Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Outsiders.

DUDES, sorry for the delay. I'm having a few rough weeks. I'm not sure when I can update again, sorry

-Kathrine

Sorry it's sooo short!

(Language for warning)

Keep Moving

Random Pain and Dizziness

There was a heavy warmth stretched across my back. My face was resting into a fluffy pillow, I breathed a sigh into the pillow. It hurt when I did but I didn't care much. When I lifted my head from the pillow I realize two things; I was in Darry's room and Sodapop had his arm curled around my back. Smiling to the sleeping boy next to me, I tried to pull him into a hug. It was an awkward one because it hurt my ribs and he was pretty much dead to the world. Right as I was going to try to wiggle out of the bed, Soda's arms tightened around me. He sighed happily with his eyes closed. At first I still thought he was asleep, meaning I would be cursed to lay in his tight embrace until he woke up. But than he spoke to me in a sleepy voice as he stretched and yawned next to me.

"How was you sleep, Twiny?" he started to get up from the bed, pulling me with him. Once we were standing, Soda wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulling me into a real hug. I squeezed him around the middle.

"Great, how long was I out?"

"Two days, it's Monday." I growled into his warm shirt as he pulled me out of Darry's room.

"I've gotta work at noon." Soda laughed at my annoyance.

"Mickey said you can have the day off. He feels bad about leaving you girls alone on a night shift. Darry had a lot to say to him about that too, yelled at him a bit."

"Darry? Darry yelled at another human being besides us?" Soda looked down at me and smiled.

"Yeah, it was pretty funny to watch. I wish you could of seen it. For the rest of the day, Steve and I were imitating him." he laughed a breathy laugh as he pulled us into the kitchen. There was a small yellow note that seemed to be addressed to the both of us.

Hey,

Pony and I went to the store to get food. We might bring lunch home too. If any of the guys come over, tell them to keep everything cleaned up. Ruth called saying she might come for dinner. Behave. Hope you're feeling better Luc. Look out for her Soda.

Darry

Once I was finished reading it out loud, Soda shrugged into our hug. I leaned into him more, feeling the dizziness from standing after not for a long time. Soda's arms tightened protectively around me. Then he brought the both of us into the living room. We both fell onto the couch, pulling me on top of him. I laid my head onto his chest, feeling safe in my brother's arms.

"How you feeling?" he asked as we just chilled on the couch.

"Really sore." I admitted looking up into his face as I rested my chin on his stomach.

"That not what I entirely meant but, what hurts?" he said with interest but not concern. I made a face, I hate talking about my weakness. "Just tell me, baby. We didn't take a look under the bandage when Pony and I changed your clothes."

"It hurts when I talk or breath, the usual." I couldn't really feel the effects of my face, except that it's hard to move it sometimes.

"How's my face lookin?" I felt a small grimace fold onto my face.

"It's not bad. Not swollen anymore, just bruised. We made you lay on an icepack, it helped a lot." breathing a sigh, I laid my head down again.

"Do you work today?"

"No one does, not even Darry." I felt Soda place his hand onto my thin hair. Its still very short, but I'm getting used to it.

"Wow, why?" .

"Well, Steve and I don't work because we already had today off because we worked yesterday. Darry has off because…well I don't really know. Maybe the guy just needed a break."

"He should take breaks more often." I said wrapping my arms around his arm, he was keeping me warm.

"You cold?" he asked as I shivered. I looked up into my twin's eyes, feeling his protection and warmth.

"A little, but I'm fine." I said absenting, fighting to stay awake as we lay there.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

"I already told you, Sodapop. Sore but fine."

"No, I mean how is Lucy as a person? How are you doing with your emotions or whatever?"

"You're not very good at this are you?" I said pushing myself away from him, pretty much avoiding the question. As I got up, I started to move towards my room. Soda quickly grabbed my wrist. He made me face him so I had not room to ignore his questions.

"Sorry, but I'm not Mom and I'm not good at this kind of stuff. You are kind of like the one that came in place of Mom to help us cope, Lucy. But no one is that Mom for you. I want to try to help talk you through some of the bad stuff Luc. Talk you through your bad dreams."

"Bad dreams?" I said a little perplexed. "Was I sleep talking to you?"

Sodapop nodded slightly. Sighing, a little embarrassed, I took a step back. I knew it would make Soda leave me alone if I said at least one thing to him. That what I have Ruth for though. I may not tell her everything, but she is somewhat the mother figure in my life now. Unfortunately for me though, I want my real Mama. Its nice that Soda is concerned though, even if there is no need and I don't want him to be.

"I'm fine Sodapop. Really." I'm not sure if I am. This morning, I haven't really thought about anything important. All the feelings and fears I have from last night are tucked away for now. Maybe Ruth will bring that shit out for the world to see later. She knows how to get me to talk, because she's just so inviting. I don't want to think about it, I don't!

"Luc, are you sure?" Soda looked down at me with his beautiful, glowing eyes. They told me not to lie, they were inviting.

