Demons Are Hard To Be Rid Of
Note: Okay everyone, here it is, the third installment of the Rowan series, this is going to be another three chapter one, then I have the Valentine story to write, but first, I needed this one to explain a few things. Also, because my beta reader wishes to remain anonymous I will simply say thank you is never enough because you really made some great points! Hope you all like the story!
Disclaimer: I own Rowan, Charlie and the plot, nothing more, probably less.
~*~
Donatello led Rowan down the stairs, much to her annoyance.
"Don, come on, just because I'm a cripple doesn't mean you have to baby me!" She took her hand away from his to prove that she could stand on her own two feet (so to speak). Though wobbling precariously, she still refused Don's helping hand when he offered it to her. She diverted her attention away from her self appointed nursemaid to watch her son speed down the stairs in a race to beat them to the bottom.
Finally getting her balance, "There, see! I'm fine; you needn't worry so much. Why don't you go and join Charlie at the bottom, I'm sure he wants to see you."
Don gave her a worried look but complied, leaving her to maneuver the last flight of stairs alone. She watched him go and knew that he meant well, but sometimes his love was a little overwhelming.
Only two weeks, it's only been two weeks since New Years. And somehow, even April knew when she came back what had happened Of course all thanks to those snitches of brothers he has! And why do I suddenly feel like such a teenager again! She caught herself smiling, liking the fact that she had been doing that more often lately. Face it girl, you're head over heels.
Reaching the bottom she accepted Donatellos' outstretched hand, using her other hand to grasp her son's firmly as they left for the alleyway. They were going to see Splinter, Rowan was nervous because the last time she had been down in the lair was the night Jake had attacked he
You can do it; he's dead, gone, kaput. And this is really important to him, so suck it up and get it over with. Meeting a significant other's parent was always nerve wracking. But when you already know them, it can be much worse because your imagination can play out a multitude of scenarios from what you can remember.
Donatello sensed her unease and pulled her close.
"Everything will be fine, I promise." Digging inside his trench coat he pulled out a medium sized book and handed it to her. "Here, I thought for the rest of your visit we could start on you English. Have you ever read Shakespeare?"
"Shakespeare? I saw a few movies about him. He's a writer, isn't he?"
Don chuckled softly. "The best there ever was."
"Was? You mean he's dead?"
"For about five hundred years Ro'."
Rowan didn't answer, instead choosing to look at the book; the cover had a man with a donkey head and women with wings all around him.
"I thought we could start with Midsummer Night's Dream."
"Sounds nice, thanks Donnie. I really appreciate this." Squeezing his hand before letting go to watch him remove the manhole cover, she backed up and allowed him to lower Charlie down first, before helping her. Rowan relaxed in his grip, never had she felt so safe around a man before.
~*~
"Hey Ro', glad ya could make it!" Raphael said, coming over to show Charlie what new toy he had scavenged and fixed for him. Rowan watched them, knowing that they were the only ones who were able to see Raph at ease for a time, which always included spoiling her son rotten. Michelangelo or Leonardo would have had too much fun tormenting their more boisterous sibling at his supposed weakness'.
"Cool! What is it?" Charlie asked, looking at the toy with awe.
"That, my friend, is a toy airplane. Watch this!" Taking the plastic model, Raphael wound up the rubber-band held propeller and let it soar. Charlie kept his eye on it as he ran around; trying to catch it in case it ran out of gas'.
"Thanks Raph, yet another toy I'll have to play with him." Rowan complained good naturedly.
Raphael shrugged at Rowan's groan with amusement, giving her a mischievous and evil grin. Rolling her eyes she leaned over to Charlie.
"Charlie, I have something important to ask you."
"What mom?"
She looked over his head at Raphael, a sly smile crossing her lips before continuing.
"I need you to look after Raph for me while Don and I go talk with Splinter. Do you think you can do that for me sweetie?"
A serious look came over Charlie's face as he nodded solemnly.
"Uh huh! I'll make Raph behave emself!"
Standing up she walked over to where Donatello was waiting, leaving Raphael sputtering indignantly.
"I don't need lookin' after!" The red banded turtle called out to them, immediately being shushed by his babysitter.
"Come on, Master Splinter is expecting us." Don said to Rowan
Taking her hand Don led Rowan to a train car that had sheets of sheer drapery layered to make outsiders unable to see inside. Rowan looked at the color effect it made with envy. A professional decorator would charge a mint for something he didn't even mean to do! Wish I had that kind of talent. Donatello rapped his knuckles on the door lightly.
