Chapter Sixteen: Fireside Reflections

AN: THANK YOU ALEXLUKE FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND FEEDBACK! You help me to keep going!

AN2: Had some difficulty with this chapter but didn't want to delay posting, so I hope y'all like it. Some specifics that I wanted to clear up.

Donnie captured roughly middle of February (16th)

Captive: 31 days (March 19th)

On the run (thus far): 5 days

Hope that clears some things up. :D

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When dawn broke the next morning there was several inches of snow on the ground. Donnie frowned at the traitorous precipitation, but his mood improved when Sable stirred, waking up to join him at the window.

He watched her from the corner of his eye, biting back a grin at her messy hair and sleepy eyes. His grin doubled when she leaned into him, yawning while she cuddled up, seeking heat and comfort. Donnie looped his arm around her, savoring her closeness, if only for the moment.

Which is was.

Sable yawned again, patting him on the plastron. "No travel today."

"Nope." Donnie knew he should be upset he'd be delayed in traveling, but with Sable so comfortable with him, he didn't want to break the spell.

But Sable did.

"Let's have some breakfast."

Donnie gave a nod, reluctantly releasing her so she could use the bathroom while he stoked the fire into cackling. He placed a couple more logs in the grate and waited until Sable came back before following her example. When he returned, Sable was setting out some pop tarts and cheese flavored crackers.

Though the temps remained frigid outside, Donnie kept the cabin warm. The two spent the day laughing and talking as if long time friends. And much to Donnie's secret delight, Sable stayed by his side, sharing the same couch instead of sitting opposite.

When night fell, Sable settled into Donnie's arms without hesitation and was soon asleep, allowing him time to admire her features by the firelight before the dream of her followed him into slumber.

The fire was mere embers by morning, but its heat was no longer needed. The snow was melting off as the unpredictable March weather took yet another turn. Donnie packed their blankets with the unused tarps, securing them for travel when Sable returned from the outhouse.

"We need to make up for lost time," Donnie said, handing Sable a pop tart. He neatly folded his socks and placed them in the bag, as he didn't want to wear them over the slushy terrain, and it was imperative they move as quickly as possible today.

With the cabin returned to its original state, minus a broken lock, Donnie scooped up Sable and took off at a light run. The snow was practically gone, the sun coming out in brilliant display among bright blue skies.

Twice the duo encountered a double lane road, but Donnie's keen hearing kept them from being observed by passing motorists.

Luck was still with them as they traveled. Sable insisted on walking to give Donnie a break. She kept a brisk pace with his longer stride for several hours. As the day wore on, the sun becoming brighter, Sable shed a couple layers, tying her borrowed shirts around her waist. Her too big boots clunked on the forest floor.

As the sun sank toward the horizon, Donnie gave her a meaningful look. Sable relented, allowing him to pick her up and reset his pace.

To give him fuel, she fed him a can of Vienna sausages, a package of peanut butter crackers, and a pop tart. It was at least an hour past into nightfall when Donnie slowed, taking in his surroundings. Finding the perfect spot, he sat Sable on her feet and began constructing a shelter. Sable resumed her role of clearing a space for a fire and finding stones, which was easy given the rocky terrain they were traversing.

An hour after arrival and their shelter was finished and a fire was beginning to grow, the embers slow to catch flame due to the recent snowfall. Sable helped the fire along with a chunk of the fire starter log she took from the cabin. A little extra lighter fluid and the fire was cackling merrily into a star laced heavens.

Sable sat back, staring up at the jeweled night. The stars were so bright she could almost reach out and touch them. Donnie joined her a moment later, settling back to stargaze.

"Makes you feel so small, doesn't it?" he said after a moment.

Sable hummed in agreement, taking a risk to observe her companion. She smiled at Donnie's relaxed state, rocked back on his shell, his glasses glinting with firelight, his face creased in wonder as he stared at the heavens. So sweet. Innocent. Almost childlike, and yet, dorkishly cute.

