Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Outsiders.

(Language, for warning)


Keep Moving

Information

(Lucy POV)

Darry woke me up at six thirty to meet with the judge this morning. I will admit it was a very painful morning. First I started crying because he scared me, I had forgotten I was home. Then he hugged me apologizing right before I told him I was a loser for crying over something so stupid. Brother told me I wasn't a loser but I disagreed and told him that I can't help being emotional. That its like word vomit or diarrhea, I couldn't help it. It makes me sick, I told him. His face was sad as it was on the day of our parents funeral. By the way, it's been one hundred and ninty six days since they've gone.

After a hug fest between me and Brother, I had to get up for a shower. Darry told me that most of my clothes were still there, he only sold a few. Then he left the room so I could gather my clothes and get in the open shower. I was still so tired and weak that I couldn't stand in the shower. Which made me feel hopeless. Causing me to cry, AGAIN! Drying myself off I put a bra and underwear on. It was the first time I had worn a bra in like two weeks, I will admit it felt weird. Then I put a dark purple dress on. The sleeve came to my elbows and there was a small white band that ran around my waist. I looked okay, as far as looking okay goes. My long hair hung over my body and my face. After a moment of contemplating with myself, I put half of it up out of my face. The rest of it rand down my back in it's normal waterfall waves.

I stumbled out of the room with my dirty clothes, I wanted to burn them. So bad that it made me think of the jeans I burned months ago. If I wasn't so weak, I would do it again. Soon enough, I will burn that shit all gone. From the hallway, where I stood with my clothes, I could hear Two-bit speaking to Darry in the living room. Then I heard the heavy door close as Darry walked back into his room. Frowning, I set the clothes in my room for later destruction. With quiet clumsy feet, I peeked into Soda and Pony's room. They were fast asleep, with Soda snoring loudly. Smiling I closed the door, then walked to the kitchen. When I got there I heard the shower start, must be Darry.

Without a second thought, I began a big breakfast of; eggs, beacon and toast. It was the first meal I had cooked for anyone in months, it felt good to do. Finishing up Darry came out of the bathroom in a towel, going into his room. With shaky fingers, I poured chocolate milk and coffee for my boys. All plates were full of food, except mine. Which only had a small portion of eggs and half a piece of toast. When I was fully done Darry walked into the room in a suit and tie. His eyes got large with surprise and what looked almost angry.

"Lucy, you didn't have to do this. You shouldn't of done this." he told me walking over to me.

"I haven't done that for any of you for five months, I wanted to."

"Yeah, but you shouldn't have. Look at you, you're shaking all over." I rolled my eyes stumbling away to wake our brothers.

Entering the room, I lightly tapped Pony who was closest to the door. He slowly dazed awake, also waking Soda in the process. "Breakfast is ready, come and get it."

"Lucy, what the hell?" Pony said dazed.

"Come eat." I told them leaving the room. Sitting at the table I noticed more eggs on my plate tha I put there. Scowling slightly, I looked at Darry. He shrugged taking a sip of coffee. Immediately I put the eggs back on his dish and took a sip of water. I shivered at it, please be normal for once. I told my stomach as my other two bothers joined us in jeans and skin.

"Thanks for breakyfast Dar." Soda said digging into his beacon.

"Don't look at me, Miss. Overexertion here made it for us." they looked at me, trying to make me feel guilty.

"Shut up." I told them nibbling on my toast. Soda chuckled as Pony smirked. We ate in silence until Soda whined at me.

"Is that all your eating?" I nodded embarrassed of myself. Then they went silent again, so I just tried to eat without any issues. They seemed to be enjoying what I made because sometimes one of them would groan at how good it was. Besides, I'm the only person that makes them toast the way they like it best. Darry likes it with butter and strawberry jam. Ponyboy likes his with butter and honey. Sodapop eats his with chocolate syrup, only I would cringe at that. Too much is too much sometimes, and chocolate in the morning is TOO much.

Soda and Pony cleaned up the table while Darry finished his coffee. I tried desperately to keep down the eggs by taking small sips of water. To distract myself from the nauseating feeling in my stomach, I listened to my brothers conversation."You guys want a ride, I'm taking Luc to see the judge this morning."

"Can't we come?" Pony whined.

"Nice try little buddy but you've got school and Soda's got work." Darry informed him of the obvious. I struggled to keep my cool, vomiting was close.

"We'll take the ride Dar." Soda added through the argument.

"But what is something happened?" Ponyboy retorted.

"I'll contact you both, you're going to work." Darry pointed to Soda then Pony. "You're going to school." Pony hung his head in defeat. Soda entered the room as Darry stood from the table.

"Lucy, you okay? You don't look so good." that was it I stood up quickly, almost tripped to the bathroom. I cursed on my way there, dreading the feeling raising in my throat. My back hunched over and the painful lump stuck in my throat. Fucking-A did it hurt. My right fist pounded on the toilet seat for it to either go down or exit my body. Choking out after a few seconds, it finally flew out of my lips. I was shaking like crazy again, barely able to keep my head up as I leaned on the toilet. Hot, painful tears exited my eyes. After a minute I whipped my face with a piece of toilet paper. Throwing it with my vomit, I flushed. Turning towards the door, all three of my brothers were standing there.

