~I do not own The Outsiders~

"And I want a moment to be real,
Wanna touch things I don't feel,
Wanna hold on and feel I belong.
And how can they say I never change?
They're the ones that stay the same.
I'm the one now,
'Cause I'm still here."

Darry placed his head in his hands as he sat down on the chair in the waiting room of the hospital with Sodapop, Twobit and Steve. Sodapop's leg was jumping up and down from the anxiousness of waiting for any results from the doctor. Twobit bit on his bottom lip making it bleed a little. Steve was reading a magazine for the fifth time already trying to see if he missed any details. Finally a doctor showed up as the Greasers stood up from their seats.

"Only the legal Guardian." He said in a serious tone.

Darry shook hands, "I'm his legal Guardian."

"May I speak with you in private?"

Sodapop was beside his older brother in an instant, "I'm his second oldest brother so I have the right to know."

Darry was much too worried to scold him, the doctor nodded leading them to his office. Twobit and Steve had no choice but to keep waiting. They arrived at a small area, they seated themselves nervous of the outcome. The doctor named Mr. Williams cleared his throat before speaking. Soda didn't take this as a good sign so he bit the inside of his cheek hard tasting the coppery blood.

"Well let's start out with the fact that he was stabbed in the abdomen. Now, not many people really live to tell the tale lucky for him tough, the weapon used did not injure any important organs. The real problem here is an infection he's fighting right now. Ponyboy showed a very high fever so we gave him strong antibiotics. If by tomorrow the infection is gone your brother may leave in a couple of days if not...I'm afraid this whole situation could be fatal."

The oldest Curtis's stone faced winced, Soda sucked in air like someone had punched him in the stomach. Oh God...Oh God...

"Is there something I can do to help? Uh- give blood, my kidney? Anything doc.!" There was that panicked tone in his voice desperate to do anything for his baby brother, the idea of him dying just didn't fit anywhere in his mind. Darry stood up from his seat, "Seriously though, anything we can help with? There has to be something!" Frustration, anxiousness and many dreadful feeling cooped up inside of him was not a good mix. The Doctor understood how they were feeling but there wasn't really much of an option except wait to find out about Pony's health.

"That's all? I thought you were a good freaking doctor!" Soda's voice got louder.

Darry pinched the bridge of his nose containing his anger, "Ok, until morning. Fine, but we are not leaving his side. I swear if any nurse tries to kick us out-"

The doc sighed, he shook his head knowing very well that the two men in front of him were stubborn wondering if it ran in the family, "All right, all right. Just this once boys. Just please no problems. I'll lead you to his room."

They followed him down some hallways passing many rooms until they stopped. He pressed his lips into a straight line finding the correct words before letting them inside to face the harsh reality, "Just remember, he's in a bad state so just be prepared and be careful."

Opening the door slowly, Ponyboy's brothers entered as the Doctor left to give them their space. Darry covered his mouth with his fist as his eyes looked glassy. Sodapop's eyes widened, step by step he got closer to his brother's bed, he gently grabbed one of Ponyboy's pale hands shuddering at how cold it felt. Tears welled up in his eyes as he whispered under his breath, "Jesus Christ."

Twobit stretched in his seat standing up, he wasn't a very patient person so he got restless. Steve was resting his head on his hand thinking of the bad things he ever said to his best friend's kid brother. Guiltiness began to take over believing Pony was in a very grave situation. I'm such a prick. Why do I hafta be such a god damn jerk? I mean yeah, Pony's a smartass little brat but why...why do I have to be such an ass with him? Deep down he knew why. It was because Sodapop loved so much Ponyboy. He loved him more than anything in the world ever since he was born. At first Soda didn't want him saying he was going to ruin everything. (You know how little kids are) But seeing his two green eyes peek up at his middle brother from their mother's arms is where the strong bond between them was born. Sodapop promised himself to protect, love and simply be with him forever.

Steve would always be second if not third in the list of people Soda cared for. Which is why he always got mad when Soda asked Pony to come along with them. Which is why his and Pony's relationship as friends disintegrated over time especially that specific day a year ago.

There was a school dance going on that night. The boys decided to go even though they weren't really supposed to since they weren't attending it anymore. But who cared anyway? Ponyboy declined going saying he had some other stuff to do. Sodapop insisted his little brother for hours, that he needed time to have some fun maybe get a girl on a date. Steve started getting angry, Little bastard acting like some broad.

"Really Soda, I don't wanna go. So just stop it." Ponyboy sighed leaving to smoke outside on the porch.

Steve shook his head angrily going after him while Twobit and Soda were left inside wondering why Pony kept rejecting the idea.

Outside, Ponyboy took a big puff of smoke exhaling it slowly. Steve gripped his arm not really caring if it looked wrong, "Get a life kid, you're already 16 and haven't had a girl. What's up with you?"

Small Curtis stared at him with a scowl on his face. He didn't know why Steve had to burst out like that. He dropped his cigarette to the ground, the sound of Darry's truck was heard as he parked it nearby. Getting out of his grip Pony gritted his teeth, Who the fuck does he think he is?! Then in a quick second his right hand already in a fist made contact with Steve's face making him stumble backwards. Darry saw everything as he got out of his truck running quickly to them. Steve was cursing loudly, Soda and Twobit ran outside grabbing him before he had the chance to fight back, Darry handled Pony who was squirming in his arms ready to give more punches.

"What the fuck is your god damned problem kid?!"

Ponyboy glared at him, "You're my fucking problem!"

