"Ok, everything is going good so far." Rachael, Kara's mother, muttered to herself as she wrote some notes down on a clipboard.

"Is this even, hun?" Kevin, Kara's father, shouted from atop a ladder hanging a large "Happy Birthday Kara!" sign in the middle of an old delivery warehouse that the two parents rented in order to throw their daughter a large birthday party for her and her friends.

"Lift the right side it's too low." Rachael shouted back before turning around to look for Sara. "Sara, where are you?"

Kevin did as he was told and lifted it up a little higher but was on his tippy toes causing the ladder to shake."W-woah!" He lost his balance and began falling towards the ground but blinked when his top half was caught, his feet hitting to ground but not with enough force for serious injury. Confused, he looked over to see Sara holding onto him.

"Woah, dad, you gotta be careful next time. Don't need you hurting yourself before the big party." Sara chuckled and helped him straighten up. She noticed he was giving her a weird look and raised a brow. "What is it?"

"Weren't you on the other side putting covers on the tables?" He asked unsure pointing where he last saw her.

"No, I was holding the ladder for you but you were too focused to hear me tell you to stop." She answered while wiping invisible dust off his shoulder.

"But your mother was looking for you and.."

"Come on, dad, you know how mom is when it comes to her projects." Sara crossed her arms over her chest while leaning her weight to one leg with a grin on her face.

He tilted his head up sideways in thought and gave a nod with a sigh of defeat. "Yeah, you have a point there but so far everything is looking great." He turned around to see the hard work them and Sara's band members had put into it.

"Dad, there's one problem though.." Sara lowered her voice glancing over at her friends who were working on the stage not too far from them.

"Oh? You'd better tell your mother then."

"No, not that kind of problem. I'm talking about Kara's..friends." Sara bent her index and middle finger from both hands for emphasis. She stared at her dad til his eye's widened a bit when he finally understood what she meant.

"Oh, them..I'm sure we can all come up with a solution together. Let's go find your mother then, shall we?" He put his arm over her shoulders and walked with her to find Rachael.

-With the Guys-

"No way! Your birthday is coming up too?!" Kara shouted leaning over the table and slamming her hands on it in shock. She was hanging out at the Lair eating pizza with the guys.

Dragan held her drink up to prevent it from spilling and sighed at her sudden outburst but was use to it already.

"Not for another two days, but yeah, though we don't call it our birthday." Donnie took a bite of his pizza chewing it quietly glancing from her to his brothers.

"It's our Mutation day!" Mikey shouted in excitement accidentally throwing his pizza in the air and blinked seeing his now empty hand wondering where it went.

Raph was behind him and had caught it, eating it whole before he could figure it out and grinned.

"So what do you have planned?" Kara sat back down and took a drink of her soda.

"Nothing really. Probably just hang out here and watch movies." Leo finished his pizza and grabbed another slice.

"We usually celebrate with algae and worms cake and yes, it's as disgusting as it sounds." Raph plopped down beside Mikey with an annoyed look.

Mikey was about to take a bite of his pizza when he stopped and gave Raph a mean look. "Hey! I made them!"

"Exactly." Raph looked back at him before leaning back. "There's not much for us to do other than kick bad guy butt which I really don't mind." He said with a grin.

"Why daen't ya guys just celebrate your birthday's together? Ye know, hae a party here or at oor place? Do something different for a change." Dragan smiled looking at them.

"I dunno, my parents and Sara always come to visit me and we always do this family thing.." Kara rubbed the back of her head feeling sad that she wouldn't be able to spend her first birthday in New York with her close friends and boyfriend. "Perhaps another time?"

Hearing her phone go off she looked down seeing it was her mother saying that they had arrived and were on their way to her place. "Sorry guys but I have to go. I'll see you around." She got up and kissed Donnie's cheek and ran out the lair.

-At her place-

Kara sat down with her mom and dad in the living room. Despite feeling upset not being able to hang out with her friends she was still excited to see her family. She felt very conflicted at the moment.

