As I walked back to my room, I passed by Don's compartment. I intended to go straight to my own bedroom, but I couldn't. I stopped and stood there in front of his door. My mind whirled with all that Splinter had told me. I knew the rat was very intuitive in the same way Don could be. But did Splinter know me well enough to determine that I had feelings for his son?
Just thinking about it made my heart race in anxiety. I had to admit that I was touched by Don's compassion and careful ministrations to my broken ribs and overall health. I had to laugh to myself when I thought about that first shower I took. The way Don stormed in when I was butt naked. Well, except for my panties, which had slowly made their way down my leg. Yet, Don's concern, despite his embarrassment – and mine – showed considerable character.
Still, he was twenty and I was – well – older. Much more so than I wish I was. Maybe if I were prettier? Hmmm… did that suggest something? I wondered then if maybe Splinter was right. I entertained the thought for a moment; but only for a moment.
Even if I did feel something for Don, it wouldn't work. I could not have a relationship with him. Not with any of them, in fact. I had to get back to my life; I had to distance myself from them. I was afraid that any contact with them after my return to topside would increase the threat of their home being discovered. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to my friends because of me.
I wanted to give Don some time, but, I couldn't move from my spot in front of his bedroom. I quietly leaned in towards the door to see if I could hear anything.
I heard sniffling.
Oh no, please tell me he wasn't crying. I lingered, hoping that maybe he was just clearing his sinuses. But, there were several more sniffs.
Shoot.
"Don," I whispered, rapping gently on his door, "Can I come in?"
At first, he didn't say anything. So, I rapped a second time. "Don?"
"No." was his reply. "Go away."
"Please?" I entreated as sweetly as I could mutter.
"NO!" Don was a little louder and more insistent.
"You're going to wake Splinter," I whispered. "Please let me come in."
"Go away." He begged again.
"I'm not going to – and you know how stubborn I can be." I insisted.
I heard nothing but silence.
I stood there and waited. After about five minutes I was about to give up. In frustration I started back for my room. That was when I heard the click of the lock and then Don opened his door.
"What do you want?" he asked gruffly. His expression was flat and without expression. He had turned off emotionally in the way that I'd seen him do whenever one of his brothers, usually Mikey, had pushed him too far with a joke. But I did detect a bit of reddening around his eyes.
Yep, this big ninja, butt kicking turtle had been crying.
I felt like a heel.
"We need to talk about what happened earlier." I said calmly. Calm wasn't how I was feeling, but I was trying very hard to give that impression just the same.
"I thought we already did that." Don commented ruefully.
"Well, I wasn't done. The newscast distracted me." I explained.
He looked at me as if deciding to grant me my request. Finally,,,
"Okay… so talk." It was almost a command. He folded his arms across his chest as if in defense.
I gulped.
"Can I at least come in and sit down? This may take a while." I asked.
Don stood there and the look he gave me nearly broke my heart. He was trying to give me the most angry expression he could muster; but there was an undercurrent of sadness which hindered his attempt.
Don stepped aside and motioned stiffly with his arm for me to come in. I walked passed him and took a chair that was next to his computer. I could tell he was working on some sort of formula. But being a professor of history pretty much limited my ability to understand such things. So I ignored it and faced him. Don continued to stand where he was before I entered his room.
"First," I began, "I want to apologize for offending you. You have been very kind to me and - well - I would never intentionally hurt you, Don. You must know that? "
I was trying to keep a lid on my emotions. Hopefully, if his own feelings diffused his ability to sense mine earlier, he would still be as blind, now, as before.
He continued to stare down at me, unmoved by my groveling. Yep, he was steamed. Don usually didn't get mad too easily. So I guess you could say I ninja kicked his heart a pretty good one.
"Look, I'm flattered that you, um, like me so much…" I began, but, as usual, Don corrected me.
"Like? I didn't say 'like', Min." he said pointedly as he narrowed his expression.
I could see the hurt on his face and I felt even worse for him.
