Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT; I just own them on video and in comic book form. :) funstuff though!

Author's Note: The boys are 20-21 years old in this one. (I'm not sure why, but during the 2007 movie, the guys struck me as being 20 years or older right before Leo came back. They were still goofy enough to be classified as teens, but they were older (jobs and so on) and even Raph had a more mature way of lashing out in his rebellion. Just wanted to explain that first so you understand why I wrote them the way I did.)

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Michelangelo's eyes grew wide as he stared at the tv and at the image of the Nightwatcher that flashed across the screen. An amateur photographer had captured a small length of film of the Nightwatcher in action – and Mikey felt a flutter in his belly. He didn't know if he was flaming gay or just Nightwatcher-sexual at the moment, but either way, he couldn't deny that the Nightwatcher was totally sexy in that skintight suit… his muscles stretching the leather with his powerful movements… the strength behind his punches… his fighting technique… the way his crotch was outlined…

Shaking himself awake from his near droolathon as he stared at the screen, Mikey smiled goofy and snickered in delight as he watched the Nightwatcher easily duck a blow to the head and sent one of his own in return to a thug he was fighting off. The news broadcasters cut the video short and Mikey squealed, eyes wide as he leapt over the coffee table and reached towards the tv. "No! Not so sooooooon!" He bemoaned, pawing at the tv.

"I thought I told you to lay off the pixy-sticks, Mikey." Donnie interrupted his thoughts as he passed through on his way to the kitchen to get a five second meal and another cup of coffee.

Pouting with fake tears in his eyes, Mikey crawled back to the couch, making his lower lip tremble, "You don't love me anymore! No one does! Even my tv doesn't like me!" He whined.

Donnie raised a brow at his brother as he watched Mikey mope about something. "You didn't inhale the pixy-sticks, did you?" he asked wearily, narrowing an eye as though he actually believed Mikey would do that – again.

"No." Mike pouted, sticking his lower lip out. He learned the first time after his nasal passages had burned in agony for several minutes after attempting to get a sugar high the coke-addict way.

Setting down his enormous chipped coffee mug with the silly Christmas characters of a bug-eyed reindeer and an elf in pointed shoes and a cod-piece painted on the side, Donatello folded his arms and turned from the fridge where he had been gathering together last minute ingredients to make a sandwich. "What is it then?" Donnie asked cautiously – he had learned years ago that asking such questions were possibly dangerous.

Michelangelo pouted a little more as he blushed, "You'll think I'm weird!" he whined.

"I already do. There's not much you could do to make me think any less." Donatello stated without hesitation and he picked his mug back up.

Thinking over this carefully in Mikey fashion – where a ping-pong ball bounced back and forth in his head between reason and sexy Nightwatcher, the ball finally missed the paddle to bounce back to the logical side of his brain and the sexy won – Mikey nodded and decided to tell him.

"Well… see…" Michelangelo began, waving his hand out in front of him in a vague-like motion, "Nightwatcher…"

"You really need to give up this obsession, Mike. Till Leo gets back we can't head out. Master Splinter said so." Donnie told him as he raised the coffee to his lips and took another swig.

Mikey waved his hand wildly in front of his face, "No-no. I mean, Nightwatcher is damn sexy and I was wondering what it'd be like to be jumped by him…"

Donnie sprayed coffee out over his mug and across half the kitchen.

Blinking innocent blue eyes, Mike stared at his brother as Don turned scarlet from exploding coffee like that, and also because of the image of Mikey suddenly tied up with the Nightwatcher's chains and crying out into the night bent over a building with the man in leather… bad thoughts! Bad!

"Donnie?" Michelangelo asked cautiously.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Don squeaked, his voice having died somewhere between the sudden ejection of coffee and the bad mental images. "Ni… Nightwatcher? But, he… you… wha?" he managed in an anti-Donnie vocabulary.

Mikey smiled sweetly and rested his chin atop his hands on the back of the couch. "I want Nightwatcher. You know, I wanna do the vertical-tango with him; I want to jump his bones; I want to feel his hot-lovin' alllll niiiight looooong." He drawled with a little wiggle of his ass in the air.

Paling, Donatello raised a hand and rubbed his brow as he turned to retrieve a washcloth to mop at his chin and the sprayed down kitchen clean. "I… I think you just topped the 'weird chart' on the Mikey-Meter there, bro." Don shuddered – again with the bad imagery of Mikey bouncing up and down on the vigilante's lap… bad! Bad thought!

