Just like ol'times. (tags the Ally, Don and Splinter)

Mikey felt immensely touched by Ally's words. She was right - and he had failed enough as the youngest brother of late - he should have been here for his brothers birthday - he should have dragged Leo and Don in and they should all have been together as they had always been, as brothers and the breakably bonded unit Ally was right in saying they were.

He would not fail his brothers again - he hoped. And never fail to be there for them. And now waiting for Casey to turn up - a choked sort of chuckle overhearing the phone call between Casey and April he was just stepping after Ally as their big sis called her friend. Raph's new friend... though Mikey doubted they could call her that now - it had been obvious all evening that his big rough red clad brother liked the little woman.

His attention followed Ally and he tilts his hear hearing the mans voice and catching some of the conversation, whom did this dude think he was talkin to Ally like that?! And with a soft growl that ruffled her hair as he steps closer to her his plastron to her back he listens on not interrupting, unless he felt Ally became distressed.

April glanced at Mikey, Ally, and back to Leo and Splinter - worried Erica would not answer... but then she did;

Erica wrote:

"April?"

And that was when the red haired woman let her breath out. "Erica... please tell me Raphael is with you." She says at once pressing the button to speaker phone so all could hear the reply.

And it would seem somethings were finally falling into place, Casey would be on his way, as a young woman's voice finally spilled over the phone. With any luck she would be with Raphael and they could all breath easier, and move onto plots about the possible and tentative foot alliance.

He could also head the rude, violent, vile sounding man ontghe line with Ally... And could see Michelangelo was worried about it too. However Splinter moved closer to April to listen.

And Casey was indeed on his way, somewhat disappointed it was not a booty call, but curious, if not a booty call did it mean that something was up?

He took his bike weaving in and out of traffic speeding, his sports bag over his back, loaded, mask on his head, ready for action.

Hearing that April got in touch with Erica. He moved closer to April and waited to hear if Erica was indeed with Raph.

Hopefully Erica was with Raph and the two of them can come back, they would just need to call Don and tell him to come back as well.

Erica wrote:

"April... yes Raphael is with me, and so is Donatello - April we're ... we're in captiv"

"Ee! - what? Ee!" April called into a now dead phone - the tone dialing then ending and the mechanical voice announcing that the person she had been trying to call was either out of range or had turned off the phone. "No!" April frantically tried dialing Erica again and as the same cold mechanical voice sounds she looked up at Leo. "Captiv.... she couldn't mean captivity? captured?"

And that thought frightened her - both for their green brothers and for Erica... most here understood what happened to young women in any sort of captive situation. And their green brothers?!

She tried Erica again - hoping Casey would be here soon - hoping Erica's phone had just gone flat and she would be back soon with apologies for the cut short call and assure them she and the two other brothers Raph and Don were just captivated by a beautiful view over the city or something!

It had finally seemed they may be getting an answer - or a clue. Angel followed Leo over and listened as he did as April spoke to this other girl. No sort of preamble just straight on to where their missing team member where currently.

She had a inkling of what was going through April's mind - it went through her own but she was more pessimistic about it and immediately was concerned for Don and Raph.. and the girl.

Like Angel, Leo thought the worst. Now they were looking for two brothers it seemed. But where to start looking? There might have been a possibility of tracking Erica's phone, but he didn't think you could do that if the phone was dead. Maybe Don had something that was trackable. He looked over at April.

Do you know if Don has anything, GPS? Or something? Something we can track him down with? We might also need some help.... Other then Casey, and you girls. Not that you girls aren't amazing! But the more skilled people we have to help the better. I think...We can call in a favor with Mikko and Lazarus.

But they couldn't wait too long for people. Who knew what was happening to their brothers! He looked at Mike.

What do you think, Mike?

"I like the idea of getting more help - what about Leatherhead?" Mikey agrees still waiting anxiously by Ally he had not at all enjoyed the way her 'brother' had spoken to her over the phone. If they had of been in person he might have decked him - hard... with a nunchuck... though if doing so would have upset Ally maybe not.

