True to what Leo and Raph had told me, I was within four blocks of the precinct. I would be far enough away where there was less chance of being spotted by the police. But yet close enough where it wouldn't be too much of a walk. Plus I would have the added benefit of safety. Any thug worth his weight in citations wouldn't be caught dead 'working' so close to the station.

I cautiously walked towards the entrance of the ally. Once I knew the coast was clear, I stepped out onto the walkway. However I hesitated for a moment, overwhelmed with being topside with my own kind.

There were crowds of people walking hurriedly up and down the sidewalks as they headed for work or leisure. Cars whizzed by in a rush towards their destination, honking their distain for being cut-off or reminding a jaywalker how dangerous it was to cross the street. The noise was nearly deafening and, for me, almost overwhelming.

After staying so long in the quiet sewers among my reptilian friends, topside terrified me. Even the humans looked rather strange. I knew it would pass eventually, but for now I felt a little skittish. I then understood the fear that the turtles had of being out in the open. At least while it was daylight. Night time offered them concealment among the shadows and dark recesses of alleyways.

Right now I wished I had some.

My anxiety began to build. Remembering Leo's instructions about breathing deep and rhythmically, I tried to focus on this to ward off the rising panic that seemed ready to drown me.

As I came out onto the sidewalk a bit more, I spied the police department a few blocks up the street. I also noticed that it was busier there than where I was presently. If I didn't gain control of my nerves before heading up there, I was going to have to call the whole thing off. The way my knees were shaking a blind man would be able to tell I was lying.

So to facilitate getting myself under control, I decided to mingle a little with the crowd that was readily available.

There were several businesses that preceded my destination. I decided to do a little window shopping just to bolster my resolve.

The first store I went into was a coffee shop that offered some outdoor seating in front. The guys had given me ten dollars for expenses, so it would easily afford me a cup of coffee. Sipping my hot beverage alfresco would give me an excuse to sit and do some people watching. Maybe after I finished my drink I would have acclimated to the human race once again.

I was glad my coffee was hot. It warmed me against the chill of the outdoors. It was past the middle of March and the snow had already melted off. But there was still a frosty bite in the air. I was glad I had worn my coat. A few other brave souls were outside with me, determined to welcome spring despite the chill.

I was feeling more relaxed now that I had my cup of Joe. In fact, I was nearly giddy with the excitement at being back in the company of my own kind again. I was finally getting comfortable.

I mentally rehearsed my 'lines' the way Don suggested. I had to be very apologetic to the police; almost groveling. It was important for them see how contrite I was. Then, I had to launch into my concussion and amnesia story. Mentioning my seeing Bill on the news was crucial as well. Because of that my memory returned and once I contacted him, I knew I had to let the authorities know I was alive and well. I needed to make a heavy point of how unaware I was regarding their search for me. My excuse for such ignorance was because my benefactor's television had not been working for a few weeks. They just had it repaired when I caught the news that featured Bill. Again, restating my memory loss was the main focal point of my story.

Once I felt confident that I could pull it off, I stood up out of the coffee shop chair to make my way towards the precinct.

However, a voice called out to me. It came from behind as if from the direction of the alley where I had emerged. The voice was one I recognized and I knew instantly who it was.

It was Jack.

My heart nearly stopped. I hadn't seen him in over four years. Our last meeting was volatile and loud. Add to that what Splinter had told me regarding Jack marrying into this Foot organization and whatever courage I had tanked in that moment.

I feigned hearing him call my name. Not looking around and as calmly as I could, I continued on my way towards the precinct. I hoped Jack would decide I wasn't worth the hassle.

"Mindy, I know it's you. Stop!" I heard him say sharply to me.

Realizing that to further ignore him would only draw attention to us, I turned around as if hearing him for the first time. I noticed that the crowds of people were virtually ignoring us.

"What? Oh, hello, Jack. I didn't realize you were there." I lied.

The look he gave me said he did not believe me, but he let it slide. "I've been looking for you for several weeks now." he said as if concerned. "Where were you?"

I noticed that he wore a better cut of clothing than when we were married. Guess his life style had improved considerably. I could only assume he had kept his training up. I could tell his shoulders were well muscled, even with his coat on.

But as far as where I had been, I figured he already knew – considering his affiliations – and he probably knew why. However, to call him on it would have only confirmed that. I decided to try and throw him off.

I replied as innocently as I could, "I've been with friends, Jack. Where have you been?"

He looked at me and shifted his weight in irritation. "Don't change the subject, Min. Tell me where you've been?" he asked more pointedly.

"And I just told you. With friends!" I replied evenly. Keep the temper down, girl. No need going off half-cocked. Just be real nice and maybe the bad man will go away, I thought to myself.

"You know what I mean. Why did you disappear for so long?" Jack's temper was starting to rise to the occasion – again!

