Love Don't Come Easy

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.

Chapter Nine: Coming in Second

Rama and Steven began to go out regularly once again and it took some time for Mike to accept this fact, though most of the family was quite happy for Rama and thought the two were a good couple. Leo found that Rama worked harder, seeming to be almost a whirling dervish around the lair as she tried to do all her assignments and still make time for Steven and if he had to advise his Chunin about anything it was usually to slow down.

"Oh but I do slow down and I just love the time I spend with Steven" the girl gushed flushing slightly as she ducked her head.

Of course April Fools day came and Rama, being Rama, could not allow her special holiday to pass without pulling some pranks. Leo had tried in vain to stop the Chunin from these antics, especially now she was suppose to be an adult, but Rama refused to relinquish it, she gladly acted adult and a proper Chunin every day of the year, but for one half day she insisted on breaking loose and wrecking havoc in any way she could. Leo much as he detested this day, along with most of the clan, also knew that Rama did need an out let so, let it ride reminding himself that he had started this tradition, through some temporary insanity, and it was only for half a day, which made it almost bearable.

The family was awoken by a horse neighing, in the playground and found Rama settling the gelding in, "His name is King," she announced as she saw the blearied eyed stare of family members. "He is a pleasure to ride but a little hard on the shell" she confessed.

"Oh no Rama you stole a carriage horse I know you have been threatening to do it but..." Leo began.

"This isn't a cart horse Master, it is a mounted police horse" Rama replied with an ear to ear grin.

"I think I'm going back to bed and that horse best be returned quickly Ramiela! We do not need the NYPD on us." Leo growled as he rolled his eyes.

This was only the start of her half day of festivities, she placed raw eggs into Aunt Jennifer's bubble bath, she slipped something into Leo's drink that made him literally croak like a frog whenever he opened his mouth, Rama insisted it was a take off of her giggle tea and her sponge bob brew that she had used in Devon's world. Don when he went to enter his lab that morning set off a blaring alarm and flashing lights. Then there was the stunt she pulled on Mike, which just about got her killed, but Rama felt it was quite worth her trouble and considering she had only a few minutes left to get him she just had to push the right buttons.

Rama casually let her dad know that the last night she had been with Steven they had done the deed and she liked it so much, they ended up mating like a pair of bunnies, and personally she couldn't wait to do it again. Mike didn't take the news well, protective father he was, he played right into Rama's hands ranting, raging and practically foaming at the mouth as he threatened to do serious harm to Steven. Rama then tried to convince and reassure her father it was only a joke, by the time Mike was convinced Rama had played him he was ready to kill her and Steven both.

By lunch time everyone was thankful they could breath a sigh of relief, except for Leo who was still croaking like a frog.

Kali sidled up to Rama in the dojo "Are you going get Steven tonight when you go out with him?" she asked curiously.

"I'm thinking of something small and simple for him. I don't know how well he takes a joke like this and well, I don't want to scare him off, though I did warn him that I love practical jokes on this day." Rama replied brightly she was well pleased with the chaos she had caused for the day, "Course dad is so angry right now Kali the joke could be that he may attack both of us sometime tonight" Rama laughed as if unconcerned by that possibility.

Of course her special holiday was followed not long after by her birthday, her twenty first, and surprisingly, considering her antics on the first, had lived to see it. Most of the family presented one large gift from their wife and children, so Don gave Rama a laptop computer, Raph's present was a very fancy and expensive pair of sai, Leo had found a proper Japanese tea ceremony set, a new journal, and some heirloom scrolls that had belonged to Yoshi. Leo felt that Rama was now old enough to respect and honor as well as enjoy the information within those scrolls.

As for Mike well, he bought her twenty one roses, and gave her a written certificate that was framed and, stated clearly in writing for all to see that he vowed to be nice to Steven. Rama crowed "I have it in writing."

