With Love

by tmntfan4eva

Nickverse!Mona. Everything was alright. Everything was normal. All until a few months ago. Now everything is terrible. It's spiraling and it's about to hit the bottom - hard. Liz can't understand what she's become or why, but through all of it at least she has one person who will stand by her. No matter how scary he looks.

15. Remnants of Memory

Yay, that didn't take half as long as it usually does to finish a chapter. lol I hope you enjoy!

Liz's back arches and she screams. Every inch of her body is in agony, as if it is being stabbed repeatedly with needles. For a while she smacked at her body as if to stifle the pain, but she has long since given up. She no longer has control of her extremities, subject to the automatic responses of her body. Shudders rip through her and electric pain lances through her with each jolt. She howls each and every time.

"Damn it Harold!" Baxter slams his fist against one of the machines. He cringes at the wave of pain that results, but he does not falter. "You said it would only take thirty minutes for her to get better and stop howling like a banshee. What is going on?"

Harold shrinks beneath Baxter's fiery gaze. He shouldn't be afraid of this little man – isn't – but somehow he always finds himself cowering under his harsh words. "I-I don't know." He grips his head. "I-It should have worked by now. Sh-She should be human. I don't-I don't…don't know."

Baxter growls deep in his throat. "Well figure it out! I'm am so sick of listening to her scream bloody murder. And if she keeps it up much longer someone is going to hear her and we are going to be found out."

"I told you…" Harold says meekly. "There's nothing I can do…"

"And I told you – you better figure it out."

Anger sparks within Harold and his lips curve into a snarl. "Don't you think I would if I could!?" He snaps. "Do you think I want to see my daughter in pain? Huh? HUH?"

Baxter opens his mouth to bite back, but the words fall away. A heavy pounding sounds and vibrates the floor. Their knees wobble and their bodies tense with anticipation. Something's coming.

There is a smack as something smashes into the wall, but that something is not deterred. The wall bursts into a hundred pieces, the chunks scattering across the room. Dust flies, obscuring all their visions. They throw their hands over their faces, coughing terribly. "What the hell?"

The dust settles, revealing a hulking person – turtle. Slash stands in the wake of the destruction, his sea green eyes blazing. He clenches his massive fists and bares his teeth. "You," He lifts his mace and points it at the pair. "You have her."

Both men cower. "W-Who are you?" Baxter hides behind Harold.

"What are you?" Harold trembles. This thing, it is not like the turtles that took his daughter away so many weeks ago. This one, he is massive, and he looks born to kill.

A scream rips from Liz's throat.

Slash jerks his head around toward the cells against the wall. His eyes bulge as he sees her laying there, writhing in pain. And her skin…is it…blue? Fury surges within him as he whirls on the two men. "She told me not to hurt people." He lifts his mace. "But anyone who even touches her, is a dead man." He rears his weapon back and swings wildly.

They scream. They jump back, falling over each other. Baxter leaps to his feet and rockets for the door. He wants the cure – needs it – but it isn't worth dying for. Besides, he's still human now. Maybe he will be forever, if he stays in Shredder's favor. So he runs. And he doesn't look back.

Harold scrambles back. He struggles for traction, a way to get to his feet and escape this hulk of a creature, but his limbs flip about uselessly. "N-No…d-don't. Please."

Slash stomps forward. He snaps his hand out and seizes Harold by the throat. He lifts the scrawny man off the ground, to eye level. "Beg all you like," He sneers. "But your life is over." He strengthens his grip on Harold's neck.

Harold gasps. He scratches at the beast's hand and tugs to try and loosen the vice grip, to no avail. His breaths come shorter and his vision blurs. "Please," He rasps.

"Go to hell." Slash smashes Harold's head against the wall. Again, and again, and again. Blood splatters across the wall and the floor. Slash doesn't stop until Harold's head flops over like a ragdoll. Then he releases the man's neck, letting him slump to the floor in a heap, resting in a pool of his own blood. "Monster."

Slash turns hard on his heel. He locks onto the cage Liz is in and moves for it. He grips the bars and jerks. They pop out of socket and he thrusts them behind him. They clatter to the floor, sharp in the brief silence between Liz's screams.

Liz lets out another howl in the next instant.

