A/N: Thanks again for all the lovely reviews! I oh so look forward to them! Here's chapter 8 and I hope you love it!

Disclaimer: Yeah, I still don't own them. Although in my pain medicated induced dreams I did own them. However, it was the Percocet talking. Sigh…

Chapter 8: Meeting Casey Jones and Learning Some New Moves

Kallie was very apprehensive when she first got into the car. April of course seemed totally at ease, chattering away about how she met the guys. Kallie smiled and nodded, listening to her story while also going over everything she had to get done.

They hit the bank first. Kallie didn't really want to, but she needed to dip into her savings account to purchase the things she needed. Her dad had left her almost a hundred grand when he died. His life insurance policy was almost half a million and a hundred thousand of that went directly to his only child; Kallie. Kallie didn't want to touch the money of course, she felt as if it were sympathy money and she tried her hardest not to use it, which is why she had two jobs. She earned that money and she felt better for using that. She had only used her dad's money to help for books and her apartment. She kinda had to start all over now though. She didn't have any clothes, she'd need a new place, new school books, new piano and violin, new everything. Kallie's heart clenched tightly as she thought about her photo album. She felt tears sting at the corner of her eyes and she quickly blinked them away. She had already broken down once, she wasn't going to do it again.

April waited patiently in the car while Kallie got her money. After the bank they went to Kallie's insurance agent. Kallie filled out the necessary paperwork and her agent told her she should be receiving a compensation check within the next few weeks. Kallie wasn't sure what address to give her now, but April spoke up and gave hers and Casey's apartment address. Kallie smiled gratefully at April and the older woman returned the grin and patted her on the shoulder. The police station was next on the list. Kallie was told that the fire department had deemed it an accident. This shocked Kallie. Had they not seen her fire detector was unplugged? Kallie was about to protest when April cut her off.

"Thank you officer, it's such a relief to know that it was just an accident." April said kindly to the cop, with a pointed look at Kallie.

Kallie understood immediately. "Yeah, thanks. Do I uh, need to fill out any paperwork or anything?"

The cop shook his head. "Nope. You're good to go. Let us know if you need anything alright?"

Kallie nodded and turned to leave. She stopped though and turned to look at the cop again. "Did…did anything survive?" She asked, swallowing thickly.

The cop gave her a grim look. "No ma'am. I'm sorry."

Kallie nodded clumsily and gave her thanks before she bolted out of the police station. April followed her and they climbed back into the car. Kallie's heart was racing again and she was short of breath. April hesitated before starting the car.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

Kallie nodded. "M'fine. Please, let's just…let's just get outta here."

April started the car and soon they were heading to the mall. Once there Kallie and April started trying to rebuild her wardrobe. Kallie had simple taste in clothing; jeans and a t-shirt with her Chucks were A-Okay with her. April, however, was absolutely appalled and tried to insist skirts, and dresses with leggings and boots. April held up yet another sweater dress and looked hopefully at Kallie.

Kallie laughed. "April, there is no way I'm wearing that!"

"Why not?" April demanded. "I saw that dress you were wearing earlier, back at the lair! This is longer and made for warmer weather."

Kallie blushed a deep scarlet. "That's for work."

April smiled at her. "Well, you need a few more for work don't you?"

Kallie sighed. "Fine!"

April squealed with joy and the two continued to shop. In the end Kallie got five pairs of jeans, 6 sweaters, 5 new t-shirts, 5 new plaid button ups with matching cami's, five Christmas festive type of dresses that she would wear for work, 3 sweater dresses (courtesy of April O'Neil who apparently didn't understand the word 'no'), 3 pairs of high heels, 2 pairs of boots, a new pair of Chucks, a new winter coat with gloves and a scarf, and of course some sleepwear. She purchased all the necessities as well; socks, underwear, bras, etc. All in all she spent well over twenty-five hundred dollars. Kallie planned on replacing it immediately. The good thing about The Duplex was that tips came in the hundreds during Christmas. Everyone always felt more generous and since Thanksgiving had just passed, Christmas was now in full swing. Kallie actually only had two more weeks of school before finals. She was considering asking to take her finals earlier so she could deal with her burnt apartment. She was sure her professors wouldn't mind.

"Thanks." Kallie said to April.

"Anytime!" April replied with a bright smile.

"You really didn't have to do this."

April waved her off. "Don't sweat it. I wanted to do this, I wanted to help. You lost everything and well…I know how that feels." April replied, starting the car and driving away.

Kallie looked at with confusion. "You do?"

April nodded. "You see…I lost my first home in a fire. The guys saved me, Casey too of course. It was an old antique shop that belonged to my dad. There was nothing left. I felt empty and scared of course. But the guys and Casey were there for me when I didn't have anybody else."

