1I was surprised to see Mel back already when I entered the hotel room. My own mind was still a bit cluttered. Many different emotions grasping me as I unlocked the door. It was the look on Melinda's face. A mixture of shock and worry that drew me back from my own complications.

I listened, both concerned and confused as she confessed what Donatello had told her to me. I could feel my eyes grow very wide no matter how much I tried to hide my shock. I couldn't quiet believe Don had confessed such blatant feelings for her. I mean I had assumed that he had a crush on Melinda, but I didn't think it was going this far.

As she spoke to me, I listened to her questions the way they were worded and watched her body language and suddenly a thought struck me. Melinda liked Donatello too. She seemed much more concerned about if there relationship could actually work out then she did about him simply liking her. It dawned on me as I listened that what she really wanted was my support to say that this could be a quality relationship for her and honestly I didn't know if that was an answer I could give.

She sat looking at me. Waiting for me to say something. To make her feel better I was dumbstruck. "Well, Melinda, this is a rather odd situation." I moved to sit on my bed, tossing my jacket on the chair across from me. "I mean if you're upset so much that you hurt his feelings, maybe you do feel something for him too?"

It felt odd for me to say this. I mean I was talking about my friend liking a giant Turtle. Yet even as I spoke to her, I could feel my own thoughts drifting back to the way Leonardo had looked as he stood on top of the building watching over me and the warm, safe feeling it gave me. I forced myself to come back to reality. It was simply the shock of my attack that was causing me to have these odd feelings. I felt like if I slept on everything I would realize how stupid it was that I so awe struck by his act.

"Lea, how can you say that!" Melinda's scared words drew me back into the reality at hand. "I mean how could you imply that I LIKE him." She gave me a nervous look. It wasn't an annoyed one like she should have if she actually disagreed with my statement, but more worried. Like she feared my statement was true.

"Mel, your asking me what I think you should do? I think you should think long and hard, because a lot has happened in the last two days and it could be clouding your clear judgment. Don't confuse gratitude with actual devotion." My voice came out cold and I wasn't sure why.

Mel looked hurt; I wasn't expressing the idea's she had been hoping for. I knew I wasn't being very supportive, but to be perfectly honest I didn't know what to say. I could see her feelings rising as tears sprang into her eyes. She chocked back a small sob, her expression turning harder.

"Like you would understand any of this anyway. You can't even STAND any of them can you? You and Leonardo all you do is scream at each other. You probably think they are all as arrogant as he is." Mel's fists bawled, as she leaned forward her words filled with poison.

I drew back, both shocked and strangely offended. The next words left my mouth before I computed them in my mind. "He isn't arrogant. Leonardo is FAR from it." It was my eyes turn to grow wide with shock at my words. My hand flying up to cover my mouth before anything else asinine escaped me.
Melinda stopped and stared at me for a few minutes. Trying to comprehend that I had just yelled at her defending this man whom I supposedly hated. "Lea, why…?" She stopped, staring at me. "What's going on?" Her next question was flat. I could feel tension growing between us.

"Nothing. Look it was stupid of me to even say that. I think I am lacking sleep and it is causing me to lose my mind." I looked away from her, emotions swirling inside of me in a torrent. "Look, Mel I think whatever is going on you need to talk to Don again. I think whether you like him or not, you own him that much. You own him the chance to say good bye or for you two to decide together what you want to do." I was trying to focus, stay calm. Help her.

"You think I should talk to him again?" Melinda sounded skeptical. "I mean, don't you think that will hurt him more?" The hopeful look on her face betrayed her. Talking to him again was just what Mel wanted to do.

"Which would hurt you more Melinda: Being let down gently, during an adult, serious conversation or having someone just run out on you never to talk to you again?" Focusing completely on Melinda forced me to push my own conflicts aside. Something I was happy to do.
Mel sighed, and nodded. "You're right, but I need to think. I don't know if I can just face him again. I did hurt him badly." I looked at her with pity. I didn't want her to hurt from this anymore then I honestly wanted Don too.

"Well do what makes you feel most comfortable, sis. Or else you will just end up unhappy with the situation and that will just make things worst." I smiled positively at her. "But I have a feeling whatever you want, you can work this out, and you know I am here for you, no matter what!" Melinda looked better. She looked hopeful now and I felt like the conversation was closed.

I rose and excused myself to brush my teeth. I washed up and got ready for bed, keeping my mind carefully blank. Thinking about nothing else, but how comfortable the pillow was going to be under my head. I walked out and threw back the covers, sitting back down on the bed. Mel was writing something. I wasn't sure what and didn't pry to ask.

"Where were you tonight by the way?" Melinda's voice caused my face to rise to meet her again. My mouth ran dry. For some reason I really didn't want to answer that question.
"Just in Chinatown. Visiting a few places." I shifted; looking down at my Kakashi plushie I had bought that day, trying to avoid direct eye contact. Melinda could clearly read my discomfort.

"What happened in Chinatown?" Now her face was just plain curious. She could easily tell I was hiding something from her.

"Nothing interesting. Just stuff…" I sighed. "I'm going to bed, okay? I'm really beat," I yawned wide trying to display just how tired I was. Melinda gave me a very suspicious look, but didn't inquire about the subject again. Assuming I was ready to close it.

"Alright…" She looked a tiny bit annoyed at my eluding her inquires. "Sleep well." She went back to whatever she was writing, seemly dropping the subject with me.

"Yeah you too." I rolled over on my side away from her, but didn't sleep. Instead I layed there. I listened to Mel write for a while and then go to bed herself. The hotel room grew dark and silent and I listened to her steady breathing while she slept, but still I laid there. Staring at the wall across from me, wondering. Why had I defended Leonardo against Melinda's words?