Perhaps perhaps perhaps (tag Leo)

(( 11:30 pm - ish, two nights before Karaoke Night - After Turtle ER))

A glance up a the digital display on her iphone's time sent a tingle of anticipation through her - where in depth thoughts of the biology and performance arts home works had had her sole attention for the past hour or so after the end of the quiet but comfy dinner with her GranGran - now became wondering thoughts - would Leonardo be here again tonight?

With yet another thank you for saving his brother? or a invite to come down to the Turtle's Lair for a hour to hang out? Or him just hanging with her here, sometimes in meditation (though so far any attempt she made ended in her falling asleep!) sometimes just to listen to old jazz tunes or nightwish on her laptop. Some nights patrols and other things kept him away.

And as she moves across her room to unlock her window, Erica pondered when she had began looking forward to his visits so much? cheeks darkening in a blush.

Since Raph had got hurt and he had met his 'doctors' Leo had been visiting Erica quite a bit. At first it was just to thank her, but the more he hung out with her and the closer they got, he started to really like the girl. He had even invited her back to the lair with him a few times. If a giant aligator could trust her why couldn't the brothers?

Leo snagged some fresh herbs for tea and a sun flower. With his gifts in hand he headed to her place.. It didn't take long for Leo to get there, partly due to his running. He was eager after all.

As always the window was unlocked for him. though as with April, He worried about the girls keeping their windows unlocked. It was good for Leo and his brothers, but what if someone else discovered the open window before they did?

Pushing those thoughts aside. Leo knocked on the outside of the window as he stepped inside.

I hope I don't keep you awake when I come by so late.

She had to keep the lighting in her room down whenever Leo came, that way if he had to duck out of sight it was easy! She herself in her loose white singlet and short shorts

The soft knock only just preceded the turtle himself and his voice, sliding out of the darkness of the window ledge and into the semi cool dark of her room, the effect of the pale light melding over shadow illuminating him, utterly primal - if she could sketch more than anatomical body parts she might have insisted he stay there and let her sketch.

oh lord she was staring! And hoped Leo did not notice the return of heat over her cheeks.


"A little," she always was honest with any of them, and even more so with Leo. "but its worth it - to see you again," She spies objects in his hands and her smile widens, "Whatcha got there Blue?" She could see the flower and felt her heart skip a little -

- it was not that Leo had not made any previous gestures, but every time felt like the first time, when it had been a cup of tea.

Leo was happy to hear that she enjoyed his visits. Of course if she didn't he would hope that she would tell him. when she asked about the things in his hands he gave a soft blush and held them out for her.

It's nothing much. I brought you some tea, and I thought this sunflower suited you. You're kind of like a sunflower. bright, pretty, and makes people happy to be around you.

As he spoke his smile widen, but deep down he hoped he wasn't being to forward.

Watching that smile widen over a face that usually was serious and stiff of the jaw and chin (though with her it had never seemed to be so) Erica felt her heart lighten further, it pleased her to no end how being around her seemed to relax the leading ninja turtle.

Her cheeks darkened again and this time she made no effort to conceal it - or the pleased smile curling her lips - even gathering up her courage to stand up on tip toe and press a shy kiss to Leo's cheek. "Gift of you, tea, flattery and such a great smile. You know how to make a girl feel like a queen. Thank you -" Her fingers move through her hair gathering the dark curls into two loose plaits, that done she takes his hand with the flower to direct it to her ear so his large fingers could tuck it behind there. the other hand resting on the box of tea.

Never before had she actually been aware of how ma!ny flavors tea came in, Leo seemed to want to illuminate her to this brave new taste venture - her own cheeks warming all over again, the blush even dusting her pale throat and what of her collar bone was exposed by her top as she thought that in a kiss the turtle might taste like tea himself.

Admittedly she enjoyed the tender touches that passed between them so an excuse for his fingers to brush the shell of her ear... hopefully

"If... if your willing... would you like to come away with me for a few hours and share the tea?" her voice asks whilst she waits.

Leo smiled at that. He was glad that he could make her happy. He tucked the flower behind her ear, though it was rather large. Like everytime he visited. He never knew what they would do that night. Maybe watch some TV, listen to music, talk about their day. it didn't really matter to him what they did.

I would very much be willing. If someone needs me they have my number.

He put an arm around Erica and lead her to the kitchen so they could brew the tea.

