Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT
*The guys are 25 years old in this fic.*
There are pictures of Trisha and Jamie on my profile, scroll down until you reach the links.
Chapter Two: An Emptiness
April glanced over at Leo who was staring mutely down at his cup of tea. He hadn't touched it nor the plate full of toast and eggs she had given the two figures at the table. April glanced at Jamie, a violet and maroon, and indigo haired young woman who was tattooed and silent beside Leo. She seemed reluctant to leave his side. They obviously were close. Almost as close as Leo was with his brothers it seemed. They remained immobile, too still to seem alive.
"Leo," Jamie mumbled suddenly.
Leo lifted his head to acknowledge her.
They made eye contact.
"Swear…you…won't leave me alone," she whispered, "swear it."
Leo looked at her for what seemed like hours.
"I swear," he whispered before looking away, trembling a little.
"Thank you," she murmured, "she loved you…you know that. She would've said yes."
Leo nodded but otherwise didn't reply.
Jamie got up and then flung herself into Leo's chest, wrapping her arms around his neck and broke down sobbing. Leo wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight, choking back a sob.
"I'm scared," she sobbed, "how am I going to keep the…the apartment….I…"
Leo pushed her back, swept the bangs from her face, then the tears.
"You can stay with us," Leo stated firmly, "I'll…convince Splinter…no matter how…I'll make sure you're taken care of. I could never forgive myself if I let something happen to you. Trish…"
He stopped and struggled for a minute.
"Trish would want me to take care of you." He finished after a moment.
Jamie nodded and sobbed, throwing herself against him again.
"I miss her so much already," she managed.
Leo hugged her tight, choking back his own sob.
"Me…too," he managed.
April walked forward and touched them both on the shoulder.
"I can begin to understand…some, but I do know that grief passes with good company. The Hamato family is definitely good company. Jamie…is there anything you want or need from…the apartment that we can pick up before we head down to the guys' place?" April interjected as gently as she could.
Jamie sobbed a little, but slowly pulled away from Leo enough to look at April.
"Yeah…but I…I….I can't….go in….right now….I can't," Jamie managed.
"April…not yet…don't make her go in there yet," Leo said suddenly, wrapping Jamie tighter as she seemed to shrink into him, trembling and sobbing.
"Ok," April said gently, "its ok…you don't have to. I'll stop at the store on the way there; Leo will you and Casey take Jamie down? Jamie what do you need and what sizes?"
Jamie choked it out and hung onto Leo all the more tightly. Leo scooped her up and carried her away.
A few minutes later when April and Casey started for the door guiding a silent Leo and a nonresponsive Jamie to the door it was as if neither one could speak.
April and Casey shared a worried glance, sorrow settling in, these two needed and were going to need a great deal of support to get through this.
A/N: Transition chappie… : ( please review.