Hey everyone long time no see! I thought I would get this one up before the New Year, and Christmas it seems. Here are the reviews then the story.

Government Stalker/ Keira: Sorry, had to do that! Hahaha. Yes, evil KFC! Right, six months later and look where you are! The A&W up here is a health inspector's nightmare, so yeah. Thanks again, and yes no more secrets from Keira except for the ones I have right now…Hope you enjoy!

Goddess of Sarcasm: hahaha! Yep! I write when I get cut off to the outside world for three days. Damn scary three days…hahaha! The pies will haunt you! I had almost forgotten about them! I love him too. Thanks and thanks. You always worry about Johnny boy! Hope you enjoy

CiCi: Now worries, I sometimes forget too or they don't go through. Thanks. Oh yeah, it will be. Hope you enjoy

desert-girl: Thanks! I'm always happy to be subtle. Thanks again, I think she is too! Hope you enjoy.

Sodapop's#1gurl: Thanks, hope you enjoy.

Rock: I think we talked about most of this, so I'll skip a bit. I'm glad you laughed! No I have never slept under a bridge, where I grew up that was suicide. Hope you enjoy and that I do see more of your writing!

Berserker Nightwitch: Thanks! I may, but it's a surprise. She starts in the next few, I assure you. Well, you'll have to see. Ah, school…I hope you do! Hope you enjoy too!

DaNNi BaBezZz: Thanks. He can! Would you if you never ever had them? Anyways, thanks again and hope you enjoy!

Myheartxyourknife: Yeah I think we all would. She's wary about everyone, but yeah, I don't like fics where they just trust off the bat. Actually, I am learning the great art of editing. It's fascinating to go back and see what you missed, but I appreciate the offer! Not often others go out of their way for me. Hope you enjoy.

Lizagel22222: Ok, that's hitting below the belt. He's sadly dead and cannot defend himself. They're creative! Hope you enjoy!

Oblivious Misconception: I know what you mean, that always bugs me! Inviting a perfect stranger home when you have nothing to give is insane, especially for Two-Bit. I'm glad you enjoyed and I hope you like this one. With all my effort, it still seems tossed together. Enjoy anyways!

Koolgirl'slilsis: Thanks

Disclaimer: I own the character of Passin' Through, Mr. Louis L'amour owns the name and S.E. Hinton owns the Outsiders

Dedication: Merry Christmas to Taurus, Keira, Rock and Jhon. Love you guys, have a good one!

On with the show!

I woke up the next morning half frozen and tired. I hated it when that happened, but it was part of the accommodations. I had been happy to find not only the shelter, but the fact there was dirt and not concrete for the ground was a rare treat. Less heat escaped that way and I didn't get sick as easy. I had had minor colds on the road, but I had only been full out sick once. It had frightened me enough to look for the good places to sleep more closely. I stood in the sunshine until I was decently warm and packed away my things.

I hadn't lied to Two-Bit when I had said I was going to find a job. I needed a few bucks before I moved on or I wouldn't be eating for a while. What little I had had to get me to the next place. It's sad that I didn't even know where the next place was, but it would have to be close because I didn't have that much.

The day was pretty much uneventful. I found a place that needed a part time dishwasher, but I made it very clear that I wouldn't be around long. The manager didn't like that much, but gave me the job and I started the next day. I remember when I was little and I would help my dad with the dishes. There were always bubble fights and it only took five or ten minutes, but this was horrible. The water had to be scalding hot, the gloves pinched you between the fingers, the hair net was itchy and the cook kept giving me looks that made chills run down my spine. Naturally, my knife did not leave my boot. If he even spoke to me I would let him know who was boss. The only thought that got me through was that when I was done in Tulsa I would never pick up another dish washing job again. I'd had enough after the first day to last me a life time, but money was money.

It was after that first shift, when my hands were red, despite the gloves, and my back was sore from standing that I headed back to the bridge wanting nothing more than to sleep. Little did I know that would be when my life started getting complicated.

I slid down the bank tiredly and froze in my tracks. There was the glow of a fire reflecting on the walls of the bridge and I didn't start it. I set my pack down and made sure I could grab my blade easily. A dirty, old man was sitting by a small fire, smiling brightly. He looked up at me and seemed even more pleased.

"Come sit by the fire, my child," he said "There's some coffee made."

I eyed the old man warily. He was missing teeth and looked like he was in need of a shave and a bar of soap. I wasn't sure about him so I kept my right hand free and ready to grab my blade as I neared the fire. I sat down on my pack and continued to stare at this man. I wasn't a very trusting person.

"Did you come off the train too?" He asked

"No. I walked," I said coolly and he smiled warmly

"I came off the train," he said "Trains are fascinating machines. Many of my journeys would have been made shorter if I could have taken the train."

What was he on about? Anyone with money could take the train or anyone with out could hide in one of the empty cars. He didn't seem like he was psychotic, but he was definitely a few cards short of a deck.

"What is your name, child?" He asked

"Passin' Through." I answered

"What of your Christian name?" He asked

"I have never been Christian, so I don't have one." I shrugged

"Mary would suit you," he said as if in deep thought

I had a few names to suit him, but I didn't repeat them out loud. I'd been in a few knife fights, but this little old man didn't seem worth the effort. So I kept quiet and he kept talking. He mostly spoke about God and places I had never heard of out side of Christmas carols. Finally I got sleepy enough to be afraid. If I went to sleep what would this man do?