Snickering at his brother's pale features, Mikey continued to grin silly at him – though in all actuality, he was rather turned on with all his talk. Tapping his chin, Mikey flipped over the back of the couch and tugged up his belt and brushed his fingertips over his nunchakus. "Well, I think I'll head out. It's about time we finally meet this Nightwatcher person."

Don winced, "Mikey, Splinter isn't going to like that. You know we aren't technically allowed outside to patrol till-"

Mikey waved his hand dismissively, "I know! But I'm not gang-patrolling… I'm sexy-patrolling." He grinned and saluted his brother mockingly. Turning sharply and running for the stairs; Michelangelo squealed ten seconds later like a girl as he felt Don hot on his heels.

Mikey jumped for the stairs, taking them three at a time – but suddenly, he was tackled from the side after Donatello had made a daring leap of faith. Don had used the wall to jump to the railing to the second floor –then running along the rail guard, had flung himself at Mike and together they crashed to the stairs, tumbling down them before they landed on the bottom floor once more – Donnie draped over Mikey's back and both groaning.

"Not a good idea…" Don moaned, holding his head.

"Ow!" Mikey whined, pouting as he looked over his shoulder at Donnie. "Dude, I hope you didn't make me all black and blue; I have to look my best when I try to seduce the Ni-" he was interrupted as a loud bang echoed from up above on the second floor.

"And what do we got here?" A deeper voice drawled from the top of the stairs.

Both Don and Mike glanced over their shoulders at Raphael. He stood by the railing of the second floor, leaning on it as he gazed down at them with a raised brow.

Don blushed and scrambled against the fidgeting Mikey. He stumbled to his feet, brushing his plastron and the bottom of his carapace off as though it had been covered in dust, "It's not what you thin-"

"You dun' even want to know what I'm thinkin' Donnie-boy." Raph rumbled with a smirk plastered to his face.

Another smaller flush colored Donatello's cheeks as he glared up at him – that is, until he let out a wail as Mike leapt to his feet and knocked him over; and from the floor, Don watched Mikey dart up the stairs once more to escape the confines of the lair.

"Haha! Freedom!" Michelangelo cheered as he darted for the door – only to have Raph snatch the back of his shell and jerk him back once more.

"And where do ya think you're goin'?" Raphael asked, raising his brow at his little brother.

Mikey pouted. "You guys are no fun! I just wanna go outside! See if I can watch Nightwatcher in action!"

Raph shifted slightly with a small hint of nervousness even as he chuckled to cover it up. "Mikey, you sounded like you wanted to get some action with Nightwatcher.

Wrinkling his nose and mockingly looking like he was laughing with him, Michelangelo rolled his eyes and wiggled free of his older brother's grasp. "Yeah, yeah. Well, I don't want to die a total virgin like Donnie down there. I want to get some hot and sweaty lovin' tonight! Don't wait up!" he declared as he waved over his shoulder and strolled out of the lair and in search of Nightwatcher.

Watching their brother head out, Raph abruptly smirked and glanced down at Donnie, folding his arms over his broad chest. "Our little boy's growin' all up, ain't he?" He drawled.

Donatello's dark eyes flickered and his face slackened as he stared into those piercing amber eyes. He looked away suddenly with a small breath escaping him as his stomach flipped. Shrugging faintly and lifting a hand to grasp his opposite elbow, Don managed to answer him in a weak voice, "Yeah…"

Raph shifted uneasily suddenly, and rubbed his neck, turning his own eyes away awkwardly. "Well, I'm headin' out." He grunted and twisted sharply.

Hurrying up the first few steps, Don knitted his brows together and he forced himself to stop before he reached the top, though a hint of anger and annoyance colored his voice as he spoke. "Oh no you don't, not you too! Raph you know-"

"Yeah, yeah, Master Splinter doesn't want us up top. Well I ain't sittin' around here and twiddling my thumbs just 'cuase Leo skipped town on us." He snapped, shooting a glare down at him.

Glaring right back at him, Donatello's grip tightened on the railing and he took another step up the stairs, "Is that what you think I do all day? Sit around and do nothing? I'm working, Raph! I'm trying to help us out here – at least Mikey even had the balls to go out and get a job!" he shouted, flinging an arm out at his side dramatically.

