"Why is it taking so long?" Mikey asked anxiously. Donnie put a reassuring hand on his brother's shoulder.

"It takes time," He said vaguely. He didn't dare to admit that he wasn't entirely sure himself why an hour had already lapsed without any signs of her waking. He looked at Emilynn's monitor. At the moment, everything seemed okay. He looked down at Emilynn, who had already regained most of her color. Not seeing any significant change for the worse this far was a good sign, and he desperately hoped it would stay that way.

"You should come eat."

Mikey shook his head, watching Emilynn's still face. "I'm gonna wait," He said. Donnie sighed softly.

"Alright, Mikey. I'll bring you something."

Mikey shook his head again, more firmly this time. "I don't want anything." He absently brushed his fingertip along Emilynn's arm laying beside him as he spoke. Donnie's gaze was drawn to her wounds, checking quickly to see if they were still holding up as they should be, which they were.

"You sure?" Donnie asked doubtfully.

"Uh huh."

Donnie watched Mikey uncertainly for a moment longer before leaving to join the rest of the household. Mikey glanced up at his back as it disappeared. After a moment of staring after his brother blankly, Mikey laid his head on Emilynn's mattress and closed his eyes to wait.

Mikey awoke some time later, confused. For a moment he couldn't remember anything that had happened to him within the last few days.

All those memories came back in an instant as a small groan met his ears. Immediately, Mikey jumped up, looking down at Emilynn with wide eyes. Her face was scrunched up tightly. Her mouth moved in an unreadable fashion as she let out another grousing noise.

"Emilynn?" Mikey whispered excitedly. Her face twitched as he spoke. Then, with an abruptness that made Mikey stumble backwards in surprise, Emilynn's eyes flew open, accompanied by a huge gasp. This was followed by more frantic, gasping breaths that made Mikey fly to her side once again. He grabbed her, putting his face above hers. Her eyes were darting around wildly, refusing to land on anything. "Emilynn!" Mikey cried.

Emilynn jerked away from his touch with a shriek. Mikey had to struggle to keep her on her bed as she flailed in his grasp, crying out in a hoarse voice.

"Get off of me! Get away!" She wailed. Mikey refused to let go.

"Lynn!" He practically yelled. "Calm down! It's Mikey, it's Mikey!"

At this, Lynn froze, her eyes wide with bewilderment. "Mikey?" She whispered raggedly. Her eyes wandered around aimlessly again, refusing to land on anything in an unsettling way. As Mikey thought this, Emilynn squeezed her eyes shut for no apparent reason. "Mikey?" She whispered again, faintly.

"It's me," Mikey said, loosening his grip on her. "You're safe." Emilynn slumped with relief in his grasp. Her eyes remained shut tightly, a grimace forming on her face. Mikey watched her with concern, searching for any signs of a problem.

"Are you... okay?" He asked. He couldn't forget about the frantic rush Donatello had been in while making her an antidote. About how strongly Donnie had been against the idea of giving her the unfinished cure.

"It hurts," Emilynn said weakly. As she said this, her eyes opened again. Mikey, whose face was directly before hers, stared into the almost glowing iciness of her eyes. Her eyes didn't stare back.

"...Lynn," Mikey said slowly.

"What?" Lynn mumbled. Her eyes shifted, but still refused to meet his.

"Look at me," Mikey said. Emilynn frowned.

"What?" She repeated sluggishly. "You want me to..." She trailed off, as one of her hands reached up towards her face. Her fingers landed on her eyes gently, but then drew back quickly. "Mikey," She whispered worriedly. She felt her eyes again.

"What..?" Mikey asked apprehensively.

Lynn's expression changed to fear. "I... I can't see anything. Are there- are the light's off?"

Mikey's face darkened. "No, they're not." He watched as Emilynn's eyes started darting around again, seeing nothing. Emilynn reached out, her hand landing on Mikey's forearm. Her head fell in the direction of her hand as her eyes sought it out, finding nothing.

"Why can't I see?" Emilynn rasped in alarm. "Mikey."

Mikey stood up and squeezed Emilynn gently. "Don't move, Lynn. I'll be right back."

Lynn jumped slightly. "Don't go." She pleaded.

"I'll be right back," Mikey repeated. "I promise."

