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

I'm in awe as my surroundings remind me of just how little and insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things. We're surrounded by tree and rock, and though I've taken a trip or two to go skiing with friends and am no stranger to mountainous terrain, I've never seen anything close to what I was seeing here.

"Whoa,"

It's barely just a breath from me as Two-Bit drives the highway and points out the three monstrous peaks there on the north face, and I know my jaw is hanging loose by the cold intake of air that buzzes across my teeth.

"The Three Sisters."

He points at them, and my arm tightens around Ponyboy as we're spread out in the back seat of Two-Bit's Chevy.

"Where the fuck are we? I mean, what the hell is this place anyways?"

"Just a small coal mining town. They got some big park up the highway a bit. It's gotten pretty touristy according to Doc. Mostly hippy dippy types tryin' to take over and make a buncha hiking trails or some dumb shit like that." Two-Bit grumbled, and it dawned on me uncomfortably that this was home for him now.

"Hiking trails?"

"Yeah, like get a fuckin' car, man or a horse, but they've been bitchin' that the horses are tearin' up the trails like it's the end of the world."

I gave him a strained smile as he looked back at me through the rear-view mirror. He continued to point out landmarks, and the fact that he'd learned so much in a relatively short amount of time made my heart sink.

The Canadian Rockies suddenly swallowed me—my claustrophobia due to the realization that Two-Bit wouldn't be coming back to Tulsa with us. He like Greg, was going to stay behind, and the loneliness I suddenly felt was exacerbated by those towering mountains.

"I'm cold." I commented absently, but it had little to do with the climate and everything to do with the fact that despite my best efforts, my life was going to continue to be hanging upside down and backwards.

Pony curled into my side a little more, and I couldn't help but smile. It was going to be difficult but having him back with me would soften the blow. I just hoped that he'd find that same comfort in me.

"The first winter here I just about froze my nuts off," Two-Bit chuckled. "Then you learn how to cope. Buy a snow suit, boots, the works."

"Just how cold does it get, anyways?" I asked apprehensively as Ponyboy burrowed a little more into me for dramatic effect.

"Fuckin' cold. We had a week of minus thirty last year, 'member that kid?" Two-Bit craned his neck to wink at Pony.

Pony blinked.

"Minus thirty? That's Canadian temperature. What the hell is that in American?" I asked as Two-Bit turned the car into a parking lot suddenly.

"When it's that cold, it don't matter where you're from. Here we are." He parked the car and turned around grinning.

"What's this?" It looked like a service station.

"Husky. They've got a killer breakfast. I'll go grab the chair from the trunk. You grab the kid."

"Chair?"

My eyes followed Two-Bit as he slid out of the car and made his way to the back to pop open the trunk. I heard him pull something out of the back, and then the tinkering and adjusting of something before the trunk closed and I caught him grinning again. What I couldn't believe, and absolutely shouldn't have surprised me was him pulling a wheelchair up next to the back door.

"C'mon, I'm hungry!" He urged as he opened the door so I could slide myself and then Ponyboy out.

"Where the hell did you get that?" I looked at him awestruck, but then a thought crossed my mind. "Jesus Christ, Two-Bit! You liftin' wheelchairs from the hospital now?"

He laughed, but didn't deny it, even when I shook my head at him in disapproval.

"You ready, little buddy?" I leaned into the car and watched for my brother's signal.

One blink for yes, but his face showed anything but happiness.

"We ain't used this thing yet. But since you ain't playin' possum no more, Pony..." Two-Bit sassed my brother with a huge grin.

"You okay, Ponyboy?" I checked with him before scooping him out of the back seat.

His eyes closed but didn't open again. A pained expression covered his features before his face tinted a deep scarlet, and I realized my brother's embarrassment.

"Hey," I jostled him a bit to get him to look at me.

His eyes opened, but he didn't look any more at ease.

"It's okay if you don't wanna go in. We can go back home if you want."

His mouth moved to tell me that people were staring. I looked around and noticed the curious watchers from people fuelling their cars.

"Hell kid, they just ain't ever seen how three hoods from Oklahoma could be so goddamned good looking. Don't sweat it." Two-Bit rubbed Pony's head.

"Well? Whadaya think?" I asked.

