"Saving Grace"

I own nothing, yada, yada, yada...

This is the second chapter, sorry it took so long to update. Thanks to my two reviewers! For those of you just reading for the first time the story is LG centric. It takes place after the season finale. Adam found a dead body at work and his father made him quit his job. Luke and Grace were found making out, causing a fight between Luke and Will. Grace's pregnant sister, Faith is working with Kevin and Grace's Bat Mitzvah is going to take place. Joan is still trying to ignore God, but he keeps helping her.

It is mid-afternoon and Will is at the police station pacing in front of the Under Sheriff's desk and discussing Kevin's newspaper with Dt. Williams and Roy Roebuck. The three are arguing and the tension in the air is thick. Toni Williams sits as Will shouts, "I can't believe that the paper is blaming us for this string of suicides! We've had six in the past three days and I know that is a lot for such a short time, but I just don't understand how the newspapers can hold us responsible for other people's actions!"

Toni nods, "Well, Will, I think we should pay a visit to the editor and give her all the facts."

"I think we should send our lawyers to speak with Ms. Askew and let them deal with this in a more professional manner," Roy interjects.

Will looks down, frustrated. "We can't just sit back and let the lawyers make everything okay by accepting money from the paper. We have to do something to clear our names!"

Roy stands his ground, "Will, I am ordering you to stay away from that newspaper and let the lawyers handle this! This is not a democracy! You are not the chief. Now get back to investigating last night's suicide!"

Will and Toni stand up, obviously disappointed and walk out of the office. Once they are out of earshot from Roy, Toni leans over to Will, "Hey, at least you can get the inside scoop from your son, right?"

Will shakes his head, "No, unfortunately, I can't. Kevin won't talk to me about his work and he refuses to get involved with any story relating to me."

Toni glances at Will, "Damn. Would have been nice to have someone on our side for once." Will nods in agreement and the two walk out of the station.

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At Arcadia High School, Joan and Adam are standing outside their lockers as the bell signals the end of the school day and week. Joan is holding up a strange looking piece of yarn and looking at it, "I have the weekend to finish my scarf," she says hesitantly.

Adam looks at the scarf, confused, "That's a scarf? I thought it was a sock or something..." Grace and Luke walk up to Joan and Adam. Adam looks at the couple and laughs, "I'm sorry guys, it's gonna take me a while to get used to this."

Grace gives Adam a dirty look, "A guy knows you for 13 years and he thinks he knows everything about you! Well, Space Boy, got some news for ya, you don't! And keep the couple stuff quiet, you don't have to announce it to the world!"

Adam looks at Grace, "I was talking about the outfit. Dude, I always knew you liked Luke, I could tell. I've know about every crush you've ever had—including the one you had on Jared Leto and thought that I didn't know about. Cha, Grace, I do know everything about you."

Grace pushes Adam up against his locker with one arm. "So then you are fully aware of how capable I am of kicking your ass right now?" Grace threatened. Adam gulps and gives Luke a panicked glance. Grace continues, "Rove, I can't change because Hope is picking me up from school today. She totally forced me into this monstrosity from the GAP! "

Joan looks at Adam challengingly, "Oh, and if you know everything about her, you'd know how things went with her dad last night, right? Because I'm dying to know how the Rabbi took the fact that his daughter is dating Luke."

Adam coughs self-consciously, "Okay, so I don't know that, but I know lots of other stuff!"

Luke laughs and puts his arm around Grace's waist, "Yeah, so Grace, you wanna tell them, or should I?"

Grace shrugs off Luke's arm and takes a deep breath. "I will. Um...Dad actually took it better than I thought he would. I think it might have had something to do with Faith and Hope being there. Mom, was disappointed, of course, but that's what I am to her, one big disappointment. But Dad...he just said that he wanted to meet Luke and his family and well...that was it. I'm not really sure where that leaves us, but I guess we'll find out at my Bat Mitzvah."

"Wait a minute, you want my parents to go to your party?" Joan asked skeptically.

Luke smiled, "Think about it Joan, it's perfect! Grace's family will be so excited about the Mitzvah that they'll only speak to our parents for like a minute, then they'll be off to talk to another family. Grace will then be able to say that they've met my family and they'll be too busy to really grill them and get to know them."

