A/N: This chapter is dedicated to my faithful beta-reader, Raphfreak, breeder of plot-bunnies, encourager, and general bad influence. Be sure to check out her profile for the art contest she's holding!

And, Raph-lovers, when you're looking for someone to lynch after reading this chapter, keep in mind- this is all Raphfreak's fault.


Chapter 29 -Hot-Head-
~~~

"Raph, when are you going to stop being such a hot-head and think?" Leonardo's glare met Raphael's amber gaze, fury written in every line of his face.

"What am I supposed ta do, Fearless? Just let 'im drag Mikey outta here?"

"Yes. He was just taking him for exercise."

"Well, if Mikey hadn't o' started cryin', mebbe I wouldn't o' had ta bust Keagan in da chops. It's not like I knocked 'im out er not'in. His mouth was hardly even bleedin'!"

A sniff from the corner almost made Raph look at his younger brother. Now Donatello's brown eyes were fastened on Raph with reproach as well.

Aw, shell, I didn't mean ta make 'im start cryin' again. It's not Mikey's fault he's scared o' da guy. I'd o' been scared, too, if he was takin' me away from my brothers.

"Raph, you made him mad. You know the plan. We've got to cooperate with him, until Splinter and April can find a way to get us out of here."

"Well, he wouldn't leave Mikey alone," said Raphael stubbornly, crossing his arms over his plastron. "If he wants ta take Mike, he's gotta take one of us, too. We gotta stick together. We gotta protect each other."

"We are protecting ourselves, Raph. Sometimes you've got to bend, so you don't break," said Leo. Some of the anger went out of his voice. "Listen, Raph, I don't want to fight…"

"Coulda fooled me, Fearless."

Leonardo ignored that. "We've just got to get along for a day, maybe two. When Keagan comes back, I want you to apologize to him."

"What? Me, apologize to dat… dat…" Raphael was so furious the words wouldn't come. He turned away from his brother with a growl. "Not gonna happen, Leo."

"Raph, you have to. We've got to make him think we're subdued. If you don't, he might try to put you in restraints. He might start using those tranq darts to control us again."

"I can't do dis, Leo." Raphael's voice was quiet, almost defeated. "I can't. I can't stand by and watch him do dis to us. To you. To Mikey. Leadin' us around like pups on a string… I can't pretend it's ok."

"Raph." He felt Leonardo's hand on his shoulder, but for once didn't shrug it off. "It's not ok. Of course it's not. And Keagan's going to regret he ever tried to do this to us. But for now, we've got to use our skills. We're ninja, Raph. Sometimes that means we use trickery. There's no dishonor in tricking our enemy. You know we're not animals. We know we're not animals. What Keagan thinks means nothing."

"It means somet'in ta me, if it means he t'inks he can just take Mikey outta here when he don't want ta go," said Raphael, his fists clenched at his sides. "It means somet'in, Leo, when he took ya to dat vet an' put ya out and stuck a big ol' needle in ya. It means somet'in when…"

Raphael trailed off, his eyes drifting to his two younger brothers. Michelangelo was huddled in a corner of the cage. Donatello was kneeling next to him, his arms around his shoulders. Mikey's blue eyes were hidden, his head bowed. Occasional sniffs told Raph he was trying to control the sobs that had shaken him after the scuffle with Keagan.

"'When' what, Raph?" asked Leonardo softly, his dark eyes narrowing.

Raphael's amber gaze snapped back to his brother's face. If I tell 'im, he'll fight Keagan, like I did, an' none of us'll stand a chance. Sorry, bro. I'm doin' dis for you. For Don and Mikey, too.

"Not'in, Leo. Just let it go, ok?" Raph turned away, shrugging his brother's hand off his shoulder, and walked to the other side of the cage, near the door, out of Leonardo's space.

"Raph…"

"Drop it, Fearless."

He heard Leonardo sigh. The older turtle went over to Michelangelo and Donatello. "Hey, Mikey, you ok?"

"Y…yes."

Raphael heard another sniffle.

"I… I'm sorry, Leo. I… I just… that doctor woman… I couldn't go with him. Not by myself. What if she's there? What if they wants to stick another needle in me?"

"It's ok, Mike. I understand," said Leonardo gently.

Raphael sighed. Mikey's been scared o' needles since Bishop, he thought. O' course, Keagan don't know dat. All we are to him is animals to be paraded around and poked and prodded… An'… put to sleep, if we're too hard ta control.

Raphael closed his eyes against the fear rising in his chest.

What'm I gonna do when he comes for me? I can't fight him, he might hurt the others, start usin' dem restraints again. Leo'd try to defend me if I fought, an' he'd get hurt. At least I hope he'd fight for me. Dis plan o' his, goin' along wit' Keagan… He might not. Raphael's heart sank at the thought of Keagan dragging him away, and his brothers standing passively by, not knowing he was going to his death. I don't t'ink I'd ever be able ta forgive Leo, even if I got away somehow. He sure would never forgive himself.

