Darry was pleased with the plan he had come up with for the house. He couldn't wait for Soda to get on board, because that would be never. The next morning, he got himself ready for work and didn't bother saying bye to Soda. As Darry got downstairs, Steve threw a pillow at him from the couch. Apparently he decided not to share the bed with Soda that night.

"What?" Darry asked.

"Ask her out," Steve whispered with his eyebrows raised.

"Get off my back," Darry laughed.

"Two-Bit will ask her out if you don't. Just let that be your motivation."

Darry shook his head, "Get Soda to his appointment please."

"I will. I'll go wake him up."

"I'll talk to you about how it goes later."

"Alright see you later."

Steve wasn't looking forward to facing Soda that morning. His mood was so jumpy, but Steve didn't blame him. He just didn't know what Soda he'd be dealing with. They might get along or they might be ripping each other's throats out. When Steve entered the bedroom, he found Soda already awake, staring out the window. "Hey, time to get up sleeping beauty."

Soda looked up at Steve, but he didn't look angry or upset. He looked lost, and it worried Steve. "What am I suppose to tell this person?"

"Anything you want."

"I don't want to talk about the accident and how no one believes me on what happened."

Steve bit his lip, knowing this wasn't the time to get into it, "Well, you don't have to then. Just talk about what you want, whatever is on your mind."

Soda sat up and got out of bed to get dressed, "Alright. I'll be down in a few minutes."

"We have work after the appointment too."

"Alright."

Soda took his time getting into Steve's car. He almost wanted to bring up the accident and his memory being challenged. He wanted to prove everyone they were wrong and he was right. Maybe then Darry wouldn't think moving was the best option for them. "Do you want me to go in with you?" Steve asked as they sat in the parking lot.

Soda shook his head, "I don't think so. Maybe I'll get more out alone."

"Well, I'll come in and wait in the waiting room, just in case."

"Thanks," Soda said opening the passenger door. They walked up towards the building. Steve was feeling just as nervous as Soda, unsure what was going to happen.

As Soda grabbed the door to open it, he turned towards his best friend, "Steve, I'm sorry we've had some not so fun conversations the past couple days. I don't want us to be mad at each other."

"It's fine man. I understand where it's all coming from."

"I know I said sorry already, but I really didn't mean to call you a mental case over your medicine. I know that has nothing to do with any of this," Soda said.

Steve nodded, "I appreciate that buddy."

"Have you been taking your medicine okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," Steve quickly answered, not wanting to get further into it.

When Soda got taken into a room, Steve thought back to last night. After Soda and Darry had turned in for the night, Steve was on the couch watching TV and Two-Bit stayed awhile to make sure he took his pill. It wasn't as easy as the night before.

"I can't swallow it," Steve said through short breaths. He could feel his chest get tighter, the weight growing too heavy. He coughed violently, as if he was actually choking, and spit the pill into the sink.

"Steve, just sit down. You need to take yourself one step at a time. First just sit down."

Steve sat himself down on the kitchen chair. He took slow breaths to get himself grounded. This struggle was driving him crazy. He hated it all. He hated that he needed to take it, or his body could go into shock again.

"Okay, now just hold it in your hand." As Two-Bit placed a fresh pill in Steve's hand, Steve looked down at it. "Just keep breathing. Don't do anything else until you've relaxed." Steve looked up at Two-Bit and back down to the pill, waiting to see if his body would panic again.

"How do you know so much therapy bullshit?" Steve asked.

"That's a long story," Two-Bit simply said, and even Steve could tell he wasn't playing around. "Once you seem okay, just put it in your mouth, but don't try to swallow it yet. Keep making yourself level until you move onto the next step."

"You seem distracted today."

Darry looked up from his burger at Janie. She had invited him to go to the Tasty Freeze for lunch. He felt bad for not paying as much attention to her. He could only wonder how Soda's appointment was going. On the other hand, now that he was taking it all in, Darry could tell she had actually put some planning and time into her appearance today. Maybe he would have to take Steve's advice.

"Sorry," Darry said, "I'm just worried."

"About what?"

"My brother."

"Is he still freaking out about the house? Have you guys started fixing it up yet?"

Darry shook his head, "We'll get started this weekend. He just went to a counselor today."

"Because of the house?" Janie asked.

Darry shrugged, "He's had some other issues going on, but I don't want to get into them right now."

"Of course," Janie said as she took a bite of her chicken sandwich, "I'm sorry it's bothering you though. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Darry thought for a minute, "Well..."

"Hello Soda," the woman smiled, "My name is Jessica. I'll be your therapist."

"Hi Jessica," Soda said with a half-smile.

"So your older brother is the one who called? Darrel?"

"Yeah he did."

"Do you know why he called?"

Soda shrugged, "I guess I just haven't been doing well with the grieving."

