Ch 13

"I sure am glad you and Donnie are back Mikey," Leo was saying as he assisted his younger brother in setting the table, "I've been very anxious about tonight and," He gave a light chuckle, "Well, you know me when it comes to cooking."

"No problem Leo, I am happy to help!" Mikey said excitedly as he placed a bouquet of flowers in the center. He placed a candle on either side of the vase then placed a lighter next to Leo's plate, "I also can't believe you are actually going to go camping tomorrow!" Mikey shook his head, "You've never even been outside the city!"

"Well I am really anxious for this weekend," Leo told him as he placed wine glasses beside each plate, "It's going to be so much fun. And speaking of fun, are you and Donnie going to be able to join Raph and I for Graviturtle's first meet?"

"We are both excited to see it," Mikey responded, "We're also excited to meet this Raphael you keep talking about," He shook his head and laughed, "I thought our honeymoon was exciting but it turns out all the excitement was happening here while we were away."

"I'm sorry Mikey," Leo told him, "I did enjoy hearing about your cruise and everything you did on the island but I was just bursting at the seams to tell you all about him and how you all were right about…." Leo let out an exasperated sigh, "Well… about everything!"

"I'm just glad you're happy Leo," Mikey said. He placed a bucket of ice on the table and walked over toward the refrigerator, "Now the casserole will be done in twenty minutes and don't forget to take the chocolate pie out of the freezer before you sit down for dinner." He put the wine in the ice bucket, "That way it will be thawed and easier to cut."

"Got it," Leo responded as he started the coffee pot, "A beautiful macaroni and cheese with ham casserole, glazed carrots, wine and coffee with chocolate dessert," He sighed contentedly, "I don't know how you come up with these meals Mikey but you know I do love your cooking."

"And I love you bro," Mikey told him. He looked at the clock on the wall, "And I also love my husband so I better get going if I'm going to meet him at the concert," He looked down the hallway toward the bedrooms, "Come on Master Splinter," He yelled, "The concert starts in twenty."

"Do not yell Michelangelo," Splinter scolded as he made his way out of his room, "It is only five minutes to the concert hall, we have plenty of time." He turned to Leo, "Have a wonderful time my son."

"You as well, Sensei," Leo said as he walked them toward the door, "And thanks again for your help, Mikey."

"You're welcome Leo," Mikey responded, "Have fun."

Leo shut the door and looked over at the oven. He noted the timer now showed ten minutes left before he needed to take out the casserole. He walked over to a mirror in the hallway and gave himself a quick once over before heading toward the kitchen. He brought the pie out of the freezer and placed it on the counter to thaw. He was then just about to grab a pair of oven mitts when his doorbell rang.

He smiled in anticipation as he quickly made his way back to the door, "You're ten minutes early Raph," He said as he opened the door. But as the door opened, he let out a gasp of surprise and his smile quickly faded as he took in the figure of a tall petite woman with dark shoulder length hair and sparkling green eyes standing outside his door.

"Hello Leonardo," The woman said with a thick Japanese accent. She stepped inside the apartment and walked toward the kitchen, "Long time no see," She looked around and noted the dining table, "And I guess I can see why."

"Karai?" Leo walked over toward her, "Why are you here?"

Before Karai could respond, a buzzing noise caught their attention, "Since when did you start cooking?" She asked as he quickly grabbed two oven mitts and took the casserole out of the oven.

"Mikey made it for me and my…" Leo looked back at her in uncertainty.

"Your date?" Karai finished as she watched Leo place the dish on a trivet on the table. She noted his movements were slow and awkward. "It has only been two months and you have already replaced me?"

"You haven't answered my question Karai," Leo said as he slowly turned toward her, "Why are you here?"

Karai sauntered over to him, "I have missed you Leonardo," Leo shuddered as she placed her hand inside his shirt and gently ran a finger along his plastron, "Have you not missed me?" She again looked over at the table, "Does this new love of yours make you forget all about the love we shared?"

"Karia," Leo shook his head, "You and I…well," Before Leo could say another word, Karai leaned in and pressed her lips to his.

Leo closed his eyes and leaned into the kiss, allowing it to deepen for several long seconds.

"Well Leonardo," Karai stared at him intently as they slowly pulled apart, "Do you not remember what we meant to each other?"

Leo took a breath and turned away from her. He could feel his heart pound hard in his chest as his emotions seem to swirl within him in turmoil. After a few moments of collecting himself, he took a step away before finally turning back to her.

