Nothing had changed over the next few days except for the aches and pains in Raphael's body and the growing number of holes in the walls of Jack's bedroom. He was passed out on the floor, leaning against the wall when he felt someone drape a blanket over him. Only half mumbling something he struggled to open an eye and glance around. Not finding a brother near him his gaze drifted to the bed.
His heart almost stopped at the sight of the disturbed blankets but empty bed. He was about to jump to his feet when he recalled the weight at his side and glanced down. The woman he had been tending to for the past week and a half was sitting at his side, eyes closed, under the blanket she had draped over them.
"Jacquelyn…" He breathed. Reaching a hand over he moved a greasy lock of hair from her face and let his finger rest on her cheek a moment until he saw her eyes flicker open.
She smiled softly, the traces of bruises were still on her face, but they had started to yellow and fade. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." She sat up stiffly, clearly still in a fair amount of discomfort.
The turtle turned towards her and stopped himself from just wrapping his arms around her. Instead his hand landed on her cheek and forced her, gently, to look up at him. His eye flicked across her smiling face. "I was so worried about you." He slipped his arm around her and pulled her against his chest. "Damn it, I was scared as hell. Don't ever do that again."
She winced a bit and Raph loosened his grip. "Yeah because getting into fights is exactly what I try to do."
Suddenly it dawned on Raph that they were on the floor. "You shouldn't be down here." Carefully slipping his arms around her he rolled up to his knee and then his feet and took her to the bed. After setting her down he frowned when she refused to lay down and rest again.
"I've laid down enough." She pushed her messy hair out of her face. "What's it going to take to get some food?" she mumbled.
A smirk crossed his face. "Think you can make it to the kitchen?"
"I've been in that bed for a few days now," She lifted her arm and pretended to smell her arm pit. "I smell disgusting." She picked up a strand of greasy hair and moved it from her face. "I think I've been here long enough."
"A few days… Try almost two weeks." Raph looked at her hard, hoping the gravity hit her. His features softened and he sat down beside her pulling her into his arms once more. "I thought I might have lost you there." He whispered.
Her features flushed as she wrapped her arms around him. "I don't plan on going anywhere any time soon." She chuckled to cover her nerves. "So uh… how about some food before I get a shower. I feel kind of gross."
Nodding Raph got to his feet but he wasn't happy at the sight of the purple handprint his brother had left on Jack's neck. Offering her his hands, he pulled her to her feet but she was clearly still in pain. "You were out, we couldn't exactly tell what was wrong with you besides what was clearly discolored. What hurts?" He asked flatly.
Pointing to her side she frowned. "Hurts to breathe quite a bit." She admitted.
Without a hesitation, Raphael lifted up the edge of her shirt to see the injury. Oblivious to her red face, or his proximity he gently prodded the tender, bruised skin with a large finger. Her small wince got him to stop, as well as her short breaths.
"I think you broke a few ribs." He explained. Straightening, he looked at her face and caught the red hue, confused for only a moment until he realized the reason why she was blushing. "Sorry." He mumbled.
"it's okay."
Raph ran a hand over his face. "I know you don't want to but you still need to rest. Especially if you broke some ribs like I think you did." He glanced around. "Why don't you get a bath and I'll make you something good to eat, something… easy on the stomach. It'll be ready when you are done."
She nodded slowly. "Okay, I think I can manage that."
Offering her his arm, Raph helped her hobble down the hallway towards the bathroom. He plugged up the tub and started up the hot water before finding a clean towel and setting it on the sink for her. "Just yell if you need something okay?"
"I will. Thanks Raph." She smiled weakly before lowering to a seat on the edge of the bath tub.
Raphael let himself out, shutting the door behind him. But instead of leaving he leaned back against the door and closed his eyes. It felt like a giant weight had just been lifted off of his shoulders. Jack was awake. She wasn't completely fine but she was awake and talking and right now that was all he wanted. A big three fingered hand went up to his chest where his heart was thudding heavily. He wasn't sure how much more he could take of this. Running his scarred hand over his face again he stood up straight and made his way to the kitchen.
