WOW! Thanks everyone for the reviews! I love them all SO much!

So faithful reviewers, let me know what you think of this. I'm not sure…I thought it over for a while…and this is how I thought it would be. So. Is it horrible and nonsensical? Let me know.

Thanks for reading!

XXXX

Ponyboy's POV

I listened to the crunch of gravel under my feet as I ran home from school. I don't know why I was running; it just felt right. Besides since I was missing out on track this year, I might as well get back in shape for next year.

I think I was also running away from my 'babysitter'.

I ran down the alleyway and spurred ahead with a great burst of energy. Running up the steps to my house, I whipped the door open and gasped for air. I definitely needed to get back in shape. I had barely made it this far.

As I was dripping with sweat I noticed a figure make its way into the living room.

I jumped back and knocked the door shut. It was only Darry.

"Golly Darry!" I panted.

"Ponyboy are you alright?" He asked with concern watching me wheeze.

Ignoring his question I muttered, "If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me that…"

I thought he would snap back but instead he said, "I'm just concerned about you Ponyboy. Soda and I both are."

"What are you doing home?" I asked trying to change the subject.

"I took the afternoon off," Darry said suddenly looking nervous.

I shot him a suspicious glance but made my way into the kitchen where I started to dig around for some chocolate cake. That run had made me awfully hungry.

"Ponyboy," Darry's low voice followed me into the kitchen. "We need to talk."

I licked my lips and turned around. I knew it had been coming: the talk. It had taken longer than I thought it would but I knew Darry too well to think that he would let it go.

"Ok," I said, settling myself at the kitchen table. Darry sat down across from me. I stared unhappily at my uneaten cake.

Then Darry added: "And Soda doesn't know about this. If he was here…he'd make it harder on both of us."

I smiled inwardly at the truth of the statement. Darry was right: if Soda were here he'd defend me, making Darry and me both angry. I wasn't looking forward to this chat but I did know that I had earned it.

"Pony, I don't have a lot to say since you should be doing most of the talking. But why? Why did you do it?" His voice was pleading and he stared at me earnestly.

I truly didn't know what to say. So, I lied: "Peer pressure?" I squeaked.

Darry gawked at me. I think he expected something deeper.

"Ponyboy," His voice rose, and he struggled to control his temper.

"Darry," I kept going, "you were right, I don't use my head sometimes…and this time I screwed it all up. I'm sorry I hurt you and Soda but…"

I stopped, and then said quietly, "…I'm not sorry I did it."

Darry looked violently ill. He pushed himself away from the table, his chair squeaking a protest.

I wasn't sorry. I had gotten one of the best gifts of my life: seeing Johnny and Dallas one last time.

Darry banged the table with his fist and yelled at me, "Dammit Ponyboy! What are you trying to do to me? Are you going to make me afraid every time you walk out that door?"

I shook my head furiously. "No, Darry I didn't mean…it's just that I learned my lesson…"

In a way you can never imagine, I thought.

"…and I won't ever do it again. Ever. I'll use my head. I swear."

"It's all my fault, I suppose," Darry said sternly, almost to himself. "I should have sat you down long ago and talked to you about-"

"No!" Impulsively I stood up and grabbed a plate that had been meant to hold my cake. Instead, to make my point, I hurled it towards the nearest wall. It broke apart, spraying tiny shards of glass everywhere.

Darry looked surprised at my outburst and we stared at each other until a shocked voice interrupted us.

"What. Is. Going. On?" It was Sodapop. He looked confused and angry.

I wiped at my eyes hurriedly. Darry shifted around in his chair and stood up. "What are you doing home?"

Soda frowned and walked into the kitchen. "Two-bit came by the shop. He said Pony wasn't around after school. I wanted to make sure he was at home. What are you doing here?" He asked accusingly.

"Soda," Darry sighed. "I was talking with Ponyboy about Curly's party." Soda's brow furrowed and he stared crossly at Darry.

"It has to be done Sodapop," Darry said almost defensively.

"He just got out of the hospital," Sodapop argued indignantly. "Can't you just give him a break for once, Darry?"

Darry winced at this, then said tiredly: "Soda. Either leave or sit down, but just shut the hell up."

I saw Soda's jaw clench. He leaned against the kitchen counter in stunned dismay.

Darry slowly turned his attention back to me."Ponyboy, it's my job to keep you safe and you keep scaring me."

"Us." Soda put in sharply.

Darry looked at Soda and nodded slowly. "This isn't about punishing you. We've all been through enough. For my sanity though, I'm just trying to understand why you did what you did."

I could feel Soda's eyes drilling holes into me.

I was shaking, and finally blurted out: "Darry, It wasn't your fault. Or Soda's. It was mine. That night, I almost ended up like Dally because I called someone's bluff. I thought I wanted to die." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Soda flinch and squeeze his eyes closed. "I thought I deserved it, but I couldn't go."

Darry's eyes softened and his body unclenched. "So you actually used your head after all?" he asked, a hint of a smile coming to his face. "About damn time."

XXXX

I thought I'd leave it like that; on a semi-light note. The point's been made and I didn't want to drag it out! Hope you enjoyed it! This was a hard chapter to write because I wanted to get the point out, but also this is how I think the characters would act.

Review please!