Disclaimer: I don't own the turtles, I just play with them.
Before the fic Author's Notes: Annnnnd, here is where the past starts to get weird. Sort of. I guess it's already pretty weird. But now it's starting to get creepy. Doctors are creepy. They're right up there with clowns. A clown dressed as a doctor is about the most terrifying thing I can think of.
This chapter is dedicated to my cousin. After reading this, you can't possibly deny the attraction of mutant turtles. Mmmmmmmm……
FunFact:Austin's middle name is Clover. …Yes, Clover. Blame her mother. I do.
Misadventures of the Mentally Unstable
Chapter 8
Italics are Austin's thoughts or flashback
Where was she? She didn't remember. Everything had been so dark… so cold and so dark… She opened her eyes, and the light was blinding. With a groan, Austin shut her eyes and turned her head away from the light. Something was wrong. She couldn't feel her legs or her arms. No… no wait. She could feel them. But she couldn't move them… something was holding her down to whatever she was laying on. Straps of some kind? She didn't know.
"Now gentlemen, here is an interesting subject."
Austin heard the voice, but didn't comprehend the words. Everything was still so fuzzy.
"Nine-year-old Caucasian female. Original reports from Dr. Collins indicate that the child was experiencing hallucinations of her deceased brother. She witnessed his murder two years ago and claims to be regularly visited by his ghost. Normally Collins would have dismissed this as classic schizophrenia, but this ghost revealed information to the girl that she had no way of knowing. Events, conversations, words on documents she couldn't see. She could describe objects hidden from view."
Dr. Adair continued. "Now, I've seen no evidence of supernatural visitation in the few days she's been here. She talks to someone, that much is clear, but we've monitored the room with all the usual equipment. There's no temperature or atmospheric changes to imply a ghost. You remember the Gage boy? His little ghostly friend was sending the radars off the chart. But we don't get anything with the girl. No, I think that much is in her head. But the psychic powers are undeniable."
"What have you learned from her so far?" Another voice finally broke Adair's monologue.
"Not much. I've only done a couple preliminary exams. There's nothing wrong with her physically. I thought you might like personally oversee her first few sessions while you're here. After all, we wouldn't be able to run this institute without your generous funding."
Austin was starting to recognize words now. Her eyes had adjusted to the light and she could make out three men standing off to her left. Everything was still blurry, but she was sure the first one to speak had been Dr. Adair. He had to be in the room.
She still felt cold… She whimpered and tugged at the straps holding her down, but it did no good. What kind of monster was Dr. Adair? Why would he do this to her? And why weren't these other men trying to help her? She didn't understand anything. And where was Devon? Had they done something to him? Was it even possible that they could? She didn't know…
"Ah, I see our girl is waking up. Shall we begin, gentlemen?"
"God, finally! What the hell took you so long?"
I flinched at the voice. I'd been expecting it, but it was still a little disturbing considering where I was at the moment. "Uh… hey Devon." I whispered softly, just in case one of the turtles was outside the door.
"Don't 'hey' me. You were avoiding me. What's wrong Austin? Dead brother isn't good enough for you anymore?" Lord, he was in a pissy mood. I didn't need this right now.
"I'm sorry." I hissed. "But they're nice. I'm having fun here."
"They're giant turtles, Austin. Let's just get out of here and go back home where everything's normal."
I decided against pointing out that my life hadn't been normal since I was five. "You seemed to think they were cool earlier."
"Yah, well, that was before…" Before I started to get to know them. Yes, I knew how Devon's mind worked.
"God, Devon, don't be such a child. You can talk my ear off all night long once they take me home. But for now, just… lay off, ok?"
Devon crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me. I could tell he was close to giving in. For now. He'd really chew me out once we were alone, though. No matter how pissed he was at me, he didn't like to take the chance of being found out.
"I promise Devon. We can discuss this as much as you want later. But for now just calm down. Please? There's nothing for you to be upset about."
He ground his teeth together. I'd swear I could hear the grating of enamel. "Fine," he said in a low tone. "But I'll be keeping an eye on you. I don't trust these guys."
