Like I promised, an epilogue for the last chapter. I decided to expound on Leo's injuries a bit, and indulge in some shameless family hurt/comfort fluff!

Leonardo doubled over his knees, a hacking cough rattling in his chest, stealing his breath and making his broken collarbone shriek in agony.

The eldest turtle was laying on the couch in the living room, well, not so much laying down as he was curled up, face between his knees as he strained to not fall apart with each barking wheeze. A blanket was puddled around his waist, forgotten when the leader suffered yet another bout of hacking. Right hand clenched into a fist, the mutant teen clutched his plastron, as if the added pressure would ease the burning ache in his lungs. The cough grew in intensity, the resonance heavy and deep, prompting a gag reflex making the ninja frantically groped for a nearby bucket left by his brothers. Trembling fingers grasped the edge of the plastic tub, dragging it up and into his lap. However, by the time he had it safely in place, his cough was calming, leaving the terrapin gasping for air, his face flushed and slick with sweat.

A calloused hand gently squeezed his right shoulder, and Leo brought bleary eyes up to meet the amber gaze of his immediate younger brother. "Ya ok, Fearless?"

The eldest gave a mute nod, wincing as he gave a rough swallow. In truth, he felt like crap, but he didn't want to burden his brothers any more than they already were. "I'm ok," he replied in a hoarse rasp.

Raphael gave his leader a dubious look, skepticism carved into his tough features, provoking a small sigh at the eldest's signature stubbornness. It was just two days after the rather epic car wreck, and both he and Donatello were out of commission, spending their days resting under the watchful eyes of their family as they recuperated. Each were supposed to have been sleeping, allowing their injuries to heal. Donnie was asleep up in his room, which was a blessing, as the turtle rarely slept enough when he wasn't injured or sick. Leo though, as per usual, had gotten the short end of the stick. Not only had he sustained several more injuries than his genius sibling, but his exposure to the winter climate while laying on a cold street had also caused him to get pneumonia. Which meant that while Donatello slept his concussion off, Leo spent the majority of his time coughing, vomiting, or coughing until he vomited, all while sweating out the worryingly high fever.

Not the most ideal situation for the leader.

Broad shoulders trembled, and the blue ninja bit back a moan of misery, head drooping closer to his knees. Raphael tugged the bucket out of his older sibling's now lax grasp, setting it on the floor next to the couch. Then, the rough fingers of the brawler gently brushed Leo's forehead and cheeks, gauging his temperature. The eldest leaned into the touch, craving the comfort of the physical contact. Raph gave an unhappy huff, and the blue ninja assumed that his fever hadn't improved. Leo tried lifting his head, wanting to reassure his brother that he was fine, but it wobbled; vision sent swimming, the turtle was slapped by a wave of vertigo so intense, it literally felt like the lair was turned on it's side. A chill stole across the already shaking green frame, making the eldest's teeth chatter, and once again the strong hands of Raphael were grasping his shoulder and shell.

Leonardo was powerless, feeling as weak as a newborn kitten, as the red masked turtle gently guided his big brother back down onto the cushions of couch. Raph tenderly brought the blankets back up, tucking them in around the shaking frame, his brusque nature quiet as the red ninja's fierce protective instincts took the forefront. The young leader sighed in relief. The reclining position felt lovely to his battered body, and the blankets were deliciously warm, but once again, misery was his constant companion, as lying down caused his lungs to seize. Convulsing, the teen strained to bring air into his constricted throat and fluttering lungs, but only succeeded in choking.

"Easy, bro, I got ya!"

Switching gears from laying his brother down, Raphael heaved the heavy frame back up. "Mikey, get that inhaler Donnie rigged up!"

The day before, during Donatello's moments between naps, their resident medic had checked over Leo, clucking at how their leader's luck had turned against him. Again. With the help of April, their scientific minds had crafted an inhaler, and loaded it with an aerosol that would give the suffering turtle a measure of relief as he recovered. Admittedly, Leo didn't like using it, but he had lost any power in his argument against it around the time he lost the ability to breathe. Coming to the resolution that oxygen was significantly more important than pride, the eldest put up with its use. Now, he didn't care if it took the inhaler, his chest was on fire, and his head was spinning from the lack of air.

Michelangelo ran to comply, fetching the inhaler, and scampering back to his elder siblings.

