A/N: Feel free to replace my OC Rowan with your own. I will admit I get agitated when I see DallyXOther people stories because I'm that obsessed XD Enjoy! And remember, I'm always looking for critism!

Disclamer: I don't own The Outsiders because if I did, I would've gave Dally a twist in his end.

Rowan's POV

Dally pulled into Dairy Queen and got me a burger from the drive-through. I could tell that Pony and Johnny were on his mind; he wasn't focused and had a nervous vibe.

"I'll probably take Johnny and Ponyboy up to one of these when I see 'em again. If I see 'em again." He sipped his 7-Up and blew into the straw making bubbles.

"When you see them again, I'm sure they'll like it, Dallas. They're gonna be fine, just fine. They have money and a heater. You did all you could. Quit frettin' 'bout it."

He shrugged and continued to drink his soda. I meant what I said about always remembering Dally like that. He seemed happy then. I hope he was. From what I've heard, Dallas Winston is a very angry and unhappy, irritating person. He's my friend. I feel like I can tell him that, or tell him things I can't tell others, but I don't wanna scare him off. I bit my lip. I did not know what to say now.

"When do you think the story will be published?" I finally asked. I had to keep Dal talking.

"Tomorrow. Maybe it is being written as we speak…"

I took a deep breath and breathed out. "You wanna go home, Dal? You can come over if you want."

Dallas drummed his fingers on the car door, then nodded. "Sure. I mean, thanks. I need someone now, I'm just so worried for Johnny."

As we drove home in mostly silence, Dally seemed to cool a little bit. Maybe he took in what I said. I reached into my jean pocket and found some gum.

"Can I interest you in some gum?" I asked, unwrapping a piece for myself. He grabbed the pack and horsed down the rest of the pieces.

"You owe me three pieces, Winston," I said slugging him. "Now that it comes to mind, you into football? My father's favorite team are the Cowboys. Dallas Cowboys."

Dally shrugged. "Not really a sporty guy, but I'll root for 'em. After all, they have the best name around. But hey, aren't you from Boston? New England? Wouldn't you be a Patriots fan?" I shook my head. "Hell no. I hate 'em. Something I share with my father. Hatred for the Pats." We turned onto my street and the fuzz were surrounding the Curtis house. Darry, Sodapop, Steve and Two-Bit were outside as well, looking flushed and nervous.

"Shit...," Dally mumbled. "Listen, if they ask about you, say you're a hitchhiker. They're probably after my ass. I don't want you getting mixed up in this crap."

Dally started to drive by nonchalantly, but a police officer stopped him. "Are you Dallas Winston?" Dallas nodded, reluctantly. I'd think he'd lie, but he told the truth. Something's changed.

"Come with me, sir." At this point, I was already out of the vehicle and staggering towards the gang. I tried acting calm and oblivious to what I knew. Aloof from the murder of the Soc.

"What's going on, guys?" I asked, feeling my blood begin to heat in my body. I didn't want them to figure out I was lying. I like the gang, and I wanna hang around.

Darry was pacing back and forth, and I don't think he was paying attention much. Neither was Soda. He seemed weary as well. Steve and Two-Bit huddled me in close to tell me what I already knew.

"Ponyboy went missing last night after Dare pushed him," Steve explained to me. This part was new to me. "Johnny is gone too, we found out ourselves. His idiotic parents didn't know shit. Some Soc was killed last night too."

My skin developed goosebumps and I felt uncomfortable, but I withheld. No way am I breaking.

"Darry called the cops, and they are connecting Pony and Johnny to the murder-a hit and run!"

Two-Bit joined in finally, "I betcha that Dallas had somethin' to do with it." Two-Bit always putting in his two cents. My instincts jumped and I couldn't help defending Dal.

"Don't go blaming everything on Dally, he doesn't do everything bad. Besides, he was at Buck Merril's house last night, I know, I was there." I stopped myself, hopefully they wouldn't question me.

