Chapter 4

Honesty is Always the Hard Part

Grace stood watching her dad, not knowing what to say. Luckily for her, her girlfriend from 2B was a people person.

"Hi, I'm Anna." Anna held her hand out for Grace's father to shake. He didn't, he just looked at it like it was some extra limb she had grown. Anna bit her tongue and put both hands in her pockets.

"It's nice to finally meet you...not that I've heard anything about you..." Grace turned and shot her a wide eyed look.

"So are you going to give me my coffee on the doorstep?" He asked Grace who smiled.

"Of course not, come in Dad." Pulling his suitcase behind him he edged into her apartment, eyeing it sceptically.

"You know..." He began as Anna and Grace watched him carefully.

"When you get shot you tend to want family there, usually. But it looks like someone else has got that covered. You're lucky to have a guy like that you know." Grace frowned and shot a confused expression to Anna who shrugged, clueless.

"Dad, what are you on about?" He turned, smiling.

"That cop friend of yours. I know things went a little South with that fiancé you had but why didn't you tell me you were back with Wayne?" Grace blinked a few times, confused beyond belief.

"Dad..." Grace tried but she couldn't find the words.

"It's okay honey, he called me and let me know. Said that you were fine, just doing your job. And I'm proud of you honey." Moving forward he pecked her forehead.

"Where's the john in here anyway?" Grace silently pointed to her bathroom and he walked into it. When she heard the door click shut she dragged Anna into the kitchen.

"What the hell was that about? Who is this guy Wayne?" Anna demanded in a hiss and Grace sighed.

"It was-" There was another knock at the door.

"This isn't over!" Anna told Grace as she left for the door. There could not have been a worse situation Grace could be thrown in now. She'd just been shot and now her dad was here thinking she had a boyfriend (which she didn't) and her girlfriend had no idea about it. Opening the door however, Grace realized exactly how the situation could get worse. More importantly how it just did.

"Oh shit." Grace muttered. Wayne was standing there with an apologetic expression on his face.

"Hey, I have to tell you something." He said quietly, guiltily. Anna appeared behind Grace.

"Is this him?" Grace nodded.

"Yes, but wait Anna-" She didn't wait. In fact she punched Rigsby square in the face.

"Anna!" Grace exclaimed as she lurched forward, forgetting all about her stitches. Gripping her stomach she pulled back and leant against the door frame.

"Grace!" Amos ran out of the bathroom and grabbed her arm, supporting her.

"I'm fine Dad." Rigsby had blood dripping from his nose and had Anna in an arm lock.

"Hey!" Amos split them up as Anna took another swing at Rigsby.

"I could arrest you!" Rigsby threatened and Anna squirmed in Amos' grip.

"Try me, you ass hole!" Amos stepped away from Rigsby, since he was standing still now.

"Calm down!" He ordered Anna who pulled from his grasp. Amos was ready to grab her again but she didn't jump for Rigsby.

"You were there, at the hospital .You know about us. Why would you tell him otherwise?" Wayne looked confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"Telling him that you and Grace are together!" Anna yelled and Rigsby shook his head.

"I didn't." Amos frowned.

"What are you on about son? I thought you were calling because you were her boyfriend again." Rigsby shook his head again.

"No, sir, I called you because I was with her when she was shot. I can't help but feel a little responsible." Amos took a second where he realized his mistake, and then he looked at Anna.

"Get inside." Grace told them all. She couldn't do this in her hallway. Wayne looked quite scared and obliged, brushing past her. Anna followed slowly, her face contorted in confusion and sadness. Amos was last, his eyes never leaving Grace. They were all standing around the sitting room in their own little worlds. They were all thinking of different things but by the looks on their faces they were all just as important as the other. Right now though, Grace could feel her pain killers wearing off and she needed them to be focusing on her. Not her favourite thing in the world but it was a necessity.

"Dad, I'm not with Rigsby. I'm with Anna. Anna lives in the apartment below me, 2B. We met up a few months ago when I helped her with some decorating. We've been dating ever since and I didn't tell you because I know how old fashioned you are and I was afraid of what you would think. I'm sorry." Her father just stared back at her and gave a small nod. Grace turned to Wayne.

