Today in the lair was very slow. Although it was filled with the people that the family knew (besides Vincent) and sensei, they kept it very mellow. Out of the five people there, only three of them knew something that the other two did not. The three adults were in the kitchen and talking with one another. April and Vern sat at the table as Casey leaned against the countertop with a bag of Doritos that he was definitely stealing from the boys. Splinter was tucked away in his quarters in meditation after he had a good bonsai maintenance session with Angel. The girl, however, decided to relax in the living room with Bambi 2 playing on the big screen. Girl couldn't help that she found the OG movie in their movie stash. Let a girl have her fun.

The current scene was of the little baby bunny who went racing to find the father of the young Prince who wanted to prove to him how brave he was. Thumper was always the wingman. The young bunny huffed out of breath as he approached the Great Prince who stared down at him with great awe. As the chicana watched with fervor, she did not detect the surprise. Ever so slowly the door to the secret lair opened up. Coming out of it were the returning heroes from Brazil, bags slung over their shoulder yet just as silent as if they weren't wearing them. Quietly, they executed their plan without hesitation. Slowly, they snuck around their own home with Leonardo leading the way as the rest acted as lookouts for the intended subjects to ambush. They heard the TV playing the movie as they kept on creeping. Donatello was the first to peek into the kitchen while the others stood back to make sure the coast was clear. Seeing the three nearly gave him a heart attack but he was really good at hiding his internal screams. The brightening and direction of Casey's eyes prompted the other two adults to turn around in their chair. They were ecstatic but had to keep quiet. Donatello took a step from the wall to show the others that it was clear. "Splinter" he mouthed to them. April shook her head along with the other two and pointed towards the living room. "Angel" she mouthed before pointing to where Splinter was an mouthed it as well. The techie turtle gave her a thumbs up before proceeding. As he moved, they got to see the rest of them and waved them hello. When the last of them passed, April got up to follow far behind them. Casey began to wrap up the Dorito bag so he can come too. The loud crunching made the girl turn and scowl at him. He shrugged and whispered.

"She's not gonna turn around for that!" But April only shushed him in annoyance. Defeated, he sighed and dropped the bag on the counter as the bag slowly unwound itself.

"There's this thing! And it's got these eyyyyyes!" The little rabbit began to talk quickly to the grown deer. Michelangelo pulled ahead of the group, tiptoeing a little faster and taking the risk but to the group's confusion. "And! And these claws like 'grrrr'! And it walks around like this." As it gave a little dance, Michelangelo stood right over the back of the couch. Angel's hat blocked the turtle's view from seeing her face, which probably aided him in which she couldn't get a glimpse of him from behind her. She was totally oblivious. "And well-."

"YOU GOTTA SEE IT!" Michelangelo shouted as he took her by the shoulders and shook her. The girl got off the couch and whipped around with her hands up and legs spread wide in a defensive position while screaming her lungs off. The laughter caught her off guard as she quieted down when she saw her friends who had returned from their trip were all standing behind the couch with the adults strolling in with equally amused expressions.

"My boo!" She lit up before stomping onto the couch and standing on top of the 'cushions'. She scowled at her best friend, staring him down. "Imma tear yo head up!" She threatened. "Right after I love on ya." Again, her expression changed quickly as she lunged for him. Her arms and legs wrapped around him as he chuckled and held her up.

"Just wanted to surprise my girl." He laughed, squeezing her hard.

"I guess that's not me then." April stepped in, cocking her head to the side with her arms crossed like she usually does when questioning others sarcastically. Angel let go when she felt him turn to the woman. He kept her on his hip to explain himself. His other arm brought April in close.

"April, you the bae. Tell your bae, surprise the side chick." He bounced Angel before letting her down. The older woman placed her hand behind his shell.

"I see that." She smiled, playing along.

"Shell-shock!" Donnie called happily. The mutants "awwww"ed in a hyped up monotone before engulfing the two girls in a massive hug that was an experience exclusive to only their mutant friends. Imagine being engulfed in so much love that large, 6 ft. plus reptiles. A one-in-a-million experience.

"Jump in here!" Mona peeked through a small opening between Donnie and Raphael. Her arms beckoned towards Casey who was just standing a few feet away and awkwardly watching them all. The question caught him off guard.

"Nah, I'm good." He put a hand up while facing the floor. "I feel the love over here." Mona rolled her eyes but continued to participate in their love-fest.

"Yeah don't worry, I'm good." Vern validated as he stood next to Casey. He exchanged a quick, cocky yet subtle expression towards him.

"We didn't really want ya anyways." Raphael's comment brushed that whole look off of his face, prompting Casey to keep in his laughter.

"Aye! I love ya'll but you can stop this 'cause ya'll smell like Jungle Boogie, back up!" Angel began to push the two boys that were pressed up against her. They began to back away from her and unleashed their grips on one another. Honestly, it has been all river water they've been bathing in. Not the nastiest but also not the cleanest. Naturally, there was going to be some type of foreign and unpleasant smell coming from all of them. When they moved, so did the smell and Angel couldn't be more happy to smell the incredibly faint sewer smell being masked by the much stronger Pine Sol scent that had been established by the women in their lives.

