Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own the Outsiders or profit from anything that S.E. Hinton writes besides the enjoyment of reading her work.

Darry's POV

Ponyboy's fever had been steady at 102 for a few hours, so the hospital was releasing him as long as he took his medication.

He was still tired and miserable, but that was normal. As much as I hated for him to be miserable, I was glad he was at least coherent.

Due to hospital policy he had to ride out in the wheelchair. He didn't want to, but I was glad because he was shaky and tired, even though he has been sleeping for days. Soda wasn't much better, he had bags under his eyes from worry and being unable to sleep without Ponuboy in his bed, but still had that same crazy grin on his face now that Ponyboy was awake and out of the hospital. I, and all of us, hated the hospital.

Surprisingly, Ponyboy stayed awake the whole ride, looking out the window. Soda kept his arm comfortingly wrapped around Ponyboy.

When we got home Ponyboy curled up in the couch, starting to cough again. His hair was disheveled and sweaty. I sighed. I remembered that Pnemonia was sometime called "the old man's friend" because so many old people died from it because their immune systems were weak. I looked at the sickly, miserable, and pale kid laying on the couch, who was normally animated and reading on the couch while his leg bounced. I couldn't help but sit down next to him and he rested his head on my lap, falling asleep.

Some friend, I thought bitterly, stroking his hair.

I wondered if he could eat anything yet. Soda, as if reading my mind, got up and started making some chicken noodle soup.

About ten minutes later I shook Ponyboy awake. He woke up looking paler than before. When the smell of food hit his nostrils he turned his head away, grabbing the garbage can and throwing up the sprite he drank at the hospital. When he laid back down I could hear his teeth chattering. He tried to take the blanket off of the couch, but I stopped him. He glared weakly at me.

"Your fever is really high." I got up and soaked a washcloth in cold water and out it in his head. He flinched.

"Stop-p-p t-that's co-o-ld, D-Darry." He stuttered through chattering teeth.

"I know." I told him honestly. I would give to trade places with him and take away his pain. He was too young for all of this, and I wasn't just talking about the Pneumonia.

X

Unfortunately, my boss wouldn't give me anymore time off of work, so I had to go in. I scrambled to find a baby-sitter for Ponyboy.

A/N: Sorry that this was short. Who do you guys think should babysit Ponyboy?

Should it be:

-Sodapop

-Johnny and/or Dallas

-Steve

-other

Thanks guys. (If anyone is curious my vote is Soda)