I felt bad since the last Chapter was so short - so here's another one!

~Lisa.

Chapter Eleven - Apologies all round

Excerpt from Regina J. Powell's Diary

Sunday, September 13th 1998

Dear Diary,

That sure was a close call! That Kimberley Gibbler almost caught me, in fact I'm not sure why she didn't, she just suddenly wasn't behind me anymore. It's a shame that I didn't get to complete my plan though, which was to lock her in the bathroom, and completely trash the main room. Oh well, scaring her like that was beyond enjoyable. I hope dear Kimberley thinks twice before messing with me next time!

The idiot police came and questioned me this morning. They even asked me about my whereabouts last night – just like they do on TV. I said I was home asleep, and they asked if anyone could vouch for that. Can you believe it! Mother backed me up, saying that she looked in on me during the night, on her way back from the bathroom, but she couldn't recall what time it was. It's true, she did look in on me, but what mother doesn't realize was that I had only just returned home! They recommended that I stay away from the Gibbler girl – which I have no problem with, and Stephanie – which you and I know is not going to happen!

Yesterday evening I was again hanging out in my car spying on the house through binoculars, and I happened upon Dean Barton storming out, little blonde girl in tow. My heart went out to Stephanie when my binoculars found her crying in her room, but I can't understand why she would be wasting tears crying over him. I wonder if Stephanie would cry like that if something happened to me. I bet she would! I hope this means Stephanie and Dean have broken up for good. I wonder what happened! Maybe Dean was angry with Stephanie over losing his precious dog! I hope so, as that would mean that I had a hand in their breakup, and that just makes me smile.

After Stephanie finally stopped crying she spent a significant amount of time on the phone, and for most of the conversation she looked distressed. I hope she wasn't on the phone to Dean, pleading with him to take her back. Surely Stephanie knows better than that! I know it wasn't Gia as I checked on her whereabouts earlier, and located her at the Smash Club.

Here's to the demise of Stephanie and Dean's relationship! (not that it was ever much of a relationship anyway!}

Regina Judith and Stephanie Judith – Best Friends Forever!!!

Yours,

Regina J. Powell

Stephanie waited impatiently for the elevator to reach the fifth floor. The Barton's lived in a spacious modern three-bedroom apartment. Ethan Barton owned three construction businesses, one in San Francisco where Dean worked, one in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the third in Phoenix, Arizona. He traveled a lot and Stephanie knew that her dad worried that he may or may not be home when Stephanie visited Dean. He was currently away, but Stephanie couldn't remember which of the two cities he was in.

The police had stopped by just after breakfast to interview Kimmy, and Stephanie, and had spoken briefly to other family members, and neighbors, including Mrs. Graham. They'd noted down the vandalism of Kimmy's car, as well as the fact that Regina had been caught parked outside the house. They examined the crushed bushes below Kimmy's apartment window, but concluded that it could have been squashed in numerous ways. It didn't help that the house, and area around it, looked like a wreckage yard, due to Mr. Gibbler's renovations.

The police had also recommended that Stephanie and Kimmy contact the Civil Center Court House to apply for a 'Civil Harassment Restraining Order'. This would mean that legally Regina had to stay away from them, and that if she breached the terms of the agreement she could face a fine, or even a prison sentence.

The ding of the elevator sounded as it reached the fifth floor, the doors sliding open. Stepping off, Stephanie strode purposely down the hall toward Apartment 5C. Her hand was poised ready to knock, when the door flew open, revealing a familiar set of amazing green eyes.

Dean's face registered both surprise and guilt, "I was just heading over to see you," he said quietly.

"Why?" Stephanie challenged. "Aren't you afraid I might start talking about Regina again?"

Still looking apologetic Dean said, "Michelle phoned. Told me about Kimmy's prowler – gave me quite a telling off actually … for the way I treated you," his eyes met hers, "and she was right. I am sorry."

Stephanie's face crumpled, and she threw her arms around Dean's neck, "Oh Dean. I'm so scared," she sobbed, burying her face into his shoulder.

"I know," he soothed, his own arms tightening around her waist, rocking her gently back and forth. "I know you are."

Nearly a full minute passed before, reluctantly, they parted a few inches. Dean grasped Stephanie's hand pulling her inside the apartment, closing the door behind them. Dean smoothly guided her to the couch, releasing her hand only when she was seated comfortably amongst the cushions.

"Coffee?" The kitchen, living, dining area of the apartment was all one room, but it was decent sized.

