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Waiting For You	By : MysticMewtwo Category: Comics > Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Views: 7074 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Rescue
Chapter Five

Alisa sat miserably in a wheelchair as she was rolled down the long hospital corridor by a nurse. She was tired, hungry, and in pain. Not even a half hour after she had awakened, the doctors were swarming over her. They hadn't allowed her to eat, nor even let her use the facilities. That mistake cost a change of sheets, a bath, and a new gown. She never felt so humiliated in her life. Then she was scarcely able to recover before they whisked her off to perform a barrage of tests on her. They poked and prodded every part on her body imaginable, and she was certain what little shred of dignity she had left was now gone.

The doctors were simply astounded with Alisa’s condition. She had suffered severe trauma to the head, was seriously dehydrated and malnourished, but she showed no signs of permanent damage. They called her a living miracle.

Funny, she thought, bitterly, I don’t feel like one.

What was she doing was not living. It was merely surviving, constantly on the run from her enemies and trying in vain to stay one step ahead of them. Her life was a curse; she was a curse. What did she have to look forward to? She was truly disappointed now she had not died, and she would not commit suicide. She was stronger than that.

There was one thing, however, the doctors found wrong with her. She could not talk when they asked her questions such as her name during this part of the evaluation. She made sounds, but no actual words. They suspected her speech might have been impaired. Alisa wanted to laugh in their faces. She could talk just fine, but she chose not to. She couldn’t trust these people no matter how much they were helping her. She knew any information they obtained from her would make its way to the police, and ultimately the rest of the world. She may have wanted to die, but she didn’t want to be murdered in order for it to happen.

They gave her a piece of paper and a pencil instead to write everything down. She accepted both, and they watched her intently as she scribbled something down. They were confused though when she stopped after fifteen seconds, and laid the pencil on the table. With an innocent smile, she pushed the paper towards them to read. It was clear to them by then she was no longer being cooperative when they found she had written the word “bastards” on the paper, and they asked a nurse to take her back to her room, where they were currently heading.

Suddenly, as they reached her room, the two women heard shouts of protest, and from down the hall, a group of reporters rounded the corner. Several members of the hospital staff followed close on their heels obviously trying to stop them. The yells heard previously had come from them. The reporters spied Alisa, and they swooped onto her like birds of prey. A microphone was shoved nearly in the poor young woman’s face as they started to assault her with questions, and cameras were positioned on her. She was frozen with terror, staring with a blank wide-eyed expression at them.

Security guards were well on their way to the scene. The nurse with Alisa made a strategic maneuver with the wheelchair, and hurriedly walked backwards into the room, banging the door closed in the reporter’s faces. It was promptly locked. There were angry yells as the reporters were escorted out of the hospital by the guards. Minutes later, the hallway was quiet and safe again.

The nurse, Jeanette, breathed out a sigh of relief. She checked on her patient then, and found Alisa was whimpering quietly, shaking like a leaf in a rain storm. Jeanette took her hand, and gently squeezed it.

"It's okay," she soothed, "It's all over."

Alisa gulped in air, and breathed deeply, but the nurse's words did little to comfort her. It wasn't over. She had been exposed in the worst way. Her enemy would certainly know now where to find her, and she was helpless to defend herself. Jeanette wheeled her to the bed, and helped Alisa in. There was table on the left side with a hearty breakfast waiting on it for her, complete with milk and orange juice. A large pitcher of water and paper cups also accompanied it. Jeanette made sure her patient was settled comfortably, reattaching the IV to her arm, before she slipped out of the room.

Alisa lay curled up under the blankets still trembling. The smell of the food made her stomach growl loudly, but she was too upset at the moment to eat despite the gnawing hunger. Slowly, tears began to trickle down her cheeks, and moments later, she was sobbing softly into the blankets.

----

"Leo? Earth to Leonardo! Come in, bro!"

Michelangelo waved his hand in front of his brother's face. Leo sat on the couch with a blank expression staring towards the televisions where the morning news was playing. At first glance, Mikey thought he was too engaged to hear the question he asked previously, but after a few more failed attempts, he realized Leonardo wasn't seeing Mike. He didn't know he was there, and it was obvious he wasn't watching TV when Michelangelo stepped in his line of vision at one point, and Leo didn't even tell him to move. Another indicator was his eyes were glazed over in a dream-like or trance state.