"What? And you think I ain't doin' nothin'?" Raph snarled, stomping down the stairs towards him. "I don't go out there night after night bustin' my ass just for kicks! Its real work keepin' them thugs in their places!"

"I remember!" Donnie snapped back leaning forward in his anger. "I remember what it's like patrolling and stopping crime at night. You don't think I miss it? At least the gangs don't yell in your ear day after day, demanding the impossible or wanting some superhuman fix; but we need the money! And yet again I'm the only who seems to be taking care of it!"

"You're full of it;" Raph snarled, stopping in front of him and leaning in close to Donnie. He joined him on the same step just as his hand shot out, grabbing Don's hand and holding it tight to the railing behind him, "ya know that? You just like to worry and over think things. It makes ya feel like you have somethin' ta live for in this place." He rumbled, leaning in closer.

Donatello's face slackened and his eyes flickered with a hint of unease as he stared up at him. "Raphie…" He tugged on his hand weakly.

Smirking, Raphael raised a brow and tilted his head slightly, "What? Ya worried I'm goin' ta do somethin'?"

Dark eyes turned away, even as his lips parted faintly and his free hand raised to press against Raphael's upper plastron. "Can you move, please?" he whispered.

"Why? Makin' lil' Donnie think of things he believes he shouldn't?" Raph asked with a rumble in his chest. He inched closer to Donatello's body, and nudged his knee against Don's before he pushed between his legs roughly. Raphael inclined his head to the side, whispering against his ear in a rush of hot breath and a tickling of lips. "I think 'bout it all the time. Why shouldn't you?"

Donatello closed his eyes, shivering from everything Raphael had piled upon him. But his red clad brother pulled away just as suddenly as he had arrived and he heard Raph's hurried steps back up the stairs where he grabbed a duffle bag on his way out and disappeared just as quickly as an illusion.

Opening his eyes only after the door had closed and Raph was gone did Donnie finally turn his head and gaze up the stairs – his face warm and his body shaking as his stomach twisted and flopped and his heart wrenched in his chest.

Sometimes, he wished he had run away with him when they were kids…

A beeping sound abruptly made itself known to his subconscious and Don jerked himself awake, glancing to the clock in the kitchen behind him. He cursed and hurried down the stairs – taking only a moment to grab his mug of coffee and hurry back towards his lab where his customer was waiting.

But as he reached the doorway, he stopped and stared at his station, his heart racing and his mind adrift. Closing his eyes, Don raised the mug to his lips to take a quick drink of coffee – now wasn't the time to worry about Mikey's virtue; though he wished his was in jeopardy right about now.

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It had been so long! Even if he never found Nightwatcher, just traveling to the surface and remembering the touch of the wind, the smells, the lights, and the delicate touch of the faint stars above his head was more than worth all of this.

Michelangelo ran across the rooftops, jumping and leaping in the night like the ninja he was raised to be.

Stopping atop an older building that overlooked the grungier side of town, Mikey crouched down like some phantom gargoyle, blue eyes piercing the streets below him with the wind playing in the tails of his mask.

Closing his eyes, Mikey breathed in the smell of New York City and let out a soft sigh of approval – yes, this was even more worth it than meeting Nightwatcher.

Then again, Michelangelo was famous for changing his mind not half a nanosecond later.

A squeal erupted from Mikey's throat as he gazed over the edge of the building and watched the Nightwatcher race past him on his motorcycle of coolness. Mikey leapt to his feet and took chase, flying across the rooftops, just barely keeping pace with him – and only because the Nightwatcher turned now and then and Mikey was able to cut across entire neighborhoods to meet him on the other side.

Sliding his vehicle to a stop and slamming his metal boot to the ground with a heavy thud, Nightwatcher nudged the kickstand down and stood, stalking towards the building were a bunch of shadows were darting back and forth inside the building, moving things around and stuffing things into bags.

Reaching behind him, the Nightwatcher pulled his weapons – the duo ball and chain – out and headed right into the middle of the fray.

