ONE:

Rage filled her as Gaia slammed her locker. Angry due to the fact that she had failed another test, Gaia didn't exactly know why she had agreed to the rules of living with Casey meant going to school.

Swallowing, Gaia pressed her head against her locker. The boys never had to go to school. They however were also large turtles. Realizing she had forgotten the needed notebook, Gaia groaned before spinning the combination and swinging open her locker.

Part of her was thankful that this was her last class of the day. Casey was busy doing what ever, she didn't ask questions about what he did and he didn't ask anything about her schooling.

“Miss Morelle!”

Grunting as she pulled out her notebook, Gaia turned to look at the vice-principal. “Mr. Grim.” She muttered. //The man with the great name.//

“My office,” He informed her.

Slamming her locker shut, Gaia followed after a moment. “I've got an Italian test. Must do active failing.”

“You can actually pass if you stay for class.”

//Splinter had been telling her the same thing.// Gaia thought. Keeping silent she entered his office before swallowing. “I'm trying. Really I am.”

“How is life with Mr. Jones is it?”

“We're muddling.” Gaia returned. She knew it was several months after the Shredder's death. But Gaia still couldn't stop looking over her shoulders. After all she had found several death threats in her locker. Hence the reason why she went to April's every night instead of Casey's or the turtles new lair. Splinter had called it safer for her. Gaia called it boring.

“I've called but haven't gotten any messages from him.”

“He's busy.”

Grim glared at Gaia before swallowing. “I however did get a reply back to the written request for a meeting. Friday at three. We have a plenty to discuss.” Seeing her grin, Grim scribbled a hall pass. “Hope you will grace us with your presence.”

TWO:

“A Meeting.”

“Hate to bust up the skull breaking.” Gaia sighed. Tossing her pen down onto her Chemistry book. “I've been deleting them to give you time.”

“Deleting them?”

Point against her. Swallowing Gaia didn't exactly, know anything else she could do. “I've got my ass in school. School for a bed.” She returned finally. Standing, she looked at Splinter before swallowing again. “I told you, school is for morons. I know what I need to survive.”

The rat sighed. Shaking his head, Splinter moved towards her. “A ninja is skilled in more then just the ways of battle.”

“Splinter...” Gaia began. Her anger began to boil again. “I got along fine without being in school.”

“But better with schooling.” Splinter argued.

Swallowing, Gaia groaned as she she moved way from the group. “And how did you get to be so smart? Don't see a diploma, Master Splinter.”

Casey shook his head before realizing that he had saved her from any possible jail time. Perhaps it was because he felt sorry for her. After all she had saved his life in order to give her a life that she needed. Some one needed a new start at a young age. “I'll be there.”

Her unbridled rage let loose, Gaia's foot kicked away the desk that held her textbooks. “Grim is an ass!” She grunted.

“Gaia!”

“NO!” She snapped. Anger boiling over, Gaia jogged up the steps of the old subway terminal. “Give me a damn break. It's a joke.” Turning she looked over at Splinter and Casey. “This is a damn joke.”

“Gaia!” Casey called watching her run off. Turning to look at Splinter and then the turtles, Casey swallowed hearing Splinter mutter kids.

THREE:

Storming up the walkway, Gaia kicked the wall. Casey was more like a room mate, not a legal guardian. Who the hell was he to think she could be just like a daughter to boss around? And Splinter a rat who knew everything but didn't come out into the city.

Climbing the steps, Gaia groaned as she reached the fresh air. How was she suppose to actually produce Casey as her guardian. After all if she did then what would happen if Grim didn't exactly like the way Casey looked, Gaia could be shifted to Foster care...even if it was only for a year.

Moving down the sidewalk, Gaia knew that her local haunts weren't the safest but she was able to handle herself. Being a Foot soldier and then her training with Splinter. But still she couldn't best everything—even if she believed she could.

“G?”

Glancing over her shoulder, Gaia spotted two other men greeting each other. Swallowing she continued on before stopping at the old warehouse. This was were everything in her life began. The time she had gotten kicked out of her old home, lived in homeless shelters, and then got involved with Casey Jones.

“Why is girlie like you out here alone?”

Stopping Gaia looked at the three men in front of her. Swallowing, she felt her muscles tense. Eying them, Gaia knew that they could be muggers or just perverts who desired to have some kind of attention. “Not in the mood.”

One moved closer to her. Ready for a fight, Gaia knew something was seriously up. Then she saw the mark. “Girlie.”

“What do you want?” She asked.

“To teach you a lesson.”

