HEY!! Yay, another chapter! Heck yes! lol. Anyway, I would like for everyone to know that I do not own The Outsiders...(damn) and to enjoy me fic! Please review!

ENJOY!


-Chapter 3: Blood Soaked Embrace

Ponyboy lay in bed that night, late as usual, but with a different mood this time. A mood that hadn't been around in awhile, since his parents were alive. Turning over to be on his side, Ponyboy faced the wall, away from Soda and smiled to himself. Today had been a good day, an awesome one at that. And as Ponyboy pushed the inside of his cheek with his tongue, remembering, he thought maybe, just maybe Steve didn't really mean it. But Ponyboy was too lost in recent memories to continue worrying about Steve's comment early that morning.


Dally didn't want to keep Ponyboy out in the cold for long, the younger teen wasn't dressed warm enough and as much as Dally would like to have him not dressed at all, he thought it was a good idea to get Ponyboy someplace warm. That was however after about an hour of cuddling close and numerous make out sessions. Right then though, Ponyboy was currently cuddled close to him, sharing his worn leather jacket. His hair no longer grease to perfection. His lips slightly swollen and cheeks pink from the cold and heat. But what Dally was most concerned about was the rather large hicky that stood out on Ponyboy's pale creamy skin. Soda and Darry would notice it right away and Soda might even take a crack on making vampire neck jokes.

"Dally?" Ponyboy asked, glancing up from Dally's chest.

"What?"

"Let's keep this from the guys for awhile ok?"

Dally smirked, he had no problem with that, it was Ponyboy that would eventually crack down and tell Soda everything. So really what Pony was saying that he didn't want the gang to know, but that didn't include Soda.

"Even from Soda?"

And Ponyboy blushed.

"Yeah…"

Dally glanced down at Ponyboy and smirked. Leaning down close he captured Pony's lips roughly yet with a gentle feel, making the younger greaser whimper and clutch to Dally for fear of falling off the branch. Dally chuckled into the kiss and brought his hand up to hold Ponyboy's chin in place. However, Dally being Dally, wasn't able to keep his hands in safe areas for long.

And as Dally pushed his tongue passed Ponyboy's lips, he pushed his body against the younger teen's as well, his hands roaming. Ponyboy's loud gasps for air when Dally allowed and slender hands grasping Dally tightly just encouraged him. He caressed and stroked every inch of Ponyboy's skin that the boy would allow.

"D-Dally…wait," Ponyboy gasped as Dally allowed another gulp of air. Ponyboy brought his hands up to rest lightly on Dally's collarbone- stopping him from attacking his mouth again. Not that Ponyboy minded, but where Dally's hands were headed was not a public thing to do.

"What's the matter kiddo?" Dally asked and pushed against Ponyboy's hands, brushing his lips over Pony's.

"Uh…" Ponyboy muttered and glanced down, suddenly very shy. It wasn't like Ponyboy didn't want Dally, infact Ponyboy was more than willing, however, it seemed too fast, after all it would Pony's first time…EVER.

Dally chuckled and placed a kiss on Pony's temple,

"That's ok Kiddo, we'd better be getting back anyway. It's getting late and Soda should be home by now, wouldn't want to worry him ya know?"

And Dally and Ponyboy hopped down from the tree and walked back to Pony's house as the snow finally began to lighten up and the sky began to darken.


Yawning, Ponyboy closed his eyes with a smile. Maybe things would start to look up now.

However, as sleep overtook Ponyboy, so did his overactive imagination. A couple hours into the night found Ponyboy twisting and turning, whimpering and crying out. As the minutes passed the pain got worse. The whimpering turned louder, morphing into screams and the tears that threatened to leak soon poured down his face. His body trembled as he was thrown into a world of darkness and pain, never able to get away, never able to end it.

It started out with his parents leaving them for good and it turned into the fear of being separated form Soda and Darry. But as Pony's screams got louder, the memory of Johnny dieing became harsher and less real. As the tears streamed Pony's mumbling of names turned to screams for Soda and Darry, for mother and father, and for Johnny. But as the shakes overtook him and he thrashed about wildly everything centered around one person.

And soon Soda was woken with a start and Darry came running in, chest heaving, to Ponyboy screaming for Dally, crying and shaking uncontrollably.

"Shit!" Darry cursed and ran down to the kitchen for some pills that Ponyboy would want when brought out of his nightmare. And that left Soda to fend for his own.

Scared or his little brother, Soda quickly scrambled out of his bed to scramble back into Pony's, wrapping his arms around Pony's thrashing body.

