Title: What If…?

Author: Sabrinasmom3

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I don't own Joan of Arcadia or the actors, blah, blah blah.

Summary: What if at the end of Silence Grace just walked away Luke let her.

Author's Note: Lack of G/L screen time and fics has forced me to feed my addiction by writing. I apologize in advance, but this story is more for me than for you as I must get my fix any way I can. Hey, fix…fics, hmm.

"It's a natural state of imbalance built into the whole system. You know? A chemical reaction necessary to the conditions required for darwinistic…"

"Look, I am not into you. Got it?"

"Yeah."

With that Grace turned and quickly walked away. Part of her wished that he would stop her, but mostly, she just wanted to get out of there before she acted on what she was feeling and ruined everything she'd tried so hard to build.

Luke stood there stunned. He was sure that he had seen something in her eyes for just a second. Something more than hate or apathy or disgust. He thought he saw longing in there somewhere. He almost ran after her, but it had been a long day and he didn't really feel like ending it with a beating.

That night, Grace lay awake in bed trying not to think. Every time she let her mind engage it either went automatically to him or it somehow managed to find its way there through a series of seemingly unrelated thoughts. "What is wrong with you, Polk? You so did the right thing back there," she thought to herself. She had, hadn't she? Grace shook her head violently as if she could physically force the thoughts to fly out of her head and leave her alone.

Sleep was also slow in coming for Luke. Sure, he was worried about his sister, but he was also embarrassed that he had made a fool of himself by putting his feelings for Grace out there. He should have known that you just can't get close to a girl like that. He was grateful that school was out and he wouldn't have to face her again. He would definitely be more guarded with his heart in the future.

Luke spent the next week getting ready for space camp and another two weeks at camp before coming back home to enjoy his summer. And he did mean enjoy. He felt bad about Joan's illness, but having her out of the house for another two weeks was every little brother's dream. He could eat anything in the house he wanted, he could sleep as late as he wanted and best of all, he didn't have to share the remote. The possibilities were endless.

He got up early on Monday, his first day back, and set out on a supply run. He needed copious amounts of junk food and a never-ending supply of videos. He was smiling and humming as he walked through the grocery store, until he turned into the snack aisle and almost walked right into the one person he was hoping not to see for another seven weeks, if ever. Grace Polk.

"Crap," she thought to herself. What was he doing here? She grabbed a bag of chips off the rack and hurried off in the opposite direction. She didn't like the way her heart sped up when she saw him. She felt like she was going to throw up, but she couldn't tell if it was because she was excited to see him or because she was disgusted that she was excited to see him. She quickly paid for her chips and ducked into the first business she came to.

He stood there with his mouth half open at the end of aisle until she disappeared around the corner. "Way to look aloof, Geek." He shook his head at his stupidity. He had vowed not to let her get to him anymore, but just the sight of her made his brain freeze up. Pathetic. He paid for his munchies, then headed to the video store next door.

He was browsing the sci-fi section when he smelled it. The scent of grease, leather and the faintest hint of vanilla. He didn't see her, but he knew she was there. He grabbed a couple of random videos and headed for the counter.

Grace saw Luke come into the store and immediately employed evasive maneuvers. She was watching him from behind a shelf when he started getting all twitchy and looking around. He suddenly grabbed some videos, turned around and headed straight for her. She tried to find something to look busy with, but it was two late. Their eyes had already met.

"Dude, are you following me? Stalking is illegal you know." She bit out the words then rushed out the door.

Both teenagers were angry with themselves for trying so hard to avoid each other yet still ending up in each other's faces. When they left the store, each one snuck a glance to check which way the other was going and plan their escapes accordingly. Neither one of them noticed the corduroy wearing hunk smirking at them from across the street.