A/N Thank you all for the reviews. Warning some dark subjects are going to be discussed in this chapter. Enjoy ch 18 and see ch 1 for disclaimer.

Chapter 18 A Dire Situation

A week had past and Raph woke up feeling the best he had felt in months. The red masked turtle was looking forward to his therapy so he could get back into fighting shape. But as excited as he was Raph was still worried about Donnie and what was happening to him. But he knew that Dr. Rockwell and Leatherhead were working on a cure and when those two put their mind to something it would be done. But Raph knew he should focus on things he could control. Like Leo and Splinter's current relationship. He had seen how Splinter was acting towards his older brother lately and it wasn't good. Leo had tried talking to Splinter but all he had received in return was silence. Raph hated seeing this and knowing the way Leo was Raph knew he had spent the majority of the night awake and worrying about it as he had for the last week. So Raph decided to check on Leo before he began his therapy. But no sooner had he pulled back his blankets then his door opened and Mikey came bounding in. Mikey had a new wheelchair in front of him. "Surprise Raph!" Mikey said with a grin. "LH just finished your chair. It'll help you until your legs are stronger."

"Thanks little brother," Raph said as he slowly stood. Mikey went to help Raph and together Raph walked to his chair and sat down. "Shouldn't you be resting?" Raph asked as Mikey wheeled him out of the room.

"Dude who can rest?" Mikey said. "There's like such much to do bro. There's your therapy. And Leo's in some kind of weird funk so we've gotta snap him out of it. Karai's been talking all kinds of crazy 'bout wanting her vengeance on Shredder at any cost. And we've gotta get Donnie back here and back to normal."

"Yeah I know all that Mikey," Raph said, rolling his green eyes. "But you've got a concussion. You need your rest."

"Raph you worry to much," Mikey said cheerfully. "I'm good bro. Really I am."

"I wanna check on Leo real quick," Raph said as they neared Leo's room.

"Yeah me too," Mikey said with a nod. "I've been worried about him." By now the two brothers were at Leo's room door. Raph knocked and waited. No answer. Raph tried again. Still nothing. "Leo can we come in?" Mikey called. "Its me and Raph." Still silence. Raph reached out and opened the door. He and Mikey saw Leo's still form in his bed. "Leo?" Mikey tried again. "Leo? Are you ok?" Still no response. Mikey and Raph exchanges looks of concern as they edged towards their brother's bed. "Leo?" Mikey tried again, his voice coming out very soft as he reached out for his oldest brother. But Mikey pulled his hand back, to afraid of what he may find.

"Leo c'mon," Raph tired. "This ain't funny." Raph was trying now to show his worry and fear as he spoke. Raph took a deep breath and gently touched Leo's arm, To his shock he felt something wet and sticky on it. Looking at his hand Raph saw the red on it. Horrified Raph realized it was blood. "Oh God Leo!" Raph cried out pulling back the covers. To his horror he saw cuts on Leo's wrist that were seeping blood. "Shit!" Raph shouted. "Mikey get some rags! Now!" Mikey just stood there, to horrified to move. Raph shoved his youngest brother, snapping him out of it. Mikey ran out of the room full force. He returned seconds later with rags. Together he and Raph tied them tight around Leo's wrist, stopping the bleeding. "Get the Doc!" Raph shouted. Mikey could only nod as he once again raced out of the room. Raph felt Leo's neck, hoping and praying he'd find a pulse. To his relief he found one. It was weak but it was there. Just then Mikey came running back in the room with Dr. Rockwell, Leatherhead, Slash, Karai, Mondo and Splinter right behind him. The group's eyes went wide with horror as they saw the blood.

"Oh my God," Karai whispered, putting her hand to her mouth and turning away.

"What the Hell happened?" Slash demanded as he watched Dr. Rockwell go into action.

"We found 'im like this," Raph said, his voice coming out very soft.

"Leonardo," Splinter whispered, taking a step backwards. No one seamed to notice when Splinter exited the room, heading for the living room. Once he got there Splinter sat down on the couch and put his head in his hands. The brown coated rat didn't know how long he was sitting there before he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up Splinter found himself looking into the concerned face of Leatherhead.

"Leonardo is going to be just fine my friend," the mutant alligator said, sitting next to Splinter. "Dr. Rockwell said the bleeding is under control. They moved him into Donatello's room until they can clean up his room."

"That is very good news," Splinter said softly.

"Something else is troubling you my friend," Leatherhead pointed out.

"It is very clear that Leonardo tried to take his own life," Splinter said, shivering slightly as the thought crossed his mind.

"Yes I'm afraid I must agree with you," Leatherhead said sadly shaking his head.

"He has been feeling guilty about his brothers' situation," Splinter said. "Especially now that Donatello is under the Shredder's control. And I fear I have made things worse. I spoke so harshly towards him."

"You did not mean what you said," Leatherhead said, trying his best to console his friend. "And I'm sure Leonardo knew that."

"I am not so sure about that," Splinter said, looking at the alligator with pain filled eyes. Leatherhead was about to respond when suddenly they saw a very upset Mikey being lead to the kitchen by Mondo. Splinter got up and followed the pair into the kitchen. Mondo helped Mikey into a chair and the youngest turtle put his head in his hands. Splinter put his hand on Mikey's shoulder and the orange masked turtle threw his arms around his father as the sobs came. "Shh there now it is alright my son," Splinter said soothingly, rubbing Mikey's shell.

"Why would Leo do something like this?" Mikey whispered in between sobs. "Why? I just don't get it."

"People that are really depressed do things like this," Mondo said. "They're just in such a bad place they'd do anything to get out of it. Trust me I know how he feels. When I first got mutated I felt the same way."

"What made you snap out of it?" Mikey asked, looking at his gecko friend.

"Honestly it was meeting you Mikey," Mondo said with a smile. "Made me realize that people could care about me despite how I looked. That I was lovable. And I just bet that's what Leo needs. To feel like hes lovable."

"I agree," Splinter said with a nod. Just then Slash appeared.

"Leonardo's awake," he informed the group. Without another word the group got up and headed into Donnie's room to see Leo.

TMNTTMNTTMNT

A few minutes later the group was in Donnie's room and to their relief they saw Leo awake and being examined by Dr. Rockwell. Karai, Raph and Leatherhead were in there as well. "Leo!" Mikey exclaimed, running over to his brother and throwing his arms around him.

"Hey Mikey," Leo said softly.

"Leonardo," Splinter said, sitting beside Leo and embracing him. "I am so very glad that you are alright."

"You are?" Leo asked, the surprise clear in his voice.

"Of course I am my son," Splinter said, his voice also full of surprise. "Why would you think I would not be?"

"Because you said.." Leo trailed off.

"Oh my son I am so very sorry I said those things to you," Splinter said, his voice shaking. "I did not mean what I said. I was angry and I took my anger out on you. I am ashamed of that. I love you so very much." Splinter embraced Leo once again after saying this part.

"So you don't hate me?" Leo whispered.

"I could never hate you my son," Splinter declared.

"None of us could," Mikey put in with a smile.

"And you guys aren't mad at me?" Leo asked, looking at his family.

"Of course we aren't Leo," Karai said with a smile of her own.

"Speak for yourself," Raph scoffed. "I'm pissed as Hell. To bad you didn't kill yourself Leo. 'Cause I'm about to."

A/N well there you go folks ch 18 complete. How'd you like it? Let me know in a review please.