Well, here it is. Another chapter. I hope ya'll aren't disappointed because you had a long wait.

As always, I don't own the turtles……Oh Wait! I DO! I won the lottery and decided I also rule the universe so I own the turtles. Eastman and Laird? Never heard of 'em.

(this little reality break will only last about 30 seconds). Sigh Reality can really suck sometimes.


M laid still and quiet on a hard and cold concrete slab on top of a building. It was silent and he liked it that way. The breeze of the night air played around him. It just barely touched him as it ran over and around the rooftops. He smiled as he thought about the freedom he was currently enjoying.

Freedom, he thought to himself. What's it like to come and go as you please and not have someone listening to your every word? He was glad for the comfort and the safety the Station offered him. The comfort coming from Jake and Caitlin. But, he often wondered what else was out there for him. He couldn't keep this up forever, his life as a CIA agent and assassin. Where would he go when this ended? Would there even be a future for him or would termination be his only route? His skin crawled, reflecting the fear his body felt from this thought. Again, in the lull, awaiting his prey, he allowed his mind to wander. Where did I come from? I can remember running through the sewers but that's it. What does this rat have to do with it? What about these other turtles? I know why I don't look like them, but what is the exact relationship I have with them? M hated that the more he learned the more questions he was left with, unanswered.

"Yo Kid," a voice called to him. It snapped him out of the fleeting moment and brought him back to reality.

"What's up Jake?" M asked. His body had been twitching. It was ready for some action.

"Caitlin and I are in the party. I'm going to try to get Smith out on the balcony for a little one on one. Keep your eyes peeled for our presence." Jake was talking into a microphone that had been carefully disguised as Caitlin's earring.

It was M's plan all along. Call Santini. Get Jake and Caitlin on the list for the party that Smith was holding. Jake praised him for the idea. He thought back to earlier in the day. The two of them were standing in front of the holographic projection that showed the hotel that Smith was booked at. M pointed out the room Smith would be staying in and all possibilities to take him out. He was smiling as he explained what he had in mind. Jake was taking in every word M had to say and processing all the information he was giving. M had wanted this chance for awhile. All these years, Jake had been planning the missions, choosing the weapons and setting up the escape routes with alternates should anything go wrong. But this time, this time it was all M's idea. He had thought of calling Santini. He knew the club owner would be more than happy to help, considering all that Smith had done to his old neighborhood. M chose the location for his pick off point and picked the weapon. He planned the escape route. He wasn't sure why, but he felt as if he had to prove himself. Worthy of what he didn't know. Caitlin and Jake both accepted him as he was but the Overseer did not. He couldn't help but wonder if that was what he was after, Overseer's approval. He knew the man didn't like him. He was sure that Overseer despised him, but there he was, begging for the chance to handle the whole mission to prove himself. But who was he trying to impress? Himself? Or was he just seeking a little more freedom?

M was brought back to reality when a familiar voice whispered into his ear. "I've made contact. We'll be outside within the next five minutes. Be ready."

"Ready," was M's only response. "No more radio contact. I don't want him or anyone else catching any feedback. That could tip him off. I'll meet you at the rendezvous point in thirty minutes."

"Gotcha' kid. I'm out." M responded to Jake's last transmission by turning off the radio unit and removing it from his head. He didn't really like wearing them in these types of situations anyway. They were cumbersome and got in the way. His body shifted into a more alert position. All the reminiscing he had allowed himself was pushed back. There'll be time for that later. He reminded himself. Keep your mind on the job.

M pulled back the hammer of the rifle and placed his thumb into position by the safety. He placed the rifle into the rest and leaned on his elbow and made a mental note to slow his breathing. Don't get excited. Pull the trigger back easy, let it surprise you. These were all things Jake had taught M when he first learned how to use the firearms. He smirked a bit, realizing that even though he was supposed to do this on his own, Jake's voice still came into play, talking him through what he was supposed to do.

He peered through the scope of the rifle, adjusted the sight, and focused in on the balcony of Smith's suite and waited for the two figures to emerge. He didn't have to wait long. Smith walked out with Jake and began talking. Using M's suggestion, Jake dropped a few names of some known drug dealers. He mentioned that they told Jake to look up Smith as a possible business investment. It was enough to peak Smith's interest and he suggested that he and Jake take a stroll out onto the balcony, especially when he heard that Jake had millions at his disposal.

