Through the Fire and the Flames

My-Arabian-Knight

A/N: Hey all you outsider fans, it's me. Here's another outsider story that popped into my head, I might not complete it, it's just something that came to me. It's a 'what if story' so all complaints about OOC or anything like that will be politely ignored.

Complete Summary: What if Dallas had to bring his younger sister with him when he ran to Tulsa? Now he's not the jail bird Dallas we all know. But he is a tough greaser that likes fights and picking up broads. . .who alsohas to worry about his sister 24/7. His sister is just growing up and learning about herself and others around her. How will Dally take to that? ENJOY!!

Chapter One.

Who Do You Think You Are, My Mother?

“Hey Dal, I'm going out for a little, see ya later.” I called as I headed across our rented room at Buck Merrill's. Dal was just getting in from work. He rides Buck's horses at rodeo's, and since it was summer, there were lots of 'em. I hardly saw Dal durin' the week night's now. Which, I guess was okay. If he wasn' here, he couldn't tell me what to do.

“Um, how 'bout no?” he said, throwing his arm out and catching me in the chest. I was sorta running, so it slammed me hard.

“Ow, what the fuck Dal?” I demanded, rubbing myself where his rock hard arm caught me.

“Don't what the fuck me, you know what the fuck.”

“That doesn't make sense Dallas.” I told him rolling my eyes. I swear, brother's were more annoying that actual parents.

“You know what I mean. Where ya goin'?” I looked into his stone cold ice gray eyes. They were almost like mine, 'cept mine had a hint of blue 'stead of gray. His hair was white blond too, just like mine. People always looked at my hair, cause it was so different and white. My friends sometimes call me snow white, or snow for short. But instead of pointy ears and elfish features, my face oval and slim. I had an okay sized nose. Not too big and not too small. My lips were slightly on the thin side. I was also a little under average sized. A few inches shorter than most people my age, but not by too much.

“Just out. I'll be back later.” I tried again, trying to maneuver my way around him. It didn't work.

“Jesus Dani, just tell me where your going.” he snapped. Dally had the patience range of a teaspoon.

“I'm going to Saddie's.” I lied. I was a good lier, most of the time.

“Lier. You said you were going out.” he challenged.

“Yeah, were going to go see a movie.” I countered. “God Dal, give a girl some space.” I turned and quickly ducked out of his open hand, snickering as I bolted out of the room. “Ya missed!” I called back, just to annoy him. I heard him let out a few unintelligent words before closing the door. I took the steps two at a time. When I was at the bottom, I had to dodge some people. It was smokey in the room, as always, and the crappy music was playing loudly.

“Later Buck!” I called, as I passed the bar. He nodded in my direction, sliding a beer down the counter to some chick. I managed to squeeze through the door, which was blocked by some guys having a smoke.

“Hey chickie.” one said playfully.

“Hey sweet stuff.” I said back, realizing the voice belonged to Two-Bit. We always joked around with each other.

“Where ya headed?” he asked.

“Drag races. Don't tell Dal!” I answered. He grinned and took a swig of beer. I loved drag races. Sometimes I'd see Coal there. Coal was like my second brother (aside from the gang). He and Dal met when we first moved her about two years ago. He saw us walking on the high way near the train station, and offered us a ride.

“Sure thing, have fun.” he called as I ran across the street where my ride was waiting. Well, I guess I didn't completely lie to Dal. I was staying with Sadie, we just weren't going to the movies. Her car was a beat up convertible. Her dad found parts and put it together for her. Sadie had good parents, unlike most of us greaser's, who some didn't have any.

“Let's go girl!” she called out the window. She had a crazy grin on her face and her eyes were dark with eye liner. I grinned back, sprinting the rest of the way and flinging myself into the passenger side. “Record time, not bad. What, is ol' Dal going soft now?” she teased.

“Nah. I just had nice timing with my escape this time.” I replied. Normally Dal would ask a whole lot of questions as to where and when I was going somewhere and when I'd be back. Sure Dal was tough hood that seemed hard and cold. But deep down, he was human. Even if it took time for those human traits to show, he was still human, and that's all the matters to me. “So, whose racing tonight?” Sadie always knew who was racing, I dont' know how, she just did.

“Kyle and Andy, Jacob and Bryan, and Qwin and Marc.” she said easily. “And James and Tyler might do a round of chicken at the end.”

“Really? I though they didn't allow that at this race?” some races allowed people to play chicken, and some didn't. It was a dangerous game, and many people have died from it. I remember one of the Shepard's Gang had died. Gary, or Lary, somethin' like that.

“Well, they don't really. They made James and Tyler sign a contract that any damage or injuries they received would not be their business. Of course, it was a contract made on lined paper.” she laughed.

