**Trigger Warning/ Just Because: Alcohol usage, mild self harm occurrence, and some cussing for effect! Enjoy~

The next two days were hellish for the three elder turtles as they watched their baby brother lay lifelessly on the medical bed. His heart rate was steady and they had even replaced the gauze around his arm in the short amount of time he had been out.

Finally, after two whole days, Mikey finally opened his tired red eyes.

Raph was the first to notice, "Mikey! Bro. Ya scared the shot outta us. Ya alright?"

Mikey glared at Raph, "what?"

Don stepped forward anxiously as Raph clenched his fists. "Mikey...we found you under a bridge severely intoxicated, a slab of concrete had actually fallen on you and broke a liquor bottle into your arm, not to mention if you were under there much longer the water would have risen above you and you would have not been sober enough to wake up and run.

In fact, I was sure you were going to fall into some sort of coma Mikey...I was sure of it." Don couldn't help but feel a bit of anger at Mikeys reaction as he said these disturbing facts, apparently he wasn't the only one.

"Mikey did you hear Donnie? You could have died, or gotten severely injured! Doesn't that bother you?! Because it sure as shell bothered us!" Leo exclaimed.

"Huh...what do you all want a thank you? Well then, thank you SO much for everything. Sorry I fucked your night up. Promise next time it will be way farther from here so you just won't find me."

The three were taken aback by the tone and cussing but there was, of course, one turtle that recovered quickly.

"That's what you think Mike! Ya think we are ganna let ya off the hook now? Ya just freakin' confessed that you were ganna run off and do this again, why would we let you go?!" Raph was so pissed now he couldn't see straight, Leo took notice in this quickly and decided to let the most empathetic turtle take on this job for now.

"Come on Raph, let's go make some lunch, I'm sure Mikey is very hungry, right Mikey?"

The orange clad turtle simply shrugged this question off, it was all Leo needed though. "See? So let's go."

He all but dragged Raph to the kitchen as the short tempered turtle grumbled threats and curse words.

Meanwhile Don stood very unsure of himself as he eyed Mikey, the younger of the two simply stared back at him.

"Are you in any type of pain?"

Mikey chuckled darkly, "no, unless you have some powerful painkillers to knock me out, I'm fine."

Don shivered at how dark Mikeys voice was, it was not natural. "Hah, well you are out of luck then I only give those if you have a severe injury. Now, if I may...can I ask some important questions?"

Mikey shrugged, "go for it."

"So...clearly you have become dependent on alcohol, correct?"

"Now hold up, I'm not dependent Don, if I was then that's like saying I'd be addicted. No, I'm in control."

"Ah! I see...sorry for the quick judgment there." Don then wrote in small lettered 'denial' As his first symptom on his small notepad.

"How long have you been doing this Mikey? You won't get in trouble I promise I just like to keep detailed files on the four of us to have accurate medical facts later on."

"Sheesh, I dunno like...one week, nothing huge. I'm not addicted." Mikey lied.

"I didn't ask if you were-"

"Just clarifying."

"Hm, I see. Well you do realize how bad this stuff is right Mikey? It can damage your liver and-"

"I know Donnie. I know."

"What made you turn to this? Were you upset?"

Mikey flinched and wringed his hands, "why so many stupid questions Don? Like this is ganna help you later on..."

"I promise it's all confidential Mikey."

"Hah, yea well...guess I did it because I wanted to. There. Write that one down cuz that's all you're getting."

Don sighed as he looked down at his notepad, 'denial', 'not honest', 'monotone', 'insisted denial- claimed he was not addicted even when not asked', 'unnaturally not trusting'. "That's all I needed, thank you Mikey."

"Yea sure."

Soon enough Leo came in with two turkey sandwiches and a glass full of soda along with a small bag of chips. "Here you are Mikey!" Leo said cheerfully as possible as he layed the contents on the small table in front of Mikey.

A grumble of a thank you was heard before Mikey ate all of the food greedily, Leo cleared the empty table off as Mikey finished.

"Alright Don, I'm pretty sure the only injury I have is this arm and that is definitely not enough to keep me bed ridden."

"Um...where do you plan to go?"

"Just...topside for some fresh air."

Raph stepped forward, "afraid ya can't do that Mike. We're all grounded from goin' topside, so no 'fresh air' for you. Too bad."

Mikey glared at Raph, "what the hell is that supposed to mean? You think I'm lying?!"

"Of course I do! Hell Mike we all do! You're just ganna go get shit faced again!"

"Shut up!"

"Make me."

In the few seconds that this statement was made Mikey had already jumped out of the medical bed and planted a fist right across Raphs face, Leo and Don were quick to hold him back as Raph gathered himself.

