Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT. Never have, never will.
Sorry for the huge wait, life happened. =^.^=
Amanda's P.O.V.
"You do know what yer doin' right?" Raph started off the lecture that I knew was to come. " 'Cause it's called bulimia, and it's dangerous to yer health" As Raph glared at me, I urged the floor to swallow me whole, anything to get away from this lecture.
"Whoa, what's going on here? Who has bulimia?" Mikey looked concerned, which was weird I would have assumed that none of the turtles would know what bulimia was, apparently though, I was wrong.
"It's not really, it's just that I don't keep most of what I eat" I sat up on the bed, "well at least when I do eat" I added as an afterthought, sounding slightly too casual for the turtles liking.
"Amanda, Raph's right. Bulimia is a serious condition. You should be eating three meals a day, and allowing your body to retain the food. It's no wonder you're underweight, in fact, I'm surprised you haven't been hospitalised, all you need to do is look at you to know you're severely underweight" Donnie had his 'doctor Donnie' voice on, but still I dismissed it.
I snorted to myself, "yeah right, you know I'm so fat that's a joke" Leo was beginning to look concerned, but Raph just looked plain old annoyed.
"For the last time, yer not fat! Yer really really skinny! As in too skinny! How many times do we have to tell you that!" Raph slumped onto the bed beside me, looking at me to see my reaction, expecting my disbelief and dismissal, like he usually got.
"Yeah well, for how skinny I supposedly am, it took a lot of sacrifice. Food ain't free and stealing's not right, so what's a girl to do, on a limited income? You have no idea just how hard it is to be the sole provider, for a family. A very small family but still a family. Who do you think has to, earn the money, and try and to get everything we need, when knowing that we don't even have most of our basic needs!" I crossed my arms, and stared right back at Raph, a battle of the wills, that I was determined to win.
And after a few minutes in silence, Raph caved and I was victorious. "But why do you sacrifice everything? You should know that you need to be healthy to keep your job, so you're not really helping in the long run" Leo spoke, for the first time since Raph and Donnie entered the room.
"You try saying no, when the people who're relying on you are starving or need something. And tell me how it goes, then we can talk 'bout why I sacrifice so much. It became second nature for me to give up my share, my way to cope with my guilt, as if I could make it up to Jake and Matthew if I gave them absolutely everything I could. That's why, okay!" I found myself responding more along the lines of defensive than neutral, but I just couldn't hold back any longer. I needed to vent, my emotions were reaching a dangerous level, cracking whole chunks of my armour, and I knew that I was seconds away from leaving with Matthew and Jake, probably never to be seen again.
"Master Splinter done it, I know you feel guilty about what happened, but you need to acknowledge, there was nothing you could do" Donnie was self assured, but I readily dismissed his point.
"Nothing I could do? They were my family, dammit! Hell, I should've made them leave, pulled down the fire alarm or something, anything. Instead I just kept asking my mum to leave. Don't you realise how stupid that was? I could've, I should've done something" I discreetly nipped my behind my knee as I spoke, doing my best to force the tears that were threatening to spill, away.
"You didn't know then, what you know now. It's one of tha reasons that hindsight's a bitch" Raph spoke gruffly, the sound unfamiliar to my ears.
"You got it right, 'bout hindsight, but you got it wrong about me knowing. I can tell the future, wait no not tell, read. I can read ahead in everybody's life book even though chapters are always being rewritten. That's how I know, just like I know what's going to happen with Karai. Unfortunately I can't tell you or New York could get destroyed. And I knew everybody who was going to die, their life books, ended. And I knew my mum was going to die, so dammit I ignored that everyone else was going to die and focused on my mum. I could've saved everybody but instead I tried to save my mum, and I failed" I crossed and uncrossed my arms, blinking back tears all the while.
"How do you know about Karai? That means you're actually telling the truth" Leo voiced everybody's acceptance about my abilities. His voice was a smooth blend of shock, acceptance and admiration.
"And now that you know I'm telling the truth I suppose you want Matthew, Jake and I to leave. Everyone else always does, they call me a freak" I spoke bitterly, remembering all the times people had called us freaks and tried to get rid of us. Even some of my friends had done that when they found out. My need to cry intensified, and I was looking through blurry eyes.
"It's okay girl, it's okay. You don't have to that anymore, you can live here with us and become part of our family" Mikey's comforting words, were the final straw, and unexpectedly to the others, I burst out crying.
Throwing myself at the nearest pair of arms I could see, my sobbing continued while arms hugged me, whispering that it would be alright while I sobbed like a baby. "I can't though, I'll end up destroying your family, like I destroyed mine" I hiccupped it out, not sure if they understood what I was saying, but also not caring.
Eventually my sobbing subsided and I found myself calming down, the rivers of tears on my face drying. At last I looked up into the face of the turtle who was holding me, although I never expected that it would be Raph!
"Err sorry 'bout that" I managed sitting up, my face scarlet.
"It's alright" Raph nodded in my direction, his face stuck in an awkward look. "And for the record, you couldn't destroy families, families are indestructible, buildings however are not. So it's not yer fault 'bout what happened to yer family, it's the Shredders fault for sending the bomb that destroyed the building that your family was in" Raph was clearly uncomfortable about comforting a sobbing girl, so giving him a small smile, I relieved him of the task.
