Don't own the guys :( Just the Millers.

Chapter 9: Secret, Secret, I've gotta Secret!

"Peter!" Madison's voice thundered from the other room. "What have I told you about the milk? Use a glass!"

"But Raph and Mikey don't," Peter exclaimed, his voice carrying from the kitchen to the living room where Madison was sitting with Master Splinter and the others. "And they backwash!"

He could almost see the disgusted and horrified look cross her face. Madison was kinda a stickler about that kinda thing, "RAAAAPPHHHHH!" she roared. "MIIIIKEYYYYYYY!"

"Thanks a lot, kid!"

"AK! Maddy! No! AHH!" he heard Mikey try and scramble away from Madison but Peter knew that there was no possible way to avoid her. "OWOWOWOWOW!"

Peter just chuckled. He knew Madison wouldn't actually try and hurt them but he had a good feeling that Mikey was probably currently in a head lock on the floor. He took one last swig of the milk before putting the carton back into fridge and closing the door. How Madison could always see him do that he didn't know. She was psychic or something. From his position behind the door no normal person could of seen that he was drinking straight from the carton unless they were right next to him but she did! How did she do it?

"I must know!" he exclaimed aloud in defeat, completely unintentionally.

"Know what?" asked Kaylin walking in, opening the fridge and grabbing the milk carton before poppin' open the top and taking a swig herself.

"How she always, ALWAYS knows when I drink from the carton!"

"Because you're an idiot and keep underestimating the great power of The Almighty Madison," she chuckled, returning the carton to the fridge. "She knows everything."

"'The Almighty' Madison?" he laughed. "Since when did our sister become a deity?"

"Since always," Kaylin said casually. "So er…when are we gonna tell 'er?"

"I dunno," he frowned. "She really doesn't need the stress."

"Yeah true," she said, crossing her arm. "But how much stress do you think she's gonna have when she finds out and finds we didn't tell 'er?"

Peter glared at the ground. He knew his twin was right; not that he ever admitted to her that she usually was. They had all been so happy living here with the guys this past month that he didn't want that to change. Everyday was looked forward to with anticipation and excitement, not dread and fear. And now he threatened their blissful new life.

They hadn't told anyone, but when they spent the night at April and Casey's this past weekend they saw the vile demon. He passed by them in his old piece of crap car. There was no mistaking that clunker or those malevolence pale eyes even at such a distance. He didn't see them because they were still in the theater lobby when he drove by.

He probably would have had a difficult time really recognized them anyway. April had taken all of them shopping that day and they were proudly parading around in their new cloths and Madison had recently given them hair cuts. Molly was looking especially cute in her new outfit of a pale pink skirt and top with matching Mary Jane shoes and socks. She really liked pink. Maybe it was because it had been Mama's favorite color. Peter shook his head not allowing himself to think about the pink roses he had lain on Mama's grave when she died.

No one else saw him. April and Casey obviously didn't know what he looked like but they were very thankful Molly hadn't seen him that night. They didn't have her medicine on them and they couldn't risk her having another attack. That would get them caught for sure. She was to busy squealing with joy from receiving a piggy back ride from Casey. That was another huge reason they couldn't let themselves go back; Molly. She had come so far out of her shell. She was actually laughing now! It had shocked the heck out of them when they heard her laugh for the first time since before mom died. Still no words just crisp clear laughter.

Raph and Mikey had been wrestling on the ground and she spontaneously jumped in and, not wanting to hurt her on accident, they stopped fighting and both started tickling her. Her laughter went shrieking through the lair loudly; Madison grabbed her in a huge hug and started crying tears of joy. Peter narrowed his eyes. He wouldn't let that basterd touch any of his sisters again. He put a hand on Kaylin's shoulder with a reassuring smile, "We'll tell 'er, Kay, just now is probably not the best time."

"But Peter…"

"Let me take care of it, Kay," Peter said firmly. "I'm suppose to be the man of the family now, remember?"

Kaylin smirked, "Since when do 'men' sleep on batman sheets?"

Peter shot his sister a dirty look, "Those are Mikey's!"

"Whatever," Kaylin said lightly.

"Shut up."

"Peter," Kaylin looked down. "I really think you should tell her soon. What if he sees her when she goes shopping or something. I… I don't wanna go back. He'll…"

"He won't get us, Kay," Peter said, hugging his twin. "I won't let 'im and Madison won't let 'im. And I'm sure as hell the guys won't either. We'll be ok."

"You should still tell her…"

"Tell me what?" Madison asked, appearing behind them suddenly, Brian perched on her hip.

"Er… um…that…uh…Peter…" Kaylin stumbled over her words and blushed. "Peter drank the last of the milk!" Kaylin shot out of the kitchen, abandoning her twin with their older sister frowning down at him.

"Thanks a heap, Kay…"

Later that day Peter was practicing his katas in the dojo under the watchful eye of Leo who was looking extremely pleased at his progress.

"Ready, again…one…two…three…Good form…four…"

Peter became completely absorbed in the sequence of moves Leo was having him do. They flowed like a choreographed dance through his motions.

"Alright, Peter, good, very good," Leo said. "I think that should just about do it for today."