I closed my eyes and cringed. "No, you didn't did you?" Looking back at him, I continued, "Well, let's just say I wasn't prepared for how strongly you felt about me, okay?" I stammered a little. "I – I was surprised and a little uncomfortable, I guess. "
"Why? Is it because I'm green?" Don spat out as if the words disgusted him.
I knew it. I was afraid of this.
My eyes shot up to my brows, "NO, that's not it at all. It's just that I'm twenty years older than you are. I have this unwritten rule about not getting involved in May December relationships. " I explained, "It's just something I took with me from my years of teaching at the university. I'm also afraid that if I do get a job topside and return to teaching, coming back here regularly would only increase the chances of someone from that Foot gang learning where you live."
Don shrugged a little as if I had made a valid point. I could tell that being angry was outside of his comfort zone. It was obvious that part of him needed an excuse to forgive me.
To further that end, I added, "Besides, I wouldn't know how to protect myself if they decided to grab me and use me for bait. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not ninja!" and then grinned. "I couldn't kick my way out of a paper bag!"
That brought a slight smile to his face. He offered slyly, "I can teach you!"
"Thanks, but no. I've seen how you and your brothers go at each other during your pract - er - katas. If I'm going to be one with the mat I'd rather have it be the bathroom mat." I commented.
Don chuckled a little and I could see a slow return of his usual self. He was still hurt, but it was gradually dissipating. I felt somewhat relieved.
Don sat down on the edge of his bed and looked at his hands. He then gazed at me and I could see resignation to the situation. He sighed deeply once and shrugged his shoulders.
"You've made a good point, but I can't help the way I feel about you, Min. I usually don't express something like that too easily. I felt comfortable – I guess – with telling you all that. To be honest I was surprised I kissed you, too!" Don smiled sheepishly.
"You were surprised? HA! You don't own the market on that reaction, bub!" I chided good naturedly and smiled back.
Don laughed right then and I felt we were finally getting back to where we had been before that infamous smooch.
His smile became bigger and then he asked me, "If you promise not to say anything to my brothers about this, I'll forgive you. But only if we can still be friends."
That would work! No way would I violate Don's intimate feelings for me by sharing them with his family. Especially with Mikey and Raph. They would never let Don live it down. Being friends with him was the best of both worlds and at that moment, I finally realized one very surprising fact.
Despite my denial and despite all the good reasons why it shouldn't be, Splinter was right.
I really did have feelings for Don
******
There was silence on the other end of the phone. I was a little nervous about it.
With the guys' help I had practiced what I was going to say on the phone to Bill. I didn't want to just walk into his diner and say, "So, waz' doin'?" like the way Mikey would have done. Bill would have had a heart attack and then probably picked up the nearest plate and thrown it at me for making him worry so much.
"Ah, Bill – are you still there?" I asked him.
"Ahm, yeah - just trying to collect m'self 'sall, Mindy. Where you been?" he asked me. Bill's voice was just a little thin sounding as if he were trying to keep a lid on what he was feeling.
"I was beaten up about the time I disappeared. Some nice people found me and have been taking care of me. I had some sort of amnesia." I told him.
A loss of memory was the only explanation I could give for why it had taken me so long to contact him.
"It was the newscast last night that triggered things for me." I went on to explain.
"Min, we've been so c'ncerned about'cha! You've no idea wha' this has done to me!" Now Bill was starting to get a little weepy.
I cringed and hoped he would get control of himself because I didn't know if I could handle having to console another male.
"Well, I know my job is toast but I'd like to come by and at least visit for a while." I asked him.
"Oh, Min – if you want yer job back you c'n have it! But, I think you need t'go by the po-lice first t'let 'em knows yer alive." Bill said excitedly.
Ah – do I have to do that? They're not going to take my word for it. They'll want me to be evaluated by a doctor and then a psychiatrist. I wasn't sure if any of them would be able to determine if I did indeed have amnesia or was – rightly so – making it up. I could land in jail if it were proven I was lying. Gad, I didn't need that right now.
"Well, I guess you're right about that. I'll pop over there as soon as I can and then swing by the diner. " I told him. I hoped he didn't sense my less than enthusiastic response.
We talked a little bit more after that. Of course Bill wanted to know who it was that helped me out. I only told him that they were a very private family that preferred to stay out of the spotlight.
