I wake up to Darry pulling the covers off me. I make a half-assed grab for them because I'm freezing and if it's even possible I feel worse than I did before. All I want to do is sleep and I'm pissed that Darry's woken my up. I want to tell him to leave me alone and let me rest but my throat is killing me so all I manage is a pathetic sounding groan. Darry gets the gist and pats my leg sympathetically.

"Sorry kiddo, but you're burnin' up. Let's go wake your brother then we can take your temp again but I feel like a trip to the hospital could be in our future." Before I can respond he's grabbing me under my arms and lifting me onto his hip, hurrying us through to mine and Sodapop's room with one hand supporting under my butt, the other pressed against my forehead. "God you're so hot," he mutters, more to himself than to me.

"No I'm cold," I mumble, even though it hurts. His hand feels nice against my head and I lean into it, still kind of confused about what's happening. He shushes me and reaches down to shake Soda awake.

"Soda! Sodapop! Come on, you gotta get up, buddy!" Darry's whisper shouting and jiggling Soda's foot around through the comforter. Eventually Soda starts to shift, groaning in much the same way I had when Darry had woken me.

"What? What's matter?" He mumbles half into his pillow, turning his head slightly to squint at Darry and me. Seeing Darry holding me must have triggered something in him because he starts to push himself up.

"Pony's temp's gone up, I dunno by how much yet but the kid's just radiating heat. I'm gonna get the thermometer but I think we might have to take him to the hospital. Here, take him for a second." Darry unceremoniously drops me into Soda's lap and he quickly adjust himself so he's supporting my back to keep my sitting upright.

"Jesus, how is he so awake at…whatever the hell time this is?!" He grumbles and I want to agree with him but there's an ache in my chest and when I open my mouth all that comes out is a weird, croaking sound. Soda frowns and immediately brings the back of his hand to my forehead just like Darry had earlier. He recoils almost immediately, moving down to touch my cheeks then the back of my neck. "Holy crap Pone, Darry wasn't kidding! You're like a furnace! Shit you weren't this bad earlier. You feelin' worse in yourself?" I nod my head and try to swallow but it hurts too bad. I grab hold of Soda's shirt with my fist and he rubs my back comfortingly. Soda always knows what I need.

Darry comes rushing back in with the thermometer and I open my mouth without protest. I really don't want to go to the hospital but I haven't felt this unwell in a really really long time and it was becoming harder and harder to breathe. Darry's also bought a cold clothe with him and after slipping the thermometer into my mouth he drapes it across the back of my neck, frowning when I shiver involuntarily.

"How did he get worse so quickly?!" Soda asks, keeping his hand steadily moving up and down my back. Darry shakes his head, still frowning at me but I know it's just because he's worried. Annoyed and worried often look the same on Darry.

"I don't know but that medicine I gave him before bed clearly hasn't made a dent in it."

"Can you give him another dose?" Soda sounds anxious too and I feel bad for worrying my brothers in the middle of the night. Darry glances down at the watch he never takes off.

"Not for another couple of hours." He glances up at my face and shakes his head. "He looks really bad, Soda. We'll see what his temp is but I really think we might not have a choice but to go to the ER."

Soda curses and I guess that pretty much sums up the situation because after that they're both silent until the thermometer beeps. Darry whips it out of my mouth with lightning speed and when he reads the numbers a deep furrow appears between his eyebrows.

"Bad?" Soda asks.

"103," Darry tells him, his eyes still fixed on me. "Shit, I'm not sure what to do for the best. How do you feel, Pone? Do you wanna go to the hospital?"

"No," I croak immediately, ready to be done with all this. "I wanna sleep."

"It's no use askin' him, he wouldn't wanna go even if half his leg was hangin' off." Soda chips in, kind of joking but not really because it was true. "But seriously Dar, we got hospital money right now?"

I see Darry think on it for a second, running our family finances through his mind. "Not really," he admits after a minute and it's clear how much he hates having to make that call. Soda nods in acceptance then kisses the side of my head.

"Well that settles it then. No hospital for Feverboy here." I frown at his teasing but I'm not too mad because now hopefully I'll be allowed to go back to bed. But then Soda looks up at Darry and says, "Plan B?"

"Plan B." Darry confirms, holding his arms out for Soda to pass me over to him. "Go get the water running and we'll be there in a second. I wanna have him drink something first, liquids are meant to help."

