Raphael's POV

I sprinted across the rooftops, tryin' ta blow off steam. Let's just say I ain't exactly wanted back at the lair right now. They were all mad at me for makin' that scary chick leave. They ain't listenin' when I tell 'em it wasn't my fault that she left. She stormed out 'cause she couldn't face the truth, and how in the shell is that my fault?! I dunno why they care about her so much anyway. What makes her so special? The chick is rude, hot-headed, and stubborn…so why can't I get her outta my head? I don't wanna think about her, but I can't help it. That girl is somethin' else. It's so annoyin'.

I stopped on one of the buildings to take a breather. I wiped the sweat of my brow as I stood on the edge of the buildin', overlookin' the docks. That's when I saw her. I leant over the edge to get a better look. So this is where she's been hidin' out. Mel got to her feet and began pacin' up and down the pier with her phone to her ear, that creepy lookin' lizard trailin' behind her like a dog.

Then things took a turn for the worse. I watched in silence as the pier beneath her feet started ta give way. With a held breath, I watched as Mel tried ta regain her footin' and make a run for it. But it was too late. I was already at the edge of the docks by the time she completely disappeared beneath the water. I dove inta the water after her; shell, I didn't even hesitate. I couldn't see nothin' in this water, it was so dark, but Mel was in trouble and I had ta save her. I kept swimmin' deeper and deeper 'til I saw somethin' glistenin' way off inta the distance. Getting' closer I saw a flash of somethin' bright pink.

That's gotta be Mel!

She was bein' dragged down by somethin'…somethin' mechanic. What the shell was that? Some sorta robot it looked like. I pulled out my Sais and dug into the sides of the machine, makin' it release its hold on Mel. I kept stabbin' my Sais inta it 'til I was sure it wouldn't be movin' again. Takin' a closer look at it, I growled low in my throat as I saw the Foot symbol painted on the side. What the shell is this doin' out here? Why did it attack Mel? I'm gonna have ta tell Don about this.

Slippin' my Sais back inta my belt, I grabbed hold of Mels' wrist and dragged her up ta the surface. She was unconscious by the time we resurfaced, and her face was even paler than usual. I had ta get her back ta dry land, NOW! I wrapped my arm around her waist and began ta sidestroke back ta the docks. I dragged her outta the water with ease and laid her on the pavement. Her pet lizard crawled outta the pocket of her hoody and shook the water off. He looked up at me and stuck his tongue out. Man, I ain't got time for this! If she was gonna survive I had ta help her now. I flicked the lizard from her body and leant over her. Her skin was freezin' and she wasn't breathin'. Great, now I'm gonna have ta do that CPR thing. How do ya do that again? Come on, think. What did Donnie tell ya ta do? Oh wait, I got it!

I put both my hands on her chest and started pushin' down. I kept pushin' on her chest but nothin' was happenin'. I quit doin' that and stared at her face. Man, I hope this works. I tiled her chin up and placed my mouth on hers and blew. Nothin'. I did the same steps three times before it actually worked. With a jerk, Mel spat out the water in her lungs. She coughed and spluttered before gaspin' for air. I couldn't help but feel completely relieved knowing that'd she was gonna be just fine.

Mels' eyelids fluttered open but she quickly shut them again. Groanin', she rubbed her eyes, smearin' her already drippin' eye make-up, before tryin' ta sit up. I placed my hand on her back and she jumped. She stared at me with wide-eyes, her mouth hangin' open in a slight 'O' shape.

"R-Raphael? W-what are y-ya doing here?"

She winced as she spoke and her body shook like crazy.

"I saw ya drownin' so I came ta help."

She frowned liked she didn't understand what I was talkin' about, and then shook her head side-ta-side. "You're an idiot, Raphael."

My mouth fell open before quickly turnin' inta a scowl. "I just save your life and you're callin' me an idiot?!"

She stared at me with a blank expression. "Exactly. Ya s-saved my life. D-don't ya know y-ya could've gotten hurt in the p-process?"

Wait…she was worried about my safety? That's a surprise. Why does hearin' her say that make me feel good?

