(A/N: S.E Hinton owns the Outsiders. I own Shelley. I am sooooo sorry I haven't updated! I've been really busy with school and now these damn summer projects they gave us. Damn them! Damn them! –coughs- Yeah…anyways, here's an update and hopefully you don't kill me!
Sorry to all you slash fans out there. It isn't what you think it is….sorry. Don't kill me! I support slash too…I'm just too cowardly to write it…Anyways! Here you are! I own Soda's boss, since I basically made him up!)

The small blue eyed girl woke up an hour later, dried tears stained her cheeks and she felt dizzy. Where was she?

Shelley looked around slightly disoriented. Where was Soda? Where was Steve?

"Hello?" she called. Shelley surveyed her surroundings. A big place…hard floor. There was a door that went up and down…a garage?

A boy with messy locks and an oil covered face entered, cleaning his oil splattered hands with a rag. "Hey, you're up."

Shelley smiled and ran up to him, hugging his leg. "Steve," she said.

Steve cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah…?"

Shelley just stood back and smiled. "Didn't know where you were." She stated blinking up at him.

Steve felt his heart melt and quickly pushed it aside. "Er…ok." He was never good with kids.

"Why don't you go see Sodapop? He'll take you back to his house."

Shelley nodded and hugged his leg one last time before running off to find Soda.

Sodapop sighed as he helped another customer. It was rush hour and all the gas stations were filled from all the people getting off work.

"Fill'er up." said the dark haired man, cranking open the window.

Soda nodded giving the man a smile. "Hard day, sir?" he asked trying to make polite conversation.

The man grumbled in response. "Terrible, kid. I tell ya, if I don't get a vacation soon I don't know what I'll do."

Soda smiled as he filled the car up. "Don't worry. Good things happen to those who wait." He replied.

The man smiled. "Take it easy, kid." He gave Soda a two dollar tip before driving off.

Soda smiled and pocketed the money. "Anytime," he whispered.

He turned around and almost walked right into Shelley. He stumbled but caught his balance. "Hey, Shelley." He said smiling. He carefully picked the small child up, holding her close.

"You ready to go home, sweetie?"

Shelley nodded in response and Soda nodded. "I just need to let the boss know I'm leavin, ok?"

The blonde again nodded in response and Soda and her set off.

Soda boss was a small stocky man with a balding head and a dark mustache. He had large bushy eyebrows which almost his eyes, which were a shocking electric blue.

"Hey Ray?" called Soda.

The man looked up and walked over to Soda.

"Ok if I take the rest of the day off? I'm gonna take the kid home." He said referring to Shelley.

Ray scratched behind his head. "I don't know, Soda. I'm one man down on the shift already since James headed out."

Soda furrowed his eyebrows. "But she's really tired, Ray. Can't ya let me off just this once?"

"Well…" said the man as he gazed at Shelley. "Alright. But just this once." He turned around and Soda grinned waling out the door. "Don't think this will be a regular thing!" called Ray as the door shut and Soda grinned, rolling his eyes.

"I promise!" he called as he walked down the walk and onto the sidewalk.

The cold chill of night nipped at his skin and Shelley buried her head in his chest. He hugged her closer trying to protect her from the wind. "Just a bit longer, kay?"

She nodded her head, clutching to him for dear life.

Soda smiled and continued to carry her down the street, completely oblivious to the lights trailing behind him.

Not until someone yelled, "Hey grease ball." did he turn.

"Shit." Soda cursed beneath his breath. He quickly set Shelley down, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"I want you to run, ok? I want you to run as fast as you can to my house, and I'll be right behind you." He said.

Shelley stared at him confused trying to pull him along. "C'mon." she said quietly.

Soda shook his head. "Shelley, listen to me and run. I'll be right there." He managed a small smile. "It will be a race. If you get their before me, tell Pony to give you an ice cream cone, ok?"

Shelley stood there as tears welled up in her eyes. The socs were slowly advancing and she couldn't leave Soda. "I don wanna go!" she wailed.

"Shelley, do this for me? Please, Shelley, please?" Soda begged noticing how dangerously close the socs were.

Shelley nodded as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Ok." She said softly before fleeing into the night and down the street.

"What'sa matter, Grease? Scared?" said the soc as he stood behind Soda. His cronies all laughed drunkenly.

Soda shook his head, grinning at them. "Just thinking how stupid you all look." He replied. He knew it would set them off. He knew he was in for it. But sometimes he just couldn't help himself.

The soc narrowed his eyes and the last thing Soda saw was his fist flying at his face.

(OoO! Cliffy! I hope that didn't suck too much. Anyways review!)