Epilogue

Donatello entered the living room, adjusting the strap of his duffle bag over his shoulder. He glanced around and caught Mikey's eye. "I just got off the phone with April."

Michelangelo tossed the comic he was reading and jumped to his feet. "Oh?"

"She's got a pile of dolls for us to go through," he said with a proud gleam in his eye.

"Not from the junk yard, right?" Mikey asked with a quick glance at the dojo where his brothers were practicing. Don had been working on something for Leo's disability, but he wasn't ready to let him know just what it was yet. Luckily, Leo was out of ear shot. Not to mention that Mikey could hear Raphael cheering him on from where he stood. Raph spent more time in there with Leo than he'd ever had before. It was almost as if he had some private reason to help Leo train as much as he did. As though he were nursing some hidden guilt. But then again, Raph was a mystery. Mikey never knew what he was upset about half the time. "You said that could infect the uh, er, something about the plastic needs to be clean."

Donatello waved his hand. "Newer is definitely more sanitary. But I've used the discards to practice working on the new prosthetic. April's call couldn't have come at a better time," he added with a dreamy look in his eye. "I'm ready for construction, Mikey. This is really going to help Leo. A lot!"

"Cool! I'll get Raph and Leo and tell them we're gonna go see the girls!"

"Hold on." Donatello looked across the room to Master Splinter's door. After a moment, he said in a soft voice, "We should tell Splinter where we're going."

Mikey stood still. Understanding what it meant when Donnie said that. "What about Leo? Should . . . should we ask him if it's okay for Splinter to come with?"

Donnie sighed and shook his head sharply, remembering the most recent time Splinter had tentatively asked Leonardo for permission to see his own daughter. It had not gone well. Leonardo became upset and increasingly angry with Splinter for even asking him. The switch in positions between Sensei and student when it came to this matter was something that he still grappled with and wanted no part of. As far as Leonardo was concerned nothing had changed except that Splinter had regained his long lost daughter. If Splinter wanted to see her, he did not have to ask him or anyone for permission. As far as what he'd given to enable Splinter to have such a privileged, Leo wouldn't talk about it. It was as though he simply accepted his part in the terrible play to regain what was lost. For the most part, Don could even say that Leo seemed content. Aside from the flashbacks that would hit him from time to time. But those seemed to happen with less frequency. A good sign from what Don could tell. He also knew that a large part of his recovery had been when he would sneak out at night, thinking none of them noticed. And maybe they hadn't. But Don kept odd hours himself and he'd seen Leo creep out of the lair and knew where he'd gone from what April had texted him. He wondered if Splinter would approve of where Leo had been going. A strange pull of worry tugged at this stomach. He glanced again at his father's bedroom door.

Ever since the Shredder spelled out exactly what he'd done to Leo, and he finally, fully realized his culpability in what had happened, Master Splinter had something of a mental and emotional breakdown. It had taken weeks for the family to readjust and heal, longer for some of them. And since Splinter regained his composure only a few months ago, things were much better and much more like how they used to be; aside from the strained look on their father's face when he observed them during practice or when he watched Leonardo relearning katas that he had long ago mastered; stumbling and struggling to adjust to only having one arm. There were sudden bouts of Splinter pulling them each into awkward, fierce embraces. Particularly Leo, who endured the affection with grace and patience. Out of the four of them, though, Raphael complained about the hugs the least. In fact, he seemed to need them more than Leonardo most days.

"Hang on," Donatello said and crept across the room to peer into his father's bedroom. "Sensei?"

Splinter quickly wiped at his eyes and stood up from the tatami mat in front of his family shrine. He set the picture frame face down and turned to Donatello.

"I . . . I, uh, just wanted to say that April called. She's got the new dolls I needed." He paused and Splinter remained listening intently, ears forward. "We were all gonna go." He swallowed and forced out, "Did you want to see her?"

"Yes," Splinter answered immediately. "If Leonardo does not mind."

Donatello's quick mind worked. "Uh, yeah. No. He said it's fine."

