Note: Thanks for the reviews guys. I appreciate it. And there really aren't enough Casey-centric TMNT fics out there, with April too. Oh, and AbsoluteOmega; surprisingly enough, I do know how to spell ladder. Heh. My brain wasn't functioning quite properly and sometimes while spelling I confuse latter (as in, the former not the latter) with ladder (the one that you climb). Whoops. x-0; My bad. ::smashes head into nearby wall:: I blame my muse. XP Ha!
The Good Guys Aren't Invincible: II
Morning came late for everyone except Master Splinter, who was always an early riser. He had put together a special blend of herbs and natural ingredients for Donatello to give to Casey to drink once he was able. The wise old rat had said it would help with his pain and also heal his soul, which was necessary for a full recovery. Donnie had set the foul-smelling drink aside for when Casey woke.
April had tiredly wandered to the lab where she now stood beside the small bed that Casey laid on. His torn shirt had been taken off, replaced by many bandages, and the right pant leg had been cut off his track pants above the knee, so that the leg could also be properly bandaged. Frowning sadly, April had to fight off the tears that wanted to trail down her cheeks again. It's my fault he's like this, she thought, If only I'd let him in my apartment, he'd be alright.
She was soon brought out of her reverie when Donatello came in the lab holding a needle with some yellowish fluid in it. "What's that?" she asked curiously as the turtle brought it over to Casey and injected it into his arm.
"Well, to put it simply; medicine to help ease his symptoms." the turtle answered with a caring smile.
"Oh," April looked on with concern as Casey twitched in pain for a moment before going still. Alarmed, she turned to Donatello with wide eyes. "Donnie! Is he-"
"It's okay, April." he assured her, reaching toward Casey's neck and checking his pulse with a nod. "That was just the medicine kicking in. He'll rest easier now."
"Good morning guys," Leonardo greeted warmly, popping his head into the lab with Michelangelo close behind, yawning.
"I just wanted to stop by and see how Casey was doing." Mikey said with a sympathetic smile when April and Donatello looked at him.
April nodded, trying to return his smile but failing miserably.
"Anyone up for breakfast?" Leo asked the three. "We've got left-over pizza, and-"
"Left-over pizza! My fave!" Mikey interupted with a big grin. "I loooove having pizza for breakfast!" his enthusiasm got a small smile out of April.
"Yuck," she said afterwards, crinkling her nose and looking at Donatello and Leonardo once Mikey bolted out of the room to get his food. "You guys eat left-over pizza for breakfast?"
"Yeh, you should try it sometime." Donnie grinned.
April made a disgusted face. "Got anything else?" she asked hopefully.
"Sugar-coated Sugar Crisp cereal." Leo offered with a shrug as April shook her head. "Blame Mikey, he picked it out. We usually just get Lucky Charms."
"Eh, maybe I'll just skip breakfast." April sighed and slowly wandered out of the lab with one last glance toward Casey.
"Don't you have work to do at the antique shop?" Donnie asked as they headed toward the kitchen area.
"No," April shook her head. "I've declared it closed for the day." she looked down at herself, realizing she was in her nightgown and robe. She didn't have anything to wear in the lair, and she could really use a shower to help de-stress-itize. "Maybe I'll go home, get cleaned up, and bring some extra clothes before coming back here. If you guys don't mind, I think I'd like to stay another night."
"That's a good idea." Donatello patted her shoulder and went to get a slice of pizza before Mikey ate it all.
"Yeh," Raphael came up from behind April, overhearing what she'd said. He gave her a nod and crooked smile. "We'll look after Case while you're gone, don't worry." he said gruffly. "I'll give ya a ride outta here."
"Thanks." April managed a small, appreciative smile. "I won't be long." she was too worried about Casey to be so far away for long anyway. And although she would never admit it to anyone, she was starting to think she really did care deeply about him.
- - - - -
In the early afternoon when Leonardo had just brought April back into the lair, they all were aware of the painful howls and screams coming from the lab. April put her things down and ran toward the lab, following a frantic Donatello. "Donnie! What's going on?!" she asked worriedly over the yelling.
Raphael and Michelangelo were already in the lab, standing around a thrashing and screaming Casey.
"Guys, hold him down before he hurts himself!" Donnie yelled to his brothers as he dug through the lab's cabinets and produced a syringe.
Raph and Mikey quickly went to work, trying to keep Casey from flailing about without hurting him.
"What's the matter with 'im?!" Raphael exclaimed, flinching slightly as a swinging hand smacked into the side of his head.
April just stared in shock while Donatello managed to administer whatever was in the needle he had.
"He's starting to wake up and he's in serious pain!" Donnie exclaimed over the yelling as Casey continued to howl and scream with his eyes clenched shut. He backed off once the drugs were injected into his patient's arm. "That sedative I gave him should knock him back out. It's the best we can do until we can figure out how to make some stronger pain medication for him."
The pain-wreaked screaming soon died down and Raph and Mikey backed up, breathing a little heavier from their efforts.
That worried look crossed April's face and she apprehensively backed out of the lab. It hurt her to see Casey like that, especially since she felt responcible for what happened to him.
"Maybe we could go to a hospital and get him medicine?" Mikey suggested, looking for Donatello's approval.
"Yeh right, Mikey." Raphael snorted and shook his head. "What do ya think they're gonna do if some giant green turtles pop in there and ask for pills?"
"No," Donnie interjected. "Mikey's right." he paused and looked from Raphael to Mikey, to April, who was still backing out of the lab. "We can't go in there, but April can."
She stopped and frowned, shaking her head. As much as she wanted to help, she didn't think this was plausible. "Donnie, you can't just go in a hospital and ask for morphine. They're not going to give it to me."
"So we steal it." Raphael said frankly.
Donatello lowered his head. "I hate to admit it, it's not our way....but I think we have to. I mean, it's all we can do to help Casey."
April sighed, dropping her arms by her sides. "Well...morphine's expensive...If I can manage to get away with it, I'll leave what money I have in my purse in it's place."
Mikey smiled a little. "It's a plan then."
Donatello guestured toward Raphael. "You better go with her. Just in case trouble starts."
Raph nodded with a partial grin. He was itching to pound in some heads, though he seriously doubted there'd be any fighting.
"And put on some heavy clothes so no one sees what you really are!" Donnie warned as Raphael left with April.
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Note: This chapter was kinda short, I know. Sorry 'bout that. But please review!!!