Title: Destinations – Sequel to 'Moth and Flame'
Author: Jayde
Summary: This picks up a couple of months after 'Moth and Flame'.
Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever, owned the turtles. No harm intended.
Credits: ReluctantDragon – congratulations on surviving a fic with me. I feel like there should be a badge of courage or something. Only one more chapter, folks …
Chapter 10:
The heavy etched door opened, and someone gasped. Taka turned her head and watched, her eyes narrowed and thoughtful, as he crossed the crowded tearoom.
"My Lady," a servant hissed at her side. She waved him away. She knew who this creature was who approached – his strides long in spite of his stature. Taka had never seen him before. Not even a photograph, and so she took her time to examine him. He was shorter than she had imagined, his limbs thick and powerful. He was dressed simply, in the style of Earth, but she noted the wide brown leather strap that cut diagonally across his white shirt and disappeared beneath his long black coat.
He was armed in some manner. He was not a fool, then.
He stopped on the other side of the table from her. Around them, the room buzzed with excited conversation. Never had an alien so brazenly accosted Lady Taka. The lady herself smiled icily up at her visitor.
"You must be Leonardo," she greeted neutrally.
On the other side of the city …
Sen idled between the high shelves, letting her fingers pass lightly over the bound volumes. If possible, she would never leave this peaceful place.
Her jailers had allowed her an outing this morning. Her mother had sent her out with two servants to do a bit of shopping; the bodyguards mysteriously absent. Sen grimaced at her mother's transparency. A little gift of freedom before the prison closed around her. Her mother's tower or the planet's institution – Sen did not know if she cared which it was to be. She moved on, slipping towards the back of the store.
"You don't mind if I sit down," Leo stated politely, pulling out a chair opposite Taka's. He dropped into the chair and gifted his hostess with a smile.
Taka studied him, noting his watchfulness – he was alert to everything around him. He had courage to spare, facing her here. "Bring him tea," Taka ordered, and her servant scurried away to fetch it. "We must drink together, you and I, to the future," she said, meeting his smile with one of her own.
She could see now, perhaps, what had attracted her wayward daughter. He was quite different than the males of their planet. He was utterly masculine – a warrior to the very core. A small teacup was placed in front of him, and the tea poured. He nodded politely to the servant, but did not lift the cup. Did he suspect poison?
At the back of the store, Sen found the ancient seats that she and Cho had used countless times for their secret liaisons. She sat down, feeling overwhelmed. Sen lowered her head into her hands and attempted to gather her tattered spirit. It was over. Her mother had told her this morning that Leonardo and his brother were leaving the planet tonight. Taka had produced the Transmat schedule as proof.
"You may drink, Leonardo. I have no quarrel with you now," Lady Taka reassured her guest. She smiled over the rim of her cup and sipped at the sweet tea. Setting the cup down, she then pressed her hands together and brought them up under her chin. "I must wish you a good journey home," she said, her tone self-contented.
Leonardo inclined his head. "Thank you. I, too, must wish you good luck," he said evenly.
"It is for the best, you understand," Taka stated, unable to resist twisting the blade.
"Indeed," Leonardo commented neutrally. He still did not pick up the cup. To the Lady, he appeared to be waiting for something. His blue eyes blazed with confidence from within his green face. Lady Taka felt a moment of unease. What could this Earth creature want from her?
"If you are looking for recompense for your needless trip …?" She let the statement dangle there.
A small smile played over his mouth. "No, thank you. I have … no regrets."
A small noise from nearby made Sen look up. Before she could move or make a sound a strong hand closed over her mouth. Her eyes wide with terror, Sen felt an arm snake around her, pinning her arms to her sides. A second figure moved up next to her, dressed in dark clothing. This one raised a heavy cloth hood up and thrust it over Sen's head.
In darkness, Sen felt herself lifted and carried out a door. She could hear the hum of a vehicle nearby. Where were they taking her? Was this some new torture from her mother? She thrashed, frightened beyond reason as she was thrust into the waiting vehicle.
Lady Taka scowled as one of her servants rushed in the door to the tearoom and ran over to the table making a display of her self. More disturbing was the pleased look on Leonardo's face. The servant arrived at the table out of breath, and bent over her Lady to pour out some evil news.
The vehicle was moving, and Sen curled tightly into the corner. Her kidnappers were silent, but she could feel them around her. A hand brushed against her hood, and she whimpered. The hood was suddenly lifted, and Sen blinked at the dim interior. She was seated on the floor of a delivery vehicle. Her eyesight adjusting, Sen found herself face-to-face with a grinning and familiar face.