Splinter's amber eyes took on a happy sheen as he bobbed his head. "I would like to arrive with flowers for my daughter."

"Oh, o-of course. We can get some from the flower stand outside Murakami's shop."

April watched Karai pacing with agitation across the living room floor. She stopped every few steps and looked towards the entrance, rubbing her arms with nervous energy. When no one appeared, she turned back to her monotonous movements. April felt her heart go out to her.

Ever since her father was mutated into a bat, April had the apartment to herself. Her part-time job after school hardly paid the rent in full and her savings for college was dwindling faster with every passing month. College was seeming to be more and more a distant dream. When Donatello called her and explained the situation with Karai being Splinter's kidnapped daughter, she was thunderstruck. When Karai pulled her aside one day after coming down to visit the boys, she was fearful and then stunned. Karai seemed like a different person. She was still edgy and quick-witted, with sarcastic barbs readied and aimed at anyone who tempted her; but there was a new soft vulnerability that April never saw in her before. As she listened to the girl's plea, April felt that the hand of fate had interceded in her life once again. Karai needed a place to live. A roommate was just what April needed to continue living in the only home she really had. The one that kept her close to what family remained, and that included Donatello and his brothers.

The year passed and at first, April found Karai to be either overly polite and formal or aloof and shy, hiding for long periods of time in her room, at a loss as to what to do with herself. It had taken some time, but eventually, April was able to use her naturally warm nature to break down the barriers between her and the lonely girl. Now, April counted Karai as her friend. In fact, one of her closest friends in the entire city aside from the boys. If she thought too long about it, it was enough to make her head spin. The girl that once wanted her dead now confided her deepest secrets to her. And April was relieved to have someone else to talk to about the turtles and all the tangled emotional drama happening in their lives; between their fathers, their families and their burgeoning love interests, it was wonderful to have someone to talk to.

A brief knock had Karai scrambling for her room, dashing past April and saying in a hurried voice, "Nevermind. I'm not here."

"Karai," April started, but let it go. She and Splinter had met several times at the apartment, but it was always rushed and awkward. Just a mess, really. But with a sigh, April realized once again that she couldn't force Karai's relationship with Splinter. No matter how badly she wanted them both to be happy. Though she had tried many nights when they'd talk to convince her to give him a chance. In the end, it was something that would either develop over time, or . . . it wouldn't. But April was not about to give up on the situation. Karai still had a father she could communicate to and one day he'd be gone. April knew she would do everything she could to help fix things between the estranged father and daughter.

She smiled her hellos as she opened the window and the group filed in. Mikey ran to the fridge.

"There's cookies in here!" he exclaimed.

"Yeah, I made them for you guys."

"Thanks, April! You're the best!" Mikey said as he pulled the large plate out and set it on the kitchen table as April gave each of them a welcoming hug. As she released Splinter's neck, he glanced around. That's when she noticed the small bouquet of pink mums and baby's breath in his hands. Her heart sank as he continued to gaze about her kitchen and beyond into the living room just down the short hallway. A slow disappointment dragging on his features.

"Uh, oh. Um, she . . . Karai is . . ."

"Geez, what took you guys so long," Karai said as she sauntered into the kitchen. She leaned over the table and plucked a chocolate chip cookie from the top of the pile. She bit it and waved her two end fingers in a general hello to the boys, ignoring Splinter completely. "Hey, tough guy," she said to Raph who waved at her then rubbed the back of his neck nervously. She tipped her head and nibbled at the cookie's edge. She glanced over to Leo who was keeping his gaze fixed on the floor. She sighed through her nose. Then, her eyes, which looked particularly glassy, happened to lift in time to meet Splinter's and she stiffened. She ran a hand through her hair and stood up straight. "I'm going up to the roof to get some fresh air." With that she turned and left.

Splinter's hand holding out the flowers dropped.

"I think that means she'd like to talk to you, uh, in private," April murmured and guided Splinter through the kitchen to the front door.

