A/N: This is an action packed chapter!


Rocksteady frowned at the turtle. "I ain't no snitch."

"No one needs to know that you're the one that told us. You just meet him like you're supposed to and we'll follow. When they make the exchange, we can take them down." Leo explained.

Joey sighed. "Yeah, okay, I can do that."

Leo watched him look away despondently. He sighed as well. "Look, you didn't actually go through with it, so I don't count that as breaking our deal."

Rocksteady looked up at him. "You're not gonna tell Sams then?" Thinking of his sister and how upset she was, he started back to the lair. "I mean, she's probably already mad at me."

Leo walked beside him. "Well, maybe we can fix both problems."

Joey gave him a skeptical look. "How?"

"I'll tell her that this bust was your idea."

Joey stopped to stare at him. "You'd do that for me? Why?"

"Well, it was kind of your idea. You are the one that found out about the activity. And you're the one that found out where they're going to be." Leo started walking again. "As for the why," he absently touched his plastron where the ring rested between it and his skin, "because it would make her happy."

Joey spotted the chain for the first time and wondered when Leo'd started wearing it. They were getting close to the lair now. "She was cryin'?"

Leo's frown was even deeper. "Yeah."

Joey let out a tight breath. "I hate it when she cries. It's like…"

"Being punched in the stomach." Leo finished.

He nodded. "Yeah, just like that." He shot Leo a quick look before they entered the lair. "Hey, uh, thanks." Leo just gave a small nod.

Mikey nearly jumped on them, his expression somehow frantic and angry at the same time. "What the heck is goin' on!"

"Where'd you two go?" Raph questioned angrily.

Leo glanced at Joey. "We had something we had to work out."

Mikey glared. "Well, while you were talking things over, Sams' been in there crying for the past ten minutes."

Leo felt his heart plummet. "Where is she?"

"In your bed." Don provided with a frown that matched his brothers.

Leo and Joey exchanged a look before they both headed for the bedroom area. Sams was curled up on Leo's bed quietly crying. Leo climbed the steps into his alcove. He bent to brush her hair from her face. She blinked red eyes up at him and it made his chest tighten. She allowed him to lift her up as he sat beside her. "Hey, it's okay."

Joey stepped closer so she could see him. "Yeah, we didn't hit each other or nothin'."

"We just talked." Leo rubbed her back warmly.

Sams looked between them, settling on Joey. "I'll take them back."

He blinked. "Huh? No. I wasn't upset 'bout the boots, Cupcake. I had somethin' else I was worried 'bout and it just came out at the wrong time. I like the boots, honest."

She frowned, rubbing at her eyes. "You're not mad at me?"

Joey shook his head. "No way. It was real nice of ya to get 'em for me."

Sams didn't look completely convinced. She took in several deep breaths, brushing away the straggling tears. "What were you talking about?"

"Well, Joey was telling me about some guys at the docks that are stealing parts of shipments." Leo told her. "He asked if we'd help catch the guys."

A flicker of fear crossed her face and Joey rushed to reassure her. "They're just petty thugs, Cupcake. It'll be easy. There's nothin' to worry 'bout."

She looked up at Leo and he smiled. "He's right. We shouldn't have any problems." Samantha wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his neck. Leo sighed, holding her tightly. He and Rocksteady frowned at one another. They could tell she still didn't like the idea.

"Well, it's gettin' late. I'm gonna head to bed." Joey watched her lift her head to look at him. "Thanks for the boots. I'll wear them tomorrow."

A small smile tugged at the edge of her mouth as he left. Turning her blue eyes back on Leo, she touched his cheek. "Be careful. I don't know what I'd do, if I lost you."

"I promise." He lifted her chin gently and kissed her. "Let's go to bed. You know that's my favorite time of day."

His small tease made her finally smile. "Mine too."


Samantha frowned as she reached up to wrap her arms around Leo's neck. He let out a deep breath, feeling the tension in her body. They'd have to take one of their walks when this was over. "I love you." She murmured softly.

