AN: Another update to this story! I can't believe it! I think my updates are like buses; you wait ages for one and then three come along at the same time! LOL.
Pacphys, you are a diamond! Thanks for practically reading the whole fic so far in one evening, that must have been a chore! LOL! You and your sister look alike? Yep, I know that feeling. My sister is seven years older than me and people think we are twins, I personally don't see it but then, I've lived with her for a long time and I see someone completely different! What I can't figure out is; do I look like I'm 33 or does she look like she's 26? Hmm… I'm glad to say that I've never suffered a dislocated shoulder, it doesn't sound all that pleasant!
S-I-N-G, I remember that! As a matter of fact, I went to the cinema the other day to see Miss. Congeniality 2! That was good! Although the first was definitely the better of the two.
I do intend to get Raphy a girl and I have her character already set out in my head, I just need to get the timing right to introduce her. I may even write a separate side story to this one for that to happen. I haven't decided yet. I'll think of something, trust me!
These new ratings have been sent here to confuse us! They have succeeded! I am officially stumped!
Okay, I have to go out, the hubby's nagging me to get a move on!
Next chapter!
Chapter 10.
Mating Season.
Leo slowly opened his eyes, and then regretted it as the light in the room blinded him, he lifted his hand to cover his face and pain shot along his arm, pulsing through his chest and causing him to tense. A gentle hand touched his shoulder and stroked soothingly then a voice, it seemed so far away but Leo still recognised it.
"Easy, Leo. You took quite a beating but you're safe now, just take you're time"
Leo groaned and rolled to his side, pushing himself up onto his elbow and looking at the angel with the beautiful voice that sat at the edge of the bed by his side, he gave a reassuring smile then glanced about the room, he noticed that it was bare, save a few essential items. A small television in the far corner was propped up on an old coffee table, candles lit the room with a soft glow and the bed that he lay upon was small but comfortable with blankets that were thick and warm. He looked back to the only other person in the room and smiled again.
"Is this your place?"
Faith nodded with a smile on her face, "Daddy doesn't know that I have it, neither does Charity. I like my own space sometimes and I found this when I was taking a walk sometime ago, it had been abandoned for years but its still in good condition. It doesn't look very attractive with so little furnishings but it does the job." She lifted a cool cloth to Leo's split lip and gently dabbed.
"Its practical," he struggled to say but Faith's care was making it difficult. He reached up and wrapped his hand around her wrist, gently pulling it away so that he could talk easier, "It's much like my 'alone space', although mine doesn't have a TV."
Faith chuckled, "You have your own home away from home?"
"Sure. Everyone needs some alone time now and again, and believe me, with a brother like Raph? That's an essential element." Leo laughed and pulled himself up further, he hissed sharply when a shot of pain raced through his body. Faith tried to ease Leo back onto the bed but found him resisting her so she helped him sit up. Once comfortable, he gripped her arm affectionately, "Thanks"
"You were out for sometime and you've got a few cuts and bruises, just take it easy and don't push yourself."
"Sorry but 'taking it easy' doesn't work for me. We need to get back to the lair; everyone's going to be worried about us. How long have we been gone?"
"About a day, I think."
"A day? We've got to get back, being topside like this is bad enough but during the day it's even more dangerous. For both of us."
Leo swung his legs off of the bed and Faith stood quickly to avoid him, "Leo, you're still hurt. It's not a good idea for you to move just yet."
"If I'm gone for too long, my brothers will look for me. I don't want to risk that, they could get into trouble…"
"Leo, calm down. Look, there's a payphone across the street, I'll call them and tell them that everything's fine and that we'll head back when it gets dark, okay?"
Leo relaxed a little and was grateful for the suggestion, his body was protesting too much to argue, "Okay, I'll give you the number"
"I'll get something to eat while I'm at it. There's a lovely place here that makes the best rolls and sandwiches around. You've got to be hungry."
"Yeah, famished"
"Good. Now you sit back and relax, I'll be back before you know it."
"Don, the phone's ringing."
"Mmm"
"I don't think it's going to stop" Bella giggled.
"Let it ring"
"DON! Answer the damn phone!" Raph bellowed from his room. Don grunted, reluctantly pushing off of the sofa and away from Bella, he trudged over to the phone.
"Hello?"
"Don? It's Faith."
"Faith! Is everything okay? Where's Leo?"
Faith chuckled, "Everything's fine Don, Leo's okay, he's with me. He's a little… out of sorts at the moment but we'll be heading back when it gets dark. He wanted to make sure that you didn't worry." Faith heard shuffling and voices arguing quietly, then a new voice replaced Don's.
"Where the hell are you?"
"Hello, Raph. Nice to hear your voice"
"Don't patronise me. What the hell's going on?"
"If you don't want me to hang up the phone, you'd better calm down a little."
Raph huffed but did as Faith asked, "Leo doesn't usually stay away this long without letting us know that he's okay. He'd better be for your sake!"
"Look. I know you don't like me much but…"
"Much?"
