A/N: Time for a new chapter for the new year. :D I'm quickly catching up to what I have pre-written, so, unless I get cracking on more chapters, I might need to slow my posting schedule down. Hopefully, I won't need to, though.

Catching Up

Hospitals were boring. Kimberly sighed as she turned her attention away from the small television attached to the corner of the room. If only she could just go home. She missed her dogs already. And April… She hadn't known the woman long, but it didn't matter. If only she could have done more; just stopped that mysterious woman from taking her.

"Kimi. There you are."

The familiar voice startled her. Her gaze jumped towards the door of her room. "Benji?" She tried to sit up but winced as the movement irritated the burns on her arm.

"Don't get up. We're coming to you." Benjamin's approach was hindered by Jeffrey's struggling form. His lean, muscled arm held the younger brother firm. "I found this rascal in Georgia and figured I'd bring him along to see you." He twisted his fist against Jeffrey's skull, playfully, before he turned a more serious gaze on his sister. "What did you do to yourself this time, Pippi?"

Kimberly cringed at the old childhood nickname. "I'm alright. I'll be better in no time."

"Get off!" Jeffrey demanded, finally shaking his brother off, though it was more likely he was released. "Dammit, Benji. We're not kids anymore. You can't do that." He brushed his fingers through his gelled hair, attempting to tame the normally unruly curls his brother dislodged. "Don't ever mess with the hair. Chicks dig this."

Benjamin snorted. "You'll never change, Jiffy Lube." He didn't even flinch when the nickname earned him an elbow jab to his chest.

"When did you guys get into town?" Kimberly asked. "I've missed you both so much!"

"Just this morning." Benjamin moved around the hospital bed and carefully took her burned arm to study it. "How do you manage to get hurt twice in only two months' time?"

She shrugged. "Just unlucky, I guess."

He stood to his full height with a soft sound. "You did always have a talent for finding trouble."

She pouted, "I'm not that bad."

"You had more injuries as a kid than we did. Even after Jiffy got his motorcycle."

"You better not be disrespecting my ride!" Jeffery called back from the doorway. Kimberly was not surprised at the giggling nurses he managed to lure into the room. Her brother couldn't help himself, no matter where he was. Poor girls.

"Stop ogling those poor, defenseless ladies and get over here," Benjamin demanded. "We're supposed to be here for our sister." When he went ignored, he huffed as he walked over and yanked his brother by the ear.

"Ow, dammit! That hurts!" Jeffrey complained, rubbing the abused lobe. "You nearly yanked out my piercings!"

"I didn't track you down just for you to add another conquest to that book of yours."

As she listened to her brothers bicker, her shellcell rang. She answered it immediately without checking the ID. "Hello?"

"Hey. Ya sound better today."

She smiled at Raphael's voice. "Yeah, I feel better, too. My brothers are here with me. Both of them! They surprised me with a visit, can you believe it?"

"Oh. That's nice. Been awhile, right?"

"Only about five years. So, forever." She caught Benjamin's eyes on her and turned away. "How's the search going?" She asked in a softer voice.

"It ain't good." His voice grew gruff as he went on. "That woman's a fuckin' ghost. We got nothing."

"I'm sorry. I wish I could help."

"Just get better. I fed yer dogs so ya don't gotta fret about that, but Juniper's in a mood again."

"I knew you cared," she teased. "I'm sure she'll be fine if you're there. She just needs familiarity."

"Just get home soon."

"I'll see what I can do." She snickered. "You'll tell me if anything changes in the search?"

"'Course. We'll find her. No one messes wit' one of us and gets away with it."

"I'm starting to see that."

"Who're you talking to looking like that?" Jeffery asked, alerting Kimberly to her brother's proximity. "Boyfriend?"

"Uh…what?" Kimberly's grip on the phone tightened before addressing Raphael. "Um, I should go. I got my brothers' full attention now."

"Nah-ah-ah." Jeffrey easily slipped the phone out of her grasp. "Weird phone, but whatevs, if that's your thing, sis. Now," He put the phone to his ear as he stepped away. "Who's this?"

"Jeffrey." Benjamin intoned.

Jeffrey held up his hand to his brother. "Well, Raphael. How do you know my sister?"

"Frey!" Kimberly whined. "Give me back my phone!"

"Yep! I see she talks about me. Did she also tell you I'm the best one?"

Benjamin snorted. "You're so full of yourself, Jiffy."

"What, you think you're better?" Jeffrey asked him.

"I'm the eldest. It's my job to be."

"What. Ever, bro." He waved him off as he paused to listen. "Wait, what? No way she talks about old Benji more! He's ancient!"

"Five years does not make me ancient, little brother." He jumped forward and snatched the phone out of Jeffrey's hand before he could even react. "Just better than you." He put the phone up to his ear to speak into it. "This is Benjamin. If you plan to be with my sister, you'll have to go through me first." With that, he hung up the phone.

