Disclaimer: *dreaming* Ha, I wish.

A/N: This fic, although somewhat short, is an essential part of my series. I hope you like it. It's just sorta warm and fuzzy.

Sarah slipped quietly into the lab. She slid her arms softly around her mate's neck from behind. "It's late, love. Come to bed. You know how hard it is to sleep without you." She nuzzled his neck and he trembled slightly at the sensation.

Donnie turned off the computer monitor and pulled her gently around to sit in his lap. "I'm sorry. I've been neglecting you, haven't I?"

Sarah smiled. "No. I just miss you. You've been locked in here for weeks it seems like. I've never known you to stay on one project for so long." She looked at the blank screen. He had not told her anything about this specific project, which was very unusual. "What are you working on anyway?"

"Well, this project is different. I had to do a lot of research. I wanted to make sure it was something I could do. Though I'm glad to say I'm almost done now." He paused, considering something. "I was going to make it a surprise, but it is both our decisions." Before she could ask what he was talking about, he reached over and turned the monitor on.

Sarah read the title of the article, In Vitro Fertilization and Comparative Genomic Hybridization. She moved out of his lap and stepped away with her back to him. Donnie realized with horror how dangerous of territory he'd stepped into. Tidal waves of emotions swamped him, nearly making him fall out of his chair. Confusion and frustration seemed to be the most dominant.

He tried to cut her off at the pass with his explanation. "I just thought this would make you happy. Make both of us happy. I could use turtle eggs and they'd-"

Sarah spun around to face him. Her expression telling him what he already knew. She was very upset. He clamped his mouth shut before the hole he dug could get any deeper. "Donnie this isn't just some experiment! This is our lives we are talking about and the life of an unborn child. You can't really be considering growing a fetus here in your lab."

He tried again to settle her. "I have done a lot of research on this. It would be possible to inject a turtle egg with a combination of our DNA. I believe the mutagen in my DNA would help correct any abnormalities."

Sarah covered her face with her hands and he could feel her trying to settle her nerves through their bond. Finally she placed a hand on his cheek. "Donnie, life is not something to be trifled with. I think it's something we will need to speak with Master Splinter about. I need some time to think about it too. But I want you to understand I don't…have to have this." She kissed him softly. "All I will ever need is you."

She left him alone to consider her words. He had thought the idea of having a child would make her happy. It hadn't occurred to him that it might be a difficult decision. He had done all the research necessary and it was definitely possible. Sarah had not been lying, though. She had decided a long time ago that it was not necessary to her life to have children. But Donnie knew that deep inside her it was something she desired.

He recalled again the afternoon he'd found Sarah and Cat watching some movie on TV. On the screen had been a woman in a hospital gown with a tiny newborn in her arms. And just for the tiniest of moments he had felt that sensation. The one he had not quite figured out. The impression that made something was incomplete. It had vanished nearly as quickly as it had come, as Cat had started teasing her about babies. Sarah had simply said, "Who doesn't like babies?" But he had understood from that moment on that it was something seeded deep inside her that she desired, perhaps without her even knowing it.

He also felt the desire. Possibly on his part it was instinct or maybe something that was being passed along through their bond. He and his wife had made love many times in the past two and half years, but each time he understood that it would never produce any offspring. There was the ethical problem to think about. Even if it was possible, was it okay to play with a life like that? Donnie shook his head in the empty room. No, I've learned everything I can. I've went over every scenario, every abnormality, every everything. It is possible.

He sighed and turned back to the computer. But it wouldn't hurt to do a little more research.

Sarah sat up in bed, she was still alone. The book she'd been reading the night before lay on the bed beside her. She wondered if she'd been too hard on Donatello. She hadn't meant to. What he didn't realize was that she was happy with just him. Even as a child she had realized how deep their connection was and had decided then that even if there was no hope of children, she would still be very happy. Also, she thought with a touch of sadness, I'm not so sure I could handle losing a child. What if they got their hopes up and something happened to the child? Would she be alright? Would Donnie?

