Chapter 3! Yep, this is it. A great chapter indeed.
The first few days of the week passed slowly. Heather went to see Leo to check his injuries and feed him some healthy snacks. Especially ones with iron, since she saw the dirt on his beak. But the main reason she came, was to make sure Splinter didn't try anything. And he didn't. He left the little turtle alone.
In the middle of the week, she came back to the apartment in the evening. Steve was waiting, her supper going cold. Heather just sat behind it. Steve stares at her with curiosity as she picks at her plate. She looks up at him as he begins to eat.
"Hey Steve. Have you ever thought to.. you know.." Steve looks up at her inability to talk, "take in a kid?" She finishes slowly. Her mentor and guardian blinks.
"Heather, tell me right now what you have been doing this past week," Steve says. She looks down and away from him.
"I've been.. in the sewers.." She starts, "There's a, family down there. Four boys and their father. I've been taking care of one since he is badly wounded."
"Ah," Steve leans back, more relaxed, "So that is why all the medical questions."
"Yes. At the end of this week, I wanted to take him out of there. Because his injuries were given by his father. He's treated like a slave, Steve! He's seven years old and treated like a slave. He has barely any meat on his bones, he is lacking iron, and is going to be expected to start work again the moment he can move on his own!" Heather bursts out, not being able to contain it. "His other brothers get love and care, but he doesn't. That man is a bully Steve! I can't stand it!" Steve is now at her side, hugging her.
"Okay, I understand we need to do something, but why should we take this boy in? Can't we put him in-"
"I'm sure foster care or an orphanage won't be the best choice for him, Steve. And besides.. he isn't exactly.. normal," Heather says slowly.
"What do you mean? Is he enhanced? Or an inhuman?"
"No no. He's.. um.." Heather can't find the words without blowing the top off Steve's 40's brain. "Here let me show you. I took pictures one of the times I was there." Heather gets up and comes back from her room with the camera. She works backwards. "This is where one of his brothers sleeps," she directs, showing the picture of Mikey's room, "and this is where he sleeps, outside their home." Steve stares at the picture, appalled at the sight.
"Is he picked out because he is different?"
"No, all his brothers are like him. His father is a little different, but they are all.." Heather trails off, "This is Leo," she says, changing the picture. Steve takes the camera from her and walks to the couch. "I believe he and his brothers are all humanoid turtles. Their.. father, is a humanoid rat." Steve stares at the camera more, the look he gives any bully on the street appears on his face. "Please Steve, let me help him. His brothers get care, so they should be alright. But Leo.. he needs to get out of there. That was his blood. His 'toys' as a brother pointed out. He has a mark on his ankle from that chain."
"Heather," Steve looks up, silencing her pleas, "you have a good heart." Heather braces herself for the final part of his decree, "and that is exactly what this boy needs."
"Heather's here!" The usual proclamation one of Splinter's sons says each morning. It is a pain to hear, for it means he has to meet that meddling girl again. He has shown nothing but disdain towards her. She walks in and doesn't even look at him, showing her disdain to him.
"Leo, how are you buddy?" Heather asks as Leo looks up, craning his neck. "Oh, don't do that, it'll make it hurt more." She gently places a hand on his head, lowering it, "Want to see the snack I brought today?"
"You don't have to do this miss, I'll be fine." Heather looks at him. He really wants this, but he doesn't want to mess up.
"Leo, how would you like to get out of here? Out of this Lair, out of the sewer, and no longer be a slave?"
"Miss, that sounds too good to be true," Leo dismisses, looking away.
"I am serious Leo. I'm not going to leave here tomorrow knowing that you have to do this for the rest of your life. If you truly want to leave, this is your chance."
"Leo's leaving?" Mikey asks, walking in. Heather looks at him.
"He can't work, even if he can walk. He'll end up getting hurt again." From Splinter, or from moving. Both are likely in the future. "He needs a better life than this."
"But we all need him!" The little turtle cries.
"I promise you Mikey, that if Leo leaves, it will not be the last time you see him. I know what it is like to lose my family, the pain of it." The other two walk in as she is saying this, "Splinter may not be his family, but you all are."
"Wait, how is that possible?" Donnie asks. Heather smiles at him.