Mikey instantly stopped his video game when he heard noise in the kitchen. Turning around he spied his brother and hopped over the arm of the couch. "Hey Raph! Is everything okay?"
He nodded. "Jacquelyn is in the shower."
The youngest brother froze. "Jack's awake?"
He nodded again.
"Jack's awake!" Mikey took off running and banged on Donnie's door before he just flung it open. "Donnie! Jack is awake!"
The turtle looked up from his books and smiled. "I heard you the first time." He closed his book. "How is she feeling?"
Mikey paused. "I… don't know. She's in the shower, Raph just said she was awake."
Donatello frowned slightly. Pushing his things aside he got to his feet and grabbed the first aid kit that he now kept out at all times since he had been changing Antonello's bandages regularly. "I should probably have a look at her."
Walking out to the kitchen, Mikey followed. Donatello was surprised to find Ant standing at the stove mixing something hazardously with his left hand as he slowly flexed the fingers of his right, bandaged hand at his side. His eyes flicked down to the form that was slumped over at the table, softly snoring.
"This is an interesting sight." Donnie commented idly as he and Mikey walked in.
Mikey went to shake Raph awake but stopped when Don shook his head.
Ant looked over his shoulder and shrugged. "I found him like that. The soup was almost boiling over so I figured I better look after it." He glanced in the direction of the hall. "I heard movement down the hall so I figured he was making this for Jack. I just don't know how he could have fallen asleep while standing at a stove."
"He's exhausted." Donnie told him.
"But he hasn't done anything." Mikey protested as he stared down at his sleeping brother.
Shaking his head he continued. "He's been worried, and I mean almost terrified that Jack was going to die. Do you remember how that felt? That fear about Master Splinter? Imagine feeling that again. He hasn't been resting at all. His nerves have been shot, his anger has been out of control, and now that she is finally awake and able to say she is okay, Raph can calm down and rest. He can let himself not be on guard duty 24/7."
Antonello moved the pot of soup off of the heat and set it on a back burner after he put a lid on it. Turning around he nodded but paused. "So… do you think he's seen Leo yet?"
"I doubt it. He wouldn't be sleeping if he had. There would be more holes in the walls and a lot less sleeping." Donnie set the first aid kit on the table and motioned for the other two to follow him. "Come on let's leave him be."
Leonardo heard some shuffling coming from Raphael's room. It was about time he left the wounded woman alone to rest, besides, they needed to talk. Without a knock, Leo threw open the door, fists ready to defend himself against his brother's undoubted assaults. "Looks Raph I know your pissed at me but…" The words died in his mouth as he stared at a red faced Jacquelyn standing in a towel in the middle of his room. Her long pale hair was still soaking wet, dripping water down her face and neck as she clutched the towel over herself. What he could see of her body was still covered in yellowing bruises, the most prominent being the dark one circling her neck, as well as scrapes and cuts. "Jack…" His eyes were wide.
"uh… Hi Leo." She mumbled, limping slightly as she made sure the towel was closed around her.
The turtle just stood there.
She shifted nervously. "What are you doing Leo?"
"I uh, wanted to talk to Raph." He said dumbly, still standing in the doorway.
"Well raph isn't in here and you are staring. Do you mind?"
His features reddened slightly as he finally removed his eyes from her. "Sorry." He took a step back and quietly left the room. Shaking his head he took a deep breath and headed out towards the common area. He paused between the kitchen and living room when he spied Raph sleeping at the kitchen table but turned and headed towards his other brothers on the sofa.
"When was someone going to tell me that Jack was awake?" Leo demanded as he came into the room.
"I figured I'd let Raph or Jack be the one to tell you since you know… She can talk." Donnie looked at him. "Although I'd let Raph sleep before you two have it out. You know how unpredictable he is when he is exhausted."
