A/N: Most of this story is written, so just to let you all know I'm going to use some of your suggestions from previous reviews in upcoming fics. I think the next one, Shinta will have a crush! :D
Leo took a deep breath, feeling his family's eyes on him. He hated letting two of his brothers go off into Dimension X without him. His only solace was they were going to Neutrino, which had been for years their ally against Krang and Shredder.
Finally, he turned to the others, reverting to his stoic mask so no one would know the trepidation he felt. "We're going to have rearrange some duties. Mira, you'll have to take over most of Donnie's chores. K-three, Cat and I will work on the elevator. Ona, do you think you can handle meals and laundry?" Ona gave a nod, though Kaz looked somewhat unhappy with her being removed from his sight.
"What about Katsu's lessons?" Mira asked.
"I can watch Katsu." Jamie moved up beside Mira and tickled the child's chin.
Leo frowned. "What about the music shop?"
Jamie shook her head. "I'll just close up for a few days."
"We don't know how long they're going to be gone." Kaz's words were tight. He'd said what they were all thinking though and it drew silence from the room.
"Why don't I keep an eye on Katsu and do his lessons with him?" Star and Yoshi had been the last to arrive and now she moved forward to stand beside K-three. "I want to help and that way you don't have to disrupt your music lessons, if…if it takes a while before they come home."
Leo frowned, glancing around the room and judging his family's reaction. Star was still somewhat new to the workings of their household. She'd only been with them a year. But he couldn't deny she'd earned his trust many times in that year. "Okay, Star will take care of Katsu and his lessons."
"That's gonna leave us a bit short handed at the garage." Raph leaned on the wall. He hadn't meant it to be negative, more of a fact. He'd just lost five of his workers in one fell swoop. That meant there would only be him, Kaz and Yoshi to work the full line and that wasn't going to be an easy task.
"You'll just have to take some holos with you over there. And Shinta can help." Leo glanced at his son. "You need to pitch in more out there anyways." Shinta gave a small nod. Leo sighed. "Look, I know this is going to take some adjusting for all of us, but remember we are doing this for Kala."
It felt odd as Kala stepped from the lair into the open air of Neutrino. It had been a long time since she'd set foot under the strange orange-pink sky. She'd been on Earth most of her life and had gotten used to the bright blue sky. The dry wind brushed her cheek, bringing with it childhood memories of playing in the brown dirt.
Mikey's hand squeezed hers, bringing her back to the present. He looked down at her with his deep blue eyes and a tiny smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. "Welcome home, babe."
She shook her head. "This hasn't been my home for a long time. My home is where ever you are." She slipped her arms around his waist and he kissed her brow. The sound of an engine drew their attention to the hovercar that came to a stop in front of them. Kala grinned. She'd recognize Dask and Zak no matter how old they were. "Dask! Zak!" She hurried forward as the two men stepped out of the vehicle.
Dask was the first to reach her. "Kala!" He hugged her. "Man, it has been a long long time."
"What are you doing here!" She flung her arms around Zak as he approached.
He chuckled. "We got your message."
"Message?" She glanced over her shoulder at Donnie.
He nodded. "I thought it would be best if we had some help. It has been a long time since you were here, Kala."
She nodded, understanding his meaning. A lot of thing could change in thirty years. She looked back up at her old friends. "So, you know, huh?"
"Not everything, but enough." Dask smiled sadly at her. "I've scheduled you an appointment with a very good doctor I know. He's waiting at the hospital."
Zak reached out and shook Mikey's hand as he came closer. "It's good to see you guys as well." He smiled at Don and Sarah. "I wish we could be visiting under better circumstances. I'm sorry we haven't gotten a chance to visit Earth in a while."
"You're not the only one to blame." Don returned the small smile. "We have to take some of that too. Time kind of gets away from you sometimes."
Dask moved to open the car door. "Yes, and we shouldn't let it get away from us now. Let me take you all over to the hospital, then Zak and I have to get back to our unit."
Mikey climbed into the back seat and Kala sat on his lap as Sarah did the same with Donnie. The hovercar flew along the mostly empty streets. To Kala things hadn't seemed to change all that much. There were new buildings, but there were still the destroyed ones scattered every several blocks, no doubt the result of some recent battle. The large hospital they stopped in front of was new as well.
