Author's Note: Looky looky, I'm updating. :D Crazy, huh. This is a faster update than the last one, I guess its because I've got nothing better to do right now. So, I thought I'd be nice and add another chapter. I always do the author's note before I right the chapter so I'm not sure whats gonna happen. I'll do my best to throw in some excitement in there somewhere. ENJOY!

And as always I owe lots of thanks to my stupendous reviewers:

Dreulic: Awe, your so sweet. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I wasn't sure about the violence. Action, jeez I love reading it but writing it, bleh it's hard. As for updating soon, well this is way sooner than the last time I did. Hope you enjoy. Thanks for the nice words.

Just Playin: LOL, yes I love the scary Keith. I'm doing my best so that he stays that way for a while. I hate how he's so mean tho, but I kinda like it. Thank you for the wonderful comments, I love them. I'm glad your enjoying the story, I hope the description isn't too much though, I'm doing my best to put some in but not a whole bunch cause it's boring. Love your review, I hope you like the next chapter.

Not-that- kinda-gurl: I hope this is soon enough! Well, sooner than last time anyway. Lol. Enjoy.

Mrs. Benji Madden: He he, look, he he an update he he. Glad your finding he he Keith he he hot. Everyones scared of him he he. But not you lol. Good thing too cause he needs some friends he he. Thanks for the review and heres the next chappie he he.

Oustdier08: Thanks bunches for the review. I'm updating and updating right now, so I hope you enjoy. I didn't want everyone to have to wait long again. So here you go.

Ale Curtis-Carter: Okay, sorry for the long waits. But I'm making up again with this update. And its soon too :D thanks for reviewing and enjoy lots.

Banana4422: Hmm I was so unsure of that chappie. But this one for sure I think will be better than the last. And as always thanks for reviewing and hope this is chappie is up soon enough for you. Enjoy :D

Dreamer for lyf: sits watching computer. Waits, waits, waits. Beep comes on the screen and computer says 'you've got mail'. Jumps up and down and reads Dreamer for lyf review. Thinks to herself 'Awe, 5 million years that's a long time'. Feels bad for the long wait and decides not to let Dreamer for lyf hanging anymore for another chapter. Opens words and types like a madwoman.

Anyway, thanks for the review, it made me laugh lol. Here's the next chappie.

Nikechick7777: LOL, I no I made you guys wait a long time. But here I go to make up for it with a quick update. Chappie will probably a little long, I hope, so I hope that makes up. Well, enjoy, thanks for reviewing.

NOW THAT I'VE BEEN POLITE AND I'VE THANKED ALL MY AWESOME REVIEWERS LETS GET ON WITH THE SHOW. P.S. ALL OF YOU WHO HAD TO WAIT SO LONG WILL GET FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES AT THE END OF THIS CHAPPIE :D YOU ON THE OTHER HAND WILL HAVE TO SUPPLY YOUR OWN MILK! ENJOY


Chapter 7:

"Honey, I'm home."

Dallas heard the deep, vicious voice even from beneath the thick cushion. He held it roughly to his face, attempting to drown out the usual yelling from Steve when he found out the Curtis' didn't have any beer left in their fridge. The front door slammed, the hinges cracking nosily. One day Darry's house would fall apart; Dally just hoped he wasn't there when it did.

"Two-bit?"

Dallas strained to listen. On the couch he was just a motionless slab of flesh and grease and that's how he wanted to stay. They must have thought he was asleep by now, because no one had said a word to him for the last half hour. Or, maybe they just took the hint that he wanted to be left alone. Now with Keith in the house, he wanted more than ever to continue to let them think he was out cold.

"Hey, uh…Darry?" Two-bit struggled to remember who the broad shoulders and hard chest belonged to. It was Darry right? In his mind he could recognized their faces, who they were and the memories they shared, but there was something that didn't fit. He still felt unsure of them, although somewhere in the back of his head he knew he shouldn't.

"Ya, that's his name," Steve rolled his eyes before continuing in the same cutting voice. "And I'm Steve and you're Two-bit."

The air in the kitchen grew dense with hostility. Dallas could feel it from all the way in the living room. No one said a word; just let the silence take hold of them ever so slowly. Dally tossed the pillow to the floor and shrugged his jacket into place. White strands of hair pricked his eyelids before he swiped them back. His body felt run down, eyes screaming to shut; he hadn't slept too well at Buck's. Who could with all that Hank Williams music playing?

"The name Steve," Two-bit began, shoving the curly hared greaser a few feet away "Is Keith."

Pony pulled back as Two-bit passed him and took a seat at the table. Darry and Soda watched, both shocked, yet at the same time fascinated by the extreme change. Dallas had been right. Ponyboy however didn't find himself getting all awed in excitement at the new Two-bit, he was feeling more scared than anything. He'd stepped aside enough for the redhead not to notice him much, but he still didn't feel too safe.

Dally surveyed the scene from the kitchen entrance. Leaning with his side to the wall, he flashed a lopsided grin towards Steve. The greaser ignored the look and went back to rifling through the cupboards and stove, in an attempt to discover some beer. Pony was in the corner, Dallas notice, back rippling with small tremors. His eyes were glazed over, watching from a short distance at Two-bit's crooked back. Had he been a nicer person, a more comforting friend like Soda, Dally would have coaxed the youngest Curtis' from his sheltered position. Course, he was Dallas Winston, so he never moved. Johnny was easing his way around the corner, fresh cuts and bruises springing to life on his open arms and face.

