I will be adding a new OC female character this chapter... now don't get too worried about her and her POSSIBLE pairing with another turtle taking over the fic... this will certainly still be centered around Raph and Alice the most... this chapter introduces the OC and... i'll just stop talking now and let you read it
Dis: I don't own TMNT
00000000
Ritz was starting to get impatient. He's been waiting for this night for a long time and two hours have already passed and he has yet to find himself a suitable victim. He was a Purple Dragon's recruit and tonight they all had to find someone to mug and whoever got the biggest loot didn't have to sleep with the dogs that night. Huddling deeper into his bomber jacket, he tucked his bare hands into the pockets to ward off the chill. He didn't even remember to grab a hat and so his bald head save for the purple mini-mohawk he wore was freezing. He sneezed and cursed the colder weather that hit New York City. They were supposed to get freezing rain earlier in the night and he didn't want to be out on the streets for that shit.
His eyes took in the pedestrians around him and he sighed. Most of them were hookers that were off limits as well as their customers. There was a woman rushing home with a crying infant in one arm and a bag of groceries in another and his stomach dropped at the thought of mugging her. It was something Sal or Lenny would probably do but he couldn't hold someone with a baby at knifepoint. Call him a pussy, but even HE had some morals. He grew a little excited when seeing a woman take the corner with her head down. He saw a white purse slung over a fragile shoulder and knew that he had to take her on. Looking left then right to make sure there weren't too many people that could rat him out, he then slunk behind her until making it to an alleyway. He grabbed her elbow from behind and turned her into the shadow's until her back was against the cold brick. Her wide, blue eyes met his and his own eyes widened when seeing her messed up face. Her one eye was black and blue and she was hyperventilating. His hand felt wet, and he knew it wasn't spit, it was the warm feel of blood coming from her mouth. This woman had just gotten the shit kicked out of her and her shiny diamond covered fingers were at his wrist, trying to pull away.
"Man you're messed up." She stilled as he brought the knife he'd been carrying away from her throat. "Listen, I hate to have ta do this but i gotta. Initiation thing. How about you give me that pretty ring and I'll let ya walk away unharmed."
"No," she rasped and his eyes traveled to her throat to see it bruised. "He'll be mad."
"Husband?" She shook her head. "Fiancée?"
She looked away and he sighed deeply. What the fuck was he doing, talking to her like this? He should just demand her stuff then go but... something stopped him. Probably because she had red hair like his sister, and the same black eye that his old man had given her a week ago before she ran away to his place. This woman was much older, but looked the same.
"No dude is worth this shit," he spat, making her jump. "You want me to feel sorry for you? I can't. Especially if you go back to the prick. Grow some balls lady and leave his ass before he sends you to the grave. My old man did the same to my moms, and almost to me and my sister."
"I..." She looked down. "I have no where to go."
"Not my problem," he said, yanking on her rings, making her cry out and he took her by the shoulders and gave her a little shake. "This what ya want? A life where a man takes whatever he wants from ya and not care? You wanna be a punching bag? Wake the fuck up lady!" Tears started falling down her face and he chose to ignore them. "Crying ain't gunna make it better."
He stepped away from her, rings in hand, and watched as she sunk to the alley floor. He ran a hand over his short mohawk before speaking again.
"I have a friend from high school. Dee. She's got her head on straight. Not into the shit I'm into. We... used to hang out before I did this. She... She can help ya. It's up to you now. Either go back to the dickwad that did this or get help from Dee. She's on 12th and Edmund. Tell her Ritz sent ya... not my real name but she'll know who yer talkin' about and if ya call the cops on me and try to get her to tell them who I am she'll just lie so don't do something stupid like that."
With that he walked away, never to see her again, hoping that she made the right choice and didn't end up dead in the basement like his mom did.
.
.
.
Eve Reynolds took a long sip of her coffee while her eyes traveled over the 'Help Wanted' ads in the paper. She had a red marker in the hand that wasn't holding the coffee as she stood at the counter of her one bedroom apartment. She put her coffee mug down on the marble counter-top before circling an ad. Sighing, she pulled off her glasses then rubbed her tired eyes before looking at the clock. It was midnight, and she had to be at work in six hours, but she wasn't tired. Today had been a hectic day, mainly because she had run into her ex after being away from him for two years.
It'd luckily been no where near her apartment, but instead the store where she'd been shopping for a new pair of jeans to treat herself. She had stood there, frozen, while his calculating eyes took her in. Victor had the audacity to actually smile at her and ask her how she'd been while keeping a firm grip on the arm of his newest play thing. Eve had said she was fine then said she was late for an appointment and had walked away. She had felt his cold eyes on her back the whole time she'd walked down the block and when she took the corner she'd ran until catching the first taxi she could to her apartment.
