A/N: Hey, guys! I'v updated the cover art. It was my first digital drawing and it came out pretty nice! I seems like y'all are really enjoying this fic.
Leo stared at the closed door for a moment in surprise. He sighed heavily. What have I done? "Sams…" He leaned his head on the door. He could feel her standing just on the other side. Her words rolled through his mind. "I love you too." He nearly whispered. There was a muffled sob on the other side and he could feel his heart break. I didn't mean to hurt her. The orange rays of dawn touched the sky above, making him frown. The streets would be crowded soon and he didn't have on a disguise. "I have to go, it's dawn. You have my com, if you want to talk." He told her through the door.
He turned to glare at Rocksteady. "I will be back."
"Forget about it you, slimy turtle. I'm not gonna let you touch her again." Rocksteady glowered. "Now beat it!"
Leo gave the door another forlorn look before quietly walking away. When he was gone Rocksteady turned to the door. How did I manage to screw everything up so bad so fast? He knocked softly. "Come on, Cupcake. Let me in. We gotta talk." He ducked to one side as someone passed on the sidewalk. "I can't stay out here with all these people, Sams." He waited for a moment and then sighed. "Okay, I'll go."
When Samantha had slammed the door shut, she'd leaned against it trembling all over. How could they do that to me! She felt the sting of tears as they began to trickle down her cheeks. "Sams…" Leo's voice was muffled only slightly by the door. She shook her head, not ready to give in yet. She wasn't going to choose between them! It was wrong! "I love you too." He said softly. Her heart raced. Had she said that? Yes, she had. And it was so very true. She did love him. A sob ripped its way out of her throat, her vision blurring with more tears.
Her hand moved towards the knob, the desire to fling open the door and throw herself into his arms nearly too much. But her fingers shook as she touched it. The last few days played through her mind on fast-forward. She just couldn't understand it. How could he…after everything….
"I have to go, it's dawn. You have my com, if you want to talk."
She let her hand fall, drawing her knees to her chest and letting the tears fall freely. She couldn't face him. Not yet.
A moment later, there was another knock on the door. "Come on, Cupcake. Let me in. We gotta talk." Joey sounded desperate. But she shook her head. He'd done the same thing. He'd tried to force her to choose between them. Hugging her knees a little tighter, she bit her lip. But he's family, my only family. And I haven't seen him in so long…
"I can't stay out here with all these people, Sams."
She stood slowly, her hand on the knob and her forehead against the door. Her heart tumbled and her stomach churned. I'm not choosing. We're just talking.
"Okay, I'll go."
She opened the door to stare at him with red puffy eyes. The two held each other's gazes for a long time, before she stepped back allowing him in. He walked in, giving the tiny apartment a critical look. He turned to her as she closed and locked the door. When she finally looked up at him there was determination in her eyes. "I am not choosing."
He put up his hands in a passive gesture. "Okay." He smiled as he looked at her in the light. "You haven't changed much. You're still just as pretty as the day I left and just as ornery."
She glared for a moment, but her expression quickly dropped to one of exhaustion. "Look you can stay here if you want. But I'm tired and I have to go to work tonight. So, just try to keep it down."
He frowned. "Don't you want to talk and stuff?"
She dragged a hand down her face. "No. Right now I want to sleep." She sat on the daybed and pulled off her shoes. "We can talk later."
He watched her slip under the sheet in her clothes and curl up into a ball. He sighed inwardly. She was shutting down on him and he knew from experience he wouldn't get much out of her right now. He should just be grateful that she had let him in.
His frown only grew as he surveyed the small room. The beat up dresser and small TV, although old seemed to be decent enough. The tiny table and chairs were in slightly better condition. But there wasn't anything else there, except the daybed. She doesn't even have a blanket to sleep under.
He moved into the kitchen to see if there was something to eat. Her cabinets were bare, except for some first aid supplies. And her refrigerator only held a tub of butter and two pizzas. She didn't seem much better off than she had when he left. I'll just have to fix that.
Leo trudged through the sewers at a brokenhearted pace. He kept replaying the incident in his mind. Had he done the right thing? Part of him thought so. Rocksteady was an enemy, who'd fought many, many battles against him. He was the Shredder's henchmen. Even if Rocksteady professed he no longer worked for their archrival, he couldn't be certain. They'd tried that trick on them before.
Sams' face flashed before his eyes. The look of betrayal and heartache in her blue eyes haunted him. He paused, feeling his breath coming too fast. He leaned against the tunnel wall, a hand pressed over his heart. In his mind he knew it was treachery to even consider being with the sister of that monster. And yet, it hurt so terribly bad to walk away. It was like someone had a hold of his heart, squeezing the very life out of it. He sucked in several deep breaths, clenching his eyes closed against the awful ache.
