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 at times," Splinter replied evenly, pulling a kettle off the stove. "Would you like to have some tea with me, or anything else to drink?"

"Tea is perfect actually." Luke sat down as the rat motioned to the table. He took the proffered mug, and after a beat of hesitation, looked up at Splinter frankly. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

"I believe you have earned the right."

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

Splinter looked down briefly, and took a seat. "No. I was not."

"You were human."

"Yes, I was." He paused, and then focused on Luke. "How did you know?"

"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."

"You are perceptive, Doctor Barrows."

"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 and moved to the states roughly twenty years ago."

"You had a normal life once."

"Normal...but not happy. I had no family, and no real home." Splinter 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 are young, mere teenagers. They have their whole lives ahead of them. And this is where they are forced to stay. It is not fair for them. They will never have a typical life.,"

"But are they happy?" Luke asked pointedly.

"Yes, and no. They are 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 is 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 be like trying to trap the sun forever behind a cloud. I fear that as years pass his spirit will be broken, and so much of his vitality could be completely lost. Donatello..." Here he hesitated 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 is still constantly growing. He cannot stand to be idle. Donatello is not truly happy unless he is working, training, learning.

"His potential is earth shattering. If his IQ were tested, I do not 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. I have allowed them to compromise their security by standing up for strangers on a regular basis, because it seems to be the only satisfaction they retain."

"Master Splinter, I was scared out of my mind when I came here. But in the last few 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." Luke stopped for a long beat.

"I know you only brought me here out of desperation, but I was kind of hoping I could see you all again. You took a huge risk 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 be trusted. You saved Donatello's life, and are gaining the trust of the others. As far as I am concerned, you are a part of this family if you want to be."

The young man finished his tea with Splinter and returned to the Lab to check on Donatello. He appeared to be sleeping somewhat fitfully. While Luke studied him, he saw the turtle tremble.

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

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

"I don't know," he answered calmly. "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, Leonardo obeyed, looking back once before leaving the room. After he left, Luke laid the back of his hand on the turtle's head to test the surface temperature.

"Mm..."

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

"My head really hurts," he said weakly.

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

"Just what I need." He grinned tiredly.

"Don't worry. We'll nip this thing right quick. I'll make my adjustments, and keep an eye on you. Rest. I'll be right back."

Luke returned 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."

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

"Doc," Don called as loudly as he could manage. "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."

Luke found the formula through the computer index. While Splinter remained nearby to keep an eye on the purple-masked turtle, the young doctor dove back into the medical journal to learn what he needed in order to help him.