Leonardo tried very hard to maintain a stern glance, but it was difficult to achieve when his mouth was nearly watering. The sight and smell of fresh pizza was almost more than he could take, especially since his brothers were already digging in.

"I'd appreciate it if you'd tell me before you do something like this," the teen managed, fixing his red-masked brother with a look.

Raphael returned with a cocky smile. "It wasn't nothin', Leo, and we didn't scam the guy. Genius called in the pizza from a payphone." He jerked a thumb toward the ten-year-old.

Donny's gaze was slightly more ashamed, but he didn't have a chance to speak.

"I swiped the food when he was distracted, and we left money to pay for everything. So explain to me what we did wrong," Raph challenged.

Leo's jaw clenched with remaining tension. "You didn't bother telling me."

"Bro, I ain't never told you everything. Do you really wanna lecture us right now? 'Cause we'll probably finish the pizza before you're through."

The blue-masked turtle sighed. "You're impossible."

"It wasn't his fault," Donny squeaked. "It was mine, so you can be mad at me."

"I'm not mad about the food," the teen clarified. "I just don't like being in the dark. I need to know you're all right."

Raphael rolled his eyes. "We were never in danger, Fearless."

"Guys, please? All I want is a head's up. I know you're not stupid." Leonardo eyed the sausage pizza longingly as Mike grabbed a couple pieces for another plate. "What are you doing? Saving leftovers? I haven't had any yet."

"It's for Sensei," Michelangelo told him. "He's been living off soup and tea for almost two weeks. I think he'd like some real food."

"Uh, hold on," Don inserted. "I'm not sure if...well..."

"There's nothing wrong with his stomach," the nine-year-old protested. "His head is feeling better. There's no real reason he can't try something else, is there?"

"I guess, if he wants to." Donatello glanced toward the med-lab. "Let me check how he's feeling, guys. Don't eat anything else yet, okay?"

Raphael sent him a confused look. "You don't want us to eat any if he can't?"

"Just hold off for a couple minutes. I'll be right back."

The purple-masked turtle disappeared into the adjoining room, and Leo took the chance to procure three slices of pizza from the second box. The cheesy goodness was hard to resist, but his brother had a reason for asking them to wait, and he wanted to respect Don's wishes.

The younger turtle emerged a few seconds later. "Guys, c'mon in." He motioned for them to enter the lab.

"Sensei wants to eat?" Mike sounded more excited for their father to have pizza than he'd been to enjoy it.

"Master Splinter would like it to try it, and he's up for company. Bring the food in."

Leonardo briefly felt guilty for not offering him anything more than toast earlier, but the bad feelings melted away when he entered the next room and saw Splinter's smile.

"It is long since I smelled a pizza this way," the rat admitted. "I am used to the scent from afar."

"Yeah, and it ain't old or already eaten off of," Raphael added. "Donny and I didn't steal it, Master. We paid fair and square, then tipped the guy something too. Don said you're supposed to."

"Those drivers don't make a living wage," the purple-masked turtle mentioned. "They rely on tips to help make ends meet."

"Hey, it's your money, Genius." Raphael accepted the explanation so easily, Leo was shocked.

"May I sit up a little more?" Splinter requested.

Donatello brought a couple more blankets to roll up behind his pillows, elevating him a few inches further. "You can go ahead and try to eat, Otosan. Pizza doesn't get much fresher than this."

Leo hunkered down in a semi-circle with his brothers on the floor while Donny gave their father his plate. Despite the excitement over an incredibly rare treat, the teen felt like the energy in the room was slightly subdued. He merely nibbled on his first slice of pizza while waiting to see how Splinter did with his own.

"What do ya think, Sensei?" Raphael piped up.

"My very first meal in the United States was pizza. I found it be greasy, and it left me heavy for hours afterward."

Leonardo's heart started to sink, but he noticed Splinter's smile widen.

"Now I can appreciate the flavor of the sauce, the slight variations in cheese, and the seasoning of the sausage. A better sense of smell can be a gift, in many respects."

"You like it, Master Splinter?" Don asked, though it didn't seem necessary. "It's not gonna bother your stomach?"

"I will eat slowly to make sure, Donatello, but I do not foresee any issues. You might try enjoying some too."

"Oh. Yeah." The ten-year-old looked down at his forgotten plate and bit off the end of a triangular slice. Leonardo felt Don's sigh of relief as if it were his own. "It's so good."

"We've got you to thank for it." Mike grinned. "You made this happen, bro."

"Raph and I went together-"

"With your money," the red-masked turtle reminded him. "You pulled the auction off, Donny. Own it."

Don's smile was a little shy. "I think I got lucky."

"You were patient," Leo returned. "More patient than I wanted you to be. I'm sorry I didn't believe in your method, bro. You were right about the auction all along."

