Of Turtles and Lizards

Everybody Loves Pizza

"Hey Mikey, has Raph eaten already?" Leo asked as he contemplated the remaining half-a-pizza.

Donnie was in the kitchen making coffee, half-listening to his brother's conversation. Ever since Don's diagnosis Raph had barely even left the lab. His brothers had taken to making sure that he ate since he refused to leave her side. The orange-clad brother looked up. "Yeah dude, why?"

"Pass me a slice." Leo said, gesturing to the box.

Mikey grabbed it and pulled it in towards his chest defensively. "What?! No way, dude, we have to save it!"

Leo waited for Michelangelo give an explanation. When none came he humored him, "Okay, why do we have to save it, Mikey?"

"In case Mona Lisa wakes up! She's been asleep for almost 24 hours, bro, she's gonna be hungry!"

Leonardo and Donatello exchanged glances before gaving the younger turtle a bland stare. "Michelangelo, we don't even know that she likes pizza."

"Sure she does! She'll love that we saved some for her, bro!"

Donnie rubbed his temples with his hand. Boy, Mikey could be really dense sometimes. "Just because we love pizza, doesn't mean that everybody else does."

"I know bro, but it's her favorite food so I figured: Why not?" Leonardo's eyes narrowed suspiciously and Mikey realized his mistake. "Oops."

"Okay Mikey, when did you meet her?" Oh no, not the interrogation face.

Michelangelo shut his mouth, trying to resist the urge to tell his brothers. Leo's stare intensified and his mouth filled, the words about ready to burst. Finally the youngest caved and a long run-on string of words poured from his mouth. "Uh, like a while ago. I was asleep on the couch and I saw Raph sneaking out so I followed him and he let me talk to Mona Lisa, you know, one-on-one, sorta. I asked her what her favorite color was, and her favorite food and she said pizza and I was like 'OMG that is so awesome!' and then I warned her not to hurt Raph cause he's a big softie and she said she really liked him. Then Raph came back and grabbed me by my bandana tails and dragged me away!"

The older turtles stared, first at their brother, then each other. I'll have to ask Raph later. Leo thought.

There was a loud FWAP as something smacked Michelangelo from behind. "Why'd you tell them, shell-for-brains?" The red-clad turtle asked, not really expecting an answer. He pulled the pizza box from Mikey's hands and began walking back into the lab.

"Hey! You can't eat that, bro! It's for Mona!"

"I know that, you doofus! Why do you think I came out to get it?"

"She's awake?" Donnie asked going into Doctor mode.

"Yeah, and I think she'll be okay."

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A few minutes prior...Mona's POV

I woke up with a quiet groan and found myself on my back staring up a very unfamiliar ceiling. I blinked a couple of times to make certain I wasn't dreaming. I looked around tiredly, my eyes only half open. What happened? Oh yeah, those things shot me with some kind of poison dart...Where am I? My mind was a foggy and I felt light-headed. I tried to move around a little bit when I realized that someone was holding my hand. I looked over. Raph... I smiled endearing at him. He was seated on a stool by my side, his eyes closed and softly snoring. His hand was wrapped tightly around mine, as though he were afraid I would slip away. Like a guardian angel staying by bedside, watching over me...I smiled weakly, and extricated my hand from his grasp. My dark brown eyes examined his face, so quiet and still, yet with that same wrinkle in his brow and small frown on his lips. I almost chuckled. He frowns even when he's asleep. I ran my hand over his head and down the side of his face, making him stir.

Big green eyes opened sleepily. He looks really cute when he's sleepy. I thought.

"Hey you." I managed weakly.

He was awake in a flash, and leaned over me. "Mona." He said softly, almost in relief, as he pressed my hand to the side of his face. "Mona." He whispered this time more quietly as he pressed his forehead against mine, staring deep into my half-open eyes. "How do you feel?" he asked hesitantly.

"Like shell." I muttered, but I soon realized that was the wrong thing to say when his face filled with worry. "But I'm alive."

"Thanks to Don, he was able to concoct an antidote to save you."

I nodded. Filing that information away for later. "And thanks to you."

He sighed with a light growl. "No, I didn't do anything. I felt so helpless."

"You got me here in time. That was enough." I looked around again. "Wherever here is." I muttered.

"This is Donnie's Lab. I had to carry you back to the Lair to get you fixed up."

I pulled my hand away gently and held out my arm. Raph looked at it, confused. "I'd appreciate it if you'd give me some help sitting up."

"You just woke up, are you sure it's not too soon for-" he began worriedly, but I cut him off.

"Raph, please trust me when I say that I don't do bed rest well. Just let me sit up a little. I promise I won't go too fast to soon, okay?" His eyes narrowed but he took hold of arm and pulled me up. Raphael did it so slowly and methodically you'd think I was made of glass. Once I was sitting up I looked around, opening my eyes a bit more, feeling more awake. "So," Raph looked at me, "what's a girl gotta do" I paused and he canted his head, "to get some food around here?"

Bright green eyes widened in understanding and he stood, "Mikey was saving some pizza for ya, that okay?"

"Sounds great." I replied.

He smiled and then regarded me seriously, "Don't try anything while I'm gone okay?"

"Oh, I don't know, Raph. I'm feeling so good I might just try running a marathon before you get back." I said sarcastically and he rolled his eyes.

"Shut up, brat. I'll be right back." He started to leave the room, before he paused and looked back at me.

"There something you want to say to me, turtle-boy?" I asked playfully.

He grinned but it melted quickly. "Yeah, Mona...I'm really glad you're okay."

How sweet. I smiled at him. "Me too, Raph. Me too." He smiled and left me alone to my thoughts for a few moments.