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When Leo Met Mona
Chapter Two
"Yo, Leo, where ya goin'?"
The blue-clad turtle paused in his exit at the sound of Raphael's voice. He turned to find the larger turtle's form swallowing all the space around him in the sewer tunnel.
"You goin' on one of your 'walks'?" He made quotation marks with his fingers to illustrate that he didn't buy that all Leonardo did was walk when he went out. "It's not even Thursday."
"Thursday's Christmas," Leonardo said patiently. "I'd rather spend that day with all of you. So I'm going on my walk today."
"Yeah, and you missed last Thursday," Raphael continued, searching his brother's face for some sort of tell. "Why was that exactly? Off your cycle?"
Leonardo didn't play into the goading. "All the more reason to get out today. You know with April this year, this place is going to get noisy. I'd like to get a little quiet time before that happens."
Raphael unfolded his arms, loosening his stance. "Yeah, Mikey won't shut up about it. He's going to turn this place upside down just for her."
Leonardo looked him in the eyes. "You really don't mind. It will be fun. But I'd like a moment of quiet and zen before all that happens."
"Alright, Leo," Raphael relented. Even though he didn't know what the blue-clad turtle did when he left the lair, he wasn't hard pressed to know. The lair was small, stifling. Each one of them had their ways of getting out and away to get some space from the rest of the family. As a turtle who coveted his own privacy, Raphael certainly didn't want to take that away from any of his siblings.
He clapped Leonardo on the shoulder with a "Later, bro," and walked off.
Thinking he would now be able to leave without further detainment, Leonardo was proven mistaken to find Donatello now standing in his way. The leaner, purple-clad turtle stubbornly held out a small device to him.
Leonardo gave him an annoyed look. "Really, Don?"
Donatello took his wrist, slapping the homemade cellular device in his palm. "Splinter's orders. I made them; no one leaves the lair without one."
Leonardo frowned at the thing. The cell phones had tracking devices in them.
"Look, I don't care where you go, Leo," Donatello said. "I don't monitor everyone's whereabouts. Just take it in case you need us. Or if we need you, okay?"
Without a word, Leonardo tucked the device in his belt and went on his way. Donatello adjusted his glasses as he watched his brother go.
Mona Lisa answered her door, eyes bright and a Santa hat on her head. She was wearing the ugliest Christmas sweater Leonardo had ever seen: a reddish brown color with reindeer. Behind her, a single string of multicolored Christmas lights hung without grace by a few thumbtacks.
"Leo!" she beamed when he was safely inside. "Merry Christmas!" She threw her arms around him, unable to fully encircle his impressive girth.
He politely placed his free hand on her back to return the gesture, the other seemed to be preoccupied with a bag he carried. He touched the tips of her hair before pulling back.
"Merry Christmas. I brought something."
Mona Lisa's brown eyes lit up. "Yeah?
He gave her a secretive smile before turning his back to her and digging in the pack he brought with him. When he faced her again, he had a tiny tree perched on his head. Multicolored lights flickered on, decorating the turtle in holiday tackiness.
Mona Lisa laughed, clapping her hands. "Best Christmas ever!" She grabbed his wrist, pulling him toward the kitchen area. "I made cookies. We can decorate them while the ham is cooking."
Behind them, a fuzzy copy of "It's a Wonderful Life" was already playing on the TV with the help of an old VCR. On the counter, sugar cookies in the shapes of snow flakes, trees and such were waiting to be iced while the tantalizing smell of meat and bread wafted from the oven. Leo took a moment to take in the simple, but festive atmosphere and, for a moment, he wished his brothers could be here to feel the peaceful contentment he felt. Though, he had to remind himself, if the others were here, the peaceful part would be tossed right out the window.
Maybe next year. Maybe he, Mona Lisa, and all his family could be together for Christmas next year. With that thought in mind, Leonardo picked up a tree-shaped cookie and a butter knife. Mona Lisa had a few different bowls of colored icing set out. He attempted to spread green icing on the pastry, only to have the delicate cookie break in half under his strength. Undaunted, he grabbed another to try again. By the forth broken cookie, Leonardo was starting to get frustrated.
Mona Lisa was grinning as he huffed. She popped part of one of his failed cookies in her mouth.
