A/N: Alright, I know it's been over a week since I last updated and I'm so very sorry for that. I have been sick as a dog. Yuck. I hate being sick, but I'm finally better and am trying to get all caught up. So please accept this extra long chapter as a peace offering. As always, please review and let me know what ya think! Thanks! =]]
Disclaimer: Even though I was sick, Nickelodeon still won't share. So they're still not mine.
Chapter 12: Things Are Getting a Bit More Serious…
Kaliyah was on edge.
Well that was an understatement. She was downright freaked out. The note had said that she had a week to get the combination before something worse happened but it's been closer to a month and she hadn't heard a thing. It could be that she'd been living underground since then, but she was still worried. The guys had upped their watch on Kallie's mom and her old work place.
"I think I should go out." Kallie announced as the guys were just lounging in the living room.
Mike was hanging upside down with his feet dangling over the back of the couch, Don was in the recliner with some kind of mechanical gadget in his lap while he kept tapping at it with a screwdriver, Leo was sitting on a pillow in a meditative pose, and Raph was doing pushups with his Sais.
"Fine, take Don or Mike with ya though. It's their turn." Raph huffed.
"I meant by myself."
Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at her. Even Leo opened an eye and quirked a brow at her.
"What do you mean 'by yourself,'?" Mikey asked.
Kallie rolled her eyes. "I meant alone."
Raph snorted. "Fat chance that'll happen."
Kallie put her hands on her hips. "Y'all aren't the boss of me. I can go out whenever I want."
Leo stood to his feet. "Of course you can, but one of us has to be with you."
"Look, guys, I know y'all are just trying to protect me," said Kallie. "But it's been almost a month and we haven't heard anything from whomever it was that burned down my apartment. I think that's because I haven't been out and about without someone with me. If I'm alone they might try to contact me or something."
"Contact you? Kallie, they tried to kill you." Donnie said.
"I think it was more of a warning. If they wanted to kill me they would've waited until I was actually in the apartment before they burned it down." Kallie reasoned.
"Yer not goin' alone and that's final." Raphael said as he cracked his neck.
"Look, I'm doing everything I can to remember this combination," said Kallie, her temper flaring and her voice rising. "Splinter's been on my ass for the past two weeks and so far I'm no closer to remembering the damn thing! I gotta figure this out and the longer we wait the longer it'll take to find the bastards who did this!"
"Kallie…we understand this is hard for you. We're doing everything we can to make this easier on you." Leo started. Kallie immediately felt ashamed. They were being truly wonderful and right now she sounded like an ungrateful brat throwing a temper tantrum about not being able to go outside. "But you have to trust us. You can't go alone. We have no idea what they're going to do next and we just can't risk it."
Mikey jumped up and nimbly made his way to her side. "Why don't we start out slow? Go to work and we'll be right there waiting in the shadows. You won't even know we're there!"
"That's a great idea Mikey." Donnie said as he nodded and smiled at his little brother.
"I dunno…" Kallie trailed off.
"Take it or leave it." Raph said dismissively.
Kallie whipped her head towards him and was about to give him a piece of her mind when Leo cut in. "What he meant was that this is the best plan."
Kallie scowled at Raphael but the red banded turtle merely shrugged and went back to his pushups.
"Alright," Kaliyah conceded. "But I'm calling Kenny and seeing if he has an opening tonight."
The four brothers nodded their agreement and she left to call her boss. Turns out Kenny was absolutely ecstatic that Kallie wanted to come back to work. She assured him that it was only going to be once a week for a little while. Kenny had a list worked up for her already and it was set. She was to sing at 8:30pm. She informed the boys and they immediately went to the dojo for an impromptu training session then immediately went into meditation.
"Kaliyah would please join me for a moment." Master Splinter requested. Kallie nodded and took a deep breath, worried that he would want an impromptu session with her as well.
"Sure thing." She followed the teacher to his room and sat down across from him.
"I understand that you are going back to work."
"Yes sir."
"Do you feel prepared for whatever is out there?" He asked her.