"Yeah, well I wanna kill him for it!" I had to say, rage taking over for a second.
As the smile left my face, Raph leaned forward and whispered "hey, if ya promise ta let me help ya, I'll help ya hit the Shredder. Deal?"
"Oh definitely" I smiled shakily before deciding a change of topic was in order. "So, what movie are we watchin' first?" I aimed my question at Mikey, who grinned.
"Anything Leo didn't suggest" while Mikey and I fell apart, the others looked slightly confused, though in Leo's case, I suspected it was more of a annoyed glance.
Standing up, my ankles protested having quite enjoyed themselves on my temporary walking break. I had only taken one step when I was scooped up, forced to be carried yet again. "And where do you think you're going? Donnie said you weren't allowed to walk yet" Mikey's arms were stronger than they looked, I mused while he carried me to the old brown leather couch. Sinking in a comfortable seat, I was smiling as Leo and Raph left to make the popcorn while Donnie and Mikey argued about what to watch, while they were doing that I snuck off, to get some of my dvds, ones I was sure would make everybody laugh.
Discreetly I slipped in the movie as Leo and Raph returned with the snacks, with Matthew and Jake in tow. "So have you picked a movie?" Leo asked balancing four bowls of popcorn in his arms, while Raph clutched the sweets and drinks.
"Yup, we're all set here, I stuck in one of my favourite movies while Donnie and Mikey bickered like ol' ladies" I grinned brightly, before dropping into my seat beside Mikey, and pulled Jake onto my lap. "We're watching Home Alone by the way and we can watch Home Alone 2: lost in New York after this" I added much to Matthew and Jake's delight. Smiling I reached for a handful of popcorn, and started chewing.
"Ugh what's wrong with the popcorn? It's all buttery and disgusting" I groaned, sipping my drink to get rid of the taste.
"Butter popcorn is the best! Only Raph likes salted popcorn, which is just gross" Donnie and Mikey said at the same time, before I switched seats with Donnie, to sit beside Raph, and the nice popcorn.
"Hey! Salted popcorn is great, toffee popcorn too!" I stuck out my tongue at Mikey before enjoying a handful of popcorn. April and Casey arrived then and so the bickering between Mikey and I ended as the movie began.
As the second Home Alone movie ended, I honestly thought my sides were going to split, I was laughing so hard. I wasn't the only one though, as everybody was laughing, except for Leo, who was criticising the parents. Loudly. At least until Raph told him to shut up.
Raph's P.O.V.
"Now for Gremlins 2" Mikey sprang from his seat after everyone's laughing fit, damn those movies were funny.
Amanda stiffened beside me at that. "Is it scary?" she asked, worry evident in every word.
"Nah, it's fine" Mikey assured her, which it was, I mean seriously only a four year old would be scared. Speaking of four year olds, I glanced down at Jake on Amanda's lap. He looked sleepy, but before I could say anything, Amanda had already effortlessly shifted his body up against her, and swung her legs onto the ground.
"You know I think I might just pass on it anyways. It doesn't really seem like my type of movie" Amanda was clearly unconvinced, and sat up a little to hold Jake more comfortably.
"No way Amanda! You gotta watch this, I promise you won't find it scary. It's a twelve anyway so it's really tame, besides it won't be the same without 'cha. You're a part of the turtle family now, and all able bodies have to watch all the movies, except Master Splinter" Mikey's guilt tripping, insistence worked as we all knew it would. Amanda nodded, her face blank, masking her thoughts.
I grabbed her then and once I had picked her up, walking as smoothly as possible, I took her to my room, ignoring the fact that Leo had already offered his room, which was ridiculous in itself considering that I had a spare bed. And I refused to share with him, his snoring is way too loud to sleep near.
As Amanda put Jake in the second bed, I felt like I was witnessing something private. Amanda was turning into a softer, tender version of herself in front of me. Jake was caught in that limbo land between awake and asleep, his tired voice asking for a "bedtime story and song."
But when Amanda finished the bedtime story and started the song, I was amazed. I mean, I'd heard her singing very quietly to Jake before, but nothing like this. "I wanna hide the truth, I wanna shelter you" her voice was beautiful, but sad. Like she thought that what she wanted to do was impossible. Which they really weren't, after all Amanda was literally raising him, and had already saved Jake and Matthew from the Kraang.
"Finally the song finished, and Jake gave in to his need to sleep. Turning towards me, she didn't try and walk but just allowed me to carry her silently.
Sitting down on the couch, I allowed Amanda to clamber off me before the movie started. She still stayed at my side though Matthew was on her other side. Sighing he said "I am not going to be your hugging post for this movie if you get scared, hug someone else."
"Like I'd ever use you as a hugging frame, you'd just wiggle until I gave up, besides Mikey said the movie wasn't scary" Amanda replied , before throwing her legs over Matthew, for once resting them.
So we all settled in to watch the movie. At around half ways through the movie, Amanda turned, latching herself into my side, obviously scared. But she looked determined to watch the movie, so I said nothing and just wrapped my arms around her, hoping it would be comforting. I felt as awkward as when she started sobbing into me earlier on, now that was unexpected. And I had no idea what to do, 'thank God for Mikey' I thought as he was seemingly the only one with a clue on what to do, so I just copied his motions, not that I'd ever say it out loud. About fifteen minutes had passed, before she bolted, throwing her legs onto the ground and walking with an ever quickening pace. After glancing at the others who were staring it right back at me it was decided that I was the one who should go after her. Well actually, I was outnumbered.
