Hey all! Thanks to everyone who has been taking time to read my story and a special thanks to xohugsndkissesox, lil cwick, xbeautyinthebreakdown and LatinaChick4life! I've said it probably like a million times… but it's the truth... you all rock! So here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 19

Smiling Again… For a little While

Gary stood there his arms crossed starring at each one of individually, waiting for one of us to explain what happened. Finally with a sigh I told him everything from the moment Jen showed up until now. He kind of just stood there, not saying anything, nodding his head occasionally.

"…then you walked in. And here we are," I finished.

Gary nodded his head once more and gave a slight smile. I knew that Gary probably disliked Jen almost as much as I hated her. I knew Lee better then anyone else in the world and I could never forgive her for what she did to him, let alone what she had caused. Gary lived with Lee and though I'm sure Lee probably didn't say much about the whole Jen thing, Gary was smart enough to figure it out. Truthfully I had never heard him say much about Jen besides she was a 'waste of Lee's time.' Though he loved to point out how great Danielle was to Lee almost as much as Lee did.

Gary turned towards Danielle and gave her a hug, "You okay?"

Danielle smiled, "Yeah fine."

I looked to Ponyboy who seemed to have a better clue as to what was going on then I did. But I didn't want to ruin the moment with 'why wouldn't she be okay?' I was obviously missing something. I figured I might ask Gary about it later or maybe Danielle if I got the chance.

Danielle gave Gary one last smile and made her way over to where Jeff was sitting. Pony looked from me to Gary, then back to me. He gave me a quick kiss on the lips and nodded his head at Gary, before joining Jeff and Danielle. I was at a complete loss as to what was going on. I was either A) missing something, or B) just too tired to realize the obvious. I soon came to the conclusion of the latter.

"Ready to go see Lee?" Gary asked.

"Yeah," I answered with a slight grin. I really needed to catch up on my sleep.

Gary gave me a rather strange look, which made me laugh a little. Finally he just shook his head, grabbed my arm and led me down the hall.

As we walked down the hall it was weird how guilty I felt. I knew I was being sort of silly. It wasn't my fault that that some little boy had fallen off his bike and broke his arm. Nor was it my fault that a young woman was being rushed into surgery. Perhaps I felt guilty more so because here I was healthy or at least physically. Maybe I felt bad for that little boy's Mom because she had the same worried sick feeling that I had about my friends being here.

I didn't really get a chance to think any farther as Gary stopped in front of one of the rooms and opened the door. Gary let go of my arm as I walked inside. The room was pretty plain and empty. There were a few cards at Lee's table but that seemed to be the only real color in the room. The rest was white and bland. It was enough to drive me crazy. This place seriously needed a make over. Though the one thing that caught my eyes was the blond, blue eyed boy sitting in the bed.

It took Lee a second to realize I was there but he quickly sat up when he saw me.

"Kate!"

"Lee!" I said with a huge smile as I ran over to give him a hug.

He quickly embraced me and wouldn't let go of me for quite a long time. I didn't care though. It felt so good to have my best friend back. So good that in fact I felt tears welling up in my eyes again.

As Lee let go of me I quickly brushed my tears away.

"Now, now Missy," Lee said with a playful grin, "No crying."

I couldn't help but grin before noticing that Lee was wiping his eyes, "Hey! If I can't cry, then you can't cry."

Lee gave a slight grin and nodded his head.

I sat on his bed and starred at him for a while.

"Do I got a booger or something?" Lee asked with a grin.

"Nah," I answered with a laugh, "Just good to see you up and smiling again."

He nodded his head and in turned starred at me for a minute or two.

"Something on my face?" I asked playfully.

Lee shook his head, "Just good to see you smiling again too."

I smiled. I guess in the midst of everything I forgot that the last time Lee had seen me was passed out on his couch. I shuddered slightly at the memory but quickly shook it out of my head. I glanced over my shoulder at Gary who had pulled up a chair and was watching Lee and I with a smile.

"So how are ya?"

"Better now at least. The drugs they got around here work wonders," Lee answered with a mischievous grin.

I laughed and rolled my eyes, "You sound like Scott."

Lee laughed, "Is that a good or a bad thing?"

"Bit of both," Gary piped up.

We all laughed.

I turned my head to pick up one of Lee's cards. I was just about to open it up when Lee's grabbed my arm.

"What happened?"

I looked at him funny, "What do you mean?"

His hand made his way to my face and gently brushed the spot which only minutes ago had been introduced to Jen's fist.

"Well, uh…"

I could have told Lee it was from Jen. But really, I didn't see the point of hurting him any more. Sure he'd be pissed off that she had punched me and probably would call her a bitch, then change the subject. But I knew he'd dwell on it later. He'd start wondering why Jen had come to see him after all that. He'd start blaming himself for hurting her. Then he'd realize he was being stupid and it was her fault that they had broken up. And then he'd relive all of the shit he had put up with when he was with her. I really didn't see the point and stirring up all that.

"It's nothing. Got in a bit of a fight, that's all."

Lee shook his head. He looked over at Gary, who I assumed was thinking the same thing as me, cause Lee turned back to my face me with a frustrated expression.

"Come on Kate, just tell me who did it?"

I racked my brain for a moment before coming up with a name, "Angela Sheppard."

Lee seemed concerned for a minute before just shaking his head with a grin. See it's really nothing new to him. Angela and I were bound to get into a fist fight at least once a month, "Again?"

I gave a slight laugh, "Yeah, again."

I looked over at Gary, who was shaking his head as well. But he was doing it because he was rather impressed with the fact for the first time in my life; I had lied to Lee. Part of me is feeling slightly ashamed, part of me knows its for his own good, but the other one is impressed that I had lied to him without getting caught.

"What did you two fight about this time?" Lee asked curiously.

"Ponyboy Curtis."

Just at the sound of Pony's name I saw they way Lee tensed up. I gave a slight smile at how over protective he was of me and put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's alright calm down, Lee. That's a good boy. Me and Pony got it all sorted out, we're cool again," I explained as Lee relaxed slightly.

"You got it figured out as in your going to be friends or getting back together?"

"As in we already got back together."

Lee starred at me for a moment before he finally spoke, "You happy with that kid?"

I gave a slight laugh and smiled, "Yeah real happy."

He continued to stare at me before giving a small smile, "I guess it's alright then."

I rolled my eyes with a grin, "Well thanks for your approval."

Lee, Gary and I started talking like we were back at their house and it was just a normal day. We talked about the usual and I suddenly felt like things were getting back to normal. Lee was just in the middle of telling us a story about some nurse who had fallen 'madly in love with him, and he didn't know what to tell her to avoid breaking her heart. I was just laughing and rolling my eyes, did I fail to mention Lee can, well, slightly over exaggerate a lot of the time. Though I'm sure the nurse might think he was good looking, they weren't too many girls who didn't. But to say she was madly in love with him was rather hard to believe.

Gary got up from his chair, after a few minute of listening to Lee tell them how the nurse always insisted on coming in to fluff his pillow, of course.

"Real ladies man there eh Lee?" Gary asked as he playfully ruffled his hair.

Lee just grinned.

"Where you going Gary?" I asked.

"I told Heather I'd call her around three. And that's about what time it is now."

"Oh come on Heather can wait a few more minutes, I'm just getting to the really good part."

"You can finish the story later alright? I'll be all ears. But I ought to phone Heather before she gets worried."

"She's got you wrapped around her finger."

I couldn't help but laugh as Gary turned a little pink. Though he just shook his head and headed towards the door. But just before he left he stopped and turned around.

"Girls tend to do that to ya," Gary said with a grin as he left the room.

I was still laughing as Lee decided to finish telling me the rest of his story. But he didn't get very far. He was half way threw a sentence when a big goofy smile spread across his face. I didn't even have to turn to look, I knew that smile but I did any ways. Seeing Danielle standing by the door wearing a similar expression to that of Lee, I decided it was probably best to move. Which was a wise choice on my behalf because Danielle quickly rushed over and jumped onto Lee's bed. It didn't take to long till the two of them were 'joined at the lips.'

"Oh you guys! Can you wait till I leave the room at least?" I said as I pretended to act disgusted.

I wasn't surprised to see that they didn't even bother to break apart. I slowly made my towards the door, I could take a hint.

As I left the room and shut the door behind me, I felt myself smiling again. It seemed weird almost. But Lee seemed to be fine, and everything was slowly getting back to normal. True I had failed to mention my little 'incident' last night. Gary and I both didn't mention anything about Mrs. H. But I knew he was bound to find out about both eventually. But for now, I just wanted him to be happy.

I was heading back to the waiting room to go see Pony when I heard two familiar voices.

"Patricia, sweetie, you need to calm down."

"I can't John, I just can't. That's my baby boy in there. My only boy."

"I know Patty, I know. He's my son too. But crying isn't going to do anything. We need to be strong for the girls right now."

"I know. It's just so hard to see him like that. So lifeless."

"Well the doctor says if we're lucky he should start getting better. I mean he's reacting to pain, which is a good sign. Let's just hope he gets better…."

"And not worse."

"We have to stay positive Patty okay?"

"Yes, yes, of course. I'm sorry John."

"No need to be sorry. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Now are you ready to head back?"

I didn't hear anything else as but I saw Garrett's parents heading back to the waiting room. I followed, but the smile on my face was long gone.

So there ya go? What did you think? I'd love to know! So review! Please!