Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THE OUTSIDERS OR THE GANG. SORRY FOR THE SONG. SOMETHING I CAME UP WITH AND I JUST THOUGHT IT WOULD GO EXCELLENT WITH THIS CHAPTER. I OWN ONLY THE STORY IDEA AND SONG. AND I READ IN SEVERAL STORIES ABOUT PONYBOYS NICKNAME. I THINK IT'S CUTE. :) AND I DO NOT OWN THE NICKNAME FOR PONY.

Chapter 4

I know I shouldn't of left Darry when he broke, but I had to see my baby brother. I ran to room 114 hoping Pony would be back from his x-rays. I got there and waited. How could none of us notice Pony was sick or that he was harming himself for that matter. I mean we know he took Dallas's and Johnny's death harder than any of us, but why go and do something so fucking stupid? Why didn't he tell me and I could of helped him? Will he be alright. Oh Lord, please let my brother be ok. I can't believe it. Please God, Please. They take my Baby out and take him down to the x-rays. All the while I am hoping that is not the last time I will see him. Steve walks in shortly after.

"Hey Buddy. How you holding up?"

"Oh I'm holding up just fine Steve. My baby brother is in the hospital for trying to kill him self oh and my oldest brother finally broke when I thought, stupid me, that he was superman and I am having the fucking time of my life! How the fuck do you think I am holding up?" I saw the look on my best friend since Lord knows when, and I am kicking myself for what just happened. "Steve..."

"I understand. No need to explain, OK? Let's just keep waiting here for Super-Man and Two-Bit...and Ponyboy. It shouldn't take the to much longer I hope." Good ol' Steve. No matter what I say or do to him, he knows. He just let's me vent.

Thirty minutes pass by before Darry and Two-Bit show up. Another hour or so before we see the doctors roll Pony in. I take a quick glance of him and now I'm the one that breaks. Doctor Thomas told us that the x-rays showed nothing we didn't already know. He told us that Pony needed to rest and that only one of us may stay the night with him since it was state law with Ponyboy being under 16 and all, the rest of us could stay a little but then we needed to leave. Since Darry was his legal guardian and all, he stayed that first night.

"Lil' Colt, please come back to us soon. We need you baby." I kiss Pony's forehead and turn to leave. Why did this always seem to happen to my family? Guess I'll be asking Steve and Two-Bit to stay with me tonight. I really don't want to be home alone.

"Man, this feels wrong." We got back to the house before Two-Bit speaks. I walk over to the radio hoping music will help, but it doesn't. If anything it makes it worse. It's playing Ponyboy's favorite song. "Run to the night, I will be there with open arms to hold you. Deep inside, I am crying to. Little one wipe those tears. Remember you have someone who chases those fears. Remember the one who holds you is no actor, I am family. I am your big brother." I turned it off right there. I cry and cry. Pony always says that song reminds him of me. He admitted to me last week that it also reminded him of Darry. That he understood now why our oldest brother hollared at him like he did. Pony was upset wih himself for ever saying Darry didn't care. Ugh, why do I have to remember now of all times. It'll just make me upset again.

"Hey, it's ok Buddy. You'll see. The kid may look skinny but even I'll admit he hs a strong will." I always knew you thought that Steve.

"And...Come on admit something else Stevie Boy." I think Two-Bit likes to piss Steve off the way he acts. I'm waiting for Steve to hit him but to my surprise he only says answers him with the truth.

"Smart. But only in school. He ain't street smart like us greasers should be. Hell...your smarter than him on that."

"You do care. Give me a hug Steve."

How is it no matter what, you can always count on friends to cheer you up when you are so far down? I wonder about this for a while, finally pulling myself back to reality, I see Steve and Two-Bit looking at me. How long was I in lala land? "OK guys. Let's get to sleep. I want to get up early tomorrow so I can let Darry come home for a bit." Steve glars at me. "And I need to see Pony."

"Right. I'll go and get your pillows and blankets. We ain't letting you sleep by yourself tonight. Who knows what you might do." Steve walks into the beroom Pony and I share.

"Hey. Steve is right. Ponyboy will pull through. And Super-Man is with him tonight. So you know if anything happens to him, Darr will call right away. He wouldn't keep you out in the dark." WOW! For once Two-Bit is talking some since. Steve comes back a few minutes later and we fall asleep on the couch and the floor. Pony, please pull through baby. For those who still need you. I don't want to lose anyone else. Please my lil' colt.