A/n: I hope I haven't made y'all wait too long.

Donnie put a hand to Mikey's brow and looked at Cat. "Where is Master Splinter and Raph?"

She gestured to the back room which was normally used for storage. "They've been in there the last hour or so, trying to fix up somewhere we can all sleep tonight."

Sarah glared. "And none of you noticed he was getting sick!"

"Sarah..." Donnie frowned when Cat's face dropped. His wife didn't seem to notice as she stepped away from him and took Mikey's hand, leading him to the back room.

Leo sighed. "Don't take it personal, Cat. She always has been a little more protective of Mikey than the rest of us."

"She's just worried about him." Donnie put a hand on her shoulder.

Cat's eyes dropped. "I just thought he was tired is all."

"No one's blaming you, Cat." Donnie gave her shoulder a squeeze. "I better go see why he's sick now." They followed as he led the way into the back room.

Mikey was laid out on a cot and Splinter was knelt next to his head speaking softly to him. Sarah sat uncomfortably on the side of the cot as she removed the bandage around his foot. She pressed a hand to her mouth and Donnie leaned close to inspect the wound. It was red and swollen. He moved to stand beside Splinter. "You've got a pretty bad infection, Mikey."

Splinter rubbed a gentle hand across his son's head and Mikey turned into the touch. "I should have noticed sooner." The old rat chastised himself.

Mikey opened his tired eyes. "It's not your fault, Sensei. If it's anyone's, it's mine. Guess I wasn't paying attention."

Leo shook his head. "No, Mikey. It's no one's fault. We're all tired and none of noticed until now."

Raph nodded with a frown. "Yeah, Mikey, we're sorry, bro."

Sarah squeezed one of Mikey's hands before allowing Donnie to help her over to another cot across the room. "I'll take care of Mikey. You're still hurt and need to rest." He wished he could X-ray her to see the full extent of the damage.

Sarah frowned. "But you have so much to do already."

He gave her a weak smile. "It'll be fine." He could tell through the bond that she was unconvinced. "I promise to ask for help if I need it." This seemed to satisfy her for the most part and he gave her a quick kiss before leaving to look through their medical supplies.

Sarah caught Cat's wrist as she too was about to leave. "I'm sorry I yelled at you."

Cat managed a small smile. "It's okay. I get it. He's the baby and we are all a little more protective of him."

Sarah nodded. "Still it didn't give me the right to yell at you. Like Leo said it's no one's fault."

"How do you suppose it got infected?"

"Probably when you guys brought the slider back last night. Leo said there was still a little standing water at that time. I'm sure that water probably contained hoards of bacteria." Sarah sighed. "And standing on it all day certainly didn't help matters."

Leo let Mira down and she looked between Mikey and her mother sadly before moving to her mother's side. "Mommy is Uncle Mikey, okay?"

Sarah stroked her daughter's cheek. "He'll be fine. But he's very sick right now, so you should leave him alone."

"Is Daddy going to give him medicine?"

Cat smiled down at her niece. "Yes, he went to get some."

Mira looked over her shoulder at the door and Sarah put a hand on her other shoulder. "Sweetie, I want you to stay in here with us. You have been sick too and if you go into the rest of the garage when it hasn't been cleaned properly you may get sick again. Do you understand?"

Mira frowned but nodded. Cat patted her little head. "I've got to go clean some more but I'll bring some of your toys in here, okay?"

The toddler seemed to lighten at this and smiled. "Okay."

Cat left as Donnie returned and went to kneel beside Mikey's cot. Leo and Splinter had been speaking quietly for some time and now they watched as Donnie pulled several vials from the duffel bag. The first vial contain dried turmeric which he mixed with Aloe Vera oil which was in the second vial and pressed it into the wound after cleaning it, then rewrapped it to keep the pasty substance in place. The third vial contained penicillin which he had grown naturally in his lab and broken down into a potent liquid form. This one would have to be given as a shot, which normally Mikey would have protested, but in his present condition didn't even seem to notice as the needle was pressed into his arm.

Lastly, Donnie took the final vial and dripped several drops of clear Aloe Vera oil into a cup of green tea. "Mikey, you need to drink this."

Splinter helped his drowsy son sit up and coaxed him to drink the warm liquid. "Leonardo, please bring me a bowl of water and a clean cloth."

Leo bowed slightly. "Yes, Master." He gave Mikey a little frown before leaving.

The younger brother finished his drink and laid back heavily. Splinter hovered, his features strained with worry. He couldn't help but feel guilty that he had not seen the signs of his illness. His heart ached as Leo handed him the bowl of water and cloth. He wet the cloth and rang it out before laying it across his son's head.

Donnie sighed. "He'll run a fever for a while yet, but the penicillin and other herbs should take effect in the next hour or so."

