Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT
*The guys are 25 years old in this fic.*
Chapter Three: A Faded Light
Raph glanced up as April entered the lair, rising to his feet while everyone else glanced up. She was carrying a bag slung over a shoulder. There was no sign of Leo or of the young woman named Jamie.
"Ape?" Don asked as he stood up next to Raph.
"He's in the car with Jamie…she broke down again. Leo's all she has left," April whispered, "she…she's struggling with all this."
Mike frowned sadly.
"Is Leo? Don asked or at least started to.
"He's…struggling too, it's like he's shut mostly down. He hardly speaks at all. Didn't say a word until Jamie made him swear not to leave her alone," April interrupted, "He…he's going to need all of us. Jamie woke up in a panic this morning and ran into the living room to check on him. They…trust each other. But Leo…it's like he's…half gone. Empty."
There was silence and a deep sigh from Splinter.
"Grief ways most heavily on the newly broken hearted," Splinter whispered.
"So this is the lair?" a woman's voice asked.
"Yeah," Casey answered, "the good ol' smelly lair."
They turned in time to see a weak, half-hearted, smile flick briefly across the woman's face.
But Leo, he remained unresponsive, silent and almost haggard in appearance.
"It's not that smelly," Jamie mumbled.
"Eh…well…yeah," Casey mumbled softly, not sure if he had offended her or not.
She stopped, grabbed Leo's wrist and then looked around. Leo stumbled as he was suddenly jerked to a stop, grunting softly.
"Where…where is your room?" Jamie asked.
Leo blinked, seemingly startled by the question.
"Top floor farthest on the left side," Leo replied.
Her eyes followed where he described and she seemed to frown when she spotted the door on the farthest side shadowed by the turn in the hallway.
Then she turned and looked away, glancing around the place in silent interest.
"We made up the guest room for you," Mike greeted gently as he stepped forward.
Jamie turned her brown eyes on him, hugged herself and nodded.
"Thank-you," she whispered, she rubbed a tattoo on her right arm, most were of intricate tribal or oriental designs woven together and around each other, but this one was of a phoenix amber and gold.
"Cool tats," Mike offered.
She blinked and looked at Mike, a smile flickering briefly.
"Thanks, this one represents my sister…or it did…" she murmured, stroking the phoenix gently.
"She must've been pretty epic for Leo to have liked her. I mean even so, like he's not the easiest guy to get along with," Mike grinned teasingly.
Jamie smiled weakly.
"Yeah…he's a bit too straight laced and boring for my taste, but…he makes some mean fudge so I guess I can forgive him," Jamie replied, winking at Leo, who shook his head in response.
He smiled sadly, but didn't seem to know how else to respond.
"Wait…did you just say Leo could cook?" Don asked.
"Cause he burns everything," Raph laughed.
"No he can't cook but he can bake," Jamie replied, a true smile on her face this time.
Leo rolled his eyes, a faint smile showing in his face.
"Bake?" Raph asked skeptically.
"Mmmmhumm amazing fudge, cakes, pies, cookies," Jamie said with a grin, then sadly "you should make some fudge….the kind that Trish liked. I'd like to eat it for her."
Leo paused but nodded.
"Maybe later…I…I'm not sure I'm up for it right now," Leo whispered, he sounded hoarse like his voice was gone.
Jamie nodded, hugging herself, as tears suddenly started.
"She wanted to meet you guys," Jamie managed, "Leo was…worried I think."
Leo sank into the chair that was beside him, hunching his shoulders, he seemed to shrink in on himself.
"Jamie please don't," he whispered, barely audible.
She looked at him sadly, then at Raph.
"I have something from Trisha for you," Jamie said suddenly.
"Oh?" Raph asked with a startled look.
"Yeah," she stated stiffly.
Leo tensed and turned to look at her. He started to stand, anxiety flicking across his features.
Jamie walked up to Raph and faster than the eye could follow slapped him sharply across the face.
Leo jumped to his feet and got between Jamie and Raph before Raph could react.
"What the hell?" Raph roared, as Leo pushed him back.
The others looked more than startled, shocked really.
Jamie just stood there, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"And she wanted to say thank you," Jamie whispered, "if it hadn't been for your fight that night she'd have never met Leo."
Raph paused, startled, still pissed but suddenly aware of Leo's trembling grip on his arms and the hitched breathing.
Leo slowly released him as Raph forced himself to relax. Leo jerked around and looked at Jamie.
She was looking at everyone and then at Leo sadly before looking towards Splinter.
"I knew you'd ask…" Jamie started.
"No," Leo cut off, glaring at her, "No."
They stared at each other, eye to eye, and finally Jamie looked away.
"Fine," she whispered, "I hate to say it Leo…especially now… but Trish was right…you…you don't know how to-"
"What," Leo snapped bitterly, cutting her off, "Be myself? Tell the truth? Admit when I have a problem?"
Jamie froze as Leo glared and then turned and walked towards his room, the slamming of his door made them all jump.
"What just happened?" Mike managed.
"Leo has issues," Jamie muttered, "and….Trish was helping him. She loved him so much she was willing to look past everything. Look past…his…pain."
She looked up at his family.
"The pain you caused. Now I'm sorry but I just lost my sister, and pissed off the only family I have left…I'd like to be alone, where's this guest room?" Jamie said bitterly, wiping tears away.
"I'll show ya'," Raph whispered, glancing up at Leo's room sadly, suddenly feeling a touch sick and worried.
Oh bro…what does she mean?
Jamie nodded and followed Raph as he gestured for her to follow, leaving a stunned group behind.
A/N: So….interesting things to follow. How did they meet Leo? What are Leo's problems? And will these two recover from their grief and argument?