And now (after an obnoxiously long break the author apologizes for immensely) we at last present an all new episode of Lori Disney? (Not Likely!)

XXX

At the dig site where it all began. Inside a tent is a cross, older General examining a map of the area. He looks angry and frustrated when a young Archeologist enters. She crosses her arms and simply glares at him. "So you've heard the news?" she asks in a thick German accent.

The General looks up and glares right back. "You're positive?"

"We have torn the entire dig site apart. I have looked under every rock and tree the map could have possibly meant. It's not here. We're in the wrong place." At that moment a young soldier enters in a hurry- doing a quick salute.

"Or someone got there first, sir."He drops down pictures of Stevens and Marshall on the table, obviously ones kept for employee records. "These two vanished off the site over a month ago. We just found out because they erased themselves from the hard-drive. It appears this one then proceeded to take off for a one-way trip to Sydney and is being tailed by the other."

"So they aren't getting along," the General concludes. "Get in contact with this one," he says pointing to Marshall. "Make him a deal to find everything out about his partner." The soldier nods and exits "Do you know what this means Doctor?"

The Archeologist smiles proudly. "It means I was right… and that the book exists."

"Yes, someone has their hands on the most powerful magic in the whole world."

XXX

Lori Fitzgerald is blitzing through the campus to get to class, sneakers barely touching the pavement. She has the book under her arm, but manages to drop it onto the sidewalk. With a sigh she quickly doubles back and carelessly and roughly jams it into her backpack. She manages to get into the Science Building and to her class just in time as the clock hits ten.

"It looks like someone's alarm didn't go off this morning," Charlie Prescott practically giggles from next to her as she rapidly pulls her supplies out.

"No. We have a Code Glow. I felt it was better to keep it locked up in my room than risk public humiliation... again," she vents.

Charlie's brow furrows. "Already? It's only been two days since-"The Professor enters.

"Alright, let's get started. "

XXX

So follow me down

(Lori stands with the book)
Where to?
Outta this town

(Charlie is sketching furiously)
With you
Girl, you're movin way
Too slow

So follow me down
Which way?
Down, down, down
I'll show you around
Okay
There's a place we gotta go

(The Disney Encyclopedia begins to glow. Lori sighs)

Follow me, follow me

(Lori and Charlie are running through the preserve, freezing once on each of their faces)
Fa la la la la

Follow me, follow me

Fa la la la la

(Lori comes to a halt and Charlie crashes into her, sending them both to the ground)

Lori Disney? (Not Likely!)

Episode 5: Now I've Seen Everything

XXX

Lori starts cleaning everything up as class ends. Charlie rises with a smile. "Alright, so I'll go check out the library. You survey the cafeteria. If we both find nothing we finally get to take a return trip to the preserve." Hannah Frost comes up to the two.

"Why are you two visiting the preserve?" she asks.

"Biology homework," Lori answers quickly. "We have to collect some samples for lab Thursday."

"Alright… "Hannah says, not looking entirely convinced.

"Say, where was Victoria today?" Charlie asks.

"You didn't hear? Her parents came this weekend and took her home. Tyler says she was just having a lot of trouble holding up under the stress. We have no idea when she's going to be back."Charlie looks down extremely guilty.

"Well, she was going a little wonky," Lori dismisses.

"I know, so I really do hope she gets help. Say… I don't have any homework tonight. Do you guys need an extra hand in gathering those samples?"

Charlie smiles. "Actually-"

"We have it under control," Lori cuts in. "I have to go print something." She takes off.

"How's Cody?" Charlie asks as he and Hannah head out as well.

"He's doing great! I actually think Lori likes him."

"That's an achievement. I'll see you around."

"Yeah, I'll see you later. Keep an eye on her."

XXX

Charlie knocks on the dorm door and Hannah answers with a smile. "Hey, she's just grabbing her jacket."

"Yeah, it's definitely fall here now." She nods and they stand for a moment. "Listen… Hannah… if you go see Victoria can you give her this from me?"He hands her a homemade Get Well card.

"Absolutely! This is adorable Charlie. I didn't know you were friends."

