Part 23

"You can't be serious", Marcia nearly yelled at Steve as he was driving through town.

"Why not?"

"Don't ya remember what happened last time ya met with my dad and mom?"

"I do but I think maybe they won't be as bad if I introduce myself properly."

"Then ya have to get rid of that greasy hair", Alicia said from the backseat. "It's not as long as it used to be and you look better without it."

"Get rid of the grease", Steve asked with mock shock and looked at her in the rear-view mirror. "Alicia baby I'm a greaser it's a part of me."

"Oh really Curly."

"Where", Steve asked and looked around.

To her annoyance Alicia saw that Marcia also was looking after Steve's other cousin.

"I mean you air head", Alicia yelled angrily.

"Why do you call him curly", Marcia asked.

"Because if he doesn't grease that mop of hair it's curly."

"Really", Marcia's eyes lit up and she looked at Steve as to judge how to get the grease out.

"Don't even think about it", Steve said without looking at her. But Marcia caught Alicia's eyes in the mirror and they both smiled.

"Now you're both dead", Steve called with a small laughter. The girls had gotten the hose and sprayed him but since Steve was stronger and faster he'd managed to take it from them and aimed for them.

"Don't you dare", Marcia warned but too late. Steve sprayed them both and they tried to run but he got them all the while.

"Steven Joseph Randle", Marcia yelled and pouted. "Now look at me I look like something the cat dragged in."

"But you're still cute", Steve said and smiled.

Marcia opened her mouth to say something but no words came out. She sighed and walked over to him and hugged him.

"Now can you give me a ride home?" She asked.

"Looking like that?"

"She can borrow clothes from me", Alicia said and took Marcia's hand. "And you change too and you better not put any grease in."

"Don't worry girls", Rebecca Randle said and smiled. "He won't."

"Not again", Steve sighed.

"Again", Ray said. "I feel with ya son."

Steve mumbled something under his breath as he went to change. Rebecca Randle used to steal his grease and burry it somewhere in the garden and not taking it out until she's gotten what she wanted.

"See you're even cuter now", Marcia said and ran her fingers through Steve's hair. Without the grease it was almost silky and just a bit curly. She felt like a little girl coming face to face with a movie star. If she'd fallen badly for the real Steve, she'd fallen even worse for this Steve. Steve wore his jeans, a black sweater and Marcia had prompted him to wear his uniform jacket. She had borrowed a pair of blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a light blue blouse, that she kept open, from Alicia and a pair of brown high heels.

"I feel odd", Steve said. "Just like when they cut off my hair at the boot camp."

"Well I like it this way."

"You're kinda cute yourself", Steve said as he stopped the car. He got out and then went around to let her out.

"Well thank you sir", she said and smiled as he took her hand and helped her out of the car.

"You're welcome miss", Steve said and shut the door behind her and then offered her his arm. She had just only taken it when the door opened and her father stormed out.

"Get your filthy hands off my daughter", he yelled and hurried towards them. "I told you before!"

"Dad", Marcia said. "This is Steve Randle. Steve this is my dad."

"Nice to meet you sir", Steve said and held out his hand. By now Marcia's father saw the jacket he was wearing. He ignored Steve's hand and looked sternly at his daughter.

"Marcia go inside", he said.

"Okay, come Steve I'll let you meet my mother."

She pulled Steve with her.

"Hey", her father called. "That hood stays here!"

Marcia ignored him and they entered the house.

"Wow", Steve said when he got inside the big house. "I've never been in a home that is this big."

"Don't you mean house?" Marcia asked and smiled.

"Nope, school and hospital are the biggest houses I've been inside."

Marcia giggled and pulled him towards the library and found her mother there.

"Hi mom", she said and kissed her cheek.

"Hello dear."

"Mom this is Steve Randle", Marcia motioned for Steve to come over and this held out his hand.

"It's nice to meet you ma'am", he said and smiled.

"Wish I could say the same", Marcia's mom said and shook his hand. "Marcia darling why is this greaser here?"

"Steve is my boyfriend."

"I beg your pardon!"

"He's my boyfriend and has been since last time you met."

"Marcia", her mother exclaimed. "When I heard about Sherry Valance falling for a greaser I told her mother that at least my daughter would never sink that low."

"But she hasn't", Steve spoke up.

"Excuse me", Marcia's dad entered the room in time to hear the exchange. "But what do you mean?"

"We are all people", Steve said. "The only thing that is different between us is the money."

