A/N: Who says you have to be completely healthy and sane of mind to create? I mean, look at GOD... (*cough*)

Anyway, hello! Hi! Long time no see, huh? LOL Sorry for taking so long to update... but I hope it's worth the wait because I am done! Yes, you heard right: I am FINI! Did I not devotedly swear on Chris Marquette's cuteness that I'd deliver?

Like, these are the last chapters so I hope you enjoy them and I hope you had enjoyed this story. Just going to make a very brief note of a few things before I can allow you to sit back and really enjoy this story with as minimul distraction as possible:

By now you'll notice a few things. One, that I've probably dropped various hints as to what might happen. With that in mind, anything can and might/will happen. You may overanalyze, you may even guess, and yes you may assume... but don't think for one minute that it's going to turn out the way you think... Or will it?... Or won't it...

Another thing is you've noticed how often God is showing up. That's simple; I love writing God's dialogue. It's fun! I enjoy the God/Joan banter... who wouldn't?

I also have to say that you must forgive me and my lack of medical terminology. I have an old medical encyclopedia and mixing it w/ common sense AND whatever I could remember from my ER watching days... whatever medical jargon comes out, that's all I could muster. Sorry if it lacks the believability... which is why I'm not a part of the JoA writing staff. Damnit.

Well, as you can see, this is the LONGEST note I've written, nearly taking majority of the chapter LOL. And if you've read my entire tirade without batting an eye, then I commend you for putting up with my crap. Usually I view my own A/Ns as one of the only times us writers can actually talk (or bitch & moan as is my case) about ourselves and our writing process. But I digress... Enjoy the show!

Mini disclaimer: Don't own no one... except story and any original characters.

Chapter Nine: Evening before...

The hospital was within sight when Joan had broken the comfortable silence that had fallen between her and God. He was already giving her a sideways glance, patiently waiting for her to speak.

"It still..."

Without an ounce of protest on her part, Joan had allowed God, still donned in the tan jacket wearing, young man form, to walk her towards the hospital. Why? Joan didn't exactly know, but she was curious as to why He himself kept her company without asking. Then again, Joan had thought, maybe it's because He knows that I still have my doubts.

"It-- this still doesn't feel right."

"What doesn't?"

Joan gave God a "You know what I'm talking about." glare. "Like you don't know. Me being there for Price." Sighing, "I mean, maybe I would feel a lot differently if he doesn't have anyone. But he does..."

"Joan, no one is truly alone in this world. You humans like to think so, but it's not true. Everyone has at least someone."

"Well, Mr. Price's someone is his son! Why don't you do us both a favor and... I don't know, get Andrew and his mom to fly down here? You're God! Despite what Grace thinks about my family, you have far better connections than any being on this planet!"

"Hmm... so there are other options."

"What?" Most of the time, which is actually all of the time, Joan could never really follow the words that spill from God's mouth.

Before she could further question Him, God nodded, "I could do that..."

"Really?"

"Yes..." He took a beat before adding, "Except this is real life, Joan. Not 'Touched by an Angel'."

Playing easily off of Him, "Yeah, well, some people would argue that this thing between me and you; it's walking a fine line between reality and fantasy."

God gave a weary sigh. He had stopped walking, causing Joan to stop as well. Indicating to a phone booth not too far from the hospital parking lot. "Joan, there is still time to make that phone call. You were pretty confident to do so before."

"Yeah... before you showed up!" Wearily, she added, "You know I'm not going to."

"And why is that?"

"Because..."

"Because...?"

Irritation seeped within her voice as she finally snapped, "Because you're right!" Partly realizing that she was a lot more angry at herself than at the situation. "Because you're right to question me on whether or not I was sure about calling."

Ever so calm, which was a trait Joan really could do without, He asked, "What do you mean, Joan?"

"You're God. You-- you know my thoughts... and my doubts. How if I were to call; what if Andrew wants nothing to do with his father? Or; what if it's the wrong Jaime that I'm calling, thus making a complete fool of myself again? When you asked me if I was sure that this will all work out... a part of myself asked 'What if it won't?'"

He regarded her before replying, "'To err is human.' I'm glad that you're thinking of the consequences for your action, Joan... but also keep in mind that you're not perfect."

