A/N: I GREATLY apologize for the LONG LONG OVERDUE wait to the end of this story. I had a couple ideas and was tossing them back and forth. I debated having Sodapop die from the stab wound before and I was debating having the boys be split up. In the end, I decided to give you guys (and the Curtis brothers) a break from all the craziness and bad news etc. That is, at least for now. I left it off and am thinking of a few things I would like to do with a possible sequal:

- the fall out after the Shepherds jump those Socs

- Sodapop's recovery

- the brothers maybe being split up

- maybe Soda going off the war

- maybe this

- maybe that

- a lot of ideas, and a lot of maybes.

Another reason for the massive delay is I lack a key ingredient to do this: Internet. And I work three jobs. So again, SORRY.

Also, I apologize for misspelling Darrel's name for so long. I knew it was 'el' but for some possessed reason kept using 'Darryl'. Sometimes I don't know what to do with myself! Again, sorry and thanks to those who kept pointing it out even though I kept spelling it wrong.

A million thanks to all my readers and wonderful reviewers! Thanks for sticking it out and putting up with all my intolerable cliffhangers! You are all great!

ENJOY.

READandREVIEW

PLEEAASSEE

Chapter 25: Glad All Over

As clean as we'd kept everything the past few weeks, I still couldn't help running around the house, picking up loose items like Darry's work shoes and straightening the already made beds. Sodapop quickly stopped performing his tricks and wheeled himself inside. As I began to panic, I rapped against the bathroom door with an open hand as hard as I could.

"Darry! Darry! Come on! The social service lady is here! Darry!"

I stumbled back against the wall as the door flew open and my older brother burst into the hallway clumsily, tripping over himself and his jeans that were still around his ankles. As he fumbled hurriedly down the hall, yanking his pants up along the way, it looked as if I was watching Sodapop and not Darrel. Soda had a tendency to forget key items of clothing. Usually it was his shoes, but he often took to wandering the house in only his underwear. As brothers, we were used to it. But when Sandy would stop by or he would have to leave in a hurry, he always managed to stick both of his feet in only one pant leg and then trip, tumbling down flat on his face in a heap of wild hair, jeans, and laughter.

Fortunately, Sodapop had decided to join the fully clothed world today and Darry had his jeans on and buttoned in seconds.

"Soda," Darry ordered, "over here. Pony, stand there. Tuck your shirt in, will ya? Alright, remember –"

"I can't do this Darry," I suddenly blurted, ripping my nicest white tshirt out of my pants.

"With all those brains you got, you can tuck in a shirt," Soda chuckled.

"No. Not – I mean – this. I can't do this. What if I say the wrong thing? She's gonna send us awy to some boy's home and –"

"Hey," Darry shook his head and walked over to me, grabbing my shaking arms. "No one is going to take you two nowhere, you hear me?"

Darry stared at me intently until I finally lifted my head and met his eyes. We stayed like that for a moment and I felt myself steadying under his sure gaze. He dropped my hands now that they no longer had a life of their own and began tucking my shirt in for me like dad did when I was little. With a short nod, he patted my shoulder and turned around to answer the woman who had already knocked twice. As the screen door sounded, I felt a slight nudge come from Sodapop's knuckles as he punched me on the leg in his way of reassuring me without words.

"Good morning, Mr. Curtis," the familiar daunting voice entered our home and all I wanted to do was run out the back door.

This woman had always been kind to us and taken our situation and hardships into account, but she was still scary just for the simple fact that she had a hand in our fate as brothers.

"Good morning Mrs. Newman," Darrel shook her hand firmly.

"Mornin'" Soda nodded.

"Morning ma'am," I mumbled, my head down and not following Darry's planned enthusiastic and welcoming greeting.

"How are you today?" Darry continued with a broad smile.

"Better than you three boys I would presume," the petite, black-haired woman nodded tenderly. "I'm sorry I have to be here and do this."

Her voice was hard and course, but she managed to make it soft and compassionate as if her words she spoke were true of her feelings.

"Well," she sighed with a sad smile, "let's get this over with, shall we? How about the tour? I think I remember my way around."

Darry led the woman through the tiny house we called our home, even though she seemed to be guiding herself just fine. It felt weird. With all the people that came and went from our house every day I never thought it'd feel this way. Somehow, she just felt like an intruder, invading our personal space, our home, our family. I ambled behind them to not miss a word while Sodapop followed, continually ramming into my ankles when Mrs. Newman would suddenly stop to examine something and making a humming noise.

"I see Ponyboy is still sleeping in with Sodapop," she mused lightheartedly.

Soda and I exchanged nervous glances and I flapped my lips together, not knowing what to say.

