"I guess we weren't fun enough for them," Two-Bit smirked as him and Soda walked around town, "That's alright. Not everyone can handle the Two-Bit."

Soda rolled his eyes, "It's a wonder your mom didn't put you up for adoption."

"The amount of time I'm around you guys I think she did and y'all took me in," Two-Bit laughed, "It says a lot she doesn't complain how little I'm home."

"Naw, she just has the same smart ass humor as you," Soda laughed, "We all know who you got it from."

"I don't know, that joke about my dad going to the store and never coming back was pretty good for him," Two-Bit smiled.

"Does that ever bother you?" Soda asked.

Two-Bit shrugged, "When I see my mom having a struggling week or something, yeah. But then she says she doesn't need another mouth to feed anyway."

"I dig that," Soda nodded.

They weren't sure where Steve and Dally had went. Soda was slightly nervous when he thought of where they could have gone, or who they could be looking for. He wasn't expecting them to just walk off. He wasn't sure what they were doing, and he was scared to find out. Soda also didn't appreciate Steve thinking just leaving and not saying anything wouldn't make him panic a little. Did they find Dalton? Did they get in a fight?

"Maybe we should just head home," Soda suggested, the idea forming in his head making him not feel well.

"Are you sure?" Two-Bit asked.

"I think that'd be best," Soda said, "I won't mind the walk anyway."

Soda still hoped they'd run into Steve or Dally on the way home, but they never found them.

"That kind of sucks they ditched us, huh?" Two-Bit asked as they arrived back at the Curtis house, "Maybe they went to Shepard's."

"Yeah," Soda said.

Two-Bit followed him up the front porch, "What's eating at you?"

"I just wonder if they went to find Dalton," Soda shrugged.

"That wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to teach that guy a lesson," Two-Bit commented, pulling out a cigarette.

"I know, I know. I just...I don't know what this guy is really capable of, you know?"

"Well, that's probably why they want to beat him to a pulp, so he doesn't even think of messing with you."

"If they get in a fight with him, I won't care, I really won't. He's done bad things to people, and he could've hurt Steve much worse. Steve could have got in a serious accident that could have left him with more than a broken arm and some bruises," Soda vented, "I just want him gone, Two-Bit. I want him to stop coming here and trying to mess with people."

"I know kid. We'll get it taken care of," Two-Bit said tossing his cigarette, "Do you want to tell Darry about any of this yet? You know he could help."

Soda shook his head, "I've already gotten too deep to tell him. There's so much he doesn't know. I don't want him to worry about it, he has enough on his plate with Ponyboy and bills."

"I'm sure he's already worrying anyway," Two-Bit put in.

"But not as much as he could be," Soda sighed, "Besides, you know how people like Dalton work. He could hurt me just by hurting my brothers if they knew what was going on. Darry would be a threat."

"You got a point there," Two-Bit agreed, "Well then the faster we get him out of town for good the better."


The next morning, Steve walked into the Curtis house. He was tired from the night before, but he felt bad as he had gotten home. He failed to realize Soda may have been worrying about him, so he decided to go over there first thing in the morning. "Soda?" he called out. Looking down at the couch, he saw Pony eating some breakfast. He was beginning to look like his old self. Steve was thankful for that, after the anger he went through over his pills being gone. "How are you feeling, kid?"

"I'm feeling good," Pony said, "The infection still looks gross, but the doctor said as long as it isn't looking worse it's okay. I just wish I could be better faster."

Steve raised his eyebrows and lifted his bandaged arm, "I hear ya."

"Hey Steve," Darry said walking from the kitchen, "Soda's upstairs."

"I'll go get his lazy ass up," Steve commented turning towards the stairs. At the top, Steve walked to the first door on the left and entered the bedroom. Soda was sitting up in bed. "Good morning sunshine."

"Hey," Soda said, feeling relieved to see his best friend just fine.

"Why aren't you downstairs?" Steve asked.

Soda shrugged, "I don't know. I got kind of nervous when I couldn't find you and Dally last night."

"I know, I'm sorry. We got held up."

"Doing what?"

"We went to find Shepard," Steve said, "I thought maybe he could help us find out what's going on with Dalton."

"Yeah, I kind of figured."

"We did find him, and he told us Dalton started messing with a Brumly Boy. He got him involved in something during a poker game at one of the Brumly Boy's hangouts, but I guess he didn't realize what gang he was messing with," Steve explained, "It didn't take long for them to get him out of there, but a little too late for them to realize he got away with money for rigging it. Just like he rigged the race you put a bet on me for. His reputation is really spreading around town now. Sounds like he's not even trying with the Socs. They don't do much money betting type stuff."

Soda just looked down at the bed. He was having a tough time responding to Steve, as he was still trying to calm his anxiety from wondering where he and Dally had gone off to last night. He didn't like hearing that Dalton got away with another scheme of his. It just made him feel stupid for falling for his tricks.

"You are an idiot, Soda." That phrase. That phrase had bothered him a lot after his fight with Steve. It stopped coming up for some time now, but it began pounding at his head again.

