"Ruby?" Casey said in shock, finally noticing her presence. "What are you doing here?"
"It doesn't matter. I should go. It was a mistake coming here."

"Who are you?" Leo asked. "And how do you know Casey?"
"I see he hasn't been very forthcoming with his past," Ruby said coolly. "I'm his ex, Ruby."
"Leonardo and those are my brothers, Don and Mikey. That's Doctor Alberts and that's Don's mate, Usagi. The people, who left were April and Raphael."

"Pleasure meeting you," Don, Usagi and Mikey said in unison.

"Hi," Alberts said.

"Raphael's a pleasant guy," Ruby said. "I spent some time with him when he was about to jump off of a roof. He's been in denial about his feelings for you. He loves you, Leonardo, hence his jealousy about you dating Casey."

"Well, me and Leo are over," Casey hissed. "He loves Raphael! He probably always did and never loved me!"

"Not true. I did love you Casey, but my feelings for Raph have always been stronger," Leo said. "And Raph doesn't love me. He hates me. I don't blame him. I did a shitty thing and… Yes. We're over. I may never win Raph's love, but I have to be honest with myself. I love Raph and I always will. I should have told him ages ago."

"And the drama continues," Alberts said. "What a tangled web."

"Shut up," Don snapped. "What brings you here, Ruby?"
"I'm dying. Leukaemia I only have a few months left. Raphael convinced me to come here and talk to Casey."

"About what?" Casey asked. "You can't be sick, Ruby. You're kidding, right?" he said dejectedly. "You're only eighteen. It can't be true."
"No. I'm serious. I have months left. Anyway, that's not why I'm here. Me and Casey had a baby daughter when we were sixteen. We named her Angelina and while we were nervous at being parents, we were also extremely excited. And we were madly in love, but my parents didn't like Casey. They forced me to break up with him and to have the baby adopted at three-days-old. Casey didn't know. He found out afterwards and was crushed. I was forced to keep it a secret from him. It was a closed adoption, so I have no idea where she is. Casey left town and I didn't know where he went. I tried contacting him, but it said the subscriber couldn't be reached on his cell, so I guessed he had a new number. Then I saw Raphael on the roof top. He told me I should talk to Casey and here I am. I want to find our daughter. I'll be at peace knowing she's with her biological dad. We're eighteen now and have a valid claim that I was coerced into it and that Casey had no knowledge of it. We both wanted our baby so much. Time's of the essence, so we need to act fast. Angie deserves to know Casey. He's a great person and I have no doubt he'd be a wonderful dad."

"I went looking for her," Casey said. "But was told I had no rights."
"BS," Ruby snapped. "You do and I think we have a valid claim of coercion. My parents have always been controlling. They're loving, but they've always been controlling of everything I did. I often felt like I lived in a prison. Casey, I need to know if you want to find her and if you're prepared for a possible lengthy court battle. I have no doubt the adoptive parents will fight us. It could well still be ongoing when I've passed."
"You bet I am. I was heartbroken when she was given up and I think about her every day."

"I can't believe you never told me, Casey," Leo said.
"Shut up. You weren't exactly open about Raphael either! This is a real surprise. You can count on me, Ruby. I'll get her back."

"I don't mean to rain on your parade," Don said. "But it's been two years since the adoption. It won't be a simple process to get your kid back. The courts will look at how the kid's faring with her adoptive parents and will decide what's in the kid's best interest. Your coercion may be a mitigating factor, but it won't be a definite in gaining custody of her."

"That's right," Alberts piped up. "It boils down to the best interest of the kid. I've read several cases about the birth mother changing her mind a year or so down the line and wanting the kid back. The outcomes have varied. One scenario was that the birth mother was successful and the adoptive parents had to give the kid back. And another outcome was that the court ruled the baby should remain with the adoptive parents. The birth mother then came to an agreement with the adoptive parents. The agreement being that the baby would live with the adoptive parents, the birth mother would move to Colorado and she'd also play a role in the baby's life with crucial decisions. That outcome is more likely for you than attaining custody. After all, the baby's now two and she has a rapport with her adoptive parents."

