Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: Deds to Taylor. She's the one to thank for this quick update. Though the date of posting and the date of the chapter does amuse me.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Monday, January 23rd, 1967

I see your motives inside,
Decisions to hide.

"Are you thinkin' about Steve?"

Having been staring distractedly out the car window for the last few minutes, Anna turned to look at Kathy. "Of course not."

"Liar."

She sure was. It couldn't be helped, though. Something had changed - she didn't know what it was, or what it meant, but something had definitely changed. What she did know, was that it was all because of Steve and everything he had said to her last week.

An apology - hell, two apologies - shouldn't be a big deal. They were well-deserved, and it shouldn't have taken him this long to give her one of them, but somehow it wasn't those points that stuck with her. Steve was stubborn and he had way too much pride; apologising when he was in the wrong wasn't something he enjoyed doing. She knew that - she'd been on the receiving end of more than a few unconventional apologies from him. The kind where he didn't have to actually say the words, but would make it up to her with kisses or replacement words or by letting her drive his car.

For him to have said the words … well, it was a bigger deal than it should have been. It meant more than it should have.

She'd always thought about him a lot, but now it was even worse. Now she found herself remembering the good along with the bad. Especially late at night. It was then, when she had nothing else to distract herself with, that she thought about Steve and the nights they had spent in her bed. It hadn't taken much for her to decide they'd spent far too much time there.

"I'm allowed to think about him sometimes, ain't I?" she asked, hoping her best friend would reassure her that it was okay. "I mean, I see him at school everyday. Plus, you know, he's an ex; it's to be expected. Not only that, but he's your boyfriend's buddy - I think about Two-Bit, I think about Steve." Apparently she had become a terrible liar.

Kathy was smirking. "It's okay to think about him," she agreed. "I don't think you should, because he's a jerk, but it's okay."

"You're givin' me your permission?" Anna asked, grinning.

"Well, we sure talk about Two-Bit plenty enough when I'm not with him," Kathy said.

"That's because you always get back together with him."

"Exactly."

Anna said nothing; she didn't know what to make of that. It was one thing for Henry to hardly believe her when she said she wasn't going back to Steve. It was uncomfortable when Millie said she'd always thought they'd last. It was just plain hard when Steve himself seemed so sure he was going to win her back.

But for Kathy to not believe her, that was really bad. In fact, it made Anna feel pretty shitty.

"You think I'm gonna take him back, too?"

"Well, aren't you?"

"No."

Kathy's eyebrows rose, and she pulled up next to Anna's work. "Oh. Well good. He doesn't deserve you."

Anna was silent, confused by Kathy's surprise. She thought that if anyone would believe her, it would be Kathy. Henry seemed worried, Millie seemed disappointed, and Steve seemed cocky - Kathy was just supposed to be there. She was supposed to believe her.

"He hasn't given up, has he?" Kathy asked.

She shook her head. "He said he's not going to."

"You believe him?"

Anna sighed. "Yeah."

Kathy said nothing else, and Anna pushed Steve out of her mind.

"Thanks for the ride," she said. "Dad wasn't home and Danny's …" She trailed off, not wanting to admit she and Danny still weren't talking.

"No problem. You need a ride home?"

She shook her head. "I'll just get a ride with Anita."

Kathy looked like she wanted to say something else, but Anna climbed out of the car before she got the chance. She didn't want to hear anymore about Steve.

XXXXX

"Thanks for helping me on your day off," Anita said, putting the last of the dishes away. "With those two weddings over the weekend, there was more to do than I thought there would be, and Aunt Meredith is out on a date."

Anna smirked. "I wasn't gonna say no to the extra money."

Anita didn't say anything else, and Anna looked at her. She'd been quiet all afternoon, and though she was a quiet girl to begin with, this was different.

"Is everything okay?"

Anita shrugged. "I think I have to quit studying with Pony."

"Why? I thought you and Pony got along great."

"Well, yeah, but …"

"But?" Anna prompted, knowing her new friend was a little weird about sharing too much information. She kind of reminded her of Steve in that way.

"I think his brother hates me."

"Which brother?" Anna found it didn't really matter which brother - neither were likely to hate her.

"Sodapop."

"What?" Anna laughed, before realising Anita was being serious. "You're kidding, right? Why would you think that?"

Anita scowled. "I dunno. I think he thinks I'm a bad influence on Ponyboy or something." She paused. "He's probably heard everything there is to hear about me and thinks I'm gonna corrupt his little brother."

