A/N: Trigger warning: Adult themes revolving around sexual abuse, drugs, trauma, cussing and more. Please be advised.

Raphael slowly eased into Cassidy's living room, he glanced to see April in the kitchen, drinks in her hand with a sad smile on her face. He felt out of place, the awkward tension was almost overwhelming for him. But, what he has put himself through the past month, what's a few more minutes? Raph couldn't meet her eyes, he scratched the back of his head where the knot of his mask felt as if it became tighter.

"Raph — "

"Cass — "

A quiet, nervous chuckle was shared between them as they both refused to make eye contact. From April's view, the sight was of uncertainty, but also something else, almost a sense of peacefulness. April has known the big brute awhile and she's never seen him this vulnerable since the events as they were falling from Sacks tower. She smiled, remembering his endearing speech about love and family. April was a little hesitant when Cassidy made herself known to the secretive family, but she grew a sense of hopeful romanticism as she watched her and Raph grow together. Cassidy has been through so much in her life, April was hesitant about Cass and Raph in the beginning simply because for a while, any little thing could set the big guy on fire as he lost his temper. But, April was surprised and proud of Cassidy's power. She was not a victim, she was a survivor. Cassidy wasn't going to allow any man to have control over her and treat her any less than what she deserved. She's proved that to the Hamato family, and April thinks that the power that Cassidy possesses is exactly what Raphael needs. April watched on, ready to run interference if needed but understood that with this delicate situation, they needed to figure this out themselves. April walked down the hall towards Cass's room to give them some peace.

— —

"Raphael…I am sorry." I fidgeted with my fingers, too much a coward to make eye contact. This has been a very hard month. I had to reach out to my counselor to vent to. Even though we made a breakthrough a few years ago and I remembered all of the repressed memories that I had from growing up; she was a permanent confidant. I haven't felt like this in years and I won't allow these feelings to control me. I must face them head on, just like the man in front of me. He attacks problems head on, no hesitation.

"…" His sad eyes and somber expression broke my resolve. I extended forward until my hand grasped his own. I wanted to comfort him but not so much that it was overwhelming.

"…I am sorry for pushing you and your family away. I understand, you were all trying to protect your brothers and me at the same time. I am the unknown variable…"

"I would have told you." A deep whisper that I felt against my forehead and the smell of cinnamon and oranges wafts over me.

"I should have believed you. I know that now." I couldn't bring myself to look up, I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes again. I didn't want him to see me cry.

Suddenly a light touch against my cheek brought my face up. He was caressing my cheek with the back of his hand. I leaned into the touch, missing the way that his skin felt against mine and how he felt so safe.

"M'sorry. My brothers…"

"I know. I know and it's all okay. I needed to apologize to you and your family."

"We are the ones that need to apologize. IF Leo and Don hadn't - " I cut him off as I saw his brow ridge knit together, eyes going hard as his fist clenched at his side.

"No. They had the right intentions. I needed to know." Reaching up to hold the hand against my cheek, his hand had flipped, the callous on his thumb caressed my cheekbone. I leaned into the touch. Our eyes finally met and I felt as if a switch had been flipped. Something had changed between us.

"Cass…Doll…" Raph leaned towards me, my hand clutched the hand against my face. Preparing for whatever was about to happen, my eyes fluttering close. I felt him take a small step closer as his breath broke over my face again. The cinnamon musk encased all my senses as he leaned closer. Suddenly, a soft pair of lips pursed against my forehead between my brows. His lips only lingered for a two second before they were replaced by the feel of his mask covered forehead.

At that moment, I knew that no matter what, we were going to be okay. For the first time that night, a happy tear fell as I reveled in the closeness that big red allowed. We weren't going to push each other away. We were each other's person, I am more sure of that now than I ever was. He is the one that I can confide in, the one I can trust, and the one that I want to protect with all that I am.

— —

It had been a week since Cassidy had reconnected with Raphael. Leo stopped by not long after Raph had arrived and April helped her tell the boys about her tough upbringing. Raphael wanted to seek revenge the split second he found out that anyone had dared to lay a hand or breathe in Cassidy's direction. It took some help from everyone in the cramped apartment to keep Raph still and help him deescalate. Leonardo was patient and kind and after Cassidy was done giving them a brief synopsis of her childhood, Leonardo had wrapped her in a rare bear hug and told her that she was strong, brave and he was proud that she had survived. Raph spoke the same with a few words and more hugs. Raphael didn't leave Cassidy's side the entire night. The small group ended up staying at Cassidy's after Leo had called Master Splinter and Donnie. Leonardo passed out in the lazy boy, April and Cassidy were cuddled on the couch as Raphael sat on the floor, leaning back against the couch right next to Cass. He was serious about never letting her out of his reach.

The next day, Donnie picked Leo and Raph up in the garbage truck, they were able to hide in the alley and be unseen due to the overcast, rainy day. April left earlier that morning to go back to her place before heading to work. Cassidy was with them, she had taken the day off because she was in desperate need of a break after pushing herself past the point of exhaustion for the past month. Once at the lair, Mikey yelped and didn't let Cassidy down for at least thirty minutes. Her feet never touched the ground from Mikey holding her in a bear hug and carrying her to the couch. She could see Raph shaking his head, but a small smile was on his lips as he and Leo followed Donnie into the lab. Cassidy was grateful that Raphael allowed Mikey to heal the wound that was Cassidy in his own way. The rest of the day was very relaxed. Mikey, Raph and Cass played video games and watched cheesy horror movies. Once apologies were made and forgiveness was bestowed the pizza arrived with Casey and April.