Mikey opened his eyes slightly. "Thanks, Donnie."

Donatello smiled softly. "No problem, little bro. Now you should sleep." He patted his hand warmly.

"Yeah, you better get better soon, 'cause you ain't gettin' out of helpin' that easily." Raph teased.

Leo leaned over and squeezed his brother's shoulder. "We'll be right outside."

"I will remain here to care for Michelangelo, Sarah and Mira." Splinter told the brothers as the three rose to leave the room.

Donnie paused to pat Mira on the head. "Take care of Mommy for me, okay?"

Mira smiled. "Okay." Sarah smiled at the exchange, until she saw her mate rub at his tired eyes. He looked up and gave her a small smile. He could feel her concern for him, but there was so much he had to do, so he would have to push past the exhaustion and accomplish what he could do now.

The lights suddenly flickered and then blazed to life. Donnie gave a relieved sigh. At least he wouldn't have to deal with the generator now. Sarah sensed the lift in pressure and curled her lips ever so slightly. Donnie gave her a little nod before returning to the main room of the garage.

Outside Raph caught up with Cat near the small office. He'd seen the exchange between her and Sarah. "Hey, what's goin' on between you and Sarah?"

Cat tried to shrug it off. "It's okay." Raph glared and she sighed. He obviously didn't believe her. "Really, she was just upset that none of us had noticed Mikey getting sick."

"And?" He continued his glare.

"She kinda yelled at me." Cat quickly amended her phrase when the turtle narrowed his eyes. "Well, it wasn't directed at me. I just happened to be standing there. And she's already apologized." She touched his arm warmly and met his dark eyes. "So, everything's fine. She's been through a lot in the last day or so." She slipped into his arms, resting her head on his chest. "We all have."

Raph let out a heavy sigh. He knew there hadn't been anything meant by it but it still bothered him somewhat. He glanced across the garage at his brother. Maybe she's on edge because Donnie's so tired. I'm sure things will get back to normal after a good night's sleep. He kissed the top of Cat's head and rested his cheek against it. His arms tightening around her, allowing the tension in his body to slowly seep away.

The day passed quietly until dinner time, when a serious discussion began about who would prepare the food. Those that were able-bodied at the moment were not the best cooks in the group. The discussion drew Splinter from the storage room. "What is the problem?"

Leo was relieved to see their father. "Master, I hope we didn't disturb you."

"We were trying to decide what to make for dinner." Donnie explained.

"And who would cook it." Raph folded his arms. "It's not like we're the pick of the litter when it comes to cooking."

Splinter couldn't help but smile slightly. "I will prepare dinner, if one of you will watch over Michelangelo and Sarah."

"I will. I need to check on Mikey anyways." Donnie turned and went into the back room.

Mikey was still sleeping. Donnie pressed a hand to his head. His temperature had dropped some, though he was still running a fever. Donnie unwrapped the bandage on his foot. Although it had only been a few hours since they had applied the ointment, the wound looked better than it had. It was still swollen but not as red. He gently rewrapped it. And looked up to meet his brother's drowsy gaze. "How are you feeling, Mike?"

"A little better."

Donnie rubbed his brother's arm comfortingly. "I'm glad. I think we caught it before it caused too much damage." He gave him a weak smile. "Now, try to sleep some more. Father is making dinner."

Mikey smiled a bit. "Pizza?"

Donnie chuckled lightly. "No, I doubt it. Splinter's not much for pizza." He yawned and rubbed his eyes.

Mikey scrunched up his face. "Bro, you look seriously tired."

Donnie nodded. "Yeah, but we've finally got the place cleaned up. But I'll probably have to do some rewiring."

"Let it wait until tomorrow." Sarah's soft voice carried from across the room.

Donnie smiled as he went to her side. "And how are you feeling?" He asked even though he could sense her pain had lessened.

She smiled lovingly. "Better. But you need to lie down."

He thought about protesting but instead he sighed. "Maybe for just a little while." Moving Mira to the foot of the cot, he laid down beside his mate and she scooted into him a bit as his arms wrapped gently around her. He let out a heavy sigh as his body relaxed and sleep quickly overtook him.

A little while later, Leo found them just that way. He smiled softly as he crossed the room to lay a blanket over them. "Sleep well, little brother." He quietly lifted Mira from the foot of the cot where she had begun to stir.

Mikey snickered a little. "That's totally sappy, bro."

Leo stepped across the room to where Mikey lay with a little smile. "Maybe, but it's my job." He looked at his youngest brother with concern. "You feel like eating anything?"

Mikey slowly nodded. "I think I could stomach something." Leo helped him up and he leaned on him as they left the room. "Thanks, bro."

Leo just smiled as he helped him to where everyone else was gathered round a pair of sawhorses with a board across it they were using as a makeshift table. Raph rose to help Mikey into a chair. "Where's Donnie?"

