A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long to write, but to make up for it, it's really long. That aside, shoutouts time!

Pacphys - Thanking thee muchly for thine praise. And yes, they do love picking on Donnie, don't they? I think it has something to do with the blush factor.

SilentWater13 - Thanks!

Mahalove - Thanks for the review, I have a very detailed description of Amy in a later chapter so dispair not. Also, I'm sorry to hear about no one reading your fic. I did try but uh... well... the most German I can speak is 'Ich ben ein brachwurst' (apologies for any spelling mistakes).

NumbuhZero - Yay me! And yay you - the almightly Queen of the Gnomes that you are!

Agent-Doo - I don't know what happened there. Something to do with the mac I'm currently using. But all fixed now. Thanks for the review!

Virtual Wenrog - Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! I shall reveal nothing foolish mortal! PS - Ta muchly for the review.

Jessiy Landroz - Sorry sorry sorry sorry - a million times sorry. But at least it's fixed now, right? Right? Cowers Please don't hurt me.

The Incredible Dancing Betty - Ah, Amy's family. They don't really get much of a mention - but just as a bit of history for you here's a fun fact: Amy's family are all rich snobs. They disowned her several years ago (when she was only 14) and she hasn't had any contact of any sort with them since. And Alice... Well... You'll just have to wait and see... insert maniacal laughter here

And now we return you to our regularly scheduled programme... -R & R!

Amy

It's so nice in my new/old room. I've been in her since breakfast, just lying on my bed, staring into space and occasionally glancing around at all the familiar sights. After everything that's happened lately, it's great to have a little touch of normalcy in my life.

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts.

"Enter... If you dare!" I call out.

Don opens the door, smiling slightly. Nice to know that someone finds me funny.

"What's up?" he asks me.

I shrug. "Not much, just lazing around, doing nothing. It's an old hobby of mine."

He smiles again, but then something seems to pick at his attention. He looks around briefly, frowning, then asks, "Where's the mirror gone."

Uh-oh.

"Uh, what mirror?" I reply, trying desperately to sound causual.

"The mirror that was right there," he points at the spot where the accursed thing had been hanging earlier. "I know it was there because Mikey made Raph straighten it up about twenty times, claiming it was on an angle."

I sigh. There's just no hiding things from a ninja. "Well," I begin hesitantly, "if you must know, I put it under the bed."

Don's face becomes a picture of puzzlement. "Why?"

"I... I just didn't want to look at it. I can't stand to look at just how ugly am I and..." I glance up, only to find him gone. Then realization of why suddenly hits me like a thunderbolt. How could I have said that!

Even from where I am, I can hear the slamming of Don's door perfectly. Oh man, I can't believe how stupid I am sometimes.

After making my way to his door, I knock quietly, wondering if it's even going to be loud enough for him to hear.

"What is it?"

His voice sounds so cold and distant now, nothing like what I'm used to. "Can I come in?" I call softly.

I get no response but I open the door anyway - this is too important for it to wait. When I go in, Don doesn't even turn from the computer to look at me. I must have really hurt him.

"Don, I'm sorry," I begin, subconciously wringing my hands. "You guys have done so much for me and I've repayed you by being a total bonehead. I feel really terrible that I said what I did. I didn't mean it like you probably thought."

Still nothing. I don't know how to make him understand. Tears start to well up in my eyes. What if he never forgives me?

"I really am sorry it's just that... well you guys have had your whole lives to get used to looking like you do but I've only had a week."

Now the tears finish the period of threatening and start making salty tracks down my face.

"I don't know what else I can say. I'll understand if you never forgive me. I'll leave you alone now."

I go to leave, but a hand on my shoulder stops me. I turn to see Don there.

"I'm so sorry." I whisper, the tears staring all new journeys.

To my surprise, Don wordlessly wrapps his arms around me. "It's okay," he says quietly.

Just that simple sentence opens the floodgates and I stand there while wracking sobs surge through me. Don just pulls me closer and I cling to him until the sobs eventually subside.

After a while, I pull away from him. I'm suddenly kinda tired. Must've been all that crying.

"You okay?" Don asks.

I nod. "Yeah, I'm just tired. Think I'll go catch some Z's. So you're not still mad at me?"

He shakes his head slightly. "No I'm not. Goodnight Amy."

"Night," I reply, wearily making my way to bed and rest.

Slowly I return to the land of consciousness. Rolling over, I look at my bedside clock.

Ugh. Nine o'clock? That's practically the crack of dawn.

I roll back over, pulling the blankets over my head, hoping in vain to go back to sleep. But it's no good; I'm decidedly awake now.

Sighing heavily, I push off the blankets and make my way out to the kitchen for some life - and sanity - saving coffee.

No sooner have I poured myself a mug of hot, sugary caffine-filled goodness than Mikey enters the kitchen. Aparrently, he hasn't even realised I'm here as he starts gathering ingredients for his usual bowl of sugar coated food-coloring lumps while doing a living dead impression.

"Morning Mike." I say, biting the inside of my cheek to hold back the snigger that is threatening to escape.

The look on his face is classic. Almost as if he'd just been accosted by a talking pineapple. Or something like that.

Unfortunately, Mikey makes a quick recovery and the look of shock swiftly vanishes to be replaced with the usual cheeky grin. It could be my imagination though, but he does still seem a little sheepish.

Then he just goes back to preparing his cereal. My entertainment over for now, I just stare into space and let my thoughts wander. Eventually, they get onto the track of just how lucky I am.

The odds must have been thousands to one for me to meet a group of such generous, caring people. It's not like I've known many of those. Hah, except for my family. Now that's a laugh. My family. Caring. I'd laugh if it wasn't so damn depressing.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Mikey's voice de-rails my thought train.

I shrug. "I was just thinking about how lucky I was to get found by you guys. Not many people would've taken in a stray like you guys have."

Mikey returns my gesture. "Hey, it's what we do. We've spent most of our lives helping people who need it."

"Why?" I ask.

Mikey's brow creases in thought. The expression looks almost out of place on him. I never really noticed before how that grin of his makes him look so young. Without it, I can finally see a little of what lies behind the jokes.

"We help people because we can. We have the skills and resourses to do it, so why wouldn't we?"

"Michaelangelo, it is time for training." Splinter's voice calls from across the lair.

"Coming!" he calls, getting up. "See you later," he says to me, all smiles again.

I watch him wander out into the lair and off to the dojo.

Using their skills to help those in need. If that's not a worthwhile purpose for a life, I don't know what is. Those kind of skills could really be useful...

That in mind, I follow Mikey's path and enter the dojo, removing my shoes before entering and bowing to Splinter as previously instructed. Watching them spar, moving so quickly with such power and grace serves to harden my resolve. I want to learn.

Once practice is over, I wait until all the others leave. Fortunately for me, the turtle I most want to speak to decides to stay behind and beat up the punching bag for a bit.

"Raph?" I ask, walking carefully over to him.

"Yeah?" he grunts, still pummeling the poor bag.

"I was wondering if..." How to put this? Ah, screw it. "I want you to train me."

This actually makes him stop his barrage of attacks on the beaten object and turn to face me.

"What? Why me? Why not Don or one'a the others?" he asks.

Hmmm, I wonder why he said Don first.

"Well," I begin hesitantly, unsure on how to put this as well. "I know you all well enough now to realise that you're the only one who wouldn't go soft on me."

He pauses for a moment, obviously thinking hard. "I suppose," he says with a shrug. "Meet me in here at eight tonight."

With that he walks out, leaving me to stand there alone, consumed by a mix of exitement and nervousness.