"I didn't know if it would work, Leo. It was only a theory."

"And you were right," the teen repeated. He held up a piece of his uneaten pizza. "To Donny."

His brothers responded in kind, though Mike's full mouth made speech unintelligible. Donatello ducked his head, but at least he didn't downplay the compliment like usual.

"How much did the lot go for anyway?" Leonardo had no idea the casual question would nearly make his little brother panic.

"Um...well...it was more than I expected to get," he answered vaguely. "It will help us stay afloat for a while."

Leo's brow furrowed at his brother's refusal to give him a number. I'm not gonna try to drag it out of him. Things are much too peaceful to start a fight over something that silly. He must be feeling a little territorial of his profits, but it is his money. No matter how many times he's said it belongs to everyone.

He came out of contemplation to find Donny gazing at him anxiously, like Leonardo was preparing to bite his head off. Instead, the teen forced an even expression.

"Think you can do it again, Don?"

Donatello laughed, still sounding nervous. "I don't know if I'll ever hit the same jackpot, but it won't hurt me to try. I'll keep searching for material to sell. Even lightning occasionally strikes twice."

"Oh, Sensei," Mike spoke up so suddenly, Leo had a feeling the youngest turtle was intentionally changing the subject. He was happy to let him.

"I forgot to tell you that we have dessert covered too," the youth went on. "Remember when you promised me you'd try some chocolate? Leo and Raph grabbed some along with everything else we took from Reid's last week."

Leonardo's eyes widened at once. He and Raphael hadn't mentioned the side trip to Splinter, and he received a predictably sharp glance at his brother's announcement.

"I was not aware you went back there," the rat said stiffly.

"It was no big deal," Raphael said smoothly. "We need to make up for some of those gaps in our meals, Sensei. We're trying to eat more stuff and get stronger."

"And better things are coming," Don added, in a way that suggested he was changing the subject that time.

Leo was grateful to the purple-masked turtle, but couldn't help shooting Michelangelo an evil eye. It's not really Mike's fault though. Raph and I should have just told Master Splinter we were going, but I didn't want him to worry.

"When you say 'better things', are you really talking about something nasty?" Mike demanded. "I'm not drinking any wheatgrass, Donny."

"Who said anything about wheatgrass? Where did you get that from, Mikey?"

"I saw it in some freaky infomercial. You've been going on about protein and vitamins in some powder form. It sounds gross."

Chocolate brown eyes narrowed. "I don't care if you like it or not. My goal isn't to get you something that tastes amazing. It has to be good for us."

"Dude, food can be both! Why are you rocking my boat?"

"The powdered supplement won't expire as quickly, and we can get it to stretch further. You're going to take whatever I give you, and not complain one bit."

Leonardo wasn't thrilled by the sound of the supplement either, but the prospect of putting on weight and muscle seemed like a good trade off.

Michelangelo made a face back at him. "We can talk about you force-feeding me when your crap gets here, Donny."

"Just for that, you're taking it first."

"Only if you can catch me, bro."

Donatello's chuckle was slightly evil. "You think I'll announce myself? You're not gonna know when, where, or how."

"If you're selling tickets, I wanna watch," Raphael requested.

"Where ya gonna find money to pay for tickets?" the orange-masked turtle retorted.

"I'll borrow it from the genius. You won't mind, right, Donny?"

"No, Raph. Or you can help me catch him, and we both win."

Leonardo chuckled. "This would be easier if you don't make a big deal out of it, Mikey. Nobody will have to gang up on you if you take the medicine without a fight."

"It's not medicine," Don protested. "And it doesn't have to taste horrible. I'm sure I can find a way to make it palatable."

"'Palatable' sounds like some secret word for torture," Mike complained. "If it can taste good, why don't more people use the stuff? I watch TV. A lot of the things humans call healthy look disgusting."

"It won't be loaded with sugar and fats, but that doesn't mean we can't make it good," Donny insisted. "Why are you being a stubborn pain in the shell?"

"Sensei doesn't even want to eat chocolate," the nine-year-old grumbled. "How can you force me to drink random junk when he won't try something he's never had?"

Leo was nearly aghast by Mike's comparison, but Splinter nodded tolerantly.

"I will try whatever you wish, Michelangelo. I cannot guarantee I will eat all of it. But you are also not permitted to resist your brother's effort to provide more nutrition. Is that clear?"

The youth instantly brightened. "That was the only thing I wanted, Otosan."

He dug into a plastic bag in the corner, and came up with a handful of blue label-wrapped bars. "This is called 'candy', Sensei," Mike explained importantly. "It's one of those things you've been missing your entire life."

"Then please bring one here, Michelangelo, so I may call myself a complete person."