As Raph drew his fist back a old and angry voice burst into the room stopping the fight instantly. "YAME!"

Each turtle back away from the other and sat. Mikey on the bed, Don beside him, Leo and Raph sat on stray chairs beside the bed.

"The three of you get out, I must speak with Michelangelo."

Raph glared at Mikey as he exited the lab.

Splinter took a seat beside Mike and carefully took his arm into his hands, Mikey had spilled his drink on the gauze as he was trying to attack Raph. "I will rewrap this If you let me my son."

Mikey nodded quietly as Master Splinter carefully removed the appendages from his arm revealing the nasty but neat stitch work currently holding Mikeys arm together.

"My son, I sense great turmoil is plaguing you. I have also been informed that you were found heavily intoxicated a few nights ago. Is this true?"

Mikey nodded quitley.

"Raphael has since spoken to me about your state, he says you have been at this for about three weeks now. That is in fact signs of dependency on this substance. No act of denial will tell me otherwise Michelangelo. That is why from this point on I am grounding not only you but you and your brothers from going topside.

My master Yoshi was once struck with this horrific addiction as well. It is why I have strict rules against this powerful substance. Luckily his loved ones and friends helped him, we shall do the same with you my son."

"But Master Splinter I'm not even addicted!"

Splinter saw the anger in Mikeys eyes as he insisted, "we shall see in the coming days."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Mikey spat. He knew he was speaking to his master out of context but he was tired of feeling like he was getting looked down on. He wanted answers for once, and he wanted them now.

"My son, I shall let your brothers explain to you what is about to take place. If you ever need to talk please come to me, and remember."

Mikey rolled his eyes, "remember wh-"

Master Splinter wrapped him up in a hug and whispered, "I love you my son." He then exited quickly wiping a few tears away as he let the others back in.

Don let Mikey sit back in the medical bed and tested his blood of alcohol once more, as he was drawing blood Raph scratched the back of his neck and sighed, "I'm sorry Mike, I didn't mean to take things that far."

Mikey sighed, "it's fine Raph, don't apologize. I'm...messed up right now."

Leo saw regret and anxiety deeply embedded in Mikeys eyes as he said this. 'So he does know something's wrong at least, I guess that's a plus. Something tells me that he still won't allow us to help though.'

Raph pulled Mikey into a hug, his tears stinging as he held them back, "shut up Mike. Let us help you. We will regardless but...please just accept our help."

Mikeys eyes dulled completely at this, "ok."

Don and Leo shuddered at this, it was not an agreement, it seemed it was defeat. Mikey was not doing this for himself as he should, he was doing it for them.

As the day dragged on Don discovered no more alcoholic content in Mikeys system. "Now Mikey, over the course of the next week or so you will be watched-"

"Not creepy at all, hah." Mikey gulped.

"Haha yea well it's all in good nature Mikey I promise. I have to warn you that some of these withdraw symptoms will be extremely uncomfortable but remember that we will be there to help you. Ok?"

Mikey blankly nodded and sat back, "I think I'm ganna go to sleep, rest up for the hell I'm about to go through."

The three eldest nodded and left the lab to talk in the kitchen.

Don put a hand to his face, "jeez, he looks so..."

"Defeated." Leo finished. "Yea I noticed that too...He seems so sad now, all that aggravation and anger just disappeared. Is that...good?"

Don shook his head, "that basically tells me that we need to watch over him even more now. If he is sad now then he will be depressed later. This detox is going to destroy him...but there is no other way we can let him go back! It's already been two days but that doesn't particularly count sense he's been in deep sleep and I can tell he is already itching for a drink. We will take turns watching him, after he gets up I will ask him some questions, I will ask him more and more everyday and further my research on this whole process."

"Well, I will go watch over him right now if that's alright with you two." Leo offered.

Don and Raph nodded as he walked off, Don made his way to the kitchen where he set up his laptop and forth cup of coffee.

"Well Donnie...how long is this ganna last?"

"Hm...it's really hard to tell, it could be a week to maybe even two weeks depending on how he handles it."

"Jeez...so these symptoms...are they ganna be crazy or somthin? You seem pretty scared."

"No, no...just concerned on how he will take it is all. He's in a very fragile state Raph."

"Yea...yea he is. He wouldn't be if I hadn't just-"

"Stop that. There are no what ifs now. You did help him, he probably wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for you! In fact-" Don pulled Raph into a surprising hug, "thank you Raphael, I know it may sound strange but...of all people to have found Mikey in that state all those times...I'm glad it was you."

"Why?!"

"Because, like it or not you are alot more sympathetic then you think, especially towards Mikey."

