Chapter 6 Melt (In Honor of Aaron)
Of "You Get Used To It"
Enjoy!
(Author suggests listening to Rascal Flatts- Melt while reading the scene with Mikey and Leo. It enhances the mood. *winks at Aaron*)
Leo walked to the bedroom when he heard faint knocking on the other side. When he pushed the door open, a very energetic Devon burst into the hallway, "Morning Daddy!"
"Good morning, Devon," Leo leaned down to give his son a kiss. "What's your mom doing?"
Devon shrugged, "She's sleeping."
"Okay, go get Uncle Raph to get you breakfast." After hearing the word breakfast, Devon quickly scurried away to find his uncle.
"Wake up," Leo whispered into Mikey's ear and then kissed her cheek.
"Go away," she mumbled into her pillow.
"No," he wrapped his arms around her. She tried to roll out of his grasp and buried her face into her pillow once again. "You can't hide from me," he tickled her and she slapped his hand in protest.
"Mommy!" Devon walked back into the room with his arms up in the air. "Don is here," he made a sudden surprised face and quickly left the room again to inspect the newcomer. Both Mikey and Leo laughed a minute before Leo pulled Mikey out of bed and they followed him out of the room.
"Morning, birthday boy," Mikey said to Don.
"Morning, ha, you're not kidding. Your son is a maniac very early in the morning," he mumbled.
Mikey laughed, "You're telling me." She held up her index finger before leaving the room. When she returned, she had a bag of presents in one hand and a cake in the other. She slid the cake in front of him and began to light the sixteen candles on top.
"Go ahead, blow them out," she directed.
"What? Aren't you going to sing?" he pleaded with them. "It's not really a birthday without the song."
Each of them groaned in protest. "Stupid tradition," Raph mumbled before they all took part in singing a round of the happy birthday song.
After he blew out his candles Raph asked him, "Are you satisfied now? I should take back your presents for making me sing."
Don laughed and told them that they shouldn't have gotten him anything anyway. "Are you sure we can afford it?" he questioned.
"You're fine, it's necessary," Mikey smiled and handed him a large soft bundle. When he removed the wrapping paper, he pulled out a black jacket. "It's a Kevlar jacket," she clarified, "its bullet proof."
"Oh," he looked at it. Christ, he thought, he had to deal with bullets. He was beginning to realize what he was getting himself into. Next, Raph handed him a smaller rectangular package. When he opened it, he found a pair of sunglasses.
"They're Gargoyle sunglasses," Raph pointed at them, "they can stop a .22." Don had no idea that there were such sunglasses made and it almost scared him that they were necessary.
The last of the presents was from Leo, an even smaller rectangular box. When he opened it, he found a box with "Gerber Emerson Alliance" printed on it. He opened it to find a black pocketknife. "I can't use this," he whispered.
"When your life depends on it, you sure as hell can," Raph said, "but let's not worry about that right now. Just know that you have it in case of an emergency. Please don't be afraid to use it."
Don looked down at the knife as if it frightened him and it made a clanking noise as he dropped it onto the table. "Thank you," he mumbled as he walked into the bathroom and shut the door. He splashed cold water onto his face feeling exceptionally overwhelmed. Would he be able to do this and hold up his end of the Turtles? Could he really do what was required to pull his own weight? Could he kill someone? Maybe, if it was out of necessity, he thought. It's probably not something people think about in advance, though, he told himself. He looked into the mirror, into his own eyes. He could do this he deliberated. He is not a quitter he does not back down. After a good while of contemplating in the bathroom, he returned to the small dining room.
"You left before we could give you your last present," Leo handed him a picture.
Don looked down at the picture, "It's beautiful, but I don't understand." It was a snap shot of Leo and Mikey and Raph standing in front of a cottage on a lake.
