"So, what's the verdict, Don-boy? M' I gonna live?"

Donnie couldn't stop himself from grinning in amusement as he looked up from his examination to meet Mikey's twinkling eyes. The youngest turtle was just starting to regain his strength, but his disposition was as sunny as ever.

"I said you were yesterday, Mikey," he said. "And thankfully, that doesn't look likely to change."

A good-natured scoff came from Raph as he stepped into the living room, his eyes bright in a way that his brothers hadn't seen for quite a while.

"Course it doesn't," he said, his tone light and joking. "We all know th' knucklehead's way too stubborn t' let a little thing like this get 'im down."

Mikey let out a dramatic gasp, his eyes wide with exaggerated outrage.

"Little thing?! Dear brother Raphael, you injure me! What I've got here's a genuine, bona fide war wound, taken in the line of duty!"

Leo chuckled from his seat in the chair across from the couch.

"Don't disrespect Mikey's war wound, Raph."

The red-banded turtle waved his hand in a sarcastic salute.

"As ya say, Fearless."

Hamari came up beside Raph and gave his shoulder a light tap with her fist, the corner of her mouth quirked up in a smirk.

"My, my, Raphael, I think that's the easiest I've ever seen you take an order. Getting soft, are we?"

Raph snorted, shooting her a playful glare.

"Watch who you're callin' soft there… I can still make mincemeat outta anyone."

Grace let out a soft laugh; as always, she was sitting on the floor close to Mikey's head with their hands intertwined.

"Better not make mincemeat of anyone here," she said. "I don't think April would appreciate the mess."

That got another laugh out of everyone, along with April as she entered the room with Splinter, who was wearing an amused, fond smile.

"It would be a pain to clean up," April said. Splinter shook his head before moving to the couch. Grace released her hold on Mikey's hand to shift aside, though she stayed close. With a nod of thanks to her, Splinter placed a hand on Mikey's head.

"I am glad to see you in better spirits, Michelangelo," he said with a smile. "How are you feeling, my son?"

Mikey directed a smile back at him, one that for the first time in a long time held no trace of unease or nervousness.

"I'm okay, Sensei. Still sore, but it's a lot better."

Donnie nodded as he finished rebandaging his younger brother's shoulder, rising to his feet.

"It's starting to heal," he said. "I don't think it'll be long before you're back on your feet… no more than a week, I'd say."

The youngest turtle's smile changed to a playful grin, and his brothers grinned as well, guessing what was coming.

"Gonna take more than this t' keep the Battle Nexus champion down, bro!"

Raph rolled his eyes, but his grin remained.

"Don't we know it," he said, his tone proud rather than annoyed this time. Mikey looked at him, and though his expression remained playful, there was a light in his eyes that suggested those words meant more to him than anything. Still smiling, Raph walked over and scrubbed a fist over his brother's head.

"It's good t' have ya back, Mikey," he said softly. "I'm glad you're still wit' us."

Mikey reached up his right hand and Raph placed his in it, making his younger brother smile a little wider.

"Me too, bro."

Grace scooted closer and gently bumped her head against his.

"So am I," she murmured. Mikey turned and nuzzled his forehead against hers, and for a few moments they kept their heads touching as the others remained quiet, giving them their moment. Finally, Mikey drew back, and a look of regret came to his face.

"Grace, I… I'm sorry. I never wanted you t' lose your family."

There was sadness in the girl's eyes, but she smiled at him without a trace of regret and reached over to cup his cheek in her hand.

"Don't apologize, Mikey. I love you, and I don't regret what I did for a minute."

She pressed a kiss to his other cheek, and the others watched with wide smiles. Hamari cleared her throat, her voice slightly teasing.

"You two care for some alone time?"

Grace and Mikey looked up, their expressions suggesting they'd forgotten they weren't alone. The youngest turtle took Grace's hand, looking at her with a questioning look. She smiled and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

"It's okay," she said gently. "I know you want your family close now."

Her thoughtfulness brought a smile to Donnie's face; glad as he was that his little brother had been the first to find love, he was even happier that it was with someone as kind and caring as Grace. And after seeing her give up so much to save him, he was even more grateful. Mikey smiled at Grace, then lay back on his pillows with a sigh.

"Gotta say, I'm looking forward to gettin' up and around again. Taking it easy's fine and all, but it'll be great t' get back home. Sure Klunkers is gettin' lonely."

"Don't worry, Mike," Leo said. "I can tell he misses you, but he's doing fine… he's a tough little guy."

He raised a brow, his mouth quirking into a grin.

"Reminds me of someone I know."

"Little?" Mikey asked, narrowing his eyes. "Scuse me, but I'm almost as tall as you."

Donnie let out a chuckle and patted Mikey's foot under the blanket.

"Maybe, but you're still our little brother," he said, his voice fond. "Always will be. And we'll always want you here."

"Yeah," Raph chimed in. He then narrowed his own eyes in a glare, though the playful gleam in them never faded. "So don't even think of pullin' a stunt that might change that again."

Mikey grinned back but didn't answer. Donnie knew why… Mikey wouldn't promise anything of the sort. No matter what it took, he would always step up to defend the people he loved. The thought brought a feeling of both tenderness and lingering unease. Any of them would give their lives for each other, him included, but he always held on to the hope that would never be needed. He'd seen that hope nearly dashed more times than he cared to count, but he never lost it. Whatever higher being might be up there, it seemed to look kindly on them.

Maybe there is something to Grace's faith. Even I have to admit it… sometimes, logic only goes so far.

AN: So, so sorry for the long wait! I've been a little drained this past month with everything going on and couldn't find the motivation to write. I'm starting to catch up, though, so I hope this was worth the wait. A very Merry Christmas and joyous holiday season to you all!