Chapter 35 - Out In The Open

Leo stretched his arms above his head, trying to rid his muscles of the tension in them. He must've slept wrong.

He went down the stairs and headed towards the kitchen. He stopped by the doorway. Nothing. Not a sound coming from the room. He frowned. That was not normal… but it had been happening too often this past week for his own liking.

Shaking his head and sighing, he walked into the kitchen.

Mikey looked up from his plate. "Morning, Leo." He smiled, but it was strained.

Don didn't look up from his paper, but nodded his hello. Leo raised an eye ridge at Mike. Mike shrugged almost imperceptibly. Leo knew that Mikey and Don had been talking these past few days. He only hoped that it would help the situation a bit.

Leo had just sat down with a plate of food when a noise came from upstairs. Don's head snapped up from the paper. Footsteps from upstairs moved across the ceiling and towards the stairs.

Don swiftly folded the paper, so fast the Leo hardly even saw him do it, and stood.

"I'm gonna take a jog." Don said, and Mike nodded.

"See you." Leo said as Don left out the kitchen door.

A minute later, April came through the door. Leo noticed her eyes scan over the room quickly before her shoulders slumped slightly.

"Morning guys." She said, without much enthusiasm, and set about getting a plate of food ready.

Mike threw Leo a look, and Leo nodded. He sighed inwardly. It had been like this for a week now. Half the people in the house were ignoring each other, and the rest were just trying to stay out of their way.

Breakfast continued in silence, Mikey not even trying to get another conversation going.

Leo stabbed at his bacon a little too hard, and a piece went flying off the plate. He sighed heavily. Things had to change. And soon.

Donatello walked through the forest, a million thoughts running through his head. How he could feel this way and why… why did he let himself be this upset. He hadn't slept well for over a week now, and the exhaustion wasn't helping his thought process any. He continued walking, unaware of where he was heading, until an opening in the trees before him stopped him in his tracks.

Before him was the small area where they had buried Splinter. He'd unconsciously found his way back here, back to his father.

He walked forward slowly until he reached the small stone marker that they'd placed for Splinter. Then he knelt, and felt his chin quiver slightly. Growing up, he thought he knew so much… Yet he knew he could always learn from his father. How much he wanted to be able to ask him what to do now…

"I just don't know…" He whispered, crossing his arms. "I just wish you could tell me… teach me… one more thing."

He looked at the stone a moment, not really waiting for an answer, but a little disappointed when one never came.

He scooted over to a tree near the marker and leaned against it, hardly feeling as a few tears ran down his face. He stared at the marker, as if willing it to give him some sort of idea. Slowly, but surely, he felt his eyes getting heavier… He blinked a few times, as all of those sleepless nights began catching up to him suddenly.

He shifted in place. He'd have to leave soon. It was freezing already, and he knew he shouldn't be in the cold any longer than he could stand it. It was stupid of him to take off like that with no protective clothing on, and he knew it. But he'd heard movement upstairs and had been afraid that April… He shook his head of the thought. He had to leave in a few minutes, or he'd surely freeze.

Leo grimaced as another branch hit him in the face. He plowed forward, and wrapped his arms around himself. It was cold now. The weatherman was calling for snow that afternoon, by the morning, definitely. But he wouldn't go back, not until he'd found his brother.

Mike had voiced a concern almost an hour ago, when they realized that Don still hadn't come home. Leo had agreed to go looking for him, and Mike agreed that he and Raph would stay at home with the girls. Leo smiled slightly. He could still see April's expression when they'd said that. She had been less than happy.

Suddenly, Leo froze. Standing stock still, he listened intently for the sound that had grabbed his attention a second ago.

He began walking in the direction of the sound, when he suddenly realized where he was. He walked cautiously into the opening in the trees. Looking around, he made out the form of his brother, lying on the ground.

A slight shaking sensation slowly made it's way into Donatello's consciousness. He opened his eyes slowly, and was immediately met with the sight of another pair of eyes looking at him.

Leo sighed heavily when Don opened his eyes. "Thank God…" He said, putting his hand out to help Don up. "What were you doing, are you alright?" He asked quickly, the concern overflowing into his voice.

