The next morning, Casey found himself alone with Ruby in the kitchen.
"Morning," Casey said. "Sleep okay, Ruby?"
"Not bad and you? There's coffee in the pot. Help yourself. The guys are all in the infirmary."
"Thanks," Casey, taking a seat and then helping himself to a cup of the steaming brew. "I didn't have the best sleep. Kept tossing and turning, thinking of Angelina and how different it could have been for us all, had we been able to keep her. You and I would have been blissfully married and things would have been awesome."
"Yeah. I think about that a lot too, but we can't go back. All we can do is focus on the present and future."
"I know," Casey said and sipped his coffee. "It's so weird seeing you again. A good weird. I missed you. You have to know I wanted to call, but your parents threatened me and like the coward I was, I left you alone, but I never stopped thinking about you or Angie. I light candles and toast you guys on your birthdays."
"That's sweet. I do too. I'm glad you found love and are happy, Case. That's all I ever wanted for you."
"Love? Losing you cut like a knife and I hit the bottle hard, hoping it would take away the pain, but it only did for a short while. I tried sex too, bedding as many women as I could, but the same thing happened and I always felt dirty afterwards and none of them compared to you. How could they? You were the best thing that ever happened to me, my soulmate, my heart, my true love. I also became a vigilante and that was a real rush. Then I met Leo and things were initially wonderful. I stopped drinking and was happy, but it wasn't long before my demons reared their heads again and I returned to drinking and messing around. I had to ask myself why when Leo is such an amazing guy and the answer was one I didn't like. I was still in love with you and I guess still searching for someone like you, but there isn't one, because there is only one you. I exploded and said I loved Leo, but how can I love him if I cheat and don't even feel ashamed of it? I thought about all of that in bed . I don't deserve Leo, I never did and he's better off with Raph, who'll give him all he deserves and needs. They'll be together forever and I'm happy for them. It isn't easy finding love, especially when you're a mutant Turtle. I know our ship has sailed too. You're probably with someone else and I'm better off alone with all of my demons, but I will promise this. I will find our daughter and I will be the dad she deserves, so when the time comes I want you to know that you don't have to worry about a thing, okay?"
"Oh, Casey, honey. You aren't an asshole," Ruby said and patted his hand. "It's just life that threw curveballs at you and you didn't know how to deal with them. I am so sad you went through all of that. I wish I could have been there for you. Maybe Fate's throwing us a second chance, huh? Maybe that's why I encountered Raphael on the rooftop. I dated a couple of guys, but they didn't last long, because I was always comparing them to you and they never stacked up. How could they? You were the most magnificent being alive and being with you was the happiest time of my life. Nothing made sense without you. I don't have many months left, Case, but I would like to spend them with you as your girl."
"I want that too. You'll live with me at my pad and I'll take excellent care of you. It's not what you're used to, but…."
"All that matters is that I'm with you. We can talk more about us later, but we need to get going. I told my parents I'll be home today. You'll come with me and we'll try and get them to admit that they forced us to give Angie up by threatening us. Keep your phone on to record the conversation. I'll do the same. We'll then see a lawyer and see if we have a case. We'll soon have Angie back if all goes well, but are you positive you want this? There's no going back if we go ahead."
"I want our daughter and I want you. I know it'll mean making several changes in my life, but I'm willing to do it. All that matters are you and Angie."
"Yeah. It includes drinking and vigilantism. No more of that. I need to know our daughter's in a safe and loving environment."
"She will be, Rubes. I promise and the guys will also be loving and devoted uncles to her and guard her with their lives."
"That reassures me, because we need to decide what would happen to Angie if anything happened to you. Who would you pick to take care of her?"
"I know who," Casey said and told her. "They'd be fantastic parents. I'll tell you more about them on our journey."
"Great. We need to leave."
"I need to do something first. I won't be long."
Casey took a deep breath and headed into the infirmary.
XXXXX
Everyone, sans Dr. Alberts,was engaged in conversations. He stood in a corner of the room, a sullen expression on his face. Still furious that he was trapped in the sewers for the next few weeks and that there was nothing he could do about it.
"Hey, guys," Casey said, entering the room. "Good morning."
