Wow, it's only been forever. Deepest apologies. Summer school has been the biggest pain. But now it's over so yay! Enjoy!

Liz awakens in the middle of the day. Surely that must be the time it is anyway. It was early morning when all the turmoil and disagreements had been laid to rest and after that she had slept. And surely she had been sleeping for a while. She lifts her head and peers up at Slash. His face is expressionless and his breathing steady. He looks to her to still be in the depths of sleep. She looks around her, to see if anyone might have made their way back into the lab while she was out cold. She frowns. It appears not. All is quiet – completely silent actually. Weird.

She carefully removes herself from Slash, making sure not to wake him. She tiptoes across the room and slips through the door. On the other side there is movement. "Oh." It is Donnie and Alopex. They are sitting around a table by the couch. Bunches of beakers and chemicals are set on the table and some even in the floor. Is that safe? She shrugs. She's sure Donnie at least knows what he's doing. So she continues past them. She heads for the kitchen, but stops abruptly as her eyes catch on movement coming from the corridor that the turtles' rooms are in. Her eyes drift in the direction of the kitchen, but she soon brings them back toward the corridor. That's where he is. She has the insuppressible sense that he is sulking in his room, just like that time with Leo, only much less serious and far more stupid.

She snorts. If he wants to talk about it then he can come and find her himself. She shouldn't have to be the one to go crawling in there like some wounded animal that can't survive without him. She can after all. If there is anything she has learned through all this hell it is that Slash is the only person who she can't live without. Family or not, Slash has a place in her heart no one can hope to replace. So after a long stare off with the empty corridor she turns away and heads for the kitchen.

"Go talk to him." A voice says after she takes a single step.

Liz jumps in her skin and swivels. She doesn't know what she expects, but she feels foolish that she was so frightened when she sees who stands before her. "Leo…" She says to herself. She scowls up at him. "And why should I?" She crosses her arms.

Leo is unafraid of sending a glare right back at her. "Because you did this."

Liz makes a face. "Me? What did I do? I didn't force him into his room."

"No, but you are why he ran off and hid in the first place." He arches a brow, challenging her to deny it.

Liz scoffs. "He should learn to control his temper. I told him that before, when…" She grimaces and pain flashes through her eyes. When you nearly died. But he knows that.

Leo sighs. An equal amount of pain shows in his face. When he speaks again the edge in his voice has vanished. "I know. How could I not know? But he only reacts that way because he cares. Bad habit, right? But it's Raph." He shrugs. "It's what makes him him." He smiles knowingly. "It's why you have more affection for him than me."

Liz starts. She tries to brush it off with a laugh, but it only comes out nervous. "W-What? Me? Love him? Ridiculous."

Leo smirks. "I never said love."

Liz's cheeks burn a deep red. "Yes you did. In Leo talk."

Leo chuckles. "It's no smarter or dumber than the way anyone else talks. You're just mad you revealed exactly what I knew."

Liz huffs. "So what, maybe it's true. What difference does it make? It doesn't mean I'm obligated to go in there and save him from himself." She says it, but her eyes drift in the direction of Raph's room nonetheless. "If he wants to say something he can come out and say it. It's useless waiting."

"You know he'd never do that. He has too much pride."

"Another fault." She shoots back. "Does he have any redeeming qualities?" The instant it leaves her mouth she regrets it. She flinches in anticipation.

Leo's expression hardens. "How can you say that? Raph was worried sick over you when you ran off last night even before he knew you were in trouble. When he did know he just about lost his head."

Liz ducks her head. "I'm sorry…" Her voice is barely a whisper. "I didn't…mean it…" She really didn't. It just…slipped out.

Leo sighs. "I know. Just…look," He rubs the back of his head. "Don't leave him agonizing over you in there. He's hurt. Maybe irrationally so, but hurt nonetheless. So…please, help him." Leo lays a hand on her shoulder as he passes on the way to the kitchen.

Liz follows Leo with her eyes and then turns when she can no longer see him standing still. She, however, does not go after him. She watches as he disappears and leaves her alone, but not alone. She has the constant companion of her thoughts – something she would rather not sometimes. Now is one of those times. She keeps imagining Raph in his room and doing absurd things. No way it is as bad as that time where Leo was attacked. It's just not possible.

She grimaces and pulls at her arm. Yet she can't keep herself from feeling bad – responsible. She blows out a breath. Might as well get it over with. She'll have to face him sooner or later after all. So she heads up the corridor and turns at his door. She sways back and forth in front of it, her hand lingering inches from the handle. She doesn't want to see those deep green eyes narrowed and piercing her with nothing but disdain. For that's what awaits her. It is all she can imagine after the looks he gave her when she hugged Slash first and then not touched Raph at all. Not even the slightest touch of assurance.

