A/N: FINALLY they're on their way. Don't worry, Juan hasn't fallen off the face of the planet. He'll show up later on. And Mikey will be ok. Happy endings, remember?

Chapter 25 -Ambush-
~~~

“Where’s Donny?” Leonardo’s dark eyes had been searching the trees. Now they landed squarely on Cameron. “You were together. Cameron, what happened? Did your father…” Leo took a step toward the prone form of Thomas Roberts, his hand stretching toward his katana automatically.

“No… No, Pa didn’t… Leo, dem guys, they took Donatello!” Cameron’s blue eyes went wide as he remembered. “We were walkin’ an’ pickin’ da mint, an’ we saw da cop car, but it ain’t a cop car.” He looked up at Billy. “Ya know how da sheriff’s department got all dem new cars last year? Billy dis one said “sheriff” on it, but it weren’t no Ford. It weren’t no sheriff’s car!”

“What do you mean, Cameron? Did the police get Don?” Leonardo’s voice was sharp with alarm.

“They weren’t no cops,” said Cameron, shaking his head vigorously. Leo’s furious glare raked the boy, and he flinched, pressing closer to his brother. “They had suits. An’ they… shot him. It was some kinda dart thing. He fell down an’ they were talkin’ about ya’ll. They said somebody called… Michelangelo… is contained in the city. An’ that yer dangerous when yer mad. Raphael, too. They were goin’ back ta da city ta pick up da other one. He said…” Cameron swallowed hard, avoiding Leonardo’s eyes. “He said he could keep one alive and dissect da other. What’s ‘dissect’, Billy?”

Billy was pale. “Like… like da frog Jo cut up in school, Cameron. They’re gonna…” The look in Raphael’s eyes stopped his voice.

“We’ve gotta get ‘im, Leo,” growled Raph, drawing his sais. “An’ if somebody’s got Mike…”

“Mike was home, with Splinter. I talked to Splinter…” Leonardo shook his head.

“But he went lookin’ fer April, Leo,” said Raphael. “Somebody’s huntin’ us.” Leonardo swore.

“What’re we gonna do now?” asked Casey. He shifted from one foot to the other. “Who would take Don? Who knew you were here?”

“Bishop,” growled Raphael. “Billy, didn’t ya say yer sister was gonna sell me ta Agent Bishop?”

Billy swallowed hard, and nodded. “Yeah. Johanna had it all lined up. Dis guy was comin’ down from da city…”

“Bishop? You were going to sell my brother to Agent Bishop?” Leonardo’s eyes glittered black in the pre-dawn.

“It… it was Johanna’s idea,” stammered Billy.

“Leo.” The gruff voice was quiet. “Gettin’ mad at dem ain’t gonna bring Donny back. We gotta t’ink of a plan.”

Leonardo turned to glare at Raphael. He took in the glint of irony in the amber gaze, and almost smiled. Almost. “How are we going to get back to the city? Where are we going to get another vehicle? Bishop’s men must’ve had our van towed.”

“What about Juan’s truck?” Cameron spoke up. “Isn’t it still at our place?”

“Yeah. Juan was sleepin’ fer a while ‘fore we went back ta da city,” said Billy slowly. “It might still be at da house. I can get him ta drive us back ta da city!”

“Let’s go,” said Leonardo grimly. “We’ve got to get that truck.”

“I’ll go on ahead,” said Casey. “In case da kid’s gettin’ ready ta leave ‘r somet’in.”

“He wouldn’t leave wit’out me,” said Billy. “We were gonna go back together.”

“You don’t think he’d just take off, after all this trouble with your family, Billy?” Leonardo glanced at the boy.

Billy shrugged. “I don’t t’ink so,” he said. “He knows I gotta get back too. But he won’t wait aroun’ forever. We gotta get back.”

“Let’s go. Raph, are you gonna be able to make it?” Leonardo looked at his brother with concern.

“Yeah, ‘m fine, Leo.” Raphael started walking, determined, but Leo noticed his steps were uncertain, and his eyes were clouding over with pain and fatigue. Raph began to sway, and Leonardo caught his brother before he could crash to the ground.

“Raph! Raph stay with me, bro! Casey, li’l help here?”

Casey grabbed Raphael’s other arm, slinging it around his own waist. They struggled forward like three drunken lovers, but with their support, Raphael was able to walk.

The sun was nearly up when they approached the Roberts’ home. Nothing stirred in the little cabin. Cameron moved forward cautiously, peering at the windows. He gasped, pointing. “Look,” he whispered. Leonardo stared. He saw the smallest movement in the upstairs window, where Cameron was pointing.

“Johanna,” whispered Cameron.

“Da ya think she’ll try and stop us?” Raphael growled, his eyes narrowing.

“Nah. She’s just watchin’ fer Pa ta come home,” replied Billy but his eyes were on the window and his face was pale. “Still, I don’t t’ink it’d be a good idea ta let her see you. I’ll go get da van.”

“Billy, don’t go out there,” said Cameron urgently. “She’s crazy.”

“She ain’t gonna do not'in ta me. She’s our sister, insisted Billy. He stepped boldly out of the trees. The roar of a shotgun blended with Cameron’s shriek. They heard high, cackling laughter from inside the house.

“That’ll learn ya, Billy Roberts!” Johanna shrieked. “That’ll learn ya!”

Leonardo grabbed Cameron’s arm as he lunged forward. “Lemme go! Lemme go!” screamed Cameron. “My brother!”