"And what is it your grieving?"

"My little brother passed away a few weeks ago."

"Oh my, I'm so sorry to hear that Soda," Jessica sighed, "Only a few weeks ago, that's got to be very hard."

"It has been. Our parents died just over a year ago and now..." Soda looked down.

"You and Darrel have gone through a lot, a lot more than many people go through."

"Yeah...we have."

"So after your parents died, where did you all live?"

"We all stayed home. Darry kept us all together."

"Oh wow, that's really amazing of him."

"Yes, he made a big sacrifice," Soda said.

"And I can only imagine you guys stayed really close together with that time," Jessica said, "Were you guys really close before this experience of just you three living together?"

"Oh yeah," Soda nodded, "I was close with both of them. They butted heads from time to time, but it was understandable stuff."

Jessica smiled, "So, do you want to share with me how your little brother passed away?"

Soda thought for a minute before shaking his head, "Not really."

"Alright," Jessica said, "No problem, we don't have to talk about it right now. Do you want to talk about the feelings you've been experiencing since his passing?"

"A lot."

Jessica nodded, "I'm sure you are. Have you felt sad, angry, or even furious?"

"Yes."

"How about overwhelmed or unresolved?"

"Yeah," Soda slowly nodded as he folded his hands together. He began moving his fingers a lot.

"And how about anxious or worried?"

"Yes."

"Worried about yourself?"

"A little."

"What worries do you have with yourself?"

Soda shrugged, "Just how I'm going to move on."

"Have you felt hopeless? Has it crossed your mind to wonder if life is worth moving on without your brother?"

Soda didn't say much to Steve after the appointment. He just said they had talked about his feelings and that was it. After her question about feeling hopeless, Soda was silent the rest of the time. Jessica would say some things, but Soda didn't want to answer anymore. He didn't want to tell her about his helpless feelings or what he wanted to do the day Pony passed. Soda figured his answer to Steve wasn't a complete lie, and he just wanted to get to work and not think about it anymore. While the boys were at work, the DX phone rang.

"Hello, DX?" Soda answered.

"Hey buddy."

"Oh, hi Darry."

"How did it go?"

"It was good. We talked about Ponyboy and just some feelings with it, but I didn't talk about the accident yet."

"That's fine buddy, as long as you talk about something. How do you feel?"

"I'm doing okay. I feel kind of tired from it though."

"I know. I'm sorry I couldn't have been there."

"It's okay. Steve was helpful. I feel bad that we've gotten in some fights lately," Soda admitted.

"It's all okay buddy," Darry said, "We'll talk about it plenty tonight, okay?"

"Sure okay."

"And if you ever want me to sit in on a session with you, just let me know and we'll arrange that."

"I know. Thanks Darry."

"Good, can I talk to Steve for a minute?" Darry asked.

"Sure." Soda set the phone down and walked into the garage. "Hey Steve, Darry's on the phone."

"Oh okay," Steve got his hands washed up before walking into the DX store and picking up the phone. He figured he was going to get asked about Soda's appointment, although he wouldn't be able to relay much.

"Hey Darry," Steve said.

"Hey Steve, so how did it go for him?"

"He seemed alright," Steve shrugged, "I don't know what they talked about in great detail, but he seems okay."

"Good enough I suppose. I can probably call her tomorrow and see if I should know anything concerning. Anyway, I need you to do me a favor."

"That's all I am to you guys, huh?"

"No of course not Steve."

Steve laughed, "I know, I know I'm just messing with you. What is it?"

"I'm going to need you to tell Soda I'm working late tonight."

"Oh okay, sure. Why? Did something..." before Steve could finish his question, the realization hit him, "Oh shit."

"Keep your mouth shut," Darry said firmly. Steve turned and saw Soda at the fridges stocking beverages.

"Oh my..." Steve gripped the phone out of excitement and whispered, "You asked her out?"

"Yes I did, but don't tell Soda. Just keep it to yourself. I'm going to get off early, get home and shower before you guys get home."

"Sure yeah," Steve smiled, "I'm so excited for you. This must be what it feels like when someone's little sister goes on their first date. I'm happy for you, but I'll be damned if she does anything that upsets you."

"I don't know how to feel about that," Darry chuckled.

"Just feel happy! I can't wait to hear the gossip later."

"Thanks, now get back to work and don't act unnecessarily happy all day."

"Okay, we'll see you tonight." Steve hung up the phone and could tell he was going to struggle to take the silly grin off his face.

A/N: Hello my amazing readers! I know you all strictly read my fanfics, because of your love for The Outsiders (I know, our boys are awesome!) but if anyone has any interest, I have begun posting original stories on Fictionpress. My username is LJ Addyson if you want to search, otherwise the link is on my profile! Go check them out if you'd like, I've been working really hard on them! Thanks in advance :)