Now I bet ya'll wonder what Steve's reason for staying is. Well actually his other two reasons.

Ages:

Darry: 24

Two-Bit: 22

Soda: 21

Steve: 21

Dallas: 21

Johnny: 20

Pony: 18

Curly: 19

Tim: 22

Prologue – Tornados and butterflies

It had been a year since Soda came back from Vietnam and now only Pony was still in school. Darry just came home from work. It was Saturday but he still had to work, until the rain started and everyone was sent home. As he entered the house he found Two-Bit and Pony wrestling on the floor while Dallas was watching TV.

"Hi guys", Darry said as he took off his jacket.

"Hi Darry", Pony greeted from beneath Two-Bit. "Did you have to quit early because of the rain?"

"Yeah and there is also a tornado-warning… Where are the others?"

"Steve and Soda are still working", Dallas answered nonchalantly. "But Johnny I have no idea."

"He said he would get over to the DX", Two-Bit said. "They should be back soon."

"They better hurry", Dallas said and nodded towards the window. "It's started to blow really badly."

"Shit", Darry said and took on his jacket again. "We must hurry to the shelter in the backyard!"

"But what about the others?" Pony asked as they put their jackets on.

"They'll be fine", Two-Bit assured.


"Steve", Soda yelled and tried to close the door to the garage. "Hurry up and give me a hand we must get to shelter!"

Steve ran over and they closed the garage door and locked it and then took off down the street.

"Hey Soda isn't that Johnny?" Steve said and pointed at a figure running from a car.

"Yeah come on!" They both ran towards him.

"Steve, Soda", Johnny called and stopped in front of them, so did the car and four socs came out on the street.

"Lookie here", one said, he was drunk. "Three greasers that need a haircut!"

"You better get home", Steve said. The boys were younger than him and Soda. "There is a tornado coming."

"Yeah right."

"Look at the sky ya idiot", Soda barked and the socs looked at the sky and saw the green light. They boogied at once. "Come on let's get to our house!"

As the boys ran the wind started to get stronger and a branch flew towards them.

"Watch out", Steve yelled and they ducked but the branch hit Johnny's leg.

"Ah", he screamed in pain.

"Are you okay Johnnycake", Soda asked as they helped him up.

"I think my ankle is sprained", Johnny answered. "You guys hurry home, I'll catch up."

"No way in hell Joshiecakes", Steve said and looked around. His eyes caught site of a man trying to close the door to a shelter. "Hey!" He and Soda helped Johnny over to him.

"Please let our friend inside he's injured", Soda said.

"We only have room for one more", the man said sadly.

"That's okay", Steve said. "Johnny here is little."

"I'm not leaving ya out here!" Johnny protested.

"We still have time to run to the house Johnny", Soda said and smiled. "Don't worry 'bout us. We'll be just fine."

With some help Johnny got inside the shelter and Steve and Soda helped close the door and then took off running.


The wind was now so strong it was hard to move.

"Steve", Soda yelled over the wind. "We'll never make it to the house!"

"We gotta try!"

"Hey", someone yelled and they turned and saw an older man wave at them. "Hurry over here!"

"I think God is on our side", Soda said as they got over. "Do you have room for two more mister?"

"Sure do", the man said and they young men hurried inside and all three of them closed the door just in time. The lights went out when the tornado hit and they all heard the house above crumble.


"Dallas give me a hand here", Darry said as he tried to open the door to the cellar a few hours later. They'd all worried about Johnny, Steve and Soda but Darry knew they were okay.

"Sure Dar", Dally said and together they tried to open. "I think there is rubble in the way."

"Darry!"

"Did you hear that", Two-Bit asked and rose.

"Pony!"

"Yeah", Pony said and came up to them.

"Dallas, Two-Bit, Steve, Soda!"

"It's Johnny", Dallas said and they all started to call for him.

Johnny saw all the rubble, it was mostly branches and some trashcans and other small things so he started to clear the path.

"Hang on guys I'm almost through!" he called.

"Okay guys let's give it a try", Darry said and all four pushed at the door and it opened.