Soda complies without comment and I'm back in Darry's arms before I know it. "What's Plan B?" I rasp but both my brothers ignore me and I have a pretty good idea anyway. I've had more than my fair share of fevers.

Darry has grabbed the glass of water from Soda's nightstand and is holding it to my lips but I'm mad at being ignored and mad at being sick and definitely not happy about what I think Plan B is going to involve. I keep my lips firmly pressed together and twist my head away as best I can.

"Stop that," Darry scolds after a minute, having had enough of my non-compliance. "I know you're not feeling good right now but we're doing all this to make you better so you're gonna quit acting out and do as you're told, you understand me? Tonight is not the time for you to test me, little boy, and I really mean that."

He's talking right into my face and it must be because I'm feeling so shitty but I feel my eyes start to well up at his scolding even though I knew it was gonna come as soon as I decided to disobey him. He puts the glass to my lips again and this time I let him give me the water, drinking the whole thing down. It makes my throat feel a little less like sandpaper and I kind of want some more. Darry sets the glass back down and looks at me with a raised eyebrow, bringing his thumb up to my face to wipe away some stray tears I guess must've leaked out.

"Hush now, you're ok. I don't like havin' to get at you when you're feelin' bad, honey, but you know better."

"I'm tired," I whine and I know I'm pouting. I must really be sick because usually Darry would shut me down quick smart if I tried that. He hates both those things.

"I know you are and you can go back to sleep real soon but we gotta get you cooled down first, kiddo." This isn't the answer I wanna hear and to my horror I feel tears spring into my eyes again. Damn, this illness was really going to town on my emotions as well as my body. I quickly duck my head into Darry's shoulder before he can see and make me try and explain why I was cryin' again. Above me I hear him sigh and he sits down on the bed, letting me curl into him just like I want to. We sit quiet and still for a moment and I let my eyes drift closed, happy that my big brother has got this covered. I'm about ready to nod off when he hollers.

"I don't hear no water runnin', Soda!" He's cupped my left ear with his hand and my right ear is smooshed against his chest but I still flinch because no one can yell as loud as my big brother.

"Hang on!" Soda calls back and a second later he's skidding into the room, a medicine bottle clutched in his hand. I close my eyes again because I love Sodapop more than anything in the world but I don't have Sodapop energy right now. Also I recognise the medicine bottle. "I think we should give him another dose. Like not a full one but maybe a half?"

I feel Darry shift under me and I can tell by the tone of his voice that he's frowning again. "I dunno, Soda. That stuff's pretty strong and Mrs Whu was pretty specific when she sold it to us. Remember how she pointed at Ponyboy and said child?" I certainly remembered. We hadn't been the only people in the pharmacy and it had been kind of embarrassing.

"Yeh but that was a few months back. He's grown a little since then." Soda replied dismissively. "You said yourself the kid's dose hadn't even touched whatever's kicking Pone's ass. Half a spoonful more ain't gonna kill him."

Darry took a moment to consider before nodding his head. "Yeah ok, it's worth a try. Give it to me and go start his bath. Sit up, Ponyboy, it's not sleepy time yet." I let him jostle me upright but keep my eyes firmly closed, hoping Darry would take the hint. No such luck. "Yeh nice try, kid. I know you ain't asleep. Come on, let's go to the bathroom so I can see what the hell I'm doing. Hold this." He hands me the glass from the nightstand then we head off. I stare longingly at my bed over Darry's shoulder. I have a feeling I won't be seeing it again for a good while.

Once we get to the bathroom he sits me down on the toilet seat, taking the glass from me and turning away so he can fill it at the sink. I lean back again porcelain, which feels good against my back which is weird as I'm still freezing. I also realise that my t-shirt is damp and sticking to me uncomfortably. I'm not sure why I hadn't noticed earlier but don't have time to dwell on it as I'm feeling worse and worse, like my head's not attached to my body properly or something. That's a crappy way to explain it but it's the best I can come up with. I really just want to lie down.

