Everything is Better, Part Two

by CeleryLapel

This is a continuation of the series, "Everything is Better the Second Time Around." If Annie Edison had a child before she entered Greendale and how this situation might have shaped her and Jeff's relationship. Technically AU but will incorporate many of the events from the show. Some liberties will be taken.

1. Uncomfortable Conversations

Chapter 1: Uncomfortable Conversations

Summary: Annie and Jeff talk with important people in their lives.

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A/N: This is a continuation of the series, "Everything is Better the Second Time Around."

If Annie Edison had a child before she entered Greendale and how this situation might have shaped her and Jeff's relationship. Technically AU but will incorporate many of the events from the show. Some liberties will be taken.

As promised, here is Chapter 1 of Part 2. Thank you, dear readers, for following along. And a big appreciation to all of you who have provided feedback, ideas, and encouragement along the way.

We pick up the day after the Tranny Dance.

Disclaimer: Community and its original characters are the creation of Dan Harmon.

xxxxx

Annie and Jeff began their summer break cuddled on Annie's couch. This was a slight problem, as well, Jeff didn't cuddle, and yet he found himself wrapped around Annie as he awoke to the cries of Sophie Edison.

"What the hell?" He mumbled into the back of Annie's neck. He realized to his slight horror they were spooning.

"Hm?" There was a pause as Annie shuffled her legs, thereby pressing her backside up against him. Jeff fought to contain himself as he quickly moved back just a little. It was morning and he certainly didn't need for her to know about that at this moment.

"Oh, I'm just gonna get her." Annie mumbled as she disentangled herself from Jeff and arose.

Jeff rolled onto his back and placed his arm over his eyes. He found his consciousness rapidly returning as Sophie continued to wail. After a minute or two thankfully she stopped. Jeff peeked out from his arm to notice it was still dark. He fumbled around on the table and picked up his phone. He shuddered when he saw the time. Five am.

Well so much for his grand plan to sleep in on his first day of summer break.

Of course nothing that had happened in the past twelve hours had been a part of his plan. He still couldn't even figure out how he ended up falling asleep with Annie. He noted with gnawing apprehension this was the second time they had fallen asleep together like this on her couch. And the third time they had slept together if he counted New Year's. He told himself that at least the first time was due to more emotional exhaustion than anything else and that he had been kinda forced to stay since she seemed like a wreck. He couldn't just leave her like that, right? As for last night, he had vague recollections of watching some stupid movie while sitting next to her. He then started to picture Annie becoming sleepy and falling into him very slowly. He felt slightly conflicted about this at the time but didn't really want to be a jerk about it so he let gravity take its course. He had fuzzy memories of turning off the television.

He sighed as he wondered what they were even doing. Given the ambiguous nature of their relationship, err friendship at this juncture, it was probably a bad idea for him to have fallen asleep. But at least they were on the couch and at least they hadn't technically done anything. He found himself feeling a bit warm as he recalled what they had done the previous evening. Not nothing.

In his jumbled early morning thoughts, he tried not to think about her lace panties. Was she still wearing them or did she change into something more comfortable? What color were they? She had been wearing a dark blue dress. Did they match? …. Stop!

He decided to give himself a break on this one. He'd have to wait to see what the negotiations turned up before he could fully evaluate the situation. Right now he needed either sleep or coffee.

Annie padded back into the room holding Sophie. She turned on a small lamp and then gently sat down in the chair. She held Sophie to her chest and pulled out a magazine.

Jeff mumbled, "Is she starting her day?"

Annie tensed. "Jeff! I thought you were asleep!"

Jeff spoke while continuing to hold his arm over his eyes. "Sorry. Nope, I'm awake. And becoming more awake it seems as I continue to remain conscious."

"That doesn't make any sense."

He yawned. "I need coffee."

"You're welcome to make some. I have my hands full."