"How ya doin'?" Raphael asked her. Sen's mouth dropped open, and she found herself unable to utter a single word in response. She was safe – she could barely believe it. "Sorry we scared ya," he offered, waving to his accomplice. The human woman smiled in a friendly and reassuring manner as the vehicle they rode in sped through traffic.
"While I hate to depart so soon," Leonardo said, rising to his feet as the Lady's face paled. "I must be returning home. I am sure you have pressing business … elsewhere." He bowed, his eyes glittering with ill concealed pleasure, and turned his back on Lady Taka. He crossed the room unmolested, and walked out the door.
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She was drifting, and for once, she didn't feel wildly sick to her stomach. It might be because she hadn't eaten yet today. Or it might just be because she wasn't alone.
Curled on her side, Sam relaxed back against Don. He was spooned up behind her, and his right arm was draped over her. His hand was pressed gently to her abdomen. Sam smiled. There was no way he could feel the baby there yet, but he was still determined to bond with their unborn child. Or maybe he was comforting Sam. She wasn't sure.
What she did know was that Don had done something the night before that he never had previously. He had gone to the hall closet and taken out his bo staff on their way to bed. Sam had watched, perplexed, as Don laid it on the floor beside the bed. Then he had climbed in on his side, the side nearest the door, and cuddled close to her.
Now, Don had always liked to hold her while they slept, but he had never brought the weapon into the room before.
"Expecting trouble?" she had whispered to him as he curled his body protectively behind her own.
"No," Don had replied, kissing her neck gently. He had fallen asleep almost immediately, and Sam had decided to ignore his unusual behavior.
This morning, however, the whole thing came back to her. As she woke up, she realized what Don was doing. In his own unusual way, he was trying to keep her safe. She wasn't just his live-in girlfriend anymore.
She was the mother of his child.
Sam contemplated that for a moment. Her, a mom. Would she be good at it, she wondered? She had no doubt Don would be a great father. He would be patient and kind, but would she? Sam knew her own weaknesses. She knew she had a temper, and she wasn't always the easiest person to get along with.
And what about her career?
She sighed, and relaxed again. She couldn't figure this all out right now. Don shifted a little in his sleep, his arm tightening around her for a moment. Sam felt unfamiliar tears sting her eyes. Did any of that matter? Her job? Her ridiculous fears about the future? None of that was as important as what she had right now at this moment. It had been the trip, perhaps, that put it all in perspective. She had missed Don with an intensity she had never imagined.
And really, who would have thought she would grow so attached to him that she would be unable to sleep easily with him gone? She was supposed to be so tough – so strong. Former FBI agent, NYPD homicide lieutenant … and without this genius mutant turtle to warm her back at night, she was lost.
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"We'll be ready to go in about three minutes," Haven explained, adjusting the settings on the transportation device. A lone Utrom stood to one side of the vast room. His frightened eyes were round as saucers. No one else was in this particular Transmat area – it had been closed for repairs hours earlier.
"This is against regulations," the Utrom pleaded. Haven spared a glance for the cowering creature.
"You are a witness. Lady Sen is being violently kidnapped and taken off the planet," Haven stated. The Utrom glanced over at Sen. She was standing quietly beside Leo, who had taken her bag and put it over his own shoulder. Her expression was quite serene for someone who was apparently being kidnapped.
"I don't understand …," the Utrom muttered hesitantly. Haven let out an aggrieved sigh.
"Leonardo, please violently kidnap Sen," Haven requested. Leo turned to Sen, who gazed down at him with a small smile turning up the corners of her mouth. He gently took her hand, and led her over to the Transmat platform. "See," Haven pointed, indicating the pair on the dais. "She's kidnapped. Now, you will report this appropriately to your superiors."
"This is an unauthorized transfer!" The Utrom protested, backing away from the human female he felt was likely insane. "The local authorities will be here almost immediately. We'll be arrested!"
"Undoubtedly," Haven murmured, punching in the final coordinates. Raphael looked over at her, a frown creasing his forehead.
"You didn't say nothin' about bein' arrested," Raphael accused. Haven looked over at him, and then her eyes flew back to the control panel. He was right. She had conveniently left that part out when telling them of her plan to get Sen off the planet.
"It will only be temporary, I assure you. Now please step on the platform for transmission," Haven instructed firmly. Beats of time passed, but Raphael didn't move from his spot. "Raphael, we … we have a limited window of time here," Haven stressed.
