Author: Berserker Nightwitch
Chapter Title: The Insanity Begins
Posted: July 8, 2004
"Speaking" - 'Thinking' – Flashback
Thank Yous:
a458sbcglobal – I had planned that, and Pony is four, so sorry but there will be no potty training. YAY! I get an author Oscar thing! Thanks so much!
harryptaxd204 – Thank you, and please don't die! That is so much better! And correction: being hyper is NOT 'good' it's the best!
Ale Curtis-Carter – That may be my plan... just wait and see. Thanks much!
Flour Chief - throws spork at ducking friend I thought so too. Yes, you did much better. Oh, tell your mom I bought three new CDs! WEE!
Dallysgirl – Yeah he is. I didn't mean or it to work out that way since he hates them, but oh well. Yeah they do. Maybe that's why there's a Mother's Day and Father's Day? Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story as well!
Amber – I didn't like the beginning. However, Gummy Bears and a chocolate shake fixed that! Thankies! I got it from the parenting course I took in school 2 years ago, a couple different Sunday School classes (one of which I helped teach for awhile), and watching TV. An interesting combination, but it works. Okee, enough of that... Enjoy!
LittleMissChrissy – I take it you like that line? And here is the continuation... Thanks for the review!
Tensleep – Kids are cute, aren't they? No, I get 2 word reviews... or I did...! :D Yeah, I walked into my room and found my muses plotting to string me up to my ceiling fan by my toes if I didn't let them come back.... Thankies much!! Summer school's over that quickly? Congrats! Thanks again, and it's always a pleasure to hear from you!
Bobby'sgirl51 – Thank you, and I thought so. Here's more.
Soft whimpering roused Johnny from his sleep. Well, it was the whimpering combined with incessant tugging at his arm. He pushed himself up from the bed and promptly fell out of the aforementioned bed. Of course, opening your eyes and seeing two large brown orbs staring back at you from two inches away would do that to just about anyone.
"Don't DO that, Soda!" he choked, willing his breathing to calm.
"Sorry," Sodapop Curtis responded, sounded somewhat less than repentant.
"It's fine." Johnny, however, was still too tired to care about tone of voice. "What did you need?"
"Pony doesn't feel good and you need to fix him."
"Can I diagnose him first?"
"What's that mean?"
"Can I check to see what's wrong."
"I just told you that! He doesn't feel good!"
"This obviously isn't gonna get us anywhere, so how 'bout we just go into your room and I'll see what I can do."
The child huffed but led the way to the room he shared with his little brother. It soon became obvious where the whimpering was coming from. Ponyboy was curled up into a corner of his and Soda's double bed, crying. Johnny reached over to check his forehead when he noticed the drenched child, bedclothes, and sheets surrounding the child.
Johnny ran to the bathroom and got a thermometer. Then he returned to the bedroom and gently shook the smallest Curtis boy awake.
"Pony? Listen, Baby, I need you to hold this under your tongue for a minute, okay?" The crying child nodded, but didn't allow Johnny to put the thermometer in his mouth. Johnny sat don on the edge of the bed, and Pony immediately crawled into his lap. Johnny put the thermometer in his mouth and waited for it to take the child's temperature.
"Okay, it's only a mild fever, but we'd better get your temperature down some anyway. Soda, would you go wake Two-Bit up for me?" The blond little head nodded quickly and disappeared around the doorway. A few moments later Soda returned with Two-Bit following him. "He's got a light fever. Any idea of how we can get it down?"
"First off, get him out of flannel pajamas. Those things trap heat. Second, him and Soda can't share a bed until he gets better. Third, it probably wouldn't hurt anything if we put him in a cool bath."
"You wanna take care of the bath? I can wash these sheets and Soda can sleep in my bed tonight."
"Sure."
Later that day, after everyone had woken up and been told of that morning's excitement, Johnny and Two-Bit announced a plan they had had for a few days.
"You want to WHAT?!?!"
"Me and Two-Bit can take Soda and Darry out of town for a day or two, and that would give you guys time with Pony. He should be well by the time we get back."
