A/N: Getting this chapter out before I go on vacation. Hopefully I will have time to post another chapter but I will be much busier for the next 3 weeks. Thank you all for your support with this story.

The ride back was surprisingly pleasant, especially since what happened just before was quite the opposite. They were able to laugh and talk as if they didn't have a dramatic encounter just before. Annie did not however, give up the opportunity to make fun of Jeff trying to show up at her house trying to defender her honor. They decided to both go straight to Jeff's apartment since his mother would be arriving just an hour after they would get there themselves. Doreen would definitely take offense to Jeff not being at his own place to welcome his own mother.

When they got to his place Jeff pulled out a big box from his living room closet. Inside was the very same decorative pillows and linens Annie had decorated Jeff's apartment with at their Christmas party.

"You still have all this?"

"I told you we could take it out for other holidays... even though I didn't suspect I would need it for my mom."

With the permission to get going, Annie immediately started her rapid set up. As much as people would tease her for being, "well-organized," as Annie would re-phrase it, she got things done quickly. No doubt that if you needed someone to help clean up your apartment before a visit from a parent, Annie was your girl. It was just a shame that this skill set could only work on such a specific occasion.

Jeff simply took a step back as Annie was moving about the room. It did not seem like a good idea to get in her way. "Anyway, I used this stuff when my mom came over last week. I didn't want her to yell at me for having yet another apartment that was depressing."

"There are studies that show adding color to a home makes for happier inhabitants."

"Based on that you must be the happiest person on earth. I feel like I have to wear sunglasses when I walk into your room."

"And I feel like I should be wearing all black when I walk into yours."

"I like my space. It reflects my soul."

Annie rolled her eyes at the last comment. It was nice being able to banter with Jeff. She used to be able to do it all the time in their first years at Greendale. Now things would either eventually get awkward or someone would always have to make a comment about their relationship. It was frustrating because it felt like every interaction between them had to be analyzed by the rest of the group and sometimes even by randoms. Why couldn't they just have kept their little ambiguous relationship between them?

But then Annie would remember the emotional messes it would leave her in. Frankly, Jeff was hard to read, and it was hard to get him to talk to her honestly about whatever would go on between them. Most of the time she would just want to give up, slap on the label "friends" and be done with it. Then... the little moments would come and... it would be a grey mess again.

Annie snapped out of her reverie, "You should probably order up some food, I know what a crap cook you are."

"I made those little snack things!" Jeff huffed as he got out his phone.

"The fact that you call them 'snack things' is evidence enough."

"That guy looked familiar..." Jeff closed the door on the strange bearded delivery boy.

"They are all the same creepy to me," Annie turned around and did her signature gasp, "Jeff! You can't just have pizza delivery for your mom!"

"She came around to be wined and dined last time. Its discount visit time." The doorbell let off a ring, "It's time."

"You're lucky I decorated this place so nicely. She might be distracted enough to let you off the hook."

The door swung open to a smiling blonde woman holding a basket of muffins, "Jeffrey, did you get handsomer since mother's day?" She squeezed Jeff into an uncomfortable looking hug.

Jeff gave a toothless smile, "Hi mom."

"Jeffrey, are you going to introduce me?"

"Mom, this is my friend Annie Edison. Annie, this is my mom, Doreen."

Annie was very good with formalities so she immediately took the basket from Doreen's hands and set it on the counter before she shook her hand, "Pleasure to meet you Ms. Winger."

"Oh please honey I'm Doreen. Don't worry about my son calling you 'friend' he has abandonment issues." She tried poorly to whisper the last part.

"Awesome." It was nice to know that Jeff was just as sarcastic with his mom as he was with everyone else.

"Jeff it's okay, you have daddy issues," Annie giggled trying to imagine this happy Doreen trying to raise Jeff as she turned her attention back to the woman, "We are friends though, but Jeff still does have commitment issues."

"I can't say I'm not disappointed. I do want grandchildren."

"Please stop."

"Have a muffin, it will make you less grumpy."

It was a whole new level of entertainment watching Jeff and Doreen interact.

They all juggled eating muffins and pizza for the afternoon. Doreen was grilling Annie about all the things Jeff refused to tell her about Greendale and his life. Jeff swore that they were up to the eighth time Doreen was asking Annie about any girlfriends and if she was "sure she isn't his girlfriend?" Annie would always gracefully laugh the topic away. Even she wouldn't bring up whatever past that they had... if they had a past. Although, being the eight time they were at this topic Jeff couldn't help but think that if Annie was his girlfriend that she would be handling the first meet-the-parents date very well. But that is only if Annie was his girlfriend and she isn't, so that doesnt matter.

