“. . . Psst, Dudette. . .
     . . . Hey Mona Lisa, wake up. . .”
     “Huh?”  I opened my eyes groggily, feeling slightly confused.
     Michaelangelo peered down at me, “ ‘Morning, or actually, ‘evening.”
     He smiled as I shot a glance at the clock: 4:56 p.m.!  I sat up, hands on my head; the rising motion caused the blanket that had been draped over me to slip from my upper half.  As I turned back to Mike, I spoke to get his eyes up off my body and to my face:  “Hi Mike.”
     “Sorry to wake you, just thought I’d see if you wanted to join us for dinner.”  He had the same hopeful expression as Raph had had, but unlike his brother his whole face showed the emotion, not just his eyes.
     I smiled.  This Turtle was definitely a sweetie.  He reminded me of a big puppy dog--eager to please.  “Thanks, I’ll be right there.”
     Mikey nodded, and, with several backward glances, left me.  Pushing the blanket away, I stood, stretching.  I slid my hands to the back of head under my hair and raised them, lifting my locks in the process.  My hair tumbled from my fingers as I extended my arms to full length over my head.  I sat back down on the bed and arched my spine, thrusting my chest out and tossing by head back.  I held the position, sighing at the feeling of the stretch; I jerked at a touch on my arm.  “Raph!  Geez, must you always do that!?”
     “Sorry,” his grin gave away that he wasn’t sincere.
      He stood in front of me, peering down as I shook my head with a giggle, “Ninjas.”  I raised my eyes to look at him.  I stopped laughing when I saw his face.  The grin had vanished and his expression was serious.  He reached down, and gently grasped my upper arms;  his palms were damp against my skin, his fingers seemed to scorch my flesh with their heat.  Raph pulled me to my feet before him; his hand slid up my arms to my face.  His thumbs caressed the softness of my cheeks.  I couldn’t take my eyes from his.  He held my face, as if afraid I would get away, and slowly drew his closer.  He tenderly kissed the tip of my beak.  I closed my eyes as his lips found mine.  This kiss was not as passionate as this mornings, but was definitely more meaningful.  Our tongues met briefly, then he pulled way, not a jerking motion like this morning, but slowly, our mouths remaining close for a moment, feeling each other’s breath.  I had been so surprised, my hands remained at my sides.  But as he continued to gently cup my face, I slowly opened my eyes and raised my hands to cover his.
     “. . .Why did you do that?”  I whispered.
     “Because I wanted to.”  Though his voice was soft, his words were firm.
     I didn’t know what to think.  So I simply said, “We’d better get to dinner.”  I pulled gently away and walked toward door, stopping to look back and make sure Raph was following.  He stood where I had left him, watching me.  Slowly, I returned to him, reached down and took his hand--palms still damp, fingers warm.  I could still fell the searing heat of his fingertips on the skin of my arms.  Offering him a small grin, we walked toward the sound of a meal being served.

     Dinner was a comfortable affair.  No one pressured me into trying to remember things I couldn’t.  Instead we talked of today’s workout and about the Turtles’ lives.  Raphael, I discovered, had dozed on the couch while watching TV when I had taken over his bed.  I also learned the Turtles had another human friend, a woman, that I would get to meet soon.  An uneasiness about humans tickled the back of my mind.  Why?  I ignored the feeling and joined the other’s laughter as Raph grabbed Mike in a nouggie after a rude comment.  The family-like atmosphere was wonderful.  Four brothers and their loving father.  I couldn’t help feeling out of place.  They were all doing their best to welcome me, all so kind and friendly, but I just couldn’t escape the discomfort. . .
 
     I helped clear the table after dinner, but was kicked out of the kitchen when I offered to help tackle the dishes.  Mike, armed with a sponge and Leo toting a dish towel began the arduous task, while Don offered to show me his computer.  I followed the Turtle to his work area.  It was full of gadgets and tools; papers and plans; a tinkerers room.  Don had fixed up and improved his old, out-dated computer himself.  I watched in fascination as Don show off a few of his games.  He offered to let me try my luck, but I declined.  I stood next to the seated Turtle, watching DOOM, when a hand fell on my shoulder.  I didn’t jump;  I knew who it was.  Raph’s hand lifted off as I turned to face him.  Donatello glanced up from his game, but quickly returned his attention back to the screen.
     “Wanna go for a walk?”  There was that hopeful glint in his eyes again.
     “Sure,” I shrugged and fell into step beside Raph as he walked to the door.  The sounds of computer games and dishes clinking were cut off once the door closed.  We walked in silence; at one point Raph reached over and took my hand--a simple, friendly gesture.  After a short time, Raphael stopped me with a tug on my arm.  He put a finger to his lips and pointed up.  I raised my eyes to see a manhole.  Raph started up the rusted ladder and lifted the cover to peek out.  After a moments surveillance, he moved the cover completely and pulled himself up.  His face appeared over the side, and he gestured for me to follow. Cautiously, I climbed the grimy ladder, and poked my head out into a brightly lit pipe.  Raph offered me a hand up, then turned me to the west, where the light was coming from.
     “Wow.”  What a sight!  Through the open end of the tunnel was a flaming red sun setting over the ocean, the brilliant hue catching in the waves.  We stood silent, side by side in a huge drainage pipe under the highway, watching the glorious sunset.  Raph slipped an arm around my waist and pulled me close.  Sighing, I rested my head on his shoulder as the Turtle gave me a friendly squeeze. . .

Ouch!
Stop it!
Ungh!  Straps too tight!  Can’t move!
Stupid bonds!  Stupid men!
Machines all around
Oh no!  Wendy!  Strapped down too
Hasn’t even woken up from last time
Poor thing so weak. So thin
Huh?  What!?  No!!  Syringe!!
God knows what in it this time
You bastards!  Leave her alone!
Grr!  Damn straps!  Damn Them!
You dirty sons of. . .
Uh oh
Ack!   Stay away!
Please no more!
No more. . .
Please God. . .
. . .no. . .
 
    “Mona Lisa!!”
     “. . .no. . .n-huh. . .?”  I blinked at the face hovering in front of mine.  “Raph. . . ?”
    The Turtle looked quite freaked out.  “What happened?”
     “I should be asking you !”  His eyes were full of worry.
     I peered around.  The tunnel had grown dark, stars were beginning to creep into the sky, visible through the open-ended pipe.  I was on my knees with Raph squatting in front of me.  Shaking my head to clear the cobwebs, I let Raph help me to my feet.  Then it hit me.  Memories like a title wave.  “Gah!”  I staggered and would have fallen if Raphael hadn’t caught me.
     He held me to him tightly as I shuttered, a cold sweat forming on my brow.  “It’s all right,” he whispered, his voice cracking a bit, “I’ve got you.  I’ve gotta get you home.”
     I couldn’t answer.  Too many thoughts whirling in my mind.  So confused and disoriented.  I barely noticed Raph carrying me down the ladder, then leading me back to the Turtles lair.  As he helped me through the door something ignited in my brain and exploded; So strong a feeling. . . Too strong!  Reality seemed to tilt away as I was swallowed by darkness. . .