Raphael had only gone a few yards when he was forced to stop. The red-masked turtle braced a hand against the tunnel wall, leaving heavily for support from the dizziness invading his mind. Panting, he waited, hoping for the sensation to lift. Common sense told him to go back to the den, but he couldn't. Not yet.

In the end, it was anger that provided him with another small surge of energy and gave him the incentive to keep moving. His progress was painfully slow, but Raphael had all the time in the world to burn. If he went back home right away, his blue-masked brother would probably pick things up where they'd left off.

When a hot shower had only succeeded in temporarily warming Raphael up from the annoying chills wracking his body, the turtle had put on a couple layers of clothes to help. He hadn't counted on Leonardo immediately jumping down his throat for the simple action.

Normally Raph didn't particularly care if Leonardo was angry with him, but his older brother's last words stung him more than he'd ever admit. I only think about myself? Leo couldn't be farther off. I'd do anything to protect my brothers, and die before I'd let someone touch them. But I don't care about anyone else, he thought mockingly.

The turtle's pace alternated between a slow walk and a shuffle, his hand constantly grazing the tunnel wall to help keep his balance. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind that he was sick now, and he needed to tell someone.

When Raphael had called Marc earlier, the phone switched straight to voicemail, but he didn't leave a message. He'd refused to call Luke at the time, because he knew the man would blow things out of proportion, just like his genius brother. But I'll have to tell Donny tonight. It might even shut Leo up for a couple of days.

He continued to trudge down the tunnel, having decided to head for the van entrance. The sun was nearly finished setting when he made it to the opening, and he gratefully sank to the ground to watch the gathering darkness. Raphael crossed his arms over his plastron to help maintain a little more body heat, groaning as his head lolled forward. I'm tired of being the bad guy. Whether I start it with Leo or not, he always thinks the worst of me.

Raphael sniffed, finding it difficult to breathe deeply. Congestion seemed to have taken control of his chest and nasal passages just over the span of the afternoon. That's gonna be annoying. Wonder how long this crap will stick around. Donny didn't complain much about it, but he usually doesn't. He's got no problem fawning over someone else, but he sure doesn't want anyone nursing him.

The longer he sat there, he wished he'd brought a jacket with him too. Even better, I wish I was at home in bed, not sitting here. I could probably sleep for about a year at this point.

His phone rang suddenly, startling him. Raphael drew the device from his belt, swallowing when he saw Marc's number on the screen. "Hello?"

"Hey, Raph," Marcus greeted him. "I accidentally let my phone die earlier, and I didn't notice you'd called until after I'd charged it. Did you need something?"

"Um…" Raphael hesitated. "Well…what are you up to?"

"Nothing right now, but I have to leave in about an hour. I'm picking April up from the airport tonight."

"Oh. Oh yeah, I forgot about that."

"Raph. Do you need something?" Marc asked once more.

"Don't worry about it, Marc. It's not important."

"Hold on a second. What's not important? You don't typically call me just to chat."

"Listen, Man, it's no big deal. I'm gonna let you go."

"Don't hang up the phone," he ordered. "Are you still there?"

"Yeah, I'm here, Marc."

"Do you want to tell me what's going on?"

Not really, no. Raphael didn't know what to say to him. Apparently his silence struck a nerve with the man.

"Should I be concerned?"

"I don't know," he replied vaguely.

"Where are you?"

"Sitting out at the van entrance."

"I'll come meet you, okay?"

"No, Marc, don't do that. You're supposed to be heading for the airport."

"So I'll leave early and catch you on my way."

Raphael snorted. "I may not know the streets as well as you, but I know I'm not 'on your way' to the airport. I'm telling you, Marc, it's okay. I can talk to you later."

"Raph, I have time, and you're acting weird. Should I call one of your brothers and have them check on you?"

"Shell, y' don't gotta do that, Marcus."

"Then tell me what's going on."

Raphael grumbled a curse. "I'll just meet you, okay? We're still waiting on a part for the van, but I can take my bike. Be there in about 20 maybe?"

"Sure. I'll be waiting downstairs."

"Okay, Marc; I'll see you in a bit."

The red-masked turtle got to his feet, relieved when his legs felt relatively stable. He fished around in a pouch on his belt for the keys to his bike, shaking his head at the thought of the van. In the old days Donatello would have scavenged the needed part from the dump. Now that the purple-masked turtle had regular income, however, he preferred to acquire higher quality parts, especially where the engine was concerned. He wants to get a longer life out of the Battleshell…can't blame him for that.

