Author's Note: Hey everyone I'm back. I just wanted to thank all my loyal reviewers and the new ones I've noticed for reading and continuing to encourage this story and review. You guys are the best. This story is getting towards the end I think. Maybe a few more chappies in the future and then the end! It's going to be a crazy ending, hopefully. For my other stories that I'm working on, I'm putting them aside so I can finish this and then Price of Being a Joker. The other ones I'll continue with after I'm done those. So, that's my short note, lol. Enjoy the chappie.

Thanks goes out to:

Ale Curtis- Carter: Ya, I know Dally would have killed Leon, but I needed the arguing you know? Sorry but the pause in updates. I honestly just get real lazy an I start writing parts of the next chappies but I get distracted and I'm so bad for not being able to know where to go next with it. Hope you like this chappie though and the next one should be up soon!

Not-that-kinda-gurl: lol glad I was able to give you a healthy dose of greaser. Its always good to get a little bit of that. Hope you like the next chapter.

DarkDestiny2000: omg me too. Dallas is way better than Leon, but I kinda getting attached to him. Oh well though, I find Tim way better. I don't know but there aren't enough Tim stories I find. Thanks for the review and enjoy the next chappie

Hahukum Konn: Ohhh glad you liked the fight. I know there was a bit of a dialogue and they would have probably just gone at it but I needed their to be some words past around and it worked for me. Hope you like the next chappie, it should be exciting, hopefully. Thanks for the review.

Flipwise: Thanks for the review, hope you enjoy this chappie it should be good, but my wrist is sore from volleyball playin so who knows. Lol I just want to get a chappie out to. Enjoy! Hopefully

AngelTears1328: Awe, thanks for the nice review. I'm glad people are still reading and enjoying this although it takes me a while to update. Hope you like this chappie.

Fairlane: Awe, I'm so glad you're enjoying the story. I really liked the confrontation between the two of them too. I wanted the hate to come out more. And Darry needed to make a little guest appearance lol. I've been meaning to finish reading your Tim Shepard story I started reading the first one before and liked it but haven't had time to finish. I'm starting to really come around about Shepard he's seems kinda hot with that Dallas like tough guy thing. Minus the blonde hair though, lol.

Sykotic Sanity: Awe, I'm glad you finally got a chance to read. I love new reviewers. Glad your enjoying it too, hope you like the rest, I think I'm almost done this story. But who knows.

Snowgurl54: Glad your liking the relationship thing I've got going. That was the big thing about this story was the Dallas, Johnny , Leon thing, so I'm glad everyone is liking that. Thanks bunches for the review and hope you like this next chappie.

Chapter 9:

The sound of his running shoes slapping against the wet asphalt rang inside Leon's head. It cut through the still ebony that surrounded him. He couldn't help but let his legs do what they wanted to do and right then they needed to run. The wind picked up as his speed began to decrease. His greasy bangs ruffled and swatted the sides of his face. His heart raced, trashing about the milky white ribs, battered and bruised beneath his shirt. Sweat coated the material and slithered down his arched back in thin translucent lines. He was thinking about what Dallas had said. Those harsh words he'd heard cry out after him. They'd hurt, but he'd never show it. Course deep down, they had hurt. He'd thought what he'd done for Pony made him some gallant hero, but now he knew the truth. Leon Cade would be nothing more than Tulsa street trash.

He brushed an unsteady hand through his damp hair. Pausing on the side of the road, he took a step back and sat on the curb. Elbows propped on the knees of his jeans, he sighed heavily to himself. He could sure go for a drag right about then. Without a jacket the cold sure got to him fast. Up and down, his hands went rubbing on the bare skin of his arms in an attempt to get himself warm. Cars passed every so often, but besides that it was quiet. Leon stayed put on the curb looking out at nothing in particular. The stars were hidden by bruised clouds and only a sliver of the moon could be seen. Soon enough sleep would overtake him again, but until then he'd just sit there, watching when lonely cars would pass by.

After an hour of cooling down, Leon hauled himself off the street and made his way down to the vacant lot. Shepard's house was always open to him and so was Buck's but Leon somehow didn't feel welcome anymore. He was changing, he had been for the past few days, he could feel it.

"Shoot, it's cold out" Leon muttered to himself. He lowered himself on the dirty asphalt and pulled his legs in towards his chest in hopes of warming himself against the cool Tulsa winds. Minutes later he fell asleep, not dreaming of anything really, but he was happy just the same.

