Oh my gosh, 15 reviews

Oh my gosh, 15 reviews! You guys are fabulous, and I feel absolutely horrible I did not keep my promise. I have exams all next week and I've been studying like crazy. I hope you understand.

888

Cause and Effect

I stayed glued to the window as I watched the scene unfold before me. I watched, memorized as paddles were pressed onto Pony's chest and his body arch upwards. I felt myself flinch as I watched my baby brother's body jump up. I could feel the hot tears running down my face.

"Come on Pony, don't do this." I whispered.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and finally broke my eyes from the view before me. I turned to see a guilty, concerned and scared Darry. He had tears silently running down his face. I threw my hands around his shoulders and began to sob. I didn't care who saw me.

"We got a pulse! Heart Rates low but rising."

I dropped my hands and spun back around. The room was still a flurry of action and machines were being brought in. a nurse asked us to wait in the waiting room.

"Come on Soda." Darry said gently, but he had to guide me away from the window, away from Pony. We found Two-Bit pacing the floor and he looked up when we walked in. I walked by him and just sat down. I put my hands in my head and cried. I didn't know what to feel anymore.

"No…" I heard Two-Bit say. I looked up and saw tears glistening in his eyes.

Darry put his hand on Two-Bit's shoulder. "We hear someone say he had a pulse. That's all we know…"

Two-Bit shook his head, "where's Johnny?"

"Right here." I looked to my side and noticed Johnny for the first time. He sat there his eyes straight forward.

"You okay?" I asked.

He laughed a hollow laugh, "I'm not the one in the hospital Soda."

I nodded and ran a hand down my face.

"I'll go call Steve and Dally. Let know what happened. I'm thinking there'll be a rumble real soon."

"Damn straight Two-Bit. Hell, I'll call one myself if I have to. They'll pay for what they did." I was angry beyond belief now; I couldn't believe how angry I was.

Two-Bit nodded before walking away and after a little more waiting I felt myself growing tired and less angry as I concentrated on Pony.

About an hour later Steve and Dally burst through the doors. Steve looking somewhat concern, and Dally was angry but I think I saw a hint of fear behind his eyes.

They walked over, "how's the kid?" Dally asked.

"I don't know." Was all I said and the silent wait continued. Dally gave us details about his planning of a rumble and Steve added a few details. We just nodded and looked at the doors to the ER.

It was another 3 and ½ hours before a doctor walked in calling our names. Me and Darry jumped up and ran to the doctor and the gang followed.

"Mr. Curtis?" he asked behind his glasses.

"Darrel Curtis, I'm Ponyboy's oldest brother. This is Sodapop his other brother. These are our cousins. Is pony okay doc?"

The doctor looked around, "let's go to a conference room and I'll discuss everything with you and your family."

I numbly nodded and we all followed the doctor down a white hallway. He stopped at one door and let us inside. Me and Darry took the chairs and the guys took the couch.

"Now, let me introduce myself, I'm Doctor Wilkinson. I saw Pony when he first arrived. Now not to scare you but Ponyboy did suffer from cardiac arrest. We were able to revive him but he was unable to breathe properly himself. We had to but him on a ventilator for the time being. However right now I'm more worried about his brain. He was lucky that he had been in cold water when this happened."

My eyes widen and I shook my head, "LUCKY! You think because he was drowned in freaking cold water was LUCKY?"

The doctor shook his head, "I know it was not lucky in your eyes but when a person goes without air, it affects the brain drastically. Cold water protects the brain from harm for about 5 minutes without air. However I believe that Pony was underwater for more than that. I'm estimating about 7 to 8 minutes."

"Jesus." I said, the reality of Pony's situation coming into full focus. I saw Darry's jaw clench and everyone else straighten up.

"Now for every minute after 5 minutes the brain begins to shut down. That is why CPR was not working on young Ponyboy. He needed medical help and thank god you got him here when you did. I honestly don't think we would have resuscitated him."

I felt tears making there way down my cheek in rivers.

"Is he okay?" I asked.

Doctor Wilkinson shook his head, "this is my other worry. It seems Pony has slipped into a coma. It seems to be a mild coma, but there is always a chance…a chance he won't wake up."

I lost it, "You the doctor, you're supposed to fix my brother, make him better. How…how can you say he might not wake up?!"

I felt Darry grab me in his arms and I turned around and sobbed into his chest. He held me tight and I was glad he did, I don't think my legs would support me right now.

"Can we see him?" I heard Darry ask. I finally pulled away and looked at the doctor.

"Yes, he's been moved to a room in Pediatric ICU. Usually I would only allow immediate family in, but I can tell that even if I tell you this everyone will be visiting."

