A/N: I hope it wasn't too long of a wait. Love the encouragement, keep the reviews coming. I'm starting on a fic for Mikey now, but I'm still working out the bugs a bit.

Landfall

The dim apartment was quiet except for the sound of wind whistling around the building and pounding the windowpane. Donnie held Mira while hovering over Sarah where she lay on the couch. She had nearly collapsed once they were inside, exhaustion, pain and relief overtaking her at last. He had forced her to lie down and rest. Splinter was busy making the syrup from the elderberries they had rescued, while Mikey stood near the window watching in awe as the world was turned upside down.

Cat was settled in Raph's lap, her head tucked under his chin and his arms wrapped around her. From time to time her eyes would drift closed, until a loud crash or bang outside would make her stir. April was busy trying to get her battery powered TV to work. She'd get a signal but it would only last a moment before it was lost. Leo had retreated to the bedroom to meditate.

Donnie ran a hand gently through Sarah's short hair. It felt strange. She opened her eyes and smiled. "A small sacrifice."

He nodded. "It'll take a little getting used to."

She sighed. "What I really want is a shower."

Donnie shook his head. "April has enough fresh water for one person to drink and bathe but I don't think there'll be enough with us here." He looked up. "Mikey, I told you to stay away from the window. These apartment complexes don't put in reinforced glass."

"Bro, I was just watching-" Mikey jumped back as a trash can suddenly crashed through the window.

Raph was on his feet in an instant rushing to his brother. "Are you alright, Mikey?"

"Ow!" Mikey grabbed his foot where a piece of glass had sliced the top of it.

"And that is why I told you not to stand next to the window." Donnie sighed and laid Mira beside Sarah, before rising to find the duffle bag with medical supplies. Sarah laid a protective arm over her daughter, preventing her from rolling off the couch.

Leo came running in. "What happened?" His eyes widened at the broken window and then landed on Mikey's foot. "Mikey, are you okay?"

Mikey grinned up at his eldest brother. "I'm fine. It doesn't hurt that bad."

Donnie knelt beside him with the antiseptic and bandages. "Well, you could have gotten hurt worse, you goofball."

Leo watched as windblown rain began whipping in from outside. "We need to cover the window before more debris and rain get inside." He glanced at April, who simply shrugged. She hadn't thought of boarding up the place. She hadn't really planned on staying through the actual storm.

Donnie eyed the couch. "Come on guys, give me a hand." He moved around it and picked up Mira handing her to Cat, who held her rather awkwardly for a moment. Then he helped Sarah off the couch and onto the floor.

April had gotten a broom and was sweeping up the glass the best she could considering it was on carpet. After she was done, the guys lifted the couch and stood it up on its end covering the window. Now the room was rather dark, since the only light had come from outside. The guys were used to the dark sewer tunnels and so it was still pretty easy for them to see.

"Raph, I think we should prop the mattress against the window in the bedroom, just in case." Leo gestured for him to follow him down the hall.

"Good idea." Raph said as he followed his brother.

"Cat, please bring Mira here." Splinter had finished making the syrup and he prepared a small dose for her.

Cat handed the little turtle over and watched as he nudged her mouth open with the tip of his spoon. "Do you really think that will help her?"

Splinter nodded. "Yes, elderberries are well known for their healing powers."

Little Mira yawned and cracked her eyes open. "Daddy?"

Donatello took his daughter from his father. "I'm here, sweetie. But you should sleep."

She cuddled into him. "Will you take nap with me? Mommy takes naps with me."

Donnie couldn't help but smile. There really wasn't anything else he could do at the moment. "A nap sounds great." He settled on the floor beside Sarah laying his daughter between them.

Mikey frowned. He was already bored and the darkness that now filled the room made it worse. A light suddenly appeared from down the hall. And he looked up to see April with a candle. "Anyone want to play a game. I've got monopoly."

Mikey grinned. "Yeah!" He clamped a hand over his mouth when Donnie turned his head to give him a dirty look. "Sorry."

"Might as well do something to kill time." Cat joined Mikey and April in the hall and they went back to the bedroom.

2 Hours since landfall

"Hey, Raph, that ain't fair!" Mikey huffed. "You can't give Cat your Railroad, then she'll have all four!"

"Hey, you do what you want with your properties." Raph jabbed a finger at his brother. "And I'll do what I want with mine."

Cat leaned over and pecked his cheek. "Besides, I give better rewards than fake money."

Raph smirked. "I'll remember you said that."

"I'd tell you two to get a room but I can't, so knock it off." Mikey interjected.

Raph glared and Mikey stuck his tongue out at him.

