Love Don't Come Easy

Disclaimer: I do not own the monopoly rights on the TMNT.

Chapter Six: Truth will Out

Rama smiled as she bowed her head to inhale the roses in her hand before silently slipping into the lair, she didn't want any one to spoil her present mood of blissful euphoria, truly it had been a beautiful night with Steven, she caressed one of the red petals on the flower. 'No denying it. I love him, he is wonderful. He really is.' She mused to herself, she knew soon she would have to reveal to Steven, that which she had been hiding from him since she met him. It was time he knew the full truth of the matter, no more hiding things.

By now, she knew him well enough to realize that he would not betray her trust, besides she knew that after a month and a half of seeing him she couldn't hide the truth for much longer. Jessie had finally returned back to school, to finish off the term Rama making sure her old friend would phone or e-mail her to let her know how he was doing and she herself contacted him a couple of times a week. She had also been seeing Steven about two or more times a week, and often she found herself wondering and waiting for when she could see him again. The anticipation of being together and the simple pleasure of just being with Steven made her feel so good. 'To think I may have finally found someone for me.' She mused to herself.

Steven last night had taken her out to dinner, and then on a long ride in one of the horse and carriages around Central Park. Rama had felt close to giddy as she snuggled up against Steven sharing a few kisses with him, resting her head on his shoulder, and feeling totally at peace. She hadn't felt this way for so long, too long but she knew by the churning of her feelings and how she felt when she was around Steven that she loved him.

"Ramiela, I wanted to befriend you, perhaps a bit on ulterior motives at first." Steven confessed, to her as they strolled around the pathways in Central Park, it was becoming a favourite thing to do when the two got together.

"Ulterior, I don't quite understand what you mean by that Steven" Rama demurred.

"Well, I was hoping to make a friend out of you to convince you and your family to become proper citizens. I figured it would boost my career." Steven admitted unabashedly.

"I told you we want to, it is just that certain things must be taken into consideration first Steven, and I think due to my family being who they are, we' d probably prefer a quieter affair where citizenship is concerned at least." Rama insisted kindly.

"Yes, I know and I can understand your doubts and hesitancy in the matter. However Ramiela the unexpected has come up..."

Rama bowed her head, figuring that Steven would now be letting her down in some way.

He reached out cupping her face tenderly in his hands, raising her head to meet his eyes " I am starting to fall in love with you Rama. You are charming, eloquent have wonderful knowledge of so many things. I have dated many women in the past who have shown so little interest or knowledge in world affairs."

Rama's eyes went larger, "You love me, but I don't even have, I don't even look like a woman ought to..." Rama stammered, "I mean you could have anyone, not just some body who looks, well, like me."

"Ramiela, looks can fade. You are intelligent and what you don't have outwardly you definitely have inside. You carry yourself with grace, and this is the first time I think I have ever seen you show a lack of self esteem" Steven chided gently, "It is as if I have found in you what I have been searching for and I know I love you Ramiela and I hope that you love me as well."

Rama smiled, " I loved you for a while now, but I didn't want to say any thing Steven because I was afraid if I did you might not be ready to hear it."Rama confessed shyly, she could feel herself blushing. As for lack of self esteem, come on, you hear about guys who go for breasts or that soft curving hips or that impossible hourglass figure and you have to admit I don't have any of that. I have a shell instead, I never heard of a guy who'd chose shellfish over a drop dead gorgeous female." Rama joked.

"Well I've always been more of a leg man myself and you do have a fine set of legs on you." He said, "Pity you are always hiding them under that coat." He teased.

Rama giggled at his comment, then she leaned forward giving him a long deep kiss.

It was after that, Steven had bought her the roses repeating his vow of love for her. Rama managed to get into the kitchen without being seen but saw her father in the kitchen cleaning up some of the dishes.

"He's buying you flowers now is he?" Mike asked.

Rama nodded " I invited him to dinner here tomorrow night dad." She informed him, she had cleared it with Leo first though, so that the family would be aware.

Mike shook his head "Rama he is a lawyer you can do better then that."

"Dad!" Rama turned giving him a reproachful stare, waiting until he turned to look at her, "I know you care about me, and worry about me. But you can't choose for me, who I am going to be with." Rama pleaded softly she walked over and rested a hand on his arm, "You have to trust me dad. Come on I didn't stand in the way of you being with Cathy"

Mike arched an eye ridge, "Funny I seem to recall a young girl who did her best to see to it that Cathy and I didn't get together."

