I do not own any of the Mirage characters that may appear in this story including but not limited to the turtles, Splinter, April, etc.

Group Session #1

April POV

You may think being friends with teenage mutant ninja turtles for almost four years would make you almost an expert on them but like most teenagers, they're pretty complicated. I finally decided to mix someone important from my past with the important ones in my present. I just hope it doesn't turn into something I'll soon regret.

Third person POV

It was dark and she was being led by the hand. She could hear rushing water and the smell was a touch on the foul side. Beneath her feet was...cement? Stone? They did climb down a ladder...A sewer. They were walking through a sewer. She prayed she wouldn't encounter any rats. It wasn't that she didn't like the rodents, but anything living down here had to be unsanitary. The thought of being bitten by one gave her the shivers.

"We're almost there, Molly." A female voice murmured as they walked on.

"Thanks for the update, April." Molly replied. "I hope this is worth my while. As much as I enjoy walking blindfolded in a sewage system and all..." A chuckle from her companion brought a smile to her own lips.

They had been childhood friends for years. It was the same old story. Girl meets girl in elementary school. Both find they have something in common and deem their friendship the lasting kind. Only, this was something that ended up being true. Through slumber parties, camp outs in the back yard, petty fights over boys and high school drama, they lasted. Even after they parted for college. They kept in touch, speaking on the phone every week. Molly earned her PhD in Psychology and become a psychologist and April landed a job with THE Baxter Stockman.

Over the years, she could sense that her dear friend was keeping something hidden. Though it pained her that she could not confide in her, she never pried. She knew very well that one had to be ready to share their secrets. Then one day, she told her a brief summary of everything. Teenage mutant ninja turtle boys. She wouldn't have believed her if it wasn't for that one year those triceratops aliens invaded. That was actually the start to a whole lot of strange events happening in new York. Or maybe it started after the TCRI building incident. In a sense, she was almost grateful for them. Her clientele boomed. ET related anxiety was becoming a thing.

"Okay, we're here!" April announced removing the blindfold. She was informed earlier the purpose for the blindfold was something about protecting their home. Molly understood the need to keep home safe. She was no stranger to that kind of worry. After her eyes adjusted to the light, she looked around the lair and her mouth nearly dropped.

"Is this...a pump station for a reservoir?" She gasped.

"An abandoned one." April replied. "They come upon it when they were forced out of their own home."

"Well, it's cleaner than a sewer."

There was a couch in front of a multitude of tvs attached together, an area that appeared to be a place for martial arts training, a number of entryways to who knows where, one with shoji doors...She couldn't believe her eyes. She could hear April laughing at her aghast expression and she quickly regained her composure.

"This was not quite what I expected." She stated to her friend. "Where are they?"

"That's a good question." Before April could call out their names, the shoji doors opened and out came a humanoid rat wearing a Japanese robe. He walked on his hind legs with the aid of a walking stick. Here, Molly nearly fainted. Behind him, four large turtle humanoids filed into the lair. "He doesn't bite."

"Huh?" Molly looked at her friend quizzically.

"Splinter. The rat." April clarified. "He doesn't bite. That look on your face. You're still traumatized from that time we snuck into the sewers when we were kids?"

"If you can't recall, that resulted in quite the infection and an aggressive antibiotic regimen...not to mention the scolding from my parents. I told you how crazy Korean mothers can get..."

"That reminds me, I need to have some of your mother's kimchi stew. It's been years." April mused.

"Ah, you have arrived." Splinter spoke as her drew near to the women. "Forgive us for not being here to welcome you."

"N-no, it's fine." Molly stammered. She quickly cleared her throat and held her hand out. "I'm Molly O'Shea." When Splinter took her hand, she was surprised at how soft his fur was. Now that he was standing before her, she took note of how well-groomed his appearance was. Okay, this one definitely was not going to bite her.

"These are my sons, Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo." He stated, each turtle reacting to their name in a bow, nod or, in Michelangelo's case, an ecstatic wave. "I am Splinter."

"A pleasure." She nodded and moved on to business. "As their father, I am going to need your signature that states your approval of these sessions."

"Is that really necessary?" April inquired.

"With the state of the world, who knows how long before they are part of our society? I don't need a lawsuit on my hands."

"Woah, this lady's serious!" Michelangelo pointed.

"It is my goal to treat you no different from the rest of my clients." Molly turned her attention back to Splinter. "As you know, I am doing this pro bono. The experience itself will be payment enough. I have also written out a contract that states I will not share any information I obtained to the media and/or government."

"I forgot to mention how seriously she takes these things." April chuckled nervously.

"It is for everyone's safety." Molly elaborated as she opened her briefcase and pulled out a clip board and a pen. She handed both to Splinter. "If you can?" Splinter took the clipboard and carefully read it over before signing. As he handed her the clipboard, she handed over his copy of the contract. "This is for you. I have already signed it but if you need it adjusted any way, I would be more than happy to further discuss it with you." After perusing the contract Splinter nodded his head.

"Miss O'Shea, this will do just fine." He actually looked a bit cute when he smiled.

"Well, then. Shall we start?" Molly's attention turned to the turtles. "We'll start with a group session. Where shall we sit?" After some nervous mumbling and shuffling, they directed her over to the living areas where the TVs were. Splinter directed April into his room for a private training session. Once all were seated, Molly pulled out another clipboard.

"Please correct me if I'm wrong. Leonardo is the blue one, Raphael is in red, Donatello is purple and Michelangelo orange..." Each of them nodded. "Alright. As I mentioned before, my name is Molly O'Shea. You can call me Molly. I am here to counsel you. I have a PhD in psychology and I specialize in men in combat. Heroes much like yourself, specifically those with PTSD."

"Is this about the incident?" Donatello queried.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Molly replied. "I was merely informed that you...boys have been through a lot and could use someone to talk it out." She quirked a brow as Raphael elbowed Donatello in the plastron.

"Nice going, chucklehead." He muttered.

"So where shall we start?" She continued on. Silence. "I supposed neither of you have anything in particular your want to get off your chest?" More silence. Eyes were averting contact. "Very well, then. Let's start with an easy game. I would like to get to know each of you so why don't you describe yourself with one word? Anyone want to start?" Silence. "How about Michelangelo?"

"Uhm, how about funny?" He offered.

"Very good! And, Donatello?"

"S-smart, I guess." He murmured.

"Excellent." Molly smiled. "I'm pleased you have such positive views of yourselves. Leonardo?"

"Leader." He stated.

"Very interesting. And Raphael?"

"This is stupid." He grumbled.

"Can I pick a word for Raph?" Michelangelo raised his hand. "How about moody?" The turtle in red growled at his brother.

"We could add belligerent." Donatello chimed in.

"Unfocused." Leonardo added.

"Oh! Oh! Anger issues!" Michelangelo called out. Raphael swatted his brother over the head.

"Shut it, Mikey!" He snapped.

"Why don't we try keeping our hands to ourselves?" Molly piped in with a shake of her head. "Well, you clearly have a normal brotherly relationship. This is good. I think it's time to start with the solo sessions. Why don't we start with Michelangelo?" The youngest turtle yelped as the other three stood and walked away chuckling. "Don't worry, I'll be nice."

Author's not: This is my first TMNT Fanfic. Here it is, the start to an analysis of our favorite turtles. It is my hope that I can give each of them equal time in the limelight. I wanted a story that addresses the psychological effect that their lifestyles put them through. At the end of the day, these are teens. Solo session to come soon.

Update 12/21/15: Decided to add 1st person narrated intros to give it the same feel as the 2003 cartoon.