The next day, Donatello was at a loss as he watched Aria panic all morning. She was rushing to make sure everything was ready for his brothers and seemed to struggle with the fact that he forbade her from buying them any gifts.

"You don't have to worry so much. My brothers like you just fine." Donatello said with a smile as Aria sat in a pile of clothes inside her walk-in closet.

"B-but…it's important!" Aria insisted as she fumbled through the outfits she'd brought down to pick through. "Raphael isn't even coming with them, isn't that a bad sign? Does he not enjoy my company? I should have made more of an effort to speak with him about things he enjoys…" she groaned, "…I knew he would be the most difficult one…"

Donatello chuckled a bit, "Ari, it's fine. Raphael just does his own thing most of the time. It doesn't mean anything."

Aria stared up at Donatello with a smile now, "…I like when you call me Ari…" she admitted happily, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink.

Honestly, Donatello hadn't even realized he'd been doing that, but the look on her face made his heart jump inside his chest. "Y…yeah…?" He mumbled bashfully.

She nodded her head, "it makes me feel like we're closer than before."

The turtle thought for a moment. Were they closer? He hadn't realized that had happened either, but Aria wasn't wrong. The more he remembered, the more being around her felt natural. It really was just an odd feeling to fall into this backward. Still, it didn't change the fact that he wasn't used to receiving so much affection from a girl or that he might have to let her go later on. "…I…used to call you that all the time…" he mumbled again.

"Mhm…" Aria hummed happily as she stood from the pile and made her way to him with a violet dress dress in hand. "…and it made me very happy each and every time you said it. Though I guess…no matter how you say my name…I'll be happy."

Donatello swallowed back a lump in his throat as Aria spoke. "I-I should let you get dressed," he gulped, turning on his heel to leave before he did something stupid. However, he was stopped when Aria grabbed his hand, forcing him to look back.

"Won't you help me?" She asked softly.

His heart jumped again. "Uh—! I—-!"

With pleading eyes, she looked up at the turtle, her lips pouting just a bit, "…please?"

He knew she was doing this on purpose, but how could he refuse her when she looked like this? "…o-okay…"

The smile returned to her face immediately. "If it helps…you can close your eyes."

Donatello nodded rapidly and shut his eyes tight. Though it didn't help much. He could no longer see anything, but he could hear everything and it made all this much worse. He could hear how slowly she undid the bottoms of her top and how the fabric slid from her skin. His heartbeat only sped up the longer this went on and he knew she was teasing him.

"Should I guide your hand to help with my zipper, or will you open your eyes?"

The turtle wondered if this was a trap? If he opened his eyes, would she actually be half naked? The very thought made him light headed. "It-its just a zipper, right?" He choked out. "Right," she replied.

He flinched as she took his hand. He could feel her skin now as she led his touch to the back of her neck. His eyes shot open and he held his breath over the image in front of him. Arias bare back was exposed to him, leading all the way down to the arch of her bottom. The nape of her neck looked so slender with her shortened curls and her skin felt awfully smooth against his fingertips. This was most definitely a trap. His whole body seemed to burn and his hand began to move on its own. His fingers drifted down the nape of her neck as he slowly indulged in the soft touch of her skin. Donatello's mind was clouded over the further his hand and his gaze drifted down. Her skin was so fair and his senses felt overwhelmed with the smell of lavender that hovered around her. It was practically torture how Aria tried to tempt him, but Donatello was determined to keep his cool, even if he felt quite dizzy now.

"I-I thought…you wanted to go swimming," Donatello stammered out as he tried to keep focused. "Wouldn't a swimsuit be better?"

Aira glanced back over her shoulder, "I don't know how to swim. I just thought that you all would enjoy a day in the pool."

Thinking back on it, Donatello realized he wouldn't want his brothers to see Aria in a swimsuit anyhow. "I…I could teach you to swim," he offered, his hand finally reaching the zipper and slowly pulling it up. "Maybe after…everyone leaves…."