Once I hung up the phone, I sighed deeply. I was sweating like a pig and I guess it showed.
"Nervous?" Raph asked me, grinning evilly. He and the others were watching me throughout my phone conversation with Bill.
"Yeah, 'cause now I'm afraid the authorities will want to know who it was who rescued me!"
Leo's eyes widened, "You can't tell them about us, Min!"
"Duh!" I said sarcastically. "Leo, you must take me for a fool!"
"No, I don't. But you do have to tell them something." He remarked.
"I could blame the Foot. I could tell the authorities I was held hostage or something like that. Then they'd want to know where the Foot headquarters is. You do know where they are, right?" I asked Leo.
I could see that Raph was somewhat intrigued. He perked up quite a bit from my suggestion.
"Yeah, we do in fact. Hey, that'd get 'em off our backs for a while! Sounds like a good idea to me!" he remarked brightly.
But then Don spoke up.
"The Foot has informants at the precinct. If you tried to put the blame on them, you would most likely be dead by nightfall. No way would I – would we allow you to do that." Don declared.
He almost tripped himself up with that statement! I wondered if any of his brothers were paying attention.
I soon found out.
Mike looked over at his brother with a quizzical expression. He smiled a little and I knew then that he was starting to piece together a few clues from earlier that morning. He looked over at me. I remained unaffected by what Don had just said. I acted like I had forgotten what happened after he and his brothers returned home from scavenging. Instead, I deftly picked up the T.V. remote and punched the tube on.
"Well, let's see if they have something good on this morning!" I suggested.
Hopefully my diversionary tactic would work; but I truly doubted it. Mike was too smart to pass up an opportunity to nag his brother about personal issues. Thinking about what happened hours earlier when he, Raph, and Leo returned from topside convinced me that Mike would in no time at all discover Don's true feelings for me.
It has been around three A.M. when he and his two brothers had returned from topside, unscathed and unchallenged. The three of them were in an especially upbeat mood. I guess their haul was pretty lucrative.
We hadn't heard them come down the ladder to the lair. With Splinter sleeping they usually tried to be extra quiet.
Don and I were still in his room talking about my going back to teaching and where I would pick up my career again. We were cruising the Internet to see if there were any openings at Cornell. I really wanted to stay in New York, if only because of Brandi. She was buried at Mount Saint Mary's Cemetery near LaGuardia Airport and I always made a pilgrimage there on her birthday. It was important for me to stay close to her if at all possible.
Don and I were sitting side by side as he worked the mouse and the various sites that came up. We were each sipping a cup of tea while we researched.
When I was still teaching at Cornell University before I married Jack, the 'net was brand new. But it was growing by leaps and bounds. In only seven years it went from having only a thousand hosts to nearly a million by the time I left my teaching position in Chicago. It was fast becoming the way people would glean information, keep in touch, and do business. I never owned one myself, but I did work a few of the personal computers that the university offered for staff use. I never believed that it would take hold of our nation the way it ended up doing.
But watching Donny with the way his limited number of fingers could fly over the keyboards amazed me. He was so good with getting the information I needed that I was sure he could break into someone else's computer.
"Have you ever tried to – what is it they call it - break into another computer?" I idly asked him.
He looked at me askanced. "Min, I don't hack into someone else's files. That's illegal."
"I'm not asking you to do that. I'm just wondering if you could – you know, if you wanted to." I asked casually.
"Give me one good reason why I would?" he inquired. He stopped his typing and leaned back in his chair. I could tell he was slightly offended by my suggestion.
"Okay, let's say you have the computer address of, oh, the Foot clan for example. Let's say you could get some sensitive government informatoin and transfer it onto the Foot's computer – to frame them. You know, get the government interested so they would go in and conduct a raid." I suggested.
Don was quiet for a moment and then he replied, "First, I would have to be able to GET government secrets and download them onto my computer. Then I would have to upload this information onto the Foot's computer. However I'd have to do it in such a fashion that the government wouldn't suspect it was done that way. I would then have to make sure not to leave any kind of trail that would lead them back to me! Considering that my line is connected to the phone system above us, the government would have to then verify it wasn't coming from those businesses. They would then trace the connection to its source, which would lead them to the sewer, which would eventually lead them to us! " He paused and then smiled at me, "However, it is an engaging idea, though!" His grin softened just a little as he looked over at me.