"We're taking you there, down in North Carolina, leaving tomorrow and taking the week off of school," Mikey looked over his arm at the picture. "We go every year to get away from everything. A friend of Leo's family owns it and they were always fond of Leo and me, so they let us use it whenever we want. Sometimes, we show up there when we're running. I had to hide there for a while after Devon was born because Shredder was looking for him," she trailed off with that memory.
"Well that sounds like fun, thank you guys," Don looked at each of them genuinely.
Each of them made a noise as if to dismiss the gratitude and Mikey began to cut the cake.
"Here you go, Devon," Devon's eyes widened in delight as Mikey handed him a piece of cake on a plate with a fork. He quickly dug in and by the end of his desert, more cake had finished up on his face than in his mouth.
"You are a mess," Leo looked at his son. "Tell mommy to get you cleaned up," he pointed at Mikey who feigned shock at the comment before lifting her son into her arms.
"Tell your daddy he's lazy," she directed him.
"Daddy lazy," he repeated and everyone laughed. He looked triumphant at that fact.
Mikey took Devon into the bathroom and turned on the water before looking at him. "Shh," she held one finger to her mouth. He let out a shriek of delight and anticipation.
"Beware of the King!" Devon screamed as her charged out of the bathroom chasing his mother. Devon and Mikey circled the room hitting rolls of toilet paper together as if they were swards and the two of them were fighting. Mikey was wearing a polka dotted shower cap on her head and had a blue towel fastened around her neck. Devon had a green towel around his neck and a clear shower cap holding in his dark hair in addition to two clear shower caps on his feet and a pair of goggles on his face. "Do not disobey the King," he screamed as she hit his shield, a newspaper from the bathroom slung over his forearm, with the toilet paper roll. They continued their fight until neither of them could continue in combat and she took him to the bathroom so that Devon could finally take a bath.
"Oh, Leo," she looked over her shoulder at him as she was walking away, "there were no used toilet paper rolls so there is quite a toilet paper mess in the bathroom. You'll get that later, won't you, baby?" She gave him a teasing wink.
"Oh, woman!" he threw a piece of crumbled up paper at her.
"She's a great mother," Don affirmed when she had closed the bathroom door.
"I know," Leo agreed, "she loves Devon more than life so she *wants* to play with him and since she's so young she still has plenty of energy to keep up with him. Obviously, she still has plenty of imagination to keep him occupied, as well. Anyways, he loves her, too, and he absolutely loves playing pretend with her. I don't pretend too well anymore but she's always been a dreamer, it's her escape from the real world," he sighed.
"You love her, don't you," Don stated.
"Yeah, I do," Leo smiled, "I sure do."
"I wasn't sure I really believed you two loved each other until just now," he admitted.
Leo looked at him curiously, "Why not?"
"Well, I mean, you're so young," he stuttered.
"We had to grow up fast," he said in a low voice, "Our bodies may be young but our minds have memories of occurrences even the most grown people will never experience." Don looked away at hearing this, unable to meet his newfound friend's eyes.
The apartment sat in silence for a long while each person contemplating in silence. "Look, it's getting dark, I'm going to show Don around town to all of our usual areas and stuff," Raph broke the silence.
He nodded, "Yeah, that's fine, just make sure he's safe."
Raph nodded and slipped his knife into his shoe before they both left the apartment.
"While you put him down, I'm going to take a shower," Leo walked into the bathroom and shut the door while Mikey carried a very sleepy Devon into the bedroom. She softly told him a story until he fell asleep. When Devon was finally asleep and she left the bedroom, she still heard the water running and got an idea.
(It would be optimal to start the song now)
She quickly set up candles around the room and put two glasses of water on the table. Next, she went into the kitchen to find his favorite food. She started to boil water on the stove to make him Macaroni and Cheese. Pitiful, she thought, she was trying to be romantic and all she could afford to give him was cheese on pasta. Pitiful. She did it anyway.
Leo walked out of the bathroom to find the living room completely void of light. "Mikey," he whispered, "you there?" It's odd how darkness can give someone the sensation of needing to whisper.
