A/N: I have finally got some creative energy back. Honestly I don't know where it went. But here is the next 'episode'. And I decided that instead of 24 chapters in a 'season', I'm just going to go ahead and continue it on until I feel like ending it. No seasons (at least not after 24 chapters). There's a little subtle tie in to the movie Tarzan at the end. Try not to get that song stuck in your head :) Oh and I hope you like the introduction of Max, PJ and Bobby. Goofy Movie is probably the most underrated Disney animation (although not considered a part of the 'masterpiece' collection). Anyway. Read. Review. FAVE. FOLLOW! Xoxo JTD
"Could I be wearing anymore clothes?"
"Oh my, God. That is so not the opposite of taking somebody's underwear!"
Meg couldn't help but laugh - despite her sullen mood - at the classic Chandler and Joey banter that all started with the essence of the chair in 'The One Where No One's Ready'. What was it about Friends that let one drift into a perpetual state of happiness for a while? It was definitely just the comedic relief she needed. Ross was just about to drink to prove his love for Rachel, something Meg could only hope a guy would ever do for her, when the front door to her apartment burst open.
Caught off guard, she turned her head to see a wide-eyed Flynn and a frantic Esmeralda rushing in. Meg clicked the pause button on the remote.
"What the hell?"
Flynn came rushing to her side, kneeling in front of her on the couch.
"Meg, are you okay?"
Flynn was usually an over dramatic guy anyway, but this was completely new to her.
"Uh. Yeah. Are you sure, you're okay? Seriously, Es, was getting high with that Bobby Zimer-whatshisface again?"
Esmeralda dropped her shoulders.
"Oh, thank, God. I was really worried," Esmeralda sighed, shutting the door behind her. "When Flynn texted me, I thought we were going to find another post-Herc break-up scene again."
"Why would you think that?" Meg asked.
"Angelica and I ran into Sinbad on his way out. He told us you were kinda upset and then Angelica told me about Hercules' visit today."
Flynn's words made Meg remember her tumultuous emotions before getting lost in the classic comedy of Friends. Her face paled. She sank back into the cushions of the couch and crossed her arms across her chest. The depression came flooding back in waves. First came the self-doubt, then the self-loathing. Finally it was the feeling of being too damaged she was completely unlovable. She knew her friends meant well, but she really wished they hadn't stormed in here hoping to save her from some type of suicidal state.
"Oh. That."
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Esmeralda asked taking a seat next to Meg on the couch.
"What's there to talk about? Hercules dropped off some photo paper and we had a typical awkward encounter and then we parted ways. End of story."
"Sinbad said you told him to leave because your heart was too damaged beyond repair. He was really worried about you."
Meg softly chuckled to yourself.
'Well, whatd'ya know?' she thought, pondering Sinbad being concerned enough for her to inform her roommate that she was quite upset.
"He must care about you a lot," Esmeralda muttered.
Meg could sense their tone and where the conversation was headed.
"Pump the brakes guys. This isn't another 'We Have to Prevent Meg from Self-Destruction' conversations."
She knew her friends meant well, but it was getting to be a pattern. Every time Meg got emotionally distraught, it became a huge deal – the exact opposite of what she wanted.
"Look, you both know my stuff, okay. You both know that I don't know what love is, was or will be and that I have abandonment issues – deep ones. And I appreciate you guys sticking by my side but the thing is, it doesn't need to be a crisis situation every time I have a few bad moments here and there."
Esmeralda looked at Meg and then looked at Flynn. Both of them knew Meg was a strong and stubborn woman who could handle a lot, but they also knew Meg's past. And so they tread lightly where her emotional problems were concerned.
"Meg, look, I think it's great that you're feeling better about things. It's just...you're..." Esmeralda was searching for the perfect words.
"We don't want another repeat of the summer after you found your dad," Flynn bluntly stated.
"Just because I attempted it once doesn't mean that every little setback is going to send me back to that place. I'm better now. I've got roots and people and things to live for."
Esmeralda bit her bottom lip, nervously. She wanted to trust in Meg and believe in her progress. She just knew how badly people walking out of her life affected her. She silently prayed that Meg would stay strong and continue to grow and move past that ugly incident in her life.
"Okay. If you say that you're in a good place, then I'm happy for you. But just know that if you ever feel yourself drifting backward – Flynn and I, especially, will always be here for you."
"Absolutely."
Meg smiled,
"Oh believe me, the way you guys came bursting in here, I know I can always count on you."
They all had a laugh.
"I do have one favor."
"Name it," Flynn responded.
"Could you guys leave me be? You're harshing my Friends buzz."