"Why can't we take the older two? You two are better with kids!"
"You or Dally would just take them to a bar. Two-Bit wouldn't be able to resist if one of you suggested it. You stick with something if it's your duty, and Pony really seems to like Dal."
"Fine. When are you leaving?"
"In about thirty minutes. Maybe less if we can get the kids packed in less."
"Don' leave!"
"Pony, we went over this. Do you want to get your brothers sick?"
"No-oh..." the child replied around teary hiccups.
"Then we have to take them out of the house. Don't worry, Baby. We'll be back as soon as you get better, okay?"
"Okay..."
"Good. You wanna say goodbye?" Ponyboy ran over to the car and said a quick goodbye to both of his brothers and Two-Bit. He hugged Johnny goodbye as the tallest greaser got into the car. Steve walked up to them just before the car started and picked the little boy up. The tiny redhead twisted around in Steve's arms to wave goodbye as the car drove away.
When they had passed the Tulsa city limits, Johnny turned to look at the two boys in the back seat. They both were pouting, and Soda had only stopped kicking the back of the driver's seat when To-Bit threatened to throw him out of the car.
"Where are we goin'?" Darry asked. He didn't actually care, but he did want to get Soda's mind off of the feeling that they had just abandoned their baby brother to some kind of torture.
"I was about to ask y'all the same thing. We have at least three days to kill here. Where do you wanna go?"
"Can we go to the zoo?" Soda asked. Johnny smiled at him and nodded. "Are we gonna stay in a hotel?"
"Do you want to?"
"Where else would we stay?"
"I got an old friend near Windrixville (sp?) who'd be willing to put us up for a few nights. It'd be cheaper than staying at a hotel, but if you two would rather- "
"I don't wanna stay in a hotel!" Darry cut in, looking murderous.
"Okay, we don't have to. But... why not?"
"My friend went to stay in one one time, and he said that there were cockroaches the size of your head in the beds, and you hafta share the bed with them, or you get kicked outta the hotel!"
"I remember that guy!" Two-Bit announced, grinning broadly. "'Cept... the roaches were maybe the size of a finger, and they were hard to brush off the bed. His family got kicked out of the hotel because his father got drunk and started hitting on a couple of the maids."
"I still don't wanna go to a hotel."
"That's fine. I'd much rather stay with Jerry."
"Jerry?"
"That's the guy Johnnycake knows. He helped saved Johnny's life a few months back."
"Two-Bit, that was a year ago, and all he did was call the ambulance and wait at the hospital until we was taken care of."
"Okay, so he thinks he owes you something for saving the lives of all those kids."
"Johnny's a hero?"
"Yep. And so's Dal."
"They saved kids?"
"Well... Johnny saved the kids. Dal was roped into it when he tried to pull Johnny outta the church. It was burnin', and Johnny wouldn't leave if there was a chance that another kid was in there."
"I think I like you more now," Soda declared. Johnny blinked at him for a moment before thanking him and turning back around. "Are we there yet?"
"There where?"
"The zoo!"
"Nope."
"Are we there now?"
"No."
"... How 'bout now?"
"No, Sodapop."
And things continued in that way for a few miles.
"Hey Johnny?"
"What?"
"Are we there yet?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Of course." Johnny checked to see that all of the doors were locked. "Feel free to get out at any time." [1]
"Really?"
"No. I promise, I'll tell you when we get there."
"Awe they comin' back?"
"Yes."
"Pwomise?"
"Yes. Now will you please shut up? This is the only time I can watch whatever I want."
"But I'm bowed!"
"So go find Steve!"
"But he hates me."
Dally rolled his eyes before turning to look at the child. The little boy's lower lip was trembling in a way that would melt even the stoniest of hearts. "Listen, Kid... That ain't my problem." But, there was speculation among other people as to whether or not Dallas Winston even possessed a heart.
A few hours later, Dally had finished his TV show and was feeling a little guilty about brushing Ponyboy off like that. Just as he was contemplating going to find the child, Pony wandered into the room.
