"Look, that kid is going to need intensive care. I can't keep him here, but I can hook you up with machines and things necessary to keep him going until he recovers-but only if you can make it look like a break-in. I can't be involved. How's that sound? I'll take a couple weeks off of work, take care of him, make sure he'll live past next week."

She was surprised by a hug from five people-three turtles, one rat, and a human girl who had been suspiciously quiet.

"Oh. Ok." She patted each of them awkwardly on the head, then gave up and hugged them tight.

When they got Mikey loaded into a hospital ambulance, and they'd taken the tech needed, she walked out of the building, screaming. The turtles were safely at home by that point. Thanks to Donnie's tech-hacking skills, he made it look as if seven heavily armed burglars had stolen the equipment. It showed Doctor Anjo walking onto them, and being knocked out by them, bravely defending the hospital's equipment.

She called the police, made a file, then called the hospital's director.

With the proper amount of tears, and after roughing herself up a bit to make it look like she had been captured, he thanked her, then gave her as long off as she wanted, a pay rise, and a remodeling of her office-plus any hours she wanted, in exchange for not suing the hospital. She felt kind of bad, but at the same time, the hospital director was an awful person. He had groped her several times before. So, it was really Karma, she decided.

She walked-well, really crawled on her feet with the support of the wall- home, where Master Splinter was awaiting her. When she stepped in the door, and turned on the light, he was sitting on her couch.

"Jus' let me ge' m' stuff." She slurred. She tried to walk towards her bedroom, when the room started spinning too fast for her to keep up with it.

"Ah, Miss? You look as if you are about to-" He was cut short when she crumpled in a heap.

He sighed and picked her up. Laying her on her bed, Splinter took a duffel bag out of her closet, set it next to her bed, then sat next to her to keep watch. He noticed a few things about her.

One, that although she was quite young, she seemed to be a skilled and naturally talented surgeon.

Two, that although, admittedly, the sight of him and his sons was not normal, she took it in stride, barely flinching when they appeared. That indicated some sort of experience with...unusual looks.

Three, she seemed to be used to having to defend herself.

And last, although she was quite, dare he say it, beautiful, she wasn't married.

It was then that he noticed a pale band of skin around her ring finger. He noticed more things, such as the wedding photo on her dresser.

Splinter got up, deciding to stretch, and then he saw it.

An article on the refrigerator. Pinned up.

"Man, 31, Dies Saving Wife, 24, From Tragic Accident"

He was about to read further when he heard a noise behind him. He spun,laying his eyes on the intruder. It was the doctor.

She smiled bitterly.

"Forgive me. I should not have intruded on your personal life." Splinter bowed to her regretfully.

When he tipped his head up, she was looking at the article.

"It's fine. Really. It was almost a year ago now. It's sort of like a dream, really. I can't remember much about the accident." She fixed two bright, intelligent eyes on him.

"Except that for the first time in my life, I couldn't save someone. My husband. It's funny, in a way." His head snapped up to meet her eyes.

She was smiling, but there were tears in her eyes.

"We spent seven years dating-we met at a convention. We were both big Star Trek fans, you know? Wasn't much of a geek when I was younger, but that seemed to be the show that was my 'nerd switch'. I had been dragged into going by my friend. Then, at the convention, I saw him. He was dressed in one of those dorky outfits. He was such a dork." She sighed, but walked towards the refrigerator. Splinter moved aside, but she waved his concern away.

"It was love at first sight." She whispered, a tear rolling down her face. "It sounds stupid, I know, but that's how it really was. We saw each other, and then...we didn't see anyone else. It was like a fairytale."

Her voice grew louder and more cracked. "But, like all fairytales, they must come to an end. I just wish I could have told him goodbye."

At the last word, her voice broke.

Tears pooled in her eyes, escaping to race each other down her cheeks. She looked so miserable, so absolutely dejected, that Splinter just reached out and brought her in.

She gasped, but then hugged back, harder.

Her sobs became more desperate. "I-Why did he leave? Why couldn't he take me with him?" She cried into Splinter's chest.

He stroked her back gently. "I do not know. But I can commiserate."

She looked up. "What do you mean?"

He brought her to her bed and sat her down, giving her a tissue. She blew her nose and wiped her eyes.

"This is going to sound...crazy." He warned her.

She laughed. "Babe, my life is crazy. Every single day."

He smiled. "Well, I was married to this most amazing woman...

At the end of the night, the doctor-Astrid, he reminded himself-stood up and packed a bag. She threw into it clothing, lab coats, various odds and ends, and then she stopped to look at her wedding photo. She picked it up, hesitated, then walked to her closet. Opening a box, Astrid put it into it. She lovingly stroked the face of her husband.

"I love you, Wally. But I know you'd want me to move on. It's been a year. I miss you so much, baby. But I need to save this boy. He's a turtle-you'd like his family. They are amazing. I love you baby. I wish you were here. I could use your strength. Goodbye."

Wiping away tears, she came out of the bedroom to see Splinter waiting. She smiled, a watery kind of smile.

"Thanks."

"Do not mention it." He watched her go out, then followed her.

They disappeared into the darkness of the night.

OOOH. So, I know some of you guys may not like the fact that Splinter may or may not have a love interest (it's a secret), but I would still love it if you would review. Please. Pretty please. Also, if you have any ideas, I am so open to hearing them, it isn't even funny. I've got an idea in which this is going, but input is always nice. :)