Then the entire family was back together, Cassidy felt an unyielding surge of love fall around her as they all said something along the lines of nothing was the same without her. She felt so loved and accepted and she felt terrible about doubting this caring family. What Cassidy didn't notice was that Raph's eyes hadn't left her longer than a few seconds at a time. She was laughing at something that Master Splinter said about who cried when the boys were itty bitty babies. The smile that was on Raph's face instantly fell when he felt an elbow dig into his bicep. Glancing over, Casey was grinning at him like a mad man. His eyebrows doing the wave as his eyes danced between Raph and the woman across from him. Casey was the only person that forced Raph to tell him what his feelings were for Cass. Even though Raphael wasn't sure what the correct label was, he knew that he'd do anything for the curvy, hazel-eyed brunette. Raph was pulled out of his thoughts as Mikey asked Cass a question.

"BaByGurl! When will I see you next?" Mikey whined as he reached and stacked three pieces of pizza on top of each other, stuffing his face.

"I will be out of town starting Monday. I won't be back until next week." Cassidy said.

This was news Raph thought. He wasn't happy about it.

"What." Raph growled from across the table. He didn't intend for it to sound so aggressive. It's too late now. Leo was already looking at him with a stoney expression.

"Um, well, my…my mom has passed away and I am her only blood relative. I will be going back to Ohio for the funeral and any paperwork that needs to be filled out." The light hearted nature of the table was extinguished. Mikey and Casey were the only two that were kept in the dark about Cassidy's childhood. Earlier that day Cassidy had confided in Master Splinter about why things transpired the way they did a month ago. He was kind and compassionate, Cassidy was blessed that she had someone who was so wise, honest and understanding.

"Aww, Cass!" Mikey made his puppy dog eyes as he stood from the table and made his way to her. Wrapping her up in a semi-headlock, nuzzling his head against her crown as she let out a string of giggles. The sound left Raph high on endorphins and he briefly forgot his anger.

"When were you going to tell me?" He grunted, elbows resting atop the kitchen table, hands clasped, his shoulders hunched over.

"I'm telling you all now." Cassidy's voice had an edge to it, everyone picked up on it.

"I thi-"

"I believe that is a selfless thing for you to do, Cassidy. We will all be here awaiting your return. If you need anything before you leave, please let us know." Master Splinter had cut in and laid a paw on Cassidy's shoulder. He glanced towards his sons, his eyes lingered on the one who bore red. The glance was quick, but Raphael understood what that meant. Master bid everyone a good night as we made his way to his sleep quarters.

"It's already nine o'clock? Geez, we need to be heading out if I'm taking you home Cass." April said, stretching as she stood from the table; collecting plates and glasses to put in the sink.

"Okay"

"Can we talk?" Raph came up beside Cass who had her plate in her hand.

"Yeah, just let me - " Before she could finish, Raph grabbed the plate from her small hands and handed it to Leonardo who was passing with a stack of his own. Giving Leo an apologetic look with a small smile and a shrug and followed Raph out of the kitchen and towards his gym.

"Why?" He started to ask the minute they made it inside the tunnel turned weight room. His hulking form turned toward me once he made it into the center of the crowded space.

"Raph, don't start. I wanted to tell everyone together so there wasn't any miscommunication. It is only for a week. We just did a whole month without talking. You can text and call me." Cassidy wrapped her arms around her chest, not from the chilly air, but because of the look that Raphael was giving her. It made her feel as though he was committing her entire being to memory. His cinnamon flavored toothpick teased the edges of his lip, he was trying not to growl at her. She was done using words, she simply stepped towards him, grabbing ahold of one of the arms that was wrapped around his chest and guided it to her shoulder. She then moved to grab his other arm, their eyes never leaving each other as she guided his second arm across her other shoulder. Cassidy wrapped her arms against his sides in a hug, pressing her head into his plated chest, snuggling against the cool texture.

Raphael was frozen briefly, but he collected himself as he wrapped his arms tightly around her, burying his head into her hair. They stood like that for an eternity, simply enjoying the other's company when someone cleared their throat.

"Ready Cass?" April called from the den. Unbeknownst to Cassidy, both Leo and April were on alert about where the two went off to in case tensions rose and they needed to interfere.

"Comin'," Cass lifted her head and stepped away, turning to leave the red bara and gym behind. Before Cass took her fourth step, Raph made a grab for her hand for what seemed like the last time. Raph has barely recovered from not seeing her an entire month and now she was leaving for a week. He's only been back in her life for 24-hours, He could do it. He'd do it for her. She gave him a smile which was accompanied by a squeeze of his hand. He gently let her go as she turned to follow April and Casey out the exit. Before the door closed on him, Casey turned and gave the large brute a thumbs up with a smirk before the entrance lair closed behind them.

Raphael let out a breath he didn't know that he was holding. It took everything he had to not go after and keep watch to make sure she made it home okay. It wasn't that he didn't trust Casey and April, but he knew that if he did he wouldn't let Cassidy leave. He still didn't quite understand why she was willing to go back and help the woman that caused her so much pain and suffering growing up. It was sickening, but he'd never understand because despite his appearance, he wasn't alone. He had his father and brothers. He was constantly surrounded by family and love. They were a tight knit group and never stopped to think about how truly blessed they were to be able to confide in one another. Raphael started to think that if it wasn't for his father or brothers, if he was completely and utterly alone. He wouldn't have made it this long. He knew that as a fact.

He growled. This was going to be hell. He could feel his anger rising. With a string of curses and a deep, guttural growl, Raphael stomped back into his weight room. His last futile attempt to stop counting the seconds since Cassidy walked out of the lair. His only thought was, One week. One week. One week. Seven Days.