The next morning went even better than expected and Johnny was able to complete four steps before it became too much for him. Unfortunately, that evening, he was able to do even less and that set off a temper tantrum worse than anyone had seen. It seemed anything and everything around him that wasn't bolted down went flying. Patients down the hall could hear him yelling although what he was yelling about no one was sure. Thankfully, Johnny didn't have a lot of energy and within fifteen minutes, it was mostly over. All that remained was the self-loathing that had Johnny curling up in a ball crying, saying he hated himself for not having no control and hating what had happened to him. Having heard what had happened and seeing the results, Doctor Druthers finally decided to prescribe a mood stabilizer despite having held off in hopes the mood swings that were presenting themselves would level out without pharmaceutical help.

"I really think that using Chlordiazepoxide at least for a short time will be beneficial," Karl explained. "I don't believe Johnny will need it long term, just until his head injury heals more."

Concerned, Roy interrogated him, "But what if the mood swings are permeant?"

"Than we can keep him on this medication or try a different one. There is no reason for him to suffer through these when we can make his life a bit easier," Doctor Druthers patiently explained.

Running his hands through his hair, Roy sighed and looked towards Joanne.

"What kind of side effects are there?"

"It could cause dizziness, blurred vision or drowsiness. Sometimes these do occur when first taking the medication and as the person adjusts, the symptoms lessen. Again," he reminded them. "There are other options if this doesn't work."

Looking towards his wife again, Roy and Joanne communicated silently. Each were thinking the same things: It wasn't fair to Johnny to have him suffer through roller coasters of emotions that sucked the energy out of him and left him even more depressed. Nor would it be fair to have their children deal with it and walk on egg shells since they both saw that as Johnny healed, the mood swings only grew worse.

I really can't blame him though, Joanne thought, her heart breaking. To have to keep holding onto hope in such a strange world surrounded by strangers, only to have it dashed again and again. It's a wonder he is coping as well as he is and at least this way, maybe this medication will help him heal faster if we don't have to stop due to Johnny being so frustrated.

"Alright, we'll try it," Roy broke the silence, heaving a sigh.

"I'll start him on a small dose in the morning. I'm going to start him at 5mg, three times a day," Karl explained. "It should start working in a week or so. If we don't see improvement than, I'll double the dosage."

"Thanks," Jo said.

Praying the next day would be better, Roy and Joanne left the hospital early, knowing the sedative given to Johnny would keep him asleep until at least breakfast. Although Chris and Jenny were disappointed about not being able to see him, they were more understanding about Johnny getting upset than either thought they would be.

"But as Jenny pointed out," Roy told Johnny the next day to make sure he understood their family still wanted him and loved him. "If anyone of us were in your place, we would be upset too. I mean, I may not see my mom or dad much, but I still have them. Your Aunt Jo still has her parents as well. Then, to wake up and realize you lost a lot of time, are somewhere you don't know, well I don't know if I could handle things as good as you."

"Mom says everyone has story and is already wrote in stars. Cannot change it so do not fight it. Learn. Grow. See beauty," Johnny shared.

Thinking about that concept, Roy could see the wisdom.

"Your mom sure sounds like she was a wonderful, smart person," Roy told Johnny.

"She was."

Clearing his throat, Roy asked, "Are you ready to begin today?"

"Yes," John smiled. "Can't wait."

With that, the two began eating their breakfast of homemade French toast, bacon and eggs with milk and apple juice while they waited for the therapist. When they came in and set up, Roy cleared up the breakfast mess and stood back to watch how well Johnny did. Like the previous morning, he was able to walk four steps before tiring. Thankfully, he didn't get frustrated over this and after a nap, Johnny began working on the activities left by Scarlett so that he was ready to work on the harder stuff after lunch.

As the two of them were finishing up tossing a ball, Davis came in and wondered out loud, "Is someone here ready to walk again?"

Raising his hand eagerly, Johnny began scooting towards the edge of the bed, before stopping at the looks coming from three different people. With a sheepish grin on his face, he just shrugged. Laughing, Davis just set the walker by the bed and had just Scarlett help him to stand. Once he was standing though, both he and Scarlett hung onto John lightly as he took small, tentative steps. Unlike the morning, he managed a total of seven steps before he was breathing too heavily and was too exhausted to continue.

"Wow!" exclaimed Davis. "Do this well tomorrow and I think I will have to talk to Doctor Early about getting you out of here in a few more days."

"Really?" Johnny panted as he was more or less lifted back into bed.

"Really," Davis said sincerely.

"Now, how about you rest up, you did a lot of great work today," Scarlett told him with a bright smile.

Blinking slowly, Johnny thought that sounded like a great idea and within ten minutes was fast asleep. As soon as he was sleeping deep enough, Roy asked if the two of them were serious about what they had said.

"You know that Scarlett and I are the only ones that are keeping Johnny here now," Davis gently reminded Roy.

"Yeah, you're right, it's just…surreal," Roy admitted. "We've had to go through so many hoops. Making sure Doctor Early was fine with how well Johnny was doing physically and how his recovery was doing. Then waiting for Karl's approval that he felt our family could deal with issues that came up."

"Honestly, I have to admire you and your family, as well as co-workers," Davis told him. "I heard how much you guys have been through and been working to make sure that things go as smoothly as possible. Not a lot of people would do that for a co-worker."

"I guess it's different in our line of work. If we don't trust each other, know that have each other's back, and believe in one another, there is no way we can function," Roy pointed out.

"True," Scarlett said. "But anyway, we should get going and let the two of you rest. Tomorrow, we'll get him the wheelchair, take him for a short ride. If he does well, he can be released the day after."

Smiling broadly, Roy walked with them to the door.

"I'll call Cap, let him know," he said. "I know he wanted to know the minute I found out. I just can't wait until Joanne gets here."

"We'll see you tomorrow," Davis promised, leaving behind one very happy man.