Update! This was super fun once I got into it. It just took forever for that to happen. lol I kind of got obsessed with a kid show. Opps. Oh, and my song of inspiration was With Love by Christina Grimmie. How bizarre is that? lol Enjoy!

"Come on," Alopex flashes her bared teeth. She crouches on all fours, a soft growl vibrating in her throat. "Come at me girl." She circles Liz, each step slow and precise. Her eyes dance with excitement. "Embrace the animal in you."

Liz swallows hard. She clenches her fists and braces herself. Her knees quake and it's a struggle not to bolt right then and there. Even after a solid week of intermittently training with Alopex Liz is still no fighter.

Alopex sees that Liz won't make a move, just like every other day since she began training the girl. So she leaps.

Liz jumps in her skin. She shrieks and scrambles backward. She swerves hard and comes up behind Alopex. She digs her feet hard into the ground and swings her tail. It curls around Alopex's fluffy tail and holds her fast.

Alopex grunts cringes at the tight pressure. She narrows her eyes and turns hard, running right at Liz.

Liz tenses, but she does not freeze. She jerks her tail into the air, winds it back, and slings with all her might.

Alopex flies across the street. She skids across the rubble ridden ground, her skin peeling back and soft red blossoming on the pure white. At the end of the line she slams into a building. Her world spins. She groans and touches her head lightly. "Damn…"

Liz gasps. She runs to where Alopex lays sprawled out. "Sorry! So, so sorry!" Liz's hands tremble as she clenches them at her chest. "I didn't-I mean, I wasn't supposed to-"

"Sheesh," Alopex slowly sits up. "How many times do I have to tell you?" She frowns up at Liz. "This," She moves her hand in a circle. "Is the whole point of training. So you don't have to be sorry."

Liz ducks her head slightly. "…sorry…"

Alopex snorts and rolls her eyes. She smiles. "Besides, that was completely and totally awesome." Her eyes light up. "Stuff like this is exactly what I want to teach you. What you need to know." She pushes herself to her feet and sways for a moment. She leans back on the building. "You sent me flying too." She rubs at her head again. "And I hit hard."

Liz bites her lip. She knows she should be proud and she is, but she can't help but feel bad too. "Are you ok?" She steps forward. She brushes her fingers over Alopex's head. Her eyes sweep over each of the red spots on Alopex's arms.

Alopex chuckles. "You worry too much." Alopex pokes at the torn skin. "I'm a mutant, remember? I'm not weak. Besides, even these wounds wouldn't stop a human. And I heal two times faster than them anyway."

Liz starts. "What?" Her heart skips a beat. "You…heal faster?" Simply because she's a mutant? Does that mean…? Do I have it too…? It certainly doesn't apply to mental scarring though. So maybe that's why she'd missed it. She wasn't physically hurt so much as emotionally.

Alopex tilts her head. "You didn't know?" She frowns. "Then again, I suppose they never would tell you something you didn't ask about. Or…" She averts her eyes. I wonder. Do they not even know? If she has guessed right, her healing surpasses even that of the turtles. Some advanced mutagen. "Nevermind." She shakes her head. "So you ready?"

Liz blinks. "Ready…?" For a moment she only stares. Then her face lights up. Right! Yeah! She nods fervently. "Uh-huh!" She clenches her fists. "Now it's time to look for him." At this point she doesn't even bother hiding the fact she is looking for a person rather than a thing.

Alopex smirks. "Then lead the way."

Liz hops to the front. She swings her arms as she speeds along. They've searched so much of the city at this point that she really isn't sure where to go next. Everywhere just feels like one big circle – a circle doomed to never intersect with the one she so longs for.

Alopex follows just behind. By now she doesn't pay much attention to their surroundings. After that first night nothing has happened. She is pretty confident that nothing ever will. Whoever Liz is looking for, Alopex doubts she'll find them.

Liz glances back at Alopex. She senses that the fox lady is rather relaxed tonight. She seems to become more so each and every night. Liz isn't sure whether to be relieved or disheartened by this. On the one hand it means she is safe, on the other it means there is no one noteworthy around…no Slash.

An hour slips through their fingers. It is nearing time to give it up. Again. Then Alopex pulls up in a stop. She freezes. Her body tenses and she clenches her hands into tight fists. Her lips curl back into a snarl and a low growl reverberates in her throat. The hair on the back of her neck stands on end. That scent. That wretched scent.

Liz starts. She sucks in a soft breath. "What is it?" She quivers slightly. She jerks her head around toward Alopex. "What's wrong Allie?" Who's here? Could it be – Bebop, Rocksteady!? Or-Or worse? Her father. Her stomach drops at the very thought. Bile rises in her throat. Please God don't let it be so.

"Someone terrible." Alopex looks hard in the direction the scent is coming from. "He hurt my family. A monster named Slash."

Liz gasps. Her heart skips a beat. She can't even be bothered to care that Alopex condemned him. All she can think of is one thing. I found him. Finally. "Which way?" Her voice is a breath on the wind. Her muscles quiver in anticipation.

Alopex's snarl grows more pronounced. "That way." She points. "So let's-"

Liz sprints. She doesn't wait for Alopex. She knows it will only cause problems. So she runs.

Alopex starts. "Liz!" She surges forward. "Stop!" She reaches desperately for Liz. Her heart beats double time.

