I watched as Melinda walked away from me and I felt slight apprehension. It wasn't really that I was afraid to be alone with the men in the room; it was more like I wasn't certain what to say. How to carry myself across and for a reason that was indescribable to me I wanted to make a good impression of myself. I crossed he room and smiling gently at Splinter I nodded my head and took the sit next to him folding my hands lightly in my lap.

I studied him as I sat, curious not only at his appearance, but the sheer power his aura seemed to elude. Just looking into his warm eyes had a very calming effect. Like watching a slowly moving mountain stream. I felt like with one thought he could read everything about me, yet quiet questionable to me this didn't frighten me. Instead I almost felt honored he even cared enough to want to know. He reached out to lightly touch my hand smiling at me.

"I know all of this must be a great shock for you, my child. I am certainly sorry if my sons have caused you any manner of discomfort." I could hear Raphael snort in the background. It was clear he didn't feel it was them that were the ones causing the "discomfort", in this situation. I didn't even flinch. I knew even the slightly glare at him would give him fodder against me, so I steeled myself and bowed my head to Splinter once again in respect.

"No Splinter-sama. It is I who should apologize to you. Neither my friend Melinda nor I have used the clearest judgment sense we have arrived in the city and your sons have been both patient and kind to us." Without meaning to my eyes flicked over to Leonardo's. He was sitting and watching with very little expression on his face, simply listening. This changed as my eyes met him along with the implication of my words. He blinked a few times, looking at me almost perplexed before smiling. I heard Raphael snort yet again; this time I couldn't hold back my tongue.

"Well most of them have been kind." My voice was haughty as the Turtle in the red bandana and my eyes meet. We warred for a few moments. He seemed to want to use me to prove something and I wanted no part in it. I wasn't going to rise to his bait for an argument. That was below me. I turned my head, trying to ignore him. I saw Splinter watch everything carefully, I knew he was reading more from simply gestures between us then I could ever care to reason. His eyes lingered on Leonardo and that made me curious. I wondered what he could be seeing that interested him about his one son so much.

"Have the two of you been managing to stay out of trouble?" Leonardo smirked at me. I was surprised he was genuinely teasing. His voice didn't have the hard edge it had always seemed to have when we spoke when we had first met. I returned a grin to him.

"Mostly…" I felt myself want to continue, but grew shy with so many eyes on me. I usually wasn't a very shy person. In fact I had a tendency to speak a little too much at time, but for some reason in this room full of all these men I was just getting to know, I grew a little embarrassed to be too blatant. Splinter's hand was still on mine and I turned to see him watching me. His gaze was a bit more curious then I would have expected and I must have given him a bit of a blank stare, because it instantly melted back into his calm, collected expression.

"Are Melinda and yourself enjoying the city, Lea?" I could see he could tell I was a little nervous and was trying to help me speak by engaging me with questions. I nodded, looking down at my hands for a moment.

"Yes I actually come here quiet often. I like to visit the city. I do a lot of shopping here." I smiled up at Splinter, and had to fight the urge to glance at Leonardo. I couldn't understand what was wrong with me. Why was I suddenly so intent on looking at him? Why would I care what he thought about what I said? He might not be acting like the snobbish jerk he had been, but that didn't mean I should forget how he had treated me. Even if he had helped me.

"Oh so your one of THOSE type of girls." Raphael was leaning back looking at me rather unimpressed. I turned, my expression becoming sour as I hear the tone in his voice.

"What's that suppose to mean, what type of girl am I?" My voice was flat, dangerous. I couldn't understand what this guy's issue with me was. Why he seemed determined to make me look stupid in front of everyone this evening.

"You're the type that comes down here every few months to shop at Macy's and spend Daddy's money right? Likes to party hard, make trouble and then expects others to clean up after YOUR messes." He smirked at me, so arrogantly; I had to ball my fists lightly to keep from standing up and getting down in his face. I opened my mouth a million words forming on my lips, all manner of different things straining to be screamed at him, but it wasn't my language that scolded him first.

