Here it is, the final chapter of Thoughtless Words. I hope that you enjoyed my first The Outsiders story. I had a lot of fun writing it. Thank you to everyone for welcoming me into this fandom, for the reviews, advice and support. I've been reading The Outsiders fanfiction for years but never tried my hand until now. Thank you to those who wrote reviews as guests, I can't send you private thank yous so this will have to do.

I'm tossing around some ideas of a new story, but we'll have to see.

Thanks and all the best,

Jem

I was dozing in my recliner when the phone rang. My head had been feeling better this morning, enough that I had started complaining about all the chores that needed to be done. I still couldn't get around without it smarting an awful lot and I was itching to be able to get back to my life.

Soda had rolled his eyes at me as he pulled on his shoes. "Well, you ain't gonna move from that chair, so why don't cha relax for once?" He stood up and moved closer to my chair. His eyes got real soft. "Enjoy your break Dar. You deserve it."

I listened to him. Soda was hard to ignore when he put his mind to it. He always seemed to understand how I was feeling and knew what I needed to hear.

Still, I grumbled under my breath as he walked out the door for work, fighting back my smile. Soda shot me a wide grin over his shoulder and I knew I wasn't fooling him.

"C'mon Pony," he called out. 'Let's getta move on if you want me to drop you at the library."

"I'm coming Sodapop. Hold your horses." Pony came in from the kitchen balancing a glass of water, the paper and my pills. He placed them on the table beside me. "Here Darry." Ponyboy moved to put his shoes on, he narrowed his eyes and pointed at Soda. "And don't you dare say it."

"I wasn't gonna say nothing." Soda held his hands up in surrender. "Just that I'll hold my Ponyboy." With a wild laugh, he dived forward and grabbed Pony in a headlock. Pony squirmed as Soda dragged him out the door, though I caught his large smile at his brother's antics.

It was an old joke between them that had started when Soda was about 4 years old. Dad had stopped a little Soda from running away at the park saying "hold your horses, kiddo," and Soda had replied in complete sincerity, "I don't have a horse, I have a Ponyboy." I can still see how Dad's face looked as he threw his head back and laughed. He'd never let Soda live it down and now that Dad's gone Soda has taken it upon himself to keep it alive.

"Bye Darry!" They both called out and I winced as the door slammed behind them.

I chuckled to myself as a warmth filed my chest. I was lucky to have them.

The next few hours dragged by, I tried to listen and relax but I wasn't used to sitting still for so long. Jesus, I was turning into Sodapop. After reading the paper and watching tv until I felt like my mind was numb, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift.

The ringing of the phone broke through my slumber and I reached out blindly for the phone. After a few tries and some choice cusses, I brought the phone to my ear.

"Hello?" My voice was rough and I cleared my throat, rubbing my face tiredly.

"Hey Dar, is Two-Bit around?" Pony asked. I glanced at the clock and it was after four, the library was closed now.

I sat up and looked around the house, listening for the tell tale banging and thudding that always followed Two-Bit around. "Naw Pony, he's not here right now. Do you need a ride home?" Soda had taken the truck but as I leaned forward to look out the front window, I could see Two-Bit's junker parked outside. I'm pretty sure that I had his spare key somewhere in the kitchen. Now if I could just find it and get myself to the car...

"Yeah but I'll just call Soda at the DX. He has the truck anyway..." Pony's voice trailed off and I waited for him to continue. I felt my brow furrow when he didn't say anything.

"Pony?" I tried to keep my voice steady and not jump to conclusions. "Did you hear me, little buddy?"

"Sure thing, Darry. Listen I think I see Two-Bit's car, I'll see you soon."

I sat up straighter, immediately on edge. "Wait! Pony, Two-Bit's car is here." But instead of hearing Pony laugh off his mistake, I heard the dial tone.

I set my teeth. Something was wrong.

I dialed the DX. I pulled in a deep breath. It was nothing, Pony was just being his usual head in the clouds self. As always, I was just worrying for nothing.

"DX, this is Steve," Steve barked into the phone.

"Steve, it's Darry. I need you or Soda to go get Pony from the library."

