Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, or "Strange Days" by The Doors.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Thursday, April 20th, 1967

Strange eyes fill strange rooms,
Voices will signal their end.

Ignoring the arguing coming from the living room, Anna tapped her pencil on the kitchen table and stared at Kathy. "So, what's goin' on with you and Two-Bit?"

Though she tensed, Kathy didn't even look up from her homework. "Nothing."

"I don't believe you."

"Why would I lie?"

Not sure how to answer, Anna continued tapping. She wasn't sure Kathy would lie unless she really had to, but she couldn't come up with a single reason for why she would have to. They hadn't seen as much of each other the last few weeks, but that was due to Kathy's intense studying habits leading up to finals rather than Anna being back with Steve. And it wasn't as though Anna was going to go running to Steve, spilling whatever Kathy said about Two-Bit. She knew Kathy knew that, but Kathy was still definitely keeping something from her.

Sighing, she supposed it was really none of her business. It wasn't as though she told Kathy everything about her and Steve. All that business with her not trusting him, and her letting Henry kiss her … she hadn't told anyone about that and never planned on it. It wasn't the kind of thing she wanted to remember, nor was it the kind of thing anyone else needed to know.

And the same could be said for whatever was going on between Kathy and Two-Bit. Anna respected their privacy, and she wasn't about to pry, she just hated the idea of Kathy getting hurt … again. They'd broken up months ago, and it had seemed permanent for so long, but over the last few weeks, both she and Steve had caught them arguing or talking or standing far too close together for a couple who'd broken up under the circumstances they had.

"What about that guy you were dating then? Dave?"

"It's nothing," Kathy said, shrugging. "We went out twice and we're going to Buck's tonight, but that's it. I doubt I'll be seeing him again." She paused. "How's things with Steve?"

Anna smirked. "Disgustingly perfect."

And it was. He wanted her always, and she wanted him for just as long. As far as she was concerned, they'd always be together.

"Gross."

"Ha-ha. You know, I still wouldn't call him sweet, but he's definitely … something."

"Something close to sweet?"

Anna nodded, but frowned at the rising volume of Danny's voice. She didn't know what he was fighting with their dad about, but was pretty sure she wasn't supposed to. For the most part, their voices were low and mumbled.

"We are talking about the same Steve, right?" Kathy asked. "Steve Randle? Temperamental, broody, and cares far too much about his car."

"That's him."

Kathy leaned back in her chair, a sly smile on her face. "And you're actually calling him sweet?"

"No, I'm not calling him sweet," Anna said. "I'm calling him … what's the temperamental, broody, cares-too-much-about-his-car version of sweet?"

"I'm not sure there is one."

"Right. Well if there was one, Steve would be it."

"You know you're the only one he's always nice to, right?" Kathy asked. "I went to the DX yesterday, and he was even getting moody with Soda."

Anna couldn't keep the grin off her face. "Really?"

"Really. I know he gets annoyed with you because you have this uncanny ability to annoy him without even tryin', and I know he gets moody around you, but he never gets really pissed off with you, does he?"

He didn't. It was pretty stupid, but Anna couldn't help thinking it meant something. She already knew he loved her - more than anything - but his patience with her was pretty impressive. She knew she could annoy him in the most simple ways - talking too much, tapping too much, teasing too much - but he seemed to put up with all of it. She supposed it was only fair since she had to put up with his moods - even if they weren't directed at her.

"It's pretty impressive considering how furious you used to make him."

Grinning, Anna nodded. "You ain't kidding."

They were both silent as the talk from the living room got louder. Picking up her books, Kathy stood. She frowned, looking as though there was something serious she wanted to say, but her words were casual.

"I oughtta get goin'." She glanced at the kitchen doorway as a troubled-looking Danny came in. "Good luck."

Anna smiled her goodbye, and waited. Once the front door closed, Danny sighed.

"We gotta talk," he said, and headed back into the living room.