Rama giggled, "I was thirteen years old then, are you really going to hold that against me?"

"Whatever works Rama" Mike replied as he hugged her with one arm.

"Dad please" Rama said gazing into her father's eyes she said nothing else, just pleaded for acceptance and understanding, Mike glanced away, then turned to see his daughter still had her wistful, yearning puppy dog look on her face and he chuckled as he shook his head.

"All right Rama I'll behave" he vowed.

"Word of honour?" She asked.

"You have my word as a ninja" He assured her holding up one hand as he spoke the words.

Rama smiled, as she leaned forward giving Mike a peck on the cheek "Thank you dad."

XXXX

Rama had prepared most of the evening meal leaving her dad to make the salad and tend to the vegetables while she went topside to meet Steven, she silently hoped that her cousins, or worse yet her little brother wouldn't end up embarrassing her at dinner. She had done her hair up by braiding it through loops of small metal that had tiny coloured rhinestone gems around the metal links and then pinned all of it back by a butterfly hair clip. Rama had always felt that her hair was her crowning glory, her one mark of feminity. So she enjoyed doing things with her hair to make it nicer, though usually she just braided it to keep it out of her way for practice.

She waited for Steven hoping that he wouldn't be too overwhelmed by the whole family but then her family due to size and uniqueness had a way of catching people off guard.

"Hi Steven" Rama greeted him.

"Come here" Steven pulled her close kissing her and Rama relaxed in his arms as she deepened the kiss, her arms slipping around him. They broke off the kiss and Rama stayed in his arms her hands resting on his shoulders. "After dinner you want to go for a walk with me?" Steven inquired.

" Sure, I wanted to talk to you about something anyway" Rama agreed. " I hope you are ready to meet the whole family, we are a big family so tend to intimidate by sheer size alone."

"I don't scare that easy" Steven assured her gently as he gave her a quick kiss before they headed down and into the sewer, once down in the subterranean tunnels Rama slipped her hand into Steven's as she lead the way back to the lair.

Tyler was waiting for them "Sensei Sister gots a boyfriend" he sang out playfully, then made kissing noises at her in between cheerful little giggles.

Rama gave him a dirty look "Don't pay any attention to him Steven." Rama hinted, she caught her brother's arm and pulled him in close whispering very softly "Ty, Steven is a guest, no fair making him uncomfortable" she chided.

"I just havin' fun." Tyler retorted sulking a bit.

"Go play in the playground then before I set you to some katas" Rama threatened. She stood up and smiled at Steven giving a disarming grin and a shrug "My pesky little brother."

"Siblings have a way of doing that to each other." Steven laughed, "You mentioned once that you had a half brother I guess that is him?"

Rama nodded "Yes, Tyler and Tessica are both half siblings, I have a different mother," Rama replied, "Dad had me when he was quite young and it was some time before he found somebody else to care for. I want to check in on dinner, but uh, you can stay here or come with me if you like." Rama offered.

"You cook?" Steven asked. " I know the muffins I had when I was last here were delicious"

"My father taught me, I like to cook and bake when I get the chance to, Karena, my dad, and Kaliann all like to bake or cook so we all sort of pitch in and help." Rama stated casually.

Steven relaxed easily in the presence of one or two of the family, but when it came time for them to sit down at the table he realized the true size of the family, even with the younger children sitting at a smaller table, the rest of the family was daunting at best, it took Steven a bit to relax. Though Cathy got him talking by asking a few polite questions and soon he was engaged in other conversations that was happening around the table.

Steven paused in mid bite of the garlic herbed potato wedges, his eyebrows went up and he let out a delighted sound of pleasure.

Mike nodded "It is true what they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." He cast a strange glance Steven's way and was nudged physically by Cathy, and mentally nudged and chided by Leo, both of them seeing nothing wrong with Rama being with Steven and even if there was something wrong with him, it was clear that it was Rama's mistake to make.

"I don't know I didn't have to prove that with you Mike" Cathy laughed.

"You have other talents I admire" Mike pointed out.

"Yeah, and I wouldn't want my wife in the kitchen she can burn water" Raph grouched.

Ashlynn scowled "Mom isn't that bad dad" she protested giving him a kick under the table as she bit into the chicken kiev.

Leo sighed contentedly as he pushed his plate away "That was great Ramiela."

"Ohh and I did nothing bro?" Mike asked playing hurt.

" I know this meal was mostly your daughter's doing. Come Mike give Rama her due and credit where it is deserved." Leo chided, "For all of us do benefit from her skills."