Slash cringes and hisses at the sound. It burns his ears. But it is a sign of life. He races into the cage and bends down to her. He scoops her up in his arms, cradling her head. "Liz," His voice quivers. "What have they done to you?"

Liz screams again.

Slash hushes her. He runs his fingers along her face.

Liz's screams quiet, turning into soft whimpers. She leans into him, her fingers twitching as she tries to command her hand to move and to grasp him. But they don't – can't. She can't tell by sight who has her, but she knows it isn't those monsters. She knows she is safe. Still, it doesn't ease the pain. She chokes out sobs.

Slash turns to leave the cell and this whole god forsaken place, his eye catching on a white mass in the adjacent cell. He starts, realization lighting in his eyes. The mutt. That's right. She followed Liz every night, so why not now. There can not be one without the other.

Alopex's eyes flutter open, her vision blurred over. Sea blue is plastered across the wall, a massive form. She knows it, but she can not place it, not now. Her eyes fall shut again and all goes dark.

Slash scoffs. Until now. He doesn't need or want the fox girl. He couldn't even grab her if he wanted anyway, not now that the other rat of a scientist has escaped. He'll be back. Slash is sure of it. And he doesn't want to be around when that happens.

So he charges on. He runs through the hole he made in the wall and out into the dark streets. Surely if he can get back to his home sweet home and make her comfortable then her pain will pass. He grimaces. He can't bear to think of failure – to have to watch her in agony. "You'll be alright." He swears. "I have you now."

…

Donnie races down the street, at the head of his brothers. His tracker is in hand and his eyes are glued to it. The beep is constant, like a heartbeat. If only that were true. Then his own heart would be beating so out of time and his breathing wouldn't be hitching on him and making it near impossible to run like this. So he forces himself to pretend. He ignores the logic and imagines her heart in his hand, steady and perfectly ok.

He leads them to an old abandoned building – supposedly so – one that most certainly is no longer left alone. They race toward the entrance, Donnie coming to a screeching halt just across the street.

Leo piles into him and his other brothers are not far behind. They grunt and nearly fall over. "What the heck?" Raph roars from the rear. "We're in a hurry here! So hurry it up!" He swerves and makes his way around them. "If you won't then I-"

Leo flings out his arm. "Someone's been here." He breathes. They stare with wide eyes at a gaping hole in the wall. It's a miracle that the building is still standing with a blow like that.

"Who…?" Mikey looks from one brother to the next.

Donnie jerks his head from side to side. "It doesn't matter! We can take 'em." Raph can take them. Donnie will be too busy with tending to the injured. To Alopex. Please don't let it be too bad though. Please. He shoots into a run. "Come on!" He waves over his shoulder.

The others are hot on his heels. They hold their breaths, prepared for the worst but hoping that the girls are still alive, especially Liz.

Donnie breaches the threshold and gasps. Blood is splattered across the wall and on the floor a man lays dead in a pool of his own blood. No doubt the reason for this whole ordeal. He jerks his head away from the horrible sight and toward the cages – one ripped apart and the other perfectly intact. He gasps again at the sight within. Alopex.

"Where is she?" Raph charges past Donnie. His eyes dart all over the room. "Where is she Donnie?" He flies into the cage, looking desperately for any sign of her.

Donnie ignores him. He hurries to the opposite cage. He plucks wire from his belt and picks the lock in the blink of an eye. He shoves the door open and it clangs against the bars of the other wall. He throws himself to his knees before her, his heart leaping into his throat. "A…Alopex…?" His hands tremble above her, strangling uncertainty possessing his body. He isn't sure what to do. Him…the smart one…unsure.

Leo makes a quick onceover of the place and knows instantly that what they seek is not here. "She's gone." He states the obvious, both to convince himself as much as to answer Raph.

Raph stiffens. "What?" He turns slowly, his eyes ablaze. "What did you say?"

Leo sighs. He isn't afraid of Raph. If he loses control Leo will end it in a breath. "You heard me Raphael." He murmurs. He bows his head and drops his eyes to the floor. "She's gone."

"And where the hell did she go? Huh!?" Raph stomps forward. He clenches his fists, his fingers digging deep into skin. "She didn't just up and decide to bust through the bars. Not even the stupid fox managed it." He throws a hand in her direction. "So what then? How is she just 'gone'?"

