A/N: I am so sorry guys! I totally zoned on putting this chapter out yesterday. Things have been a little nuts here. Lots of doctor appointments last week for my son. We had to take him to a glaucoma specialist and he's probably going to have to have surgery in a few weeks. T_T Poor baby... But he'll be okay, I don't think it's caused much damage if any yet. Just have to leave in God's hands...

Anyway, on with the chapter!

K-three crouched on the roof two flights above his target with Yoshi and Shinta to either side. There was no fire escape on this side of the building. But luckily it was facing an alley, which meant no prying eyes. It didn't surprise him that he hadn't yet heard a siren. It was likely the manager was too scared out of his wits to call the police. Which also worked to their advantage. "Grapplers, boys."

The three hooked their lines to the parapet and began to descend along the rough brick wall.

Inside, Raph leaned against the wall separating them from Wikoli's room. He could hear soft sobbing on the other side and it made his blood boil. That monster had already hurt Ona once when she was just a kid, he was not about to let it happen again.

In the hall, Leo and Kaz slipped silently closer to the door. "What do you want with Ona?" Leo demanded.

"What business is it of yours, freak!" Wikoli retorted from deep within the room.

"She's my wife!" Kaz shouted. It was taking everything in him not to bolt back into that room and decapitate the filthy human. But if he did, Ona could be hurt in the process.

"That's disgusting!" Wikoli shot Ona a nauseated look. "You let that thing touch you!"

Ona growled through the gag, her eyes full of anger. She jerked at her cuffs. How dare he talk about Kaz that way!

Spotting the man's attention on Ona, Leo called back to Raph. "Now!"

Glancing down at Mira, Raph frowned. She moved back a few paces as he threw himself into the wall. It crumpled beneath his weight like paper. He immediately dove for cover as Wikoli released a round in his direction.

The crack of gunfire was the signal K-three had been waiting for. He immediately released a length of his rope to swing down and through the window. Ona's captor was startled and didn't have time to swing the pistol up at him before the large Turtleoid crashed into him. The following seconds were a flurry of movement as Yoshi kicked the gun from Wikoli's hand and Kaz appeared out of nowhere, jabbing his kusarigama into the human's shoulder and simultaneously slamming a fist into the man's face.

Wikoli managed to shove K-three off him and pull away from Kaz, who had the fire of Hell burning in his normally cool blue eyes. Mira was already beside Ona, unlocking the cuffs. As soon as one of her hands was free, she yanked the gag from her mouth. "Kaz!"

He immediately turned away from his foe to gather her into his arms as she began to sob. "It's alright. I've got you now. Shh." He pressed kisses to her face, stroking her hair and rocking her softly, while she clutched at him. His body was still rushing with adrenaline and her trembling was only making him angrier. He glared over her head at the man, who'd nearly hurt her, baring his teeth and growling rather loudly.

Meanwhile Yoshi, Raph, Shinta, and K-three were squaring off with the large human. "I'd give up, if I were you. You're way outnumbered." K-three pointed out.

"I'd rather ya fight." Raph cracked his knuckles. "That way I can break ya in half."

Wikoli pulled a knife from his pocket and swung it at Shinta, who was near the door. The teen easily blocked the blow. But it hadn't been the man's intent to actually make contact, but rather to distract so he could make a run for it. He didn't count on the angry Leonardo that appeared in the doorway or the sharp tip of his sword piercing his gut.

Shinta stared at his father slack-jawed, but Leo's gaze was fixed with Wikoli's. "I will not make the same mistake again. You threaten my clan, you pay." The man stumbled away, a sick gurgling noise escaping him as he collapsed in a bloody pile. Everyone stared at their leader for a long moment. It was rare for Leo to show quite so much brutality, but they also knew where he was coming from. They had let Kassic, Eznic, and Dandrick live, only for them to return and threaten their loved ones again. It appeared that Leo wasn't even willing to take that risk this time.

Only Ona's soft crying filled the silence in the room, until at last K-three spoke. "We need to go."

Kaz gathering his still weeping wife into his arms and pressed the on button on his holo. Ona sucked in a sharp breath, trying to calm down. "Wait." She half whispered drawing Kaz's attention.

He blinked down at her. "Babe?"

"The locket. He has my mother's locket." Her voice shook terribly, but she forced the words out. K-three knelt beside the man and rummaged through his pockets, finding the gold heart-shaped necklace. He placed it into Ona's hand as Kaz carried her around the bed. She clutched it to her chest. "Thank you."

Leo stepped aside as his nephew made his way out into the hall. Mira, K-three, and Yoshi immediately followed, but Shinta didn't move right away. He stared at his father with concern. "Dad?"

Leo sighed and squeezed his son's shoulder. "Go on." Shinta nodded, following after his cousins.

Raph frowned as he approached his brother. "You okay, bro?"

Leo's gaze fell from Raph's to the body on the grungy carpet. "I couldn't risk him coming after her again." He took in a shuddering breath. "I won't risk Ona's life, not like I did with…" His shoulders shook with the restraint of his emotions.

