Disclaimer: I do not own any Outsiders character but I do own Tex and Dakota Winston, Chick Curtis, and Tyler (who will make an appearance soon!).

Rating: PG13 for cussing and some abusive behavior.

Chapter Twelve

Texas sat up late that night trying to let the fact that he was going to be taken away sink in. He really didn't want to leave. In his heart he knew that Dally would keep him and Randy would rot in hell but in his mind the thought of Randy keeping them reined. Tex was afraid for Dakota; he didn't want her growing up in a bad environment with such an awful man.

Looking over at sobbing Dakota he felt tears grow in his heart. She didn't want to leave Johnny and Dally. Mostly she didn't want to leave Johnny though. Johnny was her comfort object.

"Hey Tex," Dally said suddenly.

"Yea?" Tex looked up to see Dally coming out of the shower. He was dressed in only a towel revealing his wet chest and blaring muscles (that was for you, Ale).

Dally sighed, he seemed a bit hesitant, "I…I…It's your birthday today, huh?"

Texas nodded, shocked that his father remembered. Sure, his father was here when he was born but remembering such a random date was pretty cool of him.

"Well I got ya a 'lil somethin'," Dally said walking back into Johnny's room. Walking back into the living room he handed Tex a necklace. Looking closer at the necklace Tex found that they were dog tags. He remembered his mother talking about his father's infamous dog tags.

"These are for me?" Tex asked shocked.

Dally nodded, "Somethin' to 'member me by."

"What?" Tex asked. Was his father saying good-bye?

"Look Tex, I dunno if I'm gonna be able to keep ya and D. So if I can't I want ya to keep those…'mind ya that ya got a Pop that cares."

Tex smiled a small grin, "Thanks, Pop." For the first time in his life Tex used the word 'Pop'. In his mind he was jumping for joy. He finally had someone to call Pop…but that person could be taken away in an instant.

"Hey, D," Dally shook his daughter awake. Tex hadn't realized that she had cried herself to sleep.

"Hmm," Dakota replied rubbing her eyes. Dried tears stained her cheeks.

"Hey, baby," Dally, said silently as he picked her up and carried her into Johnny's room where she would sleep. For the first time in Tex's life he wasn't the one to play daddy. Dally was trying his best to be the father.

Tex leaned back against the couch while Dally tucked Dakota into Johnny's bed. Johnny was staying at Pony's place for a little while.

Dally walked back into the living room with a pair if jeans and a clean white t-shirt on.

"Look, Dal-

"Tex, I want ya to call me Pop, kay?" Dally sort of asked.

"Pop, I want ya to know that I really appreciate the dog tags," Tex thanked him.

"No problem, kid," Dally replied.

For the rest of the night Dally and Tex sat up talking and catching up on each other's lives. For once, Tex felt loved and appreciated. He was happy that he had someone to talk to.

Dally revealed his plan of how he was going to take care of Dakota and him if he got custody. His plan was to stay in Tulsa and raise the two kids in a nice house with plenty of food.

The next morning Tex woke up next to his little sister on Johnny's bed. Remembering that Miss Swaths was coming in about an hour he quickly jumped up and ran to the phone. Chick would need to know what had happened to him.

"Hey, Pop!" Tex yelled.

"Yea?" Dally replied groggily.

"What's the Curtis number?"

"It's on the counter nest to ya," he replied.

Tex looked down and began to dial the number. In his mind he prayed that Chick would answer the phone so that he wouldn't embarrass her in front of her brother or father.

"Hello," answered a chirpy voice that belonged to Chick.

"Chick?" Tex asked to be sure.

"Tex?" Chick asked back.

"Hey," Tex said.

"Hey yourself," Chick replied happily.

"Look I gotta tell ya somethin'," Tex said unhappily.

"What is it?" Chick asked in a sad tone.

"I'm gonna be gone for 'while. This fart ass service woman is takin' me and D away to foster care till the trial."

"Will I see you?" Chick asked. It sounded as though she were ready to cry.

"I dunno," Tex replied.

"Well if I don't…" she stumbled on her words, "If I don't just be careful and don't date any other gals."

Tex laughed a bit, "I'll be careful…and don't worry 'bout me datin' other gals. You're the only one I'll be datin', promise."

"Thanks, Tex," she replied happily.

"That means ya better not be cheatin' on me with other boys," Tex said sternly.

"I won't," Chick, replied, "I don't like any other boys."

"Okay, I'll take ya word for it." There was an awkward silence for a moment before Tex said, "Well guess this is good-bye."

"Yea. I'll se ya 'round," Chick replied, "I don't say good-byes."

"Oh…then I'll se ya 'round," Tex replied as he hung up the phone.

Walking into the living room he found Dakota and Dally sitting on the couch watching cartoons like a normal morning. Their bags were set and ready to go by the door.

"We're watchin' Mickey Mouse, Tex," Dakota said happily.

"Cool," Tex replied, "It's almost time, D."

Dakota sighed deeply, "I know. Ya thing the new folks will let me watch T.V.?"

"I'm sure they will," Tex replied.

"Sure hope so," Dakota replied.

"It'll be okay, honey," Dally said placing a hand on D's back, "You'll be back here in no time."

Dakota smiled a small smile, "Sure."

The doorbell rang sharply at nine making Tex jump slightly. Here he went…to a world on unknown.

Okay there it was…chapter 12! Just to let y'all know I plan on having around fifteen to twenty chapters in this story…hehe! Anyway hope y'all liked!

Here are my thank-u's:

x-CelluloidTears-x- THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am so happy that you like my story since I liked loved your story! Thanks!

Angelic13- I know, real curveball, eh? Hehe! Anyway thanks so much.

Mrs. Benji Madden- I'm sorry but they're being taken away, sorry!

Watergurl67- yes, I'm trying to make them a bit longer. Hopefully this one was bit longer for ya. Thanks!

Miru Amai- I know social workers are a piece of work (yup I've gone through the whole social worker thing)…so glad you like it! Hope this one was good too!

Cinderbrat- at least you got the password, lol. And no I'm doing my best to stay away from the soppy love story (trust me even though Chick is 'his girl' she won't play a big part in this story). And no, I won't take any advice unless I'm in desperate need for a storyline, lol. But thanks so much!

Margaret Ames- real shocker, eh? Drama (YES!) lol. Anyway I hope you still like the story.

Ale Curtis-Carter- oh god I love Jesse McCartney (well actually I take that back, James Lafferty is WAY hotter, and there's Dally too). But really he has Jesse's eyes and lips and the rest Dally and Tex (from the book). Anyway did ya like the little scene I put in for you? Hope ya did, lol.

Crzywhtgrl- sorry! I know I'm just the meanest person in the world…lol!

Dreamer for lyf- how's the throat? Hopefully doing better. Anyway once I'm done with this story we can get started on another story…not sure what it'll be about but I'm sure we can come up with something good, lol. If you have any bright ideas, please tell me! Anyway good I'm glad you like it; hopefully this one was good too. I wanted it to be kinda touchy.

Not-that-kinda-gurl- I'm sorry! This is all just apart of my master plan for the story of Texas Winston! Whatever happens happens…no take backs! Lol! Anyway I hope you still like it!