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Dedicated to my own father, who always worried a little too much for us. We miss you immensely.

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On the rare moments that his daughter was away to spend a summer week with her maternal grandparents in the countryside, he made it a point to close the clinic much later than usual, as he couldn't really bear to spend the long evenings in his quiet house.

Regardless, he found himself looking forward to those rare moments, when his friend would personally visit him in his clinic, as it was probably the only appropriate time to do so...considering said friend was a bipedal giant rat who knows ninjutsu.

It was strange how this friendship started really. After meeting Splinter, he'd go to the derelict pet shop almost every day to see him. And they would talk for hours about themselves… about their families and their lives, neither of them able to contain their surprise at their common denominator.

He was unsure how he felt when he found out those baby turtles were all alive and well… and quite different from the last time he saw them.There was a sense of happiness, yes, and relief… but what surprised him the most was that he insisted that Splinter never tell them about him at all.

And even though Splinter assured him that his sons would be interested to see him, he calmly replied that it would feel too strange… he wasn't ready. His guilt was gone of course, but what replaced it instead was shame… really how could he face someone, four someones, who literally became the embodiment of his own failure throughout his life?

Splinter eventually gave up the suggestion, having the wisdom to figure out the source of his reluctance. Or he decided that he did quite enjoy having a human friend of his own with no one else to share.

After Splinter's physical check up, the veterinarian gave him a clean bill of health… though he would vocally lament to the sensei that he didn't delve too much into rodent anatomy, (but was now making up for it by studying books), they would finally sit down and chat.

"So, how's the book?" He had given Splinter his college book on complete animal anatomy when the sensei told him that one of his sons was dabbling in medicine.When Splinter warned him that his son would be suspicious if he were to produce such a book in quite a good condition, the veterinarian fixed the dilemma by pouring his half-full coffee on some of the pages.

"Donatello complains the previous owner of the copy is a 'slob'." Splinter said matter-of-factly, but a small grin illuminated his features. "But he appreciates it greatly, thank you."

Despite that they had all the time to talk other things, they were both fathers, and sometimes their children ended up in the majority of their conversations.

"She reminds them of my wife when she was that age," he confided to Splinter, regarding his in-laws and their strong fondness of his girl. "It gives comfort to them to see her, and I can't really blame them. But the house is lonely without her around…"

"Perhaps you should retire from being a widower and remarry."

He laughed as he placed the pot on the small stove, heating the water. "You sound just like my mom. That's creepy."

"I am serious. Don't you consider finding your daughter a mother figure? Raising a child on your own is difficult work. I should know. I have four."

That did enter his mind on the rare moments he allowed himself to think about it, but… "I guess I'm just too lazy to go out and find someone." He admitted slowly, "Maybe once my daughter grows a bit older…"

Splinter chuckled. "You can never see your child 'older', I'm afraid."

He inwardly cringed, knowing that it was an absolute truth. He was not looking forward to the day young men would wait for her at the door.

"I've sent my eldest away, you know. He's been gone for almost a week now," Splinter said. "And my home has also gotten quieter as of late."

"It must be hard."

"Yes. But I believe allowing him to see the world beyond our own will give him the wisdom and the growth he needs to understand himself more."

"How're the other kids taking it?"

"They're not talking about it much… but they miss him immensely. Especially Raphael, even when he is at his worst behavior. He'll never admit it though." Splinter sighed. "I often wonder if I did the right thing by doing this… perhaps I should wait for them to grow up a bit more, to get them used to living separately…" he stopped when his friend gave him his tea.

He only smiled ruefully, "You can never see your child older." He echoed him.

Splinter forced a laugh. Too hard, in fact. "That's correct."

"Is that all?" He asked, concern shadowing his features. Splinter, even though calm, displayed a bit of agitation by the way his whiskers moved.

"I am getting old," the old rat sighed. "I wonder if my children can handle it when my time comes. I trust them completely, of course…" he quickly added.

"It's normal to feel that way. You worry for their future."

"It's…quite distressing nonetheless." Splinter looked at his hands, making him look frailer than he felt. "I am sorry. Here I am making you feel bad, when I am trying to cheer you up."

He simply shook his head, telling the sensei that he did no such thing and now is the time to change the subject… "By the way, I was sorting my wife's things in the cabinet, you know, to give to her parents, when I found something interesting."

Splinter's ears perked up when he gave him his present, and he couldn't help smiling widely as well.

It was a DVD collection of Dallas.

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He walked his friend to the dark alley as soon as he closed the clinic. He was allowing his mind to wander on what he should say next to ease the silence when Splinter stopped and looked at him squarely in the face.

"My friend," he said, "You would not mind if I tell my sons about you one day?"

He was hoping that the sensei would not bring up that conversation again, though he gave props to Splinter that he managed not to talk about it for weeks now… "If you think they are ready." He managed to say.

"No." For the first time since he met him, Splinter looked stern. "If you are."

He looked at him in confusion.

"Never think that you are not important in their lives." Splinter said, "For you are a kind person who saved them so many years ago. I cannot allow them to forget that, and neither should you."

"I just… I don't know what to say once I see them."

His friend's stern look softened. "You don't have to. But I should warn you that I will tell them anyway, whether you're ready or not. But not for a long time, I should think. Also, I don't even guarantee if they'll bother to see you. But if they do one day… will you let them in?"

He took a deep breath, suddenly feeling like he was a young boy once again, on the day he entered that pet shop: defying his parents, his fears, and his own thoughts. The child locked away within him was practically shouting now "Well? What are you waiting for?!"

"Yeah…" he said slowly but it was with strong conviction. "I will."

He could have been only talking to himself. For Splinter was already gone.

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As promised, the final chapter, this is meant as an AU or an extension of the chapter before it

I had fun writing with this character, and I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I did. Thank you for reading and for the reviews. It meant a lot.

I'd also like to give many, many thanks to sunbune for the beta and her insights in this tale You rock.