"Right here," she whispered. She was close; he could tell she was close enough to touch. He reached out his hand and felt it graze her stomach before she walked in the other direction. Each of them trembled at the contact. He swallowed and stayed in control of himself. A small flame came into his view when she lit a match to light one candle on the table, then another, and another on the shelf across the room. He watched her graceful smooth movements by flickering candlelight as she went from candle to candle lighting one after another. His body ached to be close to her, to hold her, to feel her body in his arms. She looked over her shoulder at him between candles and gave him an affectionate stare. He lost himself for a moment under her gaze; she looked so remarkable in the sparkling light. At that moment, even if he had wanted to he wouldn't have been able to take his eyes off her. She's beautiful, he thought.
Mikey felt his arms firmly wrap around her from behind, slowly sliding across her middle as they did. She turned in his grasp and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You're amazing," he told her.
She shook her head and looked away, "No I'm not."
"Yes," he moved into her range of vision, "you are." He kissed the tip of her nose. She smiled at the gesture, a small act of affection he had begun years prior.
"I made you dinner," she pointed to the table and broke away from his grasp to sit down in front of one of the bowls. He watched her body as she walked, suddenly feeling empty and lonely. He walked over, sat down at the other bowl, and looked down at what he was eating.
Leo smiled at the girl he loved and kissed her cheek. "It's perfect," he declared, "absolutely perfect."
She gave him a self-conscious look, "are you sure you aren't disappointed?"
"You have yet to disappoint me," he assured her.
She smiled and took a bite of her food.
"Mikey," he looked over at her when they were done with their food.
She looked into his eyes, "Yes?"
"Thank you," he sounded sincere.
"It was just Macaroni and Cheese," she laughed.
"Not about that," he corrected, "thank you for loving me, for taking me back, for taking care of me. You do so much for me, you don't even realize it."
She smiled at him intently, "I love you."
"I love you," he whispered and leaned close to her. She leaned in the rest of the way to meet his lips. He took her hand and led her to the living room. Pitiful, he though, he was trying to show her his love for her and the only place he could take her was the living room floor. Pitiful. He did it anyway. As long as they were together, only them, he was happy.
Lying on the floor, he began to kiss her tenderly. Both of their body temperatures were quickly mounting as he lifted her shirt over her head and she removed his. He rolled her body under his, "Wait, stop," she cried. As quickly as he could, he pulled away.
He searched her confused eyes, "What is it?"
"I-I," she sat herself up and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
"Stupid," she told herself. "Here's your chance, he loves you and you love him. There is no better opportunity, Mikey. It won't be like before, it won't. He wouldn't do that to you, he wouldn't hurt you." She berated herself for thinking that being with Leo would compare to her memories of being with Shredder. She shuddered.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Raph led Don through an alleyway in the darkness. "Something you have to remember," he pointed into the darkness across the way. Don saw nothing. "Always be aware of *everything* around you, even when you feel safe." After a closer inspection, Don saw a person sitting in the darkness. Don studied the homeless man.
"Watch out!" Raph screamed.
In his distraction, Don carelessly turned around to see a blur of a person charging at him, and to feel the sting of a knife meeting his flesh.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Mikey," Leo knocked on the bathroom door softly.
She sniffled, "Yeah?"
He cracked the door open and peaked in, "Can I come in?"
"Sure," she allowed.
He knelt down in front of her while she sat on the toilet seat. "I'm sorry," he whispered in a low remorseful tone.
"No," she touched his sad face. "No, it wasn't you."
He looked up at her, "You aren't mad?"
"Of course not," she reassured him with a small kiss.
"Well, look, I can tell that you're not ready and that you're scared, so I'm not going to push you past your limit. Sometimes, I just can't control it, I'm sorry," he looked down shamefully.
"NO. Oh, honey, no," he lifted his head to look into her eyes, "I promise you it's nothing you did. I'm just so afraid, I keep remembering the way it was last time. It just feels like it could never be an act of love again, just brutality."
