Leo tossed and turned, unable to sleep, as he thought of the impending meeting with Raphael. I can't do it, Leo thought. I just can't. I have to try and get out of it somehow. I'll tell him I have a cold and reschedule it. Yeah, that's it. It's cowardly, but better than seeing Raph's hurt and rage.

There was a knock on the door and Raphael's deep voice said, "Leo, ya asleep?"

Oh, no! What do I do, Leo thought in despair. "Yes, Raph. What do you want?"

"Yer light's on, so I figured ya were awake and I could use some advice. Can I come in?"

"Sure, Raph," Leo said casually, as his heart pounded.

Raphael opened the door, stepped inside, closed the door behind him and said bashfully, his cheeks reddened, "It's 'bout Alex."

"What about her?" Leo asked, as he climbed out of bed and stood up.

"She wants ta meet up tomorrow, Leo."

"Does she know you're a mutant turtle?"

"No. I told her I'm different, but not what and she said she's not scared and wouldn't run away. I also told her 'bout my condition and she said she's cool with it."

"Your condition?" Leo asked, quirking an eye ridge.

Raphael blushed and said, "Promise me ya won't tell no one."

"You have my word."

"I'm intersex."

"So you could have babies."

"I don't know ta be honest. The swimmers of intersex males often don't swim, but if I was with a male, maybe."

"So, what's the problem, Raph? Sounds like this Alex likes you for you. I don't understand why you're stressing and why you're asking me for advice. I would have thought you'd have asked Mikey or Donnie."

"She said she's okay with me bein' different, but what if she ain't and does bolt? It would kill me and I asked ya, because yer always real and honest with me and when we ain't fightin', we can have a proper conversation. Mikey wouldn't understand. He's too childish and Donnie? Well, he has Usagi, but he's too busy with him. So, big bro, what do I do?"

"You be real with her and if she runs, it's her loss, Raph. You're an incredible, funny, smart and caring guy, who anyone would be lucky to have."

"Ya forgot sexy!"

Leo smiled and said, "Who knows, maybe Alex has a secret of her own, Raph? Have you considered that?"

"Nah. Not Alex. She wouldn't lie ta me and is an angel."

"But if she did, would you be mad?"

"Depends what it is. If she was like a man and lied 'bout her identity, yeah, probably. That'd be pretty cruel. I ain't homophobic, Leo. I kinda like men and women. It'd be 'bout the deceit, ya know. A relationship without trust is doomed, like what me and Mona had when she betrayed us. I did love her, but the betrayal was too much and it changed things. I couldn't be with a liar."

Leo's gut twisted with guilt and he said, "I completely understand, Raph. I'd feel the same way. If she did lie, she wouldn't deserve you."

"I'd be alone again and that'd suck, but bein' alone's better than bein' with a liar. Now, what if the date goes well and she likes me? What do I do?"

"You take her somewhere nice."

"Yeah. We'll just go ta some fancy restaurant and walk right in. Swell idea, Leo," Raphael said sarcastically.

"You know the hot dog stand by the park? The owner knows us and afterwards, you could go to a roof top and gaze at the stars."

"Sappy, but chicks dig star gazin', right?"

"Some girls do and some guys."

"Awesome. And what do I gotta do ta get laid?"

"Is that all you care about?"

"No! Honest. Alex is a princess and I ain't romancin' her just ta get laid, Leo. I really like and care 'bout her. Was just a question."

"You let the relationship progress, like it did with Mona. I assume you and Mona did the deed."

"No. At the time I was pissed she didn't wanna, but now I'm glad, because it means Alex will be my first. and hopefully, my last too. Maybe she and I'll get bonded," Raphael said excitedly, his green eyes shining in happiness. "She'd wear a white wedding dress and I'd get all dressed up in a tuxedo and she and I would live together forever. "

"You have it all thought out," Leo said, feeling even guiltier.

"Yeah. A bunch of kids. Don't worry, we'd live down here. Ya still need me on the team and I still wanna be a ninja. Alex will understand. Maybe I can teach her ninjitsu. I can't wait for ya ta meet her, Leo. She's really somethin'."

"Sure sounds like it, Raph, to have hooked you so fast."

"Wanna see a photo of her?" Raphael pulled up his e-mail on his phone and showed Leo a photo. "That's my girl. What do ya think?"

"She's stunning, Raph."

"And she's smart and lovin'. Total package. I'm so blessed ta have met her. Fate works in mysterious ways. What's the matter, Leo? Ya look distant?"

"Just thinking. Hey, Raph, I didn't mean to shoot you down as a mate."

"Oh, that? I'm all over it. I have Alex. Don't worry 'bout it, bro, and ya will meet someone too. Maybe Mikey? He certainly follows ya around like a lovesick puppy. Next step would be datin'."

"Me and Mikey?" Leo said in incredulity. "Uh, no."

"Why not? He's childish, but he's funny. Well, sometimes, and he doesn't second-guess ya. I gotta get ta bed. Mornin' will come ta soon. Thanks for the chat, Leo. I feel better now."

"Happy to help, Raph, and honestly, I don't like Mikey that way."

"Don't blame ya. Love him as a bro, but as a mate? No damn way. Kid would drive me insane and not the good way. Ya sure yer okay? Ya look ill?"

"I just need to sleep, Raph. Long day."

"Oh, yeah. Hey, Alex has brothers. Maybe she could hook ya up with one of them. Or do ya like girls only?"

"I don't mind guys."

"Cool. If my date goes well, I'll ask Alex ta give ya their numbers. Nothin' ta worry 'bout, Fearless. They'll love ya. Hey, if she wants ta fuck, what do I do? I ain't experienced."

Leo flushed and said, "You take it as it comes, Raph. It's not rocket science and you'll figure it out."

"Oh, okay. What if I'm too big for her?"

Now he's discussing his dick, Leo thought in mortification. Isn't enough that he wants dating advice about a girl that doesn't exist. Now he wants sex advice! "You be gentle with her, Raph. Go slowly and be as gentle as you can."

"I can do that. I'm not as savage as people think I am."

"No. You're a softy deep down. Alex knows and that's one of the reasons she probably likes you."

Raphael smiled and said, "Yeah. I like showin' her my soft side and she doesn't make fun of me, like some people would."

"I wouldn't, Raph. I don't think I ever have."

Raphael smiled again and said, "Nah, ya haven't. Gonna go now." In a rare show of affection, Raphael threw his arms around a shocked Leo and said, "I love ya, Leo. Thank ya for the advice."

"You're welcome."

They broke apart and Raphael planted a kiss on Leo's cheek and said, "Hey, what do I get her for a gift?"

"How about chocolates?"

"Borin'. I know chicks love it, but I wanna get somethin' more meaningful. I know. What if I draw somethin' and give it ta her? Think she'll love it?"

"Of course. You're very talented, Raph. You honestly should think about selling your work."

"Crossed my mind. Gonna draw her and write her a poem. Night, Fearless, and if I get married, ya can be my best man."

"Really?"

"Course. Now we're talkin' again, yer my best friend and I'd like that."

When Raphael had gone, Leo crawled into bed, threw the covers over himself and thought miserably, I wish something would happen tomorrow to ensure the meeting won't happen. A war. Shredder. Hail. Snow. Anything! And I wish I'd never listened to Mikey!