That Summer
Rating: T-M
Disclaimer:
If the characters were mine I'd be getting paid to write TV scripts, now wouldn't I? So…you know the drill.
Reviewers: Audrey F., Jane and Adam, and sayxanything – thanks for the reviews! Glad you're still interested 9 chapters in. I'm glad to see you on your edge of your seats so to speak to see what happens. Sorry about the drought for the weekend, I was away! Hopefully this satiates you.
Everyone: Thanks for reading! Like I said if you don't review but you think I'm doing something wrong or out of character, I'll never know! Tell me what you like. Tell me what you hate! I need to know to make this the best I can! I'm thinking this will continue for another 3-5 chapters bout or around. After that maybe a sequel…or maybe not. It depends really on how I take this story. What do you think? How much longer, chapter wise, should I continue? Let me know!
A/N: This is going to be a weird chapter. Some of the characters might seem a teeny bit ooc, but not too much and for reasonable reason! Let me know if it sucks. I made it a little longer to make up for my weekend absence! Enjoy! Sorry for Typos!


Chapter 10 – In Your Eyes, I Am Complete

"Hey, brain." Grace said, putting her plate in her lap and sitting down next to him on the blanket he's spread out on the beach just 10 feet from the end of the walkway that led to the deck. She put the plate in between them as she faced him and set down a soda can. She unfolded her hand to reveal two forks that had been wrapped up in a couple of napkins.

"What's all this?" Luke asked her.

"You've been sitting over here for an hour and a half." She gave him a fork. He looked at the over packed plate with two burgers, two hot dogs, potato salad, pasta salad, chips, and slices of watermelon. She finished a chip and smiled at him. "I figured if you were going to avoid your family, I could at least keep you company…and I know you. You're probably starving by now." She said. Luke was about to protest but the smell of the food made his stomach lurch and growl. Grace smiled, knowing he would relent. She held the fork out to him as she chewed a mouthful of potato salad. Luke took the fork gratefully and Grace reached out to open the soda can.

"Thank you." He said to her after he took a bite of a hot dog. Grace nodded, chewing her food. She swallowed and prepared for another bite.

"So, why are we avoiding today?" She asked. Luke looked back over his shoulder. Kevin and Will were exchanging manly shoulder punches as they each held a beer while Will barbecued and bantered about sports. Helen and Adam were looking at each other's sketchbooks and discussing lines. Lilly and Joan were refilling the cooler with soda, and searching for more napkins while discussing baby clothes, toys and books.

"One of these things is not like the others." He almost sung, before finishing his hotdog. Grace watched him. "You want the other hot dog?" He asked. When she didn't answer him, he looked at her. She was studying is face as if it held the answers she was looking for. "What?" Luke asked nervously. Grace shook her head slightly back and forth.

"You do realize that removing yourself from their presence means that you take away the ability for them to include you right?" She asked him. Luke looked at her strangely. The idea that he was causing his own invisibility was new to him. Grace could see from the look on his face that the idea disturbed him.

"I…I never thought of it that way…" He cleared his throat. Grace nodded.

"Perspective brainiac." She winked at him. "It's all relative…something scientific that you get better than me." She shrugged. Luke leaned himself closer to her and kissed her.

"We'll go back over after we finish eating." He assured. Grace could see that he still seemed edgy about the idea, but at least he was willing to give it a shot. She nodded.

"All right." She said, grabbing another burger as Luke delved into his second hot dog.


"So, are we all ready?" Will asked, rubbing his hands together.

"I think so." Joan replied, tying a sweatshirt around her waist. The wind was picking up and she knew she'd be cold later.

"Let's go then!" Will said excitedly as he left through the front door.

"I've never seen a grown man get so excited about fireworks." Grace said as she and Luke picked up the rear. They locked the door and followed the group. Helen and Will were discussing houses as they passed; which ones they liked, which ones they hated, and which ones had ugly landscaping. Lilly and Kevin were joking and Kevin pulled her into his lap, sitting sideways, so she didn't have to walk since she was complaining about her back hurting. Adam was giving Joan a piggyback ride at the moment and they were laughing about some intimate joke as they went. Luke was just watching, glancing at Grace every now and then as they walked. Grace slide her arm between Luke's arm and body and looped her arm with his as he walked with his hands in his pockets. She quickly leaned in and kissed his shoulder so she wouldn't have to lean to her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Luke smiled and tried not to laugh at her. A small smile played on her lips.

"Soooo?" She asked.

"So what?" He replied.

