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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐅𝐓 𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐄 of Randy Travis' Old Time Christmas played on a low volume, as Stella stood in her living room, decorating for Christmas. While she was out Black Friday shopping with Janette, Lori, Kara, and Amy, Stella found a Pioneer Woman tree skirt, stockings, and other holiday decor. Like Janette, she loves the Pioneer Woman. As Stella hung the last stocking up on her wall, her phone began to ring, which was a phone call from August

"Hey baby bro, what's going on?" Stella said

"Hey. You have a second to talk?" August said

"Of course. What's going on baby bro?" Stella said

"We were at practice today and Mitch said that the city council cancelled this year's All Valley Tournament." August said

"What? Why?" Stella said as she sat down on the couch

"Because, they think the tournament and the sport is just going to encourage violence." August said

"Let me guess, because of the fight at the high school." Stella said

"Yeah, you think it's because of me?" August asked

"No. It has nothing to do with you honey." Stella said. "This whole karate battle thing has been going on long before we were even thought of. It's sad, but true. Listen, try not to worry about it too much, go out and have fun with your friends or something ok?"

"Okay sis. I love you." August said.

"Love you too, hon." Stella said

After Stella hung up her phone, she continued with her decorations, all while thinking about the cancellation of the tournament. Then her thoughts went to Johnny, and how he was taking the news of the cancellation. She knew where she to go.

Grabbing her purse, she placed her phone and keys inside, and walked out of the apartment, then drove to Reseda. Upon arriving at the apartment complex, she parked her impala next to Johnny's dodge caravan, and walked up to the apartment before softly knocking on the door.

"Hey." Johnny smiled as he opened the door. "What brings you all the way out here?"

"Oh, I hope I didn't come at a bad time, I was checking on you." Stella smiled as Johnny opened the door further, letting her in.

"Nah, I just got home." Johnny said as he closed the door. "Can I get you anything?"

"Juice is fine." Stella smiled as she sat down on the couch, while Johnny walked over to the fridge and grabbed a gallon of orange juice and a glass.

"Here you go." Johnny said as he gave the glass to the beautiful brunette. "Hope the juice is all right, don't think it's expired yet."

Stella took a sip of the orange juice, which was indeed, a few days expired, but she was grateful. Johnny Lawrence indeed knew how to treat a lady. "It's perfectly fine, Johnny. Thank you so much. So, how is everything, with the dojo, I mean?" she asked

Johnny sighed then looked down. "August had a hard time today. He wants to compete but I can't risk him getting hurt, and now, he hates me."

"Johnny, August is a teenager. Have you met my little brother? If he's happy all the time, you're doing something wrong." Stella said

"I just don't wanna screw things up, y'know?" Johnny said

"Johnny, you've done so much for my brother. You got him out of bed, you got him walking again, you made him smile, and he's never going to forget that. None of us will." Stella smiled

Johnny smiled at the beautiful brunette, interlaced his hand with her's, and she returned the smile. "August told me about the tournament."

"Who needs that bullshit anyway?" Johnny said

"Johnny, you need it." Stella said as as she kept her hand intertwined with his, and placed her free hand on his arm. "Y'all work so hard, and I can see how important it is for you. As for you, you're a sensei. It's what you were meant to be, it's your calling. There could be other kids like August who truly need you in their corner. I'm so proud of you John. You need to save the tournament."

"I have no idea how I'm even going to do it." Johnny said

"By doing what you do best." Stella smiled. "Fight. I'll be there with you."

──────

The next day, Stella and Johnny arrived at city hall downtown, walked in and took a seat as they listened to an older man making a complain about the new city maintenance covers placed around the city. As the council heard his appeal, Stella turned to see Daniel walking in with his family.

"What are you doing here?" Daniel asked

"Fighting for the All Valley." Johnny stated. "What about you? You gonna read from your diary?"

Stella rolled her eyes and whispered, "Johnny."

"There's nothing wrong with being prepared." Daniel defended

"Yeah, and I don't need notes, I'll shoot from the hip." Johnny said

"This is going to be a disaster." Daniel said as the gravel banged.

"Ok, next we will hear appeals for the cancellation of the All-Valley Under-18 Karate Tournament. Who would like to speak first?" The councilwoman asked.

Stella gave Johnny's hand a reassuring squeeze as he stood up, but Daniel had the same idea. The two men made their way down to the podium, when they were stopped by someone who got there first.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm retired Army Captain John Kreese." Kreese said

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me." Stella thought to herself

"Thank you for your service." The councilwoman said.

"It was an honor to serve, and I continue to serve right here in our community, by teaching our children strength and discipline through karate. I was devastated to hear about the cancellation of the tournament because of the fight at the high school. Why are my students being penalized because of the violence perpetrated by...dojos like Miyagi-Do?" Kreese said 

"Now, wait just one minute," Daniel interjected, as he was ready to throttle Kreese.

