Hello everyone, this is Kylelover101 and Shattered Aura, with Chapter Four, To the reviewer: jessieklove. Thank you for the story request, we'll be sure to make a one-shot out, or at least a chapter, of it and we will defiantly show some of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis' parenting in the chapters.

Thank's for the reviews, keep em' coming.

Enjoy :)

Chapter 4- Problems are a problem.

Two-Bit groaned, "I hate cleaning, it's always a bother." He had an armful of beer cans he was told to recycle by Steve, while Johnny vacuumed and Steve did dishes.

"Shut your trap and clean, Two-Bit!" Steve hollered from the kitchen. "We're cleaning because Darry told us to. It's for their parents anyway."

Two-Bit couldn't argue with that. He did owe Mr. And Mrs. Curtis for their hospitality and kindness, cleaning up a little shouldn't be too much for them.

"Where's Dally?" Two-Bit asked.

Johnny shrugged, "Dunno, man. He had that weird look on his face when he stormed out of the hospital." Johnny was worried about the older Greaser. Dallas had that murderous look on his face when he left and that could only mean trouble for the blonde Greaser.

"Forget him." Steve called from the kitchen, "Let's hurry up and clean the house. I don't want Darry mad at me cause of you, ya' bum!"

Two-Bit looked shocked, "Me? Ya'll shouldn't be mad at me, I'm doing what I'm supposed to, sides, ya'll should be thankful the mighty Two-bit is even gracing you with his presence because I'm-"

Two-Bit didn't finish that sentence as a spoon was chucked at his head.

Meanwhile at the hospital The Curtis boys were all a mess. Darry was trying to figure out what half of the words on the clip board meant and as to what he signed. Soda felt awful with guilt and Ponyboy couldn't stop crying.

"Darry, I'm scared." Pony whimpered.

Darry didn't know what to do, he was never in this situation before. Usually if Pony were scared he'd run to their mother or their father. But they were both in the hospital and Soda clung to him just as hard as Pony did.

"I know, Pony. But we gotta' keep our cool." We gotta' keep our cool. Nice one, Darry. Nice. Well, what do you say to someone when you yourself don't know what to do? Darry's advice obviously had no effect on Ponyboy and the boy cried even harder. Darry grimaced, he wasn't sure Pony or Soda were ready to see their parents if they acted like this.

"Guys, I know it's hard." Darry swallowed. "But we gotta' be strong. For Mom and Dad." He added. Soda stopped sniffing but Pony kept crying. Darry bit his lip, what did he do now? They sat in silence until the doctor arrived. Dr. Hollis informed the greasers that they could see their father, but he was sleeping and to be quiet. Darry looked back at Sodapop and Ponyboy. He really didn't want them to see the condition their father was in, he himself wasn't sure if he was ready.

"Soda, Pony. I don't want you guys to see Dad." Darry admitted.

"What? why not?" Soda demanded, outraged.

Darry bit his lip, he didn't want Soda or Pony to see their dad in a critical condition. They'd be heartbroken. Then again, so would he.

"I. . .I wanna' see Dad." Ponyboy sobbed.

"Yeah, I want to see Dad too!"

Darry sighed, "Alright. But look, if I see you looking sick you're out, ya' hear?" They nodded and Dr. Hollis led them into the room.

Darry's heart snapped, literally. On the hospital bed laid Darrel Curtis Sr. His arm was held up on a pillow, wrapped in bandages and a cast. His foot also propped up on a pillow. He had a mask on his mouth, hooked up to an oxygen tank as to help him breathe better. All over his the right side of his face were bandages and gauze.

To say the least, he looked in pain.

"He's in critical condition and isn't responding much. He's not in a coma, but he's resting deeply." Dr. Hollis explained, "I'll leave you three alone." He left and that's when Darry nearly let his guard down.

Darry felt his body stiffen as he stood still staring at his father, his hero, laying in bed all knocked around and badly injured.

Ponyboy let out a sob and that broke Darry out of his trace.

"Get him out." He whispered to Soda. Soda started at Darry, his eyes large and frightened as he escorted Ponyboy out of the room. Darry slowly walked to the bed, falling to his knees. He felt his whole body shiver and he shakingly reached out to hold onto his father's good hand gently holding it.

Tears fell quickly afterwards.

Meanwhile Soda was outside holding Ponyboy as the thirteen-year-old cried into his brother's chest. He was shaking like a leaf and all Soda could do was rub his back. Soda bit his lip, he was going to be sick.

Two-bit looked at the clock, it was nearly six. The hospital would be closing for visiting hours soon. He stood up and stretched.

"Alright, I'm going to get Ponyboy and Soda. Steve, Johnny, Ya'll coming?" He asked. Steve and Johnny nodded, and in a short time arrived at the hospital. No one said a word when Soda and Ponyboy hopped into the car, Pony's eyes were red, an indicator he had been crying and Soda looked pale.

Two-bit was the first to speak, "How are they?" He softly asked.

Soda's mouth twitched, "Roll down the window." He said. Two-bit looked at him funny.

"Roll down the window!" Soda repeated and hesitantly Two-bit did so just in time for Soda to empty his stomach. Two-bit pulled over and let Soda contain himself while Steve comforted him. Ponyboy sat next to Johnny quietly in the back. Two-bit sighed, telling himself that it would be best to spend a night at The Curtis.

Darry had papers to fill out with Dr. Hollis and left around eight. Before going home, he took the truck he followed the police officers in earlier for a drive. He had to think. He needed some space. He drove around for what felt like a few hours before noticing the fuel gauge blinking 'EMPTY' He pulled into a neer gas station, The DX, for a filler up. Just as he pulled up, he noticed Dallas Winston running out of the store, something in his arms.

Darry groaned, running out of the truck and high-tailing Dallas.

"DALLAS!" He called, immediately stopping the greaser from running any further. When Darry caught up to Dallas, he noticed Dallas had three cartons of KOOL cigarettes in his arms and obviously no receipt. Obviously stolen.

"What the hell, Dallas?" Darry asked.

Dallas growled, "Never cared before, Darrel. Why the change of heart?" He had a point, lately is Dallas committed a crime, Darry rolled his eyes.

Darry sighed, "Return those."

"Blow it out your ass." Dallas chucked a carton at Darry and strutted away. Darry shook his head, walking back to the DX, leaving the carton on the ground to be destroyed by the rain that started pouring in.

Ponyboy shivered in his bed, the thunder storm outside was intensifying. Normally he'd feel a little scared, but knowing his mother and father were under the same roof as him, gave him some closure.

But tonight, he felt all alone in the world. He cried into his pillow, trying to catch some sleep.

Yay! Second fourth done and Beta'd Please leave a review if you think we should continue, Stay Gold everyone! :)

-Shattered Aura

-Kylelover101