Chapter 7

Waiting

A/N: Well, here's the next chapter to my story. I hope everyone has enjoyed it so far. Thanks to all those who reviewed. And now, here are some shout-outs to those awesome people:

Chibi roseAngel: Thanks for the review. Here's your update! Keep reading.

Shellsboy24: Thanks for your review sweetie. I thought that this last chapter would be good. Glad u liked it. Keep reading and reviewing. And Leo is not a fool, but you are a big dork! Just kidding-lol! Enjoy this chapter.

Lioness-Goddess: Glad u liked the part about Dark Helmet. Shredder reminded me of him after I saw Spaceballs and watched an episode of the Turtles. Keep reading and reviewing.

JeffyzGal2: It's cool that you're a Leo fan. It's also cool that u liked my story. Keep reading and reviewing. Do u like the new Turtles series? If so, which ones are your favorite episodes? Leo definitely kicks major booty!

Ana the Romantic: It's ok that u didn't review my last chapter before chapter six. Thanks for the review though. Keep updating your story 'cause it rocks, and keep reading and reviewing mine.

Pacphys: I know I don't have the best word choice, but I try. Anyway, thanks for the tip and the review. Keep it coming.

Well, now that I've done that, let's get on with the story.

Disclaimer: I've said this before and I'll say this again: I don't own the Turtles. They are owned by Eastman and Laird who created them. Enjoy this story. All bad reviews will be cut up by Leo's katana.

"What are we going to do?" wailed Erin.

"We'll go there and kick his butt," said Raphael, pounding his fist into his open palm.

"No, we won't," said Leonardo weakly. "We have to leave. It's the only thing to do."

"What are you talkin' about, bro?" asked Raphael. "Don't you want to save Maureen?"

"Of course I do," replied Leo. "But I can't go there now. I'm not strong enough to do that."

"He is right," said Splinter. "You three cannot do this on your own."

"Why can't Leo just rest here?" asked Michelangelo.

"Because Brad may find this place and hurt us," answered Erin. "We're in too much danger here. He knows the number, and he can find out where I am."

"But how can that be?" asked Don. "I have top notch security in the Lair. There's no way he can track us here."

"Brad would find a way," Erin said. "He's very clever."

"Erin's right," April added. "Brad's very intelligent, especially with computers."

"But where will we go?" Erin inquired.

"To my grandma's house in Northampton," Casey explained. "You'll be safe there."

"Good," Splinter agreed. "We will leave tonight."

During the rest of the day, Erin packed some things to take with her on the trip. Then she went downstairs and watched T.V. with Mikey and Leo. But even the T.V. couldn't keep her from thinking about Maureen, especially when The Powerpuff Girls came on. Erin had already e-mailed her friends to let them know where she was going. They had replied back, sending their condolences about Maureen and offering words of encouragement. It made her feel a little better to know that she had support from her friends, but she wished she could do more.

That night, they all left the Lair and traveled to the farmhouse. Erin was fast asleep, her head on Leo's shoulder. Raph was on Leo's other side, muttering about how he was going to kick Shredder's butt. Mikey was also asleep with his head on Don's shoulder. Don was awake, doing research on his computer. Splinter was meditating about what had happened.

When they got to the farmhouse, they immediately went to sleep. They were all exhausted from the ordeal they had been through that day.

The next day, Leo woke up and went to the kitchen. He found the others eating doughnuts that Casey had gotten earlier that morning. However, he noticed that Erin wasn't there.

"Hey, Leo, want some breakfast?" asked Raph.

"Sure," replied Leo. "Where's Erin? Isn't she going to eat?"

"She said she wasn't hungry," April answered. "I think she's out in the barn. She looked pretty upset."

"Do you think she'll be okay?" Mikey questioned.

"I hope so, Mikey," April said uncertainly. "You know how close she was to her sister. It may take her awhile to snap out of it."

"Is there anything we can do?" Raph asked.

"We have to talk to her," Leo said. "It's the only way to help her."

"I don't think she wants to talk, bro," Raph said. "She just wants to find her sister."

"You might be right, Raph, but I have to try," Leo said determinedly. "I have to get her to open up to me."

After breakfast was over, Leonardo made his way to the barn, remembering the time when he had gone there to be alone. He was very depressed, but Raph had helped him snap out of it. He just hoped he could do the same for Erin. He took a deep breath and opened the door softly.

Erin was sitting on a crate, staring dejectedly at the floor. She looked up when Leo came in. "What do you want?" she demanded.

"I just want to talk to you," Leo said gently. "I know you're really upset."

"Wouldn't you be if one of your brothers was taken by the Foot?" Erin snapped.

"Yes, I would," Leo replied. "I'm just as upset as you, maybe more so because I couldn't help her. I feel as though it's my fault."

"Leo, stop this!" Erin yelled. "Stop blaming yourself! This isn't your fault at all! When are you gonna get your head out of the clouds and realize that it's Shredder's fault?"

Leo smiled at her. "You sound just like Raph," he commented. "That's something he would say."

