It had been 3 days since I had been attacked by the socs and 2 since I had gotten really sick.

And in that time Dally hadn't shown up once except for apparently an hour and nobody has seen him since; not that it bothers me all that much.

What did bother me though was I had been stuck on this couch for too long. Darry wouldn't let me move off the couch until he gave me the all clear. I was planning on sneaking out but Darry has the entire gang on babysitting duty. Not that I needed it!!!

It was irritating me to the extreme of how dependant Darry was making me on the gang. I was used to being independent, after all that's how I have survived all these years and so relying on people was hard for me.

"Where do you think you're going Em?" Two-Bit asks cocking an eyebrow as he played with his switchblade.

"Too pee, Two-Bit. Do you need to escort me to the bathroom too?" Two shook his head ferociously.

"Nope I'm good. You can do that yourself."

I roll my eyes as I walk to the bathroom. Once I had finished my business I studied my wounds in the mirror. I looked bad like I had been hit by a car.

I sigh discontent with the way I looked before walking back out to the living room where Two-Bit hadn't shifted one bit. His eyes still fixated on the screen in front of him.

I crept back into the bathroom fixing my hair into a high ponytail and brushing my teeth. I then go to Sodapop and Pony's room where my clothes were. I was currently wearing one of the boys shirts and their boxers as shorts.

With some difficulty due to the pain stemming from my wound I changed into my original clothes and climbed out the window.

I was supposed to be staying on the couch for the next few days, Darry's orders but I was going stir crazy.

I needed fresh air and to feel the sun on my skin. I am not one to be cooped up in a house for a week.

"Emma! Wait up!!"

Two-Bit yells from behind me. He really needn't to after all I wasn't that far away from him only a few meters.

"What is it Two-Bit?"

"You're meant to be taking it easy and staying home not out here unprotected from the socs. Darry put me in charge of looking after you now come on let's go back." He attempts to grab my arm but I jerk it away sending a sharp pain to my injury.

"Two I like you so let's get one thing straight. Neither you or Darry are in charge of me. I decide what I want to do and when I want to do it. Now I'm going stir crazy in that house and I need some air. So you can either come with me and keep an eye on me that way, or can see what it's like to see the inside of your ass." I reply ever so kindly Two-Bit simply stared at me with wide eyes for a few seconds.

"Well I ain't itching to see that so I guess the first option it is." He mutters starting to walk.

I wasn't really sure where we were going but I simply didn't mind I was enjoying the outdoors, the fresh air and the simple feeling of some freedom.

"So where are we going?" he asks after a while hooking his thumbs in front pockets. "No idea. I just wanted out of that house." I sigh stretching out my arms.

"Well you want to go see a movie? I hear there's a new Paul Newman one out." I looked at two-bit with a baffled expression. "Is that franchise or a person?"

Two-Bit erupted into laughter clutching his stomach as was almost doubled over with tears in his eyes. "You never heard of Paul Newman?" he manages to say in between his giggles. I shake my head with a blank expression.

After a good few minutes of him laughing he eventually stops still snickering every now and then. "Well girlie you're missing out. Come on...I'll show you what you're missing out on."

We arrived at the local theatre causing me to groan because it was an inside one, I didn't leave the house to spend another 2 hours inside a building with no light or fresh air.

"Is there maybe some other cinema we can to I'm not in the mood to sit in side. That's why I defied orders from Superman." I state waving my arms around to exaggerate my point earning a chuckle from Two-Bit.

"There is but it's full of socs...maybe we can go see the guys at the DX instead." He suggests, agreeing with him we turn around in the direction of the DX according to Two it wasn't too far away.

"So are Sodapop and Steve the only ones that work at the DX?"I ask after a long moment of silence.; which seemed strange to me because apart from Mickey Mouse being his favourite show and his black handled switchblade his most prized possession I also figured out that Two-Bit never shut up hence his name.

He had been awful quiet today so without thinking I blurted out a question I never asked anybody "Are you alright? You seem awful quiet today."

He looked at me surprised "Is it really that noticeable." I nod my head as he sighed audibly. "My girlfriend ran off with a soc. Said he could give her more than I could. Normally a girl leavin' wouldn't bother me but she chose a soc over me...she chose money over me and I've never had that happen before."

I wasn't really sure what to say, I had never had problems like this before and I was crap at giving advice. I probably shouldn't have asked in the first place but I did so now I had to do something.

"That sucks man...probably for the best though you don't want to end up with someone like that." I state shoving my hands in my jean pockets. "Yeah I guess you're right." He mutters as we continue on walking towards the DX.

"Hey Two-Bit!" I hear Steve call out I was lagging behind because I was in a bit of pain but I still didn't want to go home.

