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This time though, Donatello was left in the middle of a difficult situation - trying to play peacekeeper.", "count": "8", "submission_left_submission_id": "2424228", "submission_left_file_name": "3552687_hummerhouse_at_odds_part_3.doc", "submission_right_submission_id": "2487471", "submission_right_file_name": "3654016_hummerhouse_at_odds_part_5.doc" } ], "description": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.\nType: TMNT 2k3 multi-chapter\nRated: E\nSummary: As a family, as siblings, they were often at odds with each other over something. Usually it was minor and didn't affect their lives all that much. This time though, three of the brothers were being aloof, leaving Donatello in the middle of a difficult situation - trying to play peacekeeper.", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Disclaimer: The TMNT are not mine. No money being made.
Type: TMNT 2k3 multi-chapter
Rated: E
Summary: As a family, as siblings, they were often at odds with each other over something. Usually it was minor and didn't affect their lives all that much. This time though, three of the brothers were being aloof, leaving Donatello in the middle of a difficult situation - trying to play peacekeeper.", "writing": "\tDonatello woke with a start. The room was in darkness and without his computers, he had no idea as to what time it was. For a moment he was completely disoriented and then the events of the night before came back to him.\n\n\t``There is no need for you to rise just yet, my son.''\n\n\t``I have to, Father. The electricity is out and we're running on the backup generator,'' Don explained.\n\n\tHe heard the scratch of a match and then a pinprick of light pushed its way into the darkened room. Don sat up slowly, biting back a groan at the pain in his nether regions, and looked towards his father. Master Splinter was kneeling nearby, his eyes on his son.\n\n\t``We have survived before without power,'' Master Splinter said. ``Let it wait. Tell me, do you know why your brothers are at odds?''\n\n\t``No, I don't,'' Don answered with the sinking feeling that his father didn't know either. ``I've tried to get them to open up, to me or each other, but they won't.''\n\n\t``All three of them are quite stubborn,'' Master Splinter said. ``In your own way, you are just as stubborn, Donatello. The difference is that you would never allow animosity to fester to such a harmful state. Not with regards to family.''\n\n\t``Pride.'' It was a thought that came to Don suddenly. ``That's got to be a part of it. Their pride won't let any of them be the first to approach the others.''\n\n\tMaster Splinter nodded. ``What will you do about it?''\n\n\t``Me?'' Don stared at his father in surprise. ``What can I possibly do if they won't tell me what happened?''\n\n\t``They won't yet, but all three are still talking to you, even as they ignore one another. I have faith that you will find a way to reach them. Perhaps through some weak point in their armor.''\n\n\t``Couldn't you . . . ?''\n\n\tMaster Splinter's raised brows stopped the question. ``Do you remember what I said to the four of you when you decided to engage in sexual intercourse with one another?''\n\n\t``That we resolve our own difficulties arising from that decision,'' Don said. ``But this hasn't anything to do with our choice.''\n\n\t``You do not know that,'' Master Splinter said, with just a hint of complacency. ``Your brothers haven't said as much, have they?''\n\n\t``No,'' Don admitted, realizing yet again that arguing with his father was pointless. ``Could you at least give me some direction?''\n\n\tThe aged rat smiled. ``My son, if they continue to get everything they need from you, they have no motivation to seek a resolution with each other. To a point, your desire to keep the peace is admirable, after that point, it is merely enabling.''\n\n\tIt was very clear what his father meant. Donatello made it to his feet, wincing as he did so, and bowed.\n\n\t``I understand, Sensei. I'll do my best to set things right again.''\n\n\t``I know you will. After all, repairing things is your forte.''\n\n\tDonatello sighed. ``Yeah, I guess it is.'' \n\n\tHe was halfway up the stairs when his father called out to him. ``The extra bed is available for however long you need it.''\n\n\tAs he left his father's room, Don wasn't thinking about his brothers, he was thinking about the last thing Master Splinter had said to him. Did he anticipate that Don was going to need a safe haven for longer than a single night? The notion that he'd have to hide from his brothers to avoid their advances felt dishonest.\n\n\tBut then again, they weren't sharing everything with him either, even when he asked. That wasn't exactly playing fair and it certainly was far out of line with what they had all agreed to with each other and their father.\n\n\tPassing through the living area, Don saw Mikey seated on the floor eating breakfast as he watched TV. He could only imagine how irked Leo was at not being able to watch the early morning news broadcast.\n\n\tAround a mouthful of food, Mikey told him, ``Made you an omelet. It's in the microwave trying to stay warm.''\n\n\t``Thank you,'' Don replied. He didn't go straight to the kitchen though; his first stop was the bathroom.