"Dally?"
"What?" He tried to make his voice as gentle as possible, but it was difficult.
"Now will you do something with me? Steve went to the stowe ow wowk."
"Fine. What do you wanna do?"
"Will you tell a stowy?"
"A... story?"
"Yesh! A good stowy with knights and a witch and a dwagon!" [2]
"Uh... sure.... I guess I can do that." Pony grinned and ran over to the blond. He climbed up into Dally's lap and turned the full force of his enormous gray-green eyes on Dally. The older greaser smirked softly and leaned back in the chair. "Comfortable now, Brat?"
At Pony's nod he grinned. He couldn't help himself. The kid was just too cute. "Okay... how to start... Ah.... Once upon a time, in a far away kingdom there lived a king and queen..."
A/N: So, what do you think? I felt like this was much better than the other chapters of this story have been. I even got a little bit of the vernacular in there! I feel so proud! It may take awhile to get the next chapter up. I had it all written out at home, but I am several (many) miles away from home right now, and it will be another week before I fly back. I will try to remember what I had written, but it all sounds so stupid in my head. Oh well.
[1] – It's not worded exactly, but that line is taken from a Weiss Kreuz fic, and the title is something like "With Friends Like These". Or... something like that...
[2] – Partly from the Mutts comic, and mainly from my great friend, Miss Kitsune Takatori. She used to be Neko, but she used that name for a character in a story, so now she's going by something else. It's hard to remember all of her names...
Dally: Our turn again.
BN: Joy.
Dally: Don't sound so happy about it... pouts
Johnny: Don't even start you two. Please review before they get into another argument! Last time I was the one who had to sleep on the floor.
BN: I'm so sorry Johnny!
Darry: He'll be fine. Please review and let her sleep. It's after midnight right now.
BN: Yeah, and ff.net was being mean to me all day! I couldn't even log in! Or write even an anonymous review! So... if this ends up being later than the date at the top says, that's why. grumbles about how mean ff.net is being
Chapter Title: The Insanity Begins
Posted: July 8, 2004
"Speaking" - 'Thinking' – Flashback
Thank Yous:
a458sbcglobal – I had planned that, and Pony is four, so sorry but there will be no potty training. YAY! I get an author Oscar thing! Thanks so much!
harryptaxd204 – Thank you, and please don't die! That is so much better! And correction: being hyper is NOT 'good' it's the best!
Ale Curtis-Carter – That may be my plan... just wait and see. Thanks much!
Flour Chief - throws spork at ducking friend I thought so too. Yes, you did much better. Oh, tell your mom I bought three new CDs! WEE!
Dallysgirl – Yeah he is. I didn't mean or it to work out that way since he hates them, but oh well. Yeah they do. Maybe that's why there's a Mother's Day and Father's Day? Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story as well!
Amber – I didn't like the beginning. However, Gummy Bears and a chocolate shake fixed that! Thankies! I got it from the parenting course I took in school 2 years ago, a couple different Sunday School classes (one of which I helped teach for awhile), and watching TV. An interesting combination, but it works. Okee, enough of that... Enjoy!
LittleMissChrissy – I take it you like that line? And here is the continuation... Thanks for the review!
Tensleep – Kids are cute, aren't they? No, I get 2 word reviews... or I did...! :D Yeah, I walked into my room and found my muses plotting to string me up to my ceiling fan by my toes if I didn't let them come back.... Thankies much!! Summer school's over that quickly? Congrats! Thanks again, and it's always a pleasure to hear from you!
Bobby'sgirl51 – Thank you, and I thought so. Here's more.
Soft whimpering roused Johnny from his sleep. Well, it was the whimpering combined with incessant tugging at his arm. He pushed himself up from the bed and promptly fell out of the aforementioned bed. Of course, opening your eyes and seeing two large brown orbs staring back at you from two inches away would do that to just about anyone.
"Don't DO that, Soda!" he choked, willing his breathing to calm.
