I do not own the TMNT's. Never have, never will. There is a song that goes very well with this chapter, but since Fan Fiction now prohibits such things, I've had to delete it. I have kept it on my original copy, though, so when I have the time to upload this story onto Stealthy Stories, the song will be there for you to enjoy. Well, at least the lyrics will be! Just for your FYI, it's titledMy Imgaination, and is written by Hilbert, Hirschburger with music by: Sarah Brightman andHilbert Hirschburger. As far as what I do own,I own Bill – he's thrilled about that – and Mindy; she says it's contestable. Jack and Akina are mine, too, but I deep-sixed them a while back, so they're only mentioned in hindsight. Fits. Now, on with the story...
Remembering what Jack had said to Akina two nights before about putting a tap onto the diner's telephone, I contacted Bill through his cell phone to get him to accompany me to the police station. He was thrilled to hear from me, of course, and wondered why I hadn't shown up yet. I made up some story about not feeling well. It seemed to placate him enough, considering he knew about my concussion. Once he agreed to assist me, we hung up and then I went about getting myself ready.
Don was fidgety like a mother hen as I busied myself in the bathroom. I had already showered and was dressed to go; I only needed a bit of makeup and a quick comb through my hair to be completely done.
"Min, I really think you ought to wait a few more days!" he begged me.
"No, Don, I need to go as soon as possible. As it is, Bill told me earlier he had been seriously thinking of going to the police tomorrow to tell them about my call to him a few days ago. Obviously he's not going to now, but if I wait too much longer, he's going to get suspicious." I said.
Don didn't like the fact that Bill was going to go with me, "How are you going to get in touch with us when Bill is right there?"
"I'll make some excuse to use the ladies restroom somewhere. They always have a pay phone near them." I replied back irritably. "You're way too nervous, Don. Trust me – I doubt very much anyone will jump me while Bill is escorting. He's a big guy!"
This was true. Bill looked like he loved his own cooking – which he did – and routinely bounced trouble makers from his diner whenever they became too rowdy. He had never been bested and I always felt safe whenever he was around - just like I did with Don.
Once I was done in the bathroom, I rushed out brushing passed him as he stood hear the door. I hurried into my bedroom to gather what I could for a purse, which consisted of a beat up one that had been washed into the sewers the night before during a sudden downpour. I had checked it thoroughly to make sure there wasn't any identification on it. Last thing I needed was to have on my person someone's purse that had been snagged by a snatcher and then dumped.
Don followed me into my room, "Min, I want you to be careful, okay? Be aware of your surroundings; especially in and around the precinct. Also, if you sense that you're being followed there are at least four pay phones within a mile's worth of blocks from the police."
I listened as I was facing away from him, stuffing some tissue, the small change purse with coins that Mike had given to me for the pay phone and some fruit that he had on hand just in case I became hungry. Just as I turned to head on out of my room, I bumped into Don.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Don... Guess I'm kind of nervous!" I stammered.
Don grabbed my shoulders to keep me from bouncing back and against the bed. He held me there and looked at me with the most concerned expression on his face. "I'm serious! You need to be careful. The Foot will be totally ticked off and if they realize who you are before you get to the station..." He paused as he studied my face - and then he kissed me. At first it was light, just a small peck to emphasis what he was telling me. And, then it went deeper and longer. I didn't resist; I was way past that since my confession the day before. Good grief I loved him! But, I needed to get this over with and as soon as possible, too.
As we pulled away from each other I noticed how liquid his eyes were. "I want you to be careful!" he insisted softly.
I smiled and pecked him on his snout, "I will, DAD!" I countered and smiled good-naturedly.
Don chuckled a little and then hugged me close to him, nuzzling my hair. "Call me, okay? Don't let too much time go by if you can help it. Otherwise I'll be worried."
A sudden thought occurred to me, one that I had ruminated over the night before but had forgotten – until now. "Oh, I almost forgot!"
I quickly went over to my make shift desk that Don had put together for me shortly after my bed had arrived. It was two short towers of boxes with a two foot wide board lying across them. Shoved up against the wall, it sufficed as a writing platform. I used another box as a chair to sit on.
I took some scratch paper and a pen and quickly scribbled out a series of numbers, punctuated with a couple of dashes.
"Here's the combo to my garage." I said as I handed him the slip of paper.
Don took it and, eyeing the information, looked at me with concern, "Why are you giving this to me now?"
I worked the inside of my cheek, knowing my answer would not sit well with him. But, I had to tell him, "There may be a chance that I can't get back to you. Like you said, I could be followed. There isn't any way in Hades I'll lead those goons back to you. I'd rather give you the combination to the garage and let this be the last time I see you than to take a chance and have your home discovered."
He just stood there stock still. This was not in Don's plans at all. "No, you are coming back. I insist on it. NO way, Min." he panicked.
Yep I knew he would act like this. "Sorry, this is my call now. If I see anyone suspicious following me and knowing what they know how to do, I won't have any other course but to stay topside. It'll be dangerous enough as it is for me to just go to the police even with Bill, but I don't have much of a choice."