\n\n\tAfter a nice, hot shower, Don finally made it to the kitchen, mostly in search of coffee. He found Raph there, sitting at the table eating the omelet Mikey had prepared.\n\n\tThere was a sticky note stuck to the microwave that read `For Donny'. Without saying a word, Don went directly to the coffeemaker, happy to see a full pot.\n\n\t``Made that for ya','' Raph said. ``Just the way ya' like it, strong enough to melt metal.''\n\n\t``Thanks.'' Don poured himself a cup, stirred in some sugar, and took a sip. He sighed with satisfaction. That hot liquid sliding down his throat always eased some of his tension.\n\n\tRaph had apparently been waiting for him to drink some of the coffee before asking the question topmost on his mind. ``Where'd ya' end up last night?''\n\n\tDon grimaced. He really didn't want to start his day like this. ``In Master Splinter's room,'' he answered honestly. ``I needed sleep.''\n\n\t``Made some stops along the way, didn't ya'?''\n\n\t``Want to tell me why you guys are fighting?'' Don countered.\n\n\t``We ain't fighting.'' Raph lifted his own cup of coffee and then slung an arm over the back of his chair, leaning back to look at Don.\n\n\t``That's only because you three aren't speaking,'' Don said. ``I want to know why.''\n\n\t``Ask Leo.''\n\n\t``I'm asking you.''\n\n\t``Keep asking,'' Raph said, hopping up and depositing his dishes in the sink. He started to leave and then seemed to think better of the abruptness of his exit. ``Want some help with whatever's going on with the electricity?''\n\n\t``I would, actually, but I need to find out what that is first,'' Don answered.\n\n\t``I'll be working on my Shell Cycle then,'' Raph said. ``Yell when ya' figure out what to do next.''\n\n\t``Try not to use any power tools,'' Don said. ``We're running low on gas for the generator.''\n\n\t``Then tell Mike to turn off the damn TV,'' Raph said curtly and then left.\n\n\tDon's next sigh was out of frustration. If things didn't right themselves soon, he might just threaten to move in with Leatherhead.\n\n\tTopping off his cup, Don took it with him to the living area and snatched the remote away from Mikey.\n\n\t``Hey!''\n\n\t``You've seen that cartoon a thousand times,'' Don said as he switched channels. ``I need to find out if our power problem is isolated to the lair.''\n\n\tHe found a local news station and watched as it cycled through the weather, sports, and national news. Mikey leaned back on his hands and watched as well. When the local news came back around, there were no reports of power outages.\n\n\tDon tossed the remote to Mikey, who caught it deftly and said, ``Guess it's just us.''\n\n\t``That means I have work to do,'' Don said as he stood up. He noticed then that the couch and floor had been cleaned of the evidence from their late-night romp. Even Mikey, who was mostly allergic to cleaning, knew better than to leave that sort of mess for their father to discover.\n\n\t``How was the omelet?'' Mikey asked.\n\n\t``Delicious,'' Don said with a smile. It wasn't a lie; Raph had certainly seemed to enjoy it.\n\n\tHe left before Mikey could ask him anything else. The sound of the channels being changed told Don that his brother's mind had already switched gears.\n\n\tBefore starting his search for the cause of their power outage, Don decided to make himself aware of Leonardo's location. His first stop was the dojo, and it wound up being his last as well. Of course his brother was there, practicing his sword work by candlelight. He was glad at least two members of the household were happy to move around with the aid of candles.\n\n\tLeonardo paused when he saw Don peek in. ``Did you sleep well in Master Splinter's room?''\n\n\tNot at all surprised that Leo somehow knew where he had ended up, Don said, ``I slept.''\n\n\t``We have to--, [i]I have to[/i], take the blame for that,'' Leo said. ``I'm always telling you to get more than a couple of hours sleep, but then in the same breath depending on you for things that don't allow you the time to sleep.''\n\n\t``It was certainly better when we all slept together,'' Don blurted out.\n\n\t``This too will pass,'' Leo said, trying to look reassuring. ``It'll work itself out.''\n\n\tDonatello was getting tired of hearing that same refrain. ``Knots don't untangle themselves, Leo. Someone has to actually make the effort to loosen the rope.''\n\n\t``And sometimes a knot shouldn't be loosened or the things the rope is holding will fall,'' Leo responded.\n\n\t``Is that what's going on? Does someone want to pull away?'' Don asked.\n\n\tLeo smiled. ``Just using your own analogy, bro'. I take it the news isn't reporting any city-wide outages, so that means it's just us?\n\n\tDon recognized a subject change when he heard one and decided not to beleaguer the point. He didn't actually have time to get into an argument with any of his brothers.\n\n\t``I'm about to check the junction box,'' Don told him. ``I'll work out from there.''\n\n\t``Let me know when you need some help. If nothing else, I can always just hold a flashlight.''\n\n\tHe chuckled at the inside joke and Don had to laugh with him. It was true; electricity and electrical devices seemed to react negatively to Leo's presence.