Chapter 14: Four Once More

The consistent beep of the heart monitor was a comforting sound to the three brothers. It was confirmation that their brother was with them. That they hadn't lost him.

After nearly a week without their oldest brother in a world where they were told he didn't exist, leaving the eldests side even for a moment was beyond any of their comprehension. Even after they were sure Leonardo would be out of the woods, the three brothers gathered as many blankets and pillows as they could and hunkered down with their brother. The Donnie and Mikey of this world brought them food and drinks and did what they could to make them comfortable, when they were not tending to their own Leo. From what they heard Raph wouldn't even leave his side for a second. The brothers from the other world understood their counterparts completely. They still couldn't wrap their own minds around what had happened and knew that their counterparts were even more astounded and elated.

When the Leo from this world was stabilized the brothers had moved him to Donnie's room to give everyone a little more space and privacy.

The brothers of the other world were happy for the privacy as well as they waited for their own Leo to wake up.

Michelangelo sat near Leonardo's head with a smile on his face as he read and described a comic book to his unconscious brother. Donatello who sat nearby, wasn't paying much attention to the story himself as he busied himself with checking his brother's vitals. The genius's head shot up as Raph re-entered the room carrying a tray full of food.

"Do you know what all the commotion was about?" Donatello asked as the hothead took a seat next to him, setting the tray on the nearby desk.

"Yeah" Raph nodded. "They couldn't find Wind for a moment. Figures the last place they would check is the dojo."

Donnie's eyes widened in sympathy for their counterparts, relieved to hear that they found him.

"Still can't get over the name." Raph mumbled as he took a bite of his own sandwich.

Donnie couldn't help but agree, to hear his brother's counterpart called by any other name than Leo, was an odd anomaly that seemed too bizarre to fathom. Then again, the mere concept of not having a Leo was too bizarre and painstaking to fathom. Having both Leo's appear even injured had been a monumental relief to both families.

"He grew up apart from them, Rapheal, we don't know where he got his name." Donatello commented. Inwardly he was relieved that for the time being at least, their counterparts were calling the returned brother by the name he was accustomed with.

"So he was in the dojo?" Donatello questioned taking a bite of his own sandwich. Ham and cheese, the genius noted approvingly.

Raphael nodded. "He was having a talk with their Master Splinter." Raphael's voice was quiet, his green eyes shining. Donatello felt a familiar pain in his heart. This had been a very emotionally taxing week for the family.

"I miss him" Michelangelo's voice was quiet, the youngest pausing in his story to join the discussion.

"I do too little brother" Donatello agreed, his heart heavy with sorrow. It was beyond words to describe what it was like spending the week with this Master Splinter, having lost his own in their world. It had been a lot to take in to say the least. Meeting their late father's counterpart. Discovering that this world didn't have a Leonardo. Realizing that their Leo was absent. The miraculous appearance of both Leo's. Dealing with the injury.

The situation as a whole had been an emotional roller coaster for the family.

"It's been good though." Michelangelo commented, fiddling with the comic. "You know, seeing him. Even though he isn't our father."

"It has Michelangelo," Donetello smiled in return. In a way it had been almost healing seeing Master Splinter. They had missed their father dearly and although he wasn't their father, his presence had been comforting when dealing with the absence of their Leo and waiting to get back home.

"You know he'd not gone." Raphael commented after a moment. "Master Splinter. Not really."

Michelangelo and Donatello smiled.

"No he'd not." Donatello added, "He will always be in our hearts and memories."

The three brothers shared a comforting smile at the thought before falling into a peaceful silence, eating their sandwiches.

A groan pulled the three brothers back to alert as their eldest brother began to stir.

"Leo?" Donatello's voice was hopeful as he approached his older brother, checking his vitals once more.

"Come on fearless, open those blue eyes of yours" Raphael pressed gently.

At hearing his brothers' voices, sapphire blue eyes fluttered open weekly.

"Guys?" Leo questioned weekly. The three brothers' smiles shone brightly relieved to hear the eldest voice.

"Leo!" Michelangelo wrapped his brother in a tight but tender hug. Relieved to be around his brothers once more Leo patted his baby brother's arm weakly.

"It's good to see you too Mikey" Leo smiled, his eyes still half closed with sleep.

"I'm surprised you're awake so soon." Donatello commented, surprised but greatly relieved. "You took quite a beating."

"Tell me about it" Leo grumbled, before opening his closed eyes once more this time in worry: scanning his own brothers.

"Relax Fearless" Raphael rolled his eyes, his arms crossed in front of his chest. "We're all okay"

"Promise?" Leo asked, his sapphire eyes narrowed seriously.

"Promise," Raphael smiled.

Content and pacified with the answer Leo let his eyes drift closed once more, though he fought to hang on to consciousness.

"Is Wind alright?" Leo questioned after a moment.

The room grew tense at the counterparts mentioned. "Yes Leo, he's alright." Donetello answered.

"Good" Leo answered.

Michelangelo curled up next to his brother's side wrapping an arm around him. "I'm so glad you're okay Big Brother" the youngest murmured curling up close to the eldest.

Leo smiled, leaning his head to rest on his little brother. Relieved beyond words to be around his brothers once more.

"Missed you guys," Leo murmured.

"Us too" Donatello responded, his voice breaking with emotion.

"Get some sleep fearlessly, we'll be right here." Raphael promised his smile warm as he pulled his seat closer to his brother's side.

Content and relieved Leo let himself be pulled back into the comforting arms of sleep.

The four brothers slept easily, their hearts at peace.

Because they were four once more.

As they always had been and where always meant to be.

Ya. Leo is awake.

I realized that in the timeline I'd created Master Splinter would have been gone in the 2012 timeline. I feel bad for all the emotional upheaval I am pulling the brothers through. :(