"I would never hurt you like he did, Mikey. I promise you that," his gaze intensified. "Tell me you understand. Tell me you know I wouldn't do that to you," he demanded.
She searched his eyes, his emotions. Isn't that what they said, the eyes are the gateway to the soul. She could tell he wouldn't hurt her. "I understand," she swore.
"Good," he sighed. "Can I," he paused, unsure of how to say what he wanted to, "Can I hold you?" She nodded, a smile lightly hinting at her features.
The two of them walked to the living room together and she lie down on the couch on top of him and fell fast asleep. He looked down at her intently and ran his fingers slowly through her hair. Mikey had barely been asleep for five minutes in Leo's arms when Raph charged into the apartment, "Mikey, wake up! It's Don, he's hurt."
~!~!~!~!
Hehe, sorry people, I'm in a big rush and typing this is painful. I realize what it is that makes me write such sad stories. It's because I have a deep understanding of angst. I have no knowledge of it whatsoever, but I have an understanding of it. I don't understand romance and happiness so much. I have knowledge of it, but I just don't understand it. That's why I'm so comfortable with writing torment and anguish.
Reader interaction: Tell me, what would you like to see happen in the near future or distant future with this fic. What do you want to see happing? babies? Marriage? More fighting? Death? Hmm.
I like this chapter. Do you?
Review Responses:
**Aaron** What do you mean you would go to any means for revenge? Hm.. lol, yes, I did use our game quote, Ding. Next. I thought you would like that. I'm sorry that you were horrified about what I wrote about don, but why were you so shocked about it? Yes, there is a lot of sadness in the group, I think it has come to be expected from me. You've just now started liking the relationship between Leo and Mikey? Geez.
**Ramica** Yes, they all have very harsh backgrounds. Otherwise, the turtles would not have worked out. You know, if there was a parent following them close behind it would have fallen apart at the seams. Plus, generally speaking, a very sheltered person would not have the tolerance enough to deal with the lifestyle. Generally. Leo and Mikey's parents didn't know she was raped, and even if they had they wouldn't have believed it, but that's just life. Yes, Shredder raped Leo's mom and him and Raph really do want revenge. Badly. And lastly, yes, what happened to don is very real, and yes it does happen all too often.
**Erin:** Yes, ma'am, many questions were answered, and I am glad you're happy. Yes, the chapter, though, was utterly distressing did work. At least in my mind. You're asking for more fighting, darling, and I *am* trying. Please be patient because it is hard to write something you have never experienced. Trying hard to get insight, promise.
**Walking Contradiction:** (Chapter 4) Yes, the flashbacks are very disheartening yet very vital. I'm glad you don't really HATE them. Ah, yes, Jacks. You may be hearing a bit more about her. She and Mikey miss each other a lot. The love stuff is tactfully written? I thought it was excessively soon. Blah. Devon is VERY cute. Based directly off my nephew. Cute little bugger. (Chapter 5) I was glad, myself, that I thought of a good reason to accept don, trust me. So it was a double score. One point for me one point for you. I'm glad you liked this chapter so much, you are the best!! MUAH!
**Kelly, the one, the only:** Thank you, I liked how I worked in the backgrounds, as well *wink.* I'm glad I shocked you so much with this chapter, it is always a goal of mine. lol. I thought the tattoos were ultra cool, too. Kelly IS the best!
**Tiffany:** Lol, gosh girl, for the last time. Yes, Don's past was disturbing, that was the point. (lol, don't mean to sound harsh.) Raph and Leo being brothers has been a conscious secret from the very beginning, trust. Lol, love you baby doll cakes! Thanks for the review.
**Heather:** Thank you so much! I would love to get many many novels published one day, but probably not this one. We shall see. Love ya!
25 Reviews!! Weeeeee! Thanks to all of you who dropped a line and told me what you thought!
Love, Krissy
Of "You Get Used To It"
Enjoy!
