A/N: Now for the inside story from Mikey and Becca... And someone we don't like.
*)O(*
She should have felt proud of herself. She was living with a family of ninja yet she'd been able to sneak into Mikey's room, grab the kitten, run into the kitchen and grab some cold meat and a bowl of water before anyone had seen her slip back into her room. She used the light from the phone Mikey had given her to illuminate the space under the blanket that she used to block out the rest of the world. For a while it was just her and the kitten. Then after an accident, she realized she'd have to go out again. They hadn't gotten a litter box yet so soon she had to make another heist. She was snatching the news paper off the coffee table, making sure it was the one from yesterday, when she heard Raph yelling in the dojo.
She couldn't make out what he was saying, but she got curious. She was almost to the door when everyone else started to yell. "Michelangelo, stop!" Splinter yelled. Everyone else seemed to follow. Becca jerked away from the dojo. She snatched one of the empty planters that sat near one of Sara's plant towers and then ran back to her room. If it had anything to do with Mikey, she didn't want to know.
Living with someone that she didn't want to see was going to be hard. She had thought back over last night a thousand times or more. She'd tried to tell him, to let him know. She wanted to be here, with him. He'd ignored her. Mikey never just ignored anyone. He'd tease and play, he would have at least laughed it off. He would have done something, not just let everything stew in silence. Even if he'd been thinking, or worried about saying the wrong thing, he wouldn't have stayed so quiet for so long. Rejection burned through her as she tore up the newspaper and lined the planter with it.
Klatter was asleep, so she crawled back under the blanket and held her in her hand, praying for the same. The little orange ball was her only companion that day. She'd told Sara flat out that she wasn't going to practice. Mik came in and asked if she was hungry once or twice. Becca told her that she was fine so the rat would leave. The hollowness in her voice sounded odd even to her. Not once did Mikey come to check on her. No one else did, either. She was left almost as alone as she felt.
As the day wore on she found herself crying sporadically. When Klatter tumbled over her own legs on Becca's blanket, making her laugh, she cried. When she thought of Mikey's strong arms wrapped around her, she cried. The idea of the pathetic kiss she'd given him last night being their last made her cry. They weren't long lived moments. She'd cry, relieve some of her pain, then stop herself and repeat to herself that she had to be strong. Then sleep came. It was getting late and she had finally used up all of her energy. As she drifted she prayed that she wouldn't dream.
*)O(*
Hours sitting there, in front of Splinter didn't bother him. The knowledge that he'd beaten Raph's face in didn't bother him. He knew that Splinter meant for him to meditate, but it wasn't going to happen. There was no way for him to stem the torrent of emotions he had enough to clear his mind. He'd sit there, miserable, until his dad decided that he'd had enough and let him go on his way. There was going to be punishment, he knew, but he didn't care.
Inside of him too many things turned around and folded on themselves, trying to get his attention. He knew he'd hurt her. He knew all off this was his fault. He knew, just like he had when she'd said she'd gotten a job, that he'd lost everything already. No one else was making this any easier on him. Then Raph's outburst. He didn't feel bad for what he did. It had helped with some of the rage he felt towards himself.
He didn't care what happened now, as long as Becca lived a happy life once she left, he'd go on with all this. Living down here, never being with anyone. Donnie just got lucky, that was all. Hell, with the baby on the way, Sara might just run off somewhere too. Mikey couldn't blame her, the sewers was no where to grow up, he knew that. He didn't stop the darkness that spread through his mind. It was his only protection from himself.
His heart and mind raced against each other to see who could injure themselves even more. Pain folded around him. It was like his shell. He'd hurt the one person he'd ever had a chance with, but he'd had no choice. She was going to live above ground. She was going to be happy one day, just not with him. He couldn't expect her to sacrifice everything just to be with him, not when just being with him was so much to give already. So when she'd hinted at a future with him, he ignored her. Becca was just like him, so she knew right away that something was wrong when he didn't respond. She'd assumed, and assumed correctly. He was letting her go. Any ideas he had planned, he scrapped them. Any hope that he had, he let go of. He let the darkness cover the light that he tried to show to everyone else. As he sat there, once again with his father, he turned himself into something different. He didn't have to be the ray of sunshine sneaking through the storm drain. He couldn't be, not anymore.
*)O(*
Three days passed and she stayed inside of her room as much as she could. She'd ventured out once after that first day, asking Leo if she could go get things for the kitten. He'd seemed reluctant, but had agreed to follow her. She'd glimpsed Mikey once in that time. He'd been limping out of the dojo. She looked away from him. She didn't want to know, and she told herself that she didn't care. A day had passed and she looked down at the floor.
It was her first day of work. She needed to get ready. If it wasn't her only way to not be around him, she wouldn't have even thought about going. She'd been sick yesterday and today she felt lightheaded and dizzy. This was her one chance. It was her ticket away from the haunting memories of him.
She slipped through the lair. It was practice time. No one else would be in the living room or bathroom. It was safe as long as she hurried. Taking off her clothes, she realized that she stank. It had been three days since she'd showered. Her stomach cramped. She frowned, it wasn't time for her period. Then she realized that she'd gone three days without eating.
