Song: The Diary of Jane - Breaking Benjamin

The next week is full of bone-breaking and muscle-ripping workouts. Every day is a non-stop training session. When my head hits the pillow, it seems like only a few seconds pass before I have to get back up.

The lack of energy takes its toll on us quickly, draining our patience and putting us all in bad moods. It doesn't help that Leonardo is on my shell all day long. Even when he isn't around, I can practically feel him breathing down my neck, reminding me that the Kraang can still slice me into turtle fries. I end up lashing out at everyone a lot more than usual.

On top of that is Elizabetta's failure of getting over her fear of heights. I take her up to the surface every day for at least two hours, and still nothing. She gets so close to jumping to the next roof, and then she backs out with her legs quivering.

I'm not an adequate teacher; I knew that from the start. I'm not patient enough, or good at coming up with creative ideas. Yet, I can't help feeling disappointed in myself for her retaining her fear.

One good thing comes out of it, though. Elizabetta has become really good with grappling hooks. So good, in fact, that I give her a spare one I have lying around. She was so thrilled that she almost put her own eye out while using it for the first time. Amateurs.

It's time to take another trip to the surface with Elizabetta. I can only hope and pray that she will get over her fear this time, despite how tiny that possibility is.

I peer into the spare room. Elizabetta is taking a nap on her mat, exhausted from yet another brutal training session with Leonardo. I almost hate to wake her. Almost.

I bend down and shake  her. "Hey, Liz," I say. "It's time to go to the surface."

Elizabetta makes a small noise as she sits up. She looks at me with her eyelids half closed, her green eyes full of drowsiness. "Already?" she mumbles.

I don't have time for sympathy. If she wants to get some sleep, she shouldn't have asked me for help. "Yeah. Come on, we're wasting moonlight," I reply grouchily, walking out of the room.

To my surprise, Leonardo is standing there. His blue eyes are glowing with eagerness- much different from the stiffness I've seen lately.

"Are you going up with Lizzy?" Leonardo asks me brightly.

Suspicious, I narrow my eyes. "Uh, yeah," I respond slowly. "What's gotten into you? Do you have shells in your brain? More than usual, I mean."

Leonardo shrugs as well, mimicking me. He has a ridiculous smile on. "Donnie gave me some kind of gas. He said it would calm me down, and now I feel great!" He pauses. "Can I go with you?"

As well as I know him, I should have expected that question. Of course he wants to tag along. The one time I can get away from him, and I'm doomed to bring him with me anyway. It's a good thing he's all hyped up on happy gas, though- maybe he won't try and take charge for once.

As much as I don't want to, I have no choice. I have to let him. "Sure," I answer with an unconcerned shrug. "Just do me a favor and don't smile like that," I add. "It's terrifying. And you wouldn't wanna scare Lizzy away, now would you?"

Ah. Blackmail.

Leonardo blinks and realizes what I mean. He clears his throat and puts on a serious face.

About that time, Elizabetta stumbles out of her room, looking far from rested. She looks like she might collapse from exhaustion, but her eyes brighten in surprise when she sees Leonardo.

"Are you going with us?" she questions. Maybe it's my imagination, but she seems nervous at that idea.

"Yes, he is," I interrupt before Leonardo can say something stupid. "Let's go," I order quickly as I start pushing the blue-clad turtle towards the exit. Elizabetta follows, slightly more awake than before.

When we get up top, Elizabetta uses her grappling hook with no problem whatsoever. Leonardo shoots me an impressed look before going after her.

On the rooftop is when Elizabetta starts to spaz out. Her legs instantly start shivering and she won't look anyone in the eyes. After all this time, and she still can't stand calmly on a flat roof. Disappointing.

Leonardo and I stand back as she attempts to jump to the next roof multiple times. I do my usual of provocative yelling, but not surprisingly, it never works. She gets to the edge and stops every single time. She just cannot do it.

