Luke ventured into the kitchen, jolting in surprise when he saw Splinter. "Oh shoot, sorry. I didn't know anybody else was up."

"I am something of a night-owl myself sometimes." Splinter replied evenly, pulling a kettle off the stove. "Would you like some tea, something to eat?"

"Tea is perfect actually." Luke replied, sitting down as he motioned to the table. He took the proffered mug, and after a beat of hesitation, looked up at Splinter frankly. "Can I talk to you about something that may be personal?"

"Try me." He replied with a smile.

"You seem different...from the guys. You haven't always been this way, have you?"

He looked down briefly, and took a seat. "No. I haven't." He answered softly.

"You were human."

"Yes, I was." He paused, and then finally looked at him. "How did you know?"

"Several little things. From you accent and language you clearly have a real Japanese heritage. You also have a very strong ninjitsu background. Someone had to teach you a lot, for you to be able to do what you've done with them. There's small mannerisms too...the guys are comfortable in their own skin, like they've never known an different. You remind me much more of a human."

"You're very perceptive Doctor."

"How did this happen? Did you originally live in Japan with them?"

"I lived there. My boys have never known life outside this sewer system. I grew up in Japan...moved to the states roughly eighteen years ago."

"You had a normal life once."

"Normal...but not happy. I had no family, and no real home." He paused and shook his head. "My only regret now is for them." His voice completely changed, emotion rising. "This is like a prison sentence for my sons. They're young...mere teenagers...they have their whole lives ahead of them. And this is where they're forced to stay. It isn't fair for them. They will never have a normal life."

"But are they happy?" Luke asked pointedly.

"Yes, and no. They're growing, getting older. They need independence and freedom. They need a chance to really live. What they accomplish in this city is amazing, but there is emptiness in each of them.

Leonardo has such aspirations. If he had it his way, he would never leave the streets of New York, there is too much to be done. He has such drive and determination to fight. Raphael longs for his individuality more than the others. He constantly feels like he's caught in Leonardo's shadow, fighting to find his own way to live.

Michelangelo is surely the most free-spirited, but his level of compassion and loyalty is almost impossible to rival. He and Donatello are nearly polar opposites as far as their personalities are concerned. Yet over years of training and learning from one another they have achieved a balance, a credible ability to work together that the other two have not come close to.

To keep Michelangelo down here his entire life would like trying to trap the sun forever behind a cloud. I fear that as years pass his spirit would be broken, and that so much of his vitality would be completely lost. Donatello..." Here he paused a long moment. "He belongs in the finest scientific institutions on the planet, not hiding underground. His mind is nearly unfathomable to me, and yet he's still constantly growing. He cannot stand to be idle, he's not truly happy unless he's working, training, learning...His potential is earth shattering. If his IQ were tested, I don't think it would even register. A more intelligent living creature, I have never known. For him to never emerge....it would be a travesty. He has so much he could give and do.

For myself, there are times when I would like to return to Japan, and show them what life is like outside these walls. But for the moment, this is our lot, and I have tried to make the best of it for them."

"Master Splinter...I was scared out of my mind when I came here. But in the last THREE days...something's changed. I can't completely identify it yet. I know what it's like, not having a family. I live that myself, every day." He stopped for a long beat. "I know you only brought me here out of desperation...but I was kind of hoping that I could see you all again. I know what a risk you took, letting me into your world. As much as you can trust me, I give you my word...I would not do anything to hurt you."

"I know people Doctor..." Splinter said slowly. "And the spirit I see in you is one that can surely be trusted. You saved Donatello's life, and are gaining the trust of the others. As far as I'm concerned, you are a part of this family if you want to be."


Luke finished his tea with Splinter and returned to the Lab to check on Donatello. He was sleeping somewhat fitfully, and as Luke studied him, he saw the turtle tremble visibly.

He cast Leo a glance as he rose to meet him. "Hey. How long has been doing that?" He asked him.

"Off and on, half an hour. I was about to look for you...do you think something's wrong?"

"I don't know." He tried to say lightly. "I'm going to take a look, and I'll be up with him for the next several hours so...why don't you go get some sleep?"

Somewhat hesitantly, he obeyed, looking back once before leaving the room. After he left, Luke laid a hand gently on his forehead, and Donnie stirred.

"Mm..."

"Donnie? You feel hot. I think you have a fever." Luke said softly.

"My head really hurts." He said weakly.

"I'm going to adjust your fluids - start you on a new IV I think. You could have developed a secondary infection."

"Just what I need." He grinned tiredly.

"Don't worry...we'll nip this thing. I'll make my adjustments, keep an eye on you. Rest. I'll be right back." Luke trotted back to the kitchen where Splinter was rinsing his tea-pot in the sink. "Master Splinter, could you help me in the Lab? I think Don's running a fever, I could use your experience with them."

He immediately returned with him, and Luke took his temperature. He sucked in a sharp breath when he saw it, drawing Splinter off to the side. "He's spiking pretty high. We need to get a handle on this."

"Doc." Don called as loudly as he could manage, and Luke went back to him. "I developed a formula...for fevers...about two years ago. It might help."

"Is it in your program?"

"Mmhm."

"Okay. Try to rest Donnie."

"Mmhm."

Splinter and Luke found the formula through the computer index, and through their combined efforts started to prepare it, while also keeping half an eye on Donatello at all times.