Okay, sorry this took so long. I do apologize. But, this story is finally finished. I'm not to thrilled with it as it seems a little too mushy but now that it's done, I can work on several other stories that I have going and one other plot bunny that had surfaced as of late. I swear, if the writer's for the TMNT ever asked any of the fans for story lines for the comics and cartoons, they would end up with more plots than they could handle. As always, I don't own 'em. But, if the opportunity ever presents itself, you can bet your sweet bippy I'll jump at the chance. Read and Review please.

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Splinter sat on the porch swing, watching and waiting. Quietly the old chains that held the wooden bench let out a rhythmic squeak as they moved. The old rat smiled as he watched his son and considered past events. His grin widened as he saw the pair that had been off in the distance finally get up.

Still giggling, Raphael brushed himself off and then offered his hand to April, helping her up. April grabbed the now empty glasses and stood up. Arms over each others shoulders, they strolled up to the front porch, laughing all the way.

Happy for the opportunity to finally talk to his son, Splinter gripped tightly to the red wrapped package that was sitting in his lap. It was decorated with a simple silver bow.

Finally at the porch, Raphael and April stopped. She looked over at her friend and then at her adoptive father. She gave Raphael's hand a reassuring squeeze and walked up the steps to the door, leaving the turtle behind. Stopping by the swing, she placed her hand on Splinter's shoulder and spoke. "I'll come get you both when dinner is ready."

Splinter nodded and squeezed her hand with his, "thank you child."

"Your welcome dad," she whispered and walked inside.

Splinter turned his attention to his son.

Raphael was still standing on the steps. Arms folded, he was leaning on one of the white pillars. His sideways grin still on his face, he took a few steps up and sat on the swing with his father.

Splinter didn't speak right away. He gave Raphael a chance to get comfortable. The swing squeaked under his weight and gave out a little wiggle as he shifted. Turning, Splinter saw Raphael slouched down and leaning into the corner of the hanging bench, his hands folded across his plastron. Lightly, his feet brushed the wooden floor, just enough to push the swing back and forth.

"It's nice out here," Raphael finally uttered.

"Yes," Splinter agreed. "It is." He turned and stared at Raphael. "I take it you are feeling better?"

"Yes sir," he nodded and sat up a little. "I'm sorry about all the trouble I caused," he shifted over, closer to his father. Sighing, Raphael leaned his head on Splinter's shoulder. "I miss her."

"I'm sure you do," Splinter acknowledged. He brought his left paw up and rubbed at Raphael's cheek as it continued to rest on his shoulder. "I would like for you to tell me about her one day," he paused for a moment. "When you are ready."

"I will," Raphael agreed. He let out a sigh and shut his eyes, using only his ears to observe his surroundings. Crickets had started chirping, indicating the final start of spring. A light breeze rustled through the tree tops as it pushed away the remaining clouds, lagging behind from the morning's rain. All the sounds helped to relax him even more. "Sensei?" he finally asked.

"Yes Raphael?"

"Why don't we ever just stay here?" The large turtle sat up and gave his father a serious look. "Why do we keep going back to the city?"

"As pleasant an idea as that is Raphael," Splinter patted his son's knee. "I believe you would become bored if you remained here long enough." He let out a small chuckle as he thought of what might happen with four very energetic sons and nothing to keep them occupied. "I know that you enjoy the quiet here," he continued. "It is a good place to come and think, relax," he looked at Raphael. "Find things you thought were missing," he grinned. "But," he stated matter of factly. "I know you my son. You enjoy the lights and noises of the city far too much to stay away."

Raphael let out an amused 'humph' at his father's observation. He leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees and once more used his toes to cause the swing to move. "You're right," he agreed. "I guess if I were out here all the time, this place wouldn't be so special anymore."

Splinter nodded in agreement and sat silent for a moment longer. His whiskers twitched as the breeze flowed across the porch and rustled his fur. "Raphael."

"Yes sir?" Raphael looked up from his position.

Splinter looked him in the eye and softened his gaze. "I love you my son."

Raphael leaned over and wrapped his arms around Splinter, the old rat returning the embrace. "Love you too dad," Raphael whispered in the ninja masters ear. He held onto his father and nuzzled his face in Splinter's soft fur. He let out a small chuckle as it tickled his skin. Finally, Raphael let go and leaned back, his hands resting in his lap. "So," he looked over expectantly at the red package. "Is that for me?"

Splinter laughed and passed it over. "Of course. You may open it now if you wish."