I can't fight Keagan when da time comes. Not in the cage. I gotta wait til he gets me out in da hall or someplace, away from the others. Den I can cut loose on 'im. He might hit me wit' one o' those tranq darts, but at least I'll have a fightin' chance, an' he won't blame da guys fer me fightin' wit' him.

Raphael sat, brooding, remembering Josephine's visit the night before.

***

Josephine came in, and didn't hesitate at all. She walked right over and opened the cage. Michelangelo was sleeping in the corner. Donny was curled up near him, and Leonardo was sitting, keeping watch over his brothers. Raphael was nearest the door. he sat up, his amber eyes gleaming in the dim light. He frowned. The girl never just walked in. She spoke to them first, waited for their acknowledgement, almost as if she were entering their home.

Not this time. She opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind her. She sat down on the peat, not far from Raphael. He noticed she was pale. Her hands were trembling as her fingers dug nervously in the peat.

"Are you alright, Josephine?" asked Leonardo.

"…Yes."

Leo went back to meditating.

"Josephine?" Raphael's gravely whisper made the girl jump. "Whatsa matter?"

She avoided his eyes, shaking her head slightly.

"Josephine…"

She half-smiled. "You can call me Jo, Raphael."

"Raph. It's just Raph. Ya might be able ta fool Leo, but ya ain't hangin' out in here 'cause of our sparklin' wit. What's wrong?" He kept his voice low. Josephine glanced at him, but her eyes darted away again fearfully.

"He's going to take you, Raph."

"What?"

"Justin. He's going to take you away tomorrow."

"Take me? Where?" Raphael sat up, his back to Leonardo. The girl was whispering, so he knew she didn't intend his brothers to overhear this conversation. It didn't matter, he'd tell them about it later. For now, let her talk.

"He says you're too hard to control. He was talking to Karen Johansson on the phone. I think she was arguing with him, but it sounded like she agreed in the end. I… I heard him say 'your way is more humane'. Raph… he… he…plans to… put you to sleep."

"What? What da shell does dat mean?"

Her brown eyes met his with an anguished look. "Raphael, he intends to kill you."

Raph hadn't shown any emotion. Not in front of his brothers. His mind had raced. They wouldn't let him take me, if I'd made a scene last night. I figured I could handle him on my own, but not in dis cage. O' course now I made things worse, not lettin' him take Mikey. But how could I? What if he decides Mikey's 'disposable', too?

He'd reassured Josephine that he would be all right. He'd extracted her promise that she would, no matter what happened, do everything she could to protect his brothers. She'd nodded tearfully before fleeing.

Raphael knew he could have asked the girl to get him out that night, to unlock the cage and let him, all of them, go, but the risk was too great. As it turned out, his instinct was right. Keagan came in a few minutes after Josephine, to check on them. He checked the cage door, tugging at it, and smiled in satisfaction when he found it locked.

He knew, thought Raphael. He knew she'd been in here. He's watching us. He's got cameras in here somewhere. That's how he caught Donny. He's been watching us all da time. He's pro'lly watchin' us now. The thought made him growl.

"You ok, Raphy?" Mikey crouched next to his big brother. Raph didn't look up. If I look at Mikey, I might lose it. I might tell 'em. Nah, I can't do that. They can't know. As long as we're stuck here, an' he has those tranq darts, it's too risky. I can't let dem get hurt fer me.

"Yeah, Mike, I'm ok."

"Raphy, you don't look ok."

"Leave it, Mikey."

"But Raph…"

"I said, leave it! Don't ya ever stop talkin'?" roared Raphael. Instantly he regretted it, looking up and seeing tears gathering in blue eyes.

"Mikey…"

"Sorry I asked," snapped Michelangelo. He turned away.

"Mikey, wait." Raphael jumped to his feet, and grabbed his brother's arm, swinging him around. Michelangelo's fists came up, his blue eyes burning with unaccustomed fury. Raphael instinctively blocked his punch, but didn't strike back. When Michelangelo lashed out again, Raph caught his fist in his hand. Mikey's eyes went wide, but he jerked back, struggling to free his trapped hand. Raphael's heart hurt for his brother, for the anger and fear he saw in those blue eyes.

"Mikey. Listen ta me. I… I'm sorry."

"What?" The youngest turtle froze, staring at Raphael as if he'd grown two heads.

"I'm sorry. Fer all da times I yelled at ya. I don't mean it, Mike. Ya… ya know I… I love ya, right?"

Confusion clouded Michelangelo's face. "Of course I do, Raphy. You're my brother."

"Ok. Just… just so ya know, dat's all," said Raph gruffly, forcing his own tears back. "I just wanted to make sure ya knew dat."

"Raph, what's going on?" Michelangelo stared at his older brother. Raphael shook his head, and gave Michelangelo a smirk to hide his emotions.

"I just don't wantcha cryin' all over da place 'cause I yelled at ya," he said.

Michelangelo scowled and punched him on the arm. "You're such a jerk, Raph."

