Author's Note:

More like a drabble than actual plot-moving chapter. Yet there's some tough thoughts. Didn't want to ditch it. But there's Leo/Casey cuddles here, and I like that. So enjoy this chapter!

Casey Jones': First Person Point of View

Every story's got a beginning. Even the most boring ones, the best ones, the scary ones, those weird ones that have your eyes shooting open like 'what the shell did I just read' and especially the dramatic ones. And just like stories, people have beginnings too. I have a beginning- my mom and dad fell in love and bada-bing bada-boom I was their honeymoon result- that was my birth. My real beginning started when my grandparents talked about having a grandson who was a superhero- that's me. Casey Jones- just without the cape. I've got a mask though.

You know who else has masks? My dudes the Ninja Turtles. And you know what? They've got an even cooler beginning than I do. Pet stores and mutagen with concerned rat fathers who happened to be a ninja? You can't deny that's one heck of a story. But their real story- their creation I guess, started when they were hatched. In that pet store.

But now I'm thinking… This little Apritello turtle's gonna have one awesome beginning too. And until they pick a name for their kid, I'm going to call him Apritello. Or August- like April. Or maybe Napoleon… like the famous renaissance artists the guys are named after. It could be a cool family tradition to follow- unless Don and April wanted more normal names.

But why am I the only one thinking of names? Mikey should totally do this job! He's the Name Guy.

I turn my head, craning my neck to witness an occupied Mikey and Karai. Wait, only Mikey's occupied. Karai's looking my way. I blink slowly, trying to catch her eye, but only when she meets my gaze and tears away I do notice who she's trying to look at.

Nothing pulls you out of your thoughts faster than a trembling turtle next to you. Leo- fearless idiot- had the blanket covering his head like some turtle… wait. Heh. I see pun opportunity.

I lean to my right, barely brushing the edge of the blanket with my shoulder, and earning Leo's full attention. I whisper, "You look like a turtle under those blankets,"

I got a smile. Not the I'm-only-tolerating-you-cause-you-help-out-on-missions smile. No, that's Karai's smile. This smile was Leo all the way. The little half inch on his lips- oh... his lips… They're red. And swollen.

Adorable… Wish I could hug him right now. He just looks so tired…

I shake my head, leaning down so that we are eye to eye, amber to blue, "Your lips Leo, stop worrying 'em already,"

Leo shrugs, swallowing more of his nerves when he breathed. But he didn't say a word- not until I raised a cold hand to poke his blanketed shoulder, "Yo Blue, you okay?"

Stupid question yeah- but if someone doesn't ask the painfully obvious questions, then who would? Mikey is occupied. Don's not fit to stand much less ask questions. And I really don't want Raph opening his mouth. Guess the idiot job's up to me then. But Leo didn't point out that it was a stupid question. He answered it as though it were worthy of his full attention.

"I'll be fine,"

Lie. Totally lied.

I roll my eyes, and send my most unconvinced look. He chuckles into his blanket, drifting his eyes back to the floor- which was somehow more worthy of his attention than I am. But he's got a nice chuckle there- but it's muffled. My eyes narrow off its own accord- because those blasted blankets where covering Leo's amazing chuckle. He doesn't even chuckle a lot these days- Master Splinter has been harsh on him since Shredder disappeared. Even when Karai came and acknowledged the truce, Master Splinter's been unfair on my leader.

Giving him extra sessions- making sure he wakes up earlier than everyone else. I remember watching Leo stumble down the stairs, gripping the ledge for full support until the turtle shook his drowsiness from his eyes and walked on like a soldier for their morning routine. Soldier didn't seem far off though. Leo's been training and training and training- for what? Master Splinter said he sensed something big was coming- was going to either make or break this family. And he wanted Leo to be prepared.

But looks like Master Splinter's got it all wrong- the extra training. Fighting's good alright- but how does fighting help when one of Leo's brothers knocked up Ape here? Betcha the rat didn't think of that. Maybe that's why he didn't show up. Shell… does he even know?

