Well, I worked on this for a while, quit and lost it, then found it again! Ain't that funny? Well, I thought it was. Anyways, enough of me. On with the chapter!

Dedication: To Chronic Sarcasm, who inadvertently drew Passin' Through. Hey, that rhymes! So big thankies to her! If you want to see the picture, there's a link on my profile.

Disclaimer: The usual

On with the show!

The next morning I was surprised that Jebb wasn't pounding on the door demanding I cook breakfast. That's the way Aunt June had been. Toast, eggs and coffee every morning. I never knew when she would get up, but there was always hell to pay if it wasn't made before she did. I'd learned to make friends with five thirty in the morning once, but I didn't want to do it again.

I sat up, fully awake, and listened for some noise to hint if anyone was awake. I didn't hear anything but the birds in the poor old tree outside that needed watering, badly. I let a small smile fleck my lips. It was something.

"When we wake in the morning, we have to remember that it's a new day and anything can happen," I muttered to myself sitting up on the bed, "The sun's shining and the birds are singing. At least give it a chance. Who knows? Maybe we'll be surprised."

'Yeah, right. We'll only be surprised if someone comes along with a fast car and a lot of money with your name on it. There's a reason why we stopped believing in that shit years ago,' I thought bitterly, but pushed it aside. Bitterness wasn't going to get me anywhere.

I glanced around the room and didn't see any point in staying in it. I was sure it wouldn't surprise me unless it cleaned itself, but there was still the kitchen to see and the bathroom to find, which I knew would be surprises.

After a quick self-tour of the house I knew several things about my uncle. He didn't clean, but he wasn't a total slob, like his son. There was an overflowing laundry hamper in his room rather than the clothes all over the floor and the beer bottles where piled in one corner of the room rather than spread all over the place. He also didn't believe in keeping anything fresh in the house. The only food was canned, unless you counted the bottled beer, frozen meat and the scattered coffee grounds on the counter. I looked around to see if there was a coffee can somewhere, but there didn't appear to be one, which made me suspicious of the grounds.

Jebb was right when he said he worked for a living. There was every sign that he had got up early and left before I had even considered waking up. What food he had heated up was half eaten and long cold. I didn't bother cleaning it up. He had only said I had to clean up my own messes.

The house was small. There were only the two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and one very unsightly bathroom. I discovered the 'laundry room' to be on one wall of the kitchen. The inside of the washer was rusted over and the cord for the dryer was frayed enough so I wouldn't consider ever using it. The house was going to catch on fire one of these days, if it already hadn't. The wall look a little scorched from where I was standing. Overall, the house was exactly what I had expected. There were no surprises. He lived just as Aunt June had.

I made my way back to 'my' room and stashed my things under the bed behind a mound of laundry. I wasn't going to unpack and I wasn't going to stick around, but I still needed money before I went anywhere. I supposed now was as good a time as any to put in the shift I missed yesterday. I sighed, thinking of the rubber gloves and the steaming water, and then I forced myself to remember Florida. Sunny beaches, palm trees and no worries. It almost seemed like it was too good to ever come true. I shook my head. No, there was nothing to keep me in Tulsa. I was going to get to Florida, even if it killed me.

I remembered my way back to the front door and opened it wide. The day was getting warm and the fall air was refreshing and had a clean scent. It was heartening, especially when I knew first hand how cold it could get in the middle of the night. As much as I hated to agree with Two-Bit Mathews, it was getting too cold to be sleeping on the ground much longer. Perhaps Jebb living in Tulsa was some blessing in disguise. I chuckled to myself and shook my head. Now I was starting to sound just like Mr. Christ.

"Hey, Pass!"

I turned, seeing Ponyboy Curtis making his way over to where I was standing with Johnny right behind him. I nodded in greeting and both boys shoved their hands in their pockets, huddling from the wind

"Where've you been?" Ponyboy asked to make conversation

"Places I'd rather not talk about."

"Well, you're gonna have to tell Two-Bit that. He was sure glum when he found out you weren't under the bridge no more."

"Was he now?" I asked absently walking down the sidewalk

"Uh huh." Johnny nodded "He said some things."

"Like what?" I asked, unusually talkative

"Like that you should have said goodbye at least," Johnny answered with a shrug, unusually talkative himself

"He knew you'd be back, though," Ponyboy put in "He knew you wouldn't leave Sam."

I smiled and nodded to that. No, I wouldn't ever leave Sam. He was my best friend. I looked around, not seeing him and Ponyboy cleared his throat

"The pound picks up stray dogs, so he's been staying the back yard. Darry is almost getting to the point where he likes him," Ponyboy put in helpfully

"You spoil him. It's gonna make things all the harder when we leave."

"Have you ever thought of settling down somewhere?" The question was forced, like so much of the conversations I had had with the quiet Ponyboy Curtis

"No."

We all fell silent, listening to the sounds of our feet and the distant traffic. I sighed inwardly, ironically wishing Two-Bit were here just so he could just talk. It sure would have cut the silence some.

"We're headed over to the Dingo to meet Dally," Ponyboy was forcing the conversation again "So we can walk you that far."

"That's kind of you."

I let the conversation drop there and Ponyboy didn't seem inclined to start it up again. So, they were going to go and meet Dallas Winston at the Dingo. They were braver than I was. I may not know much, but I already knew that the Dingo was a loud, crowded and atmospheric place. Dallas Winston was worse than the above. I thought back to that morning when I was introduced to him, remembering every detail…

"What kind of a name is Passin' Through?" he had asked with no real interest

"A descriptive one," I'd answered and he'd looked over at me with cold eyes

"Want something to eat, Dally?" Ponyboy asked from where he was at the stove

"Yeah," he'd answered shortly and left the room looking even grumpier than when he'd entered

"Pass, I know you ain't done a lot of things, but if you want to live to do them, don't piss Dallas off," Two-Bit advised

"Don't worry about me," I said simply "I have no intentions of ever speaking to him."