He sighed wearily as he sat up and began rubbing his face. He glanced over to Annie and was taken by the sight of her nursing Sophie. Although he had been in her presence before while she fed the baby, there was usually a nursing cover or blanket involved. Clearly Annie had thought she was essentially alone with Sophie in the wee hours of the morning while he slept, as there was definitely no obscuring of what was happening. Although he couldn't fully see her breast, he could see most of it and definitely what Sophie was doing.

He was conscious of feeling conflicted between a sense he had intruded on something intimate with a desire to avert his gaze and the rising irrationality of feeling a little bit jealous. He wasn't allowed to touch them, and yet she got to.

Britta's right. I am a pig.

He realized he had been staring. Annie was looking at him with a bemused expression on her face. She glanced at Sophie and then back at him. She shook her head while rolling her eyes.

She mouthed silently to him, "Oh come on."

He grumbled as he averted his gaze. "Goddamn it. It's five am. And how the hell did I fall asleep here? My back is killing me."

"I don't remember. I think we must have passed out." Annie smirked and then resumed looking through the magazine.

"Right." He got up and went into the kitchen to begin making coffee. A whole pot might do the trick.

"And could you please refrain from swearing around my child? She's starting to understand more words you know."

He turned to look at her while he made his coffee preparations. "Wait…she doesn't talk."

Annie cast him a reproachful look. "She understands. And in a little bit she'll start parroting back anything we say."

Jeff smiled sheepishly. "Sorry." He filled up the coffee pot with water and then began pouring it into the coffee maker. He paused and took a deep breath before looking back at her. "So it's not weird that I slept here, right?"

She glanced up from her magazine. "Jeff, please don't be all control-freaky about this. We fell asleep. It happens. Last night was kind of depleting after everything…"

"True."

"And I wanted to thank you, actually."

"For what?"

"For watching a movie with me. It was nice to have the company and for us to just zone out a little after everything. But I'm sorry if you feel that falling asleep afterward was too relationshippy. It doesn't have to be, you know."

He sighed. "I know, Annie. Look, it's fine. I fell asleep watching movies with Abed in his dorm room too."

"But you lived there."

He pursed his lips before turning back to load coffee grounds into the filter. "Yeah but, and I will deny this if you ever mention it to anyone else, there may have been more than one occasion when I awoke to Abed drooling on my shoulder."

Annie stifled a laugh. "Troy would not like that at all."

Jeff was looking at the coffee grounds and frowned. "What?" He squinted his eyes as he regarded the filter. Oh what the hell, I'll just double the recommended amount.

"Nevermind." She decided to change the subject. "So this is our first day of summer break. Any big plans?"

He pressed the 'on' button and then walked over and sat back on the couch. He leaned back and closed his eyes. "I think we both know what I'll be doing today. Fuck."

"Jeff, language!"

"Sorry."

She narrowed her eyes. "You're going to talk to your love declarers, right?"

He sat up and nodded while staring at the wall. "Christ."

She frowned. "While not technically a swear, I think it was the way you just used it."

He rubbed his face. "Dam…Darnnit. Annie, I haven't had any caffeine yet and it's obscenely early. It's our first day of summer vacation."

"I'm not really on vacation."

He glanced at her. "I can see that. What else are you doing this summer?"

She smiled and looked down at Sophie. "Working. And helping Sophie with her goals."

He turned to look at her directly. "Oh come on, Annie. She has goals?"

Annie looked up and nodded enthusiastically.

He sighed. "What am I saying? Of course she does."

Annie continued grinning and turned back to the baby. "I figure she's on track to start walking in a few weeks. And she's been babbling more, so I'm hoping maybe I can get a word or two out of her over the summer." Her expression sobered as she continued, "Sometimes I think she says 'mama' but I might be fooling myself. I think she just likes to make 'mm' sounds."

He nodded and suppressed a smile. "I'm sure she'll meet her goals and then some. I mean with you as her coach and all. You really got us all through Spanish this year."

Annie looked at him and beamed proudly. "Thanks, I did." She tilted her head and crinkled her eyes. "Hey, what are you doing this summer anyway, you know, after you talk to your lovelorn ladies?"

He wondered if she'd ever let him off the hook for the Tranny Dance fiasco.

