A/N: I'm not hugely happy with this chapter, but stuck for ways to improve it. I'm mainly worried that I've gotten Angel OOC towards the end. So-o-o-o, grab your red pens everyone and set to picking this chapter to bits! Seriously, any thoughts on this one will be hugely appreciated, especially the bad an' ugly ones! Though if you do have something good to say about it ya can chuck that in too! lol!

In case anyone's wondering I haven't seen any of the episodes from the toon with Renet, so she's based on her first appearance in the Mirage comics in this. I get the feeling she's a little less ditzy in the toon.

Many thanks once again to CPQ for beta-reading, and to The REAL Cheese Monkey and The Incredible Dancing Betty for the reviews!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the TMNT, or any related characters (much to their relief, I'm sure!) If there is anything else in this story you recognise from somewhere else, then I don't own that either.

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"We have babes an' beer, all we need now is the cake an' the music!" announced Mike, once everyone had been introduced and Renet finally exhausted her monologue, briefly at least. Leaping up he raced into the kitchen, Leo turning out the main lights as everyone gathered in the dining area. The table was already burdened with a huge assortment of food and snacks, though a large space at one end had been left clear.

Mike quickly appeared back in the doorway, carrying a huge rectangular cake. It was easily six inches tall; coated in white icing with green pipped around the top edge and down the corners. On top of the cake the phrase 'Happy Eighteenth Birthday!' was written in more green icing, above four smiling portraits created using different coloured marzipan. As a final touch a small green candle shone on each corner; from the amount of dried wax gathered down the side of each they had obviously been used before.

"Don't forget to make a wish!" reminded Mike before the group broke into song. Raph paused for a moment at the end of the discordant chorus before joining his brothers in blowing out his candle.
"You ok?" asked Tausha, resting a hand on his shoulder, a little concerned he was still recovering from Renets' landing.
"Yeah." he smiled back, wrapping an arm about her waist to give her friendly, side-long hug, though Tausha found herself caught by the intensity of his gaze for a moment. The look was broken as Angel affably punched his opposite shoulder.
"Happy birthday, big boy!" she grinned brightly.
"Uh? Yeah…, thanks." he smiled back distractedly, not sure where to look as Tausha stepped away to allow others to get to the table.

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Splinter was sat on the top step of the stairs leading to the second level, a small bottle of saki to one side and plate full of crumbs on his lap. He had chosen this seat as it still gave a good view of the lair whilst being as far from the blaring speakers and bright, flickering lights as possible. It never ceased to amaze him that, in recent years, his boys had managed to find more good friends and more extravagant ways to celebrate this day each time it came to pass. With a melancholy smile he realised his boys were doing the inevitable; growing up.

Watching the interactions below Splinter felt a little conflicted. Proud his sons had found such a good group to support them; with none of them really left wanting for attention from the girls as most seemed happy to move about the dance floor the dojo had become, sharing friendly hugs and laughter with all. Only Angel was a little hesitant, tending to hang back near the couch until she was dragged into the fray for a tune or two before retreating again.

However, with such attention came temptation. Whilst Splinter would never begrudge his sons the opportunity for a close, caring relationship, he did worry they would simply become frustrated more than anything else. Friendship was one thing; was there really a chance of his sons finding more? Would it cause friction if only one or two managed to do so? And what if one did achieve such a connection with a girl, only to find they were physically incompatible regardless? That was the possibility Splinter dreaded the most, if only for the emotional devastation such an occurrence would wreak on any of his sons...

"Ah, you have found a spot that's relatively insulated from the assault on the senses here. Do you mind if I join you?" Professor Honeycutt interrupted Splinters' musings, as he ascended the stairs.
"Of course not, my friend." Splinter assured, shifting his tail to make room on the step beside him.
"I fear my auditory receptors will require a recalibration tomorrow!" lamented Honeycutt as he sat. Splinter nodded in agreement, wondering himself if the driving beat and synthesisers that every tune seemed to emulate would ever cease ringing between his ears after tonight.

They watched the commotion beneath them for a few minutes. Mike, managing to leave Renet talking with a slightly befuddled looking Gen, cavorted his way over to Angel to drag her back onto the dance floor. Usagi and Leatherhead were engaged in conversation over by the table, snacking on more cake. Raph and Casey started some friendly fisticuffs, seemingly over who got to dance with April next; if they had bothered looking for an excuse at all. Splinter chuckled as he noticed April turn her back on the ruffians, rolling her eyes resignedly, to join the trio dancing behind her.

