By Kali Gargoyle

***

Chapter One

***

Michaelangelo looked out over the endless ocean. He took a deep breath of salty air as the waves crashed over his green toes. He carried his surfboard over his head as he waded out into the water. It was such a gorgeous day, so warm, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. He couldn't believe that his brothers didn't want to come out with him. Even if they didn't surf, they could still enjoy the sun and the water.

Well, Mike wouldn't let them ruin his day, he was here to have fun, and he was going to do just that.

Mike pulled himself back up onto his board after a wipeout. He didn't let it get him down, it just meant he wouldn't have to do all that paddling. A huge wave appeared over the horizon and he smiled. This was gonna be great.

"Cowabunga!" he shouted from the top of the crest. Just then, something caught his eye and he lost his concentration. He fell back off the board.

Mike came up spitting and sputtering, and swam over to his board. He grabbed the board and tried to find what had caught his attention.

A human girl on the beach. She was near the cliff rocks, out of sight of where his stuff was on the sand. He wondered if she'd seen him, and more importantly, how much could she see from there?

He looked back out at the ocean and sadly noticed that it had calmed down. He frowned, knowing that there probably wouldn't be any waves for awhile.

He looked back to the beach and nearly slipped off the board in surprise when he noticed how close he was. The current was taking him straight towards the girl. If he didn't do something fast, he'd wash up at her feet.

Maybe the ocean wants me to meet her, he thought. Maybe it's like a destiny thing.

But then he remembered the lectures he always got from Leo and Splinter about how important it was for them to stay hidden. The only way he'd managed to get them to let him go was to promise to not let anyone see him. He'd be in so much trouble if she saw him, they'd never let him out again!

His body jerked as his surfboard bumped up against the rocks. Uh oh.

Mike looked over to see the damage to his board and saw two tiny feet standing on a rock near him. He swallowed hard and looked up two long, beautifully tanned legs. The girl wore a neon orange bikini, and he noticed she had a belly ring.

She had a pretty heart shaped face with full lips, a perky little nose, and big green eyes. Her sun-bleached blonde hair was cut short and messy with two little butterfly clips that matched her suit. She looked eighteen, maybe nineteen, the same age as Mike.

"Hi," she said in a friendly tone.

Mike gave an awkward smile. "Uh, hi. My name's Michaelangelo, but you can call me Mikey."

The girl giggled. "I'm Natalie, but my friends call me Nat."

Mike grinned. "Can I call you Nat?"

The girl giggled again. "I don't see why not!" She held out her hand and helped him out of the water. "You surf?"

"Nah, I'm stock car racing."

The girl stared at him for a few seconds before bursting out in giggles again. Mike liked the sound of her laughter, innocent, it reminded him of Shadow's laugh. "So, what are you doing out here?" he asked. "Sun worshipping?"

Nat curled a thin lock of hair around her finger. "Collecting shells."

Mike smiled. "Cool, got any neat ones?"

Nat grinned, excited at getting to show off her collection. "Yeah! They're over by my stuff." She turned and walked towards the sandy area of the beach. "I've got this one really pretty purple one that looks like - OW!"

Mike ran to catch Natalie as she fell backwards. He saw tears of pain streaming down her face. "What happened?"

"My foot!" she cried, trying to reach for it.

Mike looked down and saw a spiny shell half buried in the sand. He didn't have to be Donnie to figure out that she had stepped on it. He picked her up and carried her the rest of the way to her towel and lowered her down. He sat down at her feet and inspected the wounds. It didn't look too bad, but a couple small spines were still stuck in her foot. He thought about it for a few seconds, then asked, "You got a first aid kit?"

Nat shook her head and sniffed. Mike had a little trouble grabbing the spines with his thick fingers, but he got them all out using his fingernails. Nat wiggled during the entire procedure.

"That tickles!" she shrieked. Mike gave the cut one final look over, then tickled the bottom of her foot. Nat continued squirming. "Hey, cut that out!"

Mike let go of her foot and got out of range of her flailing legs. He grabbed her waist and started tickling her sides. Tears started streaming down her face again, this time from laughing so hard.

She suddenly leaned up and kissed him on the mouth. Mike immediately let go out of surprise and she squirmed away. While he was distracted she tipped him over and tried to find his ticklish spots. She found them just under his arms where his shell met his skin.

Now Mike was on the receiving end and tried to squirm out from under Natalie. But he didn't try too hard. He eventually decided to copy her escape tactic and sat up to kiss her. Nat's fingers stopped but she didn't seem distracted, nor did she pull away.

"Wow," Nat said when the kiss ended. "You're a good kisser for a turtle."

Mike pouted. "For a turtle? Nuh uh, it's because I'm a turtle!" he grinned.

Nat looked doubtful, so he just dipped her across his lap for another kiss. It seemed to convince her.

"So," Natalie smiled. "What else are turtles good at?"

Mike grinned down at her. "Allow me to demonstrate." He pulled at the string ties of her swimsuit before she had a chance to protest, not that she gave any indication that she would. She smelled and tasted like coconut sun tan lotion.

He started in again with the tickling and Nat giggled against his lips. Before long the giggles turned to soft moans and Mike knew he was on the right track. He pulled his legs out from under her and they stretched out on the towel.

Natalie covered Mike's face with quick, light kisses. Her fingers seemed to be touching every part of his body at once. She was so warm and soft beneath his fingers and her hair still smelled like the ocean water. Mike started feeling a little lightheaded.

Nat circled her arms around his head and kissed him full on the mouth. Her tongue pressed firmly against his lips so he opened them slightly.

His body seemed to take on a life of it's own, taking possession of Natalie's in every way. Her body submitted to Mike's strength, gently encouraging him to continue.

Mike had never felt anything like this in his entire life. He wished he could keep this feeling forever, the feel of her around him, her arms and legs holding him tight, every nerve and sensor in his body alive and in overdrive.

Certainly nothing bad could possibly happen when everything felt so good.

***

Raphael dragged himself into the dojo. Neither Leo nor Don bothered to say good morning, they knew he'd only snap at them for it.

"Where is Michaelangelo?" Splinter asked.

Raph shrugged. "Sleeping in, I guess." Under his breath, he added, "Lucky bastard."

"I'll get him," Leo volunteered. Less than a minute later he was knocking on Mike's door. There was no response, so he knocked harder. Still nothing. He knew Mike was a deep sleeper, but he was usually up by now without them having to get him.

Leo opened the door and walked over to the bed. Mike was sprawled out on the mattress, blankets in disarray, like the rest of the room.

"Mike, it's time to get up for practice." He shook Mike's shoulder, but his brother didn't stir.

Leo frowned and shook him again. "Come on, Mike, wake up." There was still no response.

"This isn't funny, Mike!"

***

Chapter Two

Pleasant Dreams, Waking Nightmare index