He leaned back and draped an arm over the couch. "Oh, after those I'm sure to be delightful conversations I'm planning to hit the gym and then kick back the rest of the weekend. Monday I start some consulting work for Ted. It's not that involved, but still it'll be nice to have some return to my normal life. I even have a meeting later this week where I get to dress all lawyerly again."

Annie blushed as a smile crept across her face. "Oooh….you mean you're going to wear a suit?"

He smirked and held her gaze. "Yes, of course."

"Do I get to see you in it?" She fluttered her eyes.

Jeff was conscious of the potential implications of his next statement. While they still hadn't fully negotiated, he realized in this moment he was more than a little bit interested in having her see him in his suit. And perhaps out of it.

He bit his lip and then affected a nonchalant manner. "Maybe. We could make plans."

Jeff left Annie's place a little while later and it was only slightly awkward in saying goodbye. They both didn't quite know how to do this. They normally hugged so decided that would be an appropriate thing to do in this situation. The fact that the embrace lasted significantly longer than usual didn't mean anything.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After discussing it with Annie, Jeff decided the best course of action was to tackle the Britta situation first. He waited until it was a decent hour (decent for Jeff and Britta was closer to noon) and then he sent her a text asking if they could talk. It wasn't until one pm when she replied, first telling him to fuck himself (hey!), and after some back and forth texts finally relenting to meet him for coffee.

He was going to need a lot of caffeine to get through today. At least one advantage of getting up so goddamn early was he had plenty of time for a good workout this morning. Five am. Christ.

Britta stumbled into the coffee shop and plopped down on the chair across from Jeff. He glanced up from his phone and took in the sight before him.

"Yikes, you look…interesting. Especially for summer." He eyed her disheveled hair, loose leather biker jacket, and combat boots. He noticed she was wearing extremely dark sunglasses. Indoors.

"Fuck off."

He smelled the stench of cigarettes on her breath. And perhaps a hint of something else.

"Are you high?" He shoved a cup of coffee over to her. Strong and black.

"You're an asshole." She cupped the coffee and took a sip.

"I know. But you didn't answer my question."

"No!" She clutched the cup more tightly.

He raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure? Cause I don't want to have this conversation again."

"Ass." She scowled as she hunched over.

He leaned forward and placed his arms on the table, cupping his mug of coffee. "Britta, look, I'm really sorry. I just didn't know what to do last night. You kinda caught me off guard."

She mumbled something under her breath.

"I didn't catch that."

"Ass."

"I thought I was a pig."

She leaned back and crossed her arms. Jeff supposed she was staring at him but he couldn't see through her dark glasses.

He leaned back and crossed his arms as well. "Goddamn it Britta, you told me you loved me. In front of the whole school. With a microphone. Don't you think it would have been better to have told me that in private?"

"I don't love you."

"Okay."

"I don't. I was just being stupid."

"I see. Care to elaborate?"

Britta pursed her lips and took a deep breath. She turned to look out the window. "Slater and I had words. I needed to show that bitch who was boss. And I couldn't let her get her claws back into you. So I just blurted out the first thing I thought of that had any chance of getting you to stop making out with her."

Jeff's mouth fell open. "Making out?! She kissed me. And it was in no way a make out!"

Britta continued to look out the window. "I couldn't tell. It went by so quickly."

He sighed as he resumed drinking his coffee. "Well you didn't have to worry. I wasn't really reciprocating her advances. She caught me by surprise as well."

She turned to look at him. "Oh. So I didn't have to make my intervention then?"

"Nope."

"Ass." She grabbed her coffee cup and took a long sip.

"You can't blame me for your love declaration!"

She smirked as she leaned back while cradling her mug and propping her feet on a nearby chair. The barista glanced over and frowned.

"Maybe not but I can certainly hold it against you that you fled the scene. A woman declares her love for you and you just bolt? Real classy, Jeff."

He rolled his eyes. "Both you and Michelle declared your love for me. Who does that?! It was crazy, Britta! Look, I'm sorry I left but really, what the hell?"

