DISCLAIMER – Still don't own them.

Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed chapter 34. It had been a while since I last updated this missive and, to be frank, I had to re-read several chapters preceding 34. With this new one, I had to go even further back since I couldn't remember if Beth had learned about the turtles (and Splinter's) origins. She had, so I had to make changes – darn it. Ah well. If anyone finds a discrepancy or a plot hole at any point in time, feel free to let me know. It's hard getting back in the 'saddle' again. :0)

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Chapter 35 – Opaque Transparency

Maneuvering through the pitch-black tunnel and holding Beth securely in his arms, Leo silently traversed the watery sluice. The girl trembled involuntarily in his arms, the shock of her experience clearly overwhelming her fragile state. She cried softly as she huddled closely to him and couldn't help but think about the fight. It amazed her that she hadn't gone catatonic by now, yet even more so, she was impressed with how easy her friends had detected the people who attacked them. Beth was certain she hadn't heard a thing before Raphael sounded the alarm. Then, for these same friends to fight and defeat whoever it was who attacked them, and in such dismal conditions as complete darkness, greatly impressed the girl. More than that, though, it also caused her to wonder greatly about what these turtles – and especially Leonardo – were truly capable of doing.

In short, the fight had proved to her just how helpless she truly was – and now dangerous her friends could be.

It was also when she finally understood why both Leo and Raphael were so insistent about keeping quiet. Had she known such dangers existed under New York City's streets, she wouldn't have given a single rational thought about leaving the lair by herself. In hindsight, Beth realized her foolishness could have gotten her killed.

While Leo quietly led the way, he and his brothers kept on high alert, just in case a few of the Foot came back to ambush them. Bringing up the rear, Raphael kept both his sai at the ready, every fiber of his essence tense and itching to put one more soldier out of commission. In-between Raph and Leonardo, Mike and Don kept their weapons in-hand as well; equally aware of what their enemy was capable of doing.

Yet the longer and farther they walked, the more confident the four brothers were that the worse was over.

"Wh…who were…they?" Beth finally whispered through soft, hiccupy sobs, her arms wrapped securely around Leo's neck as he carried her. She took full advantage of his embrace, too; huddling firmly into his plastron as the turtle traversed the sewers.

"The Foot," Raph growled out low, his voice suggesting that he strode only a few paces behind her, "and try not to talk so loud, will ya?"

Now, Beth began to tremble more in Leo's arms, remember what Splinter had told her, about how they had been doing battle against this band of ninja thieves. A new fear crept up her spine, "Did…they see me?"

"No," Leo said, "Although we're well adjusted to the dark, the Foot are still human. They would have had to use infrared goggles to see as well as we do." Leonardo was thankful the gurgling noise of rushing water masked their sloshing – and their conversation. As much as he would have preferred Beth to cease her questions, he couldn't blame her for asking them.

However, another concern nagged at the poor girl, "Will…these Foot people be back?"

However, her question caused one of the others to sigh in agitation, "Oh, yeah," Raphael deadpanned, "like bad company, they'll be back, no doubt 'bout it."

Beth tried to squirm out of Leo's embrace, exclaiming in a hushed shout, "Iwanttogohome,now!"

"No," Leo said sternly, effectively keeping her in his arms, "you can't get down, now, Beth. We're walking through sewer water and I don't want you in it."

"Then, let me walk where it's dry," she begged piteously.

"No can do, sister," Mike chirped softly, sounding as if he was right behind Leonardo, "you'll leave footprints and that's one thing we can't allow."

"But how can they see them if it's so dark; I can't even see my own hand," the girl reasoned, positioning her hand in front of her for emphasis.

Don interjected, "What Leo said, about the Foot using infrared lighting. They'll use whatever technology they can and if they know we have a guest, they'll assume you'll leave footprints, which…is probably more right than not." Don smiled, although Beth was unable to see it, "No offense, of course. It takes years of training and practice not to leave a trail."

"Of course," Beth said sourly. She remained silent and grumpy for a moment, trying to figure a way to convince them to let her walk on her own, but – given their arguments against it - she finally gave up. Still, the girl tried to persist on one more issue, "Can you at least take me home, then?"

