Thanks to those who've read and reviewed! If you sent an annony review, I can't reply, but I appreciate the kind words all the same.
Things are going to take a bad turn for Sylvia in the next couple chapters, but don't worry, the guys are heroes for a reason, right?!
Five chapters to go...
Chapter 12 -Casey-
"Number sixty-two, come in. Base calling Number sixty-two." The ninja touched the communicator in his mask, turning on the microphone sewn into the fabric.
"Sixty-two here," he hissed.
"Report."
"I have discovered the target's hide-out," he whispered. "She's been staying in a primitive… cave, in a tunnel off the Seventh-Street subway station. It's empty now, but I'm sure she'll return."
"We have a more important errand for you, Sixty-Two. Return to base immediately."
"What about the girl?
"The girl can wait."
"Hai. Sixty-two out."
***
Syliva blinked, the room coming slowly into focus. She stirred, and began to sit up, but the room seemed to tilt, and she felt dizzy.
"Geez, I know I'm a good-lookin' guy and all, but girls don't usually pass out when dey see me." The rough, unfamiliar voice made her open her eyes and look up.
The man with the hockey mask was leaning casually against the door. Sylvia scrambled backward, crab-style.
"Miss Rose, Mr. Jones is a friend," said Splinter. Sylvia's gaze settled on Splinter's face. Her trembling stopped. She reached out tentatively with her hand. Splinter's eyebrows rose, but he took her hand in his paw, and helped her to her feet.
"Master…" Leonardo stepped forward, alarm showing in his posture. Sylvia glanced at him, and released Splinter's paw. She held her hands out to Leonardo, as if to show she was unarmed, harmless.
Leonardo's eyes narrowed. He deliberately stiffened, closing his mind against her. Sylvia's smile faltered. Her hands dropped to her sides, and she ducked her head.
Donatello felt sorry for her. She looked so lost, so alone. He went over to her, and touched her hand. She jumped, startled. Donatello smiled. She looked shocked, then, slowly, she smiled back, moving closer to him.
"Don, snap out of it," said Leonardo.
"Relax, Leo," said Donatello. "We've all been practicing Splinter's mental discipline. She's not doing anything to me. I think Casey scared her, that's all."
"Leonardo, you need not be alarmed. She has not attempted to influence any of you. I would have sensed it," said Splinter.
"Geez, Case, what'd ya do?" Raphael turned to Casey Jones, who stood looking supremely confused by the entire exchange.
"Whatdaya mean? All I said was "hi", and she freaked out."
"What were you thinking about?" asked Donatello.
"Huh?"
"When you said "hi". What were you thinking about? What were you thinking about her? Casey, she's… psychic. She can feel your thoughts."
Casey Jones turned a brand-new shade of pink. It went well with his coloring. "Well, I, uh…"
Raphael laughed. "Casey, you pervert," he said, walking over and punching his friend on the arm. "I know what you were thinkin'!"
"Yeah, only 'cause you thought the same thing when you saw her!" responded Casey, punching him back.
"Hey, I'm not a perv like you," responded Raphael. Casey swung and missed, and Raphael tackled him. In an instant they were rolling around on the floor. Sylvia backed away, alarmed, but the others just moved out of harm's way.
"It's ok, Sylvia, they do this all the time," said Donatello. She looked at him uncertainly. He shrugged. "It's a testosterone-driven, overgrown boy thing," he said. Sylvia stared, then smiled. She shook with a silent laugh.
"Hey, you're pretty when you smile," said Donatello. Sylvia blushed to the roots of her hair. "Come on, let's see what Michelangelo can whip up for breakfast. I need a cup of coffee," said Donatello, gently steering her away from the whirl of black hair and green skin that was Raphael and Casey.
***
The baker opened his shop's front door, oblivious to the small boy curled in the alley out back. He went to work, pulling out the pans he'd need to bake that day's batch of bread, and gathering the flour, yeast and salt to mix the dough.
Outside, Jeremy stretched, yawning. He got to his feet, moving away from the doorway. Most shop-owners didn't appreciate kids sleeping around their stores. Jeremy moved out of the alley, away from the bakery. It was best not to hang around in one place for too long, it attracted the wrong kind of attention.
