This is it! This story is finally done! I knew when I finished The Runaway that I wanted to write a sequel...that Ponyboy's story in this little universe wasn't quite done. And I still don't know if it is, or if I'll write a third installment of this one. Either way, thank you so much to everyone who has been reading this story, and especially to everyone who has been reviewing. A special thank you to Simona who has been helping me make it better. I hope you all enjoy the last chapter.

New York

Ponyboy waited until his senior year was nearly over to tell his brothers he was going to New York. Mostly because it took him that long to actually decide, and then to get up the courage to approach them with it. He guessed, technically, he was asking permission. He was still about six months from eighteen, so although Darry was a lot less strict than he used to be, he was still legally responsible for him. Pony had a feeling that Darry would always feel responsible for him though, and the last thing he wanted to do was worry his brothers. Still, he reasoned, going over the speech he'd prepared in his head, it wasn't like he would be gone for long.

He wasn't going alone. Him and Johnny had been talking about it for months. They'd even asked their boss for the week after their graduation off. Two-Bit wouldn't mind working a little extra to cover them…at least, Pony was pretty sure he wouldn't. They hadn't told him about it yet either…they were waiting for Pony to talk to his brothers to ask him. Anyway, him and Johnny would drive this time, taking turns driving and sleeping, and they'd split the cost of gas. And when they got there, they'd stay with James. Pony had even offered to take the floor this time.

All that was left was to take the rest of his finals, graduate high school, and tell his brothers about his upcoming trip. They hadn't told James or Sue yet either, mostly because Pony worried that Darry would refuse to let him go. He knew he was kind of asking a lot. Darry had always worried too much about him, and telling him that he wanted to go back to New York, without his brothers, for a whole week…that might be a tough sell. He could already imagine what his brother would say.

'That's a two day drive!'

'What if something happens to you?'

'What if you get in a wreck? Or your car breaks down?'

'What if something happens and I can't get to you?'

Or, the words he'd said on their porch the morning after Soda had given him that watch. 'I couldn't stand it if something happened to you.'

He didn't have answers for any of that. He just knew that he couldn't go his whole life scared to leave Tulsa because of what had happened. Besides, it wasn't like before. He wouldn't be alone. He wouldn't be running for his life. It was just a trip. A vacation.

And he told himself that he wasn't nervous because Johnny would be with him and because he was almost eighteen and there was nothing to be worried about. It wasn't like before.

He meant to tell Soda first, mostly because Pony was hoping he could give him some advice on how to break it to Darry. He had a whole speech planned and everything. He'd planned it all out, how he'd wait until after finals and after he got his grades back, and then he'd get Soda alone or go see him at the DX. He didn't even care if Steve was there. Hell, he'd thought, maybe Steve could give him some pointers about talking to Darry about it too.

In the end, he blurted it out before dinner.

He was trying to concentrate on studying for his history final, leg bouncing as he sat at the kitchen table and chewed on his thumbnail. Soda was at the stove, preoccupied with dinner, when the front door opened and shut. It wasn't a minute later that Darry passed through the kitchen on his way to his room, pausing beside Pony after greeting them. For a moment, Pony could feel Darry watching him, and then he bumped his fist against his shoulder.

"Hey, Pone. What's going on?"

Before, Pony had thought his oldest brother didn't know him nearly as well as Sodapop did…that he didn't even care enough to. These days, Pony knew better. Darry always paid attention now…always seemed to know when something was wrong. He knew he looked worried…he'd been doing his best to focus, but all he could think about was this trip and how he was going to ask if he could go. He'd been quieter than usual lately, and it seemed like Darry was finally calling him out. Still, he tried to hide it for just a little longer. "Just this history test. I've just got it and English left, but I ain't worried about English."

Darry tilted his head, narrowing his eyes and studying him. "You sure that's all?"

Soda turned from where he'd been fixing a pot of blue macaroni and cheese on the stove and watched the two of them. He'd seemed lost in thought when he'd started making dinner, just ruffling Pony's hair and asking him about school before getting to it and waving Pony off when he'd offered to help. Now his eyes narrowed like Darry's, his gaze considering. And, in the face of the both of them, Pony found himself blurting it out.

