Rating: PG

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

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.

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

A/N: Sorry I haven't responded to reviews, still not getting my emails yet after all my computer mishaps. Really need to get that sorted...

Response to Guest from May 2: Just curious, what makes you think he may have lost his memories or it would have been mentioned? Sorry but I must admit, I am a little confused O_o" I'm glad you are enjoying this :-)

Thank you for all the reviews and favourites, I love to see them and it really brightens my day!

Anyway, I might be doing a second epilogue for this (got one for the 2k12 world in mind), but if so, it won't appear for a couple of weeks or so as I have other things to get out first :-)
Also, while it won't be part of this story, per se, there may be something small coming out based on this XD

*bounces excitedly* Greys-Giovana over at Deviant Art drew a wonderful piece of fanart for this 'Far From Home'. Please look her up to go see it in it's full glory!


AOtGO – Far From Home

Epilogue

Mikey snuck silently down the stairs, clutching his blanket and Donnie's laptop tightly. Raph's snoring had woken him again and he couldn't sleep, so hoping the fireplace was still alight, he decided to sit in the warm family room instead.

After they'd broken the comforting embrace in the barn, Leo had insisted on Mikey getting dressed in his new winter clothing, which he and Raph had brought to the barn, and then they all headed back to the farmhouse; it was now snowing hard enough that they could only barely make out the welcoming light from the family home beckoning to them.

Upon returning inside, Mikey had been showered with concerned hugs from April and Splinter both, and even Casey seemed to know not to push him too hard.

The day then continued with games and good food and no one leaving Mikey alone long enough for depression to set in. Later that night, the extended family shared funny stories from the past. Things did get a little emotional for all from time to time, but everyone was able to smile and the talking and memories did everyone good.

Mikey tossed another log and a little kindling on the dwindling embers, hoping to bring the fireplace to life once more, before settling. He curled up in the nearby armchair, his blanket tucked securely around him. Once comfortable, he then booted up the laptop, praying not to accidentally do anything to damage it somehow, and plugged in the precious flash drive, his connection to home.

After watching the messages from his family and friends once more, this time coping much better than the last, Mikey became curious about the other folder. His jaw dropped at the sight of fourteen more video files and he clicked on the first one, dating nearly two months after his initial relocation to this world.

"So.. uh... you're probably going to think this is as stupid an idea as I do, Mikey, but I've decided to start recording messages to you." Raph shrugged on screen. "Since losing Spike, I've had no one to confide in when I've needed it but somehow, even though you and I never talked about stuff, you always seemed to find a way to make me feel better when I was in a mood and I miss that.

"This isn't the same thing, I know that, but I've got no other way to be close to you with you gone like this..." Raph admitted quietly. "To tell you the truth, I probably won't even let you see this when you do come home. Guess it'll depend on whatever I've got to say each time," he laughed.

-:-

"Dammit! Can you believe it? Not only do the Kraang bring giant worms to New York that shit out mutagen, but we lose Donnie, Casey and April in the damned portal! Then to make things worse, Leo and I get captured by Shredder's new mutant, Tigerclaw! God! That was so embarrassing! Leo had to call Master Splinter to come save us. Never going to live that one down!

"Then when it's finally all over... Master Splinter drops this giant bombshell on us that Karai, of all people, is actually Miwa! She never died in that fire, Mikey. Shredder stole her to use in his stupid revenge and Leo's freaking known about it for months!"

-:-

"Sorry about the ranting last time... but you know what I'm like. You probably think because of all that, that our lives without you are more important than trying to find you but that's not true at all little brother.

"No turtle left behind! I mean it!

"Donnie's gotta work out the technology of the stolen portal so we can take it with us and not get lost, or lead the Kraang back to our lair. Soon as he's learnt enough, we'll start searching every damned dimension in existence until we find you."

-:-

Raph seemed spooked as he stood in front of the camera. "So we met this mutant today, victim of the cannisters... who could make illusions that felt completely real. We found ourselves in this dumb world of magic, just like those stupid RPGs you guys like to play." Raph shook his head, his eyes hollow, and if Mikey didn't know better, fearful.

"I'm not going to go into all that happened because I really don't want to keep thinking about it, but... before we realised it was all in our heads... we thought we found you..." he finished in a whisper.

"Now I'm beginning to wonder if we ever will..."

-:-

"We found the weirdest dimension today! Real crazyville!

"You'd have totally loved it!"

-:-

"So one of our friends convinced us to take a break from searching today. I gotta admit, though it felt wrong, we needed the break badly. Can you believe he even convinced Master Splinter into letting us go topside? During the day? Halloween or not, that's crazy risky, but it all worked out in the end.

"I would even have gone so far as to say this was one of the best days ever, except it was all wrong... Nothing felt right and it seemed so wrong having fun when we don't even know if you're still okay.

"Ever since Leo sensed you that time, he keeps telling the rest of us to have faith, that we'd know if something happened to you, but I'm not sure I really buy into all that stupid Astral Plain mystic mumbo jumbo." Raph sighed and rubbed tiredly at his eyes. "I want to believe but it all seems so... stupid and unrealistic.

"Anyway, my point is that today would have been so much more fun if you were there with us. We never even knew how empty our home could feel with you gone, Mikey. The guys miss you so much..."

Raph growled in frustration before giving a short, harsh laugh. "I'm unbelievable, aren't I? You'll probably never even see this and it's not even you I'm actually talking to. I'm talking to a damned video camera and I still can't come out and admit how I actually feel!" He glared furiously into the lens.

"I miss you, Mikey and I never realised how much I would or could. You gotta come home safe. I... I love you, little brother..."

While Raph stood there panting with the exertion of forcing out his feelings, suddenly a strange, lightly accented voice spoke up. "Aww, that was so sweet, Raphie. If I didn't know better..."

"Shut up and get out before I thump you into the ground!"

The voice laughed, "You'd have to catch me first! But I only came to let you know that Leo and Casey are back with dinner."

Raph twitched above his left eye and stalked towards the camera, reaching out, "Haven't you hea..."

-:-

Mikey laughed in amusement as he went to start the next recording, but to his disappointment, that had been the last one. He stared at the catalogue of files for a moment and picked out the longest one with stories about every member of his family. Then he started it playing, setting it to repeat, and placed the laptop on the nearby coffee table before snuggling deeper into the chair.

Closing his eyes, Mikey allowed himself to fall asleep, listening to the comforting voice of his distant brother.

-:-

Owari