"What the hell Darry? We can't just drop everything because the kid..." I could hear his frustration.

"Listen Steve," I snapped. "Something's wrong. I don't have time to explain. Just get in the car and go get him now!" I was yelling into the phone by the end of it.

"Alright, we're going," Steve said, his voice resigned. He may complain but he knew not to pick a fight with me, even if I was injured.

For a few minutes, I sat drumming my fingers on the arm of the chair. I couldn't just sit here waiting. My hands closed into fists, my knuckles turning white. I pushed myself to my feet with a groan. and started to shuffle towards the front window.

A movement caught my eye up the street. A figure was running down the street at full tilt. Long legs and arms pumping as hard as they could. The sunlight pulling the red tones out of the precisely greased hair.

Ponyboy.

Before I could move I saw a red corvette following, quickly closing the gap behind my brother. I cursed and moved as fast as my busted ankle and ribs would let me towards the door.

C'mon Pone. I thought. Just a little farther!

My heart plummeted into my stomach as the screeching of tires filled the air. I was at the front door and swung it open, barely even noting as it slammed against the wall. The Socs were now out of the car and were on Pony.

I was too far away and too slow. I gritted my teeth and pushed myself harder. I had to make it.

Suddenly, Soda was there, falling all over the soc who was holding Pony. Relief washed over me, almost knocking me to my knees. I leaned against the railing of the porch. Thank God, they'd made it.

The boys gave chase, the truck peeling after the corvette, Soda and Two-Bit clinging to the bed. I dropped my head into my hands, trying to slow my pounding heart.

Glory, we'd almost been too late. I was too broken down to be able to help my baby brother when he needed me. My whole body was shaking. What would I have done if Soda hadn't gotten there in time?

"No!" Pony screamed out and my head shot up.

My jaw dropped open. There were still three Socs. Where had they come from? They were holding Pony down and I could hear the sound of their fists hitting his flesh.

I tripped down the front steps in my haste to get to Pony. Pulling myself to my feet, my eyes caught the glint of metal in the Soc's hand

I saw red.

I surged forward. They were not going to hurt my brother.

I can't tell you how I got to him. All the aches and pains faded away and all I could see was Pony.

"Get the hell away from my brother!" I roared and the rage in my voice brought them up short.

The next thing I knew, I was punching the Soc with the knife in the face with all the anger I felt behind it.

I could now see that the other two Socs were holding Ponyboy down. I grabbed the closest one and threw him off my brother, kicking him so that he'd stay down.

I locked eyes with Pony. His face was red and I bet that he'd be bruised by tomorrow. He seemed alright though and that was something.

Before I could even allow myself to feel any relief the other Soc was approaching me. For a moment it looked like there were two of him. I blinked hurriedly and took a step back to steady myself.

I gave my head a quick shake and he dived at me throwing a punch. He hit me in the shoulder and I stumbled before driving my fist into his stomach. He cried out in pain as he hit the ground, curling in on himself

I could hear the sounds of a scuffle and I turned searching for Pony.

He was sitting on the ground, leaning away on his hands as the sneering Soc approached with the knife.

Over my dead body, was the only thought that crossed my mind.

Without really thinking it through, I wrapped my hand around the front of the Socs shirt and I swung my cast into his face. The sound of the solid surfacing cracking his face was very satisfying, though it was following by a sharp wave of pain up my whole arm. My fingers tingling as if picked by needles.

His head snapped back but I didn't release my hold of him. I pulled him towards me, snarling.

This was the Soc who had attacked Pony not once but twice. He could have killed him, first with the car and today with the knife. He was the reason that Soda was working himself to death trying to pay our hospital bills. I felt white hot anger fill me as I looked down at the whimpering Soc.

"I wasn't going to cut him… I was just going to scare him a….a little." The Soc was stuttering and tripping over himself but I couldn't care less if he pissed himself right here.

I leaned towards him so he had to look me right in the eyes. Pony had described my eyes as ice in his English theme, well I hoped that right now they were glacial. "If I ever see you near my brother again, I will kill you." I felt the truth in every word, never again would he put Pony at risk.