He hesitated. "N-No, April. I think that maybe another time. I don't want to . . . to disturb her."

April rolled her eyes. "Splinter, just go on. She's been a nervous wreck since I told her you guys were coming last night after the shipment of dolls came in yesterday. I think she's ready to visit a bit more than what you've been doing. Don't be afraid. She needs you."

The look of surprise and hope made her heart ache. He looked quickly from the door to April's face and she mouthed, 'go on' and shoo'ed him with her hands. He turned and slipped out the door. April leaned against it and exhaled heavily. She hoped she wasn't pushing things too fast, too hard. But she just knew that if she was in Karai's place, she would need a little push, too.

Donatello emerged from the kitchen, looking warily at her sad expression, but he brightened as she stood up and crossed to him. She stood up on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his cheek which made him jump, and then, to his surprise, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him until he brought his own around her back. They remained that way until Raphael cleared his throat loudly behind them. Donatello winced and moved to release her but April only hung on tighter. Don, not knowing what he could do in the situation, completely stunned and helpless, made a sigh of 'what can I do?' with his hands and returned them to the embrace. It's not like he was about to tell her to back off.

"Just tell me they're going to work this out," she murmured into his neck, inadvertently sending a million goosebumps throughout his entire body.

"Uh, oh." He needed a moment. "Th-they will, April."

And still she held him.

His brothers stood in the kitchen in full view of the affectionate display. Donatello felt his cheeks burn but mostly, he could care less what they thought. He was in heaven. Mikey grinned widely around the cookie hanging from his mouth. Raphael shot a scandalized look to Mikey then to Leo, who strategically kept his eyes glued shyly to the plate of cookies in front of him that he reached out and rearranged, sliding the plate first a little one way then the other. His severed arm was wrapped in a dark leather pouch with a sling over one shoulder. Mikey stepped forward, unabashedly staring at the couple. He nudged Raph with his elbow and gestured towards the two still hugging, Don now with his cheek pressed onto the top of April's head with his eyes closed. Raph shook his head slowly in mortification but soon that morphed into something like amazement and then, by inches, a happy smile stole away the frown on his face.

"Well, whaddaya know?" he mumbled and rubbed the back of his head. He reached out and pulled Mikey to one side out of their view. "Give 'em some privacy, will ya?"

Splinter opened the roof access shed and crept out into the expanse. Karai was only a few feet in front of him. She kept her back to him, though he knew she heard him open the door. With hesitant steps, each one more heavy with the weight of failure and fear, he approached her. Before long, he was next to her. He glanced from her to the buildings surrounding them. The distant thrum of traffic made a pleasant humming backdrop. He found it soothing. Before long, he felt himself let go of some of his trepidation. He set the flowers down in front of her to one side.

"Are you finding yourself well?" he finally asked.

She nodded and then shrugged and rubbed her bare arms. Summer was retreating to the oncoming autumn and Karai found herself missing those long nights of talking with Leo in this very spot. He'd started to come and see her not long after she had moved out. Mostly, they spoke of trivial things. Sometimes, they practiced and she helped Leo with some of his more difficult struggles with relearning certain katas. On occasion, they spoke of their shared pain; of the wounds inflicted upon them by each of their parental figures; but never about what Leo had gone through at the Foot Clan headquarters. He never brought it up. She never pushed. Knowing one day he'd want to tell her everything, and until that time, she would wait. And if that day never came, well, that would just be what he chose. Some days, when it was too much as she could only guess, he'd arrive and stand close to her; saying nothing, but staring out into the city, but she knew he was not seeing what was in front of them, but something much less pleasant. It was those times that she would reach out with her fingertips and lightly hold onto his fingers. Letting him know she was there should he need her.