"I want to go to New York."

Soda's eyes just widened, but Darry went stiff beside him, jaw tightening like he was holding back a thousand responses…most likely the words 'no,' and 'hell no,' and even 'fuck no, are you kidding me?'

Thankfully, Soda was the one that spoke first, dropping into a chair beside him. "Yeah? When?"

Darry gave Soda an incredulous look, but Pony hurried to answer before he could say anything.

"Just for a week. After graduation. Me and Johnny were talking about it…thought we could drive up and see James and them." Them, of course, mostly being Sue. But Pony didn't say that. It still felt strange. Him and Sue hadn't said the words 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend' yet, especially since they'd known it would be a while before they saw each other again. And even though they talked on the phone all the time, Pony knew it would be a lot different with her actually in Tulsa, close enough that he could take her out and spend time with her. But in the last month, he'd turned two girls down when they'd asked if he wanted to go to the movies with him, trying to let them down gently while trying to find the words to explain who Sue was.

He liked her. So much. And he wanted to go see her. But more than that, he wanted to go back to New York. To see it all again when he felt like himself. He wanted to rewrite those memories…to go on a trip for fun before college like a regular person.

He didn't really know how to put all that into words though. Maybe, he thought, if he had a piece of paper and a pencil, he could figure out how to write it all down. But he didn't think he could just say it in a way that his brothers could understand.

"We asked our boss. Mr. Rivers said we could take the week."

"Yeah, he'd better," Darry grumbled, sitting in the other chair, and Pony had to hide a smile. He thought Pony worked too much, probably because he never took a day off and hadn't missed a day since he started working at the grocery store. "That's what…a three day trip?"

Pony nodded. "About. Two and a half. Just two if we speed the whole way."

Darry gave him an unimpressed look and Soda snorted, kicking him under the table. "I don't know, kiddo. That's a long way to go on your own."

"I wouldn't be on my own," he reminded him, glad he wasn't say 'no' outright. "Johnny's coming too." He didn't bother bringing up the fact that he'd already gone to New York on his own, and on a bus, with only Dally knowing where he was.

"Just you two?"

"Yeah. Two-Bit's gotta work. Dal too, probably. And unless you and Soda can get off…"

Soda grinned. "Sounds fun, but my boss ain't as nice as yours, kidoo. He sure ain't giving me a week off."

"Mine either." Darry told him, still looking troubled, like he'd actually considered it. But at least he didn't look terrified anymore. "You guys want to take your car?"

"Yeah. We can split the gas. It's cheaper than the bus. And we can stay with James."

His brother was quiet, and Soda stood, heading back over to the stove. "Come on, Dar. He's almost eighteen. And he won't be alone or nothing." He hesitated, patting Darry on the back as he passed. "It ain't like it's the first time he's been up there, anyway."

Pony was pretty surprised Soda had brought that up, but he turned back to Darry, hopeful. "We'll be careful. And James will be there."

Darry looked like his mind was going a mile a minute, but he'd gotten better at listening, so he was quiet for a minute before he spoke. "You have enough money?"

Pony nodded.

He sighed, opening his mouth, then closing it. And Ponyboy knew he wanted to say no. He wanted to insist Pony stay close where Darry and Soda and the guys could keep an eye on him. But his brother had been loosening the leash since Pony had gotten older, and after a moment, Darry nodded a little to himself. "You ought to have Soda and Steve look at your car before you leave. Make sure it don't need oil or anything. And check your spare tire."

Pony felt himself grinning as his brother went on, and at the stove, Soda chuckled under his breath.

"Call us every day you're on the road so we know you're okay. And pull off if you're both too tired to drive. Don't pick up any hitchhikers." He looked up from where he'd been staring at the table, going through his mental list, then stopped when he saw Pony grinning at him. He softened then, reaching out and gripping his shoulder.

"We'll be careful."

"I know you will."

"I'll even bring you back a snowglobe."

He rolled his eyes and squeezed Pony's shoulder. "Just bring yourself home, you hear? I don't want anything else."

Pony promised he would, talking over Soda who insisted he wanted a snowglobe too.