"Not really, but I do feel bad-"

"Alright, let's go get those samples," Lori interjects, waling between them. The two start down the hallway, pulling out their flashlights. Hannah waves after them and shuts the door. "Anything in the library?"

"Nope. Cafeteria?" Lori shakes her head. "Forest preserve it is then." They start out the dorms and head that way "Do we have any idea who we need to find?"

"I never have any idea," she grumbles. The two head down the path in silence for a bit. "Why'd you make Victoria a card?" she asks suddenly.

"Well… it's kind of our fault Lori." She gives him a confused look. "All the things that we brought we real and she saw them. We had to convince Tyler that she was crazy though. I actually feel really bad about it. What if we ruined her whole life?"

"She did it to herself," Lori replies with a shrug.

"Did she? Or did we do it to her?"

"The question I have is why couldn't she see the poems?" Lori changes the subject.

"That was really weird. Maybe it's part of the book's defense mechanism if it gets taken or something. It seems logical."

"I told you that book is pure evil."Charlie spots some plants as they enter the preserve and picks them. "What are you doing?" He hands her some.

"You have to bring some samples back so Hannah doesn't get suspicious. Remember she thinks we're out doing homework right now." He looks around. "Oh, I don't think we've been here before." He pulls out his notebook and starts drawing, drifting behind Lori.

"It's hard to believe we've never been here before. It seems like we've been through this place many, many times." She suddenly hears hiccups crying, so she halts. Charlie crashes into her. "I heard something. Listen." They hear more hiccups as some drops land on Lori.

"It's above us." He shines his light in the tree and illuminates a figure at the very top. "That's pretty far up. Give me a boost." Lori launches him up and he shakily and pathetically climbs branches until her reaches the figure.

"Don't fall!" slips out of Lori. He shines his light at the top and sees a terrified Dumbo crying as he leans against the tree trunk. "Who is it?" she shouts up at him.

"It's a… elephant of some sort. He has a little yellow hat and a collar around his neck. Ring any bells?"

"Dumbo. It has to be Dumbo!" she shouts back instantly. She tries to climb but cannot reach the branch Charlie grabbed before with her help. "I can't get up there, so you have to try to bring him down here!"Charlie scoots closer as Dumbo tries to scoot further back. He puts his hands up.

"No. No. It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you. We're going to get you down. It's going to be okay." He moves closer slowly as Dumbo just stares at him. "Wow, you really have some big ears," he can't help but chuckle and observe. At this Dumbo starts crying even harder. He proceeds to flap them and fly up to a higher branch. "No!" He tries to reach him but can't. "Lori, he flew up to where I can't reach him!"

"What did you do?!" Charlie climbs down and has a rough landing.

"I-I just mentioned his ears-"

"Charlie! Haven't you seen the movie?! That's the last thing you mention to him. Now he's never going to trust us," she says frustrated.

"I'm sorry Lori. I've never seen the movie."

"Let me try," she says exhausted. He tries to lift her so she can reach the branch, but both end up falling back. "What are we going to do?"She looks at her phone. "It's nearly midnight." She thinks for a moment. "Do you think he's going to stay in that tree?"

"Lori, we can't!"

"Charlie, we need to come up with a plan. We need some time to figure things out."

"But he's up there terrified."

"I know that. I… know that. He'll be fine for one day." She rises to her feet, dusting herself off. "We'll be back here tomorrow. It won't be a problem at all."

"I don't know…"

"Charlie," she begins in a serious tone, "we have neither a plan nor the supplies we need. It's logical to go back and re-group. He'll be fine." She starts walking away and after a last sad glance Charlie follows behind her.

XXX

Charlie sits at his computer in his dorm as the end credits of Dumbo begins to roll. He exes out of the window and sits thinking for a minute. He then goes on Google, types something, and starts skimming through news articles furiously.

XXX

Hannah opens the dorm door with the same warm smile to see Ben Prescott standing there in another one of his ties. Her face instantly falls and she shuts the door slightly. "She's not here."

"Can I leave a message then? It's really important."

"Listen, I've heard very little about you from around campus. I hate forming snap decisions. But… I don't like you," she says to him, slowly closing the door more.

