A/N: Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! And New Year! All that jazz.

:D

Chapter 48: Parents

Eight days had passed since the Gang War Uprise, since the Hamato Clan broke into Oswald Cybernetics to save Splinter. Still, Donatello found the cancer-free test results surreal, so he always double-checked them when they printed in the Lair's Lab—just in case his excitement deceived him.

"How long will you stare at those papers, my son?"

The Bō master smiled at Splinter's tone. Pain and frustration no longer darkened it, and its warmth came as a relief when he noted the four-foot figure standing beside his cluttered desk. "I feel like they're lying, Sensei," he said, "or that I'll miss something."

The mutant rat twitched his long whiskers. "You have screened me nearly a dozen times since I awoke. All results have been negative."

"It's crazy. Just last week you were…" Head shaking, Don leaned against his desktop from his swivel chair, pushing aside a few empty mugs. "You aren't catching up on your shows. The others won't like that very much."

"It does not go unnoticed how you watch me as well, Donatello." Splinter flashed a subtle grin, although lingering irritation remained in his stare.

"You…you died, Otōsan. Any child would be worried."

"Parents worry for their children. It should not be the other way around."

"In this case, the parent didn't have a solution for themselves, did they?"

There was no retort Splinter could justify himself with, so the older mutant resituated his shawl over his kimono, silent.

"Sorry, Sensei," Don grumbled. "I know I get grumpy when I'm tired, but lately…"

"Your program has not located Melody-san, has it?"

With a slow, agonizing sigh, Donny shook his head. "The Facial Recognition can run for an hour or so before issues arise. That's hardly time for a good search. Now I understand how Raph felt about Nia."

"Yes"—Splinter spoke in a taunt tone—"seems Anders-san has been quite the character this last month."

"At least with Raph, though, the separation was Gavin's fault. Not Nia's."

"What do you mean, my son?"

The purple-masked Chūnin turned away from his father's lowered brows, and focused on the disarrayed shelves around the Lab to ignore the prickle in his eyes. "Mel left. She hasn't even sent a text, not a single message to let me know how she's doing."

"Melody-san is a strong personality," the wizened rat added. "And so much destruction struck the city last Tuesday. I had trouble comprehending it all when I was shown the news segments, so it is vexing to imagine how she has processed the pain, Fall-san's…death."

"Y—you didn't see her look, Sensei," whispered Donatello. The words trembled with his memory of the cyborg's reaction to Blaine's grim confession. "She screamed. I—it was like someone had reached into her chest and…"

"Losing a loved one is never easy. I mourn for her as well, wherever she is."

"She should be here." God, Don's shaking jaw was obnoxious, but also unavoidable. He sniffled, raking fingers over his face—as if the pain could eradicate the constant unease he kept buried inside his chest.

"She may be too scared to see you yet, Donatello."

"Scared of what? If she knows I couldn't bring myself to blame her for Leo, what makes her think I'll care she killed Hunt?"

"Perhaps she has heard news of Reese-san's comrades."

"Sh—she wasn't at fault for Noah and Donna. Kyle pushed them."

"And Nia-chan knows she cannot be held accountable for the criminals Bishop placed in her path. Yet it still weighs on her."

'True; especially when the Hallow's Eve Demon name comes up. But…'

Donny brought his stinging eyes to his father. "The EPF recovered Tabitha's body from the bus crash. I read online that they were going to use her for research purposes."

"Did her parents sanction such a decision?"

"No; they were outraged."

"So the poor child cannot so much as rest in peace? Despicable."

"Someone else must've thought the same. Last I heard, her transport van went missing."

Intrigue curled Splinter's pink tail behind him and raised his slender chin. "Do you believe Melody-san is on a mission to perhaps give Fall-san the burial she deserves?"

"Considering Sven's still missing as well? It's likely."

"In that case, she should not be gone much longer."

"That's what I'm hoping, Sensei…" Don managed a grin to mirror his father's optimism. Surprisingly, it felt easy, since he did believe.

"Ya bug-eyed little bastard! Get back here!"

"Oh, great"—Donatello withheld a groan—"there goes Raph and Pez again."

Cue the stampede. Don faced the doorway in wait for the little creature he knew would scurry past. Soft grunts and clanks against the concrete traveled down the hallway before Nia's mutant pet entered, his black eyes bulging from his stub head. He sought sanctuary beneath Splinter's kimono like an escaped convict as Raphael stormed into the Lab with Nia and Michelangelo not far behind.

"Give it back, ya little freak!" Raph neared Splinter, but his wife and youngest brother fought against him.

"He's just playing, Raph!" Nia cried. She placed a hand against the hothead's cracked plastron, and Don did a double-take at the length of her hair when it swayed.

'I've seen her with long hair so often that it's weird it only reaches her neck. Just one of the two things she has to show for that day…'

The other being her mismatched eyes, which soon fell on the genius. "Don, can you please get the sai out of Pez's mouth?"

