First I would like to give a word of thanks to my lovely two reviewers. All their comments were very much appreciated. Just FYI, I changed Darry's age difference a little and when he became guardian of Soda and Pony. I actually think that's about it, so here we go!

Steve slammed the car door and Pony jumped, shaking his head groggily. Pony couldn't believe he had had slept amidst all of what was going on, but he had to face it, he had been exhausted. For the past week there had been exams at the college Pony went to, and everyone had to write a 30 page story for each of those exams, so Pony was pretty tired, between stressing and doing the actual work. For the next two weeks there would be no classes as the grades were calculated, so another person may have said it was good timing, but Pony didn't care. He would have left school even if he was in the middle of an exam when he got the call. There was a school phone, and Steve had called him from the phone in Darry's house. It was strange having Steve be the one the step up and think of all of these things, such as calling Pony. Maybe it was because they had both lost their best friends. Steve lost Soda, and Pony lost both Johnny and Soda, and now Darry. Whatever the cause for the newfound kindness in Darry, Pony was grateful.

"Pony." Steve said roughly, "You're home." Pony sat up and looked around. Steve had parked outside of Pony's old house, and stood on the steps waiting. Pony got out, banging his head on they way. He paused to curse at the door, before ascending up the steps. It was like walking into a movie for Ponyboy. It was as if he'd never walked up these steps before. Everything was surreal. But then, it seemed differently surreal, and Pony almost fooled himself into thinking that any moment Soda was going to come running out of the house and hug him, then Darry would come, in his olive pants and black t-shirt he liked so much, not saying anything, but standing in the doorway smiling. Then the gang would come and everything would feel complete.

"Pony!" Steve said sharply, jerking Pony back to attention. Of course Soda and Darry wouldn't come. They were dead. And half the other members of the gang were too. Now out of the original seven members of the gang, only three survived. Which was why Pony had to come back. They each had to see one another at least one more time before they went their separate ways and died. If Steve and Two-Bit ever left Tulsa. But Pony hadn't seen any of them since Soda's death almost three years ago. He was anxious to see Two-Bit, wondering how he had made out in all of this.

"Two-Bit?" Pony called.

"He isn't here kid." Steve said. "He'll be at his house. He was afraid you'd be mad if he stayed here." Pony looked at him strangely.

"Why would I be mad?" He asked, completely confused. Steve shrugged, as though it couldn't possibly matter.

"I don't know. I guess he thought it would be disrespectful or something." Pony looked around the house, examining everything. It looked the same, which my have been the cause for his delusions earlier. Same ratty carpet, same couch with the stuffing hanging out (although, it was said be most to be very comfortable).

"Can we go see Two-Bit?" Pony asked, wanting to escape the emptiness of the house. Steve nodded,

"Sure."

Pony stepped out of the car, but didn't want to be in any confined spaces, so instead of getting into the car, he began to walk along the side of the road, kicking rocks. This sparked a memory and Pony began to relive that day.

It was chilly and damp, and a light fog had rolled in. Pony and Soda were walking to school, kicking rocks as they went. Pony was nine and a half, and Soda was almost twelve. Neither wanted to go to school that particular day, as there were big tests, even for kids as young as themselves.

"Wanna cut?" Soda asked Pony, looking at him out of the corner of his eye. Pony hesitated.

"I don't know…" He said uncertainly. "Won't Darry be mad?" Even at the young age of 16, Darry was the legal guardian of both his younger brothers after their parents had died in a car crash the year before. Soda shrugged.

"Who cares? It's not like he's going to do anything." Pony was still a little unsure, but he really didn't want to take those tests and if Soda said Darry wouldn't be mad, then it had to be true.

"What're we gonna do?" Pony asked, looking up at his older brother. Soda considered this for a moment, before coming up with the solution.

"Let's go to the DX and get a Coke." He suggested. Pony wrinkled his nose.

"Pepsi!" Pony argued. Soda only laughed and ruffled his reddish-brown hair.

Soda loved to go the old gas station. It was fairly close to the house, and was a fun hangout Soda had always been obsessed with cars, and loved to watch the mechanics work on them. Soda promised himself that one day he would get himself a car. And he would fix it all by himself. Soda could also imagine himself working for the gas station. People would all love his work and he would get rich and have a girlfriend that was beautiful. Such were the dreams of a 12-year-old.

They got to the gas station and walked inside. The warn air was a lovely contrast to the coolness of the autumn day. The person looking after the counter couldn't have been more than 17 or so, but to Pony and Soda, this was old. The guy looked at them for a moment inquisitively, but then decided it wasn't worth his while and went back to reading the comic book he had.

Pony went over and selected a Pepsi and Soda got a grape soda. They paid, and left, sipping their drinks. Pony wanted to go back to school so he wouldn't miss gym, and Soda agreed that the testing would probably be over. They had to pass their house in order to go the quickest root to the school, but neither boy was worried. Both were assured that Darry would be at work.

So obviously they were quite shocked when they saw Darry on the steps to the house, looking angry with his hands folded across his chest. Pony and Soda looked at each other briefly before nervously stepping toward their older brother. Soda wasn't all that scared, more annoyed he'd gotten caught, but Pony was terrified. His breath came out in short spurts and it was all he could do not to faint.

"Hi Darry." Soda said. Darry just glared at them both.

"Get inside, both of you." He barked. Pony hastily complied, as though he thought obeying Darry now would make up for the earlier infraction. (Which obviously it didn't.)

"What were you two thinking!" Darry shouted as soon as they were all inside. "Do you have any idea how worried I was when I got the phone call saying you hadn't shown up for school today?" Pony hung his head.

"I'm sorry." He said sincerely.

"Pony!" Steve shook him trying to get him out of his trance. Pony jumped to attention.

"Sorry." He muttered, continuing walking.

So how was sit? Again, not sure why all that happened, honestly I don't have a plan, I just wrote what felt right. If any of you have and ideas, they would be appreciated. Please review! Thank you!

~ Cozy