M saw the large figure emerge into the night air. He was in a black tux. Standard wear for these types of formal parties and he carried a glass of champagne in his hand. Jake leaned on the outer wall of the balcony, focusing on the area where M was. After a minute of listening to Smith, Jake walked over next to him. The plan was to keep him occupied and interested in the money Jake had to offer. If Jake could give M an easy enough target, he could take him down with one shot. The beauty of it was that M was using a gun they had stolen. It came from a man who was a rival drug dealer and known enemy of Smith. It would be easy to pin the attempt on the other guy. This way they could take out two drug dealers at once, another high point to M's plan.

M tightened and attachment on the end of the rifle and focused in on Smith. THWIP! The first shot hit Smith in the left chest area. It was a textbook shot. Smith staggered back and held his hand over his heart where the bullet hit. THWIP! Another shot to the head. Smith stumbled back a foot more, hit the wall and slid down. His body lay still and lifeless in a heap.

Quickly and quietly Jake reached into his coat pocket with small cloth and pulled out a bag. He placed the bag in Smith's hand and squeezed the man's fingers around, making sure that the man's prints would show up. Then Jake place the bag inside the man's inside coat pocket and backed off. Jake took a moment to ready himself and then ran into the party screaming that Kadir Smith had been shot.

M had to hurry. Jakes actions were only giving him about a two minute widow before the police were called. As fast as he could, M picked up the rest, took the silencer off the rifle and shoved both objects in his pack. He threw his pack over his shoulder and slung the rifle across his back. His last actions before leaving the areas was to take a spent shell casing from his pocket and leave it on the rooftop where he had been lying. This would give the police even more evidence when the murder was pinned on the rival drug dealer. Now it was time for M to head away from the scene and to his bike.

Several miles away, four figures lingered on a roof top. Michelangelo and Casey were having a mock battle as Donatello looked on. Leo was eyeing the city's skyline, as if he was waiting on something to happen. His ears and eyes were on constant alert thanks to his martial arts training. Michelangelo noticed how distant his brother seemed. He quietly called a time out to Casey and walked over to where Leonardo was, leaving Donatello and Casey to discuss possible modifications to the engine of the battle shell.

"Leo?" he asked softly.

"Hmm?" Leonardo looked over to his youngest brother, a little surprised at the visit. "You win this time or Casey?"

"Called a time out."

"Oh? What for?" Leo still sounded distant, his gaze was being held by the horizon.

"Just wanted to make sure you were okay. That's all." Michelangelo shrugged his shoulders and started to turn to walk away when Leo spoke to him again.

"Wait a minute Mikey." Leonardo turned around and looked his brother in the eye. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, for, you know, being so harsh on you the other night."

"It's okay Leo." Michelangelo responded. "I know you didn't mean to."

"That's just it Mikey. I did mean to and it's not okay. And……………as much as I hate to admit it, Casey's right. Don and I don't give you enough credit or take you seriously enough. I'm sorry."

"Don't sweat it Leo. I don't want to be taken seriously all the time anyway. Life would be waaaaaay to boring like that." Michelangelo patted his brother on his shell for a little reassurance. "Just don't dismiss my ideas, okay?"

Leo had to stifle a small chuckle. "Dismiss your ideas? Bro, just how much time have you been spending with Donnie?"

Michelangelo smiled. "Hey I'm as smart as the next guy. I have my moments of brilliance."

"Uh huh," Leo said in a slightly disbelieving tone.

"Seriously bro, I do. Take this idea for instance. It just occurred to me that I could get a certain turtle to do my chores for me for a week. In return, I won't tell Casey that this turtle in particular admitted that Casey was right."

Leo was now in a pretty good laugh. "Try all you want Mike, I'll just deny it." Leo shook his head at his little brother's attempt to blackmail him. His smiled faded when Michelangelo held up a small device and dangled it in front of his face.

"Interesting little device isn't it Leo? I found it at the dump the other day and Donnie fixed it up for me. A digital voice recorder." Michelangelo's grin took on an almost evil look when he saw his older brother's face go slightly pale.

"So, uh….." Leo stammered. "You're on dishes duty this week right?"

"Yeah, and I'm thinking that my room needs a good vacuuming too."

Leo just shook his head in disbelief. Scammed by his little brother. "Okay Mike. It's a deal. Serves me right for underestimating you anyway. C'mon, nothing's going to happen tonight," and he put his arm around his little brother. "Let's head home. Pizza's on me."

