When You Least Expect It! Chapter 5: A Matter of Truth, a ninja turtles fanfic

DISCLAIMER: Yep, only own Shari Brentwood. Other than that, everything else is borrowed. Don't be shy, though, please read and review! Or, e-mail me your comments if reviewing on-line is too overwhelming for ya! I like knowing where I can improve…it's the only way I can, don'cha' know! LOL Oh, and my thanks to VestqueX for catching a word that didn't quite flow well enough! 'Peripherally' was her recommendation - and I took it to heart. This prompted a re-posting with that correction. See! It helps to get feed-back!

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CHAPTER 5 – The Truth of the Matter

She was used to flying private, but Don's 737 jetliner impressed Shari quite a bit. How anyone could afford such luxury spoke volumes about his obvious wealth. She knew he was quite successful with his inventions and all. Yet, just the same, to have at ones disposal such transportation was above the norm for tycoons in general.

So, as she sat in her seat while in route to the west coast, she thought about the 'job' in California and about her fellow passengers. How did the job involve Mike's family? What was it about her that gave Don the idea she could be of some assistance to them? Maybe Mike needed a secretary and since that was the capacity in which Don had seen her, Shari was certain her assumption was true. Then, her thoughts changed over to the pair of turtles that were onboard with her.

Observing how alike they were in physique and Raph's ability to throw her so effectively, Shari sensed that the two turtles were both adept in martial arts. Just watching how smooth Don walked and moved around said as much to her. She sensed he had strength and agility, as well as timing. This seemed rather like a contradiction in terms, however, all things considered.

"Who would have thought turtles could move so fast!" she commented to herself, quite amused by the comparison. "Then again, who would have thought that any could walk upright, talk, and then be intelligent, too?" She could only shake her head in wonder.

When the news had broken years earlier about their discovery and then their intelligence proven, Shari had reacted as everyone else did – in complete disbelief. Yet, time showed them to be quite authentic and with her work in the Pentagon, she had come to appreciate at least one of them – Don Tello.

Now, to find out that one of them was skilled in self-defense added one more quirky bit of fact to their strange résumé. It gave her a subtle undercurrent of concern, though. Why would they need to know any martial arts? Given the skill by which Raph demonstrated in tossing her, how good were they? Shari was very intrigued, that was certain.

Raph had positioned himself across the way from her and just behind where she sat in the jet. She recognized his posturing as one who was suspicious and wanting to be in an advantageous position in case something went down. Considering his swift response to her alleged possession of weaponry at Don's the other night, she was sure Raph wasn't taking any chances.

"Once on high alert, always on high alert." She mused her favorite saying.

Still, she found the gruff turtle just a tad annoying the way he would watch her, whether straight away or peripherally. Occasionally she would get the feeling that he was quite amused with the fact that Don wanted to hire her.

"Obviously knows something about it!" she thought to herself, which only made her more curious about the job. "What could possibly be so amusing about that position?" she asked silently. "Guess I'll find out soon enough."

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Their five-hour flight was uneventful, landing them at San Jose Airport just before dusk. The slowly setting sun cast large shadows behind the private hangar where Don's plane taxied. Once the aircraft was stationary and the wheel blocks set in place behind the tires, the ground crew pushed a passenger bridge over to the main exit of the jet.

Shari watched as the people outside scurried about, unloading the undercarriage of the plane of her luggage as well as Don's and Raph's. She noticed that her two cases had survived the flight quite well. She had decided to pack more than just a weekend assortment of clothes. In the event that she accepted the job Don wanted her to do, Shari didn't want to be stuck wearing the same thing every day. Gone were her days of minimalism. She was enjoying filling her closet with clothes that befitted her gender, something she had denied herself while in active duty. Back then, she kept a mental attitude of discipline and always running light. Being girly around a bunch of foul-mouthed meatheads wouldn't have gone over very well. Consequently, she had to butch up her own persona, much to the dismay of her inner lady-hood. It had been a running joke, in fact, with her team. They claimed her to be more man than any of them the way she worked and operated.

"Glad those days are over with!" she sighed, straightening the light pink blouse before rising out of her seat.

