Chapter 7

Heart To Heart

Raphael and David had finished talking to the group of men, who were entirely too smug for Raphael's taste.

Reptiles never stop growing, throughout their lives, and Raph was 6.4, and heavy set. He could see through every lie they spit out, and gnashed his teeth in an attempt to reign in his anger as they turned away. Ricky walked up to him, notepad in hand.

"Ok, boss, here's the name and number. The name of the dame is Marie Jasper. Here's her phone number."

"Good. See if you can access the security cameras in the subway. We need any solid evidence of what happened here that we can grab. Those bastards are lying through their teeth, but gut instinct will only take you so far."

"You got it, Raph." Ricky nodded as he took off. Raphael tried to maintain his cool, as Daniel looked over his shoulder.

"Ey, Raph, I gotta idea. How about I follow up on the mutant, see if I can ask her some questions. After all, she's the one who got-"

"Do it. Send me the report asap."

"Got it, bro. Good luck with the dame."

Raph gave a harsh laugh as he looked back at the notepad.

"I'm gonna need it. I've never had much luck with them."

8~8~8~8~8~8

Kataline woke up with her body aching like she had never felt before, and croaked as she tried to say, "Where am I?"

"Miss Razel, it's good to see you awake." The young nurse smiled as she walked over by the bedside.

Kataline grunted. Her question was not answered.

"Where am Ah?"

Kataline tried again.

"You're at Memorial Hospital. That giant Mutant has been apprehended, don't you worry. I can't believe he attacked you AND those humans."

"Wha? WHAT? NO! Leatherhead was tryin' ta save meh! I wuz bein' attacked by mah troupe! An den he came from nowhere like an Angel and rescued meh!" She tried to speak clearly, but her tongue felt like lead in her mouth as a huge weight seemed to drop onto her chest. Leatherhead was being blamed for the trouble HER troupe had caused? Oh hell no, not this!

"But… a young woman named Marie made the call. She said-"

"They're lying!" Kataline spat as she struggled to sit up.

"Miss Razel, please remain where you are! You took a serious beating, and-"

"I gotta see Leatherhead. Please! He saved mah life an-"

"In due time, Miss Razel. There's some police officers that will be here as soon as you feel you're able to spea-"

"Bring dem now. I can talk. I hafta. That man don't belong behind bars." Kataline growled. All at once, she felt a wetness on her chest. As soon as the Nurse left to go and get the doctor, Kat looked underneath the hospital gown at her chest, worried that maybe she was still bleeding. What she saw froze her blood and caused her breath to stop for a moment.

What the heck is wrong with me?

8~8~8~8~8~8

(8 years ago)

"…It took us a while to get away from the police, after we evaded the Foot. I don't even know how they KNEW we were there." Donatello sheepishly murmured as he hacked into the Police department's security network.

Leonardo shook his head as he glanced over his shoulder at Ariana, who suddenly turned her sightless eyes on him, as though she wasn't so sightless.

He looked back at Donatello. "I don't know what you were thinking, Donnie."

Donatello sucked in his breath before spinning around to glare at Leo. "Stop criticizing me! I'm sorry that I can't always make perfect decisions like you do, but can you at least respect the GOOD decisions I make, like, for instance, making the decision to save someelse's life and putting my time and effort into creating funds for an investigation that could possibly take my whole life to discover?"

The outburst was louder then Donatello intended and Leo blinked before backing down.

"I'm sorry bro… I didn't mean to-"

"I know. I'm just a little on edge." Donatello replied sheepishly.

"Me too." Leo agreed quietly and soberly.

"Me three! I've always heard that guys act more aggressively in front of a lady, but I've never seen it proven until now. It's DEFINITELY unsettling!"

Leo and Don turned to find Ariana inches away from them, her ears upright and alert with her eyes crinkled in mirth.

"I'm so glad Donatello decided to trace my call. I love you guys already." she added with a cutie-pie smile… that remained cute inspite of the sharp fangs that glimmered behind her lips.

"Did ya hear that, Donnie? SHE LOVES YOU!" Mikey crowed.

Ariana blushed as she looked over her shoulder at Mikey, "Although, I'm still debating about him."

Don had the goodness to chuckle, though he was blushing too as he sat back down at his computer.

"You'll get used to Mikey."

Mikey was about to protest this treatment, when the phone rang.

Raph answered it.

"Hello?"

