Chapter Five

Leonardo and Raphael stood together quietly as the surveyed the city streets below them from a twenty-story roof ledge. It was three in the morning, and yet the city was still as busy as it was during the day. Cars and taxis honked their horns at each other, and the sidewalks were lined with people, except at this time of the day, the people were the lowlifes of the city: the drug addicts, the prostitutes, the thieves. They were living their lives like their more civilized daytime counterparts. But after living in New York for so long, the Turtles had begun to see that the line between the two had blurred. One had become like the other.

Leonardo stretched his arms far above his head, and Raphael's silence was broken by the sound of Leonardo's cracking bones.

"Damn, Leo," Raphael looked over at his brother and laughed. " Are ya gettin old or what?"

Leonardo rubbed his upper arm and laughed along with Raphael. " I guess so. Man, that hurt."

Raphael looked back across the tops of the buildings, feeling the anticipation of their monthly morning run creep up on him. He cracked his knuckles, then flexed out his fingers.

"Are ya ready?" He glanced back over at Leonardo, who was still in the process of stretching.

"Just about," Leonardo replied as he finished, then he reached around to place the hood of his black sweatshirt over his head. Raphael did the same.

"Okay," Leonardo pointed out over the rooftops. "Well go up four blocks, make a right, then go for another four, and then go straight towards the park." He looked over at Raphael. "Can you handle that or is it too much for you?"

Raphael shook his head. "Might be too much for an old timer like you!" He then jumped across the street to the next rooftop and took off at top speed.

"Hey! I didn't say 'GO'!" Leonardo yelled after him, then jumped across to the next roof.

Raphael laughed to himself, remembering how in the past he would always get a jump start on his brother, which would always make Leonardo mad. He jumped across to another building, then turned sharply. He closed his eyes for a second, savoring the feeling of the chilly morning air against his face. Nothing made him feel more alive than running free like this, and he wished it would happen every day, not just one day out of every month, like it had been in his younger days. Raphael often longed for the old days when he could run across the rooftops forever, but he knew things had changed, and that old life was behind him. But he had never taken that freedom for granted, and he made sure he enjoyed every minute of it.

Raphael snapped out of his thoughts when he heard footsteps behind him, and he knew instantly Leonardo had caught up with him. He gritted his teeth and pushed himself harder, but the effort was lost when he looked over and saw Leonardo pass by him, running so fast he seemed to be flying across the rooftops. Raphael cursed himself as he felt his old enemy jealously creep up on him. Leonardo was the only one of the four of them that still trained every day, and with him now teaching what they had learn to others, Leonardo was in the best shape of his life. Raphael did manage to get in some weight lifting every day, but his laziness had focused on his mid-section and made his abs turned into mush. Raphael knew there was no one to blame but himself and he continued to push on.

When Raphael finally arrived in Central Park, Leonardo was waiting for him at the duck pond. He made a face as he watched Leonardo reach into the front pocket of his hoodie and pull out a half loaf of bread, then ripped it up for the many ducks and geese that had gathered around him. Raphael was still in the process of catching his breath when he walked up behind Leonardo.

"You brought bread with you this time?" Raphael laughed as he sat down on a nearby rock, kicking at the ducks that stood in his way.

"Yeah," Leonardo finished and wiped the bread crumbs off his hands. "I felt bad that I didn't last time."

Raphael made another face. "You felt bad? They're ducks, Leo. I don't think they really care."

Leonardo shrugged and sat down on another rock directly across from Raphael. "They appreciate it, and they thank me for it."

Raphael grabbed his stomach as he erupted into fits of laughter. "They thank you? That is the weirdest thing I have ever heard you say!"

Leonardo stared at Raphael blankly. "All living things have feelings, Raph."

Raphael slowed down his laughter, then wiped at the tear that hung under his eye. "If you say so."

Leonardo smiled and shook his head, turning towards the water and watching as the breeze made the water ripple. "So, today's the big day. Are you excited?"

