Confront
Leonardo's POV
Sometimes you're given the opportunity to face your failures. The only trouble is, my latest failure is a bitter woman who wants nothing than to see my brothers and I far away from her. I know I let her down but I'm sure there's something I can do to make it up to her. Molly seems to be convinced that time will help. I'm not sure how much time she has or if it will be enough for that matter...
Molly faced the largest turtle in the barn. The only light streamed in through the windows. It was spacious and full of the smell of wood and hay. She stretched out her muscles and carefully memorized the architecture around her. Ropes and chains hung at various places. There were areas boxed off for where farm animals would have resided were there any. The upper level held a great deal more hay. There were cobwebs everywhere to mark how little the barn was cleaned. She had politely declined the others joining in to watch. Raphael eyed the brace on Molly's wrist.
"You sure ya wanna do this?" He inquired. "I ain't sure yer in the condition to be fightin'."
"There's no improvement if I don't work at it. I obviously can't spar with someone at the gym since that's quite a few hours away." Molly replied.
"What about April?" He offered.
"April isn't my patient." Molly rolled her shoulders back a few times. "I want to try a session combined with sparring. If you have your concentration divided, it may be easier to express yourself."
"Only if yer good at keepin' up." The turtle teased.
"It doesn't hurt to try." She held her fists out and slid into a wide stance. Knees loose and ready for movement. "Come at me." She saw hesitation. "If you want to go easy on me, then do so. Either way, it will help keep me on my toes." With that, he moved in with a swing to her left. She leaned back to dodge, sweeping her left leg behind. She shifted her weight downward toward the ground as she curled her left leg back with the right leg following suit. Hands placed on the floor, she bent her elbows and kept her upper body upright as if preparing for a handstand before pushing her elbows straight and extending her legs to catch him under the chin in one quick flow of motion. Raphael stumbled back after the hit and rubbed the back of his hand under his chin with a sneer. By then, she had thrown her weight over to complete the flip and immediately turned to face him.
"Alright. Lucky break." He said. Molly smiled.
"Perhaps." She replied, shaking out her injured wrist. The throbbing was a bit irritating but she would have to suck up her risky decision to put weight on it. "Has the hostility toward your brother been better as of late?" She asked as she began to run toward him. Leaping off her right foot, she swung her body around and extended her free leg for a leaping kick. This time, he was prepared. Right arm rose to block the forearm as the left hand followed in a windshield wiper motion to grab her by the ankle. Her swung her to the right, taking advantage of her momentum. Strength, still held back so as not to cause injury.
"I danno what bothers me more." He growled, following her with his eyes as he turned to see where she landed. "His bossing me or his mopin' around." Molly immediately threw her left shoulder to the right to spin her body upright. She landed in a crouched position and briefly extended her sore left arm to steady herself.
"Does that make you want to fight him?" She asked, rising to a standing position.
"Makes me want to knock out that bitch who keeps lookin' at us like we're freaks!" He was already charging by the time she had stood and brought a swing of his left fist quickly followed by another swing with his right completed with a side kick aimed to her chest as he shouted the word "freaks." She managed to step back to the left to dodge one swing and dodged again, straightening herself out which resulted in his foot making contact. She flew back and landed on the ground with a grunt.
"Why is that?" She breathed, pushing herself up. She rolled out of the way in time to avoid the fist that came down as he had followed her as she flew back. She swung her legs over head and threw herself into a crouched position, facing him. She pushed off her legs with all her strength as he stood upright.
"All Leo is tryin' to do is fuckin' apologize to her and she's givin' him nothin' but shit." He replied, looking up in to see that she was in mid leap with an elbow heading toward him. Before he could react, she made contact with his right cheek. Again he stumbled, but she landed into moving legs, following his movement and threw a low kick into the left leg that was holding his leg mid-stumble. Down he went crashing.
"How does that make you feel?" She inquired, backing up. Growls were emitting from the falling turtle and she knew what was about to come. He slowly rose with his fist clenched and a snarling look on his face.