"Ok take this," Darry's back standing in front of me, holding out the refilled glass of water. "I'm gonna give you your medicine and soon as you swallow it you can have some water to get rid of the taste ok?" I scowl at him because he's talking to me like I'm a little kid and that medicine is so gross tasting water isn't gonna do a damn thing. When he'd given it to me earlier he'd let me have some chocolate milk after but I guess I wasn't feeling so lousy then. Right now the thought of chocolate milk makes my stomach turn. "I know it sucks kid but it's gotta be done."

He holds the spoon up to my mouth and I pull my head back a little, recoiling from the strong medicinal smell. I swallowed audibly and wondered how much worse this situation would be if I threw up. When I didn't immediately open my mouth Darry crouches down in front of me, his face hovering just a few inches from mine. I have no choice but to meet his eye.

"Ponyboy, we literally had a conversation about this two minutes ago and I know you remember what I said. Now you're gonna open your mouth and take this medicine right now or you're gonna be one sorry little boy, ok? We ain't gonna go through this again. You do as you're told or you get your butt spanked then you do as you're told; those are your choices." I can feel myself getting teary again and try to look away but he grabs my chin to stop me. "What's it gonna be, kid?"

I swallow again then slowly open my mouth as best I can with him holding onto me. He nods his head in approval, slipping the spoon between my lips. I shudder as I take the medicine and quickly gulp some water when Darry nudges my arm. I'd forgotten I was holding the glass.

"Good boy," he praises quietly, cupping the back of my neck with his hand and gently smoothing my hair down. I like it a lot when he does that. "His bath about ready, Soda?"

"Yes Siree," Soda pipes up, having been silent throughout mine and Darry's exchange. I glance over at him and he smiles at me sympathetically. "It's ok, Pone, don't be upset. Darry's not mad at you."

I want to say something back, something like I'm not upset (even though it kind of feels like I am) or that I know Darry's not mad (although it kind of feels like he is) but Darry jumps in first.

"He knows that, Soda. He just needs to do as he's told without all the fussin' and poutin'." I frown when he says that because I don't think I do that at all but Darry ignores me and starts tugging at the bottom of my shirt. "Arms up." I lift my arms and he peels my t-shit off me, chucking it in Soda's general direction without even turning around. Darry's still got all his football skills so it hits Soda right in the stomach. "Think fast, Little Buddy!"

Darry laughs as he stands from his crouched position, reaching under my arms to bring me up with him. Soda mumbles 'asshole' under his breath and Darry laughs harder. "You know what's comin' your way next, kid! Be lucky I eased you in with his shirt!"

I don't get it until I feel his hand start to pull at the back of my underwear. He already has them half way off before I have the sense to grab his wrist. "No!" I croak, sounding young and pathetic rather than indignant and strong like I'd hoped. Once again I'm not exactly sure what's happening but I know losing my underwear is never something I'm ok with and having my butt bared by Darry usually only means one thing. "No, I'm gonna behave!"

"Yes you are," Darry agrees, pulling his wrist out of my grasp like it was nothing. He easily tugs my underwear down my legs and off my feet despite my attempts to wriggle out of his arms. He balls them up and throws them at Soda just like he'd said and this time Soda makes the catch, wrinkling his nose and quickly shoving them into the laundry hamper. "And you're gonna start by takin' your bath."

Soda must see the confused look on my face because he lets out a short laugh and moves closer to us. "He thinks you're gonna pop him, Dar! Poor kid don't know what's going on!"

I really don't get what's funny or why everyone is so insistent on having me take a bath in the middle of the night so I just cling to Darry's neck as hard as I can and hope he gets the hint. He starts to slowly rub my back but still moves us towards the tub, leaning down in an attempt to lower me into it. The way he's holding me means my feet touch the water first and I gasp. It's so cold! I immediately wrap my legs around his waist like a monkey, pulling my body as far away from the water as possible. Suddenly not getting into that bath has become really really important to me.

Darry sighs and drops his hand from my back, using it instead to work on pulling my ankles apart where I've clamped them together around his hips.

"Come on, Pone, don't make this harder than it needs to be. You just told me two seconds ago that you were gonna behave. This isn't behaving!"

"It's too cold!" I wail and I feel like I'm about to lose it, like all of a sudden everything has become too much.

"It's not too cold," Soda says gently, his patience less stretched than Darry's. He kneels down next to the bath and scoops up some water in his hand, dribbling it down my back and over my left leg. I gasp again and tighten my grip on Darry. "It just feels that way because you're so hot. You've got a really bad fever, honey, that's why we're doing this."

