Jasmine was deep in thought as she walked to Pony's house after school. Ever since meeting the young Curtis boy, her life had changed. She had someone to talk to about things and she found that the other members were just as accepting of her. She had no doubt that Pony hadn't told anyone her secret but she found that the more time spent with them, the more she came to believe that it wouldn't be such a bad thing if they knew. The guys had made her feel like a part of the gang. She had never felt so accepted in her life. The only thing that kept her from spilling it was Darry.

Jasmine had never in her life allowed herself to fall for anyone. The potential to get hurt was too high. But the eldest Curtis had somehow slipped through her defenses. He was so protective of her, making sure she ate and keeping the others from accidentally touching her. He even made an effort to join the two high schoolers in what Pony called 'Literary Debates.' She had been surprised to find him almost as knowledgeable as Ponyboy. The feelings Darry arose in her thrilled her even as it confused her. What would he say if he knew what had happened to her? Would he still care for her? Would any of them? Or would they think the same way her mother did?

The thought of the five men thinking she had asked for it made her stomach churn.

Her heart gave a small leapt at the sight of the truck sitting in the driveway. Trying to calm her racing heart, she crossed the porch and knocked on the door. It opened to reveal a sleepy and shirtless Darry. Her mouth went dry as she tried not to stare as she followed him into the house.

"Hey, Pixie." She rolled her eyes. Damn Ponyboy and his stupid nicknames, she thought.

"Is Pony here?" she asked, covertly eyeing the way his muscled bunched as he pulled on a shirt.

"He should be here soon. Track ended about thirty minutes ago. You know you don't have to knock. Just come in." Jasmine nodded. Silence lapped as the two struggled to think of something to say.

"Pony said he talked to you last night." Darry nodded and scrubbed a hand across his face.

"Yea, he threw me for a loop, that's for sure. I should have known. It was fairly obvious, now that I think about it. He's going to talk to Soda about it tonight."

"He said it'll be easier to tell Soda now that you know. He was most afraid of what you would say. He thought you would hate him." Darry sighed, looking so old and weary. Jasmine wanted to reach out to comfort him but the fear of being touched kept her back.

"Two years ago, I might have. I won't lie, Pixie, I did resent him. I love him-don't get me wrong- but a small part of me resented him. I tried to hide it but I guess it came out anyways. Part of me feels responsible for all that happened to him. And Dally and Johnny. All because I resented the fact that I had to drop out of college to take care of him." His voice cracked and he coughed and turned his head to hide the tears in his eyes. He jumped when he felt a small hand on his arm. He turned, shocked to see Jasmine so close to him.

"Darry, I haven't known you guys for very long and I didn't know Johnny or Dally but from what I've been told, you have been the best brother and care-giver to both Soda and Ponyboy. Both of them think the world of you and I know that Pony is determined to make you so proud him. No one holds you responsible. I'm sure Johnny and Dally don't either." He stared down at her hand.

"How do you know?" Jasmine grinned.

"Cause I'm a great listener."

"Yea, you are." They stared at each other, eyes wide and hearts racing. Slowly, he placed a hand on hers. She flinched but didn't pull away. His hand felt warm on top of hers. Carefully, she turned palm up. His hand engulfed hers, making her notice for the first time just how much bigger he was than her. She was surprised to find that the knowledge didn't scare her. She raised hazel eyes to meet his emerald green ones. They swirled with so many emotions it made Jasmine gulp.

"Thank you, Jasmine."

"God damn fuckers!" They sprang apart as they heard Ponyboy's voice on the porch before he stormed into the house. Seething with anger, he didn't notice the intimacy of the scene he had just intruded upon. One side of his head was bleeding and the beginnings of a bruise was forming on his cheek.

"Pony! What happened to your face?" The couple on the couch raced to his side, leading him to the kitchen. Darry pushed him into a chair, yanking up his chin to look at the damage. Jasmine grabbed a cloth and wetted it. She shooed Darry away before going to work cleaning the bits of gravel from the cut.

"I got jumped on the way home. A couple guys from school. They say me talking to this guy after practice." Darry watched as Jasmine gently ran her fingers through Pony's auburn hair to check for knots. His heart swelled with love for the pair of them.

"Why would that get you jumped?" Pony shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He mumbled something.

"I didn't catch that, Pony." Pony cleared his throat.

"I said he was gay, ok?" As his anger and embarrassment faded, he began to notice that Jasmine was touching him. Shocked, he looked over at his brother and was confused when he saw a soft unexplainable smile on Darry's face. He held himself still, so not to frighten her into pulling away.

"Anyone home?" The door slammed making Darry roll his eyes.

"In here, Pepsi!" Soda entered the kitchen followed closely by Steve. He stared as he took in the sight of his brother with blood on his face. Jasmine stepped away, declaring him alive.

"What the hell happened to you?" Pony groaned, turning pleading eyes towards Darry, who shook his head.

"You've gotta tell him sometime little buddy."

"Tell me what?" Pony sighed than launched into an explanation of what happened and ending with his big announcement. To his surprise, Soda laughed.

"Steve and I caught you and Johnny one night in the vacant lot. It was a hell of a shock but I figured you'd come to me about it. Than all…that went down." There was a short pause as all four reflected on the events of two years ago. Shaking his head, Pony swallowed, eyes tracing the grain of the table.

"So you're ok with it? What about you, Steve?"

"Pone, we are all ok with it. Even Two-Bit. Though how he's managed not to rag you til now is beyond me." Steve said as he sat at the table. The four boys were so intent on their conversation that they had failed to notice Jasmine cooking. Steve jumped when he felt her hand touch his shoulder before a bowl of soup was set in front of him. He thanked her and watched silently as she served the others, noting how she gave each one a small touch as if testing for something. The four boys exchanged glances that promised a long talk.