(BETA) This Story has not been read through thoroughly so there will be some lingering mistakes, apologies! This will be rectified once read though...when I have time... (BETA)

OTHERWISE ENJOY!

This is my second story posted so be gentle, I've not written in a long time...

xxx

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Back at the lair, Alice was on the sofa in the main room, Splinter pacing behind her.

She couldn't sleep knowing that Donnie and April may have been hurt because of her. This was all her fault; she shouldn't be here, risking this family for her sake. She buried her face in her knees her legs up against her chest with her arms wrapped around them tightly.

Her head snapped up when she heard Splinter exclaim. "Boys! You're safe." Alice turned to see them all with Donnie included entering the lair.

"But where is April?" Splinter asked concerned.

"We dropped her off at Casey's they won't find her there, we made sure we weren't followed." Leo confirmed.

Splinter sighed relieved.

Raph saw Alice on the sofa smiling over at them, obviously relived herself. Leo made his way over to her, to Raphs dismay.

"Alice, it was your sister, she knows you're down here somewhere with us." Leos voice was flat.

Alice's smile faded and looked. "I had a feeling." She said simply.

There was silence for a moment before Raph butted in. "You're making it sound like it's her fault Leo…" His tone threatening.

"No of course it's not, but it may not be safe for her to stay here, it they know where she is-" Raph intercepted before he could finish.

"So what are you suggesting! That we just send her back out there, she'll be killed, she's not fully recovered yet!" Raph growled.

Leo put his hands up defensively. "No, that's not what I'm suggesting. They've already been to her apartment right? They won't go back there, I'm suggesting she go back there with one of us." Leo confirmed giving Raph a sideward smirk.

It took a moment for the penny to drop. "You want me to go?" Raph asked calmly.

"Exactly. You'll be there to protect her, if you need us, contact us on the T-phone. Just keep low, don't draw attention to yourselves and you'll be fine. We can protect this place with no problem." Leo confirmed.

"But won't they know she'll have been moved? If they made an attack on us here, they'll expect that!" Raph argued.

"Not necessarily. Look she's almost healed now anyway, if things get too hot, get out of there…the important thing is to keep them off her trail, keep moving her around. If your position is compromised go to a hotel or something. We'll let you know if something happens."

"Your brother is right Raphael, it is best to keep her moving around, they will not be expecting her to be moved from here." Master Splinter confirmed.

Raph sighed. "Fine. We do this your way…" Raph went up to his room and grabbed her things before launching himself over the railing. He gave her rucksack to Alice. She nodded and slipped it on before grabbing onto Raph shell. Raph hooked his hands under the back of her knees to keep her on once again.

Raph nodded to his brothers before heading out.

"This isn't the way you usually go?" Alice asked.

"We'll need to take a different route, they'll expect us to com out of that one. We can come up by a man hole near your apartment, it'll take longer but it'll be less suspicious." Raph said flatly as he started to run through the sewer tunnels.

…

When they reached the man hole cover by her apartment, Raph climbed the ladder and let Alice lift the cover to check out the alley.

"Looks clear…" She said softly before pushing it the rest of the way allowing Raph to climb out.

They climbed up the fire escape just outside of her apartment window and climbed through the same way as before. Once inside Raph set her down on her feet and went to the windows to close the curtains.

"Wait." Alice stopped him.

"What?" He growled.

"Won't it be obvious that someone has been here is something has moved, it's best to keep them as they are and just keep the lights off." She added.

Raph thought for a moment and nodded knowing she was right. He stood there feeling slightly awkward. They sat in silence for a long time, it was dark out the city lit up enough to light the room slightly.

Alice yawned, which forced Raph to do the same. Alice smiled and went to get up, walking to the bed she pulled back the covers. Before she got in she pulled off her rucksack and dress leaving her in a strap top and underwear.

"What are you doin?" Raph almost hissed looking away from her exposure.

"Going to bed…you're welcome to sleep on the couch, there's a blanket just on the side there." She climbed into the bed and pulled the covers over herself.

She was still facing Raph, but her eyes were closed. Raph looked back at her again, his features softening slightly as how peaceful she looked. He frowned, knowing his thoughts weren't appropriate at this time. Laying down on the sofa he folded his hands behind his head, he didn't sleep for some time, he wasn't sure he should, what if they get jumped any moment now? After some time, he felt exhausted and finally felt himself wanting to drift off to sleep. His eyes slowly closed but snapped back open again at the sound of Alice tossing and turning behind him moaning and groaning and not the pleasant kind. Sitting up, he looked over at her; she was scowling and murmuring. Another nightmare? He thought.

