Dedicated to AbbyWatson4

"Things are finally turning around," thought Johnny, grinning as he headed over to the Diazes' apartment.

For the past two years, he'd been trying to make up for all the mistakes he'd made when Robby was growing up but everything always got in the way (whether that be because of his stupid mistakes or just accidents). But today, not only did Robby thank him, he smiled.

Yeah, I know it sounds like a dumb thing to be so happy about but I've never seen him smile, not because of something I did. And at least this time, I'm not jeopardizing my relationship with Miguel for Robby.

He knocked on the door twice before walking inside. The Diazes' apartment was no bigger than his, though it always felt more welcoming due to the family's warm demeanor towards guests or maybe just his lack thereof. The circular wooden kitchen table was set with tamales, salads, rolls, and Johnny's personal favorite, a big jug of hot sauce.

Man is that stuff good.

He spotted Carmen carefully stirring a big bowl of black beans.

"Just looking at all this makes me hungry," complimented Johnny, slyly planting a kiss on Carmen's cheek.

"Thank you," smiled Carmen, squeezing his hand gently.

She really does get hotter every time I see her.

"Apparently there was this fire at the dojo and he got really hurt," finished Miguel.

"That's awful," said Carmen, sorrowly.

"I know and Sam's especially upset. Do you think it would be alright if I went to the hospital to check on her," asked Miguel, hopefully.

"Of course, Miggy, just don't stay out too late," replied Carmen.

"I won't, I promise. I was wondering if you maybe wanna come with me?" offered Miguel, turning his gaze towards Johnny.

"Huh?" asked Johnny, confused.

He'd mostly stopped listening after Miguel had mentioned Daniel.

Of course, I don't want the guy to get hurt, but I'm pretty sure just showing up there is gonna make things worse, at least for me.

"Miguel wants to know if you're going to the hospital with him," repeated Carmen, encouragingly.

If it was up to him, he would've immediately said no without a second's thought and could you really blame him? Saying he and Daniel had a history together was an understatement. But still, when he looked into Miguel's pleading eyes, all the barriers he held up seemed to shatter like glass.

Why can't I say no to this kid?!

"Fine but you're driving," conceded Johnny as he grabbed two of the tamales from the table before tossing Miguel his car keys.

Miguel smiled thankfully, waving to Carmen before leaving.

"You're a good Sensei," commented Carmen, kissing Johnny on the cheek.

"Better than he knows," added Johnny before joining Miguel outside.

They pulled up to the hospital about half an hour later, parking in the back.

"Is this really necessary?" confirmed Miguel, gesturing to the nearly empty parking spots that surrounded them.

"It's twice as likely that a car parked in the front of a lot will be stolen than behind it," explained Johnny.

Miguel stopped in his tracks to look at Johnny, his face wearing a surprised expression.

"What! I know stuff too," argued Johnny.

"I know, sorry," Miguel quickly apologized as he fell back into pace with Johnny.

"Thank you. Plus, I've done it myself," whispered Johnny proudly.

The second Johnny saw the glass front doors of the hospital slide open, he wanted to turn around and go home. It's not like he hated blood or something (What do you think I am, a pussy?!) but, he didn't have the best track record with hospitals. He'd been so afraid to be a father when Robby was born that instead of going to the hospital, he'd eaten at a diner mere blocks away. The regret he felt that night was stronger than anything he'd ever experienced and there were a long list of things he regretted.

"Did everything go okay with Robby?" asked Carmen as she placed the bowl of black beans in the middle of the table.

"Yeah, it actually did," answered Johnny.

Saying the words aloud made his answer seem even more surreal but in a good way.

"That's good news," agreed Carmen, leaning back in for a kiss.

Her lips felt soft as they met his.

"No sabía que estaba entrando en una sauna," smirked Rose as she walked into the room.

"Mama!" scolded Carmen, giggling uncomfortably.

Johnny just laughed. He might not have spoken Spanish but he was pretty sure he understood what she said.

As he was taking his seat, Miguel rushed into the room, a look of urgency on his face.

"Mr. LaRusso's in the hospital," he explained quickly as he threw on his black sweatshirt.

"I leave for one day and I miss LaRusso getting beat up," muttered Johnny angrily as he stuffed a dinner roll into his mouth.

Miguel and Carmen stared at Johnny reprovingly.

"I said things were better between us, not great," retorted Johnny, shrugging.

And then there was the day he got the call from Carmen that Miguel had been sent to the hospital for severe spinal injuries he sustained during the school brawl. He still remembered the feeling of utter desperation as his fingers touched the cold wall that had stood between him and Miguel. He had been motionless, his eyes closed as he had laid on the medical bed.

"Sensei, are you okay?" asked Miguel worriedly.

