Ok here is another chapter. Thanks for all the reviews.

Christiangreasergirl thanks for all of your reviews. I enjoyed reading them. I do that a lot too:) If I like a story that has a lot of chapters, I'd read them all at once and review every single chapter:)

Seductivemessiah first off thanks for your review and yeah I guess Darry might've came across a little ooc. I thought he wasn't upset over Johnny being alive, but over Johnny and Pony not telling the gang. And he was drinking and upset over Carol blowing him off. And I know Pony tried to tell Darry before, but Darry didn't believe him. But I thought that was so like Darry. First he doesn't listen, then he's mad:)

Die an Outsider, yeah finally! And read this chapter to find out:)

Greasertwin, What would I do without you:)

Here we go. Enjoy:)

Finally when it was almost morning, I started to drift off into sleep. When I woke up, I saw Johnny sitting on the edge of his bed. Carol made the bed for me on the couch, but I naturally wanted to stay in the same room as Johnny. So I ended up sleeping on the floor in his room, on a pile of clothes, covered with an extra blanket that Johnny had. Anyway, now he was sitting on the edge of his bed, fully dressed. He was wearing his old clothes. His old jean jacket and even his old baseball hat.

"I got to tell the guys," he said. He sounded scared. Like he was scared to face the guys. He was scared that they would be as mad at him as Darry.

"I should've listened to you Pone," he continued. "You told me that it's not fair to the guys, but I never listened. And now I messed it up for all of you. I've messed it up for Carol 'cause she likes Darry, and I've messed it up for you, when you finally started getting along with him, and that's just ain't right. I've messed it up for the guys too. I was just scared you know," he said, "… that my parents may find out, that I would go to jail.

I was kind of relieved that he wanted to tell the guys, and this can finally be over. But at the same time I was scared. I was scared for him. At the moment though, I was so mad at Darry that I didn't even want to go back at all. I just wanted to stay here with Johnny and Carol and forget about all of them. "Are you sure Johnnycakes?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said, "I've been thinkin' 'bout it all night."

"Ok theeen," I said hesitantly, running my fingers through my hair, which was all messy after the night. "How come you wearing your old clothes?" I snapped in spite of myself. "Do you think they won't be mad at you if you are wearing your old stuff and not the stuff Carol got you?"

"N…no." He said sheepishly.

"Well, then change to some normal clothes for God's sakes." I could be cranky in the mornings sometimes.

He only glared at me in response. "I know it don't matter if I wear this, but I am not gonna change now that I'm dressed already."

"Fine, let's go then." I snapped again. And then apologized right away. "Sorry, Johnny I don't mean to yell at you. Its just I don't want to go back to Darry is all. Don't be mad Ok?"

"I ain't mad at you Pony," he replied. "I'm gonna straighten it all out with Darry. You'll see. You two just started getting along…" he trailed off.

When we got out of the room, Carol was in the kitchen, making coffee.

"Hi," she said, just glancing at us, and then giving Johnny a second glance, full of confusion, - "What's the matter?"

"What? Oh, this?" – he pointed at his clothes. "Carol, if you don't mind... I'd like to tell the rest of the guys," Johnny said, and then added "I don't have to tell them about you. Just that I'm …um, not dead. It's not fair to them, you know." And then, he added in a lower voice, "then you and Darry can be talking to each other again, and Pony and Darry can get along."

"I don't want to get along with him," I said sarcastically, "and I'm sure Carol can do much better than him, anyway." Carol's eyebrows went all the way up as I said that, but then she smiled.

"Do you want some coffee before you go?" was all she said.

Johnny and I looked at each other, confused. That's all she is going to say? I thought. She's going to ask us if we want some coffee?

"Yeah," Johnny said, "I'm kind of sleepy."

"Me too," I said, and we took our seats at the table. Carol pored coffee in our cups as well as into hers. We were drinking it in silence.

"You are doing the right thing," Carol finally said in between the sips. And Johnny just looked deep into his cup. Something was definitely bugging him, but he wouldn't say what it was.

"Hey, Johnny?" Carol said, and he looked up at her. "You can still keep living here after you tell them, you know that, right?"

He was staring at her, mixed expression of fear and guilt on his face.

"Right?" She repeated louder and somewhat frustrated.

"Yeah, I know," he nodded. "But then … then..."

"What?"

"Then if they accidentally tell someone you can lose your job." So, that's what was bothering him. It was actually kind of bothering me too.

"I'm sure they are not gonna tell anyone. I've met these guys, they can keep their mouths shut when they really need to. And anyway, that's the risk I'm willing to take. You are not thinking of going back to living at the cemetery are you?"

By the look on Johnny's face I could see that this is exactly what he was thinking, and that is why he put his old clothes on. We should've thrown it out, I thought. But now seeing how upset that would make Carol, he didn't have the heart to go through with going back to the cemetery.

"No," he mumbled, "I ain't thinking 'bout that."

"Good, you had me scared for a second," Carol exhaled.

We were ready to leave." Call me as soon as you can, ok Pony?" Carol asked as we were leaving.

