Dancing

Lindy's piercing screams filled the room, and Donatello looked over as the all-too-short moment of peace he'd just had was cut short.

He walked over to her crib and sighed. A red, tearstained face looked back up at him. Her two year old mind didn't understand why she felt so badly, but she knew she wanted it to stop. He put a hand on her head and sighed. The fever persisted.

He stretched his back, loosening the sore muscles in his neck. He hadn't slept since she'd had the fever. She stood up and looked at him, reaching her arms out for him. He complied, smiling grimly as he realized in the same instant how big she was getting, and how bad her fever was.

She immediately wrapped her arms and legs around him and put her head on his shoulder. Her cries quieted, but not completely. He began rocking her slowly.

Leo silently peeked his head in.

"Need anything?" He asked quietly, and Don shook his head.

"I'm good." He whispered back.

Leo nodded. "Well, if you need anything. A break, anything… we're right out here."

Don smiled. "Thanks."

Leo nodded again, then shut the door as he left.

Don leaned his head down to rest lightly on Lindy's head. She'd just come down with a sore throat and an earache the day before, and he knew she was miserable. So was he, but only because he couldn't make it better.

He appreciated his brother's offer of help, but knew that she'd only cry for him sooner or later, plus it would transfer more germs that way. And Mikey could be a worse patient than her, Don thought, smiling.

Don could hear the television off in the distance. He began to quietly hum along to the music he heard, rocking her gently.

She stuck a finger in her mouth, settling down in his arms.

He kissed her forehead softly, and grinned as he realized that she felt a little cooler. The magic of baby Tylenol… He thought happily.

He resumed his humming and moved her around the room. She sighed, and watched as they moved about the room, her cries quieted.

Soon, she moved her head and looked up at him.

"Shh…" He gently shushed her, and she lay her head back down on him.

He continued singing gently, and picked up his movements as she stirred. He soon found that they were doing a kind of waltz through the room.

They continued on, dancing in the darkened room, and Donatello lost track of time. Soon, Lindy's deep breathing told him she was finally asleep. He shifted her gently in his arms, and looked down at her. Sure enough, her eyes were closed, and she was peacefully sleeping.

He reached up to feel her forehead, and was delighted that the fever had broken.

He slowed his movements reluctantly. He wanted to stay this way a moment longer. Make that a lifetime…He thought, as she sighed in her sleep.

He gently carried her over to her crib, and laid her down. She stirred when he let go, but didn't wake. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

He reached down to smooth some hair from her forehead. He stood, watching her for a moment as she slept, part of him wanting to make sure she didn't wake, the other part just wanting to see her.

Finally he straightened, and moved away from her crib. He smiled.

He'd never been real big on dancing. But he'd make an exception for her.

The end

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Author's Note - This was just a little something that came to me today, and I had to write it. I hope you all enjoyed a little peak into a moment with Don and Lindy.