.:: I do not own The Outsiders::.

"The water is warm,
but it's sending me shivers.
A baby is born,
crying out for attention.
Memories fade,
like looking through a fogged mirror
Decision to decisions are made and not bought
But I thought,
this wouldn't hurt a lot.
I guess not."

=Weeks later=

Cherry walked to the entrance with Ponyboy, Sharon looking over them from behind. The red head girl was saying how her parents were going to get a puppy soon 'cause she was being a nice girl at home. Pony felt a little envious, in every adventure she told it was obvious she had more things than him.

"Hey Cherry remember me?"

Cherry tilted her head then smiled, "Bob!" She didn't want to admit that she had a small crush on Bob the Soc. He worked in the afternoons in her father's Soc bar. Sometimes her family would invite him over for parties or dinner along with his family.

"Your Dad told me to come pick you up." He faced Ponyboy, "Mind telling who he is?"

Cherry wrapped her arm around Pony's, "This is Ponyboy! Like a Pony! He's only three!"

Ponyboy bit his bottom lip, Bob ruffled his hair, "Don't be shy little guy. I'm a friend of Cherry's."

Pony nodded looking at the ground, "Hi."

He lifted Cherry from the ground, "Well Pony I have to get her home. Goodbye Miss Sharon have a nice day."

Bob left with Cherry in his arms walking towards his mustang. Pony felt a little uncomfortable meeting him. There was something about him that he didn't like. Cherry waved at him driving off. Pony waved back admiring the car. Blue...

"Hey there pretty lady! And hey there Pony!"

It was Twobit's turn to pick up Pony from daycare. Sharon greeted him, "Hello Keith."

"Call me Twobit. Let's skedaddle squirt."

Ponyboy waved goodbye at Sharon before leaving. They headed towards the DX to visit Sodapop. Twobit carried Pony's small back pack hanging it over his shoulder. In the streets he whistled at every pretty girl walking by. Pony giggled, "Dawy says das not nice to do."

"Oh Pony Pony Pony, when you get bigger trust me, you'll be doing this when you get into girls."

He shrugged, "Giwls awe yucky! Except Chewy, she's weally nice."

Twobit grinned, "Huh, little too young for a girlfriend. Beat my record, had my first girl when I was six."

"She's not my goilfwiend!"

As they got closer they saw Sodapop outside with Sandy all lovey dovey. She reached up to him giving him a kiss. Both kissed long and hard, Twobit chuckled grabbing Pony covering his eyes with a hand.

"Now now...Calm yourselves down there are children here."

Soda stopped kissing his girlfriend turning around quickly blushing , Sandy laughed. Ponyboy giggled again, "Soda was kissing Sandy..."

Soda took Pony in his arms, "Hey baby! Sorry you had to -uh- see that."

"Is ok Soda! Hi Sandy!"

Sandy gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Hey there Pony. Guess what? I get to baby sit you tonight."

Sodapop told him how he was going to be busy at night, Darry was going to work late and that no one in the gang was available so Sandy was going to be taking care of him tonight. Pony was actually excited, he liked Sandy very much. She was very kind to him giving him sweets sometimes.

"I'd be worried if I were you Soda." Twobit said.

"Why?"

"Ponyboy is a real lady's man...Erm well lady's boy. While we were walking he got stares from girls," he pinched Pony's cheek, "probably thinking he was 'real cute'."

Pony shook his head, "No, Sandy woves Soda silly! They kiss all da time."

Twobit hollered in laughs, Soda blushed taking Sandy's hand, "Ok ok I got it. I have to go back to work. See you around Pony."

In the late afternoon Sandy went to the Curtis's, Soda had dropped her off after work. Pony was coloring with Johnny at his side. When she showed up he left, Sandy was given instructions and phone numbers for emergencies. Darry's work number, Buck's (just in case Dally was there). What time to feed Pony, when to put him to sleep. He needed a bath that day and she had to make sure he washed his hands after using the bathroom.

Sandy was really good with children, Pony wasn't the only child she baby sat. Sometimes people from the west side called her to baby-sit Soc kids. It was a real problem though, the Soc guys wouldn't stop bothering her since Sandy was a very pretty broad.

Pony was in the bathtub playing with a rubber duck, he splashed the water in delight. Sandy massaged his head with shampoo, he closed his eyes feeling relaxed.

"You like that Pony?"

He nodded still his eyes closed, "Yeah. It feels nice."

After taking him out and drying him up it was time for his small portion of cereal. Turning on the television she placed his bowl on the coffee table with Pony sitting beside eating watching The Addams Family. Sucked in the television world Pony ignored all sounds only focusing on the show. When it was over he overheard Sandy talking.

"I know! Yeah yeah I'm baby-sitting his little brother. Mhmm Ponyboy...How did you know? Oh ok. No...I love you more!...When are we going to meet up again? Tomorrow? All right at 8 it is. Goodbye."

Hanging up the phone with a plastered smile on her face she saw Pony staring at her, "Was dat Soda?"

Nervously she said, "No...Uh let's keep this a secret ok? Don't tell anyone about this. Can you do that for me Pony?"

He went back to the television, "Okay."

It was now 10 at night, time for bed. Pony in his foot pajamas made his way into his room that he shared with Soda. Sandy placed a pillow on the edge of the pillow so Pony wouldn't fall if he rolled over and another one where Soda should be sleeping. Planting a kiss on his cheek she turned off the light closing the door. Pony shouted something.

"Don't cwose da door! It's scawy if it's all dawk...Da shadow will take me..."

Her face softened, "Very well then. I'll keep it half closed. Don't worry Pony no shadows will take you. If you need anything I'll be in the living room. Sleep tight don't let the bed bugs bite."

Left in the dark his eyes wandered round the room, there was the small dresser, some posters of Elvis on the walls. Soda had some of girls but Darry told him to put them away if Pony was going to sleep with him. Beside the bed was a desk, it was covered with magazines, puzzles, and his own coloring books. He hugged his stuffed toy dog tightly suddenly remembering his bad dream. The window showed the night sky, the moon's glow shining through. Ponyboy wanted Sodapop home already to feel safe. Sounds coming from the television were heard, his eyes drooped more and more as time passed. Finally he gave into the darkness.

Sodapop with Darry entered their house. It was midnight when they came inside. They saw Sandy looking at her nails, Soda gave her a kiss on the lips. Darry rolled his eyes at the young couple going to the bathroom. Soda took the opportunity to jump lightly on top of her. She smirked, "What are you doing Patrick."

He chuckled, "Sodapop...Just Sodapop..."

They made out on the couch, hearing the bathroom door open they parted quickly. Darry looked at them then walked down to his room mumbling some words knowing exactly what they were doing. He past Pony checking up on him quickly. He was sleeping soundly with his stuffed animal in his hands.

Sodapop was given permission to use Darry's truck to take her home. She said goodbye to Darry leaving. Feeling a little woozy he laid down in bed, the last thing he thought was Ponyboy. How he was sleeping peacefully. So far no nightmares...That's good...very good...

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)