From Greaser to country girl and back (an outsiders\ steve randle love story)

"Hey little one." Buck said as I unsaddled Passion and was thinking about riding Hotshot Monday at practice.

"Yeah?" I answered.

"It's too hot for another horse to go out right now and I'm not going to let you ride for the next three hours until it cools off some more."

"So you want me to go find something else to do?"

"That's it exactly."

"Fine." After finishing with Passion I wandered back towards the center of town to see if I could distract Steve or Soda. At the very least it would cause some kind of argument with their boss and I'd be somewhat entertained.

"Hey there Lizzie." I heard someone say behind me. Very few people are allowed to call me by any form of my middle name so I grew cautious. I turned around and saw a guy I didn't know.

"Um hi." I answered.

"So you're the girl whose ass no one can kick."

"Yeah I guess."

"I see Cox has gotten to you though."

"What do you mean?"

"I can see it in your eyes, that haircut he gave you hurt your pride."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

He reached out and touched a strand of my hair. "I almost didn't recognize you; your long hair is gone." I swallowed hard trying to hide my hatred and distress. This guy was not going to get to me if I could help it. "Sometimes I wonder why you date that grease monkey." He said fiddling with the strand that had escaped from my ponytail.

"Because he treats me better than any guy from Brumley," his eyes flashed dangerously, "Shepard's gang, or unknown greaser ever could." I must have gone a bit too far because he grabbed my arms, pulling me to him before he forced his tongue in my mouth. I tried shoving him away, but he gripped me tighter. Then I bit his tongue and he backed off.

"Tator are you alright?" I heard Soda ask.

"Do I look ok?" I answered rubbing my arms.

"Back off man, I don't want to get violent." Soda said moving to stand slightly in front of me. "Stay back." He hissed at me. I nodded and stepped back a few steps.

"Leave it alone, I don't want you just the girl."

"Yeah, but that's my friend and my best friend's girl you're talking about and I won't let you hurt her."

"You don't have much of a choice."

"We'll just see about that." Soda replied.

Pony had told me that neither of his brothers had ever been beaten in a fight and I had come up with two reasons why for each. Darry's were because no one wanted to take him on or because he was a tough fighter and for Soda they were that he either tried to stay out of fights or because he could talk anyone out of a fight. But now watching Soda with this guy, I knew I had been completely wrong about him. He was seriously laying into him and I didn't know what had possessed Soda to fight like this. With one last punch from Soda that had broken the guy's nose, the guy took off.

When Soda turned around there was still a wild and reckless look in his eyes. I slowly backed away from him. He didn't look like the same Soda I knew or saw everyday, but instead like a dangerous greaser I didn't want to face.

"Tator?" He asked. Then I hit the wall. "Tator, what's wrong?" I looked up at him again and saw concern flood his eyes.

"I...I...You..." I stuttered.

"I'm sorry you had to see that Tator. It's only part of me. I'd never hurt you like that."

"If you say so Soda."

"Tator, look at me," he pleaded. I turned my gaze back to him from the building across the street and saw he didn't look so threatening anymore. "You are a very good friend of mine, almost like the sister I've always wanted, but never got. I saw what he did to you and it made me mad. I guess I just got a little over protective of you and it kicked into high gear. I could never hurt you physically, I'm so sorry."

"I've never seen you look that dangerous before. Sure I've seen you mad when those socs jumped Johnny, but you've never looked that dangerous. It was kinda like looking at Dally." He looked away from me.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. I smiled softly turning his face back towards me.

"It's alright I guess. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"

"Dave wanted more hours so Mr. Wells let me leave early. What do you say we go see what that boyfriend of yours is up to?"

"Well it was about five ten last time I checked." Soda grinned and I relaxed becoming more comfortable in his presence. He slung an arm around me and we headed down to the DX.

We were talking about something Ricky had done with Darry in middle school when I heard Soda's name being called. "Hey Curtis." They called again. Soda and I stopped and turned around his grip tightening on me.

"Hey gorgeous." Evie said.

"Don't think your best friend would like you talking to her man that way." I answered.

"Hello Evie." Soda said.

"What do you want you little...?" I asked.

"Don't start." Soda hissed nodding to the boys standing just behind Evie. I nodded mentally thinking of a plan. Soda and I could hold them off unless Evie joined in and then it would be unfair.

"I want you to dump Steve and disappear completely."

"Cox not keeping you satisfied?"

"He's good, but Steve's got cash and a good rep. Daddy really likes him."

"Figures, no one can stand up to 'Daddy's view' of Steve can they?" I asked using air quotes. "No one but Soda here, too bad Potter's already snagged him."

"Come on Tator stop." Soda said.

"Unfortunately there's one little problem with that plan of me disappearing."

"And what is that?" Evie snapped.