“Hm, I wonder what cars we're going to see. I really hope that the candy red mustang will be there again. I like that car, it was really pretty. Expensive looking too.” I added.

“Honey, if you want to see expensive, a new socs moved in, in the neigborhood over from mine, and while my dad and I were driving to the store, we saw them moving in, and their car was some new brand. I don't know what it was, but it's not coming to Tulsa for a few more weeks. Said they got it up in New York or something.”

Neither of us said anything after that. We just thought in silence. I would give anything to have a nice car. If it was nice enough, I could just live in it, and live wherever I wanted to. Then I wouldn't be stuck here in Tulsa.

“Ugh, finally.” I mumbled as Sadie pulled onto the side of the road. We didn't park at the drag race, cause we didn't want to attract to much attention. Especially by the police, and the group that organizes the drag races, don't want to be found and put in jail either. I opened the door and climbed out. It was getting to be dark, and the sky had an orange glow to it.

I grabbed Sadie's hand and began running down the road to the drag race. It wasn't hard for her to keep up. We were both pretty average runners. But not the fastest. I was probaly the third or forth fastest person in my gang. Pony was first, then Dally, then Steve, then Darry, or me, depending on the circumstance. Sometimes I could run almost as fast as Pony if I needed to, like if I was running from socs.

I could hear the cars revving their engines as we got closer, then soon I could see the area where the cars and people waited. I ran towards the large group of people. I stood up on an empty chair, skimming the crowd for someone. I almost screamed when I saw him. Coal was standing by the edge of the track. He was easiest to spot out of anyone. He had hair blacker than anything I've ever seen. That's where he got his name, and his eyes were dark too, but at the same time he was one of the most handsomest people, besides Sodapop, that I've ever met.

I jumped down from the chair and ran toward him, pulling Sadie with me. I snuck up behind him and jumped on him. At first he stiffened, before realizing it was me. He grabbed onto my legs and pulled them around his waist, locking me onto him.

“what's up kid?” he asked in his deep smooth voice. “Other than breaking rules.” I laughed, knowing what he meant.

“What Dally doesn't know won't hurt him.” I smiled, genuinely happy. Coal always knew what was up. He knew if something was wrong, or right with me. He can even tell things about me before I know them.

“I don't know. I heard that he was thinking about coming tonight.” he told me.

“Seriously?” I asked.

“Oh yeah. He said that he was going to come and make sure you weren't here.”

“Loser!” I said. “You are such a lier! A horrible one at that. Dally would never come here to look for me.”

“You never know. But you really shouldn't be here.” he told me seriously, letting go of my legs.

“You know I'm not going.”

“I know. I just thought that I'd give it a try, that way if Dal finds out, I can at least tell him that I was against the idea of you being here and tried to get you to go.” he grinned. That's what I liked about Coal. He didn't try to control me too much, and was probably the only person beside Dal that knew more about me than anyone else. If I ever needed help or was in trouble and wanted to avoid hearin' from Dal, then I would call Coal. But then again, he wouldn't hesitate to start on me about responsibility or education or something like that.

“You're such a douche.” I told him, hitting his arm lightly.

“Takes one to know one.” he replied, playfully punching me back.

“Sure sure, if that's what helps you sleep at night.” I grinned.

“You're awfully mouthy tonight.” he teased. “I don't like mouthy kids.” without warning, he threw me over his shoulder and began running along the edge of the track, dodging people. I screamed, and pounded on his lower back, as that was the only place I could reach. I could hear Sadie laugh several paces behind us.

“Let me down Coal!” I demanded, trying not to laugh. It wasn't working very well.

“No, I don't think I will.” he mused.

“Damnit Coal, you're killing me.” I whined. He stopped and flipped me forward. I wasn't expecting that, and landed on my butt on the ground. “Thank you so much.” I told him, getting up and rubbing my bruising butt.

“No problem.” he replied. I rolled my eyes and began heading back with him and Sadie to out spot by the side of the track. I could hear the cars revving their engines, getting ready to start the race. It started about a a half a mile down the track, but we were at the end, that way we could see who wins. “Who do you think is going to win this one?” Coal asked me.

“I think Kyle's gonna win this one.” Sadie said.

“Really, I was betting on Andy.” Coal replied.

“I have no clue.” I put in. I just came along for the ride, so to speak.

“Of course you don't.” Coal added.

“Ooh, Look! They're coming!” Sadie pointed excitedly up the track, where a blue corvette and red mustang were speeding down. “I love that corvette.”

“It would look better if it wasn't in blue. Blue is such a nasty color for a car.” I told her. “Red and Silver are the best.”

“Silver?”

“Yeah. They're real shinny, ya know?” I was still watching the cars, and they were getting closer and closer. They were almost right in front of us. The Mustang was in front, but the corvette was right on its tail. “Come on, let's go!” I yelled, cheering on the mustang. They got close, then all the sudden passed up with a whoosh of air blowing my long white blond hair in my face. They were getting to the finish, and the blue was pulling ahead. “No! Let's go Red!” I called, then turned to Sadie. “Whose in the red car?”

