Disclaimer:…Don't own it.

Chapter Four

Centrice opened her eyes to the still and settling darkness. Listening quietly, she realized that she was alone. Donny had left. She yawned as she turned. The red numbers of the digital radio blared out at her from the darkness. She blinked, clearing the sleep away as she did.

It was seven thirty in the morning.

And if she remembered correctly, a half an hour after the turtle's morning practices.

Sighing, she sat up and stretched widely. Don had probably wanted her to sleep in, since the last few days she had been up at ungodly hours of the night with him just talking him through his restlessness. He must have figured that she could use the sleep now, and that was probably why he left her that morning. He left her so that she could sleep peacefully.

However, although it was a sweet gesture, she just couldn't comply.

She, like her other half, was never one to sit still. The only difference was that his restlessness was induced by the vampire blood within him, while hers…

Well, she guessed restlessness coursed through her blood as well; just a different kind of restlessness. She smiled, shuffling out of the covers and bed sheets that were Donatello's. She stood, and stretched, her mouth gaping into a wide yawn as she did. However, her nose quickly picked up on something that made her stop and sniff.

She grinned.

Mike was cooking.

He stomach grumbled at the thought of Mike's concoctions; always weird, but always delicious. Her stomach rumbled in agreement. Well, she might as well go join the others then, if they were having breakfast.

As she made her way to the door, a weary thought reminded her that their guest might be out there as well. She stopped.

'That's right! Owen might be out there. So, I can't go out there like this, can I?' She looked down at herself before straightening and running a hand through her hair.

The small tank top she wore hugged her a little…too well, while her hair screamed catastrophe. Her pajama pants seemed presentable, but she knew that the whole "just woke up" look would have to go!

She searched through her small suitcase of clothes before settling on a red tee-shirt and a pair of flare legged jeans. White socks as well as white sneakers soon found themselves in her arms as well as her toiletries and underwear as she quickly made her way to the door.

She would be making a trip to the bathroom before joining the boys.

She was the only female after all, and as such she had to at least be somewhat "presentable."

She opened the door, looking out and into the hallway for any trace of a soul. Finding none, she released the breath she didn't know she was holding. However, her eyes soon found something else that made her breath hitch in trepidation.

She eyed his closed door wearily.

'Is he still in there?' If he was, he'd better stay in there!

She had to go to the bathroom.

Slowly, she tip toed across the hallway to the bathroom, making sure to avoid all of the creaking floor boards as she did. It would also be best not to give away her presence to the turtles in the kitchen. They would probably call her in there, if they did, and then she would probably be stuck between a hard place and a rock; if she joined them, her pride would be bruised by her faltering looks, and if she refused, she risked looking rude. Yes, it would be best if they didn't know she was up, not yet.

She sighed.

With a few last steps, the door of her sanctuary was finally before her. However, as her hand found the knob she couldn't help but overhear the others.

They talked now, or more like Mike sung now while Leo told him to shut up. She could hear Don chuckle at Leo's comment. It made her smile.

He had such a cute laugh.

She sighed before almost regretfully opening the door and stepping inside. She wanted to join them, but she knew she could not in fear that Owen would see her, as "indecent" as she was. Yes, she would join them later, after a good shower…

She eyed her hair in the mirror.

And a good combing.

'God, what a rat's nest!'

She stepped out of the steamy bathroom and into the fresh air of the lair, her mood chipper. That shower had felt good against her aching shoulders.

There was nothing like a nice warm long shower after a good sleep. She felt truly rejuvenated.

Rejuvenated and Clean.

The voices of the turtles flowed to her now, and at the sound of it, it seemed as though all four of them were now all bunched into the small kitchen. She smiled. With a skip in her step and a song in her heart, she allowed her self to join them in the kitchen at last.

However, as she was walked through the door, she literally ran into an out coming Donatello.

"Ooff!" She hit his chest, her soft body thumping lightly against his hard shell. It didn't hurt, but it did surprise her! She stumbled back, loosing her balance only to be grabbed by green muscular arms as he kept her vertigo with his strong but tender grip.

"Whoa!" His eyes widened as he caught her before looking down at her with worry. "Are you ok, Centrice? I wasn't looking where I was going." He apologized quickly while bending slightly to look her in the face. She almost smiled at how seriously he stared at her. He truly was worried.

Grinning, she waved him off.

"I'm fine, Donny! You just startled me is all, but I'm fine." She looked up at his as she attempted to reassure him with her words, but she could tell that her attempt failed. He still watched her with his big, emotional, brown eyes; the worry never leaving them as he did.

"Are you sure?"

She rolled her eyes before leaning forward, kissing him sweetly. Almost hesitantly, his eyes closed for the brief interlude, but it only lasted a moment. She pulled back, her eyes dancing with her good mood.

"Good morning Donny." She whispered before walking past him all together and entering the kitchen for the first time that morning.

She was immediately bombarded with greetings.

"Mornin' Centrice."

