Chapter 3 - Returning home

The trip back was spent mostly in silence. Donnie was again carrying April in his arms and she could tell that he too was worried that Leo hadn't said a word since they left her Aunt's place. They knew there was going to be hell to pay, but it had to wait. For now, they ran along rooftops, the other three turtles carrying her bags over their shoulders. Each brother on high-alert, focusing on making it back safe.

They descended to the streets from a lower roof at the end of an alley, slipping open a manhole cover that was set there. Silently they began passing the bags from one to the next, through the small opening in the asphalt. Never once, did they stop to discuss their actions. Sometimes April was taken aback by their teamwork and how well the brothers seemed to know what the others were thinking.

Before even realizing it was her turn, Mikey grabbed April by the hand of her good arm and effortlessly lowered her down to Donnie's waiting arms. He was careful not to put too much pressure on her sore ribs as he set her down beside him. Mikey hopped down next, followed by Leonardo who slid the manhole cover back into place.

It seemed, that now they had entered the sewer, they had crossed the line into 'safer territory' and they were now free to talk again.

"What the hell were you two thinking?!" Leonardo turned and shouted at the pair. Donatello stepped forward, subconsciously putting himself in front of April, as though shielding her from his brother's wrath.

"Leo, I–" Donatello started, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder from the petite redhead pushing out from behind him.

"No. It was all me, don't be mad at Donnie. I just…" She waved her hands around in the air looking for the right words, but being unable to find them. "… I just, couldn't do it."

Leonardo silently glared at her in a frightening way, not convinced by her lame excuse.

"I'm sorry Leo, it was not my intention to go against your plan." She added.

"And really, I think it turned out for the best." Donnie chimed in, trying to help. "Susan was surprisingly helpful and very understanding. She wanted to help however she could."

"Oh, Susan was helpful then?" Leonardo shot back with sarcasm on his tongue. "You should not be on a first name basis with her, Donnie! What part of 'don't be seen' was I unclear on?!"

"I'm sorry, Leo, I…" Donnie stammered, before adding, "but at least now we know that she's not going to call the police, or file a missing persons report, we certainly don't need anyone else out looking for April. She's going to report to her school and stuff that she moved back to Phoenix."

"It's the last place Dad and I lived before we moved here." April added in, helping to explain their new cover.

Leonardo stood back and took a deep breath as he processed all of the information. It did sound like a good deal, as long as they could trust her. He ran a hand over his smooth head and kind of rolled his eyes to the heavens. April was sure that if she could read minds, he'd be thinking something along the lines of, 'what have I gotten myself into?'.

"And…" April remembered another point, "She gave me some cash and one of her credit cards to use, and since it's still here in town it shouldn't be suspicious as long as we are careful with it."

Donnie stood next to her nodding in agreement.

Everyone stood there silent for a moment, Raph and Mikey waiting from the sidelines to see if the fight was over. And when it seemed like Leo was done, Mikey chimed in to lighten the mood, "Does that mean you are going to treat your 'moving buddies' here to some pizza?"

"I'd love to!" April smiled at the youngest brother, thankful for his change of topic.

"That's fine." Leo answered as the group looked to him for permission.

"Boo-yah!" Mikey pumped a fist in the air.

"C'mon then, there's a pizza parlor at the end of this corridor," Raph gestured for the group to follow him. "And hurry up already, I'm starving!"

Spirits lifted, the gang followed. April, now able to walk on her own, since they were done leaping over rooftops, followed closely behind with Leonardo bringing up the rear.

"April, a word?" He called to her, getting her to hang back a moment so they could talk in semi-private.

"Sure." She answered apprehensively.

"I understand why you did what you did, but I need you to understand something too." His voice was low and serious, the leader was taking charge.

"Our father has worked hard for over 15 years to keep us hidden and protected from the outside world. Our secrecy is essential to our safety. The fewer people that know about us, the better.

I need to know that you can keep our secret – that you won't tell anyone else about us.

Just as you were watching out for your family just now, I'm watching out for mine.
Are we clear?"

"Of course. I promise that I will never put any of you in danger." She said softly, feeling a lump settle in her stomach, just knowing that she made him feel the need to ask.

"Good." He said, instantly sounding much brighter and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Because, it seems you are a part of that family now too."

"Thanks Leo." She smiled.

And they quickened their pace to catch up with the others.

They soon returned to the lair with the pizzas in hand. The boys plopped her bags down just inside the turnstiles and excitedly headed for the kitchen. Donatello hung back when he noticed that April wasn't following them.

"Hey, aren't you hungry?" He asked.

"Nah, I think I'm just going to call it a night." Her usual cheerful tone was replaced with a tired and defeated one. "Did you need anything out of your room before I hit the hay?"

She had reached down to grab the larger suitcase, and her sore ribs ached in protest.

"Here, let me help." Donnie effortlessly grabbed the large suitcase as well as the smaller duffle bag that he had packed her computer into and lead the way to his room. "I need to grab a couple things anyways."

"Sorry it's such a mess in here." He exclaimed as they both dumped the luggage along the wall in his small bedroom and he started nervously compiling some of the messy stacks.

"It's fine Donnie, I just want to sleep, but if there's somewhere else you would rather I go…?"

"No!" He half shouted before catching himself. "I mean, no. Of course you are welcome here. It's not uncommon for me to crash in the lab anyways, so it's really no big deal. I just feel bad I didn't get the chance to clean up a little."

"Seriously, it's fine." April yawned as she plopped down on his bed and kicked off her boots.

"Well, let me just grab my laptop and a couple things and I'll get out of your way." He started collecting up items around the room. He tried his best not to look at the beautiful redhead that was sitting on HIS bed, as he knew it would make him blush furiously.

"Can I get you anymore ice or anything?" He asked from the doorway, his arms full.

"No thanks, I'm good." She gave a weak smile.

"Ok, well goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Donnie softly closed the door on his way out, leaving April alone in the darkened room. She knew she should change out of her clothes and take out her contacts, but even those small tasks felt so daunting.

Laying down, she curled up on her side as best as she could, her ribs and shoulder screamed out in protest. But even that was not enough to make her move. She felt drained. Defeated. Like she had given up all hope along with her retreat.

Despite the brave front she had put on for her aunt, for the first time since meeting the turtles, she had started to doubt whether or not everything would ever be 'ok' again.

A few silent tears ran down her cheeks as she drifted off to sleep.

A/N: Ok, so this ended up a little short, but it was a good place to cut it. Sorry it has taken 3 chapters just to get her INTO the lair. Consider it, setting up the story. Things will pick up pace after this. I already have a couple scenes written out, so now it's a matter of figuring out how they all intertwine with one another.

I hope you all feel like I'm doing an OK job with April. I want her to be tough, but also realistic. She's still a young woman who lost her family and has bad people after her, that's got to be emotional, no matter how tough you try to be. Hopefully she's feeling better after getting some sleep. ;)

Thanks again for reading and thanks to everyone that leave reviews. It makes me smile every single time I get a new one! :D