Ok...lucky chapter 13...read at your own risk! Muhahah!

Wowee, wow, wow, wow. This is a long chapter. Oh friends and foes I totally need input on some factors.

1. Should I hurry this up to end it? Or keep it going?

2. I am at a brain fart as to what to do next…more conversation, wake Pony up and end it or wake him up and have some other conundrum hit?

I really need help with this! Please…what do you want to see? You may give me some wondrous ideas!

Alrighty…let me know about this chapter…is it too cheesy? Not like the character. Ok. Well enjoy.

This is dedicated to AddictionToFiction for all her great input. I thank you for your critiques. They help me and inspire me to keep it going…I hope to get more! Is this a quick enough update for you? ;)

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"And when I find my way back
The fact is I just may stay, or I may not
I've acquired quite a taste for
A well-made mistake I wanna make a mistake
Why can't I make a mistake?"

-Fiona Apple

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Steve's POV

Two-Bit and I had been left to endure the creepiness of the hospital. Usually Two-Bit and I could entertain ourselves in any situation, but the waiting room was empty except for a few nurses and a receptionist. Two-Bit didn't have the heart to flirt with her and I didn't have the nerve to annoy her.

A door down the hall creaked and a tired-looking Darry walked up to us.

I could feel Two-bit tense next to me. We both remained in our seats, trying not to get too worked up over what the news would be. I glanced behind Darry, no sign of Sodapop.

"So, what's the verdict?" I asked Darry lightly.

Darry had his hands in his pockets, his face was pained, his jaw set tight.

"Looks like you were right Two-Bit. Pony did…" he trailed off not wanting to finish his sentence.

"The kid's ok though right?" suggested Two-Bit expectantly.

"We're not really sure. Pony…he's in a coma, too much of the stuff."

Two-Bit gawked at him, disbelieving the impact of the drug and the news.

"Oh man," I spat. Then, my thoughts turned to my best friend. Seeing how he had reacted to Two-Bit's information earlier, I knew he wasn't taking this well.

"How's Soda?"

Darry shook his head wordlessly. "He's in there with Pony. You guys can see him too if you want," he offered. We got to our feet when Darry said abruptly, "Go on, I need to get out of here for a minute."

He bolted down the hall, anxious to be away from us, the hospital, Pony.

I knew it was hard for him. He had to be strong for everyone.

Good thing I only had to look out for Soda.

We were almost to the room when Cruella Deville popped out in front of us.

"Nurse Hendricks," Two-Bit hissed, announcing her.

My pleasure, I thought wickedly.

"Gentlemen, if I may remind you visiting hours are over in precisely 15 minutes for all patients." Her words were polite, but her tone cruel. Her steely eyes fixed on us, scrutinizing. "You must all be out of here at exactly 10:00 p.m."

"Look, my friend's brother is in there and he just barely got to see him. I'm sure there is some kind of leniency for critical patients. He really needs his brothers," I explained, trying to be suave.

Was I sticking up for Ponyboy?

"Well if what I've heard is true then the child did it to himself."

At her words, Two-bit choked on a strangled, disbelieving laugh.

Enough of this.

"Lady, you are aching for a-" I advanced upon her.

Soda stuck his head outside the door. "Hey I thought I heard you out here," he said weakly. "You coming in?"

He noticed the stare down that me and Nurse Hendricks had going on. Soda looked at Two-Bit warily. "What's going on?"

Not wanting to upset him, Two-Bit quickly said, "Nothing," and urged me toward the room, prodding my shoulders.

Nurse Hendricks smiled bitterly at me. "Ten O'clock," she mouthed almost silently and tapped her watch with her brittle, smoke-stained nails. Smugly, she marched down the hall.

We walked in the room. I stared at the shut door, my back facing Soda and Two-Bit. I silently counted to ten to calm my rage.

Soda looked at us then turned back to Ponyboy. Soda sat next to him in a chair. I stood at the foot of the bed, watching Soda.

"We heard," Two-Bit told him swiftly, not wanting Soda to relive the reality of the situation by re-telling it to us.