Pony frowned a little before cocking an eyebrow and looking down at the wheelchair.

"Atta boy!" Two-Bit encouraged, and I couldn't help the proud grin that took over my face as I set my brother down into the stolen set of wheels.

"What about you, Superman? Your walkin' stick's in the front." Two-Bit checked in, but I just waved him off.

"Feed me," was all I answered as I steered Pony towards the door.

It's strange the things you grow accustomed to. The turf wars I'd grown up seeing, and even fighting my fair share in were now on their way out, but the animosity between the social classes was still thick enough to cut with a knife. I wasn't used to kind gestures or words of encouragement from strangers. Rarely would we venture out to the west side of Tulsa. The risk of trouble was too big. There were hangouts both sides of town would occupy, but no good ever seemed to come from the rich and poor existing in the same space.

My mind drifted off, taking me back to "The Freezing Cow" when Soda and I decided to haul Ponyboy out and treat him to some ice cream. What was supposed to be an easy-going day ended up being a nightmare after one cruel and humiliating encounter with a bunch of heartless socs. So, you can imagine my apprehension when a man came sauntering over to us while watching me try to maneuver the wheelchair up over the edge of the cement walkway.

"Hey buddy, let me help!"

I was on the defensive immediately; my eyes stone as the guy helped Two-Bit hoist the other side of the wheelchair and my brother up onto the walk. I clenched my fists and waited for the onslaught of names and taunts that would be directed at Ponyboy, but they never came.

"Hey man, thanks!" Two-Bit grinned and started shaking hands with him.

"No problem. It wouldn't be hard for them to put in ramps, 'eh? You guys need a hand in?"

"Yeah, if you don't mind catchin' the door for us." Two-Bit took a hold of the chair, and carefully wheeled Pony through the glass door.

I stood there like an idiot, not knowing how to react. The guy looked at me cautiously; a young, ordinary guy that was probably about my age. He held the door expectantly, but I just stayed frozen; unsure of what to do.

"You alright, pal?"

"Thank you. I'm sorry, I'm just not used to decent people."

"You aren't from around here are you? Your voice…"

"Oklahoma," I shook my head.

"The hell you say!" The guy smiled. "Well you're a long way from home then. Welcome to Canada!"

I nodded; suddenly not able to contain my smile. I felt the pat on my back as I walked through the door that was still being held open for me. I turned back and raised a hand in acknowledgement and thanks before finding the table Two-Bit had picked out.

"You sure this ain't in the way, Sharon?"

Two-Bit and a waitress were moving chairs and making room to tuck Ponyboy in where he wouldn't clutter the diner. They'd managed to seat him next to the window, leaving an outside seat beside him still available for me. Two chairs sat opposite.

"Don't be ridiculous, Two-Bit. We'll make the room." She smiled as she wiped down the table. "Three menus?"

She grinned as she eyed me up and down, and I smiled as I shucked off my jacket; placing it over the back of the chair and took the seat that was next to my brother's.

"Just one, Sharon. I'll have the usual, but we'll let Muscles here take a gander."

"Sounds good, honey. Can I get you boys something to drink first?"

"Yeah I'll get a water, and a coffee for Darry, right?" Two-Bit looked at me knowingly.

"Yeah, just black thank you." I looked up at Sharon and gave her a grin that she readily returned.

"Alright, what about you sweetheart?" She looked at Ponyboy.

"He's good, Sharon."

"Okay, I'll be back in a bit." She replied slowly, before turning away to get our drinks.

"You come here a lot?" It was more a statement than a question, but it had Two-Bit huff a laugh regardless.

"Boy, if that ain't the worst pick-up line in the history of mankind."

We chuckled uncomfortably, both knowing the conversation to come. I looked over to my left and sighed worriedly; Ponyboy's chin was tucked to his chest and he'd nodded off already.

"I hate that shit we gotta give 'em. Knocks him on his ass not even an hour after he takes it." Two-Bit commented before soberly looking out the window.

"So do the seizures. Six in one; half a dozen the other, I guess. They been worse since coming up here?" I asked.

"Honestly, with him bein' so quiet I stopped being able to tell. I just felt so goddamned bad for the kid, y'know? Fuckin' felt like I let him down, Darry. First Sodapop, then you supposedly. I couldn't do nothin' for him that would make it better. It was guttin' me, Darry. You don't know how much."

