"How do we even treat it?" I ran my hand down my face in exasperation.

"A normal case of PTSD would require lengthy therapy sessions," Donnie reported uneasily, "Which are much needed at this point, but I'm not a certified psychiatrist. I don't know how to deal with pathological illnesses."

"C'mon, I'm sure you understand enough about science and the brain to help her, right?"

"The functions of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are completely different from one's emotions. I know the anatomy of the brain; that doesn't help me with how someone's mind works and what needs to be fixed."

"Isn't there any way you can--"

"Honestly, Leo, you want the most antisocial and introverted of the team giving advice to Liz? I can't even understand my own feelings, much less someone else's feelings, much less a girl's feelings."

"You're not introverted," I comforted absentmindedly, buried within the confines of my mind, trying to search out a solution.

"Really? That was all you got from that?" D huffed, leaning back in his chair and picking at the food on his plate in front of him, "Look, until we figure out how to help her, I need someone by her side at all times. We can't have her lashing out again at herself. April's trying her best to be there, but with school it's getting difficult for her to be here, except for night duty. And the only other person Liz will really trust is--"

"Me," I grumbled, leaning my elbow pads on the table across from my brother and cradling my head in my hands.

"Yes, for some odd reason...why is it she acts like she knows y--"

"Mornin', nerds," Raphael grumped as he plodded into the kitchen, yawning while he pulled down his box of cereal from the cupboard, "How's the patient?"

"The patient has a name," I put in icily, "And Liz is fine, now. April managed to get her to sleep before she had to go to school this morning."

"Bet Ape looks like the walking dead after staying up with her all night," Raph snorted.

Donnie's brows knitted together in disapproval, shoulders tensing a bit in anticipation, should he need to defend his long-time love interest.

"Again, her name is Liz," I reiterated , reaching forward to grab my glass of apple juice and take a swig.

"Whatever," The hothead rolled his eyes, "So when's she gonna be healthy enough to leave?"

I pushed away from the table, chair legs screeching against the concrete floor as I jolted to my feet.

"What's your problem?" I snapped, "You think she's some kind of wounded animal we took pity on? She's a person, Raph - she needs help! And her injuries go much deeper than flesh wounds - she's hurting on the inside, too."

"Look at you, quite the poet today, Fearless," Raph sneered, "My point is, we aren't helping the needy and feeding the poor here. It's hard enough trying to pay April and Casey for all the pizza runs they do for us."

"You're honestly worried about how we're gonna pay those two?" I stalked over to my brother, jabbing a finger into his plastron, "While that girl in the lab can't even look at herself without screaming in panic?"

Raph swatted my hand away, scowling as he shoved me away a bit, "If Donnie can't even help her with the PTSD, why are we holding onto the hope of her getting better? She needs to get on with her life, learn how to deal with it--"

"If there's even the slightest chance Liz could have a better life," I hissed, "That we might be able to help her have a normal--"

"A normal what? Don't you dare say a normal life!" Raph interrupted, "She's a mutant now, Leonardo! Whatever is left of her old life is gone. She's gonna have to get used to not normal from now on!"

"Will you two SHUT UP?!"

Both of us jumped as Donnie rose from his seat, shooting a venomous look at the two of us.

"Do you guys hear that?"

Raph and I shot quizzical looks at the genius, before the lack of argument allowed other voices to echo through the lair.

"C'mon, dudette, I'm not gonna hurt you..."

"Stay away from me! Who are you?!"

Three pairs of eyes widened, and three mouths cried out at the exact same time: "Mikey!"

We raced out of the kitchen toward the lab, shoving through the door in time to see our little brother, wide-eyed while Liz screamed at him.

"Dudes, don't!" Mikey called, holding his hands out in front of him, managing to wave down our hasty entreat. The spunky turtle slowly turned back to Liz, hands coming up to either side of his head like he was being held at gunpoint by a cop - being held at gunpoint, with a big smile on his face.

"You don't need to flip out," He assured, "I just wanted to say hi."

"I...I know you... You found me... what's your name?" Liz whimpered, shying away from him, her tail slinking around her cowering form protectively.

Mikey took it all in stride, slowly extending a hand to her. "My dear friend, they call me Michelangelo. And can I just say, you look absolutely stunning today. How is it you make even bandages look fashionable, madam?"

Liz blinked, frowning in slight confusion at the compliment. Her gray eyes shifted to me, and my entire body seized up when her gaze settled on me. I nodded slightly, hoping to tell her everything was alright. She slowly turned her attention back to Mikey.

"I-I'm not pretty."

"Sure you are!" Mikey grinned, gesturing to her, "You've got super cool eyes, and your hair is super soft too, I bet, and--"

"I'm not p-pretty. I'm a mutant," Liz rasped dejectedly, carefully pulling her knees up to her chest, looking so sad I could've sworn my heart shattered into a billion pieces right then and there.

Mikey just scoffed. "What, you're saying a mutant can't be attractive?"

Liz paused, her eyes darting to each of us, seeming to realize she may have offended us.

"Because I respectfully disagree," My brother continued, pointing to himself proudly, "Like, I got my super adorable freckles! And Donnie, he's got his brains, which I hear the ladies like..."

I snickered softly, trying to stifle it when I saw Donnie's face turn beet red. But Mikey wasn't finished.

"And Leo here, he's got his braveness and his neat-o eyes goin for him. And Raph - well, I don't know about Raph, he's pretty unattractive..."

"Watch it, doofus," Raph growled, clenching his fists and successfully distracting everyone from the heat that rushed to my face. I actually thought I caught Liz smiling.

"My point is," Mikey ignored him to address her once more, "We're all mutants. And I don't exactly think we're ugly, right?"

"Well, no--"

"Then you can't say you're not pretty just because you're a mutant," Mikey informed her, crossing his arms, "Which means you have to accept my compliment."

Liz huffed, looking over at me one more time before lowering her gaze and mumbling, "Fine. Thank you."

"You are most welcome, madam," Mikey resumed his prim and proper facade, a big smile on his face, "Now, I guess I'll leave you to your thoughts - can I have a hug?"

My forehead connected with my palm while Liz shot Mikey a dubious look. Mikey shrugged, grin unwavering. "Alright, we'll work up to that - you can't resist my hugs though. You've been warned. "

He gave her a small wave, which earned a tiny smile from her, and walked right past the rest of us. His face was smug as he took in our shocked, gaping mouths, and he stated as he brushed past us, "And that, bros, is how you win a lady's trust."