Liz doesn't look back. She forces herself to move even faster. If Alopex catches her then there won't be a chance of her catching up to Slash. So where is he? Where is he? Where? "Slash!" She cries out for him.

There is a beat of silence. Then, "Liz!" Thunderous footsteps echo throughout the city.

Liz gasps. She nearly falls over herself in her excitement. Then she sees him. He charges into her view from an alley. "Slash!" She comes to a sharp halt in tandem with him. She stands stock still mere inches away. She opens and closes her mouth around empty words. Her breath shudders in and out and she trembles noticeably as she stares up at him.

Slash stares down at her. His eyes shimmer and his fingers twitch with indecision. "Liz…" His voice is tight and a breath on the wind.

Alopex goes rigid. She scarcely breathes. Every fiber of her being is set on edge. Yet all she can do is look helplessly on. Her past with that monster does not put her in good favor. And she's too far to rescue Liz. All she can do is hope that absolute silence and stillness will keep herself from being noticed and that by some miracle Liz is on good terms with this monstrosity.

Liz's face breaks out into a grin. Her eyes light up like fireworks. "Slash!" She leaps at him and throws her arms around his neck. She squeezes with all her might and buries her head in his chest.

Slash's legs tremble. They very nearly buckle he is so overwhelmed. "Liz," He scoops her into his arms. He rests his face atop her head and breathes in her familiar scent. He relishes in it and the feel of her tiny body so close to his, a feeling he was so terrified he would never experience again. After that. "You're ok."

Liz's breathing hitches. Small sobs burst forth and long buried tears rise to the surface. It's all she can do to keep them from spilling over.

Slash starts. He lifts his head and tilts it to try and see her face. "Liz?" His voice wavers despite his efforts. "Are you…crying?" Why? Did he do something wrong? Is he hurting her!?

Liz sniffles. "I…I just…" She wipes at her eyes. "I can't believe it. You…you're alive." She chokes on the word. "I-I thought…you…I was sure you were dead." She can't fight it anymore. The tears stream down her face and flow onto his plastron.

Slash lets out a breath. "I'm sorry." He sinks to his knees and takes her with him. "I should have been there. I should have been the one to save you. I…" He grits his teeth and his brows press hard down on his face. "I shouldn't have let them get you in the first place."

"It's fine." Liz's voice trembles terribly. She lifts a shaking hand to cup his cheek. "I'm just happy you found me now." She hugs him again. "I just…" She sniffles. "I missed you so much."

Slash runs a finger across her face and wipes away the tears. It is so much like that first night that it sends a chill up his spine. "Yeah…"

Alopex looks on in disbelief. Her eyes widen and her mouth hangs open. What…the hell? What the hell is going on? This can't be. This just can't be real. This can't be the same monster that tore her and all of Donnie's family apart. No one so coldblooded could ever love this sincerely. Her lips curl sharply downward. A low growl rips from her throat.

Slash jerks his head up. His eyes lock on the ball of white just behind Liz and his heart leaps in his throat. He tenses and draws Liz even tighter to him. His lips curl back to reveal bared teeth. "You…" He seethes. His eyes catch fire.

Liz perks. "Huh?" She follows his gaze. Oh, right. Oh, no! Her body seizes in fright and she pushes back off of him. "No, don't!" She slings both her arms out, one in each direction. "I don't know how you know each other, but please, don't fight." She pleads with her big blue eyes. "Allie, don't hurt him. Slash don't hurt her. I-I…" She swallows her sobs but she can't keep her next words from cracking, "I don't think I could take it." Her whole body shakes.

Alopex does not relax. "Are you insane?" Her eyes are wild with desperation. "Don't you know this maniac?" She clenches her hands into fists. "He's destroyed this city! And-And he tried to murder people – me included!"

Liz grimaces. It's a battle to reign in her desire to attack Alopex. No one calls Slash such terrible names. Because he isn't! He's not a monster or a maniac or any sort of thing. He's just misunderstood! And desperate to find her. So why should he be punished for that – loving to the point it's painful?

"Shut up mutt!" Slash leaps to his feet. "Just say it," He directs at Liz. "Just give the word and I'll tear this freak to bits." His eyes flash with fury.

"NO!" Liz grips her head. She digs her nails deep in the skin. She sinks to her knees. "Stop. Just…stop." She sobs. "I don't want a fight. I don't want anyone to be hurt. P-P-Please…please don't. For me…don't hurt each other."

"Liz," They say in unison. They each take a tentative step forward and reach a hand out for her.

Liz sniffles. "I just want to be happy." She stands on trembling legs. "With both of you." She looks back and forth between them. She wanders toward Slash and leans heavily into him. "I don't want to hurt anymore."

Slash sighs. He wraps an arm around her. "Sorry," He mumbles. "But I don't trust her." He throws a glare Alopex's way. "She nearly killed me before."

Alopex spites out a laugh. "Only because you tried to beat Donnie and all his brothers to death." She snaps her head around to Liz. "Did he tell you that? Huh?"

Liz's eyes widen. She opens her mouth around empty words. She shakes her head slowly back and forth. "It…" She practically gasps out the words and chokes on them. "It can't…" She drags her eyes to look at Slash. She lifts a hand to her mouth to cover it. "He…"

Slash averts his eyes. He lets out a breath.

