Disclaimer: We do not own, make a profit or claim the characters, settings or anything else you recognize from S.E. Hinton's work The Outsiders. They all belong to her and we just borrow. We also do not own Nickelback's song "Woke Up This Morning."

I paid my last respects
this morning on an early grave,
Already said goodbye,
Nothing left to say.

Tim climbed slowly out of Monty's car. It seemed like a long hike up the tiny hill to the cemetery, but suddenly he and Curly were standing there amongst only a handful of people, most of which were his own gang. It was the typical reception for a grease like Monty to be as disrespected in death as he was in life, but it still pissed Tim off. He reached for a cigarette, ignoring the dull ache of his busted knuckles from knocking the ever-loving shit out of Rick Bradley. If he could've killed him and gotten away with it, he certainly would have. He took a drag from his cigarette, deciding it was probably in bad taste to think of murdering somebody at a funeral.

"How d'you think Betsy's holdin' up?" Curly whispered beside him.

Tim looked over at Monty's aunt. She was crying quietly near the casket. It was a simple thing, the cheapest wooden box she could afford. That poor bastard was probably lucky he wasn't just dumped into a big dirt hole in some backyard ceremony. Betsy was probably working her way into a big amount of debt just to have this little shindig. It wasn't like the two of them had any other family to help her out.

Before he could answer Curly, Betsy turned around and glared at him. He stared back at her, knowing full well what was going to happen.

She stalked up to him, brushing the tears off her cheeks. He braced himself for what was to come.

"You no good delinquent," she hissed from between clenched teeth. "You got him twisted up in this whole mess."

Tim shook his head and held his hands up. "Easy, Betsy. I know you're upset and all but -"

"No you don't, Tim," she snapped. "Don't go making excuses for everything you got my sister's only son tied up in. Monty was just a kid!" Her voice cracked when she said his name.

"He was a good man to have around," he replied.

She pointed a shaky finger in his face. "Don't you start talking like all he had was your gang. He was a good boy before you got him involved in this. Without you, he'd be alive and well."

He was getting really sick of everybody turning the blame on him for something he had no control in. Ellie had done the same damn thing.

"Monty was a big boy and he made his own choices," he told her in no uncertain terms.

Betsy slapped him before he could register what she was doing. He stared down at her but said nothing. If that was what made her feel a little better, then she could consider that his condolences. Everyone seemed to forget that Monty was his buddy, too.

"And I don't appreciate burying my 23-year-old nephew, but that's the fact of the matter, ain't it?" She choked back another sob as she turned. Betsy glanced over her shoulder before she walked away. "Make no mistake about it, Tim Shepard. This is all your fault."

He watched her walk away. Curly had heard around town that Betsy was planning on packing up and getting out of Tulsa because of this. It was a wonder she ever came back at all when she wasn't flying around the country, but Tim supposed it was because of Monty being here. Well, she didn't have to worry about that now.

Curly elbowed Tim roughly in the ribs.

"What?" he snapped, looking down at his brother. Curly nodded to his left and Tim followed his gaze.

Ellie was standing at the edge of the gathering, staring at him, with Steve Randle at her side. Tim glanced back at Curly, knowing he was judging his big brother for the split lip she was sporting. Curly said nothing though.

Tim stared back her. She looked better than she had a couple days before. She didn't look so angry or upset. She just looked defeated. Join the club, he thought. He glanced over at Steve. If looks could kill, they'd be burying Tim next to Monty right about now. He knew one day he would open his front door and Steve would be on his porch, ready to beat the tar out of him. And Tim would let him. His condolences, after all.

XXX

"I still don't know why you wanted to come here," Steve muttered beside her.

She broke Tim's glare from across the cemetery.

"Monty was my friend," she said. "I think he was, anyway."

"Yeah, well, Monty ain't here, Tim is," he pointed out.

As if she wasn't well-aware of that fact when she considered coming in the first place.

