her.

Then, realizing it had been too long since his last visit, he added, "Thanks, again, for the van! Sheesh, if it weren't for that we'd all still be in that sewer, freezing our butts off every winter. I'm sure you had a good laugh when you saw the news of our discovery in New Mexico years ago. Leave it to you to give us a car with only 6 months left on the reg.."

He chuckled, thinking about the sarcastic "And your point?" she'd have thrown back to him.

"Sure wish you could have made it out west, Girl. But, well, you were busy teaching and then you got sick and all."Raph sniffed, trying to control his emotions. Finally, he ended, "Well, just want to thank you for kicking us out of New York when you did. Otherwise, we'd still be here, I guess. I hope we can meet again next year. Same time, same place, eh?"

The four stood silently for a moment. Then, they took the folding chairs from Thomas and set them up around the grave. Then, taking their respective plates and glasses in hand, the turtles began to eat their sandwiches.

"Mike, you never put enough jelly on these things!" Raph complained after he took his first bite.

"No, Raph." Donatello grumped," there's too much peanut butter! You need to use less of that sticky stuff, Mike. It gets into my teeth and then I have brown gunk in my smile!"

"So, don't smile! Be yourself!" Mike shot back, grinning. He was quickly cuffed in the arm.

Then, it was Leo's turn, "Bread's too dry. Couldn't you use fresher bread, Mike?"

Mike looked over at the grave and then remarked, "Hey, you paying attention? They're complaining about your special PB&J recipe! I think you ought to say something."

About that time a flock of pigeons that had silently observed the graveside ceremony descended hungrily around the quartet. A few of them flew around the group to get better positioned for any crumbs left lying around.

The four visitors tried to wave the annoying birds away. However, in the process, some kersplosh noises were heard. Three of the four soon discovered that their milk had a little more flavoring than before.

Mike just about busted a gut because his glass was the only one left unscathed.

"That'll teach you guys to complain." He looked up to the sky and said, "Hey, ol' Girl, you're the best!"

THE END – finally.

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A/N: That concludes this 'never-ending' story. I have hidden in this epilogue a little secret. Can you guess it?

I want to express my appreciation for all those who took the time to read this marathon of a story. It didn't start out that way, but as time went on I realized that Gabby had more story in her than I originally thought. Gad, I should have made it a two-parter! Oh well. Thanks so much for everyone's encouragement and advice. Also, for the input that I used too many exclamation marks. Guess I was just so excited about writing this fic! :0)

I want to add a disclaimer, though. As I mentioned to Ramica in a reply to a review she sent me, with all the many TMNT stories out there it is nearly impossible not to have similar ideas or storylines. I don't know if my story is similar to others. Not sure if it qualifies as a Mary Sue (just learned what that term means. Hmmm...) But as I read other fics I am noticing some similarities with simple little things – such as Don and sushi. As mentioned in the forward, Wendy A Peabody inspired me to write. Just today I reviewed a part of her Rahab story to get a time-line on an aspect of my story. Lo and behold, I discovered that she had Don serving sushi to Rahab. Gah...not trying to copy, but I guess I did with Don and Gabby in New York. Then there is the PB&J sandwich in this chapter. I'll explain that later, but I was not trying to copy anyone in particular. It just happened. Guess what I want to really say is, I go out of my way to NOT copy anyone and if I want to use an idea of theirs, I try very hard to ask first! Just to make that clear. So, in case anyone has been offended along these lines, please accept my apologies! Enough said.

While I'm at it, I'd like to thank Ramica for educating me regarding certain topics and for faithfully reading and reviewing all of the many chapters. Considering how long this story became (and it surprised me just as much as it did all of you!), I'm humbled! Ramica, you have become a dear on-line friend. Thanks! :*}

Also, Splinter who encouraged me about not knowing martial arts and who offered me the 'tornado' kick! Thanks! I always thought that kick was called the 'round house'. Imagine my surprise! LOL

To Ziptango: thanks for the advice and the incentive to write better. Also for hosting last year's contest! I didn't win, but it was a 'hoot and a half' to be a part of the excitement! I enjoyed your witty reviews, too!

To Jo Dawn for being such a faithful reader and reviewer. Don't ever hesitate to E-mail just to chat! I'm always on-line, it seems! I have NO life whatsoever. :-P

Thanks to Firebird Flight and her dog, Tynan! Loved the way you reviewed and offered up your doggie to protect Gabby! Too much! ;0) Your faithful reading and reviewing was awesome!

Dancingfae for her reviews and believing I'm a decent writer. I'm still not convinced, but I'll take your kudos just the same. LOL

Appreciation goes to RavenPhoenixFire for waiting in anticipation for each chapter and encouraging me with her enthusiasm.

Meathead; loved your incentive that you gave me. Your comments gave me quite a rush that day!! Thanks!

Thanks, Rockerbaby394 for reviewing. I appreciate your interest a lot!

Dawnatella, In The Clouds, and Red Turtle for your kind reviews. I appreciate your input and suggestions all!

To all those who read Yosutebito Daughter but did not review – now's your chance! LOL! No, you don't have to, but thanks for reading, just the same.

Y'all be blessed. I know I was!