Oh well. Here goes nothing. She curls her fingers around the handle and twists. She slowly pushes the door open, only able to see a sliver. Even from this she can see that he is laid back in his bed and pouting. Not asleep. She knows from experience he doesn't sleep with his arms crossed. She tiptoes in and lets the door slip soundlessly shut. She walks up to the edge of his bed, her lips parting to speak.

"Why did you even both staying?" Raph practically spits it out.

Liz starts. "What?" She had not expected him to speak. He is not the type to break the ice.

Raph's eyes open and he narrows them, pinning her beneath his fiery gaze. "You're just gonna leave." He sits up and leans against the headboard. "Right? You're leaving with him. Aren't cha?"

Liz shrinks beneath his eyes. She clasps her hands at her chest. "Raph…" Her once well prepared words scatter. She is left scrambling to piece together something coherent. "I…" She fails miserably.

Raph sneers. "I saw the way you looked at him. The way you looked at me." Heavy hesitation and even a bit of shame had lurked in her eyes the last time. "There's no contest. He's your everything. And we're…not."

Liz hears the words underneath. It makes her cringe. That 'we' is an 'I', no doubt about it. He feels inadequate in comparison to Slash. And he isn't exactly wrong. But at the same time he is. "Raph, it's not like that."

"Oh yeah?" He snaps. "Then what is it like? Cause that's exactly what it looks like to me. You're abandoning us, even after everything." He clenches his fists and they tremble.

"Idiot!" Liz scowls.

Raph jumps slightly at the spike in volume and emotion. He can only stare blankly.

"Do you never listen to me?" She half laughs. "I must've been stupid, thinking you actually paid any attention to me at all. Because I told you, I told you that I never feel safe, not anywhere." The intensity vanishes in an instant and she sighs. She hadn't said aloud before, but now she must. "Nowhere but with him – Slash."

Raph glares. He remembers that moment, when she confided in him that she didn't ever feel safe. That here was only 'close enough'. But why? Why him? It isn't fair.

Liz sees the question in his eyes. "Because he saved me. He was the one to take me in and watch over me when I was my most vulnerable. Even though he didn't have to. He could have just left me, especially because he didn't even like me." A smile flits across her lips. "But he didn't. And I owe him so much for it."

Raph growls beneath his breath. "So you love him."

"Huh? What?" She looks long and hard at him. Then it hits her. She bursts out laughing. She has to hold her sides it gets so out of hand.

The anger washes away. Confusion sweeps over his face. "What? What's so funny?" His cheeks burn a deep red. He ducks his head. He feels like the butt of some elaborate joke.

Liz wipes at her eyes. "I-I'm sorry," She clears her throat and rids herself of the laughter. Still, her grin remains. She stands up straight once more. "It's just, I…" She coughs once more. "It was hilarious, what you said. I mean, you're right. I do love him. But I'm not in love with him."

Raph's brows furrow. He frowns despite her words. He can't help but remain disgruntled. Somehow he doesn't believe her.

Liz makes her way around the bed. She trails her hand along its perimeter. "Raph," Her voice is soft once more. She is the girl he knew from the start. "I love him. But I don't love him the way I love you." She sits on the edge of the bed.

Raph does not allow himself to be affected by her words. He looks hard at her. "Then why? Why are you leaving?"

"I told you."

"So I'm just not good enough." He can't help but be resentful.

"Raph," Liz lets out a breath. "You're always so hard on yourself." She reaches out and runs her fingers along his face. "Why do you have to compare yourself to others – to him? Why can't you just be you?"

Raph shies away from her touch. He closes his eyes.

"Raph," She says with a little more force.

"I can't help it." He murmurs. He slowly turns his head and opens his eyes to look at her. "If you know me at all then you would know that."

Liz nods. "Of course." She leans over and rests her head on his shoulder. "I just need you to know that you're special to me."

Raph peers down at her from the corner of his eye. Her expression is so serene and so terribly sincere. He can't condemn that face or even suggest that her words are untrue. He reaches up and traces her jaw with a finger before curling it around her chin and tilting her face up toward his.

Color rises in Liz's cheeks. Her hearts beats faster and her pupils dilate. Time freezes for an instant. She can scarcely breathe.

"You're special to me too." He lays a kiss on her lips.

A dopey smile spreads across her face. She looks through half lidded eyes at him.

Raph smiles in return. "That scarf's still stupid though."

Liz chuckles. Maybe she would be mad any other time, but she can't find it in her now. His words are strangely amusing. She is so emotionally charged that she even responds, "Your mask is stupid." Liz smirks.

Raph starts. He blinks and stares for a long moment. Then her humor sets in. He grins.

Liz reaches up and behind his head. She undoes the knot in his mask and reveals his face. His eyes are somehow brighter, even though there's no way they can be. She sets the mask aside. She loosens her neckerchief and lets it fall away.

