Chapter 5

Tech Support

8 years ago

April was extra cautious. She checked her meeds, wary that she should take in any poison. Casey Jones never left her side, and the doctors and security let him stay, on the grounds that he was her husband. The two had gotten married, quickly and quietly, despite the fact that April was dying. Casey was torn up inside, though he tried to remain light-hearted for April's sake.

Donatello and the guys had tried to trace the poisonous substance, but so far, the Foot had been very clever, in covering their tracks. To Donatello, it made no sense. How could they possibly benefit from such a heartless and atrocious action? Other then hurting he and his brothers, there was absolutely no point or logic to the deed. April was already dying, why would they bother her? Attack her further?

Donatello growled to himself, pained that he was forced to try to think through this.

When he brought the subject to his friend, Leatherhead, the croc offered a grumbling revelation.

"Maybe she's not the only one."

Donatello stopped pacing, freezing as though a bucket of water had been thrown over him.

True. If April WASN'T the main target… that would explain why so many women did not survive. Why breast cancer claimed most victims.

But what would they gain from such an act? It still made no sense.

But Donatello wasn't about to give up. However… he was going to need cash for his research. Which meant only one action.

Taking up his Tech-Support job again.

A nightmare come to reality.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

Raphael was out, looking for the Foot. He was determined to beat the truth out of them, skin them alive if he had to. His blood boiled with rage, his teeth ground as he snarled to himself, silent as the shadows, but moving like a locomotive, unstoppable in his wrath.

he came to a pause, as he heard the shrill scream of a female.

Lights and sirens were flashing, a few blocks away. He allowed his body to move without limitations as he gracefully and fluidly let himself whirl through the air, traveling to see what the ruckus was about.

Coming to a sudden and motionless stop, he peered over the edge of the building. What he saw chilled his boiling blood.

A creature was struggling with the police. Her angelic wings flapped heavily, her arms, back and even her legs jammed with needles full of tranquilizers. She screamed again, her teeth flashing, her talons trying to rake across the faces of her attackers.

Raphael scowled. The creature was in broad daylight. He had no way of rescuing her… or attempting to. But he couldn't just leave. She was weakening. Though she wasn't human, she wasn't large. A little smaller then he, a hide that was tougher then human skin, judging by the lack of bruises and blood. Her human face was feline at it's most alien, youthful and bitter at it's most human.

Her eyes flashed brilliant silver, her forked tongue strained as she screamed again, with rage and fear. Raphael ground his teeth, but as he was rteaching for his sai, his shell-cell rang.

"Hello?"

"Bro are you SEEING this? There's a winged babe on TV, who's being ARRESTED-"

"I'm seeing it. I'm going to rescue her-"

But at this moment, the creature slumped to the ground, falling unconscious to the street as she gave one last mournful cry. Raph nearly dropped his shell cell at the sight. She was helpless. Like an eagle shot down.

He heard Mikey's muttered," Dude…" as the police hauled her into the back of the armored vehicle.

Raph growled," That ain't right. It ain't right!"

Mikey added over the phone," Dude, she was just saving an elderly couple from a gang. They drew attention and she ended up getting hurt! She couldn't fly away!"

"How do you know THAT shellhead?"

"Well, cause… it was on the news."

Raph growled as he responded," Big help, idiot!" as he hung up, following the armored vehicle. His body ached from the amount of energy he was putting into every leap and bound, but he couldn't loose sight of the prison that held the creature.

This… was just what he needed.

More trouble.

As if April dying wasn't bad enough.

Raph sucked in his breath as a tear unexpectedly leaked out of the corner of his eye. Shell…

He doubled his pace. He had to help winged woman. Somehow.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

Ariana paused as she listened intently. Nothing. She couldn't hear Cupid anywhere.

She shook her head, only slightly worried. Cupid was a big girl. She could take care of herself. Ariana sat at her computer, trying to coax it to back to life. It wasn't responding to her commands. With a frown and a sigh, she straightened in her seat and thumbed through her braille phone book.

Her sense of touch, hypersensitive, gently thumbed down to Tech-Support.

She dialed the number on her special cell phone and waited patiently. She thought about turning the TV on, but decided against it.

She needed to concentrate.

After all, her job was important. And she needed a working computer to do it.

8~8~8~8~8~

April could hardly believe the news story that night, as she flipped through the channels, fighting the urge to puke. She felt bad, worse then anytime she'd ever felt in her entire life. Her strength was sapped, but she couldn't sleep.

No matter. The news was enough to keep her preoccupied and distracted.

"Just this night, a strange creature was found, beating up a small group of young men who apparently belong to the Turfs gang. The group had been harassing an older man, named Mr. Darl, and his wife, when the creature in question flew out of nowhere. Police found her, still beating one member, who died shortly after."

The elderly couple stood, the woman shaken it seemed by the events. Her husband was the one interviewed.

"It ain't right, the way the police came and arrested her. Those hooligans would have killed me and my wife if not for her. I'm grateful they came, but they've arrested the wrong person, and I'll testify in court to prove her innocence."

The reporter turned back to the screen, her eyes questioning.

"What kind of fear could this creature hold over Mr. Darl for him to defend her? More of this on the morning News."

April leaned back against the pillows. Where had the creature come from? And… why had they arrested her?

Silver Sentry gained acceptance when he first began his heroic career, as had the Justice Force and Raptarr, the Avian.

None of them were human, though they all had the appearance of something akin to "Human".

