Hey, why not? I'll toss another one up here. (Because I'm a little too far at this point.)

Rate T for:Language, Violence, and realism. Realism keeps it all in check.

Inspiration:Brother. Pain in the neck when their around(Or on-line) and a pain in the heart when their gone.

Thanks to: Pretender Fanatic, Storm Princess, and of course, PainterofSorrows.

If anyone had ever asked David what he thought of his life, he would have replied it wasn't what he had asked for, but it was what he was given. A life on the run, and in hiding.

It wasn't by choice he ran. No, if he had his way, he'd take the Foot down on his own. Then again that was an impossible task; even the CIA couldn't handle it. How he hoped to, well, that was a big question.

As David walked down the busy streets of New York, he wondered about his siblings. He had vanished in the hopes that the Foot would try to locate him, and carelessly drop information. Nothing doing so far, but David held hope. This would force them to make a move sooner, or later. It was for Amy, Aiden, and his loved ones back home he worried for. They had no idea what he was fighting so that they could live in peace. He and Lee both.

David paused at one of the local coffee shops for a snack, as he thought it all over, just as he had countless times before.

Sometimes it scared him to think that his entire family was being watched, all because of their curse. The one that his mother had borne for years. The one she had unwittingly passed onto them, her eldest children.

David never blamed her for that. It never seemed to him like she had done it on purposes. To Lee though, it was handed first. It had been hard on him as the eldest. He often fought with his siblings, part of a jealousy thing, David assumed. He too had felt envious of his younger sibling's freedom, and ignorant bliss. He had fallen into a quiet, anti-social person, a thing that was rather unlike him.

Once it was obvious to the two eldest that they were in the same boat, things had improved. David relaxed, and learned how to play past all his secrets. Lee reconciled with the others, and began to find ways to aggravate the Foot without endangering them.

It had been well thought out, as they stood apart, to confuse the CIA, and to fight the Foot.

Then... Somebody got dirty. Oroku Saki tried to recruit Amy, and Aiden. Neither David nor Lee had been expecting that. They managed to help the twins out, and taught the two-faced man that hey were not to be taken lightly. After that Amy and Aiden vaguely knew what was going on, but were kept out of the loop for their own protection. Still, David knew that if he asked them to help, they'd jump to help in the effort against the Foot.

He glanced at the clock on the wall and grimaced. In only a few short hours he would be off, searching for clues as to Lee's great prize.

A hand clasped him on the back, causing his back to stiffen. He glanced around to see Christopher Brown staring back at him. His blue eyes weren't laughing in jest, and his expression wasn't the usual pleasant smile. It was hard, and serious.

"David..." He stated his voice calm. "We both know what I'm doing here."

David sighed. He had been defeated. "You've come to arrest me?"

Chris nodded. "That's the way it is."

"No dignity for my mother's sake?" David asked.

"So long as you come with me, you'll be spared from any scene, or indignity." The blond man replied.

David laughed ruefully. "Yeah. No indignity..." He stood up. "Whatever you say."

With that, the two college aged men got up, and walked out to a white van. David paused to glance at the Starbucks. Something made him want to stay there.

"You coming or what?" Chris called.

David sighed, and turned from the coffee Shop. 'Here we go...'

Maria spent the next day driving. She stopped once for dinner and to use the bathroom, and then parked in next an abandoned Gas Station.

It wasn't much, a shabby little building falling into disrepair, and filled with mildew. It wasn't Maria's first choice, but it would work for the night. A faucet outside allowed her the small luxury of washing her hair out. It was a small comfort, and a relief to her. As she ran her fingers through her long wet hair, she thought her situation over.

Yet, instead of focusing on the emotional mission, Maria focused on her inventory. She had an emergency Credit Card and a good thousand dollars at her disposal. Her van was in good shape all things considered, and she had the tools necessary to fix it should something such as a flat happen. Turning the faucet off, Maria squeezed the excess water out of her hair.

She was decided. Striding back to her van, she took stock of what was in there. Napkins, a First Aid kit, a few outdated maps, a drivers manual, a spare set of keys, some cough drops, Aspirin, and an ink pen.