"It was until I saw yer mug," Raphael said testily, green eyes flashing and clutching Leo's hand.
"Hey," the others, sans Leo, who remained silent, said, his face expressionless.
"I'll make it short," Casey said. "I'm sorry, Leo and Raph. I was a jerk and you guys didn't deserve it. I was a horrible boyfriend, Leo. I took you for granted, cheated on you, was a massive asshole and I didn't feel bad at all, so how could I have loved you? You don't treat someone you love that way. I couldn't sleep last night and did so much thinking. I realized that I've only really loved one person and that was Ruby. Losing her devastated me and I tried various methods of coping with my pain, none of them working. I hoped being with you would be different, Leo, but I soon returned to my bad habits. I was always searching for someone like her, but I never found her, because there is only one her. Fate's giving us a second chance, so we're going to take it, even if we only have a few months. I know it's all so jumbled what I'm saying, but the gist is I still love Ruby. I always will and I hope you and Raph have the most amazing life together. You deserve it, Leo, and so does Raph. You guys belong together and have always had a special bond. I have no doubt you'll be together forever and that Raph will make you happy. I hope you guys can forgive me someday. Raph, thank you for bringing Ruby here. I have to go. Me and Ruby are going to Northampton to try and get Angie back. I'll be in touch."
"Finding out you never loved me and cheated on me did hurt," Leo said. "But the hurt will fade, like my anger and I'm sure at some point we'll be cool again. Besides, I have Raph now. We love one another deeply and I know we'll be eternally happy together, so you did me a favor. I have two requests though."
"Which is?"
"Love Ruby and be there for her. She's going to need you and rely on your strength and love, especially on her darkest days. I also want you to be the best dad you can be for your daughter if you get her back. Parenting isn't a hobby or something you only do when you want to. It's a fulltime and lifetime job, which entails putting your kids first at all times. You will have to quit your vigilantism and stop drinking so heavily. You will also need to find a place more suitable for your child than your rundown apartment. You will in short, have to grow up, Casey, and also get a steady job. A welfare check isn't going to cut it for your kid and her needs. You're so talented with cars and auto repairs. Get a job doing that. I know you'd be awesome at it."
"I know, Leo, and I will do all of that. All I care about are Ruby and Angie and doing my ultimate for them. Raph, will we ever be cool again?"
"I ain't namin' any kid after ya, but we're cool, Case," Raphael said. "I have whom I've always wanted, so all's good. Just treat Ruby and yer daughter well, okay?"
"Kids?" Casey said and raised an eyebrow. "You can have kids, Raph?"
"Yeah and we will," Leo said, gazing tenderly at Raphael. "But that's a ways off. You need to go, Casey. Good luck."
"Yeah," Casey said. "Kids? I can't believe it. It's a bit weird, you know, but I'm sure you'll be great parents. See you guys."
Casey left the room and thought, I can't believe Raph can have babies and that he's okay about it. I'd be freaking out and what is he? Is he a boy or a girl? Just bizarre. I'm so glad I'm a normal boy!
The others had said nothing throughout the conversation.
"Wow. You're even more of a freak," Doc Alberts said sneeringly, glancing at Raphael.
The hothead's eyes whitened, a sign he was going to explode, he sprang to his feet and shoved Alberts up against the wall, his hands wrapping around the terrified doctor's throat.
"Raph, no!" Leo implored. "Don't. We need him. Please back off."
"Raph, stop," Donnie said, rushing to Raphael's side and placing a hand on his shoulder. "We need him. Mikey needs him. Come on, Raph. You don't want to do this."
"Raphie, please," Mikey said. "He's my only chance at a functional life. Stop."
Alberts' face was starting to turn blue, his eyes wide in panic, trying to free himself, but Raphael was too strong.
"Now ya listen up, Doc," Raphael growled, his green eyes blazing. "This is the last time I'm gonna tell ya. Ya watch yer fuckin' mouth or else I won't hesitate ta end yer miserable excuse for a life with my sai. I don't glory in murderin' people, but endin' yer life will be an absolute pleasure, because I've had enough of ya and yer fuckin' insults. Ya stop them now. Do ya fuckin' hear me?"
