I own do not own "The Outsiders" S.E. Hinton does.

This chapter is dedicated to Sanskrit! Right back 'atcha girly! You're the apple of my eye!

Everyone who reads and reviews keeps me writing! So thanks to everyone SO much!

Here is a song to introduce this chapter…just thought it pertained to Pony's actions…and Darry…or maybe I am just crazy and inspired since I am listening to it right now!

This is owned by Nine Inch Nails…

"What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt"

XXX

Darry's POV

Two-Bit and I stared at each other with some sort of instinctual, unspoken connection. My eyes dared him to say his next words and his eyes asked me not to.

Soda looked like he was about to scream if he didn't get any information soon.

"It's bad isn't it?" I asked.

A terse nod then Two-Bit squeaked out, "Ponyboy messed around with cocaine."

I sucked in my breath harshly. I didn't expect this. Spots formed in front of my eyes and I fought down an urge to vomit right then and there.

Instantly, Two-Bit stepped back from me while Soda stepped back from Two-Bit.

Soda had a look of pure horror on his face.

"You're a liar," Soda hissed, reeling me back to reality.

"Soda…" I warned.

This time he stepped towards Two-Bit fiercely. Two-Bit didn't attempt to move away from Soda figuring he deserved anything he got.

I had honestly never seen my 17-year old brother truly angry with a friend…and that friend was Two-Bit.

Soda's face was contorted into a mask of fury. "Don't you say that. Don't you say that about him!"

Before I could, Steve intervened, pulling Sodapop away from Two-Bit. Dazed, I watched as Steve spoke to Soda in a low, calm voice.

"Soda, just ease up ok! Let's see what the doctor says."

Steve's face was a mix of pity and concern. He knew Soda couldn't bear the thought of Ponyboy doing this to himself.

"He's pissed at me," said Two-Bit bluntly. "Not that I blame him. I'm sorry Darry, for not watching him better. For screwing up, like always."

"It's as much my fault as it is yours Two-Bit," I said honestly. I ran a hand down my face, trying to smooth out my worry lines.

"I better be hearing from someone very soon." I growled looking around for a doctor.

Just then he walked into the room. Tall, auburn haired and surprisingly younger than any other doctor I remembered.

He wasn't wearing the typical blank expression that makes you guess at the news. He looked ready to break something bad.

I didn't know which expression I preferred.

"Goddamn," I muttered. Soda whipped around glaring at me, then his eyes followed mine.

"Which one of you is Darrel Curtis?" The doctor asked glancing at his papers.

"I am sir," I said approaching him. We shook hands firmly. Only my sweaty palms betrayed how scared I was. Soda was at my side immediately.

"Phillip Valance. I'm the doctor assigned to your brother's case"

"How's my brother?" Soda said it as if he was Pony's sole brother.

"Let's step over here shall we?" Phillip motioned to a secluded area of the waiting room, away from Steve and Two-Bit.

Behind me, I heard the strike of their matches against the hospital chairs that they slumped in and the smoke of cigarettes fill the air.

Soda gripped my elbow and I tensed as Phillip began slowly.

"Your brother ingested a large quantity of cocaine-"

Soda started to emit a protestation but I silenced him with a look.

"Unfortunately a dose this large has had a significant and damaging impact on your brother."

Don't run. Stand here and listen. Don't run.

"Ponyboy suffered a cardiac arrest, and this combined with the drug's negative affects on his system has caused him to lapse into a coma. I'm very sorry."

Soda and I stood stalk still. "Will he wake up?" I asked him woodenly.

Phillip hesitated.

To give hope or not to give hope…

"Time is the best predictor of recovery. The longer Ponyboy remains in a coma the slimmer his chances. However, anything is possible in these situations…"

"Would you like to see him?" Phillip offered us a small consolation prize. Soda looked into nothingness. His eyes were glazed and he stared through the doctor.

"Let's go little buddy," I gently guided Soda down the hall to room 214.

The room was ice cold. Or maybe that was just me. Soda was at Pony's side in a second, clasping Pony's hand in both of his.

"Hey honey. I finally got in here. Damn nurses." He laughed, but it mixed with a sob and it stuck in his throat.

I moved closer to the bed feeling the cool sheets beneath my fingertips.

Pony was pale; his lips matched the color of his face. Dark circles shaded his eyes and various monitors were hooked up to him. The heart monitor beeped slowly, but surely. I averted my eyes, not wanting to imagine it still.

That damn line would be the death of me.

Not wanting to upset Soda, I lowered my voice and turned back to Phillip, "Doctor, what happens if he doesn't wake up?" I really did not want to know the answer, but I had to know.

"Coma patients either lose cognitive function known as persistent vegetative state or they can die."

Gee, doc why don't you just slap me across the face.

Phillip softened, "The outcomes aren't good I know but as of now the best thing you can do for him is just talk with him. We can't do much more. It's all up to him now."

I looked over at my two brothers: one pleading and the other resisting.

"I'll keep you updated on his condition Darrel," Phillip shot me a small smile, shook hands again and left the room to Soda and me.

Soda, trying to keep back his tears begged, "Baby, please wake up. You're just sleeping. You gotta wake up. You just gotta."

I stood at the foot of Pony's bed, staring at the heart monitor.

I sure hope you have a fight in you, Ponyboy. If you don't fight…

My thoughts trailed off as I tried not to imagine a future with just Soda and me.

XXX

Gah! I hope this isn't too horrible! I think I fail miserably in writing Darry! What do you think? Honestly so next time I don't botch his character!

Ok! The next chapter will get interesting…! Tee hee!

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Bring on the eggnog…loaded with rum!