A/N: I wanted to cry like the whole time I was writing this chapter, so be ware. BTW, I hope you like the cover art. I goes with this chapter.


"Well, that was a glorious waste of time." Mikey leapt from one roof top to the next.

"Give it a rest, Mikey. It's better to be vigilant and not have to do anything, than to let those punks break into a store." Leo followed to the next roof.

"Yeah, but we waited around for hours and they didn't even show." Donnie easily hopped the gap between the buildings.

Raph snorted. "We even went looking for trouble and couldn't find any." He was still itching for a brawl. They'd waited for the dragons for about three hours before making a lap around the lower east side. They'd decided to head home when storm clouds began rolling in above them.

Leo groaned. "Alright, guys I get it."

Mikey sped up just a little as they came onto their block. "Do you think the girls stayed up?"

Donnie chuckled. "I know Sarah did."

Raph smirked. "Cat never sleeps till we get back."

"I'd rather Amaya go to bed, but I know she didn't." Leo commented.

They landed on the roof of the garage. It had taken nearly an hour to get home. Leo lifted the trap door on the roof and Raph headed down the ladder into the alcove at the back of the garage, the others following. He stopped cold in his tracks as he came around the corner. He watched Dandrick lean into a very startled looking Cat to kiss her.

Mikey bumped into his brother. "Raph, what are you-" The three brothers gasped in unison.

Cat had barely enough time to register what was happening when a roar came from the back of the garage. She blinked at the flash of green and red. Raph flung Dandrick across the room into a wall. He snarled viciously as he caught the young man again and slammed a fist into his face. "You slimy little bastard! I told you to stay away from her!" The young Mazar never even stood a chance as Raph hammered him with blow after blow.

Cat blinked, trying to recover from shock. She recovered about the same time as his brothers. Panic over took her. Raph looked so angry she was sure he was going tear the young man's head right off. "Raph, stop!"

He lifted Dandrick off the ground, pinning him against the wall by his throat. He shot her a furious look. "What! Why are you defending him! Did you want him to do that!"

"No! Of course not!" She screamed. Raph had his gaze fixed on the Mazar again, so he didn't see the pain that crossed Cat's face. Her eyes darkened and her jaw dropped. Tears stung her eyes and her chest tightened painfully as a sudden realization hit her. She took a step back, terrible ache seeping deep into her bones.

Fury blazed in Raph's eyes as he hit Dandrick again causing the man's head to snap back and put a hole in the wall. The guys decided it was time to intervene when Raph pulled his sai. Leo and Mikey grabbed him from behind and drug him off the bloodied and battered body of Dandrick.

"That's enough, Raph!" Leo ordered.

Raph snarled as he fought against them. "Let me go!"

"You're going to kill him!" Mikey shouted, holding Raph as tight as he could.

Donnie hit the intercom button next to the elevator. "Sarah! You, Marina and Stin better get up here! Now!"

The back door slammed and everyone turned to see that Cat was gone. Outside a bike engine started. "Cat!" Raph pulled away from his brothers to rush out the back door. He made it in time to see her peel out of the parking lot. Her engine roared, rivaling the loud crack of thunder from the sky. "Cat!"

He knew there was no way he could catch her on foot the way she was driving. He dug for his bike keys. "Damn it!" He'd left them in their bedroom that morning. Racing back inside, he dug through the drawer in the office to find the spare set. He paused as he came out long enough to pull Dandrick to his feet by his shirt front. He slammed him against the wall again. "If anything happens to her, you're dead! You hear me! Dead!" He brushed off Leo's restraining hand as he headed for the back door. "I'm going to find Cat." The heavy metal door banged shut behind him.

Mikey glared at the Mazar, who slumped to the floor against the wall. "Man, talk about stupid."

The elevator door opened and Marina, Stin and Sarah rushed out. "What's going on?" Marina knelt beside Dandrick.

"That's exactly what I want to know. What the hell were you thinking!" Leo shouted. He was nearly as irate as Raph. How dare this man come into their home and disrupt their family like this!

Sarah looked up at Donnie questioningly. She could feel his anger towards the man. He folded his arms, a scowl that rivaled Leo's playing across his face. "He kissed Cat." He said flatly.

"And Raph saw him." Mikey added.

Marina gasped and stood up, backing away from him. "What?"

Anger that easily matched the brothers' flashed in Sarah's eyes. She balled her fists at her side as Dandrick pulled himself to his feet using the workbench. The loud sound of flesh slapping flesh echoed off the walls of the garage. Dandrick blinked at the small form of Sarah in front of him, her brown eyes piercing him. Automatically his eyes narrowed on his petite assailant.

In a flash, Donnie was between them, his glare even more menacing. He growled. "Don't even think about it." Dandrick lowered his eyes and Donnie stepped away, pulling Sarah with him.

Leo frowned, his voice still sharp with anger. "You need to answer my question. What the hell were you doing?"