Mikey decided to use a tactic hypnotizers would do, and clapped his hands together within an inch of Leo's nose in a loud, resounding smack. Leonardo nearly jumped off the couch as he was startled back to reality. He took a moment to recover, and then looked up at Michelangelo whom was grinning triumphantly. Leo scowled at him, far from pleased with his brother's methods.

"What, Mikey?" he said, irritably, "What is it?"

"Just wanted to know if you wanted your eggs over easy, or scrambled for breakfast," Mike answered.

Leo blinked. That was is it? He was scared out his wits because of eggs? He groaned, and dropped his head in to one hand.

"I don't care," he sighed, "You can make them scrambled."

Michelangelo frowned slightly in worry. Leo had been acting off all morning. He was considerably better at practice than yesterday, almost back to his usual self, but it seemed like he was in another world. It was like he was on automatic or something. Mike hoped he wasn’t starting to regress. Those past months nearly a year ago were horrible for all of them, but especially Leonardo.

"Hey, Leo, are you okay?" Mike asked, gently.

Leo lifted his head, and managed a small smile, which Mikey could tell was forced, but he kept his comments to himself. Contrary to what his brothers believed, he knew when not to say anything.

"Yeah," Leo replied, quietly, "I'm okay."

Mike didn’t believe him, but he smiled back nevertheless. He was about to depart when a live breaking news segment came on the news, catching his attention. Normally he wouldn't have bothered to stay, but there was something about it that he felt was important, or at least interesting. Of course, it could have also been because of the nicely attractive female reporter on the screen. She was standing in front of a hospital, where a dozen other reporters accompanied by security guards streamed from out of the building behind her. None of them appeared to be too pleased.

"This is Lindsay Heart from channel three," the reporter began, "I'm here at Saint Luke’s Medical Hospital where a mysterious young woman emitted yesterday morning with a life-threatening injury has made a miraculous recovery."

Leo felt his heart nearly leap into his throat, and his stomach turned over with a sense of uneasiness as he heard these words. No, it couldn't be. They wouldn’t dare… He leaned forward, nearly sitting on the edge of his seat. The scene on the television changed from outside the hospital to a corridor inside. A mere shadow of a woman sat in a wheelchair with a female nurse stopped in front of a room. She was so small and frail, the hospital gown she wore appeared to swallow her completely.

"We were able to catch the young lady being transported to her room after a series of grueling tests doctors performed on her," Lindsay continued to narrate, "They have found no serious or permanent damage, and have declared her a living miracle."

The camera panned in on the girl, and Leonardo nearly fell off the couch in shock and disbelief.

"Hey, isn't that the same girl we helped?" Michelangelo commented.

Leo didn’t hear him as he was completely absorbed in what was happening on the screen. Alisa looked so frightened, and he could clearly see she was trembling badly. Her emerald green eyes briefly focused on the camera, and they seemed to bore straight into him, desperately pleading him for help. He was becoming horrified and angry at how they were treating her. She could be in serious danger as well if what he read in her notebook was true. Her killers would know where to look now. He had to find a way to get her out of there, and safe within the protection of him and his family.

The nurse was shown then swiftly moving the wheelchair to get Alisa away from the mob, and they escaped into the room behind them, shutting the door.

"Unfortunately, no one would answer our questions," Lindsay said, "And we were forced to leave by hospital security."

The camera had returned to outside the hospital, and the cute reporter was standing in front of it once again.

"We know little else on this remarkable girl," she concluded, "And there is speculation with the resistance we encountered, that no more information will be disclosed. This is Lindsay Heart, and now back to the studio."

The moment the broadcast ended, Leo jumped to his feet, and bolted out of the living room. Mikey watched bewildered after his brother as he headed for the stairs.

"Leo!" Mike called, "Where are you going?!"