Johnny stirred from the Soda's bed the next morning. Head foggy, he brushed stray pieces of hair from his eyes and shifted himself into a sitting position on the lumpy mattress. The springs squeaked dangerously beneath his weight. Swinging his legs around to the side, he slipped onto the carpeted floor and made his way into the living room. Two-bit and Dally were lounging around on the Curtis' couch while Steve was shouting something to Ponyboy from the kitchen. Pony was standing just a foot away when he answered him.

"Steve, I ain't making another cake right now, just because Two-bit got his greasy fingers all over the last two pieces."

"What you talking about Ponyboy?" Two-bit shot back from the couch.

Johnny remained silent beside his best friend and waited until Steve had disappeared into the bathroom in search of Soda before he decided to speak.

"Hey, Pony?" he ventured a bit timidly.

"What!" Johnny pulled back a step. "Johnny…jeez I'm sorry Johnnycake, I didn't notice you there."

"It's ok. Look Pony, have you seen Leon anywhere?"

"I think he went home!" Dallas had crept up on the two young greasers.

He loomed over them, leather jacket hanging off his shoulders while he blew cigarette smoke in their direction. Pony turned away at the sight of towheaded boy's eyes. They were ice cold as any other day, but right then, they were hazier and seemed real dangerous, like if he looked at them too long they'd manage to kick his head in or something.

"You sure Dallas?" Johnny questioned.

He'd noticed his older brother's coat was still draped across the back chair in the kitchen and his torn leather wallet still rested on the counter top. Leon wouldn't have left without either of them.

"Look, you asked if he was here and I just telling you what I know" the greaser snapped. Johnny's face fell. He lowered his gaze to his socks and kept it there, trying his best to block out the sound of Dallas' ragged breathing. He could almost hear the anger boiling up in the hood.

"Johnny…Johnny!"

Johnny raised his head cautiously, eyes peering into those of the cold hearted Dallas Winston. His breath caught for a moment while his fingers fidgeted with a stray thread on his t-shirt. They stared at one another and then just as quickly broke free from one another's gaze. Johnny hid his face, lowering his chin to his chest, while Dallas stepped back in shock. Had he really yelled at the frightened Johnny Cade? No! But then why was Johnny so scared right then. It looked like Johnny was ready to run. At any moment, the slightest thing would set him off.

Soda stepped towards the two, his plaid shirt hanging loosely off his shoulders. He reached out to lay a comforting hand on Johnny's back but the dark hared greaser bolted before Soda's fingers had met with his body. The gang was awestruck. Johnny clenched his t-shirt tight between his fingers and took hold of Leon's jacket and leather wallet as he exited the Curtis house in a mad dash. The door slammed shut, the walls vibrating slightly at the departure of the young hood.

A light breeze, stale and hot blew across the baking asphalt. Leon stirred from his resting spot and took in the tiny lot where he'd spent the past night. His head ached; the bandage was damp and barely stayed in place anymore. He unraveled the white material and tossed the bloody thing into a nearby ditch. Stiff legs and sore, he got shakily to his feet and started down the sidewalk with his sneakers dragging across the ground. Already it was hot out and it was only early morning. The usual Tulsa breeze continued but with the hot weather they were having it didn't refresh anything. Up ahead he could see the heat, all hazy and liquid like resting atop the black asphalt. He swore and turned down the next street. In the distance a dark shadow, met by a few smaller ones stood with his back to the sun. They made their way closer towards him until Leon realized who it was. A dangerous smile curled on his lips.

"Tim! Where ya been?"

Tim nodded but didn't say anything. Leon took this as a sign that Shepard was deep in thought and it was best not to talk. Tim Shepard wasn't a thinker though, more of a schemer, he thought his next moves through when they involved fights and the possibility of broken bones. Leon decided the best thing to do was keep his mouth shut and follow next in line with Tim and his gang. Anger flared in Shepard's eyes and it didn't disappear for second, not even when he finally turned to take a quick breather.

Pulling at a single cigarette from behind his left ear, Tim lit it up and relaxed against an unlit streetlamp. He looked tough just leaning there, not a real care in the world.

"What's up?" Leon's voice came out in a rough cough.

"Soc's" He nodded. Shepard was taking his time, because he didn't have to rush anything for anybody. He knew where he stood and so did everyone else. "Couple of them jumped Jim last night."