"Monty was his friend, too," she defended. Steve just muttered something unintelligent.

Ellie had never met Monty's aunt, but she knew who she was. There was something uncomfortable about watching her slap Tim, but there was something that made her feel a lot better herself when Betsy did it. She wished she could have done it herself when he came to her house with that sorry excuse for an apology. If she had the moment back, she'd do a whole lot worse than slap him, though.

She felt bad for him, though, she really did. That didn't excuse what he had done to her, and it certainly didn't make her forget it either, but she couldn't help but stand there feeling sorry for him. All he had in the world was his stupid gang, and here it was, falling apart in front of their eyes. Even though Curly was standing beside him, Ellie knew Tim couldn't ever trust him the same again. She wasn't sure who she felt worse for, though.

She had spent a lot of time trying not to think about what had happened that night but thinking about it anyway. It wasn't her fault; she was still trying to convince herself of that. But it had happened and there wasn't any going back now.

Steve was the only one who knew she was planning on coming to the funeral. She had been scared to ask him to take her, afraid he would think she was stupid for wanting to be there. He had tried to talk her out of it, but he caved and agreed to go with her. It was a lot easier being around Tim when he was standing in the middle of them. Pony may have been her best friend, but there was so much he didn't understand about all of this. So much she didn't want to tell him about it because she knew he would look at her differently. Steve was something else. She trusted him more than anybody else, and if he had kept his mouth shut for this long about what had happened between her and Tim, she knew he wouldn't tell anybody.

"You almost ready to go?" he asked, antsy beside her.

"We'll leave in a little bit," she assured him. It was a poor man's funeral with a preacher standing there near Betsy and the coffin, Bible in hand, looking mighty uncomfortable. Ellie had been to enough funerals to know that not a whole lot would be done. A few words, a prayer and then everyone would leave. It was sad to think that was all his life would come to. She hadn't even known his real name until the preacher said it aloud. Albert Montgomery.

"Well, we can't stay all day," Steve muttered as they walked a little closer to the casket.

"Why?" she asked. She felt like she was in a daze.

"I just got plans today," he replied.

"With Evie?"

Steve shrugged. "Sure. Something like that."

Tearing her eyes away from the casket, she looked up at him. He was up to something, but she was inclined to let it go. They turned to leave and Tim was standing a little closer, obviously waiting for her to walk away before he came any closer. She tried not to look at him, but she could feel his eyes all over her.

XXX

Tim knew he'd be coming for him. The look on his face at the funeral and the protective stance over Ellie was enough to be sure that Steve Randle wouldn't let this slide by. It was a big brother thing that Tim understood all too well. If anyone - anyone - laid a hand on Angela, they'd be dead in their tracks. Steve wasn't her brother, but Tim knew that he was as close as it got for her.

He came alone, which seemed awfully brave to Tim. Luckily for Steve, though, Tim was alone with Curly and Todd. Anymore than that and Tim wouldn't let this go the way it needed to go.

"I've been lookin' for you, asshole," he said, seething.

Todd tensed up, ready for a fight, but Tim gave him a look and he relaxed from it.

"I've got it," Tim said. He looked at Curly who just watched him. There was no expression on the kid's face. He just watched, knowing Tim was about to get what he deserved, and apparently it would be Randle to put him in his place.

Tossing his cigarette aside, Tim walked out onto the lawn, meeting Steve halfway. He squared his shoulders and relaxed his fists. He wasn't used to backing down from a fight and it was killing him.

Steve didn't hesitate. He didn't say a word. He just swung a punch, connecting with Tim's jaw. It nearly felled him, but Tim held his ground. It was his own rule to never go down on the first hit.

"You piece of shit," Steve accused, the hits coming in harder now. Tim fought back only enough to make Steve feel like it was worth his time. He was going to let the kid win even though Tim knew he could whip him easily.

Steve knocked him into the side of the house, clamping his shirt in both of his fists. From the corner of his eye, he could see Todd standing ready on the porch, Curly a few steps behind him.

