Author's Note: This chapter is written by taylor519 (user id 2770779). I wrote chapter 9 and will write from here on out.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders.

Emma Leah had successfully managed to avoid any questions. She had actually managed to avoid anyone noticing the bruise on the side of her face. She had managed due to the art of make-up.

She sat in her dressing room, getting ready for her regular show. She coated on much more make-up than usual, and she hated how heavy it felt on her face. It was necessary though, because the spotlight would be on her and her bruise would show if she didn't.

She took a final look at herself in the full length mirror before responding to Bill calling her onto the stage. Then it was just her and the music again. Uncle Jim and all the stress was gone, she could relax.

XXX

Darry sat across from his date, but his eyes were not on her. She was talking, but he wasn't listening. All he could hear was Emma Leah singing. He had never heard anyone sing so beautifully. She swayed with the music, and as the words flowed out of her mouth he could hear the happiness in her voice.

He had picked to go there on purpose. He knew Em worked there, and had wanted to hear her sing. Emma had also told him it was a great place for first dates and, wanting to impress, he had hoped his date would enjoy it. He didn't tell her he was coming, he figured it would be a nice surprise.

"Darrell!" His date tugged his hand, pulling his attention back to her.

Annie was her name. She was a thin girl with bright red hair that was falsely dyed. She wore a ton of makeup, and had he seen her in a crowd he wouldn't have taken a second look at her. She wasn't unkind, or stuck up in any way. But he found her boring. She had spent the entire night droning on about herself, not once asking anything about him.

Darry felt bad for not enjoying himself, this poor girl was obviously into him. But he just wasn't interested in her. She was about as bland as they come.

"Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the music. She's good isn't she?" He asked, referring to his friend, still singing on stage.

"Yeah, I guess so. I'm not really that into music..." Annie trailed off. He had to refrain himself from sighing. Every attempt at finding something they both like had failed, and every conversation he had tried to be involved in rather than listening to had failed. This was going to be a long night.

XXX

Emma smiled as she thanked the crowd for coming to see her. There were an awful lot of people there, even for a Friday. And even through the crowd she had noticed Darry, sitting closer to the back with some girl.

She undressed backstage, changing into her more comfortable clothes. Then she washed off the excessive amount of makeup, being gentle on her cheek. She wasn't sure if she should go say hi to Darry or not, she didn't want to interrupt anything. But, then again, he knew she worked here so maybe he was hoping she would go over. She Re-applied her makeup, lighter than before since it was dark enough in there that it wouldn't be too noticeable.

Emma Leah weaved her way through the tables and people to where Darry was sitting.

"Hey Darry, I didn't know you were coming tonight," She smiled enthusiastically as he and his date glanced up at her.

"Yeah, hey, you were really good up there," He told her, returning her smile. He hadn't expected her to come over to talk to him but was glad she did.

"And who's this?" Emma turned to the girl sitting across from him.

"This is my date Annie, Annie this is Emma," He introduced them. Annie gave her a quick smile then took a sip of her drink.

"Nice to meet you, Annie," Emma did her best to be polite, but was met with no response. "Did you enjoy the show?" She tried again for some polite conversation.

Annie shrugged, "Music isn't really my thing."

Emma's smile didn't falter, but she raised her eyebrows slightly and turned back to Darry. She could tell this girl obviously didn't want her there, and was starting to get uncomfortable. She wasn't planning on giving Darry a look that clearly said 'what's up her ass?' but she had. But what surprised her was Darry giving her a look back.

It was weird the way she felt like she knew what he was saying through that instant of an expression. They were reading each other's faces, and she knew by his that he wanted out of there.

"Well, it was good seeing you." She made her exit after he said his goodbye, and both women could clearly see he wished she would stay longer.

Emma didn't leave to go home. She made her way through the people to the bar, moving in behind it where she could still see them on their date. Annie had begun talking again, her mouth moving a mile a minute. And by the way Darry sat hunched forwards he looked like he wanted nothing more than to bolt out of there.