Kaida nodded "She just has to find some one to marry her now." She blurted out.

"Kaida!" Raph glowered at his youngest, "That isn't appropriate!"

"What?" Kaida hunched suddenly down in her chair not sure what she had said wrong, but knowing that she'd be in for it.

While Rama blushed uneasily and Steven looked uncertain.

Raph shrugged "Kids they say some funny thin's don't they Steven?" Raph cut in.

XXXXX

After spending a bit of time in the sewers getting to know the family a bit more Steven, and Rama finally decided to escape topside to take a soothing slow walk around Central Park, Steven smiled at Rama "I enjoyed meeting your family Ramiela. Though I think it may take some time before I get all the names right."

"That's all right. It went better then I expected though I am sure Aiden is going be ribbing me for a bit." She sighed as she inhaled the air, resting her head against Steven as they walked.

He paused taking her in his arms and kissing her, Rama responded willingly as she pressed her body close to his, she nuzzled his neck and kissed it, feeling her breath start to quicken ever so slightly at his passionate ministrations to her, that caused her skin and body to tingle all over. Steven placed his hands behind her head cupping it as he applied his lips to her mouth, increasing the depth of his kiss causing Rama to tremble subtly.

"Want to go to my place for a bit?" He cooed close to her ear.

Rama whimpered, wanting to oblige, not just wanting but longing to give in, knowing full well that it wasn't just an invitation to his place, that it might, well he was hoping, to take their relationship to the next level. A part of her was all too willing to grab that chance to learn what he could teach her, to give herself to him fully, completely. She wanted that so much.

Yet she also knew the consequences of letting things get out of hand, she recalled how close she had come with Devon and often considered herself lucky, that he hadn't kept his promise for that might have lead to her dealing with the responsibilities of a child who might never know his father. Rama relaxed in his grip as she fought to calm her breathing, and reply to his question.

"Rama don't you want to be with me?" Steven asked slightly concerned.

Rama stroked his arm, " I do want to be with you, in that sense and so much more Steven" Rama confessed as she gave him a kiss to reassure him, "But much as I want to, much as I would like to, I think it would be better for us to hold off on that aspect for now. I don't want to just take what is supposed to be special and meaningful and just turn it into something that is less then it should be. I feel it is better to wait." She explained.

Steven nodded as he looked down at her, his own emotions were racing but he could tell that he would have to let it go, at least for now, and he was willing to do so, he was willing to be patient sure that sooner or later she would accept what he offered her. He had to smile at her naiveté at the whole love making bit. Though he supposed it could be special, girls,especially young ones often romanticized the first time, making him realize just where Rama was in such things. ' Imagine that there is a virgin in New York' he mused to himself, then smiled as he realized that she was his girlfriend. "It is all right Rama you don't have to explain, whenever you are ready" he vowed as he kissed her again.

Rama sighed "I love you" she purred.

"And I you, it is worth waiting for" he agreed simply.

Rama broke gently out of his hold feeling grateful Steven had understood, her Uncle had once told her any guy who tried to push his luck after a girl said no wasn't worth being with. She cocked her head hearing something off ahead and to the right of where they were, a place where the bushes grew thick. "Uh excuse me for a moment won't you?" Rama asked suddenly as she slipped away. " I just need to...you know."

Steven nodded in watching her he was astonished at how quickly she had seemed to disappear. He waited patiently, knowing they had passed a restroom a while back he was going head that direction to meet up with her when he heard a yell from ahead. A yell of fear or pain.

Steven scowled hurrying up the path to investigate the noise, suddenly he saw a big burly fellow come out of the bush, the guy had a bleeding nose and what looked like was a broken arm, another dark shape scuttled from the bush glanced over his shoulder and tore off faster then Steven could identify the person. Steven didn't know what was going on in the bush but he entered it and stopped short staring in shock at what he saw.

Ramiela had ditched her coat and was thrashing a half naked fellow, who was doing his best to cut her with a knife. Tied down amongst the trees was a woman, who looked cut, beaten and unconscious, her clothes rags torn by the knife the man wielded against Rama.

Steven could add one and one, the three culprits had obviously planned to gang rape the woman they had caught, but Rama had intervened, and he knew she had said, they knew a bit of the martial arts, but he had never seen anyone move so quickly as Ramiela was or with such intent either.

Rama moved in grabbing the wrist of the last perpetrator and there was a sound of bones breaking as she twisted it, her other hand dropped on the man's shoulder blade dropping the fellow to his knees. Rama kicked him, following it through with a strike of her hands making him drop unconscious to the ground, she looked up at Steven.

