Raph's Mate (TMNT)

Building Resolve

It was finally the day before Christmas eve, meaning it had been almost a week since I escaped Shredder, and a day and a half since we rescued Danny. I got cleared yesterday by the doctor after undergoing a couple of tests and seeing the results come back with what I already knew- I was fine. It was after I got out of the hospital that I realized I had a missed call from Brent.

I was on my way to the lair when I called him back. " Hey Brent. What's up?" I asked after he picked up. 

"Hey. I need you to come in today. We're packed and with Danny out, I need you to take his shift." He said quickly. 

"Alright. I'll be there in a couple hours." I answered, knowing Raph won't be too enthusiastic about not spending time with him. 

"Great see you then Kid." He said and hung up. Getting to the lair, automatically heading to the Dojo where I knew Raph would be, finding Raph in his corner lifting weights.

"Hey Red." I say as I make my way to stand at the head of his weight bench. "I'd make a terrible spotter for you." I chuckled while Raph grunted and put the bar back into its cradle.

"Hey Tiger. How'd the hospital trip go?" Raph asked as he grabbed my hand and pulled me to stand in front of him, snaking his arms around my waist.

"Everything came back perfectly normal. And Danny is still comatose." I say. Placing my arms on Raph's shoulders, I add "I got called in to work today. My shift starts in a couple hours." In response I feel Raph tighten his arms around me.

"Are ya gonna be ok?" Raph asked. Nodding at him, Raph grunts and stands up, pulling me with him while he leaves the Dojo. "Then I guess we should do something until you leave." Raph decided on a  movie, so for an hour and a half I sat with my legs over his and watched with him. 

I was on my way out of the lair when both Donnie and Mikey walked in, both giving me a hug and a look as if to say 'are you sure about this' while I just smiled and made my way back topside. Making it to work with a couple minutes to spare, changing into my security uniform and taking the opportunity to stretch.

"Ah Abby. Glad you could make it today. This is going to make my life so much easier." Brent's voice sounded from the door way.

"Glad I could help. I kind of need the distraction right now." I chuckled ruefully.

I was startled when I felt a hand on my shoulder. "He'll pull through, he'll fight this and be back in no time. He's one of the toughest guys I know." Brent said before giving me a slight nod and headed back to wherever he came from.

While I was at work, I was slowly able to put the events of what happened behind me, or at least to the back of my mind. I knew I was nowhere near close to coping with it, but with help from Raph and his family, I was able to start feeling more like myself and less like I was on auto-pilot. Regrettably I still haven't told the Turtles what happened, even though I told Splinter that I would, so while I was at work, I was able to build my resolve to just get it done and over with when I got back.

Work went on slowly, and I decided to text Kenzie to see if we could hit the mall after I got off work to do some shopping. She was more than happy to agree to a shopping trip and after a couple more hours it was finally the end of my shift. Getting changed from my uniform back to my regular clothes felt like it took mere seconds, and I was flying out the door.

"Hey Kid. You want a lift home?" Brent called out. Shrugging, I change my course and get into Brent's car. "You still live in that apartment?" He asks, putting the car in gear and beginning to drive in that direction.

"Yep." I say, emphasizing the "p" while I send a text to Raph "Hey Red, meet me on the roof of my building. Boss man is giving me a ride home.' since I still haven't gone into my apartment since the incident. 'I'll be there in 10. See you soon Tiger.'