Britta nodded smugly. "I told you she's a bitch."

He regarded her curiously. "I thought you were a feminist. Aren't you supposed to be offended by that word or something?"

"I am. You can't call her a bitch but I can. Especially since it fits."

He sighed. "I see. May I ask what happened?"

Britta nodded slowly. "She insulted me. And our whole study group."

"Oh come on."

Britta put her feet down and leaned forward on the table. She pulled her sunglasses down slightly and stared at Jeff. "She did! She thinks she's better than all of us. She went on and on about how she was going to make you forget all about us over the summer. Something about turning you into a mature person or some such crap."

He couldn't take his eyes off her bloodshot orbs. Not high my ass.

He frowned as he considered her words. "Really?"

She nodded as she continued looking at him. "And the worst of it was she really went after Annie. God, it was real bitchy of her. I mean, I can take it. But Annie?"

Jeff startled. "She what?"

"I don't think she said anything to Annie directly. Actually I don't even remember if Annie was at the dance, but Slater definitely said stuff to me about Annie. And Sophie. Can you believe it? She's dissing on a baby."

He sat up straighter. "What the hell? What did she say?"

"Oh, that got you. I see." She smirked.

He looked at her intently. "Tell me."

Britta sighed. "She ragged on how Annie was a love-addicted, drug-addicted mess. I believe she also called her a train wreck. And the Sophie stuff was just added onto that. Basically she has a problem with you spending any time around Annie and her kid."

Jeff was slightly floored by this information. While he knew Michelle wasn't a big fan of him spending time with Annie, he thought she had been reevaluating that standpoint recently. But now he was under the impression the only reason she made those statements was because she was trying to manipulate him. And Annie's not a train wreck. She's amazing.

Jeff tensed. "What the hell?"

"I know. See. She's a bitch."

"I'll say."

"You can't say it, Jeff. But I can. Oh hell, I'll give you a pass right now. Go ahead."

He pursed his lips. "Bitch."

Britta nodded and then attempted to fist bump Jeff. It was all very awkward as she missed and smacked him in the forehead.

After some mutual apologies and bitching, Britta spent the next several minutes filling Jeff in on what he missed after he left the dance. All Jeff could gather from Britta's drunken recollections was that the fight between Ian and Chang had escalated with various students piling on one or the other as the situation became more heated. And there may have been some hair pulling involving a certain bitchy professor and a vengeful Shirley. And of course the Dean had needed to call an ambulance from his perch on top off the cafeteria cabinets.

He realized he was going to lose his nerve in not-avoiding the awkward situation with Britta if he didn't do it now. He broke in. "Britta, as entertaining as this sounds, can we just talk seriously for a sec?"

She pushed her glasses back over her eyes and leaned back. "Sure. What?"

He gulped. "Okay, I don't want to make this too weird. Please bear with me. I just need to be clear."

She nodded hesitantly. "Okay. Shoot."

He took a deep breath. "We had sex."

He thought he detected an eye roll from her.

She crossed her arms. "I vaguely remember that, jerkface."

He looked out the window and rapped his fingers on the table. "Yeah. And look, I know I may have said something the other night at Abed's party indicating I might be interested in doing that again."

"Riiight."

"But I don't think we should."

She huffed. "Oh come on, Jeff! Are you serious? Do you think I'm pining away for you or something? Just because I shouted my love for you does in no way mean I'm all oh-my-god-I-need-to-get-me-some-more-Jeff-Winger pathetic-ness."

He winced and then looked back at her. "I didn't mean that. I just wanted to tell you that I thought about it and realized I don't want to ruin our friendship. Things might get weird. Or more accurately, weirder."

She shook her head. "I don't love you. I'm not some crazy stalker."

"I know. And hey, weren't you the one who said you wanted to forget about it? That it was stupid and impulsive?"

She looked at the floor and began pushed the toe of her boot into the table leg. "It was. And I do. Want to forget about it."

He nodded. "Okay, then I think we're on the same page."