Don led the way out of the plane with Shari in between him and Raph. Instead of stair steps, they walked out onto the passenger bridge that connected the jet to the private terminal. Shari thought that maybe they would be heading out the front of the airport. Instead, they walked towards an opened side door, manned by a suited and dapperly dressed attendant. He smiled at Don, then at Shari and Raph, nodding politely towards them. Don nodded back in acknowledgement and proceeded through the doorway.

A flight of stairs that lead down to the main level greeted them. Following her host's lead, Shari descended the steps, taking note that his and Raph's footfall were soundless as they went. She hadn't really noticed it before, but upon reflection, that fact was true almost from the beginning of when she first met them. Now, she strained her ears, unbelieving that they could be so quiet, bare feet and all. Yet, even with her sharp hearing, Shari couldn't discern the slightest sound. She found that truly odd. She was wearing loafers that were soft against the stairs, yet they made more noise than the two turtles in her company did. Don and Raph's obvious bulk suggested they would at least make the stairs creak, but even that didn't seem to run true. That they were in an echo friendly stairwell would make one almost expect some noise at least. Still, not even that proved out. It was one more weird fact about them to file away. How she would use it was anyone's guess, but it did pique her interest in the two of them considerably.

"One would think they were ninja!" she laughed to herself. "Yeah, right!" She almost chuckled aloud, but suppressed it lest they ask what was so funny. "Don't want to offend them - at least not yet!"

Finally, Don opened the doorway to the outside and that was when Shari noticed the limo parked not too far from the aircraft. It wasn't the usual stretch variety, but a Lincoln Towncar sedan, shiny black with deeply tinted windows and most likely brand new by the overall design. The driver stood at the ready, alert and keen to their arrival. As they approached, he snapped the rear passenger door open to allow Shari to take a seat inside the car. Once she was in, he closed her door and hurried around to the other side where he did likewise for Don. Raph helped himself to the front passenger seat while the driver then slipped in behind the wheel opposite from him. Soon he had the car in gear and drove it smoothly away from the jet while the latter was presently taxied into its private hangar.

"So, where does your brother live?" Shari asked while the driver accelerated the car out of the airport and onto the main highway.

Don replied from his seat and turned to face her "Carmel area around Big Sur. It's about two miles in from Highway One at the end of a private road. They've only been in the house for about two years."

"Still won't tell me the job description, eh?" she asked. It was a bit unorthodox for her to accept any possible assignment like this without prior knowledge about what it was. Especially with one she didn't know personally. Yet, Shari was certain that Don was above reproach; anything funny going on would certainly ruin his reputation. Considering what she knew of him, he was more than trustworthy, he was honorable. That alone was the main reason why she accepted his invitation. Based on what General Tallen had told her the other evening when she called him, anything that Don would hire her for would be a dream job.

"Nope!" Don replied with a tight smile. He watched her closely, sensing a bit of irritation from her as well as intrigue and amusement. He could discern that she was one who liked an adventure but would just as easily stop any shenanigans if Shari felt she was being played. He mulled over the information General Tallen shared with him the night before, wondering just how straight his friend was with what he shared about this woman. Don's own intrigue regarding her had shot through the roof then, but he kept it all to himself, not even sharing what he learned with his own brother. Yes, Shari would be a valuable asset to Mike's home, but even more importantly – given the current state of affairs with his family – an asset to the situation in Japan as well.

Shari slowly shook her head at him, smiling ruefully and turned back to watch the scenery flash by as the car made its way towards it's intended destination.

Raph sat in front next to the driver, quiet and staring straight ahead. Shari noticed that he had said very little to her while in route and was just as reticent now as he had been before. He was quite the mystery that was certain. She knew just by example that Raph was Don's muscle man, his protector, at least by what he demonstrated back in Croton. She had been impressed at the time with his swift reaction, too, although she had to admit to not expecting such a move from him. It was something she took note of and filed away for her personal use.