"Soda, I'm going to go shower. You shouldn't worry about me!" I pointed to his chest as I turned around. In my room I gathered some clothes and headed to the bathroom with a towel. Soon I was in the locked room with no clothes on. In the mirror, I leaned forward to take a look at my face. It was dark purple in one spot. The bruise faded to a light blue as it reached my ear on the left side of my face. Under my eye, it was a sickly blue and green color that extended to the bridge of my nose. I felt my face frown deeply when I stepped back to see the big picture. My eyes looked in the mirror at my face for a good five minutes before they traced the reflection down to the bandage on my side.

It was a big, white, bulky bandage. With cold fingers, I lifted a side of the tape slowly. In a small, fluent motion; I took the rest of the tape from my skin. It made a horrible sound that made my skin shiver. As I looked at the bruise on my side, I remember some words of advice from the doctor. He said to wrap up my middle for a few days so it take pressure off my torso. I'm not sure, but he might of said that it would be easier to breathe. God, I sure hope it will be. I'm going crazy with this pain thin. After poking and probing the black lump on my side, I entered the shower.

The hot water was somewhat of an irritation, so I took a cold shower. It felt nice onto my warm skin. The freezing water made me relax into the wall slightly, leaning my head as the water ran down my back. It wasn't long before I began to scrub my hair with the new shampoo Darry bought me the other day. The soup smells like pineapples, my favorite fruit. As I finished rinsing my hair, I cleaned my body with the same kind of body wash. By the end of the shower, the whole room smelled of pineapples. When I tried to breathe in the delicious scent, I began to choke violently. How dumb can I be, now my side is all inflamed and irritated.

Drying off, I started to get dressed. With my shorts on, I began to get my bra over my shoulders. It was an old bra, one that I usually sleep in. The bra was loose, so hopefully it wont cause irritation to my ribs. It did as I was putting it on, it also stabbed me. Wincing slightly, I tried desperately to adjust it so it would stab me. Once it was in the most comfortable spot possible, I searched around for the first aid bandage to wrap my torso. It wasn't in the bathroom, so I left the bathroom shirtless and all. I entered the living room where Two-bit and Soda were watching Mickey.

With my small arm, I tried holding my side together so it wouldn't rub anything. It was useless and it was painful. Without anything on the injury, my ribs moved against my hurt skin. Slightly hunched, I called Soda's name. He pulled his eyes from the TV and quickly jumped over to me. He held out his hands like I would fall if he didn't. I didn't hesitate to hold onto his arm though. Soda looked me up and down, giving me a strange look. I was going to explain after a sigh, but it hurt. I winced at the air that expanded my lungs into my ribs. Soda said my name in a small panic. Waving my hand at him, I tried to compose myself.

"Lucy, lookin good." Two-bit complemented me, finally noticing I entered the room.

"Shut up Tow-bit." Soda commanded. I felt Two-bit walk over to me, my eyes looked at him.

"Luc, you look like a scared kitty." he told me laughing.

"You look like a dick head." I told him, with a quiet sneer. He frowned at me, finally noticing my distress.

With great effort, I breathed out to Sodapop. Hoping he would be able to fine the bandage so I can hopefully breath normally. As Sodapop brought me over to a chair at the dining room table, I explained my situation.

"I need the first aid bandage really bad. Please help me find it." I said in an unstable voice.

"Sure, Twiny. Two-bit, help me would ya?" Soda said in a soft voice. Both boys scattered throughout the house, in search for the bandage. The pressure of my injury was weighing on me, making me lean into the table more. At some point I tried to get up to help in the search, but Two-bit immediately made me take a seat. It was about five minutes before Two-bit victoriously jumped out of Darry's bedroom holding the wrap up proudly.

"For you Lucy!" he said handing me the bandage. I took it with a half smile.

"Two-y, what would I do without you." he smiled big at me.

"Die." he offered. I shook my head with a smile.

"Die from boredom perhaps?" I nodded as Soda came back in the room. Looking relieved at the bandage, he offered to help me put it on. I gratefully accepted.

It took all my will not to scream out as I raised my arms above my head. We had to stop twice because it was too much for me to handle. I felt so weak and….dumb. Once Sodapop was done, I noticed that Darry and Pony were bringing groceries in from the front door. Everyone was walking around in a weird daze, or it could of just been me. After waving to my brothers, I entered my room to retrieve a shirt. When I came back out of my room; Steve, Johnny, and Dally were chilling in the living room. When the hell did everyone show up, maybe I'm sleeping. I feel so out of it anyway, I must be sleeping.

As I entered the kitchen, Darry smiled at me. Before he got a chance to say anything, I asked. "When is Ruth coming over?"

"She said she would call to confirm if she was coming or not. But she said around dinner probably. Why? Are ya doin okay?" his face was strong but his voice said he was concerned.

"I feel kinda out of it. I don't know how to describe it." he nodded to me, trying to understand my dilemma.

"Drink some water, I'll make ya a sandwich." Darry said with a smile. I took a glass from the cabinet. Filling it with water from the sink, I walked into the living room. Everyone turned and looked at me with smiles, even Dally. Dizzily, I chugged the water from the glass. They watched me until I set the empty glass onto the table. Dally ushered me over, so I went and sat on his lap in the arm chair. He protectively wrapped his armed around me, making me warm.

"I missed you." he whispered to me as everyone averted their attention back to the TV. I placed my head on his chest, closing my eyes. Before I knew it, I was asleep once again. Nothing was heard by me for the rest of the morning.