Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything from Joan of Arcadia. Just me having fun and passing the time.

Summary: Two jobs, summer vacation and a new boyfriend… How can one girl cope?

Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to update. I've been working crazy hours, and this is the first time I've had the chance to write. This takes place the same day of Joan's first day of working at the Nursing Home. Please Read and Review. You know I love it

Joan tapped a pen on the counter by the house phone, stifling a sigh of impatience as she waited for the connection to be picked up on the other side. She was trying once more, probably unsuccessfully, to get a hold of her boyfriend, Adam. She straightened up from the bored slouch she had adopted earlier when she heard someone spout of the usual hotel greeting. She gave a small, half smile at the familiar voice – she had come to know this voice on the myriad attempts before to get in touch with Adam. They were practically on a first name basis.

"Hi… It's me again. Can I have room 334, please?"

"Hello, Miss Girardi. Let me page the room. Hold one moment."

She began tapping the pen once more while she waited, hoping that this time she would be successful in reaching him. She frowned when the phone kept ringing before the concierge got back on the line with a note of apology in his voice.

"I'm sorry, Miss Girardi… But there is no one available. Would you like to leave a message?"

"Um.. yeah, could you just write that I called and I'll try to call back around 9 tonight?"

"Of course. I'll make sure he gets it as soon as I see him. If not, I'll let the next shift know about it as well."

"Thank you…"

"You're welcome. You have a good day."

Joan gave a short reply back then placed the receiver back on its base. She frowned in annoyance and concern, wondering what was going on in the City. She knew that they had a lot to do in the short time that they were there, but couldn't he be in the room at least once out of the whole day? She stalked to the next room and grabbed her keys from the coffee table before storming out of the house. She hopped in her car and took off with no destination in mind, she just couldn't stay in the house a moment longer without going stir-crazy.

The exhausted group made their way back towards the hotel, their eyes drooping from the fatigue that was weighing them down. No one could have imagined that a day of browsing museums and talking to art directors could be exhausting, but then again, starting the day off at eight in the morning during the summer could play a big factor. They entered the hotel around 8:30 that evening, everyone splitting off into different directions. Adam went over to the gift shop, not quite tired enough to sleep, figuring he could browse around for a gift for Joan.

Anthony and Valerie disappeared off to the hotel's pool area to relax in the hot tub. Over the course of a few days, they had hit it off and were spending as much time together as they could. Iris watched them walk away, annoyance and jealousy written all over her face. She envied them what they had, wishing that she and Adam were together, especially for this trip. Although they talked off and on during their excursions, she knew that he was thinking about Joan. She sighed as she walked over to the hotel desk to check on messages.

She didn't know why she did this, no one cared enough about her to call her, but it was better than going to her room that she shared with Valerie and sulk about how life sucked. She didn't know what came over her this time when she reached the desk and saw someone new answering the phones, but she did something completely impulsive.

"Hi, can I have the messages for room 334, please?"

"Sure, just a second… Ah, here they are." The young girl handed over a few slips, giving Iris a smile. She never once checked to verify whether Iris was indeed in that room or not, she went back to what she was doing before Iris interrupted – taking down a reservation. Iris couldn't believe how easy it was and felt a bit guilty for deceiving the other girl. She browsed through the messages, seeing a couple from Adam's dad, Carl. She spotted another with Joan's name on it, and she stopped to read it.

Joan Girardi Call Time: 5:30pm

Message: Will call back at 9 pm – Saturday evening.

Iris looked down at the message, then up as she saw Adam walk in her direction with a perplex look on his face.

"Hey, A-Adam. What's wrong?"

"Uh… I can't find my wallet. I think I must have left it in my room or something."

"Why don't I go get it for you? I've got to go up to drop off my sketchpad and get some things…." Iris was barely able to keep the surprised look off her face at the words that popped out of her mouth, and at the idea that came to mind. Not that it mattered, because Adam seemed too preoccupied to notice.

He smiled in relief before shoving his hands in his pocket for his hotel key. He handed it over, "Thanks, Iris. I'll wait down here then."

"I'll be right back." Iris returned his smile before quickly rushing towards the elevators. She checked her watch and saw that she had ten minutes before Joan was scheduled to call. She wondered if she would regret this next move, but she couldn't turn back now. When the elevator doors opened before her, she stepped in without a look back to Adam, not wanting her resolve to weaken.

She rushed to her room to drop off her things and grab some new items to make it look like she actually had to go to the rooms, then went down the hall towards Adam's room. She made it inside just as the phone rang. She waited a couple more rings to catch her breathe, and to make the other girl wonder before she reached over to pick up the receiver.

"Hi?"

"Uh… Iris? Did I get the wrong room? I was trying to call Adam."

"Oh, no. This is Adam's room. Um, he's busy at the moment. Do you want me to have him call you back when he's done?"

"N-no… that's okay. Nevermind…. It's uh, no big deal."

Before Iris could respond, the connection was lost. She stood a moment looking down at the receiver before returning it to the stand, and then she turned and left the room, grabbing Adam's wallet on the way through.