"Who was this Slater?"

"Oh god." Jeff couldn't take it anymore, "Mom for the last time: no there is no chance you will be getting grandchildren anytime soon."

"I wasn't asking-"

"Yes you were."

"Jeff! Don't be mean to your own mom." Annie was using her scolding voice.

Jeff slumped into his shoulders, "Please, not you too."

"Jeffrey, you're so sensitive in talking about yourself." This warranted a full on laugh from Annie. "Would you mind then if I get to know your friend?"

He grabbed a muffin to stuff into his mouth, "Yeah, whatever."

"So, Annie, what are you studying at Greendale?"

"Well, I originally was there for hospital administration, but now I'm studying forensics. The former was technically more practical, but why waste my time with something I don't really love, you know?"

"So true. Never settle Annie, in career or relationships for that matter."

"Well, I probably have to work on that latter's department."

"Ooh do tell!" Oh no, Doreen was in her gossip mode.

Annie's face flushed, "I have quite the embarrassing past."

"Who doesn't?"

Jeff made his way into the kitchen to wash the dishes. He did not want to relive Annie's stories. He already had to experience them in technicolor.

"Well..." Annie started, "My high school boyfriend ended up being gay. A few years ago I dated this guy Vaughn, who was like this Bohemian musician." Jeff wanted to vomit. That was the nicest way of saying dirty hippie he had ever heard. "He left to Delaware to be a hackey-sac player. After that, nothing really."

"I don't believe that for a second. You are way to gorgeous. Not even a hook-up, one night stand?"

Jeff was walking out of the kitchen and then he considered turning back, "Please don't talk about one night stands with my mother."

Annie only laughed, "No. No one night stands. I just had crushes, god I feel like I'm in middle school."

"Crushes never end. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to themselves." He did not like how much Doreen and Annie were bonding. "Tell about the crushes."

Annie gave a quick glance to Jeff, one could hardly have seen it. She gave a polite smile, "Umm... I liked this guy um... Rich. Ya, he was the really nice doctor-"

"A doctor!" Doreen was fawning it made Jeff sick.

"He was a tool."

"Don't worry about Jeff, he has had this irrational hatred of him for years." The two women laughed.

"That's because he is a tool." Jeff scoffed, "I talked to him all night once and I still think he is hiding something."

"You're just upset because he is a better person than you."

"No one is that good of a person. I guarantee it is an act to get into women's pants."

"I was the one that asked him out!"

"All part of his game."

"You are absurd."

Doreen just sat back laughing, "Sounds like you two have stories!"

"No. I am shutting this down now."

"Fine, but I am not leaving until Annie tells me about the others."

"Others?" Annie was starting to turn red.

"Other crushes. It was plural."

Yup, she was red, "I think that was a mistake."

"No I remem-"

Jeff stood up, "It's getting kind of late."

Annie started to gather up her things, taking the cue, "Ya, I better get home. Abed, my roommate, usually needs help ironing." As she was leaving she hugged Doreen, "It was a great meeting you."

Before the hug ended Doreen whispered, "Give him time." Annie could only awkwardly nod in response as she quickly exited.

Jeff started to guide his mom out the door as well before she stopped him, "Honey..."

"Mom, I have papers to grade. I'm not making stuff up this time."

"Not that." Doreen moved out of the doorway making her intent clear, "You and Annie?"

"Friends." He really really wanted her to leave.

"I believe you, I do. But I don't believe that's what you want."

"How would you know?" He was starting to get really testy.

"Oh come on: googly eyes, the cute banter, jealousy, uncomfortable topics both of you try to avoid. This is classic stuff."

Jeff focused his eyes on the ground, "You sound like Abed."

"Another thing, she lives with another guy? Jeffrey, if you are going to date this girl she shouldn't be living alone with another man."

"We are FRIENDS." Jeff was physically moving his mother out the door this time.

Doreen shook her head at her son as she was being taken out the door, "Never settle Jeffrey!"

"Goodbye mom! It was nice seeing you!" He shut the door and locked it twice. Jeff put his head in his hands. Why couldn't he have just commuted to her place?