I seemed to have gained a little more respect from him after hurting him like I did earlier. Don still liked me; that was a no-brainer. His smile, however, made me feel good. I enjoyed it for the moment but then realized he was more than capable of interpreting this. He wasn't upset anymore so whatever radar he used to discern my emotions was probably working rather well at present.
I suddenly felt self conscious. I tried to look away and focus on the computer.
"Are you embarrassed?" he asked me. His eyes widened in surprise.
Crud, I was too late in shutting down my emotions.
"No." I said - maybe a little too defensively.
"How come you're blushing, then?" Don asked. He leaned back in his chair a little more to get a better view of my predicament.
"I'm not blushing! It's the tea, dimwit!" I chided him. I was getting flustered, now.
Don became quite amused and he would not stop looking at me. After weeks of getting to know me, he learned when I was flustered over something, I became – sarcastic!
"Look, either drop it or take a picture. It'll last longer. But, quit staring at me. I am NOT blushing!" I demanded in a huff.
Don only laughed at me, "Yes you are, Min. You're blushing."
Of course his insistance only made it worse for me.
"Who's blushing?" a voice from outside the room asked.
I nearly jumped out of my skin. It was Mike.
"I'm not BLUSHING!" I insisted. "It's the freak'n tea, for cry'n out loud!" I nearly wailed. I was tired and I knew it. I needed sleep.
I had enough of the Internet, Don's obvious enjoyment at my expense, and Mike's intrusion. I stood up from the chair and, scooting it back so I could get out, turned quickly to leave. However, my foot became caught on one of the chair legs. This caused me to lose my balance. I tried to avoid falling, but then my other foot caught one of the legs on Don's chair. I ended up sailing forward – and onto Don's bed.
I laid there for a moment in complete surprise. Of course, Don had immediately tried to help me so he was sort of standing close by. More to the point, he was leaning over the bed to try and help me up.
That's when Mike popped his head into the room. His eyes went wide and then the biggest grin started to grow on that green face of his.
I saw him and the look on my face caused him to go into hysterics. I heard him give the biggest belly laugh I'd yet to hear.
"It's not what you think! I tripped and FELL!" I declared, trying to get myself up off the bed.
"Hmm hmmm." Mike gleefully mumbled as he slapped a hand over his mouth. Raph was in direct line of sight with what was going on. He, too, was grinning from ear to ear..
Once Don righted me I left his room in a huff.
"You guys can have your laugh! I'm going to bed!" I announced grumpily. I stormed across the living area towards my private alcove.
Raph smirked and then asked me as I walked away, "Isn't that where you just were?"
Mike, of course, howled over that one. I just glared at both of them as I headed for my room.
Don then poked his head out from his bedroom to defend my honor.
"We were on the Internet looking at colleges. Min's going to go back to teach. She only tripped when she tried to get up from the chair. That's it. So you three can it!" Don seethed.
"What do you mean 'you three'? I didn't say anything?" Leo complained. He was putting down a large sack that was obviously filled with aluminum cans. The noise it made suggested such.
Just then Splinter stuck his head out of his room and, in a voice that demanded compliance, said, "I don't care who's blushing. You will all go to bed. NOW!"
And with that my four friends quickly disappeared into their respective cubicles.
It was just as well they did, too.
Because now my face was beet red!
*********************************************************
A/N: I gleaned information regarding the Internet from Introduction to the Internet at http://www.afake.com/intro/sld009.htm. It is owned by Alan Fake from a. fake productions. This is a real company.
It's quite an interesting site regarding what has become one of our more valuable tools for modern times. The site is very simple and as you examine it you will learn how to use it.
