A/N: Ah, yes, this is the final chapter. Thanks for all the faves and follows!


Cat opened her eyes and blinked. For a moment she thought she was seeing double and then she realized with great joy that she wasn't. "Yoshi!" She reached up to cup his cheek.

He smiled, his eyes damp as he covered her hand with his. "Mom, how are you feelin'?"

"A lot better." She turned her head just slightly to Raph. She smiled as he squeezed her hand. "I knew you'd find him."

Raph smiled warmly, but Yoshi frowned. "I'm sorry I worried you."

"It wasn't your fault, Yoshi." Raph pointed out. "You didn't know he was bad."

Cat was confused. "Who?"

Yoshi blushed slightly. "My, uh, friend."

Cat frowned now. "Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry." She hated the idea that the first human he'd tried to make friends with was evil.

Yoshi shook his head. "Don't be. He turned out to be a real creep anyways."

Cat looked around her, examining her surroundings for the first time. "So, why am I in a hospital and not the lair?" The last thing she remembered was fainting.

"You had an aneurysm, darlin'. They had to do surgery on you." Raph felt his heart ache to take her home. But there was no home to go to right now. They'd discussed it and decided it was best not to tell her that the lair as well as most of the garage had been destroyed yet. The information would likely only stress her out and there was nothing she'd be able to do about it anyways.

"How long have I been here?"

"Only a day. But the doctor said you'd have to be here for a while though." Raph squeezed her hand again reassuring her that he wasn't going anywhere.

Cat frowned. Her spouse still looked weak and very tired, and her son didn't look much better. "Maybe you should both go home and get some rest."

Raph and Yoshi exchanged a look. Raph chuckled a little. "Uh, no. I think we'd both rather stay here."

Yoshi half smiled. "Yeah, it's nice and quiet here."


April worried her bottom lip as she looked around her living room. It was literally swarming with Hamatos. She'd hoped when she woke up this morning that it was all a bad dream. But that hope had been quickly washed away, as she'd stumbled towards the kitchen for a cup of coffee. Nearly every surface in her tiny living room was covered over by a turtle. And she'd found she couldn't really maneuver around them.

Leo had sensed her first as usual and had promptly gotten up to help her over Kaz and Shinta, who were blocking the kitchen. He'd apologized profusely for inconveniencing her, which she'd immediately rebutted. But he'd continued to apologize throughout the day.

Now as Kaz and Shinta argued over the TV while Katsu cried; and Donnie, Sarah, Leo and Jamie discussed their living arrangements at the kitchen table, she thought her apartment might burst at the seams. They'd moved Kala to the bedroom that morning and Mikey was in there with her now, which left April with nowhere to escape to. She glanced at K-three standing near the window and Mira pacing with the tot on her shoulder. Apparently he was upset about something. April dragged a hand down her weary face and Ona touched her shoulder.

"Are you okay, April?"

April smiled at the young girl, that could have easily been her own granddaughter and patted her hand. "I'm fine, Ona. You'd think I'd be used to this sort of thing by now." She gazed at her friends - her family. "But it still hurts every time something like this happens to them." Kaz and Shinta started yelling at one another and she rolled her eyes. "It also gets harder as I get older."

K-three glanced at her and then at the two turtles on the couch. "That's it. Come on you two. Let's go see what we can salvage from the lair before April throws you out the window."

Leo had turned in their direction with a frown when the yelling had started. He nodded at K-three. "That's a good idea. Ninja mode boys. We don't have any holos, so stay out of sight."

K-three nodded and turned to Mira. He kissed her warmly and stroked Katsu's head. "I'll see if there's any formula left or anything else that might make him feel better."

Katsu lifted his head with tears in his gold and brown eyes. "Daddy, no go!" He clutched the old teddy even tighter in his pudgy arms.

K-three smiled reassuringly. "It's alright, Katsu. All the bad men are gone. There is nothing to be scared of now."

Mira shifted him in her arms. "He's just picking up on everyone being upset and agitated."

He touched her cheek and she could feel his love wash over her. She returned it as he stepped away. "Well, that's just another reason to get these knuckleheads out of here." He kicked at Kaz's foot propped on the coffee table and the younger turtle snorted indignantly.

As they started for the window to use the fire escape, Kaz shot Ona a quick look over his shoulder. She smiled and gave a little wave, silently telling him that she was fine. Mira snickered a little as the window closed behind them. "Well, that got a lot of hot air out of here."

Both Ona and April laughed. "And lots of testosterone too." April chimed in with a grin. They continued to snicker and giggle until there was a grunt from the hallway.

"I heard that." Mikey teased with a twinkle in his eye. This only made their laughter grow.