Liz shrinks away from him. "No," She squeaks. "You didn't…you didn't!" Her eyes burn with tears. "Tell me you didn't!" Her breaths shudder out of her and her hands curl into trembling fists.

"It was a long time ago." He can only peek at her every few seconds. He can't bear to look her straight in the eye. "I…I was confused. Angry." He groans and his next words spill out in a rush. "Look, you don't understand. You don't know the things they did to me or Raph or anything."

Liz can only stare. Raph. Could it be? Was Raph Slash's 'special someone he lost'? "You…you almost killed people." She clasps her hands at her chest and bows her head to press her lips to them. "Alopex…and all her friends."

Slash scoffs. "I don't know what you expected." He narrows his eyes at her. "I told you when I met you that I could kill in an instant – kill you. You're the one who insisted I was a saint."

Liz scowls up at him. "You're not like that." She grinds out. "You'd never hurt me."

Slash snorts. "Maybe not. But that won't stop me from slitting every. Single. Person's throat that isn't you. One. By. One."

"STOP IT." She swings her fist at him.

Slash snaps his hand out and around her wrist. He catches it and stops her attack in an instant. "No. You stop it." He grabs her other hand as she tries to hit him with it too. "That mutt may be vicious, but she's not stupid. I am a monster, Liz. I've said it from day one. And you're better off with even her rather than me." He uses as little force as possible to throw Liz back, just enough to get her away.

Liz stumbles with the shove, but she manages to stay on her feet. "Stop saying that!" Her voice cracks. "It's not true. It's not, it's not, it's not." She shakes her head each time she repeats the phrase.

"Liz," Alopex steps forward. She lays a hand on Liz's shoulder. "We should just go." She tugs on Liz and inches backward.

Liz smacks Alopex's hand away. "No." She takes defiant steps forward. "I thought I lost you." She looks hard at Slash. "And I won't lose you again."

Slash sighs. "You annoying girl." He can't help but smile.

Liz's face lights up. She grins. She scampers to him and wraps her arms around his arm. She nuzzles him. "Will you be here tomorrow? The same place?" She leans away from him to peer up at his face. She blinks.

Slash glances behind him, toward the alley. "Yeah." He looks back at her. He smiles, but it is much weaker this time. "Tomorrow." He runs a hand over her head.

"Same time?"

Slash nods. "Uh-huh."

"Yay," She bounces away from him. Her eyes shine with warmth. "I'll be back then." She steps closer to Alopex. She waves at him. "And…" Her eyes glaze over slightly and her throat tightens. "Please try not to hurt people." She forces a smile.

Slash averts his eyes. He swallows a sigh. "I'll try." If only for her, he'll do it. He just can't help but wonder about that force that presses on him even now, without being here. He has no such obligations. And never did pretend to, not for anyone.

Liz frowns at the lines that slowly crease Slash's face. Something's not quite right. That much she can see. What she can't see is the reason for it. He doesn't seem to be lying to her. And yet…so much uncertainty. "Thank you." She finally breaks her daze and with a final smile turns away from him. "Come on Allie." She motions. She glances once over her shoulder, half to make sure her friend follows and half to get one last glimpse of Slash until the night comes once more.

Alopex follows after her, but much slower. She keeps a sharp eye on Slash, her muscles tensed and her claws extended. She flashes her sharp teeth at him the instant Liz is no longer watching them.

Slash glares right back at her. He clenches his fists as obviously as he can. This mutt might be Liz's pal, but one false move and that won't make a difference to him. He really will tear her limb from limb. A smirk curves his lips. Just like all those months ago.

It takes only a minute – as expected – and another set of footsteps are approaching from behind. Slash grimaces and quickly shoves the sentiment beneath the surface as he turns to face his partner. "Hey," He grunts.

Newtralizer crosses his arms and looks hard at Slash. "What was that?" He waves his arm in the direction the girls disappeared. He takes on a mocking tone as he says, "Same time, same place." He shakes his head and sneers. "I thought the deal was to ditch her." He taps his fingers on his arm. "Huh? I thought you didn't need her anymore?"

Slash sighs. "That was…" He licks his lips as he wanders in his mind for the right way to say it. "I mean, I thought she was…" He shakes his head. He can't say it. "That it was better to forget." A light springs forth on his face. "But she's ok." He motions in her direction. "You saw her. She-"

Newtralizer scoffs. "Yeah." Once more he takes on a mocking tone, "Please try not to hurt people." He barks out a laugh. "Who does she think we are? Who you are? You're a killing machine Slash." He nods firmly. "A monster. Just like you said." There is a beat of silence. "And that isn't going to change."

Slash looks hard back at him. He does not miss the words underneath. That better not change. It's no idle treat. That's for sure. Slash knows Newtralizer too well to take it as anything but a chilling promise. "I know." Slash says carefully. "Like I said. No matter what she thinks – I am a monster. And monsters kill people."

Newtralizer grins from ear to ear. "That's right." He sets a hand on Slash's shoulder. "Now let's go brother. You found your girl, so now there's nothing to distract you from what's really important – kicking Kraang butt."

Slash smirks. "You've got it brother."