\n\n\tWith a wave, Don left him and headed for the service bay where the junction box was located. His thoughts were on Leo. That particular brother probably wouldn't mind if they went back to surviving without the conveniences of electricity, living by candlelight and cooking over a campfire.\n\n\tThat life was pretty small though, pretty insulated. Don needed his computers and Mikey needed his TV's in order to stay connected to the outside world. Electricity kept Raph from feeling claustrophobic. Even Master Splinter enjoyed something electricity provided; his daytime shows and soap operas.\n\n\tAs long as Leo had books and candlelight to read them by, he was satisfied. He didn't even really need the televised news as long as printed newspapers were still around.\n\n\tWhich was no doubt why Mikey's TV hogging tactic wasn't going to achieve his goal of annoying their older brother.\n\n\tIt probably wouldn't annoy Raph either, especially if he knew Mikey was doing that specifically to make him mad. Raph had an outlet; he could go to Casey's place if there was something on TV he wanted to watch.\n\n\tRaph was certainly a much angrier turtle before meeting Casey Jones. Seeing a reflection of himself in Casey had gone a long way in forcing Raph to examine his own temper.\n\n\tDon believed that becoming intimate with his brothers had also tamed much of Raphael's rasher tendencies. With intimacy came a deeper understanding of each other. It had definitely taken the edge off of many of Raph's frustrations.\n\n\tIt did not take long for Don to determine that the problem with their electricity lay in the primary cable bringing the power to the lair. He had tapped into an underground power supply with his own one-hundred-amp cable and run that to the lair. Don would have like to use a two- hundred-amp cable, but was afraid a city worker might wonder about a cable of that size.\n\n\tWhen Don tested the cable at the point where it split inside the junction box, he found that there was no voltage. That could be the result of a number of things; a worker might have cut the cable, rats might have chewed through the cable, the power supply itself might have been re-routed. Whatever the case, it meant Don was going to have to venture outside the lair to find it.\n\n\tRaphael was nearby, working on his motorcycle while Don checked the wiring. They hadn't spoken, but the silence between them was a comfortable one. The service bay was the one spot in the lair, other than the dojo, where the two of them spent the most time together. When it came to equipment maintenance of any kind, Raph was the handiest of Don's three brothers.\n\n\tIt was only after Don had retrieved his splicing kit and begun to check over its contents that Raph put down his torque wrench and walked over.\n\n\t``I take it that means the problem ain't inside the lair.''\n\n\t``No, it's not,'' Don acknowledged. ``I'm going to have to follow the line back to the city's power supply box.''\n\n\t``Not by yourself you're not,'' Raph told him.\n\n\t``Leo did offer to come with and hold the flashlight,'' Don said with a smile, attempting to insert a little humor.\n\n\tInstead of being amused, Raph very nearly snarled. ``Yeah, like that'd be a shitload of help.''\n\n\t``Lighten up, Raph,'' Don said.\n\n\tRaph had the good graces to look at least slightly contrite. ``Sorry. Ya' know when it comes to stuff like this, Leo and Mikey are pretty much useless.''\n\n\tRemembering the world he'd been sent to when the Ultimate Drako had used the time scepter on them, Don said, ``I [i]would[/i] like for them to learn more about our security systems, at a minimum. You know, in case something happens to me.''\n\n\t``Nothing's gonna happen to ya','' Raph said, reaching up to grip Don's shoulder. ``Ya' hear me? [i]Nothing[/i]. I won't let it.''\n\n\tStartled by the intensity in his brother's voice and expression, Don said, ``I know you won't. Just like I won't let anything happen to you or anyone else in this family.''\n\n\t``There's never gonna be a time when I ain't watching your shell, ya' know that, right?''\n\n\tRaph's eyes were practically boring into his, giving Don the impression that there was some sort of underlying message in what he was saying.\n\n\t``I know. Of course, I know. What . . . .?''\n\n\tHe didn't get the chance to finish the question. Raph pulled him into a tight hold and took possession of his mouth, kissing him roughly and with such passion that Don was slightly breathless when he was finally released.\n\n\t``Let's grab what we need and get out of here,'' Raph said. ``The power ain't gonna fix itself.''\n\n\tDon blinked rapidly as Raph walked away to get the tool box and a roll of electrical wire. Something in what Raph had said struck a chord in him, as though the words held a clue to their current problematic situation.\n\n\tMaybe when they were alone in the tunnels Donatello could get more information out of his brother.\n\nTBC...........\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "\tDonatello woke with a start.  The room was in darkness and without his computers, he had no idea as to what time it was.  For a moment he was completely disoriented and then the events of the night before came back to him.

