Johnny's P.o.V.

I was in a lot of pain.

I tried to stop the scream, I really did, but I couldn't help it in the end. I yelled out in pain and distracted Darry. It's my fault Paul got loose, it's my fault He grabbed Pony, and it's my fault he's being held at gunpoint.

I dragged myself up into a sitting position and screamed. "Paul no! Not him! You can have me just please don't hurt him!"

He grinned crazily. "I've told you from the beginning he was who I wanted. It's your fault for leading him here." He cocked the gun and I felt my heart stop.

Timed seemed to slow down as I stood up, adrenaline erasing every sense of pain I should have had, and began running towards them. I tackled them both, which caused Paul to fire a shot out randomly. I heard Steve scream, and I knew he had gotten hit.

I began crying as Pony and I rolled off of him. I clutched onto him as tight as I could and sobbed louder than I ever had before. Darry had began beating on Paul again, putting an end to it. He didn't stop until Paul was knocked out.

"I-I'm sorry Pony!" I wailed.

He was crying lightly too, but still held onto me, running his fingers through my hair. I heard Soda crying faintly, and I suddenly remembered Steve. I pulled away from Pony and hobbled over to them.

Steve was unconscious, and Soda was next to him, begging for him to be alive. "Don't die Steve! Oh God please don't die!" His hand was overtop of what I assumed to be the bullet wound, as it was bleeding extremely bad.

"I'm s-so sorry..." I cried. "I didn't--"

"Hush it Johnny," Soda wiped his eyes. "This ain't your fault and you know it. The ambulance is on the way. Two-Bit and Marcia ran as soon as he got hit."

I sighed in relief but groaned as I stood. I felt my ribs rubbing together and winced. Ponyboy was still on the ground, but Dally was attempting to comfort him. He wasn't doing a very good job.

"Pony get up, you're okay. Johnny's okay too, y'all didn't get shot." He said.

Pony barely moved. "W-w-where's J-Johnny?"

I crawled over as fast as I could. "Are you okay?" I asked quietly.

He nodded. "Yes, I-I'm not hurt...j-just a bit shaken up." He slowly sat up and grabbed my hand.

I heard sirens echoing up and down the street and knew that they were coming for Steve and Paul. I sighed and allowed myself to relax. Unfortunately, as soon as I did, I passed out cold on the ground.

-

I awoke in a hospital bed. Everything on my body was aching, and I felt numb, it was a huge effort to simply turn my head and look next to me, but I felt someone clutching my hand.

Ponyboy was asleep in a chair next to me, looking extremely peaceful. Our hands were interlocked and his thumb was running over the top of my hand. "Pony..." I called out hoarsely.

His eyes shot open and he sat up straight. "You're awake!" He grinned.

I nodded and clutched my head. "What happened?"

"The ambulance rushed you, Steve, and Paul off to the hospital. They said you had a mild concussion, scratched ribs, and just a bad case of trauma." He sighed. "Paul's in jail. It only took Marcia a few minutes to explain what happened. She was crying pretty hard, and I guess that helped quite a bit."

I was glad that Paul was finally out of my life, but there was still one question remaining. "H-how's Steve?"

He frowned lightly. "W-well..."

That's all it took for me to begin freaking out. "Oh God he's gonna die isn't he? It's all my fault! I knew this would happen! I knew it and I still let y'all come!"

Ponyboy shushed me. "Johnny he's not gonna die...he's just hurt real bad right now. I'm sure he'll end up being just fine. And even if he was going to die, it wouldn't be your fault. You know how stubborn he is, he would have gone if you were clinging onto his leg screaming for him not to."

I sighed and brought my hand to my head, trying to keep from crying. Pony was right, Steve would have no matter how much I protested. The entire gang would.

Pony kisses my hand lightly. "There's gonna be a trial held in a few days. You gotta answer some questions about what happened."

I began shaking lightly. "W-what if they don't believe me and he gets set free...he's gonna be even madder and he'll come get you--"

"Would you quit worrying about me for a second?" Pony snapped, his lip quivering. "This entire thing is because you were worrying about me! If you would have just let him have me then everything would be alright."

I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off again. "I don't wanna hear it Johnny. Just please start worrying about yourself for once. Do you know how guilty I would feel if you died trying to protect me?"

My eyes swelled up with tears but I fought them off. "I-I just--I didn't--"

He just put his hand up. "Johnny I can't have you worrying about me like that. You're putting yourself in fatal danger. Maybe we..." he bit his lip, and slow tears began to drop down his cheek. "Johnny I love you so much...but I'm putting you in danger. If people are after me then in your mind they're after you."

He caressed my cheek. "I have to break up with you. You're going to die one day, and it will be my fault...I don't want that happening..." Ponyboy leaned down and kissed my cheek lightly. "I love you so much."

He turned quickly and left the room.

I was in too much shock to do anything. I just stared where he had been standing.

A while ago, I couldn't even imagine what it felt like for Pony, when he figured death would be better than life.

I know what it's like now...

I finally updated this! Yayyyy me!!