Yay, new chappie!

Disclaimer: Still don't own, so don't sue.

Dally yawned as he settled on the Curtis couch. He had a few days off. Not vacation, more like a paid necessity since that damn gelding threw him and cracked a couple ribs. He never did like the idea of jumping horses. Johnny had disappeared, maybe to work, but he'd hope to find the boy here. He disliked being away from him because he either worried or got bored. Both usually. But he felt like he needed to sleep now, and if Johnny was here he'd sleep better.

Steve and Soda had the day off apparently, since Soda was hollering at Steve from the kitchen. Two Bit sauntered in and leaned on the back of the couch, peering at the blaring television. Pony walked in from his bedroom, sleep still clinging to him as he rubbed his eyes.

"Hey Dally." Pony said.

"Hey kid. You seen Johnnycake?" He asked.

"Naw, he's been gone all day. Why, did he not fix you breakfast? Or mebbe forget the ironing? You just can't get good help these days." Two Bit teased.

"Lay off Two Bit. Can't blame a man for hiring a maid. Whatcha paying Johnny to cook, clean and keep the light on for ya when you come home buzzed?" Steve prodded.

"Oh get lost, you ass-"

"Easy there boys. Just because Darry isn't doesn't mean you get to fight." Soda said. "Besides, if Johnny is a maid, then why does Dally always look like he just rolled outta the ditch?"

"Don't listen to them Dal, they're just jealous that they didn't help Johnny sooner." Pony said. His voice was so much quieter than all the rest that Dally was shocked that everyone heard it. It got real quiet.

"I don't know what you mean. Anyone would've punched his old man out if they spent more than two seconds near him." But they'd all at least met Johnny's dad, and that was more than two seconds.

"Naw, what you did was something else Dal. Besides, no one has heard a word from them in months."

(la la la)

Johnny yawned as he sat behind the counter. His boss was in the back room sorting through some used books, pricing and putting them on her little rolling shelf for him to deal with next shift. He was kinda bored. And what Pony said had been bothering him, a lot. Maybe he did need a girlfriend. Take his mind off of the gang, his parents, school… Dally. He sighed.

A small woman came through the door, likely headed for the cheap romance section, but she startled, like someone who just got cold water thrown on them.

"Johnny." He recognized his mother taunt voice and swallowed.

No words came. After all those years of pain and abuse, feeling like she never gave a damn, and he had nothing to say to her when she was sober and would remember every syllable.

"Johnny, I-"

"I don't have nothing to say to you." Johnny said.

"Johnny, I can't stay long but, tell me you're okay." She said. Her dark eyes searched him.

"Why do you care?" Johnny said. He thought he was being gruff until his voice cracked and revealed the same Johnny that would trail home on occasion to get beaten again.

"Because even the worst mother needs to know her son isn't going to end up like that other trash in the gutter. Where are you staying?" She said. He recognized this mother now. Soon he wouldn't be good enough for her concern.

"It's none of your damn business." Johnny said. He wished he could feel the anger he mustered at her.

"Fine. You stay with your gang, and when you finally get hurt, or sick, or do something stupid, let them pick up the pieces."

As she went to leave, no whippy comeback, no harsh words, and no comfort came to mind. She still had the power to hurt him, and it made him hate that weakness in him. Jeez, Dally left his parents years ago, they didn't care and he didn't care. Why couldn't he have that strength? Why couldn't he say "fuck um all" and turn his back on them?

"You all right dearie?" Johnny jumped as the old lady appeared, pushing the moveable cart.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

(la la la)

"I think he's at work Dal." Pony said. He sat down next to Dally, careful of his bandaged ribs and dared look at the older greaser.

"Will you three pipe down? Damn hoodlums." Dally muttered.

"Dally, why haven't you been over at Tim's? Or Buck's? They're missing you, although Tim's tires aren't." Two Bit said.

"Because I'm a grown up now and my boss rides my ass." Dally muttered.

"God, when did you get old Dally? You sound just like Darry." Steve said.

"Oh get it off it Steve. When's the last time Darry was home this time on a weekday?" Soda said.

"Don't you three have some skirts to be chasing, or maybe a bus?" Dally muttered.

"Well, we were going to-"

"Then go." Dally muttered, shutting his eyes.

"All right all right. Pony, you wanna go?" Two Bit asked.

"No, I've got work soon." Pony said.

"All right, well have fun. Old men anyway."

They left and Dally rolled his head back against the couch. Pony sat next to him and Dally waited. Pony was quiet all the time, but if he was sitting next to Dally after declining to leave with his brother and the gang, something needed to be said.

"Hey Dally, can I ask you something?"

"It's a free country." Dally murmured. He was exhausted and starting to doze off.

"Do you think Johnny is happy?" Pony asked. Dally opened an eye to look at Pony.

"I dunno. He should be. No more getting the tar beat out of him-"

"No, I know he's happy like that. But, do you think something is, missing?" Pony asked. He tilted his head and looked at Dally in the way that meant Pony knew the answer.

"What are you getting at kid?"

"I think he needs someone." Pony blinked and Dally noted a flush that started to spread. He kept a grin to himself, knowing exactly what Pony meant. He'd play dumb for a while, see what shade of red he could get from the kid.

"What do you mean? He's got the gang and a home." Dally said.

"Well,-"

"Think he needs a pet or something?" Dally asked.

"No, I-"

"What do you mean, exactly?" Dally smiled. Pony frowned.

"You know what I mean." Pony said.

"I can't get Johnny laid, Pony." Dally muttered.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just mean, he needs someone that he knows cares about him." Pony said. Dally growled.

"And you think that someone can't be me?" Dally asked.

"I think that's something you have to decide."

Psst, do you think the dialogue sounds ok? I sometimes struggle with it. Ekkk! Bye for now.

Shadows Run