There's no place like home.

Donatello was sweating. He didn't usually perspire much, not even during training, but right now he felt as if he was cooking under a heat lamp. He was nervous. No, not just nervous. Downright afraid.

Luna lay, still unconscious, across the large wood desk in the middle of his lab. He'd had Leonardo move her out of the infirmary when it became apparent that getting this gods-be-damned collar off her neck wasn't going to be as simple as he'd hoped.

He needed full access to all his equipment and scanners if he was going to find a way to remove it without hurting her. It was a clever piece of work, with all kinds of boobie traps built in to trip up the unwary or desperate.

Don panicked when he found the first one. General contact with any part of the collar didn't seem to do much, but pressing intently on the wrong surfaces when trying to remove it caused a sharp, telescopic spike to shoot out and pierce his hand.

Leonardo was able to heal the damage in moments but Don couldn't shake the fear of what would have happened if that spike had faced inward instead of out. If it pierced Luna's neck before they got the collar off then she could bleed to death on the desk in front of them.

Leo wouldn't be able to stop it because any energy directed at Luna was absorbed by the damned thing. Don had stopped touching it at that point and run a number of different scanners over it instead, trying to examine the internal workings.

He'd already run a metal analysis, but it was some unknown alloy. Nothing seemed to be able to cut through it. His diamond blade wouldn't even scratch it.

He had to hurry because when Luna began to stir, he had a pretty good idea what was going to happen. It was very likely that she would awaken in a panic and send a huge burst of power across a broad spectrum.

It could kill her outright if the collar reflected it back to her or it could level half of the city.

Right now, either was a distinct possibility.

Don rubbed the sweat out of his eyes with his forearm as he examined the latest scan of the device carefully. Beyond it, he could see Raphael fidgeting around; pacing up and down.

"Where'd it come from?" Raph blurted to Leo as the minutes wore on.

"Who knows?" Leo replied. "At this point Don could declare goblins popped up out of the earth and snapped it on her and I'd believe it. All that matters to me is getting it off her."

Raph shook his head, muttering to himself; unsatisfied with that answer.

"I mean," Raph clarified a moment later, "What's it for? D'ose bat things weren't really attacking her. They were tryin' ta kidnap her."

"It seems designed to do two things," Don said quietly. "One, to discourage her from using her power by creating a feedback loop in her body. That's the electric charge she was getting.

The second is to use her as a battery and provide instructions for what to do with that power. Just like the computer program we're going to write for the crystal shield. That's how it was generating the portal."

"That sounds like a pretty specific purpose," Leo said, thoughtfully. "Do you think it would have worked on her if she was a full goddess?"

"Um... no," Don said, after a brief moment's thought. "From what I've seen, the gods manipulate and absorb energy quite easily so the feedback loop wouldn't work and I'm not sure it would stay on her anyway. She could just phase out of it."

"What are the chances that something like that was already laying about somewhere?" Leo pressed. "I mean, would it have been a device they already had on hand to control mortals?"

"Slim to none, I would say," Don replied. "I don't think they could use mortals as a battery the way they are using her. What are you getting at Leo?"

"Whoever constructed that collar not only knows she's alive but they know about her current situation," Leo said grimly. "They know she's partly mortal and they know she's got some power. But they're not trying to kill her; they're trying to control her."

Raph's face hardened even further. But Don's lit up.

"Control!" Don breathed. "They have to be in contact with the collar to send it instructions. That means it has to have some sort of receiver. Maybe I can hack into it."

He rushed to the nearest terminal and began to type rapidly.

Nothing was heard for a few long seconds except the clicking of Don's keyboard and the steady beep, beep of the heart monitor attached to Luna. Suddenly that beeping picked up speed, and Luna's eyelids began to flutter.

"Leo! Raph!" Don shouted in alarm from the terminal, "See if you can reach her mind. She's waking up, and if she panics... she can't use her energy!"

They both rushed to her side. Raph wasn't sure what to do. Luna had always spoken to his mind first but it looked like Leo was meditating so he quickly followed.

Leo had her right hand so Raph took her left and closed his eyes; trying to calm his breathing. Finding the constantly flowing energy of their bond was easy. He could feel her thoughts stirring and began to project his own at her. He tried for reassuring but it probably came off as more urgent than anything else.