"Why'd you hang up on him like that?!" Kimberly said with wide eyes. "Benji!"

"You'd best focus on getting better. I'll be staying in town for a while. Keep in touch." With that, he turned to leave. "I'd warn you to stay clear of those who walk with trouble never far behind. It's a dangerous game to play."

"What do you- Benji!" Kimberly called after her brother, but he left without elaborating. She turned to Jeffrey who only shrugged.

The thump of the city pulsed to the bustle of nightclubs and crime. There was no escaping it. Even now, as Michelangelo watched from his perch above, he could feel its energy.

Normally, he could get lost in it, but this night was different. No matter what he did, his thoughts drifted back to the night of the fire. His best friend was in the hospital and they had no clue where April was. Just the thought of it shook him to the core. How could this happen? It was so sudden. It didn't help that only minutes earlier, his brother got himself blasted by that evil amulet. It was too much happening at once.

He heard the soft footfalls approaching behind him before a playful punch to his shoulder drew him completely out of his reverie. "Where've you been at, Nemo?"

The familiar voice brought a grin to his face. "Jet!" He leaped up and glomped the petite young woman.

"Okay, okay. Easy there, Turtle-man." She pushed away from him and fiddled with the steampunk goggles perched between her afro puffs.

"I haven't seen you in forever!" He exclaimed.

"A year is hardly forever." She said in her flat way. "Have any adventures without me?" He accusing tone was mellowed by her smirk.

"Oh, you know me. Gotta keep busy somehow." Michelangelo snickered, but even he noticed it lacked his usual gusto.

"Alright, what's wrong?"

He sighed as he turned back to the street below. "A friend of mine went missing and all we have to go on is some fire obsessed lady in a mask and what little Kimi saw that night."

"Kimi? New friend?" Janet dryly questioned.

"Oh yeah, I met her since the last time we talked! She's Raph's new girlfriend."

"Oh." She grinned. "He beat you to it, then?"

"She's good for him. Even if he doesn't know it yet." Michelangelo nodded in emphasis.

"Still. Sucks for your friend. It's our curse as a people shunned by society. Fate never gives us a break." She stepped up next to him and smirked. "Only way to truly survive is to have fun with it. I know exactly what you need."

"Let me guess: one of your urban explorations?" He asked with a raised brow.

"Nothing better." She playfully elbowed him. "What, too much for you, Captain Nemo?"

"Of course not," he grinned. "I was born for this. Just, can you keep up with me?"

"Oh, save the ego for the Nautical. We got places to be." She turned, only to freeze at a distinct wheezing sound. "Oh, Trip."

Before Michelangelo could add anything, a young boy barely in his teens poked his head over the lip of the roof. He stumbled over its raised edge as his sister ran over to meet him.

"You're supposed to stay at Momma's!" Janet admonished him.

Caleb used his inhaler before shooting her a look. "Alone with Kota? Nuh-uh, no way." He grinned as his gaze landed on Michelangelo. "Hey, Mikey!"

"Hey, kid," Michelangelo joined them. "Where have you been at?"

He shrugged in response, "Ask her."

"Jet?"

Janet shook her head. "It's nothing. Grim and I had a good, long talk, is all. He's obsessed with me, yanno?" She waved him off, "It's all good, though. We agreed you need me more than he does."

"Really, now," he quirked his brow at her. "What about that time you wandered into dragon territory? Who needs who, huh?"

"Technicality. I would have schooled them if you had let me." Rare emotion entered her voice as she punched her opposite palm. "Bunch a' cowards."

"It didn't look like that to me."

"I'll just have to show you how tough I am, then. Make sure you don't forget."

"I'm tough, too," Caleb spoke up. "Jet showed me some moves at the clinic." He held up his fists with a grin.

"I bet you are, little buddy," Michelangelo said. "Best form I've ever seen."

"See, Jet? I told you!" Caleb playfully punched into Janet's raised palms. "I can protect you now."

"Sure. Maybe in a few more years."

"But by then it'll be too late!"

"Oh? And why is that?"

"'Cuz you'll be with Mikey. You won't need me anymore then."

Michelangelo shared a look with Janet. "We're just friends, Trip," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"You know I don't believe in that mainstream conformity bullshit," Janet added.

"But, you've been together for years!"

"That's not how it works, buddy." Michelangelo chuckled.

"Alright, come on," Janet sighed. "Apparently, you need a distraction. I'll let you come along this time. Just don't make me regret it."

"I'll be good!"

"We'll see about that."

A/N: It was a debate to leave in the Mikey scene, but I figured he needed this. Mostly for the big outline's schedule. Now feed that review box! :D