Okay so here goes I'm back though I can't promise how regular my updates will be and I'm sorry for that. Thank you all SO MUCH for all your well wishes and prayers for my dad and my family you have no idea how much it meant and still does mean to me.
So on with the chapters,
Thanks again EVERYONE!
Please remember to review!!
Oh and this chapter will be all in Ponyboy's point of view!!
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The rest of the walk to Johnny's went without any trouble, but Two-bit and I remained silent the rest of the way, both lost in our thoughts or at least I was.
I knew that Two-bit was right about asking Rachel pressure Dally; it would kill Rachel, damage Dally, and hurt Johnny. But I also knew that Rachel was the key for Dally to finally come visit Johnny.
I understand that I can't ask right away from what I'd observed whatever it was that was going on between Dally and Rachel was knew.
My thoughts stopped when we finally got to Johnny's, none of the lights were on in the front so we jumped over the fence and headed for Johnny's room. We'd done this enough that it was almost as natural as breathing.
Thankfully Johnny's light was on which meant he was up, normally when I came over late I'd give advance warning during another visit or even call so Johnny would make sure to be up so my trek over here wasn't all in vain.
I tapped lightly on the window, Two-bit standing behind me, still oddly silent.
I watched as the curtains parted slightly and Johnny's face peeked out before breaking in to a smile, Johnny opened the window before wheeling back to give us space to heave ourselves up into the window frame and into his room.
Once we were both firmly in I watched Two-bit close the window before flopping lazily on the bed, I moved and sat on the corner of the bed facing Johnny.
"Pony what are you doing here so late? I didn't know you were commin tonight" Johnny said with a smile.
No matter how many times Pony heard Jonny's voice I could never get used to the slight pitch change from inhaling all of the smoke and breathing in low amounts of embers from the fire. The doctor's were just glad that he could talk they hadn't been concerned with the change. I knew I shouldn't care but it was a constant reminder of what they had been through.
"I woulda waited for tomorrow but I knew you'd wanna know right away" I said with a grin Johnny was always impatient when it came to news on Dally, he couldn't help it, to Johnny Dally could do no wrong.
"Oh? What's doing?" Johnny asked and I watched the puzzled look on his face, I'd just been here yesterday and filled him in on everything, and I knew he was wondering what could have happened to make me come unannounced in the middle of the night.
"Remember how I told that Rachel, our old neighbor, moved in with us once her Grandma died?" I questioned wanting him to be caught up on the exact details before I dropped the bomb.
"Yea the broad who doesn't talk and is like a nun" Johnny said with a smile and a nod. He'd never actually met her, Johnny had been so shy before the fire and Rachel was just shy period that it was impossible to get them too met, though he'd seen her from afar.
"Well what I didn't mention was that Two-bit and Rachel got into a small incident with Curly Shepard, Curly grabbed Rachel and then Dally stepped in and told him to let her go." I said watching Johnny's eyes widen he knew Dally better than anyone and knew that was totally out of character for him.
"Then what happened?" Johnny asked me eagerly sitting forward slightly in his wheel chair.
"Well we all hoped that Curly and the others would lose interest and forget about Rachel so Two-bit went to talk to them, but they were really interested in Rachel because Dally stood up for her" I said seriously
Johnny nodded in understanding it was never good to have the attention of Curly Shepard and his gang.
"Well then Dally flips out on Rachel because he's so frustrated about what's going, he leaves after I stop him and comes back later with a bloody lip and bruised and cut open knuckles. Saying that he told everyone that Rachel was his girl and if anyone had a problem that they would have to go threw him" I said with a smile I was proud of Dally for doing that, he didn't have to we all knew he was rather self serving, that act alone should have been a giveaway for what would eventually happen.
"Then what I know that's not the end you wouldn't come here just to tell me that what happens, what happens?" Johnny asked pleading with me to continue. Sometimes I wondered if Johnny's idolization of Dally was almost fairy tale like, always the good guy, he could do no wrong kinda thing.
"Chill Johnny I'm getting to it okay so I told you Tim got real cut up and landed on Rachel" I paused waiting for Johnny's affirmative nod before continuing.