Raph hesitates. He is tentative, more tentative than he has ever been in his life. She is fragile, the exact opposite of Alopex. Almost every scenario he has found her in she has been frightened or tearful even if not completely broken. And he does not want to be responsible for finally shattering her delicate psyche. But that look in her eye, it is wanting. So he runs his hands up along her arms and locks his fingers with hers. Then with all the care in the world he leans her onto her back and dips down toward her.

Liz tilts her head back.

Raph kisses her along her neck, each kiss tasting of strawberries. He should question how she managed that, but his mind is so abuzz he can think of nothing but her and her taste, her scent, her smooth skin beneath his calloused fingers. He drinks it in.

Liz shudders. She has never known such ecstasy. It is a wholly new experience, one that leaves her completely at his mercy. Yet she is anything but afraid. No matter how much of a fighter he is, he is undeniably gentle. If she asked him to stop she knows he would. But she does not, has not reached that point. So she gives into the feelings, letting come what may.

…

Alopex lays stretched out on the couch. She props herself up arm, her head resting comfortably in her palm. "What's that one?" She says for what must be the millionth time. She doesn't point because she doesn't have to. They know she means the one he just grabbed.

Donnie rolls his eyes. Still, a smile plays across his face nonetheless. "I'm not explaining every one I pick up to you." He shoots her a look.

Alopex flashes a sly grin. "Aw, but it's so much fun. Like this doohickey right here." She plucks a beaker of some chemical or another from the table. "It was so cool hearing about it."

Donnie snorts. "See? You don't even remember what I told you five minutes ago."

"That's alright." Alopex shrugs. Her voice is soft as she says, "I'm happy just listening to you."

Donnie averts his eyes. His expression softens and clouds with something like reminiscence. "I missed you." He admits. He could never say so to his brothers, not that he had to for them to see, but to her he manages the courage. The things she did to them were terrible, but he can't change the feelings in his heart. He could never hate her, not really.

Alopex nods. "I missed you too." She sees things quickly spiraling into what she remembers as uncomfortable territory and she changes gears. She clears her throat and looks away from him. "Hey," She throws a glance over her shoulder and in the direction of the bedroom corridor. "Where do you think Liz went?"

Donnie sorts. "Raph, I'm sure."

Alopex perks. "Why do you say that?" From what she has observed of Liz her world practically revolves around Slash, for better or worse. The girl could use a bit of independence and self-confidence. She didn't think there was room for many others, not to the same extent at least. "She is closest with Slash, right?" Saying it out loud makes her uncomfortable.

Donnie chuckles. "Come now, Al." He sets down what he is working on and gives her his full attention. "Don't tell me you are that blind." He shoots her an unimpressed but altogether amused look.

Alopex's ears flick downward. "What's that supposed to mean?" She sits up and crosses her arms.

"Nothing, nothing." He waves away her words. He feigns indifference.

Alopex smirks. "Oh no you don't. You started this. And you're gonna finish it." She points a finger inches from his face.

Donnie pushes her hand away. "I mean, you have been following her for weeks. Don't girls, I don't know, talk or something. Shouldn't she have mentioned us?"

Alopex shakes her head. "Not really. We didn't delve into personal lives."

Donnie grimaces. Oh. Right. Alopex probably shut Liz down the very first time she pried about her life and, more likely, him in particular. Then some sort of deal ensued, a 'don't ask me, I won't ask you' sort of thing. So very Alopex.

Alopex snickers. "I just know that last time, she knocked the fool out flat." She holds her head a little higher. "With the training I gave her, no doubt."

Donnie shakes his head. "Of course you did." That's probably where some of Liz's confidence came from. Feeling as if one can protect themselves is a powerful mood aid.

"What would you of had me do? No way was I letting her roam about completely helpless. Because she may have all of you and me and even Slash, but there's no telling when she might find herself on her own and with her luck she'll definitely be jumped by something."

"No, no. It's fine. Good even. Because you're right. Just," He chuckles. "Of all the things you could do with a person, you would teach something like that instead of just talking."

Alopex playfully pushes Donnie's face.

"Well, anyway, Raph has a major crush on her. He'd die if he thought we knew." Donnie laughs. "She likes him too of course. I think he reminds her of Slash."

Alopex makes a face. "That's weird if you ask me."

Donnie looks pointedly at her. "That's not the only thing. That's just what started it, it seems. If I had to guess," He taps his chin. "I'd say he is a strong presence for her. A safe place. I mean, we all care about her and protect her. It's just…not the same."

"Like you and me." Alopex says it without thinking. At first she doesn't even realize what she said. She continues to look off into the distance absently. Then it hits her. She snaps her mouth shut and tenses. She peers tentatively at Donnie.

