I do not own The Outsiders. All characters used from the book are borrowed with much respect to S.E. Hinton.

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"What happened to him?"

"What happened to who?"

"Ponyboy. He looks different; not right. What happened to him?"

"Shut your mouth—the kid is fine! What the hell are you doing here anyways?"

I could hear Two-Bit grumble at Sandy, but I was too tired to tell him to cut it out, so I took another breath and focused on the weight of my brother melting into me.

"I wasn't picking; don't be a jerk, Two-Bit! It was just a question. I haven't seen him for so long."

"Yeah, well I guess you shoulda stuck around, Sandy."

"Look," I heard Sandy huff in frustration. "I know you're just protecting Soda, and I get it. Okay? I get it. But I'm here because he didn't want you guys split apart. You guys are it, and he wanted you to stay together. That's why I'm here. That's the reason, okay?"

"Steve,"

"What?"

"Steve. You forgot about Steve. You didn't happen to hear from him, did ya?"

I held my breath waiting for Sandy's answer.

"Yeah, he re-enlisted."

"What?"

"C'mon, Two. You know Soda was all that Steve had. I don't think he's ready to face it yet."

"Yeah, tell me about it. There's been a whole lotta that goin' 'round. How's Evie handling the news?"

"As well as can be expected."

"And you? You seem to be holding yourself together pretty good."

"Yeah?" Sandy's voice shook, and I felt for her. "Well, I've had a lot of practice hiding things the past few years."

I thought about her words and the courage it took for her to round me up to make the trip up to this foreign town in this foreign country. Sandy was no different from me—from all of us. She'd grown up on the same streets as me and my brothers and the rest of the boys. She knew what it was like to grow up poor and to not have a hope in hell of breaking free and being more. Sandy had made her own sacrifices in life. Sacrificing for my brother. Sacrificing for his baby. Sacrificing for me so that I could be here right now. She was as tough as they came, and I could see why my brother had fallen head-over-heels for her. They were but a few of the same qualities that made me fall in love with Beth.

Sandy was my sister now; even though Soda was no longer with us, and it was my job to protect her; I'd made my promise to Soda, and I had no intention of breaking that promise. But when I made to stretch and open my mouth to do that, I felt Pony jerk and twitch beside me, and things went by the wayside.

"What's wrong? What is he doing?" Sandy sounded alarmed, but my brother's seizures were old hat for Two-Bit and me.

"Relax," I could sense Two-Bit nearing the couch where Ponyboy and I were laying. "Ain't you seen a seizure before?"

"Seizure? Since when? Is that why he's all crooked and bent strange? What happened to him?"

"Soda didn't tell ya?" Two-Bit asked curiously.

"Tell me what?"

Advertising what Ponyboy had survived was something I knew that Sodapop would never do, because as much as he was in love with Sandy, he also loved Ponyboy. I knew he'd never do anything to break the trust and bond he had with his little brother. It was the same concern that I'd had when Pony was well enough to take home; who needed to know what happened, and how much information was too much information when dealing with Pony's feelings. It was his story to tell, and if it weren't for Two-Bit and Steve figuring things out on their own, they would still be none the wiser. Pony's heart was fragile and like Soda, I would guard it with my life.

"Shhh," I opened my eyes and looked at Two-Bit. "It's okay, I'm here Pony."

It was a statement with two purposes. One, to comfort Pony during his seizure which didn't seem as bad as some of the ones I'd held him through in the past. Two, to keep Two-Bit Mathews from shooting his mouth off to Sandy about how my brother became the way he was. It wasn't his business to tell her, it was Pony's and Pony's alone.

"Nothin'," Two-Bit gave me a slight nod before turning back to Sandy. "Maybe we should think about supper. You guys must be starved." He mumbled while walking towards the kitchen with Sandy following, and I squeezed Pony closer.

A faint squeak from the back of his throat made its way out, and I thought about loosening my grip on him until his right hand grabbed at the front of my shirt again, pulling at the hairs on my chest. I sucked in a sharp breath while I clenched my teeth and my eyes, and let my hand cover his; trying to pry it off.