"If you think that Raphael, then you are stupid." It was Leonardo's cold tone that broke the silence after Raph's rude observation of me. "Even I can see that Lea isn't like that." He had turned and was giving his brother an annoyed expression like he couldn't fathom how idiotic his statement was. "Anyone who can not only find the best noodle shop in the city, but go there so often the owner knows her order by heart, isn't a "party girl." I was taken aback. I hadn't realized HOW closely Leo had been watching me that night. I felt myself flush without wanting to and that confused me. I looked back down at my hands uncertain what to say.

"Leo that doesn't say…" Raphael not being able to drag me into a fight was willing to engage his brother.

"Raphael! Stop arguing! You are only embarrassing yourself." Splinter's voice was stern as he spoke. I glanced up at him and could see he was displeased by how his son was acting. Raphael grew silent, but scowled at me, rudely. I turned away from him. Not willing to play whatever immature stupid game he was playing. I could hear Leonardo sigh over to the side of me and knew that he too was fed up with his brother's actions. Splinter held his gaze on Raphael for quiet some time waiting to see if he disobeyed him. The tension was becoming thick in the room. I shifted uneasily.

"Hey how come everyone is so quiet?" Michelangelo, wandered back in looking around confused. "Let me guess, Raphael was being his pleasant self again?" He put his hands on his hips, giving his brother a mock playful glare. I couldn't help, but giggle as Mikey correctly assumed what was going on.

"Gah, shut up, Mike. No one wants to hear you talk." Raphael turned away from everyone and started to watch the TV. Deciding he wasn't getting enough support to continue to try to start a battle.

"Awww is Raphie upset because I was right." Michelangelo plopped down onto the floor grinning at me. I was about to laugh, but could see Raphael tensing and it actually kind of frightened me. I didn't want him set off. I wasn't sure what he would do and it was a little unnerving. I shifted still uncomfortable. I was beginning to wonder if it would look bad if I went out into the kitchen to talk to April.
Mike looked like he was about to say something when music started playing from Melinda's purse. I realized she had left it by my feet. I leapt a little surprised and grabbed it. I could feel everyone looking at me as I dug around inside and pulled out her cell phone. I checked the number, my eyes growing wide. It was her mother. I almost wanted to ignore it. I knew if Mike was back out with us Mel had to be busy, but I also knew her mother would be furious if no one answered. I wagged a battle in my head for a moment, going back and forth on if I should answer before finally realizing I had to. Or Melinda would face a great wrath later on. I clicked the call button.

"Hello?" I asked politely into the phone.

"Hello, yes is Melinda there?" The voice on the other end sounded a little annoyed by my answering, I didn't press, and I just tired to be as polite as possible.

"Umm she indisposed at the moment, could I possibly take a message?" My eyes met Splinter and I half shrugged as I talked, uncertain what to say.

"Just give her the phone…please." The last word was stressed; I knew I had no choice. I stood, bowing a polite excuse me to everyone as I exited the room. I had seen the generally direction Mike had walked Melinda in, I was pretty sure I could figure out where she had went. Seconds ticked as I walked and I knew soon Mel's mom would start complaining, I had to hurry.

I got to a door towards the back of the apartment; it looked like it was a spare room. I stopped, wondering if I should knock, but afraid that Melinda's mom would hear me explaining to Melinda why I had to talk to her. I was pretty sure Mel's mom would NOT like Melinda being somewhere with a guy she hardly knew alone. Anyway, I didn't assume Mel and Don were doing anything other then talking and for this situation they wouldn't mind being interrupted. I slowly opened the door.

I gasped slightly at the sight that met my eyes. Melinda and Donatello were caught up in a tight embrace. There mouths locked on one another's. Passion in both their actions and there expressions. I could hear Mel's mom talking over the phone, she small voice tinny. Almost like slow motion the cell phone dropped from my hand to the floor with a sickening crack.

Mel and Don turned swiftly breaking apart, Melinda's flushed expression meeting mine. I didn't know what to say, I didn't know what to feel. Emotions surged through me like I had been struck by lightening. I thought I heard Mel say my name, but I had turned. My feet were swiftly carrying me out and away from the room and to the door of April's apartment.