Hurriedly, Raphael tore into the wrapping to find a worn leather journal underneath. He couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, thinking that this was simply another book for him to write in, but he smiled, said thank-you and flipped through the pages. It was then that he noticed the book was already full. "It's already been written in?" he asked as he skimmed the words written down.

"Yes," Splinter leaned over and gently picked up the book, looking intently at the entries he had written over the years. "When you four were little," he started to explain. "It did not take me long to see how different you all were. And," he emphasized. "How you were all the same. I did not want to forget a moment of what you learned, first words, trials, celebrations. For each of you, growing up was a different process. So," he clutched the book tightly to his chest as he thought of his sons in their younger years. "One night I was scavenging around an old book store. I was lucky enough to find four journals, all empty, and began keeping one on all of you. A chronicle of your life of sorts. Leonardo already has his book, and now you have yours. Donatello and Michelangelo will receive theirs as well, when the time is right." He passed the book back and placed Raphael's hands on top of it. "There is a letter in the back, for you from me," he patted the turtle's hand. "You may open it whenever you are ready to."

"Thank you," Raphael whispered. He felt honored that his father did this for him, that he thought so far ahead. He tried very hard not to let himself cry, but one tear did escape. Quickly he wiped it away and let out a little sniff. "Been crying way too much lately," he muttered.

Splinter said nothing; he just let the comment go and enjoyed the private moment he and Raphael were sharing.

Two figures sat on the front porch and watched the sun set over the tree tops. The crickets chirped loudly as they heralded the onset of evening, the day was coming to a peaceful end. Rocking lazily on the swing, they turned their attention to the front door as it let out a creak. April peeked around the corner with a smile on her face. "Dinner's ready," she said simply.

An hour and half later, everyone was sitting around the table plates empty, laughing and talking.

"Dinner was great Mike," Raphael spoke up as he rubbed his stomach. "Thanks."

"I'll say," remarked Donatello. He looked the remaining bit of food on his plate. "I hate to leave that last bite."

Mischievously, Casey leaned across the table, stabbing the piece of meat with his fork and popping it in his mouth.

"Hey!" Donatello blurted out in surprise. "I was going to eat that!"

"Sorry man," Casey chuckled as he swallowed his bite down with a drink of tea. "Where Mikey's cooking is concerned, you snooze you loose."

Donatello's face did not reveal any amusement as everyone else laughed. With no other course of action, all he could think of to do was stick his tongue out at Casey.

"Okay guys," Leonardo interrupted, still laughing at his brother's face. "Casey, April," he turned his head and eyed the two humans. "You want to take the birthday boy into the front room. Don and I will help take care of the dishes and then we'll be out with his cake."

Usually stuck with doing the dishes at home, Raphael wasn't about to argue with the arrangement. Happily, he walked into the other room with his two friends.

Casey plopped himself down on the end of the couch as April sat on the arm of the sofa. Snuggling up, Casey put his right arm around her waist and slid over a little closer.

Raphael got comfortable in the arm chair across from the couple.

"So Raph," Casey spoke up. "Who was Mrs. Morrison? Leo said she was an older lady you used to visit but not much more."

"Casey," April scolded as she noticed the slight look of apprehension on Raphael's face. "He might not want to talk about her right now."

Raphael sat up and look over at his green bag in the corner and back over at his friends. Quietly, he got up and walked over to pick up his sack. Taking a place on the couch next to the couple, he opened it up and pulled out a small object. "This is her," he said as he passed over a picture in a small frame. Mrs. Morrison was sitting in her chair with Lucy curled up in her arms, a smile gracing her face. "I kind of took that from her house after she died," he shrugged his shoulders.

"She looks like she was a nice person," April observed as she looked at the picture.

"Kind of like my gram," Casey added and passed the photo back. "Nice picture, when did she have that done?"

"I took it last year, about this same time," Raphael admitted.

"You?" April questioned.

"Yeah," Raphael smiled back and nodded. Again he reached into his bag and began fishing around as he talked. "She was a photojournalist for a while. She traveled the world and saw all sorts of stuff. Then she lost her sight and couldn't do it anymore," his voice softened and he pulled out another object, the one he didn't want anyone else to see, and passed it off. "She gave me her camera stuff and I've been taking some pictures with it." He leaned back and looked at the couple next too him. "I don't know if the one's I've taken are any good," he shrugged his shoulders and watched as Casey carefully inspected the small piece of equipment. Holding his hands out as Casey passed it back, he continued talking. "She tried to explain everything to me as best as she could but….." his voice trailed off. Solemnly he looked at the camera. Turning it over, studying it, he smiled.