The doctor nodded, realizing that Raphael was dead serious.
"I'm glad we're on the same wavelength," Raphael said and released him, leaving him gasping and rubbing his bruised throat. "But no more snarky comments. I'm serious."
"You're crazy," Alberts rasped.
"What did I say 'bout insults? Seems like ya didn't get the memo, huh?" Raphael asked, his green eyes boring into the doctor's.
The doctor fell silent, sat down on a chair and hung his head, thinking, what did I do to deserve to be trapped in the sewers with these beings and that deranged creature? I swear he's insane and a raging psycho. I am definitely going to tell someone about them when I get out of here, so they'll be exterminated. Freaks. Monsters, who should never have been born!
"Sorry 'bout that," Raphael said, turning to his friends and family. "But I had ta make him understand that I won't tolerate any BS."
"Raph, I know he's a dick," Mikey said. "But we need his services, so please try to think before you act. What if you'd killed him? Then what would we have done? Just count to ten, like Dad taught you and take a deep breath if you're mad. Ignore his jibes. I know you can do it. You've talked yourself down tons of times before. Please, bro."
"Yeah, Mikey. I'll try harder. I'm sorry," Raphael said sheepishly. "I lost my cool. I should be used ta those vicious insults, but I ain't. They sting. I'll do my best ta control my rage and do what ya said."
"Good," April said. "Because the doc has a family too and they'll be devastated if anything happens to them. His kids are in their teens."
"Yeah, Raphael," Usagi said. "He's a creep, but like the others said, we need his services. Keep a check on your fury. You don't want any blood on your hands, do you and to know that you caused Michelangelo's shot at a functional life to crash and burn?"
The doctor glanced up and glowered at Raphael, hating him with every fiber of his being and if looks could kill, Raphael would have died on the spot.
Raphael didn't see the death stares, but Donnie did.
I see trouble down the road, Donnie thought anxiously. The doc detests us and will tell people about us. We'll be captured and killed, which means we have to annihilate him first. Crud. His poor family will be traumatized and devastated. I'm sad about that, but we have to protect our family. Mikey and Leo are infirm right now and Raph and Leo will have babies someday, so we have to consider them above everything else. I'll read up on prosthetic's and do my best for Mikey when he needs re-fittings. It's not the ideal scenario, but that's all we can do. The doc's life will end, as soon as Mikey's arms are fitted. Me and Usagi will take care of business. We'll weight him down and dump him in the Hudson, where hopefully he'll remain forever or we can find a local pig farm, break in and feed them the remains. I also have an idea why no one will find the doctor's absence suspicious. I have to find a way to talk to Usagi privately.
XXXXX
Meanwhile Casey and Ruby were on the way to her parents' place, Casey behind the wheel.
Catching her looking distant, Casey said, "Are you okay, babe?"
"Fine. Just thinking. It's so surreal having you back in my life. I feel like I'm going to wake up and you won't be here."
"It's not a dream, hon. I'm here and I'll never leave your side."
"Good to know. Did you clear the air with Leo and Raph?"
"Yes and I also found out an astounding fact about Raph. He can lay eggs. Can you believe it? My tough and macho pal can have babies. How weird is that? You met him. Can you imagine him having babies?"
"That's nice. It means Angie will have friends to grow up with."
"You aren't even a bit weirded out by it?"
"Why should I be?"
"Because, uh, Raph's a boy!"
"Yeah, but parenthood is a blessing, right? Everyone should experience it. You should be happy for them, instead of freaking out."
"I'm sorry, but I just can't wrap my head around the fact Raph will lay eggs. It's just such an alien concept. Look at the guy. He's pure muscle and he's going to…It's so odd."
"You'll have to get used to it, because it will happen and you don't want your friendship to end, do you? It will if you can't accept it, because they'll be hurt you can't accept it when they have probably accepted everything about you and never judged you."
"That's true. They never have."
"Then you should do the same. I'm not saying go overboard, but just be there for them and be happy for them. That's all."
"Yeah. I'll try. Does that mean Raph will be a mommy then?"
