Chapter 2: The Welcoming Committee
Maddy found herself falling through the braches of a large tree. Right before the branches ended, her outstretched hands caught on a branch. She hung there, catching her breath. Unlike a regular jungle, this one was silent. "Leo!" she yelled in panic.
"Maddy? Is that you?" came an answering voice.
"Yes Leo, it's me. Where are you?" Maddy said, sighing in relief, her husband-to-be was near.
"Below a huge tree, where are you?" Maddy looked down on a whim, and saw the green form of her Leo. She gulped and looked up.
"Um… I'm above you babe." She yelled. Leo looked up and she saw him jump in surprise.
"Holy mother of God! Are you okay?" he yelled, not taking his eyes off of her.
"Oh hangin' from a branch in a tree makes me feel just peachy." Maddy answered sarcastically.
"I've got an idea. Let go of the branch." Leo said after a pause.
"WHAT? Are you NUTS? If I let go I'll drop to my death." Maddy yelled, in hysterics.
"Do you trust me?" Leo asked.
"But-"
"Do you trust me?" Leo insisted.
"Of course." Maddy said, apprehensively.
"Then let go." Leo coaxed. Maddy took a deep breath, and let go of the branch. She closed her eyes, and she felt the air whoosh past her face. Suddenly she came to halt, and she felt a familiar grip around her. Maddy opened her eyes, and found Leo's concerned face staring down at her. "You okay angel?"
Yea I'm good, how are you?" Maddy nuzzled more into his arms.
"Better now that you're with me." He said, smiling.
"Awww… you're so sweet." Maddy stroked his face.
"Thanks, we really should find the others though." Leo said, closing his eyes slowly, as Maddy ran her fingers along the back of his neck.
"But I didn't get my present from you yet." Maddy pouted. She moved her hands down to his plastron, where they continued south. Leo moaned quietly, and set her down in a cushy pile of leaves. With a sigh he gave in to Maddy's exploring hands. He leaned in and invited her into a deep passionate kiss. He yelped as she grabbed him where it counts. Maddy smiled and whispered, "I always love your presents."
An hour later, Leo and Maddy lay wrapped in each other's arms, fast asleep. Leo awoke suddenly, when a snout snuggled under his hand. He leapt back wards with a yell. Maddy awoke with a jolt. "What is it babe, what's wrong?" she said, laying a comforting hand on his plastron. She saw the giant mole nuzzling Leo's leg. "Awww, he likes you!" she giggled. Leo tentatively ran his hand over the top of the mole's head. He was surprised to find that the fur was very soft. He smiled, "I have an idea, get on the mole."
Leo and Maddy successfully boarded the mole, and Leo held out a piece of Mikey's bandanna for it to sniff. The mole-creature took off immediately. Maddy's hold on Leo tightened, but he heard her laugh, so he knew she was fine. Suddenly the mole dove into a hole, and the couple was plunged into darkness. Then, the mole stopped, and began to dig. They went straight for a while, before they took a sharp angle upwards. When they burst out of the ground, Leo glimpsed the rest of their party below.
Donny had just been talking to the rest of the group when the ground behind him burst open and a giant mole flew into the air. He and his brothers drew their weapons. The mole landed, and ran over towards Mikey. When it was inches away from him it froze. Mikey screamed a girlish scream and jumped into Raph's arms.
"Never knew you stank that bad Mike!" Leo said as he slid off of the mole and helped Maddy off. Raph dropped Mikey in disgust.
"I do not stink!" Mikey protested. Maddy groaned and doubled over as far as she could go.
"I think I'm going to barf." she whispered. Leo lowered her to the ground, and she laid her head in his lap, and closed her eyes. Leo slowly stroked her hair.
"You okay Angel?" he asked worriedly.
"Better, just keep doing what you're doing." Maddy sighed. After a few moments she sat up, and allowed Leo to help her up. "Alright, let's go." She said. "I saw a river a little farther back, we could build a raft and float down it."
"Great idea, we might be able to find some civilization." Leo switched into leader mode, "Guys, find some logs for the raft. I have some rope we can use."
"Where did you get rope dude?" Mikey asked.