Two years ago a troublesome boy had knocked some sense into her and though she hadn't gone to the Dee person he'd told her to run to, she'd taken shelter in a shelter for women like her. She didn't have parents to call, they'd died in a horrific car accident when she was nineteen. They had rented a high rise apartment that she couldn't afford and their other properties were auctioned off to pay their massive debt that she hadn't known about. However, the government couldn't touch her trust fund. So she'd stayed at the shelter, then gotten a job at a local daycare. When she'd been able to gain access to her account when she turned twenty-one, she moved out of the horrendous efficiency apartment that'd been infested with rats and moved into a nicer building that had hot water 24/7. Her parents had left her a generous amount of money that would cover all her expenses and enable her to live comfortably the rest of her life, but Eve wasn't someone that liked to sit around and do nothing. She still worked at the daycare, though she looked through the ads to see if there was something else that interested her. She liked working with the kids but there were days that she found herself looking for a new job when a child got on her nerves... though by the next morning she usually ended up tossing the ads away and going back to the daycare.
Sighing once more she moved away from the counter then dumped out her coffee into the sink. She paused when her phone vibrated on the counter and picked it up then smiled when seeing her neighbor texting her.
'Sorry, won't be able to make our weekly jogging appointment,' ~Alice
'Why not?' Eve replied.
'That freak quake we had knocked out all my windows ... staying with friends.'
'I had no idea. u ok?'
'Yeah. Wasn't around.'
'I saw Vic today.'
Eve slumped down on her plump chair, leg dangling over the arm as she bit her bottom lip. Other than the women in the shelter, Alice was the only other person she talked to about Victor. Her and Alice had met when Eve moved in. Eve had been struggling with the chair she was currently sitting in and Alice managed to be there and help her out. To thank her, Eve had invited her over for some pizza and beer. One morning both had left to go for a jog and since then they had a weekly jogging appointment to vent out their frustrations. Alice talked briefly about her father, while Eve spoke mostly of the damage Vic had done.
'FUCK ru ok?'
'I'm ok. He didn't follow me. I think. I'm paranoid now that he'll find me here...'
'You want me to be there?'
'I'm not a baby. We have secured entry and even if he snuck in here i have three locks on my doors.'
'fuck it. i'll be in the park at usual time. will make it work. cu 2morro. we will jog then pig out after.'
'u sure?'
'yep. cu noon!'
Eve sighed, smiling as she got up from the chair then turned out all the lights. A trip to the bathroom later she was in her sleeping shorts and a NIKE t-shirt. Slipping in the sheets of her queen sized bed she leaned back against the pillows. She looked up at the ceiling, the lights of the city making it blue and pink instead of white. She tried closing her eyes but every time she did she saw Vic. When her clock read five, she knew she wasn't going to sleep, so she got out of bed and headed to the coffeemaker to energize herself not only for her half-day at work, but for her jogging session with Alice.
.
.
.
"Fuck," muttered Alice, rubbing her eyes while dropping her phone to the table.
"Something the matter?" asked Donatello, making her jump since she hadn't heard him come in.
"Yeah. Friend of mine ran into her nasty ex today. He's a real piece of work, that one. Spooked her a bit."
"Hmm." Donatello frowned as he sat at the table. "You think she's in some kind of trouble?"
"I don't know," said Alice, leaning back in her chair. "I'm seeing her tomorrow."
"You sure that's wise?" asked Don.
"She's the one and only friend I have, Don," said Alice. "It's one afternoon. Splinter even said that I'm not registering as much as I used to with the whole power level thing."
"Yeah, but..." He broke off his sentence at her glare. "At least let me know where you're going?"
"We jog at Central. Then go to a coffee shop after and pig out on their éclairs."
"Ah."
"What?" she asked.
"You work off the calories before you eat them?"
"Yep. Gotta keep my body fit when I decide to pollute it with the evil thing known as calories," she said teasingly.
"Right. Well," he said, getting up from his chair. "Good luck tomorrow."
"Mhm. Don?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I ask you for a favor?" asked Alice.
"Uh... ok?"
"Ok I'm computer smart when it comes to like techy things like passwords and stuff but... the whole hacking thing? Not so much."
"And you want me to..."
"Find everything you can on someone named Victor Wendt."
"Ah... is this the ex?"
"Yeah. I know we don't know each other well and I'm the last person to ask any of you for another favor but... it would mean a lot to me."
"I'll see what I can find," said Donatello, wanting to know a little more himself.
"Thanks, I owe you one," said Alice, getting up from her chair and patting him on the shoulder before exiting the kitchen to her temporary room.
.
.
.
.