"Sorry," Sodapop Curtis responded, sounded somewhat less than repentant.
"It's fine." Johnny, however, was still too tired to care about tone of voice. "What did you need?"
"Pony doesn't feel good and you need to fix him."
"Can I diagnose him first?"
"What's that mean?"
"Can I check to see what's wrong."
"I just told you that! He doesn't feel good!"
"This obviously isn't gonna get us anywhere, so how 'bout we just go into your room and I'll see what I can do."
The child huffed but led the way to the room he shared with his little brother. It soon became obvious where the whimpering was coming from. Ponyboy was curled up into a corner of his and Soda's double bed, crying. Johnny reached over to check his forehead when he noticed the drenched child, bedclothes, and sheets surrounding the child.
Johnny ran to the bathroom and got a thermometer. Then he returned to the bedroom and gently shook the smallest Curtis boy awake.
"Pony? Listen, Baby, I need you to hold this under your tongue for a minute, okay?" The crying child nodded, but didn't allow Johnny to put the thermometer in his mouth. Johnny sat don on the edge of the bed, and Pony immediately crawled into his lap. Johnny put the thermometer in his mouth and waited for it to take the child's temperature.
"Okay, it's only a mild fever, but we'd better get your temperature down some anyway. Soda, would you go wake Two-Bit up for me?" The blond little head nodded quickly and disappeared around the doorway. A few moments later Soda returned with Two-Bit following him. "He's got a light fever. Any idea of how we can get it down?"
"First off, get him out of flannel pajamas. Those things trap heat. Second, him and Soda can't share a bed until he gets better. Third, it probably wouldn't hurt anything if we put him in a cool bath."
"You wanna take care of the bath? I can wash these sheets and Soda can sleep in my bed tonight."
"Sure."
Later that day, after everyone had woken up and been told of that morning's excitement, Johnny and Two-Bit announced a plan they had had for a few days.
"You want to WHAT?!?!"
"Me and Two-Bit can take Soda and Darry out of town for a day or two, and that would give you guys time with Pony. He should be well by the time we get back."
"Why can't we take the older two? You two are better with kids!"
"You or Dally would just take them to a bar. Two-Bit wouldn't be able to resist if one of you suggested it. You stick with something if it's your duty, and Pony really seems to like Dal."
"Fine. When are you leaving?"
"In about thirty minutes. Maybe less if we can get the kids packed in less."
"Don' leave!"
"Pony, we went over this. Do you want to get your brothers sick?"
"No-oh..." the child replied around teary hiccups.
"Then we have to take them out of the house. Don't worry, Baby. We'll be back as soon as you get better, okay?"
"Okay..."
"Good. You wanna say goodbye?" Ponyboy ran over to the car and said a quick goodbye to both of his brothers and Two-Bit. He hugged Johnny goodbye as the tallest greaser got into the car. Steve walked up to them just before the car started and picked the little boy up. The tiny redhead twisted around in Steve's arms to wave goodbye as the car drove away.
When they had passed the Tulsa city limits, Johnny turned to look at the two boys in the back seat. They both were pouting, and Soda had only stopped kicking the back of the driver's seat when To-Bit threatened to throw him out of the car.
"Where are we goin'?" Darry asked. He didn't actually care, but he did want to get Soda's mind off of the feeling that they had just abandoned their baby brother to some kind of torture.
"I was about to ask y'all the same thing. We have at least three days to kill here. Where do you wanna go?"
"Can we go to the zoo?" Soda asked. Johnny smiled at him and nodded. "Are we gonna stay in a hotel?"
"Do you want to?"
"Where else would we stay?"
"I got an old friend near Windrixville (sp?) who'd be willing to put us up for a few nights. It'd be cheaper than staying at a hotel, but if you two would rather- "
"I don't wanna stay in a hotel!" Darry cut in, looking murderous.
"Okay, we don't have to. But... why not?"
"My friend went to stay in one one time, and he said that there were cockroaches the size of your head in the beds, and you hafta share the bed with them, or you get kicked outta the hotel!"
