Disclaimer: Yet again, I don't own The Outsiders ::depressed sigh:: but that's okay because S.E Hinton does!!

A/N: OMG! I'm ecstatic! Thank you guys so much for the reviews, I certainly wasn't expecting to see so many the first day, I came home from work and I was like wow! I'm so happy, I love you guys!!! Well because I was soooooo happy with the outcome I decided to post the second chapter already! Yey!


While You Were Gone – Chapter 2


A few days have passed since Ponyboy and Johnny disappeared early Saturday morning. Darry and Soda went back to work, although Darry had to force Soda to go. The two oldest Curtis brothers were going crazy. When they were not working, they were searching the city, for anything, any information at all on their little brother or friend. If they were not looking for Pony, they were sitting at home, waiting.

Soda would sit on the couch starring at the phone as if Pony would call asking for Darry and him to pick him up somewhere. He would jump whenever anyone walked in the house thinking it was his brother coming home. He was smoking a lot more than he usually would too. Soda only usually smokes to look tough or to calm his nerves.

Sodapop was not getting much sleep either. He would lie in his bed at night, the bed he shared with his brother, starring up at the ceiling. He cried almost every night that he was gone. He missed plopping down next to him, or bothering him when he was doing his homework, and wrapping his arm over him at night when he was scared. Where was Pony now? Who would wrap their arm around him if was he frightened?

Darry mostly was quiet for the past few days. Every day that went by, every hour, he felt more and more guilt-ridden. It was eating him up inside that he was the one who made Pony run away. Everything that Darry had worked so hard for with Pony, trying to keep him out of trouble, pushing him in school, keeping his brothers together, was gone. His brother was wrapped up in a murder case. They could be separated at anytime, not to mention what could happen to Pony. What would he do if both his brothers were taken away from him? Darry found Soda crying a few times and had to comfort him, trying his best not to cry himself. Darry doesn't cry, and he wouldn't cry in front of Soda.

The oldest of the Curtis brothers tried his best to keep life running normal in the house. He made sure Soda went to work every morning, and the guys dropped by regularly. He even made sure that they had chocolate cake in the refrigerator. He encouraged Soda to leave the house, but he knew he wouldn't leave and enjoy himself. The brother alternated with dinner every night, even though they barely touched their food. The boys with the usually monstrous appetites just were not hungry.

Fights broke out all over the city since Bob was killed. Social against greaser. Most of the guys in the gang were jumped a few times the past few days, but it was nothing they couldn't handle. Greasers got jumped. Socials got jumped. It was all out warfare.

Monday night there was a knock at the door. Darry was working late that night and Soda was home by himself. He got up and ran to the door anxiously, thinking that maybe it was someone who knew something about Ponyboy and Johnny.

When he opened the door he saw a young familiar blonde girl standing at the door, looking slightly distressed.

"Sandy," Soda was a little surprised to see his girlfriend, he hadn't been expecting her, but seeing her there made him feel a little warmer inside. Like somehow, everything would be better soon.

Sandy looked up at him when he opened the door, her eyes filled with guilt and regret. Soda noticed right away, he knew when something was bothering someone, especially someone he cared about. "Sandy, what's wrong?" He put his hands on her arms as if to comfort her, but she pulled away. Now Soda looked confused.

"Sodapop," She started, her voice shaking. "I, I can't see you anymore."

Soda felt as if he had been punched in the stomach and had all the wind had been knocked out of him. "W-what? Sandy, what are you talking about?"

"My parents are sending me to live in Florida."

'Florida?' Soda thought for a moment. "But where would you go in Florida? You don't have to go. You can stay here with us." He wasn't about to let their relationship end over something like this. This wasn't a problem. Why would they be sending her to Florida anyway? It didn't make sense. She could not bring herself to look at him.

"Soda, I'm pregnant."

He had never in a million years expected that. Okay that was a problem. She was pregnant and only sixteen. So that was why she was leaving, her parents must have kicked her out, he thought. His mind was racing.

