The new outsider

Chapter 24: The Aftermath

2 weeks after the fight
"Glory the water is cold." Jessica said, sitting down on the towel next to KJ.

The gang along with KJ and Lisa drove out to the Arkansas river to swim and hangout. KJ had asked Jessica out the day after the rumble. She said yes and they have been going steady ever since.

"C'mere." KJ said smiling.

He wrapped a towel around her shoulders and put his arm around her to keep her warm. They laughed as Two-Bit tried to pull Pony under water. With Soda's help, Pony managed to dunk Two-Bit under instead.

That even got Steve to laugh. He wasn't too happy because he broke his arm in the rumble. Since it is in a cast, he can't go in the water.

"Hey Dally!" Jessica called.

Dally was standing on the dock, talking to Soda who was in the water. When he turned to see what Jess wanted, Soda grabbed his arm and pulled him into the water. When Dally's head came to the surface he let a long line a threats to Soda and swam after him.

"Little-J! Gimme a hug!" Dally said, laughing as he climbed onto the dock.

"Nah, I just got dry." Jess said laughing.

Jessica found out later that Dally had giving Benj quite a good working over during the rumble. Broke a couple of Benj's ribs probably. The worst injury Dally got was a couple popped knuckles.

She got up and walked over to the cooler. She had been planning on getting a beers for her and KJ but Dally had other plans. He had her over his shoulder before she could open the cooler.

"Dally, your giving me a head rush, put me down." Jessica said laughing.

"Put you down?" Dally asked laughing "Okay."

He tossed her from his shoulder into the water. Her head came above water and she was laughing.

"Gimme a hand out, Grease." Jessica said.

Dally offered her a hand but she pulled him in instead. She swam with the guys for a few more minutes before getting out of the water and getting the beers she had wanted.

"Thanks." KJ said when she handed him a beer.

"If they get any closer, they are gonna get stuck." Jessica said, motioning to Pony and Lisa.

They were sitting on a towel together, talking quietly. They had been flirting back and forth for the last two weeks. Jessica knew it was only a matter of time before Pony asked her out.

"Don't worry, he is a good kid." Jessica reasured KJ.

"I know, its just weird seeing your baby sister with another guy. What are you doing calling him 'kid', he is older then you?" KJ asked playfully.

"Well it sounds better then saying 'he is a good Pony'." Jessica replied smirking.

"Fine, you win. Does your stomach hurt?" KJ asked, moitoning with his beer bottle to her injury.

She wore a two piece bathing suit even though she had been uncomfortable at first. Dally had told her she should be proud of her scars so she showed them with pride. She looked at her tattoo with a red X over it. The skin was still raw but it didn't hurt too much. She didn't tell the guys, but she is planning on getting a tattoo over it, like 'REBEL' or something.

"Its fine." Jessica said, smiling at him.

"What about your leg?" KJ asked.

He could see where her dad had broken the bottle on her leg, it was pretty scarred up.

"Stop worrying, I am gonna be fine now that I am safe and happy." Jessica said and gave him a small kiss making him smile even more.

Once it got dark they got a bonfire going. Two-Bit was having a great time, he was pretty drunk, skipping around the fire, singing obscene songs.Jessica noticed Pony and Lisa making-out over by a tree. When KJ noticed too, Jessica put her hand on his face and made him look at her.

"She is a big girl and you can't stop her." Jessica said smiling.

"Okay, okay." KJ said looking away from them, sighing.

That night was one that Jessica would remember for ever. She was happier then she had ever been. By the end of the night she was skipping around the fire with Two-Bit but was too busy laughing to join in his singing.

As Jessica laughed she looked at the faces around her. She was one lucky girl. She had KJ who adored her, Dally who was like an older brother to her. Lisa was a great friend, who she could always count on. Darry, Johnny and Pony all seemed like brothers to her. Steve, Soda and Two-Bit were more like her best friends. Over all she had a new family and she wouldn't trade them for the world.

TA-DA!

THE END!