"Okay", Johnny cheered as he saw them. "You guys alright?"

"Yeah what about you", Dallas asked and saw that Johnny was favoring his right leg.

"A branch hit my leg when Steve, Soda and I ran towards the house. They didn't tell ya?"

"They ain't here."

"What?! But… but they left me with those others and said they would make it!"

"Then where the hell are they?" Two-Bit asked.

"Get to the truck", Darry said. "We'll ransack these neighborhoods until we find them."


A few hours later it had gotten dark so they had to stop the searching. They'd seen fire trucks and ambulances and polices but no sign of their boys. They'd run into Curly who'd told them that Tim, him and Angela were all okay but out searching for some of their gang members. Darry decided not to worry him and his siblings about their cousin, not yet. On the TV it was announced that the families of those who are dead or missing would have a special memorial in the church the next day. The gang decided to go.


In the meantime Steve, Soda and three more people were trying to dug their way out of the shelter they were stuck in. They'd been working non-stop and had to rest for a while. Soda sank down on the floor and Steve sank down beside him.

"Aw man this reminds me of that time we were kidnapped", he said and ran a hand through his sweaty hair.

"A little", Soda answered softly. "But the hosts are nicer this time."

"Yeah…"

"So are ya looking forward for tomorrow?"

"If you ask if I'm looking forward to get the hell outta here then yeah."

"No I was talking about something else."

"What?"

"The munchkins", Soda said and smiled when Steve's eyes went huge. "You forgot 'bout the munchkins?"

"No… I-I just… well ya know there was a tornado!"

"Hey calm down, we'll get out of here in time to find them."

"Yeah and when you meet them, remember I'm the only one who are allowed to call them munchkins."

"Within their earshot."

"Exactly."

"What are the munchkins", the old man opposite them asked and Steve smiled, he really smiled. Something Soda knew was rare.

"Just the munchkins", Steve answered the man and soon all of them were asleep.


In the church next morning people had gathered to pray for those who were missing or injured or grieve over those who were dead. People put pictures on the altar and Pony looked at Darry with red eyes.

"We should've brought a picture of them Darry."

"I know… I know…" The whole gang was in the church and Two-Bit and Dallas was actually behaving.

"Do ya think they're okay", Johnny asked quietly.

"Yeah", Dallas said. "Those two survived 'nam so a little tornado ain't gonna stop 'em."

"Dallas is right", Darry said and squeezed Pony's shoulder and they were all quiet again, listening to the priest talk. Suddenly Two-Bit patted Pony's shoulder.

"Hey Pony look at that broad", he said and all of them turned to the entrance where a boy and girl had just entered. "Man she looks good."

"Two-Bit how can ya think of girls right now", Pony asked sourly.

"The guy reminds me of someone", Dallas said and narrowed his eyes. "But I sure as hell can't put my finger on who it is."

The girl had long, dark and a little curly hair that went down below her shoulder blades. She wore a pair of dark jeans, a white shirt and a black west and on her feet she had black sneakers. Her eyes were really dark too. The boy beside her had his dark hair combed back and it was heavily greased because of the curls he had, he also had very dark eyes. He was wearing light jeans, a jeans jacket without arms, that Pony thought looked very familiar, and he wore a white sweater beneath it. On his feet he had black leather boots. They were both greasers, but the girl was not like the normal greaser girls. She had almost no makeup and no earrings and wasn't "exposing" herself. In her arms she held a framed picture where you could only see the back. She was hugging it close to her and the guy beside her held a guitar case in his hand so hard his knuckles where white. The girl's eyes were teary but determent.

"He does look familiar", Johnny said softly as the two new greasers walked past them to talk to the priest. "He looks almost like…"

"Like who", Two-Bit asked when Johnny didn't continue.

"Just forget it Two-Bit."

The new greasers talked for a little while with the priest and then this cleared his throat.

"Everyone, these two children would like your full attention when they perform a song for someone that is missing. Go ahead child."

The girl nodded and took a deep breath the boy took out his guitar and stood beside her.

