During his morning meditation while trying to clear his mind, one idea kept coming back to Leonardo; a quote he often came across in the books on philosophy his Father had given him "change is the only constant." It was probably one of the truest lessons he had gotten out of life. The last couple of months had been such an easy routine for him. Working for the Utroms, occasionally assisting the Foot; He hadn't even had the responsibility of looking after his Brothers. Both Don and Mike were now gone for weeks at a time, doing their own projects for the Utroms. Raphael, he hadn't seen or heard from in months. Not since their big falling out.
Once or twice a week, he would find himself visiting April and Casey, with the lair empty almost all the time now Leo actually found he got a little bit lonely sometimes. The major bulk of his life was taken up with the questions that had been left for him by his Sensei; All of the papers and notes he went through daily trying to come to some meaning behind the odd scrolls in the language he had never seen before. For quiet sometime this had been very fulfilling for him. He had a mission, an objective and all of the work kept his mind occupied. All of this had changed when Lea entered his life.
He suddenly found his routine changing. He was stopping into her shop almost daily now. His tight knit little world, for so long always filled with the same people suddenly was expanding. Lea was opening up her life to him, as he found himself getting closer to her; He also found he was becoming familiar with her staff. They talked to him like he was another person. They told about their lives and in return asked questions about his. Leonardo had even learned all of their names. He was never certain if anything was said out of his presence, but in front of him, he was always treated with the highest level of respect. It was completely different from living in the shadows like he had done his entire life.
Spending time with Lea had also made Leo realize he could classify every woman he had spent time with in his life prior to her into four categories: Family, victim, super-human or enemy. Lea was clearly none of these. She was his friend, but in a very different way then April was. When she touched him, which the more often they spent time together the more frequent it became. He always felt this uncontrollable surge of emotion, and Leonardo found he finally had to admit to himself that he was attracted to Lea.
Regardless of this "brave new world" the Utroms had dropped Leo and his Brothers in, it didn't alter the fact he was still a mutant Turtle. He could take down entire complex criminal organizations by himself, but he wasn't certain how to handle whatever was happening between him and this woman he had grown so fond of. Lea on the other hand was beautiful, vibrant and full of life. He was certain if she did feel anything for him, and much to dismay he had to admit to himself that she did in fact care about him in some fashion. They were both just too different for it to grow past the place they were at right now.
He wasn't about to start kidding himself and he realized at this juncture it just wasn't that important. He had a job to do today and sitting and reflecting on all these emotions wasn't going to get that task completed. The Utroms were setting up a public press conference at one of the news buildings in Rockefeller Center. He had been asked as a "security consultant" to come and check out the layout of the area and see if he deemed it safe; Mostly Leo just though the Utroms trusted and enjoyed having the Turtles around because they had worked together so much over the course of the years. His employment for the day should be his focus and everything else could wait until later.
Leonardo had given up on wearing disguises a few weeks after the Utroms had landed. At first it had been annoying for people to stare at him, but now either he was getting used to it, or the public was getting more use to off worlders because he didn't notice it as much. Still he preferred to travel by roof top on foot, Leo has and always will be a creature of habit.
Arriving at the building and checking in with some of the Foot security the Utroms have there for themselves Leonardo is surprised when he hears a familiar voice. "Leo?" He's being called from a distance away and turning he sees his Brother Donatello pushing his way towards him.
"Donny? When did you get home?" Leonardo doesn't have to fake the smile that is spreading across his face. It was genuinely really good to see one of his missing Brothers.
"We flew in this morning. I was actually about to head home when I was told you were going to be here today. I figured I would head over here and check in with you. What's going on?" Don looked around at all the figures buzzing around the two of them, preparing every detail for the next day.
"The Utroms are trying to work on public relations. They are having a lot of trouble connecting with the bulk of the populace and it seems like everyday one or two new hate groups are popping onto the radar. They want to have a sort of town hall type meeting tomorrow. I am checking out the area for them making certain it looks secure." Leonardo had to side step a few different beings as they dashed by the Turtles towards whatever there destination was.
