PLAY TIME

Note: I own Rowan, Charlie and the plot. I do not own the turtles, Shakespeare or the funny Midsummer Nights Dream. Again, thank you to my beta reader, your help is much appreciated!

~*~

Rowan sighed and fidgeted for the umpteenth time in her chair, feeling more and more like a student again in high school. She couldn't be sure, but she had a feeling that Donatello was enjoying being the teacher.

"Okay, now we're not going to have designated characters. We're just going to be taking turns with each one. I'll start us off with Theseus."

Picking up the book Don began reciting:

"Now fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour

Draws on apace. Four happy days bring in

Another moon. But O, methinks, how slow

This old moon wanes! She lingers my desires,

Like a step-dame or dowager,

Long withering out a young man's revenue."

Smiling, Don turned to his student who was staring at him with a baffled look on her face.

"What the heck was that? Isis that English?"

"Yes and no. All of Shakespeare's plays were written in iambic pentameter."

"Iambic pentwhataher?"

"Iambic pentameter. It'sokay, when Shakespeare was writing, in the back of his mind he had a beat that went with the words.like this. Da da Da da Da da. Now fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour."

Picking up the book Rowan read it again. She was still a little unsure, but began as Hippolyta, stopping at the last word of the part.

"I have no clue what this chicky is talking about! I mean, what does this mean? Four days will quickly steep themselves in night?' Does she mean that soon day will turn to night?"

"Yes!" Don said, a little too loudly. Backing up he blushed a little. "I mean that you have an understanding of it; which is good."

"I still don't see why she just doesn't say it that way; but whatever. Is this how all Elizabethans talked back then?"

"No, Shakespeare wrote this way because it made for a good show. How about continuing and see how we do?"

~*~

" But herein mean I to enrich my pain,

To have his sight thither, and back again."

Closing the book Don moved over to Rowan. "And that is the end of the first scene. How did you like it?"

"I played a man for the rest of the scenebut you had all the long speeches, so I don't mind."

Laughing Donatello leaned in to give her a quick kiss before he excused himself for a minute. He left the car, leaving Rowan alone.

Suddenly, shouts could be heard coming in from what was dubbed the Living room'. Donatello had left the door of his car open, so Rowan could easily tell that the two who were fighting were Raphael and Leonardo. Standing up she moved to the door and watched as Raphael began to trade blows with his sturdier brother.

There on the sofa watching television and completely ignoring what was happening sat Michelangelo with Charlie.

She didn't know the exact reason why Raph and Leo were fighting and truth was she didn't want too. Rowan spotted Donatello on his way back from the kitchen with two mugs of coffee.

As Raphael was pushed back by Leo, he bumped into the purple clad turtle.

Swaying on his feet, Don managed to save the coffee. "Hey! Can't you guys try to kill each other somewhere else?"

"Yeah, well why don't you watch where you're going brainiac! Sheesh!" Raph growled sarcastically.

Ignoring the insult Don continued on his way to his room. He shut the door once they were inside, effectively cutting down the noise level to a whisper.

"Milk with one sugar right?"

Taking the cup offered, Rowan looked back at the closed door and was glad that she could no longer hear the fighting. But she wished suddenly that she could be back topside, safe in April's apartment.

"Ro'? Rowan, is something wrong?"

"Huh?" Snapping back to reality, she turned towards Donatello. "Donnie, what were they fighting about?"

Shrugging, he took a seat; flipping through the play. "Who knows? Raph is always geared up for a fight and Leo is always there and knows how to deal with it."

"Does Raphael always pick a fight?"

"Pretty much, why?"

She took a cautious sip of the steaming coffee, "No reason. Are we done for today?"

Don watched her for a moment, knowing that she wasn't telling him something. He was about to comment on it, but stopped when Raphael barged into his room.

"Don, will you get that damn DVD to work?! It's been broke since Casey tried to fix' it! Sheesh, it's not like you have anything else to do!"

