Ok, finally an update...let me know how this chapter is.

I made up my own background w/ Cherry...so enjoy!

XXX

Phillip's POV

I sighed walking back to my office. It was frustrating reading my newest patient's (the youngest of the day) file. These cases were never easy: a young kid and a stupid decision. The two combinations never fared well.

I ran through my notes and diagnosis: Ponyboy Curtis, 14. Apparent OD on the central nervous system stimulant: cocaine. Dilated pupils, cardiac arrest an hour ago at the scene, brachycardic, ingestion of 200mg.

So far it didn't look good. The kid was young and had ingested too much coke for one his size. Not to mention he shouldn't have done it at all.

My next note concluded my findings: The patient has entered a drug-induced coma brought on by an overdose of cocaine.

Ponyboy wasn't in a deep coma…yet. But I wasn't sure when the kid would come out of it. Or how he would come out of it…if he did.

Apparently, I would have to break the bad news to his brothers. They had been kept waiting too long for information.

I had just wanted to check the boy out thoroughly before telling them that their youngest brother may never wake up.

Sometimes I hate my job.

I swung open my door that read "Phillip Valance" and found myself staring at the back of a red head full of long ringlets.

"Cherry?" My 16-year-old niece twisted around in her chair. She was wearing a yellow dress with white stripes and a cautious smile.

"Uncle Phil. Hi."

"How long have you been waiting?"

"About an hour."

I sat down at my desk and tapped my file on mahogany wood. I was confused. Why was my niece here? She never came to visit me at work.

"What do I owe the honor of this visit?" I smiled, my eyes searching her face.

"Uncle Phil, I was listening to dad's police scanner-"

"Still has that old thing does he?" My brother still kept his old police scanner. After being injured while on duty he tried to live vicariously through his buddies. He kept that thing on 24/7.

Looking annoyed at being interrupted, Cherry continued. "Yes, he does…but I heard the dispatcher say that a Ponyboy Curtis was brought in."

Her voice lowered to a quiver, her green eyes looking at me with concern.

I raised my eyebrow in interest.

"Yeah, he was."

"What's happened?"

"Cherry, I can't discuss the specifics with you. His family doesn't even know yet…"

I glanced at her suspiciously.

"Why what's he to you?"

How was my niece involved with this boy?

"He's my friend. Remember the boy I testified for about Bob's murder? That's him."

"So, this is the infamous Ponyboy!"

She had worked so hard to help him keep him out of that boy's home. I had heard her father tell me about it with pride and her mother tell me about it with disdain. I was definitely glad she didn't take after her mother.

"Please Tell me what's happened!" she begged me.

I was ready to argue with her but her scared face stopped me.

"Overdose. Coke. Coma." I said bluntly. Best get to the point. Although I would have to change my tactic when I met with his brothers.

Tears sprang to her eyes. "Oh no. Is he going to die?" she asked in a small voice.

"I'm not sure honey."

"You're not going to tell the cops are you?" She said quickly.

So this is what she wanted. To keep him out of trouble. I admired her dedication.

"Well, I haven't filed a report yet…" I looked down at his file, avoiding her gaze.

"Don't," She commanded. He's been through some hard stuff. He doesn't do drugs. He's a good kid. Please Uncle Phil. If he gets better don't make him go through it."

I shook my head. I had heard the "good kid" story thousands of times. However, I did know my niece wouldn't step in like this unless she was right.

Ok, let's use the serious tone. "Sherry."

"Please! I just want to help!"

"You've done more than you should have. You testified at his trial, you don't owe him-"

"I really do though."

Cherry told me about the last few months. The rival greasers and socs (which wasn't foreign to me). Bob's death. The friend's of Ponyboy's who had died. His parents. His previous hospital stay.

"All that changed him," she concluded forcefully.

Dammit. Why couldn't I be the type of doctor who was not emotionally involved with his patients? I felt bad for Ponyboy. I saw myself in Cherry. Eager to help, solve problems.

She knew she had me. However…

"Cherry, what about the illegalities of not filing a report? You want me to get in trouble with this?" I pointed my pen at her.

"You wouldn't. If you don't file a report no one asks right? If you don't call the police would they even come?"

Damn. She had it all thought out.

"Besides, you and dad both have connections. Senior doctor, beloved by the community. Ex-police chief, wounded in the line of duty.

I blinked at her brazenness. My niece was sneaky. I didn't know she had it in her; I liked it.

"Ok," I said, knowing she was right and that I could pull it off. This hospital wasn't exactly up to par; not a lot of questions were asked.

"This is your Christmas present for the year."

"Oh thank you! Thank you!"

She leaned over the desk and hugged me. Her small body pulled me tight and I was amazed at her strength.

"I'll come back tomorrow and see him." She walked to the door and beamed at me.

"Cherry?" She stopped. "You ever think of being a lawyer?"

She laughed lightly and waved me off as she left my office. I chuckled at her, my gullibility, and then frowned remembering my next task.

Gathering my papers on Ponyboy I set off down the hall, rehashing how I would break the news to his brothers.

XXX

Ok, this is probably the only OC POV I will do. I wanted to do this for numerous reasons.

1) I didn't want to wash away the fact that Ponyboy did drugs and never bring up it up again…but I didn't want to get into the whole "He did drugs, now he has to go to jail/boys home etc…" I want my story to go in a different direction instead of that.

2) I hope this is a plausible loophole! Hehe…it's a story people:)

Ok…reviews if possible! Have a good Thanksgiving!