"So we shouldn't try?" Casey said miserably.

"We will try," Ruby said resolutely. "Raphael convinced me that I owe it to my kid to get her back and to let her know her real dad. I should have tried earlier, but…There's no point with regrets. One has to look at the now and I'll fight with every breath I have. She belongs with me and Casey. I have money, which I'll be leaving for her care. It's a substantial amount and I don't need it anyway. It's also enough for Casey to buy a decent house. I'll go to a lawyer with Casey first thing in the morning and we'll put our case. Raphael also told me that I'm welcome to stay here. I really don't want to be a nuisance, but I don't want to spend my remaining days in my parents' house or at a hospice. I want to be free and not controlled."

"I think Raphael had an ulterior motive," Casey said. "He wanted you to come here, so that we'd hook up again and he could have Leo."

"You're so paranoid," Leo hissed. "Raph's a softy. He likes kids and he believes family should stick together. That's why he asked Ruby to come here and talk to you. And you're welcome to crash here, Ruby. You can bunk in my room."

"Thank you so much, Leonardo, and Casey's wrong," Ruby said. "I haven't known Raphael long, but I get the impression he's a genuine and caring person, who isn't out for his own ends."

"But he likes to keep it in the family, isn't that, right, Leo?" Casey said snidely. "Loving his brother! Isn't that sick?"
"We're not related!"
"You were still raised as brothers!"

"Silence!" Don boomed. "We've all had a shitty day and we don't need more kak!"
"Kak?" Mikey queried, raising an eye ridge. "What does that mean, Don?"
"It's a South Africanism for crap. I read it in a book the other day. Anyway, enough fighting. Ruby, I'll take you to your room. Usagi, you stay here. Casey, you can have my room."

"I should stay with Leo. I don't really want us to be over," Casey said. "I still love him. Leo?"
"I don't want you here," Leo said coldly. "You caused Raph to run off. What if he's hurt? Get out. I don't want you near me! And you expect me to take you back after that spiteful comment about 'keeping it in the family' when you know very well I'm not related to any of my brothers. Go away!"

Casey slumped his shoulders and left with Donnie and Ruby. I'll win Leo back, he thought. Raph could never make him as happy as I make him. Raph only knows two languages: punching and kicking. He certainly knows nothing about love and how to woo Leo.

XXXX

Raphael ran through the sewers, tears still streaming down his cheeks, April in hot pursuit. "Raph! Stop!"

He ignored her and kept running. Not looking where he was going, he tripped over an old piece of sewer pipe and went sprawling onto the ground, plastron down. "Shit!" he said, gingerly sitting up and checking for any injuries.

