Ch.3

Donnie was making me stay in the lair till my side was better and would nag me when ever Raph and I got in a tangle of wits. I was personally fine, but I knew Donnie was right. Master Splinter wanted me to take Leo's room for the moment but I asked for the couch, some how I ended up with Raph's room. Being there all I was allowed to do was watch television with everyone and read in the nook. Raph wouldn't come near the nook for some reason, something about it hurt him. I knew the difference between dislike and pain when it came to him. Raph and I some how understood each other and we didn't have to ask. Which was good, I hated that phrase, "Are you ok?"

"I know there is one pack left at least," Master Splinter pouted as he searched for some tea in the cabinets, going back and forth from each one in a repeated cycle.

"Master Splinter, I could make you some herbal tea or home made just tell me what you would like," I explained as I sipped my coffee from the fourth batch Donnie made for himself.

"I don't want to trouble you Catherine," I laid my hand on his shoulder and smiled.

"Give me an hour," I smiled and hugged him as I raced out of the room and barged in to Raph's room making him fall out of his hammock. Since I was staying in his room Don and Raph moved in a bed for me… I could have easily slept on the floor but I'm not going to complain, it was really sweet of them. "What the hell Cat," he growled rubbing his head as I helped him up.

"Sorry just excited I need a coat," I shuffled through the box of extra cloths I've been borrowing.

"Why are you excited?"

"I'm getting some ingridence for homemade tea. I use to make it all the time but since I moved to my new apartment and started the job at the spa I haven't had time to make any," I explained fast leaving him in a daze. Smiling I nudged playfully him before racing down stairs as Master Splinter looked up and smiled.

"I have decided to let you make your favorite," I smiled back and hugged him.

"Are you still trying to figure me out?" he chuckled and waved me off making me give a small laugh, "So Chamomile tea?" I asked making him nod. Rushing out I felt someone grab my coat tail.

"Oh no you don't, your not going without me," Raph pulled me back as he put on a large trench coat and fedora as he did I turned around I looked at the boys and skipped over to Donnie.

"Don, do we need more coffee?" I asked as he was writing and kept checking his computer. "I will ask again what kind of coffee and what creamer".

"Columbian and you pick," nodding I hugged him and threw a pillow at Mikey before walking to the entrance where Raph stood with his arms crossed.

"Now can we go?" he smirked making me roll my eyes and return it.

"Didn't ask for a baby sitter…"

"Yeah well too bad your still grounded; you don't have a choice," laughing I walked past him as he opened the wall to the sewers. We walked up we hopped on his bike and sped off, luckily for us it was early in the morning. Walking through the produce I took all the ingredients off my list along with Don's orders I checked out with Raph also paying for his share for him and Mikey.

"So when did you learn to make homemade teas?" Raph asked walking in to the kitchen covered in sweat and filling a glass at the sink then chugging it down. Sighing he sat at the table trying to calm down and relax.

"My mother, she was an herbalist even owned her own shop. She was very popular with the midwives. I would help her in her shop when ever my father wasn't training me," I smiled as I started to chop up my roots and herbs. Starting the boiling water I twirled around him feeling his amber eyes on my every move.

"What did your father do?" I stopped and felt my heart stop. Flashes of red and people screaming was the only thing that ran through my head, shaking my head I smiled.

"I'm not to sure, but all I remember is that we moved a lot and that my father knew his way around weapons, well, as you can tell," I chuckled trying to destroy what tension there was from the topic. He seemed nervous about what I said. Sitting next to him I laid my hand on his hand and stared up at him as he stared at the table. "Raph," he looked over at me finally and we stared at each other for a while till he shook his head and stood up.

"Waters ready," looking up I started to pour the mixed spices and herbs in the water and took it off the burner letting it steam for twenty minutes. When I turned around Raph was heading in his room to sleep. Even though I didn't go with him anymore he still went out on patrol. Pouring some tea in Splinter's mug I gave it to him as he was watching his shows. Sitting down with him I sipped my tea watching the soaps as he sighed.

"This is better than the tea we buy from the store," he smiled applauding me as he sipped the tea. "I haven't seen Raphael this calm since before his brother left, thank you Catherine," whipping my head around I tilted my head as he shook his head and chuckled returning to his show. Standing up I checked on Don and refilled his coffee and made it the way he liked it and returned it to him before he noticed it was gone. Mikey wouldn't be home till after five so I was left alone. Drawing out the book I had started I began to read again in the nook. I didn't want to wake up Raph since he left himself with little sleep.

"I have dinner," Mikey came in with pizza. Putting down the boxes he hugged me and jumped over to the table as I took a plate to Don who was finishing work with a soda.

"Thanks Cat," he gave me a weak smile.

"Keep it up soldier," I smiled and hugged him. Going back to the table and took another plate with Raph's favorites.

"I swear you spoil him," Mikey commented as he sat at the table with Splinter joining him.

"Hey when someone is out all night putting Purple Dragons to the curb, you sleep all day. I'll wake him up," I walked up stairs as Mikey laughed.

"Better you than me," smiling I opened the door gently to see Raph in his bed for once; he was starting to grow fond of it. This was fine by me I was starting to like his hammock. Walking over to his lean form I put the plate down and rub his shoulder.

"Wake up Raphie, I have pizza," I smiled as he rolled over and looked up at me still asleep.

"I'm jealous of that boyfriend of yours," he teased as I stared down at him never moving my hand.

"As I said, does this thing look like it has a boyfriend," he smirked.

"Yeah your right tits are too small," slapping his chest making him laugh harder as he started to eat.

"My breasts are nice and perky thank you very much," he laughed and shook his head as I let him eat and get ready for the night. This was the daily schedule since I got shot. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it. I wanted to get back to out with Raph, go back to work at the spa, and sleep in my own bed. Playing around with Mikey at the table Don finally joined us as Raph came down stairs and started to tease me picking a fight.

"Just you wait when Donnie lets me off my leash you're going down hot head," I laughed as Don smirked at me.

"Who says you're on a leash still," whipping my head around a huge smile grew on my face as I then instantly tackled Raph. Starting our fight Master Splinter shook his head before walking to the table. Pinning me to the pillar he panted and smirked. I felt my face grow hot and my heart stop. His rugged hot breath hit my cheeks as he stared down at me with that irresistible smirk. His amber eyes were fixed on mine making my face heat up. Ever since I got to know him without the helmet I found myself lost in his fierce eyes and firry spirit.

"Got cha kitty Cat, and now I'm going out," he his way to the door.

"I'm going too," I smiled remembering my suit being in the same bag as the Watcher uniform.

"No your not," he growled as he turned to me as I gave him a sly grin. Walking up to him he looked down at me unsure of what to expect as I kissed his cheek.

"I'm going aren't' I?" he was silent in shock for a bit as I put up a huge smile, "Yep that's a yes," I skipped out the door with him storming up behind me as we got dressed and went to save the night