Dask and Zak helped them out of the car. "We live in the barracks, so we don't have any place to offer you to stay. But there are some pretty good hotels a couple of blocks that way." Zak gestured west of the hospital.
Dask handed Donnie a slip of paper. "The doctors name is Ziffry. He's on the third floor. If you need us, you can reach us at this number. Just leave a message and we'll get back to you. Okay?"
Don folded the paper, slipping it into the pouch on his belt. "Thanks for your help."
Zak hugged Kala again with a smile. "Maybe we can get together tonight for dinner."
Kala hugged him back. "Yeah, we'll let you know where we are."
They waved as the two Neutrinos flew away. Sarah slipped an arm around Kala's shoulders as they turned and entered the hospital. The foyer was minimalistic and utilitarian. A round reception desk stood at the center of room. Donnie led the way as they approached a young Neutrino girl behind the desk. She didn't look up at first, hitting some keys on her computer. "May I help you?"
"Yes, we have an appointment with Dr. Ziffry." Don informed her.
"Name?" She looked up and gasped. "What are you doing here?" She looked around franticly.
Both Don and Mikey frowned, concerned by her sudden odd behavior. Kala moved forward. "My friend made the appointment. I don't know for sure what name he put it under."
The young woman seemed to relax a little. "The appointment is for you?"
"Yes. My name is Kala Hamato, but he might have made it under Kala Nubair." Kala watched the woman for a long moment, before she slowly turned and typed on the computer again.
"Uh, yes, I do show an appointment for you. His office is on the third floor." The woman looked at the two turtles. "But they can't go with you."
Kala glared. "What!"
"This is a Neutrino hospital, ma'am. They're mutants."
"They are my family!" Kala snapped, causing her to begin to cough.
Mikey stepped forward, taking hold of her. "Babe!"
"Sarah…" Don murmured softly feeling anger build in her.
Sarah glared at the woman as Kala tried to catch her breath. "I don't care what your rules are! She needs help!"
The woman frowned glancing around again, her gaze falling back on Kala. She seemed to take pity on them as she watched Mikey supporting Kala's trembling form. "Okay, okay. It's against protocol, but you can take her on up. Just try to keep a low profile. I don't want to be thrown in the brig."
Sarah continued to glare, but Don took her arm and gestured for Mikey to follow him. He frowned, half carrying Kala as they made their way to the elevator. Once inside, Kala sagged against Mikey. "How dare she talk to you like that!"
"It's okay." Mikey stroked her back, trying to soothe her.
Don could tell, Sarah had felt the same indignation at the comment. She had her arms crossed and her jaw set. He could also feel her struggling to control her anger. He was glad the receptionist had let them by when she had, otherwise Sarah might have caused a scene. He knew the anger was for him and Mikey, just as Kala's had been. He put an arm around her shoulders as the doors opened and they made their way down the hall to yet another reception desk.
This woman, although shocked by their appearance, was a bit more tolerant of their presence. "Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes, for my wife." Mikey answered, still holding Kala close.
The woman raised a brow, but continued to be kind. "Her name?"
"Kala." Mikey still wasn't sure what last name they had.
The woman glanced down at a schedule. "Yes, I have her. It won't be but a few moments. Please take a seat."
They did as she suggested and a few moments later a nurse arrived. "If you will come with me." When Mikey started to stand, the woman frowned. "Just her."
It was Mikey's turn to glare. "No way!"
Kala paled even more, if that was possible. "Please." She clutched Mikey's hand. "He's my husband. They're my family."
"Yes, and as Kala's surrogate physician, I really must insist on speaking with the doctor." Don told the nurse.
The woman frowned, but gave a slow nod. "Follow me."
The group followed her into a small room where a cot had been placed in the middle. Mikey helped Kala onto it as the nurse pulled out a scanner. She took Kala's left hand and ran the device over it. She frowned at it and tried again. This time she shook the scanner like that would bring the results she wanted.
"What's the matter?" Mikey asked after a moment.
"I can't get this thing to read your chip." She shook it again.
Kala frowned. "What chip? I don't have any kind of chip."
At this the nurse looked up at her and eyed her. "How old are you Miss Nubair?"
"I'm fifty-six. And it's Hamato. Nubair was my maiden name."
Her answer seemed to surprise the nurse, who blinked then smiled. "Ah, you are too old to have received the chip." She said as if this answered everything. "Please, lie back so I may take your vitals." Kala did as she was asked and a screen at the head of the bed populated with numbers and symbols.