Leon turned around and sized up the few guys he was with. Jim wasn't there. Tim and about five other guys were though, one of them was Rudy, Jim's younger brother who couldn't of been anymore than fifteen. The kid looked hurt; you could see it in his eyes, which was a bad thing if you were a greaser. Some tough hood caught sight of those emotions being flaunted all over the place than he'd play on them. That's how people died. Get too emotional or too caught up and then your gone. That's why Leon never got too attached to no anyone, he was free to make any move without anyone to worry about.

"How bad?"

"Nothing I haven't seen before" Tim replied dryly. Nothing Tim has seen before could have been about the vaguest thing he's said. "A few scraps and bruises. Busted some ribs though. Bastard pulled a blade."

"Guessing we're looking for trouble today then?" Tim looked over to Leon and together they both made a toothy grin.

"We?" Tim laughed. "You wanna hang with the big boys again Cade? I thought you were just getting comfortable with the Curtis' "

"Those greasers? Not in a million years. I want to be where the action is."

"So your not getting soft on me?" Tim's tone was a bit more serious this time. "That kid brother of yours…he's not going to get in the way with anything?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Dallas." Leon could feel his blood boiling. "He was over at my house yesterday. Now, I don't know what you two got going but I don't want him after me, ya hear?"

"Don't worry, whatever Dallas and I had before is over. As for Johnny, he wont be hanging with me that's for sure."

"Well than lets go get ourselves some Soc's"

Johnny took off running down the Curtis' porch steps two at a time and then trampled across their lawn and pushed through the metal fence. From there he kept going, feet pounding loudly against the road. After a minute or so, the sweat started to run down his back. The heavy coat belonging to his older brother he shifted a few times in the crook of his arm. He wasn't sure where to go. Knowing his brother, he could have been almost anywhere in Tulsa, maybe even on his way in the back of some strangers pickup heading for Texas. Just like Leon to run away from him. Still, he couldn't get over his brother helping Pony out. It just wasn't something he figure Leon could do, but then his brother had been full of surprises the last few days.

Johnny whipped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand and took a seat on the curb. The same curb Leon had sat earlier that morning. Sitting the jacket and wallet next to him on the uncut grass, Johnny let his eyes shut. The heat was starting to become unbearable. He relaxed, thinking about Dallas while the warmth suffocated him there on the side of the road. Why had he been so quick to attack him like that? Did he hate Leon that badly and how come he didn't act so surprise when Leon had just gotten up and left like that? His brother may be a bit of a hood like Tim Shepard but he still had enough courtesy to say goodbye to his little brother, right? Unless Dallas had chased him away.

Johnny cursed, and kicked angrily at a loose stone. Pebbles sprayed upwards and landed further down. There was a small grunt. Johnny looked up and saw a rusty hared boy rubbing the front of his head.

"Jeez, JohnnyCakes, you don'tgotta be so rough" Two-bit cracked a grin and threw himself onto the grass beside the young greaser. "Nice place you got here. A few throw pillows and your all set huh?"

Johnny couldn't help but smile. "I ain't livin' here Two-bit, I'm just taking a break. Gosh, it's hot ain't it."

"You ain't kidden kid." Two-bit laughed. He looked down at the dark hared boy and noticed the glazed eyes. "You know Dallas ain't mad at you."

"Oh, I know."

"It's just Leon gets ol Dal real upset you know? I mean the guy started in on him last night and well…"

"They got into a fight?" Johnny gasped. He was staring directly at the older greaser, looking hard to find some truth in what Two-bit was telling him.

"Oh, no Johnny" Two-bit began. "It wasn't anything like that. Dallas and Leon just exchanged a couple of harsh words is all. But you talking about Leon today just got Dallas to thinking….

"Thinking about what? Two-bit he's my brother." Two-bit stopped, looking somewhat stunned that Johnny was becoming defensive. It had been a long time since he'd last seen the younger Cade brother getting upset.

"I know kid but…"

"But nothing! What's Dally got to be mad at me for, or Leon? You saw him, he saved Pony from them Socs yesterday."

Two-bit sighed. "It's not that what makes Dallas so mad Johnny. It's how you stick up for him all the time. Bugs me too."

Johnny reached out with shaky hands for his brothers coat and wallet and held it tightly. His eyes were welling up with tears, but he couldn't let them fall. Not after all he'd suffered through without crying, not now, not because of some stuff Two-bit was saying. A thick liquid wall was building up in front of his eyes and he could just barely see the rusty hared boy on the other side. A single blink and the tears would be shed. But he held on, not after all the fights with his mum and all the times he'd been beaten down like a dog by his ol man, not after coming this far would those tears fall.

