Shell Shocked is finally coming somewhat to a close, just a couple more chapters! I'm kind of sad about it...but oh well, I've still got three sequels yet xD Sorry if the characters seem a little...out of character. I've been writing Simple Plan fanfiction a lot more lately, so I'm a little more in tune with different characters at the moment. If you're interested in reading my SP stuff (I warn you; some of it is dark) check out SALIP, link is my homepage on my profile. I'm JB on there, although my display name is currently 'davat'.

"Mike, can't you do something?" Leo asked, staring blankly out the window of the tour bus.

"What do you want me to do? I've tried calling, emailing, going to see her. Nothing's worked," he pointed out miserably as he read some of his fanmail, not taking his eyes off the computer screen. "At least we're finally back in the city."

"We need Cassi; you'd think that she would listen to you, Mikey. After all, you are her boyfriend."

"I'm not anymore, Donny," Mike whispered numbly. "I just got an email from her." He took a deep breath, then read it out loud. "Mike, I'm sorry for everything I've put you and the others through. If I could do everything over, I'd never even reveal myself to you four. Unfortunately, I can't redo everything, and you're the ones who have to pay for it. Mikey, this isn't your fault, nor is it anyone else's but my own. You'll be better off without me there to mess up your life. Cassi." He closed the window on the computer and shut it down. "She finished the email with lyrics from that song she liked, 'It Ends Tonight.'"

"When darkness turns to…" Leo muttered to himself, turning away from the window.

"Guys, we're back!" April's cheery voice called from the front of the bus, unaware of what had happened.

"Good," the blue masked turtle replied, running from the bus.

---

The wind whipped at her hair, trying to discourage her from what she was about to do. Still, she stood, looking at the almost inviting water below her. No, she wasn't going to back out this time.

"Cassi," a voice said from behind her, "don't do this."

"You figured out my email. I thought you might, Leo," Cassi replied, not looking back at him.

"You've got so much to live for Cassi…"

"Do I?" She snapped, turning around, revealing her tear streaked face. "I've made a mess of everything! I've ruined your life, and the others'."

"No, you haven't," Leo replied cautiously, walking slowly towards her.

"Dammit Leo, yes I have!" He stopped, unsure of whether it was her language or the fierceness in her eyes. Both were unfamiliar to him. "Yeah, little Miss Cassiopeia has a bad mouth at times."

"Cassi, please…"

"Please what? There's nothing to talk about!" She turned back to the ledge, and prepared to jump. The turtle grabbed her wrist before she could.

"I'm not going to let you throw away your life!" Although she was twisting her arm, trying to pull away, Leo caught sight of something he had never seen before. Scars, dozens of them ran along her arm.

"Why do you think I started wearing gloves when we were sixteen?" She may not have been yelling anymore, but the anger in her voice was just as strong. As fresh tears rolled down her face, Cassi's desperation showed through. "Just let me die."

Leo's voice was soft, but firm. "If you jump, I'm going with you."

Shocked blue eyes now stared back at him. "No."

"Yes. If you die, I'll die with you."

"Why are you doing this?" Cassi asked through her tears, yanking her wrist out of Leo's grasp. "I'm not worth it, Leo."

"Yes, you are! You know it too. Why is it you value all life but your own? The reason you haven't already jumped is because you know I'll jump with you, and you don't want me to die."

"Why Leo?" She moaned.

"Because I love you!" He replied, grabbing her wrist once more. "I'm not going to let you destroy yourself."

Unable to do much else, Cassi fell to her knees and just let her tears flow. Putting his arm around her, Leo knelt down beside the young woman and sighed. The worst was over, for now.

---

"Why do you keep giving everything up for me?" Cassi asked quietly. Once Leo had been able to coax her off the bridge, the two had gone back to her apartment. "Your life as a ninja, especially. Why did you do it?"

"Why did you push me out of the way when the flowerbox fell?" He replied and Cassi laughed softly to herself.

"We've both been willing to give up our lives for one another, literally."

"I meant what I said on the bridge," Leo said as he sat down beside Cassi, who was curled up on the couch, "but if you still have feelings for Mike…"

"I don't," Cassi said quickly. "I think that's part of the reason I…" She sighed. "I didn't want to hurt him. I love you, and I always have."

Taking her hand, Leo pressed the golden chain to her palm. "This is yours."

A grin spread over her face and she hooked it around her neck, once again becoming a turtle. "Should we start over and have a clean slate between us?"

"I…"

"Hey Cassi, your door was unlocked and…" Chris stared at the two turtles, turning whiter by the moment. The blonde started to fall backwards, and Cassi reacted without thinking; she used her power to catch her.

"Don't faint too," she warned Leo. "I know I've got some explaining to do. To both of you apparently."