Chapter 120 [6:00 AM—Luthor Mansion]

Lex perused Oscorp's financial reports. Row after row of depressing numbers ran across his computer screen. He gulped from his coffee mug. His mind pieced a kernel here and another there of positive assets from Failure's morass in front of himself.

He knew it'd be bad. He had no idea it'd be that bad.

We'll have to shut it down for a full review. Norman, how could you let everything collapse like this? He rubbed his forehead. He shook his head. His father's biggest rival languished under psychiatric evaluation. The remaining assets would need to be assessed. Some of those would be sold to help curb shortfalls. The situation had caused Harry Osborn's relapse and stay at Smallville Medical Center. Life never let up. What the Hell? Can't we have one safe night? He heard a knock at the door. "Yes?"

"Lex?" Jennifer stuck her head in the door. "Where's Dave?"

"He's downstairs with that little girl. Jasmine and the Thing say she was that witch lady Grace. Then there was some intense miracle. Now we have the girl." Lex drank from his coffee.

"Girl? You mean Grace?" Jennifer sucked in a deep breath knowing how much difficulty this could cause. Still she knew Dubois and Angie would never give up this child. "I was around Wabash at that point. So was Dr. La Fontaine."

"So you can ID her?" Lex leaned back in his chair.

"I can tell you if she's Grace. I'll be back." Jennifer headed back out into the hall. She headed for the stairs.

Good luck. Let's hope she's the real thing and not another trick from that fire creep. Lex shook his head. He returned to his task at hand.

Grace staggered about the living room. She picked up on the energies around herself. She heard the thoughts of those around herself. She knew Xena's and the Child's auras. There were a few others in the house that she recognized from somewhere but could not know for sure. Wish I knew what was going on? She gasped.

One of the familiar auras drew closer to her.

"G…get away!" She backed further into the room. She fell backward onto the couch. Panic disrupted her thinking.

It's all right. I won't hurt you. Jennifer eased her way into the room. Even before she saw the girl herself, she knew it had to be her niece. Do you know me? You should recognize my voice from Old Wabash.

"J…Jennifer!" Grace looked around. "Where are you? I'm scared!"

"I'm right here." Jennifer joined her in the middle of the room. "Can I get a hug?" She felt none of the dark magic within the girl. She embraced her. "You're safe now."

"Thank you. Why won't Grandsire wake up? He's hurting." Grace frowned. "I want to talk with Grandmama and him."

"Oh you will. You call me Auntie." Jennifer grabbed onto her again. "You have no idea how great it is to have you back! Everyone's going to be so happy! You have family who loves you. We have lots of friends. Your mother will want to see you."

"Mama? She hasn't forgotten me?" Grace trembled.

"Of course not! We've missed you so much!" Jennifer kissed her forehead. "Just be patient with your grandparents. They're not going to remember you. It's complicated. They know who you are. They love you. Just build some new memories. They want you around."

"Now there's something good!" Xena walked into the room. "How's she doing?"

"She's confused and scared, Xena. I mean it's probably like coming back from a centuries-long nightmare. I know I'm convinced. It's her." Jennifer considered Grace again. "She's Grace all right."

"Yeah." Xena leaned down to Grace's level. "Hi! Seeing you is a welcome sight. No need to be scared."

Grace nodded. "I remember you tried to help me. The evil was too strong."

"Yeah well it ain't now. Look I'm gong to get Angie. She looks like your grandmother. She is family though. Make friends with her?"

"A…all right. Just stay with me?" Grace requested.

"I'm right here." Jennifer motioned Xena out of the room. "Thanks, Xena!"

A few minutes later, Angie hustled into the room. "So you're Grace? Hi! I'm Angie!"

"Ooh! You look like Grandmama!" Grace grabbed onto Angie. "I love you."

"I love you." Angie felt the warmth building in her heart.

Family just kept coming together….