Hannah Frost gathers her breakfast on a gloomy Monday morning, smoothing out her new skirt with her free hand and smiling at the cafeteria worker. She gathers a drink and then heads towards her usual table. Charlie Prescott and Michael Harms are already there, talking and laughing, as well as her roommate Lori Fitzgerald. She looks happy but a little out of it, wearing one of Hannah's long sleeve shirts to hide the bruises on her arm from their escapade yesterday.

Hannah takes her seat and grabs her fork, only to freeze and glare as Ben Prescott, black eye slightly faded, takes an empty seat next to Michael. "Uh, can we help you?" she asks harshly. He turns to Lori, clearly uncomfortable with the stares from the table.

"Well, I wasn't sure if breakfast on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and occasionally Sundays like you all always do was required in the Companion package or not, so I figured I'd just sit here… if that's alright."

Lori nods. "Sure."

Michael gives him a genuine smile. "Of course." The group returns to eating, but Hannah puts her hand up, realizing something he said.

"Hold the phone! Companion? Lori, what did you do last night?!" she inquires.

"I extended an offer," Lori offers, trying to keep everything calm. "The book wants him, and I already do what it wants anyway. Why not have some extra help in that? Plus, it'll make it easier when his characters come through to actually have him on staff."

"If it helps, this is on a month trial basis," Ben adds. Hannah is clearly not appeased.

"Lori, seriously-"

Michael rolls his eyes. "Here we go." She shoots him a glare before continuing.

"We can't just let anybody in on this. Yes, he saved you once, but is he going to be an asset in the long term. Or is he going to just drag you down or maybe even bail out on you in an hour of need," she finishes, casting a look at Michael.

Lori puts down her fork and holds her head. "I'm in too much pain to deal with this right now. I'm going to class." She rises and Charlie instantly follows, grabbing both their plates. "You don't have to come."

"Yeah, I do," he says as if it's obvious. Michael rises as well.

"I'll come with you Big F." The two just start walking away. He shrugs. "I'll see you guys later."

Hannah takes a bite of her French toast. "Good riddance." She and Ben sit awkwardly eating for a long minute. She continually sends him glares between bites that he obviously sees but tries to ignore. She rises and leaves without a word after finishing. He just sighs to himself, looking uncomfortable.

"It looks like I have a lot of work to do," he mutters to himself.

XXX

So follow me down

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

(Charlie examines his map)
With you
Girl, you're movin way

(Hannah is typing away at her computer)
Too slow

So follow me down

(Michael grabs the first aid kit from a cabinet)
Which way?
Down, down, down

(Ben looks at his phone and sighs, adjusting his tie)
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, Hannah, Ben, Michael, 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 the others crash into her, sending them all to the ground)

Lori Disney? (Not Likely!)

Episode 9: Think I'll Die of Not Surprise!

XXX

Ben walks past the library with clear purpose just as Michael exits. The two automatically fall into stride next to one another as they head for the dorms. "Did you get the text, Harms?" Ben asks with a nod of respect.

Michael gives a smile and nod back. "Naturally, Prescott. You ready for your first round? We've been having an awfully quick turn-around lately."

"Not worried, per say. I just… I'm worried about what Hannah said- about being the weak link. You four have been doing this for a while," he admits. Michael puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, I felt the same exact way," he comforts him. "I'll have your back. We can even partner together on split-ups so Hannah doesn't kill either of us."

"I don't get what you see in her," Ben admits. Michael shrugs.

"It does take a lot to look past how she treats me I suppose. But I've seen so many good moments- she's beautiful, and smarter than I think she even realizes, and she's just so… full of energy and enthusiastic. She cares deeply for people. When Lori was in trouble… she sometimes just takes my breath away," he says a little dreamily. He notices Ben's look and shakes his head straight. "And when I do finally earn her trust, maybe she'll start to see a few qualities in me she'll like too."

"She won't, because she's impossible." Michael laughs. "But together we might stand a chance." They arrive at Lori's dorm and see the others are waiting for them.

Lori gives them a large smile as they arrive. "Hello. Look who just texted you one her new phone!" She holds a new black phone aloft in triumph.

"What'd your parents say?" Michael asks.