…

Liz heads straight home. Alopex, as always, follows her to where she drops beneath the surface and then hangs back. She will not and has never gone any farther. For the millionth time there is no one there to catch her upon her return. She doesn't know why, but as accustomed to it as she is she can't help but feel a swell of relief at this. Then relief gives way to exhaustion, especially after tonight, and she falls heavy on the couch. A heavy blanket of sleep falls over her, lifted only come morning.

The next day is like a dream. She floats through the day. Her smile never falters from her face and she swears she gets more than a couple of confused looks. That's alright though. They won't think too much on it. They'll just be happy she is happy again. There's been so much pain after all.

And it is so. They don't come out and question her and none of them stop her once night falls. She exits the lair the same as all the nights before, only this time with her heart beating a million miles an hour. She races through the sewers and practically jumps up to the surface.

"Woah," Alopex half laughs. "Someone's excited." For an instant she really forgets why.

"Of course I am!" Liz clenches her hands and grins from ear to ear. "I get to see him again!" She giggles. "It's the best thing that's happened to me in so long." She sprints ahead.

Alopex grimaces. Right. Still, last night that monster may have been terrible to her, but he did prove one thing – he would never lay a finger on Liz. So with a sigh Alopex trots after Liz. "Wait up!" Because why Slash might not harm her, there are plenty of other creatures that will take a bite out of her in the night.

Liz slows, but only a little. Alopex doesn't really need her to anyway. She's the fastest person alive. Still, courtesy won't hurt anything. And even at this pace they reach her destination unimaginably fast. She sees him there, just like the night before. This time he is sitting though. "Slash!" She picks up her pace to close the last little space between them.

Slash smiles. "Liz," He nods.

Liz slides to a stop. For once she is looking down at him and it is oh so odd. So she plops down in front of him. There. So much better. But…it could be better. So she crawls closer, up on his lap, or more so on his one massive leg. Perfect. She tilts her head up and looks deep into his eyes. Her smile trembles, but it is out of pure relief.

Slash returns her gaze. She doesn't know it, never will know it, but his heart beats just as wildly as hers. It's so nice to see her again, to be reassured she is perfectly fine. And so close.

For a long moment all they do is stare, then, finally, Liz breathes out a laugh. "You came…"

Slash snorts. Of all the things she could say, she chooses this? "Of course I did." What a stupid girl. He lifts a hand behind her and it lingers just away from the small of her back. His fingertips graze her delicate form only every few seconds. "I said I would."

"I know." She lays a hand over his shoulder. "But I still worry."

Slash chuckles. "Me too."

Liz's eyes catch on Slash's opposite arm. She sucks in a sharp breath. "That's…" Brilliant pink stands out against his blue skin. Her eyes widen and mouth gapes slightly. Had he had it before? Had she really not noticed it?

Slash tilts his head. "Hm?" He follows her eyes. "Oh," He smiles. "Yeah, I kept it for you." He touches it affectionately. "And…" He averts his eyes. "For me too."

Liz blinks. "Slash?" Her voice wavers slightly.

Slash smiles sadly. "It was a long time." His voice is softer than it has ever been before. "I looked for you for what felt like forever. And sometimes…it was hard to keep going. I lost my faith. I believed…" He lets that strand of thought die. "Then, with one look at this…your neckerchief," He traces a finger along the rim of the fabric. "I knew I was being stupid. That I wouldn't – couldn't – give up on you."

Liz bites her lip. A sheen of tears cover her eyes. "Slash…" Her voice cracks, but it is not from sadness. "That's so...sweet."

Slash rolls his eyes. "If you say so." He reaches around and undoes the knot in the neckerchief. It flutters into his hand. "Here," He holds it out in front of her. "Like I said, I kept it for you. So you could have it again."

Liz clasps her hands over her chest. "Thank you…" She lurches forward and throws her arms around his neck. "I love you." She says it so softly she isn't sure if he heard.

Slash tenses. He grimaces. Why? Why does she have to go and say things like that? He curls his hand around her in a half hug. "Yeah…" He can't say it back though. He just can't. It's too risky.

Liz pulls away from him. She wipes at her eyes. "I'm so glad I found you again." She takes the neckerchief ties it snuggly around her neck. She peeks down to try and see if it looks just right, but it is impossible to see without a mirror.

"It looks fine." Slash reads her mind.

Liz perks. "Huh? Oh. Thanks." She smiles shyly.

Slash snorts. "It's nothing."

Alopex stands to the far side. Her arms are crossed over her chest as she watches them through narrowed eyes. She doesn't like this. Her tail swishes out of restlessness. Something isn't right here. She feels…something. There's someone else here. But…who? Where? And most importantly, why?

Liz glances away from Slash and notices Alopex's uneasy movements. She frowns. Maybe… "Allie," She calls.

Alopex starts. She swivels, tensed and prepared to do anything.

Liz laughs. "It's alright." She waves away Alopex's reaction. "I just wanted you to come over here."

Alopex raises a brow and makes a face full of disgust. "I don't…"

"Come on," Liz holds out a hand. "I know you can't want to wait over there like that all night."

Alopex grumbles beneath her breath as she stalks forward. Her hands clench and she keeps her intense golden eyes pinned on Slash.

Slash returns her hard look. The fox may be over the moon for Liz, but who knows what she might do to him if given the chance.

Liz scoots off of Slash so that she sits next to him. "Come on," She pats the spot besides her. "Sit with me Allie."