He spares a glance at April and Angel smiling and hoping April had something they could use to track Don and Raph with.

Splinter listened, ears turning to April and Leo and Angel mostly making a hmph noise of fought, "before we act any further we need to reestablish contact with this young Erica and confirm the status of your brothers Leonardo and Michelangelo if things are bad then seek out extra allies." He checks the wall clock it was about nine thirty, late.

But not too late so he takes a seat at the table, ready to wait.

Hopefully shortly tey would know one way or another and make more firm plans for actions.

Casey made sure to park his bike in the cafe across the ways bike and scooter parks grumbling a bit when upon dismounting his mask slipped off his head and clattered noisily to the ground.

Reclaiming it quickly and ensuring his weapons pack - other wise known as a golf caddy bag had all his head bashing gear once more even if he knew it was all there and heading into April's apartment through the shop floor entry announcingbhis arrival in loud fashion as usual by all but banging open the apartment door "I'm here! What was so important - but is not a booty call and required pants?" His voice loud taking in all, there was Leo and Splinter, Angel! Christ she had grown! He made his way towards her for welcome home hugs. Mikey was here and his date... Whoa what had happened to her? Casey hoped the dude that brushed her so got a Mikey ass kicking.

Not once did he suspect the goofball turtle was responsible.

There was his April, so beautiful.

I'm sure erica would have found another phone to call us on is something was really bad, right?

seeing as Erica had not called them back, maybe his brothers weren't in that much trouble. Wishful thinking he was sure. But why wouldn't the girl find another way? Unless she too was in trouble. so how did they find out when they had no idea where to start looking?

When Casey came in Leo shook his head and folded his arms.

Raph and Don are missing. he informed their human friend. We got a call but it ended before we got any information.

Shaking her head. "Normally Erica would have Leo, I know her, I've baby sat her - if she can't get in touch that way for some reason she would try another - unless she can't." And if their fears Donatello, Erica and Raphael were in some sort of captive situation the girl might not be able to communicate.

But maybe she would find away soon and they would know more. April sighs and goes to get Casey a beer flicking the kettle on as she did so if they were planing around the table they would have a hot/ or quick drink whilst at it. Both Angel and Ally looked like they could use something that had caffeine in it.

Ally was used to that kind of talk from her brother, but it hurt none the less. She could only stand there for a moment after her brother hung up, feeling incredibly numb. He hadn't given her a chance to answer. Of course he had no way of knowing what she had been through and if he had.. would it make a difference?


She tried to shrug it off, managing a small reassuring smile at Mike as she slid the phone into the pocket of borrowed clothes. A new guy had arrived, obviously another friend of the Turtles. She had been so occupied with listening to her brother scream at her that she hadn't caught if a plan had been made...


"So, are we forming search parties?"

"Anyway we could leave her a message if this is the case?" splinter suggest to the room at large ears turning to the window to listen to the ambient noise of the ever active, if quiet street outside. "In her room? Or something?" All being well his ears turn back to the room giving all his full attention, somewhat amused by Casey's entrance.

He smiles kindly at Ally, "I think so, unless we can contact this Erica and have to make other plans." He nods.

"Ya all sure that Red and the Nerd have not gone to a hang out to chill? And whose this Erica?" Casey asks heading to the fridge for a beer and making a very unmanly noise when he discovers the stock almost gone, about two left... Damn Hothead owed him!

He takes one and pops the top off gulping some and with a belch waves at the smoking hot lil blond he had seen with Mikey at that dude Gabe's place and grabbed Angel in a tight bear hug. "Welcome home by the way." He says.