Once the dress and been fully zipped up, Aria turned around with a smile, "I'm sure you'd be the perfect teacher."

Donatello had to take a quick breath. Though Aria seemed calm, he could see how flushed her face was. So all this made her nervous too? However, he had to admit, her bashful expression didn't help the pace of his heart right now. "…I…I'll do my best…"

Aria stepped forward, closing the gap between them a little more, "…I'm looking forward to my private lessons."

Before Donatello realized it, he had already reached forward and placed his hands at her hips, allowing Aria to lean forward and rest her hands against his chest. The closet seemed smaller now and the turtle had lost all train of thought. His gaze was focused on Arias bright emerald eyes as she stared up at him. He found himself thinking it wouldn't be so terrible to indulge in a kiss or two. That is; before the doors to Arias closet slid open and startled the two.

With a panicked gasp, Donatello removed his hands from Aria and quickly turned his head to look towards the ceiling with a beet red expression. Aria frowned and glanced towards the door to see Lawrence standing patiently.

"What?" She snapped irately.

"Your guests have arrived. I've asked them to wait in the main room." Lawrence replied.

Aria flinched, "oh! We lost track of time!" She exclaimed anxiously. "C-come on! We can't keep them waiting!"

With that, Donatello watched as Aria dashed from the room, nearly tripping over her own feet while she rushed out the door. He exhaled deeply and placed a hand over his heart, hoping to calm himself down a bit.

"Should I run you a cold shower, Master Donatello?" Lawrence asked simply.

"You're hilarious," Donatello groaned with burning cheeks as he quickly brushed past Lawrence to catch up with his frantic girlfriend.

The techy turtle hurried down the stairs to see Aria apologizing to the group as they greeted her. His brothers looked perfectly calm being here, but Casey and April seemed a bit put off.

"You're place is bigger than a museum," Casey commented with a whistle.

"You get used to it," replied Donatello as he stood beside Aria, trying to seem calm with April being here. They needed her help, so forgiving her was the easiest way to achieve that, but he wanted to be angry a little longer. Being rejected by her, insulted, and then tricked into standing up Aria, none of it settled well with him.

"Dude, how do you find your way to the bathroom?" Mikey asked in awe.

"Every guest room has a private bathroom," answered Aria happily, "and there are ten or so other washrooms somewhere. If you want, I can have Lawrence give you a tour."

April resisted the urge to roll her eyes. This one room was bigger than her entire apartment. It was ridiculous for one person to have this kind of money. Still, she had to remember why she came here today. "It…must have been nice growing up here…" she added awkwardly, trying to break the ice in a way.

"I hated it actually," Aria responded with a cold smile.

Donatello flinched a bit. Though Aria was smiling, he could feel the hostility that she clearly wasn't trying to hide towards April. He chuckled aloud and placed his hands on Arias shoulders to force her attention in his direction. "A-Ari, why don't we head for the pool, huh?"

Arias gaze softened and she smiled sincerely for Donatello, "sure."

The heiress hugged Donatello's arm and they guided their guests down the halls. Mikey was asking Aria about nearly every room they walked by and Leonardo was trying to memorize the layout somehow so they didn't get lost if something happened.

"Remember, we still need to ask for Aprils help," Donatello reminded Aria, leaning down to whisper to her as they walked.

Aria gripped Donatello's arm gently, a bit ashamed of how petty she had acted. She really didn't like him seeing that side of herself. "…I know…I'm sorry. I agreed to this…I'll try to be nicer…"

"You're nice all the time," Donatello pointed out, "just be your usual, angelic self."

She blushed lightly, but it didn't make her feel much better. If Donatello wanted her to be as kind as she was with him, he may end up disappointed in her. After all, she treated him especially different from anyone else around her. "…I'll try…" she said again.

April and Casey were hanging at the back of the group, but the redhead could clearly see

Donatello and Aria whispering up front. She rolled her eyes and hunched her shoulders a bit, "do they have to openly flirt like that?"

