A/N - Thanks for the reviews! Only a few chapters left now...

Evolution: Raphael

It's been a week since the incident with the purple dragons and things have finally started to get a bit better. Master Splinter woke up more often after the first day or so and we were all relieved when he recognised us, even though he still seemed a bit out of it. I know we're going to have to talk soon, but the past week has been really busy and it just never seemed the right time. I can tell Splinter wants to talk too, but it's kind of hard when my brother's and April are hovering over him all day. After the first couple of days my brothers took it in shifts to stay in April's apartment with him, not that he was particularly happy about imposing on April but he's not got a lot of choice at the moment.

Rather than making me angry, I'm finding Splinters hypocrisy funny. Whenever one of my brother's comes back from April's there's some kind of complaint about how much of a horrible patient he is, especially after all the time he forces us into bed rest. I've kept my distance a bit since he woke up properly. I think we both have a lot to say, and for once I want to think about it first. I can't risk screwing it up.

As I jump to the next rooftop, I feel a tiny flicker of fear. What if he rejects my apology? I swallow hard. I'll just have to accept it. Splinter isn't well enough to come back home yet, since he can barely move without help. He's had to relent and let the others help him with everything, especially since he's left handed and isn't allowed to move that arm at all. I'm getting closer to Aprils and it's finally time for that talk. I can't put it off any longer, and Mike says Splinter keeps asking them if I'm OK. I've not been avoiding him; I just wanted to give him some space.

Ok. Maybe I have been avoiding him. It's hard to see him struggling with everyday things, knowing I'm the cause of it! Normally, I'd take my anger out on street punks but I'm scared to death of someone else getting hurt because I can't follow orders. I'll do it though. Every instinct has been screaming at me to take revenge on Hun and a few times in the past week I nearly went to find him, but I just couldn't do it. Every time I moved towards the door I could see Splinter getting shot; Hun pulling the bullet out of him. In my dreams, it's sometimes Splinter getting hurt and sometimes my brother's, but every time I wake up shaking.

I can't allow that to happen. I will do anything to make sure it doesn't. I will follow orders; I will not play the hothead even if it kills me.

"Are you coming in?" asks a soft voice, and I stifle a jump as April stares at me from the open window.

Stupid! How long have I been sat outside the open window?

"Uh, yeah" I mumbled, hurriedly stepping into the warm apartment as April pats my shoulder in reassurance

"Raphael" calls a familiar voice.

Looks like it's now or never.

I turn to see Splinter propped up in Aprils arm chair, still buried under a pile of blankets and looking pretty tired.

This was a bad idea. I can barely look at him. He just seems so weak, and it seems so wrong. Splinter is normally so proper and dignified, but now he's slumped in the chair and even I can tell the pain is bothering him.

"Do you guys need anything before I go downstairs? I've got some stuff to sort out in the shop" says April, breaking the awkward silence

"No thank you, April" answered Splinter quietly and I could feel him staring at me, as I tried hard to look anywhere else. A few moments passed as April left the room.

Now it's just the two of us, and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do.