So following Amanda, I grabbed the first body part I could reach, her wrist, the wrist with her bracelet on it to be specific. She swung her wrist forward, freeing it while I grasped on the bracelet. Pulling harder, I walked closer, while Amanda moved her wrist trying in vain to get free, when it happened.
Amanda's P.O.V.
Leaving that movie I was almost running away when Raph grabbed my wrist, but I kept moving it until quickly I got free, but Raph determinedly pulled at my bracelet, and walked closer to me. I was really beginning to feel the pain from my real injuries, when the bracelet snapped.
The results were instant and torturous. First my legs broke, in about three different places, per leg. Then my ribs, one rib practically shattered, while the rest cracked, with the force of impact from the bomb. My left arm was next, and when it twisted in its extremity to an almost backwards state, a bone broke free from my skin. My two wrists twisted, spraining themselves, although that was the least of my worries. My head wound reappeared in all of its glory, a big bloody gash on my forehead. And my nose felt broken, I wasn't sure if it was or not but it definitely felt broken. My heart started beating frantically, like it was trying in vain not to give up, but after a minute I knew that my heart beats were starting to slow down like crazy, beating too slow, which in upon itself terrified me, I knew then that I must have far too skinny if I felt that. My lungs were sore and it hurt to breathe. Even were I got shot was shown in it's true form, I couldn't hide it anymore, shrug off the injuries that couldn't be found.
I heard voices, screams. Taking one step forward I could barely see through a haze of pain, I moved again, knees buckling and I collapsed. Raph being closest, caught me, very much in the same way he had caught me twenty four hours ago, although this time I remained conscious and vaguely heard the words "we gotta get her to the lab! Now! She's not breathing."
Briefly I wondered if I was dying, if the shock of the injuries returning, that the bracelet had hidden, kept away, been too much on my battered body. It was then the realisation that if I died, Matthew and Jake would be left without me, something I had promised both repeatedly wouldn't happen. Panic surged through me, and then I was moving, through no choice of my own, Raph was running, taking me to the lab's infirmary. Where Donnie was going to try and save my life, while I fought internally to keep going, to start breathing, to do something! Anything!
Then there was air being blown into my mouth, in short quick puffs, from Raph's lips while Donnie frantically rummaged through his presses for the oxygen machine. Compressions were next happening at the intervals when air wasn't being supplied to me. My body was dying, it was only going to be a matter of minutes. It was then I saw his face through barely open eyes.
Matthew was staring at me, his eyes wide, and he was saying something that I couldn't make it, other than the words "you promised."
Next I heard Raph's voice, "breathe dammit, you gotta breathe to live." As if I didn't know that, as if I wasn't trying desperately in vain to breathe on my own. The compressions were starting to hurt, but they were keeping my heart beating steadily so I really couldn't complain. I saw Master Splinter, escort the others out of the room, before returning, ready to help Donnie who clearly had the most medical knowledge of the three and Raph who was a close second.
Darkness enveloped me then, surrounding me in a warm, numb blanket. But I struggled against it, and regained semi-consciousness, instantly dry heaving with Raph keeping my head turned sideways, looking relieved. 'I was breathing on my own', the realisation hit me, happily. But Donnie then approached with the finally found oxygen machine and a syringe.
Upon seeing that I was conscious, Donnie carefully put the oxygen machine on me, before injecting me with the mysterious contents of the syringe. I lost conscious immediately, however involuntarily as it was…..
Raph's P.O.V.
"Donnie" it was a simple word to yell, could have meant a million different things, depending on how I yelled it. But the way I yelled Donnie's name, it was pure terror. The type of thing that's going to haunt you for a long time. If it ever stops.
The others arrived instantly, Leo had his weapons out, Master Splinter held his cane like the weapon we all knew it truly could be. The others hadn't focused on weapons, just running towards me, only to see Amanda's truly unnatural transformation, from the way too skinny girl that we had become accustomed to, to the horrifically injured girl in front of us.
She took a slow, strained step. Her body looking like it was going to drop dead just then. She tried for a second one, before she dropped. I grasped at Amanda, barely catching her. For a nanosecond none of knew what to do, but then I followed Donnie's gaze to Amanda's chest. I waited one second, two seconds, then it became clear to me, and to Donnie, that Amanda wasn't breathing.
"Shit" I swore, "we gotta get her to the lab! Now! She's not breathing!" at that I scooped her up completely and ran, with the others following me, to the lab. I put her on table, and immediately started cpr, I started breathing into her for four counts, before starting compressions on her chest, following standard procedure, I fought to keep my mind detached Donnie was frantically rummaging through his presses, looking for his oxygen machine.
Amanda's eyes were open, I thought, knowing that meant that she probably knew what was happening. "You promised! You promised us Amanda, that you weren't going anywhere. That you'd always be there for us. What am I supposed to do if you die? What am I supposed to say to Jake? If you die it will be just us! Please Amanda, you need to stay alive!" Matthew was begging, as if that would make her breathe. Although knowing her, it would probably, she'd be fighting this if she could.