"I should be better at this," he insisted. "I'm a skilled ninja. I know how to control my own strength."
"So you'll never be a pastry chef." Mona Lisa winked at him. "I still like you anyway."
At that point, the oven dinged that the food was done and Leonardo's poor cookies were momentarily forgotten in way of ham and potatoes, and James Stewart on the fuzzy screen. Leonardo only gave it half his attention, distracted by his own secret plans. The movie was nearly over when Mona Lisa became aware that his gaze stayed thoughtfully on her far more than the TV screen.
"Something on your mind?" she challenged with a raised brow.
Leonardo placed his empty plate on the floor beside him. "I have a confession. I brought a present for you."
The girl's face suddenly lit up. "I actually have one for you, too. But you can go first."
"Alright." He stood, returning to the bag left at the door. He reached in and pulled out what looked like a leather harness, something he clearly had made himself.
Mona Lisa took one look at it and instantly snorted.
"What?" the turtle demanded.
"Leo, I didn't know you were into that kind of thing. Where's the riding crop to go with it?" Her face was full of unbridled glee.
"That's not what it's for," he insisted.
She was still grinning madly. "Then what exactly do I do with my... present?"
He gave her a confident smile. "Come with me to the roof and I'll show you." Then, he did the one thing Mona Lisa never thought she'd see him do. Leonardo removed those constant sheaths and swords from his back.
Several minutes later, now bundled in her winter gear, Mona Lisa stared down at the street far below and regretted agreeing to Leonardo's gift. At the moment, she was snugly secured in the handmade harness, strapped to Leonardo's back. She clung to his neck, her teeth chattering from more than just the cold as he stood on the edge of the roof, nothing but several stories of open air below them.
"Is it too late to back out now?" she joked with a shaky voice.
His response was calm. "Yes. Hold on."
With the coiling of powerful legs, they were suddenly airborne. Mona Lisa let out a heavy gasp, clinging to the large turtle's neck as they flew above the streets. They landed on the next rooftop with a jerking halt and Mona Lisa was very glad Leonardo left his swords in her apartment. Her body against the smooth, hard shell was bad enough. Being jerked around against those sheaths would bang up all her bits and pieces.
Looking quite proud of himself, Leonardo only gave her a few moments to catch her breath and he was off, racing effortlessly along the rooftop as if she weighed nothing to him. He sprang into the air again, landing with a graceful slide in the snow. The next building was far too high, even for him. He leaped for the fire escape, catching the rungs of the shaky metal ladder and climbing to the top to do the whole thing over once more.
It took a couple of jumps for Mona Lisa to figure out when to tense her own muscles for a smoother ride. Soon she found her rhythm and building after building flew by before her eyes. Her apartment building was left far behind, just a collection of tiny yellow lights to blend in with all the others in the dark cityscape.
And Leonardo, he was still going at full speed. He was breathing harder, but it didn't seem like he would be tiring any time soon. The added weight of her on his back didn't seem to slow him at all and Mona Lisa marveled at his strength. She felt the power of his legs, watched the rippling of his arm muscles as he hefted them upward. She was suddenly overcome with an urge to feel those muscles moving beneath her fingers and it made her face go warm.
Time seemed to fly by as the festive lights of the city whizzed passed them. At the same time, Mona Lisa was sure they had been out almost an hour now; her muscles were still keeping track of the time. She eventually told Leonardo she needed a break and he let her down, muscles hot and trembling as he lowered her to stand on her own.
Mona Lisa stretched her stiff back, then her arms above her head. Next, she did a few squats to loosen the muscles of her thighs. Leonardo wandered nearby, giving himself a cool down as steam wafted slightly from his heated skin.
"So, I'm assuming that's how you usually get around the city," she commented.
"When I don't have cash for the subway," he teased back.
Mona Lisa pulled her fingers from her gloves and rubbed them together. Despite being covered from the wind chill, they were still freezing. She blew on them to try to warm them up.
"Here," Leonardo said, taking her hands. His fingers were just as cold as hers, but he placed her digits in the crook of his elbow as the heated skin warmed her up.
"How are you not freezing?" she demanded. "No coat, no gloves. You don't even wear shoes."
He shrugged. "I'm just that good, I suppose."
She smirked at him.
