Disclaimer: I don't own Community, Dan Harmon does. Only the plot and OCs are mine, everything else is just borrowed.

Thanks to Jeffwik for beta reading this and helping tighten it up and make it make sense...

Chapter 1 - Prologue

(January 2020 - Greendale Community College, start of Spring Semester)

"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to 'Fundamentals of Law 102'." Jeff Winger said. "Most of you were here last semester, but for those of you who weren't I'm Professor Winger and I will be teaching this course."

The room quickly went quiet - Jeff was a popular teacher and controlled the classroom with a natural authority. He took off his jacket, slung it over the back of his chair, rolled up his shirt sleeves and threw a wink at a brunette in the front row whose face had gone dreamy. She blushed slightly and sat up straight again.

"Before we start I have an important announcement to make. As those of you who volunteer for the Justice Project will already be aware, last semester I applied for funds to attend this summer's Conference on Justice and the Appeals System taking place in Georgetown University, Washington DC. I'm pleased to announce I have been granted funds to attend and take two students with me - if you are interested in attending, please sign the sheet currently going round class. Places will be assigned on the basis of grades obtained and willingness to pursue extra credit opportunities and successful candidates will be announced on return from Spring Break. Now if you please turn to page 27…"

XXXXXX

(Day after Spring Break, office of the Greendale Justice Project)

Jeff Winger was going through the assessments of the first half of the semester. Gemma has to go, she's way ahead of the others. But any one of five could get the second place. I've only got enough funds for two rooms, If I pick a guy I'll have to share a room with him, but another girl and they can share while I have a room to myself…

He put his head around the door. "Gemma, Hayley, can I see you in my office please?"

XXXXXX

(Georgetown University, Washington DC - Conference on Justice and the Appeals System, main lecture theatre)

Jeff knew exactly why he'd chosen to attend the lecture being given by the FBI guest speaker from Quantico. He looked down once again at the amendment slip which had been stapled into the conference programme to make sure it hadn't changed since he'd last looked at it. It hadn't -

14:30-16:30 - The Perspective of Law Enforcement. Speaker - FBI Special Agent A. Edison (replacing the previously announced speaker)

If pushed he would have said it offered the best chance of an entertaining Q&A session given the likely hostile audience. He wasn't ready to admit the truth, that his palms were sweating and his heart in his mouth at the possibility of seeing Annie again after so long.

The conference chairman walked up to the podium and tapped the microphone for attention -

"Ladies and Gentlemen, your attention please," Professor Greenman said. "For those of you who haven't received a copy of the amended programmes Professor Leo Armitage has been called away on official business and is unable to make today's lecture. However, the FBI has graciously provided a replacement who has been working closely with Professor Armitage and is fully qualified to speak on his behalf. Please welcome Special Agent Annie Edison."

Jeff sat upright in his seat. He hadn't really believed it was possible until this moment. It really is her! he thought in dumb shock as the petite figure of a woman who had once been the most important thing in his world walked up to the podium. Jeff never budged from his position as he focussed with intense concentration on everything Annie said, every mannerism, every gesture. When the lecture ended and the call for questions went out, he made sure his hand went up first and he practically tore the microphone out of the assistant's hand as it was brought over to him.

"Jeff Winger from the Greendale Justice Project."

Annie went stiff with shock as she heard his name, recognised his voice. It really is him! What are you doing here, Jeff? Shouldn't you still be rotting in that place? You look just like you did... no, you look... better. Annie noted he'd shaved off his beard and was wearing a sharp suit, and seemed to have recovered an easy self-confidence as he gripped the microphone. She disciplined herself to relax and concentrate on his question.

Jeff was somewhat gratified to see Annie looked almost as shocked as he felt, even if she did swiftly smooth over her expression.

"Thank you for volunteering to be the lion in this den of Daniels, Special Agent," Jeff opened, pausing slightly to allow the rumble of good-natured laughter to die down.

"My question is straightforward enough," he continued. "You stressed in your presentation that law enforcement agencies such as yours are as committed to justice as anybody in this room, and that we should be prepared to see you as allies, not as rivals. However, I think I speak for most of my colleagues here present who specialise in miscarriage of justice cases that the law enforcement agencies we deal with very rarely see us as allies." There was a rumble of agreement from around the room. "Do you not perhaps accept that the message you have just given also needs to be given within your own organisation?"

"Thank you for your kind welcome, Mr Winger," Annie smiled up at him. "You're quite correct of course, this is a message that needs to be taken onboard by all parties. For example, in the FBI -" Annie proceeded to give a concise answer of how the FBI was constantly overhauling procedures and training to ensure evidence was retained and access for defence counsel safeguarded.

Jeff returned to his seat and listened to the rest of the Q&A. At the end, he turned to Gemma and Hayley and asked them to wait a moment as he had something personal to attend to, then he walked to the front of the auditorium and waited while Annie handled those attendees who preferred to ask questions one on one. As he watched her deal with the questioners confidently and with good humour, Jeff felt - he wasn't sure what he felt. Pride? Wistfulness? Uncertainty, even resentment? Instead he forced himself to relax and just watch as memories came forth unbidden. Finally she dismissed the last one and walked over to him.

"Would it destroy your credibility with this crowd if I gave you a hug?" she asked with a warm smile.

Jeff smiled back. "No more than it would destroy yours with your bosses." He held out his arms. "Come here, Annie." She did, the hug was soft and warm and exactly how Jeff remembered. "It's been so long," he said as a moment of sadness flicked across her face. "Can I buy you dinner or something so we can catch up properly? I don't think we can do it just standing here."

Annie's face fell. "I can't Jeff, I've got a meeting at FBI Headquarters." Then she brightened again. "It's only a case review and shouldn't take more than an hour – pick me up from my hotel at 7:30 and we'll go on from there." She scribbled a name and address on the back of a business card and handed it over to him. Jeff automatically gave her one of his cards in return.

"Thanks Annie, I'll see you later." Jeff smiled at her.

"It's a date Jeff," Annie smiled back at him. They hugged again and Annie swiftly left the room. Gemma and Hayley, who had been hanging back, walked up to him. They had grins on their faces.

"So Professor," said Gemma. "Did you really just score a date with the hot FBI agent?!"

Jeff drew himself up to his full height and replied with a tone of grave dignity.

"As it happens, she's an old friend from when we were students together." Then he grinned. "But yes, it looks like you'll be looking after yourselves tonight."

"Then we need to get you ready," Hayley said. "There's no way you're going out in your conference suit."