I was finally warm. After a hot shower and fresh dry clothes, I finally felt just a little bit recovered from my ordeal. But it was easier said than done. I sat there on my bed and wondered a great deal about what had happened at that warehouse. Raph, Leo, and Mike had taken care of those that were still alive. It was a hard decision to make but the last thing the turtles wanted was to have a host of law enforcement personnel traipsing through the sewers all because one Elite Foot member spilled the beans about them. Given the carnage that would play out as evidence, it would be all the police would need to initiate an all out hunt for 'blood thirsty' mutant turtles in the sewers. It wouldn't matter who started it or who was the good guy; mutant turtles carrying martial arts weapons would be a good enough excuse – if it were believed, that is. Leo never wanted to take that chance. So, he ordered no witnesses.

Jack was dead and supposedly so was his wife, Akina. I was told that she had been gravely injured during their fight with my friends. Leo and Raph had been forced to deal her a death's blow when Akina failed to give up. Just as prideful as I was told her brother had been, the woman refused to back down. The final strike was quick. But then my three friends were forced to abandon the battle when they heard sirens in the distance.

After fetching Don and me from the bay, we all took off a short ways, scrambling down a manhole and back into the sewer system. Don had to carry me for most of the way since I was completely spent. He and Raph actually traded me back and forth along the route home. I had joked about being the ultimate party girl all because I was getting passed around. That had Mike in near hysterics and Don scowling at my self flagellation.

He really needed to lighten up sometimes!

Reminiscing there in my room, I grieved for Jack's passing. I really did. When we were first married we were very much in love. When Brandy was born, I honestly believed I had the perfect marriage and family. Jack was attentive and caring. But, somewhere along the line between the time of Brandy's diagnosis and her passing, my wonderful husband had changed. I had, too, but not to where my marriage vows suffered. Maybe because of my despair with watching my beautiful daughter die one day at a time, I neglected to take care of Jack's needs? I knew our intimacy suffered, but considering all that we were going through, who could blame us? Still, I think if we had indulged in some sort of counseling maybe things would have been different.

So, I sat there in my little niche of a bedroom and obsessed over the events of past eighteen hours.

According to Mike, Jack had put up a valiant fight. Michelangelo had told me about it after we returned back to the lair at around three in the morning. Though his skills were admirable, my ex just didn't have the 'bite' that it took to follow through with the task at hand. It was very apparent to Mike that Jack had very little experience in dispatching people. The fact that he was nearly quaking in fear once he realized the turtles were real said a lot about how unprepared he was. I felt badly for his demise, but then understood that Jack had willingly taken up with this clan of his own free will. Had he asked for mercy, Leo would have given it to him. As it turned out, I think Jack's fear, anger and pride did him in.

Now here I was in my room, trying to internalize all that had transpired. I felt overwhelmed and wanted to cry; but nothing would come. It was almost as if I had frozen up emotionally from the experience. So much had gone on in so short of time after waiting painfully for hours on end. It seemed all too overwhelming for someone who saw a five dollar tip as exciting.

I heard a familiar knock on the block wall just beyond my room.

"Yes?" I asked.

"It's Don. I wanted to see if you're all right." He implored.

Remembering the kisses we shared under the wharf I was wondering if he maybe felt as insecure about it as I was feeling.

How could I have kissed him? After I told him about May – December romances and that I just didn't 'go there', I ended up not only receiving his affections but I returned them, of all things. Had I lost it completely?

"Hi." Don said sheepishly as he came around the corner.

"Hi back." I said quietly.

Don sat down on the end of my bed and stared at his feet. He looked so lost and forlorn. My heart ached for him and I wondered how I was going to get out of this one without hurting him like the last time.

Did I care for him? Yes, I did. Did I even remotely love him? Hmm – well maybe. But right now I had so many other emotions coursing through me I just didn't want to own up to it right now. I wanted time to reflect and to rest. I needed sleep and I knew that how I was feeling there wasn't any way to tell how much of it was real and how much was just fallout.

