Notes: This story takes place around mid-summer after the book ends. Yes, Johnny and Dally are dead. No, they are not coming back…except maybe in flashbacks. This story is going to be from Two-Bit's perspective, not enough of those stories around in my opinion. It will deal with Two-Bit's relationships with the gang, namely Ponyboy.

Disclaimer: Yes, I own Ponyboy and Two-Bit *salivates* What?! You don't believe me?! Okay, fine! So I don't own them or any of the other characters from the book. I just like to steal them and use them as marionette puppets in my lurid fantasies. I'm not making any money on this so don't bother suing 'cause I don't have any money to give you. My phone bill is already overdue and the phone company will be getting my money first so I can keep using the internet. And yes, I stole the title from the Phil Collins song of the same name…not making any money off that either.

I do however own any original characters. If you want to use them or any similar situations from my stories, just ask. And if you want to post this story to another site, just drop me a line, 'k. And please review. I'm new to this fandom so I'm sure I'll make mistakes. Please tell me about them if you see them. And please try to leave constructive comments. I would appreciate the help. Also, I'm not quite sure where this story is going yet. I might just do a friendship fic or it might evolve into a slash fic…I just don't know. Just thought I'd warn anyone of the possibility.

Another Day in Paradise

A soft red glow penetrated the early morning dawn. The amber light brightened momentarily as the burning embers of the cigarette were stoked when the individual strolling down the shoulder of the road took a deep draw from the cigarette. As the figure passed under a streetlight, his features were illuminated. Slicked-back, rust-colored hair with sideburns framed a face containing mischievous gray eyes and a smirking mouth. The man's ensemble consisted of a gray Mickey Mouse shirt, blue jeans, and tattered sneakers. Two-Bit Matthews appeared to be meandering carelessly down the road, but appearances tend to be deceiving. Two-Bit was definitely on the alert. It was unwise to let one's guard down in this section of town, and Two-Bit was well aware of what was going on around him…which at this time of morning was absolutely nothing.

Two-Bit chuckled to himself as he pondered that he was actually up at this time of the morning. Why he had agreed to meet Ponyboy this early was a mystery to him. That he had actually gotten up when his alarm went off was an even bigger mystery. Two-Bit scratched his head as tried to remember the last time he had actually used the alarm clock. Why did he even own an alarm clock when his mother did a perfectly fine job of dragging his sorry ass out of bed? Two-Bit smiled when he acknowledged that the kid had him wrapped around his little finger. Fishing. He wanted to go fishing! And of course, when Pony turned those sad puppy eyes to him, what did he do? He caved. Two-Bit Matthews didn't cave to anyone…except to Ponyboy Curtis apparently. Two-Bit didn't think he actually had the patience for something as mundane as fishing. A person had to stay still and be quite while they were fishing. Oh, the torture! How would he ever survive?

Two-Bit glanced toward the ever-reddening sky as he sucked more of the tobacco-flavored smoke into his lungs. He snorted silently as he thought that Pony was probably watching the same sunrise. Ponyboy loved nature: sunrises, sunsets…fishing. Two-Bit drew near to the Curtis' house and sure enough, Ponyboy was sitting on the porch steps watching the sun crest on the horizon. Two-Bit smiled and shook his head. Who would have ever believed that Ponyboy Curtis would end up being the best friend he ever had? Sure, Two-Bit had lots of pals. He had the whole gang plus lots of other friends, but Ponyboy was special. Darry was the leader of the gang, the big brother to everyone, but he wasn't really anyone's best friend. Soda and Steve already had each other. Pony had a best friend in Johnny, but Johnny was gone. Two-Bit, who had always been the jokester of the group, had made it his mission to pull Pony's spirits up, to make Pony laugh and smile again. Somehow his mission to just cheer up Ponyboy had backfired. He had come to depend on Pony just as much as Pony depended on him. He and Ponyboy had become inseparable, doing everything together. Losing Johnny and Dally had been bad, but Two-Bit and the gang had somehow pulled through. However, Two-Bit wasn't sure that he'd be able to cope if anything were to happen to Pony.

Shaking his head to rid himself of the depressing thoughts, Two-Bit approached the porch where Ponyboy was sitting. Pony was concentrating so intensely on the sunrise that he had not even noticed Two-Bit's approach. Two-Bit rolled his eyes. How many times had he warned Pony against going off into his own little world and being oblivious to his surroundings. He left himself vulnerable to anyone who would use his distraction against him. Not a smart thing to do especially with the recent escalations in tensions between the Greasers and Socs. An evil smile spread across Two-Bit's face. He'd show Ponyboy how dangerous letting down his guard could be.

Two-Bit quietly climbed over the porch railing, and then he stealthily sneaked up behind Ponyboy and pulled him into a chokehold. He jabbed his finger into Pony's side like it was a gun. Pony let out high-pitched squeak before going still. Two-Bit almost let loose a snicker at Ponyboy's spot-on imitation of a mouse. Instead, he lowered his voice and gruffly said, "Give me all your money kid or I'll force you to endure my Mickey Mouse impressions."

Ponyboy rolled his eyes and let his breath out in a great woosh. "Glory, Two-Bit! What ya tryin' to do? Gimme a heart attack?" Jabbing his elbow back, he heard a grunt and Two-Bit's hold loosened. Turning around to see Two-Bit's smirking face, he raised his hand and hit Two-Bit over the top of the head.

"Ow! What was that for?"

Pony mockingly raised his eye brow and said, "You tell me."

Two-Bit leaned his upper body against the railing next to the seat where Ponyboy was sitting. "I told you before kid. You can't let your guard down like that. If I'd been a Soc, you wouldn'ta gotten off so easy."

Ponyboy slouched in his seat and grumbled, "Yeah, yeah. I heard it all before."

Two-Bit flashed Pony a cocky grin and then wagged his finger at him, "Don't be gettin' all smart with me. Jus' lookin' out for ya kid." Two-Bit then grabbed Pony in a headlock with one arm. He used his free hand to muss up Ponyboy's neatly styled Greaser-do. Laughing at the picture Ponyboy made with his hair sticking up in every direction, Two-Bit released his grip and made a dash for the door.

Ponyboy was hot on Two-Bit's tail yelling, "You're gonna pay for that ya dirty scoundrel and stop calling me kid!"

Just before the door slammed shut behind Ponyboy, Two-Bit's voice could be heard laughingly saying, "You quit actin' like one and I'll quit callin' ya one."

~~~So should I continue or should I try another profession? Please leave a review in the box…thank you~~~