A/N: Sorry this one took so long to update. I've been busy with life stuff. Hope you enjoy it!


Samantha stepped into Donnie's lab to find him fiddling with something. "Hey, are you okay?"

Don lifted his head to look at her. "I already told Leo, I'm fine." His gaze went right back down to the machine he was tinkering with.

She frowned moving around until she stood directly across from him. "You don't seem fine."

He opened his mouth to protest, but the look on her face made him decide against it. He sighed in defeat. "That obvious, huh?" She nodded and waited patiently for him to continue. He set down his screwdriver. "I don't know what it is exactly. I guess, I've been feeling like I don't have much purpose anymore." He motioned to his lab. "I used to have reasons to keep inventing, because we were always needing something new to stop our enemies. But lately…" He shrugged, his gaze going back to the machine in front of him. "I've been feeling a bit like all my inventions - useless."

She leaned on the workstation with a little smirk. "It sounds like you need a job too."

Don sighed, rolling the screwdriver back and forth. "Yeah, well there isn't that many opportunities for a mutant turtle. I know because of April we're sort of famous, but fame and acceptance aren't the same thing. Humans will never fully accept us into their society." He looked up at her and the sadness in his gaze tore at her heart. "Leonardo was very lucky to find someone like you, that fully accepted him as he was. However, the chances of that happening again for the rest of us are extremely slim. Just like the chances of one of us getting and holding down a job long term."

Sams frowned, setting a hand on top of his. "I wish I could do something, but to be honest I have no idea. I'm doing good to keep Joey on the right track. He still wants to pound anyone that looks at me sideways and I have to remind him that not everyone is out to get him. At least, thanks to you guys, he's got a second chance."

Don smiled ever so slightly. "We did it for you, Sams. You're good for Leonardo. He needs you."

At the mention of her turtle-love she smiled brightly. "I need him too." She squeezed Don's hand. "But I don't want to make any of you unhappy either."

"You're not." He quickly reassured her.

She released his hand and stood up straight. "Promise me if I do, you'll tell me."

Don's smile was much wider now. "I will."

She nodded and left him to his work. She didn't have to go far before Leo appeared. He glanced over her shoulder at his brother's lab entrance. "Well, what do you think?"

She frowned. "I think he's feeling…aimless. And," she averted her gaze, "lonely."

"Lonely?" Leo felt his heart ache for his brother. Sams presence was a constant reminder of their alienation from the outside world. But he couldn't imagine her not being there anymore. She was there when he woke and when he went to sleep. She was there when he needed to talk to someone other than his brothers or father. She was there to calm him down when Raph ticked him off. She was just there – a permanent fixture in his life.

Sams watched Leo's expression drop to one of sympathy and distress. Taking the few steps between them, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He shuddered at her touch and dropped his head to her shoulder. She didn't know what to say. She knew it hurt him to know his brother was in pain, but she wasn't willing to let go of what they had. Maybe with time, things would get better and possibly even change for everyone.


Joey wiped at the sweat dripping from his brow beneath the hardhat. He couldn't remember when the last time he'd done so much manual labor. He was certain though it had to have been some time Shredder had punished him and Bebop. Well, at least I don't have someone calling me stupid the whole time.

The warehouse was warm despite the cool breeze outside. As the low man on the totem pole, he was stuck arranging crates and boxes inside. So far he'd been doing his best to avoid the other workers. It wasn't like he was used to making friends. A whistle blew and he glanced up at the clock. It was lunch time or at least according to the foreman it was. He'd been told his schedule when he'd showed up that morning. He was to work twelve hour shifts. But he was due several breaks and a lunch during that time.

Frank seemed tough but fair. He was a far cry from what Rocksteady was used to. He shook his head as he headed for his locker to take out the lunch Sams had made him. With Shredder it had been like exchanging one abusive parent for another. And maybe that was why he hadn't minded it all that much. Shredder in some twisted way had reminded him of his father. But his primary reason for hanging on for those ten years had been the hopes he'd finally make it big and come home to his sister loaded with dough. That plan had obviously not worked out.

Joey sat down at one of the long tables in the break room and opened his paper bag. Sams had filled it to the brim with all sorts of things. He couldn't help the smile as he pulled the little note she'd put on top out. It read, "Good luck!" Although it was somewhat dorky, he felt his day brighten a bit nonetheless.

The door opened and three men came in carrying lunchboxes. "Yeah, the guy said six Gs." A guy with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes said as they settled at one of the other tables in the room.

"Sounds good, but we're gonna need some muscle to help with the loadin'." A second man with dark hair informed his companions.