Raph took another step forward, taking his brother's shoulders in his hands. "You did good, Leo. Nobody is gonna miss this piece of scum." He turned him away from the fallen man towards the door. "Now, come on. We need to get Ona home."

Sarah frowned at the interdimensional communicator. Something felt wrong. Their evening call was well over an hour late. Which was not just unusual but completely disconcerting. If Leo was anything, he was prompt. She checked the system again, making sure there was nothing wrong on her end and tried to trigger the signal once more. She let out a frustrated sigh as Mikey entered the room. He frowned. "They still aren't picking up?"

She rubbed her eyes. "No and I'm starting to get worried."

He sat in the chair beside her. "Do you think something's wrong? I mean, is Mira upset or anything?"

Sarah shook her head. "I can't feel her across dimensions. But you know how Leo is."

Mikey's frown deepened. "Yeah, I know."

At that moment, the light flickered registering an incoming signal and they both let out a relieved breath. Sarah quickly hit the channel open button. "Leo! Thank goodness! We were starting to…" She frowned at his appearance. "What's wrong?"

On the screen, Leo let out a heavy sigh. "Is Mikey with you?"

Sarah turned the portable unit so Leo could see his brother more directly. "I'm right here." Mikey could tell right away that Leo was upset, but hiding it like he always did.

Thankfully for Mikey, Leo was never one to mix words. He got straight to the point. "First, let me say that both Kaz and Ona are fine, but we did have an incident earlier this evening."

Mikey's brow furrowed. "Ona's stepfather?"

"Yes, he caught Ona alone away from the lair. She left without telling anyone. Luckily Jamie saw her leave and Mira tracked her down."

"But she's okay?" Mikey began to fidget with nervous energy. Beside him, Sarah had gone pale. She pressed a hand to her mouth.

"Yes." Leo reassured him. "We got there just in time. And don't worry, we won't ever have to deal with him again."

"Where's Kaz?"

Mikey and Sarah looked up to see Kala standing in the door, slight panic in her eyes.

"Babe, you should really be resting." Mikey admonished softly.

Kala gave a small cough as she moved forward to lean over Mikey's shoulder. "Leo, where's Kaz?"

Leo's expression dropped slightly. "He's with Ona. She was pretty shaken up. But I promise he's fine. They both are."

Mikey frowned up at his wife as she began to shake. Sarah stood and wrapped her arms around her sister-in-law. "Come on, Kala. Let me help you upstairs."

Mikey stared after them forlornly as they disappeared up the staircase. Leo's voice drew his attention back to the monitor. "How are things there?"

Leo watched his exhausted little brother shake his head. "I don't honestly know Leo. Don's been working with this doctor-dude day and night. But if they've found anything to help her, he hasn't said. Takin' the fluid out helped a little and Don's breathing machine has helped a little." He shook his head again, closing his eyes and resting his face in one hand. "But Leo, I don't think it's helping enough. There are times at night, I'm afraid she's gonna stop breathing altogether."

Leo could see that Mikey had barely slept in the past few weeks and this news about his son and daughter-in-law was only serving to stress him more. It didn't matter that Leo had tried to assuage his worry, it would still be there until he laid eyes on Kaz. Which probably wouldn't be until the next day. Leo sighed. "If there is a way to help her, you know Donnie will find it."

Mikey gave a small nod. "I'll talk to you guys tomorrow. Tell Kaz and Ona we love them."

"I will. Goodnight, Mikey. Stay safe and try to get some rest."

Normally Mikey would have retorted with something snappy like, "That's the first time you've ever told me to sleep." But he just didn't have it in him. Instead, he nodded. "Nigh, bro." He cut the connection and turned off the unit, then slowly made his way up the steps to the shared bedroom.

Kala was lying on their bed with the breathing mask on, while Sarah sat on the edge gently rubbing circles on her back. Sarah stood as he entered and hugged him. He let out a heavy sigh as he returned the embrace. She said nothing, but the gesture was more than enough. She left the room and Mikey climbed into the small bed behind his slender wife. As he draped his arm around her waist, her hands came up to clutch his. "They're safe. Leo won't let anything happen to them." He nuzzled against her neck. "And we'll be going home soon. That doc and Donnie are going to make you all better real soon. You'll see." He pulled his hand gently from hers to wipe away the tear that trickled down her cheek. "Everything's going to be alright."

Leo frowned as the screen darkened. He'd known Mikey would take the news hard and he had. It had to be hard being separated from his son for so long. Leo had never had to experience such a long separation from his child. The trip he'd taken with Jamie had barely lasted a week, even so that had been hard on him. Standing, he rolled his shoulders. It was likely he and Raph were going to be sore in the morning even though they hadn't had to do much of the fighting per say. Getting older certainly had it drawbacks.

He made his way slowly up the stairs and onto the top floor. Pausing beside Shinta's door, he cracked it open just a bit. Inside, he could see his teenage son sprawled across his bed, a pillow tucked under him. Shinta's gear lay in a disorderly pile beside his bed, likely the place he'd dropped it before crawling in. They were all tired. It had been a stressful evening to say the least.

