The next few months were the best of Hope's life. The brothers had everything: food, training, TV, fun. She had never felt so at home before. She moved all of her stuff into the sewer and eventually gave up her apartment. For some reason the turtles had plenty of money so she didn't need her job. She handed in her notice and spent her days in the sewer with the boys.

Training was the number one priority, but they never let her get bored. In the evening they'd all settle on front of the TV and feed her pizza. Every night they went out to the surface to scour the city for crimes. Hope worried about them when they left her, but they always returned with some fantastic adventure to tell her.

Over the months Hope grew to love the brothers.

Leonardo, the leader, pushed her hard in training, but she couldn't believe the progress she was making. He was always there to lend an ear when she had worries.

Raphael told her stories of old times and what they got up to with April and Casey. She'd sit in awe as he re-enacted their escapades, sound effects and all. She grew to look up to him as her idol and wished she could be as tough as him some day.

Michelangelo was the baby of the brothers, and she mothered him as best she could. They often stayed up late to read her superhero comics together, bunched up in a blanket on the sofa. He always made her laugh with his terrible jokes, even though he was convinced they were funny.

And then there was Donatello. Her best friend. Her soulmate. The best days were when she could spend time with him in his lab, listening to his scientific ramblings. She'd nod and agree, even though she had no idea what he was talking about. But she could listen to his voice all day. He'd often fall asleep with his head on his desk, and Hope would always bring a blanket to him, and watch him breathing softly as he dreamt.

There was only one problem. There was no way in a million years that this beautiful creature would ever be interested in her. A lowly human.

She knew it could never happen. Why would he, this amazing genius, ever want a girl like her? She wasn't smart in the slightest and she could never keep up with him. Yes, her training was going well, but he had years of experience on her. Plus, he was a turtle. Could he even feel love? Let alone for her?

Hope kept her feelings at bay, she didn't want to ruin any friendship they had, or make things awkward. There were times, though, when Donatello would look into her eyes and smile, and she thought her heart might shatter.