Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own "The Outsiders" or any of the Curtis' Gang. Sigh. The real owner of "The Outsiders" is my favorite author, the fabulous S.E. Hinton. I also do not make a profit from the stories that I write here on this site.

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Ponyboy's POV

After I had calmed down and Darry came back he asked the front desk lady about dad. She informed us that he was starting to respond. I was so happy that he was going to be okay, but then I saw a social worker walk into the hospital waiting room. Why was she here?

"Hello Boys. I'm here to take um… Po-Ponyboy and…S-S-Sodapop... Curtis?" She stumbled over our original names as if it was a verbal hurtle.

"Why?" Darry asked. She smiled, but it wasn't a friendly gesture, it was more of a menacing grin.

"Your a minor and no one can take custody. Linda Curtis is dead and Darrel Curtis, if he recovers, will be charged with vehicle manslaughter and possession of heroin with intent to sell, which is a felony offense. That's a 40 year sentence, dear," she informed us. No, dad's alive, but we're still going to a Boys Home. I started to sob. 40 years? I thought.

"I'll apply for custody of my brothers," Darry announced, shocking me. He wanted to take care of us?

"How old are you?" The social worker asked Darr.

"20," he informed her sternly. She nodded stiffly, obviously not to keen on letting a greaser get custody.

"Well then, this is very serious, Darrel, but very well. You can call tomorrow and set up a court date," and with that she left swiftly, heels clicking loudly as she walked.

"You would do that for us?" I asked astonished. Darry nodded.

"I love you guys, of course I'll take care of you," Darry told me. Soda and I both answered with "I love you too" and headed to the truck. The gang had left to go to our house an hour ago to give us alone time until we could get the news.

I fell asleep in the car until we pulled into our driveway. Soda tried shake me awake, but I was too tired to respond to him.

"I got him Soda," I heard a voice say. Cold hands came on my back and thinking it was dad I tried to get away. I wasn't sure who it was, but I didn't want to trust the stranger.

"It's just Darry," A rough Boise cooed into my ear. I started to relax and fell asleep in the strangers arms.

Darry's POV

Soda was desperately trying to wake up Pony, but he was passed out cold. I slipped my hands under him and immediately in his feverish state he started to squirm around. I wasn't sure who he thought I was or what I was doing, but I tried to let him know that he was safe.

"It's just Darry," I told him softly. Realizing that he was okay he fell asleep, cuddling into my warm chest.

I went in to Soda and Ponyboy's room and laid him onto the bed. Soda took off his shoes and shirt and then hopped into bed next to him. I wanted to go to sleep also, but needed to take Ponyboy's temperature first. His temperature was almost 103 which really worried me. I heard him cough in his sleep as I left the room. There wasn't anything I could do tonight.

I couldn't believe all that happened today. My dad had killed my mom, got charged with a felony, and I agreed to take custody of my younger brothers. I didn't regret it, but I was scared. I tried to tell myself that I had done this my whole life, but it didn't work.

A/N: I know that this is short, sorry, but it had a lot of action. I hope you enjoyed. Please review.