Thank you to everyone who is sticking with this story. I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Jem

My feet felt like two lead weights on the ends of my legs as I dragged myself up the front steps into my house.

Today I'd been able to put in a few extra hours at the warehouse after I finished my shift at the grocery store and it was nearing one in the morning. Ponyboy would have called the house hours ago. My feet became even heavier at the thought that I'd missed it. Our lives, Soda's and mine now revolved around working and any contact we could get with Ponyboy. There was a gaping hole that just seemed to get wider the longer he was away.

I made it to the front door and blinked. Instead of the suffocating darkness that I expected to be greeted with, the lights were shining and laughter floated out towards me.

I froze with my hand on the door knob. It had been a long time since the house had felt alive.

I closed my eyes and allowed myself to picture the scene I used to return to before the events of the last few years. Sodapop and Steve would be playing poker trying to out cheat each other, Two-Bit would be laying on the sofa drinking a beer telling some outrageous story that'd make Ponyboy squirm and his ears to redden. Dally would be perched on my chair, smoking inside, though he'd put it out with a daring cocked brow when he saw me enter and Johnny would be sitting on the sofa watching everything with equal parts interest and nerves.

If I squeezed my eyes tighter I'd hear my mom making the gang cookies in the kitchen or my father's boots following me up the steps.

Glory, we'd lost too much.

I gripped the door handle tightly and shook my head as I entered the house. Soda and Steve were around the table just like I expected and Two-Bit was draped over the sofa. I tried to push away the pang that hit me in the gut at the empty places.

Soda shot up out of his seat when he saw me and crowed, "Darry!"

I stepped back in surprise as he bounced his way towards me a wide toothy grin on his face. Sodapop was buzzing. The last time I'd seen him so happy was before Ponyboy had been taken.

"Hey guys…." I said slowly, watching as Soda started to pound me on the arm. Two-Bit had moved so he was sitting on his heels and was watching Soda with apt attention and Steve had moved to lean in the doorway but he was smiling. "What's going on?" I shrugged off Soda and he perched on the arm of the sofa.

"You're off on Saturday right?"

I scratched my head, the way the three of them were watching me was making me nervous. "Yeah, Ponyboy's coming and I wanted to spend some time with him." I paused as Soda locked eyes with Steve sending him a look that was much too proud of himself and seemed to say I told you so. I narrowed my eyes at the sight. "Why?"

"You'll have to see Pony after your interview." Soda was beaming from ear to ear and I smiled in return out of habit before his words sunk in.

"Wait, what interview?"

Steve crossed his arms and smirked. "The one Soda got for you by chasing down a no good hood."

Soda simply beamed and bounced in place, clearly not feeling the need to explain any further. "Uh….What?!" I sputtered.

Two-Bit burst out laughing. "Glory Darry, where's all that learning that got yah into college?"

I glared at him though he wasn't appropriately cowed by it if you asked me. "I'd understand if any of you were making a lick of sense."

Soda hopped off the sofa and put his hands up. "Alright, alright." He chuckled and I couldn't help my lips from turning up again. It had been a while since I'd seen this side of him.

I crossed my arms and waited.

"So, a lady was held up today at the DX today. Some punk pulled a switch on her behind the dumpster and I got her purse back for her." Soda rattled off matter of factly.

Steve barked out a sharp laugh. "He startled the grease and then chased him down when he took off with the loot." He moved to Soda's side and leaned on his shoulder. "For a second there I thought it was Ponyboy, the way he streaked past."

Soda beamed and pushed Steve off of him. I couldn't help frowning.

"Soda," I started, the clear warning of the lecture that was about to come his way. "You can't just run headlong into danger…"

"Woah Darry!" Soda chuckled and put his hands up to stop me from continuing. "Just let me finish, then you can lay into me if you'd like."

My brow furrowed and I shifted my weight restlessly but I waited for him to continue.

"Anyway, the lady and her husband, Mr. Canfield, were very grateful for my help and asked how they could repay us." Again he and Steve exchanged a sly look, both of them grinning like loons and started giving each other jabs in the arm. I rolled my eyes, silently asking for the patience to deal with these greasers before I loudly cleared my throat. It was enough to draw their attention and Soda said with a self-satisfied smirk. "Shoot, so I asked him to give you an interview."

I blinked owlishly at him, not quite understanding what he meant. I opened my mouth to ask him to explain but snapped it shut when I found that I couldn't figure out how to put it into words. I had too many questions. What job was it for? What company did this Canfield own? Was it something I was qualified for? Was it a job that could help save us?

Two-Bit howled. "Shoot Darry, you look like you've just been smacked with a two by four."

I ignored the idiot as I tried to sort out what they'd just told me. My brother had stopped a mugger and somehow gotten me an interview out of it. No matter how many times I ran that through my head, it wasn't clearing anything up. I ran my hand over my face. Only Sodapop Curtis would get me into these situations. "I have an interview tomorrow for what exactly?"

"Mr. Canfield owns Canfield Construction. He's looking for a few labourers and a foreman. He wouldn't agree to just give you a job but he's agreed to an interview. You were one of the best workers Mr. Franklin ever had, he'd be crazy not to hire you."