Donny grew rigid, his voice squeaking. "Me?"

"He won't bite."

"He likes Pez candies more than blood, Donny," Mikey interjected with an impish smile. "Hence his name."

"Yeah, but—" The purple-masked Chūnin glanced downwards. Pez's armored head peaked out from below Splinter's kimono hem. Wedged in his dangerous overbite was Raph's sai, which he chewed casually despite the hothead's glare.

'He always runs under Sensei's clothes…'

"Break another pair an' I swear I'll—"

Snap! Pez cut through the weapon in an apparent act of defiance, but his Piranha teeth didn't daunt Raphael.

"Nope; he's gotta go!"

"You have spares!" Nia pushed her full weight against her husband. It did no good; her Converse slid back as Raph advanced. "He's still in training, okay?"

"That thing hates me, Ni," Raph countered, rotating the arm Mikey hung onto. "I swear; can't anyone have a normal pet around here? Ya got this ornery little thing. Gray keeps rats in the freezers. An' then Mike takes in Pink's giant ass sp—spider ta keep it 'safe'."

"First off"—Michelangelo spun until he blocked his red-masked brother as Splinter whispered 'Rats?'—"I had Klunk before Nia and Hoshi came along. Secondly, all these animals are spectacular. Ya know…save the freezer rats. Those were a little disturbing."

Donny noticed his father grimace and thus sent him a reassuring smile, saying, "I—it was part of Mel's early development with Recro-12. I made her move them out of the family freezer."

"They were in our freezer?"

"Can we get back on topic?" Raph sent both Splinter and Donatello a pointed look before gesturing with his wild eyes towards the round creature curled by Splinter's wooden cane and clawed foot.

"Manners come with time, my son," Splinter said. He remained motionless while gazing at Pez then chuckled. "I believe Pez-chan enjoys playing with you."

"He doesn't play," countered Raph, "he torments!"

"You, maybe," Mikey interjected. "Least Cuddles ain't afraid."

"How long are you going to keep that albino tarantula, anyway?" Donny's question silenced the Lab—far from his intent

Raph and Nia sent Mikey imploring looks; maybe they had been curious as well. But the youngest brother only shrugged, panting with a palm against his side. 'Raph's ribs are obviously bothering him as well. Those two boneheads should be more mindful of their injuries.'

"You have grown close with this Sophia Moretti, Michelangelo," Splinter started. "When will I meet her?"

"I—I don't know," Mikey answered in a quiet tone. "We haven't seen each other since we returned from The Island, after Ape picked us up."

"But you've texted some, right?"

The nunchaku master returned Nia's question with a sigh. "A bit. She made sure we stayed together until we checked her apartment and found out where her mom was taken. Then, of course, to give me Cuddles. Other than that, she said she needs to be with her mom and…think things over."

"Will she move?"

Mikey shrugged again yet wore a lopsided smile. "She has to get Cuddles back, right? I'll find out then. And if she takes too much longer, I'll track her down."

"Oi, stalkin's Don's specialty," Raphael noted with a grin.

The genius sent him a glare.

"Anyways, we have enough on our minds. Don, you've been hanging with April every night to run the Facial Recognition program. Sensei's cancer-free and back to watching shows. Nia and I are working on our comic. And Raph"—the youngest brother's smile grew—"Mia and Gavin are coming over tonight, right? Fun times."

In unison, Nia and Raphael blanched.

"As for little old me, I think I'm gunna visit Leatherhead."

"That sounds like a good idea, actually," Donny told Mikey. He disregarded the murmurs Raph and Nia exchanged, watching the orange-masked Chūnin back up. "Every time I call, he insists his tail isn't as bad as it seems. Give me a better report, will ya?"

"Can do, Donny-O!"

"Be careful, my son," Splinter called towards Mikey's retreating form.

"Likewise, Sensei. And don't worry; no secret patrolling for this turtle—way too many EPF goons Topside. Oh, and Raph?" There was a pause before Mike left. "Cuddles and Pez better be alive when I get back. Klunk, too."

That said, the Lab fell silent as Pez's snoring caught everyone's attention.

Although the street-corner café teemed with more noise than Sophia's headache cared for, denying food from her mother Adeline was impossible. Absolutely. Impossible. Italians ate well—no matter the circumstances—and the robust blonde seated on a bar stool beside her daughter was living proof.

"You were discharged this morning, Mum," Sophia noted, eyeing the way her mother gobbled down a piece of cherry pie.

"Hospital food is terrible, just terrible," the wiry-haired woman countered.

"You weren't starved."

"I disagree." Adeline held up a hand as if the very thought should be banished then relished in another bite from her mauled dish. "Try yours, Soph!"

Gaze lowing to the plated pie, Sophia soured. "No thanks."

