"Careful " said Leo as they ventured into the tunnel closest to the lair. "We have some gadgets here to protect us."

The three other moved silently along with them. During the ride, Leo had explained for Harry what they were, and howcome they where down here in the sewers.

"So...You live here. I am amazed. None would even think of searching down here. All we do is search the skies for new forms of life."

"Exactly. That's why."

As they opened the hatch they heard Mike talking with Don. They could hear that they seemed very upset.

"Now what?" mumbled Leo. Casey helped the other two down. Now Candace got the first glimpse ever of the old subway station. Something that would forever be etched into her memory For a few seconds she just stared up at the glassceiling and the light coming from it. It was bright as day in here.

"Leo!" called Mike and hurried up to them.

"What's up?"

Mike took a deep breath and then said "Raph's gone haywire. He's gone. Ran out of here. I think this somehow made him see things You know... monsters and such."

Leonardo moaned and slapped his head. "Gez. Raph on the loose."  

Somewhere down below them, where a few spots of light shone down, a shaking turtleman tried to flee. Something hunted him. Someone evil, green and orange

"Tasukete kudasi tasukete " he moaned and curled up in a small ball. The shadows came forth now. The sounds of thousands of small insects filled the air and Raph ran for it. His heart beat like it was about to burst.  

"Are you crazy!? He'll rip you to pieces. Me and Mike. That's all."

"No!" said Candace and pulled on her gloves. They were getting ready to go out and track Raphael down before he ran above and out among the crowds. "I am going as well. You said he saw monsters. I am not a monster, Leonardo, and maybe he'll see me differently."

Leo stepped back and looked down at her at the same time.

"I am not...

"I didn't say you were a monster! I never did, and never will either. Now, Take me along."

Mike nodded "She has a point you know..."

Leo glared at him "What do you mean?"

"She's not afraid of him. He is obviously totally whacked when it comes to her. Let the lady come along. She might be the right cure." Said Mike and carefully wrapped two capped syringes of vaccine in a piece of canvas.

Harry had suprisingly fast understood what was going on. With the aide of Mike's supplies they'd stitched up Venus leg and given her a shot of the vaccine as well as some antibiotics. Now he was in deep conversation with Splinter about WHO they were and what they did down there.

Leo grunted something, but settled for taking her along. Candace grinned victoriously and quickly filled a big old tennisbag with a thick warm blanket and some extra first aid material.

"Ok. Let's go."

Leo handed her a big flashlight and he tucked one into his belt. Mike informed the others they were leaving.  

"Lookie! Footprint!" said Mike as he crouched down beside a small stream. It held some old stale water from a leaking pipe somewhere, but it had dried up enough to show a twotoed footprint. Leonardo sniffed in the air, trying to sort out all the information that was passed on.

"Yes he's been here... But took off in another direction "

"Yo! Check this out!" said Mike. He was standing beside some old broken sewerbars. It had been wrenched aside by someone very strong. Candace touched the metal. This was not looking good. But she had to do this. For Raph, Mike and Leo. For all of them. Loosing Raph would tear them apart.

"Alright he's gone downwards."

"What's down there?" said Candace as she saw Mike jump down and disappear.

"Hell." said Leo and jumped after.

"Hell?" said Candace and shook her head. She took a deep breath, tossed in the bag and then followed.  

She landed right in front of Mike. He helped her up and she looked around. They were in some kind of old tunnel. It was eroded straight from the solid rock and the light shining in between metal bars, making it almost feel like some kind of prison. Leo motioned for them to join him. Even if Candace couldn't feel it, the other two could detect Raph's scent fairly well now and they carefully walked to the side of the tunnels.

"Can you see him?" said Candace in a low voice.

"No But I can feel him. In here." said Leo and patted at his plastron. Candace seemed surprised, but accepted it. As they moved on, they ended up climbing down two more steep rock tunnels. Then Leo suddenly raised a hand in the air. Mike stopped, pulling Candace with him.