"Wait is that Emma? Two-Bit she's meant to be at home, Darry's gonna kill you!" Sodapop stresses as I approach the DX.

"No he's not. It was my idea, Two-Bit had no choice in the matter like I told him no one tells me what to do."

"Yeah but Emma you're injured and-"

"AND I have been stuck on that couch in the same room for 3 days I needed a break from that. I needed to get some air and stretch my legs."

I interrupt Soda's argument he stares at me for a moment before giving in nodding his head. "Then please just at least sit down." I nod and don't argue, my stomach was hurtin' real bad and truth be told I needed a rest.

I sat down on the hood of a car that the guys must have been working on or were about to start working on.

"Hang on this is a Chrysler, from 1960, 300f... the letter series. How the hell did you two get your hands on a beauty like this?" I asked in total awe of the masterpiece I was sitting on.

"You know cars?" Steve asks clearly bemused by my knowledge on the car. "Yeah I had a job as a mechanic for a while there but you still didn't answer my question how'd you get it?"

"A guy that's a regular owns it and dropped it off for service." Steve smirks looking down at the car with a hint of pride in his eyes.

"And it now runs better than ever." He concludes before wiping the grease of his hands onto a white rag he picked up off the roof of the black Chrysler.

"Man I wish I could take it for a test spin." I sigh staring at the car. "Yeah well good luck with that Emma." Soda chuckles before walking back inside the rest of them walking behind him. "You coming Emma?" Sodapop calls out "Yeah just in sec...I'm enjoying the sun." I reply not entirely lying I really was enjoying the sun but that's not the reason I wasn't joining them. With a nod of his head Sodapop continued on inside.

I pulled on the car door handle and surprisingly it was unlocked with a grin plastered on my face I swiftly got in the car. Feeling above the pedals and under the steering wheels I found two wires and pressed them together starting the car up.

Pressing on the clutch pushing it into first gear I then revved the beast and started off down the road.

After doing a few laps of the town I found an old road looking like it was barely ever used. Revving the engine I sped down the road taking a sharp right pressing on the brake making it screech to a halt spinning around so I was facing the other way. I had some more fun for another 10 minutes before deciding I had better get back to the DX.

I slowly pulled into the garage receiving death glares from Soda whilst Two-Bit just stood there with a smirk on his face. "What the hell did you think you were doing?" he spat venom in each word.

"I took it for a test drive...where's Steve?" Soda pointing towards what I assumed was the office. "In there trying to explain why the clients car wasn't here when he came to pick it up."

"Oh okay." I say before walking over to the office. "Where do you think you're going?" he harshly whispers grabbing my arm preventing me from going further. I pull my arm free shoving him slightly "To go sort things out."

I quickly turn back around and march towards the office angry with how Sodapop had the audacity to think he could physically prevent me from doing something.

I opened the door to where I saw a balding man with a face as red as tomato and a very worried looking Steve.

"Ahh you must be the owner of the Chrysler." I state walking over and holding out my hand which he ignores staring daggers at me. "And who the hell might you be?" he spits trembling from anger.

"Oh I'm the owner of this business." I state confidently walking over to the desk and leaning on it next to Steve.

"Well then maybe you can explain to me where my car is because this dumbo sure can't."

"Of course I can sir I was taking it for a test drive to ensure everything was in tip top shape and I can assure you it is. I apologise I hadn't realised you were coming to pick it up so soon but I must ask you to please not insult my employees as I had not advised Steve of my actions beforehand. But your Chrysler is in the drive way all ready to go." I say extending my hand for him to shake which he did after looking very embarrassed. "I am incredibly sorry Miss, I thought maybe uh.."

"Maybe some hooligan had stolen it...it's completely alright sir. I understand that and don't blame you for thinking it. Now please allow me to walk you to your car." I usher him towards the door before opening it and leading him towards his car.

"I hope to see you again sometime." I say nicely as he gets into his car. "Oh yes you can be sure of it. I will be using this place again." He grins before closing the door and starting up the car.

I turn back to see the guys all staring at me the mouths wide open and their eyes full of confusion. "H-How did you do that?"

Steve stutters his voice real quiet "How did I steal your denim vest?" I wink walking over to him.

"Wait! WHY DID YOU STEAL THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE?" he yells earning nothing but a roll of the eyes from me. "I liked it and wanted to drive it. It was the only time I was ever going to be able to drive something like that so I took the opportunity."

"I can't believe you." he yells in pure frustration waving his arms around in the air. "You could have gotten us fired!" "But I didn't instead I just earned you a lifelong customer."

Steve simply stared at me for a minute rage burning in his eye before he nodded his head and walked back into the office slamming the door behind him making the tools on the wall shake.