"They were very probing and harsh on how maybe I can't handle responsibility," Lori admits. "So I told them Hannah broke it."

"So for those of you keeping score at home, I am both responsible for the phone and the arm. Her parents probably hate me."

"Lori, can I get Ben for split-ups?" Michael asks her. "We'll take the gym and the art center."

Hannah looks skeptical. "I don't-"

Lori cuts in, nodding. "Yeah. You know what you're doing by now. Show Ben the ropes."

"Maybe even Charlie'd like to join us?" Michael asks. Charlie shakes his head.

Lori ruffles his hair. "Charlie is coming with me, sorry."

"I'm a buffer so they don't fight as much. It'll upset the child," Charlie parrots as if had heard those words before. Michael gives him a salute.

"Alright. Have fun with that."

"Let's head out," Lori announces with a clap of her hands. "Maybe after this one it'll give us a bit of a break. This'll be three in less than a week."

XXX

The clock next to Lori's bed shifts to one a.m. as the door open and Lori and Hannah enter. Both look exhausted and tired as Lori just tosses the book carelessly on the desk.

"I think these nights are the worst," she says. "We don't know what's out there and worse we wasted a whole night trying to find it."

Hannah opens her mouth but Lori puts her hand up. "I don't want to snap," she says warningly. "You know I really don't. But both my arms are in agony, it's one in the morning, and I'm terrified if you keep it up I just might lose it. So, please, may I go to bed?"

Hannah instantly back off, not wanting to push her buttons. "Of course. I'm sorry. I get it."

Lori grabs her pajamas from her dresser. "I don't even get why you have such a vendetta against them anyway?" Hannah launches into this opening, trying to remain calm but get her point across.

"Okay, I'll make this easy and quick since now you've started it. Michael is a quitter. He abandoned us once, he could do it again. Plus, he's shifty and obviously hiding something. Notice he never mentions his family. And Ben is completely useless. He can't even take care of his step-brother. And let's not forget all the things he said to you when you two first met. The only reason you drag him around is because you like him." This catches Lori's attention and she raises her eyebrow.

"We're still on this," Lori sighs, exhausted. "That's gross. That's all I have to say on the subject."

"Well, I'll admit to tolerating him when you admit to me that you like him," Hannah argues, crossing her arms. Lori just heads into the bathroom, done with conversation in general. There is a beat and Hannah walks to stand outside the door, clearly waiting for a cue.

"Hannah! I need your help!" Hannah gives a nod of 'there we go' and heads in after her.

"How long until you get this cast off?"

"Two weeks. Two long weeks."

XXX

Michael, Charlie, and Lori are all sitting in the lounge the next afternoon studying for Western Civilization. Lori looks more rested and much more with it. Charlie taps the book with his pointer finger.

"So then it has to be C!" he argues in good humor.

Michael contemplates. "I'm still kind of leaning on B, but I definitely get your argument."

Lori leans her head on her arm. "Well, I'm completely lost. I conclude that History is point-"They both look at her and her face light up in remembrance. "Full of purpose and good things. Then again, my view on it won't matter when I still fail the test."

Michael rolls his eyes. "We go through this every single time you have an exam. You freak out, panic, lament, and then you pull a super commendable B or better."

"Sorry," Lori offers sincerely.

"Hey, why didn't Hannah join us?" Charlie asks as if noticing that something was missing for the first time.

"Because I'm here," Michael answers honestly.

"I don't get it," Charlie says sincerely. "If we're all going to work together, why can't we get along? I mean Hannah and I didn't see eye to eye for a few days, but we patched it up because we get so many amazing experiences together. If we don't stick together, we won't stand a chance."

"Hannah didn't like you? How is that even possible?" Michael asks in disbelief. Charlie shrugs.

"No, she was just jealous of me. She openly doesn't like you or Ben. There's a clear difference. But I still don't get why it matters. Can you try talking to her?" he asks the two.

Lori looks panicked and stressed. "I-"

"I'll try," Michael cuts in. "It's my problem, not Lori's- especially when she's stressing over a test. We've needed to have this talk for a while, and especially now that Ben's onboard she needs to get past this."

Charlie nods with a huge, innocent smile. "Great. Then everything will work out." Lori laughs to herself, attracting both of their curiosity. "What?"

