TMNT - Worlds Change

Fifteen

Donnie POV:

"DON! We need you in here! And bring your kit!" I heard Mikee call from the front of my lab. Athena stiffened beside me as I took off towards the front room. I found Raph helping Leo down onto the couch, a darkening bruise on his shoulder. Venus stood off to the side with Bellona, her stitches evidently torn. April had already begun helping Leo. I scanned the room and found the reason they were injured.

"Casey." I looked over at the man, his eyes scanning the small object that he held in his palm. I realized this artifact was what April had been telling me about as we worked with Athena. I went over to Venus with the medkit.

"What happened?" I whispered softly. She shook her head.

"Go fix up Leo. My stitches aren't bad." I rolled my eyes and started fixing them.

"April has him covered. Let me handle simple stitches first."

Venus POV:

I watched Donnie stitch for a moment. I could feel Athena's tension. I opened my mind to her.

"I'm alright Athena. Is everything ok here?" She sighed and I found myself in a memory.

"April? What are you doing here?" He grinned and walked over to hug her. "Oh! April, this is Athena, the one I told you about. Athena this is April, she's a friend of ours."

"I can tell," Athena said softly. I rolled my eyes and spoke in her mind again.

"She's human Athena. And you know he's got his eyes on you." I glanced across the room to she her standing in the doorway with Iris. She blushed at my comment. Donnie stood in front of me.

"You're all set. You will need to let it rest for a while. Light training, no full fights. Purple Dragon included." He said. I nodded. Over on the couch, I heard Leo quietly call out. My heart caught. I moved over to him quickly, Donnie following.

"His shoulder is dislocated. I have it relocated, but it will take some time to heal. A long while." April stood beside him. I sat beside Leo, gently taking his other hand. He gave me a small smile.

"So much for helping you train." He whispered softly. I rested my hand on his good shoulder.

"What about we take some time off?" Casey spoke, not bothering to be quiet. Everyone's eyes were drawn to him.

"That, Mr. Jones, may be a good idea," Master Splinter stood in the doorway of the kitchen. "However, I fear my sons and daughters will continue to get involved if we stay in the city.

"What about the old farmhouse?" April mentioned. I noticed Athena glance away. Why did this girl bother her so much?

"How would we get all of us there, April? The Battleshell is still in repair and can't fit all of us turtles." Leo spoke, his voice still strong. This close I could see he was in pain, but he hid it behind a wall of strength. I wish I could take some of his burden of leadership.

"We could use the artifact van for four of you. And Don and I fixed the BattleShell while you guys were getting yourselves hurt." April spoke quick and precise. Now I understood what bothered Athena. She was quick and intelligent. It bothered her not to be faster. And she seemed to hover around Donnie. I could feel her tension and I took some of it from her. I glanced back to Leo, who looked slightly concerned. Maybe I could help his burden.

"Maybe they are right Leo. You need rest, and so do I. Maybe we could take Master Dante with us to allow him a more 'homely' setting." He looked into my eyes and read deeper. He knew about my talk with Sensei, but he knew I still hoped. He rested his good hand over mine on his shoulder.

"Yeah. It's a good idea." He turned and winced. I gripped his hand. He watched me a moment and then nodded. I stood.

"Guys, gather what you need. Long enough for a month. We may not be there that long, but it's good to be prepared." They started to disperse. April chimed in.

"And pack warm. It's supposed to get kinda cold up there." Everyone began to disperse. Leo tried to stand, but I made him sit and wait.

"Venus, we need to pack too." He said, looking at me. I sat beside him.

"And you need to rest. Please do me a favor, Leo, and let me take care of you." I glanced down, a feeling of guilt washing over me again.

"Hey," he placed his good hand under my chin and lifted my face to see my eyes. "This isn't your fault. And I've taken care of myself for a long time."

"That's my point. You're not alone, so let me help." I looked at him flustered and he smiled at me.

"I never said you couldn't. I just want you to stop thinking of it as making up for something." He slid his hand into mine. I sighed. I hadn't been ready, but I forced myself to do it. "And you were ready. Just not prepared." I looked up at him.

"When did you learn to read my mind?" I said softly. He beckoned me closer and leaned in as if to whisper in my ear. And then kissed my cheek.

"I know because I have thought those things before. I feel guilty for pushing you to get out there." He smiled and I blushed. "So why don't we both stop guilt-tripping and go pack? Help me up?" I smiled and helped him to his feet. He continued to drape his arm over my shoulder as we headed down the hall.