Author Note: Thanx to the reviewers again. Hey, guess what, in bio I'm like learning about this mitosis and cells junk and so I was actually paying attention in class, so I could put it in this story and like sound smart and stuff. Anyhoo, hope you doods (yeah, I know I spell it wrong, but it looks cool that way) like this chappie and don't worry cuz he will go visit Kally in the next one!

Disclaimer: The story is my own, but the characters all belong to S.E. Hinton. Also, parts of the book are quoted, so that completely belongs to S.E. Hinton. Those parts are in italics. I always forget to do a disclaimer for the chapters, so if I do, that goes for always!

Ponyboy's POV

I finally reached the waiting room. I saw Darry pacing back and forth. He stopped suddenly when he saw me.

"Ponyboy, I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you like that and then when you left I guess my pride kept me form going after you, but I tried to find you later. The doctor said that I shouldn't worry because you were probably with the one person who could make it better, but I didn't have time to ask what he meant because he had a patient to take care of and I'm just so very sorry." He was almost out of breath. I think he said all of that with out stopping to take a breath I walked to him and fell into his arms. He squeezed me so hard he was shaking.

"I'm sorry too, Darry." After that I told him everything that happened. We assumed the doctor had been talking about Kally, I figured she probably was the one person who could make things better. Almost as soon as I finished my story, the doctor came in.

"Hey, I'm glad to know you made it back safe and sound Ponyboy; I assume you had a talk with Kally? I nodded, "Well, in regards to Soda, you can come with me to the room and I will explain everything." Darry and I followed doctor Hashings to Soda's room. I walked in and looked over at him. There were so many machines I could barely see him. He just looked so lifeless; I didn't even feel like he was there. The room usually glowed when Soda was there, but this one was just as dull as any other.

"Ok, so I have discussed and studied Soda's case with the pulmenologist and our findings are quite complex." I noticed that Dr. Hashings used a very different vocabulary when talking medically, but maybe he had to be a different person then. "Some of his brain cells were damaged during the fall. This is what is affecting his shortness of breath. Ironically brain cells are the only cells that can not undergo mitosis, which is used to repair worn out cells, so other cells are having to take over the job of inhaling and exhaling. He is growing weaker from this. We have equipment here that we are using to do some of his breathing for him, at least until his brain can adapt to this condition. However, he has to have strength to get him through until his brain is able to do this and because of everything else that has happened, his physical strength is low. We think or rather we are hoping that the machines can get him through it and his body will adapt to the condition of lacking cells. If it can, then he should be just fine."

"But didn't you say something before about him staying asleep because of the signal?" Darry asked.

"Yes, but it turns out I was wrong. He is sleeping due to plain exhaustion. He has had excessive strain on his body and with everything he is just worn out."

"When will we know if he will be ok?"

"When he wakes up, if he is breathing properly, with no weakness then he's healed. It's now just a simple question of if he has the strength to carry on until his body is adapted to working without the needed cells…I know that there is probably no point in saying this, but you boys can go home and get some rest tonight. You both look beat."

"You don't really think we'd leave him now do you?' I asked. He grinned wildly.

"No, I told you there was no point in saying it even." I smiled at him, He was real nice. Usually doctors sort of intimidated me, but he was different. I guess maybe some adults can still stay gold. He left, and Darry and I were left to wait.

We were up pretty much the whole night. Occasionally one of us dozed off, but not for to long. Soda never woke up and I was really getting worried and worn out for that matter. I mean, I know sitting and waiting doesn't really involve much, but just waiting sort of slowly emotionally drains you until you're completely out of it.

Before I knew it, it was morning. The doctor came by and checked on Soda. He didn't say much except that we just had to wait it out and maybe Soda would wake up for a few minuets periodically. I hoped that he would, just to reassure me that he was still there.

"I'm going to go call Two-Bit and Steve," Darry said, "I never got a hold of them yesterday."

"Ok." He left and I felt really lonely without him. I wondered what Steve and Two-Bit would do when they found out. I knew Two-Bit would probably turn serious, like he did when Johnny was in the hospital, but what about Steve. Maybe he would bawl. After all Soda was his best buddy, but even then I had never seen him bawl before. Of course, I don't know about when Johnny and Dally died. He didn't that I know of, but maybe he did after I passed out. I still didn't think he would, he'd probably just get mad.