He squeezed her tightly. "I love you too. We'll be back soon." He felt her nod against his shoulder.

Samantha released him to turn to her brother. "Don't look so down, Sams. At least this time, I'm on the right side." Joey gave her a lopsided smile which did little to brighten her mood.

She stepped forward to hug him. "Don't do anything stupid. I just got you back."

Rocksteady let out a heavy sigh, returning the embrace. He forgot sometimes just how small and fragile she was. Where he had taken after their large father, she had taken after their petite mother. He stepped back and lifted her chin to meet his eyes. "I told ya someday I'd make ya proud of me. Well, this is my chance. Now how 'bout givin' me a smile." She tried but it was weak at best.

"We'd better get going." Leo said. The others climbed into the van, but he paused to give Sams' hand one last squeeze before following.

She watched them pull away and turned to find Splinter watching her. "They are trained warriors, child. Your worry is unfounded in this situation. They have faced far more dangerous adversaries."

She nodded, twirling the ring on her finger. "I suppose it's something I'll have to get used to. Or get used to again." There had been many times in their youth that Joey had left her behind when his gang went to deal with another. None of Lugnut's group would let her come along and if she tried to follow them, one would stay behind to keep her put. After the first few times she didn't try anymore. Because when one stayed behind, she'd end up stitching someone up or worse. So, instead of causing her surrogate family more harm, she'd opted to obey, albeit unhappily.

Sams stepped up next to Splinter in the doorway. "I can understand, I too once loved someone." He took her right hand and ran his thumb over the ring. "You and my son have a very special relationship." He smiled and Sams blushed.

"You, uh, know about that, huh?"

He chuckled. "Yes. Leonardo often thinks he can fool me, but I am more aware than he thinks. In the past few weeks you two have become much closer."

Her blush was dark red now. "How long have you known?"

"Since the first evening you returned." He tapped his nose. "I have a rat's senses after all."

She glanced towards the exit, where the van had left a few moments before. "You're not upset, are you?"

Splinter smiled. "Quite the opposite. Now come, let us have some tea while we wait for their return."


Raymond Riggs took a drag off his cigarette and looked at his watch again. Trust that boy to be late! He tossed away the butt with a growl. He'd better show before Romano. As if on cue, he spotted his son approaching. "'Bout time. I was startin' to think ya weren't gonna show."

Rocksteady frowned. "I got hung up. Sams was wantin' to know where I was goin'."

Raymond raised a brow. "What did ya tell 'er?"

"That I was goin' to work. Told 'er I was workin' overtime."

Raymond let out snorted laugh. "Guess that's kinda true." He stood a little straighter. "At least ya got here before Romano."

Joey looked at the large plain white truck that his father had been leaning on. "This how we're gonna take it back to your boss?"

"Yeah. I'll be doin' the drivin' though."

"Never got a license anyways." Joey muttered.

About that time, Romano and his buddies arrived. He gave Joey a suspicious look. "What's he doin' here?"

"He's my kid and he's gonna be helpin' out from now on. You got a problem with that?" Raymond stared at the smaller man.

Daniels raised a brow, pointing at Rocksteady. "He's your kid?"

Joey gave a mirthless chuckle. "What ya can't tell?" Except for the blonde hair and blue eyes, he and his father looked nearly identical.

Fitch eyed them. "He was gonna rat on us the other day."

"No, I wasn't." Rocksteady told him flatly. "I'm no snitch. I just was tryin' to keep Scott's job."

"Sure looked like you wanted to say somethin' to me." Fitch pointed out.

Raymond frowned. "Well, he didn't and he hasn't. That ought to be good enough for you lot. Now where's the merchandise?"

Hidden behind a large semi, Raphael frowned. "You got us to come out here for four guys? Rocksteady could take them all out on his own."

Leo glared at his brother. "Joey has never taken anyone down so that there's evidence of a crime."

