Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT. They are the property of Nickelodeon, Viacom, Mirage Comics and Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman.

Author's Notes: And on with another. This chapter was pretty tough to write because I have a hard time writing fights. No, not physical fights; verbal fights. Read on and let me know how I did.

Chapter 10

April's eyes blinked open. For a moment, she thought she was still in the lab with Miss Prime and she sat bolt upright.

"Rest easy, my child," Splinter said, "You are safe now."

April looked around. She was back in the room that had been set aside for her since moving in. A figure in a white coat was putting away a first aid kit. When it turned, April was surprised to see an ape. The ape smiled at her and patted her hand.

"Take it easy, Miss O'Neil," the ape said, "Your shoulder isn't bad. You have a nasty burn from the exposed cord, but nothing life threatening. I still want you to rest easy for the next few days."

"She will rest Dr. Rockwell," Leo said. April flinched at the tone of his voice. She'd gone against the plan and she knew it. And she was bound to hear about it.

"What about April's dad?" Mikey asked. All the Turtles had come into the room now. April looked at them sideways. Donnie's face was expressionless, but his eyes were a burning copper.

"He'll be admitted to Bellevue for rest and evaluation," Rockwell said, "He's been through a great deal of trauma."

"Can I see him?" April asked, her voice catching with her sorrow.

"When you've healed up," Rockwell said, "And when he is no longer a danger to himself or anyone, I'll arrange a time for your visit."

"Thank you again, Dr. Rockwell," Master Splinter said, "I will escort you out."

April watched them leave and came face to face with the Turtles. The whole gamut of emotions played out across four faces. Mikey looked relieved to see her well. Leo looked furious and Raph was glaring with a look of betrayal. Donnie's was unreadable and she could only imagine what was in store from him.

"Well, April, I'm glad to see you awake," Leo said, smiling with a look that meant no good.

"I'm glad to be awake," April said, trying to sound confident.

"Oh, I think you'll regret being awake," Raph said simply and left.

"I'll make you something to eat," Mikey said, looking sorry for her. He quickly left the room. Leo stood with his arms folded in front of him.

"So, is this when the lecture starts?" April said. Leo shrugged.

"I'm not sure what will start," he said, "But I have a feeling something may be finished."

At this, he looked sadly at Donnie and left the room. April and Donnie stared at each other. It reminded April of seeing him on stage. The world seemed to drift away and now, instead of a misty warm world, she felt cold and lost in darkness.

"Why didn't you listen?" Donnie said at last.

"He doesn't waste any time," April thought.

"I'm sorry," April said, "I really was going to find the others, but the computer room distracted me."

"You could have been killed," Donnie said, "You could have given Kraang exactly what they needed to start the nightmares all over again."

"Nightmares?" April asked, "What do you mean?"

"No, we deal with you first," Donnie said, "You can't get to do whatever you want and not deal with the consequences."

"I've never had any consequences to deal with," April said, starting to feel her temper rise.

"You've never had a team to work with," Donnie said, "You don't go off on your own. You follow the plan, especially when you're doing technically illegal breaking and entering into an enemy location."

"I told you I just got distracted," April said sharply.

"You had no intention of following this plan, did you?" Donnie snapped. April glared at him and then away. It was true, she would have gone off on her own, sooner or later, but only if the plan was moving too slowly.

"I wanted to find my father," April said, "That's all I cared about."

"Well, what I cared about was protecting you," Donnie said, "But I can see that will be a task I can't do now."

April froze and stared at him.

"I love you," Donnie said, "You said you loved me. And you're hurt and have a hard time trusting. I was willing to wait and draw you out slowly. But not for someone who isn't willing to try and move past it."

"I can't trust anyone," April shouted, "I never could. Trust just gets you in trouble. I trust Mr. Rodahl and he took advantage of it."

Donnie's eyes narrowed at the implication. But both were in too much of a rage to confront that.

"I'm not Rodahl," Donnie said, "And you are missing the bigger picture."

April stared at him.

"It's not just you, April," Donnie said, "There is a city full of mutants that Kraang wants to control. And they need you to do it. That's what that woman said."

"Well, I'm not there anymore," April said, "And neither is my father. He and I will disappear, just like my mom did when she escaped them."

"You can't run from them now," Donnie said, "Your father isn't up to travel and neither are you. And where are you going to go?"

"Anywhere away from Kraang," April said, "I can't lose him again, Donnie. Don't you understand?"

Donnie's face fell.

"I understand, April," Donnie said, "More than you realize. I know about losing family and I know how hard you have to work to keep it. But you don't have to do this alone."

"Yes I do," April said, "Because I'm better alone."

Donnie's eyes went dark and he sighed.

"Then I guess there really isn't anymore to say," he said.

"I guess not," April said. She felt the anger in her settle and burn out.

"Please stay long enough to heal though," Donnie said, "And let us know how we can help."

April nodded.

"Thank you for helping rescue my dad," April said, "I really do appreciate it."