"Dally won't let me. He wants me where he can get his hands on me if the mood strikes him."

"Then just dump Steve."

"You see, I can't do that either. I like him for the same reason you do, he's got cash and Dally really likes him and he's one of the only guys in this town Dally trusts with me."

"Well that's too bad because I will get him back, you can bet on that."

"Why did you bring these guys? To beat me up? The only thing that's going to do is put me out of commission and worry Steve."

"Why would a worried Steve make any difference?"

"Because if you make Steve worry about me, that'll be the only thing he's thinking about." Something dawned on her before she shook her head.

"Boys," she snapped. The guys behind her sprung into action. Three of them came at me and two went at Soda.

"You know buddy, I thought we agreed you wouldn't start fights without me here to back you up." I heard Steve some time later.

"How about a little help over here?" I called. Suddenly I was only fighting one guy. I heard pounding footsteps and the guy in front of me disappeared. I looked up to see Danger and Blade glaring down the road.

"I will tell you this once more and this is the last time I will say it. Leave Victoria alone Ross. I'm not going to dump her for you. Get over it." Steve spat. Evie frowned and buffed her nails on her shirt before turning on her heel and walking away.

"Thanks guys." I said looking back at Danger and Blade. Steve nodded his thanks as well. "I really owe you guys. You keep saving my butt and I can't pay you back for it."

"Not in the same way." Danger said.

"Come to dinner with me tomorrow and we'll be even." Blade said putting me on the spot. I glanced at Steve and saw his hands tighten into fists.

"I don't know Blade, it's probably not a good idea." I hesitated.

"Come on, how about Jay's?" That instantly convinced me. "It's on Shepard's turf for the most part and it's open. I can almost guarantee that we won't be completely alone." Blade said. I knew he knew he was trying to convince Steve especially when I glanced back at him and saw he still looked upset. I sighed and walked over to him and wrapped my hands around his balled fists.

"It's just dinner Steve, you can even show up covertly and watch if you want."

"Dallas won't be too happy about it. You're not supposed to be hanging with PR hoods."

"The only difference between the two hoods standing behind me and two of Shepard's crowd is that they're from different gangs. I mean seriously, look at Pony and Johnny both of them are kinda scared of Tim's gang as much as say Billy and Curly are of the PR. It's not that different. Please it's just dinner."

"Come on Steve, Jay's is out of PR territory. He is offering to come out of his comfort zone just for one dinner. A dinner where may I remind you any greaser or hood can take it the wrong way and hassle him." Soda added.

"Steve it's not like it's a date, it's just pay back for him saving my butt. Besides don't you remember Friday night? After Dally pissed me off, don't you remember 'desert'? Not to mention you missed what I told Ross."

"She told Ross that she couldn't dump you because Dally likes and trusts you too much. You and Ross both know that if Dally can trust you, Tator must absolutely adore you."

"Please Steve." By now I wasn't really asking for his permission, I think I had moved on to asking him to trust me.

"I just don't want you to get hurt." He answered looking down at me and unballing his fists to wrap his hands around mine. "And I can't help but think that if you were seen having dinner with this hood then people may start thinking things like..." When he didn't continue I cocked an eyebrow.

"Like what Steve?"

"Like maybe you are a slut."

"Is that really what you think of me, Steve?"

"No. Absolutely not babe, but other people may start."

"And since when have I cared what other people have thought?" I snapped. He was winding me up really bad and I don't know how much more I could take. "Absolutely never. Well except maybe Dallas, but right now I owe someone who has saved my butt twice within the past three weeks and I'm not going to put him off any longer." I snapped pulling away from Steve just enough to turn around.

"Sugar, I don't want to cause any ripples." Blade said.

"No," I smiled, "I'll see you tomorrow night at seven at Jay's right? Don't be late or I'll get crabby and you know what happens when I get left waiting."

Blade nodded. "Not a pretty sight," he answered. "But then again I could never be late when I get to have dinner with a pretty girl."

"What about you, Danger? Do I owe you a dinner as well?"

"I don't know. I mean I've saved your skin at least three times and I did you that favor the other day. I think you owe me a little more than dinner, Sugar."

"Danger." Soda said.

"Careful Fields." Blade warned.

"What do you want?"

"Dinner and a movie," he answered.

"Too much like a first date, dinner and a couple games of pool."

"A party."

"Poker."

"Fine, pool it is. Meet me at the Dock on the Ribbon, Friday night." I looked back at Steve who looked severely murderous. I shrugged then smiled at Danger.

"I'll see you there."

"Just make sure Shepard knows. We know Dallas is out of town, but that doesn't mean Shepard will be ok with you meeting us."

"I really don't care anymore."

"For our sake tell him." Danger said. I swallowed and nodded.

"We'll see you later Sugar." Blade said before him and Danger left. I turned back to Soda and Steve.