I sat down heavily on my chair, not sure my legs would hold me much longer. I was familiar with Canfield Construction, my old company had roofed homes built by them before, they did quality work. This was what I'd been trying to get, a chance to work for a reputable company like Canfield's. Emotion welled up in my stomach and caught in my throat.

I looked up and met Soda's eyes. He was grinning like a mad man but his eyes were so warm and I could see the glistening of trapped tears. He bobbed his head quickly.

"Yeah Darry. You get this job and we can get Pony back." He breathed the words so quietly but it carried across the room. I sucked in a breath. I couldn't let myself hope for such a thing. It was only an interview so far. I could clearly see that Soda already believed that it was a done deal, that my getting the job was certain. Ever the rational one, I couldn't be as sure, but this was the first real opportunity I'd gotten since Bill had fired me.

Hope started to grow in my heart, despite my head telling it not to believe just yet. A smile grew on my face and even though it didn't seem possible Soda's got larger.

Two-Bit jumped up from the sofa. "Let's celebrate, break out the bubbly boys!" He pumped his fist in the air.

Steve cuffed him on the back of the head. "He ain't gonna get any job if he's hung over tomorrow morning, you moron."

"Besides," Soda said. "I'm beat. I only stayed up to give Darry the news."

"Saving women and children is exhausting work for us heroes." Two-Bit sighed, laying his hand over his heart.

Steve scoffed. "Two-Bit, you haven't done any more work in your life then lifting a beer bottle to your mouth."

"Hey, I stand by my work. It ain't easy drinking all those and still being able to do this." He started to walk a straight line, interchanging touching his pointer fingers to his nose as if he'd been pulled over by the fuzz. Soda gave him a shove and Two-Bit fell like a tree almost taking out our coffee table. Soda whooped and dove on top of him, trying to get him in a headlock. I sighed at their antics. I'd already fixed that table three times this past year.

I pulled myself out of my chair and grabbed my brother by the scruff of his shirt, pulling him off of Two-Bit to look at me.

"What time did he say he'd see me?"

"Nine o'clock, but he said you can call the office if you need it later in the day."

I shook my head. "Naw, nine is fine. I'm gonna get some rest. Can you pick up Pony for me?"

Soda craned his head around in my grasp. "You up for the drive, Steve?"

"Yeah sure, I'll be the kid's chauffeur tomorrow." Steve quipped. "But only so you can focus on your interview Muscles."

"Gee thanks." I said and unceremoniously dropped Soda before turning down the hall. He landed like a cat and the scuffling that ensued told me that the wrestling match had picked up where it left off.

I breathed deeply as I entered my room. They were putting an awful lot of pressure on me. I dropped back onto my bed and covered my face with my hands. I couldn't let this get the best of me. Sure, this was the first interview that had the potential of pulling us out of the hot water, but I couldn't allow myself to focus on that. If I did I'd crumble to pieces and not be able to function.

I groaned and my fingers dug into my hair. My body was exhausted and aching but my mind wide eyed and running in circles. I wasn't gonna get any sleep tonight that was for sure.

Glory, it was gonna be a long night.

I pulled the truck into our driveway and grinned as I saw my youngest brother settled on the sofa on the porch, a halo of smoke surrounding his head. Try as I might, I couldn't get that weed fiend to quit smoking but I've been trying to bite my tongue. The worst thing I could do would be to pick a fight with him the moment he walks through the door when I only get to see him once a week.

Ponyboy's head shot up as I slammed the truck door and he just about clear jumped outta his skin. I chuckled to myself. Of course he would be day dreaming and not notice me pull up. Some things just never changed.

"Darry!" He called and he stood up from the sofa, stomping out his smoke under his tennis shoe. I hopped up the front steps, my feet light. I grabbed him and swung him around pulling his feet right from under him. Ponyboy yelped indignantly and I burst out laughing in return. I deposited him back on his feet and he stepped back from me, his eyebrow cocked, studying me like he didn't recognize me. Like I was some escaped lunatic and not his older brother. "What is going on with you?"

I reached out and ruffled his greased hair, causing him to bat me away and to quickly comb it back into place with a comb that appeared from his back pocket. I rolled my eyes. "Can't I just be happy to see yah?"

Ponyboy eyed me, looping his thumbs in his jeans but he allowed a small smile to grow. The front door clattered open, interrupting us, and Sodapop stuck his head out. "Darry? How'd it go?"

Ponyboy's head swiveled between the two of us. "How'd what go?" He narrowed his eyes at me. "Where ya been, Dar?"

I glanced at Soda and he shrugged his shoulders. "I thought I'd let you tell him... depending on how it went." He waggled his eyebrows at me, reminding me that my middle brother had never been known for his patience.

I pushed my hands into my pockets and dropped my head. He'd been dizzy with excitement all morning, sure that this was the thing we needed to get our family back together.

