TMNT Ninja Tribunal

Chapter 17

Fire opened her eyes slowly, feeling the warmth of something around her. When her eyes came into focus, she saw that she was on the beach. The sun was high over head and the air was hot and muggy. She looked down to her stomach and saw two green arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close. She could feel hot breath against her neck and shoulder and she began to melt away. Leo.

But why was he here? She thought. Wait... Last night... We were talking. Then, what happened? She sat there for a moment thinking of what had happened. Finally, it hit her. We were talking, then we began to... As reality sank in, she almost felt sick to her stomach. How could she do such a thing to Leo?

He began to stir and Fire felt very unsure about what would happen when he woke up.

"Good morning." He said in a raspy voice, still drowned with sleep. His mouth was right next to her ear, and memories from last night washed through her head. The way he had spoke to her, his mouth right next to her ear, how he would bite her ear a little after speaking. Chills ran through her body once more.

"Good morning." She managed to say. But he must have sensed the unease in her voice and he moved his body so he could look at her in the eyes. He saw grief and pain in them. He was about to ask what was wrong, but her eyes looked out onto the water.

"What's wrong?" He asked after she looked back at him. She looked down once more and a tear began to fall form her eyes.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "I don't want to hurt you." Her voice was so quiet that he almost couldn't hear her. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you got hurt." She began to move as though she wanted to get up and walk away, but Leo wouldn't allow it. Not just yet. His arms snaked around her and he held her even tighter.

"You don't have to worry about me." He smiled and moved his hand up to her chin to raise her face so he could look at her. More tears began to form.

"You don't understand..." She said, trying to look away. "I almost lost control last night." Her voice was filled with fear.

"Control of what?"

"I-" She began but couldn't say anything. "Loving me isn't easy. And I don't want you to get hurt." She finally spoke.

"If I love you, I love you. You can't hurt me. No matter what you do." Before she could talk, his lips pressed against her's and she took in a shaking breath. He whipped away her tears and smiled when he pulled back. "Everyone will be wondering where we are." He said. "Though my brothers probably have figured it out..."

Fire smiled and looked down. "Could..." She began but broke off.

"What?" He asked, his voice was loving and his eyes showed lust and compassion.

"Could we stay here a little longer?" She asked shyly.

"Of course." He said. He wrapped his arms around her again and he leaned back into the sand. Her body wasn't trembling as much anymore and her breathing was calm.

In such a quiet voice, so that Leo almost could not hear it, Fire spoke. "I love you." Leo's heart began to melt and he held her tighter.

"I love you." He replied. He didn't want this moment to end.