I'm Baaack! Okay, so it has been a long, long time since I last updated, so hopefully everyone still remembers what is going on. Since it has been a while since I posted, I hope this chapter suits everyone.

"I am never going to get used to traveling that way," a familiar, gruff voice grumbled. April's eyes went wide at the appearance of the four older, visibly scarred turtles. The others had told her and Casey the story of these four, but that was very different from seeing them in person. From Leonardo's dark glasses, covering his all but sightless eyes, to Raphael's single eye, and Michelangelo's missing arm, the entire family had been touched in some way by the events that had, ultimately, destroyed their world. Even Don, who was not as physically marked as his brothers, had his own collection of scars as well.

"Well, if it isn't Captain Kirk and crew," Raphael drawled. "Who invited you miscreants to visit?"

"Leo," the four turtles answered simultaneously.

"Speaking of which, where is he," Mike asked as he looked around the Lair, a slightly dazed look on his face.

The younger turtles looked at one another, and April swallowed loudly before Donny said, "You might want to take a seat. We have quite the story to tell you."

TMNT TMNT TMNT

Half an hour later the four older turtles were sitting in stunned silence, the sleeping Leo nestled securely in the older Raphael's arms, while Don held Gabby, and April nursed Lexi, a blanket slung over her shoulder to cover the feeding infant for modesty's sake.

"It's a little hard to wrap your mind around, isn't it," the senior Leonardo finally said. "I mean, if I didn't have the proof right here in front of me, I would have a hard time believing it."

Tense silence settled over the group once more, until Mike finally grew tired of it. Turning to Don he said, in a stage whisper, "Hey Don, why didn't you ever think of turning Leonardo into a baby? He'd have gotten into a lot less trouble."

Everyone snorted or chuckled at that, even as Mike's one-eyed older brother shot back, "We already had you, kid. What would we want another rug-rat around for?"

Raphael was saved from his brother's retribution only because he had Leo in his arms; a fact he was quite cognizant of. That didn't save him, or Mike for that matter, from getting smacked across the back of the head from their oldest brother, however.

"Behave, you two," Leonardo demanded. "You're setting a bad example for your nieces."

"I'd protest on Leo's behalf," Mikey added, "but I don't think, even as little as he is, that he could be corrupted."

The senior Raphael readjusted his hold on Leo, and then he looked up at the younger turtles. "So," he said, "what do you plan on doing? This can't be easy for any of you. Come on, you've got two babies to care for, and one of them just so happens to be your older brother."

"For now we're getting along as best we can," Donatello replied. "Master Frodo is trying to determine just what was done to Leo, but his feeling is that Leo was truly turned into an infant, complete with an infant's mind and mentality."

At that the Brats both snorted in derisive disbelief.

"You don't believe it," Don asked the pair.

"This is Leo we're talking about," Michelangelo responded. "He's, like, Captain 'It-Shouldn't-Be-Possible-In-A-Kazillion-Years-But-He-Does-It-Anyway.' I mean, dude, turns into a humongous dragon. No way does something like this keep him down. Leo's in there somewhere; we just have to find him."

"Which is why Michelangelo and I have taken over as Leo's primary caregivers," his twin added. "Leo may be a baby, but he still has his telepathic and empathic abilities. He doesn't need to be soaking up the others' negativity all the time."

"Well, add me to Leo's duty roster," the older Raphael said. "Not that I would be happy to help out with Gabby, but there's just something special about this little guy, and as long as we're here he's going to have one more 'big brother to help take care of him."

The other three senior turtles were quick to second their one-eyed brother in volunteering for baby duty. As Don said, "We have a lot we owe Leo for. If we can start paying him back a little this way, then we're doubly happy to be doing it."

"For as long as you are here we're happy to have your help, but that begs the question," Donny said. "How long are you guys going to be here?"

"As long as it takes you genius types to do your thing," Mike replied. "If you recall, you told us you had some ideas about how you might be able to help with our…disabilities."

Immediately both Geek twins lit up and Donatello looked excitedly at April. "You know those genetic and biotronic experiments we've been working on? Think they're about ready for a live trial?"

This time April's face lit up as well, and she and her two terrapin counterparts launched into a deeply technical discussion that only Don seemed capable of following.

"Bros, chill a minute," Raph interrupted abruptly. "I know this gives you techno-geeks a big happy, but there is one little detail I think these old-timers need to deal with before you get too involved: Splinter."

"Oh," Raphael, Leonardo, and Don said.

"I don't get it," Mike said, his face showing his confusion.

"Ours is dead; theirs isn't," Leonardo said, demonstrating that he was following the younger turtle's line of thought. He looked at Raph. "You want to be certain, and rightfully so, that we, and he, are not… distressed."

"So what do you suggest," Mike asked.

"Have I not taught you the most direct course is most often the best, my son?"

The familiar, and oh-so-missed voice had the four oldest turtles almost giving themselves whiplash as they whirled around to look at the unforeseen speaker. For a long moment no one spoke until, trembling slightly, Leonardo got to his feet.

"Sensei," he asked softly, hoarsely. "Father?"

Acting on instinct, Splinter opened his arms to receive this scarred version of his beloved eldest. With a cry, the nearly blind turtle launched himself into his father's arms. He was quickly joined by Mike and, after hand off Gabby and Leo to Donny and Casey, respectively, Don and Raphael as well.

Collecting the group of highly emotional turtles to him, Splinter quietly led them into the dojo. There would be time later for correcting their physical wounds. For tonight he would do what he could to see to these sons' emotional hurts.