I just realised I didn't do a disclaimer. Oops. Like I could own them anyway.

What is that? It was a strange sensation, a line of wet running down the side of his face. It was accompanied by that nagging feeling of knowing what something was, but having that knowledge dance just on the edge of your brain. Grr. He chased the thought, round and round his mind with little success. Maybe if he had more info?

Sloppily, his hand flopped its way up to his face and the mystery moisture. What? Augh! Drool! Somehow, knowing that he was laying there, drooling on himself, snapped Michelangelo back to full awareness. Bishop!

He flicked his eyes open, desperately taking in all that he could. Slowly his heart rate ratcheted down as he registered the vaulted ceilings and timber rafters above him. If Bishop had caught them, he'd be staring at one of those pock marked drop ceilings. The rest came back. Leo's last minute inspiration, jumping in the portal, then collapsing on the other side as the one dart that had gotten past him finally kicked in.

He turned his head to the side, absently noting that his mask and gear were gone but something far more important was in front of him. Donnie. He almost sobbed in relief. We got him, he's safe. Now that he was thinking clearly it was obvious they were in the healer's pavilion at the Battle Nexus. This place was far too familiar to them.

"Welcome back my son."

"Ow!" Mikey just about gave himself whiplash twisting in the direction of Splinter's voice on his other side.

Splinter smiled slightly, leaning forward to help Mikey sit up. Once the youngest turtle was upright, Splinter turned drawing Michelangelo's attention to the low table next to them, holding an oriental style tea set. While his Father was busy pouring a cup, Mikey took in more of the healing room.

Mikey himself was sitting on a futon identical to the others up and down the room, including Donnie's. The healer was leaning over their stricken brother, treating the few cuts and bruises in evidence. Not far away, Raphael was propped up against a wall, keeping a very obvious eye on the stranger handling their newly recovered brother. Leo was laying on a futon to Splinter's other side, but the relaxed, deep nature of this breath told of restful sleep, not unconsciousness. He and Raph were probably trading watch. The Daimyo was their friend, but the Nexus wasn't always a friendly place.

A gentle nudge and Mikey turned back to a steaming cup in his face. "Drink my son." Large green hands accepted the healing tea from slender paws with thanks. "Thanks Sensei. I'm really dry." The drugs had not been kind. He choked over a pungent taste. Great, one of those teas. A reprimanding look from Splinter had him drinking the rest of it down as fast as he could, fighting not to gag. Guh. Thanks Dad. He handed back the cup with a tooth baring grin. "Yum."

Splinter chuckled softly as he accepted the container. "I am sure. How are you feeling Michelangelo?"

"Been better, been worse. Got a bit of a headache, and I could drink a pitcher of water, but mostly I'm fine."

The elderly rat heaved a sigh of relief. "That is good to hear my son. The healer was fairly certain you would recover without issue, but I am glad to know it from your own mouth."

"Sensei… how's Donnie?"

That brought a different kind of sigh. "It could have been worse. He is whole, for the most part. He is thinner obviously, and his injuries minor, but I am concerned about what Agent Bishop said in the tunnel. The healer has studied the implant in Donatello's shell, but he has yet to determine if it can be removed." His dark eyes moved to his second youngest son. "Then there are the wounds under the surface to consider."

Despite the hot tea in his belly, a shudder ran through Mikey's frame. Bishop. Being his guest for months would be good for no one's mental health. Oh Donnie. "What are we gonna do Sensei?"

Splinter placed comforting hands on Mikey's broad arms. "Ultimately, my son, I am uncertain. For now? We rest, and learn what we can. I must speak to the Daimyo. I will return shortly."

They shared a nod, and Splinter levered himself upright. As the family head made his way out of the room Mikey got up, and walked to his only alert brother. Raphael's gaze never wavered from Donatello, but he grunted to his new companion as the slightly unsteady turtle flopped against the wall and slowly slid down rest against Raphael's flank. After a minute or two, Mikey caught himself starting to drift off again. Between the low chanting of the healer and the steady rhythm of his big brother breathing, he needed something to keep him awake.

"So. Sup?"

That earned another grunt.

"He woken up again yet?"

Mikey's head heaved with as Raphael shrugged a massive shoulder.

"Leo freaking out yet?"

Head shake.

"How're you?"

A snort.

"Good talk Raph."

He deserved that shove.

"I'm gonna go find some food."

An amused snort this time, progress.

"You want anything?"

"Nah."

Huzzah! Words! Well, a word.

Mikey smiled to himself and started to stand again, trying to remember where they hid the chow in this joint. He didn't get far.

"Hey chucklehead?" The usually orange clad turtle looked back at the one in red. "You did good."

Praise from Raph? Yeah I did good.