At six a.m., on July 10, seventeen-year-old forest green and dark blue eyed, Akita Sam stared forlornly at a photo of Jasmine that he kept with him and sighed. I miss her, he thought. I can't believe it's been two years. Does she still think about me? Because hell, I think about her all the time. Or has she moved on? He ran his fingers over the photo and smiled sadly, remembering their time together and how they'd met. His thoughts were interrupted by his door being unlocked. Sam hid the photo under his pillow and kneeled before the man, who entered, his master. "Master," he said.
"Akita, Samuel," Shredder said. "Two years you've been prisoner for attempting to escape and preventing me from having my fun with young Jasmine. Are you repentant?"
"No. I'd do it again without any hesitation. Jasmine and none of the others deserved the abuse you meted out."
"So noble, Samuel," Shredder said sarcastically. "Always been a fault of yours."
"I disagree. At least I'm not dishonorable, Master. We've had this conversation many times before and my answer will always be the same. I'm glad I stopped you from hurting Jasmine. The girl's…."
"Stand up, Samuel. I'm not going to hurt you. In fact, I want you do something for me."
"And why would I agree?" Sam asked, standing up.
"I'll give you your freedom and you can seek out Jasmine. Have the life with her you want. Perhaps even babies."
"What would I have to do?"
"There are four repugnant turtles that live in the sewers, who always mess up my plans. I want you to find them and eradicate them. You do that, you'll have your freedom."
"How do I know you won't renegade?" Sam asked, crossing his arms.
"I won't. Bring me the shells of those creatures and I'll keep my word. You can leave now. Here's your phone I took away two years ago. Perhaps Jasmine still has her old phone number and you can contact her on it." Shredder handed him the phone.
"And how am I supposed to find the turtles? Do you know how huge the sewers is?"
"If your freedom and Jasmine mean the world to you, you'll make it happen."
"Fine. I'll do as you ask, but I want money when I've done the deed, so me and Jas can live comfortably."
"Done. The turtles' names are Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo. I especially hate Raphael. He makes fun of me and his jokes are pathetic. Now, go. Here's some money to help you get some groceries." Shredder handed him a thick wad of cash.

Sam tucked the money and Jasmine's photo into his jacket and said, "You know I'll do as I promised. I always keep my word." With that, Sam left the building for the first time in his seventeen years and headed out into the unknown world.

He marvelled at the world, the sights and sounds, people passing him, the fresh air, sniffing and taking it all in. Sam tilted his hat down low, so that no one could see his face. He walked for a long time and sat down on a bench in a park. Watching the ducks in the lake, he thought, time to call Jas. He pulled out his phone and dialled her number, a large lump in his throat, as he worked out what to say. How do I tell the love of my life I'm alive when she probably thinks I'm dead?
"Hello?" Jasmine said. "Is this some kind of sick joke whoever you are using Sam's phone…"
"It's me, baby," Sam said, tears in his eyes.
"Sam?" Jasmine asked, her voice trembling. "How is it possible? You're dead. I saw him shoot you."
"It was a flesh wound, honey. I'm okay. I'll tell you more in person. Can we meet up?"
"I can't talk right now. I'll have to…"

"Who is that, Jas?" Raph asked sleepily.
Jasmine disconnected the call and said in a shaky voice, "Sam. He's alive, Raph."
"What?" Raph said, instantly awake, his eyes wide. "Ya said he was dead."
"I saw our master shoot him and thought he was dead. I…"
"What does he want?"
"To see me."
"So after two years he just shows up? Why now? Does he want ya back?"
"I guess so and I don't know. This is such a…"
"Ya gonna see him?" Raph asked jealously, clenching his fists tightly, his eyes blazing.
"I…."
"Yer not gonna see him. Ya wanna be with me then yer not gonna see him. Do ya hear me, Jasmine?" Raph shouted.

Anger flared in Jasmine's eyes and she said furiously, as she got to her feet. "You don't own me, Raphael, and can't tell me what the hell to do."
Raph lowered his voice and said, "Yer right. I can't, but I'm hopin' ya won't, because I know how it'll go."
"And how will it go, Raphael? Enlighten me," Jasmine snapped, hands on her hips.
"He'll woo ya, do all his romantic shit and ya will leave me."
"Don't you trust me, Raphael?"
"It's him I don't trust. I know guys, Jasmine. They can be very persuasive when they want somethin' and in this case he wants ya."
"I'm not a toy to be passed back and forth. I have my own thoughts and frankly, you need to trust me. I'm with you, Raphael. I made a promise to be there for you and I'm not going to break it. Sam and I had our time together, but it's over. I've found you and I intend to be with you for the rest of my life. Besides, when Sam sees how happy I am, he'll back off. He's not the kind of guy to break up a happy relationship, especially if it makes me happy. You'll see."
"I don't know. I still got my reservations."
"Listen to me," Jasmine said, sitting down on the bed and cupping his face with her hands. "You have nothing to worry about, Raph. I'm yours."
"Promise?"
"I promise," Jasmine said, and kissed him deeply.

