I realize that this story is a prime example of en media res. In two ways.
1st reason: This story starts between when the Shredder captures me and my psychological recovery from the experience.
2nd reason: This story takes place in between my entry to the 2k3-verse and … well… the rest of my time in that world. Which is, apparently, the rest of life, according to the Foot's research.

Oy.

Disclaimer: I hear that these disclaimers are unnecessary. To me, that just makes them more fun to do.

J awoke to find himself alone in the bed. Grunting, he stretched, arching his back, and was rewarded with a few pops.

"Well, look who's awake."

J jumped and twisted his body to look behind him. Raph was sitting on the edge of the bed, legs stretched out. He already had his mask and gear on, minus his sai.

"Raph?"

"Mornin' bro," the turtle greeted, smirking gently.

J just sat there, staring at his surrogate brother, waiting for his mind to wake up more thoroughly.

"So I'm really home…" J murmured.

Raph grimaced, unsure how to answer. The red-clad ninja's silence didn't go unnoticed.

J grunted in slight annoyance, "At least I'm here instead of…" he trailed off, shuddering. Don't cry… Don't cry…

Raph narrowed his eyes at this. "What the shell did Shredder do to ya?"

J shut his eyes, refusing to answer.

"J."

The boy gave Raph a dark look. "I don't want to talk about it."

Dammit, J! Raphael wanted to press further, but his instinct told him to wait. And while he wasn't the most patient of turtles, he wasn't one to go against his instincts.

After a few quiet seconds, J spoke again. "I smell food."

Raph smirked. He still talks like himself. That's good. "Yeah. Everyone is in the kitchen waitin' for ya."

J cocked an eyebrow. "Everyone but you."

Raph shifted slightly, then leaned in and put an arm around J's bare shoulders. "Yeah, well, someone had to stay and keep an eye on ya fer when ya woke up, so naturally I… uh… got picked."

J's mind picked up on Raph's stammer, and it quickly started to analyze it. He looked at his brother scrutinizingly. "You volunteered, didn't you?"

The red-banded turtle looked sheepish. "I dunno what you're talkin' about."

Got him! J's brain did a little happy dance. "You volunteered," he said more confidently.

"Me? Nah. Ya got the wrong turtle, bro."

"Do I, now?"

"I didn't volunteer."

"Yeah." J took Raph's arm off of his shoulders and sat straight up, facing the turtle. "You did," he said smugly.

Raph was unimpressed. Finally, he sighed in defeat.

Cue mental fist-pump, J said to himself.

"Fine. Yes, I volunteered."

They sat in silence for a while after that. That while only lasted half a second, because J thought of something.

He grinned at Raph. "I bet you came up with the idea, too."

Raph's eyes widened slightly. That was all the confirmation J needed.

Raph couldn't believe it. "How did ya-?"

"Hellooo?" J said with a smirk, "Remember me? J, your resident-as you say it-'damn fanboy'?" He had adopted a Brooklyn accent to imitate Raph. He returned his voice to normal. "I know these things."

Raph smirked back. "Yeah, whatever." He looked toward the kitchen, where he could practically hear Mikey restraining himself from bringing them breakfast in bed. "Whaddaya say we go get some breakfast?" He stood up from the makeshift bed.

J nodded, kicking the blankets off and getting up. "Sounds good to me." And Raph?"

"Yeah?"

The emerald turtle suddenly found himself in an embrace.

"Thanks."

*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*J*

Mikey paced the kitchen floor anxiously.

"What if he doesn't wake up!?" Mikey said suddenly, panicked.

Master Splinter just sipped his green tea indifferently while Leo shook his head exasperatedly.

Rolling his eyes, Don grabbed his coffee mug, stood up, and walked to his little brother.

Putting his free hand on his shoulder, he said, "Mikey, J is fine. He just needs sleep. I think he slept particularly well, considering."

Mikey somberly looked at the doorway. "Considering what he went through? Or…" the prankster turned back, smirking, "Considering you were smothering him all night?"

The genius turtle deadpanned. "Don't you dare start, Michelangelo. I have yet to finish my coffee." To emphasize his point, Donatello took a big gulp of his liquid life.

Mikey backed away nervously. "Uh… right."

"Mikey has a point, though, Donnie," Leo pointed out, a small smirk adorning his face.

"Leo!" Don whined.

Mikey ran over and, giggling, hugged his oldest brother. "I love you, Leo!"

Leo yelped in surprise as Mikey nearly knocked him of his seat. Meanwhile, Donnie downed the rest of his coffee, glowering.

Just then, the voice they were waiting for sounded from the doorway. "You know, I probably doesn't help any that I was the only one wearing clothes."

Everyone immediately perked up. "J!"

J contentedly strolled into the kitchen, adding, "And even then, it was just these sweatpants." He gestured to his apparel before sitting down.

Splinter, while relieved that J was up, wasn't amused at what he was implying, and he showed it in the way his ears flattened against his head and the way his brow was furrowed.

"J, while I am pleased to see you are awake…" he began sternly, walking up next to his newest student.

J, immediately knowing where this was going, sheepishly looked at his sensei. "Sorry, Master Splinter."

The wise rat smiled softly at the boy and hugged him. "Welcome back, my son."

J promptly returned the gesture.

Mikey cleared his throat awkwardly. The two broke their embrace, and looked at him.

The sea green turtle put a plate of food down in front of J. "I wanted to make your favorite, but Donnie said I couldn't."

The genius turtle nodded. "You're obviously malnourished, so your stomach may have rejected something as complex as Swedish pancakes."

"And brown sugar!" Mikey added, grinning.

"Right… anyway, we gave you something small and simple. I hope you understand."

J looked at the plate in front of him. An ordinary, buttered bagel and a few apple slices were on it, and a tall glass of water accompanied the meal.

"Don't worry, Mikey," J reassured. "It's fine."

Mikey fake pouted, but pushed the plate closer to his little brother. J eagerly picked up the bagel.

Only to have an olive-green hand placed on his wrist.

"Small bites," Donatello ordered, now in full Doctor Don mode. "And chew thoroughly. And take small sips of your water."

J resisted the urge to roll his eyes, choosing a small smile instead. "Yes, Donnie. Anything else?"

Don smiled back. "Yes. Eat the bagel while it's still warm."

I'm so sorry! I said that a new character would be here, but at the last minute I decided to separate this into two chapters.

But the next chapter WILL introduce someone new. I promise. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!