"JohnnyCake! What the hell happened to you?"

Dally jerked himself upright and moved, stumbling slightly, to where Johnny was leaning tiredly in the doorway. The dark face and round eyes stared back at him nervously, yellow teeth clenching down on his lower lip.

"Got jumped. Some drunk brumly boys. Guess they were lookin to have some fun, it's nothin really." The boy stopped and lowered his head till it looked like he was about to topple over.

"Brumly boys" Darry asked. They were a tough bunch of hoods, but they rarely picked fights with them and if they did it was always with Two-bit or Dallas. Johnny nodded back to Darry.

"Those dirty no good sons of bitches. When I get my hands on…"

"Give it a rest" Two-bit snapped. He was still bent over the table, not bothering to look Dallas in the face as he spoke. "The kid's fine, I was there. So, let it go."

"Look at his face you shit. It's all cut up!"

"He's not going to die. So stop your whining."

Dallas stepped forward, hands turning to tight fists but Johnny stopped him. He held onto Dally's sleeve, tugging gently for his attention. With a quick shake of his head, the anger inside Dallas began to subside and instead of adding to the situation, he stomped off onto the porch. He lit a cigarette, and relaxed on the rail of the steps, listening to the mingling of the afternoon traffic.

"So, where have you been?" Darry asked.

"Around. What's it to you?"

"What's it to me? Your mother's been calling here for the last two days. She says you haven't shown up at her place at all since the accident. And judging by your clothes, she wasn't lying." Darry relaxed himself, calming his shaken nerves and regaining his breath. He didn't need to worry about one of his oldest friends like this.

"Ya, well disconnect your phone if you don't want her calling." Two-bit shifted out of the wooden chair and opened the fridge.Moving some expired cheese and stacking containers of spaghetti off to the side, he found a bottle of beer. Steve narrowed his eyes with jealousy, while Two-bit popped off the lid and took a quick sip. "Not my fault if the ol bat is stalking you" he mumbled.

"Just go see her."

"No!"

"Yes, you have to!"

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do."

Soda let out a laugh.

"Two-bit, just go home. Do us all a favor, take a little nap and change those clothes. You need some sort of hygiene" Steve said.

"What did I say before? It's Keith."

"I'm done with this guy." Steve buttoned up his DX shirt and headed for the door.

"Wait" Soda whined, tagging along after him.

Johnny walked to where Pony was. The two shared the same confused look, wondering what to do. Steve and Soda were leaving, Dallas was upset and Darry was barely even getting through to Two-bit's thick skull.

"How bout if I drive you?" Two-bit finished his beer off without a word.

"I'll go when I feel like it Darrel."

Rubbing his sideburns thoughtfully, Two-bit said a quick goodbye and left the table. He went to look himself over in the Curtis bathroom. Mirror streaked and stained with fingerprints, the reflection of a battered face stared back at him. Dark circles outlining his eyes, bruised skin and shredded lips. He didn't look any better than he felt. Maybe going home for a few minutes of sleep wouldn't be the worst thing to happen to him. Except, once he was home he'd be expected to stay home. To comfort his mom and tell her he was fine after the accident. Shoot, she knew he wasn't fine. They both knew it. No, he would stay at Pony's for a while longer or until he got kicked out. Than, there was always Buck's and the streets. He'd be able to survive without a clean pair of clothes for a few more days.


Streets dark, and empty from the fall of night. Two-bit walked, alone and unafraid. Confidence high, he pulled a cigarette to his lips, lighting it while he took in a long tasteful drag. The air was mild out for once. No rain or wind to disturb him. It was nice.

He'd left the house, leaving behind a more relaxed Darry and a still very quiet Pony and Johnny. The other three members of their gang hadn't bothered to return that day, either because they were busy working or in Dallas' case just busy looking for trouble. It didn't bother him though. He'd caught up on some much needed sleep. Almost four hours, not too shabby.

Down the silent streets, a car screeched. Two-bit watched with an amused look, as the car jerked forward to stop, then went again, breaks slamming hard against the asphalt. The shrill sound of the tires screaming disrupting the stillness. It continued this way, until eventually the car stopped alongside the rusty hared boy.

Two-bit walked around to the drivers side window and leaned in. "You lookin for trouble?"

A voice inside the vehicle cursed, and a head stuck out to meet Two-bit's.Tim Shepards dirty face shimmered with sweat. Blood ran down in a long thin line from his right nostril. Nose twisted from the many brawls.

"Get into a fight Shepard?"

"You know me, always lookin to have some fun." Passengers in the back encouraged Tim to keep driving. Their voices loud and boistrous. Words slurring from their alcohol induced state.

"Where ya headin?" Two-bit asked.

"Buck's."

"Ya?"

"Ya, you know whats their don't ya. Broads, booze and poker. Everything a growing hood needs."

The grin on Two-bit's face widdened as he jerked open the back door.

"Well, you know Tim i haven't had my helping of that today. "

The door closed with a thud. Tires burning rubber, the car took off down the street, fading away into the rising cloud of dust.

AN: K, that's all for now. Not sure when the next update will be. Hope fully soon. Hope it was a good chappie. The next one for sure is going to have some drama. Its getting close to the end. Sigh