A/N: Okay, I know this took forever to update and I'm truly sorry for that. My me time has been seriously limited now that summer is here with play dates, graduations, weddings, the list goes on and on. Thanks to those of you how have hung on! I really appreciate it!

Huge thanks to Echohunter for the quick beta and input on the ending. You are my rockstar woman! And Mikell, thanks for trying hun. I know you've been busy too but I still love ya and appreciate you letting me know your thoughts.

Another huge thank you to my dearest friend Christy for helping me out with the translation. What would I do without you honey!

Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT and make no profit from the writing of this fic. Alex and Nadia however are OC's of mine.

Chapter Ten: Labor Pains

The knock at the door came earlier than expected. Sitting on the couch, making her way efficiently through the fifth box of Kleenex that week (or was it sixth…she'd lost track) Nadia startled, whipping around to stare wide-eyed at the door as if she expected a dragon or some mythical terrifying creature to come strolling through. She knew it was only Alex though. The two had made a habit of getting together for breakfast and coffee every morning. Each and every one of those mornings, Nadia had woke up crying from the same pitiful dream – Michelangelo reaching out to her, promising her a life of happiness and love and Victor holding her back, his arms tightening around her like steel bands, confining her to misery and contempt. His leering grin and frantic, feverish dark eyes were always the last thing she saw when she jerked up in bed, breathing heavily, her face stained with tears.

She hadn't managed to shrug off the image of Victor before Alex was there, knocking at her door. Cursing softly, Nadia stood and scrubbed at her cheeks. She fixed a smile on her face and pulled the door open. "Hey Alex! You're early. I haven't had a chance to make coffee yet."

Alex's eyes narrowed immediately. Nadia steeled herself for an interrogation. In all honesty, she was surprised it had taken all week for it to happen. Alex had been almost suspiciously quiet about anything related to Michelangelo. She had instead focused on Nadia and getting to know her. It seemed innocent enough at first. They were, after all, new to the friendship scenario.

By Wednesday, when Alex did not bring up Michelangelo and Nadia was facing the third day of not hearing from him, she started to get antsy. The feelings of fear, confusion and sadness pushed at her to ask about him, to tell Alex what had happened between them. But for some unknown reason, she always held back. It was almost as if she was afraid to hear about Michelangelo, afraid to hear that he may have given up on her, decided he was better off without her. She hadn't wanted him to need her, and yet she had become painfully aware of the fact that she did need him.

"You know," Alex started, walking into her apartment and closing the door behind her. "I've been having a hard time not saying anything all week and have congratulated myself numerous times for not being all nosey." She turned to face Nadia. "Here's the plan. You go sit down on the couch, I'll make coffee, and we'll talk. Sound good?"

Nadia nodded meekly, not knowing what else to do. She wanted an outlet. She wanted to talk to someone about what she was feeling and have help figuring out why. She didn't want to be lost anymore. But she didn't know if speaking to Alex about her brother-in-law was safe, either. She went to the couch, sinking into it with a weary sigh. Hot tears insistently pricked her eyes again and she ducked her head, reaching for the Kleenex.

As she listened to Alex move about the kitchen – the sound of running tap water accompanying the whispering creek of cabinet doors opening and closing and the rustle of coffee filters – her brain worked over everything she could say without sounding offensive. Or worse…whiney. Or even worse…desperate.

The shuffle of feet alerted her to Alex approaching and she scrubbed quickly at the offensive tears out of habit. She knew there was no point to trying to hide the fact that she was crying and yet she couldn't seem to stop herself from trying.

"Thanks," she murmured, accepting the mug Alex handed her and wrapping her hands around it.

"What happened?"

It was a simple question…two words. And yet the force of them hit her like sledge hammer to the gut. She bit down hard on her bottom lip and shook her head. "I don't know," she muttered miserably. "Michelangelo came over the other night and we were having such a good time. He helped me cook, we watched a movie. He's so easy to talk to. I was teaching him some Spanish phrases and then…then we kissed." The last word came out a breathless whisper and she closed her eyes, the memory of that moment replaying in her mind. He'd been so sweet and it had felt so good to be held by him.

"He told me that he needed to…" She shook her head. "He used that word. Need."

A look of confusion flitted across Alex's face. "You're going to have to explain that one to me."

"Victor," Nadia started slowly after swallowing the fear that slammed into her with the mere mention of the name. "The baby's father. He always told me that he needed me. And it was never…it wasn't…it wasn't a good kind of need. You see he was…he was married and had two children. But he would come over and he would tell me how much he needed me and he was always so frantic. At first I comforted him, tried to tell him how much is wife and children needed him, how much they loved him and how it was wrong for him to come to me.