"So, do you feel better now?" She asked, her face mixing between concern and victory. Luke blushed some as he smiled.

"Yeah, somewhat." He nodded. "Thanks for the point of view."

"Hey, it's what I'm here for-to oppose your point of view." She elbowed him playfully. Luke lifted his arm and rested it around her shoulders, pulling her closer. For a moment he was surprised she didn't pull away at all.

"You're definitely here for much more than that." He placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"Oh yeah?" She asked, looking up at him as they walked. Luke nodded. "What's that?"

"When I figure it out I'll tell you." He grinned, teasing her. Grace pushed him playfully.

"Nerd." She crossed her arm, acting like she was offended.

"Rebel." He replied.

"Like that's bad." She couldn't help but smile as they continued a small elbow fight until he wrapped his arm around her again and they continued to follow the group towards the pier where they were going to walk around and watch the fireworks.


Joan had glanced back and witnessed the exchange between Grace and Luke as she walked side by side with Adam now. She looked forward and put her head on Adam's shoulder again.

"So…" Joan began.

"I don't like the sound of that." Adam said just as quietly.

"I saw your letter from Bonnie." Joan cut right to the chase.

"Jane-," Adam began.

"Wait, before you say anything." Joan cut him off. "Just know I didn't read it. I just saw the envelope. I trust you." She said, a little unsure of herself. Adam sighed guiltily.

"I can't imagine how you could." He looked at her. "But, nothing is going on." He said at the look that crossed her face. "I mean it," He said. "I could never be that stupid again." He sighed.

"That's totally all the past Adam. We've totally moved on from then." Joan nodded. After a moment of silence she spoke up again. "So…can I ask what she wanted?"

Adam nodded, knowing that the question had been coming. "She wrote about Ryan Hunter." He said. Joan lifted her head up at this.

"What?" She asked.

"She said he was there to visit her. He was asking questions about me and you." He told Joan. "And Grace too."

"Why?" Joan asked with a confused look.

"She didn't know. Just said to be careful and she hopes everything is okay." He said. "And she got a puppy. She said it was to protect her, but she has to train it first."

"Oh." Joan said. She was still stuck on the Ryan Hunter part. "Do you think he's going to try and get to us again?"

Adam snorted. "Sha...I think he already has, Jane." He looked at her. "I mean look at what happened last night."

"Yeah…" Joan sighed. "This is getting really tiresome."

Adam only nodded in response, putting his arm around her reassuringly.


"Don't you think we should tell your father about what happened this morning?" Lilly asked as she used Kevin's shoulder for a pillow while he wheeled them along.

"Nah." Kevin shook his head. "Let them have a vacation for once. They're only here until tomorrow."

"But, your dad would want to know." Lilly said, feeling guilty.

"Yeah, but it'll only make mom demand for them to come home. They're doing pretty good on their own. They can handle it. They've had worse over the past couple of years." He said confidently.

"Maybe." Lilly shrugged.

"What about Isabel?" Kevin suggested.

"What?" Lilly replied, looking at him. He glanced at her.

"If it's a girl?" he successfully changed the subject.


"Well the house was pretty clean." Will said, hoping Helen's nerves had calmed, seeing that the kids had everything under control.

"Yes, it was very tidy." Helen remarked as they held hands. "Do you know why Grace is limping?"

"Grace is limping?" Will asked obliviously. He made a move to turn around and look but Helen stopped him.

"Don't make it obvious." She chided. Will looked at her, confused.

"She probably just hurt herself running or something." Will excused.

"Maybe." Helen said, concerned.

"Honey, we talked about this." Will said to her. "We're not going to make up and find reasons for them to come home." He told her. "You promised. They're growing up just fine and living together on their own just fine."

"I know…" Helen sighed. "It's just hard to let it happen."

"I know." Will said, putting his arm around her and patting her shoulder as she put her head down. "I know.


After twenty minutes, they were on the pier, meandering through stores and just passing the time as the sun went down and they waited for the fireworks show. Lilly was pushing Kevin's chair now to give his arms a break. They were waiting in line for ice cream with Joan and Helen. Will and Adam were talking about people who were walking by and making jokes. Grace noticed a store and took Luke's hand, excusing herself and him to go look inside. Luke lagged behind her slightly as they entered the store. It was one of those mystical places. It had incense, weird stones and rocks, astrology stuff, calming CDs, crystals, charms and strange things. Luke snickered.

"What are we doing in here?" He asked as Grace turned a rack of necklaces.

