Author's Note/Disclaimer:
See previous chappies.
Okay, you really get to read Johnny's fate in this chapter, so no freaking out on me! I'm probably going to keep this going for a few more chapters and they will be dramatic no doubt, but who knows. Maybe it will turn longer than I expect. Oh and HazleSilver! Tia is going to be a character in my next story, but I promise she'll be important! Yay!
Not-that-kinda-girl- Thanks! I'm glad you like it! And I like your story so you'd better update soon!
Volleyballlover- Okay, I've finally stopped crying because you stopped the story. It was an awesome ending, although I've told you this several times. And I hope you're happy with this chapter 'cause it made Megan happy that's for sure. And I will take you up on that offer.
Steve's-girl-13- I wuv you! I'm glad you like it. Hopefully more chapters get up this fast huh?
MisguidedWhisperer- You should read it! Or at least see the movie. Hands Down should get up soon, promise.

Chapter Eight

I woke up in an ambulance with my head throbbing again. Ponyboy was next to me, both of us on a stretcher. I heard Pony mutter something about Johnny and Dallas.

"They're in the ambulance behind us." Jerry said. I went back to sleep and woke up again when we reached the hospital.

The only thing wrong with me was my headache and that was nothing. They wheeled Johnny past us and my heart skipped a beat. He was laying flat on his back, nursing his arm. I hadn't pulled him out in time, I thought feeling sick. Dally wasn't far behind but he wasn't even injured enough to not get angry.

"Either you ever pull a stunt like that again and I'll kill you!" He exclaimed. I rolled my eyes and sat back as Jerry lectured Pony about smoking.

"Who do these blondies belong to?" Said a familiar voice and it got me weepy all over again. I wiped my eyes as Sodapop scooped Pony into a bear hug. "Your hair… your tuff, tuff hair..."

I looked around for Steve but didn't see him. It didn't matter though because Soda squeezed me enough for both of them.

"You look better as a blond anyway." He grinned. I hugged him tight, just to make sure I wasn't dreaming or something. That's what this whole day had felt like.

"Where's Steve?" I asked, sniffling. I was more than just a little mad he hadn't showed up.

"We're keeping you as a surprise. Makes no sense for everybody to come down here. Boy have we missed you." Soda said and let me loose, keeping one arm around my shoulder. I smiled watching Darry and Ponyboy, Pony sobbing and Darry dangerously close.

"Hey Superman." I said, hugging him too. They would never know how much I missed them.

I was surprised when the reporters and police showed up. They asked Pony and me a lot of questions and finally when I was sure my head was going to explode Darry made them tone it down a bit. They listened.

Sodapop made all of us laugh with his impersonation of a reporter and when he tried taking the gun from the officer. The excitement died down as quickly as it came. I was finally tired and the last question the reporter asked was, "What would you do right now if you could do anything you wanted?" Pony said take a bath and I said sleep in my own bed.

We hung around the waiting room, wanting to hear news of Johnny and Dally before heading home. I was almost asleep on Soda's chest when Darry began asking nurses if they could tell us anything.

After being refused three times the doctor came out and told us that Dally was going to be fine, his arm was a little burned and he could go home tomorrow. Johnny wasn't much worse, his arm was broken and badly burned, but he would have use of it. He would have to stay in the hospital a little longer though.

Darry thanked the doctor and ushered us out of the room, to the truck. Soda was talking a mile a minute about something I didn't catch. We piled into the Ford and drove toward the Curtis house.

Next thing I know Soda was shaking me awake, mumbling about sleeping on a real bed. I shook my head.

"I'll sleep on the couch." I said, following Darry who was carrying Pony.

"Naw, I'll take the couch. You can have my bed." Darry yawned, throwing Pony in his room.

"Are you sure? I don't wanna put you out or anything."

"Go ahead kid. You oughta be sleeping in a bed anyway."

I couldn't argue with that logic. I kicked my shoes off and was asleep before my head even hit the pillow.

"Scarlet!!!"

I opened one eye and screamed. Steve and Two-Bit leaped on the bed.

"Aw, c'mon. It's too early to be pulling this kind of crap." I groaned and rolled over. I never knew a bed could be so comfortable.

Steve was not having it that way. He pulled me up and into a bear hug. I winced and hugged him back. Two-Bit snuck out.

"You guys look like you need to be alone."

"Hey, you got your picture in the paper." He said. "And you look so weird as a blond, but it's not bad. And if you ever run off again I'll kill you. Mom was so worried. You have no idea. I thought she was going to strangle me for answers."

"Steve, shh… I understand."

He laughed and I pushed him away. He was dressed for work. I forgot it was a Saturday.

"I really missed you, Scarlet."

That was what I had wanted to hear all along.

"I missed you too, Steve."

"Look, we'll have a talk when I get home." He hopped off the bed. "Hey Soda, get up you lazy bum!"

I fell back on the bed and sighed. I had to get up.

I rolled out of bed and walked into the kitchen. Steve was munching happily on a piece of cake, watching Mickey Mouse with Two-Bit.