I struggled to get up by myself. After a moment, Darry helped me to my feet. With my hand clenching on his arm, I brushed my teeth. He rubbed my back while I hunched over the sink. Spitting and rinsing the two of us left the bathroom. Soda and Pony were still staring at me when he left me in my room on the bed. Eventually Darry called them to hurry to get ready. They left the doorway to my room and left for theirs to get ready. After a moment of composure, I stood up going to the closet. Stuffing my feet into a pair of light brown flats before leaving the room. My dizzy head stopped me in the middle of the hallway. Holding onto the wall, my right hand went to my forehead trying to balance myself.

Pony came out of his room and found me like that. He grabbed my elbows and slightly carried me over to the couch. My baby brother was getting so strong, I thought as he brought me a glass of water.

"Hang in there Lucy." he told me leaving the room. 'I'm trying baby, I'm trying.'

Darry joined me on the couch a few minutes later, fully ready to go. I wrapped my tiny arms around his large strong one. Leaning my head on his shoulder, I closed my eyes. He put his right hand over one of mine that was attached to his arm. His warmth was comforting, I didn't want to let go when our brothers entered the room. Soda wrapped me up in one of his coats since I had none. The four of us left in Darry's truck. Sitting in the middle of Darry and Soda, I felt safe. So safe I felt like crying about it, but denied myself the need. This time I held onto Sodapop since he wasn't the one driving. When he had to leave from the car, I didn't let go of him at first. His eyes smiled sweetly down at me.

"I'll see you at home later." kissing me on the forehead he said. Then he looked at Darry for a moment with a very serious face. Darry looked back with just as much intensity. Silently Soda was telling him to take care of me. Darry responded with the same look saying, duh. Soda then scooted out of the truck, the Ponyboy entered the truck again. He threw his arm across my shoulders as I played with the hem of my dress. Getting tired of that, I looked up at Pony. He was looking down at me with hopeful eyes. I thought about how tall he was, it made me want to cry again. Just as before, I held in my shit. It wasn't long before we arrived at school. The hell hole looked the same as I remember. Demons flying around the it and everything. Wait, those are Socials. If I said that out loud, I think I would of lost my composure for sure.

"Have a good day." I muttered to Pony.

"Good luck Sis." Pony said right before looking at Darry just as Soda did, only he didn't get a way with it.

"I'll call you, now get going." Darry said coldly. I frowned at his coldness, Pony was just being protective. With a weak hand, I lightly slapped Darry's arm. Nothing that would even come close to hurting him but to bring him to my attention. He gave me a look that said 'What the hell was that for?'. giving Pony a kiss on the cheek, he left the cab of the truck. Smirking at me as we drove off. This time I scooted over to Darry, I leaned my head on his big shoulder.

"Why did you slap me?"

"Because you were mean to Pony for no reason." I said sternly. He changed the subject.

"Your still shaking."

"Thanks Darry, I didn't notice."

"Why?" I thought for a second.

"No clue." I said truthfully. We went quiet for a while, thinking about what is to wait for us in the judges office. Eventually we arrived, Darry helped me to the door. We signed in at the receptionists desk in front of his office. She told us to have a seat, so we did. I griped tightly onto Darry's hand for emotional and physical support. I looked at him nervously, he leaned over to my ear.

"Everything is going to be fine. I'm not going to let anything happen to you baby girl, I promise." okay, now that freaked me out a little bit. Talk about strange, that sound quite familiar. Sounded like The promise that Dad gave me the day before he died. Thinking of the far off memory made me cringe, I hope everything turns out all right.

I wiped my forehead of it's sweat as we waited. Then we were called back, Darry lifted me to my feet. The two of us, hand in hand, walked into his office. Darry let go of my hand to shake the older man's hand. Shakily I stretched mine out as well. He had an old but friendly face. The man was wearing a cream shirt with a pink tie. Glasses hung off his nose lightly, making him look observant. His face is very expressive, every emotion was portrayed in defended wrinkles on his face. It made it easy to read him. He took hold of my hand, pulling me closer to him. Darry put his hand on my shoulder. The old judge was looking me in the eyes, staring into my silver orbs. Then he let go of my hand, looking at my slim form. He frowned surveying my appearance but smiled when he reached my face again.

"Miss. Lucy, we are glad to have you back with us. It's nice to see you again, I'm Judge Carlson. If you wish, you may call me Mr. Carlson or Judge." I nodded politely.

"Please sit." he ushered us to a couch across his large office. The man sat across from us in a large leather chair, two empty chairs next to his. I took hold of Darry's hand when we sat on the stiff uncomfortable couch. Then two ladies entered the room. One was tall with high cheekbones. She wore large wire glasses and carried a notebook. A professional gray dress suit finished off her appearance. The lady's brown hair was pined to the top of her head with a tight pine. She smiled down at Darry and I. The women leaned over the table to shake our hands.

