Ch 10

As Leo drove through the streets of New York City, his mind thought back on the talks he had had with his family and Graviturtle. Although he had enjoyed his time with his new friend, he couldn't help but wonder what it was he was missing in his life. What could make him happy like his brother and new brother-in-law?

Though his eyes were on the road, his mind was filled with visions of the past and before he knew it, he was on the highway. A short time later he found himself taking an off-ramp then ten minutes later pulling into a vaguely familiar parking lot.

"The Great Steak Roadhouse Restaurant," Leo muttered as he stared at the building curiously, "I did have fun there," He admitted to himself. As he started to climb out of the SUV a familiar voice could be heard talking softly a short distance away. Leo followed the voice over to where a familiar red clad turtle was talking with another turtle.

Their voices were low and soft and as Leo watched, he felt a strange longing come over him as he saw the two lean in and kiss tenderly for several seconds. After, Leo saw one step back while the other got himself into a red jeep then drove off while the other watched, and to Leo, the turtle seemed rather dejected. It wasn't until the jeep was finally out of sight when the turtle turned away and started walking back to the entrance of the restaurant.

"Hey Raph," Leo called as the large turtle walked past him.

Raph startled and turned to see Leo walking over to him, "Hey Leo," He smiled and looked him up and down, "What are you doing here?" He nodded toward Leo's clothes, "And looking like you're going to a fancy dance or something?"

Leo stopped and looked down at the tuxedo he was still wearing. He blushed and chuckled as he undid his bow tie, "I was at a wedding," He told him, "My brother and his fiance got married earlier today and I just never got around to changing my clothes after the ceremony."

Raph nodded at his explanation, "Well ya look nice," He nodded toward the restaurant, "Much too nice for dis place." He rubbed the back of his head nervously as he looked around, "And I uh…I was just saying goodbye to my date and was going back in ta use the phone to call a cab but uh…" He took his wallet out of his back pocket and opened it to show Leo it was completely empty, "I don't suppose you'd care to give me a ride home?" He asked hopefully.

Leo looked at Raph dumbfounded, "You were going to call a cab but you have no money for one?" He questioned.

"Well, I have money at ma place," He explained as the two started toward Leo's SUV, "But not all cabbies are willing to give ya a ride if they think ya won't pay before getting out of their cab."

Leo nodded at that explanation, "I understand that," He told him as he unlocked his car, "OK Raph, Hop in," Leo said, "And tell me how to get there."

With a relieved sigh, Raph jumped in and a moment later Leo was heading back toward the highway toward Raph's apartment.

"So how are things going for you and your new date?" Leo asked.

"Not so good," Raph admitted, "When I said we were saying goodbye," Raph sighed heavily, "It was for good."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Raph," Leo said sympathetically.

Raph shrugged, "It's okay," He muttered, "I have to admit, I'm actually not that upset over it."

"Really," Leo glanced at him curiously, "May I ask why?"

"Grid, that's his name," Raph said, "Was great and all but for some odd reason, I couldn't help but feel like I was dating maself." Raph shrugged, "I mean, we like the same things and we're both rough and tough but it all just felt so weird," Raph shook his head, "So we finally agreed that it wasn't working out and decided to just be friends," Raph looked at Leo in surprise when he heard him laugh, "Something funny about that?" He demanded.

"No and I'm sorry Raph," Leo said as Raph instructed him to take the next left, "It's just that I also just broke up with the person I've been dating since June and when you mentioned that it felt like you were dating yourself, I couldn't help but think that's how I've been feeling when I was with Graviturtle."

Now it was Raph's turn to laugh, "Graviturtle?" Raph sneered, "What kind of name is that?"

Leo chuckled lightly, "It's actually his stage name," He explained, "His real name is Grayson but he's a wrestler so he wanted something unique."

"He's a wrestler huh?" Raph pointed toward a building, "That's my apartment building over there." Leo maneuvered the car toward the curb in front of the building Raph had indicated. "That's a funny coincidence," Raph continued, "Grid is a wrestler too, in fact his stage name is Griddex and he even has a younger brother who is part of his team and goes by the name of Blobboid but his real name is Bobby."

Leo put the car in park and looked at Raph in awe, "Wow," He muttered, "Graviturtle has a younger brother too and his name is Shellectro but his real name is Sheldon," Leo shook his head in amazement, "That's an awful lot of coincidences," He looked at Raph in amusement, "What's the name of the gym Grid goes to?"

"I think it's called the Super Mutant Wrestling Gym or something like that and it's owned by someone named Dumb or Dune…"

"Dunn," Leo interrupted, "Darius Dunn and that is the same gym Graviturtle and Shellectro are now a part of." Leo rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "It really is a weird coincidence."

"Say Leo," Leo looked at Raph with raised eye-ridges, "It's not that late, how about coming up to ma apartment and having that beer I offered you a while back?"

Leo looked at the clock on his dashboard, "It's only eight o'clock," He noted then nodded, "Sure Raph, I'd love a beer."