"That's... that's okay. We can get married. I can take care of you. We'll be fine," Soda stumbled. He grabbed her hands holding them gently, as if trying to pull her into his fantasy. Sandy just began to shake her head. He didn't realize what he was saying. She thought Soda was just spitting out words without thinking. They both knew that they couldn't do that. There was no way he would be able to support them, especially with a baby. It was an unreal dream.

"No. No Soda, you don't get it. I'm breaking up with you."

He would not accept that. He loved her. He was not going to let her break up with him because he got her pregnant. "Sandy you're the girl I want to marry." That was the truth. He was saving up, planning on marrying her after she graduated. "We can make this work."

Sandy just looked away from him. "The baby isn't yours." She sounded cold, even to herself.

Those last words hit him hard. This did not make sense to him. He dropped her hands instantly and she let her arms fall to her side. "What do you mean the baby ain't mine?" He did not need to ask that question. He knew the answer, he just didn't believe it.

"What do you think it means," Sandy retorted, almost bitterly. She was angry with herself, not Soda, but she couldn't help it. This was hard for her, but she had to tell him, even if it meant pushing him away.

"Sandy… I…" He was speechless. This was the love of his life. The girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life and grow old with. She cheated on him, and was now having some other guy's baby. He didn't know what to think, what to do.

"I love you," Soda choked. This was all he managed to say. He said it in with such hurt in his voice like 'how could you do this to me?'

The blonde still wasn't looking at him. She really was beautiful. Even now in the darkness with her face highlighted by the dim light from the porch, she looked gorgeous.

"Soda, I'm sorry," She turned and walked down the porch.

No, Soda was not going to let it end like that. He went after her. "Sandy," he grabbed her arm. "I ain't just gonna let you walk away." He was fighting back tears; Sodapop was never really good at keeping his emotions inside. "We'll make it work. I'll get another job, and we could get a hou-"

Sandy couldn't take it anymore. "Sodapop I don't love you!" She had turned and yelled at him. She let a few tears fall, and her sadness and anger only made her look even more beautiful.

The golden haired teen was frozen. His whole world came crashing down on him then. He couldn't believe it, he didn't want to. She was lying to him. She had to be. But there was something in her voice, the look in her eyes. He knew it.

Soda could see the hurt in her eyes, she could see his too. "I'm sorry Sodapop. I never meant to hurt you." She did care for the boy, but she didn't love him the way he loved her. She felt bad about what she did to him, and wasn't expecting to be forgiven.

"Well, you did," Soda replied sullenly. He felt as if he was going to explode into tears any minute, but he held them back. He tried the best he could to turn his sadness into anger. He was not going to cry in front of Sandy. Greasers just don't cry in front of people, especially girls.

She turned and left without another word. She couldn't bear to see him that way anymore. Soda was left standing in the front yard, watching her disappear around the corner. With everything going on he didn't even notice that Darry's truck pulled up outside the house. His older brother was standing silently outside the gate; he watched Sandy leave then turned to Soda.

"Soda..." He began but Soda did not want to talk to Darry right now. He said nothing and pushed past his muscular brother on his way through the gate. His face was white.

Darry sighed and watched Soda take off. He did not know if he was going after Sandy or not. He watched as his little brother lit a cigarette and walked down the block.

"This is great," Darry said to himself and went into the house.

It was quiet inside. The oldest of the Curtises dropped his jacket on the couch and headed towards the bathroom for a shower. Even though it was fall, when working on those roofs in the middle of the day it can get quite hot. He took a nice cool shower and changed into a T-shirt and a pair of pajama pants.

Soda wasn't home yet. He figured he'd be out for a while. He probably went to see Steve. Darry went into the kitchen and poured himself a tall glass of chocolate milk. He sat at the kitchen table and chugged a few gulps putting the glass down with a loud thud on the wooden surface. He starred into his glass, watching the ripples slowly fade away in the milk.

'What is happening to us?' He thought. After their parents died, Darry was given charge of his younger brothers as long as he could keep them out of trouble. He tried his best; he even gave up his dreams of going to college so Pony could have a future.

