So sorry about the wait. I've been working a lot and I've had school, along with dealing every other thing life decides to throw my way. So here's the next chapter! I'd like to thank alley529 for reviewing. I'd also like to thank those of you who have favorited this story or added it to your story alerts. It really means a lot to me.

I do not own The Outsiders

"How 'bout you go take a quick shower to warm up? You're shaking like a leaf," Soda said, pulling the towel off Alex's shoulders.

She nodded. "That sounds real nice right now. Freezing out there with the rain and all." She grabbed her bag and Soda led her to the bathroom, returning after a moment. He sat back down next to me, but didn't turn to the TV. We were all quiet, none of us knowing what to say. I wanted to start bawling for Alex, but I just took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in my throat.

"I figured she had it bad, but I never thought it could get that bad," Darry whispered. I glanced over at him and he rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I mean, what man does that to his own kid?"

"Kind that don't deserve to have any," Soda said. "Let me tell ya nothing would make me happier than going over there and wringing that guy's neck."

"Easy little buddy, you know that ain't a good idea."

"Make me feel better." Soda looked over at me. "You okay Pony?"

I rubbed my palms on my legs as my thoughts raced. I still felt unbelievably guilty that I didn't do anything to help her when I saw she was acting weird. Part of me agreed with Soda, to gather the rest of the gang and do something to Jim, but luckily the rational part of my mind spoke louder. I knew that the best thing for me to do was look out for her while she was here and just be there for her.

I looked back at Soda. "Yeah I'm okay, just thinking about everything."

Darry cast a wary glance my way. "Let me make one thing clear. If I catch the two of you doing something you ought not to be doing, I'll beat the tar outta you Pony. Understood?"

I sighed, annoyed. "Got it Darry, even though I don't like her that way. We're just friends, so relax." His expression didn't change.

A shuffling from the hall caught my attention. Alex stood at the entrance to the living room. Her hair was undone and wet, hanging straight around her face all the way to her waist. She wore a huge football jersey that went to her knees and when she took a step I saw she was wearing shorts underneath. She gave us a small smile. "First time ya'll have seen me without my braid huh?"

"Uh-huh," I mumbled. She looked real different with her hair like that. It was like she turned a few years younger and she looked a lot less tired.

She walked over and sat on the floor, leaning against the couch. Soda moved over and picked her up, making her squirm. "Soda, why the hell did you do that?"

"This." He set her down right next to me, and I felt my ears turn red the same time her cheeks did.

I glared back at Soda. He just smiled innocently and pretended to be engrossed in whatever was now on TV. I looked back at Alex and shrugged my shoulders. She did the same and leaned against me. I could feel that, even though she had just taken a shower, she still felt cold. I pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and draped it over her. She smiled and pulled it around her, bringing her knees up to her chest and relaxing.

After a while I yawned, feeling extra tired for some reason. Then I heard Darry and Soda yawn too, and so did Alex.

"Think we should get to bed," Darry announced, standing out of his chair. He went to the hall closet and grabbed an extra pillow, tossing it to Alex. "There you go."

"Thanks Darry," she replied softly, arranging the pillow and blanket on the couch to form a makeshift bed.

She faced all of us, almost looking nervous. "Thank you guys, for everything. It really means a lot to me."

Soda stepped up and hugged her. "No problem Alex. Sleep well."

Then Darry gave her a short hug and good night. I stepped up and hugged her close. "I'm sorry I didn't do anything to help," I whispered to her.

She pulled back, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"I noticed you were acting strange at school, even though we weren't talking. I should've said something, or done something, to help you. I'm sorry I didn't."

She punched my arm lightly. "Ponyboy stop it. I never let on what Jim was doing. You shouldn't feel guilty because you had no way of knowing. You didn't do anything."

I smiled. "I could say the same to you about Johnny and your brothers." Her face paled a little and she looked at her hands. I patted her shoulder. "Good night Alex."

"Night Pony," she whispered. I walked past her and waited at the hallway for her to get on the couch before I turned the light off.

As I got into bed, my mind wouldn't stop racing. I didn't even know exactly what was keeping me up, but something had me worried.

"Alright Pony?" Soda whispered tiredly, pushing himself up on his elbow to look at me.

I sighed. "Do you think we could've done something sooner to help her?"

"Ponyboy she never said anything to any of us. Even if she was acting different, there's no way we could've known for sure."