"I appreciate the honestly," he mutters to himself. "Tell her I want to have a talk with her- no fighting, no insulting, and no arguing. I come in peace this time. She doesn't have to hit me again. She can meet me for lunch- Charlie has lab."

"She hit you?! Good on her. You must have deserved it."

"I did," he answers without hesitating. "Just… please tell her." He exits down the hallway. Hannah closes the door the rest of the way.

"Did you get that?!" Lori peeks out of her hiding spot in the closet.

"I got it."She heads back for her room and calls back about the un-asked question. "He called me garbage!"

Hannah follows her. "Please tell me you hit him twice."

XXX

Lori grabs her lunch from the line and spots Ben at a table glancing at the clock. She looks heavenward before calmly walking to him and taking a seat.

"Thank you for coming. I would have understood if you didn't," he says in a very business-like manner.

"Make this fast. I'm getting tired of looking at your face," she whines.

He clears his throat. "I just wanted to apologize to you… for everything."

"Where's the catch?"

"There isn't one. He is a lot happier around you than I've ever seen him before. I still worry though, and quite frankly I still don't like you."

"That feeling is mutual," she interjects, playing with her spoon.

"But I will try to just let you two be and stop fighting as long as you promise me one thing."

"What's that?" she asks, bored.

"That whatever antic you two get into he won't get hurt. Your life-style terrifies me and I don't want those consequences to be taken out on Charlie. He's too special and kind for that. I mean this completely and sincerely. You have the responsibility of protecting him."He offers his hand. "Do I have your word Ms. Fitzgerald?"

"You do." She shakes his hand quickly and rises. "Now if you excuse me, I have to leave before your face makes we want to skip lunch."She walks away and he just shakes his head.

XXX

Lori walks out of the Science Building after her lab and notices that it is pouring rain outside. She takes in the students running with their umbrellas and coats before it hits her.

"Oh no." She takes off at a run without either a coat or umbrella, slipping in a puddle. She arrives at the library alcove to find it empty. She bolts for the preserve and starts running through the trees. "Charlie! Charlie!" She runs frantically, slipping and sliding all over the wet grass and mud. "CHARLIE!" She finally finds a landmark and makes it to the tree. Charlie keeps trying to jump for the branch. He is wet and covered in mud. She comes up next to him. "Charlie, what are you doing out here?"

"I couldn't leave him," he says frantic, still trying to grab the branch. "It's our fault he's up there. It's all our fault. Help me get up there!"She launches him up to the branch, but he slips on her and falls on his back. "What are we going to do?! He has to come out of there! We have to save him!"

"Charlie, you're soaked. We need to get you back to the dorms."

"I'm not leaving him! It's my fault he's up there!" He starts crying as he tries to rise and his right foot buckles.

"What're you talking about? I made the call," she says logically. "This is all on me, okay? I need you to go back. I've got this." She back up a few yards, runs, and tries to grabs the branch but misses. He's still beside her. "GO!" He tries to take off, limping weakly, and she tries again. There is a cry from behind her and after a sigh she ends up running back to find Charlie has slipped in the mud. "Charlie," she growls, annoyed.

XXX

Lori is supporting Charlie as the two enter his dorm building. He has his right leg in the air and is hopping at her blistering pace. She seems annoyed to be having to support him. He seems really upset.

"Seriously, you should leave me. I'm fine. Go back and-"

"Charlie, you can barely walk with my help. I couldn't just leave you out there to catch a cold or hypothermia," she cuts him off coldly.

"But what if he does?"

"Charlie, just stop with the arguments! I've got this."

"Lori, we don't have this," he shoots back honestly, grimacing in pain as his foot hits a door.

"Sure we do."

"We are two college students who run around campus in the dead of night pursuing characters of fiction. By commonplace standards, we should both be in the room next to Victoria!"Lori grows annoyed and quickly backs off, forcing him to hold onto a window ledge for support.

"Oh my God… you're snapping."

"No, I'm merely-"

"Charlie, this was your tone of voice." She becomes overly whiney as she speaks. "'We should be in a room next to Victoria. Lori, I'm thirteen so I'm short and follow you around like a puppy. Lori, we're not doing this right!'"