"Angry!" He yelled, charging again with lightning quick punches. It was everything she could do to dodge each coming blow. "Every time we wanna help someone, the thanks we get is them freakin' out on us or throwin' shit at us! Why are we even helpin' anyone if that's all we get in return?"
"Do you think you deserve gratitude?"
"After all we've done for this world, that's the least we should get! I don't wanna keep hidin' just because I'm a mutant! I hate being cut off from the world just because we're different. We didn' ask to be! We saved the world and they still fear us like we're going to eat them!" She knew blocking would be a bit painful, given his size and strength. She ducked under a punch and scrambled past him, heading toward the other side of the barn. "I'm not a fuckin' monster!" He managed to grab her by the shoulder and threw her back.
"Woah!" Again, Molly went flying. This time she was going backwards and could not halt her momentum. She crashed into a bale of hay and winced at the faint pain that throbbed on her lower back. Shaking her head and pushing herself up to stand, she stumbled a bit to the right. Raphael was panting, a look of guilt on his face.
"Molly! I-" He stopped himself and shook his head. "This was a bad idea. I-I guess I am a monster."
"No." She sighed rubbing her back with a grin. "I was pushing it. You aren't a monster." She approached him stiffly and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're just a lonely teenager reaching adulthood. The loneliness of being an outcast is a frightening feeling so that anger becomes the mask to hide that vulnerability. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be appreciated for what you do. You and your brothers carry a very large burden on your shoulders. Thank you for looking past the hurt and anger enough to see a reason to save humanity." She murmured.
"Yeah...Whateva." He rubbed the back of is head.
"I think it's time to eat something. I've had enough of getting my ass handed to me." Molly chuckled.
"Yeah." They turned to exit the barn. "Since when do psychologists know how to fight?"
"I was trained in Tae Kwon Do ever since I was six years old." Molly explained. "There was also extensive combat training in various forms of martial arts when I first entered the ranks in the agency. After I earned my bachelor's degree in Psychology, they sought me out due to my professor's recommendation. There was an accelerated course to get my doctorate while I started the combat training. It's the only reason I was able to obtain my license and Ph.D at twenty-four. I've been with the agency since."
"You could use some more trainin'" Raphael goaded.
"I think I did pretty good fighting against a professional mutant ninja." She hmphed in return. "I got in a couple of good hits, after all. That should count for something." They smiled at each other as they headed toward the farmhouse.
Leonardo slipped through the living room among the snores of his brethren. It was two in the morning and sleep was eluding him. As he stepped outside, the light of the moon seemed to shine a path as if guiding him to a secret place. He obliged and traveled away from the farmhouse until he was surrounded by nothing but trees deep in the woods. The eldest brother slowed his breathing as he let himself melt into his katas. Each move done with grace and precision. Before he could let is mind go to the rhythm of movement, a sound alerted him that he was no longer alone. He continued through the motions for a few more minutes before the owner of the sounds approached him.
"Oh...it's you." Lexa spoke from a distance, clearly disappointed.
"Were you expected someone else?" Leonardo continued through each form, not letting her presence affect his form.
"Molly usually goes for a walk if she can't sleep at night. She's usually an insomniac." Lexa replied. "I heard someone leaving and figured it was her."
"She went to bed." He stated. "She didn't get a lot of sleep last night and she was a bit sore from sparring."
"Sparring? With who?"
"Raph."
"Which one is that?"
"The big one in the red mask."
"WHAT!?" She quickly approached the turtle. "She could have been hurt!"
"Why are you coming at me like I had any say?" He inquired, halting his kata.
"I thought YOU had a handle on your barbaric brother!" Lexa shouted, jabbing him in the plastron.
"Molly wanted to spar with him." He arched an eye ridge.
"How could you let her?"
"She's a grown woman who makes her own choices. Why are you so upset?"
"Because you and your brothers are causing trouble!" She spat. "Dragging Molly into your lives is the worst thing you could be doing for her!"
"Woah! We didn't drag her in. She came to us. We aren't her keepers. If she wants to see us, we can't necessarily stop her."
"It's that red head, isn't it?"
"April?"
"She always jumps for that bitch."
"I don't know what issues you have with her but April is a good person. I'm sure you'll come to see that."
