Disclaimer: I do not own the TMNT, or any affiliates related thereof. I own only my OC's and anything not TMNT-related in this series.
Acknowledgements:
BubblyShell: lol, I'm glad you enjoy it. I'm also uber-glad you were actually able to picture the sequences in ch.13. Sorry I didn't acknowledge you in ch.14, I think you reviewed after I updated ;;;
KLCtheBookWorm: Yeah, this is fun. Yeah, the POV things are a little distracting, but they're essentially to make sure the reader knows who's saying what- so there's no confusion. Sometimes I actually forgot who's POV I was writing from ;;
SassyBlondexoxo: Thanks; I'm glad you caught up! Chapters, fic wise at least- not updates, should be giving some hints of finality soon. I really think I'm looking at writing well over 20 chapters, which doesn't bother me much, but, oi, it keeps my ideas boxed up for too long!
A/N: okay, revised so reading is easier. Don't worry, I will include other characters as the story moves along. I think that when it's finally completed I'm going to combine come chapters. I may be a while for an update, if work keeps up the way it is. But don't worry everyone, The Spade will return!
The Beginning, Chapter 15 (wow, a milestone:D)
(Don's POV)
It was about three in the morning when I realized I had fallen asleep on my keyboard. Wiping the drool from my lip and making a face at the sticky keys, I yawned, stretched, and gave the laboratory/ medical ward a once over. All seemed quiet, machines humming lowly (and soothingly to the techno-geek within), quiet as a mouse. I allowed myself a wry grin at the irony of my last thoughts. Lillian was curled up in a stuffed chair beside the pallet we had confined Mikaela to, whiskers waving gently to her breathing pattern, her face devoid of tension. Involuntary sigh. I wonder if we really do have a chance at family and a life other than the one from before… it seems so real now.
Lillian stirred.
"Donnie?" She half asked- half yawned. "What're you doing up so early?" She was clad in a pair of boxer shorts and an oversized shirt, which, during her yawn, had slipped over a shoulder, revealing smooth, pale skin. I dropped my gaze, embarrassed.
"Not much." I evaded her sleepy gaze. "Just fell asleep on the computer again."
She smiled sleepily, stood and patted the chair she'd been napping in. "Here, sit down." I hesitated, wanting so much to share the chair with her, but still… I don't know why, but she scared me at the same time. I stood, decisive. She moved, allowing me room to sit back in the chair, and then startled me by grabbing a blanket and curling up in my lap, resting her head in the junction of my shoulder.
"Mmm, night Don." She murmured, drifting back off. I sat for a while, simply stunned, and more than a bit nervous. I glanced over, double-checking on the status of our mutual patient, assuring myself that she was progressing fine.
Satisfied, I closed my eyes and forced myself to relax, so I could fall asleep easier.
Eventually I did.
(Leo's POV)
I was disturbed out of my slumber by lights from the living area, and soft television sounds. Groaning and blearily rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I rose silently, ready to berate the perpetrator, most likely Michaelangelo.
Stealing out of my room, I was not surprised to find the television on, the volume quite low, but nobody in sight. Glancing around, I was rewarded with the light of the kitchen on, and the sound of someone rustling for a midnight snack.
"Michaelangelo-," I started, rounding the corner- thoroughly irritated at being woken so early.
"Mmph?" A pair of green eyes queried from above a mouth full of what looked like a sandwich. My jaw dropped.
"Mikaela!" I cried, astounded, then lowered my voice. "What are you doing here?" She grinned around a cheese sandwich.
"Meph mph mmnph!" She … well, said.
"Can ya at least finish before you explain?" I strained, leaning against the counter, arms crossed. I was concerned for her, but she seemed to be in good health. It was utterly amazing!
"Okay," She said, making a show of swallowing the sandwich. "Well, like Lily said-" She grinned, showing her arms, "I heal quick. No scars, see?" She emphasized, sticking one arm and leg out, before switching. It was then that I really took notice of her.
It was almost as if time stopped.
She was leaning against the counter in a pair of orange silky boxers, a black t-shirt, and black ankle socks drinking from a bottle of orange soda. My eyes slowly traveled south to north, taking in the bronze and copper skin, lean muscles of her very long legs, the hint of a nicely tapered waist, a well shaped bosom, and the sinewy cords in her neck as she tilted her head back to catch all the soda had to offer. She swallowed the last, licked her lips appreciatively, and gave me a cheerful smile.
My mind jolted back to reality as she walked towards me.
"Sorry I woke you, Leonardo." She closed my open jaw and pecked me on the cheek. " 'Night!" And brushed past me to the living area, obviously wanting to watch more t.v.
(Mika's POV- several hours later)
I woke when my legs were lifted and then rested on a firm, yet pliable, surface. My first thought was, where the hell am I now? Then reality kicked in. Apparently I'd fallen asleep on the couch with a bowl full of popcorn nestled in one arm, and the other dangling over the edge with the TV remote.
"Wake up droolyface!" A chipper, way too chipper for this early in the morning, voice rang out. For a second I wondered who they were talking to, and then it dawned on me. More like it slimed on me, to be accurate.
