Now and Forever


CHAPTER TWO

Megan's Discovery



Megan pushed the door open and slowly stepped inside. "Casey?" she called. She set her suitcase on the floor and glanced around the apartment. "You here?"

It was a simple apartment, but very nice. She had never been to her aunt's old building before, but from the good condition it appeared to be in, it made her wonder if April had done some renevating after she'd bought it.

There were a lot of windows and the living room was large and bright. A black leather couch and loveseat sat adjacent to eachother on one end of the room, with a coffee table slightly in front of that. Something about the table caught her attention and she studied it intently. Upon further examination, she found a large crack running down the entire length of it, almost separating it into halves. She ran her finger down the fault, realizing that it must have been glued back together. How odd.

The tan carpet looked new, except for a few dark brown stains that stood out in sharp contrast against its light color. She squinted curiously at the spots for a few moments. Could that be blood? She thought the better of it and continued exploring. A large entertainment center sat across from the couch, adorned with a big screen television, a vase filled with pink and yellow carnations, and numerous pictures of Casey and April. Must be April's touch. She smiled as her gaze went from photograph to photograph, until finally her sight fell on one that immediately caught her attention. She picked up the frame, studying its contents carefully. It was a picture of the two of them standing in front of her aunt's old farmhouse. They both looked so happy. April really was a pretty woman. She had long dark hair similar to her own, a bright smile, and a certain gleam in her eye that said, 'I have a very interesting life'.

"Well, you must.", Megan said quietly, "You're marrying Casey."

Something, though, wasn't quite right about the picture. At first, Megan couldn't put her finger on it. She studied April and Casey. Their smiles seemed genuine and there was nothing unusual about them that she could pinpoint. Her sight drifted to the farmhouse. She hadn't been there since she was a kid, but it looked just like she remembered it. Deciding it was just her over-active imagination at work again, she began to set the picture back in its place, when suddenly she spotted something disturbing. She snatched the photo back up, bringing it close to her eyes. Squinting in concentration, she studied the three figures that lurked in the background. The people were small, only about the size of her fingernail, but even though they were barely visible, something about them was unsettling. Was it their physique? Their height? Maybe it was because - they're green!

Megan's eyes ran over the figures again and again as questions filled her mind. Where these guys sick? Oh my god, maybe they're aliens!

"There goes my imagination again.", she said aloud, as she set the picture down. Must just be a bad exposure.

Raphael sat motionless as he crouched in the shadows in the dimness of the hallway. Holding Shadow's hand, he watched as the girl surveyed April and Casey's home. Who is she?

Shadow tugged at his bandanna strings. "Unca Raph", she whispered.

He put a finger to his mouth again, instructing her to be quiet.

"I gotta go potty!", she said, barely audible.

Oh no, not now! Raph moaned under his breath as he picked her up and carried her down the hall.

"Can you hold it?", he whispered, setting her down.

Shadow shook her head, rocking slightly. "I gotta go now!", she pouted, her eyes wide in anticipation.

Raph glanced around the room. "Alright", he said, "Tell ya what..." He opened a door leading to the building's main hall. "Go down the hall to uncle Mike's house and hurry back."

"Kay.", she smiled.

"You remember how to get there, right?"

"Yes, unca, I member.", she said, running out of the room.

Megan continued to explore. She strolled over to the dining area, examining the flowery wall paper and the pretty lace curtains. Definately a woman's touch. She stood in front of the mirror, fixing her wind-blown hair. God, I'm a mess! She straightened her dress and removed her sweater, revealing the satiny material beneath.

"That's better.", she told herself. As she took stock of her surroundings, she noticed a black garment hanging on the back of one of the dining room chairs. "What's this?" She picked up the coat and eyed it curiously. Did Casey forget his tuxedo jacket? "He'd forget his head if it wasn't attached to his shoulders." She smiled, sticking her arm through one of the sleeves.

Damn! Raphael cursed himself again. He sat in the hallway, peeking at the girl as she tried on his coat. "I don't believe this!", he mumbled, shaking his head. Casey's gonna kill me! First he was late for his wedding, then he had let this strange girl into his home, and if that wasn't bad enough, now he would show up without his jacket. Leo was going to let him have it for this one.

