Who Am I? Chapter 3
Real... Treat, or not?

Disclaimer: TMNT isn't mine and this is just a fan fiction writing. No money is being made on this story.
(TMNT CC are AU based on 2003 version and events, the turtles are in their late 20s.)
Rated T
Drama, family comfort/hurt, and heartache...

Summary: There is another Raphael? Was Leo hallucinating due to his head injury? Was the thief really a mutant turtle? His brother are unsure and worst off, Raph of all of them doesn't believe this turtle, if he is one, isn't a threat to the family. Regardless, what do they do now? What steps should they take to answer the question surrounding this stranger?

"So you buy what Leo is selling?" Raph sternly asked. He placed his cheek into the palm of his hand using the kitchen table for support.

All three brothers were present and Leo was resting in the living room, by now asleep as Donnie claimed ten minutes ago not wanting to discuss the situation with the leader awake.

"I do dude, even though Leo is hurt that doesn't mean he had mistaken about what he saw. Besides bro, we all know he isn't the type to make something like this up," Mikey argued.

There was something in Leo's eyes that told him this wasn't some hallucination.

"Shell Mikey, even if he wasn't the type he has a damn head injury for shell sake's" Raph let out a low growl.

Donnie came to the table with the drinks, placing his cup of coffee down, then passing Raph his hot chocolate and Mikey his milk chocolate. He played the peacemaker for this turn, "Enough arguing, whether or not what he said was true or not." He sat down, taking a breath before continuing, "Let's just agree that in Leo's mind what he saw was real and now we need to figure out what the threat is if there is one."

"Don, this guy was here again in Leo's room. That is more than enough to say this thief is going to be a problem," Raph voiced his concerns.

"And Leo said this Raphael was not there to harm him."

"Yet again that is what Leo thinks," Raph muttered crossing his arms.

"True," Donnie trailed off wrapping his hands around his warm comforting cup, peering into it.

"If this so-called turtle wasn't here to hurt Leo, if he is even a turtle at that, why the shell did he harm Leo in the woods in the first place? Better yet, when you two confronted him when he trespassed and was stealing?" Raph narrowed his eyes not seeing why this was some debate, they need to track this guy down now before he tries any funny business when they are vulnerable. It was bad enough having one turtle down.

"Fear?" Mikey said quietly, "You two could have scared him?"

"Then shell for brains why did he attack Leo in the woods, huh?"

Donnie thought it through, then sighed, "This Raphael is sick..."

"What?" the orange and red mask brothers turned their heads towards him in question.

Both eyes on Donnie he stretched trying to figure out the best way to explain his theory, which in turn was just that, a theory with no concrete evidence to back it up.

"Leo mentioned that this Raphael appeared to be very ill and you said Mikey, he was stealing outdated food, correct? He might be malnourished for one and there is his behaviour, the way Leo said he reacted when touching his mask, I believe he might have some mental issues or suffering from something on that line."

"Like what?" Raph wanted a bit more of an explanation.

"I'm not quite sure what exactly," Donnie started rolling his eyes, he wasn't a doctor after all. When his muscular brother shifted and had that look about him, the one that he was not impressed and wondered why you even bother bringing something up unable to explain it, Donnie couldn't let Raph just dismiss the possibility.

Donnie cleared his throat working out in his head a way to show Raph why he considers the turtle could be sick.

"Well then let's look at this way, take the one moment on how he acted towards Leo in the bedroom. If he was healthy, I very doubt he wouldn't have been acting so spooked and closed off. Also, note how he was when he picked up the mask studying in such a fashion. Two thoughts come to mind, if this turtle was alone, why was he fixated over Leo's mask? I would think he would be more interested in Leo than some fabric, which would be suggested since the turtle came back. This gives me the impression that if this Raphael is, as Leo insisted is another version of you Raph, he too has brothers. So in turn, if this Raphael is almost exactly like you as Leo had explained, his brothers too would be duplicates of us."

