Disclaimer: I do not own Ninja Turtles other than video games and DVDs. That hardly entitles me to own their rights. Don't sue. All I've got is pocket lint! ;_;

Set to be inside of the episode 'Good Genes 2' from season 4. You'll recognize it. End is something I made up, but thought appropriate given the POV. Remember, reviews make a happy author!

"I hope you guys didn't go through too much trouble for me." Trouble he says. Yeesh. I mean, besides the whole attacking April and Casey thing, I could list off the trouble we went through to bring Donnie home to us.

I mean, playing decoy is usually my job, I admit, but I was never more afraid of any of my bros as I was of Donnie at that moment. Well for real, cause there was this one time, in my dream with Leo, and the tentacles... I'll just leave it at that. Heh. It was all well and good until Donnie punched me into a wall. That still smarts, you know. But it's not injuries that I'm worried about. I get those all the time.

It wasn't even working with... heck, working for Agent Bishop that was the hardest either, having to put up with his stupid remarks that weren't even funny, or having to be serious for way too long. Even having to go to Area 51 didn't top the cake for all the trouble. Mmm, cake. I mean, another bad part was having to go to Foot Headquarters again... With cream cheese icing... and having to face stupid Karai again, with just Leo and me. I mean, my big bro is good and all, but with just the two of us, we didn't really stand a chance.

Then there was having to hear the desperation in Leo's voice when he almost had to beg Bishop not to hurt Donnie...

A smoke explosion. "Bishop, NO, DON'T hurt him!" The unspoken 'please' on the end, that Leo was too proud to give him.

Stockman insulting Donnie and Leatherhead's work.

"Where did you get this pathetic containment unit... a JUNKYARD?"

If he only knew how much Donnie did with equipment that he'd gotten from junkyards and dumpsters, he'd eat those words...

With whipped cream swirls around it, in the middle of each swirl, a purple jellybean.

That moment of recognition when Master Splinter talked to him while he held my leg after my stupid attempt to give him some food.

Girlish screams, my own, calling for Raphael, and Master's voice, "Hear my voice... you do not want to hurt your brother..."

The sight of Leo shooting Don with tranquilizer shots...

One after another, the glowing blue darts Donnie had developed himself, piercing skin. Leo's anguished face as he shot again, and again, and yet again, until the mutated turtle fell before him.

It broke my heart, dudes, but you'll never know... Cuz I'll never tell. Those images will haunt my nightmares for weeks to come, and each time, I already know which brother I'll run to, to make sure that he's still there, mind and body.

The question echoes in my head, along with all of those quick images and thoughts. "I hope you guys didn't go through too much trouble for me." My family exchanges glances, sheepish in some expressions, sheltered in others.

Then it comes to me. Would I do it all again? Definitely. Was it too much trouble?

"Nah!" I tell him, giving him the most devilishly handsome look I could muster given the situation.

What's too much trouble where your family is involved? Nothing, that's what.

Later, in the copter....

"So guys, who wants cake?"

…

"OW!"

FIN