Disclaimer & Warnings:
I do not own the Turtles, as much as I would love to.
Contains spoilers for the TMNT '07 movie.

Not to sound self-promoting, but you might want a tissue box with this chapter. I did. That's all I'm saying.

Chapter Three

Leonardo tried his best to stay awake until Mikey and Raph came home, but he must've fallen asleep long before they returned. He fuzzily remembered Donnie helping him to his room sometime during the night, and woke up alone in his bed the next morning.

Punching his pillow, he rolled out of bed and automatically began donning his gear. He was either going to have to adjust his internal clock to staying up late, or force the others to retire earlier. Honestly, he couldn't decide which was the lesser of two evils. It hadn't been a problem before; he and Raph had reached a compromise, Leo staying up an hour or two later than normal most evenings, and Raph doing his best to get up earlier on their "freebie" Wednesday mornings.

Leo sighed as he tugged roughly at a wrist strap. He couldn't be awake for more than a few minutes before his mind wandered to Raph, and he knew from this last week that he wouldn't be able to stop until he fell unconscious that night.

His fists tightened at his sides. It was going to end today. No matter the outcome.

"Too slow, Mike," Raph taunted, ducking away from a spinning nunchaku.

Michaelangelo scowled, bracing a foot against the base of the wall before launching himself bodily at him, scoring a blow on the back of his shell as Raph spun past him.

"Better!" Raph grinned. "Wrong angle, though."

They clashed together again, and a sai was tangled in Mikey's chain. With a crow of joy, Mikey yanked the weapon away from Raph, wiggling his eyebrows at him.

"Much better," Raphael laughed, turning his body to present less of a target. "Now take the other."

"Scary, isn't it?" Donnie said quietly as he and Leo watched the two spar.

"A- a bit," Leo said, eyes wide. "Both of them."

Donnie's narrow eyes slid to Leo's. "Mikey dumped his entire cereal bowl on top of Raph's head this morning. Raph laughed with him."

"I…" Leo ducked his head in embarrassment. "I was so tired last night."

"I noticed," Donnie chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "You were out a good two hours before they got in."

"Donnie, I hate to ask, but I'm going to need some coffee this afternoon. Black coffee."

"Determined, are you?" he laughed, leaning on his Bo.

"Quite," Leo said through gritted teeth.

"Good." Donnie gave him an odd look as he added, "Want some advice?"

"No, thank you."

"No?"

Leo shook his head. "As you so aptly put it, I must dig myself out of this one."

"True. But remember; no man is an island." Donnie's smile was gentle.

Leonardo put a hand on his shoulder as he smiled back. "Wise words, which I will heed."

"Seriously, will you take some advice?" Donnie pressed, his eyes twinkling.

Leo chuckled as he nodded.

"I'll send Mikey to talk to you later. Don't waste the opportunity. And Leo?"

"Yes?"

"You need to go to them." Donatello smiled again. "I appreciate you waited until I was good and ready to talk, but they need you to approach them."

His katanas whispered as Leo pulled them from his back. "I have already been planning it; thank you."

Donnie's smile widened as he moved to block.

Leonardo frowned as he listened to the headphones. Donnie had set him up with a new playlist, and he couldn't decide if he loved the music or downright hated it. It was going to be one extreme or the other; he just hadn't decided which he felt more.

Shrugging, he settled more comfortably on his bed, trying desperately to relax. Distracted while talking to Donnie, he'd semi-accidently drank three cups of coffee. Leo was beginning to wonder if his skin was going to crawl off his bones.

His frown deepened as he tried to find his centre, but the unfamiliar music was distracting. Donnie had promised the music would help, but he wasn't so sure now. He fought the alien sounds as his mind raced.

A moment later, Leo shot off the bed as fingers drummed on top of his head, his breathing ragged as he turned to stare at a startled Mikey.

"What the hell, Mike?" Leo snapped. "Warn me next time!"

"Whoa, Leo," Mikey said, holding his hands up in apology. "You're wound tighter than an eight-day clock. What's your deal?"

Leo took a deep breath, pulling the headphones off. "Had too much coffee by mistake. I'm sorry, Mikey. I'm on edge."

"You're telling me," Mikey grumped. "Weren't you in the kitchen just, like, two minutes ago?"

"No," Leo said, forcing his voice to sound calm. "What is it, Mikey?"

"I-," Mikey started, but paused and awkwardly patted Leo's shoulder. "I am sorry I startled you. Seriously. I heard someone in the kitchen, and I since Donnie and sis were with me, I figured it was you."

"Raph's still out," Leo sighed.

Mikey snorted. "Duh."

