Disclaimer: Ahem I don't own the turtles, April, Casey, the foot or shredder...

Ch.5 - Foot Trouble

She had a good five-second head start on him. Probably more than that, since she could run at a remarkable fast speed. Figuring it would be best just to follow and wait until she stopped; Leo kept a safe distance from her. It was mostly because she was just too fast for him.

They ran down the sewers, before coming to a man hole. Brianna climbed out and kept on running, with Leo right behind. She didn't realize that he was following her sine Leo was staying in the shadows, careful not to be seen by anyone. They continued running down some streets until she ran right into a group of people in black pajamas.

Oh great. What do they want this time? Leo thought as he realized that she had run right into the foot! He and his brothers had hoped that the foot would fade away. Since their leader was supposedly dead and all. But that didn't seem likely. They had watched the foot's leader, the Shredder, die twice. Leo hoped, as did the rest of the turtles, that the second time was for real. It would've been a miracle if the Shredder survived. The last time he had died, he'd taken the last of the ooze, making himself into a sort of 'super Shredder'. Then he caused the pier to come crashing down on top of him. Nobody could've survived that! Could they?

Brianna fell back on her butt, but didn't stay down for long. The foot had other plans though. The one she'd run into, turned to her and said, "Tsk. tsk. Shouldn't be here, miss. Now we're gonna have to take care of you,"

She looked around to see that the group of black pajama thugs had started to walk towards her brandishing weapons. Slowly, she backed away as if she were scared of them. Leo remained hidden in the shadows waiting for the right moment to jump out and attack. Brianna kept on backing up until she was under a beam. As soon as the two thugs on either side of her were close enough, she jumped up and kicked them both in the gut, sending them flying backwards. In the next second, she grabbed onto the beam and kicked the third guy who had now come in front of her. She then swung herself over the beam and landed on her feet.

Leo was truly amazed at her skills. He may not be needed in this fight after all. Awed by her beauty and her abilities, he continued to watch her kick, punch, and throw the three members of the foot around. Thinking that the battle was over, he got up to go congratulate her for a job well done when, he saw two more foot members join in the fight and about to harm her. The turtles' fearless leader didn't waste anytime. He jumped in, kicking both guys in the head, knocking them out cold.

After that was done, he noticed her staring at him. Not wanting her to flee, he spoke up, "Please don't run. I didn't come here for revenge,"

"Oh really? Then why did you follow me here?" She sarcastically asked. It was obvious that these turtles and the rat were some kind of family. And she had almost killed them! Now one of them had followed her out. If he didn't want to kill her, then maybe he wanted to give her back to the military in exchange for money?

"You're an excellent fighter. Where did you learn to fight like that?" He asked her.

"In prison," She wasn't about to tell him, her whole life story. That could take all night.

"No way! Did you really go to prison?" Did she escape from prison? But why would the military be after a fugitive? He could only assume they were after her for her gifts. It was the only thing that separated her from any other fugitive. 'Course he didn't exactly buy her prison story, but would play along if he had to.

"No,"

"Ok, so who taught you those skills?"

"Martial arts instructors,"

"How did you learn how to do that other stuff you do?" I've asked a few questions and she hasn't started to beat me like she did Raph so I must be doing fine. I don't think it would hurt if I were to ask more.

"What stuff?" She replied as she smiled. Apparently she wasn't going to give him the answers he wanted so easily. Though at least she seemed to be enjoying their conversation so that was a major plus.

"The teleporting, levitating, your incredible fast speed," She stopped and sighed deeply before turning to face Leo. It looked like she was finally going to tell him the answers he'd been after when instead of talking she clenched both of her fists. Uh Oh! She's not going to go psycho on me, is she? Not sure of what to say or do. Leo stood there quietly, hoping that she would relax. Finally, after what seemed like hours, but really was only a few minutes, she said, "It's not my fault I have those abilities. It wasn't my choice to be like this. All I ever wanted was to be normal so that I didn't have to fight to survive," I know what you mean. Survival was the very reason, Master Splinter taught us ninjutsi.

"I'm terribly sorry about whatever happened in your past. And I don't mean to offend you, but could you tell me exactly how you got those abilities?" He truly didn't want to press her any further, but knowing that any information she had would be vital in keeping her alive. And possibly his family since they all involved now.

"You're sorry? You don't even know me, so how can you be sorry?"

"I don't know because you won't tell me,"

"Oh so you want me to tell you so you can be sorry?"

"No. I want to know so I can help you,"

"Help me? And how do you plan to do that?"

"Look, I may not know how I can help you. But I do know that you are in something deep. I also can not take the risk that you will expose my family. If you haven't noticed already, we're not exactly human and they aren't too fond of things they don't understand,"

"Alright fine, you win. I'll tell you. Some people experimented on me. That gave me the abilities that I have. Until recently, I was their prisoner. I was shot while trying to escape. These people aren't going to let me go that easily. I know they're tracking me down right now. Heck, maybe they sent those thugs in the black after me,"

"That would be the foot. My brothers and I dealt with them many times before. I suppose it could be a possibility that they're in league with whoever's after you. But why would someone want to experiment on you?" And what part does the military play in this? Whoever shot you had access to military weapons.

"Have you thought what this world would be like if there was a perfect killing machine out there?"

"No, but I guess if there was then who ever controlled it would have a lot of power,"

"Exactly. But you don't want your killing machine to be obvious. So you decide to use someone who doesn't look dangerous and try to create them into this killing machine,"

"Makes sense. Who are these people?"

"I don't know exactly. Can I ask you something now?" It was a lie. She did know who they were. But she wasn't going to take the chance that this turtle would try to contact them. If he was so worried about his family's safety, he might be willing to do anything to ensure that.

