A/N: Wacko! This is the longest chapter I've written for any fic yet, and I think that's saying a lot. (o.O)! This is what happens when I decide to end a chapter where I originally planned to, lol. Thanks once again to everyone who takes the time to review. Good, bad or ugly; all feedback is appreciated.

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 straightened after setting the tea pot on the table, to be grasped about the shoulders in a friendly one-armed hug from Mike.
"So, how's our little sleeping beauty this morning?" Tausha beamed back.
"G'day Mikey. Fine thank-y, ARGH!" she leapt back from the thin form that was wriggling it's way past Mike on the table. Clutching her hand to her chest she gaped aghast as she realised it was a plastic snake he'd fooled her with. Mikes' laughter was cut short however; as Raph forcibly whipped him round to face him.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he snarled, Mike finding himself trapped with the table at his back.
"Hey bro, chill. It was only a joke!"

To Mikes' relief, and Raphs' surprise, they were split up by Tausha shoving Raph back. Mikes' grin aborted as she snatched the plaything, holding it up to his face with a look that made him involuntarily clasp his tail and hands protectively over his butt. With a girly scream he tried to make a break for it, only to be thwarted by a well timed trip as he passed his brother. Mike pushed off from the ground as he hit it, managing to flip over onto his back just in time to cop Tausha landing heavily to sit astride his midriff. She didn't weigh enough to pin him, but the force was sufficient to shove the air from his lungs.

Instantly he had his arms up to block the punches he would have expected from any of his brothers. With an evil grin she slipped her hands up his sides, under his defences. Despite his flailing limbs and convulsions she managed to keep tickling till he stuttered,
"S…s… stop! P… please STOP!" for the third time. Rolling to prop himself up on his elbow after she freed him, he managed to catch his breath. Looking up with a grin as she stood beside him, hands on hips, an expression on her face that mingled the odd combination of triumph and concern, he couldn't help himself.
"Wow! You really are petrified of these things, huh?" The concern evaporated, leaving a dead pan in its wake.
"If you'd grown up in a place where most of the stuff in your backyard could sting, bite or kill you, from the littlest bug to the slimiest reptile, you'd know it's not fear but a damn healthy respect!" With that she flung the toy on the ground in front of him and stalked off into the kitchen.

Sharing a grin Raph helped Mike back to his feet.
"Hehehe, that was awesome!" Mike congratulated himself.
"Yeah." agreed Raph before he yanked Mike beak to beak with a sudden menacing look "But if you ever scare her like that again I'll thump ya! Got it?"
"OK, Ok. Peace dude. How about I make it up to ya?"
"How?" Raph asked dubiously. With a smirk Mike held up a finger for patience.

"Hey, Tau! Over this way." Mike called to the girl as she left the kitchen with her breakfast. With a light scowl she decided to comply, eyeing him and his offering suspiciously as he pulled out the chair he usually sat on and invited her to sit with an elaborate bow.
"My lady?"
"What's wrong with it." she asked, her tone warning she wasn't in the mood for any more tricks.
"Nothing!" Mike assured innocently "Unless you count having to sit next to this lug head!" as he shoved Raph into his seat by his shoulders.
"Mikey." growled Raph ominously as he tried to stand.
"Now, now bro. You just sit and relax. I'll have your brekkie for you in a jif!" Mike patted Raph condescendingly on the shoulder, succeeding in settling him in his seat, just as Tausha cautiously took hers.

"Hang on!" Tausha called before Mike could escape to the kitchen "Why are you fetching him breakfast?" Beaming Mike explained as he completed his journey walking backwards.
"To stop him from killin' me for givin' you a scare."
"Oh really?" she enquired sardonically of Raph as he had the decency to shuffle nervously.
"Well it is a bit too early in the morning for that kinda thing…" he offered.
"I see. So 'that kinda thing' is fine, just so long as you subject me to it in the middle of the night, huh?" Don chuckled at the sight of Raphs' sheepish grin as Tausha shook her head in resignation, though she did give in to a wry smile. The quiet broken by Leo's voice carrying from the kitchen.
"Mike, you shouldn't need a tray to carry your meal. How do you expect to keep in shape eating that much?"

