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 relaxed back on the couch, Mike bouncing down beside her. She felt much more comfortable now she had gotten to know all these guys a little better. She'd managed to watch their whole training session that morning, Splinter inviting her to sit on the step nearby. To her surprise the Sensei had even taken time occasionally to ask her opinion on the moves and reactions of his sons as he put them through their paces.

Then, after lunch, she'd discovered the treasure trove that was Donatello's laboratory. She and Mike had joined the quiet turtle to use a computer in the lab, leaving Splinter in peace to watch his soaps. The size of the room had been astounding; it was easily more than half the size of the main room. The area nearest the door was set up like an office with a variety of computers within a large cubicle, walled with tall bookshelves. The rest of the room was dotted with assorted tables, one had a microscope, and another held a large glass tank containing tadpoles and young frogs. Others were piled with books and papers, or mechanical bits and pieces. Interspersed with these were devices large and small, most only partially completed. Some Tausha could recognise the purpose of, others she had no clue about.

She'd tried hard not to be rude and get distracted from the information Don was trawling from the internet regarding Northampton. But the books proved too much of a temptation as she pulled one from the shelf; 'Equine Evolution'. The pages were stained grey-brown on the bottom half, though the text was still legible for the most part. Don had looked up as she leant back against the desk, Mikey playing absently with a yo-yo on her other side.
"That's pretty heavy reading. It gets into the genetics of the different breeds and everything."
"Cool." Her face had grown even more avid as she read.
"You like science?" Don asked dubiously. Nodding, Tausha had answered,
"Sure. Anything to do with animals really." she'd finally looked up with a smile "Part of the reason I want to get home. At least there I can hopefully go back to school. It can be really tough to get into Uni when you're home schooled, since there's no guarantee you've followed the curriculum for the entrance exams."
"I'd love the chance to go to University…" Don admitted dreamily "So what do you want to study?"
"Dunno. Biochemistry, Palaeontology or Vet Science; anything like that I can get into."
"Hey! How about becomin' a Zoo Keeper? You've already got experience dealing with large, aggressive animals!" Mike teased.
"Yeah, aggravating ones too!" Tausha retorted as Mike easily ducked the lazy backhand she'd aimed at his head, both giggling.

It hadn't taken long to find a few budget hostels and motels that might prove suitable for her accommodation, at least to start off with. They'd even checked out a few waitress and office junior jobs online, at least there was work available there. After that Don had lead them out to the railcar, asking Tausha to help with the repair of a few DVD players and other household appliances. Her small fingers proved a big help in holding the components in place within the confines of the cases.
"You guys already have a pretty awesome set up here, what do you need all these extra units for?"
"Oh, they're not for us. We gather stuff that's been tossed out, get it working again then sell it at second hand stores; one way to make a living." Don had explained.
"I usually get April to help with this kind of thing, but she doesn't get down to us as often as she used too…" Tausha had almost asked why, but Dons' brief disconsolate expression warned her against it. She'd decided to change the subject instead.
"You've got a great lab in there, so why have ya got this out here?"
"I can get a little carried away sometimes" Don admitted, his cheeks colouring slightly "so Splinter likes me to work out here every now and then."
"Heh heh! Have to make sure he doesn't become too much of a 'reclusive' mad scientist!" Mike had taunted as he screwed together a casing, grinning at the dark look Don threw him.

Splinter having retired to meditate, they spent the rest of the afternoon in front of the TVs, competing on the x-box. She suspected Mike let her win a few times, though she didn't mind sitting out regularly. It gave her a chance to spy on Leo as he moved through his katas in the dojo. She'd seen daisho technique performed briefly once before by her kendo-sensei's teacher visiting from Japan, and thought that was one of the most awesome things she'd ever seen. But that guy got relegated to the clumsy, boring basket in her mind compared to the grace, accuracy and speed Leo could achieve with his two blades.

Mike had left for the kitchen early, banning all from entry until dinner. Figuring Don would be much less likely to turn her query into a joke she'd asked him something that had been playing on her mind.
"Raph seems to be doing all the housework around here, is it his turn this week or something?"
"No. It's one of the punishments Splinter gets us to do when we disobey him."
"Why's he being punished?" she'd asked quietly, afraid she already knew the answer. Don had paused the game to turn to her.
"It's not your fault, if that's what you're thinking. Raph brought it on himself, literally this time. He actually volunteered to do the chores for a week to make amends."
"For what?"
"Keeping secrets from Sensei. He didn't tell any of us about being friends with you, so finding out he'd been sneaking off to meet you for so long… kinda upset Splinter. I think he was afraid you were trying to lead Raph astray or something."
"Oh. Splinter doesn't seem that strict, do you guys get punished like this a lot?"
"Heh! No, only when we deserve it. Always seems to be often enough to keep the place looking reasonably civilised, though I don't think that's Master Splinters' plan at all."
"No dah!" Mike put in from where he had snuck up behind the couch "You wouldn't think it, but Raphie boy is the best darn house-turtle in the world! Sure gets enough practise at it anyway!"

