As he was heading to the turtles' lair, Jake couldn't help but think about Natalie's compromise.

. . . . .

"I want you. . . to stay away from April O'Niel." Natalie said.

"What?" Jake said in shock. "That's not fair!"

"Don't forget. . . I still have the end of your life as you know it, socially." Natalie said, waving her phone. "If you don't comply, then I'll expose you for the monster that you are."

"You're awful." Jake said. "Fine. . . I'll oblige."

"Great." Natalie said with a smirk.

. . . . .

"I can't believe I'm actually listening to her." Jake said to himself. "Am I really that worried about being seen as a freak?"

Jake then thought back about what he had gotten into the night before.

"No. . . I can't be too worried." Jake said, reassuring himself. "I just need to get through my day. Besides, how will Natalie know? She's not following me. I should be okay for today. I'm just glad she didn't want to spend the whole day with me."

Jake didn't think about it any further as he headed down the manhole to visit the turtles and April.

Once he got to the lair, the turtles were all instantly glad to see him.

"Hey, Jake!" Mikey said with a smile. "Welcome back, bruh!"

"So, are you up for some training?" Leo asked.

"Training?" Jake asked. "For what?"

"Well. . . it's clear that you had a tough time the other night with those hunters." Splinter said, walking into the living room. "So, we all agreed to help you train to be able to fight better."

"You're. . . gonna train me?" Jake asked.

"Of course." Raph said. "It's the least we could do for you."

At that moment, April came out of the dojo and Casey was right behind her as well.

"Oh, hey Jake." Casey said. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Oh, hey Casey." Jake waved. "Hey. . . April."

Donnie scowled. "Can we just get this over with already?" He asked.

"Y-Yeah. . . let's go." April said.

With that said, everyone went into the dojo to start their training.

"So, this is the dojo." Jake said, admiring the room. "It's nice."

"Thanks." Splinter said. "I've done my best to make it feel like home to me."

"Wow, you must be really dedicated to have made this place so much like a true home." Jake said. "It's honestly inspiring."

"Just wait until you hear our origin." Mikey said.

"Which you won't." Donnie said. "We don't need to say anything about where we came from."

"It's fine." Jake said. "I'm curious, but I'm here to train, right?"

"That's that spirit." Raph said. "Now let's get on with it."

So, it started. Jake's training with the turtles has begun. Each of the turtles took turns one by one, sparring with Jake and showing him the ropes, as April and Casey stood by and watched.

And while it was easy-going at first, the turtles went harder and harder on Jake as their time went on. But he still managed to stay up on his feet.

But when it got to him sparring against Donnie, it was constant dodging and survival for him.

"Okay, Donnie. Take it easy on him." Leo said seriously. "You're a little rough."

"It's okay, Leo." Jake said. "I like it rough."

"Oh, look at you being cocky." Donnie said sarcastically. "I'll wipe that smirk off of your face!"

"I'd like to see you try." Jake said.

"Oh, that's funny coming from you." Donnie said. "You think you're better than me? Let's see it then!"

"Uh, Donnie?" April tried to intervene, but Donnie wasn't listening.

Donnie continued to throw blows at Jake, but he kept blocking and fighting back to the best of his ability. But he was quickly overpowered and thrown onto the ground by Donnie.

"Now stay down, if you know what's good for you." Donnie said, turning his back and walking away.

April ran up to Jake to check to see if he was okay. "Jake, are you alright?" She asked.

"I'm fine." Jake said, sitting up.

"Sensei, why didn't you do anything to stop him?" Raph turned to his father.

"It seems that Donatello's competitive nature has taken over." Splinter said. "Perhaps we should keep him and Jake separate for now."

"Damn, you think?" Jake said, sarcastically as he stood up.

"That will conclude our training." Splinter said. "And now, I will meditate."

With Splinter going into another room, Jake sighed and leaned against the tree in the dojo.

April started to walk up to him, but Raph stopped her. "I'll talk to him." He said. "You go and talk to Donnie."

"Uh, right." April said, leaving the dojo.

