Disclaimer: This work is protected under the parody clause of copyright law. I do not own the characters, the creative content of the show Community, or the fandom.

Spoilers: Up to and including Season 3 finale.

Abed was plating the first pancakes when Annie came out of her room. Her eyes were glazed as she sat on the stool on the opposite side of the pass through. She didn't look at Abed. He waved a spatula in front of her face. She turned to look at him, but her expression didn't change.

"You're eyes are glazed," he informed her. "Are you still drunk?" She shook her head. "Are you sick? I can bring these to bed for you." She smiled weakly and shook her head again. "Okay," he said, dropping it.

"Vaughn just called me," she said dazedly.

Abed looked up. "When was the last time you heard from him?"

"After he moved to Delaware," she said.

"Well what did he want?"

"He wants to see me. I guess he's moving back, or just moved back, or something. I didn't really catch it all."

Abed looked at the pan. He continued to make and plate pancakes as she sat there. He was almost done anyway. After a few minutes he took of his 'Baking is Science for Hungry People' apron, turned off the stovetop, and grabbed the pancakes, plates, utensils, and syrup. It was a lot to juggle but he got it to the table without breaking anything. He set two spots up and then came back for Annie.

"Annie," he said as he gently grasped her arm. "Come eat something." She let him lead her to the table. He served her a few pancakes and she fell into the familiar rhythms of eating. When she cleared her plate and went for more she was looking more grounded. "So what happened between you and Vaughn?" Abed asked finally.

Annie blinked and looked at him. "We dated, you know that."

"I know," he said taking a bite, "but all I know is you were dating, then the semester was over and you were going to spend the summer in Delaware. You said goodbye but you never left." He gestured with his fork. "So what happened?"

"Uh," she fumbled as she poured syrup on her pancakes, "I told him I was going to transfer up there to be with him. And then the night of the Tranny Dance I told him I couldn't do that. My whole life is here. And I was really sad to say goodbye to everyone. Especially you."

Abed paused and looked up. "Really?"

"Does that surprise you?"

"A little." He admitted.

"Well, we'd just started having stories together," she said with a smile, "and we'd just come up with that little handshake, and you looked so cute in you powder blue blazer and ruffled shirt." She looked down, blushing. "I'd just starting learning how great it was to be your friend and I didn't want to leave."

Abed smiled at her. She smiled back. "So I guess he didn't take it very well?"

"Well, he said he understood, and he sent me a text to let me know he arrived alright, but then I didn't hear from him again. Until today, anyway." She resumed eating. "These pancakes are great," she said.

"Cool," Abed replied. "What do you think he wants?"

"I'm sure he just wants to sort things out. This town isn't that big so we're bound to run into each other. At least this way it won't be awkward."

"Mhm," was all Abed managed as a response.

"He wants to meet at the mall in an hour. Do you want to come with me? We can meet up at the movies after."

She looked at him hopefully but without even lifting his head he replied, "No thanks. I don't want you to feel rushed and I don't really want to see anything."

"Oh, okay," she replied confused and a little sad. "Well I'm going to go get ready then."

When she came out Abed was finishing up the dishes. "I would have done them," she said. "You cooked, it's only fair."

"It's okay," he said without turning around. "I know you don't like to let dishes sit. Have a good time."

She nodded, but he couldn't see. As she got the door she paused. "Abed, are you okay?"

"Fine."

"Okay… I'll see you later," and she left.

"Later," he said to no one.

Annie didn't come back until ten o'clock at night. Abed had this horrible gnawing in his chest. He couldn't understand it so he'd been trying to ignore it by keeping busy. He watched a movie, but couldn't focus on it. So he cleaned. And he cleaned everything. Now he was standing in his mini-Dreamatorium trying to make sense of it all. It wasn't working. Nothing was working like it used to and he didn't know what to do. He stepped out of it, closed the door and hid it under the sheet in the back corner. Finally, he just started pacing. He knew that he was required to appear calm and aloof when Annie got home, but he wasn't either of those things. She'd been gone all day.

Finally the door opened. In came Annie. She closed the door, leaned back on it, smiled, and sighed. Abed watched from inside the blanket fort. She took her jacket and shoes off and headed to the kitchen. She was smiling and humming softly.

Abed walked into the kitchen. "You swooned," he accused.

She jumped. "Abed, you scared me!"

"You swooned," he reiterated.

She took a drink out of her water bottle. "I did not," she said but she looked away. Even if Abed didn't understand it, he was nothing if not a student of human character. He knew how people were supposed to act. Normal people made eye contact. When they didn't there was something wrong.

"What happened today?" He asked. "You were gone a long time."

