Here we go! Last chapter!

Ch. 35-Love

Neon green eyes fluttered open slowly. The lab was dark and he leaned into the warm arms wrapped tenderly around him. Briefly he glanced at Midori's sleeping face. With a soft smile and a tender caress of her cheek, the turtles eyes shut once again as he wrapped her protectively in his arms.

The next morning when Midori awoke she found herself being held tightly against her boyfriend's plastron. She smiled from ear to ear. Her hands flew up to cup both sides of his face. She pressed her lips to his fervently.

As far as Raphael was concerned, there was no better way to wake up. He smiled into the kiss and his eyelids lifted slowly. It was no secret that the hothead was extremely tired. In fact, though he'd just woken up from a five day unconsciousness he was just plain exhausted. Still he smiled lovingly at his human girlfriend. Raph tried to lift his left hand, when he realized that, not only did it hurt, but it was also in a sling.

"Your left arm was dislocated at the elbow. Master Splinter and Donnie took care of it. It should heal up just fine."

Raph sighed and rolled his eyes. "Great. And here I've hoping I'd never have to go through that hell again."

Midori frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"When I was little I dislocated this elbow one time while I was out in the sewers with Leo. He never really got over it, keeps blaming himself. At least that won't happen this time." Raph stated evenly. Then he noticed that Midori was looking away from him.

"Leonardo was in here with you when Sensei and Donnie fixed your elbow. He saw everything. He…um…he hasn't been himself since."

Raph's bottom lip pushed out in a frown. He struggled and began to sit up.

Midori shot up off the table and put a hand on his shoulder. "You shouldn't…"

"Then tell Leo to get his tail in here now. He'll tear himself apart if we just leave him alone. I need to talk to him. Look help me sit up, will ya?"

"Raph, I already told you…" She began, but he cut her off.

"Please Midori. I need to be to be able to look directly in his eyes for this. Please just trust me, love."

Midori smiled and did as he asked. Then she smirked. "Love?"

Raph shrugged, "What would you rather I call you? Sweet-cakes? Honey? Babe?...Princess?"

Midori mock-gagged. "You wouldn't dare."

Raphael smirked. "Oh I wouldn't, eh?"

Without any warning Midori swept up onto the lab table, put her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

Raph let out a hum of contentment and melted into the kiss. Slowly as they pulled away from each other Raph muttered. "Now get my big brother in here."

Midori's honey-colored eyes glinted as she nodded. The human walked over to the door of the lab. Raphael admired the way her hair swung behind her as she went. When Midori reached the door she poked her head out, and to Raph's very great surprise yelled, "Onii-san!"

Raph vaguely heard Leo's voice answer her, though he couldn't really make out what was being said.

Midori murmured something about needing to do something-or-other and Raph heard her ask Leo to keep an eye out in the lab. Raph nodded. He was glad that Midori hadn't said he was awake, because then the whole family would have come rushing in and Leo would most likely be trying to avoid him.

Leo came in slowly, dejectedly, with his head bowed low. He took a seat at Raph's side without once looking up.

Raph reached over and grabbed his older brother's hand tightly. Leo stared up at him in shock. "R-raph!"

"Leo."

"I-I have to tell the others!" The eldest turned to run off, but Raph held him tightly by the wrist.

"No. We need to talk first." Raph stated coolly. "Midori said you watched Sensei and Donnie setting my arm."

Leonardo refused to make eye contact with him.

"She also said that afterwards you were extremely disturbed. I just want to make sure you aren't blaming yourself."

"Raph—if I was truly a good big brother I would never have let you go alone."

Raph rolled his eyes. "C'mon, Leo, it isn't like I gave you much choice. You can't think it's your fault just because."

"Big brothers are supposed to protect their younger brothers, Raph. I failed you." Leo whispered, unable to keep the pain from his voice and the tears from his eyes.

"And what about Mikey and Donnie? You think they felt any less terrified than you? You think Donnie wasn't blaming himself for not being able to do more to heal me? Do you think Mikey wasn't blaming himself for not being able to help me? You aren't the only one who hurts, big brother."

Leo's shoulder shook. He refused to meet Raph's gaze. "I watched them put your arm back in place. It was like a repeat of all those years ago. I—I—" Tears streamed down the blue-masked turtle's cheeks and he flung himself into his immediate younger brother. Wrapping his arms tightly around the red-masked turtle's form.

Raph rubbed Leo's carapace comfortingly. It wasn't often that the blue-masked leader needed this kind of reassurance, but whenever he did, Raphael was always there.

"We could have lost you, Raph." Leo sobbed.

Raph frowned. "I'm sorry I had to put you through that, Leo. I'm so sorry. But I did what I had to. I accomplished my goal."

Leo smiled and hugged his brother tighter. "I know, and I'm so proud of you."

Raph smiled back and patted Leo's carapace. "I don't wanna hear any more of this 'failing me' nonsense, alright? I couldn't ask for a better big bro, Leo. I just want ya to know that."