Splinter's faint sarcasm made Leonardo snort, because he wasn't used to hearing it from their father. The teen was willing to admit enjoying one of the bars already, while also fearing what the excess sugar could do to the hyperactive youngest turtle.

I don't know how Sensei will feel about it either, but Mike's not gonna let this go.

"I do not want you to continue trying to force things on me," Splinter implored. "Allow me to attempt one of these, and then do not badger me anymore, musuko."

"I won't, Otosan. I said you only had to try one piece, didn't I?"

Michelangelo tore the wrapper open and broke off a chunk of the Oreo snack bar for him. There was a dramatic pause while Leo waited for some reaction from their father.

He won't like it. Splinter has never been around sweets, or had any need for them. Hopefully Mike will lay off after he proves this point.

When onyx eyes widened, the blue-masked turtle feared Splinter's distaste for the treat was worse than he imagined. The rat merely inclined his head toward Mike and pointed to the candy bar.

"Do you want another piece, Master?"

The sheepish way Splinter nodded was mystifying. "I believe I require more to make an informed decision."

The orange-masked turtle managed not to smirk while handing over the rest of the bar.

"Michelangelo, I do not need all of it."

"Yeah ya do, Sensei. You don't have to pretend for anybody. He's allowed to like chocolate, isn't he, guys?"

"All things in moderation," Donny suggested.

The red-masked turtle shrugged. "What's it hurt anything?"

To Leonardo, their Master seemed torn. He felt he needed to speak too. "It's pretty natural, isn't it, Don? I mean, not all the ingredients, but chocolate grows in the wild. It can't be that bad for you."

Splinter sighed softly. "I do not want to like it. But I am going to finish this."

Mike pumped a fist triumphantly. "I told you! Didn't I tell you?"

"Yes, you told me," the rat allowed. "And now I expect you to take whatever your brother gives you without question."

"But my stuff tastes good!"

Raphael captured the smallest turtle in a headlock. "C'mon, Mikey, ya need to beef up a little anyway. I need something bigger to hit in sparring."

Don nodded excitedly. "You're gonna beef up too, Raph. You wait and see what happens when we combine training with the right diet."

Mike squealed from under the twelve-year-old's arm. "Donny, why are you encouraging this?"

"If there was a better reason for taking your 'medicine', Mike, I can't think of one," Leo jabbed. "The rest of us are down for it. Do you wanna be the one who stops growing?"

"I feel like that's a threat." The youngest groaned.

"You cooperate, or I'll give ya threat," Raph stated seriously, drawing the orange-masked turtle over his shoulder. "I still ain't dealt with you for scaring the shell out of all of us disappearing that way."

Leonardo gave his brother a withering look when Mike's screech reached a new high, and Raphael winked at him.

"So you gonna listen to Donny, Pipsqueak, or do I gotta convince you some other way?"

"I'm listening!"

Splinter's chuckle surprised Leonardo, who'd temporarily forgotten their father was present. "Put down your brother, Raphael. I believe Michelangelo will give his full cooperation when the time comes. Is that true, musuko?"

The orange-masked turtle staggered backwards when Raph plunked him on his feet. "I never said I wouldn't take the gross protein. Can't I at least doctor it up a little bit?"

"That will depend on what you intend to add," Donny replied, wary. "Maybe we can work together on it."

"Yeah, now see, Raphy? It doesn't all need to end in violence."

Raphael snickered at the nine-year-old. "It's so much more fun though, especially with you, Mike."

Leonardo snuck another glance of Splinter, and found the rat's expression a little apprehensive. "He doesn't really wanna hurt him," he felt compelled to explain.

Their Master relaxed into another smile. "I know, Leonardo. A few days ago I was questioning whether training you to perform such deadly skills was the right thing to do. I believe I have the answer."

Leo exchanged a nervous glance with Raph. "Mike mentioned how you feel about our activity on the surface. I heard you talked with Raphael about it too. Otosan, if you forbid us, we won't go anymore. But ignoring the problems won't make them disappear, any more than those cops did."

"The police helped me to realize what I could not see previously," Splinter told him.

The teen made swift eye contact with his brothers in the circle. "Sensei, I take responsibility for the warehouse. If mistakes were made, I was the one telling everybody what to do. It's not their fault for listening to me. We were just trying to get out alive."

"You accomplished your goal," Splinter said evenly.

"Y-yes. But a lot of people had the chance to see us along the way. We attracted attention on purpose. I basically burned down a power station by accident. We stole a car, and I told Raph to crash it. We broke a ton of stuff, and put our hands on several officers. It sounds even worse when I repeat everything, yet once again, those actions are on me. I'm sorry, Otosan."

"Wasn't all your fault," Raph objected. "I suggested taking the car."

"And I hot-wired the vehicle," Don said quietly. "I'm the reason we could steal it."

