Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT, or any related characters (much to their relief, I'm sure!) If there is anything else in this story you recognise from somewhere else, then I don't own that either.

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Tausha jerked awake, seizing the hand fumbling at her waist in as strong a grip as she could muster. Frightened for a moment as to where she was and why she couldn't see.
"Hey, it's OK babe. We're not gonna hurt you," she recognised Mikeys' voice "just tryin' to get this darn seat belt off ya."
"Oh." She released his hand hesitantly, slowly recalling where she was. She could feel a draft, a conversation floating on it from outside the van between Raph and his other brother. Don was it?
"Well, it's definitely gonna take a bit of work to repair all the paint damage."
"Yeah, yeah… I'll get started on it tomorrow. At least the gauges are OK."
"True. Good idea of yours to protect them with some cardboard, by the way. I don't think I've got a spare headlight cover at the moment though. Maybe Case can get us another."

"Alrighty babe." Mike finally freed her and gently took her hand to pull her up.
"'Time to motorvate!'" He quoted in a good parody of the TV advert for the local speedway. Tausha reached up to touch her blindfold.
"Not yet." Leo's voice directly in her left ear made her start, she hadn't realised he was stood so close.
"Just wait until we get inside. It isn't far." With that he took her other arm, the two guiding her out of the back of the truck. Her fatigued muscles had stiffened a little as she had slept, causing her to groan lightly as they protested the long step down.

"Gees, careful with her you guys. She's not a damn sack o' rice ya know!" Tausha couldn't help smiling slightly at the rough hint of concern in Raph's tone.
"Heh! Don't worry bro. It's not like we're gonna dump her or anything…" She felt Mike wrap his forearm around hers as he spoke, the cheekiness in his tone a bait that Raph seemed to take as she heard him growl from behind them.
"Enough guys. It's too late to be goading each other now. Save it for after we've all had some sleep, OK?" Leo chastised as she felt the surface they were walking on change from what she guessed was concrete to smooth metal. Here they stopped and turned, waiting for a moment as she heard a faint hiss before an unexpected sensation of the floor moving downwards. She gasped a little in surprise, gripping the hands supporting her a little tighter.
"Don't stress, babe." Mike reassured, clasping the hand he already held with his other. "You're safe with us."

The movement halted as he finished speaking. Another hiss and they were walking again.
"Ah, my sons!" The speaker sounded relieved, then concerned as he continued.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Raph can explain." Leo quipped sternly, guiding the girl to sit before loosening the blindfold.
"Raphael?" The speaker queried, the bright light causing Tausha to squint for a moment. As her good eye adjusted she realized she was sitting on a well worn couch. Mike sat on her right, Leo stood to her left. In front Raph was actually looking a little apprehensive as he searched for the words to explain the situation, to a four foot rat.

Involuntarily her jaw dropped, the objection from her damaged face at the sudden movement making her gasp slightly. Spotting her reaction Mike quickly covered his ears, cringing back against the sofa. The rat noticed it too, turning to approach her and ducking his head in a slight bow.
"I am Splinter. My son did not tell you of me?" he queried gently. Tausha took a moment to recompose her face a little more respectfully before she answered diffidently,
"Yes, but I was kind of expecting… another turtle." Splinters' eyebrow arched with curiosity as he glanced back at Raphael.
"Uh…, didn't I tell you my Sensei was a rat?" he demanded of her defensively.
"Um, no. Think I would have remembered that." Tausha stated coolly.
"Oh, well... he is." Raph offered, waving his hand toward his father to prove his point. Feeling like an idiot under the glares from his brothers he directed his scowl to the floor.
"Thanks for the heads-up." she muttered, the thread of sarcasm in her voice made him quickly aim his dirty look back at her.

