This was originally up as a big, long thing, and since I'd never done chapters, I thought I'd try here. I tried to send this in as a FH story but they woudln't take it; hence it's in Book Unvierse form with the chapters. And, I think, a more realistic version of what happened, as they had to squish some things in w/Steve, but never explain why things were as bad as they sounded.

Anyway, I changed things up a little in later chapters, but more importantly, I changed friends to Denise and Lisa for one important reason. Most fans feel Steph wouldn't go so far as to refuse to forgive Michelle in the Book Universe; she's gotten more control of herself by the start of 7th grade. Instead, they figure she'd pull out embarrassing pictures of Michelle to show Andrew; a few feel she'd also tease her singing, "Michelle and Jeffrey sittin' in a tree..." And, I agree. So, this is all TV Universe now.

Ninety- percent different/new stuff since it's book form, as I've said before. The original story is based on the series finale, though you won't notice a lot of it even here. I just changed Cassie back to Lisa and Mandy to Denise; that works, as Steph's friends aren't too involved in this one, though Gia would try to help, as I showed in "I Want To Be A Part of It," which I think is in the Cosby Show section. Enjoy!

CHAPTER ONE

Thirteen-year-old Stephanie Tanner sighed heavily. She was dressed in a lime green outfit, and wore her blonde hair long. She stared at a blank sheet of paper. It looked like her mind felt. "I can't think of a single short story topic for English. And, I'm usually very good at that."

She plopped her pen on her desk. It was almost time to leave for her sister's horse jumping contest, anyway. And, as mad as her sister Michelle had made her yesterday, she knew she should go. The whole family would be there. She didn't have to forgive her to cheer for her. Besides, their dad, Danny Tanner, had left with Michelle. So, she wouldn't even have to talk to her.

Still, thinking of Michelle's actions put her in an even fouler mood. Stephanie needed something to lift her spirits. She knew her friend Gia would be out at the mall. So, she called her friend Allie Taylor, who had moved away a few years ago. Nobody would be home. But, Allie had written her a letter a week or two ago, telling her she'd recorded a funny message on her parents' phone. And, Stephanie hadn't heard it yet.

"Hi, this is the Taylor's," Stephanie heard. "Well, no, not the kind that sew clothes together. But, that's probably where the name comes from, and I suppose I could help. I'm okay with a needle and . . . listen to me. I sound like my friend Stephanie from where I used to live. Well, just leave your name, number, and a message, and we'll get back to you." The machine beeped.

Stephanie laughed. She was glad to have something to take her mind off her writers' block - and off the fight with Michelle. "Something like that always picks me up when I'm down."

"Steph, hurry up. We don't want to be late," her Aunt Becky called up the steps. Stephanie shrugged. Maybe her dad was right. Watching this competition would be fun.

She still couldn't believe Michelle could tease her like that, though. Nor could she believe the chance she'd lost. That boy had been so incredible. And, they had been about to kiss. That made him even more special.

His name was Andrew, and she was crazy about him. They'd been rehearsing the kissing scene from Romeo and Juliet for Drama class. The two of them were supposed to lock lips. For some reason, he always skipped that part. But, Shakespeare had written that into the script 400 years ago, and this wasn't the type of class where they could ad lib and get a good grade.

So, Stephanie expected that they would kiss, and that the kiss would be incredibly wonderful and passionate. She'd waited quite impatiently, until yesterday.

Andrew had looked ready to kiss Stephanie. And then, Michelle came along. She kept calling Stephanie "dry lips." She actually told Andrew that Stephanie had a big crush on him (can you believe it?)! Andrew had been very shy before that. He'd left hurriedly afterward. And now?

Stephanie stomped down the steps, fuming again. Why had she thought about that?
Becky helped her boys Nicky and Alex - three-year-old identical twins - with their spring jackets. "Boys, you'll ride with me. Joey's taking D.J. and Stephanie."