"Ow, Pony! Take it easy—don't get so grabby!"

I found myself nagging and figured if he didn't know it was me from huddling up together, he'd know it from me bossing him around. His hand gave a weak clench before he let me take it, and he held onto my thumb instead.

"Where ya been, kiddo? I been lookin' everywhere for you. Me and Beth been worried sick." I started mumbling while my other hand pet and cradled his head to my shoulder and chest.

"I was so scared they got you again. I was so scared they put you in another home and they were just lying when they told me they didn't know anything. I was so scared, Pony—so scared." And suddenly I was laying out the last few years for my brother.

"It's been so hard not having you around; not having Soda around. You two are part of me—you're the blood and marrow. I…I haven't even seen him; I just sorta shut down. I'm too scared to say goodbye…" my throat started to feel thick.

"I can't seem to get through this; not without you, little buddy. I need you, okay? I know what Two-Bit was trying to tell me—that you ain't there no more, but the thing is, is that he don't know you like I do. You've never given up on anything in your whole life. You've always fought; you fought me for years. Ponyboy, you've always been the strong one; everyone just thought it was me and Soda cuz you've always been so small, but I know better. I ain't givin' up on you, and I never will. I know you're in there, little buddy and when you're ready, I'm gonna be here. I'll always be here for you, baby."

I let a tear slide while I thought about the truth I'd shared. Pony had always been the strong one; the fighter. Soda had always been the heart that kept us together, and I wondered what I'd brought besides the ability to provide a place where we could always be together, that is until I messed things up and lost my temper that one night. Pony was so much stronger than I was—I hadn't been able to bring myself to make the drive to see Soda. His remains had been laid to rest next to our parents, and I just wasn't strong enough. I'd never be strong enough to let Sodapop go, even when in my heart I knew he was gone.

My train of thought was interrupted by the sound of the door opening, and that familiar gentle, grounding, voice.

"Hey Keith, Safeway had a clear-out on some chops, so I picked some up. If you cook them tonight, they'll be fi…oh! I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company. Uh…I'll catch up with you and Pony tom…"

"Relax, doc. Gimme the bag, I was just worryin' what the hell I was gonna feed 'em." Two-Bit chuckled.

I heard the paper bag rustle as Greg handed it over to Two-Bit.

"Hi," Greg sounded nervous before Two-Bit broke in.

"Oh yeah! Doc, this is Sandy. Sandy, this is doc. What the hell goes with pork chops?"

"Greg," I heard him correct Two-Bit's introduction. "It's nice to meet you. How was Pony today?"

"The same, but I think he's about to get a whole lot better. He's on the couch if you wanna check him over. Warning, he ain't alone."

"What do you mean, who…?"

Greg looked stunned as he turned and saw me from the kitchen. I took notice of the subtle way he shook his head once, twice, and a third time before his legs brought him further into the living room and towards the sofa where I had my brother crammed in between my side and the back cushions of the couch, and the grin I wore faded into horror when I saw Greg breaking down.

"Hey," I spoke in concern as Greg's knees hit the floor, and his face was buried in the shoulder of mine that was not occupied by my brother.

"Hey," I repeated as Greg started to cry, and I brought my hand up to pet his head.

"Oh my god, I'm so stupid!" His voice cracked as he yelled into my shirt, and his arm stretched out to rest over my brother and me.

"Hey, it's okay. It's okay, Greg. It's okay now."

"No, it's not!" He shook his head vehemently while he leaned back to look at me. "I should've waited! I know not to make decisions in haste! I'm so stupid!"

His uncertainty was raw and honest, and I smiled as it reminded me of Sodapop. That's what I respected most about Greg. He wasn't afraid to show that he was human, when all the other doctors I'd dealt with in the past acted as though they were God himself. Greg was aware of his limitations.

"It's not your fault, you didn't know."

"I should've waited and then I would've known." Greg choked, and once again I realized how entwined we all were with each other, and how we'd all been affected by Soda's passing, and my subsequent accident.

