I had been home for a few days now. The boys hadn't changed a bit. Today my brother, Sodapop, was taking us out for a "twin day" as our parents used to call it when they'd have us go out just us two. Soda and I didn't get much time together as we both used to work a lot before I left, Soda currently still works at the DX, while myself am going to get my job back at Bucks ranch.

"Soda, how's everyone been? I didn't get to talk to everyone much when I left and was hoping you could give me the ol' rundown." I said as we walked along heading to get some Ice cream and burgers.

Soda smiled at me, "Well there sister dearest, things were very hectic after you left as we were all frantic hunting for you. Two-bit got to not being so much the joker anymore. Steve and I missed our wingman or wingwoman. Pony missed his big sister, while Darry missed his partner in housekeeping. Johnny and Dal missed you something awful. Buck, well, he lost his best horse keeper." Soda finished by laughing at his last comment. I smirked. I had dropped out of school, and due to our situation, Buck paid me a hefty amount of money to watch after and care for his horses during the week. He gave me Friday – Sunday off.

"I'm sorry I did that to you boys. I never meant to upset you all." I mumbled, Soda patted my back and smiled at me.

"Look, Rose, it didn't upset us when we learned why, because we knew you needed to go find yourself. Plus, you came back after only a little less then a year, we're very glad you came back! Or else we would've all been comin' to look for ya!" He said laughing. I laughed with him as we arrived at the burger and ice cream place. Still, I couldn't wonder, 'Where in the hell is Two-bit?'

****Ponyboy's POV****

The fact that my sister finally came home made me very happy. I felt lost without her, all of us did, except well maybe ol' two-bit.

"Hey guys, where is Two-bit been anyways?" I asked. Dallas, Johnny, Steve and I were all sitting in the living room with Mickey Mouse on the TV not even realizing that's what we had been watching for about two hours now.

"I dunno man, last I heard from him he was hanging around with Kathy and they had gotten into a fight a few hours after they left the fair. Pretty sure the kid was drunk." Dally said as he stared at the tv. I sighed and laughed a little. Sounds like Two, getting a little too drunk and starting a fight with Kathy. They never did get along all that well anyways.

"Pretty sure the fight was about Rosemary, wasn't Dal?" Steve asked looking over at him. Dally shrugged and stood up straightening his brand new black leather jacket.

"Hell man, I don't even know. We'd have to ask Kathy if we wanted to know that. You know Two-bit won't answer any of our questions if it has anything to do with him and Rosemary." Dal said this with slight aggravation in his voice. Dally never cared for how Two-bit was the reason Rose left. Sixteen years old and she was running off to California by herself and told no one where she was going till she called a few days later after a wild goose chase had happened.

I will never forget that phone call..

**Flashback, Pony's POV***

"Hello? Rose?" Darry said picking up the phone. "Where the hell are you?! We have been worried sick. You need to come home." A short pause happened before Darry slammed his fist on the wall. "Dammit Rosemary, please just come home." Darry's voice was shaking in worry and heartache. This was his only sister, his baby sister at that. He sighed, "Alright, hold on…Pony! Phone." Darry said as he handed it to me and walked off into the kitchen.

"Rosemary, what are you doin?" I said

"Pony, I had to leave. I couldn't deal with what was going on as well as I thought. I'll come home when I am ready. But I don't know how long that'll be." She said choking back tears. I sighed, "Please call me at least once and awhile.." I said.
"Okay Pony, tell the boys, I love them. Love you, goodbye pony." She said and hung up. She didn't call me often, due to a job she had gotten.

***End Of Flashback***

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Two-Bit wondered into our house.

"Two-bit, where you been?" Johnny asked quietly.

"Been out." Two-bit mumbled. His eyes were red from crying, not a normal thing for him. I knew this wasn't going to be an easy situation to deal with.