Darry walked in and my thoughts broke. "Did you get a hold of them?"

"Yeah, Steve about blew up. He wants a full description of the socs, so that he can make sure to beat their heads in. They also want us to call them everyday to update and as soon as he is out of the family only condition they said they'll be here."

"Ok, I feel pretty sorry for those socs if Steve gets a hold of 'em. I always thought he fought for anger." Darry just sighed; I knew he didn't get it. I looked up at the clock it was a little after twelve. I ate some lunch, only because Darry said he'd skin me if I starved myself. I was finishing a sandwich when I saw Soda stir. I got so excited, that I nearly choked on my food. I elbowed Darry to get his attention and swallowed practically half the sandwich, so I could talk.

"Darry, I think he's waking up!" Darry walked to the opposite side of his bed. I saw Soda open his eyes and it was like a heavy weight was lifted off of me and I could breathe easily for the first time. I was relieved. Darry stroked his hair softly.

"Darry," Soda whispered weakly, "I feel awful." I could tell he was exhausted. He talked so soft I could barely hear him and even then it was taking a lot out of him. I felt like bawling, but I tried real hard to suck it in because I didn't want to scare him. I figured that was the last thing he needed.

"It's ok little buddy, you're just really weak right now. You're breathing ok though right?"

"Yeah, why?" he mumbled shakily and I wished I could do something to give him strength.

"You stopped breathing yesterday."

"What?" Soda looked alarmed.

"Don't get upset ok," Darry told him "just relax ok. You just really need to take it easy right now, please Soda, I'm serious." He explained to Soda everything that had happened. He said he sort of remembered, but he was confused. When Darry finished there was a long awkward silence. Soda looked around. "Everything ok," Darry asked him.

"I was…" he paused and gathered his strength, "I was wondering if Steve or Two-Bit was here."

"Well, they would be, believe me, they would be, but it's family only. They're going to come by as soon as the doctor says you're up for it." Soda just nodded. I couldn't believe how weak he was. He could barely talk and didn't move at all. "Are you hungry at all?" Darry asked.

"Yeah man….I'm starved."

"I'll go get you something to eat." Darry left the room.

"Do you need anything else," I asked Soda.

"Na man, I'm ok."

"Are you sure, because I'll get something for you or if you want me to do something, are you feeling ok?"

"Ponyboy, it's ok, I'm fine."

"Soda, just tell me if you're not ok. I can't take another shock like that. Like, when… oh never mind."

"Tell me Ponyboy," he said in a shaky voice and I hoped I wasn't wearing him out even more.

"It's just when you stopped breathing, Soda I didn't know what to do then..."

"I'm starting to remember it, kind of anyway. I remember being real scared and thinking I was going to die and I was wondering if someone was going to help me."

"Yeah and I just stood there because I didn't know what to do. It happened real fast and then once it hit me I got more scared than I'd been in a long time and every time you gasped and couldn't breathe…it felt like everything in my body was breaking because I couldn't do anything for you Soda."

"Ponyboy…am I going to…to die?" I knew I was bawling now and that there was no use trying not to.

"No, Soda you won't, you can't. I need you and Darry needs you and Two-Bit and Steve and we love you so much and you won't. The doctor said if you can hold on until your body gets used to your condition, you'll be fine, so…just, just fight Soda. Don't give up on me, please, don't die, please don't die on me."

"Damnit, Johnny…" he begged, slamming one fist against the wall, hammering it to make it obey his will. "Oh, damnit, Johnny, don't die, please don't die…"

"Ok, Ponyboy, don't cry ok, I'll be ok, I'll fight ok, I promise….Now," he took a deep breath in and I could almost feel his weakness, "now, come here you." I hugged him softly and for one moment it didn't even feel like he was in the hospital, he was still Soda and that would never change.

Darry came back with some soup for him. We helped him eat it because he was getting pretty tired.

"You should probably sleep now Little Buddy," Darry told him, after he had finished.

"Ok, but what about you guys, aren't you tired?" He fell asleep before we even had a chance to answer. Darry leaned over and stroked his hair softly. I could see the pain and worry in his eyes. He just looked at Soda and I wondered if he felt as helpless as I did. I didn't know what to say to him to make his helplessness go away, so I just sat quietly watching him and trying to think of something, anything to say.