A/N DOTT
I think this chapter marks the half-way point with Jack Of All Trades, I would have quite liked to involve the Purple Dragons or the Foot more in the story, but I don't think either are gonna get much mention- and the other turtles? Nope, I don't think we're really gonna see much of them, either- which is weird, because Leonardo is my favorite... This's an altogether weird story for me, because I don't write Raphael, because I know I can't write him very well- and it's my first attempt at an OC... so, there we go-
Oh, and I think we're gonna get the Gambler's real name- and maybe his back story in this chapter. I had a few pages written out that I wanted to include in this story, but it's gone in completely the wrong direction- so I'm gonna have to find some other way to introduce the Gambler's real name and stuff... I hope you're still enjoying it.
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Jack Of All Trades
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Chapter Four - Pajama Parties and Revelations
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"Go home." Raphael said flatly. The Gambler started in surprise.
"You what?" He asked incredulously.
"Go home." Raphael repeated. "You don't want to get involved in this."
"In what?! The Matching Pajama Late Night Parties?! Are ya sure?! Cos I kinda like having my butt kicked!" The Gambler exploded.
"Then go home. Give it up, kid. You're not ready for this- you can't fight the sort of enemies you'll make if you continue down this road." Raphael repeated.
"Holy crap! You're so full of shit!
Raphael sighed and shook his head. "This business will get you killed."
The Gambler laughed wildly. "I'll take that risk."
Raphael wanted to shake him. Nearly did. But it would have been pointless. Some people were just born stupid. Problem was, it seemed to Raphael, that whoever the Gambler was, wasn't stupid. That laugh had been verging on hysterical. "Why?" Raphael asked, getting the feeling he'd asked before, or he would ask again.
"Because... because it's the right thing to do. It may be the stupid thing to do, but it's the right thing to do. Even if I do get killed, as long as I do it saving someone, or at least... trying to save someone... then at least I died doing the right thing." The Gambler sighed. "It's hard. I thought you'd understand. But you're way better than I am... so maybe you don't realise... But it's hard- I can't dodge bullets, I'm not invincible. But I gotta do it. I can't just... can't just sit around watching the news, hearing about all these innocent people dying... and thinking- feeling like I should be doing something. I've gotta act on it. I may not be as good as you, but I can still help people."
Raphael closed his eyes bitterly. When he opened them, he sighed, wondering if this was how Leo felt sometimes when th-
Smoke bomb. It exploded right between Raphael and the Gambler. Raphael heard the Gambler coughing and cursing as he backed away. Raphael cut a look to the left, where the pellet had come from- saw a faint green outline- and ducked towards the shadows.
It was Leo- it had to be, none of his other brothers would know it was him and interrupt the fight- Raphael grimaced-
"Raphael!" Leonardo's voice, sharp, low- and dangerously angrily.
Damn. Raphael breathed out silently, and followed his brother away from the rooftops, down the fire escape- and into a sewer.
He cut a look back to the rooftop, searching for a sign of the Gambler- but the smoke was still dissipating, the night was so still it wasn't surprising.
This ain't over, Gambler.
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"So, before I ask you- what the hell are you thinking-" Leonardo didn't even pause, and launched himself straight into a lecture. "I'm gonna ask what the hell were you doing?"
Raphael grimaced. "Look- bro, I'm sorry..." Raphael sighed. "It's..."
Leonardo looked at him, and the expression in his eyes disturbed Raphael. "You were trying to help him."
"Huh?"
"I was there for a while. You were trying to talk him into getting out of this." Leonardo shook his head, looking tired and drawn - and still that expression on his face. "I heard what he said too."
Raphael remained tense, he was sure his brother was about to give him an amazing lecture on how A, he shouldn't be out alone, B, he shouldn't be wearing the Nightwatcher suit, C, he promised he wouldn't wear the Nightwatcher suit again, D didn't he realise how worried everyone was? Raphael was counting off all the points he was sure Leonardo was going to high-light in the looming lecture, when Leonardo's shoulders slumped.
