For those who have gotten this far, thanks for reading, not sure if this will be the last chapter. If I do another one it'll be from Aprils point of few. Lemme know what you think. I know Casey has kind of vanished but you can imagine he's joining in with the usual turtle antics between Raph and Mikey.

The first week after rescuing April was the most difficult. Despite Donatello's best efforts some of her wounds seemed to refuse to heal causing her a great deal of pain. When they finally did heal, they left big ugly scars that she hid under long sleeved tops and sweaters.
They didn't stop her being the most beautiful girl in the world to him, and he made sure to let her know that whenever he got the opportunity, but he couldn't stop the swell of anger and bitterness that filled him each time he saw them.

It wasn't just the Kraang he blamed. He also blamed himself, for having not being there to protect her and for taking so long to find her. Part of him felt that none of this would've happened if they hadn't met but, as Leo pointed out, the Kraang were after April before she met the turtles and reminded him that they met whilst saving her and her father from the Kraang. "Imagine what would've happened if we hadn't been there" he'd said, something Donnie didn't want to think about.

Night times were the worst. At first April refused to sleep, terrified of what she would see, forcing herself to stay awake until she nearly passed out from exhaustion. When she finally did sleep she'd wake up numerous times with night terrors, screaming, her mind filled with horrific images that refused to leave her alone.
Each time she cried out Donnie came running. Hugging her tightly against his plastron and murmuring reassuring words until her cries turned to loud sobs that shook her body as she clung to him so tightly it was as if she was afraid he would suddenly disappear.

Donatello stayed with her after that, finding that not only did his presence help keep April calmer but it also helped him to relax. It was easier to believe that her being here wasn't a dream when he physically held her in his arms. A few months ago he would've gone red as a fire engine at the thought of sharing a bed with the red head but now, it just felt natural. Waking in the morning to the sight of April curled up beside him, was something he'd never take for granted. She looked so peaceful and angelic when she slept with her hair framing her face like a fiery halo. It still surprised him that she'd chosen him over all the normal guys on the surface, that she wasn't repulsed by the whole mutant turtle thing. At least that hadn't changed.

It got easier after that week as things went back to normal. April quickly got stronger, determined not to let the Kraang's actions hold her back in any way. Over the following weeks she grew more confident, the old April gradually returning, no longer flinching at loud noises or whenever someone came into contact with her. Donnie felt Mikey had a lot to do with that what with all the pranks he'd been pulling on Raph lately. As usual Leo got dragged into the wrestling match that followed and the three of them made so much noise it was amazing that they couldn't be heard on the surface. Their antics did make her smile though, something he'd thought he wouldn't see for a long time.
Master Splinter invited her back to training, nothing to strenuous, but it gave her something to focus on whilst she got back into the swing of things.

When April wasn't training or with the others she was spent with Donnie in his lab, sometimes helping him with his latest project or just watching him work just like normal. Other times they just sat on the cot he occasionally used as a bed and talked. He liked those quiet moments when it was just the two of them, it seemed easier for her to be herself, to drop her guards. Of course he could read her like a book, he knew when she was thinking about what happened, trying to make some sense of it. To his credit Don didn't try to force her to talk about it, he knew she would talk when she was ready.
She wasn't the only one who was easy to read. April knew Donnie like the back of her hand and could tell he was angry and that he blamed himself in part for what happened no matter how many times she told him otherwise. It was something they had to work through. But they'd be ok, Donnie was sure of it. In time, everything will be ok.

Thanks for reading as always, leave a review, I like knowing what you guys think :)