I woke up with a groan feeling sore down there and headed down the hall for a shower. I set my clothes on the toilet and started the hot water feeling a little relief. Looking in the mirror when I got out, I saw bruises on my hips from where he held me, but they didn't hurt.

Slipping into a shirt and shorts and walked outside. Raph and Mikey were sparing, Mack had already left, and I couldn't see anyone else from the porch.

"Hey, Shad, how's the weather up there?" Mikey grinned from where Raph had pinned him on the ground.

Raph let his younger brother up and wiped his hands and turned to me, "How'd your chat with Leo go? I haven't seen him today."

I glanced away and swallowed my blush and ignored soreness between my legs, "Ok I guess. Probably could've gone better."

He just raised a brow like he already knew and couldn't believe I was lying to him, but he just shrugged it off, "Maybe next time will be better."

I guess that meant I needed to talk to Leo again. Considering he hadn't been seen this morning I went to the barn, but he wasn't there. I didn't know where to look after that and figured he wanted to be alone. I couldn't help but wonder if last night was his first time and he regretted it.

I arranged a vase full of wild flowers the boys had pulled from around the house on the kitchen table, all the while thinking to myself. Why did I come back? Leo's right, they don't need me, and I probably will just bring more problem considering The One was still out there and probably looking for me.

My fingers stopped, and I pulled my hand's back. He was behind me, but I couldn't bring myself to turn around. Leo came and placed a hand on my hip and fought with myself not to lean back against him.

"What are you doing?" I was surprised by my steady voice and reached out to push around the flowers some more.

"Quit fidgeting with them they look fine." He pulled my hand from the petals.

I sighed, "Where have you been this morning?"

"Went on a hike," he replied simply.

"We still need to talk," I said quietly, gripping the lace table cloth in my hands.

His hand left my hip and wrapped around my waist pulling me closer, "About?"

I knew he was just toying with me. He always did enjoy getting under my skin. Both of us liked to piss the other off, but I only did that because I wanted his attention and wanted to push him away at the same time. I honestly just thought he didn't like me back then, but now, I had a feeling our actions six years ago were eerily similar.

"About us," I forced myself to turn around and face him.

"What else is there to say?"

I thought about it. "I know there's more to say, because I know you've acted different since I left. I'm sorry. But I'm back now." Despite what had happened last night I knew he still didn't forgive me and I didn't know how else to say sorry. My words. My body. What else could I give?

The lines in his face settled in and whatever mask he was wearing fell away to reveal the raw hurt and anger he'd been holding on to for six years, "You left without saying goodbye. And don't act like you couldn't. Nobody was running you out of town you were already in hiding. Five minutes, Shadow. Thanks all the time it would've taken, but you didn't care enough to look me in the eye and tell me you loved me," he hissed through clenched teeth and that same anger I saw last night took over his eyes again.

I'd backed the table up a few inches and was practically sitting on it, chest heaving, and tears stinging me eyes. The part that hurt most was that he was right. I was a coward and I'd hurt him.

The floor boards squeak and both of us snapped our heads over to Carrie who was trying to tip toe past with T-Rex arms before looking like a deer in headlights and darting out the front door. I looked back at Leo as he avoided my gaze and wondered if I still loved him.

He moved away from me, working his jaw. He was so hot and cold. One minute he was apologizing and saying he was glad to have me back and the next this. I couldn't blame him though. It must've really sucked having to watch his brother form successful relationship while his fell apart and ran away before it had even begun, especially after growing up with such a high standard of success.

"Leo, I can't say sorry enough, but I was only 16 and facing some crazy shit. Everyone I ever loved died." This time I let the tears go. "I loved you, Leo, and I was terrified of that. I had tried to push you away, but you and your brothers wouldn't budge, so I pushed myself away." I covered my mouth with my hand and screwed my eyes shut. "I'm sorry."

I felt his fingers brush my forehead and he gently pulled my hands from my face, "Do you still love me?"

My heart skipped a few beats and I felt my cheeks flare up, but I hoped he would chock that up to be from crying. I rung my hands for a bit before answering, "Yeah, I do." My face burned more, and I refused to look him in the eye.

He eventually took my chin, forcing me to look at him, "That's what I thought."

His cocky grin replaced my embarrassment with anger, "Oh you, asshole!"

"What? You said we needed to talk," his grin still in place. The mask came back on.

I stomped past him pissed that even after all this time he still knew exactly what buttons to push.