Hunter watched as they wheeled Blake into the elevator; a sad look on his features. The elder of the Thunder Brothers had heard the argument that Tori and Blake had had and instantly knew that his brother had been in the wrong.

He, more than anyone, knew about Blake's insecurities. He had strived so hard his entire life not to be a burden to anyone. Even as a young child Hunter recalled his brother always going out of his way to make things easier for his parents.

From the corner of his eye he saw a blonde head of hair leaning against the doorway. He turned and saw Tori with her arms wrapped around herself. He walked over to her.

"You all right?" he asked softly.

Tori nodded her head. "I know he didn't mean it," she whispered. "But it still hurts."

Hunter pulled her into a light hug. "He just doesn't like it when he thinks he has to be dependent on people."

Tori broke the hug and wiped her eyes. "I know… hopefully when they fix his back his head will be on the right way again." At that they laughed a little and waited.

In Reefside, the Dino Rangers were all gathered around the couch area at Hailey's; Trent's cell phone sitting on the table.

"I wonder how they're all taking this?" Connor asked as they waited for the phone to ring with news of Blake.

"Cam called a few hours ago and said that Hunter called him. Blake's in surgery right now and should be out shortly," Trent said sadly. Connor and Trent sat on either side of Kira, both with arms around her for support.

"I don't know what I'd be like if anything like that happened to any of you," Kira said to her friends.

Ethan looked up from his computer. "This website says that over 70 of the patients that go through this are able to walk again," he said.

"Let's just hope Blake's in that percentage," Connor said softly. They all sat in silence for a long while before Trent spoke again.

"My dad said that they'd postpone the wedding until they knew he was alright."

"It's in two months… I can almost bet money that Blake won't let him postpone it because of him," Ethan said.

"Yeah. From the way Tori was talking, Blake's the type of guy to put others above him," Kira said as her eyes began to tear up. "He'll pull through… I know he will."

Connor let go of her as she wrapped her arms around Trent and hugged him.

Just then the call they had been waiting for arrived.

"He's in the recovery ward right now," Tori said into the phone. "The doctors said that everything went well, but we have to wait and see what happens within the next few hours." She smiled. "We will… thanks guys."

She hung up and turned to Hunter. "Connor said that Blake owes him a soccer game when he gets out," she said laughing a little. But her laughter quickly turned to tears and Hunter pulled her in close.

"I'm scared too Tor," he admitted. The two of them sat in the waiting room, holding hands for support as a nurse came in.

"Doctor Westley said you can sit with him if you would like to."

They both stood and made their way down the hall. Tori stopped outside the door. "I can't go in there… what if he wakes up and yells at me again."

"Then I'll kick his ass," Hunter said smiling. "He didn't know what he was saying before. I'm sure he's fine now."

Hesitantly she walked in behind him and they found Blake propped up in the bed. "Bro?"

Blake turned and smiled sleepily at the sight of his brother. The blonde behind him made his heart ache. He knew he had hurt her.

"Hey guys," he said. They sat down at his bedside.

"How you holding up?" Hunter asked.

"Well, it feels like I just got kicked in the back by a hundred kelzacks." They all chuckled a little.

"So you have feeling in your back again?" Tori asked nervously. Blake took a moment before he answered.

"Yeah… but not that much. The doc said it's the medication." Hunter saw the tension in the room and left to call the others like he had promised.

Blake couldn't look her in the face. He knew she had been crying and that hurt more than his back ever could.

Tori reached out and took his hand and he was forced to look at her. Gathering up all her might she finally got he words out that she had been keeping in.

"We don't care if you're broken or burned or just being a jerk… you have to let people help you Blake… the people that love you," she said.

Blake felt her thumb trace his hand and he felt like the biggest ass in the world. "Tori-"

"I'm not finished." She said gently. "What's important is that you're the one person in this world that I know I'm safe with… you're the only person I've ever loved and I will love you no matter what happens to you. And you can try to push me away all you want but I won't leave you alone."

"You never were the type to give up on something," he said gently. He flexed his hand over hers and looked into her blue eyes. "I'm sorry for what I said… it's not exactly the homecoming I was hoping for."

Tori smiled. "I know, but hey, we get to spend more time together right?" They both laughed a little and Tori leaned up to his face and kissed him gently.

When they pulled away Blake squeezed her hand. "I love you, you know," he said.

"Yeah… I know," Tori replied as she smiled at him. "I love you too."

They stayed like that for the next two weeks; Tori never leaving his side. Over the past weeks, Blake had begun to feel pain in his legs and the doctors took it as a good sign. If things kept up the way they were going, he would be in physical therapy within the next few weeks and hopefully walking in a matter of months.

It was during his recovery that both Blake and Tori came to a silent agreement with each other… they knew that this event, as well as every other one they had shared, all meant something… that they were truly destined to be together.

There was never a doubt in their minds that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. They had spoken of marriage only a few times, but quickly dismissed the idea, as there were other things to worry about at the moment.

But Blake knew that as soon as he could, he was going to make her his wife and give her the life she wanted… no matter what obstacles they faced.

And it seemed as though the obstacles were conquered one after the other as the days went by.

Blake held himself up with his arms as he balanced on the two bars on either side of him. He carefully moved his hands along the steel pipes, with his feet following them at an extremely slower pace than they should have been.

Hunter had had to return to the Thunder academy for a little while, but Tori refused to leave Blake. Sensei and the others had been more than understanding in letting her take time off.

She watched as Blake was slowly progressing and smiled at him. He had worked harder than he had in his entire life. When he got frustrated he dug deep down within himself and found that piece of him that made him continue… it had been developed over the years through his ninja training and he vowed to himself that he would get back into his old routine.

The doctors stood with Tori and were amazed at his improvements. When Blake successfully completed his little course he sat down in his wheelchair.

"Well Blake I have some great news for you," Doctor Westley said as he approached the young man. "We're sending you home." Those words made both Blake and Tori beam from ear to ear. "You're back is almost completely healed and there's a physical therapist in Blue Bay Harbor that I know… He'll take good care of you and have you back to yourself in no time… call it an early Christmas present."

Blake was thrilled and did a wheelie in his chair. "This is great! Thank you so much!" he said as he shook his hand. Tori thanked the doctor as well and left the two alone.

"We're going home," she said as she kissed him. Blake pulled her down into his chair and kissed her passionately.

"Let's go!" he said as he wheeled them out.