Although they weren't in English, Don understood what most of it represented – blood pressure, temperature, weight, pulse rate, and several others. He knew what the norm was for Kala, but he wondered if that was also the standard for most Neutrinos. He didn't have time to ponder this as the doctor appeared. He greeted them cordially and began an examination. The bed was also able to perform other functions as he was able to pull an image of Kala's lungs up. As he and Donatello began comparing notes, the nurse left the room. The more information the doctor gathered the deeper he seemed to frown.
A few minutes later, the nurse stepped into the doorway. "Dr. Ziffry, may I have a word with you?"
Ziffry patted Kala's arm. "I'll be right back." He stepped into the hall closing the door.
Donnie frowned, moving close to hear what was being said beyond the door.
"There is no record of her service."
"Really, none at all? That's unusual."
"I checked both the old system and the new." The nurse paused for a long moment. "You know what this means, sir?"
The doctor sounded distressed. "Yes, I know. I can't treat her."
Don couldn't resist pushing open the door and glaring at the doctor and nurse. He quickly shut the door behind him before he spoke. "What do you mean you're not going to treat her!"
The nurse glared back. "He doesn't have to discuss this with you, mutant."
Don was unfazed by the venom in her voice. "He was just discussing it with me in there." He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder, before turning his gaze back on the doctor. "You saw how bad she is. How can you even think of turning her away?"
The doctor looked pained as he responded. "This is a military hospital. We don't treat non-military individuals."
Donnie growled. "My sister is in there dying and you stand here talking about rules!"
"Sir, if you do not calm down. I will call security. You're not even supposed to be in here!" The nurse pointed an accusing finger at him.
"Ahmi, will you give us a moment." The doctor waited until the angry nurse had stomped off before turning back to the equally angry turtle. "Listen, the truth is I'm not even sure we can help her. As I said this is a military facility. Which means we focus on wounds not illnesses. It also means, I cannot bend the rules, even in this severe of a case."
Fury blazed its way through Don's system. Kala was dying and Mikey was suffering, and this man who claimed to be a doctor refused to help them! It was inconceivable! "Aren't you a doctor! Aren't you supposed to help people!"
This time Ziffry's eyes narrowed. "My oath is first to Neutrino, then to the individual!"
Don clenched and un-clenched his fists. "Fine!" He turned, flinging open the exam room door. Sarah took a step away from the entrance as he crossed the room. "We're leaving." He scooped a slightly startled Kala into his arms, turned on his heel and stomped back out past the doctor. Mikey grabbed their bags and hurried after him, just as stunned.
The doctor looked at them worriedly as they started for the exit. He hurried after them. "Wait!" He caught Sarah's arm. She gave him a death-glare of her own, having heard most of the conversation he'd had with her mate. "Here." He shoved a slip of paper into her hand. She frowned, pulling her arm away, before her already angry spouse could take the doctor's head right off. As it was, Donnie had stopped in the doorway to glance over his shoulder at them.
Sarah hurried to catch up with Mikey and Don as they left the hospital. They were a good half a block away before Kala finally spoke up. "Donnie, what's wrong? What just happened?" Being carried by her brother-in-law was a little odd, considering her own spouse was right behind him.
Donnie finally slowed his pace and looked down at her. He sighed. "Sorry. They were refusing to help you." He lowered her to her feet and Mikey came to stand beside her.
"What? Why?" He frowned. "Was is because of us?"
"No, they said it was because Kala didn't have a military record." Donnie worked his jaw, trying not to let the anger overtake him again, but his words were still bitter when they came out. "They couldn't waste the resources on her."
Behind him Sarah unfolded the slip of paper and stared at the name. "I guess that's why he gave us this." She handed it to Don when he turned towards her. "It must be a doctor that can help."
Kala sighed. "I should have expected as much. Neutrino has always been partial to the military." She sighed. "Not surprising when you are born into a warzone."
Mikey felt his own anger grow. "It still isn't right to turn you away when you're sick, because of a stupid reason like that." Kala sagged against him. It was already afternoon now and she was becoming tired.
Sarah frowned at Kala's appearance. "Let's find a place to stay and get something to eat. Then we'll see if we can find this other doctor."
A/N: That was totally harsh... Review pretty pretty please!