"Ha!" The blonde shook her head. "Why should I believe the words of a mutant? Especially one who can't even keep his word?"
"...I tried to-"
"TRIED?! You want to see what trying did?" Lexa lifted her shirt to show where the rest of the scar on her left collar bone ran. Leonardo immediately averted his eyes to protect her dignity, a hot sensation on his cheeks. "Are you too cowardly to see how you ruined me!? LOOK AT IT!" Slowly, he let his eyes fall on her scar. It extended between her breasts and wrapped around her right side. He looked away again, gritting his teeth. Now she was in his face, shirt dropped back in place. "This was your doing."
"I'm sorry..."
"Is that all?" She laughed. "You RUINED me! That wasn't the only external damage. My legs are covered in scars. My head has a fucking plate in it! My muscles are damaged and I can't taste anything anymore. I lost my job because of you!" Taking a deep breath, she became silent for a moment before hissing out. "The only thing I have left to live for is Molly. If you or your brothers or your fucking bitch of a friend causes her any harm, I'll kill you. Every last one of you. You won't be taking her away from me."
"She's not in danger."
"Oh? You think your little trip to the agency hasn't caused any suspicions? She was at risk the moment she stepped in to see me."
"That was her choice and she would have gone with or without us." Leonardo sighed. "She wouldn't have gone this far without us. I'm sorry I messed up six months ago but this time around, we got it right. You're here and she's safe."
"Big words from a freak who keeps empty promises."
"What do you want from me?"
"There's nothing you can give me. I don't want anything from you." She backed away slowly with a smile. "What I would like to see is you knowing what it's like to have everything precious taken away from you until you have one thing left that is constantly at risk for disappearing. Then, I'll be satisfied." The blonde turned and left him without another word. He stood in silence, staring at the ground as he processed the conversation that just occurred. With a deep inhale, he recommenced his katas until the slightest hint of dawn winked through the trees.
"Leo's still sleeping?" Donatello inquired from the breakfast table. "That's not like him?"
"He didn' come in til six." Raphael grunted over his scrambled eggs.
"Dude looked pretty heavy, bros." Michelangelo added with a mouthful of food. The brothers sat in the kitchen with a solemn air about clock on the microwave blinked 11:00. They knew something was off with their brother but could not make sense of it.
"He usually acts out by over training. It's not like him to withdraw." Donatello noted.
"I betcha it's that little bitch settin' him off." The bigger turtle sneered. "Woke up to her comin' in a few hours before he did."
"So what? We ask her if she said anything to upset Leo?" Michelangelo queried.
"I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be in the mood to share." The purple cladded turtle shook his head. "Especially to us."
"Why not try me?" Molly suggested, entering the kitchen with a yawn. "Lexa's been giving big brother some trouble?"
"We're not sure." Donatello replied. "It appears so."
"I'll see if I can talk some sense into her." The brunette rubbed her lower back. Raphael smirked.
"Still hurtin' from your ass kickin'?"
"You had the advantage of not being injured and your mutation gives you a greater level of strength." Molly hmphed. "I held my own perfectly fine. Were you a regular man, I would have had a better chance."
"Sure."
"All of that aside, is Leatherhead awake?" Molly inquired, pouring herself a coffee.
"He's in the cellar right now trying to put together a CT scanner. It should be done by the evening." Donatello replied. "We set up a little area for a laboratory last night. Once everything is completed, we can run diagnostics to get a better idea of what we're working with."
"That's much quicker than I expected." She breathed raising both brows and pouring another cup of coffee. "I'll go check on his progress and give him some joe." She carried both mugs with her out of the kitchen.
"I don't think helpin' that Allie bitch out is worth all this trouble." Raphael growled. "She hasn't even said one word of thanks."
"I don't think we're likely to get that from her anytime soon." Leonardo mumbled entering the kitchen.
"Leo! Finally decided to join the world of the living?" Michelangelo stood and gave him a slap on the back. "Woah! Dude! Are you alright?" He noticed the look of pure exhaustion on his brother's face.
"Yeah. No offense but ya look like crap." Raphael added.