"Oh, darling, we're going to have so much fun! I have it all planned out! First, we're going to get Mani-pedi's, then we're going to do a little shopping and buy you some actual girl clothes. No more of..this." She gestured at the clothes Kara was wearing.

Kara looked down at herself wearing a black, baggy hooded jacket that was zipped up hallway showing her purple tank top and short, black shorts with white knee socks and converse. "What's wrong with my outfit?" She asked with a raised brow looking up at her parents.

Her dad shook his head staying out of it.

"It's just..sweetie you're growing into a beautiful woman. Why won't wear something to bring it out even more?" Her mom asked trying to be polite.

"Because this is what I am, mom. I like dressing like this. It's comfortable for me and makes it easy to move around in. I know I'm not the most stylish person out there but..this is me. Don't you like me the way I am?" Kara's brows lifted up in sadness but blinked when her mother hugged her.

"Of course I do. I just can't stand seeing you hid your beauty behind rough looking clothes. Don't ever doubt that I don't love you." She kissed the top of her head and held her face in her hands giving her a soft smile.

Kara sighed in relief returning a smile. "So after the torture, what else?"

"Well, we arrived a little early and found a place that I think you're going to love. I'm not going to spoil anything for you but you're going to have a lot of fun."

Remembering the guys Kara lowered her head. "Um..mom..instead..do you think I can hang out with my friends instead? You see, their birthday is the same day as mine and I'd like to be with them. I hope you don't mind.." Kara looked up at them to see what they would say when she jumped in surprise seeing her mother was frozen in place and her dad had a blank look.

"Your friends..also share your birthday?" Her mother asked slowly.

"Yeah, they don't do much or get any presents so Dragan thought we could have a little party here. You're welcome to stay though."

Rachael's phone started ringing and she looked at the ID seeing it was Sara. "One moment, dear, I need to take this." She held the phone up, answering it and walked away to talk in private.

Kara looked up at her dad who just shrugged.

"Hey mom, just got done talking with the turtles and Dragan. They're into it buuut..we got a problem."

"I know, Kara just told me they share the same birthday."

"So, what do you want to do? You know Kara is going to want to be with them, right?" Sara pulled out a cigarette and placed it between her lips, walking down the sewers.

"I'm thinking about it.." Rachael glanced over at Kara and Kevin as he started asking questions about them and what they like to distract her. "Wait, I have an idea." She said with a smile.

"Well, let's hear it." Sara said with a grin lighting the end of her cigarette.

-Birthday Day-

Kara, Sara, Rachael, and Kevin returned back to Kara's place Kevin carrying all the luggage and set the bags and boxes down with a heavy sigh.

"Phew, can't believe we were out all day." Kevin sighed, falling down onto the couch Sara beside him.

"It's been awhile since we've done this and you carried everything yourself. Heh, no wonder you're so tired." Sara grinned at her dad who held his hand out, clenching it into a fist.

"You're not a true man unless you carry the women's luggage for them." Kevin said with such passion making Sara chuckle and roll her eyes.

"Whatever you say, dad."

Kara hugged her dad, smiling wide. "Thanks for buying all this stuff for the guys." She kissed his cheek sitting down beside him feeling quite tired too. "It's good to relax after a long day."

"I just wish you'd ask for one thing though, hun. It's your birthday after all. You're suppose to get at least one present."

"Hanging out with my family is present enough. I'm happy, really." Kara grinned happily at him but blinked seeing her mother walk in view holding a large, thin box.

"I know you want to hang out with your friends tonight but we, seeing as how we don't always see each other, I thought that tonight we'd take you to a party. Here, I made it special for you." Rachael smiled holding the box out for her.

Kara took the box with a questioning look but set it down, opening the top. She blinked in surprise seeing it was a piece of clothing and lifted it up showing a one strap, purple short skirted dress with a dark blue leaf design that looked black but had a blue shine to it that started from the waist to the top of the strap with a matching colored belt around the stomach.

Kara stared at it then over at her mom. "It's beautiful..but no thank you." She set the dress back down in the box and looked away from it.