"Why not? It's better than just standing around waiting for everyone to get ice cream right?" She asked. She looked at the silver chains, inspecting them closely. After a few minutes she unhooked one. "Here. This would look cool." She said.

"I don't think it's your thing, Grace." He smiled. "Besides I like the one you always wear." He indicated the leather chord around her neck with its familiar silver weight on it. Grace shook her head as if Luke were dense as she paid the cashier for it.

"I meant on you, genius." She said, handing it to him. Luke looked at the plain silver chain. He was surprised at Grace for the second time that night. He didn't think she saw items and trinkets in stores and thought about him. Not wanting her to be offended and n ever do such an act again, and feeling slightly touched, he took the necklace form her and hooked it around his neck. Grace reached up and situated it correctly.

"There." She pointed into the mirror. She was right; it did look pretty cool on him. "See."

"Thanks." He smiled and took her hand as they left the store, making sure to kiss the side of her head quickly before they caught up to the others. They weaved in and out of people as they walked towards the part of the pier they thought they'd see the fireworks the best from. It was the deck of a bar and grille. They were all seated together with drinks and some desserts in front of them. Unfortunately, it was karaoke night.

"They should not let people do this." Grace groaned.

"It is pretty funny how bad they are." Joan snickered.

"I could totally do that." Luke said.

"Oh please don't!" Kevin shook his head as he sipped his beer.

"Hey, just cause I'm a science geek doesn't mean I can't sing." Luke said defiantly.

"Famous last words." Grace said.

"I'll bet you each five bucks that I can do karaoke better then anyone in this place." Luke challenged, confidently. It was Grace's turn to be shocked. Not only was Luke willing to sing in front of a bunch of strangers, but he was proclaiming it confidently in front of the family he was usually timid and nervous around.

"You're on Jimmy Neutron." Kevin slapped a five dollar bill down.

"Now, now kids, there's no need to do this." Will said calmly.

"What, you think you're the only one in the family who can sing, Dad?" Luke asked.

"Whoa…boy wonder finally gets his guts." Kevin laughed. Adam looked at Luke.

"Hey…if you get nervous…try picturing people in their underwear, yo." He suggested, putting his money in. Luke glanced at Grace with red cheeks and grinned.

"Not me, horndog!" she shoved his shoulder, not bothering to conceal the grin that crossed her face. She flushed more when Helen gave them both a questioning look.

"Five big ones, with your name on them, geek." Joan added her money. Luke stood as Helen finally relented and added her money. Lilly and Grace soon followed. Luke went over to put his name in and pick a song. Then he rejoined the table to wait for them to call his name.

"Up next, everybody welcome returning favorite, Ryan!" The host said into the microphone as the karaoke contest continued.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me." Grace sighed as they all looked up to see Ryan Hunter stepping up to the microphone. He took it off of its stand and moved the stand back.

"Thank you, thank you." He nodded at the applause. "This one goes out to a special young friends in the audience." He grinned at their table. Grace shot him a dirty look, and so did Joan, Luke and Adam. Familiar music to an old song began to play. Ryan's grin never faded but the way he angled his head, he looked like pure evil, wickedly crooning to an audience mostly filled with people who didn't know his true nature. Grace caught his gaze and she glared hard at him. He just started singing. "Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of…wealth and taste." He crooned brilliantly, staring at Grace, knowing she held secrets of his that she was afraid to share with the others. "I've been around for a long, long years…stole many a man's soul and faith…" People were clapping and singing along from their seats. He grinned, wicked and reveling in the state of panic Joan seemed to be in and the anger rising out of Grace. Luke held onto Grace who wanted to jump out of her seat after him. Finally, Ryan neared the end of the song. He returned to the stage and sung directly to Grace, knowing that it was driving her crazy as she sneered at him. "Just as every cop is a criminal, and all the sinners saints, as heads is tails, just call me Lucifer 'cause I'm in need of some restraint…So if you meet me, have some courtesy, have some sympathy…and some taste. Use all your well-learned politesse…or I'll lay your soul to waste, um yeah! Pleased to meet you, hope you guessed my name, um yeah! But what's puzzling you, is the nature…of my game…mmmmm meant it, get on down! Awww yeah!" The song finished and the audience of people clapped.

The host went up on stage, reading a list.

"Next up is new comer, Luke!" She called. Grace grabbed Luke's arm.

"Kick his ass." She ordered. Luke nodded, assuringly. She didn't know that Luke had seen Ryan's name and his song choice on the list and had appropriately picked a song to sing back. Ryan watched, amused, froma booth nearby where Grace, Joan and the others were sitting. Luke cleared his throat nervously. But a glance at Ryan's smirk and he was resolved. The music began and Luke started to sing.