Mikey winced slightly and leaned over the edge. Should he head down there and help him? It was only one guy against what looked like twelve or thirteen guys… oh wait, never mind. Michelangelo watched in awe as Nightwatcher worked. He moved with grace even though his attacks were mostly brute force. He spun and kicked a man in the gut, then ducked an attack that had been coming from the front, and using the man's own momentum, he plowed his shoulder into his gut and sent the man sprawling behind him out on the ground.

Squealing, Mike raised his hands to his chest and wiggled them as he bounced a little – very much like a little girl seeing her beloved boy bands in person for the first time. "He's soooo cooool!" He giggled.

The shop door burst open and several of the still standing thugs ran out, wildly running to their van parked just a shop down – but one turned, running into the alley across the street – and thusly escaping the ball and chain wrapping about his middle like his co-operatives.

Fidgeting, Mikey, looked back to Nightwatcher and noted he didn't seem to realize the man was gone. With a smug grin, Mikey pulled his nunchakus from his belt and ran, leaping from the building and into the alley below. With a simple flip after briefly touching the railing of a fire escape across the way. Mikey landed lightly, his arms raised and his nunchackus dangling from his fingers as he shot a cocky grin at the thug. The man had slid to a halt and just gaped at the turtleman in front of him, that is, before Mikey began twirling the nunchakus and grinning like a loony, "You can't leave yet, the party just got started!"

The man cried out – then was smacked upside the head with a nunchaku.

Sighing loudly as he put his weapons back into his belt, Mikey frowned down at the man and shook his head. "That was disappointingly easy."

Slinging the unconscious man over his shoulder, Mikey headed out of the alley and ohed and awed at the Nightwatcher.

Moving with the momentum of one of the men rushing him from behind, Nightwatcher lifted his arm and snagged the thug's wrist, squeezing a pressure point mercilessly and forcing him to drop the knife he had been wielding. Taking only a small step back, the vigilante threw his elbow out, smashing it into the man's nose and sending him into a dazed heap in the gutter.

Flipping backwards and throwing a ball and chain out in front of him to collide with another man's gut, thusly forcing the air out of his lungs, Nightwatcher tossed his second ball and chain out and wrapped it about the wheezing man's forearm. Tugging down sharply on his chain, the man's arm snapped loudly right as the man regained the ability to breath and it ripped a scream from his throat as he dropped his gun in the process.

Mikey's eyes twinkled in delight – he was so cool! He was just like the Justice Force; only not!

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Fighting these low-time thugs were always way to easy. They had no skill and they relied purely on intimidation. It was almost like a lame game of 'see who attacks first' for Raphael. Due to the fact most of the guys he busted up during robberies were usually simpletons; they were typically to chicken-shit to start the fights anyway. They preferred to run than fight.

But this guy – this guy was going to be fun. He was a hardcore criminal. He could see it in his eyes and in the way he held his gun. He had killed before.

Smirking inside of his helmet, Raphael raised his hands into fists and waited – oh yeah, this was going to be fun.

The man across from him narrowed his eyes and wiggled his fingers on the hand not holding the gun. He was watching him just like he was watching him.

When the man made no move, Raph growled and rushed forward, his fist leading the way the moment he was close enough. He man jerked his head to the side, avoiding the punch. He wasn't insanely skilled, but he did get in a good kick to the vigilante's stomach and pushed him back several feet.

Raph rubbed his belly and laughed, "Nice shot, knucklehead. Now it's my turn." He grinned wickedly behind his helmet and took two quick steps forward before he jumped in the air, throwing his foot out in a roundhouse kick that had his heavy boots impact with the man's jaw and breaking it easily.

The man dropped and Raphael twisted on his heel, throwing his arm up to stop another thug from sticking his knife in him. He simply punched him and found satisfaction with the crackling sound his nose made against his fist. Raph grinned wryly as he dragged broken nose over to broken jaw and lashed them together with a chain near the rest of their chained up comrades.

Nightwatcher looked around the area then jerked his head up, his hand lifting to the side of his helmet and listened intently to the radio scanner.

"Units 12 and 19 report to Jardine's Jewelers on Cambridge road. Robbery in progress." The dispatcher announced.Turning his head and looking down the street to check if he had time; but Raphael then did a double take instead as he saw Michelangelo standing just inside of an alleyway, waving goofy at him, and with a guy knocked out at his feet.

"Wha' the hell are ya do…" He stumbled to a stop – if he had finished that sentence, even Mikey would have been suspicious as to why he didn't freak out more.

