Leo is great. He always listens to me. Raph would have probably gotten upset if I had told him all of that, and Mikey would have said something to make me laugh, but he wouldn't really understand. Leo just waits patiently for me to get it all out. Cassi smiled to herself as she locked her apartment door. He's a great friend.

She stopped. Was that what Leo was to her now, just a friend? Cassi sighed. Had things changed that much in the last two years? Three years ago, she was head over heels for him. Now she had feelings for the others as well, feelings she couldn't sort out, no matter how hard she tried. I'll see how tomorrow night goes, She decided. Maybe from there I'll be able to make a decision.

---

I know what I have to do, Leo thought to himself as he waited for Cassi. All of last night, Leo had wrestled with himself, trying to talk himself out of what he was planning. No matter how hard he tried, the truth was clear, and it had been clear since before he asked Cassi out again.

---

Cassi shivered as she walked to Leo's and her meeting place. The cold weather was beginning to set in around the city. I should've worn a jacket Cassi scolded herself. Once she reached the sewers, Cassi was quite relieved to get out of the wind. Up ahead, Leo was waiting for her.

"Shouldn't you be wearing a jacket?" He asked.

"It was warmer when I left, I swear. The cold wind came in from nowhere." The blue-eyed brunette grinned and changed the subject. "So, what are we doing tonight?" She asked as Leo handed her her necklace. When she had it on, he took her hand.

"Come with me." he said as he led her back to the home. As they walked, Leo began to explain. "We've been busy with the band, but not nearly as busy as we will be. I figure we should have a quiet date while we have the chance." Cassi agreed.

In her old part, Cassi had a living room with a good entertainment system. Leo had set up a movie night for the two of them.

---

Near the end of the movie, Leo noticed his right arm going numb. Cassi was leaning on it.

"Cassi," Leo started, but she didn't respond. When he didn't get a response, Leo spoke a little louder. When he didn't get an answer again, he realized she had fallen asleep. Looking at her, Leo noticed something. Just above where her mask was tied, on the back of her head was the scar from the flower box. Leo couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. He still felt like it was his fault she had the scar in the first place.

"I promise, I won't hurt you again, Peia." He whispered.

"Peia?" Cassi murmured as she began to wake up.

"Sorry, I don't know where that came from." Leo stammered. "I…"

"It's okay, Leo," Cassi said while sitting up, "I like it, but only you can call me that." Leo agreed and smiled, but his heart broke inside. Way to go Leonardo. You're only making what you're going to do later harder on yourself.

---

"I'm sorry I fell asleep, Leo," Cassi started while they walked back to their platform in the sewers, "I guess all the band excitement has been kind of wearing me down lately."

"Things are only going to get busier," Leo pointed out in return.

"That's true, but I'm rather looking forward to it," Cassi grinned, "Soon we'll be able to go on the road, to other states and countries! Knowing Mikey, those bus trips will be anything but boring." The moment she mentioned Mikey's name, Leo saw a light in Cassi's eyes that he hadn't seen since they were sixteen. As much as it hurt him, he knew what he needed to do.

"Cassi…I…" He stuttered, trying to find the right words for what he wanted to say. Both of them were going to end up hurt, but he wanted to make it easier for her. "You don't want to be with me, I can see it in your eyes. You're happier around the others."

She stopped walking. "What?"

"What I'm trying to say…"

"Leo, I know what you're trying to say. You're trying to break up with me. That's kind of hard to do when you haven't even asked me to be your steady girlfriend, isn't it?"

"You went out with Mikey so soon after you came back. Since then, you always get so excited around him. I was waiting to see who you'd rather be with."

"I went on that date with Mike to make you jealous! I wanted you to ask me steady but you never seemed to get the hint."

"You should have just said something Cassi! I can't read minds as you can!"

"What was I supposed to say, 'Leo, ask me steady?' I can't just come out and say it like that!"

"Why not? It would've been a help for me!"

"It's supposed to be your idea! Another thing, you shouldn't need to read minds with all the hints I've been dropping lately!"

"I'm sorry Cassi, but I think it's just better this way," Leo said quietly, but strongly.

"Yeah. Yeah, I think so too." Cassi muttered back. Turning, she started walking away from him, tears streaming down her face. The blue masked turtle waited until she was far enough away before he also turned to leave. As he did, he let his own tears fall.

"It's just better this way, Cassi. It's better for you," Leo said softly.

A/N: Hey again! I hope I kept Leo a bit more in character this time :-/ Thanks again to those who have reviewed. I say it so much, but I really do appreciate feedback . Comments and criticism are always welcome, just please be nice about it :)