Chapter 6: Until The Day I Die

"We'll make the same mistakes
I'll take the fall for you
I hope you need this now
Cause I know I still do
Until the day I die (Until the day I die)
I'll spill my heart for you"

-Story Of The Year

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes the next morning was Dally's.

"Mornin'"

"Good morning" I replied as he draped his arm across my side.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

I thought for a minute, and than I remembered that we had to go and tell the guys about Johnny and Ponyboy's unexpected trip.

I nodded. "As long as you're with me".

"Course I'll be there" and than he rolled over and crawled out of bed.

I rubbed the grit out of my eyes and than toppled out of bed onto the floor, I was NOT a morning person.

I looked up and grinned sheepishly at Dally who just rolled his eyes and than dropped his jeans so they landed strategically on my face.

A few minutes later we were walking down the street. We were both quiet and had our hands stuffed in our pockets.

I was envisioning the scenario which was about to unfold. Sodapop would worry but he'd understand and realize that they would come back and everything would be good, but Darry was another story.

All too soon we reached the house.

I only came back to earth when I heard the gate creak open as Dally opened it. I noticed that I had fallen behind him.

"Come on" he called and I hurried up.

He then led the way up the stairs and before he opened the door I slipped my hand into his. He didn't say anything but he didn't let go.

Two-Bit and Steve were sitting on the couch watching Mickey Mouse, Darry was at the kitchen table reading the newspaper, which headline read, "Young Man Found Stabbed To Death" and Sodapop was sitting on the couch shooting a dirty look at him.

I could feel an awkward tension and it didn't lift when me and Dally walked in hand in hand.

"Did you see Ponyboy?" Darry launched himself up.

"Why would you care? It's your fault he left" Sodapop cried.

I bit my lip and squeezed Dally's hand; luckily he took it upon himself to let them know what was going on.

"Him and Johnny had to leave town for a bit".

"What!? What do you mean had to leave town?" Soda was now standing up.

"They ain't involved with that Soc's death are they?" Steve asked, but didn't look up from the TV as though he just threw it out there but didn't expect the answer to be yes.

When Dally and I didn't answer he looked up, realization dawning in his eyes. "Oh shit"

"Tell me they ain't!" Sodapop said.

"It was defense; they came after him and Ponyboy. If he didn't take action than Pony woulda been dead instead" I cried stepping forward.

Darry glared down at me, I could see tears forming in his eyes.

"Where the hell are they?" he bellowed.

"Hey calm down man" Dally stepped in front of me and stared Darry down.

"They're fine. They'll come back when we fix this mess alright?"

"Where'd they go Dallas?" Darry whispered in a deadly voice.

"Texas" I whispered.

All eyes were on me. "They've gone to Texas"

"Than I'm goin' to Texas to find them" Two-Bit had flicked the TV off and stood up.

"No! Let the dust settle here before we go and get 'em. Sides we got other problems" Dally spoke up.

"Oh yeah? What other problems are we talkin' 'bout besides Ponyboy and Johnny hidin' out in Texas cuz they killed somebody?" Soda asked.

"The Soc's that are goin' to be out for blood" Dally crossed his arms and stared pointedly at everyone as if to get his point across. "We have to stick together".

"God almighty" Steve muttered from the floor. "They started a war".

For a while we all sat in silence, each in their own thoughts. Dally called over Tim Shepard and his gang and they began to discuss the impending rumble as I sat on the couch biting my nails and wondering if Ponyboy and Johnny were alright.

I only looked up when Dally grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me up. "We're goin' to the Dingo to get somethin' to eat, anyone else comin'?"

There was a round of no's and some called later so he pulled me out the door. His shoulders were tense and he had gone through 8 cigarettes before we reached the Dingo.

We barely spoke because we were both thinking again however the mood lightened slightly as we slipped into our usual booth by the window and ordered drinks.

"Everything's okay isn't it?" I whispered as I stirred my straw around in my extra creamy strawberry milkshake.

He cracked his knuckles and leaned back. "The Soc's know that they were Greasers"

"I guess it's not safe for me to walk anywhere alone now" I smiled weakly but Dallas didn't.

"You're damn right it ain't!" but before he could start ranting Two-Bit and Sodapop joined us.

"Next Fridays when the Rumbles gonna happen" Sodapop told us as Two-Bit ordered a round of burgers for us.

"Dally you got it covered?" he grinned.

Dallas shot him a death glare but pulled out a crumbled 10. "I needa start ridin' again".

I couldn't help but smile, thinking of Dallas on top of a bucking bronco. Dally rode in Buck Merrils rodeos for cash every once in awhile, Two-Bit and Sodapop dragged me to one a year ago and as I watched him I couldn't help but fall for him.

"Well you can always sell that ring of yours" Two-Bit shot back as Dallys' prized ring gleamed when the light hit it. It was a ring that I had worn for 9 months when I was going steady with him.