'Not much to work with.' She thought gloomily. It was helpful, but she would have preferred some more... Necessary items.

She made note that she still had the same License plate as before. She was going to have to get rid of it, and get a new one.

Looking around, she knew there were no other cars around here. Maria shrugged it off and decided that could wait.

With that done, she pulled herself inside, locked the doors, and tried to sleep for a few hours at least.

Christopher Brown led his charge through the CIA's large lab, heading towards the elevator.

David noted the white interior of everything, the tacky color was splashed everywhere. The people walking around were almost indistinguishable from the walls, and desks for the lab coats they wore, and the pale color of their skin. David felt an impatient tug on his arm.

"This way David." Chris said, tugging him along. David followed reluctantly. He didn't really want to go on into the integration room. Oh he could out last any officer they threw his way, and probably become the cause of many a headache, but it wasn't something he wanted to do. It made him mad to think they'd treat him this way, despite all the things his mother had done for them, risked for them. The government was such an ungrateful branch to serve. Hence he and Lee refused to seek help from them.

He followed Chris into the elevator, and waited, as the man pressed the button. Silence had sat between them since Chris had arrested David.

"So..." He ventured. "Just how deep does the government want me?"

"We actually didn't want to arrest you." Chris sated, staring at the doors.

"But you did. That didn't change, just because you were sorry." David pointed out.

Chris chuckled. "Guess not. What I'm trying to say is; you're in only as deep as an agent can get."

David shot Chris a look of confusion. Chris just smiled back.

"No Dave, it's not cause of your mother's record. I'll let the captain explain."

David shifted as the bell chimed signaling they had reached their destination. Chris walked out as the doors slid open noiselessly. David followed cautiously.

He was totally shocked. This room looked like a living room. A spacious and nicely furnished living room, but a living room none the less. Chairs and sofas sat crookedly along the walls. Further in, where another door sat, just to the left was a large plasma screen TV, the width of the wall, and a bright pink chair in front of it. A small metal table sat next to it stacked with books, and magazines, and a universal remote.

Another table to the right of the room in the midway between himself and the doorway, with a small pink colored boom box, and a small pink I-pod, with a pink I-dog. Pink and white rugs festooned the floor.

David turned to Chris, his stare questioning.

"You can wait here." Chris stated, walking to the door on the other end. "Sit in any chair you please, just don't touch the electronics. Their owner would have a fit in you messed with them."

David raised an eyebrow. "Their owner?"

Chris walked hastily to the door, typing in a code to enter. "I'll return shortly with the Captain."

"And he'll answer my questions?" David queried.

Chris paused, then hit the enter button and disappeared beyond the doors.

'Well...' David thought, sitting on a black couch. 'That answers at least one of my questions...'

He glanced at the pink assortment of electronic on the table directly in front him.

'Now just what is this about?'

Leo and his brothers stalked around the lair unhappily. Everyone was brooding over developments. Not only were they unable to touch the evidence on David Connrad, but three more siblings had vanished into thin air. Amy and Aiden Connrad, a pair of twins, and Maria Connrad. That left one sibling, Anne Connrad who was under tight surveillance. So they were stuck. Leonardo was as frustrated as Raphael. No leads on the Foot. None they could reach anyway. Donatello also seemed annoyed, as he tried to hack the CIA, with no luck. Even the mellow Michelangelo was a little testy. They were all on a hair trigger. Donny and Raph were at odds with each other, snapping and snarling almost every time they met. Leo and Mikey weren't getting along too well either, both poking and prodding at the other.

At last, Splinter had had enough. "Boys!" He shouted, his whispering voice louder than anyone expected, causing them all to jump, as it boomed, and echoed through out their home.

Four pairs of eyes stared at him, shock coursing through each iris. Leonardo who had been a moment away from throwing the remote at Mikey. Mikey himself wasn't far away from beating his eldest brother over the head with a game controller. Raph and Don were about to kill each other with their own weapons, over how Raph had burnt the popcorn.

Yet as soon as their sensei had spoken they all stopped in mid-stride as if they had been frozen there by some great and terrible force.

"Stop this useless bickering." He stated. "Perhaps an outing would do you well."