His brother didn't answer. Leo ran up the stairs, and a moment later, Michelangelo heard his bedroom door close. He sighed, and shook his head. He couldn't understand why Leo had become so devoted to this young woman. He was literally putting himself through what was clearly an emotional hell. Mike hoped at some point the lady would come to know how much his brother was doing for her. Mikey retreated into the kitchen then where his other brothers were. Raphael was seated at the table reading a newspaper, and Donatello was cooking the aforementioned breakfast. Both looked up as the youngest terrapin entered the room.

"What did Leo say how he wanted his eggs?" Don asked.

"Scrambled," Mikey answered.

Raph snorted. "Yeah, something's scrambled with him alright, and it ain't the eggs."

Donny frowned at him.

"Come on, Raph, lay off," he said, "Leo seems to have had a rough night."

Raphael folded the newspaper haphazardly, and threw it on the table.

"And you know why?" he declared, "He snuck off to see that damn girl last night, I know he did."

"Why would Leo do that?" Don asked, skeptically, "You know he hates being anywhere so public."

"Why is Leo doing anything he is lately?" Raph retorted.

"We saw the girl being broadcasted on the news from the hospital," Mikey added, "I thought it was kind of awful she was being harassed by the media, but he just went nuts, and rushed off to his room. I don't think I've ever seen him run so fast before."

"There, ya see?" Raph proclaimed smugly to Donatello.

Don ignored his tone, but the brainy terrapin had to admit he was right. Instead of getting better, Leo was becoming progressively worse. He had developed an unhealthy obsession with this young woman. It was good he was so dedicated to helping her, but he was taking it to extremes. He should let the authorities handle it now. It was no longer any of their business. Normally, Leonardo would have, but the girl had entranced him somehow, and now he was stubbornly holding on as much as he could. And his family knew he would not rest until he found there was nothing more he could possibly do for her.

----

The moment he reached his room, Leonardo made a grab for his shell cell on the night table, and quickly dialed April's number. He waited almost impatiently as it rang. Every second was precious, and each one wasted was another second longer Alisa could be in danger. On the third ring, April finally answered, but it seemed like it had been forever to him.

"Hello?" she said.

Leo skipped the pleasantries, and immediately assaulted her with his plan.

"April, this is very important," he began, "You have to listen, and promise you'll help me."

"Leo, what's this all about?" she replied, confused.

"Please, April," he pleaded, "I'll explain everything, but promise me you'll help."

"All right," she relented, "What is it?"

"Did you see the news?" he asked, "The girl at the hospital?"

"Yes," she answered, "That was her, wasn't it? Poor thing."

April's voice was of full compassion, and Leo knew then it wouldn't take much persuasion for her to agree. Besides, she'd already made an oath to help him.

"Yes, it was," he continued, "And I need you to get her out of there."

There was a long moment of silence before she erupted suddenly.

"Leo, have you lost your mind?" she exclaimed, "Even if I agreed to it, how in the hell am I supposed to do that? The hospital only allows patients to be released to relatives, or on their own when they can. I'm not related to this girl."

"Doesn't she have parents?" she continued, “They'll be sure to find her now, and she’ll be taken care of. You've done your part already, Leo, and to her, you'll be the guardian angel who saved her."

"Alisa's parents are dead," he informed, solemnly.

"Alisa?" April repeated, befuddled, "Leo, talk to me here. And I want some straight answers. How do you know that's her name, or that her family is dead?"

"I have attained viable information on that," he replied, "And as promised, I will explain all of it, but later. It is crucial you get to her as quickly as possible. She is in grave danger. April, you have to trust me on this."

He paused to wait for an answer, nearly holding his breath in anticipation. The worse that could happen was she would deny him despite the fact that she promised, and he'd have to figure out a way to help Alisa himself to escape. However, that would be even crazier than his current proposal, and he ran the risk of exposing himself not only to her, but the entire hospital as well no matter how well disguised he would be. Though, if he waited until nightfall, it might be too late. Maybe April was right. Maybe he had lost his mind. He certainly felt like nothing made sense to his rational mind anymore.

Finally, he heard her give a defeated sigh. She was less than thrilled with the idea, but she couldn’t say no to her brother after he had literally begged her for help, and had made a promise to him she would.

"Okay, Leo, I'll do it," she told him, "I don't know how, but I'll try."