Master Splinter escorted the others out then, and barked orders to the others to comfort each other. Amanda took a gasping, rasping breathe then before starting to dry heave, I turned her head to the side, relieved that she had started breathing again. Master Splinter then joined us, as did Donnie, who had a syringe and an oxygen machine. Once Amanda had finished puking Donnie put the mask of the oxygen machine on Amanda as a safety precaution, before injecting her body with the contents of the syringe.
Amanda fell unconscious immediately , And Donnie and I set to work, cutting her out of her top and trousers, needing to see the hidden parts of injuries. The first thing I saw was ribs, I could see the outline of nearly every rib, except one. Cautiously I started feeling for it, and feeling only shattered remains, I quickly instructed Donnie, to forget about her legs. He drew the same conclusion as me, bits of her ribs had most probably pierced at least some of her organs.
That immediately became our first priority. Knowing Donnie knew way more than me about what to do with her organs, I left him to it. I didn't have a clue how to do that type of thing, so while he started cutting Amanda up and checking her organs, I got a monitor set up and a drip, and started attempting to fix her legs. Seeing that Master Splinter was helping Donnie, I ignored them.
First things first I felt for misaligned bones. Noticing quite a few, I had the task of re-breaking the bones, before aligning them properly, and casting her legs. She was going to wake up in white leggings of the cast variety, I thought ironically, before moving towards Amanda's head. The gash on her head wasn't as serious as it looked, and I disinfected it before bandaging it. Her nose was next, and again I had to carefully realign the bones, before casting her nose. Donnie and Master finished then, so while Master Splinter sewed her up and casted the cracked ribs, Donnie and I started on her arm.
By the time we were finished with trying to fix Amanda, we were exhausted. Leaving the room, we were instantly bombarded with questions.
Matthew's P.O.V.
Seeing Master Splinter, Donnie and Raph leave the lab, I felt instantly re-energised. "How's Amanda? Is she breathing? Will she live?" my questions were concerned sounding at the start but as they progressed, they started sounding more nervous. My stomach was a bundle of nerves, and I felt ready to scream, but I waited for my answers first.
"Well, Amanda's in a medically induced coma, she started breathing by herself, but I put an oxygen mask on her just in case she stopped. She will live, but she's very lucky. She'll need to take it very easy when she wakes up for a while" Donnie sounded exhausted, just like the others looked. "For now though, there's nothing we can do, but keep an eye on her."
I nodded, my relief rendering me speechless. As the others left to do various things, Mikey and I left to monitor her, allowing the others a chance to sleep, and shower.
Time skip to a week later….
Mikey's P.O.V.
"Girl, you need to wake up, soon. Everybody misses you, and I need to say sorry for scaring you and starting off what happened. Donnie took you off the stuff that put you in a medically induced come yesterday, he said that you can hear us now. So I'mma read my comic to you, in case you're bored listening to nothing. So here we go" I started reading my comic to her, making sure to use as many sound effects as I could, making it sound more interesting.
"Please mum, it's not safe. Please lets leave, something terrible is about to happen here." Amanda's hoarse voice, interrupted me, mid speech. Her eyes opened a little, so I did the first thing I thought of. I yelled :"Amanda, you're awake, yes! But wait why did you call me mum? Donnie!"
By the time I had yelled Donnie, most of the others were already at the labs doorway. Donnie walked towards us with a smile. "She's awake! That's great!"
"Mum, Granny, Grandja, everybody, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I couldn't make you leave. I tried my best, I just wish you listened. Please forgive me?" Amanda's voice was still very hoarse sounding, but I didn't care, I was focused on the words. Thinking for a second, I realised what Amanda was talking about.
"She's talking about when the place was bombed" I whispered my realisation, but I was still unsure what to do. It was seconds after I whispered my thoughts, when Matthew arrived.
But Amanda continued relentlessly, only this time she was asking for something. "Ugh, I feel awful, mum can I have one? I'm really feeling sick, I swear I'm not faking. So can I please get one?"
"She's delirious. But that's okay, the important thing is, that she's out of the coma" Donnie said, checking Amanda's temperature. "But we should think of what it is she wants."
"A hug" Matthew said softly, "she wants a mum hug. She always wants a mum hug, when she's sick, it's the only thing she could want." With that I threw my arms around her duvet clad form, giving her a gentle hug.
Amanda's eyes grew contend then, before sliding shut, a soft snore the only sound from her. Leaving the room, we all hoped that Amanda would wake up properly. And soon.
About two hours had passed, when I heard it. A crash. Figuring that meant Amanda was awake, I rushed to the room. Closing the door behind myself, I made my way to her side. "Hi Mikey, would you mind doing me a massive favour, and get me a ruler?" Complying with her order immediately, the first thing Amanda did was stick it down her leg, in a vain attempt to get rid of an itch.
"I am so, so, so sorry, Amanda! I shouldn't have made you watch Gremlins, when you said you were really scared of horrors. I didn't think you'd be scared of Gremlins 2, honestly! I didn't mean for this to happen!" I apologised all in one breath, before waiting for her response.
"Hey, it's alright. C'mere" Amanda lifted her good arm for a hug. I leaned into the hug and listened as she continued speaking. "It's my fault really, I should'a said that I knew the bracelet was hiding the injuries and lowering the pain a lot. But there's no point in blaming 'nybody, the best thing to do is move on. By the way, you give very good comic book readings" Amanda tried to lean up then, but collapsed, so I helped her.