//Everyone wants to teach me something.// Gaia sighed. Swallowing she stood ready for a fight. Her body twitched as she waited.

The first hit came from behind. Knocking her to the ground, Gaia rolled before the next strike came to hit her. Lashing out she kicked her attacker away before kicking another. She stood and felt the fist hit her across the face.

Lip breaking Gaia felt burning sensation on her arm as she rolled off of the swelling limb. Jumping she kicked the one in the face.

“Hey!”

The voice from behind startled Gaia, making her turn. Staff connecting with the side of her face. Falling to the ground, Gaia's brain shut off like a broken light bulb.

FOUR:

Awaking slowly, Gaia discovered she couldn't move her arm or left leg. One eye swollen shut, she saw the large figure in the dark. Reaching for a call light, she saw the large green hand slip from the trench coat sleeves. “Aren't we in the open.”

“Figured you'd need a friend Gai!”

Seeing the orange bandanna, Gaia forced a smile. “Hey Mikey.” She mumbled.

Moving towards her, Michaelangelo reeled back seeing the bruises. “Cover up won't work with that shiner.”

“Funny Mikey!” Raphael snapped as he approached Gaia. “Casey's on the hunt.”

Her one good eye rolled before Gaia glanced at the two turtles with her. “And you--”

“Call it a turtle house call!” Michaelangelo replied.

Raphael glared at his brother before looking at the large cast on her leg. “Do you remember who attacked you?”

She attempted to scrunch her brow together as she thought. But the pain forced her to relent on deep thinking. “Its a blur.” Swallowing she glanced at April as the reporter came in to the room. Flashing a weak smile, Gaia knew she had muddled up something. “April.”

“Gaia.” the other woman replied. “I've called Casey let him know your awake.” Taking her good hand, April looked over at her. “Remember anything?”

Shaking her head, Gaia felt her brain flip back and forth in her head. “What happened?”

“We found you,” Raphael informed her bluntly. Having spent time with her, Raph wasn't afraid to be his normal self with her. After all they were cut from the same mold. “Next time you decide to run off. Avoid the old haunts.”

“I'll storm to the roof then.”

“Zing!” Michaelangelo returned. Seeing Raphael glare at him, Michaelangelo shook his head. “Really what's the runaway vibe for?”

She swallowed as she attempted to push herself up. However the cast on her leg kept her from doing so. Grumbling something, she looked at Michaelangelo and then Raphael. “I felt like it.”

“And with remnants of the Foot out--”

“There's the door don't let it dink the shell on the way out.”

Raphael fell silent at Gaia returned his tit for tat. She had done that once before at the farm. He knew she didn't exactly mean it—the woman had to vent somehow. Plus her current condition meant she could only throw verbal insults. From what Casey had told him, shattered wrist and multiple fractures on her leg. Not to mention a concussion and possible amnesia. Charming on all fronts. “I'll try not to be offended.”

Gaia gave up slowly on trying sit up. There was no point due to the leg being lifted in traction. “Can we bail.”

“Bail!” April snapped. Though her and Casey had broken up, April knew he cared for Gaia. After all the woman had gotten him to clean out the sports memorabilia room for her bedroom. Sure it was small, but Gaia had made it homey, April knew that much.

Like Casey had nearly adopted Gaia, April supported her as well. The jean mini skirt and Gaia's favorite shirt had been gifts from her. Practically her entire wardrobe was from April. “You've got to examined.”

“Broken arm and leg, beaten up.”

“Bruised ribs.” April added. “Concussion, should I continue?”

Pressing her split lips together, Gaia looked at April with a glare of contempt. “Give it a rest Gaia,” Raphael snapped. “Examined go home.”

“Fine.” She sighed, “But I don't have to answer any questions.”

FIVE:

“And you don't remember anything about what happened?”

Eying Casey in the back, Gaia shrugged. “It's all fuzzy.” she returned before looking at April. Her eyes flashed over the bathroom before returning them to Casey. “Muggers?”

“Muggers don't assault their victims.”

Her good eye raised it's eyebrow. “I'm sure some criminals would argue that.” Gaia returned flinching from the light in her eyes.

“Answer him Gaia.” Casey called from the door. Brushing his long locks behind his ear, he was all ready fed up with her antics. He had to lie to keep her name from appearing in legal documents because he knew that Gaia would despise having her parents brought into the middle of the confusion.

“It would be wise if you listened to your father, Miss Jones.”

