Thanks to 54Viruses, Merdeka21, BigfootSighted, Puldoh, Sapphire93, Lady-Of-The-Rings, Winged-Monkey, The Ghost of , aronoiiel, Michael J Angelo, Kyaserin Marii, villagemonster, Eridani23, hmw95, and Diamond-Of-Longcleave for your reviews. I still don't own the turtles or other related characters. Enjoy!

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Leo lay on the couch staring at his bandaged hands and trying to process what Don had just told him. He had managed to save Mikey from the Shredder, but he had paid a high price. He tried to move the fingers of his right hand—just to see if somehow Don was wrong. But he knew it was useless. Donny was never wrong about that kind of thing. Three seconds of fruitless labor later only solidified this knowledge.

"You were lucky, though. If the blades hadn't hit your hands first, then based on the angle of the wounds and the trajectory and velocity of the attack, they would have stabbed you right in the chest. There wouldn't have been anything I could have done," Don said, obviously uncomfortable with Leo's silence. The older of the two nodded, meeting his brother's eyes for the first time.

"Thanks, Donny. I know you did all you could. That's all I or anyone else can ask of you." Don opened his mouth but apparently thought better of it and closed it again, nodding his head.

"Thanks, Leo. Do… um, do you wanna see the others now?" Leo nodded. In truth he really wanted to be alone to deal with the news, but he didn't want his family and friends to think something was wrong. And he did want to see everyone. "Okay, I'll let them know." Don stood up and walked back toward the kitchen, pausing at the doorway and looking back at his older brother. "Leo—I'm sorry."

"You don't have any reason to be sorry, Don. If it weren't for you I'd be dead now—many times over," Leo reassured the brainy turtle. Don smiled in thanks and continued into the kitchen.

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Mikey practically ran into the living room when Don said they could see Leo. He hurried over to the couch and had to stop himself from literally throwing himself down on top of his brother. Instead he fell to his knees and gently wrapped his arms around Leo's neck as tears began to slide down his cheeks. "I'm so sorry, bro. If I had only… if I had gotten free… if I had…."

"Michelangelo, stop it." The fierce tone coming from his normally calm leader caused Mikey to pull back and stare at him. "It's not your fault—don't you dare think that. You were still recovering. No one could have expected you to get free; I was completely healthy and it was all I could do to break the ropes. Besides, you didn't make me do anything. I chose to do what I did because I wanted to. So just stop blaming yourself!" Mikey blinked and continued staring at Leo. He seemed angry at him for feeling guilty. Mikey still wanted to blame himself—still felt like he deserved it—but he felt the guilt melt away as Leo met his stare evenly, his eyes sincere.

Mikey couldn't keep from throwing himself on his brother this time as sobs erupted from his throat. As soon as he could breathe normally he whispered in Leo's ear, "Thanks, bro."

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As soon as Mikey let go of Leo, Raph moved into his place and awkwardly hugged his big brother. Right before he let go Leo whispered, "And don't you blame yourself either, Raphael. Donny told me the plan and there was nothing you could have done to stop me even if I had known then. I made the choice to do what I did and nothing would have gotten in my way." Raph's protest died on his lips as Leo finished talking. It scared him how perceptive the oldest turtle was sometimes. He settled for nodding.

"Thanks, Leo," he muttered. He stepped back as Master Splinter took his place by Leo's side and the two shared a whispered conversation. He looked at April and Casey who had stayed close to the kitchen to give Leo's family some time to see him. Casey grinned encouragingly at him and he smirked back, showing his gratitude in the only way he knew how.

After everyone had had a chance to talk to Leo, the injured turtle thanked them all and asked for some time alone. "I just want to think about stuff," he said. Raph was about to protest when Donny ushered them all back into the kitchen speaking over his shoulder as he did.

"Sure thing, Leo. Call if you need anything." Leo nodded and Don followed the rest of the group into the kitchen leaving Leo alone.

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As soon as Don had everyone in the kitchen and out of earshot of Leo, he was bombarded with questions. He held up his hand and waited for everyone to stop talking. As soon as it was silent Raph burst out, "Well how'd he take the news, Brainiac?" Don sighed and rubbed his head tiredly. He had stayed up half the night with Leo and between that and the long day yesterday he was thoroughly exhausted.

"Better than I expected, but I think he was hiding how he felt. I really don't know how he's doing."

Splinter nodded. "Leonardo has never been one to be openly emotional. We will have to wait and see how he handles Donatello's diagnosis."

"I hate waitin'," Raph muttered from his place at the table.

"We know, Raph, believe me," Don said. "But Sensei's right. There's nothing we can do for now except offer as much support as we can. Leo's not going to handle it well if he loses use of his hand—he can fight with only one sword but he's not satisfied with anything short of perfection when it comes to ninjitsu. So all we can do is wait and help in any way we can."

"Well if support is what Leo needs, support is what Leo's gonna get. We'll get him through this—he's gotten us through difficult situations and now it's out turn to help him." Everyone nodded determinedly at Mikey's speech. They would help Leo through this. It may take a while, but Leo would be okay.

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Well, this is the last chapter. I'm planning a sequel some time in the near future, so be on the look-out. Thanks to everyone who read "I Shall Atone" and especially to those of you who reviewed. See you soon.