Breaking apart a while later, Raph said breathlessly, "Ya drive me crazy, Jasmine. Fuck. My shell feels so tight right now."
"That's your hormones playing up," Jasmine teased.
"No, it's ya and the way ya make me feel. Look, I respect ya and I ain't gonna beg ya ta make love when ya ain't ready, but I wish ya'd touch me or let me touch ya, so we can get ta know each other's bodies and see what we like or don't like. Slowly. Just lookin', touchin', familiarizin'. At any time ya wanna stop, ya tell me, okay?"
"I…."
"Think 'bout it. Doesn't have ta happen right now, but I think it's a normal way of gettin' ta know one another's bodies without goin' all the way."
"I'll think about it. As for Sam, I'm not going to meet him. It makes you feel uncomfortable and he's the past. He should stay there. You're my now and future."
Raph's eyes lit up and he pulled her in for a deep kiss. "Ya have no idea how happy that makes me, angel," Raph said huskily, and nipped her neck, leaving a large red mark.
"I think I have an idea," Jasmine said playfully. "I'm going to get some coffee. Want some?"
"Please."

Jasmine kissed him, dressed, left and went into the kitchen, where she found Leo at the table drinking his tea. "Morning, Leo," she said, as she got out the coffee and set about making it.
"Hi, Jasmine. I take it things are going well with Raph," Leo teased, hooking a thumb at the mark on her neck and making her blush.
"He's terrific. How are things going with Cass?"
"Great girl. I couldn't be happier."
"Where is she? She's usually up by now."
"Said she was going for a walk and would be back in a while."

The coffee finished brewing and Jasmine said, "I'm going to take Raph his coffee. See you later, Leo." Jasmine took the coffee to Raph and they lounged in bed chatting and cuddling.

Caska arrived home an hour later and burst excitedly into the kitchen, Sam in tow. Only Leo was still present, because the rest of the Rossi family liked to sleep in. "Hey, Leo," Caska said, and kissed his cheek. "I want you to meet someone. Sam, this is my mate, Leo. Leo, this is Sam, a friend of mine and Jasmine's."
"Jasmine's mate," Sam corrected, extending a hand.
Shit, Leo thought, as he shook Sam's hand. Fireworks are going to erupt when Raph finds out. Aloud Leo said, "Jasmine has a mate? I thought she was single."
"What's Leo short for? Long story, but Jas saw me being shot and thought I'd died. We were mates at the time and well…"
"Leonardo. Cass, can I have a word in private?"

"Sure," Caska said. "Sam, why don't you go check out the garden? I'll come get you and then you can go see Jas, okay?"
"All right," Sam said, and went outside.

"Cass, what the hell did you bring him here for?" Leo demanded.
"Sam called me and said that he wants to see Jasmine and he was my friend too, Leo. I don't see what the big deal is."
"Jasmine's with my brother. That's what. Have you any idea how Raph's going to flip when he knows Sam's here? You were totally wrong to do this. Did you even consult your sister and ask her if she wanted to see him?"
"No, because I know she would. You're freaking out about nothing, Leo."
"I'm not. Raph really likes her and this is going to piss him off. Get rid of him."
"No!" Caska said defiantly, her arms crossed. "I missed Sam, too, and he's not going anywhere."
"He can't stay here. You're just asking for trouble. If you want to see him, then find somewhere for him to stay. Raph will go mental if he lays eyes on him and you can't blame him."

Unbeknownst to Leo and Caska, while they'd been arguing, Giovanni had taken Raph to the lounge and Sam had snuck back inside and gone to the bathroom. Giovanni said, "I'm going back to bed, Raph. Need anything?"
"Just a blanket. Can ya get it, please, Jas?"

"Sure," Jasmine said, heading upstairs and going to her room. When she came out, she collided with Sam, who had finished with the toilet and was walking past. Their eyes locked and she let out a gasp. "Sam!"
"Yes, it's me, sweetheart," Sam said, trying to hug her.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Jasmine asked, shifting away and trying not to raise her voice.
"I called Cass, met her and she brought me here. I wanted to. Had to see you, Jas."
"You shouldn't have come, Sam."
"Why, sweetheart? Aren't you happy to see me?"
"Leave now. Please don't make this awkward," Jasmine said, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Just go."

"Jas?" Raph called from downstairs. "Are ya comin'? There's a movie comin' on I know yer gonna love. Shawshank Redemption."
"I'm coming, Raph. Go, Sam. I'm glad you're okay, but this…You need to go."
"Jas!"

"I'm not going, Jasmine," Sam said defiantly. "Baby, it's been two years since I last saw you. You were the only thing that kept me going and sane. I can't just leave. Please, baby. I love you."

