A/N: (PLEASE READ!) Woohoo, update time!(: So, this chapter is pretty much an inner-monologue-type-thing from the great depths of Dallas's mind: his thoughts on Hallie, Johnny, Sylvia, whatever - you get the point. I'm trying really hard to capture Dallas's character in my writing. I don't know if it's working (let me know if it is/isn't!) but I am continuing to try my hardest. I've never written from the point of view of a hardened gangster from the sixties before, but I'm finding it increasingly difficult, lol. Also, I'm going to make it a point to try and make this Dallas/Hallie relationship develop slowly. I have read - and know how irritating it is to read - stories in which Dallas just falls in love at the drop of a dime. Which, as we all know, Dallas Winston would never do. So I don't want my fic to become another one of 'those'. It's going to take a very special person and one heckuva long time to get Dallas to realize that love even exists. That being said, I want this story to be realistic, and I want my perception of Dallas to match up with S.E. Hinton's original Dallas. (If that makes any sense.) (; Okay, enough with my random, long speech, and I hope I didn't offend anyone! I tend to unintentionally do that sometimes ;] Reviews do encourage me to write more, so please, if you have anything at all to say, go ahead! (: Okay, now on with the story!

"Go long!" Yelled Steve, getting in his stance and preparing to throw the football.

I ran back a couple yards and watched as the old, ratty ball soared through the air and landed right in my hands. I lifted my leg and tossed the ball under and up, only to catch it again in the air with one hand, letting out a yelp of victory.

"Show off!" Steve shouted with a toothy grin.

I laughed and threw the ball back at him. When he caught it, he looked down at it, his face deep in thought.

"I'm open!" I yelled from across the lot, trying to get his attention back.

He looked up at me, but instead of passing the ball, he ran it in to me.

"What's wrong?" I asked, a little irritated that our game had been cut short.

His lips were slightly pursed and his eyebrows still were furrowed with thought.

"Nothing," he said offhandedly, "But, uh, can I talk to you for a minute, Dal? I have something to show you."

"Sure," I shrugged, reaching back for my box of cigarettes.

We walked over to the tall oak tree in the middle of the lot and sat down under it's shade. I expected him to start talking once we were seated, but all he did was sit there with that same thoughtful face.

"What is it?" I asked, trying not to let my irritation show.

"I think.." He started and trailed off, "I think I'm going to ask Evie to marry me."

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a cheap looking, silver ring.

He looked up at me to see my reaction.

My eyes and mouth widened in surprise for a moment, causing my unlit cigarette fall to the ground. I reached down to pick it up, hurrying to compose my face.

"Is she.." I began, "Did you get her pregnant?"

Steve let out a small chuckle.

"No," he said, "No, she ain't pregnant."

I blinked and stared at him for a long time, waiting for him to continue.

"I just.. I don't know," he said, looking down at his hands.

I wasn't used to seeing Steve like this - all soft and nervous. He was usually tough. Like me.

"You remember what happened with Soda and Sandy, right?" He asked.

I thought back to the time when Pony and -I couldn't say his name- had run away, leaving his brothers and the rest of us worried. Soda was a mess with worry. And Sandy, that broad that he had cared for so much, hadn't made it any better by showing up at his doorstep with news of her leaving off to Florida and some other guy's bun in the oven.

"Yeah," I nodded, "I remember. So?"

"Remember how torn up Soda was when she left?" He asked again.

I did remember. I nodded.

"Soda really cared about Sandy," he said looking at me, then he let his voice dropped to a gruff whisper, "I would even say he loved her."

"What's that got to do with you and Evie, though?" I asked, getting more and more confused as this conversation continued.

"Well, seeing my best friend like that… After she left him.." he said, shaking his head, "It made me think, you know? About Evie and I. I thought about what it would be like if she left me like that, with news like that. And what I realized is that.. I don't know.. I guess I care about her more than I thought."

"Enough to marry her?" I asked incredulously. I didn't know why, but the thought of Steve falling for some girl made me mad. He was supposed to be hard and tough and not let anyone or anything get to him.. Like me.

He looked down again and let out a big sigh.

"Yeah," he said quietly at first, then a bit more confident, "Yeah, Dally. I want to marry her."

I just nodded and gave a shrug of false indifference.

"Whatever," I said, lighting up my cigarette and leaning against the tree.

"You ever think about the future, Dal?" He asked after a few silent minutes.

"What?" I asked.

"The future," he repeated, "Like marriage and stuff."

I smirked and closed my eyes.

"You really thing some girl is going to want to put up with me 'forever and always'?" I chuckled.

Steve chuckled a little bit, but I could tell he had been trying to be serious. And I didn't do well with these 'serious' talks.

"Maybe you should get a new girl," he suggested, lightening the mood, "I mean, Sylvia wasn't nothing special, anyway. We could find you a broad who won't two time ya."

My eyes opened as I recalled the night before when Hallie had finally convinced me to let her be my girl. I wasn't so sure, for some reason, that I wanted Steve and they guys to know just yet, though.

"Nah, man," I said, "I'm cool on my own."

"Are you sure," he persisted, sitting up straighter, "Because my cousin's coming to town next week and-"

"No, Steve," I interrupted him. I remembered Steve's cousin. She wasn't exactly what I would call a sight for sore eyes. Either way though, I had Hallie. I just wish Steve would shut up about it.

"Wait," Steve said, after studying my face for a while, "Do you already.. Have a girl?"

I swallowed.

"No," I said.

"Liar," Steve smirked.

I rolled my eyes and turned away.

"You are lying!" He said and laughed his usual, playful, annoying laugh.

I ignored him and continued smoking my cigarette.

"Is it that new, greasy broad that moved in the house next to Sylvia's?" he asked.

"No," I said sharply.

"Then who is it?" he asked, "Do I know her?"

"You don't know her." I said, getting highly annoyed.

His eyebrows furrowed in.

"But I know most all the girls on this side of-" He stopped mid sentence and widened his eyes.

"You're not dating a..a Soc are you?" He asked.

I laughed, remembering my conversation with Hallie

I don't even know what a Soc is! She had said, And what is all this Greaser business?

"No," I said, still smirking, remembering Hallie's enraged confusion.

"Well then who is she?" He asked impatiently.

I sighed in defeat.

"Her name is Hallie," I said, "She's new here."

"Greaser?" He asked.

"No," I said again, "She's neutral."

Steve laughed incredulously.

"That won't last long around here," he said, "Too much rivalry for that."

I nodded. I couldn't disagree with him there.

We sat for a few minutes, smoking and just thinking. Then Steve smiled and stood up.

"Do the guys know about her?" He asked.

"Nah," I shrugged.

An evil smile crept up on his face.

"Steve.." I warned as I realized what he was thinking.

But before I could even stand up to stop him, he had already taken off down the sidewalk toward the Curtis' house, where I knew everyone would be waiting. I rolled my eyes and stood up before stomping out my half-gone cigarette and trudging after him. Oh, boy.