~I do not own The Outsiders~

"I'm the one,
'Cause I'm still here.
I'm still here.
I'm still here.
I'm still here."

The room was dark, the small window in the hospital room showed the darkness outside. At 6 in the morning it was still very black outside with the moon still shining. Some stars were left to fade away in some time, Darry sat in an uncomfortable chair deep in thought of what was going on like why this was happening and all those things. His eyes wandered around until they landed on Sodapop who was beside Ponyboy resting his head on the bed their hands in each others. I swear they're stronger than twins. Hell, they should have been born twins. He sighed as his arms cracked when he stretched in his seat. Ponyboy was still in some sort of coma like state where the only sound was the machine's annoying beep...beep.

Asleep his little brother looked awfully young. Nobody would believe him if he told everyone his real age which was sixteen almost seventeen soon in July. Darry tried smiling knowing that he'd be an adult a year from now, Eighteen. Man does he grow up real fast. I remember when he was just a little baby. When Ma showed me Pony, his tiny hands and feet. When he learned to walk and talk. A grin spread across his face, When he tried saying my name. Heh, Dawy. Didn't sound so bad. He also remembered his first day of kindergarten, how Ponyboy was the only little kid who didn't cry while the others bawled for their parents to not leave them there all alone. Darry was very proud knowing he didn't have a crybaby brother. Then on how he'd be off to college soon. His grin faded.

They had fought recently about school, His curfew. The homework, the exams, everything really. Was I really too harsh on him? Did I over react again? Seeing his brother very pale in the bed confirmed his answers. I should have taken it easier with Pony, I shouldn't have been so hard. He's doing just fine. His grades, his application! And now look where he landed because of me. A shuddered breath escaped him, Pony wake up, I promise I won't treat you like that again. Sometimes...sometimes it's just too hard. I just.., Love you little colt. That's all. I mean no harm...I want what's best for you. He covered his face with his hands.

Sodapop yawned waking up from his slumber, scratching his cheek he quickly looked at his brother for any signs at all. Yet Pony made no movement, only slow rise of his chest going up and down. Soda smiled sadly ruffling his brother's hair carefully, "Morning Pone. Hey Dar."

"Good morning little buddy."

"He ain't waking up Darry..." Middle Curtis sadly whispered with no hope in his voice.

"It's still dark Soda, we still have time. He'll wake up."

Sodapop swallowed feeling the sobs trying to erupt from his chest, "He has to Dar. I-I wouldn't know what to do i-if he-"

Darry stopped him, "Don't even go there Soda. Don't you dare."

Both brothers stayed quiet, the sounds of footsteps outside the room of nurses walking down the hallway echoed. The machine kept it's beat. Sodapop caressed Pony's hand, C'mon honey, just open them pretty green eyes.

The sun was rising outside, the darkness vanished. Morning was getting there, the white clouds appeared along with the blue pale sky. Darry was getting anxious, Soda rubbed his eyes keeping the tears away. Darry's hand touched Pony's forehead, "He feels a little warm."

"Is that bad?"

"I don't think so."

Just as they were getting up to get a nurse, they heard a small groan. Sodapop spun around, Darry's eyes widened. It was Ponyboy. He stifled another groan as he opened his eyes adjusting to the light. His green orbs of eyes fluttered opened noticing where he was. He spotted his brothers who were frozen by the door staring at him like it was the first time they'd seen him in a long time. Ponyboy cocked his head to the right and with his hoarse voice asked, "Did I grow a third eye or something?"

Sodapop made a strange noise then ran to his brother hugging him, Ponyboy winced from the pain on his stomach but didn't care. He hugged him back smiling weakly.

"Pony Pony Pony! Oh God, you're ok! You're fine! Pony!" He burried his head into Pony's shoulder crying happily.

Darry looked down at the ground, Ponyboy knew that face he thought he'd never see again. That broken face with despair along with the sentiment of anguish. Darry was also crying.

"Darry." Pony softly spoke.

"You're awake. I knew you'd wake up kiddo." His vice began to break at the end.

They embraced as well, the three of them together. The doctor, Mr. Williams, walked in on the scene. He stopped feeling like he had invaded their privacy.

"He's awake Mr. Williams." Darry started.

The doctor nodded checking on his vital signs and the chart he had in his hands scribbling words down, "His fever is gone, a little warm but that's normal... Ponyboy, you are one lucky boy."

He shrugged, "I guess."

"He can be discharged in two days, for now let's take it lightly for his wound to scar..."

The rest of the day consisted of Darry and the doctor talking about his medical care at home, Sodapop telling the good news to the rest of the gang. Twobit with Steve visiting the kid to lighten him up. Steve apologized to Pony since he did promise to do that if he woke up.

"I uh, just wanted to um, wanted to..."

Ponyboy rolled his eyes, "Just spit it out already Steve."

"Apologize."

The injured Greaser was stunned, "Apologize?"

Steve nodded, "Yes kid, apologize. For everything. I mean, you know, what happened before." He looked away glaring at the chair beside him, "What the hell am I doing," He murmured.

Curtis understood now, all the fights between them, all the bickering wanting to be left in the past. This was a real deep down meaningful apologize...From Steve. This should be recorded and sent to the news. He smiled, "It's ok Steve. I kinda was a jerk to you too. A real ass. So... yeah. I'm...Sorry too."

Steve was turning red realizing how sappy this was getting, "And Pone...I don't hate you."

"I don't either. You dig ok."

