The ambulance sped through the streets, its sirens wailing as the paramedics worked frantically to stabilise Theo. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, filled with urgency and desperation.

"Stay with me, Theo!" The Paramedic shouted, his hands moving quickly as he assessed the young man's condition. "I can't bring him back, man!" he muttered under his breath, frustration and fear evident in his voice.

"Check for a pulse!" His partner commanded, his hands moving to Theo's wrist, feeling for any sign of life. After a moment of searching, he shook his head, panic rising in his chest. "Fuck. Fuck! All right. Time of death—"

"Wait! Nah, nah, nah!" The other paramedic interrupted, his eyes wide with determination. "This is Theo fucking LaRusso of the Social Scum, man. He's not about to die in my ambulance!"

Without hesitation, he grabbed an adrenaline syringe, the urgency of the moment driving him forward as he thrust it into Theo's chest. "Come on!" he urged, willing the young man to respond.

"Checking pulse again!" The partner shouted, his fingers pressing against Theo's neck. The seconds felt like hours as he searched for any sign of life. "I've got nothing!"

"Come on! Fuck!" The paramedic yelled, frustration boiling over. He grabbed another syringe, determined to fight for Theo's life. With a swift motion, he plunged it through Theo's chest again, desperation fueling his actions.

Suddenly, Theo gasped, his body jolting upright as he registered the pain from the syringes. "Ow!" he exclaimed, confusion flooding his mind as he blinked at the paramedics.

"Yo!" The paramedic shouted, relief flooding through him as he exchanged a triumphant high-five with his partner. "All right!"

But the moment of victory was short-lived. As the initial shock wore off, Theo felt the pain return, his eyes rolling back as he dropped back onto the stretcher, his body struggling to cope with the sudden influx of adrenaline.

"Check again!" The partner yelled, his heart racing as he felt for Theo's pulse once more. This time, he felt it—a weak but distinct heartbeat.

"Got it! He's back!" He shouted, a mix of relief and adrenaline surging through him.

"Keep him stable!" The other instructed, focusing on Theo as they rushed toward the hospital. "We're not losing him. Not today!"

—————

Elise sat in the dimly lit hospital room, the sterile scent of antiseptic mixing with the faint aroma of her coffee. She had made it a ritual to be by Theo's side every day since the accident, her heart heavy with worry and despair. The soft beeping of the heart rate monitor provided a steady rhythm, a reminder that he was still with her, even if he wasn't awake.

Her eyes were drawn to Theo's face, bruises and cuts slowly fading, but the sight of the neck brace was a constant reminder of how precarious his condition remained. He looked so peaceful, as if he were merely sleeping, but the reality was far more frightening. The two weeks spent in this limbo felt like an eternity, each day stretching on as she held on to hope for his recovery.

When she wasn't at the hospital, Elise poured herself into training the Cobra Kai students. Each kick and punch was infused with her frustration, her guilt, and her anger—especially toward Johnny. In her mind, it was his philosophy of mercy that had led Theo to hesitate. She was determined to make sure that his lessons didn't lead to another tragedy.

Just then, the door creaked open, and her brother Pete walked in, his presence a welcome distraction. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as he approached, handing her a cup of coffee. "I thought you could use this," he said softly, his eyes shifting to Theo, concern etched on his face.

"Thanks," Elise replied, taking a sip, but her gaze remained locked on her son. "He needs to wake up, Pete. I can't keep doing this."

Pete sighed, his heart aching for his sister and nephew. "You're doing everything you can. Just being here for him means a lot."

"He's been in this bed for too long," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't help but think that if I had been there, if I had just... I don't know, been a better mom... maybe this wouldn't have happened."

"Johnny didn't teach him to fight just to hurt people," Pete said, trying to provide comfort. "He taught him to show mercy when it matters. You know that."

"But look where it got him," Elise snapped, her frustration spilling over. "If I had taught him differently—"

"Stop," Pete interrupted gently. "You can't blame yourself for everything that happened. You raised an incredible kid, and he's going to wake up and fight again. You've got to believe that."