Her friends, the turtles, would not be accepted, nor would Leatherhead… and apparently, neither would the winged girl. She did not look like an avian, not with that tail and those horns. Her feet were cat-like as well, and she had wicked talons.

April frowned. Something had to be done. She knew her friends constantly saved humanity without receiving credit for their deeds. And now, this creature, after saving an elderly couple from possible death, was being hauled away like a criminal. A monster.

The real monsters are the ones lying dead and injured on the sidewalk. The ones with human form

8~8~8~8~8~8

Donatello groaned as he heard a loud crash.

"Sir? Please tell me that was the TV, or something else fallin-" He paused as he heard a maniacal cackling on the other end and promptly hung up.

"Now what?" Leo asked, peering in.

Don groaned into his hands.

"The man shot his iMac."

"Um… what?"

"It was an iMac. he couldn't figure out how to turn on the mouse. He shot the computer."

Leonardo started chuckling.

Doantello protested, "NO! It's NOT funny!"

"Oh Don, think of the memories-"

"I DON'T WANNA REMEMBER THIS!"

His phone rang.

With a growl, Donatello picked up the call.

"This is Donatello, your friendly tech support, how may I be of assistance?"

Leo tried not to laugh. Don had gone from angry-as-shell to cordial and professional.

Only you, bro.

He thought to himself as he turned and left.

Donatello paused as he heard the voice over the phone.

"Hi! I'm Ariana and- (oh wow, that was… loud)- Uh, sorry, loud noise over here."

"Um, no problem, do you have a tech question?" He responded, trying to regain composure. She sounded cute.

"I do. My computer busted on me." Sad voice.

"What appears to be the problem?"

"Well, I can't hear it."

"…" What?

"I'm blind. So, it, you know, makes sounds so I can work and-"

"Oh, I see. Did you make sure the volume was on?"

"Absolutely. I had my friend check that, since she CAN see."

"Alright, have you taken it to get looked at?"

"No, Sir. That's why I'm calling you."

"Hmm. It could be that your speakers are broken. In which, it would be a good idea to get that fixed. It could also be a virus."

"Naw, I have a very good virus protection." he heard her croon, to something," Aw, my poor baby, poor sick little one. Don't worry, mama's gonna get you all fixed up!"

"Um, Ma'am?"

"Call me Ariana. I need my computer fixed as soon as possible. But, I can't take it anywhere."

"Have someone come over and-"

"I can't. I… let's say I have trust issues."

"Well, ma'am. I would suggest you order some new speakers for your computer. And then, follow the directions."

"Well, alright."

"If you don't mind my asking, why do you have trust issues?"

"Would you believe it if I told you I'm a batty person?" she giggled.

Don laughed," Aren't we all?"

"I mean… can you trace this number?"

"No."

"Ok. Well, thanks for your help, Donatello!"

She hung up.

Don leaned back. That had been… odd. But believe it or not, she sounded more normal then most… actually she was the ONLY customer he had talked to who had sounded "normal".

She had a nice voice. Sweet. Kind.

I bet I can trace her number.

He called her back.

"Hello? Hello?"

Keeping silent, Donatello quickly traced the number, grinning as she hung up with a muttered," Weirdo…"

"I traced her number… I traced her number!" Donatello snickered maniacally to himself.

"Donnie? Why are you cackling to yourself?"

Don whipped around, as Leo and Mikey cam to stand in the doorway.

"Uh, no reason, why?"

"You traced a girl's number, didn't you?" Mikey snickered.

Donatello stared at him. So did Leo.

Mikey stopped laughing and his eyes widened," Seriously? you traced a girl's number?"

"NO!… kinda." Don gulped.

Leo frowned," Don…"

"Leo, she's blind. She can't take her computer to get fixed. And she sounded nice and-"

"NO."

"But-"

"NADA."

"Can't I just-"

"Yeah, can't Donnie just-"

"NO! AND NO!" Leo roared at both Donatello and Michelangelo before storming out.

Don and Mikey stared after him before exchanging looks.

"What's eating him?"

8~8~8~8~8~8

Leo paused, looking in at the window. Tears bristled at his eyes as he watched April sleep. After the poisoning incident, he couldn't find the nerve to tear himself away.

When he had first met her… she had seemed so, well, typical. She had screamed and fainted… TWICE. But, after she had accepted them, he discovered an amazing friend in her, encouraging, smart and friendly. And now… she was leaving them.

No, they were losing her. Losing her to an unbeatable enemy. Leo felt the tears drip down his face and onto his chest. He sucked in breath as he half turned to look at the sky. He didn't need more problems in his life. But it seemed that Life didn't think so.

He stayed there for the better part of the night, watching over her and enjoying every breath she took, every moment that she was alive. He knew she couldn't beat the Cancer. She had found out too late that she had it.

And it would take her.

The only thing he could do… was wait and enjoy what was left of the time he had with her.

He silently left a CD on her table, with a note scribbled onto it before leaving.

It had some music he out together for her.

The note read,

"Hey April. I just wanted to let you know that I love you. You're the only sister I've ever had, and you're the best person I know. I wish we could visit you during normal visiting hours."

When she read the note, her eyes sprang with tears.

"Oh Leo… You always try to be so strong. I love you too, little brother."

Ok, I need to do a short little disclaimer.

Ariana is not mine. She belongs to my friend Jane. I know, I decided last minute to include them in this fic. All should be made clear soon... I hope.

TO ALL WHO HAVE READ, REVIEWED, ENCOURAGED, SUPPORTED, ETC, :

THANK YOU!