"W-why'd ya do it?"

I stared inta her eyes. Were they always so green? Focus, Raph! I forced myself ta look away as I shrugged. "Damned if I know."

It was silent between the both of us 'til she spoke again.

"W-whatever your motives…I t-thank you f-for saving my life."

"Don't mention it."

Mel sat there, shiverin', her arms wrapped tightly around her body. I looked around for somethin' to cover her with. Her bag sat over by an old crate. There's gotta be somethin' in there to help warm her up. I went to grab her bag, Mel watching as I did so, and began rummagin' through her stuff.

"H-hey! What t-the hell are y-ya doin'?! Quit rifling through m-my things!"

She grabbed the back of my shell and tried shovin' me outta the way, but she was too weak. "Relax, princess. I ain't interested in anythin' else except for somethin' warm for ya ta cover yourself with."

As I was searchin', I found a photograph of two girls. One girl was a little older than the other. One girl had long raven black hair; the other had short blonde curls. They both were pullin' a funny face in the picture. I pulled it out and waved it in the air.

"Who are these girls?"

Mels eyes widened and she lunged at me, tryin' ta rip the photo outta my hand. I placed my free hand on her head and held her back, keepin' the photo way outta her reach.

"Give t-that back, R-Raphael!"

"Just tell me who they are."

"Why does it m-matter?!"

"Ya want it back, don'tcha?"

She slapped my hand away and glared at me. "Fine. It's a p-picture o-of me and my s-sister. Happy now?"

I held the photo in two hands and stared at the two girls. I never woulda taken them for sisters. Mels sister had short, blonde curly hair tied up in pigtails on either side of her head, heaps of freckles across her chubby cheeks, and a dark tan usually found on Californian girls. Mel was the exact opposite. She wasn't wearin' any makeup at the time. Her hair was pure black, and a lot longer than it was now. Her skin was really pale and clear. Her mouth was open in the photo, lettin' me see the gap between her two front teeth, which, in a strange way, was actually kinda sexy. She was smilin' too, which is somethin' I hadn't seen yet.

Gotta admit…she sure was a knockout.

"So is she still in California or what?" I asked, never takin' my eyes off the photo.

"No, she's dead." Mel said in a bitter voice.

My head shot up. The picture slipped from my hands as I watched Mel with a stunned expression. Shell, I had no idea. Is this why she was angry all the time?

"Mel…I'm sorry. I didn't know-"

"It's fine."

She cut me off and picked up the photo. I could see her tryin' not ta cry as she traced her sisters face with her thumb. I felt a tightenin' in my chest and had ta look away. I dunno what I'd do if I'd lost one of my brothers. I'd probably hate the world too. Clearin' my throat, I got back ta lookin' for something warm for her. I pulled out a thin jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Mel still shook, but now I ain't sure if it was from the cold or that she was cryin'.

"It's all m-my fault." Mel whispered. "S-she died 'cause o-of me."

My eyes widened at her words. How could she say somethin' like that?! I gripped her shoulders and she looked up at me with big, watery eyes. "Don't say that, Mel. I'm sure it wasn't your fault."

She bit her bottom lip, shakin' her head side-to-side. "It was. If I-I hadn't g-gotten so angry w-with her, then she'd still b-be here."

I rubbed my hands up and down her arms, tryin' ta warm her up, as I spoke. "Tell me what happened, Mel."

She shuddered, clutching the photo between her fingers. "It happened a year ago. We got into a fight 'bout me b-being in a gang. She w-wouldn't listen when I t-told her that I was doing it 'cause I had to. She f-feared for me, for my life. But I h-had to join the Crimson Dragons! It was the o-only way I could protect her!"

She began to cry openly now. I shifted awkwardly and looked away. What the shell am I 'sposed ta do now? I ain't good with cryin', especially from girls. Where's Donnie when ya need him?! I rubbed the back of my neck before grabbin' her shoulders and pullin' her inta a hug. She froze for a second before wrappin' her arms around my body and pressin' her face against my chest. I went rigid at the contact but forced myself to relax. Wrappin' my arms around her, I told her to continue her story.