Kallie swallowed thickly. She felt sad, yet relieved that someone knew what she was going through. "I'm sorry." She told April.

April smiled softly. "Me too, but I survived and I know you will too. And me and the guys are gonna do everything we can to help you out."

"It's weird…"

"What's weird?" April asked.

"I've just…I've never needed anyone's help before." Kallie said.

April scoffed slightly. "Don't be ridiculous, everyone needs help at times."

"Not me," said Kallie. "I've made it my personal mission never to need anyone's help."

"Why is that?" April asked.

"Because people let you down." Kallie replied simply.

April's eyes widened in surprise at the answer. "Surely you don't really believe that."

"I do though…well, I did…I dunno anymore. Leo and the others, and you and Splinter…y'all are…"

"We're what?" April urged.

"Different." Kallie said lamely. "I know that sounds super lame, but it's the only word I can think of. Y'all are different. You don't expect things in return, you just do things for strangers for no reason! It's weird! I've never met someone like that in this city before."

"New York can be a pretty harsh place," said April. "But there is good in it and there are good people who live in it as well. They're just few and far in between."

Kallie snorted. "You got that right."

"Well, don't give up hope on this city or its inhabitants. There's good everywhere, you just gotta look for it."

OoOoOoO

They arrived back at the lair close to 4:30 in the afternoon. They had stopped at a grocery store right before the went to the lair so that they could get the necessary ingredients for Kallie's dinner.

"Hello? A little help here!" April called out.

"I've got the food!" Kallie heard Mikey yell. And before she knew it the groceries were snatched out of her hand.

"Hey!" Kallie cried indignantly.

"This looked a bit heavy Kallie, I thought I'd be the perfect gentleman and grab it from you." Mikey defended.

Kallie rolled her eyes. "Fine, but if you touch anything in that bag I'll chop of your hands."

Mikey looked at her in mock horror. "Such violence!"

"You haven't seen anything yet." She warned.

"Noted!" Mikey replied as he saluted her and nimbly went to the kitchen.

"Sorry about that, he's…" Leo trailed off.

Kallie laughed. "It's fine."

"Did you guys get everything you needed?" Don asked.

April smiled and nodded. "She should be good for a few weeks."

"I hope you know I was forced to purchase things I didn't want to." Kallie commented. "She's a bit controlling."

"Ain't that the truth?" A voice said from behind. April and Kallie spun around. April laughed the stranger off.

"Oh hush you. Casey, this is Kallie, Kallie this is my boyfriend Casey." April introduced.

Kallie looked up, and she really had to look up, at the man in front of her. She barely came to his shoulder! Dude was tall! He had black hair that was parted down the middle and barely reached the edge of his neck. He was very broad shouldered and more than fit. He was wearing a long sleeved gray shirt with dark jeans and heavy working boots. He had to be at least a good 6'2 tall. His thumbs were tucked in his belt loops as he looked down at Kallie and smiled.

"Jeez she really is small." Casey commented, his heavy accent reminded Kallie of Raphael's.

Kallie frowned at him and opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind when Mikey cut in.

"I'd be careful dude, she's got a temper like Raph's."

Kallie scowled at Mikey who just grinned and winked at her.

Casey laughed. "That is rather frightening."

"Damn right it is." Kallie replied.

Casey laughed again. "Nice to meet ya finally kid. These knuckleheads haven't shut up about ya all week."

"Nice to meet you too. Although, comment on my height again and I'll have to take drastic measures." Kallie replied shaking Casey's hand.

"Hey now, ya ain't gotta worry about that. I'll be good, scouts honor." Casey told her, still grinning.

April scoffed. "You don't know how to be good."

Casey looked offended. "I do too. I'm a good guy remember?"

April waved him off. "Yeah, yeah."

"Yeah, 'sides, I couldn't have a sidekick that wasn't a good guy." Raphael said from upstairs. All heads turned to him as he made his way down stairs.

"Hey, I ain't no sidekick. You're the sidekick. Sidekick." Casey added.

Raph smirked. "Don't make me kick yer ass in front of our new guest."

Casey scoffed. "Bring it on sidekick!"

"Alright! Enough you two! We've got dinner to make and if you want to goof off and wrestle, do it in the dojo." April said.

"Way to suck the fun right out this place." Casey muttered.

April turned a sharp eye at him and he blanched before retreating to the dojo, Raph following.

"Do you need any help cooking dinner?" Leo asked.

"Not from you Leo," said April. "You'll burn the whole kitchen down."

"I am not that bad!" Leo cried.

Mikey laughed. "Bro, you are that bad."

"His cooking skills do leave a lot to be desired." Donatello added with a wry smile.

Kallie laughed. "Don't worry about it guys. I've got it, I promise. Y'all sit down and relax and dinner will be done in about an hour and a half."