"No," I mumble into Darry, not really sure what specifically I'm referring to. I guess the entire situation.

"Ok, it's 3 o'clock in the damn morning, we ain't got time for this," Darry mutters and starts to lean over the tub again, this time bending at the waist so there's no way for me to avoid the water. "You're takin' this damn bath whether you like it or not!"

"Noooo!" I wail again, louder this time despite my throat. My butt hits the water first and the temperature takes my breath away. I gulp in air as my lower body is submerged, keeping my grip on Darry's neck in the hope that when he stands up again he'll take me with him. The water is so cold it feels like it's burning me, which makes no sense but that's exactly how it is.

"Shhh, Pone! It's ok, it's ok!" Soda soothes but unusually his words don't make me feel any better. Once I'm sat in the bath Darry somehow manages to duck his head out of my deathgrip and I watch in horror as he straightens up without me. He frowns at me and I can tell he is definitely not pleased which just makes me feel worse.

"Get the water on his back, Soda. Once he gets used to it a little you can have him lie down. I want his head wet." Soda nods mutely as Darry moves away, clearing picking up on his pissed off vibes too.

"It's ok, Ponyboy. You just gotta stay in here for a little bit, alright? Just until you cool off a little." He smiles at me but it's only to distract me because a second later a cascade of water hits my back and I cry out in shock. I immediately try and stand up but Soda catches me half way, pushing on my shoulders until I'm forced to sit back down. Soda's no Darry but he's still bigger and stronger than I am. "Nu-uh, kiddo. You stay put until Darry says."

His voice is firm and if I was feeling more myself I probably would've paid attention to that because Soda hardly ever got strict with me but when he did it meant I really needed to stop pushing it. But I'm not feeling myself so as soon as his hands leave my shoulders I make a second attempt at standing up. Soda's quicker this time, grabbing my biceps to hold me in place before I can even raise myself an inch. "Ponyboy!" He snaps and Darry looks over, his frown deepening. "Don't do that again!"

He's not yelling exactly but I can tell he's mad so now that's both my brothers pissed at me. I look down at the hateful cold water and try not to start bawling. More water soaks my back and I start to shiver, sniffling miserably.

"It's for your own good, Pone, I promise. Just sit still and try and calm down, huh?" Soda's voice is softer now but I still don't want to look at him so I just nod my head. He scoops more water over me, making sure every part gets wet. After a minute or so he turns away for a second, mumbling about seeing if we have a container he can use instead of his hand, and I take my chance. The sound of the water gives me away as I stand up for a third time and Soda whips back around but it's too late, I'm already up and have one foot lifted to climb out of the tub.

"Ponyboy Curtis!" Soda hollers and grabs hold of my raised foot, pushing back against it to try and force me to set it back down. Unfortunately, that tips my balance off and before I know it I'm tilting backwards, the leg that's supporting me slipping on the wet surface. I almost fall but two strong hands grab my upper arms, yanking me upright again and holding me in place. I'm relieved until I see Darry's furious face mere inches from mine. I'd forgotten he was still in the bathroom and one look is all it takes for me to know I'm in for it.

"Enough!" He bellows and I flinch back from him, shivering worse now I'm standing naked in the cold air. He lets go of my left arm so he can turn me to the side, keeping my right arm firmly in his grip. With his free hand he wallops my behind three times, punctuating each word. "Pack. It. In."

Darry has big hands and he spanks hard. One smack from him and my whole butt hurts. The sound echoed around the silent bathroom and being wet and cold from the bath just made it sting worse. I burst into tears when he lands smack number two and am crying properly by the time he jerks me back around to face him and Soda. "They'll be no more of this foolishness tonight. I don't know if it's because you're sick or overtired or what, but it stops right now – you hear me?! I warned you and warned you about what would happen if you carried on so now you've got it! When you're told to do something, it don't matter if you like it or not, you just do it because you're the kid and we're the adults and that how things go around here, you understand me?" I'd been nodding my head frantically from almost the minute he started shouting. Darry takes a deep breath and runs his hand over his face tiredly before fixing his eyes back on me. "What have you got to say for yourself?"

"Sorry!" I wail hoarsely, addressing both him and Sodapop. Tears are still streaming down my face and I know I must look pretty pathetic. "I'll be good now!" Darry nods his head and Soda takes that as his cue to grab my hand and tug me back down to sitting.

