Here is another chapter. Please read and review.

ANYONE POV

Dally pulled up at the school and immediately spotted the youngest greaser waiting by the steps. Pony was staring at the ground as he was taunted by three older guys.

"Hey, it's Brainy Curtis, too bad about your old man dying. Course he prolly wrecked on purpose to get away from you."

Ponyboy stood stoically as they pushed him knowing he couldn't take on three of them. Johnny rushed over pushing Pony behind him.

"Hey boys," Dally strolled up to the group sending them a glare that had the bullies backing away.

"You ready?"

"Yeah," Pony mumbled.

"Let's go then," they went to the car.

"Where's Darry?"

"He sent me to get you, we'll pick him up on the way," he looked at Pony in the mirror. "Does that happen often?" he asked.

"Yeah, since Mom and Dad died," Pony admitted.

DARRY POV

I sat on the porch watching Sodapop run down the sidewalk. I'd tried to get the kid to talk to me, but he just got angry.

"I'll talk to him, you go enjoy the afternoon with Pony and Johnny," Steve told me before chasing his best friend. Ten minutes later Dally drove up. That defiantly was not a happy looking group. I wondered why, but when they didn't say anything neither did I. We had wondered briefly why the boys didn't want to ride the bus with their buddies, Pony said he wanted to go with us.

Dally pulled into the parking lot and we got out. It was already hot and the stands were crowded with kids running around. Pony wasn't looking real well so before we took our seats, I asked if he wanted a hot dog.

"I'm not hungry," he told me.

"Did you eat lunch?"

"No, didn't want to," he said as we sat down.

"Pony, you didn't have breakfast either," I said.

"Hey D.S., lay off the kid for a while. He's fine," Dally told me grinning.

Pony looked from me to Dally then back to me.

"All right," I agreed grinning back.

DARRY POV

Pony was acting funny, and I knew he wasn't paying attention to the game because I would catch him watching me. After a couple of innings the boys went to get snow cones and Dally told me why Ponyboy was so down. It was about half an hour before they came back and Pony's eyes were red like he'd been crying. I nodded when my little brother asked if we could leave. We decided to get some hot dogs and go by the lake for a late lunch.

Despite Pony being quiet, it turned out to be a good day because when him and Johnny went exploring in the woods, Dally and me had some time alone.

"D.S., are you thinking about adopting Pony?"

"I don't know yet, that is something that Pony, Soda and me have to discuss. I should have done it already, but I know Soda is going to react badly to it."

"Might not be a bad idea to do it tonight."

"All right, when we get home," we sat awhile enjoying each others company.

ANYONE POV

Johnny and Pony were walking back to the tables when Johnny stopped and motioned for Pony to be quiet. Darry touched Dally's cheek and he turned his face toward the gentle touch.

"Johnny, do you think they like each other?" Pony whispered.

"No Pony, I think they love each other. Would it bother you if they did?"

"Not as long as Darry's happy."

"Come on, let's leave them alone a minute," they went back the way they'd come and made a lot more noise when they did go back.

"Dally, Ponyboy found a turtle."

"He did, where is it?"

"It's a baby one. Can I keep it Darry?"

"Pony, we don't know anything about turtles and he might miss his home if we take him away."

"I'll put him back."

When the group got home, Soda was already asleep so the talk would have to wait.

DARRY POV

I was exhausted after a long day at work. All I wanted was a cold drink, my bed and a few hours of peace and quiet. I shook my head there was homework to check, bills to pay and dinner to make. Walking into the house, I found Ponyboy sniffling in Soda's arms. I noticed the other guys around before focusing my tired mind on my kid brothers. When Pony saw me standing in the doorway, he ran to me.

"Darry, when you adopt me, can I call you Daddy?" he whispered, but Soda heard. His eyes grew wide and he flew outside.

"What's wrong Little Man?" I asked softly. My hand smoothed back his hair trying to bring him out of his near-frenzied state. He shrugged and leaned against me as we sat on the couch till he calmed down, then I went to talk to Sodapop. God, would this ever get any easier? My head was pounding again. I hadn't had a bad headache in a while and hoped they were not going to be occurring regularly.

"Soda, what's the problem?" I asked standing in front of him.

"Nothing!" he snapped glaring at me.

"I see well I can't make you talk, but I also can't help if you won't let me."

"I feel like you are taking him away from me and he's forgetting them already. Out with the old and in with the new."

