About a week later, Kizzy was busy fixing an alternator, one of her specialties, when a car pulled up. "Soda! Can you get the customer?"
When no one replied, Kizzy yelled again, "SODA! GO HELP THE CUSTOMER!"
Still no reply.
Angrily, Kizzy threw down the rag she had been using to clean with, and walked out in a huff...
...And stopped.
A man, about late thirties, early forties, leaned against a '59 Cadillac. Kizzy stopped, and stared as he glanced up, took off his sun glasses, and stared back. His hair was the same dark brown as her, but flecked with gray hairs. His eyes though were a deep chocolate brown, so unlike hers.
She took a step forward, then said, "What'd I tell ya 'bout Caddy's?" Her voice was only slightly harsh, and the man winced.
"Kizzy..." his own voice faltered.
"Heya, Kiz? Wanna take a break and have a Soda?" there was a small laugh, "do ya like Diet..." the voice trailed off. Soda had stepped out, two bottles in his hand and had been staring at them till he had glanced up and saw the man and Kizzy. "What's wrong? Who's this?"
"Soda...couldya leave us alone for a sec?" Kizzy asked, her voice straining.
"Sure..." Soda said, trailing off, and heading back inside.
Kizzy tensed at the sight of her father, a glare crossing her face. "What the fuck do you want?" She spat, crossing her arms.
Her father sneered at her, "just wanting to see how my baby girl is doing."
Kizzy's hand moved to her right shoulderblade, scratching the area where he'd stabbed her for the first time-wincing at the memory. "Well, all's well-you're still not sober-you're still a dickhead-and I'm a somebody. Now you know and can get out of here before I have some of my friends put your piece of shit car up on some blocks." She spat, her glare intensifying.
"I hear that little Winston bastard is around here. You shackin' up with him or something?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively and she fought back a blush, clenching her hands into her fists.
She cleared her throat and approached the car, "So sir, what seems to be the problem with your car?" She asked him, pretending that she didn't know him and that they hadn't just shared the conversation. Not because she wanted to, but because she had to. She saw Soda's face, peering through the window at them. He would know something was up if she didn't act normal.
"I have trouble starting it up." Her dad said gruffly, she could smell the alcohol on him and bitter tears welled up in her eyes. She held them back as always.
"Well, Just...lemme pop the hood and I'll take a look at it." She breathed, her father nodded and disappeared behind the wheel, popping the hood. She peered into it, tinkering around with it slightly. While she was hidden under the hood, she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "Looks like the...engine needs tightening." She said, her voice thick with the approaching sobs.
Her father came to stand next to her, peering into the engine. "Is that so? Hmmm...well, how much will it cost?" he asked, his voice anything but pleasant and nice.
"Maybe thirty bucks. Possibly more. Who told you I was here?" Kizzy asked, still not looking at him, and blinking her eyes furiously. Wasn't it bad enough he had ruined her childhood, he had to find her and ruin her new life?
"Oh, y'know. Those boys you use to hang out with. I think his name was Julian." Her dad replied, brushing a speck of dust off as they both took a step back from the car.
Kizzy's eyes narrowed, "Julian wouldn't do that."
Her father laughed, "C'mon, Kiz, you know I can be very persuasive." He gave a wicked grin, and glanced back at the store where Soda was talking on the phone.
"what the fuck did you do?" Kizzy asked violently, glaring at him.
Chuckling again, her father looked her in the eyes, "Nothin' that hurt him. Much." But, his eyes said otherwise.
Kizzy glared at her father, hate seeping through her pores. It took all of her self-control to hold herself back from bludgeoning him with the wrench that sat in her balled up fist. She immediately went to work on her father's engine, feeling him breathing down her neck the entire time.
"What did you do to him?" She asked softly, working on the car.
Her father leaned against the car, "remember Uncle Kevin?" She swallowed hard and nodded, "yeah well, he did a favor for me."
"What did he do?" She was suddenly finding it very difficult to talk through the lump of tears in her throat.
Her father laughed that cruel laugh again, "well…let's just hope he won't need to use his left hand for awhile."
She nodded, staring intently at the inside structure of the car, biting her lip so hard that she tasted blood.
"Hey Kiz, you wanna take a b-" Dally's sentence was cut short by the site of her father.
She whipped around; gripping the wrench so tight her knuckles were blanching, "Hi Dal," she gasped.
Dally stared at the man for a moment, shock and then sudden fury, "What the fuck do you want?" He wanted bad to lunge at the man, but Kizzy quickly stepped between them.
Kizzy's father gave another laugh, though no one else saw what was so funny, "I think you've been spending to much time together. That's the same question Kiz asked." He gave another laugh, and it took all Kizzy's power to hold back Dally.
This isn't good, Kizzy thought. Dally's anger and movements would trigger Soda's attention again and Soda would then come out. And then questions would be asked.