Johnny shook his head slightly, pushing the memories out of his mind.

He's fine now. They both are.

"Yeah, let's just get this over with," answered Johnny distantly.

As soon as they walked inside, they saw the LaRussos (minus Daniel) sitting on a cramped blue waiting room couch.

"Miguel! I'm so glad you're here!" exclaimed Sam as she ran towards Miguel, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

"Of course," smiled Miguel kindly.

Is this seriously what flirting has come to these days? Just compliments and hugging? Where's all the fun stuff!

Johnny cleared his throat loudly in an attempt to get their attention.

"Oh, Johnny. I didn't know you were coming," commented Amanda as she walked up to the three of them.

Her whole voice practically rang with sarcasm.

"I came here for Miguel, that's all," stated Johnny clearly.

"Still, it was a nice gesture," added Sam, thankfully.

Johnny merely nodded before gesturing towards the elevator.

The five of them rode up to floor three where Daniel was currently resting. The hallway felt stale as they exited the elevator. It was deserted, aside from one elderly man with a cane who walked past them. They stopped at room 3 F.

Let's just get this over with...

"I'm not going back in there," declared Anthony before rushing off towards the stairs.

"What's wrong with him?" questioned Johnny, obliviously.

"He's been taking dad's injury pretty hard," explained Sam, sympathetically.

"I'm sorry," apologized Miguel, understandingly.

Johnny once again just nodded. Everything was becoming too emotional for his liking.

"How about you three check in on Daniel while I find Anthony," suggested Amanda.

"Okay, sounds good," agreed Sam.

Johnny would've done anything to go with Amanda and avoid whatever awkward interaction was about to occur between him and Daniel but that wasn't going to happen.

Sam quietly pushed open the door, in case Daniel was still sleeping. The sight she saw couldn't have been more surprising. The man who had been lying unconscious for three days now sat at the edge of the bed, slipping on one of his boots as if he were simply performing his everyday routine. The only noticeable injuries he had were his heavily bandaged hands.

"Woah, I was expecting him to look much worse," thought Johnny, though something about seeing his frenemy injured made him clench his fists slightly.

"Dad, what are you doing?" questioned Sam, raising an eyebrow.

"The doctors said I could go home a day early and trust me, I feel fine," reassured Daniel as he stood up.

Sam gave a look of disbelief before hugging her dad, thankfully.

"You don't look too bad for a guy who almost died," commented Johnny, abruptly breaking into the conversation.

Daniel immediately turned his attention to Johnny who stood in front of him, wearing a plain black t-shirt and a roughed up pair of old jeans.

"What is he doing here?" said Daniel, sighing agitatedly.

"Trust me, if I got a say I wouldn't be here, LaRusso," muttered Johnny, vaguely.

"I invited him to come with me. Hopefully that wasn't a problem," explained Miguel, side-eyeing Johnny who just shrugged.

"Of course not," concluded Daniel, his expression slowly easing.

Awkward silence filled the room as none of them spoke.

"Do you think you and Miguel could grab my medicine from the doctors while I talk to Johnny for a minute?" Daniel asked Sam politely.

What does he need to talk to me for?

Sam and Miguel exchanged hesitant looks.

"Just go. It's not like you guys could stop us from killing each other anyway," stated Johnny, annoyed.

"Okay," concluded Sam, cautiously before she and Miguel left the room.

For a moment neither Johnny nor Dniel said anything, merely glaring at one another, both contemplating how they wanted this conversation to move forward.

"Silver burned down the Miyagi dojo," said Daniel, sadly.

"Seriously? He escalated that quick," commented Johnny, surprised.

He didn't wanna give Daniel the satisfaction of knowing it but he was honestly kinda disappointed.

"It's not about the dojo. He's planning something big, Johnny. I can feel it," continued Daniel, uneasily.

"So, I'll just kick his butt like I always do," stated Johnny firmly.

It's something I've been looking forward to ever since he tried to attack my son.

"That's just it! Neither of us could beat him on our own," argued Daniel, throwing his hands down in frustration.

Johnny didn't like the way this conversation was heading.

"What are you getting at, LaRusso?"

"I'm saying that if we are going to protect the kids and beat Silver, we have to work together," finished Daniel.

You have got to be kidding me.

"Don't you remember how that worked out for us the first time?"

"But it's not about us anymore, it's about protecting our kids from Cobra Kai."

Of course he wanted to protect them too (especially Miguel and Robby) but did he need Daniel to do it?

Great, I've already answered my own question.

Johnny sighed a heavy breath before responding.

"Fine but, only for the kids' sake," agreed Johnny, extending his hand.

Daniel nodded before shaking his hand.

Here we go again.