Disclaimer: Do not own, wish I did.

Leo allowed his father to direct him wordlessly toward Mikey and Raph's room. It was on the ground level so it had served as the easiest room for them to recover in. It was brightly lit, even though it was well past night in the world above and for that Leo was grateful.

Personally, he wondered if he could ever use the darkness as an ally again?

At the doorway Leo hung back and his father waited for him. That furred paw resting on his forearm, a silent reminder of his presence.

Leo wasn't sure what to expect. The only knowledge he had of his brothers health had come from the fumbled touches and half truths that the darkness had given them.

Raphael still stood behind him his eyes watching Leo like he couldn't believe he was there. When he had woken in the river fighting water, weakness and disorientation as the darkness had nearly reclaimed him…

He shivered, visibly and he felt his father's eyes on him, though Leo's eyes stayed forward.

He doubted he would shake the memory. He had begun to slip back into that froth of the muddy river as unconsciousness took over and that hand closed over his. He had been certain of it - it had to be Leo.

Who else would save the day?

So when he had saw Donnie and they found themselves a band of three… No one dared voice the fear they all felt.

But everyone was certain of it - Leonardo wouldn't abandon them. He was gone.

So to see him standing there.

Granted, he was unbalanced, thin, and worn…

But to see him standing there, alive…

It helped warm the chill he hadn't shaken since they were captured.

Leo hadn't moved from the arch way. He was afraid, and that paired with the thought that he had failed them was enough to keep him where he stood.

Splinter gave him arm a squeeze and Leo jumped looking to him as though he had forgotten he was there.

"Come, you need your rest."

Leo remained where he was and Splinter added gently.

"And your brothers need you"

The gentle nudge to the big brother in him was enough to cause him to move forward.

The room was a organized mess, with their mattress having been stacked against the corners of the room. Though, he noticed by the tilted locations of them, it seemed that someone had moved the mattress closer.

He understood that.

After touch being the only awareness of not being alone, and the sudden loss of a brother because you were not paying attention; Closeness was most important.

Mikey was lying on his back, his arm wasn't bandaged as that steel fixture was still closed over the wound. There had been no need to take away the attachment. It seemed to effectively seal the wound. His head was turned toward the wall and his eyes were glazed at half mast. He was either off in his mind or drugged, either way…he was hardly the jovial Mikey that Leo wanted to remember.

On the other side of the door was Donnie. He was lying on his side, his knees drawn up. They had to sleep in that compact posture or sit up in that hell. Leo wasn't sure if he slept like that out of habit, or …like a child was trying to keep demons away.

His eyes were closed but his brow was furrowed in fret as he slept.

Splinter moved away from Leo and Leo found himself reaching desperately for his father. The rat gave a halting gesture followed by a gentle smile before going to Don.

He would gently rub that paw across his forehead and slowly the lines would smooth into a more comfortable sleep.

Leo's hand still hovered in the air from where he had reached for his father. Raphael came to stand along side him, their shoulders touch. They had taken to sitting like that in -there-. With a little brother on either side, if offered silent comfort both were to tired to verbalize.

Glancing between the beds Leo felt his head drop lower.

How could he have let this happen?

Raphael gave him a gentle tug which nearly caused them both to lose their balance. Once steady he motioned him toward a mattress on the floor. Leo looked at it for a moment before wordlessly pushing it closer to his brothers.

There was so much he wanted to say.

Apologies, and questions…

But he was so tired.

Raphael waited until Leo had sat on the bed before going to his own which was pressed flush against Mikey's. He didn't want to tell their leader that Mikey often woke up screaming for everyone. It was hard to calm and reassure him that all was well and that they were there…when Leo hadn't been.

Leo hadn't known he was staring until his father, now moved from Donnie, would gently ease him back. As his weight was dispersed on the soft mattress, so different from that concrete floor, he began to realize…

While the mattress was soft,

And the incense of his father brought comfort…

They had a long way to go.

Slowly he reached his hand out, seemingly of its on volition, to rest on Donnie's ankle as he began to drift into a blissfully dreamless sleep.

So so so sorry! This Mommy thing is kicking my tail! But I really am trying to get more chapters, now. Thanks for sticking with me. We got the boys out, now to heal their minds!