I jerked away from Casey's grip as he pulled me into the apartment. I guess he figured I would run off so he moved to where his body was in between the door and I. Actually I did want to leave, I looked up at him. "You're not goin anywhere!" Casey sternly said to me. My eyes went wide and I finally realized that in the living room were Mikey and Raph. I think Raph must have been lounging on the couch, but now he was standing up in front of the couch, his hands resting on the handles of his sais. Michelangelo was sitting in the chair near the couch, but now sitting straight up with his eyes right on me. Raph had a very angry look on his face while Mikey just looked at me with wide eyes. I grew scared seeing them there. I didn't want to face them. Luckily I only saw Raph and Mikey there so I figured I wouldn't have to face Lea or Don. "Everyone! You gotta get out here!" Casey shouted out. This made me cringe because that means there were other people in the apartment.

"Well look who decided to join us?" Raph said as he kept his eyes glaring at me. I didn't like it all. I felt so scared that I wanted to get away from everyone. I didn't want to be here.

"Whoa! Where did you find her?" Mikey asked as he looked at me amazed.

"I found her out with those Purple Dragon low lives," Casey replied, I could sense the hostility in his voice. But I liked T, Tina, and Amanda. They were my friends! This made me angry so I snapped back at him.

"They ARE not low lives! They are my friends!" I screamed out at him. My anger was clearly up. I felt so angry that I was shaking my fists were clenched. I didn't like it when people insulted my friends and I felt cornered again.

"Yeah whatever!" Casey said again then he took a step closer towards me away from the door and pushed me some. I lost my balance and fell onto the floor. Even though it was carpet, the impact still hurt my knee. I let out a small cry as I felt my knee hit the floor. It WAS feeling better till he made me fall. This made me even angrier.

"You asshole!" I shouted at him, I was really angry. I never felt so angry in my entire life!

"You know what Raph? I think maybe I should teach her a lesson. I mean she IS with them!" Casey said as he glared down at me in the floor. For one moment I was kind of scared by the look in his eyes.

Suddenly I heard another voice coming from the kitchen. "Casey! Wait a minute!" The voice pleaded, I turned my gaze over to where the voice was coming from and saw April walking out of the kitchen. She ran over to Casey and pulled on his wrist to move him away from me. Casey was breathing hard in anger; I stood my ground and glared at him. Leonardo and Lea walked into the living room where we were. My eyes went wide as I saw them. Lea was here! So that's why she didn't come back! She was here at April's…with Leonardo! I felt very hurt. I don't know why. I should have been happy for her, but I couldn't believe that she didn't come back to the hotel. She MUST have been with Leonardo or have grown closer to him. How could she trust them and be with them after everything that Saki and my friends had told me? Lea looked at me and I tensed up some…clenching my fists again. Finally I managed to let myself speak.

"Look, what is the BIG deal!" Immediately I let my eyes fall on Lea. I didn't want anything to do with the others so I kept my focus on her. "You are with YOUR friends and I am with MINE!" I snapped. I hated to be facing all these people at one time. I never did like confrontations much in my life.

My attention got directed when I heard Casey let out another growl. I saw him about to make a remark, but April jerked on his arm again to make him be quiet. "Are you THAT dumb!" Mikey asked me. I was a bit shocked to hear him speak up. He had crossed his arms and even he was glaring at me. I was hoping at least I would get some sympathy from him, but I guess not.

"I think she is…" Raphael added as he continued to hold his own gaze at me. "Or that she thinks she's too good for us!" He spat.

"Raphael, that's enough!" Leonardo snapped at his brother. He let out a very deep loud sigh then he looked at me. "Look, we are not here to hurt you in anyway. You are free to leave if you wish, but we wanted to help your friend." His eyes motioned over to Lea for a bit, and then he looked at me again. "You know you do have a friend RIGHT here who has been worried for you and she's been putting herself into danger looking for you. I think the LEAST you can do before you go back to Oraku Saki," His eyes narrowed down to almost slits and I could hear a slight hiss in his voice as he spoke, "is to tell her what is going on. Let her know THE truth! That is what is owed to her," He crossed his arms again. After he finished I heard everyone make a slight gasp and they murmured amongst themselves about Oraku Saki. I was a bit confused by this.

"She's with the Shredder!" Mikey exclaimed really loud. "Are you THAT crazy!" I stood there flabbergasted, looking at them. I felt my guard had been put down. I was less tense; I looked at them with wide eyes. I didn't know what to say. They seemed to act like Oraku Saki was a horrible man, but he was so nice to me.

"I can't believe this!" Raph growled lately, blocking out Mike's hysterics. "You're really stupid you know that! I am just glad that Don is down in the basement, fixing the hot water heater for April so he won't have to know about this!" Raphael clenched his fists, and he moved closer to me. His eyes were down to slits as well, but the anger inside him was so immense that it really scared me. I backed up some away from him, but felt my back touching the door so I had nowhere. "Look, I don't know your friend very well at all. But she's HELL of a lot nicer than you! I can't believe that a friend like you would treat her this way! You're just lucky that I am not too close to her because if you DARE hurt Don, you will definitely pay…" He hissed at me.

"Raphael! Stand down!" Leonardo screamed. Raphael looked almost shocked by the tone in Leonardo's voice, but then he let out a growl and slowly backed away from me, but his eyes remained locked on me for a few more moments before he turned and stormed away to sit back down on the couch. I felt my body growing tense again when I felt the need to cry once more, but I remained strong. The tears were clearly in my eyes, but I kept them in. I balled my fists up tighter, digging my nails into the flesh. I kept telling myself to get out of there, but I felt like my feet were glued to the floor! The room grew quiet once more and all of us just stared at one another for a brief moment before April walked over to where Leonardo was standing. I really couldn't hear what was being said because she was whispering to him. I looked at them curiously, wondering what was going on but before I knew it, Leo and April had walked down the hallway. My eyes trailed them, but when Lea spoke up finally, my eyes went back to her becoming distracted. I didn't really see Leo or April, but I heard the sound of a door opening.

I felt Lea's gaze fall back on me after she turned her head back around from watching Leonardo walk away with April. I think even she didn't know what was going on. I knew I felt like crap on the inside about a lot of things, but then again I was defending the very things that upset my friend. Raphael got up from the couch and looked at me. "Why don't you come over here and stay with us for awhile?" His tone was still very harsh to me. I walked over to where he was, without saying a word and avoiding any eye contact with him. I sat there on the couch with Lea on the other end. I kept my eyes to the floor, trying to not to look at any of them. I knew as long as I didn't have any eye contact with them then I could be strong. I knew I always broke down when I had to look straight at someone while arguing with them. I don't know why I did this. I think it goes back to my whole thing with not being able to deal with confrontations. I sat there and listened to Raph's feet as he walked away from the couch and over towards where I was originally standing.

Finally Lea spoke up. "So, Mel, what's up?" She asked. I knew exactly what she wanted. She wanted me to tell her everything, but I felt like I couldn't tell her. I wanted to tell her, believe me! Just not in front of EVERYONE! I wanted to speak up and ask if we could talk in private but I felt like no words could come out of my mouth so I sat there where I was and kept my gaze to the floor. There was then another long moment of silence. I knew what they wanted. They wanted me to talk, but I felt like I couldn't speak up. I looked up some at the wall nervously, but when I quickly caught Raph looking at me impatiently, I looked back down! I hated this! I sat there, praying silently to myself that they would finally drop it and bring up a conversation amongst themselves. But no, they didn't.

I let out a sigh and finally had the courage to answer, but I kept my answer mostly directed to her, hoping that perhaps that Raphael, Mikey, and Casey would get the hint and leave me be with her but I should have never hoped that. "Lea, I need to talk to you. I know that. There are some things I should really tell you," I said softly. I don't think I have ever spoken so softly in my entire life! It was almost like a whisper, but of course Raph heard it.

"Damn straight you have THINGS to tell her! You have things to tell ALL of us! You know you and her are becoming a pain in the shell lately! Mostly you! I don't see why my brothers are so concerned about you anyway," Raph replied.

"Yeah! Raph's got a point!" Casey added. "If you ARE hanging around with those Purple Dragon goons then you have a lot of explaining to do, young lady!"

Mikey let out a frustrated sigh. "Will you LAY off the Purple Dragons for once!"

"You defending her!" Casey snapped back.

"Yeah, Mike. You're beginning to sound more like Leo and Don. They are ready losing it already," Raph replied as well.

I grimaced hearing them argue among themselves. At first I was kind of happy that they attention was diverted from me, but then again I didn't want them to argue. I heard Lea let out a sigh. "Cool it, Raph!" A voice boomed from the hallway. Instantly I knew who it was and I cringed some. I felt my stomach tighten up and I knew I had to get out of there! Donatello entered into the living room from the hallway along with April and Leonardo. I looked over at Don and I felt like I wanted to cry then and there. Not because I was sad but I because I was frightened.

"I have to be going now," I stammered as I rose up from the couch and started to walk towards the front door. I knew they were watching me and this made me feel even worse!

Raph stood his ground and looked at me with his narrow eyes, "You're not going anywhere." I could tell that he was serious and that even if I had tried to bluff him and make for the door, he would probably attack me. I felt trapped and I didn't like this feeling!

Then I heard Leonardo speak again, "Melinda, listen to me. You know that we don't want to bring you any harm by having you here. Lea is only your friend and she wants to help you. If you go and talk to Don for a few moments, then you are free to leave and we will never bother you again. I give you my promise, but I can not speak for Lea myself, but I assure you that we will leave you alone and let you be with Lea if you wish it so." I sighed and looked over at Leonardo then to Lea. I could her pleading with me silently. I then heard Raphael and Casey groan out loud and complain about Leo's option.

"Alright," I sighed some, keeping my gaze on Leo and Lea, trying my best not to make any eye contact with Donatello.

"Very well," Leo replied, I knew he was pleased by my agreement to this. He made a motion with his hand over to April.

"Follow me," April said. "You guys can talk back in my room." She turned to walk and I followed her, but making sure that Donatello was walking in front of April, away from me. I kept my eyes to the floor as I walked past the couch where Lea was sitting. Trying to keep my eyes off of them. My heart was pounding really hard as I followed April. I felt so squeamish that I didn't like the feeling at all! I heard the sound of a door being opened, so I looked up to see Don walking inside with April following him. I followed behind April. I walked over quickly and stood beside April's bed. Don had stopped near the door. "Okay. There you go," April said, giving me a soft smile before she turned around and walked out of the door, shutting it behind her. The room stayed quiet after that. I heard slight murmurs coming from the main room, but then the sound of a television being turned on. The sound of the television muted out the murmurs, which made me frustrated because I wanted to know what was being said. I felt so uncomfortable being here. My heart was pounding so fast that it almost scared me! I knew he was glancing over at me and I didn't like it all! I let out a sigh and sat down on the bed's edge, but I didn't realize how much my knee was actually hurting till the pressure hit it as I sat down with my knees bent. I felt the pain shooting in my knee as I sat and I clenched my knee some with my hand. The pain hurt real badly for only a brief moment but still it hurt so I had to stretch it out to make it feel better. "Asshole…" I sighed in frustration as I sat there.

"I beg your pardon?" Don asked as he looked over at me.

I almost felt kind of bad because I thought by the way he asked me that, that in fact he thought I was telling him that. "Casey made me fall earlier on my knee and it really hurts. I don't think I broke it but just will have a huge bruise on it in the morning."

Without a reply, Don walked out of the room. I heard him go into the next room and rummage around some, moments later he came back with a tube of some ointment. "Don, it's not THAT bad." I said, looking at him.

"Still it will help," He replied and looked at me. "Can you push up your pants leg high enough to the knee so I can put some of this on there? It should reduce the inflammation of the tissue that is probably causing the swelling."

I couldn't help, but to let a small smile fall across my face as I bent down some and gently pushed up my pant leg for him to my knee. Don started to put some ointment on my knee and began to rub the ointment all over my knee. In fact, he was right! It did help a lot! He kept his eyes down as he put the ointment on my knee and I couldn't help, but to look at him as he did so. I watched him in awe. I don't know…something about Don always seemed to make me feel better and happy. He finished rubbing and looked up at me. "How's that?"

"It's better…thank you," I said softly at him. I didn't really feel any anger towards him. He nodded his head and left the room again. Moments later he came back in and sat down on the floor and looked up at me. I saw this gaze and quickly looked away.

"Listen, Melinda, I am not here to make you do anything you don't want to do. If you do not want to stop being with the Purple Dragons, then I won't stop you. It's your life and your decision. I just don't understand why you are with them. You are obviously not THEIR type," He spoke at me, his eyes right on me.

I let out a sigh and thought about my friends Tina and Amanda. They were really nice to me and I didn't think that they meant me any harm. "Don, are you sure about that?"

"Well not really. Hypothetically I don't think you are their type," He sighed and looked at me. "You are really pretty, Melinda and very smart. Look, I am sorry for what I said to you earlier and what happened the other time we met. But you don't have to hurt yourself because of this. I can just leave you alone if that is what you want. I didn't mean for you to get upset about it. I guess I was hoping for another response. But believe me! It's not your fault," He said, his voice was shaky some. I looked at him sadly as he spoke. "Listen you don't have to force yourself to like me or even talk to me if you are not comfortable with it. You do not owe me anything. I only wanted you to be safe and I think we should end it with a thank you."

I felt the tears come to my eyes. Whatever we had together, I felt like it was hurling downward in a deadly spiral with every word that came out of Don's mouth. I didn't want this, I wanted to stop him from talking anymore…I wanted to speak out, but I couldn't. All I could was cry…and believe me I cried. I felt the tears just flowing down my face. How could Donatello do this? With all the others I remained strong in what I thought was the right to do. But Don quickly destroyed my barrier with no violence at all. I heard Don become alarmed to me crying, but I couldn't stop. I cursed at myself in my head for crying, but it did no good…I put my hand over my eyes to hide my eyes from him. That's when I felt the bed mattress bend some below me as if someone else had sat down. I knew it was Donatello. "Please don't cry, Melinda. I don't want to hurt you…I didn't mean to upset you. I am just saying that I think you are a very terrific person…more than you give yourself credit for. It's okay be scared about something…but you shouldn't hide from it. You have friends who are willing to help you." Don gently pulled on my shoulder and I felt myself lean over against him and I buried my head against his shoulder and cried. I felt Don gently stroking my face with his fingertips. I knew he was trying to wipe the tears from my eyes so I forced myself to stop crying. "Lea cares about you a lot…I care about you a lot…," He said softly as he gently caressed the side of my face and neck with his mouth. The touch of his skin so close to mine gave me the utmost chills! I was really shocked by this. What he said was making my heartbeat fast! His voice was so soft and I knew it was true. What he was saying was not a lie. My right hand gently fell onto the top right side of his plastron. I felt his heart beat against the palm of my hand. His heart was beating really hard. It was almost as if he was scared about something. I looked at him with confusion. But as my eyes met his, I felt myself being dragged inside his soul deeper and deeper. I felt as if not only my own soul was being dragged down deep inside but my body as well was being pulled closer. I gently held onto the back of his neck as I lifted up some, closer to him. My right hand rested on his plastron where his heart was. I felt his face gently caressing mine…his hot breath flowing across my mouth.

Suddenly I heard a familiar ring tone coming from the side strap on my jeans where my cell phone was. It quickly knocked me back into reality and I looked at him with wide eyes, as if I felt like I had been in a trance. I pulled away from him and grabbed the cell phone from my belt and hit the receive button. "Hello?" It was T. I looked over at Don nervously because I knew he was watching me, trying to figure out who it was.

"Who is it?" He asked but I tried to ignore him.

"Mel! You okay? We are worried…are you coming back?" T asked.

"Yeah…in a bit."

"Where are you?"

"Ugh…nowhere. But I am fine! I'll be there in a little bit."

I saw Don walking over to me but I quickly hit the end button and put the cell phone back on its strap. Don stood there and looked at me. "I have to be going now." I said quickly as I started to walk away from him towards the bedroom door.

"No, wait!" Don said quickly. I felt his hand grab my arm. He pulled me back over to him.

"Don, stop! Come on!" I said as I tried my best to get free, but I couldn't.

"Leonardo told me that you are staying with Saki. Please do NOT go back with him. You don't know what kind of person he is…he doesn't care about you at all," Don insisted and then held me closer to him.

"Donatello! Let me go now! Look! Stop worrying about me! You don't NEED to worry about me!" I screamed at him. My emotions were so high that they just frustrated me.

I could tell by what I said kind of hurt him because I felt the grip on my arm become a little looser after I spoke. "Melinda, I HAVE to worry about you…"

I looked at him, confused. I hated to play mind games! I didn't want this! I just WANTED to get out of there. "Why!"

"Because I love you!" Don shouted back at me, but then his gaze softened to me. I was about to protest, but then his own words hit me and I looked at him. Those were the words I didn't want to hear…at least not right now.

"No, Don…please…don't. Now just let me go," I said softly back to him. Don released my arm and I looked at him one more time before I walked out of the bedroom. I walked back into the living room, but didn't take a glance anybody. My eyes were locked on the door and that meant Raphael.

"Where do you think you're going?" He said as he stood there in a threatening position.

"Let me go now, Raphael," I said, almost growling. Raph stared at me for a moment as if he was determined not to let me pass. Then I heard Leonardo let out a big sigh.

"Raph, she made her promise. Now we should honor it. Let her go," he said.

Raph make a quick glare over at his brother, and then grumbled to himself as he step aside.

Without another thought, I ran out of the apartment. My shoes hit the pavement pretty hard as I ran. I wanted to get away from there. Far away from there!