Donnie doesn't dare meet her eyes. "No one's like us." He mumbles. He pulls at his fingers, a habit he has mostly broken. The only exception is when he gets too dangerously close to the topic of Alopex and especially when it is about their troubled relationship.

Alopex bites her lip. The air is suddenly thick. "I…I'm sorry." At the risk of sounding stupid and redundant she treds over familiar ground. "For everything. I don't forget it, not for an instant." She shakes her head. "I-"

"Alopex," There is an edge to Donnie's voice. "You don't have to say it. Because, none of us forget either. You know that. Especially not me, with…" with everything that could have been. "I wish things could be different…every day." But that time has come and gone. He has resigned himself to that, or at least he pretends to have. It's easier that way.

Alopex bows her head. That's it then. She chews on her lip, thoughts of argument swirling in her mind even as her hope fizzles. She opens her mouth to say something more on the matter, to try to start a point of conversation, but before the words can form a voice thunders over them.

"Where is she?" Slash roars. He barges out from the lab and into the living area. He zones in on the two at the couch, his eyes narrowed and his hands clenched into fists. He breathes heavily in and out. "I. Said. Where is she?"

Donnie tenses and unconsciously draws back. Son of a- He is disgusted with himself. Still so scared of Slash. There's no reason to be. He could take him. The only reason he failed before was he was caught off guard and later Slash was not alone. Cheating, plain and simple. Still, he can't find it in him to answer or even make himself look as if he is unaffected. He feels the fear contorting his face.

Alopex's eyes dart to Donnie and then back to Slash. She scoffs. She shoots Slash an unimpressed look. "Chill, big bad and scary." She leans forward as discretely as possible and slips her hand over top of Donnie's. "She's safe and sound with Raphie in there." She nods in the direction of his room.

Slash stares for a long moment, each second bringing heavier calm down around him. Slowly, his lips quirk up into a smile. "So that's it, huh?" A laugh rumbles in his throat. "Raph found a companion. I'm glad. As long as she's happy."

Alopex blinks. The genuine tone to Slash's voice takes her aback. As protective as he is, she figured further raging was in store. Maybe it was because she chose Raph and Raph was his one, or used to be one, weakness. She shakes the shock off and smirks. "That's big of you."

Slash raises a brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Alopex shrugs. "You know, the fact that she's choosing Raph over you."

Slash snorts. "She's not 'choosing' anything."

Alopex grins. "Sure she is." She slides her hand from Donnie and stands to face Slash. "Cause you know, as well as I know, that she can't have you both. You can't stay here forever, Leo would never let you, but then if that happens then she can pick either you, or Raph."

Slash clenches his fists to the point his knuckles turn white. Still, his voice remains even. "Like I said. There's nothing to choose."

Alopex snickers. "Oh, so you're that confident, huh?"

Donnie jumps up. "Alopex," He hisses. He moves around the table. "Stop." He looks hard at her. He dares to glance at Slash next and his expression weakens instantly. Dang it. He just can't help it.

Slash levels Alopex with a look that could kill. "Watch yourself, mutt. We may not be in my house, but that doesn't mean I won't beat you senseless." He unfurls and furls his fist. "Not even if you're Liz's little friend."

Alopex sneers. "That's right. Because you don't actually care about her, do you? You pretend to, but you don't really."

"Alopex," Donnie says with increased urgency.

Slash takes two thunderous steps forward, putting him within arm's reach of Alopex. "I will. Kill you."

Alopex shakes Donnie off of her. She takes steps to match Slash's. "I don't advise it. Lest you break Liz's heart."

Slash breathes deeply in and out. "Don't push me."

"As long as I'm a monster, and you're a monster," Alopex shakes her head. "Then there is no other way." She is fully prepared for the backlash, for the monster to rear its ugly head. She sees the intent in his sea blue eyes. But before he acts, she senses it. Her nose twitches and her ears flick. She jerks her head around, her eyes suddenly wide.

Donnie snaps to attention. He is instantly tense. His hands shoot to his bo staff, ready for anything. "What is it?" No matter how muddled their feelings are for each other, her senses are something that never falter.

Alopex's lips curl back. "Those humans." She doesn't have anything much against the boy, but she will never be ok with April. She turns hard and hurries toward the turnstiles.

"H-Hey!" Donnie scrambles after her. "Where are you going?" His eyes are wide and wild.

Alopex pauses, tossing a look over her shoulder. "Away from here." She shakes her head. "The tension here is bad enough to kill as it is. If I'm here when they are it will only make it worse. So…I'm going." She starts to leave again.

Donnie snatches her wrist and holds her back. "But you, will be back…won't you?" He holds his breath despite himself. Whether she stays or goes shouldn't be an issue for him. He knows this as clearly as he knows his own name, but he can't help himself.