If he doesn't know… then Leo's going to be the one to break it to him. How can the leader handle all that? Well if Leo's having trouble- I hope he knows that I've got his shell through thick and thin. Through summer and winter. Through hot and cold.

Cold…

I push myself back into the couch, the cool leather stinging my elbows and forcing me to push my hands between my thighs. Sure it's an awkward position- but it's either that or sitting on my hands. And I don't think Leo's gonna like that sight. I think… But Leo's supposed to understand that I'm cold too- can't I have a blanket? Or share?

I really don't mind sharing a blanket with Leo. It'll give me an excuse to cuddle with him- god knows how much the dude likes to cuddle. It's a thing he and Mikey shares. But Leo doesn't do it a lot, only when he's truly exhausted, then I'm blessed with the sight of a sleeping Leo reaching out to hug the nearest thing. Like me- on a couch during movie night. The movie couldn't compare to Leo sleeping on my lap. That was a nice night. Comfortable.

I sigh, closing my legs to trap as much heat as possible. It helps- but not by much. At times like these I'd wish I had extra clothes- but I don't. I only have that hoodie – but that's trash now. All my other clothes are at home- or April's place. I've got some clothes at school too- in my locker. Pretty sure some underwear is at the lair.

It's Leo's voice that snaps me out of my thoughts, "Can I hug you Casey?"

Huh?

I blink slowly, watching the blue masked leader unwrap his blanket to reveal his usual attire. It takes me a full five seconds to realize that he wants to share the blanket. Then I nod, giving the leader permission to do just what he needed to do.

But what exactly? Is it just hugging? Hugging I don't mind- but hugging means he's really tired. But how tired? Tired enough that he knows he's tired and just wants to rest on the nearest thing? -Meaning me?

Before the words could slip out of my mouth, Leo gives a brilliant grin, just before scooting next to me and literally throwing the blanket on my head. The world is suddenly blue- the blanket creating a comfortable cave that covers my legs. The material feels sorta like those thick T-shirts in the summer- cotton maybe? The turtle latches onto my arm- his cool skin tingly against my own. But he's hugging my arm- I didn't even know Leo would cuddle in this semi-public place. But he's cuddling me right now. Maybe because all this stress and extra training is finally getting to him. Any moment he's going to fall asleep and I'll just be here for him to hold.

Finally. The leader deserves some rest.

Warm breath against my shoulders, and without a fraction of a doubt, I knew the leader was asleep. Of course he's asleep- Leo trusts me. Else he wouldn't have fallen asleep so quickly or put his blanket around us. It's nice you know… That Leo puts so much trust in me. It's rare for him to be so affectionate- but he's really tired. And tired Leo is cuddly Leo.

So I do what my instinct's been begging me to do even since he stood trembling in front those white doors. I hug him. Put my arms around the back of his shell and pull him so that his head rests on my chest. He could listen to my heart that way- I've got a feeling he'd be comforted by it. He was comforted last time on the couch. And I know I've made the right choice when Leo's arms unravel from my shoulders to wrap around my waist instead. Hands clasped at my side, stealing as much warmth as possible.

It's peaceful. Under the blanket. With Leo. He's sleeping, and I'm guarding. It's still chilly- but not under the blanket. Under this blanket we're comfortable. And I know, that when Leo wakes up, he'd rub his eyes and thank me. We'd share a quiet moment, and then he'd slip back into stress again. But I like letting him sleep with me. There's nothing like have someone put their absolute faith in you and you believing in yourself that you'd do everything in your power to protect them in their sleep. Because sleep, is vulnerable. It's much more important when you hear that Leo's got so many trust issues- but he trusts me. No words needed.

And I like that. Adore it. I just hope Leo knows that I'd sleep with him too- I'd let him watch me. But I don't. Maybe in the future- but until then, it's my job to make sure that Leo's getting his rest- even if it's a minute. Because I can hear footsteps. And I have a feeling, that our little journey, is only just beginning.

