Jeff brought a hand up to his face and stared somberly at the closed door in front of him.

Well, he probably did deserve that, or at least some variation on that. Running a hand through his slightly greasy hair, he sighed. This had been a bad idea. If her reaction to seeing him was to slap him across the face, what was she going to do when he tried to talk to her? He rang the doorbell again, holding his breath. Annie could very well just announce that it was an old homeless man at the door and convince anyone else in the house to simply ignore him.

He didn't have time to concoct more ridiculous scenarios in his head, because in the next instant, the door was opened again and Jeff was staring at a surprised Rich. "Jeff!" he greeted him exuberantly and Jeff swallowed, resisting the urge to punch him in the ear. "This sure is a surprise!" He moved forward and hugged Jeff, as if he was greeting a long-lost friend. Jeff stiffly raised one arm to pat Rich's back, hoping it would make the shorter man get the hell off of him. "Come in," the doctor said as he stepped back into the house, making a motion for Jeff to enter.

The mansion was stunning, so classical looking that Jeff had to wonder if they were really in Pierce's home. He shuffled numbly through what looked like the living room and a dining room, still with the remnants of dinner on the table, and finally into the kitchen. Jeff's eyes locked on Annie the moment he saw her, willing her silently to look at him. She was not being cooperative. Instead, she seemed completely focused on another man, one Jeff had never seen.

How many guys was she shacked up with anyway? Jesus.

"Annie," Rich said to her. "I thought you said there was no one there when you checked." He turned toward Jeff with a chuckle. Annie still wouldn't look at either of them. "Can you believe Jeff is here?" Finally, she gave him a fleeting glance before letting her eyes settle on Rich.

"Oh," was all the answer she gave before biting her lip uncomfortably. Jeff clenched his jaw tightly. This was going to suck. Honestly, he had kind of assumed that despite everything, she would jump into his arms, happy to see him. Which, now that he really thought about it, was the stupidest thing he'd ever heard of.

"Jeff," Rich pointed toward the greasy man who was in Annie's personal space. "This is Sergio." At the sound of his name, Sergio turned to acknowledge him and then smiled widely at him, moving forward. "Sergio, this is Jeff. He's from Greendale, too." Rich clapped Jeff on the back and before Jeff had the chance to turn around and backhand the diminutive doctor, the Italian lothario was reaching his hand out to shake his.

"Buona sera," Sergio said, his voice lilting out perfect Italian. Jeff wondered if it would be rude to simply drop the man's hand and wipe his palm on his own dirty jeans. Jeff spun away slightly, dropping his messenger bag to the floor before turning back toward Sergio. "Good evening," he said in accented English, apparently just in case Jeff had absolutely no understanding of foreign language. "Belculo."

Really? These were the two guys she was spending her time with?

Really?

"Sergio is actually Pierce's personal chef," Rich added as he moved toward the stemware rack, plucking a flute from it and filling it. "We share him with the neighbors." He walked back to Jeff, offering him a glass half full of white wine. "He's fantastic."

"Are you hungry, Jeff?" Sergio looked at him keenly. Jeff rubbed the back of his neck distractedly, trying vainly to keep a sneer off of his face.

"No," he answered with a shake of his head. "I filled up on peanuts on the plane."

"So Jeff," Rich asked congenially as Jeff drank down half of his wine. "What brings you here?"

He swallowed. What was he going to say? He needed to talk to Annie in private. This was not going the way he wanted it to. What could he say in the mean time? Pierce. Jeff had to be just vague enough that Rich didn't really question it. "Oh, you know Pierce…" he muttered, hoping that was good enough for the other man to take it and run.

Rich nodded, still grinning like an idiot. "I definitely do," he answered. "I mean, that's basically the same thing that happened to me and Annie. Right, Annie?"

Jeff glanced over at her trepidatiously. She was concentrating very hard on Sergio, a strange faraway look on her face. "What?" she asked confusedly.

