Author's Note :: Wow! It's been a long time. Frankly, we have been digesting the new show. I know we already started a story in regards to the 2012 version of the boys. It may have been a little premature, we weren't sure who they were yet. Writing when adapting to a new environment and 'new' characters can be challenging. We took some time to figure out how we would apply the new boys, or if we would at all, to our writings. The break has not been an indication of our interest or stories in the TMNT world. No, we're still very involved with these boys. It was just a matter of figuring out how and what to share, especially with our personal established canon.

We have decided that it's time, for now, to retire the other versions and embrace the new, active version. Love them for what they are and play with them. It's going to be fun! If nothing else, like always, we promise an adventure. Please enjoy!

I Will Take This Secret With Me to the Grave
Chapter 1: My Friend

A set of buds were wedged so deeply into Michelangelo's ears that nothing would pass beyond the deep bass and accompaniment that had his whole focus. His head bobbed to the beat, methodical, as he moseyed along, offering an occasional 'uh!' or 'yeah' to match the music. He knew the way with his eyes closed. This was fortunate as his eyes were lazily shut. A twirl, some smooth backward steps that mirrored the moon walk, and a finishing dismount ended his dance along with the last beat of the song.

One eye casually glanced open, secretly Mikey hoped someone – anyone – had seen his spectacular performance. "Aooowwww," he cooed, letting his shoulders fall forward, thoroughly disappointed that no one was in the living room to witness his sheer graceful awesomeness.

His attention was quickly drawn to Donatello's abandoned laptop, sitting forgotten at the base of the couch. A snowy screen hissed from the television, but Mikey ignored it. He didn't bother turning it off, instead he scooped up the laptop. He considered what distraction he would find on the internet while figuring with what to do next to fill his day.

Brushing one finger across the touchpad revealed the snap shot of April eating a piece of pizza, taken when she wasn't looking. Mikey was used to the somewhat disturbing desktop picture; after all, he often used Don's laptop. With a quick flick of his finger, he opened the browser, expecting a fresh one, but was surprised to find a half written email in the previously minimized Google Chrome Gmail tab.

Mikey's wide eyes blinked only once. The words were too long to be anything Leonardo would have written, and too complicated for he or Raphael. Mikey was pretty sure neither of them knew what conjugate variables or eigenvector was either. His eyes flicked to the bottom of the screen, littered with words strung together in a fashion that Mikey couldn't decipher.

"MIKEY!"

In response to his name, the orange masked turtle jumped, the laptop leapt as he did so, right out of his hands. Don caught it midair, with a deep scowl on his face. Mikey was so focused on Donnie that he didn't see Leo only a few steps behind.

"Who's Adam?" Mikey asked swiftly, curiosity lacing his voice.

Leo's head swiveled to look at the tall, lanky brother, the conversation they'd been having before completely forgotten. Don's face turned momentarily pink and then rage flashed in his eyes toward Mikey.

"No one. It's nothing." Don snapped the laptop shut, diverting his eyes and whispering his response in passing.

"Donnie…" the questioning tone in Leo's voice drew Don back around. A sheepish hesitancy lingered over Don in that moment.

"Busted." Mikey hummed, playfully, completely unaware of the seriousness of his actions.

"What were you thinking?" Leonardo snapped, but didn't give Don a chance to respond. "You couldn't possibly have been thinking. Because if you had, you would have realized you're being absolutely insane! A human!? You've just been talking to him? A SCIENTIST!?"

"It's not like that, Leo." Don wasn't sure his voice was even audible over the condescending note in his brother's tone. "It's not like I'm telling him where we live, or what we are…what I am. I…" Don's eyes searched the ground and then snapped up to his brother, "he's just my friend."

"No, you're an experiment to him."

"He doesn't know! We only talk online. We're part of this world too, Leo." Don's argument sounded dumb even to him, but it didn't keep him from believing it. "We can hide down here forever. We can fight from the shadows. But…we can't live in solitude forever. That's...well, that's just unreasonable."

"What makes you think this...this man, understands you? Where did you even meet him!? How? I mean, after Bradford, I was certain we'd all learned our lesson."

Don looked down, fumbling for a defense, an offense...something. The fact remained that Leo didn't understand, and likely never would; Don knew this. He wasn't used to be on the end of Leo's pompous, and 'always-by-the-rules', mentality. That was usually Raph's job, moreover Leo, more often than not, was quick to stand up for Mikey and Don when their hot-headed brother wanted a quick target to complain at or about.

"I met him on a forum. We just talked a few times on the board and then on instant messenger. A few emails. Text." Don ignored the size of Leo's eyes as they grew exponentially with each mode of communication. "I...he's been integral in helping me with some of our projects, by the way, working through some of the theory of…stuff. He knows things that you guys could never help me with. He's working on his PhD and has a double undergraduate major in Chemistry and Physics." Don could tell his voice was tight and his words quickly defensive.

Leo's jaw was set, his arms folded over his chest, and his chin tipped down in his most determined stance. "What forum?"

Don cringed, hoping Leo had overlooked that detail. He considered a lie, but settled for the truth. "Uh…remember last year, maybe a little more, when April made that message board for weird sightings around New York. She got that video clip of the Kraang explosion."

"Uh-huh, the one that almost got her killed and the Kraang tried to unleash the mutagen in the water supply – how could I forget?"

"I also got Metalhead from that," Don pointed out, cheerful yet matter-of-factly. Leo's unwavering expression made him recoil. Don frowned. He figured his intelligence was often under appreciated. "Well she closed it down after we had the final showdown with the Kraang. I think it sort of spooked her, the whole Kraang thing. Besides we, temporarily, got Mr. O'Neil back." Leo cleared his throat and Don offered a sheepish, passing laugh realizing he'd been derailed.. "Right, so a few of the active members started their own website. I checked it out from time to time. It was there. Well, from April's board initially, but you get the idea."

Leo just closed his eyes and shook his head. The idea that Don was talking to a human whose agenda was in the supernatural, paranormal, scientifically impossibly 'weird', or otherwise didn't sit well with him.

"Leo, come on. It's me you're talking to. Not Raph or Mikey. I know what I'm doing. I know what a safe distance is and I just," Don's mouth turned into a small, puckered frown, "Adam is my friend."

Leo sighed. "Fine. Just, keep it that way. Safe distance and don't let Mikey know. He doesn't share your discretion. And Don, do not make me regret this."

"You won't tell sensei?!" Don's hands came together as if pleading.

Leo's arms unfolded and his shoulders fell ever so slightly. "No."

Don smiled, relief washing over him. "Thanks, Leo."