Raph sat back crossing his arms, as Donnie didn't let his intimidation stop him from explaining all the facts he had gathered so far. "Which begs the question, where are his brothers? Are they even alive? Which might explain the fascination of the mask, yet I would still think seeing Leo would be a focus for the turtle. That said on that note, which on its own does prove this Raphael is on his own and possibly lost his family, which in my experience so far, can have quite an impact on one's psyche. The stress with the mix of tragedy that fell upon him and his family probably had broken him."

Mikey whimpered, "Dude, you just had to go to the dark side first didn't you..."

"Sorry Mikey," Donnie bit his lip, stating his other idea to make it sound less depressing if that was possible, "Let's look into the other option at hand, say his family is alive, he is just alone in our world on the fact that we would have seen his other brothers by now I believe. Yet again, it turns to why is he alone, and if something had happened to him that brought him into our world and forced him to this way of life by stealing to survive. I still think the way he acted towards Leo shows he is not stable in the head, not in regards to being dangerous per say, yet it will make things difficult to get this resolved and questions answered."

Raph huffed, "If that any of those ideas are true Don, it doesn't excuse him from attacking Leo in the woods. How can you say that action doesn't make him dangerous? Ya can't tell me he didn't notice who Leo was then, since like you said he came back, so he knew Leo wasn't some random human!"

"What if it was an accident?" Mikey asked, voicing the idea.

"Accident, like hell, that sounds farfetched," Raph answered, why were his brothers so willing to find a reasonable explanation giving this 'person' a chance when they lost all privilege to gain their trust and mercy.

"Maybe not," Donnie shook his finger in thought, repeating already known knowledge, "Mikey might be onto something there, considering when you found Leo in the woods, Raph. Leo had a bandage around his head, the cloth wasn't from Leo and no way Leo did that on his own."
Raph rolled his eyes, then bit his lip wanting to argue, yet he couldn't. Nothing he said would prove he was right and both brothers would just bring up yet another excuse to ignore his warnings that this turtle was a threat to them all, "Fine I will buy it for now." he hissed.

"Then what now dudes? Do we try to find this Raphael..."

"For starters, how about we stop calling this guy by my name until we know who the shell he is," Raph finally had the last straw of his brothers referring this thief being him in any way.

"What do we call him?" Donnie asked he didn't want to just keep saying thief, intruder or turtle at that.

"I don't give a damn," Raph pushed himself from the table.

"We should give him a name until we figure out who he really is?" Mikey wondered then smirk, "How about Adam for now?"

"Adam?" Donnie wondered where that came from.

Mikey shrugged, "It fits, right? Adam... it's simple and easy to remember and better than saying guy and all those other titles we were using. Besides, we will call him his right name when we figure out who he is."

"Whatever," Raph stalked towards the back door and snatch up a flashlight as he did so.

"Raph where do you think you're going at this hour?" Donnie raised an eyebrow at his husky brother.

"Going to find out... if this Adam really did attack Leo or it was an accident," he told him. If words weren't enough to make them see what he saw, then he was going to prove it with evidence.

"Now?"

Raph turned his head towards his worried brother, with his hand on the doorknob, "What better time, besides I never took a moment to really look at the scene where I found Leo. If we want to start getting some damn answers, then just pulling theories out of our shells, that's where I will start."

"Not alone you're not," Donnie pointed to Mikey to get up and follow.

"Me?" Mikey squeaked, not overly happy with the idea of roaming in the dark in the middle of the woods with the knowledge of another version of Raph stalking about. One hothead, in for him was enough. Besides, what if this version doesn't like him and want to get revenge from his own versions doing?

"Yes you, I need to stay and keep a watchful eye over Leo, besides I don't think Ra... Adam will be back tonight, so we will be fine," Donnie assured him and didn't want Raph on his own either way.

"Fine," Mikey sighed, sluggishly getting to his feet, "But if some werewolf eats me, I will haunt you both!" he said seriously as both brothers exchange looks of confusion. Sometimes they wonder where Mikey gets these ideas... regardless if there was a full moon out there or not.