April rushed to his side and said anxiously, "Are you okay, Raph?"
"Fine. Just my pride dented. Ya can go. I wanna be alone."
"No," she said, plopping down beside him. "Raph, we've always been good friends, right?"
"Not really. Yer more Donnie's and Mikey's. I wanna be alone."
"I'm not leaving you. Tell me what happened."
"I dumped Mona, 'cause she betrayed us. And then I met a hot chick named Alex, who liked me. We talked a lot and I fell hard. I asked her ta be my girl and she accepted. She said she loved everythin' 'bout me and we got along so well. I felt like we were soul mates and I'd known her my entire life. I was so excited. I mean, me, a mutant turtle, had a girl and I wasn't gonna be alone no more. I even had a shot at havin' kids. And Alex was so sweet, funny and smart. She was the ying ta my yang. And now I find out it was all a fuckin' farce. It was fuckin' Leo all along. How could he do that ta me? Fuckin' bastard." Raphael sniffed, his green eyes filling with tears, and said, "I'm so pissed and hurt. It was too good ta be true and I shoulda known it. I'm so dumb! Alex even accepted I'm intersex!"
"You're what?" April said in amazement.
"I have male and female parts and she accepted that. She didn't even say I was weird. Others woulda bolted, but not her. We was gonna meet too. Hah. Fuckin' loada shit. I hate Fearless for doin' this ta me. I wanna punch him!"
"So you can lay eggs?"
"Yeah. Lucky, stupid me, huh? Leave me alone. Ya probably think I'm a moron too."
"I don't, Raph," April said and hugged him. "Stop being so hard on yourself. You didn't know, but now you do and it's not totally bad."
"Huh?" Raphael said, pulling away. "He lied. It's a fuckin' betrayal. Don't ya fuckin' get that?" Raphael said heatedly.
"I'll explain. So Alex turned out to be Leo. But that's a positive, because….I think you're more upset about Leo's deception than you are about Alex's nonexistence. Leo's always been your hero. You admire him, although you'd never admit it. And I know you've always had a thing for him. You always try to get his attention, you act like a jealous lover when Karai's around and I've seen the longing looks you cast at him, so it's pointless denying it. Then there was your reaction when you found out Leo was with Casey. You were once again a jealous lover. That's what stung most, didn't it? That Leo's with him. Because you want Leo. Alex doesn't really matter, because you're really in love with Leo and have been the whole time. I know Leo always felt the same way about you. I saw how he studied you when he thought you weren't looking and I saw how miserable he was when you were with Mona. You both have been in absolute denial and it has to end now. You'd be great together, Raph. You're two sides of the same coin and would complement one another."
Raphael nodded and said, "I've always loved Leo. I got with Mona and I thought I loved her, but I didn't really and only loved her as a friend. "
"Do you still love Leo?"
"What does it matter? I could never trust him. Look at what a fool he made outta me! And I was so gullible. I fell for it hook, line and sinker! I'm such a dumb spaz!"
"The feelings weren't a lie, Raph. They came from the heart. So," April said, placing a hand on his heart. "You have to ask yourself if you can give Leo another chance now that you know how he feels about you. You have to look at the bigger picture and look at his many wonderful traits. He's brave, loyal, affectionate and passionate and he'd be a wonderful mate for you. You know that, right? That's what attracted him to you in the first place."
"That and how hot he is. He's gorgeous," Raphael said and sighed. "But how can I trust him. April? Would ya?"
"I'd like to think I would," April said, removing her hand. "I'd talk to him, explain my feelings and see how it went from there. Leo deserves another chance."
"He's with Casey, so it's pointless."
"I sincerely doubt he is. Leo admitted he loved you and Casey went ballistic. I'm sure they've over. Raph, you'll kick yourself if you don't."
"Suppose me and Leo don't work out. It'd be hellish livin' in the same place and knowin' he hated me."
"Stop being a pessimist. Talk to Leo. Will you? I get you're upset, but shove your ego aside and do it. You could miss a real chance at love if you don't."
There was silence for a few minutes. Then Raphael said, "I guess talkin' can't hurt."
"Great. You won't be sorry and you know what, you could have a family with him too."
"Whoa. Slow down there! I said I'd talk ta him. I didn't say I'd fuck him. One thing at a time," Raphael said, standing up. "Let's go."
April rose to her feet and said, "Who was that girl you brought with you to the lair?"
"Casey's ex. It's a long story. I'll fill ya in on the way home."

They headed back to the lair and Raphael thought, I don't know what ta say ta Fearless. I'm still heartsore. What if Leo don't wanna speak ta me after the awful things I said? What if we fight again?

XXXX

They reached the lair a while later and Raphael, flanked by April, entered the infirmary. Leo was talking to Mikey and Usagi. Alberts was dozing on another stretcher.

Raphael nervously cleared his throat and said, "Leo, can we talk?"
Leo looked up, his sapphire eyes widened in surprise at seeing his volatile brother and he said, "Sure. I'm so glad you're okay. I was really worried about you, Raph."
"Can we have some privacy?"

April used bed sheets to rig up a makeshift curtain that separated Leo from Mikey, giving them a bit of privacy and went to sit with Mikey and Usagi.

Then Raphael cleared his throat again and said, "It's 'bout us. I'm willin' ta forgive ya and ta give ya a chance ta know me romantically, but I got conditions. Ya gotta accept them if ya want me. Will ya?"

A/What conditions will Raph lay down? Will Leo accept them? Will Casey win Leo back?