A/N: Jason's mom (Lindsay Donovan, formerly Lindsay Kreese) has come back into Jason's life. She's also not the only person who will appear in Jason's life in this story, because she's bringing her new family with her. The actress who would play Lindsay Donovan is Angeline Ball, who played Imelda Quirke in the Commitments, among other roles. Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter and the start of Season 2! People were asking about face claims, so I probably will end up posting the face claims/actors or actresses playing the different main OCs in another Author's Note at the end of the chapter. Just so there's no confusion.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Karate Kid movies, Cobra Kai or anything else that I might reference.

Jason is so surprised by Mom, or Lindsay, showing up on his doorstep that he is struggling to find the words to fully express how he's feeling.

"Maybe it would be better if we continued this conversation inside?" Lindsay suggests.

Jason agrees with the suggestion. "I think that would be for the best. Come on in."

He watches as Lindsay steps into the house and closes the door behind her.

Jason walks into the dining room and sits down at the table after pulling a chair back.

Lindsay pulls back a chair and sits down on the other side of the table.

"So, where do you want me to start? I'm sure that you've got a lot of questions. And, I'll try to answer those questions as best I can. Hopefully you'll understand." Lindsay says.

Jason leans back in his chair. "You can start from when you abandoned me."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking clearly at the time. In fact, I was more worried about what your father's friends might have done after he got sent to prison than I was worried about you. And I fully apologise for all of it. You didn't deserve to be left alone in the world with nobody to take care of you because I was afraid of what might have happened to me if I had stayed." Lindsay starts.

Jason lets out a deep breath. "Okay. So, where did you go after you abandoned me? Because I don't think you would have left right away."

"I went to Denver. And, I did my best to lay low. Until I met someone. Brad showed me that I didn't have to be afraid anymore. And, I wasn't sure if now was the best time to mention it, but you've got a stepbrother as a result of Brad's first marriage. His name's Philip and he's around your age. So, you should get along with him." Lindsay continues.

Jason raises an eyebrow at this statement. "So, you want me to play "Happy Families" because you feel guilty for abandoning me? You should feel guilty. Why did you come back? I was doing just fine without you."

"I can see that. But you need a mother. All this chaos isn't good for you. Especially not at the age you are now." Lindsay replies.

Jason sighs. "Whatever. So, why did you come back to the Valley, anyway?"

"Your father is in prison, and his friends moved on. Or they're in prison themselves. Plus, Brad got a job selling cars over here, because that's what he did back in Denver. So, that's why I'm back in the Valley." Lindsay answers.

Jason nods. "Okay. So, where is he going to be working?"

"Brad's going to be working at LaRusso Auto." Lindsay replies.

Jason raises an eyebrow at this piece of information. "Right. Well, a job is a job, I guess."

"I hope you're going to make Philip feel welcome." Lindsay changes the subject.

Jason scratches his head. "I'll try. But I've already got my own friends. And I've got a girlfriend. So, I don't know if he'll be integrated into the group. Plus, finals are coming up and I might have to actually put in effort for them. Oh, and summer will be pretty busy, too."

"Then make time. Or maybe it's your current living situation that's the problem? Maybe you should move in with us." Lindsay suggests.

Jason shakes his head. "I don't think so. I've gotten pretty used to living independently. And, I can take care of myself."

"I understand. But the offer is always open if you change your mind." Lindsay tries to sound as understanding as possible.

Jason understands. "Fine. But I'm not going to change my mind just yet. Or ever, really."

"Speaking of family, I'm inviting you to lunch tomorrow. It'd be a good chance to meet your new family. If you're not too busy, that is." Lindsay remarks.

Jason nods. "Well, I'm going to a victory dinner to celebrate winning the boy's All-Valley tournament tomorrow. But I can make time."

"Great. Congratulations on winning the All-Valley, by the way. Philip did karate in Denver, so that's one more thing you two have in common. Even if he didn't really compete in tournaments." Lindsay adds.

Jason smiles. "Because he was afraid of a little healthy competition? Or did his Sensei not believe in tournaments?"

"You'd have to ask him that yourself." Lindsay replies.

Jason has to resist the urge to roll his eyes. "I'm surprised you care so much about his feelings. Where was that concern when you abandoned me?"

"You're right. But I think that you are kind of going about it the wrong way. And I've already apologised for abandoning you. So, you don't need to keep bringing it up." Lindsay retorts.

Jason puts up his hands. "Alright. I guess I'll see you for lunch tomorrow."

