A/N: Sorry for the long delay y'all. My brother just left for Afghanistan and I haven't exactly been in the writing spirit. I got this chapter out though and I hope y'all like it! There's a lot of Leo in this and some Donnie too. They kinda came outta nowhere and were like "Hey! I have a story!" So I listened, cuz they're ninjas and I'm not. Leave me some love please, I could use it! =]]
Disclaimer: I'm still poor and therefore do not own the turtles.
Chapter 15: Combinations, Family Time, and a Possible Road Trip.
The numbers were 864408. That's the order they were in with the letters, starting from the first one Kaliyah's dad had sent, to the last one. Donnie had told them all that the number sequence had over 100 different possibilities. That was the first problem. The second problem was they had no idea what the combination was for! It could be anything! A password, a locker combination, a keypad combination, the list goes on and on. The third problem was that now that they had the combination where did they go from there? Should they let the Foot know they had the combination? Or the Purple Dragons? Were they even the ones who were really behind this?
Too many questions and not enough answers.
Kallie's head was pounding by the end of the night. She was sitting on the couch and pouring over the letters, trying to find some clue as to what the combination went to. She was also compiling a list of everything her and her dad had done together; movies they had seen, theme parks they had gone to, concerts they had attended. Everything she could possibly think of. The guys were all home now, their shifts having ended a few hours ago. Kallie spared a glance at the clock and it read 4:30am. Kallie groaned and rubbed her temples. Everyone else had gone to bed two hours ago. Leo tried to stay downstairs to ensure Kaliyah went to bed but she had promised only five more minutes of research and she'd be off to bed. She hadn't meant to stay up so late, but she had to figure this out. The others didn't know her dad the way she did, so they couldn't help too much. Kallie grabbed her pen and pad once more and scribbled some more notes when she heard movement coming from Donnie's lab. She turned and saw a small amount of light shining through.
Kallie sighed.
Donatello was forced to go to bed with everyone else. Out of the six of them, he had been running himself ragged the most. Leonardo had threatened to get April and Master Splinter involved and the purple banded turtle finally caved in and followed his brother's upstairs. Kaliyah had been downstairs the entire time and hadn't noticed him come down at all!
Oh yeah.
Ninjas.
Kallie got up and stretched a bit, her muscles protesting the motion. She slowly and silently made her way towards the lab and peeked in. Don's shoulders were hunched up as he stared at the many screens before him.
"Couldn't sleep?" Kaliyah asked as she slipped into the room.
Don didn't even move. She had to hand it to him; even dead tired he was fully aware of his surroundings.
"Gotta keep an eye on things." He murmured, sounding exhausted.
"Pretty sure the building is safe at 4:35 in the morning." She told him.
"S'not just Macy's. I set up cameras around your mother's house as well as your old apartment complex." He pointed to a screen in the upper right hand corner. "That's The Duplex, and the one right next to it is NYU."
"Don…you need to relax." Kallie said slowly, shocked at the amount of camera's he had hijacked into.
"M'fine."
"Leo's gonna kill you if he finds out your still awake." Kallie stated.
Don cast her a sideways glance. "And you think you'll get off scott-free?"
Kallie realized her threat backfired and tried to cover it quickly. "I'm not the one who snuck down here after already being told to go to bed."
"I'm not the one who promised to go to bed hours ago and didn't." He shot back.
Kallie narrowed her eyes at him. She was about to shout at him, but he looked so dang tired. He brought a hand up to rub his eyes and Kallie thought she would die from cuteness overload. He dug the heel of his hands into his eyes and looked all of four years old at the moment. Kallie laughed softly to herself.
"Alright Donnie, time for all sleepy turtles to go to bed."
Don snorted. "What about sleepy humans?"
Kallie laughed again. "Tell ya what; I'll go to bed if you go to bed."
Don looked up at her and seemed to consider the proposal, but shook his head with a wry smile. "We wouldn't get much sleep anyways, morning practice is at 6."
"Not for you two." A voice said from the door.
Don and Kallie whipped their heads towards the door and both winced. There was Leonardo in his trademark 'leader' pose; arms folded across his chest, leaning against the doorframe and that 'you are so busted' look on his face.
"Uh-oh." Don muttered.
Leo narrowed his eyes. "Uh-oh is right. What are you two still doing up? You were supposed to be in bed hours ago!"