"Didn't sleep much." The eldest brother yawned and sat at the table.
"Hey, what's goin' on wit you?" Raphael demanded. "One day yer up our asses and the next, yer goin' off on yer own."
"I was just training. You could stand to do more." Was the reply.
"Don't play that game wit me!" Raphael slammed a fist on the table. "You've been actin' funny."
"Don't worry about how I'm acting. Right now we need to figure out what we're going to do about these super soldiers the E.P.F is trying to make." Leonardo straightened up all business. "I wouldn't be surprised if Bishop sent them our way before long."
"We have some time if they are in the testing stages." Donatello affirmed. "We could probably have Molly keep us up to date on their progress."
"No. We're not going to involve her in this. That will put her at risk." Leonardo stated.
"Are you kiddin'?" Raphael snorted. "She's already in the thick of it."
"With Bishop involved, it's only a matter of time before he figures out our connection with her. We should probably stop seeing her altogether."
"Why the sudden concern for her safety?" The purple cladded brother inquired. "I'm thinking she's been careful up to this point."
"Look, we don't know how much Bishop even knows. He could be aware of her seeing us and waiting for the perfect time to strike." He shook his head. "For all we know, she could be in cahoots with him."
"Paranoid much?" Michelangelo slurped his milk. "This is Molly-O we're talking about."
"Right, but we also have to look at this objectively and consider every possible risk. She works for an agency that would like nothing more than to see us locked away in a lab."
"I'd like to see 'em try." Raphael grunted. "April trusts her. They go way back."
"I know but we never know 100% if someone is safe for this family or not."
"Maybe you should get some sleep before considering who is out to betray us." Donatello suggested. "I get your concern but you're not exactly thinking at your clearest when sleep deprived." Leonardo sighed and stood. Without a word, he left the room. He knew his brothers had reasons to question him. He wasn't even feeling like himself lately. If only he could pinpoint why.
A few hours had gone by and Molly sat on a lab table, sipping on her coffee as she watched the large alligator mutant fiddle with parts of the CT scanner. She swung her legs back and forth, enjoying the moment of silence. Leatherhead looked up briefly to study the brunette. There was a lot of relief for her overcoming her initial fear. He couldn't help but feel awful whenever someone looked at him as if he were about to devour them. His appearance was good enough reason but it didn't make it hurt any less.
"I may have this finished within the next two hours." He notified her.
"I really must thank you for working so diligently." Molly smiled as she brought the mug to rest on her lap. "You really have a finesse for these things, don't you?"
"I have the Utroms to thank. They taught me." He said almost sadly as he thought about his old family.
"Utroms...Ah! I think April described them as...something along the lines of a talking brain." She still had a lot of difficulty visualizing those creatures. "So they raised you?"
"Yes. They taught me everything I know."
"It must be lonely with them gone."
"I wish I could have joined them but the brothers have been wonderful company."
"Why don't you stay with them?" Molly asked, taking another sip of coffee.
"It is not safe for me to stay too long." Leatherhead hesitated. "I cannot always control my anger." Molly could sense something deeper within the statement.
"Perhaps, we can find a way to help you cope with whatever may cause your anger." She murmured. "I would love to help."
"Thank you but I wouldn't want to burden you."
"Well, the offer is always on the table." Molly finished her coffee and hopped off the table. "Would you like another cup of coffee?"
"I am fine, thank you." The alligator did his best to show a smile that didn't look too frightening. Molly grinned at the attempt.
"I'll send Donatello your way." She went up the steps of the cellar. As she closed the door behind her, she saw Lexa walking down the hall. "Lexa!" The blonde turned.
"So that's where you were." She smiled and approached the brunette.
"Have you found an opportunity to speak with Leonardo?" She inquired as the smile faded from Lexa's face.
"Maybe. Why?"
"I'm sure you have some catching up to do. He must be thrilled to see that you're alive."
"No thanks to him."
"Lexa..."
"Look. I put the freak in his place." She snapped. "He thinks an apology can fix his fuck up. I don't even know why he's here. We don't need them, do we?"
"It's nice to have them around in the event we are found. What do you mean you put him in his place? He was concerned about your safety."