"Things started getting outta hand real quick. My sister, Lizzy by the way, never got angry, until that day. She started s-screaming her head off 'bout how I had changed and she didn't like me that way. I went off at her, telling her that she was naïve and that she n-needed to grow up. Lizzy told me that she d-didn't even know who I was anymore; that she hated who I had become and wanted the old Mel back, and if I didn't change then she didn't wanna be my sister anymore. Well I just snapped and told her that was fine. I didn't need to change and I wasn't gonna change. I told her if she didn't want me as a sister then she could just get the hell out and find someone better. And she said okay, and then I said something horrible."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, thinkin' about all the fights Leo and I have had that were similar, before telling her to go on.

"I t-told her I'd be glad to see the back of her; that she was only a burden." She broke down completely, tightenin' her hold on me.

Ouch, that's pretty rough. "What else happened, Mel?"

"W-well, we both said that we hated each other and Lizzy just ran outta the house, crying. I went to my room to try and cool off, ya know? Then an hour went by and Lizzy didn't come home, or even call. I was freaking out so I went l-looking for her. I searched for hours but couldn't find her. J-just as I was 'bout to see if she went home…I-I found her. She was left, dumped in alley, behind a couple of dumpsters…with a bullet in her head."

Mel cried inta my chest and I could do was hold her even tighter, rubbin' her back ta try and console her. I can't believe what I just heard. No wonder Mel was the way she was. She's been carryin' the guilt of her sister's death for over a year, without no one ta talk to. I couldn't even imagine losin' one of my bros; but even if I did we'd still have each other. Mel had no one…except for me. She opened up and told me somethin' personal, the least I could do was be here for her in her time of need.

Once she had calmed down a little I tilted her head up. She avoided eye contact with me, finding the ground to be more interestin'.

"Mel, I had no idea. I'm sorry ya had ta go through somethin' like that. I know ya have been blamin' yaself for her death, but it's really not your fault."

"But-"

"Will ya just shut up and listen?" She bit her lip and I wiped a tear from her cheek with my thumb. "It's not your fault. Families fight all the time. Believe me, I know. Leo and I fight just about every day. The stuff we say to each other…well, it gets pretty nasty."

"Yeah, but at least ya get to make up afterwards." She stared inta my eyes now and I couldn't but feel my heart skip a beat. "My sister d-died thinking I hated her. But I don't hate her. I never once hated her. She was my baby sister. I loved her…so much."

"I know ya did, and I know Lizzy knew that as well."

She sniffed and rubbed her eye quickly. "Y-ya really think she knew how much I loved her?"

"Ya'd have ta be an idiot not ta see that." I smiled slightly.

Mel nodded and wiped her eyes with the palms of her hands, smearin' her eye makeup all over her cheeks. I shook my head and ripped off a piece of her wet hoody.

"W-what are ya doing?" She glanced at the material in my hands as I scrunched it inta a ball. I held her chin between my two fingers and wiped the mess off her face.

"Ya look like crap."

"Cut me some slack, dude. I mean, I did almost drown." The side of her mouth twitched upwards into a tiny smile.

I shook my head, smirkin'. I noticed Mel starin' at me as I worked. "What are ya starin' at?"

"Nothing, just thinking."

"About what?"

"You."

My hand froze and I glanced at her. "What about me?"

"Well…" A red tinge covered her cheeks. Was she…blushin'? "…I was just thinking 'bout how sweet you're being to me. I've been so rude to ya and yet you're man enough to put that aside and take care of me." She looked inta my eyes and smiled warmly, makin' my heart speed up. "I guess I just wanna thank ya for being so nice to me. I know I don't deserve it."

I cleared my throat and smirked. "Don't mention it, Mel. Ya'd have ta be a pretty big douchebag ta leave a girl alone in her time of need. Besides, I don't blame ya for getting' mad with me. I haven't exactly been easy on ya."

"Eh, that's alright. You're not the first person to distrust me. I mean, the way I look got people running in the other direction."