"Sounds like a lot has been going on while I've been in South America," Donatello sighed. "You want to walk with me for a bit Leo. I could really use a cup of coffee, I don't think I have gotten a full nights sleep in over a week." Leonardo could easily see the fatigue in his Brothers demeanor, but had been going to allow Don to bring up what was weighing on him. It pleased Leo to know it wasn't going to be a difficult struggle between them for the information, and that Don really seemed to just want to talk.
"Yeah there's a Starbucks right down the way." The two fell into step together, walking side by side.
"So have you gotten used to walking down the street with all the normal people yet?" Don had a smirk on his face and Leo side glanced at his Brother before sharing it. Don pushed open the door to the building they were in, both Turtles stepped through before continuing.
"Lately I find myself comfortable with things I never thought I would be." Leonardo looked away and cleared his throat. Nearly missing the curious look Don gave him at his choice of words. "So what has been causing you all these sleepless nights Don?" Leo just didn't think he was quiet ready to share what had been going on in his life with his Brother yet.
"I would say this is going to sound weird," Donatello paused and smiled again. "But this is us of course. We found intelligent dinosaurs. They attacked us, it took us a week to repair our space craft and get back here. Now we are trying to regroup and figure out our…" Don paused looking over to the right past his Brother. "Leo are those girls waving at us?"
Leonardo sighed to himself, hesitant to look at where his brother was indicating. As he did he felt a moment of minor panic. He did know the two woman across the way in front of a small pastry shop; their names where Mairead and Elaine and they both worked for Lea.
"Probably," Leonardo cleared his throat. "I am familiar with both of them." Leo returned a small wave and with a sigh knew his two different worlds he had built up for himself were about to collide together. "We should go over and say hello." Like his feet were lined with lead Leonardo started to cross over to the confectionary store. Don followed his expression somewhere between baffled and amused.
"Wow Leo, apparently I took the wrong assignment going down to the Jungle." Don's voice was full of good natured ribbing, but Leonardo could not stop the glare that crossed his face as he looked at his Brother.
"It's not like that Donatello. I go to the tea shop they work at a lot." Leo didn't explain any further, even as he could tell his Brother was studying him. Donatello was the most observant of his family after himself and Leonardo knew he would be kidding himself if he thought Don wouldn't pick up on something. Even as Leo had to admit to himself he wasn't even really certain what there was to center in on.
"Hello Leo! Surprised to see you in this part of the city." At their approach Mairead was the first one to speak up. Out of everyone at the shop, Lea was closest to Mairead. Leonardo appreciated her forward and honest nature, but was sometimes intimidated by the fact he knew the two women talked about him when he wasn't around and he couldn't be certain what Mairead actually thought about him.
"I am just doing some work today for the Utroms." It wasn't a secret that he was helping the off worlders and without providing any information about his reasonability's that afternoon he felt he was following protocol. There was a pregnant pause between the two groups. It only took Leo a moment to see the two girls were both looking at Don and then him expectedly awaiting Leonardo to carry out an introduction.
"This is my Brother, Donatello by the way." Leo felt himself falter unused to this type of social situation. "Don this is Mairead and Elaine." He gestured to each person as he related there name. Mairead extended her hand smartly and smiled.
"It's nice to meet you Donatello. Elaine and I work at Lea's shop, which is how we met your brother." It was part of a means of greeting, but Leo flinched watching Donny's brow furrow at the mention of Lea's name. What was said by Mairead to bring association between the parties had instead just confused Don more, as Leonardo hadn't had the chance to actually tell Don about his new friend yet.
"You'll have to excuse me, I just got back from a trip; but I don't know who Lea is and I have the feeling I am missing something in this conversation." Don shook Mairead's extending hand returning her welcoming gesture, but glancing over at his Brother in question. Leonardo felt himself shuffle in place. Leo hated being put on the spot, probably more then almost anything else and at this moment, he felt like everyone around him was studying him like he was under a microscope.
"The tea shop I was telling you about Don, it's run by a woman named Lea. She has become my… friend." Leo wasn't certain why he felt hesitation to tell his Brother this, but he felt like he was exposing some part of himself for public view. Glancing up Leonardo's eyes met Mairead's and he saw a calculating look there. Much to his displeasure he felt the distinct feeling she believed he had erred in judgment.
