Author Note: I know...I haven't updated in so long...but I'm getting to it. I'm aiming to update all my stories today. Very sorry it's been so long. I've had a HUGE case of writers block.

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blame it on the government- Thank you!

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The long awaited Chapter 10.

(The Case was put off for a few weeks...but the date had finally arrived)

"Good day ladies and gentleman. Today, we are here to deliberate on the Curtis Case." Came a man's voice. This voice belonged to a man of the name, Leonard Blackwell. There were some nods and grim grunts of understanding.

"Anyhow, presently, we have Darrel Curtis battling for custody of Ponyboy...Curtis...and Sodapop...Curtis..." He said their names off a paper and read the names slowly and awkwardly. "Let the deliberation begin."

...45 minutes into deliberation

"I say that the boys be put back into foster care...Darrel Curtis is barely approaching man hood and I have no speculation that he is ready to raise children." Said a woman named, Lucielle Harding.

"Ms. Harding, I must object to your notion. Darrel Curtis is 20 years old. We have fathers at 14 years of age...I don't see a problem with a 20 year old wanting to keep his family together." Spoke, Mr. Blackwell.

"What do you suppose then Mr. Blackwell?" Ms. Harding said, a bit flustered.

"Well, I believe that the Curtis boys can manage...or rough it as you will. I can't see why in the world not..." Mr. Blackwell said.

"Now on my part Mr. Blackwell, how do we know these boys don't want to stay together to carry on with their hooliganism? Just look at them..." A woman named Leslie Kardelle said with a grim expression.

"Well, that does open another point for consideration..." Mr. Blackwell agreed but was cut off by a raise of a hand.

"Yes, Mr. Curtis?"

"Sorry to interrupt Sir, but I must speak my mind at this point. I know that my brothers and I...We don't cause trouble...I graduated school with fairly decent grades...My parents raised us well and I don't believe there would be trouble. That's all Sir." Darry finished with a serious look toward the deliberators.

"Well spoke Mr. Curtis but the point is still on board for deliberation I'm afraid. What do you say ladies?" Mr. Blackwell asked turning to the woman.

"Well, I would move that they can stay together...but there would have to be checkups..." Ms. Harding said gesturing toward the boys.

"Mrs. Kardelle?" Mr. Blackwell asked.

"I second the notion." She responded.

There were a couple of other deliberators rustling and fumbling through papers. 3 others in total.

"Well for the others who haven't had much say in the matter do you have any say?" Mr. Blackwell asked.

"I move that the boys be put in foster homes." Said a man with huge glasses and a crooked nose. His name was, Dexter Smith.

"Might I ask your reason Sir?" Mr. Blackwell asked surprised.

"Well, it seems to me that they look rough around the edges...and I for one, don't need a cause for 20 future deliberations...so I move that Darrel Curtis not be awarded custody.

"Is there a second on Mr. Smith's notion?" Mr. Blackwell asked clearing his throat. The woman next to Mr.Smith raised her hand calmly. Her name was Amelia Cordenfall. "And may I ask you for a reason Mrs. Cordenfall?" Mr. Blackwell asked.

"Well, Mr.Smith made a good point. I have a family Mr. Blackwell, and no time for hooligans. It'd be so much time...and I'd rather it not be mine." Mrs. Cordenfall spoke firmly picking up her glass of water.

"And a third?" Mr.Blackwell asked to the last man on the delibaration platform. The man looked to be in thought and nodded raising his hand. "At this time...we are at a 3 way tie between The Curtis's custody...might I ask if anyone from our audience of deliberation be willing to speak on the Curtis's behalf?

Soda, Ponyboy and Darry who were all sitting behind their own long table, turned and faced the witnesses in the crowd. Two-Bit raised his hand but the boys didn't think Two-Bit would be able to do much...

"Please come forward Mr...Matthews..." Mr. Blackwell said off a piece of paper. Two-Bit walked forward and sat at the witness table. "Two-Bit Matthews?" Mr. Blackwell said standing up and walking off the platform to question Two-Bit. "Haha, Yeah...it may sound strange but if it would help ya sleep at night, the name's Kieth." Two-Bit said with a laugh. "Yes...Well, Mr. Matthews...might I ask...what connection do you have with the Curtis family?"

"I'm a good friend with all of them...even the parents." Two-Bit spoke leaning forward with his elbows on the table.

"Why would you think that Darrel should have custody."Two-Bit put on a stern face. "Well Sir...that's where I get serious...and let me say, I'm not serious all the time. I think Darry would make a good...no make that great guardian...He's as uptight as an old lady in England...it's like he has a stick shoved up his---Staying on topic..." Two-Bit said carefully catching a dark look from Darry. "Darry, wouldn't let Soda and Pony screw up. He'll be like a father figure. I'd put my mickey mouse tee-shirts on it!" Two-Bit said slamming his fist on the table.

"Thank you Mr. Matthews...Do I have another...?" Mr. Blackwell asked as Two-Bit got up extremely satisfied with himself. "Yes you do..." Came a strangely familiar voice to Soda. "Jennifer Kindler?" Soda's whole stomach did a flip...what was she doing here?