I rubbed my eyes, finally feeling sleep coming to me. "Think she'll be okay?"

This time Soda laughed. "Alex is a real strong girl. May take some time, but I think she'll be just fine. Now go to sleep, I got work tomorrow." He lay back down on his pillow, falling asleep quickly. I stared at the ceiling for a while before I fell asleep too.

The next morning I was the first one up. I quickly got dressed and went out to the kitchen. When I saw a blanket covered mound on the couch I was surprised for a second, but then I remembered that it was Alex. Moving quietly, I crept over and lifted the blanket off her face. She was still sleeping so I carefully put the blanket back so I wouldn't wake her and went into the kitchen to start making breakfast.

I hadn't even gotten a pan out before I heard the front door swing open and slam against the wall. "ALEXANDRIA!" rang through the house and I thought my heart stopped. I ran into the living room and saw Alex sitting up on the couch, looking terrified out of her mind.

Jim stood in the doorway, red-faced and shaking with anger.

His eyes fell on her and she tried to get up and run away, but he was faster. He reached out and grabbed her arm, making her cry out in pain. He started to pull her towards the door, ignoring her shouts as she tried to pull free. "You are coming home this instant young lady. You are in so much trouble!" Jim hollered at her.

"Alex!" I called out to her. I raced forward and wrapped my arms around her, trying to pull her away. At this point I was running on pure adrenaline. Jim looked back at me and took a swing at me, which I ducked.

"Let her go. This is your fault! You should've stayed away from her like I told you to!"

Suddenly Darry and Soda appeared, grabbing Alex's arm and pushing Jim back. Alex started crying hysterically, probably close to having a panic attack. She wrapped her free arm around me in a vice grip, still desperately trying to free her other arm.

"You let go of her!" Darry shouted in Jim's face. Jim glared at him and pulled on Alex's arm again and she screamed in pain, burying her face into my shoulder.

"Don't let him take me. Don't let him take me. Don't let him take me," I heard her say over and over again. I kept a firm grip on her. I was going to do something now. I wouldn't let Jim get her this time. I was going to protect her.

After another couple of rough tugs, Darry managed to pry Jim's fingers apart enough to get Alex's arm out of his grasp. He pushed her back towards me and she held onto me even tighter than before, burying her eyes into my shirt and soon I felt a damp spot growing.

Jim jabbed his finger at Darry. "You have no right keeping her here. She is coming home with me right now." Alex started shaking violently from his dark tone.

"She's not going anywhere with you," Darry yelled back. "What kind of father treats his own daughter like you do? You don't deserve to have her."

"I don't know what kind of lies she's been telling you, but how I discipline my children is none of your business. Whatever she receives, she deserves."

"You don't discipline your children," Soda shouted. I had never heard him be so angry before. "You abuse your daughter. I bet you don't do anything to your sons when they're the ones who deserve it. Alex didn't do anything!"

"YOU LEAVE MY SONS OUT OF THIS!" Jim shouted louder than ever, making Alex jump and scream. "They have done nothing to deserve punishment, while she continuously disobeys me. I told her specifically to stay away from you hoodlums, and she disobeyed me every day. She deserved her punishment."

I couldn't help myself. I couldn't stay quiet anymore. "She didn't talk to us at all! Last night was the first time I've talked to her in a month because of you!"

Jim turned his dark glare on me and even though it terrified me, I returned the hard stare and tightened my grip on Alex. "You are all liars. Now hand her over and I'll take her home because she needs to be punished again."

He made a move towards us, but Darry and Soda shoved him back. Darry's voice took on a threatening tone. "I have the right to order you off our property. You are trespassing, so get the hell out of my house."

"I'm not leaving without Alexandria."

"Oh yes you are," Darry roared. He grabbed Jim's arm and forcefully pulled him out the door, throwing him off the porch steps. "You come here again I will call the police on your ass. Get out of here!" I thought Jim was gonna try to get back in, but he just turned and stalked down the sidewalk.

My heart rate started coming down from the fast pace it had been at. I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding. Darry and Soda faced us, looking triumphant. But when they looked at Alex, they paled.

Then she collapsed against me and fell to the floor.

Finally the main chapter of the story. You have no idea how badly I wanted to write this chapter. Notice, I can't give you a number but there's only going to be a few more chapters of this. Maybe two, three, four...I can't give you a definite number. But just letting you know.

Ciao,

Kris