Esmeralda and Flynn awkwardly turned to the TV to a paused frame of Ross holding a glass of fat to his mouth.
"Say no more. Es, you feel like a quick drink?"
"Sure, if you're buying, Flynny."
And with that Meg was left to her own devices – Netflix and her couch. Hercules was the furthest thing from her mind. And she wanted to keep it that way. She knew that she had an awkward encounter with Sinbad this afternoon but she knew that it could be rectified. He hadn't shunned her or made her feel crazy. He simply let her be and assured her he wouldn't let it be their last conversation. It seemed he was a decent guy and after the Hercules fiasco she wasn't going to let another one slip through her fingers because she was afraid of something real. And who knows, if she felt so good with Hercules, she could feel twice as good with Sinbad.
Hercules on the other hand, was no where near getting over Meg. After threatening Sinbad at Pridelands, Hercules stumbled home, already drunk from the five shots of Tito's he did with Tarzan. Tarzan had elected to stay behind at the bar – for fear of seeing another humiliating encounter for Hercules.
Herc reached his townhome which was next door to Aurora's. Aurora's lights were off. She wasn't home. She was still out on her date. What was he thinking going out with a stereotypical blonde bombshell after his relationship with someone as rare as Meg? He supposed he deserved to be cheated on after giving up on someone like Meg.
As he fumbled with the keys to his home, he opened the door and went face forward into his entryway. That last thing he remembered before slipping into unconsciousness was Meg's bright violet eyes and the insane effect they had on him.
Tarzan was also pondering the effect Meg had on his old buddy, Herc.
He had never known Hercules to be so befuddled after a bad break-up that he seemingly rebounded with a complete slut and didn't even see it coming. Tarzan took one last chug of beer and questioned his own past relationships. Jane Porter had always had a crush on him back in high school. But he'd been too busy with his skating to really consider getting serious with her – let alone any girl. Herc's cousin Ariel was pretty cute and from what he recalled an amazing kisser. But again – he didn't realy think of her the way Hercules obviously thought about this Meg person. He wondered what if felt like to be completely consumed of one person so much that it made you do crazy things.
'What am I doing?' he thought.
'I'm not this deep.'
Thomas, the bartender and his old pal, slid another glass in front of him.
"No thanks, man. I think that's it for me tonight. All those shots with Herc and all."
"Oh, this is from the group of students at the other end of the bar. They say they're big fans."
Tarzan glanced and saw two young dark-haired guys – one tall and large the other short and average - with a slightly older red-headed guy with the sickest mohawk mullet he'd ever seen.
"Oh well, if they're fans."
Tarzan made his way toward the trio of young admirers.
"Wow. Tarzan Jungle, man. This is totally far out," the taller, larger one said.
"Bruh, chill out. He's just a regular dude," mullet man responded.
"I believe what they're trying to say is, we're big fans of yours. Totally rad moves, Mr. Jungle," the third one interjected.
"Thanks. You can call me Tarzan. It's always nice to meet fans. Haven't really found Fantasia to be a skate-centric place until now."
"Really? Thanks! I'm Max Goof. This is my buddy PJ Wolfe," he gestured toward the larger one. "And this is Bobby Zimeruski. We're in grad school, by day. We normally spend all our time at the new skate park."
"Max Goof? As in Goofy's son?"
Tarzan felt like he was amongst celebrities as well. It was no secret that Goofy Goof was a former Goodwill Ambassador in Fantasia. He along with former Mayor Mickey Mouse and former Judge Donald Duck retired to north of Ape Mountains.
Max half-smiled.
"Yup. That would be dear old dad."
"Nice. So you guys skate, huh?"
"Are you kidding? We like totally petitioned for the skate park to happen. We live for it, man," PJ said, wide-eyed and starstruck.
"Well, hey. I'm heading up to my brother's tonight after this dinner party thing of his is over. But how bout tomorrow we have a skate session? I need to test out these new ramps my brother raves about."
"Whoa. Are you serious?" Max replied, in absolute disbelief.
"That would be so rad," PJ added.
"I'm in, bruh!" Bobby shouted enthusiastically.
"Alright. I'll catch you at Powerline tomorrow morning."
Max Goof couldn't believe he had just met his idol.
Tarzan couldn't believe he had major fans in Fantasia. His return home was definitely turning out a lot different than he expected.
After leaving his trio of fans, Tarzan tossed some bills at Thomas and headed out. Although he didn't do dinner parties. He did promise Ursula to have some dessert at The Tree House after the party had concluded. And even if Ape gave him a headache, the primate made the best cakes. After all, he and George may live in two different worlds sometimes, but deep down they were one family first and foremost.