A/N: Okay, I'm not going to lie. The song used in this chapter is extremely repetitive, in regards to the lyrics. However, the song itself is beautiful and really fits the mood. I have, as usual, put the information and a link at the bottom of the page. This is the one time I'd suggest listening to the song, either before or while you read this. You don't have to do it, you are your own person. Just don't say I didn't warn you. (Also, I'm really sorry for taking so long to come back to this. Here are some virtual cookies in an attempt to keep the peace. *holds out a plate of cookies* I'm also sorry if you got more than one notification for this chapter. Technology is hard.)

Erin lied in her cot, staring up at the dark, stone ceiling. She'd been attempting to collect her thoughts for days, but every time she tried, the thoughts flew out of control.

I can't 'turn off' my feelings for Andy, she finally admitted to herself. But, why can't I? I mean, he turned off his feelings for me . . . if he ever had feelings for me. She groaned. Putting her hands on top of her head, she pushed her hair in front of her face, sinking into complete darkness. I wish my mom was here.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh."

She sat up suddenly. She could have sworn she had heard a voice. Listening harder, she confirmed it, hearing a feminine voice singing off in the distance.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh."

The haunting tune wrapped itself around her. She felt her heart pulling her towards the voice.

"When I go to college," she asked hesitantly into the darkness. "Will I be on my own? Because if I go to college – "

"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah."

"Will I be completely alone?"

The music in her head fell into a soothing melody. The room had become oddly brighter and Erin turned in the direction of the light. A woman was sitting next to her on the cot. She had bright eyes and a kind smile. Her brown hair was pulled out of her face and her entire body was glowing softly. Even though Erin had never seen her before, she immediately knew who it was. The woman gazed at Erin with love and began singing softly.

"We always knew you were a winner.
We saw it when you smiled.
Start from the beginning,
when you were a beginner.
You were the perfect child.

We always knew, we always knew,
you were a champion.
Your sadness filled my room.
Dear, if you should feel my gloom,
blame it on me.
Blame it on your daddily and mammily
'cause depression runs in our family."

"I love you." She put out her arms and Erin fell into them, letting herself be held by her mother, at last. The woman rocked her and rubbed her back gently. Erin's heart soared as her mother sang the words she'd always longed to hear from her. "I love you. I love everything about you, dear. And I swear it's true. I love you."

"I love you." A new voice came from Erin's left. She slowly sat up and turned in its direction. A tall, built man stood a few feet away, glowing as well. He slowly moved toward Erin. "I love you. I love everything about you, baby." Once he got close enough, he reached out and cupped her chin, slowly coming to sit down next to her. He let go gently as he continued.

"And maybe it's true," her parents sang together. "I love you." Erin glanced at both of them before staring straight ahead, letting her voice drift into the semi-darkness.

"I want to write you letters," she admitted.
"but Mrs. Lovett says that you're too far.
Mama, mama, mama.
How would you react?

When I was little, someone told me
you would return from wherever you are.
Mama, mama, mama.
But you never came back.

Are you soon returning?
In my letters, I would plead,
'Tell me what you're learning.'
Ma, I have, oh gosh, this need.

I think Reed is angry, Ma,
and I do not know what to do.
Mama, mama, mama.
Am I all on my own?

I think they take out on me
what they want to take out on you.
Mama, mama, mama!
How I wish we were home.

She poured all of the sadness and betrayal she was feeling into her words.

"How I wish we were home.
How I wish we were . . . home."

"We always knew you were a winner," her parents' voices overlapped over hers.

"A bathing beauty, you," her mother admitted.

"And we loved the way you grew," her father added. "Since you were born."

"Kelly, we couldn't be prouder."

"Please let me say one time louder!"

"I love you!" The two adults sang with passion and sorrow. Suddenly, Erin realized she forgave them. How could she not forgive them?

"I love you!" Erin joined in finally. Each of her parents took one of her hands and sang with her.

"I . . . love – "

Suddenly, a bright light drowned everything out. Erin opened her eyes to find herself lying on the cot. She had fallen asleep. She realized her eyes were wet and rubbed them, sniffling. A large silhouette stepped into the light, which was coming from the doorway.

"You may come out now," the voice of Mr. Gilmer boomed into the room, shattering anything left of her dream world. "Don't do it again."

