Disclaimer: I don't own Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They are the property of Nickelodeon, Mirage, Viacom, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.

Author's Note: You, my readers, are very patient and understanding, as well as ridiculously complimentary of my little project here. I want to thank all my reviewers for the wonderfully kind things you've told me. I'm happy that my story is touching so many people so deeply. A few changes in my life; I've really gotten a new job. It's a full time position, which is good. It shouldn't interfere too much with my writing, but if delays happen at longer intervals, it's because I'm getting into the swing of this new job. Also…I can't draw. I can see the picture in my head but something gets lost in translation between my brain and my hand. If anyone can or knows someone who could help me create a cover art for this story, let me know. Okay, enough of my boring little life. Enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 6

Winnie the Pooh was stuck in the honey tree again; April could hear the buzzing swarm around him as she climbed the tree.

"Don't worry, Pooh Bear," April called up the tree, "I'll get you down."

The muffled slurping of honey was the only response. As April climbed through the branches, she felt the honey and wax from the hive. It seemed to cover more and more of her next steps up. The wax felt hot on her skin and made things difficult to grab. The wax began to run out faster and faster until it became a face with a wide gaping mouth. April covered her head and felt her body falling.

"April," Donnie whispered, "Wake up, it's just a bad dream."

April's eyes snapped open. She was inside the car. No wax monster, not Winnie the Pooh; the buzzing sound she had thought to be a swarm of bees was only in her own head. A damp rag was warm on her head. She sat up slowly and looked around her. Leo and Raph were standing outside the van; Leo was on the phone, glancing at her while Raph sat in the front seat. She could see Casey off in the distance, explaining things to the officers and security in the park.

"Are you okay?" Donnie asked. He looked a very pale green.

"I'm fine," April said, "What happened?"

"You-You fainted," Donnie said. April suspected there was more he wasn't saying.

"And you weren't b-breathing," Mikey said. April noticed him curled up behind her. He looked unusually serious.

"Are you prone to fainting spells like this?" Donnie asked. He was rummaging through a red tool kit that contained medical tools. April blinked in surprise.

"I-I don't think I've ever fainted," April said, "It must have been the pain in my head after confronting that mutant. But I haven't had pain like that ever. Not even when I was a kid."

"Pain?" Leo asked, "Donnie, did she say pain in her head?"

"Leo, we don't need an ambulance," Donnie said.

"A person stops breathing and you aren't worried?" Leo asked, "We're taking April to a hospital."

"No!" April said quickly, "It wasn't any big deal. I'm fine, please don't call anyone."

"April," Donnie said, "We really shouldn't let this alone."

"Please," April said pleadingly. Donnie's brown eyes locked with her blue ones and he sighed.

"Put it down, Leo," Donnie said, "Tell them we've got help already."

Leo opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it. He ended the call.

"Okay, April," Leo said, "You want to tell us more about this?"

April sighed. She hadn't thought about this in years. But there was no reason to think about it before now.

"I used to get awful headaches when I was little," April said, "My dad said when I was a baby I would wake up screaming from the pain. He and my mother took me to the hospital nearly every night because the pain would be so bad. Doctors and nurses started to think my parents were just seeking attention. But it was no big deal. Some kids get chicken pox, the flu; I got massive headaches. But I grew out of them. I haven't had a headache that bad since…since my mother died."

Donnie placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and squeezed. April felt slightly better.

"So, for whatever reason," Raph said, "You're getting headaches again."

"I guess so," April said, "But this was worse than I remembered."

"When did your mother die?" Donnie asked softly.

"About 13 years ago," April said, "I was 3. My dad never told me about what happened."

"13 years ago?" Leo asked, "That's interesting."

"What's 'interesting', Leo?" Raph asked.

"The mutant who attacked us," Leo said, "I went back and looked up information. It turns out there were some similar incidents 13 years ago. Mutants attacking for no reason, like they did before Kraang Inc. created the serums and everything."

Leo pulled up the story and everyone read.