The light of the moon didn't aid them in their search by much, with it being claimed by the overcast.

Raph had no choice to resort to taking out the flashlights, using not just his own, but Mikey's to see their surroundings in the best detail they could manage in this poor lighting condition.

He scanned the area in silence, he was in the zone and Mikey even didn't dare to open his mouth, amazed how Raph could be so focused on a task without complaint.

Raph's skills of hunting and piecing out a scene was remarkable, a skill no one had any idea he possessed until years ago when Leo went missing. It was the time that the foot had boxed in their brother and took him down with no one to help him.

Raph shined at that moment, he figured out what happened to Leo in great detail and tracked him down.

After that day Master had put Raph on special training to strengthen this new skills of his, that would be useful later on in life.

Raph was still an amateur when he found Leo and made a few mistakes on the way, but now he had learned not only to focus more but not let his hasty side to take over which was a problem at the time. Not that Raph was tamed to say with his anger and impulse nature, that calm side only came out when he is tracking.

"Leo had this gu... Adam trapped against this tree," Raph finally spoken pointing to one of the tall trees that loomed above them. "He confronted Adam then some reason took a step back..." Raph circled the areas studying the footprints, "Leo had approached Adam again, yet his footsteps show he was pushed away since the heel is dug into the dirt."

"Did they fight?" Mikey questioned.

Raph shook his head, "No it looks more like he didn't want Leo near him." Raph then bit his lip kneeling down bouncing on his legs in a crouching position. "I can't figure out what happened after that, there are so many footprints, yet none indicates they were fighting. It looks like Leo was trying to reach him then..." Raph shot up following one set that brought him towards where he found Leo.

"Then?" Mikey's eyes widen eagerly, not liking to hang there like this.

"Leo..." Raph blink feeling a rush of guilt.

"Leo what?" Mikey wanted to so much to shake the answer out of Raph.

"He lost his balance," Raph looked up at Mikey with painful eyes, "Leo must have become disoriented and dizzy and stumbled around, and then he fell and hit his head. That is why the footprints are chaotic. Shell, there is a rock here that Leo hit it on and by the looks of it, he should have had a worse head injury then he did, unless..."

"Adam tried to catch him," Mikey filled in.

Raph nodded, then sighed looking up into the sky, "We need to go back and let Donnie know about this, I don't think Adam was intending to hurt Leo after all... Shell... is he really... another version of me?"

It was not long after they left that his two brothers had returned from the woods with the news that this Adam character wasn't in for Leo, which only rose more questions. Was he another Raphael after all? If so then where did he come from and what were they to do now?

They left the questions for the morning, each feeling the exhaustion claiming them and settled in for the night. Pondering over it with tired minds weren't going to get them anywhere, besides a new fresh start bringing a new perspective to the current dilemma was called for.

The warm sun rising to greet a new day, peeked through the windows awaking Leo, who was the first turtle to be up so bright and early.

His head still feeling a bit off, it was frustrating and he couldn't help to let out a sigh as he sat up, pressing his shell against the couch's arm. With a few steady breaths Leo took in his surroundings, coming aware of the warmth of his brother that was on the floor.

It was Raph with his shell in the air while drooling over his now wet pillow. This was one of many good reasons that Leo refuses to ever agree to use one of Raph's pillows, regardless of the circumstances. The horrifying yellow stains under the case was more than his stomach could take.

On the other couch, both Mikey and Donnie bunkered together, taking each side, it was a miracle that Mikey doesn't kick Donnie in the face during the night. As he is in the day, Mikey is the same in his sleep, fidgety and doesn't stop moving.

It had been a while since they all slept in the same room close to each other. It was a nice sight to withhold and a smile formed on Leo's lips.

Then his eyes wandered towards the sun soak window and his heart sank seeing it warmth coming in.

His mind started to trail to the other Raphael, the one that came to him last night, was he alone?

