Beginning: Part Six

Day Three III

Alisa turned her attention away from Leonardo momentarily. "L is schizophrenic," she explained, "She's quite normal for the most part, but she has had spells of hallucinations. She thought she was having another one when she saw you four."

Raphael groaned. "Great, just perfect. I knew this was a bad idea."

"That's why we didn't ask you!" Michelangelo said.

"Wait, what's that supposed to mean?" Her panic was becoming easy to forget all of a sudden and was being replaced with general annoyance.

"Raph's just moody that's all," Casey explained casually.

Donatello was obviously trying not to laugh. "Not the exact phrasing I'd use, but that's about right."

"Yeah well moody or not it was you who was following me, remember?"

"Yeah and it was me who saved your butt, remember?"

"Well if I'd known you were going to be such a jerk I would have rather just dealt with him myself."

Michelangelo smiled broadly. "Awww, Raph's made a friend!"

"Raph, that's enough." Leonardo ordered, sternly, stepping in. "We're not here to cause trouble. We're here because they wanted to meet us, regardless of how much they've already gone through." He gazed at Alisa, and smiled shyly, but then frowned in concern as he noticed her face. Before he could say anything, Mikey butted in.

"Hey, what happened to your face?"

"This is crazy," L said with slight amusement in her voice. "There are four giant turtles in our living room and I'm not the only one that sees them."

"I wouldn't say we're giant really," Donatello said.

"If I drank... I'd need a drink."

Alisa reflexively touched the left side of her face lightly. "This? I got it yesterday when that Purple Dragon hit me unconscious in Central Park."

She saw Michelangelo wince in sympathy, but Leonardo's face remained expressionless. His eyes, however, held unmasked fury. She then tapped the small scrap on her right cheek. "This was from last night's encounter. A sort of souvenir from your... brother?" She guessed, and Mikey nodded. "Your brother had to literally break me apart from that same Purple Dragon. That's how I got it." She smiled softly at the blue-banded turtle, but he didn't return it. Instead, he looked guilty.

"I didn't realize I'd hurt you," he answered, "I'm sorry."

"It's all right, Leonardo-san," Alisa assured him, "I'm fine. It's nothing."

This time he did smile. "You don't have to be so formal, but I like it. Please, you can call me Leonardo, or just Leo."

She smiled. "Okay."

She heard L speak again, and concern for her returned once more. She excused herself, and went over to the couch, sitting down beside her.

"Are you going to be okay?" she asked her.

"Yeah... I'll be okay. This is just really weird that's all..." She lowered her voice and a smile almost crossed her face. "Looks like you've found your knight in shining armor though."

Alisa shot a glance over at Leo to see if he'd heard L's comment and it seemed that he hadn't. She was about to say something to her friend when L decided changing the subject was a good idea.

"So what... are you guys?"

"We're turtles! I thought you'd noticed that already," Michelangelo replied with a confused look.

"Yeah okay you know what I mean."

"It's kind of a long story," Leonardo said.

"We're unemployed, we have time."

Leonardo began explaining their origin to the girls as the rest of them fidgeted restlessly. Casey made himself at home, flopping onto the empty space on the couch. Mikey casually started to look around picking up various things in the living room to examine them, while Donatello sat Indian style on the floor. Raph meanwhile simply leaned against the wall, wondering if this really had been a big mistake.

"Wow..." L said once the story was through. "So you guys... how old are you guys?"

"Eighteen! We're adults now!"

L had to smile at Michelangelo's enthusiasm, though his brothers only seemed to groan and roll their eyes. "Wow you guys seem... older."

Alisa nodded. "You seem very mature for your age," she agreed.

She noticed Leo and Raph were still standing, and she motioned for them to sit. "Leonardo, Raphael, you don't have to stand. Please, sit down. I'll get a couple of chairs from the kitchen."

Leonardo shook his head, and smiled. "You don't have to trouble yourself. The floor will be fine."

He lowered himself to the living room floor at the end of the couch where Alisa was seated, and sat lotus style. Raphael, however, continued to stand. Leo shot his brother a look, but the red-banded turtle refused to comply. Alisa watched as the two conversed silently, slightly confused at what was going on.

"Raphael, do you need a chair?" she offered.

Raph looked away from his brother, and over at her. "No, I don't need a chair," he answered, curtly, "I prefer standing, if you don't mind."

Alisa bit her lip. He didn't have to be so rude.

"Oh. Okay," she said, simply.

She tried to think of something else. "Does anyone want anything? We haven't got much, but there are some sodas. Oh, and there's pizza. We just got it delivered from Pizza Hut."

"Pizza!" Michelangelo was immediately interested.

"Mikey, no," Leo shook his head.

"Aww!" Mike let out a dejected sigh.

Alisa glanced down at Leonardo. "He can have some. We don't mind."