"We aren't! Do you know what we've done?!"

"Charlie, what are you talking about?" she asks, not really wanting an answer.

"After Victoria… I looked into some stuff. The school… our school… they have to let a professor go because of the damage and panic Simba caused. Not to mention the fact that the forest rangers have about thirteen lawsuits on their hands from parents. Four students ran for the hills. Victoria… her entire life path has been altered."

"Charlie-"

"And we have absolutely no one we can blame for this but ourselves." They just stare at each other for a long moment- her contemplative and him desperate to get through. "He's trapped out there."

Lori turns sharply and starts back down the hall. "Go inside and get some rest. We'll take care of this tomorrow." He is clearly disappointed, almost in himself as well, and heads inside. She turns back for a moment and frowns before continuing out the hall and into the rain.

XXX

Lori is frantically tearing through her dresser drawers and shelves, throwing everything to the ground around her and even up on her bed. She is clearly looking for something when Hannah walks in. "Um… I'm having some friends over to study tonight," Hannah smiles in a kind, guiding tone.

"I can go hang out in the library."

Hannah sighs and tries again. "No… it's just-"

"I can take Cody with me so the room doesn't smell."

"That's not- wait, the room doesn't smell." Lori grabs her computer after not finding whatever it is she needs.

"Doesn't look like I have anything that'll work. Just text me when you're done." She's out the door as Hannah calls back to her.

"I will! Hey! I meant you should clean this mess up! Lori! Lori!" She sighs as there is no answer.

XXX

Lori sits at her computer in the back corner of the mostly empty library clearly bored out of her mind. She pulls out her phone and sends a text before sitting for another long moment. Finally, she then types in the school and starts thumbing through news articles as Charlie did before. She looks at the book sitting next to her.

"This is all your fault. I hope you realize that. I hope you're happy."

"Why are you talking to a book?" She looks up to see Ben standing over her shoulder.

"Let me ask you- why don't you talk to your books?" she asks in an insulted tone.

"Excuse me?"

"Communication is essential in any relationship. How do you expect to get everything out of the book if you do not treat it with decency and respect?"

Ben just looks at her before rolling his eyes. "I don't even know why I bother." He starts walking away. Lori smirks to herself.

"That was almost too easy. I really do need to stop though." She goes back to computer and search when she notices librarian up on the ladder shelving books. As the light-bulb goes off a smiles appears on her face.

XXX

The next morning Charlie walks into the library still limping very heavily. He passes the librarian talking to the assistant and over hears a snippet. "Seriously, I went to shelve books this morning and it was just gone," the assistant says, defensive.

"Who would steal a ladder? It just makes no sense. I put it away after using it last night." Charlie freezes and starts back the other way, crashing into Hannah.

"Hey Charlie," she says brightly. She then notices his foot. "What happened?"

"I-I sprained it when we were looking for things in the preserve."

"But it was fine yesterday… in class," Hannah responds, looking down at him.

"We had to go back last night," he says quickly, trying to leave. She blocks him.

"First, the lab was yesterday. Second, Lori was here all last night."

"We had to pick up a few to re-do it during class today. So, she wasn't." Hannah narrows her eyes and holds up her phone.

"Then why do I have 23 texts of 'I'm bored. Can I leave this suffocating library and come back to the room yet' that say differently?" He shifts nervously and she frowns at him completely serious. "Charlie…"

"What's going on?" Ben asks from beside the two, causing them to both jump.

"Do you live here or something?!" Charlie shouts at him.

"He does have a point. You always seem to be lurking around here," Hannah adds suspicious.

"Obnoxious roommate," he gives quickly. "Back off. What happened to your foot?"

"Something he won't tell me about."

Ben begins to stare down at Charlie as well. "Does this have to do with Lori?

"I-I have to get to class. I'll talk to you both later."He manages to limp away before they can say anything. Hannah turns to Ben.

"His first class isn't for two hours with Lori and me."

"Should we follow him?"

Hannah glares at him briefly. "I'm not making plans with you. You're an ass, remember?"

"Trust me, because of you three freshmen I get constantly reminded."Hannah walks away from him.