Kallie thought for a moment before answering, "I don't exactly know if one can really be prepared for something like this…I mean, anything could happen. But just because something bad could happen doesn't mean you shouldn't do it because of that possibility alone. If that were the case then no one would do anything. I mean, I could walk across the street and get hit by a taxi. I still walk across the streets though."
Master Splinter nodded. "That is true. You make a very good point. However, you should prepare yourself mentally in case something should go wrong tonight."
"Like, meditate or something?" Kallie asked. Master Splinter had shown her how to meditate a few days ago. She didn't like just sitting around doing nothing, but if she truly concentrated hard enough whenever she got out of her trance she felt energized; as if she had taken a long nap or something.
"I think that would be wise," said Splinter. "I know that you are a strong woman Kaliyah and I am so very proud for how well you have been doing in our personal sessions. I know that you must feel frustrated because you still do not know the combination but please remember that you are also learning to trust others. I feel once we knock down that wall we shall be closer to our goal."
"Why do you care so much?" Kaliyah asked, squinting at the old rat.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"You say that you want to help me," said Kallie. "But why? I know I've asked this of you before but all you said was that you wanted to help me. Why?"
Master Splinter considered the young woman in front of him. She had improved greatly since their very first session. She could get through a session with only a few tears now. The music has greatly helped her.
"You are important to my sons, therefore, you are important to me."
It was a simple answer. And most definitely not the answer she expected. Surely it couldn't just be that. There had to be more to it than that!
"That's it? That's your reasoning? You don't know me very well! Why in the world would you care enough about me to try and help me not only remember some weirdo combination, but also to help me to trust people more?" Kallie shouted before turning her voice softer. "I just…I just don't get it."
Master Splinter stood to his feet and motioned for her to stand as well. He placed his hands on her shoulders and made eye contact with her.
"One does not need something in return in order to give."
"But—"
Master Splinter put a hand up to silence her. "There are no buts about it Kaliyah. None. I care because my sons care for you. Not only that, but because of your spirit, your courage, and your unwillingness to allow someone else to decide who you are. We have known you for a short amount of time, but you are already such an important part of our family. Someday you will realize that in all of the darkness in this world, you can always find light if you look for it."
Kaliyah said nothing as she stared right back into Splinter's eyes. The old rat searched deep within her eyes and saw another piece of the wall crumble. He was so close to completely knocking the wall down. So close.
"We'll see." She finally said.
Splinter nodded. "Yes we shall. Now go. Go and meditate, prepare yourself for this evening."
Kallie nodded and left the room. As Splinter watched her go, he sat down and started meditating himself; praying protection over his sons and the newest addition to their family.
OoOoOoO
"Alright, let's go!" Kallie called out. It was nearing 8 and Kenny got anxious if she wasn't there at least ten minutes early. Kallie decided to wear the glittery blue strapless dress that April had picked out for her three weeks ago. She paired it with a pair of velvet blue heels that made her a good four inches taller. She left her hair down and curly for once because Kenny liked that best. She did kinda need to make it up to him for flaking out on him the past month. Footsteps pounded against the stairs and soon four turtles were staring at her.
Mikey wolf whistled at her. "Oh mama you look fine!"
Kallie blushed furiously and Mikey only grinned.
"You always dress like that for this job?" Mike asked.
"Yes. I told you it was a classy joint."
"Do you have anything…er…longer?" Leo asked, blushing a bit himself.
Kallie scowled at him and continued to blush. "No I don't. This is what I wear for work. Now shut it."
Mikey winked at her and she rolled her eyes. Donatello was rubbing his neck and looking sheepish while Raphael was simply smirking.
"Man we seem to always find the hot chicks huh?" Raph commented as they made their way out of the lair.
"Oi! I am not a chick! I'm a woman!"
"Ya sure are."
"Raphael." Leo warned. Kallie snickered. She hadn't really heard them use each other's full names before and it was kinda funny sounding coming out of their mouths.
"Just sayin'."