One pig walked over to Darry and started talking to him. I pushed through Steve and Two-Bit and stood next to the much taller man. Darry was six-foot-two, and I was five-foot-three. He towered over me as I reminded myself not to make him mad.

"We're taking Winston into the station, he knows about everything bad that goes on 'round town," I snorted, but it went unnoticed. "We'll look for your brother, but keep in mind that he could be connected to the murder." Darry kept calm. "Thanks, Officer." The cop resumed into his car, Dally in the back seat.

Two-Bit seemed confused. "I-I'm gonna go watch Mickey. I-I can't think straight." He ran into the house.

Soda was patting Darrel on the back. "It's not your fault, Dare. He didn't have to run off."

Darry snapped, pushing Sodapop away. "Yes it is! I shouldn't have hit my kid-brother! Now he's off to God knows where!"

Darrel ran inside. Soda turned to me and was breathing heavily. "I need to talk to Dally. Do you know where he might go after he's interrogated?"

I couldn't act suspicious, so I spilled the beans. "Probably Buck Merril's. But I'm not certain." Sorry, Dally. It's Sodapop, it can't be bad.

"Thanks, Rowan," he said, going inside. That left me and Steve out there, so I decided to make conversation.

"I hope Johnny and Ponyboy are okay," I said, truthfully. I really do, I didn't have to lie about that. Steve nodded looking down. He wasn't handsome at all. Or maybe he was behind the gap in his tooth.

"I kinda made it seem like I didn't want Pony around before, because I didn't. But now that he could be dead out there, I realized I was wrong." He put his forehead in his palm and walked into the house, I followed.

"M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!" Two-Bit was lost in his world of Disney, singing and dancing to Mickey, like he hadn't even a single clue of what happened.

I grabbed an empty can of Pepsi and chucked it at his head, nailing it dead-on. "Shut the Hell up, Mathews. It's a serious moment and you're here goofing off like some five year old."

Steve and Soda snickered a little. Even Darry did, despite himself.

Soda started searching for something, paper in his hand. "I know Dallas has information, I just know it."

Darry sighed. "Soda, you're acting like you're full of shit. Dally probably knows nothing."

"Yeah, probably. He still could."

"I dunno, Pepsi-Cola, I dunno…"

Soda occupied a pen in his left hand and began writing. I didn't know he was a lefty. I hovered over his shoulder. "Do you mind me reading?" He shook his head and bit the tip of his pen.

"Not at all, Row. I'm gonna write Pone a letter, and send him a Pepsi. I know Dally knows where he is. I'll make sure he gets it."

I nodded and watch Soda write. Man, he really had a reason to drop out. So many spelling and grammar errors. I didn't say anything, I didn't want to be rude.

Soda slammed his pen down and got up. "I don't know what to say now, I'll finish it later."

We sat in silence for a while, but I had something on my mind I was itching to get out. "If Ponyboy comes home, I mean when he does, I wanna tell him that when he grows up, his name should be Horseman."

Two-Bit actually stopped watching Mickey and went into hysterics. Steve was grabbing onto the couch to stay on his feet and Soda was on the ground. "My abs, my abs!" he shouted. Even Darry was laughing like a maniac. Maybe this will help them learn that there is always room for a little happiness in the darkest hours.

Dally's POV

My back was bruised, my lip throbbing. I had to give in. This interrogation was tough. I was holding in as long as I could for Johnnycake. And that other kid too, I guess. But I couldn't no more. I wasn't about to let these cops kill me.

"We're gonna ask you one more time, son. Where are Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade, and did they kill Robert Sheldon?"

I looked down. I didn't want to be beat no more. This is what Johnny must get from his old man. Man, life is unfair. "Johnny killed him. Early this morning at like, two-thirty man. They told me they're on their way to Texas."

The cops looked satisfied. "Thanks, Winston." He spit out his tobacco. What an ugly piece of shit this guy was. He had about a thousand bags under his eyes, and a beer belly. I held back from beating this guy for Johnny. I realized, I do a lot of shit for Johnny, including that beating for half an hour.