Mike laughed knowing his daughter would appreciate that, not to mention she'd use it for future blackmail if necessary, she wasn't his daughter for nothing. Mike also gave her one more gift a model horse that was called "Romance" it was a horse who looked like it had been captured in mid flight with legs raised, mane and tail streamed out, it was white with pink along he neck, mane and face, with some pink and purple colouring along the legs. On either side of the horse was a carefully attached decal, one side depicting a princess and prince out in a garden, perhaps preparing to dance, the other side was of the same couple riding a horse.

Steven joined the family for dinner and gave her a dozen roses and a special birthday gift of a bracelet with dark green and white stones set in it. Rama had to put it on immediately and kissed Steven right there in front of the family, causing Mike to work very hard to keep his promise to be nice, especially as it was still his daughter's birthday.

Jessie called later that evening to wish her happy birthday "How'd you make out?" Jessie asked.

"Oh Jess it was wonderful, I got more roses then ever, and Steven bought me the most beautiful bracelet." Rama told him quickly.

Jessie gritted his teeth at hearing this news, ' He's buying her jewelry? Can a ring be that far off' he mused to himself, ' I want to tell Rama in person how I feel for her, but this term is lasting forever and if I don't get back home to her soon, I might lose her.' Jessie shuddered at the thought and sighed miserably as he hung the phone back on the hook. "I'm stuck here while someone else is making time with my girl" he grumbled to himself. "I know I haven't told her how I feel, but I don't want to lose her."

Jessie gulped he could easily picture Steven, though he never met him, handing a box to Rama as he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. He could see Rama, almost glowing with excitement, her eyes shining as she accepted the proposal. He could even picture Steven making love to Rama and that churned his stomach, and made a wave of anger and hatred rise in him. He had to be with Rama to tell her how he felt, for then she could feel, and know the depth of his emotions. But if Rama said yes to Steven then he would never have a chance.

Jessie hated that even more, he wanted to be with her, not at school, but he also knew he had to stay where he was because he couldn't throw his education away. Growling under his breath, at the injustice of the world and how unfortunate it was for him to be here while Rama was falling deeper under Steven's spell, didn't help, finally in frustration Jessie headed toward the gym to work out, and possibly find a better frame of mind.

The last few months were difficult ones for Jessie, and often the news from Rama was not encouraging, at least not for him. But he finally was on his way home and he knew as soon as he found a chance he'd tell Rama what he felt for her. Jessie smiled secretively, he knew he'd now have plenty of opportunities to make his move, because he'd be living with Rama's family, while working for Don and Jennifer. Once he had some money saved up he could find an apartment he could afford. This was his chance, he'd be living with Rama, and there had to be a moment when he could let her know everything. 'I'll fight for her. I'll do whatever it takes to have her for my wife.' Jessie told himself.

On the way to the sewer something caught his eye and he smiled ducking into the store to purchase the item, now as he neared the turtle's home he tucked the gift into his coat before knocking on the door.

Rama swung it open and hugged Jessie, with one arm "Jessie you are home! It is good to see you. Did you have a good trip?" she asked, "I'm so glad you'll be around here for awhile." Rama rambled cheerfully.

Jessie felt his breath hitch as he saw her, some how seeing her now caused his throat to constrict a bit, he leaned into her hug turning his head to inhale the scent that he associated with her, it was part of her skin and her hair and one quick breath brought these scents in causing things to stir inside of him, he couldn't help it, he brushed a quick kiss on her cheek.

Rama pushed him gently away and raised a finger "None of that Jessie," she chided gently, "I do have a boy friend you know and I am not one to fool around." she declared, but a small smile played a bit across her face.

"What's one kiss between friends?" Jessie asked innocently.

His coat suddenly moved and a muffled cry was heard from within it's folds.

"Jess, I have hear the joke about having things in the pocket but..." Rama began eyeing him warily.

Jess chuckled at her words and unzipped his coat, "I guess your gift wants to say hello.' A tiny kitten head popped up in the opening the kitten looked up and mewed once.