Raph, I can't believe you. How could you let everyone down like this? You always have to do things your way. It's all about you, isn't it, Raph? Raphael cringed as Leo's familiar speech flashed through his mind. The guys are gonna have a field day with this!

Deciding that he could deal with the intruder later, he crawled swiftly and silently toward the main hall. I'll take Mike's apartment to the sewers. It'll take me longer, but I'll never get out of here if I wait for her to scram.

Crash! The loud noise of glass breaking suddenly jarred Megan from her thoughts. Setting down the coat, she glanced around the room nervously. Clang! It sounded like it came from the kitchen. Raph also heard the comotion and ran back toward the living room.

"Casey?", Megan called. Cautiously, she took a step toward the kitchen. Clang! The noise came again. "Casey, is that you?"

Someone or something was definately in the house with them. Raph knelt in silent anticipation, his breathing sparadic, his heart racing as he forced himself to wait.

"Casey...?", her voice came quieter this time. "This isn't funny, Casey!" A rush of panick engulfed her, making it hard to breath.

Is there a burgler in Casey's apartment? In desparation, she glanced around the room, searching for something to protect her. She noticed one of Casey's beaten up old baseball bats leaning against the wall. Gripping the bat with both hands, she decided to stand her ground.

The tension was building as Raphael kept his focus on the girl, who stood clutching the weapon in silent horror. Crash! Clang! Bang! The comotion grew louder and more intense, almost as if someone wanted to be heard. Whipping out his sais, he decided he couldn't hold out any longer. It was time to take matters into his own hands. The instant he stepped out from the hallway, there was a loud click and the room went dark.

"Aaaahhh!", Megan screamed, gripping the bat tighter. "Hello?" Her voice quavered in the darkness. "Hey, look, this isn't funny!" She stepped away from the kitchen, not daring to turn around as she struggled to focus in the pitch-blackness.

What was that? The sound of footsteps filled the room, surrounding her. She could see no one, but could feel their presence all around her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she held the bat in front of her face, determined to strike at whatever came her way.

Without warning, a fist struck her in the side of the head, and she stumbled backwards. Ouch! Her head pounded from the heavy blow. Letting out a gasp, she swung the bat as hard as she could, making firm contact with flesh. The body fell to the floor unconscious with a loud thud.

"That'll show ya!", she said quietly.

Raph ran toward the scene undetected. Gripping his sais firmly, he charged at the Foot soldiers. Luckily for him, his perceptive sense of sight gave him the advantage, enabling him to begin his "surprise attack" without ever being detected.

"Hai!", he yelled as he shoved his sais into two of the Foot's backs. As he yanked his weapons, he watched the bodies fall lifeless to the floor. "That's what you get for picking on people who're smaller than you!", he growled.

One of the Foot came toward him, weilding a katana. Raph blocked it with his sai, kicking him in the gutt. As the man stooped over in pain, he brought his knee up, making contact with his head. The soldier dropped to the floor. As Raph took out several more ninjas, he caught site of Megan struggling in the darkness. She was surrounded by the Foot, weapons flying. As they leared at her, she swung the bat, attempting to keep them at a distance.

Megan felt dizzy as a bo came down, smacking her in the head. She tried to counter with the bat, but she was growing weak from all of the fighting and the injuries she had sustained. Dropping to her knees, she sobbed in fright. I'm going to die! The harsh reality convulsed through her body as she crouched in silence, waiting for the final blow.

"Hey!", a voice shouted, startling Megan from her dispair, "Don't you guys know the meaning of a 'fair fight'?"

Megan gasped in wonder, unable to see what was happening as Raphael took them down. Metal met metal with a loud clang and bodies thumped to the floor. Weak and faint, she began to crawl across the carpet to the front door. Gotta get outta here. She bumped into an unconscious carcass which lay blocking her only exit. Shit!