"Come forward Ms. Kindler." Jennifer made her way forward and shot Soda a huge smile. Soda couldn't believe his eyes. Jennifer's long waist length hair...once upon a time had been a dark brown...now was pitch black...and she was wearing a black tee-shirt with a skull on it and long black pants...She had dark makeup with heavy eyeliner on. Her cheeks were still rosy...but her skin was very pale. To Soda she looked stunningly attractive and not that little girl he took her for at the Kindler house.

"To my records...you live in the foster home where Sodapop was?"

"Yes Sir, I was.

"What do you make of Soda?"

"He's very responsible...He acted very mature. My father who is very abusive, started to abuse Soda. Soda actually took it...without crying or acting childish...I also ask that I have my best friend come up and speak with me, Cooper McKnight." She said. Mr.Blackwell gave an approving nod and Cooper came forward...he hadn't changed a bit.

"Continue." Mr. Blackwell said.

"Well, Cooper is another foster kid in the house...He's abused as well...I sought out that he be brought up with me because what he has to say might mean something...if you put what we have to say together...you may just change your mind...While we deliberate on this...I also have something to be decided...I move that you find a new home for Cooper. No... I demand that you do. No one has a right to live with my father. But beyond the point...this is where I get really aggressive. Soda had talked about Darry...Darry seems like the coolest brother...he always looked out for his brothers...and cared for them and kept them out of trouble. I think that you deliberators are being severely prejudice.

"Mr. Smith...I go to school with your daughter Maria. She is a complete trouble maker." Jennifer said looking up at Mr. Smith. "This is not a deliberation about my daughter young lady." Mr. Smith said tense.

"I'm aware Mr. Smith...but if it were...you'd be backing your daughter...and suggest that she remain with you...you wouldn't want to lose her...and not to a bunch of deliberators telling you she looks like trouble and should be put somewhere else." Jennifer said sternly. Mr.Smith turned a slight shade of red and fumbled with his papers.

"Now, You should all know...looks are not everything. These are very intelligent boys. Darry is able to manage. They will not be trouble I assure you. They all act responsibly and do what they have to do. Prejudice will get you no where in life if you don't look straight to the facts. And you have no right to deny custody on looks alone. So I move that you grant Custody to Darrel Curtis. End of discussion." Jennifer shot at the deliberators and walked back to her seat as Cooper followed.

"Also..." Jennifer continued standing up. "Are you going to do something about Cooper?" She asked. Mr. Blackwell gave her a kind nod. "Thank you." Jennifer said. Soda looked back at Jennifer getting a hug from her mother. Soda had really liked her mother. But Mr. Kindler wasn't present. They must be trying to go against him...wouldn't blame them... Then Jennifer turned and caught Soda's eye. Soda gave her a warm appreciative smile. She returned it with a wide smile showing her bright white teeth.

"Now...do we have another notion?" Mr. Blackwell asked. All three hands raised slowly and grimly because they knew they had been defeated. "Custody granted." Mr. Blackwell said smiling.

"Did ya hear that!" Darry yelled hugging Soda sitting next to him. And then hugged Ponyboy on his other side. This meant a whole new beginning. They would all be able to stay together.

"As for Cooper McNight...Being that he needs a place to go...I might have something in mind...in my records it shows that Cooper has had past trouble making situations...and I move that he be put in foster care with the Curtis's...that way we have an idea as to what kind of house Darrel can run...if he succeeds...we will be convinced whole-heartedly. We would give it a month. Anyone backing the notion.?" Mr. Blackwell asked. All hands were raised. "End of deliberation...Cooper, I will have Ms. Brown take you to go get your stuff and situated with the Curtis's.

"Katherine!" Soda called out. It was the woman from the child agency! "Congradulations on custody Darry and boys! How do you feel about Cooper?" She asked. Darry looked over at Soda for an opinion. "Don't worry, he's cool." Soda told Darry. "I'm sure it will be fine...I can handle it." Darry said positively. "Well then, I'll see you back at your place." Katherine said with a smile and went to go meet with Cooper.

Soda got up and made his way over to Jennifer. "You speaking was what got us our custody...thank you so much." Soda said hugging her warmly. She savored the moment and inhaled his cologne. If only he didn't have to let go... He let go and gave her the warmest smile. "Thank you. What's with the new you?" He asked with a laugh. "Well as you can see...me and Cooper are good buds now. And he helped me along." She said with a smile. "Do you hate it?" She added.

"No, no, no...it looks nice...and it's nice to see you and I'm sure with Cooper at our house I'll see you more often. Well, thanks again." He said with a smile and followed Ponyboy and Darry out of the building. When they got out something caught Soda's eye..."SANDY! Kissing...Randy! Randy the soc! What the fuck!" Soda yelled and made his way angrily over to Sandy.

--------Wow, big trouble for Sandy huh? Well, please review on the new chapter. I worked hard on it. Reviews inspire me to write so please review and tell me what you think! Hope you liked it!

-Casey