She finally gets frustrated and throws her hands up in surrender. "I can't do it. I give up," she sighs, walking over to us. "I'll never get over this fear."

That's the first time she has verbally announced defeat. Now that surprises me.

"Why don't you just try it another way?" Leonardo suggests, the happy gas finally loosening its hold. He sounds normal again, though he's still in an overly good mood.

I laugh coldly. "I've tried every idea I could possibly think of," I scoff. "Nothing works. She will never make it across that gap."

"Then maybe you need a fresh view point," Leonardo replies thoughtfully. He walks to the edge of the roof and offers his hand to Elizabetta. "Come here," he invites.

Elizabetta shoots me a worried look before obeying. She takes his hand and stands on the edge with him, shaking even more. "What are we doing?" she finally asks.

"I'm going over with you," Leonardo answers.

I rollmy eyes, but don't bother stopping him. If he thinks he's so smart, then he can see how wrong he is for himself.

Elizabetta, however, doesn't like the idea. "Um, I don't know," she says uncertainly as she takes a step back.

"I won't drop you." Leonardo keeps a firm grip on her hand. I can only imagine how much he's enjoying this. The thought makes me curl my lip in disgust.

Elizabetta meets his gaze skeptically. "Are you sure?" she whispers.

"Positive," Leonardo agrees with a genuine smile, something I haven't seen in days.

Leonardo takes a few steps backwards with her. They start off running, and then right as they reach the edge, they jump.

I know the minute their feet leave the ground that something isn't right. Leonardo is too distracted by her to ready himself correctly. He falls short of the other roof and her hand slips from his. I stare in horror as Elizabetta plummets toward the ground, a scream escaping her.

Leonardo only just manages to save himself by scrambling onto the other rooftop. He leans over the edge yelling, "No!"

I dart to the edge as well and drop down. I grab onto the other roof with one hand, while catching her in my other. "Gotcha," I gasp, squeezing her hand to hold on.

I pull her to safety on the same roof as Leonardo. Once I release her, I turn on Leonardo, bunching my muscles angrily.

"What the heck, Leo?!" I snap. "You almost killed her!"

"I-I-" Leonardo stammers, but I refuse to listen.

"You need to get your head out of the clouds!" I go on loudly. "We were coping with it before, but now it's getting out of control! You almost killed her, for shell's sake!"

Leonardo just sits on the roof, looking up at me with round, guilty eyes.

"Yeah, Leo!" Elizabetta is yelling now. She stands beside me, glaring viciously. "What has gotten into you lately? You never seem to notice anything anymore! Yesterday, Mikey ripped one of your comics, and you were completely oblivious to it! I know something's bothering you," Her voice softens slightly, but she's still mad. "You're worrying us. You need to get help, and I'm not speaking to you until you do find some."

Leonardo's eyes glitter with worry. "Lizzy, no. Please don't. I just..."

"You just what, Leo? What?" Elizabetta steps toward him threateningly. I have never seen her so angry before- it's a bit scary. "What can you possibly say to make this any better? Oh, right! Nothing!" She lets out a fake, irritated laugh. "You never tell me anything anymore. It's like you don't want me around."

"That's not true!" Leonardo insists. "I talked to you when I was stressed out."

"That was a week ago!" Elizabetta has tears forming in her eyes. "You've given me a whole week of nothing but sharp orders and short goodnights! Not to mention that you've made me feel like I've done something wrong ever since I got here!"

"I'm sorry," Leonardo says quietly, but if she hears him, she says nothing.

"Maybe it was a mistake to come back to New York at all," Elizabetta's voice drops to a chilling whisper. She turns her back on Leonardo, blinking away more tears, and grappling her way back to the ground.

I shoot Leonardo a glare. "Nice going, Fearless," I growl, before following her.

"Wait!" Leonardo calls desperately. "I swear I didn't mean to let go!" Just before I get out of earshot I hear him murmur,

"Please come back..."