"I think he'd deck you if you called him that," Ruby said with a smile. "He'll be a daddy, Casey, and he'll want your support, like he has always given you his. He has been a good friend, hasn't he?"
"The best. I've told Raph stuff I've never told no one else, including you and he's never judged me."
"Then do the same thing for him. It'll be a crazy time and he'll want and need all the support he can get."
"I'll do that then. Now, are you sure about your choice of guardian if we pass before Angie turns eighteen?"
"Yeah. Raph can have his own babies and they can't. They'll be thrilled and will be incredible parents. Angie will lack for nothing."
"Great. I'm going to get some Z's."
Ruby leaned back against her seat, closed her eyes and was soon asleep.
Rest, my angel, Casey thought. And know I will keep fighting for our daughter if the legal process continues when you're not here. I will never stop fighting for her. I've never prayed for anything, but I am now and I hope you'll listen, Lord. Ruby and I love our daughter, whom we were cruelly forced to give up. We want her back so much and we'll do our ultimate to ensure she's happy, loved and well cared for, so please let that happen. Please.
XXXX
Casey and Ruby arrived at her parents' place some time later and she rang the doorbell.
Corrine Stevens, her mom, opened the door and seeing her daughter and Casey said heatedly, her dark eyes flashing, "What the heck's going on Ruby? Why is that vile man with you? I thought you were done with him."
"Can we please come inside? There's something we'd like to discuss and I would prefer it was in private, rather than for the neighbors to hear."
"Fine. You should be home anyway in your condition and resting. Where have you been? We were so worried about you."
Ruby ignored her and pushed past her, clutching Casey's hand.
Her mom frowned and led them into the lounge.
XXXX
"I'll make this short, Mom," Ruby said, letting go of Casey's hand.
Casey pretended to answer a text on his phone, but he was actually recording the conversation.
"I'm not coming home, Mom," Ruby said. "I'm back with Casey. I never stopped loving him and I intend on spending my last months with him and our child. That's right. Me and Casey will get Angelina back."
"And how will you achieve that? You willingly gave up your child, Ruby. Don't you remember? You said you didn't want to be a teenage mother and…."
"NO! Lies. You threatened me to give up my child, saying you'd kick me out if I didn't and that you'd tell everyone I was a slut, who slept with everything on two legs, so my reputation was ruined and it would never be salvaged. I was a naïve and frightened kid, who took you at face value and thought I couldn't cope on my own. I didn't know that there was help for single and unmarried mothers. You said there wasn't and I believed you, having never really been exposed to the outside world. I was home-schooled, the only kids I saw were the kids of you and Dad's friends, I wasn't allowed out on my own. Meeting Casey was pure luck when Dad and I visited you at the hospital. I waited outside your room, giving you and Dad privacy and Casey was waiting to go into his dad. We got talking, swapped numbers and met as often as we could in secret…."
"Ruby, you're right. We did threaten you, but it was purely for your own good. We didn't want you to be saddled with a kid so young and with that bum. We thought you could do better. I still do and I don't regret our actions. I know you were hurt, but you have to look at it in perspective….."
"Perspective?" Ruby demanded irately, her eyes flashing. "You forced me to give up my baby, a part of me and Casey that I loved with every fiber of my being. I was a trainwreck after. Your actions ripped me and Casey apart and it was only by some miracle that we found one another again. His world was turned upside down and he's been in turmoil ever since. We both have. We love our daughter so much and she may not have had the same luxurious lifestyle I did, but she would never have gone hungry and would have had what we could give her, as well as love, happiness, a stable environment and the knowledge that her parents loved one another, instead of growing up in a warzone, like I did, with you and Dad constantly arguing and involving me. Casey and the baby were the only times I were every truly happy. I'm not the same scared kid I was and I will get them back, whatever the cost. You can spread all the salacious lies you want about me and Casey, but nothing will deter us from getting back our daughter."
"No one will believe you," Corrine said. "And the baby has a loving and stable family already. They won't suddenly uproot her and return her to you."
"Oh. I think they will. You know I was still mad at you for the past two years, but I didn't have anywhere else to go, so I just sucked it all up, but now that I have Casey again, I have somewhere else to go and I'm leaving with just the clothes on the back. I know I'll be just fine with Casey, so don't ever seek me out. You and Dad are dead to me."