"I remember that guy!" Two-Bit announced, grinning broadly. "'Cept... the roaches were maybe the size of a finger, and they were hard to brush off the bed. His family got kicked out of the hotel because his father got drunk and started hitting on a couple of the maids."
"I still don't wanna go to a hotel."
"That's fine. I'd much rather stay with Jerry."
"Jerry?"
"That's the guy Johnnycake knows. He helped saved Johnny's life a few months back."
"Two-Bit, that was a year ago, and all he did was call the ambulance and wait at the hospital until we was taken care of."
"Okay, so he thinks he owes you something for saving the lives of all those kids."
"Johnny's a hero?"
"Yep. And so's Dal."
"They saved kids?"
"Well... Johnny saved the kids. Dal was roped into it when he tried to pull Johnny outta the church. It was burnin', and Johnny wouldn't leave if there was a chance that another kid was in there."
"I think I like you more now," Soda declared. Johnny blinked at him for a moment before thanking him and turning back around. "Are we there yet?"
"There where?"
"The zoo!"
"Nope."
"Are we there now?"
"No."
"... How 'bout now?"
"No, Sodapop."
And things continued in that way for a few miles.
"Hey Johnny?"
"What?"
"Are we there yet?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Of course." Johnny checked to see that all of the doors were locked. "Feel free to get out at any time." [1]
"Really?"
"No. I promise, I'll tell you when we get there."
"Awe they comin' back?"
"Yes."
"Pwomise?"
"Yes. Now will you please shut up? This is the only time I can watch whatever I want."
"But I'm bowed!"
"So go find Steve!"
"But he hates me."
Dally rolled his eyes before turning to look at the child. The little boy's lower lip was trembling in a way that would melt even the stoniest of hearts. "Listen, Kid... That ain't my problem." But, there was speculation among other people as to whether or not Dallas Winston even possessed a heart.
A few hours later, Dally had finished his TV show and was feeling a little guilty about brushing Ponyboy off like that. Just as he was contemplating going to find the child, Pony wandered into the room.
"Dally?"
"What?" He tried to make his voice as gentle as possible, but it was difficult.
"Now will you do something with me? Steve went to the stowe ow wowk."
"Fine. What do you wanna do?"
"Will you tell a stowy?"
"A... story?"
"Yesh! A good stowy with knights and a witch and a dwagon!" [2]
"Uh... sure.... I guess I can do that." Pony grinned and ran over to the blond. He climbed up into Dally's lap and turned the full force of his enormous gray-green eyes on Dally. The older greaser smirked softly and leaned back in the chair. "Comfortable now, Brat?"
At Pony's nod he grinned. He couldn't help himself. The kid was just too cute. "Okay... how to start... Ah.... Once upon a time, in a far away kingdom there lived a king and queen..."
A/N: So, what do you think? I felt like this was much better than the other chapters of this story have been. I even got a little bit of the vernacular in there! I feel so proud! It may take awhile to get the next chapter up. I had it all written out at home, but I am several (many) miles away from home right now, and it will be another week before I fly back. I will try to remember what I had written, but it all sounds so stupid in my head. Oh well.
[1] – It's not worded exactly, but that line is taken from a Weiss Kreuz fic, and the title is something like "With Friends Like These". Or... something like that...
[2] – Partly from the Mutts comic, and mainly from my great friend, Miss Kitsune Takatori. She used to be Neko, but she used that name for a character in a story, so now she's going by something else. It's hard to remember all of her names...
Dally: Our turn again.
BN: Joy.
Dally: Don't sound so happy about it... pouts
Johnny: Don't even start you two. Please review before they get into another argument! Last time I was the one who had to sleep on the floor.
BN: I'm so sorry Johnny!
Darry: He'll be fine. Please review and let her sleep. It's after midnight right now.
BN: Yeah, and ff.net was being mean to me all day! I couldn't even log in! Or write even an anonymous review! So... if this ends up being later than the date at the top says, that's why. grumbles about how mean ff.net is being