The sound of the IV dripping and Leo's heavy breaths were all Raph could hear. A day had gone by, and he'd hoped things would have turned for the better by now. But night had found his brother still unconscious and running a high, persistent fever. It wasn't at dangerous levels, but it could turn for the worst as easily as the better.

Though reluctant to leave, the family had agreed to take it in shifts to look after Leo over the night, and Raph had volunteered for the first one. His eyes moved to the electronic clock on the nearby table, which read 10:30. The others had gone to bed about a half hour ago, but Raph seriously doubted any of them were sleeping.

The sound of a sharp inhale pulled the eldest turtle out of his thoughts. Leo had tensed, his brow furrowing deeper. Mentally scolding himself for letting his focus shift, Raph dipped the washcloth he held in the bowl of cold water by the clock. Wringing it out, he pressed it to his brother's forehead and his mouth quirked up in a slight smile when Leo relaxed a little.

"Feels better, huh?" he asked in a gentle tone. He couldn't help but hope that his brother would open his eyes and respond with a quip about Raph being a big softy, but he remained still and silent except for his breathing. Raph let out a quiet sigh and continued to sponge the younger turtle's forehead.

Several moments of silence went by; it seemed silence had hung over the whole lair ever since they brought their badly injured brother home, and Raph knew only some sign that he would be okay would break it. Almost unconsciously, his eyes moved to Leo's right hand resting on the blanket, the old photo still clasped in it. Reaching out, he took it in a gentle grip.

"Things just aren't right around here without you, buddy," he said softly. "You probably feel really bad about everything, but I promise none of us blame you. And i know you're tired, but you've gotta wake up… your family needs you too."

Leo remained unresponsive, and Raph was lowering his eyes to the floor when suddenly he felt the smaller hand under his shift, then slowly turn and press into his. His head shot up to see Leo's closed eyelids twitch, the eyes moving underneath. Raph's heart started pounding as he leaned forward.

"Leo? Can ya hear me?"

The younger turtle stirred, letting out a soft murmur, and Raph placed his other hand on his brother's bandaged shoulder.

"That's it…" he urged. "C'mon, Leo, wake up. Open those eyes."

"Mmm…"

Stirring again, Leo turned his head toward his brother, and slowly, his eyes flickered open. He blinked, then his face twitched into a feeble smile.

"R-Raph…"

His voice was weak and raspy, but Raph had never been happier to hear it. His eyes stung as he smiled back and gave Leo's hand a gentle squeeze.

"Hey there… yeah, it's me," he said. "Welcome back, little brother. How're ya feeling?"

The younger turtle winced, closing his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again.

"Like Mikey… h-hit me w' that building," he mumbled. Raph snorted at that, but before he could say anything in return Leo let out a few dry coughs. The older turtle kicked himself again and quickly got up.

"Shoot… hang on a second."

Reminding himself to thank Mikey for his foresight, he snatched a juice box from the nearby cooler and returned to the chair beside Leo's bed. His larger hands made opening it a little more cumbersome for him than the others, but if this was what Leo needed, he'd do it.

"Here," he said, carefully lifting his brother's head and shoulders. "Take it slow, small sips."

Leo coughed a little again at the first sip, but quickly recovered and did as he was told. When he finished, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Thanks," he rasped. Raph smiled as he lowered his brother's head back onto the pillow.

"Anytime," he replied, then turned his head and raised his voice. "Hey, everyone, get in here! He's awake!"

The sound of running footsteps quickly followed, then the rest of the family burst in. Leo looked at them, and Raph saw his eyes grow over-bright as he managed another smile.

"Hey, guys."

Mikey was the first to move, racing to the bed and throwing his arms around the older turtle, prompting an immediate wince.

"Leo!" he cried, tears of joy running down his face. "You're okay!"

The blue-banded turtle's smile widened as he wrapped his uninjured arm around Mikey, his hand stroking up and down the youngest turtle's shell.

"Okay's kind of a… strong word, little bro."

Donnie rushed over, a deep frown on his face.

"And unless you want him to get worse, take it easy," he said sharply.

Mikey gasped and immediately let go, his eyes wide and anxious.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" he stammered. "I didn't mean t'…"

"It's fine," Leo said. "I-I'm okay."

Raph wasn't sure if it was just him, but the words seemed to come out a little too fast, a little too forced. But before he could say anything Splinter moved over, and Raph stood to let him take the chair. The rat seemed too overwhelmed to speak, placing a hand on Leo's cheek and stroking his thumb over it as his eyes swam with tears. Leo swallowed hard, his own eyes over-bright, as he placed his own hand on Splinter's.

"H-hey, Dad," he whispered.

Splinter's jaw tightened, his voice choking for a moment as he struggled for words.

"My son," he finally managed. "My brave, foolish son."

"W-well… heard 'brave' in there," Leo said with a sly smile they all knew well.

"I'd say 'foolish' applies more," Donnie muttered as he checked his twin over. "How do you feel? How's the pain?"

Leo shrugged, unable to completely hide the wince.

"Not bad… just hurts w-when I breathe."

"Scoff!" Donnie huffed, rolling his eyes. "As if it wouldn't… that Krang almost cracked your skull and broke more bones than…"

"Donnie," Raph said, knowing he was about to start on a furious rant. The softshell looked at him, then took a deep breath. When he went on his voice sounded much calmer but with a stiffness that hinted he wasn't feeling nearly as calm.

"What I'm saying is, you're lucky to be alive and in one piece. Now hold still."

He pulled down his goggles, and as he scanned Leo's body, the slider's eyes moved to Mikey.

"N' I know w-who to thank for that," he murmured. "Thanks… for not givin' up on me, Mikey."

The youngest turtle shifted on his feet as he rubbed his neck, an almost shy smile on his face.

"Never would, bro. Not now, not ever."

Leo smiled back, then looked at Donnie.

"So… how's it look, Don?"

The genius pushed his goggles up, giving a curt nod.

"Not near as bad as it could've been, thanks to Mikey," he said, his voice brisk and businesslike. "But certainly not something you can shrug off in a few days. It'll probably take months just to heal, and almost as much physical therapy to restore full muscle movement. Needless to say, you're on bed rest until further notice."

Leo let out an almost petulant sigh, looking up at the ceiling.

"Ah, man… just what I need right now."

Raph and Mikey let out a huff of laughter as Donnie shot Leo an irritated glare.

"Well, like it or not, you do. And if you try anything sneaky, I'll let Mikey chain you to the bed and don't think I won't."

The slider raised his good arm in a defensive gesture.

"Point taken… whatever ya say, doc."

Despite his joking demeanor, Raph could see something under the playfulness. There was a sense of guilt and regret there, one that had put shadows in his brother's eyes that were never there before. In a spur of concern, the eldest turtle moved to place a hand on Leo's arm.

"Ya don't have to feel ashamed of anything, bro. You did more than enough, and right now you gotta focus on getting better. We'll be there all the way, promise."

The others all nodded with firm, determined expressions. Leo looked from one face to another, and a grateful smile lit up his face.

"Thanks," he murmured.

Genuine as the smile was, Raph could see that the guilt hadn't fully left Leo's face. It didn't really surprise him… he knew his brothers, and he didn't doubt the slider was going to be plagued by what had happened for a good long time.

But he'll be fine… we'll make sure of that, he thought with determination. I'm gonna make sure he gets past this if it's the last thing I do. That's a promise, little brother.