Maybe I should have brought along some little cakes. Mike makes a good cake.

She'd tucked the petals of the sunflower into her air so it sort of resembled a large pretty hair ornament on the way out of her bedroom into the cool dark rest of the apartment. His comfort and familiarity with her family home which had fresh scents of her parents as they had been home for a day the previous night, the lingering scent of her grandmother and her scent, probably now sported a lot of Leo - showed just how much he had visited.

And on the way she had rested her head back against his shoulder and plastron tucked under his arm. Now, chuckling and instead of withdrawing her mug and the mug she had designated his on his first visit to her families apartment Erica with drew from the cupboard a large thermos, having to stand up on tip toe to reach it feeling the brush of cool air over her belly as it became exposed. She wonders if he trusted her enough to do as she was about to ask, and plowed bravely on as she slid the box of tea into her hands to read the direction and then look up at him as her fingers take of the freshness plastic seal. "I need you tonight," Her eyes meet his, imploring in the dark warm brown depths, the smile gentle. "Would you trust me enough to leave your shell cell here with mine ... and come away with me for a few hours?" she asks flicking the breville kettle on and listening to it begin the warm up with a soft hiss eyes on Leo's.

She knew it would be a big ask - but tonight she would leave her phone too. Not be on call for mutant medical emergency. And he tonight not on call to be Leader.

Just him, Leo and her, Erica.

She had a place in mind, it had occurred to her as they left her room. She would have to grab the picnic rug and snuggies to keep them warm, but they would truly be on their own, not even her GranGran about. Though at his mention of cakes she grins and points to her family fridge, "I think we can find something almost as tasty as Mikey's cakes to nibble."

She was indeed asking a lot of him. To leave his phone behind. What if his brothers needed him, or Splinter? What if something happen? It was never a good idea to be out of touch. Then again, Raph had done just that a number of times...

Yeah I think I can go without a phone for a few hours. What did you have in mind?

The smile she had became a little grin and as the kettle began its audible bubbling signifying it was getting close to ready Erica stood up on tip toe to kiss Leo's snout - "Thank you." lightly taking the shell cell from him. "I cannot of course promise absolutely nothing will happen in the time we are just... us... no duties, no emergencies... no one needing our attention -" She speaks softly digging her phone out of her short shorts back pocket holding the two devices. "But we can both hope and trust in those closest to us to be able to handle themselves. As for what I have in mind... well -" She looks down at the two phones for a moment then leaving Leo in the kitchen for a few seconds hurries to place them on her bedside table.

She'd played with his shell cell previously to know how to set the divert call options - Donatello really went all out designing these little marvels. She diverted calls to Donnie - figuring out of all his brothers Leo would entrust Donatello with any serious calls. And her own phone she diverted to Leatherhead.

And leaving the phones on the little white dresser she leaves her room passing the linen cupboard and grabbing the picnic rug, the two enormous snuggies and joined Leo back in the kitchen. "-I know a quiet little picnic cal du sac between Hamilton and Howard beaches that has a great view over Jamaica Bay at night." She smiles, she had never taken Leo out. "We'll have the hot tea you so graciously brought around, the soft sounds of the bay, maybe a little car radio... a picnic rug - the snuggies -"

And perhaps she would gather the courage to be very forward and lay more than a soft chaste kiss on this turtle man? ... or maybe if she'd read all the signals right - he would?

bah!

whom knew? in any case she would enjoy the time as usual just chilling with him - probably sharing laughter over some crazy stunt Michelangelo or her GranGran pulled. And the tea of course.

Leo smiled at all of that and nodded. That all sounds wonderful. And I'm sure if my brothers need something they can turn to Don for help.

So this was going to be an actual date! his first actual date! he couldn't help to be excited. And oh yes he would brag about this night to his brothers. He wasn't sure how far the date would go, how far she wanted to go, or how far he wanted to go. it was best to not think on it too much and play it by ear.

Do you need any help getting ready?

Excitement.

Was Leo as excited? She hoped so by the smile he wore. Cause she was! A date! Leo was agreeing to a date! She could have girly squealed and jumped for joy right then - but refrained. And for a moment her smile was gentle, and fingers even more so briefly cupping his cheek thumb caressing where it rested. "Even with a few hours of complete freedom ahead you still fret for your brothers and father, your close family friends. It's a beautiful quality Leo to care so much."

