Two months later

He walked the familiar path. It all looked the same, yet something seemed different. Maybe it was just being gone for so long. As he neared the door, his footsteps became sluggish. He didn't leave on good terms with anyone, what if they wouldn't forgive him? What if she wouldn't?

Taking a deep breath, Leo stepped inside. It was late, but not too late. He could hear the tv on in the living room. And he could hear something else… laughter. Just then Raph's door burst open and the source of the laughter came running down the stairs. She carried a sai in her hand.

She hadn't seen Leo yet because she was looking behind her for the red turtle that would soon be after her. Stumbling on the last step, she finally looked forward to find Leo only feet from her. Alice stopped dead, laughter gone from her face. At this point Raph had finally made it out of his room and was halfway down the stairs. When he saw her freeze he too looked up and saw his brother. Raph stopped, immediately questions began in his head. Alice had said she loved him and wouldn't take Leo back, but would she hold true to her word now that it was actually time.

Silence stretched between the three, until finally Leo broke it. "Alice," he started, stepping forward, but stopped once more when he saw her move. She hadn't stepped back, but stuck her free hand backwards... towards his brother. Raph noticed too and took the couple steps to the bottom in seconds. He took hold of her hand as he gazed into his brother's eyes to see his reaction.

Leo held his expression blank. He loved Alice still, but she was happy now. They both were, he could see that just from looking at them. His leader side was telling him to let her go and be with his brother, but his heart disagreed. It wanted to hold her tight, tell her how much he missed her, how much he was sorry, and never let go. Decision made, he stayed quiet.

When Alice realized Leo wasn't going to say anything more she spoke up. "I didn't want you to find out like this, but me and Raph well we umm are together. And even though you're back now and I loved you once, I love him now."

As her words washed over him, Leo decided for their sake, he must lie. "It's for the best. Feelings do change or become clearer once away from it all."

"What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled.

"I learned a lot these past months and as the emotions I held for you became less tangled with everything in me, I realized something. I cared for you, yes, but it never went quite as far as love."

Alice's face was turning red. Tears stung her eyes, but didn't spill over. "So you're what, are you trying to tell me the past year with you has all been a lie? I can't…" she was screaming now, "I can't deal with you anymore. God! You got some nerve after all the shit I put up with."

Leo didn't say anything. He couldn't even look her in the eyes.

"I can't be here right now," she whispered. She walked past Leo towards the door. Raph made to go with her, but she stopped him saying, "Raph, I love you, but please I just," she paused. "Right now I need to be alone."

"Okay," he nodded and bent to kiss the top of her head. She gave him a quick kiss and whispered, "Call me in the morning," in his ear. She handed his sai back and then just like that, she left.

Raph passed Leo on his way back towards his room. Gently brushing into his shoulder on the way he said, "You lied."

"What?" Leo squeaked out. He didn't know how Raph knew that.

"You lied to her," Raph stated again. He stood on the bottom step facing Leo. "Why? Why don't you want her to think you did love her?"

"I've caused enough pain already. I don't want her to feel guilty for loving you."

"Thanks bro," Raph smiled and continued walking to his room. He glanced around once more to look at his brother. "And it's good to have you back."

"Good to be back."

Topside

Alice may not love Leo anymore, but his words still hurt. Tears streaked down her face. She couldn't see very well, as she walked the familiar path home. She was questioning all of her decisions now. Was being with Raph the right thing? Did he actually love her? Would he hurt her like Leo did? And with all these questions to think about, Alice never noticed the car coming. The car that lost control and headed straight towards her.