Disclaimer: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the property of Viacom, Nickelodeon, Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird and all organizations associated with said names. This is non-profit.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Exile
by BrownEyedBirdie

Author's Note: Welcome back! Sorry, I know I'm a day behind, but this is a long chapter and a lot to get out. Add a full time job and a day full of appointment…I'm just glad I got it up today and not let another week go by. So sorry again. We're on the downswing now of this series. I know I've neglected "Love's Symphony" but I've been having a lot of fun with this story so I've let other projects slide. Don't worry, they're not abandoned. Weiterlesen!

Chapter 18 – Quilt

Raph snapped up from his mat on the floor of Leo's room. He'd fallen asleep again. He vaguely remembered hearing Donnie come into the room very early that morning. It must have been him that brought his mat and blanket.

"If the nerd actually put me to bed," Raph grumbled, "I may have a melee in training."

The thought hit him and he smiled. Training started today. He grinned wickedly as plans for his brothers and the two humans began to form. When the rest of the house awoke, Raph was already downstairs, eating breakfast.

"Did you have a good night, Raph?" April asked, "Please tell me you slept."

"Ask the genius," Raph said. Donnie smirked at him.

"The only thing I did was give you a soft landing," he replied. Raph scowled at him.

"I'm starving," Mikey said, "Whadda we got?" Casey followed sleepily behind him.

"Eggs, bacon and toast," Raph announced, "We'll need the energy."

Everyone looked at him in confusion. Raph grinned wickedly.

"Training starts today!"

"Sweet!" Casey said happily, grabbing a plate full of eggs.

"Not for you, hot shot!" Donnie said, "Getting zapped and a heart stopping earns you bed rest."

"Are you kidding?" Casey shouted. Donnie's response was to pour a mug of coffee.

"Donnie's right, Casey," April said. Everyone looked at her. She smiled tightly at them.

"I am not going to sit up in my room while everyone else gets to kick butt," Casey said.

"No one is going to be kicking butt," April said.

"Don't be too sure," Raph said, "Tell you what, Jones, we'll compromise. You sit and watch for now until Dr. Dork gives you the OK."

"Hey!" Donnie snapped. April smirked behind her juice glass. Casey frowned but didn't argue.

"Suh-weeeet!" Mikey whistled, "Ninja Turtles at it again!"

The day was warm and pleasant for training. Raph couldn't think of a nicer setup, except maybe to be back in the dojo with Master Splinter in command and facing off against Leo.

"Okay, first we do warm up for an hour," Raph said, "Usual stretches, you know, squats, pushups, situps, that sort of thing. Let's start into it gently, so only 60 today."

"Seems fair," Mikey said.

"Okay by me," Donnie said. April and Casey looked staggered.

"After stretches, we'll do katas," Raph said, "Go to it."

The next few hours were painful for April as she struggled to keep up with the instructions. Master Splinter hadn't required this much work of her, mostly because she was still only learning and hadn't been raised to it since birth. She kept glancing over at Donnie and Mikey, who were barely winded. April felt drops of sweat falling into her eyes continually.

"Okay, let's take a quick break," Raph said, "I want to figure out sparring pairs."

Despite her exhausted condition, April grinned. She had only ever sparred with Master Splinter. She sat down next to Casey, who handed her a large bottle of water. April drank half of it before she stopped to breath.

"Looking good out there, Red," Casey said.

"This is going to be the first time I spar with one of the guys," April said.

"Think it'll be Donnie?" Casey asked. April choked on her water.

"Jeez, I hadn't thought of that," April said, "I hope not."

"Well, it makes sense," Casey said, "Based on what I've been watching, Mikey is way too wild, you'd be down in a minute. And I've fought with Raph street-style; you don't want to go there."

April frowned. She didn't want to have to fight Donnie; yes, their argument so many weeks ago had not been brought up again, but it had cooled things between them considerably. But she hadn't done anything wrong and she refused to apologize for Donnie's childish behavior.

"Okay," Raph said, "I think I got this figured out."

April stood up and knelt next to Mikey. Donnie knelt on Mikey's other side.

"Okay, I thought about doing team sparring at first," Raph began, "But I want to get a feel for everyone's level in this new dynamic. No offense, April, but you and Casey are the wild cards. So, let's do you up first against Donnie."

April swallowed a groan. Donnie stood up.

"Raph, I'm not sure that's a good idea," he said.

"Donnie, I know you're the leader," Raph cut him off, "But you put me in charge of training and, to be honest, I wouldn't have listened to you anyway. So shut up and get in position."

Donnie frowned but obeyed. April knelt in front of him and they bowed.

"No weapons," Raph said, "Hajime!"

