Here is the next chapter...all nice and quick. :) Just a little warning...it does end in a cliffie (I know, I know I'm addicted to them, lol) But the good new is that I will be able to update again this week. So that should win me a few brownie points, right? Right!?

Chapter 19: Desperation

Mr. Hale had slipped out of the lab as the soldiers dragged Leonardo to the elevator. There was a utility closet in Starcher's office and he needed a broom and mop to clean up the mess in the lab. He knew not to trust the ninja, no matter what he did, Karai would hear about what happened with the turtle. There was no way to hide the injuries that he received during transport.

He smacked his forehead with his palm. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," he thought. His stomach churned and his head pounded. He knew that it was his fault…he should have paid more attention to what he was doing.

He grabbed the broom and mop with one hand and a small bucket with the other. He glanced around the small office. Starcher's body was gone, only a dark pool of blood was left on the desk. His thoughts were suffocating him as he walked back to the lab.

This was going to be a long night.

"What room?" Mikey whispered as they made their way down the hall.

"She said that is room twenty," Raph answered. He scanned the numbers on the door as he quickly walk past them.

When they reached room twenty, Casey slid the access card through. Raph let out a sigh of relief when the lights turned green. Raph opened the door and they quickly filed inside the empty room.

"Dammit," Raph muttered.

"We're too late." Mikey's voice was barely audible.

"Are you sure she said room twenty?" Casey turned to his friend. "Or do you think she lied?"

Raph shook his head as he crouched beside a dark puddle on the floor. "This is fresh," he said through clenched teeth.

His eyes carefully traveled over the mess on the floor. "He was here."

A noise from outside the door caught everyone's attention. Raph signaled toward the door. Casey jumped behind the exam table while Mikey and Raph stood on either side of the door frame.

The door opened and Hale walked in. He let out a surprised gasp when strong hands grabbed him and threw him against the wall. The broom and mop fell to the floor with a harsh clack.

When he could finally focus, Hale found himself staring into the blazing eyes of the turtle in red.

"Oh…you!" he managed to gasp before the hand that held him against the wall tightened on his neck. It felt like all the blood drained from his body.

"Where is he?" the darker turtle growled through a mouth that barely moved.

"Gone," Hale whispered out with what air left in his lungs. "Shredder…"

"When?"

Hale clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes at Raph.

"I said, WHEN?" The grip tightened again.

"Sh-she'll kill me…" he barely managed to rasp out.

"I'll kill you!" Dark eyes flashed.

The pressure on his neck relaxed but was quickly replaced by the sharp tip of a shiny weapon held just under his chin. His eyes focused on the red banded turtle then flickered to the one in orange and the dark haired man that was standing behind him.

"Clock's ticking," the one in orange spoke up. "Raph's not kidding…he'll run you through."

"J-just now…you-you just missed him," Jeff spoke slowly and carefully, not wanted to get nicked by the blade.

Raph let out a frustrated growl.

"I-I got him ready, a-and they took him."

"Call them back," Raph pushed out quickly.

"What…I-I can't…" Jeff started.

"Yes you can!" Raph interrupted. "Say that you forgot something…anything! I don't care! Lie!"

Raph hid the desperation in his voice with anger and malice.

Hale swallowed thickly. He shakily reached for his communicator and brought it to his face.

"Watch what you say," Raph snarled. He drew some blood to make his point clear.

Jeff drew in a shaky breath and in the most calm voice that he could muster spoke into the communicator. "H-Hale to black squad."

The radio crackled with static. "Go for Black squad."

"I need the creature brought back to the lab."

"What?" The soldier's voice sounded annoyed. "We are two floors from Master Shredder's chamber. Do you really want to explain to the Master why we took the turtle back to the lab!"

"He-he needs an antibiotic shot." Hale squeezed his eyes shut

"And this can't wait?" More annoyance in the reply.

"No…he won't survive without it. Mistress Karai wants the turtle alive. Do you want to explain why he died?"

The silence stretched for a few seconds and then the radio crackled back to life.

"Have it ready! We do not want to waste anymore time."

"Y-yes, of course."

Hale cracked his eyes open when the weapon was removed. He yelped when his arm was twisted behind his back and he was dragged out into the hall. The turtle in red marched him to the elevator.

"You stay right here, understand?"

Jeff nodded quickly.

Raph let the man go and positioned himself on one side of the elevator door. Casey and Mikey went to the other side. He jumped his gaze from Hale to the numbers above the elevator and silently counted them off as they lit up.

The adrenaline pumped wildly through Raph's veins. He chanced a look at Casey and Mikey. Both looked as ready and determined as he did. His heart picked up even more speed as the number dropped to the floor above them. He nervously licked his lips and crouched down. The lab assistant was standing in the middle of the hall, Raph hoped that it would distract them.

The elevator slowly stopped at the forty first floor. There was a small ding and the doors slid open. Raph was the first one to react. He quickly jumped up and tackled the two foot soldiers that stood in the door. His momentum knocked them into the two that held Leo. They lost their grip on the blue banded turtle and Leo crashed into the back wall of the elevator.

Before Casey and Mikey could make a move toward the elevator Hale turned and started to run down the hall. It distracted them for just a moment, but it was enough time for the doors of the elevator to shut with Raph and Leo still inside.

*runs to hiding place* I promise...Next update will be this week :)