Leo glares up at Raph. "I. Don't. Know."

Mikey grimaces. He sees the battle brewing. "Raph, come on." He touches a hand to his brother's shoulder. "It'll be alright. We'll find her."

Raph brushes Mikey's hand from him. "Don't tell me that." He glares, but it is weak and full of misery. "Don't tell me what I want to hear. Tell me the truth."

Mikey averts his eyes. "I'm sorry…"

Donnie snaps out of it. He looks over her, his hands moving deftly but gently over her tufts of fur. Then he sees it. He chokes on air. No. His fingers catch on matted hair, thick with blood, and a set of deep teeth marks. "No!"

Donnie's scream cuts through the others' thoughts. The three jolt and looks in his direction.

Donnie cups Alopex's cheeks and tilts her head up. "Alopex," He pats her face. "Come on, wake up." He trembles. "Hey," His voice is a little sharper. "I'm here now. So wake up." He draws her closer and cradles her. "Al," His voice cracks.

"Donnie," Leo's voice is sharp. He can see the inklings of insanity in the very aura of his brother. The only way to get through to Donnie when he becomes this way is to be forceful. "What's going on? What's wrong with her?"

Donnie snaps to attention. He breathes deeply in and out. He can't lose it. He can't. If he does she will surely die. "We have to go – now!" He scoops her up into his arms as he stands, stumbling and nearly falling flat on his face. He never imagined her to weigh so very much, even as dead weight.

"What!?" Raph snarls. "Go? No way! We have to figure out where Liz has gone and go there."

Donnie whirls. He glares daggers at Raph. "Raphael," He says it with such force that all his brothers flinch. "We don't have time to waste. Alopex has been bitten by Fishface – she's dying. Liz is not. So I'm saving the life that needs it, the life we have right here."

"Waste of time!?" Raph's blood boils. He grinds his teeth and his muscles tense as if he might jump Donnie at any moment.

Mikey jumps forward. He grabs Raph's arm. "Raph, stop."

Leo is not far behind. He seizes the other arm. "Donnie's right. Whoever had her – was hurting her – they don't anymore. She's ok. And Alopex…she's not."

"You don't know that." Raph struggles with all he's worth, but he can't get any ground. "She could be-she could-"

"Do what you want Raph." Donnie runs past all of them. "All of you do what you want." He ia going to save Alopex though. He has to. His heart pounds in his ears, in tune to the beating of his feet against the street.

Leo and Mikey hesitate for a fraction of a second, exchange a glance, and then follow after Donnie. They want to find Liz more than anything, but long buried feelings from back then are pressing just below the surface. Their hearts ache to know that Alopex is okay, if she will be okay. It's much too much like day she took a bullet for Mikey. And it chills them to the bone.

Raph stands there blankly. He stares off into space, at the remnants of a disastrous scene. He walks slowly to the cages and enters the one to the right – Alopex's. He doesn't know why, it isn't a conscious decision. His feet just carry him there. He kneels, spots of blood shining against the white floor. From the bite. He reaches down to run a finger across it, hissing a jerking his hand back as his finger stings. He peers at it, a thin line of red blossoming. A cut. He glares down at the floor. What could have cut him? He looks hard, just making out a thin thread.

He carefully grabs it, pinching it between two fingers. He lifts it and starts as he feels weight on the end. When he brings it to eye level he sees that on the end is a tooth. Tooth? He gasps, an image flashing through his head. He sees Alopex twist her head around and throw a smirk at him. The jerking movement jangles something at her chest, something small, white, and pointed at the end. The tooth.

He blinks and snaps out of it. He scoffs. What a stupid and pointless thing to wear. It serves no function – protection or even style. Still, he can't find it in him to throw it away. He wraps it around his finger and ties it on, curling his fingers around its dangling form and clenching it in his palm. He rises to his feet and wanders into what must be Liz's cage. His skin crawls at the very thought of her in such a condition, forced to endure circumstances so much like the one he found her in that first time. He notices a smashed canister of something or another. Was she injected with it? A deep frown mars his face. It has the texture of mutagen, but not quite right. It's the wrong color. Still, he won't touch it. Who knows what it does. There's no blood in her cell though. That's a relief. At least it should be. He fears, however, it means much worse.

