Chapter 17: A Little Push

A/N: The next chapter is here! I should probably think of something interesting to say, but I've got nothing. Thanks to all of those who have read and reviewed thus far. It means a lot to me that you like this story and where it's going. Hope you enjoy this chapter too.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and nothing more than that.

The farmhouse was such a nice place to be. Leo sighed as he took in the surrounding woods. He had come out here for some peace and quiet to reflect on everything that had happened thus far. When Mikey had come bursting into the Lair to inform them that the cops were searching the sewers, Leo had been shocked. What if they found the Lair? It really wasn't in a concealed spot, and their entrance was open and easy to access. You just climbed the steps and entered through the turnstiles. Leo had decided it was best that they relocated to the farmhouse until the police stopped searching. He called Ali to inform her of it, and she reassured him that she would let them know when the police stopped their search. When he asked what they were looking for, she said that they were searching for Ivy and thought she could be down there.

Well, that was a relief. At least they weren't looking for his family, but what if A tipped them off and they searched for the Lair? What if they found the Lair and started investigating who lived there? Then what? He hated thinking like this, but there was no other option. They were screwed either way unless Ali and Jack were able to get the police off their backs. And if they did that, they could be in danger too. It was a sucky situation all around.

Leo took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He really shouldn't be stressing about all of this. That was why they had come out here again. It was time to relax and to try and not think about the stress of all of this happening.

His phone ringing interrupted his thoughts and he fished it out of his belt and answered it. "Hello?"

"Hey, Leo, it's me," said Madison's voice.

"Hey, Maddie. What's up?"

"Not much. I was just wondering if you wanted to come over tonight to hang out. We haven't seen each other for a little while."

A pang tore through Leo's heart at her words. "I'm sorry, Maddie, but I'm at the farmhouse right now," he answered. "I really wish I could come over."

"You mean the one April's dad owns?"

"Yeah, that one."

"Bummer. And here I was hoping we could spend time together. "

"I know, but we had to leave."

"Why?"

Leo cursed himself for his choice of words. "Because Mikey saw police officers in the sewers," he replied. "We had to get out of there."

Madison gasped. "Do you think they were looking for you?!"

"I don't know, but that's why we left. Ali and Jack are looking into it thought they've told us that the police are searching for Ivy. Still, we had to leave just in case they discovered our Lair."

"Yeah, that makes sense since it's pretty easy to find," Madison commented. "Well, I'm sorry that you aren't here, but I'm glad you're okay."

"Thanks, Maddie. I miss you."

"I miss you, too," she said. "It's pretty lonely without you here."

"How's your family?"

"Good. My sister's excited about renovating her apartment."

"Is she going to live with you until it's done?"

"No, she'll be living with her boyfriend, thank God. I don't think I could bear it if she stayed with me."

"I thought you loved your sister," Leo said.

"I do, but sometimes she can be a pain in the ass. And if she stayed here then we couldn't get together."

"Ah, that's right. But I do think it would be funny to see the look on her face if I came into the apartment."

Madison gasped. "Leo, what about your stance on secrecy? Have you gone rogue?"

Leo laughed. "No, but it would still be funny to see the look on her face."

Madison laughed too. "Yeah, I guess it would. And to see the look on her face when I tell her you're my boyfriend. She'd probably have a heart attack."

"Well, anyway, I'm sorry I can't come over. I just hope all of this will be solved soon."

"Me, too, Leo. I hate what this is doing to you."

"Maddie, I'm fine."

"No, you're not. This whole ordeal has scarred you. The sooner it gets solved the sooner you can heal from all of this."

Leo sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Hey, I heard a new Space Heroes show is coming out soon."

"I heard that, too. It looks pretty good, but I don't know if it's going to be a long running show or just a few episodes."

"I think they're doing it for one season to see how it goes. Either way, I can't wait."

"I know. Hopefully Luna Mercury will be in it, too. So, have you been working on your fan fiction?"

"I've tried, but nothing's really coming to me right now. Maybe I'll take some time today and work on something."

"Are you in the woods?"

"Yeah, I am. How did you know?"

"I can hear the birds and the water running. It must be so peaceful there."

"It is. I love coming here. I can just sit and try to get rid of all the stress that's surrounding me. I really wish you could be here, too. I think you'd like it."

"I know I would, especially if I was there with you."

Once again, a happy feeling spread throughout Leo's body. He was so lucky to have Madison in his life, and he didn't know what he would do without her. She was the one thing in his life that was good, and she had helped him through so much after April disappeared and the texts started coming through.

"Well, I better get off of here," she said. "Mom's coming over to spend time with me. It was nice talking to you, Leo. I love you."

"I love you, too, Maddie," he replied. "I'll talk to you soon." He blew her a kiss and she blew one back before hanging up.

Leo stayed there for a few more minutes, savoring the peacefulness of the woods. If only he could live like this every day! If only Robyn wasn't haunting them and ready to take them down! How simple their lives would be! But then again, their lives had never been simple since they went to the surface for the first time. They were ninjas, and ninjas never led simple lives no matter how much they wanted them.

His phone rang again, and this time it was Raph calling. "What's up, Raph?"

"Mikey says lunch is ready," his brother answered. "So it's time to come out of the woods and get some grub."

"Okay, I'll be there in a bit," Leo said and hung up. He sighed and got up off the rock, giving one last glance at the brook before heading away from it. Before he left, he spotted a robin in the tree near him. The bird looked at him and started chirping but then flew away. He thought he imagined it, but it seemed like the bird was giving him an ominous look as if warning him to be careful. But that wasn't possible. Robins didn't have looks like that. Shaking the thought off, Leo took a different way to the farmhouse. He approached a hill and climbed it, curious to see what lay beyond it. He stood at the top and looked down at the woods spread below him. It was a great view, and Leo smiled as he took it in. He would have to show his brothers this view sometime.

Just as he was ready to leave, he heard something behind him but just thought it was an animal scurrying through the grass. Then he felt two hands on his back shove him. He tried to regain his balance, but he rolled down the hill end over end until he reached the bottom. His right leg was under him and was hurting badly. He sat up and thought he saw someone looking down at him. Had that been Mikey? No, Mikey may have been a prankster, but he would have never done that. Besides, he was at home cooking lunch. He blinked and the figure was gone if they had been there at all. He tried to get up, but a pain in his right ankle caused him to sit back. He couldn't get up no matter how hard he tried, and he knew he'd have to let his brothers know where he was. He pulled out his phone and pushed the panic button used for emergencies. Hopefully his brothers would hear it and come to his rescue because he wasn't going anywhere for a while.

He was about to put his phone away when it chimed, indicating he had a text message. Maybe it was Raph, reassuring him that he would help his brother. But when he saw the sender's name was a bunch of jumbled letters and numbers, he knew exactly who it was. He opened up the text and read it.

Hey, Leo, sometimes we all need a little push. You know all about that, don't you?—A.

With a growl, Leo shoved his phone in his belt. He had had enough of these messages, and come hell or high water, A was going to be stopped if it was the last thing he did.

A/N: And that's the end of another chapter. Sorry it's a little short, but I make them as short or as long as I can. Next chapter will deal with the aftermath of Leo's fall and what will happen next as a result. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.