The Red Shadow (TMNT)

The NightWatcher Returns

Mikey was the first to wake up the next morning. He suffered no injuries so he checked on Sensei and Leo. Leo was fine, but Sensei looked bad.

"Uh, Donnie, get in here," he half yelled down the hallway.

Donnie sprang up and immediately grabbed his medical box knowing what was in the next room.

After rubbing his eyes a few times he looked at Master Splinter's arm. It was swollen and dark purple especially near the fracture. "I'll try my best to set the bone, and then put it in a cast," Donnie said. He prepared for Sensei to scream, giving him a towel to bite down on and Mikey's hand to squeeze with his other arm. Donnie set the bone and worked quickly to put the splint on his arm, wrapping it tightly in bandages, trying not to make his Master in any more pain than need be.

"Ahhhh," Mikey was screaming just as loud as Splinter. "Now I know what it's like to be on the other end when a woman gives birth, geez louis, I think I'm gonna need a cast for my hand after this."

Leo came rushing in right when the procedure was over, and Sensei just fell asleep from the trauma of his injury. He didn't want any medicine; he wanted a natural recovery.

"Man, I didn't know what was going on," he said limping in.

"Everything's fine now, he just needs to rest," Donnie said and they all left the room.

Raph and Addy were at the far side of the lair and Raph was the first to wake up. He was staring at Addy from a few inches away; watching her sleep, listening to her breathing and trying to memorize her face, everything about her. Her beautiful big brown eyes were flickering, her few freckles, the little scar on the left side of her chin...everything. She moved a little and reached out her arms subconsciously to grab onto Raph so he scooted closer to her and she smiled and then opened her eyes.

"Hello handsome," she smiled and giggled. Raph kissed her cheek, smiled, and hugged her tighter.

"I missed you," he said with sadness.

"What?" "What do you mean, I've been here all night." She asked with confusion.

"Every moment not spent awake with you is a moment of my life that I lose that I'll never get back, I don't feel complete," he said sadly.

Tears were forming in Addy's eyes and she couldn't help but kiss him again and rub his face and started to make her way down his arm affectionately until he let out a small cry and jumped back.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry I forgot about your arm," she said with regret. "Here, let me see it." "It doesn't look too bad, it's not as deep as your first wound, but I'll take care of it for you," she smiled.

"Thanks Ms. Nurse," he winked, and she gave him a light slap on the chest to signal her playfulness.

"Ahem," came a voice from the door. "Are you two lovebirds gonna join us?" "It's almost 2 P.M.," said Leo.

"Oh man, what day is it??" Addy sat up abruptly.

"Sunday, why?" Raph said.

"Oh thank God!" "I have work tomorrow," she frowned. "Noooo....reality," she cried.

"Well there's food whenever you guys are ready, it's just sandwiches, sorry," said Leo.

"Oh I'm not picky," said Addy waving it off.

Everyone ate breakfast in silence. No one was in a talkative mood. Everyone was worried about Splinter but Addy's mind was on Raph. She was wondering how she was gonna make it through work without him, but she didn't let her emotions show and tried to be as cheerful as possible and enjoy the rest of the day with her family.

"You guys are the best, but I really need to get back home, I've got to get ready for work," she frowned. "There's this thing called a shower that I desperately need," she laughed. It was a little early to be heading home but she wanted to spend more time alone with Raph.

They left the lair and returned to her apartment and they both crashed on her couch and bundled up.

"Finally!" "Some alone time!" She laughed. She turned on the tv and saw the news. There had been a robbery in Chinatown just 4 blocks from her apartment last night. Both her and Raph sat in silence watching the victim give his testimony of what happened, but then Addy spoke.

"Oh great, the Purple Dragons are at it again," she sighed. "You and I oughta teach them some more lessons," she teased.

Raph got up and went to the bathroom without saying a word. That's what he did when he was troubled and confused. The bathroom was his place for meditation as bizarre as it may sound.

This is what she feared; she knew what was troubling him. He was caught between his old world, as guardian of Manhattan, and his new one, the one with her in it.

After a few minutes Raph came out not making eye contact with her.

"Hey, I was thinking maybe we could do something a little different tomorrow after work," she said, hoping he wasn't going to say he couldn't come see her. "Wanna meet me at my job and walk me the whole way home?"

In his heart he wanted to, but in his mind he was thinking about the city. It had been a few days since his last patrol and his mind began to wander.

Addy looked down and she already knew what he was thinking. "It's alright," she sighed with her head still down.

"No, Addy, don't think that, you mean the world to me," he pleaded, now trying to regain control of the conversation.

"It's just that I'm so torn. I want to be there for you, to always be at your side, but I also want to fight for justice with you at my side." "What do you think I should do, I trust your belief," he asked.

Addy just looked away and placed her chin in her hand and propped her elbow on her leg.

Raph was getting a little impatient and waved his hand in front of her face to make sure she was still with him.

"I think you have made a lot of great decisions in your life Raphael, and I think you're about to make another one; whichever life you choose," she said softly still not looking at him.

Raph didn't like her answer and was just more confused now.

"So that's your answer," he said boldly.

She stared into his bright green eyes trying to fight back the flood of tears that she knew was about to break through.

"Yes," she whispered.

"Well, I guess I'll be on my way then," he answered sarcastically. That wasn't the response Addy expected.

"You're gonna need to rest tonight, and I've got to go back to get my gear," he mumbled apathetically.

She just sat there while he talked; not fighting back or saying a word, but on the inside she was screaming for him to stay.

He finally opened her apartment door and walked out.

Now Addy was afraid, he was really leaving. She ran out the door after him but he was nowhere to be found.

"RAPH!" She screamed. "RAPH!"

He was around the corner hiding to see if she really wanted him, and of course he was right; but he ignored Addy's screams no matter how much it ached and burned his soul to hear her sorrowful pleas.

His city needed him, and it was time to get back to work; it was the safest thing for Addy.