He got up and walked over to her, sitting on the edge of the bed placing a hand on her shoulder to gently shake her. Her bed was weird to her, it was raised from the ground, but it actually felt more comfortable to sit on.

"Alice? Alice wake up.." His voice was soft and low trying to keep it down to a whisper. He was taken of guard when her eyes snapped open to look at him.

"You alright? Wounded like you were havin another nightmare?" He watched as she rubbed her eyes and reached a hand out for him placing it on his upper arm.

"Will, will you stay with me…?" Her voice was shaky, she was sweating and her body shook in fear. What was he supposed to say, no? Just walk away when she was like this?

He merely nodded. He watched as she lifted up the quilt to allow him in. He hesitated for a moment before crawling in, lying on his back. His body stiffened when he felt her curl up next to him, remarkably wiggling her way under his arm to lay against his chest shell. That couldn't be comfortable…he thought to himself before curling his arm around her to keep her close to his side. Her arm came up and wrapped around his neck, he felt surprisingly comfortable with this…so much so, he fell asleep as soon as his eyes closed.

…

Raph woke up feeling sunlight almost burning through his eyelids. He wasn't used to waking up on the surface much less in a comfier bed then his own. Her shielded his eyes from the light to open them looking around, he was not in the lair. Of course he wasn't he remembered last night when Leo decided it best to keep Alice in her apartment, with him. And then he remembered last night, slipping into the bed beside Alice. He turned to look where she had been feeling a slight absence in his arms. When she wasn't there he felt his heart skip a beat.

"Shit." He growled before forcing himself out of the annoyingly comfy bed. Getting up a little too fast her fell off landing on the floor. He growled in frustration and heard a door go; when he looked up, two wet feet and ankles greeted him.

Looking the rest of the way up, Alice was stood wrapped in a towel, dripping wet in front of him. He gulped. If she stood any closer he could have seen right up that…He shook his foul thoughts.

"Raph, you alright?" Alice asked slightly humorously.

Raph grunted and got up to his feet looking to Alice and he wiped his arm of the lint from the floor.

"Yeah, just not used to getting out of a bed like that…" He motioned to the bed behind him.

Alice smiled. "Fair enough, I'm finished with the bathroom if you wanted to take a shower or something, I promise I won't barge in again." She jested.

Raph gave a short laugh in his throat. "Uh, yeah. Thanks." He walked into the bathroom and turned to close the door, just before it did, he caught a slightly glimpse of Alice dropping her towel and reaching for her clothes her back turned to him. His eyes widened and he shut the door quickly. He stayed there for a moment, feeling his breathing rapidly increase. This was going to be even more difficult then being back at the lair…He thought. His mind reeled feeling his shell tighten between his legs. Oh shell! He exclaimed to himself. He was thankful to Alice for leaving the water running, he wasn't sure how this contraption worked. Taking off his band. Belts and wrappings he quickly stepped under the hot water, hissing slightly in pleasure, this was much better then the washroom at the lair.

Leaning his hand against the tiled wall, he hung his head; to his dismay his arousal had not quite disappeared. This only ever happened in mating season; he had to get rid of it, in his experience, it wouldn't go away unless dealt with. He grunted and finally reached a hand down to his aroused errection and squeezed firmly slowly pumping his three-digit hand up and down his girth. He closed his eyes and tried to enjoy it, he couldn't go back out there until it was gone. Images of Alice's naked form filled his head, the image was burnt in his brain, allowing him to imagine certain parts of her rubbing against him or her hands massaging his girth.

Sooner then he thought he finally found release; leaning against the tiled wall he sighed and panted heavily, relieved that his swelling had gone down and disappeared inside his shell.

Once he washed himself off he got out of the shower and dried himself off, looking to the shower, he had no idea how to turn it off.

"Uh, Alice, how do you turn this thing off?" He called to her through the bathroom door.

Alice hear Raph call from inside the bathroom, she went to open the door then stopped unsure whether he wanted her to go in or not. She leant against the door and spoke up so he could hear her. "Just turn the outer shower nob to the left!" she listened to ssee if he had heard, but she could still hear the water running. Suddenly the door swung open and Raph stood there grunting. She didn't need to be told twice, she walked in and turned it off. When she turned back around, he had left the room. Alice rolled her eyes and shook her head. Shrugging she left the bathroom. She looked to where Raph was stood, his back turned to her; he put on his bandana, belts and wrappings on. She noticed he started to sniff the air.

