A/N: I've updated the cover art. It's Donnie playing with Katsu. I might draw a different one later but this one just stuck in my head. I hope you like it!
"They're still here." Donnie looked up. "On the roof." He cradled his arm which still hurt. Flesh wounds didn't take long to heal, but a major break like this would likely take days. He ground his teeth and turned for the stairs again.
Leo pointed at Cat. "Raph, you and Yoshi stay with her." Then he took off after his brother. Mikey, Kaz and Shinta following.
The rain was pounding on the roof, soaking both Jamie and Sarah to the bone. The Foot soldier tightened his grip on Sarah's arm and she cringed in pain. The pressure was not helping the already broken bone. Beside her, Jamie was knelt with her arms twisted behind her back. Her eyes sparkled with tears and her glasses hung precariously on the tip of her small nose.
On the rooftop adjacent to them, Sarah saw movement. She bit her lip, sensing just how close her mate was. She needed to warn him somehow of the danger. There were more than just two Foot soldiers up here. From what she could see there were at least a dozen and that meant there were a lot more that she couldn't see. Trap, danger. She tried to press the thought to Donnie even as he drew near. She wasn't certain he understood as it was an emotion not an actual thought he would feel. And she knew that even if he did understand, it wouldn't stop him from coming.
In the stairwell just inside, Donnie paused, a strange sensation sweeping over him like fear and hesitation. A warning? He glanced at Leo. "I think it may be a trap."
Leo nodded. "Yeah, it probably is, but we have to get to them." He thought this over for only a moment. "Kaz and Shinta stay here."
Kaz started to protest but Shinta had a glint in his eye as if catching on to something. He put a hand on Kaz's shoulder. "Okay."
Don pushed the heavy metal door open, and he and his two brothers stepped out onto the roof. The sight that met them was frightening. Near the edge of the roof the two Foot had Sarah and Jamie on their knees, blades pressed against their throats. One spoke, his mechanical voice gyrating. "Surrender or they die."
Leo moved towards them, sidling along to the right. The Foot holding Jamie jabbed the tip of its blade into the tender flesh of her neck, causing a trickle of blood. Leo's eyes widened. "Stop!"
"Do not move. Surrender." The robot repeated. It apparently didn't have a huge vocabulary, so negotiating with it was out of the question.
Donnie and Mikey edged their way to Leo's side. Both Sarah and Don cringed as the droid holding her squeezed her wounded arm a little tighter. He growled. "Stop hurting her!"
Leo could feel the fear rolling off Jamie and it made his anger grow. How dare this thing touch her! He moved forward ever so slightly and the blade pressed deeper, causing Jamie to hiss in pain. "Okay, okay, We'll surrender. Just don't hurt them." He pulled his katana and laid them on the ground in front of him. Don did the same. Mikey wasn't sure exactly what was going on, but he followed suit.
Sarah's eyes lit on the shadows that leapt from the other building. "Behind you!" But her warning was a breath too late as the three turtles were tackled to the ground by a half dozen Foot soldiers. The droid holding Sarah threw her forward, smashing her face into the graveled rooftop. Donnie growled again. "Stop it! We've surrendered! Let them go!"
The soldier pressed a foot into Sarah's back. "Four? Where is the other?"
"Dead." Leo said his expression hard. "You killed him, remember?" He hoped the droid would fall for it. He didn't need the Foot beginning a search for Raph. His brother was still in no shape to fight, even though he was certain Raph would deny it.
More soldiers appeared from the darkness and soon the roof was nearly filled with them.
Mikey tried to keep his face neutral as he saw the two shadows appear on the roof ledge behind the two Foot. In the blink of an eye, a sickle flew out and decapitated the soldier holding Sarah. A moment later, another blade whizzed through the air embedding itself into the second Foot's back. In the same moment, Leo twisted throwing his two assailants off him and over the side of the tall building to crash into the alley far below. And then he was beside Jamie, lifting her gently to her feet and pressing a hand to the wound on her neck. Nearby Donnie had done much the same, snapping the head off one foot-bot and throwing the other at the oncoming army. He rushed to Sarah's side, touching her face where the gravel had cut her. "I'm okay." She assured him. He gave a small nod and stood to face the onslaught of Foot that were charging their way.
Sarah turned to Leo and he allowed her to pull Jamie from his arms. He grabbed his katana from the ground and readied himself. He wouldn't let anyone else hurt his wife. "Shinta, Kaz get them downstairs! We'll cover you!"
Leo, Don and Mikey cut a path through the throng of Foot soldiers. Kaz and Shinta acted as a secondary line of defense when an occasional droid got through. Sarah held her injured arm against her as she clutched Jamie with her other. By now she had been involved in many battles, but this was new to Jamie and she was frightened. It took some time but they finally made it to the stairwell door. She released Jamie only momentarily to pull it open. The stairs were empty. Not one Foot soldier could be seen, to Sarah's great relief. She urged Jamie inside and turned to the battle raging mere feet from them. "Let's go!"