Angel shrugs at Ally's question casting a grin at Splinter before being crushed in a vigilante bear hug. Which she tried to return as tightly as possible glad to discover she had grown so much in the months away she was a inch or so shorter than the masked vigilante. It was a familiar coming home sort of feeling. "Thanks Case Man - it's good to see you too." She patted his back waiting for him to withdraw -

and now answering Ally as she had intended to before the hug, "I think we are just trying to double check with Erica before deciding on parties - but Mikey suggested before the mutants of us head up rooftops and humans split into groups - so yeah could be... depending on if we get in touch with the Erica and what if anything we learn..."

Or at least that's what she thought.

(( brief cameo from !! : Muddied Waters. ))

She hurried up stairs to the apartment leaving Bonesteel to the care of her grandmother and her father for the moment and moving to the kitchen window that was directly across from Aprils and using the emergency flash light signalling across to April. It was a signal they agreed on - something between friends of old that was mostly harmless fun but now she was using it to signal the older woman for real. Moving the light in a deliberate square shape starting at top right 'corner' and across then down and across, and up again.

Waiting.

~~

Over in the neighboring apartment April saw the light flood in suddenly and she - what ever else she had been about to say to Leo forgotten with a "It's Erica!" she hurries to the window grabbing her own flash light to signal back prescribing the same square ... then three flashes to ask Erica if it was clear...

One of them, maybe Leo or Mikey should have to hop over to the neighboring apartment to talk to her. "Erica's home... and " there three flashes and then a forth after a pause. "It's clear over there - she's alone, one of yous want to go over to talk to her?" She ask looking from Leo to Mikey and Splinter.

Leo was starting to get a bit antsy when April started communicating to someone via flashlight. Then she informed everyone that it was Erica and she was alone at home. Leo was quick to volunteer to go over there.

I'll be right back. He told them. He also wondered why Erica didn't come over and talk to them herself. Was she being watched? Followed? He would have to be careful.

Leo quickly left April's place through an open window and made his way swiftly to Erica. He checked his surroundings before entering Erica's building, seeing that everything was clear, or seemingly so, he met up with the woman inside.

Receiving the message from April to stand clear of the window Erica unlocked it and stepped back waiting, unsure of whom was coming. Was it Mikey?

No, the mutant turtle whom entered had the same so very blue - but more icy than baby blue color, but blue non the less eyes, but was... taller and his physique was again different to that she had noted from Raphael, Michelangelo and Donatello. This all she noted before the blue bandana he wore. "Leonardo." She greets a little nervous with having let him straight into the kitchen of her family home... and tired. So tired. She gestured for him to follow. "Come - I am sorry my phone cut off early it went flat. I know I left you all worried for yours brothers Raphael and Donatello... and you should be..." And right so, the dress she was wearing was splattered and stained with Raphael's blood, and flecks of hardened dental cement a back pack on her back. She was leading towards her room Raphael's dew rag in her hands carrying the broken peices of Raphael's shell and plastron.

Had she been less tired she may have been aware he would be able to smell the lingering scent of his hotheaded larger brother clinging to her, like a coat. and the faint whiffs of Donatello and Venus. She left the door to her room open for Leo to follow heading for her dresser and no time to be shy she pulls out her small collection of underwear - all bras and undies shades of red... and carefully placed within the empty space the shell and plastron bits. "Your brothers have been captured by a bounty hunter and turned over to Docter Baxter Stockman."

Once Leo was inside Erica's place he picked up the scent of his brothers on her. He wasn't sure if that was a good sign on not. She knew where they were, but how bad in shape where they? He followed her to her room. Of course he noticed her clothing, though he did his best not to stare. Hearing that his brothers had been captured, Leo's heart sank.

I've heard of the name. But, you know where they are then? are they...ok? Can you lead us to them?

Now Leo was eager to get his family out of whatever hell they had been put in. The sooner they got Raph and Don out the better. He hadn't picked up on the female's scent though.

I think we should gather some help then head to where they are and get them out tonight.

She was plugging in her phone as Leo spoke them plucking the little box of hair ties off her dress top she begins sorting her cloths from her dresser and closet talking as she does so, not bothering to tell Leo to sit or anything, he was a big boy and could decide for himself sides she had little time, she had to shower, change and go back down stairs to finish dinner with Bonesteel and her father and Grandmother then head back to the Lab.

