Argh! Only two reviews!!! Don't abandon me now!!!!! : (

Thank you sooo much, DreaminaboutDally and MissLKid, for reviewing! You guys are the best!

Ps. I was going to put this chappie up yesterday, but my broadband connection screwed up and I couldn't get onto fanfiction.net- argh! _________________________________________________________________

*STEVE'S POV*

I drove back to the Curtis house. I found Darry and Soda arguing quietly in the kitchen. I walked in.

"What's up?"

Darry sighed. "Tell Soda he can't miss another day at work."

"I don't care if I get fired!" shouted Soda. "I'm staying with Pony!"

"Keep it down, little buddy," warned Darry. "You're gonna wake up Pony."

"I'll baby-sit the kid," I offered. They both turned to stare at me again.

"What?" said Soda.

"Are you sure?" asked Darry. I nodded impatiently, annoyed by their shocked expressions.

"Okay. Thanks," Darry said. "Don't let him out of bed."

"I still don't like leaving him," said Soda, looking toward the bedroom.

"I don't like it either, but we can't stay home," said Darry. I herded them both out.

I went into Pony's bedroom and dragged a chair next to his bed. I had to apologize to him.

I dozed off after a while, waiting for him to wake up.

"Steve?" a quiet voice broke through my dreams.

I looked up. Pony was awake, looking at me.

"Am I home?"

"Yeah, you're at home," I answered. "Hey, listen to me for a second."

He nodded. I took a deep breath.

"Look, I know I've been a bastard. I've had a lot of time to think about stuff while you were sick, and I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."

There was total silence in the room for a second. Ponyboy looked utterly astonished. I fidgeted, twiddling my thumbs. Finally, he spoke.

"It's okay."

We both grinned at each other.

*TWO-BIT'S POV*

As usual, I went to the Curtis house after school. I was surprised to see Steve already there, cooking himself lunch.

"Randle! You're early," I grinned. "Miss school again?"

Steve looked up.

"Hey Two-bit. Yeah, I skipped school."

I raised an eyebrow.

"You're getting to be quite the troublemaker."

"Aw- shut your hole. Someone's gotta look after Pony."

I must have looked really shocked, because Steve scowled at me and turned back to cooking his chicken. I was about to make another smart remark when we both heard footsteps coming towards us.

We turned around. It was Ponyboy. He looked pale and was leaning onto the doorframe to keep standing.

"Hey ya'll."

"Pony, get back into bed right now!" said Steve. We both kinda stared at him. I wasn't used to Steve playing the responsible adult. Darry usually filled that job.

"I'm serious," Steve continued. "You're supposed to be in bed."

"Sorry," Pony mumbled. "I was hungry."

Steve sighed and went over to Pony, helping him back to his room. "I'll give you some chicken in bed after I finish cooking."

They left me standing there, completely flabbergasted. Was that really Steve Randle? The same guy who thought Pony was just a tagalong kid? I shook my head, stealing some chicken. Steve had changed.

*PONYBOY'S POV*

It spooked me how weak I had become. I was exhausted after a few steps and I couldn't stay standing for over five minutes. The doc said this was a normal side effect of pneumonia, but it really frustrated me.

I had to stay in bed for a week, but it was different from the last time Darry had made me stay in bed. Then, I had been eager to be out of bed. This time, I felt so tired I couldn't have possibly gotten out of bed if I wanted to. Walking into the kitchen had already relieved me of all the energy I had left.

I was still shocked about Steve's apology. We were okay now, but I wondered what had made him say sorry. He skipped school quite a few times to look after me, and we got to know each other a lot better.

*DALLAS' POV*

I would never admit it, but I was relieved that the kid was getting better. Hell, he scared all of us. It was strange the way Steve and Pony weren't glaring at each other behind Soda's back any more. I didn't understand it, but I sure did appreciate it.

Glory, listen to me go on. I sound like some peace-loving fool. Shaking my head, I went back to my beer.

*DARRY'S POV*

The burden of responsibility I bore on my shoulders after my parents died got heavier and heavier when one of my brothers got sick.

The state said had said that, because I was so young, I wouldn't be able to raise two teenagers. Well, I had proved them wrong. I had to. There was never any choice in the matter. I had to show the responsibility to provide for my younger brothers, or the state would tear what was left of our family apart. And I knew that none of us could have handled that.

Luckily, nobody from the state had come poking around to tell me how irresponsible I was for Pony getting pneumonia yet.

Pony was getting stronger, and I didn't want him to have to face the fear of getting separated.

I still had to ask Pony where he had gone that day he had played hooky. Something told me he hadn't just gone to the movie-house (A/N or was it called the movie-theater? Hehe too lazy to check. Sorry if I'm wrong) or the drive-in.

I'd ask him when he got better.

Oookay. Conscience finally kicks in. I really need to finish my science homework, so I'm ending this here ; )

Remember to review!!!!!!!! Pleeeez?