While Splinter and Leo were talking, Natasha was in the lounge with Donnie, Mikey, April and Casey. "This is Natasha," Donnie said. "Natasha, these are our friends, April and Casey. Guys, this is Natasha."

"Pleasure meeting you, Natasha," April said, extending a hand.

"Likewise," Natasha said, shaking it and praying they didn't comment that she looked a lot like Raphael.

Casey stared at her for a long time, clearly thinking, and Natasha's heart raced in panic. Shit, she thought. I hope he don't think I'm Raphael! Then Casey also shook her hand and said, "Nice meeting you, Natasha. Will you be staying here long?"

"Yeah. Me and Leo are datin'."

"That's cool, but kind of sudden. You haven't known the guys long, have you? I'd have known about you if you had."

"No, but ya know sometimes ya know when ya've met the one. Me and Leo immediately hit it off, so why wait?"

"You have a point. It's just Leo's usually so cautious about people and relationships. I find it surprising that you guys barely know one another and you're dating."

"Like I said, sometimes ya heart knows what ya need and ya just go with it. And me and Leo got tons in common and chemistry and…"

"And where do you come from, Natasha?"

"Bishop's lab in Brooklyn. That's why she's got the Brooklyn accent," Mikey said. "The poor dudette was an experiment and tortured."

"I thought his lab was in Manhattan," April said, making Natasha squirm inside. April was right.

"Maybe he moved," Don said. "Either way, Natasha's been through hell. Leo likes her and if he does, she has got to be cool. She was found traumatized in the sewers."

"Uh huh," Casey said.

"I'm going to make something to eat," Mikey said. "April and Donnie, I need your help. Casey, you stay with Natasha. Leo's talking to Splinter and will be out soon."

"No worries," Casey said. "I'd be more than happy to talk to her." The her was emphasized and Natasha's heart dropped and she thought, does Casey know it's me?

Left alone, Natasha shuffled her feet awkwardly and said, "Ya been friends with them for long?"

"Ditch the act, Raphael," Casey said crossly. "I know it's you."

"Huh? Raphael? No. Ya got it all wrong! I'm Natasha. I don't know any Raphael."

"So it's just a coincidence you look like him, have his accent and were wandering in the sewers, huh? Also, Bishop's lab is in Manhattan! They may be fooled, but I'm not."

"Pretty much. I've never met no Raphael. First I heard 'bout him was when Leo told me he died."

"BS!" Casey snapped, grabbing Natasha's wrist. "Admit it. You're Raphael. You never died and you're pretending to be this chick. Why, I don't know, but I want answers now!"

"Yer insane, ya fuckin' dick!" Natasha hissed, pulling away. "I swear…."

"You tell me now, Raphael, or I'll throw out every motorbike magazine you own and I'll ride your bike!"

"Ya wouldn't dare!" Natasha growled. "Ya know how much that bike means ta me and that no one can but me can ride it!"

"Hah! It is you! You fell for that, you numbskull. Now, why are you dressed up like a chick? And pretending that you're dead?"

"It's a long story, but the gist is I like Leo and he likes girls, so I made a wish and I'm one and it's worked and he's mad 'bout me."

"Come again?" Casey said, blinking in confusion. "I thought you liked girls, Raph?"

Before Natasha could comment, Leo entered the room and said, "Hi, Casey. Hi, my love. Casey, this is my girlfriend, Natasha."

"We've been talking. Lovely girl, Leo. I can see why you're smitten. She's charming."

"Isn't she?" Leo said, wrapping his arms around a blushing Natasha's waist. He nuzzled his beak to Natasha's, which was unusual, because Leo didn't display affection publically and added, "I'm a lucky guy. She was found traumatized in the sewers and we instantly connected. Some people wait a lifetime to find their soulmates and some never find theirs. I sure have, isn't that right, baby?"

"Uh huh," Natasha said, staring adoringly into Leo's eyes.

"It's almost like we'd met before," Leo said. "I felt like I've known her all of my life. Crazy, huh, because we haven't known one another long?"

"Yeah," Casey said, staring hard at Natasha. "I'm thrilled for you, Leo. Your girl is something all right. I heard about Raph. I'm so sorry, Leo. We're all going to miss him so much."

Leo's eyes misted over and he said mournfully, "Thanks, Casey."

"If there's anything I can do to help, let me know," Casey said, placing a hand on Leo's shoulder. "Raph was my best friend and I'd like to be there for you all."

Natasha's heart hammered at the words and she thought, fuckin' Casey! He better not ruin my chance at love. Shit. What if he tells Leo? What am I gonna do?

"I appreciate it, Casey," Leo said.

"No problem, pal. It's what close friends do," Casey said and removed his hand. "Raph would want me to be there for you guys. I bet he's looking down from Heaven right now and is marvelling at how much he's missed and loved."

Leo nodded and said, "Yes. We're going to have a celebration of his life when Sensei's better. I hope you'll be there. His body's submerged in the ocean, so we can't bury him. That bothers me, because I won't be able to go pay my respects at his grave."

"I understand, but you don't need a body to feel close to him, Leo. You can pray and talk to him and he'll always be in your heart. I'll definitely be there and I'd like….Raph would want me to ride his motorbike to the ocean. He always wanted to go there. We could all go there and…"

Natasha growled at the mention of the bike and Leo looked at her surprise. "Baby?" Leo said.

"I don't think Raphael would appreciate anyone touchin' his stuff," Natasha quickly said. "He'd want his bike untouched, ya know. It was his pride and joy and he'd be pissed if anyone touched it or rode on it."

"And how the fuck would you know what my best friend wanted?" Casey demanded. "You're a stranger!"

"Well, I, uh, read his diaries and he talked 'bout his bike a lot and he wrote that."

Casey folded his arms, glared at her and said, "Bullshit! You're being played, Leo, and I'm done with the charade. Raph's not dead and we know it, don't we, Natasha?"

"I don't know what yer talkin' 'bout," Natasha said, studying her hands, unable to look at anyone.

"You know that Raph's not dead?" Leo demanded, tilting Natasha's face up to meet his. "How do you know that? Have you met Raph? Did he tell you to tell us he'd died?"

"No!" Natasha choked out, her eyes filling with tears, aware that Leo was about to discover the truth.

"Then what?"

"Because Raphael is Natasha!" Casey snapped. "You've been conned, Leo. Why, I don't know, but that's the truth. Raphael is alive and well and…"

Hurt flickered on Leo's face, he scowled at Natasha, turned his back and stalked out of the lair, tears streaming down his cheeks, his world shattered.

A/N Poor Leo. Will he forgive Natasha and get back with her? Or will he move on?