Shinta obeyed, Sarah's voice both commanding and fragile in the same moment. He backed towards them, finally sheathing his swords as he reached the door. "Kaz come on!"
Kaz backed towards them as well, but just as he was about to leave, a katana swept down at him. He blocked it for the most part but it nicked the outside of his arm. He sprang back, slamming the door shut behind him. The battle cries of the three remaining turtles could still be heard through the door. Kaz scowled at it, then looked at Shinta. "I can't just leave them out there with over fifty of those Foot robot things. I have to help." He met his younger cousin with a steady gaze. "Get them downstairs."
Sarah frowned. "But Leo said-"
Kaz shook his head, his eyes full of unwavering conviction. "I don't care. I'm going to help them."
Shinta nodded. "I'll get Yoshi."
Jamie's eyes widened at the mention of Yoshi. But before she could ask about him, Kaz was already opening the door to rejoin the fray. Shinta led the way down the stairs, still on guard. It wasn't likely they'd run into any more Foot but he was not going to take any chances. Not with both his Neenee and adoptive mother to protect. Fortunately, they reached Cat's room without incident.
Raph turned as they entered the still open doorway. None of the staff had happened upon them so far, which was amazing considering it would just be their luck as none except Raph had a holo with them. His eyes fixed on the two soaked women and Sarah still holding her arm close to her body. He frowned. "Where's everyone else?"
"There're dozens of Foot on the roof. They held them off, so I could get them down here." Shinta looked at Yoshi. "They need our help."
Without hesitation, Yoshi shot out the door after Shinta. Raphael made a move to follow, but Sarah stopped him. "You can't go up there."
"What!"
"You're still hurt or had you forgotten? You are not going up there and rip open those stitches and bleed half to death again. We don't have any more blood to give you!" Sarah stood her ground as Raph glared daggers at her.
"What if...they come back?" Jamie trembled, her gaze falling to the sleeping Cat. "We were lucky last time. But we're in no shape to fight them off again."
Raph frowned, his own eyes falling on his love. As much as he hated to admit, she was right. No, he couldn't leave Cat again, not with the possibility of the Foot returning. He nodded and stepped past them to close the door. He would have to trust the rest of his family to take care of the threat. But there was no reason to not be diligent. He locked the door and turned to a cabinet, rummaging for bandages. At least he could help with their wounds.
"Get out of my way Kane!" Mira growled, trying desperately to get around her large mate.
But he continued to block her path. "No! You are not going out there! Not with all those Foot robots and rock creatures! It's too dangerous!" It was the same argument he'd been using for the past ten minutes. They were going around in circles, neither budging.
"But my mother is hurt! They're in danger! I can't just sit here!" Behind her Katsu began to cry and she felt her resolve waver. "Please, Kane!"
He shook his head, eyes hard and determined. He was not going to let her out of his sight. "No." He grabbed her wrists, pressing her palms against his chest where a low rumble ensued. "You are my mate and I will not lose you!" There was a possessiveness to his voice along with a pleading desperation that matched the feelings pulsing through their bond. The rumbling growl mixed with his words made her want to submit almost instantly. Perhaps it was some hidden trait buried within the Turtleoid's roots or maybe it was the bond responding to his emotions. No matter what it was, she couldn't fight it.
Her shoulders slumped, tears brimming her eyes. "Okay, but I want to call the hospital at least."
K-three's expression softened, feeling her at last listen to his plea. He drew her into a tight embrace, the rumble turning to the soothing hum. "Of course."
Donnie was struggling to fight with only one arm. His bo, unlike the sword, nunchakus or sai, often required two hands and he couldn't risk using one. If he did, he would only cause both himself and Sarah more harm. He stepped back as a nunchaku was swung a little too close for comfort. Behind him the door opened again as Shinta and Yoshi joined them.
Leo had been watching his brother for some time. He'd seen him straining to hold his ground. "Donnie, get downstairs. Stay with Jamie and Sarah."
Donnie growled, snap kicking a soldier and sending it flying off the roof. "No, there're too many. You need me here."
Leo sliced another mechanical man in half. "I'd feel better if you were down there, keeping an eye on Sarah and Jamie. Raph's still hurt, remember?"
Donnie frowned as he barely managed to block a blow. He knew his brother was trying to both manipulate him and be diplomatic at the same time. Leo wanted him out of the battle and he wanted someone to be with the girls that hadn't been on death's doorstep less than twenty-four hours ago too. Looking around, Don discovered that thanks to Shinta and Yoshi's arrival the number of Foot had already been greatly demised. It wouldn't be long before all of the robots were destroyed. Slowly he backed out of the semicircle the six had formed near the door. "Okay."
