Disclaimer: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon.

Warnings: Mentions of past character death. Unbetaed.

Summary: For four months now, Mikey's been stuck in the wrong universe, separated from all he loves. He's never been away from home at Christmas before but there's a first time for everything. But that's okay, because he's with a family who needs him as much as he needs them. 2k12/2k3 crossover.

Comments, thoughts and concrit is always welcome.

A/N: Cookies are better known as biscuits in Australia so I use both words.

Also, sorry about the further delay in posting this. As those on DA are aware, I've been away out of the country for much of last month and then I had bad computer troubles... motherboard frying on the laptop thanks to an illicit affair with orange juice on the plane (I think they were trying to run away together...) and the 8yr old desktop pc just... dying when I got home and tried to turn it on... (Wonder if it was jealous I didn't take it to Japan with me...) Luckily my data was recoverable, it just took a little before I could get it back.

In some ways, I wish I saved this Christmas fic for next year but... there are reasons.

* If you ever see my stories posted anywhere other than Deviant Art, FFNet, AO3 or Live Journal, they have been stolen. Please report them.


AOtGO – Far From Home

Ch 3 – December 24th pt 2

Finally the small convoy slowed to turn off the main road and onto a rough, unpaved and lightly snow covered track. Mikey was both ecstatic and disappointed by the sight of the snow. It was pretty and he didn't have much experience with it but there wasn't enough to require the use of Donnie's latest van accessory. The snow tyres were more than enough and it didn't take long until they were pulling up metres from the homestead.

All previous thoughts of uncertainty gone, Mikey gazed around in wonder, itching to jump from the van to explore. Leo however, kept a tight reign on him until everything was unpacked and moved into the house. As soon as Mikey released Klunk from captivity, the orange and white cat tore off, out of sight.

With Mikey champing at the bit to do some exploring himself, the group decided while April and Splinter set up the kitchen and lit the fireplace and stove, Donnie and Leo would search the nearby woods for a suitable Christmas tree. That way, Raph and Casey could give Mikey a brief tour of the grounds.

"Don't forget to bring back more firewood when you return to the house!" Leo yelled after the trio, even as Donnie and he went to fetch a small axe.

Mikey pulled at his scarf, unused to wearing such a thing, but gazed around eagerly in every possible direction.

"There's only a couple of hours of daylight left, so we ain't goin' far," Raph warned as Casey led the way.

"It's a pretty big property," Casey explained as they walked. "Two hundred yards into the woods, it becomes national park though, so ya gotta be careful of people and hunters in there. There's a few signs around, markin' the borders but they're really easy to miss.

"The river runs along the edge of one of the borders and there's a small lake near the other one. The lake's on the property but I know in summer that sometimes campers or hunters will approach, claimin' they don't realise it's private property despite the signs, so stay aware of your surroundin's if you go there," Casey said, pointing in each direction as he spoke.

"Can we go see it now? I've never seen a real lake or river!" Mikey exclaimed enthusiastically.

Raph and Casey exchanged amused glances.

"You've seen the Hudson and East Rivers plenty of times, brat."

"They don't count because they may as well be ocean!"

Raph snorted, "Right! Well, not today. Maybe tomorrow afternoon but more likely the day after."

"Okay," Mikey grinned, knowing he had a little over a week to see everything. "So what do you guys do for fun here since there's nothing to patrol and no video games?"

"Campin', fishin', swimmin'..."

"It's too cold for that stuff," Mikey interrupted.

"Ninja hunt in the woods," Raph continued, ignoring the interruption. "It's great not havin' to hide all the time and gettin' to feel the sun and see the stars. It's peaceful."

Mikey's interest perked up even more. "Stars?" He looked up, disappointed at the sight of the overcast sky.

"Maybe we'll get lucky and it'll clear up for a night or two while we're here," Casey offered helpfully.

Mikey nodded, making up his mind that it definitely would. While the stars never held the same kind of fascination for him as they did his Donnie, he'd still always wanted to see them for himself; it was just too hard to see anything but the brightest of them back in the city.

"We'll make sure to come back here before the Nexus Tournament," Raph promised.

