Leap of Faith, Part One: Out of the Darkness

Chapter Eight

"I can't believe this," Miranda murmured, gingerly stepping through one of the many tunnels that led to the lair. With one hand clutching Leonardo's belt for guidance, and the other her violin case, she was clearly having a difficult time navigating with his mask wrapped around her head as a blindfold, because, as he'd patiently explained to her, he didn't want any of their enemies trying to find their home via her own memory. She slipped on a piece of trash, and swore quietly. Leonardo, who was carrying a rucksack filled with what must've been her entire wardrobe as well as two guitar cases, decided to remain silent.

"Mikey kind of hinted that you guys had an apartment somewhere." She sounded like she was making an effort to be polite, despite the somewhat forced levity in her voice.

"At least it's below ground level," Leo replied, shifting his burdens. "Tell me again why you needed the bathing suit and the instruments?"

She turned to the sound of his voice indignantly. "Those instruments are my life, Leo. And my livelihood, for that matter. Besides, that's a Gibson guitar, there. Would you leave your.....cutlasses behind?"

"Fair enough. And they're called katana, but that was a nice try." He guided her through a large subway chamber, listening to the soft echo of her footsteps. He had long ago learned how to move soundlessly, letting his presence go unnoticed. Like you're not even there. There was suddenly a sharp clanging of rusty metal grating on concrete; she had stumbled over something, but she refrained from exclaiming.

Actually, she was being a lot more tolerant than he'd expected, especially when he'd shared his initial plan: for her to stay in the lair for a few days with him-with his family-while he tried to dissuade the Knights from whatever they were so set on. Perhaps the memory of the Knight's violence was still a close reality; she'd accepted the suggestion as a logical course of action, and after making some phone calls, (something he did not agree with), they were out the door.

And now it seemed unfair to Leonardo that he should give her grief for wanting to take a few hundred pounds of clothes, no matter how much he wanted to.

They reached a dead end, and Leo pulled out his shell cell, dialed, and waited. The line rang for a good two minutes, which was followed with much rustling and distortion as it was picked up.

"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me? Who is this?"

"Hi Master. It's Leonardo....and I brought a friend. We're at the south entrance. Can you let us in?"

"Us?" Splinter's voice sounded distant, as though he was not even facing the receiver. At least he sounds curious, not angry.

"Miranda and myself. There's been a bit of trouble, and she needs to disappear for a little while. I'm sorry there wasn't really time to call before...." The line went dead, and after a few seconds passed the brick wall began to slide apart to reveal the interior of the lair. They entered, and Leo placed Miranda's things beside the couch. Splinter stood in the shadows, eying the human woman inquisitively. Miranda swiveled her head around searchingly.

"Leo? Where are you? Can I take this off now? Please?"

Leo obligingly removed his mask from her eyes, and she blinked rapidly for a moment before surveying the room with interest. When her gaze fell on Splinter, her entire body stilled for a good minute or so before she stepped forward, placing her palms together in front of her and bowing slightly, just as he'd shown her before they'd even left her room.

"Namaste. You must be Master Splinter. It is an honor to meet Leonardo and Michelangelo's father." Leo felt a small flush of pride at her words, and his sensei returned the gesture in one fluid motion.

"Welcome to our home, Miranda. I would prefer to have met you under less stressful circumstances, but nevertheless, you are welcome here as long as you like."

"Thank you, Master, that's very kind. I can earn my keep, although, I can't really cook....but I don't mind cleaning and I can provide entertainment." She glanced around for her instruments.

Splinter smiled. "That would be most appreciated, Miranda. And you may call me Splinter if you like." He turned to Leonardo. "Your brothers are not here: Michelangelo and Donatello went to the theater, and Raphael...." he trailed off, and Leo noted the tinge of sorrow in his master's voice. Raph's nocturnal prowlings were a constant point of contention and worry to everyone, but especially the Turtles' sensei. However, he gave no further indication of concern, instead heading in the direction of his room as he spoke. "Well, it's past my bedtime. Goodnight." When he had disappeared into his room, Miranda turned to Leo and raised her eyebrows sardonically.

"You didn't mention that your sensei was a giant rat," she whispered. Leo made to object but she continued. "It would just've been nice to have had a tiny bit of warning. So, keep that in mind for all of the future girlfriends that you bring home." She was grinning at him again, and he couldn't help but return the look in kind.

He led her up to his bedroom, pointing out the toilet as well as the bathhouse, with which she seemed duly impressed. "I'll give you the grand tour tomorrow," he said as she flopped down on his bed, yawning deeply. "And I'll make sure that you get to shower in private."

