Raphael walked quickly down the sewer, his heart beating in a quick march in his chest. He nearly ran back to the lair, his stomach doing flips in anticipation and worry. He had been gone too long. He left for Kait's apartment at 4:30 and was now returning at 1:00. Far too long. He threw open the door and marched up the stairs, eyeing the door on the other side of the floor. Quickly, he opened the door with a silent prayer on his lips and hope in his heart.
Beep…beep…beep…beep…
"No change, Raph." Don sighed, standing from the chair by the bed.
Raph's heart and hopes plummeted, returning him to his cold, dark mood that he had been locked in for two months. "I'm not wathcin' her anymore. I'm gone too long. Either Mikey or ya can go from now on." He sat down heavily in the chair previously occupied by Don.
With a silent nod, Don left his brother alone.
She hadn't moved in two months. Her face was still in the soft, innocent sleep-like expression. Raph kept her hair brushed and her skin clean with a warm sponge. Her skin had finally lost her tan. She was thin under the blanket, her muscles beginning to atrophy. A thin IV needle was taped to her hand and an oxygen tube was taped under her nose. Her chest rose and fell steadily, but her eyes never opened. Raph had not seen blue eyes in two months.
"I'm back, babe." He murmured quietly, running a finger down her cheek. The skin was soft but cold. "Sorry I was gone so long. There's a woman we're protectin' now. I won't volunteer to watch her anymore. I don't wanna be away form ya that long." His fingers wrapped around hers and squeezed gently. "I miss ya, Em." He whispered, reaching up to gently run his fingers through her hair. "Please come back, Em. I need ya." He voice cracked like it did almost every time he talked to her.
Gently, he retied the little bit of twine around her finger before picking up the newspaper off the night stand. April used to give Emily her newspapers and now she left them for Raph to read to her, along with some of Emily's favorite books that she had brought with her from home.
Halfway through the sports section, there was a cautious knock at the door. "Her dad's here." Mikey tentatively spoke through the door. Silently, Raph stood from the chair and opened the door to let Richard Fredricks slowly trudge into the room. Sober for two months, his cheeks and eyes no longer flushed red and his hygiene had improved greatly since Raph first met him. The day after Emily had fallen into her coma, Leo, Raph, April, and Casey brought her father into the fold. He fought the truth at first, but came to accept his daughter's live as he progressively gave up his evil draught.
"Don told me there wasn't any change again." He murmured tiredly. Since his sobriety, he began taking up part time jobs, often at odd and late hours.
Raph nodded, returning to fiddling with her hair.
"Raph, I was thinkin' 'bout Em and ya and I wanted ta know yer plans. I mean, I know she's got that bow on her finger, but what now? You can't go walkin' up to no Justice of the Peace for no marriage license, now can ya?" Richard was trying to be kind, but Raph was the one thing he still couldn't swallow.
Raph inwardly winced, but didn't let it show to Richard. "We do what she wants. I will follow her every command. If she wants me topside wit' her, I'll go in a heartbeat. If she wants ta stay down here, we'd love it. If she wants ta leave me, or this place, I won't stop her. She's got complete control over me and I won't do a thing to go against her." He couldn't take his eyes off his Emily as he spoke.
"That's a whole lotta commitment, son." Richard grumbled.
"She deserves so much more." Raph whispered to himself, but Richard heard him all the same as he slumped back against the wall, watching the thing that loved his daughter.
AN: I'm back!
I know this is short, but I felt like you guys wanted some questions answered, so here are the answers.
Another chapter should be coming soon, and it will be back to Kait. I just wanted to tie up some loose ends.
As always, feedback is cherished and very helpful.
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
C M