Chapter 5: A Business Proposition

A/N: It's been quite a long time since I've updated this story, but an idea came to me, and so I'm going to write about it. I hope that updates won't be so long again, but you never know considering I'm working on so many other stories. Thank to those who have read and reviewed thus far. Your kind words mean the world to me, and I'm so glad you're enjoying this universe. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and nothing more than that.

I sighed as I took another pizza out of the oven. I had just received a call that one of my cooks was in jail due to an incident at a club. And because of that, we were short-staffed, so I had to fill in and take over. I didn't mind it because I had been doing it for years now, but it was still frustrating considering that the guy had done this on purpose.

"Need a hand?" a voice asked, and I turned to see the human version of Mikey standing there.

"Hey, Mikey, what are you doing here?" I asked. "Aren't you watching Lucy?"

"Leo wanted to take her, so I thought I'd see how you're doing," he answered. "You seem to be in a pickle. I can help if you want."

"Don't you have to do a party today?"

"Nope, they found someone else," Mikey replied.

"Okay, you can help," I relented.

Cheered by my words, Mikey set to work making pizzas as they were ordered. Mikey was fast and very good so the orders took less time with him on board. I was pretty happy about that and it showed on my face.

"So what happened to your other cook?"

"He went to jail," I answered. "He got drunk at a club and got in a fight with somebody. It sucks because we're so short-staffed as it is."

"Not anymore," Mikey said with a grin.

I grinned back. "Yeah, I guess not," I said.

After the day was over, I closed up and went with Mikey to the Lair. Leo was sitting and watching TV, but Lucy wasn't with him.

"Lucy's sleeping," Leo reported. "She was good for me and didn't do anything she shouldn't. I do have to admit that I'm not a fan of changing diapers, but duty is duty."

"Trust you to think of taking care of a baby like you would learning ninjutsu," Mikey teased.

"Well, as one of her uncles, it's my job to take care of her," Leo declared.

I heard Lucy begin to cry and immediately hurried to the room where she was. I picked her up and held her close.

"Hey, there, Lucy Goosy," I cooed. "Daddy's here." I went and got her a bottle which she took instantly.

"Hey, Tony, I want to ask you something," said Mikey.

"What's up?" I asked him.

"Well, I know that you sometimes have a hard time with the shop, so I wanted to know if you'd hire me on as a cook. It would really help a lot."

"I'd love to have you work with me, but what about the parties? Don't you like doing those?"

"I used to, but it's become a bit much for me," he admitted. "I just don't want to do it anymore. Besides, this will give us more time to spend together."

"You know what they say about people in relationships working together," I warned him.

"It'll be cool, dude," Mikey reassured me. "I don't mind you bossing me around." He waggled his eye ridges. "I kind of like it."

"Well, okay, I guess I can do that," I answered. "You'll have to take the potion early though to ensure you don't change too quickly."

"I can do that. Don't worry about it, T. Mikey's got this."

I knew he was right, but I couldn't help but feel some trepidation about all of this. Leo gave me a kind look that reassured me everything would be okay, and I smiled at him. Trust Leo to give me a sign that all would be well.

22222

As it turned out, things were fine between Mikey and me. We worked great together, and his work ethic was a thing to behold. I was worried that with his lack of focus he would slack off, but he didn't and worked efficiently wherever he was needed. I could tell he was made for this type of job and my worries soon dwindled. Mikey was just what I had needed, and I was happy that he had taken the job.

"You really are good at this, Mikey," I complimented him.

"Did you ever have any doubts?" he asked me.

"A little," I admitted. "I just know that sometimes you get distracted with things, and I was worried that would deter you."

"I get it, but I'm fine with that," he reassured me. "I've gotten better at focusing and it helps that this is a fast-paced job."

"Yeah, it shows," I said.

We headed back to the Lair so I could get Lucy. Mikey ended up spending the night with me more than at the Lair, though he did his best to stay close to his family. There was still an issue of training, but we worked around that, and Leo was more than happy to accommodate us. He was happy Mikey was working and that he had a purpose in life, something he had wished for his brother for a long time.