Leo smiled up at her. "Thank you, but no," he insisted, "We're fine, and besides, we wouldn't want to eat your dinner."

Alisa sighed, but smiled. "Okay. If you're sure."

Leo nodded. "But we appreciate your kind hospitality."

"Oh, please, cut the crap, lady," Raphael suddenly blurted out, and everyone turned their attention towards him, "This smells way too much like a setup. You're hiding something."

Alisa was taken aback by the bold remark. She had never been so wrongly accused in her life. "W-what do you mean?" she stammered.

Leo immediately rose to his feet. "Raphael!" he exclaimed, "You are not to talk to these young ladies in that manner. We are guests in their home. You're too suspicious."

Raph pulled himself away from the wall, and walked closer to his brother. "And you're not enough, Leo," he retorted, "I told you this was a bad idea." He pointed a finger at Alisa. "She's too nice, too friendly. She's probably just waiting for the right moment, and then she'll have us trapped and sold to some scientists, while she and her friend cash in on the rewards."

Alisa had heard enough, and she angrily stood up to face the red-masked ninja. "It's called manners, Raphael-san," she told him, curtly, "You would do well to learn some."

She heard Michelangelo snicker, and this made Raph even more furious. He glowered at her. "I don't care who you are, you can't talk to me like that," he threatened.

Leonardo quickly placed himself between them, glaring at Raph. "Stand down, Raphael," he demanded.

Raph growled. "Leo..."

"I said stand down," Leonardo hissed.

Raph snorted, and finally obeyed, going back to his corner. Leo turned to Alisa then, who was feeling humiliated, but her strong outward appearance gave no hint to the emotions raging inside her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, gently.

She nodded. "Yes," she managed to answer.

"I'm sorry," he started, but Alisa held up a hand.

"Leonardo, please don't," she said, quietly, "It's okay. Your brother is entitled to his opinion."

She walked past him. "If you'll excuse me..." She went towards the back of the apartment, and the next sound was a muffled slam of a bedroom door.

"Smooth move moron," L mumbled, suddenly very pissed off.

"What did you call me?" Raphael asked angrily.

"I called you a moron. I figure if her being polite is going to make you suspicious then maybe if I say whatever the hell is on my mind you'll calm the fuck down."

"L, careful," Casey warned.

"No Casey, I won't take this jerk coming in our apartment and acting this way to my best friend. What the hell is your problem?"

"My problem is being dragged over here to meet little miss manners and some crazy chick."

L knew she was no match for Raph, she had seen him fight. However she didn't care. Unarmed she launched herself at Raphael, who caught her easily and held her at arm's length. "I'm not crazy you son of a bitch." She jerked away and stared at him, rage in her eyes. "Now if you'd kindly get the fuck out of my house I'd prefer never to see you again."

Before he or any of the others could reply she spun on her heel and headed towards Alisa's bedroom. Quietly she let herself in and tried to act as calm as possible. "You okay?"

Alisa sighed. "Yeah, I guess."

She lay back on her bed, and stared up at the stained ceiling. "Leonardo and the others must think I am a weak little girl that I couldn't stand up to Raphael."

She closed her eyes, feeling tears behind her eyelids. "I've never been so insulted in my life."

"I doubt it, my guess is most people don't stand up to him and that's his problem. He needs to be forced to deal with someone who won't back down." Though she was trying to act calm it wasn't working. "Can you believe that bastard called me crazy? It's one thing for me to say I'm crazy, or for you to say it though you never have. But for someone I just met... no. I am not crazy! As you can probably imagine I sorta snapped on him... and I told him to get out. I'm sorry Alisa I know you wanted to meet Leonardo and you two really seem like you could be great friends... I'm afraid I may have ruined it for you."

Alisa shook her head, and opened her eyes, a tear escaping down her cheek. "It's not your fault. You just did what you felt was right by defending me and you."

She gave L a half smile. "Thank you."

She sat up a little, straining her ears to hear if anything was being said outside the door. "I can bet Leonardo was pretty steamed. He sure seemed to be before."

"I wouldn't be surprise if they've left already," L said with a sigh.

Seconds after the words left her mouth a quiet knock was heard at the door. The two girls exchanged looks and Alisa finally called for whoever was knocking to come in.

Slowly Leo entered the room, an apologetic look on his face.

Alisa sat all the way up as Leonardo came in. He stopped just inside the room, and bowed low to both girls.

"I offer you ladies my sincerest apologies on behalf of my brother," he said, quietly, "You can be assured Raphael will be punished properly when Master Splinter is told of his behavior."

"Good," L spat. "What's wrong with him? Sure I may have freaked when you guys came in but that wasn't my fault, I thought... well it doesn't matter what I thought."

"Raphael is very cautious of humans, we all are."

"Well if he hates us so much why bother saving us?"