Yet again Raph had made a point of ignoring her completely whenever they were within twenty feet of each other. At least he'd been kept busy cleaning the upstairs bathroom all afternoon. Thinking he'd grow out of it, if and when he was ready, Tausha had decided early that day not to let it get under her skin. Too much. She didn't even bother looking his way as he sat heavily on the far end of the couch, the other side of Mike, having finished cleaning up after dinner. Splinter was back in his armchair, Leo on the plastic recliner, and Don sat on the chair for the computer set to one side of the TVs.

"Boring!" Mike faked a yawn, reaching forward to grab the remote.
"Wait just a minute; I want to see the headlines." requested Leo.
"…President claimed the meeting was an overall success. In local news; many of New Yorks leading citizens were relieved today as the request for Oroku Karai to be extradited to Japan was declined by the high court." Cut to a large, well dressed woman in a feathered hat and elaborate diamond necklace.
"I know many have argued that Ms Oroku is not directly to blame for the fireworks explosion at her Father's celebration, and that given his passing after that event, she has suffered enough. The fact still remains however, that she is the most liable person remaining, as her being found guilty of negligent manslaughter has proven. So she is responsible for New York being deprived of some of its most outstanding citizens; my dear husband not the least of these. I think it only fair that she serve out her paltry sentence here, where she can contemplate just what she has cost this great city."
"Idiots." Raph muttered darkly "They should just let the bitch go. At least then she'd be further way from us, hey bro?"
"Yeah Raph, you're right." Leo sighed in resignation "Just drop it, OK?" They all returned their attention to the broadcast for a minute.

"Hey! Check it out!" Mike enthused as a picture appeared over the newsreaders' shoulder, a school portrait though it was a face they all recognised.
"Police are baffled by the disappearance of a young girl over the weekend. Although they have not publicized many details regarding her identity, they have revealed she was last seen in the early hours of Sunday morning one block north of Times Square. They have reason to believe she may be injured and in need of assistance. It is also possible she has or will attempt to leave the city. Police have confirmed that cash rewards are available for any information assisting their enquiries into this matter, and that a sum of half a million dollars has also been offered to anyone who can ensure the prompt, safe return of the girl. Please call the number on your screen if you have any information regarding the girls' movements in the past 48 hours, callers may remain anonymous."

Tausha cringed as far back in the couch as she could, each second stretched for an eternity as she waited for her companions to react. Mike was the first to move, twisting in his seat to face her with an evil, cheeky grin.
"Wow! Talk about hitting pay dirt!" His face immediately fell to one of concern as she only whimpered in response.
"Hey! You don't think we'd really turn you in, do ya?"
"It is a lot of money…" her voice barely audible.
"Money is not everything." Splinter assured "We have given you our word that we will assist you, and we will not dishonour that." Grateful for the kind words and the compassion in Splinter and Dons' faces, Leo and Raphs' responses blocked by Mikes' goofy smile, Tausha swallowed the lump in her throat to murmur a sincere "Thank you." before Mike attempted to suffocate her in a jovial hug.

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Mike loved Wednesday. That was pocket money day, and just so happened to coincide with new comic day! What could be cooler? He did his usual excited shuffle as he waited for Splinter to fetch their allowance from the tin he kept safe in his room. It was never very much of course, though Splinter gave them what he felt they could spare each week. Mike always tried to be grateful for whatever he got, but he had a tough time with it this week.
"Only five bucks, Master?" he tried to sound as if he were concerned for their overall finances, instead of his true worry; which comics would he have to skip getting?
"I am sorry Michelangelo, but our savings are dwindling. Plus, we will have larger grocery expenses than normal for the next week or so. I would rather be prudent than sorry."
"It's OK." Mike assured, already thinking on how to wheedle some extra cash out of his brothers. His plotting interrupted as Leo wrapped a strong arm about his shoulders, directing him towards the coats hung near the tunnel door.
"C'mon Mike. Let's head out early to do a perimeter check before we head on to the store." Mike groaned in protest, then thought of the perfect diversion,
"But what about Tau? What's she gonna do, huh?"
"I'm sure she can live without you for one afternoon."

