[Two-Bit's POV]

And just like that, I was left alone. I sighed, laying my head back against head rails. Man this whole thing was gonna give me an ulcer. Check that. Darry an ulcer. Man that poor guy. Worked his ass of just to get repayed like this.

One of the nurses came in ready to check on me. An idea struck me.

"Hey, can I go? Check out, I mean." She looked taken aback, then shook her head.

"No, I'm sorry, Keith. You aren't to leave. We still need to observe your concussion." I pressed on.

"But technically, I can leave if I want. You can't keep me here if I don't want." She sniffed, and then let out a sigh.

"You'll still have to pay for our services."

"And that I will, ma'am don't you worry. But now, my friend needs me." She nodded in understanding.

"Please get them back. They were good kids." I felt my eyes go wide, and she smiled softly and nodded at the door. I saluted her, grinning at her. I grabbed my pants (the only thing that survived the doctors), put them on, and was out the door, hospital gown billowing around me. I ran down the hallways, forgetting the wheelchair I was supposed to have.

I called Ma at her hotel and asked her to come get me at the hospital. She came and got me, though, not after giving me a hug strong enough to strangle that bear I told Pony about. She kissed my cheek, and I patted her arm as she started the car.

"Where do you need to go?" I smiled at her eagerness to help.

"I could really use a shower and a shirt. Think you could hook me up?" She chuckled.

"Keith you should know better than to think I left the house without anything." She scolded me lightly, parking in the lot in front of the hotel. I hopped out, then thought better of it when a dizzy spell caught up with me. I blinked and followed my mother, who was walking faster than she had before. This made me wonder how much she actually knew.

"Here you are, son." She gave me the full thing, underwear and everything. I kissed her cheek and went to the shower, relishing the warm water. Not too hot, I remember something Darry told Soda a while back ago. If you shower in hot water while you have a concussion, you're sure to pass out. And at this moment, I really don't need that. Neither did Darry. I hurried and shoered, taking my ma's car and heading over to Brumly.

[Darry's Pov]

"Steve, if you don't stop doing that you'll cut your finger." I said for at least the sixth time. He kept running his finger over the sharp side of his blade, whether he was checking for their dullness, or something else, I didn't know. He sighed and finally put the blade away.

"We're here." He said, straightening up, and looking out the window. I nodded and cut off the engine. He looked at me, and I nodded, hopefully assuringly. I knew Steve had beef with some of these guys, and I bet he was uneasy about it. I hopped out, hurrying to meet up with the leader.

"Hey, Brumley, I addressed a few of the gang members. They looked up at me. "Your boss around?" One of them pointed over to an area, but the other shook his head.

"What you want, kid?" They said to me, although I was a good few inches and years ahead of him. I hardened my glare.

"Listen, I'm the eldest Curtis..." The guy stiffened and grimaced.

"Yeah he's here. On over there, passed that fallen tree, you's two will find 'im. Good luck." I nodded to him, and Steve eye'd that guy wearily. I pulled on his arm.

"C'mon, man. Don't wussy out on me. I need you." He put his lips in a firm line and nodded, and I let go of him.

"DARRY! Don't forget me!" I heard, and I whipped around. Two-Bit came running over. But by the time he got to us, he leaned over, holding his head. "Man I really need to quit movin' so much." I leaned over next to him, looking at his head, and then feeling his warm forehead.

"What you doin' out of the hospital, idiot?" Steve said, helping him straighten up. Two-Bit smirked.

"I gave her a little persuasion." I felt myself go pale, but then he tried to backtrack his sentence.

"No, no, muscles. I didn't do nothin' to her. That nurse is fine." I sighed with relief, knowing his mother wouldn't appreciate how he was treating those women.

"Alright, alright. We need to get to get this over with. You know this is for Pony and Soda's well-being." I said, pointing at Two-Bit. He put his hand up in an innocent gesture.

"I promise man, I ain't pulling shit here. I know how much this means to you. To all of us." I sighed, and hunched over, rubbing his temples. I knew what that meant; Ponyboy was usually the one pulling that 'rub the temple' stuff. It was a headache brewing. I sighed.

"Two-Bit, you sure you're okay?" He sighed.

"Man, I'm not the one you need to worry about. Where's the bossman?" He said, locking around. I pointed over there, Steve and I heading that way. Tow-bit brung up the rear, and we slouched, looking tough. Hopefully.

"Curtis! What can I help you with?" It was him, the boss of all operations.

"Hey, Bryan. Long time, no see. How've you been?" Bryan, his last name was and nobody bothered to learn his first name, raised his eyebrows skeptically. Maybe it was obvious what I was here for; I never venture on this side of the town unless I or any of the gang absolutely needs something, and if you were desperate enough to ask for the Brumley's help, well, you were in some deep trouble. I rubbed the back of my neck.

"I need a favour. Besides, i have owes from our side that need payed by you." He nodded.

"And they are?" I should've known he would ask what they were.

"I got two of your men out of jail, and Steve here," I pointed with my thumb towards him, "repaired Tony's radiator for free. He told him he owed him one. Well, we'd like to cash those in." He scratched his chin, then looked at Tony, who nodded.

"I did tell him that. I think we should help him, Bryan." Bryan, who was giving us his not-gonna-happen look, finally caved.

"Alrighty, boys, you've got yourself a crew. Whatcha need?"

"To repair my house. It was totally destroyed, and it needs to get built in less that two weeks if we wanna get Ponyboy and Sodapop back from the state." His eyebrows shot up.

"They took them? Damn, well, I'm sorry. Sure, Darrell we'll help. All of us. I'm sure they'd be willing to help." He turned to give them his look, and they all nodded in sync, and even replied in sync;

"Yes, boss."

"Great," I said, "How long before we can start? i'd like to hurry."

"Now, if you'd like. But our best bet is to start early tomorrow and work that whole day. That good?" I felt relief.

"That's wonderful. Thank you, Bryan."

"Anything for a Curtis in need," he held out his knuckles for me to bop, most likely to seal the deal, "See you early tomorrow, 'kay?" I nodded.

"Listen... Thanks. I really do appreciate this. A lot." He just shrugged.

"Get goin'. See ya."

"Yeah... see ya."