"Thank you for calling him, it was sweet. Don't hold yourself responsible though you did everything you could, and you saved my life. I'll never forget that. And this..." She motioned to Anna.

"Has nothing to do with you or with us. I guess O'Laughlin was just the final straw." Wayne nodded and silently turned for the door, not before stopping by Anna.

"If you hurt her, then I will arrest you. And I'll make sure it's for something serious." Anna went to respond but didn't, knowing this was his way of a peace offering. She nodded and he left, shutting the door behind him.

"You know what sweetheart?" Amos asked Grace.

"I'm going to go and get a motel room, sleep off the flight. I'll call you tomorrow and we can have dinner...the three of us. Does that sound good?" Grace smiled and he hugged her, kissing her hair.

"There's my Bracey Gracey." Picking his suitcase up he left and Grace sighed, carefully sitting on the sofa.

"Well that was...eventful..." Anna said quietly.

"Anna could we-"

"When were you and that cop together?" Grace watched Anna who wouldn't face her. Anna didn't wait for an answer.

"I'm going to go to my place for a while. Call if you need anything." Grace opened her mouth to stop her but Anna was already opening the door. When she got outside she fought back the tears, trying to muffle her sobs. Grace could hear her and got up, slowly walking over to the door. When she got there though, all she saw was the back of Anna jogging down the stairs.

It had been three days since they had spoken. Grace had only left the apartment once to go to the store but she couldn't take the stairs so she didn't pass Anna's place. Anna had told Grace's father that she wasn't feeling well so she didn't go for dinner. Grace was sitting watching the news when she heard yelling from another apartment. Muting the TV she listened closely, realizing it was next door. Walking over to the door she opened it and leant out to hear what was going on.

"Did she cheat on him again or is it her boy toy?" Someone asked Grace who turned to find Anna sipping a large 'Slushy'.

"I don't know. I can't tell." Anna moved past Grace into Grace's apartment and put her stuff down. Grace watched her in general surprise as she walked straight into the bedroom and returned with Grace's police badge.

"Watch this..." Anna told Grace as she took her jacket off. Before she left Anna cleared her throat and began to chew some imaginary gum rather enthusiastically.

"Hey!" Banging on the door Anna didn't stop until a young, shirtless man swung it open.

"What?" He barked.

"Don't 'what' me buddy! Special Agent Sanders for the California Bureau of Investigation, I'm trying to talk to a witness and you're making such a fucking racket!" Anna was putting on a remarkably good New York accent as she flashed her badge.

"If you don't keep your girlfriend quiet then I'll have my superior come here with a warrant for your arrest! We have a gunshot victim here, come on people!" Turning she left the man standing there blushing. When the door to Grace's apartment closed they fell apart in laughter, Grace stopping just before she felt her stitches protest in pain.

"Look, Grace, I'm sorry I haven't been to see you or called I just...I needed some time. I couldn't deal with your dad and everything. I just don't get it, why you never told him." Grace nodded and went through to the kitchen, opening a bottle of water for her and a beer for Anna.

"I know and I'm so sorry, it's just my dad's real old fashioned. I don't even think there were any gay people where we lived. I was just so afraid of what he'd think, but the other day I just realized that if I'd told him about us then I wouldn't have nearly lost you and-" She was cut off as Anna leant forward and kissed her lips softly. Grace could taste the beer in Anna's breath but she didn't care. Anna pulled away and brushed Grace's hair from her face.

"You weren't even close to losing me I just...I figured you'd had a tough relationship history since you've never once mentioned any of it but I would've appreciated a little heads up about the cop."

"Sorry about that, I definitely should've told you both sooner. About the others I-" Anna shook her head.

"I wasn't pressuring you into anything; I just wanted to let you know. Guy, girl, whoever this O'Laughlin person is or whoever else you were with, it doesn't matter. I..." Anna's words caught and she cleared her throat.

"I love you for you, not who you've been with." Grace felt her face flush red as she grinned widely.

"Well it's a pity I only love you for your body." Grace joked which earned her a playful shove from Anna.