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

"There will be times on this journey
When all you see is darkness
But out there somewhere
Daylight finds you if you keep believing

So don't run, don't hide
It will be all right, you'll see
Trust me, I'll be there
Watching over you "

Marie was cleaning up Ponyboy after taking a bath knowing it was the day that Darry and Soda could see their baby brother after a long week of waiting. It was around the afternoon when they pulled up to the house, Ponyboy was already waiting for them out in the porch next to Marie who was sitting down watching over. Sodapop jumped out the car excitedly rushing up to Pony taking him into his arms kissing his forehead. Darry walked up smiling ruffling his hair.

"Good afternoon ma'am. Darrel Curtis."

Marie smiled back, "Marie Hollis, come inside please."

Inside they sat down in the living room. Marie gave them glasses of water. Pony was sitting down on Soda's lap talking about how much he had missed them a whole bunch.

"You're Ponyboy's older brothers am I right?" Marie asked.

"Yes I'm the oldest, Sodapop over there is the other one."

"Hmmm unique names."

Soda said, "Dad was an original person."

Charlie came into view with a bored face. He had his hands into his pockets walking straight into the kitchen not seeing the new people in the next room. Pony slid from Soda's lap running to Charlie that was drinking a glass of water.

"Chawlie! My bwodews awe hewe! Come on!"

Charlie pursed his lips, meeting new people wasn't something he liked but gave in, "Fine fine I'll come."

Darry and Soda saw Charlie walk in with Pony tugging at his arm pointing to the couch where they sat. Marie presented him saying he was their adopted son after taking him in foster care for 3 years.

"Darry." He extended his hand towards the boy.

Charlie nodded accepting it, "Hey."

Soda shook his hand next, "Charlie huh? I'm Sodapop."

Marie stood up from her seat grabbing her purse, "I'll be on my way, these visits are supposed to be supervised but," She was at the door, "I'm sure you wouldn't be...Foolish to do something ... That you could regret. Bye now." And out the door she went.

Soda narrowed his eyes not liking what she had just said, Darry sighed. Charlie shrugged, "Don't mind her, she can be moody sometimes."

"I can imagine." Soda grumbled.

Ponyboy began telling them about everything that has been going on, how he saw Steve and Twobit last week. He told them about Cookie the dog that was in the backyard sleeping. He showed them his room that he shared with Charlie. Darry asked if he obeyed, Pony nodded adding he even washes his hands after potty. That made everybody chuckle. His older brother noticed the foster Dad wasn't around.

"He has a shop not far away. Has to work morning till night." Charlie explained.

"So they leave you two by yourselves?"

"Uh, yeah."

"This is unbelievable! We had him in daycare! He was never alone. Damn Mrs. Jones." Darry shouted frustrated.

Soda hugged his small brother tightly, "We had him taken care of better!"

Charlie scratched the back of his head, "She kinda already knows, says it's all right 'cause we have a more stable home...You know, more money, bigger house. Whatever."

Both brothers were now fuming, "How old are you anyway!"

Pony began to tremble not liking what he was hearing or seeing. His brothers shouting madly. Rolling his eyes, Charlie patted the kid on the back knowing he was getting nervous, "I'm 16."

Their jaw hung open not believing him. He looked too young to be that age, Charlie chuckled at the reaction, "I know I know, I look too baby to be 16. Which is why it's ok if we're alone sometimes. I'm old enough to take care of this kid right here."

Darry shook his head angrily, he felt it was wrong for this to happen, to leave his brother alone with Charlie (not that he didn't trust him). At least he had Twobit, Dally, Johnny or Steve. Ponyboy was in a daycare with adult supervision! To him this was ridiculous but it would have to wait until 3 weeks from now, the court date, to deal with this. All he had to do now was trust this new foster family. As long as Pony was safe. Sodapop folded his arms frowning, Ponyboy was way better with us than here! Alone with another kid? I'm 16 yeah but he's my brother! I know him better than this guy. Damn Social Services, damn crazy bastard with a mask!

"What is it Soda?" Pony asked with a pout.

"Nah nothing kiddo."

