Thanks so much for your answers! Now I know that more than a few people read my story! Also, I don't own The Outsiders (if I did, I would spontaneously combust). This chapter is dedicated to Patrick Swayze!

Darry pov

I got home from a long day at work. We had to finish up roofing a big house, and I mean big. So, obviously, I was tired. Also, I've been working more than usual this week.

I walked through the door, expecting to see Ponyboy, since school ended about two hours ago. Confused, I went into the kitchen, but he wasn't there. I went into Pony and Soda's bedroom, but he wasn't there either. Finally, I opened the door to my bedroom, and couldn't help but smile.

Ponyboy was curled up on my bed, asleep. He looked so small compared to the bed. I bent down by the bed, and kissed his temple. I was hoping that he wouldn't wake up, and he didn't. I wanted him to sleep as much as he could. His nightmares kept him up all night, anyway.

I grabbed some clothes from my dresser, and headed into the bathroom to change. After I finished doing that, I headed back to my bedroom, to check on my baby brother, and saw that he was still sleeping.

I was sitting in my armchair, when the phone rang. I quickly got up to answer it, hoping it wouldn't wake up Ponyboy. I picked it up, and it was Soda.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hey, Darry. Is it okay if I hang out with Steve for awhile?"

"Sure, but are you eating dinner here, or somewhere else?"

"We're probably gonna grab a burger or something."

"Okay, be back by 12. Oh, yeah, guess what I found when I came home?"

"What?"

"I found Pony, curled up on my bed, fast asleep."

I could almost hear the smile in Soda's voice, thinking of our little brother. "Aww, tell him I say hi when he wakes up."

"Okay. Will do."

"See ya later."

"Bye." I hung up the phone, going into the kitchen to start dinner.

I decided to make meatloaf, one of Pony's favorites. I got out two plates, and put them at the table. I went into the living room, and watched TV to pass some time.

Finally, I heard the timer go off. I went into the kitchen, and finished it up. I put it on the plates, and headed to my bedroom.

I opened the door, and sat down on the bed. I pushed his hair back from his forehead.

"Come on, honey. Wake up. Dinner's ready." I said quietly. He started to stir, and he opened his eyes. He looked up at me drowsily. I smiled at him.

"Hey, baby. I just got finished with dinner. Do you want some?" I asked.

"Sure, Darry." He said, his voice slurring from sleep. He slowly got up, and I started to get off the bed, but before I could, I heard Pony say my name.

"Darry?" he said, and when I turned around, he was holding his arms out, like he was reaching for me. I sat back down, and I hugged him. He wrapped his arms around my waist. I didn't know why he was being so affectionate.

"I love you, Darry. I've missed you the past few days." He said. So that's why he's acting like this. I felt bad.

"I love you too. I'm sorry that I haven't been around lately. My boss keeps making me work more than usual. I don't like it either, honey. I said.

"It's okay. Where's Soda?" He asked, confused.

"He's hanging out with Steve, he'll be back later. He told me to tell you that he says hi." I said.

Ponyboy just nodded and he unwrapped his arms from me. I got up and so did he. We went to the table and sat down. We started eating silently.

"So, Pony…Do you wanna do something tonight?" I asked him.

"Something…like…together?" Pony asked, hopeful. I knew that it had been awhile since I hung out with him.

"Yeah, do you have any ideas?" I asked him. He looked puzzled for a moment.

"Uh…maybe we could watch a movie on TV?" he said as a question, not thinking that I would say yes. It wasn't a bad idea. I nodded, and we finished up the rest of our dinner. We both took our plates to the sink and sat down on the couch.

I grabbed my newspaper, and started looking at the movies that were playing on TV tonight, and most of them weren't even good movies, anyway. Ponyboy was looking, or I guess reading over my shoulder, and then he pointed to a certain one. The Innocents. I remembered seeing that one a few years ago. I didn't find it that scary, so I hoped Pony didn't either.

"You wanna see that one, Pone?" I asked him, and he nodded. I looked at the time, and it was starting at 7:00. I glanced at the clock, 6:50. I started flipping through channels to find the right one. I finally found it, and I started talking to Ponyboy.

"Pony, if you get really scared during the movie or something, just tell me, and I'll turn it off, okay?" I asked him, and he did a small glare. I knew that he thought that he was tough, but I was just telling him some advice.

"Okay, fine. I'm just telling you." I said.

We sat watching commercials, until I had a question for him.

"Pony?" I asked.

"Yeah, Darry?" He said, looking up at me.

"Why were you in my room?" I asked because I was wondering about that.

"Oh, yeah, sorry about that. I went in there to return I book I finished and I was going to look for another one, but then I got tired, and layed down on your bed. I guess I fell asleep." He said sheepishly, looking at me like I was going to get angry or something.

"It's okay, Pone. I'm not angry." I said, and we settled in to watch the movie.

We were halfway through the movie, and Pony was getting scared. It wasn't hard to tell, especially when he was moving really close to me. I put my arm around him, and he huddled closer, if that was possible. I put my head by his ear.

"Pony, we can turn it off, if you want." I told him softly.

"No, I c-can handle it, Darry." He said.

The movie was finally over, and Pony's head was buried in my side. I felt bad that he was scared, but I was proud of him for watching the whole movie. It was pretty late now, and Pony was tired, so I figured he should go to bed.

"Baby, its late, why don't you go to bed?" I said.

"Okay….but can I sleep in your bed?" he asked shyly, trying to not to show that he was scared.

"Of course, Pony. Go brush your teeth and get some pjs on. Then, come on to my room." I said to him, and he nodded. He got off the couch and went into the bathroom.

I turned the TV off, and headed to my bedroom. I changed into my pajamas, and walked into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, and went back into my room.

I turned off the lights, and got under the covers. After a few minutes, I heard Pony padding across the hallway to my room. He came in and stood by my bed, and I threw the covers back. He looked unsure, as if whether or not to lie down.

I got tired of him just standing there, so I just grabbed him around the waist and gently pulled him next to me. I began tickling him, and he started laughing.

I finally stopped after a few minutes. Pony tried to stop laughing, and cuddled up to me. I wrapped my arms around him, and kissed his head.

"I love you Pony." I whispered.

"I love you too, Darry." He said to me.

I felt his body relax as he slowly fell asleep. I yawned as I fell asleep, next to my baby.

I changed the title because I didn't like the original title "My Family". If you have any ideas for the next chapter, please send me a message, or in a review. Anyway, please review!!!!!