'Isolated Incidents of Mutant Mayhem'

"Authorities responded last night as various mutant individuals began to exhibit out of control behavior towards each other and towards humans. The incidents were restricted to the areas outside Manhattan, in the greater Long Island area. Police and emergency responders were able to contain the chaos until, for no apparent reason, the behavior returned to normal. Mutant and human eyewitnesses reported that attacking mutants seemed to be in a daze and confused state after attacking. Several wounded were reported and one casualty, whose identity is being withheld at this time."

"Donnie, do you think something like is happening again?" Leo asked.

"I don't know," Donnie replied, "The other stories associated with that night talk about the causes, symptoms, things like that. It's mostly Kraang Inc. research findings. All the mutants had the same descriptions: irritability or anger, lack of ability to communicate…"

"Maybe Mikey will pick up a bit of that," Raph said.

"Hey!" Mikey said.

"This isn't just 'not talking', Raph," Donnie said, "It's lack of any sense of sentience. It would be like we had turned into normal turtles."

April felt a cold shiver run over her at the thought. The mutant had been mindless and out of control.

"But then how could I do whatever I did?" she asked aloud.

"I don't know," Donnie said, "But I think I may know someone who could help us find out."

"Dude, not Speckman," Mikey groaned, "That guy is on a seriously lean mixture."

"It's Stockman," Donnie said irritably, "And he's one of the best neurobiologists in the state."

"But he is totally crazy, Donnie," Raph said, "Even you have to admit that."

"He's eccentric," Donnie said, "But all geniuses are."

"You're not, dude," Mikey said. Donnie rolled his eyes, smiled.

Casey came back to the group. April took note with pleasure that he also looked unhurt. More than just unhurt, he looked thrilled with the excitement he'd been faced with.

"Officers are actually taking Turtlewax to Manhattan Psychiatric," Casey said, "And the press wants to know if you guys are going to continue the photo shoot."

"We'll reschedule," Leo said, "I'll go and make a statement. Raph and Mikey, you head back home and see what you can dig up as far as more about those incidents 13 years ago. Get Irma's help if you need it."

Leo looked at Donnie and nodded. Then he followed Casey over to the group of reporters.

"April, will you come with me?" Donnie asked. April nodded.

"We'll take the car," Raph said, "And drop you both off on the way."

"Where are we going exactly?" she asked.

"To see a man who might be able to tell us a bit about your mind," Donnie said.

The lab was run down, cracking and collapsed in places, but lights were on in the lower floors.

"Contact us if you need anything," Raph said, "We'll be researching with Irma." The tone of his voice and face clearly showed he equated such a project with watching grass grow while making sure paint was drying.

"Come on, dude," Mikey said cheerfully, "We'll get pizza on the way. You still owe me."

April climbed out of the car to get a better look at the lab.

"Donnie," Raph said and pulled him closer to whisper, "Whatever you think you might be feeling, don't let it cloud your judgment."

"W-What?" Donnie spluttered, "What…I-I mean, how…"

"Little brother," Raph said, "You're not the crowd pleaser the rest of us are. You're too honest and I don't want you to let that honestly put you someplace you aren't ready to go."

"It's not like that, Raph," Donnie said, "April wants…she needs my help."

"And you want nothing more?" Raph asked knowingly.

Donnie couldn't answer. He looked over at April who was waiting.

"We'll be careful," Donnie said, "Let us know if you find anything big."

They both knew the conversation wasn't over, but it would pause here.

"Let's go, Mikey," Raph said."

"Hey Raph, can I drive?" Mikey asked.

"No," Raph and Donnie said together. Mikey stuck his tongue out at both his brothers, which earned him a smack on the head from Raph. They closed the door and hurried off.

"Mikey doesn't drive?"

"So who is this Stockman?" April asked, looking again at the grumbling lab building.

"Dr. Baxter Stockman," Donnie said, "He is, or was, a genius in the field of neuroscience and neurobiology. But about 15 years ago, he was mutated. The scientific community sent him to work here because of…well, lots of reasons."

