A/N: Uh, you may need a tissue or two for the end of this chapter. Just sayin'.
April was relieved when the others finally climbed inside the van. She frowned as she watched Leo and Don help Raph ease Mikey onto the cot at the back. "How is he?"
"He'll be alright." Don assured her.
"We should go in case we're being followed." Leo reminded them. Raph moved off to the driver's seat as Sarah knelt beside Mikey. She ran her fingers gently over the burn marks on his plastron.
"Taser burns." As they pulled onto the road, Don moved to where he had the first aid supplies. "I have some ointment for that." He knelt beside his wife and applied a good amount.
Leo looked around the van at the girls. "Are you three crazy! You shouldn't have done that!" He admonished. But the scold did not hold its normal strength. He looked down at Jamie and cupped her face. "You could have been killed!"
She shook her head, tears pooling in her eyes. "It didn't matter. I couldn't leave you there."
He took in a deep shuddering breath and gathered her against him, allowing himself to finally feel the fear of possibly losing her and the desperate love that flowed from her. Her warm tears on his neck, made him swear once more that he'd never let anything happen to her. He pushed the spare blue mask over her head letting it fall to the floor; sweeping away the tears and kissing her warmly.
"For the record, I did try to talk them out of it." April smiled a bit. "But they would have none of it."
Sarah shook her head, looking up at Donnie knelt beside her. Stubbornness blazed through the bond. "I will always come for you."
He sighed, brushing a hand through her long locks. "I know. It just scares me." He drew her against him, kissing her brow.
"Me too." Raph said softly, his eyes on the road.
"Well, you might as well get used to it." Cat reached across the space between them to take one of his hands. "Because I promised a long time ago to protect you. And I don't break my promises."
Raph glanced at her and squeezed her hand tightly. "I just don't know what I'd do, if you were gone, darlin'."
She smirked. "Probably stay out all night beating people up and drive everyone crazy all day long."
He chuckled, squeezing her hand again. "Probably so."
The van was very quiet as they made their way back to the farmhouse. Mikey was still out when they arrived. "He'll likely be out for another hour or so." Don advised them.
Leo frowned. "Well, we'd better get him inside."
"I got 'im." Raph went to lift Mikey over his shoulders and he hissed in pain. Mikey let out a small groan as he was dropped slightly back onto the cot.
Leo stopped him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothin'." Raph muttered.
He frowned. "Don't worry about it. Me and Don will get him inside."
Raphael grimaced as he watched his brothers pull Mikey's arms over their shoulders and carry him out. Cat touched his arm as the others left the van. She gave him a worried frown. "It's your shoulder, isn't it?"
He looked down at her, wanting to deny it but knowing she knew the truth. He looked away, placing his hand over the old scar. "Yeah."
She smiled, taking his hand. "Come on."
Inside, Jamie frowned down at Leo's hand. "This is pretty bad."
"It's alright." He said softly, not wanting to worry her. The truth was it hurt every time he made a fist though.
She shook her head and reached for the bandages. "Let's wrap it anyways."
Don pressed a finger to Mikey's wrist, checking his pulse. It was strong and steady. That was good, it meant the taser hadn't done any permanent damage. He tucked a blanket around him. "Just rest, little brother." He looked up at Sarah with a bit of amusement in his gaze.
She rolled her eyes. "Mira, how many times do I have to tell you, everyone is just fine. We're all here at the house. No, there's no need for you to come up here. I tell you what, I'll take some pictures. Will that make you feel better?" She sighed. "Alright, alright. I promise. Okay, I'll talk to you in the morning."
Don chuckled as she hung up. "I take it we have to send proof."
She couldn't help the small smile. "Yes."
"You know she'll check the time stamp."
Her smile grew. "I know."
He moved to one of the large armchairs and pulled her into his lap, taking a selfie with her. They then took a picture of Mikey sleeping on one couch, and Leo and Jamie already asleep on the other. Then one of Cat giving Raph a shoulder massage.
