It had been the longest week of Raph's life. Period.

If looking after the red panda wasn't bad enough, he had to help out with Donnie's chores. And it was his month to do the bathrooms. The red-clad turtle didn't know how much longer he could keep his temper in check at this rate. And up until today, there was no improvement with Paniga. The young lady on the med table had continued to receive injections and nutrients through an iv. It was starting to worry Raph that she wasn't waking up yet. After all, how bad could that infection really have been?

And if the little red panda didn't cool his jets toward Leo soon, Raph might as well let the animal attack his brother. Leo had been forced away from Raph and Mikey for this week. Every time he got too close, the furry little creature would hiss at the ninja leader. Despite Leo trying to offer treats, trying to play fetch, or just trying to sit with them, the blue-clad turtle just could not make peace with the temperamental creature. And it was driving Leo crazy, which in turn drove Raph crazy. And that's how they ended up arguing at the kitchen after dinner.

"I'm telling you, Raph, keep that thing away from us at the dinner table!"

"Leo, I can't just lock him up in my room. He'll hate me next! And it's only until she's better."

"And we don't know how long that's gonna be!"

Mikey was sitting in the living room with the red panda currently curled up in his lap. The young turtle had the creature on it's back. Mikey was gently running his fingers across the furry belly, listening to the soft purrs of the red panda, in an attempt to drown his older brother's yelling.

"I'm serious Raph, you need to think of something."

"Why don't you deal with it? Or do you need me to help you handle one, fluffy creature."

"It's not just a fluffy creature, that thing is a menace!"

Raph's opened his mouth for comeback when the lab doors opened. Three heads whipped toward Donatello standing in the door way. His eyes were bloodshot and he was wearing an angry expression on his face. The smart turtle had been working almost day and night to try and help Paniga, and he was no closer to waking her up as a result. He barely slept, barely ate, and he was slowly reaching his wits end.

"I've had enough of you two going at it!" Donatello's voice caused all in the room to jump. The red panda quickly flipped onto his front and bolted into the lab before anyone could stop him. "And now look what you've done!"

Donatello stormed toward the kitchen, pushing past Raph and Leo, and grabbed a slice of pizza. Taking a bite, he continued. "And now, since he's in there, Raph gets to watch her while I try to get some sleep! See you later!"

Shocked by the normally calm turtle's outburst, Raph opted to just head toward the lab and shut the doors. Turning toward a chair next to the bed, he noticed that the red panda was already in it. The furry creature had set his head on Paniga's hand. Raph sighed, gently lifting the red panda up and sitting down himself. Once he was settled, he let the red panda sit in his lap, gazing at the sleeping girl. Raph took a moment to look at her. Thanks to the extra nutrients Donnie had been pumping into her, the girl was starting to look a little better. Scanning some of the medical charts, Raph noticed that the infection in her throat was all but gone. Her malnourishment was depleting, and, according to Donnie, she should be ready to wake up at any time.

Raph was jumped from his thoughts when he felt a cold, wet nose press against his hand. The red-clad turtle glanced down, watching the red panda tap his hand.

"What?"

The red panda cocked his head, then glanced toward the young girl. Raph glanced back at Paniga, noticing that she was as still as ever. Raph sighed and pet the creature's head.

"I know, buddy," he sighed. "Hopefully soon."

An hour later, the red panda had shifted from Raph's lap to the floor at his feet. The temperamental turtle sighed and leaned forward, glancing at the patient in the bed for the millionth time. He found himself trailing down her right arm; the one closest to him. He noted that her shoulder was the bright red-orange, and it faded quickly into a dark black around the middle of her upper arm. The black coloring covered her hand. It looked so human like, that is startled Raph. Five dainty fingers in a perfect human hand. Raph suddenly had a thought. He knew her face was soft like swede. Was her hand?

Cautiously, he reached hand toward hers. Before he could touch, he felt a cold nose on his leg. Looking down, the red panda glanced between his hand and his face.

"I won't hurt her," Raph said calmly. "I promise."

The red panda purred and laid his head back down, giving Raph his silent permission.

