Disclaimer: I do not own the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

A/N: this is written in junction with dondena. The idea is hers. She is beta as well. Also these turtles are based off of the 1987 old toon turtles. It takes place after the 'Red Sky'. Shredder and Krang, and Lord Dregg are all long gone.

XXXX

The next day had Donatello feeling miserable. He was still hurting from the dismal that his brothers did last night. After Splinter had sent him to bed, he had tossed and turned for a while but finally fell asleep. He woke up to find that he had only slept for a few hours. Sighing, he made his way to the kitchen and sat down. As he ate plain cereal, he watched his brothers eat leftover pizza with their favorite cereal toppings. His brothers dominated the conversation as they all talked at once, ignoring him. Donatello finished his cereal and stood, feeling his back starting to ache again.

He headed back to his lab and stared at the turtle com in is hands. He needed someone to talk to. Just as he picked the com up, it began to beep. He opened it to see Tanya's face. "Tanya. Heh. I was getting ready to call you."

"Really? How sweet. There is only one problem with that." She said solemnly.

"What's that?"

Tanya's face broke out into a smile, "Because silly turtle, I'm over at April's." She began to giggle, "how else you think I'm going to see you while we talk?"

"Oh yeah," Donatello said sheepishly.

Tanya picked up on his mood. She stopped giggling and looked at him in sympathy. "Baby blues getting you down?"

"Not the twins…my brothers." Donatello sighed heavily.

"Sounds like you need someone to talk to. Why don't you meet me at the corner of Fifth and Main? We'll walk around a bit and talk." She suggested. "The air will do you some good anyway."

Donatello thought about it. Fresh air would be great and plus he did need someone to talk to. Tanya was around his own age. Her only being two or three years older then him. "Yeah, I'll meet you there in ten minutes."

"Great. See you in a few." She winked at him and closed April's borrowed com.

Donatello closed his own and walked over to get one of the many disguises that they had. Since it was still cold topside he pulled on a pair of oversized slacks. Though they just barely covered his large belly. He looked down and sighed, then found he also had to pull a sweater on over his head as well. Finally to top it off he donned one of the larger trench coats. When he was fully dressed as far as a turtle could be he picked up his favored fedora. Shutting the lights off he walked out into the main room of the lair. He saw only Leonardo in the room.

Leonardo looked up when Donatello entered. "Where are you going?" He asked as he glanced at Donatello, then his rounded belly. He then looked away.

Donatello sighed and shifted slightly in the bulky coat he wore. "I'm meeting up with Tanya. We are just going to hang out and talk, since nobody else will." Donatello said rather accusingly.

Leonardo looked a little shocked at the bitterness in Donatello's sweet natured voice. "Oh…oh ok. Just be careful." He said.

Donatello just nodded and shoved the fedora down on his head. He hurried out the lair's main door and to the manhole cover that would lead him directly to the corner of Fifth and Main. Donatello barely pushed up on the manhole cover letting the smallest sliver of light through. He peered out through the small crack and held his breath as he listened for any noise in the empty alley. After several minutes of silence, he let out a gusty sigh and pushed the cover back so he could climb out of the sewers. He quietly put the cover back and headed towards the entrance of the alley, adjusting the collar on his trench coat as he went.

He dipped his head down so that the brim of his hat hid his features in shadows. His hands remained tucked into the coat's deep pockets as he walked down the street. As he headed down the street, he hurried along making it look like he had a place to be several minutes ago. The few people walking down the street didn't even give him a second look.

He stopped and leaned against the wall of a building. His eyes idly went to the short girl walking down the street.

He watched as Tanya paused and looked around. She then smiled when she spotted Donatello's own short hunched figure across the street from her. She waved to him and making sure no one would see his hand, Donatello gave her a quick wave back.

Mere moments later, she was walking towards him on his side of the street having sprinted across the road to avoid becoming a pancake. Her midlength honey brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Under the brown leather jacket she wore was a light mint green sweater. A pair of loose jeans accented the curves of her hips and disappeared into a pair of knee high brown boots that had a small one-inch blocked heel.

Donatello suddenly felt very self-conscious about the ratty coat he was wearing.

"Hey Donatello. Come on, let's walk." She looped her arm with his and began to gently pull him down the street. "Can you believe that February is already here?"

Donatello nodded his head. "I know. Though I'll be glad that the cold is over. Being cold blooded and cold just don't go too good together."

"You look bundled up pretty good." She said as she looked over at Donatello.

Donatello gave her a smile from underneath the hat. "It's one of the disguises we wear to come up here."

"Really? I think it looks cute. A Humphrey Bogart look. " She giggled. "When I was little, I went through a hat faze."

"A hat faze?" Donatello asked, an eyeridge raised.

"Yep a hat faze. Had so many hats. I had a hat for every day of the week, hats for special occasions, even a hat that I slept in. Mom was glad when I out grew the hats, though I still have a few favorites." They walked down a street that was empty. Tanya looked at him sideways. "Though I don't remember having a fedora." With that she reached out and snatched the hat from his head and placed it on her own head. "What do you think?" She asked as she danced out of the way from Donatello. He looked at her like she was nuts then broke out laughing. "You look like Indiana Jones' kid sister!"

