Disclaimer: I do not own any Outsiders character but I do own Texas and Dakota Winston, Chick Curtis, and Tyler.

Rating: PG13 for some violence, cussing, and abusive behavior.

Chapter Eight

Tex and Chick walked evenly along the sidewalk to her house. For whatever reason Tex's heart paced quickly…and loudly. It was so loud that Tex figured Chick could hear it.

Coming up to an older home that was slightly run-down and needed a paint job Chick stopped and said, "This is home."

Tex nodded. Even for the minor flaws it was much better then his old dump, "Nice house."

"Yea right," Chick laughed, "My brother was supposed to paint it and my Dad's gotta fix the gutters and we got a bad leak in the kitchen. This place is a dump."

Tex shrugged. If it was a dump it was sure as hell a nice one. Chick walked up to the front door and walked inside. Tex followed behind her a little nervous of what might be inside. Would her father be there? What about her brother? Would her mother like him?

"Hey, Chick! Whose your friend?" Tex looked up to see a tall boy glaring at him. Tex had seen him around before and knew him as Bryon. Tex wondered why the name hadn't clicked before…. Tex had helped him out in a bar fight once.

"This is Tex Winston," Chick introduced Tex to her brother in a very formal tone.

"I know ya… you're that kid that helped me in that bar fight a few months ago," Byron shook Tex's hand with a firm grip. Even if he knew the boy he was still going to be rough on him.

"Yea," Tex half smiled. He was a little embarrassed that his past fighting affairs had been brought up.

"Chick, are ya home, sweetie?" yelled a man.

"Yea, Dad! I'm home!" Chick replied as she walked into the small kitchen not ten feet away from the door. Tex followed behind her to find a familiar man standing in front of a stove.

"Hey Dad," Chick said walking over to him, "This is my friend, Tex."

Her father turned with a shocked expression on his face, "Texas Winston?"

"Yea," Chick replied.

Her father shook his head as if he were shaking off a thought, "I'm Ponyboy Curtis." Holding out his hand Texas shook it with a firm grip. Dakota had been right with the horse name.

"Um we're gonna go hang out in my room for a bit," Chick said quickly as she grabbed Tex's hand and tried to run down the hallway but was interrupted by Bryon.

"Dad are you nuts?" Bryon asked raising an eyebrow.

"Keep the door open," Ponyboy said firmly.

Chick nodded and continued to lead Tex down a small hallway and into the very last room. Opening the door Chick led Tex into a pure cream-colored room. Her room was very plain with just a few posters of movie stars and singers. But that was it. It looked almost like Tex's old room. Very bare and empty. She didn't even have a cute bedspread.

"Um…." Tex was trying to think of something to say.

"I know it's really plain. My Ma died 'fore we could decorate it," Chick replied sitting down on her bed. Tex sat down next to her.

"So your mom's dead?" he asked.

Chick nodded, "She died when I was a baby… drive-by." Tex was shocked. He knew that the north side was pretty bad but he never knew that it was as bad as a drive-by shooting.

Chick tried to look away from Tex's expression. She felt bad enough that she had never really met her mother.

"I'm sorry," Tex, said suddenly trying to make up for his expression.

"No, it's fine," Chick lied.

"Hey," Tex and Chick looked up to see Dally standing in the doorway.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Tex stood up angrily. At this rate Dally was the last person he wanted to see.

"Ponyboy called," Dally replied, "I was lookin' for ya and called here earlier to see if ya was here 'cause D said that ya liked Chick and might a come over here…" Dally trailed off.

"Whatever," Tex replied. He was angry that his father had come over here.

Dally sighed, "We got a Social Service Woman comin' in 'bout an hour so we gotta get."

Chick stood up, "Well maybe we can do dinner another time then."

"Yea," Tex nodded sadly. He had been looking forward to staying for dinner.

Dally grabbed Tex by the shoulders and led him out the door to his truck. Tex could sense that he was angry.

As soon as he began driving the anger flew out, "Are you nuts? You were gone for almost two hours!" Veins began popping out of the sides of his neck, "Johnny and I had no clue where you were… and we couldn't call anyone 'cause we don't know who you roll with…. Neither does D! What if you died… you coulda been…" Dally continued to yell. All Tex could think was 'at least he won't him me.'

As Dally's yelling's subsided Tex asked, "Did ya lie 'bout the social worker?"

Dally's grip on the steering wheel tightened sending Tex into an immediate flashback of Randy's knuckles.

"Don't hit me," Tex mumbled with his eyes slammed shut.

"Huh?" Dally asked.

"Nothin'," Tex replied.

"I know 'bout Randy," Dally said suddenly.

"Wait what?" Tex asked.

"Dakota told me ya used to take the beatings," Dally continued.

Tex looked away.

"Look I ain't gonna ever hit ya. I don't believe in hittin' ya but I need ya to trust me… will you trust me?" Dally asked.

Tex looked over nervously. This was what he had always wanted…his father coming for him and D wanting them. Why wasn't he saying yes? He was going to say yes. "Yea, I'll trust ya."

Dally smiled and continued to drive the short drive back to Johnny's place.

I know some of you might be bummed about how I ended the dinner with Chick but don't worry she'll be back soon. I'm still not sure if they'll be together though…so don't get too excited!

Here are my thank-u's:

Not-that-kinda-girl- Good! I'm glad you liked it…I was seriously worried, lol. You HAVE TO update your story like so badly!

Tensleep- thank you. I hope you will still review and I totally appreciate the compliments. It is so flattering to have such an awesome writer enjoying my fic!

OTHlover04- Good I'm glad that you thought it was good…THANKS!

JamesDeanismygod- I'm glad that you're liking the Tex/Chick thing…I'm still not sure if I'm going to have them end up together but who knows? LOL! Thanks!

Margaret Ames- I was wondering if anyone would catch that, lol! That Was Then, This Is Now is one my most favorite books ever! Ha, ha. Thank you so much!

Ale Curtis-Carter- Good I'm glad it was good. I hope this past one was good too. Thanks!

Dreamer for lyf- Hopefully you're home and had a good/safe trip, lol. Thanks for the review and I hope you liked this chapter :)

Miru Amai- You're reviews are a real booster to me and I'm sure a lot of other writers. Encouragement is good, lol! Anyway I'm glad you like the Tex/Chick relationship. I'm still not sure if I'm gonna have them together but who knows, lol!