"I don't know man, you'll be like crashing the party," Adam said apprehensively.

Grace laid her head on the locker in front of her, "Well, I'd rather get it over with now then wait 'till later. I have back up from my sisters and Luke's parents will charm my folks and well, I guess I'll just have to have a little...Faith." Glynis and Friedmen walk by just as Grace was saying this and stopped.

"Whoa! Did the queen of the sub defectives just say that she has faith?" Friedmen asked in shock.

Grace pushes Friedmen away from her and shouts, "Shove it Friedmen! I was talking about my sister, you know, Faith Cooper."

"Faith's back? No way! She was like booted by your dad for marrying that Babtist guy...There's no way the Rabbi would let her come back after what she pulled." Friedmen taunts her.

"Think whatever you want 'Fro Man," Grace scoffs back, "But if Faith can face my parents, then I can."

As the two argue Joan turns and sees Substitute Teacher God walking down the hallway, waving at her. Joan quickly turns away and concentrates on the conversation that has moved from Friedmen and Grace to Luke and Glynis.

"So, you two are a...um...you're dating now?" Glynis asks Luke timidly.

Luke nods shyly and Glynis' face falls. She tries to hold back her tears, but is unable. Glynis runs from the group to the girl's restroom. Friedmen, never one to miss an opportunity, chases after her, "I'd better go. She'll need a shoulder to cry on and I have two perfectly good shoulders!" Friedmen checks his breath with his hand as he runs after Glynis.

Grace rolls her eyes at Friedmen and shoves Luke, "You didn't have to tell her!"

Luke looks at the ground, guiltily. "Yes I did. I'm not ashamed of this...us, like you are. And it's wrong of me to lie to her. I just wish I didn't have to hurt her like that."

Grace shrugs, "You didn't mean to Dork Boy, it just happens."

Joan and Adam close their lockers and the four walk out of the school under Mr. Price's watchful eye. As they walk outside, the clouds pour rain on the group, all of which are wearing coats, except Joan.

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As people run for cover outside, Faith Polonski Cooper and Kevin Girardi finish their interview with an elderly Asian restaurant owner.

"I'm just glad that the community has invested in me. I couldn't have kept the restaurant without their donations. I am so grateful for all of the help." The old man smiles and laughs signaling that the interview is over. Faith stands and Kevin shakes the man's hand.

As the two are leaving Kevin says, "Thanks again for sharing your story with our readers. It is great for the community to read something uplifting for a change!" The restaurant owner waves goodbye and the two leave.

Once inside Kevin's car, Faith moans, "Oh, I just want to lye down. The smell of that sushi was killing me! I thought that interview was going to last forever."

Kevin laughs as he drives, "Sorry, we'll have to work out some kind of system so you can tell me when you need to leave."

"Oh, it's not that, it's just that I've been so nauseous lately. Hope says it's because I'm carrying boys. Mom says it's because Abe is a nasty Baptist. Dad ignores me and Grace makes fun of me—so I don't know what to think. I'm just ready for Abe to come home and to not be pregnant any more." Faith sighs.

Kevin coughs, uncomfortably, "So, when are you due?"

"November 24th..." Faith says longingly.

"Really? That's my sister, Joan's birthday!" Kevin exclaims.

Faith giggles, "Well, it must be a good day to have a baby or two then!"

Kevin sobers, "When will Abe be back from the Middle East?"

"I don't know... I hope he'll be back before the babies are born, but we'll see." An uncomfortable silence follows. Faith rubs her swollen stomach and changes the subject. "My sister, Hope, is making all sorts of baby cloths for me. She is a really great designer and I'm really excited to see what she can do."

Kevin smiles, "Sounds nice. Is she staying in town for a while?"

"Yeah, she just finished a big runway show in New York and is taking a break to prep for her spring line. Plus, she wants to be here when I have the babies." Faith gushes. "God, she is talented! I'll have to introduce you two. I'm sure you'll adore her, everyone does. She's single now and definitely looking..." Again an uncomfortable silence materializes. Faith starts to whistle a Jewish song. "Oh, are you going to Grace's Bat Mitzvah?" she finally asks Kevin.