"I know," Erin agreed. "I just don't want you to beat yourself up over this. You didn't ask for this to happen. None of us did."

"I know it's not my fault, but that's the way I feel," Leo said with a sigh. "Maybe if I tell you about it, I'll feel better."

"Leo, you don't have to," said Erin hastily. "I know how much pain it will cause you."

"I want to tell you," said Leo. "I need to get it out of my system. If I don't, it will just hurt more. I don't want that to happen."

"Has it happened before?" asked Erin curiously.

"Yes," replied Leo softly. "It happened when I didn't tell my family about the time when Shredder attacked me. When I finally told them, I felt better."

"Okay, spill," said Erin, getting ready to listen to the tale.

"Well, the day started out fine," began Leo. "We arrived at my special place and set up our picnic. After we ate, we threw rocks into the water and played with Milo. Then, Maureen taught me some card games. We were having a lot of fun.

"Maureen told me that she missed spending time with you. She said she couldn't wait for the variety show to end so that she could spend time with you. She told me about how the two of you would have so much fun together."

"She said that?" asked Erin in astonishment. She couldn't believe that Maureen would miss her like that.

"Yes," answered Leo. "I told her that you would spend time with her soon; that you were very busy right now. She said she understood and told me that she was lucky to have a sister and four new brothers. She said she liked me the best. That's when I promised to protect you guys from any harm.

"As we walked home, Maureen told me about what her school was like. She told me that she loved choir and couldn't wait for the concert that's coming up. Then she sang one of the songs, and I told her that it was very good. She has a pretty voice."

"Yes, she does," agreed Erin. "I've often told her that she could be a singer someday."

Leo nodded and resumed his story. "Suddenly, out of nowhere, we were surrounded by Foot Ninjas," he went on. "I told Maureen to run, but she stayed put. I tried to fight them off, but there were too many of them. Two of them grabbed Maureen and ran away. I could hear her screaming for me to help her. I tried to go after her, but I was ambushed from behind. I felt my head hit the wall, and I blacked out. That's all I can remember until you and Raph came to help me out."

Erin looked at Leo with sympathy and pain in her eyes. "It's okay, Leo," she said gently. "I understand that it had to be hard for you. Now I know why you feel the way you do. You feel helpless because you couldn't do anything about it."

"Yeah, I do," agreed Leo. "I also know that you're going through pain, too."

"I am going through pain," said Erin. "The truth is, it's my fault that Maureen got kidnapped just like it's my fault my mom died."

"How can you say that?" asked Leo incredulously. "It's not your fault that your mom died."

"Yes, it is," contradicted Erin. "I told her I hated her before Maureen and I left for school that day. I never got to apologize to her about it. That's why she died. God was punishing me for what I said to her. Now, he's punished me by taking Maureen."

"That's not true, Erin," Leo said firmly. "God wouldn't take your mother for something like that. Shredder and Brad are the ones who killed her and took Maureen. We're going to get them back, Erin. I promise you that. Do you believe me?"

"Yes, I do, Leo," Erin answered. "I know you wouldn't lie to me. And thanks for helping me snap out of it. You're really good at it."

"Well, I had a good teacher," Leo said with a smile.

As if on cue, Raph walked in. "Hey, Leo, Splinter wants us outside for a training session," he said. "You can be our cheering squad."

"Okay, Raph," Leo said, poking his brother in the shoulder. "You ready to cheer Raph on, Erin?"

"You bet I am," Erin said cheerfully. She followed them out of the barn, giggling as Raph teased Leo about not being able to train with them. He stopped when Leo smacked him in the head.

"Ouch!" Raph cried. "You're lucky you're already injured, Leo, or I'd give you a big injury right now."

"Nope, I'd just kick your butt from here to New Jersey," Leo retorted.

"Well, when you get better, we'll see about that," Raph challenged him.

"You're on, hothead," Leo accepted with a sly smile.

"You're gonna eat your words, fearless leader," Raph taunted playfully.

When the two Turtles and Erin arrived, Splinter announced that it was time for the session. Erin and Leo settled themselves on a blanket to watch. Raph was getting his butt kicked by Splinter, which Leo kept teasing him about. Mikey and Don were doing pretty well, and Splinter commented on their great teamwork. Throughout all this, Erin noticed that Leo was watching them wistfully, wishing that he could be with them. Erin felt that he was also still upset about Maureen and felt that it was her fault for making him relive what happened that day.

Erin knew that talking about the ordeal had made Leo feel worse instead of better. "It's my fault," she whispered to herself. "I don't care what Leo says. I'm to blame for all of this, but I know how to set things right."

That night, she crept out of bed and tiptoed down the stairs. Her bag was slung over her shoulder as she made her way through the house. She left a note on the nightstand by the couch where Leo slept. Erin hated to leave him, but she knew she had to. It was the only way to set things right. She gave Leo a kiss on the cheek and left the house to find her sister.

A/N: Well, that's it for this chapter. Will the Turtles find Erin and Maureen in time? Find out in chapter eight, coming soon. Please read and review!