Eve smiled and waved when seeing Alice waiting for her in their usual meeting place. It was a beautiful, sunny day with higher than average temperatures that enabled them to wear t-shirts with their jogging pants instead of sweatshirts. Winter was just around the corner so they were going to take advantage of the warmer days before the snow hit them hard.
"How are you?" asked Alice, standing up to assess her friend. She wasn't the hugging type and often avoided physical contact (other than sex) at all costs but if Eve needed it she'd step out of her comfort zone and give a hug if it was needed.
"I'm good," said Eve. "Didn't sleep at all last night, though."
"I can tell," said Alice.
"Thanks," said Eve, subconsciously running a hand through her ponytail.
"Well lets just run and tire you out some more and then you might be able to sleep tonight," said Alice with a grin, making Eve laugh lightly.
The redhead and brunette then stretched for a few minutes before starting out with the numerous other joggers in the park. For once, they didn't talk, just pounded the pavement with their shoes. They made it around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir twice before stopping near a cluster of trees, leaning against them to catch their breath. Well, Eve was trying to catch her breath, Alice looked nothing like someone who had run a little over three miles.
"Geez Alice," panted Eve. "You been jogging a lot more often or what?"
"I..." Alice shrugged her shoulders, knowing exactly why it was she wasn't winded. "I guess my body is just used to it?"
"Are you even sweating?"
"Yeah!" Alice touched her forehead. "A little..."
"Ugh..." Eve stretched her cramping leg. "Let's just go get a doughnut."
"Yeah," said Alice as her phone rang. She looked down at it and smirked. "Oh, this is gunna be good."
Eve gave Alice a questioning look but Alice just help up a finger before answering her phone, a bright smile on her face and mentally thinking Donatello for programing all the the turtle's numbers into her phone.
"Hello, lover," purred Alice.
"Where the hell are you?"growled Raphael on the other line.
"Out for a jog with a friend. How are you this fine morning?"
"Get. Back. NOW."
"Are you worried about lil 'ole me?" asked Alice with a smile on her face, a smile Eve had never really seen before, and she was definitely going to be asking her questions later.
"I ain't messin' around here!"
"Baby, if you miss me SO much, just say so."
"Yer just askin' fer it."
"Hmm," said Alice as her and Eve hit 5th Ave. "Yes. Yes I am. So I'm going to finish my girl time here with Eve and I PROMISE I'll make it up to you later."
Alice heard the shaky intake of breath on the other line and fought the urge to pump her fist in the air. She was breaking him. She knew it. She totally had this challenge of theirs in the bag and she was about to clinch the deal when a strong grip took her by the upper arm. It was Eve, and her face was white and her blue eyes wide as they stared at something. No. Someone.
"Eve?" asked Alice. "What's wrong?"
"It's him," whispered Eve. "It's Victor."
Alice's head whipped forward and there, standing in the middle of the sidewalk, was a man. He had a bald head and was dressed to impress with a suit that was probably Armani. He had a single piercing from what Alice could see and when looking up into his face, all she saw was blackness in the depths of his eyes.
"Fuck. Raph? I gotta go."
"Alice? What's goin-"
Alice ended the call then grabbed Eve by the arm. The woman was shaking and Alice looked to the street and cursed when seeing not a single taxi in sight. Luckily there were people all around them so Victor wouldn't do anything in front of all of them. So while he sauntered up to them with a smirk on his face, Alice held her ground while also keeping a hold of Eve.
"Eve. Twice in two days. Perhaps its fate."
"V-Victor..."
"And who is your little friend?"
"No one you need to worry about, pal. We were just leaving."
"So soon?" he asked, voice thick like molasses. A cocky look on his face that made Alice want to smack it right off.
"Listen here, asshole, and listen good." Alice's eyes narrowed. "I don't care who the fuck you are. You have no idea who you are messing with. Leave Eve alone or else-"
"Or else wha-"
He choked on his words as Alice calmly grabbed a hold of his wrist and squeezed. She heard a popping sound and the pain brought the man that was slightly taller than her to his knees. She glared down at him, unknowing of the fact that her eyes turned a dangerous color of red as she spoke.
"Or else I'll kill you," she promised, making his eyes widen with fear. "Leave her alone. Forget her name. Forget her face. Because the next time you try and see her, I'll be just around the corner waiting to END you. Capice?"
He nodded in agreement and she let go of his wrist. He cradled his injured hand to his chest and stood up. Alice was aware of what looked to be a slight burn on his wrist in the shape of her handprint. Good. With one last look at Eve and a glare at Alice, he turned away. Alice looked at her friend, who was still shaking, but looking at Alice in slight... Fear? Awe?
"A-Alice? What just h-happened?"
"I took care of it," said Alice.
"But..."
"I just know a couple moves," said Alice with a shrug. "Let's leave it at that. You all right?"