Dandrick spit a mouth full of blood along with a few teeth on the ground. He didn't dare lift his eyes to meet Leo's. "I had to know."

"And what, pray tell, did you have to know that made you think you had the right to touch another man's mate?" Stin's voice was edged with anger as well as disappointment.

Dandrick finally looked up to meet Stin's stern gaze. "If we were compatible. As you know, my bond-mate died before we were able to fully bond. I thought perhaps, because Cat and I were similar in our interests that she and I might have made a good pair. Perhaps be able to bond." He looked at Sarah. "Just as you did with an Earthling."

Mikey growled. "Cat would never do that to Raph! She'd never leave him for someone like you!"

"I know that now." He jiggled his jaw, which he was fairly certain was broken.

Sarah glared. "You deserve everything you got and more if you ask me!" She was infuriated by this man's actions. If Raph hadn't already beaten the crud out of him, she would have.

Donnie pulled her back into his chest, restraining her in case she decided to strike the troublemaker again. His glare matched hers. "I agree."

Leo glowered. "You should leave - now."

Stin nodded. "Return to the ship, Dandrick. We will deal with your crimes once we reach Mazaryn."

Dandrick looked up in surprise. "What? But these people are different. They don't follow our laws."

Stin frowned. "Regardless, you violated another's mate and for that you must face the consequences." He narrowed his eyes. "If it had been another Mazar, you would be facing death. As it is, you will likely be branded unworthy of mating and will never be allowed to bond again."

Dandrick's face paled. He dropped to his knees. "Please, Sir Stin. I'll do anything to repent for the crime, but do not do this."

Stin shook his head. "It is not my decision to make. You will have to plead your case to the court."

Dandrick swallowed hard. "Yes, sir."

"Now, return to the ship and prepare to depart." Stin said firmly.

"I think that's a good idea. I'll even give you a lift." Mikey grabbed him by the collar and dragged him through the back door.

"You don't think he'll try to take off without you?" Donnie eyed the back door.

Marina frowned. "No, I don't think he's stupid enough to run. And even if he did, you've still got my old cruiser. We'd catch up to that old science vessel of ours in no time."

Donnie looked down at Sarah in his arms. She was still trembling a bit with rage. A new fear emerged in his mind. "Will he say anything about Sarah?"

This caused Stin and Marina to exchange a look. Stin frowned. "I believe it would be unwise on his part to do so, he would only be inviting Lord Zenfered's wrath. I'm certain he has already considered this."

"And if he hasn't, we'll be sure to point it out to him." Marina set her jaw with determination. "We'll make sure no one knows she's still alive."

"Thanks." Donnie let out a heavy breath and Sarah squeezed his arm.

She glanced around. "Where are Raph and Cat?"

"Cat took off and Raph went after her." Leo explained. I hope they're okay.


Raph's bike flew down the street. He ignored the pelting sting of rain hitting his bare skin. Instead he increased his sped, despite the fact that his tires were skidding on the wet cement. He was beginning to panic. He'd been searching for Cat for hours. He'd checked the pond, the park, and even that spot along the river where they'd gone for a walk once. But he'd come up empty handed every time. He'd even stopped to try to track her cell, only to discover it had been left behind at the garage. Dawn was approaching and the rain had yet to let up.

He came to a stop at a red light. There was only one place he hadn't checked. It was somewhere Cat had only taken him once, but he'd etched it into his memory like a sculptor into stone. He frowned as he turned the bike around and headed north until the tall buildings fell away to suburbs. Slowly he came to a stop beside the quiet lot. The stillness here put him on edge, but the sight of Cat's bike made relief wash over him like a tidal wave. He dismounted and walked quietly through the gravel, grass and mud, until at last he saw her.

Cat stood before the headstone, the cold rain pouring down to mix with hot tears. He approached cautiously, his heart racing. "Cat?" She didn't respond or turn to face him. "Cat, please talk to me?"

Her head dropped just slightly. Her eyes transfixed on the headstone. "You shouldn't be here." She didn't want to see him right now. She didn't want to face the truth.

His jaw dropped as pain seared through his chest shaper than any blade. "Cat, please…."

She ran her fingers over the name on the stone- Daniel O'Conner. Her voice was low and calm despite the continual tears that streaked her face. "You don't trust me. After all this time, after everything we've been through you still don't trust me."

Raph clenched his fists. "No! That's not it at all! I do-"

"Maybe it was a mistake." Her voice trembled with the half whispered words. "Maybe…we were a mistake. Maybe I'm the one that shouldn't be here."

Raph felt every ounce of strength leave him as he collapsed to his hands and knees. His fingers dug into the muddied earth. As he stared at them, they seemed to go in and out of focus. His heart felt like it had stopped beating. His breath came in short gasps. "No…please…" The emotion in his voice finally made her turn to look at him. "I'll do anything. Anything. Just please don't say we were a mistake. Please don't leave. I love you so much."

She closed her eyes against the broken sight before her; her own heart breaking. "What is love without trust?"

