I unfortunately don't own the outsiders. I do own Dani and PreppyKrissy owns Serena. And Krissy, the World Cup was an awesome game. too bad France didn't win, but w/e. It was cool, even though we didn't get a chance to argue over it. there's always the next one in 4 more years. omg. that's too long.

Well, everyone thanks for the reviews. R&R

Chapter 5

Pony's POV

"Where's Dani?" Dallas asked, with anger in his voice, walking in the door.

"Kitchen," I answered.

He walked into the kitchen and immediately started yelling. "You kissed a fucking Soc? How the hell could you do that?"

I remained on the couch, not wanting to get involved. I was the only one home, besides Dani. Everyone else was either at work or out walking around town.

"Calm down. That happened like two weeks ago, and I had a reason," Dani said.

"Oh yeah! What? You run out of greasers to sleep with?"

"What? You think I sleep with all the guys I flirt with? I've never slept with any of those guys! I'm a fucking virgin!"

"Then what the hell was the reason?"

"I had to give them what they wanted! If I hadn't they would've beat the shit outta Pony and Johnny!"

"Pony and Johnny can take care of themselves!"

"No they can't Dal! They're just kids! They were scared! I was scared! We aren't like you! We get hurt!"

There was a silence coming from the kitchen and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. I walked outside and sat on the porch. I couldn't help but feel somewhat responsible for this argument between Dani and Dally. She was trying to protect me and Johnny.

Dani came out of the house with tears in her eyes. "Hey Dani, where ya goin'?" I asked.

"The lot. You wanna come?"

"Sure."

We walked over to the lot and sat in the grass. She started crying and put her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her and tried to comfort her. In a few minutes, she stopped crying and lifted her head.

"Thanks Ponyboy. You're a really good friend."

"No problem. What're friends for?"

"Pony, can you give me a minute with Dani?" I heard Dallas say from behind me.

I turned around and said, "Yeah sure. I'll meet you back at the house." I got up and walked away.

Dally's POV

I sat down in the grass next to Dani. She wouldn't look at me. "Listen Dani. I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said back there. I know you're not like that."

She looked at me and said, "I know. I had no choice but to kiss him. It was either that or watch them beat up Johnny and Pony. I couldn't let that happen."

"I know. Come here," I said and pulled her into a hug. When we broke apart I said, "C'mon. Let's go back to the house. Pony's probably worried about you."

"Yeah," she said, and we got up off the grass and walked to the house.

Dani went straight into the bathroom, and I heard the shower turn on. I went and sat down on the couch. Pony must've been in his room because I didn't see him anywhere.

There was a knock at the door. No one ever knocks here, they just walk right in. I got off the couch and answered the door.

"Shepard. What're ya doin' outta the cooler? I thought you were in for three months," I said, moving aside so he could come in.

"Got out early, good behavior," Tim said.

"So what brings you over to the Curtis's?"

"Curly told me your sister wanted me to come find her when I got out."

"She does? How'd he find that out?"

"She told him to come find me. He met her at some party."

"Hmm…well she's in the shower so you're gonna have to wait."

Ten minutes later, Dani walked into the living room, wearing a towel. "Jesus Christ, Dani! Put some clothes on."

"They're in Serena's room, and that's where I'm goin'," she answered.

I sighed and looked at Tim. "God damn it, Shepard. Stop starin' at my sister."

"Sorry."

Dani didn't move. "So you're Tim Shepard?"

"The one and only."

"You don't look anything like how I pictured you."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"I don't know, but I expected you to look a whole lot tougher."

"Well, baby, I'm the toughest you're gonna meet." I glared at him when he called her baby.

"Dani, go get dressed, and stop starin' at her like that," I said and hit Tim in the back of the head. Dani rolled her eyes and went to Serena's room.

"What the hell did ya hit me for?"

"For starin' at Dani like that. I thought you'd be one of the guys I wouldn't have to worry about droolin' over her."

"Sorry, man, but your sister's hot."

"Yeah, yeah."

"So how'd she find out 'bout me anyways?"

"I threatened Jay when I found him makin' out with her. Told him he was lucky you weren't there or we'd both kick his ass."

"Jay, from my gang?" I nodded.

"Anyways she asked where you were, and when I told her you were in the cooler for robbing a gas station, she said it was 'fascinating'."

"Tuff, so that's why she wanted me to come find her?"

"I guess, but I don't know what she'd find fascinating about a hood like you."

"You're just as much a hood as I am."

"Exactly. She's seen it all before so I don't get why she's interested all of a sudden."

"She's interested 'cause I'm not her brother," he said and grinned.

Just then, Dani came walking into the living room, wearing short, tight shorts and a low cut tank top. "Jesus Christ, Dani, what the hell are you wearin'?"

"Clothes, Dal. Everybody wears them. Even you when you're not with a girl," she replied.