Before April joined them the three had been positioned in a loose triangle, happily chatting as they danced. However, Don soon took the opportunity to pair off with April, leaving Leo and Tausha together. They didn't touch until Tausha grasped Leos' shoulder, preventing him from leaving to break up the tussle between Casey and Raph. After a moment of earnest discussion Leo nodded resignedly, Tausha giving his arm a quick knead as they started to move in harmony again.

"I don't suppose we can hold any hope that they will tire of this shortly?" Honeycutt queried, tongue in cheek.
"I am afraid not." confirmed Splinter "I doubt any of us will get much sleep tonight. I only hope I am not too fatigued to see the lighter side things in the morning. I must confess I am dreading the state the lair, and most likely my sons, will be in by then." he admitted with a wry smile.
"Whilst I am grateful for the invitation tonight, I'm not sure my circuits can take much more. I hope you and your boys won't be offended if I return home shortly. I will come back to help with the recovery operation, and to fetch Leatherhead, in the morning."
"Not at all, my friend! That actually sounds like a good course of action. However, please don't feel you are obligated to assist with cleaning the lair tomorrow. That responsibility belongs to my sons. The difficulty will be in ensuring they are willing, and able, to fulfil the task."
"You are welcome to join me, if you wish." invited Honeycutt "At least you would have some peace and quiet this evening, though I will understand if you do not wish to leave. This is an important event for your family, and I can appreciate you feel the need to watch over your sons."

Splinter pondered for a moment. "Perhaps it is time I let go. My sons have proven themselves capable time and again over the past few years. If I cannot leave them to enjoy such a night in the company of trusted friends…"

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"Alright." Leo turned to address his brothers sternly after the door to the tunnels had closed behind Splinter and the Professor "I hope you understand that this means Splinter trusts us to be responsible. I don't want to find anyone floating face down in the pool in the morning or anything like that. So don't do anything stupid!" He waited, hands on hips for agreement from his siblings.

The three shared a mischievous look before rushing their brother. Mike distracted him by crunching his half-full cup of beer upside down on Leos' head.
"Arrgh! Let go! I've gotta go wash this off!" protested Leo, desperately wiping his eyes clear of the drink to see where his brothers were carrying him.
"Don't worry Leo, we've got ya covered!" grinned Don. Leo realised his fate a second before it occurred.
"NOO! DON'T…"
'SPLOOSH!'

Coughing and spluttering Leo surfaced in the pool, ready to give his dear brothers the lecture of a lifetime. The sound of fierce yells from his family made him look up in shock, just in time to duck back under the water to avoid being landed on as Raph and Mike grabbed Don and launched themselves shell first into the water.

"Heh! I think that was a hint for ya to lighten up, Leo!" laughed Casey as he and Usagi helped their sopping friend from the pool. Leo answered with a dark look, too mortified by the grins and slowly shaking heads of the others stood around to bother with his lecture just now.

Tausha braved the wet floor to stand, arms crossed, above Raph and Mike as they hauled themselves out of the water; prudently not offering a hand to help.
"Idiots." she admonished with a grin and shake of her head. Luckily she managed to read the evil grin they shared, gaining a good head start with a shriek. Despite that only a few seconds passed before she was grappled to the floor by over 300 pounds of soggy, laughing turtles.

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Tausha made her way over to sit heavily on the step, between Angel and the keg, the colour in her cheeks caused by more than just her exertions on the dance floor.
"Augh! These shoes are killin' me." she muttered, slipping off her high heels with a grimace "At least I'm dry now… s'pose I should be thankful for that! Darn lugs!"
"So…, how did you meet these guys?" Angel asked over the top of her cup of cola. Tausha looked up from rubbing her ankles with a smile.
"I had a run-in with Raph. Guess I'm kinda lucky I survived the first few times we met. Damn glad of it now though, he's a great friend. I dread to think where I'd be if he hadn't convinced his family to let me stay here. You ok?" Tausha asked as Angel coughed wetly after taking a drink.
"Yeah. You say you're living here?" asked Angel incredulously.
"Yeah." grinned Tausha before her look turned a little melancholy "For now anyway."

"Oh. So you're moving out." Angel confirmed bluntly "For a moment there I thought you meant you were living with 'em. You know, like a girlfriend. You an'… Mike seem pretty close." Tausha tried to suppress a giggle.
"Mike? Nah. He's a great friend too! Love 'im to bits, but I think I'd end up killin' 'im if he were my boyfriend."
"You do flirt with him a lot, I've seen ya." Angel pointed out brusquely.
"Heh, yeah. It's just in good fun though. He knows as well as I do it aint gonna lead anywhere. 's funny, but that's probably part of the reason we take it so far! I'm only stayin' here till I can get home. Knowing I'm gonna be leaving the country as soon as I can, I don't think gettin' a boyfriend would be a smart move just now."

