A/N: Things are going to be moving kinda quick here, so hold on tight!

Leo pulled the van to a stop near the place Marina's cruiser had crashed many years earlier. He and Amaya had decided to go with Donnie and Sarah to meet them. As they piled out Donnie glanced around. "This is where she told us to meet her."

There was a flicker of light and suddenly less than fifty feet away a ship appeared. Dropping its cloak as the door opened and three figures came out. The one in front was a bit shorter and rushed forward to embrace Sarah. The two girls laughed. Marina grinned like crazy, but her eyes held concern. "Are you okay?"

Sarah chuckled and managed a weak smile. "I'm not really sure yet."

Donnie reached over and took her hand, lending her his silent strength. That's when Marina noticed Leo. She rushed over to hug him. "It's so good to see you again."

Leo smiled. "It's been a long time."

Amaya blinked at the girl, who so resembled Sarah. He was not joking when he said they were nearly identical.

Leo wrapped an arm around her waist. "This is my wife, Amaya." Marina pulled the startled woman into a hug while Leo laughed.

"Oh, yeah." Marina hurried back to the two men that had come with her. She snaked her arm through the taller one's arm. "This is my mate, Stin." He was tall with short dark hair. He offered them a pleasant smile. "And this is his assistant, Dandrick."

She indicated the other man, who had long black hair pulled back at the nape of his neck. The man was a bit younger. He flashed them a brilliant smile. "I'm pleased to meet you."

Sarah stepped back into Donnie. The man gave her a strange feeling. It wasn't like what she'd felt all those years ago from Marina. This was much less solid, more of a sense of foreboding than anything else. Donnie blinked down at her as his arm came up to encompass her. "Why don't we go home, so we can talk."

Marina frowned as they followed him to the van. "I'm sorry I couldn't find any more information. But I did bring the book." She held up the leather bond volume.

Leo glanced at her as he got back into the driver's seat. "What are you talking about?"

Donnie shook his head. "Let's talk about it when we get home."

Leo frowned, his intuition telling him that there was definitely something wrong. But instead on questioning his brother right there, he turned on the van and headed for the garage. As they pulled into the parking lot, Marina looked around in confusion. "Where are we?"

"This is our new home. The old lair was washed away by a storm several years ago." Leo explained as he led the way inside.

Dandrick grinned as his eyes landed on the three bikes that were in various stages of repair inside the garage. "Hey, these remind me of my racer I had when I was a kid."

"This is Cat's shop, she's a mechanic." Donnie explained as they turned and headed for the elevator.

Dandrick hurried after them. "Cat?"

"Yeah, you'll meet her in a minute." Donnie pulled Sarah close as the doors closed and the elevator began its decent.

When the doors opened into the lair it was pretty evident chaos was taking place. Mira was chasing a ball through the living room, Raph and Mikey were fighting over the video game they were playing, something smelt like it was burning in the kitchen and Kaz was in the middle of another scream fest. Kala turned with him in her arms. "Oh, thank goodness. He started screaming a little while ago and I can't get him to stop."

Sarah couldn't help but laugh at the craziness that had somehow taken place in less than an hour since they'd left. "Sounds like he needs some more magic potion."

Leo sniffed. "What's that smell?"

Raph looked up from his argument to answer. "Cat said she wanted to make hamburgers."

Sarah's eyebrows shot into her hairline. "Cat's cooking?" Then she went pale. "My kitchen!" She turned and sprinted for the other room.

Donnie laughed as Kala called after her. "Hey, what about Kaz!"

Amaya chuckled and rubbed the little turtles head. "I will get it." She turned and headed for the kitchen as well but at a more dignified pace.

Mira had caught her ball and had returned to stare at Marina. The young woman looked down at the five year old and her jaw nearly hit the floor. There staring up at her was a pair of big brown eyes, the same eyes that she and Sarah had. She knelt down to her level before looking up at Donnie. "Is this…?"

He smiled. "Yes, this is our daughter. Mira, this is your Aunt Marina."

Mira smiled too. "You look just like my mommy."

Marina clapped her hands. "She's precious!" She scooped the little turtle into her arms and Mira giggled. Behind them Stin smiled. He hadn't said much on the way to the lair but it was easy to tell he was a man of deep thought.

Mikey came around the couches. "Hey, don't hog all the hugs little dudette."

Marina stood and hugged him and Raph. "I sure have missed you guys."