"Oh, you want to know what happened to me, is that it?" I asked sarcastically. Yep, I was never longsuffering when it came to self control.

"Would be nice to know, yeah. I may not love you anymore, Min, but I do care about you." He tried really hard to sound convincing.

I couldn't help but laugh, "Right, and I bet the next thing you're going to say is you're really sorry for allowing me to live the way I've lived for the past four years. Yep, that's you, Jack – all heart ... of stone! "

I tried to walk away, but he caught my arm. "I want to know what happened to you. Everyone's been wondering. Bill at the diner's been begging me to find you." Jack said with furrowed brow. Oh, that brow of his could come in handy whenever he tried to be so worried. The bastard! I just looked at him, shaking my head.

"Oh, is that so? When did he beg you to search for me, Jack?" I asked. It had only been three days ago when I had called my ex boss. Waiting for Jack's response became the event of the day for me.

"Just this morning, Min. He's very concerned about you!" The sad puppy dog look he gave me nearly made me gag. I had to suppress the urge to laugh in his face, too.

"Really?" I replied. "Interesting you would say that. When I talked to him three days ago he seemed relieved that I was okay." I smirked.

Jack scowled. "Look, okay, I lied about that. But, just tell me what happened, okay. I was really worried about you."

"Fine; you want to know what happened to me, I was beaten up! Yep, good old hard knocking Mindy Johnson was beaten up. " I looked at Jack trying to read him to see if this was news or not. Nothing. No dilation of his pupils; no flushing of color in his face or ears; Jack was like a six foot four inch block of stone. Maybe he had been concerned. I continued explaining, "From what they told me, these strangers found me and took me in and helped me to heal. I owe them a lot!"

Jack asked lightly, "Where have they been taking care of you, Min?"

Hmm... need to distract him, I thought. "Connecticut." I replied. "They were just passing through when they found me."

"Why didn't they take you to the hospital, then?" he asked.

Hmm...that was a good question. "I don't know why. Maybe they thought I'd be safer with them; considering I was beaten up and all." That was a good answer, so I added to it, "You know how some of those scumbags think. Leave a victim alive and then risk having them identify you. Maybe my rescuers thought my attacker would come after me if I stayed in the area."

Jack's eyes narrowed as he studied my face. Then he asked me a question that sent shivers down my spine. His voice was soft and almost inaudible, "Could you identify him?"

I honestly believed in that moment that Jack knew very well who had done the deed. Maybe he was the one responsible. Even if I knew that for a fact or had suspicions along those lines, there wasn't any way I would own up to it. "No, it all happened so fast and my memory is still a little fuzzy."

Jack seemed to relax just a little. I barely caught it, though. Maybe two months ago I wouldn't have, but being in the company of ninjitsu warriors for the past six weeks had taught me some things.

"So, did your friends bring you back into town today?" Jack inquired as he looked me over. He then smiled faintly, which unnerved me.

I knew my life had been hard since he left me; I was sure I looked it, too. Add a few scars from my beating and there'd be no question my rating on the attractive scale had plummeted.

I knew the bus station was about a half mile from where I stood, "No, they couldn't drive me. So I took a bus. I just arrived a while ago. I thought I'd grab a cup of coffee before heading over to the police station."

"Are they expecting you?" he asked me as he cocked one eyebrow.

Now this was where I became quite nervous. Whenever Jack raised an eyebrow I knew he had ulterior motives. Considering who he was married to and what she represented, I realized then I had to be careful how I answered him. Maybe he wanted to know if the authorities were aware that I was still among the living.

"Yes, they are, in fact. Called them earlier this morning to let them know I'd be coming in. They're expecting me in about ten minutes." I told him as convincingly as I could.

I kept my breathing even and controlled. That was a trick Don taught me. Once I allowed myself to hyperventilate - even a little - my pupils would dilate and give me away as being a liar. The even breathing helped to control my heartbeat.

"Ah, I see," Jack commented, "Then I guess you'll need to be going then."

"Yep, that's right. Don't want to be late. Good to see you again, Jack. Take care." I said as I tried to push back my sarcasm. I started up the sidewalk towards the precinct, trying to take even steps – despite the fact that what I really wanted to do was to run like hell.

"By the way, Mindy, how's that bed of yours holding up?" Jack asked me as he followed from behind.

"Just fine, thanks." I replied quickly. But then I realized what a stupid thing that was to say. I cringed inside as I tried to keep on walking.

"Really, is that so?" he commented softly. Catching up to me, Jack put himself between me and my destination. He asked, "How would you know your bed is 'just fine'? When I checked your apartment everything was gone; the bed, your clothes, your books. No one in that place remembers anyone coming in to retrieve them. "

He looked at me and then asked, "If you say your bed is just fine, then you must know where it is. If you had amnesia then please tell me how you were able to procure that bed?"

