A/N: Yay! I had time to post the next chapter. I know the last one was kind of short. Hold on here comes the drama!

Bebop watched Rocksteady pace back and forth across the abandon warehouse they'd been using as their home. "What's got your pants in a bunch? We should be celebrating, we just made a lot of dough." Rocksteady didn't even acknowledge him as he continued to rub a rut in the floor. Bebop snorted. "Hey, did you hear me?" When Rocksteady still did not respond, Bebop got up and grabbed his shoulder. "Rock!"

"What!" Rocksteady huffed.

"I've been tryin' to talk to ya. What's the matter with ya?"

Rocksteady shook his rhino shaped head. "Nothin'." He sighed. "Say, Bebop, you ever think about the old gang?"

Bebop shrugged and flopped back into the old recliner they'd found. "Yeah, I guess sometimes. Why?"

"No reason." He frowned and looked out the window.

"You're not thinkin' about the gang. You're thinkin' about Cupcake." Bebop pointed out matter-of-factly.

Rocksteady's shoulders sagged and his ears drooped. "I saw her today."

Bebop sat up straight. "You did?"

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you say somethin' earlier? We could've went to see her."

Rocksteady shook his head and looked down at his gray hands. "No. Not like this. I'm a freak. I'd just end up scarin' her." He clenched his fist, feeling the swell of guilt all over again. "Besides, I abandoned her."

"Ya did no such thing, Rock! She was the reason you volunteered for this gig in the first place." Bebop protested.

His companion shook his head forlornly. "She won't see it that way. I've been gone too long."

"It wasn't our idea to be gone for ten years. The Shredder was supposed to pay us and he never did." Bebop reminded him. "And then we got stuck in Dimension X."

"He might've paid us, if it hadn't been for those stupid turtles always gettin' in the way." Rocksteady felt the contempt for the four freaks rise in him. He'd joined up with Shredder in the hopes of making enough money to keep him and Sams set for life. He hadn't really cared so much for world domination. He'd just wanted to keep his part of the world – his beautiful baby sister - safe. And he'd been drawn into a squabble that he, in all truth, hadn't wanted any part of.

He'd failed her. He'd left her all alone for years. She probably thought he was dead. And if she didn't, he would never be able to face her. He'd promised to take care of her and he hadn't. Sighing, he wandered over to the dingy old mattress in the corner and flopped down. I'm a miserable excuse for a brother.

His own voice echoed in his ears. "I'm gonna take care of you from now on, Sams. You just wait and see." "Yeah, I did a bang up job of that, didn't I?" He muttered to himself. After several minutes of trying to drive the knot of guilt from his stomach he rose, heading for the door.

Bebop looked up from the small TV. "Where you goin'?"

"To see Jersey Red."

"Ya want me to come along?"

Rocksteady paused with his hand on the doorframe. "No. I gotta do this by myself." He left before his oldest friend could ask him anything else. It was dusk already, but he still pulled on a dark hoodie, covering as much of his features as he could. They'd made it back to Earth a few months ago, living off what they'd managed to steal from their former employer. But their reserves had run dry, thus their little heist earlier in the day. Keeping to the alleyways and back streets, he made his way towards his old hood. He had no idea if Red would even still be there after all these years.

As he neared, he paused recognizing a particular alley.

-Flashback-

Samantha was knelt beside the back door of an electronics shop, her lock-picks already working to open it, when he found her. He loomed over her, causing the other younger teens to scatter. "What do you think you're doin'!"

She looked up, not a hint of fear in her eyes despite his now much larger size. "Shh, I'm almost in."

He snatched her up by her arm, knocking the picks out in the process. "No!"

Fifteen-year-old Samantha was force to fear even then. She squared off with him. "What do you mean, no! You break in places all the time!"

"You ain't doin' this, Sams! I do what I gotta do to keep us in food, clothes and place to crash. You ain't gonna go down my way. You're smart, Sams. Way smarter than me." Rocksteady ran a hand through his short blonde hair.

"I wasn't going to take much." She folded her arms with a frown. "I just wanted this cassette of-"

"I don't care." He grabbed her shoulders, making her look up at him. "You're not doin' this. Please, Cupcake. You deserve better than this life. Promise me, you won't do this ever again. I'll get you anything you want, just don't follow what I do."

She sighed, her eyes growing damp. She suddenly wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sorry, Joey. I promise to never do it again. I'll be good. I'll make you proud of me."

He hugged her tightly. "I'm already proud of you, Sams. I just hope someday I can make you proud of me."

-End of Flashback-

Rocksteady shook himself of the memory and took back to his path. The old apartment building they'd been staying in when he'd left was gone and a brand new one stood in its place. So, he continued up the street, until he spotted a place he knew. "The Corner Pub. Now that brings back some memories." But he didn't dare approach the place, instead opting for an alley and waiting. It wasn't long before he spotted Jersey Red leaving his old stomping grounds. "Hey, Red!" He called as she drew closer.

