Okay okay I'm really sorry for how late this is! I've been very busy and well writing this chapter was extremely difficult and emotional! Your reviews as always are amazing and i appreciate your insight into what you like hearing in this story. I'm thinking I might incorporate Apritello into the next story I'm planning, I'm just having too much fun with the whole family side in April's Downfall. Please forgive me, Apritello is coming, but just not yet. You people are amazing! Thank you for your support. Might need tissues for this chapter. Waah! :)

Introducing Chapter 12...


Home is where the heart is.

Michelangelo leaned over April's face. She was lying on her back in a pile of pillows on one of the benches in the pit. He poked the tip of her nose gently in fascination. No reaction, he dared to poke her cheek, nothing. Man this girl can sleep! He thought, grinning. He started stroking her fiery orange hair, trying to remove some of the bird nest like knots, his tongue slightly poking out as he concentrated.

"Awwww it's so soft. Like a kitty" he mused, now stroking eagerly with both hands.

Donatello looked up from his laptop across the pit, hearing Michelangelo, eyeing his brother who was in a world of his own playing with April's hair. Donatello sighed, shaking his head.

"Mikey stop that."

"Why?"

"Because she's trying to sleep! What if you wake her!"

"She won't wake up, I got this dude."

Donatello placed his laptop beside him, getting to his feet, he walked over to the pair, ever conscious of the sounds that might wake April. He stared at her face, the bruise on her cheek bone was fully blossomed in blue and purple splotches. Her lip was slightly split, the lump on the side of her temple now a bit smaller, after some TLC from an icepack. Apart from her obvious injuries she actually looked like she was peacefully sleeping, cuddled into the excessive amounts of pillows that Michelangelo insisted she have. He sat down beside her feet, placing his hand protectively over her knees, the rips in her tights revealing her warm skin. He closed his eyes, letting sleep finally take him, I know she's safe now.

Michelangelo watched Donatello fall asleep, his head slowly drifting down to finally rest on April's ankles, his grip tightened unconsciously around her legs, like he was holding on for dear life. Michelangelo yawned loudly, feeling the days events suddenly catch up to him, he lay down, the top of his head just touching the top of April's. He eyes flickered, he reached up subconsciously to hold onto April's uninjured arm, just in case in she decides to go anywhere I can go with her.

Raphael leaned against the kitchen doorway, with Leonardo at his side, they watched the sleeping trio on the bench below, Michelangelo's snoring echoing throughout the Lair.

Leonardo sniggered "How she can sleep through that I will never know." He walked down to join them, removing his Katana's off his back, he placed them on the floor, then hoped up onto the bench. Lying down right beside April, he stared up to the ceiling, thinking about todays events, Karai…He shook his head, shaking off the thought. He turned his head, looking to April's injured face, cringing at the sight, he turned away, closing his eyes. I'm not sure I have it in me to forgive Karai for doing such a thing.

Raphael smiled to himself, walking over to the already full bench. He pulled up a beanbag and sat on it, he was just high enough to lay his head across April's abdomen, he could the faint rumbling coming from her stomach. His hand came up and swatted Michelangelo's head, the snoring stopping abruptly. Raphael grinned, closing his eyes, snuggling into the beanbag. I don't think April's got even the slightest chance of being kidnapped tonight somehow.


April's eyes flickered open, she searched the dark room, remembering the familiar surroundings. She felt the weight against her stomach, something holding onto her legs. Something warm beside her and someone holding her arm. She raised her head slightly, only to have a hand come to rest on her forehead, gently pushing her head back down onto the pillow. She looked up, Master Splinter stood over her, looking down at her with a smile.

"Go back to sleep, my child" he whispered.

April smiled back at him, obeying as she closed her eyes. Feeling the hand leaving her forehead and listening to the quiet footsteps slowly retreating further into the lair. She listened to the soft snores around her, her brothers shook and shivered against her with their dreams, she sighed. I'm safe now, they are safe now.


April woke with a groan. Every inch of her ached. She opened her eyes slowly, feeling warmth around her. She felt relief wash over her as the lairs bright lights illuminated her surroundings. Home.