"Thank you, for everything,"she replied, though her voice was muffled by another yawn. Leo found himself fighting back the urge, his jaw tightening with his efforts. She smiled wearily at him, and bid him goodnight.

As he stood to leave, another thought occurred to him. "Oh, Miranda, my brothers may not be the gentlest of people....I mean, they're all great guys, but none of us is used to anyone, let alone a woman, sharing our home. Just don't take it personally if any of them, like Raph, gives you a bit of grief. He means well, he can just be a jackass sometimes." He looked down; she was sound asleep, snoring softly. After regarding her for a moment, Leo carefully pulled the blanket around her somnolent form and stepped outside the room. Only after he stumbled to the sofa and was seated for a few minutes did the day's events finally catch up with him.

But he was not sleepy. Instead he felt a restlessness stir within him, and he was suddenly taken with a desire for motion. It was not until after an hour of practice did Leonardo finally wear himself out enough to cease all thought and collapse across the couch cushions.

He awoke again in what seemed like scant moments later as the lair's phone rang. He rose to answer it, and soon Donatello's voice cut through the dreams and darkness.

"Hello, Master? Would you let us in? Mikey and I forgot..."

"Hey Don, it's me. I'll let you guys in," Leo said drowsily as he activated the hidden door.

Don and Mike entered, each a bit unsteady on his feet. Donnie immediately sank into the couch, grabbed the remote and switched on the TV to some late-night horror flick. Mike rustled around the kitchen for a few moments, returning with what appeared to be a peanut-butter and banana sandwich. He settled in beside his brother on the couch, regarding Leo thoughtfully.

"So, how was your evening?"

"Yeah, we didn't expect you back until later," Donnie chimed in.

"If at all," Mikey added, nudging Don.

Leonardo sat between his brothers on the sofa, and gazed at the muted television screen for a moment before replying. "It certainly was eventful," he said, glancing at his bedroom door. "You'll be proud Mikey, I brought a girl home with me at last....but it's not how you think," he added hastily, seeing the mixture of shock and glee on his brothers' faces. With a sigh, he launched into the story, part of his mind noting that neither of his siblings had heard of the White Knights. When he finished recounting, there was stunned silence for a moment, before Mike and Don began to snort with laughter.

"What's so funny about Miranda's life being in danger?" Leo asked. "Not to mention the emergence of a new gang that we knew nothing about. Why are you two laughing?"

"Because," Mikey said, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, "Instead of being in your room with a girl who's clearly got the hots for you, you were dozing in the living room, worrying about a new group of thugs."

"Come on, Leo," Don added, still grinning broadly. "You didn't need to bring her here, you just wanted to have her...on hand." They both snickered, but Leo shook his head.

"They told her that they would hurt anyone who tried to help her," he replied. "She was genuinely frightened, as well as injured, and I...." He broke off, and glanced across the room as a figure emerged from the shadows.

"As much as it pains me, I'm gonna agree with Leo the Magnificent."

"Thanks Raph," Leo said shortly.

"Don't get used to it." Raphael entered the room, clad in his motorcycle gear, and leaned casually against the wall as he continued. "Word on the street is the White Knights have gotten pretty serious lately. They run coke, meth, smack, pretty much most of your Class A's." His eyes narrowed. "They're a nasty bunch; I wouldn't let my girlfriend tackle them on her own."

"Well, then you did good bro!" Mikey gave Leo thumbs up.

"Do you know where I can find them?'" Leonardo met his brother's eyes.

"Nope. But I'm sure that we can track down these jerks," Raph replied.

Leo shook his head firmly. "No, Raph. Right now this is a personal....matter. I don't want to drag the rest of you into it."

Raphael made a noise of disbelief. "So now Captain Brotherly-Teamwork doesn't want to work as a team? Give me a break Leo."

"I can tap into the police files, maybe get some names and places," Don said rising to go to his computer.

Raph nodded. "I know a few folks who owe me a tip or two..."

"Wait a minute!" Leo cried, silencing them all. He looked at his brothers' faces for a moment before his shoulders slumped. The weight pressing on him lifted slightly, and he remembered how tired he was. "Thanks guys. But before all that, let's get some shuteye. I'm exhausted, Mike and Don are drunk-yes you are Donatello, I could practically smell your breath over the phone-and Raph is..."

"Also tired," Raph interjected curtly.

"Okay. So Mike, if you would be so kind...." Leo all but knocked Michelangelo to the floor as he stretched across the sofa, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.