Jamie turned in her chair to look at him. "Hey, Mikey. How is Kala doing?"

"She sleeping. But she's feeling a bit better already."

Don gave an approving nod. "That's good."

"I'm glad you're up. We've been talking about what to do." Leo started.

Mikey frowned. "What do you mean? Aren't we just going to repair the lair?"

Don shook his head. "Judging from the amount of damage I saw last night when we stopped by, it isn't really feasible."

"Besides, Cole knows where it's at now and that means so does Krang. We couldn't stay there even if it was fixable." Leo sighed. "No, we'll have to find a new place. But with how large our family is now it may take some time. We've been thinking it might be best to split up for a bit."

Mikey's eyes went wide with shock. Never in his wildest dreams had he ever thought Leo would suggest such a thing. Maybe he hadn't heard him right. "What?"

Donnie looked at April. "You don't mind if we use the farmhouse for a while?"

She waved him off. "Of course not."

"It may be months before we find an appropriate place for all of us." Don wanted to make sure that she understood their dilemma completely.

"It doesn't matter. Use it for as long as you need it guys. I keep it mainly for you anyways." She met Leo's eyes and gratitude shown in their familiar blue depths.

"Thanks." Donnie continued looking at his brother. "Me and Sarah, you and Kala, Kaz, Shinta, Ona, Mira and K-three, and Katsu will all go up to the farmhouse. Raph isn't likely to leave Cat and I'm not real sure Yoshi will either, unless Raph tells him to."

"Jamie and I are going to stay here with Raph and Cat." Leo explained.

"I still have the music shop to look after." Jamie reminded them.

"And Raph will probably have to deal with the garage for a while. Luckily, it wasn't as damaged as the lair, but we aren't going to be running it right now." Leo frowned. "I don't know if we'll even be able to keep it after this. Not with our enemies knowing its location."

April frowned. "That's going to destroy Cat when she finds out."

"We know. That's why we're not telling her anything right now. We're going to let her recover fully before telling her anything." Sarah rubbed her face, which had already healed from its encounter with the graveled rooftop. "We don't want her to relapse."

"Raph can bring Cat up to the farmhouse when she's released, which won't be for another two weeks." Donnie stood to get some more coffee. He poured a little in both his and Sarah's cups. "Kala will be able to recover better there as well."

Mikey gave a solemn nod. He knew his brothers were right, but he hated splitting up like this. "Yeah, I guess so." He frowned his eyes downcast.

Ona's small hand touched his arm and he looked up into her dark eyes. "It'll be okay. It'll just be temporary."

Mikey allowed a small smile as he patted her hand, admiring her optimism. "Thanks, dudette."


Over the next few days, they scavenged what they could from the lair and loaded into a large moving van. Most of the furniture had been destroyed along with just about anything breakable. They had managed to retrieve the little silver box with Master Splinter's ashes and a few photos. Most of the contents in the kitchen had survived, but not much of Donnie's lab. They'd been able to salvage tools and a few scanners and instruments, but anything much bigger than a toaster had been smashed or blow up. A few personal items were retrieved from the piles of rubble and stowed in a few boxes, which only filled a fraction of the large moving van. The family used the rest of the space for the ride to North Hampton.

The clan sat in silence for most of the four and half hour trip. Kaz was driving while Ona sat in the passenger seat. Every once in a while, the girl would play with the radio, until Yoshi'd grumble something in the back. He wasn't in the mood for the radio and especially not one that was being channel flipped almost constantly. The others said nothing. They understood he wasn't happy about leaving while his mother was still in the hospital. But Raph had insisted, saying he'd be safer at the farmhouse and it would make him feel better knowing he was with the rest of their family. They'd argued about it for a few minutes, until Yoshi'd finally given in. Which had mainly been for his father's sake.

Raph was still recovering from his injury. He was still pale and bit weak, but he was recovering faster than Cat. They'd only recently started allowing her out of bed to walk to and from the bathroom. Raph had stayed with her every step, hovering with a tight expression, just at arm's reach. He now had the only two holo-bands and kept one charged at all times. Everyone else would have to deal without them until Donnie could get enough parts to reconstruct some more.

Yoshi looked around the van. K-three was leaning against the wall near the cab, Mira curled into his side and Katsu sprawled across his lap, both sleeping. Mikey was sitting in one corner with Kala's head resting his lap, his fingers absently stroking her hair. Sarah and Don were in another corner, not sleeping but still very quiet. Little movements and changes in expression told Yoshi they were communicating in that special way they did.