She slid out of the bed and into her slippers. Pulling on her robe, she opened the door and listened for signs of life. Everyone was still asleep. She moved quietly through the lair and past the other guys' bedroom. Leo's snoring reassured her of their slumber. She moved into the lab, where she found her mate asleep at the computer. Despite her turtle's outer toughness, she knew his feelings delved deep as did his brothers. She knelt beside his chair, and touched his arm gently. Donnie opened his eyes and looked down on her drowsily.

"Did you sleep here all night?" It was more a statement than a question. They hadn't spent a night apart since they'd wed more than two years earlier. Sarah bit her bottom lip as she searched their bond, wondering just how much she must have hurt him. "Are you….are you angry with me?"

Donatello was completely awake now. "No!" He paused, testing the tension in their bond before repeating the question. "Are you angry with me?"

"No." She replied just as quickly. She stared at her hands in her lap.

Donnie took her hands and pulled her up to nestle against his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around her. He understood now, why she had reacted so, and he could feel the fear ebbing at her heart. "What are you afraid of?"

"That someone will be hurt. I feel like we're playing with fire. What if something happens? What if…." She just couldn't finish the thought as she fought the sting of tears.

Donnie pulled her tighter against him, understanding now what exactly was going on. Sarah had lost four families in the span of her life. She feared the loss of but another. He tried to project his confidence to her and reassure her that no matter what he would still be there. Children or no, he would never leave her. Sarah wept harder into his shoulder as he rocked her gently. "I'm not going anywhere, my love. I am your family. We are your family. No matter what comes, good or bad."

Sarah tried to quiet the sobs that racked her body, but it was too late. Splinter had heard her and he entered the room with concern. "Is everything alright, my son?"

But it was Sarah that responded. She sat back, wiping at the tears still streaming down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Master Splinter. I didn't mean to wake you."

"It is alright child. Now please tell me, what has made you so upset?"

Donnie explained his research and theory. Splinter listened patiently, even though some of it was far beyond his understanding. Sarah seemed to understand most of it and even agreed it was possible. But fear remained in her big brown eyes. Splinter understood the fear even better than she did. "Every life is precious, my son. You must truly understand that you will be responsible for every action you take here. You will have to decide if the risks are worth what you desire."

He looked at Sarah with understanding. "Fear can be paralyzing, my child. I know you have strong instincts in this. Every mother wants to protect her children. But also know you are strong. You have proved that many times in the past. I suggest that you give yourselves time to consider the many possibilities that lay before you." He stepped forward taking Sarah's hand. "And know that I am also here for you, if you need to talk."

Splinter left the room and Sarah curled back into Donnie. He pressed soft kisses to her brow and face while running a hand gently through her hair. He could still feel her fear. Although, her mind seemed to be grasping everything logically, her heart wouldn't comply. "I love you, Sarah. Nothing will ever change that."

She wrapped her arms around him. "I love you too." She buried her face in his neck. "Just hold me."

He complied, pulling her even closer and allowing his love to flow through their bond until it filled ever orifice in their bodies. They stayed that way for what seemed like hours. Donnie remained silent resting his cheek against her hair. He could feel Sarah trying to sort through her emotions. In his mind's eye he could see her analyzing each one and filing it away, until at last there was only logic – cool and calm.

"I'm sorry." She whispered softly.

He lifted her chin, their brown eyes meeting. "You have nothing to apologize for. I was rash. I just thought…"

"No, you were only trying to do what you thought was right…for both of us. I was wrong to get so upset with you. And after all the hard work you did." She hugged him tighter. "Please, forgive me."

Donnie clenched his eyes closed at the pain that welled in her heart at the thought of hurting him. His own tears threatened to escape him. "I already have." He pushed the feeling through their bond making his insides burned with its echo.

Mikie appeared in the doorway. "Hey, Donnie is Sarah in-Oh, hey are you going to make breakfast or should I?" Observing the distraught faces that looked up at him, he wondered what was going on. "What's with the serious faces?"

Sarah started to get up, but Donnie held her in place shaking his head. "Why don't you do it this morning, Mikie? Sarah and I need a few more minutes alone."

"Is there anything I can do?"

Donnie offered his brother a weak smile. "Not right now, but thanks."

Mikie frowned, but nodded his understanding before leaving. Sarah looked up at Donnie. "I could have made breakfast."