Luna. Can ya' hear me? Everything's gonna be alright now. Yer not unda attack. Don't use ya' power. I need ya' to keep it tagetha' for me. Leo an' me, we're both here.

Everything's gonna be fine. Wake up now, sweetheart. Just open ya' eyes and talk ta' me, 'kay? No need for any fireworks. Let's save those for lata'

He repeated over and over to her.

Leo's message was a bit more coherent.

Dear one, the attack is over. All is well. Donnie stopped those things from taking you. You are safe. You are home. I am here with you. Raphael is here as well. I'm sure you can hear him. Do not strike out. Save your energy. Please be calm.

Her breathing picked up and her pulse began to race. The beeping from the heart monitor was becoming closer and closer together. Neither received anything but chaos from her thoughts.

"Guys you have to get through to her," Don said urgently.

Leo stroked her hair and leaned in close to her ear.

"Luna," he said softly, "Everything is fine, please be calm."

But it wasn't helping. Her power output was steadily building. Silver coated her skin and the jewel in the collar began to glow. Any moment now the convulsions would begin and her response would be to use even more power.

Electric current ran up Leonardo's arm. His muscles spasmed and he was thrown back from the table. Raphael growled as the current hit him as well. His natural fire immunity seemed to help him tough it out and he tightened his hand carefully around hers. He would not let her go.

She shuddered as pain began to rip through her body.

"Luna! Please!" Leo begged, returning rapidly to her side.

Raphael had seen enough. He had to get her attention.

What were you supposed to do with hysterical people?

Something unexpected. Shaking or slapping would not be the answer here, but he couldn't bring himself to do that to her anyway.

What would be the last thing she would expect from him during a battle?

Raphael leaned in and picked her up; letting his smoky scent surround her. He wrapped his strong arms about her and pressed his lips gently to hers. He made the kiss as long and tender as he could, ignoring his brothers and the pain he felt from the current still flowing through them both. She relaxed almost involuntarily against his chest.

Raph? What- what's going on...

It was the first semi-coherent thought from the chaos surrounding her mind.

Luna! Raph interrupted her.

Hit the kill switch would ya? Ya' hurtin' me.

Instantly her silver light flickered and went out.

In the end, Donatello was able to hack into the collar's interface. After that, it didn't take him long to find the code combination needed to remove the device. He laid it aside carefully for additional study. Maybe he would be able to reuse some of the technology on the crystal shield; once the other parts were obtained. Besides, now that it was not on Luna, he had another problem to deal with.

Leo's bottled up rage.

Don had to admit that Raphael's plan had worked and his quick thinking probably saved all of them, and a large portion of the city, from being demolished. But he couldn't help but wish there had been another way.

During the kiss, Leonardo had gone absolutely rigid with pain and anger. He held himself motionless in a heroic display of pure willpower, but his eyes showed a stormy mix of emotions. It was terrible to watch, and when Luna ceased struggling and fell limp in Raph's arms, Leo's eyes went flat and dead. Once the danger to his beloved mate had passed, Leo quietly excused himself and left the room.

At least they didn't declare war in the lab. Don thought. Sometimes you just have to be grateful for the small things.

Of course Leo wasn't the only one whose emotions were stirred by that very public display of affection. So far Luna had been discreet with her soulmates; so none of them had to face the hard truth that she was one to their many. Seeing Raphael be so intimate with her, in his own lab, disturbed Donnie and kindled an ache deep inside. It was painful but he was no stranger to unrequited love. He could try to focus on the joy of having her in his family instead .

Unfortunately the situation was more complicated for his older brothers.

Raph had stayed by Luna's side until Don got the collar off; then he'd taken her back to bed, promising to remain on guard so she could rest. Which reminded Don that more permanent sleeping arrangements needed to be made for her. She shouldn't have to stay in the infirmary forever. Don sighed, put that on his to-do list, and went searching for Leo.

Concern began to grow when Leo wasn't found in any of his normal haunts. The dojo was empty. No tea brewed in the kitchen. His meditation area was barren; not even a trace of incense to show it had been used. His room, though meticulous, was also empty; the bed covers still thrown back from their rude awakening several hours earlier. Don checked his lab again and passed by his computer to check the door monitors. None of them had been triggered recently so Leo had to be in here somewhere.

