Saving Grace

Sixty One

Grace calls Harley after Tony leaves, just to talk to him, pass the time while she finishes her drawing, waiting for her father to get back.

They talk about Peter, obviously.

"So, you're drawing a picture of a scene from a book because Peter said the book was his favorite?" Harley asks.

Grace blushes. "Well, I like the book too, but... yes."

"So you're basically head over heels in love with him?"

"No!" Grace shouts. More quietly, she adds, "No. I'm not in love with him. It's too early for that."

Harley chuckles. "Hate to break it to you, Primrose, but love doesn't work on a schedule."

Grace rolls her eyes at the nickname. "We've only just kissed, Harley. I don't even know if we're dating. We never said anything about it."

"Have you talked to him today?"

Grace frowns. "No. But he had school; he's busy."

"Have you tried to talk to him today? Maybe he's not busy."

"No. I usually don't call him first unless something's happened."

"Hmm," Harley hums.

Grace's brows furrow. "'Hmm?' What do you mean, 'hmm?'"

"I don't know, Grace, I just..." He sighs. "It seems like you're always the one waiting on him."

Grace stops, recalling how she herself thought that once before, but then she remembers her reasoning. "That can't be helped, and you know it. He's busy out there, and I'm stuck in here, and neither of us can do anything about it."

"Still," Harley says. "Look, I know he probably isn't doing it on purpose, but... maybe he should wait on you once in a while."

Grace sighs, knowing that he's probably right but wanting to ignore it. Things are going good for them right now, and she doesn't want anything messing with that. "I don't know," she says. "I've always wanted to be Amy Pond."

Harley goes quiet for a moment, then he finally asks, "What?"

"You know, Doctor Who. Amy Pond. 'The Girl Who Waited.'"

Harley half-laughs. "Grace-"

"You know how much Rory loved Amy. Everything worked out pretty okay for them in the end, I'd say."

"Then who am I? The Doctor?"

"And Hannah is River!" Grace replies, laughing when he begins to protest.

"She's too nice to be put in prison, you know," Harley replies. "Even for killing me, which I wouldn't blame her for. Also, I just remembered that Amy kissed the Doctor at first, and now I don't wanna be the Doctor anymore."

"Oh, ew, yeah, never mind," Grace says, and they both laugh.

Harley continues. "Anyway, as I was saying before you rudely changed the subject — call him. Don't wait for him, you call him first."

"And if he doesn't answer?"

"Ask yourself if he's really worth it."

Grace goes quiet for a moment, biting her lip, thinking, then says, "He is."

"You better be sure about that," Harley replies. "I don't want you getting hurt. 'Cause I'll have to fly all the way to New York to beat him up."

Grace laughs. "The thought of that is hilarious to me because he would web you to the pavement in about two seconds."