Still that morning, just a bit later.
In Crystal Angelica's Fanfic, she has it where he can't move for a few weeks. On here, I had it be a little different. I'm no doctor, but at least he can't walk on his own.
Heather takes Leo's empty plate and puts it in the sink along with her bowl. Leo told her he can wash the dishes, but she insisted that he allow her to, since he is too injured to do anything. Leo was happy with her answer, but asked nonetheless. Heather turns on the water and takes up the soap, keeping a trained eye on Leo, looking at the tree again. "You like Christmas?"
"This year was our first Christmas," Leo says, "It's all very pretty, but I've learned that Christmas is bad." Heather looks at him in surprise.
"Why?"
"Slaves don't celebrate Christmas."
"Leo," Heather walks over after drying her hands. "Christmas is so important, for everybody." She picks him up and sets him in her lap. "Do you know the story?"
"What story?" Leo asks. Heather chuckles.
"The Christmas story." Leo shakes his head, "Well, a long time ago, there lived a king. And the king decided he wanted to know how many people lived in his land. So he had everyone travel to the city they were raised in to take count."
"That sounds weird," Leo interjects. Heather just smiles fondly at him.
"It was very different times then. Anyway, a man named Joseph and his new wife Mary went to Bethlehem, because that is where he was raised. Before they set out, Mary was pregnant-"
"What does that mean?"
"It means she's going to have a baby. They traveled a long time and when they finally got to Bethlehem, no one would give them shelter."
"Why not?" Leo asks, "That is mean. Aren't there nice people in Bethlehem?"
"I'm sure there are. But remember Leo, they aren't the only ones going to the city. The houses and inns had no room for anyone else. But this one innkeeper said they could stay in his barn with the animals."
"What!? A barn!?" Leo exclaims. Heather chuckles at his outburst.
"There, Mary's baby was born. That is the day we call Christmas."
"So, we celebrate the birth of a baby? Why is it so special?"
"I didn't tell you the very beginning. You see, an angel came to Mary long before she was married to Joseph and was told she would have a baby. Joseph was told the same thing. They were told to name him Jesus and that the baby is going to be the savior of the world someday."
"Was he?" Leo asks, eager to hear what happens.
"He was and he did. His birthday wasn't celebrated the same as how we celebrate Christmas now, but some things are the same. Like, he got presents. Gold, frankincense, and mer. Aand.. he had people around him. There were wise men and shepherds. And the animals. There wasn't a star on top of a tree, but there was a big one in the sky!"
"Ooh!" Leo says, "How did he save the world Heather?" Heather pats his shell.
"I'll tell you at Easter." Heather brings Leo over to the Nativity scene they have in the corner.
"Is that what it looked like?" Leo says. Heather nods. Leo picks up a sheep. "What is this?"
"That is a sheep." Leo studies it before putting it back in its place and picking up one of the figurines. "And that is a wiseman. See? He's holding the gold out for baby Jesus."
"Master Splinter said that I can't celebrate Christmas. I'm-"
"You can't call yourself a slave anymore, Leo."
"But the story isn't for me!"
"Leo, he saved the world for everybody. Even you. He saved the world with you in mind."
"How?"
"Because Leo, his daddy is the creator of everything."
"Joseph?"
"No, not Joseph. Mary was going to have a baby before she was married to Joseph."
"Then.. how did she have the baby?" Heather kisses his forehead.
"I'll tell you when you are older. But remember Leo, you are special and precious."
"Heather, where's my blanket?" Leo asks as he sits on the couch, holding a camel from the nativity scene.
"I put it in the wash, I'll be right back." Heather gets up and goes to retrieve the rag like blanket he was wrapped in. When she comes back, Leo looks at the clean blanket and reaches for it. "Leo, say please."
"Uh, please?" Heather hands it over. Leo crushes it close to him. Heather sits next to him and picks up the remote.
"What would you like to watch?" Heather asks. Leo looks at the blank tv. "Would you like me to pick?" Leo nods.
