Greetings my dubious peons! I dare say it's been quite some time since my last upload. But worry not, dear readers, I still love you, and hopefully you still love me. You should enjoy this next chapter, and the chapter following this is well on its way to being finished.

Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT or any of its characters in similar related content. I only own Sarah, her family, and Lyonell.

Enjoy!

Sarah's POV

I think... am I... dead?

You're not, don't worry.

I'm not? But that bullet, it was such a close shot... I should be dead.

Wait.

Xander?

Yeah sis... it's me.

But how?

I dunno. It seems I can communicate with you when you're unconcious.

Woah... that's... that's really cool. Wait, how do I know you're not a figment of my imagination brought on by significant blood loss?

Hmm, not sure.

Well... I suppose I could be okay with you being a figment. Have I gone crazy? Your voice is pretty convincing for a figment.

Isn't it? The first time, I thought I was having a crazy dream, and I could barely speak to you.

It was when I was dreaming wasn't it? You mean, this is real?

That would explain it... you've always had pretty weird dreams...

Well yeah but... hey!

Just kidding.

Anyway... now you can do it better!

Yep.

But Xander... where are you?

I can't tell you that.

What did... what'd Stockman do to you?

Can't tell you that either.

WHAT? Why not?

I... I just can't...

But... why?

It'd be too... it'd be... I just... I can't Sarah. It's not safe.

Xander, he turned me into a man for Christ's sake!

Well... mostly...

Yeah mostly, but you get it right? And besides, me seeing whatever he did to you couldn't possibly be worse than me never seeing you again!

...

I swear I'll find you! I promise!

You're hurt sis, you've gotta heal up.

But Xander I-

No 'buts' sis! You know how I worry for you. Right now, I can sense that you've been wounded very badly.

Tch, no kidding... you'll never guess who did it either...

Who?

Lyonell.

WHAT? Th-the hell was that idiot thinking? I know you don't look like yourself, but jeez, you're still you!

He didn't shoot at me, persay, he shot at one of my new friends.

Friends? What friends? You don't have any friends.

Oh thanks. It's those turtles, and the people we were supposed to be cloned after. I found them.

Are they... are they treating you... well? Are you okay with them? Are they trusta-

Xander, one of these guys already saved my life! No doubt that the others are trying to do the same right now.

Huh... well, at any rate, if that's how they truly are... I mean, if you say so... then I approve.

Glad you do big bro' cause it just so happens one of them and I have been... for lack of a better term, "crushing" on each other.

... You're kidding.

Nope.

Which one?

Raphael, the one with the Sais and the red mask. You remember his picture, right?

Oh! Ohh... so it's him... well, as long as he teats you well, I suppose I can accept him.

And you don't mind that he's a mutant turtle?

Why should I? You like the guy, right? So who am I to interfere? Besides, it's not about what he is to others; it's what he is to you.

And that, dear brother, is why I love you.

Yes, dear sister, I know. Heh heh...

Hey Xander?

...

Xander?

My strength is fading sis. I can't talk for much longer.

Wait! When will you tell me where you are? Please Xander, please, I can't stand not knowing where you are or how you're doing. I'll come to get you. I promise I will...

... Sarah...

Xander wait!

Be safe little sis...

Wait!

Don't forget...

Don't go!

... I'll always love you, no matter what happens.

Big brother... don't go...

My eyes snapped open and I gazed around the room, slightly disoriented.

I moaned in discomfort.

"Sarah?" Mikey said hesitantly, "You awake?"

"Mmm hmm." I grunted weakly.

"Raph, guys, she's awake! She's finally awake!" he said.

I winced, "Mikey... could'ya not yell s-so loudly? It h-hurts my ears."

"Sorry." he whispered, "I'm just glad you're awake."

Suddenly Raph was by my side, peering anxiously at my face. "Sarah?" he said, "You okay?"

I chuckled, and then I coughed, "I'll live... right Donnie?"

He was also there, and he nodded, smiling a little.

I could see Raph barely restraining the impulse to hug me, and I smiled, taking his hand.

"I talked to Xander while I was out." I said.

"You... you did?" Mikey asked, "How?"

I shrugged, but then a sharp pain ripped through my shoulder and I gave a sharp yelp.

"Whoa, you okay Sarah?" Casey said from somewhere else in the room.

I grunted in a piteous manner.

"Sorry I asked." he mumbled.

"Anyway," I said, slowly regaining my breath, "He told me that he had the ability to speak with me while I was unconscious. Don't ask me how though. The first time was when I had that dream last night."