Alopex smiles. "Sometime." She glances over Donnie and at Slash. "And if I were you, I'd make myself scarce as well."

Slash rolls his eyes. "I'm not afraid of no human."

Alopex narrows her eyes. "It's not about being afraid." She shakes her head in disbelief. "It's about not wanting to stir up trouble. So move it." She doesn't wait. She spins and darts out of the lair. She makes a beeline for the nearest manhole. She has to beat those humans out.

Slash scoffs. "Whatever." He lumbers toward the exit nonetheless. He is sick of being cooped up anyway. He makes sure to go the opposite direction of Alopex. He has no time to deal with her. Calling him a monster. Then again, she called herself one too. It's better than what most think of him.

Donnie lets out a breath. He can't say he wants her gone, but he is undeniably glad that more problems will be avoided by her and Slash's absence. That's the last thing they need right now after all.

April and Casey come rolling in only a minute later. "Hey," April calls. She waves. "What's up Donnie?" She picks up her pace to reach him.

Donnie can't help but smile at her. She continues to be as confusing as ever to him, but no matter what she makes his heart soar at the very sight of her smiling face. "I was just about to go work on the retromutagen." He motions over his shoulder. Now that he has his lab space back.

April clasps her hands behind her back and sways slightly on the balls of her feet. She leans around Donnie in order to get a good look at the table. "How come you have all your stuff out here then?" She frowns and her brows knit together. "Something happen?" Her mind jumps to that lizard girl and her expression darkens.

Donnie starts, but quickly recovers. "No, no. Just wanted to be out where everyone else is. That's all."

Casey chuckles. "That's so unlike you, man." He flashes a wolfish grin.

Donnie shoots daggers with his eyes. "Save it, Jones." He turns and strides toward the scattered items on and around the table. He begins grabbing what he can. No use being out here now, that's for sure.

April follows him. "Here," She bends over. "Let me help." She starts to pick up some of the remaining beakers. She eyes Donnie carefully all the while. She wants to ask, but she doesn't want to rub him the wrong way. Then again, when did that ever stop her before? She laughs in her head. "So where is she?" There is an edge to her tone.

Donnie stiffens. Here it comes. Well, maybe if he acts nonchalant than she won't get overly agitated about the issue.

"She?" Casey walks up next to them. He quirks a brow. "There another hot chick around?" He grins from ear to ear.

April scoffs and swats at him. "No," She smiles despite herself. "It's another mutant. One I…" She isn't sure of the right word. No, she is sure of that. She simply isn't sure she wants to use it. It will likely only upset Donnie. So she decides against it and says, "I met. After they brought her here."

"Oh, cool." Casey looks around. "Is she a turtle too? A monkey? Or maybe a snake!" He cracks himself up.

"Don't be stupid." Donnie rolls his eyes. "She's a lizard." He stands. "And she's with Raph."

"HA." Casey jumps to conclusions in an instant. "So she's his girl, huh?"

Donnie's face darkens. "Liz doesn't belong to Raph. She's a person, her own individual. Not some property."

Casey chuckles, but there is a nervous edge to it. "Come on, man. I didn't mean it like that." He holds his hands up in defense. "Only that he likes her, whoever she is. Which is good. It's nice to have someone."

Donnie is caught off guard by the pain that seeps into Casey's tone. He isn't sure he likes the implications. He is especially sure he doesn't like the way it makes him feel sorry for the punk. "Yeah, he does. Maybe you can meet her too." He doesn't know why he suggests such a thing. It just slips out. Like she would want to see him – a human. There's bad history there, even if she has never met him specifically.

"Yeah?" Casey grins. "That'd be cool."

Donnie snorts. Such enthusiasm for something so trivial. "If you hang around I'm sure she'll come out sooner or later." He turns away from Casey and heads for his lab. "Come on April." He doesn't expect her to listen because he told her to, but he knows she will come simply to watch the progress. It is her father at stake after all.

April glances fleetingly at Casey as she stands to her full height. She doesn't say a word and follows Donnie to his lab. If Casey really wants to, he can come too. He isn't the most patient guy though. She doesn't expect him to come, even for her. Within a minute he will leave and she will be left alone with Donnie.

Casey watches her back until she disappears through the doors. He sighs. Same as always. He never can come here and just hang out with her and everybody. He doesn't know why he ever expects anything more than this. "Whatever." He doesn't feel like going back out on the streets though so he throws himself on the couch. He especially doesn't want to go back home. Not there. Anywhere but there. So he settles into the couch and clicks on the television. "Alright! Racecars!" It's the perfect distraction from everything, from life.

…

Liz lays stretched out with her head resting on Raph's plastron. The steady up and down of his chest brings a calm down around her. She smiles to herself. Still, she is not completely at peace. A thought tugs at her mind and makes it impossible to live in the moment. So as nice as the moment is, she breaks it. "Raph," Her voice is soft, drowsy. His touch makes it hard to stay alert.