"I'm… fine." Don said. "I just… got so tired suddenly, that I…"

Leo nodded. He knew the feeling of insomnia.

"It is comforting here, though, isn't it." He said softly.

Don nodded. "I didn't mean to worry you, Leo." He said.

Leo grinned, and slung an arm over his brother's shoulders. "It's my job." He said lightly, trying to put as little guilt on Don as possible. "Come on," Leo continued. "Let's get back home. You're freezing."

Don nodded, and they began walking back towards the house.

They walked in near silence, as Leo debated whether or not to question what had been going on. He didn't want to push Don too far, too fast. Didn't want to push him away.

Leo sighed, and they continued their walk in silence.

April sat, tapping her fingers against the table in nervousness and annoyance. Where were they? She wondered.

Then the door to the kitchen opened, and in walked Leonardo and Donatello, both of whom stopped in their tracks upon seeing her waiting for them.

"Um… I'm just gonna… go in the other room for a bit." Leo said, then slipped out of the room as quickly as he could.

April stared down at her hands until he'd left the room. Then silence reigned the room for a few moments before anyone spoke.

"If you go out the door." April began slowly. "I will not follow you."

Don turned a surprised look towards her.

"I won't chase after you anymore." April said, looking up at him finally. "I'm just not up to chasing after anyone anymore." She said quietly. "And don't think I haven't noticed you running away." She turned away then.

Don blinked, surprised at this outburst. "I… I haven't been…"

"Stop with the excuses, okay?" April burst out. "Don't you see? You're acting just like him. And that was one of the things that I loved about you…" She trailed off, her eyes filling with tears. "That you weren't…"

Don stared at her as a few tears found their way down her cheek, then he looked away, unable to take the hurt in her eyes.

Quietly, he moved, sitting in the chair next to her. He grabbed her hand in both of his.

"I'm not going anywhere." He said softly. "I'm not running away."

She looked up at him. "I don't meet just physically, Donnie."

Don blinked, sitting back a bit.

"I'm sorry, Donnie. I really am." She said, reaching over to place her other hand on his arm. But you have to realize that maybe I had a reason for it. I'm sorry if my withholding details caused all this…"

"Details??" Don hissed quietly. "These aren't details… This is my daughter's life!"

"I know." April said softly. "But please, Don… you have to know… I just can't tell you yet."

"But why?" Don asked despairingly.

"Because it might push you away forever." April whispered, tears filling her eyes again.

"It won't." Don said quietly. "I promise it won't."

April shook her head softly. "Don't promise me unless you know for sure." She looked down again. "Please, just… wait." She pleaded, looking back up at him.

There was a long moment of silence before either of them spoke again.

"You know that the wondering will be worse than what you can actually say." Don finally stated.

April looked up at him, and a few tears fell down her cheeks as she nodded.

"All right." She said. "I'll tell you …"

Leo walked into the living room, where Michaelangelo was playing with Lindy.

"Hey," Mikey began. "Anything wrong?"

Leo shook his head. "I don't think so." He said slowly. "Don and April are talking in the kitchen." He added, and Mikey nodded. "I'll steer clear, then." He said.

"Good idea." Leo nodded again, then looked down at Lindy, who was yawning and rubbing her eyes.

"I think it's time for little girls to have a nap." He stated, leaning down to Lindy's up-stretched arms. He began walking toward the stairs, then turned back. "Mikey?"

"Yeah?"

"If, uh, anything happens," He began. "Call me, okay?"

Mike nodded solemnly. "Yeah, Leo. I will."

Leo nodded back, and then walked up the stairs.

April sighed. "Donnie, you know how Casey reacts when things go bad…"

"Not well." He said.

She nodded. "When we broke up," She began slowly. "He… didn't take it well. And he decided to deal with it the way he knew. He met a girl, and…" She looked up at Don.

"Liv." He said simply.

