Leonardo was skimming through what was already his third or fourth book of the morning. He has rose at his usual five am, meditated until seven, trained until ten, then showered and had a light breakfast of oatmeal and toast. He wasn't really finding any of the information he desired and it was nearing the time for lunch. Ever since his Father had passed he had been desperately going through all of his notes and books trying to piece together a mystery he happened upon. Odd scrolls that Splinter had kept that he didn't understand and was hoping to piece together with research.

It has been an almost narrow minded obsession for him until a few days ago. His afternoon at the small tea shop April had suggested to him kept dancing around the outskirts of his mind. It was extremely aggravating to him, he hated feeling distracted; but at the same time, it wasn't a bad diversion.

He had gotten very little work done at the shop that day either. As patrons had started to empty out Lea had come to sit with him. They had talked at length about all manner of things. It had been the most unusual encounter he had come across since the Utroms had landed and announced themselves to the world. Which considering the type of adventures Leonardo generally had, really didn't say much about his social skills, if sharing tea with a pretty girl was so unique to him.

He closed his book, giving into the memories wishing to rush back to him for a moment. She had approached with a refill pot to his Jasmine tea. Only this time she had brought a second cup. She was so earnest, so honest. He had to admit to himself that he had never met another human like her. She had no veiled intentions; she was remarkably complex, yet simple at the same time.

She had asked to join him. She was interested in him. It was plain to discern, but he couldn't fathom why. He had no experience having a civilized conversation with a young woman, one on one in this fashion. April didn't count because she was more like another sibling and Shadow didn't count because she was to all accounts his niece. For the start of there conversation the only clear memory he had was how good she smelled. She was wearing a cherry blossom scent, and her eyes were so dark and warm. He could remember the way the light shined off of them almost too clearly.

Then much to his surprise she had asked about his katana. She had listened with rapt attention as he answered her questions. This somewhat confused him, because very few people other then his Sensei and probably Usagi-san would ever listen to one of his long dissertations about his weapons. Yet she appeared genuinely interested. She knew a little herself it seemed. She enjoyed watching Samurai films as much as he did. He scoffed at himself admitting that he did find this adorable.

Letting out a long sigh Leonardo tired to push the memory away, refocus his attention at the task he should be completing and reminded himself he needed to stop acting foolish. But still she lingered. Very few other people had ever treated him like what he said was so important, or that he was so special. He growled frustrated.

"You are never going to leave me alone are you Lea?" He spoke out loud to no one but his own person. He felt defeated in a way, but it wasn't bad. Quiet the contrary something had stirred in his heart. Along with training and attempting to convince himself to continue his research, Leo had spent the last few days trying to sort out his best course to action about this new development. At first he was going to try to ignore the rattled part of his brain; but it had a far louder voice then he had anticipated. Then he had thought that maybe he could push the situation with Lea aside until he solved the issues with the scrolls. Yet that too did not seem to be working very well.

He was finally getting to the point where he had to admit to himself that whatever was happening was not something he was used to and that he needed to meet this new conundrum head on. Figure out what it was about this girl and the way she treated him that had him so unfocused. Rising from his seat he knew what course of action he needed to take next. She had invited him to return to her shop at any point. He had been avoiding doing so, but now it was time. Perhaps seeing her again would wipe away some of this clouded mess and allow him to refocus himself. In the very least it would afford him a nice lunch. With once last glance at the time, he left the lair.

She wasn't there when he arrived. He seated himself, looking around. It was quieter then the other day but it was mid-week this time and most people probably were working. Another server had come over. A young blond girl, who had been sweet but didn't grab his attention in the immediate way Lea had that first day. He ordered a drink and asked if Lea was there, trying to make it sound like a question in passing, suddenly feeling foolish.

"Oh you must be Leonardo." The blond had smiled at him. Only training kept his expression neutral when inside he felt a mixture of pleasure and confusion over the fact that Lea it appears must have mentioned him.

"Yes I am?" Then his thoughts wandered and wondered if he had been talked about in positive fashion or a negative one. His Waitress gave no indication either way except that her attitude reminded pleasant.

"Lea's out with Dean right now, but she should be back any minute actually." The girl politely nodded and went to get his drink. Leonardo sat watching her walk away trying to wrap his mind around what he had just heard.

Lea was out with another man? Probably her boyfriend? It wouldn't surprise him, she was good looking and smart and kind. His brows furrowed, he has been idiotic to not realize she had to have a boyfriend. And he felt even more ridiculous because he felt let down, but why? There was nothing between the two of them but a single conversation. And he had far too much going on in his life for such a blatantly unneeded distraction.

He rose from the table to leave, coming back to this shop had been a mistake and it was one he was certain he would not make again any time soon. His tea forgotten, he felt his head cleared of whatever nonsense had been affecting him, he had work to do. But as he reached the door he came face to face with two familiar dark eyes.

"Leo?" He could have brushed past her, rushed out into the street, but that wasn't in his nature and it would have been rude.

"Hello." He felt awkward and looked around behind her waiting for this "Dean" to come into view.

"Are you leaving?" Lea's head was tilted up looking at him, seemly mystified as to why he was standing in the doorway of her store.

"I, um, forgot something at home." He had always been so clumsy at lying. His Master had never been one to desire himself or any of his Brothers to tell falsehoods, but for some reason this lesson had only stuck with him.

"Oh." Was it his imagination or did she look regretful that he was departing. "Are you coming back after?" Hope filled her expression. "I got some new tea in I wanted you to try. I would have been here when you arrived but Dean needed to go to the Doctors."

He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped. Realizing when she said "Dean" she gestured to the small bag she was carrying over her shoulder. There was a pregnant pause, where they both stood there neither certain what to say.

Finally Leo took the lead. "Who is Dean?" The question was raging through his mind and now he thought he might have been reading everything wrong.

"Oh I'm sorry." Lea giggled. "Dean is my Chihuahua." She shifted the bag so that he could see in the side; a tiny face stared up at him with liquid dew drop eyes. Suddenly the tiny dog showed his teeth at the stranger and barked. "Dean hush!" She soothed the dog in a soft tone and turned back to him smiling. "He needed to go to the vet for some shots today."

"Oh." Leonardo suddenly felt very stupid and once again very out of sorts. He was feeling a lot of things and making a lot of assumptions and he wasn't completely certain why. He had really been hoping coming here would have answered a lot of questions for him; instead it was just making more.

"So did you need to go home to get something?" Lea shifted out of the doorway now, moving over to the side, her eyes never leaving the Turtle in front of her.

"It's not really that important." Leo answered her lamely. He was confused as her face lit up.

"Good! Then you can come up stairs! I need to get Dean settled and I have that tea for you to try!" She was beaming. He looked from the door to her trying to figure out what he was doing.

"Upstairs?" His brows furrowed again.

"Yeah I live above here."

Leo's eye widened ever so slightly. "Oh, I, um…" He hadn't a clue what had just happened or how he had somehow gotten himself invited to her place.

"Come on Leo." She reached out her hand and touched his. Her fingers were soft and warm. "Please?"

"Okay." He couldn't deny the desire in her eyes. And he felt a smile crossing his face to match hers.

"Do you like scones? I have a couple of different kinds, if you want with the tea." She still had his hand and was leading him along through the restaurant.

"I've never had a scone." She paused as a serious expression crossed her face. "Then we will have to change that won't we?" She then broke into a grin and he couldn't explain it, he did to. Following behind her, up some steps towards where she lived. This was progressing in ways he had never expected.