"Well I…won't back down. No I, won't back down. You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I…won't back down." He sung, fiercely. His voice melted perfectly to the words and he didn't have to read them off the screen. His leg tapped to the beat to keep himself in time. Grace's eyes were glued to him.

"Who knew Luke could sing?" Joan asked, astounded. She, Grace, Adam, Lilly and Will were clapping in beat as he sung.

"No I'll, stand my ground, won't be, turned around. And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down, gonna…stand my ground and I…won't back down." The crowd sung along, except for Ryan. "Heeeyyyy baby, there ain't no easy way out," He smiled as he sung, looking at Grace who grinned encouragingly, singing along now. "Heeyyy I will stand my ground…and I won't…back down." He glared at Ryan. "Well I…know what's right…and I got…just one like. In a world that keeps on pushin' me around, but I'll…stand my ground, and I…won't back down. Heyyyyy baby…" He looked back at Grace, feeling comfort in her eyes. "There ain't no easy way out! Heeeeyyy IIII…will stand my ground…and I won't back down…no I won't back down…" the song finished and the crowd erupted, impressed with Luke's ability. Grace even stood with the others, whistling and hollering as they clapped and Luke left the stage.

"That'll be five bucks from all of you…" He said with a grin as he walked over.

"Good job, Squirt." Kevin gave Luke a pat on the back.

"Who knew you could use your vocal chords so well?" Joan asked.

"Is there a scientific reason for that one, pal?" Will asked with a smile. Luke just grinned.

"We have a challenge from Ryan Hunter, to Luke Girardi ladies and gentlemen, for a sing off!" The host called. "Luke? Are you still out there?"

Luke and the others turned to see Ryan, fuming on the stage. He grinned and looked at Grace, to see if she thought he should do it. Grace grinned.

"Go for it." she said. Luke headed back for the stage. Ryan sung first. He chose "Runnin' With The Devil" by Van Halen and performed it wildly dancing and like Satan had lit coals under his feet. Luke climbed up on stage. He whispered something to the host and the host nodded pointing to an acoustic guitar nearby. Luke picked it up and started tuning it.

"When the heck did he start playing guitar?" Kevin asked.

"He picked it up as a hobby about a year ago. Said he could use science to teach him anything." Grace said, not taking her eyes off of him. Kevin looked impressed. Luke turned so as he stood he was facing the table his family and friends were at. He cleared his throat and looked at Grace.

"This is for someone special." He said, knowing she would be mad if he said her name. He smiled. "You know who you are." He nodded to her. Grace nodded, not sure if she should be touched, or pissed at his display. Luke shook his shoulders out nervously and began playing. He leaned in to the microphone, concentrating on the song, keeping time with his foot, and never letting his eyes leave Grace's, unless it was to close his as he tried to hit a note intensely. "Love…I get so lost…sometimes. Days, pass…and this emptiness fills my heart. When I want to ruuunn away…I drive off, in my car. But whichever waaaay I go…I come back to the place you are." He made sure to look directly in her eyes and lock hers with his. "All my instincts, they return. And the grand façade, so soon will burn. Without a noise…without my pride…" His whispered tone mirrored the feel of the song perfectly as he strummed and hit the guitar for the beat. "I reach out from the insiiiide…in your eyes…the light, the heat. I am complete…in your eyes…I see the doorway to a thousand churches, in your eyes. The resolution, of all the fruitless searches, in your eyes. I see the light and the heat, in your eyes. Ohhhhhh I want to be that complete…I want to touch the light, the heat I see in your eyes…" He stared at he. She felt every word of the song as he sung it, confused and surprised that she was letting herself enjoy it. "Love…I don't like to see so much pain. Soooo, much waaasted…and this moment keeps slipping away." He belted it out, hitting the notes perfectly. "I get soooo tiiired…working so hard, for our survival. I look to the tiiiime with you, to keep me awake and alive…And all my instincts, they return. And the grand façade, so soon will burn. Without a noise…without my pride…I reach out from the inside…" He stopped strumming and drummed a beat on the acoustic guitar. "In your eyes…your eyes…your eyes…in your eyyyyyes…your eyes…the light the heat…your eyes…I am complete…in your eyes. I see the doorway, to a thousand churches…in your eyes. The resolution…of all my fruitless searches. In your eyes, I see the light and the heat. In your eyes. Ohhhh I want to be that comeplete! I want to touch the light, the heat I see in your eyes! In your eyes….in your eyes….in your eyes. In your eyes…in your eyes. In your eyes…." He finished the song and received a standing ovation. Setting the guitar down he went to walk off stage but the host stopped him. Luke noticed Grace stare at him, he couldn't tell but she looked misty eyed. She made her way out of the main area of the restaurant. He wanted to follow but the host grabbed his arm as Ryan approached.

