Chapter 2

The wind echoed in my ears as I soared through the towers of New York, on my way to one final destination. That damn hole in the sky that was disposing all those aliens into our atmosphere. They screeched and cried their victory as they fired at the innocent. It was when my allies started fumbling that I knew what had to be done, as Tony shouted over the PA systems, that nuke was going where I was heading. The metal scraping my back as it bounced and threatened to get out of my grip, I had to fight Tony. I couldn't let her lose him.

As my fate drew closer, I shut my eyes. 'Good-bye, Bails.'

"Bailey!"

"Elek!" I jumped up and shouted as Elek's voice echoed in my head. Donnie's hands were cradling my face.

"Hey, hey, take it easy, it was just a bad dream." He tried to soothe me. I shook my head to try and get his voice out, but I didn't want to. I wanted to keep him close by.

"He was showing me something…Elek was showing me how he died." I whimpered. "He did it for me."

Donnie held me to his plastron and laid us back down on the bed. "Of course, he did. Elek loved you, Bailey. He was like your overprotective big brother."

I giggled through my waterworks. "Y-yeah."

He rubbed my arm and sighed. "I'll get started on him once we're done with the defense system, we'll start building El again."

I pouted. "Okay."

Quickly he shifted to peek down at me resting on his chest. "You know what?"

"What?" I slowly let my eyes meet his.

"We all need a little trip." He smiled and squinted because he didn't have his glasses on.

I giggled. "To where?"

"To your dad's place. You need to see him and I know my brothers would love the trip."

Smiling back at Donnie, I sat up and climbed over him to get off the bed and go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and start the coffee. Donnie will definitely need one if he's going to convince Leo to let the four of them fly with me to California.

"Is that a yes?" Donnie called from the bedroom as I grabbed my toothbrush.

I shook my head with a giggle. "Yes, Brainiac!"

After I finished in the bathroom, I stopped by our lab to see Donnie already working on some things. So I shuffled to the small kitchen and started the coffee. With a deep inhale, the rich aroma made my mouth water. Eh, I'll grab a cup.

Once the batch was done, I grabbed two mugs and brought the second mug to Donnie. When I got to his desk, his hand was aimlessly search for his mug. I laughed and set the mug in his reach before kissing his cheek.

"Just so you know, you're telling Leo." I told him as he stared at the computer.

His eyes widened before groaning. "Fine…"

'Ms. Stark, uh, my apologies, Bailey, the turtles are coming up the elevator.' Jarvis informed us.

"Hey dudes!" Mikey's voice echoed. "Why aren't you in the Turtle Suite?"

"Why are you up so early?" I countered as I looked at the time. It was 5 AM.

"Ask Fearless." Raph grumbled before sulking to the kitchen.

Leo rolled his eyes and walked towards Donnie and I. "We decided to train up here."

A feint tap sound made me look past Leo to Master Splinter who was looking around the apartment. "Yes, a new environment will be wise for all of your training." The small rat strolled towards us.

"Good morning, Sensei." I bowed and shoved Donnie to get him to notice that Splinter was here.

"Oh, morning, Sensei." He stuttered.

Splinter narrowed his eyes. "Hmm, my son, have you been getting enough sleep?"

Donnie turned to face his father. "Um, yeah, dad."

"Then you must revisit some meditation sessions." Splinter shook his head.

"Hai, Sensei." Donnie pouted.

I stepped forward. "Sensei, let me show you the dojo."

I lead Splinter down the elevator to the Turtle Suite where the high-tech dojo and started to explain how to operate it. The guys came down a few minutes later. Leo seemed grumpy, which means, Donnie asked. Unlucky for Donnie, he had to spar with Leo in the area of his choice. Of course, Leo chose the jungle because he trained there for a few years. I stayed back with the others as the two fought. Leo used the trees to his advantage and Donnie used his brains, as the ninjas battled it out. Then Raph went against Mikey in a wrestling ring. That one was actually amusing. I looked at Splinter who shook his head at the area choice. He's regretting letting them decide.

"Bailey, I would like to try a course for you." Splinter said as Mikey was pinned by Raph.

"What do you want me to do?" I stepped forward.

Splinter walked up to the dojo and stroked his beard. "Hmm, it will challenge you mentally, physically, and emotionally."

"Whoa, Sensei, that doesn't sound like a good idea." Raph said.

"And why is that Raphael?" Splinter asked.

Raph pointed at me. "She's still recovering."

"Over the invasion, but the techniques that are being used are not ones that will bring success." Splinter explained.

"Sensei, I don't-"

"Donatello!" Splinter shouted to silence Donnie. "This will help Bailey. Do you not want her to overcome the fear and doubt she feels?"

"Sorry, Sensei." Donnie said in a quiet voice.

"Good, then she will go through this course."

I took a breath and walked to the entrance of the dojo. After I was inside it closed and I looked around to see if Splinter had started the course. Moments later, the invasion in New York appeared in front of me, except I was alone and Elek was surround by the Chitauri. Slowly, I made my way over to Elek to help him, but I was now surrounded. I spun around and took in the army around me, I was badly outnumbered. I was so overwhelmed and the aliens were inching in. Then I heard the Hulk roar, but it wasn't in the usual animalistic way. He sounded hurt. I fought my way out of the circle and found all of the Avengers dead.

"Bailey!" Elek's voice boomed.

My head spun to him as he walked towards me. "Elek?"

"You see what will happen if you can't move past what happened to me?" He asked.

"What? Elek, what are you saying?" How was he alive?

"I'm saying, your mind is not in a stable spot. You're overcome by grief and worry that your mind is clouded." His grabbed me by my shoulders and gave me a light shake. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Keep yourself safe."

"I will."

Then everything disappeared and I was back in the Avengers Tower. I didn't fall to my knees or start crying, I just stood there. It was time to let go.

Good-bye, Elek.

A/N: Don't freak out yet, okay? I know things look bad for Elek's return, but I need you all to just trust me.