"No one was watching the monitors and I—"
Leo put his hand up, silencing the younger turtle. "The monitors aren't going anywhere. You however, are."
"If I may interject…" Kallie tried, but stopped after a look from the blue banded turtle.
"Bed. Now." Leo demanded, pointing towards the door.
"Leo I just need a few more—"
"Now Donatello."
Don winced at the use of his first name before rolling his eyes, sighing dramatically, and walking out of the lab.
"Night Kallie."
"G'night Donnie." She called back. Leo watched his little brother make his way to his bedroom and kept his eyes on him until he heard the door shut. Once he was sure Donnie was in bed he turned a sharp gaze at Kallie. Kallie gulped, and tried for a charming smile.
"Don't give me that." Leo told her, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice. She really reminded him of Mikey at times.
"Give you what?" She asked innocently.
"That innocent act you're trying to pull. I've had way too much practice at ignoring it, so you might as well save it." Leo told her. "What are you still doing up? I thought you only needed 5 more minutes?"
"I did! And I was going to go to bed too but then I started remembering things and I had to write them down or I may have forgotten after I went to sleep." Kallie explained. "You guys don't know my dad like I do. The harder I work at this, the faster we'll be able to solve this combination thing."
Leo sighed and brought a hand to his head. "You'll run yourself into the ground if you keep this up. You need sleep just like the rest of us."
"But—"
"No buts. Go to bed. I'll wake you up before we start the afternoon practice."
"Leo, you can't just boss me ar—"
"I won't tell you again Kaliyah." Leo said, emphasizing her first name. Her temper flared for a moment but then she saw a sparkle in Leo's eyes. He was treating her just like he treated his brothers.
His family.
The realization hit her and she couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. Leonardo was trying really hard not to smile, but the sides of his lips quirked up slightly as he pointed out the door just like he had done with Don.
"You know, you're lucky I'm tired. I have a whole plethora of witty remarks of where you can stick that bossy attitude of yours." She said.
Leo couldn't help but bark a laugh out at that. "Well I guess I'm lucky you're sleepy then huh?"
Kallie smirked. "You bet your ass you are."
Leo rolled his eyes and the two of them made their way back up the stairs. He walked her to her room and she turned to him and gave him one last smile.
"Night Leonardo." She told him, emphasizing his full name like he had done to her earlier.
Leo chuckled. "Good night Kaliyah."
OoOoOoO
Leonardo was true to his word and allowed Donatello and Kaliyah to sleep in. Mike was still out of commission and so it was just him and Raph for morning practice. Raphael had helped their youngest brother downstairs and sat him down in a chair to watch. Michelangelo wasn't exactly thrilled to just be watching his two older brothers duke it out while he was stuck in a chair.
"This sucks." He complained.
"Suck it up." Raph threw at him.
"You suck it up." Mike muttered petulantly.
Raph smirked. "That the best ya got?"
"I'm bored!"
"You'll be fine Mikey." Leo replied patiently.
"Can I please do something?" Mike begged.
"And risk injuring yourself further? I think not." Answered Leo.
"Dude, it's just a scratch." Mike insisted.
"You were howling and complaining about not being able to do your chores for a week just yesterday." Leo stated, amused.
"Last I checked I was the one who did the dishes last night." Raphael added.
Mikey rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Uh…well you see…um…"
Leo chuckled at that point. "You can stand another few days resting that leg of yours."
"Leo, dude, I can't stand just sit here alright? I need to do something. Please let me go on patrol with you tonight." Michelangelo begged.
"Absolutely not."
"Yer gonna make him do it Fearless." Raph commented.
"He knows better."
"Leo pleeeeeeeeeeease!"
"No Mikey, you need to rest."
"Here it comes." Raph muttered.
"Oh Mikey…no!" Leo groaned as Mike pulled out the 'eyes.'
Leo was always a sucker for the puppy dog eyes and Mikey had them down to an art form. Of course being blessed with baby blue eyes didn't help either.
"Told ya." Raph smirked.
"Please Leo?"
How did he manage to make his eyes look brighter?
"No Mikey, you need to rest."
Seriously? Now his eyes are watering slightly.
"Mikey, I mean it." Leo tried for a firm voice, but he could hear the waver in it, feel his resolve starting to crack. Leo was never one to be able to resist the eyes for too long.
