Plot: A woman shows up in New York and claims that she is Karen's half-sister.
Timeline: Takes place after the episode 'Dames at Sea'
Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters. Only Katherine and Amber are mine and the magazine 'European Interiors.'

Part 4: Katherine's Job

The next morning at eleven fifteen, Karen walked into Grace's office to find that it was empty. "Well," she said to herself. "Looks like I've got a free day." She turned and was about to leave when Grace came up in the elevator.

"Sorry Karen," Grace said, walking over to her desk. "I had to go to Will's and help Kath..." She stopped before she could say anymore.

"That woman is at Wilma's apartment?" Karen asked angrily.

"Yeah," Grace said quietly.

"And whose idea was that?" Karen said.

"It was Will's," Grace answered.

"It looks like I won't be going to his place anytime soon," Karen said. She walked over to her desk and sat down.

"Karen, listen I really need to talk to you about Katherine," Grace said, walking over to her.

"Just stay right there Grace," Karen said, pulling out her nail filer. "This is a place of business, not talking."

"Okay, where did you put the real Karen?" Grace asked, looking around the office.

Karen just sighed and started filing her nails. "Look honey, I just don't want to talk about her," she said.

"And what, you're just going to ignore her?" Grace asked incredulously.

"Yeah," Karen said. The room was silent for a long while and then she looked up at Grace. "What, is that a problem?"

Grace grabbed a stool and set it next to Karen's chair. "Look Karen, I spent all afternoon with Katherine," she said. "And she's a very nice woman who wants very much to be your sister and to be in your life."

"You mean she wants to get my money!" Karen yelled, putting down her filer.

"Karen, I don't think she wants your money," Grace said calmly.

"Oh?" Karen asked sarcastically. "Then why is she staying at Will's apartment? Answer that Grace."

"She did tell us that she doesn't have too much money," Grace said. "But she's not greedy."

Karen just shook her head and said, "Just forget about it Grace."

Grace sighed and was about to say something else, but stopped. She got up from the stool and went back to the sketch of the kitchen she had been working on the day before.

At twelve thirty, Jack came into the office, Amber Riley with him. "Hello everyone!" he said.

"Hey," Grace said distractedly.

"Jack, why did you bring that woman's daughter?" Karen asked, seeing Amber.

"I took her to sign up for school," Jack said.

"You took her?" Grace asked incredulously, looking up from her sketch.

"Oh, fine," Jack said exasperatingly. "Katherine took her; I just went along for the ride."

"Where's Katherine now?" Grace asked.

"She went to get a job," Jack said. "Which reminds me-"

"Excuse me," Amber said, letting go of Jack's hand and walking over to Karen. "Will you come and visit me and my mother Aunt Karen?"

"Listen kid," Karen said, standing up. "I'm not your aunt."

"But my mummy said you were," Amber said, looking up at her.

"Well your mom's a liar kid," Karen said.

"Uh, Karen," Grace said, walking over to Amber and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Why don't you go out for lunch?"

Karen grabbed her purse and coat and left the office without another word.

"Come on Amber," Grace said, taking the girl's hand. She led her over to her worktable and lifted her up onto the chair.

"Why is she so mean?" Amber asked.

Grace smiled and said, "Here, why don't you color for a little bit." When the girl was coloring on a piece of paper, Grace turned to Jack and asked, "What were you going to say earlier?"

"Well, I guess you've never heard of Katherine Riley before she came here?" Jack said.

"No, should I have?" Grace asked.

Jack reached into the book bag he had been carrying, which was Amber's, and pulled out a magazine which he then handed to Grace. "I remembered this article, and I realized that Katherine wasn't after Karen's money like she thought," he said.

Grace took the magazine and read the article quickly, and then looked at the pictures. "Wow, so she's the daughter of a lord and knight?" she said. "That's neat."

"There's my grandmum and granddad!" Amber said, pointing to the picture of Lord and Lady Riley.

"That's right Amb," Jack said, grinning.

"Okay, so why did you show me this?" Grace asked.

"Well duh!" Jack said, rolling his eyes. He took the magazine from Grace and said, "Didn't you read what it says in the article? Katherine redesigned the manor. You could hire her as a partner. Or something like that."

"Amber," Grace said, turning to the young girl. "Does your mom like to decorate things?"

"Yep," Amber said, concentrating on her coloring. "She decorated my new room when we were in England."

"Well Grace?" Jack asked.

"Okay, I'll go to Will's and ask her if she wants to work with me," Grace said. "God knows I could use a second person who will actually work.

"Hi you guys," Katherine said, coming into the office.

"Just the person we wanted to see!" Jack said. "How'd the job hunting go?"

"Not well," Katherine said, walking to where Amber was sitting. "Every place I went they said I was overqualified."

"Well, I've got a place where you can work," Grace said.

"Oh? Where's that?" Katherine asked, interested.

"Jack brought me this magazine and show me this article," Grace said, showing Katherine the article in European Interiors.

"Ah yes," Katherine said, taking the magazine in her hands. "I remember when they came to look at the manor."

"I looked at those rooms and they are very well done," Grace said. "And I would like to hire you to work here, as my partner."

Katherine was silent for a long time. Finally, she looked up at Grace and smiled. "I would be honored to be your partner, but," and here her smile faltered. "How could I work here while Karen does as well?�

"Karen shows up for about three hours a day," Grace said. "And I'll be here to make sure that she doesn't get to mean with you."

"Come on Kat," Jack said, seeing the look of doubt on her face. "You'll have a lot of fun working here I bet."

"Alright," Katherine said, sighing. "I guess I could do worse if I looked for a job elsewhere."

"Great," Grace said, smiling. She held out her hand to Katherine. As they shook hands she said, "Welcome to Grace Adler Designs."

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