"Have you gotten any of the pictures developed?" April asked as she moved next to him on the couch.

Raphael just shook his head 'no.'

"Why not?" Casey asked. "We could take 'em to the store and have it done for you."

Again Raphael shook his head. "I took some of my brothers when they weren't looking. I don't think people need to see those." He carefully set the camera down on the table and kept talking, mainly thinking out loud to himself. "I guess," he tapped at his chin and chewed at his lower lip. "Maybe I could set up a dark room or something in the lair." He looked over at April and asked, "You think you and Donnie could help me with that?"

"You bet," April answered.

"Hey Babe?" Casey piped up.

April glared at the remark but only for a second.

"The garage called and you van is ready."

April cringed, steadying herself for the financial bomb that was about to drop. "How much?"

"Umm…." Casey hesitated for a moment. "$750."

Raphael's head turned from Casey and over to look at April. She had her head in her hands and let out a long breath.

"We don't have that much," she finally whispered.

Without even thinking about it, Raphael reached into a side pocket of his army bag and pulled out a roll of green paper. Grabbing April's hand, he pushed money into it and closed her fingers around it. "Here," he said. "There's $800 in there so that should cover it."

"Raph," she shook her head. "I can't take this. It's too much."

Casey had a look of shock on his face and had to ask. "Where did you get that kind of cash?"

"Raphael," April was still trying to give the money back. "This is the money Mrs. Morrison left you isn't it."

"Some of it," he explained. "She said it was mine to do what I wanted with it," he pushed her hand back. "I want to pay the repair bill with it so I'm not taking it back. I'll just end up with more next month. Besides," he hung his head guiltily. "It's better than what I had planned to do with it anyway."

"What was that?" Casey asked. He leaned forward and looked to the side, trying to catch Raphael's eye. He gave a nudge, trying to get his friend to answer.

"Leave," Raphael whispered.

The three sat silently for a moment. No one really knew what to say to that comment. Raphael stared at the floor, his eyes following the wood grain under his toes.

Casey looked over his friend's shell at April and placed his hand on her shoulder. With a nod of his head, he indicated for her to leave the room and go to the kitchen. Agreeing, April quietly got up and left. Raphael watched as she walked away.

"Wouldn't have worked."

"What?" Raphael turned around, surprised.

"I would have found you," Casey stated flatly. "Leaving wouldn't have worked."

Raphael said nothing, just leaned back into the couch cushions.

Casey sat back as well and folded his hands behind his head. "So where were you thinking?" he looked over. "Somewhere south, right?"

Raphael looked over, "Yeah."

"I figured," Casey looked back. Facing forward again, Casey nudged his friend with his elbow. "You gonna' be okay?"

"You really would have come after me?" Raphael gave a quizzical look. "Why?"

Casey looked over, slightly surprised. "You're kidding right?"

Raphael shook his head 'no.'

"Hello!" Casey gave him a playful knock on the head. "Best buds, remember?" He grinned wide. "I have been thinking though."

"That's a dangerous thing." Raphael received another knock to the head and held his hands up in defeat. "Okay," he conceded. "Seriously, what were you thinking about?"

Casey continued staring forward, out the window. "Maybe next month we should take the bikes out," he looked over and finished his sentence. "I could take a few days off."

"What?" Raphael looked over. "Like a road trip?"

"Yeah," Casey answered. "I was thinking we could follow the shoreline south. See how far we could get in a couple days and then turn around and head home."

"When?"

"Hmmmm……" Casey tapped at his chin. "It's the end of March so how about the first week of May?" He turned his head to the side. "Sound good to you?"

"Works for me," Raphael grinned, looking forward to the idea of the open road with no real destination in mind. His meanderings were cut short when the lights went out and voices began singing 'Happy Birthday.' In the end, the one that stood out was Michelangelo's off key verse of "you like a monkey and smell like one too." It was promptly followed by and "OW!" as he nursed a thump to the head by Donatello.

"Sheesh," Michelangelo muttered as he placed the 'cake' in front of his brother. "Try to jazz up a tired classic and that's the thanks I get," he cut an impish grin at Donatello. Smiling wide, he turned his attention back to Raphael. "Alright bro'," he instructed as he placed the sweet treat in front of Raphael. "Make a wish and blow out the candles."

Raphael rolled his eyes at the suggestion but decided to humor his little brother. He looked around at his family as they smiled back at him, nodding; he knew what to wish for. Taking in a deep breath, he exhaled, blowing out the candles on the first try. Lights returning, Raphael got a good look at his cake and realized it wasn't a traditional birthday cake. He turned and grinned wide to the family cook, "Cheesecake?"

