As much as Kara wanted to get home, it was a full three weeks before the doctors deemed that she was healed enough to leave the hospital. She was placed under strict orders to not do anything that could re-open the still healing wounds for at least a month, especially sparring. Kara had laughingly agreed, and both April and Casey said that they would watch her. As they drove through the city, heading towards Kara's house, Kara leaned up from the back seat.

   “Okay, so what is the surprise that you two have been talking about non-stop for the past week? And when do I get to see the turtles?!” April and Casey laughed.

   “Oh no!” said April, shaking her head. “You aren't going to get the answer out of us!”

   “We'd be dead meat if we ruined the surprise!” added Casey. Kara put on a pouty face.

   “Aw...the suspense is killing me!” As Kara's house came into view, April patted Kara's shoulder gently.

   “We're almost there. You'll know soon.” They stopped at the gate, Casey pushing the intercom. A very familiar voice came through the box.

   “Welcome ya'll! Thanks for visiting the awesome Kara's house. What can I do you for?” Kara leaned as far over Casey as she could from her backseat position.

   “Mikey?” Silence came over the intercom; the passengers in the car looked at each other, puzzled. A voice came over the intercom.

   “Sorry about that, Miss Kara.”

   “Roger! You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice!” A slight chuckle followed her exclamation.

   “Same to you. Sorry about Mikey. Seems he actually started crying with joy when he heard your voice. Never seen anything quite like it.” The car erupted in laughter at that revelation. “I'm opening the gate now. We'll see you at the house.” There was a low buzz followed by the gates swinging open. Casey pulled the car forward and up the driveway. Roger met them at the top, opening Kara's door for her. She practically bowled him over in a hug.

   “I missed you so much!” Roger returned the hug, smiling.

   “I missed you too.” Kara released her grip and looked around.

   “Where are the turtles?” A twinkle appeared in Roger's eyes.

   “Oh, they're here. We have to get you ready first.” Before Kara could say a word, Roger grabbed one arm, and the other arm was grabbed by April. “Let's go!” Kara found herself quickly whisked up to her room. Roger dropped Kara's arm and gave a small bow. “I'll leave her to your capable hands, Miss O’Neil. I'll be outside the door when you are ready.” April smiled.

   “Thank you, Roger. We shouldn't be that long.” Roger exited the room, closing the door behind him. April turned to Kara, who was looking at her with a funny expression.

   “Okay. What's going on?” April spun Kara around and led her into her dressing room/walk-in closet. Kara gasped as her eyes fell on a beautiful gown that was draped across the couch. “Oh. Wow.” She walked over, her fingers running gently over the white silk. April moved up next to her.

   “Let's get you into it.”

   For the next half-hour, April helped Kara to get ready. It wasn't until she was getting undressed that Kara realized how grateful she was for the help that April was giving her. The wounds were still a little tender, and she was managing to move in just the right way to make them hurt. April finished putting in a bobby pin and stepped back.

   “All finished.” Kara stood from where she had been sitting at the vanity and moved to the full-length mirror. She didn't recognize the person staring back at her. April had done her hair in a beautiful up-do, leaving a few curled strands loose. Her makeup was simple, but wonderfully done. But the dress was the thing she couldn't stop staring at. It was strapless, white silk, with a large ribbon wrapped around the middle, creating an empire waist. On the back, several ribbons draped down to the floor in a cascading effect. She wore heels, something she didn't do very often. April moved up next to her. “What do you think?” Kara shook her head.

   “I barely recognize myself!” April grinned.

   “Come on. Let's go.” April led her out of the room. Roger was waiting outside the door. As Kara stepped out, his eyes widened.

   “You look amazing.” Kara blushed. Roger offered his arm, which Kara took. “Time for your surprise.” He laughed as Kara's face lit up. Roger led Kara down the stairs, through the dining room, and into the large ballroom. That surprised Kara. The ballroom had been closed since her parent's deaths. Memories of the parties and dances that her parents would hold came flooding into Kara's mind. A sad smile appeared on her face. “I hope you don't mind that I reopened the ballroom.” Kara let out a sigh.

