A/N: So how'd you like that plot twist? This is the last chapter, and I'll have a final author's note in at least by tomorrow, after all the feedback and stuff! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders.

Dally's POV

I put on a black shirt and black pants I got from Darry and put on black converses. I slicked back my hair, like a real greaser, and looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. Oh, Johnny. The last time I'll ever see you, man. I leaned forward, holding myself up against the sink and sighed. I didn't know how I was going to take this since I planned to be dead by this time. My little man was gone, along with the part in me that I wanted to be.

I sauntered into the parlor and my girlfriend was brushing her hair. Man, did she look beautiful today. She straightened her hair and it went halfway down her back. Her earrings were black roses that matched her black heels and sexy black dress. She would look better with a smile, though I didn't think any of us would have a smile today.

"You look beautiful, Rowan," I told her, grabbing her waist from behind. Sure, it didn't sound like me. I was the bad boy, but I didn't give a shit. I loved her, and I almost lost her because of my injudicious actions. She turned around and looked into my eyes. "Thank you, Dal," she whispered, followed by a kiss. I took a quick glance at the clock and sighed. "Quarter to six, we gotta go…" She grabbed my hand and blinked rapidly, trying to fight back tears. "The gang is waiting in the car," she stammered. "Steve said Evie's coming. So's Sylvia." I pouted. Sylvia Jones, my two-timing ex-girlfriend, who even hid on Johnny at some point, Steve said. Randle even cussed her out for me once. I don't know why she wanted to come.

We got to the church. Rowan and I sat in the front row with the boys. It was a small funeral, with a few people I knew. Some dudes from Tim Shepard's outing showed up, a few cops and Johnny's parents who sat in the back. Those low-life pieces of shit. I blame them, they never took care of Johnny. Evie sat at the end of the bench with Steve. Wait, where was Sandy? Oh well… Then I saw Sylvia. Blonde hair, green eyes, thicker frame. She sat across the aisle from us, Rowan really who was at the end of our bench. She saw me and waved, but I turned my head away.

Throughout the whole ceremony, my focus was solely intended on Johnny, lying in that cheap ol' casket. Poor kid…it should've been me. I looked down at Rowan and realized, no. He would want me to be with Rowan, even if he liked her. He was a good kid. After about an hour, it was time to bury Johnnycake. We all gathered in the Tulsa Cemetery and Rowan put her arm around me. She always knew when I was upset. Amazing Grace played as Johnny's casket was depressed six feet under. I sobbed. I, Dallas Winston was sobbing, in front of many people. Rowan hugged me, as she also cried. I planted my face in her shoulder, and waited for it to be over. I was unsocial and aloof at the after party. Rowan wanted to mingle.

She tugged my arm. "C'mon, Dally." I gave in, and went to the snack table, realizing they had beer. "Uh, I'll be right back," I told Rowan and Steve and headed over to the liquor table, and guess who was there. Sylvia. "Hello, Dallas," she hissed in her sly, snake-like voice. "Sorry about little Johnny, it's too bad." I shrugged. "Yeah, it is bad. Really bad, you don't understand. The only reason your ass is sorry is because you tried to get in his damn pants, you two-timing broad. Now get the Hell away from me." She clung onto my chest and rubbed it. "Come on, Big Guy, take me back. It was only once, twice, three times tops!" She tried to kiss me, but I forced her off. "No way, you bitch! I've found my true love, and you are just a sample of a piece of shit compared to her! Go to hell!" I ran through the crowd and found Rowan, hugging her. I wasn't going to tell her about that, she didn't need that drama so early in our relationship.

She gave me a quick peck on the cheek, and Steve and Evie walked up. "Hey Dally!" Steve said, a wide smile on his face, even with his messed up teeth. "You remember Evie." I nodded. "What up, Evie?" Evie smiled, and Steve introduced us. "Evie, this is my 'sister' Rowan, Dal's girl. Rowan, this is Evie." Rowan shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Evie," she said, friendliness in her tone. How'd a great girl like her end up with me, man? I must be the luckiest guy out there. Evie started chatting it up with Row, and I started talking to Steve.

"So uh, Sylvia tried to lock lips with me, man," I told him. His eyes grew big, He seemed shocked. "You gotta tell Rowan, man, if she finds out from someone else, you're toast!" I nodded, understand. "Yeah, man, you're right. I'll tell her later."

So the party ended, and the gang was back in the Curtis home, drinking beer and Pepsi, watching Mickey in Two-Bit's favor. That moron. Rowan seemed sad, sadder than before." I prodded her in the side, her tickle-spot. She smirked, and then sulked. "What's up, babe?" I asked. She put her hands over her face. "My parents have divorced…my mom and sisters moved back to Boston. My Dad's been drafted in the military." Oh Jesus, how much harder will life get, man? I held her. "Hey hey, hey, girl, don't worry. We're here for you. Why didn't you say anything?" All eyes were on my girl, stunned looks thirsting for answers. She took a deep breath. "I didn't wanna add to all the drama going on, with Johnny, Pony and everybody." Pony gave Rowan a hug, and I eyed him. He slowly backpedalled back to his seat. "Sorry, Dal," he whispered. I winked at him, he was just a kid. Rowan continued. "I am going back to an empty house tonight, I didn't wanna go back to Boston." I could feel her pain. Rejected and alone. "No, you won't." The gang was confused, especially Two-Bit. But he was always confused. "W-what?" Rowan asked, sniffling. "I'm moving in with you!" I told her.

