Of Turtles and Lizards

Peace?

The three turtles followed their hot-headed brother into the infirmary aka Donnie's lab. To their very great surprise they found Mona Lisa sitting patiently on the end of the lab table. Raph's eyes narrowed and gave him a look "What? Look, I just don't like being treated like I'm fragile. I'm not about to break just because I was out of it for a little while."

"A little while! It's been almost twenty-four hours girl!"

Mona Lisa's eyes widened. "What?!"

"I guess Raph didn't really fill you in." The youngest said quietly.

The red-masked turtle in question handed the lizard mutant the pizza. Leo and Raph moved off to the side as Donnie did some tests to see whether or not the toxin had been successfully disposed of. Mikey began rambling on about all the stuff that had happened since Raph had brought her home that night. Mona half-listened as she ate her pizza quietly. When Michelangelo mentioned that the red-masked turtle had hardly left her side she smiled and glanced at him. He shrugged, his gaze lowered and his cheeks slightly flushed in embarrassment.

Leonardo noticed, but said nothing. He stood in the corner of the room, watching her in quiet contemplation. Finally, just as she finished the last slice of the pizza, the blue-banded turtle met her gaze. "What happened?"

She rolled her eyes. "I was attacked. I thought that would have been obvious."

"Who attacked you?" Leo rephrased his question in annoyance.

"At least now you're asking semi-intelligent questions." She stated dryly before answering, "I don't know."

"That's a lie." Leo stated with his eyes narrowed.

Raph gave her a questioning glance, feeling slightly ill-at-ease. If she's lying to Leo, who's to say that she hasn't been lying to me? No, no she wouldn't lie to me without good reason. So she's hiding something from us. Something she doesn't want us to know about, yet clearly puts her in danger.

She turned towards him with a small smirk. "You're the sharp one, aren't you, sword-boy?" But then Mona turned to Raph and the smile melted off her face.

The red-banded turtle was staring at her. His face was marred by a frown and his expression was tightly controlled. He looked like he was fighting to control his frustration, but for a moment she swore she saw a brief flash of pain in his eyes. "Why are you lying to us—me?" Raph said quietly, his tone mixed with anger, confusion and hurt. Then it turned hard, "More importantly, what are you trying to hide?"

Mona Lisa Moved to stand directly in front of him, taking his head in her hands as she forced him to look her in the eyes. "I'm not trying to hide from you, Raphael. I'm trying to keep you out of it." His bright green eyes stared into hers, still hesitant. "This is my battle, not yours. I'm not dragging you into it." She whispered.

Leo gave her a hard stare. She's telling the truth.

"I don't know who those guys who attacked me were, but you can bet your shell I'm going to find out."

"That would be most unwise." A new voice echoed through the lab and all eyes flew to the figure in the doorway. The four turtles standing in front of Mona Lisa parted for their father as the old rat approached her. "You do not need to fear me, Mona Lisa." Her eyes widened, "Yes, I know who you are. My sons have had many conversations about you over the past few weeks. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Hamato Yoshi, though you may call me Master Splinter. I am Raphael's father."

Mona bowed her head slightly in respect. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Master Splinter."

"Yes, and the same to you. Though I fear the pleasantries are over and done with. Do not go looking for trouble where none yet exists, Mona Lisa, or you will find yourself in great peril."