Ponyboy and Sodapop both were good at keeping themselves out of trouble. Sure Soda gets a little enthusiastic sometimes, but he's never gotten in trouble for anything serious. What was going to happen when Pony got back? Would Pony ever get back?

He glanced over to the side at the opened door to Pony's room. He felt his vision blur. Darry couldn't even remember himself the last time he had cried. He hadn't even cried at his own parents' funeral. He wiped his eyes furiously. Tears formed up in his eyes once more. He pushed Pony so hard, maybe a little bit too hard. Now, he's gone.

"Lord, what have I done," Darry began to weep for the first time in years. He held his head in his hand and let a few tears escape his eyes.

His parents were gone, and now Pony and Johnny were gone too. What if he lost Ponyboy forever? What would happen to him and Sodapop? Darry began to sob even more as he thought about what Johnny and Ponyboy must be going through right now. He knew all he ever did was yell at Pony, he didn't want to, but he couldn't help it. All he ever wanted for his brother was for him to do well in school and keep out of trouble, to use his head. He just wanted Pony to make something of himself and get out of this neighborhood. He never wanted to push him away, to make it seem as if Pony was a burden to him. Darry wanted to be the big playful brother he used to be, but with all the stress and responsibilities pushed down on him, it was hard.

He was working two jobs to pay the bills and keep Pony in school. He never had time anymore to do the things he used to enjoy. He rarely kept in touch with his old high school buddies. They all went on to college, while Darry was forced into his parenting role. Darry couldn't even remember the last time he had played football. Every once in a while on the weekends he would play around with his brothers and the gang, but he rarely had the time. It wasn't fair. Darry was only twenty years old and he was living a forty year old man's life. He would never be able to achieve all his goals. That was why he wanted Pony to work hard. Darry wanted Pony to achieve all of his own goals.

"God damn it Pony, come home," Darry sobbed and held onto his glass tight with both hands. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just come back home." And for the first time in a real long time, Darry cried. He couldn't hold it back any longer. He would always be strong for Soda, always, but tonight he had to let it all out.

"What in the hell are we going to do without you Ponyboy," All Darry wanted to do was to keep his family together, protect his brothers. How were he and Soda suppose to cope if Pony was taken away from them not even a year after their parents? He continued to cry for a minute or so until he heard someone walk into the house and turn on the television. He quickly sprung up from his seat almost knocking over what was left of his chocolate milk, rushed over to the counter and wiped his face with a towel. He took a deep breath and peered into the living room to find none other than Dallas stretched out on the couch.

"Hey Dally," Darry said nonchalantly. It was normal to have any one of the guys, or even other people on the couch. There was a dark circle forming around Dally's right eye. He must have gotten into a fight. He glanced up at Darry then quickly turned his attention to the television. Darry must have noticed it, he turned away also.

"Hey Dar, where is everyone?" Dally still wouldn't look at Darry. He noticed Darry had cried earlier. He could see it in his face, and he didn't think Darry needed to know that he knew.

Darry sighed and started to pick up a few things around the living room avoiding eye contact with his friend. "I don't know about Two-Bit and Steve. Soda just left a few minutes ago. He should be back soon." Darry did not really know where Soda was or when he'd be coming back, but he hoped it would be soon. It was getting late, and Soda was really upset before. He couldn't help it, thoughts of Soda storming away from the house upset made him think about Pony running away. Darry sighed. He wished his younger brother would come back soon. He didn't need to be worrying about him too.

"Get into a fight Dally?" Darry noticed the dark circle forming around the hood's right eye and his lip was swelled.

"Yeah, these two socs thought they could take me. Man, were they surprised." Darry said nothing.

Dally almost felt sorry for his older friend.He could see how worried he was. 'Glory if only the kid could see him now.'

Two-Bit and Steve convinced Soda to go out Wednesday night. They went to the Nightly Double, but Soda really was not interested. Soda could never really get into movies anyway, and he wasn't interested in meeting any girls. He stayed quiet and to himself the whole night. This bothered Steve. Two-Bit tried to crack a few jokes and take his mind off Pony for even a little bit, but it didn't work. Two-Bit was upset himself over Johnny and Pony missing as well.