As I walked past the living room I was pretty certain someone within there also spoke to me, but I wasn't certain whom. All I knew was I wanted to get back to the hotel. I wanted to try to sort out the absolute mess of sensations that was coursing through my brain. I shut the door behind me a bit too hard. Flinching without thought as my feet pounding against the sidewalk. When had I started running I wondered?

I didn't stop myself, and at least this time I wasn't traveling as blindly as the last time I was upset. I turned and headed straight toward the hotel. Reasoning Melinda looked a little too busy with Don to come looking for me right now. I stopped dead. Turning down an alley, I almost sat down. Why on earth was I so upset? If I didn't know better I would almost guess I was jealous, but that's just stupid what did I have to be jealous of?

I started to walk down the alleyway it was long. I was pretty sure there was a subway on the other side and from there I could just ride home. I hardly felt a rustle as I heard someone softly land behind me. "Why did you run away like that?"

My eyes closed slightly as I heard the voice, I realized I should have expected him to follow. "Look Leonardo, I am alright this time. I am going right back to the hotel." I turned, but still didn't meet his gaze, afraid how well he could read me. "You don't need to worry."

"That doesn't answer my question." My eyes drifted up him. His expression was scolding; his arms crossed his stance commanding. He was waiting for me to answer. His expression not standoffish, but instead concerned. I wasn't certain how to answer. I didn't want to tell him the truth.

"I just didn't feel comfortable, so I decided to leave." It wasn't a complete lie. I was just holding back the most important part of the why I had been uncomfortable. I saw his eyes narrow. He was studying me. I shivered, his gaze was so intense. I felt butterflies spring into my stomach and scolded myself for acting so stupid. What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I control myself today?

"What made you uncomfortable? Did we…?" His tone took on an almost hurt quality. Like the thought of my finding them uncomfortable bothered him. I couldn't understand why.

"No it had nothing to do with you." I hugged myself with my arms, turning my face away again, knowing I would have to admit what had happened to him or he might be hurt for no reason. "When I took Mel her phone, well…"I sighed. "I saw her and Donatello kissing each other." I felt stupid saying it. Why should my friend obviously liking someone else bother me? Still I had this nagging feeling. This idea that she was allowing herself something I was denying and it was eating at me. A thought, which to me was preposterous. I needed to get away. I needed to clear my thoughts.

Finally looking at Leonardo again, I could see my news shocked him almost as much as it had me. He started to say something a few times, always sputtering to a stop and looking at me surprised. I think it was my confused, almost panicked expression that cleared his senses.

"Why would seeing them make you so uncomfortable?" Now his expression changed from amazement to one of suspicious. I shifted. Looking at him then away, continuing to hug myself. Trying to sort through what I was feeling so that maybe I could give him some sort of correct answer.

"I don't know alright, it, it just did." I turned from him completely. Not able to stand the look in his eyes anymore. Not able to take him analyzing every small movement of every muscle in my face. I just wanted to leave. I wanted to crawl into a hole somewhere alone and just think. I was so close, so close to realizing what was driving me to such a flurry of distraction, but with him there, I couldn't concentrate. Why was he such a diversion?

"Do we disgust you that much?" His voice was cold now. His hard tone chilled me. I fought the need to turn to tell him how stupid he was to even say such a thing. Because that statement would only bring about more questions I couldn't answer and I was afraid if I met him a passionate rebuttal he would do the same and it would start a fight.

"That's not it, Leonardo. You far from disgust me. I am just confused." I lowered my head, shutting my eyes briefly, wishing he would just go back to his family, but at the same time a small part of me desperately wanted him to stay, to not leave me alone.

"I think you're lying. Why can't you even look at me when you talk?" I could hear him step closer to me and I made no move to pull away or stop him. I was hoping if he got no actual reaction, he would get frustrated and leave. Even if deep down I knew he wasn't like Raphael and that it would take a lot more then frustration for him to just drop something.

"I'm not lying okay? I just want to be alone." I could feel my breathing growing quick and shallow. I was becoming even more upset. I knew soon I was going to turn on him or run. Neither option I knew would please him much.