"I always carry some with me." Leo said, puzzled.
"Alright, alright it's time to take action people, lets move it!" Maddy ordered, shocking everyone into action.
When they were alone, Maddy leaned against Leo's plastron, "Sometimes you just gotta shock'em huh?"
"Mmmm… you got that right." He kissed her and she ran her hands down his biceps.
Maddy separated from Leo's searching mouth, and said teasingly, "So what's my job captain?" then to add to the tease she threw in a smart salute.
"Hmm… how about you stay here and help the captain scope out the area?" Leo whispered.
Maddy twisted her head around, and scanned the forest, then turned back to Leo. "Area secure captain. Let's get back to business." They launched back into another kiss, and Maddy pushed Leo back against the nearest tree, and then wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Typical!" came Raph's voice from behind them.
"We do all the work he gets all the thanks." Mikey added.
"Come on you guys break it up!" Donny yelled. Maddy looked behind her and saw Leo's three brothers staring enviously at them.
"Sorry boys, captain's benefits." Maddy said before going back to kiss Leo.
"Can we at least have the rope?" Mikey asked.
"Oh alright we'll help." Maddy said, reluctantly stepping away from Leo, the rope in her hands.
"Hey! How did you get that?" Leo asked, mystified.
"Magic." Maddy taunted, walking over to Leo's brothers. She handed the rope to Raph, but before she could do anything to help, Leo grabbed her from behind, and picked her up. He set her down in the shade of the tree, then smiled, "You stay here, I'm gonna help." He began to walk towards his brothers and the raft, when she caught his arm.
"Leo, can I tell you something?" she whispered.
"Sure, you can tell me anything." Leo sat down next to her.
"I feel so useless babe. There's nothing I can do to help fix the mess I've caused." Tears flowed down her face, and Leo wrapped his arms around her. She sobbed into his shoulder.
"You didn't create this mess!" he exclaimed.
"Yes I did. Y-Yes I did." She sobbed, with every sob Leo felt his heart wrench, but he knew it was best that he just allow her to vent out her catastrophic emotions. "He's been after me for 5 years!"
"What?" Leo asked, shocked.
"It started on my 15th birthday, when he destroyed my family. He came in and he killed my grandmother. I had to run from my family to keep them safe. I don't know what happened to them." She sobbed again and continued. He killed every one of my friends that I went to, or got in his way. For 5 years I ran, and I lost everyone. I don't wanna lose my new family; maybe I'm just better off leaving you too." She tried to get up but Leo held her down.
"I won't let you leave me. I love you, and I will always be there for you, no matter what." Leo kissed her, and Maddy nodded. A few moments later, Maddy stiffened against Leo and stopped crying. She looked up at Leo, and gaped. He gave her a sad smile.
"Oh my gosh Leo, I am so sorry. I had no right to pour all of that on you. I'll leave." She began to get up, but Leo pulled her back down into his lap.
"You had every right. That's what husbands are for. To love their wives, and comfort them when things get bad, and Maddy, I want to be that man for you." Leo protested to her apology.
Maddy cupped his cheek in her hand. "No," she whispered. "That turtle." She kissed him, and rivers of tears wove their way down their faces. Maddy dried her eyes, and separated from Leo. "Go help your brothers Leo, they need you too." She wiped stray tears off of Leo's face and he got up and walked over to the raft.
Maddy reclined in the shade of the tree. Above her in the branches a shadow with bright blue eyes observed her. Master Splinter walked over to Maddy and sat next to her. "How are you child?"
"Just fine Master Splinter."
"Ah yes."
"Splinter, how did you and the guys come to be what you are now?"
"Seeing as we have time I shall tell you our story."
When the raft was finished the guys pushed it to the river where Casey and April were waiting.
"This is the calmest spot guys." April announced, "This is gonna be very dangerous." She pointedly looked at Maddy, but when she looked Maddy was gone. "Where's Maddy?"
"You guys comin'?" came Maddy's voice from the direction of the river. Leo smiled, and helped his father and April onto the raft. His brothers and Casey pushed it into the river, and then climbed on. Then they were off down the river.