"Shh, Pony, it's ok." Soda whispered, pinning Ponyboy down ad holding him tight to him. Soda rested his head on Pony's shoulder, pulling the boy close to him, holding Pony's back to his front. He whispered calmly in Pony's ear even if that's not what he felt on the inside.

It had been a long time since Ponyboy had had one of his nightmares, since last year actually. And it had been an even longer time since Pony had a rough one like the one he was going through now. It pained Soda to see his brother crying and so vulnerable. Well, Ponyboy was like that naturally, but not this vulnerable, not in a sorrow filled way.

"Hush, honey, it's ok." Soda whispered once again and Ponyboy suddenly stopped thrashing.

Body trembling, Ponyboy opened his eyes; tears still streaming down his face. Taking in where he was Ponyboy suddenly lost grip on the harsh dream he had just had. All the painfully killing images disappeared form his mind forever, leaving a blank except for a harsh sting in his heart and emptiness in his mind.

Feeling Soda's strong arms around his middle, Ponyboy turned himself over quickly to face Soda's front and buried his face into Soda's collarbone, unable to keep from weeping.

"Soda…"

"Shh honey it's ok, it's over." Soda whispered into Pony's hair and tightly held his brother against him, stroking his hair to calm the shaking form in his arms.

And Ponyboy realized that Soda was shaking just as bad as he was, the nightmare had not only been dreadfully scary for him, but for Soda as well and probably Darry.

"Soda…d-did I wake Darry?"

But Soda didn't answer, Darry himself did.

"Nah kiddo, I was downstairs reading, couldn't sleep, something seemed off." Darry sad quietly, afraid to talk any louder, as if that would scare Ponyboy.

Sitting on the edge of Pony's bed, Darry handed Soda the pills and glass, making both brothers sit up.Darry watched with sad and worry filled eyes as Soda helped a shaking Ponyboy take the small pill and drink. It seemed, from Pony's yelling and screaming, that this had been one of the worst nightmares he'd ever had. What had surprised Darry though was that Dally's name had come screeching from his youngest brother lips the loudest and the most.

"Easy Pony," Darry heard Soda whisper, "Ya have any idea what brought that on?"

Ponyboy shook his head slowly and lanced over at Darry. He looked sorry, like he didn't believe that Darry hadn't been sleeping. Darry sighed and scooted closer to his younger brothers, whom were both shaking. Bringing them into a warm embrace, Darry thought about taking Ponyboy to a psychologist. The nightmares always got bad around the holidays.

"Not really, no…" Ponyboy mumbled and gave the glass back to Darry.

"Golly, it must have been a bad one," Soda started, patting Pony's head, "I've never heard you mumble for Dally before."

Ponyboy blushed brightly and it made both Soda and Darry wonder what that was all about. But Darry knew that Ponyboy didn't like to talk about his nightmares, so Darry assured Pony as he thought of a new subject to talk about.

"I'm sure Dally is just fine kiddo, you didn't really do much yesterday, you have to start tiring yourself out more." And Darry stood as the phone downstairs rang oddly throughout the house.

And Ponyboy was sure that Dally could help him out with that one.

"You and Dally seem to be gettin' pretty close honey," Soda said, turning his gaze back to Ponyboy (he had watched Darry walk out to get the phone).

"Yeah," Ponyboy blushed, the thought of Dally thrusting his tongue into his mouth while holding him up against the tree sprang into his mind, "he's different…in a good way." He finished with a smile.

"Really? Well, he does seem less…I dunno, tough."

And that was true, what Soda said. Dally had changed ever since Johnny died. Dally would always be tough and hard, but lately it would seem that he saves that for the public, with a big group and around the Socs. But here in the Curtis house, the hard icy glare melted into soft fluffy snowflake glaze. His tightly drawn in mouth relaxed into a small grin and even smiled happily everyone in awhile. He was less tense and less aware to danger as well. Dally also didn't smoke as much and watched his mouth from time to time. But what Ponyboy seemed most happy about was the obvious reason, but also that Dally wasn't annoyed as easily.

"Dally's back in jail." Darry's voice was very sudden from the doorway and Ponyboy felt his heart sink a little. How long would it be before he forgot to see Dally again?

"How long?" Soda asked.

"He's out on the 23 if he's on good behavior," Darry responded and he glanced at Ponyboy with a questioning look, "what's the matter?"

