Splinter stared at me; determined to get an answer to the same question he had just asked again from earlier. I felt incredibly uncomfortable, to say the least.

If someone had told me months ago that I would have, one, overcome my fear of rats and, two, be held hostage with only a simple look from one, I would have laughed my head off. Yet here I was seated in said rodent's sleeping quarters and nearly glued to the bench I was sitting on. When Splinter asked a question, you knew unequivocally that he expected an answer of some sort.

As I continued to remain mute, I noticed that Don's expression had become more puzzled.

Quite honestly I was intimidated.

How I felt for Don wasn't even known to Don. He knew that I liked him. We both knew that we kissed. I knew that our making out earlier this morning was generated by the aftermath of going through what I did the night before, though I'm sure he felt differently about it. But even though he had told me that he loved me, I had not returned that same verbal affection.

Frankly, I was a little afraid to do so.

What if I was just infatuated with him? After all, Don had cared for me while I was injured; rescued me from the bathtub – or tried to, at the very least; assisted me in locating a college that was hiring – which was something I needed to act on soon or lose the opportunity; and last but not least, he rescued me from getting blown up. To not feel anything at all for someone who had done that would have been calloused and cold. Still, 'did I love him?' was a question I didn't know I could answer in all truthfulness.

But, Splinter had not asked me that. He only asked me an open ended question of how I felt towards his son.

Summoning my courage, I asked again, "Why do you need to know this?"

Taking a deep breath that suggested to me he was feeling a bit exasperated, Splinter replied, "Your feelings towards Donatello are important to all of us. We have noticed a closeness that has developed between the both of you. This is obvious. But what of our possible move? Will you be coming with us or staying behind?"

I looked over at Don and could see hope building on his face. I knew then that he had told Splinter – and maybe his brothers, as well –of my obligation to stay behind. Maybe he thought that if Splinter presented the question I might reconsider. Though I never told him that if it weren't for Brandi I would go with them, the fact that I said I couldn't because of her said as much.

Sadly, I had to disappoint him. Turning my gaze back to the rat, I answered, "I am afraid, Splinter, I will be staying behind. I have made a promise and am obligated to keep it."

I managed to elude answering Splinter's first question and I hoped that he hadn't noticed. I hoped, too, that I did not give Don the wrong impression. I wanted how ever I felt towards him to be expressed privately between him and myself. How could I tell Don's sensei and father what I felt toward his son when I hadn't had a chance to tell his son in the first place? It seemed completely out of order of how relationships are to be handled.

The brightness in Don's eyes dimmed and it was quite evident that he had hoped I would have changed my mind. But, I couldn't. My heart was tied to that gravesite at Mount St. Mary's Cemetery. Now with Jack also deceased, it gave another reason to stay in New York. Quite honestly, if he had lived through the battle I might have considered leaving; if only to remain within the safety of the turtle's protection. Being with Don would have made not being near Brandi tolerable.

Splinter sighed resolutely and looked over at Don. He closed his eyes as if knowing what his son was currently feeling. Turning back towards me, he said, "I understand and respect your decision, Mindy Johnson. Now I must speak with Donatello. Thank you for honoring me with your attention."

I noticed as I had stood up to leave that Don's eyes were brimming with tears again, which only made my own fill up as well. Good grief, I was becoming his worse nightmare, I think. But with that I left the two of them alone and made my way out of the car and into the living area.

As I came out of Splinter's room I saw that Raph was in the kitchen sitting at the small table that was there. He had an ice pack on his face which covered up his eyes. He was obviously done with his katas and whatever else Splinter had assigned him. So, taking a chance, I walked over to where he was and sat down on one of the empty chairs.

I noticed that Mike was in the living room sitting on the floor and watching television. The volume was down low but I could still tell that he was watching a sitcom of some sort. I couldn't say which one it was since I hadn't watched much television while in their care, but the laugh track said it was a comedy. After not having a T.V. for four years I had become accustomed to not needing it. My books were enough entertainment for me.

Leo had evidently gone back to his 'room'. With his door closed it was obvious he didn't want to be disturbed. However, I knew I was going to have to speak to him eventually, but for now I wanted to talk with Raph.