"You'll be sorry, Ruby," Corrine said crossly.
"No. You will be. Come on, Casey. Let's get out of here."
"Goodbye, Mrs Stevens, it's been a pleasure," Casey said sarcastically, ending the recording and then following his girlfriend outside.
A furious Corrine quickly called her husband and said, "Where are you, Richard?"
"Coming up to the house now. Why?"
"Do you see a couple?"
"Yeah, Ruby and is that Casey? What's going on?"
"They're trying to get their daughter back. We can't have that. You know why. Follow them and do whatever's necessary to stop them."
"I don't know, Corrine. That seems drastic and she is our kid….
"Richard, do you want what we did to be public knowledge? Plus, she may have other dirt on us. Do you want that revealed too?"
"No."
"Then do it," Corrine said and ended the call.
Richard scowled and followed Casey and Ruby in his car.
XXXXX
Casey and Ruby arrived at a local lawyer's office and parked in the parking lot, unaware that Richard was two spaces away from them and that he was watching them.
They climbed out of the car and Casey placed an arm around her waist.
"Let's do this, Rubes," Casey said. "That recording and the additional dirt you have on your parents will help our case tremendously."
"I can't believe that we may soon have her back."
"We will get her back, hon. You'll see."
The couple went inside the building.
Richard got out, looked at the names on the building on and thought, they've gone to a lawyer. I'll get them when they come out. It'll derail their case significantly and our secrets will remain hidden.
XXXXX
The lawyer, Bart Friend, had an opening in his schedule and was able to meet with Casey and Ruby, who gave him the recording and she also revealed dirt she had on her parents.
Friend listened to the recording and said, "You definitely have a case, especially as there have been concerns about the child's welfare. It appears that her adoptive parents aren't all they appear. I'll take care of things and will notify you when we have a court date."
"When do you think that'll be?" Ruby asked, writing down her number on a piece of paper and giving it to him.
"It's never long when it concerns a child. Probably a week max. Why don't you stay at the Holiday Inn a few blocks from here? It's clean, reasonably priced and there are a few good restaurants in town. My personal favorite is Casa Bella, which has the most divine Italian food."
"Thank you," Casey said, rising to his feet. "I appreciate it. One last thing. We have made provision for guardians if anything happens to us before Angie turns eighteen."
"That's right," Ruby said and told Friend their choice, as well as writing down a person's number on another piece of paper and giving it to Friend. "They're terrific people and Angie would be well taken care of."
"Fantastic," Friend said, standing up.
Ruby stood and said, "Thank you so much, sir."
Friend shook their hands and said, "See you soon. Take care."
Ruby and Casey left the building, holding hands and smiling at the thought of being reunited with their daughter.
XXXXX
Casey and Ruby got into their car.
Casey dialed a number and said, "April, we've seen the lawyer, who says we have a case. I want you to do something for me."
"Sure, Case."
Casey explained what he wanted her to do and then said, "I have to go. Talk soon. Tell the guys I said hi."
He ended the call, turned to Ruby and said, "All sorted. Let's grab a bite. I'm starving."
"Me too," Ruby said. "Oh, Casey, I'm so excited."
"Me too, babe," Casey said and started the engine. "We'll soon have Angie back and we can have the life we've always wanted and knowing it's together."
Richard watched them back out of the parking lot and drive off. He tailed them, taking care to stay two cars behind them, so they wouldn't see him.
He saw them park a few streets away ten minutes later, get out and start to cross the street to the diner.
Then he made his move.
Gritting his teeth, he checked that no one else was around, sped up and raced towards them.
The couple were so engrossed in each other and not really looking where they were, they didn't hear the oncoming car.
Tyres screeched and the car slammed into them headlong, sending them flying and then landing in crumpled heaps, their eyes closed.
The car had killed them on impact, shattering multiple bones and they were bloodied messes.
Richard sped off without a backwards glance.
Hearing the ruckus people came out of the diner and rushed to the couple, hoping that they were alive, but soon discovering that wasn't the case.
One person was able to write down Richard's license plate before it was too far away to see. He quickly got into his car and drove to the police station.
