A/N: I've kept this chapter rather light-hearted as the next is really emotionally draining.
Kala pressed a hand to her mouth to cover the giggle. She hadn't been gone that long. Had she? She'd only slipped away for a shower, which had been a rare treat in the last few weeks. And when she'd returned she'd found her hunky turtle sprawled across the couch asleep. One hand dangled a remote, while the other was wrapped protectively around Kaz. The small turtle was just beginning to squirm and open his eyes. Apparently both her boys had taken a nice nap.
She suppressed another giggle as she carefully removed the infant from his father's arms. Mikey shifted but remained asleep, so she carried their now waking son into the kitchen. Raph was at the table with a soda and a magazine.
He looked up as she entered. "Is sleeping beauty still snorin' his head off?"
Kala laughed. "Yep. Here, hold him while I get him something to eat." She set Kaz in his lap.
The large turtle and baby exchanged a look. Kaz cooed and Raph smiled. "You know, you're kind of cute when you ain't screamin' your head off." He hadn't spent much time with his new nephew as the babe hadn't done much more than cry since he'd hatched. He tickled his chin and the infant gave a cheerful peep.
Kala smiled. "I think he likes you."
Raph smirked. "Of course he does." Kaz chose that moment to try to bite the finger that was tickling him. "Hey, now, that ain't your dinner. Now I know you're related to Mikey. You're always hungry."
Kala laughed as she settled at the table with them. "You got that right."
Raph held Kaz while she fed him. He glanced towards the door. "Where's Donnie?"
"Still in the lab with Stin and Dandrick." She scooped some food from the little turtle's chin.
Raph frowned. "I don't like that Dandrick so much."
Kala frowned as well. "Sarah said she caught him snooping around Splinter's room this morning."
Raph narrowed his eyes. "I knew there was somethin' off about that guy. What was he doin' in there?"
She shrugged. "He told Sarah he was looking for the bathroom. But she caught him holding the box with Splinter's ashes."
Raph growled. "I knew it!" Kaz blinked up at him and squirmed a bit. Raph's arm instinctively tightened around him, keeping him securely in his lap. His expression softened as he looked down at the slightly startled infant. "Sorry, little man." Kaz waved his arms, his mouth covered in the mushy formula. Raph couldn't help but smile at the child's new found enthusiasm for life.
Suddenly Kaz's little face scrunched with an expression of concentration. Raph blinked and then frowned as a horrible smell hit his nose. Kala laughed at his expression. Just then Mikey stepped into the doorway. He yawned and stretched. "Hey, guys. What's up?"
"Great timing Mike, here you go." Raph smirked as he stood and handed the small boy with his newly soiled diaper over to his father. He grinned as he left the room and Mikey gagged behind him.
Glancing at the clock, Raph hit the button for the elevator. Cat should be closing up. A few moments later he stepped around the corner of the hall to see Cat leaning against a work bench watching the sun set through the large garage door. The sun caused her blonde hair to glow around her. His breath caught as she turned to look at him, her bright green eyes shining in the orange light. She smiled at him, making his heart race. And not for the first time, he wondered what he'd done to deserve such a beauty. Her smile widened as she hit the button to close the large door. "Hey, handsome, come to help me clean up?"
He grinned as he pulled her to him. "Maybe, but first…" He kissed her, digging his large fingers into her hair. He cupped her backside, pulling her hips tighter to him and receiving a satisfying moan from his wife.
She slipped her arms around his neck, pulling him deeper into the kiss. She could feel the anxiety that had built up during the day melt away in his powerful arms. She sighed softly when he released her lips and she tucked her head beneath his chin. "Mm, I missed you today."
He frowned a little. "I did too. Did you have a good day?"
He felt her nod against him. "Yeah, except Donnie's new software is still giving me headaches."
He chuckled running a hand through her short hair. "You want me to have him put the old one back on there?"
"Nah, Dandrick helped me with it this afternoon. I think I've got it now."
Raph growled his grip tightening on her. "I told him to stay away from you."
She stepped back to look at him. "What? Why?"
He growled again. "I don't like him. Stay away from him, Cat."
She frowned. "Just because you don't like him, doesn't mean I should be rude to him."
He gripped her shoulders. "Cat, just do what I say for once. There's somethin' that ain't right about that guy."
Her frown intensified. "But he hasn't done anything wrong. All he's done is help out."
"I don't trust him. Look just…" He cupped her face with a sigh. "Please, darlin', just stay away from him."
She could see the deep concern in his dark eyes. She sighed as well, slipping back into his arms. "Alright, I'll try."
He kissed her hair, squeezing her tightly. "Good enough."
The back door clicked as it was unlocked. Leo pushed the door open and stepped inside, pulling off his hat. Cat turned to him with a grin. "What'd you get?"
Leo laughed as he approached them. "No way. I'm not telling you. I know how you girls talk."
Raph snickered when Cat pouted. "Oh, come on! I'm just dying to know." She pleaded.
Leo laughed again. "Not a chance." He turned and headed for the elevator, but paused. "Raph, we should probably do a patrol tonight. I saw a bunch of purple dragons hanging around down the street near that electronics store. I think they may be up to something." Raph nodded and Leo left.
