Disclaimer:I don't own TMNT.Just the plot and OCs.
Chapter Two: Deadline Approaching
"Ugh!"
April grunted in frustration as she chunked the magazines onto the bench beside her. It was barely eight in the morning and already she was exhausted. Her body was running low on fumes and a small headache throbbed at the temple. As April raked her fingers through her auburn hair, she caught the sunlight's reflection from her ring. It was a simple white gold band with a square cut diamond in the middle. Simple yet more elegant than any engagement ring she'd ever seen.
The memory was as vivid as if it happened yesterday. It was the first snowfall of the winter session in New York. Casey picked her up after work and headed out. Moments later, they arrived at the ice rink. April groaned softly. How she loathed that place. As a young girl, she went year after year practicing and trying the basic techniques. However the bruises and scars left on her body made her decide to leave ice skating to the experts. For Casey skating was like breathing. She remembered him discussing his glory days as a professional hockey player in the minor league before a busted knee caused him to be sideline.
She started to protest until Casey flashed those big blue eyes. Finally April giggled and began lacing up her skates. After several minutes, the skates interlocked pitching her to the ground. She embraced for impact only to catch in Casey's arms. Carefully he helped her to her feet never taking his eyes off of hers. "I love you, Red," Casey's voice spoke softly. "Always have and always will. Will you do me the honors as being my wife?"
As the words twirled in her head, Casey opened a small black box and dropped to his knee. "Red, I love you. Marry me." It took every ounce of self-control for April not to squeak and tackle him to the ground. Soon the magical moment crashed as the stress of her job at Channel Six and planning the wedding began to clash. What seemed forever for time was now down to several weeks.
"Uh, okay," Iva answered from the other line. "So, still having some trouble deciding between canary and buttercup, I guess? I mean it's just yellow."
April scoffed dashing on last look at the bridal magazines. "No, it's not just some yellow color. This is like the opening act before the main act. It needs to be perfect. It shouldn't be this hard, right? Shit, I'm overreacting."
She heard Iva sighing. "April, breath, okay? I'm sure no matter what the color the dresses are Casey will love it. Speaking of which, do you still want me to pick it up for tonight?"
"O'Neil." April looked over at the door to see her cameraman, Vern, pointed at his watch. "Five minutes." April nodded her head and turned her attention back to her cell phone. "Crap, I forgot all about tonight. Yes, it needs to be picked up before five today. Look I got to go. Bye."
She quickly hung up her phone and headed towards Vern who leaned against the wall with a large smirk on his face. "So, O'Neil, looks like you're having some wedding trouble."
April rolled her eyes as she snatched her microphone. "Not today, Vern. Come on."
Together they hurried down the hall and into the conference room where several other reporters and cameramen surrounded the large platform. As the pair reached their assignment placement, Vern readied his camera while April waited for his signal. At last it was time.
"Good morning, New York. This is April O'Neil from Channel Six News reporting to you live from Stockman Industries. Over a year ago, Baxter Stockman began to accept graduate interns to his research company in hopes to continue education and research cures for modern diseases. In a few moments, you viewers will have a chance to witness history into making. Here to start off the ceremony is Dr. Baxter Stockman."
The curtain lifted as a tall dark skinned man in a white lab coat and glasses walked towards the podium. While April watched him waving and smiling, she felt an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. Maybe it was wedding jitters. No, there was something with this scientist. Something cocky and arrogant. Perhaps dangerous.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to this special event," Baxter announced. "Once a young scientist, I often found myself alone with no experience and looking for that one door to open for me. One day opportunity came knocking and I haven't looked back since. So today I want to give back to the science community and hire one of these fine interns as part of my personal team. Please give a warm welcome to our top interns."
The first one was a young thin man, mid-twenties, with slick black hair and heavy framed square glasses and a white coat. He nervously pushed back his glasses before he started his speech about cold fusion. His voice was very monotone and soft. April found herself nodding off before Vern poked her awake. Several more interns continued with their own personal research. Some were of some interests but there were a couple of them which April thought would knock Mikey out cold.
Baxter approached the podium once more as the intern headed out rolling his cart of chemicals off stage. "Thank you, Miss Thompson. Now last but not least, please welcome Miss Mona Lisa Bocchino."
As Baxter bowed and exited off, a young woman walked on pulling her own cart. Unlike her opponents, she seemed fresh and put together. Her brown hair was pulled back with a pink scarf showing her light brown eyes and heart shaped face. She brushed down her pink button down shirt and black skirt as she approached the audience.
"Good day," Mona began. "I'm currently doing an internship with my idol, Dr. Stockman. I've been doing my research thesis on cellular regeneration." This caught April's attention. "Many of us know someone or someone's friend whom may have lost a limb or a poor immune system unable to defeat the simplest cold. I hope my research will help solve this epidemic."
Mona walked over to the cart quickly yanking off the sheet. Underneath was an aquarium covered in a little sand and a large lizard sitting on a rock. "This is our mascot, as we like to refer her as such, Lucy the water dragon." With that, Mona carefully removed the aquarium lid picking up the lizard with tedious precaution and displayed it to the audience.
"Lizards have this amazing genetic code in their DNA the ability to regenerate their tail, but it's unknown if it affects other parts of their bodies. As you can see, Lucy here lost her leg due to an accident."
People gasped at the sight of the missing appendage near the lizard's front. Mona placed the lizard onto the table while she pulled a small syringe filled with a reddish substance. "In this vial contained my research. I've been able to isolate the specific genetic code that helps the lizard to regenerate their tails. With scientific reconstruction and improved enhancement, the able to regenerate cells are no longer limited to tails but other body part."
Mona inhaled a sharp breath while she pierced the needle through Lucy's thick skin and injected. The anticipation in the room grew heavy as if a spell was casted over the audience. April shifted her attention to Mona who stood back wringing her hands.
Suddenly the lizard screeched like it was in pain flopping onto its side. Dozens then thousands of red strings of fiber streamed out from the lizard's missing appendage. Slowly they began to bend and entwine shaping and forming itself into something solid. Then more fibers shot out this time matching the reptilian skin. In a matter of moments, the fibers mingled and smoothed out.
"It's a foot," April whispered aloud. Dr. Stockman who appeared bored from the previous presentations was now sitting up straight full attentive. "Indeed it is," Mona announced as she watched Lucy stand and carefully move around the table. "Imagine millions of people who aren't able to afford prosthesis or regenerate the good cells which cancer and chemotherapy destroy. How many people who will benefit from it. Thank you for your time."
The audience applauded as Mona bowed and headed off stage with the lizard in tow. "Oh, my God, Lucy," Mona whispered. Her cheeks started to hurt from smiling. "It worked. It really worked."
"Yes, indeed, Miss Bocchino."
Mona gasped as she spun around to Baxter Stockman standing in the stage wing. "Oh, Dr. Stockman, you startled me."
Baxter grinned. "My sincere apologies, Miss Bocchino. That was one of the most impressive research I've seen. I've come to offer a position for you on my research team."
Mona found herself speechless her mind a complete blank. "I was hoping you could start tomorrow morning unless you have other priorities."
"No." Mona quickly cleared her throat trying to cover up her impulsivity. "No, Dr. Stockman. Tomorrow morning will be perfect."
"Excellent," Baxter nodded. "Bring all your papers and list of everything that you'll need." Mona implied she would before she headed out of sights. Baxter grabbed his phone and pressed the speed dial number.
"Yes?"
"This is Baxter Stockman reporting in. I think we may have found a solution to our problem."
A/N: If you're unfamiliar with Iva, read Blood Bonds if you want to get some background info. You're always welcome to PM me for anything.