"Raph?"

"April!"

"Guys, have you seen the news? "

"Well, we know the two humans that the gargoyle sa-"

"No, guys, Bishop is trying to bargain for possession of the gargoyle!"

Raph stopped short, his eyes widening, his breath cut short.

Donatello ground his teeth.

"Bishop can't do that-"

"But he is." Leo said quietly. "And we all know what he intends to do to her. After all, since when did Bishop ever feel any sort of compassion for ANY living creature?"

The truth of his words hit them like a sledge hammer.

Raph growled.

"That's it. We're busting her out of there. We have to."

Ariana nodded wisely.

"That's what I've been trying to tell you guys all this time."

April continued quietly. "Whatever you guys are going to do, you need to do it fast."

As she hung up the phone, she folded her hands in her lap. Her body was weak, and she had so many pains, she could easily just let loose and break down crying…

"I have to be strong."

8~8~8~8~8~

Cupid woke from her stone sleep, only to find that she had a visitor.

"Huh. Who are you?" She asked dully, as she glared at the tall, cold looking man who stood before her. Something did not smell right about him…

"That's not important right now. I'm told that you are a gargoyle."

"What else is new?" she asked cryptically.

"I'm interested in learning more about your species. For a long time, I put no stock in the myths about your kind."

"If ya wanna learn more about my species, GET AN ENCYCLOPEDIA. It'll tell you more then I will."

Bishop studied her for a moment before commenting, "I know of your friend… your roommate, isn't she? Let's see, what was her name? Oh yes, Ariana, isn't it? She's quite unique, a tribute to the human race."

Cupid's eyes widened and she sprang to her feet, no longer dull, but a wrathful creature, her wings unfurled and her talons extended as she hissed, "If you lay ONE filthy finger on her, I promise you, I will not stop until I have seen your corpse buried underneath a nameless headstone, got it?"

Bishop smiled. Of course he knew OF Ariana. But the last he had checked, she had vanished. His agents were still working to discover her location, but nothing had been reported…

Of course, Cupid didn't need to know that.

"Will you come quietly then?"

"If I could. I'm behind prison bars… or are you near sighted?" Cupid asked in disgust.

The door swung open, and Bishop smiled thinly.

Cupid stepped forward warily, looking around, as though expecting a trap. Bishop smiled thinly.

"If I wanted you dead, you would already be buried."

"Cute." Cupid sneered.

Bishop only smiled politely as she walked quietly in front of him. It was the first day she had left her cage without binders on her feet, wrists and wings. But this did not mean she was happy about it. Suddenly, with her eyes tightly shut, she turned around and ducked back into her cage.

"Forget it. My roommate is a lot smarter then you think she is. I know she can take care of herself. And I don't trust you as far as she can throw you!" Cupid growled.

At this moment, several things happened all at once. The lights went out. There was a loud explosion.

And a loud, protesting roar that was cut off suddenly.

When the lights came back on, Bishop was alone. His teeth set, he radioed his men, who were strategically placed all over the campus.

There was no trace of her.

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

Arianna frowned, as she and the other made their way into the prison, only to be confronted with the sight of Agent bishop, standing in front of an empty cell. They weren't surprised when he turned and looked right at them.

"I see you managed to sneak your little friend away before I could get her, but I'm curious; Why bother coming back?"

"What are you talking about?" Raphael snarled, his sais out.

"You don't think I'm that stupid, do you? You took her, and now, you're here to finish me." Bishop responded flatly.

Ariana stepped out from behind the others as she responded to the strange voice.

"You're wrong. Terribly wrong. We DID come to spring her out… but I can't hear or, uh, feel her anywhere."

Bishop cocked his head to the side. His eyes narrowed as he surmised slowly, "Then, if you didn't take her, and I didn't take her-"

"Bishop, if you're lying-" Leo growled, as Donatello added bitterly, "Which you probably ARE-"

"You have little reason to trust me, but if I was lying, you can be sure that I would be a lot more smug about it." Bishop replied icily.

"What do you want with her?" Ariana asked, her voice strangely innocent, her eyes bright, though sightless.

"It's simple; I'm looking for the cure to cancer. I believe she can help."

8~8~8~8~8~8

"To think that society is actually considering a creature like that to have citizenship is unacceptable." Karai whispered harshly, even as they threw Cupid into the holding cage. She was completely passed out, her system downed with drugs.