The hand that had touched Mikey's arm somehow managed to reach him again. Mikey's heart thudded heavily as her small hand grasped tightly onto his wrist.

"Swear on your mother's life?" She said in a small voice, using their coined phrase from the last time they had spoken to each other.

Mikey smiled at her in amazement. How she could say such a thing at a time like this, he didn't know.

"Now, Lynn. You know I can't do that," He replied, playing along in a tired voice.

She smiled weakly at him. He squeezed her arm with his free hand. "I promise, Lynn."

She nodded, lowering her head and releasing his arm. His skin pulsed sadly where she had been, as if it had been robbed of a part of itself. Mikey turned and ran from the lab. He dashed to Donnie's room as quickly as he could, calling out his brother's name as he went. Donnie was out of his door before Mikey could even reach it, squinting groggily at Mikey. He had apparently been sleeping, and wasn't wearing any of his gear. His mask dangled loosely in his fingertips. As soon as Donnie registered what was happening, his face filled with trepidation.

"Emilynn's awake," Mikey announced quickly. "There's something wrong with her."

Donnie's eyes widened. "What is it?"

"She can't see," Mikey informed him in a rush. "Come on." With that, Mikey took off running again, and Donnie obliged to follow him.

Mikey burst through the doors loudly, making Emilynn almost fall off her makeshift bed. Donnie came in seconds after.

"Mikey?" Emilynn called out fearfully.

"It's me," Mikey assured her. "I brought one of my brothers. He's a super genius. He'll help." He walked over to Emilynn, who lifted her head in the direction of his voice. Her eyes stared blankly into the distance, which Donnie noticed immediately.

"She can't see?" He asked. Mikey nodded. Donnie stood in thought silently.

"Well, what's wrong with her?" Mikey demanded. He moved to his favorite spot at Emilynn's side.

"I don't know yet, Mikey," Donnie said patiently. He moved closer to Lynn, whose eyes were darting around blindly in fear.

"Emilynn," Donnie said softly, "You're sure you weren't like this before..." He trailed off, unsure of where to end his sentence.

Emilynn shook her head, her eyes stopping with their frantic search for anything to see and resting on a blank spot of her lap. "No," She said faintly. Donnie nodded, going silent again as he almost absently waved his hand in front of her face.

"Don," Mikey prodded anxiously. Donatello sighed, dropping his hand.

"I told you that the antidote I gave her would be very risky..." Donnie said slowly. He reached out towards her arm that was closest to him. Emilynn flinched away when he touched her. "I just want to check how you're doing," He murmured to her. She relaxed her arm and let him feel for her pulse while also looking over her more serious injuries.

"You made her blind?" Mikey asked, his voice rising.

"Mikey," Said a new voice. The two turtles turned to see Leo and Raph close behind them, watching. Neither had any clue when either of the two had shown up. Leo was the one who had spoken.

"We all knew the risk that we were taking when we used the antidote. None of this is Donnie's fault. If it wasn't for Donnie, Emilynn wouldn't be alive right now."

Mikey flinched, moving closer to Emilynn. She was sitting with a confused grimace on her face. She clutched the blanket they had given her to her chest tightly.

"I know," Mikey said miserably. "Sorry, Donnie. It just... sucks."

Donnie nodded. "I know, Mikey. But it's better than the alternative."

"I'm blind," Emilynn whispered in a way that made it difficult to tell if she was stating it or asking it. "Forever?"

The brothers stared at her in wonder as her wide eyes stared eerily into the distance, a frightened look on her face.

"I don't know," Donnie said uneasily. He moved to his computer without any explanation and began searching through it's contents. The rest of the turtles stood still, unsure of what to do. They all hummed around Emilynn in an awkward silence.

Leo couldn't help but stare at her. He could tell how she might have caught his brother's eye. Even after all she had been through in the last couple of days, she was undeniably beautiful. It was a mesmerizing sort of beauty, that made it difficult to look away, almost as if she would disappear if she was lost sight of for even just an instant. Her eyes were especially fascinating. Leo had never seen eyes like hers before. He would have thought before that such a color blue was not possible to have as an eye color. They were practically haunting- like they could see straight into a person. The way her eyes now roamed vacantly across the room only added to the terror.

"How do you feel?" Donnie asked, breaking the silence.