"I'm sorry," I started but paused as Sharon returned with a water for Two-Bit, and a coffee for me.

"Did you get a chance to look at the menu, hon? Or do you need a few more minutes?"

"Uhhhh," I stared at her apron distractedly. "Y'know I think I'll just have what he's having. He's never led me astray before; I don't think he'll start now."

"Alright then, two breakfast specials. Good choice! We'll get that right in, boys."

"Thanks, Sharon!" Two-Bit called after her as she turned around to head for the kitchen in the back before eyeing me. "Y'know there's a lot of work here. Construction, mining, oilfield. It's a great place to start over."

"Come home." I looked at him desperately.

Two-Bit huffed sadly. "I knew you were gonna say that."

"Come home with us. Nothin's gotta change. You have a room of your own. You practically run that place…"

"And do what, Darry? I'm a draft dodger. I get home and they throw my ass in jail. Y'know I've cheated, I've stole, I've lied, but I don't think I belong there do you? And I ain't goin' to go fight in some shitstorm that killed one of the best guys I ever knew. I won't. I watch the news—even up here they show people spittin' on the soldiers that make it back; callin' 'em baby killers after they've been shot up and had their limbs ripped off! What the hell are we fightin' for, huh?" Two-Bit had clearly worked himself up enough that we were drawing attention to ourselves.

"I came here for you. Keith, I don't know if I can do all this without you. Your crazy ass keeps me sane."

"So now you go home with Pony instead. That's what's meant to be, I'm only sorry I couldn't do more for him—do more with him. You and Sodapop are a lot to live up to."

"I don't wanna leave without you." I felt like sobbing but knew I couldn't.

"Stay," Two-Bit shrugged. "Stay and start over. Send for Beth and move up here. It's different up here Darry. The people here are just ordinary people. I can go anywhere and not be marked lousy just 'cause I grew up on the wrong side of Tulsa."

"Y'mean move up here?" I looked on at Two-Bit like he'd just grew horns.

Two-Bit shrugged. "Why not? I did. Doc did. It wasn't easy but it's not impossible."

"I can't just pick up and leave Tulsa."

"Why not?" Two-Bit posed the question.

"I've got roots there, Two-Bit. My life is there."

"What roots? Your life is in a wheelchair sitting beside you in a diner up here in Alberta. What's tying you to Oklahoma?"

"Beth," I started but Two-Bit cut me off.

"Beth ain't even from there—she's from these parts, so what's there holding you back?"

"I can't leave him there alone. I can't leave Soda there." I said quietly.

Even though my brother had been buried next to my parents like he'd asked, I couldn't stomach the thought of leaving him behind. He was gone from our lives, but I still couldn't leave him. It felt as though I'd be abandoning him, and I promised I'd always be there no matter what. I was his big brother; it was my job.

"I get it," Two-Bit nodded, and Sharon was at our table placing our meals in front of us.

It was quiet between us as we ate breakfast. There was so much to say, and yet none of it would make a difference to either of us. Two-Bit's life had taken him on a different path, and I couldn't fault him for not wanting to come back with me. There was nothing left in Tulsa for him but a cold jail cell, or hateful protesters that didn't have a clue what it cost us to be free, and as much as it was killing me I couldn't let him come back even if he did want to. I owed him that much; after all the years of standing beside me in friendship and brotherhood, it was my turn to support and protect him.

"I'm gonna miss you, brother." I mumbled into my coffee cup before emptying it.

Two-Bit nodded quietly. His looked over at Ponyboy quickly as his eyes glassed over, but remained quiet while looking longingly out the window of the diner. Keith Mathews had been a permanent fixture in my life for as long as I could remember. He'd been there for the triumphs and the bloodshed in my life; never once asking for anything in return until now.

"We can call each other and write any time. It's not like Vietnam, Darry. I ain't gonna disappear."

I laughed in spite of my tear's betrayal, and nodded.

"You better not, or I'm gonna come back up here and beat the tar outta you."

Two-Bit cocked an eyebrow and proceeded to grin like the Cheshire Cat.

"Promise?"

"I promise."