"No we got class and you", Marcia's mom said as she rose. "Are nothing but a hood."

"Tell me", her husband said to Steve. "Where did you swipe that jacket? I see you hoods sink so low that you steel properties of those poor soldiers coming back from Vietnam."

"Dad", Marcia yelled. "Steve fought in Vietnam and got both the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for his actions there!"

Steve put his arm around her shoulders.

"It's okay Marcia", he said softly. "I know that boys and girls from the east side have this reputation. But I tell you now sir", Steve turned to Marcia's dad. "That I'm not a thief and I'm not a hood. I'm a greaser and proud of it. As I think you are pride of being the man you are. But I know when I'm not wanted around. But sir even if you dislike it I'll still gonna be your daughter's boyfriend. Even if ya threaten me with dogs, guns or the water hose I'll take her out because I love her and that's all that matters to me. That and that she loves me too." Steve kissed her and went to the door leaving her parents stunned behind.

"Young man", Marcia's dad called when Steve reached the door.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

Steve smiled and left with a polite nod.

"They thought what", Soda yelled as Steve and he was back at the Curtis house. Steve had greased his hair again and was wearing his jeans and a blue sweater.

"That I'd stolen my uniform jacket", Steve said and shrugged. "But I gave them a piece of my mind."

"Yeah I bet ya did… so have Marcia asked about…" Soda let his finger ran down the right side of his face as if trailing Steve's scar.

"No", Steve shook his head. "Not yet and I don't know if I'm glad or sad about it."

"She has the picture… she'll ask about it soon."

"I hope so…" Steve's eyes scanned the walls and he caught sight of a picture at the desk and took it. He smiled when he saw it; it was the same picture Soda and Pony had been looking at.

"Damn I miss those guys", Steve said and sighed.

"Me too", Soda sat closer to his best friend and they both looked at the picture. "Do ya still got that funny one?"

"Heck yeah", Steve dug in his pockets and took out a picture and Soda laughed. Darry came in as he heard the laughter from both of them.

"What's going on in here", he asked and they showed him the picture. The picture was of the guys and the others that had been on that plane picture. But this time André and Alan was holding Steve up above their heads. Steve was lying on his side, propped up on his right elbow. The three of them was smiling and at André's side was Soda, doing a one-hand handstand with his left foot on André's left shoulder and Jimmy was mirroring his pose on the other side. Hank McAdams was standing underneath Steve with his arms crossed.

"I don't see what's so funny", Darry said and Soda dug through his bedside table and found another picture and this made Darry laugh. They guys had fallen over or something, because now Hank was holding Steve bride style, both of them looking amused and shocked, Soda was sitting on André's back and this was faced down in the ground but the most hilarious was the way Alan and Jimmy was tangled together.

"What happened", Darry asked and handed them the picture.

"Two-Bit clone attacked us", Steve answered. "There was this guy, a black guy with a big smile, who was just like Two-Bit. He pushed Soda towards André and we toppled over."

"Well you and Hank looks friendly", Darry said.

"Yup", Soda said. "Then Hank just dropped Steve on the ground while saying: 'Thanks for dropping in on me Randle'."

Darry chuckled and walked to the door then stopped and turned back.

"Steve I was wondering", he said.

"Yeah?"

"How did ya get… ya know…" he did like Soda had done before trailing a finger from his eye to his jaw.

"I was stupid enough to zoon out on reality while being out in the jungle."

Darry looked at Soda and this gave Steve a little shove with his elbow. Steve sighed.

"Ya've seen the picture of me in the sunset", he asked and Darry nodded. "Well the moment after that picture was taken Soda called at me and I got up and started to walk down the hill… when behind me there was an explosion. The enemy had thrown a grenade at me and I had moved just in time. Anyhow the blast sent me down the hill and I got some shrapnel from the grenade in my face." Steve swallowed. "Hank had to use his knife to cut it out that's why it's this line." Soda bowed his head and remembered what had happened.

Flashback

"Hey Steve", Soda yelled at his friend after taking the picture. "Come on and eat!"

Steve rose from his place and started to walk when suddenly there was an explosion just behind him and he fell. "STEVE!" The whole platoon was on its feet at once and was scouting the area as Soda and Hank ran to Steve's side. Steve was lying on his side grunting in pain, biting his lip to keep from yelling. They looked at the right side of his face and saw a piece from the grenade.

"Shit", Hank said and took out his knife. "Hold him still Fanta."

Soda didn't smile when Hank called him his nickname for Soda as he held Steve's hand and pressed him down.