As Elise looked back at Theo, the steady rhythm of the heart monitor filled the silence. She wanted to believe him, to cling to the hope that her son would bounce back, that he would open his eyes and smile at her again.

"Look at him," she said quietly, her voice filled with longing. "He looks so peaceful. I just wish I could take away all the pain he went through."

Just then, a faint sound broke through the quiet—a soft groan from Theo. Elise's heart raced as she leaned closer, searching his face for any sign of awareness. "Theo?" she whispered, her breath catching in her throat.

For a moment, it felt as though time stood still. The beeping of the monitor quickened, and Elise felt a surge of hope. "Theo, can you hear me?" she urged, her voice trembling with emotion.

Pete leaned in closer, watching his nephew intently. "Come on, buddy. We're right here," he encouraged, his voice steady and reassuring.

As Elise reached out to grasp Theo's hand, she felt a flicker of warmth beneath her touch. "Please, wake up," she whispered, her heart full of both fear and hope. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him—not now, not ever.

The atmosphere in the hospital room shifted in an instant. Theo's heart rate monitor emitted a sharp, piercing alarm, and Elise's heart dropped as the screen flatlined, the sound echoing in her ears like a death knell.

"No! No! Theo!" she cried out, panic flooding her veins as she pressed the emergency button frantically. Her heart raced, and she felt an overwhelming wave of dread wash over her. "Please, no!"

Within moments, nurses and doctors poured into the room, their expressions shifting from confusion to urgency as they assessed the situation. Elise felt as though the walls were closing in around her as they moved with practiced efficiency, pushing her aside to get to Theo.

"Get back!" one of the nurses instructed, her voice firm as she began to check the monitor and assess Theo's condition.

"Is he okay? What's happening?" Elise asked, desperation lacing her voice as she tried to get a glimpse of what was going on.

"Ma'am, we need you to step back," another doctor said, his tone professional but lacking compassion. "He's been in a coma for two weeks. There's nothing more we can do."

"What do you mean there's nothing you can do?" Elise shouted, her voice rising in disbelief. "He can't just die! He has to wake up! You need to do something!"

The medical team exchanged glances, their expressions filled with resignation. "We've done everything we could," the doctor replied gently but firmly. "At this point, it may be time to consider—"

"No! No! I won't accept that!" Elise interrupted, her heart racing as she felt the walls closing in further. "He's my son! You can't just give up on him. You can't!"

She felt a surge of anger rising within her, fueled by fear and desperation. "You don't understand! He's a fighter! He's going to wake up! You've got to try harder!"

"Ma'am, we can't continue to resuscitate indefinitely. It's against hospital protocol," the nurse replied, her voice steady but unyielding.

Elise's eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer, her voice low and threatening. "If you don't do something right now, I swear I will make sure what happened to my son happens to you. I will not let you walk away while my son is lying here!"

The tension in the room escalated, but Elise felt herself bolstered by the fierce love she had for Theo. She wouldn't back down, not when he needed her most.

"Please," she added, her voice breaking, "just give him a chance. He deserves that much. I'm begging you."

The medical team hesitated, exchanging glances filled with uncertainty. After a moment of silence, the doctor sighed, the weight of the situation hanging heavily in the air. "We can try one more time. But I need you to understand, there's a possibility—"

"I don't care about the possibilities!" Elise interjected fiercely. "Just do it!"

As the team prepared for another attempt, Elise felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. She watched as they worked, her heart racing with every second that passed. "Come on, Theo," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You have to fight. I'm right here. Don't leave me. Please don't leave me."

With every movement the medical team made, she clung to that hope, praying that her son would awaken and prove them all wrong.

Elise felt a rush of relief wash over her as the doctor finally spoke, the weight of fear lifting just slightly from her shoulders. "He's stable," the doctor announced, his voice steady but still tinged with caution.

"What does that mean?" Elise asked, her heart still racing as she fought to process the whirlwind of emotions. "Is he going to wake up? Can you tell me anything more?"