When the doors closed and they were alone again, Cat turned back to Raph. "What do you think he got her?"
He laughed. "Knowin' Leo, there's no tellin'." He pulled her back to him. "And right now, I really don't care." He leaned forward to kiss her again and she put a finger to his lips.
"After we clean up, tough guy." Cat giggled when he pouted.
Leo stepped out of the elevator and then jumped aside as Mira went flying past him on a pair of roller-skates. She skidded to a stop at the end of the hall. "Sorry, Uncle Leo."
He smiled slightly, noticing her good control of the new footwear. "Be careful, Mira." He'd actually gotten the skates for her to help practice her balance. It had been one of the first things Splinter had them use when they were first training before going to something more difficult. He was still being amazed daily at how quickly she was picking up the new skills he showed her. She was rather small though, so he was taking his time with her. He wondered momentarily if her small stature was because she was female or the trait was one of Sarah's.
"I will." She promised and slipped into her bedroom.
He shook his head with a smile and began to remove his trench coat. Amaya stepped from the kitchen, where a good deal of chatter was coming from. She smiled as he gave her a warm hug. "I hope your errand went well."
He grinned as he turned them towards the kitchen. "Very."
Inside, everyone was gathered around the large table. Donnie and Stin were discussing genetics, while Mikey and Dandrick were in a heated conversation about who's world had the best video games. Sarah was beginning supper and Kala was cradling Kaz. The youngest turtle was watching his father with interest as he argued about why Earth's games were the best with Dandrick.
Mikey looked up. "Hey, Leo, where have you been?"
Leo just shook his head. "Out."
Sarah glanced over her shoulder with a knowing smile. "Well, have a seat, everything is just about ready."
Leo slipped into a chair along the long rectangular table. Marina looked up from the scrapbook that she'd recovered from its abandoned place on the coffee table. "I wish I could have seen Mira when she was as small as Kaz."
Donnie smiled. "She was a handful but in a whole different way."
"Yeah, she definitely didn't scream as much." Raph said as he and Cat entered.
"Yeah, but she was into everything, remember?" Mikey pointed out.
Leo laughed. "He will be too, soon enough."
About that moment Mira came around the door on her skates. "No skates in the kitchen, Mira." Sarah said without looking up.
"Okay, Mommy." The small girl plopped on her bottom and began unhooking the buckles.
Sarah and Amaya began to load the table with trays of food. And soon everyone was eating. Cat looked across the table at Donnie. "What happened to your hands?"
He looked down at the bandages. He'd nearly forgotten about the earlier event. They proceeded to tell Cat what had happened. Leo frowned. "I was thinking we should do a patrol tonight. Do you think you're up for it, Don?"
Donnie flexed his hands. They didn't even hurt any more. "Yeah, I think they may be healed already."
"Let's see." Sarah took one of his hands, unwrapping the bandage. Stin watched with anticipation from the turtle's other side. It was astonishing. The wound that would have normally taken two to three weeks to heal properly was entirely gone within a matter of hours. Sarah unwrapped the other hand and it too showed no sign of its earlier injury. She smiled up at her mate and he returned it, feeling her great joy and relief that the wounds were gone.
Mikey grinned. "That is so cool! I wish I could do that." He turned to Kala. "Hey, babe, you got any hidden talents like that I should know about?" He smirked. "Never mind, I know all your hidden talents."
"Mikey!" Kala blushed feverishly and jerked at his mask tails. The others laughed at the couple's expense.
Sarah took pity on her sister-in-law. "So, you guys are going out?"
"Yeah, I think the purple dragons are up to something." Leo explained.
Kala lightened up. "Hey, you know what that means?"
"Movie night!" Sarah, Cat and Kala cheered at once.
Amaya frowned a little. She still wasn't used to Leo going out on patrol. Of the four women she was the most paranoid. Not that the others didn't worry. It was just they'd become accustomed to it. It had become something of a tradition to stay up late and wait for their guys to come home. None of them could sleep anyways until they knew their loved ones had returned safely.
Raph rolled his eyes. "Geez, I'm glad I won't be here to have to watch another chick flick."
Marina chuckled. "I just hope it isn't the Salamander That Ate Burbank."
Mikey grinned. "That was a classic, dudette!"
Sarah laughed. "Nope, actually it's Cat's turn to pick. So, I doubt it'll be a chick flick. What do think, Cat?"
Cat thought this over for a moment. "The new Poltergeist."
"Hey!" Raph protested. "You said you didn't want to watch that?"
She patted his cheek. "No, I said I didn't want to watch it with you, because you just make fun of that kind of stuff the whole movie."
He snorted. "I can't help it. Those people in those movies are stupid."
Mira pipped up. "Can I watch it?"
Sarah shook her head. "No. You're still too young for that kind of stuff."
"Hey, I used to watch those kinds of movies when I wasn't much older than her." Mikey attempted to help out his pouting niece.
Donnie laughed. "Yeah, and look how twisted you turned out."
"Hey!" Mikey protested.
The others laughed and Leo stood. "In any case, we should be going."
