Raph felt as if everything was moving both in slow motion and way too fast. He could hear his genius brother's harsh voice barking orders, followed by April and Casey's grim replies. Though he couldn't make out their exact words, what he could hear sounded bad. Mikey was ominously silent, and that made the eldest turtle even more scared. He desperately wanted to go back and help, but he couldn't leave the controls… he had to get them home. He didn't even dare glance back, fearing that the sight would make him break completely.

Suddenly the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps caught his attention, and his eyes darted from the street for just a moment to see April rush up beside him. Her wide, overbright eyes made his heart skip a beat.

"What?!" he demanded. "What's wrong?! Leo, is he…"

"He's hangin' in there," April said quickly. "But Donnie says he's gonna need a transfusion as soon as we get there."

That made Raph tremble from head to foot. The transfusion itself wasn't a problem… Leo had been collecting small samples from each of them over the past few years just for such an emergency. But it had never been necessary, not even after the Krang invasion.

Raph swallowed hard, but his voice still trembled when he spoke.

"I-it's that bad?"

He heard April's choked sob before she replied.

"Yeah."

Raph felt his trembling increase, but he clenched his jaw and ordered himself to stay calm. Losing it now wasn't going to help his brother.

"We're 'bout there," he said, surprised to hear his voice come out steady. "You guys get Leo ready t' move."

April drew in a sharp breath before replying in a similar controlled voice.

"Got it."

The tank took one more sharp turn, then zipped into the hidden entrance to the lair garage. The door had barely opened in time to let them through, but Raph didn't bat an eye. He'd have smashed through the door if he had to. As soon as the tank stopped, the eldest turtle jumped up and ran to the back to lift Leo into his arms again.

"Be careful," Donnie urged. "Try not to jolt him too much."

As soon as they entered the lair, they heard hurried footsteps before Splinter entered the room.

"I heard you, what…"

He stopped short, his eyes widening as an expression of horror came to his face.

"He's alive, Dad," Raph said quickly. "But he's hurt bad."

"Med bay, hurry!" Donnie exclaimed.

Raph moved straight for the infirmary, trying hard not to think of how limply Leo hung in his hold.

He'll be fine, he told himself. He's been through this with the Krang. We just need t' fix him up and he'll be okay.

He didn't even let himself consider the other possibility. They almost lost Leo to the Krang, and they were not losing him now. Raph wouldn't let that happen.

"Get him on the table!" Donnie ordered, easily slipping into his role of back up medic. "Then get a blood bag from storage. Mikey, I need you to help me and Casey… we've gotta start the transfusion as soon as soon as that wound is sutured. We can't risk using the whole supply."

Never missing a beat, Raph went straight to the exam table and carefully laid Leo down. He felt a painful twinge in his chest when the blue banded turtle cringed and let out a weak moan, but as much as he wanted to, he couldn't spare any time to comfort his little brother. With some effort, he turned and ran to follow Donnie's second order. His heart twinged again when the electronic beeping of the heart monitor began, at a rhythm he knew wasn't good.

No, Raph, focus!

Thankfully, each blood bag was clearly labeled, which made it easy for Raph to grab one after a quick scan of the supply. Being the team medic was one thing Leo had always taken seriously over the years, and Raph knew it was because the slider wanted to keep his family safe in any way he could.

When the snapper rushed back to the exam table, Mikey was setting up an IV with slightly trembling hands and Raph saw his eyes occasionally dart to Donnie and Casey as they tended to Leo. His throat tightened, but he gulped it down and hurried to get the blood bag ready, sparing only a second to place a hand on his youngest brother's shoulder. Mikey's wide, tear-filled eyes met his, and Raph managed a small, reassuring smile. But he didn't tell him everything would be okay. Frankly, he doubted that himself, and he couldn't bring himself to lie to Mikey.

Suddenly the monitor started beeping faster, too fast. Raph immediately whirled around, and he saw Leo struggling on the table, trying to push Donnie and Casey's hands away. His eyes were still closed, but his face contorted in pain and fear as faint whimpers escaped him.

"Leo!" Donnie tried to hold his brother down, his voice almost frantic. "Leo, no, you gotta hold still! It's okay, just relax!"

Casey spoke next, his voice more controlled but just as fearful.

"He's gonna make the bleeding worse."

Raph looked at his blue banded brother's face, and the realization came to him.

He's not here… he's there.

But what could he do? Leo was too weak and too scared to be aware of the others, so how could they get to him? The eldest turtle struggled to think, then his eyes widened.

The Mind Meld.

But that was immediately followed by doubt. They had used Mind Meld only once, and hadn't again since, and he wasn't sure how to use it like this. Then another feeble whimper escaped Leo, and the doubt quickly evaporated. The slider had little time, and there was no other option. Immediately, Raph moved up beside Casey.

"Here, lemme in," he said, his voice firm and steady. "I'm gonna try something."

To his relief, the human teen shifted to make room without question. Taking a deep breath, Raph placed a large hand on his brother's head and bent to touch his forehead to Leo's. The uncertainty seemed to have disappeared, and everything he needed to do came as naturally as if he'd been doing it every day. Closing his eyes, he reached out with his mind.

Leo? Leo, can ya hear me?

He waited, ordering himself to stay calm, be patient. Then another voice came, fading in and out like a weak radio signal.

Help… please… don't…

Raph felt his heart start to pound but sent another urgent call.

Leo, it's okay, it's me. You gotta let me in, bro. C'mon, please.

He wasn't sure if his brother could hear his words, but he'd sent them with a strong wave of emotion, of love, hoping Leo could feel it even if he couldn't hear. Sure enough, he felt the wall between them give, then fall away.

Unseen by Raph, both his and Leo's eyes flew open, glowing white. The terror and pain that filled his mind was so intense he almost lost focus, but he gritted his teeth and held it. Hazes of memory flashed past, of the ambush, the first battle with Shredder… then the gloom of the prison dimension, fear and hurting dulled by grim acceptance, Krang Prime's menacing eyes piercing the gloom, burning with hate as he approached. The eldest turtle felt his heart breaking as he finally felt the full extent of his little brother's sacrifice, the things Leo couldn't tell them.

Leo, Raph called. It's okay, it's me… it's Raph.

His brother's voice came, weak and trembling but with a trace of hope.

Raph…? It's… really you…?

He couldn't stop himself from smiling just from hearing Leo's voice.

Yeah, bro, it's me. I'm here… we're all here. You're not there anymore.

The raging emotions seemed to calm just a little, but the anguish remained.

But… it hurts… Raphie, it hurts…

That was almost enough to break Raph, but he pushed it back.

I know, little brother. But we're here, and we're gonna help ya. Ya don't have t' fight… just trust us. Can ya do that?

A pause that could have been seconds or minutes went by, then he felt the storm around them start to calm.

I can… but… what if I don't…

Don't think like that, brother. You're the toughest guy I know. You will. I know it.

With that, the fear slowly dissolved, replaced with an absolute trust built up over years.

Will you… wait?

Without hesitation, the eldest turtle wrapped his subconscious around Leo's in a gentle embrace.

Long as it takes, little brother. I promise.

Raph's awareness began to return, the faint sound of Donnie's voice growing louder.

"Raph? Raph, you with us?"

The snapper blinked, his purple brother's face coming into focus. Alarm immediately seized him, but Donnie was quick to see.

"It's okay, Raph… it worked. We got the sutures in, and we're starting the transfusion."

Turning, Raph saw Leo laying on the exam table, still now as his chest rose and fell with uneven breaths. His face was strangely relaxed, despite the oxygen mask now on it, and Raph felt a sense of relief. Now they just had to wait… like he promised.