"Yeah," Raphael sighed. "I know."

Michelangelo shook his head and turned away to where Donatello was still sitting, staring at the peat, in the corner. Leonardo was sitting, his eyes closed.

Meditatin'. What Fearless does best. Raphael surveyed his brothers, drinking in their presence, wanting to embed each and every detail of their features in his memory, so he'd never forget them for the rest of his life. However long that might be.

Mikey, yer da best brother a guy could have, he thought. An' Leo, I know you'll take care of 'em. Don… I'm sorry I busted my shell-cell an' forgot ta t'ank ya fer all da times ya patched it back up fer me. He half-smiled. I guess ya won't have ta fix as much stuff 'round da Lair if Keagan gets me.

Leo… Keep 'em safe. I know you will, bro. Yer always lookin' out fer us. I just hope ya can forgive me, Leo. I'm doin' dis fer you. Ta give ya a chance.

"Raph?" Raphael realized Donatello's eyes were on him, intense, burning, searching.

"What, Don?"

Donatello got up, crossing the cage to his brother's side. "What's going on, Raph?"

"Not'in!" Raphael shifted, uncomfortable under Don's gaze.

"Raph. Please. Tell me."

"It's not'in, Don. Everyt'ing's fine, I promise. Ya know, except fer bein' locked up by a nut-job an' all."

"Raphael, you're not… more injured than you told us or anything, are you?" Donatello's piercing gaze made Raphael feel as if he were naked, shell not withstanding. He looked away.

"Donny, I'm fine."

"You'd tell us if anything was wrong, wouldn't you?"

"Yeah, Don," Raphael cringed inwardly at his lie. Sorry, bro. It's fer yer own good. "Of course I would."

Donatello touched Raph's arm. Raphael shot him a glare, and he took his hand back with a sigh. "Ok, Raph."

"Hey, Don?" Raphael couldn't help it. He wanted to touch his brother, to embrace him, one last time…

"Yeah, Raph?"

Raphael shook his head. "Not'in."

Donatello gave him an odd look, before walking away shaking his head. Raphael sighed, turned his back to his brothers, and sat down facing the door.

Waiting sucks.

As if his thought had been heard, the door to the room swung open, and Justin Keagan strode in, followed by Josephine. Raphael was on his feet in an instant, a growl in his throat, his hands clenched at his sides.

Behind him, he heard Leo's hissed warning. "Raph!"

It's ok, Leo. I ain't gonna punch him dis time. I'll go along like a good little specimen. Keagan approached the cage, his eyes sweeping the others before landing squarely on Raphael. The man's hand strayed to his lip. Raphael noticed with satisfaction that it was swollen and bruised. He carefully kept his triumphant smirk under control. He would pretend to go along. His brothers' lives depended on it.

"Whatdaya want, Keagan?" Raphael asked, keeping his tone neutral. "Yer not takin' Mikey, unless one o' us goes wit' him. We talked it over. Mikey's scared o' dat doctor woman, but if Leo or Don goes wit' him, he'll be ok."

"Actually, Raphael, I thought some exercise might benefit you, said Keagan smoothly. "And Doctor Johansson would like to have another look at those stitches, to be sure they're not… infected."

Dis is it. Raphael felt himself tensing up, and forced himself to relax. Josephine kept her eyes on the floor, silent. Dat's it, Jo, play along. It's gonna be ok. As soon as I'm outta dis cage, Keagan's goin' down.

"Ok, Keagan, whatever ya say," he said, keeping his voice even. Keagan's eyebrows rose in surprise. Josephine twitched, and her eyes met Raph's. He read anguish in her face, but raised his eye ridges, warning her to keep silent.

"After this morning's little incident, Raphael, I hope you won't mind allowing Josephine to put the harness on," said Keagan coolly.

If he gets dat t'ing on me, I'll have a harder time fightin' back. Which of course is da point o' him usin' em. Well, that just makes things a little more challenging.

"…All right." Raphael grated out.

"No!" Leonardo stepped forward, fury flashing in his dark eyes. "Keagan, you agreed not to use that thing on us again!"

"Your brother attacked me, Leonardo. I have to ensure the safety of my staff," said Keagan smoothly.

"It's ok, Leo," Raphael faced his older brother. Leonard's gaze faltered, confusion flickering across his face. "I'll be ok, Leo. Just let it go." Raphael reached out, and squeezed his brother's shoulder. "Take care o' Mikey and Don." he whispered. Leo met his eyes. Raphael ignored the question he saw there. He shook his head. "It's ok, Leo." He let go of Leo's shoulder, and turned to Josephine.

"Let's get dis over wit'."

Josephine nodded, and came into the cage. Raphael stood absolutely still as she buckled the cuffs around his wrists, elbows and ankles. With Keagan watching, she had to tighten them so that Raph wouldn't be able to escape. Raphael closed his eyes as the chain rattled against his shell.

I'm doin' dis fer you, guys. Leo, I'm sorry. I hope someday you understand, an' you'll be able ta forgive me.