Emotionless Mutation (Book Three)

Chapter 5: Nameless

"She's the scientist."

Donatello's smile is wide and slightly unnerving, especially for the residents of the lair whom haven't seen him smile in weeks. His brothers glance at one another with raised eyebrows. Destiny's gaze flits to where Subject is seated on the couch, seemingly staring at nothing.

"The scientist?" Raphael repeats. "Like the one Renet mentioned?"

"Yes!" Donatello exclaims. He gets shushed and he instantly lowers his voice. "Subject could be it: the sixth member of our team!"

"Dude, you really think so?" Michelangelo gasps. "That's awesome!"

"That seems right, I mean...Renet said she based her costume off the scientist and the two of them have some..." Destiny eyes Subject's bald head for a second, mulling over her next word. "I don't know; similarities."

Leonardo's lips form a tight line, his arms shifting to a more comfortable, crossed position. "We can't be sure of anything. For now, make sure that she's watched."

Donatello glances over his shoulder to where the cyborg is still seated. He turns back to his family, heaving a sigh. "I'll watch her, I swear," he promises. "I'm the one who wanted to save her, I'll be the one looking out for her."

"Good," Raphael says. He cracks his neck and lets out a long breath. "Better you than me."

Michelangelo smiles widely. "Dudes, I don't know about you, but I love making new friends. It's so exciting," he admits. "But, she needs a better name than Subject."

Right on cue, there's a call from the couch. "Donatello?" The group looks to Subject as she turns, staring blankly at Donatello. "I am feeling rather unpleasant at the moment. Do you have sustenance?"

His eyes widen and he feels his face flush with heated embarrassment. "Oh, you're hungry," he says, running one hand over his head. He starts towards her. "I'm so sorry, I should've fed you sooner. It's probably been hours since you ate."

Her eyes flash and she stares up at the wall. "It has been fifteen hours since my last meal."

"Fifteen—oh my shell." He reaches down and grasps her hand, pulling her to her feet and leading her from the living room pit. "I'll make you something."

He doesn't release her hand as he pulls her towards the kitchen, simultaneously ignoring the slightly teasing, wondering gazes of his family members still lingering nearby. Subject looks down at their joined hands and her eyes flash.

"Donatello, what is this gesture?" she inquires.

He stops abruptly in the kitchen entrance, turning to her. "What gesture?"

"This." She raises their hands between them. "It feels warm and secure. I find it pleasant."

His cheeks become pink and he gently releases his grip. "Sorry, that was just holding hands. I was showing you something, so...I grabbed your hand and used it to lead you."

She steps closer and reaches out, grasping his hand against hers again. She adjusts the hold slightly to accommodate his three fingers, her eyes flashing three times. He feels as if he just stuck his face over a hot stove.

"I like your way of leading. The Kraang would always seize me at the shoulders, underneath my armpits," she murmurs. "Your movements towards me are gentle, Donatello. I quite enjoy that, so I thank you."

He doesn't say anything for a moment as her bright blue eyes lock onto his brown. It's like, in that brief second, she scans through everything about him and he feels as if she knows his every secret, and yet...