Discalimer: See previous chapters.

A/N: Here it is: the final chapter. Don't worry it's longer than the last one. It's been a great journey. I truly hope this satisfies you guys who have been faithfully reading this story. It was the hardest bit to write. It also has a lot of violence in it so, if that bothers you, don't read. Also, if it does, why do like The Outsiders so much? As always, please leave feedback.

Babygirl

"Yep, it's an original name, but my dad was an original person..."

Chapter 16: Still the South Side II

Days passed without inceidence. Days went on like a train in the middle of your goodnight's sleep. I waited for the train to end, but as one passed others took its place in a weary, vicious cycle.

It's funny when sometimes things happen don't seem like a big deal at and then they change your life forever. Well, one day sister Treadwell asked me what was bothering me and I told her, casually, of John and Milly fighting was bothering me. She shook her head in understanding, then quickly excused herself. She had a meeting, I guessed. I guessed wrong.

She went to the Priest. Apparently, she didn't know that things were rough all over. They didn't think I ought to be in a home like that. They, a clergy authority and expert in child care, filed charges against Milly and John.

I came home to find Eugene no where in sight. Milly wasn't at dinner. John was quiet. I asked him what was wrong. He apologized for me having to go through another custody battle. He said Eugene had to be fired because, after 18 years, he'd finally betrayed the family trust. I chocked on my pot roast. I knew I was supposed to confess. I even wanted too. I didn't. I only excused myself from the table. I lay in room, listening to trains once more, wondering how one ignorant conversation hand managed to mess up our lives.

"Well done, Baby," I told myself.

Nelly and Miles were good friends about it. Emily sent word to my brothers. Miles assured me that his grandfather would be working on the case. Nelly promised that, if I was sent to an orphanage, it wouldn't be so bad because we'd be together.

It's strange how the course of things can change so quickly and irrevocably. What could I do? It was like standing in the middle of a creek, trying to stop the water from flowing. It was hopeless, so I stood still and let it run over me. I wasn't to be in the courtroom this time. They didn't even question me. I was told later a bit about the battle.

John was questioned and he said that he had hit Milly when she'd gotten out of control in an argument, but that was private affair and that it was not related to his childrearing. No one would ever say he'd hurt me. They looked for witnesses, but of course there were none to find. As Miles had promised, Massey won the trial, but John was a new person to me. I had just begun to realize who he had been for me. What he had done in that court, denying Milly's problem at risk to his own life and reputation, had been noble and -what was the word?-maybe ... gallant.

The trial had lasted a long time and I had fallen asleep on the way home. I woke up to find John tucking me into bed. I grabbed his hand gently in the dark. He looked surprised. I lifted my arms up to him, finally childlike, pathetic, and innocent. I got my hug and I think it did as much for him as it did for me. Maybe life wouldn't be so bad if I had John around. Maybe life for John would be better with me around.

The school year was drawing to a close. I behaved, as difficult as it was. Eugene mysteriously appeared back at work. My grades were straight "A"s on my last report card. I had progressed to jumps in ridding lessons and to Beethoven in piano. As a reward for my grades, the t.v. made its great return.

It was week into summer before the events in my life were about to took another turn for the worst. We were going out to see a movie together and were waiting on John to come home. In the kitchen we eating a little someting. I eyed Milly carefully.

She was agitated. She was looking for the change off the counter. She was getting restless. Eugene was a deer caught in the headlights of a really big truck. He couldn't afford to slip on the counter top now. I had a sudden thought. I exited and went to my room as she threw questions at him that he answered with a steady stream of lies.

"No ma'am. No ma'am." What did it matter? To her it was few cents.

I had a few cents from when Nelly had helped me search the house. I tried to slip it on to the counter. the woman was crazy, and we could just tell her and John the money had been there the whole time. The problem was: crazy don't mean stupid. She grabbed my hand as I dropped the coins onto the tiles. She drug me by the wrist into the living room. Eugene moved his chair to get in front of her way. She, in an unnatural strength, pushed him over and out the way.

