"The scar shouldn't be too big," Donatello commented as he examined the fresh layer of bandages, "But it's not gonna be invisible either."

"I don't need invisible, I just need it to be healed properly," I assured, pulling my cotton t-shirt down over my abdomen.

"If you hadn't overexerted yourself in the dojo, the healing wouldn't have been pushed back another week."

Not this again. It must've been the third time that day Donnie had reminded me of my follies two days ago.

"I didn't mean to slow the progress."

"I warned you about it," Donnie muttered, replacing the rest of the gauze to his kit and washing his hands at the sink, settling back onto the creeper and rolling under the Shellraiser to continue the work he'd started before I walked in.

I paused, unsure of what to do. Leo and Raph had shut themselves up in the dojo to spar and train with each other. Annabeth had decided to head out to shop for supplies for both the Turtles and her newest art venture (though I wouldn't have chosen to hang out with her anyways - I suppose my small grudge against her was still present). And unfortunately, Michelangelo had left an hour before to meet... Mondo Gecko, was it?

The point was, I had nothing to do, and to make matters worse, I had no one to do nothing with. Except, of course, the gap-toothed turtle currently beneath the Shellraiser, who was obviously more interested in repairing the underside of the vehicle than striking up conversation. Neverthelesss, I figured I'd give the prospect of small talk a try.

"So, what're you working on?" I asked, peering down at the pair of green feet that were just visible from underneath the Shellraiser.

"What's it look like?" He retorted, rolling out and grabbing a wrench from his toolbox, giving me just enough time to glimpse the soot covering his face and the emotionless look gracing his features, before he disappeared back to his work.

I sighed softly, my brows knitted loosely in contemplation as my eyes darted about the laboratory. A computer screen not far off listed endless lines of indecipherable code, and what looked like a few chemistry experiments brewed on another lab table. My gaze found the side of the lab set apart for medicinal purposes - a small cot, a tray of disinfectant and mild pain meds - the very scene I'd awoken to my first day to the lair.

My feet began to move of their own accord, causing me to meander about the room while I continued my examinations. I noticed a bookshelf, standing against the wall,  masked partially in the shadows. I expected the shelf to be full of scientific textbooks, encyclopedias, perhaps a few volumes of research the intelligent terrapin might have accumulated over the years.

I was surprised when I found the novels mostly fictional.  Rowling, Tolkien, a few books by Riordan. Iconic classics like Fahrenheit 451, Tuck Everlasting, the Diary of Anne Frank. Most of them seemed to fit within the genre of historical fiction. I ran my fingers along the spines of the books, a faint smile creeping into my lips.

My eyes caught a particular title, and my jaw dropped.

I pulled down the novel excitedly, already flipping through the pages of the True Diary of Mary Rose.

"Omigosh, I love this book!" I cried ecstatically, not really expecting Donnie to reply, what with his totally enthralling work distracting him.

I heard the sounds of metal clanking against metal halt momentarily. The genius rolled into sight for a moment, a brow raised as he switched his wrench for a screwdriver, pausing enough to mumble, "Oh yeah?" Before creeping back under the battle vehicle.

"Yeah! It's so emotional and deep," I explained enthusiastically, my eyes beginning to flick back and forth over the lines of literature absentmindedly, "I think there are a few real messages in here, too. Like you never know how great life is... you could always have it worse."

Donatello reappeared, this time looking fully attentive as he sat up on the creeper.

"You think so too?"

I grinned, looking over at him and sensing I'd finally found some common ground between the two of us. "Totally! ...though it's kinda conflicting."

Donnie's face instantly lit up as he shot excitedly to his feet. "Absolutely! On one hand, it's so sad, even depressing..."

"On the other...isn't she kinda creating her own drama?" I continued for him, walking closer and cradling the book to my chest.

The intelligent turtle nodded hurriedly in agreement, a gap-toothed grin breaking out onto his face, "Just by putting herself in those situations. I don't wanna say it's her fault..."

"But it's kinda her fault," I finished, letting out a small laugh.

He joined in with his own chuckle, grabbing a rag to wipe the door from his hands and face.

"You like reading?" He asked casually, his icy demeanor falling away rapidly.

"Dude, I love reading! It's just hard to find the right books," I replied with a smile, idly running my thumb across the pages of the book I clutched, "You sound surprised that I like books."

"Well you remind me a lot of Mikey," Donnie explained, "And although my brother's focus is impeccable when it comes to video games... He doesn't quite have the attention span for reading."

I laughed softly. "My gaming skills might be pretty wicked, Donatello, but I could also stay up all night with a good book."

"I can see that now. Gotta say though,  I didn't expect to... find something in common with you."

My giggles continued for a moment. "I'm full of surprises. You'll learn that in time."

He nodded with a small smile, jabbing his thumb in the direction of the lab doors. "Wanna get something to eat?"

"Sure!" I exclaimed, walking ahead of him into the living room, "You'll also learn that I will never turn down food."

We both shared a laugh as we walked in the kitchen, finding Donnie's brothers already gathered around the table with Annabeth.

"Hey!" My friend greeted, gesturing to the pizza everyone had crowded around, "I got pizza."

"I can see that," I replied with a halfhearted smile, avoiding her gaze and sitting down beside Donnie to eat.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Mikey throwing a glare in the direction of his purple clad brother. I tried to ignore it, reaching for a piece of pepperoni pizza silently, but a part of me couldn't help wondering... was Mikey jealous?

A smile prodded at the corners of my lips at the thought, but I suppressed the excitement that threatened to bubble over. He wouldn't be into me. He couldn't be into me. Right?

My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden ringtone. I jerked my head up to look at Leo, who seemed to be the source of sound. He frowned, pulling out his ringing T-Phone. Everyone's faces contorted with puzzlement - the only people who called the T-Phones were all sitting at this table.

"Maybe it's April," Leo murmured, and I saw Annabeth visibly stiffen at the name as the leader put the cell to his ear, "Hello?"

I faintly heard the sound of someone's voice on the other end of the line, though I couldn't make out any words. Leonardo's face paled. He held the phone back for a moment, his dark blue eyes now emanating worry.

"It's Karai."