I do not own Mount Saint Mary's Cemetary or La Guardia Airport. Certain members of the lair - namely Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Splinter - still remain the property of Eastman and Laird (despite my attempt to buy them out! HA! ). I do own Mindy and Crazy Bill, though! Oh, and as much as I would like to, I don't own the Internet, either. Otherwise, I could afford to buy E & L out! :0)
Just thinking about it made my heart race in anxiety. I had to admit that I was touched by Don's compassion and careful ministrations to my broken ribs and overall health. I had to laugh to myself when I thought about that first shower I took. The way Don stormed in when I was butt naked. Well, except for my panties, which had slowly made their way down my leg. Yet, Don's concern, despite his embarrassment – and mine – showed considerable character.
Still, he was twenty and I was – well – older. Much more so than I wish I was. Maybe if I were prettier? Hmmm… did that suggest something? I wondered then if maybe Splinter was right. I entertained the thought for a moment; but only for a moment.
Even if I did feel something for Don, it wouldn't work. I could not have a relationship with him. Not with any of them, in fact. I had to get back to my life; I had to distance myself from them. I was afraid that any contact with them after my return to topside would increase the threat of their home being discovered. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to my friends because of me.
I wanted to give Don some time, but, I couldn't move from my spot in front of his bedroom. I quietly leaned in towards the door to see if I could hear anything.
I heard sniffling.
Oh no, please tell me he wasn't crying. I lingered, hoping that maybe he was just clearing his sinuses. But, there were several more sniffs.
Shoot.
"Don," I whispered, rapping gently on his door, "Can I come in?"
At first, he didn't say anything. So, I rapped a second time. "Don?"
"No." was his reply. "Go away."
"Please?" I entreated as sweetly as I could mutter.
"NO!" Don was a little louder and more insistent.
"You're going to wake Splinter," I whispered. "Please let me come in."
"Go away." He begged again.
"I'm not going to – and you know how stubborn I can be." I insisted.
I heard nothing but silence.
I stood there and waited. After about five minutes I was about to give up. In frustration I started back for my room. That was when I heard the click of the lock and then Don opened his door.
"What do you want?" he asked gruffly. His expression was flat and without expression. He had turned off emotionally in the way that I'd seen him do whenever one of his brothers, usually Mikey, had pushed him too far with a joke. But I did detect a bit of reddening around his eyes.
Yep, this big ninja, butt kicking turtle had been crying.
I felt like a heel.
"We need to talk about what happened earlier." I said calmly. Calm wasn't how I was feeling, but I was trying very hard to give that impression just the same.
"I thought we already did that." Don commented ruefully.
"Well, I wasn't done. The newscast distracted me." I explained.
He looked at me as if deciding to grant me my request. Finally,,,
"Okay… so talk." It was almost a command. He folded his arms across his chest as if in defense.
I gulped.
"Can I at least come in and sit down? This may take a while." I asked.
Don stood there and the look he gave me nearly broke my heart. He was trying to give me the most angry expression he could muster; but there was an undercurrent of sadness which hindered his attempt.
Don stepped aside and motioned stiffly with his arm for me to come in. I walked passed him and took a chair that was next to his computer. I could tell he was working on some sort of formula. But being a professor of history pretty much limited my ability to understand such things. So I ignored it and faced him. Don continued to stand where he was before I entered his room.
"First," I began, "I want to apologize for offending you. You have been very kind to me and - well - I would never intentionally hurt you, Don. You must know that? "
I was trying to keep a lid on my emotions. Hopefully, if his own feelings diffused his ability to sense mine earlier, he would still be as blind, now, as before.
He continued to stare down at me, unmoved by my groveling. Yep, he was steamed. Don usually didn't get mad too easily. So I guess you could say I ninja kicked his heart a pretty good one.
"Look, I'm flattered that you, um, like me so much…" I began, but, as usual, Don corrected me.
"Like? I didn't say 'like', Min." he said pointedly as he narrowed his expression.
I could see the hurt on his face and I felt even worse for him.
I closed my eyes and cringed. "No, you didn't did you?" Looking back at him, I continued, "Well, let's just say I wasn't prepared for how strongly you felt about me, okay?" I stammered a little. "I – I was surprised and a little uncomfortable, I guess. "
"Why? Is it because I'm green?" Don spat out as if the words disgusted him.