\t``There is no need for you to rise just yet, my son.''

\t``I have to, Father.  The electricity is out and we're running on the backup generator,'' Don explained.

\tHe heard the scratch of a match and then a pinprick of light pushed its way into the darkened room.  Don sat up slowly, biting back a groan at the pain in his nether regions, and looked towards his father.  Master Splinter was kneeling nearby, his eyes on his son.

\t``We have survived before without power,'' Master Splinter said.  ``Let it wait.  Tell me, do you know why your brothers are at odds?''

\t``No, I don't,'' Don answered with the sinking feeling that his father didn't know either.  ``I've tried to get them to open up, to me or each other, but they won't.''

\t``All three of them are quite stubborn,'' Master Splinter said.  ``In your own way, you are just as stubborn, Donatello.  The difference is that you would never allow animosity to fester to such a harmful state.  Not with regards to family.''

\t``Pride.''  It was a thought that came to Don suddenly.  ``That's got to be a part of it.  Their pride won't let any of them be the first to approach the others.''

\tMaster Splinter nodded.  ``What will you do about it?''

\t``Me?''  Don stared at his father in surprise.  ``What can I possibly do if they won't tell me what happened?''

\t``They won't yet, but all three are still talking to you, even as they ignore one another.  I have faith that you will find a way to reach them.  Perhaps through some weak point in their armor.''

\t``Couldn't you . . . ?''

\tMaster Splinter's raised brows stopped the question.  ``Do you remember what I said to the four of you when you decided to engage in sexual intercourse with one another?''

\t``That we resolve our own difficulties arising from that decision,'' Don said.  ``But this hasn't anything to do with our choice.''

\t``You do not know that,'' Master Splinter said, with just a hint of complacency.  ``Your brothers haven't said as much, have they?''

\t``No,'' Don admitted, realizing yet again that arguing with his father was pointless.  ``Could you at least give me some direction?''

\tThe aged rat smiled.  ``My son, if they continue to get everything they need from you, they have no motivation to seek a resolution with each other.  To a point, your desire to keep the peace is admirable, after that point, it is merely enabling.''

\tIt was very clear what his father meant.  Donatello made it to his feet, wincing as he did so, and bowed.

\t``I understand, Sensei.  I'll do my best to set things right again.''

\t``I know you will.  After all, repairing things is your forte.''

\tDonatello sighed.  ``Yeah, I guess it is.''  

\tHe was halfway up the stairs when his father called out to him.  ``The extra bed is available for however long you need it.''

\tAs he left his father's room, Don wasn't thinking about his brothers, he was thinking about the last thing Master Splinter had said to him.  Did he anticipate that Don was going to need a safe haven for longer than a single night?  The notion that he'd have to hide from his brothers to avoid their advances felt dishonest.

\tBut then again, they weren't sharing everything with him either, even when he asked.  That wasn't exactly playing fair and it certainly was far out of line with what they had all agreed to with each other and their father.

\tPassing through the living area, Don saw Mikey seated on the floor eating breakfast as he watched TV.  He could only imagine how irked Leo was at not being able to watch the early morning news broadcast.

\tAround a mouthful of food, Mikey told him, ``Made you an omelet.  It's in the microwave trying to stay warm.''

\t``Thank you,'' Don replied.  He didn't go straight to the kitchen though; his first stop was the bathroom.

\tAfter a nice, hot shower, Don finally made it to the kitchen, mostly in search of coffee.  He found Raph there, sitting at the table eating the omelet Mikey had prepared.

