"Y-yeah but because he was living in a bar. But trust me these people are the best. They would never hurt me... on purpose."

"Your only suitable guardian abandoned you with what I'm assuming is strangers."

"They were at first but I lived with Dally for 2 days ish." I say.

The doctor nods slowly. I don't think I made him change his mind about calling the cops. Damn my big mouth.

He leaves after a few minutes of awkward silence.

Suddenly the gang burst through the door. I smile broadly.

"Vixen! You're okay." Ponyboy exclaims.

"Yep."

The gang crowds around my bed and one by one give me gentle hugs. When I get to Johnny he looks at me sadly.

"I'm so sorry." He whispers.

"It's okay. You aimed for the right person." I told him. When he pulled away Dally was next.

"I'm sorry kid. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have left you."

"It's alright Dally." I told him. A single tear went down his cheek and he hugged me tightly. I wince in pain.

"Hurting." I wince. Dally pulls away quickly.

"Sorry kid." He says.

The gang all sits around. I'm sure the doctor wasn't expecting all of them to come.

"What'd the doctor say?" Darry asks.

"He didn't tell me anything about how I am. But he told me he was gonna bring some cops in in the morning and question me." I look down and play with my fingernails.

"About what?" Dally asks.

"Just to see if I'm in a safe environment or if I need to go to a girls home." I say the last part quietly.

"Girls home?" Ponyboy asks.

"Yeah. The doctor doesn't think I'm safe with y'all." I say.

"This is my fault." Johnny whispers putting his head in his hands.

"Stop fucking blaming yourself Johnny Cade. It is not your fault. Sure you hit me but it was an accident. It's my dads fault." I yelled at him.

Everyone was silent for a few minutes.

"You're right." Johnny mumbles.

"I'll fix this." Dally stands up.

"What?"

He walks out of the room quickly without saying a word. We all look around at each other as if questioning what was gonna happen.

I hear yelling in the distance. Some shuffling. Then the door burst open moments later and Dally comes back holding the doctor.

"Tell her." He says.

"I'm not calling the cops. You're clearly in good hands." The doctor says shakily. Dally lets him go and walks back to his seat.

"So doc. What's the deal with Vixen. How is she?" Darry asks as if nothing has happened. The doctor coughs slightly. And straightens his clothes.

"She's fine. We gave her some blood. She's on pain medication right now. She should be clear to go home in a few days. But she'll have to stay in bed unless she absolutely has to get up and not do anything to strenuous."

"Alright. Thanks doctor. I'm sorry for Dallas." The doctor nods once before walking out quickly after taking a brief look at Dally.

He smirks triumphantly. I smile and reach over and hit him.

"Hey kid watch it." He says. Although he looked serious he sounded playful.

"Sorry." I lie. He smiles at me.

We all stay and talk for a few hours. Until a few nurses came and told them it was time for them to go and they could visit me later.

The gang protested loudly but left anyways.

Dally and Johnny stayed back for a few minutes.

"Bye kid. See ya later." Dally kisses my forehead and left. Johnny looked back to make sure the door was closed.

"I know this probably ain't the right time. But our conversation yesterday morning. Did you remember it?"

I think back. Johnny told me what I said while I was drunk and asked me to tell him how I really felt about him.

"Everything you said I did, wasn't just because I was drunk Johnny. I really like you." I told him.

Johnny smiled slightly.

"That's good to hear." He leaned forward slightly and gently pressed his lips against mine.

"Does that mean you like me too?" I asked when he pulled away.

"Yeah. See ya." Johnny kissed me lightly one last time before he walked away.

When he was gone I slowly brought my hand to my lips. His were so soft and gentle.

My heart was beating quickly and the machine beside me was going crazy. My cheeks felt hot and butterflies erupted in my stomach.

A nurse came in concerned with my heart rate and I told her I was okay.

******

A FEW DAYS LATER

*****

The doctor kept his word and didn't call the cops the next day.

The gang visited me daily. Johnny asked me to be his girl but I said yes as long as we keep it from the gang.

Then the day finally came.

I was clear to go home.

The doctor came in early one morning I was already awake because I cant stand to sleep alone.

He had a clip board. Checked me out. Then said I was good to go.

"Everything looks fine. I'll call your brother to come take you home." I nod slowly and the doctor leaves.

I smile broadly. Finally out of this hell hole.

He came back a few minutes later and took all the tubes and such out of my arms and gave me the clothes I had when I came.

They were clean and stitched back together. I thanked him quietly and changed.

He told me to wait in the waiting room for my brother and I could ask him anything that I'm concerned with in the meantime.

"Is it alright if I shower?"

"The stitches should be healed enough. If anything happens come here and we'll fix it." I nod slowly and take a seat.

It took a while for the gang to come by. Well most of it.

Darry, Steve and Soda were at work like usual.

Dally gave me a hug and I winced slightly.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Just sore." I tell him. Dally nods.

"Let's get you home." He says. Then he leads me out to a red thunderbird parked at the door.

"This yours?"

"Borrowing it." I nod slowly.

Dally helps me into the car. Two Bit got the front seat and Johnny and Pony sit on either side of me.

Dally starts up the car and drives us home.