"Because family is the people that love you no matter what. They don't have to be related to you, look like you, or share your blood. You all care about Leo, but Splinter does not."
"I can set up a Skype account. We can see him that way."
"That would be perfect Donnie." Heather looks back at Leo, "What do you say buddy? Ready to leave tomorrow?" Leo acquires a ghost of a smile and nods. Heather turns to the three others, "Don't tell your father, okay? I'll be here to pick him up tomorrow."
"Why not today?" Mikey asks.
"Because he shouldn't be moved to tomorrow. Bye guys, see you tomorrow."
"Are you ready for this Heather?" Steve asks, "A child is a big responsibility."
"Steve. He needs me. I'd take him in even if I wasn't." Steve looks at Heather, giving her the you-know-what-I-mean look. "But yes, I am ready." She places the knife in her boot and her shield on her back.
"Do you really need your full uniform?"
"This rat is a ninjutsu master, Steve. He won't let me waltz out the door with his so-called servant. Besides," Heather crosses her arms with authority, "I like a good entrance."
"Okay, don't forget your helmet."
In the early morning, Heather and Steve ride in the truck to the river. She jumps down and maneuvers her way through the tunnel at break neck speed. She stops at the stairs and takes one peek at the blood Splinter never bothered to clean up.
'Never again,' she vows. She steps in and sees the three boys. "Hello everybody," she says, her voice more commanding and important. Raph first turns his head. He lightly punches Donnie in the arm to get his attention. Before he can protest, he sees Heather in her full red, white, and blue gear and gasps. Mikey then turns around and a big grin plasters itself on his freckled face.
"You didn't tell us you were a superhero!?" He cheers with glee. Splinter comes out at his youngest's cries and sees Heather as Country Lass. She looks at him.
"Who are you?" He asks.
"I'm here for Leo," she says. Splinter stands up straighter.
"You will not take him." Heather reaches into her belt and takes out a wallet like object. She walks over to him and shows him her badge.
"I am an Avenger." Mikey gasps behind her, "And you will step aside, now." Splinter growls, threatening her to move, "You have no right to abuse him so. Step aside."
"You will not mock me girl." Heather flips him over and presses a hand to his chest so he can't get up.
"I am a super soldier, rat. I protect those that need me. And right now, he needs me." Splinter struggles, but can't lift her off of him. "So back away. I don't want your sons to witness anything messy," Heather threatens quiet enough that the turtles can't hear her. "Understand?"
The rat doesn't move. Heather stares it into his human-like brown eyes, daring him to try something. When he doesn't, she gets off of him in a final push to his chest and goes to Leo. She brushes her hand over his temple and cheek. "Hey buddy, ready to go?" Leo opens his eyes to her soft voice and nods before falling back asleep. Heather picks him up, one arm against his carapace, the other supporting his knees. She hugs him close and lifts him with ease. Splinter is just getting up when she exits the room, looking at Leo like a mother to her lost child.
"You will not take him!" Splinter charges her. Without dropping Leo, she turns and kicks Splinter in the face, knocking him to the ground. Then she turns back and walks out. She gets about halfway to the exit, when Leo opens his eyes again.
"Have you ever been to the surface?" She asks him, losing all the authority with one glance. He shakes his head, "Well, you'll like it." It is still dark out, so she walks out unseen and back up the slope to the truck. She holds Leo close as he shivers from the cold. "Almost there."
Steve sees them and opens the passenger door for her. He isn't wearing his uniform, but a plaid shirt and jeans. Heather steps in and the door closes behind her. Leo curls up in her lap, wincing a little. While she was gone, Steve had cranked the heater. So the air was warm and cozy.
"Hello. You must be Leo," Steve says as he clicks his belt in. Leo opens his eyes and looks at Steve curiously, "My name is Steve. I'm Heather's guardian." He holds his hand out and Leo backs away.
"Leo, look, he won't hurt you." Heather gently lifts Leo's three fingered hand and steps it into Steve's. Steve shakes it, in a slow motion up and down. "That's one way to say hello." Leo looks at Heather and yawns. She rubs his shell. "Get some sleep Leo. We'll be home soon."
She has authority to kick Splinter's butt! And she would have too.. if it weren't for the little kids depending on him.