"Did ya'll get what you needed from that chick ya'll had me translate?"

"Oh yeah we did!" Mikey exclaimed ferociously followed by a light laugh as he pointed towards his red banded brother. "She and Raph were going at it and it was hilarious 'cause she dragged Donnie into it."

"That girl was a bisssssh…" Raphael was going to finish his sentence until he saw the snout of his father descending from his quarters. His eyes were wide and his voice carried on as he leaned forward, waiting for a way to get out of this possible cursing situation out of the ears of his rat master. Suddenly, he straightened himself up and towered over the young turtle. His fist was clenched and up towards his face. "Bishou.. up for bringing it up!" He growled while Michelangelo was shook by this turn of his tone. Nice save.

"For real?" Angel continued, acting oblivious to the current situation. "What was that address she gave you? Secret lair?" Angel leaned in, quieting her voice as she was attempting to extract every single detail. "Government facilities?" Collectively, the group showed their clenched teeth and exchanged glances with one another. There was even a soft hiss emitting from them.

"Dance hall." Leo blurted out. Another good answer. This time, Angel was able to read what was going on since most of their eyes touched the presence of Master Splinter who was taking his sweet time to greet his family. Angel looked over her shoulder quickly before hunching over and whispering.

"Tell me later, boo."

"I'd rather not." Mona crossed her arms over her chest as she spoke deadpan.

"Sensei!" The boys shouted collectively. They met their father a quarter of the way before all six of the mutants engulfed their rat master with their bodies. April came to stand behind Angel with her hands on her shoulders as they smiled warmly at the family affair.

"My children." The humans in the room can hear his soft voice being engulfed in his children's embrace. "It was... quiet when you were gone." The mutants disbanded from him, either smiling or appearing somewhat insulted by his teasing.

"We missed you too, Splinter." Raphael spoke low while nodding his head and keeping his hand on his father's side. The older rat gave a soft nod and acknowledged him with a soft chuckle.

"I have gotten word from Vincent that your mission was successful," His hands dropped in front of him, intertwined. "as you assured me upon returning." Yes, they did tell Splinter that they were returning home, but they did not say when. Hence, this surprise is valid.

"Chapelin was shipped over and is being interrogated by Vincent and her team." Venus explained as she crossed over to sit down on their couch. She really did miss her family but the trip was very much draining. Her legs crossed with one another on the cushions as she closed her eyes and rested her head on her hand while her elbow supported it. Raphael removed his hand from Splinter and crossed it over his chest.

"Shredder and Stockman are still running around but we can't do anything about it right now. She wants us to rest up though since we've been gone for so long."

"I can go for a nice vacation." Mona chimed in, arching her back as her hands pressed it in a stretch. Donatello laughed to himself, shaking his head.

"There's never a vacation." he responded humorously. Leonardo nodded with an equally humored chuckle. "We're still going out on patrol." The lizard lady hunched over slightly and contorted her face. The upper corner of her lip rose while the eye of the same side squinted, followed by an annoyed sigh.

"But we'll be home" Raphael rocked his body, tapping her with his shoulder. "and deal with the criminals who in comparison to Shredder look mediocre." Her head rocked, weighing her options.

"I can deal with that." Still not as fun as total relaxation, but you can't always get what you want.

"You went to Brazil during their Carnival!" April cut in, reverting all eyes on her. She was a lot more expressive and excited than the rest of her tired crowd. "Hello?! How was that?"

"Colorful. Loud." Donatello listed with his fingers.

"Block parties!" Michelangelo shouted in a deep tone as he moved over to sit with Venus on the couch. Keeping anyone else from joining them. He placed his body across the couch while he leaned on his turtle sister. "Annnnd having to fight Chapelin with a gun to Mona and Raph in front of a stadium of thousands." The statement was so casual yet those who were in New York this whole time had a jaw-dropping moment.

"See? You can't miss out on these big details." April defended.

"Report much?" Donnie teased. The woman rolled her head.

"You guys like to leave the fun stuff out a lot." She pouted. Whenever she needed extra details on her stories to use for her day job, she'd have to milk it out of them. April never knew why. Maybe to keep her longer? Donatello placed a hand on his hip.

"It's like this everyday. There's no regular day in our lives." April mouthed 'oh' silently and sassily, in which Donnie humorously returned the favor.

"Venus messed his gun up with her powers." The leader in blue gently placed his hands on both sides of the resting turtle's head to show the people. "She deserves the credit." Venus kept her tired eyes closed but showed them an enthusiastic smile. Then, she lifted her head on her own and opened her eyes to speak.

"Ah, as much as I would accept it, we cannot forget Raphael" She turned her body the other way to point. "was the one who ultimately defeated him in the end." The big brute smiled similarly to Venus', which was endearing since both of theirs were sweet little smiles of their achievements.

"And then what happened?"

