Disclaimer: The Outsiders belong to S., Tia, Sam KC and any other characters you read about that you don't recognise belong to me lol. Enjoy the story. P.S. for the story to make sense you may need to read Moving house and hidden past first.

Chapter 1

The Ghost

Standing at the side of the bar Tia stared across the floor, past the men who were steadily getting themselves drunk to the tall man who had just entered, on any other occasion Tia wouldn't have batted an eyelid, but this was no ordinary man, this was Dally Winston and by the look on his face, she was not in his good books, but then again why would she be… she had ran away from home leaving her sister and friends in shock and terror at her disappearance… but what shocked her the most was the fact he was stood there, her old best friend. The man she left behind believing him to be dying in hospital with her other friend Johnny Cade.

Working for the Macavoli was a tough job, but in the last three years that Tia had been living in New York she had adapted to the lifestyle and with the help and companionship of her friends she had flourished. Standing 5'7'' she was a striking beauty with thick black hair and thick lashed eyes, still as slim as she was back home on Tulsa; she had filled out a little with slight curves 'In the right places' as her friend and boss Jake told her often.

As much as the people of New York feared the Macavoli family they weren't as bad as mothers told their young children they were. In fact Tia had found they were very family orientated, Big Boss Joe Macavoli ran the show with his children running the street gangs, Tia was part of Big Joe's second son; Jakes cell, Jake ran the guns and other weaponry that filtered their way onto the streets. One of her jobs was to check the guns and sort out ammo that the rest of the gang would go out and sell. Her other job which she favoured a lot more was working as a waitress that one of Jakes bars.

Working the bar reminded her lot of the time she worked in the DX in Tulsa along with her sister Lucinda and Lucinda's boyfriend Sodapop. She enjoyed her life in New York but she knew one day she would have to return home and face the music, face her sister, her old boyfriend Ponyboy and the rest of her friends, she hadn't been anticipating that she would be facing the music that night with a man she believed dead.

"Tia…Hello Tia!" a voice shouted from beside her. Tia's head span round looking to the owner of the voice.
In front of her stood her best friend and housemate; Sam with dark brown hair and dark hazel eyes and a small frame she was as much a beauty as Tia but right know her eyes were filled with concern.
"Huh? What?" Tia replied glancing back to the door to find Dally.
"He's gone?" she said before Sam could reply.

"Who's gone?" Sam frowned looking to the door.

"Dally…Dally Winston" Tia murmured back looking round at her friend, tears threatening to spill.

"Whoa! What are the tears for girl? Who's Dally Winston and what's he done to get you in this state?" Sam stepped closer taking Tia's arm comfortingly.

"Sam…I think I've just seen a ghost…" Tia looked at Sam her eyes wide like saucers.

Sam brought her head back and cocked an eyebrow, pursing her lips she looked over to the table in the corner where Jake was sat with his father, biting her lip she looked back to Tia.

"Wait here, I'm going to ask Jake if we can leave earlier. I'm taking you home. Can't have you wandering around seeing ghosts while we're meant to be working"

Tia nodded dumbly; Sam gave her another quick glance over and nodded to herself. Turning round she glanced at the door and shook her head 'Ghosts?' she thought 'Whatever next'. Walking over to the corner booth she nodded to Jake when he looked up, Joe also glanced up and looked at the young girl; both sat quietly waiting for her to speak.

"Will you need us to work anymore sir? Only I was hoping me and Tia would leave early she's feeling a little unwell and there's no one as the house to watch other her in case she takes a turn" Sam told them. Jake moved his head and looked to the bar; Tia was slumped against it, her head resting on her arm looking at the door, her face pale white like the sheets on a freshly made bed.

"Yea, take her can't have her ralphing on the customers" Jake nodded giving them permission.

"She does look bad, doesn't she?" Big Joe added giving his cent, the older man was well built with jet back hair greased back smooth over his head, his dark brown eyes pinned Sam's.

Sam nodded mutely; the guy was her boss's boss, her boss's father he was a force to be messed with when he was in a temper, unlike Tia who could charm him. Sam was that scared of him it was an effort for her not to piss herself in his presence.

"Yes Sir" she said finally making herself speak

"Get her home then Sammy" Jake said waving his hand.

Sam nodded and span round, walking as calmly as she could she walked back to the bar, grabbing Tia's coat and her own she looked to Tia.

"I hope you know that you're to buy me a new pair of pants tomorrow" Tia looked up and frowned slightly, glancing to the table booth her friend had just left she rolled her eyes.

"Don't know why you're so scared of him Sam; he's a big softy when you get to know him"

"To you maybe, you're his grandkids favourite babysitter" Sam sneered reminding Tia of her new side job. Tia gave a small smile and looked to the door again.

"Damn whatever you saw has you spooked don't it kiddo?" Tia looked around at her.

"You have no idea".

"Well I don't care how painful it is to talk about. You are telling me the whole story when we get home and not skipping over the details" Sam told her helping her put her jacket on.

"Gossip hag" Tia muttered, Sam gasped and slapped her arm.

"Come on move!" she ordered with a smile as she pushed Tia towards the door.

Well i hope you liked, please review XX