There were times when she was sitting with her back against the concrete parapet, staring up at the night clouds passing overhead when he'd appear, she didn't know how she'd know he'd come, but he always did on those evenings and he'd move across the roof like a shadow and sit down so close that he'd press his side against her. Those times they said nothing. But she could feel the weight of his grief and she felt him tremble. She could hear the pounding of his heart in the silence between them. When she'd glance at him, he would have his face hidden behind his hand, fingers pressed hard into his eyes, shoulders bouncing slightly, until finally with a shuddering breath, he'd stand up. He'd murmur in a raw voice that he had to go and he'd leave, just as he came, like a wraith ghosting across the roof back into the surrounding shadows; leaving Karai to wonder at what he was going through and to be amazed at his strength. Somehow, through it all, the talking and not talking, together they managed to be exactly what the other needed.

Karai glanced at the flowers laid on the rough edge of the concrete before her. Her mouth went dry and oddly, there was a lump in her throat. No one had ever brought her flowers before. Least of all, her 'father'.

"Those supposed to be for me?" she asked with a biting tone.

"Yes," Splinter said sadly. "Tang Shen loved fresh cut blooms. She would often fill our small home with them."

Karai stiffened at the mention of her mother's name, but then with a little reluctance, she reached out and brushed the petals with her fingertips.

"I like the color," she commented and surprised herself by what she said.

"You like . . . pink?"

She shrugged. "I dunno." She sniffed and looked away, then, "Yeah, pink's okay. For flowers, I mean."

Splinter smiled. "I will make sure to remember that."

"Okay," she said softly.

"I should go."

She said nothing. But as he turned, she followed, grasping the bouquet in one hand. Splinter felt his heart leap and he held the door open for her. She passed without a word. When they got to the apartment door, she stopped. He stood awkwardly in the hallway behind her. She glanced over her shoulder at him, then down at the flowers. She opened the door and he followed.

Once inside she asked, "You want some tea?"

Splinter nodded, feeling the power of speech flee.

"Okay. Give me a minute." She crossed into the kitchen where the boys were gathered around the plate of cookies and a pile of fashion dolls. Leonardo was absent. Donatello was peering through a pair of magnifying goggles. A scalpel in one hand, he sliced through one of the legs of a doll in front of him. April hung over one of his shoulders and Karai smirked a little, knowing exactly how her friend felt about the boy in purple. Karai paused and frowned as she looked at the strange proceedings. April looked up, opened her mouth to explain, but Karai waved her away. "I don't even want to know."

She set to making the tea, as the kettle came to a boil, she arranged the blooms in a vase and stood back to admire the flowers. Mikey glanced at her, then at the flowers, a slow happy smile spread across his face. With the tea made, Karai brought it to Splinter on a small tray where she had stacked a few cookies on one side. She realized she had no idea what the rat liked to eat. She noticed Leonardo was on the couch across from him having emerged from the bathroom a moment ago. She set the tray down.

"Did you want some tea, Leo?"

He shook his head, only giving her a quick glance before dropping his eyes. He was always particularly skittish around her when his family was around. It irritated her to no end. It wasn't as though they'd been doing anything wrong while they'd been meeting together and if he was ashamed of coming to see her, then she owed him a beating. In a huff, she turned and sat heavily opposite into an arm chair. Suddenly, she said to the ceiling, but was clearly addressing Splinter, "Um, if you want. I mean, if you're not doing anything . . . April and I were going to, um, maybe try cooking this weekend, for, like a dinner party." She paused and Splinter held his breath, heart thundering in his chest. The moment spread out interminably. "It's been a year since I moved in and we wanted to, er, celebrate, I guess. We were going to invite the guys . . . If you wanted to come along . . . thatwouldbefinewithme ," she gushed out all in one breath.

She crossed her arms and looked stubbornly towards the kitchen where she heard Donatello exclaim, "That ratchet joint's perfect! Stick all the legs in my bag." Her frown deepened and she suppressed a shudder. April sure had strange taste. Then again, who was she to judge?

Splinter stood up and was suddenly looming over her. She squirmed and sat up. He bowed and straightened up. "I would like that very much, d-daughter," he nearly choked the last word in a whisper but Karai said nothing against him using the term.