Gaia almost refuted the calling of Casey her father until she heard the Miss Jones. Casey had called her his daughter to keep her father from discovering where she was. “I don't remember!” She snapped. “I remember leaving for something,” //So that was a lie, sue her// “and then waking up here.”

“There was no sign of sexual assault,” the doctor sighed. “I'd like to keep you here.”

“Oh hell no” Gaia returned pulling away from the doctor as the man took her pulse. “I'm not going to remember anything laying in bed.” Pausing she looked at Casey. “Come on Dad I want to go home.”

Swallowing the doctor, knew he couldn't keep her. The limbs were set and her concussion was minimized. Amnesia would either leave or stay forever. “Do you have a good support system at home? Mr. Jones are you able to be there for her?”

Casey glanced at Gaia for a moment before looking at the doctor. He gave her a small smirk, seeing that she was seemingly enjoying the daughter/father role too much. “Of course.”

“I'm there all the time,” April added. “I'm more then willing to assist her.”

Now she sounded like an invalid. Swallowing, Gaia bit her tongue for once. At least school was out of the question. Even if they sent her a tutor, Gaia would be able to claim she hurt to much to study.

“Well then,” The doctor sighed, “I have no objections to releasing you to your parents.”

SIX:

Wheelchair next to her bed, as Gaia shifted more pillows under her leg. Grumbling something, she heard the rat in the living room. No one perfect to babysit an invalid then the rat.

Collecting a hockey stick, Gaia moved the wheelchair closer to her bed before rolling out of her room to see Splinter relaxing on the couch. “Comfortable.” She asked after a moment.

“Are you?” he asked motioning for her to wheel herself in. Looking at her beaten features, Splinter sighed. “Your anger is damaging you.”

Leaning back in her chair, Gaia swallowed. “Where is Casey?” She asked after a moment. Seeing Splinter sigh and lean back, Gaia threw her head back.

“Anger damages all.”

Splinter was always the one for logic. Gaia could have sworn the guy was a Buddhist. Swallowing she pushed the wheelchair back into her bedroom. Was Casey truly out beating anyone on the street that they could have had anything to do with her assault.

The bedroom door slammed, leaving the rat alone in the living room. Her small room had been spray painted; orange, blue, purple, and red. Sketches rested on the walls. Most were done by her and only a few by April. While she wasn't a sports fan, she did have one of Casey's old jerseys.

Shifting herself onto her bed, Gaia fixed the tie dyed pillows to prop up her legs and then opened up her English textbook. Sighing as she leaned against the day bed's backing, Gaia closed her eyes.

“Hey girlie!”

Jumping, Gaia looked at Michaelangelo. Breathing hard, she moved away from the edge of the bed. “Could you not do that Mikey?” Gaia asked after realizing it was the turtle.

“Whoa. Skip the Energy drinks Gaia.” Mikey warned. “Studying?”

A loose laugh came from Gaia before she looked at the turtle. “Yeah, I before E accept after C...all that bull.”

Turtle hands taking the textbook, Michaelangelo thumbed through the pages. “What else you got?”

Reaching into her book bag, Gaia produced her Italian, History and Chemistry book. “That and the Algebra book behind you.” She added.

“Italian?” Michaelangelo sighed. He paused, hearing the front door open. Glancing at Gaia he saw her open the Italian textbook. “You chose the hard stuff didn't ya?”

She laughed. “Si,” she sighed. “Thought it would get you guys off my back.”

A three finger hand pressed against his front shell. He sighed shaking his head. “Me!” He asked bluntly, “I forgive you.”

Her good hand slapped Michaelangelo. “Funny Mikey!” she snapped before looking at her closed door hearing the feet heading back towards her room. “Need to work, seriously!”

“Work?”

Gaia's eyebrows raised before opening her notebook. “Yes,” she returned, “Arrivederci.”

SEVEN:

“Money can not buy the honor which you have earned here tonight. You make us all proud. Only effort, discipline, loyalty earn the right to wear the Dragon dogi. You are here because the outside world rejects you. This is your family. I am your father. I want you all to become full members of The Foot. There is a new enemy freaks of nature who interfere with our business. You are my eyes and ears. Find them. Together we will punish these creatures! These...turtles!”

Waking with a start, Gaia winched as she twisted her foot in the cast. Swelling had gone down so she had little room to move but still blankets caused pain in tied up toes.

Resting against the pillows in her bed, Gaia picked at her tee-shirt. Wrapping a blanket around her, Gaia couldn't fight her tears. Perhaps Casey would toss her out when she was better. Like her parents had done when she had met the Foot! Or like the Foot had done when she met up with Casey and the turtles? Didn't anyone want her?

