Dark Eyes screamed. She screamed and screamed until I thought she would never stop. There she stood in the doorway, the tile slick with blood (most of it mine), watching the bastard she loved beat me to a pulp.

My head was pounding and Ace got up off me and dusted his hands warily. The heat in his eyes was cooling.

Dark Eyes was still whimpering loudly, her mascara running down her face. I actually felt sorry for her, not that I could feel anything besides detached anger right now.

Ace took his slut in his arms, "Hey Dark, Baby, it's okay. Me and Kitty here were just foolin'. Cool it."

I struggled to my feet, clenching my fists as my tangled hair obscured my vision.

Get this! My eyes were so bad that I could see Dallas headed my way, parting the rowdy crowd.

My head was spinning like one of those kiddie merry-go-round things. Except, it didn't feel quite merry. I could barely stand.

"I'm telling the police." My voice was steady and quiet. But there was a quaver in it that betrayed my fear.

"Then you die, bitch." Ace's voice was just as quiet. His tone was threatening and dangerous, I knew he wasn't bluffing.

"I'll tell you where you can put you bloody threats-

"Carson!" Dallas gave me a once over with cold emotionless eyes, "we're leaving."

"He'll die too." Ace whispered to me. He always was the jealous type, I thought slowly.

"Get the hell away from here, you slick sonofa-

I grabbed Dallas' arm before he could swing at Ace, "Lets get out of here."

Maybe he saw the desperation in my eyes....or maybe he just saw my black bra protruding from Ponyboy's ripped tank top; but whatever it was Dally stopped trying to jerk away from me. With carefully controlled anger he shoved Ace into Dark Eyes and pulled me away roughly.

Outside he lit up and his eyes literally sparked with fury, "Ace is going down. I'll kick his ass."

I was huffing and puffing just trying to keep up with him, a trickle of blood ran down my forehead.

I kept my eyes on the ground concentrating on following his quick footsteps. When the steps stopped abruptly, I halted and looked up.

Dally was scowling at me, his dark hair falling into his cloudy eyes.

"Get on." Dally turned around sinuously and offered his back.

"Hell no." I snapped automatically.

"Look Carson. I know you have an ego the size of Texas but get on my back right now, Damn it!"

I flinched away from him, stung by his tone. But my body ached and I let myself be carried. Shame made my face hot and my breath come faster. Or maybe it wasn't shame..maybe it was something else. But I hadn't the time to think of that.

My last thought before I sank into darkness was, "Glory...Dally, don't think this is gonna get you any when we get back."

Soft Neighing woke me. Hay was poking into my legs through Pony's sweats.

"What the hell?" I shot up like a bullet, "Dallas?"

Immediately the blood rushed to my head and I was blinded by the sunlight.

Something heavy fell from across my shoulders: Dally's jacket.