"Damn right you will! I hear one more peep out of you and you'll be over my knee quicker than you can blink. Then you'll really have something to cry about!" I nod my head again to show I'm listening and Darry keeps his gaze on me for another long minute before finally turning away. "You could've really hurt yourself just then, Ponyboy!" He moves over to the laundry hamper and starts grabbing clothes out of it, bundling them up in his arms to carry through to the washing machine. Darry gets like that when he's mad, he has to keep moving until he calms down. Our house is never so tidy as when Darry's on a tear.

Soda sighs when Darry leaves the bathroom, reaching out to wipe some of the tears off my face which is pointless as they're immediately replaced by new ones. I don't usually cry when Darry smacks me, only if it's on an already sore butt, but everything's just gotten on top of me tonight and crying seems to be the only thing I'm capable of doing right now.

"Well you really did it this time, Pone." He states with finality and I nod my head in agreement. I had pushed Darry a lot considering it was the early hours of the morning and he'd been at work since 7am. Soda scoops up some water in his hand and wipes it down my face, which actually feels nice, but I still don't quit crying. We stay in silence for a while, apart from the sound of my teeth chattering although it's definitely not as bad as when I first got in the water. I'm starting to get used to the temperature just like Darry said and after a few minutes Soda has me lie back so everything is submerged apart from my face. He frowns as tears continue to slip from my eyes and he's worked himself up by the time Darry re-enters the bathroom.

"Great job Dar, he's properly upset now. I can't get him to quit crying for nothin'. You couldn't have gone easy on the kid? He is sick you know!" Usually I like Soda defending me to Darry but tonight I feel bad for my oldest brother. He looks so tired and I had pushed him.

"I did go easy on him, Soda! I warned him a bunch of times and so did you! He's not so sick he don't know how to behave." Darry's standin' firm and I'm glad because it's true, I do know better. He looks at me when he says the last part and I bite my lip and drop my gaze guiltily.

Soda turns back to me and shakes his head in a 'well I tried' kind of way. He reaches out to wipe my face again and frowns when he feels my cheeks. "Try and quit cryin' Pone, it ain't helpin' your temperature none." I nod and sniff determinedly but I'm not really sure what I can do. I don't know why the tears keep coming. I catch Darry watchin' us in the mirror.

Ever since he popped me sittin' in the bath hasn't exactly been the most comfortable so while Soda's close to me I take the opportunity to whisper in his ear. "Please can I get out now? I think I'm better."

Soda smirks and pushes my hair back but shakes his head. "Not until Darry says so, honey. He's the one with the watch." It's not the answer I want but I don't have a death wish so I just nod and go back to staring at the water. It feels like I've been sat in here forever but it's probably only been a few minutes. I'm starting to feel sleepy though, despite being so cold, and I think the second dose of medicine Darry gave me must be starting to take effect. Looking for something to distract myself I see Soda has his forearms resting on the side of the tub so his hands dangle down over the side. I take one and place it on top of my head, wanting him to rub my hair and neck in that way he does that always brings me comfort. He understands immediately and complies without question, smiling when I take his other hand and just hold it in mine. I'm still a bit teary but having my brother so close is definitely helping.

By the time Darry comes over a few minutes later my body has started to feel heavy and light at the same time in a way I recognise from taking sleeping pills for my nightmares. He stands behind Soda, looking down at us. He still looks worried and I want to tell him that I'm feeling a bit better so he shouldn't be, but my tongue seems too big for my mouth all of a sudden and the thought of trying to form words is just too much effort. Soda must sense Darry's presence because he doesn't turn around before speaking.

"He's much calmer now, Dar."

"Good," Darry replies, nodding his head. I might be calmer and feel like I could sleep straight through 'til Christmas but my brain was still clinging onto the fact that I want out of this bath. I understood that Soda wasn't the one who could get me out, no matter how much he might want to, so I leant forward so I could see past him to Darry. He must have been able to tell that the medicine had kicked just from my face because he smiles softly as soon as he catches sight of me peering at him from behind Soda. "What, kiddo?"

"Out?" Is all that I can manage in my current state. I raise my arms towards him, imploring him to lift me up from the water. Soda cracks up, which isn't really the response I was going for.