"Johnny?"

A hand reached out through the haze and Johnny jerked back. He blinked and they fell.

"Leave me be Two-bit" Johnny snapped quietly.

"Johnny, you gotta understand, everyone's just looking out for ya. Leon, you don't know him like me and Dal do. He's done stuff, he hangs out with Tim Shepard, They ain't like us…"

"I know him!" Johnny cried out.

The tears fell freely. He felt ashamed, ashamed to be crying because he was a greaser and greasers weren't supposed to cry. Not unless they were real hurt or something and he definitely wasn't hurt. He was just scared, scared that what Two-bit said might be right. The uncertainty scared him.

"Johnny…"

"Don't you think I know him?" Johnny whimpered. Two-bit drew closer to his friend but the young boy wouldn't have it. He got to his rightful height, stumbling on unsteady feet. "I know him." He pushed out his chest in defiance and left Two-bit to sit dumbfounded on the grass.

Leon spat at the empty air, watching with dismay as his translucent spit ended up on the asphalt as a red stain. Socs seemed to be everywhere. Tim was fighting two at a time somewhere off to his left while everyone else took on one. Already two of Tim's youngest guys were unconscious in the grass, while Rudy was starting to quickly loose sight of what they'd come there to do. Only one soc was down and there were a whole hell of a lot more standing. Leon rubbed his head and jumped onto the back of the nearest Soc. He wrapped his legs about the boy's upper chest and squeezed tightly against the ribcage. Hands shut tight to form two nice fists, Leon began to bring them down with fast speed, one after another on top of the dark head of curls. The Soc's arms came back around, searching wildly for something to latch onto. A few times Leon felt the picking of the boys nails as they clawed at the back of his bloodied shirt from the night before. The boy was stumbling after another minute and was slowly beginning to tilt downwards.

A blood curdling scream rang out just as Leon and the Soc hit the ground. The greaser shot up off the rich boy and looked to where the sound had risen to find Rudy getting himself beat up by two Socs. The curly hared kid wasn't getting up anytime soon, so Leon took off at a dead run and tackled the two who were on Rudy.

"Kid! What the hell are you doing? Help me out here!" Leon yelled out just as a fist met the side of his head. A series of sharp pains exploded inside his head. He let out a short moan and felt himself falling backwards. His arms shot out and he grabbed hold of the nearest Soc before he toppled completely over. The boy turned around and slugged him once in the jaw, there was a short cracking sound, but the quick jerk woke Leon from the pain and he was back at it. He laid it on the Soc who had just hit him. The worn tennis shoes made their way into the boy's ribs and Leon smiled at the snapping sound that came when he let loose his final blow. The Soc howled in pain as Leon drew back a step. Something latched onto Leon's shirt, catching the greaser by surprise. He spun on his heel and made contact with the attackers facewith his fist.

Dallas sat on the steps outside the Shepard house, head hanging low with a half empty beer in his hand. A cigarette hung from his bottom lip, while he thought about the dark hared boy Johnny Cade. He hadn't meant to scare him off like that, or to hurt him. He'd just wish the kid would forget about Leon and then everyone would get along much better. Leon played on Johnny's emotions too much and god knows he didn't need that anymore. Dally tossed his beer into the empty street and watched as the glass shattered on impact. Shards tossed up into the air, glistening against the sun and coming back down onto the sea of asphalt.

The black leather coat he'd been wearing before sat next to him on the steps, while he rested his head on it. There were barely any clouds in the sky. One or two at the most and Dallas watched tiredly as one broke apart into three pieces and slowly inched its way across the blue landscape. It drifted along, until one part blocked out the sun long enough for Dallas to cool down. The heat made sweat trickle down the sides of his face and along his arched back. He wondered aimlessly where Tim had run off to. Angela had appeared in the doorway a while ago, a skimpy shirt hand off her thin shoulders telling him to fuck off, while Curly had hauled himself in a few minutes afterwards, with a brand new black eye. That kid never could keep his mouth shut long enough to stay out of trouble. Dallas laughed good naturedly and shut his eyes against the harsh glare of the sun. He felt himself slowly drifting to sleep, but he still couldn't help but wonder if Johnny was okay.

