A/N: I apologize for the delay. I hope you can forgive me.

Disclaimer: see chapter one


April stared worriedly out the window. It had only been five minutes since Raphael had gone to find Leonardo, but those five minutes were four minutes too long. Donatello and Michelangelo were sound asleep, exhausted from the earlier fight. Donatello was still stretched out on the couch and Michelangelo was curled up in the armchair. Their gentle breathing was the only thing that broke the silence of the apartment.

"Starin' out the window isn't gonna make them come back any faster, ya know," Casey said as he walked up next to April.

"I know, Casey," April replied. "I'm just nervous, that's all."

Casey put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a one armed hug. "They're ninjas. They can handle anythin' that's thrown at them."

"They were also just in a fight. They're still tired." April trailed off and sighed. "Plus, I'm worried that Alfredson might have come to New York."

Michelangelo moaned as he shifted into a more comfortable position in the armchair. The humans held their breath and waited until the youngest turtle had gone back to sleep.

"New York is a big place, April," Casey said in a low voice. "And besides, we're the only ones who know where the guys live. It would take some pretty strong luck for any other human to just stumble across the lair."

April looked up at him and smiled. "You're right, Casey." Her smile faded and she turned her eyes back to the window. "I just don't want another Grim Reaper attack to happen again."

Casey opened his mouth to say something, but he was cut off when there was a noise down in the shop. April started for the door, however, Casey grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Stay with the guys," he whispered. "I'll check it out."


After April reluctantly agreed to stay, she went to sit down beside the couch. Casey opened the door and headed downstairs towards the shop. April closed her eyes and listened to the sounds around her. She heard Donatello's and Michelangelo's steady breathing and Casey's footsteps on the stairs. She was so focused, she didn't notice Donatello waking up.

April jumped when the purple clad turtle yawned. She turned around to see him take the cloth off his face and rub his eyes. A few seconds later, Michelangelo also began to wake up. The brothers stretched and yawned.

"I needed that," Michelangelo said.

Donatello sat up and stretched again.

"Did you have a good nap?" April asked.

"Yeah," Donatello replied, rolling his shoulders. "Are Leo and Raph back, yet?"

April shook her head. "Not yet," she answered.

Michelangelo rubbed his neck. "Where's Casey?"

Another noise from the shop was his answer. The brothers got up, grabbed their weapons and headed for the door. April scrambled to her feet and followed her friends.

"Casey?" Donatello called in a low whispered.

"You down here, dude?" Michelangelo added in a low voice.

The three friends quietly made their way over to the back door of the shop. Donatello turned the door handle and gently pushed it open. He poked his head through the small opening and looked around. A dark figure leaned up against the front desk.

"Casey?" Donatello whispered.

"Well, if it isn't my old pal."

Donatello froze. Michelangelo tapped his brother's shoulder. "Donny? Bro, are you okay? Who is it? Is Casey in there?"

"Is that Orange?"

Now, it was Michelangelo's turn to freeze. Alfredson pushed off of the counter and took a step forward. The brothers shifted into a denfensive position. Alfredson held up his hands.

"I didn't come here to fight," he stated.

A noise behind them alerted the brothers that Alfredson had come with back-up. April screamed as someone suddenly grabbed her from behind. Michelangelo instantly swung around and kicked the attacker in the chest. The man dropped to the floor, releasing April as he fell. More men charged through the back door. Alfredson took that time to retreat out the main entrance.

"He's getting away!" Michelangelo cried.

April sent a man flying into the wall. "Do you mind if we take this outside?" she asked. "I don't want to rebuild again."

The brothers nodded and bolted for the shop door with April right behind them. The men ran after them. The friends ran out into the alley. Donatello looked around. There was no sign of Alfredson, and still no sign of Casey. However, he didn't have time to ponder where they were. One of the assailants charged up and swung a thick metal pipe at his head. Donatello easily ducked and used his bo staff to knock the man off his feet.

"Where's Casey?" he demanded. "And where are Leo and Raph?"

"That's for the boss to know and for you to find out," the human answered.

The next thing Donatello knew, he got a face full of a foul smelling spray. He coughed and stumbled back. His head began to spin and he started to feel lightheaded. The bo staff slipped from his limp fingers as he fell to his knees. Michelangelo's moan told the purple masked turtle that his brother had also been sprayed. Out of the corner of his eye, Donatello could see Michelangelo and April fall. He looked up to see Alfredson walk up to him.

"Rest well, Donatello," the man said as Donatello's eyes drifted shut. "You're going to need it."


Let me know what you think. Reviews are welcome, flames are not.