Love Don't Come Easy.
Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.
Chapter Fifteen: Committed to
It didn't take long for the family to know that Steven was out of the picture. Keeping secrets from ninja was possible, but it wasn't the easiest thing to do Besides what was the use of trying to maintain something that would soon be common knowledge when one had the perception to put one and one together. So Rama didn't bother even trying to keep the information hushed up. "Steven and I broke up, I was hoping we could stay friends but I don't think he wants a simple friend relationship," she admitted ruefully, to any one who cared to ask.
Jessie sighed, "He might change his mind Rama," he offered.
" I think the only way he'd change his mind is if I decided to have nothing more to do with you Jessie, and that won't happen. Not now or ever!" Rama declared firmly. she snuggled closer to him on the couch. Jessie obliged by wrapping an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him.
Mike gave a dark look towards the couple but he was nudged by Cathy.
Kali smiled, "If he is like that then we don't need him around here. Could you imagine an outsider trying to control us?"
"It wasn't us he wanted to control. It was me" Rama corrected, " And he didn't even seem like the sort to do that until he found out about Jessie and I being together." Rama shrugged, "Maybe I shouldn't have told him but I wanted him to know the truth. Course he always seemed a little jealous," she sighed, "Oh well. It's over." She sniffed a little.
"If he lets it rest fine and if he doesn't I'll have a little chat with him," Raph promised arching an eye ridge.
Rama shook her head "I doubt that will be necessary." she grumbled wanting nothing more than to drop this topic of conversation that had followed the evening meal. She really didn't want to dwell on what might happen if Steven didn't want to accept her leaving him for another. While she didn't believe him to be the sort to get revenge by trying to harm the family, the fact that his jealousy had manifested itself in ugly little ways made her doubt that. She trembled a bit, and nervously chewed on her bottom lip. What if I'm wrong? What if he does try to hurt the family? He knows so much about us, and being a lawyer...Rama couldn't help but muse, she shoved these irritating thoughts away.
"One must be prepared for any contingency Ramiela" Leo intoned simply, as he sipped on his tea.
"Great why don't we just take a vote now on how many feel I made an absolute mistake?" Ramiela snorted cynically.
Mike raised his hand for that, almost instantly.
"Love the vote of confidence dad" Rama retorted icily.
"What? Look I may not have cared for the lawyer but he's better than what was behind door number two." Mike huffed.
Rama sat up glaring darkly towards her father, her thoughts weren't that friendly or forgiving. Her jaw clenched as if she was visibly biting her tongue to keep from answering Mike with a sharp rebuttal of her own. Finally she glanced at Jessie "Let's get out of here Jess, go for a walk, anything." Rama murmured trying her best not to growl in irritation.
Jessie nodded "I'm with ya." he agreed, shooting a venomous look Mike's way before the two headed towards the sewers, leaving the other adults behind.
Rama walked along the sewers silently brooding, her head hung. Not talking for the first few minutes, and Jessie wisely left her to her thoughts, finally Rama whirled and blurted out "When is my dad ever going to let go?" she kicked at the water.
" I dunno. He's your dad I guess he feels he has to look out for you." Jessie said, "He doesn't trust me because I've been with too many girls. He doesn't feel that I'm serious."
"Are you Jess? You gonna commit?" Rama inquired.
"Commit what?" Jessie asked innocently.
"You know what" Rama insisted.
"What commit myself to one girl?" Jessie arched an eyebrow .
"Well I didn't mean commit hari-kari with your boy scout knife." Rama joshed.
Jessie grinned as he slipped a little away from her, "Maybe I'll commit when I find her."
Rama's gaze darkened as he took off "You little..." she fumed, "If you think you can outwit me in these sewers you're out of your mind."
XXXX
The morning routine was well under way, and Rama had dismissed her class before departing into the kitchen, where she knew she'd find her father getting the mid day meal prepared for the family. She knew he didn't approve of Jessie and she decided that it was time to get him lay off. He could keep his thoughts to himself, because she didn't want to hear it any more. Besides, he has no real reason to oppose of Jessie so.She told herself.
Mike was setting out an easy lunch of buns and all the fixings, meat, cheese, tomato slices and lettuce so everyone could make the sandwich they wanted. Rama smiled as she noted the peanut butter and jam were also set out on the table, for the younger children who would sooner have that then any thing else. Mike was busy cutting up a cantaloupe for the meal at the side counter. Rama searched in the fridge and found some carrots, she grabbed a handful from the crisper to make carrot sticks for the meal.
Mike looked up and smiled, her way as she crossed to the sink to wash the veggies.