(Author suggests listening to Rascal Flatts- Melt while reading the scene with Mikey and Leo. It enhances the mood. *winks at Aaron*)
Leo walked to the bedroom when he heard faint knocking on the other side. When he pushed the door open, a very energetic Devon burst into the hallway, "Morning Daddy!"
"Good morning, Devon," Leo leaned down to give his son a kiss. "What's your mom doing?"
Devon shrugged, "She's sleeping."
"Okay, go get Uncle Raph to get you breakfast." After hearing the word breakfast, Devon quickly scurried away to find his uncle.
"Wake up," Leo whispered into Mikey's ear and then kissed her cheek.
"Go away," she mumbled into her pillow.
"No," he wrapped his arms around her. She tried to roll out of his grasp and buried her face into her pillow once again. "You can't hide from me," he tickled her and she slapped his hand in protest.
"Mommy!" Devon walked back into the room with his arms up in the air. "Don is here," he made a sudden surprised face and quickly left the room again to inspect the newcomer. Both Mikey and Leo laughed a minute before Leo pulled Mikey out of bed and they followed him out of the room.
"Morning, birthday boy," Mikey said to Don.
"Morning, ha, you're not kidding. Your son is a maniac very early in the morning," he mumbled.
Mikey laughed, "You're telling me." She held up her index finger before leaving the room. When she returned, she had a bag of presents in one hand and a cake in the other. She slid the cake in front of him and began to light the sixteen candles on top.
"Go ahead, blow them out," she directed.
"What? Aren't you going to sing?" he pleaded with them. "It's not really a birthday without the song."
Each of them groaned in protest. "Stupid tradition," Raph mumbled before they all took part in singing a round of the happy birthday song.
After he blew out his candles Raph asked him, "Are you satisfied now? I should take back your presents for making me sing."
Don laughed and told them that they shouldn't have gotten him anything anyway. "Are you sure we can afford it?" he questioned.
"You're fine, it's necessary," Mikey smiled and handed him a large soft bundle. When he removed the wrapping paper, he pulled out a black jacket. "It's a Kevlar jacket," she clarified, "its bullet proof."
"Oh," he looked at it. Christ, he thought, he had to deal with bullets. He was beginning to realize what he was getting himself into. Next, Raph handed him a smaller rectangular package. When he opened it, he found a pair of sunglasses.
"They're Gargoyle sunglasses," Raph pointed at them, "they can stop a .22." Don had no idea that there were such sunglasses made and it almost scared him that they were necessary.
The last of the presents was from Leo, an even smaller rectangular box. When he opened it, he found a box with "Gerber Emerson Alliance" printed on it. He opened it to find a black pocketknife. "I can't use this," he whispered.
"When your life depends on it, you sure as hell can," Raph said, "but let's not worry about that right now. Just know that you have it in case of an emergency. Please don't be afraid to use it."
Don looked down at the knife as if it frightened him and it made a clanking noise as he dropped it onto the table. "Thank you," he mumbled as he walked into the bathroom and shut the door. He splashed cold water onto his face feeling exceptionally overwhelmed. Would he be able to do this and hold up his end of the Turtles? Could he really do what was required to pull his own weight? Could he kill someone? Maybe, if it was out of necessity, he thought. It's probably not something people think about in advance, though, he told himself. He looked into the mirror, into his own eyes. He could do this he deliberated. He is not a quitter he does not back down. After a good while of contemplating in the bathroom, he returned to the small dining room.
"You left before we could give you your last present," Leo handed him a picture.
Don looked down at the picture, "It's beautiful, but I don't understand." It was a snap shot of Leo and Mikey and Raph standing in front of a cottage on a lake.