He turned off the car then followed Raph toward the side of the building. As they walked toward the side entrance, Leo couldn't help but notice the front showed a store of some type.

"What kind of store is that?" Leo asked.

"It's an antique store," Raph answered as he pulled out a set of keys, "It's owned by my sister-in-law April." They stopped in front of a door and Raph pointed to another door further down the hallway, "Her family owns the building and her old man used to run the store." He explained as he opened the door, "But after he passed away, her mom moved to Florida and gave the store and the building to April and her sister." He motioned for Leo to come into the apartment and have a seat, "But her sis went to college in California and decided to stay out there to pursue her career so April gets to take care of everything, with a little help from ma bro of course." He walked over to the fridge, opened it and pulled out two beers. After handing one over to Leo, he gestured to the living room where the two sat on a couch.

"So you live off your brother and his wife?" Leo asked.

"Actually ma bro, Casey, and I own an auto repair shop that's right around the corner," Raph said as he grabbed a remote and turned on the TV, "That's how I make my living," He looked at Leo curiously, "How bout you? What do you do?"

Leo settled back against the couch cushion and took a sip of his drink, grimacing slightly as the strong bitter taste ran down his throat, "I'm a martial artist," he began, watching as Raph flipped through the channels, "My dad owns a dojo a few blocks from where we live and when he decides to retire, I'm going to take over for him."

"Cool," Raph said as he turned his attention to the TV, "Waddaya like to watch?"

"Whatever you can find is fine by me," Leo answered.

"Oh here's a good one," Raph said excitedly. He put the remote down then settled back with his beer, "It's a western called Rio Gato."

"Rio Gato?" Leo settled back to watch the film, "Never heard of it."

"You are gonna love it," Leo looked at Raph and smiled at his enthusiasm, "It's about a young gun slinger seeking fame by taking out a respected sheriff and," Raph stopped and looked at Leo with a red face, "Well, uh, just watch the movie and you'll see."

As the movie was drawing to an end, Raph watched in amusement as Leo leaned forward in anticipation of the outcome, his eyes glued to the screen. He let out a startled gasp as the character falls dead from a gun shot.

"Wow!" Leo exclaimed and turned toward Raph, "You weren't kidding, that movie was amazing."

"Didn't I tell ya?" Raph said as he started cleaning up the bottles, "Best movie Hollywood has ever come out with."

"Here let me help you," Leo offered as he picked up a bowl that held popcorn and two other smaller bowls that had ice cream.

He followed Raph into the kitchen, "I can take care of the dishes if you like," He said as Raph begins to pour water and dish soap into the sink.

"Nah, it's okay Leo, I"m sure you probably want to get home." Raph tells him. He places the popcorn bowl into the soapy water.

"No Raph, it's okay," Leo attempts to wash the bowl but Raph gently pushes his hand away.

"You're ma guest and ma mama didn't raise me to impose on my guest," Raph tells him.

"Well my dad says that when I'm a guest I should always offer to help clean up," Leo gently gives Raph a shove to push him away from the sink in an attempt to get to the dishes.

"And I said it wasn't necessary," Raph states a little more sternly.

"And I said I don't mind," Leo retorts back just as sternly.

As the two turtles attempt to grab onto the bowl, it accidentally slips from their hands and lands in the water with a splash causing water to spill onto Leo's shirt.

"Hey, this is rented!" Leo tells him.

"Ha, I told you not to…" Before Raph can say another word, Leo throws water at his face, "What the!?" Raph glared at Leo before taking water in his hands and tossing it at Leo who quickly ducks. Before long the two are having a water fight and getting completely soaked.

"You're not playing fair Raph," Leo says, in between laughter, as Raph graps onto the sprayer and begins to shower Leo with spray.

"Just trying to rinse ya off there Leo," Raph says as he laughs hard while Leo attempts to take the sprayer from him.

As the two grapple while enjoying their water fight, the floor becomes covered with water causing them to fall with Leo landing on top of Raph. As they start to calm down, Raph brings his hand behind Leo's head and gently pulls him down in a passionate kiss.

As the kiss deepens, Leo lets out a churr but after a moment, Leo suddenly pulls back and stares at Raph with a surprise look. Raph watches in bewilderment as Leo suddenly jumps up and runs into the living room to grab his jacket and tie, "I'm ah, I"m sorry Raph," Leo stutters as he races toward the door, "But you're right, it is getting late and I do need to get home."

"Leo wait," Raph grabbed his arm before he could leave, "What's wrong? What's the matter?"

"I um..." Leo looked at Raph and shook his head, confusion filling his eyes, "I... I, uh, just have to go."

"But Leo, I thought you wanted to…"

"I'm sorry Raph," Leo says quickly as he walks out of the apartment, "I'll call you."

"But Leo, what'd I'd do wrong?!" Raph watched in dismay as Leo quickly walked down the hall, toward the stairs and out of sight. A moment later, feeling completely confused over what just happened, he finally closes his door.