April sighed. "Alright, fellas let's just get back to the game. Isn't it your turn Leo?"

Leo wasn't paying them much attention; he seemed to be listening to something else. "It's awfully quiet outside. Do you think the hurricane's passed already?"

April frowned. "Let's see. I haven't tried to get a signal in a while." She picked up the portable TV and turned it on. Amazingly enough she was able to get a signal now. "Looks like we're in the eye."

"That means at least another two to three hours to go." Leo sighed. He was anxious to get home. He wondered how badly the lair would be torn up. It was likely to be in very bad shape from being underwater for several hours.

"I wonder how the garage is doing." Cat said mimicking his thoughts. "And I just got it the way I liked it again." Raph took her hand in his and squeezed it, sharing a tender look with his spouse. He understood how anxious she was after losing the first garage.

"Yeah, we may even have to stay there for a while until the water level goes back down to normal." Leo said.

"You know, you guys can stay here as long as you need." April reassured them.

Mikey put a hand on her shoulder. "Thanks, April, but this little apartment isn't meant for eight adults and toddler."

"Yeah, I have a feeling certain people would start to get on everyone's nerves if we stayed cooped up in here too long." Raph pointedly glared at Mikey.

The youngest brother took the challenge in stride. "Yeah, like Raph." Raph growled before leaping at his brother and knocking the game board over in the process.

"Hey!" April and Cat shouted in unison.

"Raph!" Leo palmed his face with a heavy sigh.

Cat rolled her eyes as her spouse and his brother scuffled on the floor. "Well, who's up for poker? I'll deal."

Donnie reached across his daughter to stroke his wife's cheek. Her hand rose to cover his and her eyes opened to gaze at him. "What's wrong?"

He took in a deep breath. "I was so scared I'd lost you…all of you. I'm sorry I left you."

Sarah stroked his hand gently. "It wasn't your fault, my love. You shouldn't blame yourself. We don't blame you."

He swallowed hard. "But…if I'd lost you or Mira…I don't know what I would've done."

She could feel the pain and fear pulse through the bond and it made her tremble. She turned her head to kiss the palm of his hand. She laid her own heart bare to him, sharing with him her love and faith. When she lifted her eyes to meet his gaze once more she reached out to brush away the single tear that slipped from his eye. "We're safe. We're alive. And that's all that matters."

He leaned across Mira to kiss her softly. "I love you."

She returned the kiss warmly. "And I love you."

Sarah's eyes shifted to where Splinter sat meditating across the room. "Splinter saved Mira. If it hadn't been for him she would've drown. I wouldn't have been able to hold onto her." Tears threatened to escape her as her eyes fell to her daughter. "We owe him her life."

"As I owe you mine." They both jumped at Splinter's soft voice. "If it had not been for your bravery in the tunnels, I too would have drowned."

Donnie moved to kneel in front of Splinter. The rat opened his eyes to regard his son in the dark room. Donnie bowed till his head nearly touched the floor. "Nevertheless, Father, I want to express my gratitude. You saved my family."

Splinter's withered hand rested on his shoulder and the turtle lifted his eyes. "They are my family too, my son. And I will continue to do what I can to protect my family as long as there is breath in me."

Mira shifted beside her mother and sat up. "Mommy, I'm hungry."

Donnie rose and took Mira's hand. "Let's see what Aunt April has in her kitchen." There was a loud thump down the hallway followed by shouts. He sighed. "Sounds like your uncles are wrestling."

Mira giggled, obviously feeling better than she had been. She trotted down the hall followed by her father and popped open the door. Donnie shook his head at the scene before him. Raph had Mikey pinned to the floor with his arm behind his back. The two looked up and both grinned at the sight of their niece.

"Hey, munchkin!"

"Feeling better, little dudette?"

Mira frowned and it reminded the others of one of Sarah's expressions. "Uncle Raphie, don't be mean. Get off Uncle Mikey."

Donnie suppressed the snicker as the large tough turtle immediately removed himself from his brother's shell. It was quite humorous how Raph was so easily bossed around by the tiny turtle. Even Cat didn't seem to hold the same powers over him as Mira did.

The little girl walked forward and pulled at Mikey's hands. "Play with me."

Mikey's grin grew larger. "Absolutely."

"Didn't you say you were hungry, Mira?" Donnie thought it'd be a good idea for her to eat, considering she'd been sick for most of the day.

Mikey stood up, tossing Mira in the air a bit as he picked her up. She giggled. "I'll find you something good to eat." Sarah probably would have protested the action but Donnie knew his brothers would never allow harm to the tiny tot.