"Oh how sweet" Rama cooed as she scooped the kitten up, it was all fluffy and black except for one white foot and a tiny white circular mark on the head, the kitten had large emerald eyes, "he is adorable and so tiny" Rama snuggled the kitten close.

"He's your birthday gift. A little late. I know you missed Baka and have often said you wouldn't mind another cat one day. I also bought a few supplies for him."

"Oh Jessie thank you so much. I have missed Baka ever since the cat died before Splinter did and..." Rama sniffed, "I think this is the best birthday gift of all, though I might have to wait a while to name him, get one that sort of suits him."

Jessie flushed he knew how Rama had felt about her cat, Baka had died of old age, that the cat had lived a long time was wonderful, but Rama missed Baka's companionship and had often told Jessie she wouldn't mind having another, for some reason she had not bothered getting another kitten herself and Jessie felt it was time to fulfill that wish. Besides that, he knew the kitten would forever remind Rama of who gave it to her. "I...I'm glad you like him."

Rama smiled,"Well lets get this little guy and you settled in and Steven is coming to dinner tonight. I want you to meet him Jessie" Rama informed him.

"Great" Jessie replied sounding less then enthusiastic about the whole thing.

XXX

Rama made introductions as soon as Steven came, "Steven this is my friend Jessie, we've been friends for so many years now."

Steven held out his hand and Jessie took it squeezing it just a little harder then was necessary in greeting and breaking off the hand shake quickly. Jessie was determined to not make friends with Steven as far as he was concerned this was his opponent for Rama's love.

Before everyone headed to the table for dinner Steven headed to the washroom, and met Jessie coming out of the facility.

"So you are old friends with Rama huh? Not too personal I hope" he hinted.

Jessie grimaced a bit, Yeah, you wish! he snorted to himself "I know her pretty good" Jessie boasted, he smiled, "We've been through a lot together." He knew that was true enough and figured that Steven could fret over what he meant.

"That's good but uh just don't forget, that she is with me." Steven declared his tone turning hard and his eyes narrowing, "She may have had a relationship before and maybe for you there is still something going on. But Rama doesn't seem to agree with you on that count." He declared.

Steven saw a hard look come to the boys face as his jaw seemed to clench, "She can still change her mind" Jessie sneered in reply.

"Not if I have any thing to say about it" Steven warned tightly.

Jessie took a deep breath, "We...we'll see" he remarked cryptically as he pushed his way past Steven heading for the kitchen, he tried to calm his rapidly beating heart.

During dinner Rama sat beside Steven and Jessie couldn't help but notice her smiles towards the other man, or how she would once in a while rest a hand on his arm or leg, the adoring looks and gentle laughter that she seemed to give only to him. It churned and boiled in the pit of his gut, and although the food smelled delicious he found he had little or no appetite. He closed his eyes and pictured himself where Steven was sitting getting all of Rama's attention.

Jessie sighed as he realized, in one sickening moment, what he was truly up against. Rama loved Steven that much was clear and as long as she loved him, she wouldn't look elsewhere. Rama wasn't the type. Nor would Rama go along with any fight, she would probably deride both of them for being idiots. How am I to get my foot in the door then, How am I to prove to her how I feel for her? He wondered miserably. Realizing what he might truly be up against his heart sank.

Jessie didn't notice at least three ninja's careful scrutiny of him, while Ramiela herself seemed oblivious, caught up in her own feelings for Steven, she didn't seem to acknowledge or realize the cross currents of emotions her dear friend was giving off. Mike, Don and Leo however were not so occupied and were more aware of Jessie's thoughts and feelings for his old friend.

After dinner was over Rama excused herself and left her arm linked through Steven's for some private time with her beau, the door clicking softly shut behind the couple, blocking the murderous glare that Jessie shot that direction.

Leo scowled and his lips tightened a bit, "Jessie come with me a moment" he ordered briskly as he rose from his chair.

Jessie knew better then to disobey Leo, first off Leo had always been his Sensei in the lessons he had in his youth, secondly he was aware that Leo was the Jonin of the clan, and most importantly he knew that it was Leo who was permitting him to live with them, until he could get on his feet. So Jessie followed Leo out of the living room and down to the office Leo used for his work. Leo shut the door behind them and gestured the boy to a seat.