Defeated, Megan slumped to the ground, supporting herself with the mangled body. The sound of weapons could still be heard in the darkness, but it was growing quieter. The fight was almost over. Who is this guy? She wondered in awe at her savior. And why is he helping me?

Raphael surveyed his surroundings. There were no more ninja in sight, atleast none standing. He ran toward the girl who sat motionless, breathing heavily, her eyes squinted in pain.

"Stay here.", he commanded, creeping cautiously toward the kitchen.

"Like there's anywhere for me to go.", she groaned through clenched teeth.

Raphael allowed his eyes to slowly scan the kitchen. He examined the table - no one on or under it. He opened each cabinet in turn, searching its contents for bombs, weapons, or anything dangerous the Foot might have left behind. As each door swung open, he was confronted only with glasses, silverware and napkins. He opened the refrigerator, realizing for the first time how hungry he was. No time to eat, he told himself. Satisfied that the kitchen was clear, he walked to the broken window. Shards of glass covered the linoleum where the Foot had made their entrance. Damn! I gotta get Don up here to install a security system!

Next, Raph surveyed the living room, making sure there weren't any conscious Foot to catch him off guard. Once convinced that the danger was diminished, he approached the girl. Megan could sense Raph's presence, even though she couldn't see him.

"Are you okay?", he asked gently.

Megan was apprehensive. This man was a stranger who had somehow gotten into Casey's home. She wasn't sure she trusted him.

"Y...yeah...but my head is killing me!", she moaned, gripping her head with her hands. Her heart continued to pound in her chest as a lump formed in her throat.

"We gotta get you outta here." Raph was concerned. The girl had taken numerous blows to the head. Blood dripped from her arms, legs and forehead, and large bruises were forming on her shins and face.

"Please", she whispered, the terror gripping her in its invisible fingers. "What do you want?" Raph slipped his sais back into his belt, studying her intensely.

"Please", she pleaded again, her voice shaking with fear and confusion.

"It's not safe here." Raph replied.

Megan cringed in the darkness as the warm blood trickled down the side of her face and onto the satin dress. The smell of sweat and blood filled her nostrils, making her want to vomit. She closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating on the throbbing in her head. She knew this stranger was speaking the truth.

"We gotta get out of here.", he said again.

"I don't have anywhere else to go.", she whimpered.

Raphael pondered that for a moment. Was it safe to bring her into the sewers? What if they were followed? He didn't even know who this girl was and what she was doing in Casey and April's apartment. After a moment of debate with himself, he decided it was the only course of action, and by the looks of her condition, he needed to act now. He would use one of Splinter's concoctions to knock her out, dress her wounds, make sure the Foot were gone from the apartment and carry her back here, watching over her until Casey and April returned. All the while, he would stick to the shadows, so she would never see him. She would think it was a dream, and his secret would be safe.

"What's your name?", he asked, trying to keep the harsh tone from his voice.

"Megan", came the reply. "Megan Jones."

Jones? Was she a relative of Casey's? Raph crouched down close to her, shifting his weight to the balls of his feet. "Can you walk?" He reached out a hand to touch her cheek, but then thought the better of it, and returned it to his lap.

"I'm not sure.", Megan whispered. "So...dizzy...".

Raphael wanted to ask her what she was doing here, why she had entered Casey's apartment, whether she was a relative, but decided it was better to leave the questions for later, after her wounds had been attended to and she'd had time to rest.

"Who...are you?" She fought for air, her lungs burning with every breath.

"Name's Raphael." He grinned into the darkness. "I'm...a friend."

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"Leo, I'm worried." April and Leonardo stood in the foyer at the back of the chapel, waiting for the ceremony to begin. "Where are Raph and Shadow? They should have been here a half hour ago."

"I know." Leo let the disgust and disappointment show on his face. "He's probably in one of his moods again. I'm gonna kill 'im if he ruins this night for you, April."

"You don't think something bad happened, do you?" April was concerned. Raph had a temper sometimes, and he could be moody, but it wasn't like him to let down a friend, especially on a day as important as this one.

"I'm sure he's fine.", Leo said, aggitated.