Dread filled her. She'd thought they'd just been arguing about something that they'd sort out on their own. For her to be called into the conversation meant that it really was important. The memory of Danny joking about moving out came back, and she wasn't sure she wanted to know what the conversation was about.

Playing with her necklace, she walked into the living room. Her dad sat at the couch and gestured for her to sit next to him. She did so, gaze flitting between him and Danny, trying to work out what was going on.

"I got some news," her dad said.

She blinked. "Okay."

"I uh - I asked Meredith to marry me."

Anna looked at Danny again, wondering if this was really what he seemed so disturbed about. He didn't meet her gaze, just stared out the window. She looked back at her dad, smiling widely.

"That's great!"

"Yeah? You're not upset?"

Again, she glanced at Danny. "Why would I be upset?"

"Well, I know your mom's been gone a while, but she's still your mom …"

"That's not a problem."

And it really wasn't. Her mom hadn't been around for years, and those few days the year before didn't count. She'd been useless to everyone while she'd been there and hadn't done anything but hurt them all. Anna knew such bad thoughts about her own mother weren't a good thing, but she was glad to be rid of her. Plus, she liked Meredith. She was nice and fun and looked after her dad real well.

She looked at Danny again. He'd been more pissed off than anyone when their mom had turned back up, so that can't have been why he was pissed off now. Turning to her dad, she did something she hadn't done in years, and leaned forward to hug him.

"I really think it's great," she said. "Meredith's great, and I can tell you guys really love each other."

Stan awkwardly patted her on the back. "Yeah. I mean, it ain't gonna happen for a while because I still gotta get a divorce from your mom, you know?"

"Sure."

"But, eventually, me and Meredith are gonna get married … and, well, Meredith's mom is sick, so I think we're gonna leave Tulsa soon."

All her breath coming out in a slow stream, Anna thought she might understand Danny's problem. Stan hadn't been the best, but he'd gotten so much better. And he was still their dad. His leaving town meant they wouldn't have any parents around. It'd just be the two of them, unless …

A sick feeling came over her. She was only seventeen, and she didn't turn eighteen for another two months. Once she turned eighteen she could work fulltime at the bakery and live on her own - or, a heart-pounding thought came to her, maybe with Steve - but until then, she was her dad's responsibility. Fighting the rushing in her ears, she paid attention as he began to speak again.

"Now, I know you don't wanna leave," he said. "And I know I ain't always been the best to you and your brother … especially you … but I'd like it if ya came."

She wouldn't go. She couldn't. But his words sure were nice.

"You would?"

"Yeah. But it's up to you. Me and Danny have been talking for a few days, and you can decide what you wanna do. Come with me and Meredith, or stay here with him."

She looked wildly at Danny. Was that why he was so pissed off? Because he was being left to deal with her. Fighting the ache in her chest, she fidgeted on the couch.

"Well, what's Anita doing?" Not that it mattered. Anna wasn't going.

"Her dad gets out of prison in a few weeks. We're not gonna leave until then - once he's here to look after her - so she won't be coming with us," he said, looking at her.

"Right." She looked at Danny, willing him to show some indication that her staying wasn't going to be a problem for him. He stared back, waiting for her answer. Still staring at him, she said, "You know I don't wanna leave, but …"

"But what?"

She looked away. She wasn't sure if she was too stubborn or too proud, but, either way, she couldn't tell him that she hated the idea of being a nuisance to him.

Her dad stood. "I'll give you two a few minutes."

Once he was gone, Danny sat on the couch with her. "We both know you ain't gonna leave Randle," he said, "so what's your problem?"

"It's just … you're almost twenty, you know? You've got a life of your own, and a girlfriend you're kind of serious with."

"So?"

"So I don't wanna get in the way of that. The last thing you want is your seventeen-year-old sister hangin' around."

Danny sighed. "Trust me, kid, the last thing I want is you leaving."

"Really?"

"I know you don't need me anymore, but I still don't want you to go."