"We would like to dedicate this song to someone that is very close to our hearts", the girl said softly but loud enough for everyone to hear. "We want everyone to know how special he was to us and how he took good care of us before mom and dad sent us to a boarding school in Washington D.C. and how he still is, was, taking care of us." She nodded to the guy and he started playing and she started singing.

"You tucked me in, turned out the light
Kept me safe and sound at night
Little girls depend on things like that
"

Brushed my teeth and combed my hair
Had to drive me everywhere
You were always there when I looked back

You had to do it all alone
Make a living, make a home
Must have been as hard as it could be

And when I couldn't sleep at night
Scared things wouldn't turn out right
You would hold my hand and sing to me

"Sing with me Sean", she told the boy.
"Both: Caterpillar in the tree
How you wonder who you'll be
Can't go far but you can always dream
Butterfly fly away

Wish you may and wish you might
Don't you worry, hold on tight
I promise you there will come a day
Butterfly fly away

Girl: Butterfly fly away

Sean:Butterfly fly away

Girl: Flap your wings now you can't stay

Both: Take those dreams and make them all come true Butterfly fly away

Girl: Butterfly fly away

Sean:Butterfly fly away

Girl: We've been waiting for this day

Both: All along and knowing just what to do
Butterfly, butterfly, butterfly, butterfly fly away Butterfly fly away

Girl: Butterfly fly away

Sean: Butterfly fly away"

When the music faded the girl walked up to the altar and put down the framed picture and ran her fingers over one of the faces. Pony's eyes went huge when he saw that it was a picture of Steve and Soda. Steve held his arm on Soda's shoulder and both of them were looking cool.

"Darry", Pony whispered and then the silence was interrupted by someone clapping their hands. Everyone turned to the door and saw two dirty young men standing there. One of them was smiling wide, the other, the one who had applauded had tears in his eyes. The girl and boy stared at him and then the girl ran down the aisle and practically jumped into his arms.

"Steve", she yelled and the greasers were on their feet at once and met Soda on their way down. The young boy, Sean walked towards the door. Steve looked up from the girl's hair, which he'd been kissing, and looked at Sean and held out his arm.

"Come here", he said and Sean ran up to them and there was a group hug.

"Soda", Darry said and hugged his brother. "What happened?"

"We got into a cellar, but the house collapsed on top of it… it took some time to dig us out."

"Soda who are those two hugging Steve to bits", Pony asked after hugging his brother.

"They're his reason", Soda said softly.

"Reason for what", Dallas asked.

"Staying with his dad for as long as he did."

Darry motioned for them all to get outside and Steve flung his arms around the new greasers' shoulders.


Steve and the new greasers walked away from the gang a bit and started to talk while the gang was watching. Johnny walked up to Soda and nudged him with his elbow.

"Soda are they…" he whispered in the older man's ear and Soda nodded.

"Right you are Johnnycakes", he said and smiled.

"Is that really Stevie", Two-Bit joked. "He doesn't look like himself."

"What ya mean", Dallas asked and lit a cigarette.

"He doesn't look like he's hating the world and he isn't scowling. Now that is rare."

It was true, Steve's face that used to be filled with so much hate, anger and always a scowl was soft, he smiled the happiest smile the gang, except for Soda, had ever seen, filled with love and not a scowl in sight.

"Right", they heard him say and led the two over to the gang. "Gang this is Sean and Miley my younger siblings. Miley, Sean this is Darry, Ponyboy, Dallas, Johnny and Two-Bit, ya already know Soda."

"Hi", Miley said shyly.

"Your siblings", Darry exclaimed. "Ya never told us you got siblings!"

"Well", Steve said and blushed. "It hurt too much to talk about them."

"Why", Dallas asked.

"When we were born", Sean said and looked straight into Dallas' eyes. "Mom and dad realized that we were special at once. When we turned 2, Steve was 6 by then, mom became sick. So Steve started to take care of us. When we were ready to start school mom and dad realized that we were too smart for normal kids. So this big boarding-school-prison for more "inteligent" children in D.C. took us in. Steve here still sent us letters and money every week."