"Mistress, the O'Neil woman has refused the wigs."

Karai whirled on the Foot soldier harshly.

"Does she suspect?"

"It does not appear so. She refuses to wear wigs of any kind."

Karai nodded harshly.

"Then we have no choice. we must introduce the poison manually into her system. What about the other patients?"

"No problems thus far, mistress."

"Excellent."

Karai dismissed them and walked down the hall. Entering the code into her private chambers, she stepped past the doors and walked further in, approaching the shrine that commemorated her father's memory.

Father…. I swear, I will not fail you. And when you return, you will be proud of me.

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

Bishop listened grimly as, reluctantly and with the greatest of misgivings, Donatello reported on the Foot's activity in sabotaging the Cancer patient's treatments.

"This is more serious then I thought." Bishop finally concluded, his teeth showing in a moment of intense anger.

"Why?" Leo growled, "We've told you what we know, how about you-"

"Listen carefully; if you can. Ever since our… last alliance, I've been exposed to much enlightenment. You are well aware of this. My intentions are still for the betterment of the human race… but since I learned of the existence of gargoyles, I've had what you may call an epiphany. Gargoyles roost at during the day and turn to stone. Recently, I discovered that during this process, all their wounds are healed. I fully intend to find out just how this occurs. If we can invent a serum that destroys that which breaks the body down and builds it up-"

"The cure for cancer…" Donatello struggled hard, as he thought about it, "It doesn't seem like it should be so simple."

"We won't know for sure unless we can get ahold of your friend." Bishop responded. He looked sidelong at them. "We've been enemies a very long time, and not without reason. If you will help me, then I give you my word, I will do what I can to improve the conditions of your existence."

Leo looked at him sharply, even as Ariana stood to her feet.

"Excuse me, Mr. Bishop, but what about the rights of my friend. I know her well. She will never submit to being like a guinea pig. You would have to gain her consent, before you can commence with your tests."

"I have considered this. Believe me, I have." Bishop replied evenly.

Donatello looked at Leo, who was torn. The leader struggled for a moment. Bishop or the Foot?

At least with Bishop, the human race was not being endangered. The lesser of two evils.

"One wrong move, Bishop, and I swear, you will be sorry."

"Yeah! We'll tell Leatherhead where you rest your head at night." Mikey added with a sharp snort.

Bishop smiled thinly.

"Then we have an accord."

Ariana cracked her knuckles.

"I know where the foot probably took her… but I'm going to need help getting there. We need to get to Eastman and Laird island. Shredder conducted most of his biological tests there."

"Then let's go." Donatello growled. "Bishop, me and Ariana are coming with you. Leo, you meet us there. We'll keep in contact using the Shell Cell."

Bishop made no objections… which surprised the turtles. Nonetheless, Leonardo knew they didn't have time to lose if they were going to save Cupid from the foot.

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

(8 years later)

The subway cameras had the evidence needed to clear Leatherhead from the charges… except for one thing.

The charges put against him were those of assault… which Leatherhead did, with much gusto. But he did so because the safety of another depended on it.

So whose rights would be supported? The humans? Or the mutants?

Daniel started to put his tongue in his cheek, as was his habit when annoyed.

"It always comes down to stinking politics. When will these sickos realize that humans are only human?"

"That's the question, innate?"

Daniel looked over his shoulder at the mutant who was in charge of the ticket booth. She was waiting for him to finish up.

He nodded soberly, the question coming out before he could stop it.

"So what's your story?"

"I'm a gargoyle."

"Ah… why no wings?"

The woman's expression grew sad.

"They were cut off when I was little. My family's from Ireland. A lot of superstition there. We came to America, as soon as we'd learned that there was freedom here."

Daniel nodded quietly as he made copies of the security recordings.

"Well, I'm going to try to make sure it stays that way, Miss."

She nodded quietly as he left.

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

Raphael gnashed his teeth.

"Ol' turtle luck runnin' true ta form." He hissed angrily.

"Whatsa matter, Chief?"

"This person won't answer her phone. I'm going to to need a trace. We have to bring her in for questioning."

"But, isn't she the one who called-"

"Exactly. We need to know why. It may be that she didn't know the whole story. As much as I hate to think of it… It may be that this is all a matter of prejudice and politics."

Eliza Maza, the detective, shook her head.

"The worst. I can handle the clear cut cases… but these drive me crazy."