"Did he... did he tell you where he was?" Lyonell asked, his voice shaking.

I shook my head and felt the sting of tears welling up, "He said he didn't want me to see him. He wouldn't tell me anything!"

I let out a short sob and felt helpless, laying here in the floor of my former home. I wanted to see my brother so badly it hurt. It hurt my heart and it hurt my soul.

I missed him so much.

"It couldn't possibly be that... horrible... could it?" Leonardo said.

"With Stockman at the source of all dis, I know I wouldn't be surprised." Raph said with a growl.

Oh thanks Raph.

I struggled to sit up, and almost fell, when he and Mikey helped me up.

"Thanks." I said.

Slowly, carefully, I embraced Raph and smiled at the feel of his muscles uncoiling and relaxing.

He really was worried.

"What're you guys gonna do for the night?" Casey asked.

Raph released me carefully and then shrugged, "I dunno, but whatever we do, we're gonna hafta be careful 'round Sarah. Little more than a slight jarring could set her shoulda bleedin' again."

The others nodded and Lyonell came over.

"You guys are staying here for the night. At least until Sarah heals up enough to go back to... well, your guys' place I guess." he said in a rush.

Raph looked at Lyonell darkly, "Sure ya won't shoot at us again?"

Lyonell looked taken aback, "I-I'm... I'm sorry. It's just, I've kept some of the things Sarah and her family owned, for sentimental reasons, and well, a few nights back there was a burglary. Ever since, I've been on edge."

"No kidding dude." Mikey snorted.

"What'd they take?" I asked immediately.

"They took your brother's guitar... along with some clothes... and a necklace, I think. A bit of my money too." he said, brows furrowing.

"That's it?" Casey said.

"What? They took his-" I couldn't even finish my sentence; my blood was practically set on fire at this injustice.

I growled low, "Bastards! Those... those damn bastards!"

Raph looked a little shocked at my sudden outburst, but then he smiled.

Probly the cursing.

"Why'd they have to take that... his guitar... anything but that..." I moaned, letting out a frustrated sob.

Raph took me back in his arms and held me. "We'll find it Sarah. We'll find it and your brotheh, don't worry..."

I rolled my eyes. In spite of Raph's kind and reassuring words... I knew we'd never see that guitar again. The countless criminals that could've taken it... the city was just too big.

"Hey Sarah... did you hear the rest of what I said?" Lyonell asked quietly.

I nodded against Raph's shoulder, not really paying attention. I was just so sad that someone would want to take Xander's guitar. It was a rare guitar made of a sandalwood and cherrywood mix with a varnish that gave it such a beautiful shine ... but then... I really did remember what he said.

"And a necklace, I think."

"Dammit." I muttered, "That necklace."

"What is it?" Donnie asked me.

I sighed, and felt a few tears rolling down my cheeks, "It's just a simple silver chain, but on it is a locket... and... in it, there's a picture of my family."

Wiping them away, I said, "I don't ever remember taking it off... but somehow... I must've lost it in the struggle."

Casey tapped Lyonell on the shoulder, "Mind if I use your phone? April's gonna be pissed if I don't call her."

He nodded, "Another friend of yours? Fine then, it's in the kitchen."

My head began to get light, and I closed my eyes against the growing pain that now throbbed in my forehead.

"Ugh..." I muttered, "Suddenly... I don't feel so good."

I swayed a bit, and Raph's grip tightened on me.

"Since we obviously can't take her to a hospital, she's going to have to be on as many painkillers as possible. But first, we have to get her to a suitable bed. She can't stay here on the floor." Lyonell said, placing his hands on his hips.

Donnie nodded, "Yes... that would be most wise. Raph, you'd better take her."

Raph nodded to his brother, and in turn, picked me up.

"I hate being carried." I pouted.

"Well I ain't letting ya walk, it that's what yer gettin' at." Raph said, a smile on the edge of his lips.

They took me into my old room, set me down in the bed that was still mine, but... the covers were different.

New.

I sighed, relaxing at last. The bed was such a comfort, like I'd only been gone a day.

A single day in which my family had been torn apart, my body genetically altered, my meeting of the Turtles, Splinter-san, Casey and April, and my falling for one of the said Turtles.

And his falling for with me.

Wow... hard to believe that it all felt like so short a time.

Lyonell came in and sat on the edge of the bed.

