Chapter 1: Goodbye

DJ closed her last suitcase, looking around at her empty room sent shivers down her spine. That room contained so many memories and it made her want to cry when she thought that this would never really be home again. Well not in the same sense. At the same time she was excited to be moving on her next phase of life, at NYU. It was a big decision to move so far away from home, but it had been an offer she couldn't bear to turn down. Studying was such a huge part of her life, deep down she knew she was a total nerd, she loved learning and couldn't wait to get back to it after a whole summer of relaxing. Not that she would ever admit that to anyone.

"Hey, babe" DJ spun around to see Steve. Her boyfriend had been one of the biggest reasons she wanted to stay at home but she was an independent girl and didn't want some boy to decide her future for her. She was utterly grateful that he supported her decision, and flattered that he wanted to give long distance a try. A lump rose in her throat and she just walked over to him, put her arms around him and hugged him tight. In spite of herself she started crying.

"Deej, don't cry" Steve whispered as he smoothed a lock of hair out of her eyes, "this isn't goodbye forever, and you want this. Think of how much you want this, think of all the fun you'll have." He paused, "but not too much fun! Just remember when you see a boy who you think looks easy on the eye, remember how hot I am AND the fact that I can cook AND clean AND babysit Michelle whenever you and your friends want to go out." DJ couldn't help herself, she giggled "and don't forget modest!"

"That too" he hugged her close and kissed her. "Please let me stay for dinner, I'm sure your dad won't mind"

"Steve, if you stay any later, I won't be able to leave" she looked him in the eyes with her big blue eyes. Steve appreciated her honesty: DJ Tanner was a tough girl but she also knew what her limits were.

"See you later, babe, I love you don't forget that" DJ couldn't say anything back, but she gave him another long hug and he understood.

Dinner that night was interesting; everyone was loud as usual and smiling, and cracking jokes. Well that was mainly Joey. But underneath it all was a tinge of sadness. Especially for Danny, Jesse, Joey, DJ and Stephanie, they had been thrust together and forced to cope when Pam died and they had all taken care of each other. And now their group was splitting up. Stephanie couldn't help but feel lost and scared. DJ had always watched out for her and Michelle. She had even sometimes was like a mother to them because she simply had to. But DJ never complained. Stephanie didn't care how lame it sounded: DJ was her idol and Stephanie was about to start High School without DJ to support her.

Since Danny, Jess and Joey were driving DJ over to varsity first thing in the morning they did the washing up so the others could say goodbye to her. Becky brought out some orange and tonics, and she and DJ sat on the couch in the living room.

"I think you're ready DJ" said Becky, looking at her eldest niece who she saw as a combination of sister and daughter.

"Thanks Aunt Becky, for everything. You've been such a great aunty, and friend. I'll miss you. But I think you're right it's time to go and be my own person."

"You deserve it hun, now you call me if anyone gives you any grief. They will have some serious public humiliation dished out to them on Wake up San Francisco if they try.

DJ laughed "I might just take you up on that, and if you have any grief from Uncle Jesse, I'll call Grandma and have her send some embarrassing baby photos."

"I knew there was a reason you are one of my three favourite nieces."

Becky then went and got Nicky and Alex. They were still young and didn't really know what was going on but DJ cuddled them both and helped Becky put them to bed. As much as she loved her little sisters and cousins she was looking forward to living somewhere where there weren't kids everywhere and being somewhere where she wasn't expected to be responsible.

DJ knocked on Michelle and Steph's door. Michelle saw that it was DJ and she promptly turned her back to DJ and ducked under the covers. "Michelle, hey, what's going on?" The eldest of the Tanner sisters sat on Michelle's bed and gently pulled the duvet down. Reluctantly Michelle turned to face DJ, she was mad.

"Why do you have to go? There are places you could go where you wouldn't leave me!" This surprised DJ, but only slightly. Her youngest sister had been suspiciously silent about her decision to move out of home all summer. "Who will drive me around now? And all my friends think you're really cool and now they won't come over any more." Now DJ was mad too, tomorrow was going to be one of the biggest days of her life and now she had to deal with a selfish nine year old who had attachment issues? Not likely.

"Whatever Michelle, I'm moving away and I'm happy about it. And quite frankly, who drives you around and whether your friends like you aren't my problems. Goodnight."

DJ regretted her words the second they came out of her mouth, but her biggest fault was her stubbornness. She and Michelle had that in common.

Before she had time to get over her pride and make up with Michelle, there was a rather desperate yell from Jesse. "DJ, Kimmie is here, please come quickly!" With a chuckle DJ did as her uncle asked. Kimmie had been on holiday in Australia for the past two months but she was just as crazy looking as usual albeit much browner.

"Kimmie!" Squealed DJ as she went to give her friend a bear hug

"Well hey, there Tanner, it's good to see you too" replied Kimmie, her slightly mocking tone lost was completely drowned out by her huge smile.