The Soc quivered as he nodded and I threw the trash down. He scrambled away from me, but I watched him in case he tried something very stupid.

Now that Ponyboy wasn't in danger anymore I could feel the adrenaline seep out of me. I looked down at Pony who was still sitting on the ground, looking up at me with eyes so wide that I suddenly thought of the toddler he used to be.

"You okay, Pone?"

Before he could answer, the world spun and I felt all the blood rush to my feet. Darkness crept in on the edges of my vision and I didn't know anything else.

"Darry?" Pony's voice was insistent. I could feel something touching my cheek but my eyelids felt too heavy to open. I slowly swam back to the surface of consciousness. I could tell that I was lying on the ground against something soft. How'd I get here?

"Darry!" Pony's voice was desperate and it was enough for the protectiveness in me to fight the darkness. I peeled my eyes open, squinting at the brightness.

"Ponyboy, you alright?" Pony laughed but the panic in his wide eyes made me frown. I could now see that he had a split lip and was probably going to get a black eye.

"I'm not the one who passed out." Pony frowned back at me, his eyes daring me to argue. I failed to stop a small smile. It was starting to occur to me that Ponyboy was now safe and the tension draining away made me lightheaded.

I studied my brother for a moment. He was hovering above me and I realized that I was laying partly on top of him. I pushed off the ground and struggled to sit up, gritting my teeth against the pain in my side.

Pony's hands grabbed me under the arm and I was grateful in spite of my wounded pride. I wasn't certain that I wouldn't have fallen over again without his help.

"Then what were you thinkin' walking home alone?" I asked trying to regain some of my authority but failing completely when he had to prop me up again.

"I didn't mean to," Pony pleaded, and I eyeballed him. Please don't say we were back to this. "No really, Darry! I was talking to you when they found me, I had to run!"

I thought back to the phone call we'd had not too long ago and it all added up. Ponyboy could be a dreamer but he was mighty smart. I couldn't see him taking a dumb risk when he knew they were after him. Not when I'd told him in no uncertain terms not to walk alone.

"Okay, Okay Pone. I believe you." I kept my voice gentle and I felt Pony's shoulder relax as I gave it a squeeze. He sent me a small smile and I refocused on shuffling forward. My ankle was really beginning to hurt, white hot pains were shooting up my leg at each step. I set my jaw, I wasn't going to let Pony know that I was feeling worse. I just had to keep moving forward.

Pony's voice broke through my concentration. "Your arm okay?"

I looked at my cast. The sharp pain from before had dulled to a throbbing ache. The plaster was still white and untouched. Thank God, because the last thing i wanted was to head back to the hospital. "Don't see any cracks. I think it's fine." I answered. Ponyboy set his jaw, a clear sign that he wasn't going to get stubborn on me. I grinned at him, trying to set him at ease. "It don't feel no worse than before."

He smiled wryly. "Hitting him in the face with your cast, you'd think you want to go back to the hospital."

"Guess I should have used my head, huh?" We both laughed lightly. It warmed my heart to think that we could now joke around about the way we used to go at each other. We'd come a long way.

Looking at my arm again, I hadn't really thought it through when I'd decided to use my cast against that soc's face. The need to protect Pony had been greater than any pain I might feel. "It would have been worth it though."

Pony let out a huff and I chuckled quietly at how he furrowed his brow. Pony had been hovering around me since the accident. I hated that I'd scared him so much by landing myself in the hospital. Though I'd do it again without a second thought. Pony's pale face as the car came at him flashed before my mind. I pushed down the lump that jumped to my throat, I remembered thinking that I wasn't going to make it.

"Hey Darry?"

"Hmm..?"

"I'm sorry." My mouth dropped open. What was he talking about? He'd already told me that he hadn't walked home on his own, it wasn't his fault. He continued not noting my surprise. "I'm sorry I said those things to you. I know that's not what you think. It's just…"

I froze. With everything that had happened I'd forgotten about our fight. I shook my head, it was just like us; here Pony was letting guilt eat away at him about something that I hadn't thought about in a week. He was looking up at me, his green eyes wide and shiny. My chest felt full, I don't think I'd ever understand him but I was going to do my best to try from now on.

