ANGEL

It was a quiet night, like it's always been the past week. The guys just didn't understand my dedication. They just laughed and made jokes, but that would all change tonight.

I walked down a few back alleys on my way home, and that's when I heard it. I turned down an alley and saw five men beating on a defenseless girl. I usually would think out my plan of attack, but this time I just acted.

I ran at them like a maniac, knocking three of them to the ground automatically. The other two ran like the cowards that they were. Before the others regained consciousness I picked up the girl and ran to safety. I couldn't let them hurt her anymore. I carried her away from there, down to my home where those men would never hurt her again.

I held her close to me, so close I could feel her warmth. With each shallow breath she took, I took a larger one for her. Why was I so drawn to her? I could not put my finger on it. I just was, I guess. With every step I took I said a prayer, wishing that she would be all right.

I walked in the den and laid her on the couch. Almost immediately the others came in to see what had happened. Splinter kneeled down beside her and touched her face. I knew what he wanted to hear.

"I found her in an alley. Five men were beating on her. I couldn't have just left her there, so I brought her here. It's the safest place for her till she's better," I pleaded with him.

"Michelangelo, get me a damp clothe. She's running a fever. We must bring it down before anything else," Splinter said while brushing the hair off her face.

Raphael pulled me aside, "You sure about this?"

That was the first time I had seen him concerned. Slowly I answered, "Yes, I'm sure of it."

That night was hard on me. No matter how hard I tried, I could not sleep. I got out of bed and walked out to the den. She lay there on the couch, peacefully sleeping. She looked like an angel. I touched her face, and she stirred but did not wake. I stood and sat in a chair facing her. I will not let her out of my sight.

Morning crept silently, almost like a ninja. I awoke to see her, alert and sitting up. She stared at me with a puzzled look, and then smiled.

"Morning," She whispered.

"Morning," I repeated. "My name is Leonardo. What is yours?"

"Rosaline," She whispered, only blushing a little.

"Are you feeling better?" I said while moving so that I could sit beside her.

"Better than before," she giggled.

"I found you and brought you here for your safety. Meanwhile my brothers and I have been checking up on you to make sure you were okay."

"There are more of you?"

"Yes. If you want, you could meet them now."

"Please."

I stood and walked toward their rooms. While she sat in the den, I knocked on everyone's door, waking them up. They took their time waking and making their way to the den. One by one, I introduced her to them. She especially took to Splinter.

She was everything I thought she was; smart, funny, and beautiful in he own way.

"So why were those guys after you?" Donatello asked.

"It's a long story," she delayed. She took a deep breath and started, "five months ago I met a guy and started to go out with him. The relationship was okay for a few weeks, but then it got violent. He would beat me for things I didn't even do. So after a while I dumped him. Now him and his friends are trying to kill me."

Tears had filled her eyes, but she did not cry.

"Don't worry. As long as we're around, no one will lay a finger on you," I said while the guys backed me up.

"Thank you," she whispered in a frail voice.

"Now enough with this. Let's get some pizza," Michelangelo yelled pointing at the phone.

Days turned into weeks, and still no sign of the punks who had hurt her.

This night it was my turn to patrol.

"Leo," she called from behind, "can I come with?"

"Are you sure?" I was hesitant to let her come. I cherished her more than anything in the world, and the last thing I wanted to happen was for her to get hurt again.

"Yes. Please let me come. I miss the surface," she pleaded with me.

"Alright."

She grabbed my hand, and I led her out. We held hands on my whole patrol, through the sewers, in the shadows, and even through the alleys. She was not at all ashamed to be with me.

"Leo," she said.

"What?"

"Do you ever think of the stuff that they write about in songs or show on movies?"

I didn't understand, "what kind of stuff?"

"Love, soul mates, knights in shinning armor," she beamed.

"A little, why? Do you think you've met your knight in shinning armor?"

"Yes."

"Who?" I wanted to know with a passion.

"You," with that word she kissed me.

It lasted forever, but was only a few seconds in real life.

Suddenly there was a deafening explosion and she fell to the ground like a rag doll.

"Bro, I got her!" the man yelled.

Before I could get my wits, he ran leaving me with a broken dream. Quickly, I picked her up and carried her back to the sewer.

I burst into the door and yelled for help. I placed her on the couch. That's when Splinter took over.

He tried all he could, but nothing. He looked at her then at me, "I'm sorry."

"No! She can't leave."

Splinter cleared the room and left me alone with her. I kneeled beside her and held her hand. I tried to hold the tears back, but I couldn't.

"Leo," her voice was choked, "it's so cold."

I couldn't say a thing, I just cried.

"Hold me. I'm so cold, and it's getting dark."

I lifted her limp body and held it close to mine. I could feel the life draining from her.

"Leo, everything is getting dark. I'm scared," she started to cry. "I don't want to die. I love you too much to die."

"I won't let you go. You'll be okay. I'm going to stay right here and you'll get better. Rosaline, I love you."

The last of that precious life was drained. I held her lifeless body until my brothers pried her away from me.

After the funeral I walked into my room, closed the door, and put on some music. I lie down in bed and fell asleep.

"Leo, Leo, wake up," the sweet words woke me.

"Rosaline. But..!" she stopped me.

"Don't ask. Just enjoy this, my love."

I held her all that night. In the morning I awoke to see she was gone, but written on a piece of paper was a note. It read:

I will love you always. Never forget me.

Rosaline