"Morning, did you have a good night sleep?"

"Hey! Cent-Piece! Try my newest creation! Oh, have a good sleep?"

All three of them watched her expectedly as she answered them all with practiced ease. "Morning, Raph. Morning, Leo. Morning, Mikey. Yes I did sleep well, thank you. What are you cooking?" Don smiled to himself as he watched Centrice handle his 'can be' overwhelming brothers with no more than a blink. Meanwhile, Mike now jumped in his excitement, of which, seemed to be triggered by Centrice's inquiry. Grinning like mad, he motioned her over before explaining his newest and greatest creation.

"See, since some one ate my pizza," He threw Raph a dirty glare. Raph's only response was a roll of his eyes. "I decided to make some of my own. I am happy to present to you…Pizza Waffles!" He lifted the rag that protected his creations with an emphasis that could be only described as a mad scientist as he unveiled his monster for the first time, which was not too far off. She eyes the monstrosities once before wrinkling her nose. They didn't look very good.

It seemed that instead of putting everything on top of the waffles, like she thought he would, Mikey put everything in the waffles. Probably mixed it all into the batter.

Now with shades of red, white, yellow, and a few green specks, the waffles looked a little less then appetizing. However, as she frowned, Mike smiled, wafting them as he did.

"Don't they just look and smell delicious?!" He missed her frown and the other's faces as they too peaked around the two and into the food. Their reactions all but mirrored Centrice's, each of them having comments of their own as well.

"Yeah,…uh, delicious Mikey…"

"…Yummy…"

"Looks like crap!" All four of them turned, throwing looks at the turtle in red. His gaze reflected his uncaring as he shrugged before making his way to the table. Sitting, he waved them all over.

"Come on, before it gets cold."

They all sat, watching Mike as he energetically distributed his creations. Centrice's looked around the table before furrowing a brow.

"Where's Owen?"

All four of them looked up. They had nearly forgotten about him. Yes, someone should go get him for breakfast.

"Who's gonna get him?" Mike asked, his eyes traveling from one brother to the next before resting of Raph. At that, everyone else's gaze rested on Raph as well. Raph looked between them all before ruffling underneath their stairs. He crossed his arms.

"Well, I'm not going!" He stated defensively. After a moment of brewing anger, he threw an arm in Don's direction, shifting everyone's gaze from him to Don as he did. "You should get him Donny! He's your teacher!" Don looked up, startling at Raph's statement. He didn't want to get him, what if he was sleeping? Wasn't it bad to wake a sleeping vampire?

His mind seemed to roll its eyes.

'Aren't you a vampire too?'

He almost laughed out loud. Oh, yeah…

Meanwhile, Leo just watched them all before standing dejectedly.

"Well then, I guess that just leave me…" He stepped out from under the table before realizing that one of them was missing. "Hey, where's Centrice?"

Three heads turned to find an empty chair.

Meanwhile, Centrice made her way back down the hallway, her journey ending at the very last door. She would do it since nobody else wanted to. Besides, what were they scared of? He was just another guy.

'Yeah, a very powerful, blood sucking guy…'

She sighed, her hand lifting to knock to issue the call for breakfast, but she stopped, listening. Her curiosity got the best of her as she skipped knocking entirely and tested the door handle. It was unlocked.

Cracking the door open a jar, she looked in. The dark within contrasted greatly with the light of the hallways even though the small lamp was on, but when her eyes did adjust, she blinked. His back was to her as he was bent over something on the desk. He read from what looked like…a small bible?

She cleared her throat.

Owen blinked at his reading, not at all surprised at her sudden entry or the interruption.

"Yes…Centrice?" He didn't look up, but his brow furrowed anyway. Despite the obvious dislike for her, he felt wrong using her first name.

However, he still did not know her last.

He could easily find it out with a little bit of mental prodding, but he was against using his power for such trivial things. So, he just settled for her first, but it still felt weird.

Meanwhile, at her name, Centrice tensed before growing suddenly nervous. Her mind chided her. 'He's just a guy! Just some random guy.' However, now she wasn't so convinced. He was a vampire, a random vampire, and as such,

He was dangerous.

She swallowed before finally doing what she had come to do.

"Breakfast is ready, Mr. Cromwell. If you want to you can come eat with us, or I can bring your food in here..."

She watched as Owen seemed to absorb the information before turning back to what he had been reading. She almost took that as a 'no' to both, and went to step out of the room but before she could move he suddenly stood, leaving the black book on the old and worn desk as he did. He turned, looking her in the face for the first time that morning. She watched him, surprise taking its toll at his next words.

"Thank you. I think I will join you all for breakfast, I'm staving." And with that, he stepped forward. She almost didn't know what to do; she didn't think he would actually accept the invitation to join them. She watched him measurably as he strode over to her. However, it was not until Owen motioned with his hand for her to head out, did she finally catch up to reality.

Owen Cromwell was joining them for breakfast.

-

Very cool! Took no time at all! R and R