He glanced to her, his dimples thrown in sharp relief.

Oh, yes, so geeky and yet, so adorable. And strong. And absolutely brilliant. And handsome, too.

Sable caught herself traveling down a dark and dangerous path. One she shouldn't entertain, especially when she felt heat rise in her cheeks and heart quicken in her throat.

Donnie broke the unknown tension.

"We need to get an early start tomorrow," he said, returning his gaze to the sky. "We're almost home."

"Home," Sable sighed in contentment, adverting her gaze to ward off the building tension between her legs. She mentally chastised herself for thinking such things.

Several minutes passed before Donnie settled into the shelter he made, his sweet, boyish face aglow with youthful expectation as he waited for Sable to join him. She did so, reluctantly, her misgivings evaporating when he placed his arm around her waist and muttered a good night before his breathing slowed.

Sable stared at the laughing fire as it danced and burned, mocking her distress.

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Sable moaned, feeling something large and thick enter her in a rapid, frantic pace. A rich, earthy scent filled her senses. The pure, basic scent of a virile male. And judging by the way he pounded into her, so thick and long and smooth, he knew she was a desperate, horny female that was in need of a good fuck.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd had sex, but this more than made up for it.

On and on he drove, her inner walls clenching in spasms as she came several times and still he graced her with that deliciously massive appendance. Mindlessly she tried to kiss him, but he refused such contact, keeping focused on his end that was fast approaching. And when he finally came, she was lost in the sensation of him pouring hotly into her.

Sable thought she'd died from pleasure in that instant. Then the male growled, rumbling into her chest, and that wonderful thing began moving once again.

Then there was pain.

Excruciating, mind wiping, nerves on fire, pain. Consciousness waning, she felt her legs opened and pressure in her lower half. She whined, wanting that male back inside her, but he did not answer her call. Consciousness wavering from drugs and shock, she slipped into a dreamless sleep.

"Sable!" Donnie hissed her in her ear.

Sable groaned, waking slowly from her dreams. Or was it a memory? Her hips rotated and ground down with the memory of something large moving within her.

"Sable, stop," Donnie said more urgently.

She snapped out of her slumbering fog when Donnie shook her shoulder, waking her fully.

"What?" she asked groggily.

"Stop," he breathed.

Sable felt something large and hard pressed into her buttocks. Realizing she had been moving in her sleep and grinding into the poor guy, she shifted forward to break bodily contact.

"Sorry," she muttered, embarrassed.

Donnie didn't speak. He got up and exited their tent, disappearing in the young leafy foliage. Sable guessed what he was doing and felt guilty for putting him in such predicament. Poor thing.

Then the memory of him resurfaced, making her overheated. She knew she had been drugged and placed in his cell specially to be a vessel for the scientists to collect specimens.

Her recollection was vague but memories were starting to surface, including the swabbing between her legs and samples scraped from her thighs. She had been unable to voice an objection to their unwanted exam and collection, not to mention being used as a fuck doll to get Donnie aroused, but there was a part of her, the part that was now throbbing in desperation, that had enjoyed the encounter.

And craved more.

She shook her head, trying to dispel her thoughts. He wasn't even human. He wouldn't have interest in her.

Then again, he admitted his brother had fallen in love with a human. Sable didn't get the specifics, but the woman had died in an accident. If it was possible then, could it be possible now? Between she and Donnie?

Would he even be acceptable to such a thing?

Or was she merely fooling herself?

Maybe her brain was addled from the electric shock, or the near death experiences she had during the past few days? Whatever was affecting her, she wished it would hurry up and leave her system. She wasn't sure she could survive any more harrowing escapes or nightmares.

The sun was just cresting the horizon, birds waking up with soft tweets, the world began to come live. The breaking dawn was interrupted by the sound of a grunt and audible splatter in the awakening wood.

She blushed, guilt washing over her again.