"There he is." said Leo and pointed. The other two looked and saw Raphael. He stood in the dim light from a small opening. There were similar openings all over the place, making it fairly bright. He had his back against the rockwall, feet planted firmly in the sandy floor. His skin gleamed of sweat and the bandana was gone, making him look even fiercer then ever.

"Alright... Give me the shots..." said Candace. Mike hesitated and looked up at Leo. Who nodded grimly.

"We warned you."

"I know. I heard." said Candace. She carefully took the syringes in one hand, and slung the bag across her back.

"What made him run?" asked Leo as they watched her walk away.

"I dunno. We apparently don't react well to some stuff, and he just flipped in this case. Venus just went into a coma, I think. I don't think I want rabies..."

Leo nodded and they continued to watch.

Candace tried to breathe calmly, keeping a steady gaze on Raph. He was looking all around, mumbling in a language she didn't understand. As she closed in on him, she accidentally scarped the soft tennishoe she wore against a rock. The burning eyes turned towards her. She felt as if frozen. A warning growl could be heard and she saw him staring at her with an intense look. He sounded like some wounded beast behind bars, growling and huffing to warn her.

"Raphael? Can you hear who this is?" she said and gently put down the bag. She was only four meters from him now. The eyes followed every move she made. Preparing to attack, or defend himself within a second.

"It's Candace. Candace." she said softly and reached out a hand.

"She's nuts. Totally lost." stated Mike and shook his head.

"Maybe not " said Leo. He tilted his head, trying to imagine what it could be that made her do this. She had no real reason to be down here, doing this. But nevertheless she had not hesitated when he and Casey had appeared. She'd just thrown on a pair of jeans and ran with them. Somehow Leo admired this. Being able to support someone without asking why all the time. He looked back at the scene, at the furious Raphael and Candace, standing with her hands stretched out in a silent plea to him.

"Yes. You know me. I am no monster. I won't hurt you "

The words seemed so distant. Like something far away from him. But the voice. He knew that voice. He longed for that voice. To hear it here, in this chaotic nightmare that was turning his mind inside out, was a blessing. One more hour and his heart and body would have collapsed. One part of him howled in rage to tear this monstrosity to pieces and flee. But another one just longed for those warm arms, for that sweet face and the golden cascade of hair. But only one could be the ruler in this kingdom

Candace felt her heart beat like never before. She just hoped he didn't scent the fear. Leo and Mike must have by now, but this... She swallowed and took a deep breath when Raphael moved forward. But something in him couldn't handle the move and he fell to his knees, breathing heavily.

"Help me " he growled between tightly clutched teeth.

Candace picked up the syringes and came closer. She slowly sat down beside him and unsheathed one of the sharp needles. Harry had given Mike a brief rundown of it all, and Candace had heard it. She carefully placed an arm around Raphael's shoulders, letting him rest his weary head on her shoulder. As she felt down the arm of his, she wondered where she could inject it? His arms were hard as steel as he forced himself to have control of his own body. But then she found it; an small soft spot on the arm and pressed the needle into it. Within a second she'd emptied the ampoule and waited for the reaction. If the rabies virus could make him go crazy within a hour after getting it, hopefully the vaccine would act just as fast. She was lucky. The rapid breathing slowed down and Raphael slumped down. Candace moved back, allowing him to rest his head on her chest.

"Shh. There.All is well ." She said and stroke across his head and shoulders. Leo and Mike carefully closed in on them and sat down on their knees.

"Is he alright now?" Candace whispered as Mike opened the bag. He started to clean the stressed wounds and re-wrapped the wounded leg.

"I think so " he said. Candace reached into the bag and pulled out the old blanket. She carefully wrapped Raphael in it, holding him tightly. Once they were done, Mike closed the bag and got up.

"We have to get him home now."

"No. Not yet." said Candace. "He's still too weak. I know the way back. I'll make it fine. Just mark the exits "

Leo was on the verge of saying something. But he patted Raph's shoulder. "Hurry back " he said to Candace. She nodded and leaned her head on Raph's head. Mike looked back as he and Leo left the place.