XXX

Charlie follows his map through the preserve, touching up some fine details as he goes. He finds Lori on the top branch of the tree, the library ladder leaning against it.

"I've seen a peanut stand, a rubber band, and this sad elephant cry So now it's time to send him home and say a nice good-bye," she sings from the book. He winces at the bright burst of light. She starts heading down the branches.

"So now we're stealing from the library too?!" he shouts up at her with a little bit of anger. She slides down the ladder and glares at him.

"You shouldn't have limped out here with that foot. I had this."

"It's fine." She just looks at him.

"It's not. You should go to the nurse. Scratch that- I hear she's awful. You should go to the athletic trainer in the gym. She's supposed to be real good."

"Was he alright?" he asks, trying to cut her off.

"Honestly, no. He was too terrified to fly. I just made it quick and easy on him. But now he's back home with Timothy and his mother and this will all just have been a scary nightmare. He'll be no worse for wear luckily… very luckily."

"So… what did you learn?"

"I learned that this is the last time you're coming with me. From now on you're staying back on campus."

He can't help but roll his eyes. "Lori, we go through this every time. I'm in this for-"

"No!" she says in a final tone that causes him to back up a few steps. She takes a breath, pinching her nose. "You didn't open the book. This isn't your responsibility. There are going to be more consequences. They're going to pile up for as long as this book glows and sputters. I'm stuck… but you aren't. I am not going to let you get hurt anymore. I want you to stay away from me. I am no good for you," she rattles, her tone calmer and more detached.

"You got that line from my step-brother."

"But he's right. I'm finally seeing it." She takes another breath and looks at him almost sad. "You can't ask me to keep doing this to you," she says, her voice almost cracking.

"But… friends-"

"Charlie, we never were friends. Good-bye." She walks away from him, forcing herself not to turn back. He stares after her.

"Okay… if that's what you want…" he whispers, tears in his eyes.

XXX

Hannah walks in their room to find Lori lying on her bed staring up at the ceiling- all her stuff still scattered everywhere on her side of the room.

"So I have to ask. I hate to but…" she begins, carefully.

"I'm the reason he got hurt. I took care of it."She puts on her headphones.

Hannah gives a forced smile. "That's good to know. It was actually a cleaning question though." Lori is obviously not listening to her so she goes to her desk "That's okay. I'll- I'm sure you'll take care of it tomorrow… or sometime this week… please."

XXX

Charlie opens his door frantically to find Ben standing there, arms folded. He doesn't waste a minute in slamming the door shut again. "She's not my friend anymore. Go away. You win."

"I'm sorry that it didn't work out like you wanted it to."

"No you're not," Charlie calls him out.

"Okay... can't argue with that really," Ben says under his breath, uncomfortable.

Charlie leans against the door. "I just wanted to find one friend," he says defeated.

"There are literally hundreds of other people on campus right now. Just go up to someone in class and say… you'd be excellent help on their homework. Get your foot in the door. Find some good people," he says in a tone fit for Hannah. Charlie frowns and throws the door open.

"She was one of the best people. You don't know that, no one on campus knows that. I'm even positive she doesn't know it yet. But I can see it. If you would have given her time she would have impressed you beyond anything you could have imagined. But now I won't even get to see it. Thank you for ruining my life." He slams the door shut and stalks off back to his bed.

XXX

Lori is walking to class when Ben catches up to her. "Lori-"

"I am beyond not in the mood." She keeps walking as he comes to a halt.

"Thank you though… for keeping him safe."

"I didn't do it for you!" she shouts back. He watches her turn the corner and shakes his head.

"Sorry, but I don't see it Charlie. I don't see it at all."

XXX

Lori sits down in her usual spot in English class, the front row. As she unpacks Charlie walks in and automatically starts walking towards her, but forces himself to stop. He surveys the room looking at various students, some with smiling welcoming faces. Finally, he takes a seat by himself in the back. Lori sits awkwardly and is about to turn back to him when the Professor walks in and she starts taking notes. Charlie does the same from his new spot. And the two sit… miles apart.

XXX

Tune in next week (the author promises, again sorry for the delay) when Lori may just gain a new companion as the very first pays a visit to Trinity.