"Nuh huh," Don said, "Not until nightfall. We're too exposed during the day. Since the Foot was already down here in the sewers, they might have alerted plain-clothed lookouts topside, especially where they know we have someone who obviously doesn't belong here. It would make perfect sense to them for us to try and return you to your home."

Sighing and finally realizing the futility of her situation, Beth resigned herself to Leo carrying her. She had to admit not minding it so much, not where it was her friend, but – still – she would have preferred walking.

After a little while, Beth calmed down and relaxed a bit more. Tucking her head against Leo's right shoulder and with the rhythmic swing of his walk, she slowly closed her eyes. There wasn't much for her to see, not with how dark the sewers were. Between the veil of black, the comforting sound of rushing water, combined with the gentle rocking of Leo's arms as he strode along, sleep soon began to overtake her. Since the whole experience with the fight had exhausted the poor girl, it wasn't too long before Beth finally dozed off.

………………

Beth didn't know how long she had slept, but when she woke up, she saw the same dense blackness as before. It was obvious that they were still in the deepest darkest part of the sewers. Disappointment didn't even come close to describing how she felt. She was getting pretty tired of not seeing things.

Almost the moment that Beth awoke, though, Leo's voice suddenly broke the silence, "Beth, why did you leave the lair?"

She startled instinctively, nearly jumping from his arms, yet Beth easily detected the scorn and disapproval in his words.

"Hey, calm down," he whispered low, tightening his hold on her just a little.

"Sorry," the girl apologized and relaxed again in his embrace.

Leo repeated his question, more sternly this time, but Beth only shrugged in response.

"What's with the shrug, Beth?" he asked briskly, his words dripping with rebuke, "You had us all worried; can't you tell me why you left the lair?

Beth cowed just a little under his strict demeanor, tucking her chin stubbornly as she whimpered, "No."

"Why not?"

"Because."

Leo shook his head in frustration with the girl's lack of cooperation and walked on for a few minutes in silence.

As they executed a hard right turn, Leo and the others took about five paces and then stopped. They waited and as they did, Beth began to say something. In that same moment, she found Leo's hand quickly covering her mouth before she could utter a single word.

"Shhh…we wait," he breathed, so close to her ear that it tickled, causing the girl to shiver in response.

Beth's eyes went wide, unsure of why Leo would suddenly become overly cautious. After all, hadn't he just talked with her only a moment before?

Then, Beth had a horrible thought. Had Leo heard something? Were they being followed, and, if so, could it be one of those awful Foot ninja, sneaking back to try and hurt them again? Then, before panic could gain any ground on her composure, Beth felt a movement to her right, startling her and causing her to jump a bit, only – again - Leo breathed close to her ear, "It's only Don."

Beth heard a dull thump from in front of her, then a scraping of wood, and soon, a soft light gradually seeped into the little niche where they waited. It quickly became obvious that Donnie had opened a door. However, he only opened it wide enough and long enough for his other brothers to slip quickly through, with Don soon closing and the securing the door behind him as he followed suit.

Beth hadn't a clue beforehand how fast Leonardo, or his brothers, could be, but by the way he moved through the doorway completely astounded her. She had barely noticed the door and then the light beyond, when in the next moment, she was fully illuminated. It nearly took her breath away.

Certainly, her friends were the farthest thing from the common, everyday terrapin.

As Leo moved further into the tunnel, Beth looked over his shoulder, catching Mike's cheerful expression and noting Raph's less than happy face. She ignored him and saw Don as he easily caught up with them. Yet, as Beth stared beyond the turtle in purple and back to where the door should have been, she saw nothing but a collection of debris. Completely puzzled as to where the door had gone to, and wondering if maybe she had fallen asleep or had gone catatonic again, she asked quizzically, "Um…did I just dream it or did Donnie open a door?" she asked.

Leo chuckled, "Not telling; it's a ninja secret."

"Not fair," she grumped, looking one last time at the mysterious wall, "Maybe I'll need to know about that door."