"You're gonna be in trouble for this," Raphael confirmed, irritated that she had basically lied to him. He and Leo wouldn't leave a friend behind – especially one who had stuck their neck out for them. His arms crossed over his plastron, and his body language indicated he wasn't going anywhere.
Haven sighed, and anxiously tucked some hair back behind her ears. "I can handle it." He snorted softly, obviously not buying it. She was a damn file clerk! There was no way he was leaving her here to face prison.
"Come with us," he stated, his tone softer than it had been a moment before. Haven looked down at the control panel and traced the switches with her fingers.
"I can't. Someone has to stay here and make explanations."
His eyes narrowed with frustration. "I don't leave friends behind."
"We're friends?" Haven asked, glancing back up again with an amused smile.
Raph growled, and put his arms down, his hands now curled into fists. "You know what I mean," he shot back.
"I know what you mean," Haven agreed, nodding. She took a deep breath. She really needed to sound convincing. "I'm okay, Raphael. Really. I'll contact you in a couple of days." She dropped her eyes back to the panel to make a final adjustment. "Now get on that Transmat or I'll knock you out and drag you over there," she ordered brusquely. Raphael's lips twitched, a smile almost blossoming before he turned serious again.
"I don't hear from you in three days, I'm comin' back," he threatened, finally turning towards the dais.
"My hero," Haven mocked, but she knew he would do exactly that. A shout sounded from the other side of the door, and someone began pounding to get into the Transmat room. "Go, Raphael. Please."
Haven watched as the light enveloped the three travelers. The last thing she saw, before they disappeared entirely, were Raphael's stormy eyes.
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Sen woke up in a bedroom in an earth abode. The distant roar of automobile traffic, and the foggy blue sky out the window confirmed her location. She stretched, feeling groggy. She remembered that she felt this way after her last trip as well. The door across from the bed opened, and she sat up to see Leonardo entering the room with a tray. He set it on a low bookshelf just under the window.
"Did you sleep well?" Leo asked.
"Very well. Your bed is quite comfortable," Sen reported. Leo checked her expression from the corner of his eye as he poured tea into two mugs. If he didn't know better, he would think she was making a risqué jest. Leo passed her a cup, and she held it gratefully in her hands, breathing in the aroma.
Leo leaned against the bookshelf, and blew on his tea. "So, what would you like to do first?" he queried, curious as to Sen's plans now that she was back on Earth.
"I do not know. I have never been kidnapped before. Do you have any recommendations?" Sen replied sweetly.
This time, Leo knew she was poking fun at him. "I didn't know," he said, setting down his cup, and collecting hers as well. "That you had a sense of humor." He sat down on the edge of the bed, and proceeded to stretch out on his shell beside her. Sen looked down at him, her expression still serene with barely a hint of a smile.
"But I do not have one," she protested mildly. Leo chuckled, and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her down to lie next to him. A moment later, Sen gasped as Leo rolled over. He rested on his elbows, his face hovering inches above hers. To Sen, his eyes were nearly the color of sapphires. "Are we still joking?" she questioned. Anxiety colored her words, even though she knew she had nothing to fear. This was more intimacy than she had shared with Leo before, though.
"We are not now joking," Leo replied softly. He traced a gentle line with his fingers, from her temple to her jaw. "Sen," he whispered, leaning closer.
A loud thump from a nearby room caused Sen to startle a little, and Leo to murmur a curse.
"What is it?" Sen asked as the thump came again, followed by the crash of breaking glass.
"Raph," Leo muttered with annoyance.
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Snarling, Raphael turned to pick up his alarm clock and threw it at the wall. It smashed to pieces and scattered across the floor. His rage abated a bit by the destruction of several items in his bedroom, Raph sat down on the bed and glared at his hands.
He couldn't believe he had left her. She was a stupid, reckless, interfering little file clerk. She didn't even know how to use that laser and …
What would happen to her when she was arrested? Would the Utroms get her out? She couldn't protect herself, damn it!
Raph slammed a fist on the mattress. He should have picked her up and hauled her back to Earth. He could have tied her up and kept her here. It's not like she would have put up much of a fight.
If anything happened to Haven … He groaned, his mind leaping ahead to imagine all the worst things happening to her. She couldn't have known what she was getting into – helping them. Raphael put his head in his hands, more furious with himself than he had been in a long time.
Three days. If he hadn't heard from her by then, he'd go back. And if she argued with him, he'd knock her out and … Raphael stood up and began to pace beside his bed, his fingers itching to destroy something else. Damn. He wasn't going to make it three days.
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