I watched him as he slept. He hadn't woken up once and seemed to be alot more peaceful, yet I couldn't helpt but wonder when I saw a few tears slip down his face. I knew it was another dream, but it certainly seemed to be better than the last few he'd had.

I gently wiped away the tears. It was just after 3am, and I knew I should get back to sleep, but watching Raphael as he slept... I found it very comforting and that I couldn't stop watching him.

"Addy?"

"Mm."

"Adalida?"

"Hm."

"Pretty little cajun queen?"

My eyes popped open at that and was met with Raphael smiling at me. "Thought you didn't like country music."

He shrugged. "Eh, livin' in Louisiana'll do that to ya. Some of it's okay."

I returned the smile. "And to think I had a song named after me." I paused. "What did you dream about last night?'

Raphael's brow lowered. "Whadaya mean?"

"I woke up in the middle of the night and saw tears. I got curious," I said.

He sat up and I followed suit. "I... 'spoke'... with Splinter." My eyes widened, and he continued, "He forgave me and asked me to forgive him. I can understand his forgiving me, but I haven't got a clue why he wants me to forgive him."

I smiled again. "You said yesterday that you're going to say something at his gravesite."

"Yeah?" he questioned.

I sighed. "Make sure you mention that you know he's forgiven you and that it's okay that he isn't still here."

"Hm. But he told me he knew I hadn't meant what I said," Raphael said.

"Think about the circumstances surrounding that night," I said, then got up. He watched me with a somewhat bewildered look. "Did you ever tell him you loved him?"

The look on his face fell. I really struck a chord with that. I picked up some fresh clothes and some personal items and headed out the door for the bathroom.

Chapter Twenty Five: Michelangelo