"Jas!" Raph shouted. "Get a move on, already."

"This is why," Jasmine said. "Follow me." A confused Sam followed her to the lounge and his heart sank when he saw Raph sitting on the couch. Raph's golden eyes blazed when he took in the forest green mutant and how close he stood next to Jasmine. "Who is this, Jas?" Raph demanded.
"Raph, this is Sam. Sam, this is, Raph, my….my mate."
"Ya said ya wouldn't meet him!" Raph shouted, his face darkening. "Ya lied ta me!"
"No, I didn't. My sister met him and brought him here. I wouldn't lie to you, Raph."

"Your mate, Jasmine?" Sam said. "Since when?"
"Ain't none of yer damn business since when!" Raph snapped. "We're in love and we're gonna be bonded, so ya can fuckin' leave."

"What the hell's going on?" Leo said, entering the room, followed by Caska, and seeing Sam. "Oh, shit. I warned you, Caska, that this would happen!"

"Raph!" Jasmine said. "Please. Let me handle this."
"Can't breathe," Raph said, feeling an anxiety attack about to start.
"Shh. I'm here. I'm here, Raph. Breathe in, okay? Sam, get out! Now, please. We'll…"
"Leo, there's somethin' ya need ta know," Raph said spitefully, glaring hard at Caska and blaming her for Sam's arrival. "Caska can't have babies!"

"W-what?" Leo said in shock, his jaw dropping. "Caska, is that true?" Caska couldn't meet his eyes and studied the ground. Feeling like he'd been kicked in the gut, Leo fled the room and headed to the forest, needing to think.

"I'm not leaving, Jasmine," Sam said firmly. "Not until we've talked. You owe me that. I'll go now, but I'll be in touch." Sam looked at her, wrinkled his nose in disgust at Raph, who was being soothed by Jasmine, and taking in deep breaths, and left the house.

"You bitch," Jasmine said irately, going to her sister's side and slapping her face. "How could you bring him here, Caska? How could you?"
Rubbing her smarting cheek, Caska said just as angrily, "How could you tell Raphael my secret when it wasn't his business?"
"Raph's my mate and I tell him everything. He told me that he wouldn't tell it, but I don't blame him for telling Leo. You upset him by bringing Sam here when you must have known how damn awkward it would be. For everyone. You didn't think as usual! Sam called me earlier and I promised Raph I wouldn't meet him, because my life is with Raph now! But did you stop to even ask me? No!"
"I thought you'd be happy to see him!"

"Caska, yer a meddlin', vindictive bitch ta bring him here," Raph interjected.
"Are you really going to let him talk to me like that, Jas?" Caska seethed. "He has no right."

"He has every right," Jasmine said furiously. "He's my mate, my love and he's right. Just why did you bring Sam here, Caska? So we could just talk and hang out? Did you even stop to think how Raph would feel? No!"
"All right. I've always thought you and Sam the perfect couple, so when Sam called and said he was alive; I hoped you guys would get back together. Sam's perfect for you. Raphael would be second best. You and I both know that! Call it big sister looking out for her kid sister, but you always have to think the worst of me. Whatever. I'm out of here. Have a nice life with Mr. Second Best and thanks for ruining my relationship with Leo, Raphael! I won't forget it!"

Caska stormed out, leaving the lovers alone. "It's amazing that your parents never seem to hear conflicts, Raph," Jasmine said.
"I think they do, but they stay away, because they hate them. Is that true? Am I really second best?"
"No, Raph. I don't and have never thought that."
"I shouldn't have told Leo, but I was angry."
"Look, it's not your fault. My sister should have been honest with Leo and you were reacting, because she brought Sam here."
"I'm sick ta death of people meddlin' in my life. I wanna leave."
"You can't, because you're still recovering."
"Yeah, I know, but in a few weeks I'm gonna be walkin'. Let's leave then. We'll find a nice place in a secluded area, where we can raise our family. Ya can still sell yer stuff online and when we're ready, we can come back. It's what I wanna do."
"And the bonding ceremony?"
"We'll leave straight after it. I'll try ta tough it out until then. And what are ya gonna do if Sam calls?"
"Ignore him. I meant what I said, Raph. My life's with you and if my sister or anyone else can't accept that, then it's their problem, and I don't need them in my life."

The lovers kissed deeply and snuggled close, determined not to let anyone ruin their budding romance.

Meanwhile, Sam was hiding out in an abandoned warehouse. Raph? Could that be short for Raphael, Sam wondered? Leonardo, Raphael? Wait. These have to be the turtles that Master was talking about. I'll start with getting rid of those two, but first I have to play nice. It's the only way I can get close and start my plans. Pretend I'm okay with Jas being with him and that I just want to be friends and then I'll make my move. I'll poison him, he'll succumb and I'll have my Jas and no one will know that I killed him.