"Wait.. is there something about the story?" Leo asks suddenly. Heather turns on the tv and clicks through the guide, finding what she was looking for.
"It will start in a half an hour. What would you like to do until then?"
"Is there any cleaning.. or-"
"How about we read a book," Heather interrupts, getting his mind off of chores. She puts her finger up, like she got an idea, "there were some in your room right?" Leo nods. "I'll go get them." Heather gets up. Leo is still baffled by that statement.
'My room. I have a room.' Leo smiles, 'this is all too good to be true! Yet I'm not dreaming!'
"Okay, we have the Ugly Duckling, Curious George Adventures, and Dr. Seuss' ABC book," Heather says, coming back into the room. She reads each book to Leo, showing him the pictures and helping him with basic words. Then she checks his bruises and his head.
"Where's Mr. Steve?" Leo asks. Heather looks around.
"I guess he went to work."
"What does he do?"
"He.. is a protector. He and his team keep the world safe."
"But didn't the baby in the story already save the world?" Heather was not ready for this question.
"..Well, he saved the world in a different sense. But the people are still bad in the world and Steve and his team stop them from doing bad things."
"Like Master Splinter?"
"Yes Leo, like Master Splinter." Heather finishes the check up and turns the tv back on to start the movie. As Leo has his eyes glued to the story, Heather goes to the phone and dials the number of a trusted friend.
=Hello?=
"Hello, Dr. Cho? This is Heather."
=Hello Heather, how are you?=
"I am good. But I have someone I'd like for you to take a look at."
=A patient? Heather I'm not just some doctor you can call on whenever-=
"Helen," Heather interrupts, "This one is special. You know about human and reptile anatomy right?"
=That is correct.=
"Can you swear that you won't do anything but give him a checkup?"
=Yes Heather, now what is it?=
".." Heather pauses for a moment, "Come to the apartment at eleven. And bring your bag."
"Hello little one," Dr. Cho says when she sees Leo behind the couch. He sees her gentle face, but freezes when he sees the bag at her side.
"Leo, come say hi. Dr. Cho needs to give you a check up. You'll be safe, I'm right here." Leo takes Heather's hand and she carefully pulls him up so he's standing on the couch. She picks him up and Leo starts to shrink into his shell.
"Leo, is it?" Dr. Cho asks. Leo looks up at her and nods. "I want to help you... Will you let me?"
"... Yes ma'am.." he whispers. Heather sits at the counter and Leo is sat on top of it. Dr. Cho opens her bag and starts.
"How old are you?" She asks. Leo looks at Heather.
"Would you like me to answer?" Leo nods. "Okay buddy, he's seven."
"Where has he been living?"
"In the sewers." When Dr. Cho stares at Heather with shock, she tells the doctor a brief summary of what she knows about Leo. He sits there and would have started to freak out if a hand on his carapace wasn't soothing him.
"That all explains it. He's malnourished, to put it lightly," the doctor says, writing down a list. "These foods have the nutrition that Leo requires. I advise you start with a little food at a time to not over work his stomach. Make sure he drinks a minimum of three or four glasses of water a day and takes this," Dr. Cho hands Heather a bottle of pills, "Once a day for a week to keep headaches at bay. Preferably during the same meal. I'll be back at the end of the week. Change his bandages every two days and apply this cream," Heather takes it from the doctor, "each time. It will help with infection and swelling."
"Thank you doctor," Heather looks at Leo, "Leo, can you say thank you to Dr. Cho?"
"... Thank you.."
"Good job. I'll show you to the door, doctor." Dr. Cho and Heather go to the front door, but she has one last thing to say.
"There is one more thing he needs that isn't on the prescription." Heather looks at her, waiting, "tender loving care."
"Will do doctor, thanks again for coming."
Christmas story and a visit from the doctor. Dr. Helen Cho is from Age of Ultron. I needed a doc, so I used her.
I believe in the Christmas story, therefore, my OC does too.
I'm going to post the next chapter too. Crystal Angela, I'm taking your advice, but.. I couldn't stop writing.