Anna smirked. Despite the rumours, Anita was the sweetest thing. Anna didn't believe the rumours were true - she knew Ricky Bolton, and knew the kind of bull he liked to tell people - but she didn't care much even if they were true.

"I doubt he thinks that," she said.

She had seen Anita and Soda together more than a few times over the last month, and wasn't sure Anita was telling her everything. Though she doubted Soda was over Sandy leaving, the chemistry between him and Anita had been obvious. They'd danced, flirted, and Anna was sure she'd interrupted an almost kiss at one stage. She really didn't think Soda hated Anita.

But she couldn't be sure. As well as Soda understood people, and as sweet as he usually was, he and Anna hadn't been on the best of terms since her break up with Steve. It was hardly surprising - that was what happened when couples broke up - but she had seen a whole other side to him after everything that had happened. He had been pretty pissed at her when she hadn't taken Steve back. She got it; Steve had wanted her for a while after the break up, and Soda only wanted best for his buddy. He hadn't been able to understand why she wouldn't take Steve back, and she had told him he was being a one-sided fool and there was no way it was happening. They had hardly spoken since.

She had felt guilty for hoping he now knew how being cheated on felt. She sighed; just because Soda wasn't as perfect as she had once figured he was, didn't mean he hated Anita.

"Seriously," she continued. "I know things have been weird between the two of you lately, but I don't think he hates you. He's probably still just having a tough time with Sandy being gone."

Anita nodded. "Yeah, probably."

Switching off the lights, Anna decided a change of subject might be in order. "Oh, I completely forgot. Can I grab a ride home with you?"

"Um, well, sure. It's just … Soda and Steve are picking me up."

"Oh." Anna's heart sank, but she decided to ignore the mention of Steve. "How is it you think Soda hates you when he's willing to pick you up from work?"

Anita blushed. "I don't know. He was just there when Aunt Meredith mentioned her date, and he said he and Steve'd pick me up."

"This love-hate relationship you two have sure is interesting," Anna said, smirking.

"I could say the same about you and Steve." Anita smirked right back.

"Hm." Opening the front door, Anna let that one go. They quickly headed outside, pulling their coats tighter as the cold air whipped around them. The snow had stopped around lunchtime, but it was only a matter of time before it started back up. Anna shivered, crossing her arms over her chest as Anita locked the door behind them. "Damn, it's freezin' out here."

"You ain't kiddin'," Anita said. "Maybe we should wait inside."

Waiting inside was a damn good idea, but Anita tugged at her sleeve before she could answer. Anna looked at her, taking in her pale skin and wide eyes as she stared at something over her shoulder. Following her friend's gaze, her heart thudded.

She didn't know Rex Hamilton personally, but she knew of him, and he'd been pointed out to her before. She'd also heard the stories about the River Kings leader - about how he did whatever it took to get what he wanted, not caring who he scared or hurt. There had been one rumour about him, Sylvia, and a black eye marring her skin.

He stepped toward them, a sinister smile on his face. He was just one guy, but Anna sure was scared. If the way Anita gripped her hand was anything to go by, she wasn't the only one.

"Ladies," he said, voice far too soft.

She could feel Anita shaking next to her, but neither girl said anything. Anna didn't know what to do; she'd never been in this kind of situation before, because none of Danny's gang business had ever gone as far as to involve girls.

"Relax," he said, stepping closer still. "I ain't gonna hurt either of you."

For the first time in a long, long time, Anna desperately wished Steve were there. She wasn't sure how much she believed Rex Hamilton. He was leader of the River Kings, but that didn't explain why he was there. He had some kind of beef going on with Tim and his whole gang, and, apparently, Two-Bit, but she didn't know if he just wanted to scare two defenceless girls, or if he was planning on something much worse.

Anna would take the scare over anything else any day, but she wasn't about to show it.

"What d'you want then?" she asked.

He smirked at her and looked at Anita. "How's it goin', sweetheart?"

To her credit, Anita stepped forward. "Whaddya doin' here, Rex?"

"Just makin' a point," he said. "I s'pose I coulda got one of my boys to do it, but I really wanted to do this one myself."

"We have people picking us up," Anna said, voice much steadier than she felt. "They'll be here soon."

"I ain't lookin' for a fight. Like I said, just makin' a point."

Anita's grip tightened. "What point?"