"It ain't you I'm worried about."

I shook my head and said goodbye to Johnny and Ponyboy before hurrying off towards the diner where I was planning on spending my afternoon. I walked in the back door and nearly crashed into someone. I glanced up into warm green eyes that where laughing with amusement.

"I'm sorry, Miss. I didn't see you there," he offered smiling brightly

"I didn't see me, either," I answered awkwardly as he frowned at me "I'm looking for the boss."

"He's at home sick, has been for the last few days," the boy answered "But he said if a blonde chick came by asking for him, there's money for you on Friday."

"Its about time," I mumbled pulling off my jacket and reaching for the yellow gloves

I went directly to where the pile of dishes was already getting monstrous and ran the hot water. I didn't want to stick my hands in it ever again, but on Friday I would have some money and it would have to get me to the next place. Fifty cents had done it before and I knew I had a few dollars coming to me. Maybe I might just make it all the way to Florida. That brightened my mood considerably.

"So, what's your name?" He asked leaning on the sink

"Unavailable," I answered already thinking this boy was too good looking for my good and too bold for his good

"That's a unique name," he commented setting a bunch of dishes on the pile "I'm Davie."

I really didn't care what he called himself. I would probably refer to him as 'that guy who makes more work for me' because that was exactly what he was doing. I looked around for the cook, but didn't see him. I was hoping him and his perverted mind had taken a nasty spill somewhere – preferably the Grand Canyon – and he was also too sick to ever return to work.

"Where's that guy?" I asked nodding off towards the stove

"Oh, Jim? He works nights only. Stella's the usual cook, but she's gone to fu – I mean – take care of the boss," he corrected looking me over "So I'm cook and busboy today."

"Then you should know that burger is burning."

"Oh shit!"

He rushed over to where the stove was quite literally on fire and I went back to filling the sink and pouring in the bleach and dish soap. I started with the pile closest to me and hummed to myself while I wondered whether every guy who worked here was in some way attracted to me. I sighed, wondering what they put in the water in Tulsa. I wasn't pretty, I wasn't nice and I was just passing through.

At the end of the shift I hung up my gloves again and turned to leave. Jim was in the doorway licking his lips and openly looking me over. I was half way crouched to reach my knife when Davie came into the room and Jim tried to look conspicuous.

"Ah, there you are. I thought I'd walk you home," he said handing me my jacket

I glanced from both men and took the lesser of both evils. I walked out of the diner with Davie right on my heels. I started off towards the east side and he kept right with me, an arm around my shoulders. I was starting to wonder about my judgment when I heard a familiar laugh. I quickened my pace and was surprised Davie hadn't asked questions yet. I stopped at the corner, hoping to hear it again when Davie put a hand on my waist. I stiffened, but didn't have the time to hit him.

"…And then there was this guy and…haha…" Two-Bit was laughing when he came around the corner and nearly crashed right into me

"Two-Bit!" I yelped happily

"Pass! I knew you couldn't leave me…and who the hell is this?" Two-Bit asked straightening, all humor leaving his face

"The guy who makes more work for me," I answered waving him off "Have you been feeding Sam?"

"Yeah, Ponyboy has. He's, uh, fine…" Two-Bit trailed off watching Davie with interest

"So, it is unavailable, but not as a name," Davie said in the silence Two-Bit had left

"What's he talking about?" Two-Bit asked watching him

"Nothing, let's go," I prompted, slipping my arm through the crook of Two-Bit's

Davie gave me one more puzzled glance before looking at Two-Bit, shrugging and starting off towards wherever his home was. Two-Bit watched until he was out of sight and finally looked down at me, raising an eyebrow.

"He's a pervert from work," I explained "But not the worst one."

"Next time, call and I'll find someone to pick you up," he advised "Or I'll come just to walk you home and teach that apeface a lesson."

"That's kind of you," I answered not mentioning I didn't know his real name or his number and glanced over his shoulder at where Johnny had been silently watching everything "And here I was thinking you just talked to yourself."

"Nah, I was walking Johnny home. I'll escort you to the bridge on my way."

"Two-Bit, you know I don't live under the bridge anymore," I informed him quietly

"I remember. Where do you live now?" he asked his eyes lighting up "I know a great tree house I built when I was ten. It's mostly fallen down because I built it with gum, but-"

"Somewhere far worse," I answered ignoring the rest of his babble "And I don't remember the address and everything looks different in the dark."

"So, this is kind of like when I come back too drunk to remember where I live and I sleep at The Curtis'," Two-Bit said looking thoughtful

"I don't want to impose there," I replied stubbornly "You can just find me a place out here and I'll…oh no."

"Oh no what?" he asked

"I left my duffle where I'm staying. I don't have a blanket or anything," I groaned

"Then you should be happy Darry never locks the door," Two-Bit replied started off down the sidewalk with me in tow

I looked over at Johnny who shrugged. I shrugged back and looked straight ahead. Two-Bit was talking and I was happy for he background noise to distract me from the fact I wasn't only safe, but I felt safe. I'd felt safe before and I made it all the harder to leave.

What was I getting myself into? I was going to have to get shut good of Tulsa and the sooner the better.

Well, that's all for tonight. I hope everyone enjoyed. Damn, there is nothing to put with the review responses gone, but from what I heard, the MF TOS (Jhon's favorite name for them) go a little nuts and remove stories. Now, I have backups for them, but it's a lot of work to re-upload all the chapters and the reviews would be gone, so you all get me mumbling and hurried promises of eventually getting around to responding through that stupid PM system. Can I say it's stupid? I will, then.

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

See ya in the funny papers!

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