Don paused and checked the computer again. He was sure he hadn't left that particular program open. In fact he didn't think he'd logged into that application in days but with more pressing matters at hand, he just shook his head and logged out again. He shut down the monitor, killed the lights, and left the lab to continue his search. Maybe Mikey had seen where Leo had gone.

The moment he was gone the computer screen slowly glowed to life once more as violet text began to flow in waves across it.

Leonardo sat quietly in a rarely used store room and sorted carefully through several boxes of items. A small, but growing, pile of memorabilia lay in front of him. Small reminders of happier family times from the past. He paused and gazed with great affection at a lopsided framed photo.

It was a picture of the four of them when they were little, clustered around their Master. Slightly askew because, if Leo remembered correctly, the camera Donnie found and painstakingly repaired had slipped off the pipe it was balanced on just as the timer took the photo.

Still, Splinter peered out of the frame and saw straight into Leonardo's soul. His eyes just as piercing as Leo remembered. He wished he could read an answer in those eyes for his current predicament.

Master, how I wish I could speak with you now. I am in sore need of your wisdom and guidance.

Leo sighed and added the photo to his pile. He didn't know what to do and that was a poor state for the plan maker and leader to be in. His instinct in the lab had been to lunge for Raph and, if he was being honest, beat him to a pulp. It would have felt good in the moment, but it wouldn't accomplish anything in the long run. Besides, he had conceded that right when he allowed Fina to bond Raph.

And he knew that Luna loved Raphael, even if it was in a different way than she loved him. Fighting would merely have increased her pain. Something he was determined not to do. No matter which way he examined the situation, one of them was bound to be hurt. Given a choice, he would always take the pain to spare her.

But once his anger had flared and dissipated, the despair began to creep in. He couldn't stand to stay and watch. While he rejoiced that his brother was able to reach her and stop her headlong rush toward destruction, he felt vulnerable and distraught that he, her first love, had not been able to. It seemed that fate had destined them to compete in all things, even love.

He gathered his small pile of reminders. If he spread them around prominently maybe he would be able to remember the happier times and resist this urge to remove his rival. Permanently.

Hours later, after everyone had grabbed some much needed sleep, Donatello, Leonardo and Luna made their way carefully through the many vast layers of the New York City underground. Don led the way, taking a circuitous route comprised of sewer, subway, and maintenance tunnels. Luna and Leo followed holding hands and trailing behind him. When they had to climb, leap, or maneuver through dangerous areas, Leo would carry her or Don would boost her up from below to Leo's waiting arms.

Both brothers were wary and remained on the alert for any approaching danger. They were taking no chances with her, even though she had enough power, now that she was not confined by the collar, to take out most potential threats.

Luna was excited. They were taking her to see a part of their past; and she was anxious to experience one of their former homes. They had several. Their own history was far from peaceful and at one time or another, each of their previous residences had been exposed to enemies, forcing them to move on to new locations.

Mikey and Raph were taking a different route through the sewers but Luna knew they would meet up at the old lair later. Leo had them on some kind of secret mission they refused to divulge, but Mikey had promised to regale her with all kinds of tales from their childhood.

This particular location was where they had spent the majority of their teenage years and where Donnie learned to drive. Just before they split up, Michelangelo had admitted in a dramatic stage whisper that this was the last place they truly called home as a family. When they had moved on it had been without their Master; so they didn't revisit it often or without cause.

This time, cause was an interesting piece of alien technology they had once used as an elevator to the surface. According to Donatello, this elevator was once powered by a crystal, though the crystal itself had long since been destroyed. Luna was hoping to test the remaining shards. If they matched the feel of the deposit containing the new energy node, than Don could probably salvage enough of the technology from the elevator to make the energy converter they needed for the new shield.

But despite her excitement, Luna was not oblivious to the behavior of those around her. As they drew closer to their old residence, Donatello began to tense up. While there had been many happy memories made here, their exodus had been violent. Returning now stirred intense feelings of unease.

Don exchanged a look with Leo and saw that he was not alone in his discomfort. Leonardo was remembering the past as well. His brows were drawn in and his eyes were fierce. Even though both knew the ones responsible for their previous devastation were long since gone; this was the site of the families current divide.

Bringing Luna here, someone they held so dear, felt like a betrayal of trust. If Donatello believed in omens than bringing her here was a bad one. Thrusting her into their families conflicted past seemed to invite even more danger, this time of their own making.