"Jessie while you are here might I remind you that you must obey all rules. Including the guest rule that states no guest should be made to feel unwelcome in our home." Leo began sharply.

" I...I know that" Jessie replied quickly, "I don't need a reminder."

"On the contrary I think you might Jessie" Leo stated, "Ramiela is very taken with Steven as you have seen for yourself, and I as Jonin, approve of her choice" Leo stressed giving a pointed look Jessie's way, "I don't need any animosity or jealousy from you causing trouble for them. Ramiela never caused you any trouble for the many different girls you have dated over the years, and I think by those actions that she ought to be rewarded the same consideration from you."

"I know" Jessie bowed his head staring at his hands that were clasped in his lap "B..Bu..But I k..care for Rama too" he stammered in protest.

Leo squeezed Jessie's shoulder gently "I sense that son I do. But you ought to let the relationship that is going have a chance. If it breaks up through no fault of yours then you have every right to make a move. However, as it stands at the moment Rama is taken. Whatever is meant to be will be Jessie" Leo gave him a stern look "Now I expect you to follow my advice and let it go. If you insist on going against this don't be surprised if you are disciplined for it." Leo warned.

"All because he's a guest?" Jessie asked flabbergasted, "Or is it because he can help you be citizens?" Jessie snapped, then gulped uneasily as he realized what he had said and to who he had said it.

Leo's back straightened and his eyes narrowed to mere slits, his warm friendly tone became cold and hard "I think you would do well to do a few hours of katas followed by a couple hours of meditation."

Jessie knew this wasn't a request, he stood up and bowed to Leo before leaving the room to head to the dojo to begin his punishment, wondering how he could have sassed off in such a way to the clan leader, of all people.

XXX

Don entered the dojo carrying a cold glass of orange juice in his hands, he knew Jessie had been working out in there alone and that Leo for some reason wasn't too happy, however the boy had been hard at it in the dojo and could probably use a break, so he had brought the juice in for Jessie.

"Hey Jessie take five or ten, it's okay. Leo and Karena went out for a bit" Don suggested offering the glass.

Jessie swallowed, his chest heaving as he felt the coldness of the glass in his palm and felt the liquid pour over his tongue and down his throat, he gulped it thirstily.

Don watched and went to sit on a bench along one wall "Uh so tell me Jessie when did you start having feelings for Ramiela?" He inquired keeping his tone nonchalant.

Jessie lowered his head staring into the empty juice cup as if hoping to find an answer in it, "Leo tell you to talk to me?" he wondered.

"No" Don replied, " I and my wife do have an interest in you and because from here on in you will be a junior partner in our work." Don took a breath, "We are very aware how certain feelings, emotions, how life in itself can cut into productivity at work" Don explained, "Does Ramiela even know how you feel?"

Jessie shook his head and walked towards the bench, "That is what's so frustrating Don. To make matters worse I don't think Leo wants her knowing" he fumed, "But I love her." he declared.

"For how long?" Don asked softly.

Jessie sat down beside Don, "I thought lots about it, when I first realized what she meant to me, and I think wh..wh..what I feel for her goes bbbb...back a while" Jessie bit his lip and then looked into Don's face, "It is just I couldn't really show it before, because of mom. I knew she would never accept Rama as p...pa..part of the family. Mom got over a lot of her prejudice around all of you, but I think. No I know" Jessie corrected, "That she'd cause problems if Rama and I were going to marry. As I got older she didn't really like me being around Rama so much, kept encouraging me to be with kids from school, and I was busy with them quite a bit anyways but..." Jessie scowled.

Don put a reassuring arm around the boy's shoulder he sensed his sincerity, "Take a few deep breaths Jessie take your time" he soothed, "What gave you the idea your mom didn't want you around us so much."

Jessie gave Don a pleading look "I love mom, I do and I did" he insisted, his face full of sorrow and regret.