"Kara! You're going to wear that dress tonight!" Rachael said in a stern voice picking up the dress and placing it in her hands.

"No! I don't want to ruin it!" She shoved it to her mom and crossed her arms.

Rachael glared, her anger rising and she took the box, shoving it in her daughter's arms, and started pushing her towards her room.

"Kara Lindsay Sharper you are going to put on that dress, the dress I made PERSONALLY for you, and you're going to like it! We are all going to go to the party and have a blast! And you are not leaving your room til you put it on!" She pushed her into her room and slammed the door.

Kara stood frozen, dumbfounded, never have seen her mother angry like that or use her full name before. She glanced down at the dress and let out a heavy sigh, the air lifting her bangs from her eye and walked towards her bed and laid the dress down.

"If I am to wear this..I'll just have to add my own style to it." Kara clenched her fists and began to undress.

Kevin and Sara blinked at Rachael in surprise and looked at each other.

Sara got up and knocked on Kara's door.

"Kara, it's me. " She said softly and waited til the door cracked a little. She glanced over at her parent's as they were talking amongst another, probably about tonight's plans, and slithered through the crack with ease using her smoke ability, closing the door behind her when she returned to her normal state.

When her eyes fell on her sister, they widened in surprise. "Wow, Kara, you look.."

"Weird? Yeah, I know." Kara looked away covering her chest with her arms shyly, blushing in embarrassment.

"Well, yeah." Kara flinched knowing she never would look good in a dress but blinked hearing her sister continue. "But you're also beautiful." Sara smiled brightly at her. "Donnie is going to turn head over heels when he sees this."

"You really think so?" Kara lowered her arms but began rubbing them shyly.

"Of course, and I think mom and dad would agree with me. Come on, let's go show them." Sara took her arm and started dragging her towards the door.

"No, wait, I haven't added my touch to it yet!" Kara struggled to free herself from her sister's grip but she was a lot stronger than she looked.

"Mom, dad, Kara has something to show you." Sara shoved her out of the room and into the view of their parents.

Kara stumbled out towards them and froze in place, looking up at her parents as they stared back at her.

Each of them blinking at one of another, none of them saying a word til Rachael stood up and walked towards her.

Kara stood up straight watching her mother come towards her and felt nervous, her eyes darting in every direction but where he mother was at til she felt her mom's arms around her and blinked in surprise.

"You're so beautiful, Kara." Her mother's words were soft in her ear as she pulled her close in a mother's loving embrace. "This is what I meant, sweetie. I wanted to bring out the beauty that you hide away." Rachael moved back some and held her daughter's face in her hand.

Kara's eyes brimmed with tears looking up at her mom a smile forming on her face and she looked over at her dad as he walked over scratching his head in confusion.

"Kara? No way, this can't be my daughter. She's wearing a dress."

Kara laughed and playfully punched her dad in the side which made him laugh as well.

"Sara and I are going to get ready for the party. We'll meet you guys there." Sara walked to her dad's side as they headed for the door.

"See ya, sis." Sara gave her a small wave as they walked out the door.

Kara looked at her mom and smiled. "I like the dress mom, I really do, but the dress alone just isn't me. I'm going to add my own personal style to the dress."

Rachael sighed but nodded in agreement. "Alright, fine, you may but first..I want to take a picture of you before you do then we can fix you up." Rachael grabbed her purse and pulled out a digital camera.

Kara sighed but knew she would have to comply in order for her to do what she wanted. "Let's get this over with.."

-At an unknown location-

Kara was wearing a long coat to cover her dress and looked down at the address her mother gave her.

"I'll meet you there, sweetie, there's one more thing I have to do. See you there." Rachael waved bye to her as she walked out of Kara's home.

Kara looked around the area and suddenly felt nervous.

'What kind of party is hosted in an area like this? Not to mention I'm defenseless.." She looked down at herself knowing if she were to get in a tussle she wouldn't want to ruin the dress and let out a heavy sigh.

She turned around deciding to go back home, thinking her mom gave her the wrong address when the front door opened with a loud creak.