"Or not," Raph cocked an eye ridge at her, "at least, not on my watch ya won't!" He worked his shoulders around as if releasing tension that had built up during their dark and treacherous trek through the outer sewer system. A few subtle creaks and groans sounded out in protest, promoting an unusually contented sigh from the red-banded turtle. He seemed more relaxed, now, and it caused Beth to wonder if maybe they had passed through some sort of security door, one that the Foot wouldn't find. Of course, it caused her to wonder why she hadn't seen it before – unless she had taken a different route when on her own in the sewers. Then again, she remembered how confused she had been a several points during her escapade. It wouldn't surprise her in the least if she had come this way, only to double back – which she did on a couple of occasions.

As she turned her head back around, she saw that the sewer-system they were currently in ran straight for about a hundred yards. Light illuminated the five travelers, but it also showed a tunnel in disrepair. Part of the sewer walls seemed to have decayed from lack of maintenance, allowing a small slide of earth here and there to impede anyone from taking the route more seriously, except for those needing such determents. Strategically placed wooden boards, obvious rescues from other locations, seemed set up at certain points to hinder further deterioration of the wall, yet applied not so obviously as to advertise their deliberate intent. There were piles of trash and other debris scattered throughout, effectively creating an obstacle course that if one weren't careful, they could easily stumble across.

As the four bi-pedal mutants easily skirted around these various distractions, they were mindful to leave as much undisturbed as possible.

"Kind of in a bad state of condition," she remarked casually about the tunnel.

"Deliberate," Leo only said.

"How come?"

Leo looked down at the girl and smiled faintly, "You don't want to know, trust me on that."

Raphael quickly sided up to his brother, "Hey, fearless, if she bolts again – and I'm not giving you any ideas," Raph eyed the girl with a meaningful glare before looking back at his brother again, "she needs to know not to come this way…it's for her own good, Leo-san; know what I mean?"

Leo side-glanced his brother, his jaw tightening ever so slightly, and then he sighed once, saying, "Yeah, you're right." He then looked at Beth as Raphael dropped behind him again, "Never come this way, ever," he paused for a moment before adding, "It's…booby trapped with 'things' best left to nightmares. We know where everything is, but if any of the Foot get in here, they won't and…neither would you, so…don't ever come this way, understand?"

Leo had Beth's full attention, her subtle nod of acceptance clearly defining how well she understood his instructions and warning. She was immediately glad that he still carried her and was eternally grateful for his determined stubbornness to do so, too.

Beth went back to observing the tunnel, acutely aware of Leo's implied wording, and wondering exactly what kind of armament would be the stuff of nightmares. Still, she couldn't help but note that this part of the sewers seemed drier and no longer affording the mutants the luxury of hiding their tracks within the waterlogged culverts, now nearly fifty-yards behind them. Then, again, considering what Leo had told her, they probably didn't have to worry much about anyone going through it.

Nevertheless, Beth could tell that water very seldom flowed down this end of the sewer system. Moreover, as Mike began whistling a little bit, it was plain to Beth that it was safe and maybe they were even close to home.

Leonardo still hadn't given up on finding out what he wanted to know, though. With his voice stern and direct, "Again, tell me why you left the lair. Beth, you now know that it was just luck you didn't come this way."

Fully appreciating what her friend was telling her, yet still mindful of her reasons for leaving, "I…I don't want to talk about it, is all," the girl insisted shyly, not daring to look Leonardo in the eye. She could feel his disapproval in his words, but to look at him full on, intimidated her greatly. She could sense concern, too, but there was just enough ire in his voice to warrant a less than cooperative response from her. Still, with all she had gone through and now where they were in some sort of 'armed' tunnel, she just wanted to get to the lair and to safety.

Leo narrowed his expression just a bit and thought about challenging Beth's response. She had caused him and his brothers a great deal of concern and worry; at the very least, she owed him an explanation. Nevertheless, as the girl began to tremble in his arms, Leonardo decided to keep silent. Berating himself for probably scaring the girl with visions of nightmarish weapons, Leonardo realized that maybe telling her about the tunnel wasn't the wisest thing, considering her tendency to blank out. Therefore, he would have to try a different tactic, where posturing himself wasn't going to work with her. He would feel just awful if Beth went catatonic because of him.