That wasn't true, and he knew that I knew it. He just didn't want to share me. I rolled my eyes at him and sighed. "Whatever turns you on. Just please, do it from a different room." He narrowed his eyes at me. "For god's sake Devon, I'm trying to pee! A little privacy?"
It was as if he hadn't noticed I was sitting on the toilet until just then. "Oh." At least he had the decency to look slightly embarrassed. "Oh, sorry." He started to vanish, but then shimmered back into view. "By the way…" he pointed at my chest. "Did you know you're not wearing a bra?" I growled and threw a roll of toilet paper at him. It flew through him and bounced harmlessly off the wall. Devon disappeared in a fit of laughter.
It had started out so simply. Just something to pass the time until nightfall. But what started out so innocently, so lightheartedly, was now turning into something deeply personal. Honor was at stake. I forced myself to stay calm… cool… collected. Now was not the time to panic. I looked deep into Raphael's eyes. What was he thinking? Did he already know what was going to happen? Could he read me so well? Or was that smug look on his face just for show. Was he just as nervous as I? I let out a slow breath and leaned back in the chair, forcing my body to relax. I had to make a decision. Everything was riding on what I said next.
Everything… I clenched my jaw and took a deep breath. Perhaps it was better to be shamed and keep what little integrity I still had, rather than throw it all away on a foolish chance. "I fold, you bastard!" Disgusted, I threw my pair of Kings on the table. Raph had already put Don and Mike out of the game long ago, and they were forced to watch as my supply of pennies grew smaller and smaller.
Grinning, Raphael leaned forward and added the small pot to his own already large heap of pennies. "Just isn't your lucky day, is it?"
"Let me see your cards!" I pushed myself up a little and leaned over the table, but he slapped my hand away. I slapped him back and stole the cards. Well... I couldn't really call it stealing. If he hadn't wanted me to take them, I knew he could have stopped me. I'd seen how fast his reflexes were.
"You ass! You had nothing!" I glared at him. He only laughed.
"Don't feel bad, Austin. You lasted a lot longer than us." Don pointed out with a slightly optimistic tone.
"Hey, if we're comparin' staying power…" Raph broke in, an arrogant look on his face.
"You perv." I gathered up the cards and straightened them all into a deck.
"You know you want me."
"You couldn't handle me."
"Is that a challenge?"
"You wish."
"One more hand?"
"Bring it on, asshole."
Last draw. I had a Full House. I wasn't going to lose this one. Raph and his goddamned poker face though… no… he wouldn't beat me. I was going to win.
"Geez, I thought I taught you to play poker better than that. You hardly have any money left!" I flinched at the voice, but didn't acknowledge it. Devon was taking one hell of a chance talking to me now.
"That bad, huh?" Raph called me on the movement. "You can still fold. Bow out with a little grace."
"Like hell." I looked up at him and smiled sweetly. "Your bid."
Raphael smoothly set his cards facedown on the table. He held me with his eyes for a moment and tapped the table with one finger. I could just make out the pale form of Devon floating around behind him. He looked more misty than normal… not quite as solid. He must be being careful… not coming all the way 'into Reality' as he liked to call it. Raph, Don, and Mike took no notice of him whatsoever. He didn't exist to them.
"All of it." Raph leaned over, pushing his entire stack of pennies into the center of the table.
I rolled my eyes at him. "I don't even HAVE that much." I gestured to the thirty or so pennies I had left.
"Guess you'll have to offer somethin' else won't you?"
I stared blankly at him for a second then groaned silently to myself. Oh god, I KNEW that story was going to come back and bite me in the ass. It had been a year ago. I went out with some co-workers, got into the party mode… and then we'd all gone back to the dayshift manager's boyfriend's house and played poker. When myself and another girl had run out of money…. Well… suffice to say I'd wound up naked by the end of the night. And like a dumbass, I'd told that story to Raph early this morning on the couch. It seemed funny at the time.
Now, his eyes raked over me and I sat up a little taller in my chair, defiantly. "And what, exactly, do you have in mind?" But I already knew the answer.
"Hmm… the pants." Don and Mike were looking at us, slightly confused, but I could see comprehension starting to dawn on their faces.
"No way, Raph. That's going too far." Donatello stood up from the table.