He felt his face split into a victorious grin. He never doubted she wouldn't.

"I really appreciate this, April," he said, "I can't thank you enough."

"I'm sure you can't," she answered, exasperated, "You owe me big time, young man."

Though she sounded irritated, he could detect the teasing tone in her voice. They discussed a little more of the details behind his plan before they hung up. April would pretend to be Alisa's cousin to convince the hospital to release her. If she was successful, she was to take Alisa home with her to her apartment. April then agreed to care for her for as long as was needed. He informed he would be over at her apartment that evening regardless of the outcome.

Leonardo replaced his shell cell on the nightstand, and gave a long, deep sigh. He felt a little more relieved now that he knew Alisa could soon be safe with April, and he had faith in his sister she would do everything possible to accomplish the feat. He hurried downstairs then before his brothers came looking for him. He was certain Michelangelo had told Raph and Don of his strange behavior after the news report, and aroused suspicions. He knew they suspected he was probably going crazy. Hopefully the situation would soon gradually level off before Leo found himself in a strait jacket.

They were sitting down to breakfast when he arrived in the kitchen. He smiled briefly at them in greeting, and sat in his usual place at the table. He could feel their eyes on him as they stared, but he chose to ignore it as he began to lightly butter his toast. Raphael’s expression turned into a scowl. Why did he keep doing this?! He was deliberately hiding something from them. Raph's fork clattered on the plate as he dropped it.

"All right, Leo, that's it," he growled, "Either you tell us what's going on, or we go to Master Splinter about this."

Leonardo paused, and looked up at his temperamental brother whom glared at him as he waited rather impatiently for an explanation. The other two wore worried expressions on their faces. Leo sighed, and placed the butter knife down on his napkin. He was reluctant and hesitant to talk of his plans. He felt they would try to stop him, but then again what could they do? It was too late as far as they were concerned. April was well her way now to liberate Alisa. He decided to reveal his secret.

"I have arranged to have Alisa released from the hospital," he replied, calmly.

Three confused turtles stared at him.

"Alisa?" Don was the first to break the silence, "You mean that girl? Wait, how did you…?"

"Know?" Leo finished, evenly, "Does a blue backpack ring a bell to any of you?"

The confusion turned to guilt, and at least two of the three pairs of eyes lowered their gaze.

"You didn't think I would find it, did you?"

"We were only trying to protect you, Leo," Donatello defended, quietly.

"By withholding valuable information from me?" Leo intercepted, "Donny, if I hadn't found that pack, she'd be [i]dead[/i] right now. There are very dangerous people hunting her, and I have every reason to believe it could be the Foot. They killed her family, and now they want to finish the job with her."

He was maintaining a calm demeanor, but inside he felt anything but. He was angry and hurt with his brothers. How could they hide something like this from him?

"Leo, it ain't our problem!" Raphael finally exploded.

"Then whose problem is it?" Leo retorted, "The authorities? She would be no safer with them than she would be out on the streets. She's helpless, Raphael. They can't protect her like we could."

He shook his head.

"No, I won't let that happen," he continued, "She became my responsibility the moment I found her, and I intend to see through it till the end. Nothing is going to change my mind."

The firm, hard tone of his voice told them the subject was closed, and it wasn't to be discussed again, even though they wanted to. Leonardo looked down at his plate then, but he didn't feel as hungry anymore. Still, he thought he should eat at least a little to keep up his strength, and so his brothers wouldn’t have more to be on his back about. He picked up a slice of the buttered toast, and bit into it. He chewed thoughtfully as his mind wandered to what would soon take place at the hospital.

----

April stood outside the St. Luke hospital a few feet before the sliding doors of the front entrance. In one hand, she carried a sack with a set of her own clothing for Alisa to change in. April was very nervous, and doubted this plan would even work, but she had to try for Leonardo. She promised him that much at least.

"Here goes nothing," she muttered to herself.

She took a deep breath, and started to walk through the doors. She headed towards the service desk. The hospital didn't appear to be busy at the moment, and April briefly wondered if there was some sort of Fate or divine intervention at work here. She approached the desk with the lone attendant behind it. The lady seemed distracted as she didn't immediately notice April. When she did, she was apologetic to her for the wait.