"And go camping and stuff?" Mikey's eyes shone brightly as he imagined what it would be like, practically bouncing around like an eager puppy.

Raphael froze, falling silent at Mikey's excited anticipation, reminded of the last time they came to the farm. It was supposed to be a chance to get away from the city and welcome in the spring after a long, especially cold winter. However, their plans changed as they instead came here to build a token grave for their fallen brother. Raph stared off in the direction of a rather large tree that in spring would be covered in bright, new leaves and small, fragrant blossoms. It had been his brother's favourite to lay beneath when reading comics during warm, lazy afternoons.

Raph's pensiveness wasn't lost on Mikey and he exchanged a helpless look with Casey. "So what's in there?" Mikey abruptly asked, changing the subject. He pointed towards the large barn, immediately making for it.

"Lot's of space, an old junker, kiln, typical barn stuff," Casey replied quickly. "Master Splinter often uses it for trainin', especially when it's this cold out or rainin'. It's also used for storage and it's where we keep the spare firewood.

Mikey noticed Raph was still distant so he grinned and bent down, scooping up some snow and turning it into a snowball. Raph still hadn't noticed, so he threw it, hitting Raph dead centre in the side of his head. Immediately coming out of his funk, Raph yelled as he made chase after the hysterically laughing Michelangelo.

-:-

After returning to the farmhouse, a terribly shivering Mikey gravitated straight to the now roaring fire in the large family room. Raph and Casey however, went straight to the kitchen after divesting themselves of their now wet garments, to let April and Splinter know they were back.

April's back was to them as they entered so Casey held up a finger as if to say shh! Then he snuck up behind the woman he loved, wrapping his arms around her from behind. April gave a small, delayed jump before leaning into Casey and Raph snickered with amusement, knowing Casey had been completely unsuccessful in his sneak attack. Splinter shared a knowing smile with Raphael as April turned in Casey's arms to kiss him.

"How did the exploration go, my son?"

"Yeah, it was fine, though we didn't go too far," Raph shrugged, sitting down at the table beside Splinter.

"Where is Michelangelo?"

"Warmin' up by the fire," Raph answered. "He seemed to be feelin' the cold far more than we were."

"Don did say he has more turtle D.N.A. than the rest of you," April piped up, pulling slightly away from the faintly protesting Casey. "It probably doesn't help that he doesn't have proper winter clothing of his own either."

"Yeah, he's usin' spares of ours and the fit's not quite right," Raph admitted. "Probably won't be able to spend too long outside at a time."

Just then they heard the front door open and the four of them left the kitchen to see Leo and Donnie hauling a metre and a half tall tree inside. Mikey stared in fascination from his place by the merrily dancing flames, though he didn't make a move to leave the warmth.

Donnie glanced over, seeing Mikey still fully dressed. "I do hope those clothes aren't wet, Michelangelo," he called, almost certain they were.

Mikey grinned at Donnie sheepishly, "Little damp, dude but I wouldn't actually say they're wet," he admitted. "It's colder without them though."

Leo shook his head in exasperation as he and Donnie carried the tree over to fix it in place.

"If they're damp, then get them off," Donnie scolded. "You've already started the trip by hitting your head. You don't want to get sick as well."

April immediately rushed over to Mikey in concern. "When did you hit your head?" she demanded to know. "And are you alright?"

Leo coughed, answering before Mikey could. "During that little... ahem... episode on the road. Don said he'll be fine though."

"Yeah, I'm good," Mikey beamed reassuringly. "D... I mean Donnie gave me something for the headache."

"Alright," April said, seemingly satisfied once she looked to Donnie for confirmation.

"Mikey, clothes," Leo firmly reminded before heading for the kitchen.

"Hai, Leo..." Mikey sighed. He reluctantly began pulling off the damp garments before going and hanging them up. Then he all but teleported back to the fireside, rubbing rigorously at his now exposed arms.

While Mikey removed his clothing, April headed upstairs, quickly returning with a blanket in hand and draping it around the young turtle's shoulders.

"Thanks, Ape," Mikey grinned, snuggling into the cozy fibres.

"No problem, Mikey," she replied warmly.

A few minutes later, Leo came out from the kitchen with hot drinks for everyone and Mikey stared suspiciously at the mug handed to him.

