"Well, that could have gone worse," thought Robby as he pushed open his dad's front door.

It wasn't that things in Mexico had gone poorly. He'd gotten to spend some time with his dad without their interaction resulting in an argument (which quite possibly was the first time), they'd found Miguel and been able to safely return to Los Angeles without being followed by Barnes' men. He even somehow managed to make a temporary truce with Miguel during the fight. But that was only the beginning of the amends he'd have to make before he'd be able to even look at what he wanted from himself.

As soon as he entered the apartment, a strong smell of fresh oranges wafted towards him. The apartment almost looked unrecognizable. The beer bottles that had been scattered upon various surfaces were cleared out of the living room and the tattered couch patched up. The seemingly endless stack of dirty dishes that had resided in the kitchen sink instead laid sparkling clean on the kitchen counter. His sneakers even squeaked as walked across the once grimy tile floors and sat on the couch, a look of amazement on his face.

My dad must have given Mrs. Diaz a key and she cleaned up while we were away.

He didn't exactly know why but the feeling of walking into the apartment, knowing Carmen had taken the time to tidy it for Johnny, made him smile.

"Woah, this place looks so much better than the way I left it," commented Johnny as he tossed his luggage onto a nearby dining chair and immediately headed to the fridge for a sip of his Coors' banquet beer.

The road trip had deprived him of its wonderful taste, not that Robby would know what that taste actually was.

I don't think I'm ever going to be a beer drinker after what happened at Moon's party.

"Yeah," whispered Robby, taking a quick glance out the window at Carmen before turning his attention to his dad.

She was talking avidly with Yaya, most likely regarding something about Miguel.

"The Diazes invited me to dinner, if you wanna join us," offered Johnny, his face wearing a hopeful expression as he watched his son's gaze.

"I don't wanna get in the way of your reunion."

"Or if you want me to stay here or something-" Johnny tried to protest but even he seemed to know how awkward it might make things.

"It's okay dad, honestly. I probably need some extra sleep anyway," reassured Robby.

"Fine but I can't promise that there'll be leftovers after I've finished," warned Johnny jokingly as he shook his red sweatshirt off lazily.

Robby noded understandingly.

It did sound nice to get to have a rich, homemade dinner for the first time with his father but, it wasn't the right time.

I've already intruded on their family time enough.

"If you need anything, I'm just next door," reminded Johnny on his way out the door.

"Wait, dad!" called Robby as he ran up to him.

Johnny quickly spun around, confused.

"I just wanted to say thank you, for everything," smiled Robby, meeting his dad's eyes.

And for the brief (but wonderful) moment, Robby felt like he was finally seeing his real self.

"Of course," said Johnny, returning the smile.

Robby was half-tempted to lean in for a hug but decided against it.

"One step at a time," he reminded himself.

Despite using it as an excuse, Robby was honestly very tired so he decided to take a shower and go to bed. The warm water felt soothing as it ran across the various bruises that lined his body.

It's been awhile since I've actually had somewhere to be alone.

Once he was done, he slipped on a plain white t-shirt and a pair of black sweatpants before calling it a night. His hand instinctively touched the bruise above his eye, the memory that laid behind it still fresh.

The first thing I need to do tomorrow is check on him.

He wasn't very hungry so he grabbed a small bowl of mini wheat cereal from the pantry for dinner. He'd been used to a routine similar to this as a kid because his mother, Shannon, had always been out when he came home from school. Still, a part of him had hoped it would be different with his dad.

But it will be different, I just have to give things time to adjust.

After he'd finished "dinner" he got on the couch, throwing a thick gray blanket over his feet as he laid back, staring up at the ceiling. Sleep had become a commodity ever since the fallout of the tournament. Still, he felt himself dozing off as he tucked his left arm behind his head and closed his eyes.

Robby was startled awake by a loud knocking that rang around the room. He slowly got to his feet and moved towards the door.

If it was my dad, he'd just unlock it.

"Who is it?" questioned Robby, suspiciously.

"It's me, Tory," answered the visitor, hurriedly.

How did she know I was here?

He quickly unlocked the door and came face to face with his sort of girlfriend, Tory Nichols.

"Can we talk, in private," asked Tory as she looked around cautiously.

Robby nodded before moving to the side to allow her room to enter.

He'd always associated an air of confidence to Tory since the moment he'd met her (it was one of the things he liked most about her actually) but as she walked inside, she looked worried.

"What's going on?" asked Robby as he closed the door behind her, making sure to lock it tightly.

"I don't know, okay!" snapped Tory agitatedly as she paced back and forth in the living room.

Robby didn't respond, trying to allow her time to sort out her thoughts.

She'll explain when she's ready to.

They stood in silence for several minutes until Tory finally spoke.

"I didn't actually win the tournament. Sensei Silver bribed the judge," explained Tory, her voice ringing with disappointment.

Robby sighed, understandingly.

The only thing worse than losing is cheating.

"You would've won that either way," reasoned Robby as he sat down on the couch.

"Maybe, but now I'll never know!"

He could tell she was just venting anger because he knew first hand what it looked like when she was actually angry.

Tory huffed as she dropped down on the couch next to him, breathing heavily.

"I don't even really care who won the tournament. I just want to have everything sorted out with my mom, with the LaRussos, and with Cobra Kai," admitted Tory, sighing.

Did she notice Cobra Kai's manipulation too?

"What's wrong with Cobra Kai?" asked Robby, curiously.

"Nothing. Forget I mentioned it," Tory quickly said, brushing the subject off.

What did Sensei Silver say to her?

"My advice is just go with your gut because if I've learned one thing about you, it's that you know what you're doing," suggested Robby.

"Thanks but that might not be enough this time," sighed Tory.

I know how she feels.

She slowly leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. Her warmth seemed to spread across his whole body, washing away the fears that had consumed them both mere seconds earlier. They sat side by side up against one another for several more minutes, the world standing still until Tory finally stood up.

"Thanks for just being here," Tory nodded.

"No problem," responded Robby, smiling.

Their eyes stayed locked for a quick second more before she opened the door and left into the darkness that lay outside the apartment.