"Isn't it crazy that Jeff showed up too?" he asked, clearly unable to read the tension of the room at all. He looked between Jeff and Annie in the ensuing silence. "Well, I think I'm going to clean up the dining room."

"I'll help," Annie offered in a quiet voice. Jeff watched her move toward him, her head ducked. Just before she passed him, her eyes flicked up to his face for the briefest of moments and Jeff felt his chest twinge.

"I've got more spaghetti," Sergio announced. "I'll make you a plate."

No. He didn't want to eat this guy's spaghetti. He wanted to corner Annie and talk to her. He needed her to…what? Jeff squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before exhaling. If she actually did ask him why he was there, could he actually tell her his reasoning? 'I know I decided I didn't want you, but I have a real problem with Rich being anywhere near you. But please don't read too much into that'? Ignoring the dull ache that was covering his entire body, Jeff stepped forward slowly and took a seat at the kitchen counter on one ornate bar stool. He watched Sergio listlessly, keeping one eye on the doorway the entire time. This had been a huge mistake. This mistake made ditching Annie at the airport look damn chivalrous. He just…Jeff sighed. Rich came in and out, but Annie didn't show her face until Sergio was putting a platter of pasta down in front of Jeff. He glanced up and caught her gaze. She swallowed hard before looking away. Jeff felt something heavy fully settle on his chest, constricting his airway. Trying to ignore the woman and the affect she was having on him, Jeff bent over his plate and took a small bite.

The flavors melted against his tongue and he choked slightly. This guy was good. "Wow," he said before continuing to chew. He looked up at Sergio in surprise. "This is really good."

"Careful," Annie spit out from behind him. Jeff turned, surprised that she was actually acknowledging him. "That has like twelve hundred calories." She rolled her eyes over to Rich sarcastically. "He'll probably have to do three hundred crunches before bed now."

Okay, so she had decided to take the snotty teenager route. That was fine. At least this version of her was easier to take without feeling like he was being gutted like a fish. He watched her silently as Rich chuckled at Annie's attempted joke. When her eyes met his again, it was with a fiery defiance. Jeff felt something heat up in his stomach, surprising in its potency and …urgency. A second later, it was gone as she was staring at her feet, the light fixture, the fridge, anything to keep from meeting his gaze.

"So, how long are you with us Jeff?" Sergio was asking, but Jeff wasn't listening. He watched Annie intently, waiting to catch her eye again. Belatedly, he shook his head.

"What?" he asked, furrowing his brow.

"I asked how long you are going to be here?" Sergio asked, wiping his hands on a towel before continuing to clean the counter up.

"I…don't know," Jeff replied honestly.

"I'm wiped," Annie said behind him softly. "I think I'm going to head upstairs." Sergio moved toward her and lifted one small hand to gently kiss it. Jeff squeezed his hands into fists at his side as he watched Annie smile sweetly at the chef before she let her gaze settle on Jeff for a significant moment. His breath actually caught in his throat. She was standing there, hair upswept, dress daring him to keep his eyes on her face, looking at him…expectantly. Jeff felt himself half rising from his seat, but then she blinked and looked over at Rich. "Good night." She offered Sergio and Rich each another small smile before leaving the room.

Jeff's fingers were tingling.

"I hope she remembers to put more aloe on," Rich said, sounding a million miles away. "That sunburn sure doesn't look fun. I told her that she should keep reapplying sunscreen today, but I could barely get her out of the water. It didn't help that her swim suit left a lot of skin exposed." He chuckled again. "So, do you have plans while you're here?" Rich asked him as the two men moved toward him.

What?

Were they talking to him?

"Um," Jeff stood slowly. He had to get away from them. "I'm actually pretty tired, too." He bent to retrieve his bag again. "I think I'll turn in."

"Sure, of course. Yeah." Rich was nodding his head and Jeff almost felt a ripple of pity for him. Then he grasped onto the words Rich had said only thirty seconds prior.