Then her grinned widened and she nods holding up the largest of the wearable blankets, the camo snuggie. This prompted a little mock wrestling to get Leo into it -

Which caused GranGran to shout at them from her room to "turn that dang kung fu movie down!" which had them both snorting with laughter as they choose supper time goodies from the fridge of the cafe's left overs, filled the thermos with tea that smelled delightful... Jasmin Tea... and then down to the ground floor where a little bit of the single function room in the cafe was sacrificed at night time for GranGran's old fashion hippy decorated volkswagen which Erica sheepishly told Leo GranGran would be giving her when she had a full license.


The drive was full of chuckles about Mikey's latest prank that back fired big time, ending up with the orange clad brother cleaning silly string of every surface of the Lair. Soft music from an oldies channel.

But finally they were at a secluded old picnic site the bay stretched before them, on a little grassy hillock that sharply dropped ten feet down to a small beach into the waters of Jamaica Bay, Erica pulled the small car up on the grass to act as a windbreaker to further keep them warm, and provide something to lean against. Turning the car off but leaving the keys so they had the soft radio in the back ground - also to track time... if they bothered to that is! Erica hoped out lightly and dashed about to the passenger side, fighting giggles, the turtle looked ridiculously big for the small car. However with as much as a flourish as she could she opens his door and in mock butler tones and gesture indicates the beautiful view they had, the quietness of the location, "Mr Hamato." Her grin though sort of ruined the seriousness and she held her breath hoping Leo would really like the scene before him.

Leo was very excited. He had the butterflies flapping away in his stomach. One the ride there he kept the conversation light, mostly talking about how Mike was sometimes a pain in the ass. A lovable pain in the ass. Soon they were at the spot and Leo looked out the window to the scene in front of him.

When Erica hopped out so did he.

It's really nice out here. It's perfect. he told her and took her hand and gave it a kiss.

It may have only been a kiss on the hand, but it was Leo's way to building up to something else when he finally got the nerve. it was funny, he always seen himself as so brave, but Erica made him so weak at the knees. he just didn't want to do something to screw it up.

Once out of the car and walked in front of it and looked out. He took in a deep breath and slowly let it out.

When it's warmer, we should take a swim sometime.

The scenery always made Erica feel as if the city had been left behind, even if the reality was they were still in it, just on the very edge.

"It is, always such a beautiful spot." She agrees smiling as Leo took in the moment - or maybe for a bit total freedom to be just himself? She followed him to the front of the old volkswage and grinning had just laid flat the picnic rug and placed out the thermos, the supper snacking and her own digital camera to capture a few moments with him (Leo and his family knew by now if she had kept Leatherhead a secret for so long they could trust her too) -

When Leo took her hand and kissed it her heart fluttered. True she had often showed him affection, a chaste peck on the snout, or cheek and briefly her fingers lingered on his skin lightly cupping him thumb brushing just under his snout as she registered what he said.

'We' - warmer weather was not for some months - if his soft kiss sent her heart a flutter the use of 'we' referring to a time that was months away made it hop about madly in her chest cavity and with a warm grin Erica nodded, "It will be as beautiful a date as this one, though with iced tea maybe."

Once everthing was set up. Leo took a seat and patted the ground next to him. He wanted her close by, he loved taking in her sent. hell he loved everything about this woman. The fact that he was on his first actual date still seemed umbelivable.

You make every day beautiful, Erica.

This was going to be the night. He was going to make his move and kiss her! Not now. He needed to wait till everything was perfect. And he had to wait for the butterflies in his stomach to stop flying around.

And she had just been kneeling to take up the offer of seating beside him - the great big snuggy hem held up as she scrunched the material in hands so she could sit without some of it under her butt causing discomfort.

Half way through the kneel - and looking like she was caught in a sought of curtsey. Erica blinked at his words.

Really? did being with her make everything.... even something as lovely as the view they had now even more beautiful?... just like him being around made even boring homework and tasting new teas an adventure and something more magnificent than mundane?

She squeees and plonks her butt shuffling in where he had patted the spot beside him which brought her against his side, she shyly nestles there. "As you oh mighty Leo make everything magical." Her voice light open and honest.

Wondering if like her moths fluttered in his belly?

Sh used a foot to bring their drink and food closer to hand reach so she did not have to move for that few seconds from his side to do so.