"My rescuers retrieved it for me." I finally said. I felt deflated. But, I was not going to give up – not yet, anyway.

"How would they even know where you lived if you had amnesia, Min? Do you realize how stupid you sound?" he said derisively.

Oh, to have Donatello's bo-staff right about now; I'd whack Jack across the head so hard.... I was livid, but I kept myself restrained.

We were suddenly jostled by a group of people heading for the coffee shop. Jack gently took my arm and pulled me up alongside one of the businesses that lined the streets. There was a shallow alcove at that point. Before I knew it he had me nestled inside of it, out of ear shot from most of the passersby.

Okay, now this was something I had not rehearsed. Meeting Jack was not on the agenda and certainly getting pulled away from the safety of being in plain view was unexpected. But then Jack questioning me about my having the bed made me mad.

"Look, they knew where I lived because they searched my purse and found my I.D." I replied impatiently. "How dare you assume that I'm lying?" I tried to look as indignant as I could, if only to mask my ever increasing anxiety.

Good golly, I'd better not get a panic attack right about now. That'd cook me for sure.

I tried to move back into public view, but Jack gently grabbed my arm and forced me to face him. I recoiled and jerked it away, glaring menacingly in his direction.

"And how did they manage to get your bed and your stuff out of your apartment without anyone else in that brownstone knowing?" he asked angrily.

I replied evenly and with as much control as I could muster, my gaze penetrating, "What difference does it make, Jack? It's my stuff and they were kind enough to do me a favor, okay? However they did it doesn't matter. "I declared angrily. "Why don't you go and crawl back under that rock of yours and leave me alone!"

The more I thought about Jack's involvement with this Foot clan, the angrier I became. My sarcastic mouth was beginning to get the better of me.

I then turned on my heels and continued on my way towards the police station. I was steamed and scared all at the same time. I knew that Jack was trying to trip me up and he almost succeeded. Thank goodness I thought about my purse.

But then in the next moment I found Jack rushing in front of me once again. However, what he brought out from behind him caused me to stop in my tracks.

"Min, you didn't have amnesia and you know it! Your friends didn't have your purse, either. "

Jack was right. Raph hadn't known about it when I was beaten because he was more concerned about my immediate health. My purse was lost that night.

But, there it was, hanging from Jack's right hand. Unfortunately it was the only one I owned so I knew the jig was up.

Jack then inquired, "I'll ask you once again, where were you?"

"Where'd you get that? Did you beat me up, huh?" I accused him.

He stared at me cold and hard. It gave me the creeps.

I took a different path right about then, "Look, I told you. Some strangers took me to Connecticut. That's where they live. That's where I've been. I've had amnesia. I remembered the bed because it means so much to me. Maybe I remembered where I lived and told them. Maybe I only assumed they had my purse. Maybe this is none of your business." I then angrily ordered him, "Now, get out of my way before I start to scream!"

Jack knew I meant it. He shot me a dangerous look, one that I remembered from four years ago when I refused to sign the papers to our divorce. But this time it had an edge to it and it terrified me. I kept those feelings hidden, though. One thing I could do and that was to mask how I was actually feeling.

In a huff that was more real than feigned, I headed deliberately for the police station. I prayed that Jack would cease and desist.

I was disappointed.

In a moment so quick I couldn't recall how it happened he grabbed me up and started walking me towards a side street.

"You're not going to the police, Mindy. You're coming with me. I need a few more answers from you and here is not the place to do it." Jack said in a surprisingly calm voice. "And I wouldn't think of resisting. Look around you." He directed as he gently but firmly pushed me along.

Our confrontation had been drowned out by the hubbub of noise and activity from all the people that were in the area. Like I said earlier, downtown was filled with people. Between the noise of a thousand conversations and the rush of cars along the street, our discourse had gone practically unnoticed. It wasn't like Fifth Avenue in New York City, but it was almost as busy. I realized right then that even if I did scream I wouldn't be heard.

"Now, "he whispered into my ear, "I have a gun in my pocket and I will use it if I have to. Be a good girl, Min, and just cooperate. Okay? Once I have the right information from you, you can go back to – Connecticut, or wherever your little heart fancies."

I gulped. How in blazes do I get myself into these situations?

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A/N: And now I'm hoping to pump up the action a little. I should tell you that my stories are NEVER story-boarded. That means I NEVER know what I'm going to type out. I'm always surprised by the way the story unfolds. This chapter isn't any different. But I knew that Jack had to reemerge at some point. As for Chapter 21, true to the way I write, I'm as much in the dark about what's going to transpire as the rest of you! Should be interesting, though! Hold on tight! Thanks, too, for all the wonderful reviews! I really appreciate the feedback – a lot! =0)