After a moment, he said, "I told the neighbors that I was shooting at a burglar so they wouldn't call the police. I'll be filing a report in the morning, so if I'm not back by the time you wake up tomorrow... that'll be why."

"Lyonell..." I started, "Despite their appearances, these guys are good people. Even Casey."

He looked confused, so I said, "The one I look like. The... "thug"?"

I then proceeded to tell him everything. Well... mostly everything. The whole me-kissing-Raph-and-me-really-really-liking-it I left out. All the while he didn't ask me one thing... he just sat there and stared at me with something akin to pity.

I hate pity. It makes me feel like crap. And I hate feeling like crap. It's crappy.

He sat for about five minutes, still not saying anything. He just sat and digested the information.

Funny thing about Llyonell, even a mentally retarded three-year old could always tell when he was about to bring up something stupid. And I could tell by the look on his face that he was about to do just that.

"You and... Raph, was it? You two seem... friendly." he said with a bit of difficulty.

See what I mean?

I stared at him darkly, "We are. What of it?"

He looked sheepish, "Well... it's just... it's like you guys don't even care about how different you are."

"Should we?" I asked, "Should we really? It's not like I'm going outright and professing it to the general public, but I also don't care if anyone disapproves. I'm not embarrassed of Raphael, and I never will be."

"But you're... it's just... it's not natural." he said, looking pained.

My anger flared, and I strained in my weakened state to sit up and bark at him, "You think I care Lyonell? You honestly think I care? He's the first guy, human or not, to ever feel anything for me! My brothers are a given for affections, but it's not what Raph feels. What he makes me feel! It's different, yes, and I don't care if it's as different as... as... as cats and dogs!"

He said nothing.

I slumped back and inhaled deeply, "Besides... he likes me for the way I am, not the way I look. If he did like me for my looks, I think he'd have gotten together with Casey already."

I snorted at the thought, though it was a little weird.

He scoffed, "And do you think... do you think Xander would approve?"

"I know he would Lyonell." I said, pulling the covers closer, "I know he would."

He left me then, more'n likely cross, but hey, who needs the guy?

Raph's POV

I listened quietly outside Sarah's bedroom door, focused on their conversation.

Well... I did, as did everyone else.

Casey'd finished tellin' April about the situation, and left for her apartment about ten minutes ago.

If only he'd stayed, he woulda heard this little speech.

It made me smile with mad pride, and how!

Lyonell was an idiot for thinkin he could guilt Sarah into being ashamed. He'd never get Sarah and I teh split.

Total idiot.

"Dude, Sarah is so awesome." Mikey said with quiet, squeaky-voiced awe in his voice.

I nodded silently, straining to her the last of her words.

"I know he would Lyonell." she said quietly, "I know he would."

We scattered as soon as we heard him getting closer to the door, and acted natural.

Though it was kinda hard for all of us not to laugh, or even crack a smile. To think, a human, tellin another human off, and for us!

Well, more specifically for me, but still.

The guy stalked off in a huff, headin' into another room an' slamming the door.

"Go talk to her Raph." Leo said, "I think she could use that right now."

I nodded to him and slipped inside the room.

I closed the door quietly, but Sarah still said, "If that's you Lyonell, you can kiss my temporarily disabled ass. Go away!"

I shook my head and noted how the angrier she got, the worse she cursed.

I chuckled, and she gave a start, "Oh! Raph, it's just you. Thank God."

I smiled and sat down next to her on the bed, "I heard what ya said Sarah."

She looked away and blushed a deep crimson.

I kissed her cheek and said, "Ya defended me and my brothehs girl, and right now, I'm so proud."

She turned to face me, a brow raised.

"Well, not of you." I said, "Well, yeah, I mean, I'm proud of you, but mostly I'm proud of finding such a great woman like you."

She giggled a little and I kissed her again, smiling all the while.

When I pulled away, I said, "Ya really scared me there... I... I thought you were gonna-

She placed a finger on my beak.

"I would never die on my friends, and I would never die on you Raphael." she said firmly, "I promise."

She smiled and sighed, "Right now though, I'm hella tired, so I suppose I'm gonna sleep like the dead."

She chuckled at that as I stood. Flashing one last smirk her way, and givin' her a peck on the forehead, I muttered, "G'night Sarah."

Then, I walked out the door, flopped onto the couch next to Mikey, and went teh sleep.

Ha HA! Take THAT you nasty little bastard you! Erm, uh, I mean, you shouldn't be so judgmental of people Lyonell... bastard.

PLEASE R & R, if you would be so kind. Thankee sai.