"Yep," Michelangelo beamed proudly. "I remembered once how you said it was your favorite." As happy as he was to see his brother's smile, Michelangelo was also a bit impatient. "Hurry up and cut the darn thing," he passed over a knife and set a stack of plates on the coffee table. "You got presents to open."

Raphael obliged and soon everyone was settled in comfortably, desert and coffee in hand as they talked, laughed and watched Raphael open his birthday gifts.

Living in the sewers with little to no money at times, it had become a bit of a tradition for the brothers to make gifts for each other. From Leonardo, he received a new stand for his sai. Proudly, Raphael held up the small wooden base with backing on it. It had four pegs on the slat of wood for him to hang his sai on. It was painted red around the edging with a gold trim. "Thanks Leo," he whispered to the brother on his left.

As soon as he set it down, Donatello reached across the coffee table to hand off a rather large box. "This is from me," he said.

"Hey!"

"And Casey helped," Donatello added.

"Okay," Raphael looked a little unsure and the words scary combination could be heard in his mutterings. Upon opening the large box and gave his brother a quizzical look. "My helmet?"

"Yeah," Donatello confirmed. "But," he held up a finger and pointed to the inside. "I installed a connection on your bike for an ipod. Now, when your riding down the road," he took the helmet from Raphael and flipped it over and pointed to a small opening for a plug. "There's a remote on your helmet that's placed on a low frequency, the same as your bike," he added excitedly. "So now you can plug in your ipod and listen to your favorite music." Eyes wide, Donatello looked over at Raphael. "Cool huh?"

"Yeah Don," Raphael smiled. "Very cool." He kept silent that he didn't have the necessary electronics to make the enhancement useable.

"This is from Casey and I," April nudged him and passed over a small box. "I know that you guys make each other's gifts but….." she shrugged her shoulders. "When Don told us what he wanted to do, I thought this might be more practical."

Raphael opened the package to find what he was lacking to make Donatello's gift work. "Sweet!" he exclaimed. "Thanks guys," he grinned.

"Okay," Michelangelo interrupted. "Time for mine." Ceremoniously, and with theme music that resembled the sounds of Pomp and Circumstance, Michelangelo handed over his wrapped gift.

Curious and somewhat concerned as to what was in the package, Raphael carefully opened it. Inside was a wooden frame that had been stained a red hue and polished to a deep shine. A quote from Jack Johnson had been painted in black around the edging. 'Words fall short, they can't see the unseen.' Raphael gave Michelangelo a questioning look.

"Okay," Michelangelo stuttered as he back up a bit, holding his hands. "I didn't mean to really," his voice rose in pitch along with his nervousness. "It's just that you were always carrying that green bag around and I got curious as to what was in it so I looked."

Raphael's eyes went into small slits at the indication that his privacy had been violated.

"I saw the camera," Michelangelo took a step back as Raphael stood up and began walking around the table. "I figured you were taking pictures and would want a frame to put one in." Sheepishly, he gave his best puppy dog look to Raphael, hoping to ward off his impending doom. Michelangelo let out his usual girly scream as Raphael grabbed for him.

Surprisingly, Michelangelo found himself the recipient of a hug from Raphael. "Thanks Bro'," Raphael whispered in his brother's ear. Breathing a sigh of relief, Michelangelo relaxed and returned the hug only to find himself in a light choke hold a few seconds later as a noogie was applied to his head. "Stay outta my stuff from now on, 'kay?"

Nodding in agreement, Michelangelo was released.

For the next few hours or so, the family talked about the plans for the following week. Michelangelo announced that he had a new recipe to try and Casey and Raphael made plans to 'go bust some heads' only to be chastised by both April and Leonardo for being both foolhardy and impulsive. After some time had passed, it was evident everyone was becoming tired, especially the three brothers after being kept awake all night by the local wildlife. Exhausted from the long day, everyone began to make the trek upstairs to bed, except one.

"Raphael?" Splinter placed his paw in the turtle's shoulder. "It is late," he indicated to the stairs. "You should get some sleep."

"I will Sensei," Raphael nodded. He stretched out on the now empty couch and smiled up at his father. "I'm kind of comfortable here. I was thinking I would just sleep on the couch."

"Of course," Splinter nodded and pulled the quilt off the back of the old piece of furniture. Gracefully, he flipped it out and let the heavy fabric fall over Raphael. Leaning down, the old rat patted Raphael on the side of the face and smiled. "Goodnight my son."