Steve sat on the bed, "Are you mad?"

"No, not really," Soda sighed, "I just wish I would've known what you were doing."

"Sorry man, I just liked seeing you having fun with Two-Bit. I didn't want to ruin it."

Soda let out a small grin. He did have fun with Two-Bit, and decided to just leave it at that. He wasn't willing to start anymore fights with Steve. "So what else did Tim say? What does he want to do?"

"He was going to keep an eye out for right now," Steve said, "I told him if he found him though, I'd want a piece of him."

"Can't you just let it go and not fight?" Soda asked.

Before Steve could answer, Two-Bit and Dally were at the door. "Steve," Dally said, "We have a problem."

Soda gulped, thinking there was something that Steve had left out, "What did you do?"

Steve shook his head, "I swear, we didn't do anything last night. We just talked to Tim."

"Well, talking to Tim has led to something," Dally commented.

"What happened?" Steve asked.

"Wait, wait," Soda said getting up from the bed, "Darry can't hear this. Go outside, I'll get dressed and meet you out there."


"Okay, let's go walk," Soda said as he walked outside, "I told Darry we were going to grab something to eat." The four greasers began walking down the street.

"So what happened?" Steve asked impatiently.

"He must've saw us talking to Shepard, or one of the Brumly Boys talked to Shepard," Dally said, "His tires are slashed."

Two-Bit nodded, "I was in the area and saw Shepard yelling by his car. He's pissed."

"Fuck," Steve said under his breath, "So he's looking for Dalton right now I take it?"

"No, he wanted me to find Dally and tell you guys, because there's going to be a drag race tonight. He wants us to lay low and see if Dalton or his gang show up there," Two-Bit explained.

"I'm ready to take care of this little shit," Dally said.

"I'll pick you guys up tonight," Two-Bit said, "I have to get Tim too. Are you coming Steve?"

Steve's eyebrows furrowed, "Of course."

"Just wasn't sure if you'd...want to go back to the races yet, or risk a fight with your arm..."

"I'm coming," Steve interrupted, "Dally just meet me at Soda's tonight and Two-Bit can get us there."


"Thanks for the pizza Darry," Steve said getting up from the table.

"No problem," Darry began taking some of the plates, "So what are you all up to tonight?"

"Going to watch some racing," Dally commented.

"Oh God, don't be trying to race Steve," Darry sighed.

"Don't worry, I'm not. Two-Bit's picking us up, so I won't even have my car."

"And don't be taking Two-Bit's car to race," Darry added in.

Steve scoffed, "Okay dad."

"Someone's got to be," Darry grinned.

After dinner, Steve, Soda and Dally went outside to wait for Two-Bit. Steve was shuffling around as he smoked. Soda could tell something was bothering him, but he assumed he was maybe getting antsy about going back to the race track. He didn't talk much about his accident, so Soda wasn't sure how he was feeling about it. If anything was certain, Soda knew Steve was mad about the accident since his car got damaged, but Soda realized he hadn't really asked Steve if anything else was bothering him from it. It wasn't long before Two-Bit drove up with Tim Shepard in the car.

"Well, are we ready?" Soda asked.

"Soda, wait," Steve stayed on the porch as Dally walked to the car.

"What's wrong?" Soda asked, "Are you nervous?"

"I think you should just stay home," Steve suggested.

"Huh?" Soda asked confused.

"I think you need to stay here," Steve repeated.

"No, I'm the reason this is happening..."

"But I don't want you to get yourself any deeper. If he's there, there is no doubt shit is going to go down."

"But Steve," Soda argued, "He has a gun..."

"Let him try and use it," Steve said with his toughest voice.

"Steve, that can't be played around with. How would you fight back a gun with one arm?"

"Soda, they'll have my back," Steve said, "Just stay here tonight, please?" Soda wanted to argue, but couldn't get another word out. "Promise me?"

"How am I suppose to not worry the whole time?"

Steve sighed, "I know you will. But I don't want to be worrying about you there. I promise I'll come back tonight, okay?"

Soda shook his head. He didn't like it, but he could tell Steve wasn't going to budge.

"You better come back," Soda said.

"Promise."

Soda watched as Steve got in Two-Bit's car and drove off. He didn't know what to expect as he sat down on the porch swing and just waited a while. That feeling he got in his stomach last night was returning. Greasers may have gotten in fights with each other, and with Socs, but they never used guns. There could be pieces of pipe, blades, or chains. Guns wasn't something they worried about. Dalton wasn't a greaser though. He was a stranger who didn't give any shits about what he did, or who he hurt in the process. Soda wasn't sure if Steve, Two-Bit, or even Dally knew how to handle that. Steve's arm may have had more motion, but it still wasn't the strongest. He still couldn't grab anyone or punch with it. He had a disadvantage and Soda didn't like that he was being cocky about it.

As the sky was beginning to change color, Darry opened the front door.

"Soda? Have you been out here this whole time?" Darry asked.

Soda slowly nodded.

"Why didn't you go with?"

Soda shrugged, "I wasn't feeling too good. I think I ate too much pizza. I just wanted to sit out here for some air."