"Look, Beth, it would have been terrible if you had gotten hurt back there," Leo offered softly, "and considering where we're at right now and all…" he paused as he swallowed, "Even with the fight, I mean…we're good at what we do, and…well…things happen. Even when we're at our very best…I…I dunno," he sighed, "From what Father told me, you've already been through so much. I would just hate to have anything more happen to you, ya know?"

Beth nodded, but she still kept quiet. She truly hoped her friends did know the tunnel well, the thought of nightmarish weapons still fresh on her mind.

"I'm not going to get mad at you, Beth," Leo entreated quietly, "I just want to know…why did you leave the lair?"

Beth began to cry, now, and if Leo had the capacity to read her mind, he would have known how much afraid she was and, most especially, how contritely foolish she was feeling. Realizing he wasn't going to get any answers from her for the time being, he sighed and continued walking in silence.

Behind Leonardo, Don and Mikey talked quietly among themselves. As they trudged through the softly lit tunnel, Mike abruptly motioned to Don to pull further back, bringing a finger to his mouth to hush his brother's questioning. Raphael walked on ahead of the two, giving them both a raised eye ridge as he did, as if to say, "What's with you two?"

Mike shrugged and said softly, "Just talking, bro…need to ask Don about something 'technical'."

Raph muttered under his breath, "That's a first," and soon caught up to Leonardo.

Ignoring his red-banded brother, and confident he wouldn't be overheard, Mike whispered as he sidled up closer to Donatello, "Hey, Donnie, ya think Leo might be remembering Beth?"

Chuckling a little, Don replied, "Maybe, Mike, but, memory or not, he doesn't have to remember in order to like her, you know."

"Yeah, I know," his brother replied, "but," he glanced one more time at Leo before saying, "I kind of hope he does remember."

"Why?" Don asked as he quirked an eye-ridge suspiciously towards his brother, gingerly sidestepping a debris pile.

Looking up at Donatello, Mike grinned, skirting around the same bit of trash, "Cuz maybe Leo will be more interested in her than in making us do katas all day long! Ya know how he gets after a fight."

Don laughed and shook his head, "You know, Mikey, you're incorrigible."

"Yep, Donnie-boy, that's me…incarrig, ah…whatever it was you said."

A short while later and well after they had slipped into another junction of tunnels, Leo finally allowed Beth to walk under her own power. However, he kept alert, in case one of the Foot had succeeded in tracking them through the boob-trapped section of sewers. Leo always played it safe where it concerned his and his family's safety, despite their well hidden and security protected lair. To prove that point, he had one of his swords unsheathed, just to be cautious. He saw Beth's worried expression, so he explained, "Old habit of mine," and smiled a little.

Although the sword bothered her, Beth knew that it and its owner had saved her life not more than an hour earlier, so she tried to dismiss it, staying as close to Leonardo as she could. Still, seeing him brandish the weapon so effortlessly, as if it were only an arm or a leg, caused many questions to run rampant in her mind, such as, "Has he killed anyone with it?"

A shiver suddenly ran up her spine at that thought and Beth was thankful that darkness had shrouded the battle scene from earlier. It was possible he had killed someone even then and the thought terrified her greatly. As she walked beside her friend, once again, the girl employed Splinters lessons on self-control, reminding herself that Leonardo would never harm her, nor would his brothers. In just the short amount of time she had come to know them, they had proved themselves honorable – even Raphael.

Finally, as they arrived at the lair's entrance, Leo said, "Beth, wait here with me, we need to talk."

Shaking her head, she said, "I'd rather not, if you don't mind."

"I do mind, Beth. We need to talk, before climbing down to the lair."

"Look, I'm sorry about leaving, I really am…" Beth pleaded, but Leo interrupted her.

"I know, but…" he looked at her compassionately, "I want to know why. Please stay."

Raph maneuvered passed them, gave the two a quick once-over, and then eyed the girl, "Look, Beth, just tell 'em what he wants t'know, cuz personally speak'n, Leo ain't gonna give up until ya do." He smirked knowingly and then Raph leapt easily down through the opening and to the lair below. Mikey followed suit, grumbling about bugs, diseased riddled water, and wanting a hot bath, and then as Don began to position himself for his own decent, the purple-banded turtle looked over at Leo. He noticed his brother regarding Beth intently.