"Excited does not begin to describe it, Leo," Raphael shoved his hands into the front pocket of his hoodie. "Do you know how long I've wanted to see Metallica?"

" Eleven years." Leonardo said without thinking.

Raphael felt shocked. " I guess you do know. But I don't know if Vanessa is going with me. Chad was giving her shit about it."

Leonardo felt Raphael's body tense up and could see his fists ball up inside his pocket.

"Man, I wanna get that guy so bad." Raphael growled between his clenched teeth. " I don't even know what she sees in him. It makes me go insane."

A worried look came over Leonardo's face. "Calm down, Raph."

Raphael looked over at his brother, then relaxed a little. "Sorry. I just- god- I don't know."

Leonardo smiled. "You are so head over heals for her. It's cute."

"Cute?" Raphael stuck out his tongue and made a gagging noise. " Don't even say that!"

Leonardo laughed at him, and Raphael quickly changing the subject.

"What about you? What's going on with that Christina chick?"

Leonardo blushed a little and turned his eyes back to the water. " Not much. We are going out again tonight."

Raphael shook his head and followed Leonardo's line of sight towards the water. " I can't believe you've been seeing her for three weeks."

Leonardo made a confused face and looked back at Raphael. "Why is that so unbelievable?"

"You guys have nothin in common." Raphael grabbed a rock and flung it across the top of the water. " She's too prissy and whiney. I don't how you put up with it."

"She's not like that," Leonardo picked up a rock, throwing his out farther than Raphael's.

" You have to get to know her. She's actually a really fun person."

Raphael narrowed his eyes at Leonardo's rock, then threw another, which fell short of his brother's. " Well, from where I was standing that day she came over to the house, she seemed whiney to me. And she wears too much makeup. Unless you like dating a clown, then it's okay."

Leonardo laughed and shook his head, throwing another rock over the water, which beat the distance of the first one. Raphael growled and sat back down, giving up on his competition.

"Seriously, Leo. Do you see this as a long time thing or what?"

Leonardo looked down at the ground under his tennis shoes. "I don't know. I just wanted to have a little fun and hang out with someone. I'm not serious about her, if that's what you mean."

Raphael nodded. "Yeah it was what I meant, and I'm glad you said that it wasn't serious."

Leonardo looked back up, wrinkling his forehead. "Why do you say that?"

"Can you really see her bein my sister-in-law? I'd have to duct tape her mouth shut, then bury her in a hole in the ground."

Laughter bursted from Leonardo as he stood. " It could be worse. We could set her up with Mikey. Imagine how their kids would turn out."

Raphael cringed. "That's a frighten thought, Leo. Don't tell me stuff like that!"

Leonardo laughed harder. "Come, on. Let's get going. I'll race you to the subway."

"You're on!" Raphael jumped to his feet and they took off, just as the sun started to rise behind them.

Later that morning, Donatello pulled his black Toyota Tacoma into the University's parking garage and shut off the engine. He glanced at his watch, noting that he still had an hour until his first class started. He jumped out of the truck, locking it with the key switch as he walked to the elevator, and began to run his class curriculum over again in his head. He approached the elevator, and pushed the button that read down. When the doors opened, he turned his head around, looking to see if anyone else was on the level with him. Donatello smiled as he stepped back from the doors and headed for the open space between the levels of the garage. He glanced down, searching the alley below him for any sign of life, and was very pleased to find it emptied. He tossed his briefcase down into a pile of garbage bags, took one last look around, then flung himself over the edge. He landed perfectly on his feet, catching his balance with his arms. Donatello smiled to himself as he stood. He looked back up at the level he jumped from, then opened his briefcase, taking out a small black notebook.

"April 29th," Donatello said as he wrote in the notebook. "Six stories. Landed on my feet this time." To which he added a little smiley face, then he shook his head.

"I am so out of shape it's not even funny."

He closed the notebook and flung it back into his briefcase. After straightening his tie and jacket, he walked out of the alley and crossed the street.

