* I don't own The Outsiders.

(Third Person Point of View)

"Hey, Darry!" Soda greeted his older brother with a grin, like any other day. "Where have you been? You were suppose to be home over an hour ago."

Darry shot Soda one of his rare smiles, "I got a surprise for y'all," he said. At the word surprise the entire gang shot their head towards Darry in anticipation.

"Well, what is it?" Ponyboy, the youngest of the group, asked. He looked curious and eager, he always loved surprises. That had always been his favorite part of Christmas, not getting the presents, but the anticipation of receiving them. Darry smiled fondly and ruffled his hair.

"Not what, who," Darry said, jerking a thumb toward the front yard.

Everyone bounced up and headed out the door after hearing Ponyboy's excited "Whooo!" from outside. They sprang off the porch quickly when they saw Ponyboy wrapped up in Leslie's embrace. Cat calls and yelling could be heard from all of the boys.

Leslie was gently but quickly passed to each of the guys. She lingered longest on Ponyboy and Johnny; they would always have a special place in her heart. She then took her place next to Darry.

They all erupted into questions about the cast Leslie was sporting on her right leg. All concerned about what happened to her in that hell hole called Vietnam. She watched on with amusement, touched that they all cared about her so much.

"Calm down, guys. I'm fine. I'll tell you everything inside. I hate these crutches, I trip on everything. I keep getting them caught on stuff. Such a pain in the ass," she said with a huge smile.

"Come on, lets head inside then," Darry said, turning on his heels towards the house. Everyone went back inside, Leslie behind them. Darry stayed behind her to make sure she made it up the steps alright.

XXX

I was listening to Les tell the gang everything I had already heard. They hung onto her every word. Each of them had a look of concentration on their faces. I hope none of them hurt themselves too badly by thinking too hard.

Ponyboy had Leslie's arm thrown around him. The little guy missed her more than he let on. I know she missed him too. I think we spent an hour just talking about my brothers. I couldn't imagine being more happy at this moment. The relief was still surging through me. My girl was home and she was safe. She wouldn't be going back, at least not anytime soon.

I was still worried about her getting over the attack. I've been known to worry, why would I stop now? I chuckled at myself, I'm sure I'll always be able to find something to worry about.

The smell of onions and garlic assaulted my senses as I laid a large steak into the pan. Tonight's dinner was on it's way. I debated between onion rings and french fries and decided to go with both. Why decide between one or the other?

I quickly started to get the ingredients out to start another cake for dessert. Thank God Sodapop's cake was pretty much gone. They're gross. All the sugar he puts in them makes me sick. I don't know why he continues doing it even though everyone as told him that mine are better. Usually, a comment like that would make Soda try to do better. He's known for being competitive.

He must really like that crap of a cake. Plus, he does get more cake since no one really eats as much of it. I should have realized his interior motives a little sooner. Where have I been?

Voices drifted back over to me, "I'll get a marker and we can all sign your cast. I see Darry did already," Pony said, hopping up. Knowing him, he'd go last and spend twenty minutes drawing something amazing onto a cast she'll throw away anyway.

I started to wonder what he would draw. Flowers? Sunsets? I'd find out later. I could hear Leslie's crutches clanking on the floor as she came up behind me. She dipped her finger into the chocolate batter and I scowled at her, playfully taking a swipe with a spatula at her.

"That's for after dinner, missy."

"Yum! Good job, Chef Curtis. It smells unbelievable in here," Leslie said. She was practically salivating over the food.

"You must be really hungry." I laughed as she nodded her head eagerly. Her eyes kept darting towards the bowl of batter again. I quickly dumped the mixture into a pan and shoved it into the oven. She sat on the counter top and I handed her the spatula and bowl. She cheered and started scrapping the little bits of chocolate she could get.

I decided not to watch her lick the spatula.

Pony came into the kitchen looking unhappy, "I didn't finish what I was doing," he whined. I rolled my eyes and he huffed at me, his glare saying "Stay out of this."

"Come on, clear the way so I can set the table." The assortment of bear bottles, boxes of cigarettes, poker chips, and cards laid across the table. Soda started cleaning it up, the smile never leaving his face.

I glanced around, happy to see my entire family in front of me. I couldn't even get upset about the rings the bottles of bear left on the table.

I walked over and leaned against the counter next to Leslie. We both were watching Ponyboy, who was on his knees, finishing up his mini masterpiece. "You know, the cast comes off and she'll be throwing it away," I told him.

He gave me a look, "I know, Darry. It doesn't mean I need to make my drawing look bad. God, be patient, I just need a minute longer."

"You said that ten minutes ago, Pony," Les laughed, she didn't care how long he took. She was just teasing him.

He shrugged, "Well, if someone wouldn't keep moving around in the living room, I would be done," his tone taking on one of someone much older.

"What is it?" I asked.

"A rainbow colored hotdog," he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"What!?" Me and Leslie said simultaneously, causing everyone to look over at us. We both were looking down at her leg and sure enough there was a rainbow hotdog in the workings. It was just missing the last two colors of the rainbow, indigo and violet.

"Well remember that day she wore a tie die t-shirt and chocked on the hotdog because of Two-Bit's joke about her shirt?"

"Yeah, I remember," Leslie laughed loudly and I nodded grinning. She did choke on a hot dog and afterwards we teased her about it relentlessly.

"Why would you want to remind me about that?" Leslie mumbled, embarrassed about it still. I started laughing harder at her. She slapped my arm.

"Because it was a fun day and because..." Pony just smiled, holding in his own laughter.

"You're all mean to me," she dramatically draped herself over the counter top. She had me and Pone laughing, tears prickling in our eyes, at her dramatics. They were over the top and really bad.

I smiled and relaxed.

Times are good.

Thanks to all of you who have been following this story. I just want to mention I have a knew story "Road Unknown." I think you should all check that out if you haven't already. Sorry about the really late update, but I've been focusing on my other story. Also, excuse typos please.

Sunkissedchris