Interlude to the Worst Dream

*I do not own The Outsiders, characters, story, etc. Credit goes to S.E. Hilton for these creations.

**This little scene would take place after Chapter 52 of "A Parent's Worst Dream Come True," by one of my favorite fan fic authors, goldengreaser. Please forgive me, goldengreaser, but I had been waiting so long for chapter 53 of your story that I finally decided to write this little piece. I'm sure yours will be better, so please hurry and write it!!

Darry's POV

I got to the hospital after work. Mom, Dad, and Soda had been with Pony since the morning. Somehow I managed to convince them to head out for a much-needed break, promising I would not leave Pony's side til they returned. Pony had been back from the procedure for awhile, but he was still under sedation and had been given a lot of painkillers, so none of us expected him to come to anytime soon. The three of them reluctantly agreed to go across the street to the diner for dinner. Relieved, I plopped down in the chair by Pony's bed and picked up the paper that Dad had left behind.

I must've nodded off, something that's been happening a lot lately, I hate to say. (Between the college courses , football practice, and my job, I don't exactly have an easy schedule.) Seems like any time I get a chance to sit down for more than a minute I fall asleep (sadly, this incudes class).

I musta been asleep just a few minutes when I jerked awake with a start. I yawned, blinked a few times and looked down at Pony. To my amazement, the kid was staring right at me!

I say "amazement" not just because we'd been waiting all day for him to wake up. No, the reason I was amazed, I realized, was that Pony hadn't looked me in the eye since he was 5 years old. These past few months he would shoot me furtive glances if I asked him a direct question, but that was it.

"Pony!" That was all I could say. I expected the spell to break and for those big green eyes to close or look away, but he just blinked and held my gaze like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"How ya feeling, buddy? Hey, you'll be glad to hear they finally removed that cast. Don't know what took em so long in there, but it's off, and the docs said your arm will be okay."

Pony nodded slowly. He had a dreamy look to him.

"Buddy, when you feel a little stronger Dad and Soda and me, we'll take you out to the lot and toss around the football. Or go to the park and shoot hoops. Whatever you wanna do. Or you can hang out with Soda and learn how to build a transmission and hit on poor unsuspecting girls, if that suits you, whatever…"

I realized I was babbling away, but I was so happy, happy that the trial was finally over and that that Davenport monster was locked away for good… happy that Pony was at and end of his medical ordeal and ready to start living the life of a normal teenage kid. I had to contain myself, though, cause I know how easily the kid gets freaked out.

"Whe-, hmm…" Pony was trying to speak, but his voice was hoarse. He hadn't had anything to drink all day.

"Hold on kid, let me get you some water." I poured him a cup of h2O and held the straw to his mouth. He took a few eager sips and licked his slips.

"Thanks, Darry."
I smiled. This was the first time in 8 years that I'd heard him speak my name.

"How you feeling kiddo?" I asked.

Pony smiled and closed his eyes dreamily. "I. FEEL. Greeattttt."

Great, that explains it. The kid is looking at me, talking to me, because of the pain drugs! In general I hate drugs, but I was so grateful for this breakthrough that I didn't care.

"I'm glad you feel good now Pony. I'm really glad." If anyone deserved some pain relief, it was him; he'd been put through enough mental and physical torture to last 10 lifetimes.

I used his newfound calmness as an opportunity to reach out and touch him. I gently stroked his cheek. Normally he would flinch at the slightest touch, but this time it seemed to soothe him.

"I missed you, Pony."

His eyes opened at this, and he looked searchingly into my face. He looked confused.

"What's wrong, Darry? You look so sad."

I gulped. I realized tears were actually escaping, rolling down my cheeks. I don't even remember the last time I'd cried! I could withstand any kind of physical pain- on the football field, in the neighborhood fights- but here I was, crying. Soda was the bawl baby of the family. If he or any of the other guys ever saw me like this… But looking at Pony, I didn't even care anymore.

"I'm not sad, not now. Now, I'm so so happy." I gently touseled his hair. "I've been real worried about you, Pony."

Pony smiled at me, the sweetest most genuine smile. Suddenly I was looking into the face of the 5 year old Ponyboy.

Pony lifted his good arm and touched my arm. I quickly grabbed his hand and held it.

"You don't have to worry about me. I'm a-okay. " He withdrew his hand and patted my arm assuringly. His eyes were still on me, his brow wrinkled in thought, as if he were asking himself why on earth I was so upset. Gee, I wonder.

"Darry, really, do. Not. Worry. I , actly- AC-TU-ALLY, I feel real good. I am real good." With that he closed his eyes again and leaned back on his pillow with that dopey smile on his face.

I couldn't help but grin. I knew that once these drugs wore off he's probably be just as terrified as before, but I was grateful for this brief interlude.