As they waited for Mikey to return, Raph situated himself behind Leo, easing his leader against his broad chest. Allowing a recline enough to take pressure off his injuries, but not cause another coughing fit. The eldest melted against the comforting heat of the brawler, even as he choked and coughed. The one great thing about being the resident hot head, was that Raphael was also somehow the warmest turtle out of the four. The least likely to feel the cold, and least likely to be effected by it. Donatello had explained it once that if Leo's biology mirrored their turtle DNA to the point that winter effected him the worst out of everyone, then somehow Raphael had mutated to the point he was less cold blooded than his brothers. Either way, Leo was grateful for the additional body heat.

Finally, the youngest reappeared, lunging forward to slap the inhaler into Raph's waiting hand. The tube was immediately placed against pale green lips, and Leo lifted a shaky hand to accept the device. Finger depressing the button at the top, he breathed in the medicine with one greedy swallow. The effect was instantaneous. The burning in his lungs lost much of its edge, allowing the turtle the ability to draw in a wheezing breath. Removing the inhaler from his mouth, the young leader's shoulders heaved in frantic pants, vision still swirling with a mix of spotty black and vivid color. As he caught his breath, Leo felt Raphael push the device back towards his mouth.

"Just one more hit, ok?" The brawler murmured, voice soft with concern, "I don't like how yer breath is still rattlin' in yer chest like that."

Leonardo didn't have the energy to argue, choosing to give a meek nod instead of his usual defiance. Raising the inhaler, the blue ninja pulled in one more breath of the life giving medicine, slowly this time, before removing it from his mouth with a groan of relief. It was truly a marvel how the medicine was able to soothe his angry lungs, allowing him to breathe freely again, despite the illness still burning in his body. Raphael wrapped an arm around his older brother, careful of the sling holding the broken wrist, trying to give as much warmth as possible. Leo, exhausted from the coughing fit, relaxed against the plastron of their clan's toughest turtle. Chest billowing up and down in the effort to pull air into his lungs.

"Sorry," the blue ninja croaked, "it's my fault Donnie and I are such a mess."

Raphael snorted, turning a stern gaze down to his leader, "Don't apologize," he growled softly, "the only person who should be apologizing is the bonehead driving that semi truck."

"Still," Leo murmured, guilt a sour tang in the back of his throat, "I should have done something, protected us better."

"Like how?" Raph demanded, eyes narrowing in frustration, "What could you have done different? Ya saved Donnie's life, he told me how ya put yerself between him and the truck when it hit. Yer the one all busted up, he was able ta walk away with just a few bruises and scrapes. What more could ya have possibly done?"

Leonardo paused, gathering his thoughts, even as he drew in a wheezing breath, "But I should have checked," he rasped, voice growing weak, "I should have made sure the intersection was clear. If I had just checked…we wouldn't be in this mess."

The red masked brother rolled amber eyes, "Honestly, who looks both ways at a green light?" He asked, voice firm with conviction, "We all expect that a green light means it's safe ta drive through, people ain't supposed ta drive through a red light. Ya can't blame yerself for somethin' every single one of us take for granted. Plus, he shouldn't have been speedin', especially not in this weather. It's the driver's fault, not yers. It was an unavoidable accident. End of story, Leo."

Leonardo opened his mouth to argue, but his argument was lost when his collarbone gave a sharp spasm of pain. The eldest turtle struggled to bite back the whimper of agony that was crawling up his throat, resulting in a strangled groan that curled his body into a miserable ball. Right arm wrapping around the sling supporting his broken wrist, and bracing the break in his collarbone, Leo released a low moan of torment. Another wave of harsh trembling shook the beleaguered turtle, Raphael quickly responding by pulling the blanket up higher around Leo's shoulders. The eldest closed his eyes, willing his battered body to relax enough that he could find a measure of relief, wishing that he could just go to sleep and rid himself of the pain for an hour or two. Unfortunately, his body refused to comply, and all the turtle could do was lay in his brother's arms and tremble pitifully.

"What happened to him," Leo finally asked as he reopened his eyes, voice soft with pain, "the driver?"

The red masked turtle released a soft chuff of disbelief, mirroring Donnie's exasperation the night of the wreck, "Yeah, I figured ya'd worry about that guy," he grumbled before heaving a resigned sigh, "April checked on him at the hospital. He was in critical condition fer a while, but the doctors told her they expect him ta make a full recovery."

Leonardo's shoulders deflated as an invisible weight fell off, making the shaking frame finally loosen accompanied by a slow exhale, "That's good," the leader rasped, eyes drifting shut.

Raphael shook his head, amber gaze twinkling with fond exasperation, "What are we gonna do with ya?"

The leader gave a congested snort, mouth twitching up into a wan smile, "Love me, in spite of my many quirks?" He suggested.

"Oh, we do that already," Raph chuckled, his amusement jostling his older brother, "but sometimes, ya really make me wonder."