Leonardo looked like he was going to say something else when he suddenly tensed. His eyes grew hard, staring at something past the top of her head and Mona Lisa glanced over her shoulder to see what he was looking at.
On the next rooftop over, with a very terrifyingly small amount of space between them, stood several men dressed in black. Mona Lisa barely had a moment to realize they were all armed with both guns and blades before the two of them were fired upon. The sound of gunfire tore through the air as Mona Lisa was suddenly whisked off her feet.
Leonardo raced for the roof's edge, launching himself at full speed as bullets tore up the ground at his feet. Without the added safety of the harness, Mona Lisa had no choice but to cling to his neck. She swore she heard a bullet or two ricochet off his shell as they landed. Leonardo let out a grunt of pain in her ear before leaping over the edge of the second building and dropping out of sight between the two.
In mid air, he caught the rail of a fire escape, then rebounded off the side of the next building to land neatly on the street below. Mona Lisa remained bridal style in his arms as he raced silently through the dark alleys. Internally, his mind was in a panic. Leonardo had broken one of his sensei's most sacred rules: never leave your weapons behind.
Of course, the one time in his entire life he removed his swords, that would be the time he would stumble onto the Foot Clan. Or had the Foot stumbled upon him? He wasn't sure. The problem was even if he could make it back to Mona Lisa's apartment for his katana, he couldn't risk leading his enemies to her home. He would have to get creative and face them without his blades. But first, he had to lead them away from Mona Lisa.
Around the next corner, there were the remains of an old, abandoned building. More importantly, the snow around it was littered with multiple foot prints, a perfect place to hide. Instead of going inside the building, Leonardo knelt next to a pile of wood planks and bricks covered by an orange tarp to help shield the materials from the elements. There was a space just large enough between the pile and the building wall for a thin human to slip inside.
"Stay here," Leonardo ordered, pushing her into the crevasse. "I'll lead them away."
Mona Lisa stared wildly at his bleeding arm where he had been grazed by a bullet. "You're hurt! Who are these people?"
"Foot Clan."
She froze. The terrorist group known as the Foot were all over the news. She had heard plenty about them, but never actually thought she'd see one in person. She suddenly couldn't think any more. Would they kill her? What would they do to Leo?
Leonardo thrust a phone-like device in her hand. "I'm going to lead them away. As soon as they're gone, push that blue button. Whoever answers, you tell them where you are and you don't leave this spot until they come to get you."
"But, Leo-"
Strong flashlights licked the side of the building and bullets peppered the brick around them.
"That's an order!"
And with that, Leonardo disappeared from her sight. Mona Lisa remained hunched and shivering in the darkness as she heard the excited shouts of men and more gunfire. Eventually, the noise fell into the distance, and she thought it a miracle the Foot never discovered her. How could they have not noticed her presence with her teeth chattering as loud as a jackhammer?
But soon, everything fell silent. Leonardo was out there all alone and there was nothing she could do to help him.
Tears of fear and frustration stung her eyes as Mona Lisa pushed the button with clumsy, gloved fingers. She held the phone to her ear with trembling hands as it began to ring.
"Yeeeeeees?" came a rather blithe male voice on the other end. The owner sounded somewhat distracted, as if she had called while he was in the middle of something else.
Mona Lisa just sat there, shaking and breathing hard into the phone. She didn't know who this was. Her head had gone completely blank on what she should say.
"Anyone there?" the voice continued. "Leo? If you're trying to give me crap for making you take the phone with you-"
"Leonardo!" She suddenly jumped at the familiar name. "They're after him! He led them away! He needs help! Please help him!"
The person on the other end was silent for several seconds. "This isn't April, is it?"
"I... don't know who that is."
More silence. "I'm sorry, I don't understand. Who is this and what's going on with Leo?"
Fresh tears spilled from her eyes, stinging her cheeks as they turned to ice. "The Foot; they had guns. Leo led them away. He told me to call this number and tell whoever answered where I was. But I'm not the one who needs help, he does! He's out there all alone and there's so many of them!" She paused as her whits finally caught up with her. "Is this... one of his brothers?"
"It is," came the hesitant response. "I'm Donatello."
"Mona Lisa."
Another pause. "I'm sorry, what?"
