Disclaimer: HI!!!!!!!! Sorry I haven't uploaded in a while, Last week I caught a stomach bug and kind of puked all over the place so I didn't feel like uploading. Oh well, DON'T OWN ANYTHING!!!!!!!

Chapter 10

The first thing Ponyboy heard when he opened his eyes was the sound of sirens. Millions of thoughts raced through his head. Was Nicole okay? Johnny and Dally? He felt his neck, which was awfully sore and was gently pushed down by someone.

"It's alright kid. Just lie still" It was a man speaking. The same man who was with the kids when the fire started.

"What happened to the others?" he asked a bit weakly

"They're all right. The boys are in another ambulance. Your sister's over there."

At that Ponyboy would've shot up instantly if he wasn't so sore from the burns. Instead he looked over and saw his seven year old little sister barely conscious with bruises all over her body.

"She's a brave girl. No little seven-year-old I know would risk their life for their brother and friends." Jerry said

Pony mustered a smile looking at her. He clearly remembered her pushing Johnny out from under the crumbling roof. "She's special"

Soon they got to the hospital. Pony wanted to help carry Nicole in, but the paramedics shook their heads saying she was in more critical condition so Jerry led him to the waiting room.

Pony pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and started smoking agitated.

Jerry raised an eyebrow at him. "You know, you shouldn't be smoking son."

"Why not?" he asked

"Cause you're a young man, that's why. It's a bad habit to get into."

"You're smoking" Pony pointed out

"I'm smoking, but I'm older than you" Jerry said

Just then two gurneys were coming. The one in front had Johnny with a couple of burns and blisters, but not too bad thanks to Nicole. The other had Dallas. He looked pretty angry.

"If you pull a stunt like that again I'm gonna kill you" he said as he past Pony

Pony smiled briefly and saw Johnny giving him a sympathetic look for Nicole.

They were pushed out of sight when the door opened. Ponyboy looked and his eyes widened seeing Sodapop walking up with Darry behind him.

"Ponyboy!" Soda cried relieved and happy

Pony ran up to Soda and was engulfed in a tight hug.

"Look at your tuff hair" Soda said jokingly ruffling his hair

"Pony?" Darry spoke

Pony let go and without hesitation ran up and gave him a hug. "Darry, I'm sorry"

Suddenly Darry started tearing up. Pony was surprised, but kept hugging him.

"I thought we lost you like we did Mom and dad" Darry said

Sodapop came over and joined in on the group hug. The boys stood there for a few more minutes before breaking apart.

"Nikki's hurt" Pony said sadly

Soda nodded pityingly. "We know, the nurse told us."

"What happened?" Darry asked

"There was a fire at the church we were staying at" Pony explained "Me and Johnny went in to save the kids that were trapped in there when she came in scared out of her mind to help us. We were doing good rounding up the kids when the roof began to crumble. Johnny would've been the target if Nikki didn't push him out of the way."

"Jesus, she's one brave, but insane kid" Soda said

His brothers nodded "I'll go see what's happening tonight" Darry said

Pony and Soda nodded thinking the same thing. 'Hope she's okay.'

When Darry came back he looked not happy, but not sad or angry. "Well, they said she'll need to rest here for a few days. She was awfully hurt and needed all the help and rest she can get."

The two boys smiled briefly and they all walked out.

"Home sweet home" Soda announced feeling relieved and happy

Darry smiled and Pony let out a sigh of relief. "It's good to be home"

The boys all walked in and Pony immediately went upstairs and climbed in his bed real tired. He didn't go to sleep straight away as thoughts of Nicole and how scared she must feel flowed around his head.

Sunlight shimmered brightly through the window when Ponyboy woke up the next morning. He stirred briefly then moved to sit up. It felt weird waking up in his own bed, but he didn't care. Mostly every reporter would come by his house and ask him about the fire, but that would just give him a reminder of Nicole and the slight possibility that she might not make it.

After he took a shower and got dressed he went downstairs deciding to make some breakfast.

"Anybody home!" a voice yelled

Pony knew it was Two-Bit and called. "In here! Don't slam the door!"

They slammed the door making Pony roll his eyes.

"Ponyboy Curtis!" Two-Bit came in the kitchen and lifted his friend up swinging him around

"Ah! Hey!" Pony cried surprised, but smiling

"Look at the blonde-haired monkey!" Two-Bit teased

"How does it feel to be a hero?" said Steve

"What?" Pony asked disbelievingly

"A hero, like a big-shot even" Steve handed him a newspaper "Here look"

Pony skimmed the paper and stared at the headline.

"Man that girl is brave" Two-Bit remarked "I wouldn't've been tough enough to fight that when I was seven like Nikki did"

"She must've felt scared to death. The thought of losing her brothers and friends always shakes her up" Steve added

"Johnny's charged for manslaughter?" Pony asked reading the article

"Also says how you saved those kids, Ponyboy. Had they've burned if it weren't for you, Johnny, Dallas and Nikki." said Steve

"Boy, Dallas would be mad if he learned that the police interfered with his records" said Two-Bit

"Ain't that the truth" Steve agreed

"They don't think Nikki's gonna recover?" Pony frowned

The two boys looked at him sadly feeling his pain.

Author's Note: Aww!!!!!!! Poor Ponyboy!!! :(((, What do YOU think?? Is little Nikki gonna recover? Is there gonna be a twist to the fabulous story we all know and love dearly? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!