Afterwards they didn't speak for days, the gang was falling apart. Sodapop ignored Steve knowing it was his fault from the beginning. Twobit felt down in the dumps, he wanted to be with Steve and the Curtis brothers all together. Darry warned Steve that if he ever pulled something like that again he'd have another bruise on his face. Ponyboy stayed in his room the majority of his time ignoring everybody. One day, he talked to Steve alone taking the opportunity.

"Let's just forget what happened." Pone grumbled.

Steve sighed, "Yeah sure, whatever."

"For Soda, just for Soda. I still hate you and you know you still hate me."

With a snicker Steve agreed, "Damn straight."

At home they 'made up' in front of everyone, Steve apologized as Pony shrugged saying it was no big deal. Sodapop grinned ear to ear believing everything was right as rain again. But he was wrong.

Darry and Sodapop appeared, Twobit with Steve looked at them waiting for an answer. Soda had red puffy eyes sniffling as he ran his hand through his hair. Darry swallowed the big knot in his throat that was there since he saw Ponyboy bleeding. Soda began talking with his voice cracking up.

"P-Pony is real bad. I mean, the-the-"

Darry continued though saying it bluntly, "We have to wait until tomorrow to know if he'll live or not. Until tomorrow..."

Twobit covered his face with his hand, "Awe kid..." Something in his chest felt like it had broken, the boy was like a little brother for him too. Hearing these bad news obviously had him heart broken from this.

Steve's jaw was clenched tightly, he knew Pony was hurt badly but not like this. Not so much that he could actually die. Kid I swear, I SWEAR that if you make it out alive I'll fucking be nicer. God I swear...

The four of them stayed in the waiting room each praying feverishly in their own head, promising many things just for the youngest of their friends to simply be okay. To stay alive, to be well. Darrel with his middle brother went back to the room where Pony was being kept telling the other two to go back home, they could come back the next day... Twobit nodded leaving with Steve. He already had planned out where to go, Bucks to get drunk and forget all this. So it wouldn't hurt if anything bad happened. Steve wanted to be alone so he went to the lot. In a sitting position on top of an abandoned beat up car he started smoking gazing up at the sky.

Regrets filled his mind, all those words and thoughts...He angrily threw his smoke to the ground.

He whispered, "Damned kid...Please just...just make it. Not for me but for Soda...for Darry...Christ what am I saying..."

"Hey kid."

"Pony."

Groaning he sat up from where ever he was.

"'Bout time sleeping beauty."

He rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hands, Where am I?

"Lay off him, he just woke up."

Finally his eyes adjusted to the area he was in which was apparently the place he longed to forget. The church in Windrixville. Ponyboy jumped up not believing his eyes. How the hell did I get here?! But a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Feeling better?"

Slowly, his face searched for the owner of the voice who was standing steps away from him. In barely a whisper he said, "Johnny."

"Yup, that's me."

In a blink of an eye Ponyboy ran full speed hugging him tightly tears already sliding down his cheeks. Johnny chuckled lightly hugging him back with the same force.

"Ain't this just tearful sight."

Pony turned, there was Dally his hands in the pockets of his jacket. Just as fast did he hug Dally, "Kid ya hugging the daylights of me!" Dally tried to sound mean but with that smile on his face it didn't seem so.

"W-what are you guys d-doing here?" Pony asked wiping away his tears feeling a little embarrassed.

"We should be asking you that." Dally responded.

Johnny pursed his lips, "Don't you remember what happened?"

Ponyboy kicked some rubble that was on the ground, "Not really."

Dally kicked the rubble back, "Let me help you remember, c'mere."

Dallas lifted Pony's shirt revealing a small nasty injury with dried up blood. Ponyboy cursed loudly backing away. Johnny rolled his eyes calming his friend down, "Relax, Dally's just being a big jerk."

"Watch that mouth of yours Johnny, just 'cause we're some sort of ghosts don't mean I can't kick your-"

"Just tell me what happened?!" Pone asked frantically poking at his wound.

Dally slapped away his hand, "You got in some trouble, someone tried to make ribbons out of you."

Johnny folded his arms, "The rumble with Curly? The Soc with the switch blade?"

The memories came crashing down, he remembered the fight, the rumble, the Soc stabbing him and then blacking out. His eyes widened, "Oh..."

"Yeah, oh." Dallas grinned walking around.

"Am I dead?"

Johnny sat down on something that looked like a burned up bench, "Not really."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Dally patted Pony's back, "It means you're in the middle of life or death, kid."

"Am I gonna die?"

"You aren't. You're going to live." Johnny affirmed.

Ponyboy frowned, "How do you know."

Dally groaned, "Is this some game of 20 questions or somethin? Pony, we're your guardian angels. That's why we know."

Pony didn't know what to say to that so he just kept quiet. He sat down next to Johnny, inside he knew it some sort of dream but he didn't care. He'd enjoy it all, he had missed his friends dearly. Dream or not they were with him talking. They looked fine and that's al that mattered to him. Johnny shot him a smile to which Pony returned. Guardian angels, huh? I dig it.

"Hey Pony, can you promise me something?" Johnny suddenly asked.

"Sure."

"Remember what I said before I died?"

Pony nodded, "I do."

"Stay that way Pone."

Both Dally and Johnny gave each other a look, "It's time for us to go."

A small sob escaped Pony's lips, "D-don't go guys. Please."

Dally winked at him, "Don't get all sad on me Pone. We're your guardian angels. We look after you.."

Johnny smiled, "And keep in mind that your brothers love you. They only want what's good for you."

Before disappearing Dally shouted proudly, "Greasers till the end!"

Ponyboy laughed weakly waving goodbye, "Greasers till the end..."

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)

Thank you for the wonderful reviews and keeping with this fanfic. Last chapter coming up soon... (: