This has nothing to do with this chapter or my Outsiders fanfic, so if you don't care; just go down and read the story. For those loving ones that do, though; I've started a new fanfic. One that I think is a million times better already than this one. I like my style of writing better, and with this story I can be more in character and intune because I know it so well. It's a Twilight fanfic, but I promise you it's not like that others. It's called Love Lasts Forever. Almost. (I know, geesh. Corny title.) But give it a chance, reviews are great. Thanks guys :)

Soda was thinking a mile a minute. He had too much on his plate. Ponyboy was off again, and nobody could trust him on his own anymore since he hitch hiked to Windrixville. He had to find him. But Dally sounded desperate for help. He wondered momentarily why Dally had called instead of Steve. But that thought was pushed to the back of his mind when he found Ponyboy wandering the streets, borderlining Social terroritory. Soda was in the family truck, so it was easy for him to catch up to his brother.

"Ponyboy, what in the hell are you doing? Get in the car." Soda almost never cursed at Ponyboy, he just couldn't help it. He was too stressed out.

"No."

"What? Pony, c'mon." He asked in a softer, more pleading voice. Ponyboy stood there for a moment, debating whether or not to argue with Soda today. Ponyboy had spend the last half an hour thinking and crying. He looked at Sodapop's worn out expression, and opened the passenger's side door to the beaten up truck.

"Thank you." Sodapop sighed in relief. Ponyboy didn't say anything; but he was always pretty quiet, so Soda didn't think twice about it. They rode for another ten minutes in silence.

"Where are we going?" Ponyboy asked once they had passed their own home.

"Two-Bit's."

"Why?"

"Cause, kid. Dallas and Steve need to get out of there, something isn't right. And we all know we need them here, just as much. So I'm bailing them out. But I'm going to need money. So we're going to see Two-Bit." Ponyboy wasn't surprised, Sodapop would do anything to help out a friend in need, no matter what kind of crazy scheming it involved. Ponyboy jammed his hands into his pockets, searching for any spare change. He found a buck-fifty, had found the fifty cents on the street the day of the tornado, in the Socs neighborhood, and the dollar was all that was left over from when Johnny and him were in Windrixville. He held it out to Soda offeringly.

Soda glanced over, smiling slowly. "Thanks Pony," he said, pulling into Two-Bit's driveway. "Be right back." He got out of the truck and went up to the front door, where Two-Bit's little sister, Jenny, answered. She let Soda in, only for him to return a few minutes later with ten dollars.

"One from Jen, six from his mom, and three he found laying around." Soda said, counting it proudly. I noticed the manilla envelope on top of the dashboard, labeled Paycheck. Ponyboy then realized how serious Soda was about this. He was spending his whole paycheck to help get his bestfriend out of jail.

"And twenty three from Darry's earnings so far this week. He won't notice. I'll say I took a trip to the grocery store, which won't be lying too much. Just try not to eat all of our food, Pony. He won't notice."

They were still a lot short, and Soda had one more idea. They drove West, toward Cherry Valance's house.

_

"Dallas Winston and Steve Randle, please. I have all the money right here." Soda layed it out on the table, as Cherry'd been much too kind and gave them way more than they deserved. The parole officer looked at Soda surprisingly, but took his keys and headed down the long aisle holding rows and rows of cells. He stopped at one near the end, unlocked the door, and out burst Dally, with Steve following slowly and holding his head and wiping his face.

"What happened!" Shrieked Soda, going white.

"I think I need to go get stitches, Soda."

"Darry'll do it for you, but who did this to you?" Soda turned and looked at Dallas in realization. "No.." He stated in disbelief. "Why?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Dallas said, almost prissy. Steve shot him a disgusted look. Soda didn't ask anymore questions.

"Ouch! Darry, that kills man." Steve grimaced while Darry sewed up Steves lip, and eyebrow where Dally's ring had gotten him.

"Suck it up, princess. I'm doing this in your benefit. Hush up and quit your whining." Darry joked.

Dally had gone somewhere, roaming around. He looked pretty upset. Everyone predicted he wouldn't be back for the night. The gang wasn't aware of the fight Dallas and Steve had, all they knew was that Steve was beaten badly; and he and Dally weren't speaking. Sooner, or later they'd put two and two together. Steve thought hastily. He hated Dallas now. He wanted revenge, but at the same time, that would destroy the gang. Without Johnny holding Dally back, who knows what trouble he'd get into, and if he died Steve would feel guilty.

But at the same time, who was Dallas to get Steve thrown in jail and scarred for life physically and emotionally for life?

Life's a drag, Steve thought; lighting up a cigarette after Darry cut the string to his stitches. But it can't get much worse from here on out.

Little did they know, they were soon in for another rude awakening.