He can't tell anything substantial from the cell though. He kicks at the ground. Stupid. As he turns he notices the lifeless mass in the center of the room. He sneers at the man, her 'father'. Serves him right. He is only sorry he couldn't do it himself. Upon moving closer Raph sees that he had his head bashed in. Whoever was here sure must have been a force to be reckoned with. He looks to the gaping hole in the wall. They did that too. Just…who? They couldn't have been human, could they? But then…who? Was it the mystery guy Liz mentioned just yesterday? Raph growls deep in his throat and pivots, punching the wall. The backlash is intense and he cringes, but he forces down the pain. He supposes he has no choice now, he has to go home. To face the source of so much hate.

So he walks. He goes slowly down the vacant streets, trying to take as long as possible. He doesn't want to see his family in shambles like he knows they will be with Alopex there at all, let alone on the brink of death. He doesn't want to see her that way either, he admits. She was never the weak type. She isn't like Liz. So to see her that way, like the day she took a bullet for Mikey, it would be too painful. Maybe if he piddles enough he will be able to avoid it, for her to be up and well and maybe even completely gone by the time he returns. Yeah, if only.

Donnie rushes into the lair. He tries to be as gentle as possible as he lays her out on the couch, but he can't be too slow. He scrambles to his lab, noticing in the back of his mind as Splinter walks onto the scene. But he doesn't have time for that either. He must get the antidote ready.

Splinter looks about at his scurrying children and the fear written in their faces. He blinks, surveying the area. Did something happen? With Liz? His eyes come to a sharp halt as they lock on the couch and the body stretched out across it. He bristles, each hair standing on end. Why is she back here? How dare she come after all she has done? His hands curl into fists. Still, he reminds himself, he doesn't know the full story. He breathes deeply in and out. He must wait for one of his sons to explain. He looks for them, his gaze finding Mikey first.

Mikey stands only a few feet from Alopex. He watches her with wide, tear filled eyes. As much as he knows he should hate her – for all she did to Leo – he just can't. Looking at her he sees a girl who he helped overcome her urge to kill, a girl who was like family. And a girl who now looks nothing like the one he knew. She is so weak, fragile. He isn't even sure she's breathing anymore. The thought makes him shudder. But she has to be. Someone like her…she wouldn't just go and die. She didn't saving Leo and she won't now. She can't.

Splinter sees his son is in a world of his own and so does not ask. He looks for another and finds Leo. This son doesn't seem to know what he wants to do with himself. He keeps sneaking peeks at Alopex, trying to pretend he doesn't want to look. Those looks flash between worry and fear, most likely a fear imbedded in him after she set a trap on him. Still, he is not all consumed. So Splinter makes his way over to his son. "Leonardo."

Leo jumps. He pivots, his eyes wide and wild for a flash. He sees it is Splinter and lets out a long breath. "Hello, father." He bows slightly.

Splinter passes a glance over Alopex and then returns his gaze to Leo. "What is going on here?"

Leo grimaces. He swallows hard. "It, I…" He averts his eyes. "It's a long story."

Splinter raises his brows. He has never known Leo to skirt around the issue of their excursions to the surface. "Then please begin."

Leo groans softly. "Look…she just needs us, ok? Fishface bit her and she's dying. And even after…" He bites his lip. "We couldn't just leave her to die." He tentatively peeks up at Splinter.

Splinter looks hard at Leo. Then he lets out a sigh. "I understand. I have taught you the value of all life since you were young." He folds his hands together. "I just hope you a ready to deal with what comes after."

Leo ducks his head. "Yes." He doesn't know what else to say. Right now he can only worry about whether she'll even make it. Her face is pale as a ghost, even compared with her normally white face. From this distance he would say she isn't breathing either. It shouldn't, but the thought pains him. Despite all reason he can't just not care. The most he can do is lie and say it is only on Donnie's behalf.

Donnie runs back into the living room. He has a syringe in his hand. He slides to his knees in front of Alopex. He injects the area where the bite is. "Please," His voice is barely a whisper. He curls his fingers around her hand. "You can't do this to me." He presses his forehead into her shoulder. "Please, be ok." A sob catches in his throat.

