Title: When Everything Falls Apart [4/?]
Author: alakewood
Warnings: General spoilers for Season 1. AU.
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 1200
Summary: No matter how cocky Tim Riggins was, Dylan wasn't about to let him drive drunk. But, just like Murphy's Law states, whatever can go wrong, will. But it still, somehow, ends up right.
Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing.

oxoxo

Tim's truck rumbled and roared to life, the breaks shrieking in protest as Dylan backed out of the narrow space between a Dynasty and a Camry. The radio crackled softly then, after hitting a couple of bumps, music started filter through partially blown speakers. Tim reached over and turned it up, Dylan instantly recognizing Johnny Cash. "It's been a while since I've been a passenger in this truck," Tim said.

Dylan glanced over at him. He had his arms crossed over his chest and was leaning half against the door and half against the seat, his eyes focused on her. "It's been a while since I've driven a vehicle," she replied.

Tim's gaze dropped to her mouth as she spoke and she averted her eyes from the heat of his gaze. "Why's that?" he asked.

"Like I said: my dad's a bit overbearing."

"He doesn't let you drive?" He sat up a little straighter as though the idea were some kind of injustice. "It's like a basic freedom. He seems like he's awfully controlling."

"You know exactly one thing about him, so you're not quite qualified to say what my dad seems like." She paused. "He's just...overprotective."

"And why's that?"

"And why do you care?"

"Maybe I just want to get to know you."

Dylan scoffed. "You want to get to know me or you want to get to know me?" She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Are you always so...bitchy?"

It was about that time when the engine started sputtering, the truck chugging along only long enough for Dylan to pull over onto the shoulder of the gravel road. "Are you serious?" Her gaze was immediately drawn to the gas gauge on the dash where the needle was buried below the E. "When's the last time you put gas in your truck?"

Tim shrugged. "A week or so, maybe? The gauge is broken so I don't really-"

Dylan threw open the door and slammed it shut, then began walking down the road back towards the party. She couldn't remember if they'd passed any houses, but it was getting really late and she didn't think it was too smart to randomly show up on somebody's doorstep, this far out in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night.

"Hey!" Tim was scrambling out of the truck after her, still slightly weaving on his feet. "Where are you going?"

She pulled out her cell, angrily shoving it back into her pocket when she saw 'Roaming' on the screen. "Back to the party so I can find Landry so he can take me home."

"Look, I'm sorry," Tim said, taking hold of her wrist. "I am. It's just...I don't know what I did to you that makes you..." He sighed, letting go of her arm. "I don't know why I make you so...sarcastic and angry. I just wanted to get to know you."

Dylan didn't move for a long moment before finally turning to face Tim. "I just knew a lot of guys like you. Popular, good-looking, cocky as hell. Football stud. You think you can have whoever you want and do whatever you want and that there won't be any repercussions." She shook her head, rubbing her hands up her bare arms.

"I'm definitely not denying the good-looking part," he said, unconsciously reaching out to push her hair out of her eyes. "And, yeah, I've gotten away with a lot of shit 'cause I'm on the team."

"But are you ever held responsible for the consequences of what you do?" She wrapped her arms around herself.

Tim shrugged and took her by the wrist again. "I've got a sweatshirt in the truck. Come on."

"Are you avoiding the question?" But she followed him anyway.

"Maybe, yeah. Look, I just don't think about it, okay? Growing up, my life pretty much sucked, so if things are a little bit easier now or whatever...? I just don't think about it."

"You guys never do."

"You guys?" Tim asked, pulling a gray, Dillon Panthers hooded sweatshirt from the duffel bag on the floor in front of the passenger's seat. "Me and who else?"

"Just...guys like you."

"So, what? You have a bad break up or something?"

Dylan took the sweatshirt he offered, pulling it over her head, freeing her hair from inside the sweatshirt and sweeping it over her shoulder. "Something."

Tim, increasingly steady on his feet, took Dylan's elbow and started leading her back down the road. "Keeler's Cattle Ranch isn't that far from here."

They'd been walking quietly for a couple of minutes before Dylan broke the silence. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For being a bitch."

"Hey." Tim's voice was soft as he stopped, reaching for Dylan's hand to stop her too. "I was being a dick. And an ass. I guess I had it coming to me."

The clouds scudded across the sky revealing a full moon and, in it's light, the smile that curved Tim's lips. "You've been nothing but nice to me."

"I did kind of stalk you, though."

"That doesn't excuse-"

Tim cut her off, his mouth colliding with hers, one hand loosely holding her wrist while the other cupped her jaw before sliding behind her neck where his fingers tangled in her hair. He wasn't aggressive, didn't force her into the kiss. Simply held her there and allowed her to make the next move. Dylan kissed back. For the briefest of moments before she pulled away, ducking her head against his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Tim wrapped his arms around her and held her close, pressing his cheek against her hair. "It's okay."

"It's just-"

"You don't have to explain anything to me." He let her go and took her hand. "It's not much..." But he trailed off as headlights lit up the trees around the bend. He pulled Dylan into the grass along the edge of the gravel road, out of the path of the car.

The car slowed as it passed them, then stopped. "Landry." She gave Tim's hand a tug as she started towards the vehicle.

Landry rolled down his window and craned his head out it to look at her. "Hey. What happened? Tim's truck run out of gas?" he asked, wearing a dopey, sarcastic grin.

Dylan shared a glance with Tim. "Yeah. Actually, it did. Can we get a ride back into town?"

Landry looked from Dylan to Tim and back to Dylan. "Yeah. Of course. Get in."

"Thanks." She and Tim slid into the backseat, Matt glancing at her with raised eyebrows.

"Saracen," Tim greeted, leaning back against the seat.

"Riggins." Matt looked at Landry, then Landry put the car back into gear and headed back towards town.

In the darkness of the backseat, Tim slid his hand across the vinyl, curling his fingers around Dylan's when their hands met. She didn't pull away.