I took a deep breath when he looked away.

"I'm not trying to take Pony away. I'm trying to bring us all closer together. He needs us both, Sodapop, look at me," I stared into his chocolate brown eyes. "Ponyboy has not forgotten anyone. He's still in a lot of pain and is dealing with it the best way he can."

DARRY POV

"That little boy isn't hurting anyone and we both know it. I should have talked to you about this, but I didn't want to worry you. Pony overheard Lisa when she came by wanting to adopt you both. Of course I said no, but Pony said if he had to get a new Dad, he wanted it to be me."

"That bitch," he fumed.

"Soda, you should know that in a few months if Pony still wants me to, I will adopt him."

DARRY POV

"Darry, how can you pretend to be Dad? Doesn't it hurt you?" he asked tearfully.

"I'm not pretending to be Dad. Little Buddy, I hurt because my baby brother is in so much pain. He knows who I am Sodapop. I'm still his brother, no matter what name Pony calls me, I'll always be his big brother. Please don't give him a hard time about this. One day I'll be plain, old Darry again."

"I don't understand and I don't like it, but I don't want to hurt him any more so I'll go along and won't say anything to him," he grew quiet a minute then looked at me again.

"Darry, you'll never be plain. As big brothers go, you're the best."

"Thanks Little Buddy," I told him.

"Can I go out with Steve?"

"Yeah, but be back by midnight."

DARRY POV

Tomorrow was Saturday and as far as I knew no one had to be anywhere so we planned a cookout. Pony and Johnny went to bed at 11:00. I sat down to do some bills waiting on Soda to get home. When Dally came in, after glancing at me, he went to my room. Two-Bit was on the couch and said he must have been tired. I agreed though I'd also seen his pale face and pain-filled eyes so after Soda got home, I went to see about him.

Dally was lying on his back, one arm across his eyes, the other around his middle. When I opened the door, he looked at me.

"You all right?" I asked cautiously.

"Fine! I got in a fight with Shepard. No big deal."

"How's your ribs?"

"Sore as hell. A kiss would make it better," he flirted with me.

"Would it now?" I grinned before leaning over and kissing the love of my life.

"D.S., come here," he commanded. I slowly lowered myself beside Dally, kissing him again. He laced his fingers through my hair and tried to deepen it. I stopped him.

"Not tonight Ace, you're hurt. Those ribs need time to heal. I'll hold you tonight, but that's all."

"I need you Darry," he told me.

"You've got me babe, just not tonight," I replied pulling the blanket over us.

DARRY POV

I could tell Dally didn't like it, but he eventually nodded against my chest and was still. When Pony's nightmares came we were both sleeping peacefully. I left Dally to go comfort my scared little brother. This time he called for Soda and me, not our parents. Maybe he was beginning to heal. By the time Pony was sleeping again, it was time for me to get up anyway so I went to start coffee. I wasn't surprised to see Dally stumble in minutes later. I winced at the large purple bruise on his side.

"Want me to wrap that?" I asked knowing he'd refuse.

"Naw, I'll be fine. I'm gonna head out now. See ya later," after giving me a quick kiss, he left.

There was two months of the school year left and parent/teacher conference time was today. I was meeting with Pony's teacher at 4:00. When I got there, Lisa Clarke was talking to the teacher. Pony got up when I knocked on the door.

"Sit down Ponyboy, don't be rude," she told him.

I held my hand out to him.

"Come here Pony. He doesn't have to listen to you. Lisa, what are you doing here?"

"I feel your mother would want me to look after her baby."

"That's a load of bull. My mother is gone and so is your reason for being around my family. Pony and Soda are well-taken care of. I'd appreciate it if you'd leave so I can talk to Pony's teacher now."

She left fuming about ungrateful people.

"Miss Albright, sorry about that," I apologized.

"It's all right Mr. Curtis, I was wondering why she was here."

"Call me Darry," I told her with a grin.

"Only if you call me Sara. Maybe Pony should wait in the library," she suggested.

"Am I in trouble?" he asked quietly.

"No, I thought you might get bored here."

He looked at me.

"You can stay. Come sit with me," he did and I wrapped an arm around him.

DARRY POV

"Okay well Darry, Pony's grades are all right. They dropped a little, but considering the circumstances he's been through that's understandable. He's been having some problems with a couple of the older boys, but that's to be expected since he skipped a few grades. All in all if he keeps up the good work, Pony will pass with all A's," she smiled at Pony and then looked at me.

