"Aye, Mikey what the hell? You're cheatin'!" Raphael protested, angrily thumbing at the controller in his hands.

"Heh heh, you wish bro! You just suck! Eat my blue shell hahaha!" The younger sibling laughed, watching Raph's car get hit yet again. Mario kart was never a fair game when Michelangelo played.

"No! No! NO! Damn it!" Raphael yelled in frustration. He would have thrown the controller, but knew it wouldn't do him any good.

"Woo! Michelangelo rules again!" Mikey sang, dancing around the coffee table.

The red-wearing terrapin would have punched his brother, however pounding on the lair's door interrupted that thought. Their guard skyrocketed.

"Hey mighty ruler, why don't you answer that?" He stated, drawing the twin sai at his hips.

"Awe man! Why do I gotta do it?" Mikey groaned, nunchaku at the ready as the youngest inched his way to the door. The pounding continued to grow more desperate, and frantic. He'd watched too many horror flicks not to assume what might be on the other side. One lock at a time, his hand went through them until it found the door handle and braced for the heavy pull.

The door hardly made it open when, to their shock, Evangeline crammed her way through the tiny crack and used every ounce of her weight to slam it closed. She clumsily fumbled with the locks, the adrenaline and fear making her hands tremble uselessly.

"Dudette?" Mikey mumbled, extremely worried.

"What's eatin' you?" Raphael asked, putting his weapons away to reach for the small woman's shoulder.

"D-Don't!" Evangeline screeched, whipping around to press back against the metal entrance. The two turtles starred. Her once calm eyes were wide, and darting between them like a deer in headlights. Each breath she took shook and her muscles visibly trembled. They could almost see her heart pounding.

"Eva, what happened?" Mikey asked.

"He would have tried to take her arm but he knew better at this point, but that didn't make it any easier.

"What's going on?" Leo's voice gathered their attention. Both he and Master Splinter had emerged from the dojo, along with Donnie from his lab, after hearing the commotion.

"Eva? What are you doing here?" Donatello asked, not fully observing the situation at first. As if it were possible, Evangeline shrank back further against the door, trying to calm her racing pulse. Her consciousness was blurring in and out from the sheer panic she had been in, and the rush of adrenaline pumping in her veins was threatening to pull her into another blackout.

"Eva?" Donatello tried again.

"Won't work. She won't let us close" Raph explained, being sure to keep a safe distance. He'd rather not be laid out on his shell again if he could help it.

"Leonardo" Master Splinter directed, the eldest reading his intentions clearly. He pushed past his brothers, reining himself in at the sight of Eva in such a state.

"Eva, it's me. You're safe" his voice stayed low, coaxing as the eldest turtle watched her every move with his slow approach. Seeing her like this, so vulnerable and terrified, it was hard not to envelope her right there.

"Leo….?" She mumbled, doing everything in her power to force the blinding panic down. It was starting to give her a headache.

"That's right. You should sit down, you're shaking"

Very carefully, the leader reached out to touch his fingertips to her's. As much as Leo didn't want to be, he was well prepared to either defend himself or take a hit. To the terrapin's surprise, and immense relief, Eva allowed herself to be guided forward.

Mikey, Raph and Donatello made sure to give them room. Evangeline was gradually starting to feel like herself again. The feeling of Leo's calloused hand leading her toward the couch was something like an anchor. Her heart rate gradually tried to return to normal, and the dense fog that had filled her mind began to clear as well.

"Better?" He asked once they were comfortably seated on the couch, smiling a little when she gave a shaky nod, "Now, what happened?"

Evangeline drew in a steady breath, composing herself as the young woman recounted what had happened only minutes prior. She only hoped it didn't make her sound too insane.

"So, this guy's got you scared stiff over a feelin'?" Raphael questioned skeptically, crossing his arms, still remaining at a safe distance. You couldn't be too careful.

"Yes….no? I don't know. There was just something wrong with him. It was like I was nose to nose with a monster. I just can't explain it" Eva replied, running her fingers through her hair. Nothing could compare with the fear she had felt in that cafe, not even facing down murderous androids.

"Basic animal instincts should never be ignored. If this man is as dangerous as you say, it is good that you ran here rather than lead him to your own home" Master Splinter pointed out from the seat he had taken in the recliner.

"Maybe, but now I've possibly exposed all of you" the young woman fretted, only now realizing what she had done.

"Nah, don't worry about it dudette. If somebody finds us we'll just kick bad guy ass like we always do" Mikey reassured, grinning ear to ear as always to try and lift her spirits.

"Mikey's right" Leonardo agreed, placing a tender hand on her back, "Master Splinter trained us for our entire lives to ensure our survival. You did the right thing coming here"

Hearing their reassurance brought the slightest smile to Eva's face. It was good to know she was safe. Unfortunately that wasn't going to take care of the mountain of emails for the shop.