"Guys she's awake!"

She heard the voice above her, snapping her head to look up at Donatello's face, his dark maroon eyes staring straight back at her. A bashful smile spreading across his face.

"Good morning sleepy head!"

April smiled, rubbing her eyes, trying to shake off her sleepiness, as she sat up, the pillows protecting her from the cold hard bench.

"APRIL!" Michelangelo's unmistakable voice boomed throughout the Lair, April tensed, closing her eyes tightly, preparing herself. Hearing the thundering footsteps heading towards her.

"Oh no you don't!"

"Oww Raph, Uncle! Uncle!"

April dared to peek, seeing Raphael drag Michelangelo back by the shell, pulling his arm around at an awkward angle. Michelangelo's free hand was inches away from April's fragile body. She opened her eyes, smiling at Michelangelo, poking her tongue out at him in victory.

"Oh it's on!" He giggled, lunging for her harder, fighting valiantly against Raphael's grip.

April grinned, racing off the bench, ignoring the pain from her stiff joints, she ran right past Michelangelo and Raphael, ignoring Donatello's shocked expression and ran straight into the kitchen. Her mouth dropped open as she took in the sight before her, Leonardo leaning over the oven, mixing an unidentifiable but obviously thoroughly burnt substance in a pot, the bright pink apron he was wearing was covered in black marks and holes, but it didn't hide the obvious bright color and the daisies that adorned the material. He turned around, hearing her noisy entrance. She bit into her lip, trying to hold in her laughter, tears collecting up at her eyes. April struggled to find the courageous leader she so fondly knew in this scene, she couldn't see any resemblance. She looked at his firstly shocked face, her shoulders beginning to shake. He raised an eyebrow at her, then she nodded at his apron. He looked down at himself, then back to her.

"Oh come on!"

That was it, she couldn't hold it any longer, the bottled up laughter erupted out of her, the tears streamed down her face, she fell to her knees. Feeling two hands rest on her shoulders, she looked up, still laughing, she nearly lost her breath as Leonardo stared at her with a hard gaze, his eyes narrowed. He mouthed "Shut up" at her, the smallest of smiles beginning to form on his lips. She bit into her lip again, grinning at him. Trying hard to calm herself, but her gaze dropped to the apron again, then back up to his serious 'Leader' face. She couldn't handle it, she dropped to the floor, the sharp pain from her arm hitting the floor ignored as she rolled around, laughing until there was no breath left in her body.

Leonardo took off the Apron, throwing it onto the table, he watched April roll around on the floor, shaking his head, kneeling down beside her, placing a hand gently on her cardboard splint, his own laughter beginning to join hers. Once her laughter had finally begun to subside he looked to her face, her tears made the bruises on her face shine in the light. He felt his heart sink, he waited until she caught his gaze, her eyes bright blue with joy and innocence. She has been through so much, yet she still holds her head high. Like a bridge over rough waters. He smiled at her, grabbing her from under her arms and pulling her to her feet.

"Shower then Splinter wants to see you" he said, smiling at her.

"Bad or good?"

Leonardo shrugged, he had no clue, his sensei was a master of deception but also a master of hiding his emotions. Using a numb, emotionless tone most of the time. Only putting real emotion into his voice when it was needed, which only made it more effective, more meaningful and sometimes, more shocking.

April nodded nervously at Leonardo, quickly eyeing the discarded apron on the table, she looked at him, a coy grin spreading across her face.

"You know" she giggled, "I really think pinks your color" she turned around, racing out of the kitchen before Leonardo had time to react, passing through the dark doorway curtains she was met by Michelangelo's waiting arms, he wrapped them around her in a tight hug, which at first was sweet and comforting, but in Michelangelo's excitement he began to squeeze.

"Mikey" she gasped, "I can't breath"

The pointed tip of Raphael's Sai came up against Michelangelo's throat.

"Let go of the girl."

Michelangelo's eyes widened as he released April, the Sai immediately flying away sheathed back in Raphael's leather belt. Raphael chuckled at his brothers shocked expression, crossing his arms over his chest he walked away, his job done.

