A/N: This chapter has a single "bad language word" in it, simply because I thought it would be funny if Don stood up to Raph. (Why? You'll see.)

Also, that comment that our little genius makes will probably be very important later. *evil grin*

Chapter 9: Donnie

"New tonight: was it a prank gone wrong, or a premeditated hate crime? Who the authorities believe are behind the horrific attack and why, right after the break."

Donnie sighed and stretched, turning away from his homework for a bit. It wasn't difficult, necessarily. There was just a lot of it.

The genius stood up and heading into the kitchen for a well-deserved snack. But just as he was walking away from the coffee table, the doorbell rang. His chestnut brown eyes narrowed and he crept to the front door, peeking out of the peephole.

It was Mikey.

Don opened the door swiftly. "Hey, Mike. What's...Raph?!" And there he was, right behind the freckle-faced turtle. "What are you guys doing here?" What is Raph doing here, he meant, but didn't say.

"Mikey needs help," the brawler said quietly. "And I figured you were the best person for the job."

"Wait, what happened?!"

"His mom held a gun to his head," Raph repeated. The two older mutants had been in the kitchen for the past half hour, discussing everything, while Mikey happily watched TV and stuffed his face with leftover mac'n'cheese from last night's dinner. "He can't go home."

"So your suggestion was to have him stay with me? I'm sure there are a million other people he could bunk with. The kid's got friends. I mean, for that matter, why not you?"

"He can't stay with me."

"Why not?"

Leroux shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his head. "Because I-I'm in a bad situation, okay? He doesn't need to be party to it. Heck, it's the last thing he needs."

"Look, man, I really wish I could help, but it's been hard enough on my parents already. They're giving my dad a lot of grief at work because of me, and I'm pretty sure he's close to losing his-"

"Hey guys, come here! They're saying that a building blew up downtown!"

Don and Raph exchanged surprised glances and hurried into the living room, where a wide-eyed Michelangelo was inches away from the TV screen.

"In a developing story, a locally known and beloved business has gone up in flames tonight. Hamato Dojo was awash in red and orange after a massive explosion that rocked the entire street. Authorities are trying to figure out the best course of action for how to investigate this."

The scene cut to a video of the police chief outside the burning building. "We're doing everything we can to make certain that the people who did this are held responsible."

Back to the reporter, looking calm and serene behind her desk. "There were three victims caught in the fire; their identities and conditions remain unknown at this time, but they have been transported to Manhattan Hospital. And now to Christy for the weather."

"Hamato Dojo?" Donnie repeated in disbelief, switching off the TV. "Isn't that Leo's dad's place?"

"Yeah," the bully said softly, his electric green eyes glazed with shock. "I used to go there after school."

"Leo..." Mikey whispered.

A buzzing sound filled the air and they all jumped. Don sheepishly reached down to answer his phone. "Hello? Oh, hey April. Yeah. Yeah I just heard. Where are you right now? ...is he okay?" There was a pause, and Donnie's face darkened. "Crap. Okay. I'm on my way. Hang tight."

"What'd she say?" Mikey asked.

"She's at the hospital. Leo's in bad shape."

Raph crossed his arms. "And?"

The lanky teen stopped and fixed him with a glare that chilled him down to his very bones. "And we're going down there, dumbass. Now come on."

With that, Donnie turned on his heel and headed for the door, leaving the other two gaping at his retreating shell. He made it out into the hallway before they did...which gave him time to slump against the wall and try to calm his pounding heart.

He'd finally spoken up to Raphael Leroux and not gotten hurt in return.

Despite the circumstances, a tiny grin appeared on his lips and he walked down the hallway with a little bounce in his step.

A/N: Lame ending, I know. Next chapter should be better. (And yeah, Leo's hurt. How bad? Can't tell you that. I'd have to kill you. XD)

Oh, yeah. And about Don and Mike...my freckled baby will be fine, don't you worry. He's not going into any foster system anytime soon. Or ever. *glares and possessively wraps arms around Mikey*

Please review.