When Donnie returned, shy and unable to make eye contact, Sable was stamping out the reminding embers from the fire and undoing the ties securing their shelter. Blankets were folded and wrapped it tarps, returned to the backpack in preparation for travel.

Neither spoke about what happened.

The day went out without much conversation, the sky alternating between dove grey and pewter with the threat of freezing precipitation. Several times, Sable had to ask Donnie to slow down.

Not bothering to warn her, he picked up her and ran through the wood, crossing small streams and rocky terrain with ease. His heart hammered next to Sable's shoulder as he pushed himself, hard and further, his face a mask of determination.

Twice they came upon wide rivers, swollen with the spring thaw. Donnie submitted to Sable's request they cross on the bridges, though she made sure he was well camouflaged from passing cars.

Once over the bridges, Donnie lead Sable into the comforting protection of the trees, hoisting her up into his arms and taking off at a fast clip.

Clouds formed overhead, the temperature began to dip. Sable guessed it would be close to forty during the night. Donnie's rapid heartbeat worried her, so she finally talked him into setting her down.

Determined to keep up with him, she jogged by his side for nearly an hour. Her breath puffed in front of her face, her cheeks were frozen, and the icy air burned her lungs, but on she kept going until darkness fell.

Unable to go any further, she called to Donnie, who had pulled ahead a little.

"Need to make camp."

Donnie thought about arguing to gain a little more distance, if only for a few yards, but Sable was blowing on her hands to warm them, her teeth chattering from the chill. It was difficult to tell what caused her trembling, the cold or the exertion.

Donnie's blood was racing, legs screaming in protest, he yielded. Truth be told, he was too tired to carry her. He set about making camp while Sable pulled out a blanket, wrapping it around her shoulders as she shivered, her fingers numb from the drop in temp.

It appeared as if the temperature was going to be closer to twenty than her estimated forty.

Using her booted feet, she moved leaves and twigs away from a natural rock formation that was a few feet from where Donnie was setting up their tarps. The center of the rocks was grooved, perfect for a fire. Several small limbs had fallen around the area, providing fast firewood. Sable collected them, breaking what she could and piling it onto the pyre before setting it alight.

Donnie disappeared into the gathering darkness, returning with an arm full of sticks and half rotten logs. He placed them on the fire and turned to find Sable already seated in the shelter, blanket across her shoulders, opening up tins of food to be their dinner.

His heart lurched in his throat upon seeing her bathed in firelight, smiling at him as she motioned to their meager dinner. Donnie didn't have time to linger on the heat growing in his shell when his stomach growled, demanding food.

Sable waited until they were halfway finished with their meal before asking, "How close do you think we are?"

Donnie noticeably gulped, blinking owlishly behind his glasses.

"Do you think we're in Jersey yet, or still in Pennsylvania?" Sable asked, not catching Donnie's hiked shell or held breath.

Donnie let out a heavy sigh, swallowing his mouthful of crackers and his heart. "Probably in Jersey. Can't be sure without GPS though."

Sable yawned, glancing to the makeshift tent. She longed for the bed in the cabin. Sure it had been lumpy and the quilts musty, but it was warm and cozy with a roaring fire and her turtle companion.

The fire flickered, offering its dancing light to the two tired travelers. The heat help push back the icy fingers of lingering winter.

Sable and Donnie ate quietly, the fire roaring, the sky threatening snow. Sable scooted closer, sharing her blanket with Donnie as they watched the fire flicker, ash falling onto the stones. Silence enveloped them, giving both time for quiet contemplation.

An hour passed, the sky churning in battleship grey. Sable yawned, her head lulling on Donnie's shoulder.

"Let's get some rest," Donnie suggested, piling on a couple more logs to last the night.

Sable was already curled in the shelter, waiting with sleepy eyes for her hero to join her.

Donnie prayed they wouldn't have a repeat of this morning, though when he thought about it, he had enjoyed having her so close, moaning and undulating in her sleep.

