A/N: These next few chapters are going to be really important for the set up of the rest of the story. It might get a bit ugly, but don't worry, the real story has only just begun


Miguel arrived home from the hospital yesterday afternoon, and today was his first morning waking up in his own bed. His mom and Yaya were so excited to have him home that they had checked up on him about 20 times last night to make sure he was comfortable. He really appreciated having such strong, loving female figures in his life. The way he could always count on his mom or Yaya to be there for him growing up filled the space that typically would've been empty without a father figure in his life.

He knew his mom's story about his dad, and he was glad that he never met the asshole. His mom and Yaya were enough for him as far as Miguel was concerned.

That being said, there was something about the feeling of having a man to look up to that Miguel didn't realize he missed until he met Sensei. Not that Sensei was always the exemplar of dignity and manhood, but he taught him things about standing up for yourself and commanding respect that changed the way Miguel saw himself. And in return, Miguel taught Johnny things about self-control and the internet that made Johnny a better person as well; or at least Miguel liked to think so.

It had been a month since his accident now, and there was still no sign of Sensei. Miguel was almost certain that he would show up one day at the hospital. Didn't he care about how I was doing? He wondered.

Miguel knew that Johnny had a reputation for being flaky, but he was never that way to him. Johnny always tried his best to guide Miguel along the right path and be there when he needed him to be. This abandonment felt almost like a blatant betrayal.

Miguel looked up at the knock on his door. Carmen came through with a beaming smile holding a lap tray with some freshly made sweet quesadillas and a glass of orange juice.

"Hi Miggy, I heard you waking up so I made your favorite breakfast, just the way you like it," she said sweetly, setting his tray off to the side so she could help get him propped up.

Since his surgery he had been gradually regaining movement throughout his body, but mostly through his arms and his torso. A few of his toes he could feel some sensation in, which the doctor said was a good sign, but it wasn't enough movement to where he could move anything down there. According to his doctors, he was supposed to see the most improvement of movement within the first six months of injury, so he still had time before things really started looking grim.

"Thanks mom," he smiled as she fixed him and brought his breakfast. He really missed their home cooked meals.

"Do you need anything else? You already have your computer and graphic novels, but I could roll the TV in here so you could watch the Dodgers game tonight," Carmen suggested.

Miguel laughed at her excitement, "That's okay, this is great. If need be I could pull it up on my laptop," he smiled slightly up at her. She looked at him for a second, taking in his eyes and smile. They hadn't been quite the same as they used to be, she noticed. She missed the boy that would come running through the kitchen, kiss her and her mother on the cheek, before showering and heading out to go play with his friends. Or when he could come home from practice and boast about his accomplishments. He just wasn't her same Miggy.

Carmen cocked her head to the side. "Are you alright, honey?" She asked.

Miguel was caught off guard by her question. He should've known that he could never get anything past his mom; she knew him better than anyone else. "...have you heard anything from Sensei?" He asked hesitantly. He knew that his mom wasn't Sensei's biggest fan following the accident, but he wanted to believe that time had made her more understanding.

Her face flashed with anger, but she caught herself before her outburst. "Not anything recently, no," she said, crossing her arms in front of herself.

The response made Miguel disappointed. He looked down hurt, "He didn't ... check up on me at all while I was in the hospital?" He was confused and hurt and angry by this information, but something in him didn't want to accept it yet.

Carmen sighed and uncrossed her arms with a shrug. "He tried to visit you at the beginning while you were in the ICU, but I told him we didn't want to see him anymore. He is the reason you got involved with that fight to begin with, I don't want him teaching you anymore rules like 'no mercy' or 'strike first'. That isn't how you should live your life, Miguel," she huffed.

Miguel wrinkled his forehead, wondering where she got her information from. He was mad that she would tell Sensei to stay away when really what he needed was his guidance more than anything now. Johnny had a way of putting things that helped him overcome his battles, and this was one hell of a battle.

"I can't believe you said that to him. Whether or not you believe it, Sensei Lawrence helped me a lot. He helped me stand up for myself and show the world that I'm not there for everyone to walk all over. He didn't do this to me," he gestured to his paralyzed state, "I need him, mom."

Without moving, Carmen's eyes searched all over Miguel's face. She was trying to find the source of his love for this man who wore T-Shirts with 80s bands on them and drank expired juice from a carton.

"I don't understand why you feel you need him in your life, Miggy. You're a good boy. You are smart and kind and funny, what is it that Johnny can give you that you don't already have?" Carmen's eyes were serious. She didn't want to risk her son getting hurt anymore, and as far as she was concerned, as soon as Johnny came into their lives, all Miguel ever got was hurt.

Miguel sighed, rolling his head back with exhaustion. "I'm not happy," he stated. Carmen flinched at his words. "I can't be!" He whelped. "Not when I know I am capable of recovering and achieving so much more, but I can't do that unless I have a goal to work towards and I need Sensei's help to get there." He paused, letting her take in the seriousness of his words. "I want to fight again. I want to feel alive again. I need Sensei's help to get there."

A deafening silence hung in the air as Carmen took in his words. Miguel looked down at his untouched food, frowning when he realized it isn't as good when it's cold.

"Okay," his mom said, finally.

Miguel threw his head up to double check that what he heard was correct.

"Okay?" He asked.

She nodded, "You can see Johnny again, but I don't want you to go over there. He's coming here, where I can watch him. And I don't want any karate lessons." Miguel opened his mouth to protest, "Ah ah—" she stopped him. "No karate. At least not anytime soon," she warned with a small smile.

Miguel closed his eyes and nodded silently. He would take what he could get at the moment.

"Now eat up, your food is no good when it gets cold," she scolded. Carmen gave him a small smile and patted his head before leaving his room.

Miguel laid back in bed with relief. He was glad that he would finally get back to training just like he hoped. It would be a different kind of training, but it was what he needed. He just hoped that Johnny would be there to guide him through it.


A/N: I adore Carmen and Miguel's relationship! I also like how the series never created a need to meet Miguel's dad because I think it's unique that Miguel feels fulfilled by having two strong women in his life. Of course Johnny is important to him too, but his mom and grandma were his main homies for so long. I just love that. What a sweet boy