Raph peers down at her. "Hm?" He caresses her back all the while.

Liz's brows furrow and a frown twists her lips. "I…I'm sorry."

Raph raises a brow. "Sorry?" Confusion creases his face. "For what?"

"The other day." Her voice tightens. "You told me not to go, that'd I'd get hurt." She shakes her head, rubbing it against him in the process. "But I didn't listen, and…I'm…sorry." A tint sob ekes out.

Raph sighs. "I won't lie. I was pretty mad at you." He chuckles. "But, that lasted about two seconds before I became sickeningly worried." He wraps his arms around her and hugs her tight. "I just wanted you to be alright." His voice wavers. He can't believe himself – for being so weak or for spilling out all his thoughts and feelings. What is she doing to him?

Liz smiles weakly. "I'm sorry for that too – worrying you."

Raph presses his lips to her forehead. "Just don't make a habit of it." He flashes her a grin.

Liz giggles. A spark of true happiness lights in her eyes. "No promises." She looks at him for a long moment, unable to escape his intense gaze. Then her eyes flit to the door. It is shut tight, keeping them apart from all the others. Slash too. "Hey," She whispers. "Let's go watch some tv." She hopes it isn't too obvious that she is lying.

Raph snorts. "If you want to see him you can just say so." It's almost more aggravating that she would tip toe around the issue and hide her feelings. She spent so much time trying to get him to open up. For her to withdraw now would mean all of her insistences were nothing but hot air.

Liz's cheeks tinge red. "Sorry."

"Stop saying that." Raph flicks her shoulder. "You sound like Donnie – apologizing all the time."

Liz smiles fondly. "He does do that, doesn't he?" A soft laugh passes her lips. "Well then," She hops up, breaking his hold on her. She pushes herself to her feet and holds out her hand. "Shall we go?"

Raph smiles fondly. "Yeah, yeah." He takes her hand and allows her to pull him to his feet.

They walk hand in hand to the door and out into the hall. There is a bounce to her step as they go. She is happier than she has been in a long time. Then she freezes. She forces Raph to a stop as she sets eyes on the unfamiliar figure sitting on the couch.

Raph frowns and shoots her a look, one that quickly fades as he notes the panic rising in her eyes. He turns his head and finds the source. "Oh. Hey, it's alright. He won't hurt you." His face lights up as he looks to Casey. "Yo, Casey."

Casey jerks to attention. He twists around, his arm thrown over the couch. "Raph, my man." He waves. His gaze is instantly drawn from his friend however when he notices the presence at Raph's side.

Liz shuffles back. She eyes him warily. Raph's words do not soothe her.

"Who's this? Your giiirlfriend." Casey cracks himself up.

Raph's cheeks burn. He jerks his hand out of Liz's. "No." He scowls.

Liz is jolted from her stare on the human by Raph's sharp reply. She flinches, hurt flashing in her eyes. No? Did he really feel that way? After everything? Did those kisses mean nothing? She clenches her fists so hard her knuckles turn white.

"Uh-oh bro. I think you made her mad." Casey grins.

Raph blinks. "What?" He looks at Liz. Shit. A fire rises in her eyes, but it does nothing to conceal the hurt shining there. He swallows hard. "Liz," He opens and closes his mouth around empty words. It's a struggle to find the right thing to say without looking weak in front of Casey. Is it even possible? "Ah, um, this is Casey." He motions to his friend. "He's my best friend." He tries to carry his message through a tone that has added emphasis as well as a meaningful look shot at her.

Liz puffs out a mirthless laugh. "That's it then. You still won't show emotions in front of others, huh?" She shakes her head and regards him almost coldly.

"Liz, don't be that way." Raph reaches for her.

Liz takes a quick step back. "Don't be what way? Open?"

Casey looks back and forth between them. "Come on," He tries to laugh off the situation. "I know you don't like me, but don't take it out on Raph."

Liz bristles. She turns her fiery eyes on Casey. "What do you know?"

"I…" Casey averts his eyes. He doesn't want to go there, to dig up something deep and painful, but he needs her to know he is not all talk. So he swallows hard and dares to speak, "I saw how you pulled back. The way you looked at me, are looking at me now." He forces himself to look her dead in the eye. "Someone hurt you. Some human. Your father probably. And you're afraid of me because of it."

The anger is drained from Liz's face. Her mouth hangs open ever so slightly and a tremor works its way up her body. How did he know that? How could he possibly come to that conclusion? Did Raph tell? Did he break her trust because she broke his that time before? Was this payback? Would he really…do this to her?

Raph is stunned. "How did you know that?" His brows furrow.