She tried to give some sort of confirmation, but she couldn't get the words past the lump in her throat. Instead, she just nodded. Mr. Gilmer left, closing the door and letting the room fall into complete darkness once again.

Erin sat up on the cot and listened to his footsteps fading. As soon as she was certain he had left, she sang into the darkness. In her mind, she could the echoing voices of her parents singing along with her.

"I love you."

OOOOO

That Monday morning, Oscar decided he had been Mr. Nice Guy for much too long. He decided he would expose Phyllis and reveal the truth about Shad. But, as he walked into the classroom, Phyllis looked up at him and beamed. Immediately, he knew he'd never be able to bring himself to tell her.

"Hey, Phyllis," he sighed, defeated.

"Hey, Oscar!" As he came and sat down, she leaned towards him and lowered her voice. "I've been thinking about your note."

She continued, but Oscar couldn't help his mind from wandering. He could no longer hear her voice without thinking of Shad and the betrayal he'd been put through.

Meanwhile, Kevin was sitting next to them, busy pretending like he wasn't eavesdropping. Suddenly, Oscar turned to him.

"Hey, Kevin," he offered. Kevin slowly turned, eyes wide.

I didn't lose my best friend? He tried to keep his expression neutral. "Hey, Oscar."

"How have you been?" Kevin's heart soared. His best friend was talking to him again! He didn't know what he'd done to lose him, but he was going to do his best to not do it ever again.

As Kevin and Oscar fell into conversation, Phyllis sighed, slowly realizing she'd been cut out. Leaning back in her chair, her eyes drifted to Erin's empty seat. She's still gone? It's been a week. I hope she's okay.

At that moment, Pam rushed in and sat down. Jim glanced over at her and she smiled. Reaching into the front pocket of her backpack, she pulled out the tattered piece of paper Jim had given her so many weeks ago. His eyes widened, but before he could mouth anything, she nodded eagerly.

Mr. Ben walked in eagerly. "Sorry I'm late. Just came back from planning the spring musical." He clearly emphasized those words, but no one seemed to notice. With a quick glance over the crowd, he noticed that Jim looked particularly excited to ask something. Usually, he seemed to be apathetic towards anything having to do with this class. Before he could address him, however, Stanley piped up.

"Why are you so intent to getting us to try out for the spring musical? It's the end of December."

"Excellent question, Stanley." Jim will have to wait. "We're planning the spring musical and need people to audition for it in these early months because we're going to start rehearsing soon. That way, when it opens in the spring, we've already practiced for a while. Now, the reason I've been trying to get you all in particular to try out is because you are all so talented."

There were a few scattered scoffs at this. Mr. Ben crossed his arms in disbelief.

"Why do you doubt yourself? You are all extremely talented kids."

Jim's hand shot into the air, unable to be patient anymore. "Yes, Jim?"

"Sir, I think you are completely correct. We have all really come to prove ourselves in the last few weeks. And yet, some of us haven't performed yet. What do you think about that, Dwight?" Dwight turned sharply to face Jim.

"What are you talking about, Halpert?" There was a pause in which Dwight and Jim stared into each other's eyes. Finally, Jim turned away.

"Never mind. Forget I said anything." He mumbled something unintelligible. Dwight immediately straightened up in his chair.

"I demand you tell me what you just said!" Jim scoffed, but refused to make eye contact with Dwight. "Fine! Screw you, Halpert! I'll sing a stupid song!"

Jim's head popped up, having finally heard what he was waiting for. "Great, when?"

The room became very quiet and Dwight was suddenly aware of how everyone's eyes were on him. Crap.

"Well . . . I guess . . . " An anger welled up inside him. What am I doing? Schrutes' don't stammer! "Tomorrow!"

"Great." Jim replied coolly.

"Great!" Dwight shouted back.

"Fine."

"Fine!"

"Cool."

"C- Shut up, Halpert."

At that moment, the bell rang, cutting the boys' conversation short. Jim shot an apologetic look back at Pam before picking up his backpack and racing out the door. He had to walk Karen to her next class and he didn't want to be late.

Pam watched him go, her chest tightening as she shoved the folded piece of paper in her hand back into her backpack.

Song used: The I Love You Song from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

http : / / www . youtube . com / results?search_query=the+i+love+you+song+25th+annual+putnam+county+spelling+bee&oq=the+i+love+you+song&aq=1&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=.3.7l11l0

(It makes more sense in context, but either way, I thought it really fit Erin.)