Rex looked at Anna, gaze running down the length of her body. "Whaddya say we go for a drive, baby? I've already had my fun with Anita; how about you and me get acquainted?"

"I don't think so."

"You might not have a choice in the matter." He stepped closer still, and she realised then just how badly he could hurt her. It wouldn't take much for him to drag her to his car. "Don't you know how dangerous it is, havin' a brother and a boyfriend in Shepard's gang?" he asked.

She nodded, not meeting his gaze. "I'm beginning to realise."

"I put up with enough shit from her brother, and there ain't anything I can do about it now," he said, glancing at Anita then back at Anna. "But your brother - your brother I can deal with."

"My brother'll kill you if you touch me." She looked him dead in the eye as she said it, and knew the truth to that statement better than she'd known anything in her life.

Rex gripped her arm. "Baby, after the shit he pulled with Vinnie, your brother ain't gonna be around much longer."

Her stomach dropped, and her head spun. There wasn't anything she could do to stop her panic from showing now. Not that she cared anymore; Rex's words had scared her into silence. She wasn't sure what he meant when he talked about Vinnie and Danny, but probably didn't want to either. She had no doubt he meant what he was saying.

"Vinnie didn't do anything you didn't deserve," Anita snapped, and Anna was glad for her courage.

"Vinnie tried to shoot me in the fucking Dingo," Rex spat. "Just for showin' his little sister a thing or two about the birds and the bees."

Anna's eyes widened at those bits of new information. Anita had slept with Rex, Vinnie had been trying to shoot Rex … and Danny had been involved?

"You got me drunk and took advantage," Anita said.

"Don't matter how it happened anymore," he said, finally letting go of Anna. Headlights pulled into the end of the street, and he stepped back, staring at her. "What matters is that Shepard and his gang - particularly your fucking brother - are going down for helping Vinnie out."

Rex turned away, and Anita tugged on her hand again. Taking what felt like her first breath in minutes, Anna dragged her gaze away from the guy who had just threatened her brother, and toward the car pulling up next to them. She could have sobbed in relief at seeing Steve and Soda climb out.

"You tell Shepard that he knows where to find me when he's ready to stop being such a little bitch," Rex said, climbing into his car before Steve or Soda could get near him.

Steve and Soda both looked ready for a fight, but Anna was glad it wasn't happening. When Rex took off, she finally relaxed and let go of Anita's hand. With a small whimper, Anita practically flew into Soda's arms, and with the way he hugged her back, Anna knew for sure that Soda didn't hate her.

She looked at Steve, feeling so damn tempted to fist his T-shirt in her hands and bury her face in his neck. He stared back, worried.

"Are you okay?"

All she could do was nod and look away. She'd relaxed, but her hands were shaking and all she could think about was what had been said about Danny.

Steve raised his hands, pushing her hair back and tilting her face to look at him. "You sure? Did he hurt you?"

She shook her head. "I'm fine, just a little spooked."

He nodded, slowly dropping his hands, and she missed the warmth immediately. Screw wanting to hate him - it wasn't going to happen and she was too glad he was there to even bother.

XXXXX

It was taking every bit of self-control Steve had not to yell at her, to make her tell him exactly what had happened. He wanted to - Christ he wanted to know so bad - but she was shaken enough as it was. It reminded him of the night her dad had hit her, and the last thing she needed was him losing his temper.

She had said one word since climbing into his car; a simple yeah when he'd asked if she was okay. On the drive to her house she had sat silently, playing with the hem of her skirt, and worrying her lower lip. He wasn't sure he was the one she wanted, and he wished he could make her feel better without making her feel worse.

They made their way up the porch steps, Soda and Anita waiting in his car. She stopped at the door, shrugging off his jacket. It had been a struggle to get her to take it, but she'd been shaking so damn much he hadn't been about to let her say no.

"Thanks," she said.

"You sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You don't want me to come in?"

"Um …" She glanced past him, staring at something on the street. "That's Henry's car."

"Oh."

She was silent for a moment, and if he didn't know any better, he'd say she was putting off going inside. Putting off leaving him.

"Thanks," she said again, handing him his leather jacket.

He took it with both hands, running one thumb over the back of her hand. "Anytime."

She stared at him, and it was one of those moments where he just knew he was the one she wanted. Conflicted didn't even begin to cover the look in her eyes, and a part of him knew she wanted to stay outside with him rather than go inside and be with her boyfriend. If Phillips and Danny weren't just inside, he would've leaned down to kiss her right then.