Casey shrugs. "I just do." He averts his eyes. No way he can admit the truth, not even to Raph.

Liz breathes deeply in and out. So Raph didn't tell. Thank God. Thank God, thank God, thank God. That begs the question though – how did this human know? Did she know him in her old life? She doesn't think so. Then how? The possibilities are frightening. So she bolts. She gets as far from the living room as fast as possible.

"Liz!" Raph reaches after her. But it does no good. He growls, throwing his hands in the air. He pivots and stares Casey down. "What the heck man? Why did you do that?"

Casey scowls back. "Do what? I didn't do anything."

"Like hell." Raph clenches his hands into fists. "You're the reason she ran off! You and your big mouth." He shakes his head. "Why did you have to be so weird? Talking about 'knowing' why she was acting the way she was. Seriously dude. How dumb are you?"

Casey rolls his eyes. "Whatever. I was getting her off your back. If you can't appreciate that, that's your loss." He turns hard, hurrying away from Raph.

Raph stares with his mouth gaping. He quickly recovers, growling deep in his throat. "Idiot." He doesn't have time for this. He pivots. He has to go after Liz. He can't leave her alone after that. She isn't exactly the most emotionally stable person. Now just where did she go? No way she left, not without someone to go with her. So he tries the kitchen.

Liz sits on the floor with her back against a counter. Her legs are drawn to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. She rests her chin on her knees and casts her eyes downward. She is no longer trembling, but that doesn't mean she is ready to get up and reenter the living area.

Raph wanders into the kitchen and spots her immediately. He lets out a breath. Just as he thought. He walks closer and bends down in front of her, balancing on his haunches. "Liz," He attempts to get her to meet his gaze. "You alright?"

Liz lifts her head and her eyes to look at him. She smiles weakly. "Yeah, it's nothing. I was just…a bit overwhelmed." She half laughs. She drums her fingers against her legs. "He is a human. And the things he knew…" She grimaces. Her grip on her legs tightens.

Raph's expression hardens. "Casey is such an idiot," He spits. "Don't worry about him. I'll make sure he never-"

"No!"

Raph blinks.

Liz ducks her head. "I mean…don't be mad at him." She traces circles on her skin. "He didn't mean anything by it. And he…" She presses her lips together. Maybe the human wouldn't want her to say it, especially if it is true. She knows she wouldn't want people to know what her father did if it were up to her.

Raph quirks a brow. "He what?"

Liz shakes her head. "No, nothing."

Raph frowns. He regards her with uncertainty, but in the end he does not pry. Instead he asks, "Are you really ok?" People who are ok generally don't camp out on the floor, not at her age.

"I will be." Liz finds it in her to smile. "I just need to be alone for a bit." She gives him a meaningful look.

Raph stares at her for a long moment. With a sigh he says, "Alright." She isn't that same girl he found and saved from her father's grip. In a lot of ways she is still weak, might always be weak, but compared to those early days she is stronger in all regards. She can fight – a little anyway – and she doesn't break at the slightest touch. She can even calm herself down without aid it seems. So he rises to his feet and leaves the kitchen. It's what she wants after all.

Liz stares after him and continues to watch the spot he once stood long after he vanishes. Her brows furrow and she frowns as thoughts whirl around in her head. Is she right? Doubts surface. The uncertainty causes her to stay on the kitchen floor for longer than she meant to. Mikey comes and goes, making sure she is alright before prancing out of the kitchen with pizza in hand. Leo passes through once as well and asks of her well-being too. She's pretty sure he is more concerned with whether or not she went to see Raph though. He doesn't ask about it, but she knows he doesn't have to. He can read her well enough to see it in her eyes that – yes, she did.

Once she has seen everyone she has no other reason to procrastinate. Well, every one of the turtles anyway. Now she can either go or not. She sighs and pushes herself to her feet. She meanders out and into the living room – back to where her strife originated. And there he is. Watching tv. She stops dead at the periphery. She swallows hard. Is she crazy? Quite possibly. Still, she has to know. She has to.

Casey sits on the couch, leaned back with his arm draped over the back. He flips idly through the channels, his expression dull. He can't find any reason to get excited over the subpar programing flashing across the screen. He lets out a loud, drawn out sigh.

Liz slinks forward, carefully making her way around the couch. She keeps her gaze locked firmly on the human – Casey was it? – and leans as casually as possible against the arm of the couch. She fidgets noticeably despite her efforts, she can't help it, but she keeps it more under control than she thought was within her power.

Casey notices movement from the corner of his eye. He glances and can't help but be taken aback by the sight of the lizard girl. "Y-You…" He tenses. He isn't afraid of her, of course not, he is just afraid to touch a nerve in her rather delicate psyche. Worse, if Raph or any of the guys see her with him they will surely overreact. Blame him for something or another.