Don looked over at me and smiled. "You sure you're okay, Min?"

"Sure I'm sure. Why shouldn't I be?" I tried to say convincingly.

Don moved closer to where I was and took my hand. "What you witnessed tonight isn't something you're used to seeing. Leo told me about how horrified you looked while he and the others were fighting."

"I had a long day." I explained simply.

He laughed a little. But he wasn't going to give up. "If you want to talk about it, I'm all ears."

"Could 'a fooled me!" I teased.

Don shook his head and stated, "Not fair!"

I had to laugh at his expense which of course had him chuckling.

"I'm serious, Min. You can't internalize something like what you saw tonight and just be 'fine' with it. We've had to deal with this for years and before that Splinter was forever talking about the sanctity of life." Don paused, leaning towards me as he looked intently into my eyes, "We do not take life indiscriminately. Taking a life can only be justified if protecting that life would only endanger our own. Akina and Jack had been proving repeatedly how dangerous they were to us."

My eyes teared up just a little at the mention of Jack's name. Don caught it immediately; he always did with me. He squeezed my hand and then eased over to sit beside me. I was sitting cross legged on the bed with my back to the headboard. I didn't want to cry, I really didn't. But Don's caring caress of my hand and then his compassionate move towards me was thawing out the permafrost that had taken hold of my very being. I squeezed my eyes shut to ward off the flood but, in the end, I just couldn't control it. First one tear escaped and then another. Before too long I was a regular Niagara Falls.

Don scooted onto the bed and took me, holding me while I sobbed into his shoulder. I cried for a good long time. Never once did he pull away or make me feel as if I was being silly or wasting his time.

"We found out that they were a day away from raiding our home, Min." Don began as I sobbed quietly. "One of the soldiers told us this, right before he passed away. They know where we live. We really shouldn't be here tonight but we haven't any other place to go to right yet. Leo and Mike are out scouting for a new lair as I speak, in fact."

I was startled into sobriety. My crying stopped almost immediately. "You have to leave, Don! You can't get caught!" I grabbed onto him in desperation, "They'll – do things to you." I wailed.

"I know, Min, but we have to find a place before we can leave. Splinter's getting too old to drag him around the sewers just searching." Don said in exasperation. "Raph is guarding the main artery to our lair. There's only one way in from there and he's making sure that no one will get through - if they're stupid enough to come after us tonight, that is." Don then kissed my cheek and continued, "Besides, we cut into their numbers pretty severely tonight; I doubt very much they can regroup fast enough to plan an assault on our home. It would be a suicide mission for them!"

"Wh-Where's Splinter? Is he still here or did you put him in a safe place?" I asked worriedly.

"He's sleeping; very soundly, too, I might add. As adept as Splinter is in ninjitsu, he's quite elderly. Leo didn't want him even considering defending the lair." Don commented, "So he kind of slipped Sensei a sleeper tea." He smiled about then.

My eyebrows shot up in surprise that they would drug their own 'father'. "Ah, he's going to be pretty ticked come morning, I think." I exclaimed.

"Nope. All he'll know is he had a good night's sleep. It's Leo's special tea. I helped him formulate it; you actually had some of it since you've been here!"

Yes, in deed I had. I'll never forget that tirade I meted out the night Don had been brought back injured from a skirmish with the Foot. That was my first introduction to what my friends were truly all about. My life hadn't been the same since, either.

I thought long and hard about what Don had just told me. Splinter did look elderly, though his mind was just as sharp as any of my friends. His wisdom went beyond anyone I had ever known and I greatly admired him. Thinking about the winters in New York and how harsh they could be, I wondered if maybe a warmer climate would be better suited for all of them.

"Don, have you ever thought about relocating to – say – Arizona or California?" I asked him.

He pulled away from me and studied my face, "You mean, leave New York?"