She tilted her head. "Fine. Good. I'll let April know. It was her idea."

"Thank you," Splinter said quietly in a thick voice full of emotion.

Karai's eyelids fluttered as her face flushed and she chewed on her bottom lip, keeping her gaze on the arm of the chair she was on. Not trusting herself to look up into his face; unsure of what her reaction would be if she affirmed what from the corner of her eye she thought were tears on his furry face.

The dinner went smoothly and there had been moments of genuine laughter and sincere conversation over the latest superhero movie being released. Some of the boys did not like the new redesign of their favorite characters, thinking the producer was out of his mind for making such drastic changes whereas Mikey and Leo were willing to give the movie a chance before casting judgment. Raphael was scandalized and announced that his brothers were never true fans of the franchise which had Karai throwing a spoonful of noodles into his snout. An all-out food fight erupted that included Master Splinter using his plate as a shield but casting more than a few baby carrots at both Karai and April.

Later, over tea and cookies, Splinter sat with quiet grace, soaking in the conversation flowing around him. He continued to have a twinkling in his eye that hadn't been there in a long, long time. Leo hadn't felt so happy as he did in that evening in so long, he couldn't remember. And as they left for the night, Donatello stole a kiss from April, leaving her pink-cheeked as she bid the rest of them goodnight. Leonardo, in the rear of the exiting group, turned just in time to see Karai suddenly extend her arms out and wrapped them around Splinter in a quick, tentative embrace. She tightened her arms and then broke free, spitting out her goodbye and running from the room; leaving only a stunned April and a relieved, if not emotionally wrecked, Splinter to witness the touching moment besides him.

It was with this warmth in his chest, along with an anxious fluttering in his stomach, that he returned later. April had gone to visit her aunt. Which meant that Karai had the apartment to herself. She was alone. For once, they did not meet on the roof, but rather, he tapped at the window until she appeared, wearing an over-sized t-shirt and a pair of pajama shorts. He felt his face flush at the sight of her bare thighs, creamy and white as she folded them underneath her body where she sat next to him on the sofa. Her green eyes were bright and her face seemed a little more colored than usual. He wondered if she was feeling the electric snap in the air between them as he'd felt the moment he stepped into the apartment.

"Donatello told me he's got a surprise for you."

He nodded.

"He said I'm supposed to go to the lair with April by ten tomorrow morning. Any idea what it is?"

He glanced at his arm but then only gave her a half-hearted shrug. His missing arm was the last thing he wanted to think about tonight. He'd come here feeling restless and while he thought of some things he wanted to talk to her about on the way over, now, he couldn't remember a single one. He fidgeted and found his pulse thudding in his overly tight throat.

He had laid his hand upon the cushion of the couch and Karai reached out and covered it. She gave him an encouraging look and he wanted to smile, but suddenly felt unsure. As if he needed to stand up or maybe leave. His hand twitched but her fingers wrapped around it and squeezed it affectionately. She inched closer and he cleared his throat. Was it exceptionally hot in the room? He wiped his chin with his shoulder, unable and unwilling to move his hand from beneath her grasp.

They hadn't talked, not really, about what feelings were developing and deepening between them. And Leo wasn't sure if he was just imagining the heated look in her eyes. He knew that he wanted it to be there and a part of him was excited to see the gleam in her eyes. He knew he should say something. But it was as though his mouth was slack and useless. His tongue laid heavily inside it. His jaw clenched as he swallowed dryly. He felt something like thrilled panic race through him as she leaned closer, bringing her face towards his. She was going to kiss him. He was sure. He wanted her to. More than anything. He'd dreamed of this moment since the first day he'd seen her. Her lips parted and as they brushed lightly along his lower lip his heart was a thundering roar in his ears. He felt himself stir as powerful desire for her swept through him. But as she pressed her lips into his mouth more aggressively and the heat blossomed throughout his middle, inflaming his sex, his mind was suddenly assaulted with crippling images of the Shredder's chambers. His hand roughly shoving between his legs, up where he was tucked away just behind his lower plastron; fingering him and yanking him free and stroking and pumping until . . . until . . . the coiling, burning, terrifying feeling of being forced to climax as he was being penetrated.