"Look, Ben," Kizzy started, using his real name through clenched teeth, "How 'bout you come by tomorrow and pick up your car. I'll have it fixed, and if you come by three we can talk because that's when my shift ends."
The middle-aged man looked at her thoughtfully, "Ok, Kizzy, let me go inside and pay and call my buddy for a ride."
Kizzy nodded as her father went inside. Taking a step back from Dally, she watched as he went into a frenzy, "What the fuck does that bastard want? You're almost eighteen, he can't do anything! And tomorrow I'm gonna be here. He's not getting one more minute alone with you! I won't let the son of a bitch touch you in anyway! And if he starts anything, I know a few guys that wouldn't mind making a little money, if ya know what I mean." Dally paced back and forth, continuing with his rantings until her dad came back out.
"Well, I'll see ya tomorrow. And don't try leavin', Kiz. I'm sure you made a couple new friends here. If ya do, I hope they won't mind losin' a hand. Nice seeing you Dally!" He told them, walking down the sidewalk and giving a small wave.
Kizzy watched him leave-the second he was out of sight; she stomped into the station and into her boss's office. "I need to take the rest of the day off." She said, her face pale. He looked at her questioningly, "sick."
He sighed, "ok, I'll see you tomorrow."
Kizzy nodded and walked out, shaking furiously. As she passed Dally, she grabbed his arm, dragging him toward his car. She climbed into the passenger seat and slammed the door. "Drive." She barked. He nodded, driving to the Curtis' home. The second they came to a stop in the driveway, she got out, bolting into the house. Dally was not far behind. He watched in silent horror as Kizzy flew around the house, grabbing her belongings from the floor and stuffing them into her bag.
"I'm really sorry for just comin' in and leaving like this. I really appreciate what you and the gang have done for me and I won't forget it. I promise. And as soon as I get a hold of some spare cash I'll send it to you and the guys. Keep an eye on Johnny's side for me, I don't want it to get infected and make sure that he keeps it clean and keep him out of his house for as long as you can," her voice was stern at her last order and Dally knew that she meant business, he just stared, watching her pack her things and fold up her bedding. "I'll come back though when I'm sure that my dad won't be here and we'll have a drink." She started walking toward the door, "tell the guys I said bye for me-"
Dally caught her arm, "whoa, what in the hell are you doing?"
The look he received when she glanced up at him was one that he hadn't seen since her father had first started beating her. It was pure fear and confusion, for once; he could tell that she had no idea what was going on. "I gotta get out of here."
"Little…don't."
"Give me a single reason why I should stay." She barked, going from scared to livid in mere seconds.
Without thinking or hesitation, Dally lowered his face to hers' and captured her lips with his. When he broke away, Kizzy looked dazed and extremely confused. "That good enough of a reason for you?"
Pushing him gently away, Kizzy shook her head, "Dally...can't...I..." and she went out the door. Dally watched, realizing this is how it felt to be walked out on.
It only lasted a moment before the door was flown back open, Kizzy came in, dropped all her stuff on the floor, and threw her arms around his neck, pressing her lips against his.
They kissed there like that for a good two minutes before they both pulled away. "Dally, I can't do it!" She whispered frantically, burying her face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her, as she finally let out the tears.
They were interrupted by Two-Bit barreling in, Johnny behind him. Kizzy pulled away, brushing the tears from her eyes.
"Now THATS what I'm talking about!" Two-Bit said, coming over and grabbing everyone into a hug, "We need more hugs together!"
"Get your hands off me, ya hood!" Dally said, wiggling out of Two-Bit's grasp.
"Fine, don't share the love!" Two-Bit countered, hugging Kizzy.
Kizzy laughed and hugged him back, "Thanks Two-Bit." she said, pulling away.
"Anytime Kizzy." He said, jumping over to the couch and turning on, you guessed it, Mickey Mouse.
Dally went over to reprimand Johnny for walking with his newly stitched wound, "...be careful, it can bust open at any moment and start bleeding."
Kizzy watched, unable to stop the smile that fell into place. If she left, her Dad would hurt these boys, (if he could get past Dally) but either way, someone was going to get hurt.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Later that night, Kizzy was a nervous wreck. It was another sleepless night for her. She would burst into tears at random moments at the mere thought of her father. How could someone she wanted to love so much cause her so much pain?
During one of these mini meltdowns, the only person who she would let get even ten feet within her was Dally. He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her rocking her gently back and forth. It was a side of him the guys had never even dreamt of seeing.
Kizzy curled up against him, shaking with wave after wave of tears. "I'm so afraid." She whispered.
Dally nodded and kissed the top of her head, "I know. Just hang on there. He'll be here tomorrow and then he'll be gone."
A/N: Alright theres chapter 9, everyone please review!