I do not own Dirty Dancing.

Chapter Thirty Seven

POV Baby

Apologies

"Well, Cousins, it's almost over. Labor day weekend is here. Soon it's back to the old books, and back to work. Ooh, what a terrible thought!"

I run up the steps to Penny's cabin, number five, my last clue. I'd looked all over for him, his cabin, the storage room, even the studio again, as unlikely as that would be. The only place besides this I could think of was out in the woods, by the lake where he'd taught me the lift. That wasn't happening, not without a car.

I needed to apologize to Johnny, especially after what had been said in the woods. I'd been a hypocrite, to talk about how he wouldn't fight for himself, when I wouldn't fight for us. I shouldn't have doubted him. Johnny had his reasons, just as I had mine.

I knock on Penny's door to have her open it a moment later. Breathlessly, I ask, "Hi. Have you seen Johnny?" Emotionlessly, Penny pulled the door open further, to reveal Johnny sitting on a chair inside, hunched over, elbows propped up on his knees. He looked up at me with wide blue eyes that I couldn't read.

Johnny stood, and walked over. He didn't cross the door, not at first. He watched me. I silently begged him to see what I was trying to do. I didn't want to fight with Johnny. I never had. I wanted to apologize. Somewhat reluctantly, Johnny stepped outside with me, folding his arms. I grasp his shoulders and stepped behind him. I press my lips into his skin. "I'm sorry," I whisper. I kiss his skin again and again, praying he will forgive me.

A snide voice came from the road in front of the house. "Hey, well, it looks like I've picked the wrong Sister," Robbie snorted. I stop kissing Johnny, and look at him. Was he calling me easy? "That's okay, Baby. I went slumming, too."

I would have yelled at him, told him he didn't know what he was talking about. But before I can, Johnny lept over the railing. I hear Penny call his name, and call it myself, but it is too late. All I can see is Johnny's first connect with Robbie's jaw. Johnny drove a foot into Robbie's stomach. "Hit me! Hit me," He shouted.

Robbie hit Johnny, but it wasn't long before he was on the ground again. Johnny reigned in his anger, and grabbed Robbie's sweater. "Get out of here, you're not worth it!" He spat. "You're not worth it!"

Robbie scrambled away from Johnny once he had been released. Johnny stood there, reigning in his anger. I quickly forget about Robbie when Johnny started walking towards me. I wasn't upset with him. No, Robbie had been the last in a string of slights to Johnny. If he hadn't done it, someone else would have. If there was anyone I was glad to have Johnny beat up, it was Robbie.

Johnny's arms closed around my waist, face pressing into my stomach. I put my arms around him. I knew, even though he hadn't said anything, he was trying to tell me he was sorry. But he was already forgiven. "We need to talk," His voice said.

"I know,"