The Journey Home (TMNT Fanfic) (CANCELLED)

10: At Least Try...

"So that's pretty much everything we've gone through since Master Splinter first let us go up to the surface!"

Donnie and Fisher had sat and listened to Mikey tell them pretty much their entire life story, and April had watched Donnie's expressions change over the course of it. Moments when he looked shocked, other times grossed out, and others, very sad. She guessed he was thinking about Mikey going over his own life and not having any memory of any of it.

"That's...quite a story, Michelangelo." Fisher murmured, shaking out of her stare. "My life was nowhere that interesting..."

"So what happened with you two, Donnie?" Raph asked. "Tell us your trip here."

"Our trip?" Donnie looked at Fisher, giving a shrug. "I woke up in her cave, she agreed to help me get back in exchange for me defending her from Wiseguy, and-"

"Who's Wiseguy?" Leo asked.

"Giant mutant owl that tried to eat us." Fisher expressed. "So glad I don't have to deal with him anymore..."

"And you called him Wiseguy?" Raph smirked. "That's about as good as Mikey's names."

"HEY!"

"Anyway...That was followed by a lot of walking, sleeping, more walking, jumping trains, more walking, more sleeping, more walking...Not much exciting."

They turned as Donnie rested his head on the table with a hard sigh. "You okay, Donnie?" Leo asked.

"It's just...Our lives sound so cool and dangerous and... And I don't even feel like I could do that again."

"What do you mean?"

Donnie stood up. "Maybe I used to like fighting bad guys and such, but now I... I don't think I have the guts. I'm not that turtle anymore!" He hurried out of the kitchen, and there was an awkward silence for a moment.

"Do you think we should talk to him?" Mikey asked.

"No..." Leo murmured. "Let him cool off..."

"Maybe we could take him on patrol tonight. Let him get back into the swing of things."

"No." Master Splinter replaced. "What Donatello needs is rest... Trying to force him back into the way he used to be too quickly could hamper his healing."

"Can't we just use a healing mantra on him?" Raph asked.

"Spiritual and mental healing can't be rushed..."

Fisher smiled a little. "No offense, Master Splinter sir, but I have no idea what you're talking about."

Master Splinter chuckled, patting her on the shoulder. "I must thank you again for bringing my son home to us..."

Fisher nodded. "You're welcome..." She got up from her seat. "I should go. It's getting late and I need to find somewhere safe to sleep."

"Hope to see you here again soon." Leo replied, shaking her hand. "Seriously though, thank you."

"He's not so bad...See you all later." She headed out of the room, and as she passed the living area, she saw Donnie sitting on the couch. "I'm heading out, Don."

"Hmm?" Donnie looked up at her. "Oh...Okay. See you later."

She came over to him and took a seat beside him for a moment. "Listen...You're going to be okay. Maybe things won't be exactly like it used to be, but you've got a loving family and good friends to help you through it... Just give yourself some time and take things at your own pace, not the pace they try to give you."