Disclaimer: I don't own the turtles, I just play with them. The Celestial Café belongs to me, and any similarity between any real people or places is totally coincidental.

Before the fic Author's Notes: And here, we find out a bit more about Austin's time at the Institute, and why she isn't so shocked at finding mutant turtles in her city. I apologize for any grievous errors I might have made in this chapter. It's incredibly late and I've re-read and re-written this chapter so much I'm sick of it. :P

FunFact: Austin attended high school under the false name "Betty Krinkle" once she escaped from the Institute. Although, this isn't news to any of you who've read the Misadventures LJ. There was a meme posted there a couple days ago, filled out from Austin's point of view. Lots of interesting little tidbits in there that give some clues into what's going to happen in further chapters/sequels.

Misadventures of the Mentally Unstable

Chapter 9

Italics are Austin's thoughts or flashback

"Hey kid. Kid, you ok?" The young child lying naked on the bed groaned softly, but didn't move. "C'mon kid, I know you can hear me. Wake up."

The child started whimpering. Austin "hmmphed" and sat down on the bed next to him. "Hey kid, it's ok." She was getting tired of babysitting all these little brats. When Dr. Adair discovered Austin had a calming effect on younger patients, he'd started sticking them in her room after their sessions. Too bad the effects weren't reversed. She only got frustrated with the children. "You got a name, kid?" This one was new though. She'd never seen him before.

She sighed and placed a hand on his back, gently rubbing. That usually helped soothe them. Austin honestly didn't know why she bothered. After the next session the kid would probably be just as bad, if not worse. That was how it always went. She didn't hate being roomed with the kids. What she hated was having to watch them go through a personal hell. One that she was all too familiar with. These kids were still thinking it was just a nightmare they'd soon wake up from. That everything was ok, and things would get better, and someone would come rescue them. If the last four years had taught Austin anything, it was that help wasn't coming. They were alone. Alone and at the mercy of the mad doctors that ran this place. And once the kids discovered that for themselves, she wouldn't need to calm them. Most of the children accepted it and retreated into themselves, not talking to anyone. The few that clung on to dreams were the ones that Austin hated to watch. She didn't want to see the hope in their eyes every time someone walked down the hall. She didn't want to see how their hearts broke when it wasn't rescue, but a doctor, coming to perform another test.

But yet she never refused to take a child in her room. If there was anything she could do to help the transition from freedom to slavery any easier, she'd do whatever she could. Even if it caused her more heartache than she was willing to admit.

Thankfully, she had Devon still. Sometimes. There was too much supernatural activity here, he said. "They" were keeping close tabs on this place, and he had to be extremely careful when he came around. He tried to arrive during her sessions with Adair, but sometimes it wasn't possible. Those were the times that were the most painful for Austin. Not in some mental confusion type of painful. No, this was all out electro-shock, body on fire type painful.

Dr. Adair was a sick, sick man. That was what she'd come to realize. When the electrodes were being stuck on her naked body, and she was being held down by leather straps, it was hard to think of him as anything but that. Somehow, Adair got it in his head that electric shock would help bring out Austin's 'psychic side'. Which was bullshit because she knew she didn't HAVE one.

"All you have to do is tell us what's on the cards, Austin. Tell us what's written there. Tell us what the picture is. Just tell us what we want to know and the pain will stop." That was all well and good when Devon was there to give her the answers. But when he wasn't there… Usually she blacked out from pain and didn't wake up again until she was back in her room. Those sessions made Dr. Adair very very cranky.

But her sessions were coming further and further apart now. He was getting bored with her. She wasn't 'improving' or 'expanding' her abilities and it frustrated him. And that made her more frightened then the thought of the sessions themselves. She'd seen what happened to the kids when they became useless. Or rather, she'd heard rumors. The kids would be there one day, and then the next, their cells would be empty. Austin was one of the few kids who actually had family on the outside though, so that might have bought her some time. Unfortunately… she hadn't heard from her family in three years. There had been one letter in the first year… then nothing.

As long as she was there to help with the younger children though… she might still get out of this place alive. And if not, she was determined to go down fighting. Though she had no idea how she would accomplish that.

