Of Turtles and Lizards

You're Not a Monster

Leo's POV

"Raph?!" I exclaimed as my younger brother burst through the entrance to the lair, moving towards the lab at top speed holding an unconscious frame in his arms. It didn't take long for me to realize who it was.

"DONNIE!" he screamed. Mikey looked up at me from the kitchen, his gaze silently asking me if he should try calming Raph. I gestured for him to stay where he was. Raph was acting a little manic right now and he probably didn't even know it.

"Raph, why did you-"

"Shut it, Leo.! Where's Don?" he forced his way into the lab, laying her gently on the examination table. "DONNIE!" Raph yelled again with a hint of desperation in his voice.

"What happened?"

"I don't know, Leo! I don't know what happened, I don't know...but someone did somethin' to her, something happened and she could be—she could be..." Raph spoke a mile a minute, and he was starting to panic. His whole body started to shake and he rambled on. Repeating the same things over and over.

I did the only thing I could do. I wrapped my arms around him and rubbed the back of his shell. I spoke directly into his ear my tone soft but firm. "Raphael, Raphael. Listen to me." His shaking calmed a little. "You're not going to do her any good in this state. She needs you to be calm for her right now." Raph stopped rambling and I smiled slightly. "That's it. Easy." His breathing even out a little and I patted him on the shoulder. "You good?"

"Yeah, but she isn't. Where's Donnie?" His green eyes moved to the figure on the table. "DONNIE!" I winced at the sudden volume.

Don burst into the lab in a panic, breathing like he'd just run a marathon. "Raph! What's going on? I heard your yelling all the way down the tunnel."

"Shut up and examine her!" He growled pointing to the lizard mutant. His anger's starting to get the best of him...

Raph and I, we always get into fights, and I've become accustomed to seeing his fury. What I had seen was a day on the beach next to this. When we fought, my brother and I were never affected by the growls or the glares, but right now he was scaring me. Really scaring me. I'd never seen that level of aggression before. Even from Raph. Until now.

One quick look at my purple clad brother and I could tell it was affecting Donnie too. I better get Raph out of here. I approached him cautiously and put a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Raph. Let's give Donnie some room."

"No."

"Raph, Donnie can-"

"I said NO!" He yelled hoisting me up by the shoulder strap, his eyes on fire. Raphael saw the fear in my eyes and he let me go. I fell unceremoniously on my butt. He stared down at me his eyes filled with guilt, worry and pain.

"Raph..." I began quietly before Donnie cut me off.

"Can you two take this outside? I'm trying to save someone's life here."

I watched as fear and concern flashed in Raph's eyes. He gave Donnie a reluctant look.

"Raph, I'm telling you: I can work much faster without you here, and time is of the essence." The emerald green turtle nodded abruptly before leaving. I followed closely behind him, giving Don a nod of thanks.

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Raph's POV

I went outside the lab and plopped on the couch. The only thing I could think about was Mona. About the time we'd spent together. It all flashed through my mind like in one of those lame tv dramas Mikey likes to watch. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up...Leo. "Leo I'm-"