"What's the matter, Jake?" Raph asked. "You could've taken him down."

"I don't know. . ." Jake said. "He's just really getting on my nerves!"

"Hey, I know we're not trying to get involved in Don's sick game of winning April over, but. . ." Raph smirked. "Maybe there's something you can do to even the odds."

"What do you mean?" Jake asked.

"If you really want to get under Donnie's shell, then take April out on a date." Raph said. "But not a real one. You know, like a. . . maybe a picnic date. Or a. . . rooftop stargazing hangout."

"You want me to take April on a fake date?" Jake asked. "I don't know. . . that would feel like I'm toying with her. Plus, that's a not a point I want to make with Donnie."

"I know you don't want to hurt April, but think about it." Raph said. "If Donnie learns of your guys' "date", then maybe he'll back off a little."

Jake looked down as he wasn't sure about this.

"Look. . . I want to see Donnie fail and have a taste of karma." Raph said. "But also. . . I think you and April would be really cute together."

"Huh?" Jake asked. "You think so?"

"I was never really much of a Donnie supporter." Raph said with a smirk. "Besides, she deserves better than him."

"No. . . she doesn't deserve me." Jake said.

"What do you mean?" Raph asked.

"She's just. . . she's too kind. " Jake said. "And me? I already went through a heartbreak before. I don't want to feel like April is someone to heal my broken heart."

"Who said that I think that?" Raph asked.

"No, it's not you." Jake said. "I just. . . she's a really good friend. I don't want to ruin it by making it seem like I'm trying to win her over."

"Well, it doesn't have to be romantic." Raph said. "I'm just suggesting a nice friendly night out between the two of you. But if Donnie *thinks* it's a date, then he'll blow his top off."

"Sounds like you're enjoying this a little too much." Jake said.

"Hey, you don't have to listen to me." Raph said. "But just know that of you need a wingman. . . I'm here for you."

Jake smiled at the thought that. He only just met these guys and he already felt close to them as if he knew them for a long time. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea.

"You know what?" Jake said. "Maybe I *will* plan something tonight. I want April to be happy and. . . how is she gonna get that by hanging around this nonsense?"

"That's the spirit." Raph say, playfully punching Jake's shoulder. "I knew o would he through to you."

At that moment, April came back into the dojo.

"I couldn't get through to Donnie." She said. "He's all bent over about this sick "game" he's playing. I've never felt so powerless."

"Uh. . . April?" Jake said. "Maybe you just need to get away from all of this for a while."

"Really?" April asked.

"What do you say we hang out tonight?" Jake asked. "You. . . Me. . . a nice, relaxing night up on a rooftop? How about it?"

"Are you. . . asking me out? On a date?" April asked, sounding nervous.

"No no no. . . it's not like that." Jake said. "It's just a friendly hangout. . . at night."

"Hm. . . I guess it wouldn't hurt." April said. "Sure. I'm cool with that."

"Oh. . . really?" Jake asked.

"Yeah. I could use a night out." April said. "And if it's with you. . . I'm sure it'll be fun."

"Yeah. . . that's great." Jake said. "So, I'll see you later tonight then."

"I'll go home and get ready." April said.

"Cool. . . I will too." Jake said. "We can meet up on the rooftop next to the lair."

"Sounds good to me." April said. "See you later."

With that said, April left the dojo and headed out of the lair.

"Sounds like you got a date." Raph said.

"Oh crap. . . I need to get ready as well." Jake said, before turning to Raph. "Thanks, Raph. For the advice. I appreciate it."

"Don't expect much more, though." Raph said with a smirk. "I'm rooting for ya, buddy."

Jake smiled as he went out of the dojo and headed out of the lair to get ready for his night out with April.

But as he was heading back home, Natalie's words played back in his head.

. . . .

"I want you. . . to stay away from April O'Niel. Don't forget. . . I still have the end of your life as you know it, socially. If you don't comply, then I'll expose you for the monster that you are."

. . . .

'She won't know.' Jake thought to himself, as he made his way back to his home to get ready.

To be continued. . .

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