Steve still looked extremely angry and I sighed. "Damn it Steve, I love you with all of my heart and I couldn't bear to cheat on you. You really need to stop being so over-protective and suspicious of me, that's what Dally's for. If you owed a female for something and had to make it up to her by taking her out I'd like to think I wouldn't be as upset about it as you are right now."

"She's right buddy, it's just a dinner at a place where you know as soon as Shepard finds out he'll take a couple of his guys to watch out for her."

"I know I just can't help but think that maybe..."

"Maybe what?"

"Maybe I'm going to lose someone I care about." Steve blurted.

"You really think that I'd leave you like that? If I was going to I would have done it when I found out Evie was starting this crap. I've worked too long and too hard to lose or give you up like this. I'm not going anywhere unless you don't want me anymore. Is that it Steve? You're looking for a reason to get rid of me?"

"No I just..."

"Then stop trying to get rid of me."

"Alright," he sighed.

"So you're off now, right?" Soda asked.

"Yeah, you two want to do something?"

"I'm just hungry," I answered.

"How about we head down to the Dairy Queen and get some ice cream?" Steve suggested.

"You trying to spoil my dinner?"

"A little ice cream never hurt no one." Steve answered.

"Especially with the way you eat." Soda muttered.

"I heard that, but I'm going to pretend I didn't." I said. "So Steve, you gonna pay for it?"

"You know I'd buy you anything I could afford." Steve answered. In a more generous mood than before he bought us all ice cream cones. On our walk home we ran into Shepard and Billy.

"Hey little Lizzie, and just how are you today?" Tim asked.

"I'm alright." I said not meeting his eyes and finishing my ice cream.

"Liz, look at me." Tim demanded. I bit my lip and cautiously looked up at him. "I want names now."

"Ross."

"The only Ross I know is Evie." Billy said.

"She did this to you Baby?"

"In a way." I then explained what happened up until the point where Evie walked away.

"I thought Dallas..."

"Doesn't want me hanging with PR hoods, I get it."

"But," he said firmly looking past me, "maybe he was right to trust you Randle."

"Speaking of trust," I said sweetly, "you trust me right?"

"Yeah, it's just every other idiot I don't trust."

"That makes me feel real good Shep," I paused looking around. "Do you trust me enough to let me decide who I want to hang out with and eat with and spend time with right?"

"Yeah I guess, where are you taking this Liz?"

I knew I may have been pushing it a little only because he used an actual name, granted it was a nickname, but still it wasn't a real term of endearment. "And if I owed one guy dinner and another dinner and few games of pool it wouldn't matter who those guys were right?"

"Back it up Tore," he said. Now I knew I was really pushing it the closer he got to using my first name. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," I answered trying not to panic. "I'll just be at Jay's tomorrow at seven because I owe Blade dinner and The Dock Friday night because I owe Danger dinner and pool ok? Great thanks, you're the best, see ya around." I said the last sentence in one breath before walking away quickly. I knew Tim was going to erupt.

"Wait one minute, get back here." Tim said. A hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back so I was facing Tim. I knew Billy was the one who was holding me because I could see Soda and Steve behind Tim. I swallowed hard and looked at the ground. The look in Tim's eyes scared the crap out of me. "Say that again."

"You're the best?" I suggested.

"Victoria."

'I'm in big trouble now.' I thought. So I answered the only way my self-preservation would let me. "No, you heard me the first time."

"It sounded like you said you're meeting with two PR hoods, one tomorrow at seven and the other Friday at the Dock."

"See you did hear me." I snapped.

"Shut your trap." Tim's voice was dead even and his eyes were burning in to me. "Do you like making me upset? Do you actually love making me go nuts because I question your sanity? Sometimes I can't decide whether I want to shake common sense into you or lock you in a padded room. Do get a thrill from watching me get angry? Dallas told you not to hang out with PR hoods..."

It was too bad for him that I didn't care what Dally thought anymore. "You're asking me to break a deal and take Danger and Blade for granted. I owe them and I only told you because I know it'd be better than surprising you. This way at least you know where I am and won't flip out so much when someone tells you saw me having dinner with a hood. I'm also telling you because Danger and Blade demanded I tell you. They may have only done it to save their own skin, but at least they know how important you apparently are to me." I spat.

"Stay away from hoods; they won't do you any good." Tim snapped.

"You really want me to stay away from any and all hoods? Is that what you really want Shepard? Think carefully now."

"Yes, that is exactly what I want."

"Fine have it your way, Timmy, I just hope you remember that when you never see me again." I yanked my arm out of Billy's grasp and ran.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions, comments, concerns, any one give a damn? If so message me.
If you want to me to read your story leave a message and let me know.
If you do message make sure you tell me which story you're messaging me from or which story it is you want me to read.
Thank you and have a nice day.