Grace couldn't keep a smile off her face as she raced over the rooftops. Her clandestine meetings with Michelangelo (Mikey, he had insisted) had become something she looked forward to more than anything. He was a great listener, and Grace now felt safe confiding in him whenever she had problems. He still didn't talk about his own problems as much as her, but Grace had a feeling that wasn't because he didn't trust her… he just wasn't used to it.

A frown tugged at the teen's face as she landed neatly on the roof of their usual meeting place. From what Mikey did tell her, Grace knew that her suspicions about him were right: he might act cheerful and confident most of the time, but how he acted and how he was really feeling were two different things. In many ways, that was what made Grace more able than ever to relate to him and was drawing them closer to each other. She knew her mother would most likely disapprove but found herself minding less and less; after all, she always disapproved of something Grace did.

A familiar sensation came over the young ninja then, and the smile came instinctively to her face as she turned around. Sure enough, she was greeted by a warm, familiar grin as Mikey landed on the roof as well.

"Hey, Grace!" he said as he walked over, holding out a fist. Grinning herself, Grace bumped her own against it.

"It's great to see you, Mikey. It was a crazy day today."

He looked at her with concern, cocking his head a little.

"You wanna talk about it?"

She let out a sigh, lowering her eyes to her feet as she crossed her arms.

"That's fine. I'd rather just not think about it." She looked up at him, then got a closer look at his face and frowned. It wouldn't be obvious to most people, but there was a strange air of tiredness in his eyes. Concerned, she reached out and rested a hand on her friend's arm. As always, she felt that strange twinge, but did her best to push it out of her mind.

"What about you?" she asked in a soft, gentle tone. "You look like you need to unload about something."

He looked a little flustered, then that familiar reluctance crossed his face. Grace frowned but didn't pull away.

"It's okay… you can tell me. I promised you before, I won't tell anyone."

After a few moments, Mikey finally glanced down at his feet and let out a sigh.

"Okay."

A slight smile coming to her face, Grace sat cross-legged and looked up at Mikey expectantly, patting the spot beside her. Just another moment of hesitation passed before the turtle slowly sat down too, his eyes on his clasped hands.

"It was something that happened during training today. I got paired with Leo. It was really tough, but I got the upper hand."

Grace couldn't help but smile, feeling an unexplained surge of pride.

"That's great! I know he's a tough opponent."

The corner of Mikey's mouth quirked up, but he didn't look nearly as enthusiastic as Grace might have expected. Her frown came back, and she waited for him to elaborate. When he remained quiet, still gazing at his hands, she gave him a gentle nudge with her shoulder.

"Hey… it's okay, I won't judge you."

He glanced at her, then sighed again.

"Well, I was really excited and all, and Leo said I did great, but everyone just… I don't know, they looked like it was the last thing they expected." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I mean, do they expect so little from me that every time I succeed is a complete shock to them?"

Another sigh, this one with a noticeable note of bitterness.

"And it's not like it makes any difference when I do. I'm really starting to think… there's nothing I can do to change how they see me. I'm just the clown, just the joke."

Grace's frown deepened, but before she could say anything Mikey looked up over the rooftops, his eyes distant and solemn.

"I've been thinking for a long time… if that's all anyone's ever gonna see me as, there's no point in trying to be anything else."

A slight chill came over Grace; his words seemed to echo her own feelings. Swallowing, she reached out again and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Mikey, believe me when I say… you're so much more than that."

He looked at her, and she could see curiosity alongside his discouragement.

"Why d' you say that?" he asked. "I mean, no offense, but we haven't really known each other that long."

Grace smiled at him.

"Maybe, but I've seen you in action enough to be sure of your skill. And the rest... call it instinct."

Mikey continued to gaze at her for a few moments, then a small smile came to his face.

"You… you really think so?"

Grace nodded, her hand still on his shoulder.

"Absolutely. And Hamari says my instincts can be trusted… that she would take my word first any day." She hesitated, then went on. "And… I hope you trust me enough to take it too."

A few moments of silence passed, then Mikey's smile widened.

"Yeah," he said softly. "I do."

That made Grace's smile widen a little, and that unusual twinge came again. Realizing she still had her hand on his shoulder, she cleared her throat and removed her hand.

"Sorry."

Mikey cleared his throat too.

"No, it's fine, really." He shifted a little before going on. "And… thanks. It's really great of you to listen like that."

Grace gave a slight shrug.

"Well, you do that with me, don't you? So it's only fair I return the favor. Like I said, what are friends for?"

That brought that familiar grin back to Mikey's face, and the sight warmed Grace through. He gave her shoulder a nudge with his own.

"And ya know…" he said, his expression growing concerned. "I think the same stuff about you."

Grace blinked, then felt her face heat a little despite herself.

"Thank you," she said softly. Both sat in silence for a little while, gazing out over the rooftops. Finally, Mikey drew in a deep breath and stood.

"Well, anyhow…" He turned to Grace with a bright smile and held out a hand. "I think we've done plenty of serious talk for tonight. Wanna go do something?"

Grace grinned and took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet.

"Sure. What do you want to do?"

Mikey stretched his arms, then shrugged.

"I think I've shown ya plenty of stuff… how 'bout you decide where to go?"

Pressing her lips together, Grace looked out over the rooftops as she thought.

"Well," she finally said. "Times Square was pretty neat."

"Sure thing!" Mikey said cheerfully.

As they headed across the rooftops, Grace found herself feeling lighter than she had all day. Knowing she had made Mikey feel better was more of a pickup than she could imagine.