"Then one night he showed up. My mom and dad were away at a city meeting. Victor was drunk. I opened the door and…and his eyes were nearly red, they were so blood shot. He told me again that he needed me but the way he said it-."

Nadia closed her eyes and concentrated on steadying her breathing. "It scared me. And he just kept saying it, over and over. I told him no and told him to go back to his wife. He wouldn't listen. He just kept…stalking me, telling me he needed me, that I was driving him insane. Then he…then he pulled out his pocket knife, pushed up his sleeves and started cutting his arms with it, telling me I was driving him to it. He said if he couldn't have me, he would keep cutting himself to deal with the pain of wanting me."

"Oh my God, Nadia," Alex breathed, her horrified gaze fixed on the younger woman.

"I didn't know what else to do. So I let him have me. I was so afraid that he would end up killing himself if I didn't."

Alex nodded, reaching out to take Nadia's hand.

Nadia pulled herself together, her features hardening. "I shouldn't have let him."

"Maybe you shouldn't have," Alex said, then rushed on when Nadia flinched away from her. "But you were scared and some psychopath was forcing you into a situation and…jeez, Nadia. I don't know how I would have handled that. What he did to you wasn't right. He took advantage of you; he forced you to be with him by making you think he was going to kill himself. The guy sounds like a total lunatic. It takes a lot of courage to face something like that and to do what you did."

Nadia scoffed, brushing at the tears rolling down her cheeks with her Kleenex. "You mean stupidity."

"No," Alex argued, "I mean courage. You put him first to stop him from hurting himself and made a sacrifice you never should have been forced to make. That's bravery Nadia."

Nadia jerked her head up and down, unable to find the words to respond with. Her chin was quivering and she was mentally cursing herself for not having more control over her emotions.

She heard Alex very quietly say "oh sweetie, come here" and fell into the other woman's arms, no longer holding back. Her body trembled uncontrollably and she was terribly afraid that the sobs would never stop. She'd suffered in silence for so long with on one to talk to, had dealt with the fear and self-criticism of her actions without anyone to talk to.

"You're a very special person, Nadia. I'm sorry there were so many people in your life that didn't see it but we do. Mikey does and he's very lucky to have you."

"But he doesn't have me!" she wailed, clinging to Alex. "I screwed it up! I pushed him away. I just…I don't want to be needed like that again."

Alex moved away from Nadia, gripping her shoulders and staring her directly in the face, her eyes hard. "Nadia, that's not what it's always going to be like. Victor was a nut job and to be quite honest, I think he should be committed. But Mikey isn't him. He would never do something like that to you."

"He'll never forgive me, Alex. Not after what happened."

Alex smiled. "You'd be surprised by how forgiving Mikey is. He likes you Nadia…a lot. Just talk to him. Tell him what you told me. He'll understand."

Nadia sniffled. "You really think so?" she asked, again inwardly cringing at how small and hopeful her voice sounded.

"I know so, sweetie. Give him a chance." She paused, hesitating. "And Nadia…people are going to need you."

"But-."

"Yourbaby," Alex said, quickly cutting her off, "is going to need you. He's needed you since day one."

Nadia released a startled "oh", her eyes going wide.

"Never thought of that one, did you?"

"I…no," the younger woman said, shaking her head.

"See? Not everyone who needs you is going to go about doing so in the crazy, unhealthy way this Victor guy did. And being needed isn't always a bad thing, Nadia. In fact…I need you."

"You do?" she asked, startled by Alex's admission.

"Mhmm. I need you…to come over and do my hair because I'm fat and gross and want to feel good about something."

Though it was the last thing she had honestly expected to do all week, Nadia giggled. The giggle soon turned into uncontrollable laughter. "I tell you what," she managed, once her laughter had tapered away, "I'll do your hair and your makeup. How does that sound?"

"Better than pickles and ice-cream!" Alex exclaimed, leaning over and throwing her arms around Nadia and giving her a tight hug.

"Oh no, you're one of those?"

Alex laughed and pulled away. "Unfortunately yes. Okay, so I'll make dinner. Stop by around…say seven?"

"Yeah, sounds good. That'll give me a chance to get a nap in and scrub the 'I've been crying all week' look off my face."

"You can hardly tell." Standing, Alex smiled down at the younger woman. "Everything will be okay, Nadia. Talk to Mikey. Tell him what you told me. I promise you…he'll understand."

"I will. And…thanks again Alex. For everything."

( TMNT - Page Break…because apparently you can't use any symbols anymore….uuuugh!)