"Well we all had work and school and left Rachel home alone with Tim, and told her not to go near him. I'm not exactly sure what happened but Dally walked in and attacked Tim, the next night Rachel left and went to find Dally at Buck's with Tim's help, she stayed over, came home today and they were on the couch making out." I said summarizing it quickly
"Wait, what" Johnny questioned shocked
"Yea" Was all I could say thinking the same thing.
"What did everyone do?" Johnny asked with excitement
"That's the part I couldn't wait to tell you, instead of just blowing Rachel off like he does with other girls he picked her up and took her to her room, got her a glass of water, and then came back out to have it out with us." I said replay the day in my head.
"What, wait, really" Johnny asked totally in awe.
"Yea and the weirdest part was that when he came out of Rachel's room to have it out he made us turn the TV on so she wouldn't hear the fighting" I finished
"You think Dal really likes her?" Johnny asked his voice small
"I think so, I know he's a rebel and all but I can't see him shooting the hand that feeds him, I mean if he hurts Rachel, he knows were done with him, Rachel's family"
"Yea I just can't believe Dal actually fell for a broad" Johnny said with a smile.
"I know, it's insane, it's Dally and Rachel, there so different. Dal's been around the block a lot and Rachel won't even walk the block" I said causing Johnny to burst out laughing which made me smile, since the fire his laughs were few and far between.
"That's a good one Pony" Johnny said regaining his breath holding his side
I nodded
"It's so weird I always thought nothing could tie down old Dal, you know" Johnny said quietly.
"I know I think we all thought that including him, which is what makes it so funny to watch, it's like a movie there's so much drama and a touch of humor you never know what's going to happen next" I said thinking of how I would have never in a million years expected to walk in and find them kissing.
"You think they'll last" Johnny questioned me seriously
"I don't know part of me thinks they will but the other part knows when Dally get's in new situations and the pressure gets to him he tends to lash out" I answered.
"You think they'll be breathing down his neck" Johnny asked seriously knowing Dally's habit for lashing out and doing stupid stuff.
"Yea I don't think they'll exactly mean to, well maybe Soda will, but the rest won't but I think it might start to get to Dally, he won't be used to it, he might just forget it" I said worriedly
"That's kill Rachel right" Johnny questioned me and I answered with a grim nod
"I mean I don't want her with Dally anymore than anyone else, but Dally's done her some good, she's living or at least trying to, I mean she went to Buck's to find him, she went alone, she's stepping out of her bubble. I'm just worried that if he gives up and the bubble pops she's retreat and never try again" I said my forehead wrinkled in concentration.
"I know what you're saying Pony, but you gotta trust Dally, he wouldn't do that to her, he knows what she's like before they ever got together or whatever, so don't be thinking he'd do her wrong. Though it might take him a little before it actually all comes together in his mind, it'll all work out, I know it" Johnny said with more optimism then I'd seen since the fire I couldn't help but smile back even though my mind was still unsure about everything.
"I was thinking about talking to Rachel, about coming for a visit with Dally" I blurted out Johnny froze before answering.
"Listen Pony, you're my brother you're the smartest guy I know but, don't push Dally on this. He'll come when he's ready and not before." Johnny said sadly serious
"But Dally's being a coward" I said before I could stop myself I visibly saw Johnny stiffen.
"Dally ain't know coward, he knows what he's doing and what needs to be done and he'll do it but not a minute before you got that PonyBoy Curtis?" Johnny asked his eyes flashing with anger; I wasn't used to this side of Johnny, though I've never bad mouthed Dally in from of him either.
I nodded yes.
"Good now I'm not mad and you can still come over tomorrow as planned but I think I need to get some sleep I have PT in the morning" Johnny said with a smile, all traces of anger gone.
"Okay I'll see you tomorrow, sleep well" I said before standing and glancing over at Two-Bit who was fast asleep on the bed. No wonder I forgot he was there he was so quiet.
"Get up Two-Bit" I said smacking his head, he sat up instantly.
"What?" He asked in a daze
"Come on were going home" I said with a laugh as I climbed out the window and Two-bit followed falling on his butt, still waking up.
"Hey Pony" Two-bit said after a little bit of walking
"Yea" I answered back
"Did we really walk in on Dally and Rachel sucking face or was that some kinda twisted dream?" Two-bit asked and I couldn't help it I laughed so hard I almost go tears in my eyes.
"Nah it really happened" I answered finally as I began to catch my breath once again heading for home.