His True Love

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonian.

Author's Note: This was supposed to be a Raph chapter but Jen decided he could wait. I hate it when I have one thing planned and my characters decide otherwise. Oh well I just write what comes to mind at the time and when I put pen to paper Jen came to mind.

For all reviewers at the moment ff.net is having some difficulty with putting through reviews. I know this because I have reviewed many stories and the reviews aren't showing up. Plus another author who I email frequently has not received the reviews I posted on her story. The review button says that your review has been accepted but it is not going through to the author. Whether we will receive it later or not I don't know. I sure hope so. Anyways if you want to be sure I receive your review e- mail me at loremay@shaw.ca  and thanks for the reviews.

Chapter Nine – Meetings

JENNIFER:

 Don had been telling me for so long that he would be introducing me to the family whenever he felt that the time would be right, that I was starting to wonder if that time would ever be right. Maybe we'd be better off not worrying over the right time and just settle for right now instead.

Still I knew his concerns were valid, hiding and not being seen was a big part of his life and existence I knew that allowing me into his world and home was of special importance to him. He wanted me to meet his family, I didn't doubt that in the least but knowing how unique they were I knew that this was not something offered to everyone.

It was far too dangerous to allow anyone to know about them. Don had informed me how careful they all had to be to insure the family's safety.

I knew all of his fears and worries of being seen by others were not all just senseless fears they were possibilities when one took in the fact of what Don and his family were.

I reflected on the day that Don had finally revealed to me the fact he wasn't human. He had managed to hide that fact so well, that I had felt not only shocked but; slightly betrayed that he had deceived me in such a way.

He had never given me any reason to doubt that he was anything but human. So maybe my brain was too locked up in computer programs and all that went with it that I didn't notice what few signs might have clued me in to the fact that he was a turtle.

But his tendency to keep to shadows and his gentle insistence that his eyes were sensitive to bright light seemed to be enough for me to accept his idiosyncrasies of staying in darker areas and keeping the lights in my home turned down.

By the time I found out what he really was I had all ready formed what I thought was a good friendship with him.

I had longed for a friend. I had lived far too long in isolation that was caused by my own fear and pain; meeting with Don had seemed to be a turning point for me.

There had been a time not all that long ago when work wasn't the most important thing in my life I had a social life a family life and all of that vanished in such a short time. The solid ground I thought I had been standing upon had given out underneath me and suddenly the only thing that seemed to matter was work.

I became better and better at what I did and as I did so I forgot everything else that mattered in my life.

Ever since Don had revealed his true self to me I had a feeling that he had been quite honest in all other aspects. I had enjoyed his company for his intelligence, and no matter how he looked he was still very smart and gentle.

While he filled me in on his other family members and bits and pieces of their lives from time to time, I had the distinct feeling that he often refrained from mentioning certain things but was still being honest with me.

I knew the secrets he told me about his family weren't to be revealed to any other person. His sincerity often made me feel as if I ought to come clean about my own past. Its just I didn't want to think about what had lead to me moving across country, to start new and fresh away from all the pain of my past.

I smiled today was finally the day Don had told me to meet him in an alley nearby and he would take me to meet everyone that I had only heard about until this time.

I had to admit I was nervous and excited my stomach felt all tight with tension but I also felt quite thrilled and anxious for the time to arrive.

 I stopped and checked my hair and make up. Silly I know when I was only heading down into a sewer. I had on a white sweater blue jeans and pulled on long boots instead of shoes. If I was going down into the sewers I was going be prepared then I pulled on a jean jacket.

Finally quite sure that I looked presentable enough I headed for the alley knowing that I was going be there early and not caring one bit. I had spent far too much time in waiting.

Of course wouldn't you know it I was early and Don was probably going run late. I knew that he taught, or tried to teach from his stories at any rate, his oldest niece Ramiela if she was acting up it was probably quite likely that he wouldn't be here till later.

I heard a soft " Jen" hardly even a whisper behind me.

I jumped up slightly startled and was about to scream in surprise but he must have anticipated it for he clamped a hand over my mouth.

" Ssh. It's me Don. Calm down we don't need any people passing by getting suspicious and looking in the alley because they heard a scream. I really don't need that kind of attention Jen." He chided me in a gentle low tone " I really didn't intend to startle you Jen forgive me?" he pleaded.

" When my heart decides to slow down from the jump start you gave it I just might forgive you but don't count on it" I gasped as I felt my heart still racing under my ribcage.

Don shrugged and gave me a beseeching look.

" I figured you wouldn't be here yet for all I knew you could have been a mugger or worse!"

Don gave me a small smile " I know some people who might want to take their chances with the mugger over us. Not that we'd hurt them but we could scare them" he admitted with a bit of a rueful chuckle.

" Come on let's get down in the sewers before someone comes along. I don't care to be out too much in the day light hours unless I'm moving around a bit more."

All though I had dressed for going down in the sewers I doubted little could have prepared me for the smell, the dark gloominess, the echoing sounds of water dripping and rats scurrying away. The almost claustrophobic feel of the pipes around me.

