Disclaimer: Much as I love the greasers, they don't belong to me. However, Jenna and Lauren are both mine. Along with any other 21st century character.

Reviews: Aw, you guys are so nice! Thanks for the reviews! (I take flames as well as compliments, by the way. Feel free to leave your opinion.)

Author's Note: Sorry this update took a little longer than planned. Soccer+school hectic.

Silence fell over the living room, as all the boys absorbed this information. Soda was the first person to talk, and he was obviously choosing his words carefully.

"Technically," he began, staring at me, "none of that will happen. Because one, it's just a book. And-"

"Yeah, just a book," I interrupted in an unintentional sneering voice. "You know how many times I've closed that book and thought, 'Gee, what great characters.' You've all just been storybook characters to me. But obviously, that's not correct. Something weird is happening, but what can we do? That book is real. Isn't it, Pony?" I asked for confirmation.

Pony nodded serenely. "Those things happened to me, you guys. And Dally and Johnny. We went to that stupid movie, and we met Cherry and Marcia, and Johnny and I were in the lot...and...if we hadn't been pulled out of our book, everything else woulda happened too!"

Two-Bit looked thoughtful for a change, and tilted his head slightly. "But now, if we got back into our book - which isn't just a book, it's apparently our lives - we would know that those things would happen."

"Yeah," Darry said, glancing around the room. "And then we could make different decisions. We could change the story!"

I must have looked uneasy, because then Johnny spoke up. "How you guys plannin' on getting back into the book?" he asked, and silence covered the room once again. "I say we just make do with living here."

"That was gonna be my second point," Soda said, grinning. "What I was tryin' to say was, we're not in the book no more. We're here. Let's just figure out our lives here!"

Steve high-fived Soda, mirroring the other boy's grin. "Yeah, yeah! We be twentieth century boys now!"

Inwardly, I cringed. I didn't want them to stay. They couldn't stay! They lived in a book. Plus, where would they stay? How would they survive? This was not going to work; how could it? I had seven greasers living in my house, and if they stayed in this time era, they'd be living here for at least a few more weeks. And what was I going to tell my mother...?

"You know guys, that might be harder than you think," Darry said, sounding logical and understanding. "How do you expect to make money? Go to school? Live? What are your plans, guys?"

Two-Bit looked crushed, but Ponyboy looked deep in thought. "Darry, I bet you could find a good job somewhere. And Two-Bit and Soda could too, and-"

"What about school, buddy? I think Two-Bit and Soda should both go to school," Darry said, rushing on with, "I don't care what you say Soda. We stay here, and you're goin' back to school. Steve and Dally, well hell, they'll do whatever they want. So I ain't gonna bother laying down rules with them."

"I could try to get Johnny a job," I said suddenly, thinking of my friend Lauren Carling. Her family owned a local restaurant, Carling's Dinner, and Lauren had been telling me that they were in need of a busboy. "Pony, you're too young, probably. I can hardly find work, and I'm fifteen."

"I'm almost fifteen," he said sourly, obviously upset that he wouldn't be able to bring any money in for the family.

I smiled, but didn't say anything. I got up for the couch, heading towards the computer desk. The boys were all still talking - well, arguing is the more accurate term. Searching through the desk, I finally found a pen and notepad. Might as well be organized, I had decided. I wrote down a few things; mainly, who would be able to work, who would be able to drive, that sort of thing.

"Darry, do you have a driver's license?" I asked, knowing he did. As he nodded, I said, "Okay, well it's outdated. So what we're gonna say, is this - your wallet had been stolen, and you need to renew all of your stuff. I have no idea if that will work, so don't get pissed off at me if it doesn't. I'm just hoping it does. And I want Soda, Steve, Dally, and Two-Bit to go with you. I know you guys can already drive, but you're gonna have to get new licenses. But we can't try to pull the "lost wallet" trick twice, so you guys have to take the driving test. You'll probably not get a license for six months, or a year. But...I can't help it. Okay? Okay."

"What the hell?" shouted Steve, his face red with anger. "I'm a great driver! I don't need no driving test!"

"Fuck that, I ain't taking a test," Dally said, his brow furrowed. "Don't need any stupid license to drive. I drive just fine."

Sounding exasperated, I replied, "Yes, I know. I'm sure you guys can drive great. But I don't care. You need to be legal. So you're gonna go to the DMV and-"

"Waita second," Dally said, "what about my police record and shit? Ain't they gonna wanna arrest me?"

"Dally, you don't exist in this world. You have no record." As an afterthought, I added, "And don't try to make one! The police are better here. You won't get away with shit. So please, please, please don't try. For the gang? Please."

Rolling his eyes, Dally nodded his head. I wasn't sure he was going to listen, but I decided there wasn't much I could do about it.

"All right, good, good. Now...Darry...do you think you could figure out how to get to the DMV?" I quickly explained where it was, and he looked as if he understood. "I'm gonna let you guys walk down to the bus stop, 'kay?" I explained where that was, and they all looked okay with it. As they all started getting up, I pulled Darry aside. "Darry, I'm really depending on you. Please keep those guys in control. I don't know what to do if one of them gets in trouble, or arrested, or whatever. So just...keep a close eye on them?"

Darry grinned, the first real grin I'd seen from him. "Don't you even worry about it, girl," he said, patting my shoulder.

With that, Steve, Darry, Dally, Soda, and Two-Bit headed out my front door. I felt like groaning, but instead, I turned to Johnny and Pony. Johnny still looked very shook up, and Pony seemed to be unsure of what to do.

"'Kay boys. I'm gonna show you around town," I said, shoving Johnny playfully. He smiled wryly, but got up.

"What town are we in, anyway?" Pony asked as he started to stand up.

I grinned. "Welcome to Terranceville, Utah, kiddo."