I am so sorry about my lack of postings. Don't worry I didn't disapear, I had a family emergency, but now everything is better so here we go!!

Enjoy!!

--

--

--

--

--

--

I wasn't sure what woke her the light streaming threw the two identical windows placed on either side of the bed of it could be the finger that were gently caressing my side, or it could be the body that the hands were connected to which was firmly plant

I wasn't sure what woke me. It could have been the light streaming through the two identical windows placed on either side of the bed. It could have been the fingers that were gently caressing my side, or it could have been the body that the fingers were connected to, so firmly planted against my back.

Either way, I was content not to move and disturb the wonderful feelings that were filling me.

"Rachel…" Dally whispered, his lips lightly touching my ear. It sent shivers down my spine and filled my stomach with a million butterflies.

"Yes?" I answered, still not wanting to move from my place under his hands.

"We gotta get moving. It's past noon," he informed me, his lips still by my ear.

Past noon. That meant the boys would start arriving home soon and I wouldn't be there. That got me moving—I sat up quickly.

"I figured that would get ya up," Dally said lighting a fag and placing it between his lips. His lips, the same lips that had kissed me last night, not once but twice.

"Is it really past noon?" I asked him, sitting against the headboard next to him, not close enough to touch, but close enough that if he wanted to touch me he wouldn't have to reach.

"Yeah, kid, it is," he laughed with a sideways glance to me. I really wanted to touch him, but I didn't dare try it. What if he didn't like my touch or want me to? What if last night meant nothing to him and he was only riding on the anger Tim's presence had given him?

I wasn't feeling as brave as last night; I didn't have the courage to ask him, mostly because I was afraid of his answer. Last night I had felt happy and content for the first time in a long time and I didn't want to end it.

We just sat there for a long time, neither of us moving to get ready. Neither of us touching each other. I guessed this was how it was gonna be. Last night was a fluke, never to happen again. I couldn't stay here with him—I could feel his presence weighing down on me.

"I'm gonna get dressed," I excused and hurried to my clothes. I was opening the door when his voice stopped me.

"Do you want me to stand outside?"

"No," I assured him hurriedly and raced to the bathroom. That must be why it was a fluke—I couldn't even go to change by myself. He'd never want me; he'd never want someone who was afraid of their own shadow. I started getting dressed in my tight clothes again. I didn't even notice I had started crying until I was full on sobbing. I didn't even know what I was sobbing for. I just knew it was the loss of something, something good with Dally.

A loud knock sounded on the door. I froze—was it Dally or someone else?

"Rachel, it's Tim," Tim answered my mental question.

I opened the door hesitantly and looked over. Tim was in the same clothes from yesterday and looked really worn.

"Tim," I greeted him, wiping my tears. I couldn't stop them from falling.

"Rachel…come on, I'm gonna take you home," Tim announced, gently taking my arm, grabbing Dally's clothes and throwing them on the floor next to his door.

He began to lead me down the steps. My tears were still coming, so I kept my head down, not wanting anyone to see.

Tim led me to the same car as last night still not speaking. He was like my guardian angel, though I was quite sure he wouldn't like to be referred to as that. He didn't speak when he closed my door he just went to the diver's side and started the engine we didn't talk until I noticed that we weren't going in the direction of the Curtis's house.

"Where are we going?" I asked, not scared, more curious. Thankfully the tears had dwindled down to one every so often.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm hungry and I know we ain't got any food at my place, so I'm taking you to breakfast," he replied. I realized then that I was starving. My stomach rumbled, and I started to blush. He looked at me from the corner of his eye and laughed a kind laugh.

We ended up going to a drive through; I'd never been and while Tim must have ordered from the menu, I was content with just a sandwich and a pop.

Once we were done eating, we both sat there silently until he spoke

"Now, I ain't normally one to get in Dally's business, but I like you Rachel. You're a good kid, so you wanna tell me what old Dal did between last night and this morning to make you cry those tears?" Tim asked, not looking at me.

I got the feeling once again that he wasn't normally this nice. "Well…" I started but I stopped, not sure if I should say anything.

"Come on. Just tell me, I won't hurt him," Tim smirked, finally facing me.

"He was my first kiss," I murmured, blushing.

"First, you say? And that was last night?" Tim asked.

I nodded.

"What did he do to upset ya?" Tim asked with a slight edge to his voice.

I didn't understand the tone, but I answered him anyway. "He didn't do anything. That's the problem—what if it was a one time thing? I haven't felt that happy since before my grandma died. But then…when he didn't say anything about it, he took it away." I was suddenly shocked that I had shared that much with Tim, or anyone for that matter.

"Huh…" was all he said.

We sat in silence for a while, both lost in our own thoughts.

"You really are one of a kind Rachel. You're above all of us greasers," Tim declared, looking at me fondly.

I looked at him, absolutely confused.

"Most greaser girls would have ran out and had sex with another guy had Dally done that to them, but you didn't. I never realized just how special you are," he explained. "Now if only you could give some of your wisdom to Angela…" he finished with a sigh.

"Who's Angela?" I asked.

"My little sister. Having her grow up with all us greaser guys hasn't done her any favors," he muttered darkly.

I nodded, not fully understanding what he meant. "Why were you at Buck's this morning?" I asked, suddenly remembering that he said he was leaving last night.

"Ah…well I was on my way out when this pretty little doll came over and—" he stopped suddenly, looking at me closely before finishing. "…and we ended up in her room for the night." The finish was quick and probably not what he'd been about to say. I didn't think I would have liked it, anyway.

"Dally's a hood straight through. He's tuff, worn from the streets. I'm sure you heard about him," he moved on, obviously uncomfortable with the last subject.

I nodded, taking in and storing every word he was saying about Dally.

"He ain't used to feelings, most of the girls hoods are with him just cause they are. But not you. You're special and I know Dally sees it. You think he threatens me about his girl often? Not till you came along." By this time, I was smiling a little.

"You gotta understand—me and Dally aren't good with feelings, especially letting them out. You gotta be patient with him. Don't be afraid to sit him down and demand answers because I hate to say it, but that's gonna be the only way you're gonna get 'em. Hoods like Dally are action people and they think that people can tell what they mean by what they do, you dig?" Tim asked with a terribly uncomfortable expression on his face.

I nodded and smiled, knowing that Tim would probably rather be in a fight than talking about Dally's feelings with me, but I was touched that he had.

"Thanks, Tim," I said quietly.

"No problem, kid. Let's get you back to the Curtis'." He started up the engine.

"What about Dally?" I asked, suddenly realizing that I had left Buck's without telling him I was leaving. I gulped nervously—he was gonna be so mad.

"I'm sure Dally knows you left with me. By now, Buck went and told him, and he'll be at the Curtis'. Much as I like you, I ain't too keen on getting my face smashed in, so I'm just gonna drop you off," Tim said with a smile.

I nodded in understanding—it seemed like every time Tim and I met up with Dally, it ended in a fight. I was silent the rest of the way, building up my courage to talk with Dally.

When we pulled up to the Curtis', Dally was sitting on the front steps with a fag, a beer… and a knife. I swallowed hard before looking at Tim.

"Hey, I already got gutted this week. I'm not looking to do that again," he defended and I nodded, thanked him, and got out of the car.

I closed the door and went turned to face the house, but bumped into someone. Dally was right there, looking murderous.

"Hi Dally…" I started, but he just grabbed my arm and pulled me into the house. Pushing me onto the couch, he began to pace.

"Goddamit Rachel!" he yelled and I flinched. He saw me, but his rage stayed.

This wasn't gonna be good.