"I'm only the one who got us stuck out there," Michelangelo asserted. "So it isn't on Leo. You can't just be mad at him."

Splinter cocked his head. "Michelangelo, do I sound angry?"

"Well...I know we made some mistakes, but nobody screwed up like I did."

"My sons. Listen to me, and stop defending each other. I want all of you to kneel here, right now."

Leonardo automatically fell into the correct seiza position, prepared to accept the worst.

"Ninjutsu is not something any of us can afford to take lightly," Splinter began. "I have explained that it is akin to weaponizing your entire bodies. The skills demand a great degree of control, as well as compassion. The two don't seem related at first, but the cooperation of these traits will determine the course your lives take."

The rat paused for a couple beats. "I understand there are many things from the warehouse which you regret. But I would also like to remind you of what you were up against. We were cornered, not by evil men, but individuals who were willing to do us harm, based on an incorrect perception.

"You could not have convinced them to let you go. Had you surrendered to the police, the ending would have been far worse for all of us. You were faced with a situation that appeared to lack hope for a successful escape. But you not only forged a way out, you destroyed no one in the process."

Raphael snickered, breaking the somber atmosphere. "Don't know about that, Master. We might have embarrassed a few of them to death."

Splinter folded arms in irritation. "Allow me to speak, my son. I have a point."

The red-masked turtle ducked his head slightly while their father continued.

"I placed an immense trust upon the four of you, from the time you were very young. Though I was forced to ask myself if I did the right thing thrusting such responsibility on your shoulders, I think I will not have much room for doubt now.

"You may have been forced to do questionable things in order to survive. However, at all times, you maintained control. Faced by overwhelming odds, a near certainty of capture or death, you did not respond in kind to misguided attackers. You contained the violence you are capable of, and did no great harm to anyone. You saved yourselves and me.

"Knowing that you were able to escape using nothing more than courage and manipulation leaves me with great confidence for your future. Having shown such great restraint in the face of immense opposition proves to me the fine ninjas you have already become. I take pride in the way you acted."

Leonardo swallowed, hesitant to accept the praise. "We caused a lot of damage."

Splinter focused on him keenly. "At some point, Leonardo, you must allow the small things to fall by the wayside. There will always be a reason to judge your own actions harshly, even when you have done your very best. Do you believe you did the best you could, musuko?"

The teen was surprised to feel emotion rising at the question. "I...think so? We didn't set out to destroy the warehouse or that car. But in the end, it felt like the only way to get those cops off our shells."

"An honorable warrior will not incite destruction, my son. But he also cannot take responsibility for every item which gets broken within an act of war. You did not start the fight, Leonardo. But you had to respond to it. You do not bear the weight of the damages incurred. If the police permitted us, we would have walked away peacefully without violence. No harm would have come to the property.

"If you allow these nagging doubts to remain unchecked, they will undermine your confidence and instincts. Do not give them such power over you, Leonardo."

"I'm trying not to. But I know there are things I could have done better."

"Regretting what is past will not enable you to change. Every experience is one you can learn from. But you should not wallow in them, Leonardo, or be buried under guilt. I am confident you did the best you could with the knowledge and tools at your disposal."

"Ya did, Leo," Raphael agreed, lightly grasping his arm. "I thought you were nuts at the time, and looking back, it still feels crazy. But if you weren't kinda insane, we wouldn't have made it out."

The teen laughed. "That almost felt like a compliment."

"It is a compliment, doofus. I couldn't have come up with anything like you did."

"I don't think any of us believed we'd make it," Donny offered. "But you still came up with something, and convinced everyone that we could. We would have been screwed without you, Leo."

"Forget about the junk they can fix." Mike scoffed. "All those cops have their lives, except for the one who blew himself up. And we have each other. That's what matters, ain't it?"

Leo nodded. "I didn't do any of it alone though. We were a team from start to finish. It's nice to know that even if something happens..." He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

"Should you be forced to act without my counsel or assistance, you are capable of taking care of one another," Splinter said for him.

Leonardo glanced around the circle one more time. "We always will, Sensei. But promise me we won't have to perform any more solos for awhile."

"I can promise nothing, because I do not know what each day will hold, Leonardo. For the moment, I am deeply satisfied to realize that you and your brothers are one. Wherever you go on the surface, whatever you do, bear the same honor and compassion you have demonstrated, and I will never have to fear I trained you in vain."

* This is it for Solo. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read, and especially to connect with me. You have made me feel like I'm not alone.

My next project will be shorter, but introduce another key player into their world.

You may have noticed Links as well. It's not a oneshot. There is going to be more to the fic, as well as an alternate companion volume...where the events play out differently. I won't actively work on that pair of fics until the next one in the timeline is done.

Thanks for being there.