The thought that he was out there with no one to make him feel safe, make him feel whole was gnawing at him. He tried to imagine being in such a situation, with no brothers, scraping by for food.

He knew all too well how that felt the food part that is, not having enough to eat, always looking for his next meal. When they were kids that's how it was, dumpster diving in restaurant bins, scavenging food to survive on.

For some time it was Master Splinter that did the deed until they were old enough to help out. It was hard, even so, they had each other in the end. They watch each others' shells, always filling in that void that would come from living in such hard conditions.

They were always happy and grateful, though they had nothing.

It wasn't until they met Angel and Casey that it all changed, they found ways to accumulate money to buy actual food and Mikey found his passion for cooking as a result. Not that he didn't try to cook before but with no limitation and fresh ingredients in his possession, he shine like the sun.

So, in the end, he knew how this turtle must feel, to a point and it was heart aching.

Leo's eyes trailed down at his red mask brother and laid a hand on his head.

Raph did stir yet did not wake, not even when Leo gently stroked his head lovingly. He had to find this other version of his brother soon, not just to make himself feel better, but he knew deep down how this was affecting his own brothers.

The idea of a version of yourself out there suffering couldn't bold so well on the conscience. Even if it is Raph's, which was worse since even with that tough guy exterior of his, he was very emotional and wore his heart on his sleeve. This was probably hurting him a lot.

"You okay Leo?" Mikey's voice came from across the room, the whisper startled Leo slightly.

His brother's blue eyes sparkled in the cast of light staring at him with concern.

"I'm fine Mikey," Leo removed his hand from Raph, who groaned as if in protest.

A wide grin flashed on Mikey's lips, then a light chuckle to follow. Light enough for Leo to hear, yet not too loud to wake the two sleeping beauties in the room.

"That's good bro," Mikey slid off the couch now having another brother moaning over the lack of attention. Mikey shook his head with a larger smile, patting Donnie on the head gently and pulling his blanket up to cover him more. Donnie did stir by his action, however, just like Raph, he was in a heavy sleep not waking up.

"Why don't I start breakfast, are you feeling well enough to come and keep me company?" Mikey tiptoe towards Leo.

"I believe so." He took the corner of his blanket moving it to the side so he didn't tangle his legs as he tried to get up. Mikey was by his side instantly helping Leo to his feet and directing him to the kitchen. To Leo's dismay, his body felt weak and he hated it, yet didn't complain to upset Mikey.

Once he was at the table, Leo let his body slump in its spot watching Mikey start his magic. First, the kid brother boiled some water for Leo's tea and started the coffee maker for the harder brother to wake up in the wee morning. After those were going, he turned around on the ball of his heel placing his finger on his chin in thought.

"So dude, what do you feel this morning?" Mikey asked the question. It wasn't the question of what you want, but how you felt. It was a little game Mikey played with anyone that was around in the morning. The rules were that you can't say what you want to eat, yet how you feel that morning, such as tired, refreshed, heavy, warm and so on. From there Mikey whipped up something to either battle the negative feelings or compliment the positive.

"Let see," Leo thought about it seeing that Mikey focused on him and lying wouldn't do him any good. "Exhausted. I feel drained and I'm worried..."

"Over Adam?" Mikey's smiled fell, feeling the same.

"Who is Adam?" Leo asked in confusion, did something happen when he was sleeping?

"Oh shell right," Mikey chuckled, "Last night Raph got steamed we were referring the turtle that visited you with his name. We don't really know if his name is Raphael or not, so we decided to nickname him until we know more about him."

"So Adam?" Leo raised an eyebrow.

With a low chuckle, Mikey scratched his head, "That was the name that popped in my head, I don't know dude, it sounded fine to me and some reason suits him for now. It's better than saying intruder, thief, turtle and so on."

"I guess so..." Leo trailed off, trying to picture calling this turtle Adam of all names.