"Nothing too heavy, Mikey, she has been sick." Donnie cautioned.

"I've got crackers and cheese and I think there's a can of fruit in the cupboard." April suggested.

"That sounds pretty good. I'm kinda hungry myself." Mikey tickled Mira's chin as he carried her out to the kitchen.

Raph huffed. "Hope you're stocked up, April, because Mikey is likely going to clean you out otherwise."

Leo chuckled. "You're just mad because Mira took Mikey's side this time."

The wind began howling outside again, drawing everyone's attention to the covered window. Cat glanced towards the living room. "How's Sarah?"

Raph's expression dropped as he looked at his wife. He hated himself for it, but each time someone mentioned Sarah he thought of his own wife. How she too could have been ripped away in the current, drowned and possibly lost forever. He had left her just as Donnie had left Sarah. The only difference being she had been above ground and could have made it to higher ground if necessary; whereas Sarah and their father had been trapped in the tunnels with limited escape routes. His heart ached for his adoptive sister but the idea that Cat could have been injured or worse made his chest tighten painfully.

Donnie gave Cat a weak smile. "She'll be okay. It may take a while though, broken ribs are no fun."

"And they're shell getting over." Raph rubbed at his chest remembering his own broken ribs from the past.

April started to get up. "Maybe, I'll come keep her company."

Donnie waived a hand. "No, it's alright. She's fallen back asleep."

"Sleep is probably best for her right now." Leo agreed.

Cat shuffled the card deck. "Well then, you might as well join the game."

3 Hours since landfall

"How in the world am I losing to you?" Raph complained. "No one can win five hands in a row!"

Donnie just chuckled and Leo frowned. "Don, are you counting cards?"

Donnie feigned shock. "Leo, I'm hurt that you'd even suggest such a thing!"

His companions studied him for a moment before they all began glaring. "You were counting cards!" Raph growled.

"Donnie, I'm shocked!" April said though she hid a half smile behind her hand.

Cat threw down her hand of cards in disgust. "What is it with you guys today? First Raph knocks over the Monopoly board – which I was actually winning – and now you're cheating!" She threw her hands in the air and flopped backwards on the carpeted floor. "I give up."

"Counting cards isn't exactly cheating. It's more along the lines of statistics. And it only gives a slight advantage." Donnie began to explain.

"Spare us, brainiac." Raph snorted.

Donnie's head suddenly snapped towards the door, a frown replacing his smug expression from a moment ago. Seeing him suddenly go serious, the others rose to follow him when he left the room.

"Gosh, Sarah I'm sorry." Mikey was kneeling beside her on the floor, Mira wrapped in his arms. Splinter was also kneeling beside her, a hand pressed gently over her ribcage.

Donnie rushed over and knelt next to them. "Sarah, are you all right?" Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes and she was breathing heavy. Donnie looked up at his brother, who wore a pained expression. "What happened?"

"Mira and I were playing and she fell on top of Sarah. I'm sorry, I should have been watching her closer."

Mira whimpered in Mikey's arms and tears trickled down her own cheeks. Donnie patted her little head. He was grateful that although his daughter could sense that her mother was in pain, she could not feel it as he did. Every breath she took seemed to cause a sharp pain in her side. "It's okay, sweetie. Mommy will be fine."

Splinter met his son's gaze. "I suggest we move her to somewhere with….less traffic."

Donnie agreed, but this was going to be a tricky transfer. "We'll have to be very careful, I believe her rib is pressing on her lung now."

Mikey winced at this new information, while Raph cursed quietly behind them. "You should put her in the bedroom on the box spring. At least it will be slightly more comfortable than the floor." April held the candle high to illuminate the room.

Donnie met Sarah's eyes and she nodded in understanding. This was going to hurt no matter how gentle he was with her. Slowly, he lifted her small frame trying to jostle her as little as possible. It was a slow process as each movement made her gasp. Eventually he made it to the bedroom and laid her atop the box springs. He knelt beside the bed, afraid to sit on it and cause more harm. "I think it would be safe to give you something for the pain now. I believe the danger from the concussion has passed."

Sarah didn't respond, fearing she wouldn't be able to keep the quiver from her voice. Donnie stroked her cheek once more before leaving to find the pain medicine. Sarah shuddered. She had been unprepared for the sudden impact and it had done quite a bit of damage. She bottled up the pain as much as possible, keeping it away from their bond. She knew she could only contain it for so long before Donnie became aware of it, but she would try her best to keep the pain to herself.

A/N: Poor Sarah she's still in a lot of pain, but at least Mira is feeling better.