"It's just that I've always wondered if you ever regretted giving up everything for Soda and me." He continued in a small quiet voice.

The question made me want to yell, to shake him until he understood that he and Soda were the more important than anything else in my life. That was my pride talking though, so I simply said, "Never."

Pony sucked in a quick breath and his eyes were immediately bright with tears. I pulled him closer into my side, needing to give some kind of comfort.

"After you were hit, I'd thought you'd died, Darry." Pony whispered, his eyes on the ground unable to look at me. "I didn't know what to do. How could I even live with that? I was so lost."

I swear my heart broke as a tear slid down his face. I was at war with myself whether to hold Pony close or to go hunt down those socs and finish what I'd started. They deserved it for causing my brother pain.

My body couldn't go any further and my legs gave way from under me as I sat on the front step. I pulled Ponyboy down so he was sitting pressed against my side. I just didn't feel strong enough to let him go yet.

I didn't know what to say to him, Sodapop was always better at comforting Pony than me. It came so easy to him, while I questioned and fought with myself over every word and action. Half the time my love for my brothers came out as hollering. I didn't know how to be gentle.

"You just gotta listen to him Darry. It ain't so hard." I could hear Soda's words in my head, so I tried. I watched Pony and just listened.

"If I made you guys feel even a little like that when I ran off with Johnny..." I swallowed thickly, I didn't want to remember the feeling of not knowing where he was or if he was safe from that awful week. It would haunt me until the day I died. "Then I go and throw it back in your face…I'm sorry."

He was crying now, no longer fighting to look tuff or to hide how he felt. Well, I wouldn't hide either.

I tugged his head towards mine until our foreheads touched and I looked at him steadily. I thought of the little baby that my mom had placed in my arms. How he'd looked up at me with such trust and love. Ponyboy had claimed a piece of my heart that day, I'd spend the rest of my life watching out for him. I'd failed him a time or two since then, but that feeling had never faded. Hell, it was who I was. Ponyboy and Sodapop's big brother, their guardian in every sense of the word.

I felt tears welling but I blinked them back, giving him a soft smile. Pony smiled back at me and I chuckled. At the rate he was going, Pony was going to give Soda a run for his money in the girls department.

"We're okay, Pony." I told him. "We don't need to talk about that fight anymore, savvy?" I nodded my head at him until he nodded in return though more slowly his eyes sliding away from my gaze.

"I love you, kiddo." I chucked him on the chin and he nodded his head again, his smile growing. "You ain't getting rid of me anytime soon."

"Good." Pony stood and reached out to help me to my feet. I winced and huffed out in frustration, I was getting mighty tired of these busted ribs. Pony moved closer to my side. "I love ya too, Darry." He squeezed my side and I brushed a kiss on his hair as we entered the house.

Pony had just settled himself on the couch with a bag of frozen peas on the side of his face when the door swung open. I reclined back into my chair, not planning on moving for at least a week.

"The conquering heroes have returned!" Two-Bit called out loudly puffing his chest out and holding his arms wide. Steve just about ran into his back and scowled before he stepped around him and got a good look at Pony. His eyes widened.

"Jesus! What happened now?" He snapped. "We left you three houses down. What kind of trouble can you get into three houses away?"

"What?" Soda's voice preceded him into the house, though he pulled up short the moment he laid eyes on Pony's bruised face and cut lip. He ran forward and peered at his brother's face gently turning it side to side. "You okay Pony? What happened?"

Pony tried to keep his voice even. "You guys missed a few Socs. You only scared off two out of the five."

Two-Bit, who had been frozen in the doorway since Steve pointed out Pony's injuries, breathed, "Glory." He ran his hands through his hair, causing it to stand on end.

Sodapop's eyes glinted dangerously and I knew that he must be thinking about chasing those Socs down right now. He moved the peas away from Pony's eye. "Looks like you're gonna have one hell of a shiner." He reached out and touched the skin around Pony's eye gently. Pony flinched back, wincing in pain. "How'd ya get away?"

"Darry took care of them." Pony says lightly, he turned his head and looked at me, a proud smile on his face.

