At dinner, Mona sat on Raph's left and Don was on Mona's right. "How are long are you staying, Mona Lisa?" Splinter asked.
"Probably just the weekend. It's peaceful at home right now, but something tells me we'll have another battle soon and I need to leave on Sunday."

"Surely yer planet could cope without ya for a week, Mona?" Raph asked.
"I'll have to check with Sal Commander. If he okays it, it'll stay longer."
"Good, because there's so much I have ta show ya."
"Just being with you is more than I could ever have dreamed."

Mikey snickered, as Raph flushed, and Leo elbowed Mikey hard in the side. "Ow, dude. That hurt," Mikey said, scowling at Leo.
"Good," Leo whispered. "Don't tease him. This could be his shot at love and you're not going to make it even more awkward for him than it is."

"So, are you and Mona staying in the lair or going out, Raph?" Don asked.
"Gonna take her out. Got the disguises, so ya don't have ta worry, Leo."

"I'll always worry, Raph," Leo said. "That's my job as big brother and leader and I expect you home by eleven."
"Midnight?"
"No. There's practice in the morning. Eleven and not a minute later."
"Fine."

"It's nice havin' a girl here," Mikey said. "Do you like kids, Mona?"
"Yes, why?"
"Cause I want to be an uncle. You and Raph would make beautiful babies!"

"MIKEY!" Raph bellowed, as his cheeks reddened. "I'm gonna smack ya into next Tuesday if ya don't shut yer fuckin' trap!
"Raphael!" Splinter said. "Language and calm down. There'll be none of that at the table. How many times do I have to tell you that I detest foul language? Must I wash your mouth out with soap?"
"No, Sensei," Raph said sulkily.

Mona giggled and said, "Raph, you're so cute when you're mad. Mikey, I like babies, but I'm not ready to have them yet. There's still so much I want to do first."

The rest of the meal went by uneventfully and Raph was pleased to see how easily Mona fitted in with his family. Chatting to Leo about a book she'd read, telling Mikey how excited she was to be able to try the video games she'd been told were fun, listening to Don about his latest invention and hearing Splinter's tales about the brothers as kids. Mona's face had beamed with happiness and interest, as she listened, and Raph knew his family liked her. Leo was the hardest nut to crack and if Leo had been singing Mona's praises long before the dinner, which he had, Raph knew Mona was regarded as one of the family.

After dinner, Mona said, "If everyone's finished, can I clear the plates and wash them?
"No," Raph said quickly. "Ya get ready."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure.

"I shall retire to my room," Splinter said. "Have fun and remember your curfew, Raphael."
"Hai, Sensei."

When Mona had gone, Raph reached across the table and smacked Mikey on his head. "Way ta go, moron," he said furiously. "What are ya tryin' ta do? Scare her away?"
"Ow, Raphie. That hurt," Mikey whined.
"Good."
"I just want to be an uncle. Is that so bad?"
"Bug Leo 'bout it!"
"He doesn't have a girlfriend."
"She's not my girlfriend. We haven't even gone on a date yet and ya want us ta make babies!"
"They'd be so cute."
"MIKEY!"
"Sorry," Mikey sniffed. "I'm just excited that there may be babies."

"There won't be soon, Mikey," Leo said. "Raph and Mona are still kids, but perhaps they'll have kids someday if things work out."
"I hope they do. I like Mona. We all do. Even Master Splinter and that means a lot, doesn't it, bro?"

"Yeah, she is," Raph agreed. "I couldn't be with someone my family disliked. I love ya guys and yer opinions mean the world ta me."
"Aww, we love you too, Raphie," Mikey said.

"I'll help with the dishes," Don said, hoping it was a no, because he wanted to go to his lab.
"I'll do it," Leo said. "It's my turn."
"No, it's mine, but you're sure?"
"Yes, go."

"Bye!" Don said, rushing out of the room.
"Raphie, at least get a kiss tonight!" Mikey said.