Liz makes a face. What does he have to be jumpy about? She raises a brow.

Casey narrows his eyes. "What? What you lookin' at?" He doesn't like being looked at like he is crazy. It is perfectly logical to react to her this way.

Liz shrinks back. She shakes her head stiffly back and forth. Still, she isn't about to just give up. Not so easily. "Just…" She averts her eyes and wraps her arms around herself. "Before…" She chews on her lip.

Casey's expression loses its intensity. Oh, right. Of course she would pursue that.

Liz forces herself to meet his eyes. "How did you know?" She swallows hard. "About…what happened?"

It is Casey's turn to squirm. He can't bear to hold her gaze for another instant. "No reason." He grumbles. He turns his body so he faces opposite of her. "Just intuitive."

Liz scowls. "You don't just know something like that. Not unless…" She clamps her mouth shut. It's not within her right to say something like that, no matter how true.

Casey jerks his head around and glowers at her. "You think you know? Then just say it. What's wrong? Can't muster the guts? Too dark for you?" He lashes out from pure instinct – an instinct of self-preservation.

Liz flinches. "Nothing is too dark for me anymore." She says with an edge that surprises even her. She dares to sit on the couch, on the far side of him. "But you know that." She levels a cool, but hard look his way. "Just like you know your life is equally dark."

Casey blows out a breath. "Maybe." He turns his face away from her again.

Liz leans forward. She peers around to see his expression. "What happens then?" She presses gently. She wants to know – needs to – that she isn't alone.

Casey shakes his head. "The usual. Drunk dad who gets meaner the more drunk he is. Ever since mom died."

Liz puffs out a laugh. "I could only wish for something like that." Her voice wavers slightly.

"That bad, huh?" Casey can't help but be intrigued. He thought as much from how jumpy she was when she saw him.

Liz smiles sadly. "I'm not being fair I guess." She pulls at her arm. "Pain is pain. You hurt every day, just like me."

Casey smiles to match hers. "No," He says slowly. "Not anymore." He lifts his gaze, looking beyond her. "I don't live there, not much now. Ever since I met the turtles…life has been easier."

"Yes." Liz smiles, this time with sincerity. "They make it easier to bear. They are very kind. I still have a few nightmares, about those cages and…" She subconsciously runs her fingers across her skin, where puncture marks once were visible.

Casey grimaces. Cages? What kind of monster was her father? That's not even human. He notices too how she tenderly touches her skin, very specific places on her skin. His eye, so well-tuned for even the tiniest of movements and shifts in expression, could not possibly miss it. "Did he do something to your arms?"

Liz perks. Oh. She curls her fingers into her palm and away from the healed punctures. "Yeah…" Her voice is a breath. "Needles…"

Casey's stomach drops. He feels suddenly sick. "So he…he mutated you?" It is half a question, half an undeniable truth.

Liz gives a weak nod. The light completely vanishes from her eyes. "For a test..."

Casey shakes his head. "I'm sorry you had to go through something like that. No deserves to be treated like an object," A fire lights in his eyes and he clenches his fists in his lap. "A personal punching bag."

Liz looks sadly at him. "I'm sorry for you too." She tentatively reaches over and touches his hand.

Casey flinches at the light touch. He blinks as he looks up at her. He is not used to being handled so gently. The turtles are nice, but they are without a doubt rough and tumble with each other and him. April is an occasional exception, but more looks than touches pass between them.

Liz draws her hand back. "So, if you need to talk about it…" She leaves the rest of her sentence hanging, the truth clear enough.

Casey snorts. "I don't talk." It wouldn't help anyway. Words never helped anyone, only action. That's why he fights, acts as a vigilante. It is the only cure, the only way to ease the pain.

Liz nods. "Just wanted you to know." What he does with the information is up to him.

Casey smiles. "Thanks." Even is doesn't and will never know how deep the pain runs it is nice to know that she understands that he does hurt. For every bit that he fights, it only reveals just how badly he aches – emotionally as much as if not more than physically.

Liz reaches forward and snatches the remote up. "This show is stupid." She switches gears seamlessly. She flips over to a cartoon that is equally stupid but one which elicits a nostalgia in her. "How bout this instead?" She tilts her head in his direction.

Casey blinks at her sudden shift. Still, he gets it. He smirks. "Yeah, looks cool." Better than talking about things neither of them can change. So he settles back and enjoys the show.

Liz follows suit. Now that she knows he hurts too it is easier to relax in his presence. There's no use being so serious all the time anyway. It's the little moments after all. If anything that is something she has learned from her ordeal. For one never knows what moment will be their last.

Yes, I decided to have Casey have an abusive father. It won't ever be explored in the Nick version because of how mature a topic it is, but I like to think it's true. I might write a one shot or something about it later, depending on my mood. Anyway, I hope you liked it. Please review!