Splinter moved to stand between them, facing the girl again.
"I apologise if my appearance is disturbing to you. I am aware that many people have an aversion to rats." Tausha looked up at him, a little surprised.
"Oh no, I should be the one to apologise for being so rude. I just wasn't really expecting…, um, I mean…I don't mind rats. The only things I really have an aversion to are venomous creepy crawlies…" Splinter halted her nervous rambling with a reassuring smile.
"I assume that you are Tausha?" As she nodded Mike leant forward again, rubbing his chin thoughtfully in his best imitation of an evil genius.
"Hmmm, so you don't like bugs an' stuff, eh?" She shot him an evil look.
"Don't even think it, mate. Been there, done that already. And seriously don't wanna do it again..." Unable to direct her glare at Raph past Splinter she settled for closing her eyes to spare his family, though she couldn't help clenching her fist as she heard Raph snickering slightly.

"Can't you all be serious for once?" Leo demanded, gaining everyone's silent attention. Taking a quick deep breath he addressed Splinter in a calmer tone.
"Sorry Sensei. Yes, this is Tausha. Apparently the Purple Dragons anticipated her plan to leave the city, and had members in wait to prevent her from doing so. We decided that, given her present condition, the best course of action was to allow her to stay with us for a few days. Then, we will help her to avoid another confrontation as she makes good her escape. She has agreed to comply with the security restrictions we have insisted on. I don't believe she presents a great risk to us."

Tausha nervously bowed her head as Splinter gave her a critical look over.
"I agree that a few days to recuperate would definitely increase her chances of successfully leaving New York undetected. However, I am curious about one thing." His pause compelled Tausha to meet his level gaze.
"Is it true that it was your Father who beat you?"
"Yes."
"Obviously he has some influence within the Purple Dragon gang. Whilst they are already our enemies I would like to know who in particular we may be antagonising in aiding you."

Raph felt a sudden roiling in his gut as it warned him he should have gotten that particular piece of info for himself long before it came to this. Tausha chewed her lip nervously before answering quietly.
"His name is Humphrey Ulbrecht Nance…, the third." she added almost inaudibly. The stunned silence was broken as Mikey failed miserably to stifle his glee in the palm of his hand. Blinking his bulging eyes back into place he managed to utter,
"So he's a bit of a 'nancy boy' then, huh?" quickly slamming his hand back over his mouth for a moment before he continued.
"Or maybe he's more of an egg-head than Donnie! Ha ha hee, oh 'Humphrey', man what kinda name for a punk is that! Oh ho! An' th' third? Man, that's just plain…cruel!" Giving up his struggle to contain himself Mike grabbed his middle, laughing so hard he almost fell off the couch. His hysterics brought a grin to Raphs' face. Maybe he was just worrying over nothing after all.

Leo slowly wiped his hand down his face to cover his embarrassment, whilst Splinter observed Mikes' fit in stern silence. He waited patiently for his son to recover his wits. However, despite the small tic he had developed on one side of his mouth, Don was the first to step in with a rebuke.
"I think you're thinking of 'Humpty' there Mike, not 'Humphrey'. And it's seriously rude to laugh at someone's name, especially if their daughter is sitting right next to you." Mike managed to sit a little straighter. Though his laughter started to trail off he still had a huge grin plastered on his face as he rested his hand on Tausha's shoulder.
"Oh, I am sorry. Really babe. Heh he he. But how the heck can he survive in a gang like that with that kinda name?"

Tausha looked up from where she had been making a thorough inspection of the floor. The apprehension in her eyes helped to quickly stifle the last of Mikes' giggles. She explained with a slightly shaky voice.
"Well, he's over seven foot tall and built like a brick shit-house for a start. Guess that kinda works in his favour." Don face faulted, quickly going pale as he asked.
"He doesn't use a nick-name, like an anagram, does he?"
"Uh, usually, yeah. How did you know that?" she queried. Don took a small step back.
"Oh shit." he murmured, almost under his breath. Shocked at the unusual profanity from his brother, Leo asked in concern,
"What is it Don? What kind of nick-name can you get from Humphrey Ulbre…" it was Leo's turn to drop his jaw, quickly recovering it to turn to a thoroughly confused looking Raph with a savage scowl.