Back home, Mira frowned at the pictures. Her parents certainly looked happy. Her mom was giggling while her father kissed her cheek. Mikey looked like he was sleeping contentedly. Leo and Jamie looked tired. Leo's head rested on the back of the couch, his chin sticking into the air. Tucked into his side, Jamie laid with her head on his chest and arms wrapped tightly around him. Raph definitely looked like he was enjoying himself with his eyes closed, while behind him Cat smiled broadly.
"See," K-three told her, "they are just fine. You were worrying for nothing." He slipped his arm around her. "Now let's go to bed, it's been a long day."
Mikey woke with a pounding headache. His entire body felt sore. Rubbing his face, he remembered what happened. He sat up quickly. Wait, how'd he get to the farmhouse? Looking around the room, he was relieved to see his brothers. Leo had shifted, his head now resting on top of Jamie's. At the end of their couch, April was sitting asleep in an awkward position that was likely going to give her crick in the neck. In one arm chair, Don sat with Sarah in his lap, an arm curled around her. The two looked like they were getting some well deserved rest. In the other arm chair, Raph had Cat in his lap as well, his arms locked around her.
They were all there, safe and sound. He wondered briefly, if he was dreaming. It was a good dream, if it was.
"Mikey?" He looked up to see Sarah smiling at him. She slipped from Don's lap making her way over to embrace him. He let out a soft sigh when she wrapped her arms around his neck. "We were worried." She said softly.
He smiled, returning the embrace.
"It's about time your lazy shell woke up." Raph smiled at him.
He returned it. "Sorry."
"Mikey, you're awake." Leo smiled at him as well.
Donnie sat forward. "Hey, how are you feeling, Mike?"
"Sore and I've got a killer headache." He rubbed a hand across his head.
Sarah frowned up at him and Cat stood. "I'll get you an ice pack."
April grinned, moving to hug him. "We're glad you're alright."
Jamie lifted her head from Leo's chest. "Very."
Cat returned with the ice pack. She smiled and rubbed his shell, while he pressed it to his head. "So, Leo how'd you get us out?" Leo frowned and a snicker went around the room. Mikey blinked. "What?"
Raph chuckled. "Ol' Fearless didn't get us out."
"He didn't? Then how did we.."
"They got us out." Raph gestured to the girls scattered around the room.
Mikey's eyes grew round. "They did?" He looked down at Sarah still sitting beside him. "You did?"
Cat grinned. "Don't sound so surprised. We're pretty handy when we want to be." Both Jamie and Sarah giggled.
The pink rays of dawn peeked through the curtains and April rubbed her neck. "Yeah, well. I don't know about you guys, but I'm beat. I'm going to bed for real." She paused to pat Mikey on the cheek and smile at him, before heading to the only bedroom on the bottom floor.
Leo stood, pulling Jamie to her feet. "I think we could all use some more rest." He turned to look at his youngest brother again. "You're sure you're feeling okay?"
Mikey nodded. "Yeah."
Leo smiled and patted his shoulder as they left the room. Beside him, Sarah yawned and Don frowned. "If you're sure, I think we could use some rest too."
Mikey sighed, he was getting a little tired of that question. "Yes, I'm sure."
Sarah smiled and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. "How about I make you some cookies when I get up?"
Mikey grinned. "Now that's something to look forward to."
Don chuckled as he took her hand and led her around the couch and up the stairs. Cat took her place on the couch and Raph sat on his other side. Mikey eyed them. "What are you guys doing?"
Raph gave him a lopsided grin. "Just hangin' with my bro. Got a problem with that?" Mikey shook his head.
On his other side, Cat slipped her arm through his and rested her head against his shoulder. "Good."
Raph's smile grew. "Sides, we go to bed right now. I'm not sure how much sleepin' will be involved. And Cat's tired." He gestured at his wife already asleep.
Mikey made a face. "TMI, bro. TMI."
A few more hours of rest and another phone call home, and they headed back to New York. The moment they entered the lair through the back door, Mira pounced on them. "Mom! Dad! You're alright!" She threw her arms around them in a tight embrace.