I got out of the station and used the payphone outside, dialing the Curtis home.

"Hello?" asked a voice.

"Yeah, Two-Bit?" I replied.

"Yeah, Dally? How was it man?"

"Painful, let me talk to Rowan."

"She's not here right now, sorry."

"God damnit!" I spat. I really need her.

I heard Two-Bit laughing. "What's so freakin' funny, man?"

"She's here, I was just jokin' with ya."

"You bastard, I'll kill you for wasting my time. Wiseass."

"Hello? Dally?" It was Rowan.

"Rowan! Do me a favor and beat Two-Bit before you come meet me at the station."

She chuckled. "Deal. I guess I'm meeting you at the station. See you in five."

I lit a cigarette and soon enough, she pulled into the parking lot. "Thank God, I'm finally getting the hell out of here."

"Where you headed, Dal?" she asked me, putting the car and reverse and getting on the road.

"Buck's. I'm spending the night there again." She nodded and I rested my head, closing my eyes. I felt like I've been shot everywhere. After a few minutes, I was being jostled. "Dal, we're here."

I opened my eyes. This wasn't Buck's, it was the Curtis home.

"Rowan, what the Hell, I said Buck's!" I hit the car door out of anger.

"You better get your ass in there and tell that kid's brothers what's going on with him and Johnny. They deserve to know." She was right, but I wasn't gonna be the one to admit it.

"Hell. No. Over my dead body." She looked at me, discus taking over her gaze. "I have a heater somewhere in here, I can arrange that."

I let out my famous laugh because she was funny. "Do you want me to slash your tires, Winston?"

I got out of the car, and slammed the door. "Fine. But go to Hell for being the only person who makes me do shit." I winked at her and slithered through the door, with the cute broad on my heels.

"What's up guys?" I asked, instantly getting shot with a million questions all at once. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, one at a time boys." Two-Bit was singing Mickey Mouse. When the fuck will that kid grow up? "Hey, Mathews, shut the Hell up over there, man!"

He obeyed, of course. Everyone obeys Dallas Winston. I'm the man. Darry snapped in my face. "Dallas, what's the story?"

I wasn't going to give everything away, I didn't care if I was talking to Lyndon B. Johnson. They can't know, not yet. They'd just screw things up. "So, uh, Johnny pulled a knife on that Soc Bob Sheldon, man. Killed him in the park. They came to me at Buck's and I gave 'em fifty bucks and a heater."

Soda shot Rowan a look. Maybe she said she was at Buck's, I dunno. I wasn't gonna say anything about her.

"You gave them, what?" asked Steve. "Where the Hell did you get fifty bucks?"

Darry threw a soda can at him. "Where'd you get the heater, Dal? You gave two young boys a damn heater!" He grabbed my shirt, and pulled me in close, and it hurt from the beating. I guess he realized I was hurting and released me, pushing me away. He seemed kinda pissed, eh?

"It was Buck's, man. Everything was Buck's. They told me they were going straight for Texas. Then they left. That's all I know." Yep, Texas. Same thing I told the cops. They don't know they're actually headed to Jay Mountain. Sodapop didn't look convinced, so I stared him down for a minute, he eventually looked away.

"Are you okay, Dally?" Rowan asked, "That beating must've hurt…"

I nodded. "I'll be fine in a few days, I've had worse."

Two-Bit came out from the living room, coat on and everything.

"Where you going, Mathews?" Soda asked.

"Texas, I'm gonna get Johnny and Pony back."

I slammed my hands on the table.

"Man, are you stupid or somethin'? Texas is a big state, you'll never find it. Trust me, I've been in plenty of murder wraps. They'll be back soon, man."

Two-Bit sat down in an arm-chair and tapped his foot. "It's late anyways, I'll go tomorrow."

The cute broad headed out. Soda was still looking at me kinda funny so I asked Darry if I could crash here instead.

"I guess, Dal. You've had a long day." I took my shirt off and jumped belly first on the couch, closing my eyes, wondering if Johnny and Pony actually made it to Windrixville.