"So you heard that? Yeah I was awesome" I smiled happily.
"But you know what would be awesome? If you made your own comics" Amanda's suggestion, struck a nerve.
"I did for a while, but the others laughed at me, so I stopped" I sat on the bed beside Amanda.
"Screw 'em, if it makes you happy, do it anyways" Amanda smiled back at me, until it turned into a devious smirk. The type of smirk, that you just know you're going to do whatever the person says, and get in trouble for it. "Say Mikey, if you grab me some clothes so I can get dressed. Please?"
"Sure thing, grabbing some clean clothes for Amanda, I made my way to her, and dumped the clothes at her side, before leaving the room so she could have privacy when getting dressed.
Amanda's P.O.V.
Getting dressed was a bit challenging, but I managed it, and knocked on the press beside me. Mikey entered immediately, while I told him the plan, he was reluctant at the start, but agreed to do by the end. Allowing him, to pick me up, we walked to the couch, were I sat, with my legs on Mikey's lap. Spotting Jake in the kitchen, I whispered his name a couple of times, before he heard me.
"Amanda! You're awake" Jake ran over to me, and immediately threw his arms around me in a tight hug. Laughing, I hugged him back, until it started to hurt my sides. While the others arrived from various rooms, I grasped my side with my good arm.
"When did you wake up? And what hurts?" Donnie quizzed me, while the others just looked happy to see me.
"I woke up fifteen minutes ago and my ribs, are sore that's all" I answered, truthfully. "So when did I become, the cast queen?" I asked hopeful for a timeframe, of how long I was out, to see how much I'd have to make up to Maggie for.
"The day the bracelet broke, and what you were hiding came to light" Raph sounded serious, "as in seven days ago. Which is why you're not supposed to be moving to much yet. And don't worry, you'll be in bed rest for a while, with at least one of us around to make sure you don't leave the bed."
"But? Can't it be couch rest? The labs so boring at least the sitting room, has a tv and more people. And I don't need to be supervised!" I exclaimed, before scratching my leg using the ruler to get in between the cast.
"You showed us you did, when you left to go be a waitress, the morning after you got shot!" Donnie sat on the couch beside me as he spoke. "Do you even realise how serious your injuries were, forget were, still are? I mean, I had to operate on your heart and lungs! Raph had to break the bones in your legs, arm, and nose, and align them all properly, you stopped breathing when that damn bracelet broke, do you understand that? You stopped breathing for five minutes, luckily though Raph knew cpr, or you could've died, Amanda! Don't you get that! You could've died, so you need to listen to us, and do what we say! Okay? No more, well I need the money, no more excuses to be walking. Nothing!"
"I, err, wow. I'm sorry for all the trouble, I've caused" I was stunned into near silence, shock overpowering all response except for hugging Jake close as he started trembling, scared at Donnie's outburst.
"It won't be any trouble, as long as you do what we say, Okay?" Donnie said, sounding calmer, not to mention saner.
"Deal, as long as I can have something good to read. I'll behave" I smiled. Jake stopped shaking but I kept on hugging him. The motion soothing not only to Jake, but also to me.
"Depends on what'cha like to read. We don't exactly have a big collection of books that most girls would like" Raph didn't even bother to try and hide his disbelief at what I said, although I couldn't really blame him, with my track record for following orders, and doing practical things concerning my health.
"I don't discriminate. People are people and books are books. As long as I get to read something with a decent plot, I'll be fine" I smiled back, finally releasing Jake from my hug. "Though if you're really stuck for good books, I'll make do with a pen and paper, I like puzzles, oh and also Sudoku. Sudoku's fun. Or a laptop with internet connection, if I get one of them I'll stay still as long as you want me to" I smiled cheerfully at the others, who were staring.
"See Mikey, I told you I wasn't the only person in the world who actually likes Sudoku" Leo's instant glee was funny. Mikey was shocked looking, while Donnie's response had me captivated.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I made you a laptop while you were unconscious. I like keeping productive, the internet's already connected. I'll go get it" while Donnie left to get my gift, Matthew caught my eye and laughed.
"You're never gonna get her to leave now, she'll be like a crazed fan-girl until the internets turned off. Plus like a million cd's are going to pop up around here. Given that you have blank cd's."
"I am not a crazed fan-girl. Ok so I am a crazy fan-girl, but I'm not that crazy. Anyway you're just mad that I never made you that cd of songs that you know I hate" I resorted, the grin on my face genuine. Donnie arrived then, with my new baby.
"Here you go" he handed me the purple laptop. Flopping down on the seat across from me, I all but ignored everyone else, typing as fast as I could with one hand. Downloading iTunes first, I then set upon getting all the other necessities. Noises were all around me until eventually I felt a firm hand on my shoulder.
"What? Do ya want me to make you a cd or something?" I glanced up at Mikey who's hand had taken residence on my shoulder.
"Are you hungry? You haven't eaten in a while. Oh and I would love a cd, I'll give you a playlist later on. Thanks" Mikey smiled like I had offered to do something incredible for him, it was nice to see and I found myself smiling back.
"Nah I'm good, thanks anyway" I resumed my activities on my laptop then, only pausing when another voice spoke to me. And it sounded stern.