Donnie shook his head. "Nope. I think you need a break. I have been neglecting you lately and I plan on making it up to you."

Sarah's lips curled slightly. "And how do you plan on doing that?"

He returned the smile. "Any way you want me to."

She lifted an eyebrow and he could feel a spark of mischief bubble up inside her. "In that case," she pulled him in to a loving kiss, "I have plenty of ideas."

Voices from the kitchen, reminded them of the rest of their family. "Should we tell them anything?"

Sarah slowly nodded. "It's only fair. I know it's our decision but they will have to live with it as well."

"If you're sure…" He allowed her to slip from his lap.

She pulled him to his feet. "Yes, and sometimes a new perspective helps."

He tarried a moment longer, cupping her face and kissing her once more. A tentative hope was growing in him now that she would at least consider the idea. The fear was still there but it was slowly fading away under his love. Slowly, he drew back to look down at her. Her eyes were still a bit puffy from crying and her lips slightly swollen from their encounter with his. She reminded him an angel. She blushed and took his hand, kissing the palm and then led him from the lab into the kitchen.

The others were already seated about the table, while Mikie finished scrambling the eggs. Toast and bacon were already prepared. Splinter watched them as they sat down. "Guys, we wanted to talk to you about something?"

Donnie's serious tone made Leo look up from his mug of tea. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong exactly. Sarah and I were discussing something and we thought it best to have your opinions." Donnie explained.

Mikie set the plate of eggs on the table and sat down. "Does this have to do with the sour faces earlier?"

Sarah nodded and she tried to put it as simple as she could. "We were thinking of….having a baby."

Everyone except Splinter flinched. Raph nearly choked on his bacon. "What!"

Cat fidgeted. "But you said that was impossible?"

"Physically, yes. But Donnie has a different idea." Sarah turned to Donnie, who once again explained his research and plans.

Leo frowned as he set his mug on the table. "Donnie, this is pretty serious. What you're proposing, it affects all of us and not just because we'd have an infant living with us."

"I think it's a great idea." Everyone turned to look at Raph. "Who says we should be limited? Why shouldn't we be able to have kids, if we want'em?"

"Donnie, are you sure you know what you're doing? What if you ended up hurting the little guy? Or it came out all deformed and stuff?" Mikie asked in almost a whisper.

"Like I said I've done a lot of research. Even Sarah agrees the process should work. And I'll use unfertilized turtle eggs, so I won't be hurting anyone." Donnie squeezed Sarah's hand. "So, if it doesn't work then it doesn't work. No harm, no foul."

"I'm still not convinced this is such a good idea." Leo met his brother's eyes. "But if it's what you want. I'm with you." He fixed his eyes on his father. "What about you Master?"

"It is Donatello and Sarah's decision, not mine; though I cannot say it would not do my heart good to have a little one around again." Memories flickered in the old rat's eyes.

"What about you, Mikie?" Donnie asked.

Mikie was watching Sarah. He'd seen several emotions pass over her face as his brothers had spoken. She was still hesitant and had that been fear he'd seen. "I don't mean to be a downer, but what if it doesn't work?" Yep, it had definitely been fear.

"Well, even if it doesn't work the first time, we can try again."

Sarah stiffened beside Donnie and he whipped his head around to look at her. She'd gone pale. "No."

"What…Sarah, I thought…"

"No, I couldn't do that." Tears began to fall again. "I couldn't bear to watch our children die over and over. I couldn't….It would destroy me." Her eyes pleaded with him, reflecting the depths of her soul. "Please, promise me. If it doesn't work, you won't try again."

He kissed her brow and pulled her into an embrace. "I promise." He'd do anything to stop those tears and extinguish the anxiety inside her.

Mikie at last smiled, feeling that the tension had finally released. "Well, if Sarah is okay with it then so am I. Besides, I think it'd be fun to have a little niece or nephew."

"Yeah, you might finally have someone you can have a conversation with." Raph teased. Sarah giggled, breaking the tension even more.

Donnie looked down at her with a smile. "I guess, this means we're having a baby."

A/N: All right! I'm planning the baby shower! Don't forget to spike the punch, no ones really pregnant after all! LOL!