April swung out and hit air. Donnie had gone into a perfect split. He swung his leg around, catching April's leg. April's leg collapsed and she quickly cart wheeled away. Donnie put one arm up and watched her closely.

"Any time you're ready," April said, "Or shall we stop right now."

Donnie gritted his teeth and surged forward, twisting his body gracefully though the air and over April's head. She stared in shock as he landed and grabbed and arm, spinning her around and over his shell. She landed on her back at Donnie's feet. She glared up at him.

"Just barely warming up," Donnie taunted, "Not too tired, are you?"

"No!" April shouted and brought a leg up behind Donnie's ankle. Donnie went down and April climbed to her feet. Donnie righted himself again just in time to catch April's arm as she drove it down toward him. He clasped her hands in his and held her back. The two locked eyes and stared coldly at each other. April let Donnie push against her and, as he felt his balance shift, he leaned back. April took the opportunity and swung out a leg, catching him in the plastron and sending him down.

"Yame!" Raph said. It took a moment more before they let go. Silence hung heavy in the yard. Raph cleared his throat.

"Okay, good job," he said, "Um, Donnie, the idea was to get an idea of your level too."

April stared in horror and anger.

"You went easy on me?" she shouted, "Why?"

"Why do you think?" Donnie said, shrugging his shoulders, "You aren't ready for the level the rest of us are at. Raph, you'll see my level when I go against you or Mikey."

"No!" April shouted, "I want another turn. And this time, I want to face Mikey. And you better not hold back."

Mikey flinched as April poked his plastron. Mikey looked nervously at Raph. Raph shrugged and waved him forward. Donnie looked between April and Raph, threw up his hands with a groan and slouched away.

The match was over in less than a minute, with April sprawled out on the ground, moaning while Mikey stood over her apologizing.

"You said not to hold back!" he kept repeating. Raph shook his head in exasperation. Donnie rolled his eyes but made no move to help as April sat up.

"Yes, I did," she said, "And I appreciate it." She looked sharply at Donnie. Donnie, in turn, met her gaze without flinching.

"Well, I guess I know all about your level then," Raph said, trying to be delicate.

"I'm going inside," April said, "You guys have fun."

"I'm done too," Donnie said, walking towards the barn.

Casey, Mikey and Raph stared after them as they slammed doors.

"Okay, those two have officially pushed me over the line," Raph said, "Donnie moping after April like some lost puppy was easier to handle than this."

"As much as I appreciate the lack of competition," Casey said, "It isn't much fun having the two of them turning the kitchen into an ice box."

"Yeah," Mikey said, "That's what Ice Cream Kitty is for."

Mikey and Casey stared at him. Mikey cleared his throat.

"So, what do we do about it?" he asked. Raph closed his eyes in thought. Then he grinned wickedly.

"I think I've got an idea."

April sat at the kitchen table, chopping celery and onions. It was Casey's turn to cook dinner that night and he'd voted for simple: chicken pasta salad and bread sticks.

"How's your shoulder, April?" Casey asked from his spot at the stove. Pasta was starting to boil. April shrugged and winced as the bruise protested the movement. Casey grinned.

"Not a word out of you, Jones," April said, smirking, "I don't need to hear an "I-told-you-so", especially from you."

"Would I do that?" Casey asked innocently.

"In a heartbeat."

"You're right," Casey grinned, "But I'll wait until after you're back to your usual self. It's no fair if you can't fight back."

"At least I know that Donnie's worse off," April said. She smiled at the memory of watching Donnie flailing his arms as Raph caught him in a headlock. But Donnie had said nothing, not even asking for release.

"Oh, our brave leader is just gonna take it, huh?" Raph asked. Donnie used the moment to reach back and touch a nerve just under Raph's arm. The pinch caused Raph to grunt in pain and release Donnie. It was a clever move, but it cost him as Raph sent him sailing three yards away.

"Where is Donnie anyway?" Casey asked.

"He's in the barn," Mikey said, carrying in a basket of eggs, "Sounds like he's working pretty hard in there."

"Yeah, well, someone should haul his shell in here," Casey said, "Dinner is almost ready. April, you do it."

"What?" April cried, "Why me?"

"Because Mikey is going to make the garlic bread," Casey said, tossing a loaf at Mikey, who caught it deftly, "And I'm about to add the special secret ingredient to my pasta that NO ONE gets to see."

"I'll close my eyes," April said, "And I can do the bread."

"No way, April," Mikey said, "I want to try something and Casey promised I could."

"Where's Raph?" April asked, "Why can't he do it?"

"He's out on patrol," Casey said, "He's the only one excused from my dinner."

April rolled her eyes and stomped out the kitchen door. Casey and Mikey watched her leave and grinned. Mikey pulled out his T-phone and sent a message.