Sue had been right. The day Ponyboy graduated almost at the top of his class, his big brother screamed and hollered until a teacher had to shush him, and when Pony glanced over, Steve had his face hidden in his hands as he slouched in his seat. But Darry was grinning and clapping so hard it looked like it hurt, and even Dally, who'd shown up afterall, was smirking a little, rolling his eyes and giving him some halfhearted applause.

When Two-Bit walked across his stage, they all did the same, and Pony thought he saw his buddy's mom crying in the front row as she applauded alongside Susie.

Afterwards, they went to that same steakhouse, and Darry pulled out the camera, getting a passing waiter to take a photo of the whole group gathered around the table. Later, Darry would frame it, and that photo, along with the photo he'd taken of the three of them right after the graduation ceremony out in front of the school, would hang on the wall of every house Darry lived in for the rest of his life.

And then, almost before Pony knew it, he was packing his clothes into a duffle bag he'd found in Soda's room. Johnny came over on Friday morning, his old school backpack thrown over one shoulder, and when it came time to leave, Soda pulled him into a hug in their living room, patting him on the back. It was strange to think of Soda being as old as Darry had been when he'd gotten custody of them…strange to think that his big brother was an adult with a girlfriend he'd probably want to marry soon. But, he thought as he squeezed his brother, he was almost an adult too. He had a job, and in a couple of months, he'd be starting his first year of college.

There had been so many times that he'd thought he'd never make it this far that sometimes it was still unbelievable to be standing here, almost eighteen and ready to start college.

Dal had stayed the night on their couch the night before, showing up around dinnertime and helping himself to a plate. Darry had looked worried for a second, but Dally hadn't had any new black eyes and he hadn't seem pissed off or nothing. So they'd all relaxed, Soda asking him how his races were going.

He punched Ponyboy in the shoulder when Soda finally let him go, looking between him and Johnny. "You two try not to get into any trouble, you feel me? I ain't coming up to New York to bail you out if you do."

Pony didn't believe that for a second. He was pretty sure if they called Dally from just about anywhere, he'd find a way to get to them. Hell, the whole gang would. Even Steve. It's what made them all practically family.

"Yeah, we dig," Johnny agreed with a grin. "We ain't gonna get in any trouble."

Their friend looked skeptical, but he didn't argue. "Alright, kids. Tell James hey for me."

"You sure you don't want to come?" Pony asked. It would be fun, he thought, having Dally along for a road trip, even if their buddy was more likely to get them into trouble than to keep them out of it.

Dally chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah. I've got a race this week, and Buck's got me manning the bar tonight. Maybe next time."

Darry hugged him next, arms so tight around him that it made his ribs ache, but he didn't complain, just hugged his brother as tight as he could. He knew that Darry had been looking into night classes, and was debating trying to enroll in school in the fall. With Pony helping out, they might even have enough money, especially since he'd gotten that track scholarship.

He'd never felt as good as he had when he'd showed Darry the acceptance letter and the full ride offer he'd gotten…had never smiled as big as when his brother had pulled him into his arms and lifted him off the ground, telling Pony how proud he was…how good Pony had done.

Now Darry held a hand against the back of his head. "Be careful, you hear?"

"I will."

"Call home. Every day."

"I will."

"You got everything you need?"

"Yeah. Besides, they've got stores in New York, Darry."

His brother chuckled, squeezing him one last time before pulling away with what seemed to be a monumental effort. "Alright. Go on. You two ought to get on the road before traffic gets bad."

So they did, waving to Pony's brothers before setting off.

It was nothing like Pony's first trip to New York. He wasn't bleeding the whole time, for one thing. And he had Johnny with him. They ate fast food in the car and switched off, taking turns driving, sometimes pulling off into a rest stop parking lot to sleep when they had to. They listened to the radio, turning the dial until they found a station without static, only to do it again a few hours later when they passed out of range, and talked about school and work. They read aloud as they drove too, taking turns as they made their way through The Fellowship of the Ring, which Pony had gotten Johnny for his birthday. And at the end of both days, they phoned the Curtis house, assuring Pony's brothers that they were both alive, and that no, they hadn't picked up any murderous hitchhikers.