The other three stood there with varying degrees of confusion and surprise on their faces.

"What?" Soda gasped out, unable to think of anything else to say. His head rotated back and forth from Pony to me, looking for answers.

"I saw that Pony was in trouble so I went to help." I tried to keep my answer light, knowing how excitable Soda could get when he was provoked.

"Went to help!? Darry you can barely walk across the room!" Soda jumped to his feet, rounding on me.

I put my hands up. "Soda, calm down will ya." He grimaced at me and threw himself back onto the couch. "What would you do, if you'd seen them pull a knife on Pony? I couldn't just sit here and let them stick him." I struggled to keep my voice down.

Soda jolted as if he was shocked but I could see his features smooth out as he thought it through. Not matter how much he hated me entering a fight while wounded, he couldn't fault me for my reasons. He nodded his head in agreement. Soda is quick to anger but just as quick to let go of his anger, at least when it was directed at Pony or me and sometimes Steve.

Two-Bit leaned back against the door frame, a large smile growing on his face as he cocked his eyebrow. "You're really starting to take the Superman thing too far, huh Darry?"

I rolled my eyes at him. It wasn't like I had planned any of this. I turned my attention back to Soda, who was fussing over Pony, who tried to swat him away half heartedly. "Don't you and Steve hav'ta work?"

"We punched out for our lunch break after you called." Steve answered, slouching with his arms crossed in front of him. "We've got about twenty minutes left. I don't know 'bout you, but I'm gonna eat something." He disappeared into the kitchen and the sounds of him digging around the icebox followed.

"Quit it Soda," Pony whined, brushing the searching hand away for the tenth time. "Go check on Darry's cast instead."

Soda cocked his eyebrow in a fair imitation of Two-Bit. "Darry's cast?"

"He cracked the Soc across the face with it." Ponyboy answered, much too pleased with himself as Soda's attention moved to me.

Soda planted his hands on his hips, reminding me of our mom when we got caught sneaking a cookie from the pantry.

I shrugged back at him. "It sure did the trick alright."

Soda shook his head in exasperation but the laughter in his dark eyes told me that he'd have liked to see it.

A sharp rap on the door made all three of us jump. Since our door was always unlocked , it wasn't often that someone knocked.

Two-Bit turned and opened the door. The sideburned greaser visibly brightened as he crowed. "Mr. Simpson! Fancy seeing you here."

Both of my brothers looked at me questioningly, though I had no answer to give them. I didn't know any Simpsons either.

Two-Bit backed away from the entrance and gestured to a thin balding man to come in. He pushed his glasses back up his nose and nodded. "Mr. Mathews, Mr. Randle." He addressed Steve who had stuck his head out the kitchen doorway.

Two-Bit clapped his hands together, grinning wildly. "Boys, this is Mr. Simpson. Mr. S meet the Curtis brothers."

The man stepped forward and reached out to shake my hand. "Mr. Curtis, I have been informed that there was an incident with my son Roger."

My youngest brother gasped and his mouth dropped open. "Roger... The same Roger who drives a red corvette?"

Mr. Simpson nodded and rubbed his hands down the front of his pants.

I sat forward and pulled myself to my feet. Whatever he was here for, I was going to meet it head on. I felt a ripple of satisfaction when I towered over him. "What can I do for you?" I said, my tone flat.

Mr. Simpson didn't back away but set his shoulders. "You misunderstand me. I'm here to help you." He pulled a piece of paper out of his breast pocket and shoved it into my hand.

I glanced down and my eyes almost bugged out of my head. "Is this serious?"

"Extremely," the man said drily. "My son caused an accident that I understand has cost you greatly, both physically and financially. This is my way to make amends."

I look down at the large number on the cheque. It was more than I could make in a week. This kind of money could cover all the hospital bills and still leave some left over to help with the expenses until I was back on my feet.

I drove down my first instinct to take the cash and run. Why did I have to always be the practical one? "What's the catch?"

"No catch really." Mr. Simpson stammered. "I'm just hoping that we can end this here and go our separate ways."