"You've hardly eaten all week!"

"Those things destroyed our home. I was kind'a responsible for putting you in a hospital, I've been fired, and, oh yeah, I had to leave Marco behind a second time. Excuse my lack of appetite."

"Those are no excuses to stop eating!"

"Mum."

"What?"

"You're yelling."

At least they spoke in Italian, right? Adeline puffed her round cheeks, her pointed finger falling from Sophia's straight expression. She disregarded the café's surprised patrons, though, shoving another pie piece into her mouth as they returned to their mundane lives.

"I'm sorry," Sophia whispered towards the glossy bar top. "You were caught up in collateral again. Because of me. "

"A few stitches set me right," the older blonde said while chewing.

"After a long hospital stay."

Adeline swallowed. "That was for safety. Really, I'm fine."

"You were crying, Mum."

"Yes, but"—the woman brought her blue eyes to her frowning daughter—"I was crying for you."

"You should be angry. All that damage. All that…pain."

"Deep down, I knew a job and a move wouldn't keep you from your calling, Sophia. I had hoped it would, but…heroism is in your blood, isn't it?"

The slender blonde had no easy answer at the ready, so she averted her gaze to her untouched food.

"There are other ways to fight for justice. Without a mask."

"Can you imagine me as a lawyer or cop?"

"A lawyer could be fun. You're argumentative enough."

Sophia pressed her lips.

"As for a cop, I see trouble. You aren't disciplined enough."

"I'm disciplined fine! It's just…not my way. There are too many rules."

"And Madame Vermillion had no rules?"

"She had less Better ones."

"Wasn't one of them to always work alone?"

'Should'a known this talk was coming,' Sophia thought while scrunching her nose. 'She's known the full story for a while…that doesn't mean she's okay with Figo and his family.'

"Leave it to you to find mutants in New York." Soph knew a conscientious amount of care must've gone into Adeline's volume, so she hung on the woman's words, ignoring the radio and chatter from the café. "You never could attract anyone normal."

"Look who raised me."

"We'll be running from Bishop forever, won't we?"

The sudden question—no matter how soft—struck Sophia's gut. Jaw-slack, she brought her hands to her lap, squeezing them together. Adeline released a sigh and it was her intense stare at the last piece of pie that convinced Soph how troubled she felt after all.

"Even as Fishers, we're no longer safe."

"Don't say that, Mum," Sophia whispered, placing a palm on her parent's sloped shoulder. "I messed up. I'm sorry. I—I'll talk with Nom de Guerre. Find a new apartment. Anything to make up for what I've done."

"No matter where we are, you'd be destined to stand against that maniac. I can't tell you how proud that makes me. How proud…and how scared."

The aged hand that fluffed Soph's blunt bangs froze her in place, her calves tense against her cold bar stool.

"I told you from the start, I'd support you. Regardless of how many enemies you make or how dangerous, I won't change my mind."

"B—but…"

How could her mother smile? How could she sit there, fresh from the hospital, uprooted from another home, and not be upset? It confused the young woman every time they spoke about her illegal career.

"You're a hero, Sophia," Adeline continued. Her round face contorted like she wanted to cry, except her voice remained steady. "And what's done is done. Bishop will always want you—for spite's sake. So if we had more people on our side to keep vigilance…that would be a relief."

"D—do you mean it?"

"Yes." The older blonde grinned then stabbed her remaining pie piece with her fork. "It took some time to come to the conclusion, but"—Adeline stuffed the treat in her mouth like a ravenous animal—"I'm ready to meet these Hamatos."

The Lair's living room felt tense. Splinter hated that.

'Not a weekend after I wake, and already another trial faces me. However…this one feels less daunting than cancer. Even if Raphael would disagree.'

The old rat shifted up further in his armchair—still surprised by the lacking pain in his bones. They welcomed the movement, in fact, so he was free to note the mutant turtle fidgeting beside Nia on the sofa. Well, if his children would not address their guests that left matters up to him.

"Forgive the shaky introduction into our home, Misses Anders," Splinter said. "The elevator lift is not often used."

Across from them, in seats with backs towards the television wall, Misses and Mister Anders stared ahead.

"I've been through sketchier things, Splinter," the female countered.

Splinter's gaze fell on the brunette with a soft aura about her. She looked strong, despite the wheel-chair she occupied, and seemed to enjoy how uncomfortable Raphael looked.

'She finds humor in his nervousness. At least one of them is at ease.'

"I didn't even know you had a lift," Nia commented.

"Donny at least keeps it serviced," Raphael followed up. He sent subtle glances at the fine-dressed redhead who remained silent, arms crossed. Or maybe not so subtle; the creases in Gavin's brow grew deeper every time the Chūnin did so.

"I still can't get over how cute your new look is, Nia." Mia grinned and Splinter had a gut feeling she meant to break the increasing strain. "Your hair's only a little longer than mine now."

