I don't own the TMNT

A/N: Sorry for the delay guys! It was a mixture of serious R/L Issues and me getting caught up in my Michelangelo story. Hope that you haven't given up on me!

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Failure.

Utter Failure.

We were so close. So damned close. But everything hit the fan so fast! If only that detective hadn't shown up.

Detective Marshall. Yet another human who knew of our existence. Even worse, a cop, a detective, who had to be threatened to keep his mouth shut. Of course I was worried about him. What if his nerves broke? Or he saw an opportunity to spill and not get caught? Would he risk it?

That wasn't everything, I knew. I was just trying to avoid thinking about Don out there with that demon witch, Sophia. It was like an elaborate abusive relationship you saw on TV, only all too real. Instinct told me that she wouldn't put up with us after what we pulled. But the question was, would Don go along with it? How far was he down her pretty little rabbit hole? Master had always told us to prepare for the worst, so that's exactly what I was assuming. That even if he didn't want to, he would go along with it. After all, I had seen abusive relationships before countless times on the street. Sometimes the victim hated what they were doing. Hated their very life. Yet they did as they were told because they were just stuck.

How it shattered my heart to think of Don in that sort of situation.

The family was falling apart. I could see it happening before my eyes. Sensei was so depressed. Between the pain in his heart and the constant throbbing pain of his fractured nose, it was too much. I feared for him. At times I would go into his room and watch him sleep. It wasn't an easy thing to see. Because of his nose, he could no longer lay down, he would drown in his own fluids. Instead he had to prop himself up with pillows so that the fluids could stay clear of his air passage. It worried me that he might get to a point where he might just remove those pillows. Go to sleep. Forever.

My brothers weren't doing well either. They were tumultuous. Angry. Especially Mike. Maybe it was because he was normally so easygoing, but his depression mixed with his new high temper was scary to see in my eyes. He hadn't spoken a direct word to me since our last attempt to get Don. His coldness hurt. This change in his demeanor affected Raph more than anyone else. I had always taken it for granted, how Mike acted as a buffer for Raph's anger, his warring emotions. He did it purposely, to help keep the peace within his brother and the family. Without that, Raph went from bad to worse.

I was failing my entire family.

The very Lair was enough to remind us of Don's absence. By now almost all the lights were out. The TV had stopped getting a signal. The heater only worked half the time. The fridge was making a noise as if it was threatening to quit at any moment. It was like our home was joining my family in the depression and despair.

I could feel their eyes on me. They were harsh, demanding looks. You're the leader. You're the oldest. Why don't you do something? Why don't you come up with a plan? Why are you failing us so horribly?

While I was recovering from my injury, the one that Don healed, my own depression wallowed within the deepest pits. Everything was falling apart.

It was all on my shoulders, I knew that. I wanted to do some exercises, some physical therapy to rush my healing along, but somehow devoting time to myself while Don was still out there seemed so incredibly selfish that I couldn't do it. Instead I sat in Don's old lair, trying and failing again and again to find a way into his computers. Truly, I didn't even know what I would do if I managed to get in there, but at least I was doing something. And this way, I could shelfishly escape the sights of my failure.

It was one of those nights that I paused to look at my phone, marveling at the technology that I held in my hand. It was more complex than most smart phones out on the market, yet my brother had built it from scrap. it was constructed so well that thankfully our phones haven't been having technical issues yet. He even had extra features, like memory to rival a master computer and a tracking system for everyone. Absentmindedly I tapped the feature. It had been a long time since I had looked in there. At first I did it almost constantly, always hoping that somehow the app was just on the fritz or something, that I could use it to track him down. Of course he had the sense of mind to turn his tracker off. Why wouldn't he? He was the genius, after all. The one who always thought ten steps ahead. Unlike me.

This time, however, when it chimed to life, there were four glowing dots, the coordinates available at the tap of a finger.

At first I thought I was imagining it. After all, how often had I hoped to see it so bad that I had to do a double take? As it was right now, my eyes just glanced at it before returning to the computer, trying one more password until the realization finally struck me.

When it did panic seized within me. Almost as if when I looked away then it had disappeared. But no. There it was. A glowing dot. Don's location.