"I'm a social worker, dear," she grinned at me. "I'm trained to look for these things. As a tip, next time, don't leave your copy of Hamlet next to Sodapop's bed."

I wanted to kick myself for the stupid slip but couldn't understand why she wasn't alarmed by the behavior.

"When I was sixteen years old," the middle-aged woman sighed, "I had a reoccurring nightmare of being chased by a bear after one attacked my uncle on a hunting trip up north. I convinced my little sister to sleep with me for a month by telling her there were monsters under her bed. With everything you've been through, Ponyboy, I commend you for being able to sleep at all and admitting your problems to your brother and allowing him to be there for you is no weakness. It speaks volumes as to how close you three really are."

"I – I don't –"

"I'm not here to rip you three apart like you might think. Maybe someone else would, but I don't want to have to do that. I'm not really supposed to be telling you anything but I've always pulled for you boys. You three need each other and taking what family you have left would be, I think, cruel and unnecessary." She hesitated and brushed a strand of limp hair from her eye. "Kids in this neighborhood get into a lot of trouble, with or without parents. Sometimes, the parents only make it worse. I worked on your friend, Johnny Cade's, case. That's right. I tried so hard to get that boy out of there but those parents hid everything. I couldn't walk away with one ounce of proof and I will always feel terrible for that."

"Johnny never said anything about that," I mumbled, wondering why my best friend would have kept something from me.

"His mother called 911 when he was just maybe seven or eight. She claimed that her husband had a loaded gun and was going to kill her and their son. When police got there se changed her story entirely. We did an investigation, but that kid was too scared to say a word and neither of his parents were going to give us the truth. There was – nothing I could do." There seemed to be almost an apology in her words as she frowned and cleared her throat.

"There are some issues we do need to discuss," she announced, heading back into the living room. "For starters, your friendship with Dallas Winston almost cost you your case last time. Believe me when I say we have files on him. And we also have files on the Shepherd family as well. We understand that they were close, Dallas and Tim." She coughed as if hiding something behind what she was saying. "Now, by order of my superiors, I have to tell you to stear clear of him and his gang. Having said that, I have been informed by your school that you were seen skipping school with Curly Shepherd and some of his friends. Not that I think you'll be doing it again, but I must advise against it. Besides, what I'm told you went through isn't even the real initiation. You don't want to know what is."

"How would you –" Soda trailed off as he accidentally spoke the question we all were thinking.

"Let's just say I grew up not far from here."

"Were you a member of the Shepherd gang?" Soda gawked.

"No," she laughed curtly, "but all my brothers and boyfriends were. Speaking, off the record, of course. If my boss knew I knew Tim Shepherd when he was in diapers I'd be relocated."

You've got to be kidding me," Sodapop shook his head. "And here we thought you were going to split us up."

"I use my background to help kids that were like me, but I also don't give out hand outs," she informed us sternly but still showing a smile playing on the edges of her lips. "I didn't want to stay a greaser all my life and have a kid at seventeen. But I didn't want to just abandon the world I grew up in. I stayed in school, got a college education by working hard and here I am. School is important and with your grades and talents, Ponyboy, you can really go far. This arrangement with you boys being in the care of Darrel was agreed upon with the condition that you stay in school. You missed a lot while you were gone and now skipping classes and slipping grades. The school year is over but I understand you'll be taking some summer courses?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Seeing as you were already ahead of your grade when all this started, it shoulnt be difficult for you to catch up. We will be monitoring your progress very closely and you have until the end of your first semester next year to pull your grades back up. Do you think you can do that?"

I nodded and desperately attempted to contain my excitement.

"Alright then."

"Is that it?" Darry coughed.

"Well, someone will be in contact with you shortly regarding the money of course."

"Money? What money?"

"You haven't been informed yet?"

"Informed of what?" Darry pressed, still hanging onto a thread of politeness in his voice.

"It seems that the boys who stabbed your brother had a surprising change of heart." She said with a quick knowing glance. "They went to the police yesterday and confessed to attacking you three. One of the boy's father's doesn't want to make this a legal matter and has offered to pay Sodapop's medical bills."

"You're kidding," Darry nearly choked on her words.

"No, I'm not. Of course, if you're unsatisfied with the amount you can obtain an attorney and press charges."

"This can't be happening," I muttered to no one imparticular. "Things like this don't happen to us."

