Well, hello there! Been quite a while but I wanted to give this story an update for anyone who was waiting. Please enjoy and review at the end!

Chapter 4

Soda was jerked rudely awake by a hard object repeatedly hitting him in the side. Flipping over with a growl of annoyance Soda froze when he saw the source of his discomfort.

Pony was writhing on the other side of their bed, face scrunched up in pain as murmured words escaped past his lips and tears slowly slid down his cheeks.

It took Soda several panicked moments to act. After rescuing his little brother Soda could count the number of time Pony had cried on one hand. He simply didn't seem to have any tears left to shed Hell, Darry had cried more than the youngest Curtis!. Now here he was, locked in a nightmare that Soda could only begin to imagine and once again, Soda was helpless.

He hated that. He absolutely hated being helpless, unable to help his little brother. That was his job, right? An older brother was supposed to look out and protect his younger siblings, keep them prepared for whatever the world could throw their way. Well, this one may have even surprised nature itself.

Soda hesitantly reached over to Pony and gripped his shoulder. "Pony!" he said, shaking him gently, "Pony wake up!"

It took a few breathless seconds but then Pony blinked open his shiny vivid green eyes and stared up at his big brother. He didn't seem to know where he was but then they focused and the blinds that always crossed his eyes shot up.

Soda's heart twisted and settled down on his knees next to his brother. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, already anticipating the answer.

Pony bit his lower lip so hard that it turned white. "Not really," he replied, brushing away the tears with an impatient hand.

"You can't keep doing this!" exclaimed Soda, "You need to let me help you, baby. I can't stand it that you don't."

A red dash flushed against Pony's fair skin and he flopped back onto the bed, turning away from his brother. "Not everything is about you, Soda!"

That hurt. Soda didn't think anything was about him. He didn't focus when he was at his job and Ponyboy, bills and drugs were the only things on his mind when he was out with the guys. In fact Soda couldn't remember the last time he had done something that was really just for him. Steve had just been on his back about that exact thing the day before.

However, Ponyboy didn't seem to be in an understanding mood and Sod knew better then to push even when his little brother was being unfair.

With a sigh, Soda laid down as well. The space between him and Pony seemed to be a mile long.

The next morning Soda was reading the paper at the kitchen table thinking about how he was going to get Pony to his appointment that afternoon. Darry had already left for work but Soda had the day off so the responsibility had fallen to him.

Flipping through the sport section, Soda raised his head when he heard soft footsteps coming down the hallway. His heart thudded painfully when he saw Pony. Some days he looked just like he had when he had been found, all dark eyes and white skin.

To Soda's surprise instead of silently going to the stove like he did most mornings, Ponyboy slowly walked over to the table and sat opposite his older brother.

Brown eyes meet green and for a moment neither of them spoke. Finally Ponyboy said softly, "I'm sorry Soda".

Soda raised an eyebrow in a silent question.

Pony sighed and looked down at his folded hands. They shook slightly.

"I shouldn't have snapped at you last night," he continued, "I'm just never sure what to say".

"I just want to help you," Soda told his charge softly. That was all he wanted in the world.

He was rewarded by a lopsided smile by Pony but his little brother's next words hit him hard and sank deep.

"You can protect me from myself, Soda".

Irrational anger sparked through Soda's veins. "Oh yeah?" he exclaimed, "Watch me!"

Pony laughed and Soda flushed even redder, embarrassed by his outburst.

"Pony…" Soda said hesitantly, "Aren't they just dreams?"

The green eyes got that far off look again and he responded, "If I've learned anything in the last few months Soda it's that dreams can be very real."

They were silent for a few long moments and then Pony stood up abruptly, nearly sending his chair to the floor.

"Well, I'm awake now so let's go see if we can track down those trouble making boys of ours," he cried.

Soda smiled and followed his brother out; silently wishing with all his hear that one day Ponyboy's dreams would become just that. Just a dream.