Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders.

Nobody could explain what happened. The doctors took so many tests it made Johnny's head spin, but they still couldn't figure out how he'd healed so fast. Each and every mark that had been on his skin was gone. The night before, doctors had been almost certain little Johnny Cade wouldn't survive. However, when dawn came, all of the tests given indicated that Johnny was in perfect health. Johnny was just as bewildered. He'd remembered his nurse coming in and telling him his mother was there to see him before he passed out. When he woke, he felt as good as new. He could speak normally again and didn't have to lie on his stomach.

When Dallas came by to see him as soon as the doctors would allow, he'd made another discovery. The scar on his face from when Bob and his gang had attacked him was gone, leaving smooth skin in its place. He felt his face in shock. Dallas was equally as awed and gave Johnny a slight hug, something he'd never do under other circumstances.

"Told you everything would be ok, didn't I Johnny? The doctors didn't think so, but you sure showed them."

Johnny chuckled slightly.

"Yeah. Guess I did."

Dallas left to go rally the rest of the gang. Johnny was excited to see them, especially Ponyboy. The younger boy had stuck with him through thick and thin, leaving Johnny with a new sense of compassion for the now blonde boy.

"Johnny?"

He looked up to see the nurse come back, a smile on her face.

"While you have to stay here at the hospital until the doctors finish their testing, I'm sure they won't mind if you walk around a bit. You've been lying around and I'm sure you'll want to use your legs."

Johnny smiled his first real smile in a long time.

"I'd like that. Thank you, ma'am."

The nurse chuckled and walked back down the hall. Johnny shifted out of his blankets and lightly set his bare feet on the floor. The floor was cool, but Johnny relished the feeling as he placed more weight on his sleeping legs. He worked himself around the bed until he could stand properly and made his way out the door.

Glancing along the halls, he turned and headed down the rows of rooms, looking into each to see all of the patients. On man had just come out of surgery for his heart. Another was sick with cancer. On and on the cases went until he came to a seemingly empty room the end of the hall. Figuring the nurse wouldn't mind since it was empty, he tiptoed inside, peering around at the empty beds. He found himself at the window and got a good look at the city. Living in a small suburb, he found himself staring in awe at the tall buildings around him.

"Pretty, isn't it?"

Johnny jumped at the croaky voice behind him. Turning, he spotted a girl in wheel chair next to one of the beds. Her body was covered in heavy burn marks and an oxygen tank hung from her nose. However, what drew the most attention was the scar line running from her cheek to her eyebrow. It looked exactly like the one he'd has only hours ago. She smiled at him with tired eyes as she spoke, "I'm sorry for scaring you. I should have made my presence known sooner."

Johnny continued to stare. A wave of realization washed over him as he stuttered, "Y-y-you have all of my injuries and my scar. H-h-how is that even….."

The girl laughed lightly.

"Johnny, lots of things seem a little unreal at times. That fact that we choose to accept them makes them become real."

"But how did you even get all of them?"

"If I told you, you'd never believe me. I'll leave that to your imagination."

But Johnny still had questions.

"But you'll die! The doctors weren't even sure that I was going to live!"

"Ah, but my body is stronger and more protected than yours. I'm sure I'll pull through in the end."

"But why would you even do this at all? You don't know me and I sure as hell don't know you."

Another smile.

"Let's just call it the act of a Good Samaritan. After all, it's not every day a young man becomes a hero."

Johnny blushed a little at that. His head jerked towards the door as he heard Two-Bit calling his name, presumably with the rest of the gang. He looked back at the girl.

"Thank you. For everything."

"My pleasure, Mr. Johnny Cade. Now go to your gang. They seem to need you more than I. Besides, I need to rest."

Johnny smiled and walked towards the door. He turned to face the girl one last time.

"Will I ever see you again?"

The girl shrugged.

"Anything's possible. Probably not for a while, though."

"Can I at least know your name, then?"

"Just think of me as a concerned party. Now go. Don't want to keep them waiting."

Johnny smiled one last time before he left to celebrate with the rest of the gang, and as he left, he was sure he heard laughter behind him.

A/N: I'm back! I apologize for the LONG hiatus, but I'm making it up to you with a continuation of this story. This story could end here, but I have one last part planned out if you all would wish me to keep going. Just let me know with reviews. Thanks again to everyone who reviewed and read the story. I love you guys.

~Johnnyboy Curtis