Raphael sighed, glancing at his little brother who sat beside him on the couch doing the same thing he had been doing all week. Not talking and, for the lack of a better word, moping. He'd been spending a lot of time with his little brother this week and had gotten no closer to understanding what had happened between Mikey and Nadia than he had been the night he'd found him standing in the hallway. What he knew was simple – Mikey and Nadia had a date go wrong, Nadia had some crazy skeletons in her closet, and Mikey was currently backing off because of those skeletons. Raph could understand the caution his younger brother was exercising, but this moodiness and unwillingness to talk was driving him crazy.

"Mikey-."

"For the millionth time, Raph," the youngest interrupted, not bothering to look away from the television. "I'm fine."

"You know what," Raph muttered irritabley, "I'm not buyin' it anymore. You're not fine. If you were fine you'd be playin' video games or tearin' up the sewers on your skateboard. You're mopin' Mikey and its startin' to get irritatin'. No, scratch that, it was irritatin' Wednesday. Now I'm just sick and tired of dealin' with it."

"No one told you that you had to Raph," Mikey said with a sad smile. "I appreciate it. But you don't need to sit here and keep me company."

"Someone's gotta," Raph muttered, crossing his arms over his chest and scowling.

Mikey finally took a moment to look away from the TV, laughing at his brother's expression. "Raph, seriously…go home. You've been hoverin' over me like crazy for a week now. I'm not depressed, I'm not suicidal…I'm just trying to work things out and give her space. She freaked out so bad," his voice trailed off and he looked down, shaking his head. "I don't want to be the reason she does that ever again."

Raph gritted his teeth, hardly managing to keep his thoughts on what Nadia had done to Mikey from spilling out. He wasn't too happy with the girl. She was the reason for this very un-Mikey shell of his brother wandering around. He'd been forcing himself all week to not knock on Nadia's door and let him know exactly what he thought of her, skeletons be damned. At this point he really didn't care how bad her past was. All he cared about right now was how much his brother was hurting.

"Raph…just go home, man."

He glanced up at his little brother, not really surprised to see the tired, accepting look on his face. Even at his worst, Mikey could still manage a smile.

"Alex is gonna be having her baby soon. You should be with her, not hangin' around me like I'm gonna…I dunno…kill myself or something."

Raph gave him a look and Mikey rolled his eyes with an exasperated groan. "Dude, seriously? I would never do something like that and you know it. Go! Bug you're wife. I love ya, Bro but I can handle this on my own."

He hesitated but he knew Michelangelo was right. The decision to come to the lair day after day for the past week had left Raph with some substantial feelings of anxiety. Alex was due to go any day and although she claimed she felt just fine, he knew something was up. She would try to turn away from him and hide her discomfort but he could feel her tension from across the room. His worry for his youngest brother had nagged at him though and he'd given into it, day after day, telling Alex to call him if anything, anything happened while he was gone. And every day he'd gotten the same thing – Alex smiling sweetly, waving him off while she dug into her random snack of choice for that time of day. Sometimes just catching a glimpse of what she had created was enough to make him more than happy to leave. But that anxiety always returned to wrap itself around him.

After stalling for a few more minutes, Raph pushed himself up from the couch, then clapped a hand on Mikey's shoulder. "You need anythin'-."

"Yeah…I know Raph." The youngest offered him that same off-smile he'd worn all weak, the one that didn't convince any of them. "Tell Alex I say hi."

"I will Mikey."

Feeling tired, defeated and more than a little frustrated, Raph shrugged into his winter coat, slid his shoes on and made his way out of the Lair towards home. Alone with his thoughts he found his frustration quickly mounting into unadulterated agitation. He was pissed at Nadia. Not mad, not upset…he was flat out pissed. This little chick came bustin' into his brother's life playing the whole "pity me, my life is so terrible" game and strung him along like he was nothing more than some freakin' puppet.

By the time Raph pushed through the front door of the apartment building he and Alex lived in, he had worked himself into simmering rage – one he had every intention of drowning with a beer and an hour of Sports Center. He jerked his keys out of his pocket with more force than necessary and let himself into the apartment. Not even one step over the threshold and he was stumbling to a stop.

Alex was sitting on one of the barstools by the island in the kitchen. Her hands rested on her stomach and she was chattering away happily…to Nadia. Raph's hand tightened dangerously around the doorknob as he watched the younger woman smile and sweep up a strand of Alex's hair. She smiled a she worked – a smile that lit up her entire face. Her movements were light, unburdened by the weight that haunted his little brother. But it was that smile…that damn smile that got to him the most. How could she smile like that when his little brother was sitting at home…a freakin' shadow of his former self and all because of her?

