Sunday Morning After

Note: Okay, the one Japanese phrase used, I know what it means, I just can't spell it very well. It means 'Thank you very much' no clue what song it's off of. Also, I want to thank all the readers for loving this story so much and giving me my inspirationI sound like one of those people accepting the awardsminus the cheesy crying spiel

~*~

Something isn't right.what happened? Rowan searched her mind for the jagged details of the other night. When Jake had come for her. We were in an alley Raph he had found us! He saved me from Jake. Oh God! Jake! Rowan tried to open her eyes, but the light forced her to shut them before she could take anything in. Making her panic rise. He's hereI know it! He won oh please let Raphael still be alive!

Trying again, she was able to keep her eyes open a little bit longer than before, but it still hurt to leave them open for too long. A hospital? A hospital! That means I'm not dead! Some one up there likes me! Knowing that she was safe, she let her body relax, taking the time to analyze what was sore and what was wrong with her.

She heard a noise to the left of her, and cocked her head in an attempt to hear better, and the noise stopped.

"Ahh, so you're awake, I'm surprised, the anesthesia was very strong. But I think you'll be glad to hear that the operation was a complete success."

Operation? She felt panic well up in her throat again. She did her best to swallow it, but failed miserably.

She opened her mouth to speak, but her throat was dry, and she felt her voice crack before it had the chance to even make a sound. The voice placed a glass of water in her hand and she drank deeply. Pausing only to gulp in some air before finishing the contents.

"Better?" The voice asked, gently taking the glass away, and setting it down near her.

She nodded. "Much, thank you." Opening her eyes she saw a doctor at the foot of her bed, looking on her kindly.

"Aabout this 'operation'? What did you mean by that?"

"You're leg I'm afraid you've lost your leg." He gestured helplessly at something under the covers.

My leggone? That's impossible! I can feel both legs, they feel fine!

"You're lying! I mean that's impossible right? I mean, how can you have lost something that you still feel?"

"I thought you might ask. What you're feeling right now is sometimes referred to as a phantom limb. That's when you feel as though your missing body part is there, and at certain times you can still feel pain, or think you can move things as though it's still there."

It's not truecan't be trueI don't- Her thoughts were cut off by a swell of emotions threatening to burst out. Tentatively, and with a feeling of revulsion at her own body betraying her. She reached down to touch the spot of flat sheets that should have held the curve of her leg. Her hand felt the other side of the firm mattress. And the realization that she had indeed, lost her leg, slammed into her. Causing her to lose her breath and any coherent thoughts.

"No! I'll sue! You didn't have my permission! You needed my permission! This is battery!"

The doctors' eyes widened as Rowan began to thrash about, tears flying like projectiles off of her face. Suddenly, Rowan felt her age. For the moment, she wasn't a mother, she had no responsibilities. She was simply a twenty - year - old who was suddenly told that she was going to forever be different. That she would never fit in with 'normal' society.

"Miss! Please, calm yourself!" Running to her side, the doctor struggled to hold her down, worried that the needle in her arm might break off inside of her.

"It won't do for your son to see you like this!" He told her forcefully.

Slowly, her thrashing stopped, and she looked up at the older man uncomprehendingly. He watched as she remembered, slowly nodding.

"I'm sorryso sorry" She mumbled, embarrassed at her childish antics.

Straightening his coat, he watched her carefully for a relapse. But sensing none on he way, he asked her kindly; "You're son and sister are waiting for you. Shall I send them in?"

Sister? But she nodded.

A few minutes after the doctor left, the door opened again to reveal April and Charlie.

"Ah," She laughed. "So you're my long lost sister eh?"

April ducked her head apologetically; "It was the only way I could see you."

Charlie stood in the doorway, looking inside at his mother nervously. Rowan held out her arms encouragingly.

"Come on honey, don't be scared, mommy's all right."

After a few hesitant steps forward, the small boys outstretched hands touched Rowans, and she swept him up into her arms. Cooing nonsense at him, calming down his fears.

Rubbing at his nose Charlie finally looked up, "Mom are you gonna die?"

Rowan felt fresh tears prick her eyes and she pulled Charlie close her, hugging him fiercely.

"No baby, mommy's fine. I'm just fine, the doctors just had to get rid of something bad inside me. But they got it, and I'm going to be fine."

"What did they have to get rid of mom?"

Rowan pointed to a spot behind Charlie, and he turned on the bed, trying to see what she was showing him.

"My leg sweetie, they had to get rid of my leg."

His eyes stared in wonderment when his hands felt flat sheets. He looked back up at Rowan with curiosity.

"Momare you going to be a pirate?"

Rowan and April couldn't help but laugh.

"Charlie, why do you think Rowan's going to be a pirate?" April asked from her seat at the bedside chair.