She leaned over the table and pulled her glasses down again while looking at him curiously. "While I agree this is probably a good call, it's definitely a mature decision. One that is not befitting of Jeff Winger. What gives?"

He sighed and looked away. "I dunno. I've just been thinking is all. And while paintball was fun, I don't think we should do it again. Especially given that both of our initial reactions were to try to forget about it."

She smiled slightly. "That makes sense. It's still a mature call, though. Are you growing up or something?"

"Maybe." He turned to her and stuck out his tongue.

She snorted.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

On his way out of the coffee shop, Jeff sent a brief text to Michelle. He wasn't going to waste his time in talking with her. He hoped Britta wouldn't mind too much if he liberally made use of her permission to use a certain word in this circumstance.

He felt this phone buzz and gritted his teeth before he took a look. Oh. He let out a breath. He shoved his phone in his pocket and went to go check on a battered British lunatic.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Annie sat with Shirley on a bench in the park. Shirley watched with the blasé demeanor of a seasoned and tired mother as Jordan and Elijah climbed over the playground equipment. Annie busied herself with attending to Sophie on her lap.

"This is really nice, Shirley. Thanks for inviting us to join you guys."

Shirley turned to Annie, "Oh, sweetie. I'm really glad to see you. We missed you at the dance last night."

"Yeah, I'm sorry I couldn't get there."

"Sweetie, I'm so very sorry. Thanks for texting me this morning to let me know about you and Vaughn. I had kind of been hoping since you didn't make it to the dance maybe the two of you um, worked things out?" She shot a suspicious and perhaps slightly gleeful look in Annie's direction.

Annie shook her head. "No, Shirley. We did break up."

Shirley frowned. "Oh. Lacey was under the impression you two were still in the process of ahem, working things out when you picked up this little one here last night." She raised her eyebrows and looked at Annie hopefully.

"Well Lacey was mistaken…" Annie looked over to the boys in order to avoid Shirley's gossipy eyes.

Shirley persisted. "He spent the night though?"

Annie swatted at the air while continuing to look away. "Shirley! No, he did not!"

"Cause Lacey said…"

Annie raised Sophie up and helped her push off her lap. She focused her attention on the baby as she responded. "She didn't have all the facts. He actually decided to leave for Delaware last night after our discussion. He loaded up his van and took off. You know, for a fresh start. He thought why wait?"

Shirley's expression softened. "Oh."

"And I guess I'm a little surprised you'd be disappointed about us breaking up. I didn't think you really approved of us seeing each other."

Shirley scoffed. "Sweetie you know that's not true. Sure, maybe I didn't really see the two of you together. You seemed so different. But he seemed to treat you well and this little angel could use a daddy." Shirley grabbed Sophie out of Annie's arms, stood her up on her lap, and began making faces at her.

Annie bristledas she turned to Shirley. "She has a daddy."

Shirley lowered her voice and looked at her sternly. "Then where is he?"

Annie turned away with tears in her eyes and observed the boys on the playground. She whispered, "He's coming over for a visit tomorrow, actually."

"Oh, well, that's nice."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nancy cleared the plates from the table after dinner. Ryan scooped up Sophie and made a beeline for the living room.

Annie turned and shouted, "Watch it! She just ate. She might spit up!"

Nancy turned to her. "Don't worry. He's fine with her you know. And if she throws up on him it'll teach him a lesson." She stifled a laugh.

Annie rolled her eyes. "And then he's cleaning her up too."

"I think being around her makes him want to have one. He's been mentioning it."

Annie stared at her. "Really? Oh wow."

Nancy shook her head and smiled softly. "But I'm not really ready to do that yet."

Annie nodded. "Right. But does that mean you guys are getting more serious?"

Nancy sighed. "Well, yeah I guess. I mean this whole living together thing is working out really well. I wish my schedule was more predictable with fewer night shifts, but I'm hoping to transfer to a different department next year. So maybe I can think about the whole baby thing then." Nancy put the last plate in the sink.

Annie smiled. "Awww…you'd make a great mom. You're so good with Sophie. Yay!" She clapped her hands together.

