So here's my second Community fic and it takes into account the spoilers about season 4 (which I've quite enjoyed so far), specifically the ones about Annie hopefully becoming more of Jeff's equal and perhaps even moving on. Now, let me say that I absolutely love Jeff and Annie as a pairing but I do get annoyed, like many others, that Annie never has any love interests anymore. So to put this story in context Annie has finally gotten over Jeff and a new guy has entered her life (and he's genuine). However, Jeff makes a huge (and telling) mistake involving her and the new guy. So it's still Jeff and Annie just with a detour.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything mentioned in this fic and hopefully the idea of not copied. Also I have never tasted tofu or watched Cougar Town (well I've maybe caught the odd episode). I just included them because it fitted with the show's references and character traits.

Why did you say that?

Chapter 1

Annie Edison was giddy. Yes, completely giddy. She swung her crossed legs as she sat on a campus bench, watching her fellow human beings pass by in the blazing sun and smiling happily at the few who waved at her.

"What's up with you Edison?" Leonard called as he sailed slowly by on a scooter. "You look happy!"

"Yes, Leonard, I am happy!" Annie replied cheerily and shaking her head amusedly as he rolled up behind Neil and whacked him over the head. "Really happy," She whispered quietly to herself.

"Hey Annie!" A deep male voice called to her from the right and Annie felt her stomach release with a swarm of butterflies. Clearing her throat Annie took a few seconds to dial down her smile and turned slightly to greet her new friend who was nearly at her bench.

"Danny!" She replied casually, giving him a welcoming smile and trying to ignore how handsome he looked in his jeans and green shirt combo. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming." She teased knowing he would never do that to her and admired the way he carelessly ran a hand through his brown hair, leaving it sticking up in all directions.

Danny gave her an apologetic smile and sat next to her, dumping his back beside him. "I'm sorry, really I am. For some reason I ended up helping the Dean sort through the Drama club's dog costumes. I can't believe they have so many!" He exclaimed while Annie bit her lip uncomfortably. "Did they perform a stage version of 'Homeward Bound' or something?"

"Uh, no, I don't think so." Annie stuttered awkwardly and then waved her hand as if to bat the subject away. "Maybe they've got one coming up. Anyway, enough about the Dean," she laughed nervously while trying to change the subject. "What do you think about the essay Professor Wilson set us?

Danny let out a groan and gave her a sheepish smile. "It's a nightmare right? I gotta be honest Annie, I'm going to need some help. Fancy meeting up after our classes today and studying for a bit? We could try and at least decode the damn task!"

Annie shrugged her shoulders as if it was no bother. "Sure, I could use some help too." She tried to say calm and casual but inside she was squealing with excitement. It was finally happening, another study session with the guy who Annie had met during their forensics courses a few weeks ago. And he was not only gorgeous, talented, smart and friendly but a genuine good guy. "We could meet in study room F, I mean, it's usually free at 4 on a Wednesday."

Danny grinned and nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds great. Your knowledge of study room schedules coming in handy again." He teased while nudging her shoulder and letting out a chuckle.

Annie joined in and tucked her long, brown hair behind her right ear while giving him an embarrassed smile. "I know I know. Not that I've spent too much time studying in there!" Her embarrassment quickly disappeared as Danny stared at her with a look of affection.

"I'd expect nothing less." He said softly while holding her gaze and Annie was positive that her thudding heart could be heard around campus.

His name was Danny Fieldman and he was studying at Greendale to get his qualification in forensics studies. His backstory was similar to Britta's in that he was a wanderer (or 'free spirit' as Britta preferred) who had finally decided that forensics was what he wanted to do with his life. Having left school he had travelled for years, working numerous part time and temporary jobs before he applied to Greendale. Annie couldn't believe that despite both being at Greendale for nearly four years they had never encountered each other before. Although Danny claimed he knew who she was being part of the infamous Greendale 7.

"You guys are a legend!" He once told her. "You ended the Chang mania and believe me, we were all grateful for it."

Since their first class where they had been randomly paired for an assignment Danny had proved to be a great friend and a more than efficient study buddy. It had started off as a friendship but for Annie it had become something more in the space of only a few weeks. At first she tried to calm herself, reminding her sanity that she had been down this road too many times with a certain other study buddy and that she was not going through it again, especially after managing to quell those feelings for Jeff Winger once and for all. However, it was in these moments that Annie could swear that she was not imagining it this time. She was convinced that Danny liked her and that maybe, just maybe, he was going to ask her out. One day..

Annie reluctantly removed her gaze from Danny's hazel eyes and gave polite laugh, suddenly feeling ridiculously girlie. "So, 4 o'clock?" She asked before returning her eyes to his which had lost some of their intensity but were still fixed on her face.

"4 o'clock." He confirmed with an almost shy smile. "I'll bring the snacks." He added before placing a warm hand on her shoulder, giving it tender squeeze. She beamed back and nodded, feeling her shoulder tingle even after he removed his hand and collected his bag before standing up. "See you later Edison."

"See you later Danny." She replied and watched as he walked away, waving when he smiled over his shoulder.

Annie couldn't help the excited sigh that escaped her and almost dropped her beeping phone due to her trembling fingers as she tried to retrieve it from her back pack. God, she hadn't felt this way in a long time. Pausing for a moment she took a deep breath, 'Calm down!" she silently told herself before successfully securing her phone in both hands and opening up her message.

TROY: Annie, you're missing out on chicken wings! (Or tofu kebabs, Britta says she doesn't mind sharing :s)

Annie chuckled as she grabbed her bag and pulled it onto her back. Unable to help the wide grin that now graced her face Annie practically skipped to the cafeteria.

