One thing I can tell you is you got to be free…Come together…right now…over me

'The Beatles?' I though lazily 'Where the hell am I?'

"Its getting late, you know. I think we should tell them to call Johnny's parents."

"Don't be stupid, you think it would be better if his parents knew?"

"Yeah, Pony, let's just wait till he wakes up alright?"

"Johnny's parent's aint gonna give a damn…" This time I recognized the voice as Dallas. "They might say a lot of crap, but they don't give a damn…"

Every one was quiet now, which was somewhat weird.

I opened my left eye ever so carefully, feeling the familiar burn of my right eye, which stayed stubbornly closed.

Ponyboy was sitting on the end of my hospital bed picking at his fingernails. Sodapop was lying on his back on a counter beside the bed throwing a football in the air and catching it. Two-Bit and Steve were talking about something in the newspaper. Dally was just looking out the window that was at the other side of the room. I could not see the window though because of the curtain that divided me from another person beside me.

Sodapop looked over at me, and noticing my eye was open he sat up quickly and the football, which he had thrown in the air, and forgot, knocked over a couple of plastic cleaner's bottles. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him.

"What are you doing Soda?" Dally asked standing up.

"Johnnycake, are you okay man?" Sodapop asked jumping off the counter and leaning down beside my bed.

Suddenly everyone was up on their feet, and was staring at me.

I opened my mouth but my throat was clogged. I nodded.

"Oh, Johnny! I'm so happy you aint dead!" Two-Bit suddenly yelled and pushed past Dally and Ponyboy trying to hug me, but strangling me instead.

"Ow, Two-Bit-Get off!" My voice suddenly came out all hoarsely, Dallas grabbed Two-Bit by his leather collar and yanked him off me, practically throwing Two-Bit behind him.

Only Sodapop glanced back at Two-Bit and the rest kept their eyes on me.

"You okay Johnny?" Sodapop repeated.

"I've been better," I tried to grin.

"Obviously" Steve laughed.

"Where's Darrell?" I asked quietly.

"Talking to a doctor," Ponyboy said, eyes focused on my face.

I smirked at him and combed my hair back with my hands.

"How beat up do I look?"

"Pretty bad kid, pretty bad," Dallas laughed and messed my hair up.

"Am I gonna have to stay here over night?"

"Well, it's 3:00 in the morning…" Sodapop said slowly looking at the watch Darrell usually wears.

"So you've already accomplished that," Two-Bit laughed.

"Hey Dar," Steve said to the door.

"Hey-The doc said not to crowd around the kid," Darrell said and started to pull Steve away, until his eyes caught me.

"Oh hey Johnny, when did you wake up?" He asked lightly.

"About 30 seconds ago," I smirked.

"The docs coming in to talk to ya right now," He started then looked over his shoulder and leaned close, "they know all about the little car accident," He added quietly.

I knew what he was talking about. If we told the hospital I got beat up that would get the fuzz involved. That is the last thing I need right now.

"Savvy?" He asked quietly.

"Solid." I smiled.

"So, John Cade," The Doctor came in the room. An old man with graying hair and small wrinkled eyes, he wore half moon glasses, and looked at me with a grin over top of them.

"Quite the car accident, I hear." He smiled at me, and sat down in the chair Steve was previously sitting in. The gang all left one by one for various reasons.

"Yes sir."

"Do you remember any of it?" He asked.

"A little,"

"Whose car were you in?" He asked looking down at his clipboard.

Damn

"The Curtis'" It sounded to me like I was kind of asking. He nodded and wrote something down.

"And who was driving the vehicle?"

"Uh- Darrell… Darry was driving." I said, trying my best to sound confident and keep my voice level.

"Hmm…" He said, furrowing his eyebrows together, "You know, Mr. Curtis said that your friend Keith was driving."

'Why would Darry say that?'

"Well-uh you know what?" I stuttered out, touching my bandaged nose.

He raised his eyebrows.

"I think they did switch-yeah, yeah Two-Bit was driving, but Darry was before. Before the accident,"

"Two-Bit?"

"Keith" I nodded.

"So…look this is the picture I'm getting from what you are saying…" He said cleared his throat, and put the clipboard down.

"So, you guys were sitting around the Curtis residence," He began, and stood up.

I nodded

"And you guys decide you're going to go to your friend Tim Sheppard's house, so everyone piles into this truck, that the Curtis' own,"

I nodded.

"So Darrel decides to drive since he is the oldest, and appears to be the most responsible. But when you guys get into the car you realize that you are almost out of gas, is this making sense?"