"Yeah. Well, I'd better get going. I'm sure you've got things to do." Lindsay pushes her chair back and rises to her feet.

Jason pushes his chair back and stands up. "So, do you want me to show you the way out? Or, can you find your own way out?"

"I think I can find my own way out. It was good to see you again." Lindsay answers.

Jason watches as she leaves.

He hears Lindsay open the door and exiting the house before closing it behind her.

Jason goes to grab a can of Coke from the fridge.

He sits down at the table and opens the can of Coke.

Jason has his wallet, phone and keys in his pockets.

He drinks the can of Coke and throws it out when he's finished.

Jason takes out his phone and goes through his contacts.

He's not really sure who he'll tell about Lindsay coming back into his life or the fact that he's basically got a new family.

Miguel, Claire, Aisha, Leonard and Hawk are more than likely having dinner with their respective families. And he didn't really go into all that much detail about his life prior to joining Cobra Kai.

Jason wasn't sure if telling Demetri would be a good idea. Mainly because he would have to catch him up on a lot of information. And Demetri would ask too many questions.

That just left one other person.

He could talk to Sensei. And Sensei would be at the dojo if he wasn't at his apartment.

Jason walks over to the door and opens it.

He closes the door behind him.

Jason unlocks the Dodge Viper as he walks over to it.

He gets in the driver's seat and starts the car.

Jason turns the radio on as he drives off.

He finds somewhere to get gas on the way to the dojo.

It doesn't matter if Sensei is at the dojo or not, because he knows that he lives in the same apartment complex as Miguel.

.

Jason drives over to the dojo and parks his Dodge Viper outside.

He sees that Sensei's Dodge Challenger is parked outside of the dojo, as well.

Jason gets out of the car and walks over to the dojo after locking it.

He checks the door and sees that it's unlocked.

Jason opens the door and walks through the entrance before closing it.

The bell rings as the door closes.

He walks into the dojo and sees Sensei standing alone in the dojo drinking a Coors Banquet.

"I'm surprised to see you here. There's no training today, and I think you guys have finals coming up. So, there won't be training until the week is done. And I'm sort of working out the schedule for the summer, as well. I'll do something to celebrate how well you all did at the All-Valley. There might be pizza in your future" Sensei says.

Jason nods. "Cool."

"So, what really brings you here? I thought you were going to just kick back and let your victory sink in." Sensei wonders.

Jason scratches his head. "It's kind of a personal thing."

"You're not breaking up with Claire, are you?" Sensei asks.

Jason shakes his head. "It's nothing like that."

"So, what's going on?" Sensei prods.

Jason lets out a breath. "My mom came back. Or, more accurately, she showed up at my house and said that she's back in the Valley after seven or eight years in Denver. And she's got a new family. Which means that I've got a new stepdad and a stepbrother to get used to."

"Shit. That's pretty heavy. And, I'm not really sure how I can help. Mainly because I doubt that you've talked about all that stuff with anybody. Oh, and I don't really know the whole story. Unless you explained it to me." Sensei answers.

There's a pause in the conversation as Sensei finishes his beer and finds somewhere to throw the empty bottle.

He waits until Sensei comes back before speaking again. "My dad went to prison when I was eight and my mom couldn't handle it. Mainly because my dad happened to get mixed up with some very dangerous people. She goes to Denver without me and I end up bouncing around group homes and foster care until I basically end up on the streets. I get in with the wrong crowd and get sent to juvenile detention. I think that takes me up until I got out. And you probably know the rest."

"It sounds like your mom wants to apologise for abandoning you. And, I think that you should accept the apology. Even if it's about seven or eight years too late. Because you'll regret if it you don't." Sensei advises.

Jason nods. "I guess? It just kind of seems like a lot to deal with."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out." Sensei replies.

Jason sighs. "I hope so."

"I know you will, kid. And there are people around who can help you if you don't. Just remember that you're not alone." Sensei is quick to reassure him.

Jason smiles slightly. "Thanks. That really means a lot."

"Don't worry about it. So, what does your stepdad do for a living? He's got to be earning a lot to have a house in Encino, right?" Sensei asks.

Jason quickly answers. "He's working as a salesman at LaRusso Auto. Or, more accurately, he's going to be starting work at LaRusso Auto."

"That makes sense. One of the guys who trashed the Firebird worked for LaRusso. In fact, he was LaRusso's idiot cousin. I guess a job must have opened up or whatever." Sensei tries to sound surprised and fails.

Jason laughs. "Yeah. But I'm not going to tell my stepdad that's how he got the job. Because it'd be a pretty shitty icebreaker."