"Don't worry buddy it will be over soon", he soothed as he heard their friends fire at the enemy. Hank felt sick when he pressed the tip of the knife into Steve's skin and Steve moaned. Hank got out the shrapnel that had been burning inside Steve's cheek and they helped him rise.

"Thanks big brother", Steve said weakly as the blood streamed down his face. "I thought they'd got me there for a while."

"No problem Mec… I'm sorry that you'll get a scar because of it."

"It's okay", Steve assured him. "Rather a scar than death."

Darry was a bit pale and suddenly excused himself leaving the two looking surprised at each other.

Darry went into the kitchen and drank a glass of water to calm his nerves. When Steve told him what had happened Darry had remembered an accident he and Steve had been in before the Curtises' parents died.

Flashback

Darry was on his way home and was driving down the road in town when he saw Steve walk down the road. Darry stopped the car and got out because he'd seen Steve stumble while he walked. Darry walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder and the younger boy jumped high. Then he twirled around with a switchblade drawn.

"Whoa little man it's just me", Darry said and saw all the dried blood and bruises on Steve's face and arms. "What the hell happened?!"

"Socs", was all Steve said or more mumbled.

"Get in", Darry motioned for the car and Steve stumbled inside.

As they were driving Darry kept casting glances at the younger man at his side and saw that Steve's eyes were closed. Darry leaned over and shook him gently and Steve's eyes fluttered open.

"Sorry buddy ya can't sleep yet", Darry said softly.

"I'm fine Darry…"

"Fine my foot."

"Darry…" Steve sounded alarmed.

"Listen kid I'm worried that ya might have a concussion so stay awake."

"Darry…"

"No listen to me Steve."

"Darry!"

"What?"

"Watch out!"

Darry turned to look out through the windshield and saw a truck coming towards them in a swaying way. The driver was obviously drunk. Darry tried to steer out of the way but a collision couldn't be avoided.

Darry woke up and straightened in his seat and looked over at Steve. The younger man was unconscious and blood came from a cut on his forehead. Darry got out of the truck and went around. He felt that his arm and neck was hurting but he had to check on Steve. He got to the passenger side and opened the door. He shook his friend lightly but gained no response. Darry thanked God that Steve and he had been wearing their seatbelts. He unbuckled Steve and gently picked him up and sank to his knees and let the younger man lean his head against his shoulder. Darry gave him a gentle shake but again gained no response. Then Darry suddenly felt sick when he saw a thick piece of glass in Steve's forearm. He guessed he'd gotten it from the jumping. Darry managed to get out Steve's switchblade and just when he was about to cut it out Steve woke up.

"What…" he muttered.

"Steve I'm really sorry but I got to get this piece of glass out… a-and the only way is to cut it out with a knife."

Steve's eyes went big but then he nodded and clutched his fists hard. Darry cut into Steve's skin and this screamed and Darry finished as fast as he could then gave the younger man a hug.

"Sorry little man", he soothed and heard sirens from the ambulance and police.

"Rather a bad scar than death from infection big brother…" Steve mumbled.

End flashback

Darry felt a hand on his shoulder and twirled around to face a worried Steve and a worried Soda.

"Are you okay Darry", Steve asked, being the one who'd touched the older man.

"Yeah… yeah little man I'm fine", Darry said and took a deep breath. "Sorry for freaking out a bit."

"Hey", Soda said. "Even superman has to break sometimes."

Darry smiled. "Haven't I done it before?"

"Yeah but this time was more shocking."

Darry smiled and leaned over and ruffled Soda's hair.

"Hey!" Soda objected and Steve laughed. "Ya think this is funny?"

"A bit…" Then he saw Soda's grim smile. "Oh no ya don't!"

"You're right", Soda teased. "I'm not gonna mess up your hair… I'm gonna tickle you."

"Oh no", Steve backed away.

"You're ticklish", Darry asked and smiled.

"No!"

"Then this won't do anything", Darry leaned over and tickled Steve at the side and Steve yelped and jumped back. Soda and Darry exchanged glances.

"Uh oh", Steve said and took off running but didn't get long and was soon on the ground in hysterics as Soda and Darry tickled him. Darry felt a weight lift from his heart. Both his little brothers had come home. They were scared but that didn't matter to them and if it didn't for them, then he wouldn't bother either.

TBC Author's note: Okay I got some time over so I did this chapter but it will be the last until after the hollidays. Anyway keep reviewing.