Tory rushed through the sliding glass doors of the hospital, her heart pounding in her chest as she scanned the bustling lobby. The fluorescent lights felt harsh above her, but she pushed through the chaos, driven by a desperate need to see Theo. She approached the receptionist, her voice trembling with urgency.

"Excuse me! I'm here to see Theo—Theo LaRusso. He's in the ICU."

The receptionist looked up from her computer, her expression sympathetic but firm. "I'm sorry, but visitors aren't allowed in the ICU without special permission. You'll have to wait here."

Panic surged within Tory, and she felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "No, please! He needs me!"

"Honey, the amount of fan girls I've had tell me that in the last two weeks is getting more and more each day."

Just then, Elise appeared in the hallway, her face a mixture of relief and urgency. "Wait! She's family," she said, stepping forward and locking eyes with the receptionist. "Tory is family. You have to let her through."

The receptionist hesitated, glancing between the two women, but Elise's determination brooked no argument. With a reluctant nod, she gestured for Tory to go ahead.

"Thank you!" Tory exclaimed, her heart racing as she rushed past the desk and into the hallway. But before she could reach Theo's room, Elise caught up with her, grabbing her arm gently.

"Tory!" Elise said, her voice steadying. "I'm glad you're here. We need to talk before you go in."

Tory turned, her eyes wide with emotion. "I'm so sorry, Elise! I didn't mean for any of this to happen!" she cried, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I never wanted it to end up like this!"

Elise pulled her into a comforting embrace, feeling the weight of Tory's guilt and fear. "It's okay, Tory. Just breathe. I know you didn't mean for this to happen," she soothed, rubbing her back gently.

"But if I hadn't started the brawl—" Tory began, her voice breaking.

"Stop," Elise interrupted softly but firmly. "You can't think like that. What's done is done, and right now, the most important thing is Theo. He needs us both."

Tory pulled back slightly, wiping her tears away with trembling fingers. "I just want him to wake up. I can't lose him," she whispered, her eyes wide with fear.

"He's stable for now," Elise reassured her, her heart aching for the girl standing before her. "We're hoping that hearing your voice will help him fight. You love him, and he needs to know that."

Tory nodded, taking a deep breath as she steeled herself. "Okay. I'll talk to him."

Elise stepped back, giving Tory space as she prepared to go into the room. "Just remember, he's going to feel your love. You're important to him, and he needs to hear that right now."

With a determined look in her eyes, Tory straightened her shoulders and took a few steps toward the door to Theo's room. "Thank you, Elise," she said, her voice steadier now. "I'll do my best."

Tory stood at the threshold of Theo's room, her heart racing as she took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She stepped inside, the beeping of the monitors creating a rhythmic backdrop to her racing heart. As she approached his bedside, she reached for his hand, feeling its warmth and grounding herself in the moment.

"Hi, baby," she began softly, her voice trembling but steadying as she looked at his peaceful face. "It's me, Tory. I'm here. I've been so worried about you."

She paused, taking a moment to steady her emotions before continuing. "I've been thinking about all the times we spent together. Remember our first date? We went to that little diner and shared those greasy burgers and fries. You laughed at my terrible jokes and said I was the funniest person you'd ever met." A small smile crept onto her face as she remembered his infectious laughter.

Tory squeezed his hand gently, her voice growing more earnest. "You know how much I love how you looked after my little brother and my mom when I couldn't? You stepped in when things got tough, and it meant the world to me. I saw how you played with him, how you made him laugh, and how you were there for my mom when she needed support. You took care of them like they were your own family."

Tears began to well up in her eyes, and she blinked them away, trying to stay strong for him. "You are so good, Theo. You have a heart of gold, and I want you to know how much you're loved—not just by me, but by everyone who knows you. My brother thinks you're a superhero, and my mom always talks about how grateful she is to have you in our lives."

She leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "I believe in you, Theo. I know you can fight this. You're the strongest person I know. Please, just come back to us. We need you here. I need you here."

Tory felt a swell of hope as she held his hand tightly, pouring all her love and determination into her words. "Just wake up, okay? We have so many more adventures to go on, so many more memories to make. I promise I'll always be by your side. Just please come back."

As she finished speaking, she rested her head against the edge of the bed, allowing herself to feel the weight of her emotions. "I'm not going anywhere, Theo. I'll be right here, waiting for you."