Nancy turned back to her and smiled slightly. "Thanks. I'll be sure to fill you in on any developments."

"You better."

"And if I do end up working only days we probably need to talk about other childcare arrangements for Sophie. Not that I want to alarm you or anything. It won't be for a while. I just thought I should give you a heads up."

Annie nodded and hunched slightly. "Right. Yeah, of course." She looked up at Nancy and smiled weakly. "You've been so helpful to me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you watching Sophie so that I can work. But I know I need to start figuring stuff out a little more."

Nancy leaned against the counter and shook her head. "It's fine. Really. It helps me to help you, you know. I really want you to make a success of things. And I'm fully supportive of you keeping Sophie with you. I've never wanted to see you two separated."

Annie teared slightly as she picked up Sophie's bib. "Yeah, it's been a rough year. Part of me is constantly terrified I can't do this. Or that I made a mistake, you know, in not giving her to a stable family."

"You can do this. You are."

Annie looked up and wiped her eyes. She quickly shifted to smiling brightly. "Yes, yes I am. And I'm going to make this work. Sophie and I will be just fine."

Nancy took a deep breath. "Annie, look I wanted you to come over tonight so we can talk. That's actually why Ryan grabbed Sophie just now. I told him I wanted to speak to you alone."

Annie stiffened as Nancy sat back down at the table. "About what?"

Nancy looked at Annie with a soft expression in her eyes. "I'm so sorry about you and Vaughn. How are you?"

Annie smiled weakly. "Thanks. I'm fine. A little sad but I know it was right to end things."

Nancy nodded and took her hand with a squeeze. "I think you did the right thing."

Annie pulled her hand away and remarked in a terse tone, "I'm perfectly aware you think that. I know you didn't like him."

Nancy's eyes widenedas she spoke quickly, "I never said that. All I said was that you didn't need to be making any commitments to the guy. He seemed pretty loosey-goosey to me. You need more stability."

Annie held her back up straight while lacing her hands together in her lap. "He did want us to be more stable. You know he wanted us to get married or something along those lines."

Nancy sighed and she leaned her head on her hand. "That's not what I mean by stability. He was too flighty when it came to the basics. I think he liked the idea of being with you more than he would have in reality."

Annie opened her mouth widein indignation. "Hey!"

"You know what I mean. You like and need structure. And you would have needed to push him more on that and he would have probably resented it."

Annie stared Nancy down. "Please stop. I get it. And I don't see why we need to talk about this anymore. I ended it. He took off for Delaware already. We're done."

"I know. The reason I'm bringing this up is as a warning for the next time."

Annie rolled her eyes and then looked away, folding her arms across her chest. "Oh please…."

Nancy didn't take her eyes off of Annie. "You're an attractive girl. Someone else will come around, and you need to be careful."

Annie glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. "For my recovery?"

"Yes."

Annie shrugged. "I know."

"Good."

Annie hesitated before speaking, "Actually I've already been giving it a lot of thought. You know, what I need right now at this point in my life as far as men."

"I'm glad to hear that. What are you thinking?"

Annie reddened as she grabbed Sophie's bib and began smoothing it on the table. "Okay, this might sound really terrible. Please don't judge me but I want to tell you. I need to tell someone."

Nancy leaned in. "Annie, of course. You know you can tell me anything. It's actually best if you do."

Annie widened her eyes as she glanced up. "No judgment?"

"I'll try."

"Okay." Annie took a deep breath. "You remember my friend Jeff?"

Nancy sighed. "Of course I do. We met, remember? And you've spoken of him many times." She paused before continuing, " I think I know where this is going… he's very cute."

Annie nodded and smiled. "He is, isn't he? He's adorable!"

Nancy narrowed her eyes as she shook her head slightly. "Annie, you just broke up with Vaughn…"

Annie took a long breath and began kneading the bib. "You said no judgment. And I know that's what feels weird about it. That's why I didn't do it with him last night."

Nancy made a slight gasp. "What happened last night?"

Annie blushed and glanced quickly over to Nancy before looking back down. "We made out. Big time. It was a-ma-zing!" She let out a slight squeak.