The valet and driver was Asian, probably Japanese by what she could tell. Earlier, when he had greeted them at the limo, she saw how crisp his movements were. When he had opened the rear passenger door to her, he gave Shari a slight bow of his head in acknowledgement. She had automatically returned the gesture, her years of working international deeply engrained. Once she was seated and her door closed, he went swiftly around the car to the opposite side to assist Don in as well. The driver was soon in his own seat in no time flat. As she recalled that event, Shari wondered if he, too, was well versed in martial arts. The man had moved quite fast, faster than most valets would, in fact. He had the grace and the fluidity of one so trained, her own finesse with the craft allowing her to discern such attributes in others. It had given her an advantage whenever going hand to hand with an adversary, cuing in on her opponent's skills as they moved. At the very least, it kept her alive.

She watched the driver as he guided the car down along the freeway. He kept his eyes straight ahead, not allowing them to wander to the rearview mirror. He was all business - that much Shari did notice.

They rode silently along as they sped down the road. Since it was Sunday, there was very little traffic to contend with and, considering the hour, they were making good time. After a while, they took a transition road that soon had them heading south. Before too long, Shari noted a smaller town. It was quaint with novelty stores off to the right that were all lit up for evening shoppers. It was now nearing eight in the evening. Then, no more than thirty minutes passed the southern end of the village, the car turned left onto a private road, meandering through a thick grove of tall trees that Shari determined to be redwoods. She marveled at the wondrous conifers, but with the cloak of night shrouding their tops, she found it impossible to discern their true height.

As the car drove along, the side of the road seemed to open up just a bit. As the sky became more discernable, she took note of the thick spread of stars against the black backdrop, allowing her to see just a hint of the treetops. They were monstrous! The openness suggested a meadow that seemed to spread out quite a ways to her right. There were several tiny pairs of reflections not far from the where the vehicle moved along. Some of them turned away while others stood watch. Deer, that's what Shari realized they were. Soon, even the sentries decided on moving along, leaving the area almost immediately. A dash of white here and there and some quick shadowy movement against the darker trees confirmed her suspicions.

Not long after, artificial lighting added illumination to the blackened roadway. Lampposts stood tall alongside, leading them to a well-lit house of huge proportions.

"Good grief, it must be close to six-thousand square feet!" she breathed, impressed and awed at the structure looming ever closer at the car's approach.

"More like eight." Don corrected her evenly. "Mike wanted ten-thousand, but Rahab worked him down."

Shari was quite impressed, wondering more now than before what exactly her job would be. However, she soon observed that Raph was starting to squirm a little. From her vantage point, it almost seemed as if he was just a mite uncomfortable.

"Don't like it here, Raph?" she teased. Yes, she was sure he didn't like being here, just his posturing alone told her that much. He gently shook his head and looked out the side window.

"S'okay." He replied simply.

"Just s'okay? Good grief, this place is beau…." She started, but then Don nudged her to get her attention.

"Ex-wife!" he whispered.

Shari's eyes shot up a bit, biting her tongue reticently and then nodded in understanding. She turned back to face the front and smiled just a little. "Poor Raphy, has to meet the ex…such a baby!" she chortled to herself. Her natural sense of humor kicked in about then, a plan starting to form in her head. Then, she wondered if it would jeopardize her job opportunity. Deciding she could care less one way or the other, Shari made up her mind to do it. She could hardly wait to meet the ex wife. At the very least, it would give her some payback with Raphael from when he tossed her in New York!

There was a porte cochere between the garage and the house, allowing the sedan to pass through. The driver stopped the vehicle just inside of it where the occupants could disembark. Much to Shari's disappointment, however, once they were out of the car Raph made a beeline for the back of the property.

"Hey, what's the matta, Raph – don't get along with the ex?" Shari thought to herself. She was a bit miffed at not being able to goad him, but she knew there'd be plenty of opportunities to make up for it.

Don sensed a bit of amusement coming from the woman and, figuring she was probably nursing a bit of a grudge against his brother, commented, "Do yourself a favor, Ms. Brentwood, keep out of Raphael's 'personal file', okay? He doesn't take kindly to anyone messing with him – especially regarding Rahab." With that, Don nodded to his driver who slipped around to the rear of the sedan to start unloading the suitcases.

Shari took the rebuke easily enough and the warning that went with it. Still, it would have been a hoot just the same to sidle up seductively to Raph in front of his ex. Acting all coy and every bit the blonde bombshell she could portray when called upon, Shari had planned on being his 'girlfriend' just for that moment. Imagining the look of utter shock and dismay on the brute's face would have been well worth any reprimand Don could throw at her, too. Still, if this job did turn out to be the 'opportunity of a lifetime' that Pat Tallen suggested, she would have to mind her manners. Nevertheless, Shari couldn't help the smirk that accompanied her mental picture of the situation.