But despite this, not all was well in the Hamato household. Leo was still having flashbacks and nightmares, and it was really taking a toll on everybody. Mikey became guilty that he wasn't there for his brother even though there was nothing he could do to help. Leo even had a flashback while taking care of Lucy, but luckily Raph had been there to make sure she wasn't hurt, and I was relieved by that. Leo felt guilty about it and apologized profusely to me multiple times. I wasn't mad at him, but it did scare me that Leo still had these problems. I felt like he had to see a psychologist to get help from this.

"Raph, isn't there anything you can do?" I asked him one day.

"I've tried talkin' to him, but he clams up a lot," Raph replied. "Donnie says he has PTSD."

"Well, he was captured and tortured, so it makes sense," I mused. "Maybe I could talk to him."

"I have talked to him about all of this," Raph replied. "He did open up to me a little, but Donnie says he just needs time."

"But, Raph we've given him time!" I protested. "He's still experiencing these symptoms! Time isn't on our side here!"

"There is nothing more I can do!" Raph snapped in a tone that clearly told me I needed to let things be for now.

I wasn't satisfied by his answer, but there was nothing more I could do about it. I left the Lair with Lucy and was alone for the first time ever. Mikey had opted to stay at the Lair to cheer up Leo, but I knew there was more that needed to be done. Raph's methods were fine, but they weren't what Leo needed. He needed more than that, and if he didn't get it, this was going to kill him slowly. I hated to think like that, but it was true.

22222

Over the next few days, I worked and spent time with the family. I took care of Lucy when I was able to and just hung out with Leo. I knew I needed to be subtle about this, but I figured that seeing someone would be a good thing for Leo to do. I had already consulted a therapist with April and Donnie's help. I wasn't sure how Leo would feel about it, but it was the only thing I could think of to do for him.

We were in the dojo and sparring when Leo called a halt. He was tired, and we had been working out for at least an hour.

"Good job, Tony," he praised me.

"You too," I answered. "Leo, can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure," he answered. "What is it?"

"Well, I know you've been going through some stuff, and it hasn't been easy," I began. "I know you've talked to Raph and have been getting help from him, but maybe that's not the answer. Maybe you need something else. I looked into a therapist for you, and I think she could really help you. Her name is Doctor Marlowe, and she specializes in PTSD."

"I don't have PTSD," he answered.

"Leo, yes you do," I said. "You've been having flashbacks and nightmares. You need to seek professional help for this."

Leo's gaze hardened. "I've been talking to Raph and Donnie about everything," he told me. "I'm fine. The nightmares aren't too bad."

"You almost hurt my daughter!" I shouted at him. "Can't you see this is a problem?"

"I'm fine, Tony," he insisted. "I know I scared you, but I can control it."

"No, you can't," I answered. "You need help, Leo. You can't live like this anymore."

He gave me a stern glare. "I appreciate your concern, Tony, but I'm fine," he said. "I don't need to see a therapist, so you don't have to go through that trouble for me."

"Well, I already set up the appointment," I told him.

His blue eyes widened. "You what?!" he gasped. "How could you do that without consulting me?"

"Because I knew if I asked you, you would refuse just as you're doing now," I replied. "You have no choice, Leo. Just see her and see what comes of it. It might help you."

Leo sighed. "Okay, Tony, I'll see her, but I don't have to like it."

"That's all I ask," I said.

22222

As it turned out, Leo really liked his therapy sessions. Raph thought it was a good idea too, and Leo was getting better the more he talked to Dr. Marlowe about his problems. His flashbacks were lessening and so were his nightmares. He even thanked me for being the one to suggest that he go to therapy in the first place and seemed to forget that he had ever resisted the idea.

I was happier than I had ever been before. Work was going great, taking care of Lucy was getting easier, and having Mikey by my side was the best thing ever. But good things aren't meant to last, and it was only going to be a matter of time before things in our lives were going to be shaken up again. It seemed we couldn't catch a break with the bad stuff, but that's what happens when you travel with a clan of ninjas. The past always comes back to haunt you, and this was something that we had to take care of fast or it was going to cost us our lives.

A/N: And so another chapter ends. I'm so happy to be writing about this universe again as I felt I wasn't going to get inspired for a long time. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be up as I have other stories to write, but I'll do my best to get it up as soon as I can.