It took a little ninja finesse to alert both Raphael and Michelangelo about their oldest brother's predicament without Splinter finding out, but Donatello managed to rally the other two and flee the lair without raising suspicion. But it wasn't just their sensei Donatello was withholding information from. As he told the other two about Leonardo's encounter with the Foot, he purposefully left out the fact that the phone call had been with a woman and not Leonardo himself.
Donatello considered himself a prudent turtle. There had to be a reason Leonardo had not shared his friendship with this Mona Lisa with the rest of them. And the purple-clad turtle wasn't about to be the one to spill the beans until he had more information about the situation. For now, he would steer his brothers in the direction of finding Leonardo and let the rest of his secrets sort themselves out in their own time.
"Where to, Donny?" Raphael demanded as they ran. He was getting further ahead in his haste for a fight.
Donatello consulted his instruments, distracting him from keeping an eye on the tunnels before him and slowing him down. "We're getting close to the spot where he dropped the phone. We'll have to track him from there. The next manhole cover should put us almost right under it."
"Dude, sensei's going to flip when he finds out Leo went out to fight the Foot alone," Michelangelo said. "He's gonna be in so much trouble."
"He'll be in more trouble if I find out the Foot got the better of his ass," Raphael grouched back. "What's that idiot doing going out alone like that?"
Up ahead, dim light coming from a streetlamp on the surface trickled down from the holes in a manhole cover. Raphael surged up the ladder, easily knocking the heavy cover aside, but struggling to wriggle his impressive bulk out of the opening. He heard Michelangelo snicker below him and blindly tried to kick his brother in the face before finally yanking himself free.
Instantly, the red-clad turtle was in the snow like a bloodhound, checking all the human-made prints for something a little more abnormal; something with two toes.
"I got him! Looks like they chased him this way. Come on, Mikey!"
"I'll catch up," Donatello called after them. "Gotta find the phone first."
If either of the other two had a response for him, they were already too long gone for Donatello to hear. Good, he preferred it that way. Once alone, he consulted his instruments again and followed the tracking signal right to a pile of construction material covered by a raggedy tarp. Pushing his glasses further up his nose, he crouched before the only opening large enough for a person to hide. In the darkness he found a shivering, female form who stared at him with large, haunted eyes.
"Hi, Mona Lisa?" he said gently and placed a hand to his plastron. "Donatello, at your service."
She didn't move.
"You're safe now, it's okay. Come on out."
Slowly she revealed herself, standing on weak, shaky legs. Donatello noted he had never seen a human with such large, expressive eyes before. Not that he had seen that many humans to begin with.
"What... what about Leo?" she asked in a small voice.
"Leo will be fine, I sent our two other brothers out after him." The girl's skin was so pale, her lips nearly blue. Donatello was sure that wasn't a healthy sign. He wanted to put his arm around her, pull her in close to warm and assure her. But he also had no idea as to the proper physical protocol between a mutant turtle and a human female on their first meeting, so his arm just hung awkwardly in the air. "Come on, let's get you someplace safe and out of the cold."
When he guided her to the open manhole, he thought he might get some argument from it, but Mona Lisa followed without hesitation into the darkness. There, Donatello lead the way through the dark tunnels, his brain going a million miles an hour. What was he supposed to do with this girl? Did Leo mean for him to take her back to the lair? Where else could they go? He really had no choice.
Behind him, the human stumbled in the dark, sliding painfully into a pipe sticking out of the sewer wall. The tunnel was nearly pitch black inside. Living below ground their whole lives, the turtles could see quite well in the sewers, but Mona Lisa didn't have such a luxury.
"Sorry, I forgot to bring a flashlight. You could... take my hand... maybe?" There was apology in his voice at the suggestion. Human girls like April, they were so dainty and beautiful. Being around them made him feel awkward and ugly, like he had no right to even look at such creatures, let alone force them to touch a thing like him. But he didn't want the girl to hurt herself in the darkness either. He couldn't imagine Leonardo being too pleased to find this Mona Lisa more banged up than when he left her due to Donatello's negligence. He at least had to offer; his hand held out shyly, too timid to look at her reply.
In the darkness, a smaller hand found his and Donatello stiffened as it tightened around his fingers. There was no hesitance as Mona Lisa moved in, attaching herself to his arm and holding tight.
