TITLE: Taking Advantage
DATE: 3/13/2004 – 3/27/2004
RATING: PG-13
SPOILERS: Everything up through "Requiem..."
SUMMARY: An opportunity and a freak snowstorm present Adam and Joan with an interesting situation.
CATEGORY: Romance
DISCLAIMERS: Joan of Arcadia and all of its characters are the creation and property of Barbara Hall, CBS and Sony Pictures. This story is for pure entertainment and not for any profit at all.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is a multi-chapter Adam/Joan story with some overtones of Grace/Luke. The rating is set for the situation presented and the decisions that have to be made.
FEEDBACK: I'd welcome your feedback, good or bad (so long as you're nice about it). In fact the more I get, the quicker I'll post the next chapters.
-----------------------------------------------------
Chapter 1 - Opportunity
-----------------------------------------------------
"I can't describe how unheard of this is Mr. Rove," Helen Giradi offered into the telephone.
"Carl, please Mrs. Giradi, after all our children are friends," Carl Rove responded.
"Very well, 'Carl', provided you call me Helen. I realize this is short notice to ask you to come to the school this afternoon, but they have asked for an immediate answer."
"I understand Mrs. Gi... Helen. This will be extremely important to Adam, there's no question that I will be there."
"Thank you Carl, I will see you then at 3:30."
"3:30. Thank you."
Helen hung up the phone in the office, smiled and headed out the door toward her classroom. She was looking forward to the meeting this afternoon.
---------------------------------------
As the bell rang ending fifth period, Helen anticipated the afternoon meeting even more.
"Adam, would you wait just a minute?" Mrs. Giradi asked as Adam was heading for the door.
"What's up 'A'?" Iris asked.
"Don't know. I'll catch up with you later," Adam offered as he changed direction toward the front of the classroom.
As he approached the desk, Adam asked, "Yes, Mrs. Giradi?"
"Adam I spoke to you father earlier today and asked him to come in after school for a brief meeting."
"What's up that my dad has to come in?"
"There is no problem Adam. I just needed to speak to you and him together. Please be patient. We will discuss it at 3:30."
"Okay, I'll wait."
-----------------------------------------
"I'm glad it's Wednesday. It means in two days we get out of this prison for a week," Grace offered as she leaned against the lockers talking to Joan.
"Do you have anything planned?" Joan asked.
"Don't know, don't care right now. I just need to get out of here."
"I know how you feel. I think I'm gonna probably just end up sitting around the house dealing with geek boy and the parental units but I'll even put up with that if it means getting a break from this monotony."
As the girls were talking, Adam walked up.
"Hey Rove."
"Grace," Adam responded.
"Hi there Adam," Joan offered.
"Jane"
"You two still on for study group tonight? Before we get to enjoy spring break, we still have to get through the chem exam." Grace asked.
"My house at 7?" Joan asked.
"Sounds good," Grace answered. Noticing Adam's vacant look, Grace continued, "Earth to Rove.....You in on the study session or will you still be visiting Mars?"
"Huh?" Adam responded.
"Adam, what's up with you? Grace asked if you were coming over to study tonight."
"Oh yeah, I'll be there. I was just trying to figure out what your mom wants, yo."
"My mom?"
"Yeah, she wants to meet with me after school. My dad's coming in too."
"Rove, what did ya do? And in art class no less. The parent meeting thing sounds serious," Grace offered.
"Nothing."
"Rove..."
"No really.....nothing."
"I'm not sure if it will help, but, since my mom's giving me a ride home after school I'll be out in the hall to give you moral support," Joan commented.
"Jane, you'd do that for me?" Adam asked, looking up a Joan with a questioning look.
Joan, clearly nervous, looked up at Adam and replied, "Adam...sure...why would you think that I wouldn't want to be there for you? No...no wait, don't answer that."
"Excuse me," Grace interrupted, "If you two are done asking each other stupid questions and then answering them without really answering them, we'd better get going, or we'll be late to class."
The moment broken between Adam and Joan, Joan turned to Grace, "Since when do you care if we're late to class?"
"It's more a matter of wasting possible opportunities to annoy Geek Boy."
With that the three friends headed off to chemistry.
------------------------------------------
"Adam, do you recall Mr. Williams, the speaker that was here last month?"
"Wasn't he from the University?"
"That's right. Well, I received a call from him this morning and afterward contacted your father to see if we could all meet this afternoon."
"What's up?"
"Adam, have you ever heard of the art show that the University sponsors every spring for high school seniors from across the state?"
"Yes, it's supposed to be a pretty big deal to show in it. Lots of those who do end up getting scholarships. I've also heard it's by invitation only."
"Well Adam, that was why Mr. Williams called today."
"They want me to exhibit? But I'm not a senior."
"Apparently they make exceptions to the 'senior' ranking, and yes, Adam, they have asked me to inquire if you would be interested in participating this year. They have had a cancellation due to illness and are looking for an additional artist to balance the exhibit."