Two and a half days later, Pony grinned as he rapped his knuckles against the familiar front door of James's apartment, Johnny laughing softly behind him at his excitement. Johnny had suggested they call first, but Pony had insisted it be a surprise. It was only about 6 in the evening, but he was hoping James wasn't at work yet.

Thankfully he wasn't, and he opened the door a minute or so later, looking irritated before he took the two of them in, eyes widening as they darted from Pony to Johnny.

"Hey," Pony told him. He didn't remember his first day in New York too well…couldn't remember all that much about his first meeting with James, other than the fact that he'd been exhausted and terrified that he'd have to sleep in an alley if James turned him away. Now, though, he just grinned, sure that James would pull out the blankets and make room for them. "We're friends of Dally's. Mind if we crash for a while?"

James laughed, grabbing his arm and pulling him into a rough hug, ruffling his hair and then pushing him away to throw an arm around Johnny. "What the hell are you two doing here?" Johnny ducked away when he went to put him in a headlock, and James shoved Pony's shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"Figured you liked surprises so much, we ought to give you one," Pony told him with a shrug, laughing when James punched his arm.

"Smartass. Come on in, kids. Guess I'd better hunt down some blankets. There goes my living room floor again." He was grinning from ear to ear, so Pony knew he wasn't put out. "How long are you staying?"

"Just a week." Pony told him. "Thought we'd come down before classes start."

"And you just figured you'd crash on my couch?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

He laughed, punching Johnny in the arm and shutting the front door behind them. "Your big brothers let you come all the way up here on your own?"

"He ain't on his own," Johnny protested, the two of them following James into the living room that hadn't changed a bit since he'd last been there. Pony took it all in, from the couch he'd slept on for three months to the radio in the corner that James had pulled out when he'd been sick.

"Still. I didn't think the big one was going to let you out of his sight. Not until you were eighteen, at least, and then only because he couldn't stop you." James disappeared into his room, Pony and Johnny sitting on the couch, then returned with his arms full of blankets that he threw on top of them, making them both laugh.

"I offered to bring him back a snowglobe and he said yes."

James shook his head, sitting on the floor across from then on the other side of the coffee table, watching them sort the blankets out with a fond smile.

"They know you're here, right?"

"Yeah, they do. Dal too. I told them I wanted to come after graduation. He told me to be careful. Had Steve check my car before we left."

"Damn. Sounds like your big brother's calmed down some."

"I don't think he worries as much anymore," Pony told him with a shrug, which was kind of an understatement, but he figured it was close enough to the truth.

James snorted. "I think he's just gotten better at hiding it. I doubt he'll ever quit worrying about you, kid. And I don't blame him. I've never met anyone better at finding trouble."

"Hey! I ain't been in any trouble all year!"

Beside him, Johnny laughed, but he did back him up. "He hasn't. The last time he was in trouble wasn't even his fault."

"Yeah, yeah. It never is." James jumped up, returning with three beers. "What happened?"

"He went to a party and got in a fight over a girl."

"I did not!" Pony snapped, fighting a laugh when James leaned forward, eyes wide.

"You did what?"

And so, rolling his eyes, Ponyboy told him the story. It wasn't even like he'd noticed Angela Shephard flirting with him, and he sure as hell hadn't been looking for a fight. He still felt bad when he remembered realizing how late he was, and how afraid Darry had sounded when he'd called and told him he was at the hospital. But he hadn't been able to just leave that girl at the party, not when her boyfriend had jumped in to help him.

He was just glad the Shephards hadn't come after him again. He liked Curly just fine, but he was still wary of those guys, and he was sure Darry didn't mind him keeping his distance. Last he'd heard, Angela had gotten married and Curly was locked up again. This time for drugs. Hard ones.

They told James all this, passing the time before he had to leave for work by catching him up on how things were going back home until the two of them were about nodding off. Neither had gotten much sleep in the last three days since they'd wanted to get to New York as fast as possible, and finally, James jumped up, taking the empty beer bottles into the kitchen.

"Alright, you two. I've got to get to work. Get some sleep. There's food in the kitchen if you're hungry."

That in itself was a surprise, and Pony fought the urge to make a smart remark. But before Pony could wonder too much about how much James had changed since he first met him, he turned around from where he'd been headed to his room, pointing a finger.