"Sleeping." Leo said as he sat the tiny tot in his lap. Mira was now awake and looking around. She stretched and giggled when Leo tickled her. "Are you hunger, Mira-chan?"

"Yeah!" She licked her lips.

Splinter brought over the pot he had warmed soup in. "Good. Let us eat and then rest. There is still much to do."

Donnie woke slowly to find Sarah tucked up against him. He could tell that she was still on a good deal of pain. Her face contorted for a moment and he frowned. His mate hated painkillers and only took them when absolutely necessary. She said it made her mind dull. He pressed a kiss to her brow and realized that she was still coated in the dirt from her ride through the sewers.

Glancing around the mostly dark room, he found his family sleeping in various places. Mira was sleeping next to Leo on a mat on the floor between the two cots. Splinter was sleeping in a makeshift hammock. Mikey still slept in the second cot, while Raph and Cat shared another hammock across the room.

Trying not to wake Sarah, Donnie slowly got up. His mate stirred from the sudden lack of his warmth. He paused to watch her for a moment before completely getting up. Moving with the silence of a ninja, he made his way out into the main garage. Light was filtering in beneath the door.

He found one of the large plastic tubs they had used to carry things from the lair. He removed the few items that were still inside and carried it to the office. Then he looked for the large cooking pot and poured a jug of water in it. As he set the pot on the small camping stove, he could feel Sarah waking.

He smiled as he returned to the storage room with a bottle of water and two pain relievers. She smiled at him as he entered and sat beside her on the cot. "Here." She started to protest but thought better of it when her ribs shot waves of pain through her chest. Donnie helped her sit up and she relaxed into his strong arms as she took the pills. Her eyes landed on the bundle beneath a blanket on the mat beside Leo and she smiled.

Donnie dipped his head and whispered in her ear, his breath warm against her neck. "I have something I want to show you. Come on." Sarah silently allowed him to help her up and into the other room.

"Are you trying to cook something?" She asked with a small laugh when he settled her in a chair beside the pot.

Donnie grinned at her tease. "No. But maybe I could if you'd show me how sometime."

She laughed again. "No way. I can't have you being better than me at that too."

Donnie chuckled. "I doubt that anyone could be better at cooking than you."

She watched with curiosity as he carried the large pot into the office, then returned for the duffle bag that held her clothes. When he returned once more with a mischievous glint in his eye, that matched the feelings that filled the bond, to help her stand she merely smiled. He led her into the office and her smile expanded into a large grin at the sight that met her.

There before her was a makeshift tub. The pot of warm water sat to one side along with her soap and shampoo.

Donnie grinned when she turned to look at him. Sarah's emotions were always so strong and now was no exception. The force with which her love struck him would have knocked any normal man off his feet. Instead he captured her lips in an attempt to soften the blow, returning his love with the same intensity. Sarah moaned sending a satisfying shiver down his spine.

Finally he released her lips and she gave a small whimper of protest. He chuckled as he stroked her cheek. "The water will get cold."

"Let it." She pulled him down as best she could and into another passionate kiss. Stealthily he moved her backwards into the office and closed the door behind them. Slowly he helped her undress. He nearly lost himself when she pressed her warm flesh against him. Steadying his nerve he picked her up enough to set her in the tub. At last he pulled away to smile at her. Sarah's eyes were hazy with desire.

He moved to kneel behind her and gently unwrap the bandage. He began to pour some of the warm water over her head, inspecting the stitches while he was at it. Sarah relaxed as her mate began his ministrations. The room was warm and his hands gentle as he massaged her scalp with the lavender shampoo. Normally she wouldn't have let him fuss over her so, but it seemed to be calming him as well so she allowed it.

As another cup of the warm water fell from her head to her shoulders, she let her mind to wander. She began to relive the moments of the past few days; the fear of losing her daughter and mate, and the incredible darkness of unconsciousness. That had been the worst by far. There had been a loneliness there that she had not felt since being reunited with Donatello. It was a force that made her want to crawl into his arms and never leave.

Even now as she sat in his presence, in relative safety, that loneliness still gripped her heart. Donnie's hand stroked her cheek where hot tears were rolling down. She hadn't even realized that at some point she'd started crying. His arms wrapped around her and he placed soft kisses along her neck until he reached her ear. "I'm here. I'm right here." More tears began to fall and with them a torrent of emotion.

Donnie held her like a drowning man to a life preserver, allowing wave after wave to crash upon him. Even after her breathing had slowed and the tears had stopped, he kept her wrapped tightly in his arms. Until at last she turned to gaze up at him with her deep chocolate eyes. And he understood. The bond revealed to him what she needed and he would give it, along with his heart.

A/N: Aww, another warm and gooey Donnie and Sarah moment...