"Alright, the next person to say something about how I'm dressed is gonna wake up with an appendage missing and floating down a river in Peru." Kaliyah warned.
There was silence for a few minutes, but of course it didn't last.
"How are you gonna travel by rooftop in those heels?" Don asked.
Kallie growled low in her throat.
Don put his hands up. "Hey, that wasn't a comment about how you're dressed. It's an honest question."
"That is true. It's gonna be rather difficult for you," said Leo. "You may wanna go barefoot or something."
"In this cold? Are you kidding me?"
"I'll carry her!" Mikey offered.
Kallie looked skeptically at him. "I can't exactly do this piggy back style."
"We could do bridal style." Mike suggested.
"Oh yeah right! You swing around too much, you'll drop me!" Kallie said.
"Will not!" Mike argued.
"Will too!"
"Will not!"
"Will too!"
"Will n—"
"Mikey for the love of all that is holy please shut up." Raph begged with a hand over his face. "I'll carry her. I know how to do it without screwin' up."
Michelangelo looked ready to argue but decided against it after a look from his oldest brother. They hit the rooftops soon and Raphael scooped Kaliyah in his arms and the five of them made their way to The Duplex. It was a rather long trip and Kallie was really surprised that Raph didn't set her down for a break or anything. In fact, they practically ran the whole way there.
"Alright, now, if for any reason you're attacked what're you going to do?" Leonardo asked as they arrived on the roof of The Duplex.
Kallie sighed. "I'm going to run up here as fast as I can and alert the four of you."
"And what are you going to do if you can't make it up here in time?"
"I'm going to yell and scream and make as much noise as possible so the four of you can hear me."
"If you receive a note from someone you don't know?"
"I'm going to promptly give it to the four of you before opening or reading it myself."
"If a customer offers you a drink…?"
"I'm not going to drink it and I'm going to describe the customer in full detail to the four of you so that you guys can keep an out for him next time."
"And if you—"
"Fearless! She's got the picture!" Raph cried.
Kallie was thankful for his outburst. Leonardo was a worry wart and all the questions were starting to get on her nerves.
"Leo, it's gonna be okay." Kaliyah told him. "I promise."
Leo didn't look convinced but he conceded with a nod. "Be careful."
"I will."
"Good luck!" Donnie said cheerfully.
Kallie smiled at them. "I think y'all should be able to hear me. Let me know what ya think after the show."
"We'll be your American Idol judges!" Mikey said enthusiastically. "I'll be Randy because I'm obviously the coolest out of everyone here. Donnie's Ryan Secrest because he's nice to everyone. Leo's Paula because he's encouraging and always tries to find something positive to say. Raph's Simon because he's rude and obnoxious and no one likes him." Michelangelo ducked and managed to miss the punch Raphael threw in his direction. Kallie laughed and waved to the guys as she made her way down the fire escape and walked in to the bar.
"Kallie!" Kenny exclaimed the moment he saw her. He ran to her and embraced her. Kaliyah was shocked somewhat. The older man had never really displayed that kind of affection towards her before. And before she could really react he was talking a mile a minute about her song list as he pushed her backstage. He wanted her to sing a few classics this time so it was Hallelujah, Crazy Love, and The Weight on her agenda for the night. He wanted her to play the piano as well. He asked a thousand questions about when she would be returning to him again and she told him she could only promise one night a week for now. He was disappointed but happy to at least have her again.
"I've missed you something fierce darling. I am terribly sorry about your apartment. I'm sure you must be overloaded with things right now and of course I don't want to be a burden but this place just isn't the same without your voice filling its halls three nights a week. Of course you do what you need to do in order to get your life back on track. We won't bother you if you don't want to be bothered. But of course you're welcome to sing here any time that you want." Kenny told her without so much as a breath in between.
"Thanks Kenny. I appreciate that." She told him with a bright smile.
"Break a leg sweetheart." He told her.