Joey frowned. He'd heard enough of that sort of talk to know exactly what they were talking about. He kept his head down and studiously examined his sandwich.

"Yeah, McDermott got sloppy." The third man was thicker in build than the others, but not as tall as the blonde-haired man.

Joey could feel their eyes on him. He took a large bite of the sandwich and chewed slowly. Don't get involved. Don't get involved.

"Hey, fella." The dark-haired guy slid into the seat across from him. "You're new, right?"

Ah, crud… Joey chewed and swallowed. "Yeah."

"How ya like it so far?" The third man asked.

"S'okay, I guess. Just different than what I'm used to." Joey reached back into the bag and pulled out an apple.

"I bet you ain't gettin' paid much, bein' new and all." Said the blonde, who looks strangely familiar to Rocksteady.

Joey shrugged. He already knew what they were getting at and was trying to be as evasive as possible.

"Well, we got this gig on the side and we need some help loadin' boxes. Nothin' special, but the guy pays good. Want to make some fast cash?" The dark-haired guy asked.

Joey looked down at his apple. "No thanks. I just wanna eat my lunch."

The bigger man waved a hand at his companions. "Fellas, give this nice gentleman a break. He just started workin' here. I'm sure he's got lots of things on his mind." He fingered the note which Joey'd left on the table. "Like maybe a wife and family to support. He don't need extra stuff to worry about. Besides, we haven't even introduced ourselves yet."

"You're right! How rude of us!" The dark-haired man placed a hand on his chest. "I'm Bobby Fitch. That's Henry Romano." He pointed at the bigger man. "And that guy is Chuck Daniels." He indicated the blonde man. "What's your name?"

Joey opened his mouth and almost said Rocksteady. He hesitated a moment before replying. "Joey Riggs."

Romano flashed him a grin. "Now that we're all acquainted, maybe you'd reconsider? It's good money for only a few hours of work."

Joey shook his head. "Sorry, ain't interested." He took a large bite of his apple.

Fitch frowned, looking kind of hurt. "Why not?"

Romano tapped the paper. "The little misses got you by the ear, eh?"

"I ain't married." Joey replied roughly.

"No?" Romano pointed at the paper again. "What's this?"

"That's from my sister." Joey mumbled around another bite.

"Sister?" Daniels snapped his fingers. "Now I know where I saw ya before. You was here yesterday with that hot blonde. Wait! She's your sister?" He grinned. "Mind hookin' a guy up!"

Joey scowled now. "She's….attached." Then his gaze sharpened to a glare. Now, he recognized the guy. He'd been one of the men hitting on Sams. "And I'd suggest you stay away from her."

Daniels put up his hands. "Hey, man, I didn't know."

Rocksteady worked his jaw fighting back the instinct to clobber the guy on the spot. Instead he stood up, gathered his bits of trash and walked towards the door. Romano turned in his chair to watch him. "You sure you don't want a piece of this? Don't let Chuck's bad manners get in the way of makin' some real money."

"No." Rocksteady pushed open the door and returned to his locker to deposit what was left of his lunch. Why couldn't he get away from that life? He was trying so hard, but it seemed to find him wherever he went. I ain't gonna let 'em get to me. I'm doin' this for Sams. I promised her. He closed the locker door with a click and put his hardhat back on. He'd focus on his job. He'd do it better than everyone else. He'd make his own way the right way this time.


It was nearly seven in the evening when Joey trudged through the sewers to his temporary home. He hated the stink down here. It reminded him too much of his and Sams early days on their own, when dumpster diving had been their only form of survival. As he crossed the threshold of the lair he was reminded that the turtles had built a comfortable life here, below. And within the walls of their home you couldn't smell the stink from the tunnels beyond. Here it smelled like incense and pizza mainly. Though some rooms smelled more like sweat and leather. That smell didn't bother him that much, considering he and Bebop had carried some of that same scent when they were still mutants.

He sighed as he flopped on the couch, which was thankfully empty. He rubbed his face while thinking of his old friend. It had been some time since he'd seen Arny. He wondered what he was up to. Had he been trying to straighten out to? Or was he having the time of life, rolling around in boo-koos of bucks and girls. He groaned. That was another thing that ate at him. While he'd been a rhino, not one girl had even looked at him. And yet, his sister was fawning over a turtle. It just didn't make sense. Sure, he was human now and if he tried could probably get any girl he wanted. He wasn't bad looking for a guy in his late twenties. The problem was, what would he do with a girl right now? He'd just barely got a job. He had nowhere to live. And dragging any normal girl into the sewers was simply not going to happen.