"And you want to make a good impression." Sensei adds.

Jason nods. "I do. And I'll make the effort. Even if I end up not liking him or Philip."

"Who's Philip? Is he your new stepbrother?" Sensei asks.

Jason nods. "Yep. He did karate in Denver, but didn't enter in any tournaments while he was there. I guess his Sensei didn't believe in tournaments, or whatever. Or he just didn't want to get hurt. Or lose."

"I wonder if your stepbrother will join Cobra Kai? I've been able to deal with only one of you up until now." Sensei asks.

Jason shakes his head. "I'm not sure if he'll join Cobra Kai. Mainly because there are other dojos in the Valley he could join. And I'm not sure if he'd be cut out for Cobra Kai."

"Fair enough." Sensei says.

Jason nods. "Yeah. Well, I'd better get going. I'm sure you're going to be celebrating our win today and tomorrow."

"I've got plans tomorrow, but I'll be celebrating today for sure." Sensei replies.

Jason smiles. "Awesome. See you next week, I guess."

He walks towards the door of the dojo and opens it.

Jason steps outside and closes the door behind him.

He walks over to the Dodge Viper and unlocks it before getting in the driver's seat.

Jason puts on his seatbelt and turns on the radio before driving off.

He plans on getting dinner somewhere and then driving to Claire's house before going home.

Mainly because he didn't particularly want to tell Claire about Lindsay coming back into his life on an empty stomach.

.

Jason stopped at an In 'N' Out on the way to Claire's house.

He parks the Dodge Viper near the driveway of Claire's house before getting out of the car.

Jason walks past Claire's Volkswagen Beetle and Bobby's car on the way to the front door of Claire's house.

He knocks on the door.

It's not long until someone opens it.

"Hey, Jason. I wasn't expecting to see you until tomorrow. Are you still going to the victory party?" Claire asks.

Jason nods. "I'm still going to the victory party."

"Great. So, what's up? How are you adjusting to being All-Valley champion? Or, one of them, anyway." Claire says.

Jason lets out a deep breath. "I'm not sure if the fact that I'm All-Valley champion has sunk in yet. But that's not why I'm here. My mom came back. And, I'll be having lunch with her, my new stepdad and my new stepbrother."

"Your mom came back? As in, the woman who abandoned you when you were eight years old?" Claire seems incredulous.

Jason nods. "Yeah. She's only been back in the Valley for a short amount of time, but she still managed to track me down."

"Are you okay?" Claire asks.

Jason just shrugs. "I'm okay. More or less. It's kind of just been a bit of a shock, really. Mainly because I didn't think she'd come back."

"Okay. So, will you be alright on your own? Do you want me to tell the others? Because it might help if you talked to them. And they can check up on you in case you need it. Or…" Claire looks a little worried.

Jason thinks about it. "I think I probably would be better off around friends for a week. The only question would be where I could crash. Miguel's pretty much my best friend, but I don't know if his apartment has enough space. Leonard has grown on me, but he lives with his dad and his dad probably does rich guy stuff at home. And then there's Hawk."

"You could stay with Hawk for the week?" Claire suggests.

Jason agrees with the suggestion. "That's not a bad idea. Hawk's been your friend for a long time, and there's a spare room in his house. And his parents are pretty normal."

"Great. I'll tell Hawk that you'll be staying at his place for a week. After I tell him that your mom came back, I mean." Claire says.

Jason grins. "That would be great."

"So, do you want to come in?" Claire asks.

Jason nods. "Sure."

"Great." Claire walks back into the house.

Jason follows her into the house and closes the door behind him.

They walk up the stairs and down the hall until they get to Claire's room.

Claire opens the door fully and walks in.

Jason follows her and closes the door so that it's partially closed.

He watches as Claire sits down on the bed before joining her. "You know, you did pretty great at the All-Valley yourself."

"Thanks. You want to watch a movie?" Claire asks.

Jason smiles. "Sure."

"I think I've got the perfect movie." Claire says.

Jason watches as Claire turns on the TV in her room and goes to get a Blu-Ray of Bloodsport.

He looks over at her. "Bloodsport!"

"It's perfect. Besides, I think we've more than earned it." Claire has a smile on her face.

Jason watches as Claire puts the Blu-Ray of Bloodsport in the Blu-Ray player and grabs a remote.

They sit back and watch the movie after Claire presses play.

Claire leans over and puts her head on Jason's shoulder for almost the full duration of the movie.

