Darry's POV

In the morning, I went to check on Pony. He had gone to bed early, as he usually does after a day of physical therapy. I worry he's pushing himself too hard, though he says he isn't. The only real sign that he is is how well he sleeps the night after physical therapy. I hope he's not overdoing it. As much as I want him healed quickly, I don't want him to hurt himself in the process.

I walked to Pony's side of the bed. Soda was sleeping soundly, as usual. He had one arm draped over Pony's chest, a movement of habit, I suppose.

I watched Pony sleep. There was a strange furrow to his brow, as though he was in pain. When he turned on his side, he moaned.

Fearing my suspicions were correct, I leaned down and gentle shook Pony's shoulder. He opened his eyes slightly, blinking up at me.

"Come on. I want to talk to you."

Pony looked for his crutches but I held a hand out.

"I don't want to wake Soda. Just lean on me."

I gave him a hand getting up, then draped his left arm across my shoulders. We moved slowly into the living room where I walked him to the couch. He sank down and I couldn't help but hear another moan of pain.

"Pony... what's going on?"

Pony met my gaze and shrugged.

"Pony, don't give me that. I thought you trusted me and Soda now. You have to tell us when something is bothering you. We're here to help you. You know that."

Pony looked down, embarrassed, at the floor in front of him. It was enough to tell me the truth. I moved from my place on the arm chair and sat beside him.

"Look at me," I ordered.

He turned his gaze up to me, though reluctantly.

"I don't want you to push yourself so hard. You hear me? I know you're anxious to be able to walk without the crutches, but it'll happen soon enough. Just take your time. I don't want you to get hurt and then have to face a disappointment because it'll be a setback with your progress. Please, Pony. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

Pony cast his gaze away from my eyes. I saw him struggle with the tears that showed plainly in his eyes. When he turned back to me, he had allowed one to spill.

"Okay, Darry." His voice was quiet, hoarse with emotions.

"Good." I smiled at him and wrapped him in a hug. Pony hugged me back tightly, using me to regain his composure.

"You ready to get back to bed?"

Pony yawned and I laughed. "I take that as a yes."

I helped Pony get back to bed. He wiggled under the covers and was nearly asleep already. I placed a hand lovingly on his forehead.

"Sleep tight, kiddo."

I left after that, already prepared to go to work.

Steve's POV

I stood groggily and walked to the door. Someone was knocking already and I was annoyed. I didn't want Buck to wake up, so I answered it instead.

Prepared with a "what do you want?", I was surprised to find my father on the other side, his hat in his hands.

"Hello, son."

I tried to shut the door in his face, but he stuck his hand out before it would shut all the way.

"Please. Just hear me out."

Growling, I walked back to the couch where I'd been sleeping. Dad stood in front of me, nervously twisting his hat in his hands.

"I... I've changed. I've sobered up. You can trust me now. I-I think your mother would be proud of me. I'm doing good now. You can come home. I won't hurt you or anything. You know I was only mean when I was drunk." As true as that was, I couldn't just forgive him like nothing had ever happened, and I sure as hell couldn't just go back to living with him.

"I'll think about it." It was the most I'd given him. All the other times I'd just said no.

"That's good. Please, say yes. We can be a family again, like your mother always wanted. She wouldn't want you and I to be fighting."

"Like we ever weren't when she was alive?"

He flinched.

"I-I'll come back in a few days to get your answer. Or, you can just come home."

"Fine."

WIth a nod, he walked out the door.

I sank into the navy blue couch. It needed more cushioning, but I preferred sleeping here than at Two-Bit's. I hated being such a bother to him. Here, many people stayed the night, but Buck didn't care. Two-Bit and his mom were still reconnecting. It frightened me, still, to see the dark red stain on the carpet of their living room. I couldn't shake how close Two-Bit had come to killing himself. Sometimes I wondered if we'd all end up that way some day.

Could I actually trust my father? Could I really go back to that house and live with him? I didn't think I would. But guilt over what Mom wanted was starting to get the best of me. She had always wanted us to get along. She'd never seen it happen, except when I was really young. I had a hard time believing that Dad was sober for good. He'd been an alcoholic my whole life, and probably before. How could he change so quickly, just a matter of months? It didn't seem possible.

But I was beginning to convince myself that I should give him another chance.

Would I regret it later?

Dallas' POV

I looked up when the door opened. Another inmate. Yippee.

But as I looked to the door, I recognized the greasy black hair. I smiled to myself as I sat up on the bed. This might make the last month a bit more enjoyable.

I waited while guard escorted the young man to the jail across from mine. Great. At least we can see each other.

After a few profanities from the prisoner, the guard left. I waited until he was out the door to speak.

"Hey, Tim," I said, grinning like a tomcat.

Tim spun around and grinned.

"Well, well, well. Dallas Winston. I thought I wouldn't see you for a long time. I haven't really. How you been?"

"As good as I can be sitting in a jail cell all day. What are you in for, man?"

"I just slashed someone's tires. I'll be out by the end of the week."

"Shame. I was hoping you could keep me company for the next damn month. Time sure goes by slow when you're not free to slash tires, huh?"

Tim shook his head. "Don't I know it. I've gotten enough experience with it. You'd think we'd stop after a while, but we never do do we?"

"Where's the fun in that?"

Tim laughed, and I joined him. It felt good to see a familiar face for once. It was hard staring at a plain concrete wall all day. At least I had someone to talk to now.

"How's Curly doin'?"

"Surprisingly, he's not in juvie. There's a first for everything. The little..." Tim followed that up with a string of curses. I laughed. He had a strange way of showing affection for his little brother. The Curtises gave each other hugs. I don't know which I think is better.

"Seen any of my gang around?"

"Not much. I saw Ponyboy from a distance." I looked up at Pony's name. It'd been so long since I'd seen him. Was he okay?

"How's he doing?"

"He was walking, man. I couldn't believe it. Of course, he had crutches, but it was definitely him. I was confused, but he did look a lot bigger than before."

I felt relief wash over me. Pony was walking, huh? He must be thrilled.

"Anyone else?"

"Well, I saw Steve a few times at Buck's. He's been stayin' there since his old man kicked him out. I hear he's wanting him to come back home, though. Idiot."

Steve's father was a mean drunk. I hoped Steve wouldn't go back. He was better off without him.

"That it?"

"Yeah. It's boring. We need another rumble, man. I was thinking about starting something just for a rumble,"

I laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if you did."

Someone knocked on the door loudly, catching our attention.

"Quiet down in there!" Someone screamed from the other side.

I turned back to Tim. He whispered a few "colorful" phrases. I snickered at how he mocked them.

Oh, yeah. This would make things a lot more interesting.