Don smiled. "Yes, we're fine."
"But something did happen, didn't it?" K-three eyed the bandages on Leo's knuckles and Raph's wrists.
April folded her arms. "That's a bit of an understatement."
"Well, I'd really like to hear the story, but I think you should hear ours first." As K-three told them about the events of the past few days Leo's expression remained stoic, but a myriad of emotions passed through his eyes.
Raphael frowned. "Man, never thought the kid would ever do somethin' like that."
Mira hugged herself with a troubled expression. "I don't know exactly what she said to him, but he's been in his room since we got home yesterday. And he won't talk to any of us."
K-three frowned. "I'm responsible, you left me in charge."
"No, you're not." Leo stepped away from the group, turning his back to them. For a long moment, he stood silently. The others waited with bated breath, until he finally spoke. "Bring him to me."
K-three started to turn, but Jamie shook her head. "I'll get him." He nodded and everyone quietly left the dojo, leaving Leo alone.
When they were gone, Leonardo drew in a deep breath and crossed the floor to the little table they'd arranged with Splinter's ashes. His hands shook a bit as he lit the candles above the old photograph. Kneeling, he lowered his head. "Father, I could really use your guidance right now."
Upstairs, Jamie knocked softly at Shinta's door. "Shinta?" There was no response from within the room. Frowning, she tested the knob. It wasn't locked. Slowly she pushed it open. "Shinta?" Her frown only deepened as she saw him sitting on his bed with his shell to the headboard while he stared out the window. He didn't seem to notice she'd entered the room, until she touched his arm gently.
The eyes he lifted to hers made her heart shatter into a thousand pieces. "Yobo?" Even his voice sounded uncertain.
She sat on the side of the bed and patted the place beside her. "Come here." He quietly shifted to sit beside her on the bedside. He wouldn't meet her eyes. "What did she say?" He shook his head, but she wasn't going to take that as answer. "Tell me?"
He drew in a deep trembling breath, still not meeting her gaze. "She said…I was…a monster."
An angry fire seared to life inside Jamie. This girl was very lucky she hadn't been home when this had happened. She clenched her fists in the bedcovers, struggling to control the indignant rage. How dare this girl speak to her son like that! Biting her lip, she wrapped her arms around him. "Oh, sweetheart…"
He leaned deeper into her. "I don't know what I expected." He said after a long moment. "I guess…I just thought…I mean you, and Aunt Cat, and Ona, and Star, and Aunt Sarah…I just…"
Jamie's arms tightened around him. "I wish I could tell you that she was just one ignorant person. I wish I could tell you it will never happen again." She sighed. "But I can't. It would be a lie." She stroked his arm warmly. "But what I can tell you is that you and your father are the most important people in the world to me. When I look at you all I see is how amazing you are. And if she couldn't see that, then she wasn't worth your time. One day there will be someone for you, baby, and you'll know it in your heart. You don't need to force love. It happens all on its own."
He closed his eyes, his arms coming up to wrap around her. "Thank you, Yobo."
She kissed his cheek. "I'll always be here for you." He finally sat back to look at her, and although his gaze still held hurt and confusion, he smiled a bit and gave her arm a little squeeze.
She flinched and he frowned. "What's wrong?"
"My arms are just a little sore." He gave her a funny look and she chuckled. "It's a long story." She sighed, her expression softening. "Your father wants to see you."
He nodded, averting his eyes again. "Yeah, I figured he would."
She stood, taking his hand. "Come on. He's waiting for you in the dojo."
Sarah watched Jamie and Shinta descend the stairs. You could almost feel the brokenness roll off the young turtle. She started to take a step towards him, but Donnie caught her arm. He shook his head. "No."
"But.." She pleaded softly.
"He is their son." He reminded her. She felt her own heart break as she watched Jamie stop beside the dojo door and give Shinta's hand one last squeeze, before he turned and entered the room alone.
A/N: Told ya... Review!