"Raph kissed Mona!" Michelangelo belted out. That smile Raphael faded into udder horror. The rest of the family had a little jump in their soul. Mona shifted her shocked gaze to Raphael, who matched her looks. Quickly, Leonardo retaliated by pointing.

"Mona kissed Raph!" he yelled. Another jump, but more subtle this time.

"Wait, what?!" April blinked.

"Holy sh*t!" Casey shouted before aggressively slapping his hand over his mouth. "Sorry about the sh*t." He closed his mouth again after trying to apologize to the sensei. "I'm going to stop saying sh*t." This time his hand slapped his forehead before shuffling in place to keep himself from speaking anymore. Vern, seeing his struggle, stepped within his space and tried to whisper advice to him and seperate them from the rest.

"When you say you're going to stop-." He began before a frustrated Casey Jones cut him off.

"I got it. I'm good."

Master Splinter had yet to speak or show any serious sign of emotion of how he felt about all this. Donatello made it by his father's side. His arms crossed over his body and he leaned over his side to add:

"Turns out they've been doing that for a while." matter-of-factly.

"Sensei?" Mona took a small, creeping step towards him with concern. He did not respond in any sure way. Raphael put his hands up in surrender and stood up as straight as he could.

"Dad, before you-."

"Beautiful, my children." He stated. Both Mona Lisa and Raphael were taken aback by his answer and quite honestly were skeptical about it. Splinter was the master of deception and even his answers for things could be misleading. "I would like to believe that in the possible case that you no longer choose to be together that you will remain on neutral terms?" He questioned. Mona Lisa was the first to shake off that this was not some sort of trickery.

"We are a team. All of us. You can't mess with a formula that's already working." Her smile pulled Raphael out of his shocked state and nodded.

"Despite any differences." He concluded before giving her a reassuring glance.

"I do believe in such bonds" He reached out and took them both by the hand. Pulling them forward, he put Mona's clawed hand into Raphael's large palms. Them, he closed it over hers. "and I gladly accept you both."

"Excuse me!" April pushed herself against Raphael. "Wait, what?!" She repeated. Her soul was still shook, but then she warmly wrapped herself around his arm. "Raphieeee!" April exclaimed while she squeezed the heck out of him. Ah, that name. Mikey called him that sometimes and April caught on. It was always an embarrassment when he heard it, which made him flush.

"Look!" The techie turtle followed by a sound effect that was similar to that heard on The Three Stooges. "I think he's blushing!" Donnie pointed.

"Am not!" His voice was shrill while trying to hide his face from them in the most inconspicuous way possible. Coughing also didn't help to get rid of his high pitched voice. Even with everyone basically surrounding and looking at him, the big turtle couldn't escape for Mona and April were on either arm and smiling up at him to see his adorable vulnerability.

"I think he's turning red like his bandana!" He continued teasing. It's not an everyday opportunity you could get at Raphael like this. He was going to take his chance. Raphael released his grip on Mona. Suddenly, Raphael whipped something across his body. Donnie's knees buckled as he saw a quick glimpse of his brother's sai just barely wanting to glaze by his calf. Instead, it chose to stab itself into an opening of a chair's frame. The metallic "schwing!" shook his core as he gulped and turned back around. "Hm... Maybe not." April let go of Raphael and cocked her head at the newly stabbed chair. Best not to tease him in this subject matter, noted.

"That's alright," Angel walked towards the chair. The weapon was well stuck in there in which she had to put her foot on the cushion and pry it off. It came out so quickly that she stumbled back. When she caught herself, she held the sai by the handle and used it as a pointer. It was a lot heavier and bigger in her hand rather than what she would see it in Raphael's hand. "I'm already on top of it with the ship names." She smiled deviously.

"Oh jeez." Raphael groaned. He shook his head within the palm of his hand while the other snatched the Sai from her grasp. The large turtle kept walking past her and towards his bedroom. Angel began to call to him.

"Raphona. Raphalisa."

"We don't need to hear this mess." Donnie waved her off, thus beginning a movement of a disbanded family in all directions. Most went towards the kitchen while Venus got up to go to her own room, thus pushing Michelangelo off of her. The young turtle's torso got dropped on the couch cushions, which surprised him greatly.

"Wait! Ya'll need to help me!" Angel yelled in place as they all moved away from her. Even Vern and Casey escaped from her 'girly' need to name their romantic friends. "Where you goin!?"

"Monaphael." Michelangelo peeked over the couch with the suggestion. He looked like a child, but when did he not? She took it into consideration.

"That's a mouthful." She admitted. "Mophael."

"Raphalisa."

"I just said that!" Does the boy ever listen? Then, the chicana slapped her hand to her forehead. Her eyes were as wide as her mouth. "Duuuude! I'm so dumb!" Her voice was deep. "Ramona!" She exclaimed. As great friends are, their expressions slowly brightened in accordance to the other. They began to quietly squeal and slap eachother's hand in an almost digging motion.

"Yooooo! We got it!" Michelangelo bellowed. "WE GOT IT YALL! IT'S RAMONA! WATCH OUT FOR RAMONA!"