"Yea, sure,"

"Do you know of a place where I can hide out for awhile?"

"You're welcome to stay with my brothers and me. And Master Splinter too of course," Leo didn't know what it was, but he felt a sudden urge to protect her from these people. He also wanted her to stay in the lair with him for some odd reason. What is this that I'm feeling? I don't even know her, so how can I feel like this?

"Thanks. But I think I'd rather stay out of the sewers. Is there anywhere else I can stay?"

Leo stopped to think for a second. I'm sure April and Casey would let her stay. But I really shouldn't impose on them like this. Brianna does need a place to hide out and it may not be a good idea for her to stay with us. Especially after what happened earlier with her and Raph. It's probably best that she stay with April and Casey for a bit. Until things cool down, that is.

"Do you remember April?" Leo asked her.

"Yea,"

"She shares an apartment with her boyfriend, Casey. I'm sure they'd let you stay with them for awhile,"

"Ok, great. Thank you,"

"You're welcome,"

Neither one of them spoke another word as they walked towards April's apartment. After a few moments they reached her place. Not wanting to be seen at the front door, Leo led her to the back and crawled in through the window. April and Casey usually left the back window open just a bit, so the turtles could get in without being seen. They found the place empty since April was at work and Casey was probably out with Raph busting some skulls. Using the phone to call April, Leo let her know that Brianna would be staying with her if it was okay with her of course. April naturally said yes so Leo decided to wait with Brianna for either Casey or April to come home. Knowing the way Casey acts sometimes, he didn't want her to kick the living crap out of April's boyfriend.

"You ever played uno before?" He asked her. Brianna had taken a seat in the kitchen at the table and seemed to be lost in her thoughts until Leo had spoken to her.

"No," She replied. Leo grabbed the stack of uno playing cards from the coffee table in the living room, and told her the rules. They played uno up until Casey walked in. Leo had been doing pretty well. They'd done five rounds and he had won four of those. Brianna didn't mind that she was losing. To her, the idea of someone wanting to have fun with her, not in that way mind you, hadn't seemed like it was possible. Until now that is. For her whole life the only time she was around people was when her abilities were being examined or when she had those doctor visits. None of those times had been to have fun. No instead all it ever was work. Well except for Dr. Madison. She had been her only friend, until they killed her!

"So you finally got yourself a girl I see," Casey remarked when he saw Brianna sitting across the table from Leo.

"What! It's not like that, doofus!" Leo quickly said as he blushed.

"Oh? It's not? Then what is it?" Leo then filled Casey in on who Brianna was. To which Casey asked, "Ah, you're the one who gave Raph a beating?"

"Yea, um, look, I'm very sorry about that. I guess I got carried away. I hope he's okay," Ashamed that she had had such an outburst earlier; she looked down at her feet as she spoke to him.

"Don't worry about it sweet cakes," Casey assured her as he got himself a beer from the fridge.

"Raph's fine. He's probably suffering from a bruised pride right now. Nothing serious," Leo told her. Casey offered them a beer to which they declined. Leo then stood up and announced that he was going home now that Casey was here.

"Oh, by the way, Brianna's going to be staying with you and April for awhile. April already knows," He said as he climbed out of the window and onto the streets.

"Yea, sure thing," Casey said as he finished the can of beer off.

In a matter of minutes, Leo was back at home. Raph was the only one missing. Not that, that it was a surprise. He often went out for hours at a time. Especially if he had been embarrassed or had gotten in a fight with Leo. Leo related the recent events with Brianna to the rest of the family, to which Don mumbled, "It can't be true, can it?" He tilted his head and rested it on his finger, as if in deep thought.

"Hey Donnie, watcha thinking?" Mikey said as he looked at his older brother in a curios way.

"Well, I heard this rumor awhile back. But I had hoped that it wasn't true,"

"What was the rumor?" Leo asked.

"It was about how the government is secretly funding military operations to experiment on people. Supposedly, they're trying to create the perfect killing machine. Or well person, I guess would be that right term here,"

"So you think that Brianna's one of these people they're using?" Mikey asked.

"Well, if what she says is true then yea," Donnie replied.

"Then you must help her," Splinter said as he appeared at the doorway. He had apparently been listening in on their conversation and had chosen now to make his presence known.

"Of course we will help her," Leo respectfully said.

"Help her! LEO, she tried to KILL us!" Raph shouted as he caught the last part of their conversation. The three turtles all turned to see their brother standing there, who had just returned, with his arms folded against himself, eyes glaring at Leo.

"Chill out dude. You don't know the whole story," Mikey said, hoping to calm his brother's nerves.

"Then why doesn't someone fill me in?" Raph responded. Donnie very quickly explained to Raph what they had found out.

"Ok, but how do we know that they let her go on purpose to test her gifts?" Raph asked.

"We don't," Donnie agreed.

"But it doesn't mean that she knows that that's what may have happened. She needs our help so that is what we must do," Leo stated.

"The first thing she'd need is a safe place to hide for awhile. Leo already saw to that, so now what?" Donnie asked.

"Well, we could make sure that they don't try to experiment on her anymore. And that they don't try to take up this project with someone else," Leo thoughtfully said.

"So what you're saying is that we take them out?" Donnie asked. Had he heard right? Leo was the one who would stay and wait, instead of going out and attacking on an impulse. That's what Raph normally did.

"If that's what it takes to shut their project down, then yes," One could almost see the smile creeping on Raph's face.

"It's decided then. Tomorrow morning you will get started on ending their project. For now you will go to bed and get some rest," Splinter said as he made them all retire to their rooms. If they were going to end the government's secret project, they would need to be on full alert. It was after all extremely late and they had all had a very long night.