With a sigh, Austin thought back to some of the kids she'd seen go through the facility. There was one little girl who couldn't have been more than three years old. She'd been bald, with skin that was just a few shades too red to be normal. Four fingers on each hand that had ended in needle sharp claws. That was the first one with physical abnormalities and Austin thought she was dreaming when she met the toddler. But it soon became normal to see such things around Level B.


There was a boy covered in soft grey fur that had a cell just down the hall. During the few times they'd been allowed to talk, she'd asked him if he was a werewolf. "No," he'd said. "Just a freak radiation accident. You should see my sister. She looks like a lizard!"

And there was Jeremy across the hall. He looked relatively normal. Except for the naked thing. Austin could see into his cell now, courtesy of the glass front of their cells. Privacy was something she'd learned to live without. At least they had small walls around the toilet for a little modesty, but she showered, slept, ate, and lived under constant observation. Clothes weren't allowed to the Level B 'patients'.

Jeremy saw her looking over and he smiled and waved. He must have been at least sixteen, and had been here the longest of all of them. He cooperated with Adair only because it made his life easier but he hated the good doctor just as much as Austin. Over time, they'd learned to read each other's hand gestures and lip movements and were now fairly capable of having silent conversations through the glass. Either Adair hadn't noticed, or just didn't care. Or maybe he thought they were communicating mentally and wanted to observe. It wasn't like they could break out of there together just by talking. Jeremy was a Telepath, though. Which was different than a psychic, he'd told her. Telepaths are more like a separate race. They can speak with other Telepaths through their mind, but it was impossible to do so with a non-Telepath. Psychics were able to delve into the minds of any normal human.

Unfortunately, his powers weren't strong enough to reach anyone that could help. Adair had been searching for an older Telepath that could train Jeremy to use his powers further, but finding a Telepath that would allow himself to be imprisoned and cut off from the rest of his race was proving difficult. "No shit." Had been Austin's amused reply.

With another sigh she turned back to the whimpering child and tried her best to comfort him. If she ever got out of this place, she was going to kill Adair. It would be long, and painful, and he'd beg for his life before she was through with him, but his life would be hers, and she'd take so much pleasure in it.

The moment we stepped out of the kitchen, everything had seemed to return to normal. The door frame was like a magic portal that whisked all our troubles away. …Ok, so maybe I'm only fooling myself, but it did seem to lighten the tension when we left the kitchen. I'd taken a deep breath and told myself nothing had happened. A silly little game that got out of control, but nothing terrible. Years from now I'd look back on this and laugh. Hey Raph, remember that time you almost stripped me in the kitchen? Wasn't that a hoot? Haha! Good thing Leo didn't see anything! Can you imagine what he would have said? God, the look on his face would have been priceless though! Yah. Someday it would be funny to look back on. Right now it was still a little too fresh in my mind. But I knew what would solve that problem. I just wouldn't think about it. That was always a good solution to your problems. Don't think about them, and they'll go away. …Yah right.

Now though, I was sitting on the bed in the lab, and Donatello was hovering over me. He had insisted on taking one last look at my head before letting me go home. I couldn't complain though. I'd rather him look at it then have to go to a professional. He removed the bandages from my head gingerly and poked around at the cut.

"I had to put in a couple stitches, Austin. So be careful for the next few days, ok? It doesn't look infected yet, but make sure you keep an eye on it. Let me know right away if it starts to get worse."

I held up a little mirror and looked at the little black sutures. Oh god, I looked like hell. I hadn't realized how… bad I looked until that moment. The skin around the gash was red and puffy and there was dried blood around the stitches. It started just below my hairline and ended right above my left eyebrow, slanting outward toward the side of my head just slightly. And it would definitely leave a scar. Well, wasn't that just peachy?

"Thanks Don." I sighed and set the mirror down next to me on the bed.

"Hey, no problem. I feel bad you didn't get to meet April yet though. She had to leave town for a few days, but she'll be back by next weekend. You'll have to meet her then. She's great." He dabbed at the cut with some antibiotics and I hissed sharply as it stung. "Sorry." He taped a smaller bandage over the cut and straightened up. "All done. Like I said, just watch out for infection. You don't even want to know how many germs there are down here in the sewers."

"Uhg."

"Exactly." He moved towards the door and I got up to follow him, grabbing my shoes. Just before he turned out the light though, he paused and pointed to where I'd discarded my bloody torn clothes. "Do you want to grab those before we go?"