"Where did ya get the money from", Darry asked and looked at Steve.

"Long story", Steve answered. "The thing with this boarding-school-prison, as Sean here called it, doesn't let the students go home during any vacations 'cept Christmas. So they've practically grown up there. But the shit cost a lot so that's where my paycheck always goes. While mom was still alive some of her insurance went there too with half of dad's paycheck. When mom died uncle Howard Sheppard started helping out paying school and I snuck off to the place as often as I could."

"Wait snuck off", Darry asked.

"Another time Dar", Steve said.

"Wait a minute", Soda said and looked at Darry. "Didn't mom and dad plan to send ya to that school Dar, but changed their minds when they heard the kids are not allowed to go home?"

"Yeah they did", Darry said and scratched his head. "They was even wondering to do so with Pony but said it wasn't worth it."

"Why not", Pony asked. "I mean if I'm that smart why not send me too?"

"Thing is these munchkins are just as smart as ya Pony." Steve turned to Pony and smiled warmly, something that scared Pony a little. "But they got each other and you would be all alone there, no brothers and no parents. Would you've been able to take it?"

"Guess not..."

"So that's why ya never wanna celebrate Christmas with us", Two-Bit piped up. "Well celebrating with the Sheppards are good enough. Big party I guess?"

"No", Miley said shyly. "Timpy, Curly and Angela aren't allowed to drink during Christmas, we celebrate at uncle Howard and aunty Tia's."

"Timpy", Dallas snorted.

"Only I can call him that", Miley said and smiled. "But only when I haven't seen him for a while and no one else is around."

"Well doll", Two-Bit said and put his arm around Miley's shoulders. "You can call me Timpy any time."

"Hands off Two-Bit", Steve warned and Darry smiled when he saw that Sean got a protective glow in his eyes just like Steve. "Not for her sake but for yours."


"Oh and why would that be so bad", Two-Bit asked while they walked towards the cars, but he took his arm away from her.

"Yeah it's not like we're scared of ya Stevie", Dallas put and arm around Miley and moved towards her breasts. But he was surprised when he felt a elbow in his ribs, a stomp on his foot and a punch straight to his face. He hit the ground on his back and suddenly had a foot pressing down on his throat and another on his more private parts.

"It's not me ya should be afraid of", Steve said and bent down to Dallas face. "The twins help each other out all the time. And do ya really wanna have me, Tim and Curly after ya? Just be thankful Miley isn't wearing high heels."

Miley had elbowed Dallas and stomped on his foot and Sean had punched him.

"Let me up", Dallas barked.

"I didn't hear please", Miley said smiling and putting a bit more pressure on.

"Move or I'll skin ya."

"That works."

Dallas glared at the girl who took her place under Steve's protective arm and smiling innocently at Dallas and Sean did the same, still glaring at Dallas.

"Sean here are just like ya Pony", Steve said to change subject and his brother flushed again. "Likes to read a lot, watching sunsets and never uses his head." He ruffled Sean's hair.

When Pony thought about it he guessed that was why Steve hated him so much. He didn't hate Pony, he hated missing his brother and Pony was just like him.

"Hey I can use my head", Sean said but he never let go of Steve or let Steve's arm slip off his shoulders. "When I want to."

"Then I guess you'll have to start wanting to", Soda said.

"Very funny", Sean told him. "Ya know if you weren't Steve's buddy I would never like ya."

"He's lying", Soda, Steve and Miley said in unison.

Author's note: I only own Sean and Miley and Goody and his wife. The song is Butterfly fly away by Miley Cyrus, yes tehre's where I got Steve's sister's name. I couldn't come up with any good one. If you missed it, the guys thought Sean looked a lot like Steve and the jeans jacket used to be Steve's. I was thinking of the west-jacket-thing Tom Cruise has in the movie.

After getting some feedback I changed this chapter, 'cause I wasn't fully satisfied with it when i posted it. So thanks DarryHasAFutureAndI'mInIt. Now I know I'm not the only one thinking this needed some changes.