Alopex's consciousness peeks out. Her mind stirs and though all is dark feeling spreads out through her limbs. Her fingers twitch, at her command. She draws in a breath, a particularly deep one, and feels very relieved for it. She isn't sure why she feels this. The past is rather blurry, blotted out with electric pain. Her ears prick and flick slightly as she picks up a tiny sound – a sob. She curls her fingers, feeling skin so very familiar beneath her touch.

Donnie sucks in a sharp breath. He jolts upright, his eyes wide. "A-Alopex…?" He peers intently into her face. He holds his breath and trembles in anticipation.

Alopex's eyes flutter open to a blurred world. Slowly her vision clears to reveal a face she hasn't seen this close in many, many months. A tiny smile splits her lips. "You…found me." She reaches up and trails her fingers along his cheek.

Donnie chokes out a laugh. The tears perched in his eyes seep out and trickle down his face. He seizes her hand and squeezes. "Of course I did. I could never leave you." Not even after everything.

Mikey slinks closer. He sways in place just in front of her. He tries not to, but a ghost of a smile passes over his lips.

Splinter watches carefully as his sons converge on her. Even after all she has done, they can't seem to completely break their attachment. He sighs and shakes his head. The real test though, that will be Raph's reaction. He starts and looks about himself. Speaking of which…where is his rashest of sons? Surely he would be right here, watching if only to keep a sharp eye out for anything she might do to harm the others. But he is nowhere to be seen. So…where?

Alopex looks past Donnie and notices Mikey lingering. She waves weakly at him. She can't find the strength to speak. She is very tired, every muscle in her body worn. Then it hits her. She gasps and jolts upright. The sudden movement sends a jolt of pain through her body, but she forces herself past it. "Where…Where is she?"

Donnie blinks. "She?"

A panic swells within Alopex. "Liz!" She seizes his shoulder and jerks him nearer. "She was there with me! So where is she? Where did you put her?"

Donnie grimaces. He casts his eyes down.

Alopex's eyes grow wild. "No…" Her lips curl into a snarl. "You left her!? How could you! If you had to choose one of us, why would you choose me?" She shakes him. "Why?"

"He didn't choose anything." Leo walks over to them. He regards her coldly. "By the time we got there, Liz was already gone."

Alopex's stomach drops and her heart cracks. "No…" Did they take her after she blacked out? "We have to go looking for her then!" She springs forward and crumples. She moans, curling in on herself.

"Alopex, no." Donnie leaps down to her side. He runs his fingers over her face. "You're still too weak." He looks her over. "And it seems like your hurt more than just with the poison." His brows knit together. "What happened?"

Alopex pushes his hand off of her. "Nothing. I'm fine. It's Liz that's in trouble. They injected her with something and it was hurting her. She was screaming. So we have to-we have to…"

Leo shakes his head. "You might as well just tell us." He crosses his arms over his chest. "Because you're not going anywhere anyway. And maybe it will help us figure out where she went."

Mikey bends down and crawls closer. "Come on Al," His voice trembles. "We're scared too." He clenches his hand at his chest. "We want to find her."

Alopex nods. "You're right." She unconsciously grabs at the bite on her arm. "I'm not ok. He hurt me. Attacked out of nowhere." She scowls. "The dirty sneak! If he had fought fair I'd have kicked his ass!" She bares her teeth. "But…he didn't."

"He?" Leo raises a brow. Last time it was her father and Baxter. He sees no reason why it would have changed.

Alopex shakes her head. "I don't know. It was…a mutant."

There is a collective intact of breath. A mutant? What would a mutant want with them? And how did that lead to Liz's father capturing them?

"I…knew him. Somehow. Something about…those eyes." She shakes her head imperceptibly. "And his scent. But I…I don't know. He hit me with a pink blast of something and that was it. I was finished." She sneers, disgusted with herself. "I was supposed to protect her. And I got knocked out on the first blow."

Donnie grimaces. "It's alright, Alopex." He takes her arm and looks closely at it, the bite marks in particular. He runs a thumb over it. "I know you did your best." And from the sound of it it was a Kraang gun that knocked her senseless. No surprise there. Those weapons are high tech and super powerful, even for mutants like them. "It's my fault really anyway. I should never have asked you to do that – watch her. I should have done it myself."