Turning back she saw her mom dressed up like a Seventies chick wearing black shirt with the sleeves down past her shoulders, a matching belt around her stomach, and skin tight, leather pants with red heels. Her hair was curled and wavy having been swept to the side and was wearing large hoop gold earrings.

"Mom...?" Kara stared at her in shock unable to comprehend what she was doing there dressed like that.

"Of course it is, sweetie. Do you like it?" She opened the door wider and did a spin to show off the outfit.

"What are you wearing?!" Kara screamed, her face red in embarrassment never having seen her in an outfit like that before.

Rachael blinked in surprise, placing her hands on her hips. "It's my costume."

"Wait, your what?"

"It's a costume party."

"Then why am I wearing a dress?! AM I THE ONLY ONE WEARING A DRESS?!" Kara screamed while grabbing her face in horror.

"Now now, calm down dear. There's an explanation to all of this." Rachael moved to her side and grabbed her shoulders, moving her inside the place.

Kara noted it was really dark inside and was getting nervous. She jumped in surprise as the door closed behind them by itself. "You're not really my mom, are you? You're going to kill me and harvest my organs selling them to the black market aren't you?" Kara blinked and stopped for a moment thinking she heard snickering but snapped back to reality.

"Oh, hun, you're always so dramatic. The reason you're wearing a dress is because you're the guest of honor. Isn't that right, everyone?!" Rachael said loud enough as all the lights turned out showing a small stage with some instruments, and a DJ table on the side on the far end of the place and some decorated tables and chairs, a buffet table on the other side loaded with pizza boxes and soda. The place was decorated with balloons, streamers, and colorful lights with a large banner in the middle that said, "Happy Birthday Kara!"

Everyone from the guys, April, Casey Jones, Dragan, Casey Jackson, Jessica, everyone she knew popped out all wearing costumes and shouted, "Surprise! Happy Birthday!"

Kara stood in place, her eyes widen in shock seeing all of this and everyone she knew. She felt tears in her eyes til she looked up as her mom placed her hand on her shoulder.

"Don't cry, sweetie. For one, it'll ruin your make-up. Two, you shouldn't cry in front of all your friend's, this is a special occasion, now go have fun." She ushered her daughter forward but now without pulling the coat off revealing her outfit but with a slight touch of her own style.

With the dress she wore black, fingerless gloves that were two different lengths, the one on her left arm being the longest up to her elbow and the right one reaching up to her wrist. She also wore white, knee length pantyhose and converse shoes.

Everyone stared their mouths agape seeing Kara in a dress which was beginning to get on her nerves. She started rubbing her arm nervously til Dragan walked up to her dressed up as Merida from Brave and gave her a wide smile.

"Ye look beautiful, Kara. Happy birthday." Dragan said with a grin before giving her a hug.

A smile slowly crept on her face til she gave a wide grin in return. "Thanks, Dragan." She said hugging her in return.

That seeming to break everyone out of their trance they all ran up to her, bringing her in a group hug.

Seeing this as an opportunity Rachael grabbed a camera and moved infront of everyone. "Alright, smile and say party time!" She held up the camera to take the picture as everyone got into their poses, Kara smiling wide with her arms around her friends as everyone shouted, "Party time!"

After the photo the party truly began.

Everyone was having a good time, eating, dancing, and just chatting with each other mainly Mikey with Sara and her band.

Hearing a song suddenly end she blinked in surprise to see Sara's band and her father, who was dressed up as a 70's gang member wearing nothing but black and leather, up on stage as the band began to play a song.

"Oh don't you dare look back just keep your eyes on me. I said "You're holding back." She said, "Shut up and dance with me.""

Everyone stopped what they were doing as her father and the band played, everyone gathering around the stage.

"This woman is my destiny, she said "Ooh, Hoo, shut up and dance with me!""

The crowd of friends, family, and Kara clapped along with the beat. cheering loudly.

"We were victims of the night. The chemical, physical, kryptonite. Helpless to the bass and the fading light. Oh, we were bound to get together. Bound to get together."