Oh, God, Donatello's mind suddenly panicked. He never thought he'd find himself in this situation in a million years. Oh God, oh God, oh God. A girl's touching me! She's holding my hand! It's so small! IS THAT HER BOOB ON MY ARM? I'm feeling a girl's boob!
"Thank you," Mona Lisa said, throwing him from his internal panic attack. "Thanks for coming for me. I know this is really pathetic. I wish I was better at things like this. I wish I knew what to do instead of just stupidly hiding there, waiting for help like some dumb little kid."
"No, no, it's totally okay! I don't mind at all, really. Any friend of Leo's, you know?" There was a moment of silence as he led them along. "Um... if you don't mind me asking, how long have you known Leo?"
"Since this past spring sometime. Not... too long." Actually, Mona Lisa remembered up to the exact date and time she met Leonardo, so significant an event it was in her life. But she decided to downplay it. She almost started in on how the two of them met, but then closed her mouth again. Leonardo never told his family about her for a reason. Still, she felt bad that she was a blatant secret in the midst of this brotherhood and there wasn't much she could do about it.
"Could you maybe... do you know why he's never mentioned you before?" Donatello asked. "Uh- you don't have to answer that if you don't want to."
"I'm honestly not sure. He's told me a bit about you—that he has brothers— but he's never offered anything more than that and I never asked."
"Oh. Well, I guess that's Leo. He likes to keep to himself most of the time. Not that we're his family or anything." Donatello couldn't help but let that last comment slip out. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little hurt at knowing Leonardo kept such a secret from all of them.
Mona Lisa sensed it instantly. "I really had a feeling he was planning on having us meet sometime in the near future. I think he was just waiting for the right time."
What time would that be? Donatello idly wondered. When he was announcing plans to marry her? He was suddenly so curious as to what exactly his brother's relationship was with this woman, but he knew it would be a bit too forward, too impolite to ask. Having seen the woman for himself, he didn't blame Leonardo for wanting to keep her from his brothers. While she wasn't as drop dead gorgeous as April, this Mona Lisa was pretty enough with full lips and large, dark doe eyes that could really drag a turtle into their depths.
Shaking himself, he asked her no more questions as he guided her through the darkness. Mona Lisa seemed satisfied with the silence, the chill of her shock still working its way through her system. But she was thankful to be underground. It felt safer here in the dark. It was strangely warmer as well. The frigid winds could not reach them in the tunnels as steam from heated pipes hissed in the blackness.
Mona Lisa wasn't sure how far they walked, how much time they spent wandering the tunnels. Her thoughts continued to bring her back to Leonardo. Where was he? Did his brothers find him? Would he be okay? She should have insisted he take his swords along somehow. How would he fare now against a group of armed men? Would she ever see him again?
"Here we are," Donatello said, breaking her from her thoughts. Lights appeared ahead as they stepped into a large, oval entrance way. "Home sweet home. Watch your step."
Mona Lisa stepped over the raised doorway, her hand still in Donatello's to keep her balance. She stared in wonderment at the compact den, decorated with a few decade's worth of eclectic souvenirs and clutter. From boomboxes to vinyl records, old traffic signs and license plates; posters, trinkets and a mismatch of old furniture.
This was their home. This was Leonardo's home. Mona Lisa fell in love with it instantly.
"If you would like to take a seat," Donatello was saying, motioning to the couch, "maybe I can find you something to drink. I'm sure we won't be waiting long until-"
"Donatello!" a sharp voice interrupted him.
The turtle flinched, stiff at the terror of being discovered. He slowly turned around. Behind the impressive girth of the turtle's shell, Mona Lisa managed to catch a glimpse of a rat like figure in a dark robe standing before them. This had to be their sensei, their father.
"What is going on?" Splinter demanded. "Who is that and why is she here?"
"Well, uh, you see, she was hiding, sensei," Donatello fumbled. "I found her- I mean, I didn't just randomly find her on the street and bring her down here, that would be stupid." He snorted with a nervous laugh. Donatello was never any good at articulation when under pressure. "No, see, this started when I got a call from Leo. He-"
"Leonardo?" The rat's ears perked up and he looked around, suddenly realizing only one of his four sons was anywhere around. "Donatello, where are your brothers? You will come with me, you have a lot of explaining to do."