"She tell you everything?" Tim asked, sick and tired.

"She didn't have to," Steve told him.

He let go with one hand and flicked out a switchblade. It didn't even faze Tim, but Todd hopped off the porch with Curly right behind him.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't cut your dick off."

"Back the fuck off, Randle. You don't want to do anything stupid," Todd warned him.

Tim held his hand up to keep Todd back, keeping his eyes on Steve's the whole time.

"One reason," Steve muttered.

Tim replied, "I've got a sister, too."

There was a flash of recognition in Steve's eyes, and he hesitated briefly.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" he asked, holding the blade close to his face.

Tim just stared at him coolly.

Steve let go of his shirt and put the blade away. He backed up a couple of steps and then swung one more punch that knocked Tim to the ground.

"Fuck," he muttered, struggling to get back to his feet. He was met with a crushing blow to his side and then another.

"Stay away from her. You hear me?" Steve warned him. "I don't care if she wants to make nice, don't even look at her."

Tim made sure he was actually finished before he started to pick himself up. Todd reached a hand out to help him up. Tim refused and stood on his own, cursing under his breath.

"Man, what the hell was that about?" Todd asked, looking at him like he was nuts. "I've never seen you go down like that."

"Nothing," Tim replied, wiping blood from his nose and heading toward the house. Curly was standing up on the porch again, looking at him blankly.

"That's who gets to tell me I fucked up," Tim told him.

Curly nodded, approvingly.

XXX

Ellie walked in the house on Ponyboy's heels, just getting back from the movie she owed him from weeks ago. They walked in and stopped to watch the poker game Steve, Soda, Two-Bit and Johnny were playing.

"I'm winnin'," Two-Bit declared.

"Bullshit, Two-Bit," Steve said, tossing his cards down and raking in the peanuts. "I win."

Ellie noticed how banged up his hands were, and there was no mistaking what Steve had been doing. She stared at his fists and felt like hugging him. She didn't even stop to think about how Tim must have looked, especially when Steve wasn't sporting anything worse than a bruised jaw and a split lip which nearly matched her own.

He met her gaze and she mouthed to him, "Thank you."

Steve just winked at her and dealt the new hand.

"Hey, Ellie," Two-Bit said. "We were just discussin' how we think it's a real good idea that Dally's in jail since you broke up with Tim and all."

She looked at Steve for a split second, scared maybe they knew something, but he shook his head subtly. She had already dealt with the cut on her lip. They believed Jimmy popped her for talking back.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, messing up his hair.

"Hey now!" Two-Bit warned playfully. "Watch it."

She sat down, and Steve dealt her in.

"I'm swearin' off boys for awhile," she said.

"That's about the smartest thing you've ever said," Steve said.

"I'll believe it until Dally gets out," Two-Bit said. "Anyone wanna bet me?"

Ellie glared at him and kicked him from under the table.

"I'd bet my next paycheck on it," Soda said.

"It ain't about the money, Soda, 'cause it's a given they're getting' back together. It's how fast it happens," Two-Bit explained. He looked at her, acting like he was sizing her up. "Less than 24 hours after he gets out."

"It ain't gonna happen," she declared, trying not to die from embarrassment.

"I'll bet you my next paycheck it won't happen," Steve said. She looked at him and he looked like he would personally lock her in her bedroom if she ever got back together with Dally.

"What are y'all bettin' on?" Darry asked, fresh from the shower.

"On Ellie and Dal getting back together when he gets sprung from jail," Two-Bit told him. "Me and Soda say yes, but Steve doesn't seem to think so."

"I think I get a say in this," she declared.

Two-Bit looked at her. "Hush, El, this is important."

"Tell 'em to quit ganging up on me," she pleaded, looking at Darry.

From across the table, there was a small voice who said, "Eight hours."

She turned her head and looked at Johnny sitting there. Her jaw dropped.

"Are you kidding me? Johnny!"