   “No. I don't mind. It needed to be aired out. I've shut it for much too long.” She looked around, noticing that the ballroom had been cleaned from top to bottom, and large floral decorations had been placed around the perimeter. Other decorations were hung around the room, and the chandeliers were brightly lit. “It's beautiful. So where's the party?”

   “The guests won't begin arriving for another two hours. I wanted to let you get a first look.” Kara let go of Roger's arm and walked a little into the ballroom. Suddenly she laughed, spinning around.

   “Come dance with me, Roger!” she said, still spinning.

   “I would like to, but I don't think-”

   “Come on! Remember when you would dance with me when I was little?”

   “Yes, but -”

   “What he's trying to say is that your first dance has already been taken.” Leo's voice stopped Kara in mid-spin, making her lose her balance. Two hands reached out from behind her and steadied her shoulders. Kara turned.

   “Thank you, Ro-” Her words trailed off into nothing as her eyes fell upon the person who had caught her. It wasn't Roger. It was a young man, in a tux, with dark blond hair a little long; bright blue eyes regarded hers intensely. Who is he? I’ve never seen him before. Still, there was something about his eyes that captivated Kara, something familiar. Slowly, she reached up her right hand and gently touched his cheek. “I know you.” A smile grew on the young man’s face. As the smile reached his eyes, realization hit Kara full force. She gasped, her other hand flying to her mouth and tears forming in her eyes. “Leo?” The young man suddenly put his hand over her right hand, tears forming in his eyes.

   “Surprise,” he whispered. He reached out with his right hand and caressed Kara’s cheek. “Welcome home.” Kara suddenly found herself gathered in a tight hug, and the tears began to fall. They stayed that way for a minute before Kara found her voice again.

   “But, how?” Leo released her from the hug, wiping away his own tears.

   “The chamber. We still don’t know exactly what it was or exactly what happened, but when the door opened, we were human.” A light went off in Kara’s brain.

   “So, all of you?”

   “What? You disappointed that Leo wasn’t the only one to change?”

   Kara turned quickly at the sound of Raph’s voice, her jaw dropping in surprise. There, standing next to Roger, were the other three brothers, as well as an older man. The only thing the same about the brothers was the fact that they were wearing tuxes. Mikey was the shortest, with blond hair that hung to his shoulders; Don was the next tallest, but with light brown hair in a business cut; Raph was the tallest of the three, and also of the brothers (Leo was just an inch shorter), with long black hair that hung nearly to his shoulder blades and was tied back with a black silk ribbon. The older man gave a slight bow, and Kara realized that he was Master Splinter, also given away by the fact that he was only about five feet tall, dwarfed by his six-foot-and-taller sons. The three brothers walked over to Kara, each giving her a hug. Kara was flabbergasted.

   “I still can’t believe this! I’m seeing it with my own eyes and I still can’t believe it!” Mikey grinned.

   “It’s cool. We’re still getting used to it too! It’s a bit weird not having a shell on your back.” He quickly held up his hands. “Not that I ever want to go back to that!” Kara laughed.

   “So that’s why you never came to visit me in the hospital. You wanted to surprise me.” Don nodded.

   “Well, that’s half true. We did visit you, but you were just always sleeping. I don’t think Leo could have taken nearly a month without visiting you.” Everyone laughed as Leo playfully punched Don in the arm.

   “Okay, enough clamoring around Kara,” Leo said, as he started to push his brothers away. “I want my dance!” Mikey put on a pouty expression.

   “Fine!” he whined. “But I get the next one!” Raph and Don rolled their eyes and pulled Mikey away. “I mean it!” Kara hid a smile behind her hand.

   “Kara.” Kara turned as music began to fill the hall, and she recognized the tune as her parent’s favorite waltz. Roger. He really thought of everything. Leo was standing with his hand outstretched; he gave a small bow. “May I have this dance?” Kara’s smile grew larger as she took Leo’s hand.

   “Absolutely.” Leo straightened and pulled her in close––Kara felt her heart skip. His eyes met hers and never left as they moved across the floor.