"Whatever. Leo's waiting for me, so we'll see you tonight."
"Faith…"
The phone went dead and Raph slammed down the receiver in frustration, he looked at Don who still stood next to him and Don frowned, "Your diplomacy needs work, Raph"
"Shut up"
Leo looked up as the door opened, he felt naked without his katana and realised that he was now short one set. Faith couldn't have picked them up whilst moving him, how did she manage to get him here by herself anyway?
Faith walked in holding a brown paper bag and two bottles of Coke, shoving the door closed with her foot she noticed that Leo had done some redecorating, she raised an eyebrow and smiled at what he had done. The coffee table that held the TV now sat in the middle of the room with two candles placed in the centre, the pillows the were on the bed now sat at either side on the floor. He smiled and gestured with his hand for her to take a seat, she nodded her appreciation and moved towards the table.
"A little extreme for Coke and sandwiches don't you think?" she said playfully.
"It's the least I could do for everything you've done for me. I wanted to make sure you knew how grateful I am" they sat and Faith began taking the sandwiches from the bag, Leo opened the two drinks and placed them on the table.
"A simple 'thank you' would have sufficed."
"I'm sure it would have." Leo took a bite from the sandwich and watched Faith as she ate, "So. Who answered the phone?"
"Don and then Raph."
"Ah, I take it Raph was his usual charming self?"
"You could say that. He wasn't very receptive to my call, he loves you, you know."
Leo coughed as he almost choked on his meal, "What made you say that?"
Faith laughed and shook her head, "He threatened me. He basically said that if anything happened to you then I'd be in trouble. That tells me that he loves you."
"Well…" Leo shook his head, "I really have no idea what to say about that."
"Trust me, it's a good thing. A lot of people love you Leo, I can see why."
"I don't."
"You do and you know it. You have a lot of…" she gestured to the table, "charming characteristics."
Leo finished off the last of his sandwich and helped the food down with the Coke, Faith watched him.
"How are you feeling?"
"Hmm? Oh, yeah. I'm good. The bruising isn't too bad, just the aches and pains."
They finished their meal and started to clean the coffee table, Leo moved it back to its place and Faith watched as he hoisted the TV back on top of it. He moved towards the bed and sat down with a groan, his muscles sore and tender. Faith approached and gently gripped his arm, finding that his body was tense, she shifted behind him and started to massage gently. Leo didn't protest, his head lolled back and he sighed at the feeling.
Faith leaned down and gently kissed his exposed neck, Leo flinched at the sudden act but relaxed again, turning towards her face. Their lips met and Leo pulled her around and sat her on his lap, her arms reaching around his neck. He shifted on the bed and lowered her down as he kissed her neck and face. Faith moaned.
"Where the hell are they? She said they'd head back when it was dark!" Raph paced by the door and flailed his arms about, she had better not have been lying. The door opened slowly and Leo came in, Faith following close behind, her hand was intertwined with his and Raph groaned, he turned to walk away and his brother's heard his last comment before the door to his room closed, "What is this? Mating season?"
Mike chuckled and stood from the sofa, shaking his head, "We've gotta get him a girlfriend of his own." He moved towards Leo and Faith and stepped aside slightly as Charity ran to her sister, Faith didn't have time to steady herself as she was grappled and squeezed tight.
"You okay, bro? I see a few bruises and fresh cuts."
"Well, you're not blind," Leo quipped, "Nothing to worry about, just a little scrap."
"Uh huh." Mike replied, not convinced that it was just a scrap, Leo would say that, "You had us pretty worried there for a moment, we thought you were caught or something, but I see you were caught by a whole different thing entirely."
Mike gave Faith a wink and she flushed red, Leo batted his brother's arm playfully and Mike feigned pain.
"Where's Don?" Leo asked as his scan of the room revealed no Don or Bella, he was almost afraid to ask.
"Donny decided that Raph's bad vibes were too much for him, he and Bella went to his lab to do some 'research', if you know what I mean." Mike winked again.
"Have you got something wrong with your eye, Mike? I mean, that twitch looks a little worrying. Maybe you should let Don take a look at it for you?"
"Har de har, brother dear." He patted Leo's arm, "Glad you're safe bro, but you look like you could use some sleep. I don't suppose you got any whilst topside did you?"
Leo smiled, "No, not really."
"Thought so. Hey Faithy! How goes it?"
"Hi, Mike."
Mike tugged Charity aside and gave Faith a quick squeeze, Charity protested playfully and Mike pouted at her, "Hey, can't I even hug your sister now? Man, you're the jealous type, ain't ya?"
The room filled with playful banter and laughs until everyone decided it was time for bed, saying their 'goodnights' and leaving. Faith pulled Leo back and whispered softly.
"Leo, can I use the TV for a moment? I need to check something."
"Sure." He kissed her forehead quickly, "Don't stay up too long, okay?"
"Thanks"
He smiled at her and walked towards his room, Faith pulled the video from her jacket and pushed it into the player, pressing PLAY.