Carly and Cherry stepped in the room carefully. They were grateful the boys were in the same room for now. Both Pony and Johnny were bandaged up but otherwise seemed okay. Cherry went to Johnny while Carly went to Pony.

"Are you okay?" Carly asked Pony.

"We're both fine promise."

At Pony's grin, Carly managed to smile.

"Are you sure?" Cherry asked Johnny.

"Yeah just fine. We was more worried about you."

"Well were perfectly fine," Cherry promised.

"We saw that guy climbing after you and weren't able to stop them."

"It's alright we got away from him."

"They didn't hurt you too bad did they?" Carly asked.

"Nah I did get stabbed only once-"

"You got stabbed! Oh no, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. It wasn't deep or nothin'. I'm okay."

"Were you stabbed?" Cherry asked turning to Johnny.

"It wasn't deep neither."

"Johnny I'm so sorry. You've dealt with enough and shouldn't be dealing with that."

"I agree," Carly said nodding.

"We're just glad yer alright."

"Pony, Johnny!"

Darry and the rest of the gang rushed into the room but relaxed slightly at seeing them all okay. Carly and Cherry excused themselves to let them talk to the friends who were more like family, and in Pony's case were family. It was only upon exiting the room in search of a vending machine that they noticed how odd and horrible they must look. Their hair not completely dry was knotted and all over their heads. The t shirts were still soaking from being on their wet bodies.

Their cheeks flushed from the constant running coupled with the worry and panic they'd felt only moments ago. They were still a little jumpy after the danger they had faced earlier. Their chests were now fluttered with relief. They realized they could have lost Pony and Johnny or seen them critically hurt. They might have cried but figured they were just too stunned for that right now.

Who thought something like that would happen by just going swimming? The guys were tough but that may have been an act of God that got them away safely. Never did they expect guys to come after them like that. Typically guys would never lay hands on women and would excuse them from danger when fights began. This was by no means an exclusive rule so things did happen. Didn't mean they thought it might happen to them. They both wondered what their families would've have done had something happened.

Cherry was an only child and Carly didn't think they could cope with another child's death as she was now an only child as well. They didn't want to think of themselves existing without Pony and Johnny. What would the gang have done without them? That wasn't something they wanted to think about either. Thankfully they wouldn't have too because everything was okay.

Pony and Johnny were grateful the girls managed to get away. They didn't know if they would have been able to protect them or not. Seeing them safe and unharmed gave them a better outlook on the entire situation. They hadn't been injured badly, they were alive, and they had two beautiful girls worried over them. If this kept up they were going to feel special or something.

Carly and Cherry arrived back in the room and continued to chat with everyone. They seemed unable to leave the guys side and didn't put up a fuss when they asked them to sit on their beds. Neither girl wanted to leave the hospital but knew they needed to get home before their parents grew worried. So they reluctantly hugged and kissed their boyfriend's goodbye before leaving.

Pony and Johnny had assured the guys they could leave as well. After the nurse came to check on them for the night they relaxed.

"Hey Pony?"

"Yeah?"

"I was awful worried something coulda happened to em today."

"Yeah, I was too."

"Glad it didn't."

"Yeah me too."

"I really think Cherry is the one."

"Ya think?"

"When I thought I might die today I realized she was the one. She's gotta be."

"I thought the same thing bout Carly. I'm lucky to have er."

"I'm lucky to have Cherry too."

"Johnny let me help."

Johnny chuckled as Cherry tried to help him stand.

"Seriously it don't hurt that bad."

Pony and Carly chuckled from their place on the couch. Pony with his feet in Carly's lap. He had never had his feet rubbed before. Carly had no problem changing that. They smiled as Cherry walked Johnny to the bathroom. She'd been his greatest supporter to getting well.

"I could get used to this. Ya sure know how ta rub feet."

"Thank you but don't get used to it now. It's just until your better."

"Yeah getting there every day."

"Yes, you are."

"With your help course."

"You're brave you know. You both are."

"We was awful nervous actually. Worried bout ourselves but specially you and Cherry."

"If it weren't for you guys it could have been a lot worse. You're both heroes once again. Never think you aren't."

"You are heroes too. Ya called help that came and saved us. Coulda been lot worse."

"You were the ones in the most danger though. If you ask me you're the heroes.

"How bout we all be the hero's?"

"Only if you consider yourself the better hero."

"Never."