"You made us bring HUN'S daughter home with us! Are you damn well insane? What the friggin' hell were you thinking even spending time with her in the first place!" The surprised expression migrated to Raphs' face, too shocked to fully register the fact he quietly muttered in his defence,
"I…I didn't know." That didn't satisfy Leo.
"Don't you dare lie to me Raph. How could you not know?" Raphs' usual response to confrontation kicked in.
"I'm tellin' ya I didn't fucking know, Leo!" he growled back, clenching his fists. Tausha stood unsteadily to get their attention.
"He is telling the truth, Leo. I don't think I ever told him. I didn't think it was really important…" Before Leo could respond Raph stalked over to the girl with an evil snarl, making her cower slightly.

"Not important? How the hell could you think that wasn't important! He's only the head of the fuckin' Purple Dragons! We've been sworn friggin' enemies for years, you stupid bi…"
"Raphael!" Splinters' command cut through the tirade. "Whoever she may be, you will not use such foul language with a guest. And despite her lineage, a guest she is. I was going to allow you to undertake your punishment for disobeying my earlier instruction after you had rested. However, I think it best you undertake it at once. One hundred flips at the far end of the dojo. Now." Raphs' face and hands worked in anger for a long moment before he spun with a growl to head off towards the dojo.

Splinter returned his attention to the girl. Though technically she was still stood, she was very pale and trembling badly.
"I'm so sorry." Tausha offered quietly, sounding close to tears. Splinter placed a reassuring paw on her arm.
"You are not necessarily to blame for your Father's deeds. We will discuss this matter further once you have slept. This has been a long day for all of us. I believe we all could use some rest in order to clear our minds." Calmly Splinter started issuing requests of his three remaining sons.

"Leonardo, please fetch Taushas' belongings and ensure the guest room is prepared." Although he gave his master a respectful bow, Leo couldn't help but query,
"Are you sure Sensei?"
"Yes. You knew of her allegiance to the Purple Dragons before you allowed her into our home. I do not see how this information has changed that fact. I hope you do not doubt your own assessment of this situation?" Not wanting to disappoint his father, or necessarily admit his own failings, Leo bowed once more.
"No, Sensei." As he left Splinter turned to the others.
"Donatello, please fetch some medical supplies. Michelangelo, I am sure our guest would appreciate a light repast." They both bowed, though Don's was a little hesitant and Mikey's very shallow.
"Sure thing, Sensei." Mike quipped, offering Tausha an uncertain smile before he ducked off to run his errand.

"Come along now." Splinter encouraged as he guided Tausha towards the stairs. At the top a wide ledge ran around the large oval shaped room. Passing the first opening in the wall, Splinter led her into the second passageway. Tausha noticed there were five doorways opening off it. Three were empty, the darkness within each room concealing its interior.

The first doorway to the left, and the one situated in the wall across the end of the alcove were both fitted with wooden doors. The one to the left was open, the light in the room revealing a single bed with a small bedside table tucked in a back corner of the large space. Her duffle bag had been placed on the floor at the end of the bed whilst Leo busied himself fitting the sheets. However, Splinter led her past to the closed door at the end.

Opening it he ushered her into a bathroom that looked like it was in the middle of being renovated. Along the left wall ran a long cabinet with a sink, but no doors on the cupboards. At the far end of it a shower recess was only partially tiled in a mosaic. The floor of the cubicle was covered in small piles of multicoloured tiles, an A3 notebook tucked behind them. In the other back corner there sat a dryer, its' door sitting loose on top of it, and a washing machine whose innards were piled in neat stacks next to it. In the final corner a toilet was situated. At least this seemed to be complete as Splinter sat her down on the closed lid.