"Good morning, I'm Ruth Walters. It is a pleasure to meet you both." we nodded to her.

"I'm Darrel Curtis, this is my sister Lucy. It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am." I nodded to her with a small half smile. As soon as Darry had his hand back, I clasped mine in his.

The second women was slightly short. She had blond hair that hung down her back. She wore a professional blouse and brown pants. The women clicked her heels over to us, leaning over to shake our hands. Her hair fell over she shoulder as she did so.

"Hello, I'm Paige Laurens. I will be serving as your new social worker. Hopefully we can discuss a place were your brothers will join us."

"Nice to meet you ma'am." Darry said politely. Then the secretary from the desk entered the room.

"Would any of you like a drink? Coffee? Juice? Water?"

"Coffee for me Mary." Judge Carlson requested.

"Green tea please." Laurens asked.

"I'll have the same." Walters informed. Then the women turned to Darry and I. Darry swallowed out of nervousness but requested a black coffee.

"Miss. Curtis?" everyone was looking at me. Umm…

"Small water please." she nodded and left the room. I turned back to the Judge who was having a small side conversation with the two ladies. My hand gripped Darry's tightly. Breathing out a stressful sigh, I leaned into Brother tiredly.

"Miss. Lucy." the Judge brought me to sit up straighter. I looked at him to tell him I heard him.

"Now I want to tell you that anything and everything that we discuss is all in confidence. We are here to help your situation, so please hear us out in all accounts." I nodded knowingly. That women entered the room with out refreshments. Handing me the water, I smiled thankfully at her. Once everyone had their drinks, judge spoke to her.

"Mary, make Miss. Lucy an appointment at George's office this morning. You have her information in the folder I gave you this morning."

"Yes sir." she said walking out of the room.

"Sir? Appointment?" Darry asked.

"I've asked my secretary to call for a doctors appointment for Lucy. If we are going to have her recovering, we want to know what is exactly needing fixed." he smiled at me, I half smiled back.

"Speaking of, Lucy I am your therapist as well. We will discuss our arrangements later." Ruth informed me. A shrink? Who said I needed one of those! I don't want one, but it might be for the best.

"Darry, don't worry about the expenses. The doctors visits and therapist is already paid for by the state. It is our way of saying sorry for all the trouble we have cause your little family. We also relocated Mrs. Peter for her banter and unfair behavior." Paige told us, as I felt Darry's body relax a little bit against mine.

"Lucy, I see how you've changed since I saw you months ago at the trail. It concerns me deeply." Judge told me. "We are hear to discuss what we can do to help you and your brothers. I'm sure you brother has informed you of our deal."

"Not full details, sir, but yes." I responded.

"Mrs. Walters will help you become more stable. From what Darry has told me on the phone, you have become very frail in a lot of aspects. She is there to help you over come the emotional things regarding past events. Also she will be meeting with your brothers at some point to discuss things with them. Sometimes you will all go together, sometimes not. This will be a part of you progress that I'm hoping I will see in a matter of months." I nodded as he continued.

"Mrs. Laurens will monitor your family's progress. She will also be there on the road of recovery. I'm looking forward to see that progress, she's one of my top social workers in the state." she blushed slightly at the admiration.

"But Miss. Lucy, if I don't see progress then things will begin to take place. You might not be taken away from Darry but there will be some changes. Depending on the circumstances at the time, will determine my decision." I nodded in understanding.

"This was just a meeting to touch base." Laurens said.

"Then we should all be on our way. Thank you for this short meeting, I'll call you for further examination in a months time." Judge said to us standing up.

"What about school?" Darry asked.

"I was hoping that the doctor would send a note to her school, informing them she will be under medical care for the rest of the year. As for the summer, I want her to take a few classes to make up for missed credits." Judge inform Darry. He nodded helping me up.

"Lucy, I'll be over at your house in a few days for a home visit. It will be a lot more comfortable for you there, yes?" I nodded thankfully. "I'll call a day before. Here's my card if you EVER need anything."

Ruth stained the word ever because she wanted to get the point across from me. I nodded as Darry took her card. "I will also call to make a meeting with your family." Paige told Darry handing her card over.

"Have George Sanders send me the paper work on your medical information at your appointment." Judge told us as we were exiting the room.

"Thank you for everything Judge, ladies." Darry thanked them.

"It's no problem Darrel. Have a nice day you two." Judge told us. I let go of Darry's hand finally feeling the air hit my face when we exited the room. Mary handed us the information for the doctor's office.

"Your appointment is at ten, you should be able to make it." we left the large building in no hurry. Darry let me lean on him until we got in the car. He frowned at the paper Mary gave us.

"This place is in south Payne. Glory, that's a long drive." we rode off in silence after that. Taking in all the new information, only to await more new information. The day was making me even more tired, and I felt sick to my stomach still. Eventually, I laid down laying my head next to Darry's leg. He told me to sleep if I could, so I did. It wasn't a very restful sleep but it did help a little. Soon enough, we arrived at SAT's Office for Medical Care. Sander's, Andrew's and Tomas's medical care; oh joy.