1Casey had left as soon as he had dropped me back off at the lair. He had looked livid. I had trailed behind him as he had literally stomped all the way back. I knew Casey enjoyed fighting, but he seemed to be over reacting a little bit to me. Or maybe it was just the fact I felt so hurt his exorbitant actions seemed unnecessary.

I had checked on Don and Sensei the moment I had entered. Don was sleeping very soundly and Splinter was watching over him diligently. He had been curious when I had returned alone, but surprisingly didn't ask me any questions. I bowed my head to him as I left for Leo's room. I knew he trusted his Sons, believed they would make the correct choices. Something Leo obviously didn't do with me.

Leo had pushed me aside when he had sent me home with Casey. I didn't even feel like it was because he was concerned. I felt it was because he had seen me as a loose cannon and a variable and hadn't wanted me there anymore. I was a burden to his mission. I flopped down on Leo's bed. My mind full of melancholy ideas. I picked up the manga on the floor next to where I was laying and started absently flipping through the pages. My mind couldn't focus. I kept thinking about the way Leonardo had looked at me before he walked away.

Maybe I had been lying to myself these last few days about him needing me. Or maybe he hadn't been truthful with me. He had been so cold tonight, so indifferent, it had been like he was a completely different person. It had all started at the mention of this "friend" that had to help them. That's when his expression had seemed to get really odd to me. Why wouldn't he share with me who they were working with? Why would he act like it was none of my business?

Casey had been absolutely no help. He had done nothing, but mope all the way and every time I tried to say something to garner some form of information out of him he would start ranting. About how he always fought side-by-side with the guys and that it was a crime they were leaving him out of this fight. Finally I had apologized to him, knowing I was the reason he was upset. It was the one time I had seen his expression grow soft and he told me I didn't have to feel bad. I really wasn't sure.

I dropped my manga back to the floor and turning on my side hugged my plushie as I stared at the wall across from me. I felt the tension melt from me as I just let go. I allowed my mind to drift trying not to think about anything, just relax. The stress of the last few days was catching up to me. I felt my eyelids growing heavy. I desperately wanted to sleep, wanted to disappear from every idea in my mind that was haunting me. I snuggled closer to my plushie, burrowing into the pillow as I slowly drifted off into sleep.

I awoke to sounds downstairs. My eyes fluttered for a moment. My mind clouded as I tried to remember what was going on. Upon hearing the voices of the guys, I knew they had to be back and that meant Melinda should be with them. I now leapt out of bed swiftly excited to see my friend. To make sure she was indeed all right. I moved quickly down the hallway and stairs, my eyes scanning for movement. I saw Leonardo near the sofa; he appeared to be looking at someone. He appeared very concerned and my heart raced. I immediately thought that Melinda must have gotten hurt.

I moved more slowly, almost afraid to see what had happened to my friend. I creep along the outside of the room, staying more out of sight, preparing myself for what I might see. No manner of preparation could have made me ready for what happened as I stepped around the couch enough to see who occupied it.

I froze, there was a strange women lying on the sofa. She was breathing hard. She looked Asian and had a ninja-like outfit on. I could see dry blood matted on her shoulder; a look of pain crossed her face as Leonardo gently lifted her arm. I felt ice fill my stomach as I watched Leo help her.

He lifted her arm so carefully you would have thought he was touching glass. He was speaking in a very low tone to her, I couldn't make out most of the words, but I could tell he was praising her for how well she had done in battle. I could hear him talking about her honor. He started to massage her hand, taking his time with each finger.

It was at this point I realized I felt sick. I backed away a step. He was so engrossed in the woman below him; Leo had not even noticed me. I watched him touch her; he was so comfortable with her. This HAD to be the "friend" he had been talking about, the one he wouldn't mention to me. Suddenly everything fit. I continued to almost stumble as I left; I had to get away from him. I think I made it back to his room without him noticing me, at least if he did, he didn't say anything.

I fell down on the floor next to the bed on my knees, I was dry heaving, and I was so upset. I felt tears filling my eyes and I started to cry uncontrollably, sobbing. I didn't even know where anyone else was, but the simply fact that I had seen Leonardo with this other person. This woman who was OBVIOUSLY so perfect for him, I could understand why he was so turned off by me. Why he couldn't even look at me when he thought of her. I had no idea what had happened between us and if I had meant anything to him. I think in some way I had, but I was nothing compared to the beautiful Asian downstairs with him now. I was a child, playing at understanding their lives. She was a ninja like him; I could tell by the way they interacted. I was a fool. How could I think he actually felt something deeply for me?

The picture of the two of them together was burned in my mind. I couldn't stop seeing it. I felt so sick. My entire body was shaking. I was hit by a severe depression. As I knelt on the floor, staring blankly ahead, it suddenly hit me. I couldn't stay there anymore. I couldn't bear the thought of seeing the two of them together again. It tore at me, burning the inside of my soul.