"Oh man, gross!" I growled, wiping the trail of saliva from my cheeks with my arm. Kind of sick, I know, but it was the handiest thing besides my Garfield shirt. I wiped some off on Mikey, the source of the jibe.
"Eeew, nasty!" Mikey cried, half disgusted/ half amused. "I'm not the Brawny guy, you can't just wipe whatever you feel like on me!"
I rose up on one elbow, balancing the bowl on my oblique muscle structure. "Gee Mikey, you think you could handle slime." I grinned, "After all, didn't you get splashed with goo before? Wimp!" I sang, launching a fistful of popcorn his way.
Naturally, a popcorn war ensued, and was soon disbanded by the 'fearless leader'.
"Do you two think you could get any more childish?"
Of course simultaneously, the Mikester and me zinged a hailstorm of popcorn at Leonardo.
"NOPE!" Two voices cried as one, as the pack leader fruitlessly dodged our assault.
(30 minutes later)
"Whoa, Donnie!"
"Woo, got lucky, huh Lily?" I jibed, poking Mike in the ribs and snorting with choke-held laughter. "You just lost a shitload of points, girl!"
Said mouse and turtle gave us simultaneous death glares for one; having been woke up at some ungodly hour of the morning (Saturday mind you), and two; having been poked fun at for, well, come on, it was obvious they'd slept in each others arms! How cute and funny could that be! That or I have a really odd sense of humor.
Maybe both.
Lillian scrambled out of Donnie's lap, a pink tinge spreading from her pink nose to her whiskers. I bit back a mad bout of laughter at the scene. The two calmest, most collected brainiacs I'd ever met were scrambling around like two kids caught in the back of a truck making out by the police.
"Mikaela!" She snapped, annoyed at our intrusion, "Why aren't you in bed! You shouldn't be running around like that, you've lost blood, you look like you got mauled by a tiger… wait…" She peered closer, once she'd located her glasses. "Oh, wow." Mollified, she turned my arms over, and then to my embarrassment, lifted my shirt to examine my rib-cuts.
"Baby got back, woo!" Mikey quipped from behind, sending a barb of irritation through me.
"Okay, okay, you get the point Lily," I said, yanking my shirt back down, flushing as I realized Donnie had seen… well just about everything! Gah!
Lily smirked- she'd gotten her cool points back, and it HAD to be at my expense no less. Well, technically, I kind of deserved it, so it was ok… sorta.
"Well," I grated, clenching and unclenching my fists, feeling air released as my knuckles cracked and popped, "You got yours, now I'm gonna go watch TV! So there!" With a haughty flounce of the hair, I turned on my heel, smacked into the doorjamb, cursed a blue streak and finally made it out the damn door. A trail of laughter followed me, as my face burned hotter and hotter.
I bumped into someone.
"Watch it, man!" I lashed out.
"Doll, it is way too early in the morning to want to 'rassle with me." A very tired looking Raphael mumbled, picking his way to the bathroom. "Come find me later, then we can play games."
Rolling my eyes as he stumbled away, I went back into the kitchen to make coffee. Who did I find but Master Splinter reading the paper, a steaming china cup (tea probably) in close reach.
"Good morning, child." He greeted, a grandfatherly smile crossing his shrewd features. I smiled.
"Good morning to you, Master. I hope I didn't wake you last night." I replied, poking my head into a cabinet on a hunt for coffee grinds.
"They're in the refrigerator, daughter."
"Thank you Sensei." He smiled grandly at his formal title, while nodding assent.
A few minutes passed as I prepared the grinds and set out my favorite mix-ins for coffee, then I sat down.
"You are all healed." A statement.
"Yes, Sensei, I am healed." A crease of the forehead. "I'm not sure how I got hurt though, I mean, besides the claws. The last few minutes of the battle are kind of fuzzy."
"You are also troubled that you do not measure up." Another statement. What is this guy, a mind reader?
"Well," I hesitated. Usually if I packed my fears in the recesses of my psyche they cease to bother me. "Sorta. I can't believe I wasn't quick enough to dodge that things claws." My hand found its way under my chin, as I grew pensive, staring ahead at nothing. "That was the first time any of us had ever fought another mutant."
"You did well, considering." Master Splinter soothed. "Remember the mistakes you made, perfect and erase them, and then you will have mastery of the body." He turned my face to his with one soft-furred paw. "However, true mastery of oneself comes from mastery of the mind. Remember this, and let it guide you." He released my chin. "The Mets did poorly again, I see." He muttered, allowing a little irritation that his favorite baseball team lost their southwestern tour. "There goes their shot at the pennant."
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Sensei." Leonardo spoke, bowing at the waist.
I blinked. Too many things racing around my brain this early in the morning. Master Splinter watches BASEBALL? And Leo spoke old-world Japanese. Man, I felt a headeache brewing on that one...
Yikes.
A/N (again): Okay, here's some downtime, goofing off stuff. I've got some more fun storms brewing inside my cranium, but I suppose I should leave you all hanging so you send nice (and some odd o.O) reviews saying I need to continue or die trying- btw, that was inspiring ShadowWarriro4God, I truly enjoy the fact that you want me to finish this!
Ta ta for now!
The Spade