Mikey put an arm around Kala. "And you haven't met everyone yet, this is Kala and Kaz."

Her eyes widened and she gushed much as Sarah had done. "He's so cute! How old is he?"

Kala smiled, while still trying to get the infant to hush. "He's almost four weeks."

"He's so tiny!" Marina touched his little fist and he paused momentarily in his fussing to stare at her. The peace didn't last long though before he began a new round of squawks.

Leo laughed and gestured to the couches. After the introductions were made and they'd all settled down, Cat appeared in the doorway. She grinned while carrying a tray with a large pile of hamburgers on it. Dandrick watched the blonde move across the room, her tight fitting leather pants accenting her curves. He smirked when she bent over to place the tray on the coffee table, which gave him a nice view of her breasts.

Cat dusted her hands and gave a satisfied smile. "Not bad for my first attempt in ten years."

Sarah appeared in the doorway to the kitchen a scowl in place. "Yeah, but did you have to sacrifice my favorite skillet?" She turned the offended piece of cookware over examining the burn mark that went right through its center.

Raph chuckled as he picked up a hamburger. "I'm sure they're great, darlin'." He pulled her down into his lap while taking a bite.

Amaya returned and handed over the gooey medicine and a cup of juice to Mikey. As the couple coaxed the baby into taking it, the others grabbed a burger from the pile. They all ate quietly for a few minutes. Cat grinned as she took a bite of her own burger. "Well, how are they? Great, right?"

Mira made a face. "Are they supposed to be crunchy?"

"And greasy?" Mikey asked.

"Hey!" Cat protested.

"Hey, guys, Cat worked hard on these." Leo said.

Cat smiled. "Thanks, Leo."

"Yeah, the least we can do is force ourselves to eat every bite." He finished.

"What? Hey, wait! What's that supposed to mean!"

Behind Cat's back, Raph tried his best not to choke on the bite he'd just taken, while also trying not to let the laughter overtake him. He coughed. "Leo!"

Marina frowned at her burger. "Why do you guys always feed me weird stuff when I come here?"

Mikey sat up. "My pizzas are not weird, they're creative."

"Only to you, Mikey." Donnie provided from the other couch.

"Speaking of visits, do you want to tell us the real reason for your visit?" Leo asked her.

Marina glanced at Sarah, who exchanged a look with Donnie. Sarah sighed. "Show them."

"Now don't freak out guys." Donnie pulled his dagger from his belt.

Leo's eyes went wide. "What are you doing?"

"Just watch." He ran the blade across his palm just hard enough to cause a cut to form. The brothers were instantly on their feet.

"What are you thinking!"

"Are you crazy, Donnie!"

"What'd you do that for!"

Donnie looked at Sarah, who turned over her hand to show the same cut. They all blinked in confusion then gasped as the cuts began to disappear. "We don't know exactly what it means." Donnie sheathed his dagger.

"We called Marina to see if this was something related to the bonding we didn't know about." Sarah said.

"And?" Leo prompted.

Marina sighed. "I wasn't able to find out much. The only thing I was able to find was this fairytale." She held up the book again. "I asked around but no one seemed to have ever heard of it."

Stin leaned forward. "I too asked around, but none of my colleagues have ever heard of the bonding process going so far as to transfer injuries."

"How long has this been happening?" Amaya asked.

"Just a few days." Sarah answered.

Leo frowned at his brother. "Donnie, you shouldn't have kept this from us. What if we'd gone on patrol and you'd gotten hurt?"

"We've both been extra careful the last few days." Donnie explained.

"Yeah, but you're a member of this team. We need to know if you're compromised." Leo said sternly.

"We wanted to wait until we had more information, Leo. How can I tell you something, if I don't even know what's going on?" Donnie pointed out.

Marina frowned. "This could be just temporary or a transitional phase of some type. It's just too early to tell for sure."

Leo suddenly stood and began to pace. He finally turned to stare at the couple, coming to a decision. "Donnie, I'm sorry, but you can't go on patrol anymore. At least not until we know what's going on."

Sarah's heart clenched. This was what she'd feared all along. Donnie would not be allowed to participate in their patrols or possibly even training. She came off the couch. "No, Leo! You can't do that! Please! Don't do this!"

Leo frowned and shook his head. "As head of this family it's my responsibility to consider what is best for the overall good. If it means keeping both of you safe, then it's what we'll have to do….for now at least."

