Authors note: In this penultimate chapter to the upcoming finale, yes I know it has been a long journey and I wish to thank all those who have followed, reviewed, and kept up with this story of love and struggle; Stephanie will come to a realization, drawing upon what happened that night she kissed Kimmy. I might have lost some people and perhaps gained some people, all in all I am thankful to you all and to those who ship these two. Anyway I promise by the end of the chapter everything will come full circle to tie up things nice and neatly in the next chapter. Here we go.

CH.14: Coming to terms

Stephanie was giddy and excited to be going out with such an exciting young woman like Vi; it really put all the headline romance of her life at rest. The prospect of romance again in her life…who would have thought she'd find it at a rodeo of all places? And now she was hitting the club with her…everything was finally looking up for her. Life as an actress was great and all and managed to get her out from under her sister's roof and with financial stability she had not known since giving up the life of a DJ to help out her sister.

She never…ok she might have had wistful thoughts going into helping her sister raise her family, at first, but she grew to think of them as her own family. She had to deal with the fact she couldn't bear children and that was a tough hurdle…but…maybe she wasn't meant to settle down just yet anyway, she was young and she was just riding the current that was life. And then things with Kimmy took hold of her dragging her under the water and holding her tight…and maybe…just maybe what she felt was love. Kimmy betrayed her though…sent her out to L.A. and in some ways she was thankful for that cold splash of a wakeup call.

Miley had been her next shot at love while working on her hit show…but throw in an ex, or whatever Kimmy had been to her and things became complicated fast. Stephanie had gotten over her feelings for her but Kimmy couldn't let sleeping dogs…sleep. Anyway on set drama happened and Stephanie stood by her girl and only as Kimmy began moving on did she realize that maybe she still had feelings for Kimmy. Kimmy though tried to ease her away…some sense of maturity had grown into the woman who used to put her feet up on the family table….or show up uninvited.

Her relationship to Miley ended shortly after that along with the cancellation of her show. Kimmy moved back to San Fransisco but still managed to retain a relationship. Stephanie was looking back on her life, why, perhaps because she needed to put it all aside so she could have some happiness for once. Nearing the club she adjusted her dress pulling it down a bit and making sure she didn't face plant onto the sidewalk in her heels.

"I am single…I shouldn't feel guilty about this…what happened between Kimmy and me is all in the past. I am a party girl…whoo…nightlife and drinking and maybe if I am lucky some fun under the sheets. Stephanie Tanner is going to get her groove on." Stephanie cheered and showed her smile to the bouncer who let her in without checking her I.D., not that it was needed as even with her figure it was in the face where age normally showed.

The club was booming and pulsing with music from the DJ and Stephanie saw flashes of herself up there looking out at the dancers. It was kind a weird reverie of flashbacks induced by pulsing soundwaves that cascaded over her. What was this…she wasn't even drunk or high but somehow standing here she felt sort of like she was experiencing an out of body experience. Hearing a voice she had to focus and found Vi standing there wearing low riding jeans and a top no mother would let their daughter out of the house in.

Suddenly she pictured Kimmy's daughter Ramona wearing something like that and she felt inclined to tell her to not be like her. Suddenly her lifestyle seemed wrong somehow…how was that even possible?

"Looking hot Stephanie…shall we show these gals on the dance floor how it is done?" Stephanie nodded her head shaking off these feelings and together she and Vi danced the night away. Stephanie could feel Vi behind her grinding into her and she shook her hips about just letting the DJ whisk her away from all her troubles, all her thoughts of the past…for the past was best there, behind her.

Nodding her head she soon found Vi in front of her and their crotches were meeting in time with the beat. Stephanie felt at ease with Vi…washing into her body and meshing with her youth. Stephanie liked to think that she still had it going on…that she needed to keep going or she would win up like DJ…raising a family and not being able to live up the life. This was good…and with Vi going to College here…wait…where was she going to College?

"Say Vi…where are you going to College…and about your rodeo…is that here or-?" Stephanie continued dancing and Vi kissed her lips. Stephanie thought to just lose herself in the kiss as dancers circled around them but something didn't sit right with all this. Damn she needed a drink bad…nothing about this was enjoyable in the least.

"You talk too much…live in the moment and dance with me." Vi winked at her and Stephanie didn't think to question her. It was a something she used to say to herself…that there was no need to talk when the moment needed no words, just action. So she kept dancing moving low to the ground and swaying her hips moving her hands over her chest and giving people something to look at.

"I am curious though…you never did say-." Stephanie saw Vi heave a sigh and she began moving to the bar. Stephanie hurried after her and as she went to order a drink she stepped in.

"Ramona you aren't-." Stephanie stopped herself but it was already too late. Vi had a soda and she sat down on the stool giving her a look…the look most people give crazy people.

"Who is this Ramona? Look, I know I'm not old enough to drink…that is why I drink soda, not good for you but still…it keeps you alert. I was hoping to delay this long as possible but…I'm going to College in Texas. And since I am part of the Rodeo Circuit and all and seeing how I was just sponsored by someone in Texas it sort of works. I was going to tell you about this…but…guess it was too much to hope that this night could just continue like none of this happened."

Stephanie was crestfallen and she took a seat doing her best to not break down. So that was how it is…cute girl but…she had plans that would take her away. Kimmy was making her long distance work but…with a busy lifestyle like that would she even have time to keep in contact?

"Look, I like you Stephanie…but…clearly you have some things you need to work out. I realize this life of mine is not easy for anyone…and being out of High School the road beckons to me and staying in one place…it isn't easy. I'm sure you understand…you used to DJ right?" Vi took a sip of her drink and turned looking out at the crowd.

"You do your homework, yeah, I used to do that. I traveled around and did all that…got me a lot of word of name and stuff…didn't really stay put long though. Did Marie know any of this?" Stephanie sat there tempted to just order a drink and forget…but…forgetting seemed to be hard these days.

Vi shook her head sending her dark locks about her face. Setting her drink down she seemed far away then, probably lost in the crowd dancing with some stranger. Stephanie knew that lifestyle…some part of her was still out on that dancefloor…and yet…for some odd reason that life didn't suit her anymore. She was starting to miss home…starting to miss someone who had clearly moved on from her. Had she not been with Miley…would things have turned out differently?

"Marie is a good girl, funny and kind, she is all heart. Look Stephanie…for what it is worth you and I could have made some sweet music under the sheets. I hope this girl knows just how lucky she is." She kissed her cheek before getting off the stool and swaying those hips of hers onto the dance floor.

"Yeah…so do I." Stephanie sat there a bit longer as the music went on. Her red dress felt great…but…right now she just wanted to be out of it. The L.A. scene was slowly starting to lose its buzz and thoughts of Kimmy kept surfacing. Maybe the party scene, the living it up lifestyle…it was all becoming part of the past and the future was somewhere that offered bliss, comfort, security and love. Thinking back did she ever tell Kimmy that she loved her?

Rising from her seat she held her head high moving to the exit. The bouncer gave her a look that asked her why she was leaving before the party ended…well…truth was the party ended long ago…and now she needed to do something to set things straight once and for all.

Authors note: I hope this didn't move too fast and all. I am just trying to get Stephanie into that right mindset to make that life changing moment a reality. Far as Kimmy though…hard to say where she will be when next we see her. Anyway I will start work on the final chapter and hope I didn't lose too many of you during the breaks and the recent chapters.