"Leonardo spends a lot of time at our little shop now. It's been an interesting experience for all of us to get to know one another. Though I am getting this feeling that some of us have more invested in it then others do." Leonardo didn't miss the veiled threat in Mairead's tone that time. He had definitely done something wrong and he knew at this moment he wasn't certain how to fix it.
Don studied Leo for a moment, his Brother might appear like a blank slate to people who didn't know him well but after over thirty years of living together everyday he could see fluctuation in facial muscles, movement in Leonardo's eyes that all indicated how he was feeling. Donatello could see at this moment, he usually very stoic Brother was at a bit of a loss. Don realized that all kidding aside a lot had been happening to his older Brother while he was gone.
"It was nice meeting both of you," Donatello tired to steer the conversation away from the path it was on. "But Leo and I should probably get going; I am in serious need of a good cup of coffee." Don watched the shorter woman continue to consider his Brother and Leonardo just look confused.
"Are you stopping by the shop tonight?" If nothing else Don had to give this girl credit, she didn't back down from her opinions. She clearly was not impressed with the way Leonardo was handling his relationship with her friend and Don would be lying if he didn't admit he was really curious just what was happening.
"Probably not until closer to close, I have a lot of work to do today." Leo watched the challenge in her expression and he blinked. Mairead was usually quiet polite to him and he couldn't understand why she was suddenly being so hostile.
"Why don't you bring your Brother along too, I am certain Lea would love to meet him." With her tone and words it was then it clicked for Leonardo, Mairead was frustrated with him. She thought he didn't want his family to know about Lea; and she was protecting her friend much the same way he might do for his Brothers.
"If Donatello would like to come along…?" He glanced over at the other Turtle.
"I don't have any other plans." Donatello tried to sound disinterested but Leo could see through that ruse.
"We'll see you later then." Leonardo bowed slightly, happy to be getting away from the uncomfortable situation presented to him. Don also exchanged farewells with the two woman and the Turtles made their exit once again heading for the coffee shop down the way.
The two men walked in silence for a few moments before finally Donatello's curiosity got the best of him. "So do you care to explain what all of that was about?" Leonardo sighed deeply. Looking up towards the sky for a moment, trying to reason out in his head just what he wanted to say.
"I made a new friend. Only she is more then that, but not. Honestly Don I don't know what to tell you because I'm not completely certain what situation I'm in." Leonardo could hear the thick frustration in his voice. Fighting had always seemed so uncomplicated. It was victory or death. This relationship or whatever it was he found himself in, it was so multi-layered and involved so many things he didn't understand.
"You visit her everyday?" Leo's eyes found their way back to his Brother's face both for his question and from the tone of Don's voice.
"Yes, I do." Leonardo wasn't certain what Donny was getting at.
"Well I'm no expert on these matters mind you, but then it sounds serious to me." Don shrugged. Thinking this was probably a conversation Leo should be having with Mike or even better April.
"How serious can it really be Donatello? I mean I'm a mutant Turtle and she's quiet obviously not." Leo paused in his walking as his Brother suddenly stopped, just staring at him for a moment.
"You really do like her? Don't you Leo?" Don's tone was surprised. Leonardo pulled himself up to his full height, clearing his throat, looking at the ground for a moment before looking back up at Donatello.
"Everything has changed so much in this last year Donny. I don't know what to think anymore." That was the closest Don thinks he had come to actually seeing his older Brother admit he didn't know what to do in a long time. Leo was always the guy with the plan, with the answer to the seemly unasked question. And ever since their Father had passed Leo had been placing extra pressure on himself. Like he was trying to compensate for the missing piece of their family puzzle, sometimes, Don thought it was good to see that Leonardo really was "just human"; Or as much of one as a mutated Turtle could be.
"Well how about I finish giving you all the minutiae about the jungle, and we can continue this conversation after I meet this woman tonight and have all the details for myself?" Don watched Leo relax as he realized the spot light was getting taken off of his current emotional state.
"That sounds fair." The Starbucks was within eyesight of where they were standing, the Brother continued walking towards it.
"And maybe you can give me some more details about what is going on with the Utroms here in the city?" Donatello was also interested to know how the human aggression against the off worlders was going. Opening the door to the coffee shop the two Brothers were already deep in conversation.