She frowned at him as she stopped beside the alley. "Do I know you, fella? I suggest you talk fast."

"Chill Red. It's me, Rocksteady."

She scowled. "I don't know who you are bub, but that loser is long gone." She started to turn away.

He sighed. "Wait, Red! I know I've been gone a long time, but I'm back now. I just wanted to know how Sams was doin'."

Jersey Red stopped at Samantha's name and turned back to peer into the darkness. "If you're Rocksteady, prove it. What's his real name?"

"Joseph Riggs. You know that."

She frowned, folding her arms. "You piece of scum! I got half a mind to rip your head off! But that would only upset Cupcake."

"How she doin'?"

Red shook her head. "She's doin' just fine without you. You better not mess things up for her. She's got her head on straight and got outta this dump."

Rocksteady couldn't help the touch panic that hit him. "She's not here anymore? But you and Lugnut promised to watch her!"

"And we did for ten years." She looked away. "She didn't deserve what you did to her. Abandonin' her like that."

"Where is she?"

Red shook her head again. "She's all grown up, Rock. She don't need you messin' things up for her."

"I won't bother her. I…I just want to see her for myself."

"Fine. But if you plan on runnin' off again, don't get her hopes up by lettin' her see you."

Rocksteady stared at the horn on the tip of his snout that he could never avoid. "You don't have to worry. I ain't gonna let her see me."

The evening in the lair couldn't have gone any better. Even Raphael had relaxed around Samantha after they'd discovered her connection to Splinter. When the topic of conversation had returned to the bank robbery, she'd frowned remembering her load of unwashed clothes. Donnie had suggested she use their washer since she lived rather close to them. So, she and Leo had taken a quick trip back to her apartment and returned with her basket of dirty clothes.

While her clothes had washed and dried, she'd been introduced to Mikey's version of pizza. After which they'd watched a movie. Leo had casually slipped his arm around her when she'd snuggled into him. His brothers had exchanged looks that had quickly grown into smiles as the night had continued. It was very obvious that Samantha made him happy in a way that they could only imagine.

It was very late by the time Leo escorted her home. "So, how did you know that Master Splinter was the man you'd seen that night?"

Samantha smiled. "I recognized his hands. I'd seen them when I handed him the pizza."

Leo chuckled, her basket tucked under one arm, while he held her close with the other. "I think Splinter was just as shocked as you were."

She giggled. "I'm just glad that pizza got put to such good use." She grinned. "Joey wasn't too happy about me showing up without it. He spent the whole night grumbling, because I told him I dropped it on the sidewalk."

Leo chuckled again as they came to her door. "I know we appreciated it."

She laughed as they stepped inside. "In Michelangelo's case, I think it was more like idolized it."

Leo set down the basket of neatly folded clothes with a grin. "Yep, I'd say that pretty much covers it."

Samantha reached up into the cabinet, where she'd stored her first aid supplies. "Sit on the bed and I'll take those stitches out."

He complied and he watched as she sat beside him with her back to him. She leaned over with a tiny pair of scissors to remove the stitches. As she worked, he couldn't help but relish her closeness. Her hands were warm against his skin and, every once in a while, her breath would feather across it. He suppressed the desire to shiver as she gently turned his leg to remove the ones on the other side.

Her blonde curls, cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. He struggled not to reach for them until he felt the last stitch pop and the soft tug that indicated the line was out. Then his hands slipped around her shoulders, pulling back against him. She leaned into him, trembling slightly as he brushed her hair from one shoulder. His breath was warm in her ear. "Thank you."

She quivered when his mouth touched lightly against her neck. Her pulse raced uncontrollably. He was driving her crazy. "Leonardo…"

Her voice came out breathy and he couldn't stop the shiver this time. He drew in a deep breath of her scent, which he'd nearly become obsessed over in the last few days. He slowly lifted his head to look down into her passion filled eyes. He inhaled sharply. How could a creature so beautiful look at him with that much desire? Her hand gently wrapped around his own neck, drawing him closer.

A moment later, he was swallowed in a hungry kiss that sent his senses reeling. Somehow she ended up in his lap, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He could feel his body responding to hers and he knew he'd have to stop this soon, as much as he hated to. When her hands grazed the tender flesh beneath the ridge of his shell, a wholly possessive growl left him.

At last she pulled away, her breath hot against his skin. "I've been wanting to do that all day."

Leo smirked. "Me too."

She rested her head on his shoulder. "Do you have to leave?"

"Yeah." He said sadly, running his fingers through her silky curls. "But I wish I could stay."

She sighed softly, listening to his heartbeat. "I understand. But I can't help wishing you could stay too."

He sighed, kissing her brow and slipping her gently from his lap. "You need to get some rest. You have work tomorrow night."

Samantha groaned loudly as she followed him to the door. "Don't remind me."

He hated leaving after what had happened earlier in the day, so he took his turtle-com from his belt. "Here, take this. If you need me, just press this button."

She took it with a small smile, setting it beside the TV. "I will."

He opened the door and bent for one last gentle kiss.