"You ok?" I asked him, glancing at Ponyboy, who looked awful. And it seemed to be rubbing off on Soda.

Soda was deathly silent for a few moments. I shifted uneasily. Then without looking at me he said absolutely, "If he doesn't wake up I'll never be ok again."

My stomach dropped to my feet. I should've known this would happen but it never hit me that I may never see the old Sodapop again.

Having a hard time with the reality of the situation Two-Bit walked over to the other side of Pony's bed.

"Hey Pony, I know you can hear me…" Soda smiled gratefully at Two-Bit's words.

"…I know you don't wanna wake up because you'll have the wrath of Darry, Soda and myself. But if you do, I promise we'll take it easy on you." He chuckled awkwardly.

I wanted to say something to ease Soda, but everything I could think of was angry.

How could you be so selfish? What were you thinking you stupid brat?

"Where's Darry?"

Instantly, I remembered the words Pony had said the night Dallas fled the hospital.

"He ran out like the devil was after him. He's gonna blow up. He couldn't take it."

Instead I lied, grateful to have something to say. "He went to get something from the cafeteria."

"Oh." Soda's eyes dropped to the floor.

On cue, the door opened and Darry stepped in holding some soft drinks. "Here, I got you a Coke," he said handing Soda a can. His voice dropped off, realizing what he had inadvertently said.

Soda frowned, upset, hesitantly taking the drink. Darry stared at his own unopened can in anger.

My eyes widened at the absurdity of it all: that a soft drink would evoke such hurt.

"So, uh what else did the doc say?" Two-Bit said interrupting the silence.

Darry was the one who spoke. "Phillip said that the length of his coma depends on if he wakes up-"

"When." A low voice said. It was coming from Soda. We all looked at him cautiously. Two-Bit raised one eyebrow. "When he wakes up Darry." His voice dared Darry to say anything differently.

Darry smeared his hair with his hand, and then massaged the back of his neck. His eyes darted from Soda to us uneasily.

"Other than that, that's about it. There's not much else we can do. Except talk with him."

"Two-Bit and I'll come visit whenever you two can't."

Did I actually just say that?

"That would be great. Thanks. I hate to leave him all alone here but we…have to," Darry said helplessly. Soda nodded his appreciation, while Two-Bit stared at me in impressed awe.

I glanced down at a "sleeping" Ponyboy.

Looks like we'll be getting to spend some quality time together, kid.

I heard a movement outside the door; a sound that a rat would make. My eyes narrowed. I glanced at the wall clock. Ten o'clock.

The door swung open to reveal Nurse Hendricks.

"It's ten o'clock, visiting hours are over."

Soda grabbed one of Ponyboy's hands and held it hard. Darry stepped in between Nurse Hendricks and his brothers.

"We are just wrapping this up. We'll be out in about 15 minutes."

She held up her hand. "So. You're the other one." She stared at Darry. "I hope you're not any trouble like your other brother," she motioned to Soda. Soda's eyes turned to slits.

Darry stood just a little bit taller, fists clenched.

Then, Nurse Hendricks said, "I'm sorry Sir. Now. Time to go."

Darry swallowed the knot in his throat hard. "Guys…" he motioned us to the door.

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of your brother," the Nurse said.

"I'll bet," Two-Bit muttered.

"Darry do we have to?" Soda asked. His voice was whiny, but I saw a glint of anger in his eyes. I knew he was fighting to control himself so as not to endanger his chances of seeing his brother again.

"Don't worry Soda we'll be back tomorrow," Darry tried to reassure him.

"Yah, Soda. We can come here on our lunch break, or even try and get off early," I added.

Soda nodded tersely, not trusting himself to talk. He ruffled Pony's hair and squeezed his hand as he stood up. "I'll be back tomorrow. Wake up soon baby."

We all said our goodbyes and exited the room.

"Hoods," we all heard Nurse Hendricks grumble as we walked down the hall.

"We can't get a break anywhere," Soda moaned. I slung my arm around his shoulder and told him straight where that Nurse could go.

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