Whatever she was dreaming, it was sexual in nature. He didn't want her to know he'd smelled her arousal. The scent had been torture. He wanted nothing more than to bask in it and add his own flavor.

Sable turned around to face him, the heat of the fire pale in comparison to the heat Donnie felt creeping along his cheeks.

"I can't wait to get home," Sable sighed in Donnie's arms, putting her head on his chest.

He thought it was going to be awkward, but they easily slipped back into their companionship.

"When we get to the farm, you can call your family and let them know you're safe," Sable said.

Donnie had to hide his emotion at the mention of his family. He missed them so much. But a part of him was going to miss Sable as well. He stared at her in the firelight, taking in her features.

Memorizing the details of her face.

There was a chance she wouldn't want anything to do with him once she got home. There always the slim possibly she was only using him to survive. When she was safely at home, she may never want to see him again.

"You're welcome to stay, too. As long as you like." Sable grasped Donnie's hand. "My farm is large, out of the way. If you, or your family are in danger, you have a safe place to stay."

"I doubt they would go for something like that." Donnie quipped, tail twitching in his too tight pants.

"I'm being serious," Sable said, rising up a light to face Donnie. She was so close, her breath ghosted his face. "You saved me. Got me out of there. I shudder to think the horrors that place were responsible for. But you stopped them. You've protected me, even when you didn't have to. I wasn't your responsibility."

"It's what I've been taught," Donnie said replied softly. He was finding it hard to breath with her so close. His heart hammered his ears and his shell was heavy and strangely- tight.

Oh, this could prove to be a disaster.

"Donatello," Sable said his full name, placing her hand on his chest. "You could have left me behind to be killed by those doctors or your trap. Instead, you have taken care of me. Even carried me when I was too tired to go on. You keep me safe, and warm, and make sure I'm always protected. No one forced you do it. You did it anyway. On your own. You're a hero."

Donnie's heart was approaching light speed. In the flickering light cast by the fire, Sable hovered above, half in shadow. He didn't what to expect. Certainly not her lips on his.

Sable wasn't sure why she did it, or what possessed her, but she leaned forward, giving Donnie a chaste kiss. He gaped in surprised.

By the way he tensed, she figured he was either in shock or terrified. Wanting to ease his misgivings, and possibly lower his heart rate, as she could sense it thrumming madly under her fingertips., she withdrew.

"I owe you a debit of gratitude. I don't have much, especially after giving up everything I had. But I can offer you and your family a safe place, in case you're ever in trouble. I want you safe."

"I…. I…" Donnie stuttered. His brain wasn't working. Neither were his vocals. He could only blink and gape like a fish out of water.

"My parents own the farm. My siblings have homes and families of their own, so there won't be an issue. The farm is safe. Out of the way."

"I'd have to discuss it with my family," Donnie managed to grind out. "We have a back up base, but it might be nice to have a place out of New York."

"What a dump," Sable exclaimed, curling her nose.

"Hey, that's my home," Donnie said, nudging her playfully. The sensation was returning to his lips. They tingled pleasantly as his brain came out of the fog.

"Been there, done that," Sable said, plopping down to rest her head on his shoulder again. Her own heart rate was a little too high. "Too crowded, noisy, congested, and the humans are vulgar."

Donnie hummed in agreement. He bit back a smile when Sable squeezed him in a hug, grinning at him.

"Now the other New Yorkers, the green variety, are far more pleasant."

Donnie chuckled. He wrapped his arms around Sable, happy they fit together, as if they were always meant to be.