Jason watches as Claire gets up after the movie is over to take the Bloodsport Blu-Ray out of the Blu-Ray player and put it back in its case.

He sits a little bit further back on the bed. "So, you're not mad that I told Sensei my mom came back before I told you?"

"Why would I be mad? It makes sense that you would tell Sensei before you told me or anybody else about your mom coming back. Sensei and Dad would be the best people to talk to when it comes to stuff like that, after all." Claire replies.

Jason lets out a sigh of relief. "Great."

"Don't worry about it." Claire answers.

Jason smiles. "Well, I'm not going to worry about it, then."

"Great." Claire says.

Jason changes the subject. "Do you have any bruises from your match with Aisha?"

"I probably do. Do you have bruises from your matches?" Claire asks.

Jason lifts up his t-shirt and looks down. "Yeah. It takes a few days for bruises to fade, right? And, I feel like I might have been holding back a bit in the quarterfinals and the matches after that."

He lowers his t-shirt again.

"You gave the semifinal and the final everything you got. And, it does take a couple of days for bruises to fade." Claire replies.

Jason smiles. "Awesome."

"You know, you don't have to leave right away." Claire remarks.

Jason nods. "I know."

"So, what do you want to do?" Claire asks.

Jason has a mischievous look on his face. "I'm sure we could think of something."

He leans in and kisses Claire.

Claire returns the kiss.

They both deepen the kiss and end up falling onto the bed without breaking the kiss.

Claire manages to get on top of Jason.

The kiss continues for about a minute or so before they separate.

"That was definitely quite something." Claire says.

Jason watches as Claire sits up on the bed again.

He sits up as well. "Yeah."

"How many times have you…. You know?" Claire asks.

Jason thinks about the question before he answers. "Once or twice. Possibly even three times. You?"

"Never." Claire answers.

Jason reddens slightly. "Oh. Well. I wasn't going to put any pressure on you, or anything like that."

"I know. Besides, today would have been a bit awkward. On account of everything that's gone on." Claire replies.

Jason's face returns to its normal colour. "I should probably get going. It's been a long day. And, things will be pretty busy tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow. You want me to walk downstairs with you?" Claire asks.

Jason nods. "Sure."

They stand up and walk to the door before Claire opens it.

Jason and Claire leave Claire's room and walk down the hall to the stairs before walking downstairs.

"Are you going to talk to Dad? I think he might be in his office." Claire asks.

Jason nods. "I think I'll go and talk to him."

"Cool. I'll see you later, I guess." Claire says.

Jason watches as Claire walks down the hall and opens the door to the living room of the house.

He walks around until he finds where Bobby's office, or more accurately study, was.

The door is partly closed.

Jason knocks on the door. "Mr Brown? Bobby? You in there?"

"I'm in here, Jason." He hears Bobby's voice from the other side of the door.

Jason opens the door and steps into the study.

He sees Bobby sitting down in an office chair with a notebook and a pen in front of him.

Bobby turns around in the chair so he can actually look at Jason.

Jason looks over at the notebook. "So, what were you working on?"

"Just some notes for my sermon tomorrow. Congratulations on winning the All-Valley, by the way. You did pretty good." Bobby replies.

Jason smiles. "Thanks. It was my first tournament. And I think I did pretty well. Even if I was holding back a little."

"Winning your first tournament is pretty impressive. Johnny didn't win his first All-Valley until '82, and he'd been in Cobra Kai for about three years before then. And, Vidal had beaten him in the finals in '81." Bobby says.

Jason takes this information in. "Would that mean I was better than you or Sensei was when you were my age?"

"Not exactly. The All-Valley was more competitive back then in terms of which dojos would win. And there were more people competing in the All-Valleys back then, as well." Bobby answers.

Jason understands. "Oh. So, the different dojos all kind of fell off? Or did something else happen?"

"I quit karate after the All-Valley in '84 and didn't really start following it all that much until I started taking Claire to the All-Valley. And after she joined the new Cobra Kai." Bobby replied.

Jason nods. "Oh. Well, it makes sense that you wouldn't have had much to do with karate after you quit."

"Was there anything else you wanted to talk to me about?" Bobby asks.

Jason takes a breath before answering the question. "My mom came back. She abandoned me when I was eight years old and I hadn't really recovered from it. Plus, I've got a new stepdad and a new stepbrother that I'm supposed to get along with. And I'm having lunch with them tomorrow. Which might be a bit awkward."