"No," Peter breathing heavily from the hard work out. "I wanna keep going."

"I admire your determination, Peter," Leo laughed. "My brothers don't even work this hard, but every good ninja knows when to give it a rest and kick back."

"You go ahead, I'm gonna keep going."

"Alright," Leo said exiting the room and allowing Peter to continue.

Peter walked over to the punching bag and continued his katas, pretending that every one of them was attacking the monster and not the bag. He was no where near as fast or precise in his attacks as any of the guys or Madison but he was determined to perfect his moves. His eyes narrowed at the punching bag, each punch releasing pent up energy from his haunting memories…

Thump

The devastated look in Kaylin's eyes when their father chucked her to the floor of their bedroom after finishing with her; blood seeping through her pants with various cuts and busies on her body…

Thump

Madison lying on the floor motionless and bleeding from everywhere after a beating; their father stumbling out of the door taking another swig of his beer…

Thump

The numbing pain rocketing through his body with every swing his dad took at him. His fists making contact with Peter's face…

Thump

Molly curled up in a tight ball in the corner as their father loosened his belt. Her screams echoing through the house as dear old dad brought his belt down again and again…

Thump

Mama...

Thump Thump

Lying in her casket

THUMP THUMP

Looking so beautiful, even in death.

THUMP THUMP THUMP!

Pink roses…

"Have to be ready…" he muttered. He had to be ready and completely prepared. He had to defend his family. It burned him to his very core that he was never able to protect Madison or Kaylin or Molly from his father's lust and cruelty. He had tried, he had tried so very hard but he just wasn't able too. "…have to get stronger…"

"You'll never be strong enough," his father's sneering voice floated in his mind.

"Yes I will!" he growled under his breath.

"No you won't," the voice laughed. "You're weak... you've always been weak…"

"I'm the man of this family now," Peter chanted to himself. "I'm gonna get strong, I'm gonna keep 'em safe…"

"You're still as pathetic and frail as the day your whore of a mother dropped you and the little worm into the doctor's arms."

"Mom wasn't a whore," Peter snarled. "None of them are… you just treat them that way…"

"When I find you all, I think I'll start with munchkin. After all she has the softest skin outta the three…"

"If you ever touch Molly again I'll…"

"… and you know what, Petie boy? I'm gonna make you watch…"

"SHUT UP!" Peter screamed and slammed his fist into the punching bag, watching it swing back and forth.

"Ya know, maybe it's just me but I seriously think you and yer family have it in for our punching bag," stated a voice behind him. Peter turned around and saw Michelangelo leaning up against the dojo door frame with a light hearted look on his face.

"Go away, Mikey," Peter said angrily, turning his attention back to the bag. "I've gotta lot on mah mind."

"Really," Mikey said, walking over to bag to steady it. "Anything ya wanna share."

"Not really."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"You really sure?"

"Yes, Mikey, I'm sure…"

"You really, really sure?" Mikey asked. "Because if you're not sure and really do wanna talk about it then…"

"Mikey!" Peter thundered. "I don't wanna talk about it! If you're gonna be annoying go do it somewhere else or I'm gonna rearrange your face."

"Someone's been hangin' out with Raph a little to much," Mikey snorted. "Seriously, Peter, what's up?"

"Nothing!"

"Peter, I'm just tryin ta…"

"I know what you're trying to do!" he shouted. Seeing the hurt look on Mikey's face Peter stopped and looked down at his feet, slightly ashamed that he had just yelled. He sighed and racked his hand through his blonde locks. "I'm sorry."

Mikey gave him a small smile and placed a three fingered hand on the boy's shoulder, "What's up, lil' dude?"

Peter shook his head. He sighed in defeat. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Depends on the secret," Mike frowned slightly.

"I mean it, Mikey," Peter said, staring him in the eye. "I don't want Madison to know. I don't want her to have to worry."

"Dude, if you're…"

"Mikey please, Madison is always the one looking out for us, I wanna look out for her for once," Peter said.

"Alright fine, I won't tell."

"Promise?"

"Ninja's honor."

Peter sighed, "Kaylin and I saw our dad drive by when we were at the movies with Casey and April on Saturday."

"Did he see you?" Mikey's eyes narrowed a bit.

"Would we still be here if he had?"

"Good point," Mikey said. "We've gotta go tell Madison."

"No!" Peter exclaimed, grabbing Mikey's arm. "You promised!"

"Peter, if your dad is looking for you here in New York than Madison should know so she doesn't go topside and he sees her or one of you guys."

"You promised, Mikey," Peter said firmly. "Besides, Madison doesn't even let us go out during the day. Please Mike; let me take care of this."

"Yer just a kid, Peter" Mike said.

"No I'm not."

"You can't take this guy on by yourself."

"Who said I was gonna?" Peter said. "I'm not stupid, Dude."

"I never said ya were but…"

"You promised."

Mikey sighed in defeat, "Fine, I won't tell 'er. But you better. And don't even think about lookin' for 'im yourself. Got it?"

"Yeah."

"Promise me, Peter."

"I promise, alright?"

"Don't go lookin for trouble, Peter," Mikey said. "Because you will find it."

"Ok, Yoda, ok, I get it," Peter laughed. "Now hold that bag again… "