Meanwhile Cherry waited outside for Johnny to get done in the bathroom. A stab wound in his leg kept him in pain when he tried to walk. Johnny opened the door and smiled at Cherry.

"You will be walking without the limp in no time," she assured him.

"Hey, they said I might never walk when that piece of church fell on me so this ain't nothin'. "

"Piece of church," Cherry chuckled as they headed back to the living room.

"Dang I wish I had pretty ladies to take care of me," Twobit joked.

"What about Kathy?" Johnny asked.

"Shoot kid she and me break up all the time. Can be a hell cat too."

"Ya ain't seen, Sylvia. That little broad smacks me so much I've almost hit her. Good thing for her I don't."

Johnny grinned. He knew well Dally could never hit Sylvia. They didn't have the most stable relationship sure. They were joined together by the something. They could cheat on each other and keep running back together. Couldn't be that healthy. He didn't know how he would feel if Cherry was like that. Likewise, Pony wouldn't know what to do if Carly did that. Thankfully they didn't have to worry about that.

"Preciate ya taking care of me," Johnny said taking Cherry's hand. Both guys preferred to kiss their girlfriends in private. Cherry and Carly had no problems with this.

"Don't worry about it anytime."

"Car I preciate you doing it too. No one's done it since my mom."

"That's why I'm here to make sure you have someone who does."

"So we gotta do somethin' fun again soon. Not the lake though."

"Definitely not the lake," the girls said together.

"We can always go to the movies," Johnny suggested.

"Yeah, that and somethin' else."

"Give us some time and we can think about it. In the meantime, we can plan the movies when yall get well enough."

"Sounds good."

Not long after the guys fell asleep. The girls were convinced those two were the cutest things asleep. They shushed Twobit and Dally who were the only ones in the house so much that they decided to leave. Good because they needed to sleep in peace. They both deserved peace after what they'd been through. Cherry and Carly planned to make sure they did their best to ensure it. They wanted to make their whole lives as happy as possible.

"Do you love him more than Bob Cherry?"

They had been sitting in the kitchen talking quietly when the words came out. Cherry was surprised and Carly surprised she'd asked it.

"I don't know Carly I really don't. I love him a lot though. I will always love Bob but what I feel for Johnny feels stronger."

"I don't blame you for that. I didn't think I'd ever love anyone but I love Pony a great deal. He asked me to marry him tomorrow I would. Wouldn't matter how young we are or nothing. Not that he would do that but if he did."

"We get surprised by a lot of things. I never thought I would fall for Johnny like I have."

"Yeah never thought I would fall for Pony either. Life's full of surprises."

"Yeah, it is."

"We ain't gonna let em get away with it. Not those puny little greasers or those Soc chicks," The Greaser said angrily.

When they'd heard the sirens they'd retreated. They had no way of knowing those two guys would be that much of a challenge. These three never lost a fight and were used to causing all the trouble they wanted. Being stopped didn't sit well with them.

"We don't even know who they are."

"No but we know the names so might as well."

"We gotta find em. They gotta live here somewhere."

"We're gonna and when we do will kill those pipsqueaks and keep those girls for ourselves."

"Those girls were real pretty."

"Yeah, they sure were."

The four of them headed to the nightly double. It felt good for Pony and Johnny to be out and about again. Felt good for Carly and Cherry to see them out and about. They decided on a beach movie Cherry had heard was really good. Both Pony and Carly doubted it but would give it a chance. Johnny was just happy to do anything Cherry suggested. The beautiful redhead had him wrapped around her finger. He didn't really want it any other way, to be honest.

Cherry squeezed his hand and he grinned squeezing back. Carly had her arms wrapped around Pony's arm. People were staring at them but after facing danger they didn't really care. They could face anything. Come out stronger by facing it as well. That seemed to be a pattern with them and they were proud of it. They all seemed to be changing slightly for the better. They felt they had each other to thank for that. They got stronger and developed better outlooks on their lives in just a few days.

Life threatening situations apparently had the means to do that. They got their drinks and popcorn and settled down. They laughed and talked together for a few minutes.

"What do we have here?"

They all groaned as Amanda smirked at them.

"Go away Amanda we don't wanna see you!" Carly said in annoyance.

"Trust me I don't wanna see trash like you either."

Carly stood up ready to get into another fight with her. Cherry stopped her.