"But you didn't." Leo says stiffly. "So now we have to find her, so keep going."

Donnie shoots a scowl at Leo. So insensitive. Then again, he was the one who suffered most at her hand. With a sigh, Donnie forces himself to let it go.

Alopex shakes her head. "I…I blacked out. After he picked us up. The next thing I knew we were in a building and in cages. The mutant was gone and those two vile men were there instead. They injected Liz, poisoned me, and…and…" Lines crease her face. She digs for a faint memory, of something sea blue. "And…" She growls and smashes her fists into the couch. She hisses at the pain that rockets through her. "I can't remember." She clenches her eyes shut and trembles. "Damn it."

Mikey frowns. "It's ok." He pets her on the head, much like that day all those months ago when she was losing her mind. "You did good."

Alopex leans into his touch. It might be the last time he is ever so affectionate with her. She doesn't deserve it again at least. Not after the hell she put them through. Only Donnie could ever care about her now.

"Come on," Donnie puts his hands beneath her arms and lifts her to her feet. "You need to rest now." He sits her on the couch and lays her back.

"No," She moans. "There isn't time. I have to save her."

Leo shakes his head. "No you don't. Your job is done. So just do as Donnie says."

Alopex glares. "Job? This isn't a chore." She curls her claws into the couch. "She is my friend. And I'm not going to let her suffer." She looks hard at Leo. I won't let it happen again.

Leo jerks his head away from her, trying to escape the unspoken truth. When she looks at him she thinks of what he endured and imagines Liz's situation as a repeat. "Rest." His voice is softer. "We'll take care of the rest." He walks away. "Come on guys. We're going."

Mikey perks. "Huh? But what about Raph?" He tilts his head and frowns.

Leo shakes his head. "No time. Now let's go."

Mikey hurries after his brother. He passes a final glance over his shoulder, but he does not say anything to her. Like Leo said, there's no time.

Alopex grabs Donnie's wrist as he stands to follow Leo.

Donnie blinks at her, but does not pull away. He leans in to listen.

Alopex whispers in his ear, telling him the street where they were attacked. That's as good a place as any to start the search.

Donnie nods. "Thank you." He leans over and wraps his arms around her. He breathes in her scent and relishes in the tickle of her fur against his skin. But it can't last. He pulls away, offering a fleeting smile. "We'll be back." Then he leaves.

Splinter watches his children race from the lair and immediately turns his gaze on Alopex. He narrows his eyes. She may have been Liz's guard and fought to the last, but she still failed. She is once more the source of his family's pain. He growls softly to himself. However, it is not his place to pass judgement His children are old enough to decide such things on their own. So with a final glance over her he goes to his room, leaving her alone.

Alopex burns beneath Splinter's gaze. A weight is lifted from her when he leaves and she lets out a long breath. Still, her heart is left uneasy. She rolls over to her side, cringing even with this tiny movement. She draws her hands close and uses them as a pillow. She really should leave. She has no right to remain in their home. But she's so tired…so very tired. Her eyes flutter and her consciousness ebbs. Then it all goes dark.

Raph finds his way back much quicker than he would have liked. The light from the lair filters out into the sewer path. His heart beats faster at the sight. This is it. This is where he confronts the terrible past, confronts her. He jumps the turnstiles and his eyes lock on her instantly. There she is – sleeping. Or dead. A chill races up his spine. No, never. She can't die unless he kills her himself. He makes his way closer to her, each step small and tentative. He's only seen her so vulnerable once. She always slept in Donnie's lab, away from their prying eyes. So he can only feel uneasy about seeing her like this.

He comes right up to her, his knees brushing against the front of the couch. "I could kill you like this." He murmurs. His fingers tingle with yearning for his sais. "Slit your throat in an instant."

"But you won't." Alopex eyes flutter open as she speaks groggily.

Raph gasps and jumps in his skin. "I-I didn't know…"

"That I was awake. Yeah." She smirks. "I know."

Raph's cheeks flush. He scowls and clenches his hands into fists. It reminds him of the tooth tied to his finger. "So you're not dead."