"Michelangelo, I said no." Normally the first name thing worked, but Mikey whimpered. Actually whimpered.
"Oh for the love of—FINE, you can come on patrol with me tonight."
Mikey's puppy dog eyes left immediately as he whooped for joy and tried to stand. He did okay until he put more weight on his bad leg. He stumbled a bit and Raphael was at his side immediately.
"Alright shell for brains, calm down. Yer gonna hurt yaself before ya even leave for patrol." Raph said, sitting his little brother back in the chair.
"Thanks Leo. You're the best big brother ever." Mikey grinned.
"Hey!" Raphael yelled, outraged. "Ya got two other brothers' ya know? Ya ain't supposed to have favorites!"
Mikey simply stuck his tongue out at his hot tempered brother.
"No hitting the injured!" He yelled as Raphael raised a fist towards him.
"C'mon Raph, let's start with a few Kata's and then a sparring session or two." Leo waved him over. "Casey's shift is almost over and then I'll go with Mikey next, you and Don can take the night shift."
"Speaking of, where's Genius-Boy and Blondie at?" Raph asked.
"Sleeping." Leo answered.
"How come they get to sleep in?" Raphael demanded.
"I found them still awake at 4:45 this morning." Leo answered, irritation lacing his voice.
"But Donnie went to bed with us?" Mikey stated, confused.
"And I thought Kallie went to bed after us?" Raph added.
"That's what I thought too, but I heard a door open and sure enough both of them were still awake."
"Dude, that's the third time this week Donnie's been up too late." Mikey stated.
"I know, I sent him straight to bed and Kallie was next."
Raph barked a laugh. "Man I wish I coulda seen the look on her face when ya started in on her."
Leo rolled his eyes, but couldn't stop the small smile that spread across his face. "She wasn't too pleased at first."
"Ya mean she actually listened to ya?" Raph asked in disbelief.
"Not everyone disobeys my orders." Leo responded teasingly.
Raph smirked. "Yeah well, someone's gotta keep ya on yer toes." And with that he attacked.
The two brothers sparred, ignoring the Kata's they had previously stated they were going to do. It was a short session, only three rounds before they stopped. Master Splinter wouldn't have liked them having such a short session, but Leo was slowly gaining more and more control of the team as Splinter slowly backed off; leaving decision making to Leonardo. And with two of their brothers out of commission and Kallie not here to train either, a short session seemed in order. It was nearing lunch and the two insomniacs were still sleeping. Leo had promised to wake them before lunch and he made his way upstairs. He cracked Donatello's door open slightly and peaked in.
Leo couldn't help but smile fondly at the sleeping figure. Donnie was curled up in a small ball, completely under his blankets, only his right foot sticking out.
"Don?" Leo ventured quietly, but the genius turtle didn't stir.
"C'mon Donnie, time to get up."
Again nothing.
Leo chuckled and ran a finger down Don's foot. Don twitched and grunted but otherwise stayed asleep. Leo smirked and scrabbled his fingers softly against his little brother's foot. This time Leonardo was rewarded with a gasp and a giggle as Don turned and looked blearily at his oldest brother.
"Leo?"
"Time to get up Donnie."
Don groaned. "There are other ways to wake me up." He rubbed his foot against the mattress, trying to rid himself of the tingle left from Leo's attack.
Leo couldn't help but laugh. "Couldn't resist."
"What time is it?" Donnie asked.
"Five till noon. Mikey and I are gonna take the afternoon shift and you and Raph are taking the night shift."
Don sat up. "Mikey? Why are you taking Mikey, he's injured?"
Leonardo rubbed the back of his head sheepishly and Don smirked. "You fell for the eyes again didn't you?"
Leo groaned. "How does he do it?"
Donnie chuckled. "He gets you every time."
"It's the blue eyes, I'm telling you."
"That definitely doesn't help our cases." Don replied. "Kallie up yet?"
"She's next."
Donatello nodded. "Okay. I'm gonna hit the shower first."
Don made his way to the bathroom while Leonardo went to Kallie's room. He knocked softly but there was no reply. He tried again but to no avail. Slowly, he cracked the door open and stepped inside. Kallie was sprawled on her bed, one foot dangling off as well as one of her arms. Leo suppressed the laughter that wanted to come out. In all honestly it didn't look like a very comfortable sleeping position, but she reminded him so much of Mikey at the moment. He too slept all sprawled out, a tangle of limbs and blankets.
