Finally an update! Sorry for the wait. Just had writer's block. Ok, now I am not sure if this is too cheesy w/ Darry and Soda.

I try, kids, I try. Let me know your thoughts puh-lease! Thanks!

Thanks for the reviews PyroJoe and AddictiontoFiction!

XXX

Soda's POV

Darry and I pulled into our driveway. Slowly I got out of the truck carrying a paper bag containing Ponyboy's clothes.

One pair of jeans, check. One bloody t-shirt, check.

We had dropped Two-bit and Steve off at their places, ignoring their protests that they should come back with us.

Darry came around to my side and took the bag from me. "C'mon Sodapop," he said ushering me up the steps. His muscular arm gently guided me through the front door.

I was afraid to go into the house. A feeling of helplessness washed over me. At least at the hospital I could be with Pony, talk to him, hold his hand. Here, I would be alone with myself and I didn't know what I would do.

Inside, Darry flipped the light switch. Harsh yellow light illuminated the house just as we had left it. The door slammed shut jerking us awake.

Cards and poker chips on the table. Darry's paper in the armchair.

Ponyboy's biology report flung on the carpet, his backpack on the sofa.

He was everywhere.

Right away, I balked.

"I can't do this, I can't," I heard myself saying.

"Soda…" Darry reached out for me then faltered.

We both stared at each other. Two brothers speechless, lost, because one of us was missing.

Would it always be like this if Pony doesn't…

I shook my head wildly, eyes squeezed together tight.

"Darry, I'm sorry, I-"

Darry stared hard at Pony's report on the floor. He roughly cleared his throat and picked up the report laying it tenderly on the coffee table.

I knew he was remembering when he yelled at Ponyboy earlier tonight.

"It's ok Soda, it's been a long night, go to bed." Darry said expressionlessly.

My brown eyes searched his blue ones. They weren't the usual icy blue. They were watered down, blank.

I knew that look from the last time Pony disappeared. I couldn't let him sit alone and torture himself with "what ifs" and "my faults".

Stepping up I hugged him hard. Darry tensed, and then relaxed, squeezing me back.

In the end, I couldn't hold it in any longer. I broke down and bawled into Darry's shoulder, soaking his white t-shirt.

XXX THREE DAYS LATER XXX

Work was killing me. Here I was sitting on the front desk, twirling a wrench and waiting for my lunch hour.

At the hospital, my every available moment was focused on watching Ponyboy's eyelids and hoping to see a sliver of color that would make me live again.

Eventually, Darry and I both had to return to work. Darry's boss understood the whole situation, unlike mine, who needed Steve and I to bring in customers.

"I had better not lose any business on account of this," he barked at me this morning after I told him about Ponyboy.

"What? Is he our pimp?" Steve had said wryly as I gripped my wrench and considered chucking it at his head.

The clock said 11:45. 12:00 and Steve and I could go to the hospital.

I cocked my head, listening for Steve's banging on the carburetor. I didn't hear anything so I slid off the counter and made my way to the front of the DX.

"Steve," I called out, "it's almost lunch."

"Soda, I'll be right there," Steve yelled hurriedly, his voice carrying a warning.

Rounding the corner, I went outside and saw Steve next to the gas pumps. Two Soc's leaned against a red Mustang. Steve was mouthing something angrily.

"You better get the hell out of here," I snapped walking briskly up to them. I recognized them from High School.

"Hey Curtis, we just wanted some fuel," one drawled, puffing on a cigarette.

"Oh yeah," Rick, the other Soc said, "and we just wanted to congratulate you on your brother. What a fine specimen of a greaser he turned out to be; made us all proud."

The blood drained from my face. I went hot and cold all over. Steve saw my face and backed up towards me, his hand already out to stop me from launching myself all over Rick.

"You better thank your goddamn lucky stars that he's here," I seethed at the Socs.

"This isn't over."

"Oh, it definitely isn't," retorted Rick, opening the driver's side of the Mustang.

"Give your brother our best," he yelled, flipping us the bird as they peeled out of the gravel lot.

XXX

Ok, I know this isn't my best chapter. I don't know if I accurately get Soda down. Let me know what you think and if I should continue to update. Too boring, too dramatic, cheesy?

Review please, b/c if no one is reading, why write?

Thanks everyone!