Song: Welcome To The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

Most of the vehicle ride consists of noise. Between Donatello's many theories of anything he sees out the window, to Michelangelo's loud music, to Raphael yelling at the orange-clad turtle to turn the tunes down; it's not a peaceful journey.

Still, we share a lot of laughter. Even Raphael gets a few jokes in, though they're mostly at Michelangelo's expense.

"Wait, guys," Michelangelo says as he scrolls through his songs for the twentieth time. "You'll like this one!" He chooses a song and it starts playing through the radio system. It's a very loud bubblegum pop song.

He starts singing along. His gaze catches mine, and a lightbulb appears above his head. "We could totally make this a duet!" he exclaims.

I laugh and shake my head. "Not happening," I reply.

"Ugh, enough already!" Raphael yells over the music. "If you're gonna play anything, at least play something good!"

Edmund looks up Michelangelo quizzically. "Got any My Chemical Romance?"

"Do I?!" Michelangelo asks the question as if Edmund grew two heads. "Of course I do!" And that is what we listen to for a good half-hour, since it contents Raphael as well.

As we get closer to my hometown, the music dies and almost everyone dozes off. Raphael slumps down in his seat. Michelangelo is leaned over the back of his chair, snoring loudly. Donatello falls asleep with his chin in his hand as he does more research on my father. And Edmund finds a cozy little corner to count sheep in.

I, on the other hand, am too excited to sleep. The thrill of going back to my hometown is speeding through my veins. It'll be so much fun showing my best friends around the place I've grown to love.

I lean over Leonardo's shoulder. He's the only other one awake, since he has to drive. "How much longer?" I question eagerly.

"Two minutes less than the last time you asked," Leonardo sighs, but the smile he gives me shows me he isn't actually annoyed.

There's an awkward pause. Then Leonardo breaks the silence. "Are they still asleep back there?" he chuckles, looking over his shoulder.

"Yeah," I smile at Michelangelo, who has started muttering in his sleep. "They're tuckered out. Even Donnie is asleep in front of his laptop."

Leonardo grins. "About time! He never sleeps. I have no idea how he can live like that."

"He is a teenager," I point out light-heartedly.

Leonardo laughs. "True."

He glances up at me, catching my gaze and holding it for several heartbeats. His deep, blue eyes make me feel like I am falling in an ocean. But it's a pleasant kind of sensation; a refreshing one. Like a cold shower after a long run, or ice cream on a hot summer day.

I suddenly realize that I'm staring. I break eye contact immediately when I feel the vehicle jerk. "Leo, the road!" I gasp, remembering he's the one driving.

Leonardo blinks and glances away quickly, focusing on the wheel again. "Oops," he winces, and we both burst into laughter.

We're apparently too loud, because the snoozing passengers begin to stir.

"What's a turtle gotta do to get some food around here?" Michelangelo asks, rubbing his stomach. "I'm starving!"

"The first thing you say when you wake up is about food?" Raphael grumbles.

"Hey, I can't help that have a fast metalism!" Michelangelo argues.

"It's called metabolism, and you ate all the snacks already!" Raphael says irritably. It's amazing that they both just woke up and they're already fighting.

Edmund is brought back to earth by their argument. "What's going on?" he asks around a yawn.

"Mikey's complaining about being hungry," Raphael explains while shaking his head.

Edmund twists his face in confusion. "But he ate all of the snacks!"

"That's what I said!"

I snap their attention away from their discussion. "Hey, wait!" I exclaim, a familiar structure catching my eye out the window. "That's the restaurant that I work at. We can go eat there. I'm sure it's still open."

"Did you say restaurant?" Leonardo questions me.

"You know what that means," Raphael sighs.

"Food?!" Michelangelo guesses excitedly, rubbing his hands together.

Raphael slaps him. "No! It means we can't go in there."

Michelangelo looked confused. He tilts his head slightly. "Why not?"

"Uh, because we're giant green mutant turtles?" Leonardo responds, as if the orange-clad turtle is crazy.

"Oh, right!" Michelangelo says, realization in his tone.

Leonardo shakes his head while Raphael mutters, "Idiot."

I consider the situation for a moment. Yes, they're mutants. But I know for certain that Penelope can keep a secret. I mean, she has kept an eye on me for a long time without breathing a word of my past to others. I'd trust her with my life.

Despite the fact that she will definitely freak out when she sees them, I decide it's better than hearing Michelangelo complain about his stomach for the rest of the night. Besides, it will be nice to see Penelope again. I did leave her on short notice, after all.

"You know, I doubt there's anyone in there except my boss, Aunt Penelope," I point out. "She might not be the best welcoming committee, but I think she will warm up to you guys. Plus, she's always wanted to meet the genius behind that omelet recipe," I add with a wink at Michelangelo.

"Well she's going to be disappointed, because Mikey's no genius," Raphael states while smirking.

"Hey!" Michelangelo protests.

As Leonardo pulls into a rather concealed parking spot, Raphael starts to shake Donatello. "Wake up, Brainiac. You're drooling all over your tech junk."

Donatello makes a tiny noise as his head falls off his chin and he sits bolt upright. He looks around, his red-brown eyes clouded with sleep. "Oh, we're here," he slurs as he gets to his feet.

All six of us climb out of the vehicle, some being slower than others. As we walk towards the restaurant, I make sure to keep an eye on Donatello. He is practically sleep-walking. It's so much different from his usual alert and anxious self.

Maybe it's just the feeling of being home, but I suddenly get the urge to run. Glancing both ways, I bolt the rest of the way to the restaurant entrance, grinning from ear-to-ear.

"Lizzy, wait up!" Leonardo calls after me. I hear several footsteps pursue me as I run.

I finally skid to a halt, my friends and brother appearing at my side a second later. "What's gotten into you, dudette?" Michelangelo questions me in shock. "You need to use the bathroom or something?"

I laugh. "No, Mikey. I'm just so glad to be home," I explain, grabbing the door handle and stepping inside.

The familiar aroma of dinner foods slaps me in the face. Burgers, chicken, and fish scents tantalize my nose, causing my stomach to grumble.

It gives me a sense of relief to be back where I know I belong. It only makes it better that I brought my best friends with me, not to mention my brother will get to see the place as well. Everything is perfect.

I recognize a voice that I've been longing to hear again. "I'm about to close up shop, sweetheart, so I-" Penelope looks up, her eyes widening in pleasant surprise when she spots me. "Elizabetta sweetie! Is that really you?!" she gasps.

"Yes, Aunt Pen, it is," I respond with a smile. She scoops me into a bone-crushing hug.

"Where have you been?!" she asks incredulously. "I was so worried when you called me and told me that you had to leave town!  I couldn't stop obsessing over your absence. Poor Mr. Payson, one of my regular customers, must be sick of hearing about you by now!"

"I went on a small trip, Aunt Pen," I answer, guilt dripping from my words. "I'm sorry that I didn't warn you earlier.  It came up kind of unexpected."

"Oh, that's perfectly alright, dear!" Penelope exclaims, sounding more relieved than I've ever heard before. "I'm just thankful you're not hurt! I don't know what I'd do without you!" She rambles on and on, stopping abruptly when she glimpses something over my shoulder. She screams and backs away, holding out a butcher's knife.

My heart leaps, realizing who she's scared of. The turtles followed me inside and are standing at the door, skeptical expressions on their faces.

"Aunt Pen, don't! They're my friends!" I say quickly, jumping towards her. But it's too late.

She throws the knife and it goes soaring, aimed straight for Leonardo's head.