"It's what we do," he answered, "We help anyone in need."

Leo smiled gently then. "This is all rather odd for us because we've never had anyone request to meet us like this before." His smile faded, and his expression became serious again. "Raphael considered it a setup because he wasn't sure what to make of Alisa's kindness and hospitality. We've never had complete strangers welcome us with open arms."

He looked angry now. "It doesn't excuse his behavior though, and after Sensei is finished with him, I'll have some talking of my own to do with him."

He sighed, and then smiled, bowing to each of them again. "I must go now, and take everyone home. We are honored to have been welcomed here."

Alisa smiled. "You are very welcome, Leonardo. I do hope you'll come again some time."

She bowed to him, and his smile turned a little shy. "Perhaps I will."

He then walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

The two girls remained silent as they heard the sounds of the Turtles leaving their apartment.

"Well that was... bizarre. I'm really not sure what to make of these guys Alisa. I mean... Leonardo seems nice and whathisname... Michelangelo? He seemed like a big kid. The other one was pretty nice too but Raphael..." She shook her head. "I don't like him."

Alisa got to her feet, and walked to the door. "He didn't make a very good first impression," she answered, "But don't judge too quickly just yet, L." She headed down the hall towards the living room again.

"Yeah well, the first impression is the most important I guess." She shrugged her shoulders. "Either way you got to meet your prince charming so I guess tonight wasn't a total failure."

Alisa flushed. "L! I told you, I just wanted to meet him."

She found the living room empty when they arrived. Even Casey was gone. She went to the door, and positioned the locks in place. She stepped away from the door, and continued to the kitchen, talking as she went. "Now I go on with my life, and he his."

L smiled; trying her hardest not to say anything... it didn't work. "Okay so... hypothetically... not saying this in any seriousness but if your Mister Leonardo were to ask you to accompany him for a candle lit dinner... somewhere... would you say yes? Hypothetically! Just asking for fun!"

Alisa turned to face her, faltering for a moment, and then sighed deeply. "I don't know."

She sat down at the kitchen table, and stared at her plate with the untouched slice of pizza still resting on it. "We could only be friends anyway, L."

L remained standing for the moment, a slightly sad expression suddenly appearing on her face. "You shouldn't be afraid to open up to someone Alisa. I know I'm not one to talk but... Well hell if you can accept me for who I am I'm imagining that accepting someone for being... a giant... turtle... might only be slightly different. My God I sound insane."

Alisa shook her head. "No, you don't sound insane," she answered, quietly, "You're right. I do accept him for what he is." She looked up at her friend. "But, L, I barely know him. It'll take time to become friends, and even if there was the faintest chance of developing something deeper later, there's probably no way it could really work."

She picked up her luke warm pizza slice, and nibbled on it.

"Well gee Alisa," L said as she finally sat down. "I wasn't saying you should run up and hump his leg the next time you see him. Hell for all we know he might not even be attracted to human girls. I was just asking a silly question that's all. It's not like either of us are even in the market for a relationship... well not me anyway."

Alisa shook her head. "I can't have one either," she said, softly, "I'm already a danger to you with all the shit I'm in with everyone trying to kill me. I can't involve anyone else."

"You can't make that decision for people; they have to make it for themselves. Personally I'd rather be with my best friend and be in danger than be without her and safe. If I feel that way then there's got to be a guy out there who feels the same. Not everyone in New York is an inconsiderate jackass... I think." She reached for another slice of pizza and studied Alisa's expression.

"I know." Alisa was quiet as she continued to eat her dinner, deep in thought. After a while, she began speaking again, but the subject had changed. "Tomorrow, we'll hit every place we can to find a job. Hopefully we'll find one in the same place together."

She finished her second slice of pizza, and then stood up to put her plate in the sink. "I'm getting a shower, and heading to bed now. You can stay up longer if you want."

She shuffled out of the kitchen, and to the bathroom.

After finishing her pizza L put the leftovers in the fridge and wiped the crumbs off the table. Eventually she ended up back on the couch, idly flipping channels but not really paying attention to anything that was on. She was thinking about all that had happened in the past 24 hours, her reaction to seeing the turtles in particular. It was terrifying to think she was hallucinating again, and just the thought of it made her feel twitchy. Finally she turned off the TV, flipped the lights off and snuggled down on the couch to go to bed.

After taking her shower, and dressing in her pajamas, Alisa laid in bed trying to go to sleep. Instead, she was staring up at the ceiling, her mind running through all the past events of the day. Her last thought landed on Leonardo. She knew L was only playing with her about him, but what if it could be true?

She shook her head of the thought. It wouldn't. He'd probably never be interested in that way. She sighed, and turned over on her side, letting sleep finally claim her.

She was never aware of the shadow that moved outside her window, and then faded into the night.