"Oh man, maybe that second dose was a mistake, Dar? Kid's out of it!" Darry just smiles again, glancing down at his watch before shaking his head.

"Oh Ponyboy, I swear you're the most stubborn kid. Not yet honey, just a little while longer. I'm following what Mom's baby book says so we need to get it right. Else we'll have gone through all this for nothin'."

I know what he means by baby book, it's the paediatric healthcare bible Mom always swore by whenever any of us got sick when we were kids, but before I can stop myself I'm mumbling "I'm not a baby."

Soda rolls his eyes and pokes me in the belly which makes me double over 'cause it tickles. "No, you're way more annoying and difficult!" He teases and I go to splash him but Darry sees what I'm planning and catches hold of my wrist before I'm able to.

"Enough! Don't go gettin' him all riled up, Pepsi. Come on, Pone, lie back a second." I don't really want to but he's pushing on my chest and even half strung-out on cold medicine I'm not crazy enough to defy Darry anymore tonight. Once I'm lying down he slips his hand to support underneath my head so it's almost like I'm floating. It feels real nice and he must know because he chuckles and massages the back of my neck softly. "That feel good?"

"Uh-huh…" I mumble and decide I'll just rest my eyes for a second. I must've dozed off because next thing I know I'm being lifted up and out of the water. Even though this is what I've been wanting ever since I got in the damn tub it feels disorientating to suddenly be stood upright and I stumble when my feet hit the floor, leaning heavily against whoever's holding me.

"It's ok, just put your feet down, honey." I recognise Soda's voice and when I open my eyes he's kneeling in front of me on the bathmat, his hands on my waist. He smiles when sees me blinking at him. "You back in the land of the living?" He teases and I nod, even though I'm really not so sure. My head feels swimmy and I wish I was still laying down.

Darry suddenly appears beside Soda, holding a towel open for me. "Come on, kiddo. Let's get you dry then we can check your temperature again."

I move unsteadily over to Darry who has me bundled up in the towel quick smart. Behind me I hear the sound of Soda letting the water out of the bath. Darry starts rubbing up and down my arms to dry me off and I want to tell him I can do it myself but in my current state, I'm not sure I can. Everything sure feels weird.

It's quiet for a few minutes, my brothers both getting on with their tasks of cleaning up the bathroom and drying me off and me just standing there trying to stop feeling so floaty, so when Two-Bit's head suddenly appears round the bathroom door and says apologetically "Hey guys?" we all jump about a foot in the air, even though he didn't say it loud.

"Jesus Two-Bit! Almost gave us all a heart attack!" Soda berates, sitting down on the side of the tub and clutching his chest dramatically.

"What are you doing here?!" Darry asks, setting me back on my feet from where he'd clutched me against him at the unexpected interruption. "It's 3am!"

"Actually Dar, I think you'll find it's 3:27 am," Two-Bit starts out then must suddenly realise now is not the best time to be a smartass because he clears his throat and continues in a more serious tone. "I went a bit harder than planned last night so I crashed on the couch to sleep it off rather than head home. My mom's not too fond of me at the moment. But anyway I woke up like 15 minutes ago really needin' to hit the john but I could hear you guys were busy in here so I've just been hangin' out on the couch, waitin' for y'all to finish up and I can see y'all ain't quite there yet but I really don't think I can hold it any longer so…here I am." He spread his hands wide, looking around at us all and grinning cheesily. When his eyes settle on me his smile drops. "What's wrong with the kid? He looks weird, like a zombie or somethin'. Are his eyes always that big?"

"Use the toilet, Two-Bit." Darry says, sounding annoyed. Two-Bit didn't need to be told twice and rushed over, already unzipping his fly. "Soda can you grab the thermometer?"

Soda passes it to Darry who sticks it in my mouth and we all stand waiting and listening to Two-Bit pee.

"Jesus Two, you weren't kiddin' when you said you had to go!" Soda mutters after a few moments, sounding equal parts disgusted and impressed. "You're pissin' like a carthorse, man!"

"Yep," Two-Bit agrees proudly, looking back at Soda over his shoulder. "Just be glad I only needed to go number one!"

"Oh we're all thanking our lucky stars for that!" Darry replies sarcastically, reaching up to feel my forehead for what must be the third time since he's put the thermometer in.