Alopex chuckles. "Afraid not. Besides," She shoots him a knowing look. "I can't let anyone kill me but you."

Raph's face becomes darker still.

"I know you must want to." Alopex sits up. She flinches at the pain, but quickly recovers. "So now's your chance. Go ahead. I lost Liz. I couldn't protect her. First Leo, and now Liz. It's what I deserve." Her amusement fades with each word she speaks, scorn taking its place. "So do it." She looks hard at him.

Raph blinks. He notes the pain that crosses her face, the way her body tenses up, but more than anything he sees the shame. It wafts off her in waves. She really did care about Liz. "Don't be stupid." He scoffs. "I'm not going to kill you."

"Why not?" She snaps. "You wanted to every time I did anything else, no matter how good. So why not now? When it's actually my fault!" She swallows hard, forcing down a sob.

"Because you did all you could."

Alopex sucks in a breath. "What?"

"You were willing to die to protect her. The same way you almost died for Mikey. If you could have I know you would have kept them from touching her." He sits down next to her. He takes her wrist in his hand and runs a finger over the bite marks. "This proves it."

Alopex freezes. Raph has almost never touched her period, let alone so gently. "I…"

Raph clears his throat and takes his hand back. "I, um, found this." He untwines the string from his finger and holds out the necklace. "It's yours, right?"

Alopex starts. Her hand snaps to her chest, only empty space filling her palm. "Oh, I…I must have dropped it." She blinks. Unsurprisingly. She was going at it all night. She is honestly surprised she didn't lose it earlier, back with that strange mutant.

Raph lifts the necklace to her neck. He ties a knot in it to keep it from falling again and then he withdraws his hands. "So who did it?"

Alopex perks. "Hm?" Oh, their capture. She assumes he means who managed to get the best of her. "A mutant. But he wasn't stronger than me. He just…caught me off guard. Cheated."

Raph looks intently at her. So it wasn't her father, at least not at first. Clearly she wound up in his grasp, but that was not the beginning. "What'd he look like?" There's no point asking for a name. They have their own unique names for each mutant, ones no one else could ever guess.

"He was black…and orangish. He had a lot of tech on him too. That's how he got me, shot me with something. And those eyes." She shudders. "They were yellow."

Raph's eyes widen. He doesn't know about the yellow eyes, but everything else sounds like the Newtralizer. What would he want with Liz? Was it a payoff? Did her father really want her back so badly, just to test on her? It makes his blood boil.

"Aren't you going to look for her?"

"I don't know where to start." He shrugs. "I looked around where we found you. Her father was dead, there was a huge hole in the wall, and Liz's cage was busted open. But I couldn't tell who it was."

Alopex's forehead creases. Wall…cage…Liz gone. A chord of memory is struck. "Him…that guy…he came for her."

Raph jerks to attention. "He? He who?" It takes all he has not to grab her and shake her.

Alopex grinds her teeth. A name, a name, a name. Why can't she remember his stupid name? If only she had listened better. And if only her head wasn't throbbing. She rubs her temple. "I'm sorry." Her shoulders slump. "But I know what he was." He looks him hard in the eye. "He was the same as you."

Raph's heart skips a beat. "The same?" He croaks.

"A turtle. Only…bigger."

Raph barely conceals a gasp. It can't be. Does she mean…Slash? No. Just…no. What could he want with her? What could she want with him? When did they even meet in the first place? But, if it is true, perhaps she is safe after all. He relaxes despite everything. He leans back into the couch.

Alopex watches him curiously. She waits for more questions. When there are none she too relaxes. If he is the one who came and took her, at least those monsters don't still have her. That's one good thing.

Raph glances at her from the corner of his eye. A moment later he looks back at his hands in his lap. "I'm glad you're not dead."

Alopex smiles. She looks at her hands as well. "Yeah." It means she'll have another chance to hunt down the monsters who did this to her and Liz. And maybe to earn her place amongst the turtles once more.

What did you think? I hope that Raph was in character. I was a bit uncertain about the last scene. Sorry I still left you hanging on Liz too. lol Next chapter for sure though! Besides, what fun would it be for me if I didn't torture you a bit? haha Please review!