It took Jack another month to complete the process for the aftercare program at the dojo. In the end it was quite popular: most of the existing students joined the aftercare, their parents glad to have kids occupied. Rudy was able to hire another instructor to be the junior sensei to handle the younger students. Jack was inordinately proud of this achievement, stating that for the first time it was something that had not piggy-back on his grandpa's or father's success. His father seemed to agree. He was inclined to think that Jack inherited his business acumen and tenacity, matched by his deeply honorable nature. It was a testament to how far things thawed out between them, when Jack invited his father to the opening ceremony and called him dad. Kim was there and she could tell that Mr. Brewer was deeply affected and held off from hugging Jack by sheer force of will.

In fact his entire family situation seemingly improved. His parents were enjoying renewed understanding and Zoe mentioned, much to Kim's internal cringing, that it was nice to have house to themselves, because they felt like "newlyweds, Kim, all fun and passion."

And Jack talked to Kai, without fists flying, and whatever went down with them (he would not tell), but Kai had backed off from antagonizing Jack. They probably would never be friends, but they were family after all and they could be cordial to each other at family gatherings. In fact, Kai's father decided to take him into his company, the same way Jack was shadowing his father, and Kai groused to Kim once, when he came for coffee and a chat, that he never understood how Jack dealt with all of the 'boring business' stuff. Kai much rather be a stunt man himself, than the business owner.

When Jack moved back, they had one last rendezvous at the studio above garage, making good use of the mattress and solitude.

Though Jack did not broach it, but she was sure it was something both of them thought of often: what would happen when they graduate?

Jack, having gotten the taste of running a project from start to finish and proving to himself and his father that he could do it, was more inclined to go into business management as the result. It wasn't just his father's company that he would be eventually in charge of, there was some matter of his grandfather's inheritance, and Jack would really want an MBA to deal with all of those concerns. His grades were good and his extracurricular success in karate would pave the way to virtually any school and he did not have to worry about tuition.

He mentioned several schools, which he applied to, mostly in California, focusing on some that came recommended by both his father and Kim's own dad.

She, too, focused on in-state colleges, still uncomfortable leaving her dad alone for too long. She felt better about her chances now that the tuition was not a problem anymore. She did have a bit of the distraction though: she had to do a deposition about her findings at the Maggie's Fund and the idea behind the algorithm. It wasn't as scary as she thought it would be, but she could honestly say that she would not want to be a lawyer or an accountant. Her dad was with her as her legal counsel and the number of time she had to say 'objection,' made her bored.

She had another conversation with Mr. Davenport, who came for the deposition to thank her again and to meet with Milton and Jerry, his 'Scooby doo' gang as he called them. He had shown incredible interest in Milton and, though Milton had already pretty much locked in his own MIT acceptance, Mr. Davenport extended the same offer of internships at his company to both boys. In talking to Kim directly he advised her to look into business management and public relations as it would give her a broad enough foundation to make her start anywhere.

Her applications went out early and she was expecting responses any day now. Pretty much everyone did. Seniors at Seaford High were snappy, anxious and probably waited on streets for the mail truck to show up.

When she got her first responses from UC-Irvine and UC-Berkeley, she practically vibrated with emotion. Finding her phone she dialed her dad first.

"Dad, the letters are here. I am freaking out." She said without preamble.

"Did you open them already?" Her dad understood immediately what letters she was talking about.

"No, so afraid. I am shaking too much..."

"Want to wait for me to come back and open then?"

"I think I'll die of curiosity by then."

"Well, then you have to open it by yourself. Maybe you can see if Jack would join you?" Her dad's voice was teasing and she laughed too. It was no surprise that after the 'bee incident' her father approved of Jack completely. He did not even object to the notion that Kim might chose the school with Jack in mind. He cautioned her about moving too fast (and causing her immense embarrassment) and making choices that she might regret and even suggested that she'd see a gynecologist. Kim never felt the absence of a mother figure more acutely than then. In the end, that mortifying conversation did lead to her going to the doctor and figuring things out. It helped that Julie was in similar situation and the two of them were each others' support during the visit.

With shaking hands, Kim called Jack and managed to explain the situation. He was silent for a brief moment. "I'll be there soon.'

When he did show up, Kim was ready to scale the walls to disperse some of the nervous energy. She was pacing around the coffee table where the letters were, shooting them a glance every few seconds.

"Oh thank god, you are here!" she said to Jack when he finally knocked.

"Too jittery?" He smiled, "Of course, you are." Jack went to the room and sat down. "So... how you want to do it?"