"Yer stomachs grumbling, so I think it's safe to say, you're hungry. Mikey's already left to get you something to eat" Raph said bluntly, leaving no room for argument.
"Oh, I hadn't noticed. What's Mikey making? And can anybody see if there's a stronger ruler in here, I'm all itchy under these stupid casts. How long is it until I can take them off?" I started babbling, using the ruler to scratch inside the cast.
"How could you not notice? Your stomachs been grumbling for a five minutes now, and Mikey's making you soup. Your only allowed light foods for a day or two, so your stomach can get used to eating again. No, we don't have a stronger ruler, yer not supposed to me scratching in yer casts. And the casts are staying on for at least another three weeks. Now, do you like milk? 'Cause you should try have as much calcium as possible to heal your bones quickly" Raph stole the ruler from me, at some point during the conversation, I realised with disdain. Now how was I supposed to scratch those hard to reach places? My thoughts were distracted though, as soon as Mikey walked in with the soup. It smelt delicious, and immediately my stomach started grumbling loudly, much to my irritation.
"But vitamin D is needed to help with the absorption of calcium. But I suppose milks okay. Anyway, gimme the ruler back. I'm itchy and it's the best thing to get rid of the itch. Thanks for the soup Mikey, it smells delicious" I gratefully accepted the bowl, before bowing the soup, cooling it down some..
Laughter filled the lair then, as Matthew and Jake fell apart, oblivious to the curious stares they were receiving. "You hate soup" Matthew finally stuttered out after several attempts of calming down. "Remember the time, mum made us soup, and you wouldn't have any 'cause you swore you saw a pea? And because you hate peas, you avoided anything that had them. Mum was so mad, but you wouldn't have even a sip of the soup. And then once mum left the room, you were like: 'do you think she bought that? 'Cause I really don't wanna have soup.' "
"Err I can make you something else if you hate soup" Mikey offered after a second, sounding slightly crestfallen. Hovering he made to take the bowl from me as I clutched it.
"Nah, Mikey the soup really does smell great. And yeah Matthew I do remember that, you ended up having the soup, so it wouldn't end up as a waste of food" and with that I promptly stuck my spoon in the soup, before sticking it in my mouth. Masking my distaste, of the soup, which although smelt lovely, tasted horrible. "Hmm, it's great, Mikey. I'm just going to let it cool some more for a second, 'kay?"
Mikey smiled at me, totally oblivious to the fact I was lying through my teeth, and spoke. "Really?, I can get you more if you want. I made a big batch."
Panic tore through me and I fumbled for a way to say no, without offending Mikey. "Nah she's got enough there, maybe even too much, remember Amanda is supposed to be starting off slowly and gradually building her way to a regular three courses a day" Raph spoke up, effectively saving me.
"Oh, that's okay then. I'll get you some milk, like Raph was saying earlier." And with that, the bundle of energy known as Mikey left, giving me a chance to speak.
"Thanks, no offense to him, but God Mikey's soup is awful" I whispered to Raph, while he smirked at me.
"Don't I know it. But then you feel you have to have finish it, or try to anyway. It's the puppy-dog eyes. Gets to us every single time. And he doesn't even know it" Raph whispered back, not wanting Mikey to overhear us. "But if you distract him enough I can probably have around half off it. But you'll owe me. Deal?"
"Deal" I confirmed just as Mikey walked back into the room. Thinking quickly, I drank the offered milk, using it as a chance to determine the best possible distraction.
"Hey, Mikey. You want a reading?" I asked, feeling all the other conversations that were going on die out, probably everybody was curious how they worked.
"Yeah! That'd be so cool, can you tell me something cool about my future?" Mikey's enthusiasm was contagious and I had to smile.
"Kay, give me a minute", I concentrated on Mikey, feeling his story opening to me. Turning the pages, I waited for something that I could actually tell him, that wouldn't alter the future. At the next page I flipped, I found it. "Hmm, let's see, according to this page, you ended up ignoring what your brothers said about you making comics, and became the best comic maker in the world. Everybody wants to meet you, 'cause of certain things we did in the future. Oh and I love the idea of the comic, it's abso- freaking-lutley fantastic! But I will kick your ass, if you decide to add me in your comic the way you did, but I can't tell you how you did 'cause that'll change the future, and not in a good way. But anyways way to go Mikey!" I discreetly glanced at my soup bowl, which to my relief had nearly emptied.
"That's so cool! I'm going to be famous! And rich, my life is awesome" Mikey's happiness was contagious, and I along with everybody else smiled, glad to see such a good reaction.
Scooping up a spoonful of soup, I fought to keep the grimace off my face and felt immensely grateful to Raph. "Anyone else want a reading? I'm only going to do one more tonight though." Absentmindedly I kept drinking the soup, trying in vain to block out the taste.
A barrage of "do me" assaulted me, but I being me, resorted to my oldest method of choosing anything, the good old 'eanie meanie mannie mo.' Doing the chant quickly I merely smiled at Raph, when my finger ended at him.