Alopex groans and slowly sinks to the ground. She hunches her shoulders with the force she puts behind crossing her arms. She scowls, this time only at the ground.

"Allie," Liz says in warning. She shoots Alopex a sharp look. "Don't be like that." She tugs at her friend's arm. "This is supposed to be nice…fun."

Alopex barks out a laugh. "Yeah, fun."

Slash nods stiffly. "I agree."

Liz blows out a breath. "You guys," She whines. "Please, just talk to each other. I mean," She reflexively tucks her hair behind her ear, forgetting that it is no longer there. "You all aren't that different." She flinches before they even speak.

"WHAT?" They roar in unison. "I am nothing like them!" They each point vehemently at each other. They bare their teeth and lean forward, inches from jumping one another.

"Stop!" Liz throws her hands out between them. "You are so stupid." She looks back and forth between them. "You hate each other so much that you can't see how similar you are. Both of you – fighters, unwilling to compromise, intent on ostracizing yourselves from the ones you love 'because they're safer that way', and most of all, most importantly…you both care about me."

Slash and Alopex averts their eyes. They hold their silence.

"Don't you see that?" Liz searches each of their faces desperately for an inkling of understanding.

Slash lets out a breath. "You can't erase the bad blood. Not between us. Especially not since I created her."

Alopex gasps. She chokes on air. "What?"

"That night. After you attacked me, you lost your mind. Right?" He raises a brow.

Alopex controls her breathing. She realizes he does not mean her mutation and her muscles relax, even if only slightly. He means the time he attacked Donnie.

"I turned you into a monster. Just like me."

Alopex's ears fold down. She grimaces. "That's…" She scratches her claws against the concrete out of nerves.

"I watched you." He says solemnly. "You killed so many people."

Alopex drops her eyes to the ground. "I didn't…" She draws inward. Her voice weakens. "It wasn't me."

Liz's heart aches as she watches the torment flash over Alopex's face. "Slash!" She snaps. "Stop it! You're hurting her!"

"Sorry," He says with indifference. "But that's why. She won't ever be able to like me or even tolerate me. It's my fault." Just like everything else.

Alopex shakes. "How dare you?" She seethes. "Invalidating the actions I took. Acting as if you controlled it all. I did it. I choose to attack you. And because of it I suffered. You just happened to be the one I tore apart."

Slash looks her over. "It doesn't change things though, does it?" He raises a brow at her.

Alopex sighs. "No…" In the end, she supposes it doesn't matter. She hates him, it doesn't matter why. It only matters that nothing will ever change that, not even her love for Liz.

Liz shrugs. "Ok." She looks to Alopex. "Then Allie," Alopex nods. "Give me just a minute, alright?" She smiles painfully. "We can go in a minute."

Alopex nods. She stands and moves far enough so that she is no longer intruding, but close enough to act at a moment's notice. She can't take her eyes off of them.

Liz faces Slash. She offers a smile, but it is tight. "Sorry," She lets out a breath. "I didn't mean to ruin things." She has a knack for that it seems.

Slash snorts. "You didn't ruin anything." He smirks. "That's what I do."

Liz rolls her eyes. "Stop that. Stop being so hard on yourself. Even if," She bites her lip. "Even if those things are true…what you did…you shouldn't say you're a monster." She reaches out and lays her hand over his. "You may not be perfect, but you're good person." Good to me.

Slash shakes his head. "You're too kind, really, you are."

"So you always say." Liz grins as she imitates Slash's tone. In the next instant she sombers. "But, um, I…have to go now." She smiles weakly. "But I'll be back tomorrow, ok? Every night."

Slash nods, slowly. He tilts his head and his brows furrow as he looks thoughtfully at Liz. "Where do you go?"

Liz starts. "What?"

"When you leave. Where do you go?" He frowns. "Are you really safe?"

Liz chuckles. "Don't worry. Alopex protects me, always. She'd never let anyone hurt me." Liz nods and slowly rises from her place on the ground. She lays a hand on his shoulder. "And besides, I'm not so weak anymore." She grins. "I can fight. A little anyway."

Surprise flashes over Slash's face. "Is that so?" He smirks. "Looks like that little girl I found is all grown up."

Liz swats at him. "Oh shut up."

Slash catches her wrist in his hand. He stands. "But the world is dangerous, very dangerous. Do not get cocky." He looks hard at her. "Be careful Liz." He unfurls his hand. "You may know a few moves. But you are no fighter." He shakes his head. "You're…not like me."

Liz lets out breath. "Yes, I know." She grimaces as she remembers all those instances of bloodshed. All the red. "But I don't need to be. I have her." And the turtles. She shifts from one foot to the other. But she can't tell Slash of them. They are clearly at odds, even if only on the turtles' side.

Slash senses deceit. Her eyes are a bit too dim and she is shifting uneasily. But he has no idea where it originates. So he lets it go. "Don't let her go then. Never leave her side. Understand?"

Liz nods. "Yes." She steps back once. She smiles affectionately. "Goodbye now. Till tomorrow."

"Yes." Slash averts his eyes. He's here. Just beyond vision. Great.

Liz turns and makes her way to Alopex. Ashe glances fleetingly over her shoulder and notices the strange look about Slash. She frowns. What could it be? Maybe she should ask.

