HAPPY MUTATION DAY! Mikey yelled as he dished out five bowls of worm and algea.

Leo sat at the table with his brothers and father watching tiredly but happily as the everyone enjoyed the celebration. He was impressed with the decorations and was surprised to learn they had been up for the last couple of days and he did not even notice them when he came out of his room yesterday.

"In all fairness, Leo" Donnie told him. "You still weren't feeling one hundred percent better yesterday." He looked at his brother closely . "In fact, your still not looking completely better."

"A few more days rest and I'm sure Leonardo will be back to his old self." Splinter told him.

"Yeah boyyyyyy." Mikey singed songed. "I'm just glad your feeling better enough to be out here with us bro." Mikey told him, then he looked down at his plate, a guilty expression coming over him. "And uh, I'm sorry I didn't come into your room or help while you were sick Leo."

Leo reached across the table and gave Mikey's hand a gentle squeeze. "Don't sweat it Mikey." He told him, "I know you were there for me in your own special way." He smiled at him. "That was a help in itself." The two stared at each other for a few seconds longer before Raph finally intervened.

"Enough with the mushy stuff already.?" He said exasperated. "Let's get to celebrating." He then looked at Master Splinter. "Um...Sensei?" He said hesitantly. The other turtles looked from Raph to Splinter. "Have you thought about what we discussed yesterday?"

Splinter stroked his long beard. "Yes." He said

Raph, Donnie and Mikey looked at him excitedly, while Leo just looked confused. "And?" They chorused.

"And No." Splinter said with a finality. "Ask me again next year." He told them. "I may change my mind." He went back to eating and his sons knew that pretty much meant the discussion was over, for now.

Leo was about to ask what that was all about till Donnie leaned closer to him, "We'll explain later," He promised. Leo nodded and went back to his plate.

They finished eating and listened as Michelangelo once again begged Splinter to tell them the story of how they came together, which of course he did. After he was finished, he stood up, "I have some gifts for you my sons," he said and went to his room. When he returned, the boys saw in his hands three square items wrapped in brown paper and each with a special colored ribbon. He gave one with a red ribbon to Raphael, one with a purple ribbon to Donatello and one with an orange ribbon to Michelangelo. The boys quickly opened them and were over joyed at their new books.

Leo watched with a smile on his face, he didn't question the fact that he did not recieve a gift from his Sensei, he figured after what his brothers went through the past week, them receiving the gifts was something they truly deserved.

Leo yawned and stretched, he was starting to feel very tired. "I think I'll go take a little rest," He told his family.

His brothers and Sensei looked up at him. "Hold on Leo," Raph said. "We still have a little more celebrating to do." He, Mikey and Donnie stood up and went into Donnie's lab while Splinter made sure to keep Leo in the kitchen.

Leo turned to his Sensei. "Really Sensei, I don't need to keep celebrating, I'm happy I was able to be out here with all you guys for a short time and now I would just like to go back to bed." He turned to leave.

Splinter placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "Just wait my son." He told him with a twinkle in his eyes. "It's a surprise." Leo gave him a curious look and sat back down. A few minutes later he heard his brothers call him out to the living room. Splinter stood and turned Leo's mask around to us it as a blindfold. He then led his son out to the living room and over to where his brothers were. They were giggling about something.

Splinter took hold of the knot in the mask and slowly turned it around so Leo would be able to see again.

"SURPRISE!" Leo blinked at his brothers as they stood in front of what appeared to be a type of pinball machine. He let out a gasp as his hand flew up to his mouth. As he looked closer his eyes widen in shock and started to fill with tears.

"It took some doing to get it to work," Donnie told him, "But you're worth it."

"How did you?" He looked at each brother, "Where..did you...?" His voice was choking and he was shaking as tears began to fall. He was at a loss for words. He ran to Mikey and wrapped his arms around him, he gave him a big squeeze, he then ran to Raph and then to Donnie doing the same thing to each of them as well.

"I.. I.. I don't know what to say," He sobbed as he looked the machine over, staring at the Space Heroes pictures on the face of the machine, his hands roaming over every inch. "After everything I put you through..." He took a deep breath, "It's the most incredible surprise..." His voice choked again. "Thank you guys," He said. "You are the best bros."

"Actually Leo," Raph told him. "Master Splinter got this for you."

"Yeah," Mikey said, "Got it from the owner of an arcade place not too far from here."

"He got it when he went to get your medicine." Donnie told him.

Leo turned to his Sensei. His eyes were red from crying. He ran to him and wrapped his arms around his father's waist and hugged him fiercely. "Thank you father." Leo whispered. "For everything."

Splinter wrapped one arm around Leo's shell and placed his other hand on the back of Leo's head. He turned his head to one side and placed his cheek on the top of his son's head. "You are most welcome...my son." He whispered back. Neither of two hid the tears that fell as the other three turtles joined in the hug.