*PONYBOY'S POV* I woke up when I heard the front door slam. Despite my grogginess and the protesting muscles, I sat up. Was Darry home yet?? I jumped out of bed. The room spun and I had to grab the side of the bed to regain my balance. I massaged my temples, trying to alleviate my pounding headache.

The pain lessened and I walked out as fast as my tired legs would allow me to. I sighed in relief as I saw Dally drinking a beer with Two- bit.

"You look like shit, kid," Dally commented, grinning. Two-bit laughed.

"I thought you were sleeping."

I turned to Two-bit. "Hey, be a buddy. Don't tell Dar and Soda about it."

"About what?" asked Dally curiously. We both ignored him.

"Pony, I gotta tell them. You know what happened last time."

"Two-bit! I was sick last time. I'm okay this time!"

"If someone doesn't tell me what the hell's going on I'm gonna call Darry and Soda!" Dallas exploded. He doesn't like to be kept waiting.

*TWO-BIT'S POV*

The second Ponyboy came out of the bedroom I knew he would try to talk me out of telling his brothers.

"Hey Two-bit, be a buddy. Don't tell Dar or Soda about this."

I sighed. Pony's eyes fixed on me imploringly, willing me to agree with him. Dally interrupted.

"About what?"

Relieved, I broke in, ignoring Dally. "Pony, I gotta tell them. You know what happened last time."

"Two-bit! I was sick last time. I'm okay this time!"

"If someone doesn't tell me what the hell's going on I'm gonna call Darry and Soda!" Dallas exploded. He doesn't like to be kept waiting.

"Ponyboy skipped school today and he came home at around four soaking wet," I summarized.

Dally grinned. "Good for you kid. Didn't know you had the guts."

Pony looked down, ashamed. "I didn't mean to skip school. Honest, Two-bit. Please don't tell them. They'll just get worried. And I'm okay anyway. I'll catch up with all the work."

I sighed. "I won't tell them this time. But don't ever do that again!" I'm sounding more and more like Darry than ever!

Dally laughed. "Dig Two-bit acting like a mommy!" He ducked my swing. Ponyboy looked pleadingly at Dally as well.

"Dally? Don't tell okay?"

Dally grinned good-naturedly. "Sure kid."

I looked, concerned, at Pony. He still looked exhausted. "Go back to bed."

He nodded. "Okay Two-bit. Wait, just let me sit down for a bit." he collapsed onto the couch and immediately fell asleep. Dally and me looked at each other.

"Darry's going to know something's wrong if he's asleep there," commented Dally.

I walked over to the couch. "Hey, Pony? Wake up. You gotta go back to your bed." No response. I scratched my head, wondering what to do.

"Pick him up," said Dally, seating himself on the kitchen table. I glared at him.

"Thanks for the help Dallas," I said, sarcastically. He shrugged.

"I ain't no nursemaid."

"Well, neither am I."

I picked up Ponyboy easily and carried him to his bedroom. The lights were already off and a small night lamp was on. Careful not to wake him up, I put him gently on the bed and covered him with the blanket. Shaking my head, I walked back out. I, Two-bit Matthews, had just tucked a kid into bed. The world was just full of surprises.

*DARRY'S POV*

The muscles in my shoulder were aching from carrying too many bundles of roofing at the same time. I grinned ruefully. I really should listen to Soda and Pony. I walked into the house, pausing as I heard voices from inside.

"Steve, just shut up about it okay?" came a voice I recognized as Two- bit's.

"Why? I don't get why we have to back him up all the time."

I walked in. "Back who up?"

They all spun around, clearly startled to see me.

"Back who up?" I repeated.

"Tim slashed Buck's tyres. We saw him do it, and Buck came over, asking who did it," said Dally smoothly.

I was not convinced, but I didn't want to start a row with Dallas Winston, no matter how he'd changed. "Okay." I looked around. "Where's Ponyboy?"

The door opened again. We all turned around.

"Hey everyone." It was Soda. "Yeah. Where IS Pony?"

"He's sleeping," answered Two-bit.

I raised my eyebrows. "Come again?"

"Coach made him run extra laps and he was tired out so I told him to go to sleep," said Two-bit, borrowing Pony's lie.

"Well, I'll go and check on him," said Soda, running off.

"Coach made him run extra laps in the RAIN?" I asked.

"That's what he said," answered Two-bit. I shook my head.

"I'll have a word with him about it later."