"I know it's not going to be an easy thing for you to hear, or do, but you need to try and forgive your mom for abandoning you. Even if it is difficult. Mainly because I'm not sure if refusing to forgive her is the right thing to do. Especially if she's reached out to you." Bobby says.

Jason sighs. "I'll try. Even if it's not going to be easy."

"Good. Just remember that forgiveness is a process." Bobby says.

Jason nods. "I'll remember that. Thanks again for the help. I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome. And, I'm happy to help." Bobby replies.

Jason nods. "Thanks again. I'd probably better get going."

He turns around and walks out of Bobby's study.

Jason walks from the study to the living room of the house.

He opens the door and sees Claire sitting on the sofa.

Jason watches as she stands up. "I talked to your dad about my mom coming back."

"So, what did he say?" Claire asks.

Jason scratches his head. "He advised me to forgive her even if it's difficult. And he's right. I can't keep holding onto it forever."

"Yeah. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Claire says.

Jason nods. "Of course. See you then."

"For sure." Claire replies.

Jason walks over to the door of the living room and opens it.

He steps out into the hallway and walks to the front door of the house.

Jason opens the door and steps outside before he closes it.

It's a short walk from the front door of Claire's house to where he parked the Dodge Viper.

He unlocks the car and gets into the driver's seat.

Jason puts on his seatbelt and puts the key in the ignition.

He turns on the radio before driving off.

There was a lot for him to think about.

.

The first thing Jason did when he got back to his house was pack clothes, pyjamas and socks into his sports bag.

He put a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and dental floss into a small toiletry bag and puts that bag in his sports bag along with his clothes for the week he'd be spending at Hawk's house.

Jason also packed whatever materials he needed to study for finals into his backpack.

He is currently in the living room of his house.

Jason sits on the sofa and takes out his phone.

He dials Hawk's number and waits for him to pick up.

"Hey, Jason! What's up? You looking forward to the victory party tomorrow?" He hears Hawk's voice over the phone.

Jason quickly answers. "Not too much. And I am looking forward to the victory party. There's just one thing I wanted to ask."

"Sure. What do you need?" Hawk asks.

Jason thinks about the question before answering. "Would it be okay if I crashed at your place next week?"

"Sure? I'd just have to run it by my parents first. But I'm sure they'd approve. Any particular reason why?" Hawk asks.

Jason scratches his head. "Well, my mom came back. And it's kind of a lot to process. I'm also having lunch with my mom, my stepdad and stepbrother tomorrow."

"Oh. Shit. That's quite the development. I guess you've told other people about it, already. Right?" Hawk says.

Jason nods. "Yeah. I told Sensei, Claire and Claire's dad that my mom came back. Sensei and Claire's dad did give me some advice on how to handle it."

"Well, they would be the best people to talk to." Hawk replies.

Jason agrees. "Yeah. I think Claire might have told Miguel, Aisha, Leonard and Demetri about it by now. And, I'm not sure if she's told you yet."

"She hasn't told me yet. I think she'll call me at some point and tell me. Because it's probably better if we knew about it than if we just found out that you've basically got a whole other family." Hawk answers.

Jason nods. "Yeah. My stepbrother did karate back in Denver, so he might be looking to join a dojo in the Valley."

"You think he'll join Cobra Kai?" Hawk asks.

Jason shakes his head. "I don't know. He'll probably just end joining a different dojo."

"That makes sense. He probably wants to find his own group of friends." Hawk says.

Jason shrugs. "I think so. My mom said that my stepbrother and I have a lot in common, so we'll probably get along because of that."

"Maybe. Then again, families are complicated. I guess I'd better go. It's been a pretty long day, and you probably just want to rest after everything." Hawk replies.

Jason understands. "Alright. I'll see you tomorrow."

"For sure." Hawk ends the call.

Jason puts his phone back in his pocket.

He decides to go upstairs and have a shower before going to bed.

It had been a long day.

And things got complicated as a result of Mom, or Lindsay, showing up at the house completely unannounced.

A/N II: I'm going to try and not make a habit of having multiple Author's Notes in one chapter, but there will be times when I will have multiple Author's Notes. I've got who would play the different OCs in this group of stories in my head, but I haven't really said which actor would play them. So, I'll do that now. And, I'll be introducing another one of my main OCs in the next chapter that I'll probably have to do face claims for, as well. If you have any questions, comments, feedback or suggestions, please leave a review. It would be much appreciated.

The actors playing my main OCs (so far!) are;

Jason Kreese – Barrett Carnahan

Claire Brown – Abigail Breslin

Leonard Cole – Rudy Pankow