Leo raised his eyebrow ridges questioningly. "Is anything wrong, Mikey?"

He chuckled nervously. "Uh... no offence Leo but you mixing with the kitchen isn't a good thing." Then he was quick to add, "Though you do better in there than any of my bros. They're really bad."

Mikey snickered at the memory of last time they'd tried when he slept in the morning he'd come down with shellacne. His eyes took on a faraway look as he wondered just how his family was coping without him; wondering if anyone had managed to learn to cook while he was gone or if they were just relying on Master Splinter or takeout. 'Maybe even April. She's a good cook,' he thought.

"... the best when it comes to making hot drinks."

"Huh?" Mikey blinked, suddenly aware that Donnie was speaking.

Leo shook his head, amused. "Just try it."

"Yeah, not even Fearless can ruin hot chocolate."

"Heh." Mikey tentatively took a mouthful, his eyes widening in shock. He pulled the cup away to stare into it, then up at Leo and back again. He did this repeatedly while Leo finished handing out the tray of hot drinks.

Finally Leo sat and gazed back at the freckled turtle in amusement. "Don't like it?"

"No! I mean, it's great, Leo! But how?"

"I have the art of tea preparation down to an art form. Let's just say some of those skills carry over to other hot drinks," Leo replied without even a trace of smugness in his voice and Raph rolled his eyes.

"You really should make hot chocolate more often then, Leo!"

"I only make it for special occasions. Tea is far better for you."

Mikey pulled a face in disgust.

Splinter finished off the tea he'd been given, then stood and walked to the front door, where he began putting on his own winter woollies. "I will return before dark," he promised solemnly. As he left, a cold wind blew through the house.

"Where's Sensei going?" Mikey asked with a sudden shiver brought on by the chilly breeze.

"To talk to our brother," Donnie replied softly. "It makes him feel better. Though, while I understand the idea, I don't personally see the point."

"Don?" Leo ventured.

Donnie shrugged. "It's not as if Mikey's spirit is even there."

"I know you have trouble believing in things like this, Don, but with everything we've seen and done, I would think your mind would be a little more open to the possibility at least," Leo admonished quietly.

Donnie bristled, "It's not that, Leo! I..." He took a deep breath as he struggled to bring himself to explain. "His spirit was never at the farm! It was only ever back at the lair and even then I haven't felt it for months now."

Leo and Raph exchanged looks and Donnie continued.

"And since it isn't around any more, I don't personally see the point in talking to a token grave that doesn't even contain his body!" Donnie explained. "If it makes the rest of you feel better though, by all means, go for it. I won't begrudge you that comfort, just don't expect me to get the same thing out of it."

Mikey flicked his gaze up to Donnie and then to the cup in his hand. "Master Splinter, my dad, speaks to his wife and daughter everyday and they didn't even die in New York. They died in Japan but he still talks to them anyway," Mikey piped up softly. "That was like seventeen years ago now and they would have moved on long ago but he still seems sure they can hear him from wherever they are."

He paused a moment, swallowing a mouthful of hot chocolate before continuing. "Actually, it's funny but Master Splinter stopped talking to Miwa after we stopped the Kraang invasion and instead just looks sadly at her photo now. But he still talks to Tang Shen even though it's been so long since she died in that fire." He smiled sadly at the thought and for a couple of minutes the conversation stilled.

"I'm going to give Master Splinter another ten minutes before going to join him," Leo eventually spoke up.

"In the meantime, I'll start dinner," April offered.

Mikey perked up at the words, "Do you want help?"

"No thanks," April smiled. "It's already precooked; just needs heating up. I would love help tomorrow though, if you don't mind."

Mikey grinned brightly, "Like a turtle do!"

-:-

After dinner, a lasagne and salad which April prepared in advance, knowing how little of the day would be left once they were settled at the farm, everyone worked together to decorate the tree and living room, while Splinter sat by watching his unusual family with a smile. If he had the choice, he wouldn't have changed a thing, except for one obvious thing.