I knew it. I was afraid of this.
My eyes shot up to my brows, "NO, that's not it at all. It's just that I'm twenty years older than you are. I have this unwritten rule about not getting involved in May December relationships. " I explained, "It's just something I took with me from my years of teaching at the university. I'm also afraid that if I do get a job topside and return to teaching, coming back here regularly would only increase the chances of someone from that Foot gang learning where you live."
Don shrugged a little as if I had made a valid point. I could tell that being angry was outside of his comfort zone. It was obvious that part of him needed an excuse to forgive me.
To further that end, I added, "Besides, I wouldn't know how to protect myself if they decided to grab me and use me for bait. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not ninja!" and then grinned. "I couldn't kick my way out of a paper bag!"
That brought a slight smile to his face. He offered slyly, "I can teach you!"
"Thanks, but no. I've seen how you and your brothers go at each other during your pract - er - katas. If I'm going to be one with the mat I'd rather have it be the bathroom mat." I commented.
Don chuckled a little and I could see a slow return of his usual self. He was still hurt, but it was gradually dissipating. I felt somewhat relieved.
Don sat down on the edge of his bed and looked at his hands. He then gazed at me and I could see resignation to the situation. He sighed deeply once and shrugged his shoulders.
"You've made a good point, but I can't help the way I feel about you, Min. I usually don't express something like that too easily. I felt comfortable – I guess – with telling you all that. To be honest I was surprised I kissed you, too!" Don smiled sheepishly.
"You were surprised? HA! You don't own the market on that reaction, bub!" I chided good naturedly and smiled back.
Don laughed right then and I felt we were finally getting back to where we had been before that infamous smooch.
His smile became bigger and then he asked me, "If you promise not to say anything to my brothers about this, I'll forgive you. But only if we can still be friends."
That would work! No way would I violate Don's intimate feelings for me by sharing them with his family. Especially with Mikey and Raph. They would never let Don live it down. Being friends with him was the best of both worlds and at that moment, I finally realized one very surprising fact.
Despite my denial and despite all the good reasons why it shouldn't be, Splinter was right.
I really did have feelings for Don
******
There was silence on the other end of the phone. I was a little nervous about it.
With the guys' help I had practiced what I was going to say on the phone to Bill. I didn't want to just walk into his diner and say, "So, waz' doin'?" like the way Mikey would have done. Bill would have had a heart attack and then probably picked up the nearest plate and thrown it at me for making him worry so much.
"Ah, Bill – are you still there?" I asked him.
"Ahm, yeah - just trying to collect m'self 'sall, Mindy. Where you been?" he asked me. Bill's voice was just a little thin sounding as if he were trying to keep a lid on what he was feeling.
"I was beaten up about the time I disappeared. Some nice people found me and have been taking care of me. I had some sort of amnesia." I told him.
A loss of memory was the only explanation I could give for why it had taken me so long to contact him.
"It was the newscast last night that triggered things for me." I went on to explain.
"Min, we've been so c'ncerned about'cha! You've no idea wha' this has done to me!" Now Bill was starting to get a little weepy.
I cringed and hoped he would get control of himself because I didn't know if I could handle having to console another male.
"Well, I know my job is toast but I'd like to come by and at least visit for a while." I asked him.
"Oh, Min – if you want yer job back you c'n have it! But, I think you need t'go by the po-lice first t'let 'em knows yer alive." Bill said excitedly.
Ah – do I have to do that? They're not going to take my word for it. They'll want me to be evaluated by a doctor and then a psychiatrist. I wasn't sure if any of them would be able to determine if I did indeed have amnesia or was – rightly so – making it up. I could land in jail if it were proven I was lying. Gad, I didn't need that right now.
"Well, I guess you're right about that. I'll pop over there as soon as I can and then swing by the diner. " I told him. I hoped he didn't sense my less than enthusiastic response.
We talked a little bit more after that. Of course Bill wanted to know who it was that helped me out. I only told him that they were a very private family that preferred to stay out of the spotlight.
Once I hung up the phone, I sighed deeply. I was sweating like a pig and I guess it showed.