I hesitated. I didn't want to touch them. There was still blood all over them and the thought made me restless. "Would you…" I stopped, my voice unsure. I didn't know if there was a polite way to ask him to get rid of the clothes for me. Besides… it was almost a hundred dollars worth of clothes sitting there. Theoretically I could clean them or alter them somehow so the blood was gone… they didn't have to go to waste. But I didn't want to touch them.

The turtles, as I was coming to realize, were well in tune with the feelings of those around them. I don't know if this was part of their mutation, or their ninja training, or if by some random whim of fate they just happened to be four very intuitive straight guys living in the same home. I wasn't going to bet on the latter. But Don seemed to know what I was thinking because he placed a hand gently on my shoulder and said, "Hey, don't worry about. I'll take care of them for you."

I nodded gratefully and turned my eyes away from the pile of clothes. "Thanks." I moved out the door before him, carrying my dirty shoes. Those I wasn't going to leave. I need something to wear while walking through the sewers. I'd throw them away when I got home. Note to self, buy clean shoes tomorrow…

"Well, that's it. Home, sweet home." The alley was dark where we were standing, and I knew no one would be able to see us from out on the street. I pointed to the well-lit café across the street. Since I'd taken vacation all this next week, Honey would be closing the café for me, but not until midnight. The Celestial was in a well kept neighborhood, and we had a lot of late night customers that usually hung around until the doors were locked. Honey was the closest to what you could call a friend, and I knew she got frustrated with how standoffish I could be. But she was nice, and a great person to work with.

The café itself took up the bottom floor of the three story building. In a neighborhood of giant multi-leveled buildings, the little historic structure was practically dwarfed. But I'd fallen in love with it the moment I'd seen it, and had been living and working there happily for the last few months. Just inside the café was a beautiful wrought iron spiral staircase that led to a second level indoor balcony where customers could relax on couches and loveseats while listening to local pianists play the baby grand set up there. It was a fabulous little shop. And it had great insulation, so I hardly heard any noise from below when I was in my apartment.

I pointed to a gated alcove just to the left of the large glass windows of The Celestial. "That's the door to the stairs up to my apartment." I'd left both the gate and the door locked before I'd gone to the bar two nights ago. Reaching into my pocket for my keys, I smiled and turned to the guys. "You're more than welcome to come up. It's very secluded. There's only one window on the right side of the building, and it faces the wall of the next building over. No one would be able to see in unless they were kneeling on the fire escape."

"Oooh, can we, Leo? Please?" Mikey shifted excitedly from one foot to another. "Just for a little while?"

Leo frowned. I could tell he didn't particularly like the idea. Probably because of all how many people were around. There weren't really all that many, but enough that it was a risk.

"I can let you in the window." I added hopefully, but frowned almost immediately afterwards when I realized I'd overlooked a rather important fact. I didn't have my keys. "Shit…"

"What?" Asked Leo quickly, looking around as if assessing any dangers there might be nearby.

"I lost my keys!" I patted all my pockets again. There was no room for keys in the tight jeans. And they weren't in my pocket when I'd gotten undressed… "Did I have them when you found me?"

"Nope. Nothing in your pockets but ID." Raph offered not very helpfully.

When was the last time I'd seen them? I wracked my brain, trying to remember. Had I even taken them to the bar? There were only two keys on the key ring… one to the door of my apartment, and one to the street level door and gate of the building. I had to have had them to lock the gate… my purse. I'd put them in my purse. The one the punks had stolen.

"They took them! Those kids who jumped me!" I grunted in frustration. "Great? Now what am I gonna do? My only spare key is in the apartment." And why didn't I notice my keys were gone sooner? I guess I did have a lot on my mind… But you'd think any sane person would have noticed before now. So… I guess that explains why I didn't notice.

"Heh. Leave it to me." Pulling a sai from his belt and twirling it in a rather obvious attempt at showing off, Raph grinned and melted into the shadows. He was gone before I knew what was going on.

"Um… what?"

Donatello rolled his eyes. "He's going to break into your apartment. He gets a kick out of stuff like that."

"Oh… he better not break the window." I stated with mild annoyance. "It will come out of my paycheck if he does." I desperately tried to remember if I'd left anything out in the open that might be considered embarrassing. As long as he didn't go into the bedroom, I think I'd be fine…

"Don't worry, he'll be careful."