They continued their walk, Joan patiently taking His words in as He continued. "You're only human. Mistakes happen. It's what you learn from them that counts. In this case, Joan... maybe a past mistake is the root for your current doubts."

"Oh, and here I thought that you were the root." She smirked, earning herself a bemused grin from God. Sighing, "And that past mistake would be...?" She waved her hand encouragingly.

"Does the phrase 'failure of imagination' ring a bell? Not to mention the events that occurred around that particular expression?"

Joan's face fell, recalling the dreaded 'Thing Made out of Stuff' fiasco. "Adam..."

"All roads lead to Eden." God smiled knowingly, though Joan wasn't at all amused by the inside-joke.

"Or in my case; hell." That comment, of course, earned herself another look from God's direction. Still unable to comprehend what God was trying to teach her, "I don't get it. How is what happened with Adam affecting this thing with Price?"

"I don't know, Joan." God shrugged, "Maybe... you thought that smashing Adam's art was the only way to prevent him from dropping out." Staring hard at her now, "And the same could be said of that phone call." Taking an intentional pause before adding, "How's Jiminy doing so far in the guessing department?"

Joan mocked a scoff, "And you claim yourself as omniscient... So, this is basically your ever drawn out, subtle way of telling me that there's more than one way to bring Mr. Price and his son back together?"

God looked past Joan, His eyes settling on the automatic doors of the hospital entrance. With a grin, "Don't forget about visiting hours, Joan. Try to make the most of your time."

"Unbelievable..." Joan shook her head at God as she glanced from the smirk on His "youthful face" towards where His eyes had landed.

His hands were in His jacket pocket as He made a half turn to walk away. Joan had looked down, slightly frustrated... and not expecting Him to speak up, "Oh, Joan?"

Startled, she glanced up, seeing God stop in His steps and turn to face her. Neither of them moved from their spots as God continued, "Tell me, did anything bad happen to you once you told Kevin about Mr. Price?"

Joan crossed her arms, teasing, "Besides having been graced by your Orlando Bloomish, boyishly charming presence?" Realizing that He wasn't going to reply to her sarcasm, "No... no, nothing bad happened... I guess..."

With one satisfied smirk and nod of His head, "Right." From there, God turned and began walking away.

Joan did not bother to wait for the signal, which was God's back hand wave, to comment out loud, "This 'leaving Joan frustrated' bit? Yeah... not going to get old anytime soon!"

JoA~~JoA

Gavin Price had just started the second chapter of the first part of The Green Mile when he heard a soft knock on his half-open door. He glanced over at his watch band, puzzled. Doctor Wyatt was supposed to stop in some time after two in the afternoon. They were going to go over one last time on what he was to expect concerning the operation. According to his watch, it was a little past one o'clock, which begged the question...

"Who is it?"

Joan Giradi slowly poked her head out from behind the door, smiling. "Hi." She gave a tentative wave, before stepping in, "Uh... you up for some company?"

"Joan?" He gazed up at her, surprised. Price stared at her for a couple of seconds before a sincere, delighted smile crept up on his face. "Hi. Come in."

As Joan made her way towards the chair next to his bed, he placed his book aside. Price straightened up, his eyes on her until he spied an object floating a few feet away from them. It honestly took every ounce of his own self control not to laugh. He crossed his arms, watching Joan settle into the chair as he smirked, "You know, dealing with this floral jungle is bad enough, but you had to add insult to injury by presenting me with that thing."

Her eyes followed Price's own gaze, confused until they landed upon the smiling yellow balloon that was tied to his bed post. She instantly recognized her gift, but with a slight playfulness, "Oh! Wow, how'd you-- I mean, who gave that to you?"

"Don't play coy with me, Miss Giradi. Who else would have the nerve to give me such a ridiculous gift? Especially knowing that I'm in a weaken state not to protest."

Anyone else would have been put off by his words, but Joan had detected a hint of amusement in his voice. Playing along, bracing her hands on her knees, "Fine. If you don't want it, I'm sure that I can be able to find a little kid in the children's ward--" She was half-way off her seat when he raised a hand.

"Stop."

