Unexpected Gift

Chap 15

The Foot found no signs of Leo on the ship.

"He must have found a way off the ship, or he is in a real good hiding spot Master." The ninja was now having to explain to the Shredder about where Leonardo was. He was not pleased with the way things had turned out yesterday. The whole Foot had looked and looked, but there had been no signs of the pregnant turtle.

"This will not do! Find Leonardo, or you will say goodbye to your life!" The Shredder threatened and his threats were always very real. Never jokes.

"Yes Master. I will find him." He got up from his kneeling and went to continue the search.

He had to figure this out. If the turtle had gotten off the ship, then there was only one place he would be headed to, New York. Now that the ship was almost to South America for its refill stop, they would fill up and turn the ship around. They were going back to New York.

--

Leo was on a rest right now from his new traveling. He had to try to reach Master Splinter to tell him that he was just fine, and they didn't have to come after him to Japan. He was on his way home, even if he had to come from the southern states.

He was in meditation pose. Leo was trying very strongly in the astral plane to reach Splinter.

"Master Splinter. Master Splinter, can you hear me?" Leo said in his mind.

-

Back home, Splinter was just about as worried about his son as his brothers were. He was watching mostly what Donatello was doing.

Don did feel responsible for letting Leo go out after all. He blamed himself.

Splinter suddenly felt a sharp jolt in his mind. He grunted and started to fall over. "Oh!"

"Master Splinter!" The boys shouted. Mikey caught his sensei.

"What's wrong Master?" Don asked.

"I don't know. I suddenly felt something enter my mind." Splinter said. He had a hand on his head.

"What was it?" Raph asked.

"It felt like someone was trying to reach me through my mind." The rat said.

"Could it be Leo?" Mikey asked.

"Maybe. I have been trying to reach Leonardo for the past few days and nothing. If he is reaching out to me now, I have a chance." Splinter said. "Let me go so I can see who is trying to reach me."

Mikey let go of Splinter. He went to his room so he could concentrate better. He got comfortable and went into a meditation trance. "Who is there?" He asked.

-

Leo got a response at last. "It's me Master. Leonardo."

"Leonardo?"

"Yes?"

"Where are you, my son?"

"I was on Shredder's ship, have been trying to reach you, and telling you not to worry. I am off the ship now, and on my way home. I managed to jump ship down here in Georgia." Leo said.

"Georgia? That is a long way away from here Leonardo. Just be careful. We can come down there and get you."

"I know I'm in Georgia, Master, but I have no idea where in the state that I am. They were taking me to Japan." Leo said.

"How is the baby doing?" Splinter asked.

"It's fine, if not causing the usual stomach cramping." Leo said. He gave his belly a rub.

"The Foot haven't harmed you, have they?"

"No. But they did have me tied down, force fed, and were going to make sure that I wasn't going to escape, but I did manage to get away, stay hidden, and jumped ship. I swam to the mainland, and I traveled some. I made a camp and ate fish last night. I'm fine Master."

Leo explained. "I'm going to continue to move on Master. I'll get as far as I can, and when I can find out where I am, I'll find a phone and call since my shell cell is back there in New York."

"Alright Leonardo. Just be careful. I hope to hear from you soon." Splinter said.

"Me too." Leo replied. At least he and Splinter had now made a connection.

Splinter came out of his room and went to tell his 3 sons that he had had contact with Leo.

-

"Georgia!" Raph was in shock. His father had now told him and his bros where Leo was.

"How'd he get there?" Mikey asked.

"He managed to escape from the Foot, who were taking him to Japan. He jumped off their ship and swam to the land. Now he's on his way home. He said he would call as soon as he found out where he was." Splinter explained.

"But how is he and the baby?" Don asked, concerned for his bro's condition.

"They're both fine Donatello." Splinter said.

"I just hope Leo can make it a good distance without the baby hurting him too much." Don said.

"I'm sure he'll know how to handle himself, my son." Splinter said. He knew Leo knew how to take care of himself. He had been in Japan going to the Ancient One those years ago, but that had been a little different than now. Leo hadn't had a baby in his stomach at the time.

Don knew that the instant Leo was home, he would want to check both Leo and his baby to make sure they were alright. But until they got the call of where he was, they all felt useless and like sitting ducks (turtles).