"You should rest," he said almost reading my mind "You look exhausted

"I'll stay up as late as you do," I said as politely as I could

"You have nothing to fear from me, my child," he smiled kindly

"Nothing personal, but I don't usually share my camp," I said evenly

"And you shall be rewarded for your kindness," he assured me

"By whom?" I asked raising an eyebrow

"By God in Heaven," he said airily

"Are you a priest of some sort?" I finally asked

"I am Jesus Christ."

"Who?" I asked

He looked almost shocked and I shook my head. If he was Jesus then I was rich and lazy. I pulled my pack to the wall of the bridge and pulled my blanket out. Carefully, I slipped my blade under it and watched the old man until I fell into a light sleep.

"Lady? Oh, lady under the bridge! Wake, for we have brought you breakfast!"

I whipped out my knife as fast as I could before I realized it was Two-Bit who was yelling in my face.

"You wouldn't cut up your favorite person would you?" He asked, still grinning even though I had a knife pointed right at him

I wanted to ask where my favorite person was, but instead I just sighed. I took a quick look around to make sure the hobo wasn't still here and looked at Two-Bit again.

"I'm sorry, Two-Bit," I said putting the knife away

"Do you always sleep with your knife out?" He asked

"No, I was just spooked," I said shaking my blanket off

"Well, now I am here and we have brought you breakfast."

"What do you mean 'we'?" I asked suspiciously

"Pony and Johnny are waiting up top. I told them I wanted to come and make sure you were decent first," Two-Bit said grinning slyly

"I'll bet you did," I yawned

"I did!" Two-Bit said offering me his hand and I surprised myself by taking it "Holy shit your hands are cold!"

"What do you expect?" I asked "I was sleeping on the ground all night."

"I think you need some gloves and sugar," he grinned "That way you'd be warm and sweet."

"Two-Bit?" Someone yelled from up top

"Be up in a minute," Two-Bit called "Shall we?"

Two-Bit held his arm out to me and I frowned. He gave me a look as if to say he wasn't in this for anything and I handed him my bag and waited for him to lead the way. He smiled a little.

"Should have known you would do that," he said climbing the bank

I shrugged and followed him. Ponyboy and Johnny were waiting up top just as he promised. The only thing that wasn't there was the breakfast. I wasn't surprised. I didn't think he even knew how to cook.

"Now I know I remember saying something about breakfast," Two-Bit grinned

"That's why you hauled us all the way out here," Ponyboy said and his stomach rumbled

"Well, to breakfast then!" Two-Bit offered me his arm again and I took it "Now I have no idea what's on the menu, but something good. Maybe beer. You don't drink beer, do? you?"

"No," I said shaking my head

"That's ok. Pony and Johnny don't either. I think they drink Chocolate milk. Do you drink that?"

"Never tried it," I shook my head again

"You've never tried anything," Two-Bit said smiling "Bet you never had cake for breakfast."

"You'd win that bet," I said and he grinned with pride

I looked around while we walked. It seemed like the further…East. Yes, east. It seemed like the further east we walked the houses got in worse condition and the cars became less classy. I'd seen it all before, but it looked a lot different today. I guess when you're drowning out Two-Bit everything becomes more interesting.

"Here we are!" Two-Bit finally caught my attention

"Is this your house?" I asked looking at the peeling paint

"Nope, my house is too messy and I don't think I am allowed to use the stove there anymore," Two-Bit said almost thoughtfully "Had too much fun trying to cook my sister's dolls."

"No, you got drunk and decided to try and flambé your hand," Ponyboy said pointing to a mark on Two-Bit's palm

"That's right!" He smiled brightly

Ponyboy shrugged and led the way up to the house. I supposed it must have been his house.

"Welcome to the Curtis'," Two-Bit said as we stepped in "It may not be clean or nice or really even a house, but its home."

Ponyboy grabbed a hold of Two-Bit and they wrestled on the floor for a minute. From the way Two-Bit was smiling you can tell he planned that. Finally he ruffled Ponyboy's hair and led me into the tiny kitchen. I sat down at the table and Two-Bit went looking for breakfast supplies. He finally pulled out some cake and beer. Ponyboy glared at him and stared cooking some eggs.

"Now, you see, the way to get a free meal is not to cook," Two-Bit grinned

"I can see that," I said shaking my head

I got busy looking around the little kitchen, appreciating the warmth when something rubbed against my leg. I looked down and sighed

"Where have you been, young man?" I asked Sam who gave me a lop sided grin

"That's your dog?" Two-Bit asked

"Yes," I answered scratching his ears

"Ponyboy here started feeding him," Two-Bit thumbed at him

"And he stuck around for more," I said finishing that thought

"How do you like your eggs?" Ponyboy asked and I shrugged

I suddenly realized I was imposing on this kid and not Two-Bit. I was about to leave when Two-Bit sighed.

"Don't worry about it. He likes cooking and he'd be insulted if you left."

How did he know what I was thinking? I looked at him closely and he took another drink of beer. It hit me then that Two-Bit was a local drifter, living from one place to the next without leaving home. I guess we were more alike than I could have ever thought. Maybe I was sick and delirious too, you never did know.

The door slammed and someone else came in.

"Hi, Dally," Two-Bit smiled

"Who the hell is this?" Dally asked

"Dallas Winston, meet Passin' Through."

Ok, that's enough for today! Hope you all enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas.

As always, any comments at all are welcome and flames are accepted.

See ya in the funny papers!!! Tens

P.S. The King also wishes you all a good day in not so many words!