\tThere was a sticky note stuck to the microwave that read `For Donny'.  Without saying a word, Don went directly to the coffeemaker, happy to see a full pot.

\t``Made that for ya','' Raph said.  ``Just the way ya' like it, strong enough to melt metal.''

\t``Thanks.''  Don poured himself a cup, stirred in some sugar, and took a sip.  He sighed with satisfaction.  That hot liquid sliding down his throat always eased some of his tension.

\tRaph had apparently been waiting for him to drink some of the coffee before asking the question topmost on his mind.  ``Where'd ya' end up last night?''

\tDon grimaced.  He really didn't want to start his day like this.  ``In Master Splinter's room,'' he answered honestly.  ``I needed sleep.''

\t``Made some stops along the way, didn't ya'?''

\t``Want to tell me why you guys are fighting?'' Don countered.

\t``We ain't fighting.''  Raph lifted his own cup of coffee and then slung an arm over the back of his chair, leaning back to look at Don.

\t``That's only because you three aren't speaking,'' Don said.  ``I want to know why.''

\t``Ask Leo.''

\t``I'm asking you.''

\t``Keep asking,'' Raph said, hopping up and depositing his dishes in the sink.  He started to leave and then seemed to think better of the abruptness of his exit.  ``Want some help with whatever's going on with the electricity?''

\t``I would, actually, but I need to find out what that is first,'' Don answered.

\t``I'll be working on my Shell Cycle then,'' Raph said.  ``Yell when ya' figure out what to do next.''

\t``Try not to use any power tools,'' Don said.  ``We're running low on gas for the generator.''

\t``Then tell Mike to turn off the damn TV,'' Raph said curtly and then left.

\tDon's next sigh was out of frustration.  If things didn't right themselves soon, he might just threaten to move in with Leatherhead.

\tTopping off his cup, Don took it with him to the living area and snatched the remote away from Mikey.

\t``Hey!''

\t``You've seen that cartoon a thousand times,'' Don said as he switched channels.  ``I need to find out if our power problem is isolated to the lair.''

\tHe found a local news station and watched as it cycled through the weather, sports, and national news.  Mikey leaned back on his hands and watched as well.  When the local news came back around, there were no reports of power outages.

\tDon tossed the remote to Mikey, who caught it deftly and said, ``Guess it's just us.''

\t``That means I have work to do,'' Don said as he stood up.  He noticed then that the couch and floor had been cleaned of the evidence from their late-night romp.  Even Mikey, who was mostly allergic to cleaning, knew better than to leave that sort of mess for their father to discover.

\t``How was the omelet?'' Mikey asked.

\t``Delicious,'' Don said with a smile.  It wasn't a lie; Raph had certainly seemed to enjoy it.

\tHe left before Mikey could ask him anything else.  The sound of the channels being changed told Don that his brother's mind had already switched gears.

\tBefore starting his search for the cause of their power outage, Don decided to make himself aware of Leonardo's location.  His first stop was the dojo, and it wound up being his last as well.  Of course his brother was there, practicing his sword work by candlelight.  He was glad at least two members of the household were happy to move around with the aid of candles.

\tLeonardo paused when he saw Don peek in.  ``Did you sleep well in Master Splinter's room?''

\tNot at all surprised that Leo somehow knew where he had ended up, Don said, ``I slept.''

\t``We have to--, I have to, take the blame for that,'' Leo said.  ``I'm always telling you to get more than a couple of hours sleep, but then in the same breath depending on you for things that don't allow you the time to sleep.''

\t``It was certainly better when we all slept together,'' Don blurted out.

\t``This too will pass,'' Leo said, trying to look reassuring.  ``It'll work itself out.''

\tDonatello was getting tired of hearing that same refrain.  ``Knots don't untangle themselves, Leo.  Someone has to actually make the effort to loosen the rope.''

\t``And sometimes a knot shouldn't be loosened or the things the rope is holding will fall,'' Leo responded.

\t``Is that what's going on?  Does someone want to pull away?'' Don asked.

\tLeo smiled.  ``Just using your own analogy, bro'.  I take it the news isn't reporting any city-wide outages, so that means it's just us?

\tDon recognized a subject change when he heard one and decided not to beleaguer the point.  He didn't actually have time to get into an argument with any of his brothers.

\t``I'm about to check the junction box,'' Don told him.  ``I'll work out from there.''

\t``Let me know when you need some help.  If nothing else, I can always just hold a flashlight.''