I felt the anger start to grow inside me again. "So you're worried that we're going to turn your son into the police for almost killing me with his car, and you're trying to buy me off." I stated bluntly, barely keeping myself from yelling.

He didn't answer but the way he fidgeted told me all that I needed to know. The man was willing to pay me to keep quiet in order to try to salvage a future for his son.

I looked down at the cheque in my hand. It would be a huge help and relief to have this money. Soda wouldn't need to work so many extra hours just for us to scrap by. I looked over at my brothers, both of them were looking at me completely confused, though I could see the situation beginning to dawn in their eyes. They were waiting for me to make a decision. Trusting me to do right by them.

"Can you guarantee that Roger," I spit his name out, "will leave my brother alone. He just jumped him not twenty minutes ago."

I watched as Mr. Simpson's face became red and his eyes narrowed dangerously. If I didn't hate the kid so much I'd feel sorry for Roger. "You can be assured, Mr. Curtis that my son will never go near you or your family again. He'll be too busy paying me back for every red cent I had to pay you."

I ran a hand through my hair and gripped the back of my neck.

I could take this money and use it to help my family or I could try my luck with the cops, who'd never been too helpful with anything involving us greasers. I had a lot of trouble trusting them ever since we watched them gun down Dally.

I took a deep breath and reached out. "Then, we've got a deal." We shook hands and I used it to jerk him closer and off balance. I glared at the smaller man, my voice hard. "But let me warn you, if he ever comes near my brother again, he'll regret it."

Mr. Simpson straightened up and nodded his assent. He turned quickly and answered tightly. "I think we understand each other Mr. Curtis." He almost ran out of the house without bidding any of us goodbye.

We all stood there, staring as the door slammed behind him. All of the sudden, Two-Bit let out a shout, pumping his fists in the air. "Steve! You old rascal, it worked!"

Soda moved over to my side and looked at the cheque over my shoulder, he let out a low whistle. "Wow, that will almost cover our debt."

I grinned back at him. "It will cover it and then some."

He laughed and yanked the cheque out of my hand to dance it around the room.

"What just happened?" Pony asked, looking completely dumbfounded.

Two-Bit strolled over to Steve and rested his elbow on his shoulder. "Our boy Stevie, took a drive this morning to find a certain car parked in some Socy neighbourhood, so we paid them a visit before work this morning."

Ponyboy was smirking as he laughed. "You tattled on the soc to his parents?"

Steve shrugged off Two-Bit and shoved his hands into his pockets. He tried to keep his face neutral but his cheeks were reddening. "Well, it worked didn't it? You guys don't need to worry about that slimy soc or Darry being off work."

Soda bounded over to Steve and punched him in the arm. "Oh Steve you little snitch." His eyes twinkling at his best friend.

Steve glowered and tried to snatch the cheque out of Soda's hand. "If you gotta problem with it, I'll take that!" My brother danced backwards, the cheque slipping through Steve's fingers.

"Give me that before you idiots rip it." I chuckled. "Don't you two need to get to work soon?"

Soda's head whipped around to check the clock. "Dammit!" He cursed and ran out the door, calling behind him. "Come on Steve! See y'all later."

Steve reached into the kitchen to grab his sandwich before following Soda out that door.

Pony's hand shot out and grabbed Steve's arm to stop him. "Thanks Steve." He said softly.

"Don't go getting all sappy on me, kid." Steve gave Pony a small smile that contradicted his words.

Ponyboy rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, man."

I was never gonna to understand those two.

Two-bit had disappeared into the kitchen, probably in search of beer. I stepped over to Ponyboy and rested my hand on his shoulder.

"You okay, Little Colt?" I asked him softly.

Pony turned and looked up at me, his green eyes so clear and bright. "We're gonna be just fine, Dar."

He threw his arms around my waist and I held him close, resting my face against his hair. We'd probably argue again in the future. We were too different and too pigheaded not to, but I knew that we'd never hurt each other like that again.

I had come too close to losing Ponyboy too many times ever to take him for granted again and I knew he felt the same about me.

Standing in our living room, holding my little brother close, all the worries and pain since he said those thoughtless words dissipated into the wind.

Yeah, I think we'll be fine after all.