Donnie looked around the truck at the three newcomers. They talked for a few minutes and then the group walked to a nearby cargo container. He watched as they removed what must have been some type of counterfeit seal and opened the doors to reveal dozens of boxes. He glanced back at Leo. "Did he say what they were stealing?"

Leo shook his head. "No. I don't think his father told him."

Don squinted into the darkness, trying to see what was in the container. "Hmm, if I had to guess, I'd say it looks like electronics."

"What difference does it make, dude? Stealing is stealing." Mikey twirled his nunchakus idlily.

"Come on, let's take these creeps down so we can go home already." Raph groused.

"Wait until they've loaded a couple boxes, that way we can make sure the trucks involved too. Maybe the police can track it to the owner." Don pointed out.

"Donatello's right, we need to make sure that it's very clear what they were doing and who's involved." Leo wanted to make certain that both Joey's coworkers and his father were implicated in the transaction. That way they might all be sent away for a while.

The men had loaded several boxes and Leo was about to give the go-ahead for the take down, when another vehicle pulled up. Several men stepped out of the sedan. Raph ducked around to Donnie's other side, so he could see who it was. "Ah, crud, is that Big Louie?"

"Yeah, looks like it." Don eyed the gangster. They'd had plenty of run-ins with him.

Leo moved so he could see how many new enemies they'd have to deal with. Big Louie and four more thugs stepped in front of the car. "Alright, change of plans. Me and Donatello will take care of the thieves. Raphael and Michelangelo, you'll take care of those gangsters."

Rocksteady was starting to wonder where the turtles were as he helped move the boxes from the container to the truck. Suddenly, a pair of headlights caught their attention and they all froze. Raymond waved them off. "It's the boss. He's probably come to make sure you guys were keepin' up your end of the deal."

"How's it goin', Knuckles?" Big Louie asked as he and his men came around the car.

"It's all here." Raymond assured him.

"Good." He turned his attention to the three men. "As for you guys, you shorted me the last time."

Romano shook his head. "What? No, we didn't! I swear!"

Big Louie huffed. "Then how come I got three empty boxes that had chunks of wood in them instead of computers?"

The three men exchanged looks. "We didn't take any." Fitch protested. He eyed Raymond and Joey. "It must've been him and his new helper."

Joey glared at Fitch. "You better watch who you're pointin' fingers at. I can pound ya right here."

Raymond ignored them, turning back to his boss. "Joey wasn't even there during the last pickup. And you know me. I don't need to steal from ya, I get paid plenty."

Big Louie laughed. "And we're gonna make plenty off this load too." He turned his gaze back to the three men. "But first, we're gonna have to teach you fellas a lesson."

"I think that's our line." All eyes turned to where the turtles had suddenly appeared. Leo took a offensive stance. "And since you didn't seem to learn the lesson last time, we'll just have to teach it twice as hard."

"Oh, no. Not these green freaks. Boys take care of 'em." Big Louie snapped his fingers and his four men charged the group.

"Turtles fight with honor!" Leo called as the four sprang into the fray.

Raphael kicked the first guy in the gut and then delivered a roundhouse that sent him flying backwards. The second goon didn't plan on going down so easy as he pulled a laser rifle. Ducking the first few shots, Raph threw his sai and it knocked the gun from the man's hand. He barely had time to react as Raph caught him with an uppercut. He teetered for a moment before falling over.

Beside Raph, Mikey was using one thug to beat up another by using the first as a shield. Every blow the second one threw nailed his buddy instead of the hyperactive turtle. When the first guy had finally had enough, Mikey dropped him to the ground and caught the second man's fist. He swung around his nunchakus making contact with the back of the goon's head, who instantly blacked out.

Meanwhile, Leo and Don had caught up with the other men. Romano, Fitch, and Daniels tried to make a run for it, but Don blocked their path. "Going somewhere?" He swept their legs with his bo, sending them sprawling on the cement.

Romano was the first back on his feet. "Outta the way, freak!"