"Okay let's see" I kept going with the soup between intervals as I flipped the page's of Raph's life-book. The fifth page I flipped to caught my eye, but not enough to be worth mentioning, it felt like Christmas, and we were all exchanging presents. Flipping forward another two pages, I nearly fell out of my seat in shock. "Ugh, I think I'm going to be sick" I was pulled away from the page as nausea overtook me. Grabbing my stomach with one hand and covering my mouth with the other, I made to stand, when Raph picked me up and ran to the bathroom as smoothly as possible. Lowering me onto the ground, I greeted my old friend the porcelain God, with an offering of the entire contents of my stomach. Raph held my hair as I heaved, and when I finished I felt weaker than ever.
"I need to brush my teeth" I said, not enjoying the taste of vomit. And as I did so a thought struck me. Finishing with my teeth, I spoke again. "Don't worry, I didn't puke about your future, in fact I saw something that I need to re-read. It's incredible, but I need time to think about it, by the way when's Leo's birthday?"
"Okay, it's official yer crazy. But at least my future isn't that puke worthy. And Leo's birthday is next month, why?" Raph's gruff demeanour was still intact, but I did detect the tiniest piece of relief. Carrying me back to lair our conversation continued seamlessly.
"I am not crazy! I'm just different. And being different is important" I was almost smiling at the recent change of conversation, but instantly my thoughts were back on Raph's reading. "And it's only a month away! Ugh, I wish I didn't know this, this will probably ruin everything."
"Change what? And why would you knowing ruin anything?" Leo's questioned as I was lowered onto the couch.
"I can't say, you'll see on your birthday. Ugh, can somebody hit me?" I requested knowing that there was a one in a billion chance of it actually happening.
"As I said yer crazy" Raph flopped onto the space beside me on the couch, allowing me to put my legs over his.
"Why would'ja want us to hit you? You're injured enough as it is?" Donnie and April spoke at the same time. But when I spotted the light blush Donnie had, I had my sneaky suspicions about what was going on there confirmed.
" 'Cause I really want to get rid of the reading, Me knowing what's going to happen will ruin everything" I pleaded. My eyelids however were beginning to feel like lead. Ignoring that I glanced at the clock, wondering what time it was. To my surprize it was already eight, in the evening. "Anyways it's supper time for you Jake. What do you want to eat?"
"But I'm not tired, and supper means that it's bedtime soon" Jake whined snuggling up to me, trying to get me to change my mind using cuteness.
"Nice try Jake. Yes it is bedtime after supper, because you're going to need your energy if you're going to be my special helper tomorrow. That is if you'll be my special helper. Okay?" I ruffled Jake's hair a little, smiling at his pouting.
"Oh! Of course I'll be your special helper 'Manda. I'll have some toast now, and then go to bed. And tomorrow I can help you just like a big boy" Jake smiled at me while Mikey left to make the toast.
Once Mikey returned with the toast and Jake finished it, I carefully hugged Jake closer to me and allowed Raph to pick me up and take me to the bathroom, so I could keep an eye on Jake as he brushed his teeth. As soon as Jake finished, we went to the bedroom and I tucked Jake in, told him a story and sang him a song. I was growing more and more tired as I went on though.
Donnie's P.O.V.
As Raph and Amanda settled back into the couch, conversations were changed from Mikey's future to something that I had given quite a bit of thought to, over the week, i.e. why the Shredder wanted Amanda, Matthew and Jake.
"So Amanda, why was the Shredder after you?" Leo got straight to the point, despite Mikey's nudge.
"Because funnily enough, I said no the first three times he tried to collect me. He did mention that there were specialists who wanted to study my powers and the reasons why I have them. Now I'm sure he wants me, 'cause the Kraang wants me, so he probably wants me for to make a deal. And Matthew and Jake are wanted as bargaining chips, so I'll do what they say. Anyways remember, I'll be at the place across from Mr. Murakami's" Amanda flung her legs across Matthew, leaning into Raph, who absentmindedly from what I could see, smiled and started stroking her arm.
"Well we know the Kraang want you, they've already tried to capture you, but the question is why. Why are they so interested in your powers? And why do we need to remember that you'll be at the place across form Mr. Murakami's" I interjected, feeling confused as to why that information was relevant.
"Your guess is as good as mine about why they're interested in my powers, and you just do okay. I'm trying to help, without changing anything important. I don't want to have to say it, but I do, or a lot of terrible things could happen" Amanda shrugged, her movements slow.
"No problem, we'll remember" Mikey was cheerful, the ever-present optimistic of our group. And I was thankful for that, despite his pranks Mikey really was the best little brother anyone could ask for.
"Maybe they have something to do with your powers Amanda?" Raph spoke for the first time in the conversation, his eyes on Amanda, trying to gauge her reaction to the possibility.
Amanda's P.O.V.
Oh God, I was so tired. I was so tired and Raph stroking my arm was very soothing. I kept silent, forcing myself to swallow the yawn, that was trying desperately to escape.
"That's a fair point Raph, that could be the reason you have your powers" Donnie was staring at Raph, something I could see clearly but had no idea as to why.
"Maybe" I shrugged again, forcing my body to go through with the movements despite how exhausted I felt. Maybe shutting my eyes for a few seconds wouldn't hurt…..
Donnie's P.O.V.
"Well if that was the case, how and why did they give you your powers. There has to be a reason they chose you. Any ideas as to why?" My thoughts were trailing from one to the other seamlessly, something that was halted by the lack of response on Amanda's part.
Glancing at her, I nearly laughed when I saw that she was completely snuggled up against Raph, using him as a pillow.
