A/N: Sorry for the long awaited updates! Got busy, working on other projects, hoping to get more updates in now :)

Sitting and doing the waiting game wasn't good for anyone. Ponyboy was slowly showing signs of waking up. He'd make a small noise or flinch. Soda would quickly jump up, expecting his little brother to be wide-eyed and ready to continue his healing at home. He'd be reading, drawing, doing his running, every single thing he had ever done at home, perfectly. No lifelong issues. Darry, on the other hand, had to continuously calm Soda down, telling him it could still take until tomorrow or even the next day for him to be fully awake and aware. That's as much as Darry would say. He wouldn't dare hint the idea that they didn't know the extent of Ponyboy's condition. Two-Bit was aware of that unknown. He was sure Soda did too, somewhere deep in his brain, he was aware, but he wouldn't acknowledge it.

At one point, Two-Bit could tell Darry was on edge and didn't want to keep reminding Soda to relax. Darry clearly needed some silence for just five minutes. Two-Bit went ahead and convinced Soda that Ponyboy wasn't going to wake up too quick, so they went downstairs and outside to the front of the hospital.

"Want one?" Two-Bit asked as he pulled out a cigarette.

"Yes," Soda nodded. "Thanks." He took a cigarette out of Two-Bit's pack and lit up. "I hope this slows me down some. I feel so jumpy. Like something needs to happen or I'll go mad."

Two-Bit nodded, blowing out a couple sloppy smoke rings. "I know. I get it." Two-Bit knew what he wanted to ask next, but he had no idea how Soda would react. He could typically read any member of the gang like a book. He knew them as well as they knew him. But this was an awkward situation. Two members of the gang, who were the closest best friends that anyone ever knew, were sort of fighting. It wasn't a fight where everyone had to take a side, though. Two-Bit just wanted to help everyone involved, or at least know what was happening to everyone, but that could piss off Darry and Soda.

"He's this close," Soda said, practically pushing his finger and thumb together. "He's so close to waking up."

"Yes, he is," Two-Bit nodded. "So...do you, uh, know what's going to happen to Steve?"

"No idea. I don't know if I even care," Soda shrugged, answering quickly, as if he was trying to convince himself first. "He deserves it."

Two-Bit shook his head. He wasn't sure if he should even bring anymore up, but he couldn't help it. "It just...doesn't seem like Steve to be so irresponsible."

Soda gave him a look and then smirked. "I know you hold the title for most irresponsible gang member..."

"I resent that," Two-Bit held his cigarette out towards him, "but also thrive it."

Soda smiled, almost wanting to curse at him for nearly making him laugh. "Steve...he doesn't care about Ponyboy. That's why he didn't care about being responsible with him."

Two-Bit was shocked at what Soda just said. "You're...in your head, Soda. You know Steve cares about Pony just like we all do. He's hard on him, like Darry can be. He's hard on Pony in a different way than Darry is, but he does care about Pony. He doesn't want to see him like this."

"Funny, because he doesn't have to. He's not watching all of this happen right now."

"You know he would be if the fuzz wasn't involved."

"It doesn't matter!" Soda yelled. "The point is he wasn't worried about Pony's safety at all. He didn't care! For once, he wasn't using his head!"

"Just hold on, Soda. Listen to me, alright? I know Steve is loud and cocky about things. He never turns down a bet or a thrill ride. I'm with you on that. But...it's also Ponyboy."

"So? Pony wanted a thrill ride. Like you just said, Steve wouldn't turn it down."

"To Pony he would. Anytime Pony has showed interest in going out with you guys or being involved, Steve always turns him down. He may see Pony as a little kid, but he also turns him down to protect him. Darry may not have always known, but you and Steve did dangerous shit sometimes."

"I know," Soda argued.

"Right."

"What are you even getting at? Maybe Steve turned him down, because he knew I wanted to protect Pony. In this case, he was alone with Pony. It didn't matter."

"It just...seems weird to me is all." Two-Bit could tell Soda was becoming frustrated, because he was right.

"Doesn't matter though. It happened," Soda said, taking a long inhale of the cigarette.

Two-Bit nodded. "I know, I know. Want me to go get us some grub? Something better than this hospital junk."

"Sure."

"Alright." Two-Bit patted Soda's back. "Hey, I'm not trying to upset you. I'm just trying to keep the gang intact. We already lose two of our friends."

"This is so different."

"I know. I just want you to know I'm not trying to piss you off. Just talking."

Soda looked at Two-Bit. "It's okay. I'm going back up there."

"I'll be back soon," Two-Bit tossed his cigarette, stomping it out.

Two-Bit was in a bind. He felt like he may have been betraying Darry and Soda right now, but he knew neither of them were going to find out what was going on next with Steve. He couldn't let it slide like that, though.

The jailhouse was an interesting place for Two-Bit. The police knew Two-Bit well. Not because of his arrest record, because there wasn't any. But when Dallas Winston would be in jail, Two-Bit would visit him plenty. He'd also visit Tim Sheppard or any other friends that got locked up. The police worked fine with Two-Bit and his visits. He didn't cause trouble for them, and he knew how to get on their soft side.

"Oh boy, look who's here."

"Music to my ears," Two-Bit smiled, entering the jailhouse. It didn't matter who was at the desk. He always got that greeting.

