A/N: A quick note before we begin. There's sign language involved in this chapter. I am a hearing person learning ASL right now from a teacher in the deaf community. I'm making it as accurate as humanly possible, but also understandable for those who are not knowledgeable about ASL or about the deaf community. Alex is still a hearing person so please no flames against this fictional reality. Also, anything signed is in bold.

Thanks!

Another quick note. Alex does not know how long she was Shredder's prisoner for. Looking at the season timeline, she was with Shredder somewhere between 2-3 weeks at the most. The reason the turtles found her, in my own personal theory of this world is that they either ran into Dogpound and Fishface while they were on patrol a day or so after Alien Agenda happened or it was within a week of to allow Fishface more time to get his land legs.

Thanks for coming to my small rant. Enjoy friends!

~Muse

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     "She should be fine, but she has a lot of bruises. What makes me wonder is that I've never seen anything like her. A partial mutation? Or was she born that way? It's such a strange phenomenon... What could have caused it," was the conversation that woke me up.

     "That's weird, why would Dogpound and Fishface have her anyway? From what we can tell, she's not a member of the Foot Clan," someone replied.

    "I bet she's just a spy from Shredder."

    "I don't think so Raph, the way Dogpound treated her was nothing like a friend."

     "But she's so cute! Why can't we keep her?"

     I heard a yelp. I think someone got hit.

     I started to open my eyes, only closing them to the bright light that was in my face. Really? I covered my eyes to sit up. After a short period of adjusting to the brightness of the room, I was able to fully see the area. From the looks of it, I was in someone's lab. It didn't take much more of a visual inspection for me to realize this was Donatello's lab!

     My gaze wandered as it was slowly sinking in that I was away from the Shredder and Kraang. I was in Donnie's lab! Internally, I was cheering. I was finally free! No more torture! No more Dogpound... it was a lot to take in.

     "Oh! You're awake!"

     I jumped and fell off the table I had been laying on. I held my head, just avoiding a new injury. Donatello stood there, wincing at my fall. I stared him down for a few seconds before deciding to back myself under the table. I wasn't awake enough to distinguish voices and wasn't sure who believed I was a spy or not. I could only guess that Mikey had gushed that I was cute...but that was it.

     Donnie frowned at my reaction. I gulped as he approached. He stopped about ten feet away from me to slowly kneel on the ground. When he did, he raised his arms in a show of surrender to me.

     "I'm not going to hurt you," the purple masked turtle said gently. "I want to help you. Remember?"

     He recreated the moment we had in the alley where he held his hand out to me. I huffed out my nose, but this seemed to amuse him as a smile cracked on his face.

     "That was pretty ridiculous, huh?" He chuckled as he lowered his hands to his lap. "My name is Donatello. I don't know if you noticed yet, but I treated some of your injuries."

     I looked down at my legs. I had been changed into what looked like pajamas. They were light pink with white polka dots. I was wearing shorts and a button up short sleeve shirt. My arms and legs were wrapped in different areas and I couldn't help but touch one of the scabs on my arm, tempted to scratch at it now that my brain had focused on it.

     "I-I don't know what's going through your head, but my female friend," he put a lot of emphasis on the word 'female', "April put you in those pajamas and helped me with your injuries."

     Oh... I looked at the wrapping on my right hand, so April had helped out. That would explain the pajamas.

     "I don't know what you've been through. Whatever happened looks pretty bad. But my brothers and I saved you..." He was beginning to twiddle with his hands at this point, "I'm so sorry for whatever happened to you. If it's ok, I'd like to check on your stitches. I want to help you. Really."

     Now I knew for sure I wasn't a threat to him. I was so relieved I let out a deep breath I didn't realize I was holding. Finally able to trust my savior, I started to come out of hiding. He got up and walked over to me. I was caught off guard by him picking me up and placing me back on the table.

     He smiled at me as he started to unwrap some of the bandages, "Sorry about that, I don't want you putting more stress on the stitches. With the way Dogpound was handling you, they broke and I had to redo them." I smiled sheepishly as he continued. "Also, sorry for scaring you. I honestly wasn't expecting you to be awake yet."

     I shrugged as I watched him tend to me like a doctor. He asked me a lot of yes or no questions to get an accurate account for my recovery. He was even going as far to show me everything he was doing and explain the process. I appreciated the kindness. I wasn't looking forward to taking on anything sudden or unexpected if me falling off the table was anything to go by.

     "Hey, do you know American Sign Language?" Donnie asked me out of the blue. "Dogpound said you couldn't speak. If you know ASL, I know how to translate."

     I blinked a few times before nodding. I was really caught off guard by the question. I definitely was not expecting to hear that from a ninja turtle. Granted, if I was to hear it from one of them, Donnie was my go to first choice. This was just not a case that I imagined I'd find out he could understand American Sign Language.

     The only reason I knew ASL was because I had been allowed to start working with our local, kids, deaf community. I worked as a camp counselor from time to time. Some of the adults I worked with were either deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing so I had to learn to communicate with everyone

     Donnie started to question me, "I introduced myself, but I can do it again. My name is Donatello, but you can call me Donnie. What's your name?"

     "My name is Alexis, but I usually go by Alex."

     "Why were you with those guys anyway?"

     "I was captured and held prisoner for a while. I really don't know how long."

     Donnie nodded and had a look of sympathy on his face, "Do you know why?"

     "I'm just that irresistible," I joked.

     He chuckled, "Is that possibly because of your mutation?"

     "No. The mutation was assurance I couldn't escape."

     That was all I could figure at the least. After the time I had spent there, I didn't want to think too hard about it. Just the thought of my stay with Shredder made my skin crawl. Donnie seemed to notice how uncomfortable I was with that last statement and didn't say anything more about the matter.

     While he was putting his first aid kit away, I decided to look around some more. It was an odd sensation to see the turtle's lab in real life versus what you could only guess from the tv show. He had many papers scattered around. There were stacks of abandoned blueprint papers and many an empty mug. There was a jar or two full of pens, markers, highlighters and rulers. Some bins lined the walls labeled by what they contained. Some had been graffitied by the other turtles. The labels had some glitter and flowers or some other little turtle markings.

     "Have you always been mute?" Donnie had pulled up his rolling chair to sit by me, "Just out of curiosity, you don't have to answer if you don't want to."

     " I don't mind... I'm a hearing person, always have been. I started learning ASL about 2 years ago so I could work with the deaf community. It just so happens to be that it has come in handy. I went mute not that long ago."

     "I'm really sorry to hear that, Alex. Lucky for you, I can translate ASL!"

     "I just hope I can get my voice back."

     "Who knows, maybe you will! In the meantime, why don't we get to know each other better? How old are you?"

     "13."

     "THIRTEEN?!"

     Talk about gobsmacked. He had to take some time to recollect himself. I think he was trying to direct our conversation to a happier topic. I didn't mind at all. I welcomed the distraction actually. I enjoyed getting to know the real Donatello and not the one I always saw on a tv screen. After having to calm down from learning my age, we got to know each other's birth months (or in Donnie's case, mutation month) and favorite colors before I started asking him about his projects. While I did have to slow him down and ask him to use more basic vocabulary, he was so excited to share all his inventions with me. I felt bad for him. He didn't have many people, if anyone, to share his projects with.

     While he was showing me his T-Phone, there was a knock on the lab door. The tall turtle and I shared a look before looking back at the door. Donnie excused himself to investigate who the culprit could be. When I heard a click, I realized he had to unlock it. I hadn't noticed earlier.

     "Sensei?"

     My ears twitched at this. Hamato Yoshi? Splinter was here? I kind of assumed he wanted to see me. I was definitely a new guest. However, I started to wonder how he would react to me. Would he ask me to leave? Would he think I worked with Shredder? Would he tell me to go back to that hellhole?

     "Donatello, you've been in your lab past your training." I could hear snickering coming from the other room as Splinter continued, "I should hope you've been tending to our guest."

     "Hai, Sensei!" Donnie started to get excited, "She's awake and we've been talking for a while. She even asked me about my projects and-"

     "Is she well enough for visitors?"

     Donnie looked to me and I signed, "I'm okay if it's only him."

     "She's only okay with one visitor," the turtle repeated, giving a pointed look to someone.

     "Oh! Oh! Can I be the visitor?!" I could hear Mikey clear as day and probably would have heard him without the enhanced hearing, "Can I be the visitor?! I want to see her again! Do you think she likes pizza? Or what about-"

     There was a loud smack followed by an 'ow'.

     "Can it, Mikey," I heard Raph threaten.

     "Let Sensei go see her," a voice I recognized as Leo's lectured, "We don't know if she'd take too well to the rest of us just yet. Especially if someone tries to force her into a hug."

     "But Leo," Mikey whined, "Hugs make everything better."

     I laughed when I heard that. I was also surprised to hear myself laugh. I hadn't laughed in so long. And I mean... I guess laughing wasn't speaking right? Master Splinter soon entered and Donnie locked the door behind him, probably to keep Mikey out as I could now figure.

     Donnie stood next to me as Splinter positioned himself in front. I looked to my new turtle friend, hoping for a sign of assurance nothing bad would happen. I got a smile and I nodded.

     "Sensei, this is Alexis Knight. Alex, this is my sensei," he introduced.

     "Greetings, Alexis. I am Master Splinter. My sons tell me you have an... interesting relationship with the Shredder."

     I frowned, "I think that's a light way to phrase it."

     "She said that's a light way to phrase it," Donatello translated. "She's told me some of this. She was his prisoner, but isn't sure how long she was kept there for."

     "Then what were you doing with such dangerous people?"

     I had to think about how I would answer that question. Part of me was worried I would be punished if they didn't hear what they wanted from me. On the other hand, this was Master Splinter... I just didn't want to be hurt again. I turned to my new friend, so fearful and nervous that I was almost shaking. Unintentionally, my tail was starting to sway side to side. I could only assume it might be a new nervous tick? It's not like I could control it.

     "It's okay, Alex." Donnie put a hand on my back for comfort, "You're safe now. No one knows you're here. Just...take your time."

     I felt my eyes water and quickly tried to wipe them away. As I was using the back of my hand, a small handkerchief was held in my line of sight. Splinter moved it closer to me, prompting me to use it. It took a moment to realize I was hesitating. I slowly took it from him, making a short bow of thanks before holding it to my face to hide how red and puffy it was. A few minutes went by, Donnie never removed his hand and Splinter patiently waited for me to calm myself. I blew my nose and started to take deep breaths.

     "I'm sorry," I signed after a few moments of what felt like awkward silence.

     "There's nothing to be sorry for Alex," Donnie assured me. "If you don't think you can tell us anything right now, that's okay."

     "He speaks the truth," Splinter stood tall with his arms behind his back as he usually did in the show while teaching or lecturing the guys, "Donatello has made me aware of your condition, you may rest and recover here for as long as you need."

     How could they be so kind to me? I was clenching my fists, head down, trying to come to a solid conclusion. They didn't know me at all... Yet, they were offering to let me recover in their care. They were okay if I didn't speak of what happened to me. So long as I was no threat to them, I was okay.

     Deep breath in.

     This is Donatello and Master Splinter. They are the good guys. The turtles saved you and Master Splinter is letting you recover in the sewers away from real danger. If I told them what happened, would I be okay? How much of it was okay to tell them? Deep breath out. Was it right of me to share anything?

     Another deep breath and I opened my mouth to speak, only to be met with an odd, squeaky vowel sound and then silence. 

     Right. 

     I can't speak...

     Donnie raised an eye at me, "Alex... Exactly how long ago did you lose your voice?"

     "A few days ago... I think."

     Master Splinter shared a look with his son. He looked like he almost expected what was translated to him. There was a moment of them looking at each other and then back at me. Donnie looked very concerned and Master Splinter closed his eyes and stroked his beard.

     "Then it is a good thing my sons were close by." Hamato Yoshi paced away from the two of us, "It seems that whatever plan the Shredder had for you has been foiled for the time being."

     That may be the case, yet I couldn't help but wonder about the situation I was in. I was stuck. I had no way home. I was a mutant now. I couldn't just waltz back through a portal. In fact, I don't even know if my mother survived the crash. Even though she wasn't my birth mother, and I hated feeling like a pet, she still gave me love and took care of me. What about the state of the ranch? What about dad? There were so many "what if's" and worries that took over my mind, the sound of snapping was what caught my attention.

     Donnie starred in concern, "Alex, you okay?"

     "I have a lot on my mind."

     "I bet. You've been through a lot."

     "In the meantime," Splinter turned to Donnie, "Donatello, get your brothers to set up a room for our guest and see if April can bring her some clothes." Then his gaze turned to me, "Alexis, you will stay with us. You are welcomed here for as long as you need."

     I almost started crying again. I wasn't expecting to actually be able to stay! I was going to live with some of my favorite characters ever! This was a situation I wish could have been under different circumstances. It hit me that I would actually need to be cautious of the other turtles for now. Someone thought I was a spy, someone was neutral and someone didn't fully understand the situation.

     "You should probably stay in here for now, Alex," Donnie scratched the back of his head, "My brother Mikey has been really excited to meet you and I don't need him messing up your new stitches."

     "That's okay. Is he the one that was saying he wanted to visit with me?"

     "Yep. That's Mikey for ya."

     I made as much of an apologetic face as I could muster, "If he's like what I can hear, I don't think I'm ready to meet him yet. He's very loud..."

     "I understand. Look, I'll be your guide down here and I do kinda need to translate for you..." I smiled at his sheepish laughter, "But as long as I'm around, you have nothing to worry about, okay?"

     I held out my hand, with my pinky up, asking him to pinky promise me. Sure it was childish and I was doing it for fun, but a part of me, deep down, wanted him to keep that promise. I really trusted him to keep me safe. I was alone in this world and as of right now, he was my only friend. I felt like I had to hold on to something.

     He wrapped his giant finger around mine, hiding it from sight completely. When I looked up to see his reaction, I felt my heartbeat pick up and my face get hot. I wasn't sure what emotion he was currently showing. Right then and there, I knew I could trust him.

     "Pinky Promise."