Kala stood with the now sleeping Kaz and started for their bedroom. Mikey followed, watching as she laid him his crib. He covered him with the blanket. He frowned. "This is the first time we'll be going on patrol since he was hatched. I kind of feel guilty leaving him here."
Kala slipped her arms around him. "He'll be fine. Just come home to us safely."
"I will, I promise." He kissed her warmly and held her tightly. He felt a little guilty leaving Kala alone with their son too. He turned and kissed Kaz's head. "You take care of Mama, while I'm gone." Kala smiled at the exchange and followed her husband back out into the living room.
Down the hall, Sarah waited in Mira's door as Donnie told their daughter goodnight and tucked her in. He closed the door softly and Sarah wrapped her arms around him. He stroked a hand through her long dark brown hair and pressed a kiss to her brow. No words were necessary as he felt her love wash over him. He was surprised that he didn't feel even the slightest worry from her. She trusted him completely and knew he'd do everything he could to come home unharmed.
Raph slipped up behind Cat as she put her plate in the sink. She sighed as he nipped her neck. "You gonna wait up for me?"
She smirked as she tilted her head a little further giving him more access to the area. "Of course, how else are you going to use up all that extra adrenaline?"
His low rumbling chuckled vibrated against her back. "I can't think of any better way than with you, darlin'."
Leo squeezed Amaya's hand. He could tell she still wasn't used to him leaving on patrol. It wasn't that she didn't have faith in his skill or even that she was afraid he might return injured. She had more than enough faith that he and his brothers would come back safe and sound. She simply didn't like him being gone most of the night. And the truth was he still wasn't used to leaving her behind either, but life had to go on. This was their job – to try and keep the city as criminal free as possible, so the normal people could go about their lives with some peace of mind.
He ran his hand gently down her cheek and she closed her eyes with a soft sigh. "We'll be back." She nodded firmly, keeping her face a stoic mask. He released her hand and turned to the elevator, where his brothers were already gathered. "Time to hit the streets guys."
Kala clutched the pillow in her arms tightly as the credits started going by. Beside her Marina nearly mimicked her wide-eyed expression as she clutched Stin's arm. Her mate just rolled his eyes. He hadn't thought the movie was in the least scary, but rather brought up some interesting theories. On the second sofa Sarah yawned, while Cat stretched. Between them Amaya just shook her head.
She just didn't get it. Most of her life she'd spent in rural Japan in a shrine with her eyes unseeing, but over the past year she'd been exposed to a lot of American culture. This desire to try to scare themselves for some reason, though, continued to elude her. She saw no point in it. And despite Cat's insistence that it was 'fun', she just thought it was boring and kind of ridiculous. She much preferred Kala's taste in movies, which were romantic and sometimes funny.
She glanced at Sarah, who'd actually put a book of puzzles in her lap during the movie. She'd probably done at least ten by the end. It was pretty evident that Sarah wasn't much of a fan of horror movies either. However, Amaya wasn't too thrilled with Sarah's choice in movies either. They were loud action packed, tended to be sci-fi and sometimes had complicated plots. But even those were better than most of the ones Cat picked as they tended to be spy movies or horror flicks. The zombie movie she'd picked out several months ago, had actually given Amaya nightmares.
She shook her head again and glanced at the clock. "They are still not back."
Sarah gave her a reassuring smile. "They're fine, trust me. Donnie's just a little irritated. I'm guessing they haven't had to engage anyone yet."
Cat rolled her eyes. "Oh, great. That means Raph will be all kinds of aggravated when they get home."
Kala finally blinked and turned to the two women having a rather calm conversation after she'd just had the pants scared off her. She cleared her throat. She only wanted one thing at the moment - Mikey. "When do you think they'll be back?"
Sarah shrugged with a small smile. "Depends on how much shell they give Leo over not finding any trouble out tonight."
Cat stood. "Well, I think I'll go try to get some work done. I won't be able to sleep anyways."
"Who could sleep after that!" Marina pointed a shaky finger at the TV.
Cat laughed as she stepped around the third couch where Dandrick was spread out and appeared to be sleeping. She made her way to the elevator as a lively discussion about watching another movie started. Upstairs she pulled on her wielding hood and started working on a gift she was making for Raph for his birthday. Her mind wandered to Leo and his gift for Amaya. She smiled to herself. The guys tended to go all out on special occasions and she wondered just what he'd gotten her new sister-in-law. He'd asked her to take out a good sum of money out of their safe, so she guessed it was something nice and something he'd have to buy, which was rather rare to say the least. It was unusual for the guys to actually buy something that wasn't for the whole family and in particular Leo never did it.
She smiled again as she remembered Raph's gift from their last anniversary. He'd had Donnie rig up their motorcycle helmets with a two way radio, so that when they went joy riding they could talk. Cat was so enthralled in the memory that when the warm hand landed on her back she nearly dropped the wielding torch.
The only one brave enough to sneak up on her while she was wielding was Raph. Maybe I didn't hear him come in. She turned off the torch and pulled off her helmet to turn with a smile to her husband, only to have the smile wash away in an instant. "Dandrick?" His name had barely left her mouth when it was covered with his.
A/N: Like I said things are about to get really intense...