My heart hammered hard against my plastron as I stared at it, not quite believing my eyes. How long had we searched the city, hoping to find him, trying to see where Sophia's apartment was, but to no avail? And now here it was. In the palm of my hand.

My first instinct was to scramble the troops and head out right away. Grab him. Bring him home.

I reached the door when I realized that this might not be the wisest solution. For one thing it was close to daylight, it would be upon us within a couple of hours. Then there were other things to consider.

Why had Don turned it on? As much as it pained me, there was only one reason. Don was too meticulous to do something like that by accident. He wanted to see where we were, for when he turned it off he couldn't see us. it worked both ways. And there was only one reason for turning it on.

Looking up, I swallowed hard, trying to get past the lump that formed in my throat. Oh, my brother, how had you fallen so far? The need for his rescue just reached epic proportions.

Maybe he was expecting us to look for him. He and Sophia would be waiting for us to come sneaking in at the dead of night.

Did I dare follow his potential plan?

Then an idea clicked in my brain. Something that would solve another problem that had been plaguing me. Something that would work better than us going out, if I could get him to agree, that is.

Hesitating, I looked around the Lair. Mike and Raph were out, doing whatever it was that they did to vent off steam. Silently I made my way across the common area and, sliding open the door, checked on Splinter. He was sleeping soundly, safely propped up.

So I would have to do this on my own. But that was fine. It might be better that way. Plus my brothers would react better if I presented a solid plan to them, with all the pieces in their place.

Taking a deep breath, I shrugged out of my sling and slowly rotated my arm, testing my shoulder and my chest muscle. It still hurt like hell, and it got worse depending on the position, but everything was coming along well enough. Yes, there shouldn't be an issue. I looked at the clock. Two hours until sunrise. Should be plenty of time. Taking one more breath, I headed out.

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Getting into the apartment was the easy part. Like most people of modest income, he only had the most basic of locks in place. I was sorely out of practice picking locks, but I managed to do so silently, though I likely took ten times longer than Don would've.

On padded feet, I made my way across the sparsely furnished apartment. It was messy and completely undecorated, the very picture of a bachelor who was used to being married. I spied a few lonesome picture frames, each proudly presenting a small child. Those must be the children that he was fighting for custody of. The ones that Don threatened him with. I felt a stab of sympathy for him. Well, if this went well, then at least he might have one less thing to worry about.

He was sleeping soundly, sprawled on the bed, sheets tangled up in his legs. It almost looked as if he'd been running in his sleep. Did he have a nightmare earlier? I couldn't help but wonder if we were the subject. I considered him for a moment, then checked the bedside tables. Sure enough there was a fully loaded handgun with a spare box of ammunition. In the other one, there was a type of police baton. I had to admire his preparedness. Hopefully he wouldn't take this intrusion into his home the wrong way.

Removing the weapons to the kitchen, I located his phone and did the same. Then I settled myself in an aged armchair in his room. After a moment's thought, I unsheathed my katana, and, crossing the room, turned on the small bedside lamp before returning to the chair in the corner. The light illuminated him, casting me in further shadow. I would present an imposing figure when he woke up, but that was the idea. At least at first. Just in case there was no real chance of reasoning with him, or I didn't feel I could trust him, I at least wanted him to fear me. Then he'd be less likely to wag his tongue.

It took a second for the light to penetrate his brain through the haze of sleep. Though he didn't move, I could tell the instant he became awake. Again I had some admiration for his instincts. If I was an average person then I would've thought he was still asleep. I could see his body shift, ever so slightly, closer to the bedside table that once held the handgun.

"It's not there." I said in a soft voice.

His entire body froze for a second as he took in the situation and, finally sat up. When he saw my figure in the shadow his eyes went wide. From the look on his face, I would hazard to guess that mutant turtles, indeed, were the subject of his nightmares.

I could see the panic setting into him. His muscles tensed and his brain went to a more primitive, protective place. I cleared my throat. "There's no need to be alarmed. I just wanted to speak with you."

"I didn't breathe a word." His voice was hoarse and laced with worry. He still looked like he might try something.

I shifted into what looked to him like a more comfortable position that would hopefully lessen his alarm, though I kept the katana within sight. Likely the small light was glinting from the blade. He stared at me and blinked hard. "You're the one I shot…"

A corner of my lip crooked in a smile. "Yes, detective."