The doctor took a deep breath, glancing at the monitors before meeting her gaze. "We've managed to get his heart rate back to a normal rhythm, but he's still in a critical state. He's not out of the woods yet."

Elise nodded, her heart still heavy with uncertainty. "So, he's okay... for now?" she pressed, needing any glimmer of hope she could hold on to.

"For now, yes," the doctor replied, his expression softening slightly. "But he's been through a lot, and we need to monitor him closely. It's important that you prepare for the possibility that he may still need time to recover."

The words hung in the air, a mix of hope and realism that she struggled to accept. "I just want him to wake up," she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. "I can't lose him. He's my son."

The doctor nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I understand. It's a waiting game now. You should talk to him. Sometimes, hearing a familiar voice can help."

Elise took a deep breath, the thought of speaking to Theo filling her with both anxiety and longing. She moved closer to his bedside, reaching for his hand, its warmth grounding her amidst the chaos. "Theo," she started, her voice trembling. "It's Mom. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

She squeezed his hand gently, hoping he could feel her presence. "You need to fight, sweetheart. You can do this. I believe in you."

The monitors continued their rhythmic beeping, providing a steady backdrop to her words. "You've always been so strong. Remember how you stood up for your girlfriend? You can fight through this too."

As she spoke, Elise felt a mix of emotions—hope, fear, and an overwhelming love for her son. She didn't know how long they would have to wait, but she was determined to be there for him every step of the way.

"Please, just wake up. I need you," she whispered, a prayer sent into the silence of the room as they all held on to the hope that he would come back to them.

As the tension in the room began to ease slightly, Pete stepped closer, glancing between Elise and Theo. "You know, maybe we should get someone else in here to talk to him," he suggested, his tone thoughtful. "Someone who can help him feel connected. What about that girlfriend of his? The one he always talks about? Maybe hearing her voice will give him something to fight for."

Elise thought for a moment. "Her name is Tory," she finally said, the memory surfacing despite the fog of worry that clouded her mind. "But I haven't seen her since before the accident. I don't even know how to reach her."

Pete nodded, determination shining in his eyes. "We can figure this out. I'm pretty sure her address is on the file at the dojo. I'll go check and see if I can find it."

"Are you sure?" Elise asked, her voice filled with a mix of hope and apprehension. "What if she doesn't want to come?"

"I think she would," Pete replied confidently. "Theo means a lot to her. I'll make sure she knows what's going on. Just give me a minute."

"Tory," she whispered to Theo, testing the name on her lips as if it would somehow bridge the gap between them. "Your girlfriend, Tory. You love her, and she loves you. She's going to come and talk to you. Just hold on, okay?"

She looked at Theo's peaceful face, hoping that somehow he could hear her, that he could sense the love surrounding him. The thought of Tory being there filled her with hope. Would it help him to wake up?

A few hours later, Pete returned, a determined look on his face. "I found her address at the dojo, and I left a message for her to call us back. I'll keep my phone close; I'm sure she'll want to come as soon as she can."

"Thank you," Elise replied, her heart swelling with gratitude. "I just want him to wake up. I know Tory can reach him. He cares about her so much."

"Yeah, and she cares about him too," Pete said, his eyes flickering to Theo. "We'll make sure she gets here. Just keep talking to him."

Elise nodded, wrapping her fingers around Theo's as if her touch could anchor him to this world. "Theo, listen to me," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Tory is coming. You need to fight for her. You need to fight for us. We're all here, and we need you."

Finally, her phone buzzed, breaking the tension in the air. She glanced at the screen and saw unknown, her heart racing as she answered. "Tory?"

"Hey," she said without preamble. "I got your message. I'm on my way to the hospital now. What happened? Is Theo okay?"

Elise felt a rush of relief at hearing Tory's voice. "He's stable, but he's still in a coma. We think hearing you might help him wake up."

"I'm coming right now," Tory replied, her voice filled with urgency. "I'll be there as fast as I can."

"Thank you," Elise said, her heart swelling with hope. "Please hurry."