"I cannot take yous to the lab - I can however tell you where it is. And Raphael is in no condition to be moved - I had to cement his carapace and plastron together, it will take a couple of days for it to be truly set and provide him strength and stability to be able to fight with yours in an escape. And he has lost blood he will need rest... unless yous plan to carry him out." She spoke without looking at Leo rolling into tight rolls a few sets of cloths and using a hair tie about each lot to keep it rolled tight, stuffing these into her back pack. "Donatello is fine - though the drugs in his system will not be fully clear for at least twenty four hours still and that may impair senses, reflexes and or cognitive processing." She tells Leo all this reaching under her bed to grab the large suitcase and stuff the rest of her cloths and shoes in which for a girl surprisingly was not a great lot. All except a pair of leggings and a loose tunic top easily fitting into the case and she zips it shut dragging it to the window and glancing out she simply shoves it out to the street below. "I need to return to Raphael," She did not elaborate further on that note, not wanting to seem too anxious in the separation. "And I may end up not being able to leave the lab again - so I'll do what I can on the inside to help but it will be limited... um does your t phone have a gps? I'll put the location of the lab in it for you." She pulls her window shut turning back to look at Leo waiting for him to give her his phone.

Well that sucked. Leo didn't really understand why she couldn't lead them to the location, if she was going back anyway. Then she explained that Raph and Don couldn't be moved right now. Well that only made him worry more! But he would trust Erica, she knew what was going on in the inside, and if she said they couldn't be moved, then Leo would just take that time to form a more suitable plan.

Uh, yes! All the phones do. He reached into his belt and pulled out his phone then handed it to her.

and though she may not have wanted to seem to anxious about being away from Raph, it showed in her voice. Do you know what this Stockman person has planed for them? And how did one hunter get both Raph and Don? What's this hunter's name?

"Well Raphael was captured at least twelve hours before Donatello, Raphael also was sedated, but also was harpooned with spears, he was in a bad shape -" Her breath caught briefly as she takes the phone and brings up the maps to type in and save the labs address as favorite. Without her intervention, Leatherhead's donation... Raphael would have died. "Leatherhead has been to the lab if yous need him to take yous there personally - he went there to bring me some of his blood to give Raphael. Also... he may be able to introduce yous to Slash... yous may need his muscle." She explains and saving the information for Leo holds back out his phone. She wanted Slash on the inside but it may not happen if she was not allowed to leave the lab once she returned.

"Well not sure what Doctor Baxter Stockman wants really - but there is three japanese scientists and they have a female mutant turtle, there is intentions to breed one or both your brothers to her... I guess to study the offspring... in any case depending how long a rescue takes yous may need to bare in mind there could be a gravid female turtle and or eggs to be taken too." She warns Leo of this looking about her very clean room. "And Mr Simone Bonesteel was the one to capture your brothers, he also caught the little female for the japanese men from what I understand and may be looking to track down Leatherhead. He may be one lone man but do not underestimate him he knows his work... only too well." She shakes her head. "I can't stay long - I have to shower and leave - um I will try to have my phone on me but probably wont be able to use it much. Come I'll take you back to the kitchen window..." She gestures... and so tired she sways a little on her feet for a moment.

That was a lot to take in. There was a hunter after him, giving them to some scientist, for breeding? There was a female turtle? Where did she come from? He would be contacting Leatherhead, and who ever this Slash was. it seemed the more the better.

Leo had more questions, where in the building where they being kept? What kind of cage where they in? what was the security like? But it seemed Erica was eager to get him out of there so that she could go back.

He took his phone back and followed her to the kitchen. When she swayed he grabbed her shoulders to steady her.

You sure you should go back? Maybe you should rest first. He let her go and looked at her concerned. They aren't doing anything to you over there, are they?