Darry scrubbed a tired hand over his face. He was down in the lobby of the hospital, making good use of the complimentary coffee.

He'd just called home on the payphone, and was greeted with the troubling news that Sodapop had managed to get himself dehydrated – to the point of nearly passing out in the shower. Apparently he'd traveled out in the consuming heat that day, on a near empty stomach. Not to mention he was getting over being sick.

Darry wondered what he ever did to be blessed – or more appropriately, cursed – with two brothers who couldn't use their heads. They were going to be the death of him, he was sure of it.

Two-Bit had reassured him that everything was under control now – that Soda had been rehydrated and was resting comfortably. He also mentioned that Evie Daniels had been the one to rescue Soda from the heat – that she had walked him home. "And she looks terrible, Curtis. I mean it. That broad went downhill fast."

According to Two-Bit, Soda had disclosed to Evie that Steve was very ill and in the hospital. "So don't be surprised if she shows up unannounced. Soda said the news tore her up pretty bad."

Darry huffed a sigh. He wouldn't put it past Evie Daniels to make an appearance. Just what Steve needs, he thought sarcastically. More drama.

Darry stirred some cream and sugar into his coffee, and headed back upstairs.

Thankfully, Steve's condition had improved considerably since that morning. The nursing staff had finally gotten his temperature under control; he was just running a low-grade fever now. His hives had also cleared up for the most part.

So now, Steve was just drained, not able to stay awake for more than about twenty minutes at a time. When he was awake, the nurse would push food on him and Darry would help with her efforts.

"It'll help you feel better, Steve," he tried. "You need nourishment to get your strength back up."

Steve claimed he was too tired – that the chore of eating was too much.

"I can help you," Darry insisted.

After some relentless coaxing, Steve ended up letting Darry feed him a cup of yogurt and three bites of soup before he pushed him away. His stomach couldn't handle any more.

But it was a start, and for that, Darry was satisfied.

"You missed your Uncle Gerry come by this morning," Darry told Steve at one point. "He sang to you."

Steve let out a huff of air that Darry thought might have been an attempt at a laugh. "I heard him," Steve said. "I thought I was dreaming."

"You were close with him, weren't you?" Darry asked. "When you were younger."

Steve nodded. "My family fell apart after he left."

Darry felt an overwhelming amount of sadness swell up in his heart at those words. Who knew Steve Randle could break his heart? Darry patted his hand. "Well, he's back now. Maybe he can help piece it back together."

That must've been the wrong thing to say, because Steve's eyes started to fill with tears. "I-I don't know if I want that," he whispered.

Darry understood. Steve had put up with a lot of hell from his family the past ten years, and it would be difficult for them to start over. "Well, the ball's in your court, Steve," Darry told him gently. "You won't have to see them if you don't want to. We have your back, man. We're in your corner."

Steve nodded and swiped at his cheeks where some tears had escaped.

Darry cleared his throat gruffly. You want some water?" he asked hopefully, desperate to change the topic.

Steve licked his dry lips. "Okay," he breathed, slowly pushing himself up into the sitting position.

Darry grabbed the cup of water and helped bring the straw to Steve's mouth. He was pleased when Steve drained the cup.

"Want some more?" Darry asked.

But Steve shook his head. He ran his hands through his hair, and looked around the room. "I'm tired of this place," he croaked, dropping his hands with a thud.

Darry felt a surge of hope shoot through him. "Wanna get out of here?" he asked.

Steve just frowned at him, not understanding.

"Just for a little while," Darry explained. "The nurse said I could take you out into the hallway –s'long as you wear a mask. I can push you in a wheelchair. What do you say?"

Steve didn't look all too thrilled – probably because of the wheelchair – but he agreed.

Darry clapped his hands together. "All right!" he said happily. I'll go get a nurse." He squeezed Steve's shoulder and exited the room.

"I know it's not much, but at least it's a change in scenery, huh?" Darry asked, as he maneuvered Steve around the wide hallway of the intensive care unit.

"Yeah, it's nice," Steve answered, a little muffled from the disposable medical mask he was wearing.

Darry pushed him over to a big window at the end of the hallway. It faced the city and Steve was able to look out over downtown Tulsa. Steve seemed entranced by it at first – it was actually a decent view because they were on the sixth floor of the hospital and could see the Arkansas River with the city landscape surrounding it.

But then, Darry realized that Steve had closed his eyes and was panting a little. Alarmed, he crouched down so he could see his friend's face. "What's the matter, Steve?" he asked, reaching up to feel his clammy forehead.

"Dizzy," Steve managed, squeezing his eyes closed even tighter. He bent forward to rest his elbows on his knees.

"Okay, let's head back into the room, huh?"

Steve nodded.

Darry hastily made his way back to the room, being careful not to jostle Steve's wheelchair too much. When they arrived, Darry removed Steve's mask and instructed him to take some slow, deep breaths.

Much to Darry's dismay, however, Steve had started to cry, and his breaths were quick and shuddering. "Hey, hey, hey," Darry said gently, running a hand through Steve's sweat-damp hair. "It was just a little vertigo. You need to calm down, Steve."

Steve hid his face with his hands. "C-Can't."

Darry pulled his hands away from his face. "Yes, you can," he said firmly. "Look at me."

But Steve just shook his head. "I-I'm so fucking worthless," he whispered brokenly.

Darry swallowed hard. "No. No you're not, Steve." He pulled Steve into his shoulder and rubbed his back gently. "Just calm down, brother."

Steve fell silent at the word "brother," no doubt taken aback by it. But it had rolled off Darry's tongue so effortlessly that he realized the truth to it – and he didn't regret it. He really did see Steve as somewhat of a third brother, especially now, after months of living together.

Darry waited patiently while Steve caught his breath.

And then, "Darry?"

"Yeah, kid?"

"I-I think I need to lie down now."

"Okay," Darry said fondly. "Yeah, I think that's a good idea."

He fetched a nurse, and the two of them transferred Steve back to his bed.

TBC…