Though my voice was soft, he winced at the sound of it. "I-I'm sorry, I-"

"There's no need. You had your reasons. In your position I probably would've done the same."

This statement clearly surprised him, as though he didn't know how to process it. Likely he didn't. I seized upon his confusion. "Let me get to the subject. It appears we both have a problem that needs to be resolved."

His look turned wary, likely thinking about what exact 'problem' I was referring to. Clearly his first instinct told him that 'he' was the problem. I continued before he could continue on that path. "My brother is still out there, under the influence of that woman." I couldn't help but spit the words out. They must have been filled with menace for he winced. "And you still have an open case. An infamous serial killer is still on the loose and, for all intents and purposes you've been warned off finishing it." By us, I added in my head. But there was no need for a verbal reminder.

I wasn't sure how to read his thoughts now, but at least I saw the detective part of his brain kicking into high gear. The logical part that I needed. The next time he spoke, his voice sounded much more steady and composed. "What are you proposing, exactly?"

My gaze sharpened and I lowered my sword to a less threatening position as he went along with the conversation. "I know where they are. Right now and in the future. Only I don't want to go there now."

"Because of the woman who your, ah, brother's...um...'with,' right?"

I nodded. "Yes. In my experience I've found that humans can complicate things tremendously. And even if I do apprehend my brother peacefully, there is no garuntee that you might not come across evidence of his presence, or the crazy woman might blackmail us with such evidence in return for him." I also wasn't sure if we'd be able to kill her while Don was there. The urge to kill her somewhere else was tantalizing, but I wanted to rehabilitate my brother, and I knew that that wouldn't help with that goal. Getting her thrown in jail was the next best thing.

Comprehension dawned in his eyes. "You want me to help you with that. With the evidence. And with apprehending her for you."

He knew what I was talking about. He just wanted me to say it. Wanted confirmation. I liked that. "Yes. I will tell you the exact location of where my brother is staying. If you like, I can even plant the evidence that was lost in my brother's attack. Just make sure that she is out of our lives and in prison. In return, you ensure that any sign of my brother or my kind is completely destroyed."

He took another moment to consider, his eyes never leaving mine. He was reading me, I could tell. It was likely a skill that he picked up through all his years on the job. "You're serious."

"Yes." Now my own voice was hoarse. It was happening. A solid plan, one that would get rid of all the mitigating factors. Put everything in a neatly tied package. I could fix everything, fix my family. "I would do anything for my brother. And I would never renege on a deal. You have my word of honor."

"Somehow I believe you." His voice, though, still had the tiniest edge of being unsure. Time for a more human interaction.

Getting up, I crossed the room and stepped into the light, revealing myself, holding out my hand. It was such a human gesture that he automatically took it, staring at my features with a slack-jawed expression. I smiled. "you can be sure of it."

He was shaking slightly, but a smile was on his face. "I can't believe this." He shook his head. "Yeah. I mean, yes. Yes, you have a deal. Shit, I'm sure as hell not going to get any better. I'll take care of the legal side of things, but we'll need to coordinate. How will I-"

"I already have your phone number."

He blinked, but the smile remained. Obviously he understood our need for secrecy. "Yeah. Okay. Great. Sounds good." Leaning his head back, he let out a deep breath, closing his eyes. I used the opportunity to steal away from the room. He didn't even notice. "You have no idea what this shit has been doing to me. I haven't been-" His voice stopped as he realized I was gone. "What the fuck..." He laughed somewhat nervously but also with a touch of relief. "I just made a deal with a fucking monster ninja. But damn!" I smiled as I crept out of the apartment through the door. Something told me that finally, something was going to work out.

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A/N: Hope that you liked it! I would like to thank sleepingseeker for helping to lift my pitiful butt out of the gutter for this, listening to my whining and letting me bounce ideas off of her. Leave a review and let me know what you think!

PS: The annual TMNT Fanfiction Competition is here again! It is being hosted by the TMNT fanfiction site stealthystories. The link to the site is on my profile. All the rules and timelines are found there. PM me if you have any questions. Hope that you guys participate, the more that do the more fun it is!