"What'd he do?" Pony asked, ignoring the question. He wanted to know why Dally had landed himself in jail again. Was it because Dally changed his mind about them and wanted to hide? However, that was a stupid thought, for Dally was not one to hide from a problem.

"He got caught stealing again."

Soda just shook his head and patted Pony's one last time before heading back over to his own bed and falling asleep. Darry whispered a go back to sleep for it was still pretty early in the morning. Ponyboy however didn't sleep, he stayed up for an hour more, not moving and breathing quietly. Why would Dally go and do a stupid thing like that? Usually if Dally had a reason (a girlfriend usually, but this was a little different) to stick around, he didn't try and land himself in jail. Eventually though Ponyboy thought himself to sleep and didn't wake up till noon later that day.


Making sure that Soda could see the note clearly, Ponyboy finished pulling on his coat and headed outside, where it was still snowing since eight (according to Soda). Ponyboy shivered to himself as he pulled his jacket closer to him, already cold and wet form the thick, large snowflakes that were falling faster and faster y the minute. Darry hadn't gone to work until noon and work Pony when he left. He didn't want to wake Soda because the blond had gotten up an hour after Ponyboy fell asleep and watched over him the entire sleeping hours of the morning.

He had gotten up in a hurry, wanting to go see Dally and get back before Soda awoke; he wouldn't have liked it if he found out Ponyboy went off alone AND to the jail. So, Ponyboy just huddled in on himself as best he could and walked fast, hoping that visiting hours were around now.

However, about half way to the police station, a familiar red mustang began to drive slowly behind Ponyboy. He should have called Two-bit and made him come with him. Running wouldn't do him any good; the Socs were in a car. They would have no problem keeping up.

"Golly," Ponyboy whispered to himself, his breath barely visible in the heavily falling snow, "they won't be stupid enough to jump me by the police station."

However, Ponyboy had been wrong before. As the police station came nearer and nearer, so did the car behind him. He didn't have the faintest idea how they could see him though, the snow was falling so thick. But safety was right in front of him as we walked up the few steps to the door of the police station and Ponyboy heard the mustang roar off. Usually something would have happened by now, it had been odd, the Socs were being more cautious lately.

As the door closed behind him a rush of warmth spread to him along with the glances form cops and deceives. Of mothers picking up their troubled kids and criminals being taken back into the prison section. Ponyboy felt himself blush; he was out of place here. He had no idea what to do either, who was he suppose to ask? Maybe coming here and been a bad idea.

"Need some help sonny?" a deep voice asked him, as he was about to turn around.

"Huh," Ponyboy sad, glancing at the cop who was waiting patently with a gentle smile, "yeah, I came to visit someone."

"Alright, come this way." And Ponyboy fallowed the tall cop, keeping himself drawn in, glancing around as they walked.

He had never been to the police station before, Soda has and even Darry, but he never had. He'd been to a courtroom and questioning rooms, but never a jail before. Everything was oddly quiet, like a hospital, at least, it seemed that way to him. However, as they went through a small hallway into another section of the building, the silence was met with a huge roar.

The cop brought Ponyboy over to a sign in desk.

"Good afternoon Charles, this kid here wants to visit someone."

"All right, well who's' the lucky guy today?" the older male asked, glancing at Ponyboy.

"Huh," Ponyboy stuttered, "Dallas Winston."

"You're a friend of his huh? Don't go around cause trouble now ya here?" the guard warned and him a slip, waving someone over to take him through the jail way and into the visiting section.

"You want a room or a booth?"

"A r-room." Ponyboy muttered, not really sure. It was kind of intimidating to be here. He couldn't believe Dally was here for most of his life.

"Alright, take 123, you've got an hour."

And Ponyboy was pulled off down the plain hallway, turned a corner and pass the jail cells (they were behind glass in another section) and Ponyboy thought he saw Tim Shepard in one of the cells he could see.

They walked down a corroder and stopped finally in front of an off white door that had 123 on it. The guard unlocked the door and opened it to a small room that was clean and old.

"Wait in there kiddo, they're bringing him down now."

And Ponyboy was pushed into the room, no windows, and the door closed behind him. All he had left to do was wait.

An hour seemed like a long time too him. Didn't they usually only give like 15 minutes, half an hour tops? Soda came down one time to visit Steve and he said that you don't always get a room; you usually have to use a booth and only get a short amount of time.

It didn't take long before the door was pulled open and two cops were un-cuffing Dally, who was cussing happily at them.

"Awe, shut ya' mouth boy, don't want to lose your good behavior days now do ya" one of the cops side and pushed Dally lightly into the room.