"Yes, sensei." Donatello's breathing had gone into short, nervous breaths, but he followed as he was beckoned. Boy, they were in it now.
Mona Lisa sat obediently on the couch, waiting with hands in her lap. She could hear the quiet staccato of Donatello's nervous voice, but was unable to make out any of the words. The deeper tone of Splinter rumbled in and out as the two exchanged dialog for several minutes. Mona Lisa had the distinct feeling Donatello was now in trouble because of her and she suddenly regretted being there. She should have just insisted he take her home instead.
The conversation continued and Mona Lisa remained where she was, tapping her foot and glancing around the lair. It was really warm in there, like stuffy warm. Eventually, she shed her coat and gloves, only to find herself still wearing that hideous Christmas sweater. She had bought it for a joke, but she was embarrassed to be meeting Leonardo's family for the first time while wearing it. The sweater came off as well, leaving her in a white camisole.
Suddenly, she heard the rumble of new voices entering the lair and she stiffened, staring apprehensively at the entrance way. Two large turtle figures stepped inside; neither of them were Leonardo. The first one to see her was shorter than the blue-clad turtle, his face banded in orange. He froze when he saw her on the couch, eyes wide. Mona Lisa braced herself for another angry family member.
"Woah!" Michelangelo announced and plopped himself on the couch. The weight of his form dropping next to her caused Mona Lisa to bounce up a little from the impact. Michelangelo stretched an arm around the back of the couch, lightly brushing her shoulders. "Yo, what's up girl. You my Christmas present?" He glanced over to his much larger, red-banded brother who was staring at the scene not looking happy at all. "Raph, look what I got! Christmas came early and Mikey has been oh good this year."
He leaned in and sniffed her hair. "You smell good, baby doll. What's your name?"
"How about what the hell is she doing here?" Raphael demanded. He stood over her, his bulk swallowing up all the free space around them. He was bigger than Leonardo and Mona Lisa was scared. "You wanna tell me what you're doing in my damn home?"
Mona Lisa opened her mouth to reply, but nothing would come out.
Michelangelo put an arm around her shoulders. "Relax, Raph. You gotta be nice to the ladies. This is why you'll never get a girlfriend." He then turned his attention to her. "Calm, sweet cheeks, all the ladies are welcome in the Casa de Mikey."
Raphael looked fit to start yelling when Donatello hurried into the room, stepping between the human and the massive turtle. "Oh, hey guys. I see you met Leo's friend. He asked me to keep her safe until he got back." That last part was directed emphatically at Raphael.
Raphael took a moment to look over the purple-clad turtle. Then he glanced back down at the human huddling on the couch while he ran his tongue over his teeth.
"You're Leo's friend, huh?"
Mona Lisa just slumped deeper into the couch, uncomfortable with the dark gaze taking in every inch of her.
"Since he's not with you, I'm assuming you didn't find him?" Donatello cut in.
"Nah, Leo's in the wind," Michelangelo confirmed. "We found the Foot, but they were just wandering around with their thumbs up their asses. Leo was already long gone, probably laughing all the way."
"Yeah," Raphael added, "knowing him, he's out doubling back and doubling-doubling back to make sure they never find him. We won't see him for a few hours."
"At least he seems to be okay," Donatello said.
Mona Lisa let out a slow breath. She wished like hell Leonardo was here now.
Raphael picked up his feet and plopped into a sad-looking chair, still eyeing the human across from him. "But he's sure got a lot to answer for when he gets back, doesn't he, sugar tits?"
Mona Lisa looked down at the generous cleavage she was showing and self-consciously crossed her arms over herself.
"I'm sure Leo has a very pragmatic explanation for all of this," Donatello said, trying to keep the peace. "He has his reasons."
"Yeah, I see his reasons," Raphael insisted, still undressing the human with his eyes. "Greedy bastard doesn't want to share. Wants to keep all 'a that to himself."
"Dude, I say go Leo," Michelangelo cut in. "I didn't think he had it in him, getting a little sweet somethin' somethin' on the side."
"Guys, she's sitting right there," Donatello complained, fully aware of how uncomfortable Mona Lisa looked.
