A/N: Finally, they're making some progress. Go Donny! The poor guy. Maybe finding a clue to his brothers will help make up for the embarrassment I put him through in this chap. Sorry, Don, I couldn't resist. You're so cute when you're blushing. ;)

Donny: Grrrr!

Mikell: EEEP! *runs away*

Chapter 21 -Out of the Frying Pan-
~~~

Raphael stood guard at the door, his muscles tense as violin strings, while Splinter searched Karai's quarters. Soon the rat came to the door, carrying a bundle wrapped in a silk cloth.

"Come," he said simply.

Raph breathed a sigh of relief. Finally. I wouldn't o' wanted ta leave wit'out Leo's katanas and Mike's 'chucks, either, but dis is nuts. If Karai comes and finds us here, we'll hafta fight our way out.

This time Splinter took the lead as they hurried through the confusing maze of corridors. They slipped through the final door. Both jumped as a klaxon sounded. A red light above the door began flashing.

Splinter looked over his shoulder at his son. "Run." he said tersely.

Raph growled, his hands on his sais, itching for a fight, but the look in Splinter's eyes compelled obedience.

The two figures disappeared down the alley as a horde of Foot soldiers poured out of the building, just missing cutting off their quarry. Raph and Splinter streaked down the street, no longer caring for secrecy. They were running for their very lives.

They cut through Central park, losing most of the Foot amongst the trees. Finally, Splinter veered to the left, heading for an alley. Raph followed, pausing only to send a shurikin singing through the air toward their pursuers. He was rewarded with a high shriek. He smirked as he followed Splinter into the safety of the sewers.

***

Donatello's fingers hummed over the keys. Austin watched him from the bed, fascinated. He was searching the 'net for any signs of someone who might be in the market for a giant, mutated turtle. Austin's information, that Karai meant to sell Leonardo and Mikey, had Don's mind spinning. As usual, he couldn't sit and do nothing, so he was doing what he did best, research.

"There, what's that?" Austin pointed as a screen flashed by. Don paused, and hit the "back" button.

"Oh, shell."

"It looks like some low-budget circus…" Austin muttered, glaring at the screen.

"And tomorrow's…" Donatello glanced at the clock in the corner of his screen and corrected himself, "Today's show is sold out. Oh no. Oh shell, no. If Karai sold Mikey or Leo to this guy…"

"It looks as though she has," said Austin softly, staring at the horrible picture on the screen. It was a giant, stylized turtle, with fangs and a wild, feral look.

Come and see the vicious Turtle-Man, screamed the print.

"Oh, no…" Tears stung Austin's eyes. She half-rose.

Hearing the rustle of the blanket as she struggled to get up, Donatello turned in his chair. "Austin, what are you doing?" His voice rose with alarm.

"I've got to go… Got to go to him. I can't leave him there… In a cage like an animal." Tears were sliding down Austin's face.

"Austin, you don't know it's Michelangelo. Don't… You can't get up yet. You'll only hurt yourself. Austin! I'll restrain you if I have to, but you are not getting out of this bed!" Donatello's brown eyes snapped with determination.

Austin stared up at him. "Let me up," she said, pushing at his hands. He pressed her firmly down against the mattress.

"You can't, Austin. You're hurt. You've got to be still. We'll go. We'll bring him back. Stop fighting me!"

"Donatello!" Splinter's voice snapped through the room.

Don glanced over his shoulder. His eyes snapped back to Austin, who was glaring at him, her chest heaving with exertion and anger. Her nearly uncovered chest. The blanket had slipped down, revealing an almost-indecent expanse of silky skin below her shoulder. Donatello jerked back as if he'd been burnt, his cheeks flaming. He averted his eyes so quickly he nearly dislocated a vertebra in his neck.

"Sensei! It's… it's not what it looks like…" he stuttered, feeling sick to his stomach. "I was just…"

"He wasn't hurting me," said Austin quietly.

Don dared a quick glance in her direction. Much to his relief, she'd re-adjusted the bedding.

"Sir, we've found… we think we've found… one of them."

"Donatello? You have found your brothers?"

Don cleared his throat, regaining at least a little of his composure. "We think so, Sensei. At least one of them."

"What? You found Leo an' Mikey?" Raph came into the lab, staring at Don as if he'd offered him a drink in the desert. "Please tell me ya got good news, Donny."

"Wait, you didn't find them at the Tower?" asked Donatello. He sank down in his chair, feeling cold.

