Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT

Song for this chapter "Fighter" (Glee Cast Version)

Chapter 2

The screams reverberated off of the walls, stunning the group. The pleas for help shook them to the core but it wasn't until they heard Leo's name in the cries that they were able to react.

Don jerked to his feet and snatched the phone from Mike who was still trying to figure out how to respond to the individual on the other line.

"Hello?" Don called, "can you tell me where you are?"

Where's LEO? PLEASE! HELP ME!

The scream and sounds of struggle were the echoes of horror that forced Don to hack the line and begin tracking. Raph had grabbed a small med kit and Mike was carrying a bag with a blanket and a few other items for warmth.

They were gone as soon as Don gave them the address.

None of them knew who she was, but they knew that she knew Leo and that Leo trusted her enough to give her his number.

With that information they knew they couldn't refuse to answer her call for help.

When Raph and Mike reached the apartment building and scaled the walls to the apartment that Don had said was the girl's they entered to a horrific sight.

Blood splattered the walls and furniture was over turned.

Raph frowned as he peeked into the main room to see a man packing up various valuables and turned his head when he heard a soft sob.

She was limp on the floor, attempting to curl into a ball to protect herself, but it wasn't working. He was too badly eaten to move.

Raph's eyes narrowed dangerously on the man.

"Mike…grab the girl and take her to Don…I'll handle him," Raph hissed.

Mike flinched at Raph's tone.

If there was one thing that really got Raph's temper flared up it was when a woman was being abused, but if that woman looked like she'd been raped on top of being beaten…then you might as well sign a death wish; because Raph would kill you.

Mike moved quickly and quietly towards the girl, he pulled a blanket off the overturned chair before wrapping her in it. She whimpered and tried to squirm free. The girl had guts he had to give her that; she was still willing to fight to protect herself.

Mike pulled her into his arms, whispering words of comfort, then froze when he felt the barrel of a gun against the back of his head.

"Dude, I'd rethink that," Mike whispered.

"You know last time I saw you interfere with my girl you wore a blue mask…get bored of that color or something?" the man asked, "I honestly don't care…I told you, the next time I saw you I'd blow your head off."

Mike tensed as he heard the sound of a barrel being cocked.

"Dude, seriously…I'd rethink-" Mike's warning was cut off when the man screamed and he felt blood splatter against his back.

He's dead.

Nobody, nobody, threatened one of Raph's brothers especially the youngest and definitely not when he was already pissed.

Mike bolted for the window, clutching the girl close as he made his way down the fire escape and towards the nearest manhole cover. Raph caught up to him half-way back to the lair and darted ahead to open the door for him.

Mike pretended not to notice the blood and hoped Raph had the foresight to hide the body and Don seemed to have a similar expression when he was there to greet them at the door.

After Don had calmed the girl down and cleaned her up, he left her resting in the second bed in the infirmary, wrapped in warm blankets. He paused to check on Leo who was stirring and sighed at the sight of Leo's trembling body. He checked Leo's vitals before tucking the blankets around Leo a little tighter.

Then just as he started to leave…

"Dnnn?" Leo mumbled.

"Hey bro," Don greeted.

Leo groaned and lifted his head slightly, eyes flickering open, he coughed softly. He looked completely exhausted.

"Get some rest," Don whispered, fighting tears as he gently touched his brother's head, "you need to keep your strength up."

"Srry," Leo managed to whisper, the effort of speaking seemed to have sapped all of his strength.

"It's ok bro," Don breathed as Leo slipped back into an exhausted sleep.

A tear shone on Don's cheek for the briefest of moments before he hastily wiped it off.

Mike looked up from where he was cooking when Don walked in and glanced at Raph who was frowning across the table from Splinter who was giving his second eldest a disapproving look.

Don paused and flinched inwardly at the sight of the ancient rat and the second eldest locked in a staring contest.

Raph, even with how frail Splinter had become, wouldn't dare challenge his father's authority; but that didn't mean he'd take a lecture and Splinter knew it.

He only allowed Leo to lecture him now, abet rarely.

Leo had become the ultimate authority in the house over two years ago after Splinter had established him as full Jonin, during a sick spell that early cost Splinter his life. Needless to say Leo and Raph had fought constantly until Leo, quite literally crushed Raph in a duel for leadership. After Raph healed, he didn't even toe the line for about a year, then he slowly slipped back into his (although not as intense) old habits of attempting to trump leadership.

He knew Leo was in charge and respected the fact that Leo could, and would, wipe the floor with him to make that point.

Although maybe not now that Leo was so ill, but it was probably a safe bet that Raph wasn't going to try anything while Leo was sick and recovering. Even though Raph hated the idea of being under someone else's authority, he respected and loved both his father and his elder brother too much to cause problems at this time.

Splinter suddenly sighed, pulling Don from his thoughts, and turned to acknowledge his second youngest.

"Donatello, how do they fare?" he requested softly.

Don paused before answering, taking the cup of coffee and the plate Mike had handed him and sitting down before answering.

"Leo's weak, really weak. Whatever medication he'd on, appears to be helping him, but also making him ill in another way. From what the computer's analysis states, I'd…honestly say cancer of some type. Someone's been getting him Chemo, but not enough to fully kick the disease, enough to slow it. He also had a ton of Morphine in his system. I don't even want to know how much. He's in a lot of pain…he's weak, and honestly Sensei…I don't know how much longer he's going to make it. I hooked up the ventilator to help him breathe and the heart monitor to help me keep track of his heart rate," Don paused to take a drink and a bite of food, suddenly realizing how hungry he was, "the best I can do at the moment is make him comfortable…and try to figure out a way to get him more Chemo."

Everyone was silent.

Splinter's eyes were squeezed shut, tears glistening at the edges.

Raph 's hands and jaw were clenched, hard puffing breaths were the only other sign of his distress.

And Mike…oh Mike.

Mike was fighting tears over his plate, hands shaking, chest heaving, tears flowing already, even as he wiped them away.

Don, Don was numb, in shock, too hurt to breathe, too scared to think.

Then, to all of their surprise.

"What of the young woman?" Splinter whispered, "The one who knew Leonardo?"

They all flinched at Leo's name, the knowledge of his impending death too raw.

"She's bruised, badly…there was damaged from the rape but…I gave her stitches on the worst tares. She's sleeping right now, and I gave her something for the pain. She should wake up in an hour or so," Don whispered, fumbling with his food before pushing the plate away.

Despite his hunger, his stomach was reeling and he didn't feel like eating right now.

Too much had happened; too much was going to change.

A/N: Hey guys sorry for the long time to update. I just got married two Saturdays ago and I'm getting ready to move so please be patient I will update as often as I can. Please leave me some reviews! Thanks guys!