"Oh, crap!" Donatello smacked his forehead and looked back up at the level he parked on. "I forgot my coffee." He then remembered there was a coffee shop a couple blocks away.

"And since I forgot my Spiderman costume, I'll just go buy some more."

He made the short walk over to 12th, and stood in front of the building, reading the sign that hung above the sidewalk.

"Books and Brew?" Donatello said making a face. " Sounds like a hangout for witches."

He shrugged his shoulders then entered the door, hearing bells chime as he entered, which reminded him of Leonardo's dojo. Donatello looked around the inside of the store, absorbing the feeling of relaxation that was in the air. A section of the store included a few small tables and a large burnt orange colored couch. In the back was the book section, filled with all of the new releases and the old classics. He then noticed more than 90 percent of the patrons in the store were dressed in Goth attire, and suddenly felt very out of place in his navy suit.

Donatello cleared his throat and pulled at the knot in his necktie as he approached the counter, trying to block the many eyes that stared at him. The girl at the counter was also dressed Gothic, but it was more subtle than the others, and her blackened eyes were glued to the Anne Rice novel she had propped up in front of her. She turned the ends of her light brown hair around her right index finger as she read. Donatello stood at the counter for a couple of minutes before talking.

"Uh, excuse me?"

The girl looked up, then quickly shoved the book under the counter. Donatello noticed the girl didn't even bother marking her place.

"Sorry sir." The girl smiled as she ran her hands over her apron, getting out the wrinkles. "What can I do for you?"

Donatello looked at the chalk board menu above her head, not really knowing any of the weird drinks they served.

"Well, uh," He peered down at her name tag. "Angelina."

"Angie." The girl quickly corrected him.

"Okay, Angie," Donatello laughed slightly. "I'm not really sure what I want." He looked back over the menu. "Don't you have just plain, black coffee?"

A hush fell over the entire store, causing Donatello to turn around, seeing many eyeballs looking at him once again. He nervously smiled then turned back around.

"We don't say that around here," Angie whispered to Donatello as she covered her mouth with her hand. She nodded towards the people. "This is like one of those new trendy places and just plain coffee is like a bad word."

Donatello was a loss for words. "Okay, um. Well, what do you suggest?"

"Actually I don't drink this stuff here." Angie lean forward and whispered again. "Too much caffeine is bad for you."

Donatello felt his body sink down. "I'll just take a blueberry bagel then." He sharply turned around to see if anyone was going to object, but found no one had paid attention this time. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "Well, at least I can still get away eating something in here."

Angie laughed as she rang up his total on the register while Donatello handed her the money, but soon found out the door on the register was stuck.

"Not again!" Angie growled as she banged on it with her fist. "Hang on. Linda! Come here!"

"What?" a voice rang out from the back room behind the register.

"The damn register is stuck again." Angie looked back at Donatello and smiled. "Sorry about this. It happens quite often."

Donatello waved his hand. "It's okay. I have time." Then Angie's words bounced back through his subconscious. "Hey, did you just say-"

Donatello's unfinished question was answered when a familiar face appeared around the corner. His mouth dropped as Linda walked towards Angie, not looking up as she did.

"I thought Randy fixed this," Angie place her hand on the counter and leaned on it. Linda smacked the side of the register a few times, then banged on it with her fist.

"Well, apparently Randy is a liar." Linda gave up and shrugged her shoulders. "I'll call him. He's probably in another drunken stupor."

"Here, take care of this guy." Angie said pointing at Donatello. "I'll go call him." As Angie disappeared into the back, Linda turned towards Donatello, her eyes still fixed on the register as she talked to him.

"I'm really sorry about this."

Donatello laughed a little, then reached back into his pocket. "It's okay. I have the correct change." He folded the money into his right palm then shoved it towards Linda. Linda placed her hand out to take the money, looking just in time to see a three fingered green hand. She froze in place as her eyes traveled up the arm and met with a familiar pair of hazel eyes, which she almost couldn't place without the purple mask she was used to seeing.

"So, is it like this every day?" Donatello said, showing Linda a friendly smile.