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While she did appreciate the disguise Tausha couldn't help scratching at the back of her neck as the rough material of the wigs' hair net rubbed the sensitive skin on her nape. Mike roughly screwing a cap on her head wasn't helping matters.
"Enough already, let me do it." she bapped him away to settle the hat herself before attempting to return some semblance of order to the coarse, black shoulder length hair that didn't seem to want to sit flat.
"Heh!" Mike stood back to appraise their efforts, settling his own overcoat in the process "Now you really do look like the 'Littlest Hobbo'!" giggling at the glare she shot his way.
"Hmm, I always had a feeling these old items the boys used to play dress-ups with would come in useful again." smiled Splinter, seemingly ignorant of the discomfort his comment caused his sons.

"Yeah. Well, sorry Sensei, but we should get going. It's nearly one o'clock already." said Leo.
"Are you ready?" he asked Tausha, holding up the blindfold.
"Is that really necessary?" Raph asked shortly, despite her nod.
"It was what we agreed." Leo and Tausha said in unison, one tersely, the other levelly. Once the bandage was in place Tausha felt both her hands grasped as two of the turtles led her to the elevator. From their good-byes to Splinter she figured it was Raph and Mike.

"You shouldn't have to do this." Raph muttered as he helped her with her seat belt.
"It's OK. I don't mind it, really Raph." she whispered back, though she was grateful when he held her hand again after taking his own seat next to her. Starting to feel nervous about the possibility of having to face Casey she tried to give Raph a brave smile, hoping she was facing roughly the right spot despite her lack of sight, as she felt him squeeze her hand reassuringly.
"What?" he demanded, making her start.
"Nuthin'." Mike answered quietly "It just seems a shame Tau has to leave so soon."
"Whatever." grumped Raph, though he didn't let go.

Not wanting to draw undue attention Leo removed the blindfold before they left the Battle-shell. However, he did ask Tausha to keep her eyes down. She found herself wedged shoulder to shoulder with Raph on one side, Leo the other as they waited in the alley for Don to return to signal the all clear. As soon as Don poked his head into the passage and beckoned they were moving. Tausha found herself whisked so quickly around the corner, into the lobby and through the door to the stairwell she barely had a chance to register any detail of the street regardless. Bringing up the rear Mike swiftly drew the door closed, blocking the view of the lobby.

Tausha blamed the climb up the seven flights of stairs for the slight tremble she felt. Though she was relieved they hadn't had to make it to the top floor, for the comfort of Raphs' hand resting lightly on the small of her back as they entered the apartment, and finally the opportunity to take off the darn wig and heavy coat! April greeted them all enthusiastically, with hugs for the guys. Casey seemed happy to see everyone as well, though his smile was a little too bright.
"Hey big guy, you wanna grab some lunch with us?" Mike invited.
"Nah. They're showin' a game I wanna watch on the tube."
"Why don't ya come watch it on the big screen?" asked Raph.
"Uh, well it's starting in just a minute, and I was just gonna veg in the bedroom. Let these two have their 'girlie day'. Just gotta fetch some snacks."
"Hey April, you've got a new lap top!" exclaimed Don as he spied the machine on the kitchen table.
"Yeah, work gave me an upgrade. You guys should check out the game I'm working on, though there is a glitch I just can't iron out at the moment."
"Cool!" enthused Mike as they moved through the archway to check it out.

Hanging back in the living room Raph turned to Tausha.
"You gonna be OK here?" She nodded uncertainly.
"Yeah." she half-shrugged.
"Look, Case may be an idiot sometimes, but I doubt he'd do anything to hurt ya. We'll be back to pick you up in a few hours, but if… if you need us to come by sooner or anything… take this." To her surprise he held out his Shell-cell.
"You sure?"
"Yeah." Cautiously she took the phone, gazing at it as she held it for a moment before tucking it carefully in the front pocket of her jeans. Looking up again they shared a smile.
"Thank-you." she said quietly. Glad to see her happy, and willing to maintain the eye contact she'd seemed eager to break lately, Raph gave in to the urge to cup her cheek gently.
"Just want you to feel safe." he murmured as he unwittingly moved closer, enjoying the smile that shone clearly in her eyes. The expression didn't quite make it to her mouth as she gently bit half her lower lip instead.

It gave him a small catch in his chest to see her do that, it always made her look so… innocently alluring? Though the catch tightened a notch as she relaxed the grip of her teeth, freeing the captive as their breath started to mingle. At the last moment she dropped her face slightly, hooding her eyes. Concerned Raph applied a gentle pressure under her jaw. She didn't resist at all, but the new emotion clear in her eyes as she met his again was enough to give him pause.