"Wonder about what?" Was the hoarse reply.

"Wonder how the toughest turtle I know has such a soft heart?" The brawler murmured, his usual gruffness replaced by tones softened with familial love, a voice only family was privileged to hear.

"Like you can talk," Leonardo shot back, weary eyelids lifting to cast a bemused gaze up at his younger sibling, "you walk around all tough, and you always jump headfirst into fights, but as soon as one of us gets hurt, you turn into a mother hen."

The red ninja snickered, "In the words of Donnie, that's the pot calling the kettle black."

"I know, I know," the blue warrior croaked, shoulders shaking as he tried to fight back the coughing fit their conversation had stirred up, "I'm…I'm pretty bad…about going into…mom mode…"

Once again the muscular frame curled up in misery, Leo's right hand bracing his broken collarbone, even as the turtle turned his head to croup into the crook of his elbow. The eldest's cough quickly worsened into a hacking bark, making his chest burn. Leo's shoulders hitched with each croak as Raphael rubbed his brother's carapace, lending his quiet support throughout the fit until it finally calmed. Once again the young leader was left breathless and weak, limbs trembling as his breaths were reduced to wheezing gasps. A few moments later the silent footsteps of Michelangelo padded over to the couch, and the youngest grasped Leo's shoulder with an olive green hand, making his exhausted brother open bleary eyes.

"Here, take this, bro."

The turtle was greeted by a steaming mug of peppermint tea, a slice of lemon bobbing in the dark liquid. Leo gave his baby brother a smile of gratitude, shaking fingers reaching for the cup. Raph, blessedly, was quick to hold the bottom of the mug, as their leader's hand gave a threatening wobble. Assisted by the brawler, the leader took a deep draft of the piping hot liquid, uncaring of the temperature. The tea slid down his throat, easing the raw cuts from the coughing, and soothing the burning ache in his chest. Removing the mug from his lips, sapphire eyes closed as Leo gave a groan heavy with relief.

"That's exactly what I needed," he croaked, before taking another long gulp.

"Hey, what time is it, Mikey?" Raph asked, keeping one eye on his older brother in case the turtle needed help holding the tea mug again.

Michelangelo paused, pulling out his shell cell to check, "A little after four."

"I think it's safe ta give Fearless his next round of meds then," the red masked ninja concluded, "maybe they'll help him get some sleep."

"How's his fever?"

Raph's beak twisted as he gave a frustrated reply, "It still hasn't gone down, if these pills don't do somethin' ta reduce it, I'm wakin' Donnie."

"Agreed," Mikey nodded, his normally cheerful demeanor dimmed by his eldest brother's illness.

"I'm right here," Leonardo grumped, pouting into his teacup, "you don't have to talk over me like I'm a tot."

"Shut up, and drink yer tea," Raphael reprimanded.

The eldest responded by sticking his tongue out, then set his jaw back into a stubborn pout. Mikey chuckled at the display, "Very mature, aniki,"

"I'm too miserable to be mature," Leo grumbled, "I can't stop coughing, and everything hurts, and I'm tired."

"Sounds like someone needs a nap," Mikey stated hands on hips, while sending a mischievous wink at Raphael who chuckled warmly, making Leo growl at the insinuation that he was basically a child.

"Who needs a nap?"

The trio turned, or two of them did, Leo couldn't really manage it due to his injuries, and found Donnie standing nearby with a perplexed look on his face. Michelangelo grinned, happy to see the scientist up and about, "Leo is grumpy, so we were just saying how he needs a nap."

"No, you were talking over me, like I'm a…a ba….baby…." The eldest fell into yet another coughing fit, this time the barking becoming intense enough to make the turtle gag.

Mikey lunged for the bucket on the floor, while Raphael hurriedly removed the tea mug from their leader's grasp, shoving it into Leo's lap just as he lost what little tea he was able to drink. Broad shoulders shuddered, making the turtle cry out in the midst of his emesis, as every injury started screaming. Soon the vomited turned into dry heaves, the force of which pulled and bruised already injured ribs. Involuntary tears streamed down the pallid face, even as Leo's abdominal muscles convulsed in erratic spasms; switching back and forth between the coughing fit tearing its way through Leonardo and the painful heaves. The blue mutant strained for air, veins popping out on his neck at the effort it took to pull oxygen into his lungs, almost as if he were sucking it through a straw. The room spun as the teen leader realized that he couldn't breathe anymore. No matter how he choked, all he got in return was strangled wheezes whistling into his constricted throat and blocked from aching lungs.