"I uh, was cooking breakfast whilst you were in there. It's not ready yet, but it will be soon." Alice confirmed moving to the kitchen. Raph noticed she was wearing a short white dress with elbow long sleeves; it was ever so slightly see through and he could see the outline of her underwear showing through. He looked away grunting. This is going to be a long day…he grumbled in his head. He suddenly felt something vibrate in his belt, he scopped his hand to fetch out the T-phone.

"Leo." He grumbled answering it. "What's up?"

"Just checking in, anything happen last night?" Leo tone was suggestive; Rah knew what he was really asking.

"Nope, nothing happened. Seems you were right, they haven't noticed she's back here, doesn't mean they won't eventually. " Raph pointed out.

"If they do, you get out of there, it's best to keep her moved around." Leo argued.

"And what about her, she has a life ya know?" Raph snapped.

Leo sighed. "And if she wants to keep it, it's best to follow the plan, got it?" Leo hung up after that. Raph just scoffed and put the phone back in his belt.

"Breakfast!" Alice called from the small table in the kitchen, setting the food out on two plates.

Raph made his way over, his features softening at the smell. "What is it?"

"Pancakes!" Alice chimed setting out all the assorted condiments.

"Pancakes? Never heard of'em." He grumbled but sat down on the chair at a plate.

Alice smirked and sat down on the other chair reaching for the maple syrup pouring loads over hers before offering it to Raph.

Raph looked at her quizzically before drizzling it over as she did. He watched as she reached for a knife and fork and started cutting into one of the pancakes.

Looking down at his he did the same, he looked at her, almost asking for permission. When she put her food in her mouth he did the same; after a few chews his eyes widened and he started to moan appreciatively.

"Wow! These are, good!" Raph exclaimed.

Alice smirked and watched him tuck in before eating more of her own. They sat in silence whilst they ate. Raph had a couple more helpings before Alice took their empty plates and took them to the sink washing them all up.

Raph sat there for a moment unsure what to do or suggest. E was rescued when Alice turned and pointed to the TV in the corner of the room opposite the sofa.

"You can watch TV if you like, not sure what you'll find, but I have a few films too." She pointed to a cupboard.

Raph turned to look where she had pointed and followed; looking through the cupboard he found a film called 'V for vendetta.' He lifted it and turned it to Alice.

"What about dis'?" He called shyly.

Alice nodded drying her hands. "My favorite film, how did you know." She jested.

Raph just rolled his eyes and put it into the DVD player, they had one of these back in the lair so it wasn't unusual to him. Alice picked up the control and turned the TV on and the DVD started to play.

"The TV and sofa are out of the way of the window, we won't be making ourselves obvious if we watch this will we?" Alice asked unsure before sitting down on the sofa.

Raph sat down next to her, his arm automatically resting on the back behind Alice. "Let me worry about dat stuff." He said flatly.

Alice tucked her legs up on the sofa and leaned into the gap under his arm. Raph felt his bod stiffen; he looked down the length of her seeing her ankle no longer in a bandage.

"Your ankle is better then?" Raph asked flatly.

Alice looked down to her ankle and twisted it gently. "It's still a little tender but it's not massively painful when I walk on it, not sure about running however…" She chuckled slightly.

Raph turned his attention to the film. They sat there in comfort of each others company watching the film, towards the end Alice looked up at Raph, he looked confused.

"You alright?" Alice asked quizzically.

"Yeah, I just don't get it…" He grunted still watching the film.

"What part don't you get?" Alice asked again moving slightly to look up at him better.

"How she fell in love with someone without even seeing his face? What if he's hideous? Which given he was burnt in that fire and the state of his hands is a dead give away that he is…" Raph rambled.

Alice just smirked. "It's not about how the person looks on the outside, I'm mean sure sometimes it helps, but when you fall in love." She paused.

"You fall for the person inside. Just like she did." Alice looked back at the screen.

Raph sat there for a moment contemplating what she had just said.

"I guess I kinda get it…" His finally said.

His head suddenly filled with the words that Alice had said to him back at the lair, about her only seeing him.

"I see you. I see Raphael. I don't see a Mutated turtle. I don't see a freak. I see, you. Your temper has nothing to do with you being a mutant; it's part of who you are. You have a personality. You all do. There is nothing wrong with any of you."

His eye widened in sudden realization of what she was trying to get at. Then the moment before he went to rescue Donnie and April, in his room. He started to piece it together, he wasn't sure what to think, the evidence in the shower did show he was attracted to her, but. He was brought out of his thoughts when the film finished and credits came up the music sounding.

"So, what now?" Alice asked smirking slightly at him.

Raph all but gulped and looked around for a distraction. "What about dis?" He pointed to an unfinished painting getting up from the sofa.