Soda sagged in the doorway as he watched me, all his barely contained elation disappearing in a second, before moving towards me. He patted my arm, his eyes gentle. I bit back a smirk. "It's okay, Dar. They'll be other chances." He comforted, though his voice was flat.

"I got the job."

Soda froze and stared at me, his eyes growing to the size of dinner plates.

"You got it?" He breathed, his hand still resting on my arm. I patted it gently and allowed the grin I'd been holding in to break across my face.

"I got it!"

It was like a live wire touched him, because he suddenly jumped and a shout of joy rang from his lips. He dived at me, his arms strangling me around the neck in his enthusiasm but it didn't bother me none. I just hugged him back hard.

Ponyboy was still standing a few feet away, looking at his two knucklehead brothers like we'd lost our ever loving minds.

"Alright." He huffed, crossing his arms in front of him with a frown. "Are either of you gonna explain what's going on?"

Soda and I just laughed. I reached out and pulled Pony towards us. Pony allowed the two of us to wrap our arms over his shoulders though he was still pouting.

"I got a job as a labourer for Canfield Construction this morning." I said and Pony gasped. I looked down and saw hope bloom in the depths of his green eyes. "The owner was impressed enough with me that he said he'll keep me in mind for the foreman position depending on how I work out."

"When do you start?" Soda asked, he was starting to bounce in place.

"I'm gonna start Monday." I released my brothers and sat down on the sofa. "I need to give notice to the store, but I'm sure I can get my shifts switched to evenings for the next two weeks."

Pony sat down beside me and pulled out a fresh cigarette. Soda perched himself on the arm of the sofa with his foot propped up on the railing.

Ponyboy struck a match and lit his smoke. He watched the street with eyes that were faraway and weren't really taking in the view. "Does this mean I'll get to come home?" He asked in a voice that was both young and soft. It hit me in the chest when he spoke like that, I could always see a little green eyed boy looking up at me when he sounded like that.

"It's the first step." I said and Soda hooked his arm around Pony's neck. "I'm gonna call Mrs. Wilson on Monday and let her know. We'll get the ball rolling and hopefully we can get a court date set up soon."

Ponyboy nodded and took a drag of his smoke. He drummed his fingers on his jeans and I could almost see his mind whirling on overdrive.

"Remember, the reason you were taken into state custody was because my job could barely cover the bills." Pony glanced my way and nodded again. "Well, Mr. Canfield is gonna pay me just as good as Mr. Franklin ever did and there's a chance of a raise after the first few months. Ain't no reason the court won't let you come home. They aren't in the business of breaking up families."

Neither Soda nor Pony believed that if the identical pinched expressions on their faces were anything to go by. Frankly, I wasn't sure if I believed it either but I needed to hold onto something or I'd fall apart at the seams. They were the ones in the driver's seat after all.

Pony started playing with a hole in the knee of his jeans and I made a mental note to take him shopping for a new pair once my first paycheck came in.

"What if they don't let me come home? What if they come up with another reason? The Donovans are fine and all but I don't wanna have to wait until I'm 18 to live with you again." Pony's words picked up speed and his voice grew higher and higher as he spoke.

"Woah Pone." Soda said, pulling him tighter to his side and rubbing circles on his back. "Sure, we still have some hoops to jump through but let's just be happy today. Everything will work out, you'll see."

Pony turned his head, his eyes searching my face for the same confidence that he found in Soda's words. I nodded and curled my arm around his shoulders which were tense and rigid, pushing any uncertainties that I felt aside. I tugged him into my side and after a moment he allowed his body to lean into my side. "You ain't gotta worry, Pony. I'm not gonna give up. I'm gonna do whatever it takes until you're home. you dig?" Sodapop was right, today we were gonna just be happy. Tomorrow I'd worry about the details. One thing I knew for certain, I was never gonna give up on Ponyboy.

Ponyboy looked up at me to send me a small smile. I wasn't sure if he thought that he'd be coming home soon, but he was willing to lay his worries aside if I asked him to. We'd come a long way.

I pulled myself to my feet. "I was thinking we could have burgers for lunch."

Pony leaned back against the busted springs of the old sofa. "That sounds just fine."

Soda bobbed in agreement. "Maybe we can get Steve and Two-Bit over later for a game of football in the lot?" He offered and he sprang off the sofa to half drag Pony into the house.

"Hey! Quit it Soda, I ain't finished my smoke." Pony protested and shook off our crazy brother's grip. Soda howled with laughter and loped into the house.

I shook my head at the pair of them. Ponyboy settled himself back on the sofa, his back pressed against the arm with his feet propped on the other side. I stood there in the doorway watching him as the smoke curled and twisted around him. The tension in his muscles that I hadn't realized he'd been holding loosened and he relaxed into the worn upholstery like he was part of it.

He looked more content then I'd seen him look all month and I couldn't get myself to move away from the door if I tried.

Part of me was crowing with joy that I'd finally gotten the job I needed and part of me was hoping that everything from here on in would be straightforward.

This was where Ponyboy belonged and I would do anything in my power to bring him home for good. I moved into the kitchen to start lunch, my feet feeling as light as air and a large grin across my face.

We were finally on the right path.