"Goodnight," came a tired reply.

Raphael was almost asleep when he heard the stairs creak. A set of footsteps tried to quietly come down. His body now alert, he laid still and gingerly fingered the sai at his side, waiting to find out who was there.

"Hey Raph," Casey whispered.

Surprised, Raphael opened his eyes and let out a disgruntled "what?"

"Look," Casey continued to whisper as he pulled out a small white box. "I know you don't do the whole touchy feely thing and neither do I so," he looked at the small package in his hand and smiled. "Here, happy birthday you psycho."

"Thanks lunkhead," Raphael replied. He waited until Casey was out of sight before he opened the box. Inside were two letters. The first one he opened was from Casey.

Dear Raph

When I turned 18, my mom gave me this present from my dad. It was a purple heart from his time in the military. She told me that he had written the letter that was with it before I was born. Mom also said that she and dad had planned on having more kids but he passed away before that could happen. I guess when he wrote the letter and placed it in the box with the Purple Heart; he also did one for the bronze start he received. It was supposed to go to the next kid. I like to think that if I had a brother he would be just like you, 'cause that's how I think of you, like a brother. Anyway, I wish dad were still alive because I think he would be proud to know you. Happy birthday,

Casey.

Curious, Raphael lifted the second piece of paper to see the aforementioned bronze star nestled carefully in pieces of folded up tissue paper. Opening the letter from Casey's dad, he read,

Dear son,

I am writing this long before you were born but please know that I love you and am proud of you. I am giving you this medal not because I want you to know what I have done or because I want you to be proud of me. I give it to you in the hopes that it will serve as a reminder that no matter how bad things are, there are still those who stand for what it is right and whose principles can't be compromised. If anything else, I hope that as you go about your life you will remember that family, love, and self respect are everything. All the luxuries in life can't replace the comfort that friends and family bring.

Love Dad.

Smiling, Raphael remembered the note from Splinter and quickly turned to the back of his book and tore into the envelope. His eyes teared up as he read the words from his father. There were mentions of struggles that Raphael had worked through, times when he gave of himself for his family and how proud Splinter was. Tired but happy, Raphael placed the letter back at the end of the book and clutched it to his chest as he fell asleep, contented with his place in the world.

The next morning Splinter woke up and carefully crept downstairs. He smiled as his eyes were met with the sight of Raphael snoring loudly on the couch, his arm dangling down, resting on Michelangelo's shell. Donatello and Leonardo both were asleep in the two opposing chairs, curled up their blankets. Quietly, he crept over and picked up Raphael's camera.

One year later:

Raphael and Donatello emerged from Raphael's darkroom, his latest print in hand.

"I think that's your best one yet," Donatello exclaimed as he admired the picture of the city, brick rooftops overlapping each other as the sun tried it's best to push its way through the smog.

"You think so?" Raphael asked as he set the picture down next to the frame Michelangelo had given him a year ago. A picture of him and his brothers all asleep in the living room of the farm house was placed inside.

"Definitely," Donnatello assured him.

Looking around, Raphael became worried. "Where are they?" he asked as he looked at the clock. "We're supposed to meet Casey and April in an hour."

As if on cue, Michelangelo and Leonardo walked in from their trek to the comic store, bags in hand.

"What took you guys so long?" Raphael asked impatiently.

"Sorry," Leonardo shrugged, a sheepish grin adorning his face. "I couldn't decide which graphic novels to get this time." Hurriedly, he and Michelangelo rushed to their room to leave their packages and head to the warehouse with the rest of their family.

"We should have been there twenty minutes ago," Raphael grumbled over the speaker in his helmet.

"Calm down Raph," Leonardo chastised as he pulled up behind his brother's bike. Both of them parked in a dirt area on the side of the road. April and Casey were already waiting, a metal contraption attached to the top of her van.

"Whatever," Raphael grumbled as he turned his bike off. Quickly, he and his brothers walked over to April and Casey to help take the items off the top of the van. Splinter stood in the back and watched, happy to observe.

When they were through, Leonardo stepped back and gave a concerned look to his father. "I still say this is dangerous," he muttered as he leaned over. Splinter just chuckled.

"See you guys at the bottom," Raphael yelled as he took a run to cliff, leaping off the mountainside. His form and the hang glider he was attached to floated around in the sky, a 'yee-friggin-haw' followed his leap.

Splinter chuckled at the sight and climbed into the van to begin the ride to the bottom of the mountain.

"What's so funny?" Leonardo asked.

"When was the last time you yelled 'yee-haw?"