"So who was in the kitchen?"

They shared a look of concern, rising quickly to their feet and running down the stairs. A thorough search of the kitchen, then living area, then the entire lair turned up nothing and no one.

"I don't get it," Mikey said, scratching his head. "The TV wasn't on. Sensei's turned in early."

Leonardo took a steadying breath. "Whatever it was, the lair is secure. Perhaps Raph ducked back in for a moment. What did you want, Mikey?"

A variety of emotions flitted through Mikey's eyes, too fast for Leo to properly recognize.

"I'm going out," Mikey finally said, averting his gaze as he scuffed his foot on the floor. "Just wanted to let you know."

"Oh? Where?" Leo asked, keeping his tone light.

"Just out," Mikey replied evasively.

"You can tell me where or… I can go with you?" Leo offered, giving his brother a half-smile, but it was met with a scowl.

"Hell no, I don't need a babysitter."

"I wasn't suggesting you do," Leo said quietly. "I'd like to spend some time with you if you felt like it. I could use your company."

Mikey opened his mouth to retort, and then closed it in surprise as he saw the pleading in his brother's eyes. Leo never begged. "Fine. Just keep up."

"I'll do my best," Leo said dryly as Mikey took off at a fast pace out of the lair. They ran for a long time through the sewers, and when Mikey finally pointed up at a stained grate, Leo smiled back in recognition.

They paused only to give a brief wary glance before they climbed onto the street beside a long abandoned building. Twin begrimed ladders cast angular shadows, and Leo put a hand on Mikey's shoulder.

"How about a bet?" Leo said, giving him a challenging grin.

"What?" Mikey gave him a stunned look.

"First to the top?"

"Ooh… you're on!"

"But-," Leo's eyes darted restlessly before glancing back at his brother. "No ladders."

"Hmm." Mikey studied the eroded wall before them, then slowly nodded. "Say when."

Leo sank his fingers into a crevice, hanging silently while he waited for Mikey to get a hold of his own. "Ready?"

"Prepare to get your ass kicked."

"Go."

They scrabbled at the loose brick and concrete as they shot upwards, silt and pebbles dropping to the earth in their wake. Keeping a close eye on the other's progress, they stayed a respectable distance apart, using any and every fault in the wall to propel themselves ever faster.

As it was one of the tallest buildings for miles, they were panting by the time they reached the midpoint. Leo gasped as Mikey's foot slipped, then found purchase on a wobbly brick.

"Don't wait up, Leo," Mikey wheezed, rapidly scrambling up the side again. "Cause I'll be waiting for you at the top."

"You wish," Leo taunted haughtily.

Leo slipped twice as he passed a particularly damaged floor, giving Mikey a considerable lead, who mocked him over his shoulder. Leo frowned, melding himself to the shaky wall and fairly flew up it with a burst of energy, his feet as light and sure as if they were on an even keel.

Mikey shrieked and redoubled his efforts as he saw his brother barreling toward him, but was unable to match Leo's momentum. Moments later, Leo's hand slammed on the top of the building, pulling himself halfway up before he felt a hand wrap around an ankle. He tried to shake the grip but Mikey was determined, tugging roughly and unbalancing his elder brother. He laughed as Leo fell back, catching his arm and steadying him against the wall- albeit below him.

"Ha!" Mikey yelled as he swung his legs out of Leo's reach and rolled his body on the roof.

"That… was dirty," Leo panted, pulling himself onto the roof for the second time. "You've been… spending too much time… with Raph."

"Don't you… know it," Mikey giggled, leaning back into a pile of rubble and watching the dark sky.

The rooftop echoed with their heavy breathing while their bodies calmed. Leo rested his shell against a half-wall nearby, a peaceful smile on his face. This was their favourite lookout point in the entire city. The view was incredible; all of New York lay below them like a sparkling gift.

"So why are we up here, Mikey?" Leo finally asked.

"Just wait…" Mikey crossed one leg onto his other knee, kicking his foot in time to a tune he hummed.

Several quiet moments passed, then Leo heard a faint noise.

Plip.

Plip, plip. Plip.

Plip, plip, plop.

Leo held out his hands, catching the first raindrops as his smile grew.

"Don said a storm was blowing in," Mikey said quietly. "Not a bad one; just enough for a nice shower."

"What a great idea, Mikey," Leo sighed happily, tilting his head back to let the increasing rain spatter against his face.

"I learned something about water when- when you didn't come back."

Leo winced at the accusatory tone, but kept listening.

"Water grounds us. Not just cause we're turtles, but everyone. Water flows and changes, yielding and stubborn at the same time. If you give yourself to the water, it will cleanse you."