Leo's brow twitched. They needed to talk. Now. It had been weeks since his arrival home, who knew how much Xanus and the foot had accomplished in that time. He ran a hand over his face before turning around. "I'll be meditating. Get me as soon as he wakes up." He turned and stomped off.
Mikey watched him go and then looked over at Donnie and Ant. "What's up his ass?"
Ant shrugged. Donnie just shook his head. Mikey looked around the room and drummed his fingers on his legs. He glanced at the giant empty space that once held their television. Now, nothing. He sighed and sank back into the couch. "I'm so bored. We need a new T.V."
"Sorry I can't help you. I have more research, and work to do." Donnie got to his feet and went back to his room leaving the younger two alone in the silence.
"Hey Mikey?"
The one wearing orange looked over at the youngest addition to their family. "Yeah dude?"
"I need your help with something." He leaned forward and propped his elbows up on his knees. "See I was talking to Don about my hand and well, I think we both realize I'm not going to have much use of it. I can move my fingers but just barely. There is no way I'd be able to grip my weapon." He sighed as he picked at the bandage on his hand.
Mikey swallowed hard. They all knew it, but it was just something they didn't want to talk about, they weren't sure how to fix the situation.
"I was thinking that maybe we can make something though. I mean my arm isn't useless and I still want to be able to help fight. So I was thinking that if we make like an arm guard or something, you know so it covers my forearm and the back of my hand, then I can use my left hand to swing a weapon and the right as a kind of blocker to parry any blows." He scratched his head. "I just don't know what kind of stuff we could make it out of."
"That is actually a brilliant idea." Mikey scratched his head. "I don't know what we could make it out of either but I'm sure Don could help us think of something." He got to his feet an motioned for Ant to follow him to the other turtles room so they could discuss this new idea.
They weren't in the room for maybe twenty minutes when they heard a loud scream. Ant was the first one out again. Despite his injury, he held his fists up, ready to defend or attack whatever was happening. Yet the young turtle froze, Mikey and Don almost smacking into his back. The sight that greeted them wasn't what he had been expecting.
There was a tall green skinned reptilian woman her hand wrapped around the upper arm of Jack as she dragged her into the living room. Poor Jack was barely dressed, only in her bra and underwear she was holding a small blanket over herself as Mona dragged her into the hallway.
"What the fuck are you doing naked in Raph's room?!" She demanded.
Jack was on the verge of tears. "Please. Let me go.." She gasped.
"Mona what the hell are you doing?" Mikey moved around the stunned Antonello and approached the rage filled woman.
"I found this… this… whore! Practically naked in Raphael's room!" She threw Jacquelyn forward at Mikey. Jack was wheezing, as Mikey wrapped an arm around her and pulled the towel up to help cover her.
Ant stepped up. "What the hell does it matter? It's not like you're with him so why do you care if there is a girl in his room or not?" He was glaring at her.
His question had clearly caught her off guard. Cheeks blooming red she started to stammer. "W-well I… She… She shouldn't have been here in the first place. Human's don't belong with us."
"You are really one to talk Mona. You were human once." Donnie commented as he came up to Mikey and Jack's side. He frowned as he listened to Jack's painful breaths.
"I think my ribs are broken, I can't breathe," She mumbled, struggling to straighten her body against the pain.
"You can breathe. You are fine. Just calm down and relax." Donnie said calmly, his voice soft, trying to reassure her. "I'll wrap your ribs to stabilize them and it should help some." He looked to his brother. "Help her to the couch."
"You guys are unbelievable." Mona Lisa fumed.
At the table Raph was grumbling as the noise was finally starting to wake him up. "Why the hell is it so noisy in here?" He rubbed his hand over his face, slowly blinking his one eye open. When his gaze settled on Mikey helping a half-naked Jack to the sofa he started to rouse more quickly, stumbling to his feet. "Jacquelyn? Y'alright?" He froze. "Mona? What are you doing here?"
"Trying to keep you from getting into trouble with whores like her!" She pointed to Jack.