"Because in the movie Treasure Planet, the pirate had one leg, just like mom!"

"Hmm maybe for Halloween next year, I could be a pirate, and you could be my parrotwhat do you think about that?" She laughed, reaching over to tickle him.

Charlie squealed with delight. After some more chatting and catching up with Charlie. April motioned to the little boy.

"Charlie, why don't you go out and wait with Casey? Your mom and I have some grown up stuff to talk about."

Pulling a face, he obeyed. Once the door was shut, April scooted her chair closer.

"I thought I should let you know that Jake is dead. I really don't want to get into details. Also, the doctor has set you up with a personal physiotherapist that will come by our place to work with you."

"Your place?"

April looked away for a moment, then back at Rowan.

"Yes, Leonardo and I have been discussing this for the past two days, and have decided that it would be best if you moved in for the time being with us. We have plenty of room, so it's not like you'll be a burden."

Rowan watched April for any sign that she would indeed be a burden, but found none.

"Are you sure? I mean I'd really hate to have you putting out just on my behalf. And are you sure your boyfriend won't mind?"

"Casey? It was his idea!" She laughed, brightening up.

"Hmm.then maybe you should be worried?" She smiled, sobering up a second later.

"How long do I have to stay here? I really hate hospitals."

"Uh, well the doctor said that you'll have to stay for another few days. And that's the minimum length of a usual amputee. Also, rehabilitation starts later today."

"I seethat's going to be so weird I mean because I sometimes still feel like it's there butI have to remind myself that it's notspooky huh?"

"Not really oh and the guys said they'd be dropping by later tonight when things are more quiet. So try not to fall asleep too early."

Smiling, Rowan nodded. It'll be nice to see them. I didn't think I would miss them this much.

"I'm sure you're still a little tired, and it's still morning, so I'll leave and let you get some rest." Turning, she went and leaned out the door, calling for Charlie.

Coming in, he handed her a donut from the cafeteria downstairs.

"Hahahthank you honey, but why give it to me? I thought chocolate was your favorite?"

"You need it mommy, Mikey told me that he felt bad about you not having his yummy food to eat. Said that you had to eat yucky 'ospital food."

"Well you can tell Mikey that I do miss his yummy cooking, and that he better have a pizza ready for me when they let me out, okay?" Grinning, Charlie dove forward and hugged Rowan.

"Bye mommy, see you 'morrow."

"Bye sweetie."

~*~

"Hurry up already will ya Mike? It's late enough, we don't want to keep Ro' waitin'"

Michelangelo sighed at Raphael, "I know, I know, just let me finish wrapping this up and we can go!"

Raph watched his brother finish wrapping a dish of food in tinfoil before they left after Leo and Don.

Up on the surface, they circled the hospital, and located the back door. Heading straight for the stairs they climbed up the four flights, and went inside Rowans new room. Though it was used as a two-person room, thankfully she was its only occupant.

Her right forearm was still bandaged, but her pallor wasn't as sallow as it had been; she still looked weak, but it was obvious that she still had some strength left in her.

Turning her head, she spotted them. Moving the bed to a sitting position, she motioned them closer.

"Come on, don't leave the wounded waiting." She grinned.

"Hi Ro' How you doin?" Leonardo asked nervously.

"Hmmwell, the doctors aren't as cute as the nurses, the food is horrible, and I can't scratch this itch that's been bugging me all dayother than that? Peachy, you?" She said lightly, obviously making a joke.

Mike grinned, "See, I told you she'd be fine! Hey Ro, check this out, I made you your favorite. Tuna cheese casserole!" Moving quickly over, he removed the wrapping, letting the steam drift out.

Mmmit smells delicious! I bet it tastes better than this poison they've been feeding me here." She pointed to a fork on a left over tray be Leo. He caught the indication and handed it to her.

She dug the fork in and shoveled the food into her mouth ravenously. Donatello and Raphael watched in amazement.

"Wow ya know, she's the only person I know that likes Mikes' casserole that much!" Raph whispered to Don.

"Mmdomo arigato gozimozo!" All four turtles stared at her in amazement.

"Where did you learn that?" Mike asked surprised.

She giggled at their expressions, "You're faces!.I- I learned the first part from a song, the second part from Splinter when I asked him what it meant."

She set the almost empty glass dish on the table beside her. Taking the pitcher and pouring herself some water, she relaxed.

"So how are things in the underground?"

"Okay, though not as exciting as having a female sparring partner!"

Rowan rolled her eyes at Raphs joking flirt. "HooboyI need to find you a girl Rapheither that or a" Her eyes widened at the thought that proceeded and she blushed. "Nevermind."