Hours passed by outside getting very dark, it was time for them to leave. Marie had come back from work. Darry grumbled a goodbye, Soda didn't even say nothing to her. On the porch Pony hugged his brothers sadly. His eyes welled up with tears as he saw his them get in the truck. Soda caught Pony staring down at the floor his lips trembling. The young Curtis turned around to Charlie crying. The car started, Soda's heart felt heavier seeing his baby brother so miserable so he opened the door ignoring Darry's yelling behind him and flung his arms around Pony tears rolling down his cheeks also. If the first time saying goodbye was hard this was worse.

"Don't cry baby, don't cry! You'll be back home before you know it I swear. Just hold on a little longer." Soda's voice broke in the end.

"I-I just wanna go home! Take me with you!" Pony sobbed burying his face on his chest clutching on to him.

Darry had gotten out of the car grasping Soda's shoulder, with a hoarse voice he said, "We'll be together soon 'lil buddy."

The truck disappeared down the road, on the rear view window of the car Soda could see Pony's small hand wave from the porch. That was enough to make him bawl, he covered his face with his hands containing his sadness. Darry gripped the steering wheel tightly keeping it together since his brother couldn't. "I know Soda...I know."

"This is t-too damn h-hard."

"A little bit more...Just wait a little bit more...This will be all over."

Another week passed by, Soda and Darry had visited him, the other visiting day came his friends since his brothers couldn't get the day off work. Dally, Johnny, Twobit and Steve played around with him in the backyard some football. When they had to go Pony gave each a drawing. Charlie was introduced, the gang seemed to like him. It was sad seeing them go but next week again would they visit and Ponyboy waited anxiously for familiar faces.

One day Pony was sitting on the ground of the backyard drawing more stuff on his notebook, Marie was sitting on a chair in the backyard sipping on some lemon juice. It was her day off so she decide to spend it with him. It was calm, a cool afternoon. Cookie was running here and there chasing something invisible. Charlie was laying on the grass looking up at the sky relaxing. Young Curtis smiled as he admired his drawings, some were of his family, some of his friends. Then there was Pepsi his kitten, the sun, the clouds and his favorite thing to draw were stars. It reminded him so much of his Mama. Twinkling stars are angels smiling. Charlie asked him what he was smiling about.

"I just can't wait to go home."

"Soon. For now just be patient."

"Hey Chawlie, do you miss you Mama and Daddee?"

Charlie shrugged, "I guess...But I like it here better. Marie's real nice and so is Richard even though he doesn't come around a lot hehe. You miss yours?"

Pony nodded, "I do."

"What happened to them?"

"Um thewe angels. Thats what my bwodews say."

His friend smiled softly, "They love you a lot. That's good, very good."

"I wish you wewe my bwodew too."

Charlie chuckled, "I like you kid, you're all right."

They stared up at the sky together enjoying the moment of peace. It was blue with puffy clouds. The sun was setting making it into a reddish blue color. Pony's eyes widened in amazement, how beautiful it looked with no words to describe it. Charlie took a deep breath, "Gee, sure looks pretty huh Pone?"

"Suwe..."

Sometime later Marie told them to come inside for dinner. The phone rang, Marie answered it then handed it to Pony. It was Sodapop on the line.

"Hey kiddo! How are you doing?"

"Soda! I'm fine, we awe gonna eat dinnew."

"Eat everything all right? Oh and guess what? Next week is your birthday! We asked if you could spend it with us at home and..."

"And..."

"Mrs. Jones said yes! Ain't ya excited?!"

Pony beamed at hearing this, "Weally?!"

"Yes really! We're gonna have a small party with you with a big chocolate cake, waddya say?"

"I can't wait Soda! Whewe is Dawy?"

"He's still at work. Next time he'll call ok?"

"All wight. I hafta go Soda, goodnight. I love you."

"I love you too Pone. Goodnight."

Hanging up, Ponyboy clapped his hands together. Maybe it was a short time he had been living with his foster family but to him it felt like ages. Now with these wonderful news he got to go home soon although for a day. The important thing that mattered was Pony could spend it with his family and friends. It was better than spending it with people he barely knows. Things were starting to look better. It would be a shame if someone or something ruined it all...

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)