Darry began closing the door, "Are you sure that's all it is?"

Soda nodded, "Yeah, I'm okay Darry. Steve said he'll come back in a while to check up."

"Makes sense. He'll probably get bored quick if he can't race."

"I hope so."


A few hours passed, and Soda was on the couch watching TV with Ponyboy and Darry. He tried to keep up conversation and anything else to make it seem like nothing was bothering him. Knowing he was a bad liar, especially in front of his brothers, he was watching everything he was doing. Deep inside he was worrying though, a lot. Was a fight going on right now? Did Dalton pull a gun on anyone? Did anyone get hurt? And if Dalton didn't show up, Soda's other concern that was more irritating than worrisome, was if Steve attempted to race. That idea made Soda roll his eyes.

Deep in thought, Soda felt himself jump when the door opened. Steve walked inside.

"Hey Steve," Darry greeted, "How was it?"

"Fun," Steve replied, "Hard not to jump in." Soda didn't see any bruises on Steve, and he didn't look exhausted.

"Let's go shoot some hoops," Soda stood up from the couch.

"Way to rub it in he only has one working arm," Pony commented while his nose was in a book.

"Wow Pony, feeling better much?" Soda laughed.

"You asked me to go shoot hoops too when I can barely walk," Pony smirked.

"I guess I expect more out of y'all," Soda smirked. Steve and Soda went to the backyard and passed around the basketball. "Well you were so good at football one-handed, how about hoops?"

Steve attempted to take a shot with both arms, but his injured arm wasn't being very supportive as it fell very far past the hoop. "Damn, I guess not," Steve shook his head, "I had more of a disadvantage with football too."

"You don't seem beat up," Soda commented.

"We didn't see him there," Steve said, "We tried waiting and not being obviously there, but he never showed up."

"So now what?" Soda asked.

"Tim's just as pissed off as I am. So are the Brumly Boys. So I mean if we ever see him anywhere he's going to get his ass kicked."

Soda nodded, "I get it. How did you feel being back at the tracks?"

Steve shrugged, "Fine."

"Are you sure?"

Steve looked confused, "Yes? I mean it sucked just watching, but it was fine."

"I just wanted to make sure you were feeling okay going back there after your accident."

"I've had crashes before you know?"

"Never even close to that bad," Soda commented.

"I know, but it was fine."

"Well that's good, I'm glad. Well I'm tired from worrying about your ass so much lately. Do you want to crash here tonight?"

"Sure."

Soda held onto the ball and took a shot, "Steve?"

"What?"

"You are an idiot, Soda." Soda scratched the back of his neck, "Do you think I'm an idiot for falling for Dalton's tricks?"

Steve took a deep sigh, "I think he knew just how to reel you in. You needed help, and he knew just how to fix it. Except it was just him finding another handyman, he didn't care if you actually got the help or got hurt or anything."

Soda shook his head, "So, I was an idiot?"

"You just made a mistake. That's it."

"You are an idiot, Soda." Soda picked up the ball and squeezed at it, "I just can't stop thinking about it."

Steve walked over and slammed the ball out of Soda's grip. He picked it up and attempted another basket. "Thinking about what?"

"That night..."

Steve assumed he was talking about the night with the gun, "Soda, don't let it bother you that he shot at that guy. There's nothing you can do about it now, and it's not worth losing sleep over."

"Not that night."

"What night then?"

"The night you got hurt...the night at the hospital."

Steve looked at Soda confused, "I'm okay Soda. I wasn't hurt that bad."

"Not that. Just our fight outside." Steve looked down at the grass. He didn't like reliving that fight. "It's just...you called me an idiot, and that stabbed me something awful." Steve didn't say anything. That had bothered him after he said it, but he didn't say anything about it. "We never really talked about that fight."

Steve looked up, "Soda, as soon as I got home and thought about all we said, I regretted it immediately. I was mad and..."

"And you knew exactly how to hurt me," Soda said shuffling his shoes through the grass, "I guess that's one downfall with being best friends, we know the right words to hurt each other." Soda turned away and kicked at some sticks.

"I guess so. But...just know from the bottom of my heart, I am sorry Soda. No matter how mad we get at each other...I just shouldn't have said that. I shouldn't talk to you like that. I know it's not an excuse, but I was so mad I couldn't get through to you," Steve shook his head. The guilt was knocking at him. He knew he'd have to face it sooner or later if their friendship was really going to fully heal.

"I know, I'm sorry I wasn't listening."

Steve walked up to Soda, grabbed his shoulder, and turned him around to face him. "Soda, I am sorry for what I said. I hope we never get in a fight like that again."

Soda smiled, "Me either."


Soda awoke the next morning from a deep, peaceful slumber. He couldn't remember the last time he had slept that well. After putting on a fresh t-shirt, he walked downstairs and saw Steve still asleep on the couch. Darry and Pony weren't awake yet either.

"Darry won't let me live it down that I actually got up early," Soda said as he went towards the kitchen. He stopped at the kitchen doorway. He was looking into the kitchen and could tell something was off.