Raphael winked at her, but didn't comment. Much to her relief, turning to Leo she smiled.

"You haven't said much, what's on your mind oh great leader?"

Looking at her, he sighed. "You don't have to try and be happy for our sakes Rowan. We know you're upset."

Oh

"I'm fine Leo, reallyit's just the hospital never cared for them really, that's all."

"How was therapy?" Don asked softly.

"Hmmoh yeaI liked it, he had a cute butt." She grinned mischievously. But waved her hand to dismiss the comment. "It went just as I thought it would, the guy made me move it around and stufftry to exercise the tissue or something. He says that I have to do it everyday for the first two weeks. After that, maybe five times a month."

He nodded and they fell silent, not wanting to dampen a nice mood with dreary thoughts, and deciding that Rowans needed some rest, Leo began to herd the out. But Don lingered behind, hands in his pockets, looking at her for a kind of motivation.

"I know that you really liked it, so I thought I'd bring it for yousorry if you think I'm being childish."

"Sorry, but I'm the queen of childishoh, that's right, you missed that this morningdon't ask." She watched as he pulled out the little brown teddy bear with the red ribbon tied around it's neck that she had found in her chair a little over a week earlier. Her eyes widened in delight and she hugged it close to her.

"Oh Don, thank you so much, I really do love teddy bears. And It's so sweet of you to think of bringing this to me!" Bracing herself against the other end, she leaned up and hugged him. After a moment's hesitation, he embraced her back.

How can something so wrong, feel so right? He thought, the dull ache in his heart returning. But he swallowed it, feeling self centered about thinking of himself at a time like this.

Pulling back, he said his good byes with a promise to visit the next night.

~*~*~*~

"Heyisn't there a rule against that?"

Don laughed as he watched her pick up eight cards. "Nope, you laid down that two and I had to pick up six, so it's only fair that you have to pick up eight!"

"Of course my son would have to teach you a card game I suck at."

"It's Crazy Eight's Ro'." He laughed, " How can you be bad at Crazy Eight's?"

She waved all fifteen cards in his face. "That's how!"

Both laughed, she watched as he put down a Queen, and she laid down an eight, effectively trying to rid herself of all the diamonds.

"Last card."

"GrrrI callspades!"

He grinned, and she groaned. "Oh noo"

"Why thank you for making this so easy!" He said as he laid down the Ace of Spades.

She threw her cards down, bringing her leg up under her as Don leaned forward from his seat on the foot of her bed to grab the cards. She grinned as he began shuffling.

"Tonight's my last night! I can go home tomorrow! I wish I could leave tonight, I would love to see Charlie's face on Christmas morning. All of yours for that matter."

"I think we can wait, you don't want to risk moving about to much and rip your stitches do you?"

She sighed, "Always the doctor, aren't you?"

He shrugged. "Can't help it Ro', I know what I know."

"Ughyou rhymed!"

"Hmmso I did."

Holding up a hand, Rowan stifled a yawn, "Mmm, what time is it?"

"Wow, it' a little past midnight, I should go."

Grabbing the crutch the hospital had given her to move around with, she placed it under her arm as she swung her leg off the bed. And despite his protests she walked him to the door.

"Oh come off it, I need the practice anyway."

He had to admit that she was getting to be quite skillful with moving around with it. He didn't mind the stump, but he noticed that he never once saw Rowan looking at. Well, the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind.

"Alright Don, I'll see you guys at Aprils tomorrow morning, and please don't forget to bring the presents. I really want to see you guys open them."

"I won't. Now you get some sleep, that guy has been coming earlier and earlier you said."

"YeaI think he's just grumpy because the nurse I see him flirting with told me that she's not interested, she likes this doctor who's married I'm tellin' ya, I'm in my own soap opera!" She laughed.

He grinned broadly at her, reaching down for a hug when she opened her arms. He felt her stiffen, and he pulled back abruptly, staring at her.

"What's wrong?"

She tugged lightly at the nightgown April had brought for her, it was short, but hid the stump.

"Am This is going to sound very shallow, and very stupid, but I really need to know, because I think Raph'll just come on to anything that breaths with boobs."

He raised an eye ridge questioningly, "What?"

"Am I still pretty? I meanwho would want something like me? Not that I care or anythingI can't help but feel ugly now"

"Is that all?"

The lightness of his tone caused her to look up at him sharply. He shook his head at her misinterpretation.

"Of course you're still pretty, it doesn't matter what you look like Ro' it's your brains, your personality that make a person like you. If they were in it for the looks alone, you'd be better off without them!"

"" Turning, she hobbled back to her bed, letting Don let himself out for the first time sense he began to visit her.

TBC

Okay, very bad abrupt endingnext part is already done, and should be up with thishope you liked the story folks!