*I don't own The Outsiders.

(PPOV)

The cab of Dad's old, rusting Ford was really too small for the three of us to fit. I was snuggled, happily, in between Darry and Soda. My legs stretched out to the right, on Soda's side. I laid my head on Darry's arm, not really giving a shit if it were tough or not.

I was passed inane worries like that; I didn't need to fucking prove how tough I am after all of this shit. We stayed quiet. The others were riding back in either Steve's truck or the car Dallas borrowed from Buck. They were really just trying to give us some time with each other.

I can't believe yesterday I was put back into the custody of my brother. I heard some talk about talking to the judge we had back in Tulsa and my old case worker, there was supposed to be some sort of investigation. I hope they both get fired. They caused me a lot of trouble…actually I can't say that.

I wouldn't have met Robin otherwise, and I can't regret meeting her. Even though, my heart is hurting pretty bad right now. I'll move on like she told me to, even if it was an imagined version of her, I know that's what she would want.

I feel bad that I won't be able to go to her funeral. It's all the way upstate, almost on the boarder of Oklahoma and Kansas. Darry and Soda can't take more work off than they have, I understand that. I was glad that Robin was at least being buried near her Mother.

I hope they were able to make up. I'm sure they did. I sighed and both my brothers' heads snapped toward me, I pretended not to notice that. Sharing weary looks, they slowly turned back to their original positions. I snuggled closer into Darry's side, he felt nice and warm.

I was so cold all the time.

Despite the good news of being back together, a heavy atmosphere had settled around us in the past half an hour. I know they had questions and I was debating whether or not to get it over with. They'd wait as long as I needed them too, I know that.

I sighed again, "What do you want to know?" I asked, sounding hollow even to myself.

Soda stared at me for a moment; he took my question as an invitation to say what he wanted, "I'm sorry you lost her, Pony." Out of the corner of Darry's eye, he was watching me. He was gauging my reaction, no doubt.

I nodded in response. I don't really like when people say their sorry for something that's not their fault. I didn't like at my parents' funeral and I don't like it now. 'Sorry' wasn't bringing her back.

Darry murmured quietly, "Y'all didn't tell us you were together."

"Or that you kissed," Soda added, sounding hurt.

"It didn't happen until later, after you guys visited. It wasn't long after and I didn't really want to tell you in a letter, it was weird," I muttered, blushing a bit.

Soda smiled, happier now that he knew I wasn't keeping something like that from him. His face dropped slowly, "Why didn't you tell us about him. Even if you didn't tell us, what about someone else, anyone, you could've told the fuzz," Soda said in a pained whisper, I could hear the hate in his voice too.

I looked away from his face and didn't even dare look at Darry; I could feel both their eyes on me, "It wasn't that bad at first. I didn't want to be any more trouble. Plus, I figured with me gone Darry could have a better social life, dating girls and stuff," I could see they were going to bring up the first beating, the one when I was home alone. "Then, when he beat me until I was unconscious that one time, I-I didn't want to accept it?" I said it as it were a question instead of fact. "I was ashamed that he beat me like that, I felt kind of pathetic. I figured I could avoid it again. Robin never had anything real bad happen there and I trusted her, she'd been there for a year. Neither of us saw any of that coming," I whispered.

I glanced at the two of them after a minute of silence, Soda had a strange expression on his face and Darry had sad understanding on his. Soda made a small whining sound, like he wanted to cry, "You don't got nothing to be ashamed of, Ponyboy."

"He's right," Darry agreed.

"I've heard it all before," I said in a 'drop it' tone.

We were quiet for a good twenty minutes. Darry and Soda didn't really know what to say. There wasn't really anything to say. I knew if I wanted to talk I could go to them, they knew I'd come when I wanted.

I thought back to being the basement with Robin. I thought back to the night we accidently fell asleep together in the same bed. She was so nice to me when I had that nightmare; she taught me how to shave for God's sake.

Near tears I chocked, "I'm going to miss her real bad. I really cared about her." I sounded like a lost little kid who was looking for his mother.

Soda wrapped an arm around me and dragged me over to him. He rubbed my back soothingly, "It'll get better, Pony. You know that."

I watched the sun setting over the horizon as we sped down the highway. All reds and oranges stroked the sky; I smiled a little at it. It'd been a long while since I seen the sunset.

I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, or the next day, or ten years down the road, but I know one thing: All those days will be spent with my family, home, where I belong.

That's all folks.

I really enjoyed writing this story, my longest one yet! You all were so great. Thanks for the alerts/favorites/reviews ect.

"Different Paths" is the name of my next story. It'll be posted very soon. It'll be different one-shots that have to do with this story. Some Robin may still be alive in. I already have one nearly finished. I won't have much time for posting this week, I got to read a book on genetic engineering and write a three page paper on it. Anyway, keep a look out for that, it'll be up very soon and I really like the first one already, hehe. Some will be short, some long, some sweet, some dark, I can't wait to write the ones I have in mind. If you have any ideas, PM me!

Review!!!