Michelangelo snorted. "Careful? Raph? Where have you been the last eighteen years, Donnie?" I chose to ignore that remark, and checked my pockets again, as if I thought the keys were going to magically appear.

Watching the people out on the street, I wondered how he was going to cross over. I hadn't seen him yet. But he was a ninja. I wasn't supposed to be able to see him move. "How long do you think it will take him?" I finally asked, looking across the street to where the door to the building was illuminated by a dim outside sconce.

"Depends on how well your window is locked." Don shrugged.

Leo said nothing, but kept his eye on the building across the street. If Raph had already gotten over there, I didn't see how. I knew these guys were good, but how good…?

"There." Leo pointed to the door that had opened just a crack.

"Holy shit, that was fast." I watched in amazement and an arm poked out and swiftly unscrewed the light on the wall next to the door. It happened so fast, if I hadn't been waiting for something to happen, I wouldn't have seen it. He was good.

"You must have crappy security, Austin." Mikey pointed out.

Leo gestured to the street. "Go ahead, Austin. Tell Raph to meet us back here."

"Awww, Leo. Can't we go in for just a little bit?" Mikey had the most pathetic puppy dog eyes I'd ever seen. I would have given in.

"I don't think it's a good idea. There are too many people. Another time, though."

I playfully punched Mikey on the arm. "Don't worry, I'm like a bad penny. You can't get rid of me, or whatever the saying is." I turned to Leo and smiled.

"I hope I can see you guys again soon."

"You will." Mikey grinned. "That's a promise." Leo just smiled, but I could see a bit of uncertainty in his eyes. He was still being cautious.

I nodded and gave them a last thankful look, then strode out from the alley, trying to look casual. I crossed the street illegally and flipped off the guy who slammed on his breaks to avoid hitting me. I may not have been born a New Yorker, but I could fit in with the best of them. Finally making it safely to the gate, I saw Raph had left it open just an inch.

"Hey, Austin!" I turned sharply at the unexpected voice.

"Oh! Oh, uh… hey Ken. What's up?" Ken was one of the chefs at the café. "What are you doing here this time of night? Your shift ends at five." I could see a movement near the door out of the corner of my eye. Raph was still waiting just inside. Probably ready to jump out and defend my honor or some ninja thing like that. He had nothing to worry about from Ken.

"Yah, I know. I was just checking on Honey. Gloria had to leave early, so I thought I'd stop by and help her close. I hope that's ok… I didn't okay it with Sharon, and I knew you were on vacation…"

"No, it's ok." I smiled. "Make sure you write your time down so you get paid the overtime."

"Hey, thanks!" He grinned, the bright whites of his teeth lighting up in the glow from the café windows. He was actually rather cute, and I had to admit I had a bit of a crush on him. I normally preferred blonds, but his smooth Asian features had a boyish charm that many a young woman had fallen for while working at the café. Not to mention he was an absolutely fantastic chef.

"No problem. I'll see you later, ok?" I opened the gate in what I hoped was a subtle gesture that I didn't have time to talk. He took the hint graciously and waved me off. "Don't work too hard." I called after him as I stepped inside the gate.

"I never do!" He laughed and pushed open the door of the Celestial, but paused. "Oh, hey Austin!"

"Yah?" I leaned out to answer.

"Are you ok?"

I gave him a confused look. "Yah, why wouldn't I be?"

He pointed to the bandage on my forehead. "Well, that looks pretty bad…"

"Oh." I reached up and touched the bandage lightly. "Oh, no. I'm fine. Just a little scratch. Nothing to worry about." I gave him a re-assuring smile and a thumbs up, but he still looked a little skeptical. "Really, Ken, it's nothing. Go help Honey, I'll be fine."

He reluctantly nodded and stepped into the café. I let out a sigh of relief and stepped into the alcove sliding the gate closed, and locking it securely. With one hand on the inner door, I reached up and twisted the light bulb back in. Let there be light, I thought idly.

Stepping inside the dark hall, I closed the door; the lights and sounds of New York City dulled to a faint echo. "Raph?" I asked cautiously. I could make out a dim light from the top of the stairs. He must have turned on one of my table lamps.

"Right here."

