The Red Shadow (TMNT)

Partners

Raph was awoken by the smell of bacon. Every guy, even turtles, knows when there's bacon around. "Ahhh," he thought to himself, "so this isn't a dream." "This is reality and my dream girl isn't a fantasy."

He smiled to himself and rolled over to face Addy in the kitchen, but only to be reminded of his stab wound and he let out a short moan.

"I cleaned it once while you were sleeping," Addy said. "You were sweating a little and mumbling so I was trying to make you comfortable." "You definitely need some rest, but I mean like a week vacation from your night watching."

"Who's Leo, by the way?" "Friend?" She asked.

"Yeah, you could say that," Raph said with sadness. "We used to be close."

"Oh, ok," Addy said. She could tell that Raph didn't wanna talk about it.

He stared at the carpet for a few more blank seconds and the two sat in silence before Raph threw his blanket off and got up.

"Mind if I use your bathroom?" He asked.

"Of course not, first door on the left." She smiled.

Raph went into the bathroom to wash his face. (Did he really dream about Leo, did he need his brother more than he realized, his family...) either way he wasn't quite ready to open up to Addy about his family problems. She had enough to worry about taking care of a giant green mutant and trying to lead a normal life. He looked himself over in the mirror.

"What are you doing Raph!?" He softly spoke but with anger. "You really care about this girl, don't put her in danger by staying here." "You've got to protect her by avoiding her." "The last thing you need is your enemies knowing that you have a love interest." "Sooner or later someone would get hurt."

Addy knocked on the door.

"You okay in there?" "Do you need anything?" She asked.

"No, I'm fine, (Raph flushed the toilet for a distraction), "just finishing up."

Addy knew that tone; she had gone through the same experience when her parents left her. She knew Raph was lying about being okay but she decided to let it go for now and that he would open up when the time was right.

He stepped out and saw that Addy was making the table.

"Why are you doing this, Addy?" He asked. "I mean, I helped you and all, but you've already repaid me by doctoring me up and letting me get some rest."

"Well maybe I'm just being nice," she winked and laughed.

"Besides, it's not everyday I meet a giant turtle!" "I'd love to here your life story." She said with excitement and curiosity.

"I'm not that interesting," he assured her.

"Oh stop being modest and come enjoy your bacon!" She winked. "I don't make breakfast that often; I never have guests; I'm quite a loner actually."

"Nice," Raph thought to himself. "But that could get us both in trouble; being too independent." (He knew she was fiercely independent from day one; he saw so much of himself in her; that's what had attracted him to her in the first place).

The two enjoyed their bacon, toast, and eggs and Raph fought with her over who was doing the dishes.

"Hey, look, I'm in your debt, don't make me break out the ninja weapons," he grinned and smirked at her.

She let out a sigh, "Fine, you win this time tough guy," rolling her eyes.

While Raph was busy she looked over her apartment trying to figure out what needed to be trashed and what she might could fix. She lifted up a speaker and saw what looked like small pitchforks.

"Woah..." She exclaimed, and Raph looked up.
"Are these yours??" She asked curiously and touched the ends.

Raph liked the way she touched them. She looked like a natural holding them.

He dried his hands of the dishwater and walked over to her.

"Yeah, these are my babies; my pride and joy." "We've been through a lot of fights and pain together," he said; speaking to them as if they were alive.

"Could you teach me how to use them sometime?" "Like just the basics?" She asked with hope in her eyes.

"Ah, I don't know," he said. "It's a lot of work." "Think you could handle it?"

She crossed her arms, "Um, in the past two days I've almost been murdered twice, I think I can handle pitchforks."

Raph laughed. "They're called sai's, and they're a dangerous weapon; in the right hands."

He looked them over again and then handed one to Addy, and held the other in his hand.

"Hold them like this, or like this, or like this." He said, showing her all the different ways to strike.

"Woah, you're right, these are no joke," she said while mimicking his movements. "I like 'em," she grinned as she made attack movements in the air.

"Hey, you're a real natural," he smiled.

"Thanks," she blushed, I used to play wooden swords with my sister when we were younger." "I was kind of a tomboy."

"Well, she said, giving Raph back his sai, I'd better head off to work or Sarah will start blowing up my phone worried about me."

"Alright," he said. "So...should I stay here, or..."

"It's whatever you want." "Maybe you could meet me at my bus stop tonight?" "That way we could talk and keep each other company."

"Sure, but I mean," Raph said moving his hands up and down his frame to gesture that he wasn't exactly normal looking.

"Haha, no problem," I have a long black coat in my closet, it was my ex's and he left it here a long time ago." "He won't be around anytime soon looking for it," she laughed.

"Sounds like a plan," I'll be there early," he said.

Addy picked up her purse and phone and saw two missed calls from Sarah.

"Great, she's already at it this morning," she said rolling her eyes.

"Hey, uh, thanks for everything Addy, I really appreciate it." Raph said. (Saying thank you was not a common phrase in Raph's vernacular)

"Are you kidding?" She laughed. "I'm the one who should be grateful!" "You just rest tough guy, I'll see you tonight." "Make yourself at home, eat whatever you want."

Raph just smiled at her and looked at the ground. Addy was smiling back and walked up to Raph and gave him a light kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, cheer up big guy," she whispered, touching his face. "Whatever it is you're going through we'll get through it together...I promise," and she gave him another kiss on the cheek.

"Bye," she said and walked out the door.

Raph just waved and sat back down on the couch and sighed; waiting for tonight to walk her home.