April wanted to ask more, but as they swung open the front door, the "reasons" became perfectly obvious. Piles of rotting garbage oozing with acid littered the hallway. April covered her mouth and nose, trying to decide what the bigger priority was: breathing or not vomiting.

"This is disgusting," April wheezed. Glancing up at Donnie, she saw he was pinching his nose.

"Only out here" he honked, "Once we get in the lab, it'll be better. He still is a scientist and a clean room is a clean room."

"Clean" was a gross understatement. The room was sterilized within an inch of its aluminum-sided life. April found the scent of bleach and other cleaning chemicals less sickening than the smells of the entrance, but now her nose felt like it was burning from the inside out.

"Dr. Stockman," Donnie called, "It's me. Donnie. Are you in?"

"Where elzzzze would I be?" buzzed a voice.

April felt every nightmare and horror movie monster scare sweep over her as she bit back a scream. Unconsciously, she clutched Donnie's arm. Baxter Stockman was a fly. A giant, brown and oily creature, with one arm was normal looking, at least ending in a hand. But his other arm ended in a pincher. His large wings shimmered, like oil on a driveway. On his head was a spiky mass that April supposed was hair.

"Donnie, my young friend," Stockman said, "Itzzzz good to zzzzzsee you again."

"I'm glad to see you too, Dr. Stockman," Donnie said. The fly buzzed a few feet off the ground and over to greet them. The wide, bulb-like green eyes focused on April and she clutched Donnie's arm tighter. Seeing him closer, she could spot his mouth between his eyes. It was triangular, with pincers on either side and, to April's horror, the mouth still contained human teeth. Comically, he had a mustached over his mouth that was twitching as he twitched.

"And izzzzz this young lady a friend of yourzzzz," Stockman asked. The eyes blinked at her and the mustache twitched up, giving April the sense he was smiling.

"This is my friend April," Donnie said, "We were wondering if we could impose upon you for a few hours."

"Of courzzzze," Stockman said, "How can I help?"

"We need to run some tests," Donnie said, "April has shown some…unique abilities."

"I have a MRI machine," Stockman said, "It comezzzz in handy when trying to research various diseased and expired tissue the scientific community sendzzzzz me."

April felt Donnie's fingers take hold of her hand and he gave her one of his gentle smiles. April relaxed and they followed after Stockman.

The machine was old, but certainly better than nothing.

"Juzzzt lay here, if you would," Stockman said, "Be as still as possible."

"Do I have to hold my breath?" April asked, remembering a story from a school friend who'd undergone such a scan.

"Not for this," Stockman said, "Only abdominal scans require you to hold your breath."

April lay down on the machine and held as still as possible. She felt Donnie give her fingers a comforting squeeze before leaving the room with Stockman. April felt a momentary pang of loneliness as she heard the machine began to whir and thrum. As she lay there, she began to wonder just what she would do with what they learned today. Would it change how Donnie saw her? Should she really care? Her mission to find her father still hadn't changed and that was the priority over everything right now. The idea of developing feelings for anyone, human or mutant, was ridiculous at this point.

"Mizzzz April," Stockman said, "You need to keep zzzzzstill. Fidgeting like this will not help us get a clear zzzzscan."

April froze again. Yes, she needed to focus on this task, learning whatever it meant. She already had the promise of help from TMNT and she was going to take it. And leave her feelings for Donnie behind.

"All zzzset," Stockman said, "Give me about 30 minutes to go over my findings. We'll zzzzsee if further testing izzz required."

Donnie came back in and helped April sit up.

"That wasn't too hard, was it?"

"Nope," April said, "Is it normal to feel thirsty after a scan though?"

"I'll get you some water," Donnie said. April followed him out of the room into Stockman's office. A pitcher of water was there, but it was fizzing slightly and had a green tinge. April shivered.

"Actually, I think I can wait," April said.