\tHe chuckled at the inside joke and Don had to laugh with him.  It was true; electricity and electrical devices seemed to react negatively to Leo's presence.

\tWith a wave, Don left him and headed for the service bay where the junction box was located.  His thoughts were on Leo.  That particular brother probably wouldn't mind if they went back to surviving without the conveniences of electricity, living by candlelight and cooking over a campfire.

\tThat life was pretty small though, pretty insulated.  Don needed his computers and Mikey needed his TV's in order to stay connected to the outside world.  Electricity kept Raph from feeling claustrophobic.  Even Master Splinter enjoyed something electricity provided; his daytime shows and soap operas.

\tAs long as Leo had books and candlelight to read them by, he was satisfied.  He didn't even really need the televised news as long as printed newspapers were still around.

\tWhich was no doubt why Mikey's TV hogging tactic wasn't going to achieve his goal of annoying their older brother.

\tIt probably wouldn't annoy Raph either, especially if he knew Mikey was doing that specifically to make him mad.  Raph had an outlet; he could go to Casey's place if there was something on TV he wanted to watch.

\tRaph was certainly a much angrier turtle before meeting Casey Jones.  Seeing a reflection of himself in Casey had gone a long way in forcing Raph to examine his own temper.

\tDon believed that becoming intimate with his brothers had also tamed much of Raphael's rasher tendencies.  With intimacy came a deeper understanding of each other.  It had definitely taken the edge off of many of Raph's frustrations.

\tIt did not take long for Don to determine that the problem with their electricity lay in the primary cable bringing the power to the lair.  He had tapped into an underground power supply with his own one-hundred-amp cable and run that to the lair.  Don would have like to use a two- hundred-amp cable, but was afraid a city worker might wonder about a cable of that size.

\tWhen Don tested the cable at the point where it split inside the junction box, he found that there was no voltage.  That could be the result of a number of things; a worker might have cut the cable, rats might have chewed through the cable, the power supply itself might have been re-routed.  Whatever the case, it meant Don was going to have to venture outside the lair to find it.

\tRaphael was nearby, working on his motorcycle while Don checked the wiring.  They hadn't spoken, but the silence between them was a comfortable one.  The service bay was the one spot in the lair, other than the dojo, where the two of them spent the most time together.  When it came to equipment maintenance of any kind, Raph was the handiest of Don's three brothers.

\tIt was only after Don had retrieved his splicing kit and begun to check over its contents that Raph put down his torque wrench and walked over.

\t``I take it that means the problem ain't inside the lair.''

\t``No, it's not,'' Don acknowledged.  ``I'm going to have to follow the line back to the city's power supply box.''

\t``Not by yourself you're not,'' Raph told him.

\t``Leo did offer to come with and hold the flashlight,'' Don said with a smile, attempting to insert a little humor.

\tInstead of being amused, Raph very nearly snarled.  ``Yeah, like that'd be a shitload of help.''

\t``Lighten up, Raph,'' Don said.

\tRaph had the good graces to look at least slightly contrite.  ``Sorry.  Ya' know when it comes to stuff like this, Leo and Mikey are pretty much useless.''

\tRemembering the world he'd been sent to when the Ultimate Drako had used the time scepter on them, Don said, ``I would like for them to learn more about our security systems, at a minimum.  You know, in case something happens to me.''

\t``Nothing's gonna happen to ya','' Raph said, reaching up to grip Don's shoulder.  ``Ya' hear me?  Nothing.  I won't let it.''

\tStartled by the intensity in his brother's voice and expression, Don said, ``I know you won't.  Just like I won't let anything happen to you or anyone else in this family.''

\t``There's never gonna be a time when I ain't watching your shell, ya' know that, right?''

\tRaph's eyes were practically boring into his, giving Don the impression that there was some sort of underlying message in what he was saying.

\t``I know.  Of course, I know. What . . . .?''

\tHe didn't get the chance to finish the question.  Raph pulled him into a tight hold and took possession of his mouth, kissing him roughly and with such passion that Don was slightly breathless when he was finally released.

\t``Let's grab what we need and get out of here,'' Raph said.  ``The power ain't gonna fix itself.''

\tDon blinked rapidly as Raph walked away to get the tool box and a roll of electrical wire.  Something in what Raph had said struck a chord in him, as though the words held a clue to their current problematic situation.

\tMaybe when they were alone in the tunnels Donatello could get more information out of his brother.

TBC...........

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