"AH!" I cried out and jumped to the side. If he'd been any closer to me, I could have felt his lips on my ear. "Don't DO that." My heart was racing once again. But this time I knew it wasn't all from fear. There was a chemistry between us that made me feel just a tad uncomfortable. So I took the easy way out. I ignored it. "Leo said to meet back up across the street… in the alley."

"Did he." The tone of his voice said he couldn't really care less.

I glared at the dark shape beside me, then turned and took a few steps up the stairs. I didn't need to put up with this. What happened in the kitchen was a mistake, and I wasn't going to let it be repeated. Let him try and intimidate some other girl and get into her pants. I wasn't going to fall for it again. I took the steps quickly, not looking to see if he followed me. The light from my apartment lit the small landing and I stopped in the doorway. It was weird to be home. On one hand, it seemed unfamiliar; like I'd been away for so long I'd forgotten what it looked like. But then, it also felt safe. Secure. My little private life away from the bustle of the city. It was where I could be alone with Devon, and no one would bother me. Peace. Quiet. Solitude. …I didn't want to go in. I wanted to stay out in the hall where my life was still caught up with giant turtles and sewer hideaways. Where I didn't have to worry about what I knew I had to do tomorrow…

My eyes flicked to the notepad sitting on the little stand just inside the door. There was a name and a phone number visible on it. I'd written it there on Friday afternoon before heading to the bar. Devon had asked me to throw it away. He wanted me to get rid of it and never think about it again. It was a sore spot between us at the moment, just like so many things were right now. I tried to force myself to take a step into my apartment, but my feet didn't want to cooperate. What the hell was wrong with me? It's just my apartment. It's my home, my sanctuary. But I knew once I was inside… once Raph had gone and I was alone with Devon again… I'd be lonely. It was something he didn't understand. He couldn't comprehend why I'd want anyone else around. I'd tried to explain it once, but given up soon after. He just didn't get it.

I hadn't realized it myself until I'd moved to New York. All these years… all this time, I'd thought I didn't like people. I'd told myself that I'd only get hurt if I let then near me. But it was Devon telling me that… In a classic case of hero worship, I'd let him guide me along the path he thought I should take. I'd listened to him, followed him. Done everything he told me to, and avoided forming attachments to people. But it was becoming quickly obvious that there was something missing in my life; something that a dead non-corporeal brother just couldn't provide. I needed friends. I needed someone who cared about me… someone alive.

And someone alive was standing right behind me. I didn't jump at his voice this time. I'd expected it.

"Are we just gonna stand in the doorway all night, or are you gonna invite me in…?" He was dangerously close. I could feel his breath on my shoulder and it sent a shiver down my spine.

I moved forward, away from Raphael and stepped into the apartment, not bothering to turn and look at him. "Come on in."

The apartment was just as I'd left it. It was a wide open flat, with lots of space. Sometimes I thought it was a bit too much, but for the most part I was happy with it. Walking in the door, you can see a kitchen to the left, with island-like counters curving around in an angular semi-circle. It was perfect for entertaining guests, which I rarely did, because it was open to the rest of the apartment. Whoever is in the kitchen can freely converse with someone sitting in the living room area or with someone sitting on the barstools on this side of the counter. The living area was to the right of the front door just on the other side of a short half wall. I had a mismatched sofa and love seat set up around an oak coffee table, and there was a nice sized television against the wall of the apartment.

Directly across from the front door was the window Raph had broken in from. It looked like he'd been nice enough to close it again for me. And he hadn't actually broken the glass. I was impressed, if a bit worried, now that I knew how easily someone could get into my apartment. There wasn't an alarm on the third floor, after all. Left of the window was a second-hand round dinner table that was never actually used for dinner. Right now it held random papers and whatever else I'd felt the need to set down on it. To the other side of the window was my computer desk. If I'd skimped on decorations and fine furniture, it was because of the nice computer I had sitting on the cherry wood desk. I'd have to get Don to take a look at it, I thought as I slipped off my shoes just inside the door. I'd been having some virus problems lately.

The bedroom and the bathroom were the only rooms that were actually walled off, and they took up the front part of the third floor, towards the street. There was a small window that looked over the entrance of The Celestial, but I kept it closed and locked most of the time. The only way to get to the bathroom was through the bedroom. From the door of the bedroom, it was off to the left. But there was no way I was letting Raph go in there. Lord knows what I'd left lying around on my bed. Bras, panties, toys. Hey, I'm single, you can't blame me for a little bit of… self indulgence.