"Are you all right, Leo?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Go on ahead," Leonardo directed, waving his brother off.

Beth turned around and stared at him. Despite her reluctance to telling him why she had left, she knew she deserved a lecture. She had been quite foolish for traipsing off on her own through the sewers. Considering all that had happened, or what could have happened, she couldn't blame Leonardo one bit.

Shrugging, Don said, "Don't be long, bro, Splinter's going to want a report," and then dropped down through the opening and out of sight.

Leo stood there, now, and looked at Beth a while longer. She fidgeted nervously under his stern gaze, glancing once towards the lair's entrance and wishing she were anywhere but where she stood. Then, she heard him ask, "Beth, I'll ask you again. I want to know why you left when you did…and shrugging your shoulders or not wanting to talk about it won't placate me, either."

Beth saw the determined expression on Leo's face and knew he was quite serious. "Raphael was right; Leo's not going to give up until I tell him." Still, she just couldn't tell him that it was because of him she had left. How could she say such a thing, what would he think, then? And he was still looking at her, waiting patiently, if not anxiously, to find out why in the world she would leave the safety of the lair for the uncertainty and dangers of the sewers.

"I'm waiting," he muttered impatiently, folding his arms across his chest and raising one eye ridge.

Beth sighed and realized that, regardless of how much he wanted to know, she just couldn't tell Leo the truth, "I missed being home, is all."

Nearly laughing out loud, Leo scoffed, "Is that so…you missed your home so much that you deliberately sneaked out of the lair, but didn't think to even leave a note?" He shook his head sadly, "Then, to get lost and almost killed, and you expect me to believe you did it just to go home?"

"I wasn't planning on getting lost!" Beth squared her shoulders defiantly, "I'm just…not that familiar how to get back to the surface is all." She looked away and realized too late that she had uttered what was probably the lamest comment of her life.

"Well, that's perfectly obvious!" Leo smirked, causing Beth to turn sharply towards him as her cheeks reddened considerably. He studied her and knew, between the blush along her cheeks and the dilation of her pupils, that she was not being completely honest with him. "However, 'missing home' isn't the real reason why you left, is it, Beth?" he finally asked.

"Of course it is."

"No, it's not."

"It IS, too!" Beth insisted.

"No, it's NOT!" Leo reiterated as he leaned forward for emphasis.

The two stood there and stared at each other, both determined and both equally stubborn. Finally, Leo sighed and said, pointing towards the sewers, "Look, I just saved your life back there, I've carried you through countless tunnels, trudged through filthy water, all to get you to safety, and the best you can do is lie to me when I ask you a question?" He folded his arms indignantly, "It's rather rude to lie to those who've done nothing but help you And DON'T tell me you're not lying, because I'm trained in the art of Ninjitsu and I can sense a lie with my eyes closed."

Beth swallowed nervously and finally concluded that, like it or not, she would have to confess. "All right, but just remember, you asked for it!" Beth looked away, swallowed nervously and finally mumbled, "I was afraid you would remember our friendship if I stayed any longer in the lair."

Leo quirked his head, pursing his mouth a bit in thought as he considered Beth's words. Nodding, he said, "Okay, but why were you afraid that I'd remember our friendship?"

Beth looked up at the turtle, her eyes sad and expressive, unsure if she should continue. Still, he wanted to know, so she said, "I realized that…if you did remember me," she quickly looked away, gulping a little, "that you might want me to stay, and – well…" she glanced once more at Leonardo and half-lied, "I don't know if I can live down here, is all."

And that was that; she said it, she told him, and now? Well, now she was certain he would want her to go away, where she had all but insulted him and his home.

Unfathomed by her words, Leo chuckled, almost in relief, as he took a hold of Beth's hand, "And…"

Looking at him once more and ignoring the fact that he held her hand in his, Beth sighed and rolled her eyes, "Aaand…I didn't want you to risk getting discovered by visiting me when I go back to my apartment."