Don then led the way around the back of the property. Shari followed him and, as she did, she could see a cottage off to the right and back from the main house. It looked almost newer than the mansion. She also noticed that the lights were switching on so she figured that Raph was already inside. Still, she wondered about the warning Don had imparted to her. What could Raph do to her that she should make her wary? Regardless if he was skilled in martial arts, she was a minimum 8th degree black belt in four of the major disciplines, Kendo, Karate, Chin Na, and Hapkido. Chin Na was her favorite where very little effort could to subdue an adversary. Its principles were based on acupressure, which – when applied correctly – could render harmless any attacker within seconds.

Then again, as she thought about it, Raphael had proved to be very adept with speedy recoveries. Shari had been replaying his swift reaction to her stiletto heels from that evening earlier in the week. It still amazed her and, she had to admit to it, she was glad he had avoided such a painful experience. Certainly, her 'opportunity of a lifetime' would have been ruined right then and there.

Don led her towards the back of the larger home, where a patio greeted them. From where they walked, she noticed that the flagstone patio dropped down three shallow elevations before it leveled out towards the back of the property. It was a large area, big enough for a pool, but all she could see with the scant artificial lighting was a large grassed-in yard. A few young trees planted here and there added interest with a variety of freshly laid brush and flowers adorning the surrounding area. The sparse development of the property was proof that the house was indeed new, but progressing.

As Don opened the sliding door, another like him greeted them.

"Hey, bro, how's it hanging…hey! You must be Shari Brentwood!" Mike declared cheerily.

Shari thought his remark rather redundant, who else would she be, but she remembered her manners, "Yes, that's correct…." However, she just couldn't resist, "And you must be Rahab!"

Don's head turned swiftly around towards her in shock, but Mike could only slap his thigh and bark out a laugh, "HA! Too much…say, Don, you didn't tell me this nanny had a sense of humor!" Yet, just as his words left his mouth, Mike knew he had tripped up. His eyes went slightly wide watching for Don's reaction.

Don shot his brother a look that could kill, while at the same time he heard Shari nearly yell out, "A NANNY?!"

Looking back at the now indignant woman, he noticed her seething expression. Her only comment to follow was, "NOW I understand why you refused to tell me what the job was ABOUT!"

If looks could surely kill, Don would have already been dead right then and there, of that he was sure!

BUSLADY OF SOCAL: Yeah, thought the spit thing was perfect for Raphy to say. His style, ya know?! :0) Well, it'll be more than watching rug-rats, you can be sure of that! Hey, you're a Raph-fanatic, so it's a given you'll be focused more on him than the others. I'd be shocked if you weren't! LOL Don's idea is more than wacko, it'll be to his advantage all the way around. It's still a Raphael story, though, yet it will be a tug-a-war between him and Don…that's all I'll say. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Be blessed.

RAMICA: Yeah, Shari is quite the gal, isn't she? What a challenge she is to write, too. Yet, I'm having a blast letting my inner arrogance shine forth! LOL Ah, another CD is the least Shari will be getting from these guys, you can bet on it. Raph doesn't have a clue how badly this woman will end up irking him. I can't wait! You're right about the babysitting. Not sure how I'll use the Japan thing, though. Need to do some Internet researching between now and then, me thinks! Thanks for reading and reviewing. Be blessed and have a great trip south! :0)

PHOENIX-RISING: Ah, you might be surprised as to 'who is in for it' regarding Shari meeting the Clan! Bwahaha back to ya! Thanks for reading and reviewing. Be blessed.

VESTQUEX: Well, 'backwash' just wouldn't have been Raph's style, now would it? Spit worked well enough and it did get the reaction from all of you that I had hoped for! Tee hee! Shari is more suave than I could ever hope to be, but, at least I can write it! LOL Raph's dislike is more like angst at being on-upped. Ah, what exactly to you imply with 'eyes narrow dangerously'? You live in NY, I'm in California – like, I should worry? LOL Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing. Be blessed.