Worlds Below

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters they are either the property of Mirage, in the case of TMNT, or Ron Koslow of Beauty and The Beast.

Chapter three:

For a moment, grabbed in such a way, Cathy could not help but recall the night when some guys had tossed her in a van, sliced her face up and threw her out into Central Park, she had learned later that while it seemed like a random attack, the sort that happened frequently enough all over the world; It had really been a case of mistaken identity the thugs had been after an intended target and thought that she had been it.

Then the moment vanished and Cathy screamed trying to get her head down to bite, that was when she noticed the arm was green and it caused her to pause in that movement, if not in the one where she was trying to kick back into a leg or stomp on a foot.

"Raph let her go!" came a sharp commanding tone from somewhere in the room.

April glowered "Raphael!" she exclaimed.

"Hey bro, anyone tell ya that isn't how you treat a lady. I mean we might have to help her, because saving damsels is what we do best" chimed a lighter, jovial voice.

Cathy swallowed hard as she continued to struggle, other then April the place had looked deserted, but the book case was clearly being moved by some one.

"Then again she's doing a good job!" Mike exclaimed as Cathy managed to bring down a heel, hard onto Raph's foot.

"OW!" Raph yelped as he released her to glare at the woman.

Cathy gasped her breath coming hard as she whirled to face the penetrating, dark threatening look of the one who had jumped her, she noticed two others like him one on either side holding him firmly by the arm as he struggled to break free. Cathy might have been more shocked if she hadn't known Vincent first, seeing these humanoid turtles, all with powerful muscles in arms and legs, masks around their faces, belts, pads and weapons, didn't seem as startling. Not to say she wasn't in some shock after Raph's unwarranted attack.

April came between the turtles and Cathy, "I guess I better explain, these are Don's brothers. But I guess if you have a message from Don you'd sort of know that." April gave Cathy a weak grin, "Leonardo is the one in blue."

Leo bowed slightly as he growled to Raph in a low voice "Be -have!"

"Raphael is the one who jumped you he's a little impulsive." April continued.

"And I'm Michelangelo but you can call me Mike, or Mikey" Mike smiled his best disarming grin, "Raph here is like a guard dog. Very protective and tends to bite first and ask questions later, just throw him a bone and he'll go off to gnaw it and growl at anyone who comes near." He advised.

" Forgive his actions, it is just we are all concerned with Don's disappearance" Leo confessed apologizing for Raph, " After that I know you may not be too willing to say anything now but..." Leo faltered for a moment.

"If she knows anythin' about Donny she best come clean now" Raph grumped as he pulled free from his brothers crossed his arms over his plastron and glared daggers at Cathy.

"Raph you get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar" April prompted.

Raph gave her a blank look as if he couldn't quite understand her reference.

"Yeah but who wants flies anyways April?" Mike asked.

Cathy looked at the red masked turtle who was trying to intimidate her, but the other two were quite friendly, though the one in blue, Leonardo, was it? Seemed a bit more aloof then the one who asked her to call him Mike. If it had only been Raph she might have reconsidered giving them Don's message, though judging from the strength in him he'd probably obtain it anyways, it was just Cathy wasn't one to give up something just because someone was threatening her. She knew Vincent would come to her rescue if he felt she was in extreme danger. Vincent had a way of dealing with those who threatened her life. It wasn't pretty. Nor would it be a good idea to let loose Vincent's rage on one of Don's brothers.

Cathy though aware of Vincent's willingness to aid her when all else failed, did not let it give her a sense of false security, feeling that nothing could harm her. She did her best to avoid danger, and be alert to it, relying on her own abilities to get out of trouble in certain areas. But Vincent was more like the last line of safety between her and those that might intend her harm. He was the last resort.

Cathy took a couple of calming breaths, "Well, a friend of mine found Don and he passed this message to me, to get it to you." She explained as she handed the message to Leo, "Actually my friend Vincent asked that I explain a bit about it to put any fears you may have to rest."

Leo opened the note and Mike and Raph crowded around him to read over his shoulder, "I don't know it doesn't sound like Don it isn't wordy enough" Mike muttered.

"Yeah but check the Kanji at the bottom Beware when the turtle roars the Earth will tremble." Leo pointed out.

Mike laughed with relief as did the others. Leo tucked the note into belt to show Splinter.

April grinned, "Well, since the boys didn't give you much of a welcome, why not come up to my apartment and I"ll get you some tea." She offered pleasantly.

"Hey what about us?" Raph demanded abruptly.

"You guys can finish moving that book case before coming up." April retorted.

"Uh April, Cathy might not be very comfortable with our uh Mas...I mean our father" Mike piped up, "Maybe I ought to go with you and see to it that um."

"No way Mike we can have this moved and be up stairs before they even get into the apartment" Leo retorted.

"Alright slave driver" Mike grouched but his eyes sparkled.