Dally had told them he'd be at Buck Merril's house that night, and Two-Bit said that he'd come by to pick him up. The three teens pulled up in front of the cowboy's house. Darry had warned Soda and Pony many times not to go near that place, and he knew why. Soda didn't particularly like to be there himself. He didn't care; he was not going to do anything.

Two-Bit hopped out of the car, "Come on, let's go get him," he said with a small smirk on his face. Dallas Winston wasn't the only person Two-Bit was planning on picking up that night. He motioned for them to follow and walked right into the place. Steve and Soda followed their eager friend.

Lighting was dim inside, it smelled of smoke and alcohol. The radio was blasting an old country song. People were hanging around playing pool, drinking, and playing cards. Two-Bit quickly found the blonde he was looking for. Steve gave him a look, "Geeze Two-Bit, you ever have anything else on your mind?"

Two-Bit grinned, "Shoot, what else is there." He's been boozed up more than he'd usually be. This was obviously a way for him to deal with Johnny and Pony being missing. To forget. Two-Bit wasn't really good at dealing with his emotions, so he always tried to make everything funny. Or booze himself up all the time. After Steve and Soda stopped him from leaving for Texas to look for the kids, he busied himself with drinking and girls. Not that he didn't already do that.

Steve looked annoyed and shook his head. He's been angrier than usual. Hating the world just a little bit more. Everything was getting on his nerves. And Sandy, 'that little bitch'. He couldn't stand her for what she did to Soda. Sodapop loved her more than anything in the world, and she treated him like dirt. Even after his brother went missing. She basically tore the heart out of his best friend and ripped it to shreds. He hated her.

"Dal's upstairs," Two-Bit added before leaving with his girl.

Just as Steve was about to go upstairs Soda said, "I'll go get him." With that he went upstairs.

Dally in one of the rooms lying on the bed. He was half dressed, wearing only his blue jeans. He had had a few drinks tonight, but not enough to get him drunk. He stared up at the ceiling thinking. Dally doesn't do a lot of thinking, well the dreaming kind. He wouldn't admit it, but he was worried about Johnny and Ponyboy. He hasn't seen them in about five days, and there was no real way for him to know for sure if they really did make it to Jay Mountain. Anything could have happened to them but he figured that not hearing anything was good enough. He closed his eyes.

"Gotta go check on those kids."

"Dally, you ready?" Dallas opened one eye and looked at Soda who was leaning against the door frame. "Hey Sodapop," Dally sat up. Soda couldn't tell whether he had been in a fight or was with a girl. He did not look like he was in a fight, so it must have been the second situation.

"Yeah, yeah, hold up," Dally said as he began to gather the rest of his clothes.

Soda glanced around the room. It was small and dirty, the kind of room you'd expect to see in a place like this. The furniture was simple, a dresser and a metal framed bed with a dirty old mattress and a worn quilt covering it. There was a small night stand next to the bed, and a tiny lamp stood on it with the shade lopsided faintly lighting the room. The paint was peeling from the walls in a few areas and it looked like there hadn't been a broom in there in ages.

Dally put on his shirt and sat on the bed and put on his tattered black boots. Soda noticed he had left a sweatshirt on the floor half way under the bed. He was about to tell Dally, but then he realized it was too small to be Dally's. Then he felt his stomach turn to ice. That sweatshirt. He knew that shirt, he had seen it before. He went over to it and snatched it. Dally turned and looked at him. Right away he knew what his friend was thinking. He just looked back down at his boots and tinkered with them like he was trying to get comfortable.

Soda's eyes widened. He knew it. This was Pony's sweatshirt. The one he was wearing the night he ran out. What the hell was it doing here? He turned to Dally who was still fiddling with his boots. "Dally, where'd this sweatshirt come from?"

Dally did not look at him. "I don't know."