"Mr. LaRusso, please. It's not your turn to speak." The councilwoman said, glancing at him.

"I apologize Councilwoman Roberts. But this man—" Daniel started.

"Councilperson Roberts." Kreese corrected, cutting Daniel off

"Thank you, Captain Kreese. Please continue." The councilwoman said

"I think my colleagues here would agree that all we want is the best for our students and our community. Cobra Kai's goal is to prepare the Valley's youth for the unfortunate realities of the real world. It's hard out there. I'm simply just preparing them to defend themselves." Kreese stated, putting on a fake smile.

"Councilperson Roberts, I'm sorry, but this guy is selling you a bad bill of goods. Just a few weeks ago, my students were injured by a bunch of his Cobra Kais in an abandoned recreation facility." Daniel interjected.

"And who started that fight? If memory serves, your out-of-control daughter." Kreese defended.

"Hey! You leave my daughter out of this, you piece of shit!" Amanda yelled, jumping out of her seat.

"Mom." Sam said

"Ma'am, please restrain yourself." Councilwoman Roberts demanded, as Johnny and Stella looked at one another and laughed

"It's funny you say that because...I've had to file a restraining order against her for physically assaulting me." Kreese stated as Amanda grew angrier

"Assualt? Are you kidding me?" Amanda scoffed.

"Maybe I should make the call to the authorities?" Kreese inquired.

"That won't be necessary." The councilwoman said

Amanda was escorted out of the building, making Johnny chuckle even more, and Stella just shook her head. "Councilperson Roberts, I assure you that I am a positive influence to my students and the hundreds of other students before them." Kreese declared.

"What a crock of shit!" Stella spat

"Bullshit!" Johnny shouted as he got out of his seat and walked down the steps to the podium. "Your honor, John Lawrence, Eagle Fang Karate. This man has poisoned the minds of his students. I should know, I was one of them."

Kreese turned to look at Johnny, then said,  "Were we competitive? Sure. But it was all for good sport." he defended.

"This man is a thief and a liar!" Johnny argued.

"And he put a live cobra in my dealership!" Daniel added.

The Councilwoman banged her gavel. "Sit down. All of you."

The three men took seats in the front, awkwardly sitting next to each other. "It is clear that this karate tournament is causing division and rivalry in our community. You gentlemen...have made an excellent case today as to why this tournament should not continue." The Councilwoman said.

"Wait!" August interjected.

Everyone turned to see August walking down the stairs to the podium. "My name is August Walker. I was in the school fight. I was the one who got kicked off the second floor. I, uh, I thought I was going to be paralyzed. You see, I relearned how to stand, I relearned how to walk,  and I want the tournament to continue."

"We are very happy for your recovery, young man. But I'm afraid you don't understand-" The Councilwoman started.

Stella walked down the steps then took the podium. "No. All due respect ma'am. I'm afraid you're the ones who don't understand. My name is Stella Walker, I'm a nurse at West Valley General. My colleagues oversaw his care. These kids are the ones getting hurt." she said as she gestured for Sam to come down

"We want a place where we can compete, fairly, and safely." Sam said as she joined Stella and August at the podium

"When I first moved here, I was bullied." August said, as he held Sam's hand. "I realize there's no escaping it. There'll always be a kid who wants to steal your lunch money, or give you a wedgie, or give you a swirlie—"

"A swirlie?" The counselwoman questioned

"It's, uh, when you dunk someone's head in a toilet and flush it. Pretty funny, actually." Johnny piped up, rising from his seat.

"Sensei." August said

"Instead of burying your heads in the sand, pretending that bullying doesn't exist, or that you could just get rid of it, what you need to do is teach kids how to defend themselves." August said

"Physically and mentally. Because sometimes the scars you can't see are the ones that hurt the most." Sam added.

"Karate is about discipline. It's about inner strength. It's about confidence. Lessons that you can use for the rest of your life. I don't know where I would be today, or who I would be today if it wasn't for my sensei." August stated, pointing to Johnny.

"These kids don't need the tournament to do cool tricks or to sell tickets. They need to show the bullies of the world that they're not afraid." Stella said

"It's called the All Valley because it's for everyone, to give everyone the chance to show what they can do, to fight to become a champion. And we deserve that chance." August said

The room fell quiet, the committee members exchanging glances. The Councilwoman looked at her colleagues to see them all nodding, then she turned to the three at the podium.

"To be honest, I don't get the Valley's fascination with karate. But, if it means that much to all of you, and you're willing to sign waivers stating that the city is not liable, then the All-Valley Under-18 Tournament is officially back on." The Councilwoman declared then banged her gravel.