Leo smiled, this time with tears of joy. "I love you too, little brother."

Silence passed between them as they simply reveled in each others presence. Finally Raph spoke again, his voice curious, "So, um, why did Midori call you onii-san?"

Leonardo looked a little bit stunned. "She didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"She's been officially accepted as a member of the family. Sensei even declared her his daughter."

Raph's eyes widened. Then he smiled. "It's about time."

Leonardo returned his immediate younger brother's smile. Then the deep blue eyes glinted mischievously and he smirked. "You know little brother, I'm not certain, but I think that Sensei is looking forward to having her as a daughter-in-law."

Raphael shot up, jerking his injured shell. He hissed a little before turning to his older brother in shock. "WHAT?"

Leo's smirk only grew wider.

"Who said anything about marriage?!" Raph asked.

The older turtle shrugged. "No one, but c'mon Raph, you love her, don't you?"

"Yeah, but marriage?"

"You want to spend the rest of your life with her, right?" Leo asked.

Raph sighed. "Well, yeah. But marriage is a big commitment, Leo. I'm not sure that I'm ready."

"Oh come on, Raph. You two have done well so far. You love her, you want to spend the rest of your life with her, so why not?"

Raph's bottom lip pushed out in thought. "I don't know. I guess I'm just…I'm scared. What if she says no?"

Leo rolled his eyes. "She loves you, little brother. She won't say no."

That didn't help ease Raph's nerves at all. He still wasn't sure whether he really wanted to do this or not…but he'd give it some thought at least.

Leo stood with a smile and moved over to the door. "I'll go tell the others you're awake. You think it over little brother. I think you might just end up getting hitched."

For a few moments Raphael pored over the issue in silence. The next thing he knew he looked up into his father's eyes. "Master Splinter."

"You seem very deep in thought, my son."

"Father I wanted to ask you…" Before he could finish Raphael was rudely interrupted by his other brothers who burst into the room.

Mikey jumped onto the lab table and pulled Raphael into a hug. "Raphie!"

"Ey, Mikey." Raphael murmured, soothingly stroking the young turtle's carapace.

"I was so afraid! I thought you were gonna die!"

"Sh. It's okay Mikey. I'm fine, I'm right here, you don't have to be afraid anymore."

Mikey sighed contentedly as he melted into his older brother's arms.

Donatello approached slowly, with a frown on his face. "You technically aren't well enough to be sitting up right now, but I know that any attempt to dissuade you would be completely useless."

"Got that right."

Don's eyes glinted knowingly. "I take it you've already spoken to Leo."

"And Midori, yes." Raph stated.

"I don't suppose our Fearless leader told you he almost killed himself by giving you more blood than he should have?" Don muttered, blandly.

Raph's bright green eyes widened in shock. "What? Is he alright?"

"He's fine. He needed a couple days of rest and restricted training, but he's just fine. He was lucky. As I say, that stunt could have cost him his life, even if it did save yours."

Raphael's frown was deep. "I'll give him a good whack in the head when I see him later."

Don sighed. "Don't bother. I've already done so on multiple occasions. He very nearly gave me a heart attack, and then there would have been three of us." The genius said exasperatedly.

Raph was not pleased.

"Eh-hem." Master Splinter muttered. All eyes turned to the old rat. "If you would please, my sons. Your brother and I have something to discuss."

The other two turtles nodded, each giving their injured brother a hug before they left.

"You were saying, my son?" the old rat prompted.

Raph held out his right hand and his father took it. "Sensei, what would your opinion be if I…"

"If you what, Raphael."

Raph's voice was barely audible. "If I asked Midori to…to marry me?"

The old rat smiled gently, "I would be most pleased, my child."

"You don't think it's too soon?"

Splinter's smile faded and he regarded his son very seriously. "I will not pressure you if you do not feel ready, my child."

Bright green eyes gleamed. "I-I'm ready, Sensei, but what if Midori isn't? What if I push her too far?"

Master Splinter's lips pulled into another smile at his second son's expression. "You have nothing to fear, my child. If she is not ready, she will let you know, but she will not refuse. I assure you she is just as in love with you as you are with her."

Raph's expression was contemplative. "I'll think about it, Father."

"I know you will, my child. And know this, Raphael, no matter what your decision, your brothers and I will always be here to support you if you need our assistance."

"If I'm gonna do this, I'll need all the help I can get, Father."

The old rat smiled. "Just let us know, my son." A soft hand ran along the side of Raphael's face. "I love you very much, little one. I always have. You will always be a child in your father's eyes."

Raph smiled and pulled his rat-father into a tight embrace. "I love you too, Father."

After the old rat left the room, the emerald green turtle fell deep into his own thoughts. Internally he came to a decision. It won't hurt to ask. Like Leo said, I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her, so why not take it one step further?

The End…

Oh, come on, did you really think I'd end it like that?

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…JK! I wouldn't leave you in suspense like that! I decided last week that I will have thirty-six chapters instead of thirty-five! Hehe!