Lucky you all! Another update! I will start speeding the story up in the next chapter.
Wow-thanks SO much for all the reviews! I am SO happy, which is why I updated!
Score!
Ok, I tried to make this chapter semi-lighthearted. It was getting a tad too serious. Let me know what you think!
Dedications for my fans:
Addiction: Thanks again of course! Yeah in the last chapter Two-Bit is a tad odd, but I suppose I was going with he has deeper thoughts than what he says…ya know? Eh, who knows? Also, I did remember that Steve has school…but he does work part-time, so I just made it that he works Monday mornings. Those are my ramblings:)
Chandler: Here's another chappy…read on!
Maddie: One word. Thanks!
Raveangel: Here's some much needed humor, hope you like!
Fiction: You guessed it!
Ohwerdd: Yay! I'm glad you love the story! Keep reading for me!
Now on with the show:
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Steve's POV
The two Soc's who had came to the DX earlier today lingered in the hospital hallway. A lone nurse sat at the front desk. I figured we had a few free minutes to bust some chops before a figure of authority was called.
"It's Rick and Dave," I said straightly.
I hadn't really wanted to tell Soda that they were here – we didn't need any more trouble - but my choices were limited. Either have it out in the hallway or have the Soc's come a-knockin' on Ponyboy's door.
Well, we all wouldn't take too kindly to that.
Two-bit scrambled up, eyes gleaming. "Good thing we're already in a hospital," he whooped, slipping out the door. "We bash 'em and they can fix 'em right up."
"Howdy fellas," I heard him trail off as he joined the Socs.
The Socs had crossed the line by coming here. Soda met my eyes and we both silently agreed. We were both itching for a fight; it seemed like the only excuse to have a good time.
Smiling mischievously I said, "I'm right behind you." We exited the room with Soda taking extra care to make sure the door to Pony's room shut tightly.
Soda and I came up behind Two-Bit who was lecturing Rick and Dave about good hospital etiquette. He wouldn't start the fight without us. The nurse eyed us warily, but didn't look like she had sounded the alarms.
Rick slyly grinned. "Hey fancy meetin' you here. We just came to pay our respects to-"
I had thought we would dance for a bit, snapping witty comments about greaser and Soc alike when Soda brushed past me marching straight up to Rick. He was the first and only one who got to throw a punch. Dave's buffoon-like laugh got cut short.
At the exact moment Soda's hard right hit Rick's jaw, that figure of authority walked into the hospital corridor. Rick stumbled back propelling himself into Darry. Caught off guard, Darry grabbed Rick underneath the shoulders, holding the Soc up. Confused at what was happening, he quickly surveyed the scene.
Then Darry's face darkened. He looked down at Rick and promptly dropped him to the hard linoleum floor. "Oomph," Rick uttered. Darry held his arms out to the side, as if saying, "you're not my problem."
But then his gaze turned to Soda, and boy was Soda his problem.
Soda stood there looking mighty pleased with his self, holding his right hand, when Darry bellowed, "Sodapop Curtis!" Soda's spark flew out, but he didn't back away from Darry.
"Curses, foiled again," Two-Bit whispered loudly to me, looking regretfully at the other Soc he hadn't had a chance to pummel.
Dave stood there shocked at Rick's quick defeat. I bit my lip and resisted the urge to laugh. The whole situation was so absurdly funny that we could almost forget who was behind door number 214.
Rick struggled up from his spot on the floor. Darry opened his mouth ready to say something to Soda, but then changed his mind. Instead, he turned around stepping towards Rick and Dave.
"I suggest you leave now," he said dangerously.
They gaped at him and then turned tail and ran. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the nurse on the phone, gesturing frantically.
"Well, that was pretty easy," Two-bit said, impressed, watching the Socs bolt down the hall.
"Sodapop, I don't know what you were thinking, but it has got to be the stupidest, most lame-brained thing that you have ever done. Fighting here? Here?" Darry's voice rung throughout the second floor.
"What did you expect me to do Darry?" Soda's own voice reached Darry's pitch. He sounded and looked angry and defensive.
Sarcastically Soda said, "Sure, I'll just lay low and sit this," he gestured roughly to everything in general and nothing in particular, "out. No way Darry. No way."
"Uh, how about we take this argument inside," I said anxiously glancing down the hallway. Any minute now I kept expecting to see the fuzz round the corner.
I ushered them closer to the room, pushing the door open. Two-Bit held it for us. "Age before beauty," I heard him say to Darry, as Darry entered the room first.
"Two-Bit," Darry said warningly. He was in no laughing mood. Two-Bit scooted quickly around Darry, hands held up in mock pleading as if Darry would hit him.
Don't test him, I thought.
In the room, Darry and Soda fell silent. Sodapop shuffled over to Pony's side and stroked his brother's hair. I almost thought that Pony should sit up and play mediator just as Sodapop had done numerous times for Darrel and Pony.
Darry glared at Soda. Soda looked around uneasily, wondering why his punishment had not yet come. He didn't get in trouble often, but when he did…
Resentfully, I eyed Ponyboy. He sure seemed to cause a lot of problems around here, even in his present state. I didn't want to think of the problems he would cause if he progressed into another, more permanent condition. I shook off the thought uncomfortably, guiltily.
I was lower than dirt.
"I'm not gonna argue with you here," Darry said calmly, yet the angry look was still plastered across his face.
Soda shot Darry a thankful glance. I knew that simply because of what Darry had said just now, Soda would take Darry's rebuke willingly. Darry seemed to unclench and he rubbed Ponyboy's arm. "Hey kiddo." His voice caught in his throat and he cleared it furiously.
We all tensed as the door opened. A male orderly (or a bouncer as one could put it) blocked the doorway.
"We have a problem here?" he asked us gruffly.
"No sir," Soda and Darry said in unison.
The orderly assessed the situation and obviously decided we weren't worth the trouble.
"Actually, I have this rash, if you wouldn't mind taking a look at it…" Two-bit piped up from the corner of the room.
The orderly gave him a disgusted scowl and slammed the door shut. I looked at Soda and Two-Bit and we burst out laughing. Darry was the last to join in, but he chuckled with us.
Somehow despite the troubles of the day, it had turned out all right. It seemed as if the tension had been drained out of all of us.
At least for the moment.
XXX
Review please! Or I will be forced to kill off a character. Nah, just kidding.
Or maybe I'm not.
Can you take the chance? We shall see readers. Oh we shall see.