I do not own the TMNT.

Chapter Twelve; Where Words Fail

Kit was behaving normally again, but this time it wasn't so much of an act. She was laughing more often now and spent less time in her room. The time she did spend in her room was no longer spent in guilt and grief, but in studying and growth. Although there was still pain it was a necessary pain, she had lost an important part of herself that needed a long time to heal. But the infection was cleared and the healing had begun.

Today Kit and Mikey were more or less sitting on the couch, they both tended to get very active during video games. "Forget it Mikey! There is no way you're getting past me now!" Kit unconsciously tilted to her right, mentally and physically encouraging her character to turn faster.

"Watch me! Nobody has beaten me at this game yet and I'm not about to let you now!" Mikey was half standing, his shell hovering about an inch above the seat cushions.

"Eat my dust!" Kit's character sailed past the finish line just far enough ahead of Mikey for the computer to register it. The music played and Kit smiled broadly as her name was entered into first place.

"No! It's not possible!" Mikey hit the floor on his knees and threw his hands in the air, "NO-O-O!"

"Ha-Ha Finally!" Raphael cheered.

Mikey was begging Kit for a rematch when the stone elevator doors opened. April and Casey came through.

"Hey April! Case man!" Raph called, "What's up?" The lair was soon filled with the sound of the humans being greeted warmly.

It wasn't until everyone had come out to see them that Casey finally explained what he had come for. He turned to Kit and cleared his throat importantly. His eyes darted off to the side and April nodded encouragingly. "Uh, Kit, I, uh wanted to say I'm sorry, for being kind of stupid the other day. And since I'm no good at words n' all I figured it'd be best if I did something. Ya know?"

"You're right Case; you're not good with words." Raph muttered. A heavy shoe landed on the turtle's foot. Raph pulled the injured limb free and glared at April.

"I think I understand Casey, and I'm sorry for chasing you off like that." Kit apologized sincerely.

"Hey, I kind of, no, I really deserved that. So, I uh, did some pokin' around and found you some stuff." He handed Kit a large business envelope.

Kit's ears perked with curiosity as she took the package and started to open it. She stopped and looked up, "Uh, guys, I can't smell anything but your breath right now. Either back up or tick-tack. Maybe both." She sniffed and eyed Mikey. "Yeah, both." Mikey, Donnie, Raph and Leo backed up a step. Master Splinter smiled; it was very good to have Kitrian back to normal.

Kit undid the strap holding the flap of the envelope down and carefully pulled out a picture frame. The photograph was covered with papers and newspaper clippings. The paper on top was a missing child poster, the text described a twelve year old runaway and the picture was of a face Kit use to see in the mirror every morning. Her ears gave a confused flick as she carefully removed that picture.

The article underneath announced the graduates of an esteemed law school, the name Laura Thompson appeared in the third column. Blinking rapidly Kit carefully looked through the rest of the papers; she could feel a hitch in her breath

There was a series of clippings describing a legal case of domestic abuse; the prosecuting attorney was Laura Thompson. The jury ruled in the prosecution's favor.

A brochure for a women's leadership conference, Laura Thompson was listed among the guest speakers.

An article on a Women's retreat in Wheatland, Wyoming, again Laura Thompson was listed among the guest speakers, but this time she was listed first. A small smile played over Kit's featured as she skimmed the papers, her mom had moved up in the world, just like Kit knew she could.

Another series of articles describing more legal cases, time and time again the jury ruled in her favor. The last article described how a businessman had hired her as his lawyer. Kit hesitated before slowly peeling this last article off of the glass covering the photo.

A familiar face smiled up at her. Kit smiled back.

"Whoa, what a hottie!" Smack, Snap! SMACK! "Ow!" Mikey whined.

"Yeah," Kit muttered, "She was, wasn't she?" A lump formed in her throat, Kit missed her mom and hated having to miss the past two years, but she was also so proud. Her mom, the lawyer, the hero.

An interesting thought wriggled its way into Kit's mind, Laura Thompson could never have afforded to go back to law school with a child to support. A knot in Kit's stomach that had been there for more than two years loosened up as she realized that her leaving had been for the best in more than one way.

Absentmindedly, Kit rubbed her thumb over where the woman's dark brown hair met the frame. A moment later Kit took a deep breath and carefully placed the papers back on the photo, then slid the photo into the envelope. "Uh, listen, Kit, if you don't like it…" Casey looked like he expected a kick in the gut for more insensitivity on his part.

"Shut up Case, you did good. Thank you, really." Kit had to jump a little, but she managed to get her arms around Casey's shoulders for a decent hug. The hug caught Casey by surprise and he actually stepped back in shock. When Kit released her grip she fell almost a foot back to the floor. Although there were tears in her eyes, Kit was still smiling. "Thank you."

A sniffle came from beside and a little behind Kit. She turned to see Mikey wiping his eyes with a cloth. Raphael angrily jerked his mask tails from Mikey's grasp. "That's just so beautiful." Mikey squeaked. Before anyone could figure out whether he was trying to goof off again or was truly touched by the scene he threw one arm around Casey and the other one around Kit. "Group hug!" With grins and shrugs April, Donnie, Leo and Master Splinter joined in. Casey laughed and pulled Raphael over as well.

Wow, that got warm and fuzzy…Hope Kit can still breathe…

See, Casey can do research too! (Ignore the April behind the curtain)

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