Swallowing, she wiped the tears away from her cheeks before scratching her chin. Part of Gaia knew that she wouldn't have any firm place to rest her head. With everyone she betrayed.

In the hallway, she saw a light flick on, indicating that Casey had finally returned home. Raising herself up on her elbows, Gaia looked at him as he moved from the hallway to his room.

There was blood on his shirt, though Gaia couldn't tell if it was his or someone else's. Part of her wanted to move after him to see if it was really blood but the leg kept her from moving fast.

“You're back?”

“You're awake.” Casey returned. Exiting his room, Casey saw her eyeing him—or rather the blood. “Not mine.”

She nodded before reaching over to scratch the small area she could reach under the cast. “You and Raph?” She asked.

“He tagged.” Casey returned. “Hows the school work going?”

“Mangnifico.” Gaia muttered before laying back down and acting like she was asleep.

EIGHT:

Adjusting her Giddy up or go home brown tee-shirt, Gaia plopped herself into her wheel chair before rolling out into the living room. It was getting easy to move in the chair, seeing that her leg no longer needed to be up.

Flipping open the box of Pizza, Gaia flinched seeing the loaded meat. Collecting a paper plate, she helped herself to a piece before wheeling back into bedroom, hearing Casey snoring.

No doubt Splinter would be around later, while Casey was gone training with his new team. Closing her door, Gaia toss the pizza onto her bed before slipping onto the bed by herself.

Grabbing her textbook, Gaia went to work. She knew at least something had to change, even if it wasn't Casey's desire to kill anyone who harmed her.
_____

Several hours pasted before Gaia exited the room. There was no snoring which meant that Casey was gone. This time she ignored the wheelchair, determined to try and walk alone, Gaia hopped out to the living room. “April?”

“Hey!” April greeted before moving over to help her. “Brought you more school work.” Seeing Gaia make a sick face, she laughed. “And I brought Chinese.”

Eyes widening, Gaia smiled before taking a box of the rice and oriental food. “Thought you'd have work?” Gaia mumbled through a mouth of food.

“Maybe we could have some girl time,” April offered with a weak smile.

Eyebrow arching, Gaia lowered the food. “Girl time...girl talk?” she asked placing the plate of food onto the seat next to her, Gaia would have enjoyed the ability to storm out. Sighing, she looked at April. “Are you going bail on me too?” she asked after a moment.

“Bail on you?” April asked brushing away a loose strand of Gaia's hair. “Why?”

“Because of my fight.” Gaia returned. “Ever since the Shredder.”

Pressing a kiss to Gaia's head, April turned to see Splinter enter as well. “Gaia, you are family.”

Looking at the rat, Gaia nodded for a minute. “I didn't mean to get into the fight.”

“They are to blame.” Splinter told her. Sitting next to her, the rat placed his hand on her leg. “Anger is a deadly companion.”

“Why don't my parents want me?” Gaia asked after a moment. “I went to see them—after the death of the Shredder. They wouldn't see me.”

Splinter's hand patted her leg gently. “And Casey?” He asked. “Do you not see him as family?”

Tears dripping onto her legs, Gaia shrugged. “He's hunting for the ones who did this to me.” she sobbed. “He doesn't understand.”

April's hands squeezed, Gaia's as she listened to the younger woman. She had never known that Gaia had gone to see her birth parents. It had been obviously before she had had her meltdown. Now there was no way to say if she was truly upset over the fact that they didn't want her or because Casey, the only one who truly cared about her, was risking his life trying to find who had hurt her. “Gaia, you can't make him understand.”

Sniffing, Gaia nodded after a moment before looking at Splinter. “There will be a war if this doesn't stop.” She warned them. “Because of me.”

“Then we must find out what happened.”

NINE:

Hand lighting a candle, April watched as Gaia and Splinter faced each other. Their eyes closed, April swallowed as she moved back into the kitchen. She knew she should leave them to it.

Closing her eyes, Gaia watched as the yellows and blues danced across the black canvas of her eyelids. Occasionally a red would dart across the other colors but she paid little attention to it.

“Focus your mind on past.” Splinter informed her. “Stay focused and calm.”

Her breathing slowed allowing the memory to slowly come into focus.

“Now, my child what do you see?”

“Buildings,” Gaia returned. “It's dark, I know I shouldn't be there but I am.”

Watching her, Splinter nodded. “What else.”

She took a deep breath before her brow creased and she nearly gave up.

G!