"Nice place." I could hear him close the front door, and that simple act seemed to make the apartment grew much too small.

"Thanks..." I finally looked at him. The only light on in the room was the lamp on the computer desk, and it threw eerie shadows all over the flat. And Raph… he looked… if there was one word to describe it… predatory. He was looking me over like some sort of juicy bit of prey, and it annoyed me… if only because I liked the way he was looking. I liked it a lot. There was a gleam in his eye that was much more than just a reflection of the lamp. He was leaning against the little half wall, arms crossed over his chest in a relaxed, almost lazy stance. But I knew he was anything but. His eyes followed my every move and I grew just a little nervous. He wouldn't try anything. Not here, not like this… He was an ass, but he wasn't a rapist, I told myself.

Would it really be that bad…? I banished the thought as quickly as it came into my head. He's a turtle. A freakin' turtle. No… no, I wouldn't do this. It had been a while since I'd had a guy in my bed, and I was just giving into desperate thoughts. I wouldn't give in though, no matter how sexy I thought he was right now… Besides… I didn't even know if he could… I mean… I didn't know too much about turtle anatomy, but there had to be something there, right? Realizing that my eyes were traveling too far south down his body for my liking, I tore them away, and hastily turned towards the kitchen. It was too dark. Much too dark. I needed to turn some lights on to help me clear my mind.

I should have been prepared for it, but it still caught me by surprise. My finger had been only inches away from the light switch when his hand caught mine around the wrist. I inhaled sharply as I could feel him move behind me. Much, much too close. He lowered my hand and gently released it, running a finger up my arm.

"Leave them off." His voice was low and rough, and I bit my lip to keep from gasping out loud. "I have a debt I'd like to collect on…"

I tried to step away from him but he grasped my waist with his hands and pulled me back with a growl that made me want to give in to whatever he wanted to do to me. I could feel the hard plates of his shell against my lower back, and I kept repeating to myself silently, he's not human… god, he's not human… I opened my mouth to voice an objection, but forgot whatever it was I was going to say when his hands slid down my hips slowly and he found the top of my jeans. With an agonizingly slow touch, his fingers slid under the denim and circled around my waist until they met over the soft curve of my stomach. I whimpered quietly and found myself leaning back against him. I was weak. Damn… I was weak and I was easy. He must think I'm a total slut… I was going to hate myself in the morning, I just knew it. I had to try and stop this, while I was still able…

"Raph… I can't…" It was a feeble attempt, and everything in my body and my voice told him otherwise.

"Why not?" He asked harshly, and I realized just how bad he wanted this. I could hear it in his voice... If I thought it had been a long time since I'd had a lover, I couldn't imagine how long it had been for him, if ever. I frantically weighed my options in my already confused head. It wouldn't be the first time I'd had a one night stand. Far from it. But… this wouldn't be a one night stand… I'd have to look him in the eye later… I'd have to spend time with him and his brothers… and… what if he wanted more from me? Or worse… what if he only wanted me once?

"We can't. Please… we can't…" His arms tightened around me and I knew I wouldn't be able to say no again. For what seemed like an eternity, all I could hear was our hard breathing in the dim apartment. I could feel the lightest of touches as his mouth brushed against the sensitive skin where my jaw met my neck. "Please, Raph…" I don't know if I was asking him to stop… or to continue… but I found myself whimpering in disappointment when he suddenly pulled away. I hadn't realized how warm he'd felt against me until his body was replaced with the cool air of the apartment.

I turned, almost afraid of what I'd see in his face when I did. He was standing a few feet away, just looking at me. I could see desire all over his face, but it was giving way to something else… determination? "We can't…" he repeated slowly… "Not now…" His mouth slid into a feral grin. "But we will." His words sent a chill through my body, but not unpleasantly.

I opened my mouth to object, just on principle, but he stepped up to me quickly, silencing my words with a finger to my lips. "Oh, we will, Austin. You're too much like me. You need it… you want it…" He lowered his hand and leaned in close, whispering softly. "It's going to happen, an you can't deny that." He was right… I couldn't. I'd known it since that moment in their kitchen. Raphael continued, his tone dangerous… almost challenging. "But I'll wait. You'll come to me, sooner or later. You know you will…"

I swallowed hard and reached a hand out to steady myself on the counter. He looked at me with victory in his eyes then turned away. He was leaving… just like that, he was leaving. He reached the window and had it open before I discovered I could move again. He couldn't just leave me here like this… that arrogant asshole!