The gang looked happy, yet surprised. I was being nice, when I was never nice. But I don't care, I love her. "Really?" she besought, wanting me to confirm my answer. "Yes, tomorrow night I'll move in." She gave be a big hug. "Oh, Dally, you're the best. I love you!" I kissed her and caressed her hair. "I love you too, Row." Ponyboy got up from this mushy-gushy stuff, and headed to his room. "Johnny left me a copy of Gone with the Wind, and I'm gonna go check it out. I'll come out later."

I cuddled with Rowan on the couch. Evie was with Steve, and Darry was lifting weights yet again. Soda chilled with Two-Bit, playing poker for smokes. It was only seven and still light out, but it felt way later. I've had a real heavy day. Pony emerged from his bedroom with some letter in his hand. "Uh, Dal…?" he spoke in a cautious voice. "What, kid?" I snapped, keeping my eyes on the television. "You might wanna see this." I got up, and snatched the letter out of his hand, examining it all over. "Rowan, come with me to Darry's room." She got up, wearing her white tank top and terry cloth striped shorts. "What is it?" she asked, weary eyed. "A letter from Johnny," Ponyboy told her. All three of us ensued to Darry's room, and sat on his bed. Rowan bounced a couple times on it, and I just chuckled. Oh, Row. Ponyboy gave me a half-smile. "I already read it, so go ahead." So I did, out loud so everyone could hear.

"Ponyboy,

I asked the nurse to give you this book so you could finish it. It was worth saving those little kids. Their lives are worth more than mine, they have more to live for. Tell Dally I think it's worth it. I'm gonna miss you guys…I've been thinking about it in that poem, that guy who wrote it, he meant you're gold when you're a kid, like green. When you're a kid everything's new…dawn, like the way you dig sunsets Pony, that's gold. Keep it that way it's a good way to be. I want you to ask Dally to look at one, I don't think he's ever seen a sunset. There's still lots of good in the world. Tell Dally, I don't think he knows.

Your buddy,

Johnny"

Rowan got teary eyed. "Dally, imagine if we read that and you were dead! I wouldn't know how I would deal with that!" I hugged her and rocked her. "I know, I know. Thank you for saving me, thank you." She calmed down. Ponyboy looked out the window. "Are you gonna go see one, Dally?" he asked. I realized he was talking about sunsets. I nodded. "Yeah, I want you two to come with me, man." Pony got up, tying his shoes. "Let's go, to the lot! That's where you see them the best!" I nodded, getting up. "There's still lots of good in the world. I know that now," I announced. I was still going to be a menace to society, breaking the law, doing illegal shit. But I'll always keep Johnny's letter in mind. I folded it up in my jacket pocket, waiting to read it again later. "We'll be back in like twenty minutes, Dare!" Pony called as we stampeded out the door, running to the lot.

All three of us sat on a bench. I had to scare some ten year olds away so we could sit there, but oh well. It was for Johnny. Rowan leaned on my shoulder as we gazed up into the pinking sky, the bleeding sun being swallowed by the hills. "Wow…" I whispered. There's still lots of good in the world, and I didn't know that, I wouldn't have if it weren't for Johnny. I'll always remember that whether I'm behind bars, kicking ass, or anything like that. I took a quick mien at Rowan. She was one of the beauties this world had to offer. I put my arm around her, and glared up, watching day transform into night. What would have happened if I was dead and they found that letter? Who knows? I'm happy Rowan saved me, but I'm pissed that it took three bullets to help me apprehend it. The sunset was almost over, and as the stars made their appearance, I could make out Johnny's face in the indigo sky, winking at me. I winked back, nobody saw a thing. Stay gold. Johnny's last words swam around inside my mind. I was copper now, maybe even iron. Not gold. Not silver. Rowan, she is gold. Ponyboy is gold. Johnny was gold, but me…I was copper. Tossed around, nobody cares. A penny. But there's that one person who picks up the penny, saving it for later. That person being Rowan, who once told the gang that someday, they'd be one cent away from a million dollars, and they'll regret rejecting that penny. I knew deep down that I could never again return to being gold, I was too tainted. Too experienced. But that little boy inside of me will always live on. The ten year old boy who couldn't predict his police filled future. That boy was gold, and he was within me deep inside, under all the memories. He will always stay gold, no matter what. He'll stay gold, and I'll make sure of it. For Johnny.

THE END