"Do it, Austin!" Devon called. "He can't beat you. You have the better hand. Nothing to lose." Of course, he'd already been looking at the cards! I had to love that sneaky little ghost. I weighed my options. I could just refuse, and end the game, and the fun. Or I could agree, and laugh in Raph's face when I beat him. Oh yah, that was a hard decision.
"I'm in."
"You're what? Austin, c'mon. You don't have to put up with this."
"It's ok, Don. He's not going to beat me." Now it was my turn to be smug.
"Oooh, you sure about that?" Came the mocking voice across from me.
"If I lose this hand, I'll let you take them off."
"Ooooh, nice touch, Munchie. I gotta leave now, tell me how it goes later, k?" The wispy form vanished, but I didn't even look in his direction.
Raphael blew out a low whistle. "Confident, aren't you?"
"You have no idea..."
"I'm gonna have so much fun…"
"You're all talk, you know that?"
"Am I?" He grinned and turned his cards over with a swift motion. "This royal flush says differently."
I stared at the cards. Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10. All in a pretty little row. Spades, no less. They put my Full House to shame. He'd lied to me. Devon had lied. That little shit had LIED to me, then vanished! I was gonna kill him. No matter that he was already dead, I'd find a way. I wanted to yell and scream and curse, and call him every dirty name under the sun. But all I could do was stare at Raph's cards. That little shit lied. He was probably watching right now. From 'outside Reality'. Probably laughing his little head off at my expense.
"Weeeell?" Raphael drew the word out, low and soft. He knew he'd won, but he wanted to hear me say it. He was enjoying this way too much. I tore my eyes from the cards and looked up to the turtle sitting across for me.
"You win." I said through clenched teeth. I laid my cards down on the table, slowly standing up.
"Austin…" Don said softly. "Forget it. You don't have to do anything. We'll just call it off and pack up the game."
"Yah… what he said." Mikey joined in mechanically. Though I noticed that neither of them made a move to leave… or even get up.
Raph said nothing. He was sitting back in his chair again, his hands resting lightly on the table. He'd let me walk away. I could see it in his face. All I had to do was say the word, and he'd let it drop. He might give me a hard time, but he wouldn't push me. I respected him for that. Unfortunately… I knew I'd hate myself if I backed down. I hadn't survived mad scientists, blazing fires, psychotic roommates, and high school, only to turn coward now. I may not be much of a people person, but I damn well keep my word when I give it to someone. …which is why I don't give it very often.
I could feel the anticipation in the room. Despite his earlier complaints, Donatello was watching my every move. Mike's mouth was hanging slightly open as if he was having trouble believing what was happening. I really couldn't blame them. They were teenage guys who, by the sound and look of things, didn't see many women down here. I wasn't that nervous about nudity. I'm not ashamed of my body. It's rather nice, in my opinion. I like to tell people that I have a nice layer of padding. What guy would want a girl in bed who was all skinny and boney anyway? Curves are good. No, what bothered me was that I looked like an idiot now. I'd been so damned confident, and now I was paying for it. I'd probably have danced around naked for them if they'd asked, but this was a result of my own stupidity. It was humiliating.
But I sure as hell wasn't backing down now.
With a smooth confidence that I didn't even know I possessed, I moved around the table, stopping just in front Raphael. He stood, slow and assertive. He placed a finger just on the outside of my knee, and slowly traced the seam of my jeans as he rose. The feather light touch sent a shiver through me and I realized how absurd this situation was. I was standing in the kitchen of the underground home of four mutant turtles… and in a few moments, one of them was going to strip my pants off me, because I'd lost a freakin' poker hand. Fate sure was throwing me an interesting curve.
And god, he was taking his time. His eyes had never left mine and I wondered what was going through his head as he touched me. Raph was standing fully now, his hand coming to rest on my hip underneath the hem of my shirt. I stood just a few inches taller than he, but I felt like a child beneath his gaze. He was intimidating me, and he knew it. He stepped closer, and I wondered if he knew the degree to which he was affecting me. His thumb brushed just barely on the skin right above the hip-hugger lines of the jeans and I tensed. This wasn't right. Oh god, this couldn't be right. I was actually getting aroused. Why couldn't he just unhook them quickly and be done with it like a normal person? I squirmed a little and could see the grin on his face grow wider. I closed my eyes and breathed in deep, trying to steady myself. If I didn't look at him it would be ok, I tried to tell myself. But that thought died as his hand moved again. With the loss of sight, my other senses went into overdrive.