Only a fraction- but they went from that defensive, I'm-Leader-and-I-know-what's-right stance, to the- well- that was the point. Leo didn't stand like that-
"And I think that maybe... maybe- I was too hard on you." Leonardo said suddenly, first having to force the words out, but then the honesty of his words making them easier. "For one thing." He added quickly. "Just this one." Raphael smirked. "Nothing else, every other time, you've gotten just what you deserved-"
"I get it, bro. Seriously- you don't have to say it-"
"I do. Raph- I mean- I have my Honor. My code of Honor. I can't expect you to follow that just because I do and-"
"Jesus christ, Leo, ya don't have ta say it-" Raphael burst out.
"You're just doing what you think is right. Stupid, but right. The Gambler was right about that. And it's stupid, and it's dangerous and you broke your promise to me- and you're going to be sorry about that-"
"Leo."
Leonardo sighed, eyes on Raphael. Raphael flushed and turned away.
"It's not that I blame ya-I mean- ya know... it's uh..."
"Shut up." Leonardo ordered.
"Hey!" Raphael yelled- but Leonardo had started off through the sewers. "How are we s'posed ta have a great brotherly moment if you just walk off half way through?"
"I'm sorry Raph, if I'd known you were having a moment-" Leonardo responded dryly. "And this doesn't mean you're not gonna get a lect-"
"Yeah, yeah, Fearless Leader. Couldn't ya 'ave just left it at that? We had a moment goin' on."
Leonardo laughed. Raphael made to shove him, but Leonardo dodged the arm, then continued walking beside him. "So, what about this Gambler? I don't approve with you... running around the streets alone- but at least... at least it's now, when the Foot activity is low... But I... I respect that you have to do what you have to do."
"I have ta..." Raphael grimaced. "I have ta help him. I don' know why. But I have ta. Does this mean I can go topside whenever I want?"
"Like that is ever going to happen." Leonardo shook his head. "Just be careful, alright? I'm still gonna come looking for you, and I'll still find you- and I'll keep bringing you back. But maybe I'll give you more of a head start."
Raphael nodded. "It's weird, cos I don' even like the kid-guy... whatever he is. Too young to be doing this at any rate. I just feel like-"
"Like you need to look out for him? Help him?" Leonardo offered, Raphael nodded again, unwilling to answer the question aloud. "Well, good luck. You may have just found someone as hard-headed and rash as yourself."
Raphael' laughed out-right. "The day that happens, Leo- I'll shake Hun's hand."
Leonardo shook his head, opening the door to the lair. "In the morning."
"You what?"
"In the morning, I'll give you that lecture."
Raphael grimaced. "But I'm doing the right thing-"
"Right thing or no, it's the stupid thing to do, Raph, you could get hurt- or worse- kill-"
"In the mornin' Leo!" Raphael cut him off, and stashed his Nightwatcher stuff. Leonardo shook his head and rubbed his temples.
"Good night, Raph."
"Night." Raphael responded, entering his bedroom. And he finally placed the expression on his brothers face- pride.
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A/N I hope you don't think the er... interactions between Raph & Leo were too OOC, but the way I see it is - sure they fight, and they're kinda rivals, but they're brothers- and they understand each other. It's hard to explain but... I mean, maybe you think it's OOC for Leo, but I think if Leo realised Raph was trying to save the Gambler- he'd understand- he wouldn't like it, but he'd understand why Raph was taking the risks he is by going out. And Raph- well, sure he's crabby and sarcastic and gloomy, but he loves his brothers more than anything- and well- I hope you thought it was OK, I was a little worried about it when I was writing it, and now I'm even more worried- and this's exactly why I need a Beta reader... lol... Thanks for reading.
Oh, and I forgot- we were gonna get the Gamblers name and stuff. heh... Next chapter- maybe... I'll make no more promises, I break enough of them as it is.