"Eh, it's life." Raphael muttered as he stood up. "Give my best to Goliath."

At this moment, his phone rang.

"Leo?"

"Actually, it's Cupid."

A frozen shock spread through him. With a deep breath, Raphael growled, "Why are you calling?"

"Simple; I heard about Leatherhead. I'm on my way to the hospital right now to talk to the girl who was beaten up. But the thing is… I heard about Donatello too. Raph, something's not right. And no matter the past, we may need to band together."

"Cupid, you can't just shove the past aside like it meant nothing. Like you didn't do nothing."

He could hear tense emotion in her voice.

"Raph, I know I hurt you. But you know something? You hurt me too, and you didn't even want to admit it, the last we talked. I gotta go, but… I never wanted to just drop the issue. I wanted, and still want to resolve this pain."

"We'll see."

Raph heard her hang up. His brows scrunched together.

As much as he hated to admit it, and though his pride, still wounded and festering after so many years, rose up to choke him, he still felt the desire to right a wrong, to rid himself of the bitterness that rose in his mouth whenever he heard her name.

"Cupid."

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

"Ricky Rodriguez, NYPD." Ricky nodded politely to the gecko woman, who was bruised, but would heal. Her pink eyes were outraged as she growled," Ya arrested da wrong man, ya big louse."

"Pardon me, ma'am, but I wasn't the one who arrested him. I need to know what you remember, so we can figure out exactly who needs to be put behind bars."

"Well 'den. Ah was bein' kicked outta mah troupe, cause Ah'm a mutant. Bu' da worst o' i' was dat mah pay was bein' wit' held from meh. So, Ah told dem Ah'd see 'em in court. An' den dey tried ta put da smack down on meh. Ah wuz inna bad shape bah da tahm Leatherhead show'd up. He put da smack down on dem, and den tied 'em so that they wouldn't get away." She paused, and her eyes fell.

"He knelt down by meh, an' checked mah body for serious injuries, talking to meh an… 'E don' deserve ta be in dat prison cell."

"I understand that a woman named Marie called the police an-"

"Ah know Marie. She wuz part o' da troupe. She watched as dey beat meh down. She wuz right bout Leatherhead attacking mah troupe… lemme guess, she failed ta mention dat same troupe wuz attacking' a mutant?"

"Yeah. Thank you, Miss Razel. Hopefully, we'll be bale to get leatherhead out of prison."

"Ah hope so." Kataline murmured.

As Ricky left, he looked down at the recorder in his hand, stopping cold as a thought occurred to him.

"Yeah, raph? This is Ricky. I'm going to order that a guard be placed with miss Razel here. Yeah… She's a witness. And as you know, witnesses are always the first ones to go."

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

(8 years ago)

Casey Jones sat by his wife. April held his hand, her head against the pillow.

"Why aren't you with the guys?"

"April, you know they can handle themselves. I mean, let's face it, they've saved the world as many time with me as without me."

April smiled weakly. The CD Leo had left for her was playing quietly. The song it played now tugged slightly at April's heartstrings.

If I ever lose my faith in you…

There'll be nothing left for me to do…

"Casey Jones, you need to know something."

"Ah, April, don'-

"Why not?" She smiled sweetly, "Besides, you don't know what I'm going to say. Casey, my life hasn't ever really been dull… but it became that much more exciting when you crashed into it… like, literally, crashed into it." She giggled.

He chuckled, and they began to share memories. Happy, sad, they were all taken out and examined like precious gems from a treasure chest; each reminding the other of different adventures.

April laughed as she recalled the test that her mother-in-law had put her through, which she had passed with flying colors; Casey remembering the first time April had ever held his hand, and how they both blushed.

Soon, April fell asleep, in Casey's arms, and he held her, trying with all his might to stay focused on the memories they had just shared, and not to dwell on the inevitable future that lay before them.

I'm SO SORRY that it's taken me so long to update this one. I hope it's not too cheesy, and... well, someone tell me if they catch any inconsistencies with the story. I mean, it's the first time I'm alternating between past and present like this. I'm pretty much telling TWO stories at once. It's intimidating.

Also, I hope Casey isn't too OOC. I apologize if any of them are.

THANK YOU to all my reviewers and readers and subscribers, you guys ROCK MY SOCKS!

*edit* Much thanks to Ansa88 for the correction.