Emma looked up at a male bartender, a plan forming in her mind.

"Ethan?" She called to him. He looked up and came to her, confused as to why she was behind the bar. He was a little older than her, but worked every night to try to get himself through collage. "Could you do me a favour?"

"Depends what it is." He told her, whilst serving two beers to a man on the other side of the bar.

"You see that guy sitting over there in the dark shirt?" She pointed out Darry. "He's sitting with the red-head."

"Yeah..."

"Could you go over there and ask him if he's Darrel Curtis, then tell him he has a phone call?" She gave Ethan her best 'please' smile.

"Sure." He moved his way out from behind the bar and she watched him get to their table.

She was very pleased with herself. She had seen this done in a movie once; she just hoped it would work. Darry stood and followed Ethan to the bar, Annie watched him leave.

Emma thanked Ethan when he got back then turned to Darry. She smiled brightly at him.

"What?" He asked, eyeing her suspiciously since there was obviously no phone call.

"You don't look like you're having much fun." She pointed out.

"I'm not," he grumbled.

"So that's why I'm busting you out."

"What?" He was shocked. How did she expect to do that?

"Yeah, just go back and tell her your brother called and they need you. Tell her they set the house on fire or something..." She joked.

"I can't do that!"

"Why?" Her bottom lip pouted out as she realized her efforts had been in vain. She hadn't considered that he would want to stay.

"It's... well, it's not very polite to just leave her in the middle of a date." He explained. But he did not sound very convincing, and her hopes were up again. He was going to do it, she knew it.

"Suit yourself." She feigned being uninterested.

He hesitated, staring into her daring eyes. "Fine," He agreed, pretending to be reluctant. "I'll do it." He was actually glad she had done this. He couldn't wait for the date to end.

She smiled in success, "I knew you would! Come backstage after, the door is right next to the side exit."

Emma left him and made her way backstage to her room. She didn't understand why she was so happy he was doing it. She didn't understand why she was so happy to get an evening alone with him. But she didn't bother to question it.

XXX

They sat in the dimly lit room behind the stage. She had convinced Darry to let her buy him a drink and before they knew it he was returning the favour. She nearly fell off her chair as she held her sides in laughter. He just watched her, a content smile on his face. She was wasted by now, though they hadn't drank that much. She obviously didn't drink often since that little bit was enough to get her like this.

"Well, that really is just... bad." Darry commented.

"I know!" She attempted to compose herself, "so, your turn, what was your first kiss?"

He took a sip of his beer, "Cathy Woodrow. She was a year older than me, and jumped on me at the first real party I went to. I was young, but... well she was something."

She smushed up her face at him. "This isn't very fair."

"Why?"

"Because all my stories are embarrassing! You haven't told me a single embarrassing story yet!" She giggled when she realized how loud she was and took another sip of her drink.

"Okay, you want embarrassing?" He asked her, a relaxed smile on his face. She nodded vigorously. "When I was sixteen, I took this girl I really liked out on a date. I borrowed my dad's truck so I could go pick her up. We ended up in the back of it. Well while we were making out, her dad showed up. He started banging on the side of the truck and hollering for me to get away from her. I practically jumped right out of the truck!"

Emma Leah laughed full heartedly at him. He loved the way her laugh was genuine, not that snotty, fake laugh he heard from most girls.

"But that's not all. After he took her home he called my parents!" He smiled at the memory. "See, my dad had no problem with it, but my mom really flipped out. She was on me about responsibility and treating girls right and how it was only a first date and the girls dad didn't know where we were."

Her laughter was calming now, and they were both starting to feel a little tired. She finished her drink and pulled herself up from her seat.

"This was fun, but c'mon, it's late. You okay to drive?" She asked, stumbling a little as she reached for her coat.