"I… I… I…" Mikey fumbled, all wide blue eyes and a jittery mess. "I… uh… was passin' by and uh… I… I wanted to help?" he offered lamely with a wince and a cheesy grin.

"I don't need help. Now get lost, kid." Raph growled and pointed over his shoulder, motioning for him to leave.

"But…" Mikey fumbled, his face falling slowly. "I… can I talk with you for a while? I mean… we both stop crime. Doesn't it get lonely out here night after night?" he asked, blue eyes growing big and dewy.

Grumbling inside his helmet, Raph looked back down the street where the police scanner had said they were taking, rushing to the burglary of this jewelry store. He marched over to Michelangelo and shook his head, pointing over Mike's shoulder. "Get lost, kid! This isn't a game!"

Mikey glanced around the corner as he heard the sirens, but he looked back to Nightwatcher desperately, clasping his hands together. "Just a little talk? I'll leave you alone after that! Pleasepleasepleaseplease-"

"Damn… you're annoying." Raphael grunted and grabbed his elbow, tugging Mikey towards his bike. He flung his leg over and straightened the bike, throwing the kickstand up and he started the bike all in the same movement. "Get on!" He shouted.

Mikey squealed like a girl and leapt on, wrapping his arms about his hero's waist and nuzzling into his back with a happy little purr.

Raphael rolled his eyes and the bike jumped forward, speeding down the street at top speeds even as the police rounded the corner behind them.

This was awesome! Mikey giggled and held on tighter to the man in front of him, his fingers gripping at his suit, and as he did that, he unnoticeably groped the vigilante. He liked what he felt – firm, tough body, strong and broad – the vibrations of the motorcycle weren't helping now that he thought about it. His shell was beginning to feel too tight.

Weaving the motorbike through traffic and skidding down a back road, Raph grunted and took a mild glace over his shoulder as Michelangelo wiggled his fingers across his lower plastrons just a little too close to the southern border.

"What the sh… hell are you doing?" he snapped and glared over his shoulder at the younger turtle.

A silly grin spread over Mike's face and he shrugged, "Holding on?"

Raphael rolled his eyes behind his helmet and revved the engine, jolting them forward and popping a wheelie.

Mikey shrieked and grabbed onto him tightly, hiding his face against his shoulder.

"Now that is holdin' on! Anymore funny stuff and I'm kickin' you off!" He snarled and took a sharp left at the next corner. Another squeal filled his ear – and Raph was grateful for the helmet yet again.

Bursting into a construction yard and slamming on the breaks, the motorcycle suddenly spun backwards. Dirt and gravel flew as the bike slid across the yard and then abruptly jerked to a halt and the engine was cut with a rumbling sigh.

Mikey shakily opened his eyes, peeking at his surroundings before he cautiously lifted his head.

"You gonna let go of me or do I need ta get a crowbar and pry ya off?" he drawled, crossing his arms and glancing over his shoulder.

Grinning silly, Mikey dragged his hands away – groping a little bit more than necessary and in the process causing Raph to raise his brow. As soon as he was off the bike, Nightwatcher dismounted and turned, folding his arms authoritatively and standing his ground against the turtle in front of him, "So? What do ya want?"

Hesitating, Mikey fidgeted, "Well, ya see…"

"I ain't signin' nothin' on your body." He bluntly told him – the very idea sending his stomach into spirals. Donnie was one thing, but Mikey? He didn't want to think about it.

Mikey did deflate a bit at that, then he perked right back up and took a step towards him in a slinky manner. "So… if you won't do that, would you consider leaving something else on my body?"

Raph tilted his head slightly – as best he could in all that leather, metal and armor getup. "What do ya mean?" he asked warily.

A sultry smile curled over Michelangelo's features and he trailed his fingers up Nightwatcher's body, "Well, you know; something… pleasant… for both of us." He purred, leaning closer.

His jaw dropped and Raphael jumped back. He thought it had been a joke back at the lair! Mikey was seriously trying to get laid? "Wha' the shhh- hell…" he fumbled backwards, running into a beam in the ground and Mikey was quick to wedge him in place.

"Please?" Mikey batted his baby blues and trailed patterns across his chest. "I just want one good ride…"

Fumbling with his words as he tried to slap Michelangelo's hands away – only to have those hands grope over him in other places – Raph managed to shake his head. "Y-you already got a ride on my bike. That's all anyone will ever get!"

