The prompt: "Abed invents a device that allows users to peer into alternate realities, and the group decides to view their alternate selves. After a few minutes of fascinated viewing, the group realizes that Jeff and Annie are a romantic item in every single timeline that they've seen, even in ones where the group hasn't come together."
"It works just like a regular TV except the channels we see are alternate realities, not fictional shows." He took in the incredulous stares silently. "I expected this. Here, let me show you." He settled into his chair and turned the television on, light and noise filling the apartment.
"You're far too robotic up there."
"What-" Anxious eyes focused intently on him. "What do you mean?"
"Just what I said. You have to loosen up. I didn't know the 'rules' or whatever but c'mon, 8 points? You can do better than that, Annie!" Her brow furrowed unsure if she was being insulted or complimented.
"How do I 'loosen' up? Just… Take my hair down?" She laughed nervously but reached up to undo the clip. She shook her hair out, their eyes still locked on each other.
"There are other ways to relax too." Jeff's voice softened as his face drifted slowly toward hers.
*click*
"I'm… Sorry. About before. With the Glee Club." She looked down, embarrassed.
"You don't have to be sorry. I mean, it was horribly, horribly wrong but… It worked." She peered up at him and allowed a small smile.
"I guess it did. I still feel like I should make it up to you somehow."
"You probably should." His mock-solemnity drew another smile. "That was a traumatic experience for both of us." She nodded. "It would probably help to, uh, reframe the memories associated with that… Outfit." Her nod was slower this time.
"Change the channel, Abed." He heard the foreboding in Jeff's voice and Abed decided he'd go back to that station later.
"What exactly happened during Glee Club, Jeff?" Britta's suspicions were clearly aroused.
"Nothing!" Annie's eyes widened as everyone's attention shifted to her. "I mean, really, nothing happened." Nobody seemed to notice her two fingers crossed behind her back. "Why don't we just keep going?" There were grudging nods all around.
"We must be stuck in a Jeff/Annie block of channels. I'll enter a random number."
*click*
She got out of her car and kicked her tire. He raised an eyebrow from his position leaning against his Lexus, playing with his phone.
"Excuse me, miss?" He waited for her to look up before he pushed off his Lexus and moved toward her. "Do you need some help?" She bit her lip and he found it oddly endearing.
"My car won't start." She looked at him and kicked at her tire again. "I have to get to class." He nodded in sympathy.
"Where do you go?" She looked at him appraisingly before giving a quick nod.
"I'm a student at Greendale. The community college by-" He cut her off with a raise of his hand and his own nod.
"Yeah, I know the place. Unfortunately. Tell you what, I was supposed to pick up a colleague from his NA meeting but they haven't showed. Greendale is on my way to work. I can give you a ride, if you want, Miss..?"
"Annie Edison, and you are?"
"Jeff Winger."
"I'm confused. Why is it still about Jeff and Annie?" Abed considered the question seriously.
"Jeff's our leading man. The main character. It makes sense that the first few minutes whenever we tune in tells us what he's up to." Shirley nodded, mouth pursed unhappily, as if Abed's words made total sense.
"And why is Annie always with Jeff, hmm?" Shirley's voice was even. Abed glanced at Jeff, then Annie, before he focused on Shirley once more.
"I can't answer that, Shirley. There could be any number of reasons. My guess? Annie and Jeff are intertwined in most realities. I couldn't tell you why but it's a reasonable hypothesis given their relationship and chemistry in this timeline."
"Abed. That's enough." Abed's eyes widened briefly; Jeff was verging on stern.
Somehow, Abed was unsurprised to find Jeff and Annie asleep together in Troy's recliner, the blue glow of the TV screen showing another world's Jeff and Annie similarly asleep, two young children cuddled between them, and a bassinet within arms reach.