As Splinter started to fill the sink with warm water Don entered. In one hand he carried a large plastic 'tackle box', in the other he had a wooden carry-all filled with jars and packets of stuff Tausha couldn't recognise. Dumping his luggage on the counter he and Splinter busied themselves extracting the supplies they wanted. A few moments later Leo and Mike appeared in the doorway.
"I thought this may be more comfortable for you to wear." Leo held out a neatly folded parcel of her clothes. Tausha gave him a small smile in thanks as she took the offering. Splinter quickly ushering all his sons out of the room to give her some privacy.

Long minutes trickled by as they waited outside the door.
"Do ya think she's OK?" Mike finally broke the quiet, starting to fidget. Leo gave a world weary sigh.
"I'm sure she is Mike. April always took an age in the bathroom, so I wouldn't worry too much if I were you." Another long silence descended.
"Hmm, perhaps we should check on her." Splinter conceded. He knocked quietly on the door. Getting no response he opened it, his sons crowding in behind him.

Tausha had changed into the white singlet and cotton shorts Leo had provided, her dirty clothes dumped in an untidy pile on the floor beside her. Her new outfit exposed the damage that ran the length of her right arm. Mainly welts, similar to those on her face, where she had attempted to block whatever had been used to hit her. She was sat on the toilet lid once more, and looked up in guilty surprise as they entered. It was obvious she had been crying. Quickly she dropped her face, hiding it with the bundle of toilet paper she was using to roughly mop away the wetness on her face.

"Hey babe, what's wrong?" Mike crouched in front of her. Gently he pulled her hands away, though she refused to meet his eyes. She shook her head brusquely, sniffing before she answered.
"Nothin'. Sorry…"
"Come on. You can tell me. A problem shared is a problem halved ya know." he cajoled. Tausha gave him a pleading look. Realising he wasn't going to give up anytime soon she relented with a sigh.
"It's just that…, I've lost my only friend. I'm such an idiot. It's my own fault he hates me now…"
"Hey, hey. That's not true." Mike squeezed her hands with care "We're all your friends too." Glancing up at the dubious expression on Leo's face Tausha didn't think that was exactly true, but remained silent as Mike continued.
"And I'm sure Raph doesn't hate you. He's not that stupid. He'll probably just be grumpy for a while, but he can't stay mad forever. Believe me, I know. Though it might feel like it sometimes!" The cheeky note in his voice enticed a weak little smile from Tausha.

"That's it! Chin up, girl. Let's get you cleaned up a bit and into bed, and I promise it'll all look better in the morning. OK?" She nodded slowly, trying to stifle a yawn. As Mike stood to give Splinter access he caught sight of the colour on her shoulder.
"Oh, cool tat ya got there." His grin fell as she responded by slapping her hand over the image, turning away with a grimace.
"You aren't proud to wear the mark of your Father's organisation?" Splinter queried.
"No. It wasn't my choice." She explained through gritted teeth. With a reassuring look Splinter gently grasped her wrist, pulling her hand away from her shoulder with a light insistence. Tausha resisted at first, and then conceded to allow him to take her arm to begin the task of treating the wounds upon it.

It wasn't long before Mike and Don were escorting her into her room. Tausha still felt a little sticky from the salve Splinter had applied liberally to her bruised face and arm. However, she soon forgot about that discomfort when Mike balanced a tray on her knees as she sat on the edge of the bed. The plain polony sandwiches washed down with green tea were about the best thing she'd tasted in ages, according to her long-suffering stomach. Though the banana and choc-chip muffin for dessert was absolute heaven. She wolfed the meal down as fast as her anatomy, and to a lessor extent her manners, would allow.

As Tausha finished Splinter poured her another cup of tea, adding the powdered contents of one of his packets to the liquid before he offered it to her.
"It will ease your pain and help you sleep." He explained at her curious look. Taking a hesitant sip her face contorted a little at the bitter taste.
"It's best if you just gulp it in one go." Don advised. Figuring he was probably right she braced herself and downed the contents of the cup. She still couldn't help a quiet "Blargh" afterwards though. Gratefully, she accepted the glass of water Mike offered her from the bedside table as he picked up the tray.