They immediately closed ranks, Shinta taking his spot next to Leo. Donnie gave the group one more quick look before turning and heading down the stairs. He tapped at the locked door and Raph opened it. "Don, everything okay?" He stared around at the empty.
Donnie moved into the room. "They're almost done. There are only a handful left." Raph looked relieved to say the least.
The phone suddenly rang, making everyone jump. Jamie sat up a little straighter in the chair that Raph had occupied earlier in the day. She looked slightly panicked, wondering what else could happen. Sarah gave her a sympathetic look before reaching for the phone which was next to her. "Hello?"
"Mom! Oh, god! I was so worried about you! Are you okay?" Mira sounded frantic.
Sarah's heart raced with joy. "Mira, thank goodness! Yes, we're okay. What about you, K-three and Katsu?"
"We're okay. But Kala was hurt. I'm pretty sure she has a concussion. Ona's here too. How's Aunt Cat doing?"
Sarah's whole body seemed to sag. "She's doing fine, still a bit sleepy from all the pain meds though. We'll be home soon."
"Um, that's another reason I wanted to call. We're not at home. We're at Aunt April's."
Sarah's brow furrowed. "You're at April's? Why?"
Mira's voice trembled and Sarah could feel her trying not to break down. "They… They got into the lair. It's destroyed."
Sarah went pale and Donnie took the phone from her. "Mira? What's going on?"
"Oh, Dad…It's gone…." Mira began to weep and Donnie felt his stomach bottom out. He hated not being there to comfort her.
"Mira?"
There was a muffled conversation on the other end and K-three's voice came on the line. "Those crazy droids got past all the defenses. There's nothing left of the lair. It's nothing but rubble."
The rest of their party returned from the roof, filling the small room with soaking wet, panting turtles. Don looked at them and then at the phone he was still holding then at Sarah with large tears running down her cheeks. He swallowed hard, trying desperately to wrap his brain around what his son-in-law had just said. "But you're all okay, right?"
K-three sighed. "Yeah, except Kala got a pretty bad bump on the head."
"And you're at April's?"
"Yes."
"Good, stay there. Let April know we'll be there in a little while." He glanced at Raph and then Cat. "Well, most of us will."
"Okay."
The line went dead and Donnie returned the phone to its cradle. He could feel everyone's eyes fixed on him, but his were only on his spouse. Tears continued to streaking her face and he could feel the grief welling up inside her. He reached for her with his good arm and hers snaked around his neck. "It'll be okay." He whispered softly. But he wasn't sure if he was trying to convince her or himself.
Leo cleared his throat. "Donnie, why would we go to April's?"
Donatello allowed his gaze to roam the room for a moment, taking in the tired expressions of his family. Mikey and Kaz were standing near the window, where they'd been talking in that excitable tone his brother and nephew got just after a battle. Yoshi was hovering over Cat his gaze fixed on her sleeping face. Raph was hovering over him, but he returned Don's gaze with a worried one of his own. Shinta was standing near the door, still high on adrenaline and high on alert. At last his gaze returned to Leo, who was holding Jamie tight against his side while stroking a hand absently through her hair in a soothing motion.
Don sighed. After everything the universe had thrown at them in the past day, why couldn't it have given them this. Left their home alone, so they could rest and recover in safety.
"Donnie?" Leo prompted again.
"The Foot destroyed the lair." He stated flatly. Sarah trembled in his arm as a gasp went around the room.
"But that's impossible!" Kaz nearly shouted.
Yoshi shot him a glare over his shoulder. "Keep it down Kazzey."
Mikey looked horrified. "But Kala and Ona and Katsu were in the lair…"
"They're at April's." Don assured him quickly. "Kala got a bump on the head, but it sounds like she'll be okay."
"How could this have happened?" Raph looked from Don to Leo questioningly.
"It shouldn't have. Not with all the precautions we've put in over the years." Leo held Jamie a little tighter as she turned to bury her face in his shoulder. He could have lost her, like he'd lost Amaya. If it hadn't been for Cat having her aneurysm, she would have been there with Sarah and Mira and Raph. He could have lost a lot more of his family, if it hadn't been for fate's intervention.
Donnie just shook his head. "I don't know." He looked away shamefully. "I'm sorry. I should have considered the possibility of robots."
Sarah lifted her watery brown eyes to his. "Don't you dare. This is not your fault. No one could have predicted this." Her arm wrapped tighter around him and she pressed a kiss to his cheek, doing her best to reassure her mate, her love and faith pulsing through their bond.
Raph frowned. "Sorry, I didn't mean to accuse you, Donnie. I just can't imagine anyone getting past all those security measures we took."
Leo turned slightly away from Jamie to look at Shinta, who was shaking a bit. "At least this time we didn't lose anyone."
A/N: So, we're nearing the end. i hope you've all enjoyed this one. You're reviews are always so beautiful. I could look at them all day... *_*