April kicked a few loose rocks to vent her frustration, the last hitting the barn wall as she arrived. Inside, she heard a crash of breaking glass and a groan of irritation. She pulled open the barn doors.

"Mikey!" Donnie snarled, "This is delicate work I'm doing in here. Why can't you-."

"Dinner is ready," April said, "I've been sent to tell you."

Donnie's eyes narrowed.

"I'll be in later," he said, "I have a mess to clean up now."

"Hey, loose the attitude," April said, "You should put up a sigh if you're doing stuff like that."

"Loose your own attitude," Donnie snapped back, "A lab, by association, is synomous with delicate work."

April slammed the ban doors closed as Donnie picked up a large piece of glass. He yelped as the sudden loud noise caused him to cut his thumb.

"Hey!" he shouted.

"I'm sorry!" April said in alarm.

"You did that on purpose," Donnie hissed. April glared at him.

"I did," she said, "But not so that you'd hurt yourself. Let me see."

"You've done enough," Donnie said, "Just go back in and eat."

"April grabbed his hand and examined the cut. Donnithe cut and e attempted to pull away. April gave him a superior look and applied the slightest amount of pressure between his fingers.

"Ouch!" he said, "Don't do that!"

"Then hold still!" April snapped. They glared at each other as April check the cut. Satisfied, she puled out Donnie's medical kit and found a bandage. Donnie pouted as she bandaged the cut. Once she had finished, he pulled his hand away.

"I've got some work to do," he said, turning back to his table.

"You're welcome," April said dryly. She glanced over to the side and gasped. Donnie looked around as she picked up the old quilt he'd used to put out the fire the night before. The edging was dirty and burnt. The multi-colored squares had picked up the ash and smoke, giving the quilt a dirty, gray sheen.

"What did you do to my blanket?" she cried.

"What are you talking about?" Donnie asked.

"This is my blanket from when I was little," April said, "It got left here when I was a kid. It was my favorite blanket and I thought I'd never see it again. You ruined it."

"Well, excuse me," Donnie said, "How was I supposed to know. Would you have rather I let your boyfriend burn up?"

April stomped angrily. Then she turned on her heel and pushed on the barn doors. And pushed again. They refused to move.

"Oh great," she sighed, "Now the door's stuck."

"Probably broke something when you had your little temper tantrum," Donnie said. He came over and pushed hard against the door. It moved slightly and then hit against something hard. Donnie frowned and peered between the boards.

"The party wagon is parked in front of the door," Donnie shouted. April pushed her way past him and looked as well.

"Who put it there?" she demanded. She looked at Donnie accusingly. Donnie's eyes were blazing red.

"Raph," he said, "He's pulled this before. When we were 6, he put an old arcade game in from of my bedroom door because I wouldn't fix it."

"How can Raph have been the one to do this?" April asked, "He's out on patrol."

"Who told you that?"

"Casey," April said. And then it hit her.

"They set me up!" she shouted.

"They set "us" up," Donnie replied, "Why though?"

"Obviously they think we have something to discuss."

"What's to discuss?" Donnie asked in surprise, "Unless it's about the match from today."

"Some match," April said, "How can you call it a match if the other person doesn't let you push their limits."

"What are you complaining about?" Donnie asked, "You won."

"You didn't let me find out how far I've come," April said, "You let me win."

"Yeah, well, you got your wish and faced Mikey," Donnie said, "Was it worth it?"

April went red in the face. Rather than continue the fight, she looked around.

"How are we going to get out of here?" she asked. No other windows existed, save the one skylight above them that neither of them could fit through.

"I suppose I could break a hole in the door," Donnie said thoughtfully. April scoffed.

"You're not damaging my barn," she said. Donnie rolled his eyes.

"Well, what do you suggest?" he said sarcastically, "Oh, maybe we should call up a friend who can let us out. Except all your friends are either mutated or killer robots with Kraang in them."

"Get over yourself," she shouted, "You're not the only one suffering because of New York. The rest of us are too."

"This has nothing to do with New York!" Donnie shouted back, "This has everything to do with the fact that I was ready to put my heart on the line and you decided I shouldn't have that chance. Not even a chance to be turned down."

April froze, her face white with anger.

"You think I was interested in hearing a grand confession of love from anyone at that moment?" she hissed, "You need to get your priorities straight."

"Yeah, well, I do now," Donnie hissed back, "And my priority is fixing up my brother so he'll wake up and take over this team. Then we can get back to New York, save it and start putting our lives back together without a father or a home."

April was brought up short. The Turtles would save the city, she believed that. And when they did, she would have her father back. She'd be able to go back to school, hang out with friends. But Donnie and his family would be orphaned and homeless. Suddenly, her own feelings of loss seemed microscopic. But she refused to be punished for having them.

