Woah! It's been awhile. I'm so sorry guys. I hope I still have readers. If you're still reading please let me know by leaving a review? Pretty please. I'll love you forever and always.
Let's see if I can get to 190, how bomb would that be. Pretty bomb, right...for me anways. *coughs* SO DON'T MEAN TO SOUND PUSHY BUT REVIEW! xDDD

And as always HUGE HUGE HUGE thanks to my beta Independence Undervalued. She seriously rocks! Yay her!

Dropping the cigarette to the ground, I quickly lit another one, never taking my eyes off him. Pressing my back against the brick wall I stayed in the shadows, making sure I had a clear view of him but he couldn't see me. I'd been plotting the last few days on the best way to bring him down, ever since he put his hands on my girlfriend. If Tim taught me anything, it was to never run into a situation blind and never let your emotions dictate how you act. I considered this war and number one rule of war - know your enemy. That's what I was doing. Learning everything I could about this fucker. Cassie was right, taking him out wasn't going to be easy. I couldn't just beat the shit out of him.

No, I wanted to fuck his whole world up. Watch as it crumbled down around him with a big smile on my face. Grinding the cigarette I pulled the baseball cap lower on my head when he started to move again. I was careful not to get to close. All I needed was this fucker to know someone was trailing him. He was already paranoid, something I picked up on right away. This just tipped me off that he was already into something deep. Now all I had to do was wait and found out what it was, then figure out a way to use it against him.

I already had a general idea as to where he was heading. I talked Benny into following him first, to get a general idea as to where he hangs out. Keeping my head low, I watched him from the corner of my eye. I gave up trying to blend into my surroundings long ago because I knew I still looked suspicious as hell either way. I tilted the brim of my hat up, trying to get a better view, just in time to see him disappear inside a rowdy looking bar. I stayed where I was for about five minutes to see if he was gonna come back out. When he didn't, I crossed the street over to the payphone and dropped a dime inside, dialing the number I memorized days earlier.

"Hey, man. It's me," I said when I heard a voice on the other end. "It's on."

I dropped the phone back into the cradle and ducked back into the crowd, jamming my hands into the pockets of my jacket and kept my head low. Ben was thankfully waiting for me at the end of the street. I nodded at him.

"How long you think we've got?" I asked.

"A few hours that is if he doesn't find a girl."

"Let's do this, then." I ignored the hesitant look on Ben's face and brushed past him.

"If someone comes, shine the flashlight inside."

Breaking into the house was actually pretty easy, considering the window had no screen. I shined the flashlight around, lighting up the living room. Either he's making a pretty good living or living off mommy and daddy's dime.

I worked quick, starting in the living room and working my way though the house. Getting down on my hands and knees I peered underneath, reaching my hand under and hitting something solid. Dragging it out, I went to work sifting through it. I picked up the file that sat on top and flipped it open, going through it as fast as I could while trying not to miss anything.

With a frustrated sigh, I pushed the box back underneath the bed and got back to my feet. After searching the rest of the house I realized I wasn't gonna find anything. I don't know why I would be so stupid to think that he would leave something big just lying around. I decided to use the front door and on my way out a door caught my eye. The hallway closet. It was worth a shot. Pulling it open, I grabbed the string that was dangling and gave it a yank, lighting up the small room. I looked through his jackets and shirt when I found a jacket that I recognized all too well. It was a jacket that went with a police uniform. Why would he have this? It looked legit. Did he steal it?

I switched off the light and walked out the front door. "Let's go," I said to Benny as I started to walk and he obediently followed me.

"Curly..." I heard him say.

"What?" I questioned deep in thought.

"Why are we doing this?" He asked, slowly.

"What do you mean?" I glanced over my shoulder at him, confused.

"I mean we just broke into someone's house. For no reason really. I mean yeah I could understand if it were Angie or even Tim, but Cassie? You really gonna risk getting locked up for a girl that you probably won't even be with in a few months."

I whipped around so fast, I swear I pulled my neck.

"Why am I doing this?" I demanded. My words dripping with venom. "I am doing this because this fucker threatened me. Because he put his hands on what is mine. I don't take kindly to people that touch what belongs to me." My voice was gradually rising and my knuckles were going white from gripping Benny's shirt."You owe me, Benny don't fucking forget that. You owe me." I repeated, giving him a little shove backwards. "Don't question me again."

I started to walk again, fast. That scared me. That wasn't me. That was Tim. That was something Tim would say, do, Tim's thoughts. I tried to shake away the feeling, and brushed off Benny's apology, but I knew I shook him and I knew he would follow and ask no more questions.

xXx

I nervously chewed on the inside of my lip as I walked down the street, avoiding eye contact with everyone I passed until I found the shop I was looking for. I looked at the boy who stood behind the counter, wondering if I was being stupid or making an mistake.

"Uh...is Victor around?" I asked after clearing my throat a few times.

""Yeah, he's in the back." The boy around my age answered. "You want me to go get him?"

I nodded. Obviously I asked for him for a reason, but I held my tongue.

"Hey you," Victor said when he emerged from the back. "Everything okay?"

I nodded. He raised his eyebrows, waiting for me to tell him why I was there I was guessing.

"Last time you mentioned something about a job," I hedged, walking further into the room.

A smile broke across his face. "You came to the right place, little lady." I couldn't help but smile back.

Later that night things were definitely awkward at the dinner table. I was still angry at Darry because after all, he wasn't my father and didn't know Curly. He had no right to butt into my relationship. I loved Curly and I didn't care what anyone and Ponyboy obviously sensed the tension because they weren't saying anything. All that could be heard were the sounds of the silverware hitting the plates.

"I got a job." I announced, breaking the silence. My voice came out defiant just daring Darry to tell me no.

"I think that's a very mature decision. Good for you." I stared at him in disbelief.

"Well, good." I fumbled caught off guard. "May I be excused?"

"You never asked before," Darry said with a shrug.

I pushed away from the table, tossing Soda and Pony confused looks. What just happened? I retreated into the kitchen and picked up the phone, dialing Curly's number and praying he'd be the one to answer.

"Hello?" A gruff voice answered.

"Uh, hi is Curly there?" I tried to keep my voice strong. This was obviously the big bad step father.

"No he's not." His voice sounded irritated.

I just wanted to hang up, but I forced myself to ask if he knew where he was.

"No I don't know where he is." I could tell he was losing the little patience he had.

"Um, well could you tell him Cassie called?"

The only answer I got was the dial tone. I dropped the phone back in it's cradle. What a jerk! Wait, I already knew that. I really wanted to talk to him, now I was feeling a little worried and down since I really wanted to talk to ever. Where was he? Would it kill him to call me?

I walked into my room, flipping on the light, and flopping down on my bed. When I realized that I wasn't the only one in the room. I opened my mouth to scream when I felt a hand clamp down over my mouth.

Tell me what you think guys? Lot's of love to all of you. Even my silent readers.

So again don't mean to sound pushy but I want some reviews yo! lol kidding...kind of. ;D