Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT

*The guys are 25 years old in this fic.*

*I have the guys at about 6'2" in this fic*

Chapter Twenty Three : A Stare

Jamie's attempts to help with Mike's "problems" resulted in multiple awkward moments for the youngest of the turtles.

She spent as much time with him as she could, often barge in into his room at random times and dropping ont o his bed with her laptop and would proceed to start talking while he stood awkwardly in the middle of his room.

More often than not he'd retreat to Don's lab, or Leo's room and hide with him.

Right now he was with Leo in the tunnels, helping Leo get back into shape with a brisk run.

"I am just confused Leo, it's like suddenly she's interested in what I care about and I don't even know how to talk to her anymore," Mike panted, glancing at Leo as he jogged beside him.

Leo stopped and after coughing and gasping for breath as he leaned against the wall he looked at Mike.

"Just talk to her Mike, be yourself, don't worry about the details," Leo panted, "It'll work out, but, don't be upset if she still continues to see that guy. She's already fixated on him, putting him down will push her further away from you. Keep your opinions to yourself about him."

"But what if she asks me what I think about him?" Mike sputtered, walking away and throwing his hands in the air in exasperation, "what if she wants my opinion?"

"Form an opinion that isn't blunt," Leo replied before straightening and starting to jog back down the tunnel, "Find out his name…do some low level recon and get to know him from what she says and from what you see. Just don't let her know about it."

"But won't she be furious with me for doing that? Wouldn't she hate me?" Mike sputtered, he groaned and sank to the ground and leaned against the wall.

Leo sighed and walked back to Mike.

"I know it's hard to see her chasing someone else, I know it's hard to understand how to talk to her, but you have to be willing and able to keep your friendship with her strong if you want any chance at being able to tell her how you feel," Leo whispered.

Mike groaned and buried his face in his hands.

"I hate this…not knowing how to talk to her, not knowing how to act around her," Mike sighed, "every minute I'm around her and I know that she cares about someone else I feel like…"

Mike sighed.

"She's stabbing you in the chest?" Leo finished.

Mike nodded.

"Yeah," he sighed.

Leo gave Mike a sad smile, squeezed his brother's shoulder and then gestured for him to follow.

Two hours later, back at the lair Leo was waiting for the hot water for his tea to be ready while Mike fixed them something to eat. Jamie was currently editing some video in her room with music blaring but she would be out soon seeing as she had to have her mandatory hang out time with Raph. Her last one since Raph had been removed from his probation as soon as Leo started training again.

Raph was more himself, with a softer edge, but definitely feeling more like himself; grouchiness and all.

Mike handed off a sandwich to Leo before kicking back against the counter and staring towards Jamie's room as he ate.

Leo eyed him but quietly ate his own meal.

"You know Mike…staring at her will probably get on her nerves," Leo chuckled.

"I'm not staring at her…I'm staring at her room," he replied between bites.

Leo chuckled at that.

"Just keep in mind if you stare…make sure you give her a good reason if she asks…complement her shoes or something," Leo chuckled before pouring his tea and walking towards Splinter's room to finish his meal.

"But…what if…" Mike started, then finished softly, "she doesn't have shoes on?"

A/N: I'm sorry for the delay guys, been a crazy couple of weeks. I'm currently planning my wedding and was on a cruise, and have a ton of homework to do. Next update will come ASAP. Please leave me a Review!