"Please, dude! Just one time! I promise I won't stalk you again after that!" He purred, reaching around, goosing him.

Raph gasped and jumped, eyes wide, "Mi- would you stop it?" He yelled, reaching out and managing to catch one wrist – only to squeak a second later as Mikey's fingers grabbed the lower part of his shell.

Michelangelo laughed all innocently before he jumped at him, wrapping his arms about his neck and planting a kiss across the front of the helmet.

This, Raphael could handle. His face twisted up in disgust and he pushed himself away from the beam. He struggled with Mikey's hands, and once he grabbed hold of one wrist, with a simple twist and nudge of his knee, he managed to flip Michelangelo around and shove his arm up along his back and making his baby brother cry out in pain.

He arched his back, trying to relieve the pain the Nightwatcher was causing to shoot through his arm and back. Hissing, Mikey struggled to relax his body and pout dejectedly. "I'll take that as a no."

"That's a hell no, knucklehead." Raph snarled and turned Mikey slightly so his plastron was pressed against the metal beam he had just pushed away from to keep him in place and from attempting to pull any more of his little tricks to latch back onto him. "You gonna tell me why you're stalkin' a perfect stranger – a vigilante at that – wanting to get laid? You'd think there were better ideas out there. Hell, even a hooker would be a better option than me, bud."

Mikey frowned, his blue eyes growing distant and his body loosing its stiffness. "Naw, there aren't any other options. Look at me, I'm a giant mutant turtle… even though I am the cute one." He flashed a grin, though it didn't reach his eyes.

Raph frowned behind his helmet. Mikey was acting off. Actually, Mikey was acting like how he himself would act – run off and do something stupid if he was upset about something. "You goin' ta tell me why you're here? I don't know much about ya-" he couldn't help but smirk at his words, "-but it seems real stupid of ya to show yourself ta me."

A laugh escaped Michelangelo and he smiled softly, gazing off into the construction yard. "Yeah, my bros would be real mad if they found out I really did talk to you. Donnie will probably get really mad…" he mumbled and suddenly rested his temple against the beam as though in defeat.

"Then maybe you should go home and stay out of sight so you don't endanger your family. There are some sickos out there that might try and follow you home and then sell y a to a lab for research. You shouldn't put yer family in danger like this." Raphael scolded, shaking his head as he eased up on Mikey's arm.

"Dude, you sound like him…" he sighed, baby blue eyes growing distant and faintly misty.

"Who?" Raph grunted, narrowing his eyes as he felt a leap of nervousness in his belly.

"Leo…" He said and lifted his head, looking back at the tinted glass of the helmet.

Raphael felt a little sick at that – him compared to Leo? How sick and twisted was that? "Oh yeah? Well if I sound like some windbag then ya obviously screwed up big time, huh?"

"Yeah, probably… I miss him though…" Mikey whispered, a few tears gathered in his eyes.

Raph blinked and took a step back, his hold on Mike's wrist slackened till he let him go. "W… what happened to him?" He asked, hoping he didn't sound like he was improvising questions he already knew the answer too.

Michelangelo shrugged and turned around, rubbing his shoulder. "We don't know. He left for a training mission around the world two years ago… but he stopped writing last year. We only get an occasional line now and then… mostly postcards. He used to send these real big, long letters – one for the whole family and then a page or two for everyone individually." He rubbed at his elbow, leaning back against the beam. "But he stopped – and he doesn't call, and we don't know where he is. A friend of ours thinks he might be in South America… she's down there for business right now, but-"

He couldn't help rolling his eyes – if he had been anyone else, that information right there would have been enough to lead anyone to April. The bonehead, he'd have to smack him upside the head back home for no reason just to cover this one.

But Mikey went quiet again, wiping at his eyes. "I really miss him. Before he left, he promised to come back… he said if we still…" He paused and wiped at his nose, looking down.

Raphael's stomach jumped and his jaw dropped – he was almost scared to ask Mike to continue. If Michelangelo was going to say what he thought he was… "If you two still what?" He prompted.

