***Two-Bits POV***

I followed Bailey home - I felt like something was up. Johnny didn't go home with her, and I saw the defeated look on her face when he didn't. 

I followed her home because I sorta kinda maybe might be starting to like her.

Like, as in more than just a friend.

When she walked into the Curtis house, she glowed in beauty. I mean, she wasn't just any blonde who would agree to go out with me without a second thought. I knew she would be a piece of work if I wanted her to be mine, but I was willing to work that hard for a girl like her.

I just couldn't let her walk home alone. What if there were Socs out? What if she tripped and broke her ankle? I don't want anything to happen to her.

I lean around a fence and see her disappear behind the house. Man, that home sure is loud. 

I run to another side and see her climb up to her window. And then I witness her being beaten.

I see her dangling from her second story bedroom, ready to fall at any second. I rush over to her, catching her just before she hits the ground.

My feet speed up rapidly as I sprint back to the Curtis house. When I barge in, no one notices that I have an unconscious person in my arms. I give a little 'ahem' and everyone turns to me.

"Two-Bit, what did you do?!" Dally yells.

"Nothin, Dal! I was walking home when I saw her getting beat by her folks. I caught her when she fell out the window," I defend. They all crowd around me, looking at her cuts, bruises, and limp body.

"My baby Cade," Ponyboy says almost in a whisper. I look over and see Johnny just waking up from his perfectly timed little nap. He looks confused.

"What's going on? And where's Bailey?"

The gang parts so he can see her in my arms. He gasps and lunges from the couch. 

"Bails.." He chokes out. Her eyes flutter open. 

"Johnny?" She replies weakly.

"Yeah, Bails, it's me," he says, tears falling from his eyes. Bailey looks up at me and half smiles. 

"Hey there Two-Bit." She adds a cracked laugh, making my eyes glassy.

"Hey baby Cade, we're gonna get you cleaned up, OK?" She nods and closes her eyes again. 

I lay her on the couch and begin to throw orders at people for various medical supplies. I know what to do from watching Darry so many times.

Her breathing eventually gets lighter, and she sleeps peacefully. Her cuts and bruises are infinite, and there is quite a large gash on the side of her face. I gently rub alcohol all over her body. When she flinches, I squeeze her hand and she calms down. Everyone eventually loses interest and go do something else, but I command myself to stay with her.

I sit in the armchair late into the night, watching over her and cleaning her wounds. I doze off every now and then. 

At 2:05am, Soda comes out and offers the guest room to her, which I accept. I carry her there and tuck her in nicely. Before I leave, I kiss her lightly on the forehead.

------

I wake to screaming, and lots of it. I guess I went back to sleep on the couch, because I now find myself on the ground. Groaning, I get up and run down the hallway to Bailey's room. I open the door quietly but quickly and my eyes fall on a scared figure.

Bailey is sitting straight up in bed, breathing heavily and sweating. 

"Johnny?" She asks shakily.

"No, it's Two-Bit," I say, still standing in the doorway.

"Oh, sorry for waking you, I just had a nightmare."

"It's ok, I get 'em too," I reply.

"Will you... stay here with me?" she says so quietly it's almost a whisper. I nod and shut the door quietly so no one hears anything.

I sit on the bed next to her and look at the frightened girl ahead of me. She and Johnny both have those lost puppy looks when they get really scared.

"Try to sleep," I request softly. She rubs her sweatshirt covered fist under her eyes and inhales sharply. She casually leans against me and I wrap my arm around her shoulder.

"How often do you get those?" I ask her softly. She nestles deeper into my shoulder.

"Almost every night," she says slowly.

"It's okay, you're okay now, I promise," I coo as I pull her closer to me. She drapes her legs over mine.

"Thank you," she says against my chest. "Will you lay with me, just until I fall asleep again?

I nod and place her in bed next to me. I carefully tuck her beneath the blankets before I lay next to her, leaving enough room between us so it isn't awkward. She pulls herself closer to me. It seems kind of weird at first.

"Bailey, I -"

"Shh," she says as she lays in the crook of my neck. I wrap my arms around her waist and begin tracing lines up and down her side.

That's when I vow to myself that I will never let anyone hurt my Bailey for as long as she lives.