"Okay, Mommy," Nicky said.

"Will they have a merry go 'round," Alex wanted to know.

Becky laughed. "No, no merry go 'round, Alex. We're just going to watch horses."

Stephanie tried to tell herself Michelle's actions were all in fun. She tried to remember that she'd teased her eighteen-year-old sister, D.J., the same way sometimes. However, a part of her just couldn't stand Michelle. "I drove D.J. crazy a few times," she'd reasoned. "But I certainly never told one of her boyfriends she liked him! Now, Andrew's never coming back. We'll never kiss for real. And it's all Michelle's fault."

Stephanie still loved Michelle. She just didn't want an eight-year- old like Michelle hanging around her all the time. She had too many more important things in her life. Maybe she would be able to tolerate her more when Michelle became a teenager.

"Where's Daddy," Alex asked.

"He's doing some work for the band. Or maybe it's for his club," Becky explained. She wished her husband, Jesse, had more time for his family. Lately, he'd been really busy. He'd formed a new band, and he needed to do quite a few things for his club, the Smash Club.

Stephanie got into the car. "Steph, your expression looks as sour as two-year-old milk," Joey remarked, trying to lift her spirits.

Stephanie chuckled. Joey was a very funny comedian.

Joey thought for a moment. "Oh, I know what it is, Steph." He reached for something in his pocket. "Here, put these up your nose. They'll hide the horses' smell."

Stephanie shook her head as he handed them back to her. "Joey . . . these are ear plugs."

He held a finger to his mouth to shush her. "Don't tell them, they won't know the difference."

Stephanie grinned. Joey could make anyone smile. Actually, anyone in their family could. Even Michelle. She wanted to have fun, but as they entered the stables, she wondered if it would be possible.

D.J. smiled at Stephanie. "Hey, Steph," she said as they walked toward a table. "Who do you think will be my date for the prom?" D.J.'s friend Kimmy was trying to find her a date. But, all she'd found so far were real losers.

Stephanie blinked as she sat. "I don't know, D.J.," she said absently.

"Mommy, you said this would be fun," Nicky whined.

Alex looked insistent. He thought people were supposed to smile if they were having fun. "Yeah, and Stephanie's not smiling."

Stephanie forced a large grin. "Sorry. How's this?"

"That's better!" Alex declared.

Stephanie gazed around. "Okay, I'm smiling. Now, where's Michelle?" she wondered.

---------------

Michelle shook her head and rolled her eyes. "This is nuts," she said to herself.

Her new friend, Elizabeth, silently agreed. They were near the starting gate for the horse jumping competition. And, their parents were arguing like cats and dogs. Each seemed to think their child capable of superhuman feats. Each contended that their child was far better. The girls felt like they had to beat each other - or else.

The girls couldn't stand the commotion. Michelle fondly remembered having her dad cheer for her at other times. But, this was too much. Way too much. "They both have very bad attitudes," she said to herself. "Riding used to be fun."

"Yeah, before parents got involved," Elizabeth grumbled. Her mom, Morgan, was driving her as crazy as Danny seemed to be driving Michelle.

Michelle's eyes brightened. "I've got an idea. Why don't we skip the contest and go riding on the trail. For fun."

Elizabeth couldn't agree more. That was what she'd wanted to do when she signed up to learn to ride. Why had she ever wanted to jump, anyway? Three victories in a row weren't as much fun when her mom acted like this. "Tanner, you're a genius."

Their parents having left, the girls hitched up their horses. Michelle petted her pony, which nuzzled her hand. Soon, the two were near the main gate. A person could go one of two directions - to the competition or onto the trail. They chose the trail.

They spied a large parking lot in the distance. Michelle wondered if anybody came to have fun. She hoped at least a few kids would enjoy themselves today.

They stopped their horses. Michelle chuckled as she spied a mule. It was tied next to two horses. "That looks like the one I brought home once," she thought aloud.