"Kallie, it's time to wake up."
She groaned in answer and burrowed under the covers suddenly.
"Hey, you're the one that wanted to stay up so late. I let you sleep for like 6 hours, it's wake up time now."
"G'way." Was her muffled reply.
"I will once I know you're up." And with that Leo crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against her wall, content to stand there and wait. A few minutes passed and Kaliyah peeked from under her covers, only her cerulean eyes showing as she stared at Leo.
"You're still here?" She asked.
Leo smiled. "Yup."
She disappeared underneath the covers again with a groan and then threw them off dramatically a second later. "Fine, I'm up."
"Great." He responded. "Maybe next time you'll go to bed at a proper time."
"Maybe next time I'll just ninja chop your face." She retorted.
Leo laughed. "You can try."
"Hey, I've been training a lot lately," said Kaliyah, a finger pointed at Leo's chest. "I've got some major skills now."
"I'm sure you do." He replied, humoring her for the moment.
She sat up and pushed her wild hair out of her face. "Hey, I think I may know a few places to look for the combination by the way."
Leo looked surprised. "Really? Where?"
"Well, I have three possible places. My dad and I went to this gym and played basketball with one another after school almost every day. We had a locker there and it may still be there." She explained. Leo nodded as she continued. "The second place is of course my old high school locker, it's a long shot but we might as well try. And the last place is Fort Drum."
"Fort Drum?"
Kaliyah nodded. "Right before he deployed is when we moved here. My mom got that job with Macy's and his unit agreed to send him to Fort Drum for a few years since they had an opening. We had only been here for a month by the time he left. He was only needed on the weekends since they were deploying so we stayed in the city and he drove to and from Fort Drum on the weekends. I know he had a locker there where he kept his things. I told my mom I wanted to get his stuff out from it but she never drove me there and by the time I could drive myself I couldn't afford a car and my mom sure as hell wasn't going to buy one for me. When I finally did get a car I was in school and never really had the time to get the stuff."
Leo nodded. "Each one is definitely worth a shot. How far away is Fort Drum?"
"5 hours and 21 minutes." A voice said from the door. It was Donnie.
"How do you know that?" Kallie asked.
"Well it's 317 miles away, divide that by the various speed limits and—"
"I don't need a math lesson." Kaliyah interrupted.
Don grinned. "You asked."
Kallie rolled her eyes. "Okay smarty pants. Are we doing this then?"
Leo considered it for a moment, before slowly nodding. "Yes we are. But we have to wait until Mikey's more mobile. We'll need him."
"How many more days then Donnie?" Kaliyah asked.
"Another three to five days and he should be good as new," said Don. "However, you may wanna keep him off the patrol tonight then. The more rest he gets the better."
Leonardo groaned. "Ugh, that's not gonna be a fun conversation."
"Why not? He'll understand." Kallie responded.
"He gave me the eyes." Leo answered.
"The eyes?" Kallie asked.
"Leo's a sucker for Mikey's puppy dog eyes. He'll get them tenfold if he tries to back out on his earlier promise." Don said with a slight smirk.
Kallie got out from her bed and quickly ran her fingers through her curly hair, squared her shoulders and looked up at the boys.
"What are you going to do?" Don asked skeptically.
"If you think he's got the puppy dog eye look down, you ain't seen nothing yet." Kallie said firmly.
Leo and Don didn't look convinced.
"I once convinced my music professor to give me a two week extension on a mid-term project because I had actually forgotten about it until the day it was due."
Don squinted at her before nodding approvingly. "She does have extremely blue eyes. That's gonna be a positive on her side."
"He's got blue eyes too though." Leonardo countered.
"She's a girl, that's a big point for her."
"She's pretty too. That's another point in her favor." Leo added.
"Oh shut up." Kallie said, blushing furiously.
"You may be able to take him." Leo told her, trying to hide a smirk.
Twenty minutes later, Mikey admitted defeat. The others decided to start making plans to hit the gym and Kallie's old high school as soon as Mikey was healed. Fort Drum was the last place they would go to. And hopefully they would find some answers soon.