“Hold him, Casey,” said Leo, slinging the struggling boy into Casey’s arms. The man wrapped his arms around Cameron, pinning him against his chest. The boy struggled wildly but Casey held him. Leonardo dropped to the ground and crawled through the brush to the edge of the undergrowth. Billy laid, face down, a few feet away.

Leonardo looked toward the house, his eyes narrowing behind his blue mask. He saw no movement at the window. Cautiously, he crawled forward, reaching…

“Leo, what the shell are you doin’?” hissed Raphael.

“He’s alive,” Leo shot back over his shoulder. He grasped the boy’s ankle, and drew him back, into the cover of the brush. The gun was silent.

“Billy! Billy!” Cameron’s pitiful cries echoed through the trees.

“It’s ok. He’s breathing,” said Leonardo. “I think it was just a warning shot.” He rolled the boy over, and sucked in a sharp breath. Red blossomed from his shoulder. Billy groaned.

“Casey, give me your shirt,” said Leo.

“What?”

“Your shirt. I need something to put pressure on this wound.”

“Aw, man…” But the man took his stained tank top off and passed it over. Leonardo wadded it up and pressed it against the boy’s shoulder. Billy moaned again.

“Casey, come here. You’ve got to hold this,” instructed Leo. “I’ll go in and take care of the girl.” He stood up.

“Wait! Whataya gonna do ta my sister?” asked Cameron, his blue eyes stretched wide.

“Cameron, she shot your brother. She tried to sell my brother to a mad man. I’m going to do what I have to, to get us out of here,” said Leonardo. Seeing the look in the boy’s eyes, his grim expression softened. “Cameron, I never kill unless it’s a last resort. I’ll try not to hurt her. But I have to get that gun away from her.”

“O… ok. I understand,” said Cameron softly.

Leonardo nodded, and disappeared into the trees. Under Casey’s firm hands, Billy shifted. His eyes flickered open, and he swore. “What… happened?”

“Yer sister shot ya,” said Casey gruffly. “Leo's gone ta deal wit' her. Now hold still.”

“No… Johanna…” Billy struggled to sit up. Casey held the pressure on his shoulder, but the boy squirmed, trying to escape.

“Lay still, kid!” snapped Casey. Movement to his right made Casey look up.

Raphael came around to the boy’s other side, and knelt, using his good arm to pin Billy down. The boy shook his head from side to side, trying to escape.

Cameron knelt behind Raphael, taking Billy’s hand in his own. “Billy, it’s ok. They’re tryin’ ta help ya. Ya gotta lay still. Jo shot ya, but yer gonna be ok.” he said softly. His brother’s voice seemed to have a soothing effect.

“Cameron…”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t… leave me…”

“I’m right here.”

“Case, how’s da bleedin’?” asked Raphael.

Casey carefully pulled the shirt back slightly. The movement made the boy gasp and go pale. Casey shook his head. “Still bleedin’ but not as bad,” he said.

“We’re gonna hafta fix it so he can be moved,” said Raphael. “We got anyt’ing ta tie it off wit’?

“Here,” said Cameron. He pulled off the long-sleeved shirt he was wearing and handed it to Casey. The man’s eyes widened for an instant when he saw the bruises and scars marking the boy’s arms. Cameron ducked his head.

“T’anks, Kid,” said Casey gruffly. He took the shirt and wrapped it tightly around Billy’s shoulder, tying the sleeves to keep the makeshift bandage in place.

Rustling from the left announced Leonardo’s return. He was sheathing his katana as he came up. Cameron looked up, a fearful question in his eyes. Leonardo met his gaze steadily. “It’s ok, Cameron. She never heard me coming. I didn’t hurt her but she won’t be shooting at us anymore.” Cameron swallowed hard, wanting to believe the blue-banded turtle.

“What about da other kid?” asked Raphael.

“There’s no sign of him,” said Leonardo. “But the truck is here. We need to get everyone loaded up and get out of here. We don’t have much time if we’re going to save Don and Mikey.”

“Let’s go,” said Casey. He stood up. “Can ya walk, Kid?” he asked Billy. Billy nodded, and tried to sit up. Leonardo reached down and took his uninjured arm, hauling him to his feet. Billy yelped but managed to stand, swaying.

“Casey, help him. I’ve got Raph,” said Leonardo shortly.

“I… I’ll get some blankets an’ stuff from da house,” said Cameron quickly. He dashed off across the yard before anyone could stop him. Raph met Leo’s eyes.

Leonardo shrugged. “Come on,” he said, helping his brother to his feet. The foursome made their way over to the truck. Billy and Raphael were placed gently in the back seat, leaving room for Cameron. Leo sat in the front passenger seat. Casey slid in behind the wheel. Cameron dashed out of the house carrying a couple tattered blankets, a quilt... and Raphael's sais. He held them out to Leo.

“Get in, Kid,” said Leonardo, taking his brother's weapons from him gently. Cameron nodded, and climbed into the back of the truck. He spread the blankets over Raphael and Billy.

"Jo?" Billy whispered. He looked at Cameron, his blue eyes wide.

"She's ok," Cameron told him softly. "Knocked out an' tied up, but she's breathin'. He didn't."

Billy nodded. "Hope he hit 'er hard," he said with a grimace. Cameron grinned.

Casey fiddled with the wires under the dashboard, and in a few seconds, the engine roared to life. They were on their way.