SADLY, I DO NOT OWN THE OUTSIDERS! ALL RIGHTS GO TO THE AMAZING S. E. HINTON!

Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm very pleased at the amount of reviews I revived- 9 in one day! That's more than I got in two weeks for In Reality, which you should read too ;) It was a really good surprise to get them, I was at my dance recitle all day, and I got home around 10 and I heard all these bing, bing, bing! noises as I got more emails. Yayyy! And don't worry, I won't make this too depressing cause 1.) That would make me depressed, and I'm generally a happy person so I don't want to be depressed, and 2.) Pony is my favorite charecter and soulmate, I can't do too much horrible stuff to him! Kay, I'll stop rambling and get to the story. Enjoy!

At The End Of The Road, Chapter 2: D-Day

PONY'S POV

I slept the rest of the day. So much for studying for the exams. I remember Soda coming in around 6:30, kicking off his shoes in the living room and heading into the kitchen for his ritual glass of chocolate milk.

"Hey Darry, you're home early!" he yelled loudly at Darry's closed door. I groaned and buried my head into my pillow. Does he always have to be so loud?

"Yeah, Gerald let us off early, we were done for the day. And don't shout."

"It time for dinner? I see meatloaf."

"Yeah, and the gangs coming over for it, too, so don't scarf it all down, Sodapop." Darry's voice was teasing, but it's true, Soda eats like a horse.

"Sure thing, Dar. I'll go get Pony for dinner."

"No, let him sleep. I think he's coming down with something, his coach sent him home from track today."

"Again? That's like the third time this month." Soda's voice was concerned.

"I know. If he's sick tomorrow, then I'm taking him to the doctor. This isn't normal, he's been sick way too often lately. Go check on him, would you?"

"Got it!" Soda's footsteps thudded down the hall. I winced, waiting for him to slam open the door, but he opened it gently.

"Hey, Pony." he whispered. I felt the bed creak as he sat down beside me and rubbed my back. I didn't even open my eyes, I was so tired.

"Hey Soda." I whispered, cringing at how weak my voice sounded. I wasn't even going to try to act all tough now, I felt horrible. Soda pressed his hand on the back of my forehead.

"I think you're running a fever, Pony, I'll have Darry come in and check your tempeture after dinner."

"Kay."

"Are you hungry? We could save you some food."

"I'm good, I don't feel like eating right now."

"Alright. Sleep well, little buddy." He smoothed back my hair and left. After that, everything was hazy. I heard the low murmmer of voices in the kitchen, the voices of the gang arriving. I slept on and off after that. I vaguely remember Darry coming to check in on me, and Soda falling asleep next to me. I fell asleep for good after that, not waking up until the next morning.

It was still dark outside the window, even though it was around seven in the morning. I was groggy and half asleep when Soda gently shook me awake.

"Hey, Pone. Are you feeling good enough to go to school?" I was planning on saying yes, popping in a couple of aspirins, and heading off to school, but I could barely move. I needed to go to the doctor, there was no denying it. I shook my head a little, eyes still closed. He felt my forehead.

"Lord, Pony, you're on fire. I'm getting Darry, you defiantly need to go to the doctor." Darry appeared in the doorway a few seconds later.

"Still feeling sick, kiddo?" he asked. I nodded again.

"Open up." He placed the thermometer in my mouth. I leaned back against Soda, waiting for it to be finished. A minute later, it beeped and Darry pulled it out of my mouth.

"103.2. All right, get dressed, we're going to the doctor. No complaints."

I was too tired to complain. It took forever to just get myself out of bed, but I managed eventually. I didn't even bother to check what clothes I was pulling on, it didn't even matter. I dragged myself out to the living room to wait for Darry on the couch. I curled up and closed my eyes, totally oblivious to the fact that the T.V. was running Mickey Mouse at full volume, and Two-Bit was laughing like a hyena. I sat up. No point in trying to get any sleep now. I looked around. Johnny was eating eggs at the table, Steve and Soda were arm-wrestling, and Dally was smoking. Darry came hurrying in, pulling his shirt over his head as he spoke.