Adam sat with a look of surprise on his face, not knowing what to say or how to react.
"Son, are you interested in doing this? Mrs. Giradi tells me it's a real honor to be asked and it sounds like you would enjoy it."
"Umm...what? Oh... yeah, I mean, wow. But wait a minute, isn't the exhibit this weekend."
"Yes, it is. Do you think you could be prepared to leave by Friday evening?"
"Yeah, sure. Um, but how am I going to get my stuff there? I suppose I could drive the truck but, it's a 3-hour drive, it starts early on Saturday and I would need some help. Dad, don't you have to work Friday evening?"
"Yes, I do Adam. When I spoke briefly to Mrs. Giradi earlier we didn't get to discuss the details."
"I realize that the logistics might be a little difficult Adam, but I'm sure we could figure out something if you are interested in the opportunity."
"Son?"
"Well sure, I mean I'd be pretty stupid to pass up the chance at being there and to have my stuff seen."
"Great!" offered Helen. "Carl, any idea on possible arrangements?"
"Well, I can make it over to campus late Saturday afternoon, or early evening, not before due to work. It is too late to ask for a personal day at this point in time, especially just before spring break at school. The other staff members at the department have made plans. I had agreed to work."
"I've an idea; if you feel it is workable. What if I accompanied Adam Friday evening, assisted with set up at the show and then returned home Saturday evening after you arrived? It would work within my schedule since Will has to work over the weekend and we haven't made any specific plans for the upcoming week."
"That would be too much to ask of you Helen."
"No, no, not at all. Not only could I provide some assistance to Adam, but I personally would enjoy visiting the show and viewing the work from the young talent from across the state. After all, wasn't it you Carl who said that our children are friends? Why wouldn't I want to help out one Joan's friends and who just happens to be one of my most promising students."
"Adam, do you think that would work out?"
Adam, who had been only half listening to the conversation going on around him, was brought back into awareness at the mention of Joan's name.
"What was that Dad?"
"Do you think it would be okay if Mrs. Giradi assisted you with set up Friday night and Saturday morning, with me coming over Saturday evening?"
"That would be great Dad, but, um... Mrs. Giradi, if you are going would it, um...could I ask Jane, um...Joan to go along?"
"Adam, I think that would be fine, she can stay in my room with me and then come on home on Saturday."
"If it's okay then, can I go and ask her now?"
"Go ahead Adam. I'll work out the rest of the details with Mrs. Giradi and meet you in the hall in 10 minutes."
DATE: 3/13/2004 – 3/27/2004
RATING: PG-13
SPOILERS: Everything up through "Requiem..."
SUMMARY: An opportunity and a freak snowstorm present Adam and Joan with an interesting situation.
CATEGORY: Romance
DISCLAIMERS: Joan of Arcadia and all of its characters are the creation and property of Barbara Hall, CBS and Sony Pictures. This story is for pure entertainment and not for any profit at all.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is a multi-chapter Adam/Joan story with some overtones of Grace/Luke. The rating is set for the situation presented and the decisions that have to be made.
FEEDBACK: I'd welcome your feedback, good or bad (so long as you're nice about it). In fact the more I get, the quicker I'll post the next chapters.
-----------------------------------------------------
Chapter 1 - Opportunity
-----------------------------------------------------
"I can't describe how unheard of this is Mr. Rove," Helen Giradi offered into the telephone.
"Carl, please Mrs. Giradi, after all our children are friends," Carl Rove responded.
"Very well, 'Carl', provided you call me Helen. I realize this is short notice to ask you to come to the school this afternoon, but they have asked for an immediate answer."
"I understand Mrs. Gi... Helen. This will be extremely important to Adam, there's no question that I will be there."
"Thank you Carl, I will see you then at 3:30."
"3:30. Thank you."
Helen hung up the phone in the office, smiled and headed out the door toward her classroom. She was looking forward to the meeting this afternoon.
---------------------------------------
As the bell rang ending fifth period, Helen anticipated the afternoon meeting even more.
"Adam, would you wait just a minute?" Mrs. Giradi asked as Adam was heading for the door.
"What's up 'A'?" Iris asked.
"Don't know. I'll catch up with you later," Adam offered as he changed direction toward the front of the classroom.
As he approached the desk, Adam asked, "Yes, Mrs. Giradi?"
"Adam I spoke to you father earlier today and asked him to come in after school for a brief meeting."
"What's up that my dad has to come in?"
"There is no problem Adam. I just needed to speak to you and him together. Please be patient. We will discuss it at 3:30."
"Okay, I'll wait."
-----------------------------------------
"I'm glad it's Wednesday. It means in two days we get out of this prison for a week," Grace offered as she leaned against the lockers talking to Joan.
"Do you have anything planned?" Joan asked.
"Don't know, don't care right now. I just need to get out of here."
"I know how you feel. I think I'm gonna probably just end up sitting around the house dealing with geek boy and the parental units but I'll even put up with that if it means getting a break from this monotony."