Raph sighed, "maybe...hah, thanks Don. I'm ganna go get some sleep, get me up when it's my turn."

Don nodded happily as Raph trudged off to his room.

Raphs P.O.V

Egh, what time is it? Whoa- it's already eight at night! I've been asleep since three?! Jeez...guess I was really tired. Time to go check on Mike-

"YOU SHUT THE HELL UP DON!"

Shell.

Raph flipped off his bed and sprinted towards the source of the sound only to find a shaking Mikey holding a bottle in his hand as he was being cornered in his own room.

Leo stopped him before he could rush in to help Don calm the hysterical Mikey down.

"The shell is goin' on?"

Leo rubbed at his face, "it was Dons turn, he let Mikey go upstairs alone to get some comics but after he didnt come back for a few minutes Don got suspicious. He went up to Mikeys room and found him hidden behind his bed sipping on what he's holding now. Looks like he has some sort of stash somewhere."

Raph sighed miserably, "why is he freakin out though? He should know this was going to happen."

Leo shrugged, "beats me. As soon as Don found him he started screaming at him to shut up, he hasn't even talked yet! Don says it's some sort of minor hallucination and that Mikey will need to be kept on the lab at all times for the first few days now."

"Then why ain't we helping?!"

It was then that Don gave Leo the signal to enter, Mikey was on the ground now crying as Don held the bottle behind him to give to Leo.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Raph sighed as he helped Don to lift Mikey up, Mike made no attempt to try to walk at this point so the two hauled him to the lab and onto the medical bed. Leo entered seconds later, closing and locking the lab door as he came in.

The three sat quietly around Mikey as he cried hysterically, each of them trying to make him feel better. A few moments later he was hunched back against the propped up bed and staring blankly at the nearest wall. He refused to talk to anyone or about anything.

Finally Raph was the only one watching the broken turtle as Leo and Don soon went to go try attempt to find the rest of Mikeys stash.

"Mikey."

...

"Mike bro, come on."

...

"Shit, say somethin' I know ya can hear me!"

"...What?"

"What happened back there Mike?"

"I dunno, I was thirsty."

"So you thought alcohol was ganna make that need better?"

"...Yeah."

"Shell Mike I'm sure Don woulda got you something healthy to drink. You realize that right?"

Mikey shrugged, Raph gritted his teeth even more.

"Is that all ya got stashed?"

"Sure."

"Doesn't sound so sure."

"Fine...then yea. I'm sure that's it."

Mikey then closed his eyes and, in less then a minute, was fast asleep.

Raph huffed, this is so messed up...so messed up! Mikey of all people. Why?! What the shell are we ganna do, detox just started all over and its only been a couple of hours. This is pathetic.

It was then when the lab door slid open to reveal Don and Leo carrying in about five other little bottles, most were empty and some had the tiniest yet still enough to intoxicate left in them.

"So much for being sure.." Raph grumbled to himself as he looked down at the bottles with his brothers.

Don slid down the wall he was leaning against and shook his head, "jeez...it's ganna be one shell of a week."

Taking the fair sized calender off the wall Leo grabbed a marker and began to scribble on each square.

He marked 'start' on the current date- May 1st. On the fourth day he put 'reward' then on the seventh day he put 'reward' once more he did this again on the tenth and thirteenth and sixteenth as well.

"What the shell is this Leo?"

"This is how we're ganna keep up with Mikey, and how he will keep motivated to go through with this. Every few days he will receive a reward of his choice! For the days between these reward days we can do little counseling sessions and try to spend family time with him."

Don nodded at this, "that's brilliant! We can expose him to things he used to enjoy as well. Anything to keep his mind off of his addiction. I can research questions that we can ask and we can think up our own to too."

Raph thought about this a while and quickly retrieved three different colored notebooks from his room. "Here, one for each of us. This way we can document his progress."

"Document? Progress? Spoken like a true counsler, I like it!" Don smiled as Raph chucked a notebook at him.

"Yeah well, ya know. Just want the best for him, you guys go get some sleep, I got this."

Leo and Don both nodded without much argument, they were beat and Raph could tell he was the only one with the right amount of sleep on his side.

Once he knew he was alone he sat on a chair seated right beside Mikeys bed and held tightly onto Mikeys hand. "Mikey, I love you bro, it kills me to see you like this. Please stop fighting this and let us help, we have your back bro. I promise."

The next time Mikey woke up sure enough Raph was there holding a plate of freshly baked pizza and a glass of ice cold chocolate milk. Mikey thought back to before his alcoholism, this used to be his absolute favorite meal of all time.

