PS: by the way, I didn't mention in the first chapter but this is based off the 03 cartoon. Just to let you know.
Disclaimer: I will never own the turtles…sigh
The next day:
Raph was reading a newspaper and sipping coffee at the head of the table as Mikey stumbled into the kitchen. He glance up as Mikey plopped down in a chair to his right. Raph frowned slightly when Mikey silently laid his head on the table, lacking his usual bursting energy. Raph set his paper down.
"You okay Mike?" Raph asked.
"Hmm?" Mikey's head jerked up and he looked at Raph with tired eyes " Oh…yeah I'm okay."
Raph silently picked up his paper again. It was obvious Mikey wasn't feeling well but he wasn't going to push anything. It wasn't long though before Mikey's eyes began drooping and his head bobbed as he tried to stay awake. A few minutes later Mikey sighed.
" Guess I should start on breakfast." He said miserably.
Raph interrupted before Mikey got up. " I think cold ceral will be fine for us all. You ain't gotta make breakfast every day."
Mikey just sighed again and sniffled. He pulled the blanket he'd brought down with him closer around himself and gave a slight cough.
Raph glanced at Mikey again then set down his paper. He got up from the table and went to the cupboard. After retriving a glass down from the shelf he went to the refrigerator and grabbed the carton of orange juice. He poured a tall glass of it and brought it back to the table. He promptly set it in front of Mikey who stared at it in surprise.
"Drink." Raph commanded before sitting down in his chair and picking up his paper once again. Raph stared at his brother as Mikey looked from the glass back to Raph. Raph caught Mikey's tired eyes.
"Drink it Mike." Raph said warningly. "You ain't sounding too good."
Mikey took the glass in his hand and brought it to his lips. He let the cool, sweet liquid soothe his burning throat. It was heaven in a glass. Mikey set his half full cup down and sighed with relief. He turned to his brother, ". Thanks Raph."
Raph nodded and flipped a page.
Mikey's eyes felt heavy. He put his arms on the table, leaned foreward, and rested his head on them gently. Moments later he felt a comforting hand on the back of his neck, massaging the stiff muscles and then moving down to his sore shoulders.
Raph heard Mikey's sigh of contentment and gave a small smile, but it quickly turned to a frown. Mikey's skin was abnormally warm. Raph wondered slightly if Mike had small fever. He put the thought to the back of his mind as Mikey began snoring softly. He really was tired.
It wasn't long until Leo walked in, done with his morning meditation. The fact that it was quiet when both Raph and Mikey were in the same room was the first thing that set warning bells off in his head. He saw Raph reading the news paper as he rubbed Mikey's shoulders. Leo could see dark shadows under Mikey's eyes, even though he had his mask on. Mikey was asleep and a blanket hung loosely on him.
Leo met Raph's eyes as he walked into the kitchen. Raph looked at Mike." He ain't feeling too good," was all he whispered.
Leo merely nodded and went to get a bowl of cereal.
Leo brought his bowl to the table and sat straight across from Mikey. He watched his youngest brother with intent eyes. After a few seconds he switched his gaze to Raph who had given up on his paper by now.
"How long has he been asleep? " Leo asked quietly. Raph looked up at Leo.
"Only a few minutes, but he came down here maybe a little less than 20 minutes ago." Raph replied, "He feels warm too."
Leo sighed " I guess I need to tell Master Splinter he's sick before practice."
Suddenly Mikey moaned and shifted the sound of voices. Leo saw his eyes crack open. "Hey Mike." Leo said softly to him.
"Leo? " Mikey rasped.
"How are you feeling Mikey?" Leo asked gently.
Mikey blinked heavily a few times, sniffled then closed his eyes. His quiet snoring starting again.
Raph snorted. "I think you got your answer Fearless."
Leo rolled his eyes but then frowned as he reached over and felt Mikey's forehead. He did feel warm. " I guess patrol in the rain wasn't a good idea."
"Don't start that crap Leo." Raph said roughly. "You're not blaming yourself for this. Mikey's just a little sick that's all. It happens once in a while to all of us. It ain't your fault."
"Sure Raph." Leo said looking down. Mikey shifted and murmered somethng in his sleep, catching Leo's attention again. Leo frowned. " Do you think we should get Donnie-"
"-Get Donnie for what? " A sleepy voice asked from the doorway. Donnie came in rubbing his eyes and yawning. His eyes went straight to Mikey, passed out on the table and went into doctor mode.
"What's wrong with Mike?" He asked.
"Sick." Raph stated simply.
Donnie groaned. "I knew it. He didn't sound so good last night before he went to bed." He went to the coffee maker and poured a mug of it. Then he sat down next to Mike.
Donnie laid the back of his hand against Mikey's forehead. "Well, he feels warm. Enough to probably call it a fever."
Mikey's eyes opened slightly. He saw his brothers sitting next to him." Donnie? "
Don put a hand on Mikey's shell." You're not feeling well, are you?"
Mikey closed his eyes and shook his head slowly.
"Why don't we bring you to the lab? I'm sure you'd feel better lying down, wouldn't you? " Donnie asked softly.
"Yeah." Mikey whispered, lifting his head and arms off the table.
"Come on Mike." Don said pulling his brothers up to a standing position. He wrapped an arm around Mikey and began to steer him in the direction of the lab. "Let's go"
End of chapter two. Just warning ya'll, I 'll probably minimize updates to one day a week. More than likely every Friday, but don't be surprised if I update more than that. Thanks to all of you who reviewed also, it means a lot to know people are reading.
Adios 'til next time.