Jenny was the clerk working the desk for the day. She gave a smile. "Hi there, Two-Bit."

"Hello Jennifer Collins," Two-Bit grinned.

Jenny gave him a look. "If you're asking for favors, you better be calling me Jenny."

"Alright, alright," Two-Bit put his hands up in defense. "Jenny. You're looking like a doll today."

"I can't just throw away any written tickets you may have gotten last night."

Two-Bit laughed. "You know I've never had a ticket."

"You're a sly one. I know. So what do you need today?"

"I have a friend back there," Two-Bit said.

"It's not your usual friend," Jenny said softly, regarding Dally.

"No, no. It's Steve Randle."

"Oh yeah. I heard about that. How's the Curtis kid?"

Two-Bit shrugged. "He's not awake. Things are looking up, though. You know, the waiting game."

"That's such a rotten deal." Jenny stood from her chair. "Well, let me see what's going on back there and I'll see if we can squeeze you in."

"Thanks doll face," Two-Bit winked. There was a chance Steve wouldn't even talk to Two-Bit. He hoped Jenny would put up a good fight for him.

It took about ten minutes for Jenny to return.

"Well, he's back there waiting for you."

"Awesome. How does he seem?"

Jenny shook her head. "Nothing like Winston."

"How so?"

"Winston saw this as a place to get his kicks. He was proud of adding things to his record. You knew that. He sure could make me laugh when he was here. Steve ain't that."

"He's not being all scared, is he? He's been here once before."

Jenny shrugged. "It's more like...remorse."

Two-Bit thanked Jenny and followed her to the back. There was a couple visiting areas. Usually it'd be for parents or lawyers. At the first room, Two-Bit looked at Steve through the window. Steve had his hands folded on the table, and his head hanging low. He wasn't daring to look up.

"I'll be out in a minute," Two-Bit told Jenny before going on in. Even when he shut the door behind him, Steve didn't look up. Two-Bit grabbed the chair from across the table and scooted it out, slowly sitting down. "Nothing to say, huh?"

Steve looked up in a slump-like fashion. "What are you doing here?"

"Just came to talk." Two-Bit leaned the chair on the back two legs, lifting his feet onto the table.

"Talk about what? I really don't have time for your shit."

"I'm not here to give you shit. Soda and Darry have no idea what's going on with you."

"Do you blame them for not caring?"

"I don't know if it's not caring..."

"I don't need this Two-Bit. Seriously."

Two-Bit slammed the rest of the chair down to the floor. "Okay, okay. Steve, I'm here because I care. I want to know what's going on with you. What has the fuzz said?"

"I'll be out tomorrow."

"Really?"

"Yeah. They wanted me to learn a lesson, which I'm sure they realize I have. But it's ultimately up to Darry to press charges. He hasn't really responded to the fuzz, so I can go home but I can't leave town. Not that I would."

"He won't press charges."

"You don't know that. Not that I would be mad at him if he did."

Two-Bit shook his head. "So what happened that night?"

"I'm sure you've heard everything," Steve rolled his eyes. "Nothing more to say."

"I'm trying to figure out how Pony convinced you to do it, though. You always tell him no." Two-Bit looked around the room. "Did Pony get under your skin too much? Did you do it just to shut him up?"

"No." Steve shook his head. "That wasn't it at all."

"Then what? How did Pony twist your arm enough to do this?"

Steve shrugged. "Honestly, all he was doing was asking me questions. He got me talking about cars. I really got into it. He started asking about my joy rides and drag races. He asked how I handled cars and just everything." Steve ran a hand down his face. "He didn't even ask to go. I just...I could tell he wasn't following me all the way, so I wanted to show him. I knew he'd get it better if I could show him. So we went on a ride."

"And you had an accident," Two-Bit added in.

"Right."

"Are you coming to the hospital tomorrow when you get out?" Two-Bit asked. "He's really close to waking up. Things are looking good."

Steve shook his head. "I can't visit."

"Are you not allowed to?"

Steve scoffed. "That's not it. I...I just can't."

"Hey," Two-Bit slightly snapped, slamming his elbow on the table and pointing at Steve, "I just stood up for you to Soda. I told him you would be there if you could. I was sticking up for you in all of Soda's doubts."

Steve shook his head. "Darry and Soda won't want me there. There's nothing I can do about that."

"You need to be."

"Two-Bit, didn't you hear me?" Steve slammed his hands on the table. "There's no way they'll let me in there!"

"At least show the effort."

Due to Steve's quick outrage, the door opened. "Okay, Randle. That's enough. If you want out tomorrow, I suggest you behave."

Steve stood up. "Just take me back." He turned around with his hands behind his back, letting the officer handcuff him.

"Steve..." Two-Bit said.

Steve didn't say anything. He didn't even look at Two-Bit. He couldn't.

Two-Bit turned for the officer instead. "When does he get out tomorrow?"

"He'll be walking out by 9 AM."

"Steve, I'll come pick you up and we'll decide from there, alright?"

Steve slowly nodded, turning to look at the wall behind him, not wanting anyone to see the tears threatening to form. Two-Bit looked down to the floor. This visit didn't go the way he expected. He took a breath and nodded to the officer that he was done.

The officer started leading him out. Steve paused for a second and turned to Two-Bit. "This is eating me alive, Two-Bit."