He accepted the glass and pizza with a slight worry he would no longer enjoy the simplicity of such a meal. Sure enough Mikey found himself asking for seconds, Raph didn't like that his voice was still monotone but at this point he would take any other attitude of Mikeys other then pure anger and rage.

As he watched Mikey pick at his second plate of food Raph decided to take a chance and quietly get out a drawing pad.

Mikey noticed instantly, "what's that?"

"Figured you wanted to doodle or somthin' while you were trapped in here."

Mikey responded to this by taking the drawing pad hesitantly. "Thanks...what should I draw?"

Raph rubbed the back of his head, "I figured that when all these symptoms started you would need something to do...I'm sure that will soon be your inspiration."

Sure enough only a few hours of conversation later Raph noticed Mikey starting to get more and more restless. It went from him tapping his fingers against the bed railing to him snapping non stop.

"Mikey...you alright?"

Mikey huffed a huge sigh, "I dunno...does it seem hot in here to you? I need to walk...or ...or somthing."

Raph quickly gave Mikey a glass of water, "bro you alright?"

Mikey nodded, "yea. I'm just...hot. Doesn't matter, I'm just...I must be tired."

"Well, get some shut eye bro you look like you need it." Raph sighed as Mikey fell into a troubled sleep, he ended up putting small bags of ice over Mikeys arms and face. The sleeping turtle didn't even flinch as Raph set the bags of ice on him, Don entered as Raph finished this job.

"Raph, what are you doing?"

Raph rubbed at his face in aggravation, "he just started sweating out of nowhere!"

Don looked up at the clock, "it's been about six hours so I suppose it's to be expected...we have to be ready to help him at all costs."

Raph nodded and decided to take the opportunity to switch roles with Don.

MAIN STORY

It was only fifteen minutes later into his role when Mikey did stir, as soon as he woke up he insisted he walk around the lair. Don stood close by surveying him as he walked about. "Mikey...you feeling ok?"

Mikey wiped his forehead for the millionth time it seemed as he nodded, "I just...gatta do something Don. I'm going crazy I dunno why damnit!"

"Just calm down Mikey! We can find you somthing to do! How about some video games?"

"...fine whatever let's just hurry."

Don took notice as Mikey wringed his hands, he threw him a controller. "Super Mario sound alright?"

Mikey nodded.

Only two minutes into the game and Mikey was game over, Don finished up the round with luck and the two disregarded the bad play.

Don picked the easiest level of the world's offered, yet Mikey died once more, "jeez Mikey...you had five lives, the shell happened?" Don joked.

"I don't know!" Mikey threw the remote down, several buttons flew off of the controller on impact with the concrete flooring. After this he jumped up and ran to the nearest lockable room.

"Hey! Mike- come back!"

Mikey slammed the bathroom door and slid down to the floor in a heap. "Damnit...what's wrong with me?!" Mikey looked at his shaking hands and let out a whimper as he watched them tremor.

"This...this...I can't do this!" Mikey slammed his hands against the wall as he let out a strangled cry, Don beat on the door desperately.

"Come on Mikey! Come out here!"

Mikey searched desperately through the bathroom drawers and cabinets, he gasped as he pricked his finger on a left over kuni that had somehow ended up in the bathroom drawers. In a house of ninjas such things as this weren't uncommon, it still caught Mikey off guard though. 'Shell! The heck...wow...'

Suddenly a new sensation hit Mikey, not quite the sense of comfort but more of control as he watched the tiny droplet of blood bubble up and start trickling down his cut finger.

"Mikey!"

Uh oh...Raph, it's only a matter of time before-

CRACK.

"You open this freakin' door Mike! Before I break it down!"

Mikey quickly hid the small sharp knife snug in his belt pocket as he unlocked the door. Don and Raph both quickly looked him over and guided him back to the lab, these actions alone somehow pissed Mikey off even more. "I can get here on my own guys."

"Right, uh, sorry Mikey..."

"What the shell happened is what I wanna know!" Raph exclaimed.

Mikey tucked his hands under his legs so his brothers would not notice the trembling. "I-I just got mad...broke down a little. That's it."

Don and Raph each looked at each other for assurance, "we will be right back Mikey...I need to do some research and Leo has been asleep for a while, are you ok with sitting here for a minute?"

Mikey glared at Donnie, "I think I'll be fine, thanks."

As the two left Mikey quickly cleaned his now barely bleeding finger and removed the blade from his belt. This was a whole different feeling...never before had Michelangelo felt so desperate. He wiped the sweat off his forehead as he tucked the blade back in its place.

Well...maybe it will help me get through whatever is about to happen, I need a way to cope after all. It's perfect

"Perfect."