"Nervous?" Raph asked me, grinning evilly. He and the others were watching me throughout my phone conversation with Bill.
"Yeah, 'cause now I'm afraid the authorities will want to know who it was who rescued me!"
Leo's eyes widened, "You can't tell them about us, Min!"
"Duh!" I said sarcastically. "Leo, you must take me for a fool!"
"No, I don't. But you do have to tell them something." He remarked.
"I could blame the Foot. I could tell the authorities I was held hostage or something like that. Then they'd want to know where the Foot headquarters is. You do know where they are, right?" I asked Leo.
I could see that Raph was somewhat intrigued. He perked up quite a bit from my suggestion.
"Yeah, we do in fact. Hey, that'd get 'em off our backs for a while! Sounds like a good idea to me!" he remarked brightly.
But then Don spoke up.
"The Foot has informants at the precinct. If you tried to put the blame on them, you would most likely be dead by nightfall. No way would I – would we allow you to do that." Don declared.
He almost tripped himself up with that statement! I wondered if any of his brothers were paying attention.
I soon found out.
Mike looked over at his brother with a quizzical expression. He smiled a little and I knew then that he was starting to piece together a few clues from earlier that morning. He looked over at me. I remained unaffected by what Don had just said. I acted like I had forgotten what happened after he and his brothers returned home from scavenging. Instead, I deftly picked up the T.V. remote and punched the tube on.
"Well, let's see if they have something good on this morning!" I suggested.
Hopefully my diversionary tactic would work; but I truly doubted it. Mike was too smart to pass up an opportunity to nag his brother about personal issues. Thinking about what happened hours earlier when he, Raph, and Leo returned from topside convinced me that Mike would in no time at all discover Don's true feelings for me.
It has been around three A.M. when he and his two brothers had returned from topside, unscathed and unchallenged. The three of them were in an especially upbeat mood. I guess their haul was pretty lucrative.
We hadn't heard them come down the ladder to the lair. With Splinter sleeping they usually tried to be extra quiet.
Don and I were still in his room talking about my going back to teaching and where I would pick up my career again. We were cruising the Internet to see if there were any openings at Cornell. I really wanted to stay in New York, if only because of Brandi. She was buried at Mount Saint Mary's Cemetery near LaGuardia Airport and I always made a pilgrimage there on her birthday. It was important for me to stay close to her if at all possible.
Don and I were sitting side by side as he worked the mouse and the various sites that came up. We were each sipping a cup of tea while we researched.
When I was still teaching at Cornell University before I married Jack, the 'net was brand new. But it was growing by leaps and bounds. In only seven years it went from having only a thousand hosts to nearly a million by the time I left my teaching position in Chicago. It was fast becoming the way people would glean information, keep in touch, and do business. I never owned one myself, but I did work a few of the personal computers that the university offered for staff use. I never believed that it would take hold of our nation the way it ended up doing.
But watching Donny with the way his limited number of fingers could fly over the keyboards amazed me. He was so good with getting the information I needed that I was sure he could break into someone else's computer.
"Have you ever tried to – what is it they call it - break into another computer?" I idly asked him.
He looked at me askanced. "Min, I don't hack into someone else's files. That's illegal."
"I'm not asking you to do that. I'm just wondering if you could – you know, if you wanted to." I asked casually.
"Give me one good reason why I would?" he inquired. He stopped his typing and leaned back in his chair. I could tell he was slightly offended by my suggestion.
"Okay, let's say you have the computer address of, oh, the Foot clan for example. Let's say you could get some sensitive government informatoin and transfer it onto the Foot's computer – to frame them. You know, get the government interested so they would go in and conduct a raid." I suggested.
Don was quiet for a moment and then he replied, "First, I would have to be able to GET government secrets and download them onto my computer. Then I would have to upload this information onto the Foot's computer. However I'd have to do it in such a fashion that the government wouldn't suspect it was done that way. I would then have to make sure not to leave any kind of trail that would lead them back to me! Considering that my line is connected to the phone system above us, the government would have to then verify it wasn't coming from those businesses. They would then trace the connection to its source, which would lead them to the sewer, which would eventually lead them to us! " He paused and then smiled at me, "However, it is an engaging idea, though!" His grin softened just a little as he looked over at me.