"Go before I pound ya!" Raph growled. Mikey quickly fled the room and Raph sank back in his chair and lifted his feet up onto the table. "You know Dad hates feet on the table, Raph," Leo said.
"He ain't here. Why are ya helpin' me with the dishes? Ain't yer turn."
"Want to talk to you."
"Oh, fuck. We're gonna have the talk, ain't we?" Raph groaned.
"Clear the plates and come to the kitchen."

Raph did as he was told and joined Leo in the kitchen. "I'll dry. You can wash, Raph," Leo said.
"Okay. What do ya want ta talk ta me 'bout, Leo?" Raph asked, as he washed a plate.
"How happy I am for you that you may have found love with Mona. I know it was rough walking away from that human. She was very pretty, but something seemed off about her, Raph. I sense something dark and frightening and taboo. Don't look at me like that. My gut's usually right."
"But she's so hot. How could she be scary? She was an angel and saved me."
"Sometimes people aren't what they appear, Raph," Leo said, drying a plate. "I sense that with Olivia. But that doesn't matter anymore, because you aren't going to see her again, are you?"
Raph shook his head. "No. Ya were right 'bout Mona. She's amazin' and everyone loves her. I wanna get ta know her better and Olivia's just a girl I met, who I won't see again. I promise. She called me, Leo."
"She what?"
"Yeah, but I told her where ta go, that I had a girlfriend, and I hung up on her."
"Good. Block her number. She's bad news, Raph,-trust me, she is, and she's probably been around the block. You don't want a girl like that."
"Nope. Mona's so cute," Raph said dreamily, staring into space. "Why didn't I see that before?"
"Because you closed your heart to the possibility of love with her."
"I was so stupid. I'm glad I opened my heart and I'm lookin' forward ta our date."

The brothers washed and dried the rest of the dishes. Then Leo took Raph to his room, withdrew two hundred bucks from his personal stash and said, "This is for you, Raph."
"Leo, I couldn't take money from ya."
"You can. I want you and Mona to have a fun evening and this extra cash will come in handy."
"Leo, I can't. I'd feel…"
"I'd feel offended if you don't. If you don't spend it today, use it for another time. Like maybe buy Mona a present or something, but I want you to have it. Please, little brother."
"But, Leo…."
"No buts and no paying me back. Well, you can pay me back by naming your first boy after me," Leo said mischievously. "Not ya too," Raph said crossly.
"I'm teasing, Raph, but take the money and have a great time."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure. Take the money, have fun, show your girl a good time and be home by eleven."
"Thanks, Leo," Raph said, pocketing the money and hugging his brother. "Yer the best big brother."
"I'm your only big brother," Leo said, pulling away. "Go have fun."
"Later, Leo."
"And have your T-phone on."
"Will do."

Just after eight thirty, Raph and Mona left the lair in their disguises and headed to the city. Sometime later, they stopped outside an ice cream shop, but it was closed. "Damn," Raph said crossly. "I forgot it closed at eight."
"We can always go home, Raph. I don't mind."
"No, I promised ya ice cream and this place has the best."

Raph checked that no one was walking past, picked the lock with his sai, disabled the alarm and said, "Come inside and shut the door, Mona."
"We shouldn't be doing this, Raphael."
"It's fine. Alarm's disabled, so just relax and have fun, okay?" Raph went to the ice cream counter, scooped up some chocolate ice cream into a bowl, gave her a spoon and said, "Try that, Mona."
Mona tried the ice cream and a grin spread on her face. "That's wonderful, Raph."
"Yeah. That was chocolate. Try this. It's blueberry cheesecake."
"Oh, wow, Raph," Mona said, closing her eyes in bliss. "This is terrific."
"This one's strawberry," Raph said, filling her now empty bowl.
"It's delicious, Raph. All these flavors."
"Knew ya'd love them."

