AN: Thank you for all those still reading. I know this is a long fanfiction-even longer than my outline had suggested! However, it just seems there are no shortcuts on the way to recovery here, so thanks to all those who are reading!
As Roy and Chris neared home Friday morning, Roy stopped by to see if anyone was home. Finding out that Jo, Mike and Johnny would be leaving in another hour and a half, he offered to pick up something for lunch.
"Sure, that would be great!" Joanne was relieved. "This morning has been so hectic, I haven't even had time to think about what to put together. And Jenny is heading out to go to the Scout meeting in an hour."
Promising that he would take care of it, Roy and Chris showed up twenty minutes later with a few pizzas. Dropping them off on the kitchen table, Roy squatted down just in time to catch Jenny as she came flying towards him.
"Hey, daddy! Missed ya!" she beamed at him.
"I missed ya too," he said, giving her an extra squeeze. "Thanks for helping out while we were gone."
Shrugging, she peeked at the top pizza and made a face, "Veggie pizza?"
"For us adults," he said laughing. "Why don't you go help Chris bring in some stuff while I see how Johnny is doing, alright?"
"'Kay," she agreed happily.
"Hey, Mike," Roy greeted as he turned to the living room. "How were things?"
"So, so," Mike shrugged. "Therapy is going about how we expected-slow. It seems to frustrate him, but Johnny won't tell us. One thing is, well, he seems to be having more nightmares."
"Really?" Roy sighed. This was one thing all of his family and the crew had been hoping John could forget. "Any idea what about?"
"No," Joanne overheard what they were talking about as she brought in the luggage. "He just wakes up and starts crying pretty hard. Honestly, it was Mike and Jenny who heard him the most. I only would here when he knocked things over."
Sighing deeply, Roy ran his hands over his mouth, "Does Druthers know? And is this an every night thing or…?"
"Usually about once or twice when he is sleeping, doesn't take him too long to fall asleep," Mike reported. "But it does seem to be getting worse."
"According to Doctor Druthers, it may be a good thing," Jo said skeptically.
"Well," Roy thought on it. "It can't help him physically or mentally, but I guess, well, maybe it will help him heal emotionally."
"That's what Dr. D said," Jenny told him. "That Johnny's gotta deal with stuff he may not want to cause it will make him better. It's kind of like a broken bone I guess."
Smiling, Roy nodded, "Yep. Wanna go help me wake him up?"
"Yeah! I'm hungry," Jenny said.
Creeping into the room softly, the father and daughter looked down to see Johnny sleeping peacefully.
"I hate waking him up when he is sleeping good," confessed Jenny.
Surprised at that news, Roy wondered, "I thought mom would wake him up."
"Nah, he seems to do better with me."
Nodding, Roy gave her a gentle push to go ahead and wake him. Watching in awe, he saw his young daughter run her hands over Johnny's forehead and gently speak to him, telling him to wake up. After a few minutes, Johnny began stirring slightly and Jenny sat down on the bed so she could rub his arm.
"Time to wake up, Johnny," she told him. "Uncle Roy and Chris are home. They brought pizza for lunch."
"Pizza?" John mumbled as he forced his eyes open.
"Yeah," Jenny enthusiastically told him as she squeezed his hand. "It's like a big, round flat bread. Then, it's got sauce with spices on it. On top of that is cheese. After that, it is baked in an oven. Some have meat on them which are okay. Others have vegetables, which I think are gross, but we don't have to eat that one."
"Pizza," Johnny stated, opening his eyes, confused.
"I'll show you if you get up," Jenny promised.
Thinking a moment, John nodded.
Standing up, Jenny traded places with her dad, who was smiling proudly at her. Shrugging in confusion, she let John know that Uncle Roy would be helping him up.
"I'm going to go help mom in the kitchen. I'll see you there," she assured him and left when he nodded.
Helping John stand up, then transfer to the chair, Roy saw it was a bit easier for Johnny to do so than it had been when he had left.
"Looks like you are getting stronger," praised Roy.
"Little bit."
"Considering where you were, that is a lot," Roy pointed out. "You need to use the bathroom or are you ready for lunch?"
"Lunch, peas," John said softly, a bit uncomfortable around Roy for some reason.
Sensing this, Roy figured it was due to being gone for almost a week and just chattered about the trip a bit.
"I'm sure Chris will have a lot more to tell you."
Nodding as he was pushed into his spot at the table, Johnny breathed deeply at the smell coming from the cardboard boxes.
So, that is pizza in there? Smells good! he thought, eager to try some.
After a blessing was said, pieces were passed out and Roy cut up a piece for Johnny, he stuck one in his mouth using his hands. Unaware everyone was watching him, his first reaction was to wave his hand in front of his mouth.
"HOT!" he cried, sipping at his milk quickly. "Mmmm."
Seeing the smile that replaced the small bit of pain, the three adults and two kids tried hard not to laugh.
"So, you like it huh?" Jenny asked, certain of what his answer would be.
"Yeah," Johnny smiled, eating more. Soon, that piece and most of another was gone.
Sighing in contentment, John leaned back in his chair.
"Hey, gotta stay awake," Joanne teased. "You got therapy yet today."
The curl of his lip clearly demonstrated what he thought of that.
Looking towards Chris, Roy asked, "I was wondering what you wanted to do this afternoon. Did you want to spend some time with Uncle Mike or hang out with me some more?"
"No offense, but I think I'll choose Uncle Mike," Chris stuck his tongue out at his dad. "You can go with mom and Johnny."
"You sure?" Roy pressed.
"I'm sure," Chris smiled.
"Well, actually, since you guys are home earlier than I thought," Joanne began tentatively. "Johnny, would it be alright if just Uncle Roy took you today?"
Blinking rapidly, John tried to figure out what just happened.
Did someone actually ask me what I wanted? Why? And what was it again?
Seeing the confusion, Jo asked again.
"Sure, guess…" Johnny said slowly, hoping that was the right answer, but braced himself just in case it wasn't. When no slaps or pinches came his way, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alright, than, why don't we get everything cleaned up," Roy suggested. "By then, we should have just enough time to drop you girls off at the meeting and get John to Rampart."
"Sounds good. While you're gone, Chris and I will try to unpack stuff from your trip," Mike offered. "I'll start supper and then when you guys are back, I can head out."
"Oh, no you don't mister," Jo stood with her hands on her hips. "You are staying until after supper, got it."
"Yes, ma'am," Mike smiled slightly, knowing better than to argue.
"It's the least we can do for all you've done," Roy told him. "We can't tell you how much we appreciate it."
"I'm just glad to help," reminded Mike. Then turning to John who was just watching everyone, stated, "I know you've forgotten me as well, which I don't blame you for, but I still think of you as part of my family. The whole 51 crew does. That's why they've been coming to help this past week. It would be no different than if Jenny or Chris were hurt, or one of the crew. We'd do what we can to help."
Unable to speak due to a lump in his throat, Johnny sniffed back his tears. Sensing his need, Jenny came around and gave him a hug.
"It's okay to cry. It's okay to be you. You're safe and loved," she said softly.
With those words, Johnny held onto her as a few tears escaped him and the rest looked away as they tried to control their emotions. Who knew that such a young child could put into words what another person needed to hear so badly when adults, who supposedly had more wisdom and life experience, couldn't?
Finally, Johnny released his friend and it seemed to unlock the others as they began cleaning up. Soon, Jenny, Johnny, Roy and Joanne were driving off while Mike and Chris began unloading the truck that had been used for the Scout trip.