Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT.

A/N - Yes, this could very well look familiar to some people. I originally posted this as a separate story, but thanks to a kind reviewer, (thanks, red turtle), who got me thinking about it, I decided that it did fit better as an actual chapter. Although it takes place right after chapter three, if you haven't read it, please do.

Looking back, I think it adds more to the story. Too bad it took me this long to realize it… Unfortunately, this means losing my reviews for when this was a separate story, so thanks to those who wrote me one. I'm hoping to add this in without losing all the reviews you kind people have left me for 'What The Heart Wants'. So if they're gone, I'm sorry. And thank you for reviewing.

This is Michaelangelo's perspective on the first three chapters of it, centering on the third, since we don't see him in too much of it. It just shows some stuff that happened behind the scenes, as it were. Some stuff that I took out of my original draft.

I really hope I got him in character, all of them. I tried to write what I thought he'd say in this situation. Writing Mikey as serious is hard. But people's points of view change in circumstances like this. Emotions run high. It just goes to show that not everyone can be a jokester all the time… And I hope I've captured that. Hope you enjoy.

Reflections: Michaelangelo

It's not fair. It's really not. Don brought home this baby, she was so cute. And now, after we all got attached to her, he's going to give her away. Well, I hope not. He's called April, though, and that can't be good. He can't just give up on this now.

Yeah, I was surprised. I mean, of all of us, he'd be the last one I'd expect to bring home a baby. I'd expect… well, probably me, but not Don. I guess I just never thought of him as the paternal type, y'know? Not that he's not, I just never thought he'd come home with something he just found, like a baby. He'd always seemed too level- headed for that. But I'm glad, I like the baby. It's a big change, but a good one. Gives us something else to focus on.

The rest of them may not agree with me, but I say it was meant to be. Why else would that baby be in the same alley at the same time as my brother? Well, besides the fact that Don was meeting the mother there… I still say it was fate. How can something like this be a mistake. I like to watch her sleep, when it's my turn to watch her. She's so tiny and new, and she looks so… heavenly when she sleeps. Like an angel. I wonder if we ever looked like that when we slept. That cute.

I know it's not easy taking care of a baby, I really do. I'm not that naïve. The others may think so, April might, but I'm not. I can hear her cry at night, and Donnie gets up, faithfully, every time to feed her. I also know that Leo's up, too, but the baby doesn't wake him. He hasn't slept since Splinter died. And he doesn't know that I know that, either. Plus, she's a human baby, which doesn't mean much to me, but it must to the others. Not Donnie, he loves her, I know. I hear him sing her back to sleep sometimes, like the second night she was here. She slept really good the rest of that night. But Raph's really detached from her. I think he just doesn't want to get hurt. I think that's why he's so detached from everything.

But we packed up almost everything that April brought us, after Donnie told us about the mother. And he was upset. I knew something was wrong the moment he came out of his lab. I wanted to ask him what had happened , but he was gone to talk to Leo before I had the chance. They talk a lot now. Donnie used to talk to me. Not that he doesn't anymore, but now… I guess maybe I feel a little bad. Not that we're not best buds anymore or anything, 'cause we are, all of us… Maybe it's my fault, too. I yelled at him for not feeding the baby on time that day.

I think maybe they're hiding something, Leo and Don. That makes me feel a little better at least. Not that they're hiding something, but that they're not just avoiding me. They're in the kitchen, talking to April right now. Raph came in and joined me in the living room, sitting on the back of the couch. He didn't say anything. Neither did I. I think I might cry…

I heard the chair scrape in the kitchen, and Don came walking through, a look on his face that I couldn't recognize. He returned with the baby, and sat down next to me. I leaned over him to tickle her chin. I say she likes it. Raph says it's gas, but what does he know, anyway?

I know what's going to happen, and I can't let it. I can't just sit here and say nothing. So I open up my big mouth.

I looked at all the glum faces. "Well, we are gonna keep her, aren't we? I mean… aren't we?" I finish softly.

"Mike, it's not a cat. It's not some dog or lizard. She's a baby. A human baby." Don's voice broke. He took a deep breath, then let it out slowly, trying, and failing, to calm himself. "It's not some animal that we found that we can raise and keep in the lair forever. We can't take on every stray we ever find…We can't help everyone." He said angrily.

I looked down, biting my lip. He was upset with this situation, not with me. I know that, but it doesn't stop me from getting angry, too. He's never spoken to me like that before, like I'm dumber than he is. I am, but then everyone's dumber than him, he's a genius. But he's never, ever acted like I was.

"But I just thought… I thought you liked her, is all…" I tried to talk calmly, tried to get him to calm down.

"Well you thought wrong, Mike." He said the words harshly, and even Raph looked over. But the look on his face… It was killing him to say so.

"I don't think I am." I said softly. I was angry. I am not stupid. Sometimes a little distracted, but not stupid. "I know she's not a cat, or a dog, or a stupid stray pet. I know she's human, I'm not blind. And I know that we can't help everyone, we've learned that much, haven't we?" I took a deep breath. I couldn't believe I was saying this. "How dare you assume I don't know?! I know a lot more than you think that I do. You care about this baby. I see it. Just me. Little old not- as- smart- as- Donnie me. Tell me I'm wrong. I'm not. You're just not turtle enough to admit it." I was practically shaking. He looked at me, but not in anger like I thought. He just looked… thoughtful. And sad maybe, but thoughtful.

The baby began to fuss, with all the commotion, so I leaned back over, tickling her chin again, calming myself as much as her. A minute later, Leo an April walked in. Don began talking, and my heart just about broke. When he handed April the baby, and she walked away, every fiber of my being told me to get up and stop her. But Donnie beat me to it. He told April he was sorry, that he wanted to keep her. And then he looked at the rest of us, and said he was sorry again. He caught my eye, and I smiled slightly, and nodded. I was sorry, too. He finally admitted he wanted to keep her, and we are. I let out a cry of joy, unable to help myself. I earned a look from Leo for it, but I don't care. We were keeping her. I was glad, but more for Donnie than myself. He loves her, and she makes him happy. And things are cool between us again. In the slight glance he gave me, we reconciled, as only brothers can.

It's not going to be easy, but we'll get through it. Besides, Don's got us to help him. And that gives me years to mold her into the image of her favorite uncle. Whether they like it or not… It's gonna be a fun ride. I wonder how soon I can teach her 'cowabunga'?