Her eyes widened. It had been weeks since that conversation at the Dingo. With everything that had happened with Steve later that night, Danny thinking she didn't need him had kind of been pushed to the back of her mind. She supposed there wasn't any better time to assure him he was wrong.

"You know I love Steve," she said quietly, "but that doesn't change anything. All we've really got is each other, remember?"

He stared at her for a long moment before answering. "Yeah, I remember."

"You really don't want me to go?" She felt stupid asking, but she felt wonderful hearing it was true.

"Whaddya think all that yelling was about? You think I was gonna let him take you?"

Feeling traitorous tears fill her eyes, Anna did the only thing she could and turned to sarcasm.

"It's because you'd miss me, right? Because you're not sure you can live without me?"

Danny smirked. "Gotta admit, the silence that came with you leavin' sure you be nice."

"Hey! That's a big, fat lie and you know it." She grinned. "But it's okay, dear brother, I know you love me. And I know you'd miss me. A lot. In fact, with me gone, your will to live would just disappear -"

"Would you shut it?" Danny asked, ruffling her hair.

Grin fading, she stared at him. "What're we gonna do about money? I don't finish school for a while, but I'm sure my boss will give me fulltime work with Meredith leaving."

"I've been thinkin' about that, and you might not like my idea."

"What?"

"I think we ought to sell Grandpa Joe's house."

Oh. That sounded pretty much unbearable, but definitely logical. There was no reason to keep the house; it wasn't as if she was ever going to live there, seeing as she could barely go inside the damn thing. It would suck to be rid of the last real piece of Grandpa Joe, but she supposed it was time. Hanging onto the house was pointless and kind of depressing. At least getting rid of it meant never having to go there again.

"It's in our name, you know? So we can divide the money and stick it in the bank for times we really need it," Danny continued.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "Yeah, I think that might be the best idea."

"You sure? I won't do anythin' about it unless you're absolutely sure."

"I'm sure."

Going on impulse alone, she reached forward and hugged Danny. It wasn't just about Grandpa Joe. He'd been fighting to keep her with him. He knew she wouldn't want to go, and he didn't want her to, and he'd been arguing with their dad to let him keep her there. He might not admit to anything she'd said, but she knew he'd miss her if she left, and Christ she'd miss him too.

"I'm always gonna need you," she said as he hugged her back. "And if you think Steve's the only reason I've got to stay, then you're crazy."

XXXXX

The bell at the front of the store door rang, and Steve scowled. He wasn't in the mood to deal with customers; closing was in less than half an hour and he wanted to spend his time looking over the Corvair that had come in that day.

Wiping his hands on the rag he kept in his back pocket, he headed out the front, still scowling. Anna grinned at him from where she was leaning against the counter and his scowl disappeared. She looked damn good with the top two buttons of her blouse undone like that, and the way she was leaning over the counter sure was nice.

"Whaddya doin' here?" he asked, shoving the rag away.

"Not much. Just wanted to hang out."

"Here?" He smirked at her; the last time she'd wanted to hang out with him at work, his hand had found its way beneath her skirt as she sat on the hood of his car.

She blushed. "Well, not necessarily here, but with you."

"That right? I thought you had work tonight?"

"Meredith gave me the night off since I worked the last two."

"How'd you get here?" he asked as she walked around the counter.

"Oh. Danny dropped me off."

He raised an eyebrow. "Willingly?"

"Uh-huh. So, guess what?"

Throwing an arm around her shoulder, Steve led her into the garage. "You've missed me so much the last two nights that you can't bear to be away from me tonight?"

"No. Well, yes, but that's not what I'm talkin' about. My dad's getting married."

"Really?" That wasn't what he'd been expecting, but Anna seemed okay about it so he figured it was a good thing. Double checking never hurt. "That's good, right?"

"Oh, yeah. He's changed so much since being with Meredith. It's weird to think about, but he really loves her."

"Cool. So, a wedding, huh?"