I tried to get around Don, but he grabbed me and held on. "Please try to come back, Min. Don't go all hero on me, okay? You're ... not trained for it." He begged huskily.
"Oh, don't worry. I have no intentions of kicking butt, okay? Remember, I'm the one that can't punch their way out of a paper bag?" I laughed nervously. Don chuckled a little and then hugged me again. "Look," I said, "I need to get going. I told Bill I'd be there at the diner by noon. Raph said he'd put me as close to there as he could, but it's more of a walk than when I tried for the police." I hugged him back, "I really need to go."
Reluctantly, Don released me. I looked at him and saw sincerity and love. In that moment, my resolve to do what I knew I had to started to waiver.
If my hunch was right, I knew I wouldn't be coming back to the lair. Having a better understanding of the Foot now, I had a gut feeling they would be watching as many manhole coverings as their numbers would allow. It was just a feeling, I know, but the strength of it was such that I took it seriously. They would be totally pissed off at losing such key elements in their organization as Jack and Akina. As I stood there with Don I knew I had an opportunity to change my mind; to say 'good-bye' to Brandi, at least for a while. After all, I knew she wasn't in the grave anymore. Her spirit had already left her body and was now residing forever in the embrace of the Lord. I knew I would see her again and when I did, I wondered what she might say to me about missing a chance at happiness.
Looking deep into Don's face in an attempt to burn his image into my mind, a part of me was screaming for him to ask me one more time. Once more I wanted him to beg for me to stay; to go with him and his family. Just one more time to ask me to be with him and forego my life topside. If he would just ask, just plead, just insist or make me. I would forget about Bill and the police entirely.
But, Don only returned my gaze with an equal intensity. I knew he was aware of my turmoil; his mouth was slightly upturned compassionately as if in complete understanding. I saw one single tear reluctantly escape and travel down his cheek and I knew then that he wasn't going to go back on his word. In that moment I hated his integrity. Why did he have to be so strong? Why couldn't he just make an exception; especially when it concerned something as important as my going with him?
I swallowed deeply and realized it was as much a sacrifice for him as it was for me. He would not ask again; that was his promise.
And Don always kept his promises – just like I did!
"Well, I need to get!" I stammered trying to regain my composure.
"Just make sure you're not seen when you come out of the sewer, okay?" Don said sternly. "The Foot are probably everywhere, now."
"Well, maybe you need to tell Raph that since he's the one picking the exit!" I teased back.
"I will." Don looked at me once more and then leaned in and kissed me again. I felt my resolve quake. When he pulled away from me, he said huskily, "Min, I love you so much. Do what you can to come back, please! We're not quite ready to pack up yet so that'll give us a few days to be together!" he pleaded.
"Try my best, my dear!" I promised as I smiled at him.
Don grinned back at my term for him. He rubbed my nose with his muzzle and then the two of us walked out of my room and into the living area.
"Well, guess it's time to go topside again!" I announced.
"Hey, make sure this time you don't stop to talk with anyone, okay?" Mike joked, "The last time you did almost blew you up!"
Leo nudged Mike in the arm and then offered his own comments, "Just be mindful of any overly curious police. If they start asking questions about where exactly you've been, you need to steer them ..."
I interrupted him, "To New Jersey. Yes, I know, Leo. I still have the script from the last time I attempted this. I doubt very much I'll have any trouble. I've had a few more days to practice!"
The leader in blue smiled and nodded.
Then, I saw Splinter come out of his car. He walked stiffly but sure towards me, his cane tapping the concrete floor as he advanced. His whiskers were twitching nervously and I could tell he felt as Leo and Don did about my going to the police at this time.
"Mindy Johnson, what Leonardo said is correct. Not enough time has gone by to assure us that the Foot will not be watching for you. Their defeat is still fresh and because of that they will have increased their vigilance to catch us. Make sure you do not accidentally tip them off to our whereabouts!"
"Splinter, even if I wanted to I couldn't! This place is so far removed from the normal part of the sewers I doubt very much anyone would be able to find you. I know I couldn't!"
"Even so, you must be on constant guard." He said. He looked me over and then commented, "You have given us all a chance for freedom and for that I am grateful. However, we must not take too long in making a decision. Your expedient return to our home is much anticipated." Splinter smiled at me, taking my hand and squeezing it affectionately. "But there is always that chance..." and he looked up at Donatello, "...that things will not go as desired." The rat returned to look at me, "Please know that we have all enjoyed your company and your honestly." With that, Splinter bowed respectfully towards me. I looked at Don and saw that not only was he doing the same thing, but the other turtles were as well. I was touched.
I looked around the lair one last time and then, before Raph led the way up the rung ladder, I hugged all of them one by one. I knew in my heart I would never see them again, not for a while anyway. It was just a gut feeling, to be sure. But, I've learned that regardless of whether or not it comes to pass, acting on that kind of impulse is far better than wishing I had.
Then, as an afterthought, I told them all, "Whatever happens, guys, take care of my bed – okay?"
Mike's reply was typical, "So long as I can sleep in it, sure thing!"
Leo laughed and that was when Don replied, "It'll still be here waiting for you, Min!"