"There's a machine down the hall," Donnie said, "I'll be back in a few minutes."

"You don't have to go to all that trouble," April said, "I'll be okay."

Donnie gave a gap-toothed grin and shut the door.

"Where izzzz Donnie off to?" Stockman said, coming through the other door.

"Just looking for some water," April said, "I was feeling a little thirsty."

"I have zzzzsome water here," Stockman said, holding up a cold and, thankfully, clear glass of water. April took it gratefully and drank.

"Oh, thank you," she breathed, "That's much better."

"Good," Stockman said, "Your results zzzzzshow your cerebrum to be in perfect health. There are two factors which I would like to test. One, you seem to be putting out a great deal of zzzzzzserotonin, a chemical in the brain that controls mood. It's almost as though you are projecting it."

"Projecting a brain chemical?" April asked, "That sounds a bit like telepathy."

"It's not unusual," Stockman, "Many people have certain zzzzzskills that can be conceived as a "zzzzsixth sense", but it's often just hypersensitivity. In your case, your brain seems to be outputting that zzzzzsensitivity towards people."

April felt herself growing heavy. Almost sleepy.

"The other factor is a great deal of activity in your frontal cortex," Stockman said, "I want to test a theory that is currently being researched by some of my associates in Japan."

April sank to her knees. She looked at the empty glass.

"What did you do?" April asked.

"It's only a mild sedative," Stockman said, "Nothing lasting. But it's going to make it easier for me to test my theories. But first thingzzzzzz first."

Stockman buzzed over to the door and locked it. Then, he picked April up and carried her back out to the lab. April struggled weakly.

"If my tests prove correct, there are a great many scientific companies who'll be interested in you," Stockman said.

"Kraang Inc.," April said automatically.

"For zzzzstarters," Stockman said.

They entered a smaller lab and Stockman lay April on an examination table. He strapped her wrists down and then her ankles. The room was deathly cold and April, unable to move her heavy limbs, shivered. She saw Stockman writing in a notebook.

"The first test," Stockman said, "I want you to try to convince me to let you go."

April looked at Stockman. She thought about what had gone through her mind as she faced that wax mutant. Sadness, loss, anger, confusion and pain filled her mind from that creature and now from Stockman. Despite her terror and her feeling of weakness, she made her mind calm and reached out.

"Let me go," April pleaded. Even if she hadn't been a command, she knew it might work.

Stockman gave a twitch and a shudder.

"Please, Dr. Stockman," April said, "This isn't what you do. You're a scientist. Gaining the knowledge should be enough. Let me go."

Stockman shuddered again. His huge green eyes blinked rapidly.

"I don't know why I can do this," April said, "But I know it's not meant for anybody to use, especially Kraang."

The eyes blinked again and April thought she saw a glimmer of brown deep within them.

"Please," April whispered, staring into those depths, "Let me go."

Stockman raised his hand toward her straps and stopped as he glanced at his notebook.

"Very good," Stockman said, "I see I was right to write down a warning."

April felt all strength leave her and she sank into the table. She had been so close.

"A very successful test," Stockman said, "One I'll be willing to further explore. Now, let's see what your frontal cortex does."

"Donnie," April whispered weakly.

"Donnie can't help you," Stockman said, "A brilliant mind and an astute student of the mind and the sciences. But a warrior? No chance."

The sound of glass shattering and wood splintering erupted in the room and Donnie was in the doorway. He held the long wooden staff in his hands, ready to drive it into Stockman's head.

"Get away from April," he said. His voice was quiet, not the softness April knew but a cold and deadly quiet that caused Stockman to buzz worriedly.

"What do you think you're doing?" Stockman said.

"Coming to a rather shocking conclusion about you," Donnie said, "Now let her go."

"No!" Stockman buzzed loudly, "Can't you see what medical use she could be."

"Sorry, Stockman," Donnie said in the same deadly tone, "I think I want a second opinion."