"One day." Anna nodded, leaning against the Corvair. "He has to get his divorce first, and then … well, they're leaving town."

"Where're they goin'?"

She frowned. "You know, I never thought to ask …"

"You didn't ask? Seriously? Your old man's leaving town and you didn't ask where he was goin'?"

"Don't hassle me," she said. She lightly shoved his chest when he grinned. "I wasn't exactly thinking about where he was goin', I was thinking that I'm only seventeen and if he made me, I'd have to go with him."

Heart clenching, Steve stared at her.

"Don't worry," she said quickly. "I ain't goin'."

"You're not?"

She shook her head. "Danny convinced him not to make me go, and he gave me a choice; go with him, or stay here with Danny. It wasn't a hard decision."

"You're stayin' here? With Danny?"

Getting off the car she was leaning on, she made her way toward him. "And you," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he buried his face in her neck and pulled her tight against him. She smelled good, like that summery perfume she always wore. When she placed a soft kiss on his neck, he shivered, unable to believe he almost could have lost her again.

"You're definitely not goin'?"

"Not a chance," she said, and he finally felt like he could breathe properly again. "I think you might be stuck with me."

Being stuck with her sounded so damn good.

"I'm real glad you ain't goin'," he said against her neck.

"That's because you love me," she said, and he was sure he could hear the smirk in her voice.

"Sure do."

She pulled back slightly to look at him. "Buck's havin' a party tonight. Wanna go? We can blow off first period tomorrow and sleep in."

"You're brother'll kill us both if you're at a party on a school night."

Anna laughed. "He ain't in charge of me yet."

XXXXX

"Can you believe her?" Soda asked.

Steve shrugged, glancing at Anita. "She's only dancing with him."

"Yeah, but Curly Shepard? She doesn't even like the guy."

Steve vaguely remembered them making out at his birthday party the year before, but didn't mention that to Soda. "Maybe she's tryin' to make you jealous."

"With Curly? Not likely. She's told me all about him, and I know she ain't interested."

"Maybe she's interested because he's interested," Anna said pointedly.

Soda gave her a long look. "All I've ever done is be honest with her."

"Yeah, but sometimes bein' honest comes out a lot meaner than intended. Like when you point out how different she is to sweet, perfect Sandy - who, by the way, was by no means perfect - and how that was hard for you."

Steve sighed. "I really wish you two would just get along again. I almost liked it better when I thought you were datin'."

Anna smirked. "Really?"

"Well … no. But you two throwing snide remarks at each other isn't going to fix anything."

And he was sick of it. He knew they'd stopped getting along after he and Anna had broken up, but he'd hoped they'd get over that now that they were back together. But it seemed like no matter what happened, Anna and Soda always had something to snap at each other about. Usually it had something to do with Anita.

"She really told you I said that?" Soda asked.

Glancing at Steve, Anna shrugged. "It wasn't like she was complaining about you. She was just upset and needed someone to talk to."

"I don't mean to upset her, I just can't help half the things I say to her."

"Well, you should try and keep your mouth shut for now because she's coming back." Anna's words were harsh, but her voice was soft.

Running his fingers through the hair hanging at her back, Steve wished he hadn't agreed to the party. He should've just talked her into spending the night at his house, in his bed, instead. Parties were usually a good time, but when all their friends were so fucking miserable, it became unbearable.

And it wasn't just Soda and Anita who couldn't sort their shit out. Something was going on with Kathy and Two-Bit again, but no one seemed to have any clue what it was. Soda thought they might be getting back together, but Anita was sure she'd heard them fighting at school that day. When Kathy had walked into Buck's with Dave from their English class - the same Dave she'd been out with a few weeks ago - Steve figured Soda was wrong; she and Two-Bit weren't getting back together.

He leaned down to whisper in Anna's ear. "You wanna dance?"

She nodded eagerly, and Steve was pretty sure she was as sick of their friend's drama as he was.