She almost laughed at how pathetic she was as she got into the shower. How many times had she made fun of the women in movies because of these things? How could she let something that people went through everyday hurt her so badly? Part of her wanted to remind her that it was only her second heartbreak, that this was something she wasn't used to feeling. It was something she shouldn't of had to feel. Other parts of her, the more stubborn and deeper parts of herself, said that she couldn't do this anymore. She'd had her time. She needed to stop and act like she was a woman, not a high school girl who was crying over some boy in the locker room.
She spent the day taking care of herself. She ate, drank water instead of soda, and got ready for her first day of work with care. She took her time doing her hair into an intricate braid. Her make-up was flawless and she smiled to herself. There wasn't any uniform except for a pair of jeans on the first day, she'd get her green shirt when she got to the store. It was a deciding moment when she reached into her dresser to grab a t-shirt. Even before Mikey she'd love bright colors. Pinks, yellows, oranges and anything that looked bright and shiny. Her hand hovered over an orange shirt. She could wear it and think of him until she got to the store, or she could throw away every piece of orange clothing she had. There were no other options.
She wasn't going to let him ruin a color for her. With haste and anger she tugged it on after ditching her tank top. She looked at herself. She looked fine, there was nothing wrong with her. She was going to be okay. She reached back and touched her braid, making sure she hadn't messed it up putting on the t-shirt. Everything was going to be okay. She kept telling herself that as she threw on her jacket and shoes, finally ready to leave.
She didn't know what to expect when she got to the garage. Most of her thought that she would be going alone. Maybe Leo, or Donnie, since Raph hadn't been out and about earlier. Mik had said that Mikey had messed him up pretty bad. She felt bad for Raph, but shrugged it off. The brute had finally gotten payback for all the times he'd hurt his other brothers. She was lost in her head when she noticed the orange bandana tail over the side of a trench coat. Any hope that it had been anyone else faded and she stood face to face with Mikey.
*)O(*
He hadn't really seen her pissed before. Angry, indignant, even irritated. Never had he seen anger so clearly written over her face like he did now. He didn't want to be the one here, doing this. Donnie had told him no, Leo had brushed past him. Raph wasn't speaking to him. Sara wasn't going above ground right now, and he was the only one left. He balled up his hands. He didn't want to have to see her. The sooner she left, the better.
Still, as he met her vicious gaze, he couldn't help but see her. She looked amazing. Flawless and bright, like she could outshine a star. Then he noticed something else. She didn't look quite the same. He couldn't place it at first then she turned her head away from him and moved to the door. Her jaw line was more defined. Her waist wasn't quiet as thick as it had been. Like getting hit by a semi, he realized she hadn't been eating. It was only the difference of a couple pounds but now that he saw it, he couldn't un-see it.
He cursed himself silently. He cursed her silently. How could she not take care of herself? How could he have let her not eat? Then he pulled back in on himself. It was better this way. She'd hurt for now, but she'd forget about him. He'd just be a memory to her one day. A ghost story she'd tell to her human children in years to come. He followed her out onto the street. He couldn't walk behind her or he'd look like he was stalking her. So he dipped in and out of alleys. He tailed her more than he walked with her. She didn't want to speak to him, that much was clear. That was fine. He'd yet to speak to anyone else, anyway.
She didn't even look back as she entered the pharmacy. He should have headed home. He'd done what he'd needed to do. But then she smiled to the woman who rushed from behind the counter to greet her. He hadn't seen her smile in days. He battled with himself. He shouldn't have the privilege to see her smile anymore, not after what he'd done. At the same time the sight of it pushed away the darkness and he was able to lift the corners of his mouth in return. He shook himself and started back home. He didn't belong in the dim light of the pharmacy, and he definitely didn't belong standing in the spotlight that was her attention.
*)O(*
Beatrice, or rather, Bea, was bubbling around Becca. Everything was either 'great' or 'awesome' or some other word to describe the other woman's general enthusiasm. No wonder Becca had connected with her so quickly and made such an impression on her. They were a lot alike. Bea, as she wanted Becca to call her, was a painful reminder of her issues at home.
"So the store closes at 2:30 until 5:30. During that time you'll have to sweep everything, mop the entrance and stock things up. Once you get the hang of it, you should have some extra time." Bea went on explaining. The information was shocking, there was so much and the other woman just kept piling it on. She fumbled her way through it all. Nodding and asking some questions, but figuring that she'd learn most of it once she was allowed to do things on her own. The register was a tricky thing. "Make sure that you always press the side button when you open it, otherwise Nick will get an alarm and come out to check it. I know you'll mess it up a few times, but try to make it a habit."
"So if I'm being robbed, I can open it without the button, right?"
"Oh, we don't get robbed a lot. This area is pretty safe for being in New York. There's rumors that there are vigilantes running around at night. If it wasn't for them, I don't think we would have stayed open. Plus everything worth taking is back in the actual pharmacy section. You should be just fine." The mention of vigilantes made Becca choke on air. Did people actually know about the guys?