"Sorry, I'm tired." They both just keep looking at her. "It's just… a family story," she says dismissively. They both nod and look down, clearly a little disappointed. She takes in her company for a moment and smiles, comfortable with opening up to these two.

"When I was little," she begins to their now undivided attention, "I wanted an older brother more than anything in the world. I was getting picked on, and in all the movies an older brother will protect his sister no matter what. So I campaigned hard to my parents- PowerPoint's, lectures, adoption information." She laughs and the other two join her.

"My parents would tell me to appreciate what I have, but I kept going. One day when I was ten my dad kneels down and says 'Everything will work out' just to finally get me to shut up. And I believed him hook, line, and sinker." She laughs harder and longer as the other two join, her clearly happy with having shared this and having a moment with these two. "In fact, I'm still waiting. Wow, I hadn't thought about it in forever," she reflects.

"You can have mine. I wanted a brother, but one different than what I got," Charlie admits. "Michael, do you have any siblings?" he inquires. Michael tenses slightly and taps the book.

"I think it's C for sure now. I think we're finally hitting our stride. We should keep going." Charlie looks at Lori confused, but she just shrugs at him- conveying that it's not their business if he doesn't want to say anything. Charlie nods and returns his attention the book.

"I'm glad you came to your senses," Charlie jokes. "Alright, twenty-four."

XXX

Hannah exits her last class the next day, cradling her books to her chest. She then sees Michael standing across the hall, clearly waiting for her. Her expression falls and her eyes narrow.

"Oh goodness," she begins, coldly. "I must be trapped in a nightmare. Are you here to take me back to the mother ship?" Michael just dismisses this and steps up to her as the other students file past them.

"I just want to talk," he says with as much patience as ever. "Can we go down to the café and get some coffee? I know you're done for the day and so am I."

She starts past him. "We have nothing to talk about." He catches up to her and pulls her over to the side of the hallway.

"Listen, we need to talk about the attitude." He remains calm and collected. "I don't care what you think of me honestly-"

"See, who does that?! Seriously!" Some eyes fall on them, so she lowers her voice. "I think the type of person who does that is hiding something so dark they have to force themselves to ignore judgment. Someone who's had a lot of practice in stares when they walk down the hallway." He doesn't react to this, but he is notably tenser. "You're hiding something and I am going to protect Lori from it because she has enough going on!"

"I understand. You're being protective of your roommate and your friend. But just look at these past few months and you'll see I'm on your side," he counters as those it's logical.

"What I see is someone whom she opened up to, which is rare enough for Lori, and then decided he'd had enough and ran out- hurting her," she counters, acid in her voice.

"I made a mistake!"

"And who says you won't make it again?!"

"Alright, let's put all the cards on the table since we're obviously not getting that coffee. I'm trying for Charlie, for Lori, for Ben even to-" he almost pleads.

"Oh, don't get me started on Ben-"she interrupts.

"I'm not," he quickly cuts her off. "This is about you and me. Honestly, I don't know what you want me to do Hannah? I'm trying to work with you here. I can't give you what you really want." She looks at him confused.

He continues, still collected as ever. "Because you really want me to defect again so you can be proven right and I'm out of the picture. But I can't do that. I am here and I am in this for as long as Lori needs me. She's my friend now too."

"Friends don't abandon friends," she accuses. He loses his patience and becomes a little harsher.

"And we loop around again. Let me know when you have something that can break this eternal circle we seem to be stuck in. Because I want to get out of it, but I can't do it without your help."

"Tell me one thing about your family and I will." He doesn't waste a beat and starts walking away, clearly disappointed. "I thought so!" she shouts after him, but he ignores her. She heads out the opposite direction of the building, huffing to herself.

"Boy, that looked rough," a voice that assaults you eardrums sympathizes. Hannah looks around to spot something on the branch of a nearby tree. She looks around and sees luckily there is no one else around this side of the building at the moment. "I get it though," they continue. "I do. We've got to look out for ourselves. Friends just drag us down and trap us in lamps for all eternity."

"Iago," she says, almost disappointed to the bright red, obnoxious parrot perched on the branch. Curious, he floats down and lands on her shoulder.