—————

The next morning, the sun streamed through the window of Theo's hospital room, casting a warm glow over the space. The beeping of the monitors had become a familiar soundtrack, and Tory sat in a chair beside the bed, her head resting on her arms as she dozed lightly. She hadn't slept much the night before, her mind racing with worry and hope.

Across the room, Theo's mom sat in another chair, flipping through a magazine with a distracted air, her eyes often darting to her son's still form. The room was quiet, filled with an atmosphere of anxious anticipation.

Suddenly, Theo felt a gentle tug at his consciousness, pulling him from the depths of sleep. His eyelids fluttered open, the bright light overwhelming him for a moment. As his vision adjusted, he blinked in confusion, taking in the sight of Tory and his mom sitting nearby.

Tory's head shot up at the sound of the monitor's alert, her eyes widening. "Theo?" she gasped, her voice filled with disbelief and hope.

Theo managed a small smirk, despite the grogginess that clouded his mind. "Boo!" he croaked, the sound rough from disuse.

Both Tory and his mom jumped, startled by his unexpected voice. Tory's eyes widened in shock, and she almost fell out of her chair. "Oh, my God, you asshole!" she exclaimed, her heart racing as relief washed over her.

Theo chuckled softly, though it quickly turned into a cough. "Didn't mean to startle you," he said, his voice still raspy. "Just wanted to see if I still had it."

His mom rushed to his side, her face a mixture of joy and tears. "Oh, Theo! You scared us half to death!" she said, her voice trembling with emotion. She leaned in, brushing his hair back from his forehead. "I'm so glad you're awake."

Tory leaned closer, her smile widening as she fought back tears. "You had us worried, you know. You really shouldn't scare us like that," she teased, her voice thick with emotion.

Theo looked between them, feeling a rush of warmth at the sight of their worried faces. "You know me, I love to make an entrance," he said, his smirk growing. "How did I do?"

"You did great," Tory replied, her laughter mingling with tears of relief.

"No more sleeping on the job," his mom added, her voice choked with happiness. "We need you here, Theo. You have no idea how much we missed you."

Theo nodded slowly, the gravity of their words sinking in. "I missed you guys too," he admitted, his voice softening. "What happened? How long was I out?"

Tory glanced at his mom before answering. "You've been in a coma for two weeks, but you're back now. That's all that matters." She took a deep breath, her eyes shining with affection. "We're so proud of you for fighting through this."

—————

Cami, Freddie, Kai, Pete, Elise, and Tory gathered around Theo's hospital bed, a colorful assortment of cards and gifts spread out before them. The atmosphere was lighthearted as they reminisced about their time together and the support they'd received during his recovery.

Elise picked up a card and grinned. "This one's from Hawk. He says he can't wait to kick your ass when you come back," she read, her laughter infectious.

Pete chimed in, holding up a large gift basket. "And Stingray sent a gift basket of Monster." He furrowed his brows, inspecting the contents. "Why does everyone have such weird nicknames?"

Cami rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, this is one desperate fan," she said, grimacing as she held up a pair of brightly colored underwear.

Freddie leaned over, his curiosity getting the better of him. He sniffed the underwear, and an immediate wave of laughter erupted from the group, mixed with shock. "What? I had to know!" he said, feigning innocence.

Tory couldn't help but laugh, but beneath her amusement was a flicker of jealousy that she quickly tried to dismiss. Just then, Theo, still groggy but aware, reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her focus back to him. The warmth of his grip calmed her, and she smiled down at him, grateful for his presence.

Elise continued, lifting another card. "And this one is from... the LaRussos." Her voice trailed off, and a tense silence settled over the group. The mention of the LaRussos brought a weight to the moment—Theo's father and siblings hadn't shown up, but Amanda had been visiting regularly.

Theo's brow furrowed slightly, and he looked up at the group, his eyes searching for understanding. "What does it say?" he asked, his voice still hoarse but filled with curiosity.

Elise opened the card, her expression hardening. "It says, 'Theo, we're all rooting for your recovery. You're a fighter, and we know you'll come back stronger than ever. We're here for you.'" She paused, looking around at everyone. "It's Amanda's handwriting."

Cami, sensing the shift in energy, quickly grabbed another card to lighten the mood. "How about we read another one? Never mind, another desperate groupie," She opened it, and they erupted into laughter again.

