OK as a couple of people wanted more Callie I worked some in with this scene! Also gotta give another shout out to my palio TheTBone for this chapter for suggesting the set up in which Callie/Stef exchange could take place (she also made me keep in the exchange between Stef and Kasey so if it's a bit riské blame T - but I am thankful to her as always for her informal beta-ing - and Fragments is awesome so I'm still shamelessly plugging it). There will be more Callie coming up later in this "episode" (for that Callie/Evan bonding suggestion from emilyam) and quite predominantly in the next.

Hope you enjoy!

Stef and Evan returned up from the basement just as Kasey and Callie came down the stairs.

"You two are coming down late - what you been up to?" Stef asked smiling and putting her arm around Kasey's shoulders. "Dare I ask if you were re-drafting your admissions essay?"

Kasey looked at her watch then at Callie.

"10 seconds, I think I called 5..."

"I had 20..." Callie sighed.

"Ho! My half of the dishes for you." Callie reluctantly hi-fived Kasey's outstretched hand sighing.

Stef rolled her eyes and squeezed Kasey slightly. "Very funny - what were you doing then?"

"I was actually sending off an application. I found a manager training course for Burger King and I really think I have a shot..."

Stef paused for a second with a vague look of fear.

"It's really well paid and I figured now I have this math thing down it would be a more applicable use of it."

Stef's eyes narrowed as Kasey finally gave herself up with a smirk.

"Why am I even bothering paying for college for you? It'd be a lot cheaper to ship you to Australia."

Kasey gave a wide, cheeky smile. Callie and Evan both chuckled.

"Let's eat." Kasey moved to walk forward but Stef quickly pulled her back.

"Oh and that reminds me..." She raised a finger and locked eyes with Kasey. "Michelle's here; no, despite what happened you are not going to make smartass comments about the other night and yes, if you do I will make you go on a personal bonding trip with just you and Michelle. One mention. I mean it." She squeezed Kasey with every statement before her daughter had the chance to react to any of them.

"Understood?"

"What, not a single kitchen comment?"

"Not one."

"I can't even remark how she seems to like to come in our kitchen?" Callie and Evan exchanged an amused look at Kasey's shameless use of double entendre. Stef simply gawped and smacked her hard on the arm as Kasey yelped in pain.

"Kasey Anne Foster!" she reprimanded. "Especially not - now keep it zipped."

"Well if Brandon doesn't have to take that advice I don't see why I have too..." she goaded further.

Stef raised an eyebrow. "You do realise you're talking about your brother's sex life?"

Kasey winced for a moment.

"Yeah, thought so!" Stef commented deadpan. "Out your system, yes? Good. Move."

Kasey rolled her eyes as Stef swatted her lightly again and dragged her into the kitchen with Evan and Callie following behind.

Kasey took her seat without acknowledging Brandon or Michelle - she thought it would be safer.

The dinner had been relatively quiet until Stef noticed Jude spending a lot of time looking down at his legs and barely touching his food.

She looked knowingly at Lena then peered over the table. His fork had been hovering precotiously above his plate as he silently mouthed words to himself

"Ju-ude -" Lena said quietly trying to catch his attention. The family turned to him as he continued to be engrossed in his reading.

Realising his lack of reaction, Stef carefully pulled his plate away leaving a clear space under his wavering fork. Lena gave her a small slap on the side but did nothing else to prevent her.

"Food good enough for you Jude?" she said loudly as he snapped out of his trance and immediately dove his fork into the table below with a shock. He giggled slightly embarrassed and looked up at a smiling and wide eyed Stef. He timidly pulled the plate back.

"Lesley giving you enough to eat in class?" she asked continuing to eat.

"Huh?" he replied, slightly confused.

"Just assuming if you're having to do your drama at dinner you must be doing all your eating in class."

His mouth flapped slightly before another apologetic smile.

"Give him a break Mom, you let me do my piano stuff here." Brandon chimed in in his defense.

"Oh I know! Though you manage to still be able to ingest food while you're doing it - and that can play in the background. Jude honey, I'm sure you don't need to be memorising it every waking moment. You'll be fine."

He gave a nod with a sigh.

"It's just so much! I'm really scared I'll forget it." he commented as he began to stir his food around his plate.

"Hey why don't we play the audio tape of the play as we eat?" Mariana suggested.

Brandon clocked Stef's visible distaste of the suggestion.

"Yeeeah...Mom doesn't really do Shakespeare." He replied as Stef threw him a look.

"Hey I can cope with Shakespeare...I just prefer to see it." she said defensively.

"Yeah, especially with subtitles or sparknotes." Kasey said through a smirk.

Stef narrowed her eyes. "Oh and you wonder why I'm so keen to get you off to college...!" she joked. "And I get Shakespeare thank you. I just prefer other kinds of plays. Don't!" she added as Kasey opened her mouth again to comment.

"I'm with you there Mrs F. I'm not that hot on Ye Olde Bill." Evan agreed in her defense.

"Exactly."

"I prefer some of the more modern writers - like Cummings or Eliot or Bunting."

Stef squinted as Kasey smirked into her plate.