"Make sure Anita gets home safely, okay?"

He nodded. "Sure."

She placed her hand on the door handle, glancing back at him one last time. "Thanks, Steve."

The front door was pulled open before he could answer, and Danny was glaring at him.

"What're you doin' here?"

Steve glared right back. "Droppin' your sister off after she got jumped."

"What?"

Anna rolled her eyes. "I didn't get jumped. Rex Hamilton turned up at work and tried to scare me and Anita."

Tim and Phillips came out, and suddenly the front porch was far too crowded. All Steve could do was watch in seething silence as Henry slipped an arm around Anna, pulling her close.

"What happened, kid?" Tim asked.

She told him what had happened, and Steve's knuckles itched. He knew Hamilton was a real creep, but hearing the things he'd said to Anna made him sick. He couldn't stand to think about what could have happened had he and Soda been any later.

"This is bullshit!" Danny said, pacing. "If these guys hadn't turned up when they did, who the fuck knows what would've happened?"

Unlike Tim, who was, as always, cool and calm, Danny was furious. Steve shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at Anna. She was watching Danny with a small frown on her face, still tucked safely against Phillips.

"He's right," Steve said. "Jumping me and Two-Bit is one thing, but going after Anna and Anita is just -

"Fucked up is what it is." Danny looked at Tim. "I get that you're the leader, but that's my sister, man. Girls ain't meant to be part of this shit, and especially not sisters. No more waitin' around to see was Hamilton's gonna do - he just showed us exactly what he's willing to do."

Tim nodded. "You're right." Digging around in his pockets, he headed down the stairs. "I'll be back later to let y'all know what's goin' on."

Steve looked at Anna, who was staring at her brother.

"Rex Hamilton sure seems to have it in for you," she said.

Danny looked at her. "What'd he say?"

"He just seems more pissed at you than at Tim," she said, looking at her shoes.

Steve got the feeling there was more to it than that, but he stayed quiet.

"It's nothin', kid," Danny said. He stared at her for a second. "Just business."

The scowl on Anna's face made Steve pretty sure she didn't believe her brother. He watched Danny walk inside, before looking at Anna. A fresh wave of hate for Phillips came over him, because he should be the one looking after her like that. Knowing it was time to go, he made his way back to his car, frowning. He really wished things weren't so complicated.

XXXXX

Half an hour later, Steve was sitting outside the Curtises', smoking with Ponyboy while Soda dropped Anita off at home. Tim had been by, and a rumble was set for Saturday night. Steve's neck prickled at the thought of another rumble, and he was pretty sure Darry had only agreed because he knew Soda and Pony wanted in. They'd do whatever they could to get in, whether he agreed to it or not.

"You think we'll win?" Pony asked.

In all honesty, he wasn't so sure. No rules had been made yet, but the River Kings were pros at using whatever weapon they could get their hands on. Steve, Two-Bit, and the Curtises only used weapons if they had to.

"Sure," he said.

Pony didn't look like he believed him, but nodded anyway. "I got homework," he said, stubbing out his smoke before heading inside.

Steve just nodded, waiting outside until Soda came back a few minutes later.

"Can I have one of those?"

Steve looked at the smokes he'd pulled out of his pocket, and held them out. "Everything okay?"

Soda took the cigarette and lit up. "'Course."

That was a lie, but Steve knew he just had to give Soda time. Where he needed to be pushed for information, Soda just needed a few moments to gather his thoughts. And he was right. It was only a few minutes later when Soda started talking again.

"I've been thinking a lot about Anita."

Steve nodded. "Sure. You guys do argue a lot."

"Nah, I mean …" Soda paused and took a deep drag, blowing out smoke as he spoke. "Thinkin' about her in a good way."

Steve didn't know why he was so surprised. He'd seen them dancing, flirting, and arguing more than once in the last few weeks. There was obviously something there, but Soda obviously wasn't sure about it. Steve could hardly blame him after what had happened with Sandy.

He was glad, though. It was nice to see his buddy doing something other than mope for once.

"I think she likes you," he said, remembering the way she had thrown herself into Soda's arms earlier.

Soda stood. "I dunno. I'm gonna head to bed, though. You stay the night if ya want, Stevie."

Steve nodded; he'd definitely be staying. After everything that had happened, going home was the last thing he wanted.

I know that you are wrong,
And this is not where you belong.

A/N: Beta'd by RileysMomma. Please review :)