He held out his hand to his wife with a large smile on his face as he pulled her up on stage.

"She took my arm, I don't know how it happened. We took to the floor and she said, "Oh don't you dare look back just keep your eyes one me.""

He sang as both of them danced on stage.

"I said, "You're holding back." She said, "Shut up and dance with me!" This woman is my destiny. She said, "Ooh, Hoo, Shut up and dance with me!""

Both of them were smiling wide and having fun as others decided to have fun as well.

April, dressed as a ninja dragged Casey Jones, as a professional hockey player, to the dance floor Sara, wearing the AoT uniform, Mikey, wearing Raph's dwarf barbarian costume, Casey Jackson, wearing the same outfit as Kevin, and Jessica, wearing a zombie nurse outfit following suit as they began to dance.

"A backless dress and some beat up sneaks. My discotheque, Juliet, teenage dream."I felt it in my chest as she looked at me. I knew we were bound to be together. Bound to be together."

Kara was clapping her hands and glanced over at Donnie, who was dressed as a wizard, looked back at her and smiled softly at her, reaching his hand out to take her to the dance floor.

"She took my arm I don't know how it happened. We took the floor and she said."

Kara went to take his hand but instead Dragan's took his place and she dragged her and Leo to the dancefloor. She blinked in surprise but laughed watching Dragan and Leo, who was dressed as a knight dance together and went along with them.

""Oh don't you dare look back just keep your eyes on me." I said, "You're holding back." She said, "Shut up and dance with me!" This woman is my destiny. She said, "Ooh, Hoo, Shut up and dance with me!"

Donnie lowered his hand in disappointment but smiled seeing how happy she was and went over to the punch bowl to get something to drink.

As the music played in the background Raph, who was dressed as a dragon, having taken Kara's stuff from their Mutants and Mazes game walked beside him.

"Sooo, why aren't you out there dancing with them?"

"I dunno." Donnie sighed looking down shyly. "I guess I'm just nervous is all but seeing her happy like this..I don't mind being on the sidelines."

"You really think she'd let you stay in the shadows? Come on, even I know her better than that. She'd want you to have fun too so..turtle up, take her by the hand, and show her a good time."

"Deep in her eyes, I think I see a future."

Remembering when their eyes met made Donnie smile softly.

"I realize, this is my last chance."

Donnie clenched his fists determined and went to take a step to find her.

"She took my arm, I don't know how it happened."

Suddenly, Kara was beside him having grabbed his arm with a large grin on her face.

"We took the floor and she said."

Kara brought Donnie to the middle of the dancefloor where they put their arms around each other and began to slow dance as the music calmed down some. She looked up at him noticing he was a fidgety mess, his eyes everywhere but on her.

She let out a soft chuckle and moved her hand to his cheek, beginning to mouth the words:

"Oh, don't you dare look back. Just keep your eyes on me."

Donnie blinked down at her but chuckled as well, following her lead.

"You're holding back."

She said with a giggle, "Shut up and dance with me."

"This woman is my destiny." Donnie thought along with the words a soft smile on his face but blinked in surprise when she suddenly placed her hands on his shoulders and pulled him into kiss.

"She said, "Ooh, Hoo."

Kara pulled back with a wide grin on her face and held her arms in the air, shouting with the words,

"Shut up and dance!"

"Oh, don't you dare look back just keep your eyes on me. I said, "You're holding back." She said, "Shut up and dance with me!""

Donnie smiled brightly, his cheeks tinted pink as all her friends cheered them on and began dancing. Donnie laughed and followed their lead, dancing beside Kara.

"This woman is my destiny. She said, "Ooh, Hoo, Shut up and dance with me!""

After the candles were blown out and every piece of cake was eaten Casey Jackson, Jessica, and Sara's band decided to leave wishing her the best and left with hugs and waves goodbye.

Once it was just her family, friends, and the guys, her mom and dad pulled out a surprise.

"Happy Mutation Day!" They both shouted holding out another cake with their names on it in their colors.