"I think it's cute," Mikey nodded. "I thought Dee would be all stressed out, but he looks pretty happy."

April scoffed, "well of course he's not stressed out. This place is like a fancy hotel. I'm sure she's pampering him and all that…" she whispered bitterly.

Michelangelo stared at his brothers back for a moment before he looked back at April, "so wait, are you upset because she has money, or because she has Donnie?"

April stopped at once and her cheeks burned brightly, "I'm not mad about anything!" She snapped. A little too loud since it seemed to stop everyone else.

They all stopped and turned back to April, mostly confused by her sudden declaration that made little sense to the lot of them. This only caused April to feel even more awkward. Her face turned a dark shade of red and she averted her gaze to the floor, "s-sorry…" she mumbled.

"Um, okay…? Well, we're here anyhow." Donatello said as he pointed to the large glass doors.

"Sweet!" Casey exclaimed, "the whole room is made of glass, that's sick."

"Stop touching it! You'll get fingerprints on everything," demanded Donatello, knowing full well that Lawrence cleaned everything by himself.

"Pffft, don't be so uptight, Dee." Casey groaned. "You're rich for like, a day and you're already getting stuck-up."

Donatello flared up a bit, "it's called having manners."

"You two can bicker all you want, but I'd rather go for a swim," Leonardo added as he brushed past them to get inside.

Aria giggled a bit and took Donatello by the hands, "come on, love."

April was still a little embarrassed, watching as Donatello was pulled into the room by Aria. She wanted to wait a moment before she joined the others.

"Hmmm…yeah, it's pretty classic…" Mikey noted as he examined Aprils face.

"Wh-what is?" April asked irately. It was all Mikey's fault that she made a fool of herself.

"Nah, it's fine." Michelangelo insisted with a smile. "It's probably better this way."

"Mikey, what the heck are you talking about?"

"Come on, let's get to swimming! Look! She has a diving board!" The freckled turtle explained as he rushed into the room, purposefully ignoring Aprils question.

She sighed and followed after Mikey, but was instantly put off when she saw Lawrence in there, placing drinks on the table for everyone. She may not have been on good terms with Aria, but she really didn't like this butler of hers. It didn't help that when she scanned the room, Casey was already in the pool, trying to show off.

"Are you sure you don't want to get in?" Casey asked, leaning at the edge of the pool to speak with Aria who was sitting with her feet in the water.

"I'm certain," Aria replied with a smile.

"Bummer," Casey booed, "you'd have more fun in the water."

"I bet Donnie doesn't want us seeing her in a swimsuit." Leonardo chuckled as he lounged in a large, inflatable inter-tube.

Donatello scoffed as he sat himself beside Aria, handing her a drink. Even if Leonardo was right, he wouldn't be admitting it. "I wouldn't be so childish."

Aria giggled, "either way, all of my firsts belong to my dear Donatello. So of course, the first to see me in a swimsuit would be him."

Perhaps Aria didn't realize the way that sounded, but Donatello suddenly felt very warm. "Heh! Um…Ari, maybe you shouldn't be sitting so close to the water…" he said in an attempt to change the subject. "At least sit over by the shallow end."

"Don't be so overprotective," April said with a smile as she approached, removing her sweatshirt to reveal the yellow bikini underneath. "I'm sure she can handle a little water." Though she was expecting a reaction, Donatello seemed uninterested in what she was wearing and continued to fuss over Aria.

"But if you slip or something…" he said again.

Aria smiled, mostly pleased that Donatello didn't seem to take much notice of Aprils attire.

She was embarrassed to admit that she'd been worried about it. Aria leaned over and kissed Donatello's cheek, "please don't worry about me, my love. You should relax with your brothers."

"…okay…" he replied reluctantly. With Aria not knowing how to swim, he really didn't want her around the water. "I won't go far though."