Stella smiled as she embraced her brother and Sam, then turned to embrace Johnny, as everyone in the room began to clap.

"I guess we all got what we wanted." Kreese said, as he turned to Daniel and Johnny. "But be careful what you wish for."

──────

Stella softly knocked on the door of Johnny's apartment. After a few moments, he answered the door with a smile on his face. "Hey" Johnny said

"Hi." Stella smiled. "I was over at dad's for dinner, and I had to stop by before I headed back. I hope it's not too late."

"No, it's all right, get in here." Johnny smiled as Stella smiled in return. "Can I get you anything?"

"No thank you." Stella smiled sweetly, then embraced the blonde. "Johnny, I've always believed in you. I'm so proud of you. I know how important these karate tournaments are for you and the kids."

Gently pulling away, put keeping a firm grip around her waist, Johnny said, "It was all them. I didn't tell August he could compete yet. I didn't know he'd be there. I had nothing to do with that."

Stella smiled radiantly, the fire in her eyes burning brighter than Johnny has ever seen it burn before, she gently retorted, "Yeah you did. You taught these kids to fight for what they want and for what they believe in, and that's exactly what August did."

"Stella, thank you for being there for me. You always have." Johnny smiled. "Even when I hurt you you were always there."

"You remember what I told you, the day we officially met?" Stella said as she played with the hair on the back of his neck

"A person isn't so bad that they can't be redeemed." Johnny said as he caressed her waist

After staring into each other's eyes for a moment,  Stella slowly leaned in, and Johnny met her half way. She was done with this back and forth game, and so was he. Gripping her waist, he wrapped her legs around his waist. As her hands made their way to his hair, he kissed her jaw, then moved his lips to her neck.

With her lips attached to his neck, Johnny carried Stella to the bedroom and closed the door. After laying her on the bed, the two gazed into each other's eyes.

Sitting up, Johnny helped Stella remove her sundress, and tossed it acrosss the room. Stella tugged at the hem of his shirt, and he took it off and tossed it across the room. Reaching down, she unbuttoned his jeans, and he slid out of them.

"Are you share about this?" Johnny said as he caressed her cheek. He hoped she wouldn't back out now, he's wanted her this way for so long.

Taking his strong hands in her own, and passionately kissing his fingers, Stella spoke tenderly, and gently rested her forehead against his. "Put your hands on me, Johnny. I mean really put your hands on me." she said as she allowed her free hand to run through his golden blonde hair

Johnny passionately caressed her body, and she couldn't help but let a soft moan escape her lips. When he reached her waist, which was still clothed with her panties, he looked into her beautiful blue eyes once more. She knew what he was searching for. Doubt. Stella had none, and Johnny saw that.

Gripping the waistband of her panties, he slipped them down her legs, and once they were at her ankles, she kicked them to the floor. She messed with the hem of his boxers, and he slid them off. Reaching over to the nightstand, he opened the drawer, grabbed a little packet, ripped it open with his teeth, and slipped the condom on himself, and she instantly felt her nerves kick in.

Johnny looked down and separated her legs more with his knee, positioned himself, and looked at her once more, for reassurance, only for her to nod her head yes. He slowly, and passionately entered her, holding her hand and kissing her as he did so.

Stella wrapped her legs around his waist, and he maintained a steady rhythm. All Stella herself could do, was softly moan.

Johnny placed his lips on her neck, as he buried his head on her shoulder, and she placed a kiss on his shoulder, while he let out muffled groans of pleasure, as she gently ran her perfectly manicured nails down his back, trying to contain her moans.

"Fuck, you feel so good." Johnny said as he rested his forehead against her's. "Let me hear how loud you can be, Stella. You don't have to be so quiet y'know?"

Johnny was now thrusting at a fast pace, and moaning the filthiest things into her ear, as he pounded into her, obviously to bring her closer to the edge.

"Johnny, I'm close." Stella moaned

"Me too, princess." Johnny groaned as he leaned down to place a passionate kiss against her lips

"No, I—I'm—I'm— fuck." Stella stammered. "I fucking can't hold on anymore." she said as she felt herself about to come undone.

"Let it happen." Johnny said. "Just let it go."

Stella arched her back and let out a loud moan as she came undone. She pressed her lips to his one last time, and he passionately returned the kiss and groaned as he came undone as well.

Johnny slowly pulled out of her, took the condom off, knotted it up and threw it in the trash. Lying down on her side, Stella couldn't help the smile on her face. Johnny laid down beside her, and wrapped his arm around her waist. She held his hand that was around his waist, and held it tightly, almost as if she were afraid she would wake up and this would all be a beautiful dream. Even though she was over 2000 miles away from her childhood home — she had never been more at home than she was in that moment, in Johnny's arms surrounding her.