Kevin looks confused, "Am I invited?"

"Sure!" Faith laughs, "I think your whole family is."

Kevin furrows his brows, "You do know that we're not Jewish, right?"

Faith chuckles, "Yeah Kevin, I kinda guessed that you were the same religion as your brother! And no, you can't come to the ceremony in the synagogue, but you are welcome to come to the party afterward. Your whole family will pretty much be there because my parents want to meet your parents."

Kevin raises his eyebrows in amusement, "Well, count me in then!"

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The next afternoon, the Girardi family is busily preparing and dressing for Grace's Bat Mitzvah party. Helen is wrapping a present, Will is attempting to secure his tie, Joan is curling her hair, Kevin is changing shirts, and Luke is preparing a speech to say to the Polonski's. As Luke paces around his room he says, "Nice to meet you Rabbi and Mrs. Polonski. I've heard so many...no...um I've wanted to meet you for a long time now. These are my parents Will and Helen, my sister Joan, who I think you've met and my brother, Kevin, who works with Faith. Oh crap! I can't mention Faith. The Rabbi is still not speaking to her! Ahh! This is gonna be a disaster!"

Joan, hearing Luke in his room, is now standing in the doorway, watching her brother and smiling. "Luke, calm down, you're gonna stroke out!" she laughs. Luke sits down on his bed and Joan walks over and sits next to him.

Kevin wheels into the room, "Listen man, I don't things are as bad as everyone thinks they are between the Rabbi and Faith. She is living with the man, so he has to at least tolerate her." Luke nods, relieved.

"Luke! Joan! Kevin!" Helen shouts, "Lets go! We're going to be late!"

The three smile at each other knowingly and head out of Luke's room.

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The Girardi's arrive at the party that is in full swing and quickly realize how much they do not belong. There are men in yarmulke hats and long draping tallit shawls and women in long dresses, many wearing necklaces with the star of David on them. There are white roses and blue and white balloons everywhere and tables filled with people talking and eating. In the back of the room there was a band playing traditional Jewish songs and people are dancing. Grace is near a table in the middle talking heatedly to a group of elderly men. She wears a long white dress and her hair was pulled up with tiny pearls in it. When Luke sees Grace, he stops walking and stares, pleased by the beautiful sight that is Grace. Grace, feeling Luke's eyes on her and immediately gets out of her conversation and walks over to the Girardi's.

"Hey, the whole crew came, huh." Grace said unceremoniously. Luke nodded and Grace took his hand, "Well, let's get this over with." The couple, with Luke's family following close behind, head toward the cake table and Rabbi and Mrs. Polonski. Before they reach the table, Glynis and Friedmen jump in front of them. "Friedman! What the Hell?" Grace shouts.

Friedmen pats Luke's shoulder, "Hey, chill Polonski. You look good. You should wear dresses more often. It illustrates your feminine side." Grace pushes past Friedmen. "Man, is wearing a dress pinching off a nerve or something? Dang, I thought I'd hang out and be moral support for Luke." Friedmen chuckles, "He's gonna need it!" Grace glares at Friedmen and quickly shuts him up. Glynis and Friedmen sit down at a table and watch as the couple close in on the Rabbi.

Rabbi and Mrs. Polonski are sitting at the head table, visiting with guests. Faith is sitting next to her mother, wearing a soft blue dress with long sleeves. Next to her sits a thin, pale, short haired brunette wearing a dark wine colored strapless dress. Grace smiles meekly at the women and walks on toward her father. Kevin stops at Faith and she takes his hand.

"So how nervous is she?" Kevin asks Faith.

The brunette replies, "Very! She's been driving me crazy all day!" Kevin drew his hand from Faith, "I'm Hope Polonski by the way."

"Kevin Girardi," Kevin said shaking Hope's hand. "I'd better catch up..." he said, wheeling away.

Luke and Grace stood nervously in front of the Rabbi. "Tatte?" Grace addresses her father. "Mamme?" Grace addresses her mother. Both turn and face the Girardi's. "This is Luke and this is his Ganse Mishpochah (entire family), the Girardi's."