Raphael picked up his helmet and climbed onto the back of his bike. I didn't expect Marc to give me such a hard time. He must be developing Doc's overprotectiveness. That sucks too…if we don't have a pushover in this group, we'll never get away with anything.

He sat still in his seat for a few moments, resting his head in one hand while he determined if he had the energy to go anywhere. I already told Marcus I'd meet him, and I feel better sitting than I did walking around. May as well get this over with.

Raphael caught himself driving slower than he usually would have. His body felt so heavy that even the addition of his helmet seemed to be weighing him down. He was glad there was no real wind that night, but the breeze created by merely driving was making him colder by the minute.

When he had to stop for a red light his eyes automatically closed. The blaring of a car horn was his first warning that the light had changed. Raphael jerked and accidentally let go of the clutch. The bike died with a lurch, and the turtle groaned as two cars quickly went around him.

Shell. Now I look like some helpless newbie. This probably wasn't a good idea. He restarted the bike as he waited through another light cycle, and double-checked the street sign. I'm not far from Marc. I can do this, dagone it. It's not time for sleeping yet.

Three more blocks and he was within the familiar territory of St. Joseph's hospital, the facility where Luke worked in the ER and Marcus operated as an orthopedic surgeon. I wonder if Doc's there tonight. He's been trying to burn the candle at both ends lately. Makes me glad Luke didn't drag himself underground today – he's gotta take a break at some point. He and Donny ought to start a support group or something.

Marcus only lived a couple of streets away from the hospital. The turtle had nearly reached his goal, even though he hadn't decided what to say to the man yet. Gonna need to figure that out pretty quickly.

Marcus tapped the steering wheel of his Avalanche impatiently. He still had time before he needed to leave and pick up April, but he was concerned about what could be going on with the red-masked turtle. It's taking him too long to get here. I don't understand why Raph couldn't tell me what was wrong over the phone. These guys can be so stubborn.

He had been watching his rearview mirror, waiting for the single headlight that would signal his friend's arrival. Marcus glanced at the clock again, fingering his phone while he considered calling one of the other turtles. Raph didn't want me to though. I'll give him a couple more minutes to get here before I call out the search party.

The moment he looked back at his mirror, the rescue squad was dismissed. A motorcycle had pulled up behind his Avalanche, and the turtle was slowly climbing down. A little too slowly. It looks like he could be in pain. Darn it, I should have called Leo.

Marcus hit the button to open his window as Raphael approached his side. "Hey. Get in the car."

"You don't gotta—"

"Get in the car."

The turtle crossed in front of the Avalanche and came around to the passenger side. Marcus turned on his interior light as Raphael took off his helmet.

"Marc, I know I'm late. You need to get going."

"I have time," he insisted, studying Raphael. The way the red-masked turtle shivered under the low setting of his air conditioning made absolutely no sense. It was the middle of summer, and his friend was already wearing layers. Marcus reached to shut off the air and wheeled around in his seat. "You're here, so talk."

"I told you it coulda waited. I was just thinking about Donny being sick, and you guys didn't want him around Master Splinter."

"Okay…"

"Was that 'cause you thought he was contagious, or were you only trying to get his shell to rest properly?"

"Did you really come here to ask about Donny? Is something wrong with him?"

"No, it's not….this is more of a…what do you call it? Hypothetical question. If Don had more symptoms, would you still wanna keep him away from Sensei? Could he make anyone else sick?"

Marcus peered at Raphael silently, noticing the glassy quality of his amber eyes in addition to the pronounced rasp in his voice. "Are you sure we're talking about Don?"

"No one needs to get sick if they don't have to," he answered evasively.

Marcus sighed loudly. "Do you have to be this difficult? You're not feeling well, are you?"

"It's not me I'm worried about."

The man shook his head. "I'm taking you home, Raph. You'll have to leave your bike here for the moment, because I don't think I can get it in the back of the Avalanche by myself."

Without warning, the turtle's door swung open. "You're not taking me anywhere. You're going to the airport to get Ape. I'll get home the same way I got here."

"Like heck you will! Get back in the car!"

"Go get your girlfriend and quit worrying about me," Raphael retorted.

"Does anyone else know you're sick?"

"I'm gonna talk to Don when I get home, all right? It didn't hit the Genius that hard, and it ain't gonna crush me either. I'll have him call you if it'll make you feel better."

"I'd feel better if you got back in the car!"

The red-masked turtle shook his head and disappeared around the side of the Avalanche.

He's impossible. I'm going to have to do something about this.