Grumbling to himself Mike slipped into his street wear. This Wednesday wasn't turning out so great. Bad enough Leo had insisted on accompanying him on his travels to comic stores since his run-in with the Purple Dragons, but his brothers' version of a 'perimeter check' involved hours of trudging the sewers surrounding their home doing detailed, boring checks on all the surveillance gear, traps and false walls they had set up. Given he was probably worried about the Dragons' coming after Tausha, Mike was sure this trip was going to be particularly tedious.

As the two left, Don made his way to the elevator to catch-up with some maintenance on the Battle-shell; unsure what else to do Tausha sat on the couch to watch the soaps with Splinter. Realising she was watching the clock more than the screen, and it had only been 20 minutes, she decided to investigate what was keeping Raph in the kitchen. Splinter seemed to engrossed in his show to pay her much heed so she took a moment to take a deep breath and clench her fists in determination before she cautiously poked her head in the door way.

The side had been cleared of the dishes and drying rack, Raph half-heartedly sweeping the floor at the far end with his back to the door. Noticing a few cleaning products out on the bench top she decided to take a chance on a stupid impulse. It wasn't her intention to sneak in, though in her nervousness she didn't say a word, jumping almost as badly as he did as the first two squirts from the Spray 'n' Wipe sounded. Grabbing a cloth Tausha acted as if she hadn't seen his outraged face at all; concentrating on the small patch of bench she was trying to scrub through instead.
"What the hell d'ya think you're doin'?" Raph snarled.
"Helping out." Tausha responded, surprised herself at how calm and flippant her voice sounded.
"Why?"
"You have to do this because of me, right? It's only fair I pitch in too."
"I don't need you're help to get into trouble, and I sure as hell don't need it to get out." Raph thumped the broom on the floor in temper. Tausha tossed the spray bottle and cloth down on the counter, folding her arms and pointedly turning her back on him.
"Fine! Just say the word and I'll go then."

Silence.

After an eon Tausha almost gave in to the impulse to turn about and see if he was sneaking up to throttle her. Instead she was startled to hear the sound of the broom working on the floor. Warily she risked a quick glance. He'd turned his back again, the tension in his arms and neck clear as he attacked the floor as if trying to sweep up the discoloured vinyl itself. With a curt little nod to herself she set back to work with the cloth, holding it a little too tight to stop the shaking in her hands.

Raph made a point of keeping his shell to the girl as he completed his task. He'd decided the only good thing to come out of this mess was the fact that doing the chores this week made it damn easy to avoid her most of the time. He'd even planned on working on his bike every afternoon till she left, once this week was over. Finishing the repairs to the paint job wouldn't take too long, but he figured he may as well use Leos' neurotic controls to his advantage, for once.

Coming to a halt in the far corner he paused to glare swiftly at her back. She'd moved down a bit from the large arc he'd skipped sweeping around where she had been stood. For a moment he considered returning to finish the job, but that thought made the tightness in his throat arc-up again. Damn it. He hated feeling like this. After all it was the only reason he hadn't told her to go, he didn't want to embarrass himself croaking the demand. Well maybe not the only reason. If she wanted to suffer a bit too, who was he to stop her, right?

Savagely he scooped the muck he'd collected, dumping it noisily in the bin before grabbing out the mop and bucket. Luckily she was working on the end of the bench furthest from the sink. Still, it irked him hugely that she didn't even seem to acknowledge his presence there. He was supposed to be ignoring her, not the other way round! With a grunt he hefted the bucket to the far corner. He'd only mopped a small area when she dashed his hopes she'd leave after finishing the bench top and cupboards, moving to start on the oven instead.
"Damn stubborn cow." he thought, returning to his internal debate regarding the pros and cons of who should be ignoring who.

"Ow!"
"Watch where you're going will ya?" Raph snarled.
"What? You walked in to me!" Tausha correctly pointed out. Desperately failing to come up with a rebuttal for that little fact, he settled for a gruff "Sorry." over his shoulder. She stopped him walking away with a gentle hand on his arm.
"Me too. For everything." Raph froze. Why the hell did he feel like he was gonna cry? Unwilling to attempt to speak he settled for a quick nod before he walked over to the bucket. Mentally kicking himself for being so weak he went back to work with his back to the girl, for the most part. A quick glance revealed she was doing the same. Despite feeling like a fool, Raph did find he could breathe easier. His shoulders starting to ache little as they released the tension they'd held for the last few days. The next hour passed without a word until they found themselves stood side by side, perusing their handiwork.
"Is that it?"
"Yep." Raph hoped he didn't sound as disappointed as he felt.

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AN: Well was that enough ease the tension over whether Raph and Tau were ever gonna talk to each other again? To be continued next chapter…-evil grin- Though warning, the next one will probably be late!