"Aww that's so sweet" Mikey said before he bolted, only to come back a second later with our camera. Snapping a few pictures, he smiled happily to himself. "I've got to add this to the scrapbook."
"You're still making that?" Leo asked sounding as incredulous as I felt.
"Delete the pictures Mikey" Raph growled sounding quite annoyed.
"You gotta catch me first" Mikey smiled before exclaiming "besides it's Amanda's first picture as part of the family. You can't take that away from her, and you know it. Besides you'll never catch me!"
With the taunt in the air, Raph stood up quickly, causing Amanda's fall. The second her body hit the cold stone floor, on the side where her arm was broken, it was like all the air had been sucked out of the room.
"Amanda!" Raph and Mikey were at her side instantly, lifting her gently onto the couch only pausing to give Matthew a chance to get up. Once Amanda was lying on the couch, I moved, quickly checking to see if any cast had broken or worse.
"I am so, so, so, so, so sorry Amanda, I took a picture of you and Raph while you were sleeping and I taunted Raph when he asked me to delete it" Mikey started apologizing and explaining what had happened.
Amanda nodded, trying to wipe away her tears with her arm.
"Sorry" Raph started wiping Amanda's silent tears away with his thumb, with more gentleness than I ever thought he was capable of. "It was my fault, I stood up while you were curled up against me sleeping."
"It was none of your faults" Amanda said quietly. So quietly that I had to strain my ears to hear her. "It was my fault, I was the one who fell asleep, and I was the one who was so close that I was probably making you uncomfortable. So it's fine really, it was my fault. It's always my fault." Amanda sounded so defeated, so bitter there, that I along with everyone else in the room, felt my heart shatter a tiny bit.
"No way, it was our fault" Mikey and Raph claimed at the same time, Raph's thumb never stopping it's gentle movements, as more and more of Amanda's tears fell.
Amanda's P.O.V.
'My God, it hurt was all I could think while Raph and Mikey apologized. Didn't they know it was pointless to apologize for something that wasn't their fault? Apparently not, as they denied it the instant I had spoken the truth. It was my fault, everything was always my fault. But why did they look so upset? It was me that was in agony, due to my own careless stupidity' my thoughts were distracting but everybody else was staring at me, apparently waiting for a response of some sort.
"I'm telling you it was my fault. Leave it at that!" I guessed, what I was meant to be replying too. When frowns were my only answer, I changed the subject. "Uh, can I have a painkiller or something? I'm kinda in agony here."
"Oh, right sure I forgot to give you them earlier on. Sorry" Donny was quick to leave to get the tablets, while April got me a drink.
Taking both as they were offered, I waited half an hour for the pain to subside, ignoring everything that was happening around me. That was until I heard Jake's cry. Immediately I poked Raph, who's lap I had been curled up on, until he noticed.
Standing up, Raph carried me bridal style, to keep my pain to a minimum until we got to the bed Jake and Matthew shared. Jake's sobbing form was the only thought I had while Raph deposited me on the bed before sitting right beside me on the other side of Jake.
"Shh Jake it's okay" I struggled to pick him up, but succeeded, immediately holding him close to my chest. Gently wiping away his tears, I continued, "I'm here, I'm here. Tell me what happened so I can make it better."
"You were gone 'Manda, it was just me and Matthew, without you, and I was scared, and those mean guys took you away, and you didn't come back. Why didn't you come back to us?" It took a lot of coaching to get it out of him, and even longer to stop Jake from crying but eventually, he had calmed enough to be able to listen to me.
"Darling, I'm always here with you, even if you can't see or hear me. 'Cause I'm in your heart like everyone else in the family, so I'll never leave you fully. Anyways I promise I wont leave you unless I have to. Okay?"
"Okay 'Manda" as Jake snuggled into the duvet I smiled, wiping his brow with my thumb until he was fast asleep. It was then I yawned. Loudly.
"Has he been like this every night?" I asked Raph worriedly.
"Yes, Master Splinter's had to come in here, 'cause none of us could calm him down. Why don't you go to sleep to?" Raph scooped me up, so I once again sat on his lap. Just then Matthew came into the room, yawning. Raph stood immediately with me in his strong arms.
Soundlessly Mathew entered the bed, Jake inhibited and promptly fell asleep, 'he's probably not been sleeping much since my injuries had been revealed' I realised.
"I can't, I still see everything happening in my dreams, every time I go to sleep. Well except for earlier on, which was weird" I whispered in fear of waking the leaving dead, aka Matthew and Jake.
"Well then sleep with me, I'm tired anyways, and to be frank, I'd prefer you in here where I can keep an eye on you" Raph sounded like he was telling the truth so I accepted his offer.
"Grab me, a pair of my jammies then please?" I requested sleepily, exhaustion evident in my voice. While Raph left to do so, I studied the bigger bed in the room, the bed I was going to share.
"Here ya go" Raph whispered, being mindful of Jake and Matthew, while handing me the jammies. As he turned his back, to give me some privacy, I struggled into the jammies.
"You can turn around again, I'm finished" I leaned forward tapping Raph, feeling the soft fabric of my green top, and their corresponding green and white plaid bottoms on my skin.
I moved over for Raph to get in the bed and as he did so, I lay down my eyes sliding shut immediately as my body curled up against his….