Solo Session #1

Michelangelo POV

That's right. I'm finally talking to a total babe who has the sexy librarian thing totally going on. Only she's not so much interested in just me. She wants to talk to my brothers, too. No, it's not like that. As a favor to April we agreed to see a shrink to help us with our family troubles. I sure as shell didn't expect a hot ticket like Molly. I would have been thrilled if I wasn't so worried about her thinking I was some lunatic. Come on! We're just teenage mutant ninja turtles! That's pretty normal if you ask me!

Third person POV

Molly peered over her glasses as she watched Michelangelo fidget on the couch. His jokester personality was significantly muted behind the anxiety of speaking with a psychologist. It was hard to see him as a teenager. He was about her height of 5'2. He wore an orange mask over his eyes and had nunchucks tucked into the belt at his waist. His appearance did not give away his age. He could have been anywhere from 16-30 and she wouldn't have known. Then again, she never dealt with mutants before. She cleared her throat and shifted into a more comfortable position in her seat.

"Let's begin." She stated as he flinched. "Is there something wrong?"

"No no no!" Michelangelo waved his hands. "Everything is just fine!"

"Michelangelo." Molly took her glasses off and leaned forward. "I'm Just getting to know you today. Talking to a psychologist doesn't mean you're crazy. This is just a chat. If you have a problem, we can work through this."

"Okay."

"Why don't we start by talking about what you like."

"Like, comic books?"

"Sure." Molly leaned back and put her glasses on. "Which ones do you like?"

"Well, The Justice Force is totally awesome!" Michelangelo started. He smiled sheepishly. "You probably haven't heard of it."

"On the contrary, I have some clients about your age." She chuckled. "They actually got me into it. So you like the hero type of comics?"

"Yeah!" He straightened up in his seat. "You know, I worked with Silver Sentry."

"That's amazing. You must have been so excited."

"Yeah! We took down Baxter Stockman together!"

"You enjoy being a hero?"

"I guess." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Nothing beats taking down some goons with my bros."

"You view them in high regard?"

"Well, yeah." He smiled. "They always have my back, you know? I mean, we fight and stuff but when we're out there fighting, we take care of each other."

Molly smiled and jotted down a couple of notes as he continued. As expected, he was a good warm up to the sessions to come. She suspected the happy disposition was a defense mechanism but only time would truly tell that. Perhaps he would be the easiest to assist.

Donatello sat in his seat with his hands grasping one another as he stared at the floor. Molly shifted some papers around on her clipboard and adjusted her glass. The turtle before her wore a bo staff on his back. Purple appeared to be his choice of mask. He was the leanest of the turtles and the same height as Michelangelo. He started speaking, glancing up.

"None of us is crazy." He looked back at the ground. "We've seen a lot but we aren't crazy."

"The crazy aren't the only people to see psychologists." Molly murmured.

"Well, you have to admit, that there is a stigma."

"Of course. It's still common for people to view seeing a therapist as a weakness." Molly removed her glasses. "But much as we need to take care of our physical health, our psychological health requires just as much attention.

"Our psychological health is sound!" Donatello declared looking straight at Molly with all seriousness.

"Look. 'Crazy' is not a term used in my field." Molly sighed replacing her glasses. "Everyone has issues. Be it big or small, we all have something going on. I'm only here to help. I'm not here to judge or lock you up in an asylum. April is under the impression that you guys need me so I'm going to do my due diligence."

"You won't be telling April what we say?" Donatello inquired after a moment of silence.

"That would be a HIPPA violation." Molly affirmed. The turtle smiled.

"I just had to be sure."

"Fair enough. Now, shall we begin?" Molly crossed one leg over the other. "You describe yourself as smart. Why is that significant to you?"

"We all have our thing. I just like creating or building things to help my brothers on our missions." Donatello explained, looking a touch more relaxed. "I love to learn. I'm often trying to expand my knowledge on...well...Everything. I'm not as strong, focused or quick as my brothers in battle but I'm still useful."

"Is it important being useful to them?"

"Of course. I know my brothers will look out for me and I have to protect them, too, by whatever means I can." Donatello murmured. "In my case, that's keeping us prepared with the right electronics, vehicles or even ideas to help us survive."

"Sounds like you put yourselves in the line of danger."

"I...We're ninjas. Brothers" Donatello looked at the ground again. "We keep each other safe and complete our mission."

Molly listened as Donatello stumbled over his words for the rest of the session. When he spoke of something he was passionate about, he articulated it with all the grace in the world. She watches as his eyes lit up, speaking about the newest invention he had prepared for his brothers. She made a note on his need to protect them. Something traumatic could have triggered that. There was an edge in his voice when he said the word "survive." It was too soon to dig into the story behind that, but she would ease them into it eventually.

Somehow, Molly managed to keep a straight face as the red masked teen stared her down from his seat. Muscular arms crossed over his plastron, he simply glowered at her. He was the tallest of the four at 5'5 and the biggest in muscle mass. There was no question he was the brawn of the group and, from how the others piped in about him during the group session, the angriest. She took note of the sais tucked into his belt. An interesting weapon.

"You look unhappy." Molly stated, deciding she would have to be the one to start the session off."

"I don't need no shrink to tell my feelings to." Raphael snapped.

"That's fine." Molly gave him a wry smile. "If you insist on glaring at me for the next fifty minutes, suit yourself."

"Maybe I will."

"Raphael," Molly sighed. "This is still the point where I'm getting to know you. You don't have to share the depths of your soul. You can talk about anything."

"Don't got anything to talk about."