"I hate it," said Nia. Her finger tips ran over the blunt edge where her hair met her scarred collarbone then soured. "It's too much work keeping it from frizzing out. When it was long, it was weighed down. All it needed was brushed."

"It was worse when you were a kid."

"Stop trying to justify it, Mama. It still upsets me."

"Well," Mia's large smile weakened, "I'm thankful that was the only sacrifice you paid for what you went through."

"That and, uh, my eye," Nia added with a strangled laugh. She pointed towards her brown iris, clearly intent on brushing off the new gravity her mother brought. However, her Chi wavered like her fake joy.

Mia sensed as much. "Your father won't admit it, Ni, but we agreed to come here with a purpose. We must speak with you and Splinter and Raphael, face to face, so we can get a real answer."

"Real answer for what?" Raphael interjected.

Despite the rudeness, Mia subdued Gavin's budding snarl with a single touch then set her determined eyes on Splinter. "She kept a big truth from me. That hurt as both a parent and a friend."

"I—I didn't keep it to be mean, Mama." Nia's small voice hitched as she rose from the sofa, so Raphael caught her loose shirt's sleeve, his expression pained.

"Nia, please sit." Such gentle yet stern words; they made the artist comply without hesitation, a marvel Splinter wish he had mastery of in regards to his children.

"I understand the pain well, Misses Anders," Splinter followed up. "I had asked my sons to remain underground while their eldest brother is"—he almost hissed—"away. They disobeyed, though, and Michelangelo and Raphael set out as heroes in the city."

"We talked about that," said Raphael under his breath, head ducking.

"However," continued Splinter, "I know it is in their nature to help. Since they could not do so here, they sought usefulness elsewhere. Seems I have raised very stubborn sons."

"You're preaching to the choir." Chuckling, Mia tucked her straight brunette hair behind her ear then dabbed her lips with a cloth. "A parent's worst fear is losing their child," she added, far more tender. "When I heard what happened at Oswald, what Nia did, I…I admit it terrified me. She has such capabilities, but it wasn't until she met your family that those strengths came to light."

"She could've died!" Gavin interjected. His arms uncrossed to gesture at the sofa and a notable drawl gave the redhead a southern-like accent. "Me daughter threw herself into this situation without any bleedin' forethought! Feck me, it was a gamble!"

"A gamble, yes," said Mia before anyone else. "Had I been there, I may've even tried to stop her. But she was being a hero, Gav. Like you would've done, had she been in Splinter's role and you been in hers."

That much was truth. Otherwise, the man would not have relinquished his anger so easily. He returned to brooding, letting his wife continue the point she had started,

"Parents want what's best for their children. More often than naught, it's the children who make mistakes, though, and discover what they need in life. My Ni, she's been searching for that something for so long. I feared she'd never find it. Then…Bishop stormed our home.

"I fell asleep…to an image of my baby filled with fear. Funny thing is…my last thought came from the day before the fight. She had no answers and little aim, but the face I've looked into after my coma…was much livelier. Now, she wears a face filled with purpose, joy, comfort, and"—her brown eyes found Raphael—"love. I've welcomed the change. Gav has too."

The redhead snorted, so Mia's elbow jabbed him before she graced the Hamatos with a serene smile. "If that change is because of this family, I wanted to thank you. It pains me I wasn't part of the process, but I'll live."

"So what's yer question?"

"Raphael." Splinter sent his son a pointed stare, which sunk the Chūnin further in his seat.

"He can be antsy; it won't bother me, Splinter."

"That is not the point, Misses Anders."

"True." The woman raised her pointy chin. "Nia."

All went quiet as the young artist arched her back, her Chi trembling like a gentle wave through the living room. "Yes, Mama?"

"You put your life on the line for Splinter. I have never seen you fight so hard for anything before. That makes me proud."

"Th—thank you," whispered Nia.

"My world's been turned upside down. A life of aliens, mutants, vigilantes, cyborgs, and whatever else—it's a lot. But that's where life's taken you. So can you tell me, with full conviction, that this is where your heart lies?"

"Yes." No uncertainty or waver. Not even a pause. Nia answered her mother's question with such a straight face, its intensity flicked every light inside the living room.

"Hear that, Gavin?" Mia asked, almost as if she had won a bet. Quiet, Gavin stood then headed for the kitchen. "Get me some water, too!"

"Yo—you're really okay with this, Mama?" Nia's gawk earned a brilliant grin when Mia faced her.

"Where your heart lies, mine does also. I'm just excited to know the people who've changed you so much."

"Not changed," Nia added. She spared Raphael a glance then touched her Yin-Yang necklace. "More like, they helped me grow."

Indeed. And it seemed more growth loomed in the Hamato Clan's horizon. Splinter just had to wonder…how much larger would their clan be by the time Leonardo returned…?