Ch 23 A Early Christmas Surprise.

Leo arrived at home close to ten o'clock. As soon as he opened the front door, Bradford appeared before him, carrying a bottle of bear and staring at the turtle furiously. "Where have you been all this time Leonardo?" He demanded as he staggered toward him.

Leo watched as the tall man stood in front of him and downed the last of his alcohol. "Why do you ask such stupid questions Bradford?" Leo demanded as he began to walk around him, "You know as well as anyone I will never answer to you so go crawl into the cave you came out of and stay there." Leo started toward the stairs but was grabbed from behind.

"You know turtle," Bradford leered down at him. "You need to remember who is in charge here when your daddy isn't home," He brought his face closer to him and Leo scrunched his beak as the stench of alcohol radiated from Bradford's mouth as he spoke. "Why don't you get into the dojo and let me remind you."

"Why don't you go home and sober up." Leo told him as he pushed Bradford away from him.

"Why don't you stop being so difficult and loosen up a bit," Bradford said as he began to make his way toward the kitchen, "You're a lot like your mother was Leonardo," Leo clenched his fist as Bradford spoke, "Of course by the end of her life, she learned to play nice with others."

"You keep talking about my mother, Bradford," Leo said as he walked toward the stairs, "And we won't have to go into the dojo,"

"Anytime you want turtle," Bradford sneered, "I look forward to it."

Leo watched as Bradford staggered back into the kitchen. He shook his head and went into his room. As he shut the door, he thought back to what he had told Raph and the memory of what Bradford had done to his mother once again came back to him. 'Bradford had been drinking,' He reminded himself. 'Something he loves to do,' Leo locked his door and made his way to the bathroom. 'Christmas can't come soon enough.'

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Raphael walked into the house and sat on the sofa next to his brothers. He had just walked Leonardo to the bus stop and decided to call him later to see if he made it home safe. As he waited, his thoughts went back to the conversation he had with Leo. 'That scumbag Bradford works with Leo's father,' Raph mused, 'Wonder if Leo's father knows this guy is trying to bully people into getting money.' Raph let out a low growl as he thought back to how Bradford had tried to rough his father up.

Mikey and Donnie looked up as their brother growled angrily. "Whoa Raph," Mikey said with concern. "After the kind of day you had, that's last thing I'd expect to hear from you."

"What's the matter Raph?" Donnie asked.

"You remember Bradford?" He asked them.

"How could we forget?" Donnie replied.

"Yeah, it's a good thing Sensei is a master at ninjutsu," Mikey said laughing, "I loved it when he let that jerk know we can't be pushed around."

"What about him Raph?" Donnie asked.

"He works for Leo's father," Raph said. He rubbed his chin. "Now I'm wondering if his father knows Bradford tries to get protection money from people."

"Oh come on Raph," Mikey said, "We know Leo's dad is abusive but do you think he may also be a part of this gang that's going around trying to collect money from the businesses around here?"

"It is a possibility Mikey," Donnie said as he too looked thoughtful. "The Purple Dragons aren't the only gangs around town who try to get extort money so why not Bradford and Leo's dad."

"Do you think we should tell Master Splinter?" Mikey asked.

"Tell me what Michelangelo?" Splinter asked. He walked in from the kitchen with a cup of tea and eyed his sons curiously.

Raph looked up at the tall rat as he walked over to his easy chair and sat down. "I just found something out about Leo's father Sensei," Raph began.

Splinter nodded to him, "Then by all means Raphael," Splinter said, "Tell me, please."

Splinter stroked his long beard as he listened to what Raph had to say. He nodded as he contemplated all that had been said. "So what do you think Sensei?" Raph asked. "Do you think Leo's dad could be involved?"

"It is possible," Splinter told him. "But at this point what does it matter?"

"Well, if his father is," Raph continued, "Shouldn't Leo be told?"

"And what would that accomplish Raphael?" Splinter asked him, "You say Leonardo's father is currently in Japan," Raph nodded, "Then wait and see what happens when Mr. Tartaruga returns and if we need to advise him of it, then we shall."

Raph nodded and watched as his Sensei walked back to the kitchen to put his empty cup away. "You okay bro?" Mikey asked him.

Raph sighed and looked over at him. "I'm okay Mikey," He told him, "I'm just worried about Leo." He stood up and stretched, "He'll be home soon," He told them as he made his way toward the kitchen, and made his way into the kitchen, "I'm going to my room and call him." His brothers called out goodnight as he left.

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On Monday, Leo walked into the cafeteria and over toward the table. He nodded his head to Casey and Slash who were having a heated discussion.

"I still say I deserve to be the goalie," Casey said angrily and rather loudly.

"Geez Casey," Leo said as he sat down, "Tone it down a bit, will ya?" He picked up his apple and took a bite. "What's going on?"