"She's brave. It took lots of gut to face him like this "

Leo nodded. He didn't want to leave them like that. No, he didn't like that at all... No one would find them here that were for sure. But then, all alone down here? Those two He looked troubled by the possible outcome. Exhausted or not, they had reserves to take of if needed.

"Hello there." Said Candace and looked down into the darkbrown eyes of Raphael. He was so silent, just laid there, head on her chest and stared up at her.

"Come on, I know you can hear me " she said and waited for his reply. It came, but so low she could barley hear it.

"I can't go back " he mumbled.

"Why not? You are Ok. A bit worn, tired and you need a lot of rest."

Raphael shook his head, carefully sliding his arms around her waist. "I can't. I..."

Candace waited for him to tell her. But it seemed he hesitated at first.

"I hit Splinter." He said.

"Ah... I see."

"How? You haven't been raised by someone like that. He'll never forgive me!"

"No. But i was raised by parents who loved me and understood me. He will. I know he will. You didn't mean to do it."

Raphael looked worried now, and it was even more evident with the tired sigh that followed. "I didn't mean to. I just couldn't stop it. I just... saw all those monsters. "He stopped and seemed to think back at what had happened "It was as if one part of me screamed to another to stop. That it wasn't dangerous. But I shoved him so hard, and Mike got a blow as well I'm never gonna be able to look them int he eyes."

Candace hushed him and slowly rocked him from side to side. She knew how he felt. This couldn't be handled down here. He needed to get back and ask for their understanding and forgivness.

"Come. Are you good enough to stand?"

Raphael shrugged his shoulders. But Candace was more stubborn in this case, and she helped him up. He swayed a couple of times, but then he steadied himself and he found a stable ground to stand. Candace draped the blanket around his shoulders tighter it to make him keep his bodywarmth. She looked up at him, and slowly raised a hand to caress his cheek. Raphael closed his eyes and leaned his head in her hand. When she stroke across his chin, she could feel his warm breath against her hand. She didn't stop him when he took hold of her and pulled her closer. With one arm around her shoulder, her carefully stroke over her face, as if he was seeing it for the very first time. And when he leaned down to kiss her, Candace didn't stop him.

"Now I have enough courage to face my sensei " he said with a soft tone to his voice. Candace smiled up at him and hugged him. Raph leaned his head on her soft hair, feeling the slightly spicy oriental rose from her perfume.

"Come now. Time to go." He said and handed her the blanket. He didn't need it. Being wrapped in a blanket was not what he was thinking of appearing in when he was up back at the lair. Candace took his hand and followed him back thru the labyrinth.  

April sat across the table at "Hamilton's Restaurant" and just stared at Candace. She had told April all about it, and apparently Casey hadn't.

"So...you...and Raph...I mean..."

"Nothing drastic, dear April. Love takes time. Once he knows it, then we'll see what happens. But yes, we have something going."

April shook her head. After dressing up for this lunch, she'd never expected this beautiful, stylish businesswoman to be associated with a ninja trained mutated turtleman. Candace, in her expensive tailor-made suit, and the hair perfectly combed back and collected in a black net bun at the neck, smiled as if she knew something April did not.

"Well, what shall we have to eat then?" She said and convinced April to order for them both.

Michaelangelo stood in the pouring rain and looked up at the hospital. He sighed and tried to make the collar not leaking water. The old trenchcoat wasn't exactly waterproof. Somewhere, up in one of the rooms, Kelly was fighting some experimental drug. Something made by DeMiro. Lethal for some, since it had already killed five kids, but so far Kelly had survived. But they'd be suspicious soon. This Mike Angel that kept on calling never gave up a number that he could be reached at, or an address. He needed help. And Kelly needed help as well. The bills for this He shook his head and looked up at the hospital again.

"I'll make sure you get it well, Kelly. I promise "

He turned and walked on. He wouldn't be home until three hours later. Soaked and silent for once