“Andy.” How does she know this?

“Let's go Andy!” I screamed. But it was useless. Kyle pulled up and past the finish line a good few feet in front of Andy.

“Ha! I knew it, aren't ya glad ya didn't actually bet on that?” Sadie asked Coal, who was shaking his head.

“Yea yeah.” he said, wavin' it off.

“Damnit. Stupid blue car won.” I muttered.

That was pretty much how the rest of the night went. Cheering on cars, talking to each other, playing around, and drinking a few beers. Well, except for me. Coal wouldn't let me. Says that I'm not allowed to drink beer around him till I'm sixteen. Thats not to far away. I don't drink much anyway, so it din' bother me. The only time I drink is on special occasions.

“Look, James and Tyler are getting ready to play chicken.” Sadie said, restin' on her elbows in the grass.

“Why they playin' chicken?” Coal asked. “You don't normally play chicken for no good reason.”

“I think it's over turf. James is from the Puma's. Stupid name, I know. And Tyler is from the Tigers.”

“Why do all the stupid gangs name themselves after animals?” Coal asked, shaking his head. His medium length hair, already in a messy style, flipped around and his bangs landed over his eyes. He brushed it back.

“I don't know. Maybe because they're last names are stupid.” she offered off-handedly. “Ya know Winston, your gang doesn't even have a name.”

“I know, that's cause we ain't really a gang, just friends. But we stick together like a gang, ya dig?”

“yeah, I guess that makes sense.” she pulled a cigerette out of her jacket and lit it up. “Wanna puff?” she asked.

“Sure.” I took it from her and took a long drag before handing it back. Coal was looking expectantly at me. “What?” I asked defensively. “It's not like I smoke every day like Dal.” which was true. Dal smoked almost a pack a day, and I barely smoked at the most once a week, or if I was upset or something like that. I was one of the only ones in our group that didn't smoke to look cool. I was kinda like Soda, with my smoking habits. Only when I was upset. Darry was the only one in our gang that didn't smoke at all.

“Yeah yeah.” I rolled my eyes and looked back at the track. Tyler and James were getting in their cars and starting it up. I hugged my knees to my chest and leaned forward. We stayed quiet while we watched James and Tyler getting ready to play chicken. I stared to get butterflies in my stomach. It's weird when your sitting their, just waiting to watch someone possibly kill themselves.

“Here they go.” I heard Sadie whisper next to, and seconds later the two cars launched forward, gaining speed with every second. I hugged my knees tighter to me, watching intensely as they got closer, and closer, and closer.

“Jesus, it doesn't look like either of them are gonna chicken out.” Coal said next to me. I watched fearfully, as they got closer. Then it happened. They crashed into one another, their cars bending into each other with the force. Glass shattered and flew all around them. I had to cover my face as some glass came flying close to us. People gasped all around us. No one moved for a second, then people began running to them, screaming their names.

The cars looked they went through a mill. One of the tires had flown off and rolled slowly away. A door had actually bent inward. I stood up, Coal and Sadie following. The butterflies in my stomach multiplied by thousands.

“Are they alive, do you think?” I asked Coal. He shrugged, watching as a group of people pried one of the doors to James car open. There were a few seconds of silence, then one of the people called out,

“He's alive!” I let out a breath, and looked over to the other car, just inches from the James's car. The group of people there still hadn't been able to get the door open.

“Some one get a crow bar!” one of the boys yelled. A male from the other group ran to the tool kit at the other side of the finish line. It was so dark by now that even with some of the lights, I couldn't see him very well. I looked around, beginning to wonder what time it was. As if he could read my mind, Coal turned to me.

“You should probably start to head home. It's around twelve, and if you're not home soon, Dal won't be too happy.”

“I'm sleeping over at Sadie's.” I told him. He probably knew that if they couldn't get Tylers door open, then there wan't much chance he'd be alive, and didn't want me to know that.

“Yeah, but we should probably go. My parent's will get suspicious if we aren't home by twelve.” I nodded, turning back to Coal. I gave him a hug before heading back to the car with Sadie. “I wonder if Tyler survived.”

“I kinda hope so.”

Sadie's parents were still up when we got to her house. They were watching television and Mrs. Whytte was knitting a blanket or something.

“Hey Mrs. Whytte, Mr. Whytte.” I said, waving to them as we passed the living room.

“Hello dear.”

“Hi Dani.” they smiled warmly at me as they always did. They were good people. Sadie's room was at the end of the hall. There house wasn't big, but it wasn't small either. They had an extra room, but only one floor. Sadie's room was painted light purple, from when she was little. Her bed matched and her dresser was painted to match too.