"Ok," I nodded.

On the way to my place I was feeling uneasy. I have been waiting for Johnny to tell the guys all along. But I definitely didn't want it to happen this way. I was worried that the guys wouldn't understand. I didn't want them to be mad at Johnny. I mean, it took me a while to get why he did what he did, so they probably won't get it right away either. I also didn't want to see Darry. I had no patience for him anymore. I mean I tried to work it out with him. I really really tried. But he is impossible. He is just impossible to deal with. And the way he treated Carol yesterday. That was pretty ridiculous.

When we reached the house, I suddenly felt I didn't want to go in at all. Johnny looked like he was being taken to the electric chair.

"Wait here," I said to Johnny, before entering the house. I'll go in and prepare them.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yeah, who knows what their reaction would be if you just walk in."

"Ok then," he nodded with finality. "You think Darry told 'em?" He asked.

"Don't know Johnnycakes, lemme just get inside and see, ok?" I felt kind of antsy. Wanting to get it over with.

I walked in, expecting to see everyone there, 'cause that's where they usually would be if it was a holiday or a day off. It was awfully quiet inside. "Anybody home?" I yelled, making my way towards Soda's room.

"Ponyboy?" He ran out yelling and staring at me as if something was awfully wrong.

"What...?" I asked self-conscious. "Where is everybody?"

He looked at me kind of guilty, and I felt that whatever he was about to say wasn't good.

"What is it Soda? You are scaring me."

"It's Darry."

"Darry...?"

"Um, yeah. Pony, Darry got into a car accident last night." His voice got a little shaky, "he's in the hospital right now."

"What?!" I couldn't believe it! I forgot all about how I didn't want to ever see him again. I felt my knees starting to shake slightly and my legs kind of bending. I plopped myself on the couch.

"Yeah, the cops called us last night, told us..." Soda continued. "We stayed at the hospital, then the guys went home, but I stayed the whole night over there. I just got home about half an hour ago. We were going to go look for you too, or even call the cops to start a search 'n stuff. But Darry said not to. He was delirious, so I didn't know what to make of it, but I figured I'd wait a little. But I was about to call the cops to start a search for you just now before you walked in."

I was getting a headache and my thoughts were starting to race. I wanted to get the details about Darry, but I also felt like Johnny must be "dying" outside, trying to guess what's taking me so long, and why I still haven't come out to get him.

"How...how bad did he get hurt?" Was all I could manage to say. My own voice sounded funny to me. Like I couldn't believe this was happening.

"He ... he hurt his head. Was unconscious, then delirious. He was asleep this morning when I left."

"What did the doctors say?"

"He should be ok," Soda said, almost whispering, and hardly moving his lips. It didn't look like he was all that sure that Darry was gonna be ok. He was pacing back and forth while telling me all this. Then he came up to the kitchen counter and got himself a glass of water.

"How did it happen?" I asked, torn apart between going to get Johnny and finding out what had happened.

"He... he was upset, and he'd been drinking before so..." Soda paused recollecting his thoughts, "he was driving way over the speed limit. He lost control of the steering wheel just for a second, and got out onto the opposite lane. Just a little bit, you know. But the bus was coming out from around the corner. He couldn't see the bus from where he was. When the bus came out from around the corner and Darry saw it, it was too late already. He drove right into it."

I found myself staring at Soda with eyes wide open. I could not believe this.

"Were... there people on the bus?" I asked, worried that the answer might be 'yes'.

"Naw, it was only the driver. He was going back at the end of his shift."

"Is he hurt?"

"He's in the hospital too, but he didn't get hurt as bad as Darry did."

The thoughts were mixing in my head, and I couldn't bring myself to start talking about Johnny, but I knew I had to. Maybe we should just go back to Carol's, I thought. Maybe this is not the best time for this.

"You know," Soda said before I could make up my mind, "When Darry was delirious he kept saying stuff, stuff about you and Carol and Dally and Johnnycakes that he's..." Soda swallowed, and looked clearly uncomfortable saying this, "that he's ... that he's alive. We told him to calm down, but he kept insisting. Told us Johnny is alive and then kept repeating, 'but its a good thing, its not a bad thing at all.' Whatever it is that happened yesterday - why Darry left and why he called you on the phone. Just tell me what it is, Pony. I know you said you are not supposed to tell me. But just tell me. Just tell me Ponyboy." He was looking me right in the eyes - this firm and even kind of demanding look on his face.

At that moment, when Sod said this, something just happened, and I couldn't listen to any of this any longer. I needed to get it out of my system, to just spit it out.

"Um, about that," I started nervously, and Soda looked at me funny. "See Soda, don't get mad or anything, but Johnny is alive."

"What?" He raised his eyebrows, kind of giggling nervously, and looked at me like I needed to get my head checked. Then he stopped across from me, completely dumfounded, and was just standing there, staring.

I wanted to say something, explain it to him, but my nerves and impatience got the best of me. The news about Darry threw me off my balance, and I wasn't able to act the way I'd initially planned. In one leap I was by the door, and opened it, letting Johnny in. 'Wasn't I supposed to prepare Soda for the news?' the thought raced through my mind, while I was opening the door. But it was too late by then. Johnny came in and took off his hat.