"…thanks Don!"
"Anytime April." Leo had no idea what his brother had just explained, but the new game April was on the programming team for did look awesome. He'd been captivated by the few graphics she'd been able to show them, after all he'd always had a soft spot for the Wild West. It was high time someone made a strategy based there, in his opinion. A little reluctantly he patted Don on the shoulder.
"Yeah, anytime. But right now we'd better make a move." Glancing round he realized someone wasn't in the kitchen.
"Where's Ra…?" he almost jumped as Mike gave a loud clap.
"Darn straight! Let's get this wagon train a movin'! I'm starving!"
"Oh Mike! You scared the daylights out of me!" April admonished.
"Yeah!" agreed Casey, cuffing Mike over the head.
"Sorry guys…" giggled Mike, righting his hat. Shaking his head Leo led the way back into the living room, quickly spotting his missing brother stood a couple of feet away from Tausha. They both looked a little shaken, but he figured Mike had managed to startle them too.

"Catch ya later, babe." Mike gave Taushas' a shoulder a quick squeeze on his way past, managing to surreptitiously corral Raph towards the door.
"We'll be back at six, OK?" Leo reminded.
"Sure thing, Leo." assured April "We'll be fine." she continued, more to help coax a smile from the girl. With a weak wave and a smile to match Tausha bid her friends good-bye.
"Come on." April gently urged her towards the kitchen with a friendly hand on her shoulder "Let's get something to eat. Then you can fill me in on all the gossip from the lair." With a small grin Tausha went along, hoping her relief that Casey headed straight to the bedroom to ensconce himself wasn't too obvious.

Starting back down the stairs Raph found himself lagging behind a little. He couldn't shake the image of that last look Tausha had given him before they'd both jumped at Mikes' racket. He couldn't figure it out. Why had she looked sort of unhappy, and…? Whatever else it was it gave him a horrid sinking feeling, like he was missing something here. Something obvious. Like the next step.
"Not good!" he breathed as he toppled. Luckily his reflexes were working faster than his brain as he managed to right himself after a quick, awkward run down the next couple of steps. Still, he was grateful as Mike leapt back to grab him round the chest, steadying him further.

"Hello? Earth to Raphie!" Mike teased "You don't have anything ta worry about bro. Ape will smack Case down if he does anything stupid."
"It's not that. I… just have a bad feeling is all." Stood on the platform below Leo mentally cringed as he watched his brother gaze back up the stairwell. His heart sank as he admitted to himself he'd failed; a second brother now. Despite all his warnings and efforts to prevent it, Raph was gonna miss this girl. And that meant he was gonna hurt. Not the relatively easily remedied and understandable kind of hurt that could be stitched or bandaged. It would be the undefinable, hollow ache that Lady Time always seemed to shove at the bottom of her 'to do' list when it came to healing. Even he didn't realize he was unconsciously fingering the scar on his side that was a little too long for his belt to cover completely, as he made his way up to his brothers.

Engrossed in their conversation they didn't seem acknowledge him. Raph didn't flinch as Leo wrapped a reassuring arm about his shoulder, on the opposite side from Mike.
"Yeah? Well I've gotta bad feelin' too. It feels like my stomach's tryin' to eat itself! But d'ya know what I reckon we need?"
"What?"
"Do-nuts!"
"You payin'?" Raph asked, sure he already knew the answer.
"Oh man!" Mike lamented, patting himself down "I'm broke at the moment." He chuckled as Raph shoved him down a couple of steps with a rough noogie. Undeterred Mike popped up with a suggestion.
"I know! How about a challenge? Last one to the bottom of the stairs pays!" Raph shared an evil grin with Leo before they grabbed their conniving brother, spinning him about to sit him heavily on the steps as they leapt past.
"Sure thing!" Raph taunted as they all made their way down with far more noise than was necessary.

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"Here we go." April dumped a couple of shopping bags on the table after they'd cleared away the plates. Going through the contents quickly she checked with Tausha she hadn't forgotten anything.
"Oh, and here's the rest of the cash." April fetched the notes out of her purse.
"Wow!" exclaimed Tausha "You sure this is right?" she asked as she flicked through the bills. There was close to $200.00 in her hand.
"Yep. Told ya those necklaces would fetch just over $100.00 each, and this lot didn't come to much."
"Thanks so much for doing this for me. Here, take this for your trouble."
"Don't be silly!" April waved away the note "It was my pleasure."
"Well, only if you're sure?" again April waved away the offering.
"It wasn't any bother, really." With a bashful smile of thanks Tausha went to tuck the money in her pocket, fishing around to fetch out something first.