"Do me a favour Steven call the authorities, she is going need some care. Go meet them and I'll wait here" She ordered briskly turning him about.

Steven didn't stop to question her words only obeyed however when he returned with the police and paramedics, Ramiela was gone, though she had tied up the perpetrator. As Steven tried to answer questions his mind whirled with questions about Rama and who she really was, strangely enough he recalled her words from when they had first walked in the park when Rama had insisted "no one would hurt her."

When he was finally released, from questioning he returned home to his apartment as he entered the small place he turned on the lights, and saw Rama waiting outside on the deck outside of his living room area, he felt suddenly irritated that she had just left him like that! He strode over to the door's unlocking it and pushing it open "Just what was that? What are you some sort of vigilante?" He demanded sharply, "You could have gotten hurt" he accused, "Then you leave me there to answer questions and to..."

"Slow down Steven and let me try to explain, please" Rama begged opening both hands and giving him a beseeching look.

"Explain?" Steven snapped.

"Ssh, not so loud, we don't want to attract attention from your neighbours." Rama insisted.

Steven crossed his arms and glowered at her "I thought that the girl I loved was, well I think I learned tonight that she isn't who I think she is. In fact she is a complete stranger. You have been hiding things from me."

Rama nodded, "You have a right to be irritated and upset, I did lie to you, but it wasn't that I wanted to, it was because I had to, to protect my family." Rama declared, "I know what I may say might have no bearing on how you are feeling now, but I ask that you do not judge me until you know everything." Rama knew she would have to tell what she had wanted to inform him of earlier but, she also knew that present circumstances meant Steven may not accept what she had to say as willingly, as he might, if she had been able to reveal things in a better way.

"I'm listening" Steven replied tightly his arms crossed over his chest.

Rama sighed, knowing this wasn't going to be easy for his body language was clearly saying something totally opposite to his words. " I did tell you about my Grandfather, the mutated Rat Splinter, well he originally came from Japan with his owner, Hamato Yoshi. Yoshi was one of Japan's finest Shadow warrior, or ninja..." Rama talked about how Shredder had sought his revenge killing Yoshi and how Splinter had managed to escape to later find the turtles and become mutated, "Splinter trained his four sons in Ninjitsu, and they in turn sought honour by killing Shredder, what they didn't know was it would start a feud between the Foot Clan and our own Clan."

Steven had now come out on the balcony and sat in one of the plastic chairs he had out there, he was listening "You want me to believe that there are ninja thieves running amok all around us?" He demanded tersely.

"You would be surprised how many robberies, drug crimes and smuggling crimes are done by the Foot. Our clan keeps in shape by patrolling the city at night and stopping crimes. We never use any more force then is necessary and we always phone in an anonymous tip to the authorities about what they can find and where. We are concerned citizens who care for their city" Rama assured Steven, "But due to our nature we can not go and answer questions or things like that. We want to do the right thing and help put these scum away, where they won't hurt people, but how can any of my family testify in court? They wouldn't understand us Steven, we might end up in a zoo, or a circus or some other place where all of our rights and freedoms are stripped from us." Rama shook her head, she reached out to take his hand and he pulled away. Rama took a slow trembling breath "I know I left you holding the bag, and having to deal with everything tonight but what was I suppose to do Steven allow those creeps to molest that woman? Hadn't she suffered enough? Was I to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to something I knew I could prevent? In the end Steven I have to live with myself and I wouldn't change what I did tonight."

Steven gave Rama a cold hard distant look.

Rama sighed wearily and nodded " Even though, you can't seem to accept that choice." Rama sniffed a bit as she fought back tears, " I'm sorry Steven, if you change your mind you know my number" Rama climbed over the railing of the balcony "I know I probably hurt you because of my lies, my deceit. I'm sure you don't believe me when I say that I hate liars myself. I know you probably feel I ought to obey the law, by sticking around and filing reports and things like that. But I can't." With that Rama jumped down out of sight, leaving Steven to brood.

She made her way to the sewers feeling dejected and upset and she could no longer stop the flow of tears that had been fighting for release, it seemed it was just her luck that had turned what had seemed to be a wonderful evening into despair and heartbreak. She lifted her hands over her face as she sobbed, knowing that if she could change one thing about tonight it would be to make Steven understand and accept her choice. A silent voice whispered from within 'He might yet; He may, just need time.' she knew that was true, but for the moment it felt as if she had lost everything again.

TBC