"I don't know! I am so scared and curious at the same time! I don't think I can open them. You do it."

"You sure?" he asked cautiously and at her frantic nods he continued, "OK, here it goes."

He took one of them and opened the envelope, while Kim stood there with hands over her face.

"You got in, Kim! You got in!"

"What? Let me see." She pulled the letter out of his hands and quickly skimmed it. "Oh... oh... oh..."

In the end, Kim got in into both schools. She was smiling, giddy with news and could not contain her happiness. She noticed Jack's own pensive mood soon enough though.

"Sorry, I was so absorbed with this. What about you? Did you already get your letters?"

He opened his mouth to speak and then stopped. "What it is, Jack?"

"I got in. UC-Berkeley and Stanford," he said quietly.

"Oh..."

Kim was silent now. Stanford was probably much better for the economics major and future MBA than anything really. He should want to go to Stanford. Right?

"So..." she started just as Jack said, "Kim, I..."

They both stopped and laughed a little at that. Kim stopped worrying actually at this: it was them, they could do anything really.

"Just so that you know. If you chose Stanford, you have my full understanding." She said when he motioned for her to talk.

"I think I knew that. I am not sure about it though. The MBA program is great, but this is still a BA level and I don't have to go to Stanford just yet. I can always apply there for MBA later."

"You want to major in economics though, right? Stanford is good for it too."

"But I will be far away from you, no matter where you chose to go." He finally said what they were both thinking.

"Jack, if it was Julie telling me that she would forgo the best option for her because of Milton, I would hesitate to approve her actions. Does it makes sense?"

"I get it, Kim, I do. I just... I don't know... We have had so little time together and then, if we are separated... Long distance relationship..." He looked heart-broken and she went to him with a kiss.

"Hey, nothing's been decided yet. We should check out the schools, tour them, you know? We can do it together. What do you think?"

Her smile was bright enough that he smiled back, "OK. Road trip? Together?"

They ended up going with Jack's mother to tour the four schools.

Kim pretty much settled on Berkeley. She loved the campus and the proximity to San Francisco, as well as the varied undergraduate programs and classes. She also knew that this school was on Julie's short list and she would like to have a friend nearby. She knew Jack liked the sports and athletics offered there and she could honestly say that Stanford felt a little to posh for her. She would not say anything though lest Jack got an idea and chose base don her preferences, rather than his own best interests.

Zoe was enjoying the experience so much, remembering her own days at the California Conservatory of Music in San Francisco. She was happy and they stopped by her school too, just so that she could tell them of all the stories from her own youth. She got a kick out being confused for Kim's mother, seeing as both of them were blonde. She was always very receptive of Kim and this new closeness was a blessing to Kim herself, who did feel like she got a mom experience by being with Zoe. They even managed to sneak in some shopping for a prom dress, which Kim would no have thought to do until much later. Zoe insisted that she never got the chance to play dress up with a little girl, so it was only fair that Kim allow her to do so now.

When they got back to Seaford, Kim announced to Jack that her choice is Berkeley and that whatever he choses, they'd manage.

He looked relieved, "I am so glad. I chose Berkeley too."

"Jack... Are you sure? I mean Stanford..."

"Is just a school. And I might apply there for an MBA, but for right now, I'll go with Berkeley."

There was not much to be said after that. Jack could be stubborn himself and Kim was not about to argue against her own wishes.

She informed Mr. Davenport of her choice and was heartened to hear that he was impressed with her academic prowess that got her into a good school. His offer of scholarship still stood and she send her response with a light heart.

There was still school and classes and work, but now the main worry in her life was over and she enjoyed these last days of carefree high school student.

There were dates, and parties, and spending time with friends. There were talks with parents and dreaming about college life. But most importantly, there was Jack, always present and steady. They were more restricted now that he lived with his parents, but they took advantage of his car, which he got back; dojo (and Kim would not be telling anyone about the cleaning of the mats that they ended up doing); her apartment, if Jack could get away from his father; and even school broom closet. She would blush, but she would admit that there was a certain exhilaration to making love when you could get caught so easily. She thought that she understood Jack: she could not imagine being separated from him.

When they left for school, their parents in toe, she felt optimistic. She could not guaranty that she and Jack would remain together, but she could promise that she would do her best to make it work.

A/N: And so this story ends. I hope you liked it. I have two possible plots already sort of percolating: one angsty, and one more light-hearted. Let me know if there is an interest in more of my Kick stories, and if so, which kind.