"Yeah. I mean. I guess." Eve shook her head. "This wasn't a coincidence. Twice in two days? I... I think he knows where I live and has been f-following me." Her eyes widened in fear. "Oh, God, Alice he knows where I live!"
"He isn't going to touch you," said Alice, hands on her friends shoulders. "I promise you."
"You... you can't promise. You aren't around and... and I'm all alone. What... what if..."
"Hey," said Alice. "Let me see if I can work something out for you, ok? In the meantime, I'll come back with you to your place. Need to check on mine anyway."
"Ok... I talked to Eric this morning. He said they were going to put in your new windows today."
"Sweet," said Alice, slinging an arm over Eve's shoulders while hailing a cab that finally made an appearance. "Let's go home."
.
.
.
.
Eve had pretty much been glued to Alice's side the rest of the afternoon, which Alice had been ok with. They had gone to the apartment, grabbed their mail, then went to Alice's apartment first. Men were working to get her windows installed and while they did that, Alice went to her bedroom with Eve behind her. Eve stayed there while Alice grabbed a quick shower. She loved that she'd been able to use her bathroom instead of the one in the turtle's lair. She slipped on a fresh pair of black yoga pants, a white tank, and a black, zip up hoodie. She brushed her fingers through her wet hair as she exited the bathroom. Eve was still perched on her bed so Alice had some disappointment that she couldn't check her loot, though the hiding place did look undisturbed. She pushed Eve to shower at her place and had a cup of tea ready for her when she came out. She encouraged her to take a sleeping aid and soon her friend was sleeping comfortably on the sofa with a red afghan pulled over her body.
Alice slunk to the hallway, looking for anything out of the ordinary, before going to her place. She had asked Eric to keep it unlocked when they were done and thanked him silently while making her way to her bedroom. She was about to turn on the lights when she was grabbed from behind roughly and practically slammed into the wall. She brought her hands up, ready to defend herself, when a pair of familiar lips met hers. Instantly her defenses came down and she wrapped herself around the large reptile before her, lips moving against his as his calloused hands ran up the skin of her back underneath her tops.
"Hello, Raph," she gasped, barely managing to say those words as his mouth moved to that extra sensitive place behind her ear. "Miss me?"
"I knew you'd come here," he growled against the skin of her neck, one of his hands lowering the zipper of her hoodie, amber eyes watching as he slowly trailed it down. Alice shrugged out of the hoodie then tossed it aside.
"Had to. Eve lives across the hall. She-" Alice moaned as Raph's teeth scraped over her shoulder. "Had a bad day..."
"Ya need ta come with me now."
"I can't just leave her," whispered Alice, fingertips running over the textured ridges of his shell before traveling down his arms. "We ran into the guy that used to beat her for sport. He's been following her and-"
"That Victor guy Donnie was lookin' up for ya?" asked Raphael, pulling away slightly to look at her.
"Yes... " she said, resting the back of her head against the wall. "How did you know?"
"Saw it on his computer screen when I asked him ta track yer phone."
"WHAT? But... How? I made it so that no one could track me!"
"He has his ways," said Raphael, frowning as his fingertips brushed the skin between her shoulder blades. "You wearin' a bra?"
"Nope," said Alice, popping the 'p'.
"Damn," said Raphael, eyes flaring up again with that thing called lust.
"Take it off," urged Alice, her own body feeling aroused and wanting to be satisfied. Raphael hesitated for a moment before sliding his hands down to the hem of her tank top. Alice lifted her hands up in surrender and Raphael had just lifted the tank top above her bellybutton when a scream came from across the hall.
"Eve!"
Alice, with Raphael right behind her with his sais drawn, dashed to the apartment across the hall. Raphael immediately starting looking around the apartment for a threat while Alice soothed her redheaded friend who was looking at him with wide eyes.
"Eve? Are you ok?"
"Nightmare. Am.. am I still dreaming? I... I see a turtle."
"That's just Raph. Don't let him scare you. He's a huge Snugglebear."
"All that fer a dream? Dammit, if Leo was here, he'd kill me for dis," groaned the terrapin as he replaced his sais then crossed his arms over his plastron.
"Eve?" asked Alice, gaining the attention of her friend once more. "You aren't dreaming."
"Then I'm crazy cause I see a turtle in my living room."
"He's a friend," said Alice. "Sorta. I've been staying with him and his family while my apartment was getting fixed."
"O-okay... why? I mean why not just come to me and ask to stay at my place? First that then you're running like its nothing and you took out Victor. And now there is a walking, talking turtle in my apartment. Alice, what the HELL is going on?"
Eve only swore when she was really upset and it was Alice's turn to feel a little uncomfortable.
"Hmm. Ok. Uh..." Alice scratched her bare arm. "It all started when..."
.
.
.
TBC