"Where do you want your things?" April asked.

Kallie shrugged. "I dunno…there's probably not any room…." She felt her face heating up again in embarrassment.

"No need to turn red Kallie! We've got a spare bedroom next to my room!" Mikey replied enthusiastically, smirking slightly at the redness of Kallie's face.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Of course, we were using it for storage but while you're cooking dinner we'll fix it up for you." Donatello responded.

"You don't have to—"

Leo held a hand up, silencing her. "We know we don't have to. We want to. It'll be done by the time dinner is."

Kallie opened her mouth to argue further, but she decided against it and gave them a tiny nod before walking to the kitchen to start dinner.

Soon the lair was filled with the delicious aroma of the pasta and chicken. Mikey hovered over her every once in a while, until Leo called him back upstairs to help. April helped Kallie in the kitchen and she was the one that called everyone down to dinner.

"Come and get it!" April yelled.

Soon everyone was huddled around the table and eating.

"I'm impressed." Mikey said with a mouthful of pasta.

"Ditto." Raph said.

"Why thank you." Kallie replied with a smile. "It's been a while since I've cooked a big meal like this. I forgot how much I loved it."

"Well feel free to cook here as much as you'd like!" Mikey responded.

Kallie laughed. "It's the least I could do. Y'all are being so generous."

"The room is finished by the way. You should be able to use it for a while. At least until we find out who's after you." Leo responded.

"Speaking of that," said Kallie. "What's the plan?"

"We are still discussing that. Whoever sent that note is keeping an eye on you. We are hoping that hiding you will give us more time." Master Splinter answered.

"We're also keeping an eye out on your friends and your workplace." Leo added.

Kallie felt relieved. "Thanks."

"Of course. We don't think any real harm will come to them, but it's always good to have an extra eye out." Leo responded.

"I wish I knew what combination they were talking about." Kallie commented.

"Don't worry too much about it. We don't even know who it is that sent that note. That's the first step, figure out the who then we can figure out they why and what." Donatello told her.

Kallie snorted. "Telling me not to worry is like telling the Titanic not to hit the iceberg."

Everyone laughed at that.

"We've got till the end of next week to figure this out. And we will figure it out. You don't have to worry about that." Leo told her, his expression fierce.

Kallie nodded and felt slightly more at ease. Though she knew this was far from over.

OoOoOoO

Dinner was done and the dishes were cleaned. April and Casey had left and Master Splinter retreated to his room. Now it was just Kallie and the boys. They were in the dojo watching Donnie and Mikey spar, Leo being the ref. There wasn't a night practice since dinner ran a little late, but Leo was adamant about getting a few sparring sessions in before they went on patrol.

"Ya doin' okay?" Raph asked her suddenly.

Kallie looked up at him. "M'fine." She responded.

Raph looked at her with unbelief. "Right, and I'm the friggin' Queen of England."

"You are a bit on the feminine side." Kallie quipped.

Raphael growled. "Watch girl." But he was smiling slightly at her.

"Bring it on." She replied with a smirk.

Raph rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to his brother's.

"I wish I could do that." Kallie commented as Mikey threw Donnie over his shoulder and pinned him to the ground.

Raph quirked a brow at her. "Really?"

Kallie nodded. "Yeah, it's pretty cool. Plus, you guys can't follow me everywhere I go. I have to get back to school and work eventually, it might be a good idea to know a few defensive movements."

Raph tilted his head before nodding. "Ya've got a point."

Kallie looked surprised. "Really?"

Raph shrugged. "Sure, why not? We can teach ya few things."

Kallie jumped to her feet. "Let's do this!"

"Do what?" Mikey asked as he helped Donnie to his feet.

"Kallie wants to learn a few defensive moves." Raph replied.

"Cool!" Mike replied.

Leo looked unsure. "I don't know…are you sure you can handle it?"

Kallie scowled at him. "I can handle anything you have to dish out."

Leo smiled and put his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Just…be careful with her guys."

Kallie had already changed into a loose pair of sweats and a t-shirt plus she was barefoot so she was more than ready to do a little roughhousing. The four turtles walked her to the middle of the padded floor.

"Alright we can show you three simple moves tonight before we have to leave to go patrolling." Leo said. "We'll start with blocking. C'mere Mike."

Mikey made his way over to them and grinned at Kaliyah. "Two basic blocks," said Mikey. "Bring your right arm up and hold it vertically with your elbow tucked into your side."

Kallie mimicked the movement.

"Good, that will block anything that comes at you from the chest up. Observe." Mikey said as he raised a leg and lightly tapped her arm. "See?"

"That seems pretty easy." She commented, then squeaked as a fist came flying at her. She brought her arm up and blocked it the way Mike had just shown her.