Watching him, and knowing he was still angry, Rowan felt herself moving to the back of the car and away from the hot tempered turtle. Irrational thoughts and memories were going through her mind.

Don tried to calm down his feisty brother. "I'll get to it later. I'm busy right now."

Donatello watched unimpressed as Raphael threw his hands up in disgust. "You're always too busy'. Ya know, I think you like gettin' me upset."

Donatello sighed. "And why would I want to make you upset Raph? Do you think that's what I do in here day after day? Think up new ways to make you mad?"

Once Rowan was sure that Donatello was between her and Raphael she felt a safer. But when he advanced upon her boyfriend, she allowed a whimper to escape her lips unchecked. He's going to hurt him! He must have been drinking, or something. Why is he doing this? I shouldn't have come hereI should go.

"Look Raph, will you just leave, please? I told you I'll have it fixed by tonight."

Slowly edging herself along the wall, Rowan started for the door behind Raphael. She was almost there when he spun around on his heels to leave and nearly bumped into her. Bringing her arms up to shield her face Rowan shrank back, whimpering.

Donatello ran over to her in an attempt to calm her down while Raphael watched her react with a sick fascination.

"Rowan, I" Raph began as his anger dissipated and he realized what was happening to her. However he was interrupted.

"I'm sorry!" She cried out blindly, looking out from half closed eyes at the two turtles. Waves of regret and dread rolled over her and she squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to lock the tears in. Jake hated tears; they showed weaknessI can't cry! I won't cry!

"What're you sorry for? You didn't do anything." Don asked softly, attempting to quell her sudden fears. Trying to approach her he realized it was counter-productive. She began to tremble the closer he came to her. "Hey, calm down, Raph's not going to hurt you."

Rowan watched as the two turtles began to draw nearer. I'm sorry! What did I do? I need to leave; yes That's it, leave - I need to leave them.

"I.I have to go." She whispered breathlessly. Turning she began to hobble out. Searching the spacious living quarters for her son, she found him with Michelangelo.

"Charlie, come on, we're leaving." Going over she hauled him up by his hand.

Mike watched the two of them; surprised.

"Hey, I thought you were gonna stay for supper?"

"Yeah mom, can't we stay?"

No, we need to get out of here! What was I thinking!

"No honey, we have to go. I forgot that I have a job interview this evening, and I need to go and get ready for it."

"Rowan, where are you going? What happened back there?" Donatello called out, quickly closing the distance between them.

Turning, she faced Donatello's worried look with one of panic. "I told you I was sorry, but I really need to leave. I have an interview that I forgot about." She pleaded silently with him. "Can I go?"

"What? Of course you can go, you know that." He replied, shocked.

Nodding her head, she turned with Charlie in tow and began for the exit ladder. She spotted Raphael watching her with clear concern and worry, but he knew better than to try and go to her.

"Mommy, are you mad at me?"

"No baby, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself."

TBC

~~~~~~********~~~~~~~

I haven't done this in a bit, so I decided to start up now.

Reader Reviews!!! Yay!

Gummadoon Fanatic: I'm glad that you liked it, and sorry that it wasn't updated sooner.

Rene: LOL, I thought so too! Hmm.I thought that I needed a Charlie' moment in here to lighten it up a bit. I'm really glad that you're enjoying the story, I like the budding relationship as well. Yea, as for Senpai I watch a lot of Anime with a friend on her computer and read Manga. And that's a common word used for teens talking about someone older like a high school teacher or friends parent. Although it's usually for someone you respect or secretly like.^_~.

Pretender Fanatic: Another who loves the Rowan series.and to think, I originally wasn't even going to post it! ..looking back I'm glad I did. I think I went through like, 50 of those planes as a kid! As for the different writing style, that's thanks to my beta reader who has helped me figure out where I needed to elaborate and other things.like how to use the extras on Word!LOL, I'm not the best when it comes to computers..

Ramica: I thought the task might have been big, but underneath it all, Raph is nothing but a big softie! At least when it comes to kids.