Kallie nodded and took a deep breath before walking on stage. The crowd stood to their feet and applauded her as she came on stage. Kallie felt her eyes sting with unshed tears. She saw that most of the regulars were in tonight and they were all beaming at her and shouting 'Welcome back!' Kallie sat at the piano and tested the keys for a moment.
"Hello everyone!" She said brightly. "I've missed y'all so much! I apologize for my absence but I've just been going through some stuff and I'm just now getting to a place where I can come back. I'm only going to be singing once a week for a little bit while I continue to adjust. Thanks for y'alls support though. We've got a great list for you tonight! Please be sure to tip the hungry artists!" She added the joke. The audience laughed and she began to play.
It was a good set and the audience received it warmly. They were overly generous as well as she had raked in over $700 in tips alone! Kallie had never done that well before! She mingled a bit with the audience and listened to their sympathy for her plight. She was being as graceful about it as she could be, but it set her teeth on edge a bit.
She didn't like sympathy. She had received enough of that when her father had died; more than enough to last her a lifetime.
It was nearing midnight and Kallie figured the guys were probably bored as all get out. She found Kenny and told him she was leaving.
"Oh darling, I hate to see you go. Please come back quickly. I need my best girl! This was the most profitable night in history!" Kenny exclaimed.
Kallie laughed. "Happy to be of service!"
"Go on then dear. I shall see you next week?"
"Yes sir," said Kallie. "I'll call you first thing Monday to let you know a date."
Kenny waved her goodbye and Kallie went to the dressing room for a moment to put her hair up and grab her coat. Luckily she had left a pair of jeans and a t-shirt a while back and she quickly dressed into the other clothing while stuffing the dress and heels in her bag. She was happy to have tennis shoes on so that she didn't have to be carried all the way back to the lair. She slung her bag over her shoulder and made the climb up to the roof top. She looked around and couldn't see anyone and for a moment she thought they might've gone off to patrol for a minute when all of a sudden a green and orange blur sped past her.
"C'mon guys! Gotta be faster than that!" Michelangelo called.
Kallie turned around and saw Donnie emerging from the shadows, Leo and Raph hot on Mikey's tail.
"What the heck is going on here?!" Kallie demanded.
Don grinned at her. "Ninja Tag."
"Ninja Tag?"
"We play it when we're bored," Don explained. "It normally ends with Leo and Raph chasing after Mikey though."
"Why?"
"He's the fastest out of all of us."
"Really? I would've thought Leo would've been the fastest."
Donnie smirked. "That's what drives him crazy. And of course Raph wants to be better than everyone else just to brag so it drives him just as nuts."
Kallie watched the three other turtles chase each other. It was quite comical. Leo and Raph kept trying to trap Mike but he would slip under them or flip away just in the nick of time. It looked as if he was baiting them.
"Is he letting them get that close on purpose?" Kaliyah asked.
Don nodded, a smirk growing on his face. "He sure is. He loves to rub it in our faces that he's faster than everyone else."
"Why aren't you chasing after him?"
Don snorted. "I got caught first so I'm out."
"So what, is it like teams or something?"
"It wasn't supposed to be," said Don with a scowl. "But Leo and Raph always gang up on me before they shoot after Mikey."
"Well that doesn't seem fair."
"Thank you! It's not! I keep trying to tell them that, but they never listen!"
"All's fair in love and Ninja Tag Donnie!" Mike shouted.
"Says the turtle who never gets caught!" Don shouted back.
Kallie laughed at that. They turned their attention back to the others. Michelangelo was currently taunting his older brothers, calling them 'slow' and 'old.' This seemed to displease Raphael a lot as he growled loudly and lunged for his youngest brother once more. Mike easily dodged it and laughed.
"Alright, play time is over boys. I'm tired and it's cold." Kallie called out to them.
"It ain't over till I catch the little punk." Raph called back.
"Awe c'mon! I'm cold and tired and I just spent the last four hours working my tail off. I need some hot tea to soothe my throat. Plus it's cold."
"You already said it was cold," reasoned Leonardo. "It won't take much longer, he'll tire out eventually."
