A/N: Itoshii means "dearest" or "beloved".
Ani means "(big) brother".

Chapter 25 -Believe-
~~~

Sierra was jolted awake by terse voices rising and falling, first quietly speaking upstairs, then rising as the speakers moved to the lower floor of the farm-house.

"Mike, you can't come." Beverly's voice was firm, with the determination of someone tiring of an argument. "It's not safe. It's best if I go alone with her."

"Bev, you know we can't let you two go by yourselves…" Donatello broke in.

"Don, we've been over this," insisted Beverly, her tone sharp. "You guys can't go back to the city. Austin and I will be inconspicuous. We can get to LH more easily alone."

"Bev…"

"Don, ani, stop." Austin's voice was very quiet, but easily carried over the others. "Beverly is right."

"Austin…"

"Donatello. Michelangelo. Enough."

Sierra turned to look over the back of the couch at the little group coming down the stairs. Splinter stood at the base, watching the others descend. Both hands were on his walking stick, planted on the floor in front of him.

"Father," Donatello began.

Splinter's tail moved across the floor. "No, my son. Beverly is right. This plan is the safest. There is no need for all of us to return to the city."

"At least let me go," pleaded Michelangelo. "Austin needs me."

"Mikey, I'll be fine," said Austin quietly. Sierra saw her take the orange-banded turtle's hands in her own. "I'd only be worrying about you if you came with us. Please. I'll be all right. We'll be all right."

Michelangelo's arms went around the woman's waist. He nuzzled her hair, whispering something Sierra couldn't make out. Tears slid down his cheeks, splashing on his wife.

"It'll be all right, itoshii. We will be all right," said Austin softly. She lifted her head, pressing her lips against his face. "I love you."

"I love you too, Princess," said Michelangelo huskily.

Beverly took Austin's arm, and Michelangelo released her reluctantly. Sierra watched as he disappeared into the kitchen. She heard the back door slam.

"Donatello," said Splinter quietly.

"Hai, Sensei," replied Donatello immediately. "I'll go after him."

"Sensei, are you sure one of us shouldn't go with the girls?" asked Leonardo.

"Yes, Leonardo. They should leave as soon as possible," replied Splinter. "There is no more time for discussion, my son. This is a time for action."

"Wait. I'll go with them." Marjory Spencer bustled into the room. A small bag was tucked under her arm. "Leonardo, Splinter. Don't worry. Austin will be fine. I'll drive, so that Beverly can tend to her."

"Are you sure, Mrs. Spencer?" asked Leonardo quietly. "They're going back underground, to Leatherhead."

"I know," said Marjory. "Don't worry, Leonardo. I won't be in the way."

"It's really up to Bev," said Leonardo uncertainly.

"It's the Spencer's van," replied Beverly, glancing over her shoulder from half-way to the door. "Marjory's more familiar with it than I am. And I'll appreciate the second set of hands. Let's go, Marjory."

The two women hurried Austin out the front door. Gene, Splinter and Leonardo followed them out. Soon Sierra heard the sound of the Spencer's van driving away.

They didn't leave me here alone, did they? But Gene didn't say he was going, just Marjory… Sierra fought down the panic that rose in her chest. I'm with friends. Leonardo and his brothers have been nothing but kind. I'll be fine with them, even if Gene has gone back to the city.

Despite her brave self-talk, Sierra was relieved when Gene Spencer came back inside, followed by Leonardo and Splinter.

"What are her chances?" Gene was asking.

"I don't know." Leonardo sounded frustrated, angry. "Don and Bev are the experts and this is new even for them. We didn't think… I mean, with the mutation and all…" Sierra saw his dark eyes flash with worry and grief as he met Gene's gaze. Suddenly Leonardo looked very young.

"We weren't sure we could even have an opportunity to have children. But to have a pregnancy come this far, and then…" Sierra saw the muscles in his throat move as he swallowed. "Mikey must be devastated."

Gene reached out, clasping Leonardo's shoulder. "Don't lose hope," he advised quietly. "She hasn't lost the baby yet."

Leonardo nodded. "I'm going to go see if Don needs help."

Gene walked over and sat down in an armchair near Sierra as Leonardo disappeared in the direction of the back door.

"Gene, what's going on?" asked Sierra anxiously. "Where are the girls going?"

"Austin… Austin started spotting," said Gene softly. "They're worried about the baby, understandably. Marjory and Beverly are taking her back to the city, to see… a friend." He glanced at Sierra. "You didn't meet him, did you?"