The two turtles began to walk over to Casey and Donatello when they heard a series of sirens heading towards the inner part of the city. Casey and Don ran over to the other two and peered over the edge of the building to see what all the commotion was about.

"Hey Leo," Mikey stated. "Let's put that pizza on hold and see if the boys in blue need a little assistance."

Leonardo nodded in agreement.

"Good," Casey said as he slapped a bat in the palm of his hand. "I could use a little exercise. It's been too quiet lately."

All four figures began running after the sirens, staying behind just enough so they wouldn't be seen. Leo was leading the pack when he stopped. He raised his right hand up to the level of his shoulder and made a fist. It was his signal for everyone to stop and be silent. The other three stopped waiting to be told what to do next. Leo turned and held up one finger, indicating that only one person was approaching. He pointed to each turtle and Casey and indicated which direction he wanted them to go. They were going to wait in the shadows for the oncoming figure and then surround him. Leonardo had a hunch this was the person the police were after.

M was running as fast as he could, leaping over alleyways to the next rooftop. He had already pitched the rifle into the river. It would come up soon enough. The police would almost instinctively search the river by the hotel in an attempt to dredge up the weapon. Without the rifle bouncing off his back, he was making good time. Just a few more blocks and I'll be at my bike. Then, back to the meeting point. Jake and Caitlin should be there within the next half hour.

Part of M's plan was for Jake to give the authorities some false information on which way the shooter went. Then all he had to do was leave them with a business card that had a bogus number on it if they wanted to speak to him again.

"Be as polite and helpful as you can." M told him. "That should throw the police off enough that you and Caitlin can leave as soon as possible."

Jake nodded but said nothing. He just grinned. The kid had every little detail worked out and had even planned for any possible snag. For his first independent assignment, the kid was doing pretty well. Jake was definitely proud.

M was almost to his bike in the alleyway. Almost. He had landed on the last rooftop when he saw a blur out of the corner of his eye. He ducked and rolled out of the way of the large stick that was coming towards him. Unfortunately, he rolled into something else.

Leo tackled the figure in black. They had been looking for this guy for a week now and he wasn't going to get away this time. The two rolled for a second or two when the figure in black managed to push Leonardo off and sprung up into a defensive stance. Leo planted his feet firmly onto the rooftop and waited for the guy to make the next move. He didn't expect him to talk.

"Who are you!" the figure breathed heavily as he spoke loudly.

Leonardo didn't speak. He just waited to see what this guy would do. After a few seconds of nothing his opponent spoke again, with more anger in his tone.

"Didn't you hear me! I wanna' know who you are and I wanna' know NOW!"

Leonardo just smiled. If this guy kept getting angrier, Leo could count on him losing control. He kept his position and waited a second longer.

M couldn't take it. He lunged for the mutant, intent on making him talk. He tackled the mutant and shoved him back. He waited for his opponent to get up and when he did, M swung at him.

Leo blocked the figures punch, but just barely. His large size was very deceiving. He didn't expect this guy to be as fast as he was. Leonardo countered the punch with one of his own but he wasn't fast enough. As he swung, the figure in black grabbed his arm and threw him over. Leo landed on his shell and looked up to see a pistol pointed at his face.

Leo wasn't too worried about the pistol, his eyes were on his two brothers and Casey. This guy was so fixated on Leo right now that he didn't see the other three creeping up behind him.

"Okay," M said in between breathes. "You are going to tell me who you are and where you came from. Start talking and I won't hurt you." He still held the pistol in the mutants face. He was waiting for an answer. Silence was the only reply Leonardo gave. "I don't move the gun until you tell me what I want to know."

Leo decided to try and talk to him. "Why are you so interested?" Leonardo eyed him suspiciously. He was trying to keep him busy as the other three moved in quietly and slowly. His eyes widened in shock at what he saw next.

M pulled the black face mask off and stared at the mutant lying on the ground. "Tell me what I want to know, NOW!" he growled. He waited quietly on his answer.

THUMP! Everything went black. M fell to the ground to reveal Donatello standing behind him holding his bo staff. He had managed to sneak up behind the black clad figure and knock him out.

Michelangelo and Casey ran up to Leonardo. They hadn't even bothered to look at the person lying on the ground. "Leo!" Michelangelo called out. "Leo are you Ok?"

Leonardo just nodded as Casey helped him.

"Mikey," Leonardo muttered. "We should have listened to you," and he pointed to figure sprawled on the rooftop.