"S***, we're late, c'mon Pone, move it." Then he yelled to the whole house in general, "Guys, you need to leave at 7:45. Two-Bit, Johnnycake, Steve, y'all got school, make sure to walk home together. Steve, you're working at the DX after school, starting at 4. Dal, you're working, be at Buck's by 8, the rodeo starts at 9:30. Soda, you got work. Stay out of trouble. Don't do anything stupid."

Everyone was staring, I couldn't help grinning. Darry really should be a drill Sargent.

"Kay see everyone later." Darry yelled.

"See y'all later," I added in, but regretted it, cause my throat was sore.

We got five different responses. "But Darry, Mickeys not over till 8! I have to finish it!". "Bye Darry. Feel better, Pony.". "School. What a waste of time.". "Whatever. Later, man.". "See ya, Dar, Pony."

My ears were ringing. We finally got out of the house and into the car. I stretched out in the back seat as Darry got in the front. I was about to ask him which doctor's office we were going to, but I fell asleep before I could say a word.

I woke up to Darry shaking me. "We're here, Pony." I sat up too quickly. My vision swam and head throbbed. Darry steadied me. "Hey, take it easy, buddy." he said as he helped me inside. It was a small brick office with only a few offices. Dr. Wardley's office. I had been here a few times, but not in the past couple of years. I curled up in one of the chairs as Darry filled out paperwork. Pretty soon, the nurse called out "Ponyboy Curtis" and we went into an examining room to wait.

Dr. Wardley came in a few minutes later. He was a tall, stocky man with thin brown hair and dark blue eyes, probably in his mid-fourties. He was a real good guy, he treated people, whether Greaser of Soc, alike. I like him real well because he was actually gentle when he examined people, unlike many of the nurses I have had here before. One time, I was getting tested for strep throat, and the nurse was in such a hurry that she didn't even have me sit down, she just shoved it down my throat, giving me no warning. It wasn't a pleasant experience.

Anyway, he came on in, smiling.

"Hello Ponyboy, nice to see you again. And Darrel! What a nice surprise! Mom and Dad busy?"

I closed my eyes briefly. Mom and Dad had only died a couple months ago, and it was still a sensitive topic. Pain flirted briefly across Darry's face before he answered. "I'm sorry sir, we didn't inform you, they passed away in early December. Car wreck."

Dr. Wardley looked shocked. "Oh my God, I had no idea, I'm so sorry..."

"It's alright." Darry cut in, not wishing to pursue the topic.

Dr. Wardley cleared his throat professionally. "Well, what can I do for you boys today?"

I spoke up, "I've been getting sick a lot lately. We think it's the flu, but we just want to make sure."

"Okay, let's get started." He took blood first, which I didn't mind too much. Needles don't scare me. He then listened to my breathing, checked my heart, took my temperature, and did a throat cultural.

"Ponyboy, what symptoms have you been having?" he asked, looking worried.

"I've just been really tired, my bones have been kinda sore, and I've had a fever."

"Anything else?"

"Oh yeah." I pulled up my sleeves to reveal them. " I have some bruises on my arms, but I'm not sure what caused them."

"Okay, thank you, Ponyboy. You and Darrel may wait in the waiting room till we have some results."

So we waited. For at least a half hour. Finally, came out. Darry got to his feet. "So, what's he got?" Dr. Wardley looked uncomfortable.

"Ponyboy's blood results came back a little unusual. We're going to send you on down to the hospital for a couple more tests. I mean, this could all just be a lab error. We just want to make sure. Here's the directions. I set up an appointment for you at 10:30. That's in an hour. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine." Darry replied. "Thanks a lot."

"Call me with the results, would you?" Dr. Wardley asked, as he shook our hands.

"Sure." Darry looked worried as we got in the car, and I knew why. I had seen the directions. They couldn't hide everything from me. Floor 7, Oncology Ward. Oncology. I knew what they were testing me for. Cancer.

I looked up at Tulsa General, the building that could possibly change my life forever. I wasn't to worried, though. Dr. Wardley himself had said that it could just be a lab error, and he wouldn't lie, would he? There was no way I had cancer. I had to be careful about what I said, I wasn't supposed to know...

DARRY'S POV

I was worried, as we pulled into Tulsa General. The writing was imprinted in my mind: Floor 7, Oncology Ward. Now, I may not be Mr. Medical, but I did know what oncology meant. There was no way that my little brother had cancer. He was only 13, for God's sake! Anyway, doctors always try to overstate their ability, testing patients for every ailment under the sun, when it usually was just the flu. The thought cheered me as we made our way across the parking lot and through the double doors.

