Okay, here's an update! For you US readers, happy 4th of July! For everyone else… you get an update anyway!

Soda's POV

I was sitting behind the counter, drumming the cash register in boredom, when my co-worker Butch came around the corner.

"Soda, phone for you!" he yelled, and I quizzically walked up to the phone.

"Hello?" I said into the receiver.

"It's Darry. Pony's been at the hospital." My older brother's voice said grimly.

A beat of silence later…

"What?" I exploded, "What's wrong with him, Dar?"

Darry sighed, "Look they didn't explain much. Just that he was attacked at school, and Steve has been suspended for fighting, my guess in Pony's defense. I'm coming to pick you up to go to the hospital, alright?"

I gulped, "Hurry." I slammed the phone and cussed. Like I even had to ask who had harmed my baby brother. I knew who… I wanted revenge.

I sighed. I would at least have to wait until Pon was better. He needed me, and his needs came first. And Steve… well, I was grateful for my best buddy, because if Pony was in the hospital now when he had backup, I didn't want to imagine his condition going into the fight alone.

I shuddered and shook the image out of my head. I told Butch what was happening, he said he'd cover me, and I clocked myself out just as Dar pulled up.

"Let's go" was all I said as I hopped into our truck. "I want to get to my Pony."

Darry's POV

When I got the phone call from the hospital saying that Ponyboy was injured, the first thing I thought was, Those damn Socs.

I knew without a doubt that they had harmed my youngest brother. And, trust me, they were NOT getting away with it. It took everything I had to stay calm in order to clock out, call Soda, and drive us to the hospital.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel as we pulled into the hospital. Soda dashed out of the truck, running head first into the entrance.

I was right on his tail.

The second we entered, we saw Two-Bit, Steve, and Johnny, all sitting in the waiting room.

Johnny noticed us and his face crumpled, "I'm sorry, guys."

I placed a hand on Johnny's shoulder, "It's not your fault. But what happened?" My eyes flashed to Steve, "What's up with the suspension, Steve?"

Steve shrugged, "I went outside during lunch for a smoke. I caught Pony cornered by four Socs. They were beating on him real bad, so I jumped in and beat their heads in, like you told us to." His face became somber, "I'm sorry I was too late, though."

Soda sighed, "Thanks, Stevie. They could have done worse if you hadn't come I know it." The buddies grinned at each other. Soda growled, "But what happened to the Socs? And what's our little brother's condition?"

"Curtis family?" a doctor came out of the doors and called. Soda and I ran up to the doc.

I said, "I'm Darrel Curtis. This is Sodapop Curtis, my brother."

The doctor shook our hands, "I'm Dr. Eric. I have been treating Ponyboy."

"How is he, doc?" Soda asked anxiously.

Dr. Eric smiled, "Your brother will be just fine. He was stabbed in the abdomen, but none of his vital organs were hit, so he's lucky. He has a concussion, bruises, and cuts, but he'll make a full recovery. You may see him; he's awake now."

We both grinned as Steve and the others came up and said, "Well?"

Dr. Eric frowned, "Only fami…"

Two-Bit cut him off, "That's all of us."

The doctor assessed us, and finally grinned, "Alright, then. Follow me."

We walked after the doctor into Pony's room. Dr. Eric closed the door and left us with our gang's baby.

Pony was awake, and grinned when he saw all of us. "Hey, guys, what's going on?"

Soda walked up to the bed and said softly, "How you feelin', Pone?"

Pony yawned, "Tired, and the stomache and head hurt. But I'm okay, I swear." He added, seeing how tense we all were.

Two-Bit grinned, "So, Pony, got in a fight in school, did ya? You know Dar will kill ya when we're gone."

I smacked him upside the head, and turned to Pony, who looked nervous, "It doubt it was your fault, Pone. As long as you're okay, I'm good. But I do need to know exactly what happened."

We all watched as Pony sighed, "Well, I was waiting for Johnny and Two-Bit at my locker at lunchtime like I always do. Then I felt someone grab me from behind, covering my mouth and eyes. Next thing I knew, I was outside, surrounded by the Socs from Saturday." His voice broke when he said Saturday.

I rubbed his shoulder as he continued, "The one that I think is named Randy said 'Here's a warning to your greaser pals that nobody beats on us.' After that, they beat me half dead, and I don't know what happened." He blinked, "What did happen to me after I passed out?"

Two-Bit said quietly, "Steve found you, beat the other Socs, Johnny and me found you guys, and Steve got suspended. We all came with you to the hospital, and Dar and Soda came after that."

Pony nodded, "Okay. Thanks, Steve." He sounded shocked, so Steve cracked a grin, "Hey, you herad your oldest brother this morning. I'd take on ten Socs before I'd tango with Darry."

Everyone laughed but me. As the gang started to relax, Soda gave me a glance that said everything I was thinking.

We'll get those Socs for hurting our baby. They'll never touch him again.

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