Rich. And Annie in a bikini.

Okay, so not pity so much as disgust.

And a tiny touch of envy.

Without giving either man another glance, Jeff left the kitchen and made his way back toward the stairs he's seen by the front door. The house was massive, amazing. He would have to take an inventory in the morning. That was, if he was still there. Jeff knew what he needed to accomplish here, but if Annie was insistent on him not being there, he would respect her.

He took the stairs two at a time, ignoring his protesting knees. When he reached the landing, Jeff proceeded slowly. He peered through the first open doorway on the right and was surprised by his own luck. He'd found her on the first try. Past the bedroom, she stood out on what was apparently a private balcony, staring at the sky. She had already changed into a pair of pajama bottoms and a tank top. Her arms were wrapped around herself protectively and Jeff exhaled almost painfully. He dropped his bag in the hallway before quietly approaching her. When he reached the doorway to the balcony, he cleared his throat. Annie stiffened visibly and reached a hand up to her face, wiping at her cheek and then she was spinning to face him. Her expression was unreadable in the darkness of the night.

"Hi," he started softly, stepping out into the moonlight. Annie took what was probably an unconscious step backward and Jeff stilled.

"This is actually my room," Annie answered as if she needed to explain. "But the one across the hall is free," she added as she glanced up at the stars. "Until the next refugee from Greendale shows up."

Jeff chuckled at this and felt heartened when she smiled in return. "Remember to put aloe on before you go to sleep," he murmured and then mentally smacked himself. What the hell was he doing? Giving her medical advice now? He grimaced when her brow knit in confusion. "For your sunburn," he went on, pointing toward her still mostly-bare shoulder. He could see the faint white lines running perpendicular to her collar bones. His finger itched to reach forward and touch her skin, see if it was as hot as it looked. "Rich was saying that…" Jeff trailed off, not knowing what Rich had actually said about it. He had been talking, Jeff was sure of that.

Well, pretty sure at least.

Annie exhaled before nodding in understanding. Great, so now she thought he was here to relay information about burn ointment. Jeff watched as her eyes returned to the sky, a slight frown marring her lovely features. He sighed and edged ever so slightly closer to her. He had to fix this. How could he do that? If he got her talking, he could figure out where she was and take it from there. That was at least plan-shaped, right? "I was hoping I could talk to you?" he ventured softly, dragging his eyes away from her form to stare out at the land beyond them. He had to play this very carefully. Even without looking at her, he could feel Annie stiffen at his words.

"We don't have to," she insisted somewhat woodenly. Jeff glanced down at her and was met with a smile that seemed more like a grimace. "There's nothing we have to talk about."

His instinct told him that he needed to speak anyway, even if she didn't want to hear it. But her eyes were so sad, so distant when they met his that Jeff found himself biting his tongue. "So," he said slowly. "We're…good then?"

Say no.

Get angry.

Care!

"Yep," she answered with a quick nod. She glanced up him nervously and he could see the change in her demeanor when she found him staring at her. She gave him a look of determination. "We're good. We're…"she sighed. "We're friends, Jeff."

Fuck.

"Annie," he said, his voice gravelly. "The thing is-"

"Your toe is bleeding," she pointed out softly, derailing his train of thought.

"-I ca- what?" Jeff glanced down at his foot, flexing it in its flip flop. The big toe was pretty impressively covered with dried blood. "Oh, yeah."

Annie's focus seemed to be completely on his foot now. "Does it hurt?" she asked quietly without looking back up from the injured digit.

Jeff exhaled slowly, his eyes closing for a moment.

He was such a chicken shit.

"No," he replied. "Not anymore.."

That answer seemed to satisfy her, as the next moment she was looking up again. Her eyes bypassed him though, and moved past him to what Jeff had thought looked like a vineyard behind him. "I'm sorry I slapped you," she finally murmured.