"Is that why he abandoned me? Left me to die?"
"From what I know of him, he probably wouldn't have left you if he had a choice in the matter. Need I remind you that you are dealing with a teenager? Would your expectation be as high if it were a 17-year-old boy?"
"None of them act like 17-year-old boys."
"They may be very resilient to the horrors of their surroundings but they are still very young and have so much more to grow. I understand that his inability to save you that night has left you with a lot of anger, but attacking him is not going to help. They are trying to help you and I think these boys are your best bet."
"You are the only reason why I'm letting these creatures 'help' me." The younger woman hissed. "I don't trust them. I'm not going to like them and I refuse to forgive Leonardo. I hurt his feelings? Good. That's nothing compared to what I went through."
"You've become such an ugly person, lately." Molly murmured as she brushed past her. "Go on, then. Hold on to your hate. I'm not going to be around to watch it."
"Molly!"
"Those turtles have been through their fair share of trauma. Yet they still possess the ability to want to save the very people who shun them...who fear them...I don't know the extent of your injuries." Gritting her teeth, Molly looked at her former lover. "I can only tell from what I have seen so far that you carry severe emotional damage. You were gone for six months. No call...no letter...Nothing. What happened? Where were you? I didn't want to ask you until you were ready to talk about it but...God! You're not the same person."
"If I were...Then what would happen with us?"
"I can't go back to that."
"We don't have a job frowning upon our relationship anymore."
"It's not that."
"Oh. I get it." Lexa offered an empty smile. "I'm a monster now, right? You wouldn't able to stand the sight of my body."
"Stop it." Molly whispered. "What we had was platonic. It was always platonic. There may have been a brief moment when I felt deeper but that was just a glimmer of time that we can't have back. You had a temper back then and I had no patience for that from anyone. Right now, that temper has turned into hate. You know very well that I have little tolerance for that." Lexa reached out for her but she backed away. "Stop."
"Mols, I-"
"We will find a way to cure you and then, I can't see you anymore. I'm sorry, Lexa, but I can't be with someone who hates someone just because they are alien or mutated."
"Molly!"
"Those turtles...Leatherhead...Splinter...They're wonderful. They are good inside and you won't see that. I understand you can't and I get it but when they are helping to save your life, I hope you can find some part of you to feel gratitude for what they are doing for you."
"You're choosing them over me."
"What, are you five? Have you been listening to me?"
"You're choosing them over me."
"You know what?" Molly her hands over her face in frustration. "If that's how you want to take it, then fine! If you'll excuse me, I have to find Donatello." Lexa watched as Molly walk away, biting her bottom lip as tears welled in her eyes.
"Molly, don't do this. You're all I have." Molly stopped.
"You have your life. You have you. I'm not your saving grace." She murmured without looking at the younger woman. "Just...try to be civil with Leonardo. You really ought to give him a chance. He was broken up about not saving you."
"Why do you care about him so much? Are you in love with him?"
"Oh, for the love of- " Molly whirled around, anger flashing in her eyes. "Teenage boys! These are teenage boys. Of course, I'm not in love with him! One! Too young. Two! Interspecies relationship is not on my board. Three! I don't have time for romance in my life and I certainly wouldn't want to start one with an underage patient of mine. Stop acting so foolish!" She stormed off to exit the farmhouse, slamming the door behind her. "Fuck!" She strode past the group of brothers training. "Donatello, Leatherhead could use your help." She said, as she continued walking toward the woods. All four turtles threw each other puzzled looks before the genius of the brothers broke away to join his fellow intellectual in the cellar.
"You think we should go after her?" Michelangelo inquired of the other two.
"Probably not." Leonardo replied twirling his swords. "Free-for-all?" Raphael and Michelangelo grinned at each other as they took out their weapons.
Author's note: Another short one. Drama drama drama. Hate is hard to overcome when you refuse to see all aspects of your current situation. Lexa is being a stubborn gal. Please feed this poor author with reviews. What do you think Molly should do about Lexa? Do you think the turtles will win her over? Should Leatherhead consider Molly's offer? Hmmmmm.