"How about your brothers' way of describing you?" Molly flipped through her clipboard to the page where she noted the group session. "Moody. Belligerent. Unfocused. Anger issues. Would you say these were accurate?"

"..."

"Does it upset you that your brothers view you in this fashion?"

"..." Raphael looked away then at her. He opened his mouth a couple of times before a growl pushed forward. "I've got nothin' to say to you."

Molly forced a smile and spent the rest of the session doodling while he glowered at her. She had clients like him before. The kind that take a little while to open up. With this one, patience would be the best method. He would approach her when he was ready. She had to give him credit for his commitment to being obstinate. His behavior further validated her feelings on his major problem. Anger. A lot of it. The question was, why? Anger was a secondary emotion. Was it fear? Disappointment? Sadness? The beginning was always the hardest part in these types of sessions. So many questions to ask and not one to be answered.

When Leonardo sat down, Molly took note that he only showed an expression of minor unease. The eldest brother stood at the full height of 5'4. Two katana were sheathed and attacked to the back of his shell. He wore a blue mask over his eyes. His demeanor held quite a degree of calm compared to his brothers. So still.

"Well, I hope you don't mind being the last one." Molly smiled.

"It's alright. Someone has to be." Leonardo stated calmly.

"You don't appear to be as bothered as your other brothers."

"We are all doing this for April." Leonardo picked his words carefully. "She seems to be under the impression we should speak with you."

"Do you trust her judgment?"

"It's why I'm here."

"Do you think you need to speak with me?" Molly inquired. Leonardo thought for a moment before speaking.

"What has April said about us?" He questioned.

"Not a whole lot." Molly replied. "I got the impression that there may be some emotional issues that needed to be sorted out."

"We are trained in the art of ninjitsu." He murmured. "In any form of martial art, one must maintain control of their emotions. We meditate and train. We keep focused."

"Would you say you possess the strength needed to do all of that?" She inquired.

"I do."

"What of your brothers?"

"..."

"Earlier, you identified with being a leader."

"Master Splinter...our father chose me." Leonardo explained. "It is my responsibility to guide and look out for my brothers as the eldest...As their leader."

"That's a lot of responsibility to have."

"I can handle it."

"You do have a gift for maintaining your composure when you're uncomfortable." Molly shifted in her seat. Sitting for hours was starting to take its toll. "Sometimes being too composed can reveal the discomfort under it all. I understand this is not an ideal situation for any of you. You are doing this for someone who seems to think you need my help. Yet what I am getting from you is that everything is under control." Leonardo responded with a slow nod. "Then let's talk about your brothers."

"My brothers?"

"Do you find them to be in as much control as you are?"

"I..."

"No family is without its fights." Molly continued. "Especially four brothers. Can you say with all honesty that they have never escalated?"

"What do you mean?"

"I will be frank with you. You are all teenagers who face life-threatening situations on a frequent basis. Correct me if I'm wrong. You all have weapons. You are built like athletes or soldiers. The art of ninjitsu is not without its risk if you are following it beyond the training. On top of that, you are fairly isolated due to the fact you are mutated turtles and can't really go out in the daylight without drawing attention. Perhaps even unwelcomed attention." Here, she leaned forward. "If you can tell me that you are all well-adjusted living this way, then I don't need to be here."

"..." Leonardo looked down and closed his eyes. She could tell he was battling with himself on something. "As long as we're together, we can make it through anything."

"What if one of you doesn't pull through?" The moment she asked the question, she could see an immediate change in his disposition. A determined expression settled on his face.

"That isn't an option."

Though he answered each of her questions, it was done carefully. Deliberately. In a sense, he was the strongest of the brothers due to his mental control. This also put him at risk. She could sense the strain within being strong all the time. One who shoulders the responsibility does not often give themselves room for weakness. This could result in burning out. Neither of them had to say anything for her to know that these band of brothers have been through and seen more than their fair share of hardships and trauma.

April led Molly away from the pump station through the sewers without the blindfold this time. Splinter decided she could be trusted from their first meeting which was a relief. She hated the idea of walking blindfold day in and day out. The area was dimly lit anyway. Was it always this dark or was the sun setting outside? April peered at her friend, wanting to say something but not quite sure if she should. They finally reached the ladder that led to the manhole.

"I think weekly session with each of them would be a good start." Molly finally spoke. "And monthly group sessions. These boys are amazing for their strength of character in spite of all they must have lived through...I can see the war on their faces."

"Thanks, Molly." April sighed. "I know this is asking a lot but I didn't know who else to turn to. They are my family and I want what's best for them."

"I know that more than anyone." Molly took April's hand into hers and smiled. "I think this is an appropriate choice. I want to help these guys. It may take some time. Teenagers are tough enough to get through to...let alone mutant ninja turtles...with a rat father...You sure know how to pick 'em, Miss O'Neil."

"Well, you never shy from a challenge, Miss O'Shea." With a chuckle, both woman climbed up the ladder.

"Jesus, April! How the hell do you have the strength to move this damn thing!?" Molly cried out trying to push against the heavy metal covering the hole. "Was it all the that training with Splinter?"

"Guess I'm just used to it." April reached up and helped her friend heave the cover off the manhole. "Once I get the okay from Splinter, I can show you a much easier way to the lair that doesn't involve manholes." Molly shook her head and climbed out. This was quite an interesting turn to her life and she had a long way to go.

Author's Note: I was in a bit of a rush to pump this chapter out. I wanted to get the ball rolling. Sometimes the result just runs away from me. Please let me know what you think.

Update 12/21/15: Decided to add 1st person narrated intros to give it the same feel as the 2003 cartoon.