"Stuff it baldly, talking back doesn't count."

And Dally should know, he'd been here so many times. The guard just rolled his eyes and chuckled, waving a finger at Dally as if he were a bad dog,

"Behave now ya here, you got an hour, that's all."

And the door was shut, leaving both Dally and Ponyboy by themselves.

"Hey Dally," Ponyboy whispered after awhile and Dally just stood there staring at him. The whisper faded into a silken then and Pony felt himself go red. Maybe this really had been a bad idea. And as Dally took steps forward, Pony took steps back until he hit the wall; maybe this really wasn't a good idea.

Not really sure what to expect as Dally got within inches from him; Ponyboy braced himself, glancing up at Dally with unsure eyes.

"Did ya walk here by yourself?" Dally asked, his voice rough.

Ponyboy nodded. Dally's eyes then glazed over with a look that told Ponyboy that Dally was sinking into a protective mode.

"Did anyone bother you?" Dally asked and Ponyboy thought of saying yes, but thought better of it.

"No." Ponyboy whispered back, Dally didn't need to know that the Socs and been eyeing him. Besides it wasn't that big of a deal. It happened about five times a week; there wasn't anything different from this time.

Pony was unsure what was going on in Dally's head for the hard icy look was back in his eyes and it made Pony a little uneasy. Being trapped against the wall and Dally was not something he wanted, at least not with that look in Dally's eyes.

However, Ponyboy had missed judged for Dally suddenly pushed hard against him, grinding him into the wall and thoroughly kissed him roughly. Ponyboy didn't know how long they stood there, pressed up against eachother, tongues pushing one another, teeth nipping and lips bruising. Apparently though, Dally had wanted to see Ponyboy as much as Ponyboy had wanted to see Dally. And they broke apart breathing heavily.

"It's real good to see ya here kiddo." Dally whispered.

Ponyboy just laughed and nuzzled Dally's neck.

"How come you're getting so careless?"

And Dally knew that Ponyboy was talking about getting caught stealing again. The blond greaser just shrugged though and captured Pony's lips once again, not really wanting to talk.Pony sighed at the warmth and let himself be lost in Dally. They didn't really talk that much, just parting from eachother to take in breaths.

Ponyboy didn't know how long they stood there, tongues battling, heat flushing both their faces. It was like drowning in a safety net that neither wanted to get out of. The thought of not seeing eachother for more then a little bit at a time ached at the back of their minds, Pony's at least. And that just made the two greasers push rougher against eachother, needing and wanting.

It pushed Ponyboy to whimper when Dally caught his tongue with his own and pulled. When the older greaser held him tight and safe, away from the cold, from fights with his brothers, from prowling Socs, form the gang, and from the entire world.

And soon an hour passed by in a second, leaving Ponyboy wishing that Dally would stop stealing and being a troublemaker. Leaving him to wish for his strong arms, but not say anything because he would sound to insecure (girly as Two-bit would say). And so, as the cops banged on the door, Dally's and Pony's world came rushing back and the parted with needy looks at eachother.

Stepping away from Ponyboy, Dally reached up and cupped Pony's cheek before kissing his forehead and giving the younger greaser a tight hug.

"I'll see ya around Christmas kiddo," and the guards opened the door and took Dally by the arm, cuffing him until he got back to his cell.

The shut of the door echoed around the room, bringing in a chill that Ponyboy hadn't noticed before. He had a feeling that the next three weeks wouldn't go so well; something was going to happen that anyone in the gang really wanted to happen. Ponyboy sighed, things were just changing, Soda was growing up more and Darry was starting to drift away again. Two-bit was never close to him and was losing interest in the gang and Steve, well Steve was falling apart. And he was bringing Soda with him.

Ponyboy couldn't help but feel so empty.

With Dally in jail, who would listen to him?

Soda would be with Steve most of the time, trying to get the dark haired greaser back on his feet.

Darry would be working more hours, leaving early, coming home late.

Two-bit would stop hanging around, spending time with his little sister and mother.

Maybe he was just over-reacting, but it didn't stop the cold chill creep into his chest.

Would things ever get better? Or would it just get worse and worse as the years went on?

Would this empty feeling ever go away…

Or would Ponyboy lose himself in a blood soaked embrace that would never let him go?

That would never let him escape from the darkness?


WOOT! ANOTHER CHAPTER COME AND GONE! Please review, and read the next one coming up! THANKS SO MUCH!! Everyone has been very sweet in their review and it makes me very happy to hear that you guys like my story!

-shini98