"If you have a problem with us humans," April said, "Then say so. But this flip-floppy junk is over with."

"You're one to talk about flip-floppy," Donnie said. April pushed him back.

"He's my friend," she said, "The only human friend I have right now and I won't lose that."

"Just be sure you don't give him the same mixed messages you gave me," Donnie sneered.

"Jerk," April said.

"Tease," Donnie retorted.

"Nerd," April said, her voice getting sharper.

"Brat," Donnie said. Something snapped inside April.

"Freak!" she shouted. She immediately regretted her words.

"Chinchilla!" Donnie shouted back. Both froze, breathing hard. The words finally clicked into place in April's mind and she smiled. Then she began to giggle. Donnie was silent for a moment before he too began to laugh. The giggles turned into laughter, which turned into laying on the barn floor, laughing hysterically. After nearly 10 minutes of laughing, tears and panting, April took Donnie's hand.

"Donnie," April said. Donnie put a finger over her lips.

"It's my turn to stop you," he said, "Because I was wrong. I was wrong to put you in that position while the city was under attack. And I was wrong to have expected you to just stop being who you were. You're not a tease; you care about everyone."

"Donnie," April said, "It's not as if I was making a decision. I care about you. And Casey. And Leo, Raph and Mikey. You're more than friends, you're family."

Donnie lowered his gaze but April forced him to look back at her. His eyes were shining with unshed tears.

"When we get home and save New York," April said, "You guys will always have a home with us."

Donnie grinned broadly at her and the two embraced. April let her tears flow down her cheeks and she sobbed freely. She felt Donnie's shoulders shudder with silent sobbing of his own. As they stood together, they were unaware of bright green eyes watching and smiling at them from the tiny skylight above them.

"It's been hours," Casey said as he stacked the last plate. The remaining pasta salad was in a bowl in the fridge for when Raph finally let them out. Mikey sat at the table, playing with Ice Cream Kitty in her bowl.

"They were having a heart to heart when I last saw them," Raph said, "Maybe it's safe to move the van."

The three of them went out to the barn. Casey moved the van back and Raph opened the door. The barn was empty.

"They're gone?" Mikey asked. They hurried in and looked around.

"How'd they get out?" Casey asked, looking around for an exit in the barn walls.

"We didn't," April said from behind them. The three conspirators turned around just in time to see April smiling at the barn doors before pushing them closed. The sound of an engine told them immediately that the party wagon had been moved back into position.

"You dork, Donnie," Raph shouted, "Let us out. I swear I'll bust a hold in this barn."

"You go ahead and do that," Donnie called back, "But if you turn your right hand into a maraca, I have no intention of setting the bone."

"April, come on!" Casey whined, "I swear, it was all Raph's idea."

"You went along with it, Jones," April said, "And don't you or Mikey get any ideas about pulling apart my barn or you can plan to sleep out here permanently, holes and all."

"Dude, you totally fooled us," Mikey said, laughing. He was too happy to hear April and Donnie getting along to care much about the situation.

"We'll put Ice Cream Kitty back in the freezer," Donnie said, "And we'll be back out to get you in the morning. Breakfast pizza sound good?"

Mikey cheered. Raph and Casey groaned.

April and Donnie grinned at each other. Donnie extended his arm to April.

"My dear, would you care to accompany me to Ye Olde Farmhouse for dinner?" Donnie said with a chuckle. April grinned.

"It would be my pleasure, good sir," she said. They walked off together, laughing as Raph and Casey began to shout after them.

A few days later, April was stirred out of sleep by the sound of shouting in the front yard. Another match between Donnie, Raph and Mikey was underway. April sat up and stretched, causing the blanket to fall on the floor. April picked up the blanket and stared at it with wonder and happiness. Her old quilt had been washed and sewn. The old squares of material had been replaced with new ones and made slightly larger with additional squares. The stitchery was all too familiar; April recognized the needlework of someone who was good with his hands. The note pinned to the corner only confirmed her thoughts. And she smiled.

To the sweetest girl I could share a barn with. You're far superior to a chinchilla.

D

*()()()*

Yes! I am glad to have this done. I both loved and hated making Donnie and April fight. I wish they had more disagreements on the show, just to show how strong their friendship is, but it's also very difficult to write fighting since I personally find conflict uneasy and overwhelming.

There will not be a new chapter until the 29th; I will be out of town this weekend and won't have my computer. But the remaining chapters are easy and one-shots, just fun little glimpses into the lives of the Turtles as their time on the farm with Leo asleep draws ever closer to its end. I'll see you in the next chapter.