"Liz," Alopex calls.

Liz starts and the thought falls away. She looks back at Alopex. "Coming." She trots the rest of the way. She holds her hand out.

Alopex chuckles. "You're such a child." She takes Liz's hand despite her chiding. They turn in tandem and walk away. "So we're doing this again tomorrow, huh?"

Liz drops her eyes to her feet. "Uh-huh," She frowns. "Look, Allie, I-"

"Oh stop it." Alopex waves Liz's words away. "I know the way you feel. It's…" She scowls into the darkness. "The way I feel about them." Leo, Mikey, Raph…Donnie.

"Thank you Allie." She forces a smile. But the damage is already done. The mood is ruined. And so they walk the rest of the way in silence, hand in hand.

Slash does not move. He stares after them just like the night before, waiting for the inevitable.

"Unbelievable." Newtralizer shoots daggers with his eyes. He turns hard and plants himself inches from Slash's face. "I thought I told you. I told you to stop this madness."

Slash glares back at him. "And I told you, she makes no difference to the things we do, the things I do. I will stand by you and fight against the Kraang."

"Will you?" Newtralizer sneers.

Slash growls deep in his throat. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what that means." Newtralizer shifts the gun in his hand, pointing it toward Slash. "Right now it's small, innocent." He waves his hand flippantly. "But even small things are distractions. And those nasty little boogers take the fight away, bit…by…bit."

Slash knocks the gun to the side. "It won't. Happen. I'll keep fighting, just the same as always. Better. And I will also keep her, at least at night."

Newtralizer looks long and hard. He scrutinizes every inch of Slash's face. Then it clicks. A smile curves his lips. "I see." He nods. He takes a single step back, leaving room between them.

Slash narrows his eyes further. A chill races up his spin. He doesn't like the gleam in Newtralizer's eyes. It's a look far too much like the one present during their battles. "Good." Slash clenches his fist and raises it, right up in Newtralizer's face. "Then that's enough talking about it."

"Yes." Newtralizer lifts and hand and presses it down on Slash's. He slowly pushes Slash's hand away from his face. "We monsters never were very good at talking anyway." He raises a brow and tilts his head. "Were we?"

"No." Slash stares for a long moment, his thoughts whirring. Then he turns away from Newtralizer, turns his back on him.

Newtralizer sees the chance he is given, but it is not one he wants. He knows what he wants. And what he wants, he always gets. He'll just have to be a little patient is all. So he quickly follows, falling into stride with his brother. "How bout a late night romp?" He grins. "What say you brother?"

Slash hesitates. He realizes too late his mistake. Still, he can't just remain silent forever. "Sounds delightful."

…

Liz walks without looking. She steps with ease through the once terrifying passages of the sewers. But what's there to be afraid of? No one lives down here. No one but the turtles. She turns and glimpses the little light peeking out from the area where they live. Nearly there. She does not creep like the night before. She sweeps into the lair and prepares to jump the turnstiles. But stops dead. She takes in her surroundings for the first time and yelps and jumps as she sees a figure before her. "R…Raph?" She lays a hand over her heart. She chuckles nervously. "You scared me."

Raph looks hard at her. He crosses his arms over his chest and stares her down. "What the hell do you think you were doing?"

Liz ekes out a nervous laugh. "Just, midnight stroll." She tucks the hair that is no longer there behind her ear.

"Bull." Raph takes a firm step forward. "You went up to the surface again, didn't you?"

Liz averts her eyes. Mistake. That's a tell-tale sign of deceit.

Raph sighs. He throws his hands into the air. "Liz," He turns and paces back and forth in front of her. "What the heck is wrong with you? Do you want to be killed?" He stops suddenly and pivots, pinning her with his sharp eyes.

Liz flinches at the verbalization of a terrible reality. "No…" She narrows her eyes and jerks her head up to scowl at him. "But I'm not going to be!" She nods firmly. "I can take care of myself."

Raph barks out a laugh. "Are you for real with me right now? You can't fight. Not even a little." His expression softens. "You have the scars to prove it."

Liz instinctively brushes her hand across the now invisible wound on her arm. She grimaces. It isn't the only one either, she knows. "Scars just make a person stronger." She says stiffly. Does she really believe that? She doesn't have to. She knows he does believe it and that's all that matters.

Raph snorts. "You're not me." He shakes his head. "So don't pretend to be. Be you." He reaches out to touch her cheek.

Liz smacks his hand away. "The real me is pathetic." She glares.

Raph starts. His shock transforms to anger in a heartbeat. "What the hell? Why would you say something so stupid? Just because you aren't a fighter doesn't mean you aren't perfect."

Liz starts. The resentment vanishes and her narrowed eyes widen. "I'm…" She shakes her head. "Not." She blows out a breath. "In a world like this," She waves her hand to indicate the world around them. "There's no room for people like me."

Raph growls deep in his throat. "Enough." He seizes her wrist. Before he can say another word his eyes catch on the faded pink around her neck. His eyes widen and his brows furrow. "What's that?"

Liz blinks. She too loses her thoughts. Wasn't he about to yell at her? "What's...what?" She peers down and then it hits her. Oh no. She opens her mouth to protest, but Raph has already beaten her to the punch.