He barely comprehended the sound of Donatello running to his lab, the crashing sounds of the scientist turned medic rummaging through countless drawers, and then the purple ninja's return. However, a pinch at his neck, and the cool rush of something entering his blood stream brought with it relief. Somehow, his muscles loosened, and his abdomen stopped jumping. Leo fell across the bucket eyes clenched shut, right hand shaking as it gripped the plastic tub. Another pinch, and yet another substance injected into his system. Normally Leo would protest. He hated when Don would push different chemicals into his body without consent, but this time he chose to ignore the trespass. Especially since it was helping him breathe, and this second injection had brought the lovely effect of reducing the agony from his injuries. A moan of relief bubbled up his throat in the form of a sob, this latest coughing fit having stolen the last of his strength. Unseen hands freed the bucket from his grasp, and strong arms pulled him back into the comforting embrace of his brother.

"Oh, aniki, I'm so sorry, I should have been here monitoring you," Donatello murmured somewhere over him, probing fingers checking his vitals, before taking on the clinical tone of a doctor, "his fever is rising to dangerous levels. Normally I'd recommend an ice bath, but that would cause problems with his injuries from the wreck."

"He didn't seem feverish," Mikey threw in, voice small and tremulous with worry.

"Trust me, he is," Raphael stated, "the guy may as well be a furnace."

"But…Leo was just talking to us like normal." The youngest insisted, "Aren't you supposed to be out of it with a high fever?"

Donnie's voice jilted with a sigh, evidence that he gave one of his signature shrugs, "It's Leo, of course he was able to hide the fact that his fever was spiking."

"So, what do we do?" Raphael's voice rumbled through Leo's shell, rolling like thunder in a storm.

Don hesitated, before the hand resting on Leo's plastron clenched into a fist, "You stay where you are and keep monitoring him, Mikey can get some cool clothes to sponge down what skin we can reach," the genius stated, tone succinct and precise, "I'll start him on an IV drip to get some more fluids in him, plus an antibiotic to help lower the fever and stop him from coughing as much. He's got enough to worry about healing from his injuries without having to deal with the pneumonia as well."

If he could have, Leo would have given a sardonic snort at Donnie's statement. Like he had any room to talk. Donatello had just as many injuries as he did, maybe not broken bones, but both of their arms and legs were littered in bandages from various cuts and gashes that needed stitching. Not to mention, they both were sporting the ever so fashionable white bandage head wrap that all the stylish turtles were wearing this winter. Although, he was practically a trendsetter with his wrist brace, sling and shoulder wrap for his collarbone. Leonardo laughed at his private joke, a weak giggle shaking the exhausted terrapin, barely coming out as a puff of air. The hovering form of Donatello shifted above him, and the eldest could practically feel the bemused smile of his sibling.

"What are you laughing at, aniki?"

"Me," Leo slurred, the medicine in his system making him feel loopy, "because I'm funny."

"Funny ha-ha, or funny strange?" Mikey asked, somehow having teleported to the kitchen and back, as he gently patted his oldest brother's neck and face down with a wet cold cloth.

Leonardo paused, his muddled brain deciding Michelangelo's question to be a valid one, before deciding, "Both," in a tired whisper.

The blue warrior's head bounced as Raphael snorted in amusement, the sound morphing into a warm chuckle, "Go ta sleep, Fearless, before yer fever fries what little brain ya got left."

Maybe it was the fever, maybe it was because he was genuinely exhausted, but Raphael's words made a lot of sense. Rolling onto his side, the turtle indulged in a cuddle with his sibling, snuggling into the brawler's warmth and allowing his senses to drift away onto the soft clouds of sleep.

…

The next time Leo opened his eyes, he realized that he could breathe through his nose for the first time in days. A discovery that had the added perk that he could smell dinner. Leonardo hummed appreciatively, lifting his face to better enjoy the savory scent of Mikey's cooking. Opening his eyes, the blue ninja found that his personal teddy bear had abandoned him, no doubt getting some rest himself after being on babysitting duty. Donatello was seated in the armchair, footrest elevating his feet, as the scientist read a book wrapped in a plush blanket. Lifting his right arm into the air, the eldest turtle stretched like a cat, mouth opening in a cavernous yawn. Whatever Donnie had given him had certainly done the trick, he felt much better than he had before.

"Well, hey there sleeping beauty!"

Mikey's voice cut through his thoughts and Leo grinned up at his baby brother. The orange masked turtle beamed with a relieved smile as he lounged on the back of the couch, "Is that you admitting that I'm the pretty one in the family?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Michelangelo leaned back, face aghast in false indignation, "I was merely remarking on how much you've been sleeping lately, because everyone knows that out of the four of us, I'm the pretty one."