"But Leo, you can't just-"

Donnie stood and took her shoulders, turning her to face him. "It's alright, Sarah. Leo's right."

Tears streamed her face. "No, it's not fair!" She turned and ran to their bedroom slamming the door behind her.

Leo frowned. "Donnie, I just think…"

"You don't have to explain, Leo. I understand. I'd do the same thing. And I definitely don't want to be the weak link in battle." He patted his eldest brother on the shoulder. "I'll go talk to her."

Leo nodded as Donnie left. Then he turned his gaze on their guests. "Would you guys mind staying a few days? Maybe between us we can figure out what's happening."

Stin nodded. "I don't see a problem with it."

Amaya went to stand beside Leo. She knew the decision hurt him as much as it had his brother. She squeezed his hand. "I am going to clean the kitchen." He nodded and she left.

Cat eyed the pile of uneaten hamburgers. "Hey, wait. There are still a lot of hamburgers left. Do you want some more, Mikey?"

The turtle in question forced a smile. "Uh, no thanks, all full."

Kala laughed. "I never thought I'd hear that phrase come out of your mouth."

Raph snickered and Cat elbowed him. Dandrick reached over and picked up another hamburger. "I think I'll try another." Everyone stared at him in astonishment. "Mmm, I think they're quite good actually."

Cat grinned. "Ha! At least someone appreciates my hard work."

Raph pulled her back against him. "Darlin', I think you should stick to fixin' motorcycles not food."

She groaned. "That reminds me. I need to go finish that Honda before bed. I promised the guy I'd have it ready in the morning."

Raph rubbed her shoulders. "I'll come help after practice, okay?"

She smiled at him. "Alright, but don't forget." She rose and took the elevator upstairs. Raph left with Leo for the dojo

Mikey took Kaz from Kala. The little guy was sleeping contentedly. "I'll put him to bed." He too then headed for the dojo.

Kala touched Mira's shoulder. The young turtle looked up. She'd been transfixed on her parents' door since they'd left. Her empathic ability obviously telling her how upset her mother really was. "Mira, can you go help Aunt Amaya clean the kitchen?" She nodded somberly and did as she was asked. Kala turned to Marina. "We do have a spare room ready but we didn't realize you'd be bringing someone else with you. Do mind taking the couch, Dandrick?"

The young man smiled his flashy smile. "No problem. I'm used to being the third wheel."

Kala smiled politely. "Then I'll bring you a blanket and a pillow. If you guys will come with me I'll show the spare room." She led Marina and Stin down the hall to their temporary bedroom.

Dandrick looked around. He was alone in large living room that had just moments ago been filled to capacity. He set down the half eaten hamburger and stepped around the couch to the elevator. As he rode the elevator up, he wondered how long the one that wore red would be busy.

Cat looked up at the sound of shoes on the concrete floor. "Dandrick, right? Can I help you with something?"

"You can call me Danny, all my friends do. And no I thought maybe I could help you. I used to ride bikes back on my home planet, got pretty good at fixing them too."

Cat looked back down at the bike. It would feel wrong to call this man her brother's name. "No, that's okay. I've got it."

"You don't think I can really do it?"

"Uh, well, I tell you what this bike here only needs the front wheel replaced." She indicated the bike next to the one she was working on. "Do you think you can handle that?"

He flashed her another charming smile. "With my eyes closed."

She chuckled a little. "Please don't."

He laughed as he knelt down and began to work. For a while they were both silent, until finally he spoke up. "So, you run this place all by yourself?"

"Well, not exactly. Everyone pitches in when I need help. And Raph is usually up here most nights helping me finish up."

"He's your mate?"

Cat glanced at him. "Yes, he's my husband."

"Marina was telling us that humans don't mate like we do. Is it true you don't bond with your intended?"

Cat blushed. "Uh, no. We choose who we want to be with."

He looked at her curiously. "So, humans can have multiple partners?"

"Well, I guess. But most of us don't. We choose to be monogamous." She reached for the electric drill that lay between them. His hand landed on top of hers and she looked up into dark brown eyes rimmed in gold. The elevator door opened and she jerked her hand back.

"Hey, what's goin' on?"

A/N: Poor Cat. Her cooking can't be as bad as my husband's. He can't even boil water. LOL. Before we got married he'd unplugged all his appliances in his apartment to save electricity. He was the epitome of a bachelor.