"Karai," Leo took her hands in his and stared mournfully into her eyes, "I can't keep doing this." He told her, "I'm tired of these games we play and I'm tired of you always putting your father ahead of us."

"I can change Leonardo," Karai insisted as she again moved closer to Leo and pressed her body up against his, "Let me prove myself to you."

"Karai, please…"

Karai again placed her lips on his, "Please Leonardo," Karai begged with a longing in her eyes that made Leo's heart begin aching for her gentle touch, "Tell me you will give us one more chance?"

Leo closed his eyes and hummed softly as he felt her breath ghost over his cheek and his resolve began to crumble, "Karai, please I….I need to tell you something."

"After all we mean to each other," Karai whispered in a sensuous voice as she continued to nuzzle herself against him, "What are you going to tell me?"

"Yeah Leo," A gruff voice said from the entrance to the kitchen, "What are you going to tell her?"

Leo and Karai startled apart and Leo stared horrified at Raphael standing in the kitchen doorway holding a brown paper bag. "Raph, um…" Leo attempted but Raph quickly cut him off.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow at five am sharp," Raph angrily told him as he shoved the paper bag into Leo's hand, "Ya can let me know what you two have decided then," He stomped his way over to the front door of the apartment, "That's if ya still want ta come."

Leo watched in dismay as Raphael angrily turned away and stormed out of the kitchen. "Raph wait, please!" Leo called. He clumsily placed the bag on the table and hurriedly made his way out of the kitchen and out to the front door. But when he got to the hallway of the apartment building, there was no sign of Raphael. Leo sighed and stepped back into his apartment, slowly closing the door.

Footsteps coming up behind him had him turning to see Karai walking over to him with the paper bag Raph had angrily placed in his hands. She opened the bag and pulled out a bottle of wine, "Hmmm," She hummed appreciatively as she read the label, "White French wine," She smiled knowingly at him, "Your friend has good taste." She turned and walked back into the kitchen, "I guess you do need to tell me something after all Leonardo."

Leo nodded and dejectedly walked back into the kitchen and over to the stove. He looked down at the casserole then with a huff, turned back to Karai. "Hungry?"

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Raph stood in his kitchen drinking his coffee and looking over the morning paper when his phone buzzed. He looked down and saw a text from his brother, Casey.

'Leaving in five, be ready.'

Raph huffed in annoyance, 'I'll meet you at the car,' He hastily texted back.

Raph again glanced over the paper, then with a grumble and shake of his head, he grabbed his phone and pressed a button, after a few rings a voice finally answered, "Hey Sid," Raph greeted the other person on the line, "I wanna place a bet."

"No can do Raph," Sid answered, "Spuds says your credit is no good with him."

"If I can place this bet, I can pay him back all the money I owe him," Raph pleaded, "Come on Sid, help a turtle help out."

"I don't know Raph," Sid said in uncertainty.

"How bout ya place the bet for me and I'll pay ya once I get my winnings?"

There was a moment of silence before Sid finally spoke, "Okay Raph, but ya gotta make good on this," Sid told him, "I'm in hot water with Spuds too ya know."

"Yeah okay Sid," Raph told him, "I owe ya one,"

"No, ya owe me several," Sid stated angrily, "Now what's the bet?"

"There's a wrestling match next weekend," Raph told him, "Super Turtles against Dark Turtles." He again looked down at the paper, noting the large advertisement announcing the meet, and feeling a twinge of guilt as he continued to place his bet, "I wanna put ten down on the Dark Turtles."

"The Dark Turtles?" Sid sounded confused.

"Yeah," Raph responded as he stared at the names in the article, "Call it a hunch." He had just hung up the phone when it started to ring. Raph looked at the caller id and huffed, "Ya Casey?" He answered.

"I told ya five minutes Raph," Casey's voice sounded irritated, "What's taken so long?"

"Grrr, I said I'd be there so quit ya whining," He disconnected the call, took a final drink of his coffee then placed his mug into his sink. He was about to walk over to the living room to grab his gear when a knock on his door halted his steps. "Damn it Casey!" He yelled as he went to answer the door, "I said I'd be right down…" Raph stopped and stared in surprise to see Leo standing in front of him.

"I'm not too late," Leo said breathlessly as Raph's eyes took in the blue clad turtle, "Am I?"

Raph stepped back and looked Leo up and down in appreciation, "No Leo," He said with a wide smile, "You're right on time."

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A/N Hello to all my readers, I do hope you are all enjoying the story although I am not seeing much in the way of reviews. Life is getting very busy but I will continue to update whenever I can. Please R&R thanks and peace. :)