Another update! This one is on the shorter side, but I hope you all enjoy it!

(Darry's POV)

I shook Tim's bloodied hand with a tight, strong grip, just like my dad always told me to do. It was the respectable thing to do, even though I just beat a few guys to a pulp.

We whipped the Socs, but there was a particular one that was absent from the small rumble we set up. Tim didn't want Curly at the fight, but he was there during the meeting we had with the Socs when we set it up so he could tell us who all the guys were, but I was mostly interested in the one who pulled a blade on Ponyboy. Ed was his name; he was tall, had a big nose, and apparently the night he sent Pony to the hospital, my kid brother kicked him between the legs. I smirked when I found that out. Even though Ed was there when we agreed it would be a fair fight, he was mysteriously absent from the rumble, which both confused me and made me angry.

"Nice seeing you back in action, Darry," Tim said with a smirk, pulling my thoughts away from the Soc I wanted to beat the tar out of. "Think they've got the message to quit messin' with your brother?"

"They better," I said, anger dripping from my voice. "I'm not trying to make it a habit to get involved in more rumbles than I have to."

Tim nodded and retracted his hand. He knew I'd always back the guys up in a fight if I needed to, and I wouldn't hesitate to hurt anyone who messed with my brothers, but fighting wasn't my idea of a good time like it used to be. Still, I'd flex my muscles if it was needed.

"Don't kid yourself, Dar," Soda said with a wild smile on his face. He was still riding the emotional high from the fight. "You love showin' off how tough you are."

I rolled my eyes, but I didn't argue with him.

"Well, I guess I'll see you around, Curtises," Tim said as he turned to walk towards his car.

"Hopefully not from because our brothers found more trouble," I said, giving Tim a pointed look that I hoped he understood. If Curly pulls shit like that again and gets Pony involved, I'm not holding back.

Tim nodded and grinned a little. "Say hi to the kid for me."

I nodded my head before turning towards Soda, who was standing behind me and staring at the stretch of road the Socs drove down, possibly making sure they weren't coming back for round two. "Come on Soda, let's go back to the hospital."

"We, okay," Soda said, immediately turning to go to our truck.

Soda and I were reluctant to leave Ponyboy's side at all, but those Socs had to be taken care of, and since the medication knocked him out, we were hoping we'd be back before Pony woke up. Two-Bit was with him anyway, so we felt more assured since one of our friends would be there so Ponyboy wouldn't be alone if he did wake up while we were away.

When we got in the truck, I turned the key, and as the engine started, I glanced at Soda. He was a little worse for wear, but he looked alright; just a few cuts and a lip that was getting fatter by the minute. It was just us and Tim against the Socs, so all things considered, we left the fight in decent shape.

"You alright, Soda?" I asked.

Soda looked at me with an expression of complete surprise. "I'm fine, Dar. Why?"

Because I have more than one brother to look after; I need to make sure you're okay. Just before you're not in the hospital, doesn't mean you're alright. You're going through just as much as I am right now. Instead of saying what I wanted to say, I just grinned and shoved him in the shoulder. "Looks liked you could've dodged a few blows, little buddy. You getting slower than you used to be or something?"

Soda looked at me carefully, like he knew that's not what I wanted to say, but he let it slide and shoved me back. "Maybe I just fought against a few more of them than you. Ever think about that?" I rolled my eyes and ruffled his hair, making him laugh, before I threw the truck into gear.

We drove for a couple minutes before I looked over at Soda again, who seemed to be looking out the window, deep in thought.

"You really okay, Soda?" I asked, seriously this time. "And I don't mean just physically."

Soda looked at me again, and this time, I just knew he could tell what I was thinking. He took a breath before answering. "I'm okay. I just want Pony to get better." He blinked a couple times, then he spoked softly. "How are you, Dar?"

I turned to face the road as I debated how I wanted to answer. Worried. Tired. Scared. Happy. Nervous. How am I feeling? Finally, I settled on an answer. "I think we're on the same page, Soda."

We continued to drive in silence, both of us just wanting to get to our brother.

(Two-Bit's POV)

With Darry and Soda off to fight the Socs who beat the living daylights out of Ponyboy, and Steve working at the DX, it was just me in the room hanging out with our youngest greaser. It wasn't bad or nothing, although the pain medication made him real tired and he was sleeping like a bear in the middle of winter. I played cards by myself and chatted with the cute blonde nurse when she came into the room to check on Ponyboy, but other than that, I didn't really have much to do other than talk to my sleeping friend.

"You sure do sleep a lot these days, kid," I said out loud as I shuffled the deck of cards for the hundredth time, sort of wishing he'd wake up and keep me company. "Not sayin' there's something wrong with that or anything. I mean, the doctor and your brothers keep saying you need it and all, but man, you're practically sleeping beauty." I smirked a little, imagining him smacking my head or tackling me for saying that.

I looked over at him, and all the cuts, bruises, stitches, wires, and everything else made my stomach turn. Even though we weren't blood-related, he was practically my kid brother, but besides that, Ponyboy was one of my best friends, and we'd been through a lot together. Hell, our entire gang had been through hell and back over the past year or two, and we'd all gotten closer because of it, so whenever anything happened to one of us, we all were affected by it, and Ponyboy almost dying was no exception. Hearing that he had stopped breathing was bad enough, but to see him twitch and have a seizure episode just added insult to injury.

"Don't you worry, your brothers are kicking some Soc ass right now with Tim. Then they'll finally leave you alone, and all you'll need to worry about is gettin' better," I told him. Even though he was sleeping, I hoped he could somehow hear me. I reached down and patted his knee. "You're gonna get through this, kid."

Suddenly, a nurse I didn't recognize walked through the doorway. "Excuse me, are you… Two-Bit?" she asked, obviously confused by the nickname.

"Yeah, who's askin'?" I replied. Whoever asked for me knew me by name, but that didn't really narrow it down. Between the cops, teachers, greasers, and Socs, everyone in Tulsa knew my name.

She nodded and seemed more sure of herself when she spoke again. "Someone named Steve is on the phone for you."

That got my attention, and made me a little concerned. He knows Darry and Soda were going to fight the Socs tonight and that I'm with Ponyboy, so he knew exactly who to call, when, and where. "Is something wrong?"

She gave me a look and shrugged. "I'm not sure. He just called and wants to talk to you." Well you sure ain't helpful.

I looked back at Ponyboy, who just kept on sleeping. I didn't want to leave him, especially since both of his brothers were gone, but since it was Steve calling, I figured I could spare a minute to talk with him before coming back to the room. I squeezed Pony's knee a little. "I gotta go talk to Steve, Pony. I'll be right back. "

I stood up from the uncomfortable chair, and after glancing down at my injured friend, I followed the nurse into the hallway.

I'll only be gone for couple minutes. He'll be fine.