"We're taking you there, down in North Carolina, leaving tomorrow and taking the week off of school," Mikey looked over his arm at the picture. "We go every year to get away from everything. A friend of Leo's family owns it and they were always fond of Leo and me, so they let us use it whenever we want. Sometimes, we show up there when we're running. I had to hide there for a while after Devon was born because Shredder was looking for him," she trailed off with that memory.
"Well that sounds like fun, thank you guys," Don looked at each of them genuinely.
Each of them made a noise as if to dismiss the gratitude and Mikey began to cut the cake.
"Here you go, Devon," Devon's eyes widened in delight as Mikey handed him a piece of cake on a plate with a fork. He quickly dug in and by the end of his desert, more cake had finished up on his face than in his mouth.
"You are a mess," Leo looked at his son. "Tell mommy to get you cleaned up," he pointed at Mikey who feigned shock at the comment before lifting her son into her arms.
"Tell your daddy he's lazy," she directed him.
"Daddy lazy," he repeated and everyone laughed. He looked triumphant at that fact.
Mikey took Devon into the bathroom and turned on the water before looking at him. "Shh," she held one finger to her mouth. He let out a shriek of delight and anticipation.
"Beware of the King!" Devon screamed as her charged out of the bathroom chasing his mother. Devon and Mikey circled the room hitting rolls of toilet paper together as if they were swards and the two of them were fighting. Mikey was wearing a polka dotted shower cap on her head and had a blue towel fastened around her neck. Devon had a green towel around his neck and a clear shower cap holding in his dark hair in addition to two clear shower caps on his feet and a pair of goggles on his face. "Do not disobey the King," he screamed as she hit his shield, a newspaper from the bathroom slung over his forearm, with the toilet paper roll. They continued their fight until neither of them could continue in combat and she took him to the bathroom so that Devon could finally take a bath.
"Oh, Leo," she looked over her shoulder at him as she was walking away, "there were no used toilet paper rolls so there is quite a toilet paper mess in the bathroom. You'll get that later, won't you, baby?" She gave him a teasing wink.
"Oh, woman!" he threw a piece of crumbled up paper at her.
"She's a great mother," Don affirmed when she had closed the bathroom door.
"I know," Leo agreed, "she loves Devon more than life so she *wants* to play with him and since she's so young she still has plenty of energy to keep up with him. Obviously, she still has plenty of imagination to keep him occupied, as well. Anyways, he loves her, too, and he absolutely loves playing pretend with her. I don't pretend too well anymore but she's always been a dreamer, it's her escape from the real world," he sighed.
"You love her, don't you," Don stated.
"Yeah, I do," Leo smiled, "I sure do."
"I wasn't sure I really believed you two loved each other until just now," he admitted.
Leo looked at him curiously, "Why not?"
"Well, I mean, you're so young," he stuttered.
"We had to grow up fast," he said in a low voice, "Our bodies may be young but our minds have memories of occurrences even the most grown people will never experience." Don looked away at hearing this, unable to meet his newfound friend's eyes.
The apartment sat in silence for a long while each person contemplating in silence. "Look, it's getting dark, I'm going to show Don around town to all of our usual areas and stuff," Raph broke the silence.
He nodded, "Yeah, that's fine, just make sure he's safe."
Raph nodded and slipped his knife into his shoe before they both left the apartment.
"While you put him down, I'm going to take a shower," Leo walked into the bathroom and shut the door while Mikey carried a very sleepy Devon into the bedroom. She softly told him a story until he fell asleep. When Devon was finally asleep and she left the bedroom, she still heard the water running and got an idea.
(It would be optimal to start the song now)
She quickly set up candles around the room and put two glasses of water on the table. Next, she went into the kitchen to find his favorite food. She started to boil water on the stove to make him Macaroni and Cheese. Pitiful, she thought, she was trying to be romantic and all she could afford to give him was cheese on pasta. Pitiful. She did it anyway.
Leo walked out of the bathroom to find the living room completely void of light. "Mikey," he whispered, "you there?" It's odd how darkness can give someone the sensation of needing to whisper.