"Hey, how do you know who I am?"

"I just do, okay. Now please tell me you haven't been talking to everyone who wanders past here."

"Nah. I just got bored hanging out in the trees. I thought I'd see what's shaking over here. Happened to see you through the window, thought I'd congratulate you on a job well done back there. Now I think I'll see what else this place has to offer."

"Wait! I'm here to help you get home. Just come with me and we'll-"

"Sorry, sister, but I don't really believe you." He takes off back towards the preserve.

"No! Wait! Come back! Uggh!" she cries, frustrated as he disappears from sight. She then takes off at a run back towards the dorm.

XXX

Later that day, the sun disappearing over the horizon, Ben and Michael are wandering through the preserve with their flashlights. "How hard can it be to find a bright red parrot in here?" Ben comments, becoming frustrated.

"Well, it almost sound like he doesn't want to be found according to Hannah. So, I take it with that tone you're really enjoying yourself?"

"It still feels beyond incredibly awkward. Take dinner today. Why does Lori just let Hannah get away with talking to us like that?" Ben questions harshly and seriously. Michael shrugs, unphased.

"There's not much she can-"

Ben refuses to accept that. "She's our supposed 'leader' right, since we're her Companions? Then shouldn't she act like it and take charge?"

"Her being the leader is debatable," Michael disagrees. "It's more of a team-"

"No. She's the one with the book. She's the one who has to make the calls at the end of the day. And she doesn't. She lets Hannah walk all over us. And she doesn't do anything to make me feel less like an outsider."

"Hey, you're not," Michael says kindly. Ben gives him a cold stare.

"Harms, I'm the fifth wheel. I have nothing to add to any of this that the four of you don't have covered. You're never going to need me again like you did before. That's why I never joined. But she wore me down and now… I don't feel any different. I still feel like this useless."

"Maybe by the end of the month you will."

"That's going to require her stepping up, which I'm not entirely sure she's capable of."

"I wouldn't underestimate her though, either. Especially if you want her to be your girlfriend," he adds coyly.

Ben gives him a look. "Can we hang that up? She's not my type. Maybe for a bit I thought, but obviously not."

"Well, glad you moved on. Not like you're with a fellow who can sympathize about liking a girl who most likely doesn't feel the same way back and could support you," Michael teases.

"Who do you like?" a voice says from behind them. They both jump in fear and whirl around to see Charlie. He looks down. "Sorry, but we saw your flashlights from over there and I just came over to see if you had any luck."

"We haven't found a trace so far," Michael says sheepishly, a little worried.

"How much of that did you hear?" Ben asks the question both are wondering.

"Just the part about Michael liking a girl," Charlie replies honestly. "So who is she? Do I know her?" he questions, excited.

Suddenly, a voice echoes through the preserve. "Well, someone's gone soft!" Hannah shouts. Charlie flinches.

"It looks like they're arguing again. I'd better get over there and buffer."

Michael follows him as he starts back. "We'll join you. We're what they're fighting about."

"I take it the talk today didn't go so well." Michael gives Charlie a sad shake of the head. "You tried though." They can see the two through some tree, but Ben holds them both back and grinds to a halt. "What?"

"I know that Lori," Ben says, voice a little afraid. "I've only seen her once or twice before. If Hannah has any sense of self-preservation she will shut her mouth and walk away." The two are glaring at one another, not noticing the boys hiding in some trees off to the side.

"Just turn around Hannah," Michael whispers. Hannah opens her mouth. "Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't… do it."

"You're just selfish!" Hannah shouts. The boys flinch as Lori's eyes narrow.

"She did it," Charlie whispers, terrified of her.

"Alright, that's it! Selfish?! Excuse for wanting to be inclusive and have friends!" Lori begins, clearly enraged.

"Oh my God. Take cover," Michael panics, the group ducking farther down in panic. Hannah takes a step back, but Lori doesn't let up.

"I warned you. Now, where to start? Let's start with the Doctor," she says in her iciest calm tone.

"Please don't," Michael whispers to himself.