“Some one calls out the nickname they used for me. G,” Gaia informed Splinter. “It startled me, but it was just to guys speaking to each other.”

To teach you a lesson.

Her body flinched as the memory of the first blow landed. “They wanted to teach me a lesson.” Pausing, Gaia swallowed as her body tensed. “It was the Foot.” She finished. “They hit me from behind after that I had to defend myself.”

“How many?”

April's question startled even Splinter. Glancing at the other woman, the rat nodded indicating to an eyes closed Gaia, to answer.

“Three...maybe four.” She paused. “One was Gary.” Gaia added her eyes flicking open to look at Splinter. “He was one of Shredder's leaders.”

“I'll warn Casey.” April stated before collecting her coat and running out the door.

TEN:

Fixing the fedora, Raphael swallowed as he paced around the park. Knowing full well that Leo was somewhere in the park as well, Raph hoped that he was the one who found Casey. After all who knew what Casey would do to Leo.

Nearly tripping over the body, Raph's eyebrow arched. “Speed bump.” He muttered before continuing on. “Casey!”

The masked man dropped from the trees. “Raph, how are you my man?” he asked after a moment. Lifting the mask, Casey saw the seriousness on the turtles face. “What is it?”

“Gaia.”

Lowering the hockey stick, Casey leaned against it. “What about her?”

Raph shook his head as he judged Casey's temper. Who knew what Casey would do if he found out that the Foot had attacked Gaia to teach her a lesson about betrayal. “Not in your mood.”

The hockey stick flew up to point at Raph. “Is she okay?” he snapped after a moment. Moving closer to the turtle, Casey watched as he barely flinched. “What about her?”

“Freak and his friend.”

Raph's lip sneered as he turned to face the one who was speaking. His face barely looked familiar, but the man had aged. He had been one of the few who had kidnapped Splinter. According to Danny his name was Gary? Or was it Larry? “You don't want to do this pal.”

The Foot leader smiled. “This freak has been hurting my men. I sure as hell want to do this.”

Foot lashing out, Raph caught it before pushing the man to the ground. Listening to him grunt, Raph sighed. “You're the jerk who got Gaia.”

Gary smiled. “She need a lesson.” He stated.

Unable to hold his anger back, Casey let his stick smack the man across the face. “She didn't do anything.”

“She was a betrayer.” Gary snapped. “Attack!”

The Foot flew at them. Fighting, Raph and Casey both took down several as the Foot kept coming towards them. “Are you sure?”

“She said so.”

Ducking Casey used the cricket bat to knock he attacker away. “When was this?”

Raph rolled his eyes before swinging another Foot member into his companions. “I don't know!” He snarled. “I don't take notes!”

Groaning, Casey felt a fist connect with his face before feeling another turtle pull off his attacker. “Leo.”

“You two okay?”

“Fine, Just Fine Leo!” Raph snarled. Watching his brother flip over him, Raph saw his brother take out three Foot members.

“ENOUGH!”

The voice was feminine. Watching the foot back away, all three watched as the hooded woman approached. Unable to see her face, the turtles didn't drop their guard. “Who are you?” Leo asked, his swords ready.

“Names are unimportant,” she informed the turtle. “The attack on your friend was unwarrented. They will be punished.”

“And you expect us to walk away.”

“Under a truce created on this field. We will not attack your kind again.”

Silence fell between the two factions before it was shattered by tires skidding. The three turned to look at the tires but when they looked back the Foot and the woman was gone.

ELEVEN: (Several months later)

“Mi piace la pizza.” Gaia teased before leaning back against Keno. Flashing a teasing smile at the others. She winked. “I like pizza.”

“Right on!” Michaelangelo shouted giving Gaia a high five.

“She even aced the exams.” Casey added with a wink at his friend and her boyfriend. Ever since her injuries and the strange new face with the foot, Casey had seen her changing. She was becoming a strong woman with some sense. “About time Grim got off of his ass.”

Gaia nearly fell over laughing, “I can't believe he called you a stoner hippy!” She returned bluntly.

“No one messes with my hair.” Casey returned bluntly watching Keno wrap his arms around Gaia, he felt a twinge of anger but she at least felt safe with Keno.

“Anything about the new face?” Keno asked after a moment. “The girl with the Foot?”

“Keno!” Raph warned.

“Can't blame me for asking!”

“No,” Gaia answered. “We'll just have to wait and see.” She stated glancing at those in the sewer with her. “I hate waiting.”

Splinter sighed as he lowered his slice of pizza. “I feel we may not have to wait long.” He muttered to himself before returning to his pizza.

The End.