"Well, apparently they do now when you have friends like the Shepherds. Not that I –" she cleared her throat purposefully, "condone such behavior." She finished with a curl of her lips. "Look boys, I didn't like violence when I was growing up and I still don't but I know from living here that it's nothing something you can fully avoid, no matter the circumstances. Nut you can avoid some of it. This isn't a free ride. I may be cutting you some slack because of my past but I wont tolerate laziness, irresponsible behavior or less than 100% effort on each of your parts. I don't have the final say in a lot of this, but I can provide you with a lot of sway. Ponyboy, I better see some grade improvement and I want you back to something extracurricular besides slashing tires. Go back to track, get a part-time job that doesn't interfere with schoolwork, something. Sodapop, I think it is an admiral thing that you dropped out of school to work full time to help your brothers, but I would like for you to at least obtain a GED. It's a series of tests that, if you pass, will be the equivalency of a high school diploma."

"But I ain't smart like Ponyboy. I can't take no tests," Soda groaned.

"I understand that your hours at the DX station are being cut back until you're healed. That should give you plenty of time to study. I've brought all the information you'll need. Your brothers can help you." She smiled and handed him the pamphlets and a few study gyides as he just stared at them like they were poison. "Darrel, I will need you to make available to me information on your bills, income, budget, everything else along those lines. I will also need to see Ponyboy's grades periodically and Sodapop's test results, of course. I realize that we can access all of that information already but this will hold you three more responsible. I have to make it look like I'm at least giving you somewhat of a hard time. I will be making visits here once a month for the next six months, so you might have to get your own tablecloth," she winked.

"Are you sure this is really happening?" Darrel swallowed and shook his head.

"Pretty sure." Mrs. Newman chuckled but then turned quite serious. "Of course, it isn't all up to me. It's also up to the court. I'm sticking my neck out for you three. Most of the people I work with think you three should've been split up along time ago and put into foster care. I can kleep fighting for you as long as you're all willing to keep fighting too. You boys need to keep your noses clean, understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," we answered almost in unison.

"Good. I will see you in a month then and you'll be haring from my office."

"Thank you Mrs. Newman," Darry smiled as she stepped outside.

The boys waited for her car engine to rev before breathing.

"Did that really just happen?" I almost shouted, still sure I was dreaming and it would all soon turn into a familiar nightmare.

"I guess we owe Tim Shepherd one mighty thank you," Sodapop laughed.

"I never want to be on his bad side," I shuddered, thinking of what more his gang could have done to those Socs to get them to confess.

"We got lucky this time," Darry nodded soberly. "We wont keep getting lucky like this if we keep this up."

"Way to go Darry," Soda rolled his wide and bright eyes, "spoil the good mood."

"I'm just saying that we're going to have to be more careful from now on. You heard what she said. Besides, now those guys are going to be itching for payback and they wont go after the Shepherds to get it. Neither of you two are walking anywhere alone until this cools off. I mean it."

"Don't worry 'bout me Dar'," Soda grinned a Sodapop grin, "I ain't walkin' anywhere for awhile."

"You know what I mean," Darry swatted Sodapop playfully across theback of his head. "Be careful. They won't hold off jumping you 'cause you're in a wheelchair. They'll especially be after you, Pony. And about this GED –"

"Alright, alright," Sodapop waved his hands, "Lordy you sure do like to put a damper on things big brother! Come on now. I'm alive. We're not being shipped off to some boys' home. I say, we hold off on the talking and do a little celebrating, huh? What'd ya say Darry?"

"Okay, okay, fine," Darry sighed after unfolding his arms. "Let's celebnrate."

"To the Dingo!" Sodapop cheered.

I couldn't help but double over in laughter as Sodapop wheeled himself in circles, hooting in excitement. Darry patted my shoulder and before I knew it he was pulling me into a tight hug. The gesture was surprising but I welcomed it eagerly. I was just beginning to not be able to breathe when he released me and ruffled my slicked back hair. I tried to rip away from him but he was too strong.

"Get him Darry!" Sodapop chuckled.

Darry quickly had me on the ground and I felt his fingers run across my sides. As much as I tried to fight it, I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Uncle!" I cried out, able to withstand a swift beating, but never Darry's tickling.

Darry sat up off of me and before he could react I was pouncing on top of him. If I had anything on my Superman of a brother it was speed. This upper hand wouldn't last long but I enjoyed tickling him while I could. I pulled my arm around his neck just like Two-Bit always did with me and demanded that he give up. He refused and struggled to break free. I wouldn't be surprised if Darry was letting me win on purpose like he did when we were kids. I guess I didn't care this time. Sodapop wheeled himself closer to the scrap and began lightly kicking Darry and hollering from his chair. It wasn't long before the three of us were all laughing together. It was truly the best I had felt in a long time. We were brothers again. We were together. We were alive and we were happy and I knew I wasn't dreaming now as Darry's elbow collided with my side. Even if I was, I never wanted to wake up. Even if my dreams were determined to always turn into nightmares, maybe, just maybe, my life wouldn't always be one. But hell, what did I know? I was just a kid, and I was dead wrong.