Discovery

I own Rowan and Charlie, so you take them, and you pay. I haven't heard back from my lawyers, so until I do, I don't own the turtles.

I refuse to open my eyes. That would require me waking up, and that is soo not something I want to do right now. Rowan groaned at the sharp pain from her headache.

"Yo, I think she's waking up. Go get Leo."

Eyes still shut, she placed a hand on her forehead and felt something foreign. After some prodding she found that it wound around her head. Gentle hands pried away her probing fingers.

"Don't play with it, you'll make it come undone."

Opening her eyes, she looked up at the concerned face of a green skinned turtle wearing a purple bandana.

"Holy fucking Mother of Mercy!"

Charlie winced at his mothers' scream, and looked at Mikey, who had paused in taking a tray of cookies from the oven.

"Uh, I think your mom's up, little dude."

Quickly after the shout, Charlie watched his mom run out of the old subway train. A frantic Donatello in close pursuit.

"Get away from me! Charlie? Charlie, where are you?"

Walking out of the kitchen, Charlie gave his mother a sheepish smile. After being released from the hug she grabbed him in, he pointed to where all four turtles had gathered, watching the duo uneasily.

"Mommy, they saved us from the bad man."

"Miss, please don't be scared. We mean you no harm." The one in the blue bandana said.

"Eh, pardon my bein' blunt. But why were you an' the kid in the subway to begin with?" She stared at the one in red. Remembering the rough, Brooklyn accent from before.

"It's none of your concern. Now where are my things? We're leaving." She said, standing quickly, and instantly regretting it as she swooned on her feet from a head rush. She felt a pair of sturdy arms supporting her, when her vision cleared she saw the one in purple looking at her in concern. Reluctantly he let go of her.

"I do not think that you are fit to go anywhere at the present time."

The old voice drew her attention, and looked to see a thin, humoined rat looking at her. His tattered clothing hanging off his frail frame, despite his age and appearance, Rowan felt an aura of authority around him.

Finally, she recovered enough to ask, "What are you?"

He motioned to the couch, waiting for her to sit. She pulled Charlie up on her lap, listening intently as Splinter began to recount the tale of how they came to be. She played lightly with Charlie's' dusty blonde brown hair as he slept, curled up against her.

"And now my child, would you like to tell us about why we found you in the tunnel?"

She was about to shake her head 'no' when something caught her attention.

"What's that smell?"

They paused, smelling the air when Mikey suddenly yelled in alarm.

"My cookies!" And ran off for the kitchen.

They watched for a second as Mike made a mad dash for the kitchen before focusing their attention back on the human mother. Still feeling a little overwhelmed she focused on a spot on the floor, refusing to meet the others gaze. Nodding his head Splinter stood, sensing her unease with the current situation, feeling that she would tell her story when she felt ready. Raphael took the Laz-y Boy recliner that Splinter had occupied, and pulled out a remote from the cushions. The other two brothers waited for a moment, before finally leaving, each muttering excuses. Rowan silently stared, still taking in that the turtle in front of her probably saved her life and the life of her son.

"Thanks you." She said softly, purposely not meeting his gaze.

Turning off the t.v., he turned his full attention on her, watching her gently lay Charlie down on the empty space beside her.

"Why was he after you?"

She avoided the question; "Do you have a mirror?" When he shook his head, she sighed in exasperation. What about my purse? Do you have that?"

He jerked a thumb behind him to the brightly-lit train, "It's in the room you woke up in."

She looked at Charlie, then at Raphael.

"Hey, don't worry. He'll be fine."

Getting up she went to the train, peeking in the open door she found her purse on the floor. Picking it up, she reached inside and brought out her compact, and opened it to inspect herself. She gasped at what she saw. Her curly brown hair was in complete disarray; a gauze bandage had been wound around her head. She removed it to reveal a small square of the same material taped to her forehead, soaked with dried blood. Her hazel eyes had a worn look to them, and her face was covered in tiny cuts and bruises. There was a faint red line running from the corner of her mouth, where dried blood had obviously tried to be removed. And her usual light tanned face was pale, drawn. And the splash of freckles across her nose stood out predominately. She touched the black and blue bruise under her right eye, and winced at the pain the slight touch brought. Closing the compact and returning it to her purse she made her way back to where she left Charlie.

"Ah damnit! Stupid goalie!" She heard Raph curse loudly. "Ah damnit!" And froze when she heard the child-like copy.

The other turtles winced at the bellow.

"RAPHAEL!!"

Rowan stormed into the room, staring venomously at the startled turtle.

"What? What'd I do?"

She pointed to Charlie, who was edging away.

"I don't curse around my son for a reason. Do you know what that reason is?" She said through clenched teeth.

Raphael looked at Charlie, then back at Rowan, who looked ready to strangle the mutant turtle.

"Uh"

She rubbed her left temple, trying to stop the headache that was forming, but failing.

"I don't swear because he's liable to copy it. He susceptible to copying those he admires." She saw the others poking their heads in the room, "You three, listen up too. I don't want any of you swearing around him, is that clear?"

When they nodded she groaned and flopped down on the couch.

"Hold on just a sec! Just because you come waltzing in here, after I saved you, you got the nerve to start orderin' me around just like that?!"

She stared at him, "Well, yeah. When it comes to what is spoke in front of my son I think I've got a pretty good say!"

"I don't think so lady, and don't even start Leo!" The turtle turned on Leo who was trying to make calming gestures with his hands.

"Come on Raph, I think that's the least we can do for her, and besides Sensei doesn't like your swearing anyway."

"And does it look like I care? I'll swear if I damn well want to."

Feeling close to murdering her rescuer, she settled for throwing a pillow at him instead.

"Mmph?! Listen, I ain't gonna stop just cause you said so!"

"Raphael!"

Turning to look at Splinter, Raphael pointed an accusing finger at Rowan. Shaking his head Splinter kept his eyes on Raphael.

"I do not like your curses any more than she, and you will respect her wishes and refrain from them while in Charles presence."

Seething with rage but holding his tongue he left, be careful not to bump into the others on the way out. With a sigh, Rowan leaned back onto the couch glad that one major crisis had been averted. Satisfied that things were peaceful Splinter left.

Peeking out from under the arm she had thrown over her eyes when she heard a cough. She saw Leo holding out a glass of water and two Advil's. She took them gratefully.

"You've had a rough day. It's late, perhaps you should try and get some sleep."

She looked at her watch, surprised to see that it was past midnight. How long was I out? But she stood, nodding.

"You're right." A tug on her sleeve made her look down.

"Mommy, where we gonna sleep?"

Looking around she realized the truth of the words, and shrugged. Gesturing to the couch.

"We can sleep here, we'll be fine." She added, when some of the turtles protested.

"Alright, but at least let us make it more comfortable for you." Donatello said, leaving. Returning a minute later with a pile of thick blankets and fluffy pillows.

"I can't thank you enough." Rowan said with a tired smile, placing all the blankets on the couch with one for a top sheet. Tucking in Charlie, who was asleep instantly, she sat in the cozy, yet tattered, recliner, snuggling down happily. The others left, turning off the lights, and Rowan was drifting to sleep when she felt a warm blanket being lain over her. Forcing one eye open she saw a glimpse of purple, before falling asleep.

TBC