The hospital was clean and white and smelled of disinfectant. We got into the elevator and I punched the button for the seventh floor. Pony leaned against the wall, pale and sweaty.

"You doing all right, Pone?" I asked. He coughed weakly.

"Yeah, I'm just tired," he said hoarsely.

"Don't worry, we'll be done soon, it's probably just the flu or something." I saw no need to worry him now, when it probably wasn't true. The elevator dinged and we got out. This floor was a whole different world. There was something totally different in the atmosphere then downstairs. There were tons of familys looking tired yet familiar with the surroundings, talking to nurses and doctors like they were old friends. There were kids in the hallways, pale, thin, and bald. But as young as they were, their faces were mature, they had hope. Hope was everywhere, you could see it. Ponyboy was trembling. I couldn't hide it, he knew what he was being tested for.

"Don't worry," I whispered to him. "They're just taking percautions, you're probably fine. He nodded mutely. I led him to the row of plastic chairs, sat him down, and headed over to the front desk. The lady smiled kindly.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, we have an appointment for Ponyboy Curtis at 10:30. Just a couple of tests."

She shuffled through her papers. "Ah yes, Dr. Mitchell will be here in about fifteen minutes. You can wait over there until then."

"Alright, thank you."

"No problem, honey." It felt strange to be called that, I thought as I walked backed to my seat. Made me remember that I still am a kid. Not even 20 yet... I sat down next to Pony, who was already asleep in his chair. I looked down at him and smiled. The kid is so dang smart, he's gonna make it somewhere in his life. I just sat, thinking, until a voice beside me cut into my thoughts.

"First time?" I looked around and saw a women sitting beside me. There were bags under her eyes, she was obviously a regular here.

"Yes, ma'am. My brothers just getting tested." I didn't know why I was telling her this, maybe it had been so long since I was actually able to talk to someone in the same situation as me, to someone who seemed to care.

"Oh, well good luck. My son is here, he's 13. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

"I'm sorry ma'am."

"That's alright. We're all in the same boat here. And even though it's horrible to see them sick, it teaches you things: the meaning of life, you appriciate things more, you meet so many wonderful people..." She trailed off. I sat there awkwardly, not really knowing what to say. Thankfully, a man called out "Ponyboy Curtis" and I got to my feet. I nudged him awake.

"C'mon Pone, it's our turn. He yawned and got up, stretching. I turned back around and held out my hand to the women. "Darry Curtis."

"Elizabeth Dunthers." she said, shaking it. Then she turned to Pony and smiled. "I'm Mrs. Dunthers," she said, smiling warmly.

"Nice to meet you, ma'am," he whispered. He was nervous, I could tell.

"Likewise. Good luck!" she waved us off. We went over to the doctor.

"Hello!" he said in a booming voice. I liked him immediately, he didn't seem fake. He shook my hand. "Kenneth Mitchells. You must be Darrel." he pumped my hand enthusiastically. He had an iron grip. He turned to Ponyboy. "And you must be Ponyboy." He shook his hand, too.

"Yes, sir."

"Great. Now, if you two will follow me.."

He led the way down the long hallways, lined with hospital rooms. Some doors were opened, revealing hospital beds, and various tubes surrounding them. We walked past them, to a small examining room.

"Now if you'll sit there, Ponyboy..." Pony sat on the examining table. Dr. Mitchell did basically the same things that Dr. Wardley did, except he drew blood three times, in order to do more tests. Then it was back to the waiting room. Pony curled up and put his head against my shoulder. I rubbed his back, I could feel how tired he was.

"Do you want me to call Soda?" I asked. It had occurred to me that he might want to know what was going on. Pony shook his head.

"Not unless it's bad," he said. "I don't want to have him come all the way out here for the flu." I nodded, and we waited in silence. About 10 minutes later, Dr. Mitchell came over.

"We have the results. Follow me." That didn't sound good, and I think Pony knew it, too because he nudged me and whispered, "Actually, can you call Soda?"

"Sure, little buddy." I said. When we got to Dr. Mitchell's office, I made the call.