"Damn straight." I heard Dally whisper. I was a little shocked by Dally's reaction but I shook it off. We all stood and I saw Darry hold Johnny's shoulder when we walked. I didn't care much though; I just wanted to see Pony.

We stopped in front of a door. The doctor turned the knob but he turned to us before he let us in.

"I must warn you. There are a lot of machines within Pony's room. Don't be afraid they are all there to aid him in his recovery."

We nodded and he opened the door. We all filed in and the sight before me took my breathe away. Pony lay prone on a white bed. His skin color as white as the sheets. What hit me most was the tube protruding out of his throat. With a choked sob I walked over to his bed.

"Talk to him, it's been proven that coma patient can hear even in there state. Hearing is always the last sense to go." The doctor said before he left.

"Hey Pony, gave us quite a scare there, huh?" I said behind a fist that clogged my throat. I sat there the rest of the night holding Pony hand as the gang stayed silent and watching.

888-3 days later-Sunday

I was still sitting in the same chair as always when Dally walked in. I was the only person with Pony right now cause Darry was working. I was grateful my boss let me use vacation time and sick time so I could stay with Pony.

Dally sat in the opposite chair across from me.

"How's the kid?" he asked.

I sighed and rubbed a weary hand down my face. "No change."

Dally nodded, "the rumble's tonight. Me and Steve got it all set up. The soc are gonna pay for what they did."

I nodded, "that for damn sure Dally, that's for damn sure."

After a while of silence I heard Dally shift, "how you holdin up?"

I laughed, "I'd be better if Pony was awake."

He laughed too, "I think we all would, Soda."

I looked at him, "how you mean?"

He shrugged, "I don't know guess the kid grew on me. Wouldn't be the same without him, hell even Steve agrees with me."

I smiled, "Dally, are you getting soft in your old age?"

"Watch it Soda, I ain't afraid to soc you a good one." He said, but he wore a playful grin on his face.

I grinned back, but it didn't reach my eyes. I wished Pony would wake up.

888-Sunday night

I was so pumped for the rumble. I stood out front and looked for the kid I saw on top of Pony. I spotted him and glared at him. I think he noticed because he stepped forward. I did too, taking Darry's usual place.

"You gonna take me on?" he asked

"I'm gonna kick your ass for what you did to Pony." I seethed.

We starred at each other for what seem forever. I saw him bring his fist back but I was too quick for him. I gave him a punch of my own. I could feel the bones in his nose give way. I didn't stop though. The rumble was on.

Every one else joined in. There were people every where. But the soc finally gave up. Bob was running away and I kicked him one last time in the ribs before he could get up and away. I felt satisfied a little bit when his ribs let off a resounding crack.

But it wasn't good enough; Pony was still in the hospital, clinging to life.

888-2 weeks later

It's been 19 days. 19 days and Pony still hasn't woken up. I don't know what to think anymore. I had to go back to work and all I think about is Pony.

Dally POV

I walked through the hospital doors and took the elevator to Pony's room. I won't admit it to anyone but the kid has gotten under my skin. He and Johnny are the only 2 people I can truly talk to and trust I guess. The gang is great but, I don't know there's something about Johnny and Pony.

I shook my head and walked into Pony room. No one was there cause everyone was working. I couldn't find Johnny so decided to come myself.

I sat down, "hey kid." I said. I didn't know what to say, Pony didn't look like himself. He was never this still.

"So um, you gonna wake up anytime soon? Your brothers are going crazy. Darry had to wrestle Soda to bed last night."

I sat there, unknowingly I grabbed Pony's arm. "Look, you better come back soon. It ain't the same without ya. Johnny is real upset, he misses ya man…we all do. Even Steve…even me." I said.

I laughed, "You tell anyone I'm getting soft you'll be dead Pony, I got a rep to protect."

I sat there a little while longer. I was about to leave when I heard a gagging sound. I looked around and my eyes rested on Pony. His eyes were wide open, and there was pure fear in them. I punched the nurse call button.

"Calm down kid, you'll be okay."

He looked at me with confusion and fear in his eyes but he didn't calm down. But I didn't get to look at him much longer because doctors and nurse came filing in. I was pushed out of the room. I ran a hand through my hair and ran to the pay phone. I dialed the DX's number.

"DX, Steve here."

"Hey Steve, its Dally."

"Oh hey Dally, what you want?"

"Pony woke up, get down here fast." Was all I said and I hung up. I then waited for them to come; I knew they would all be here soon. Now we just needed the doctors to leave Pony's room.

I hope it was good. 