"That." He jabs the garment. "That isn't part of your outfit. And you did not have it when we brought you here that first night. So where. Did you get it?" He dares her to lie to him.

Liz's heart skips a beat. She can't tell him. Not the truth. But she was never a very good liar either. "I..." So she lashes out. "It's none of your business!"

Raph growls deep in his throat. "Like hell it isn't. Anyone you screw around with up there is every bit of my business. Because people up there are going to hurt you."

A chill of knowing races up her spine, but she does not let the fear reach her expression. "Maybe. But he won't."

Raph sucks in a soft breath. "He?" He repeats, more than a little unnerved by the presence of another male in her life. One he does not know. Could he be...is this guy her significant other? The thought is surprisingly unsettling.

"Yes, he." She smirks. The sentiment feels strange on her lips and she wonders if it looks just as strange. "Got a problem with that?" She raises a brow.

Raph searches her face for a long moment. Then he scoffs. "You know what? I don't care. Think what you want about yourself and the people up there. Hate yourself. Love them. Whatever. But don't you dare go out there and put yourself into a situation that you can't handle." He looks deep into her eyes.

Liz stares back, trapped for a moment in time. Then it is broken. She rolls her eyes and twists her hand out of his. She walks past him and leans in close to whisper, "Good luck stopping me." She doesn't wait for a retort. She keeps going, all the way over to her place on the couch.

Raph blinks, her breath coiling around his neck and very nearly paralyzing him. He shakes his head and composes himself, turning hard on his heel. He scowls after her, but she is already so far away that he can't say anything without yelling and alerting the others. "I don't need luck, girl."

…

For all of the next day the two pointedly avoid each other. Normally she would conveniently show up while he was eating or wait patiently at the couch until Raph meandered over 'just because he felt like it' to sit with her. But today Raph doesn't dare venture to the couch nor does she enter the kitchen. Luckily Mikey brings a pizza out which he gladly shares with her. Thankfully she was in a pizza mood.

Then the night comes. She retires early, just as always. Only this time she is on high alert. Every sound causes her ears to prick and her muscles to tense. She tries her best to appear sleeping, but she is sure that for the one person who matters it does not work. She hears footsteps, four sets, but she knows deep down she is not alone. He will be there. She can feel it in her very bones. Still, she can't wait forever. She refuses.

So she rises. She walks with quick steps, her arms swinging powerfully at her sides. Maybe if she runs she can beat him. She flips over the turnstile and stops dead. He's here.

Raph steps out in front of her. "You're really going to do this?" He crosses his arms.

"You know I am." She does not shy away from his intense gaze. She clenches her fists and plants her feet firmly in place.

Raph raises a brow. "Really?" He grins. "You're going to try and fight me?" A laugh bubbles on his lips. "Look, I'm a trained ninja. I've been fighting since I could walk. And what about you?" He waves a hand at her. "You got mutated a few months ago, and have chilled here ever since. No training."

Liz's cheeks burn a deep red. She fumes. "Then prove it."

Raph blinks. "What?"

"I said. Prove it." She looks hard at him.

Raph snorts. "I am not fighting you. I don't want to hurt you. Ok?" He steps forward and grabs for her arm.

Liz takes a quick step back. She scowls.

"Come on," Raph says through clenched teeth. He leaps for her. This time he finds traction and clamps on – hard. He jerks her toward him, inches from his face. "I won't let you get hurt."

Liz breathes heavily in and out. She searches his face for a long moment, then she acts. She dips her head forward and captures his lips against hers.

Raph freezes. His eyes widen to the size of bowling balls and the air rushes from his lungs. He searches desperately for a thread of logic in his mind, but all his thoughts have scattered. His brain is wild with confusion.

Liz kisses him gently. He tastes odd, but not bad. She very nearly loses herself in it. Then her mind snaps back into place and she pulls away. The instant her lips leave his she snaps her tail up smashes it into his face.

Raph doesn't have time to react. He is sent flying across the room and slams into the unforgiving concrete. He groans. He lifts his head and his world tilts, his stomach flipping with the severe vertigo.

Liz takes slow, precise steps in his direction. She towers over him, tilting her head ever so slightly as she looks down on him. "Rule number one," She wipes her arm across her mouth. "Never let your guard down." She smacks his in the stomach for extra insurance.

Raph gasps and rolls over onto his side. He clutches at his stomach. Pathetic. Get up! He screams it to himself. But the shock mingled with the intensity of the pain leaves him blank. Her tail…it is much stronger than it looks.

"I told you I was going." She turns on her heel, her tail trailing like a cape. "And I'm stronger than you think." Once she is sure he can't see her face she lifts her hands to her lips and her cheeks light up. Her lips continue to tingle from the ghost of a presence he left there. She shakes her head. But there's no time for such nonsense! She breaks into a run. Shock has him in a stranglehold right now, but when that wears off he will be hot on her heels. So she hurries to meet Alopex and see Slash for yet another time, an event that she swears will continue from now until forever.

Raph moans. He rolls over onto his back and stares at the ceiling. "Damn…" He lays a hand over his cheek. It throbs. But more than anything his mind hazes with the buzz of the mark she left on his lips. He has to go. "Gotta go…" He says it, but he doesn't move. Not until it is too late.

Liz breaches the surface panting. "Come on," She latches onto Alopex, faithfully waiting just the same as always, and drags her along.