"There's the master bedroom and three spare bedrooms," Sable explained, "on the second floor. First floor is a kitchen, dining room, living room, and a mud room that grandma sometimes used for indoor gardening. There's a bathroom between the kitchen and dining room and a washer and dryer in the annex off the back porch. The front porch is big and in need of a good painting. My siblings used to play on the porch swing next to the front door. There's also an attic, but its really cluttered. Grandparents were pack rats, so the place needs a good cleaning out. But I'm sure with a little work, the attic can be converted into at least two more bedrooms. Depends on how much space your family members need, of course. They might want something bigger. They can pick what room they like and then decorate it however. It would be nice to put that big old house into full use again. It's been only me the past three years. Now I know how granddad felt, moping about the place after Grandma passed."

"You get lonely?" Donnie asked, caressing Sable's arm intimately.

"Dated off an on," Sable admitted, then leaned back to stare into Donnie's face. "What about you? Any old girlfriends?"

Donnie visibly recoiled, ducking his head a little. "Given my... unique situation? Hardly."

"Wait," Sable said, staring the bashful geek in the eyes. "You've never dated anyone?"

When Donnie shook his head negative, she bit back her remark.

"We are unique," Donnie reiterated with a half heated shrug. "Not exactly bombarded with female interest. The only female we had contact with is like sister to us. The woman who had saved us when she was a child. But, she was always considered family, not of potential dating material."

Sable read between the lines.

Donnie's expression when she kissed him earlier made so much more sense now. He was very naive. Innocent. Well, as much as he could be, having already mounted her in a drug induced mania. So that meant… she had been his first.

And the darkening along his cheeks signaled his embarrassment for such things.

Hoping to assuage his guilt, she smiled.

"Well, there's still plenty of time for dating. No need to rush into a relationship."

It was lame and her voice rather shrill and obviously forced, but Donnie appreciated the gesture. To ward off any further discomfiture, he nodded toward the dark wood surrounding them.

"We should get some sleep. I want to break camp at dawn."

Sable mentally sighed in relief, feeling guilty about making Donnie uncomfortable. She curled to his side, resting her head on his chest, listening to his heart slow as he closed his eyes. She, however, wasn't sleepy.

At least, not anymore.

Despite her misgivings and multiple attempts to chastise herself, Sable already knew another uncomfortable truth…. She was falling in love with Donnie.

She caught him staring at her many times, though each time he'd pretend to be focused on something else. But she had an inkling. Something about his stare.

Curiosity?

Longing?

Possibly…attraction?

Being romantically inept, he lacked the proper skills to express his intentions.

Even when she had inadvertently turned him on, he had sought relief in private, embarrassed by his own natural reactions.

Perhaps that was why she kissed him?

Yes, she was grateful he had rescued her from who knows what kind of hell the scientists had planned, but it was far more than that.

She was usually attracted to muscular builds. Athletes. But Donnie's mind, his sharp intelligence, and mild nature, so timid and geeky and thoughtful and brave, drew her to him.

It was so strange, finding his features, so unlike her own, to be attractive. There was a trace of guilt, thinking he was but a lowly animal, bred in a lab to walk and talk as a man but not truly BE one.

But he was so much more than that.

He had a conscious. A sense of honor. A soul.

Every time she became distracted with their differences, she always fell back upon the same conclusion.

He was more human than animal. His spirit was calming, making her feel safe in a world surrounded by darkness and evil. He was a safe harbor, willing to put his own life on the line to protect her.

That kind of dignity and honor was difficult to find, even in a full blooded human. Most were only out for themselves, or to push a hidden agenda.

But not Donnie.

He was exactly as he presented.

Naive. Smart. A diplomat, but also a fighter.

Bashful.

Geeky.

Dimpled.

Sable sighed heavily, realizing it was already too late. In the time she had known him, she had not simply developed a crush or entertained a whimsical fantasy.

She wasn't falling in love… she had already fallen.

The only problem now was… would Donnie feel the same?

Or would he abandon her as soon as she was safely home?

Her thoughts followed her into a tortured sleep.

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I love having these two dance around their feelings and there's something cathartic about firelight, either by bonfire, fireplace, or even a candle, that gives the mind a new depth for thought and understanding.

Water may be a healer, but fire opens the mind and brands the soul.