He rubbed his face again, feeling the deep tiredness in his body.

"Hey!" He peeked over the tops of his fingers to see Sams. She smiled brightly at him. "How was your first day?"

He let out another groan. "Why do people do this stuff to themselves?"

She frowned. "That bad, huh?"

He let his hands fall away from his face. "Nah, just long, boring, and tiring."

Sams looked away with tinge of guilt. Once again, he was doing this for her.

Joey stood, lifting her chin to look at him. "It's alright, Cupcake. I just gotta get used to it."

"Hey, you're back kinda late dude." Mikey came from the kitchen, where Joey could now hear the others talking.

"Just got off." Joey sat heavily on the couch.

"Well, we saved you some grub." Mikey told him.

Sams eyed her brother. He was covered in a layer of dirt and grime. "Why don't you go clean up, and I'll warm it up for you."

Joey looked down at himself and frowned. "You know I only got two changes of clothes. And the other ones are dirty."

"I hate to break it to you, bud. But those are dirty too." Mikey pointed out.

Rocksteady glared, but Sams spoke before he could. "It's alright. Leo and I went to the thrift store. I got you some more clothes."

He frowned again. "With what money?"

Sams blushed and Mikey squirmed. "I think I hear Master Splinter calling me. Coming, Sensei." He hurried out of the room.

Joey's frown deepened. "Where'd you get you the money, Sams?"

She waved a dismissive hand and gave a nervous chuckle. "It doesn't matter. You can't go to work wearing the same clothes every day."

Joey glared. He had a sneaking suspicion she'd borrowed it from their hosts. Which he'd already made clear, he didn't like. He didn't want to owe them nothing when they finally got on their feet again. "Sams…" He warned. She glanced towards the kitchen and he came off the couch again, this time he was angry though. "I told you not to do that!"

"Shh!" She hissed, waving her hands. "Keep your voice down."

He stomped closer to her. She didn't move or back down. He was reminded just how much spirit his little sister had, when she held his gaze steadily. "Sams! You listen to me! I don't want to owe these freaks nothin'!"

She glared, balling her fists at her side. "They're not freaks!"

"They are! I should know! I used to be one!"

Someone cleared their throat loudly and the two looked up to see the brothers standing in the door of the kitchen. Leo's gaze was narrowed on Joey, watching his every move. "Is there a problem?" He moved towards Sams and she took a few steps away from her brother to intercept him.

"It's okay." She told him, pressing a hand to his plastron. But Leo continued to glare.

Joey held the turtle's gaze. He opened his mouth to tell him exactly what the problem was, but Sams turned to look at him. Her blue eyes pleaded desperately with him. How does she do that? With one look, she could tear him down or build him up. "No." He finally said before turning and stomping off into the bathroom.

Leo looked down at Sams. "What was that about?"

She averted her eyes. "Nothing."

He lifted her chin gently. "Come on, Sams…"

She sighed. "He's just embarrassed. He's not used to people helping him out."

"This is about the clothes, isn't it?" Leo asked softly. She gave a slow sad nod. He sighed, kissing her brow and tucking her head beneath his chin. She hadn't wanted to ask for the money and it had been hard for her to do so. But when she had, he understood why. Joey as Rocksteady hadn't had a reason to change clothes or bother with things that normal humans did. And even in the past few weeks, he'd worn the same pair for several days in a row. But in order for him to function in the world above, he needed to fit back into human society. That meant fresh clothes every day.

That aside though, he would have given it to her anyways. As a matter of fact, he would give her anything she asked for. All she had to do was say the word. Sams, however, wasn't the type. Food, shelter, and his love was all she seemed to want or need. She shuddered softly and his arms tightened around her. Change was difficult for everyone.

In the bathroom, Joey yanked off his clothes and began stuffing them in the washer which also occupied the room. He half slammed the lid and reached for the dial, only to pause. On the dryer beside him were folded four sets of clothes. One set was very familiar, thread-bare and worn. The others, though obviously not new, were rather descent. He reached out and picked up a shirt. It was a button-up with long sleeves that could be rolled up and secured by another button at the elbow. A workman's shirt.

He felt his chest contract with guilt. Sams had only meant to look after him. He knew that, but it still hurt his pride that she'd asked Leonardo for money. I swear, I'll pay him back. Joseph Riggs, don't owe nobody nothin'. And I plan on keepin' it that way.

Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard Romano's words again. "It's good money for only a few hours of work."


A/N: Uh, oh. Looks like Joey may be thinking the grass is greener on the other side...

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