Leo let out a quiet sigh as he sank onto his knees beside the couch, gazing at his youngest brother. His shivering seemed to have stopped, his breathing a little less strained, but his face remained pale, and he showed no sign of responsiveness. The urge to ask Splinter if he'd connected at all was almost unbearable, but Leo held it back. If he interrupted something important, the possible outcome was less than desirable. Reaching out, he placed a hand on Mikey's shoulder, managing not to flinch. Bandages hid the wound from sight but didn't erase the knowledge that it was there.

And as always, the thought came to Leo that it was all his fault. Not just because his brothers' safety was his responsibility as the leader, but because he was the big brother. He was supposed to look out for Mikey, keep him safe, keep him happy, and only now had he finally realized how much he'd failed. If he'd figured this all out sooner, told him the truth from the start, Mikey probably never would've gotten hurt… physically or mentally.

But regret wasn't going to change anything. All they could do now was wait and hope that the light of their family would survive. Mikey was strong, but he was always better at staying positive than any of his brothers. A rueful grin tugged at Leo's face.

Figures when we need it most, he can't give it.

The smile faded as his hand moved to his brother's face.

"Don't give up, okay, Mikey?" he murmured. "We're all waiting for you to wake up… us and Sensei and Grace. She's having a rough time, little brother. I think she really needs you. I know we do."

His hand still on the youngest turtle's cheek, Leo let his eyes drift to the window. The sky outside was still dark, but the faint light tinting its edges revealed that dawn was close. It almost felt unnatural, considering how it felt like that night was never going to end.

Just then, he felt something. His eyes immediately snapped back to Mikey, just in time to see his eyelids twitch. Then, slowly, he turned his head just a little, into Leo's hand. The eldest turtle's heart leaped into his throat, and he had to order himself not to shout. Gently, he stroked his thumb over Mikey's cheek.

"Mike? Mikey, can you hear me?"

There was a loud thud, causing him to vaguely realize that Raph must have fallen off the chair he was sitting in. Then he heard his immediate younger brother scrambling over, and his anxious, almost frantic voice.

"Did he say somethin'? S' he wakin' up?"

A third set of rapid footsteps approached, and Donnie's soft voice came from Leo's other side.

"Keep your voice down. We don't want to overwhelm him."

Almost as soon as he spoke, more racing footsteps that were certainly April, Grace, and Hamari approached, and there was a quiet sob that was most likely from Grace. Leo barely acknowledged any of them, his attention completely on Mikey. The youngest turtle's eyelids quivered again, a soft murmur escaping him.

"That's it, Mikey…" Leo urged softly. "C'mon, wake up."

His heart leaped with joy when his little brother's eyes slowly opened, slivers of blue. But once they fell on Leo, they opened a little wider.

"L-Leo…?" he whispered.

The eldest turtle felt his eyes sting but didn't bother to try to wipe the tears away as he smiled down at Mikey, reaching out to squeeze his hand.

"Hey, welcome back, little bro."

Mikey's hand tightened around his, then his eyes grew anxious.

"Everyone else… okay?"

"We're fine, Mikey," Donnie said, his voice just as gentle and full of joy. "Everyone's fine, we're all here."

Raph didn't say anything, but a glance revealed he was trembling head to toe, his eyes overbright and mouth slightly open as if he was struggling for words. Before Leo could say anything to him, he heard Grace sob Mikey's name and barely shifted to the side in time to let her through as she rushed forward. Dropping to her knees, she wrapped the youngest turtle in a gentle embrace, crying softly into his neck.

Leo saw his brother's eyes brighten a little more, his face a combination of joy and concern. Reaching up a hand, he gently stroked it over her hair.

"Grace…" he murmured. "H-hey… s' okay."

Letting out another sob, the girl lifted her head and pressed a tender kiss to his lips.

"Mikey," she whispered. "I was so scared."

The youngest turtle continued to stroke her hair, a weak smile tugging at his face.

"C-can't get rid a' me… that easy."

Leo sensed someone come up beside him and turned his head to see Splinter watching with a smile of his own.

"You reached him, Sensei?" the eldest turtle asked softly. The rat nodded, his eyes soft with feeling and relief. Looking at his expression, Leo could conclude that some form of reconciliation had taken place. His smile widened as a sense of relief came over him as well; that was something he knew Mikey had needed, and so did their father.

Still comforting Grace, Mikey looked up at Splinter and his already bright eyes grew wet.

"Thanks, Dad," he whispered. The old rat nodded, still smiling. Grace lifted her head and looked at him, tears running down her face.

"I… I'm…"

Splinter lifted a hand, silently reassuring her there was no need to go on.

"I would do nothing less," he murmured.

At that moment, Raph came out of his trance. He slowly moved to the couch, his expression so regretful and vulnerable that he almost seemed like a different person. Kneeling beside Grace, he took Mikey's hand in his with a gentleness his family rarely saw in him.

"Mikey…" he rasped in a trembling voice that sounded like he might break down any minute. "Mikey, I… I'm sorry, bro. I'm sorry f-for everything…"

Just like that, Leo felt his joy dissolve in an intense wave of shame.

"We're all sorry," he said softly.

"But we'll do better." Leo turned at the sound of Donnie's voice to see a look of both sadness and determination. "I swear to you, right here, right now. We'll fix this, whatever it takes."

Leo nodded, then fixed his eyes on Mikey's, hoping that his brother could see the resolution and determination he felt.

"I don't know if you can ever forgive us, but we'll do all we can to earn it."

Mikey gazed, tired but unblinking, into his eldest brother's eyes. For a long moment he was silent, his face unreadable. Then, slowly but steadily, a smile so tired but still bright as the sun came to it.

"H-how can't I?" Mikey murmured. "Can't… say no t' those faces."

With those words, whatever heaviness left in the room dissolved. His eyes stinging, Leo leaned in to wrap his youngest brother in a hug. He felt the other press in too, and his smile grew.

"We love you, little brother. So much."

He felt Mikey nuzzle closer.

"I know. L-love y' guys too."

A relief the eldest turtle couldn't put into words filled him.

We're okay. We're all going to be okay.

AN: Happy Thanksgiving, readers! Spent all morning catching up on this, hope it's not sloppy or falls short!