"Can I ask you a favour?" she asked cautiously.
"Of course." assured April. Tausha placed another of her necklaces on the table.
"I don't think Splinter or the Turtles would accept anything for helping me out either, but I owe all those guys so much… Could you keep this one, just in case they ever need it?" April looked as though she wasn't going to agree for a moment, but then decided otherwise.
"I'm sure they don't expect anything from you, helping people is just kinda what they do. But I know how you feel. Are you certain you can do without it though?"
"Yeah, I've still got two more left for emergencies. Besides, in the big scheme of things 100 bucks doesn't go very far. This will probably just mean an extra week or so working before I can go home." April nodded as she picked up the chain, putting it in a jar kept on kitchen bench.
"Ok. I figure the guys will probably keep in touch with you, as much as they can. If you do find you need it, just tell them to let me know."
"Thanks."

"Now. Let's get on to the important stuff." April took her seat again, chin on hands with an avid look.
"Who's your favourite turtle?"
"Uh, oh…" Tausha flustered "Um…, I'm not really sure I have a favourite..." she hoped her cheeks didn't look as red as they felt.
"Hmm, I guess you haven't had very long to get to know them…" April sighed in disappointment.
"Who's your favourite?" It was April's turn to look a little uncomfortable.
"I love 'em all, they're like brothers to me now. But…, you won't tell anyone this right?" Tausha nodded "I think I'd have to say Donnie's my favourite. We just have so much in common. It's not often I find someone I can talk computers with who isn't a conceited pain-in-the-neck!"
"Heh, he is very sweet, and smart! I think he could use a bit more confidence though. Not that I'm gonna complain, it does make a nice change to talk to him when the others get a bit much!" April laughed in agreement.
"I hear you there! I remember when I lived with 'em for a few weeks, I was so relieved when Casey would drop in. It gave me a break from the madness."
"Huh? You guys met through the Turtles?"
"Yeah. They didn't tell you? Typical!" rolling her eyes April started on her tale.

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"Hey!" Casey interrupted the giggles as he stood, arms crossed, in the kitchen doorway "You two seem to be having fun."
"Oh, Casey!" April wiped a tear from her eye as she regained her composure "Yeah! It's so nice to have another girl to talk too without having to worry about keeping the guys secret." With a light scowl Casey considered for a moment.
"Just so long as you're not laughin' at me as well… " April shook her head, though he missed the quick wink she gave Tausha.
"Anyway, Raph just gave me a call. They're havin' some trouble with the truck, so I'll take ya back. Alright?"
"Oh, uh sure." Tausha shrugged, trying to keep the smile on her face.
"It can't be that late, is it?" April asked.
"It's gone five thirty." Casey explained shortly.
"Wow. Time does fly when you're having fun, huh?" April lamented lightly as she stood to help Tausha into her disguise.

Casey roughly dumped the plastic bags behind the seats of his Ute before he shoved an old cleaning rag at Tausha.
"Uh, here. Get in then put this on will ya?" he ordered gruffly. It was the first thing he'd said since they'd left the apartment. Tausha couldn't find the courage to point out that a girl being driven around visibly blindfolded might attract some unwanted attention. Getting herself strapped in as fast as she could, since Casey was gunning the engine within moments, she managed to fit the material over her eyes just before the glare of the sun shone through as they shot out of the underground car park.

After a white-knuckled ride that surely didn't last as long as it seemed to, they came to an abrupt stop. Opening her eyes under the material Tausha was surprised she could see the reddish glow of sunset. Maybe it was coming in through a window; still she wondered why she hadn't noticed any sunlight at all in the warehouse earlier. She didn't move as she felt the vehicle shift as Casey hopped out, slamming his door. She heard him grab something out of the tray. The draft as he opened her side was fresh. She felt him fiddle with her belt buckle for a moment before he ordered her to get out and stay put next to the car. She realized they definitely were not in the warehouse, loose sand moved beneath her feet were she stood.