Neither said anything, however, as Luna entered the old front door and stared around like one enraptured. Leo began to lead her through the old floorplan and tried to lighten the mood by telling stories of their adventures growing up. Donnie carefully cleared piles of debris from the wall entrance nearest the elevator.

Luna peered around wide eyed, taking in the two story vaulted great room, the large support beams with strange hieroglyphs, and the water pool in the center. Parts of it were in ruins now; the result of some great battle. Huge chunks of stone and steel were scattered about, but the structure seemed sound enough.

A tendril of power sent into one of the strange metal supports confirmed it's alien origin. There were particles in the metal that were definitely not native to Earth.

The architecture was unusual, but Luna could see the appeal of such a place for four young, rambunctious boys. Their master must have rejoiced in that much open area for them to expend their energy in.

Leo took her on a tour, explaining how they had used each section. Many were the same as in their current abode. The great room served as dojo, living area, and hangout room. A limited kitchen had been offset in an alcove, along with Donnie's old lab area and workroom. The four boys had each occupied a room on the second level.

But there was another door on the first floor that was closed and Leonardo seemed to veer away from it out of habit. Luna noticed that his jaw clenched and he swallowed hard as they walked by it. She laid a gentle hand on his arm and he stopped, but did not face her.

"Leo," she asked softly, "what was behind this door?"

"Those were Master Splinter's rooms," he said, his voice reverent but sad.

"You miss him so much."

It was a statement of fact. Luna could feel the ache flowing from him. He finally turned to face her. His expression solemn.

"We all do. We don't really understand why he left but someday he will return," Leo said, quietly but with conviction. "He has not abandoned us, his path has merely been... different from ours."

Luna nodded.

"I would like to know him," she said. "Would you mind if I had a look?"

"There's nothing much to see in there now," Leo said.

"That's ok," Luna replied, carefully. "I can learn a lot from the energy left in the space. Would you like to see?"

Leonardo nodded and Donatello, overhearing, drifted over to watch.

Luna walked over, slid the door open, and entered the room with great respect. It was mostly an open space with a curved ceiling and stone floors. Another smaller room, partitioned off the back, appeared to have been a bathroom at one time.

Luna walked into the center of the space, leaving the brothers waiting at the door. She bowed reverently and reached out to tap the energy in the walls. She found a startling amount of power sleeping quietly there. Each wall contained deep seated threads in all four of the turtles colors.

Around and around this room they wrapped; held fast with the strength of profound, if prepubescent, emotions. But also present was another color. Threads of a rich green were wound tightly throughout; binding the other four into a complete whole.

She had felt this presence before but their current home only held it in small amounts on certain objects. These walls were permeated with it, filled with personality and impressions from the past. It should not take very much to draw the memories out.

As Luna worked her will upon the power, asking with humble deference to see those visions, the space began to warm and the walls emitted a low pitched hum. Between one moment and the next the room was filled with life. Furnishings appeared, candles emitted a soft, yellow glow and directly in front of Luna there was a small Japanese table with a multitude of colorful, mismatched cushions set for tea.

Behind the table sat their Master.

She had seen him before in his son's thoughts but those memories had not captured his incredible vitality. He was, indeed, a rat hybrid but his fur was soft looking, well groomed and slightly styled. He was clothed in a comfortable old robe, but it was covered with a wide silver sash and badge. He held himself with great dignity; his paws folded gently in his lap. A walking stick lay on the floor nearby.

He sat now in silent meditation; eyes closed. The tea remained untouched in front of him. A steaming pot awaiting a visitor.

Twin gasps from behind Luna made her turn. Leonardo and Donatello had dropped to their knees in the doorway, mouths open in shock.

"Sensei," Leonardo breathed, barely above a whisper.

Luna turned back and examined Splinter again. He seemed older than the last image she had seen in Leo's mind. That was strange. He should be younger and interacting with young vision versions of his sons.

The vision of Splinter opened his eyes and seemed to examine her intently. That was also wrong. Figments of history could not interact with members of the present.

"At last," he sighed with a smile.

He looked past her toward the door and spoke with a warm, familiar, accent.

"Leonardo. Donatello. You may enter. Please, join us for tea and introduce me to your friend and mate."