The police and ME were called and the crime scene was sealed off with yellow tape.
Casey and Ruby's bodies were loaded onto gurneys and into a van. Destination: the morgue.
XXXX
Several hours later, back at the lair, Usagi was cooking dinner when he heard on the radio, "And in breaking news, there was a hit and run earlier in Northampton. The victims have been identified as Casey Jones and Ruby Stevens. Police received a breakthrough when a local resident managed to write down the license plate of the suspect and they're currently interrogating him at the police station…"
Casey's dead, Usagi thought in dismay. How am I going to tell the guys?
Usagi took a deep breath and went into the infirmary.
XXXXX
Leo and Raphael were talking quietly, Mikey was chatting to April, Don was reading a science book and Alberts was just sitting with his arms folded.
"Guys," Usagi said. "I have some gut-wrenching news. It's about Casey and Ruby. They were murdered…."
"Yer jokin', right?" Raphael said, his eyes wide in amazement. "Has ta be a joke."
"I wouldn't joke about something like that, Raphael. It's true. I heard it on the news."
"But we saw them not so long ago and they were fine," Leo said, his eyes wide in shock. "Are you sure you're not mistaken, Usagi?"
"I'm not and they have a suspect in custody. I am so sorry. Casey was a magnificent person."
"The best," Donnie said.
"I'll miss him," Mikey said, his eyes filling with tears.
The drama never ends, Alberts thought.
Just then, April's phone rang. "Hey," she said. "Really? I'm sorry, for your loss, Mr. Jones. There aren't enough words. Yes. I'll be there for sure. He'll definitely be missed. He already is. I'll see you then. Take care and know you're in my thoughts."
April hung up and said, "That was Casey's dad. I know he and Casey didn't always see eye to eye, but he's pretty cut up and he wants me to meet him, so that we can discuss funeral plans and so on."
"He didn't want a funeral," Raphael said. "He wanted ta be cremated and his ashes scattered in the ocean. See, his dad didn't even know that! That shows how close they were. Poor Casey. I'm gonna miss him so much," Raphael added, his eyes misting over.
"I'll tell him, Raph. I'm going to leave today. Maybe visit a friend on the way. Will you guys be okay without me? I may be gone for a few days."
"Yeah," Don said. "Go. We'll be fine. I can't believe that Casey and Ruby are gone. What about their kid, April?"
"I'll also see the lawyer. Casey asked me to if anything happened to them. " She turned to Mikey and said, "I love you, Mikey. See you soon. Bye, guys."
"I love you too," Mikey said, as he watched her leave the room.
Everyone, sans the doctor, lapsed into silence, as they thought about Casey and Ruby and how alive they'd been not long before. Now they were gone forever and they would never hear the couple laugh, joke and make new memories with them.
"Ya okay, Leo?" Raphael whispered into Leo's ear slits.
"I'm fine. Just can't believe that he's gone. How are you?"
"Same," Raphael said mournfully, tears in his eyes. "I know he was a tool sometimes, but he was a good friend and we…we had so much fun together and I loved him. He was a good person and there's nothin' he wouldn't have done for any of us."
"I know. I did too," Leo said, pulling him close and wrapping his arms around him.
"Leo, I have two requests. One, I wanna find the fucker, who killed him and Ruby and make him pay. Two, I want our first son ta have Casey's name as his middle name."
"Both granted. I don't like vigilantism, but Casey was our family and I liked Ruby, even though I didn't know her long. I know Casey would have sought justice for us."
"He would have in a heartbeat. I will always love and miss him."
"We all will and we'll always find a way of including him in our lives and all we do."
"Anyone think they can manage some dinner?" Usagi asked.
No one wanted to eat, (the doc did, but no one cared what he wanted) too heartsore, so they remained in the infirmary, thinking about Casey, all the wonderful memories they'd shared with him and vowing to get justice, whatever the cost. Casey was family, one of their own and even though he was gone, they would always find a way of including him in their lives and they would never stop missing and loving him.
A/N I'm back after nearly three years and have a fair bit planned :)
What's going to happen to Angelina? Will they get justice for Casey and Ruby?