Darry finished up filling out some papers. He was glad he'd been shot in his left arm rather than his right so he wouldn't have any trouble writing. He got up off the hospital bed, careful not to wake Ponyboy who had fallen fast asleep. Darry picked up the phone and dialed their home phone number. It was nearly nine a.m. and Soda must be wondering where in the world his brothers went.

"Hello?" A groggy voice answered on the other line.

"Hey, little buddy."

"Darry man, where the heck are you? You've been gone all night. Did you find Ponyboy?" Soda asked eagerly, having not heard from either of his brothers for hours.

"Yeah, Pony's fine. Listen don't worry but we're at the hospital. I had a little accident but I'm ok." Darry said, in a reassuring tone.

"What do you mean?" Soda asked, worried. "What kind of accident?"

"Had a little run in with somebody with a gun but I'm fine."

"What?!" Soda shouted into the phone. "You got shot?! How? When?" He demanded.

"I'll explain later."

"Well, are you all-right? Where'd the bullet hit? I mean you're gonna be ok right? Did anything happen to Pony? How-"

"Whoa, one question at a time, little buddy. I told you I'm fine. So is Ponyboy. He's right here with me. Don't worry, everything's all-right. I just got shot in the shoulder."

"In the shoulder? How you gonna roof houses with a busted shoulder?"

"Yeah, I was talking to the doctor about that a few minutes ago." Darry said, remembering the exact words. 'I certainly hope you have a desk job Mr. Curtis, because I don't see you doing anything other than paperwork for a while.' "I guess I'll have to find something else to do."

"But what? How are you gonna-"

"Hey, quit worrying. That's my job. We're gonna be back in a little while ok? I have to wait for this medicine to wear off before I drive since I can't even see straight. You go on back to bed."

"Lemme come get you guys." Soda said. "I'll call Steve. He'll give me a ride over there."

"No, you go to bed. We'll be back soon enough and don't worry we're fine. I'll explain everything when I get back."

"Fine." Soda said, miserably.

"Bye, little man."

"Bye, Dar."

Darry put the phone back down onto the receiver and went back over to lay next to Ponyboy, falling asleep in just moments. He woke up a couple hours later. His head was feeling much better by this time. Pony was still dead to the world. "Hey, wake up honey." Darry shook him. "I can't carry you this time."

"Mmmmmph." Pony rolled over and opened his eyes. "What time is it?"

Darry looked over at the clock. "Bout eleven. Lets go home now. Soda's waiting."

"Oh my gosh! Soda! I'm such an idiot! I completely forgot! Did you find him?"

"Yeah, he's fine. Now c'mon and get up." Pony rolled out of bed and forced his body to stand steady. Darry got out of the hospital gown and into his other clothes. His shirt was covered with blood and his jeans were stained as well but he didn't really have any other options for clothing.

"Dar, how we gonna get home? Where's the truck?"

"I asked the doc when he came in." Darry said. "They had a tow truck bring it over here."

"When did the doc come in?"

"When you were sleeping. C'mon lets go." Darry motioned for Ponyboy to follow as he headed out of the room. Pony rushed after his big brother quickly, walking right beside him. He was feeling kind of jumpy for some reason and he wanted to be real close to Darry. He wasn't sure what he was scared of but the vision of the gun pointed at him kept flashing through his mind and the memory didn't make him feel to hot. He continued to stay close to his brother as Darry signed himself out and they headed out to find the car.

The second they got home Soda was there to great them, wrapping Pony in a big hug. "Where'd you go kiddo?"

"It's a long story." Pony mumbled.

"You feeling any better?" Darry looked at Soda's pale face.

"Not really." Soda mumbled. "Darry, the bullet go in real deep?"

"Deep enough for them to have to cut my shoulder open. C'mon, lets all get some rest. It's been a long night. Pony, Soda's awful sick again so ya'll can't be in the same bed or you'll catch it as well." During the time Soda was sick Pony had spent most of his time on the living room couch if Soda wasn't on it himself. "I gotta renew that prescription." Darry mumbled, feeling Soda's forehead.

"Hey, Dar?" Pony said softly.

"Yeah?" Darry turned his attention to his youngest brother.

"Could I sleep in your bed?"

"Yeah, sure you can baby." Darry said, squeezing his shoulder, and noticing he was shivering. "Pon, you all-right? You coming down with something?" Pony shook his head but Darry felt his forehead anyways. "You don't have a fever. You're shivering though. You cold?"

Pony shook his head again. "I'm just a little spooked I guess."

Darry nodded. "Soda, you want some soup or something?" Darry asked.

Soda shook his head. "I already ate." He yawned, "You sure you're ok, Dar?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Darry reassured him then shooed him back to bed. "Pon, c'mon and get some sleep before you fall flat or your face." Darry said, after checking Soda's temperature again which hadn't gotten any lower.

"No argument there." Pony mumbled, following his brother to bed. After both his brothers were asleep or so he thought Darry went to take a hot shower and get something comfortable on. When he came back into his room to get some rest he was surprised to find Ponyboy sitting up in bed, holding his knees to his chest, and shivering.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Darry sat down next to him. Gosh he was shaking something fierce.

"N-n-nothing." Pony managed to get out.

"Ponyboy, what is it? What's the matter." Ponyboy didn't answer but merely buried his head in his knees. "Ponyboy, tell me why you're so upset." Darry said, more sternly.

"I'm scared." Pony said softly.

"Of what? There ain't nothing to be afraid of." Pony kept shivering. Darry scooted over to him and held him close, decreasing his shaking.

"I'm worried those guys'll come back and try and get me again." Pony said, leaning against his large brother for comfort which he found.

"What guys?" Darry asked, sincerely concerned.

"That guy that was pointing that gun at me. The one that tried to shoot me. He wants me dead and the cops didn't find him so what if he tries again?"

"Don't worry. I talked to the police while you were sleeping in the hospital. They're out looking for him. I got a pretty good look at him so I gave them a description. But Pon, what all happened with you guys and those socs. What was that fight about? Was there a reason for it or was it just socials being socials."

"Can I explain it all later?" Pony asked, hopefully. He really didn't want to talk about it.

"All-right." Darry said.

"Did we get fined or something for fighting?" Pony asked.

"Listen, just quit worrying about all the legal stuff. I'll deal with it. And don't worry about that guy that shot me neither. They'll find him soon and even if they don't you'll still be fine. I won't let nothing happen to you, ok?" Pony nodded. He trusted his brother, especially after he took a bullet for him! "C'mon, lets go to sleep. You'll feel better when you wake up." Ponyboy nodded and laid down, pulling the covers up to his chin.

"But Darry, what if-"

"Shhhh. Go to sleep honey." Darry said, laying down himself and putting an arm around the baby of his family. Pony snuggled up closer to his brother and finally closed his eyes and relaxed.