*Don't own the Outsiders.

How about a change, lets hear from someone new.

(Steve's POV)

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Who knew when the doctor said Pony would wake up soon, that soon could mean hours? Doc was talking to a bunch of teenaged guys, most of which have non-existent patience, and he told us hours meant soon, bullshit.

Me and Two-Bit went to the cafeteria to pick up some food, most of it looked worse than school food, I hadn't known that was possible.

The reason why I had to go with Two-Bit was:

1) He wouldn't shut up and Darry was at the end of his patience, we were all happy to know Pony would be alright, I might not admit it but I counted myself in that group, but Darry was still real anxious for him to wake up. He was also worried about last night, I don't know why, my old man hits me all the time, I'm sure the kid could handle at least one hit from Darry considering he made it through that beating from the west side shitfaces last night.

2) Two-Bit was even starting to piss Dallas off.

3) We all were hungry, and all of us could probably use some caffeine, considering all of us got almost no sleep, especially Darry. I saw Darry's mug and I was silently hoping the coffee looked like brown sludge 'cause it was old.

4) Make sure Two-Bit didn't end up in someone's room to do God knows what.

5) To save the nurses from Two-Bit.

6) Make sure he didn't steal anything, and if he did find something to steal that it wasn't from a sick person (Darry's order), and that if he did steal it wasn't important.

As you can see there were lots of reasons to go with Two-Bit, I know I could think some more up too.

For the first time pretty much ever we all sat together in silence. The only reason it was silent was because Two-Bit was stuffing his face. I was worried about Soda though, he was real quiet and I could tell his head was somewhere else, he wouldn't leave that kid's side neither.

Johnny was right next to Soda and Darry. He'd surprised me last night with his little outburst, I didn't like the fact that I was taken by surprise so much last night. Johnny looked like shit and I'm sure he felt like it too. He had a large bruise on the left side of his face, his pants had blood on 'em, he looked exhausted, Soda's clothes were huge on him, and he was in a desperate need of a shower. Not to mention I think he felt bad for what happened last night, though it wasn't his fault. I'd have to make a point to talk to him about that later.

I glanced at Soda who was nibbling at a chocolate muffin with chocolate chips and drinking chocolate milk. Any other time that thing would have been gone. It's a known fact no Curtis can resist chocolate. Yeah, Soda was shook up bad by this.

Sigh

I need to get him alone and talk to him too.

Ponyboy. I'll admit it rocked me a little to see how shitty he looked. He was laying perfectly still, too still, it wasn't natural for him. He might be quiet but he always listened, you can watch his expression change or him fidget around as he thought. He was so white I would have thought he was dead if it wasn't for that beeping sound from the machines and the friggin' drip sound from the IV. Bruises peeked out from the sleeves of the hospital gown he'd been changed into, I guessed they were from the dicks that held him under.

The thought made my blood boil. The gang has some hunting to do, this was too far.

The steady rhythm of the machine that measured Ponyboy's heart rate gently took on a stronger faster rhythm. All our heads snapped towards him, I saw his hand twitch.

(PPOV)

I heard a sigh and some ruffling around me, a drip and beeping sound. I felt like I was kind of drifting and I couldn't really get a grip, something happened, didn't it?

Then I felt it.

Holy God, have mercy on me.

Something felt tight around me, but that wasn't the real problem, my side hurt. Sparks of pinching pain ran through my side.

What the hell happened to me?

I opened my eyes and immediately closed them, who put the sun in my room?

A gentle voice near me said, "Too bright Pony?" Soda. One small blessing, he was here, he could tell me what's going on. I nodded a little, my head felt detached from my body, I didn't know whether that was good or bad.

"There ya go, Pony." Two-Bit? I opened my eyes again and the whole gang was staring at me. It was freaking me out even more. They all looked real worried, I looked at them, afraid.

"What happened?" I croaked, my voice sounded weak and scratchy. I felt real tired even though I'd just woken up, God it hurts. If it was only Soda or Johnny here right now I'd cry.

"Don't ya remember Pony? You got jumped last night with Johnny." Soda stared at me and I saw Dal leave. I glanced around and a second too late I realized I was in a hospital room, the annoying beep and drip was an EKG machine and an IV.

I glanced away fighting panic, everything was real fuzzy, why can't I remember?

Breathing feels like a piece of hot steel where my ribs are suppose to be. I didn't realize I'd closed my eyes until Darry asked, "Pony, baby?" I felt Darry's rough hand on mine, I shivered, I was freezing.

I looked at my brothers, "Hurts."

A nurse walked in behind Dally, thankfully stealing the attention away from me so I could try to understand.

"I'm nurse Lindy, how do you feel, Ponyboy?"

I automatically said the first thing that came to mind, "Like shit." I whispered half scared, confused, panicked, and in some serious pain. Yeah shit summed that up right. Two-Bit was unsuccessfully trying not to laugh, I don't curse much seeing how I don't talk enough to do it, so I guess he found it funny.

The gang shot him glares that sobered him up quick.

"Don't worry hun, this will fix that up, you just rest." What ever she put in the IV worked fast, sleepiness was already winning, I fought it, I was still waiting for the answers I wanted.

Soda watching me said, "Don't fight it, you needa rest I'll be here when you wake up and I'll answer your questions okay?"

I don't know if I nodded, I meant to.