Leo stared at him, startled at the maturity of his words. "Mike- I'm-,"

Mikey flashed him a lopsided grin. "I didn't come up with that. I overheard Alex telling Donnie that when she was begging for a bathtub to be installed."

Leonardo burst into laughter, leaning his head back into the downpour. "Gods, Michaelangelo. I have missed you."

He heard Mikey mutter something, and dipped his head down to ask him to repeat; then paused as he saw a green blur in his vision before Mikey fell into his arms.

"I hate you," Mikey said forcefully, his voice thick and heavy. "You always harp on me being more responsible, then you didn't even let us know you were alive!"

Leo held him close, rocking him gently. "That is unforgiveable, Mikey. I was reaching for such an unattainable goal, I lost myself. I nearly lost my family, as well."

"And- And you know I love Donnie to death," Mikey sniffed. "But he just isn't you, Leo. He tried really, really hard. And he did a good job, too," he added defensively.

"I know he did," Leo said quietly.

"But- But-," Mikey sighed, tilting his face to the rain as he closed his eyes. "I did you proud, Leo. I took care of them even though I was miserable inside."

"You don't have to tell me," Leo replied, gently squeezing one of his arms. "I can see it for myself."

"And when I couldn't stand it anymore, I came up here when it rained." Mikey lowered his head into his hands, his shoulders shaking slightly. "That way no one could see I was crying."

Leo cradled his head, wrapping his own hands around his. "Never again, Mikey," he breathed vehemently. "I will never allow myself to hurt you in such a way again."

Mikey parted his fingers, one wide fearful eye peeking up at him. "Do you promise, for real, this time?"

Leo leaned down to rest his forehead against his brother's. "Michaelangelo, I understand the power of the spoken word now. Never again will I betray that power. I promise you, Mikey. I'm never leaving again. Only death will briefly part us."

A heart wrenching sob rasped in Mikey's throat as they clung to one another, and the rain cried with them.

[Author's Note]
Though I've never done this before, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to someone in particular:
Tauni, I've desperately needed a dedicated Mikey fan's insight for months. And let me tell you, it was worth the struggle I've been through to write Mikey so that I could meet you! Though 'my' Mikey may not be close to yours, you helped me get through this chapter, and I'm much happier with the result than I thought I'd be!

Dudes and dudettes, forgive my late replies; I'm still tangling with family problems and I was so, so dead tired last night. Fortunately I got this chapter written in plenty of time before I'm gonna pass out. :P

Saya the Awesome Ninja Cat: Hehe, sometimes when I'm writing I find myself actually viewing the events unfold from Leo's perspective; it's kinda creepy sometimes, to be honest, and it was a relief to finally let him have his own voice in the first chapter of this story. He can be… insistent. O_o Donnie is SO looking forward to watching Alex's imminent explosion- he's been on the receiving end many times, and he gets a huge kick out of watching her get angry at someone else! Preferably Raph, but Leo will work for now. *evil cackle*

XxNightwatchersBabexX: Mikey with a girlfriend… I dread what would happen to the formerly-all-male lair with two girls gadding about in it. Muwahaha!

lil151emo: Well, Mikey and Leo are going to be okay… I wonder if Leo will have to keep putting off his promise to himself to talk to Raph?

The Mutant Rebel: You and me both! Hehe Alex is so gonna kick Leo's ass into next week… I'm scared just to WRITE it…

Amalia Janeway: Well…. My writing demon says stalk away, because it feeds him nightly. o.o *ahem* It's been rather difficult to try to step back from the ending of the movie (which of course had to wrap up at least satisfactorily happy) and imagine the true repercussions of Leo being gone, and not even sending word that he's alright. Raphael wouldn't be the only one who would resent Leo naturally asserting leadership over them again- although I could see Donnie going YES PLEASE GOD TAKE THIS AWAY. *snerk* To be honest, I feel Leo had firm ideas on why he had to leave when he left… but now he seriously doubts the validity of them. They're each giving him back his purpose among them- so far we've seen Donnie state his need for someone to take responsibilities so they can each tend to what they do best; Mikey emphasizing the need for family. Yes, the movie bugs the crap out of me, still, even with me puzzling this all out. I think it always shall because it was such a shallow plothole! :P

ninjalover13: Uh. Well. *hangs head* Okay, I'll go ahead and state this clearly. No. I just don't see the need for a minor character just to pair up with Mikey. :/ Yes, he's definitely matured now and he's going to search out his own friends and dates topside- but that probably won't be featured in my story. I hinted at it, though, because I could totally see Mikey doing such a thing now that he's matured. :3