Rocksteady stepped into the alley across from the old brownstone. Red hadn't told him much more. Only that she was giving him Samantha's address, because she'd promised the younger girl, not because of him. He'd managed to mutter a thank you for watching his sister to which Red had promptly told him to go suck an egg. Now as he looked across the street at Samantha's apartment, he was surprised to find a light on inside and two shadows moving about.

He felt the tug of the long dormant, but still very present overprotectiveness. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that she was an adult now. She'd be twenty-five now. Well old enough to take care of herself and be in whatever relationship she might have. He had to admit she did seem to be doing better than he ever had. He was slightly startled when her door suddenly opened. He took a few steps forward as he heard voices drift softly onto the street.

He could see her now. There was a small bandage on her forehead, but her smile was bright. She gazed up at her companion. Rocksteady felt his mouth hang open in complete and utter astonishment. A turtle? What's a turtle doin' with her?

He watched as Leo tenderly stroked her cheek and leaned down. Then to his complete disgust, she kissed him. And from the look of it, it wasn't their first. Anger and resentment boiled its way through his body, until he could no longer contain it. He sprinted across the street to stop at the top of the short set up steps. "Get your hands off her, green boy."

Leo whipped his head, automatically pulling Sams into his side protectively. His eyes narrowed as they landed on his old foe. "You'll beat it, horn-head, if you know what's good for you."

Samantha stared up at the rhino-man. She couldn't see his eyes in the dim street light, so his dark silhouette looming over them made her nervous. But she took comfort in the iron grip around her waist. Rocksteady snorted loudly at Leo's treat. "I told you to take your hands off her!"

Leo's hand rested on the hilt of one sword. "I'm warning you. Back off now!" He growled fiercely, eyes narrowed and body tense.

But Rocksteady did no such thing, instead coming the few steps and stepping into the light from the doorway. "Let her go or I'll rip your arms out of their sockets, turtle."

Samantha gasped softly. Those eyes, I'd know them anywhere!

Leo chanced a glance down at her. He took the look on her face as one of fear. "Don't worry, Sams. I won't let him lay a hand on you." He tucked her behind him as he turned fully to the mutant in front of him.

Rocksteady flinched. "Me?"

Leo's growl rose again. "You already hurt her once today. I won't let you do it again." He needed to get this creep away from her and fast. He'd have to make the first move. He raced forward, slamming a fist into the mutant's jaw. Rocksteady stumbled back onto the steps. Leo leveled his sword at him. "Leave now!"

Rocksteady glared. "Fat chance, freak!"

Leo was becoming frustrated. The idea of Rocksteady anywhere near Sams made his hackles rise. He moved forward again with every intention of teaching this moron to heed his warnings. But suddenly Samantha was between them. Leo froze mid-strike. "Sams!"

But she held up her hands to both of them. "Stop!"

"Get away from him Sams! He could hurt you!" Leo took a step towards her.

She met his gaze with a sad one of her own. "People have said the same thing about you in the past. I didn't believe them either." Leo stared at her slack-jawed as she turned to Rocksteady, her gaze soft. "Joey? Is that you?"

Rocksteady looked away suddenly self-conscious. "Don't look at me, Sams." He held up his hands, trying to hide the grotesque creature he'd become. But Samantha was as impulsive as ever as she stepped forward and pushed the hood back from his head. His ears drooped. "I'm a monster." He muttered pathetically.

"Oh, Joey..."

Leo sputtered. "He's your brother? Rocksteady is your brother!"

She turned to look at him, a touch of trepidation in her eyes. "Yes."

Leo shook his head, barely able to process what she was telling him. "But we've been talking about him all night? You never said anything?"

She shook her own head. "None of you ever said his name! Not even once!"

Leo pointed his sword at Rocksteady again. "He works for our mortal enemy!"

"Not any more, I don't." Rocksteady protested.

Leo stepped back, sheathing his sword. He leaned against the doorframe, unsure of what to do. Samantha stepped close, noting his sudden sullen mood. "Leonardo?"

Leo shook his head, catching her hand as she reached for him. He couldn't do this. He couldn't be in a relationship with someone so closely related to the Shredder. It would be like betraying his family - like betraying Master Splinter. But if she rejected Rocksteady - told him to leave... "Sams, I can't be here with him here."

She blinked at him. Not sure if she heard what she thought she'd heard. "You're asking me to choose?" Leo gave a slow almost imperceptible nod. "You want me to choose between the man that I love and my brother that has been missing for ten years?" Surely he was not really asking her to do that!

"Yeah, choose, Sams." Rocksteady had gotten to his feet not far away.

She looked between the two of them. Did either of them have a clue what they were asking her to do! "No! I can't! I won't!" She ripped her hand from Leo's and slammed the door shut on both of them. The sound of the deadbolt hitting home echoed on the now silent street.

A/N: Sorry guys, I'm gonna have to leave this one hanging for a bit. I've got to work on ANEB and get that all wrapped up. Review pretty please!