A/N: You like me... You really like me.

Ryhoyarbie - Thanks for the review. And you're right by the way. But then, can you see Raph going easy on ANYONE?

The Incredible Dancing Betty - Yes she is wearing clothes. I haven't really mentioned it yet, but there are... um... some 'slight' differences between her and the guys in the area above the carapace. I'll let you use your imagination.

Virtual Wenrog - You are most welcome for the update. And here's another one! Yay! Also you may be crazy... or you may not be... I shall reveal nothing! Nothing! Bwahahahahahahahahaha!

Shadow Warrior 4 God - Thanks so much. Your review made me blush. It's nice to know that I'm spreading around some happiness.

Silent Water 13 - Yay for me! Hmmm... I've never been called brilliant before. 'Blithering imbecile' certainly, but not brilliant. laughs Thanks for the review.

Jessiy Ladnroz - Yes I know the forgiveness-getting bit was kinda short. I did origionally write a much longer version where Don stays mad at Amy for ages but frankly it was crap so I re-wrote it and that's what'cha got. Headquarters under construction huh? Well... I'd tell you whether or not to stop the building crews, but frankly that would spoil all my fun... I'm not sayin' nothin!

Donny's Ninja Girl - Dun, dun duuuunnnnnnnn... Tee hee. Here comes another chapter. Like, mondo thanks for the totally tubular review dudette!

And off we go! You all know the score by now I'd hope - stars around a name mean from their POV and italics are thoughts.

Don

It's eight o'clock – or thereabouts. This is my last chance to say something before it's too late.

Just as I'm about to walk in the door, I meet Amy coming out the other way.

"Are you really sure this is a good idea?" I ask bluntly.

"Yes I do," she replies flatly. Apparently deciding however, that it was a bit too short to be a proper answer, she goes on to say, "I don't want to be helpless anymore."

I can see her reasoning, but there's still something bothering me. "But... Why did you ask Raph?"

"Well Raph's not exactly the type to go easy on anyone."

I smile at that, she just summed him up pretty well there. But that didn't really answer my question. "That doesn't explain why you chose him as your teacher."

"In a real fight, do you think that someone who wants to hurt me is going to give me any sort of advantage?" she says, shrugging.

"Well no..." She has a good point, but I still don't feel any better about this. "Could you come to my room afterwards and tell me how it went?"

She looks slightly puzzled, as if wondering why I would worry about her. She does manage to keep her confusion out of her voice though. "Okay. I'll see you later then."

I force a smile and head into my room, shutting the door behind me. Why am I so worried about this?

It's just that Raph looses control sometimes. That's all. I'm sure that's all.

I've got to put this out of my mind. I sit down at my computer and bring up the new programme I've been working on lately. That should work. I hope.

Amy

Well one thing for sure. Don's nerves about this sure as hell haven't helped mine.

I sigh and shake my head. It's too late to turn back now.

I no sooner walk through the door then a pair of massive arms wrap around my neck, one hand going up to cover my mouth. There's no way of escape, or even crying out for help now.

Oh crap oh crap oh crap oh crap oh crap! I'm so screwed! Who could've possibly gotten into the lair?

"Now you see, that's why you need to be aware at all times. Never underestimate an opponent," a gruff voice says, just by my ear.

When my brain finally kicks in and I recognise it as Raph's, I relax a little. Not very much though, I've heard some stories about him. Not that I don't trust him or anything, it's just that this is not a situation I feel too comfortable about.

I nod mutely to show I understand and he lets me go.

"Okay," he says, clapping his hands together enthusiastically. "Let's get down to business."

"Not like that, your arm should end up like this at the end of that movement." Raph takes my arm and carefully shifts it around. "Now hold that position."

Uhhhhhh... My arms feel like they're made of jelly.

"Getting tired?" Raph asks.

"Uh-huh," my arms drop to my sides, seemingly out of my control. "That's just a mild understatement."

"We'll call it quits then. Same time tomorrow?"

I just nod, too tired to do anything more.

Raph leaves and I slowly drag myself back to my room and flop down on the bed. It is only then that I remember having promised Don to tell him how my 'training' went.

So with a sigh and a groan I hoist myself back up and shuffle out to Don's room.

"Hey Don," I say wearily, letting myself in.

He rises from his chair and comes over to me. Wasting no time, he starts firing off questions. "How did it go? Are you hurt at all? What did you go over?"

I put up one hand to silence him. "It went fine; I'm not hurt - just tired and a little achey; and we just did basic stances and blocking."

Don's shoulders drop slightly in relief. Then he seems to process what I said and pulls up a chair. "Here. Why don't you sit for a bit?"

"Thanks," I say, falling into it, much more than gratefull to be off my feet.

Don sits back down and fixes me with a concerned gaze. "So he wasn't too rough with you?"

"No, no. It was fine."

He really was worried wasn't he?

I actually find his concern a little disconcerting so I decide to change the subject. "So what were you working on before I showed up?"

"Just the new security system I'm setting up. When it's all finished, I'll know the moment anyone gets even close to the lair. What I'm going to do is hook up about thirty motion detectors and..." he breaks off suddenly.

I barely notice, as I'm too busy pouring over the plans on screen. "You know, If you connected them in series from here to here," I remark, pointing out the area on the screen. "Then the system would be much more reliable. Not to mention power-efficient."

I look back up to see Don staring at me as if I've just grown antlers. "What?" I ask defensively.

"Well it's just that when I start talking, people usually just stop listening or tell me to shut up - not offer suggestions. How did you know that?" he replies.

"My friend Dave was a tech-whizz. I learned quite a bit from him." That memory makes me smile. How time flies...

"Amy, won't he be worried about where you are? And your family, what about them?"

I sigh. This was going to come up sooner or later. "I doubt it. For a start, I haven't talked to anyone in my family for a couple of years now."

"Why not?" he asks.

"We don't get on," I tell him flatly, hoping to avoid any further discussion. "And secondly, Dave can't worry about me. He's been dead for just over five years now. It was in a car crash."

"I'm sorry," he says.

I just shrug. "Don't be. I dealt with his passing a long time ago."

"Not just for that," he says, shaking his head. "I'm also sorry about your family."

I smile wearily. "That doesn't bother me either. You can't miss what you never had."