"Britta, for the last time, we all like chicken! So shut up about how they spend their last days." Annie heard Jeff almost growl at Britta Perry, a good indication that this fight may have been going on for a while.

"Oh sure be ignorant to the plight of the animals that help you feed your stomach!" Britta retaliated before picking up a kebab stick and using her mouth to take off a chunk of tofu. "Mmmmm" She moaned while the look on her face betrayed the fact that she was enjoying it. When it became clear that she couldn't even swallow it the blond grabbed a napkin and quickly spat out the half eaten chunk of substitute meat, much to the vocal annoyance of her friends. "Well, it must be this cafeteria because it usually tastes so muc better…"

"So, Cougar Town marathon tonight?" Abed Nadir interjected while noticing an approaching Annie. "You in Annie?"

The rest of the group greeted Annie with smiles as she sat down at the end of the table, in between Abed and Jeff. "Uh, sure. Well, I'll be staying on after classes to work on an assignment but I should be home around 6ish." She explained while hoping it might be even later if things went well with Danny.

"Count me out." Jeff stated ignoring the several eye rolls made in response to his comment. "Hey! I just don't dig the show. It's not like it's a crime. Although some of the show's jokes are." He gave the others a smug smile before taking a celebratory drink of his water.

"Good one." Annie deadpanned receiving a glare from the soon to be lawyer. Despite his evident annoyance at her comment it made Annie feel proud that she could finally give him retorts that shut him up. She knew her putdowns irritated him but she felt more of an equal because of them.

"Sorry Abed but Andre and I are having a rare evening out." Shirley Bennett cooed receiving pleased faces from around the table. "It's been months since we've had any alone time so he's taking me to that new restaurant, 'Artium'."

"Oooo Shirley!" Britta exclaimed. "I've heard it's really nice."

"And fully booked!" Jeff added in his fellow hipster knowledge. "I hear it takes months to get a table."

"Yes. Andre booked it 4 months ago!" Shirley confirmed, her voice ridiculously high with excitement. "Oh I am looking forward to some good lobster with my husband." She added in a much lower, slight aroused voice causing the others to glance awkwardly at each other.

"Anyway," Jeff stated in a deliberate tone trying to move to another subject while Shirley seemed to be lost in her thoughts. "We saved you some wings." He told Annie, pushing his plate in front of her, making Annie feel bad for her earlier putdown.

"Oh, thank you." She replied, giving him a grateful smile causing him to shrug casually but the smile on his face told her that he wasn't annoyed anymore. "I'm starving." She told them before eating her first chicken wing.

'We'd love to stay and chat Annie but we've got class." Britta explained apologetically before amending her statement when Jeff coughed. "Well, some of us have class." She had clearly forgot that he had very few classes these days due to his sneaky online modules.

Annie waved her hand to show there were no bad feelings and watched as everyone except Jeff stood up and gave them a wave goodbye. Just as she finished her last wing a white paper napkin appeared in front of her and she giggled as she accepted it from Jeff who then leant forward on his elbows. "Thank you Jeff. How would I manage to eat my lunch without you?" She teased while wiping her fingers and dumping the napkin on the plate.

"That's simple, you wouldn't." He replied in a mock serious tone. "Tending to those who are eating is just one of my never ending of skills. Weren't they good?" He asked eyeing the now empty plate.

Annie nodded in agreement while snatching a drink of water from his bottle of water. "It makes me miss the days when we were a chicken wing crime syndicate. "

Jeff chuckled and then indicated she could keep the bottle as she tried to return it. She gave him beaming smile as a way of saying thank you. "So how is the forensic studying going?" He asked giving her his full attention, something that was happening more often these days, ever since Annie had resolved to move on and focus on friendship rather than anything else.

"Good. I think." She replied hesitantly causing Jeff to raise an inquisitive eyebrow. Sighing she leant forward so their faces were closer, not wanting others to hear her doubts. "I spent so much time knowing exactly what I wanted to do…Healthcare Administration. Now I'm looking at these books and assignments and wondering what I've let myself in for. It's a difficult course." She neglected to mention that working with Danny had helped but it was nice to share her concerns with someone she considered a best friend. And at times Jeff could give her really sensible advice. Looking at him with a slightly confused smile he nodded understandingly.

"Look, change can be daunting." He admitted indicating he too didn't always enjoy the experience. "But if anyone can handle it, it's you. You're ridiculously intelligent Annie. I mean you practically got me through my first semester here." When she gave him a mock disbelieving look he added, "Okay so a couple of semesters in my first year." Annie grinned and nodded her head approvingly at his new statement. "Just keep persevering and you'll get there. I know I'm not taking the course but if you need any help you just have to ask. Even if it's just to help remove your stress headaches."

Annie gazed affectionately at him before letting an '"Awww," escape causing Jeff to roll his eyes in amusement. "Jeeeeeffff, that was so sweet!" She cooed knowing it would make him further embarrassed and giving him a light swat on the shoulder. The moment of contact caused Jeff to glance down at the spot where she hit him and then gaze back at her with wide, genuine smile.

"Yeah yeah." He acknowledged with a sheepish smile and for a moment they just stared at each other, content that they were in each other's company. "So, what's your next class?"

"Advanced Biology." Annie told him while picking up the water bottle and her bag.

"Fancy an escort M'lady?" He asked while standing up and holding out a strong hand.

Annie grinned at his pet name for her and gracefully slotted her small hand into his. "Thank you, M'lord."

And for one quick minute they continued to hold hands before Annie realised the prolonged contact and gently extracted her hand with the pretence of taking another drink of water. Jeff let it go without a word and smiled warmly as he held the door open for her.

Next chapter features the study session with Danny as well as Jeff's mistake. But what will it be? Guesses are welcome! Meanwhile please r'n'r.