I could feel the rough calluses on his finger as it drug over my sensitive skin. Along my hip…down across my stomach… I was breathing deeper than normal and I prayed to god he didn't notice. The blood was pumping through my veins and it seemed every sound in the kitchen was amplified tenfold. Without warning he slipped a finger inside my jeans, just behind the button and jerked me forward. I let out a gasp as I was pulled off balance and raised my hands to catch myself. Raph knew what he was doing. My eyes flew open and I grabbed his arms just above the elbows to steady myself. Our bodies were only inches apart. My heart was pounding and I knew he could sense it. The smile on his face melted away into something more serious, and with a flick of his wrist the button on my jeans popped open. In that split second, he could have done anything to me, and I would have accepted it willingly. I'd always had a thing for bad boys…
But the moment was broken with a sound from just outside the kitchen and we both seemed to snap to our senses. I pulled away from him, cursing myself silently, wondering if he was doing the same and yet knowing he probably wasn't. And then, Leo walked in. He started to say something, but stopped. The tension in the air was thick and he knew something was going on.
"Am I… interrupting something?" He asked suspiciously.
"Uh... no. Not at all." Don got to his feet quickly and gave Leo a shaky smile.
"Nope!" Mike stood hastily, knocking over his chair. He spun around, tried to pick it up, dropped it, and then finally managed to get it up in its rightful place looking for all the world like he'd meant to do that. "Just a friendly game of poker!"
I nervously tugged my shirt down, hoping Leo wouldn't notice the button on my pants and ask about it. Not that he would; he doesn't strike me as the type to pry like that. But you never know. He looked between the four of us like we were guilty children that needed to be punished only he wasn't sure what the crime was yet.
"Okay…" Leo seemed like he wanted to say something further on the subject, but decided to let it drop. "It's getting dark out." He turned to me. "It's probably time to get you home, Austin."
I nodded, stealing a glance at Raph. He looked slightly annoyed. I suppose I couldn't blame him. Things had gotten a little hot just then, and if Leo hadn't shown up…
Well, I didn't want to think about that. I must have hit my head harder than I thought if I was finding myself forming an attraction to a turtle. My heart was still beating fast and I needed to calm down. Maybe Devon was right. I needed to get back where things were normal. Back to where I went home with cute guys that were… well… human.
"I'm ready to go." And as I stole another look at Raphael, I had to silence the small voice at the back of my head that was trying to convince me I didn't really want to go home at all.
After the fic Author's Note: I'm not sure if I'll regret this chapter in a few days or not. It seemed like such a great idea when I was writing it, but I hope to god it doesn't come back and bite me in the ass at some point in the future. This is what happens when I write chapters while I'm all hot and bothered.
Notes to my Reviewers:
The REAL Cheese Monkey: Again, thanks for the reviews! As for the Tupperware… well… It happened many years ago. I was drying out a large orange Tupperware bowl. And to this day, I'm not quite sure how I managed to do it, but somehow I flipped it up and it hit me right in the middle of the forehead. Which was embarrassing enough by itself, but it left a bruise for a couple days. It almost broke the skin. But thankfully I was spared that humiliation. There was a witness unfortunately. And she LOVES to tell people the story.
Mickis: From here on out the doctors only get creepier. And in this chapter… well.. we get to see a bit more of Austin's pervy side. And Raph's. And the two of them being pervy together… well… it adds up to a whole lot more than I'd bargained for when I started writing the chapter. It was never supposed to go that far between them… -scratches her head- I'm not sure how to deal with this new unplanned development.
Reluctant Dragon: Glad you enjoyed the last chapter! I've heard of that Anita Blake series referenced somewhere, but hadn't heard whether it was any good or not. I'll have to give it a try! Thanks!
fireandsun: As long as one perverted mind has been awakened with my writing, then my job here is done. Hehehe. Thanks for the review, and I hope you enjoyed this last chapter in all its perverted glory.