Chapter Five: Bail

Buffy blankly stared at the wall before her as she awaited the return of the police officer. Honestly, she didn't know what else she could say to convince them that she had done it and she was not covering up for some hooligan out on the streets. It was unbelievable. So far, they had bribed her with a meal, new clothes, even a place to stay! It was actually a pretty sweet deal.

Police officer Michael McBride walked in again, his arms swinging impatiently by his side.

"Young lady, I don't think you fully understand the amount of trouble you are in. This is a serious offense. Now, if you think any harm will come to you from telling us what happened, don't worry. We will protect you. We would ask the boy harmed but, unfortunately, he's in a coma at the moment. Now, really, who did it?"

Buffy looked at him with a look of mock seriousness. "Really, I did it officer. I plead guilty. I plead the fifth." She giggled remembering various TV shows she heard people say that.

"What's so funny?" the officer asked, his eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. "There's nothing funny about the fifth amendment. Now, get serious Buffy. Is this the person who committed this crime?"

Officer McBride slid a small profile shot of Dallas Winston across the table and Buffy looked at it with an amused expression.

"No, sir, it's not," she replied seriously.

"Mmmhmm," the officer said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Well, we'll just have to call him down to the station just in case anyways. You know, Buffy, we're going to find out who committed this crime whether you tell us or not. It would just make our lives, and your own life, a lot easier if you do."

"Alright," Buffy said with a sigh, "I'll tell you."

Officer McBride leaned over in anticipation and Buffy leaned forward too.

"Me," she whispered.

Officer McBride moved back and scowled in frustration.

(Back at the Curtis House)

Ponyboy and Johnny burst into the house, out of breath, to face Soda and Darry, both sitting on the couch, staring at the clock in worry.

Darry jumped up in surprise. "Ponyboy," he said, his teeth clenched together in anger, "Where the hell have you been?"

"Ponyboy, what happened to your shirt? Johnny..." Soda said, his face turning white, "How did you get blood... where is Buffy?"

"I... I don't... I can't…" Ponyboy stammered when Darry interrupted him.

"I don't! I can't! Why don't you tell us something new, Pony?" Darry yelled in anger, his eyebrows knitted together and a scowl on his face. "What the hell is the matter with you? Do you know what time it is!"

Ponyboy didn't answer, he merely trembled, and Darry finally took notice of Johnny's bloody hands and Ponyboy's half drenched body. A whoosh of air let out of his body and he sat down hard on the couch.

"What the hell happened?" he asked, his eyes wide and his voice near a whisper.

(Back at the police station)

"Officer McBride, we've brought in the Winston boy for question," McBride's walkee talkee crackled, "We're sending him down."

Officer McBride lifted the receiver to his lips, smiling. "Alright then, we're ready."

He looked at Buffy as though he were half expecting her to break down crying and confess everything. Buffy's face had a worried expression. In reality, though, she was mentally sleeping. In her defense, she was tired! Anyways, anyone who knew her and saw her would have known immediately that it wasn't a worried expression... it was a dazed one.

"Get in," Officer Johnson said, pushing Dally in the room and leaving the three of them alone together.

"Sit down," Officer McBride said in a stern tone.

"Nah, I think I'm fine here," Dally replied offhandedly.

"He can do that?" Buffy asked in awe.

"No, he can't do that!" Officer McBride half near yelled.

"Okay, okay, don't have a fit," Dally said, slumping down in the chair next to Buffy, across from the officer. He sneakily placed his hand on Buffy's thigh, pushing up her skirt a little and Buffy slapped his hand loudly.

"So, what is it?" Dally asked, hurriedly pulling his hand away and forcing himself not to rub his now red and throbbing hand.

The officer explained the whole story as he knew it to Dally and Dally kept looking over at Buffy for some sign as to what to say, but Buffy was too busy daydreaming to pay attention.

Dally sighed in frustration. "I really don't know what happened, officer," he assured him, for the first time, speaking the truth.

"Do you really think I'd fall for that?" Officer McBride asked, finally lost of all patience.

"Um, can I go now?" Buffy asked hesitatingly.

"Oh, no, you can not," Officer McBride said, glaring at her evilly. "You have just confessed to a very serious crime."

Dally gave Buffy a look of approval she chose to ignore.

"You are going to spend some time in jail, young lady. Why don't you use that time to think about what you've done?"

