Dally was casually entering Buck's. It was late, and he wished the music was not so loud, he had a headache. He walked up to the bar and took a seat. "What it's going to be Winston?" Buck addressed him, wiping one of the glasses with a rag. "Whiskey," Dally replied, taking out a few dollars out of his pocket. Buck poured the drink and set it in front of Dallas. Dally took a sip, "so," he said looking up at Buck, "I heard there was a shoot out here the other day." Buck furrowed his eyebrows – "where'd you hear that?"
"Word spreads out pretty fast," Dally offered, taking another sip, then added, "what happened?"
"I had this guy staying here from Florida. The guy is loaded and he was staying here with his chick. They got into an argument and she shot him. She split, so when we got there he was in a pretty bad shape – the bullet still in. We took him to LaGuardia hospital. That's where he is now."
Dally frowned a little. LaGuardia hospital was where Soda was too. "Did he say anything, I mean about what he was going to do?" Dally finished up his drink. Buck smiled widely revealing his crooked teeth – "I'd be leaving town if I was her, he said she's gonna be sorry she was born, anyway why are you so interested in this info?" Buck looked somewhat suspicious at Dally.
"No reason," Dallas rushed to say,
"Another drink?" Buck suggested.
"Nuh, I'm good," with that he got up and walked towards the exit.
Later that night all the guys were gathered at the Curtis, and Tiffany was there too. Dallas told them what he found out from Buck. "Jeez," – Pony pouted, "imagine if he is in the next room to Soda." Johnny gave him a sympathetic look. Dallas stopped talking and licked his lips, - "I think we should pay him a visit. Let him know he is the one that would regret he was born,"
"Yeah," Darry nodded in approval – "we'll tell him we know about the violin and that if he tries to hurt Tiffany in any way he will never make it back to Florida again."
"Oh, guys thank you so much for doing this," Tiffany almost whispered.
"Don't worry, this bastard is not going to hurt you," Darry replied, and Tiffany gave him a small smile.
The following day all six of them went to the hospital. Tiffany was with them too, but they decided it's best she does not go to see Andy. Instead she went to see Soda. AS the guys entered Andy's room, Dally was leading the way. Andy was sitting up in bed, in a hospital gown and a few bandages around his chest were sticking out from under the gown. He was eating some sort of pudding, and he didn't look all that hurt.
"So this is Andy," Dally said in a voice that would send shivers down anyone's spine. Andy looked up from his food – "Who the hell are you?"
Dally scowled – "your worst nightmare." That got Andy's attention.
"Is that so?" He put the food aside, "That little bitch had sent you?"
"I would be careful with the choice of words," Dally scowled again. Pony and Johnny exchanged looks, they were a little intimidated by Andy.
Then Darry stepped forward – "Alright let's cut to the chase. We know you stole the violin and you have it in your possession. You do anything," he paused, "I mean anything stupid, try to hurt Tiffany in any way first we tell the fuzz where the violin is, and second we take care of you, and this time the bullet won't miss. You get what I am saying?" Andy's face turned red, then a sickly shade of green. He was baffled. He didn't expect them to know about the violin.
Darry smirked, "what's the matter? Not so brave all of the sudden. I'd be leaving town if I were you," Darry spat at him, "is that clear?" Andy was silent, he locked eyes with Darry, and he was mad.
"Is that clear?" Darry repeated.
"Fine, have it your way," Andy mumbled.
"That's what I need to hear," Darry mocked, "And don't do anything stupid. Anything happens to Tiffany you are dead, I am not playing." Darry could look real scary when he wanted to, and right then he wanted to. With that they left startled Andy, and left the room.
Next they went into Soda's room. When they walked in, they saw Tiffany pulled up a chair next to Soda's bed and was holding his hand. Soda looked up at them and sat up in his bed. "How did it go?"
"He got the message," Dally replied. "He won't try anything."
"How are you feeling?" Darry asked.
"I'm doing ok, the doc said the wound is healing up nicely, I can go home soon." "Good," Darry sighed with relief, and Pony gave Soda a wide smile – "It's not the same without you in the room," he offered.
"Oh, you mean my things and clothes are not cluttering the room," Soda chuckled. Pony chuckled as well – "that part I actually do NOT miss."
"Well you got no choice," Soda giggled, then he got quiet and looked up. "Thank you for doing this."
"You bet little buddy," Darry replied.
Soda stayed in the hospital for a few more days. Then he was sent home. Andy left town right after being discharged from the hospital. Dally and Darry made sure of that. Tiffany stayed with the guys, but Darry was able to get her a job as a billing clerk at his construction company, and she was looking to rent a room on her own. Her and Soda were going steady. Things were back to normal and that's the way they preferred it to be.