He had to be strong, no matter what. I can't go back. She loves her brother and deserves to be with him. I must cherish her happiness enough to step aside. Even as the thought formed, he wanted to retch. He needed her. Her touch – her scent – her warm smile and laugh – her acceptance – her love. His face grew damp as he stood alone in the tunnel. I have to do this! He straightened, swiping at his face. For Sams, I have to walk away. He took another deep breath, centering himself, and walked quietly home.
No one was up, except Donnie. He could hear his brother puttering in his lab. Using his ninja skill, Leo made no sound as he slipped though the living room into the bedroom. Both Raph and Mikey were fast asleep. Mikey hanging half off his bed. But Leo barely saw them as climbed into his own bed. His pain was his own and he would suffer with it quietly. No one else needed to know of his dishonor and shame.
Samantha woke late in the afternoon to find Joey laid out on the floor between the daybed and dresser. He had his arms tucked under his head, but still looked pretty uncomfortable. She frowned, remembering the last time she'd seen him.
-Flashback-
"I don't understand! Why are you leaving!" Samantha stared up at her brother.
"I have to, Sams. This gig is gonna put us on easy street. The guy's supposed to pay big bucks." Joey hated the idea of leaving her, but if he could go and make some real money, then it was worth it.
Samantha folded her arms with a frown. "How long will you be gone?"
He put his hands on her shoulders. "Not long. I promise. This guy is some big shot. It shouldn't take long to do whatever he wants us to do." He lifted her chin to look at him. "Hey, you won't even have a chance to miss me. And you'll have Red to keep you company in the meantime."
Samantha shook her head, blonde curls falling all over. "I don't want to stay with them. I want you to stay with me."
He sighed. "I know you do. I do too. But if I can make enough money off this one job, then we can get out of this hole. You might even be able to go to college."
Her bottom lip trembled. "I don't care about all that!" Tears finally slipped down her cheeks. "I'm scared I'll never see you again. You're my only family, Joey."
He pulled her into an embrace. "Now, you listen to me, Sams. I'm gonna come back. I promise."
-End of Flashback-
She stared at him for another moment. Well, he kept his promise, late as it might be. And I don't care that he looks different. I can still see my brother in his eyes.
She pushed herself off the bed and grabbed some clothes, heading for the shower. When she emerged a while later, Joey was sitting at the table staring into a cup. She guessed it was water as she had no other beverages. He looked up at her. "Do you got time to talk?"
"Not much." She said softly, but didn't try to stop him.
He sighed. "I'm sorry for bein' gone so long. Red wasn't too happy with me either."
She moved to the refrigerator and pulled out the only pizza remaining. "You talked to Red?"
"Yeah, after she gave me a good chewin' out, she told me where you were." He frowned as he watched her place two slices on a pan and put it in the oven. "You don't got much food."
She turned to frown at him. "Well, now that would be your fault, wouldn't it? I was trying to cash my check when you robbed my bank. So, now we will both have to deal with what I have until I can find time to go back to the bank and then go shopping."
"Sorry." His gaze moved up to the cut on her forehead, which was scabbed over. But there was a garish blackish bruise adorning her brow now. He pointed at it. "Sorry about that too. We wouldn't have robbed the joint, if we'd known you were there."
She frowned. "So, let me get this straight. The only reason you feel guilty about robbing the place, is because I was there?"
He shrugged. "Well, yeah."
"The Joey I knew wouldn't have put all those people in danger." She searched his eyes for the slightest sign of remorse.
He threw his hands up. "Look at me, Sams. I can't exactly get a normal job and I gotta eat somehow."
She sighed. How could she argue with logic like that? He was right after all, there weren't any jobs for rhino-men. She turned and pulled the warmed pizza from the oven. As she did she was reminded of the last time she'd warmed food in it. Her heart clenched, remembering his words. "Sams, I can't be here with him here." A shiver went down her spine. No matter how much she wanted to be angry with him for those words, she couldn't. Instead, all she wanted was to feel his arms around her again and the brush of his soft mouth against hers. I wonder if he's thinking about me?
"You okay, Cupcake." Joey asked from behind her. When she didn't answer right away, he sighed. "You're thinkin' about last night. Well, don't. Those green freaks are nothin' but trouble. I know, because I've known them for a long time. You're better off without him."
She turned to stare at him with a touch of disbelief. He had no clue what he was talking about. Part of her wanted to argue with him – to tell him he was flat out wrong. She'd come to really enjoy Leo's family. But at the moment, she had no fight left in her. She pulled a spare key from a drawer and laid it on the table. "I've got to go to work. Make sure you lock up, if you leave." With that she picked up the pizza and walked out the door.