Buffy wrinkled her nose. "You sound like my mother."

"I thought you didn't have a mother," the police officer replied slyly, "Now tell me your real name and how to contact your parents."

"Umm... well the problem is, technically, I haven't been born," Buffy replied nervously.

"She's my sister," Dally butted in.

The police officer glared at him. "I don't believe you."

"Why, because she's dressed up all nice? I can clean up nice too, officer," Dally said with a smirk. "Our parents are dead. Buffy's illegitimate. That's why we don't look alike. Plus, she's a little funny in the head."

"Hey!" Buffy said in protest, halfway up out of her seat.

Dally shrugged. "Whatever. I didn't have nothing to do with this. I'm leaving and I'm taking my sister with me. You know she couldn't have done this. She's not near strong enough."

Buffy glared at him and the officer sighed in frustration. "Fine, go. I'd hold you hear longer, but no one was killed and I don't really have that much evidence. But I'm watching you."

Dally ignored him and walked out the door, Buffy running behind him to catch up.

"Why did you do that?" she asked in surprise.

"I dunno. I guess I kinda like you," he replied under his breath.

Buffy narrowed her eyes. "Don't get any funny ideas. I don't like you."

"Then who do you like," Dally asked in surprise. "Ponyboy? I didn't know you were into robbing the cradle." he guessed with a smirk.

"No," Buffy replied curtly, " and he's only two years younger than me. Anyways, why is it necessary for me to like anyone?"

"Because you're a girl," Dally explained in a matter of fact tone, "and that's what girls do. They tear friends apart and cheat and lie."

"Well, that's not me. Now leave me alone."

"You're the one who followed me," Dally pointed out, "and I helped you."

"Oh... right," Buffy said hesitatingly, "I don't know how to get to the Curtis house from here."

"I'm not your babysitter," Dally responded, walking faster.

"Just point me in the direction," Buffy said, speed walking to catch up with him. He was taller and took longer strides than her. Dally sighed in annoyance.

"Fine, I'll take you," he said, hiding his hand behind him so she wouldn't see him rubbing it because it was still throbbing.

(Back at the Curtis House)

Soda and Darry sat on the couch, worried about Buffy.

"I can't believe it," Soda said, shaking his head, "she's only been here a day and we've already screwed up her chances of living a normallife here."

Darry sighed. "Yeah, but it's not really our fault. Is it?"

Soda shrugged. "I'm gonna go check up on Ponyboy and Johnny. Then I'm going to bed. It's 3 o 'clock in the morning and I'm beat. You should get some sleep too."

Darry nodded and jumped up off the couch when the door swung open and Dallas Winston strode through.

"Dallas, what are you doing here?" Darry asked carefully.

Buffy walked in sheepishly from the shadow behind the door and Dally ignored him, turning to face Buffy.

"There, I took you home, now leave me alone!"

He pushed his way past Buffy and Soda and Darry looked at her in surprise and relief.

"Buffy, are you okay!" Soda asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Buffy said with a small sleepy smile. "Let's all get some sleep and I'll explain everything in the morning."

Soda went on upstairs and Darry took the blanket and lay down on the couch, his legs awkwardly hanging off the couch.

"What are you doing?" Buffy asked, surprised.

"Go sleep in my room. It's the last one on the left upstairs."

"No way," Buffy protested, "this is too much."

Darry grinned and Buffy was surprised to see how kind and, well, hot he looked when he smiled.

"Hey, can't you let a guy be chivalrous for once?"

Buffy smiled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, running upstairs while Darry lay there quietly, thinking about everything that had happened.

A/N: Hey, that was a somewhat longer than normal chapter! Did you guys like it? Is it moving too fast? I'm worried that it might be moving too fast.

First of all, I just want to say how happy I am that I got so many reviews. I just want to thank everyone who reviewed right now so far (In alphabetical order!):

Arantza, Banana4422, BlackWitch41, bleezie, ChaiGrl, chica, oOoDancingQueenoOo, DramaticThrasher, Galaxy3, goth-junkie, hobbit1400, Jack Cunningham, Rainia NyteWolf , Sparks Diamond, Stacey, steves-girl, sweetypie15, TheAngryPrincess13, Vik, & voided

Thank you all!

Except Jack, of course. Jeez, I'll never ask you to review my stories again :P Dork.