Mikey shrugged and stared down at his toes. "Like I said, there isn't a lot of options for a mutant turtle… I came out here thinkin' I could get rid of Leo's ghost or something like that." He tried to explain quickly but only succeeded in making his voice drop and his face twist up in a faint inkling of just how emotionally hurt he felt inside. "Before he left, we… uh… kissed." Michelangelo's face colored softly, his fingers fidgeting together. "He said… he said it was wrong for us to love each other; but if by the time he returned from his training and we still felt this strongly for each other, then… he would – he'd return my love."

"What makes ya think it's wrong ta begin with, huh?" Raph snapped – the sore spot inside him was still heavy even after all these years.

A sad, weak smile crawled up Mikey's face as he looked up at the Nightwatcher, "'Cause we were raised as brothers."

Raphael frowned and turned to the side, folding his arms over his broad chest as he gazed out through the construction yard and into the city lights surrounding it. "Yeah, that'd probably make it all taboo." He grunted.

"I don't think our father will allow it." Mikey whispered.

"Huh?" Raph grunted, turning his head to look back at Mike.

Michelangelo shrugged, "Never mind." He pushed away from the beam. "Sorry I stalked you and then tried to rape you… or whatever, dude. I guess I'm lonelier than I thought." He gave a cheesy grin that broke Raphael's heart.

"Why are ya alone? Ya said brothers with a plural; as in more than one. How can ya be lonely?" He questioned, racking his brain for examples – sure he hadn't been around the house lately and slept most of the day away; but Donnie was there – even with his IT Tech job, Mikey was always hanging him… Don talked to Mikey more than him most days anyway – but that's only because Donnie had more patients than him. And he and Don didn't talk much lately anyway – in fact, their fight earlier that evening had been the most they had said to each other in the past month.

"Well, even though I have two other brothers at home and our father, I'm just the baby of the family. It's like I was forgotten after Leo left. I'm worried about him too!" He shouted, looking up into the tinted glass with almost a desperate look upon his face. "But it's like they think I don't because I'm supposed to be all happy and filled with sunshine-goodness all the time!" Michelangelo waved his hands about, scowling at the Nightwatcher. "I wish they'd realize I'm scared something happened to Leo. I don't want my family to split up and leave… I like how we are all together. I think Donnie wouldn't be as depressed either if Leo was around." His shoulders drooped and his hands fell to his sides as he physically slumped.

Raph frowned at Mikey behind his visor then he stepped forward, clapping a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Why not just talk to them? Maybe they don't realize you're upset – maybe you aren't showing it as plainly as you think you are."

Sheepishly raising his blue eyes, Michelangelo stared at him for a moment then nodded and looked away. "Yeah, maybe you're right…" But he sighed loudly and leaned against the beam once again. "Life sucks." He ended lamely.

"So get a fuckin' straw already; no one can fix yer life but you." Raphael grumbled and looked away, pulling his hand back and letting his fingers curl into fists by his thighs. He thought back over Mikey's words and his gut plummeted. Donnie was depressed? He knew he was having a hard time trying to be leader in Leo's absence, but… depressed? And Mikey… when was the last time he had really talked with him? He had no idea him and Fearless were getting so close. He had assumed all those times Leo had stayed up late with Mikey to watch one of his horror movies was just Leo being the good, overachieving older brother he always seemed to be. Guilt rushed in over his emotional floodgates and Raphael frowned deeply from the revelations sweeping over him. When was the last time he had tried to just be with his bros? Let alone just ate breakfast with them?

"Sorry I spewed on ya." Mikey smiled, though his baby blues were still misty, but they were brighter and a bit more of the carefree Mike he was used too. "I guess I should get home and tell Donnie you didn't violate my virtue after all; even though I still think you're sex on legs and it'd be great to ride you like a wild stallion… I'll wait till Leo gets back. If he hates me, maybe I'll come looking for you for some rebound sex. Sound good? Good." He winked before he saluted the Nightwatcher with a cheesy smile spreading across his face. "Thanks for the advice; and it was fun molesting you…." He paused and pressed his finger to his lips in a coy look that made Raph nervous. "Um… Mr. Nightwatcher… um… you think you could… you could sign my nunchaku!" He squealed and pulled his weapon from his belt, holding it out to him with a gigantic and completely fan-boyish grin on his face.

Raph chuckled and shook his head in amusement. He turned to face his brother and grinned behind his helmet, "Sure, why not; ain't everyday I get jumped and the person lives ta tell about it." He took the nunchaku in his hand then paused and looked to Mikey, waiting.