"Well, well! Isn't this a surprise? You're the last person I expected to see doin' me any favours." Tausha froze as she recognised the gravely voice, though it seemed to come from a fair distance.
"Shove it! You're the one doin' me the favour, Hun. I just want to get rid of this little bitch. And it's about time you were forced to cough up some compensation for what you did to my Dads' store, and everythin' else!" Casey yelled back.
"So, ah, how'd we do this then?" he demanded as an after thought. As Hun laughed the cloth over Taushas' face came loose of its own accord, slipping enough for her to gasp at the inhuman way Casey looked in a hockey mask. Cautiously she reached up to pull the material away completely, realising they were on a construction site surrounded by a high wooden fence and skyscrapers.

"Here's how we do this, moron. You send Tausha over here to grab these." Hun held up a couple of briefcases "And I'll let her bring 'em back to you."
"No way, lame brain. I want the money first."
"Alright. How about this then?" As Hun approached Casey shoved the flat end of his ice-hockey stick against Taushas' throat. Though she plastered herself back against the side of the Ute he didn't use enough pressure to even bruise. Unfazed Hun dumped the cases at the midpoint from where he'd first been stood and returned.
"Now you bring the girl out here, get your money and let her go."

Cautiously Casey lowered the stick.
"Alright." he agreed, grabbing Tausha by the arm to walk her out he was surprised to feel her trembling and dragging her feet slightly.
"Come on." he urged her, taken aback as she looked into his mask with pleading eyes.
"Just promise me two things." she murmured.
"What?" Casey snapped impatiently.
"You're gonna share that, with everyone." she nodded her head towards the cases they were approaching.
"Of course!"
"And you're gonna run as soon as you let me go."
"Huh?" Casey glared at her in disbelief as they stopped next to their goal "What the hell d'ya mean by that? I'm no damn coward!"
"Fine." somehow she'd found the strength to settle herself, her voice now level and deadly serious "But I'll give you fair warning, he's not gonna be happy. So the faster you can get outta here, the better."

Scowling at her nonsense Casey squatted to check his prize, giving a low whistle for the stacks of hundred dollar bills packed neatly in place. Standing again he gave her a pat on the head.
"Well, run on back to Daddy now!" he grinned as he stooped to pick up the cases. He made a show of sauntering back to his car. Chucking the briefcases on the passenger seat he noticed the girl hadn't moved. Curious he decided to watch how this was gonna play out.
"Tausha! Get here now." Hun commanded irately. Even stood a good ten meters in front of her father, she still looked small in comparison as she lifted her head in defiance.
"No." she said simply, though it carried clearly on the early evening air.

"What?" Hun demanded with a menacing glare.
"I'm leaving." Tausha explained calmly, still not moving from her spot. Casey had the definite feeling he didn't get the joke as Hun burst into laughter.
"Oh really? And where the hell would you go? It's only taken a week to get you back here in New York. Do you know how many people go missing in this city without a trace every day? Yet you couldn't manage it. Besides, I have contacts in every bus, train and taxi company and in the neighbourhoods of every city and town across the States looking for you. Just how far do you think you're gonna get, even done up like that? Now stop being stupid and come here." He pointed brusquely to the ground before his feet.
"No." Casey had to admit to himself that for a chick she definitely had balls as she didn't flinch in the face of an infuriated Hun stalking up to her.

She had no idea how, but Tausha managed to move her petrified legs just before her Fathers' fist closed on her throat. Ducking past she made a break for it, sprinting across the lot for all she was worth. Having Hun bellowing in quick pursuit was a great motivation. She was stopped short by something ploughing into her midriff with enough force to make her retch. She would have toppled face first over it if her father hadn't snatched her back by her hair, twisting her about to punch her in the face. Stunned she didn't think her next move, but her legs buckling made Hun lose his grip on her own hair under the wig. He roared again as she left him holding the hairpiece, quickly crawling between his legs to try another bolt.

Tausha barely managed to get to her feet before she felt hands gripping each of her arms. She screamed in panic realizing she couldn't see who, or what, was restraining her. She struggled wildly and managed to land one kick on what felt like a shin, its owner cursing but not loosening his grip as they roughly turned her about. The look on her fathers' face was enough to stop her struggling. Desperately she tried to go limp, knowing that would help lessen the inevitable damage coming her way. Hun cracked his knuckles with a triumphant smirk.
"Right, you little harlot. It's high time you learnt once and for all not to make a fool out of me. Now you're gonna tell me who, where and what you've been up to these past few days." To her surprise he looked up to address… thin air?
"And what are you lot waiting for? I want that scum…" he tipped his head in Caseys' direction "strung up by his thumbs before I'm finished here."
"Sure thing, boss!" Tausha whipped her head about in amazement as she saw dozens of foot prints appearing in the dirt around them. She didn't bother to dwell on the phenomenon, her head jerking back again as her father landed his first blow on her temple.