—————

Tory returned home after a long day at the hospital, feeling the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her. She entered the small apartment, greeted by the familiar sounds of Brandon playing in the living room.

"Take that to Mom," she instructed, gesturing to the plate of food she had prepared. She watched as he nodded eagerly and made his way to where their mother, Grace, was resting on the couch, the television playing quietly in the background. The scene was a small comfort.

As Tory turned on the tap to wash the dishes, she was met with a steady drip. Her frustration bubbled up as she realised the leak was still there. "Great, just what I need," she sighed, wiping her hands on a dish towel before deciding to confront the landlord.

"You haven't fixed that leak yet," she called out as she approached him in the hallway.

Rodney leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a smug expression on his face. "And you haven't paid rent. See how that works?"

Tory felt her heart sink. "I'll have it next week. I'm working doubles," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Last month it was some excuse about your mom's diabetes," he shot back dismissively.

"Dialysis," she corrected him sharply, but the frustration in her voice only seemed to fuel his arrogance.

"Same diff," he replied, shrugging. "Not my job to keep track of excuses. It's my job to cash rent checks. If I can't do my job, then you can't live here."

Tory clenched her fists, fighting back anger. "Don't do that. You know my mom, she's—"

"The caretaker thing's the only reason you're not in juvie," he interrupted, a mocking tone creeping into his voice. "Yeah, I heard about that cat fight that got you expelled."

"You don't know anything about it," she snapped, feeling her blood boil.

"I know if I had some mud and a pool, I could've sold tickets," Rodney chuckled. "Boy you fought over sitting in front."

"Don't talk about him," Tory warned, her patience wearing thin.

"Boys..." He clicked his tongue, a smirk on his face. "See, now if you had a man instead of a boy, maybe things'd be easier for you. You wouldn't have to worry about rent."

Tory's anger flared, and she grabbed his wrist as he moved to touch her, bending it back with surprising strength. "I bet you wouldn't sound like a man if I broke your wrist," she hissed, her eyes blazing.

Rodney winced but quickly regained his composure. "Mm-mmm. I wouldn't do that. What would your probation officer say?"

Reluctantly, Tory let go, taking a step back, her heart racing. She could feel the tension in the air, and she hated being put in this position.

"Whew. Think on what I said," he taunted, rubbing his wrist. "Maybe I'll see you tonight. But if I don't... I better see that check on the first."

—————

Tory sat on the edge of her bed, the weight of the day pressing heavily on her shoulders. She stared at her phone for a moment, feeling the hopelessness creep in. Finally, she dialed Elise's number, needing to talk to someone who could help.

"Hey, Tory, What's up?" Elise answered.

"Hey," Tory replied, her voice shaky. "I really need to talk to you about something... it's about my landlord."

Elise's tone shifted immediately, sensing the seriousness in Tory's voice. "What's going on?"

Tory took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "He's an asshole. We have a leak in the apartment, and he just threw everything back in my face. He was saying I haven't paid rent and..."

"And?" Elise asked, her voice darkening.

"He- he tried to come onto me," Tory whispered.

"Honey, listen to me," Elise said firmly. "You don't need to worry about him. I'll handle this."

"But it feels like I'm just stuck. I don't know what to do about him, and I'm worried he's going to make everything worse for us," Tory said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'll handle it," Elise said firmly.

Tory felt a flicker of hope but also some apprehension. "Are you sure?"

"Trust me, we'll take care of it shortly. You focus on your mom and Brandon. I'll talk to Pete," Elise reassured her, her voice steady and confident.

Tory took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Thank you. I just hate feeling so helpless."

"You're not helpless, Tory. You're strong, and you've overcome so much already. Just let me handle this part, okay?" Elise insisted.

"Okay, I'll trust you," Tory said, her heart feeling a little lighter. "I appreciate you stepping in. I just want to focus on my family and get through this."

"Absolutely. You take care of them, and I'll take care of Rodney. Just keep your chin up, and don't let him get to you," Elise encouraged.

—————

Pete, Elise, and Kreese entered the dimly lit laundry room of Tory's apartment complex, the smell of detergent and fabric softener hanging in the air. They spotted Rodney, the landlord, rummaging through the machines, collecting coins with a smug expression on his face.