Mikey beamed suddenly, "Well, what you wanted me to nickname him... David?" Mikey smirked wondering if Leo would catch the joke this early in the morning.

"No... let's not Mikey," Leo smiled back understanding which David he was referring to.

"Then Adam then?"

Leo shrugged, "If it was bothering Raphael I see there is no choice until we do find out more about... Adam."

"True true," Mikey nodded, then churred in excitement, "I know what to make this morning Leo my bro. I have something that will make those nasty feelings run away with their tails between their legs!"

Leo blinked at him then felt flush in the cheeks, "Mikey... nothing over the top please or weird."

The kid brother looked over his shoulders with a glitter in his eyes, "Me, do something weird? Dude, you make it sound like I would create some horror movie pizza with jelly beans and jalapeño, drizzled with dark rich chocolate."

"I hope not!" Leo shivered.

"Can I sit down?"

Leo looked up from his book, not able to do any activities he would normally perform in the day, he was limited with minimal options to his disposal. In the end, he figured to do some light reading, well more like slow reading.

It was challenging on its own without the words falling off the page and other odd things the letters did in his head. Luckily it wasn't a hard book to read and to follow, though by the expression on his brothers face the book choice wasn't Raph's favourite.

The brother stared at it, then at Leo after, while waiting for Leo to answer him.

"Sure," Leo placed his thick finger between the pages he was on and then folded the book on it.

"So..." Raph trailed off still eyes glued to the book.

"Raph is there something wrong on what I'm reading?" Leo asked with a raised eyebrow.

Raph's lip tighten, then he looked away with blush cheeks, "You know those are trashy, right?"

Leo shrugged, "Oh I am fully aware, but right now I want trashy, I don't feel like reading one of Mikey's comics or that paperweight of a book Donnie has upstairs."

"Still..." Raph pointed at the book, "A romance novel?"

"It's beyond exaggeration, but it's an amusing read," Leo smiled, "Besides it was the only option, I had since there are no other books and I can't do anything else. Even watching TV is out of the question by Donnie's orders."

"Still..."

"Raph," Leo rolled his eyes, "What is it that you wanted to talk about other then I'm reading this romance novel... That I swear..." Leo coughed suddenly trailing off.

"Swear what?" Raph tilted his head at Leo then noticing his brother was purposely not allowing him to see the cover fully. A curiosity took over and Raph couldn't help himself, snatching up the book before Leo could say a thing as his jaw dropped in horrifying disbelief.

"You sicko!" Raph gasped throwing the book back at Leo.

"What?" Leo scrambled with the book trying to find his page again.

"What the shell Leo! You really have some issues," Raph got up abruptly heading towards the door.

"Raph wait! What was it that you wanted to talk about?" Leo tried to stop him.

"Nope, not now you pervert," Raph said in disgust.

"Why is Leo a perv?" Donnie questioned as he came out of the house almost slamming into Raph's plastron.

"Why?" Raph raised his voice disturbed, "That book he is reading! Shell... it's one of those stupid books that you give the company your name and even a picture of yourself and they will make the trashy novel with you inserted into it! I wouldn't be surprised the love interest is damn Casey!"

"Huh?" Donnie's eyes darted between the two brothers in confusion. What was this about a trashy novel with Casey and Leo?

"Donnie it's not how Raph made it sound like," Leo turned the cover towards Donnie who started to laugh hysterically.

"Ah, that novel," he smirked wildly, "I read it a too!"

"Shell you didn't," Raph's jaw drop in horror, "I... I need to go!"

Raph rushed into the house and his footsteps started to die down when he went up the stairs and probably to his room. Leo and Donnie looked at each other, laughing and Donnie took a seat beside Leo.

"I think Angel was trying to hint to Casey on some romance tips with that book," Donnie chuckled stretching out.

"I have noticed by her notes in it stating yeah right he wouldn't do that, or no way Casey would even think of doing something romantic like that," Leo mused.

"I know right? Wait until you get towards the end of the book."