I seemed to have gained a little more respect from him after hurting him like I did earlier. Don still liked me; that was a no-brainer. His smile, however, made me feel good. I enjoyed it for the moment but then realized he was more than capable of interpreting this. He wasn't upset anymore so whatever radar he used to discern my emotions was probably working rather well at present.
I suddenly felt self conscious. I tried to look away and focus on the computer.
"Are you embarrassed?" he asked me. His eyes widened in surprise.
Crud, I was too late in shutting down my emotions.
"No." I said - maybe a little too defensively.
"How come you're blushing, then?" Don asked. He leaned back in his chair a little more to get a better view of my predicament.
"I'm not blushing! It's the tea, dimwit!" I chided him. I was getting flustered, now.
Don became quite amused and he would not stop looking at me. After weeks of getting to know me, he learned when I was flustered over something, I became – sarcastic!
"Look, either drop it or take a picture. It'll last longer. But, quit staring at me. I am NOT blushing!" I demanded in a huff.
Don only laughed at me, "Yes you are, Min. You're blushing."
Of course his insistance only made it worse for me.
"Who's blushing?" a voice from outside the room asked.
I nearly jumped out of my skin. It was Mike.
"I'm not BLUSHING!" I insisted. "It's the freak'n tea, for cry'n out loud!" I nearly wailed. I was tired and I knew it. I needed sleep.
I had enough of the Internet, Don's obvious enjoyment at my expense, and Mike's intrusion. I stood up from the chair and, scooting it back so I could get out, turned quickly to leave. However, my foot became caught on one of the chair legs. This caused me to lose my balance. I tried to avoid falling, but then my other foot caught one of the legs on Don's chair. I ended up sailing forward – and onto Don's bed.
I laid there for a moment in complete surprise. Of course, Don had immediately tried to help me so he was sort of standing close by. More to the point, he was leaning over the bed to try and help me up.
That's when Mike popped his head into the room. His eyes went wide and then the biggest grin started to grow on that green face of his.
I saw him and the look on my face caused him to go into hysterics. I heard him give the biggest belly laugh I'd yet to hear.
"It's not what you think! I tripped and FELL!" I declared, trying to get myself up off the bed.
"Hmm hmmm." Mike gleefully mumbled as he slapped a hand over his mouth. Raph was in direct line of sight with what was going on. He, too, was grinning from ear to ear..
Once Don righted me I left his room in a huff.
"You guys can have your laugh! I'm going to bed!" I announced grumpily. I stormed across the living area towards my private alcove.
Raph smirked and then asked me as I walked away, "Isn't that where you just were?"
Mike, of course, howled over that one. I just glared at both of them as I headed for my room.
Don then poked his head out from his bedroom to defend my honor.
"We were on the Internet looking at colleges. Min's going to go back to teach. She only tripped when she tried to get up from the chair. That's it. So you three can it!" Don seethed.
"What do you mean 'you three'? I didn't say anything?" Leo complained. He was putting down a large sack that was obviously filled with aluminum cans. The noise it made suggested such.
Just then Splinter stuck his head out of his room and, in a voice that demanded compliance, said, "I don't care who's blushing. You will all go to bed. NOW!"
And with that my four friends quickly disappeared into their respective cubicles.
It was just as well they did, too.
Because now my face was beet red!
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A/N: I gleaned information regarding the Internet from Introduction to the Internet at http://www.afake.com/intro/sld009.htm. It is owned by Alan Fake from a. fake productions. This is a real company.
It's quite an interesting site regarding what has become one of our more valuable tools for modern times. The site is very simple and as you examine it you will learn how to use it.
I do not own Mount Saint Mary's Cemetary or La Guardia Airport. Certain members of the lair - namely Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Splinter - still remain the property of Eastman and Laird (despite my attempt to buy them out! HA! ). I do own Mindy and Crazy Bill, though! Oh, and as much as I would like to, I don't own the Internet, either. Otherwise, I could afford to buy E & L out! :0)