At this, Leo laughed aloud, chuckling deeply, as he remarked, "First, if you had succeeded in getting back to your apartment, what makes you think I wouldn't have followed you?" Beth hadn't considered that, that is if her surprised expression said as much. Leo smiled, "And, as far as getting discovered…me? Beth, I've been running all over New York City for years and – other than the Foot and a couple of other people – my family and I are virtually unknown in your world. If I want to visit you, you wouldn't have to worry about anyone seeing me. I practice the art of invisibility, I'm ninja." He squeezed her hand, then, and looked at her compassionately, "Beth, you worry about things you do not understand."

Beth shook her head and said, "Maybe I do, but, we can only be friends, Leonardo, can't you see that? We're…too different," She cringed, now, because it was only half true, she really didn't care about the dissimilarities, "For us to be more than that would mean…"

Nodding, Leo interrupted her, "I don't mind just being friends Beth, although I know what it would mean to be more than that. There are certainly differences between us, but as far as getting together as friends, there are other places to meet, to get to know one another, and safe prying eyes, too." He thought about April's place, the sewer access in the dead end alley behind the building, and knew it would allow Beth and him to talk and not have to worry about interruptions or people spying on them.

"I appreciate that, Leo, I really do, but…no, I think it's best if we decide now to just be friends. I'm…sorry," Beth turned away at that, unable to bear the questioning expression on her friend's face. She felt truly awful lying with the way she was doing, yet she had considered all the problems associated with such a relationship with this mutant turtle. Friendship would be the most she could hope for and even that caused her to worry for Leonardo's safety and well-being.

Leo could sense what Beth just said was anything but the truth, yet there was sincerity in her voice as well. He felt a sudden stirring in his heart that he had long ignored, long denied, and what had obviously been the source of his rebellion so many weeks and months before. Yet, he wasn't sure if the timing was right for either of them. Beth had issues, that much he realized, but maybe he could help her through these issues.

Then, another thought interrupted his wonderings, a more disturbing thought; what if his feelings were only a primal urge not based on whether he liked her or wanted to be with her? Leo considered maybe the act of saving Beth's life, of carrying her, of being so close he could have kissed her, all trigged some sort of inborn desire to seek a mate. The way he currently felt said as much.

Still, he felt drawn to her and he couldn't ignore that fact.

Leonardo knew that these were important issues that he had to sift through. Given his talk with Splinter, until he could determine his feelings and know that he wasn't becoming interested in Beth for all the wrong reasons, Leo realized he would have to let the girl return to her apartment unchallenged.

Despite her words, though, it was also perfectly obvious to Leo that there was more behind Beth's words than just her concern regarding the differences in their species and of his being seen. If anything, Leo could sense a strong attraction from Beth.

Still, despite how he felt, Leo only smiled as he entreated, "If you truly are uncomfortable with anything more than friendship, Beth," he bowed his head just a little, as he concluded, "I will be content with that."

Surprised with Leonardo's words - and maybe the day before she would have been glad for them - Beth was still determined to follow through with her plans. She had given much thought to her situation and considering her encounter with the mysterious attackers in the darkened sewers, it only added weight to her decision. The fact that to associate in any way with the turtles would include dangers she was ill equipped to deal with, truly frightened the girl. What if somehow the Foot found out about her relationship with the mutants, or, worse still, discovered how she felt about one of them? If the Foot were as evil as Splinter and Raphael implied, then what would stop these ninja thieves from using her to get to them?

Yes, indeed, Beth's imagination was running full throttle and if it weren't for her newly learned technique with self-control, she would have surely nodded off into catatonia.

"Well, guess we better join the others," Leo said, unknowingly bringing his friend out of her meandering thoughts. With one sweep of his arm, he invited her to climb down the ladder and into the lair, "After you, Beth."

As she maneuvered over the gaping entrance to the lair and then disappeared down through the opening, the blue-banded turtle sighed and closed his eyes, "What am I going to do?" Leonardo muttered silently, "I can't make Beth stay, but…I really don't want her to go home, either."

Still, Leonardo knew that he had to let her go; even if he was certain it was something that Beth didn't want.