A/N: Ok, I know this is going slow…I am trying to speed it up. But it's just my writing style, I'm trying to do my best…so if it bothers you…don't read!

Writer's block has hit…so if you have any ideas send 'em along!

I just can't end the story unfinished!

Let me know what you think! Thanks for all the reviews!

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"Will you have whiskey with your water

Or sugar with your tea?
What are these crazy questions

That they're asking me?

This is the wildest party that there ever could be

Oh, don't turn on the light 'cause I don't wanna see"

----Lyrics by Randy Newman

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XXXX

Soda's POV

I reeled with horrified shock at Rick's words. I knew my mouth was hanging open, but I didn't care. Two-Bit shook me back to my senses. He nodded curtly at Ponyboy who was wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Almost guiltily, Ponyboy met my stare and then looked at his shoes. Darry gaped angrily after the retreating mustang.

"Pony," I said cautiously, stepping closer to him. "Don't listen to that piece of-"

"No." Ponyboy said. His face was pained. "Just leave me alone." And with that he ran down the street to our house.

I heard Two-Bit utter a string of obscenities and pace the gravel road in frustration.

"Just let him be," Darry murmured as I made a move to follow my younger brother.

"This is getting ridiculous," Steve shouted at me. I shot him a surprised look at his outburst.

"I am gonna kill that son of a bitch. I swear to God." I said angrily.

"Sodapop, don't do anything rash." Darry grinned slightly. "As much as I'd love to join you, it wouldn't help Ponyboy any."

"It might." I said grimly. "If they're this dead set on getting him, than it just might."

Darry looked sick at my words. He swallowed thickly then marched towards the house.

Two-Bit picked up the football that had dented the Rick's mustang. "Only for special occasions," he said tossing it to me.

Steve met my eyes and we both smiled.

XXXX

Well, that 'special occasion' had just landed Two-Bit and myself in jail.

Earlier tonight I went to another one of Two-Bit's parties. I didn't think I could ever stomach another party but Darry insisted I get out of the house and stop hovering over Ponyboy's shoulder

Pony had looked so relieved when I left that it killed me.

Only this time, this party was much better than the others I had been dragged to. This time we crashed a Social party.

Two-Bit had nudged me when we walked through the door. I spotted Rick and Dave in the middle of a group of guys. They were wearing sweater-vests and smoking.

Two-Bit and I had grinned at each other. I wasn't about to let this opportunity pass me by. Darry couldn't interrupt this time. Usually I wasn't the violent type. But when it came to my brother…

"Well, looky here," Two-Bit drawled as we walked up to them. The group of guys puffed themselves up and tried to look threatening. Rick waved them off and frowned at us. "What are you two doing here?" Then he scoffed at me, "Look man, I have no beef with you."

"That's too bad because I sure as hell have one with you," I said.

Rick scowled at me as if I was stupid. "I told you. This is between me and your brother."

Like that would make a difference.

I slapped the cigarette from his mouth. Shocked gasps filled the air. I swear I could hear Two-Bit's smirk. "You just stay the hell away from him."

He held up his hands in mock denial. "I can't promise anything." He had grinned and paused before turning away from us. "Although, I can tell you that when I'm finished with him he will be in hell. Scum like your brother usually end up there."

The rest was pretty much a blur. I threw a few punches, ducked a few. The only difference between this and the rumble was that someone called the cops.

Two-bit and I were the only ones who had been hauled off to the station. It figured.

The cop was a big surly fellow. "Don't you kids ever learn?" he had grumbled.

"I guess not officer. We don't really learn the correct technique of a right-handed punch in high school," Two-Bit had retorted.

"At least not until college," I had added. "Shaddup," the officer had said, shoving us in the cell and slamming the door.

The jail cell wasn't too bad. At least we had it to ourselves. Must've been a slow Friday night.

I nursed my sore hand, feeling proud of it. Two-Bit didn't look so bad except for his black eye. "You haven't used your one phone call yet," he told me, trying to hide his smile.

"Shoot, would you want to?" I asked him. Darry was going to kill me, plain and simple.

"Nah," he said kicking back on the steel cot. "I'd want to stay alive as long as possible too."

I laughed at him. He lit a cigarette and handed me one, which I gratefully accepted. Who knew, it might be my last.

"At least," I said, blowing a smoke ring, "we got a few good punches in there."

"Damn good." Two-Bit echoed. "Real damn good."

"Think they'll bother him after this?" I asked him.

"Maybe after a few months of recuperation," Two-Bit joked. Then he turned serious, "I really hope not, Sodapop."

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair.

Suddenly, I heard a commotion down the hall. It sounded like Ponyboy was yelling at someone. Two-Bit sat up fast and looked at me confused. Pony's voice got higher and higher until I heard Darry's calm voice cut in and all was silent.

The officer who had brought us in appeared and swung his keys in front of our faces. He unlocked the cell door and whipped it open.

"You're free to go. Your brother's are here."

We stood up and exited the cell, stamping our cigarettes out on the floor. The officer looked at our mess and frowned in distaste. I glanced back longingly at the cell and almost considered staying.

Two-Bit and I made our way down the corridor, coming into the Tulsa PD's waiting room. Darry stopped mid-pace, looking like he wanted to strangle me.

Ponyboy sat on a chair, chin in his hand. He was staring off into space and smoking.

Steve shook his head as we entered. "You just couldn't wait for me, could you?" he asked us grinning jealously.

Slowly, Darry turned around to Steve. "Don't. You. Say anything."

Grandly, Two-Bit sidestepped Darry and darted over to Ponyboy. He ruffled Ponyboy's hair. Ponyboy frowned and shifted away from him.

Darry faced me. "Sodapop-"

"Darry, no sweat. They aren't pressing charges," I told him.

"That's the least of my worries," he hissed at me. I opened my mouth to justify my actions but paused. Darry didn't look mad. He looked scared.

I gulped. "What do you mean?"

"Sodapop, I've already heard from the state." Two-Bit's head shot up and he paled. Steve whispered something in his ear.

"But wh-," I stammered. "I didn't want…" The state had not even crossed my mind.

"We can talk about it at home," Darry said gravely taking my arm. Then I met Ponyboy's accusing eyes and silently cursed myself for my stupidity.

XXXX

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