April nodded. "Yeah. From what I know, it was only a one night stand. But it was enough…" She cut off, looking down. "When he found out she was pregnant, he called me for help." She laughed shortly. "Do you know how much that hurt?" She asked softly. "When I thought I was…" She put a hand to her face, trying to reign in her feelings.

"Anyway," She began after another moment. "When mention of a 'boyfriend' came up, Casey freaked. That's where I came in." April looked up at Don. "Liv wanted to keep her baby, but said her boyfriend wouldn't have it. He wasn't to know. He was leaving for a 'business trip' in a couple months, and she could hide it from him before then." She stopped, looking down. "She was scared of him, Don. She said that he'd kill her if he knew, and I thought that was an exaggeration… but now I'm not so sure."

Don sucked in a breath. "Go on." He breathed out.

April sighed. "So, months later, Liv has the baby. Early, I might add, and at home. She called me when it happened; I was to take the baby to the police, and have her given to an adoption agency. But Liv had changed her mind." April looked at Don. "She knew where she wanted her baby to go. To someone she'd met, and who she thought was a good person, someone she trusted. Someone who she thought needed the love. You."

Don blushed then, looking down. He didn't know that so much emotion could be read or given off over simple, electronic emails. He didn't even know he wanted it, how was it that some stranger he'd never really met had known that he did?

"Well," April continued. "She told me all about this person, and I happened to recognize the email… So I agreed. And the rest, as they say, is history."

Don sat there in silence for a few moments, and then looked back up at April. "Tell me," He said softly. "Tell me about her."

April grinned slightly. "I didn't know her as well as I could have, given the situation… But she was beautiful." April said softly. "Lindy looks just like her. And she was nice, and funny…"

"Just like she seemed online." Don muttered.

"Yeah." April said, somewhat uncomfortably. "And, for the record, her name was Livia."

"Livia." Don repeated, then looked back at April. "Did she ever get to… want to see her again?"

April nodded. "Yes… I showed her a few pictures I took of Lindy. She was delighted to see her looking so well. And she loved the name."

Don grinned at that.

"She loved her baby, Don." April said.

Don looked down again. "So, Casey…"

"He took off right after I got involved. It looked much less suspicious for her to have a friend who was a girl. That's why he didn't know about… about Lindy." She looked down again. "Don, I think you should know, Liv's boyfriend wasn't the… best sorta person. He… had a lot of flaws. A lot of problems. Now, she never said anything, but I get the impression that he was up to no good a lot of the time."

It was silent for a long moment.

"Don?" April asked finally.

He looked up at her. Tears swam in his eyes. "There's so much…" He got out.

She moved her chair closer to his, and laid a hand on his arm.

"Are you okay?"

He sat back a bit. "That's… a lot of information to process." He wiped his face.

She frowned. "I'm sorry, Donnie."

He smiled slightly. "Thank you for telling me, April."

"Even if it changed things?" She asked.

"Even if." He nodded. Then he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her in an embrace.

To Be Continued….

Author's Notes - I have learned a few important things while dealing with this chapter. First of all, Writer's Block is horrible. Second of all, do NOT argue with the characters! If they wanna say something, for goodness sake, let them say it!! LOL But I do apologize deeply for the long delay.

Thanks -

Reinbeauchaser - grins Thanks! Like I said, sorry for the delay.

Brinatello - Thanks! Yeah… April and Don still have a bit to work through yet… But they just made a big step here…

Vegeta-Hiei Lover - Here's more for ya! ;)

Mickis - Thanks so much.

Lexy8 - Thank you. smiles

Heather - I'm sorry!! Less delays from now on, I promise!

LenniluvsBrian- Well, as you can see, April was involved… to an extent.

StarofFoam - Looks like things are gonna be okay for them… for a bit, at least. ;)

neosun7 - Wow! I… thanks so much. I'm touched that you feel that way about my story! : )

Lady Venom2 - Thanks. I agree, it was choppy at parts… But I'm glad you liked it! : )

Gummadoon Fanatic - Thanks! It's getting there, with those two… ;)

Lashana - Glad to see you again! Thanks so much.

VestqueX - Thank you! : )

Bluegirl - Thanks so much.

Next chapter - Coming Soon!!