Nikki rested against an old out of service water tower looking out at the city listening to music with a slight frown. He pulled his knees forward resting his arms on them his frown deepening. While he knew his mom stood not far from him, he avoided acknowledging her till she sat beside him. He pulled out his earbuds but said nothing.

"You've been coming here a lot," she said.

Nikki spared a glance surprised she knew. He expected to get a scolding on being out during the day or being out at all. "Yeah. . .I have."

"It's nice." Jess looked out at the city. The rooftop wasn't far from the lair.

"You're not mad?" he asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.

Jess gave a half smile still looking at the skyline. "No," she said with a slight shake of her head. "I would want space, too. I never wanted this for you, Nikki."

Nikki looked over at his mother but her hazel eyes were still fixated on the horizon.

"You always wanted to be free. I don't know why I stopped you. . ." her voice trailed off to a whisper. "We should've left this city a long time ago."

"You always told me things happen for a reason," he reminded, shifting his gaze to his hands.

"You getting shot shouldn't have to be for a reason, Nikki."

He flinched at her sharp tone feeling the dull pain in his shoulder. He was mostly healed"It doesn't bother you does it?" He met his mother eyes. "Killing people. It doesn't bother you?"

Jess met his eyes but said nothing. "Nikki, what's wrong?"

"Mom, I killed two people. . .with my hands. . .and I don't even care. Not like I feel like I should anyway."

Jess set her hand on her son's shoulder. "You were protecting April. It's still new."

"What has Raph said?" he asked after a few minutes of silence.

"He's worried about you. You can talk to him, you know."

"For years I wondered where we came from. Only to find out we're some sort of weapon. I just feel like no one understands, mom. We're still alone."

Jess felt her heart break but tried to maintain her composure. "Maybe they can't understand exactly, but I promise they can relate. Some of their stories are insane. I don't even think you guys were the craziest thing to ever happen to them." Jess smiled weakly hoping to improve Nikki's mood.

With a hint of a smile Nikki said, "I guess that's true."

Jess reached over and took Nikki's hand scooting closer to her son. "I love you, Nikki."

He rolled his head over to look at her smiling. "I know," he said.

"I want you to promise me something, Nikki," Jess said fixating her gaze back on the horizon. "No matter what happens you talk to me."

Nikki looked at his mother feeling her sadness and nodded, squeezing her hand gently. "I need to go," he said standing. "Raph and I are going to Levi's game."

Jess stood, too, with a pout. "I'm jealous. Wanna barrow my cheer uniform?"

He quirked a brow unamused.

"Kidding! Gosh you're so serious. You must get that from Raph." She grinned teasingly.

Nikki pulled his scarf up higher glancing at all the people around them. Raph sat next to him wearing mittens, a scarf, and hat down low.

"Relax, nobody's gonna notice."

"Are you sure? This feels like a bad idea." He ducked his head as an older man walked by with food from the concession stand. He was regretting his decision. At first the idea of going to a hockey game sound great. It hadn't occurred to him just how many people would be there.

Casey returned from the concession stand with snacks and drinks, handing them off to Raph and Nikki. "Bro, you gotta chill. We're just a couple of guys enjoyin' a high school game." Nikki tried to relax, taking the drink from Casey wincing in pain from him shoulder. Casey pulled the drink back and set them down himself. "You ok, Nikki?"

"Yeah, sometimes weight still hurts it," Nikki grumbled rubbing his shoulder.

"It's startin'! Look, dere's Levi," Casey said pointing to number 77 as he passed skating backwards. Levi waved skidding to a stop waiting for the game to begin.

Nikki leaned forward watching as the players seemed to fly over the ice with awe. "How are they able to do that on those—what are they called?—Skates?"

Casey smiled, "Lots a practice. Levi's been doin' dis since he could walk."

Nikki flinched when a buzzer went off startling Raph.

"You ok?" he asked as the crowd cheered around them.

Nikki nodded embarrassed letting go of the now dented metal bench. "I guess that means they got a point."

He watched getting excited with every score and slowly becoming more comfortable. But he was surprised to see how violent the game was. Even more surprised when Levi shoved several of the opposing players hard enough, they fell to the ice.

When the game ended Levi sat down next to Casey and started taking off his gear.

"You did you great, bud," Casey gushed helping Levi pack his skates into the duffel.

"Glad you could make it," Levi said to Nikki leaning forward to look around Casey

Nikki pulled his scarf up higher. "Yeah, it was a lot of fun."

Thanks for ready!