"Hey," Soda grinned coming out of the bathroom in just a towel. I felt my jaw drop to the floor.

"You gotta wear pants buddy. I think it's a law or something." Steve explained. Darry told Soda wear he could find all his clothes and Soda flopped on the couch. I went into the kitchen and poured myself a cup of apple juice. Sodapop Curtis was practically naked in front of me. Maybe today wouldn't be bad.

"After the rumble tonight I think Steve and I are gonna throw a party. Then we can all get wasted!" Soda exclaimed happily.

"Yeah!" Steve agreed.

"Hey Steve, how'd you get chocolate cake on your nose?" I asked when he walked in to get milk. He shrugged.

"Don't go home any time today. Dad's been drinking again and that's not a welcome home." He warned. I nodded.

Pony walked into the kitchen. He looked pale to me.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Just feeling a little tired is all. But I feel a lot better after sleeping in my own bed and a shower."

"That's all I need."

"We're leaving. Be good you two and say hi to Johnny and Dal for us!" Darry called over his shoulder. I waved from the counter and blew a kiss.

"We should go see Audrey and then visit Johnny. I bet they'd both appreciate that." I said, finishing the apple juice.

"Well, you're not going anywhere without your baby-sitter." Two-Bit called from the living room. I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Did you read the article?" Pony asked. I shook my head.

"Well, when Johnny gets better they're taking him to trial and we have to testify."

I felt sick. I had to get up in front of a judge and talk about what had happened? How did I do that and why were they going to force me back there? None of this made sense and my head was spinning.

"Well, we'd better start. Besides, we could pick up a Pepsi at the DX maybe." I shrugged, just wanting out of the house.

"Something before we go… Sandy went to live with her grandma." Pony said. I raised my eyebrow- a trick Two-Bit had taught me a while back. "Soda, got her- uhm…" He struggled and it clicked.

"You don't have to finish that sentence. I get it."

"C'mon Two-Bit we've got a lot to do." Pony said, grabbing Two-Bit's arm.

I walked silently listening to Two-Bit telling us about his car and Cathy when we ran into Audrey. She was sitting on her front porch.

"SR!!!" She screeched, tackling me to the ground in a hug.

"I missed you too." I said, pushing her off. I missed her more than Steve even.

"If you ever run off like that again I will KILL you!" She threatened. After that she hugged Ponyboy making Two-Bit laughed when Pony said he couldn't breathe.

…

"We're here to see Johnny." Two-Bit told the nurse. She nodded and took us to his room.

"Hola Johnnycake!" I exclaimed, poking my head in the door.

"Hey guys! Come on in." Johnny grinned, holding up his cast.

"We just dropped by to see how you were doing." Two-Bit announced. Johnny sighed and leaned back on the pillows.

"Not bad. I was just thinking about the trial."

"Yeah, I was too. Did you read the article?" Ponyboy asked. I didn't know what to say. There were too many people and I was beginning to feel pent up. I hate hospitals for that very reason.

"We're heroes man." Johnny said. Pony nodded.

"Well, Johnny Cade. Funny meeting you in a place like this." Audrey said, stepping out from behind Two-Bit.

"We'll just leave you two here to… talk." Two-Bit was all grins. Johnny turned red, but Audrey was happy.

"Good to see you guys." Dally said, hopping out of the hospital bed and getting dressed. I blushed and turned away.

"Hey Dal. Can't wait for the rumble tonight, huh?" Two-Bit asked.

"Yeah, Tim Shepard dropped by. He gave me the paper. Johnny man." Dal shook his head. "Well, you gonna go kid?"

"Yup." Pony nodded. I felt invisible.

"I'm going to find Audrey. We'll meet you guys at the DX, okay? Don't do anything I wouldn't." I waved and closed the door.

"Hey there you are. You'll never guess what just happened!" Audrey exclaimed.

"No clue. So tell me." I had an inkling of an idea.

I pushed the hospital doors open and breathed in the fresh air. That trapped feeling went away.

"Okay, well, when you left Johnny and I just talked. You know, shot the shit, and then…" She paused and grinned. "We kissed."

"My Johnny?" I asked with a laugh. Although I knew Johnny had, had a crush on Audrey for a while now. I wasn't bothered by it either. The image of Soda in the towel flashed in my mind again.

"Hey Randle." A familiar voice said and it wasn't a pleasant familiar.

Audrey and I were just passing by the Dingo now. And there was Angela Shepard, waiting for me it seemed.

"What Angela?" I asked feeling slightly irritated. I had a headache from the hospital.

"I heard you were fooling around with Curtis and Cade before you left and that's why you left Curly."

I bit my lip, trying not laugh. Suddenly I felt dangerous.

"Oh yeah? You know Angela, I think it was the other way around." I said. Audrey tried shushing me, but I refused to be shushed. "I think Curly was fooling around with Sylvia."

"Are you calling my brother a liar?"

A crowd was beginning to gather.

"And if I am?"

There was no time wasted and she threw the first punch. I threw one back and it escalated.