Donnie nodded and left the room. April sank back against the pillows. She should be happy. Her father was back and she knew he'd get better. Once she was better, she'd open up their house again. Or maybe they'd look for a new house. Sure, they'd leave the city, go upstate to a nice farmhouse where they'd be away from everything. No more hiding, no crazy mutants. No more TMNT.

She should be happy, but as she turned into the pillows, her eyes filled with tears and trickled down her cheeks.

The next week was difficult for April and for Donnie. They barely spoke to each other and, when they did, it was in short, quick comments. April didn't have any trouble with the other Turtles. Mikey seemed genuinely concerned and trying to help April through. He made everything April liked to eat. Leo seemed to want to show how sorry he was and showed April some stretches that would help her shoulder. Raph, although indifferent, let her sit in the room while he worked on the lyrics to their songs, so long as she kept silent.

April's father progressed slowly. When Dr. Rockwell had given her the okay, she was able to go out to Bellevue and visit him. Or more accurately, she was able to observe him. He was quiet, still and usually reading. He seemed to have withdrawn into himself. Although April had not been able to see him, his reactions to her picture were only quiet muttering of her need to go to his masters. April realized at that point how much her life really had changed and there was no going back to normal.

April left the hospital, feeling discouraged and lost. She supposed she would be better off getting her things together and going to see if she could get into their house. It seemed as good a plan as anything. And as good a time.

"April O'Neil?" a voice said.

A surge of panic swept through April. She whirled around, ready to fight or flee from a stone faced man in a business suit. Instead, she was face to face with Karai.

"Oh, Mi-I mean, Karai," April stuttered, "I thought you were someone else."

"I have a guess who you thought I was," Karai said, "Leo's told me some of the stuff they found at Kraang Inc. He's also told me a bit about the trip into the building the other night. I'm heading over there now because he said there was more to show."

"What are you doing here?" April asked.

"Mikey said you were here," Karai said simply, "Can I give you a lift?"

April was unsure, but she needed to get her things. She wasn't sure she wanted to sit in close proximity with Donnie, but her curiousity for what they had found at Kraang Inc was peaked.

"Ok," April said.

"Good," Karai said with a smile, "Let's go then."

April followed her to a sleek black motorbike and Karai handed her a helmet. The engine roared to life as April sat behind Karai. Racing down the street, April held on for dear life. She'd never ridden a motorbike before and the exposure to the wind, as well as the openness of being on the road in traffic, was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

"Can you loosen up?" Karai said, "I think you're bruising a rib or two."

April slackened her arms and Karai turned north.

"So," April said, trying to keep conversation going, "Splinter said you were a singer."

"I am," Karai said, "But Oroku Sakai was the one who really let me spread my wings. Before that, I was singing a bunch of sentimental new age garbage."

"I heard some of the songs," April said, "It didn't seem like garbage."

"Not when you compare it to what I'm singing now," Karai said, "I'd rather not talk about what my career was like with Hamato Yoshi."

"He's your father," April said, "He cares about you."

"He cares about the money I make and what he can use it for in the rebuilding of the Hamato Clan," Karai said, "Now shut up and let me drive or you can walk the rest of the way."

April did as she was told and the rest of the trip was quiet. They pulled up to the building where the penthouse was. April climbed off and clutched her arms around her.

"Nervous?" Karai asked.

"Yes," April said, "I'm not on the best of terms right now."

"Yeah, Mikey told me a bit about what happened between you two," Karai said, "That's the other reason I wanted to talk. I think you need to hear a story and we've got a while in the elevator.

"When I left home and became emancipated," Karai continued, "I went back one day to get the rest of my stuff. Yoshi wouldn't look at me but Leo was desperately trying to make me stay. Oroku had come with me and-well, a fight broke out between them and Oroku lost his temper. He pushed Leo down and then Raph went after him. Raph got pretty beat up; it's one of the reasons he's so mad at me even now. But Oroku was out of control. It was the one and only time I've ever seen him lose his temper. He was strangling Raph and Donnie stepped in. Donnie was always so quiet and shy but he looked terrifying at that moment. He threw a shuriken and it hit Oroku in the eye."

April's eyes went wide at the idea of the soft-spoken turtle she'd come to know behaving so aggressively.

"Don't tell me what I will or won't do to protect this family," Donnie had said and his words floated back to her.

"But Oroku stabbed into his shoulder," Karai said, "He drove his gauntlet right through. I don't know how much damage was done because I left with Oroku right away."

"He's never shown any weakness in his shoulders," April said, "At least, nothing I could see."

"Oh?" Karai said with an evil smile, "And just how much have you seen?"

April blushed and looked away. Karai stopped smiling.

"Donnie is fiercely loyal to family," Karai said, "The people he loves take first priority, no matter what they do."

"And I threw his loyalty back in his face," April said, "I wasn't ready to trust him."

"It's none of my business, April," Karai said, "But I've found that as much effort and risk as it takes to trust someone, it takes even more to not trust. Because sooner or later, you'll want to find your way back to the human race and not be able to live in it."

"I'm scared," April said, opening her soul for the first time in her long years of isolation, "I'm so scared of what will happen."

"The alternative is for nothing to happen," Karai said, "But that's not living. And that's not loving."