Jeff's eyes widened and he resisted the urge to reach up and touch the place her hand had landed. "I think I may have deserved at least some of it," he responded lightly. He watched Annie shrug her shoulders in spite of herself.

"I still shouldn't have done it," she said in a small voice. She shook her head and Jeff clenched his jaw to keep from speaking again. He had spent the last day and a half in a hell of airports and should be tired. He was tired. But more than that, he just wanted to be able to talk to her, listen to her voice without it having to be mired in sadness. He wanted to be able to pull her into his embrace without her seizing up under his touch. That look on her face, he had done that. "I'm sorry," she repeated.

He was such a jack hole.

"Good night," she stated in a stronger voice than he'd heard since he'd stepped out onto the balcony. She was dismissing him.

"I actually slept on the plane," Jeff lied easily. "I'm not really that tired."

"I am," came her response. "It's been a long day." Then, in a moment of clear thinking, she frowned up at him. "Where is your suitcase?"

"I don't have one," he replied, bracing himself for more in that line of questioning.

"You kind of look like crap, Jeff." Her expression turned to one of worry for a split second before she bit her lip and looked away from him. No. He wanted her to look at him.

He stifled a yawn. "I'm thinking about changing moisturizers." Jeff licked his lips and shuffled closer to her. "Can I please just explain what-"

"No," Annie cut him off. "I don't really want to go over the whole thing." She wrapped her hands around the railing in front of her. "And I don't really want your pity, so there's no point in any of this." Pity? No, it wasn't pity. It was… How was this whole thing imploding so stupendously before he'd even been given a chance to speak? She'd just said there was no point? Did that mean that she really didn't care about….any of it? She had been spending her time sandwiched between a supposedly perfect doctor and an oily bohunk. "I was acting like a kid," Annie continued and Jeff felt his gut twist painfully. "I had some stupid romantic ideas about how things should go just because it was what I thought I wanted." Her tongue came out to wet her lips and Jeff inhaled. "You were just being level-headed, Jeff." She glanced up at him, her eyes wider than he'd ever seen them. "I really do get it," she finished quietly.

He couldn't breathe. Jeff wanted to tell her to shut up and listen to him, that she wasn't just being a stupid kid. Couldn't she see that him refusing to use her for a free trip to Italy and a hot body he wanted to nail was a compliment? He'd seen guys do a thing in movies where they would just grab the girl and kiss her to stop her from talking stupidly. He should do that right now and then they could at least sort everything else out together later. Instead, Jeff felt himself nod dumbly. Annie's nose wrinkled slightly.

"You need a shower," she remarked and Jeff breathed out a chuckle. "It's been a really long day."

Jeff frowned deeply at that comment. "Yeah," he finally answered, knowing a kiss off when he heard one. That was definitely what was happening. Slowly, he turned on the spot and walked away from her slowly. She didn't utter one more syllable to him as left her alone, but one glance back toward her told Jeff that any strength she'd been showing him a moment earlier had left her again, making his shoulders deflate quickly. He moved across the hall and dropped his one bag to the floor before flopping onto the bed on his back.

Had he seriously thought that coming here was a good idea? Jeff didn't even really remember how he'd come to the conclusion. He could remember talking to Professor Whitman and then the call to Pierce and then the trip to Pierce's house and then he had been at the airport. That was all there had been. No reflection on whether or not it should be happening, no letting Shirley talk him out of it. For Christ's sake, he hadn't even packed a bag. What the hell had he been thinking? That Annie would see the gesture as romantic and fall into his arms, forgive him immediately for every transgression she'd witnessed of him in the last year?

Well, kind of. Yeah.

Even now, lying thirty feet away from her, Jeff couldn't be sure what would have happened had she been receptive to him. No, that was a lie. He would have relished the fact that he'd had the ability to make her like him despite everything. He would have taken advantage of the situation and they would have been back at square one. No, he was going to have to do this differently. He would do it differently.

Right.