"I know you were a good son and you tried to make her proud and she sacrificed a great deal for you" Don confirmed, "But these feelings you have had to come from something Jessie."

"Much as mom didn't mind Rama being my friend when we were kids the older I got, the more well, little things she said, or the way she acted when she found out I was hanging out with regular kids over Rama told me that Rama could never be more than my friend, ever." Jessie confessed as he hung his head.

Don nodded prejudice was a terrible evil vice, it grew deep and thick, and some people could purge all of it from their system but it took a great deal to do so, but most people if they saw it and recognized it might take out or stop a large portion of their hatred as common sense prevailed, but some small part continued to exist deep within them, hidden in the shadows and never fully taken out. It seemed Melody though she did her best to accept them as people, and because she could see the benefits of Jessie's friendship with Rama, was willing to accept that much and so uprooted most of the evil weed, but as Jessie had said, and he really knew his mom best, she could not accept or tolerate the idea of Jessie being more than friends with Rama.

Knowing the kind of woman Melody had been, she had probably tried her best to influence her son, "So you had your feelings but had to accept your mom's wishes, more out of your respect and love for her, and perhaps she drove a bit of a wedge between you and Ramiela?" Don essayed.

Jessie nodded "She freaked when I told her I kissed Rama, she told me I could do better and there were a lot of nice girls my age I could be with I didn't have to hang out with Rama so much. I didn't know what to do," Jessie choked out.

Don smiled inwardly he could easily picture Melody's reaction upon any idea or suggestion that Rama and, her only child were getting closer. Yeah, it wouldn't have been easy on a teenage boy, and perhaps to keep peace he had complied instead of standing up to his mom, for they had taught the boy as part of his lessons to respect and listen to his mother, not giving her a hard time. Plus as he said, by then he did have other friends to hang out and be around.

"When Rama told me about Devon, I felt real upset. I mean I didn't like it. I kept telling myself I should be happy for her, she found someone that could understand her, and knew ninja life the way I couldn't. Besides it wasn't like I could be with Rama. I wanted her to be happy, but then again, I wanted the relationship to fail because if she was free I still stood a chance." Jessie explained.

Don nodded he was understanding even further about Jessie and his problem, he then recalled all Jessie's off and on relationships over the years "All this time all the girls you have been with. You have been looking for someone to take Rama's place in your heart, but none of them equaled Rama, or even came close."

Jessie shrugged "Maybe I guess. I don't know. None of them seem to be what I want I know that." he grumbled a bit.

"But you know you want Ramiela" Don stated.

"Yeah but she loves Steven" Jessie growled irritably.

"If you sit back and do nothing Jessie, then you can't complain if you lose something important. In fact you have no right to complain over it" Don stated, "Far as Ramiela is concerned her choice at the moment is Steven or no one, if she loses him she has no idea how long it will be before she can find someone else who will love her. She is tired of being alone Jessie. You could give Steven a little friendly competition and possibly make her choice a bit more interesting" Don suggested, "If you lose you tried. If you win well it will be worth it don't you think? Ramiela alone can make the choice of who she wants to be her life partner her mate, her husband. I think either you or Steven could make her happy and give her not only what she is looking for in a partner but what she needs."

"Only one problem" Jessie said miserably, "Leo much as told me he doesn't want me coming between Steven and Rama."

Don smiled, he knew how he felt for his own wife, knew he'd do anything for Jen, and now that he was sure of Jessie's feeling he had no doubt that this was going be a passing fling for the boy. "There is a way of doing it without challenging Steven openly. If you don't know that then you really don't know the art of war" Don smirked and raised his eye ridges, "Or the art of love for that matter. Best get back to whatever it is Leo assigned you to, we'll talk more later" Don vowed as he stood up and took the empty juice glass with him.

Jessie watched Don leave, suddenly feeling new hope spring up inside, if Leo didn't approve of his feelings for Rama, at least Donatello seemed to be on his side.

TBC