"Leatherhead, is that what they called him?" asked Sierra. "No. I heard him talking when they had that dinner, but I was half out of it."

"He's… quite an interesting person," said Gene with a smile.

"Can he help?" asked Sierra.

"I hope so," answered Gene. "He's brilliant. As smart as Donatello at least. I'd say he's their best hope."

Sierra laid her head against the back of the couch, drawing slow breaths. She couldn't breathe deeply because of her ribs, but her side felt as if it were on fire and her ankle and arm ached abominably.

"Do you want me to ask Donatello for another codeine?" asked Gene.

"What?" Sierra lifted her head, regretting the movement almost instantly. "No, I'm fine," she lied, a thin sheen of sweat breaking out on her brow.

"Sierra, you're not fine," scolded Gene gently.

"How come yer scared ta take da pills Don gives ya?" A rough voice broke in.

Raphael thumped his way around the end of the couch, sinking heavily into the other armchair. He laid his crutches aside and lifted the foot rest, elevating his casted leg. He pinned Sierra with burning amber eyes.

"I just… don't like to take a lot of pills," said Sierra warily.

"I can understand dat," said Raphael. Sierra heard the chair creak as he shifted.

"How's the leg?" asked Gene.

"It itches," grumbled Raph.

"Good. That means it's healing," said Gene.

The look Raphael gave the pastor made Sierra laugh. He glanced at her, startled, and a ghost of a grin passed over his face.

"It'd better heal soon," grumbled Raphael. "I'm sicka dis cast already."

"You don't like staying still much, do you?" she asked, glancing over shyly at the red-banded turtle.

"You got dat right," replied Raphael with a scowl. "All dis sittin' around… it's makin' me crazy. 'Specially now. We shouldn'ta let da girls go alone," he grumbled.

"Raph, you know it's the only way," said Leonardo, coming back in and overhearing.

"Whatevah, Fearless," growled Raph. He kicked the footrest down with his good leg and forced himself up, leaning on the crutches. "I'm goin' out fer a walk."

"Raph…"

"Can it, Fearless," said Raphael rudely. "I'm jus' goin' out in da yard." He swung away on the crutches, ignoring Leonardo's irritated glare.

Leo sighed. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his face in his palms. "Mikey won't even talk to us. What are we going to do?" he whispered.

Sierra leaned over instinctively, wrapping an arm around the turtle's muscular shoulders.

"Lord," she whispered. "Cover this family with Your mercy. Keep Austin safe. Please protect her, Abba, and protect this child. Bring your peace to them… to Leonardo."

Leo sat, stiff and tense under her arm. When he turned toward her, his eyes were dark with shock.

"What…"

"I'm sorry." Sierra let her arm drop away, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I… I'm so used to praying for my friends… I should've asked if you'd mind."

"No, no it's ok," said Leonardo slowly. "I just…" He shook his head. "What's 'Abba' mean?"

"It means…"

"It's Aramaic for Daddy," Donatello broke into the conversation, padding silently across the room toward them.

Sierra looked over the back of the couch at him, smiling. "That's right," she said softly. "It literally translates to 'Daddy'."

"And… you were… praying?" Leonardo asked slowly.

"Yes."

"To your father?"

"In a sense." Sierra smiled, seeing Leonardo's confusion. "I believe God is our father, in the sense that He is the creator of the universe, yes. And… on a more personal level, yes I believe He wants a relationship with us."

Leonardo shook his head, looking more confused than ever.

"From what I'm reading in the book you gave me, you believe in a literal… being. God, right?" He looked from Sierra to Gene and back again.

"Yes," said Gene firmly.

Leonardo nodded, considering. "That… makes sense, I guess," he said slowly.

Donatello leaned against the back of the couch. "People have personified the spiritual for centuries," he said. "It makes them feel closer to the universe… makes things they can't understand seem less… frightening."

"Donatello," said Gene with a smile. "Is it possible that there has always been a Personality and people have been discovering it for centuries? After all, doesn't science work to discover what exists?"

"That's true," said Don thoughtfully. "It's certainly an interesting theory, if a difficult one to quantify." He came around the couch and sat down.

"How's Michelangelo?" asked Sierra.

"Not great," said Don. "He's worried about Austin. He says he wants to be alone for a while."

"You guys are a strong family," said Sierra quietly. "He and Austin obviously love each other."

"You're right," said Leonardo. He sighed. "I just hope it's enough."