Once she was close to him and they were wrapped up in snuggies and blankets, he wrapped an arm around her and gave her a squeeze, then he kissed her cheek. He did have butterflies in his stomach, but they were slowly going away as he gathered more confidence in what he was doing. This date thing wasn't so hard.

He sipped his tea and looked out into the water.

I wonder, if I was never mutated and things were different. Would i be in the ocean now, swimming, trying to survive. it's interesting how things turn out.

It was not just the delicious tea that warmed her cheeks now!

Nestling into Leo's side Erica held the small 'cup' that was really the inside of the thermos lid which split into two for cups she sips delighting in the new flavor that met her tongue. But not nearly as much as the soft kiss to her cheek, evoking a soft pleased hum from her throat.

Resting her head back against his shoulder watching him talk her smile softened, she lifts a hand, finger touching the very end of the scar on his cheek, "If you Leonardo were a an extraordinary ordinary turtle, you'd be out there thriving, fathering a whole lot of little thrivors!" She winks, then becomes shy as what came to mind to say next felt intimate, loving... soul deep. And honest. "And in that universe there will be an Erica alone out here on a night like this feeling some sense of lose without knowing why - because I know as she would feel something were missing, I'd miss you if you were gone."

She watches the turtle curiously, always admiring the green and shape of the man and his features - those blue eyes - which she always did in moments of quiet closeness like this.

Leo smiled at that and gave a small nod. He then looked down at Erica and gathering all the curage he had, he placed a soft kiss against her lips. He let the kiss linger for a bit before pulling away.

You'll never have to be alone.

Those blue eyes had turned down to hers, her smile for a moment nervous - trying to decipher what the lead turtle was thinking, what was on his mind? It appeared he was gathering himself? or courage maybe? or going to say something? The hand that had been touching Leo's cheek scar so gently stroked down his neck when those lips met her own.

And it lingered, shy, but less chaste than any of their previous kisses to each other.

"Never alone... with you." Her voice was low and soft, her fingers pressed lightly against the pulse where they had fallen to.

And giving her lips a lick chasing the tease of flavor Leo left behind this time she met him to extend that kiss.

Leo kissed her deeply a small churr escaping his throat. He still had compleat control over himself though and he intended to keep it that way. He pulled away a bit again and ran his finger through Erica's hair.

You are even more lovely in the moon light.

Leo looked down for a bit then back up at her.

Could you really handle being with me though? I mean a turtle. not being able to go out to eat or see a movie. Not do the normal things couples do. Always hiding. It's a lot to deal with.

And her cheeks flushed, both from the excitement of the kiss - the new romance feeling that was blossoming licking her lips again and the way his words stirred the butterflies in her belly, she blinking slowly watching those bright intense blue eyes above her.

"Your lovely. Primal, unique, no matter the lighting." She whispers his words making her feel beautiful.

And more - her gaze grew soft and warm and gentle, fingers also where they rested drawing little circles upon his skin. "Leo, we do not have to do that kind of couple stuff to be together. Just need to genuinely enjoy each others company. And I do really enjoy spending time with you."

Leo was glad that she didn't see a problem with the limitations he had as far as dating went. He sipped his drink and rubbed her lower back.

I enjoy spending time with you too. And this, out here, is really nice.

He put his cup down and kissed her again, a little deeper this time. His hand resting on the back of her head.

Smile, widening Erica was glad for a moment she was sipping her tea - and at the same moment sort of cursing it, those strong hands had rubbed against her lower back - and Erica just discovered in the midst of a sip that she really, really enjoyed that!

" Yes, it may take a little imagination but we'll find ways to make outings speci - Mmmm!"

Her words cut off, and a little shiver, those big fingers near the very nape of her neck as he held her head, her own resting on those snuggy covered shoulders, having abandoned her cup in her lap. Meeting the kiss and shyly reciprocating the added depth.

Leo's hand moved to her lower back and pulled her closer to him. A churr left his throat as the kiss deepened and became more heated. He felt his need growing but still kept it under control. He didn't want to hurt her.

ooooh! those churrs!! she loved those churrs....

And Erica's responding long drawn out whimpered "Leoooo..." was muffled - but loud and one of enjoyment.

And she might have been embarrassed had the kiss not deepened further, to the point it could have been considered tonsil hockey - delicious tonsil hockey!

It was Lucky Leo drew her closer, his hand had moved back down her back, literally turning her spin into jello, she was collasped against him arms about his neck, almost straddling...