"Right here," she whispered. She was close; he could tell she was close enough to touch. He reached out his hand and felt it graze her stomach before she walked in the other direction. Each of them trembled at the contact. He swallowed and stayed in control of himself. A small flame came into his view when she lit a match to light one candle on the table, then another, and another on the shelf across the room. He watched her graceful smooth movements by flickering candlelight as she went from candle to candle lighting one after another. His body ached to be close to her, to hold her, to feel her body in his arms. She looked over her shoulder at him between candles and gave him an affectionate stare. He lost himself for a moment under her gaze; she looked so remarkable in the sparkling light. At that moment, even if he had wanted to he wouldn't have been able to take his eyes off her. She's beautiful, he thought.
Mikey felt his arms firmly wrap around her from behind, slowly sliding across her middle as they did. She turned in his grasp and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You're amazing," he told her.
She shook her head and looked away, "No I'm not."
"Yes," he moved into her range of vision, "you are." He kissed the tip of her nose. She smiled at the gesture, a small act of affection he had begun years prior.
"I made you dinner," she pointed to the table and broke away from his grasp to sit down in front of one of the bowls. He watched her body as she walked, suddenly feeling empty and lonely. He walked over, sat down at the other bowl, and looked down at what he was eating.
Leo smiled at the girl he loved and kissed her cheek. "It's perfect," he declared, "absolutely perfect."
She gave him a self-conscious look, "are you sure you aren't disappointed?"
"You have yet to disappoint me," he assured her.
She smiled and took a bite of her food.
"Mikey," he looked over at her when they were done with their food.
She looked into his eyes, "Yes?"
"Thank you," he sounded sincere.
"It was just Macaroni and Cheese," she laughed.
"Not about that," he corrected, "thank you for loving me, for taking me back, for taking care of me. You do so much for me, you don't even realize it."
She smiled at him intently, "I love you."
"I love you," he whispered and leaned close to her. She leaned in the rest of the way to meet his lips. He took her hand and led her to the living room. Pitiful, he though, he was trying to show her his love for her and the only place he could take her was the living room floor. Pitiful. He did it anyway. As long as they were together, only them, he was happy.
Lying on the floor, he began to kiss her tenderly. Both of their body temperatures were quickly mounting as he lifted her shirt over her head and she removed his. He rolled her body under his, "Wait, stop," she cried. As quickly as he could, he pulled away.
He searched her confused eyes, "What is it?"
"I-I," she sat herself up and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
"Stupid," she told herself. "Here's your chance, he loves you and you love him. There is no better opportunity, Mikey. It won't be like before, it won't. He wouldn't do that to you, he wouldn't hurt you." She berated herself for thinking that being with Leo would compare to her memories of being with Shredder. She shuddered.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Raph led Don through an alleyway in the darkness. "Something you have to remember," he pointed into the darkness across the way. Don saw nothing. "Always be aware of *everything* around you, even when you feel safe." After a closer inspection, Don saw a person sitting in the darkness. Don studied the homeless man.
"Watch out!" Raph screamed.
In his distraction, Don carelessly turned around to see a blur of a person charging at him, and to feel the sting of a knife meeting his flesh.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Mikey," Leo knocked on the bathroom door softly.
She sniffled, "Yeah?"
He cracked the door open and peaked in, "Can I come in?"
"Sure," she allowed.
He knelt down in front of her while she sat on the toilet seat. "I'm sorry," he whispered in a low remorseful tone.
"No," she touched his sad face. "No, it wasn't you."
He looked up at her, "You aren't mad?"
"Of course not," she reassured him with a small kiss.
"Well, look, I can tell that you're not ready and that you're scared, so I'm not going to push you past your limit. Sometimes, I just can't control it, I'm sorry," he looked down shamefully.
"NO. Oh, honey, no," he lifted his head to look into her eyes, "I promise you it's nothing you did. I'm just so afraid, I keep remembering the way it was last time. It just feels like it could never be an act of love again, just brutality."