Michelangelo looked back to April, she grinned at him, whispering "It's okay Mikey. Don't worry, we'll get him back." She winked at him, walking away, grabbing a few of her messily stacked clothes off one of the benches in the pit. She headed straight for the bathroom.

"I heard that!" She heard Raphael yell from the pit.

"Ninja senses?" She yelled back.

"No, you're just really bad at whispering."

She grinned, opening the door to the bathroom then slowly closing it behind her. Rubbing her hands together, "Revenge will be sweet" she whispered.

She wrapped a discarded plastic bag around her splinted arm, protecting it from the water. Turning the taps of the shower on she stepped in, peeling her clothes off as the mud and blood washed away into the drain. She closed her eyes, letting the water wash over her face, making the cut on her forehead sting. If only it could wash away memories. She shivered under the hot water. The past few days events came rushing back to her, she'd been subconsciously holding back this moment all morning, she didn't want the Turtles to see her in such a state, she was afraid that they would think of her as weak. She looked down at her arms, bruises covered them, she scrubbed at them instinctively, hoping to wash them away, hoping for a fresh start, a clean break. But they stayed on her skin. Unmoving and aching.

April sat down, her head in her hands, she sobbed quietly to herself, letting all her bottled up emotions emerge in her heart as they threatened to tear her up from the inside out. Her tears quickly washed away by the hot steamy water.

"Dad" she whimpered. She had been longing for his comfort all through her ordeal, to pull her to safety like fathers do, to hold her steady and be there for her, no matter what. But he was gone, taken from her in some sort of cruel twist of fate. She had lost a part of her family but through that she had gained a new one, the Turtles, they were now the ones that kept her safe and held her together. She brushed her tears away angrily, I will not let this break me. I won't let Karai break me. I will get him back. I will get my revenge. She kept repeating this to herself, over and over in her head until she started to believe it, until the tears finally subsided. Picking herself up she turned off the shower, stepping out, she grabbed a towel, letting the softness soak up the dripping remnants of her emotions and wrap her in comfort. She sighed. Now for the next challenge she thought, groaning, time to face the mirror.

The mirror on the cabinet above the sink was small. Michelangelo's stickers of his favorite comic and cartoons adorned its sides, she leaned into its view, nervous. She gasped at the sight, it was worse than she thought, her fingers traced the bruising on her cheek, then to the cut on her head. She grimaced, gripping the sink, letting the image settle in her mind. I will not let this break me. She turned away, drying herself off and quickly putting on a yellow tank top and some baggy pajama pants. She brushed her hair, wincing with the fight she had to put up against every knot that seemed to tear half her hair out. She brushed her teeth, then removed the plastic bag off her arm, revealing the dry cardboard underneath. April looked back up to the mirror, hoping for something recognizable. A voice interrupted her thoughts.

"April? You okay?"

A soft knock at the door, the quiet whispered voice on the other side full of hushed concern. April smiled, Donatello.

"It's okay Donnie, you can come in."

The door opened slowly, Donatello's head poking through it shyly, he blushed at her for a moment, she watched as his gaze fell down onto her body, eyeing her bruises on her arms and chest. His lips set into a tight line, his face seemed to darken.

"Redheads bruise easily, I'm okay." April comforted him, sensing his alarm immediately. Watching his eyes return to her face, she knew he didn't buy her excuse.

Donatello opened the door fully, stepping towards her, he wrapped her into his arms, lifting her up off her feet as gently as he could.

"Its okay, I'm okay!" April insisted, returning Donatello's gesture as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and tucked her head up against his neck.

The pair stayed like this for a long moment. April breathed a relieved sigh, the familiar arms that had caught her from falling so many times before held her together now just when she needed them to, they keep her safe, they always catch her just as she starts to fall. She leaned up, looking to Donatello's face. He opened his eyes, sensing her gaze. She placed a hand on his cheek, "I'm okay Donnie, really."