Tanya stopped and looked at him, "Really?"

Donatello nodded, and then held his hand out, "Now give it back."

Tanya laughed as she pranced around her hand on the hat on her head. Donatello then darted out, reaching for his hat. Tanya jerked her head back, barely avoiding the outstretched digits. Tanya giggled as she took a few steps back. Donatello followed and reached for his hat again. She dodged around him and back down the sidewalk keeping as much distance as she could between Donatello's hand and his hat. She giggled as the two danced about on the sidewalk.

A smile had spread over Donatello's face and some of the stress lifted as he continued to try to get his hat back. Finally he stopped, "Alright, Tanya. No more adventures with you, Dr. Goodfellow."

Tanya stopped and gave him a sly look, "Sweetheart, after all the fun we've had together?"

Together they began to laugh. Tanya took the hat off and placed it back on Donatello's green head. She then took his arm again and together they started walking back down the street again. "So, Donatello…you hungry?"

"I had breakfast not too long ago, but I'm sure the twins will want more." He had a smirk on his face.

XXX

Tanya led Donatello to a small 50's style fast-food restaurant. After placing their orders Tanya got Donatello to talk.

"So how's everything back at the lair?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"That bad huh?"

He sighed, thinking about how everyone had been for the past four months, "You have no idea."

She was silent for a moment before saying, "I know I'm not a counselor and just one of your doctors, but I'm also a good friend. If you want to talk about it I'm here."

"Thanks Tanya. It's just like I told Master Splinter last night I don't regret the decision of not aborting, but I'm dealing with it. I'm the one who's pregnant. My brothers had time. Last night the twins moved. They had been moving for the past few days but last night it was really strong. I got caught up in the excitement and woke them up. Then they just blew me off." He stopped, then their food arrived. He had ordered a fish sandwich with a glass of milk. He was finally indulging in both of his food cravings. Tanya just had a large order of fries and a soda.

"So the twins moved?" She asked after a bit of her fries. "That's wonderful. And about your brothers…have you tried talking to them? I mean really talking to them? All of you are sending negative waves to each other. You tell them how you feel. If you don't do this now, imagine how awkward it's going to be when the twins are born."

Donatello nodded, "You're right. Even Master Splinter said the same thing." He had taken a piece of paper and after fiddling with it began to fold it into a origami flower.

Tanya reached over and patted his hand. The rest of the day went like that. They hung out and talked, and finally ending up touring the local museum. Donatello had been to all of the museums in New York many times but never got bored with them. And at the back of his mind he was happy that Tanya was with him. She was enjoying the museum as much as he. None of his other bros really enjoyed the museums and lectures he tried to drag them to. They always complained. How could Tanya not? She was smart. As they wandered though the museum he had asked her all kinds of questions.

"So your mother was married to your father for only a short time?" He asked as they entered the dinosaur area.

"Yep. They broke it off soon after I was born. They loved each other but it was because of different interests. Dad wanted to go into the development business. He turned wilderness into lots to sell for rich people. Mom hated that because it destroyed a lot of wetlands and such. He was a good father though. So they spilt the custody and I was shipped back and forth between here and Los Angeles. When that wasn't happening I was in boarding schools. To my dad's slight disgust I wanted to become a veterinarian like mom. I finished high school early and did college and the veterinary medical school in three years instead of four," Tanya listed proudly with a smile, "and now when my one year of residency is up, I'll really be Dr. Goodfellow."

Donatello smiled at her, "Was there anything you wanted to be another then a veterinarian?" He asked.

"Yeah. Actually there was one other thing," she stopped and pointed up at the skeletal anatomical structures of the great dinosaurs. "I wanted to an Paleontologist. But I decided that I loved live animals and reptiles better then the dead ones." She laughed. "So what about you? I heard from April that you did manage to do home courses and gained a degree."

Donatello smiled proudly. "Yep. I took some courses and earned my degree from Sopho University," He shook his head then, "it was really something. After I sent off my exam for binary cyberion generators I waited two weeks for the reply and when I did get it, my bros discovered that I had been mistaken for a girl. On the envelope it said Miss Donna Tello." He paused and gave Tanya an irritated looked when she let out a snort of laughter. He rolled his eyes and continued. "Anyway so I asked Irma Langinstein, April's klutzy friend to masquerade as me. There was a whole mess with that. Irma is a man-crazy woman and while she was chasing after the men on the campus, I ended up discovering a plot by the Professor Philo Sopho to destroy the Earth. See, he was using both a binary hexi-decimal retrieval transducer and a giant galvanometric oscilloscope. He tried to change the molecular vibrations of the earth's core. He wanted to fling everything from the face of the earth. By then my brothers had shown up as well and we ended up using a hairpin to stop the oscilloscope. It was one of the less stranger events that has happened in our lives. It was worth it though. I still ended up with my technical engineering degree." They paused in their walking and Donatello groaned as he sat down. His back was starting to ache.