"I do! I do trust you! I trust you with my life!" He choked. The wall inside him that he'd built up with anger and paranoia began to break, revealing the secret it hid. "I was scared!" His arms felt like they were barely holding up his weight as they shook fiercely.

Cat lifted an eyebrow. "Scared?" This was an emotion he had never expressed to her in words, even in their most intimate moments.

He balled his fists in the mud and grass. The wall shattered. "I was scared he was going to take you away from me. Scared, because it would be a fate worse than death to be without you." He shook his head and Cat could see the tears trickling down his face to drip from his chin. "And I would do anything - give up everything - to make sure that won't happen. So, please don't go, don't give up on us." He had nothing if he didn't have her.

She knelt before him and he gasped as her cold hands cupped his face. He lifted his eyes to see tears pouring from hers. "Thank you." He blinked at her blankly. "Thank you for finally telling me what was in your heart. If I'm going to continue to be with you, you have to let me in. You can't build up walls against me."

His eyes widened as he sat back. "You mean you'll stay with me?"

"Yes, but…"

His heart raced with fear and hope. "But?"

Her watery gaze met his and he could see both the desperation and determination in them. "You have to promise to tell me when you're afraid. You have to tell me what you're really feeling. Otherwise, I can't protect you."

"Protect me?"

She rested her hand over his heart. "In here, the place that only I can protect you."

He crushed her against him and she sank into his chest. "I swear it with everything that I am. I'll trust you with both my life and my heart. And I'll never take you for granted again."

She sniffled as she clutched at his plastron. "Good. Don't make me teach you this lesson again."

He couldn't help the small sad smile as the memory of another lesson taught so very long ago trickled through his mind. "Never. I promise you'll never have to do it again."

She sneezed and Raph realized she was drenched. The thin t-shirt she'd left in was soaked through and through. It clung to her small firm body, accenting every muscle and curve. Her hair stuck to her face and her skin was ice cold. She trembled a little and he held her a bit tighter, trying to shield her from the still pounding rain. He needed to get her home. He lifted her into his arms and she wrapped hers around his neck. Unwilling to release her, he propped her in front of him on his bike. She held fast to him as he pulled away from the graveyard. He'd send his brothers to retrieve Cat's bike later.

He drove slowly and cautiously home. As they neared the garage the rain finally let up, allowing the sun to finally peek out from between the clouds. It had risen unseen behind the cloud bank. Raph pulled to a stop in the parking lot. He wrapped his arms tightly around his wife's trembling form. "I love you, darlin'."

Her arms tightened around his neck. "I love you too, tough guy."

He dipped his head to find her lips and kiss them as thoroughly as possible. He never wanted the moment to end. He wanted to keep her right where she was in his arms. There was nowhere more perfect than this; nowhere that he felt more loved, without judgement or fear. She made his life complete and he wanted to remind her of that with the passion of his kiss.

Cat pulled away and sneezed again. He frowned. "Let's get you inside." Still unwilling to release her, he lifted her into his arms again. Cat curled into his chest, savoring his warmth and strength. He carried her into the garage and down the elevator.

In the lair Leo, Don and Mikey were having a heated discussion about whether they should go look for Raph and Cat. Luckily they didn't have to finish it. The brothers turned as the elevator doors opened and they all sagged with relief. The couple was quickly surrounded and bombarded with questions.

"She's okay." Raph reassured them. He looked down and she gave him a small smile. "We're okay." Sarah pressed through the group with a warm blanket. Raph set Cat on her feet and wrapped it around her, before wrapping his arms around her again.

Marina stepped forward, her gaze full of guilt and regret. "I'm sorry about what happened. If we'd have known he'd do anything like this, we never would have brought him with us."

Raph put a hand on her shoulder. "It wasn't your fault, Marina."

Cat shook her head. "No, it definitely wasn't."

Stin stepped up behind Marina. He placed his hands on his mate's shoulders. "Still we are responsible for bringing this evil into your lives. You have our deepest regrets."

Cat gripped Raph's arm with downcast eyes. "What will you do with him?"

"On our world, crimes against the family unit are considered particularly heinous. He will be severely punished, of that I am certain." Stin explained.

"Speaking of which, we should be leaving." Marina hugged Raph and Cat. "Again I'm sorry for all the trouble."

"It's alright, but next time, don't bring a third wheel with you." Raph half teased her.

Stin shook Raph's hand. "It was a pleasure to get to know all of you." The couple had already said their farewells to the rest of the family and so they left with Don and Sarah, who were going to give them a ride back to their ship.

Raph squeezed Cat tightly and pressed a kiss into her wet hair. Leo put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay, bro?"

Raph gave a slight nod. "Yeah, we just need to be alone for a while."

Leo smiled slightly. "I'll make sure no one bothers you."

Raph lifted Cat back into his arms and gave his elder brother a look of gratitude. "Thanks, Leo." Then he walked down the hall to their bedroom and closed the door behind them.


A/N: Phew...Okay enough with the angst and on with the romance!