I'm right.

I wish I wasn't- because as soon as the light footsteps come at our couch- we are opposite those white doors, Leo's stirring. Barely a minute's sleep. And as he moves, I catch his eyes. Soft blue mirroring that grateful smile- mask the slightest of twisted but he fixes it without a word. I nod. No words needed when I pull away the blanket to meet one amused kunoichi.

Leo cracks a smile, not like the soft one before, this one playful as he teases what was the closest thing he had to a best friend, "Do you mind? I was enjoying my sleep,"

Karai put her hands on her hips, armor not a bit changed from when we first saw her sixteen year old self years ago- except fuller, "I noticed- Casey looks happy too,"

I know better than to rise to bait, and so does Leo. His eyes glance to the door behind her, and his face falls, "Any news?"

Karai beat me to the answer, "You were inside five minutes ago,"

"Only?" is his answer when he wraps his arm around himself and glances to the floor, "Felt longer,"

I know what he means. Karai does too- and she swing her arms at the side and asks Leo off-handedly, "Does Father know?"

Father- oh, Splinter. Sometimes I honestly forget that Karai is Miwa- and Miwa is Splinter's daughter. Doesn't really bother me though- except it confuses the relationship of her and everyone in the team. So I don't think about it- at least not for now.

Leo fidgets, hands going to his arms yet again- it's honestly involuntary motion that puts the blanket around him, and my arm. Leo doesn't mind, adjusting so that his head rests on my shoulder while I make sure he's tucked under the blanket. The blanket nestles around our legs, leaving the knees out for the cold but it's way better than shivering without any cover. And plus- Leo's feeling warmer already.

Karai rolls her eyes, and says to Leo as though the weather was the topic all along, "What did the doctor say?"

Leo fidgets again, and I make sure to keep a good grip on him when he speaks, "Not much- April's nervous and…"

Karai cuts him off, "Did she want to throw the baby away?"

Leo gulps- and I could feel the tension rising when he nods, "Yeah…"

What?

Okay, on the outside, I'm nonchalant, but inside? Honestly? Why would Ape want to kill her kid? I mean sure it's dangerous but a baby is a baby! Even mutant hybrids need a chance to live and I don't wanna put up the whole anti-abortion thing here, but a guy's got to have his opinion. And my opinion as that Apritello here needs to get a beginning. And a baby's a good a beginning as anything.

Leo shook his head again, letting his forehead press into my arm, and I could still feel the warm breath tickling, "She's convinced against it,"

Karai nods, not entirely focusing on Leo but keeping the conversation casual, "But she's still scared,"

Leo's voice is soft, and far too gentler than I'd like- giving me a little reason to start thinking all sorts of things, "Yeah… but…"

He's going to fall asleep at any moment. But I've got him, he's okay. He'll be safe with me. But he's not going to fall asleep so soon- not when Karai is here having a conversation with him.

Leo snaps his eyes open, and he turned to face the waiting girl before him. Karai still standing as though this was normal- but I can see the humor in her eyes. Amber eyes like me- but I like to think mine is far less sharp than hers.

Jeez- can't she see Leo's tired? Why won't she just leave him to sleep!

Leo rubs his eyes against my shoulder, the T-shirt barely ghosting his head, "I've convinced her- that the baby deserves a better beginning,"

A flash of something passes Karai's face, and her frown forms when she whispers, "Are you sure it's the right decision?"

I didn't think I'd hear Leo sound so… hesitant when he muttered the following words, "I hope so… April could get really hurt…"

Karai finishes off with a sigh, "And it'll be your fault."

"Yeah…"

What was it and these ninjas and blaming themselves? If it's anyone's fault it's April's and Donnie's. What the shell was going through their minds when they decided that... Well... This baby isn't anyone's fault. It's a blessing. An opportunity. A new beginning- for all of us.

Jus' hope that April feels the same way...

Next chapter, we visit what's behind those white doors.