"Whoa! Hey!" Alopex pulls back hard. She digs her feet into the ground. "What's the rush?" She chuckles and raises a brow.

Liz shakes her head. "Just…Raph…"

Alopex stiffens. Her ears fold flat against her head and her lips curl back to reveal bared teeth.

Liz ducks her head. Right. She remembers that part of the history – bad. "Look, it's nothing. I knocked him flat so he isn't too close. But he will probably come after me, so we gotta go." She looks meaningfully at Alopex. "Allie…"

Alopex sighs. "Fine. As long as I don't have to see that jerk again." She shoots into a sprint. "Let's go!" She barks over her shoulder.

Liz jumps and scrambles into action. "Allie! Wait up!"

From the shadows a pair of yellow eyes spy their every move. This will be the only chance. He knows how the brute Alopex is. When she starts fighting she can not be beat. So surprise is his one and only element. He tenses within the shadows just ahead of them. His hand grips the trigger. Then a pink blast lights up the night.

Alopex isn't looking ahead of her. She keeps her eyes on Liz, a grin twisting her lips at the distress on Liz's face. Does the girl really think she'd leave her? "Relax, Lizzie, you-" A blast of energy hits her square in the chest and she is thrown backward, falling in a heap on the ground.

Liz shrieks. Her hands shoot to her mouth. "Allie!" She dives to Alopex's side. "Allie, are you alright?" Her heart pounds in her ears and her breaths come too fast.

Alopex spasms as electric shocks course through her. She grasps uselessly at her chest, as if trying to stifle bleeding. But there is no blood, only blackened fur and a searing pain that will not dissipate. She tries to speak, but it comes out garbled.

"W-What?" Liz hands jolt forward and back in her indecision. She wants to help Alopex, but she isn't sure if that will get her shocked too. "I-I can't understand you." Her throat tightens and tremors wrack her body. Tiny sobs swell in her throat.

Distantly she registers it, the sound of something approaching. Footsteps. But she doesn't consciously hear it until they are directly in front of her. She sucks in a sharp breath and jerks up head up. She shrinks back from them. "W-Who are you?"

"Oh, that's right." His lips twist in a sinister grin. "You don't know me. But I know you. Very well." He stares down at her fragile form with a malicious glint in his eyes. "They call me, the Newtralizer."

Liz whimpers. She scoots farther back. Her eyes lock on the weapon hanging from his back. Gun. Her thoughts fly at a million miles an hour and panic sets in. "P-Please…" She shakes her head. "D-Don't hurt us."

Newtralizer barks out a laugh. "Don't hurt you? What do you think I've already done to your little friend?" He nods to Alopex, still twitching a few feet from them. "And if I can take her," He stalks closer to her. "Then what makes you think you have even the slightest chance?"

Liz screams. She scrambles to her feet and puts her tail into motion.

Newtralizer catches her tail between two hands. He clenches it, lifts her off her feet, and throws her against the wall.

Liz yelps as her head collides with brick. White explodes across her vision and pain rockets through every tendon. Her head pulses and electric pain radiates from the center of it. She pushes herself up, but her arms quake and are not enough to hold her. She collapses in a heap. Sobs burst forth from her even as she bites her lip to stifle them.

Newtralizer snorts. He closes the distance between them. "Pathetic. Just like I always told him." He towers over her. "And there's no room for weakness. No room for you, little girl." He seizes her by her neck and lifts her high above him.

Liz gasps. She claws frantically at his hands, but even her sharp extensions don't make much more than a scratch. She kicks and even swings her tail, but she has no strength after being thrown like a ragdoll.

Newtralizer snickers at her futile efforts. "But," He clenches tighter around her pretty neck. "I never was one to kill in cold blood. No," His lips twist into a devilish grin. "There's much more in store for you. And it's going to get me the most deadly weapons imaginable."

Liz's vision blurs and her spinning head begins to settle into nothingness. Her lungs scream for air as the blackness creeps in at the edges. "A…" She reaches weakly for Alopex. Then it all fades to nothing.

Newtralizer smirks. He loosens his grip. "Just like that." He slings her over his shoulder and turns to go.

"Don't. You. Dare." She forces herself on all fours. Each muscle aches with the exertion.

"Oh," Newtralizer cocks a brow. "So you're still conscious, are you?" He grins. "You really are made of some tough stuff. I'll give you that much." He changes his course and heads for Alopex. "Which reminds me," He grabs his gun from his back and points it between her eyes. "I can't have you running off and telling your little friends about this. Oh no."

Alopex growls deep in her throat and scowls with her all her might, but they are weak sentiments in the face of the electricity still coiling in her body.

"So you're coming to." He pulls the trigger and sends another purple blast at her.

Alopex howls as another wave of intense electricity rockets through her. She slumps and her consciousness ebbs. It's too much. She can't hold onto the tiny threads of reality. She gives into the bliss of no pain and it all goes dark.

Newtralizer slings her over his other shoulder. "Women." He scoffs. "Nothing to it." He walks off to meet his buyers. A self-satisfied smile curls his lips. Won't they be excited to here his new two for one deal?

The long awaited Slash-Liz reunion has happened! But of course I can't ever let things stay happy. :P And things aren't looking good now, that's for sure. What did you you think of it all? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please review!