.::I do not own The Outsiders::.

"If I could tear you from the ceiling,
I know the best have tried,
I'd fill your every breath with meaning,
And find a place we both could hide.

Don't go and leave me,
And please don't drive me blind."

"Wakey wakey sleeping beauties!"

Darry groaned sitting up slowly, "What time is it? "

Soda yawned stretching his arms, "Did we actually fall asleep out here?"

"Yep, good thing we got here early." Said the voice.

Darry looked back to see if Pony was awake but he wasn't there. He jumped up glancing around wildly knowing that he could have gotten in trouble without adult supervision then he saw Twobit folding his arms amused. Wait a minute what is Twobit doing here? Sodapop poked Darry, "Where's Pony?"

Twobit quirked a smile, "Oh don't worry he's inside with Johnny and Dal. Said he was hungry...Oh and if you're wondering why I grace you with my wonderful presence it's because I wanted to be here before...Pony gets taken away."

"Son of a..." Darry had forgotten about the social worker coming, "What time it?! How do you even know?"

"Called half an hour ago, I asked why and that darned lady spilled everything saying... " He averted his eyes to the ground, "I'm sorry, I shoulda..I shoulda done something that day, I don't know..."

Soda shook his head, "You saved Pony, that's more than enough. More than we can ever thank you for."

Twobit pressed his lips in a straight line, "Actually he saved me." Both Darry and Soda saw Twobit pointing at his side.

Walking inside the house they saw Pony was already dressed up. He had jean pants and a blue Mickey mouse shirt Twobit had given him. Johnny was playing with some toy soldiers, Dally was smoking outside. Steve showed up minutes later. Pony smiled when he saw his brothers, forgetting his toys he ran up to them.

"Good mowning Soda! Dawy!"

Soda bit his bottom lip trying hard not to cry, "Hey sweetie you had breakfast?"

He nodded,"Johnny gave me milk!"

Darry sighed going into Pony's room. Steve slightly punched Soda's shoulder, "I was thinking maybe we could hang out by the Dingo today."

"I um...I don't think so."

Steve stared at his friend confused, "Why?"

"You'll see."

Dallas came back inside plopping himself on the couch frowning. Pony went up to him, "Why awe you sad?"

He didn't answer only grunted turning on the television. After hearing that Pony was going to be taken anger boiled up inside of him, it would ruin everything for everybody. That kid brought joy even to the toughest of all greasers, Dallas. Wasn't it enough for the Curtis family to lose their parents ? Now the kid? If there is a God out there, what kind of shitty life is this?

Darry came back with a suitcase, Steve eating a piece of cake, stopped chewing, "You going somewhere?"

"No, it's for Pony." Soda said sadly.

The gang was now in the living room silent. Pony pouted, "What's going on?"

Soda kneeled down along with Darry, "Baby we love you so much, you have no idea. Today a lady...is..." His voice broke, Darry cleared his throat finishing up for him, "A lady is going to take you to another home."

Pony gulped, his eyes flickered to Steve who's mouth was shaped in an 'o'. Then to Johnny's, he was staring down at the floor his eyes glazed, next was Twobit that was looking back with a hurt expression, Dallas whose eyes were filled with anger and finally back to his brothers. Their faces expressing sorrow, anger, gloominess, determination. Ponyboy backed away.

"I-I wanna stay hewe. With you guys..."

Before anyone could say something there was a knock on the door. Soda hugged tightly his little brother not wanting to let go. Darry took a deep breath striding to the door opening it up. Everybody else stayed silent. The Social Worker entered, "Good morning Darrel, you know why I'm here. Hello everybody."

The guys didn't respond until Dally stepped out slightly shoving Mrs. Jones hissing, "I hope you're happy bitch."

Mrs. Jones grimaced, the rest froze in their spots not expecting his sudden outburst. Pony's lip started to quiver, "I don't wanna go."

"Come now Michael it's time to leave."

Darry's chest tightened again feeling something cold growing inside as they started out the door. Soda had tears rolling down his cheeks trying very hard to smile, "I-It's ok Pone, we'll get you back. We promise. This isn't a goodbye ok? It isn't. We'll get you back!"

The Social Worker took his hand, "This is for the best Michael."

That's when little Pony began panicking, "No! No! Don't! Dawy! Soda! No! Johnny help! Twobit Steve!"

Twobit gritted his teeth watching the woman take him away wanting so badly to take a swing at her. Steve was speechless not expecting this at all. Pony was struggling so hard to get out of her grasp, she had to drag him away making him whimper. Soda clenching his fists yelled, "Don't you hurt him!"

Darry's patience for her was long gone as he shouted, "Stop it you're hurting him!"

Johnny couldn't take seeing his friend being handled that way so he stomped towards the woman snatching Pony away from her, "Just go easy on him! For God's sake, he's just a baby!"

The woman scowled gaining back Pony, "I think I know what I'm doing thank you very much!"

She carried Pony into her car taking his small suitcase in the back. He looked out the car's window looking desperately for help, Soda was now sobbing in Darry's arms both feeling helpless. Pony understood that nobody was going to rescue him so he hung his head down biting the inside of cheek not wanting to wail for his brothers, Mrs. Jones patted his knee, "You'll thank me one day Michael."

In a low whisper he mumbled, "It's Ponyboy..."

As they drove off his brothers and friends stayed there for a long time not saying anything, the house would feel emptier without Pony. Another member gone and God knows when and if they could get him back... Now the Greasers felt more broken than they already were.

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)