Michelangelo continued to grin, but he faltered when there was no signage happening. "Um, are you-"

"You got a pen?" Raph asked.

The grin on Mikey's face disappeared in a flash and in the next he had hit his knees and was crying out into the night with his hands above his head, "Nooooooo!" he screamed like in one of his cheesy movies after the villain loses.

Raph sighed loudly and offered back the nunchaku. "Sorry, I can't sign without a pen. Better luck next time."

"No! My one chance!" Mikey cried, tears in his eyes.

Grunting and letting the weapon drop to the ground, Raph folded his arms over his chest and looked away, waiting out Mike's rants and raves about being so stupid for forgetting the pen. After ten minutes of this, Raph touched the side of his helmet as though rubbing a headache away.

"Okay, listen, just give whatever the hell ya want signed to yer bro, Raphael, he'll get it ta me and I'll sign the damn thing. Got it?"

Mikey sniffled and lifted his head. "Raph? Why him?"

"'Cause he can get it to me real easy," Raph explained simply.

There was a long pause and Raphael realized his mistake. Sweat began beading and trickling down from his brow and across the back of his neck. What if Michelangelo figured it out? Mikey might be a knucklehead, but he wasn't dumb.

"Wait a minute…" Mikey blinked and stood up, staring at the Nightwatcher in horror, "Raph… and you?" His jaw dropped and he pointed at the vigilante accusingly.

Raph groaned. 'Here it comes,' he thought.

"That's why you didn't freak out when you saw me! You know Raph!" He declared loudly with a finger pointed in the air like he was Sherlock Holmes.

He stopped himself from slumping in relief and Raphael forced a laugh, "Uh, yeah! That's it."

"Wow… Raph has been holding out on me!" Michelangelo squealed and clapped his hands together. "Do you think we can hangout again tomorrow?"

He winced and waved a hand, "Listen bud, uh, maybe some other time."

Mikey pouted but nodded. "Okay… but I'm giving Raph something to bring to you real soon, 'kay?" He declared with a true smile reaching up to his baby blue eyes.

"Uh, sure, whatever; I got to go." Nightwatcher said and turned, heading back to his bike and mounting up. Mikey waved to him as he started the bike and revved the engine, peeling out of the construction yard like a bat out of hell and back out into the night.

Clapping his hands together, Mikey twirled on his toes and giggled, "He's so cool!" He squealed.

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XD Mikey was so much fun to write in this one. he totaly took over the story (and the irony, I was writing this at work. can you imagine my anxiety hoping that no one would peek over my shoulder to read what I was writing?) But yes, this is partly because of that challenge... uh... naotoki???... posted months ago about Mikey going after the Nightwatcher. (his fanboy love is just so cute! XD ). That challenge was what inspired Mikey to take over this half of the chapter, and also officially make it into the story. At first, Mikey was hard to write more, but after about page two, I realized he was the easiest of them all to write for me because I talk almost exactly like him (I'm the only one at work that can call my male Managers 'dudes'), and also, he acts so happy when really, he feels like crap inside... which is how I act and feel a lot of the time (even though I identify more with Donnie because he's quiet, doesn't want to cause conflict and watches documentaries on the weekends XD ).

so there's this chapter. hope you enjoyed it. I thought it was corny having Mikey literally jump Nightwatcher and try to practically rape him; but I think after two years of waiting, of being worried, of trying to hide it all for the sake of his family, having to work a job he hates, and continue his facade of pure sunshine and bunnies; I really think this would be Mikey's way of snapping. I know it's a little out of char, but I'm also trying to look past the front of how they acted in the shows and in the movies and I'm trying to figure out how they would act behind closed doors. Those masks people wear on the outside are tough and hide everything; but when those masks come off in front of just one person, sometimes what you see underneath isn't what you thought you'd find - and the way i'm writing them is the way I see them inside. shrugs

anyway, this chapter was just fun to write. I re-read it once through, so it's not in the best shape edit wise. but I think it looks decent right now so, bleh.

but this one was definitely fun to write. and the next chapter is shorter, but it's probably my favorite scene with two brothers bonding. Mikey takes Nightwatcher's advice and finally says something.

welp, hope you enjoyed:D please review and tell me what you thought!

-Melissa the Damgel