SODA'S POV

I was sitting behind the counter, bored out of my mind, reading a cars magazine. Business had been really slow today. The phone suddenly rang shrilly. I snatched it up.

"Thank you for calling the DX, this is Sodapop, what can I do for you today?"

"Soda?"

"Darry? What are you calling for?"

"I'm at Tulsa General. I need you to get down here, now."

"The hospital. What's going on?"

"I'll explain later. Just get down here. Pony's herLe. Seventh floor."

"Okay. Be there in 10 minutes, Dar."

"Alright. Don't speed."

"No promises."

I hung up, heart racing. The hospital? I hurried over to Mitch, my bosses office, and knocked.

"Come in."

"Hey, Mitch."

"Hey kid. What's up, run out of candy bars?" he chuckled.

"No, I got a family emergency. I need to get down to the hospital."

He stopped laughing. "Is everyone okay?"

"I don't know."

"Sure kid. Go on ahead. Good luck."

I hurried out, filled Steve in, and drove on down to the hospital. I practically ran to the elevator. I pressed the button for floor seven. As I went up, I ran my finger along the list of floors. Floor seven: Oncology. Heck, I didn't know what that was, but it didn't sound good. The elevator dinged and I hurried out to the desk. "Ponyboy Curtis." I said to the receptionist. "I was told he was here."

"Yes, he and his brother are in Dr. Mitchell's office. You family?"

"Yeah, they're my brothers."

"Ok, honey, I'll take you down there."

We walked down the hallway. As we walked, I put two and two together, and I found out the meaning of oncology- cancer. My mouth was dry and my heart was pounding. Did my baby brother have cancer? After all that had just happened? How could this happen? Relax, I told myself. You don't know if he has it yet, they're probably just doing some tests to make sure he doesn't. It's just the flu. I forced myself to believe that as I walked silently down the hallway. Finally, we stopped outside a small office. The nameplate read Dr. K. Mitchell.

"Here you go, they should be in there," said the women.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Anytime."

I opened the door and stepped inside.

PONY'S POV

I was scared. No, scratch that. I was terrified. I was afraid to hear what Dr. Mitchell had to say, but I knew I had to hear it. You can't hide from the truth. We decided to wait till after Sodapop came to hear the results. Good, cause I needed him. So we sat here, killing time but telling Dr. Mitchell about ourselves. There was a knock on the door, and Soda came in, mercifully interrupting Darry's long-winded explanation of football. Thank God. He can really get into those.

We made introductions and Soda sat next to me, gripping my hand.

"Now," said Dr. Mitchell. "The results." He shuffledthrough his papers. "When we checked Ponyboy's blood, I was very concerned at his bone marrow. It seems to be producing cells that are not mature. These inmature cells continue to reproduce. As a result, healthy cells are not able to reproduce and grow. Because of this, the body is confused, and it sends out signals to stop producing cells. Then the cells die. Your body can't live without cells, so it would eventually kill you. There is treatment, however."

He was about to continue but Darry broke in, "And what exactually is this called?"

Dr. Mitchell heaved a sigh. "There are many forms." he said. He looked right at me. "But it is my belief that you have Acute Myeloid Leukemia. LMC. Cancer."

The world spun around me. I couldn't think or feel or see. I have cancer. Cancer.

It was Febuary 27. D-Day. Diagnosis Day.

Author's Note: Well, I'm extremely proud of myself! That's the longest chapter I've ever written! Now, I need to explain something about the story. PLEASE READ! Okay, in most of these stories, they focus on the sickness and the brothers. It moves along by one horrible scenario after another happens, and they usually make all the charecters cry a lot. Mine is going to focus more on benefits of this: it's going to bring everyone closer together, they're not going to fall apart. They're going to make friends with the patients and nurses and doctors and other families, cause that's usually what happens. And it's going to teach life lessons. And they always make Pony break down and bawl, but I'm going to make him the concrete of the group, the supporter, it just makes sense to me. In other words, this is going to be a deep story, but it's gonna be happy, too. You'll see why. Ok, I just felt like that was important to explain ;) Well, please review, it truly does motivate me! Thanks! Stay Gold! -Emily ;) :)

I GOT ALL MY INFO FROM THIS WEBSITE: Leukemia- Syptoms, Types, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments.