Ok, here goes the next chapter. Big thank you to everyone who reviewed.

Dally was kept at the hospital for two days. He couldn't afford to pay for more. He had a brace around his neck and was supposed to keep it on for a week. He barely got through the two days since he couldn't have a drink. The first thing he did when he got out was get a drink. Then his dad got in his face about drinking all the booze that his dad paid for. Dallas still had some cash on him so he decided to go to the bar. He didn't want to go to Buck's since him and Buck weren't exactly on good terms these days so he decided to go downtown.

It was a nice May morning – sun was shining bright and the nice Spring breeze was brushing against Dally's face. His thoughts, however, were not so bright. He relied on his jockeying to get cash, which was enough for cigarettes and booze, where was he supposed to get it now? Especially now that his dad won't let him drink his booze. His gaze fell on the other side of the road. Some kids with their backpacks over the shoulders were rushing to get to school. School, he frowned, he wouldn't be caught dead going to school.

With these thoughts Dallas entered the bar and was met with a strong smell of alcohol, smoke and pot. He waited a second for his eyes to adjust to the darkness and then went over to the bar. He eyed the drinks greedily, deciding what he should get. He didn't have that much money. He got a glass of Jack Daniels. He was sitting sipping his drink watching a cute girl across the room thinking if he should make a move considering that he had a girlfriend, when someone slapped him on the shoulder from behind. He turned around abruptly to whoever it was, ready to fight if he needed to.

"Easy there," the guy gave him a crooked smile. Dallas squinted - the guy looked vaguely familiar, then Dallas recognized him as one of the Brumly boys Mike something or other.

"'member me Winston?" the guy smiled showing his crocked teeth. Dallas just nodded coolly.

"What brings you to our neck of the woods?" Mike chuckled. Dallas crossed his arms, "Got into a fight with Merrill, can't go to his joint no more." He said lazily, taking another sip of his drink.

"Oh that," Mike snorted, "I heard what happened." Dally's pupils widened, he always wondered how gossip could spread so fast. "So you heard what happened?" he repeated reluctantly.

"Yeah, you fell of the horse, you were drunk. Lucky you didn't break your back." Mike pursed his lips then added, "So Merrill is giving you hard time about it?" Dallas finished his drink and motioned for the bartender to get him another one. He took a sip then looked up at Mike, "who the fuck needs Merrill," he scoffed.

"Hey that's my man," Mike slapped Dallas on the shoulder again, and Dallas looked up at him annoyed.

Then Mike pulled up a chair and sat down next to Dallas. He gave him a meaningful look and moved his face closer to Dally's and almost whispered, "tell you what, me and some guys are planning some business on the East side. We need one more person." Dally perked up, "what kind of business?" he swallowed hard.

"We are planning to clean out some soc's house in about two weeks 'r you in?" Dally was thoughtful for a moment, he was not the one to jump into things hotheadedly he ran his fingers through his hair "what's my cut?"

"My guy looked into it and tells me the house is loaded with stuff, TV's, jewelry, china, crystal, paintings, other shit. Between four guys each takes one fourth so that's your cut, 'r you in?" Mike repeated.

Dally thought that he needed the money and he needed some action.

"Sure, d'ya know who the soc is?" he took out a cigarette and lit up.

"Last name Valance that's all I know. That and that they are loaded. They probably have the house insured anyway so we are doing them a favor robbing them and all, they'll get tons more cash for it."

Dallas finished his drink and took a drag on his cigarette, Valance that sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.

"So in two weeks," Mike said, getting up, "I'll look you up, good thing I ran into you Winston."

"Whatever," Dallas replied ordering another drink.

It was around 3 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon. Ponyboy and Johnny entered the house. They put their backpacks down and proceeded into the kitchen. Pony poured himself and Johnny a glass of chocolate milk and took the chicken out of the fridge and set it on the counter to thaw. They were about to go into Pony's room when the door opened, and Dallas walked in. He hadn't been at the Curtis lately. Not since the whole falling off the horse incident, of which both Pony and Johnny and rest of the gang for that matter were well aware. He stayed at the hospital for only two days so they didn't get to visit him, had he stayed longer they would have definitely visited him there.

Now he was standing in the doorway. "Hey Dal," Johnny greeted, and Pony nodded. There was something wrong with Dallas. His eyes were blood shot and there were huge bags under his eyes.

"Everything ok Dal?" Johnny asked concern in his voice, and Ponyboy just stared at Dally in confusion.

Dally didn't even say 'hello' "Does… um, Darry…," Dally spoke up, "Does superman have booze in the house? My old man got the liquor cabinet locked up, and I don't have the key." Dallas sounded desperate, and Johnny and Pony exchanged worried looks.

"Quit staring at me like I have a horn growing out of my head, now does Darry have liquor in the house?"

Dally walked into the living room and plopped onto the couch. Pony spoke up. He was visibly intimidated by Dallas' demeanor, but he had to say what he had to say. "Darry has some liquor in the cabinet, not much but I'm not allowed to touch it."

"Hey it's just one drink he won't even notice," Dally replied, sinking deeper into the cushion, then he licked his lips and added, "I really need a drink." Dally had a tremendous headache and he felt shaky and didn't know what he would do if he didn't get a drink soon.

"Sorry Dal I can't do that," Pony took a few steps back.

"Oh c'mon don't be such a pussy," Dally got up and leaned against the wall getting in Ponyboy's face, "why do you let Darry boss you around? You are like his puppet and he is pulling all the strings." That got Pony bad. His face turned red and he looked down. Johnny looked worriedly at Pony then at Dallas.

"C'mon," Dally clenched his jaw and took a step forward, "he won't even notice just one drink."

"Fine," Pony finally said sheepishly. He went into the liquor cabinet and returned with a bottle of Jack Daniels.

"Good stuff," Dally approved, "now get me a glass." Pony gave Dally a glass and the three of them sat down on the floor and Dally poured the drink. He started drinking then smiled "ya want a taste? Here," Dally stretched his arm with the glass towards Pony's face.

"No that's ok Dal," Pony said moving away a little, his face reddening again.

"C'mon live a little," Dally smirked, an amused expression on his face. Pony looked up at him.

To tell the truth he was curious. He knew Soda drank at his age and Darry had tasted the liquor too even if he didn't drink often, but Pony had never tried. He sighed and carefully took the glass from Dally's hands. Wide-eyed he took a sip. It tasted sweet, not like he expected it to taste, but boy was it strong. It burned his throat and he started coughing. Dally laughed "take another sip," he prompted. Pony hesitantly took another sip.

"You like it?" Dallas smirked, lighting up a cigarette.

"It's … sweet." Ponyboy mumbled, and Dally laughed again.

"You too," Dally looked at Johnny, leaning against the couch and stretching his legs out.

"It tastes kind of nice," Pony elbowed Johnny. Johnny looked hesitant, "yeah, all right." He finally mumbled. He took a sip and started coughing too. Dally and Pony started laughing.

Dally finished the drink and started pouring another one.

"You said one drink Dal," Pony tried to protest.

"Don't worry he ain't gonna notice, and you can just blame it on me, I'll deal with him." Dally replied as he filled the glass full. Pony had no choice, he wasn't about to start a fight with Dallas.

Dally finished the drink and licked his lips then he poured another drink and drank it like a shot. Then he poured half a glass and stretched his arm giving it to Pony. "I know you want to," He smirked. Pony had to admit the stuff tasted nice and it made him feel like one of the boys. He was always such a goody good. He never did anything outrageous or dangerous so he took the drink form Dally and drank it all. After that it seemed like a good idea to have another one.

"Here Johnny have some," Pony gave his glass to Johnny. Johnny's eyes got huge but he took the drink.

In a half an hour they emptied the bottle. Dally had the most drinks. Pony and Jonny got two drinks each but the stuff was really strong and they both felt tipsy. Pony felt kind of nice and relaxed but excited at the same time. "Let's go outside," Dallas suggested, getting up, leaving the empty bottle behind and flicking the ashes of his cigarette right onto the floor.

The three went outside. Pony felt like doing something like a drag race or something fun and dangerous. Johnny was walking behind looking worriedly at the two. He was buzzed too, but had the most sense left out of the three.

As they walked by someone's house Dally grabbed a huge tree branch and used it to knock the mailbox down. That seemed like fun. He did it to the next house too. Then Pony grabbed another tree branch and did the same. Dallas laughed. They kept walking and knocking everyone's mailboxes down laughing hysterically, "C'mon, Pony, cut it out" Johnny tried to get some sense into them.

"Don't be such a killjoy," Dally yelled, knocking another mailbox down.

All of the sudden they heard sirens and they froze. Some of the house owners saw what was going on and called the cops. The police car leveled with them the guy stuck his head out of the window, "stop what you are doing, hands behind your back." Dally was pretty drunk still, while the other two sobered up. Dally looked defiantly at the cop but put hands behind his back nevertheless. Dallas was merely amused by the situation, he was even proud of it. The cop got out of the car. He was holding a small pad and a pen in his hands.

"Your IDs with your name and address," he barked.

"You know who I am," Dallas said proudly, through clenched teeth, lifting his chin up and looking the cop right in the eyes.

"I still need ID, Winston," the cop replied disgust in his voice.

"I don't have it on me," Dallas bluffed.

"Well, if you don't have ID we can just take you to the station for vandalizing personal property."

"I have ID," Pony spoke up hurriedly, searching his pockets and taking out his ID.

"Does it have your address on it?" the cop demanded.

"Yes sir." Pony handed the cop t his ID. Pony was terrified of what Darry would do if he was taken to the station. Dally and Johnny handed their IDs too. Even though Dally stuck his middle finger out as he was handing his ID.

The cop wrote down the information from the IDs. "Your fine is $500 each." He gave Pony a slip that said 'fine $500' and gave Dally and Johnny one too. Ponyboy felt panic. He was literally shaking and he wasn't sure if it was from the drinks wearing off or from fear of facing Darry. Slowly he started walking back in the direction of his house, his head down. Dally and Johnny followed behind.

Dally caught up with him. He took one look at Pony and realized how nervous Pony was to face Darry. "Don't worry kid like I said just blame it on me." Dally was merely amused by the situation. He didn't see great harm in what had happened and he felt like he could certainly handle Darry. The $500 fine bothered him but he decided to put that thought out of his mind for now. He wished they didn't leave the empty bottle and the glasses in the middle of the living room. Well there wasn't anything he could do about that now.

They reached the house, and Pony stretched his arm to grab the doorknob to open the door. Dally swatted his hand – "lemme." He walked ahead of Pony and grabbed the doorknob. He opened the door and literally almost bumped his head against Darry's. He was still somewhat drunk and was swaying from side to side. Darry grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, "tell me it isn't what I think it is." Darry breathed heavily.

"Easy there, lemme explain." Dally got out of Darry's grip. Darry's face turned a different shade of red.

"You got these two drinking?" It didn't sound like a question it was a statement. I just gave them a few sips to taste." Darry cracked his knuckles. "I can smell the alcohol on their breaths five miles away and you are telling me it was just a few sips. How the fuck you come into my house and drink my liquor and get these two drunk. What's this?" he grabbed the slip for the fine out of Pony's hands and Pony was just standing there, he felt pathetic. Darry looked at the slip and saw $500 fine. He paled and took a step back. He seemed to have lost his ability to speak. He stared at Pony and the look in his eyes was murderous.

Finally he seemed to be able to speak, "wh.. what were you doing?" Pony had seemed to lose his ability to speak as well, and Johnny was visibly shaking. Dally's face got serious all of the sudden as he finally realized the seriousness of what was happening. "Alright Darry lay off of the kid…" Dally said sternly, paling a little. Darry turned from Pony and gave Dallas a murderous look. "It isn't his fault," Dally continued, walking up closer to Darry, "I made him get the booze and I made him drink it. He didn't want to but I forced him." Pony looked at Dally with huge eyes Dally was making this up, taking the blame, he did not force Pony to drink he was trying to cover up for him. "And what the hell is this?" Darry waved the slip in front of Dally's eyes while glaring at him. Dally swallowed hard. "We knocked some mailboxes down, somebody called the cops."

Darry went quiet, and the silence in the room could kill. Then Darry turned abruptly, he grabbed the empty bottle that was still on the floor and threw it against the wall with all his force. The bottle broke into thousands shards. It was quite a scene even Dally winced as Darry threw the bottle. Darry was just standing across from the three breathing heavily.

Finally he spoke up, sounding dead serious - "Here is how this is going to work," he pointed his finger at Dallas then gave Pony and Johnny a warning look. "These two are not to hang out with you anymore. You hear me?" he addressed Pony and Johnny. "I don't want you within five miles from him. And believe me I will find out if you break this rule."

"C'mon…" Dally started.

"Get the hell out of my house," Darry said his voice quiet now but stern, "I don't want to see your drunken face ever again." Dally froze and for a second the expression on his faced was hurt. Then he turned around and walked out without saying another word.