"I would never hurt you like he did, Mikey. I promise you that," his gaze intensified. "Tell me you understand. Tell me you know I wouldn't do that to you," he demanded.
She searched his eyes, his emotions. Isn't that what they said, the eyes are the gateway to the soul. She could tell he wouldn't hurt her. "I understand," she swore.
"Good," he sighed. "Can I," he paused, unsure of how to say what he wanted to, "Can I hold you?" She nodded, a smile lightly hinting at her features.
The two of them walked to the living room together and she lie down on the couch on top of him and fell fast asleep. He looked down at her intently and ran his fingers slowly through her hair. Mikey had barely been asleep for five minutes in Leo's arms when Raph charged into the apartment, "Mikey, wake up! It's Don, he's hurt."
~!~!~!~!
Hehe, sorry people, I'm in a big rush and typing this is painful. I realize what it is that makes me write such sad stories. It's because I have a deep understanding of angst. I have no knowledge of it whatsoever, but I have an understanding of it. I don't understand romance and happiness so much. I have knowledge of it, but I just don't understand it. That's why I'm so comfortable with writing torment and anguish.
Reader interaction: Tell me, what would you like to see happen in the near future or distant future with this fic. What do you want to see happing? babies? Marriage? More fighting? Death? Hmm.
I like this chapter. Do you?
Review Responses:
**Aaron** What do you mean you would go to any means for revenge? Hm.. lol, yes, I did use our game quote, Ding. Next. I thought you would like that. I'm sorry that you were horrified about what I wrote about don, but why were you so shocked about it? Yes, there is a lot of sadness in the group, I think it has come to be expected from me. You've just now started liking the relationship between Leo and Mikey? Geez.
**Ramica** Yes, they all have very harsh backgrounds. Otherwise, the turtles would not have worked out. You know, if there was a parent following them close behind it would have fallen apart at the seams. Plus, generally speaking, a very sheltered person would not have the tolerance enough to deal with the lifestyle. Generally. Leo and Mikey's parents didn't know she was raped, and even if they had they wouldn't have believed it, but that's just life. Yes, Shredder raped Leo's mom and him and Raph really do want revenge. Badly. And lastly, yes, what happened to don is very real, and yes it does happen all too often.
**Erin:** Yes, ma'am, many questions were answered, and I am glad you're happy. Yes, the chapter, though, was utterly distressing did work. At least in my mind. You're asking for more fighting, darling, and I *am* trying. Please be patient because it is hard to write something you have never experienced. Trying hard to get insight, promise.
**Walking Contradiction:** (Chapter 4) Yes, the flashbacks are very disheartening yet very vital. I'm glad you don't really HATE them. Ah, yes, Jacks. You may be hearing a bit more about her. She and Mikey miss each other a lot. The love stuff is tactfully written? I thought it was excessively soon. Blah. Devon is VERY cute. Based directly off my nephew. Cute little bugger. (Chapter 5) I was glad, myself, that I thought of a good reason to accept don, trust me. So it was a double score. One point for me one point for you. I'm glad you liked this chapter so much, you are the best!! MUAH!
**Kelly, the one, the only:** Thank you, I liked how I worked in the backgrounds, as well *wink.* I'm glad I shocked you so much with this chapter, it is always a goal of mine. lol. I thought the tattoos were ultra cool, too. Kelly IS the best!
**Tiffany:** Lol, gosh girl, for the last time. Yes, Don's past was disturbing, that was the point. (lol, don't mean to sound harsh.) Raph and Leo being brothers has been a conscious secret from the very beginning, trust. Lol, love you baby doll cakes! Thanks for the review.
**Heather:** Thank you so much! I would love to get many many novels published one day, but probably not this one. We shall see. Love ya!
25 Reviews!! Weeeeee! Thanks to all of you who dropped a line and told me what you thought!
Love, Krissy