"Dad, can you tell me what it is you have against Jessie?" Rama asked, trying her best to keep her voice calm and reasonable.
Mike turned back to the melon, which he was now cutting into thin even slices, "Rama it isn't anything with Jessie, more his record with the ladies that I don't care for. I think he is looking at you as another conquest. He doesn't seem to know what he wants and he's just out looking for fun and to hurt people. Other then that he is a good enough kid."
"Dad, I know Jessie has been with his share of girls, but Melody didn't want him hanging out with me all that much. Melody didn't mind Jessie being around me as a friend, but let's face it she would never have accepted me as her daughter in law. Jess knew that. He tried to honour what his mom wanted, to have a normal life, in doing so he drifted from me. Besides that Jessie was young, and now he's a little older more sure of himself." Rama pointed out.
"You think he's really going give you what you want Rama? You believe in him because he is your friend, you want to trust him." Mike countered as he set the sliced fruit on a plate.
"I do trust Jessie dad" Rama corrected as she finished peeling the carrots.
"That is it you do trust him. But I find his actions doubtful. I'd sooner accept Steven he would have been a more stable person for you. Not to mention that he may have been able to help us later." Mike declared.
Rama sighed, "Dad the Clan doesn't have to marry Jessie..." she pointed out, as she cut the carrots.
"You won't marry him either because he is just using you Rama." Mike shook his head as he searched the fridge pulling out a large bag of grapes that he took to the sink to wash the fruit off.
"You don't know that dad. Besides I picked Jessie over Steven for good reason." Rama informed him.
Mike gave a low chuckle "I'd love to hear those reasons."
"You would. Fine, you want to know why Jessie won over Steven? First off Steven we relaxed and had fun, but most of our talks, our time, was serious stuff, debates and issues about life and things like that. It was stimulating conversation, it was a way of thinking of things that perhaps I hadn't considered before but the thing is dad, Master Splinter said to find balance in life," Rama smiled, "Yin and Yang, or In and Yo two opposites that complete each other. I needed something that would take away the seriousness of my life as chunin, or Jonin. I'm going be serious at work. I want to relax, have fun and most importantly be me after work." Rama declared, "Jessie can be serious and compassionate, but he has a way of making sure that there is fun and just a chance to relax. Now I admit that could be because I'm more use to Jessie, but the fact remains that I feel more relaxed and comfortable with him."
"You looking to off set your role huh?" Mike asked arching an eye ridge as he turned to face her.
"A little but I also knew I needed someone who understood that role as well. Someone who could accept the ninja lifestyle, the hours, demands on my time that it took, that it isn't always possible to take a vacation from it, or that it may have to take priority to other things in my life. Steven, would ask about ninjitsu now and again, but he never seemed too interested in it. I always had the feeling he was asking for the sake of asking, or slightly curious." Rama scowled shaking her head a bit, "I think he wanted us to become citizens to forget that lifestyle, and yet it could never happen. Jessie he understands, he grew up around us, he knows and he has always been interested in it. I think it started when he was a kid and he thought it was so cool!" Rama chuckled.
Mike nodded "All right I guess I can see your point of view in those areas."
"Yeah, and they are both very important points, that could impact a great deal in our lives and lifestyle. Jessie just seemed to have more of what I am looking for." Rama said, "Those were the reasons I picked Jessie over Steven, another factor is that, Jessie and I have been through a lot together and a part, yet we've always been there for the other no matter what. I'm not so sure Steven would be able to. His job is just as demanding as my role in life will be, and I have a feeling no matter what sooner or later work would get in the way of being with the other and... it would, or could get worse from there."
"But don't you have doubts about Jessie's and his cavalier life style?" Mike hinted. "Honestly now Rama." Mike turned to face her.
Rama sighed and bowed her head for a moment, "There is some doubt, yes." She confessed, "There is a little of me that wonders if I'm just a passing fling, or if he feels he loves me but it isn't true. I wonder if he'd be willing to commit to me. Yet because Jessie had more of what I guess I'm looking for I went with him." Rama gave a small smile, "What d'ya think dad should I maybe propose to him?"
Mike put the grapes on the table "I wouldn't Rama, you might just scare him off. Then again maybe that will solve the whole problem." Mike gave a rueful shake of his head, "Time will tell I guess."
XXXX
The phone rang and Rama scooped it up "Yes, You've got her" She scowled as she heard Steven's voice, it had been a week since she had broken up with him, and while the family had been keeping watch on him they had been starting to believe that it was no longer necessary. Hearing his voice caused her a moment of sadness, for how things had gone.
