I had come down that morning from a troubled night's sleep. I had admitted my feelings for Leonardo to Melinda and that had been a very difficult thing to do. I had been so scared of her judging me, or telling me how stupid I was acting. In the end she had supported me and it had surprised me just how big of a relief it had been.

I had tossed and turned most of the night. I couldn't stop thinking about the evening before. Leonardo's body so close to mine. The way his breath had felt on my face. The warmth of his hand on my back. The realization that I had a very desperate desire for him. Yet the rational part of me told me how stupid these feelings were. Truthfully I should have gone home already. I had called my Grandparents again and they had been just as negative about what I was doing. They were beginning to pressure me for information and a confirmation of when I would be returning. I kept thinking I should. Then I would watch Leo practice, the sheer beauty and strength of him and the thought of leaving without finding out where our two paths would lead, would just break my heart.

I yawned as I entered the main room. Shaking my head slightly, a sleepy look on my face. Leo had been doing katas alone and I watched him pause and study me. I could see slight perspiration on his forehead from the energy he was expending. I blushed as I couldn't help, but stop to stare at his taunt frame. He saw the flush I think. He smiled at me and leapt into the air doing a prefect spin kick, slicing down and out with one of his katanas. I giggled realizing much to my amusement that he was showing off. He stopped, his breathing slightly hard and turned to smile at me again, waiting to see what I thought. I grinned wide and bowed my head at him, 'very impressive,' I mouthed at him. He smirked and moved into another kata formation.

I felt a gentle hand lay itself on my shoulder and spun surprised to see Sensei standing behind me, watching Leonardo and I. I felt myself flush again and I bowed to Splinter. "Good morning, Splinter-sensei. Did you sleep well?" My tone was both pleasant and polite. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Leo pause. Curious what the two of us were doing before continuing with his practice. Splinter smiled at me.

"Hai, I did thank you." He patted my hand. "Would you mind speaking with this old one for a while?" He gestured towards the Turtles couch. I looked over at it surprised, wondering what on earth Splinter would want to speak to me about.

"Of coarse I would be honored." I nodded and followed him across the small expanse of the room. We both seated ourselves, I tried to read anything from Sensei's expression to get any clue as to what he was thinking, but he was even better at disguising his thoughts then Saki was. At least with Splinter I knew I was safe.

"We have been honored to have yourself and Melinda stay in our humble home, Lea." Splinter bowed his head; I returned the bow curious what he was going to say. He continued. "I know much stress has been put upon the two of you by being here and my Son's worry for you. In particular Leonardo and Donatello." I nodded listening to him. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the door to the elevator to the topside open and April stepped in. She waved to Leo and Mike and Raph who were goofing around on the other side of the room. She smiled to Splinter and I before moving towards Donnie. I was surprised I hadn't seen April in a while. I smiled back at her and waved.

Splinter sighed, seeming used to distractions while he was trying to speak. "I just want you to know, child. If anything bothers you, you may always speak to me. There is no reason for you to shoulder the burden alone. And perhaps if you are not comfortable talking to this one, you may wish to speak to my son." With one hand he gestured towards Leonardo. I looked over at him and felt myself blink. He had become completely consumed by his practice. He was slowly going through sword positions, the world around him having disappeared. He was now lost to his art. I felt myself smile, it was beautiful.

Splinter noticed my expression and patted my hand. "The both of you are like great trees, one red maple…" He gestured towards Leo. "The other sakura." He patted my hand. "You both grow on opposite sides of a wall and unless you both learn to redirection your branches towards one another, you will never meet."

"Sensei?" I looked at him with question.

He smiled. "You will understand child with time."

I turned to look at Leonardo again and then back at Splinter. "Thank you so much for your consideration of me, but I should be alright. I am happy with my situation right now." I saw someone at the stairs out of the corner of my eye. My face became confused. Melinda was creeping down the stairs it was odd. I followed her gaze; her expression was one of hurt and maybe loathing. I saw she was looking at Don and April. I in turn watched Don and April. They seemed to be looking at something together on Don's computer and laughing and talking.