April peeked into the main chapel, letting her gaze fall on the flowers and streamers that decorated the pews. "He was so excited about being the best man." She frowned. "Something just seems wrong."

Splinter entered the room, a look of deep worry on his face.

"Master?", Leo gasped at his sensei's troubled expression, "What is it?"

Splinter looked into his pupil's eyes. "I have had a vision."

__________________________________________________________________________________

"Ouch!" Donatello complained as the pin poked into his plastron. "Watch it, Mikey! That flower's supposed to be pinned to my jacket, not my shell!"

"Sorry, Donnie." Mike grinned. "These pins are so small, and my fingers are so big, and...well, these suckers are hard to put on!" Mike lifted the rose from Don's lapel, studying it carefully.

"Give it here, Mike." Casey stood behind him with his hand out, waiting to accept the boutenniere. Mike handed it over reluctantly and watched as Casey stuck the pin effortlessly into the jacket.

"Hmmph!", he crossed his arms over his chest. "I coulda done it if you would've given me the chance."

"Where's Raphael?" Casey groaned, glancing at the clock. "If he doesn't get his shell over here, I'm gonna kill 'im!"

"I'm sure he'll be here, Casey" Don reassured him. "He wouldn't miss your big day."

"Guys!" Suddenly, Leo came rushing into the room, a look of worry plastered on his face.

"What is it, Leo?" Don asked, startled.

"Come quick, it's Splinter!"

"What happened to Splinter?" Mike jumped up, running toward the door.

"Mike." Leo held out a hand to stop him, "Splinter's fine. He wants to talk to us." He glanced at Casey. "All of us. Right now."

___________________________________________________________________________________

"Come...into the light." Megan gasped as the pain continued to fill her chest.

"What?" That had caught Raph off guard.

"I'm scared.", she admitted. "I want to see you."

Raph's head was spinning. Here was this beautiful girl, and he wanted nothing more than to get to know her, to be able, for once to show himself to a human without feeling like an outcast, but he was sure that day would never come. He hated being a turtle in a human's world. No one understood him, not even his brothers, who were more like him than anyone else on this god forsaken planet.

"No time.", he said quickly.

"Please.", Megan coughed. "I...I need to know I can trust you."

Raph glanced around the room at the piles of Foot soldiers strewn aross the floor. "I just kicked these guys' butts and you don't know if you can trust me?" He was immediately regretful of his harsh, accusing tone.

"I'm sorry." Megan sobbed. This whole situation was just too much for her. First, the disappointment of being too late for the wedding, then the bizarre picture, the strange noises, being attacked in the dark by a whole army of strange men, and now, sitting here in excrutiating pain while a stranger yelled at her for being reluctant to trust him.

"Hey, don't be. It's not your fault." Raph's voice was gentle. "Sorry I yelled.", he said. "But I gotta get you outta here." He laid a hand very gently on her bruised shoulder. "If I don't, you may not make it, and I could never forgive myself for that." He smiled. "Now...are you gonna trust me?"

Raph's hand was surprisingly cold on her sweaty shoulder. His grip was light, but reassuring. Something in his voice told her that she could trust him. She had to, what other choice did she have?

"Take my hand.", he said, reaching his arm in her direction.

Blinded by the lack of light, she felt around in the darkness. Her hand fell on his leg. Wow, this guy's got muscles bulging out of muscles!, she thought wearily. No wonder he's such a good fighter. Don't want to get on his bad side! She ran her hand along his leg and up to his plastron. How odd...

"Are you wearing armor?", she asked weakly.

Raph grinned, "Yeah, you could say that."

Finally, her hand made contact with his, and she gripped it tightly. Something about the way he cluthced her hand made her uneasy. Deciding to explore it further, she brought her other arm up to feel his fingers.

"My god!", she whispered, pulling her hand from his. Her eyes widened in fright as she gasped in large amounts of air.

"It's okay.", he assured her quickly.

"What are you?", she whispered.

Raph stood up and walked toward her. By the light that poured in through the window, she could make out his stocky sillhouette.

"My god!", she gasped as he came into full view. "You're a...t...t...turtle!"


Chapter Three

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