Angel nodded sagely, digesting the facts as Tausha stretched her arms and legs out in front of her with a groan.
"What's the deal with you an' Raph, then?" asked Angel guardedly as Tausha relaxed.
"Huh? Oh…, he's like my best friend. I find it really easy to talk to most of the guys. But with Raph, we can talk about anything really!"
"D'ya make him laugh?" Tausha paused, her smile slowly dissolving to give Angel a quizzical look.
"Sometimes." she answered slowly "Though I think I've made him cry sometimes too…"

"What's your deal with Raph?" Tausha asked cautiously after a long moment of thought. Angel grinned smugly.
"He's one of my best friends too, we talk heaps, but I've never hurt him." she stated definitively.
"Oh…, I'm… glad to hear that." admitted Tausha uncertainly before she stood.
"I think I need another beer. Do ya want one?" she asked a little too brightly.
"Nah. I'm good with this, thanks." answered Angel, holding up her cola. With a nod Tausha bent over to fill her cup from the spigot.

"She's got le-e-egs…" Mike tried to imitate ZZ-top, off key, as he and Raph approached the keg. Tausha straightened abruptly, tugging on the bottom of her skirt in embarrassment as Mike giggled. His mirth shared by his brother for a moment, before it was cut off by a sharp elbow in his side.
"Ow, Raph!"

"How ya holdin' up?" Raph asked Tausha, after filling his own cup; joining her stood to one side as the extra colour slowly left her face.
"Yeah, fine thanks. I just hate wearing heels an' stuff, can't run fast enough in 'em!" her tone carried a note of reproach despite her smile. Raph managed a slightly contrite grin, Mike cutting off anything he might have said as he bounced up beside them.
"Hey guys, finally got a chance to chat to ya both without 'fearless' overhearin'. I've been wonderin', when the heck did you get to see Tau in that dress before, bro?" Both Raph and Tau eyed him askance for a moment, before sharing the look.
"Uh…, why do ya need to ask us both that?" queried Tausha.
"Heh! 'Cos I know with you here I have a chance at getting some kinda answer! So c'mon, spill it." Mike grinned wider at their darkening glares "You don't want me comin' to my own conclusions and sharin' 'em with everyone, now do ya?"

"I can think of one way ta shut ya up!" Raph growled. Tausha sighed resignedly, grabbing Raph by the arm to stop him approaching Mike any further.
"Hehehe! So I am right, you have got somethin' ta hide!" Mike giggled, stepping back out of harms' way.
"NO!" protested Raph "It's just none of your damn business!"
"Hey, it's not that big a deal; is it?" Tausha asked Raph seriously, moving to stand partly in front of him to gain his attention and halt his advance on his brother.
"I guess not…" Raph muttered, dropping his fist; though he still treated Mike to an evil glower.

Tausha searched Raphs' face with an uncertain smile, waiting till he nodded slightly to turn back to Mike.
"It was months ago, the second time we met. We weren't even friends then. Heck, I hadn't even realised he was a turtle!"
"You hadn't?" Raph asked in disbelief. Tausha shrugged, with an apologetic grin.
"I hadn't gotten a real look at ya at that point. I thought you were just another street thug. Heh, when I think about it I can still feel the point of your sai." she rubbed the side of her neck absently "I seriously thought I was a goner that night!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa…" Mike patted the air to interrupt the odd expression Raph and Tau were sharing "You threatened her?"
"Yeah…, well she still had my damn sai that she'd stol…, ah…" the dark look and raised eyebrow from Tau was enough to make him rethink "um…, 'borrowed'. Heh?" he grinned hopefully. Tausha accepted the revision with a grudging smile.

"So you see, Mike? Nothing to hide." she turned back to Raph with a genuine smile this time "Though I'm glad you don't mind me wearing this again, given the circumstances last time."
"I'll say!" Mike exclaimed 'You do look hot in it! Heh, so even Raphie-boy can think an 'enemy' can look sweet? You did say that you always thought she looked good in that outfit, didn't ya?" teased Mike, the vivid blush he got from both serving to egg him on further "Though I'd say the rest of us have caught up with ya in 'enjoying the view', bro!"