"Like shit." Emilynn blurted in a hoarse voice. Donnie's brow shot upwards. There was a moment of stunned silence before Raphael snickered.

"She ain't lying," He said with a smirk, "My head's still killin' me and I was only under for about two seconds."

Donnie laughed awkwardly, addressing Emilynn. "Well, uh, I'll trying to make you something, then. For the pain."

Raphael scoffed. "I see how it is. Make one for the chick but completely ignore when your own brother's got a freakin' migraine bigger than Mikey's appetite."

Donnie gave Raphael a sideways glance. "I was a little busy then, Raph." He stood up and began rifling through some of his shelves. Raphael rolled his eyes and waved off his brother with a hand. He stepped towards Emilynn, leaning down towards her slightly.

"It kinda feels like your brain's turned to mush, right?" He asked. "But like it's also somehow being stabbed with a flamin' hot knife about a thousand times over? Like, everywhere?"

Emilynn bristled at the close proximity of his voice, but nodded slightly. Raphael straightened up and looked around at his brothers with an involuntary frown. "I bet all this talkin's not doin' any help," He muttered.

"You're right," Leo said abruptly, straightening up. He looked at Emilynn thoughtfully. "It's not comfortable in here at all. Donnie, is she safe to move?"

Donatello paused and looked at Emilynn, his eyes flickering to the screen beside her for a moment. "Yeah," He said slowly. "Where, exactly?"

"She can have my room." Mikey piped in quickly. His brothers looked at him doubtfully. He looked at Emilynn nervously. "I mean, is that okay with you, Lynn? Staying in my room?"

Emilynn's bottom lip puckered in a frown. "Uh-huh" She said faintly. Mikey gave her a concerned look.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Uh-huh," Emilynn murmured again. "Tired."

Donnie placed a bunch of bottles on his desk and turned his head to look at Emilynn and Michelangelo. "She's fine, Mikey. She's just really worn out. You should just let her sleep. In... your room?" He looked at Leo for affirmation. Leo cleared his throat quickly.

"Uh, sure. Mikey's room is fine, I guess."

"I can take her," Mikey offered. They all looked at her as she began to sway slightly. "I don't think she can walk," Mikey said.

"Definitely not," Donnie agreed. Mikey nodded and bent down to pick her up. Emilynn gasped wildly at the contact, wrenching away.

"Lynn, I'm trying to take to my room. Remember my room? The best room of all rooms, right?" His brothers eyed him suspiciously, but he paid them no mind. Emilynn sighed slightly, nodding.

"Sorry," She mumbled. "Jumpy. Your room. Yeah." She seemed to suddenly be having a difficult time forming any sort of complex sentence, but she held out her arms childishly, and Mikey picked her up off of the bed. She hissed with pain as he lifted her, digging her nails into his skin.

"Ouch," Mikey whispered. Emilynn murmured another groggy 'sorry,' but didn't loosen her grip. Mikey winced slightly at his brothers, before carrying Emilynn away. His brothers stared at his back with puzzled expressions as he left.

Mikey lay Emilynn on his bed as softly as he possibly could. She sighed with relief as her head hit his pillow. "Better," She said softly. She seemed to regain some of her composure, as she turned her head to him. "Mikey?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you stay?"

"Yeah."

Emilynn smiled dazedly. "Thanks."

Mikey watched as she rolled back over, closing her eyes. He picked up his blanket and laid it across her. She gratefully rubbed her face into it, falling silent. Michelangelo sat on the end of the bed and watched her fall asleep for the second time in his life. Once he was sure that she was no longer awake, he got up silently and walked back to join the rest. Outside of the lab doors, Mikey could hear his brothers in an intense conversation. He stopped to listen after hearing them say his name.

"What about Mikey?" Donatello had asked.

"You know what Mikey would think, Don," Leo replied. "But think about the risks."

"What risks?" Raphael said hotly.

"The Foot Clan being after her, for one. Or what about her finding out about us? Do you plan on lying to her forever? Or what about Mikey? What if- what if she hurts him?"

"Lee, you're bein' paranoid. Right now she's the only thing keepin' Mikey sane. And what about how we took care of April? How is this chick any different?"