"An outing Sensei?" Mikey asked. "Like Starbucks!?"

"Yes my son." Splinter smiled. "You and your brothers should get some air."

"Sensei," Leo broke in. "I don't think-"

The rat turned a sharp gaze upon his eldest son. "Leonardo. Sometimes the answer you seek is outside of your own world. Now all of you go."

Leonardo didn't argue. His Sensei knew best after all, even if he didn't want to.

"Let's get this over with." He sighed.

As Maria drove over the bridge, and into the city excitement filled her. The dull, almost paranoid teen she was during her long, week trip across country vanished instantly, as he found herself a parking place. Resting her head against the window she smiled.

"I made it..." She chuckled, rubbing her temples. A tear streaked its way down her cheek.

She started laughing in relief. "I made it!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. It felt good. It felt so nice to scream, and not in agony either. It was in joy.

It had been a hard trek to New York. She hadn't slept much in the wee hours, nightmares clouding her dreams, and keeping energy from her. Plus she had had to abandon using her credit card, realizing by watching a news report that she was being tracked with it. She withdrew as much as she dared, then gave the card to a beggar on the side of the road. It had thrown them off, and she felt pleased with herself, even if a little miffed at the loss of a steady funding.

Wiping away the stray tears, Maria pushed the van door open. "Guess I better get down to business..."

Locking the doors behind her, Maria made her way to the nearest coffee shop, a small little place. Something in it relaxed her. There was just something about this Starbucks; it felt almost like a piece of home. She went up and despite her small funds, she bought a small coffee.

'I deserve it.' She justified. 'Who'd have thought I would have-could have come all this way on my own? What's a small treat in celebration?'

Still Maria sipped it slowly, and carefully so as to enjoy it fully. That was one of the things about running. She was beginning to notice how much she missed creature comforts. Baths, A place to sleep in that wasn't your car, a job, almost anything she used to enjoy at home she now truly appreciated. Oh, she managed, washing her hair on occasion in a locked bathroom of a gas station, but it made her miss her home so much.

'Alrighty then...' She thought taking a final sip. 'Time to get down to business.'

Glancing up at the clock she confirmed the time. Just after two. Good. She had plenty of time... Just no ideas.

Now that she was here, Maria had no idea as to where to begin. How did one find Four Paladins in New York City? She sighed, and stood. Only one way to find out.

"Excuse me?" Maria asked the cashier. It seemed as thought whenever she needed help she went to the people who worked behind the counter. Of course, she always tried to leave a tip for information.

"Yes?" The teen asked. He was a young man, just coming out of high school she guessed. Although he seemed bored with his job here, unenthusiastic.

"I was wondering if you knew of any local heroes or anything like that?"

He shrugged, and looked past her at some figures in long trench coats, and hats coming in. "Beats me. Can I help you?" He asked the first figure.

Maria felt rather cheated. She glared at the man for a moment, then turned away, and scuffled out of the cafe.

Leo despised the fact that he was standing in line to a Starbucks. He found it to be more of a robbery than a business. Who charged four to five dollars for a small cup of coffee. Yet, here he was, waiting for Mikey, and Donny to make their orders so they could get out of there. Raph wasn't much for coffee either. He preferred Ice cream treats of the caffeine drinks any day.

Leonardo felt Don elbowing him hard in the ribs. He turned to his younger brother, about to tell him he didn't appreciate the painful jab.

"See that girl?" Don whispered, nodding towards the girl who was just asking a question of the cashier.

Leo squinted studying her. She was average height, with brown frizzy looking hair, and dark skin. He didn't recognize her.

"Yeah." He replied. "So?"

"You don't recognize her?" Don asked. "That's Maria Connrad!"

Leo's brown eyes widened. "No way..."

"Way." Don grinned. "Come on." He said tugging his brother along. "We've got to go after her."

Leo nodded. "Right. You go, and I'll get Raph to get the van."

Don paused. "Got a plan?"

"You better believe it." The eldest smiled. He rushed over to Raph.

"Raph, once Mikey's got his treat, get the van, and follow our signals." He said in a quick whisper.

The red masked turtle glance at his leader. "Eh?"

"Got a lead. Trust me. I gotta scoot."