"Thanks," Stephanie reached over to grab a tissue from the box on the coffee table and swiped at her eyes, which were gritty and swollen. She glanced around, "Where's Amelia?"

Dean filled the electric jug with water, "A neighbor down the hall has a girl about Amelia's age. She sometimes looks after Amelia when Uncle Ethan and I are both out at the same time – although not so much lately as Amelia's been spending a lot of time at your house."

Stephanie fiddled with the edges of the screwed up tissue in her hand, "Dad's making an appointment with Principal Robolard tomorrow. He finally believes me. The five of us are going – Dad, Uncle Jesse, Joey, Kimmy, and I."

Dean added coffee and sugar to two coffee mugs, while he waited for the water to boil. "Given last night's incident, it's probably a good idea. I would go with you – you know that right?" Stephanie nodded that she did, "But I think your Principal might feel he's being ambushed if too many people show up. How's Kimmy holding up? I heard she actually chased the prowler slash Regina!"

Stephanie nodded again, "Kimmy was a little shaken last night, but she seems to be her normal self this morning. I get the feeling though, and I think Uncle Jesse agrees with me, that she doesn't fully comprehend how dangerous Regina might be, and that she sees her as more of an annoyance than a threat. I mean who knows what Regina was planning on doing when she broke into Kimmy's apartment last night!"

Carrying the coffee over, Dean handed a mug to Stephanie, who accepted it gratefully. He sat down next to her, placing the china rim to his lips.

Stephanie hesitated, "Dean, I know you don't want to hear too much about Regina, but I spoke to her best friend from her previous school last night and she had a lot to say."

Dean held up the hand not holding the coffee mug to silence her, "No it's okay. You were right yesterday … I was stupid! Fire away!"

Stephanie spent the next five minutes repeating her conversation with Danielle Harris. Dean listened intently, not interrupting, but by the end of the speech his face registered both shock and disbelief. "Unbelievable!" he said at the end. "The wrecking of the Halloween party decorations sounds similar to the graffiti on Kimmy's car. And following Danielle's young sister – if that was Amelia …" he shook his head unable to finish the sentence.

Stephanie shivered, and Dean put an arm around her shoulders, "Or Michelle! What if Regina attempts to confront her to get to me? She catches the bus to and from school, but there's still the walk from the bus stop to home and back. I just never know where she's going to turn up next – and which of my family and friends she's going to stalk!"

Dean pulled her close to his side, "I know Steph!"

"Oh and before I forget, please don't mention anything to anyone in regards to my conversation with Danielle Harris. I swore to her that I would keep everything she discussed with me private – I know I can trust you."

"You can," Dean said quietly. "I won't say anything unless you say otherwise."

Stephanie gave him a small smile, "So Michelle told you off did she?"

Dean smiled back at her, "Yep. And Amelia yelled at me yesterday on the drive home. Demanded to know why we had to leave your house!"

Leaning over, Stephanie pressed her open lips to Dean's and began kissing him hard. Crushing her to him, Dean eagerly responded to her kiss, his hands moving gently down the length of her back. He was surprised, but pleasantly so, when the tip of her tongue demanded entry, and began exploring the recess of his mouth. They had made-out before, but never like this, with Stephanie controlling the situation. When she climbed into his lap, Dean being older and experienced decided that now was probably a good time to stop, before things went beyond stopping. Placing his hands on either elbow he gently restricted her movements.

"Steph … Stephanie," he whispered against her mouth. "We really oughta stop!"

Ignoring him she kept kissing, "I mean really!" Dean said urgently, lifting her off his lap, and depositing her on the couch beside him. Dean reached over for his coffee, taking an extra large gulp. "Whew!" he said.

Stephanie's face was pink with embarrassment, "I don't know what came over me. Well I do – but wow, that was pretty extreme," she said breathlessly.

Dean rubbed his face, "Yeah!"

Stephanie looked at him, "Thanks for stopping me. I was practically mauling you."

Dean smiled at her, "Believe me, I didn't mind. I just don't think now is the right time to be making those types of decisions about our … physical relationship … not with everything that's going on with Regina affecting both our emotions."

"So Regina comes between us again? How much more can she take?"

Dean looked at Stephanie, his intense green eyes boring into hers, "Regina won't come between us again Steph. I promise you that." He stood up, "Now I think it might be a good idea if I went and got Amelia from next door, otherwise I might be the one mauling you next!"

