Guest: Thanks!

FrankElza: Thank you! I understand, I am the same. I'm not sure how I survived. It was even longer this time! ):

RiseoftheSoulGardians: The nurse was not nervous of Ponyboy. She was worried about him. I am pretty sure about the one-shot.

Lovestotoro: I doubt it. O:

Pony'sgirlfriend: I just did. (: Thank you (:

I went outside to check on Darry. He was sitting on the bench outside watching the sunset. I felt a stab of pain as I realized it was Pony's favorite time of day.

"Hey Dar, "I said, quietly, as not to startle him.

"Soda," he acknowledged.

I sat down next to him.

"You ok?" I asked him.

"I don't know," he said, and sighed heavily.

I knew how he felt, I was feeling it too.

I sat next to him. For once I didn't know what to say.

I didn't have to say anything. Two-bit came running outside.

"The nurse says we can see Pony!" he all but screamed.

Darry and I immediately jumped up. We ran inside and gathered the rest of the crew.

All six of us ran through the hallway to Ponyboy's room. A nurse gave us a death stare as we ran past, but frankly, I couldn't care less. We were going to see Pony.

When we got to his room, I opened the door quietly. Then we stepped into the small, white room, and in the middle, small on the giant hospital bed, was a sleeping Ponyboy.

…

The kid looked so damn small on that bed. Tubes and wires surrounded him. There was a beeping in the corner. All I could think was this could have been me. This should have been me. The kid was a hero. I don't even know WHY he did it. I hate him, he hates me. I haven't treated him well, so why did he do me a favor? This isn't even a favor, it's a sacrifice. He sacrificed himself for me. I could feel my throat swelling, and hot tears burning my eyes. I sank down the wall, and let tears roll down my face. There was nothing else to do.

…

Oh shit. The kid looked terrible. I've seen a lot in New York, but god, that kid looks like crap. My sympathy was quickly chased away however, because somebody had to pay. Anger flashed through me. I turned and ran back through the hospital, intent of killing the Soc's that did this.

…

I chocked on a sob when I saw him. My best friend was laying on a bed, bruised and broken. The heart monitor in the corner beeped, making sure we were aware that he wasn't dead. Yet. How close he must have been. Everybody but Soda knew what had happened, but never had it crossed my mind that Pony had nearly died. It broke my heart. Pony was the best kid I knew. He didn't deserve this. He was going somewhere. He was getting out of this crappy town. I sat on the floor by his bed, my face in my hands, giving over what might have been.

…

My baby. What happened to my baby? My kid brother. My poor, poor, kid brother. Alright, somebody better tell me what happened. I was about to open my mouth and demand someone tell me, when I saw the clipboard by his bed. I picked it up, and saw that it had all the info about Pony's condition and how it happened. I fell into the chair and began to read, my heart breaking at every word.

…

I don't have any words to describe what I am seeing. Which is rare for me, I'm hardly ever speechless. There are no jokes for me to crack, nothing for me to do or say to make everybody feel better. I need a beer. I quickly retreated out the door, going to get the beer (or beers) that I would drown my sorrows in.

…

Oh Pony. What have they done to you kid brother? You don't deserve this. Why did you take that knife for Steve? Why didn't you run for help? That would have been the logical thing to do. For such a smart kid, you are sure illogical. You always have your head in the clouds. Oh, Pony, Why? I need you. We all need you. I took the seat across from Soda's, and took his small, fragile, hand in my large, rough one.

…

A/N: Oh my gosh! I'm sorry! I meant to update, but my mother didn't let me on the computer a whole month! And I didn't do anything bad! I have about 50 story chapters to catch up on from talented writers, and I'm trying to find the time to read them all!