"I'm so sorry, miss," she said, "It's been a long morning. My name is Sarah. How may I help you?"

"I'm here to check out an Alisa…"

It occurred to April then that she didn't know the young lady's last name. Leo hadn't mentioned one. She kept a smile on her face as the secretary waited, but inside she was starting to panic. Her mind raced frantically to think of a name, and she prayed that it sounded like the right one to them. Then it came to her like a lightening bolt out of a clear blue sky.

"Alisa Hatcher," April finished, "Yes, I've come to take her home. I'm her cousin. I saw her on the news, and I can't tell you how relieved I am to know she's alright."

She wasn't sure how on Earth she knew that was the name to say, but she wasn't about to question fate. Sarah seemed to grimace slightly at the reminder of the media circus that had stormed through earlier, but it was hardly the poor girl's fault. She just wasn’t particularly fond of having her ears bitten off by the hospital's director after the incident. They were still ringing slightly. Sarah leaned forward to study April more closely. The red-head grew even more nervous, but her face wore a mask of calm. Leo would be proud.

"You don't look related," Sarah commented.

"I'm her second cousin," April lied, smoothly.

"Ahh, yes," the answer seemed to convince Sarah, "I suppose that would explain the hair."

She reached for a drawer in her desk, and pulled out release forms. She handed them to April.

"Just fill these out, and I'll page one of the nurses on her floor to bring her down," she told her.

April held up the bag then to show the secretary.

"I brought some clothes for her," she said, "They might be a little big on her, but I didn't want her to wear whatever she was before to go home in."

Sarah smiled, and accepted the bag as it was handed to her.

"I'll have someone take them to her," she promised, "I sure she'll appreciate them."

April thanked her, and walked over to one of the lobby chairs to sit down.

Wow, that was easier than I thought, she thought, surprised, I didn't think it would go so smoothly. Leo will be happy.

She opened her purse to rummage for a pen, and began to fill out the forms.

----

Alisa sat in bed trying to watch the television in her room. Every so often, she shifted her eyes from the screen to the nurse sitting in a chair in the corner. She narrowed her eyes, and glared at her as she had been for the past hour or so. Alisa had tried twice more, though unsuccessfully each time, to escape the hospital before Jeanette was assigned as a guard to keep watch on her. She knew it wasn't the woman's fault, she was only following orders, but no one understood. Her life was in jeopardy, and every second she stayed here was one second closer for her killers to find her. Though, she dared not to speak to anyone, and reveal her secret for fear of a spy amongst the hospital staff. She was literally trapped.

Alisa slumped down in the covers as she sulked. Jeanette looked over, and gave her a warm smile.

"It'll get better," she assured, gently, "We're only trying to help you, but you’re treating us as if we're your enemy. If you cooperate and let us give you what you need, things would go much smoother on everyone."

As she was under the guise that she couldn't talk, Alisa gave no response, and simply turned her head away. She tried to focus on the cartoon playing on TV once again. She heard Jeanette sigh. A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and both women looked curiously towards it. The door opened after a moment, and the young male nurse from earlier this morning, whom was named Mark, stood holding a plastic shopping bag in his hand. He flashed a wide smile in Alisa's direction.

"Good news," he greeted, "You're going home."

Alisa blinked, and stared at him as if he had lost his mind. She was going home? How?

"Your cousin, April O'Neil," Mark continued, "She saw you on the news. She's here to take you home."

Alisa's fear and anxiety had been growing steadily with the explanation, and now she appeared ready to bolt at any moment. She didn't know an April O'Neil, but vaguely remembered the name being mentioned briefly during her hysteria when she awakened here. She did know, however, that this woman was not a relation. There were no O'Neils on either side of her family as far as she was aware of. In fact, this woman could be one of them; her murderers.

Alisa's eyes widened with terror, and she shook her head vigorously. The nurses were puzzled, and concerned by her reaction.

"Don't you want to go home, sweetie?" Mark asked, "The doctors are allowing it even. They say as long you're released into your cousin's care, it should be okay. Isn't that what you want?"