Darry stepped up behind her and placed a hand on her back to steady her. He had only had a few beers and was far from tipsy. "Yeah, I'm fine."

He helped her to the exit, his arm moving from her back to around her waist. She really didn't think she had drank all that much, but was having difficulty keeping the ground steady.

They stepped outside and were greeted with a violent downpour of rain. Darry frowned to himself, peering through the waterfall to his truck across the street. He began to pull off his jacket, intending to hold it over her head, but as soon as his arm left her she was out of his reach.

Emma stepped happily into the rain, getting soaked instantly. She spun around to face Darry, a big grin on her face.

"What's so funny?" He asked, his own frown disappearing.

"I love the rain!" She shouted with her arms out, embracing the night. Her recently straight hair was quickly becoming a frizzy, curly mess. Her makeup ran down her face until she wiped it all off with her sleeve. Her clothes were soggy and soaked to her body. She was a mess, but Darry couldn't remember ever seeing anyone more beautiful.

Then he was in the rain with her, holding onto her hand as they rushed across the street. Her hand was completely swallowed in his, but she loved how warm his palms were. They rushed up to the door and he fiddled with the key until the door could be pulled open. He helped her in through his door then crawled in behind her as she moved across the seat.

She was still laughing, but she was shivering as well, her body quivering just a little with her voice.

"Here." Darry cranked up the heat then grabbed her hands, taking them between his. He squeezed them lightly, feeling how tiny and cold they were. Her shivering slowed as the car warmed up. Her hair plastered to the side of her face, hiding the bruise she forgot was there.

She looked up to meet his eyes, a drunken carelessness still in hers. For a moment everything froze. They were closer than she thought they were, she could feel his warm breath on her face. His strong hands still held hers. They both felt it; both wanted nothing more than to meet each other's lips. But before either could make a move Darry dropped her hands and turned to the wheel.

"We should get going." He said awkwardly. He wanted to kiss her, but he also knew she was drunk. He wanted to kiss her, but he wanted her to remember it the next day.

The drive was mostly in silence, other than their breathing and the rain pelting down on the windshield.

She was staring thoughtlessly out the window, too tired and drunk to think about anything. He tried his best not to think about anything. He tried not to pull over and kiss her. Tried not to think about how this was the most he had enjoyed himself in a while. He tried but failed.

When he dropped her off at her apartment, he parked and got out, walking her right to her door. His arm wrapped protectively around her, helping her walk and keeping her warm. She let press her tiny body into his own. She could feel the heat of his side through their wet shirts; she could feel the strength of his muscles. She wished they would never reach her door.

But, too soon, they did. She searched through her purse and pockets, but couldn't find keys. He knocked for her, wondering if Johnny would even be home.

Their worries were relieved when he opened the door, his eyes wide open but his blanket still around him.

"Hey guys..." He trailed off when he took in their soaked clothing. "It's like... two in the morning."

Emma giggled, amazed that it was so late. Johnny gave her a funny look.

"She's... a little tipsy. Just make sure she makes it to the bed." Darry told him as he moved her into Johnny's side.

He was a little shorter than her, but could easily support her weight as she leaned on him.

"Sure thing Dar."

"Thanks Johnny. Night."

"Night Darry!" Emma chimed as he closed the door behind him.

Darry strolled into his house minutes later, greeted by Soda sleeping on the couch and Two-Bit in the chair with the blanket bundled around him. He smiled at his kid brother-clearly trying to stay up to see how his date went.

He went to the closet and got an extra blanket, then laid it over Soda. He had hoped his brother would stay asleep, but instead he stirred and cracked one eye open.

"Darry!" His voice was quiet from sleep, but all the enthusiasm of Sodapop was there. "I guess it went well? You're home late." He mumbled through a yawn.

"Yeah, little buddy. I had a good time. Go back to sleep now." Darry pushed his hair back lovingly. Not a moment later Soda was asleep again.

Darry smiled again to himself. It was a good night.