Chapter 3: Fix You

A/N: So as promised, here's Donnie's chapter for this challenge. This chapter is based off the song Fix You by Coldplay as I thought that was an interesting title for a chapter featuring Donnie. Thanks to those who have read and reviewed thus far. I'm glad you're enjoying this story and I'm excited to be bringing you more.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and nothing more.

Donatello always prided himself on being able to fix anything he could get his hands on. Whenever he was faced with a new project, his eyes would light up and he'd be in a hurry to get down to it. He would sometimes be so immersed, he'd forget about the world around him and not know what was going on, but that was typical of him. Splinter would sometimes reprimand him for it, and Don would feel guilty, but that guilt would go away once a project was finished.

Yet as he stared at his unconscious brother as they made their way to April's family farmhouse, Don felt for the first time in his life that he wouldn't be able to fix what had happened to Leo. He could try, but who was to say it would work? And not only that, what about the argument he'd just had with his brother about what to do? If Leo died, that fight would never be resolved. He shook that thought from his head and began to check over his brother. He would do all he could to fix him no matter what it took. He had to try at least.

When they arrived at the farmhouse, they carried Leo in and set him in the bathtub. Then Donnie made note of his injuries and gave orders to his brothers and Casey about what to do. They complied and gave Donnie what he needed, and he began patching up Leo's wounds as best he could. He couldn't really bandage anything and decided to wait to see if Leo woke up before he could do that, but he did at least clean out the cuts and mended the crack in his brother's shell.

Now all they had to do was wait. Don left and went to the barn and turned it into a lab with Casey's help. He used some of the mutagen he'd brought and decided the best way to heal Leo was to create a medicine. After all, that would be the best way to make sure Leo healed, right? Don gritted his teeth and set to work.

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Three months had passed and Leo had finally woken up. Don was pleased and gave him some of the mutagen medicine, assuring that he'd be healed in no time. Leo didn't take kindly to the medicine, and it reminded him of the times Splinter had given them his own home remedies and how they all had hated them even though they worked. Still, Don was confident that it would work and that Leo would be better in no time.

The next morning, Raph and Leo went out for some training. Don gave Leo some medicine and told him to take it with him. "It'll help with the pain," he said.

"Why can't I just take pills?" Leo complained.

"Because this medicine was made by me, and it will help you heal, Leo," Don insisted. "Just give it a shot, okay?"

"Okay," Leo replied. He sighed and left with Raph.

Don helped April with the dishes while Leo and Raph were gone, and it wasn't long before they came back. Raph helped Leo to the room they shared and then stomped down the stairs.

"Donnie, where are you?" he bellowed.

"In the kitchen, Raph," Don answered. "What happened?"

Raph stormed over to him and shoved Don, causing him to crash into the sink.

"Raph, what's going on?" asked Donnie.

"What the hell were you tryin' to do?" Raph demanded.

"I was trying to heal Leo," Don replied. "Is he okay?"

"No he's not okay!" Raph snapped. "He threw up thanks to your stupid mutagen medicine! Were you tryin' to kill him or somethin'?"

"Of course not!" Don replied. "I thought it was the best way to help him. If I had known it was going to make him sick, I never would have given it to him."

"Well, it did, so he's not gonna take it anymore," Raph declared.

"That's fine, Raph. I didn't mean any harm."

"Yeah right," Raph snorted. "I bet you were getting revenge on him because of that stupid fight you had before he left."

"Raph, that has nothing to do with Leo getting better," Don told him. "I'd never do that to Leo no matter how mad I was at him. It's all water under the bridge now, okay? I'll check on him in a little bit."

"No, you need to stay away from him. I'll check on him myself." There was an angry glint in Raph's eyes, and Don knew better than to challenge him when Raph was like that.

Don sighed. "Okay, I won't go near him."

"Good," Raph said. Then he stomped away, muttering under his breath.

Don finished the dishes and went to his lab in the barn. He was upset about what the medicine had done to Leo, but didn't that happen with doctors and medicine all of the time? Weren't there always side effects that were being discovered and medicines being perfected to treat things? Don was tempted to try and see where the medicine went wrong, but after Raph's display of anger, he decided it was best not to risk it. Maybe he just wasn't meant to fix things anymore.

Someone came into the barn and put a hand on his shoulder. Don turned around and saw Casey looking at him with concern. He was ready for a retort or a taunt about how he was a failure, but it didn't come.

"I'm not in the mood for your commentary, Jones," Don said. "Just leave me alone."

"Don, you did the best you could," Casey said. "Don't let Raph get to you like that. You were just tryin' your best to heal Leo, and that's not a bad thing. You're really good at fixin' things, Donnie, so don't count yourself out. Everyone has trouble sometimes, and that's okay. Just keep at it."

Don was surprised that Casey could be so compassionate. "Thanks, Casey," he said softly. "I'll do my best."

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Don stared at the plant that was his brother. Once again, it was up to him to fix this, and he was afraid that it wouldn't work. Don rigged up the IV and transferred the mutagen that was in the Creep back to Raph. He was afraid it wouldn't work and worked tiredly through the night to make sure Raph was okay. Leo was the only one who stayed by Raph's side.

"What if this doesn't work, Leo?" Don said worriedly. "What if I make a mistake?"

Leo smiled and rested a hand on Don's shoulder. "You won't make a mistake, Donnie. You're good at this stuff. Just breathe and relax. You've got this."

"But the medicine failed, Leo," Donnie pointed out. "You got sick."

"But I'm fine now, and that wasn't your fault," Leo reassured him. "You were just trying to help, and I appreciate that. I'm sure Raph will appreciate what you're doing now as soon as he recovers."

"Leo, I wanted to apologize for that fight we had back at the Lair," Don said. "It was stupid of me to say those things, and I've been feeling guilty ever since. So I'm sorry about what I said. It was stupid and wrong."

"I forgive you, Donnie. I'm sorry for what I said, too. I didn't mean to imply you wouldn't make a good leader. I think you would if you really wanted to be one. I just panicked and really didn't know what to do."

"I know, Leo, and I forgive you for that, too," Don said. "It wasn't your fault, and I'm just glad you're okay."

"Me too," Leo said. "Now let's get Raph back."

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Don cheered as Raph opened his eyes. He'd never been so happy to see his hotheaded brother more than he was now. It was his idea that had saved Raph, and he was so glad it worked. As they made their way to the farmhouse, Raph hung back to talk to Don.

"Hey, Donnie, I just wanted to say thanks again, and I'm sorry for blowin' up at you about Leo," he said. "You did the right thing, and even though it didn't work out, you were just doin' what you thought was best. So, sorry for that."

"No problem, Raph," Don said. "I'm just glad you're okay and that I was able to save you."

"Yeah, well, you know I'll always trust you to save my ass when it comes down to it. You're good at fixin' things, Donnie, and even when they don't work, you try to make them work. That's all that matters, bro."

"Thanks, Raph," Don said. He patted Raph on the shoulder and watched as Raph walked with Leo to the farmhouse. Don couldn't help but replay the words Raph had spoken to him. Yeah, he was good at fixing things after all. And the next time he doubted himself about his abilities, he was going to remember his brother's words and remember that it was his idea that saved his brother from remaining a plant for the rest of his life.

A/N: So that's the end of another chapter. I could have made it longer, but this was where I wanted to end it. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day. Up next will be Mikey's chapter.