"Excuse me," Elise said, her tone firm as she stepped forward.

Rodney looked up, a cocky smile spreading across his face. "I'm not here, sweetheart. Need to clean your dirties, come back tomorrow."

Elise didn't back down. "I'd like to speak with you about Tory Nichols."

Rodney let out a laugh, shaking his head. "Let me guess, she owes you some money? Get in line."

Kreese stepped in, his presence commanding. "No, we're just a neutral party looking out for her well-being."

Rodney's expression turned dismissive. "Look, sugartits, old man, I don't know you. If you care about her well-being, you can pay her rent. Or she can do something else to get in my good graces."

Elise's anger flared, and in a swift movement, she grabbed Rodney's arm, twisting it until he was locked in place. He winced, eyes widening in surprise.

"Shit! Oh, shit! I'm sorry! What, are you her aunt or something?" he stammered, panic creeping into his voice.

"Her mother-in-law," Elise replied coolly, holding him firmly.

She pointed at Pete. "That's my brother, her uncle-in-law. He's the more silent and scary type."

Pete stood tall, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

Elise then pointed at Kreese. "And that's our father, her grandfather-in-law."

Rodney's bravado began to fade. "Please, you don't wanna do this," he begged, looking between them, fear evident in his eyes.

Elise tightened her grip, the cigar cutter from Kreese's pocket glinting menacingly in her hand. "I think I do. Somebody's gotta teach you to keep your hands to yourself."

"OK, OK, OK! I'll do what you want! Come on, lady!" Rodney pleaded, his voice shaky now.

"Isn't that a good boy?" Elise said, a satisfied smirk on her face. "We're gonna make a little arrangement."

Rodney gulped, his bravado completely shattered. "What kind of arrangement?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Elise leaned in closer, her tone low and serious. "You're going to fix the leak in Tory's apartment immediately, and you're going to stop harassing her. No more threats, no more games. If you can't manage that, well..." She raised the cigar cutter slightly, making her point clear. "We'll have a different kind of conversation."

"Alright, alright! I get it! Just... just don't hurt me," Rodney stammered, clearly intimidated.

"Good. Now, when can we expect the repairs?" Elise pressed, her grip still firm.

"By tomorrow morning! I swear!" he promised, desperation in his voice.

"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?" Elise released him, stepping back as Rodney rubbed his sore wrist, still visibly shaken.

—————

Johnny stepped into the hospital room with a cautious demeanor, his eyes landing on Theo, who was sitting upright in bed, scrolling through his phone. The sight of Theo, once so battered and bruised, now looking more alert and engaged, was a relief.

"Hey," Johnny said, breaking the silence.

"Hey," Theo replied, glancing up momentarily before returning his focus to his phone.

Johnny shifted nervously. "I, uh... keep having to sneak in here. I kept it from last time I was here." He lifted his wrist, revealing the medical wristband still attached.

Theo raised an eyebrow. "What happened to your face?"

Johnny smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "I got into a fight with a paper towel dispenser. And a couple goons at a chop shop."

Johnny studied Theo closely, concern creeping into his expression. "You got rid of that neck brace, that's good. I always thought headgear was for nerds."

"The doctor told my mom I might not walk again," Theo said quietly, his voice heavy with the weight of that reality.

"What? No. They can't know that. Nah, they don't know how strong you are," Johnny replied, his tone filled with determination.

Theo looked at him, frustration evident in his eyes. "Johnny... I was going to show mercy. I hesitated when I could've beaten him. Why did this happen to me?"

Johnny opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. "I don't know," he finally admitted, the uncertainty of the situation washing over him.

"You don't know? I trusted you. I did everything that you told me," Theo said, disappointment lacing his words.

"Theo... I..." Johnny started but was cut off as the door creaked open.

"Not interrupting anything, am I?" a smooth voice chimed in.

Both Theo and Johnny turned to see Terry Silver standing in the doorway, a warm smile plastered across his face. His shoulder-length grey hair framed his face, giving him a relaxed yet authoritative appearance.

"I'll, uh... I'll go," Johnny mumbled, feeling the weight of Terry's presence. He brushed past him, casting a wary glance in his direction.

"Uncle Terry," Theo acknowledged, a mix of feelings bubbling up inside him.

"How's my favorite nephew?"