Johnny felt himself flung back from the harsh blow to the face. Hands scraping the gravel, he looked up through the thick heat to see his older brother looking down at him. He seemed a bit surprised to find him there fighting back the stinging sensation behind his nose. Johnny reached up a shaky hand and rubbed it beneath his left nostril. Sure enough there was blood.

"Johnny?" Leon asked with uncertainty.

"Yeah," the boy stuttered more than a bit nervous. "I …uh…"

"Shit that was too much fun" Tim Shepard was yelling.

Leon looked about himself and found that during the short break he'd taken to hit his younger brother that the Socs had fled. The remaining greasers were whipping off blood from their faces. Tim made his way over to where Leon stood, watching as Johnny struggled to get back on his feet.

"Cade, what's going on here?" Tim asked, giving Johnny the once over.

"Nothin' Tim just talking."

"Hey kid, how bout you beat it outta here huh? Let the men clean the rest of this up?"

Johnny continued to wipe the blood away, feeling like a child under Tim Shepard's harsh eyes. They could tear into a hood and rip him apart within seconds. But Johnny couldn't leave without Leon. Not after what everyone was saying, he had to prove them wrong. His brother wasn't like that.

"Leon?" Johnny whispered. Leon turned to Tim and then his brother. Johnny's eyes were searching his for something but they wouldn't find what they were undoubtedly looking for.

"Get outta here Johnny" Leon said through clenched teeth. A sea of pain washed across Johnny's dark face. "Go on, get."

The young greaser dropped the heavy jacket he'd been lugging around for the better half of day and tossed the leather wallet a good few feet away. His eyes held back the tears this time while he shot his brother a disappointed look. Two-bit had been right, they all had. All this time his brother had been nothing more than good for nothing hood. He didn't care what happened to him. Just like his folks didn't care. He was just like them. Johnny felt stupid standing there in front of Shepard's gang and his brother, hands shaking at his sides while he felt the truth tearing him apart inside. Than in a low voice, just about as low as a whisper he said,

"I hate you."

It wasn't much but it was more angry words anyone had heard from the boy in a few years. Leon looked hurt by them too but said nothing, his facial expression didn't even change and that made Johnny even sorrier that he'd believed there was something more to his brother that the others couldn't see.

Tim Shepard who'd been watching both Cade brothers from some time finally got sick with waiting. He stepped out from beside Leon and gave Johnny a hard shove in the chest. The young boy stumbled a foot back but caught his balance before landing on his ass.

"You done now?" Tim growled. Johnny nodded, his jaw set in anger.

"Yeah, I'm done" he mumbled.

"Good, it's about fuckin time. I'm sick of this family bullshit."

Tim pushed Johnny once more so the greaser was out of his way, and headed towards the Dingo. The rest of his gang followed suit, while Leon hung back, slowly following behind. He spotted his brother out of the corner of his eye watching him as he went, but when he did he quit trying to catch a glance and ran up to meet Tim. When he did, Johnny shivered and ran back the opposite way, towards home.

Johnny ran hard and fast all the way back down the street and didn't quit running until he reached his doorstep. He hadn't been home for a few days. Throwing open the door he spotted his mum on the couch and the ol thankfully wasn't anywhere in sight. He left his shoes on as he trampled down the hall and into his room. Clothes were strewn recklessly across the floor and the bed but he didn't bother to touch any of it. He flopped down on the unmade bed and shut his eyes. The darkness enveloped him in a warm comfort that neither Dallas, his folks or Leon could give him. They were all lies, all the things he'd believed about them. Dally had gotten mad at him and would be even worse next time around when they met up and he found out that he'd fallen for Leon's lie. Two-bit was probably mad at him too.

The frail greaser wrapped himself up in the sheets although he was still sweating. He cracked open one eye and watched through the tears as the sun began to set outside his window. What a wasteful day he thought bitterly. He chewed the skin on his lower lip while wiping some more blood off from his busted nose. It wouldn't stop for a while but he didn't care. The colors mingled in the sky on the other side of the glass windows, pinks and oranges, everything that made a kid like Pony stay out to watch. Johnny cried some more, until the sun finished setting and then pulled the sheets up over his head and then went to sleep.

When he woke up a few hours later, there was a rapping down at his window. He shook out of surprise and tossed the mangled sheets off his legs. His nose still felt sore, but it was more of a numbing pain now. He trudged tiredly to the window and with a bit of a struggle got it open. With his chin just reaching the bottom of the window ledge and peering into the darkness of his room was Leon.