Mikey could hear Leo sigh. "April was an exception, Raph. We needed her for our team. Besides, we knew why the Foot wanted April. But we have no clue what their deal is with Emilynn. Why is she so important? Why haven't we heard of her before? What if she's working for them?"

"Just cool it, Leo. Wait until her brain starts functioning properly and ask her yourself if you don't trust her."

"What if we don't have time, Raph? What if-"

"Leo," Donnie cut in, "You are being a bit paranoid. Don't you think if the Foot was planning some kind of attack they would have done it already? We're already passed our most vulnerable point. Besides, you know as well as I do that they hadn't actually wanted us to capture her. I really don't think she was supposed to be on their side."

Leo groaned. "Yeah. I'm sorry. I just... I can't forget my priorities. Alright. Fine. She can stay, for now."

Mikey bristled slightly at the way Leonardo had said for now. A soft hand suddenly lay across his shoulder. He whirled around wildly, only to come face-to-face with Splinter.

"Sensei!" Mikey whispered with surprise. It was clear to him that Splinter had heard all that he had, if not more. He looked up into Splinter's gentle eyes worriedly. "Do you think she's on their side?" He asked anxiously. Splinter shook his head solemnly.

"I cannot be sure," He said. "But I trust your brothers."

Mikey's mouth opened quickly. "But, Sensei! You can't let them get rid of her!"

Splinter raised one of his eyebrows at Mikey questionably. "I did not hear any plans to get rid of her, Michelangelo." He squeezed his son's shoulder. "Do not worry so much; It's ravaging your mind. You haven't been yourself, lately. It's been causing your brothers quite a lot of distress, too."

Mikey's brow furrowed. "Really?" His sensei nodded.

"You should rest, Michelangelo."

Mikey looked down at his feet, frowning in thought. "Yeah," He said. He looked back up at Splinter. "You should too, Dad."

At this, Splinter chuckled softly. "I think you're right," He said. He glanced towards the lab where the rest of his sons were residing. "In fact, I believe I should go do that this very instant. I hope you will do the same?" Mikey smiled crookedly.

"Yeah, yeah. I just gotta do something first." He gestured at the wide doors leading into the lab. Splinter seemed to understand.

"Very well. Goodnight, Michelangelo."

"Goodnight."

Splinter turned away first, vanishing into their dimly lit home. Mikey turned to the lab doors, which he made sure to open with a fair amount of noise. His brothers' conversation stopped as he entered the room. "Hey guys," He said, trying to sound cheerful. After what Splinter had said, he couldn't help but notice the apprehensive way they looked at him. It was like he was a bomb that they were waiting to go off unexpectedly in their faces. "What's going on?"

"We were just about to go back to bed," Leo answered for them all with a shrug. "What about you?"

"Oh, same here. I'm gonna camp out on the couch, I guess. I just wanted to talk to you guys for a sec' before turning in."

They perked up at this. "What about?" Leo asked, once again speaking for the group.

"I just... wanted to say thanks. To all of you." Mikey shrugged sheepishly. "I guess I've been acting pretty nuts lately. So thanks for putting up with me, and stuff. And for helping with Lynn..." He looked up at the three of them. "If it wasn't for you guys, I'd be- I mean, Lynn would be-" He stopped, suddenly unable to go on. He turned his wet eyes to the floor as he realized just how much his brothers had done lately, all for his sake.

Raphael, who had been closest to Mikey, marched up to his younger brother and grabbed him in a clumsy bear hug. "Anything to shut your trap." He grumbled. Leo and Donnie looked at each other briefly before walking over and joining the embrace until they all stood in an awkward huddle, wrapped around Michelangelo. Mikey's laugh was muffled against his brothers' skin as he tried his best to hug them all back.

"Thanks, guys," He murmured. "Thanks."

Wapow. Chapter fourteen. I'm proud of myself. Lately all I've been doing with my life besides hanging out with my hermit crabs and wasting away on The Sims is working on this story, so it's been going a little faster. For me, anyways. Publishing the chapters still takes a bit of time. Sorry sorry. Hope you liked it, guys. The weather's been lovely and I've been alright and I hope your lives are swell. I highly encourage you all to feel free to review or message me about anything, but you probably know that by now. Seriously you guys are all so charismatic and exciting and I love it. Hurray for you. Alrighty, until chapter fifteen. Byee.