A/N: Alright I'm gonna start wrapping this one up cuz its getting old. Please let me know what I can do better.

Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT

The next four days passed in a blur. They spent their days playing ninja tag in the woods, fishing, swinging on the tire swing they had set up, and walking on the beach. At night, they sat by bon fires, told stories, and star gazed. Melanie never remembered feeling so relaxed or happy. There wasn't a single argument or even mean word spoken the entire time, and they all had the time of their lives. But before they knew it, they were packing up and preparing to leave. They got all packed up, but Melanie begged to spend fifteen more minutes star gazing. So, they all laid down, their heads forming a nearly perfect circle.

"Thank you guys." She whispered. "This was the best birthday ever." They all mumbled their "your welcomes". Silence covered them, and Melanie felt a tear slip out of the corner of her eye. "I love you guys."

Ten minutes later they were in the car and pulling away from the place Melanie imagined paradise to be like. The drive home was long, and Melanie found herself being held by Leo while he read a book. She dozed on and off, but somewhere around midnight, they had to stop for gas and she hopped out. As soon as she had grabbed some snacks, they were on the road, and Melanie now sat in Raph's arms. They talked quietly for a little while, but soon Melanie was fast asleep again.

She woke to the dank, familiar dark of the lair. She was in her room, but as she walked out to find her brothers, she found them all in the living room. They must have crashed there. She smiled and covered Mikey with a blanket. She shivered. The lair was so cold. She went to her room and pulled the blankets off of her bed and covered Raph and Don, but when she went to lay a blanket on Leo, his eyes opened.

"Shhh, go back to sleep." She whispered. But despite her command, he carefully removed Mikey's arm from his chest and got up, tucking his brother back into place.

"Need to start training…." He mumbled. "Missed three days…" He sighed deeply and started to sway.

"Leo!" Melanie whispered harshly as she put an arm around his shoulder and led him to her room. "Here, come talk with me."

"Mmmmm" He hummed. He didn't object as she sat him down on her bed, hopped in next to him, and pulled the covers over them both. His smooth skin was hard and cold, but she still cuddled in next to him as he wrapped his arms around her. His eyes were closed and he stifled a yawn. "Wha you wanna tal'bout?" he slurred.

"I just wanted to tell you somethin'" she whispered.

"Hmmm?" he breathed, feeling sleep take his mind and body.

"I love you," she whispered.

"Guys, I'll be fine without you. He's the one that got his ass kicked by those thugs, not me."

"She has a point, Raph." Donnie said. They were all crowded in the bathroom and were watching Melanie curl her hair. Mikey was fascinated and he had begged her to let him try a strand. He had gotten burned three times before Melanie snatched the hot iron away from him. Now he was just watching.

"Yeah, but we still don't know notin' bout this dude." Raph argued.

"On the contrary," Donnie smirked. "Leo and I took it into our own hands and we now know everything about this spoiled brat of a man that is taking our dear sister out for "hot chocolate"" Donnie added the air quotes just as Melanie spun with a disbelieving look on her face.

"What the hell? You two researched my date?" She shrieked.

Donnie looked like a deer in headlights, but Leo only smirked, "Duh."

Secretly, Melanie had been hoping they would and now she wanted to hear. "Anything interesting about him?"

"His full name is Skylar Hayden Chandler. He was born February 10th in Charleston, South Carolina. He is nineteen and lives in the apartment complex near the store. The store he got mugged at is his father's. He works for his daddy and he ain't short on the moolah."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. My little sister is not dating anyone spoiled brat named Skylar. That's a girl name!" Mikey cut in.

"It fits him. He is kinda a wuss." Raph laughed.

"Haha, you guys are so funny. I happen to find him attractive and sweet, and if you don't mind, I will be leaving now. And there will be no following me! Understood?" she glared at all of them until they nodded. Leo helped her into her leather jacket and all four of them walked up to the garage. She paused a moment at the door before turning around and seeing them all lined up, worried and anxious faces on each of them in some degree.

"Oh I'll be alright. It's not as scary as you guys seem to think."

"Just be careful." Leo begged.

"Of course I will." She smirked as she hugged each of them. The door opened and she stepped through into the fading sunlight. She turned and waved before walking off into the busy world of humans.

"So," Mikey said softly. "What do we do now?"

"We follow her."

"You're being overprotective Raph."

"Look who's talkin' Fearless."

Leo sighed. "We have to let her grow up someday." He reasoned.

"Yeah," Raph agreed. "But not today." Leo smiled at him and they silently made their way to the rooftops.

Melanie stumbled into the lair at quarter past two. She quickly removed her shoes and practically ran into her room and threw on sweats and a t shirt. All of her brothers were asleep on the couch, but she knew they would be angry if she didn't wake them and tell them all about it. But she instantly felt wary as she walked into the living room. Mikey wasn't snoring, and they all looked too….neat. She scowled and flipped on the light. The all groggily sat up and complained about the light, then Mikey caught sight of her face.

"Acts over, guys." He whimpered.

"You followed me didn't you?"

"Uh…." They all began, and Melanie, despite being furious, couldn't hold back her smile. They all sighed, glad to have avoided a confrontation.

"So how was it?" Leo asked.

"It was good…." She trailed off. Her trick worked. Mikey began begging for details. "Well, he took me to Starbuck's obviously, and we had a nice conversation. He likes hockey and polo."

"What's polo?" Mikey asked.

"It's a sport you play on horses, ding dong." Donnie sneered.

"And he has a beach house in Cali, and he's gonna take me diving sometime."

"Dude, that'd be wicked!"

"And…." Melanie said in a high pitched voice.

"What?" They all said.

"We have another date on Friday." She squeaked.

"Uh oh, Raph. We're gonna be marryin' off our little girl soon." Leo teased.

"Not true." Melanie said defensively, punching him playfully on the shoulder.

"Do you like him?" Mikey asked.

Melanie's cheeks turned a dark pink and her brothers went crazy. They teased and guffawed her as she sheepishly said, "Yes."