Some stupid country song was playing, but Steve pulled her close anyway. She had decided to get a little dressed up for the party, and was wearing a blue dress that Steve kind of wanted to rip off of her. It wasn't as low-cut as he'd like, but those buttons down the front sure were inviting.

Shit, everything about her was inviting; the way she smelled, the pale skin of her neck, the way her curves brushed against him. Pressing herself against him, Anna sighed softly. He wondered if she knew what she did to him. He might love her more than anything, but that definitely wasn't all there was to it. She made him crazy, and the feel of her body flush against his own was sending him completely insane.

"Let's get out of here," he muttered into her ear.

She laughed. "It's still early."

"I don't care." And to prove this, he nipped lightly at her neck before soothing it with his tongue.

"You're such a bad influence on me."

"As if you don't like it."

She said nothing and he took it as a sign to continue. With one last kiss on her neck, he dragged his lips across her jaw. Sighing softly in his ear, she turned her head toward his, making his plan to kiss her even easier.

Hands spread over her back, he kissed her slowly, deliberately, in a way he knew she couldn't say no to. He wanted to take her home. He'd had enough of hanging out with their friends, and he'd hardly spent time with her in days. All he wanted was to be alone with her.

She pulled back a little, breathing heavily. "Just so you know, even if Dad had said I had to go with him, and Danny had been okay with it, I wouldn't have left."

"Yeah?"

"I don't know what I would've done, but I would've found a way out of it."

Tightening his hold, Steve pressed his forehead against hers. "Doesn't matter anyway," he said, "I wouldn't've let you go."

"Promise?"

"Do anything to keep ya; you know that."

She nodded, looking over his shoulder. "We can go back to your place if you want, but we can't leave Soda and Anita here alone."

That was a good point. They'd all arrived together, and unless they both wanted to stay, Steve wouldn't leave without them.

"C'mon," he muttered. He kept an arm around Anna's shoulders as they made their way back to the table.

There was barely any room for them when they got there. Two-Bit had arrived, Bobby Miller and a couple of other Shepard boys were there - including Curly who was eagerly sitting next to an obviously uninterested Anita - and Terry Armstrong and Linda Jones were in Steve and Anna's old seats. The mood was solemn as he pulled up another two chairs.

"What's goin' on?" he asked.

Terry ran a hand through his hair. "I got drafted."

Linda burst into tears then, and Terry slid an arm around her shoulders. They were pretty quiet about their relationship, but Steve was pretty sure they'd been dating for a while, maybe even close to a year. Anna tensed next to him for a moment before getting up to sit next to Linda.

"That's terrible," she said, placing a hand on her arm.

Steve didn't say anything. He wasn't buddies with Terry like he was Soda and Two-Bit, but he liked the guy well enough. Terry was a good guy; the fact that he was going to Vietnam was a real shitty deal.

He stayed silent while the others talked about it, not sure what to say. He knew it was happening, but he'd never expected someone he knew to get drafted - or be stupid enough to enlist. He glanced at Soda and Two-Bit; if this could happen to Terry, it could happen to anyone. But, as true as that was, he doubted it. Surely life wasn't that unfair. Not after everything that had already happened with Dally and Johnny.

It was a good twenty minutes before he and Anna left. They quietly made their way to his car, Soda and Anita trailing along behind them. Everyone's good mood was gone, but at least Soda didn't seem pissed with Anita anymore … if the way he was holding her hand was anything to go by.

He looked at Anna, not used to her silence. "You okay?"

She nodded. "It's just weird to have someone we know get drafted."

"Yeah."

She glanced across the parking lot, and he followed her gaze. Danny and Mary-Louise were standing next to his car, alternating between kissing and talking quietly. He didn't have to ask to know she'd realised the same thing he had. If Terry Armstrong could get drafted, then so could anyone else.

As we run from the day,
To a strange night of stone.

A/N: Beta'd by RileysMomma. Concrit is welcome :)