Slamming the door and drawing startled glances from both women, Raph made his way to the fridge, jerked the door open and grabbed a beer from the bottom shelf. He nearly tore the top off, tossing it into the sink then turned and leaned back against the counter, fixing his accusing glare on Nadia.

It would probably have been a lot more affective if she was looking at him though. Alex was. Her brows lowered in concern. "Hey hon!" she greeted with feigned exuberance and then mouthed " Are you okay?"

He nodded once before lifting his drink and taking a long swig.

"How's everything at home?" Alex asked, her gaze flitting to Nadia quickly before settling back on him.

"S'fine."

"How's Michelangelo," Nadia asked, meeting his eyes timidly.

He couldn't help it. There was too much aggression teemed with the need for justice on behalf of his little brother jerking him around for him to stop himself from what he said next. "Why would you care?"

"Raph!"

His wife's outraged cry barely registered. He was too focused on Nadia's reaction – that stunned, wounded puppy expression that he doubted even held a hint of sincerity. "Would it make ya feel pretty good to know he's been sittin' at home too depressed to do much of anythin' but stare at the damn TV? Make ya happy to be over here, smilin' and havin' a great time while my little brother's feelin' like he's had his damn heart ripped out, does it?"

"Raph stop it!"

"It's okay," Nadia murmured, placing a hand on Alex's shoulder to stop her from getting up. She turned then to face Raph, her full lips set in a firm line. "No, it doesn't make me happy to hear that."

"Yeah, I bet it doesn't," Raph scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I see you for exactly what ya are, Nadia – a selfish, self-absorbed brat with some sob story to rake in any willing guy who'll listen to ya for more than a few minutes!" Alex called out to him again but Raphael was too angry and frustrated to listen. "Lemme know if any of this is hittin' close to home."

Nadia moved quickly, closing the space between them and shoving him. Raph looked down at her hands, then slowly lifted his gaze to her, arching a brow. His expression clearly told her that he was not impressed.

"You have no idea who I am or what I've been through. You have no idea what happened between me and your brother!"

"I don't need to know what happened," Raph yelled back, getting right in her face.

"You guys, please," Alex pleaded, her voice strained.

"The only thing I need to know," Raph continued, unintentionally ignoring his wife. "All I need to know is that you're puttin' my little brother through hell and you really don't seem to care! But you know what? You're not good enough for him anyway!"

Nadia released a frustrated shriek that finally managed to make him retreat a step with the sheer volume of it. "Idiota! No tienes ninguna idea de lo que soy ni lo que me ha pasado. No tienes derecho a juzgarme! Y no tienes derecho a decirme que no soy bastante buena para tu hermano!"

"Stop yellin' at me in a different language!" Raph shouted.

"Guys," Alex pleaded again. "Please…just stop."

"Alex, you're really gonna sit back and let this brat-." His voice immediately died off when he tore his gaze from Nadia to finally look at his wife. She stood to the side, gripping the counter with white knuckles. Her features were drawn, her eyes glazed and she was hunched over slightly, one hand resting low on her stomach. "Alex?"

"No offense guys," she managed through her labored breathing, "but I think your arguing just put me over that nice little stress line straight into baby having time."

Raph swore, going straight from anger to blind panic. "Babe, are you sure?"

"Yeah." She closed her eyes and groaned as she doubled over and cringed, resting her head on her forearm as she waited out the pain. "Oh yeah."

He swore again, then pushed past Nadia and was at Alex's side. "Tell me what to do. Babe, I uh…you gotta tell me what to do."

"Raph, you already said that. Just…" She drug in a pained gasp and grabbed his arms, her nails digging in hard enough deep, crescent shaped gouges in his skin, "I don't know. This wasn't supposed to happen yet."

"Wait, what's that supposed to mean? Raph felt a foreboding cold sweep over him. "Do you need me to call Donnie? I should call Donnie." Raph head swung around to scan the counter and then the living room for his cell phone

Alex quickly shook her head. "No…no, don't call Donnie. It's okay."

"Alex, Donnie's gonna know what to do a hell of a lot better than we are. Let me call him."

No!" Alex shouted, scaring Raph from his near-crazed search of the room. "Not Donnie…just," She shook her head. What could Donnie do for her at this point that the hospital couldn't? "Call the hospital. I need to go to the hospital."

Sensing the escalating panic in the room, Nadia did her best to remain calm and get the couple in a similar state. "Okay. Everyone just relax for a minute," she instructed softly, taking Alex's arm. "This is what we're going to do. Raph, you're going to call a cab. Alex, we're going to go pack you a bag quick while we're waiting, then we're going to get you to the hospital, okay?"

