Title- A No Title Jess

Chapter Title- Something to Say No

Disclaimer- I do now own The Outsiders

I was going through every single piece of paper in the Curtis house, trying to find something that could prevent Soda from going to war. I wasn't going to let him. I knew there had to be something. All I wanted was something that said 'ha, he can't go to war' and I was going to find it.

I finished destroying our bedroom, I even put everything back. I didn't want to touch Darry's room and get in trouble. So, I moved to Pony's room, looking for anything. Nothing in particular, just something to say no. I looked through his desk drawers, knowing he probably wouldn't have anything. Although, he might. Soda did share a room with him for a bit. I found a bunch of papers that were clipped together. It was an English assignment that Ponyboy did a few months before I came here. On the top, in red pen, there was a 'C'. Darry must've been pissed off when Pony brought home that 'C'. I skimmed the pages trying to find that something, maybe Pony knew something and he wrote about it.

The assignment was a whole story about how Johnny and Dally died. I grabbed it and put the rest of the room back to how it was. I made sure the house was empty, it was. I sat on the bed and began to read the entire thing. Wow, Ponyboy went through all of this? So this is how Pony got his blonde hair. It had grown out by the time I came back from New York, but when I first met him, it was hideous.

It was still early in the morning and everybody was out. Pony was at school with Two-Bit (yeah, I know, still) and Steve. Soda and Darry were at work and I was home with the twins. I had a good five hours before I should even worry about anybody coming home. I read about them getting ready for the rumble. They all knew gymnastics and Soda was sent to jail with Two-Bit once. Wait, what the fuck? He went to jail? He had a police record? Wow, he had a police record. Wait, didn't that mean he couldn't go to war? I didn't think you could go to war if you had a police record.

I didn't need to finish reading the stupid paper, but I wanted to. I can't believe Dally pulled a stunt like that, I can't believe Dally was shot by the cops because he carried an unloaded gun. Damn, I always knew the guy was stupid. I finished the paper and neatly put it back into his desk. I'd have to ask Soda about the whole police record. I don't know how he only got a 'C' on this. It was really well written. I would've given it an 'A'.

I went into the kitchen to grab two bottles for the twins. I fed them and changed them. I noticed Ronnie cried a lot more than Nate. Nate was really quiet, actually he rarely cried. I only checked on him when Ronnie started to cry. Sometimes, she cried when he needed a diaper change or to be fed. I knew because once I fed him or changed him, she stopped crying. I always checked Nate first because of this.

Two-Bit came in with Steve and Pony.

"Don't even think about asking," I told him. He hasn't asked if the twins could watch Mickey in a long time. The last time he did, I punched him in the stomach. He learned his lesson.

"Hey, Two-Bit, is it true that you and Soda went to jail for 'disturbing the public'?" I asked him. He looked like he was thinking and then burst into laughter.

"Was that the time we were flippin' and walkin' on or hands?" he asked. I nodded. He started to laugh harder.

"Does that go on your police record?" He nodded. My eyes lit up and I smiled.

"Yes," I screamed really loud. I woke up Ronnie because she started crying.

"Your saying yes because your husband's got a police record?" I nodded quickly and walked happily into the bedroom. I shushed Ronnie and rocked her back to sleep.

"Why's that a good thing?" Steve wanted to know.

"Because," I began, "if he has a police record, he can't go to war." I sounded really excited. Ponyboy looked a little relieved. I knew he was worried about his brother going to fight.

When Soda came home he kissed my cheek.

"I have good news," I told him. I could barely contain myself.

"What is it?" he asked, I knew he wanted to know.

"Well, you have a police record," I told him. He looked like he was thinking 'how the hell is this good news?' He was confused, and so was Darry, who had just walked in.

"People with police records can't go to fight in wars," I said.

"Wow," was all he managed to say.

"But, how do you know about my police record?" 'Maybe if you told me about it, I wouldn't have had to look through Pony's stuff,' I thought.

"I did some research, oh, and I asked Two-Bit," I told him jerking my thumb in his direction. I gave Soda a hug and kissed him. He wasn't going to have to leave me.

"Do you people want another kid?" Two-Bit asked.

"Shut up," I told Two-Bit.

"You're jealous 'cause nobody wants to kiss you." I replied. I grinned. I went into the bedroom to check on the twins. Ronnie was sleeping peacefully and Nate was staring off into space. He was still breathing, thank god. What would I do if one of them died? I picked him up and brought him into the living room. Two-Bit was watching Mickey Mouse.

"Here, he can watch Mickey with you," I said handing Nate carefully to him. Two-Bit held him, carefully, but he also made sure he was staring at the television. As long as Two-Bit didn't corrupt my kids, I was fine.

"Hate to tell ya, but I hardly believe disturbing the peace once is gonna keep Soda here," Darry said. Leave it to Darry to make me upset again.

"Shut up, Dar, she's lettin' the kid watch Mickey," Two-Bit responded. I took Nate away from him and smacked him on the head.

"Not anymore," I told him. I took Nate to change his diaper and put him back in the cradle.

"You guys really think that's not enough to keep him here?" I asked them from the bedroom.

"Not a chance," Steve called. I sat down on the bed and grabbed a pillow. I wrapped my arms around it and sighed. Why did I always get my hopes up like this?