April couldn't help feeling irritated. Was he ignoring her because he was still angry? Donatello usually complimented her or something, but he barely looked at her.

"Looking good, Red. Wanna go for a swim?" Casey asked cheerfully.

"Oh, now you realize I'm here?" April snapped quietly. After watching him flirt with Aria, she wasn't happy with Casey at all. "I wanted to talk to Aria first."

Casey wasn't sure what made April so snappy, but he wasn't about to make it worse. Instead, he went to join the others in a game while April sat down beside Aria.

"…thanks for letting me come over today…" she began, trying not to sound irritated with her.

"Donatello thought it would be a good idea." Aria replied simply.

April awkwardly fiddled with her fingers for a moment, "…well, regardless, I appreciate it. Especially after…the things I said and did…"

"I've been thinking about that," Aria began, keeping her focus on Donatello as he and the others started to pass a ball around. "When you said I was a replacement…I think you got that backward."

"Backward?" April repeated.

"Yes. I think you were my replacement." Aria explained.

April bristled irately. Was Aria trying to pick a fight? "…l-look, I just wanted to apologize for what happened."

"Why?"

"Huh? …because, you know…I didn't know you were sick…and—"

"Then your apology isn't sincere," Aria replied evenly. She was oddly calm. Perhaps because she kept her gaze on Donatello. "You're apologizing out of pity. I neither want; nor need your pity." She turned to face April now, "if you hadn't found out I was sick, would your opinion of me change?"

Taken aback, April wasn't sure how to answer that. Truthfully, Aria was right, but she didn't want to admit that she pitied her at all. "…I just think that we could get along if we started over."

"Perhaps we could get along…" agreed Aria, "but not right now. Especially not when you're jealousy won't let you see me in a better light. It's also my jealousy that won't allow me to fully forgive you."

"Jealousy? I'm not jealous of you," April insisted. "What do I have to be jealous of?!"

Aria sighed, "all my life I have had more than others. It's easy to recognize what envy looks like after seeing it so often."

April scoffed with a laugh, "you think I want all this stuff?"

"No. You're upset because you think I took Donatello, but what you don't seem to realize yet, is that he was never yours to begin with. Just because he forgot me for a while, doesn't mean his heart let me go. So I didn't take anything from you. I just came back to get what was mine."

A few too many emotions began to mix and bubble to the surface for April. "I—I am not jealous," she insisted with bright red cheeks. "Donatello can do whatever he wants! I just—I just wanted to make sure he wasn't getting together with someone that would hurt him."

Aria smiled now, "The last thing I would ever do is hurt Donatello," Aria replied, "so than you shouldn't have a problem with us being together, right?"

"Wh-wait, it's not that simple," April replied, a little confused with Arias change in attitude. "I mean—"

"—I'm sorry that you didn't realize what you had in him. Well, I'm mostly sorry because it hurt Donatello's feelings along the way. For me, Donatello is my world and I would do anything for him. I'd like us to get along once we can resolve these ugly feelings we have, but until then, I suppose we just have to tolerate one another for Donatello's sake."

"Wow, well tell me how you really feel," April chided. "And I keep telling you, I'm not jealous or anything. So I don't have any feelings to resolve."

"Yes," Aria started, the smile still on her face as she got to her feet, "I did hear you say that. Now…I'm not sure there is much left to discuss."

April frowned and just as Aria turned to walk away, she shot up to her feet as well and reached for her hand. She wasn't finished talking. April grabbed Aria by the wrist, but by tugging on her, Aria lost her balance and stumbled back. April gasped and let go, but Aria was already falling backward. The redhead turned and tried to reach out again, but all she saw was a splash.

"Oh crap…" April groaned. Aria would surely end up thinking she threw her into the water on purpose. At worst, she might complain that her dress was ruined. At least, that's what April worried about until she noticed that Aria didn't seem to be swimming back to the surface. Suddenly, her stomach dropped. This just went from bad to worse.