Standing on wobbly legs I grabbed the bag I had come with. I began to stuff everything of mine I could find inside of it. I had to leave. I had to escape. I had to get away from the life I had been leading for the last few days. It all seemed like a falsehood to me now.

I had almost everything I had come with. I paused as I reached my Kakashi plushie. I looked at him for a few moments, tears still spilling down my cheeks, and I gently lifted him and kissed his small headband lightly. "Watch Melinda for me please Kakashi-sensei" I talked softly to my toy. "I will be back for her soon." I sat him back on the bed, a symbol to my friend that I had not forgotten her.

I slung my suitcase over my shoulder, sighed hard and closed my eye briefly. Was a really ready to do this, to just walk away. The picture of Leonardo touching the other woman's hand flashed in my mind again. My heart hurt and I gritted my teeth determination seizing me. I knew I had to do this. The only way I could hope of healing was to leave. I crept out the door again. Instead of going the usually way I went that lead down to the middle of the main room, I crept in the other direction. I could hear voices below and wondered briefly who else was downstairs, but I didn't even turn to look. I moved swiftly down the stairs, my eyes never leaving the back door I was heading for. I pushed it open only enough for myself to slip threw then shut it very slowly and silently behind me.

I climbed through some sewer tunnels to reach the top. It was a used access pass by the guys so it was pretty clean, of that fact I was grateful. When I reached the street above I realized it was raining. I shivered in my light sweater and stared up at the street sign where I was. I had escaped, fairly unnoticed. Now I had to figure out what I was going to do with my newfound freedom.

A small part of me ached to go home, to really just escape from everything, but I couldn't just leave Mel. Not when I didn't even actually know how she was doing. I really didn't have the money to go to a hotel, so that was out. I sighed looking down at my feet wondering if maybe I had acted too rashly. April had put me up before when I had been in a tight spot, but then I had this feeling that she would tell the guys as soon as she could. She wouldn't want them to worry about me and that defeated my purpose of leaving.

I needed someone that either wasn't associated with this situation or that I could talk into not sharing my whereabouts. My head started to throb from all the crying I had been doing. I was wearing thin from all the stress, I needed rest. I would go to my friend Susan's house, but she would ask WAY too many questions I didn't care to answer. Who else did I know?

That was when it dawned on me. There was one person I was certain would take me in and that I could talk into helping me and staying silent. A small smiled crossed my face as I started to walk down the street. Trying to stay under awnings to avoid the large heavy drops.

I knocked on the door of my destination and listened to for the tell tale pounding footsteps. As they approached the door suddenly swung open, I was met by a very surprised expression from Casey Jones. "Lea, what on Earth are you doing here now? Do you know how late it is?" He was looking at me shocked, and then his eyes fell on my bag and his face became even more confused. I felt myself mouth open and words tried to leave, but seeing a friendly face and feeling somewhat comfortable, I crumbled again and gasping began to sob.

I flung myself forward against Casey's chest crying, seeking any kind of solace for my pain. I felt Casey stiffen, then slowly his arms wrapped losing around my, he patted my head. "Lea, what happened to you?" He directed me into his place. Ushering me over to his couch and taking my bag dropped it on the floor. I sniffled a few times, not able to fully look at him yet.

"I left Casey, I couldn't stay there anymore, and I didn't have anywhere else to go." I hiccupped and looked at him miserably. He looked back at me still baffled.

"What happened though, why couldn't you stay there?" He tossed me a box a tissues that were up by his TV. I pulled one out and nodded thankfully at him as I wiped my eyes.

"Leo and I had a…" I searched for the proper words. "Falling out and I just can't be there anymore. I need to get away to think." I looked up at him hopefully. He was taken aback for a moment.

"So the guys don't know you're here?" He shifted, appearing kind of nervous.

"No…" I shook my head, then focused my gaze on him. "And I think it's better that way, I need time to think." I implied what I needed to say, Casey still looked troubled.

"Well I don't know, Lea, my place is kinda small and well, it's really messy." I looked around his apartment and realized Casey was being completely truthful. There was clothes and sports equipment thrown everywhere. You could tell a single guy made his refuge here. I sighed.

"Well I could help you. I can clean and cook…sort of and it won't be for too long. Just until I sort out what I need to do." I looked pitifully up at Casey. Pleading with him to allow me to stay. He sat back in his chair for a moment. I could almost see the wheels turning in his head.

"You can cook?" I tried not to giggle. Casey was a simply guy.

"Easy stuff yeah, I am no professional." I nodded, growing hopeful.

"Well I guess as long as it's not for too much time. I hate hiding something from the guys, but I can't throw you out either." He sighed standing. "It's late, let me dig you out some blankets for the couch."

I gave him a very grateful look. Feeling slightly better now that I at least had a roof over my head again. "Thank you, Casey, I really own you one. You don't know how much this means to me."

He waved it off as he walked away. "Yeah well remind me about that when Leo is kicking my ass in a few days." I heard him chuckle.

I tried to laugh too, but it sounded hollow. I truly doubted Leonardo would care.