"Aw man, that's better!" Two-Bit declares when he's finally done, zipping up his fly before turning round to look at us all. "Now what's the reason for this late-night Curtis gathering, huh? And what's wrong with Pones? Y'all didn't answer my question."

"He's sick," Soda replies flatly, his words coming out garbled as he was resting his chin on the palm of his hand. Guess I wasn't the only one ready for my bed.

"Yeh…" Two-Bit draws the word out, actin' like Soda's just told him the sky's blue. "But I seen the kid sick before and he weren't all freaky lookin' like he is now. What's up, Pone? Your big brothers' done somethin' mean you need to tell your old pal Two-Bit about?"

I know he's teasing me because we have an on-going joke where I'll moan to him about whatever Darry or Soda have done that day to annoy me and he'll act all sympathetic then suddenly turn around and punch me in the arm or get me in a headlock until I agree that actually my brothers aren't so bad. And I know it's just Two-Bit who I've known basically my whole life and who once let me throw up into his backpack at a school basketball game rather than be humiliated in front of all the socs. So I know it's silly but suddenly I feel really exposed and over-whelmed standing in front of him like I am. I can't speak because of the thermometer so I just clutch tighter at my towel and lean back into Darry a little. Two-Bit frowns at my reaction, in fact he even looks a little upset. He moves closer and leans down a bit so we were more at eye level.

"Seriously, you ok kiddo? You're freakin' me out a little." Darry comes to my rescue like always, draping his arm over my shoulders and across my chest, pulling me back against him.

"He's fine, just some virus kickin' his ass. We gave him the 'big kid' dose of medicine and I think it might've been a little much for him. He's about ready to pass out." Two-Bit nods, seeming to accept this answer.

"Ah I get it, still not quite ready to run with the big kids, huh Pone? Don't worry, you'll get 'em someday." Somewhere in the back of my mind I dimly register I should probably be embarrassed by this situation. I knew the gang still mostly saw me as a little kid and this definitely wasn't doing anything to disprove that theory. Also I had no idea how long we'd been in the bathroom but I hadn't stopped crying all that long ago and if Two-Bit had been awake for 15 minutes he'd probably heard a lot of stuff I didn't want him to, like Darry yellin', me gettin' popped then cryin' about it for ages after. But of anyone in the gang to see me in my current state, Two-Bit would be my first choice after Johnny. He'd probably still tease me about it but he wouldn't be mean and he'd mostly keep it between us. That was pretty much as good as I could hope for I guess.

"Wash your hands Two-Bit, don't be gross!" Soda cuts in, clearly sensing I was ready for the conversation to move away from me. The thermometer beeps as Two-Bit is turning on the tap and Darry reaches up to pull it out of my mouth.

"101," he told the room but mostly Soda. "Better but not great."

Soda shrugs. "We'll take it," he says simply and Darry nods. "Now for God's sake let's get this kid to bed and pray he sleeps until Thursday!"

"Try Saturday," Darry mumbles, lifting me up onto his hip again and tugging at the towel to make sure I stayed covered up. I really loved my big brother. "I dunno what to dress him in. Just briefs? He keeps saying he's cold but I don't want him getting hot again."

I lay my head down on Darry's shoulder, past caring that they're talking about me like I wasn't even in the room. They could put me to bed exactly as I was and I'd be the happiest kid alive.

"Yeh I guess. And put a sheet over him to keep the chill off?" Soda suggests, rubbing his eyes and looking like he was about as ready to call it a night as I was.

"Take a cold cloth with you and put it on the back of his neck. My mom always says that's the one thing she learnt from nursing school before she quit." Two-Bit chips in, turning away from the sink and wiping his hands on his jeans despite the hand-towel being right there.

"That sounds legit," Darry agrees, bouncing me in his arms much to my annoyance. "What do you say, buddy? You ready to go back to bed?"

I had so many bratty replies to that question but all I could do was sigh contentedly and resettle myself against his shoulder, not even caring when they all laughed at me.

"Hey Dar, at least we know what to give him when we really need him to behave!" Soda pipes up cheekily.

"Soda!" Darry snaps in a disapproving tone at the exact same time Two-Bit blurts out "Amen to that!" I knew I should defend myself but decided it could wait until the morning so instead I closed my eyes and let myself slowly drift off to sleep.