"Yeah well, I ain't exactly in a position ta judge someone on looks. I mean look at me."

"There's nothing wrong with the way ya look, Raph." She said gently.

I blinked. "Ya do know I'm a giant, talkin' turtle, right?"

"I do." She smiled. "But my statement still stands."

I shifted uncomfortably, feelin' a little embarrassed by her compliment. I finished wipin' the last bit of makeup from her face and tossed the cloth aside.

"Oh crap," Mel groaned and rubbed her face.

"What's the matter?"

"I feel so naked without my makeup on."

"I dunno why ya wear it anyway. I think ya look a lot better without it."

The words were outta my mouth before I could stop 'em. My face felt warm and I had ta look away. It was true though; she did look a lot better without all that gunk on her face. Without it she looked younger, innocent…beautiful.

"Really?" She looked up at me surprised, blushin'.

I rubbed the back of my neck, starin' at the ground, and nodded. Ok, this was gettin' kinda awkward for me now. I coughed and got ta my feet. "We should probably be gettin' back. April and my bros have been wonderin' where ya are."

I looked down at her, waitin' for her ta get up but she stayed sittin'. "Ya comin' or what?"

"Do ya think they'll want me back? I mean, I did storm outta there and I don't wanna be a burden or nothing."

"You're not a burden, Mel. We're happy ta have ya livin' with us."

She stared at me for a few seconds before breakin' out inta a smile; one that showed the gap between her teeth. I smiled back and helped her ta her feet.

"Let's get ya home."

We dropped down the nearest manhole cover and walked side-by-side. I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, then back ahead.

"Mel…could I ask ya somethin'? Somethin' personal?"

"Kay, shoot."

"Why did ya join the Crimson Dragons in the first place?"

I felt her tense up but she answered anyway. "I was an idiot. The place I grew up was a complete hellhole. Nothing but crime, everywhere ya went. Ya actually feared for ya life walking out at night. Lizzy was terrified, especially when our Mum would bring men over to the house. They used to stare at us and it really gave me the creeps. One night we were asleep and I heard the door opening. I thought Lizzy was going somewhere but it wasn't her. It was one of Mums one night stands. He stood at the side of Lizzys' bed and reached out to touch her face, but I wasn't having none of that."

Her voice was hard and cold and her eyes darkened. My hands were balled inta fists by my side as I listened to her story. How in the shell could her Mum let that happen?!

"I pulled out the crowbar I kept beneath my bed and threatened to whack him with it if he didn't back off. He came towards me next but before he could try something, Mum had burst into our room and dragged him out. We had to lock our bedroom from that night on. For some reason though, I still couldn't get to sleep. I thought it was 'cause I felt like I was keeping an eye on Lizzy, but I was only fooling myself. Truthfully, I was terrified to go to sleep. Hell, I still am."

"So when did ya sleep?"

She smirked. "I used to fall asleep in class every day. For that I got sent to the principal's office quite a bit. Now I can only sleep when other people are with me. It's stupid, I know. But anyway, I knew I couldn't protect my sister from creepos like that; I needed help. Then my 'Dad' came 'round for his once a year visit and, well, offered me leadership of a gang. He said I'd be able to keep my family safe, and like an idiot I jumped at the offer. Pretty stupid, huh?"

"No." I shook my head. "It wasn't stupid at all. I'd do anythin' ta protect my family too."

The back of our hands brushed together, and as corny as it sounds, I swore I felt sparks. I licked my lips as I stared at her hand. I wanted ta reach and hold it. Shell, what is wrong with me?! Get a grip, Raphael.

"So, why'd ya quit the gang?"

I continued ta walk but when I didn't feel her next ta me anymore, I turned back. She stood still, fire burnin' in her eyes. Uh-oh. Wrong question.

"I quit when I found out." Her voice was low and dangerous.

I was almost too nervous ta ask but I was curious now. "Found out what?"

"When I found out that they were the ones' that killed Lizzy."

My eyes widened. No way! "What?"