Again, Mike's ribald sense of humor came to the fore, "And I'm sure Donnie wouldn't mind sharing it with you, too!" and he busted up laughing...until Don whacked him one alongside his plastron.
Raph and I had walked for a good while, both of us keeping silent as we traipsed through the sewers. We kept to the drier side so we wouldn't splash the water, that way we'd keep the noise level down to avoid garnering any attention. At one point I motioned to him that I wanted to speak. He found an alcove nearby and we slipped into it.
Whispering as low as I could, I asked him, "I was so nervous about doing this I didn't think to ask why Leo didn't come with us this time."
Raph replied softly, if not gravely. his flashlight lighting his face in a weird way, "Splinter felt it wasn't necessary. I'm taking you in a completely opposite direction from where the Foot have been seen traveling. So far, they've been pretty quiet, so I'm not expecting much in the way of crossing paths with them. Besides..." he cocked a grin at me, "I can take on as many as they can throw at me!"
I had to chuckle at his over confidence. That was one thing Raph did very well; assessing his own abilities.
We continued walking towards our goal and while we did, I thought a lot about Raph. The temper he displayed only the day before was still fresh in my mind. I thought about the fight he had with Leo and the despair on Mike's face and Don's voice. Raph was certainly a force to be reckoned with in battle, but for everyday life he was going to have to learn to control it.
Finally, unable to contain my concerns, I pulled him aside for a second time. He seemed impatient this time as he found yet another niche in the wall.
"What is it this time, Min?" He asked me irritably.
"First, can the attitude. I don't take 'attitude' very well simply because I happen to have one, too!" I shot out as quietly as I could. "Second, I have something to say that needs to be said and I know I'm not going to have another chance to say it. Call it instincts, but I don't think I'm coming back."
Raph looked at me with the flashlight illuminating both our faces. It gave off a ghostly glow and I have to say that right then, Raph's expression looked ominous. It was almost like I was seeing something that had yet to happen. A sadness and discontent that was greater than it was back in the lair. It momentarily frightened me, but I knew it was probably just the play of the light.
"What do you mean you won't be coming back?" He asked a little worriedly. "Don's expecting you to return this evening, Min. Don't go doing something that'll break his heart!"
I was touched that Raph was becoming protective of his brother like that, but I had to tell him, "I'll be back if I can; but you know as well as I do that the Foot will do all they can to catch you!" I paused as I saw acknowledgment in Raph's eyes. I then told him, "Please don't hesitate to get out of town. I gave Don the combo to the garage that has my van. Make him go with you, okay?"
Raph seemed puzzled, "Ah, okay, but why the urgency? Leo's checked all the sewer lines and the tags we put on the manhole covers. Nothing's been down here for two days; ever since we took you up the first time."
"Well," I replied, "again it's just a gut instinct thing." Then, as I looked at Raph a very ominous feeling came over me. "Raph, there's one more thing I need to tell you." He looked at me impatiently as if we were trying to catch a bus and we were close to missing it, "Promise me that you will exercise control over that temper of yours!"
"I heard you yesterday. I still have ears, you know!" he replied tartly.
"Yes, though you could have fooled me! Look, it's just that I know my kind and the law they follow. They won't be very nice to you if you hurt or kill someone and you're brought to trial, okay? I know the system. I think I'm more worried for you than I am any of the others all because you have the most volatile temper. Be careful with it, okay?"
Raph looked at me and smiled, "Sure, okay. Now, can we get going?"
I knew that he was just humoring me. How I wish he would take his temper more seriously and at least observe how destructive it was to his family. The awful feeling didn't go away, regardless of Raph's assurance. But, there wasn't much else I could do. So, we headed off once again up the sewer.
We walked for another half hour before Raph finally found the manhole cover he had chosen for my exit.
Once he was sure it was safe, he motioned for me to climb up the ladder. It was a bit of work for me since last time Leo had given me a boost up. Raph saw me struggle and climbed back down to where he could reach my up- stretched hand. His strength was impressive; in one effortless move he had me on the rungs. I then followed him up and out of the sewer. Once I emerged out of the hole, I looked around me.
Amazingly enough and surprising me like nothing else Raph had led me out of the same sewer access that was right behind my old brownstone apartment building.
I looked back at Raph and saw his grin. It was perfectly obvious he had it planned out from the start. Where it had all begun was the very place it would now end.
I looked hard at him, taking Raph in as if it would be the last time I would ever see him again. Instinctively I hugged him. With his brothers still back in the lair and no one to see, I felt he would accept it. Besides, I owed him one. The last time he hugged me, I ended up getting tied to a post and nearly blown up!
However, unknown to us and watching from a particular third story window was an observer. It was someone who did not belong in the brownstone; someone who had been patiently watching the sewer access hole we had just emerged from.
A/N: This was supposed to be the second to last chapter. Hmmm... I discovered that to rush through the good-byes and into a different world (the police station ) and do Crazy Bill justice, along with everything else that happens after Raph leaves Min in the alleyway wouldn't be possible to do any of it justice. So, one more chapter before the last one – then the epilogue – and I be done!