"Rama come back to me. Look I've been a mess since you have been gone. I'm sorry I..."
"Steven, you were hurt we tend to say things we don't necessarily mean under those circumstances. Still you have to understand Steven that I can't go back to being your girlfriend." Rama reminded him.
"You can forget him. You seem to have forgotten me Ramiela. I was first." He insisted.
"I loved you yes, and I care for you still, but I don't think we were meant for each other." Rama said, "At least not in that way."
"But you..." Steven protested.
Rama sighed, "You're running things in circles. Good bye Steven" She slowly hung up the phone and shook her head sadly.
XXXX
Rama and Jessie were cuddled up on the couch watching a late night horror movie, the sort they termed as comedy, and were having a fun time watching and laughing over some of the stupidity going on. Rama snorted, "As if, like a deranged killer is after you and you're going stay in the house."
"Sure you are. How else can you build the suspense and terror factor?" Jessie chuckled.
"Is that what you call it?" Rama quipped.
"It's not what I call it." Jessie corrected, suddenly he let loose a yell.
Rama laughed, "Don't tell me you're actually scared."
"No!" Jessie reached around his back, grabbing hold of a fluff ball and moving it in front "Ronin, you have to learn how to keep your hooks out."
The kitten squeezed his eyes shut, and gave a contented smile.
Rama snickered "Don't worry Ronin, you were an excellent excuse for Jessie, I know that's all it was."
"Like hell." Jessie rounded on Rama.
She smirked, "You know it's true."
Jess snorted " You are so full of it" he muttered. "I ought to..."
Rama reached up and kissed him passionately,Jessie easily gave in to her embrace and kiss allowing any threat he was about to issue to vanish.
Rama broke off the kiss "Ought to what Jess?" she purred.
"Do some more of this" Jessie whispered kissing along her neck, throat and face. "As well as some of this," he began to caress her with his hands.
Rama relaxed giving in to his gentle ministrations, she began to return his attention whole heartedly, her breath quickening becoming a bit more ragged as she pressed her body tighter to his, and she felt her heart begin to thump faster. ''
"I love you Rama" Jessie crooned, in her ear as he ran his hands through her hair, sending a shiver down Rama's back.
Ronin pounced onto Rama, and mewed for attention Rama laughed "Almost as bad as having a kid."
"Worse, go away cat you bother me" Jessie glared at the kitten, "To think I bought you too, should have left you there!" Jessie arched an eye brow "Maybe it isn't too late to return him."
XXXX
Rama groaned hanging up the phone and glaring at it. Steven was becoming persistent in the idea she ought to take him back and dump Jessie. I'm glad I got out of it. But why can't he leave it be.
Raph saw her look "Him again?" he asked simply.
Rama nodded "He wants to hold on and I want to move on."
Raph nodded "What's his number?" he asked as he picked up the phone, "He doesn't want to listen to you he might listen to me." Raph gave a wicked grin, "Or he will listen to me in one way or another." He looked at his niece's suspicious gaze " You can tell me, or not."
She finally gave him the number and he dialed it.
"Steven, hi Raph here, Rama's uncle. Look I'm going keep this short and simple. What you are doing falls just a bit short of harassment you know that I'm sure." Raph spoke in an amiable voice, "Being a lawyer you know all about the laws and probably how to break them without going over that fine line. Let me tell you something though, there are many people who don't work inside the law. You keep causing problems well you may have to learn how close we come in walking that fine line." Raph paused, "She has made her position clear, she doesn't want to get back with you, not in that way. You want to be friends that is fine, but you are going have to stop acting like this." Raph warned his tone losing his friendliness, "Now let's get one thing straight Steven, you keep pushing Rama and she might have to come over and teach ya how to back off. Now I talked with my mouth this time. Next time it won't be doing the talking" Raph hung up and flashed Rama a sinister smile.
Rama shook her head "You are just pure evil."
"Yeah!" Raph agreed.
"I like that." She admitted, " I hope he lets it go now."
"He will. I don't think he's the type to push his luck." Raph commented, "I'm glad you settled for Jessie, this guy isn't coming off looking so good now."
" I rejected him, I told him he wasn't good enough for me. Think, a human turned down by a mutant, it can't be good for self esteem." Rama shrugged.
"Yeah, but he still ought to accept it, not push. Remember what I told you about guys who push after you say no." Raph hinted.
"They aren't worth my time." Rama replied, recalling that was part of the talk he had given her many years ago when he told her about the facts of life.
Raph leaned forward and kissed her forehead, "That's the one!"
