When I woke up in the morning Johnny wasn't there but Maggie was there in a chair next to the bed. When she realized I was awake she said, "Mornin sleeping beauty."

"Morning to you to," I said. Wow, did my voice sound bad.

"So where's Johnny?" I asked

"He's on the couch, he heard you moaning in the night and thought you should be alone."

"Oh, so what happened all I remember is Socs, on top of me, wrestling, and screaming."

Maggie actually looked close to tears. In fact I thought I saw a tear slide down her cheek.

"Maggie, what happened?"

"I thought you died!" she screamed and came and hugged me. I just held her as sobs racked her body.

After her breakdown was over she told me everything. She told me that when the Socs had me I started screaming for him and Dally but he was the only one who could hear. She told me that Johnny wrestled with the Socs and was almost killed but also that I almost was killed. She told me that after the Socs had knocked out Johnny they raped and started stabbing me. Two- Bit had found Johnny and brought him back but when Johnny asked for me they went back. She told me that they found me in a pool of blood and took me to the hospital. I started crying afterwards and so did she again.

Then Maggie left and got Johnny for me. When Johnny saw me, he ran to me and kissed me. We kissed for awhile until I started to feel guilty. I pushed Johnny back for a second and he looked shocked.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Johnny, I feel so dirty and not only that but I feel guilty about Dally and you getting beat up by those Socs to save me."

"Your not dirty and I love you but what about Dally?" he asked kind of nervous. He didn't sound like the Johnny I knew before but the Johnny from the book. The fact that Johnny was beat up and different had no affect on my love for him so I pushed myself to keep going.

"The night the Socs jumped me, I was coming to tell you something," I said and then started crying. Johnny held me for awhile. I'm never this emotional with people, only the ones I truly love. The only people who have ever seen me really cry were Maggie and now Johnny.

I stopped crying for a second, just enough to say something, "Me and Dally kissed but I pushed him back away from me, I'm so sorry Johnny I didn't mean to," I cried and despite everything he held me and comforted me.

"Despite everything Johnny I still didn't tell him about me and you, I'm so sorry Johnny," I cried again. Johnny said that he forgave me for everything and that he loved me.

"I love you to Johnny."

After awhile Johnny came out of the room and the whole gang except for Dally was there. They all gave me hugs and then left because they all had other important things to do. Later when Ponyboy and Johnny, who were the only ones left with me, left Dally came. Probably so we could be alone. When Dally came into Ponyboy and Soda's room he sat down in the chair Maggie had been in. I was asleep and obviously looked bad because I heard a sound like a fist crashing into a wall and then cursing. That woke me up.

When I saw that there was a dent in the wall and that Dally's knuckles were bleeding I immediately sympathized for him.

"Oh, Dally," I said getting up but unfortunately I couldn't walk very well so I fell except Dally caught me around the waist. He brought me to an upright position and I took his knuckle in my hand to examine them. Even though Dally wasn't my favorite person, I still took care of anyone in the gang who was hurt.

"Cmon Dal let me wrap up your knuckles," I said but he just nodded his head. When I tried to get up Dally put an arm around my waist so I could shift all my weight onto him. After I had his hand all bandaged up we were alone on the couch watching, actually I don't know what we were watching but I'll tell you this it wasn't Mickey Mouse.

"Dal," I said making him look at me.

"Dally I don't want you feeling guilty for what happened to me or Johnny got it," I said to him. He still wasn't looking at me straight in the eyes. Then suddenly his head shot up.

"I don't," he said, "but if I get the chance I'll rip out everyone of those fricken good for nothing sons of bitches throats out." He looked back down.

"Dally," I said but he cut me off.

"Johnny doesn't need any of there shit and neither do you. Don't think I didn't see those old cuts and bruises from when your parents beat you. Lacey your body was wide open with all your old scars and it sickened me. It sickened Maggie so much she had to leave the room. We're greasers we get enough shit at home and we don't need them to make our lives even more hell."

I couldn't believe what he had just said. That was one of the only times he had ever called me Lacey instead of kid.

"Look Dal, don't beat yourself over the head for this," I said and then yawned. Dally could see that I was tired but he didn't say anything. After I fell asleep on the couch watching, I don't know what, I could feel Dally pick me up bridal style and carried me to Ponyboy and Soda's bedroom.

Once I was on the bed Dally rolled up my shirt to where I had a huge scar across my stomach and only a few inches above my belly button. Dally kissed the huge scar lightly and then left. The scar had been made by my current kindof boyfriend, Evan. He had caught me and Anthony in a compromising position and went ballistic. He only cut me once and left me. Anthony took care of me for the rest of the time until Evan felt bad enough and wanted me back, what a bastard.

I had a feeling Dally loved me but not romantically anymore but as a kid sister. I don't know why but that's what it felt like to me. He wasn't being aggressive or anything but god forbid he was actually being loving.

He would NEVER tell anyone that he loved or had a soft spot for me and Johnny but I knew it. Dally was different then he had been in the beginning. I think he saw that I had been through all same crap as Johnny and felt he needed to protect me. To bad he couldn't have thought of that before he kissed me.