Both laughed out of nowhere after a moment of uncomfortable silence, Ponyboy felt happy now that he become conscious that everything was getting better. Everything began to heal.

The days passed by, Pony got discharged getting back home. Everyone was cautious around him. No rough housing Darry warned before leaving to work. Sodapop took time off to take care of him by making food, giving him his medication, anything at all. Twobit joked saying, "All he needs is a pretty nurse costume for crying out loud!"

Soda had smacked him behind the head while Ponyboy threw an empty Pepsi can from where he was, (The couch). Steve snorted agreeing which earned him a smack as well. Since Pony didn't have any more cans all he did was narrow his eyes.

In short time did the young Curtis's stab wound started healing, he walked by himself now with no help of anybody. Benjamin had visited him often checking up on his best friend, "I missed all the fun I suppose."

Ponyboy punched him lightly, "Sure 'cause having a hole in your stomach is lots of fun."

Lucky for him he was better by the time of the graduation ceremony. That morning Darry, Sodapop, Steve and Twobit arrived taking a seat on the bleachers where many people were getting ready to see their young ones go one by one to get their diploma. They all had to wait a couple of moments before it even started, finally the all famous graduating music began. Darry sat straight while The principal began speaking welcoming everybody. Thanking them for their presence bla bla bla was all Sodapop heard. Twobit chewed on some gum getting bored, Steve was a bit attentive but also getting distracted.

After that the diplomas were getting handed one by one, Darry held out his camera when he heard his little brother's name pointing right at him.

"Ponyboy Michael Curtis."

Sodapop whooped for him, Twobit shouted his name making his chewed gum fall from his mouth, Steve clapped loudly. Ponyboy grinned shaking hands with the teachers and principal. Darry took many pictures not wanting to miss anything. He saw Pony turn around as if going back in line to start over.

"Where's he going?" Soda asked.

Darry, "I don't know..."

All the names were said until the very last one. Darry searched for Pony since his classmates were seated in the front. What's going on? Then he knew why. The principal cleared his throat into the microphone grabbing the people's attention.

"There is still one final thing we must do before this graduation is over. As we all know there must be a 'Good-bye' speech so I present you our honorary student who will give the speech... Ponyboy Michael Curtis, a round of applause please."

Darry was left with no words, Sodapop stared in awe, My baby brother...Oh my God,,,,Oh my God! If he could have smiled wider he would. Twobit felt happiness rise inside of him, Pony my man! Honorary student! Suck on that Socs! Steve folded his arms really impressed, even though he didn't want to admit it he was as proud as all of them. Ponyboy, if I had bet on you that you would be the one to leave this Grease town I would have won in the end. I just knew it all along.

Ponyboy in his gown licked his lips thanking the crowd, he also cleared his throat ready for this. he had prepared this speech before secretly. He wanted this to be a surprise for his brothers and friends Boy are they surprised. He took a minute to spot them sitting on the bleachers beaming at him. Pony smiled, Pretty tuff ain't it guys?

"Let's make this short and sweet to not make this boring shall we?"

The people laughed at his humor.

"We've all come a long way to get where we are. I'm not just talking about us the graduating students, no, I'm talking about every single one of you who had the time, the love and care for us, get the proper education and help us grow wings for us to leave the nest. I know that it was a wild ride, I mean c'mon. We're teens, we're rebellious and want to explore the world..."

Darry raised an eyebrow, I sure know how that feels.

"But always remember, it's not in the victory, it's in the struggle. Which is why this is our thanks to you for keeping us in the right path. This is out time to show you that we can make it, that we can do this... I once had a friend who told me very wise words before he passed away-"

Ponyboy swallowed thickly remembering Johnny. The Greasers understood who he was talking about so they listened carefully.

" -and I want to thank him for saying them, 'Stay Gold', he told me. Those two simple words mean the world to me and now I want to share them with you. We are starting to grow more each day, so we must always remember to stay gold. Enjoy the time we have and like I said before. Be thankful for what he have. And I say this... Stay Gold guys... Stay Gold..."

Everyone stayed silent.

Then a loud round of applause and cheers exploded. His classmates and their families clapped joyfully. His speech really had affected the in a positive way. Go Pony! Ponyboy! That a boy! Whoop! Stay Gold!

He had a tear running down his cheek wiping it away quickly smiling at what he saw around him. Darry's eyes began to water, he knew his choice of taking care of his brothers over going to college was worth this moment. All that time of lecturing, bickering, working hard hours was worth every second of this day. Mom, Dad, where ever you are, I know you'd be proud. Just look at Ponyboy. he's worth it, they both are.

Sodapop clapped and started whistling, "That's right! He's my brother! Ponyboy is my brother!" Inside he was bursting with joy, his baby brother on the right path of actually being somebody in life. He felt his eyes water, I'm so freaking proud 'lil colt.

Steve couldn't contain it so he joined Twobit with all the whoops. There was no doubt that the remaining member of the Grease gang were mighty happy for Ponyboy.

He looked up at the sky imagining his parents hugging him. It brought tears to his eyes. Then of Johnny and Dally. I wish you were here...I miss you so much guys. I really do. Johnny's words echoed in his mind, the one from his dream when he unconscious.

"Remember what I said before I died?"

Pony nodded, "I do."

"Stay that way Pone."

He smiled, "Always kept that promise since you died Johnny...Always will..."

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(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)

So this is it, fin. The end. Thank you again for keeping up & also for the wonderful reviews!