Elizabeth's eyes grew wide. "You brought home a mule?" Michelle didn't live on a farm, did she? "Where do you live again?"

"Girard Street. I didn't get to keep it. But, my friends and I like to feed it at the petting zoo," Michelle remarked. They waved to an old fellow seated by the mule. "Hi, Mister. You look like a real cowboy, you know that?"

"Howdy. Say, you young'uns look like you're lost," he told them.

Michelle realized he noticed their clothes. "No, Sir. We're not jumping today." She didn't tell him how relieved she was to not be worried about winning.

The old man shrugged. "Family and friends will be disappointed."

"Well . . . they'll understand." She spoke with Elizabeth, feeling a little depressed as they rode. "But, my friend Denise and her family are visiting her grandma in the hospital. Lisa and her mom are at a baby shower. And, Teddy's with his family visiting relatives in Texas, where they lived for a while."

"What about your family?" Elizabeth inquired.

Michelle frowned slightly. "All Dad cares about right now is beating you - well, you mom, really. My Uncle Jesse's way too busy, he won't be here. Stephanie hates me, and won't talk to me. Nicky and Alex won't sit still long enough. And, Aunt Becky, D.J., and Joey will be entertaining them."

Michelle and Elizabeth gazed at the beautiful scenery as their horses sauntered along the trail. "I'm glad we decided to skip the competition," Elizabeth remarked. She positioned her riding derby. "This is gonna be great," Elizabeth remarked.

Michelle agreed heartily as they wandered into a meadow. She was glad her dad let her ride. He really was a kind, loving person. She hoped Elizabeth didn't get the wrong impression. "My dad's usually really warm and caring. He doesn't care about winning like he does now. Usually all he's crazy about is safety and cleaning things."

"At least he cares about something besides winning." Elizabeth assured Michelle that her mom was nice, too. "My mom gets carried away a lot. But, she's nice to be around, when I'm not trying to win something."

Elizabeth noticed Michelle hadn't mentioned a mother when discussing her family. "So . . . where's your mom?"

There was silence for a moment. "She died when I was little," Michelle said evenly.

"I'm sorry," Elizabeth spoke regretfully.

"Hey, it's okay. I've still got a great family. Uncle Jesse and Joey - that's my dad best friend from college - moved in to help with D.J., Stephanie, and me right after that. Then, Uncle Jesse met and married my Aunt Becky. They have two boys - that's Nicky and Alex. All nine of us live there together."

"Sounds like a really full house," Elizabeth remarked as her horse whinnied slightly.

"Yeah, I'll say."

Michelle frowned. She was glad their family was so close. She was worried about Stephanie, though. How could her sister be so cranky? She'd thought Stephanie was just being grouchy. Now, she wasn't sure. Stephanie usually didn't stay near this mad for this long. She wished there was something she could do to help.

Michelle's face brightened as she surveyed the scenery. She enjoyed the togetherness of her family. But, sometimes, it was fun just to get away from it all.

"This is so fun," Elizabeth proclaimed delightfully.

Michelle gazed at the turn in the trail. As they followed it, she spied a downed tree. Now that would be something fun to jump, Michelle considered. "I like riding a horse when you don't have to win anything "

"Yeah, it's so cool. Hey, wanna jump that log?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yeah, let's do it" quickly flew from Michelle's lips.

Elizabeth's horse jumped it perfectly. She turned a little to watch Michelle.

Michelle's horse stood up. A shriek resounded as Michelle lost her grip.

Michelle instinctively turned to break her fall. She held her hands out in front of her. However, Michelle's head still struck the ground hard. Her horse galloped away.

Elizabeth gasped. "That was a big fall." She jumped off her horse, and ran toward Michelle. "Why isn't she moving?" "Michelle, Michelle. Michelle, are you okay?" She jostled her, then decided that was a bad idea. She thought she recalled one shouldn't move an unconscious person. "Michelle, wake up," she cried, alarmed.