Me: I'm easily reasoning myself that I'm doing too much stories at the same time, but I kinda don't regret it. But I hoped that I wouldn't lose interest in this one too easily. I mean, this is my first TMNT story. Anyway, enjoy!

1. Intruder

The first thing she heard was the humming of machines. It was a comfortable and a familiar sound, being the techno dork of her team.

But she knew that she isn't anywhere near home.

Her last memory of what happened before; she was in front of the T.V., not in her lab where she usually spends her time. And if she was in front of the T.V., then she was sure that her brother was there also, making a lot of uproars in the lair over the T.V. remote.

But she didn't hear the loud voices of her brothers, just the continuous humming of whatever machinery that she is near.

Though she had tried to be aware of her current surroundings, her thoughts mostly traced back to the pain on her spine. She easily concluded that she landed on her back in; wherever she is. It made her wish that she had a shell like those red-ear sliders turtles that she had saw on T.V. before her hyper-active brother decided that she needed quality cartoons that wouldn't hurt his brain, if he had any.

She dared herself to open her eyes, seeing a rather very familiar ceiling. It didn't take long for her to figure out that she's in Leatherhead's current home, the one she introduced to her highly intelligent and kind-hearted friend.

Sitting up, minding her aching back, she looked around. The place haven't change from the last time she had been here working with Leatherhead and she couldn't help but let a small smile curve her mouth at the memory. But there is one question that disturbs her mind.

Why is she here?

A loud clatter was introduced, mixing in with the humming of the machines, her head twisting towards the sound.

She definitely did not expect seeing a giant, walking alligator on two feet in a lab coat and a pair of glasses over his eyes. But she can tell from his expression that he was as shock as she was. But soon enough, she reasoned herself to calm down, for Shedder was definitely scarier than this particular intelligent looking creature. Despite what he is, she had been taught better to know that you shouldn't look at a book by its cover. And she can see a glint on his eyes that he is only scared of her.

Maybe this is someone that Leatherhead has taken in? The man had been always kind to any living being.

But before she could ask, she noticed how his intellectual and soft eyes had turned slit, a dangerous look to them. It was familiar to her to how he does that, as if she had seen this before, but she didn't have time to think about it further as the reptile mutant in front of her suddenly charged, slamming his fist down from where she sat with a loud roar. With her years of training, she automatically rolled out of the way in a good distance away from him.

"Get out!" He snarled as he snapped his head towards her new spot she now occupied.

She felt her jaw drop as she heard the creature's voice loud and clear.

Now, the alligator sounded like Leatherhead! But that didn't make any sense! She would surely know if Leatherhead is undergoing a second mutation before it happens, but now that she thinks about it: his behavior is also too familiar like her friend's. The way he snaps, the way he moves, his personality; it's all too familiar.

But the last time she saw Leatherhead, he looked human. A second mutation would make him lose his mind to his animal side, but this one obviously still has his mind intact.

While raking her brain for answer, finding it actually aching from thinking too much, the reptile took his chance to attack her again. While she was able to dodge the punch with ease, she wasn't focus enough to notice the sweep of his tail that connected with her stomach, making her fly till she hit the wall.

Ok, that hurts; a lot. New rule: no thinking when being attack by an alligator who thinks you are the enemy. Not unless you wanted to be in a full body cast.

Rubbing her back, wishing once again for a shell; light chocolate brown eyes watched as the reptile stalk closer.

Hoping that the creature is as reasonable as her friend, Leatherhead, she put her hands up in defense.

"Please! I mean you no harm!" She said sincerely, not wanting to hurt him for she understood that he was just being defensive of his home.

The walking alligator stop not too long after, still on his guard but is contemplating on his next action with the sudden 'intruder' that invaded his home.

She let out the breath, that she just realized she had been holding, and slowly put her hands down. She was not sure, in truth, that she could take the alligator down without her weapon anyway.

"I-I'm a friend of Leatherhead, I supposed you know him, right?"

She hoped he did, since she is positive that this is his dwelling. She's the one who introduced him to it. But if this guy did something to her friend, he was about to get a well-deserved smack down.

But what occupied the creature's features is a confuse expression, the slit in his eyes turned into a soft gentle tilt.

"Excuse me…?" The alligator questioned confusingly, obviously baffled by the situation as she was.

Ok, now that she had a clearer sample of the creature's voice, she found that it is actually Leatherhead speaking to her, as crazy as it sounds to her. Her mouth slightly agape, her eyes widening strangely at the same time as the reptile, she couldn't help but blurt out:

"Leatherhead, what had happened to you?" "Donatello, what had happened to you?"

Both the brilliant-minded scientists had said at the same time.

Both fell into shock silence as they didn't know what to say to each other.

But, she made her final conclusion: that this is no doubtfully Leatherhead, her friend, the intellectual individual who she wouldn't mind conversing for hours and hours with no end.

For he knew her name.

Me: I found this rather satisfying. I had this story in my head for weeks, and while being stuck with three other stories that I need to write, I have to get this publish or go crazy.

I hoped this rouse your curiosity. And if you have questions, they will be answered later on as the story continues. So don't expect me to answer back ^^