“Need pajamas?” Sadie asked. I nodded. I never packed clothes when I slept over at her house. We just shared. She opened her dresser and pulled out a pair of light blue silk pajamas. I went over to her double bed and sat on it. Pulling my clothes off and putting on the cool pajamas. I sighed and laid down under the covers. I didn't realize how tired I really was until now. I haven't been getting much sleep lately. I don't know why. Even when I'm really tired and want to sleep, I can't. Sometimes I get these really bad headaches too.

“So, whadya think of tonights races?” Sadie asked, climbing in bed next to me. I shrugged.

“I've seen better.”

“Yeah. These boys seemed to be holding back. Then again, they were all knew racers. I think R.J and Greg are the best racers so far.” I nodded in agreement, yawning widely. Sadie, sensing this, leaned over and turned out the light. “Night.” That's what I liked about Sadie. Instead of just being tuned to her needs, she also thought about other people.

I woke up sweatin', and my head was poundin'. I wiped my brow and felt my hair line soaking wet. Sittin' up, I looked over at the clock on the night stand. It was a little after two. I groaned and laid back on the pillow. I closed my eyes and though 'bout sleepin'. Maybe if I thought about it, it wold happen.

No such luck. After an hour, I still couldn't fall back asleep. My head was hurtin' worse than when I woke up. I didn't want to wake Sadie, so I quietly got out of bed, changin' back into my normal clothes. I went over to her desk and found a piece of scrap paper and pen. On it, I left a note explaining that I wasn't feeling well and went home. I placed it on her night table before leavin'. The television in the living room was still on, and her father was asleep in his recliner. If my head wasn't hurting so bad, I would have laughed.

The cool night air felt good on my face. I could tell my cheeks were red, and I probably looked like hell. Buck's wasn't too far away. Just about a ten minute walk from Sadie's. I wrapped my arms around my waist and bent my head against the cool wind. There weren't many cars out, and when one would come by, I would stiffen up, ready to run at the slightest threat. Hopefully I wouldn't have to, or my head just might explode.

I was relieved when I saw Bucks, and heard it. I groaned, realizing I'd have to walk through it before I reached out room. I put my hands over my ears before I walked in. It was no use. The music just pounded in my ears. I slipped through the crowd as fast as I could. Even at two in the morning it was pretty crowded.

When I reached the stairs, I took them two at a time, racing as fast as I could. Our room was on second landing. I sighed when the music quieted. I pulled my key out of my pocket, just in case Dal locked the door. I tried the knob, and it was indeed locked. I fumbled with the key, trying to get it in, but my head ache made it nearly impossible for me to concentrate. Finally, I managed to get it in. I turned the knob and quickly slid in, closing it and locking it behind me.

I didn't have to look at the bed to see Dal, cause I could already hear him snorin' like there was no tomorrow. Silently, I made my way to the bathroom and took a several aspirin. Dal said I was only supposed to take two, but I took four cause it hurt so bad. Hopefully it'd knock me out for a few hours.

I went back into the main room. Dal was in the middle of the bed. I wasn't lookin' forward to waking him up to tell him to move. I walked over, and gently poked him on the forehead. Dal was't a very heavy sleeper, so it didn't take much to wake him. Just a few pokes.

“Hmm?” he mumbled.

“Dal, move over.” I whispered. He turned onto his back and opened his eyes, blinking blearily at me.

“Dani? What're ya doin' here?” he asked.

“Just wanted to come home.” I lied. I hadn't told anyone about my head aches. Didn't want them makin' a big deal 'bout it.

“Sure.” I knew he would let it go for now cause he wanted to go back to sleep. I scooted over and I slid under the covers, trying to make as little movement as possible. “What's the real reason?” he asked after a few minutes of silence.

“That was the real reason.” I lied again, surprised he was still awake.

“Dani I'm not stupid. I know you've been getting up in the night. You're not as quiet as you think you are.”

“Seriously Dal, there's nothing wrong.” I insisted.

“Seriously Dani, there is. You don't normally just wake up in the middle of the night for no reason and decided to come home rather than spend the night at your friends house.” Damn, he wasn't going to let this go.

“It's nothing serious Dal.”

“Then why won't you tell me.” he demanded.

“Who do you think you are, my mother? Do I need to tell you everything. For all you know it could be my period, do you really want me telling you all about that.” he was quiet for a moment then said.

“Stop being such a smart ass. Go to sleep.” he rolled on his side so his back was facing me. I knew I just pissed him off with the 'my mother' comment. Our mother was never really there for us. I groaned, placing my hand on my head. If this head ache didn't kill me, then I would.

A/N: Well, there was the first chap. Remember, complaints about OOC will be ignored. Let me know what you think. Reviews are welcome!
:)