His voice commanding, "Sit." Causing her to give him a raised questioning look, "You're not getting rid of my balloon that easily."

"Y'know, depriving a child from a balloon is just as bad as taking candy from a baby."

"No... technically you didn't buy that thing for a child in the first place."

Joan glanced at him, teasing, "Sure... but how do you know that this wasn't meant for a kid?"

"You know, Miss Giradi," Price chuckled, "I am certainly not going to miss letting you get away with your snarky comments once I get back to school."

"Which is why I'm going to enjoy getting away with it as long as I can."

Price shook his head at her, his grin unwavering. "Okay, seriously, Joan, why are you here?" The sparkle in his eyes turning solemn and curious, "I'm sure that an adolescent like yourself has better things to do than sharing pleasantries with her vice principal."

Downcast, her eyes turned away from him, unsure. Finally, she glanced up, hesitant at first, but feeling that honesty was one of her few options left. "Yesterday, I had wanted to pay you another visit and drop off my, as you put it," Indicating towards the balloon, "Ridiculous gift."

"Which I thank you for, Joan." He interrupted, his smile genuine.

Her lips twitched into a smile before continuing, " I just wanted to see how-- well, to see how you were doing. But when I approached your room, I..." Her eyes locked onto his, "You were on the phone, and... I didn't mean to eavesdrop or anything, but you sounded upset and I couldn't help myself." Sincerity was in her voice as she added, "I was a little worried."

His gaze hardened into a defensive manner that Joan recognized, especially since she's seen it up close and personal from the likes of Kevin Giradi, Grace Polk, and Adam Rove. So she wasn't at all surprised to hear him speak to her with an "It's not any of your business" tone.

"So..." Price crossed his arms, "You're here because you had gotten some pity notion towards me? That now that you've overheard my whole 'sob tale', I'm just really this sad and pathetic man that has been misunderstood by your generation. A revelation in which you're feeling guilty over and, wanting to ease your conscience no less, felt that you needed to make some kind of amends."

Her jaw slightly dropped as she began feeling her own defensiveness boil at his assumptions. Especially as he continued, "Well, guess what, Miss Giradi, I'm sorry to say that if that is your true intentions, I'd appreciate it very much if you left. And that the next time we set eyes upon each other, it'll be within the confines of the halls of Arcadia High. Since I am your Vice Principal first and foremost."

"Figures that also being human would be secondary on your list." Joan snapped.

She stood up, refusing to give him the satisfaction of her leave as she began pacing. "You know, the only thing that you've gotten right in that entire speech is the 'sad and pathetic' part. Is it any wonder at all why you're going through this ordeal alone? Or why your ex-wife refuses to tell your own son about your state? Or why students like Grace Polk practically belted out 'Ding Dong the Witch is Dead' upon hearing the news about your accident? Oh, and not just Grace was relieved to hear about your absence... oh no. Even students like my own brother, Luke, who I'm right to say has kissed your M.I.T recommendation signing ass, had breathed a sigh of relief at that news.

"Okay, maybe at first I felt pity for you. After all, you're in the hospital and your only real visitor was a student. And not even a favorite one at that! But now... I don't feel an ounce of pity at. All. If anything, I just feel disgust and anger at myself for going crazy over what might now be a thankless gesture." Joan reached into her pockets, pulling out a piece of folded paper, and holding it out to Price.

He looked at it, just as startled over her rant. Hesitant, "What is it?"

Her voice had calmed down a bit, her anger not as intense. With a scoff, "My own sad and pathetic attempt at doing you a favor. I wanted to help you."

Price took the folded paper, opening it and instantly recognizing not just the name, but the numbers and address. "This is..." He looked up, confused, "Why do you have the contact information of my ex-wife?"

"Because..." Sighing, "Because I wanted to help. I heard your conversation, I heard your voice and... I just thought... what if that was my own father? What if, God forbid, my parents got divorced, then my dad landed in a hospital somewhere and I didn't know anything about it? And that thought just-- it just got to me, okay? I don't think it's fair that you should go through this without your family. Without your son." Joan pointed at the paper with a shrug, "So, from what I've overheard, I thought that maybe I could track your ex-wife down, talk to your son, or to Jaime, and convince them otherwise. But you know what? You'll be relieved to know that I couldn't go through with it... I just couldn't."