"Yes. That's what I want," Alex said, nodding. "That sounds good."

Nadia offered her a patient smile then turned to look at Raph, forgetting all about their argument when she saw the terrified look on his face. "Raph," she entreated softly.

"Huh?"

"Go call a cab. Everything is going to be okay."

"Yeah…cab," he muttered.

When he didn't move immediately, Nadia reached out and lightly touched his shoulder. "Raph, it's going to be okay but I need you to call that cab, alright?"

Raph's eyes focused as he finally pulled himself together. His hands moved to his pocket to retrieve the phone and when he flipped it open, Nadia knew he would be fine. Time to concentrate on the mommy.As he dialed, Nadia guided Alex to her bedroom, keeping her occupied with constant conversation while they packed her hospital bag. Raph came to inform them a cab would be outside in five minutes and in no time they were ready.

Barging into the room, Raphael picked up the hospital bag and walked out the door, slamming it behind him all the while leaving a gaping Alex on the bed and Nadia who knelt in front of her to help put her shoes on. She didn't know where it came from but Nadia chuckled when the frazzled turtle walked back in the door with a look of horror on his face. "Alex…"

He dropped the bag by the door, walked to the bed and lifted his wife's arm. "Come on babe, we gotta get you to the cab." When he squatted a bit and snuck an arm around her back, Alex pushed his shoulder away.

"Don't even think about it, buddy. I am…" Alex bent over and concentrated on breathing when another contraction hit. When it passed she added, "walking."

"But you're in pain," he said.

Alex could clearly see the stress her husband was under and did not want to add to it physically. "Wrap your arm around my waist and help me walk." Raphael listened without protest and wrapped one arm around his wife's waist while holding the hand of the arm across his shoulder.

"I gotcha babe, are you sure you can walk? I can carry you if it hurts-"

"I'm walking, Raphael Hamato." Alex glared him into submission and ever so carefully Raphael led his wife through the door and walked out, totally forgetting about the door and the bag.

Nadia watched the scene and felt her heart clench in lovely jealousy that her new friend had found someone who loved her as much as Raph did. Granted he was a giant mutated turtle. It was that moment that Nadia realized she too had a giant turtle, one who was kind and just as loving and had a way more pleasant personality than the one she just fought with in the kitchen.

Guilt ate at her as the memory of Raph's words came slithering back and she made up her mind. After Alex had her baby, she definitely owed Mikey an explanation. Even if she had to cross genetic lines, Nadia knew that the love she saw tonight was something she wanted more than anything and she hoped that Michaelangelo was just as Alex said, forgiving enough to allow her a second chance.

Nadia dug through the fridge for the 100% fruit juice Alex kept, knowing the woman would need fluids and energy. With everything packed into the bag, Nadia closed the door and jogged carefully down the stairway to the street where Raph was helping Alex step into the cab.

"I'll call you the second we get to the hospital," Nadia promised. It was then thatRaphael realized he wouldn't be going with them. His eyes latched onto his wife's glazed ones. He leaned down to kiss his wife. "I love you babe, good luck. You'll do great."

Alex was far more emotional in her goodbye, throwing her arms around Raph's neck and sobbing openly against his neck.

"I'll be okay, baby," Raph murmured, running his hand over her back in a calming motion. "You're gonna do fine."

"I know," she muttered, her voice muffled against this fabric of his sweatshirt. "I just wish you could be there."

He pulled back,hiding the despair he felt from not being able to be in such a public place to support his wife and instead forced an encouraging grin. "I know ya do, babe. But Nadia's gonna be with you and she's gonna keep me posted, okay?"

Alex nodded, then pressed her lips to his. "I love you."

"I love you too babe. Make me proud."

She flashed him a smile. "I will."

Nadia assured Raph again that she would take good care of Alex and keep him updated on the situation before shutting the door. As the cab pulled away, Raph saw Alex look back at him and offer a tiny, forlorn wave. His heart sank. Why did he have to be a mutant turtle right now and why did it matter? He lifted a hand, waving one last wave to his wife and soon-to-be-born daughter that had to be out of the comfort of his arms and was happy that little Sophia would look like her mother so she never had to endure this pain of separation.

When the cab was out of sight, Raphael grimaced and searched his pockets for his cell. Within a few seconds, Mikey, the last person he talked to other than the cab dispatch answered.

"Raph?"

"Hey Uncle Mikey. Ya feel like keepin' me company while Alex is out havin' a baby?"

Translation:

Idiot! You don't have any idea who I am or what I have been through. You don't have the right to judge me! And you don't have the right to tell me that I am not good enough for your brother.