Alisa paused a moment at his question as she began to reconsider her choice. She then closed her eyes, and took a deep breath as she forced herself to regain calm. She needed to keep her wits about her, and a clear, rational mind in this unexpected situation that had presented itself to her. This could be her chance to escape. She could make a break for it when they took her down to the lobby to this April. However, a feeling came over Alisa suddenly perhaps that would be an unwise decision, and she should trust the woman and go along with her peacefully instead. Though, she regarded her inner gifts as a curse neither they nor her intuition had been wrong yet, and both were urging her now to heed them.

She opened her eyes again, and looked at both nurses as they awaited her to respond some way. She nodded her head as she accepted the offer. Mark and Jeanette exchanged smiles between them. This was the first time they've seen their patient even remotely happy. He handed the bag of clothes to Jeanette then.

"She sent these up for her to wear," he explained, "And it's a good thing too. There was nothing left of the clothes she was wearing when she was admitted yesterday morning to salvage. Even her shoes were considered a health hazard."

"All right," she replied, "I'll help her dress, and then you can wheel her down to Ms. O'Neil."

Mark nodded, and left the room to give the women privacy. Jeanette helped Alisa out of bed, and put on the clothes. There was a green pull-over turtleneck sweater, a pair of khaki pants, clean underwear, a bra, and furry house slippers. All of it was at least three sizes too big, mainly due also to her significant weight loss, and had nearly five inches more on her 5'3" frame. Jeanette had to pin the pants around Alisa’s waist so they wouldn't fall down, and roll up the pant legs so she wouldn’t trip either.

Mark returned a few minutes later with a wheelchair, and he helped her to sit down in it. Jeanette said goodbye and wished her well as Mark rolled her out down the hall, and to the elevator. Alisa was nervous and apprehensive as the two rode the elevator to the lobby. She hoped she made the right decision, and wouldn't regret it later. Her hands gripped the handles of the wheelchair tightly.

The elevator finally reached its designation, and the doors parted open as Mark started to wheel her in the direction of the lobby. April was standing near the reception's desk when Mark and Alisa arrived. The red-head gave the young lady a warm and friendly smile. It was obvious she was very nervous, and April hoped she didn't blow her cover. She approached cautiously, and hugged her gently, assuming the role as an elated family member.

"I was so worried about you, Alisa," April gushed, "I had no idea what happened to you, but thank God you're okay, and safe now."

She was actually pleased with her performance so far. She should've taken drama classes in school. Alisa gulped in a breath of air, and nodded her head. She was slowly beginning to drop her guard. She could sense no malice or ill intentions in April’s heart. The older woman genuinely was going to help her, and get her out of here. Alisa silently thanked heaven for answering her prayers.

April received a supply of medication, gauze, and bandages in a large Ziplock bag for Alisa, and instructions on her care. The head wound was to be treated twice a day, and the bandages changed at least once. The medication was to be taken for pain if she was feeling any. They wanted Alisa to return in three weeks to remove the stitches, and for another physical.

April led Mark outside the E.R. entrance to where her 1960's VW van was waiting. She unlocked and opened the passenger side door for Alisa. Mark lifted the frail young woman from the wheelchair, and into the van. He pulled the seatbelt around her, and buckled it for her. He patted her hand, and smiled.

"It was very nice to know you, Ms. Alisa," he told her, "Goodbye, and I wish you good luck and god-speed on your recovery."

Alisa smiled back shyly. The young man shut the van door, and gave a final wave to her through the window. He turned to the red-headed woman, and spoke briefly with her, but their words were too faint for Alisa to make out. She watched then as the nurse walked away, and the woman head around the van to the driver's side. April climbed in, and settled behind the wheel, fastening her seatbelt. She looked over at the girl beside her in the passenger seat, and smiled warmly.

"All set?"

Alisa gave a nod of her head to indicate she was. April started the van, and shifted it into gear. She drove slowly away from the hospital, and pulled out onto the street after checking clear for traffic. She headed then towards her home and shop. Alisa had no idea where she was going or what she was getting herself into. Despite these things and how scared she was of them, however, she knew she had not made a mistake. She had a feeling her life was about to change forever.

End Chapter Five
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Waiting For You