"Jeez Johnny, what the hell are ya doing home? Don't you know better than to stay here?"

Johnny laughed harshly, thinking about how much Leon was starting to sound like Dallas.

"You told me to get goin soI got."

"I know what I said" Leon reached out and Johnny pulled away. "Shoot, Johnny I'm sorry okay? I know I was being an asshole."

"Yeah,"

"Hey, come here" Leon reached out for his baby brother once again and got a look at his busted nose. "Damn it. Its all bloody. Get out here kid."

Johnny paused, but Leon's arms were soon wrapping about his waist and hauling him out of the window. From somewhere deep inside the house yelling was beginning to arise and Johnny was thankful Leon had shown when he did. The two made their way across the lawn and towards the lot. When they got their Leon pulled Johnny under the streetlamp and looked him over a bit. Blood had dried over on his upper lip and beneath his nostrils.

"Here, sit down and I'll fix ya right up." Johnny hesitated but then did as he was told.

Leon began to lick the end of his dirtied shirt and rubbed at the blood on Johnny's face. The young greaser pulled back at the slight sting. His brothers hand tightened on his arm and brought him in closer.

"Hold on Johnny boy. I can't help ya if you keep squirmin."

Johnny listened, still as angry as before while his brother went on to talk about how he and Tim Shepard had found the Socs that had jumped him and this guy named Jim. Leon had hurt a couple of them pretty good but Johnny wasn't sure if he could believe Leon's words as just bragging or the truth. In all honesty he wasn't sure what to believe from anyone anymore. Especially his older brother. One minute he's treating him like some tag along and making him take off and the next he's sneaking him out of the house and cleaning up a bloodied nose. He just didn't get it.

"Owe,"

"Sorry kid" Leon smiled at his kid brother and continued to wipe away the last few bits of dry blood.

He was doing his best to lighten up the situation between him and Johnny but it wasn't as easy as he'd hopped it be. After all he had been a jerk back there with Shepard. If he'd been any man at all he'd have knocked Tim out right there for talking down to his little brother, but he hadn't, in fact he'd helped. After all the past few days he'd gotten so close to Johnny and now Shepard and everyone else was coming between them. Shepard because he needed another tough hood in his gang and Dally and the rest of the gang because they didn't care too much for him. They knew just as well as he did what he was like. He knew where they were coming from, wanting to protect Johnny from all the big baddies out in the world but that's not what Johnny needed. He needed someone who understood his pain, who knew what it was like to be alone sometimes and have no one understand what it was like to go back home. He needed his brother.

"Johnny, you okay kid?"

Johnny nodded his head silently.

"Look, I really am sorry...Johnny look at me." He looked up. "I know we ain't been real close, but shoot, I'm not good at these sorta things."

Johnny smiled. "I know."

"Come here." Leon grabbed hold of his brother around the neck and tossed his head under his sweaty armpits. Johnny cried out, laughing between pleas for help. "How is it down there?"

"Leon! ugh...come on...let me up. Quit foolin around..."

Leon's grip loosened while he found his mind being sidetracked by the sight of approaching headlights up in the distance. The smooth yet rough engine of a beautifully polished blue mustang was making its way towards the two Cade brothers. Leon saw Johnny rubbing at his nose, trying to make the remaining pain fade away and he knew it his brother had seen the headlights or the car he'd be hiding in his shell by now. But he wasn't. He was still carefree, with a small smile on his lips.

Leon searched his back pockets, cursing when he came up short of a switchblade. The mustang wasn't too far. It would be hard to not have spotted the two greasers rolling around under the streetlight either. Leon subtly nudged Johnny in the side.

"Kid" he whispered. The headlights turned off along with the engine. "You still have that blade on you?"

A couple of car doors slammed and metal hitting metal cut through the stillness. Johnny shook in surprise, looking up to meet the slight fear in his brothers eyes. It soon disappeared however and was replaced with that reckless abandonment he had come to known.

"I don't have it Leon" Johnny's voice came out, unsteady and between short gasping breaths.

Leon reached back and put a strong hand on his brothers shoulder. He winked and gave a reassuring grin before hauling him to his feet.

"You just keep cool okay? If you don't look scared then nothin will happen."

Johnny nodded but knew he couldn't trust that.