I just started crying. It just sort of happened. I wailed and sobbed, but she didn't care. When, at last, we reached the point she had aimed for she twisted my wrist painfully, jerking me up. She was loudly demanding in a forced calm for me to confess. I tried to tell the truth, but she wasn't interested and was getting really angry. I was scared and she was as strong as John. I yelled for him and she smack me across the jaw. I yelled for him again and she slapped my hand. I yelled and yelled and refused to stand and so she pulled my hair. I stood up and yelled for John and she gave me a swift thump on the back. I yelped like dog.

Then, John stormed in. I'd never been more thrilled to see him. I'd never seen him lose his temper before and I was glad that it looked like he could match her if needed be. For a few terrible seconds, I was rag doll in tug-a-war, then I was in his arms and his chest was heaving and reverberating with his yells. A candle holder whizzed by and smashed something across the room. He fled with me in his arms.

He locked and barricaded us in the dinning room. We actually sat under the table. He held me like Darry had after a nightmare, with me wrapped, and practically knotted, around him. He rubbed my hair as I buried my face in his chest. His voice crackled like Rice Crispies as he inspected me for lasting injuries.

This wasn't supposed to happen. People didn't live like this, except Johnny... and Steve, and Mark, and me too, I guess. From the outside, I thought, the house looks as neat and quiet as ever; like a ginger bread house with sweet, pink frosting all around the edges.

That was the difference. It was rough all over, but the South side had things rough in a quieter, more expensive way that didn't show so much on the outside. The North side looked as rough as it felt, and as poor.

Milly sounded like a devil, or person in pain, or both. Maybe she was both. It was a sound you wanted to end, but couldn't go near to stop it. We were scared for ourselves, but we scared for her too.

I tired to remind myself that trouble looks different ways, but its trouble from any way you stand. My brothers had been in more dangerous fights. Milly was sober without chains, heaters, or a blade. I was trembling. I wasn't cry, I realized. Why wasn't I cry? Shouldn't I be crying? I was clutching onto John like my only life-line.

"It's okay Baby." he offered breathlessly. "It's okay." He knew it wasn't. I knew it too. It still felt good. I guess, that's just something people need to hear.

The next day dawned, and I found I was surprised. After some days, we just don't expect that same brightness to rise again tomorrow. However, I knew that day was the end of school for me, and in some ways I was happy, as all kids are when summer begins.

After I rode Mickey Mouse that afternoon, John took me for an ice-cream Sunday and then to a baseball game. It was one of the most fun times I'd ever had. He wasn't buying me off either. He had the same day as I had yesterday. He just wanted some fun. I was tired as we headed home. The drive was long, but with the top down and the cool breeze in the balmy summer night I soon drifted off.

The car ride seemed to go on and on, but I didn't mind. It seemed like we could be out in the country by now. I had been there before and it was nice. There was a lot of room to play and you could stay out after dark.

John nudged me and said something odd. I didn't register it, because I was half asleep.

"Baby, I'm gonna tell you what I ought to have told that judge. I can give you anything in the world you want to wear. I can give you classes in anything you want to learn. I can feed you well. I can even love you, but even I can't protect you. Milly's sick, she can't help it, I suppose, but it's not right to put you through that. I'm sorry for being so selfish. The North side's rough, but you got big, tough brothers. I guess three of them can keep an eye on you better than anyone else. Don't be a stranger, kid-o."

As I slipped off into the comfortable darkness around me, I barely registered the steps up which his arms were carrying me this time. I didn't recognize the different, yet familiar smell that was now around me. Ironic, isn't it? After all that time of longing, I didn't even realize when I was home at last.

A/N: Yep-I said it- home at last. I have a little epilogue I've been planning since the beginning for you, so don't worry, one last thing will be posted. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this story, my writing, what you'd like to see in the future from me...whatever. Feel free. Thanks again for reading!