Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT, Master Splinter or any of their acquaintances/enemies.

Does it count if I wish Donatello was mine? Hm, guess not…Oh! But I do own Lily, Vanessa, Rachel and Sam!

I guess that the title gives you enough of a hint as to what will happen next, so I really don't have to explain it… just because I don't have to, doesn't mean I won't. Master Splinter gets to be a real father of teenage boys in this chapter, because most boys' hormones are nearly uncontrollable at this age with girls constantly about. However, these are no ordinary boys (they're technically not even boys) as these boys haven't had much contact with the opposite sex, so it'll be something new for Splinter. Poor guy.

I hope you enjoy the chapter!

The turtles drop off April and Casey at their apartment, after forgetting them at 'The Underground' in their haste to get home. Donatello floors the gas pedal as soon as April's apartment door closes, and drives as fast as safely possible. Indeed, quite a contradictory phrase.

"How did you find a pretty girl who wasn't turned off by your personality, Raph?" Mikey asks, trying to get under his temperamental brother's skin. To his disappointment, Raph ignores him, completely immersed in his thoughts. He ponders how Vanessa found it so easy to open up to him, and even more unnerving, how many times he wanted to tell her something personal. Fortunately, he suppressed the urge and started a new conversation to avoid the complicated topics.

'Did she notice I was scared?' Raph wonders, feeling a little more vulnerable than usual. This feeling of weakness and exposure has always bothered him. However, for some reason, it was a good kind of vulnerable he felt with Vanessa, almost like relief. He didn't let his guards down, but he realizes now that maybe he should have. Maybe next time… 'Wait, next time? What am I sayin'? Get a hold a yerself, Raph.'

Jolted out of his contemplation by the rough stop of the Battle Shell, he realizes that they're back home. He hops out of the armored car after Mikey and the four brothers feel around until they find the elevator door in the dark garage. They clamber into it and the door makes a swoosh sound as it closes. Then, the lift shudders for a moment and begins its descent, sounding loud in the silence between the boys. Just before the elevator reaches the bottom, they remove their molecular changers. The lift makes a final screech as it halts and the doors open. The lair is pitch black as they enter and each brother lets out a sigh, thinking they're in the clear.

The lights flick on suddenly in all their fluorescent glory, to reveal a very peeved rat.

"Where have you been, my sons?" he demands in an unfriendly tone. He is answered by a collective mumble of, "Sorry." Splinter places his hands on his hips and continues, "You curfew was up forty-seven minutes ago." He releases a breath and asks, "Well, what were you doing that kept you all so late?"

Up until now, the evening wasn't difficult to recall, but now they all blank. In a series of bits and pieces they explain the night they had out, each picking up the story once another trails off. Fortunately, Splinter has seen many soap operas and understands what they are trying to say. Face becoming a knowing smile, Splinter murmurs, "It is alright, my sons," then his voice taking on an 'I mean business' quality, he orders, "Just do not be out past your curfew next time."

"What do ya mean, 'next time'? Who says we're even gonna to see them again?" Raph enquires, finding it strange that his father is thinking the same thing he was earlier.

"You told these ladies you would call them, and you will keep your promise," Master Splinter states firmly, a sharp edge on his words. Raph regrets telling him about that part, but knows it's to late to go back on it now. More so to himself than anyone else, Mikey muses, "I wonder if right now would be too soon to call Sam?"

They look at Mikey incredulously, and amused, Don quips, "Shell, Mikey! Shouldn't you wait at least twenty-four hours before giving her a reason to file a restraining order?"

Raph and Leo snicker quietly, stopping immediately when Mikey rounds on them and gives them his most menacing. Eyes narrowed, he grumbles sleepily, "I'm goin' to bed." He glances at his brothers one last time and skulks to his bedroom with Klunk trailing behind him faithfully.

Exchanging ashamed glances, the other three scurry to their own rooms silently. They all know that they won't sleep a wink tonight. Certain his sons won't leave their rooms to go topside, Splinter retires to his room, sliding the screen shut behind him.

The Turtles have stumbled unknowingly on a new turf, and the rules have changed. The Game of LIFE has become the game of LOVE! ...okay, that sounded cooler in my head. Sorry about that, guys.

Thankies for reading this very short, but needed, chapter.

R&R!