"Hi," I offered meekly.

No response. Great; now he's ticked off at me.

"Ah, I'm sorry that I mentioned anything about all of you leaving. Should have kept my big mouth shut, eh?" I commented.

I vaguely heard a grunt, which could have meant anything considering it was coming from Raph. I sighed, frustrated that I was being ignored but not knowing what else to do about it.

Finally, Raph removed the ice pack from his face, revealing bruising around his eyes and a few cuts along his brow. He looked at me with a flat expression as if he was trying to figure me out or deciding on what to say.

"Not your fault, Min. Leo's an ass and..." he started to say, but then I interrupted him.

"No, he's not. He's just – well – concerned, is all." I said slightly miffed at Raph's insult of his brother.

Raph furrowed his eye-ridge and looked hard at me, nearly bellowing. "He's an ASS!"

Well, I was never one to back down when I knew or felt I was right about something. Even less chance of it happening when I was irritated. Raph's insult of Leo had done the deed pretty much.

"And so are you!" I blurted out angrily but evenly.

I think I heard Mike suck wind with my comment and I knew that I had definitely piqued Raph's interest.

"What did you just call me?" he asked slowly as he narrowed his eyes.

"I didn't call you anything. I just stated a fact." I replied smugly.

Of course knowing Raph's temper from the few times I saw him pop off verbally at Mike or Leo, I should have known better. But, what was he going to do to me? Honor bound by the ninja code, Raph would not hit me. At least, I was hoping he wouldn't.

I heard movement in Splinter's car and knew that Don had eased over to observe either through the windows or maybe through the curtained doorway. If this confrontation between me and his brother went south, I knew that Don would be out of that car so fast Raph wouldn't know what hit him. I prayed that it wouldn't come to that.

If Leo had heard any of what Raph and I were talking about I couldn't tell. His room was as quiet as a grave yard.

"Is that what you think of me; an ass?" Raph asked in a measured tone.

I looked at him and then smiled, "Well, if I do, then you're in good company. Your brother deserves the same distinction."

I think that was when I heard something coming from Leo's compartment. It may have been a questioning grunt of some sort, but I couldn't tell for sure. I paid it no mind as my attention was on the growing smile from Raph's face.

"You think that of Leo, too?" Raph inquired as he grimaced from smiling too much.

I answered him honestly, "Up until this morning? No. Didn't even see you that way either. But for Pete's sake, Raphael, what good did it do you and Leo to pummel each other the way you did a while ago?" I sighed in frustration, "Did it ever occur to you that maybe Leo is entitled to his opinion? Why didn't you just ask him to consider leaving New York and then once you're all settled in a new place, re-think the idea?" I sat hard against the back of the chair and, waving my arms around for emphasis, continued, "But to get into a yelling match only pushes the both of you into your respective corners and then it's only natural to come out swinging. No one likes to be cornered, Raphael; regardless of species."

Raph was stunned to silence. I took advantage of it.

"You know one day all of you are going to be discovered. Maybe not tomorrow or next year; but it's only a matter of time. If you keep throwing your temper around like you do it's going to back-fire on not just you but on everyone that you hold dear to your heart." I exclaimed. "The world as I know it won't tolerate some overgrown turtle on steroids knocking heads together because someone offended him or looked cross-eyed at him." My mind was reeling with all kinds of ideas and words. I made sure that I shared them with my red-masked friend who was now sitting nearly slack-jawed across from me. Even Mikey was paying attention for he had turned the television off. "That day will come when you will have to leave your sais behind and start following the rules that those above are forced to obey. Otherwise you may lose more than your pride; you may lose your freedom. Again, it's only a matter of time; best now to start learning some control on that temper of yours!"

And with that, I stood up and left the kitchen in a huff; heading over towards my room.

Of course, I had to walk by Leo's room. I noticed a shadow across the now slightly opened doorway.

Not missing a beat or a step I spoke firmly and rather loudly as I passed in front of the door.

"That goes for you, too, Leo-san!" and continued walking back to my room.

Mike, as expected, barked out a hearty laugh.