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I still don't own The Outsiders.

A Place to Crash

Chapter 5

Johnny made a point of staying away from Dally for a few days. Since he assumed the blond was still crashing at the Curtis's he avoided them as well. The weather had been nice enough that he'd been able to sleep in the lot when things got bad at home.

About a week later, as Johnny was walking home from school, he saw Ponyboy running to catch up with him. He's on the track team for a reason, Johnny thought, impressed.

"You mad at us or something?" Ponyboy asked, when he caught up with Johnny, barely out of breath.

"No." Johnny nervously pulled out a cigarette, offering one to Ponyboy who gratefully accepted. They both lit up

"So why ain't you been around? I mean Dally was in the hospital and you didn't even stop by."

"He was in the hospital?" Johnny gasped.

Ponyboy nodded taking a drag on his cigarette. "He had pneumonia. Darry dragged him down to the hospital."

Johnny starred, wide eyed. Guilt already settling in his stomach.

"He's okay. I mean they released him yesterday. It was just funny you not being around."

"Where's he at now?"

Ponyboy shrugged. "His dad's maybe or Buck's I guess. He ain't at my house, or he wasn't when I left for school, that don't mean much though."

Johnny bit his lip nervously.

"I think he missed you. I mean he was calling for you and all."

"What?"

"Yeah, he had like this crazy fever. 105 something the doctor said and he kept calling for you."

You're not making me feel any better Johnny thought.

"So you guys have a fight?"

"Not really. It's complicated. Look, I gotta get going, but if you see Dally, maybe could you let him I said 'hey?'"

"Yeah, sure."

They said their goodbyes and Ponyboy headed towards home.

Johnny didn't really have to get going anywhere. His parents wouldn't care if he didn't come him. He wandered for a while, just walking, careful though to stay on their turf. He supposed he was hoping that he'd just somehow happen to run into Dally. It wasn't too likely though. He walked over to Slash J on the off chance that Dally might be there. Sure the day after being discharged from the hospital someone should be home recovering, but this was Dally, so Johnny wasn't going to rule out the possibility that he was racing.

Someone's hand came down on Johnny's shoulder. He tensed, his breath catching in his throat.

"Hey kid."

Dally. Johnny relaxed, his breathing resuming.

"Hey Dally."

Dally looked tired and pale, but much better than the last time Johnny had seen him.

"Yeah, see ya later Buck," he said waving to the big cowboy.

"You raced?" Johnny asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.

"Yeah, don't worry, I took it easy, I didn't win or nothin. Made Buck happy since he bet against me that little…" Dally added a few expletives. "Sorry, so anyway how you been kid?"

"Ok, you?"

"Better. I can breath."

"That's good."

"You hungry?"

Johnny shrugged.

"Wantta go over to the Dingo or something? Grab a bite?"

"Ok."

They sat in one of the torn up booths, Johnny struggled to read the graffiti left on the table.

"I gotta tell you kind, the past week is pretty hazy. I know you didn't come around though while I was in the hospital, so if I like cussed you out or something before that and pissed you off I'm sorry, I really don't remember."

Johnny tried to decide whether to be relieved or disappointed by this. "You didn't do nothing. I was just real busy. I'm sorry."

Dally sat there picking dirt out from under his finger nails. "S'okay." He had a vague memory of Johnny hugging him and kissing his forehead. He couldn't be sure it wasn't a dream though and he wasn't about to bring it up. He wasn't sure if he was glad that he hadn't done anything to hurt Johnny like he'd originally feared he had, or if he was hurt that Johnny had just blown him off for no reason.

Johnny sighed, look at it as a second chance, he told himself. He'd been able to hug Dally and even kiss him a little and it wasn't going to destroy their friendship. Look it as a blessing he told himself. No it'll never happen again, but at least there's the memory.

Please review, let me know what you think. I'm trying to decide if it should end here (a little sad) or continue (no clue where it's going.)