Nancy closed her eyes and placed her hand to her forehead. "Annie. Please, I beg of you, slow this down."

Annie continued to focus her attention on her machinations with the bib. "I know. I already did. You'd be proud of me. I stopped it before anything actually happened," She lowered her voice, "You know, sex wise."

Nancy opened her eyes. "Good … But you made out? Like how much of a make out are we talking…"

Annie's blush deepened into a crimson hue. She was aware that Nancy would likely not approve of how far she and Jeff took things last night, mostly because Nancy was a cautious sort. She hesitated, "Um, it was kinda involved…"

"Really?"

Annie looked down for a moment before resuming eye contact. "It was just hands-stuff. He knows, um, what he's doing. And lots of great kissing."

"I see."

Annie could sense judgment in Nancy's tone. But she was aware Nancy didn't really know Jeff and of course would be worried about her getting involved with any guy right now. She also felt an urgent need to confide in someone about what had happened. She found the words spilling out of her, "We kept most of our clothes on. But I still got to see his abs …. Nancy, I may have licked them!" Annie placed her hand over her mouth and widened her eyes.

Nancy's tone was terse. "Oh my god."

Annie looked at her pleadingly. For some reason, she wanted Nancy's blessing. "I really want to have sex with him."

Nancy sighed loudly.

Annie continued, aware from Nancy's reactions that she was unlikely to be given carte blanche, "And I think we're going to. At least that's the tentative plan."

"Plan?"

Annie sat up straighter and puffed out her chest. Might as well own this, Edison. You don't need her permission. "You know I like to have a plan. It helps me feel more grounded. So we had a discussion. We're going to slow it down and then re-evaluate the situation. Then we may explore more physical aspects to our friendship."

Nancy grimaced. "I see."

"But I don't want to like date-date him."

"Oh my god, are you cooking up a friends-with-benefits arrangement?"

Annie nodded. "Yes. And before you say anything, this was my idea. I don't want another Vaughn situation with a guy pushing me for something I'm not ready for. I don't want to get lost in a relationship."

"Well we agree on that one."

Annie smiled as she gazed dreamily in the air. "And that's what makes Jeff perfect. He's not looking for any sort of relationship either. He can compartmentalize."

"Annie, how well do you even know him?"

She nodded slowly. "Pretty well, I think. At least when it comes to the important stuff. He can be ridiculous sometimes, but I like him. And he makes me feel safe."

"You know these types of arrangements can backfire. You need to be careful. Please."

Annie turned to look at her and bit her lip. "I know it's a risk. He knows it too. But Nancy, and I can't tell anyone else this because I don't want it blabbed around Greendale, but based on our make out I think the sex will be really, really good!" She smiled giddily.

"Annie! Jeff will not be your new addiction."

Annie opened her mouth in shock. "He's not! He's a sweetheart. And I think he'll be amazing in bed. I deserve to have some fun."

Nancy shook her head. "Please be careful. Don't mistake sex for love."

Annie nodded solemnly. "I already made the mistake of equating sex with love. I know it's not always like that."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Jeff eyed a bandaged Ian as he moaned on his couch.

"Your place is a real bachelor pad." He placed a bag of ice in the freezer.

"Shut up, Winger. I can't be bothered to clean given my condition."

Jeff walked over and sat down across from him. "Chang broke your nose last night, not five years ago. This place is filthy. Are those pizza boxes piled over there?"

Ian swatted the air. "That's not important. What is important is that I'm going to kill that gnomish bastard. And if you're a good friend you will offer your assistance."

Jeff smirked. "See I'm not a good friend."

"Then why are you here?" Ian held an ice pack to his cheek.

Jeff stared at him, finding it odd that Ian Duncan was no longer wearing his glasses. His eyes were like pins.

He cleared his throat. "You texted begging for ice and saying it was all my fault. And I heard you went to the ER. I got your texts last night. And Garrett's…"

"How the fuck did I end up with that shrieky mess anyway? You were supposed to take me to the ER not him."

