I groaned and rolled over as I felt the bed cave in deeply. I opened one eye to see Pony starring down at me. He and Soda had spent the night. He grinned again devilishly. I felt someone pounce on me.

"Shouldn't have slept so late," Soda grinned. "None of your room mates came home last night."

I rolled my eyes. It wasn't like I cared if they came home or not. I wasn't their Mommy. He rolled off of me and took Pony out. "Gentle," I hissed.

Soda was just a little too ruff for my liking. Pony always found it fun, but he wasn't gaining any weight. I was scared Soda was going to break every bone in his fragile little body. "Come on Darry. I'm making breakfast," Soda said.

I pulled Pony's hood over his face. He was still attached to my sweatshirt. "Come on peanut."

"Peanut?" Soda questioned.

I shrugged. "Danny said that's what Pony reminded him of a peanut," I explained.

Soda laughed. "Yeah, I guess he is," he said.

I showered before breakfast but when I came out, Soda left for work with Steve. I grinned at Dally trying to coax Pony to talk. It was ironic as much as Dally swore he hated kids, but he looked after Johnny like a brother, and I swear he was letting Pony grow on him too.

Dallas cursed with frustration. "Why won't he talk to me?"

"He doesn't like you, only talks to people he likes."

Dally scowled. I shook my head at him. "When's that trial?" He asked.

"In a week," I answered. "Think I can give him a protein shake?"

"A what?" Dally asked.

"Protein shake, Coach makes us drink them."

Dally shrugged. If it makes me stronger, it had to help him a little.

"Pony, come here and drink this." I handed him the protein shake.

"Drink," I commanded.

He took a sip, and made a sour face. I grinned. "Just drink it."

"Darry?" Johnny wondered into the kitchen. "Think Pony and I could go see a movie?"

I bit my lip down. Pony still didn't do well with crowds. I looked down at my brother. "You want too?"

He nodded. His said very few things. Usually when he did talk it was in fragments, or he was answering questions. I ran my fingers through his hair.

I backed the truck into the parking spot. "Alrighty, we're here," I said. I had to admit, seeing Gone with the Wind wasn't going to be fun for me. I had to go for many reasons. We climbed out to go sit in the bed of the trunk.

"Hey, I'm grabbing some cokes." Dally said heading off in the direction of the concession stand.

"Hi Darry." Tim's voice came from behind. I whirled around.

"Hi, Tim," I wondered briefly if he was looking for Dally. Curly wasn't any where near him. "Where's the Curly."

"Home, least he should be. How's the kid?" He nodded in Pony's direction.

"He's alright."

"We're on your side." Tim looked at me straight in the face. "We all are, no one hurts one of our own, and then gets away with it."

"Thanks, I need all the support I can get," I told him.

I was never one for movies. Once in a while they were okay, but I could never imagine going to one every week. There was one thing I did hate, love stories. Even with all the action in Gone with the Wind, it was still a love story, and I just couldn't take it. It was ridiculously long. Pony and Johnny were absorbed in the movie. Dally actually fell asleep. The final credit appeared, and I nearly jumped for joy. I loved spending time with my brother; I just couldn't stand movies. Anything else and I wouldn't be so bored. Dally ended up heading straight towards Buck's, like always Johnny followed. It left me and Pony. It was date night for soda and Steve with their girls.

"Okay you? What do you want to do?" I looked over at him. He didn't speak at all today. I was nervous he was going to fall back to completely not speaking. He let out a yawn. "Scratch that, I know what you are going to go do."

He shrugged. I rolled my eyes, and drove toward his foster parent's house. Chris was sitting up when we bounded inside.

"Hey!" He grinned. "How was your weekend?"

Pony didn't answer. So I answered for him. "Friday we played football and watched football. Tonight we saw Gone with the Wind."

"You look a little tired there."

I ran my hand over my face. "Just a little, maybe," I said.

Chris laughed. "Go get your rest tonight. I'll relieve you early of your duties."

"I do have class early tomorrow."

"Go ahead, he has to go to school tomorrow. Three thirty psychologist appointment."

"I have a class at four."

"It's alright." Chris said. "He'll manage."

"Thanks for letting him stay with me." I stuck my hand out.

He shook it. "I ought to be thanking you, it's only less kid to give me gray hair."

I laughed. "Pony, I'm leaving. I'll see you later." I stood up and waved. He was now interested in a book.

I reached the door just in time to feel that familiar tug on my belt loops. I twisted around and gave him a hug. "Look kiddo, I'm tired. I know you are too."

He shook his head. "Let go!" I demanded. "I'm really not in the mood tonight," I warned. I knew my voice was rising. I didn't mean for it too. You just couldn't get cross with Pony. It scared him. I really wanted to avoid that temper tantrum. It wasn't happening. "Okay, baby. Okay"

Chris grabbed him. He pulled Pony down almost so he rested on his knee. "Ponyboy," he began firmly. His voice was soft spoken still. "If you need to express something to Darry, you use words. You're thirteen, that's too big to carry on like this." Pony nearly hyperventilated. "Take a few breaths," He demanded. Pony did, he chilled out a little. "Come down to his level," Chris told me.

I had to kneel with how he was holding him, or maybe I should say restraining. I wasn't used to some stranger telling me how to handle my brother. He sort of reminded me of my Dad. "Tell Darry, you are sorry."

"Sorry," Pony's voice was so quite. I wouldn't have heard him if I were towering over him like I was before.

"Good, now explain to Darry what you want of him," Chris urged.

Pony starred at his feet. "Stay," he said simply.

"Pony, I can't tonight, I have to be in class early."

He looked like he was about to cry. I went to stand up. When he started talking again, "I only feel safe with you."

Chris pulled him in tight. "Honey, you have no reason not feel safe here." He turned Pony's face up so he was looking at him. "Annie and I would never hurt you. I promise you."

"Okay," Pony said.

"Go get ready for bed." Chris let him go.

We both stood up. "Thanks."

"I hope you aren't giving into his tantrums. We have a trial that he has to testify at. When he screamed your name last week, he proved he was ready to talk. Don't allow him to go back."

I nodded. "Good night"

It was the first time I doubted myself. I wasn't doing what was right anymore. I kicked a rock off my front porch. I could hear Matt and Ben watching TV inside. I wasn't ready to go in yet.

"Easy there, or they are going to recruit you to the soccer team," Danny grinned. "Where are the kids at?"

"In their homes." I answered, hoping he would just go inside and let me be.

Danny sat down next to me. "What's wrong with you, rookie?"

"Ever question if what you think is right is?"

He sat down and looked at me. "All the time."

"Sometimes, I think they are better off with their foster parents then me."

"Maybe they are, but they seem happier and more protected when they are with you."

"Yeah, well it feels like I don't know what the hell I'm doing."

Danny patted my back. "I think that's part of being a rookie," he said.