Title: God's Grace

Author: Kathea

Rating: PG-13, on the safe side for language

Pairings: Eventually, Luke and Grace. Hints of Joan and Adam, if I feel like it.

A/N: Joan of Arcadia is one of my new favorite shows. Finally, a show about God that isn't sarcastic or sappy. And my fiancée loves this show, that's a high compliment from a guy who would rather watch hunting shows than JAG. I will be writing from God's point of view in parts. I hope I don't offend anyone or Him. Please read and review.

Disclaimer: I don't own Joan of Arcadia. I also don't claim to know what God thinks. I also don't own Love Medicine; I read it in high school.

Chapter 2: Hindsight is just a flawed

Arcadia High School

Joan and Grace trudged down the hallway towards AP Chem. Across the hall Iris had herself wrapped around Adam who was pointedly ignoring Grace. Luke lagged behind every now and then earning a look of contempt from Grace. It had been like this for a week, Joan sighed. There had been no study sessions, no weekend get together, and no three way phone calls. Iris was like Adam's shadow and a force field all in one. At least Adam still says hi, Joan thought. It would have been too hard to wrestle with my own feelings for him and him to ignore me. I still don't know why God told me to but out. I can't let my friends be like this.

"Hey Grace, do you want to come over this afternoon?"

"Whatever, Girardi."

"Ok, it'll be fun."

"Hummpf."

Chemistry passed quietly enough. Joan did all the talking with even more rambling than usual. Thankful that Iris wasn't in chem with them, Joan stopped Adam before he could leave.

"Adam, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Cha, what's up Jane?"

"Umm. Do you want to come over this afternoon?"

"I guess."

"It'll be cool. We need to relax. Midterms were a killer."

"Kay, Jane. See ya later."

Supremely pleased with herself, Joan skipped off to her next class. The afternoon played out in her head. Grace and Adam would hash out whatever they're problem was and they'd all be friends again. No more stress or tension.

Luke watched Grace in their English class. She'd been quiet all day. He was sure she would've said something about the latest book they were reading. Love Medicine had to have sparked a nerve with her. He was looking forward to her smart remarks to their teacher. Instead she just sat in her seat and scribbled on the paper. He couldn't tell if she was writing or drawing but she was very intent on it. Only God knew why he'd found Grace the past week or why he stayed with her. He knew Grace didn't like him. Getting up some courage, Luke tossed a small ball of paper onto Grace's desk when the teacher wasn't looking. Grace looked back at him and then at the writing on the paper. Was she growling at me, Luke thought? Oh yeah, definitely growling. Bowing his head and returning to the physics experiment he was contemplating, he let Grace's anger and the teacher's voice was over him.

Later that day

Joan always wondered now, if God was one of the people she passed on the street. She never could guess when he would pop up. When a man with a baby carriage stopped right in front of her, she knew what he would say.

"Joan, what did I tell you?"

"I know but I can't let this go on."

"Yes, you can."

"But I've already set this up. It'll work out fine."

"Just remember you made this choice and you are responsible for the consequences."

He pushed on before Joan could respond and she only sighed in frustration. You'd think God would be proud of her taking the initiative to help someone. No, he just criticizes. Well, we'll just see, Joan thought. Everything will turn out fine, with or without God's instructions. Squaring her shoulders, Joan walked home briskly to prepare to the coming afternoon.

Luke sat at the bottom of the steps watching Grace and Joan in the kitchen making a snack. He had an eerie feeling that something was going to happen this afternoon. When Adam pushed through the door and all movement ceased, Luke perked up and watched with incredulity.

"Jane, why is she here?" Adam asked angrily.

"Girardi, what did you do?" Grace followed with quickly.

"Guys, you need to talk. I just want to help you fix this problem." Joan said wringing her hands.

"Well I didn't ask for your help!" Grace bellowed.

"Jane, how could you?" Adam asked a pained expression on his face.

"You just need to talk." Joan said.

"Okay, I'll talk Girardi. Rove, why are you stuck on this girl? She's so fake. She's not normal either. You could be with Joan but no, you're with Cousin It."

"I thought you were my friend Grace. Why would you treat me like this? Do you think I'm stupid? For some of us, we just take what we can get and be content with that. I thought you understood that." Adam replied quietly. "Please don't talk to me anymore and Joan don't help me anymore." Adam turned and went out the back door without another word.

The explosion of emotion was so fast that Luke didn't realize that is was Grace crying in his arms instead of Joan. She'd run out after Adam and Grace had rushed to his arms. He didn't even remember opening his arms or announcing his presence. She just cried so hard, her fingers fisted on his shoulders. Not knowing what do, he just pulled her close and rocked slowly back and forth on the steps and time spun around them. At some point, Grace had left but he couldn't remember when or how. All he knew was that there was no threat of death only a tight squeeze of the hand he was holding and her solemnly walking out the door.

If people would just listen to me so much stuff wouldn't happen. All Joan had to do was let Grace and Adam work it out in their own time. They would have. Things would have gotten back to normal soon enough. They needed this down time in their relationship. When people make their choices I can do nothing but step back and let everything take its course. It's always sad when they don't listen but grace covers it all. My grace covers all the sadness, pain, anger, and hurt. They will realize it soon enough. Some just take longer than other.

/Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now am found

Was blind but now I see. /

A/N: I will be posting an update every Friday, since that's the only day I have time. Also all the words at the end of chapters come from hymns in the Southern Baptist Hymnal. Please read and review. Al: I'm glad you are intrigued. Voight: Well since I'm not a teen anymore, I tend to write with an adult mind set. Thanks for the good review.