Donnie swung his staff down and then began to twirl it with the rapidity of a plane propeller. April could barely hold her head upright. Stockman tried to fight back but couldn't keep up. Finally, he resorted to spiting acid at Donnie, who dodged neatly. A hard swing sent Stockman flying against a wall. Donnie took the chance and undid the straps holding April to the exam table. The fly picked up a nearby glass magnifier and charged at Donnie. Donnie squeezed his staff and a metal blade appeared at one end. It sliced the metal handle of the magnifier and Donnie kicked out, sending Stockman back to the wall.

"You were my friend," Donnie said, "My scientific mentor. Why would you do this?"

"Because I want my old life back!" Stockman screeched, "I want to be around my colleaguezzzz and study amongst civilized people! And this girl will give me that chance I deserve!"

Stockman charged at Donnie. Quickly, he picked April up and jumped over Stockman, flipping through the air as Stockman missed them and crashed into a cabinet against the wall. He gave one wheezing buzz and collapsed unconscious.

"April," Donnie said, "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"

April slowly shook her head.

"He drugged me with something," April said, "I can barely move."

Donnie hugged her gently and April sighed.

"I'm going to get you back home," Donnie said, "But the way may be a little…unorthodox. Can you ride on my back?"

April squeezed her hands and nodded. Donnie slipped her over his shell and April locked her hands around his shoulders. Donnie then slipped his staff under her knees and carried her out the door. April watched in amazement as Donnie vaulted the fire escapes and onto the building rooftops. Then, he ran, jumping through the air, from building to building. April felt the exhaustion clinging even more tightly to her body and mind and she began to feel giddy over it. If this was what it was like to get drunk, she didn't know if she liked the idea.

"Donnie," April said, "Talk to me. I need to stay focused."

"Okay," Donnie said, sounding unsure, "Ask me anything."

"What is your staff?"

"It's a bo-staff," Donnie said, "Usually just called a bō. It's a traditional weapon used in martial arts. My brothers and I all have traditional weapons."

"I recognized Mikey's nunchakus," April said, "What about the other two?"

"Leo has katanas and Raph has sais," Donnie said, "Master Splinter says that our weapons choose us because they're an extension of who we are."

"And you have the bō?"

"Master Splinter always said it's because there is so much wood in me," Donnie said, "But I needed to balance that out, so I added the steel blade into my bō."

"Balance," April said. She allowed Donnie to go into a lesson about his study of bojitsu. What balance was in her life? She had become consumed by the search for her father, accepted the loneliness and isolation that came from having no home and no one to trust. But she was letting down her walls around Donnie and it scared her. The one moment at the concert that caused April to feel the sensation of being "in love" with Donnie was all well and good, but she barely knew him. They were all but strangers. But the drug in her system left her with a new feeling of vulnerability that she wasn't sure she could, or even wanted to fight.

Donnie landed on the balcony of their home. April only noticed now just how high above the streets they were.

"Mikey left this part of the tour out," April said, feeling lightheaded and even giddier than before.

"I'll give you a better tour later," Donnie said, "But right now, let's get you into bed. I mean, I'll put you in your bed and I'll be in my bed."

April heard the stuttering and laughed. It wasn't her usual laugh, but a soft one, usually one she reserved for late night conversations with friends or when she was extremely nervous around a boy.

"I knew what you meant," April said. She slid off Donnie's shell and her legs collapsed underneath her. Donnie was quick to catch her before she hit the floor.

"You'd better lay down," Donnie said.

"You're so sweet to me," April said and then, without any thought or warning, she kissed him.

It was hard to say who was more shocked. Donnie looked mildly alarmed, but April's reflection in his eyes showed her one of equal and suddenly focused fear. What had she done?

"I-I didn't…I'm sorry," April said. She looked at Donnie apologetically and saw something glimmer in his eyes. April felt her cheeks burn as she closed her eyes. As their lips slowly met for the second time, it was with a new awareness that whatever was between them was not going to be ignored anymore.

To Be Continued