It is unlike Raphael to actually want to get to work on time. Let alone arrive early so he can rehearse and prepare for a performance. But this night is unlike any other night. He has a reason. A motivation to sing again. He has someone he's hoping will be there tonight to watch him perform. Perform a song just for her. Raphael looked at his watch. He has time, but is it enough?

"Argh! I should've taken the family car..." Raph grumbles to himself, walking fast down the streets of New York. He was pushing himself through the crowd, his head was down, hiding his face with his fedora hat and sticking up the collar of his shirt.

He doesn't want anyone to recognize him, to get stopped by any potential crazed fans or prying reporters nearby. So far, no one has bothered to give him a second glance, so Raph considered himself lucky for this. As long as he or no one else draws attention to himself, everything will be-

"RAAAPPPHHH!!" An obnoxious voice suddenly shouts followed by the honking of a high pitch car horn.

Raph jumps from the sudden scream of his name. Quickly he turns to see a car speeding down the road with Casey poking his head out of the driver's side, waving like an excited child. He pulls up next to Raph by the sidewalk, his big box shaped car with a clean coat of black paint, not a single sign of any scratches.

"Need a ride?"

"Since when did you get a car?" Raph asked as he opened the door, quickly taking a seat on the passenger side before anyone could notice him.

"It ain't mine. It belongs to an important customer of my dad's, so that means I get to enjoy driving this bad boy for the next few days!"

Raph snickers at his friend's lucky circumstance. Casey's father is a well known and talented car mechanic, running one of the best auto body shops in the city. Because of this, Casey always has access to the nicest cars from high end clients of his dad's, often "borrowing" them for a "test drive". Casey's father never bats an eye on his son's actions, as long as the car is returned unharmed before the customer comes by to pick it up, Casey is in the clear.

"How'd you say me, you and Slash take this bute out for a night on the town tomorrow night?"

Tomorrow, Wednesday night. The only day The Dojo's doors are closed, refusing anyone from entering. The Dojo does not open until 9:00 every night and closes at 2:00 in the morning, with the exception of closing one hour earlier on Sundays. One day each week the club is closed so its employees can have a day off to relax. That singular day always brings Raphael such joy, looking forward to it every week. Not only because he doesn't have to work but also because it's the one day his father doesn't care nor ask where he or his brother are or what they are doing. It's their day off, so they've come to an agreement that every Wednesday, anything regarding The Dojo will not be discussed among the Hamato family. One day of freedom to do whatever they desire without the stress of the club weighing on their shoulders.

Raph smiles, "Hell yeah! Count me in!"

"Goongala!!" Casey cheers, hitting the gas and starts speeding down the road.

Driving down the busy roads of New York was surprisingly a peaceful one for the two long time friends. Driving by the many buildings and people walking by. The radio played some well known hits as Raph looked out the car window, lost in his own thoughts. His mind was scattered with ideas for tonight. He wanted everything to be perfect when he performed. He'll talk with the band, inform them and his father of the song he'll sing. Raph just hopes she'll come like she promised.

"So, where do you want to go for our outing tomorrow night? Any ideas?"

Raph's eyes remained locked staring at the window, he couldn't help but think about her, "How about we stop by Galactic Gals again?"

"Those girls are still on your mind?" Casey teased, "As much as I'd love to, we agreed not to go back there for awhile since those reporters spotted you there, remember?"

"Oh, y-yeah. I remember." Raph slugged in his seat, sad but embarrassed to have given that suggestion. "Then how about we go downtown? They have tons of new bars and clubs we can check out."

"Sounds like a plan! I'll let Slash know of our outing." Casey smiled, his eyes locked on the road, "Speaking of Galactic Gals... I've been thinking about it and I just don't get it."

"Get what?"

"Where did you go after the reporters ambushed us the other night? How did you get away?"

"Huh? Oh, I... Uh..." Raphael thought for a moment. Should he tell his friend what happened that night? How he ended up backstage at the burlesque club and met the most perfect woman he's ever met, Mona Lisa. No. He doesn't need to know. If Casey knew he might slip up and tell others which could lead to his father knowing as well. Raphael can't take that risk.