"Oh. You want to call your brothers, use the payphone. I ain't paying for long distance."

And there it was, he thought with a grin shared with Johnny. Same old James.

Pony and Johnny stayed up a little later once James had left, reading more of their book aloud and playing cards, then making some pasta for dinner. It was just like before…but also nothing like before. They were doing all the same stuff. If they hadn't been older, this night would have looked like just about every other night they'd spent in James's apartment. But they were older. Johnny wasn't nothing like he'd been before…he wasn't scared anymore. Didn't walk around like he was waiting to get hit. And Pony…he wasn't scared either. Not like he had been. New York wasn't his home, and he hadn't even lived here that long, but he felt safe in James's apartment. Happy too. Excited about seeing Sue and having a whole week off work and even going home and getting ready to start college.

Excited to go to school so close to Sue, who had decided once and for all to go to Langston University.

They both crashed around ten, Pony insisting that Johnny take the sofa. He was exhausted, but Johnny fell asleep first, and he listened to his friend breathe, for what felt like hours, unable to fall asleep. The floor was fine, especially with all of the blankets James had found for him, and he hadn't slept since a nap in the car the night before. But now he was stuck staring up at the ceiling, wondering if taking a walk would be safe or if Johnny would catch him and skin him for walking outside on his own at 2am in New York City.

He did finally manage to fall asleep, but it felt like only a few minutes passed before he jerked awake at the sound of a door opening, mind flashing to Richard only for a second before he opened his eyes and found James all but sneaking into his own apartment, latching the door softly behind him before he froze, eyes widening when he spotted Pony sitting up on the floor.

Not Richard, he reminded himself for what felt like the millionth time since he'd left that house. Richard was locked up. He was with James and Johnny. He was safe here.

James hesitated in the doorway, then nodded to him, looking tired, silhouetted in the dim light from the street coming in through the window. "Hey, kid. Johnny asleep?" he whispered.

Pony nodded, and James regarded him for a moment before jerking his chin toward the kitchen. And without hesitating, Pony jumped up to join him.

The kitchen had actual food in it now, and the fridge was almost full. And sure, a lot of the room in the refrigerator was taken up by beer, but there was lunch meat and leftover Chinese food too, which seemed a step up from before. The two of them sat at the kitchen table, James pulling out a cigarette, then glancing at him before tucking it behind his ear instead of lighting it.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Pony shook his head. "Not really."

"Nightmares?"

"Nah. Just woke up when you came home." He took a bite of the sandwich James had handed him. "How was work?"

"It was fine. T and his new girl are talking about getting married, so I'm probably going to have to cover for him." He took a bite of his sandwich. "Speaking of girls, you going to see yours tomorrow?"

Pony nodded, not trying to deny it. "Yeah. Thought I'd stop by the store. Surprise her." He didn't figure they be able to go on dates or nothing, not since Johnny was there with them, and he didn't want to leave his friend all on his own, but they could all go to the movies, or go swimming again. Maybe visit James's diner.

"I'm sure she'll be surprised. You call your brothers?"

"Yeah, before we went to bed. From the payphone."

"Man, I still can't believe Darry let you come."

"He was nervous about it," Pony admitted. "I wish they could have come too."

"Maybe one day, kid. But they can't all fit in my living room. You've got too many friends."

Pony grinned. "Dally said to tell you hi."

"How is old Dal doing?"

"He's good. Broke it off with his girl again, but he seems alright. He's got a race this week."

"He always was good with those horses. Even when he was up here, he'd talk about them sometimes. I guess his mom took him riding as a kid or something."

Pony hesitated before asking his next question. There was something that had been bugging him for a long time…something he'd been too afraid to ask back when he'd first stayed with James. But he figured now was as good a time as any. "Hey James?" Ponyboy asked suddenly.

"Yeah?"

"How come Dally got locked up for you?" He worried for a second about irritating him…James had never been big on personal questions. Now though, he just grinned to himself, shaking his head.

"He never told you?"

Pony shrugged. "I never asked."