"Were you so disgusted by the thought of one of us touching your friend that you had to run wildly out of April's apartment, without so much as an explanation? Just admit it!" Passion was rising in his voice and I was mildly surprised. He didn't seem like the type of guy that let things get to him very easily. I could hear him stepping closing.

"I am not bothered by Don touching Melinda!" I was losing my cool, my voice rose.

"Just admit it you are!" He met me octave for octave, his own tone changing.

"I WAS NOT BOTHERED…" Two strong arms wrapped around me from behind cutting me short mid-sentence. Leonardo pulled my back tightly against his plastron, so closely I could feel the leather from the band across his chest dig into my back. I gasped surprised. His head lowered, resting against my shoulder, nuzzling my hair. I could barely breath.

"See we won't hurt you." He spoke in my ear, his voice soft. I could almost feel my heart pounding. My hands rose to rest on his arms, locked around me. I felt him for the first time and was surprised by how warm he was, how soft. I leaned back against him, unafraid of him. In fact his embrace brought me peace.

His breath was warm against my neck and shoulder, sending a shiver unlike anything I had ever felt down my spine. What was wrong with me? How could he make me feel this way? So helpless in his arms, yet I didn't mind at all. I wanted to feel his strength. I wanted to know he was there for me. I wanted THIS moment. I wanted him.

The realization of my own thoughts made me stiffen again. I couldn't believe what I was thinking. I couldn't believe my own emotions. He felt me grow tense in his arms and started to move to break away, I am guessing fearful he had crossed a line. I turned my face swiftly, so that my nose was nuzzling his cheek. I reached one hand up to touch the other side of his face, feeling the fabric from his bandana against my fingertips. I wasn't certain what was going to happen. I wasn't certain what I wanted to happen.

"You're right," I whispered to him. "I can never picture you hurting me." He made an odd noise in his throat almost like a chur. He grasped me tighter if that was possible, one of his hands lifting to touch my lips.

"Well this looks cozy." We broke apart instantly when Raphael spoke. Leonardo turned swiftly giving his brother an almost guilty look.

"What are you doing here, Raph?" Leonardo's tone was flat, emotionless. Whatever he had been feeling if it had been anything was quickly buried away. I turned again to face them both. A superior smirk on Raphael's face as he stood a parody of the stance Leonardo had used on me earlier. Arms crossed looking stern. My emotions were still a hurricane I didn't even try to answer.

"I could ask you the same question, Leo. She took off, and then you took off. I was a little confused. I thought you hated the fact Don had met them. That they were going to be a big problem for us. Did you change your mind?" Raphael's words stung like almost nothing else could have. So that was the truth. I was nothing but a problem that needed to be solved to him. That made sense.

"You're taking my words out of context, Raph." Leonardo was the one that actually looked uncomfortable this time. I saw him glace at me, but I stood expressionless. I wasn't going to allow him the satisfaction of knowing he had hurt me.

"It doesn't matter." I spoke up. Pained and even more confused then when I had run away in the first place. I looked solely at Raphael. "We will be gone in a week anyway and then we will be out of…BOTH of your way." I shot Leo a haughty look. Inside it felt like I was tearing in two. Damn him I thought. Damn him for causing me to feel something for him. Just so he could hurt me.

I turned on my heel. I could almost feel the sneer on Raphael's face. The pleasure he was taking in my discomfort. I REALLY wanted to get away now. I couldn't believe how stupid I was. How easily I had fallen into whatever game they seemed to be playing with me.

"Just leave Melinda alone please, she really seems to like your Brother." I started to walk away, I heard Leonardo call out my name but I didn't turn and I didn't reply. I was tired and confused.

The subway ride was quick I wasn't really paying much attention. I arrived back at the hotel and found the room was empty which didn't surprise me.

I fell onto my bed, suddenly and inexplicitly exhausted. Laying there all I could remember was how Leonardo's arms had felt. Tensed, perfect, strong. I growled out in frustration. Unbelieving he could be so base with me. I closed my eyes tightly and forced myself to think of nothing. For all emotion, all feeling to just float away. Soon after, I slept.