A.N - Another round of spot the homage folks ...

Chapter5 - Points of Authority

Carrying her into April's house was harder than anticipated. All attempts at conversation with her on the street had resulted in a mixture of groans and inaudible, foreign words. April took responsibility for undressing the girl, carefully cutting away her thick black wool top to reveal an array of ugly marks in clear need of attention. "Alright guys." Satisfied that she was presentable April invited Donny into the room.

Whilst waiting for the all clear from Donny the three brothers sat outside the door, carefully wrapping their own injuries.

"What are you going to do with her Raph?"

Mikey looked up from where he sat on the floor, his eyes darted from where his eldest brother sat at the top of the stairs to Raph who leant against the wall wrapping his ankle in another roll of bandage. Watching Raph look up to stare at his other brother Mikey winced, it was no fun tuning into one of their fights anymore,there was way too much stuff that was going unsaid.

"Dunno, turn her in I guess."

"Oh."

Raph's head shot up, "Oh? Sumthin' yo'want t'be tellin' me?"

"No. I was just wondering what would happen to her." Ignoring the odd looks he got he continued, "I mean that was a lot of muscle for one thief. And an awful lot of damage too. What if they come back?"

"We'll run 'em off again."

"And what if we are too late? April could be in a lot of danger if she stays here."

Raph paused, his eyes narrowing, "Yo'takin' over again Leo?"

"I said I'd tell you when I was ready." Leo hissed quietly, his own eyes narrowing to match Raph's.

"Then whaddyo gettin' at?"

Leonardo paused, biting on his lip he took thetime to assess his brother for any signs of an impending explosion. Seeing nothing he pressed on, "I don't think it would be fair on April to leave her here. If they come back, and we don't get here in tim-"

"Either I'm in charge or I'm not bro!" Raph snapped, cutting Leonardo off in his tracks.

Letting out a frustrated sigh he dropped his head onto his knees, taking the time to prepare himself Leo tried one last time to get through to his brother. "We leave her in police custody and the Foot come back they won't have any problems getting in and finishing the job at hand. If she stays here until she is stable enough to go to a police cell then April is in a lot of danger. In case you haven't noticed Raphael this is not the most secure place in the world. I am suggesting that until she is stable enough to be turned over to the appropriate authorities we take her back with us to the lair…"

"NOT A CHANCE IN HELL LEO!"

"Dudes …" Mikey's attempt to avert the inevitable came a little too late, his quiet call lost to volume of Raphael's shout.

Turning on his place on the stairs Leonardo's features hardened, "And what the Hell about April huh? I don't recall you asking anyone before turning up with her!"

"That was complet'ly differe-…"

"HOW?!"

"IT JUST WAS!"

Mikey stared helplessly on as the two attempted to out shout each other, maybe if he closed his eyes and focussed really hard he could pretend this wasn't happening. Hanging his head down low he listened for the next outburst, raising his eyes to see the two staring furiously at each other with looks set to kill. Licking his lips Leonardo broke the silence with an unnervingly soft whisper, one so quiet that it bordered on a hiss, "Tell me how …"

Unable to come with an answer Raph folded his arms and continued to glare. "Fine!" he finally snapped when Leo didn't shift his gaze, "But she goes straight t'the police as soon as Donny gives her the all clear."

"Agreed."

And with that a frosty, uneasy atmosphere descended on the landing. April opening the door to let the others in cut the palpable tension like a knife, and it was with much relief that Mikey bounced through to be followed by a limping Raph and a simmering Leo. Lying on the small sofa with a pillow supporting her head was Lotus; a myriad of ugly purple bruises littered her soft olive skin like pizza boxes covered the lair. Vicious kicks were evident upon her upper torso, and her beautiful dark hair the victim of seeping blood, a huge portion of it stuck to her scalp in an ugly matted plate. And yet despite the injuries Leonardo could see the beauty that lay beneath it all, her alert, chocolate brown eyes watched as much as possible, her slight frame covered in well toned muscles that gave her body a gentle, appealing curve. Donny had done his best to assess her, but without the equipment the lair afforded him he could still only guess the extent of abuse her internal organs had sustained. "Er …" he began quietly, "Not that the entire block didn't hear that, but …" Donny couldn't take it if Raph let rip on him like he had his brother. "… she is coming with us right?"

"Yup" Raph snapped.

"Right, good. Because I'd feel happier …"

"I said 'yes' Donny!" Raph interrupted, his foul mood evident, as was the bitter glare that he reserved for Leo.

Never mind, smiling at Lotus Donny gently collected up a small pinch of the pollen that stained the back of her top. "For the pain … "he explained carefully sprinkling some of it over the girl's face. Watching her relax Donny took a step back, at this moment in time his work was done. "Alright. Let's go home"

--

Stirring as Leonardo gently lay her down Lotus recoiled from the room she found herself in. This was not the brightly lit store, with its white lace in the windows or friendly female face. It was too dark, too cold. "Careful …" Her eyes flickered back to the turtle and she winced in pain, "Donny hasn't had a chance to check everything yet." Gritting her teeth Lotus whimpered.

She was at their mercy, and she hated it.

--

pacphys - Ahhh ... question time .... the crack between my mind and my writing. Footsoldiers first. Didn't sneak ... more surround and outnumber .... as for the honour comment with the foot, no she was just hopeful. Really holding out ... didn't quite work out though ...
Mikey - I'm kinda a fan of if I can imply I won't say it due to repeatition. Clearly it didn't work out though, Mikey went looking for Lotus up the street, Don went the other way, and Raph was sorta guarding the exit incase they missed her. Obviously you don't drag a semi-comatose brother all over the place either. So that is why they were all coming from different directions. As for why he isn't in the same state ... dammit there's a plot hole there ... according to my notes it is actually the roots, leaves and stem that contain the chemicals that make up the tranquilisers etc. Basically what she is throwing is the treated part of the plant mixed with the pollen of the flower, what Mikey smelt is the untreated, natural scent of thelotus. She didn't know how many people were present in the museum - so she ducked out and would have come back later ... when Raph blocked her she realised that it wasn't going to be a simple case of 'slash n dash' so she made a tactical retreat. If it had just been Raph she would have stood her ground, but with the others there there was a good chance she could have been outsmarted, or out manouvered. Especially as strong as Raph. Had she not had her ass kicked, she would have returned to the museum later, much in the same way she returned to April's store. I have answers, I should probably just work harder at putting them into the story ....

BubblyShell22 - I've seen an episode when I was at my sisters. Ahhh, Raph meeting Casey ... but she has Sky, which explains alot.

spootycup - Like I've said it is going to get worse before it gets better. And besides ... no, you can find out.

Thanks for the reviews guys!
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