"Hockey season starts today and I tried out for goalie but this other kid got it instead," Casey fumed, "Man I'm so angry."

"And I keep telling him to get over it," Slash was saying, "Who cares if he didn't get goalie, that's probably not even the best position."

"Doesn't matter if it's the best," Casey said, "It's the one I wanted."

Slash shrugged then turned to Leo, "What do you think Leonardo?" He asked, "What positions would you want if you played hockey?"

Leo shook his head, "Since we turtles don't really do well in the cold," Leo began with a laugh, "I've never really thought about it." He looked at Casey, "What position did you get Casey?"

"Right wingman," Casey said dejectedly. He stabbed his fork angrily into his food.

Slash shook his head, "He'll get over it, right Leo?"

Before Leo could say anything on the matter, he was suddenly grabbed from behind and turned around, his face was grabbed and lips were planted on his forcefully.

"Raph?" Leo said with a horrified and very embarrassed look after they had pulled apart, "What are you thinking?" He looked around at the students who were watching them in bemusement.

"I aced my biology test," Raph said with a huge smile, "When it's your turn to study," he winked at him, "Come and get me."

Leo blushed as Mikey and Renet, who had been coming up behind Raph, started laughing. "I told Renet about your study habits Leo," Mikey said, "I'm hoping maybe we could give it a try?" He wiggled his eye ridges at Renet who blushed and shook her head at him.

"Not at my house Mikey," She told him. Leo laughed and continued eating while enjoying his friends company.

"Hey guys," Casey said with a whisper as he looked around the cafeteria, "Getting away from Hockey for now," he said with a glance at Slash, "Check out this Christmas gift I got for April," He pulled out a small ring box and opened it. The ring was a small gold band with a yellow gem in the middle.

"Wow Casey," Renet looked at him in awe, "That is a beautiful ring," She picked it up and inspected it, "Looks expensive too," She added as she placed it back in the box.

"Do you think April will like it?" He asked as Spike joined the group.

Spike took the ring and looked it over, "It's very beautiful Casey," He told him, "I think she will love it."

The rest of the teens all nodded to him. "Great, I've been saving almost a year to buy this little beauty." He told them as he quickly put it back in his pocket. "And I'm thinking…." He whispered to his friends shyly as Donnie joined the group. "Of asking April to marry me after we graduate from high school."

"Casey!" Raph yelled excitedly, "That's great!"

"Don't you think that's a bit sudden?" Donnie said almost angrily. "After all, you'll be barely out of high school and you're not even in your twenties yet." Donnie's voice suddenly got louder, "You don't even have a job yet!"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Casey yelled back at him causing everyone in the cafeteria to look at him.

"Cool it guys," Slash said and nodded toward the entrance, "April is coming."

The two teens settled down into awkward silence as April approached. "Hi everyone," She said as she made her way to Casey, she looked around, "Is everything okay?"

"Oh yeah," "Sure," "Everything's cool here," they all said as she took her seat. April looked around in wonder but when no one would say anything further, she opened her lunch box and started eating.

Out of the corner of his eye, Leo noticed Donnie seething angrily and he shoved his spoon into his bowl of mac N' cheese and once again he couldn't help but wonder about the tall gapped tooth turtle and the young red haired girl.

"What's up with Donnie?" Leo asked Raph as they slowly walked through the library during study hall, he nodded over at the table where Donnie and April were currently sitting. "He got pretty upset when Casey said he wanted to propose to April."

Raph shrugged, "Donnie's always had a thing for April," He told him, "But from the start April's just always wanted to be friends." Raph pulled out a book and looked over at his brother, "Since we've known her, Donnie's tried to get her to change her mind and he really thought at one point he may have had a shot with her but then Casey came along and..." He looked at Leo, "I think you can guess the rest of the story."

Leo nodded, "That's too bad about Donnie but he's got Angel now and she's really into him." He noted as he pulled out a book. "I would think he'd be able to move past April and focus on Angel." Raph watched as Leo shook his head. "But I do agree with Donnie," He continued as he flipped through the book, "They are too young to get married, especially right out of high school."

Raph moved closer to him, "Oh I don't know about that Leo," He said, "I do know some people who got married at young ages and they're doing okay." He shrugged, "Besides, Casey is nineteen and he plans on joining the police force after he graduates."

"And what does April want to do?"

Raph looked at April thoughtfully, "Don't know," He said, "I've never really asked her."

Leo nodded then made his way back to the table, he sat next to April who looked up and watched as he gaze wandered over to where his Aunt was currently helping a student.

"You're aunt going to spend Christmas with you Leo?" April asked.

Leo shook his head, "No, she and her boyfriend, some guy named Vern, are going somewhere for the two weeks." He told her as he began to write. Raph watched as Leo let out a small sigh and looked down at his book rather sadly. He reached his hand under the table as he sat down and gave Leo's hand a gentle squeeze. Leo smiled back at him then went back to his homework.