"What do we have here?" A thick accented voice called out from the crowd of Socs. Leon stood a foot from his brother, wanting to hide him from view, keep him a bit more safe, but he knew it would only make the two of them look weaker and they needed all the help they could get.

"Looks like a couple of greasers George." Another shouted.

"I don't like greasers Will. How bout you?"

"I like em, but only when their down in the dirt where they belong."

The Socs laughed. All the while Johnny was trembling behind Leon. Leon wanted to tell him to stop, but he was too busy counting the Socs. Besides the two that were talking their were three more, that made five. If he took on three than Johnny could take the other two. Shoot, what was he thinking Johnny couldn't handle them. The kid was already a nervous wreck.

"Look here Johnny, we got ourselves a couple a regular comedians."

"You better watch it grease."

"Awe, now that wasn't funny" Leon sighed. "Come on Soc, tell another joke. I dare ya."

Will narrowed his eyes in front of Leon and took up a fighting stance. Leon did the same, catching the scared look in his brothers eyes and shook his head in disapproval. George was circling around the back of the older Cade boy and a third was standing on Will's left side. The other two were still sizing up Johnny and if the kid didn't do something soon he'd be nothing but grease on the sidewalk.

"Come on soc."

Leon couldn't stand the anxiety of waiting anymore and leapt from his spot on the asphalt. He swung out at Will, hitting a good couple of times in the face, his tender cheeks spliting open in cuts as the only ring he wore dug into the flesh. The other Socs, George and some red hared boy were kicking at him on either sides. It wasn't until Will had stopped fighting against the blows that Leon turned around and attacked George. He clawed at his t-shirt, and gave him a strong uppercut.

"Leon!"

Leon looked away to find his brother but he couldn't see him anywhere. A sheet of blood and sweat had blinded his eyes. The red hared boy snuck behind and grabbed hold of Leon by the neck, dragging him away from George and Will. His oxygen was disappearing too fast. Eyes bulging, Leon brought his elbow into the Socs stomach, smiling as he doubled over in pain. George for all Leon knew was still sprawled out with Will on the asphalt somewhere, but Johnny was yelling for help further down.

"Johnny?"

The older Cade brother took off running back towards the streetlight and found Johnny trying to fight off two Socs. His nose was bloody again and he was loosing badly. One Soc with a real short haircut and a couple of gold chains was really laying it on his baby brother hard. He had him on the ground while the other Soc continued to call out obscenities. It wasn't until he saw a food connect with Johnny's left side and hear his pleading cries for them to stop that he attacked. He took the loud mouth Soc with one strong blow and laughed as he tried to regain his momentum. Instead he just felt back down, holding himself. Leon made his way towards the other one with chains and grabbed hold of him by the back of his shirt and tossed him a few feet away.

"Johnny, you okay kid?"

"What..."

The Soc landed on top of Leon. The greaser head slammed against the asphalt and the pain that had appeared earlier that day now returned, ten times worse. As the agony filled inside his head, he tried to block the oncoming punches. Blood ran down the back and front even the sides of his face, so that Leon felt like he was swimming in red after a while. He wiped it away and felt another punch. The greaser groaned and moved forward on the Soc. He raised his foot and dropkicked the chain wearing bastard clear in the chest. He fell back and didn't get up.

Behind him, somewhere not too far away Leon could hear the approach of quiet feet. He tightened his hands and was ready for whatever stood behind him. Jaw set, the dark hared hood spun around and moved forward to attack when he saw the evil glint reflecting off George's eyes from the moon and then felt himself suddenly haulted. Something had come at him, it kept Leon's feet planted firmly on the ground but he couldn't see anything except though malicious eyes looking at him.

"Leon!" he heard his brother cry out and then all of a sudden he could move again. As the Soc's arm jerked back he felt a quick jerk inside his stomach and crumpled in a heap on the ground. George stood over him, wiping a wet blade in the nearby grass.

"Stupid greaser" he spat. The other Soc's were running away, while Geogre continued to stay. "That'll teach ya to jump our kind."

And then he was gone.

Johnny stumbled forward, collapsing just a few feet away and then crawled the rest, his knees scrapping as he got to where Leon lay. Short ragged breaths rose up from the ground. In and out in and out, Johnny thought as he laid a hand on his brother's back. A shiver could be seen going up Leon's back and the once again he was relaxed.

"Leon?"

The older greaser rolled over onto his side, one hand holding tight to his abdomen, while the other reached out blindly into the air.