"Not that. You didn't know…"

"Know about what?" Greg looked at me in confusion.

"You didn't know about my superpowers." I grinned coyly, and Greg started to laugh.

"Superman?" He checked, and I nodded. "Ah, right! I thought that was just in reference to your physical condition. I didn't realize you could also leap over buildings in a single bound."

I shrugged nonchalantly, and Greg smiled. "Well, given how strong your little brother is, I should've known about your superpowers. I'm so sorry, Darry. I didn't think there was any hope. I took him away and he needed you. I'm so sorry, please forgive me!"

"Greg, you saved him—again! I can't ever repay you. You don't know…I'm so grateful you helped Pony and Two-Bit. He woulda died if he got put into another home."

"He's in bad shape, Darry. He went without oxygen…" I didn't let him finish, because I'd already made up my mind.

"He'll come back when he's ready." I said stubbornly as I kissed the top of Pony's head.

"Darry," Greg shook his head sadly. "What if he doesn't?"

"Then nothing." I shrugged stubbornly. "He goes where I go; nothing will ever change that. He's my brother and he's my blood. I love him and would do anything for him. That's how it is."

"That's what I knew you'd say." Greg smiled as he shuffled up from the floor to sit in the chair next to the couch. "When are you heading back?"

I shrugged. "Whenever it works for you and Two-Bit."

"When it works for us?" Greg's eyebrows pulled together.

"I ain't going home without you guys, c'mon Greg. After what y'all have done for me—for Pony. It's time to go home."

"There's nothing for me there, Darry." Greg suddenly looked so sad.

"Beth said they fired you. I don't get it. You're the best…everything you do…everything you've done for us…I don't understand."

"They don't like my kind."

"Your kind?" I repeated, unclear of what he was saying.

"Homosexual, Darry. I was in the emergency when you were brought in. God, you were in pieces and I've never been so scared."

"Greg," I felt the guilt as I was reminded of just how much my actions cost everyone, not just myself.

"I guess my bedside manner wasn't deemed appropriate. They didn't ask; just assumed and I was given my notice."

"That's bullshit!" I growled, somehow feeling responsible, but Greg just shrugged.

"I guess they could see how I really feel about you."

There was an awkward silence for a moment before Greg shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Darry. I'm…"

"Greg,"

I wanted to say something to ease his mind, but the truth was I had no idea what that would be. I'd never been in this position before, and I didn't know how to maintain a friendship without having my feelings misinterpreted. I didn't want to hurt Greg, and I realized then that being his friend might've been the very thing that was hurting him.

"Anyways," Greg interrupted. "I didn't know what to do. The hospital wouldn't give me a favourable reference, and then Two-Bit asked for help with Ponyboy. When I found out about the draft, Canada made sense."

"So, you guys all live here," I looked around the worn-down living room.

"At first until I got settled with another job. I wanted them to come with me to the house, but Keith doesn't accept help easily. Still insists on paying me for this place."

I didn't bother telling him about a greaser's pride, because I was sure Greg had pegged it a million years ago when our paths first crossed. Pride was all we had most days, and Greg wasn't from our side of the tracks, but he was deep enough and kind enough to understand.

"This where you're from?" I asked curiously.

"Washington state. Parents tossed me out when I told them I was in love with my best friend." Greg smiled sadly for a brief moment, remembering. "Best friend tossed me out when I told him too."

"I won't toss you out, Greg. I won't ever do that to you. I meant what I said—you're family. There's always a place for you with us."

Greg smiled. "You're gracious, and a wonderful friend to have, Darry. Thank you."

"I dunno why you're thanking me. You've done way more for me. I'll never be able to pay that debt."

"My whole life I've never belonged anywhere, Darry. I always knew I was different. You see past that. You see me for me—all of you do. For the first time in my life I feel like I fit somewhere, and I never thought that would happen."

"Guess we're not such outsiders after all?"

Greg looked thoughtful as he smiled warmly. "I guess not."

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