Leo couldn't breathe, his ears were ringing, flooded by the sounds of reliving the awful memories . . .

'Call me Father and I will make it all stop. Say, please Father, please.'

'N-ooh, No, no noo-oh ah!'

'Say it.'

And his hand worked harder, faster and Leo choked on his shame and unable to take it any longer, not wanting to be brought to orgasm, something he didn't understand, but knew with deep shame and humiliation was about to happen any second, relented.

'F-Fa-ther! Fa-ther!' he choked hoarsely, then louder, building to a strained scream, 'Please, Plea-se stop . . . Father!'

And the Shredder's laughter pelted him as he drove harder and deeper into Leo, making him buck and gasp and groan; sliding his hand faster until the first horrible burst of pleasure ripped through his shuddering loins; and then another, stronger this time, as his seed erupted out of him in an explosive jet. He moaned and then he couldn't stop it. He didn't want his body to do this. He didn't. But he couldn't stop it from happening. Until that point, he'd never even touched himself, fighting the natural urges that would hit him from time to time with cold showers, deep meditation and heavy training until he was too exhausted to think of anything other than sleep.

With a strangled cry, he lurched away from Karai and slipped off the front of the couch, dropping onto the floor in a heap in front of her. She gave a shout of concern but he jerked away from her, violently swinging his fist and elbow in a clumsy manner as she reached for him. He curled forward, tucking his severed arm close to his stomach, his right hand supported him.

Karai bit her lip and refrained from crowding him, though her instinct was to hold him, the need to protect him from these demons almost too much to contend with. But she couldn't be selfish now. Not now. He needed to get through this terrible moment on his own. And so, though it pained her to do so, she gave him what he needed: breathing room. As the flashback rocked him, eyes wide and glassy, fingers working through the plush of the rug he'd fallen onto, his body shook and trembled. He stared ahead with his mouth gaping slightly, panting and making a soft grinding noise that ended with a whimpering wheeze that brought tears to her eyes. A few minutes passed in this rigid state of horror. Then, his panting eased into great gasps which then lead to a shuddering inhale and exhale. He was coming back.

She wiped her tearing eyes quickly and sat back, glancing around as though she were simply waiting for the commercial break to be over. From the corner of her eye, she watched him start and look around in confusion. Then, he must have realized what had just happened because he quickly scrambled back to sit once again where he had been only a moment before.

With a slight waver in her voice she said, as though she'd been speaking all along, "and I told April, it just better not be some stupid excuse just to get her down into his lab again. Those two are enough to make love birds gag . . ." but she trailed off when she gave him a sidelong glance to see him shielding his face. His shoulders were shaking.

He was crying.

"H-Hey," she said and moved closer. He gave a sob which startled her and unable to hold back any longer, she fell onto him, wrapping her arms over his shaking shoulders. He tried to shrug out of her grasp. She knew he was humiliated and hurting. She wanted only to make it better. Somehow. "No. No, Leo. Please."

"I . . . I can't," he said, voice cracking and thick with his tears. "Can't do this." He moved to stand up and she held on for dear life, keeping him on the couch near her. She had the strangest, most powerful feeling that if she let go of him, she would never see him again and the thought sent a wave of crippling fright through her.

"You don't have to do anything," she said desperately, not wanting him to go. Wanting to fix this, but how, she had no idea. "Leo. Listen to me. It's okay." He hesitated and his throat worked as he tried to calm himself. It was a struggle. He kept his face from her, but she could clearly see the wetness of his tears on his cheek. The sight firmed her resolve to do something. "Don't go. You can stay. Here. With me."

He whipped his face around to look at her and his eyes held a haunted misery which caused her throat to tighten. "N-No. You don't understand," he started. "I . . . c-can't . . ." His expression twisted into one full of self-loathing and despair, "I-I'm used . . . broken . . ." He dropped his face into his hand and choked.

