Ok guys. I'm really stressed about homework and stuff, but it's almost christmas break, so I'm gonna finish this story by new years. Or I will try...If you guys haven't heard, I'm writing a series of sorts. One story for each Outsiders gang member. They story lines wont connect, but you get to pick the story lines for Steve, Pony, and Two-Bit! (or at least you get a say) Tell me in a comment or PM me!

Thanks! I don't own the Outsiders.

Oh, and by the way, I said that Angela was 17 in this by accident...deal with it.

Dally POV

I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that I had just punched someone. My hand hurt, and a heavy weight lay in my stomach.

Angela stared wide-eyed at me. "I-I'm sorry-" I stammered, but she shook her head.

"I should be thanking you."

"What-Why-"

"What was my dad doing to me?" She asked sadly. "Dally, you changed because you lost all of your memories. I used to be...different. I wore too short skirts, I went out with a lot of guys, I lied, cheated, stole, drank myself into the gutter, anything and more that you can imagine."

"What changed you?"

She smiled ruefully. "My dad. He remarried. A real bad woman who also cheats and lies and drinks herself into the gutter." She laughed bitterly. "Just like me. Worthless, the whole lot of us."

"I don't think you're worthless." I mumbled, blushing. She laughed like wind chimes, and continued the story.

"Well, when he remarried, my dad turned violent. He always sucked at being a father. He alway hit Tim and Curley, but then he started hitting me. That's when I changed. He called me a slut, whore, all the names you hear people flip around about me at school."

"I'm sorry Ange." She gave me a weird look, and I realized I had just given her a nickname. "I mean...Angela."

"No, Ange is fine. I just didn't expect it is all." There was a silence that seemed to hang heavier in the air than normal silence. "Well, you should get going. My dad will wake up soon, and I don't want you getting hurt."

"I should stay. Make sure he doesn't hit you again."

"I'll be fine, just go. Please. I'll see you at school tomorrow." She shoved me towards the door, and slammed it behind me.

I began the long walk home.

Darry ran out to greet me, a panic stricken look on his face. "Hey Darry. What are you doing home so early?"

He brought me into a bear hug. "I'm not home early. You're home late. Where have you been?"

"I was helping Angela Shepard." Darry nodded, then grinned at me. He wasn't as tough on me as he was on Pony. I guess he accepted that I wasn't really his brother. "Hey Dal, we have a surprise for you."

I walked curiously in the door, and a split second later, flung myself at the man standing there, squealing like an excited little girl.

"TIM!" I yelled so loudly, Darry winced and Soda and Pony came bounding out of the kitchen to see what was up.

He laughed at pulled me into a hug. I clung to him, not even realizing how much I had missed him until this very moment.

"Hey Dal." He said, cool and collected as ever.

"What happened? Why aren't you in jail?"

"Someone gave the police hard evidence that it was Johnny who killed the Soc."

"Wow." I marveled. "I'm so glad you're back!"

"Glad to be back kid. I only stopped in for a little while, just to see how you're doing. I have to go to my own house also, see my gang."

My smiled slided off my face as I remembered Angela. "Tim, listen..." and I told about her predicament. His face became stonier with every word I said.

"That rat bastard." He growled out, causing Pony to wince in the kitchen door. "Listen, I'm sorry Dal, but I have to go-"

"Yeah, no, go. She needs your help." He hesitated for a second, taking in my appearance. His eyebrows drew together when he noticed my hand.

"What happened to you hand Dal?"

"I uh- well, it sort of just happened, and it was the only way to stop him..." My voice de-crescendoed to a soft murmur.

"Did you hit him Dal?" Tim sounded horrified, and I nodded looking down at my shoes. Tim gave Darry a look. The look said 'you take care of this.' Darry gave an almost imperceptible nod, and Tim turned to leave.

"Hey Dal? Can I talk to you for a second?" Darry's voice was falsely cheery,

"Um, yeah, sure Dare."

He gestured for me to sit on the couch, and I perched on the edge, ready to make a quick get-away.

"Dal, why did you hit Mr. Shepard?" I meant to say sorry, to claim that I didn't mean it, but as I opened my mouth, different words tumbled out as if of their own accord.

"He deserved it. Like Tim said, what a jerk. He hit Ange. I wan't just gonna stand by."

"Dal, I can't believe that I have to tell you this, but you can't hit people."

"Why not? You and Soda and Pony do. And Two-Bit and Steve and-"

"Yes but..."

"I'm older than Pony and Soda."

"Yes, still.."

"Darry, I'm sorry. I really am sorry that I disappointed you and that I embarrassed Ange, but if you are asking me to be sorry for hitting that guy, I'm sorry but I can't do that."

Darry sighed. I knew he wasn't done, but I took advantage of his temporary silence. "I'm gonna go to bed. It's getting late." It wasn't late, only about eight thirty, but I didn't want to be with people.

I didn't go to my room either. I went into Pony's room to find this book that he had been raving about. I didn't really like to read, but I was trying to be smarter.

I spotted "The grapes of Wrath" on his desk, and picked it up. When I did, I spotted something else. Something handwritten in Pony's neat figures.

It was long. Must've been hundred of pages. I flipped to a random page and began to read. "-It's the first big rumble we've had-not countin' the time we whipped the Shepard's outfit.' 'He came by,' Johnny said."

My heart lurched at the name Johnny. "Tim Shepard?' Johnny nodded. 'Came to see Dally.' Tim and Dallas had always been buddies.

"'Did you know you got your name in the paper for being a hero?'"

"Johnny almost grinned as he nodded. "Tuff 'Nuff." he managed, and by the way his eyes were glowing, I figured Southern gentlemen had nothing on Johnny Cade."

I stopped reading the page and turned to a different one. The writing was really good, and I was proud of Pony for writing it.

"'We won,' Dally panted. 'We beat the Socs. We stomped them-chased them outa our territory.'"

Johnny didn't even try to grin at him. 'Useless...fighting's no good...' He was awful white.

Dally licked his lips nervously. "They're still writing editorials about you in the paper. For being a hero and all.' He was talking too fast and too calmly. "Yeah, they're calling you a hero now an heroizin' all the greasers. We're all proud of you buddy."

I dropped the paper, and I felt a sob escape my lips as memory broke the dam of my mind and flooded back painfully, leaving destruction behind in it's wake.