"Let's enjoy our night and not let her ruin it. "

"You're right," Carly said smiling at her before taking her seat and glaring at Amanda. She simply smirked at took her seat.

No longer bothered Carly put her head on Pony's shoulder. A move he was very happy about. He put his arm around her shoulders making her even more comfortable. Taking the cue Johnny did the same and Cherry beamed at him.

"Hey, guys!"

Cherry and Carly looked confused as Johnny and Pony groaned. Standing in front of them was Sylvia and Dally. It was surprising as Dally sometimes came to the movies usually to start trouble while Sylvia hated coming to the movies.

"Hey," Dally nodded to the girls before greeting Johnny and Pony with brotherly hugs.

"Boys these your girlfriends?" Sylvia asked in a loud snappy voice.

It reminded Carly of Amanda. Speaking of Amanda she had turned around in her seat and was watching with interest. Carly regretted not punching her earlier. She turned her attention away to focus on Sylvia.

"Yeah they are," Pony answered.

"Oh, how sweet. What are their names?"

"Ya can ask em," Johnny said surprising even himself. He was generally overly polite to Sylvia because of Dally.

"Fine what's your names?" She asked looking at them.

"I'm Carly."

"Oh, typical Soc name."

"And your Sylvia I'm guessing?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Oh, typical Greaser name."

She glared at Carly who smiled sweetly at her. She wasn't used to most girls talking to her like that.

"I'm Sherri but everyone calls me Cherry."

"Cherry yeah I believe I've heard of you. Soc girl all the way."

"You'd be surprised," Cherry replied back coolly.

Pony and Johnny were frowning from the aura of things happening around them while Dally smirked. He loved a good catfight.

"Really now?" Sylvia said mockingly.

"Yeah really," Cherry said.

"We're trying to enjoy the movies so if your gonna talk wait till it's over," Carly said.

"Maybe I want to talk now."

"Beat her up!" Amanda yelled from a few seats up.

"Shut up Amanda!" Carly yelled back. "Anyway, then you better hurry up."

"Make me."

"I will," Carly said standing up.

"How old are you kid?" Sylvia laughed.

"Old enough to kick your butt," she said not cursing for Cherry's benefit. She always was trying to get her to talk decent.

"She's fourteen," Cherry answered.

Sylvia threw back her head and laughed. It wasn't the laughter like she'd been doing. This was softer, happier even. Everyone looked at her in confusion. Johnny and Pony had never heard her laugh like this. Dally only heard her laugh like this every once in a while when they were alone.

"You girls got guts. I like it. Mind if we sit with you?"

The change in attitude was shocking and had the girls a little suspicious. They soon realized she was completely serious.

"Yeah sure," Cherry said smiling.

Carly nodded her head loving the fact Sylvia acknowledged how much guts she had. At least towards other women. Sylvia smiled and took the seat next to Pony and Dally followed.

"Ya never ask or I never do," Dally said to her

"No, but just this once cause these girls earned my respect."

Carly threw a smirk at Amanda who glared before turning around in her chair to the friends she was with. Pony and Johnny relaxed and for once everyone was quiet as they enjoyed the movie.

"That was dumb," Dally remarked and Sylvia hit him in the shoulder gently.

"Shut up. That was fun we should do it again," Sylvia said grinning.

Carly caught sight of Amanda glaring at her as she left with her Soc friends.

"What's with her?" Sylvia asked.

"She's basically my sworn enemy," Carly answered.

"Makes sense. Anyway, let's all do this again."

"You hate the movies," Dally deadpanned.

"Not when there's people to hang out with. Sandy, Evie, Soda, and Steve decided to go to the stupid football game again."

"I thought Sandy moved away?" Cherry asked.

She then frowned wondering if she should have asked.

"Oh it's a story," Pony sighed. "She did move away claiming she was pregnant. She really wasn't and turns out she wasn't even the one who sent the letter. Her parents were convinced she was out of control and made her move away. She confessed that to Evie and she invited her to live with her. She told that to Soda and he forgave her. So there working on it."

"Oh," Carly said thoughtfully.

She had yet to meet this Sandy and didn't even know who she was. For that matter, she wasn't sure who Evie was. She didn't know anyone but the gang. And she'd heard about Curly Shepherd though she didn't know who he was either. She didn't know a lot of people. She smiled not believing she was apparently new best friends with Sylvia. She wondered who else she would get to know later on. Could be anyone she decided and she was looking forward to it.