Donatello

April meets me at the front door of the shop. Her eyes are sad as she looks at me but I don't want her sympathy, I don't deserve it.

"Oh Donnie, your neck…are you okay?" she asks gently touching the bruises on my neck. Any other day, any other time I'd probably blush, but now I just turn my head away. I grasp her hand." I'll be okay April…how's Raph?"

April smiles "He's still unconscious Don but he's fine. Come on, I'll take you to see him."

When we get upstairs Raph is lying on April's couch. His shoulder's been bandaged and his face looks badly bruised but I can tell that he's breathing strongly now. He's going to be okay.April gently touches my shoulder and when I turn to look at her she hands me a cup of tea. "Here Don, Splinter gave me the recipe. It'll help your throat."

Her smile warms my heart, if just for a few minutes.

"Whatever happened before, whatever happens now..you're all still together. That's what matters now Don." I know April can't read minds, but I think she has a pretty good idea what I've been feeling these past few weeks. Sensei was like a father to her too; she knows what we're going through.

"Thank you Casey, April..I don't know what we'd do without all of your help all of these years." Leo takes cup of tea from Casey, and April hands one to Mike.

"You guys don't got nothin ta thank us for. That's what friends are for. You know April and I'd do anything for you guys. You're like family ta us." Casey pats Leo on the shell.

"Casey I left three sleeping bags and pillows on my bed, would you go get them please?' April says and then she turns to us. " I want you all to stay here and rest for tonight, so we can get your wounds taken care of. Tomorrow morning after you've all gotten enough sleep we'll all decide what we're going to do now."

"We?" Mikey almost spills his tea trying to catch a sleeping bag Casey tosses in his direction.

"Yeah we guys. April and I have made our decision. We've left you guys alone long enough. You four ain't gonna get through this alone. So we decided we're gonna help ya. Whatever happens we're here for ya." Casey says sternly tossing a sleeping bag at me and at Leo. "I'm thinkin' some time off at out at the farmhouse ain't such a bad idea right now."

I almost drop my tea. I've spent the last few weeks doing everything I can to hold back all my memories of what's happened in the last month... What the shell am I going to do when we're going to be staying in the house that's right next to where he's buried?