"Come on, let's sit on the patio, we have so much to catch up on, but please don't get all mushy on me, I've had too many sad goodbyes for one evening" DJ bit her lip guiltily as she thought about Michelle.

Kimmie and DJ had a long talk, the sort that only best friends can have. They compared stories of summer and built castles in the sky. Kimmie had decided (as DJ always suspected she would) to take a year off before starting college. She was going to work at a driving school, helping people to get their licences. DJ thought it would be best if Danny Tanner didn't hear that piece of information, Steph was going to be starting to learn soon and it was a safe bet Danny would not want her to get any ideas. The back door opened and Danny came out. He had been very subdued through dinner, but he was putting on a brave face. He knew DJ was talented and deserved to shine but he was worried too. DJ was the child he was closest too, his eldest and the one who was most like him. "Sweetheart, it's almost eleven and we have to be up at 5 tomorrow, it's time to say goodbye."

"Yes, Dad" DJ and Kimmie hugged again and said their goodbyes. But unlike the other goodbyes she had said, this one wasn't sad. Both girls had spent a long time in school and were keen to get out to the real world.

DJ fell asleep quickly but when she was about to roll over she realised that someone was about to climb into her bed.

"Oh Steve this is so sweet of you but, honey I'm ok"

"What did you just call me?"

"STEPH? What the heck, why are you in my bed?" stammered DJ as she reached over to turn the light on.

Steph looked very embarrassed. "It's just that I didn't get much of a chance to talk tonight and I knew I'd regret it if I didn't spend some time with you on your last night. Remember the old days when it was stormy and I'd climb into your bed? I know you got annoyed, but you helped so much."

DJ smiled, her sister was such a sweet girl, albeit a bit too outgoing and open for her own good. "If you must know, I kind of liked it, I was scared too. I just didn't want to admit it."

"Whatever Deej, you aren't scared of anything"

"I'm scared of moving. And I'm scared of losing touch with my best friend."

"Oh DJ, please don't say that, everyone was hoping you and Kimmie would lose touch as soon as you left. Sooner, actually"

"I meant you, Steph."

Steph was flattered, but then, who wouldn't love someone as amazing as her?

"Love you DJ"

"Love you more, midget" DJ said to her sister who was only fourteen and already taller than her. Steph didn't even hear her sister's retort, she was already fast asleep.

"DJ, wake up! I mean it, if you don't get out of that bed right now I will let Alex and Nicky in!" Wow they must be running really late if Uncle Jesse was pulling that threat out. She turned to Steph but she was miraculously still asleep. Moving quietly so as not to wake her sister DJ climbed out of bed and tiptoed downstairs. There her favourite uncle stood making her favourite breakfast.

"Sorry for being loud, but we need to hit the road fast if we want to avoid the rush hour."

"No problem, you know me I would have slept right through otherwise" DJ croaked as she kissed him on the cheek. "And moreover these amazing smelling waffles have led to instant forgiveness."

"You're welcome DJ"

After breakfast they piled DJ's four suitcases, Danny and Joey's overnight bags, and Jesse's two suitcases into the station wagon's trailer. Danny smiled wryly at his brother in law as he adjusted his second suitcase so that nothing would get broken.

"You do realise, Jesse that DJ is moving cities permanently and you are just staying over 2 nights"

"Oh shush Daniel, it has my hair dryer in it. And my gel."

Joey snuck up behind Jesse and pulled out one of his hairs "hope you didn't forget your dye buddy, looks like you're going a bit grey on it."

Jesse made his best immature face while Danny and DJ cracked up laughing.

"Just get in the car, huh"

They were interrupted when the front door burst open to reveal none other than Michelle Tanner in her PJs and wearing one slipper. She ran as best she could over to DJ.

"DJ, wait I'm sorry I was so rude to you before, I don't want you to go because I'll miss you. Not for any of those other reasons. Will you still like me when you come back?"

DJ's heart warmed; there would have been nothing worse than parting while they were still angry. "Of course I'll still like you Michelle, I love you to bits and I'll miss you too. And I'm sorry for what I said, it was wrong" she pulled the younger girl into a hug. Eventually Danny came over and told Michelle to go back to bed.

Joey sat next to DJ in the back seat. "So this is it, huh DJ?" Danny started the car and they turned out of the driveway and headed down the street. "Yes Joey, it really is."

A/N so there goes the first chapter. I hoped you guys liked it. My next chapter is mostly about DJ (with a bit of Steph and Jesse) but if you want to see more of anyone, just let me know and I'll try to write them in. Also did I do Michelle ok? I wanted to show her kind of selfish side and her sweet side at the same. And last question I promise, what do you think of DJ and Steve? Should they stay together? Thanks for reading! x