As soon as he'd seen Tausha crumple over nothing Casey realised Hun had brought Foot-techs for back-up. Cursing himself for not realising sooner that Hun wouldn't have come alone, despite their earlier agreement over the phone, Casey had pelted around to the drivers' side of his Ute. He'd just swung himself into his seat, hand on the keys in the ignition, when he spotted Tausha held up by invisible goons whilst Hun got busy.

OK, so she was the daughter of his most hated enemy. OK, so he had enough money sitting next to him to make all his hopes become a reality and then some, all he had to do was gun it. OK, the minx had somehow tricked his best friends into trusting her. But hell, despite all that he just couldn't leave the kid to be pummelled into jelly, no matter how much he'd thought she'd deserved a similar fate before. Thumping the dash in frustration at his damn sense of chivalry, that was probably gonna get him killed right now, he grabbed up his golf bag from where he'd flung it on the passenger side floor.

Kicking open his door it almost trapped his leg as it forcibly bounced off something outside. The unmistakable slither of someone sliding unconscious down the metal panel warned him he wasn't alone. Kicking the door open again he managed to lean out far enough to grab the roll bar behind the cabin. Swinging himself round with a kick off from his side runner he leapt up onto the tray.
"GOONGALA!" being able to spot the tell-tale footprints in the dirt from his vantage point Casey set to work practicing his hockey shots with the heads and shoulders of the foes surrounding his truck.

After he'd worked out his initial bout of anger with his itinerant daughter Hun started to concentrate his blows more strategically. After all, she wouldn't be able to answer his questions if she were unconscious. He waited till she regained her breath after his upper-cut to her gut.
"Have you been with that vigilante all this time? Has he done anything to you?" Tausha shook her head weakly. Hun gripped her jaw to force her head up, making her meet his eyes.
"You had better not be lying, 'cos I will find out if you are." he warned, surprised to see a small spark of defiance in her eyes.
"I'm not gonna tell you anything." she managed to croak. Hun slapped her hard for her insolence, watching dispassionately as she slumped in the grasp of her guards.

He worked his fist in anger for a moment and then turned to see what all the commotion was about behind him. Rolling his eyes he realized Jones wasn't succumbing as planned, even with his punks having the advantage of being invisible. Deciding that getting Tausha to talk might need more time and privacy than he'd figured, he ordered the guards to hold her as he went to join the fray on the truck instead.

Tausha took the opportunity to relax and gather her wits as best she could. With her head dropped forward she realised she was focusing on an indent in the sand to her left. A fresh looking foot print, with one to match a few inches away. A crazy notion entered her head. At first she denied it, but when the guy stood on her other side loosened his grip with one hand to shift it she took the chance. Wrenching her right arm free she twisted, bringing her knee up where she estimated the crotch of her captor might be. She was wrong. He was shorter than she'd guessed. He gave a whimper she felt him slide down her leg to collapse on the ground, probably in the foetal position.

Before she could run the other guy lunged at her, his arms encircling hers, knocking her off balance as they toppled over his prone comrade. A sharp pain shot through her right shoulder, causing Tausha to cry out as she landed awkwardly, her opponents full weight crashing down on her. He quickly got up, yanking her up after him. She used the momentum he'd given her to shove him backwards, hoping to throw him off. By pure luck the metal pylon reverberated as he struck, and she guessed from the dip that appeared in the sand at its base that he was out for the count too.

Not taking this second chance for granted she scrambled to the far end of the lot, holding her dangling right arm to her side in an attempt to ease the pain. A heap of large metal tubes had been piled against the fence, and she quickly clambered up the make-shift steps they formed. Pausing at the top she risked a glance back at the truck. Casey wasn't doing so well now, he'd been knocked off his Ute and was wildly swinging a golf club about his head as he tried to rub dirt off his face.

She paused in indecision for a moment, knowing she wouldn't be much use even if she did go back. Deciding the distraction hopefully caused by her disappearance would be more help to Casey than anything she could physically do Tausha gritted her teeth and vaulted the top of the fence. Landing amid surprised pedestrians below, she gave a quick awkward grin by way of apology before wandering down the street, mingling with the crowd.