"We just hung out and talked about our lives the past two years," she said. She shifted from foot to foot.

"And?"

"And what?" She glared at him.

"You're using outrage as a distraction to avoid answering the question," he said, pointing.

"You have no right to treat me like this," she yelled.

"I'm not treating you like anything. I am asking straightforward questions which you are avoiding. You're behaving suspiciously, Annie." He could tell that only made it worse.

"It's none of your business," she yelled. She stomped off and slammed her door closed. Abed just stood, confused, in the kitchen.

A moment later Troy and Britta's door opened and the couple came out. They found Abed.

"How's it going, buddy?" Britta asked gently.

"Uh, what was that all about, man? Did you put something away wrong?" Troy offered.

"I asked Annie what happened when she went to see Vaughn today," he explained in his monotone. "She was evasive. I called her out on it and she became angry and yelled at me. I don't understand. I just wanted to know what happened."

"Vaughn asked Annie out," Troy blurted. Britta smacked him. "What? You know you can't tell me things!"

"Oh," Abed said blankly. "And did she say yes?" No one answered. Troy averted his eyes guiltily.

Britta looked at Abed with sad eyes. She nodded. "Oh," he said again. He walked into the blanket fort and sat on the bottom bunk.

"Stay here," Troy told Britta.

"Me stay here?" She asked, affronted. "You're the one who spilled the beans!"

"He was going to find out eventually!" Troy defended. "Besides, he's my best friend. I'm going to talk to him. You. Stay. Here." She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed as he walked away.

Troy pulled back a sheet and entered the blanket fort. Abed was sitting on bottom bunk staring intently at a spot on the floor. Troy sat next to him. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked. Abed didn't respond. "Aw c'mon, man," he whined. "I'm not good at bringing you out and you're stronger than this now. You don't need to turn off when things are too much. You can talk to me."

Finally, Abed turned to look at him. "There's nothing to talk about. First you, now Annie. It'll all be back to the way it was soon."

Troy grabbed Abed's arm and forced him to turn so their eyes could meet. "Abed, no." His voice was firm, the way it was when he was really, really serious about something. It made Abed pay attention. Troy didn't get like this very often. "You really care about Annie don't you?"

Abed nodded. "She's very important to me. You and Annie are the only people who understand."

Troy smiled. "That's nice man, but I mean you have feelings for her." Abed nodded again. "Then don't give up," he said with a shrug. "Not without a fight."

"I don't want to fight Vaughn," Abed said quirking his head. "He's a nice enough guy."

"No, not… I just mean, don't just give up and let her go. Try something. Try everything. If you try then no matter what happens you won't have any regrets," he said, patting Abed on the shoulder.

Abed met his eyes and quirked a half-smile. "You're right," he said. "This is just the conflict in our script. I have to rise to the occasion." Troy smiled. "I need to make some plans," Abed said.

"Yeah, sure," Troy said. He stood up and walked to the sheet-door. He turned back and said, "I'm here if you need anything."

Abed nodded. "I know. You should remember you said that."

A/n: When I was thinking about this chapter waaaay back in chapter 5 I asked my husband who I should bring back into Annie's life. I rambled off a few options and then he said, "Vaughn. Definitely Vaughn." When I laughed and asked why he felt so strongly about it he said, with conviction, "because Vaughn is the /worst/". It was pretty great.

And yes, I know, I know, I'm a day late with the update. Things got /busy/ this week and even though it was all written it does take a while to do all the notes and get it up. But I love you and I'll do better!

Thanks to everyone who read!

moonsilver09 – I'm so happy you enjoyed the latest chapter! And I'm sorry for keeping you waiting soooo long!

Brittany's diaries – It was either going to be Vaughn or Rich, but I all my plans for Rich were a little darker than I wanted this Fic to become. Maybe in the next one.

Yuki Michiyo – did a double review! One at chapter 5 and then again at 9. I'm really glad the 'content' line impacted you so strongly. It was an important one for Abed and took a few passed to get the right message across (I had all the feels too). I'm sorry for not updating sooner. I love perfectly imperfect characters too!

RoyallyTenenbaum – I'm excited about writing how Abed copes with this situation. Although at first it might seem like he's taking it too well.

GingerGleek – I guess I own you an 'I'm sorry' for not updating sooner too:) I'm so glad you're enjoying it.

0appletree0 – ha! I get what you did there with 'smooth chapter'! *Wink* I'm glad I could manage to make it both sexy and cute since, let's face it, Abed (and Annie) is pretty adorable.

FierceNerd14 – welcome to the love! I'm glad you like this story. I like writing it.