Sarah's POV

As I left the hospital, Soda was there waiting for me. His boyish grin making me feel better, i pulled of his ball cap and threw it at him.

"So the disguise worked?" He asked messing my up my hair.

"Guess so, I'm all stitched up and not headed to the cooler." I replied silently. Soda put his arm around me and as we continued walking he held me close. I could always count on feeling protected when around Soda, or any of the guys for that matter. They were my family, in all ways that mattered, they were the ones I cared for and who cared for me back. They were the ones I ran to, the ones I felt the safest around, they were my home.

When we got back to our side of town, the feelings that usually allowed me to relax were not there, for now, the person I most feared lived just a few blocks away. He wouldn't hesitate as I did to pull the trigger again that was for certain, and he definitely wouldn't forget about our little encounter any time soon. Soda and I sat down on the front step of his porch and I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Do you think things will ever go back to normal Soda?" I had to ask, it was something I wanted so desperately.

"I don't think so Sarah, everything's changed, you've got to start thinking about the future, how to make things the best from now on. If we dwell on how things used to be we'll just be disappointed." How right he was and how stupid I felt.

We sat in silence again, however this time it was very recognizable. Where was everybody? Soda and I were the only ones at the Curtis' home, and this was a rare occasion. I looked up and down the street but none of our gang was anywhere to be seen.

"They'll be around soon." Soda rubbed my arm, it was like he could always tell what i was thinking.

"Where are they all? Where's Darry and Ponyboy? Where's Johnny!?" i stood up, heart racing, why hadn't I thought about Johnny sooner.

"Sarah, simmer down, it's okay." Soda reassured me, "Darry's out roofing a house, he picked up the job a couple days ago, and Pony and Johnny went for a walk. Johnny's pretty upset about what happened, says he shouldn't have left you in the house."

"That kid's got to start worrying about himself." I muttered, "There's nothing he could have done anyways."

"That kid isn't the only one thinking like that, or at least he's not the only one blaming himself." Soda stood up in front of me. "All the gang feels responsible for what happened to you, we all should of kept a better watch on you, been there for you."

"You guys are always there for me when I need you, but I don't expect to have any babysitters!" They couldn't expect to keep tabs on me all the time, they had other things to do with their time then worry about me.

"I didn't mean you needed a babysitter Sarah, it's not like that, I meant we can't stand to see you hurt, you're family to us." He put his hand out to take mine but i pulled it away.

"Soda, I know you guys are my family. You mean more to me than my own blood, well except for Johnny, and I know he feels that way too, it's just..." I couldn't word anything right; it wasn't coming out how I wanted it to.

Soda pulled me into a hug, one I couldn't have gotten out of if I had tried. He held me so close I could almost hear is heart beat. He walked me into the house and we sat on the couch, and I was still very much wrapped in his embrace. He gradually started to rub my back, and within minutes I was snoozing on his shoulder, a back rub of Soda's could put anyone to sleep.

"She's got to get out of town for a bit, until everything blows over."

"She's not going to agree to leave Johnny back by himself."

"She'll have to, Johnny's fine anyways, he can stay with you."

""Where are you planning on taking her anyways?"

"I know a place okay."

The voices coming from the kitchen were speaking in escalated whispers. As I lay on the couch, I began to recognize who was speaking.

"We know the cops aren't looking for her, I'd say her ole man didn't put a call out, so I think she should just stick around here." Said Steve.

"That doesn't mean he won't come looking for her." This time I recognized Dally's voice. So he wanted me out of town, didn't think I was safe here at least.

"I agree with Dally, who knows what Mr Cade will do if he sees her just walking around. We need to let him cool off, he'll forget about it in a week or so." Darry made perfect sense, always using is head, but a week or so? That was way too long a time to be away from the gang, I would not leave for that long, that's for sure.

"She's not going to agree to that" Thank you Soda, finally someone putting in a word for me.

"It doesn't much matter if she wants to or not, she's going." Dally's finality in the way he spoke made me get up of the couch and make my consciousness known.

"I'm not running away anywhere." I said from the kitchen door, which made all but Dally turn to face me.

"Told you." Steve chimed with a wicked grin.

"It's not up for discussion any more, the train to Windrixville will be in tonight, and that's where we're going." Dally was sounding all tough, not anything like he did the night before.

"Dally, she said she doesn't want to go." Soda came over to stand beside me, like backup.

It was then that Dally turned around to look at me, his tough exterior said little, but his eyes screamed for me to agree to go with him. I'd never seen this mix of... feelings in him, not even from the other night. This was a very different Dallas Winston, not one that I wanted to disagree with, this was Dallas Winston, the ' you do what I say and I'll look after you forever or if not I'm outa here' look. And I wasn't quite sure if I was completely ready for it.

Wow, it sure took me long enough to update didn't it? Bet this is coming as a bit of a shock to some of you, but no more of a shock then it is to me. In all honesty, I had forgotten about his piece until my younger brother came home yesturday talking about the Outsiders and what a great book it was. My infatuation with the book came rushing back to me and I was soon rereading it and watching the movie all over. I happened to come across some old stories on my computer and found Sarah Cade, and had this huge urge to continue writing it. I hope you enjoy this update and there are a couple more to come today as well as more in the future... and this time i won't leave you hanging!