Genius Recognized
A TMNT story by Deana Lisi
I don't own any TMNT character. Phooey.

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"Donny?"

Donatello looked up from where he sat at his computer, not having heard anyone enter his lab. "Hey April."

The red-haired human walked closer. "Are you okay, Donny? It took you a while to hear me calling you."

Donatello smiled. "Oh sure, I'm fine."

"You must be doing some fascinating research," April said, reaching over to tap the monitor…which wasn't turned on.

Donatello didn't have an answer for that one.

April reached over for another chair and rolled it over, where she sat beside the turtle. "I can tell something's bothering you, Donny. You know you can tell me anything, right?"

Donny nodded. "I know."

A few seconds passed, as he continued to stare at the blank monitor.

"Well?" said April.

Donatello sighed, before scrubbing a hand across his face. "It's…it's nothing, really. Nothing important."

April squeezed his arm. "If it bothers you, it's important, Donny. Now, spill."

Donatello lowered his hand and smiled at her, before sighing again. "It's just…a dream I had."

"A dream?"

"Yeah. Like…do you ever feel unappreciated?"

April nodded. "Well, sure, everyone probably feels that way at some point. What's wrong?"

Donny sighed again. "It's…the guys," he said, gesturing outside the lab. "I mean, look at what I do…with all the 'cool tech stuff', as Mikey calls it. Do you realize how many situations would never have been resolved, and how many times we might not have survived if not for some of the things that I've invented?" He bowed his head. "I hate to say this stuff, since it probably sounds conceited, but…"

April grabbed his hand, stopping him. "Donny, you are the most intelligent person that I've ever known. It isn't conceited at all."

Donny suddenly raised his head and threw his arms up into the air. "And yet, all I hear is, 'Donny, fix this!' 'Donny, build this!' I hardly ever get a, 'Hey Donny, you saved our shells! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!'"

April patted his shoulder. "I'm sure they're grateful, Donny. They're probably just so used to it, that they don't realize how you feel."

Donny sighed.

A sudden thought struck April. "Hey Donny…I have an idea."

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A couple weeks later, April came by the lair with pizza…and a manila envelope.

"April!" said Mikey, jumping off the couch. "Pizza! You're the best, dudette!"

Donatello knew why April was here, and he quickly dashed out of his lab.

Raphael and Leonardo heard the commotion and came out, eagerly digging into the food.

"I have something interesting to tell you, guys," April said, sitting next to Donny.

"Whazzat?" Mikey asked, his mouth full.

"I have something here," she said, opening the envelope.

Donatello's stomach clenched with butterflies as she removed a piece of paper. He felt his heart skip a beat when she looked directly at him.

"207."

Despite knowing how smart he was, Donatello's mouth dropped open.

The other turtles looked from April to Donny and back again.

"Huh?" said Raphael. "What's 207 mean?"

"207," April said. "Is Donatello's IQ."

Her statement was met with silence.

Leonardo, at least, realized the significance, and sat staring at his genius brother.

"Um," said Mikey, still eating. "That's like, really high, right?"

"Of course it is, shell-for-brains!" said Raph. His gruff words did nothing to hide the shock in his voice.

"Donny's IQ is one of the highest ever recorded," April continued. "Only one in a million people have an IQ of 170-200, nevermind higher." She handed the paper to Donatello, who took it.

"Wow," was all he could say.

"That's the reason why he's able to save your lives so often," April told the others. "By inventing and creating such fantastic technical gadgets…and let's not forget the all-important computer hacking."

The three turtles seemed to be getting April's message. All three of them stared at Donny so much that he was getting embarrassed.

"Um," Donatello said, clearing his throat. "This doesn't change anything, guys. I'm still me."

April kicked him under the table. "Yes, it does change something," she countered. "Donny isn't simply a 'Mr. Fix It' with a knack to put things together. You're looking at one of the smartest people in the world, here; his IQ is even higher than Einstein's was."

No one knew what to say. In a predictable move, Michelangelo took the last piece of pizza out of the box and placed it on Donny's plate.

Everyone laughed, and the ice was broken.

Raphael stood to get himself something to drink. On the way by, he gave Donatello a noogie. "I knew ya had in ya, bro," he said.

"Yeah, dude," said Mikey, stealing a piece of pepperoni off Donny's slice. "I'm not surprised. I don't know anyone even half as smart as you!"

Leonardo understood the lesson that April was trying to teach them. He stood, placed his hands together, and bowed. "Your station requires respect," he said. "And you shall receive more of it."

Donny was blushing by now, and looked back at April. Thanks, he mouthed.

She smiled.

THE END

I wrote this after noticing in the current TMNT cartoon series that the turtles hardly ever say 'thank you' to Donny,
even when his inventions save their lives. Sheesh.