"Good. You didn't let me hit you in your face!" Mikey said brightly.

Kallie glared at him. "A little warning next time!"

"The bad guys aren't going to warn you." Leo told her.

Kallie glared at him as well. Raph barked a laugh and came up to her next. "Alright, blockin' is all well and good, but ya gotta be able to counter attack."

Kallie nodded as Raph called Mikey to him. "Watch this."

Raph reared his hand back and sent it flying towards Mikey's face. Mike moved to the side and caught the fist and then threw Raphael over his shoulder, the red clad turtle falling on his shell.

"Good demonstration Mike." Raph muttered from the floor. Kallie laughed while Michelangelo just looked smug.

"I don't think I can throw one of you over my shoulder." Kallie admitted.

"Try Donnie, he weighs the least outta all of us." Mikey replied.

"That because I don't stuff my face full of pizza 24/7." Donatello said, poking Mike in his side. Mike 'eeped' and flinched away from the poke. Kallie ducked her head to hid her grin. So Michelangelo is ticklish? That's hilarious. Somehow ninja and ticklish just didn't seem to go hand in hand. Kallie was greatly amused but Donatello was walking up towards her and they were waiting for her to attempt the movement.

"Alright, let's do this in slow motion first. First, Kallie, grab his wrist. Donnie, extend your arm as if you're about to punch her." Leo instructed. Kallie and Don did as they were told. "Good, now bend your knees Kallie, yeah like that. What you're gonna do next is pull on his wrist until his chest hits your shoulder." Kallie tugged and Donnie came willingly, trying to make it as easy on her as possible. "Good, know release his wrist and grab right underneath his bicep. Bend your knees again and then throw him right over your shoulder. Use that momentum and try not to fall backwards yourself."

Kallie took a deep breath and did as instructed. Mikey and Raph were right behind her, ready to catch her if need be. Kallie released his wrist, grabbed his bicep and then hauled Donatello right over her shoulder, with the help of Raph and Mikey. They grabbed him and helped haul him over her shoulder. Kallie was panting for breath from the exertion of hauling a 250 pound turtle over her shoulder.

"Your form was great! Keep practicing and you'll be able to do without any help!" Leo said encouragingly.

"Really?" Kallie panted. "You think so?"

Leo nodded. "Definitely."

"Freaking-A you're heavy." Kallie said to Donnie.

"And I'm the lightest." Donatello replied with a smug smile.

Kallie laughed a bit breathlessly.

"Here, lemme show ya somthin' else." Raph said as he tugged on her arm.

Kallie allowed herself to be dragged to the other side of the mat. Raph kicked in between her legs, forcing them to open a bit and be shoulder length apart.

"Put yer arms up and act like yer gonna punch me." Raph instructed.

Kallie obeyed and held her clenched fists up, ready to strike.

"I'm gonna show ya how to properly punch someone. Ya wanna aim fer their nose, the bleeding will distract them." Raph told her.

Kallie nodded and mimicked it, Raph dodging barely in time.

"Whoa! I didn't tell ya to really do it!" Raph complained.

Kallie smirked a bit. "Not my fault you weren't paying attention."

Raph gaped at her for a second, then, his eyes twinkling with mischief he swiped his leg out, knocking his into Kallie's. Kallie gasped as her knees buckled instantly, Raph shot an arm out and grabbed her waist right before she fell. She didn't have time to breathe though as he immediately twisted his hold and she was on her back on the mat with Raph pinning her arms above her head. Kallie looked up at him, eyes incredulous, as he smirked down at her.

"What was that about not paying attention?"

Kallie scowled at him. "Alright, alright, you've made your point. Clearly I am not a ninja master and you are."

Mikey, Donnie, and Leo were all chuckling as Raph released her and she got to her feet.

"Never let yer guard down." Raph told her.

Kallie rolled her eyes but nodded. "Duly noted."

"Alright guys, time to go. We'll continue this lesson later Kallie. Please feel free to watch T.V. or some movies. We'll be back around after midnight." Leo said.

"Alright. Thanks for showing me some stuff." Kallie said.

Raph smirked at her. "No problem."

Kallie rolled her eyes. "Go on, get outta here and kick some bad guy butt."

Raph's smirk turned into an evil grin. "It'll be our pleasure."

Leo and Donnie waved, while Mikey winked at her as they made their way out of the lair. Kallie sighed and made her way upstairs to find her new temporary room. She was very tempted to peek in and look at the boys' room, but she didn't wanna intrude on their personal space. Her room was at the end of the hall. It had a small desk with her purchases sitting on top of it. She had a full size bed in the corner that was made up with white cotton sheets and a nice looking comforter. She was exhausted and decided to put away her things later, for now sleep was calling her name.