Without realizing it, Joan's eyes were beginning to glisten. She was vaguely aware of that fact until Price reached over on the side table and handed her a tissue. Taking the kleenex, Joan gave an embarrassed laugh. Price regarded her with his own embarrassed and guilt-ridden eyes. "Joan, sit down." It took most of his strength to move his entire body a bit over to one side of the bed. She was unsure of the gesture, until she saw the silent plea in his eyes.

As she sat down next to him, Price reached behind his pillow and removed his wallet. From within his wallet, he took out a small, slightly tattered picture and handed it to her. Joan guessed right away that the young boy with the sandy blonde hair and goofy little kid smile was Mr. Price's son.

"This is my son, Andrew... This picture was taken a year before Jaime and I had filed for divorce." He began explaining, sadness in his voice. "He was seven when Jaime and I... It, uh... it took nearly a year for it to become official and for the courts to grant my ex-wife full custody. Having our marriage destroyed was one thing, Joan, but... Andrew is my son. I wanted to be there for him, but more than anything I wanted him to know that I would be there...

"And I was." Price smiled, which caused Joan to smile as well. "For five summers, he'd fly in and it would just be the two of us... Back then, I looked forward to June just as much as any student, because that would mean for three months, I would get to spend it with my little boy..." His voice dropped to regret, his own eyes darkening, "On the summer of his twelfth year, his mother flew in earlier than either of us had expected. She had news... she, uh... she was getting married. And to be honest, Joan... I didn't mind that announcement so much as I had when she continued that-- that Travis wanted to take Jaime and my son to Seattle next summer to spend time with his family...

"After the divorce, Jaime and I had been... civil. However, the moment she had just dropped that unexpected bomb on me... it was as if all the raged emotion, the past unresolved issues, and all the words left unsaid between us started pouring out in this one gigantic verbal argument. And the worst part about it was... was the fact that we had argued right in front of Andrew. He had seen the whole thing and neither Jaime nor I could erase that look he had on his face as he watched us... The next morning was the last time I had ever talked to my son. Jaime had refused to send him over for the summer, much less any holidays when he didn't have school... I just lost all contact with him and the thing is, I don't blame him for not wanting to contact me either. Especially after witnessing that train wreck between the two people whom had promised that their 'breaking up' wasn't his fault."

"And it wasn't... ?" Joan needed to hear him say that. Probably just as much as she realized Andrew still wanted to hear it himself.

Price shook his head, "It wasn't! Divorce is never a child's fault, Joan. At least ours wasn't... Jaime and I just grew apart and we knew that no matter how much Drew would benefit from us being together, in all honesty, he'd be just as miserable."

"But you're miserable now. Look, the past is the past, right? However bad the fallout was between you and your ex-wife, I'm sure that Andrew's gotten over it." Joan pointed at the phone next to his bed, "Call him. Talk to him, Mr. Price. It's not too late."

He allowed a rueful laugh to escape his lips, "I wish it was that simple, Joan."

"It is. Just pick up the phone and--"

"No, you don't..." Price began, but trailed off as his eyes began to study Joan. As if contemplating her worth. Mixed emotions played on his face until he shook his head, "Never mind. Just..."

"Mr. Price?"

He stared at her before glancing down, took a breath and as he returned her gaze, "Joan, I'm going into surgery tomorrow... and, I was wondering..."

JoA~~JoA

Joan clutched at her jacket while watching the floor numbers within the elevator light up. Glancing at her watch, she inwardly groaned at the time, 5:37 PM, and realized that she was late for dinner. Great!, Joan thought silently with dismay, Interrogation time with the parental units.

She hadn't expected the visit to last that long. After Price had asked her for a "favor" and then, once they dropped the unease that seemed to accompany that particular request, they began talking about... well, about nothing. Much like the other day's visit, they found themselves talking about topics that had nothing to do with school or with their own personal lives. Doctor Wyatt had showed up exactly at two o'clock, which left Joan some time to make up for the fact that she had skipped breakfast and lunch. Joan had mumbled a soft "Thanks" skywards as she used the "rainy day" change that God had given and had got herself a Snickers bar and a soda from the machines. Once Price was through talking with Doctor Wyatt, Joan returned to his room and continued on with their conversation.