Soda could feel the anger building up inside of him. He knew Dally was lying to him. He didn't care if Dally beat the shit out of him; he was going to get some answers. He grabbed the collar on Dally's shirt. "Damn it Dally! This is Ponyboy's! What is it doing here!" Soda had never yelled at Dally before, no one yells at Dally, unless they have a death wish or something. For a second you could see rage glisten in Dally's eyes, but then he held it back. If it had been anyone else, under any other circumstances, he would have bashed their skull in. But Dally knew how much Soda was hurting, and he knew where his brother was. So he restrained himself.

"Dally what do you know," Soda's eyes were blazing. Dally wasn't afraid of him, they were buddies. He knew he couldn't tell Sodapop that Johnny and Pony had come to him for help the night Johnny killed that soc. He couldn't risk telling him where they were, so it was best to not tell him anything at all.

"I told ya kid, I dunno nothing." Dally sounded angry, he didn't need to pretend. It was taking a lot for him not to give Soda a black eye or knock out a tooth. Soda knew. He was expecting to get punched, but when Dally seemed to resist, he knew. He took a deep breath and let go of Dally's shirt. He still had Pony's sweatshirt clenched in his other fist. He glanced around the room and found an old notebook on the dresser. He opened a few drawers, not really caring that this wasn't his property, and found a pen. He began to write on a piece of paper from the notebook, and then he tore it out and held it out to Dally.

"Give this to Pony. I know you know where they are. Just please, give this to him for me," Soda looked up at Dally with pleading eyes. Dally stared down at the paper in his friends hand and took it. He pretended not to care. "Told ya, I dunno where he is," he said coolly and shoved the paper in his pocket. Soda just nodded, he knew Dally would give it to Pony.

The two greasers went downstairs. Steve was sitting at the bar, smoking a cigarette. Dally and Soda walked over to him when they spotted him. "Alright let's go. Where's Two-Bit," Dally asked slightly agitated.

"He's waiting outside," Steve answered as he put out his cigarette butt out in the ash tray. Then he noticed Soda holding something. A shirt, 'what?' "Hey Soda," He nodded his head towards Pony's old sweatshirt. "What's that?"

Soda looked at his best friend and down to the shirt. He shook his head like it was nothing. Steve eyed him. They were best friends since grade school; they could read each other pretty well.

The three of them left and Two-Bit drove them all home, or wherever they were going to be spending the night. Soda walked up the concrete path to this house and walked inside. Darry was in the living room, reading. 'Why does he read so much?' Soda thought absentmindedly.

Darry glanced up at him, almost immediately taking notice to Pony's sweatshirt. He put his paper down and sat up but before he could get a word out Soda spoke. "I found it at Buck's." He held up the sweatshirt for Darry to see. Soda could see the expression on his older brother's face. "Don't worry. We went to pick up Dally."

Darry quickly forgot that fact that Soda was at the one place he warned him never to go near and got up and grabbed the shirt to examine it. It was definitely Pony's. He remembered how he'd gotten mad at his brother for only wearing that shirt and not a jacket. It hasn't been washed in about five days and it collected some filth from the floor of Buck's spare bedroom. After examining it more closely he had noticed a dark red stain on it. 'Was that blood?'

"I wrote him a letter," Soda suddenly blurted out. Darry looked up at him again. "Dally said he didn't know nothing, but I gave it to him anyway." Tears were starting to form in his blue eyes. He wasn't sure if Pony would ever get the letter, but it made him feel better writing it and giving it to Dally.

Soda began to bawl and Darry went over to him and hugged him. He didn't know what to say to him. He felt the same way. Darry just let his younger brother cry into his shoulder.

To be continued…


A/N: Well that's it for now. There's something about Soda being angry that seems a little out of character for him, but I remember in the book it says his eyes can dancing and lively one minute and blazing with anger the next, or something along those lines. So I figured Sodapop would get really angry about something he really cares about. And I have no idea how Sandy and Soda broke up, but I figured that was okay. It's my story anyway I'm not really sure about Dally though. I tried my best with him, I know he's mean and everything, but they're all friends so I thought maybe he'd give Soda a break. Who knows, maybe he would have punched Soda lol. Oh well.. please review!! Thanks!!