I nodded my head to affirm what I meant. "Sure, why not? All you're doing here is fighting a crime organization and trying to keep from starving during the winter months, if not all year. At least out west you'd have more room and better weather!"

"How would we even get out there?" he asked.

I could tell that the idea intrigued him. I was sure he and his brothers disliked the cold of winter. But they had lived in New York their entire lives so it was all that they knew.

I smiled slyly as I said, "Well, I may have a way!"

"How's that?" Don asked as he raised an eye ridge.

"A car! Well, a van, but its windows are tinted and it has curtains on the inside for added privacy!" I suggested.

"And where, pray tell, would we get this car –er – van?" Don asked.

"From me! Resourceful Mindy Johnson!" I grinned wider.

"You – have a van? I didn't think you had anything like that?" Don asked suspiciously.

"Well, it's a little secret I've kept garaged for the past six years. I kind of took it from my parents' estate before the assessors came to auction the property off to pay for the medical bills. They didn't know about it so I figured my keeping it wasn't a big deal. It needs registration paid on it, but that shouldn't cost too much." I explained.

Don smiled a little and then it grew as he realized the possibilities. "Yes! A warmer climate would definitely be better for Sensei – and us! We could settle in Arizona, maybe the southern end of it, out in the middle of nowhere. I know it gets hot but all of us are better suited for that." As he worked over the idea it started to germinate plans that seemed incredible but feasible. "We could dig down into the ground and create a subterranean home; nearly invisible to the naked eye. I remember seeing something like that on the Internet. I know we could grow our own crops and hunt for meat when we need it. 'Course, Mikey will have to give up pizza for a while until we can get certain things set up – like an oven."

The next thing I knew Don had caught me up in a hug. Before I could protest he kissed me and it wasn't the quick, you-made-me-so-happy kind. It was long and passionate. Quite honestly, whatever reservations I had about our kisses under the wharf disappeared in that moment. Don's elation at the possibility of getting out of New York and out of reach from the Foot organization overwhelmed even me!

Without realizing it Don had slipped from a sitting position to a prone one, embracing me with his kisses and caresses as we lay side by side together on my bed. My mind was fighting it terribly but a greater part of me wanted him. Our lips never left the other as we gave in to the moment at hand. I was mindful of my age and his, but it really didn't matter anymore. Don loved me and I believed, finally, that I knew I loved him. He never once touched me inappropriately nor did he try to take advantage of me. Our passion was pure and within 'safety limits'. I don't think I would have actually let him make love to me since we really didn't have the kind of privacy such an act demanded. But I also knew that we were both tired and our feelings were stronger than our self control was.

Finally Don looked at me and smiled. "Guess you changed your mind, eh?" He kissed my nose affectionately.

"Well, on some things I did. Just don't get any other ideas, okay?" I teased.

"Hmm – at least for now. Can't promise what tomorrow will bring, though!" Don said playfully.

I gently slapped his face, not hard, but enough to warrant him grabbing my hand and holding it down. He kissed the inside of my wrist and worked his way up my arm.

"No, don't do that. Please, Don!" I begged.

He looked at me with an evil grin, "Why?"

"Just don't! Besides, we're both tired and I think you need to go back to your own room!" I insisted.

"Aw, I was just starting to have some fun, too!" he joked.

"Oh, that's just too weird. You're starting to sound just like Mikey!" I laughed.

Don had a very hurtful expression on his face, "I am not!"

My eyebrows rose up at the way Don was so insulted by my remark. Smiling, I just couldn't miss the opportunity, "Well, you sure did sound like him. He's always saying something like that!"

"Humph, well I've never been so offended!" Don exclaimed in mock indignation. "Maybe I will go back to my room; beats getting verbally abused in here!"

He started to get up but I pulled him back, "Aren't you going to give me a good night's kiss?" I batted my eyes at him coyly.

His frown melted into a smile and then Don leaned in and gave me one more long one before finally leaving my room for his own.

Needless to say, once I settled in I slept rather well that night, all things considered.