His sons, April and Casey were missing his lost son as much as he, more so with it being Christmas... and Michelangelo was clearly missing his own family just as badly; whenever he thought no one was looking, the light in Michelangelo's eyes dimmed a little and he gained a faraway look. However, for the most part, his liveliness helped buoy everyone's spirits and Splinter felt incredibly grateful for that.

Even though everyone was currently occupied with a noisy game of charades, Michelangelo's gaze often drifted to the brightly decorated tree in awe. When Raph questioned him over his fascination, Mikey grinned and exclaimed that it was his first real tree. Last year, April had brought down a small plastic one with some decorations for them but before that, they'd only ever made do with what little Splinter could scrounge, usually just a wilted tree branch and whatever decorations he and his brothers cobbled together. While he'd loved their efforts, it was amazing to actually see something so large and bright on something other than just television.

Finally, the old, antique grandfather clock in the hall struck midnight and since everyone was tired from the long journey and previous late night, they decided to call it a night.

Before Casey could get halfway up the stairs, he suddenly realised he was alone and turned to see the last person walking into the kitchen. Curiously, he quickly followed. When he entered, Casey couldn't help but stare at the sight of Leo placing a tall glass of milk on the table and Raph and Donnie with plates of chocolate chip cookies and carrots respectively. At that moment, Casey was sure he'd entered the Twilight Zone.

"Uh, what are you doin' guys?" Casey asked, even as Mikey reached out for one of the biscuits.

Raph irritably slapped Mikey's hand away, growling. "Leave it! It ain't for you!"

"Who's it for then?" Mikey asked curiously, rubbing at his lightly stinging hand.

"... Santa," Raph mumbled in embarrassment.

Casey immediately guffawed with laughter and Mikey's confused expression certainly didn't help any. "Really Raphie? You guys actually still believe in Santa Claus?" he laughed, barely holding himself up against the door frame.

Raph scowled and looked aside briefly before meeting Casey with a challenging stare. "Yeah, bonehead. Wanna make somethin' of it?"

"Aw, wouldn't dream of it," Casey snickered. "It's way too adorable!"

Leo and Donnie exchanged embarrassed looks and Raph stepped menacingly around the table towards Casey.

"Um... actually... You know, he's real, Casey," Donnie spoke up hesitantly, his face flushed bright as he knew exactly how it sounded. "We actually met him when we were five."

Casey laughed even harder, slapping his knees and hanging on so he wouldn't fall to the ground. "You know it was really just Master Splinter pretendin' for you guys, right?"

April blushed, humiliated by Casey's reaction.

Splinter stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Raphael. "You are wrong, Mr Jones. I returned home from scavenging that Christmas to find the scent of an unknown human and magic within our home. I am sure you can imagine my fear for the safety of my sons."

At the stern sincerity within the ninja master's voice, Casey quickly sobered, though he still struggled to hold back the sniggers of laughter.

"Prior to that night," Splinter continued, "we did not even know what Christmas was. Mr Claus explained the holiday to my sons and they, to me."

"Ah, they probably just heard about it on TV or somethin' and dreamed it," Casey laughed.

"They didn't have television or even electricity that long ago, Casey," April quietly stepped in. Her eyes showed disbelief but she was willing to listen at least.

"That's right, Casey," Donnie said calmly. "Master Splinter wouldn't let me start experimenting with electricity until I was eight and even then, I was allowed only under strict supervision. We didn't have constant electricity, or a working television, until we were ten."

Casey stared chagrined. Eventually he spoke, "But still... Santa? Really?"

"He brought us many miracles that day and for a number of years after," Splinter explained.

"If it wasn't for him, we would have gone hungry, Casey. It was always especially hard for Master Splinter to find food just before Christmas," Leo said quietly, his gaze clear.

"He doesn't leave anything any more. We don't need it now and we're too old anyway," Donnie added, "but we still honour him every year as thanks."

All this time Mikey had remained silent but now he spoke up. "That's so cool!" he breathed excitedly, though something about his voice made it sound as if he thought it was all an elaborate joke that everyone bar him was in on. "He doesn't leave anything but are you sure he even still comes?" Mikey eyed the food on the table that he was sure would go to waste if he didn't eat it.

"Yeah, he does." Raph confirmed with a glance Mikey's way.