Joan wrapped her jacket tighter around her as she contemplated her current situation. She knew that, once more, another day will pass with her having to deal with lying to her friends and her family, yet having it be all for the sake of doing what God wanted of her. She was "fulfilling her nature"... Joan scoffed, "Yeah... my nature to become a first class liar."

As she descended upon the lobby floor, Joan recalled her promise to Price. Half of herself wished she had declined his request, but another part... well, she couldn't help but feel a bit honored to be asked. Reflecting upon the final minutes of their conversation, Joan snapped at attention once the elevator doors opened.

"Joan?" As soon as she stepped off the elevator, a familiar voice called out to her, causing her eyes to widen in panic. However, as she turned to the voice, she allowed a breath of relief to escape her lips.

Confusion sweeping over her as well, "Kevin? What're you doing here?"

She regarded her older brother as he wheeled himself away from the candy machine, in the corner of the hospital lobby, towards her. He held up a Snickers bar questionably, to which Joan shook her head and asked him again.

"Well," Kevin began, toying around with the unopened candy bar. Nonchalantly, "I felt like eating out tonight and, since Rebecca has to work late, I'd ask my baby sister to join me. What do you say, squirt?"

Her mouth twitched to a half smile, cocking her head to the side, "How'd you know that I'd be here?"

"Mom told me..." He started, though quickly explaining upon seeing the slight look of panic on Joan's face. "Relax, Joan, mom and dad doesn't know about your Florence Nightingale aspirations. What I'm saying is that mom had told me that you weren't home and she was questioning me on your mysterious whereabouts. How Luke can't find you and neither can your friends. And," Kevin reached into his jacket pockets, pulling out a cell phone. "Since you, once again, forgot your cell at home... well, mom started to panic. She has yet to summon the hound dog that is dad."

Taking her phone from Kevin, Joan winced as a mental image of her overly concerned mother popped into her head, "I'm dead, aren't I?"

"Once you get home and the parent patrol get their claws on you... yeah." Kevin nodded, though began reassuring his sister with, "But then again, I wouldn't worry. Considering that I'll just tell them that you spent most of the day with me at the paper-- which is technically the truth. I mean, I already explained to mom before I left that you were out running an errand for Rebecca, which is why you're not home yet and why I had gone home to explain to her, in person, why she shouldn't expect the two of us to join the family for dinner."

Joan opened her mouth, closed it, then opened them again as she stared in surprise at Kevin. "You lied to mom... for me?"

"I think it's in our Parental Offspring Contract that we're allowed to momentarily get away with lying to our parents... so as long as you stick to that story, Joan, there's a good chance that we'll both live."

"Kevin... I don't know what to say..."

He regarded his sister, who had looked like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. Giving her a warm smile, "I think 'Kevin, I'm starving, let's get some food' is a good way to start."

A giggle escaped her lips as she began walking along side him. "Kevin, I'm starving... let's get some food."

"I thought you'd never ask."

JoA~~JoA

Much of the car ride over to a local diner downtown was spent in comfortable silence. At least on Joan's behalf. She had listened patiently while Kevin fluttered on about some of the inane facts that are actually present in the world. If there was anything that Joan learned throughout his tirade, it was that she would avoid a career as a fact-checker.

Now, as they sat in a quaint little booth, waiting patiently for their food, Kevin turned the tables on Joan by prompting her to speak. While his sister was nervously playing with the straw's wrapper, "Joan? What's wrong? Hey..." He reached over, taking grasp of the wrapper, or whatever wasn't left shredded, and removing it from her hands.

A sigh escaped her lips, "I really don't want to talk about it, Kevin..."

He shrugged, then simply replied, "That's fine. Then talk about something else. Anything sounds a lot better than me talking about the five different types of hair products that could be found in Justin Timberlake's dressing room."

Prompting a small laugh, "Kevin, it's..." Sighing once more, she regarded her older brother, debating on whether or not to go the distance and just tell him everything... well, everything minus the whole 'I talk to God, He talks back' thing.