As the girls were talking, Adam walked up.
"Hey Rove."
"Grace," Adam responded.
"Hi there Adam," Joan offered.
"Jane"
"You two still on for study group tonight? Before we get to enjoy spring break, we still have to get through the chem exam." Grace asked.
"My house at 7?" Joan asked.
"Sounds good," Grace answered. Noticing Adam's vacant look, Grace continued, "Earth to Rove.....You in on the study session or will you still be visiting Mars?"
"Huh?" Adam responded.
"Adam, what's up with you? Grace asked if you were coming over to study tonight."
"Oh yeah, I'll be there. I was just trying to figure out what your mom wants, yo."
"My mom?"
"Yeah, she wants to meet with me after school. My dad's coming in too."
"Rove, what did ya do? And in art class no less. The parent meeting thing sounds serious," Grace offered.
"Nothing."
"Rove..."
"No really.....nothing."
"I'm not sure if it will help, but, since my mom's giving me a ride home after school I'll be out in the hall to give you moral support," Joan commented.
"Jane, you'd do that for me?" Adam asked, looking up a Joan with a questioning look.
Joan, clearly nervous, looked up at Adam and replied, "Adam...sure...why would you think that I wouldn't want to be there for you? No...no wait, don't answer that."
"Excuse me," Grace interrupted, "If you two are done asking each other stupid questions and then answering them without really answering them, we'd better get going, or we'll be late to class."
The moment broken between Adam and Joan, Joan turned to Grace, "Since when do you care if we're late to class?"
"It's more a matter of wasting possible opportunities to annoy Geek Boy."
With that the three friends headed off to chemistry.
------------------------------------------
"Adam, do you recall Mr. Williams, the speaker that was here last month?"
"Wasn't he from the University?"
"That's right. Well, I received a call from him this morning and afterward contacted your father to see if we could all meet this afternoon."
"What's up?"
"Adam, have you ever heard of the art show that the University sponsors every spring for high school seniors from across the state?"
"Yes, it's supposed to be a pretty big deal to show in it. Lots of those who do end up getting scholarships. I've also heard it's by invitation only."
"Well Adam, that was why Mr. Williams called today."
"They want me to exhibit? But I'm not a senior."
"Apparently they make exceptions to the 'senior' ranking, and yes, Adam, they have asked me to inquire if you would be interested in participating this year. They have had a cancellation due to illness and are looking for an additional artist to balance the exhibit."
Adam sat with a look of surprise on his face, not knowing what to say or how to react.
"Son, are you interested in doing this? Mrs. Giradi tells me it's a real honor to be asked and it sounds like you would enjoy it."
"Umm...what? Oh... yeah, I mean, wow. But wait a minute, isn't the exhibit this weekend."
"Yes, it is. Do you think you could be prepared to leave by Friday evening?"
"Yeah, sure. Um, but how am I going to get my stuff there? I suppose I could drive the truck but, it's a 3-hour drive, it starts early on Saturday and I would need some help. Dad, don't you have to work Friday evening?"
"Yes, I do Adam. When I spoke briefly to Mrs. Giradi earlier we didn't get to discuss the details."
"I realize that the logistics might be a little difficult Adam, but I'm sure we could figure out something if you are interested in the opportunity."
"Son?"
"Well sure, I mean I'd be pretty stupid to pass up the chance at being there and to have my stuff seen."
"Great!" offered Helen. "Carl, any idea on possible arrangements?"
"Well, I can make it over to campus late Saturday afternoon, or early evening, not before due to work. It is too late to ask for a personal day at this point in time, especially just before spring break at school. The other staff members at the department have made plans. I had agreed to work."
"I've an idea; if you feel it is workable. What if I accompanied Adam Friday evening, assisted with set up at the show and then returned home Saturday evening after you arrived? It would work within my schedule since Will has to work over the weekend and we haven't made any specific plans for the upcoming week."
"That would be too much to ask of you Helen."
"No, no, not at all. Not only could I provide some assistance to Adam, but I personally would enjoy visiting the show and viewing the work from the young talent from across the state. After all, wasn't it you Carl who said that our children are friends? Why wouldn't I want to help out one Joan's friends and who just happens to be one of my most promising students."
"Adam, do you think that would work out?"
Adam, who had been only half listening to the conversation going on around him, was brought back into awareness at the mention of Joan's name.
"What was that Dad?"
"Do you think it would be okay if Mrs. Giradi assisted you with set up Friday night and Saturday morning, with me coming over Saturday evening?"
"That would be great Dad, but, um... Mrs. Giradi, if you are going would it, um...could I ask Jane, um...Joan to go along?"
"Adam, I think that would be fine, she can stay in my room with me and then come on home on Saturday."
"If it's okay then, can I go and ask her now?"
"Go ahead Adam. I'll work out the rest of the details with Mrs. Giradi and meet you in the hall in 10 minutes."