The Rabbi nods, "Shalom (hello) and good evening. Welcome to the party. It is nice to finally meet you. Ah, Joan, how are you? Feeling better, I hope."

Joan smiles, "Yes Rabbi, I'm doing better. Um, this is my mom, Helen and this is my dad, Will and over there is my big brother, Kevin." Kevin waves from his chair and Helen and Will shake hands with the Rabbi.

Rabbi Polonski looks at Luke, "So you're the one dating my little Tochter (daughter)..."

Luke swallows hard. "Yes, sir."

"And you expect me to allow this to continue?" the Rabbi asks.

Luke takes a deep breath, "Yes, sir. I mean no, sir. I mean, well, please?"

Grace's mother finally speaks, "Oy (gosh), you Goyem (non-Jewish people) are really laying it on thick aren't ya?"

Kevin whispers to Joan, "What did she just say?"

"I don't even wanna know," Joan replies.

"I mean you brought your Ganse Mishpochah (entire family) to the mitzvah party? What is that? This is too ongepatcheket (overdone)! Grace is no prize you know." Mrs. Polonski finishes. Grace looks down, hurt. Luke looks enraged.

"Okay, first off, what the Hell did you just say? And secondly, Grace is perfect, just the way she is. Don't talk down about her. What kind of mother are you anyway?" Luke shouts. Mrs. Polonski attempts to say something else, but Faith cuts her off.

Faith stood, "Whoa, before anyone says anything else. Luke, my mother just said that you bringing your whole family is a little overdone. Oh, and a Goyem is just a non-Jew. Okay, continue." Mrs. Polonski is furious.

"How dare you speak to an elder in that way. Gracie said that you were smart. What kind of parent would I be if I let her see you?" Mrs. Polonski asks Luke.

Grace regained her confidence, "A good parent. You'd be trusting me to make my own decisions and believe in who I want to believe in."

"Grace, you just had your Bat Mitzvah, don't tell me you've changed your mind," the Rabbi says anxiously.

Grace laughes, "I believe in Luke, Dad. He will be good to me."

"I don't know why I bother, this is all just a part of your normal teenage rebellion anyway." The Rabbi states playfully.

"Tatte (Daddy), I am not rebelling! I really am interested in Luke, this has nothing to do with his religion!" Grace shouts, frustrated.

"It should have everything to do with your religion. You just today promised to fulfill the commandments and now you want to do whatever with a shygetz (non-Jewish male)? You could've dated the youngest Friedmen boy, he's such a good boy, and so smart, but no, you want a rude shygetz (non-Jewish boy)!" Mrs. Polonski barks at Grace. Grace's reaction to her mother's brazen disgust at her choices was one that no one would have expected, she turns to Luke, buries her face in his chest and cries. An irate Hope runs up to her mother, takes her by the arm and pulls her out of the great room. Faith went to Grace, putting a hand on her shoulder as the Rabbi led Luke away.

"Bubele (sweetie)," Faith whispered, "You are very special, and Momma's just jealous of that. She's an old farbissoner (a person who is never happy), ignore her. Don't let her bad attitude ruin your happiness. This is your day and look, Dad's okay with Luke, so get back to the simcha (celebration) and have some fun!" The girls look at the Rabbi and Luke who are talking quietly with Will and Helen, the group is smiling and laughing. Grace walks over to Luke, takes his hand and the two walk off to the dance floor.

Helen takes a breath after laughing, "He had us so worried about you!"

The Rabbi snickers, "I guess, but I promise, I don't bite, hard..." The group snickers. Faith turns to the doorway and sees Adam.

"Joan, you're honey's here..." Faith coos. Joan runs to the doorway to be with Adam leaving Kevin and Faith behind. Kevin sat, watching the dancing in awe.

"Would you like something to eat?" Faith asks, breaking the silence.

Kevin sniffs and wrinkles his nose, "Would you be offended if I said no?"

Faith smiled, "No, I don't really like this food either, it makes me..."

"Nauseous," Kevin interrupts.

Faith giggles, "You could say that..."

All of the terms I found for this story can be found at