Mike had already tensed, ready to leap out of range of the bloody murder his brothers' eyes were promising. However, Tausha surprised them both by turning to Mike with a dirty grin of her own.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that…" she said whimsically, sharing a cheeky, conspiratorial smile with Raph as Mike misinterpreted her statement as she'd expected; the 'thunk' almost audible as his jaw hit the floor. Raphs' anger was quickly usurped by smug satisfaction at seeing Mike lost for words, for once.
"Are…, are you sayin'… he's seen you… naked?" Mike finally whispered, his voice lost under the beat that was still pounding from the speakers. However, his meaning was easily read from his lips and bug-eyed expression. Raph beamed at Mike, he'd figured what Tau was actually referring to, but was enjoying having his brother gape at him in awe. From her massive grin it was clear Tau was having fun with this too.

"You lucky, little…!" Mike was lost, searching for the right insult, when to Raphs' disappointment Tau decided to explain.
"Heh heh. I didn't say I was na…"
"You lying bitch!" accused Angel with vitriol; she'd risen from sitting on the step. With a snarl she threw her cup of soda at Tausha before storming off towards the kitchen. With a quick side-step Raph hooked an arm around Tau, blocking the cup and the worst of the splatter with his shell.

"What the hell was that about?" he growled, glaring after Angel. Tausha stopped him stalking after the girl with a strong hand on his arm.
"Wait! It was my fault, I should have realised…"
"What? She threw a damn cup at you. How the hell is that your fault?" Raph demanded shortly.
"It's because I was… flirting with you guys. I think she… likes you." Tau mumbled hesitantly. Raph frowned, confusion adding to his anger.
"Of course she does, she's a friggin' friend…" Tausha rolled her eyes.
"No. I mean she 'likes' you."

Raph looked at Tausha blankly for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Yeah right! She may do some stupid stuff every now an' then, but she's not that nuts!" he wiped his eyes, recovering quickly from his mirth as he noticed Taushas' sour expression.
"What?" he demanded.
"If you don't believe me why don't you go in there and ask her yourself?" challenged Tau, arms crossed.
"I'll be going in there alright…" threatened Raph, reaching back to ineffectively wipe the sticky mess from his shell, a chill dribble running down the back of his calf reminding him of it.

Tausha pulled him back from stalking off again, her earnest look silencing his protest.
"Don't be angry with her. And if… just know whatever happens, it's ok by me." she said quietly.
"Huh?"
"Just go in there and talk to her, and be nice!" Tausha ordered sternly. Raph grimaced, perplexed, before making his way over to the kitchen door whilst muttering evil things concerning the dubious sanity of females. Mike had watched the entire exchange with interest, and he noticed Taushas' lip tremble slightly before her face set in a stoic mask as Raph turned back. Tausha firmly pointed his way through the door mouthing 'Nice'. Shaking his head Raph followed her direction.

As soon as his brother disappeared Mike saw Taushas' mask slip as she gazed forlornly at the empty kitchen doorway.
"You ok?" he asked gently, slipping an arm about her shoulders. Taushas' sudden over bright smile didn't reach her eyes.
"Yeah! 'course! Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, I just didn't think you'd be too happy if he got together with Angel."
"He's my best friend Mike. I couldn't very well say that if I was willing to stand in the way of…" Tausha faltered as her voice cracked slightly, Mikes' sympathetic expression proving he wasn't buying her performance at all. With a ragged sigh Tausha settled for burying her face on Mikes' shoulder, grateful for the gentle hug he gave in return.

"Is everything ok?" asked Leo as he approached. Taushas' head shot up, giving Leo an embarrassed grin as she knuckled her eyes.
"Yeah." Mike assured "She's just a bit tired, that's all. Hey?" Tausha nodded in agreement.
"Oh. Alright th…, ugh! What's happened here?" Leo grimaced as he extracted his foot from the sticky pool of cola on the floor.
"Heh! Angel had a little accident. She and Raph are fetching some stuff to clean it up now." Leo shot his brother a dubious look. He didn't get to voice his suspicions over such unusual behaviour from Raph as Renet lurched into him.
"Teehehe, I love beer! C'n I have another one?" Renet giggled, shoving a crumpled cup against Leos' chest.
"Don't you think you've had enough?" Leo asked coolly.
"Uh uh." Renet shook her head vigorously "Please? Pretty please? Pretty please with sugar an' almonds' an' sprinkles an'…" Conceding in the hope of ending the tirade Leo filled two fresh cups, handing one to Renet. He succeeded in gaining a moment of quiet as she took a gulp.
"So, Donnie told me you would know when you guys are heading to the beach next. I'd soooo love to go to the beach! Could I come with sometime, huh, huh? Pleeaase…"

Mike giggled as Leo sighed in exasperation and walked off, Renet in tow. However, his face fell back into concern at Taushas' unusual expression. He seriously couldn't tell if she were about to laugh or cry.
"D'ya know what we need now?" he prompted with a light squeeze of his arm still about her shoulders. Tausha shook her head.
"Cake and saki!" Mike grinned cajolingly, glad she laughed lightly as she nodded. Mike guided Tausha up the step and over to the couch before dashing off to grab the dessert as quick as he could.