There was a pause, then; "You may enter."
Opening the door, Don let go of Rowan's hand in order to drop to his knees out of respect for his father.
Rowan, prepared for how to behave, followed suit and, with slightly less grace, was able to kneel down beside Donatello.
"Master Splinter, as my brothers have no doubt already informed you, Rowan and I have become closer to each other."
Rowan glanced at Donatello, who wasn't quite looking at Splinter, but a few inches below his gaze. Knowing it was bad manners, but unable to resist, Rowan risked a peak at Splinter, and was surprised to see the warmth and love in his eyes.
"We have come here to ask for your approval of our love for each other."
Splinter looked away from his son to Rowan, who quickly averted her eyes to the floor. Lifting a hand, Splinter commanded Rowan to stand before him.
She struggled just a bit to stand up, but once Rowan was vertical, "Yes, Senpai?"
Earlier, Rowan had asked Leo what she should call Splinter. She wanted to use a term of respect since he was not her sensei or master. Thankfully, Leonardo had told her that 'senpai' would do, as it meant some one older and wiser than you that you looked up too.
She could tell that Splinter liked the term.
"My child, look at my son, look past the outer shell and tell me what you see."
Rowan turned her attention back to the turtle who was still on his knees, but even he had turned a curious face up to her.
"I see a warrior. I see strength and wisdom." She paused as she stared at him thoughtfully, trying to gather all that she could without embarrassing him. What do I see? I "I see a caring soul that, despite his personal obsessions, would put his family above all other things. I see a loving heart." She turned back to Splinter, realizing the reason of this exercise. "I see a future." She turned back to Donatello, and kneeled back down beside him without waiting for a command; knowing in her heart that she had said the right things.
She watched as Splinter pretended to be deep in thought about something important. He's he's teasing us! She felt a conflict of humor and anger at what Splinter was doing to his son. Knowing that beside her Don was worried sick over what his master was pondering; Rowan was finding it quite funny that Splinter was prolonging something that he already knew the answer to.
"Stand before me, my son."
Standing, Donatello moved in front of Rowan in order to face his father. Laying a frail hand on his shoulder, Splinter smiled.
"Do you remember the first time Rowan was brought here?"
Donatello nodded his head, unsure of where this was going. He replied obediently, "Rowan was afraid; she bore the scars that no one should ever need to bear."
Rowan felt a pang of anger that Splinter would bring something like that up, but swallowed her rage quickly, not wanting either to sense her sudden change of mood.
"You came to me that night, confused. Do you remember the question you asked?" The rat tilted his head just a little as he waited for his son to reply..
Slowly, Donatello answered as he repeated a question about her that Rowan was hearing for the first time, "I asked you why anyone would want to stay with someone who they know would hurt them."
Splinter nodded, "You asked me Why anyone would want to put themselves through such torture?' And I now ask that you forgive me for my answer was not informative."
Pausing to breathe deep, he continued. "Rowan, my child, you have been hurt greatly by the one you loved, and love may not come as easily as it did before. You and Donatello will both be put under great pressure before things stay calm."
"I know, Sensei, but I believe that Donatello can help me. I know that he will treat me well, as I'm sure you know." She said hastily.
Smiling, he nodded in her direction. "Are you both prepared for the sacrifices that will come from this relationship?"
Together, they answered yes', causing both turtle and human to smile slightly.
Splinter looked at each in turn before finally spreading out his hands, giving his blessing, "Then do not forget that I will be here when you are needing guidance."
Donatello's heart started to beat wildly as he realized what his father meant, "Does that mean" Donatellos hand sought out Rowan's, grasping it as Splinter gave his answer.
"Yes my children, I approve."
Ever the conservative, Donatello bowed before his father before quickly leading Rowan out of the car after him. Even though they were just outside the door of his father's room, to Donatello it felt like there was just the two of them. Grabbing her up in a hug he spun her around.
As Rowan felt his energy pouring off of him she felt like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. Oh. there's that smile of his again! She grinned back madly as she reached up to bring Don's lips down to her own.
Charlie, who had been playing with Raph, noticed his mom and Don exiting Splinter's car. The boy had only one reaction.
."Ewwwwwyuck!"
TBC