"He renews the magic within our decorations," Splinter explained with a soft smile, "enough to light them for twelve days after Christmas."

"You mean those broken lights you guys insisted on usin'?" Casey asked derisively.

"Yes."

"Yeah, good joke guys but maybe you should leave the lame jokes to Mikey," Casey snorted as he turned to leave the kitchen.

April shook her head, "You have to admit, it is hard to believe," she said. "But then again, so are a lot of the other things I've seen since I met you guys so I'll keep an open mind at least."

"Thank you, Miss O'Neil," Splinter said gratefully with a dip of his head. He then led the way from the kitchen, everyone else filing behind him as they headed for their bedrooms for the night.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Raph suddenly realised someone was missing and turned, looking around. With a growl, he realised Mikey was no longer behind him so he stalked back into the kitchen, slamming the saloon doors open as he entered. Mikey grinned guiltily up at him as he immediately tried to hide the biscuit in his hand.

"Put the cookie down, Michelangelo," Raph snarled. "We weren't jokin' about how much we owe him."

Mikey stared, the laughter in his eyes fading as he finally realised how serious Raph was.

"This is the only way we can show how much we appreciated what he did for us so I really don't give a damn if we're too old for this any more."

Mikey slowly placed the biscuit back, never removing his eyes from Raph and as soon as the older turtle relaxed, Mikey laughed and danced away. "You really are a softy, Raphie."

"Get back here and say it!" Raph snarled, leaping after him.

Before Raph could tackle the younger turtle, from seemingly out of nowhere Leo was in between them, looking from one ninja to the other sternly. "That's enough, you two. Bed!"

And he steered them up the stairs, making sure to keep them separated.

-:-

"Ugh..." Mikey groaned tiredly as he pressed down heavily on the pillow covering his head. He could barely breathe, face down on the mattress, but with the chainsaw massacre going on in one of the nearby beds, it was worth being short of breath just to muffle the noise even slightly. He had no idea how Leo and Donnie managed to sleep through that racket, but Mikey wished they'd thought to share their secret with him before they'd fallen asleep.

Blindly, Mikey stretched out to the bedside table, groping for his charging T-phone and whimpered as he accidentally knocked it to the ground. He shuffled around on the bed so that his plastron hung off the mattress and stretched for the faint, blinking light of his phone. Finally, he triumphed, managing to grab it and drag it towards him before scooting back into the bed properly and cocooning himself tightly within the blankets once more. As soon as he was settled, Mikey switched on his phone and stared at the display in dismay. He'd been laying there for over an hour and a half now, helpless to sleep.

A particularly loud snore resounded throughout the room and Mikey couldn't help the irritable, whiny yell that escaped his mouth, "Could someone PLEASE turn down the bass on Raph so I can get some sleep already?"

Mikey had been living with his other-dimensional family for four months now and while he'd known about Raph's horrendous snoring all along, he'd at least had the blessing of nice, thick walls between his borrowed bedroom and Raph's. Now there was nothing but air. Hot air from Raph's jet engine snoring...

Watching the minutes tick away with agonising slowness, Mikey finally had enough. Muttering, "And my bros say I'm bad..." he slowly crawled out from his warm bed, and dragging the blanket with him, went to sit by the attic window, staring into the dark expanse outside.

He knew it should be an almost full moon tonight; Donnie had been going on about it being the first full moon at Christmas in however many years. Mikey couldn't remember how many and didn't really care, but despite the supposed moon, there was no light outside. The cloud cover was so low and thick that Mikey couldn't see much more than a few metres beyond the window.

There was something about hearing no noise other than Raph's incessant snoring and seeing nothing that completely creeped him out, yet he continued peering through the window, too tired to do anything else.

Being with his extended family in this world was great, really, but now more than ever, Mikey wished he was back home where he belonged, surrounded by the love of the family he grew up with. He clutched at the blanket, pulling it tighter around him and no longer fighting the tears that threatened.

And despite the other three sleeping in their nearby beds, and the window rattling snores, Mikey couldn't remember ever feeling so alone in his life.

-:-

To be continued.


A/N: See 'First Season's Greetings' for the full story on when the 5 year old turtles met Santa.