"I don't know, Mikey," Don murmured, not lifting his eyes from his book, "you both rough house so much, you have scars and nicks on your shells. Out of the four of us, I'm the one more traditionally good looking."

"I thought I read somewhere that girls like scars?" Leo asked, sapphire eyes thoughtful.

"Some might," Donnie shrugged, turning a wicked grin to his brothers, "but nerds with muscles are starting to gain popularity."

"Please," the group jolted at the sound of Raphael's scoff, the toughest turtle in the clan stomping his way into the living room, flinging himself over the back of the couch next to Mikey, "everyone knows that the ladies prefer the more rugged look. The bad boy vibe has been the favorite for years."

Mikey and Leo nodded, unable to dispute the red ninja's statement. Donnie refused to give in, "Bad boys may be popular," he sniffed, "but the fact that Korean dramas have become so popular, means that not everyone likes the overly muscular type."

"Maybe," Raph snickered, liquid gold eyes glowing with mischief, "but most do."

"Meathead," the scientist muttered, turning back to his book.

"I don't know why you're upset," Leo chuckled, "Donnie, you're just as fit as we are."

"Have you looked in the mirror lately?" Donatello grumbled, "After the growth spurt, you and Raph are the tallest out of us, and you've packed on a ton more muscle than Mikey or I have. We look pathetically skinny next to you."

"Speak for yourself, Donnie-boy," Mikey huffed, "I'm sticking with the more athletic build. I prefer speed and agility over sheer brawn."

Leo gave a shrug, "I'm not as tall as Raph," he said, giving the purple ninja a consolatory smile, "and I'm pretty sure he's beating me in muscle, but only because I agree with Mikey. It's better for me to have a more balanced build, instead of focusing on raw power."

"What's wrong with raw power?" The brawler squawked, amber gaze wide with offense.

"Nothing," Leonardo shrugged with his good shoulder, "I depend on your strength during missions. Just like I can depend on Mikey to be the most versatile with his athleticism, and Donnie is our technical genius. Absolutely none of you are replaceable in my eyes. You each bring unique skills to this team that we couldn't survive without."

The group fell silent, the heartfelt words ringing in their ears, and warming their hearts. Each feeling a sense of gratitude and protective love for their strange family. Until Mikey was unable to stand the quiet any longer. Wiping an invisible tear from his eyes, the youngest gave a dramatic sigh, "Aw Leo, you always know what to say to make a turtle feel special!"

Leonardo couldn't hold back an amused giggle at his baby brother's theatrics, the laughter shaking his shoulders, and causing his injuries to complain, "Ow-ow-ow," the young leader chuckled, right hand bracing his collarbone, "Mikey, don't make me laugh, it still hurts!"

Mikey's eyes softened at his big brother's mirth, but his smile only grew brighter, "Sorry, bro,"

"Nah, it's ok," the blue turtle grinned back, pushing up on the couch to sit up, "how long was I out for?"

"You slept the rest of the day and through the night, plus most of today," Donnie supplied, smirking at Leo's look of shock.

"I slept that long?!" He gaped, "I thought I just slept till dinner!"

"Leo, chill," Raph snickered, "ya obviously needed the rest, I mean, ya only got hit by a truck, thrown out the battle shell, and then got pneumonia while bleeding on an icy street for shell knows how long! Last I checked, ya can't just walk that off!"

"Besides, it obviously did you some good, you sound a lot better," Donatello assured.

"Yeah, also your fever broke." Mikey agreed, "so don't beat yourself up over what it takes to get better."

Leonardo rolled his eyes, fighting back a scoff, choosing instead to shake his head at his brothers, "Well, when you put it that way," he grumbled with a wry smile.

"Exactly," Donatello grinned, pushing the eldest back into the pillows and pulling the blankets up around Leo's shoulders, "now, be a good turtle, and listen to your brothers."

"And if you're extra good, I'll make you something special for dessert!" Mikey snickered.

"Heck, we might even let ya stay up late tonight past yer bedtime," Raphael cackled.

Leonardo glared at the tyrants masquerading as his little brothers, revenge seething in his brain, "When I get off this couch, you boys better be ready for the training session of your liv-!"

The blue ninja's words were cut short as a thermometer was shoved unceremoniously between his teeth, "Sorry, Leo, but no talking while I take your temperature." Donnie giggled.

That was fine, Leo settled with glaring daggers at his siblings. Oh yes, there'd be shell to pay. Just wait and see.

How was that? I was worried Leo was a tad OOC, not that that made much of a difference in the chapters before. Either way, please let me know what you all think!