I realized the impression Mel must be getting. She must think something was happening between them, but I had seen April act this way with all the guys. They were like her little brothers and she tended to like goofing around with them I noticed. I wanted to say something to Melinda, but she had already run upstairs. My brow creased with worry.
I turned back to Splinter; he too was looking at the space Melinda had just run from. I saw him turn back to Donatello and April with a troubled expression. "Your friend bares much pain Lea, you mustn't allow her to." I nodded understanding what he was saying.

"Thank you, Splinter-sensei, you have given me much to think about." I bowed to him again and stood, turning to go after Mel. I saw Leo pause in his practice as I walked past him, but I couldn't stop now. I know my ignoring him had to hurt him a little, but I was really afraid of what Melinda was thinking. I dashed up the stairs and to the door of Leonardo's room, I knocked.

There was no answer. I really wasn't that surprised. I pushed the door open and looked around. Melinda had dimmed the lights, it was fairly dark. It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust. Mel was curled up under her blankets on the floor, her back turned towards me. I stepped into the room, a worried expression on my face. "Melinda?" I asked with hesitation.

"What?" Her reply was cold. I could hear the hurt in her voice. I just wanted to talk to her and make the hurt go away.

"Sis, are you alright, you left awfully quick back there?" I would let her tell me what was wrong instead of confronting her.

"I'm fine…" I could hear Melinda trying to control her tone. "I just didn't feel good. I think I have a migraine." I didn't believe her words for one second, but I wasn't sure if pushing her for an explanation would help. I sighed.

"Okay, Sis, but if anything WAS bothering you, you know you can talk to me about it right?" My voice was hopeful like maybe she would change her mind and tell me her problems. Instead all I heard was her sigh loudly.

"Yes, Lea I know. Now I just want to sleep." She fell silent the conversation now over.

A little wounded I walked away from the door and shut it, uncertain what to say. I stepped away from the room. My heart heavy. I felt like everyone I cared about was angry with me. First my family, now Melinda. As I walked down to the kitchen alone I wonder if maybe this trip was the best idea.

I spent most of the day reading, simply because it seems like in this household whenever one broods they get asked too many questions. The only way I could seem to get time alone to think was to bury my face in a book. I had a rather nice collection of manga with me so I decided to spend the day reading them and thinking.

I curled up in an armchair in the corner and just lost myself in my books. I tried to stay away from the ones that centered more on romance and stick more to fantasy or straight action. It worked for the most part. For a few hours I drowned out my troubles and just tried to relax. Mike came to get me for dinner, but I told him I wasn't hungry. Truthfully I didn't know if I could take being stared at by everyone. They knew something was wrong and they would try to help me with it. As much as I appreciated there kindness, right at this moment I just wanted to be alone and think. I never saw Mel come down so I was assuming she too never went to dinner.

Reading had lost its flare for me, I couldn't concentrate and I wondered if maybe I should try to talk to Melinda again. I looked at my watch. I knew dinner would be over soon and that if I wanted to sneak up to Leo's room to speak to Mel I should do it now before there were too many prying eyes watching me. Gathering my courage, hoping for a more positive reaction than last time I dropped my manga and made my way back up the stairs.

I didn't even bother to knock this time I just entered. Mel was still laying in much the same way that I left her. I sighed. Worried and wondering what I could do.

"Melinda… it's me." I stood at the foot of Leo's bed just looking at my friend uncertain what to say. I could hear her shifting around for a few moments before she spoke.

"I don't feel like talking Lea, I still don't feel well, please leave me alone." Her tone was still cold. Sighing I went to sit on Leo's bed. Staring over at her before finally scooting up and curling up under the covers.

"Fine…" My voice was soft. "But I am here if you need me." I laid in Leonardo's bed for what seemed like a long time. At some point I got up and put on my pajamas deciding I wasn't going to leave the room again that night. Sliding back under the covers I almost tried to speak to Melinda again, but seeing she still had her back to me, I fell against the pillow feeling defeated.