"Are you making names up again?" she accused suspiciously as Evan looked back at her oblivious.

"Oh Mom, you know T.S. Eliot! Brandon and I were in Murder in the Cathedral back in Freshman year."

Stef looked blankly for a second before suddenly recalling. "Oh yes that God-awf...offering. That God offering..." She re-routed with a guilty smile realising she was thinking aloud. Kasey laughed into her drink.

"You told me you thought it was brilliant!" Brandon said defensively.

"Oh come on Brandon, she was asleep for half of it!" Kasey laughed prompting a kick from Stef.

"You were brilliant Brandon - you have to admit it isn't the most riveting play! But besides, I'd been up all night fixing your cost..."

"Oh no you don't - I did that!" Lena cut her off with a giggle as Stef turned to her mid-word digging her hole deeper.

"Well...when you don't sleep I don't sleep...probably..." Her voice trailed off inaudible into her glass as everyone around the table continued to laugh quietly. Even Jesus cracked his first smile of the meal.

"It's OK Brandon, you know what these things are like!" Michelle added with a smile before taking a drink. She then began to choke slightly drinking some of the juice the wrong way and while distracted, spilled more of the contents down her shirt.

"Oh my God! Are you OK?" Brandon said concerned. Most of the rest of the family were stunned but some laughed nervously.

"Here, I'll slap you on the back..." Kasey moved forward saying as Stef yanked her back down with a look.

"I'm fine!" Michelle coughed as she regained her voice. "Just choking on my dignity apparently. So sorry Stef, Lena! Mind if I go clean this off, it stains really easily."

"Of course, you know where the bathroom is." Lena said almost getting up as Michelle slipped off her stool and disappeared through the door.

"Hey, why didn't I get the memo we can chuck drinks over Michelle now?" Kasey whispered quietly in earshot of Evan and Stef as Brandon was distracted with her leaving. Evan tried not to giggle as Stef gave her another kick while also suppressing a small smirk.

"So! How is the play going ? The rehearsals going well?" she chimed in to hide any chance of Brandon hearing.

Jude shrugged a face as Callie answered. "They've had to really cut down the rehearsals as Lesley's Mom isn't well."

"Oh no!" Stef responded with concern.

"Well from what I hear you're all coping with it pretty well. I see you in there almost every lunchtime." Lena commented.

"Huh! I'm gonna start giving you weigh-ins Jude, make sure you're eating enough. Just make sure you don't put too much pressure on yourself. I have no doubt you'll do brilliant whatever the case."

"It's hard but Mariana and Callie are helping me a lot at home." He replied tucking in to his food.

"You two are being so good with this. How is the set coming along?" Lena added.

"Good, it's taking shape. Feel like I've been painting trees forever though." Mariana smiled

"And I've nearly finished the donkey's head." Callie added popping a mouthful in. "Costumes next!"

"Well I've no doubt it will be wonderful." Stef beamed proudly. "And if not, I could do with the sleep anyway these days."

Dinner continued with various jokes and jibes and overall everyone behaved. Kasey was getting better at ignoring Michelle's presence without it being obvious, much to Brandon's relief - and Stef's.

After it all was over and most had retreated to their rooms Stef and Callie remained.

"Wow - Jude is really getting engrossed in this play isn't he? You must be so proud of him! I know we are!" Stef beamed rubbing Callie's arm.

Callie gave a wide smile and her eyes gazed far across the yard thinking of her brother. "It's going to be great for him. I'm just so happy he's happy. And he really is so good - it's like he just finds himself in it!"

"He's a talented kid. I'm glad he's found a way to express it!" She smiled proudly thinking of Jude but also looking at the young lady before her. All they had been through. All the ups and downs. She was so honoured to have them both in her family. She felt so privileged to be able to see the people they were becoming.

"You don't actually have to do the dishes by yourself you know, bet or not. I can make Kasey do them." Stef commented as she sipped away at her tea.

"It's ok!" Callie laughed. "I owed her anyway. Besides, she's pretending she's doing Math with Lena."

Stef looked at her concerned.

"Relax" Callie laughed. "She does the work, don't worry. Lena wouldn't let her not - and she only resists to wind you up."

Stef shook her head. "I just don't understand why she's being so stubborn about this. We just want her to have the best opportunities to get into the best schools I mean that's no too much is it? This is for her, it's all for her. It's for her future...and are you laughing at me, young lady?" Stef interrupted her rant as she noticed Callie laughing into the sink she hovered over.

"No..." She laughed as Stef got more agitated. She cracked a smile herself and grabbed the sprayer spraying Callie lightly in the face.

Callie shrieked slightly in shock as she cowered away. "OK, OK. Yes. I am - just a little."

"Why? Because I'm concerned about your sister?" She folded her arms still holding the sprayer.

"No it's not that. It...it doesn't matter."

"Callie..." she insisted.

"It really doesn't..." she sprayed her lightly again. "OK, OK! But you know you really have to stop being so trigger happy with that thing!"

"You're changing the subject" she said raising the hose again as Callie put her hands up.

"Fine. I just think it's kind of funny that you two have no idea how similar you are."