Everyone blinked in surprise but no one could say the guys weren't excited.

"No way, how'd you know?!" Mikey shouted staring in awe at the parents and hungrily at the cake.

"Well, I know it was short notice but seeing as how it is both your birthdays we figured to put them together so you all could have as much fun as the other." Rachael said with a smile blinking in surprise when the guys surround her in a group hug.

"Aw, aren't you all sweet." She smiled, hugging them all in return.

"Wait, so does this mean all of those presents are ours?!" Mikey placed his hands on the side of his head in shock and amazement.

"Mikey.." Leo began nudging his side sternly but looked over at them with just as much curiousity.

"Yes." Was all Kevin said as they all dove into the pile of presents, everyone laughing and Sara taking pictures.

Kara laughed watching them tackle their presents and let out a sigh feeling like she needed some air and snuck outside for a breather.

Comparing how it felt inside to the outside, it almost felt like winter.

The cool breeze hitting her sweaty, sticky skin felt like heaven. She let out a sigh as she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes feeling at peace right now.

Hearing the door open she tilted her head to see who it was and blinked when she saw Donnie poking his head out the.

He smiled when their eyes met and she walked beside her with his hand behind his back. "H-Hey, what're you doing outside by yourself?"

"Just needed a breather. There's only so much partying I can handle without a break before you start sweating like a dog." She chuckled jokingly, rubbing her arms.

"Actually, dogs don't have any sweat glands they-" He stopped midsentence when he saw the look she was giving him and laughed nervously. "That was a joke, wasn't it?"

She couldn't help but giggle and moved over so he could join her. "So, what do you have hiding conspicuously behind your back?" She stood on her tippy toes to try and take a peak.

"Eh-heheh..yeah..I know how you are about gifts but everyone pitched in and got you a present." Donnie held out a medium sized box with purple paper and stars on it with a bright yellow bow.

"Wow, the packaging is beautiful." She took the present and looked it over. "Very finely wrapped. I sorta want to keep it like it is." She said while tossing the present barely off her hands.

"Yeah, you'd have to thank Dragan for that she also picked out the paper too. April found it and Casey...well, he agreed to it." He said in a monotone voice.

"Oh? Well now I'm curious." She smiled beginning to unwrap it. When she opened the top she froze for a moment staring at the object in the box.

"It's..It's..my cap." She lifted the black cap out of the box and examined it. "I..I can't believe it."

Donnie took the box and set it down before taking the cap. "It's not your exact cap but..we knew how much you took care of it and seeing you lose it was devastating. April found it one day and we all saved up to get it for you." He dusted it off before placing it on her head.

Kara adjusted it on her head and smiled, blushing shyly. "This is the best ever. Thank you." She took his hands in hers and stared down at them.

He moved his hand up to her cheek and lifted her head up so she was looking at him and gave her lips a soft kiss before taking her hand and leading her back inside. "Come on, let's go show the others."

Donnie spotted Raph and Mikey still at the presents which made both of them laugh.

Kara shook her head and looked around to find the others but stopped seeing Leo and Dragan off to the side.

Dragan was acting shy with a present behind her back for him.

Leo rubbed the back of his neck shyly but smiled at her when she held out the present for him and took it.

"Well..what do you know." Kara tilted her head to the side watching the scene with a smile on her face.

"What is it?" Donnie looked at her curiously but blinked when she took his arm and lead him away. "Nothing, let's go get something to eat first. I'm hungry."


Now, first of all, if you couldn't guess what costume Rachael or Kevin was wearing then..you're probably not old enough to. If not, shame on you xD Either way their costumes were Sandy Olsson and Danny Zuko from Grease. Secondly, have you seen my new cover for this series?! Isn't it amazing?! All credit goes to Zannab0801. She's an amazing friend and an excellent writer. If you haven't checked out her story then DO IT NOW! Lol just kidding, but seriously, if you want a good read then look it up. Other than that I hope you enjoyed reading this. All feedback is appreciated. See you when I see you ^_^