"Raph!" I'd meant to sound angry… but it came out as little more than a squeak, a desperate, pathetic cry for attention.

He turned slightly, looking at me over his shoulder with a wicked smile. "See you around, Austin."

And then he was gone.

After the fic Author's Notes: Raise your hands if you think that Raphael is the most arrogant, frustrating guy ever? …at least in this chapter? Yah. I think I'd chase him down and jump him if he did that to me. And there'd be lots of hot steamy boinking in dark alleys. Anyway. That ends the major sexual tension for a little while. Now we're going to get into a little more of Austin's current situation, and you'll find out why exactly she's in New York. And who's phone number is sitting on her table? Hmmmm….. I wonder.

Notes to my Reviewers:

Reinbeauchaser: To answer your question, yep! I do live in the Pacific Northwest. Up in Oregon, actually. Gorgeous state. I love it here. And as for the profanity… I think it just suits her character. Admittedly, I'm rather de-sensitized to bad language, so I don't have many qualms about using it in fic. With the relationship between Raph and Austin though, I just see them cursing at each other for little or no reason. Their personalities are just so… rough. But in future fics, especially one in the planning, I'm going to try to tone down the language. I hope the situations and language don't turn you off to this story in these latest chapters, though I understand if they do. From here on out, it shouldn't be so… um… steamy. At least not for a while.

fireandsun: Oooh, who wouldn't? You just KNOW he'd suggest strip poker at some point. Never mind the fact he's already naked… but that's a game I'd love to play.

Reluctant Dragon: Yep, lots of scary stuff happening at the Institute. But it's not all getting written down. Perhaps in later stories I'll delve into just how twisted Dr. Adair and his staff are, but for now, I'm just putting down the basics. I've got a lot of ground to cover. :)

The REAL Cheese Monkey: Yes, Devon is a little snot, isn't he?

Pretender Fanatic: I didn't really see it as degrading Austin, because she really was asking for it. –g- But my Raph isn't dishonorable. He would have stopped if she'd said no. But she was willing, because.. well.. she's kinda crazy like that. And as for what happened in this chapter… well… Raph is just playing with her now. …but she likes it. So she's probably going to play back.

red turtle: Thanks for the review! Hope you enjoyed the rest of the story up to this point!

Isis-Lament: Well, as the flashback in this chapter reveals, Austin's met mutants before. And she knows they can be just as human as she. And she's a sucker for muscular men, no matter what species they may happen to be…. And apparently I'm still in a bit of a 'hot and bothered' mood, as the end of this chapter implies…. But you just knew Raph wasn't going to let it drop after being interrupted by Leo like that. So I had to tie up that little thread before continuing with the main story. …Austin's going to be REALLY pissed when she realizes what an egotistical jerk he was being by saying those things to her… But for now, I think she's going to go take a cold shower.

kaya lizzie: Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well. –winkwink- Now that Raph's got it out of his system and made his intentions clear, I can get on to what I really need to write. The SExxXXX! scene. … Or. Y'know. The main story. Whatever. :)

As for Raph knowing what he's doing… I'm sure he's had a few experiences with women… which I won't go into detail, otherwise I'll need to go take a couple cold showers myself. But he also strikes me as one of those guys who's just so strong-willed, and passionate, he just knows what to do to Austin to make her melt. If she had a personality more like say… Leo, he wouldn't be getting very far with her. If that makes sense.

And, the writing question… for this story, I find it easier to write 1st person. Probably because I spent so much time thinking about Austin and fleshing her character out. My next story is going to be 3rd person…. Hopefully. It will be a bit harder to write, but I'm up for the challenge. It won't contain any OC's, at least not at first. The biggest challenge I see in writing 1st person is making the character stay original, and in character. Austin's evolved somewhat since I wrote the first few chapters, and I constantly have to go back and revisit, and make sure I don't contradict myself. Really though, I think it depends on the type of story you're telling, and how the writing would best reflect that. So… um. Yah. That's what I think about that. … ;)