A growl escaped Raph and he was about to lunge at her but someone beat him to it.
"You shouldn't speak about Jack that way." Leo's voice was stern as he glared down at the woman that was once a human.
She whirled around. "Leo?!" She flung her arms around his neck. "When did you get home? I thought… I thought you were still down south!"
He pulled her arms off of him. "Well I'm home now. What are you doing here? Why are you barging in Raph's room and harassing Jack?"
"She…" Her eyes got wide as she looked between the two turtles and then the woman. "He…" She was getting defensive. "I was just trying to make sure things here were okay while you were gone."
He nodded, but it was clear he didn't really believe her. "Well, things are okay. You can go now."
"Go?! But.. I want to see you.. It's been months!" She protested, stomping her foot.
"I have things I need to take care of first before I can just hang out with you Mona. I'll call you later." He escorted her to the door and made her leave with a sigh he shook his head before turning around.
Raphael was standing there glaring at him. "Giving her the key was a mistake." He said through gritted teeth. "And if she hurts Jack again, I won't hesitate to do something about it." He turned to leave.
Leo grabbed his shoulder and forced him to turn back around. "What Raph? Are you going to fight my fiancé? Punch your ex-girlfriend?" His eyes narrowed as he glared down at his brother. "Does that really seem like a smart thing to do?!"
With a scream Raphael launched his fist at his brother and connected it with his face. Fist after fist collided with Leonardo to fast for the elder turtle to get his hands up and defend himself.
Donatello looked up from the woman wheezing on the sofa before him and the bandages in his hands. "Raph! Stop it!" His hand slipped and Jack winced under his normally careful touch.
"Donnie what's going on?"
Mikey shook his head.
"Nothing just stay here." She couldn't see over the back of the couch anyway so no need to freak her out. Donnie tied off her bandages and got to his feet to intercede on his brother's fight but Ant was already there.
A bandaged hand grabbed Raph's fist while the other shoved Leo away, his own body moving between them to separate them. "That is enough!" He shouted. The force of Raph's potential punch made his hand jerk and tore the stitches, ripping the healing flesh of his wound. The bandages started to turn red but the young mutant ignored the pain for now. Now that he had the others attention he planned on keeping it. "I am sick and tired of you two and your half-assed attempt of showing who has the bigger set! That is not what is fucking important!" He was pissed, it was the first time the happy-go-lucky kid showed another emotion so clearly. "What is important is what the hell is going on with that damn company, and why the hell they tried to make you kill Jack!" He let them both go and let a breath out. "Now, get your heads out of your asses and focus on what really matters!" Shaking his head he walked away from them and over to where Donnie stood speechless.
"Damn." Mikey was sitting on the edge of the sofa, looking over the back of it at the display as Jack clung to his hand.
"Mikey, what's going on?" She asked him. "Mikey!"
Before he could answer though Raphael was kneeling at the side of the sofa. "Don't worry. Everything is fine." He gently took her hand from his brother and stroked the back of it awkwardly with his thumb as he tried to not look down at the nearly exposed body of the woman at his side.
"Don't lie to me Raphael!" She tried to snap but started coughing a moment before she calmed herself and took a few slow breaths.
He sighed. "Sorry… We just have some serious things to work out." He gently squeezed her hand. "You just need to focus on getting some more rest though. Nothing for you to worry about." As carefully as he could, he slipped his arms under her and lifted her. The painful sounds she made caused a knot to form in his chest but he didn't stop. Despite the redness burning his face, he carried the woman back to her bedroom where he laid her down carefully.
"I don't want to be in here, I have been in bed forever!" She protested, but she didn't make a move to actually get out of bed.
Raph sighed and pulled the blankets up over her. "I know, I'm sorry. I just… You need to rest and I … I'm afraid I'm going to do something stupid and start another fight. I don't want you getting hurt again." He admitted without looking at her, embarrassed by the fact that he had to say it. "I'll get you some dinner so just… try and relax."