Mikey sat on his hammock, chin resting on the pillow he was hugging to his chest. It was three days since they brought Leo home, yet the slider remained unconscious and in grave condition, plagued by a relentless fever and his wounds showing minimal signs of healing. That was the most unnerving thing; Donnie was getting more unhinged every day, constantly muttering about how their mutated blood should cause far faster healing.

Mikey could almost hear the clock ticking in his mind… and the more time that passed, the more scared he felt. This was just like the first time, right after the Krang invasion. And just like then, the youngest turtle's reluctance to worry his family was clashing with his increasingly desperate urge to help Leo, and he could tell he was leaning more and more toward the latter. Mikey felt his throat tighten, his eyes starting to sting. Biting his lip, he pressed his face into the pillow.

I can't just sit here… I gotta do something…

A tingling warmth in his arms broke into his thoughts, and a look confirmed it. The scars along his arms were lighting up with a faint golden glow. This had happened twice already, and Mikey was sure the glow seemed a little brighter each time. Straightening, the orange banded turtle took a deep breath and hugged the pillow tighter as he pushed back, ordering himself to force the mystic energy down. He wasn't sure how long it was before the heat in his arms finally started to fade, but he knew it took longer than last time to subside completely.

"Mikey?"

The box turtle jumped, his head whipping up to see Raph standing in the doorway. From the anxious look on his face, Mikey could tell he knew what was happening. He dropped the pillow, instinctively shoving his arms under it.

"Raph, hey!" he said, his voice a little too loud and cheery even to his ears. "I'm, uh, I'm fine, I just…"

To his surprise, the frantic reaction he was expecting didn't come. Instead, though the anxiety in his oldest brother's face never faded, Raph moved into the room with quiet yet heavy steps, not saying a word. Stopping in front of the hammock, the snapper reached out and took one of Mikey's arms. As always, the strength he could feel in that large hand seemed to contradict the slow gentleness with which his brother lifted his arm.

Raph's eyes scanned over the limb, his worried expression never changing. He looked up, and his eyes were so sad Mikey felt an even stronger urge to cry. He dropped his own eyes, sniffling as they welled.

"I-I'm sorry…" he mumbled. "I didn't mean to, I swear…"

He was pulled into the familiar warmth of one of Raph's hugs, cutting off his words.

"I know ya didn't, big man," the older turtle said softly.

At that, Mikey's already fragile resolve broke and he pressed his face into his brother's wide plastron, trembling with hushed sobs. He felt a large hand stroke up and down his shell.

"It's okay, Mikey," his brother murmured. "Raph's got ya. Just let it out, buddy."

The small box turtle nestled close, letting his tears flow freely.

"I'm scared, Raph," he whimpered. "I… I'm so scared…"

"I know," Raph said again. "We're all scared."

Mikey felt his tears come faster, and for a while he couldn't say anything. Finally, his crying started to slow, and he sniffled as he tried to calm his breathing. A deep rumbling churr vibrated under Mikey's cheek, and he instinctively responded with a soft chirp as he relaxed. Raph gave his back a gentle pat.

"There ya go."

Mikey couldn't help but let out a teary chuckle, but there was a note of bitterness in it. If only all their problems were that easy to solve.

"Where's everyone else?" he asked softly.

"Donnie had t' go lie down," Raph replied. "He's got a migraine… Dad's helping him with it. April went to spend some time with her parents. Casey's…" His voice wavered a little before he went on. "Casey's with Leo. Draxum's gonna come by again later."

Mikey felt his throat tighten and bit his lip again, suddenly feeling angry with himself. He'd said before that he wouldn't give up on Leo, because he would never give up on them. But what was he doing now? Hiding and crying like there was no hope left. He drew back to look at his eldest brother, and from the look on his face Mikey could tell he knew what the box turtle was thinking.

"Ya know what Draxum said, Mikey."

Mikey let out an impatient sigh. During his last visit, after an examination, the yokai had explained that Mikey attempting mystic healing should only be a last resort. Having support would lessen the danger, but it was still a risk.

"We can't lose him, Raph."

The older turtle looked at him, and somehow looked so much older than his seventeen years.

"We can't lose you either, little brother. Leo wouldn't want it… ya know that."

Mikey set his jaw, looking right back at him with his lower lip stuck out in stubborn determination.

"Then you won't. We did it together last time, and if we gotta do it again we'll do it together."

Raph met his firm gaze with a soft, thoughtful expression, then a small smile came to his face, and he reached out to rub his hand over Mikey's head.

"Ya know, sometimes I don' know whether to be proud or worried 'bout how stubborn ya are."

Mikey gave his older brother a smile in return. Before he could say anything, a knock came from the car door, and he was surprised to see his genius brother standing outside. The surprise was quickly replaced with concern; the softshell looked terrible. His eyes were dull and tired, his shoulders slumped with weariness. The dark circles under his eyes gave away how little sleep he'd been getting, and the lines of pain on his face showed that his migraine hadn't eased up much.

"Guys, Draxum's here," he said wearily. Frowning with worry, Mikey hopped off his hammock as Raph moved to look closer at their brother.

"Ya feelin' any better, Donnie? Ya still don't look that good."

The genius gave him a somewhat withering look. Doubtless he'd spent most of his limited patience convincing Splinter to let him leave his room.

"I'm fine," he muttered. "Fine enough to be up. Anything we've got to do for Leo, I need to know."

Mikey felt his heart grow heavy as he looked at Donnie. Compelled by an inner instinct, the box turtle walked over to his brother and wrapped his arms around him. Normally Donnie would pull away, but Mikey knew he wouldn't.

"It's okay, Dee," he said softly.

After a moment, the softshell lifted his arms to return the hug, letting his head fall on Mikey's shoulder. He didn't make any sound, but the younger turtle felt the drops hitting his skin. A sad smile came to Mikey's face… Dr. Feelings never failed him. He heard a similar sadness in Raph's voice as he approached.

"Want one of Raph's hugs too?"

Donnie finally let out a soft, quivering sigh and Mikey felt him give a small nod. Right away their older brother's arms wrapped around them both, and the familiar combination of strength and infinite gentleness brought a just as familiar sense of comfort. But there was still an aching emptiness… one brought by the knowledge that there was one missing from their huddle.

Mikey found himself silently pleading to whatever higher power might be there that Draxum might give them good news; he wasn't sure who exactly that might be, but what he and his family had been through proved something was protecting them. Hopefully whoever it was had the heart to listen now.