red vs blue: the beginning

Raphael

     He stayed a little while longer, just listening to her breathe as she slept. I could get used to this. He let his head relax back on the bed and shut his eyes, feeling all tension leave his body.  He snapped awake when he felt himself start to really fall asleep in one of those falling dreams. He got to his feet, pulled the blankets up over Alexis' beautiful shoulders and started to leave when he got the stupid idea to leave his phone number.  This was something he really shouldn't do, but he found a scrap piece of paper on a counter in the kitchen, wrote his number down and put it next to her pillow before he thought better of it. "If you ever need me...Raph."
Maybe then I'll have a little warning before she goes putting herself in danger.  He snuck out the window and back home where he was sure to get chewed out for going out on his own again.

Alexis woke up discombobulated. Her alarm was going off, after the fourth smash of the snooze button.  Oh shit. I'm late for a meeting with my agent. She was running so late that she almost skipped a shower, but she smelled like straight up booze. Skipping wasn't an option. She ran through her routine at warp speed and then dashed out the door.

Raphael tried sleeping during the day, but the previous night was swirling around and around in his head. How she wanted to see him.  How he "saved" her. How she wanted him to. How she kissed his hand. How she said he was beautiful. Stupid butterflies. And his stupid dick getting hard. He jerked off. Again. He couldn't help it. He had so much extra tension. He found himself unconsciously tapping a foot against the bed frame.
With a groan, he got up and started lifting weights. By tonight, when we go on patrol, I'm going to be so exhausted. Sigh. Patrol. How will I be able to concentrate on anything but her. And she hasn't called me. Or texted. It's noon and nothing. I'm so stupid. His optimism and butterflies turned to insecurity and shame.  "You IDIOT!" He said, smacking himself in the head as he went to the fridge to get something to drink.
      "Everything okay?"  He jumped. Leo was lounging on one of couches, sharpening one of his katanas. 
     "Jesus, Leo," Raph caught his breath. 
    "Trouble sleeping?" Leo asked, not looking up from his work.
      Raph watched him, wondering what he was thinking and why he was awake.   "I, uh, yeah, just got some nervous energy for some reason."  He made a move for the exit back to his room, hoping Leo wasn't too suspicious.
      "You'll be happy to hear we aren't going on patrol tonight then."
      He felt all the air leave his lungs.  How will I get to her? His back was to Leo so he didn't see the panic on his face. He left the room without another word. Did Leo suspect something?

    After a long annoying day of crap- meetings mostly, Alexis got back home exhausted.  She removed her pumps and felt her heels sink into the carpet in the living room before she hear a knock on her door. She wished it was Raphael but he uses the window.
      It's her dumb ex. He pushes past her.
      "Why have you been ignoring all my texts and calls?"
     "Well, hello to you too,"  she mumbled as she shut and locked the door behind him.
       Her "situation" is ruggedly handsome, unfortunately. Nice strong jaw, brown hair, brown eyes, attractive body.... he was often compared to Chris Helmsworth. The two of them looked like a fairy tale romance. But in reality ... he had control issues, anger issues and god knows what else was just bubbling to the surface.
She followed him into the kitchen as he bitched. She didn't have the strength to listen so she went to her room and started to change for bed while he went on and on after getting himself a beer. She stopped and looked out the window, wishing Raph was there.

When Mikey and Donnie were playing video games and Leo was meditating, Raph snuck out. To see her one last time. Stupid butterflies got worse and worse the closer he got to her place. He swooped down to her verandah and looked into her kitchen. A man was there. Of course she had a boyfriend. Idiot!
Raphael started to leave when he heard the man say, "Who's Raphael?!" Raph's head shot back to the scene in the apartment. Alexis walked into her bedroom from the bathroom. She looked pissed. "Are you seeing some guy named Raphael behind my back?" The guy picked up the note Raphael had left earlier in the day and crumpled it up and threw it on the ground.  He looked pretty wimpy compared to Raph. If he fucked up and touched her, I could take him down easily, Raph thought. Before he even knows what hit him.  He stepped closer to her.
      "We're not even together!  And what are you even talking about???" She yelled at him.  She was wearing a tank top and little booty shorts.  Damn, she looks hot.  Focus, Raph.  "We broke up!!!"
       "Some guy named Raphaels number was next to your pillow!  And we didn't break up, we had a fight!"
       "Cause you cheated on me!"  Why would any man do that??? She's perfect. Idiot.
      "Don't change the subject!"
      "Okay, Garrett, just get out."  He didn't make any sign of leaving and Raph found himself clenching his fists.  "Get. Out. Or I'll call security."  He looked at her.  "Don't test me."   Raph prepared himself to confront the man.  He needs to leave like right now. 
      "Whatever."  He pointed his finger at her. "You're just a dumb slut."  Then he heard the door slam and saw her collapse on her bed, crying.

       Fucking asshole.  I hate him. She couldn't help it; tears spilled from her eyes down her cheeks, from pure anger and frustration and humiliation.  She looked around on the floor for the paper that had Raphael's number. Then she heard a rough yet quiet voice say her name.
       Raphael stood by the verandah door.