"Johnny?"

"Yeah,"

"I can't see ya kid. There's all shit in my eyes." Leon stopped holding his stomach long enough to wipe away the remaining blood and sweat from his face to get a good look at his kid brother. He could see him shaking in front of him and it scared him. Was he dying? Would this be the end? After just getting to know Johnny he was going to leave.

Johnny sat, looking worriedly at his brother's pale face. He was loosing so much blood. It drenched his shirt and it was slowly devouring him. His body was fading into the asphalt with each passing second and Johnny couldn't do anything but watch.

"Leon, I gotta go get help." Johnny's voice cracked.

"No, don't go yet."

"Leon!" Johnny whined. "You're bleeding all over the place. Come on, let me go get one of the gang, they'll help." Leon gave a bitter laugh.

"Come on Johnny, just stay another minute longer, than you can go. Okay?"

"Leon..."

Leon reached out again and took hold of Johnny by his arm and drew him closer. He held tight, scared that if he let go than he'd be alone. He didn't want to be alone, not with the darkness coming in so fast. His eyes were feeling heavy and there a coldness filling inside him that he hadn't felt before. But the fact that Johnny still sat beside him, helped comfort him.

"I'm scared Johnny." Leon shut his eyes, and felt hot tears of embarrassment rolled down his cheeks. "I'm so scared."

Johnny looked stunned by his brothers words. "Okay, I'm gonna go get help."

"No!" Leon gasped. "Just a few minutes more. Than you can leave."

Leon tightened his grip on Johnny and felt his hand slowly make its way down into his tiny palms. Johnny squeezed on the thick hand and Leon repeated the movement. Johnny looked down and felt Leon's blood soaking into the knees of his jeans.

"Leon?"

"Don't go" his brother whispered.

Dallas looked down at his watch and sighed. It hadn't been since that morning that he'd seen Johnny and a whole day was over and still there was no sign of the little greaser. He threw out his cigarette and continued walking down the sidewalk, coming up close towards the Cade house. He knew how much Johnny hated going home but it was the only place he hadn't bothered to check. Maybe he'd just take a quick glance in Johnny's bedroom window to make sure.

As he came up over the last hill, Dallas looked down and found that a few streetlights over there were two people, only shadows in the night but they were sitting like idiots on the street. Walking a bit faster and getting nearer, Dally began to get worried. One of those shadows was starting to look familliar. That thin frame, the dark skin. Dallas broke off in a run and didn't stop t'ill he reached the streetlight.

Johnny was sitting there, a dark hand clasped tightly in his own. Dallas looked to the left of Johnny and saw Leon, his face covered in blood and his shirt drenched in it. His eyes were close and his lips were tinted blue. Dally looked closer and felt a sharp pain tugged at his chest when he noticed Leon wasn't stirring. His chest didn't rise up and down with a steady intake of breath like it should have.

"Johnny?" Dallas whispered coming around his other side. "Kid you okay?"

"He told me to stay." Johnny cried, the tears coming back. "He said he was scared Dallas."

"It's okay JohnnyCakes..."

"No, it's not." Johnny broke out into a series of sobs while tremors whracked his thin body. He looked so weak there. "He came for me Dally. He beat the Socs...he..."

"Johnny come on, we gotta get some help. We gotta get ya fixed up."

"No, Dally he said not to leave. I can't leave. He'll wake and get scared again if I leave him."

Dallas looked down at the lifeless hand that still gripped Johnny's and could only imagine the fear that had been going through Leon's head while he slowly died next to his younger brother. Dally turned his attention back to Johnny and without a word, pried Leon's hand out of Johnny's and took the young greaser into his arms.

"It's okay to cry kid. Come on, it'll be okay."

Johnny shivered in the strong hold of Dallas Winston, feeling safe for a moment in those warm arms and realized that he had never really hugged his brother like this before. And he would never get the chance too.

"Come on JohnnyCakes," Dallas tried to sooth although he didn't have much experience. "Everything will be okay."

Author's Note: OKay kiddies i lied. That's the last chappie. Please dont hit me or anything for ending it like that or all of a sudden. That was my original plan to have it end like that and have the points of view go from Dallas, to Johnny and Leon throughout the whole thing. I hope the death scence wasn't too mushy but you know.There will be an epilogue i already decided and i don't know when it'll be up if you ask nice maybe real soon. Hope you tell me wut you think but dont be mean. Sorry to end it like that.