"Joseph, have you seen my keys?" Jesse was rummaging through the top drawer of the table beside the back stairs that housed the kitchen phone. "I was supposed to be at the Smash Club ten minutes ago."

Joey looked up from the book he was reading, 'The World's Very Best E-mails', "Well if you had hung them on your hook like you should have then they wouldn't be missing would they!" Every family member, with the exception of Nicky and Alex, had a labeled hook by the back door for their keys.

Jesse glowered at Joey, slamming the drawer shut, causing a pad and several pens to fall to the floor. Not bothering to pick them up, he picked up the phone punching in Kimmy's number.

"Kimmy!" Joey heard Jesse say, "I need your key to the Smash Club! Mine are missing, and I have that appointment with a new food supplier." Silence followed, but Joey could tell by the angry clenching of a muscle in his jaw that he didn't like the answer. "Yes I realize it's your key, but it's my club. I'll be over in one minute!" He slammed down the phone. There was nothing left on the table to end up on the ground, otherwise it would have.

Jesse stormed across the kitchen to head downstairs, where he knew he kept a spare car key.

"Look at this mess! What happened in here?" Danny exclaimed entering the kitchen. Aside from the table, Jesse had also left several kitchen drawers and cupboards open in his frantic search for his keys.

"Hurricane Jess!" Joey supplied, not even glancing up this time.

"Jesse!' Danny called out to his brother-in-law, who reappeared looking frazzled and headed straight for the backdoor.

"What!" Jesse yelled back, his hand on the door handle.

"Is this how you intend to leave the kitchen?"

"So I left a couple of drawers open – big deal Daniel!" Jesse said irritably. "I'm late okay!"

"No, it's not okay!"

Joey closed his book loudly, "Jesse! Danny! Some of us are trying to read here. Stop bickering like a pair of old women. I think we are all a little on edge, due to our lack of sleep last night, but that's no reason to scream at each other," he finished calmly.

Danny let out a breath, "You're right Joey. The kids are nervous enough, without us worrying them even more by yelling. Sorry Jess!"

Jesse indicated to the kitchen, "Sorry about the drawers and stuff. I know how much a tidy house means to you. Now I really have to go!" He gave a small smile, and was out the door.

Kimmy was waiting for him at the top of her stairs, her arms folded aggressively across her chest. She glared at him from her position as he approached, not moving an inch, making him climb the stairs to meet her, even though she knew he was late.

When Jesse reached the top of the stairs she practically threw the key at him, "There's the key you so desperately wanted," she said sulkily, not meeting his eyes.

Jesse studied Kimmy. Even though she was trying to hide it, her red blotchy face showed she'd recently been crying.

Realizing that Kimmy had been through a lot the past couple of days, and recognizing that he was the jerk who had just added to it, Jesse quickly apologized for his recent behavior. "I'm sorry I yelled at you," he said sincerely, reaching out a tanned hand to stroke her cheek. "You know how I get when I'm stressed!"

Kimmy bit her bottom lip, reaching up to place her hand over his, "It's okay … I overreacted about the key. You'd better get going!"

"I'll be over later to change the lock on your door," Jesse reminded her.

Kimmy looked relieved, "Whew! Glad to hear you say that. Dad volunteered his services earlier, and who knows what damage he would do to a simple lock!"

Jesse winked at her amused, "The renovations are still going strong then?"

"Oh yeah, he's doing a bang up job," Kimmy said sarcastically. "First he dismantled the stove, which okay, is no big deal as Mom never cooks anyway. As long as she has a microwave to heat up frozen dinners, and a drawer full of takeout menus she's happy. Then Dad removed the linoleum in the main bathroom, and it's currently just wooden boards. You can't even get into my old room, and … he's painted half of one side of the house."

Still smiling, Jesse brushed a gentle kiss across her mouth. Right on cue a power saw started up down below, vibrating through the floor, causing them to leap apart.

"Speak of the devil!" Kimmy stamped the floor. "Dad, knock it off!"

Calling goodbye, Jesse laughed loudly as he descended the stairs.

Heading back into her apartment Kimmy made a point of trampling loudly across the floor, in the hopes her father would hear her. The small kitchenette was located at the far end of the room, and Kimmy headed straight for the fridge, intent on making herself lunch. On her way over she happened to glance at the top of the TV, frowning upon noticing something different. The space where she kept her pair of binoculars was empty – where would they have gone!