He walked jauntily down the street, and found himself a spot in the park under a tree. He pulled one of the loaves of bread out of his pocket and enjoyed a satisfying, if dry, breakfast. Across the street, an office building, marked Dejorn Associates, was opening up. Jeremy watched people in business suits walk through the doors.
He stared as a familiar figure walked in. Oroku Saki! Jeremy remembered seeing the guy in the newspapers. Wow. Wait 'til he told Sylvia he'd seen the famous philanthropist in person! Jeremy got to his feet and started wandering around the park. He found a culvert under one of the walk-ways which was high enough to stay dry in all but the rainiest months. For a few days, at least, this would be a good place to call home.
***
I could get used to this, thought Sylvia, sitting down at the table. Michelangelo placed a plate in front of her, heaped with toaster-waffles, scrambled eggs, and real, honest-to-goodness French toast.
"Geez, Mikey, ya tryin' to fatten her up?" asked Raphael, plopping down at the table. Sylvia noticed a bruise on his cheek, and his jaw was swollen.
"Hey, got any grub for a poor starving door-stop?" Casey Jones stood in the doorway, filling it with his muscular frame. Sylvia started, almost standing, but his emotions were masked now. He felt tentative, wary. She felt a hint of shame from him, and her eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Hey, Chick…"
Donatello turned to glare at Casey. "Her name is Sylvia, you unwashed cretin."
"Umm… I mean, Sylvia," stammered Casey, looking distinctly uncomfortable. He couldn't quite meet her eyes. "Yeah, I mean, sorry 'bout before and all dat. I didn't mean ta scare ya or nuttin." Sylvia gave him a small smile. She projected feelings of friendship. Casey's eyes widened. "Whoa."
"Careful, Casey, she'll put ya under her spell," Raphael reached for the syrup.
"Shouldn't be hard with a mind as simple as his," muttered Donatello.
Casey ignored him, edging over to the table. "So, we're cool, right?" he asked. Sylvia nodded. "Cool." He sat down, snatching the syrup out of Raphael's hand.
"Hey!" There was a brief tussle, which ended with Leonardo plucking the bottle from Casey's outstretched arm where he'd been holding it out of Raphael's reach. Sylvia a laughed silently. They were such a typical bunch of boys.
Sadness rolled over Sylvia in a wave. Jeremy… Is he ok? Does he have enough to eat? she thought. I wonder where he slept last night, if he made it home ok…
She looked up, startled by the expressions around the table. Donatello, Leonardo and Michelangelo were staring at her. Raphael and Casey Jones were busy stuffing toaster waffles into their mouths as fast as they could go, barely taking time to chew.
"What was that?" asked Donatello, incredulous.
"Dude, I felt so… sad, for a minute," said Michelangelo.
Leonardo turned on his heel, and left the room. Sylvia hung her head, ashamed of allowing her feelings to get the best of her. Leonardo returned, carrying the pen and paper. He set them on the table.
"What was that?" he asked. Sylvia swallowed hard, and picked up the pen.
Sorry, she wrote. I was thinking of… a friend. He'll be worrying about me.
Leonardo read what she'd written and nodded. "We'll try to work this out today, Sylvia. We don't want to keep you prisoner here."
"What? What happened?" asked Raphael, looking up from his plate.
"I win!" hooted Casey, crumbs flying out of his mouth.
Eeew, Sylvia wrote.
Donatello read, and laughed. "You said it, Sylvia."
***
"Results, Saki. I'm paying you for results! Why hasn't the girl been found yet?"
"My ninjas are… busy at the moment," said the Shredder smoothly. "As you have been informed, Richard, my organization is occupied with several other… projects."
"Projects? What could possibly be more important than returning Sylvia to me?" Richard Dejorn stood up. He was frustrated. Richard was used to getting what he wanted, when he wanted it, and he didn't like being told to wait. "I've got a lot of money tied up in that girl, Saki. I need her back."
"And just why is this girl so important to you, Richard?" The Shredder's black eyes narrowed. "This city is full of girls. What is so special about this particular one?"
"She has a gift," said Richard, swallowing hard.
"What sort of gift? I thought her voice was lost in that unfortunate fire."
"She's special, all right? I want her back."
"Richard, we're business partners. As such, we should… work together." Oroku Saki stood very close to Richard. Saki smiled, a cold, evil grin. "Don't you agree?
***