Tanya sat down next to him. "Your back is staring to hurt then."

Donatello nodded as he arched his back. The pain lessened but the ache was still there. "It's one of the down falls. I'm not used to carrying extra weight on the front."

"You could take small douses of Tylenol. No Aspirin. Warm baths will help. Warm but not hot. And try to rest. In fact let's get you home." Tanya gently took his hand and helped him up. Together they walked out of the museum.

It was getting dark when they walked out of the building. "Do you need me to walk you home?" Donatello asked.

"No. We're going to take a cab to April's building and I have my car there. Plus the walk will be shorter to your lair from April's." She said as she stepped out to hail a cab.

Donatello didn't tell her but he was glad for the ride, even if it was to be a short one. Together they rode the five blocks back and after the fare was paid for and the cab sped away, Tanya turned to Donatello. "Have a good night, Donatello." Then she leaned forward and gave the turtle a kiss on the cheek and a hug. She stepped back and started to walk up the stairs when Donatello grabbed her arm. He took the old fedora off his own head and placed it on Tanya's. He winked at her and shoved his hands into pockets and backed into the shadows.

Tanya pulled the hat down slightly and winked back and with that she turned and walked up the steps to April's apartment.

Donatello waited until the door closed and then shook his head and headed back to the alley where a man hole was waiting to let him head down into the sewers again. He lifted the lid and slid through the manhole, sliding the cover all the way with a kur-thunk that made him think of the lock on a door. His stomach had almost gotten in the way. Lifting those lids might get harder as his belly would get bigger and more in the way.

XXX

Tanya held April's turtle com again. She was sitting on the couch with Donatello's hat in her lap. She played with the tattered edges as she stared at the com thoughtfully then waited a few minutes then dialed Leonardo's number.

Tanya smiled down at the older brother of the turtles. He blinked as if surprised to see her. "Oh I'm over at April's. She let me borrow the com. Is Donatello back yet and are the others there?" She asked sweetly.

Leo nodded. "The other turtles are here, but Donatello isn't back yet, why?"

"Oh I just want to chat with you three mean green machines." Tanya continued.

Leonardo looked at her oddly and called the other turtles over. Tanya could hear the moaning and groaning at being disturbed from their places.

"What do you what? I thought you was hanging out with Donatello?" Raphael questioned lazily, his face peering into the communicator's in-built video camera.

"Yeah, the Slime Monster eats Paris is coming on in ten," Michelangelo said as he popped his head between his brothers, a slice of pizza in his hand.

"Aww poor little turtles." This time the sweetness in her voice turned sour. She glared down at the turtles. "Guys, you know I can't believe you're being so cold!" Tanya said. "Your brother is hurting from all the brush offs and cold shoulders. He's happy about the twins and wants to share this joyful time with you. As odd as it is, you three need to grow up and accept the fact that your brother is going to be a parent. You three were starting to come around with the baby shower. What happened?"

The three turtles stared up at Tanya in shock. "Well, we," Leonardo began.

"And, Leonardo, I'm surprised at you. You said that things were going to change, I have yet to see them change. You're supposed to be his brother and the leader of his family, and all you have done was tease him about being pregnant." Tanya scolded, her black eyes narrowed.

Leonardo hung his head as his brothers shifted nervously beside him. He then took a deep breath. "You're right Tanya. Things will have to change."

"Yeah!" Raphael said, a scowl actually crossing his features. "She's right you know. We have been real jerks. It's Donatello! He's our bro."

"Oh man I feel so bad now! Thanks a lot Tanya." Michelangelo said as he half glared at Tanya.

Tanya just gave him a full glare in return. She knew that the youngest turtle wouldn't hold that look for long. She was right. The weak glare faded and he began to look upset. Tanya's face softened and she gave them all a gentler look. "I care about Donatello. I care about you all. I don't expect you all to be gushy or such, but think about how he feels. He needs you all."

Leonardo looked around at his brothers and they nodded. He turned back to the turtle-com. "We're on it!" The faces of the turtles then disappeared from view.

Swiftly clicking the device off, Tanya handed the com back to April. "Thanks April. Hopefully they will listen now. Poor Donatello. He was so broken-hearted when we met up. He felt better though when he headed back."

"They used to be so close, then this happened. I hope that they do take what you said to heart. He needs his brothers." April said as she put the com away. "So what are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to head home. Maybe pick dinner up on the way." Tanya said as she picked up her coat and 'new' hat. She then smiled. "If my talking to them helped, maybe I should rethink my career choice and become a lawyer or a shrink."

April laughed. "Maybe, but you're doing so good as a veterinarian though."

"Thanks April. Well, I'll see you later." Tanya put on her coat and waved goodbye. Once outside the apartment building after she placed the hat on her head, she put her hand in her pocket and pulled out the origami flower that Donatello had absentmindly folded in the diner. She smiled as she twirled the paper flower between her fingers as she walked to her car. She thought Donatello had done a good job on it and it was cute.