Title: Second Chance
Author: Payton Tyler
Email: darkserene at glitterbomb dot com
Pairing: Oh come on people. I hope you aren't that dense.
Rating: PG -13
Season: Future
Spoilers: Uh. Everything, to be safe.
Disclaimer: I don't own JoA, or the actors. Don't sue me. I also don't own the songs that each chapter is named after.
Summary: I detest summarys. Ten years after the trio.. plus one.. broke up, they are reunited in a night that changes everything.
Dedication: To Magical Turkey for being an awsome friend and helping me through my insane ideas. Even if she does keep using my favorite foods as Joan's pregnancy food in TWWA.
Author's Notes: The result of watching waay too much TV, music and weird dreams. Before you shoot me, there IS a method to the madness. Isn't there always? Chapter is named after the song "The Distance" by Evan and Jaron. And per MT's request, go read our new joint fic "Under My Skin". Read! Go!
"Mom!" ten year old Anna Girardi yelled. "Why do I have to go to Grandma and Grandpa's tonight?"
"Because," her mother called back, "I've got my reunion tonight."
"So? Can't I stay with dad?" Anna asked, running up the stairs to her mothers room.
"No. It's your father's reunion too Anna."
"Then can I stay with Uncle Kevin?" Anna asked.
"No. Uncle Kevin and Aunt Rebecca are away for the weekend."
"Come on mom! Do I really have to stay with Grandma and Grandpa? There's nothing to do at their house! I'm ten! Can't I stay home alone?"
"No. You're not old enough to stay home alone. Ask me again in two years. Now get ready, I promised I'd help set up before tonight." Anna sighed.
"Fine," she said, storming off to her bedroom to pack her bags.
----
"I do not want to go tonight," 29 year old Grace Polk muttered, slamming her laptop shut and spinning around in her desk chair to grab a file folder of papers.
"Then don't go," a voice called from the doorway. She looked up to see her friend of 26 years, Adam Rove, leaning against the door frame.
"When did you get here?" Grace asked, spinning back around in her chair.
"Few minutes ago. Scott let me in. But if you're not going to go tonight, then I should go. It's a long drive to Arcadia," Adam said. Grace shook her head.
"I said I didn't want to go, I never said I wasn't going. I haven't seen Girardi since Anna was five, I'm long overdue for a visit," Grace told him, dropping the folder on her laptop. Adam smiled.
"Great. Jane and Anna are going to love to see you again," Adam told her.
"I'm going to go get packed. Can you tell Scott to call a hotel in Arcadia and get us a room?" Grace asked. Adam's smile faded.
"Scott's coming?" Grace nodded.
"He's been my boyfriend for two years Rove. I know you don't like him, but I do. He's coming." Adam nodded.
"Alright," he said, leaving Grace's room.
----
"Luke!" Joan shouted, entering her brothers house.
"What?" a voice called back from the kitchen.
"Are you coming tonight?" Joan asked him.
"I don't know," Luke told her, drying his hands on a dish towel. Joan sighed.
"Luke, you've hardly left the house in the past five years. It's time to move on." He narrowed his eyes at his older sister.
"Move on? Joan, it's not just something you move on from."
"I know, that's not what I meant. I just meant she'd want you to be happy and get out of the house. It's just one night. Come with me back to the highschool to set up, stay through the night. It will be fun. Sit at a table with a fun name tag, brag to everyone about how you're some super scientist while half of the school is flipping burgers at McDonalds. Please? Just to keep me company?" Joan asked.
"Isn't Adam going?" he asked.
"I think so. I don't know. His cell phone was off when I tried to call him this morning, and when I stopped by his studio, Tim said he had to go to Baltimore to pick something up. Say he doesn't come. Then I'll be stuck in a room full of people I don't know or hate. Please?" Luke rolled his eyes.
"Fine," he said. Joan grinned.
"Great! I'm heading over there now to help set up, so hop in the car and I'll give you a ride," she said, practically shoving her brother out of his house.