A moment later she stood, offering a deep bow to her hosts.
"Thankyou." she said sincerely as she straightened. Mike shoved the tray at Don and helped to tuck the blankets around her as she settled in the bed. She didn't get a chance to thank him again as the drug quickly took effect.

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Raph practically crawled up the stairs after completing his punishment. Glad he was able to get it done and make it to his room without having to deal with his family, or her. Slumping to sit on the edge of his hammock he managed to dump his belt and mask on the floor before collapsing onto his back. He was just too damn exhausted and distracted to bother taking off anything else.

He was sure the aches infusing his body were from more than just the flips and hours roaming about in the evil weather topside. On top of that he was a little nauseous, as if he'd been punched savagely in the gut. He just couldn't shake an image that had settled in his minds eye. Tau looking all smug with Hun stood behind, his hands on her shoulders, leering "Sucker!" over her head. Damn it! How dare she claim to be his friend and then lie so friggin' blatantly?

A wheedling little voice pipped up from the back of his consciousness.
"She didn't really lie; she just didn't tell you the whole truth."
"No! If Splinter reckons I lied 'cos I didn't tell 'im I was hangin' out with that cow, then damn it I c'n get pissed off 'bout her doin' the same friggin' thing ta me!" He mentally roared in return. He thought back to the nights they'd spent talking. Yep. He'd definitely told her about their relationship with her father. Considering the language and examples he'd used to define that particular affiliation she surely couldn't be in any doubt they were serious enemies. Given some of the other stuff they'd spoken about, he still couldn't quite believe she'd kept something this significant from him.

How the heck was he meant to get through the next few days if she was gonna be hangin' about the lair? The last thing he wanted was to see her again. What if she was a plant, if she really was out to hurt his family? There was no way he could deny, even to himself, that any consequences of her coming here would rest squarely on his shoulders. To make matters worse Leo was bound to make his life utter hell over the next few days with his 'told you so' attitude. At least his brother hadn't caught him being truly stupid.

Roughly he scrubbed his lips with the back of his wrist, the leather strapping acting as a scourer. Utterly disgusted with himself he clenched his eyes shut, leaving his fist resting over his face as he tried desperately to disappear into the canvas supporting him. Gradually he started to relax. As his hand went limp against his mouth his little subconscious gremlin resurfaced. Dragging his mind back to the giddy feeling he'd enjoyed earlier as a result of a different pressure on his lips.

Tearing his hand away he tried to defy the imp with another mental shout.
"It didn't mean a goddamn thing!"
"No? Not even when she returned your kiss? It was what you wanted. Didn't that feel good?" the little rascal taunted. Raph rolled violently, causing his hammock to sway. He clutched his pillow to his front, burying his face in it to muffle the "No!" he couldn't help yelling out loud. He spent the next few moments pummelling the defenceless cushion as if he could drive the goblin out of his head with pure force.

The attack seemed to use the last of his muscles' reserves. Raph let his arm crumple where it would as a resigned sigh escaped him. Despite his body being completely fatigued he was convinced his teeny personal demon was looking forward to keeping him awake the rest of the night with this crud. Three minutes later found him snoring like a buzz saw.

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A/N: Well, you have to tell me now. Were you surprised at this little development, or did you have her Dads' ID pegged from the beginning? Hit the little button to your left and let me know! Please? I really would like to know if I managed to give it away completely before this.

A/N 2: The next few chapters may get a bit rambley, and they may be a bit late too. I've only managed to spend a couple of hours writing this week. Thankfully I had most of this chapter done last week. I'm just really tired all the time at the moment, even been asleep before my kiddies a few nights this week. Oh well, hopefully be over this phase soon, roll on second trimester! Anyway, if this story does seem to start to procrastinate about the point a bit too much feel free to use these –points to pile of hobnail boots-. And don't worry, I have an impressively padded rear, you won't be able to hurt me no matter how hard ya kick!