"How about it, babe?" Raphael said, giving the human a hungry smile. "You like makin' it with monsters? You into the freaky shit? If you wanna get weird with me, I'd be up for it."
Her lip trembled, unnoticed.
"Dude!" Michelangelo said. "I saw this freaky video online with a guy and two chicks and they had this donkey-"
"Fuck off."
The room went silent as the human spoke.
"What'd you say?" Raphael challenged with a frown.
Mona Lisa got to her feet, fists clenched and shaking. "I told you to fuck off. I don't have to take this shit. I didn't ask to be taken down here and I'm not putting up with this abuse. I'm a fucking person! My name isn't baby doll or sweet cheeks. And it's sure as HELL not sugar tits, you asshole."
As the turtles all stared at her, she snatched up her coat and her ugly sweater and stormed out the entrance way with such speed, the brothers were stupefied as to what just happened.
"Dude," Michelangelo finally spoke. "When Leo finds out, he's gonna beat your ass."
"Like this is all my fault," Raphael protested. "What about the shit you were just talking?"
As the two began to bicker, Donatello slipped out, following the human's retreat. He soon found Mona Lisa didn't get far when he discovered her kneeling in putrid water, vomiting into the drainage system. She looked up at him, wiping her mouth. Her skin was drained of color, her body shaking. Something had happened to this girl, something before this night and far more traumatic. Leonardo's decision to shield her from the rest of his family suddenly seemed quite wise.
Donatello crouched down next to her, giving her the most comforting smile he could as he extended a hand to her. "Here, let me take you home."
She nodded, letting him pull her to her feet as she put her coat back on. The ugly Christmas sweater, covered in bile, was left behind in the sewer.
When they reached Mona Lisa's neighborhood, Donatello felt by then she was probably sick with them all and he should just let her go. However, his more prudent side dictated that he should probably make sure the Foot had not discovered where she lived.
Despite whatever personal feelings she had against the other brothers, Mona Lisa followed Donatello up the fire escape and allowed him entrance to her apartment. She had really been hoping to find Leonardo crouched outside her window as always, waiting for her, but he was nowhere to be found.
Donatello looked around the tiny apartment as she tiredly threw her coat on the floor and trudged inside. He had never seen such simple living conditions. A mattress at one end, TV on the other. Not a table or chairs to be found. And he thought his family lived with meager furnishings. Never had he imagined that any human had so little.
"Here," Mona Lisa said, gathering Leonardo's discarded blades and handing them to his brother. "He'll want these back."
Donatello's mouth dropped open. Obviously, he had previously assumed that wherever Leonardo was hiding, he had his weapons with him. There was question in the turtle's eyes, but Mona Lisa didn't oblige. She had no more strength for further explanations.
"Do you want me to let you know when Leo makes it back home?" Donatello offered. "I can text you if you like."
"Oh, that would be great, if you don't mind. Can I get your number, too?"
Donatello smiled. "Sure. I'll also give you Leo's number. Not that he really carries his phone around... or touches it... or even looks at it. Maybe that will change if he knows you could be calling him."
She smiled a little at that and Donatello found himself thinking she was really cute when she smiled.
"Hey, listen, I'm sorry about my brothers. We don't... really get a lot of visitors and we haven't had a whole lot of practice with hospitality... or manners."
She shook her head. "It's fine. Thanks for walking me home."
Donatello took the hint. He took one last look around the modest living quarters, noticing Michelangelo's Christmas tree hat on the floor, and then he was gone.
Now alone, Mona Lisa sat herself on the floor, knees to her chest as she looked around. Surrounded by everything calm and safe and familiar, she once more felt as if she would never be the same again. It was a long time before she finally picked herself up, showered and got ready for bed.
Even in the dark, blanket pulled to her chin, she watched the ceiling, brain swirling with thoughts of Leonardo and the rest of his family. As hard as she tried, she couldn't sleep, not if he was still out there in the cold. It hurt that there was nothing else she could do but lay in her nice warm bed and hope.
It was nearly 2 AM when her cell phone pinged about a new text message. Mona Lisa reached over to read it: LEO'S BACK. HE'S OKAY.
For a moment, Mona Lisa thought she'd break into sobs. But eventually her racing heart slowed and she fell into a deep sleep.