"What do you think, who won?" The host held his hand over Ryan's head. "Ryan?" The audience applauded and cheered. "Or Luke?" He held his hand over Luke's head. The crowd went nuts, clapping, cheering and hitting their tables. "Luke is the winner!"

Ryan stalked off the stage, huffing and out towards where Grace ran. Luke was held up as the host gave Luke the winning cash prize for the karaoke contest. Luke thanked the man and then went to find Grace.


"Aw, your cute little boyfriend sung you a song…" Ryan patronized Grace when he saw her standing at the front door, wiping her eyes. Grace clenched her jaw.

"Grow up, Hunter." Grace muttered. Ryan closed in on Grace, who felt herself back against the wall of the building. He was too close for comfort after what she knew he'd done. He put his right hand up to the wall to stop her from side stepping to her left. To her right was the side of the building that jutted out. Grace was trapped. She tried to control the panic that was causing a rise in her blood pressure, and the hitch in her breath.

"The big bad wolf is scared, huh?" Ryan sneered. "I didn't think it would be that easy to get to you. I mean, sure a nice tempting glass of alcohol, that's a button I like to push. You didn't fall for it though. It's quite a pity your mom does, it could lead her to an early grave."

Grace surged forward, her wrist caught by Ryan. "Don't threaten my mother." She demanded. She felt pain in her wrist as he squeezed and shoved her back against the wall. Over head the fireworks started going off. Ryan chuckled.

"I do like a little background noise." He smiled.

"You don't scare me, asshole." She retorted. She moved to knee him between his legs but he put his foot between hers and forced her leg back down with his own, pushing her own legs apart. Adrenaline was racing through her but Grace was pinned and powerless.

"Hey!" Luke called, running through the lobby for them.

"Oh look, physics boy." Ryan muttered.

"Ever hear of momentum?" Luke asked as he neared. Ryan snickered.

"What?"

Luke swung his arm and his fist collided with Ryan's face before he followed through and his elbow hit Ryan in the nose, sending him backwards over a neatly trimmed bush and into the grass, with a groan of pain. "In physics, momentum is a physical quantity related to the velocity and mass of an object…" He went over and knelt over Ryan, grabbing him with one hand by the collar, and balling his fist in the other. "That means I use speed to hit your useless mass of a body and the force knocks you down like a pile of bricks." He gritted his teeth angrily. Grace was frozen, unsure if this was really happening.

"Lucky shot, punk." Ryan spit blood to the side. Luke went in for another punch but was stopped by the force of Ryan's hands, surging forward to choke him. As he fell backwards, Ryan landed on top of him, still choking. Luke coughed and sputtered for air. He flailed desperately.

"What kind of science is this, genius?" He asked. Luke let his knee fly and it landed right in the money shot. Ryan rolled off of him in pain and Luke punched him again. He would have kept going, but Grace grabbed his arm.

"Luke, stop!" She said. Luke looked at her. It was the second time this summer she'd used his first name. She looked pale and still shaken. Ryan lay on the ground, half conscious, and holding his face with one hand and his groin with the other. Grace had never seen Luke so forceful, even the time he'd attacked a bully for pushing Grace into a wall.

"Are you all right?" He asked, standing now, facing her with his hands on her shoulders. He inspected her with his eyes, looking for any sign that she wasn't. Grace nodded slowly.

"I'm all right." She half lied. She looked at Ryan. "I can't believe you did that…" she shook her head, shocked as Luke pulled her to him.

"I couldn't help it." He looked down at her. "What? Did you think I could stand idly by when he was hurting you?" He asked. Grace swallowed hard. She looked from Ryan, back to Luke.

"We need to talk…" She said. Luke nodded. Ryan clambered to his feet, ready to fight again.

"Come on." He demanded. Luke glared, but Grace held onto him.

"He's not worth it." She assured. "Or else I'd kick his ass."

Ryan spotted the others coming, and, seeing Will, turned and left as quickly as he could.

"Come on, let's go…" Luke led the way, so that the others were walking behind them and wouldn't have to ask what was wrong. "We'll talk when we get in and find somewhere private?" He suggested. Grace nodded.

"That's the plan." She agreed.