Rocksteady slumped in his chair. That could have gone better. But he knew he was right. The turtles were nothing but trouble making punks, always getting in their way. But wait, whose way? Most of the times they'd tangled, it hadn't been his grand plans they'd ruin. It had been the Shredder's or Krang's. He huffed. He still ain't puttin' his hands on my baby sister!
He was completely and utterly miserable. Leo flopped on his bed, curling up into a ball. He'd spent the day fending off his brothers light-hearted teasing about his relationship with Sams. He'd laughed along with them, but inside every word had hurt, twisting a knife deeper into his heart. He'd nearly broken down when Mikey had asked when she'd be coming back for a visit. Leo wasn't even certain at this stage if she would be willing to see him. She hadn't called, not that he'd expected her to. He wouldn't have known what to say, if she had.
Mikey peeked around the doorframe at Leo laying with his shell facing him. Something was off about their eldest brother. He'd been rather odd all day. And for the life of him, Mikey just couldn't figure it out. Things had gone so well last night. Leo should be on cloud nine right now.
"What are you doin', Michelangelo?"
Mikey jumped a little and turned to Raph, putting a finger to his lips. He grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the bedroom. "Dude, there is something epically wrong with Leonardo."
Raph frowned. "You noticed that too."
"Yeah, it was hard not to. He was dragging around here all day. And I don't think it was because he was tired." He thought for a moment. "You don't suppose him and Sams had a fight, do you?"
Raph's frown turned into a scowl. "You think she dumped him?"
Mikey waved his hands. "No. It was just a thought. They were so happy last night that I can't see any other reason for him to be in a funk."
Donnie appeared from his lab, wiping grease from his hands. "Hey, guys. What's with the faces?"
"Do you think Leo was acting strange today?" Mikey asked him.
Don gave a slow nod. "I just thought maybe he was tired. But it did seem to be more than that."
Raph folded his arms. "Michelangelo thinks that maybe Sams dumped him."
"I didn't say that, bro. I said maybe they had a fight." Mikey protested.
Donnie raised an eyebrow. "Has either of you considered asking him what's wrong?" The two shook their heads and he let out a sigh. "Then let's do that before we jump to conclusions." He started for the bedroom, his two brothers trailing behind him. Leo was still curled up on his bed, staring at the wall. He didn't seem to notice them when they stopped at the foot of his bed. Don frowned, stepping around and touching his shoulder. "Leonardo, are you okay?"
He blinked up at Don. Then plastered on the same false smile he'd been wearing all day. "I'm fine, why?"
"You've been acting mega odd all day, bro." Mikey took a step closer.
Don nodded. "We were worried about you."
Leo sat up, glancing between his brothers. "I'm fine, just a little tired is all. I was gone all night."
"Yeah, about that. Did somethin' happen after you left last night?" Raph moved to stand beside Mikey.
Leo felt his insides convulse. The memory of what happened tore at him all over again. "No." He stood abruptly. "I can't sleep after all. I'm going to go for a walk."
"You going to see Sams?" Mikey asked hopefully.
Leo frowned. "No, Michelangelo. She's at work right now. I'm just going for a walk in the sewers." He didn't give them anymore opportunity to question him as he left the lair with determined strides.
Raph growled. "I knew this was going to happen! She strung him along and then dumped him!"
"We don't know anything, Raphael. He didn't answer our question. And until he does, we shouldn't make any assumptions." Don pointed out.
"I really don't think Sams would do that anyways, bro." Mikey rubbed his head. But there was still something wrong.
"Well, if he doesn't fess up soon, I'm goin' over there and talkin' to her." Raph turned and stomped off. Don and Mikey exchanged pained looks. Things weren't going as they'd hoped for their brother.
Sams swiped at the sweat on her brow, leaving a line of dirt on it. She knew she wasn't being as productive as normal, but she just couldn't get her mind to focus. She was glad she'd left the turtle-com on the dresser at home, as she'd probably have used it by now. She couldn't fight the desire – need - to see and hear Leo again. She wondered once more, if what she'd done was right. Could she have handled the situation better? She just didn't know. Her hands paused as she heard his words again. "I love you too." They made her heart both soar and ache at the same time.
"Riggs, you sick?" A gruff male voice spoke way too close to her.
She looked up at the third shift foreman. "No, just have a lot on my mind."
"Well, you better get it off of it. You're slowin' up the line. Now get back to work." Steve was unpleasant middle aged man with a scruffy beard and yellow teeth.
She rolled her eyes, but did pick up the pace as the night drew on. When she finally trudged her way home and opened the door, she stared at her apartment in shock. "What on Earth?"
A/N: I'm really appreciating all the great reviews, so keep'em comin'. :)