"Well somebodies in bad mood." I chuckle turning back to face Sodapop who looked just as angered. "You're unbelievable." He mutters shaking his head before walking away. I simply looked at Two-Bit who looked just like me we busted out laughing. "I can't believe you did that...that was real tuff. You're like the female version of Dallas."

"I'm tuff but I'm not Dally, Two-Bit. Trust me when I say he's his own person, there's no one on this earth like him." I state seriously stopping laughing.

"Woah didn't mean to upset ya or nothin'." He says frowning shoving his hands in his pockets.

"No. You didn't...anyway let's get home my stomachs killing me." Two-Bit gives me a worried look before nodding.

......................

Soda walked in the door followed by Steve they both looked at me not bothering to speak just shaking their heads and storming off to the kitchen.

"What's their problem?" Ponyboy asks looking up from his homework.

"You want to know what the problem is Ponyboy?" Steve grumbles walking into the living room, cake in hand.

"Well that's what I just asked." He smirked looking at me rolling his eyes causing me to snicker along with him.

"Emma here thought it'd be a brilliant idea to steal a client's car and take it for a test drive." He yells...obviously he was still angry.

"Is that so?" I hear a voice snicker from behind me. I turned my head to see Dally standing just inside the door a smirk plastered across his face. I swear the boy was either smirking or scowling.

"Yeah...but to be fair I also fixed it and earnt your business a regular customer. So get over it I didn't take you to be such a drama queen."

His head whipped around to face me so fast I was surprised he didn't break his neck.

"You also could have gotten me fired. Not too mention Sodapop who also provides for this house and for you! I bet you didn't think about that did ya?" His voice was loud and the only noise heard in the room.

"Look if you want me to say sorry it ain't happening I don't apologise for anything to anyone. So I suggest the two of you get over it because sulking about it ain't gonna help nothin'."

I calmly state turning my attention back to the TV.

Steve goes to start up again but Dal interjects "Don't bother man she ain't gonna apologise or feel sorry for what she did so drop it. Trust me." I nod agreeing with Dally never taking my attention off the TV.

I wondered where Dally had been for the past few days. I would say a rodeo but normally he would easily spend a week at one of those. I don't really know why I care so much I guess maybe seeing a face that I already knew was somewhat comforting.

"Wait how do you know that Dal?" Two-Bit asked cocking an eyebrow. Dally's smirk vanished as he realised we may have been caught out. "Like you said earlier Two-Bit...I'm the female version of Dally. So if that's true then Dally never apologises for anything to anyone either using his own experience that's how he came to that conclusion." Two-bit stared at the two of us for a second before shrugging and walking to the fridge pulling out a beer.

.................................

I stood up from the sofa and walked over to the front door "And where do you think you're going?" Darry's stern voice asks from behind me I turn around to see him raising his eyebrows looking at me over his newspaper. "Just to get some fresh air...Don't worry I won't go running away on ya but even if I did you couldn't really stop me." I then walk out on to the front porch and watch as the sun sets behind the houses lighting up the sky with different colours.

"That was close before." Dally's voice sounds from beside me I hadn't even realised he had come over. "Yeah...you gotta be more careful." "Says the broad who got stabbed." He chortles taking a drag on his cigarette looking over to me.

"It wasn't like it was my choice. Anyway where have you been these past few days?"

"Why do you care?"

I shrug standing away from leaning against the beam and beginning on down the front steps. "I'm just curious. I know it wasn't a rodeo because you used to spend a good week at one of them things. You loved 'em so much." My voice fading towards the end remembering the past from when we used to go to rodeos, stealing money so we could enter and do all the activities in there.

"You still remember?" I look up at him where he was leaning against the beam now. The light from the setting sun hitting his chiselled jaw and portraying him in such a light it made him look 10 times hotter than he usually was.

I shake the thought from my mind, I couldn't think like that. "Of course I do just because it's been a few years doesn't mean I forgot Dal. I remember lots of things from then." It was silent between us for a while before another one of us spoke again.

"Dally...why didn't you ever say goodbye?"

He looked at me some sort of emotion in his eyes and on his face that I just couldn't read. "I don't know man, I just left didn't say good bye to anyone."

"Yes but Dallas I wasn't just anyone! I was your girlfriend, we were together for a year and a half...a-and you just left."

I argue not yellin' but it was obvious I wasn't happy, I was annoyed and confused about how things happened.

"I ain't going to apologise, you know that." "I don't want an apology I want a friggen explanation."

Dal shakes his head before staring me in the eyes for a good few moments before taking a step towards me and pushing his lips against mine. Our lips moved in sync as I relaxed into the kiss it felt like old times.

That was until I realised what was happening I pulled away staring at Dally for 3 or so seconds before bringing my hand into contact with his cheek.

"No Dallas. You lost the right to even touch me the night you walked out on me."

I take a step around him and storm back inside angry and confused with what just happened.