Donatello nodded hesitantly at her, setting her back on her feet, taking her uninjured hand in his, he lead her out of the bathroom and into the pit. He squeezed her hand gently, wanting to know that she was still there by his side, that she was safe, because looking at her now she seemed like a different person, bruised and battered on the outside, hurt and wounded on the inside. He felt her squeeze back. He smiled, She's still there.

April walked shyly up against Donatello as they walked through the pit, trying to hide her body from the three pairs of eyes staring straight at it. She shivered, watching Raphael's green eyes burn with a sudden fury, he stood up, walking off to his room. Leonardo stood at the top of the stairs leading into the Dojo, with Michelangelo at his side. Michelangelo stared at April, his face resembling that of a kicked puppy. She smiled at him, trying to hide her nervousness at the brothers reactions. She looked to Leonardo hesitantly, his face blank as he watched her climb the stairs towards him.

Reaching the top she let go of Donatello's hand hesitantly, walking into the Dojo, the doors closing behind her. She searched the room for Splinter, no luck, the Dojo was dead silent and empty. April kneeled diligently on the worn carpet, knowing that he would reveal himself when he felt the time was right.


Master Splinter watched April intently from the dark depths of his room, he stepped out, letting the light reveal himself, walking towards April, she stared at him in shock, her emotions written all over her face, fear, anxiety and worry.

Splinter reminisced, coming to a standstill right in front of April, thinking back to his last encounter with the young girl. His sons clung to her in the their dream filled sleep, he had watched as she slept peacefully alongside them and for a moment Splinter had sworn he could see his entire family there in front of him, the shadows of his wife and daughter beside these sleeping figures, all together, all happy in each others unconscious company. He had shook off the image, feeling his heart ache with the realization that it couldn't be real.

He watched April carefully, weighing up his options. Although she was dear to him, almost like a daughter. His trust in her had been severed. Her idiotic decision to leave the lair, without his knowledge, to go to the surface had resulted in his sons being endangered and almost killed. He had known from the very moment she had tried to attack him that it wasn't her severe head injury that fueled the unprovoked attack. He had watched the battle rage within her as the shadows of something sinister danced in her eyes. He had known that she was being controlled by something or someone. When Leonardo had informed him of Karai's involvement Splinter couldn't say he was surprised, but it didn't excuse April's behavior. It was April's choice that put herself and his sons in danger, but knowing that Splinter knew he had to acknowledge that April fought valiantly against the mind control and had saved Leonardo's life with not a second to spare.

Splinter stroked his long beard tentatively, finally settling on a decision to decide April's fate.

"April, I cannot express enough my gratitude and admiration for saving Leonardo's life. He no doubt owes you his life. However this one act of heroism, does not excuse what you have done over the past few days. I understand that some of the events were not to your intention as you were being mind controlled. But through your decision to leave the safety of the lair, you alone had sealed the fate of these events. You had ignored my strict advice to not return to the surface. You had ignored the safety that this family willingly provides you."

He watched the tears well up in April's eyes as she looked down at her knees, avoiding his gaze. He felt his heart ache. He had long known that his words would hit April at the core, but it didn't make saying them any easier. He sighed, his hands retreating behind his back, clasping together tightly.

"I will warn you Miss O'Neil that if you choose to disregard my advice again and put my family in danger, I will have no choice but to refuse your welcome here in our home. I do not make the rules to be annoying or to disrespect you. I make the rules to keep you safe so your father has a daughter to come back to. My child, you must understand that the choices you make will affect others, like dropping a stone into a still pond of water, the ripples will spread and eventually hit something." Splinter placed his hand under her chin, pulling her face up towards him, he whispered comfortingly "you are becoming as much family to my sons as you are a daughter to me. Please keep my family safe, as well as yourself. For I fear now we would be lost without you."

Her tears dripped off her chin onto his hand, she looked at him, her eyes apologized before her spoken words. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Master Splinter's ears twitched, the power behind her words sent shivers up his spine. He opened his arms to the sobbing girl before him, she hugged him immediately. His unspoken forgiveness unmistakable in the rare gesture and he knew April felt honored by it.