"Quite the mouth on her, huh?" Tim said.

"Yeah. Where ya goin' dressed like that?"

"DX. Goin' to help Soda and Steve."

"You ain't gonna help them. You're gonna flirt with them."

"What's the difference?" she asked, smirking.

I rolled my eyes. "I don't want ya walkin' alone. Remember what happened before."

"I wasn't alone, remember? I had Pony and Johnny. So if you'll excuse me, I'm goin'."

"Not by yourself."

"I'll go with her. Gotta head home and check on Angel and Curly anyways," Tim said.

I just stared at him.

"She'll be fine. She'll be with me."

"That's what I'm worried about."

"Stop worryin'. You're gonna get wrinkles," Dani told me, smiling and walked out the door.

"See ya later Winston," Tim said.

"Don't touch my sister," I threatened. Tim smirked and walked out.

Dani's POV

I was already walking away from the house when Tim caught up to me. "You don't have to walk with me. I can take care of myself."

"It's no problem. I want to get to know ya a little better," he said.

"Yeah, I know what guys mean when they say 'I want to get to know ya better,' and the answer's no."

"That's not what I meant. I'm not gonna have sex with you. You're Winston's little sister. I can't do that."

I cocked my eyebrow and said, "Yeah, okay."

"So how long you been in Tulsa?"

"Umm…a little more than a month."

"How come you came here?"

"Dal and our dad are the only family I have besides my mom, and she's got herself a drunk, abusive boyfriend."

"Oh. I know how that is. My old man's actually drunk and abusive."

"Oh, sorry."

"It's no problem. I don't live with him anyway. Got my own place."

"That's good. I wish Dal had his own place. Then I wouldn't have to sleep on the couch or share a bed with Serena."

"I have extra rooms at my place, so you could stay at my house if you wanted."

I cocked my eyebrow again.

"It was just a suggestion. Dal could even stay over, too."

"I'll think about it."

"So how come I was supposed to come find ya when I got outta the cooler?"

"Is that why you were at the Curtis's?" He nodded. "Hmm…well I thought it was kinda tuff that you were in there. I like the tough guys. The 'bad boy' type is my favorite."

"And you thought I was the 'bad boy' type?"

"I guess, but you really don't seem it," I said as we reached the DX.

"Dani!" Soda yelled from the door of the office.

"I guess I'll see ya later, Dani," Tim said.

"Definitely," I said and watched him walk away.

I walked over to where Soda was and said, "Hey Sodapop. Fancy meetin' you here."

"Ha ha. Funny. So what're ya doin' here?"

"Came here to help," I said and sat on the hood of a parked car.

"You have a sense of humor today. What're we gonna do with you?" Soda said, grinning.

I couldn't help but smile back. "Steve workin' on a car?"

"Yeah, he's around back."

"Hmm…and you are working on…what?"

"The cash register, pumps, and the customers."

"Mhmm…sure. Just admit that you'd rather be out here flirting with all the pretty girls than workin' on cars with Steve."

"Nope. I'm out here 'cause Steve don't need me back there."

"Mhmm…sure. Likely story."

Soda went into the office and brought out two bottles of Pepsi. "Thanks." I took a sip and saw Ponyboy coming towards the station. "Hey Ponyboy," I said, "Who's your friend?"

"Mark, this is Dani, Dally's sister," Pony answered.

"Nice to meet ya, Mark," I said, remaining on the car.

"Yeah, likewise," Mark said. He was Pony's size with golden hair and eyes.

"So Dani, what're you doin' here?" Pony asked.

"Oh, just helping out."

"Helping or flirting?"

"More of the second one," Soda answered for me. I grinned. "Dani here is a big tease," Soda explained to Mark. "She flirts and will kiss ya, but won't go any further."

"I am not a tease."

"Yes you are," Pony and Soda responded simultaneously. I just shrugged.

"So what're you doin' tonight, Pony," I asked.

"Me and Mark are goin' on the Ribbon with his brother, Bryon."

"Oh, sounds fun. What're you doin' Sodapop?"

"Me and Steve are headin' over to the Dingo with these girls."

"What about me? I thought I was you guys' girl."

"Sorry babe. You're not putting out enough for us."

I slid off the car and hit him in the arm.

"I was only kidding. Man, but we do got dates tonight."

"Well have fun, then. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

He looked puzzled for a minute and then asked, "Is there anything you wouldn't do?" He grinned.

"Fine then. Don't do anything Pony wouldn't do."

"Hey!" Pony said. I smiled.

"Well, I guess I'm gonna be goin' so this sexy man over here can get back to work," I said, referring to Soda.

"Bye Dani."

"Bye Pony. Nice meeting you, Mark. Maybe we'll see each other again."

"Yeah, maybe," he answered and I walked down the street.