"What about it?" Alice asked.

"Why don't cha finish it?" Raph looked to her.

"What about you?"

"I'll uh, watch?" He shrugged.

Alice smiled and shook her head. "What if you painted with me?" She sounded almost excited. Moving to the corner to grab another easel and set it up for him with a canvas.

Raph rubbed he back of his neck. "Paintin's not really my thing…" He said awkwardly.

"How do you know if you've never tried." Alice set it up in front of him and moved hers so it was opposite his. She set out a paint pallet for him and some brushes.

"Just paint what ever comes into our head." She persuaded moving to her own easel.

Raph gulped again and picked up a pencil. He held it to the canvas but just grunted.

"I don't even know where to begin Alice…" He grumbled.

Alice stiffened for a moment, it almost never happened when Raph would say her name out loud like that. She smiled and went over to him again, she picked up a brush and dipped it in the water.

"Here…" Giving him the brush she put her hand over his and directed it. "First, dip the brush in the water." She moved his hand to dip the brush in the glass of water.

"Then, dip the brush in any paint you want, mix them with different colours." Alice directed his hand again to run the brush along the pallet making a sort of blood red.

"Then, just paint." She directed his hand to the canvas and slowly painted a random line in the center of the canvas. Raph didn't take his eyes off of her hand on his the entire time, he wasn't even sure he was listening. He blinked when she let go, his hand instantly feeling cold. He watched as she made her way over to her canvas and started to paint on her own.

Raph looked at the paints and did what she said, dipping the brush in water then mixing the paints, trying to be as gentle as she was. He made another reddish colour, like blood orange and painted it on the canvas next to the line she made.

Most of the afternoon went by whilst they did this. Every so often Alice would come round to take a peak, but when ever he would try and do it; she would fend him off with the paintbrush.

"Hey! That's not fair, you got to see mine!" He growled.

Alice just laughed as he did it again she caught him with the brush on his cheek, colouring it with a light purple colour. She burst into laughter when Raph put his hand to his cheek to Asses the damage.

"Oh that's it you're done it now!" He grabbed his paintbrush and started to chase her around the apartment with the brush. Alice yelped when she leapt over the sofa and kept it between them as they circled it. She ran for the kitchen but he caught her, whirling her around and ran his paintbrush across her face drawing a red line along the bridge of her nose.

"Yack!" She laughed and wiggled in his grip. She panted with laughter feeling herself tremble with his laughter.

She looked up at him and painted another dot on his other cheek with her brush. Raph just smirked darkly.

"You're asking for it princess…" He threatened with humour in his tone.

Alice just giggled. "Oh dear, how do I make it up to you?" She jested.

"How about some lunch?" He raised an eyebrow at her; just at the mere mention she felt their stomachs rumble in hunger. They looked at each other and laughed, Raph had still not let go of Alice when she realized she was in his arms.

She cleared her throat. "Uh, I can't make lunch constrained like this…" She smirked feeling a little hot under his intentional gaze.

Raph's features softened when he realized how he was holding her, his arm around her, one around her waist. He slowly let go and took a small step back; Alice smiled up at him and moved away to do lunch.

Raph watched after her as she moved away from him, looking down at his hands he smiled. That felt, good…He thought to himself.

After some time Alice served up lunch on two plates and mentioned for him to join her on the sofa.

"We'll watch something else while we eat if you like?" She sat down and handed his plate to him as he sat next to her. Again he put on arm around the back and balanced the plat on his knee using the other hand to eat. Alice switched the TV on clicking over to the news.

"News report from Michelle White this morning; discussing with us the temporary fall in Archangel product production from the world wide corporation here in New york city."

Alice sat forward slightly. "That's the name of my sister company…what is she up to."

"Sounds like she's been bought out?" Raph said before taking a bite of his ham sandwich.

"No, there's no way she would let go of her precious company. She is up to something."

They continued to watch, reports about a shady mercenary band being behind the foundation of the Archangel Company.

"Ah, so that's it." Alice smirked.

"What?" Raph asked leaning forward with her.

"She's cutting her loses, trying to buy time before she gets found out on what they really do there. Stopping production until.." She paused her features creasing with anger.

"Until, you're dead right?" Raph said simply.

Alice closed her eyes and nodded. "Once she has everything, she'll have the funds to buy off the press and keep them off her back, including The Blades." She confirmed.

"We won't let it happen Alice, her company will fall and she'll have no way to rebuild it." Raph placed a hand on her shoulder.

Alice smiled. "I hope you're right."

...

I hope you enjoyed more to come!

xxx