Stef widened her eyes. "Oh we do, trust me."

"Well then..." Callie stopped and looked round but Stef urged with her eyes to continue. "I...it's just here you are ranting about choices and opportunities and speaking about Kasey as if she's still living here aged 30 with 4 kids. There she is probably ranting right now to Lena about how nothing she can do is good enough for you and how you're expecting some kind of Stanford grad student."

"...and?" Stef looked oblivious to the point.

"I just think it's funny that you're both continuing the to-ing and fro-ing when you both know what the result is going to be."

"Which is what?" Callie was almost surprised at how genuinely clueless Stef was about her own situation.

"That when it comes down to it on Kasey's graduation day you are going to realise you don't care where it is she's ended up because she still beat your fear and she is going to realise she did better than she feared to believe she could."

Stef's mouth dropped slightly. "And what exactly are our fears exactly, oh wise one?" Stef asked leaning slightly on the counter, intrigued.

Callie gave her a sweet smile.

"Yours being that Kasey will feel the regrets you have about not taking your own education seriously - and Kasey's being that if she puts in too much effort and doesn't make the cut she'll disappoint herself and you in a way she has no control over."

Stef opened her mouth to respond but paused mulling over exactly what it was that Callie had said.

She suddenly felt slightly guilty for being so blunt and focussed back down on the dishes.

"I'm sorry - I'm assuming in one's family setup it's not quite a daughter's place to psycho-analyse her 'Mom'." She commented with exaggerated smarminess.

"Huh!" Stef scoffed. "That's hardly the most impertinent thing you daughters do, trust me." She teased nudging her as Callie turned up the corner of her mouth.

"You're right though - I don't like it!" She squinted. "I don't like my children reading me better than I read myself. How did you all get so smart?" She nudged her again as Callie giggled.

"Well Kasey isn't the only one getting into college you know!" She replied continuing her washing up.

"True - and I hope you know how proud we are of how well you've done!" She said squeezing her into a hug. "And if this is anything to go by you're going to be a psychology major. It is annoying though. Why can't you just do teenage stuff like pierce your belly button or something so I can tell you what and what not to do!" She teased having another sip of tea.

Callie let out a deeper laugh. "Well for one, I'm 18 - so you couldn't yell at me anyway. And two, you didn't know I got my bellybutton pierced already?" She said adopting a serious stare.

Stef's expression dropped for a couple of moments of gullibility until Callie's smile betrayed her and she could no longer keep up the act.

A mixture of relief and mock anger rushed over Stef as she once again sprayed her playfully with the hose to reprimand her for fooling her. Callie held up a plate to protect herself spraying Stef slightly who tried to get her from the top before noticing Michelle had arrived back downstairs and was stood by the door.

"Michelle - sorry I didn't see you." Stef said wiping a small bit of water off her face. Callie put the dish back in the sink as Stef threw her a tea towel.

"Brandon not seeing you out?"

"Oh no - I told him not to bother as he has a ton of practice to do. I've kept him enough already!" A moment of silence followed as Michelle seemed to hover over her next sentence.

"Uhm Stef..." Michelle continued. Stef looked at Michelle and then back at Callie, her mouth slightly open. "I'll uhm...just go and well...not be standing here awkwardly..." Callie said drying her hands and throwing the tea towel back at Stef's face. She lightly whipped her with it before folding it onto the side and walking quietly over to Michelle.

"Thanks for letting me stay - I realise with everything that we may have got off on a bad foot - I just...I really want this to work out between us." She gave an apologetic smile as Stef nodded.

"OK, well...I appreciate your being honest with me." She paused trying to think of something to fill the silence. "And you're welcome here any time. I mean...well any of the appropriately stipulated times - if you get my meaning!" She added still slightly cautious. Michelle smiled and opened the door.

"Well, I will see you again soon. Have a good night!"

"Goodnight Michelle." Stef said closing the door behind her. She turned and rested her head against it taking a deep breath before rubbing her eyes with her hands.

She was still nervous about Michelle but she was starting to think that maybe it was because her and Kasey were too similar. Maybe she was just channeling. It wasn't fair to not give her a chance. She may have her bad streaks but then so did Evan in the past. She released her gaze and looked down at the floor. The mat was offset as it always was. She kept meaning to get a thinner one for under the door as day by day it would jerk up and have to be readjusted.

She bent down on her haunches and whipped it up to realign. There was the usual bit of dust that flew up. This time though something flew out.

A small, transparent bag with something inside that made Stef's heart drop.

Ohhhhh crap. Not that everyone didn't see that coming... What did you think of Stef/Callie? Is it what people were wanting?

Chapter 23 Preview: Evan desperately tries to find the weed, Stef and Lena call a family interrogation and Kasey and Brandon lock horns.

"Anyone want to tell me what this is?" She held up the bag as the kids all realised the reality of the situation. Some more relieved than others.

Kasey furrowed her brow. "It's a bag of weed Mom..." She said slightly agitated.

"It's not the time for jokes Kasey." Kasey immediately got defensive, shocked at the accusations when to her the answer seemed so obvious.