"If it's about your vice principal, then you don't have to say anything, Joan."

"I don't?" She looked him over, caught off guard by his statement.

"I caught every word of your ramble back at the Herald. And, Joan, believe it or not, I really believe that for every one of your weird little-- choices, you have a valid reason behind them. At least a good reason for you. And that's good enough for me."

"So... even though you don't know why I do the things that I do, you'll accept them?" Joan had no idea what Kevin was really trying to tell her, but had caught enough of his words to grasp some basic concept.

Nodding, "Even help you out with them. I mean, I may go into Big Brother interrogation mode every now and again, but that's just a part of my sibling responsibilities."

"So... you'll just lie to mom and dad about me? About where I've been tonight?"

Kevin shrugged once more, as if it wasn't a big deal, "If you want me to."

"Kev... I don't know what to say..." Joan was stunned to say the least, even a bit guilt-ridden for placing her brother in that position. She began shaking her head, "No. I can't let you cover up for me like that... I mean, I don't even know why I'm lying to them, to mom and dad... even Adam and Grace!"

She looked back up at her brother and an unsettling chill came over her, especially as she recognized that look he was giving her. It was of calm, knowing amusement... it was a look God would cast upon her all too often. "What?"

"Joan, do you remember how, when you were ten years old, mom and dad bought you a new bike for Christmas?" A soft smirk played upon his lips, "After Luke and I had sent Beauty to the pastures..."

Her eyes widened, recalling her childhood days. More to the point, an image of her first two wheeler, a pink bicycle with a black pony sticker on the seat, that she aptly named 'Beauty', "Oh my God! Beauty!" She glared softly at Kevin, "You jerks! I can't believe you thought that by attaching firecracker rockets to the tires that it'll send my bike into outer space! What the hell were you guys thinking?"

"Well, we didn't exactly expect for the wheels to have a complete and total meltdown..."

"Y'know," She crossed her arms, casting her a haughty smile, "As I recall, I had made a promise to myself not to ever forgive you two for killing Beauty..."

Kevin chuckled, "Well, you eventually did..."

As the memories came rushing back to her, she softly shook her head, "Wow... I can't believe I almost forgot about her."

"Well, as I recall, Joan... giving up on Beauty was the furthest thing on your mind. Even after the damage control Luke and I had caused, even after the fact that mom and dad had bought you a bike that was ten times faster than Beauty, and even after you yourself began enjoying racing with your new bike... you had a hard time letting go of Beauty."

She blinked, trying to remember that part of her childhood, "Really?"

He nodded, "Yeah... you remember that one night, when I had come home late for dinner, and I found you in the garage? Dad had bought you another horse sticker to place on your new bike. I had come home, saw you placing the sticker on your bike... and suddenly you started crying. You told me that you felt as if you were betraying Beauty in some way... like she was easily replaceable, when really, she wasn't. You were angry and you were heartbroken..."

The nostalgia of the past sadness and heart ache overwhelmed Joan, as she quietly soaked this all in as Kevin continued, "Look, I've heard enough from you, from mom and Luke to know that this Price guy is no Mr. Nice Guy. However, today, you seemed to have this different attitude towards him... I mean, you wanted to help the guy out by trying to contact his ex-wife! Not to mention that you've been visiting him outside of school... which probably means that there's something about him that has gotten to you, Joan. You don't spend your free time hanging out with jerks, despite being related to a pair of those." He slightly joked.

"Half-jerks." Joan corrected him, softly laughing.

"Right. I guess the overall point I'm getting at is this; Joan, you must've seen something in him to make you want to help him out. To want to be, like, this friend to him. And maybe... you're afraid that once others find out how you now feel about Price, you'll feel like your betraying them somehow... when really, you're not."

Heavy silence fell upon the siblings. Joan softly considered Kevin's words just as the waitress arrived with their orders. As the plates were set in front of them, Kevin broke into an idiotic smile. Giving a nonchalant shrug, "Then again, I could be wrong..."

She watched her big brother with quiet gratitude and amusement. God actually had a point... it disgusted her to realize that, but God actually made a valid point...

JoA~~JoA~~JoA