"Fat chance" he snorted as the waitress came back and set our plates down. Dally winked at her and she giggled.

I kicked him in the shin and he just winked at me and took a bite out of his burger.

After we finished eating we headed to the vacant lot where Tim Shepard and his gang were hanging out. I hung back as Sodapop, Two-Bit and Dally talked to them. I than noticed a car pull up with a redheaded girl driving.

I felt a pang of jealousy when I noticed who the red head was. Sherri Valance had just gotten out of her red Stingray and approached Dally. I felt sick as I noticed the smirk on his face and the twinkle in his eye.

"I knew you couldn't resist me" he winked.

"Keep dreaming. I'm here on business. I've come to let you know that I'll testify that Bob was drunk and they started the fight and Ponyboy and Johnny only fought back in self- defense, if it goes to court" her voice was cool and I couldn't help but admire her courage.

"Well that's really cool of you, ain't it boys?"

They were some chuckles and I crossed my arms feeling self-conscious as I heard them whisper about how lucky Dally was that she came lookin' for him.

"Say Cherry, how about I take you to the Dingo for a coke" Dally turned back to her.

Now it felt like someone had plunged a dagger through my heart. I looked up at her and to my surprise she was looking at me. We held each other's gazes, she smiled a small, sympathetic smile and than looked back at him. "Go to hell Dallas Winston" and she slid back into her car and took off.

The other guys hooted and hollered and clapped him on the back as Two-Bit and Sodapop each slung an arm around my shoulders.

"That was close" Sodapop whispered.

I just shrugged. "It's not like I cared".

"Sure you didn't" Two-Bit smirked and than he passed me a beer.

It was just getting dark as Two-Bit and Sodapop walked me home. Dally had left with Tim, most likely to Bucks and maybe to go and spend the night with Sylvia but I shook my head. I hoped that Dally wouldn't do that, because sometimes I liked to think that he may actually care about my feelings.

"Cheer up Don. I guarantee you that he'll be here tonight" Sodapop told me as we stopped in front of the fence.

"Why do you think that?"

"'Cuz he loves you Donna Nonna Bonnana" Two-Bit was saying as he staggered from side to side, drunk, again.

"Yeah, what he said. He'll come. But we better get goin', see you later".

I hugged them good bye than walked inside. When I closed the door behind me I leaned on it and bit my lip. "I hope you guys are right" and than I wandered up stairs.

I opened my eyes when I felt something brush by my forehead.

"Dally?" I asked looking up at him as he stood over me.

"Yeah it's me. You should lock your door" he said sitting down beside me.

"No one knows it's unlocked except you and Two-Bit"

"Does Two-Bit come to see you in the middle of the night?" he snapped.

"No, only you Dally"

"Good"

I only nodded and shivered as a breeze blew in through the open window. Dally pulled the covers up over me more and than laid down beside me.

"Why is that good?"

"Why's what good?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around me.

"That Two-Bit doesn't come and see me in the middle of the night"

He shifted beside me so he was pressed right against me. "Cuz"

"Is it because you'd be jealous?"

He snorted. "No, I know that you love me more than Two-Bit"

I nodded. "That's true. But Two-Bit is my best friend" I yawned as I started to get more drowsy.

"Donna, do you still love me?"

I had closed my eyes again and was beginning to fall asleep. "I think so. Night Dally".

"Hey Donna. Don't fall asleep yet"

My eyes snapped open again as he took my hand and slipped something on it.

"Dally?" I whispered lifting my hand and noticing that he put his ring on my wedding finger.

"I'm just makin' sure it don't get ruined durin' the rumble, it'd be safer if you wore it"

"Well why not give it to me than?"

"Just cuz! You ask too many questions" he snapped.

"But you still love me" I mocked him, and I didn't expect his response.

"Yeah, and I probably always will"

I sat up slowly. "You do?"

He ignored me though. "Dally? Did you mean what you just said?" I wasn't tired anymore.

Still no answer. "I know you're not asleep!"

He pretended to snore, I hit him on the shoulder than screamed as he rolled on top of me and held my hands over my head.

I looked up at him and he let my arms go than leaned down. I watched, and waited until are lips met and than I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt like I was in a whole new world when Dally kissed me, he was the only one for me.

After we made love I watched him sleep and finally admitted to myself that I did love Dallas Winston, and I couldn't imagine not being with him for the rest of my life.

There's just 2 more chapters left! Okay so I'm not too sure but I did some research and some sources said that Dally rode in the rodeos so I incorporated it in to my story. Also mentioning his ring is going to become important for the sequel that I'm already writing. The last 2 chapters are already done and so is the first chapter of the sequel. I'll be posting the last 2 chapters within the next couple of days.

Reviews? Please? & I want to thank everyone who has read and reviewed from the very beginning!

Hope you all have a very Happy New Year!

Don't get too smashed :P