As they'd matured they'd continued to grow larger. Now at twenty-five, Donatello was taller than the thugs at over six feet in height. He shook his head. "Stay down if you know what's good for you." Romano of course did not heed his warning. He swung at Donnie, who easily sidestepped the blow. Bringing his bo up, he gave him a solid tap on the forehead, stunning him. Then he swept his leg again. Romano hit the ground even harder this time. "Either one of you want to try your luck?" Fitch and Daniels exchanged a look, then both shook their heads no. "Good. Now stay down."

Leo's eyes narrowed as he approached Sams' father. "I still owe you for the last time we met."

The older man blinked in surprise. "You again." He smirked. "You don't have my boy helpin' ya this time."

"Actually," Joey stepped around his father and to Leo's side, "he does."

"What!" His father shook his head in disbelief. "Why you- I oughtta pound ya into the ground."

Leo looked at Joey. "Do you mind? You did get a piece of him last time."

Joey raised a brow and then smirked. "Have fun." He turned his back on both of them and went to help Donnie tie up the trio.

"I thought you wanted to take care of your sister!" Raymond called after his son, who completely ignored him.

Leo stowed his swords as he advanced on the man. He planned to give him back every pain he'd caused Sams. "She isn't either of yours responsibility anymore. She's mine." He didn't see Joey glance in his direction at the statement.

Raymond was not going down without a fight. He swung at Leo as soon as he was in range. Leo ducked, delivering a punch into his ribs. The large man grunted and tried to grab the turtle. But Leo was way too fast for him. He spun connecting his elbow with the side of the thug's head. Raymond stumbled back a pace, but quickly recovered. He glared at the turtle and charged him, intending on body slam him into the ground. Leo sidestepped him, planting another blow in his ribcage. The combined force of Leo's blow and Raymond's own weight caused one of his ribs to snap. He gave a cry of pain and stumbled away from Leo.

The leader could still taste the edge of revenge in his mouth as followed his prey. "The only reason you're still alive right now is because she wants it that way." Leo punched him in the face. This time Raymond fell to the ground, dazed. Leo frowned down at him with malice. "But that doesn't mean I can't beat you within an inch of your life, if you ever come anywhere near her again."

Raymond placed a hand against his jaw, fairly certain it was either dislocated or broke. He glared back, but didn't attempt to get up. Taking his action as a sign of surrender, Leo took his eyes off him for a moment to assess the rest of his team. Raph and Mikey had Big Louie and his men tied up. Joey was helping Don tie the last of trio up and appeared to be enjoying himself a little too much.

Raph's voice broke through the air. "Leonardo!"

Leo turned back to Sams' father to find him not only on his feet, but with a switchblade in his hand which was quickly descending on him. He reflexively threw up his arm to block as he nailed the man with solid right hook. Raymond fell out cold.

His brothers rushed to his side. "Bro, you're bleeding!" Mikey exclaimed.

"Let me see!" Don told him, reaching for his arm.

Leo turned it over to look at it, finally feeling the sting of the cut. It didn't feel serious though. "It's not bad."

Don looked up from his cursory exam. "It may still need a few stitches though." Donnie looked around for a clean cloth to use as a bandage. He went and took the handkerchief from Big Louie's jacket pocket.

The gangster gave him a dirty look. "Hey, do you know how hard it is to find a hanky to match this suit?"

Raph smacked him in the back of the head. "Shut up."

Donnie hurried back to Leo. Folding the handkerchief, he placed it over the deepest part of the wound. "Just keep pressure there until we get home."

Leo nodded, then frowned down at his arm. Home? "Sams not going to like this."

Rocksteady picked up his father, whom he'd tied up tightly. "Nah, she'll just be happy you're in one piece. She's seen worse than that."

"Yeah, I guess she has." Leo thought back to their first meeting and how she'd been so calm when he was injured. But things were different now. They were a part of each other. He gave a small chuckle. "Well, hopefully she'll wait until after she's stitched me up to give me the lecture."


A/N: I think someone is getting suspicious...