"Shh, no. You can stay here with me, Leo, tonight, I mean. You don't have to . . . to do anything. N-Nothing," she added, pulling on his shoulders until he brought his wet eyes up to look at her from where his head hung so low. Her eyes bounced between his as he shook his head, growing more miserable by the second.

"Don't be so stubborn, okay? Listen, there's no rush to this. I'm . . . I'm not in a hurry," she laughed then and he blinked. "I mean, I just figured out that you're even thinking about me like that."

"Wh-What?" he asked weakly. His expression flashed through several emotions, she only caught the surprise, fear and pleading before he started to stutter out an explanation, "Karai . . . I-I . . . Since I've . . . Since I've first met you, I . . . I just . . . Y-You're . . ."

She shook her head to silence him. "My point is, there is no rush. To anything. We can take our time. However long it takes." He turned his face away and she took her fingertips and gently made him turn to look once more at her. "No matter how long it takes, I'm not going anywhere. Not without you."

He blinked again and twin, fresh tears rippled over his cheeks. "What if . . ." the words caught in his throat. "What if . . . I can't . . . ever . . ." His shining eyes grew huge with worry and fright.

She shook her head dismissing his fear. "I don't care. That's not important. I just . . . don't want to lose you. I love you." As the words fell from her mouth, she laughed in breathy amazement, because she knew she meant it. Every single word. His face crushed into a look of relief and anguish.

"I . . . love you, too."

He dropped his head and allowed her to pull him close, and closer still, until his upper body was in her lap, resting his cheek against her breasts as she stroked his head. He burrowed into her softness and made a muffled hiccuping sound as she kissed the back of his head.

"I-I'll try. Karai," he murmured. "As long as you're with me, I'm whole."

"I will never leave you," she said and kissed him again.

And he knew she meant it. He felt the same. It always had been and always would be. Since the moment he'd seen her, he had fallen. But she had only come into his life as a partner when he thought he'd lost everything precious and private, stolen from him forever, only to have her hand it back to him. He wasn't sure how to fit the pieces back within himself, wasn't sure if he'd ever really be able to, honestly; his dignity, his honor; could they even fit inside what was left of him. He wasn't sure. But she gave it all back to him. Was willing to give him time to figure it out. Was willing to forgive him for being used and broken.

Karai continued to be a surprise and a blessing. She was a soul that was learning to find herself, her true self and in the process she only gave out the good that she had discovered was hidden within her all along. For him, so much healing, so much peace and friendship and now, most amazing of all . . . love. And for Splinter, she gave him a chance to have his daughter in his life again. His biological child. The missing piece in his own story. Simply put, she was amazing.

She was able to heal father and son, and beyond that, mend a family tested and floundering, bringing all of them together and bonding them with the most powerful of all tinctures, an even measure of compassion, forgiveness and love.

A/N: Did you like it?

I need to once again thank Bluecladhero for tempting me with his wicked reaction prompt which sparked this tale. And I need to thank all of you who read, reviewed, followed and favorited this story. It means so much to me. I'm so happy that you enjoyed this sad story and I really wish that it left you feeling some hope. Despite what we face, there is always hope, no matter how small, that things may one day, be better.

If you are curious about what Don was up to with the doll legs - some years ago an amazing woman by the name of Jane Bahor, figured out that the same ratchet joints found inside of Barbie doll legs could be used to make prosthetic joints in fingers much more maneuverable for people. Before prosthetic fingers were very rigid and now, because of this simple, but amazing discovery, people can have prosthetic fingers that are bendable. I figured that with what Don had in his limited store of supplies to make Leo a prosthetic, something like this would be perfect for him to use and adapt for Leo. :) Stories like Jane Bahor make me love people and give me hope for the human race! Yay, people!

Now, on to finishing up I, Alone! You've been so patient with me - but I had to get this epilogue out and wrap this story up! Until then . . .

see you in another story!