Settling on the sofa next to her, he handed over a huge slab of cake before refilling the saki cup she'd just emptied. They sat in silence for a moment, until Mike had to ask,
"So…, has he really seen you naked?" Tausha eyed him in surprise, her fork still wedged in the side of her mouth. Slowly she finished her mouthful before giving a small, humourless laugh.
"No. I have shown him most of my tat though." she admitted quietly. Mike sighed hugely in relief.
"Heh, knew it! He's still a lucky, little… deceitful snot! Ya know, he'd be telling me you've kissed him next!" Mike speculated with a cheeky gleam in his eye. Tausha laughed uncertainly before downing her drink and becoming hugely engrossed in eating her cake.

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Raph stalked through the door; slowing as he spotted Angel hunched facing the far corner, and at the grainy feeling of the sugar and flour scattered liberally under his feet. Picking his way cautiously, so as not to step in anything worse, he made his way over to stand behind the girl.
"So what's your problem?" he asked, trying not to sound too gruff. Angel half-turned to treat him to a filthy look.
"Like you don't know." she pouted sarcastically, turning her back on him again. Raph snarled silently, his hands already responding to his urge to throttle the girl. Remembering what Tausha had ordered he forced himself to take a deep breath and relax.
'Nice. Gotta be nice… why do I gotta be nice?' he thought to himself. His confusion clearly showing itself on his face he hesitantly asked,
"Do you… 'like'… me, or somethin'?"

Raphs' frown deepened as he started to think she was just gonna ignore him, when she shocked him by spinning and planting a hard kiss on his lips. His first reaction was to jerk his head back, but her arms instantly wrapping about his neck in a fierce grip prevented that from breaking the contact. His brain reeling in shock his body responded to a deeper instinct, based far from his head.

Gently grasping her shoulders he returned the kiss, the tingling in his gut turning to heat and the start of an uncomfortable sensation of pressure that had become all too familiar lately. Gradually his brain recovered, though it still seemed dazed. The most coherent thoughts it was producing ran along the lines of 'this could be bad, or this could be good…'. However, his final verdict was cinched by the feeling in his chest. It was weird; whenever he'd kissed, hugged or heck even looked at Tau the heat he felt had burnt its way up to his chest. This time it stayed localised below his abs, leaving him feeling strangely hollow within his ribs.

Gripping Angels' shoulders tightly he managed to extradite himself from the kiss.
"Does that answer your question?" she asked cheekily.
"Uh huh. Look, I'm sorry, but… this aint gonna happen." he stated, part of him mirroring the confusion in Angels' eyes at his refusal.
"Why not? You got someone else?" demanded Angel, her fingers digging into the top of his shoulders.
"Ah, no. It…, it's kinda hard to explain… And besides, you're still a kid!" he blurted, relieved his brain was finally helping him out.
"No I'm not!" seethed Angel "I'm gonna be fifteen next year! And all my friends have boyfriends anyway." she glowered. Raph took a step back, grasping her wrists to hold her away slightly. He'd known she was young, that was part of the reason he hadn't suspected she'd felt this way at all; but that young? The revelation was an effective cold shower.

Starting to feel anxious Angel tried a different tack, smiling coyly.
"I know you liked it. And you know you're not gonna get many chances like this. So what's the problem, huh? You are a man under that shell, aren't ya?" she teased.
"Yeah!" Raph snapped "Uh, well I am male…, but that doesn't change the fact you're a kid. Do you even know what you're talking about?"
"Yep." purred Angel, stepping closer "Or at least, I could find out about it with you…"
"Uh uh, no way!" Raph jumped back, almost losing his footing on a greasy patch of the floor.
"Then why did you kiss me?" demanded Angel angrily.
"What? You kissed me!" protested Raph, too busy trying to figure what he'd just stepped in to evade the stinging slap Angel dealt his cheek before she stormed past him.

Mike and Tausha watched Angel stalk past, heading straight for the elevator. As soon as the door closed behind the girl Tausha made her way over to peer into the kitchen, just as Raph made it to the entry nursing his assaulted cheek.
"You ok?" she asked, softly touching the back of his hand resting on his face.
"Yeah." he assured with a doleful look "I don't think it's gonna work with Angel." Tausha tried to give a sympathetic smile, though it was a little too wide to be convincing.
"I need a drink." muttered Raph with an uncertain grin.
"Me too." agreed Tausha, nodding a little too vigorously.