The elevator chimed the arrival to the floor where the Turtles were staying. Mikey stood waiting for them. He looked thrilled to see them both.

"Hey, sis! April!" he cheered and threw his arms around both girls. Karai smiled indulgently; she was clearly all too familiar with this greeting. April glanced around and saw Donnie sitting at the keyboard, headphones on and tapping out notes and adjusting dials to get the right sound. If he knew they were there, he didn't acknowledge them. April couldn't tell if he was ignoring her or just that deep in the zone he went into each time he composed. Mikey pulled April and Karai into the kitchen where Leo and Raph sat together. Splinter sat with them looking both sad and anxious. His ears twitched back and forth and he looked ready to leap out of his seat.

"Karai," Leo said, "We've got something to show you."

"So you said," Karai replied. She waited expectantly, not looking at Splinter.

Leo cued up the phone Casey had given them and handed it to Karai. Karai watched a moment and her eyes narrowed when she saw Shredder on the screen. With the arrival of the mutants, she slapped the phone on the counter.

"It figures," Karai hissed, "It's just like before. The money I make, everyone wants to take away."

"What do you mean?" Splinter asked. Karai eyed him cooly.

"I saw the missing money from my accounts," she said, "I saw that you were taking money out of my account that you had no business doing, even as my manger. Oroku said it was hush money to hide that I'm really not your daughter but his. But even he had an angle. He just wanted my money to use for whatever he has planned for Kraang."

"You know he's not really your father," Leo said.

"I know," Karai said in defeat, "I think I always did know. But I wanted so badly to believe it because it would explain why Yoshi was taking my money."

"I did not take the money, Karai," Splinter said, "At least, not in the sense that you think. A percentage of your earnings went into an account in my name for your education. It was something your mother thought of."

"Mother?" Karai whispered.

"Your mother wanted you to be able to go to college," Splinter continued, "She opened that account in her name. It transferred to my name when she passed away. But it was always meant for you. I arranged for a percentage of your earnings to go to the account so you could attend college at whatever time you wished. And, if you chose not to attend college, the money could be used as you saw fit. I serve only as the primary account holder until you are 18, then I will become beneficiary, unless you wish to name someone else."

"But why didn't you say anything?"

"A foolish mistake on my part," Splinter said, "I wanted to surprise you with it when the time was right. I also was afraid that the idea of so much money available to you would be a temptation too much for a young woman. I have read enough stories of wild teens spending money without abandon."

Karai sat down at the table and put her hands in her head.

"All this time," she whispered, "I thought that you were trying to use me to rebuild the Hamato clan."

"Karai," Leo said, "No one ever was using you. We all of us chose to use our money to build the Hamato clan again, just like we use our money to help other charities. But it was our choice."

Karai sniffed and looked at them all. Tears filled her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks.

"I've been so stupid," she cried.

"You'll get no argument from me," Raph said. Leo shoved him.

"No, he's right," Karai said, "He's got every right to be angry with me. I nearly got all of you killed that day I left. And I've been so cold and cruel all this time."

Splinter could not hold back himself anymore. He pulled Karai into his arms and hugged her tightly. Karai dropped her arms to her sides and began to sob quietly. April watched, wiping her eyes free of tears. Mikey was bouncing excitedly next to Leo and Raph. April felt, rather than heard, the gentle presence behind her and she peeked up. Donnie was watching the scene with a small smile on his face. But he didn't look at her and April found that she wished he would.

That night, April knocked on Donnie's door. At first, nothing happened. April was afraid he'd gone to sleep until she heard the door open. Donnie stood in the doorway, staring at her in surprise.

"You should be asleep," he said.

April opened her mouth to speak but opted instead to throw herself into Donnie's arms and kiss him with everything she had. Donnie was too shocked to push her away or do much of anything. April clung tighter, afraid he'd make her let go. At last, Donnie's arms wrapped around her and pulled her close as their kiss deepened. When they broke apart, Donnie looked confused and afraid.

"I'm sorry," April said, "I'm sorry. You were right. I wasn't trying to let myself trust. I had everything I could want and I was ready to throw it all way. Please forgive me for being so stupid."

"What made you change your mind?" Donnie asked.

"Watching Karai today, for one," April said, "And hearing a story about you. Karai told me about you defending the others. And it occurred to me that I had never had anyone like that in my life, besides my dad. I wanted it back in my life but I was pushing away the person who was giving it freely to me. I was so afraid to trust someone. To love someone."

"And now?" Donnie asked, his voice full of hope.

"I trust you," April said, "I love you."

Donnie pulled her to him and kissed her. April slipped her arms around his neck and he lifted her off the floor. In that moment, April forgot about Kraang, her abilities, even her father. There was only Donnie and her and she let herself get lost as the door to his bedroom closed behind them.

*()()()*

Thank you for reading. This is my Christmas gift to you as I polish this off at midnight on December 25. I hope it's a comfy enough spot to rest on while you wait, but that you're dying to know what will happen next. I hope you'll review and give me my gift of hearing from you. Have a Merry Christmas and I'll see you in the next chapter.