"Yes, that's, exactly what happened." I said nervously.

"Yes, yes. Well, then you go to the nearest gas station which is…?"

"The DX"

"Yes, yes of course. So, you go to this DX and Darrel gets out getting the gas. When he gets out, he asks Keith to fill the tank while he goes in to pay. So then, you move up to the front seat to change, the radio station lets say. Am I correct?"

I nodded; I felt my mouth hanging open.

"Okay, so then Two-Bit gets into the front seat, since Darrel isn't back yet, and when he does get back, Darrel climbs in the back with the other young men. Since Two-Bit, who very well appears to be the joker of the group, is fooling around while driving, suddenly the car catches on a bump, and swerves into the ditch where the accident occurred. Injuring you the most by far, because well you were sitting and did not remember to put on a seat belt. So since there were seven strong young men in the car they were able to pull the truck out of the ditch, unharmed themselves. After which, they realize your injuries and bring you here, toy the hospital…can you confirm this theory?" He asked, stopping his pacing and staring at me.

I nodded, very, very slowly.

"Thank-you for your help Johnny," He grinned wryly at me, and his smile reminded me of Pony and Soda's.

"Hey no problem thanks for… piecing it together."

He only picked up his clipboard and left out the door he came in. Leaving me to wonder how I got so lucky.

line

My eyes fluttered open and I don't think I have ever felt more relaxed before in my entire life.

I rolled over and put my face in my pillow. Then taking a deep breath, I sat up and looked around me. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, and yawning widely, I winced and ripped my hand away. That hurt like hell.

"Hi Johnny," Sodapop said, who was sitting on the ground with Dallas. I was sleeping on the couch. Two-Bit sat in the armchair next to the old clock. I looked and saw that it was past 3:00. I don't think I have ever slept this late before.

"Hi boys," I said quietly, and kicked the thin blanket off of my feet.

"How are ya kid?" Dallas asked, and he sounded so mellow.

"A little sore," I said truthfully. I didn't feel too bad.

"I bet,"

"What are you guys all doing here?" I asked straightening myself up against the old orange and brown couch.

"Waiting for you to wake up,"

"Trust me, it was a gas (1)," Sodapop cut in, him and Dallas had abandoned playing cards. "Especially with Two-Bit checking to make sure you were still breathing every few minutes…" He trailed off.

"What was that?" Two-Bit snapped out of thoughts, then caught sight of me. "JOHNNYCAKE!" He yelled and I had déjà vu as he jumped on me, not meaning to hurt me, but doing so anyways. This time Sodapop pulled him off me.

"Hey Johnny man, why don't you go clean up man? I'll go get some Dairy Queen, man. I could go for some gut waddin' right now." Dallas said.

"Okay get us all, cheese burgers?" Sodapop said, looking around at us all."

"Sounds good," I said, and went into the bathroom.

line

I looked horrible

My two black eyes resulted from the obviously broken and bandaged nose seemed dark, even though my skin was darker than most. My hair did not have any grease, and therefore fell messily over my eyes and even brushed my nose in the very middle. I had a long bandage from just above my eyebrow to my cheekbone, and I could not help but look to see what it was. I peeled the bandage off slowly wincing, and when I saw the deep gash, I watched my eyed widen in the mirror. Damned rings.

Hey, you know what; I think it makes me look tougher.

And I like that, so do chicks.

And Jackie is a chick. I smiled to myself before picking up the comb and Pomade.

Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry. That is pretty much all I have to say beside the next chapter is all planned out in my head and I really hope it will be worth the wait. It has lots of romantic tragedy and is probably going to be one of the longest chapter I have ever written. But don't give up on me, cause you know what? I can guarantee I shall update, and it shall be for everyone who reviewed! And in case anyone cares, I am currently spell checking the next chapter for my other story "The Outsiders 2: Moving On" which I haven't yet given up on.

Review Thanks:

Parixs- Hey, thanks! Haha yeah I know I always forget to review or I start doing something else. But I'm glad you like the story, I hope to hear from you again.

Tehsylvania- Thanks dude!

Dreamer for lyf- Wow! Five star review yourself. Well sometimes I forget to review certain stories because I read them then start doing something else and never go back. (I am really am for that) and it is getting harder and harder to find a certain story on this site, because its getting more and more populated. And thank-you for always reviewing! I love it! And I will updating The Outsiders 2: Moving On very very very soon! I promise the chapter is almost completed. Hope to hear from you again.