Marlin got better as each day went by. Dory would visit a few times, along with Destiny and Bailey. Nemo would visit with Crush every chance he got. One day, Charlie dropped by alone to see Marlin. Marlin spotted him and raised his eyebrows.

"Charlie, hey," he said.

"You're voice sounds stronger, son. You're getting better."

Marlin gave a small shrug. "I've felt a lot worse, believe me. What's going on?"

Charlie sat by Marlin's bed and sighed, deeply. "I'm here to talk to you about your...condition."

Marlin grimaced as he sat up. "My condition? I said I was feeling better."

"No, no, not about that, son. I'm talking about your...PTSD."

"I don't have PTSD, Charlie. Whoever said that?"

"Nemo brought it up the night of the attack and-"

"Nemo? He doesn't even know what PTSD is."

"No, well, I talked to Bailey and he concluded that what Nemo shared was the symptoms of someone with PTSD. You need to seek some help, Marlin. I'm being completely serious here."

Marlin shook his head. "I'm not sick or anything, if that's what you're getting at."

Charlie put a hand on Marlin's. "Marlin, please, listen. I didn't say you were sick. I just think you should get this checked out by a doctor-"

"I have."

"Yes, but I still think you should seek help...maybe weekly?"

Marlin shook his head at that. "Look, I'm not saying I don't appreciate what you're doing, but I'm fine. Beside, I don't have time to do that. Who's going to look after Nemo? I've already gotten help from you all, and I can't bear to ask for more."

Charlie understood and nodded. "I felt the same way with Dory. Jenny and I, that is. We wondered who would look after Dory when we were gone or if anything happened. I stayed up at night thinking about it. But, we know Dory's got a mind of her own and can handle herself. Besides, she's got good friends to look after her. Just, think about it, son."

Charlie stood up and gave Marlin a nod. Marlin sat alone in bed the afternoon, thinking on Charlie's advice. He was fine. He knew deep down he had panic attacks in the past, but he could handle it. Nemo was his light in this madness and nothing would change that. He kept him going each and every day. To be better and stronger for him.

A slight knock on the door made him look up. It was Bailey. He ran a hand through his dark hair and smiled. "Hey, big guy."

"Charlie?" Marlin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Bailey grimaced. "What? Was he here?"

"Lucky guess. Did he send or what?"

"No, no, he told me he'd be here, but I didn't think he would come this early in the morning. I came to see how you were doing."

Marlin shrugged. "I thought I was feeling better, but I guess I was wrong."

Bailey sat by Marlin as he adjusted his glasses. "Want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

"Fair enough. How's Nemo holding up?"

"Fine. Crush is taking care of him for me. I gotta hurry and get better. Hospitals were never a place I enjoyed being in."

Bailey chuckled. "I see what you mean, but I can't agree with you. Listen, Charlie did talk to me about how he felt about you and your condition."

"Why are you all saying I have a condition? I'm fine, okay?" Marlin said, frustrated.

Bailey lowered his eyes and bit his lip. "I'm sorry. I really am, Marlin. But, you need to be honest with me, alright? You and I both know you've had panic attacks in the past. For Nemo's sake, think about it."

Marlin closed his eyes and sighed. "Fine."

Bailey's face lit up a bit and he stood up. "I'll try to be visit tomorrow. That okay with you?"

Marlin shrugged and smiled. "Whatever floats your boat, doc."

Bailey headed out of the room and bumped into Dory. "Whoa! Hey, what are you doing here?"

Dory bit her lip. "I was hoping to see Nemo and Marlin today. Is he doing okay?"

A smirk spread across Bailey's face. "Oh, I think he'll be doing a lot better after he sees you. Can you do me a favor?"

Dory smiled. "Sure!"

Marlin rested his head back down and stared at the ceiling. Several images popped into his head as he recalled the events of the past year. Dory found her parents and her memory had gotten a bit better. He had saved Nemo and met several new friends along the way. He was thankful and content. How could no one see that? He felt as though they could only see the negative side of him. Dory entered the room and he raised his eyebrows.

"Well, this is certainly my lucky day, isn't it? First, Charlie, then Bailey. Who's next? The president?"

Dory giggled. "I take it you're having a bad day."

"No, not a bad day. Just one filled with surprises. I'm not usually one for surprises, you know."

She nodded. "I know. How's Nemo?"

"Fine, fine. He's with Crush, you know."

Dory stood by his side and smiled. "I wanted to visit later, but I thought I'd come now while my Dad was at work. So, Bailey was here?"

"Yeah, a few seconds ago, actually. Funny, really."

Dory bit her lip. "Do you know when you're getting out?"

"Hopefully by tomorrow. If I keep talking, I'll have to stay longer. Bad for my jaw, you know."

Dory nodded. "Yeah, the old jaw. Well, I guess I should leave you alone so you can get better."

Marlin held her hand. "Wait, wait, I haven't asked how you were doing. I'm sorry."

Dory felt her cheeks burn red. "I'm fine. I just feel a bit lonely."

"Lonely?"

"Yeah, Destiny is with Bailey a lot of the time now, which is great, you know. She seems to be really happy...with him. I just miss her. I'm not mad or anything. Do you know how that feels? To see someone you care about just...kinda vanish?"

Marlin lowered his eyes as bright orange hair came into his mind. Hazel eyes and soft skin. Coral holding his hand as he placed an orchid in her hair and she laughed.

"Yes. I do."

"I just wish she would be free to talk, but she's usually busy or with him."

Marlin took a deep breath. "Yeah, I get it. Dory? I think I'll just hang around by myself for now, okay? I need to rest a bit. I'm sorry."

Dory grimaced. "O-Okay. I'll just go. How did I get here again?"

Marlin shrugged. "Bus?"

Dory gasped and nodded. "Oh, yeah! Well, I'll see you later. Tell Nemo I said 'hi'."

Marlin nodded and Dory left the room where Bailey was waiting. He took her aside and whispered, "You did it, kid!"

Dory blinked. "Huh?"

"I think I know how we can through to Marlin. You mentioned losing someone you care about, and I heard his voice kinda shift. We just have to find out who that someone is! You're a natural, Dory. This is going to help Marlin, trust me."

"Wait, but what did I do again?"

Bailey laughed and hugged her. "I'll explain everything on the way home. I'll give you a lift. Come on, we gotta tell Crush and Destiny!"