Raph turned back to Paniga, watching as his hand closed the gap between his and hers. His fingertips gingerly brushed the top of her hand, feeling the soft swede-like texture. Before he could stop himself, he found his hand covering hers, holding it gently. It was small compared to his giant hand, but he was surprised to find it fit nicely in his own.

"Come on, Paniga," Raph whispered. "Your friend misses you. It's time to wake up now."

Raph wasn't entirely sure how long he sat like that, but he had started stroking the back of her hand with his thumb some time ago. Pausing for a moment, he glanced down at the red panda, finding him fast asleep. Raph sighed and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Without warning, Raph suddenly felt light pressure around his thick fingers. Snapping his head up, the temperamental turtle quickly looked at hand. She was gripping his hand. Raph, startled, snapped his hand away and looked at her face. He watched as her face began to contort into grimace as she stirred. The red panda suddenly bolted his head up, sniffing the air gently. Raph felt the creature's fluffy tail start pounding his leg as he watched the young girl's face slowly settle. Before Raph could think of hollering for Donnie, Raph watched her eyelids twitch before slowly opening. And the red-clad turtle was stunned.

Let alone the fact that her "muzzle" was white with brown tracks running down, and the rest of her face that deep red-orange color, her eyes were an insanely bright blue. It was close to electric blue, but they were slowly filling with life. Raph shook himself from the gaze for a moment and took a step back. He figured that his face wouldn't be one she wanted to see right off the bat. Before Raph could dash from the chair, the red panda had already jumped into his lap, wagging his fluffy tail the whole way. The creature put his two front paws on the bed, sniffing Paniga's face as the girl came to. Raph held his breath as Paniga fully gained consciousness. This wasn't going to end well.

As Paniga fully opened her eyes, her first reaction was to start petting the red panda. Her second, was glancing over into Raph's neon gaze.

"Uh... Hi," Raph said nervously.

Paniga's eyes widened and opened her mouth before Raph continued.

"P-Please don't scream! Don't be afraid, I promise I'm not here to hurt you. You're safe here."

Paniga closed her mouth, not taking her fearful eyes off of Raph. Raph, meanwhile, sighed before continuing.

"Your friend here found our lair. Our home," Raph said petting the red panda. This earned a small lick on his cheek before the creature turned back to Paniga, nuzzling into her hand. "He was trying to steal our pizza to bring to you. We my brothers and I, followed him. Funny, he only let me close to you. You were running a fever so we brought you here. This is my brother's lab. He's a super smart guy. He's been treating you while you've been unconscious."

Paniga glanced down at her left arm, noticing the iv that ran into it. Glancing back at Raph, she watched him.

"You know, we don't know how long you were out before coming here. But you've been here for a week. You were really sick, according to Donnie," noticing her confusion toward the name, he added quickly, "my brother."

Paniga glanced down as the red panda jumped fully onto the bed and curled up next to her.

"You know," Raph's voice caused her head to snap back toward him. "I know your name is Paniga. I saw it on a box you had in your... home," he hesitated and nodded toward the worn out backpack in the corner. "My name is Raphael, but you can call me Raph for short. It's nice to meet you, Paniga."

Raph held his hand out, causing Paniga to jump a bit. The red panda quickly nuzzled into her side, almost instantly calming her. The girl glanced back at Raph, the turtle wearing a soft grin. Paniga couldn't help the small, soft smile that spread across her lips. Raph felt his heard skip a small beat as she placed her soft hand into his. His smile grew wider as he gently shook it. Paniga locked her eyes onto his vibrant green ones.

"Thank you, Raph."

Raph couldn't sworn an angel was speaking to him. He had no idea how this girl, who clearly was a mutant, would be so beautiful. Clearing his throat, he let go of her hand.

"Um. If it's okay with you, I think I should go get my brother, Donnie. He's the smart one; he'll want to give you a proper check up. And, if you're up for it, we do have some questions for you."

Paniga's smile faded. Nodding slightly, she replied. "I suppose I owe you some answers. It's not often you find a mutant in the sewer."

Raph smiled and stood up, heading toward the door. Before leaving, he glanced over his shoulder to find her staring after him with sad, frightened eyes.

"It's more common than you might think."