James regarded him for a long moment, then leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

"It was years ago. Me and Dal were only thirteen or fourteen then. Just kids. My little brother was only about ten, and he followed me around everywhere like a puppy or something. So me and my brother were out one night. Our old man was on a bender, and I took him to get burgers and shakes at that diner I work at now. We met Dal there..he hung out there all the time, and you could find him there most nights. His old man was just as bad as mine."

Pony nodded. He knew that Dally's dad was pretty awful, and he wondered what it must have been like, growing up with someone like that…someone like Richard. Hell, he'd barely lasted five months with the guy.

"We were headed home. It was about three in the morning. My little brother was half asleep. I gave him a ride on my back." He looked over at the wall, lost in his memories, and Pony remembered Darry doing the same thing for him so many times. "Back then, Pete wasn't as bad. You remember…the guy you fought with at that store you worked at?"

He nodded again.

"I mean, he was an asshole, but he didn't come around our side of town too much. But there was another guy in their gang. Aaron…he ran around with a bunch of older guys. Liked to jump younger kids and hold up gas stations. They were into drugs too. Hard stuff. Stuff that makes you stupid. They were on our turf that night…Aaron and two of his buddies. Jumped us a few blocks from the diner. My brother…well, I told you he hated fighting. Aaron pulled out a blade and the other guy did too. One of them went after my brother…Dal stopped him."

James was quiet for a minute, staring at the table.

"My brother was so fucking scared, man. He wanted to run for it, but he didn't want to leave us. Didn't want to look like a coward. Aaron went after him then and I got a hold of him and…it was like you and Pete. I just kept hitting him, you know? Dal had to pull me off before I killed him. One of them must have got away and called the cops. And Dal…he told me to go. To take my brother and get home. He stayed there. Told the fuzz it had been him. He'd already been locked up a couple of times, so they didn't question it." James shrugged. "He knew if I got locked up, no one would be around to look after Peter." He winced a little. "That was his name. Every time I hear that asshole's name, I have to think about my little brother."

He swallowed hard, and Pony wished he knew what to say. He tried to imagine what someone could say to Darry to make him feel better if anything happened to him or Soda, but Pony didn't think there was anything.

"Dal always kept an eye on Peter. Looked out for him. So I wasn't too surprised when you showed up at my door and told me that Dal sent you. He's got a knack for looking after kids."

"Yeah…I'd be dead if it weren't for Dally."

"Me too, kid." James held up his sandwich like he was making a toast, eyes still far away, lost in his memories. "Me too."

It was true, Pony thought as he climbed back into his nest of blankets not too much later. Dal had risked a whole lot to get him out of town when he'd needed him. And it seemed like he'd risked a lot for James too, back when they'd been kids. He was lucky, he thought, drifting back into sleep, to have Dallas Winston, and the rest of the gang too. Lucky to have such good friends that had always been like family.

He hadn't really known that before…hadn't known that Steve would become a good friend, or that he'd teach him how to hotwire a car. He hadn't known that Two-Bit would get a job working at the same grocery store as him and Johnny, or that they'd graduate together. He hadn't known that one day, he'd think of Dallas Winston as a real friend, instead of a guy that his brother ran around with who scared the hell out of him.

Hell, before he'd been taken away from his brothers, he hadn't even known that Darry loved him more than about anyone…that his oldest brother would, over the years, turn into someone more like a father, but that they'd be friends too. Back when he'd first come to New York, he'd still been afraid that Darry hadn't even wanted him…that he hadn't tried to get him back at all.

Maybe it shouldn't have taken living with someone like Richard to realize how much his brother loved him, but he sure was grateful to know it now.

Staring up into the darkness, eyes closing as he started to drift back into sleep, his thoughts strayed to Rita and Lianne, and he found that he couldn't bring himself to regret any of it. If he hadn't been in that house, he never would have met them…never would have protected them, even if he hadn't been able to save Lianne in the end.

He never would have come to New York or met James. Or Sue.

Two-Bit never would have met Rita.

Johnny might never have lost that kicked puppy look, or got out from under his parents' thumb.

And Pony might never have realized how much his big brother loved him.

Now, as he drifted off, he knew that no matter what happened, he'd always be able to turn to Darry and Soda, and the gang too. They would be his family for the rest of his life.

And he was right.

The End

Thank you for reading.