XXXX
Jessie felt his mouth go dry but he felt like this was something he had to do, more importantly he hoped it would ease Mike's feelings towards him. For the past month or more now, he had been going out with Rama, the calls from Steven had thankfully stopped some time ago, but unfortunately Mike's feelings towards him had only become more aggravated as time past. Jessie had always thought of Mike as the turtle that was easiest to get along with. But he was also fully aware that Mike riled could be a force to be reckoned with. Mike might not be quick to explode but once the fuse was ignited it was just a matter of time before the turtle let loose.
Jessie took a deep breath, ' You can always wait till Cathy's home.' Jessie almost grasped that tantalizing solution but he shook it off almost immediately. Maybe it might be better to wait until he is out of the dojo.
"You can stop spying on me Jessie and come on in. Why not spar for a bit?" Mike offered not even turning to look at the doorway.
Jessie gulped realizing that he might as well " I wasn't actually looking to spar with you Mike." he answered doing his best to speak slowly, so his tongue didn't go tripping him up. He entered the dojo and bowed low to the ninja. " I came to talk to you instead."
Mike arched an eye ridge "You don't say. You and Rama have been getting pretty close haven't ya? Now I suppose your ready to high tail it out of here for awhile or starting to feel that itchy foot syndrome that tells you it is time to move on." Mike growled as he paused in the thumping of the punching bag. " If that is what you've got to tell me then we are going be working on your speed boy, see if you can out run me."
"I'm not leaving Rama!" Jessie declared sharply, "I know you have felt almost from the first that I was out to hurt Rama in some way. I know you believe that I just want to add Rama to the number of girls I have all ready been with, that I see her as a conquest, and now that I've gone this far it won't be much longer before I'll be leaving but it isn't so. I want to put your mind at ease that my intentions towards Rama are sincere."
"It is going to take a lot to prove that Jessie" Mike took a step towards the boy, glowering at him through narrowed eyes. "You have never been with any girlfriend for more than a couple of months."
"True, But I feel different for Rama. It isn't going wear off. I love her." Jessie insisted, doing his best not to back down to the ninja who postured and paced before him on the mats. Though he couldn't help but eye Mike with a certain wariness on his part.
"Love her until you get bored of her or some one new comes along right?" Mike asked as he gave a hard kick to the punching bag sending it swinging. "Jessie, you know what they say actions speak louder then words boy."
Jessie nodded agreeably, "Exactly." he drew the word out, "That is s...sorrrr...sort of what I wanted to see you for."
"Oh really plan on taking action do you?" Mike wondered curiously, "How so?"
Jessie took a couple of deep breaths before replying "I wanted to ask for your p...permission to marry Rama" he announced.
Mike took a step back as if, that possibility hadn't entered his mind "What about Rama's permission?"
" I think Rama will accept. I almost get the feeling she wants to ask me. I just want your blessing." Jessie shifted a little as he replied.
Mike gave a crafty smile, "If I don't give it, will you leave? Or are you just going say to hell with it, and marry my daughter anyway? I mean why bother asking for my blessing if you go against it?" Mike couldn't help but challenge the youth.
Jessie felt a bit of anger and irritation at Mike rise up inside of him but he quickly bit back his sharp retort about at least he had the decency to ask, and if Mike wanted to prove he was more related to a mule or a pig then a turtle well, that was fine. He bowed his head and tried to think of a satisfactory answer that would honour and respect Mike, after all this was, with any luck, his future father in law.
Mike snorted "That is what I thought!"
"What about Rama's happiness and leaving it to her to decide what would make her happy? Does that matter to you Mike? I recall a ninja who for the sake of his daughter, almost went against the clan to try and return a friend to her life. He did it because he wanted her to be happy. Has that changed now?" Jessie demanded, "Your blessing may not be necessary to marry your daughter because she can make the choice for herself. But I ask for your blessing because I respect you, and I still believe that you have her happiness at heart. I care about her too. I have never wanted to marry any one else, nor have I been able to see myself with anyone other then Rama." Jessie swallowed once, "And if you decide to not give your blessing then I will at least seek the blessing of the clan, by appealing to the Master of the Clan, before I ask Rama herself."
Mike stood back and smiled as he heard Jessie's word, he heard the conviction and sincerity in the boy's tone. He saw by the body language, that while Jessie was a little uneasy he was willing to stand up and fight for what he wanted. That and Jessie's words told Mike that perhaps Rama had chosen well, after all. He dropped a hand on the boy's shoulder "You want my blessings boy. You got it." he laughed a little, "You've been a fixture in this family for so many years might as well make you one of us."
TBC