April lead Cathy upstairs "You get used to the boys after awhile, they are teenagers, so unruly is rather an operative word" April explained, she turned the knob of the door and entered the apartment "Anyways come on in."

"Hey doll what took you so long." Mike greeted cheerfully.

Cathy gasped "How...?"

Raph grinned slyly, "Trade secret" he remarked.

Cathy knew they hadn't gone that slowly and she hadn't seen an elevator in the building, though there ought to be back stairs she still couldn't figure out how the boys could have passed her and April. The fact that April didn't even seem surprised to see the boys, told Cathy that she had to be used to it. She knew Vincent could cover a great deal of ground in a short time but had a feeling these boys could beat him.

Suddenly Cathy's eyes turned to a doorway off the living room where she heard a soft sound, "My sons informed me we had a guest so I took the opportunity to put on the tea," a low voice stated as the owner of said voice stepped from the kitchen area.

"Here it comes" Mike whispered, he was well used to the response Splinter normally elicited from any one.

Cathy saw the heavily furred face and though, this person was smaller and clearly older then Vincent, not to mention all the other differences, she couldn't help but smile at the rat, because in many ways he reminded her of Vincent. Perhaps it was all the fur, or the gentle tone and low voice. Whatever it was she felt instantly at ease.

Mike shook his head, "I don't get it, she's not freakin'" he muttered pouting a bit. After all most females who saw their father for the first time would scream or faint or both.

Cathy laughed, "If I had met you all at a different time I may have been scared of all of you" She confessed, "But the truth of the matter is I know something that perhaps you are unaware of. You see the person who found Don, Vincent, looks almost lion like in feature."

Leo blinked in surprise at her words.

"At least most people who know him give him a very leonine attributes. Or Feline qualities, but Vincent is very kind and giving,as well as compassionate. When he found Don hurt, well he felt he could sympathize with him probably more then most would. I haven't seen Don myself but I can assure you he is being well cared for. Vincent's adopted father was trained as a doctor." Cathy began.

"Come sit down child," Splinter gestured to a chair, "It is good to hear that Don is in good hands for we were extremely concerned for his well being."

"Yeah to think she brings us good news and Raph jumps her!" Mike said.

Splinter shot his head around, as Raph hissed " Nice goin numbskull."

"Raphael!" Splinter sighed and shook his head remorsefully. " Why must you be so impulsive my son?"

Raph shrugged, "It's my nature."

Splinter gave his son a stern glance, and rolled his eyes a bit.

Raph shifted "Uh Cathy, April kinda bustled ya off for I could tell ya I was sorry for ...well startling you down there."

Cathy realized from Raph's hesitant nature that apologies probably didn't come easy to him, and also he most likely didn't want to be quilted into giving one. " I think I can forgive you this time. Just be lucky Vincent didn't come running to my rescue. He has a tendency to maul those who have tried to endanger or threaten my life."

Leo scowled at her words "Wait some of the paper reports about people who have been attacked marks on them that look like some wild animal" Leo muttered to himself.

"Yes, those deaths were when Vincent protected me. Of course I then have to protect him so that others don't catch on to it" Cathy confessed, "I've done my best but still somethings do get out but they haven't been able to link the incidents as of yet."

It wasn't long before the tea was ready and Cathy was filling them in on Vincent, and seeing when they would like to go see Don.

"Can we go tonight?" Leo asked hopefully, for him, he would not rest at ease until he knew for sure Don was safe.

"I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem. I'll meet you here later tonight if that is all right with April." Cathy said, "I know my way around the sewers near where Vincent lives, at least to some extent, but I'm afraid I'd get lost if going from another point or area of them."

April nodded, "Of course the guys were going have dinner here anyways."

" What time tonight will be good for you Miss Chandler?" Splinter inquired.

"Around eight thirty I guess." Cathy said, "Can I ask you a question though why do you all carry weapons?"

Splinter smiled, " It is a long story, but to make it simple. I had been a pet of a man who was into martial arts. Yoshi was a good man, and I would imitate his movements,causing him some amusement. He came to New York and was murdered some time after. That was when I was left to my own devices." Splinter said, " I found the young turtles and when they and I both began to grow from the strange liquid that had been held in the canister that had fallen into the sewer breaking open. I knew the dangers my son faced. So using what I recalled of the martial arts I taught my sons. They use their skills to protect those who need help, those who may be hurt. Most importantly to help one another if the need should arise." Splinter smiled, "Like your Vincent I have tried to protect them from harm, and if they have hurt others then realize they have done so in self defense of themselves or aiding others who may come to harm."

Cathy had a feeling Splinter wasn't telling her everything, and yet he had said the story was much longer so she decided to let it go, "Remind me to get the full story off you one day. It sounds interesting. Anyway I best go get things arranged with Vincent so he knows when to expect us and I'll see you tonight."

TBC