"Oh God! Donatello!" Linda jumped right over the counter and embraced him in a giant bear hug, not caring about the people who were now watching them.

"It's great to see you, Linda." Donatello said after they pulled away. "Hey, you cut your hair!"

Linda ran her fingers across the bottom of her hair, which was now shoulder length.

"Yeah."

"When did you get back? How come you never told us?"

Linda laughed as Donatello's questions flew at her. "Six months ago and, well, I don't know why."

"Okay, Randy is coming to fix it," Angie said as she returned to the counter, realizing Linda was now on the opposite side. "What's going on? Is it break already?"

"No," Linda laughed. " Your customer is actually an old friend of mine."

Donatello noticed Angie's eyes widen as she glanced back and forth between them. " That's not him, is it?" Which Donatello knew she meant Leonardo.

Linda shook her head violently. "No! This is Donatello." She looked back at Donatello. "And you've met Angie."

Donatello nodded. "Yes, we've grown close this morning." Angie laughed loudly, flashing her white teeth in a big smile. Donatello looked at her a bit longer. "Haven't I seen you somewhere before?"

Linda answered Donatello's question. " She goes to the University."

"Really?" Donatello moved towards a table in the back as Linda and Angie followed. " What's your major?"

"Anthropology."

"That's impressive," Donatello nodded, feeling a bit shocked by her answer.

"Why do you say that?" Angie became defensive.

"I've only seen all the really pretty students going into Drama and Theater." Donatello then realized what had come out of his mouth as he watched Angie blush.

"Well aren't you straightforward?" Angie giggled.

"Well," Donatello tried to defend himself. "I just meant that you don't usually see smart and pretty in the same package."

"Donatello," Linda shook her head. "You're going deeper into that hole you've dug."

Donatello sighed, then laughed at himself. "You're right. I've become a blubbering idiot."

Angie smiled again, feeling the flush in her cheeks. "Well, I need to get back to my novel, I mean, back to work." Donatello and Linda laughed with her as she turned around and went back to the counter.

After a moment, Linda spoke up. "She's single."

"What are you implying?" Donatello picked at his bagel. Linda shrugged her shoulders and smiled. Donatello shook his head. "Anyway, even if I wanted to, there are rules against teachers and students doing that sort of thing."

Linda gave him a look that reminded him of Raphael. "Don't give me that."

"I'm serious!" Donatello raised his hands, then changed the conversation back to Linda. "Anyway, what have you been doing since you came back?"

"This," Linda pointed her finger and traced it around the room. "Exciting, huh?"

Donatello looked around the store again, noticing that no one even had a smile on their face. "Too exciting if you ask me." He looked back at Linda, seeing a change in her expression. He knew what she wanted to know, but waited until Linda spoke to him first.

"How is-"

"He's doing good." Donatello interrupted her. " Did Splinter tell you he bought a place in Queens and opened a dojo?"

Linda's face lit up. " Really?"

"Yeah, he teaches. Mainly kids. The kids love him."

Linda leaned back into the chair, feeling tears in her eyes, but she didn't want to start crying. "Is he- seeing anyone?"

Donatello froze, not wanting to answer the question. His long pause confirmed the truth to Linda.

"I'm sorry, Linda."

"It's okay," She waved her hands. " It was my fault. I asked." Linda wiped at her eyes, wanting to ask so much more but feeling guilty for putting so much pressure on Donatello. Before she could say another word, Donatello glanced at his watch and stood up.

"I have to get going. My class starts in ten minutes." He smiled and grabbed Linda into another hug. "It was so good to see you again."

Linda returned the embrace. "It was good to see you too. Stop by anytime."

Donatello reached for the door, then looked back at Angie, who flashed her brown eyes and a smile at him. "I just might do that."

Linda said goodbye as Donatello exited the store, and she watched as he ran across the street. After Donatello disappeared from view, Linda walked back to the counter, and flopped down on a chair in the back room, and finally released the tears she had been holding onto for so long.