*Well, this lasted a wee bit longer than I thought it would, but that doesn't surprise me. This really IS about as uncomplicated as I get. I will definitely do some more of this "prequel" to my normal story-line down the road, but for now, I have to bid you adieu with this chapter. I'm over half-way through posting Redemption, and uh...I'm only 9 chapters into my follow-up fic, "Refuge". Unless I want to leave people waiting 6 months in between (they don't like that for some reason), I need to get back to pounding the pavement. If you're ever really bored, my normal story-line starts with "Of Hope & New Faces". It was my first fic as a newbie, and I didn't "know" everyone that well...but it does set an important foundation. Thanks so much for reading, and reviewing. Your encouragement keeps this author's head spinning with new (and more complicated) story-lines. Peace out.

Leonardo had a hard time maintaining his composure as he sat on the opposite end of the couch from April, and watched the red-headed woman laugh in a way he'd never heard her lose it before. She seemed to be trying to say something, but it took a few seconds for her to form a complete sentence.

"So... what did you do with his clothes?"

"Threw them away," he replied smoothly, and took a calm sip of his tea. "He won't need them where he's going. Strike three - he's out."

"I just can't picture...I had no idea your Master would go along with something like that."

"You met the guy, April, you know what he's like. He's lucky we didn't take turns pummeling him; we all wanted to."

April buried her head in her hands as laughter bubbled back up through her chest. "I would have given anything to see how the arresting officers reacted to finding him!"

"We saved them the trouble of performing a strip search," he replied as straight-faced as he could.

"Stop! You're going to kill me, Leo, I can't breathe!"

"He got off easy. Mikey wanted to take it a lot further than tossing the guy's clothes."

"Not bad for a night's work, huh?"

The blue-masked turtle chuckled. "One night, April? We've been lying in wait for them for days...but it did end up being worth it."

"You sure turned the tables on them. How are the katanas?"

Leonardo drew one part way out of the sheathes that were resting on the coffee table. "Dirty, and a little dinged up...but it's still nice to have them back." He gazed at the weapons for a few seconds, and then gave April a serious look. "I want you to understand how much I appreciate everything you did. You helped the guys find me a lot faster than they would have, and I don't think I would be here otherwise. We're really lucky to have you, April."

She took a shaky breath, and suddenly appeared to be on the verge of tears. "I think I'm the lucky one, Leo. This entire city is better off for having all of you in it. I hope you never forget that."

Leonardo shook his head. "You're a good friend."

The woman smiled. "Takes one to know one."

Leonardo turned his head as he heard the kitchen door open, and watched his Sensei enter the living area. The rat paused to graze his shoulder as he went by the back of the couch.

"It is late, and these bones are tired. Good night, Leonardo, April-chan."

"You don't need anything else, Sensei?"

Onyx eyes gazed at Leonardo warmly. "No, my son. Perhaps training could resume tomorrow afternoon. I do not think your brothers are ready to settle down yet."

The blue-masked turtle chuckled. "I'm sure there won't be any complaints, Master. Good night."

April wasn't much longer for their world either. Leonardo took the liberty of walking the woman back to the surface where she could get a cab, and enjoyed the peaceful moments of contemplation he had on the way back to the Den.

I thought it would be harder to just turn them over to the police than it was. But knowing we did the right thing with them...I think it feels better than taking out our aggression would have. Besides...we're not like them. We don't behave like wild animals; we wouldn't be able to live with ourselves if we did.

By the time he got home most of the lights were off, and only the faint glare of the TV was illuminating the living area. He walked in on the strange sight of Raphael bent over their youngest brother, who was sacked out on the couch.

"Uh...what are you doing, Raph?"

"Shh," his brother returned softly. "Mikey sleeps like a rock when he eats too much, but that don't mean he won't wake up."

"What are you doing?" Leo repeated more quietly.

Raphael gave him an evil grin. "I dunno, Leo, I thought he could use a makeover."

Leonardo looked at the sleeping Michelangelo more closely, now noticing that the surface of his plastron was sparkling under the shifting light of the TV. His eyes traveled to the cans sitting on the coffee table, and he bent over for a closer look.

"Is that glue, Raph?"

"You bet your shell it is."

"Bro, you can't do that."

"Are you forgetting the little episode involving two dozen eggs last week?" Raphael scoffed.

"No, I mean, your technique is all wrong. Your brush is caked up, see? You won't get the right amount of coverage. You should wash it out, and then make sure you use longer strokes with it."

Raphael's grin returned. "Thanks, Fearless. You want in on this?"

"Nah, you go ahead and have your fun. You realize you're going to be responsible for getting all the glitter off the couch."

"It's worth it."

"Did Donny go to bed?"

"No, he's in the Lab. Said he said some idea, and needed to get it written down." Raphael shrugged. "All work and no play..."

"Well, most of his work is for us, Raph, so we probably shouldn't complain about it."

Leonardo laughed softly under his breath as Raphael headed for the kitchen to wash out his brush, and went toward the Lab himself. He blinked several times in the bright lights of the room that were a stark contrast to the rest of the Den, and saw Donatello's fingers moving across his keyboard like lightning.

The purple-masked turtle glanced over his shoulder. "Hey, Leo. I'm almost done for tonight, promise."

"I didn't come in here to send you to bed. What are you working on?"

"I'm typing up some notes on my prototype." Don motioned to a small electronic mechanism that was sitting on the desk beside his workstation. "I'm getting close, Leo. It'll be nice to have the extra layer of protection besides the phones, y' know? Though I need to be getting some more work done on my firewall too. The sooner I finish that project, the sooner I get paid."

"How's it working out with these companies, Donny?"

"No complaints, Leo, it's been smooth sailing so far. April arranges everything up front, and it's all e-mail or phone communication after that. The pay-off is completely worth it. With the tech work I've already received, all kinds of possibilities are opening up. I don't have to just rely on parts from the junkyard or scavenging anymore. I'm on the verge of some real break-thrus for us, bro."

Leonardo smiled at his younger brother's bubbling enthusiasm. "It sounds exciting. Don't forget to sleep every now and then, okay?"

Donatello nodded, and shoved back from his keyboard. "I'm trying not to overdo it, but it's hard with all these new opportunities. I've had ideas for so long, Leo, without the means to carry them out. Everything is changing."

"Not everything," Leonardo replied, tapping him fondly on the shell. "Hopefully the most important things will always stay the same."

He offered his fist to Donatello, and his brother bumped it obligingly.

"Of course. We're always going to be a team. Our gear is just gonna be a whole lot cooler."

Leonardo laughed. "I could get used to that change, just don't throw it all at us at once. We don't need any heads exploding." The blue-masked turtle sighed contentedly. "My blades need some work, so I think I'm gonna head on upstairs. Don't stay up all night. I love you, bro."

The purple-masked turtle smiled. "Love you too, Leo. You did good."

"It was a team effort. Things seem to go smoother when we stick together, huh?"

Donatello nodded solemnly. "If all else fails...we know we've got each other."