"No spoilers," Leo warned.

"Don't worry, I won't, but still I'm not sure what is more amusing the story or the fact she actually did get that service done and inserted her and Casey into such a romantic novel?"

Leo shrugged, "Who knows, I wouldn't put it past her it really was for a laugh."

"True true..." Donnie smiled that slowly turned to worry, "Leo are you sure about tonight?"

"Is that what Raph came out here to talk to me about?" Leo asked placing the book on his lap.

"Yes I believe so," Donnie took a breath before continuing, "I mean I know you think Adam will not hurt you, but to ask us to not to be present in the house as you wait for him to show up again sounds..."

Leo placed his hand on Donnie's shoulder, "Don, don't worry. I have confidence nothing will happen and Adam will show up with no ill intent towards me."

"But we will be on the other side of the property," Donnie bit his lip.

"It is better you guys are," Leo pointed out, "He ran yesterday for he wasn't comfortable around you, so far he is slowly accepting me. We need answers, but we will not get any if we keep scaring him off. What if he considers not attempting to contact me and disappears?"

Donnie started to slump, "Who says he will show up?

Leo shrugged, "I don't know, he might not, but I have to give him a chance to try."

Donnie worried eyes looked about and Leo pulled him in resting his chin on Donnie's head, "Raph has already stated he wouldn't be able to track Adam down by the looks of it. Adam has proven skills of covering his tracks, even for Raph to figure out."

"I know..."

"Don, it will be fine. We will have everything set up."

"What about your weapon Leo?" Donnie raised a voice of concern, "You're really going to sit in the kitchen waiting for him with no weapon or shell cell in range? I don't think this is a wise idea, we can't see the house from the bonfire and..."

Leo smiled, knowing all these concerns were not only Donnie's, there were his other brothers' as well. "I know it's risky in my condition, however, to gain trust is to give it in return. One of us has to make the first step, if I gain his trust then he will open up and from there we will know how to help him."

"Maybe I should set up some..."

"No," Leo was stern.

"But Leo..."

Leo shook his head, "He will see the cameras if he does have any training Don, we need to do this right for who knows if we will have another chance. We can't have some mutant turtle even if it is Raph or not, wandering around. That will expose us and the fact he looks like Raph could cause Raph trouble down the line as well."

Donnie becoming silent and whimpered, then gave in pressing into Leo, "Okay Leo, we will play it your way, but if there is one sign of any danger I will pull the plug."

"I know you will," Leo said in confidence, "Thanks for taking the lead for me right now."

"Not much choice unless you want Mikey too?" Donnie chuckled.

"Is he better than Raph as a choice," Leo snickered.

"Debatable, depending on the situation."

"You got a point there."

hr

A nervousness came over him, even though this was his plan some doubt did fill him. What if the turtle didn't show up? What if that open window closed the night before... What if he was hallucinating, as he had overheard his brothers' concerns over the idea that had come up. What if he wanted this thief to be someone he knows in a way to feel safe that this wasn't some random human intruding on their home and they were in danger?

He took a sip from his just brew tea that Mikey made before gathering up the marshmallows for the fire. Though neither brother was too thrilled with the idea they had to play their parts, they had no choice to make this work.

They must have a campfire and act like it was just another night, with stories and jokes. Leo hoped they were doing a good enough job, though he wouldn't blame them not being in the mood and forcing themselves to play the role.

This in Leo's mind was the only way to get Adam to show up, with no threat that Adam might feel that came with his brothers' presence, with them not there he might take the chance to appear before Leo once again.

A sigh slipped through his lips as he stared into the tea, how was he to act while waiting? Was he to act oblivious or acknowledging? Which would be more inviting or which would make the turtle run away?

The door suddenly creaked and Leo shot up a look seeing a dark figure with a hand on the door frame and eyes searching the room. The figure didn't enter only hovering there staring at Leo. Taking a breath not to be too overpowering, Leo smiled and said in a soft voice, "Hello again."

TBC