For a second Soda looked sick. He froze, and his face got pale. He dropped the glass he was drinking from and it broke into millions pieces. But no one even moved as the glass broke against the hardwood floor. I thought Soda was going to pass out. He waved his arms as if trying to sustain his balance, and then silent tears just streamed down his face. The overall look on his face was shock and disbelief. Like he truly was seeing a ghost or something. His lips were moving, but no sound was coming out. Johnny was glancing nervously at Soda then at me, then at the floor. He started to say something, clearing his throat, but Soda didn't let him finish. He ran up to him, almost shoving me to the side on his way, and hugged him in the tightest bear hug I've seen in my entire life. I was now standing behind Johnny so I couldn't see his face, but I could see Soda's face instead. His eyes were closed and silent tears were running down his face. His whole body was shaking. "I am sooo soorry Soda," Johnny mumbled, but Soda only hugged him tighter, and didn't say anything.

After a minute or two he released Johnny from his embrace, and still unable to speak, just made this gesture with his hand that he'd be outside. He went outside and I looked at Johnny. His face was wet from his and Soda's tears. I came up to the window and saw Soda sitting on the front porch, covering his eyes with his palms to stop the tears. His body was kind of rocking back and forth - kind of like you would rock a baby in his cradle.

My mind went blank. There was not a single thought in it. It was empty inside. I tried to think really hard, but couldn't think of anything to say or do. Johnny looked so guilty, like he just committed another murder. He stood there in confusion, and then carefully, almost tiptoeing came up to the door, and went out. I could see through the window how he came up to Soda, and silently sat down next to him.

Soda is not mad I thought, but we haven't really told him anything yet. Who knows how he's going to react later on. I felt kind of nauseous. Maybe I'm the one that's going to pass out I thought. But I tried to get myself together as much as I could and came outside, sitting down next to Soda on the other side. He put his arm around my shoulder and his other arm around Johnny's. A little later he got up, saying, "I'm sorry. I just need some time... to calm down." With that he went back inside.

"Soda..." I tried to stop him.

"A little later ok Pony?" He said, and added, "please?" His voice was shaky, and his steps were unsteady, but he managed to get to the door of his room.

Johnny looked miserable.

"That didn't go too bad," I tried to comfort him, but he only shrugged and sighed heavily in response.

"We got to get all of them at once," Johnny said. "So I can tell them right away. I couldn't stand telling it again and again to each of them separately." He said that not looking at me, but staring down at the mud in front of the porch. "You dig?"

I nodded.

"Where are all of them anyway? Where's Darry?"

I guess I didn't answer for a little longer than I normally would, cause Johnny looked at me suspiciously and repeated, "Pony, where is Darry?"

I wanted to come up with a really good lie, but nothing came to mind at the moment. "He got into a car crash last night, but it has nothing to do with you, Johnny," I finally said, knowing that he would blame himself for this. "He was drinking before, and he lost control of the steering wheel. The doc. said he didn't get hurt that bad." It was really hard for me to say that, 'cause I was so worried about Darry, but I sure didn't want Johnny to blame himself for this.

The door opened and Soda came out of the house - his hair wet and dripping on the floor. He must've taken a shower to calm down, I thought.

He sat down next to Johnny and smiled. "It's great, Johnnycakes, it's just great," he smiled again, putting his arm around Johnny's shoulder, and messing up his hair. He didn't look sick or in a state of shock anymore. He looked peaceful and content. He wasn't asking any questions. He was just genuinely happy that Johnny was alive.

"So Darry knew?" Soda asked a little later, and we both nodded.

"How come he knew?" Soda asked again. I was going to answer, but before I got a chance to Johnny said, "wait Pony," and got out from under Soda's arm. "I've messed it up," he said standing up, "so I'm the one to tell him... I've..." he took a deep breath, collecting all his courage. "I've got to tell you something, - why... why I was away for all this time, and how come I didn't tell ya all guys before. I know I screwed up, and I'm sorry for it Soda. I really am. Now can you call Steve and Two-bit to come over and I'll tell all of you at once." He said it all in one breath, and then exhaled heavily after.

"Ok," - Soda looked uneasy. "I'll call the guys, but you don't' have to apologize for nothing, Johnny." He said softly. "I'm sure you had a good reason to do what you did."

"You are not mad?" Johnny asked, stunned.

"How, can I be mad?" Soda almost yelled. "My buddy just came back from the dead, and I'm going to be mad?" He laughed, kind of nervously. I guess, the shock wasn't completely over.

He went inside to call the guys, and Johnny was just standing there, on the porch, looking confused and amazed that Soda wasn't' mad at him.

A/N so this came out kind of long, but It's kind of a big deal Johnny coming back and everything :) I tried to get Soda's emotions as much as I could. I just imagined what I would do if someone I believed to be dead showed up at my door:) We'll see in the next chapter how the rest of them react.