"No. They were not there," said Splinter softly. "We were able to retrieve their weapons from Karai's quarters, but your brothers have been moved to another location."

"Well, we may have found one of them," said Donatello. He turned the monitor so the others could see. "It's a small circus. They're putting on a show in Central Park this afternoon."

Splinter hissed as if with pain. "My sons…"

"We'll get 'im out, Sensei," growled Raphael, fingering his sai. "I'll get Casey, an' we'll go down there an' bust 'im out."

"Very well." Splinter turned to Raphael. "But first you must rest, and allow Donatello to examine your injured leg. No doubt the Foot are still searching the streets for us. It will be best to wait a few hours before venturing forth again."

"But Master!"

"Raphael. Tonight you exhibited great courage and strength. You will rescue your brothers, of this I have no doubt." Splinter touched his son's arm. "But now you must rest. Patience is also a strength, my son."

"Yes, Sensei," said Raph finally. He turned away and stalked to his room.

Splinter sighed.

"Was there any sign of them, Sensei? Any other clues to tell us whether or not they're injured?" asked Don.

"No," said Splinter sadly. "You have done well, Donatello. If you had not found this advertisement, we might never have found your brothers."

"We haven't found them yet, Splinter," said Don quietly. A whimper made him turn. Austin was covering her face with her hands. Her shoulders shook.

"Miss Abramson?" Splinter came close to the bed and touched the woman's arm. She flinched, but didn't pull away.

"I can't bear it," she sobbed. "The thought of him being held in a cage, shown to people like some… some exhibit…"

"Do not worry, Miss Abramson," said Splinter softly. "Raphael will retrieve his brother."

"I hope so," she said, gathering her composure with an effort.

"You must rest now," said Splinter. "You should sleep as well, Donatello. Perhaps you should contact April in the morning. She could bring some suitable clothes for Miss Abramson."

Austin blushed painfully, the sunrise in her cheeks contrasting neatly with the green-tinged red creeping up Don's face.

"I'll do that, Sensei," muttered Donatello. "G'night, Austin." He didn't look at her as he hurried from the lab.

"Good night," she whispered.

Austin didn't see the twinkle in the old rat's eye until she heard him chuckle. She looked up at him questioningly.

"Rarely have I seen my son so eager to retire to his room," said Splinter gently.

Austin stared, then a giggle escaped her.

"Oh, poor Don," she whispered, blushing.

Splinter smiled, and touched her hand in a gesture of understanding.

"Good night, Miss Abramson."

Austin lay back with a sigh. "Good night, Sir."

***

Raphael managed to sleep for the rest of the night, which wasn't long. He woke with a start, feeling as though more time had passed… too much time.

Shell! I shouldn'ta gone ta sleep! What if I'm too late? What if my bro's bein' shown to a crowd o' humans right now? He swung out of the hammock, landing on the floor with a thump.

He dashed to the kitchen, and found Donatello sitting at the table with what was obviously his first cup of coffee for the day by the way he was staring blearily into the depths of the black liquid.

"What time is it, Don?" asked Raph in a rush.

"Not quite seven."

"When's dat show start?"

"I… don't know. There wasn't a show time."

"Shell, we gotta get over there 'fore it gets any lighter out. I knew I shoulda gone last night!"

"Oh sure, while the park was crawling with Foot soldiers? Raph, you're better off going in full daylight than you would've been last night."

"I can't stand it, Donny. Leo or Mike bein' kept in a cage…"

"I know, Raph," said Donatello standing up and limping to his brother's side. "Come on, let's go."

"Wait a minute. Yer not comin'."

"Like shell I'm not!"

"Don, ya can hardly walk on dat busted foot. Yer not comin'!"

"Raph, you can't go alone."

"I'm takin' Casey wit' me."

"Raph…"

"Don, yer not comin'. Besides, ya gotta stay here an' keep an eye on dat Austin chick. Ya can't leave her alone here wit' Sensei. What if she takes off again?"

"She's not in any kind of shape to go anywhere, Raph." Donatello glared at his brother.

"She managed before." Raphael crossed his arms over his plastron.

Don snorted and picked up his mug, heading for the pot to pour another cup. He stumbled with a yelp as he tried to put weight on his injured foot.

"Yer not goin', Don," said Raph, a little less gruffly. "Ya'd only slow us down, an' you know it."

"All right," snapped Donatello, scowling. He limped back to his chair, sinking down with a sigh. "Just… be careful, Raph," he said so softly Raphael barely heard him.

"Don't worry, Don," said Raph. "Casey'll be wit' me."

"That's what worries me."