I stayed close to Don hesitant to leave his side as we took one turn or twist after another before we came to the place Don called home.

The living room was in front of us and a blue masked turtle with swords sheathed and belted to his back was in the living room caring for two tiny turtle children.

I knew from what Don had told me that this had to be Leo, Don had also informed me that I shouldn't expect a warm welcome from the leader of the group. " He won't be rude but he will be a bit …formal" had been Don's words of what to expect from this brother.

The boy turtle child looked like a miniature of his father except for the number of fingers he had, he stood with his mouth slightly open as he stared at me. The young girl turtle instantly hid behind Leo's legs peeking out and around them every now and again.

" Don and…" Leo paused and raised his eye ridges slightly as he looked me over; his stance alone was intimidating to say the least.

" An able guest I take it" His tone became tight and his eyes narrowed as he glanced in Don's direction.

" Leo I'd like you to meet Jennifer Sawyer. I have known her for a few years now and I asked Splinter's permission to bring her down to meet everybody. Jen this is Leonardo, and that there is Aiden and the little one playing peek a boo is Kaliann." Don said not flinching under Leo's steely glare.

Leo bowed before me " It is a pleasure having you here Jennifer" he said very formally and politely but I had the strangest feeling he wasn't too happy to have me here in spite of his words.

Don gave me a reassuring smile and placed an arm around my shoulders his eyes met his brother's hard stare. For the moment I felt ill at ease and glanced away feeling that maybe Don had been right in the first place.

I found my eyes coming to rest on Kaliann, the mass of blond curly hair and dark blue eyes fringed with long eyelashes, the human like nose and mouth in a round turtle face. There was something sweet and endearing about her and though Don had told me Aiden and Kali were twins it was clear to see that she was the smaller of the two.

I felt something tug at my heart as I looked at her.

" So that's your girlfriend!" came a rather cheeky impudent voice off to the right

Don glanced up " Never mind hiding Ramiela come out and greet Jen properly" Don declared.

I knew she caused Don many problems the only thing Don was thankful for with teaching her was that she was his only student. Don had once stated that if Ramiela was in a class of others she would end up disrupting everyone and no body would be able to do their studies. Never mind the times she skipped classes, or just act out or up for the sake of doing so.

It seemed Ramiela was quite the hassle and headache for Don.

Ramiela came skipping across the room a smile on her face and her eyes aglow she stopped in front of us and allowed Don to introduce us correctly.

She gave a low bow my way " It is an honour to have you join us for this evening Jennifer" she managed to say through some giggles. Then she looked up at Don " Did you give her the fireworks yet Uncle Donatello?"

Don gave her a sour look and I had to clamp a hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing fireworks where did this child come up with such a thing?

" Behave Rama!" Don snapped quickly, " Why don't you practice your katas."

Ramiela scowled at her Uncle her face turning dark and her fist balling up by her side " That is Ramiela to you" she growled at him. " I dont's have to behave for you. I nots in school now."

" Ramiela we do not talk with such disrespect towards others especially when we have a guest here."

The soft yet sharp commanding tone told me that the person who spoke, was one who was used to being obeyed and I assumed from the tone alone that it could only be Don's mentor/father/teacher the mutant rat named Splinter.

Though he was slightly bent and moved with a bit of stiffness there was still a sharp look to his wise eyes.

Ramiela turned and ducked her head down sniffing a bit but kept a wary eye on the walking stick " Sorry Master Splinter I forgots" she said meekly as she fiddled with her clasped hands.

" Just as Donatello forgot to call you by your full name child. If you forgive him this time then I will forgive you as well."

She raised her head and stopped playing with her hands she turned towards Don  " I forgives ya this time Uncle Donatello but remember to calls me Ramiela please" she said contritely.

" All right Ramiela." Don accepted.

She then glanced towards Splinter " You are forgiven. Now why don't you take Aiden and Kali to the playground until dinner is ready."

" Want to pay Rama" the boy demanded quickly.

" Guess I gotta now okay come on."

Aiden ran and grabbed her by one hand Kaliann took the other and the two of them began pulling her along chatting away about what they wanted to play on. Ramiela rolled her eyes but allowed her cousins to drag her off elsewhere.

" Come in child there is no need to stand on the doorstep. Welcome to our humble home. Leonardo why don't you see if Karena can bring us some tea and we can all talk for awhile while Michaelangelo finishes preparing dinner for us all." Splinter suggested kindly.

With no further interruptions we headed past Leo and Splinter into the main part of the living room. I sat down on the couch and Don sat beside me taking my hand.

I glanced up in time to see Splinter gazing at Leonardo his bushy brows drawn almost together and his tail slashed the ground.

" You know Donatello would not bring harm to the family. If he trusts this young lady then we should accept his judgment and faith in her."

Leonardo bowed almost stiffly " Yes Sensei."

" We will talk later my son." Splinter turned and made his way into the living room and sitting down in a rocking chair " I am most pleased to make your acquaintance Jennifer and I hope you come to visit us often."

I had a sudden feeling that Splinter approved of Don and I being together and I knew without a doubt that I was going like this rat.

TBC