Jeff was annoyed. "Since when did we make that deal?"

"It was implied. I expected you to run off but you were supposed to come back for your dear friend."

Jeff rolled his eyes. "Oh come on."

Ian leaned forward and pointed his finger at Jeff. "I'm the one who provided you with the perfect distraction, Winger. Be grateful."

"For your obscene rap?"

Ian narrowed his eyes. "Hey you were able to escape, weren't you?"

Jeff shrugged. "Right. Err … thank you?"

"You are very welcome. And try to sound more sincere."

"Thank you." Jeff affected a mock half-bow.

Ian nodded with a sense of righteousness and then grimaced at the pain. "And I'm suspended for the summer. Without pay. So this whole thing royally blows."

Jeff nodded. "Yup. Yes it sure does. Sucks to be you."

Ian leaned back temporarily satisfied. "Where did you go anyway? You seem remarkably composed for going on a bender last night."

Jeff looked at him out of the corner of his eye. "That's because I didn't."

"Hm? Do tell."

Jeff shook his head as he fixed his gaze on the floor. "I just did some thinking is all."

Ian grinned. "Riiight. So Team Britta or Slater?"

"Neither."

"Oh that will go over well I'm sure."

Jeff sighed. "I already talked to Britta. We had coffee right before I came here. She's not in love with me. She just said that to show up Michelle. So we're cool."

"Well, well, well. I certainly did not peg you for taking the direct route. I would have thought you would have avoided her all summer. And then of course there would be some dramatic incident when session resumed in the fall."

Jeff smirked as he quickly looked at Ian and then picked up his phone. He began to scroll through his texts. "Well I guess you don't know me that well. I wanted to do the decent thing so that Britta and I can remain friends."

Ian looked at Jeff incredulously. "But you're going to bang her again, right?"

Jeff shook his head. "Hell no. We agreed on that. Not a good idea."

Ian eyed Jeff suspiciously, his questioning tone rising stridently, "And no Team Slater?"

Jeff reddened and clenched his jaw. "Most definitely not. I'm not speaking to her."

Ian frowned. "Wait … what?"

Jeff began scrolling through his texts aggressively. "Britta filled me in on what went down between them. Did you know she insulted my whole study group?"

"Well, my friend, that's fairly easy to do…"

"And she really has it in for Annie. And Sophie. Apparently, she thinks Annie is a terrible mess of a person and destined to pull me into the oblivion with her. Bitch."

Ian shot up his eyebrows. "That does sound harsh."

"I know. So obviously there's zero chance we're getting back together." Jeff couldn't stop thinking about how caring Michelle had sounded when she asked to grab coffee. And the whole time she was judging Annie.

Ian nodded emphatically. "Got it. You have to defend Big Boob's honor."

Jeff shifted his posture so that he was turned slightly away from Ian. "That's not exactly what I'm talking about…"

Ian waived at the air. "Sure it is." He added, "Just remember, she has that dirty boyfriend."

Jeff avoided Ian's gaze as he began to pick some lint off the couch. "She ended it."

"Wait…what? When?"

"Last night."

Ian shot up, wincing through his pain. "Whoa there. Where did you end up going after the dance?"

"Why the hell should I tell you?"

"I can already surmise. Tsk tsk, Winger."

"You don't understand." Jeff realized Ian was way onto him more than he initially thought. He'd have to give him something but also shut him up. He had a feeling he'd be spending a significant amount of time buying ice this summer.

"I think I do. And remember I am a trained and licensed therapist. I think you need to talk this through with someone." He wiggled his eyebrows and then winced again.

"I'm not telling you any salacious details." Most definitely not anything about the lace panties.

Ian placed a hand on his chest and dropped his head. "Oh of course."

"And you are under strict orders not to tell my mom anything about this."

"Not a problem. You know I only tell Dorie things that will make her happy. I have it on fact that she would not be happy at all about you running away from two women and then impulsively hooking up with her favorite little Annie."

"Nothing happened. We mostly just talked."

"Mostly?"

"Oh shut up."