A/U: I know it's been way way way too long! I used to hate those authors who don't update for months on end, and now I've become one. I will promise to try harder in future, but just know I have exams coming up that I definitely need to pass. Also did anyone else feel like Season 3 was kind of against Robby? Maybe it's just me because I absolutely love Robby, but I wasn't a fan of him joining Kreese. Let me know your thoughts, even though its been like months since season 3 came out. Also trigger warning: panic attack.

Daniel's POV

It had been a week since the incident with Robby, and Daniel still wasn't sure if Robby was totally ok. Definitely better than before, but the kid still second-guessed every move he made. He always hesitated before accepting Daniel's affections, like he thought they'd instantly be taken away from him. Even after days of meditation and smooth movements by the water, Robby refused to fight, to throw a punch or a kick. Daniel could see the guilt in his shiny brown eyes and the deep black bags that surrounded them. He knew the kid wasn't sleeping, and the only times he ate were when Daniel practically forced food down his throat. Understandably, Robby felt terrified and guilty, and he needed time to regain his confidence and hope for the future. Daniel sat down at the table with his steaming cup of coffee and decided that today was the day he would get Robby to spar. He needed Robby to trust in himself and his strength, and this time, Daniel would get it right. He would teach Robby to control and deal with his emotions instead of shoving them down and waiting for the inevitable explosion. He sighed, then got up to wake Robby. Before he left, he asked Mr. Miyagi for guidance in keeping the peace and incredibly fragile trust Robby had placed in him. Today was going to be rough, but necessary.

"Rise and shine sleeping beauty," Daniel called out, unsurprised to find Robby already awake and undressing.

"Morning." Robby gave Daniel a half smile, then turned away.

"We're going to do something new today." Daniel took a deep breath before saying, "We're going to spar." Robby's shoulders tensed, and his hands stopped folding the blanket.

"No," he muttered, his voice low and scratchy. "No." He kept folding.

"Yes." Daniel said firmly, taking a step closer. "You need to get over this fear Robby."

"Fear keeps people alive."

"It can also destroy them from the inside out," Daniel said softly, now close enough to reach out and touch Robby's shoulder. Ignoring the teenager's flinch, he kept going. "You're not going to hurt me Robby. I trust you."

"You shouldn't. The last person who trusted me, even for a second, ended up dying in the hospital," Robby said, his voice wobbly.

"Robby, look at me," Daniel pleaded, breathing a sigh of relief when the teenager finally turned around. "I know you made a mistake, but it's not too late to fix it. Let me help you, please."

Robby looked deep into Daniel's eyes and found no deception or manipulation. He knew the man cared about him, but he couldn't figure out why. He wasn't worth all this trouble and he didn't deserve Daniel's kindness. Truth is, he's terrified of sparring and accidentally hurting his mentor, but he's even more scared of disappointing Mr. LaRusso one more time. He gave a slight, stiff nod before turning back to his bed and changing into combat clothes.

Amanda POV

Struggling to balance her purse and the two cups of coffee in her hand, Amanda took a sip of her vanilla latte and sighed. Sam had asked her again where Daniel was, and she really didn't know what to tell her. She knew Daniel would eventually have to call and explain everything to Sam, but for now it was better if the Robby situation was kept under wraps. She'd been updating Johnny on Robby's and Miguel's condition, since Carmen had banned Johnny from seeing her son. He'd snuck in occasionally to talk to the unconscious kid, and Amanda would be lying if she said she didn't help him. As she neared Miguel's room at the end of the hallway, she could hear shouting and crying. Rushing now in case something had happened, Amanda noticed Carmen's tear stained cheeks and Miguel's eyes darting back and forth like a caged animal. Depositing the coffee on the table just outside the room, Amanda left to make a quick call to Johnny, overjoyed that Miguel hadn't died. As selfish as it sounds, she knew Robby could never come back from that and that Daniel would be heartbroken.

Johnny answered on the first ring, "What?"

"He's awake Johnny," Amanda whispered in relief. "He's awake."

Daniel's POV

"Ok Robby," Daniel called out from across the mat. "Hit me."

Robby took one step closer and got into fighting position. He'd only agreed to step foot on the extra-cushioned mat if Mr. LaRusso wore a helmet, a protective vest, and knee braces.

"Are you sure?" the teen asked, hoping his mentor would call the whole thing off.

"Look, I'm not expecting you to fight in any tournaments," Daniel responded, getting closer to Robby. This protective equipment itched and squeezed in all the wrong places, but he didn't want to spook the boy off. "I just want you to get over this fear, so you can trust yourself again."

"Ok," Robby nodded, trying to reassure himself.

Daniel knew Robby wouldn't make the first punch, so he advanced. Robby ducked and went to swipe at his feet, but he hesitated and ended up rolling away.

"Come on Robby, believe in yourself," Mr. LaRusso shouted as he went to side-kick Robby and found his foot pushed down. The match continued in that way for five minutes, with Robby dodging and running while Daniel was on the offensive. Daniel realized the only way to get Robby to attack was to provoke him. He got close enough for Robby to do a roundhouse kick, and sure enough his karate instincts kicked in and Robby found his foot flying to Mr. LaRusso's chest.

"No," he muttered, face taut with exertion and rage. His leg stopped cold as he collapsed to the ground, one hand rubbing at his chest and the other furiously scratching his arm. "I can't-I ca-No," he breathed out harshly, eyes filled with a wild panic.

"Woah woah Robby, it's ok," Mr. LaRusso said softly, kneeling down next to Robby. "Everyone's ok." He grabbed the teen's arm to stop the bloody scratches running down his arm.

"I can't-I can't breathe," Robby panted, shaking his head. "Mr. L I can't-" Robby let out a sob as he nodded and looked up at a spot next to Daniel's head.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to," Robby repeated while rocking back and forth on the sweaty mat. His chest felt tight, too tight, and he couldn't grasp his thoughts. He felt himself spinning out of control, like a top that never stops. The buzzing in his ears grew louder as everything around him ceased to exist. It was only him and this feeling in this place, for the rest of time.

Daniel gently guided Robby's shaking hand to his chest. "Feel that Robby? That's my breathing. All you have to do is follow it, ok?"

Robby could feel something now, a heartbeat at his fingertips. He pushed against it, but it didn't give away. He heard a far-away voice telling him to take deep breaths. He focused on that voice and this touch and slowly felt himself relax.

When he felt the teen slacken in his arms, Daniel carried him to the car, surprised at how light he was. Daniel made a note to force Robby to eat more as he buckled his seatbelt and drove away from the dojo. He didn't know what the heck just happened, but he sure wasn't going to repeat that again. That terror he felt in every fiber of his being when Robby looked so tired, so broken. He glanced outside the car window, where the trees' shadows danced across the water. He wondered how long it would be until Robby would stop being haunted by his past. Deep down, he knew that Robby would have to learn to live with this, but that didn't mean he couldn't have help. Daniel wasn't going to leave him, not again. He placed Robby down on the bed and wen't to get the first aid kit. Seeing as though Robby needed the sleep, Daniel prayed that he wouldn't wake up as he poured the alcohol on his arm and wrapped them tight in bandages. They didn't look deep enough to need stitches, and he knew Robby would never agree to go to a hospital. Daniel paused, then swept a stray hair off of Robby's forehead. He sat down by the bed, picked up the Okinawa book, and began to read.