They went through several more flavors and then Raph said, "We should split. Choose what ya want, Mona."
"Can I have two flavors?"
"Ya can have whatever ya want."
"Chocolate and the blueberry, please."
"I'll have the mango and the hazelnut. Comin' up." Raph scooped up the ice cream into two cones and said, "Ya want any toppings, Mona?"
"No, thanks."

Raph handed Mona her cone, left cash on the counter for the cones, took his and enabled the alarm. They quickly snuck out of the back entrance and slowly walked down the street. "This is incredible, Raph," Mona said, taking a small bite. "And I'm having fun. I wish they had this on my planet."
"Great incentive ta stay longer."
"I'll talk to Sal Commander about that tomorrow."
"There's a park over there. We can sit and look at the stars if ya'd like."
"Beautiful evening for them. Clear night."

The couple went to the park and sat down on the bench. There was silence for a couple of minutes while they ate. They tried each other's ice creams and were soon finished with them. Then Raph said, "Wanna play truth and dare, Mona?"
"What's that?"
"A game where you can find out more 'bout each other. Like truth is somethin' ya've done or not done, or somethin' bout yerself and a dare is like someone dares ya ta do somethin', like a challenge."
"Okay," Mona said, and giggled.
"What's so funny?"
"You have ice cream on your snout."
"So do ya."
"I do?"
"Yeah. I can get it off if ya want," Raph leaned in and licked the ice cream off of her nose. Mona blushed profusely and a tingle ran down her spine at his touch. "Was I too forward, Mona?"
"That was kind of nice. Can I?"
"Go ahead."
Mona leaned in to lick the ice cream, but Raph had other ideas and kissed her gently on her lips, making the Salamandarian blush again. "Sorry, Mona. I…"
"I liked it. You're a good kisser, Raphael."
"Really?"
"Yeah. That was my first kiss."
"Mine too."

Raph leaned in again, cupped her cheek and kissed her deeply. Mona responded and they made out until they had to pull away, needing air. Panting, Raph said, "Yer a good kisser too, Mona."
"I'm glad my first kiss was with you."
"Me too. Still wanna play the game?"
"We should go home. I know it's probably still early, but you have practice tomorrow."
"I really don't wanna leave yet, do ya?"
"No, but I don't feel comfortable being out in the open, Raphael."
"Nothin' is gonna happen, beautiful. We're fine and if somethin' did, I'll protect ya."
"I can defend myself, Raphael."
"Oh, I know, but I mean…I just wanna protect ya, okay? Is it so bad that I wanna protect my girl?"
"Your girl?"
"Yeah. Mona Lisa, will ya be my girlfriend?"
"Oh, Raphael. Of course I will," Mona said happily, her eyes shining. "I didn't mean to be so defensive. I'm just used to taking care of myself."
"Then let's seal the deal," Raph said, and kissed her hungrily.

They made out for a long time. Then they slowly walked home, hands entwined.

Arriving home, Raph was pleased that no one was about to grill him on his date. He kissed Mona goodnight and went to his room, feeling like the luckiest guy alive. I have a girlfriend, Raph thought. An actual girlfriend. Who'd have thought I'd ever get one? Mona's just so amazin' and I just know we're gonna be happy.

Raph was almost asleep, when his T-phone rang. "Hello?" he said.
Before Raph could tell her to shove off, Olivia blurted out, "Raphael, I'm sorry to call so late, but I have a problem. I think there's an intruder in the house."
"Call the cops."
"They're useless. Please, Raphael."
"No."
"I'm so scared, Raphael. Oh, no. I think he's upstairs."
"I'll be there now, okay?"
"Oh, thank you, Raphael."

Raph disconnected the call and donned his disguise. I don't wanna go, but I owe it ta her after she saved my life, he thought. I'll check she's okay and then I can come back ta my nice, warm bed and dream 'bout my Mona. Raph hurried to Olivia's house as fast as he could and thought, I hope Olivia's gonna be okay. I should really get the guys, but they're fast asleep and would take too long for me ta wake them up and I don't have time. Gotta hurry. Every second counts.