"I was just lucky enough to outsmart them, you know? I was stealthy like a ninja," Raph finally answered, crossing his arms in a cocky manner. "Those reporters are so easy to trick."

"HA! That's the truth!" Casey laughed.

Raph lets out a sigh of relief, glad that Casey did not pester him for more details. If he did, then Raph knows for a fact that Casey would eventually figure it out just based on his friend's refusal to speak. So it's best if Casey drops it now before Raph comes off as suspicious in any light to his friend.

It wasn't long before Raphael and Casey made it to The Dojo. Raph was lucky Casey showed up when he did, the sooner he gets here to practice with the band the better his performance will be tonight. Entering inside the club, Casey ran off to the back to get into his uniform. For Raphael, he noticed the band had not arrived just yet so he had some time to kill. That was when his attention was drawn to the sound of teasing chatter. Looking over at the bar, Raph saw his brother, Donatello, chatting with the new cigar girl, April.

Raph lets out a long groan, as if he's already exhausted from what is soon to come, "Oh, right..."

Raphael nearly forgot about the deal he made with Donnie the other night. Raph agreed he would make amends with April in exchange that Donnie won't tell their father or anyone of his whereabouts from the other night. Just some friendly blackmail between brothers.

"Hey, uh, April?" Raph said once he approached the cigar girl from behind. April turned around, looking slightly shocked from the sight of him. He wasn't surprised, considering the last time they talked he yelled and insulted her to her face. Raph looked at her, trying his best to not look intimidating, but his tone screamed that he was uninterested and already bored.

"Can we talk?"

"O-Oh! Um... Sure?" She seemed nervous.

He gestured for her to follow him so they could talk in private. As they walked away, Raph could see Donnie's smug smile. He knew what was happening, just as he planned, looking on from the distance with a confident gaze.

"What can I do for you, Raphael?" April asked once her and the turtle were off alone on the other side of the club.

Raph inhaled, "Look, I'll cut to the chase 'cause I got a lot to do today. What I did yesterday was... unprofessional of me, and you getting in trouble was something that didn't deserve to happen to you." Raph then heard an obvious cough come from Donnie.

"I'm... sorry."

"Wow... Uh, that's very kind of you, Raphael. I... accept your apology, though I believe you deserve an apology from me way more."

"That's not necessary."

"But it is! I shouldn't have pried on your personal business. It wasn't my place to say anything when I barely know you. You almost got hurt because of me. I never realized how crazy your fans can be, so I'm very sorry... for everything."

Raph was taken aback by April's words. She genuinely seemed to care and regret her actions. It made him feel a sense of guilt for all the bad things he originally said about her. Perhaps he misjudged this girl, "Don't mention it. It wasn't your fault, and besides, it wasn't the first time my fans went crazy, and I'm sure it won't be the last."

"Well, I hope that last night's riot will be the last time that ever happens to you."

Raph snickers at her claim. Little does April know that it actually did in fact happen to him again after he left the burlesque club later that night. Raph couldn't tell if it was irony or karma, regardless those events have led to him meeting Mona Lisa, so in a strange way, he's grateful, "Thanks. So... we're good?"

April smiles at him followed by an assuring nod, "We're good. Oh, and break a leg tonight. I'm really looking forward to seeing your performance."

"So is everyone in New York, but..." he smiled, "Thanks."

Raph excuses himself from his conversations with April, allowing her to return to join Donnie back at the bar. Leaving the main room of the club, Raph heads backstage to find his father. The search wasn't long, being a singular narrow hall, Raph quickly spotted his father who was in the middle of a conversation with the club's bouncer, Slash.

"Hey, Pops, can we talk for a second?" Raph said, approaching his father, interrupting his discussion with Slash.

"Oh, yes, of course my son." Splinter turns to him, "I was actually meaning to speak to you as well."

"Great, 'cause I wanted to speak to you about my performance tonight."

"Me as well. Listen, Raphael," he clears his throat, fidgeting with his tie as he tried to find his words, "I know how you truly feel about this deal, and I've been thinking it over, and perhaps I'm being too hard on-"

"I want to sing a love song." Raphael tells his father quickly, interrupting his train of thought. He was in no mood to hear another lecture from his old man. He has a job to do tonight and it's best to get everything done and ready before they open.

