A/N: Hey everybody! Sorry I've been meaning to get this up for a while but I never had time this week to type it! Forgive me! Anyway, thanks for all the amazing reviews! Nobody got the answer to why he was angry at Soda and Sandy, unfortunately. But you will find out now and this chapter is still dedicated to all of you because you all make me smile when you review, alert, favorite, and click on it! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders. All ownership rights go to S.E. Hinton!

Sodapop POV: Darry and I stood there for a moment, expressions blank as we attempted to comprehend what we were seeing. Ponyboy was awake, sitting up and he was staring at us and we were staring back at him. He looked cautious. I wondered why. Maybe it was because he had just woken up and he was confused.

Whatever the reason was, I could worry about it later. My baby brother was awake and after almost losing him, I lost my own control and so did Darry.

We ran to him and hugged him tightly. Tears flowing down our faces as we murmured reassurances and thanks into our brother's soft, brown hair. I kissed the top of his head. "Pony," I sobbed. "I'm so happy you're awake! I thought we lost you, baby." I cried harder.

"Guys," he gasped out, seemingly in pain. "Could you please let go? I… can't…. breathe!" Darry and I chuckled and let him go, standing up to look at him.

Steve, and Two-Bit left the room, saying they'd be back later. As soon as Ponyboy had said goodbye to them, he and Darry locked eyes. I was silent. Darry's eyes were sad, pained and pleading, as was his entire face as the tears continued to pour onto it. Pony's face however, remained blank and solid, there was no emotion shown on his face whatsoever.

"Look, Pone," Darry began in a shaky voice. "I'm so relieved that you're alright. We both are. I was worried sick about ya while you were gone and while you were asleep. And I am so sorry that I hit you that day. I never should've. I hope you can forgive me because… I can't lose you anymore, Pony. Please… don't hate me. Please… I'm so sorry, little brother."

Ponyboy remained silent. His eyes now showed pain. Darry sighed. "Please say somethin', Pony. Say anything.

Tears fell down Pony's face and I moved to comfort him but he gently moved his arm away from me. That was different. He always let me hold him if something was wrong.

He looked at Darry and his voice cracked as he spoke, "Don't feed me that pile of junk, Darry." He was angry now "Why would you say all of that when you don't mean a word of it?"

Darry looked taken aback. "W-what are you talkin' about, Pony? O-of course I-"

"No you don't!" He cut Darry off. "You hate me and you know it! You can't stand me!"

"What?" Darry said, shocked.

"Huh?" I asked.

"You know you can't stand me Darry! Not since mom and dad died! Nothing I ever do is good enough for you! I get straight A's and you aren't happy. When I study, you say I should play football, and when I play football, you say I should be inside the house studyin'! And just cuz you don't enjoy movies or books, that don't mean I can't! in fact, they're the one thing I do enjoy. They're the only thing I've enjoyed since mom and dad died. I've done everything else to please you and it never works so I like to have one thing that makes me happy and you don't even approve of that! Oh, and while I'm at this, one time I lose track of time and you lose your temper and yell at me till my ears bleed. When Soda does that you don't give it a second thought! You love him more and you know it! What does he have that I don't have?"

"What?" I asked, shocked. He never told me that he felt that way.

"Ponyboy," Darry breathed, "I love you just as much as I love Soda. No more, and no less. And the same goes for him. I am very proud of you for your grades and achievements. Even if I don't show up to a lot of things-"

"You never show up to anything!" Pony argued with him. "Every track meet, every awards assembly, everybody else's parents or whoever is in the audience cheering them on and taking pictures, and I don't get that anymore! You try to be like dad, Darry. But you never will be like him. He cared about me and he loved me. You don't. That's the bottom line of all this."

I looked at Darry. He looked hurt, especially by the things about dad. He did love Pony. But apparently Pony just couldn't think rationally with Darry right now. I tried to reason with him.

"Ponyboy, look. Darry really loves you. Maybe he doesn't always show it the right way but… he was seriously getting himself sick with worry while you were gone. We missed you and we were so worried that you wouldn't make it, buddy. I really missed you, bud."

He rolled his eyes. "Soda, you're one to talk. You say you both love me and that you're always gonna protect me. But what about when you move out and marry Sandy, huh? What then? You're gonna have a family of your own to worry about and Sandy to be with and you aren't gonna care about me enough to visit unless you want me to babysit your kids or somethin.'"

To say that shocked me was an understatement. Since when did he feel this way about Sandy?

"Ponyboy," I sighed. "Sandy left me! She was pregnant with another guy's baby! She cheated on me and then moved to Florida two days after you ran off. So don't worry about me leavin'. And I never knew you felt that way about me or Sandy. You know I'd never stop protecting you, honey. You're my baby brother. So… now that you've heard what's really goin' on… will you forgive us?"

He looked sad. "I wish I could, Soda. But right now I just need time to think. Can you both just leave me alone please?"

We were both surprised but we nodded our heads. I had to literally drag Darry away from the bed because he looked like he was about to fall to his knees and beg. Just as we reached the door, Pony called, "Wait, Darry!" Darry whipped around so fast that even a racecar wouldn't be able to pass him up.

"Yeah, Pony?" he asked. Ponyboy looked troubled. "Tell Johnnycake I say hi when you see him, alright? Let him know I'm okay. And Dally too, if you don't mind."

Darry looked put out but nodded his head solemnly. We walked out of the room and broke down in the hallway.

A/N: Aw, poor Soda and Darry! Did anyone think that that was the reason Pony was mad at Sodapop? Anyway, tell me what you thought in a review and I'll try to upload faster! Love you guys!

Thanks for Reading!

-thewolfgurlgleek :) xoxoxoxoxo :D :]