The school days began to fly by for Leo and he found himself staying after school for as long as possible instead of going home. As was the norm, after school was over he would assist Usagi with his class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday then head to the gym for basketball practice or a game. On some occasions the team would venture to other schools for the games which Leo found he enjoyed immensely. But what Leo really enjoyed was having Raph come to the games to cheer him on. As he had determined earlier in the year, any other place to be was better than being at home, especially when Bradford happened to be there.

The Friday before Christmas came all too soon and Leo decided he would skip practice so he and Usagi could have one last day together. As soon as the adult class was over, Leo quickly finished his duties then assisted Usagi in cleaning up.

"That is not necessary Leonardo," Usagi told him, "I know you have your practice to get to."

"Not today Usagi," Leo said as he gathered papers. "Since this is the last day of school before Christmas vacation as well as your last day at Roosevelt high, I've excused myself from practice." He smiled at him. "I already spoke with coach Leatherhead and he told me as long as I'm at the game tomorrow then he's fine with it." He finished putting things away then turned to Usagi. "What restaurant would you like to go to?" He asked him. "My treat," Usagi laughed then the two friends went to his car and drove to their favorite noodle restaurant, Murakami's.

"When will you be leaving for Japan?" Leo asked as he picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks.

"Today is the twenty-first," Usagi mused, "I want to be home in time for Christmas Eve so I will be leaving on the twenty-third."

Leo nodded then bent down and rummaged through his backpack. He pulled out a blue wrapped box. "Something to remember New York by," He said with a sad smile, "And me too."

Usagi gratefully accepted the gift and carefully removed the wrapping paper; he smiled with tears running down his furry face as he pulled out a snow globe with the statue of liberty in the middle. Behind the statue was a picture of the two of them standing next to each other in their classroom.

"I remember this picture," Usagi said as he moved the snow globe around to make it snow, "This was taken by the year book committee."

Leo nodded, "I had Mikey take this picture on the premise it was for the yearbook," Leo told him with a sly smile. "I actually wanted it for this."

Usagi nodded in understanding. "Ah, I wondered why this picture was not in the yearbook." The two laughed then finished their meal. Usagi then drove Leo home and the two sat in his car to say goodbye.

They turned and faced each other with tear filled eyes. "I will miss you very much Leonardo," Usagi told him with a teary smile. He handed him an envelope. "An early Christmas present."

Leo accepted the gift then brought the tall rabbit into a hug, "I'll miss you so much Usagi," Leo choked out as he attempted to hold back tears. "If you ever get a chance to come back to New York," He told him sternly, "Promise me you'll let me know and we can meet up for a day."

Usagi nodded and they pulled apart, "And if you ever get to Japan," He said, "You look me up," He tapped the envelope, "I put my address in the card."

Leo promised then stepped out of the car; he waved to his friend and watched with tears running down his face as the car drove off. With a heavy sigh, he turned and began walking to his house, "It's after seven," Leo muttered as he put the code into the keypad for the gate, "I hope Bradford isn't waiting for me."

He walked into the home and, as he always did, removed his shoes while looking around. So far there was no sign of the tall brown beaded man. Leo let out a breath and walked toward the stairs. 'Made it,' he thought to himself as he walked into this room and readied himself for bed. He got into bed and turned on his TV. He then pulled out his cell and pressed the number one button. A picture of a fiery Phoenix popped up with Raph's name underneath it. He smiled as he heard Raph's voice over the line.

"Hey babe," Raph said as he answered the phone, "How was supper?"

"It was nice," Leo responded, he told him about his time with Usagi and for the next hour, the two teens spoke about their day as well as their plans for next week.

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The next day, Leo eagerly walked down the stairs at seven in the morning; he had to be at the high school before eight and wanted to get breakfast. He was on the phone talking to Raph and preparing to say goodbye, "Okay Raphie," Leo said as he made his way toward the kitchen, "I'll see you at the school," he smiled widely. "Love you too." He hung up the phone and was putting it in his pocket as he pushed open the swinging door that led into the kitchen. He smiled happily and was looking down as he fiddled with his pocket and phone. But as he looked up, his smile quickly disappeared and he stopped short with a loud startled gasp.

Sitting at the small kitchen table was Bradford along with another tall human with sandy blond hair and a shaved beard. Bradford smiled at Leo as the other human turned around to face him. "Good morning Leo," Bradford said as Leo's breath caught in his throat and his eyes widen in fear. "You remember Jeffrey, don't you?"

Trembling, Leo slowly backed out of the kitchen as Jeffrey started to walk toward him. "Hello Leonardo," Jeffrey said with a crooked smile, "Miss me?"