Leo sighed as he closed the door. He'd forgo practice in the morning. No one would be up for it anyway. Stepping across the hall, he opened the door to his own bedroom.

Jamie sat in the large arm chair near the window, strumming absently at her guitar. She watched her husband enter the room with his head down and shoulders slumped. Frowning, she set aside her instrument to approach him as he sat on the side of their bed. He didn't seem to notice her sit beside him as he meticulously removed his gear.

"You're second guessing yourself."

He didn't look up at her and her frown intensified. Leo was good at hiding his emotions, but there were things that only a wife would know - the slight twitch of a muscle, the near imperceptible change in his breathing, the intensity with which he removed his elbow pad. All these things meant she was right.

"Why?"

His shoulders slumped a millimeter more. "Because every life is precious."

She cupped the side of his face, making him look at her. The sorrow in his gaze made her heart ache. "Leo your instincts are rarely wrong. I'm sure it's one of the reasons Splinter left you as head of this family. You need to trust them."

He frowned. "But a life is still a life."

She frowned as well, understating the pain that killing even that wicked man had caused him. "I know." She took his hands. "But tell me something, what did your instincts tell you about this man?"

Leo's eyes narrowed as the image of Wikoli Hale appeared in his mind. "He was obsessed with Ona. He'd already waited two weeks to get his hands on her. He would have likely waited longer."

"And if you'd let him live and turned him over to the authorities?"

"He would have come back. And he would have put us all in danger, not just Ona." He stared at his wife. She'd made him admit his reasoning out loud. And in all truth it was a good reason, but it didn't change the fact he'd killed a man that had no chance against the ninja master. He let out a heavy breath and leaned forward to bury his face in her shoulder and neck.

Jamie's arms immediately encompassed him. She stroked the back of his head gently. "Some decisions are unfair to everyone. Sometimes the only choices we have are to choose between the lesser of two evils. You protected your family tonight, Leonardo, just like you always do. No one will dispute that decision."

"I know." He murmured softly against her neck. It was his burden to bear, no matter how heavy it might be. And for his family, he would carry it a thousand times over.

Every time Kaz shifted, Ona's grip would tighten on him. It worried him deeply that she was still so scared. He'd done everything he could to make her feel safe and comfortable, but still her small form trembled in his arms. He tried to lean away again, so he could see her face which was buried in his chest. "Do you want some water?"

"No!" She clutched at him. "Don't leave me!"

Kaz felt his heart break and drew her tight against him. "Hush now, you know I'm not going anywhere."

She sobbed softly. "I was so scared, Kazzey. I thought he was going to… All I wanted was you." She chocked on another sob before continuing. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving."

He nuzzled down as close to her ear as he could get. "You don't need to be sorry, babe. I'm just glad we found you. I was terrified he was gonna hurt you again."

Ona clenched her eyes shut as the moments before her rescue rushed back to her. Wikoli had pulled off his belt and climbed on top of her, pinning her even more to the bed. He'd just ripped her shirt when they'd heard footsteps running up the hall. Her heart had sailed towards the moon, because she knew who it was. Her captor had dove behind the bed just as the door came flying open. The sight of Kaz's horrified expression was still etched into her mind. Dozens of emotions had flickered through his eyes in that split-second and Ona could have named every one.

Now as she lay wrapped in his powerful arms, listening to his steady heartbeat, she was slowly beginning to relax. It would take time. That didn't bother her as long as he was by her side. "I love you, Kazzey."

His arms tightened around her. "I love you too. You're my universe, babe. I'd do anything for you." As he lay there, his small wife still shaking in his arms and the terrible thoughts of what could have happened to her dancing through his head, he realized he would in fact do anything for her.

The sound of the bedroom door opening woke Mikey, though he wasn't sure he'd really been asleep. It was more likely he'd been laying there listening to the rattle in Kala's chest. He cracked open his eyes just a little to see the shape of his brother enter the room. He realized with a bit of surprise that it was much earlier than it normally was when Donnie returned.

He watched as his brother moved silently across the room to the small silhouette in the window. Sarah turned to him and Mikey saw the glisten of tears on her cheeks even in the dimness. Donatello gently brushed them away with a frown, then kissed her softly. Her shadow collapsed into his and there was a soft whimper. Don just held her tighter. He stepped back taking her by the hand and leading her back to the bed. He laid down and pulled her down on top of him. She curled into his plastron like he was the most comfortable mattress in all the multi-verse.

Mikey watched all this with a growing sorrow in his heart. What would it be like to know you would never have to live without the one you loved the most? Would you still cherish every moment? Would you feel relief from knowing that you would never be separated? These questions only made the pain in his heart hurt worse. There was no point in pondering such questions. He didn't have that option. Beside him, the love of his life was dying before his very eyes. He could see it in her gaze. He could feel it in her body. They'd been together a long time, but still he felt it wasn't long enough. Time was slipping away.

A/N: Thanks again for your patience. Don't forget you can see some of my awesome art for this series on my Deviantart page! Also don't forget the reviews! They are like pizza-gyoza nuggets of joy!