I turned to Pony.

"Hey Little Man, I saw Johnny waiting for us outside, why don't you see if he's still here?"

"All right," he got his stuff and went out the door. I leaned against her desk, arms across my chest.

"What else?" I demanded.

"Is Pony doing okay at home? He seems quieter than usual in class."

"My little brother is fine. He's finally moving on. Pony is the baby and he took it a lot harder than Soda and me."

"If there is anything I can do to help or if you ever need to talk, please feel free to call me," she smiled at me.

Miss Albright was a pretty woman, but all I could think of as she flirted with me was Dallas and his icy eyes, his smile, the way he felt in my arms.

"I'm sure that won't be necessary, but I thank you for the offer. I better go now."

"Thank you for coming in," she told me as I was leaving.

DARRY POV

"What did Miss Albright want after I left?" Pony asked when I arrived at the car to find Dally waiting with the boys.

"She wanted to know how you were doing at home and she flirted a lot."

"Aw Darry, you can't date my teacher," Pony grumbled.

Looking at Dally I replied, "Pony, I can honestly say I'm not the least bit interested in dating Miss Albright."

Dally smirked and managed to squeeze my leg. Soda had dinner ready when we got home. Later the guys had the tv and radio blasting, I thought they were being loud because my head was throbbing.

To make my night even worse, Lisa called demanding to see Soda and Pony. I told her there was no way in hell she would. After slamming the phone down, I went to my room. I needed a few minutes to calm down. A few hours later everyone was gone or asleep and I was sitting on my bed when the door opened.

ANYONE POV

Dally gathered Darry in his arms and spoke in a hushed voice, "If you need someone to lean on baby, I'm here."

"I've been on my own a long time Ace, I haven't had to worry about anyone," Darry blinked back tears, his blue eyes bright. "I didn't want to need anyone, I don't want to care anymore. This is all too much for me, why can't you see that?" his voice barely above a whisper.

"I can see your scared to death to let someone in. Don't be, I would never hurt you."

"Dally, I can't...I mean what do you want from me?"

Dead silence filled the room while Dally studied him. His face was unreadable, void of all emotion what so ever.

"Nothing at all. It's obvious what I want, you don't," he turned and swiftly walked to the door. "I'll leave now, I'm Dallas Winston, I don't need you or anyone else," he told him going into the hall where he paused and looked back. Darry stood wide-eyed unable to believe what was happening.

"I hope you find what ever you need to make you happy, it's obviously not me," he left slamming the door, leaving Darry's heart breaking as tears flowed down his face thinking oh God, he'd lost his tuff greaser.

Dally walked through the lot, his feet tiredly moving, the moon was full in the dark sky. He sighed deeply. This was exactly why he didn't want to love anyone, he'd prolly lost Darry's friendship as well as any chance of a relationship with him.

"Dammit," Dally rasped in the silence of the night. He kept seeing the hurt in those blue eyes he loved. The tears that had threatened to fall, tears he caused.

ANYONE POV

Reaching the edge of the lot, he heard footsteps behind him. Knowing who it was, he stopped to wait for Johnny.

"Hey Johnnycakes, you should be sleeping."

"I thought you might need someone to talk to. Dally, are you all right?" Johnny asked with genuine concern.

"No I'm not," he finally admitted. "Wanna go to the lake?" he asked quietly.

"Sure," Johnny agreed so they went to get Buck's car. Neither said much on the drive.

Standing at the waters edge, the two boys stared at the dark sky. Johnny was quiet giving Dally time to sort out his jumbled thoughts.

"I've lost him Johnny," Dally finally spoke in a low pain-filled voice. "He slipped right through my fingers," the blond greaser dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

Johnny knelt beside him, tears burning his eyes, his heart aching for the man he considered brother.

"No! Dal, you can still have what you want."

"I told him I was leaving," he said flatly.

"Why?" Johnny wanted to know because he didn't understand Dally or his reasoning.

"Because I love Darry. He's confused and needs to figure out what he wants. I love him Johnny," he repeated.

"What are you going to do?" Johnny asked sitting in the sand.

"I don't have a clue. Any ideas?" Dally asked joining him.

"Go talk to Darry, tell the man how you feel."

"I don't know if I can."

After a long while Dally stood up.

"Come on, I need to get you back for school tomorrow."