"The Crimson Dragons were the ones that killed my baby sister. I was so friggin' pissed! I went straight to our warehouse only to find it empty. Turns out they all ran after killing her. Pfft, bunch of cowards. I swear, Raphael, I was gonna kill 'em all for what they did."

She started to pace, shakin' her head side-to-side. "Mum didn't seem to care though. No, she didn't care 'bout us at all. Why am I even surprised by that? Nothing we did ever got her attention."

I watched her pace. She was ventin' now; lettin' all her thoughts just spill out. And I let her. She needed ta get this stuff off her chest. Maybe she'll feel better after she does this.

"And people wonder why I'm a bitch. Well ya wanna know why I am the way I am? Fine, I'll tell ya. I'm a bitch 'cause it was the only way to get her to notice me! I tried being the good daughter, but that sure as hell wasn't enough! Then after Lizzy died, I had no one to talk to, so I started lashing out, and guess what? She hated me even more! But that's okay, 'cause she actually started paying attention. And any attention was better than none. Oh my God, how sick does that sound?! I just wanted her to care 'bout something. 'Bout me and what I was doing, even if it was bad!"

She looked over at me with tears runnin' down her cheeks, pantin' slightly. We stood there for ages until a look of shock crossed her face.

"I'm sorry, Raph. I don't know what came over me. I just…I mean-"

"Mel, it's ok." I interrupted her. "Ya needed ta vent. I get it."

She looked away, like she was ashamed of herself. "Lizzy kept a diary. After she died I carried it 'round with me, but I never read it. Well…'til a month ago. It was all 'bout me. Pages and pages 'bout how she wanted me to quit the gang. That it had made me hard, and how I was better off without it. The last few words of her diary were the hardest to read. It was written the day she died. I still remember exactly what she wrote."

"What'd she write?"

"She wrote: Amelia isn't the same person anymore. She's changed. She puts on this tough act, thinking she's going to protect me that way, but I don't need protecting. What I need is my big sister back. I'm afraid that if she continues down this path, then she'll get hurt. That's the last thing I want to happen.

All I want is for Mel to smile again, like she used to. I want her to let her guard down and have fun. People aren't as bad as she thinks they are! People try to get close to her but she keeps pushing them away. Old Mel would have never done that. And that's what I want. I want old Mel back…Amelia. My big sister.

I just want her to be happy again."

She wiped her eyes and looked at the ground. "I failed her, Raphael. The one thing she wanted from me and I couldn't give it to her."

"Then give it ta her now."

She looked at me with confusion. "What?"

"Just 'cause she's gone doesn't mean it's too late ta make it up ta her."

"But, I dunno how to change."

I shook my head. "Ya don't have ta change, Mel. Ya just need to drop the act."

"I don't understand."

I face-palmed. "Ya know, for a smart girl, you're pretty slow." Mel frowned but stayed quiet. "Quit tryin' ta act tough. Let your guard down. The way ya are with Mikey and Don…with me now. That's the real Mel. The one Lizzy was talkin' about."

"But, I-"

"Quit makin' excuses, Mel!" I growled, getting' more and more irritated by her constant 'buts'. "I'll make it simple for ya; either drop the scary chick act and start actin' like Amelia the big sister that Lizzy loved, or keep on livin' as Mel, Lil' Bitch of the Crimson Dragons and end up dyin' alone. It's your choice!"

She stared at me with a blank expression. I folded my arms and glared at her. I know she probably didn't like that I snapped at her, but frankly I don't care about that. She walked towards and stopped 'til I could feel heat radiatin' from her body. Then she did something I wasn't epectin'. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. My body went rigid, the light touch of lips on my skin made my heart race.

"W-what the shell was that for?"

Did I just stutter?

"You're just a big softie under this hard shell, aren't ya?" I didn't see her but I could hear the smile in her voice.

"Don't be stupid, Mel, I am not! And if ya tell anyone about this, I'll kick your butt." I said, smirkin'.

We pulled away and smiled. "Thanks, Raph."

"For what?"

"Everything." She said simply before walking away.

I watched her for a few minutes before shakin' my head and chasin' after her.