Kallie groaned. She didn't think it was possible for Mike to tire out.
"Mikey, please just let them catch you!" Kaliyah begged.
"No way! I have a 149-0 record! This'll make 150!"
Kallie looked pleadingly at Donatello but he merely smiled at her and shrugged. Kallie scowled at them. She was not going to wait for Mike to get tired. That just wasn't going to happen. She tried to come up with a plan to entice them to just go back to the lair when Mikey was making his way towards them again, probably to brag to Don or something. He was running past when Kallie shot her hand out and managed to grab onto Michelangelo's belt. He immediately stopped, Raph and Leo stopping dead in their tracks as well. Mike looked down at Kallie's hand and his jaw dropped.
"D-Did she just…" Donnie trailed off.
Raph burst into laughter. He had an arm around his middle as he bent over with laughter. Leo simply looked smug. Donnie joined in Raph's laughter as Mikey just looked dumbstruck.
"Tag." Kallie said simply.
"There goes yer record bro!" Raph managed to choke out between his laughter.
"That doesn't count! She wasn't even playing!" Mike immediately shouted.
"You got tagged, therefore you're out." Leo replied.
"She's not even a ninja! This is 'Ninja Tag.' You have to be a ninja in order to participate! It doesn't count!"
"You can cry about it later. I'm cold. You got tagged, now let's go!" Kallie said as she started making her way towards the fire escape. Donnie patted Mike's shell comfortingly as he tried to hide his own smirk. Raph was still cackling and Leo was even letting out small chuckles here and there as Michelangelo explained why it didn't count.
"This game is just on pause." Mike said firmly.
"Hate to break it to you Mikey, but you got tagged." Leonardo said.
"Ya lost bro. And to a girl no less." Raph added.
"Hey!" Kallie cried.
"No offense." Raph amended.
The argument continued as they finally reached the lair. The five of them were surprised to see that Master Splinter was still up.
"Sensei, what are you doing still up?" Leo asked.
"I wanted to ensure your safety." He replied.
"Everything went rather well Sensei," said Leo. "Nothing out of the ordinary as far as we could tell."
"Everything inside was fine too. The audience was full of locals and regulars. I knew everyone that was in there tonight." Kallie explained. "I even made like a ton of money in tips tonight. In fact, here." She pulled out four hundred and held it out for them.
"Whoa!" Mikey exclaimed.
"What is this?" Leo asked.
"It's for y'all. This should cover groceries for about a week with the way Mikey eats." Kallie said with a smile.
"Kaliyah, we could not accept this." Master Splinter said.
"Why not?" Kallie demanded. "I'm basically interrupting y'alls lives with my presence and you're feeding and housing me. This is barely rent for my current apartment and it's about a tenth of the size of this place. This is the least I can do." She shook her hand slightly, waiting for someone to take it.
Master Splinter didn't look comfortable but Kallie didn't care. They were going to take the money, their pride be damned.
"Kallie, we appreciate the offer but—"
"Look, you can take it now or I can leave it on the table until it rots." Kallie interrupted with a shrug. "Either way it's staying here." She crossed her arms over her chest.
Master Splinter suddenly smiled kindly at her and nodded for Leonardo to take the money. Kallie grinned at them.
"Thank you Ms. Miller. This is awfully kind of you."
"Expect more as I get back to work. I'm not gonna just mooch off y'all."
"Dude, you are so awesome." Mikey said with a grin.
"I know." She replied. She pulled out the rest of her money and something hit the floor. Kallie bent to pick it up and noticed it was a folded up piece of paper.
"Um…guys?" She called; they had all just turned to go off on their own. They turned back towards her and before she knew it the note was plucked out of her hand and was now being read by Raphael.
His features morphed into a scowl as he handed the note to Leonardo who scanned it quickly and looked back up at Kallie.
"Looks like we found our next warning."
He handed the note to Kallie and inside was a small computer printout of a house with a woman sitting on a porch swing.
It was her mother.