He wondered briefly what it would be like to know someone that completely – to be inside them like that – to have such a connection with someone that they knew what you wanted or needed even before you did. He sighed, knowing the unlikelihood of him ever experiencing something that deep.

His gaze roamed the area again, finally falling on Shinta. His younger cousin sat against some boxes, his knees pulled up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them. He held a distant and forlorn look in his eyes. Yoshi knew how he felt. He'd had to leave behind his father and the only mother he'd ever known as well. Yoshi moved to his little shadow's side, who wasn't quite so little anymore, and wrapped an arm over his shoulders. Shinta shuddered and then leaned into him, drawing comfort from him like he had when he was small and had nightmares. Yoshi's arm tightened around him, drawing him closer. "I'm here." He whispered it so low that no one else could have heard over the hum of the truck and the sound of the road.

Shinta nodded. "Thanks, Yoshi." His cousin would always be there to take care of him. He always had. So, even as he felt fear and desperation bubble inside him, he knew he'd always be protected as long as Yoshi was near. For the first time in days, he felt his body relax and sleep tugged at him.

Donnie couldn't help but smile as he watched Shinta curl into Yoshi and fall asleep. Sarah opened her eyes and followed his gaze. He felt the warm buzz of her happiness that had been so fleeting in the past few days. He still blamed himself for their current predicament, even though everyone had told him not to. But there were so many what ifs… What if he'd put in more security measures? What if Kala hadn't thought to run when she did? What if the Foot had caught Kala, Ona, and Katsu? What if Sarah and Mira had been home as well? And the list went on. The thought of his innocent grandson in the hands of Krang, made his heart clench with fear.

Sarah's warm hand stroked his arm and he closed his eyes again, trying to push away the disparaging thoughts and focus on the momentary joy the scene across from them had brought. As always his mate's patient calm faith was what made him feel stronger and filled him with confidence. They would get through this. They always did. They might be battered, they might be broken, but they would heal. They would find a new way to live, because they were survivors, every one. The universe could throw what it wanted at them. It didn't matter as long as they stayed united – one family – one team. They could handle anything.


"Easy now, darlin'." Raph helped Cat out of turtle van. It had been fourteen days since her trip to the hospital. She'd finally been given a release and they'd came straight to the farmhouse. He'd told her it was so she could recover in peace and not get stressed out.

Yoshi bolted out the front door and down the steps to greet them. "Hey, there you are!" Raph thought he was going to grab his mother in a bear hug, but he stopped short pulling her into a gentle embrace much to Raphael's relief.

Mikey stepped onto the porch as Leo and Jamie climbed out of the van. "Hey, guys! It's about time you got here. We've got the grill all fired up." He grinned and waved them towards the back of the house.

Cat smiled. "Mmm, hotdogs sound really good. I'm so sick of hospital food I could scream." Raph hovered a little too close as they started up the steps. She shoved at him a bit. "Raph…" She warned. She loved his protectiveness, but it was starting to feel like he was smothering her. He chuckled lightly at her stubbornness and independence. He even liked the little annoyed wrinkle she got on brow. She was finally starting to be herself again, which made him feel better in turn.

Shinta came out the door and held it open as they entered. Leo paused to smile at his son and squeeze his shoulder. Jamie hugged him tightly, her voice catching as she spoke. "I've missed you."

He hugged her back just as tight. "I've missed you too, Yobo."

They trailed through the farmhouse and out the back door, where everyone else was scattered about. The group converged on them. Everyone saying how happy they were that Cat was okay now and how glad they were to see all of them. Leo was dragged off by Mikey, while Jamie found herself being dragged off by Sarah. Donnie was busy questioning Raph and Cat about her stay and if she brought her release papers and a hundred other questions. Yoshi ran off to get his mother a plate of food. Ona, Kala and Mira were talking and giggling near the small bonfire, while K-three chased Katsu around. Kaz was already busy stuffing his face.

Shinta stood on the porch watching his family. He'd always been sensitive to those around him. But recently it felt like something more was growing inside him. Closing his eyes, he could still easily follow everyone's movements and he could sense their emotions – worry, joy, relief and love. He knew part of it was his ninja training but this seemed different – stronger somehow. He opened his eyes and something flickered at the edge of the trees. He blinked and the ethereal figure was gone. He shook his head slightly, wondering if it had been there at all.

"Shinta, come get something to eat." Leo called.

Smiling, the teen plodded happily down the steps and across the grass to his father's side. It would take a while for things to become what they would call "normal" again, but they would. Now that they were together, everything would get better. They would find a new home together and they would continue to grow together. All it would take was time.


A/N: I hope you've enjoyed! Review please and let me know. And uh, don't worry they'll get a new home soon. Well, not too soon, but soon.