And with that, Leonardo made a beeline for the door, following after Donatello, and his lead.

Maria walked back to her van more than a little annoyed. She had heard of cities being full of rude people. Heck, New Orleans was a place that screamed that.

Still, it was frustrating to her. She needed to find these 'paladins'. For her brothers, and for herself.

A hand grabbed her shoulder causing her to jump, and whirl around in one smooth panicked movement. Standing next to her was a startled man, wearing a long brown trench coat, and matching hat.

"I'm sorry." He apologized. "I didn't mean to startle you."

His voice sounded much younger than she had expected, and she had to blink away the surprise on her face before he noticed that.

If he did, he let it slide as shock from someone tapping her.

"I just overheard you talking to the clerk, and I couldn't help my curiosity. What exactly are you looking for?"

Suspicion rose in Maria's countenance. She didn't like that question. Not at all. It was too curious, too interested. And she was far too paranoid to take kindly to prodding questions.

"Nothing." She said, a little briskly. "Just a child's tale."

"Really?" The man asked. Maria decided he couldn't be much older than herself, or at the most, no older than Amy and Aiden. "What do you mean?"

Instantly, she wished she hadn't of said that. Any excuse seemed better. However it was said, and done, so she quickly came with a lame cover story. It might just work if she could pull it off.

"I'm aspiring to be a writer, and I have a creative writing assignment for my English grade. I was hoping to find a lead on some local heroes, so I could base it off of real life, and kind of help me fill in the gaps so to speak." She replied smoothly.

The man seemed a little shocked at the quick reply. "Oh."

"It's-It's a bit embarrassing to have somebody ask..." She faked a sheepish smile.

'I could win a Grammy.' She thought, looking for the nearest out.

"Really? That's impressive."

"Not really." She shrugged.

"He means your acting skills." Someone said from behind her. She jumped in surprise, as a hand closed around her arm. Another man in trench coat grabbed her other arm.

'Two!?' She thought struggling to get out of their grips.

"Hang up a sec, we're not going to hurt you!" A new voice came, and Maria quickly discovered not two, but four figures clad in brown hats, and trench coats that hid their faces, and anything about them really.

"Just hold up a sec, kay?" The voice added. This one was young, younger than her she'd venture.

"No way!" She screeched, trying to fight them off at once.

"Look, we're not trying to hurt you Maria!" The second one added. He had a mature, tough, and hard to read voice. It was less of the tone pitch, tempo, or sound that worried Maria at the moment. It was what he had said.

"Oh God..." She whispered. Maria went limp for a moment. "You knew?"

"Wasn't hard." The first voice commented. "Despite looking like you've seen better days, you still look like your missing photo.

'Damn' she thought.

"Sorry kiddo, you've been out played." The fourth one spoke up. His voice was thick with a Brooklyn accent, and a sort of indifference that reminded her vaguely of Anne, or Lee.

She glanced around for a minute, then sighed. "Okay, what do you crazy people want? I know very little."

"To be expected." The first one acknowledged. "You are one of the younger siblings. But that makes me think you know more than you let on."

Maria looked towards them, her eyes hard, and angry. "Look, you've Aiden! What the hell do you need me for!"

The four looked at each other for a moment.

"What?" They all asked at once.

"I swear to God," Maria growled. "If you dare play dumb I'll-"

"Dumb about what?" The second asked. "We aren't playing here. You know-"

She cut him off with a vicious jab to his face. Freeing her other arm, Maria whirled around to face the next one, and kicked him hard in the crotch are before making a run for it.

"Help!" She screamed. "Somebody help!"

The four stood frozen in surprise. She had just done something none of them had thought a girl on the run would dare to do.

"We better scoot!" Mikey whispered urgently, making a run for it.

"Agreed." Leo nodded, following suit, and heading for the nearest Man-hole leading to the sewers.

Authoress Comment:Yeah, you didn't see that coming did you? You thought that they were all going to get along as soon as Maria accussed them of being Foot, didn't you? Bwahahaha! I got you! I really didn't like where Maria came in towards the end of the chapter, because it just too obvoius, so I changed it up to better fit, and twist the plot. Please review!