Johnny was blushing but was grinning like a goon. She could tell Pony was trying to stifle a laugh.

Darry clamped his hands on her shoulders and squeezed gently.

"Sorry, El, I gotta get in on this," Darry said, a smile on his lips. "But I don't think it's even gonna take that long."

"Y'all are mean. He'll end up back with Sylvia before he ends up with me," she said.

"So, that means you want to get back with him?" Two-Bit ask.

She stuttered around an answer. At the moment she didn't want to get back together with him, but she knew how she got when he got close to her. They were trying to get a rise out of her, so she played dumb instead.

"Not a chance," she said.

Steve threw his cards down and said, "Don't you guys remember what he did? Fuck him. She doesn't need anymore of that."

"They're just kidding, Steve," she said, gently.

"Yeah, man. Don't have a cow," Soda said. "El don't mind none."

It was all a joke to them, but she knew how he felt. She couldn't help that the rest of them didn't know, and that he had to be the one to clean up after her messes.

"How 'bout somebody starts betting on the game?" Two-Bit suggested, studying his cards. "I'd hate to see how Steve got those bloody knuckles yesterday since he ain't tellin' us nothin' about it."

"'Cause there ain't nothin' to tell," Steve said, picking up his cards.

Ellie quickly shuffled the cards in her hands. "Well, I hope y'all are feeling lucky tonight, 'cause I sure am."

She tossed in a few peanuts.

Two-Bit wiggled his eyebrows. "I'll call your bluff, kiddo."

He tossed in his peanuts to match her bet and the tension seemed to melt away as the others folded or joined the game. As Darry put some leftovers in the oven for dinner, everything started to feel normal again.

XXX

Tim's feet were propped up on the rickety old desk in front of him and he leaned back in his chair, his hands folded behind his head. Curly was leaned on the desk, tossing card after card, trying to land them in the wastepaper basket a few feet away.

"Where's the guys?" he asked.

"It's just Todd coming today," Tim said.

"You got something big planned for the Tigers?" Curly asked. Tim could feel the excitement radiating off him at the thought of settling a big score like this. They had backed off since everything happened, but Curly knew shit would heat up again. Tim wouldn't leave it be.

"I've been kicking something around," Tim assured him.

"You got something big for me to do?" Curly asked, though it came out sounding like a statement. He was probably sure Tim had Curly in mind as he reorganized the hierarchy of the gang.

Tim gave him a tight smile as he heard the side door of the warehouse slam shut.

"Hey," Todd greeted with a nod to both of them. Tim didn't miss the smug look on Curly's face as he walked in.

"Tim's got big plans for the Tigers," he informed Todd, as though he already knew what the plans were.

Todd raised his eyebrows. "Yeah? Like what?"

"I'll tell you on the way," Tim said, pulling his feet off the desk and grabbing his keys as he stood.

Curly was following them to the door, and Tim turned around.

"You ain't comin', kid," he said.

Curly's eyes widened. "What? Why not? What about the big plans you had for me?"

"I do have big plans for you," he said, placing a hand on his shoulder and pulling him a little closer. "I want you to go home and keep an eye on Angel."

Curly opened his mouth but no words came out. He just stared dumbly at Tim, disbelief all over his face.

"Sorry, kid," Tim said, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "You gotta earn it back."

"But, Tim ..."

The door slammed shut behind Tim as his brother seemed to realize he was being passed over for second in command once again. Trust was impossible to regain with him. Once you blew it, it was over. Tim never forgot.

I've been a loser all my life,
I'm not about to change.

A/N: The end! This is the last chapter of Front Page Drive-In News. Thank you so much to everyone who has read and reviewed, we appreciate your interest so much and we do it all for you. This is all we have going for now, but we will start working on our next story, One Headlight, very soon. If we survive this next quarter (the last for one of us) of school, hopefully we'll have something for you soon!

Once again, thank you so much.

xoxox

Kori and Katie