I think at some point I dozed off. I don't think I dreamed at least nothing I remember. A small sound woke me. I looked around feeling confused and sleepy, wondering what was going on. Reality was brought to me when I realized someone was crying, and that after a few moments of collecting my thoughts it was Mel. I scooted up into a sitting position.

"Sis, are you alright?" There was obvious worry in my voice. I could hear her shifting around; I wondered what she was doing.

"I'm fine, leave me alone!" She snapped back at me a little harshly. I was growing annoyed. I could only be patience and understanding for so long.

"You're NOT fine and you know it, why won't you just talk to me?" I knew I sounded a little whiney, but I couldn't alter that feeling from my tone.

"What would you know, Lea? You're so damn happy, acting all giggly about Leonardo. You couldn't understand what I am going through." She threw the blankets back and sat up to glare at me. I actually scooted back a little, frightened by her reproach.

"Mel, what do you mean? I couldn't be happy if you're so upset. Sis, is this about Don and April because..." I was cut on when Melinda slammed her fist down on the floor.

"I don't want to hear any of it. No more lies. Nothing about how Donatello likes me because he doesn't. I don't even understand him, HOW could he like me. I don't know why this is upsetting me. I mean they are just Turtles it's not like we should like them anyway." Melinda's tone was so cold, so angry. I made a little hurt noise at the mention of both of us and the fact we should have feelings for the Turtles. I saw Melinda turn to look right at me in the dim light.

"I bet Saki is right, I bet they ARE playing with our emotions!" I could hear the tears in her eyes. The way her voice choked when she spoke. My expression became horrified.

"That CAN'T be true, Melinda, the guys they would never…" She cut me off again.

"How do you know that, Lea, huh? You don't know them any better than I do. I wish I would have never came on this goddamn trip with you. I wish all of you would JUST GO AWAY!" Mel flipped back over and pulled the blankets to cover her head. I just sat staring at her for a long time. I could feel myself shaking, both from fear and the hurt from what my friend had just said to me.

"Melinda?" My voice was small she didn't answer. I sighed and slowly untangling myself from the blankets stood. I couldn't stay in the room with all this negative energy, so I thought I would go get a drink to try to clam down.

I glanced at the clock before I left the room. It was a little after three in the morning. I sighed. Worried and tired. Mel's words were nagging at me as I carefully made my way down the stairs. Once again thinking that maybe this trip wasn't such a good idea.

I tried to be quiet as I tip toed through the living room, but without fail a light flickered on. Leo was without his mask or any of his gear and he was looking at me with a sleepy expression. Even in my pain I could see it was cute. I paused just staring at him.

"Lea, why are you up?" He was looking at me confused. I could see he was becoming alert within seconds. Much faster than me. He rubbed his eyes looking back up at his room and then at my expression. His own expression grew worried. "What's wrong? You're as white as a sheet." He sifted on the couch to give me room to sit next to him and patted the cushions I hesitated for only a second, before I nearly ran across the room. I fell against him, embracing him, crying. Seeing his compassion just completely set me off. I knew coming here wasn't a mistake and I felt guilty for even thinking that it could be.

He stiffened at my embrace seemly not ready for it. It only took him moments to recover. He smoothed my hair and spoke gently to me. I wasn't even sure what he was saying, but his tone was so calming, his embrace so warm I felt myself relaxing. Slowly my sobbing stopped, it was then I realized to my embarrassment I had somehow ending up in Leo's lap. Cuddled against him while he was holding me, nuzzling my neck.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me." I was wiping the tears from my eyes still sniffling. "I shouldn't burden you with all of this Leonardo, it isn't your concern." I looked away from him, I felt bad, because not too long ago I had been questioning why I was even here. Now I was running to him and once again forcing him to burden himself with me being insanely emotional. It wasn't fair.

I was surprised as his hand came down to gently, but firmly grasp my chin. He lifted my face until my eyes meet his. His expression was very concerned, yet strong. He seemed to consider me for a moment before he spoke. "I can't believe you look so beautiful, even when you cry…" His words were soft and full of emotion. I sat staring at him for a long time. The implication of what he had just expressed to me sinking in. With one large finger he pushed back my hair, it was sticking slightly to my still wet face. He then ran his hand down my neck. "Why are you sad? I don't want you to be." His tone was simple, pure. I had never felt like anyone had been so honest and open with me as he was being at this moment.

I leaned in to hold him again, my small arms wrapping tightly around his neck, my cheek pressed firmly against his shoulder. "I feel like I am messing up everything for everyone. Like the world is mad at me and there's nothing I can do to correct or change it…" All my problems with my family and Melinda all came spilling out to him. I couldn't hold anything back. He had opened his heart to me and now my heart was pouring out in return. He listened silently, making small noises to show I had his attention. His left hand never leaving my hair, constantly playing in it.

"Lea…" He nuzzled my shoulder with his beak. I was running out of things to say and slowly getting to the point where I was about to start sobbing again. "I know you feel guilty about a lot of things, but you have chosen this path. You have chosen to stay here and your family must allow you to see why your heart made that choice and why you must follow it." He sighed heavily; I could tell he wasn't certain how to approach the next topic. "Melinda will just have to realize that Donatello and April are nothing to each other, other than friends. I think truthfully the only one that can convince her of that is Don, but he's so shy it's hard for him. Even if he does adore her." He let the last words sink in for effect. I was correct Don DID have feelings for Melinda, its wasn't just my ideal fancy.

"There's nothing you can do about that right now. It's very late and you'll just keep getting yourself more upset about it. You should try to sleep and in the morning, I will help you take care of this. I'll talk to Donatello for you, alright?" I turned my head looking at him with puffy tear filled eyes. I nodded.

"You don't have to do all this for me I feel like such a burden." He shook his head, looking at me long and hard, he appeared to be considering something. I squeaked surprised as he shifted, he was moving to lay back down and pulling me gently with him. I could see from his expression how uncertain he was about his actions. I was pretty sure he was waiting for me to jump up and move away from, instead I cuddled closer. Both of us were laying now, my back pressed against his plastron. I could actually feel him shaking a little. He must be a slightly scared of being this close to me.

"You need to sleep." His breath was warm on my neck. I felt his hand drift down and start to massage my arm and shoulder. "Just relax and lean against me. I am here. I'll protect you." Leonardo calmed from his own words. I murmured softly, feeling myself grow drowsy. His quiet words and his soft touched lulled me into a very deep calm slumber.

I woke later that evening, still cuddled tightly against Leonardo. His smell clinging to everything around me. I shifted slightly, a soft noise escaping me. He patted my hair, I could hear him talking it was what had woken me. I turned to look sleepily, surprised to see Melinda.

She too was looking down at us slightly shocked. Leo seemed to be asking her where she was going. I looked at her my wits a bit shambled. Not completely awake yet. "I need to use my cell phone and I don't get any reception down here. I thought I would try the warehouse topside to see if my call goes through." Mel replied to Leo's question. Maybe it was just me, but she seemed less upset than before. Maybe that was good.

"Its only six in the morning, Melinda, who are you calling?" I couldn't believe Leo sounded so awake. I yawned.

"My phone was beeping and I managed to get a slight signal long enough to tell it was my family that called. Something might be wrong I need to check." I felt Leonardo watch her, considering her words carefully, before nodding.

"Alright, but don't be long." He watched her walk away. I yawned again, rubbing my eyes. He turned back to me and pushed my shoulder gently with his beak. "Go back to sleep." He wrapped his arms tightly around me and I was forced to lay back down. He snuggled his face into my hair, I could feel his breath against my neck. I felt so safe, without any words I drifted right back into a deep slumber.