"Uh-" Splinter was startled, trying to comprehend what his son just said, "...Come again?"

"A love song," Raphael repeated, "I'm going to try something different and sing a love song." He gives a bright smile that shocks his father more. Even Slash, who stood nearby, was startled by this act. "I've already picked it out. It's the one you wrote for mom when you two started dating."

"Alright, who are you and what did you do to my son?"

"Very funny, Pops." Raph chuckles slightly. He then turns to Slash, who is listening in on the conversation, approaching him with a small stack of papers, handing them to him, "Slash, can you do me a favor and hand this to Leatherhead? And let the band know when they get here that I'm ready to rehearse with them."

"Uh, yes of course, Raphael."

"Thanks, Buddy." He looks back at his father, "I promise I'll give a performance no one will forget! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go spruce myself up."

Before Splinter could say anything, Raphael dashed down the hall, heading to his dressing room to get ready. The two men looked on at the direction of where Raphael ran off, still trying to process what just happened, and so quickly. Did they just witness what they think they witnessed? Raphael is actually excited to sing tonight. Where did this change come from all of a sudden?

"He's strangely upbeat today," Splinter says, breaking their silence. "I don't know what suddenly changed his mood, but I will not complain."

Slash huffs, finally looking at the papers Raphael handed him. They were music sheets for the song he will sing tonight. Slash couldn't help but smile at this. Finding it amusing that Raphael chose a love song of all things to sing tonight. Though his boss found this discussion peculiar, Slash had an idea of what inspired his friend to pick this song in particular.

"I guess going to that burlesque club really cheered him up..." Slash mumbles to himself with a soft chuckle.

The room quickly went silent, an unsettling tension arose as Splinter's eye twitched. Slowly turning his head towards the bouncer, the look of shock, disgust and slight rage painted on the old rat's face. "...What club?"

"Uhhh..." Slash's heart dropped. He was unable to speak, fearful of saying anything else that could infuriate his boss.

"Raphael was at that burlesque club?!"

"Um, no?" Slash gave a non convincing smile, hoping that his boss would forget what he heard, but Mr Hamato was persistent.

"How do you know this?" his boss approached him, eyes cold and glaring straight through Slash, "And don't try lying to me, your job is on the line."

"I... may have accompanied your son and Casey Jones to Galactic Gal Burlesque Club last night..." Splinter's eye twitched harder as Slash then assured quickly, "But no one saw him! Raphael was safe! He just wanted a night out to relax after everything that happened with the riot!"

Splinter looks at Slash, seeming to claim himself down. Mr Hamato lets out an exhausted sigh, turning his head back to see his son's dressing room door. "He's in a good mood and isn't arguing with me about anything for once, so I won't confront him about the club situation. He might break the deal if I do. I'll let it slide this one time, but you, Slash," he turns back at the bouncer furious, his furious gaze returning, "You're on thin ice."

"Mr Hamato, please!" Slash begs, his body shaking, "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have let Raphael go there!"

"I can expect Mr Jones dragging my son there, but you?! I trust you to watch over my sons and keep them safe, yet you allowed Raphael to go to that... that... brothel!!"

"Sir, with all do respect, I am not their nanny," Slash interjects, "You hired me to be the security for The Dojo. I can't always-"

"I hired you because I took pity on you," Splinter says in a furious, but still stern voice. His words alone were powerful enough to silence the bouncer. Slash's body tensed up, scared of his boss' fury as he stared him in the eyes, scolding him, "I am the only one here who knows of your past and I understood that pain. That is why I gave you a job," Splinter then approaches Slash, grabbing the collar of his shirt and pulling him closer to him. He whispers aggressively into his ear, "You're not the only one who wishes to escape him."

Slash's eyes widen with fear, his body trembling. His name was not even spoken, yet Mr Hamato and Slash both knew well of who he was referring to. No, he can't go back to that hell. His boss knows that too. The Dojo is his sanctuary. He can't take the risk of losing it.

Slash finally speaks, his voice trembling in defeat and sadness, "I-I'm sorry, Mr Hamato... I promise it won't happen again."

"Good," he lets go of Slash's shirt, a smile finally returning to his boss' face. "Now, get back to work."