"I need to get home though…I have work to finish"

"Don't sweat it, I'll take care of it" Donatello spoke up, waving it off.

"Yes, it would be unwise to leave just yet. Stay here tonight where it is safe" Splinter insisted, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Yea, we'll scope it out tomorrow to make sure nothin' fishy is goin' on. 'Sides, I'm sure Leo wouldn't mind you bunking with him tonight" Raphael grinned wickedly, purposely ignoring the flustered glare his brother was giving him. Obviously Mikey couldn't resist the chance to make the situation worse. That's what little bros are for right?

"Hey Raph, weren't we gonna meet Casey at the park tonight?"

Raphael almost asked what he was talking about but caught on when the younger turtle gave him a nudge.

"Oh! Yea we better get going. We'll swing by your place while we're out Eva" Raph said with a wave as he followed Michelangelo to the lair door.

"Ahem, I must….tend to my bonsai" Master Splinter cleared his throat, making a hasty exit after quickly catching onto what his sons were up to.

"Oh, good night then Master Splinter" Evangeline stated, raising an eyebrow at the very rapidly dispersing room. Leonardo, on the other hand, was beginning to panic. Stay with him? Alone? In his bed?

"Well, I'd better get started on those emails" Donnie announced, already halfway to his lab before anything could be said. There went the last chance.

"Leo, are you ok?" Eva's voice pulled the eldest from his momentary panic. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Yea, I'm fine. Come on" Leo replied shortly as he stood up. The eldest turtle leads the young woman up the stairs, awkwardly letting her enter the room first. It was honestly exactly what Eva expected. The right wall had a few weapons, and two obviously designated spots for his katana. Other than that, it was very minimalistic with nothing else but the bed and night stand. She would have commented on it, however the turtle in the doorway couldn't be any more obvious with how uncomfortable he was. It was almost adorable.

"You know, if you're not ok with this I can sleep on the couch"

"No, no! I just…..I don't…." Leonardo rubbed the back of his neck, unable to find the right words. This was completely different than watching a movie on the couch or sitting on the bridge together.

"Don't know what to do with yourself since you've had the option to run to my couch until now?" Eva said with a small grin, approaching him.

"Yea…" he breathed, giving into a small smile.

Eva took his hand with a firm tug, pulling the large male toward the bed. Abiding by her wishes, Leo settled into the bed as he usually did, only further back against the wall. Laying on their backs without ample support often strained their necks so the turtles were often side sleepers.

All was fine for those few seconds until he watched the woman crawl into the bed with him. His breathing hitched when she nestled her way into the gentle dip in the turtle's plastron. Her breath was warm, and the smell of her shampoo quickly invaded his nose. Where was he supposed to put his hand? What about his legs? He was terrified to move!

A sharp breath sucked into Leonardo's throat when Eva curled one of her legs around his with a squeeze.

"Leo" Evangeline giggled softly, raising onto one elbow to look down at him, "I don't bite"

She made sure to leave out "much".

Leonardo took a breath, regaining his composure.

"I know, but it's not exactly like this is…normal"

"More than you think" Eva blurted out jokingly, but then realized what she said, "Ah!… I mean….um…."

"I know. I understand that I'm not experienced, considering others you may have already been with" Leo interrupted, averting his gaze. Eva's expression softened with a deep sigh.

"Leo, I won't deny that's I've had a couple of partners in my lifetime, but please, don't think that matters to me" she pleaded, pulling his much larger hand to rest on her waist, "It doesn't affect how much I love you"

Leonardo felt a smile lighten his expression, the hand at her waist creeping up to tug the base of Evangeline's neck, guiding her forehead to press against his. The lifted air between them had allowed the terrapin to finally start relaxing.

Unfortunately in the tenderness of the moment, Evangeline pushed forward without a second thought to plant a sweet, deep kiss to the turtle's lips. Leo felt his heart twist, and his lungs suddenly forgot how to breathe. Neither of them completely comprehended what had just happened until it ended.

"Wait…AH! Shit!" Eva cursed, "I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking! I got caught up in the moment! UGH! And after I wanted to go at your pace! I'm so, so sorry!"

"Eva…"

"I can't believe I just did that! Shit!"

A firm pull at the nape of her neck cut off Evangeline's rambling when Leonardo's lips met with her's again. Leo knew he wanted to experience the feeling of kissing Eva, but had no idea that it would make him feel like this. Once he'd had a taste, literally, the terrapin didn't want to stop. The flutter in his chest, the buzz that traveled to the back of his skull, it was an instant addiction.

Evangeline hummed in approval, pulling away to nestle herself back into the turtle's smooth plastron. Leonardo's arm replaced itself around her waist with a comfortable squeeze, noticeably more relaxed with their sleeping situation. She could definitely get used to this happening more often.