"If not, you can always reach for Faithful." As if she'd done it a thousand times, Bea reached under the counter and pulled out a large and intimidating pistol. It was a revolver, Becca knew that much. "Just point it, squeeze real hard and it'll do it's job." Bea waved the hand not holding 'Faithful.' "Usually just pulling it out is enough though, don't go killing people willy-nilly, okay?" Bea showed Becca how to put the gun back, and how to pull it out, if she ever needed to. The idea of needing the gun made Becca's stomach turn. She didn't want to shoot it, ever. She almost decided that she didn't want to work there.
She shook herself. She could do this. It was a job, it was something, she wasn't going to be picky. At least this place had a failsafe in mind. She also got a cool tazer out of the deal. "I'd rather you use this, but don't hesitate to pull out Faithful, okay? Some guys are resistant to being shocked." Becca nodded. Working here was going to be a crazy ride. She did have to thank Bea for being so upfront and honest about everything. Most places wouldn't have been half as honest and Becca knew that information was power in these cases.
Then she was introduced to Nick. He was tall, like, seven and a half feet tall. He had long, curly black hair that swayed as he moved his impressive bulk out of the security office. His official title was 'Loss Prevention'. He was taller than any of the guys but was scrawny in comparison. He had minimal muscle mass and Becca figured that he'd only got the job because he looked scary. When he shook her hand, it felt wrong. His hand was as big as Mikey's or even Raph's but it didn't have the same texture and was warmer than her body said it should be. Here she was, comparing him to Mikey. She'd barely even gotten her name out. "Nice to have a cute girl here for once," Nick laughed.
"Hey!" Bea huffed. Becca's stomach knotted. She hadn't disliked him at all, not until that moment. It wasn't his fault, she told herself as she forced out a smile and a small 'thank you.' No one knows, no one has to know, just like normal. But the lame joke felt too much like one Mikey would have tried. Inside she ached. "Alright, time to get started!" Bea exclaimed. It was going to be a long night, Becca groaned internally.
*)O(*
Hun and a clutch of Foot ninja watched. The blonde girl had went into the pharmacy. To his disappointment, they weren't going to go in. They were going to watch. His phone buzzed in his pocket. "She's cute."
"Get your damn head out of your pants. Is she the right one?"
"I think so, damn pretty. Big blue eyes and she came in wearing orange like she owned the color."
"Good job. I'll make sure you get your payment."
"Ten whole cases, no less than that."
"Yeah, shut up, Nick, I know what I promised you." Hun grumbled. "Remember, I get half of the finished product."
"No problem." Nick's voice sneered. If the punk thought about double crossing Hun, it would lead to his death. "Two days and she should be left on her own. I'll make sure I don't show up for work that night." Nick supplied.
"Is she visible now?"
"Yeah, Beatrice is showing her around the place."
"Me and some friends are coming in, we won't cause any trouble, but turn the cameras off."
"Done, anything else?"
"Yeah," Hun chuckled. "Don't harass her." Nick's sick laugh on the other end of the phone made Hun's hair stand on end before he hung up.
The foot ninja around him shed their uniforms, dressing in the cold alley quickly. Some of his men had already been paid to find this girl. The turtles had interfered both times his guys had went after her. Broken bones meant time off the streets. Time off the streets meant money. This girl had cost him. At the same time she was going to be his payday. He'd let the Foot be of some use. No need to risk his men again.
He strolled across the road. He took two of the ninja with him. The others would follow in five minutes. No more than seven people. Too big of a crowd would draw attention at this time of night. He entered and was blessed by the sight of her. Average to short in height, thicker build, blond hair that was woven with care into a braid down her back, blue eyes that danced over his group as he walked around her. Nick was right, she was damn pretty. Maybe he'd take his own justice out on her, keep her for himself. Karai just wanted the redhead, this one could be his. As he walked the isles, picking up random things and asking his 'buddies' what they thought about having it at the 'party', he scoped the place out. There was the pharmacy, double plated glass protected it. Then there were the double doors which Hun guessed lead to the break room or something. Other than that there was only the main entrance. He'd collected some things, making it look like he'd been on a snack run with his friends.
"What time you get off, sweetie? I'd love to see you stop by." Hun grinned at her. Her name tag had 'Becca' written on it. He'd have to remember that. "Sorry, but I don't get off until early in the morning." Her not so sincere smile and uneasiness made Hun grin. He was a large man, he knew that. It was something he took pride in, especially when woman like Becca were intimidated by him. "If it's early enough, the party might still be going."
"Thanks, but I'm still adjusting to working nights. You're really sweet to offer though." The last of his items were scanned and she rang him up.
"You hear that? I'm sweet!" He laughed to his 'buddies'. They had the decency to laugh or roll their eyes. "I think I'll come back," he said to the woman behind Becca. "You're employees are nice." The woman who's tag read manager leveled him with a gaze before smiling and waving to him. He walked out then tossed his bag to one of the ninja as they lost sight of the pharmacy. "Two days. We take her, the others will come." The ninja nodded before melting away from him. Hun smiled to himself. It would be fun once he got his hands on her.
