For the prompt: "Was I dreaming?"


Three members of the Hamato family were caregivers for a few days. Tension was high and patience was low. Very low. They never could keep a supply of hot chicken soup on hand; it was always on the floor, mixed in with stomach acid and an occasional fur-ball.

Donatello always gagged at the smell and took too long to clean up the mess which gave Raphael a headache and an urge to stick Don's head in the toxic dumps. By the time the two finished arguing, Leonardo was ready to clobber both of the knuckleheads.

On day four, mid-morning, Donatello was assigned Nursing Duty, and he grumbled from his bedroom to the kitchen that he had "duty" the previous night when Mikey reminded him to download the latest movie releases; it was normally never a hassle until another brother popped in and said he's got about five guys waiting on brilliant movies such as "When Boys Turn 19, Part 4" and "Thunder Thighs: Revenge of the Cellulite Stirrup". Don couldn't complain too much; he got a nice 30% of the cut and some coupons to Wendy's.

Mikey woke up and asked for the Infamous jet pack to be ready for lift-off as soon as he was in better health.

A confused Don stood there with a glass of Sprite and oatmeal. "Come again?"

"I'm so psyched!" Mikey slurred through his fever and glob of oatmeal. "I've been wanting one for a hundred years! Donny, I love you! I hate your oatmeal, but I love you!"

Mikey was obviously hallucinating, Don concluded, and wiped the right side of Mikey's chin. The sprite missed its target the first time because a jabbering Mikey wouldn't shush about the damn non-existent jet pack. Exasperated and failing to get any liquid in Mikey's orifice, Don left the room and apparently Mikey never shut up. Blabbering forever.

Sensei Splinter was under the weather too, and he was much more of a delight to nurse than Mikey, except for the occasional rogue fur ball. The room was silent and smelled of medicine instead of the usual incense. Don felt sympathy for his guardian and paid close attention to everything.

Splinter tried to speak, but it was so weak that Don had to kneel down close to Splinter's face. His beady eyes could barely open, and it took a couple of times for Don to realize what Splinter was saying.

"She came for me. The one with the pretty eyes."

Don's heart almost stopped. "Who, Sensei?"

"My angel."

"Rest. We're here for you," stuttered Don and he pressed a wet rag against his sensei's face, gently smiling down at him. "Mikey thinks I finally built him that jet pack. What did you dream?"

Splinter's answer was terribly too quiet, and Don leaned over again. He dropped the rag when he heard Splinter say, "Don't tell anybody, my son. Karaoke night... Leo and Raph sang 'Telephone' and I stole Mikey's cd. The Lady Gaga. I am her little monster."