"Okay, he walked out for a bit. But let's not forget who did the exact same thing at the beginning of the year. So now you're turning yourself into a hypocrite. And I accepted you back no strings attached, so I'm going to do the same to him. He has a right to be secretive about his family, because it is none of our business. I know I have things like that, and I imagine you do too. But yet you don't go around pestering and questions anybody's motives like his. Why aren't you asking me about my family?"

"But-"

Lori puts her finger up, clearly having the upper hand. "Not done yet. My turn still." Hannah shrinks back further. "Now Ben, the book wants him around for some reason. I don't know or get why, but apparently there's a reason." Ben sighs sadly to himself, as if he expected nothing else. "Now, I have had enough of this," Lori concludes, ending the conversation. "Why isn't Charlie back yet?"

"Wow, she's really giving it to her," a scratchy voice says from beside them.

Charlie nods. "I know." He realizes he knows the voice, and turns to see Iago perched next to him. "Iago!" he shouts, gathering the girl's attention. "I found him!" Iago flies onto Hannah's shoulder as the boys rise and sheepishly join the girls. They glance at Lori, who has quickly regained her composure.

"Can I just say, I'm on your side," Iago tells Hannah. "You have to be suspicious of everybody. The only person who looks out for you is yourself. These chumps just don't get it. But I do. We're pretty much the same, really."

This causes Hannah's eyes to widen. "I'm-I'm not like that," she says weakly, realization finally dawning. Iago nudges her.

"Come on. I recognize types like myself." Hannah is growing upset and uncomfortable. "Listen to this, I work with Jafar for years- play the part, eat the crackers, pretend to be just your average parrot. What does he do for all those years? He drags me into the lamp with him! How it that for a thank you?! Can you believe that?!"

She kicks the ground. "I-"

"You don't need to say anymore. I'm going to head out now, find somewhere warmer. But I just wanted to help you out- stick my neck out for you." He starts to fly off, everyone reaching for him desperately.

"Wait! We need to send you home!" she shouts after him, sounding desperate.

"Why would I want to go back there?!" he says in disbelief, flapping just above them. "There's the sand, the wind, the sand. It's just as easy to strike out on my own here."

"Just give me a minute… please." He reluctantly returns to her shoulder and she takes a deep breath before beginning. "My friend here has to send you back. You're going to do some pretty important things back in Agrabah. Aladdin is going to need you, and you're going to need him."

Iago looks at her sincere face a moment before bursting into uncontrollable laughter, rocking back and forth on her shoulder. "You're joking! She's joking!"

"She's not joking," Michael appeals. Iago stops laughing abruptly and looks at her.

"You don't want to be alone," she continues kindly. "It takes a lot to trust people. I know that better than anyone- almost anyone," she corrects, looking at Lori. "You kind of start to think the world are just out to screw you over, hurt people. You become cynical. But you need to give people the benefit of the doubt, otherwise how else are you going to know for sure? They could end up becoming the most important people in your life, I guess, if you really think about it. You can be stubborn, or you could take a step back and stop being a… hypocrite is the only word that comes to mind funnily enough," she laughs.

"Seriously, what good is he going to be to me?!" Iago badgers.

Hannah shakes her head. "You're just going to have to go back and find out. Trust me, it'll be worth it." She looks at Lori apologetically. "I'm sorry. I've been like him haven't I?" Lori waits a beat before nodding. "I think I got it. I hope I got it."

"I hope so too," Lori admits. Charlie hands her the book, taking her flashlight, and she opens it to find a glowing poem. Hannah smiles, almost relieved.

"You ready to go home?" she asks.

"I guess, if only to find out what you're ranting and raving about. You've striked up my curiosity." Hannah nods at Lori to go ahead.

"Arrividerci! C'est la vie! Hope all goes well! I'm looking out for WE!" Iago disappears in the usual flash of light. Lori and Charlie exchange again. "Let's get back, guys. Hopefully this time we'll at least get a day off." Charlie yawns as she starts to guide him back by the shoulders.

"Yeah. This buffering really wears you out." Lori laughs and Hannah falls in next to them. Ben and Michael follow behind out of earshot.

"So that's it?" Ben asks, almost a little sad. "We never see him again and find out what happened?"

"You got it. Now we just have to wait for us to need another lesson. It's often sooner than you think."

"Yeah. We're certainly a rag-tag group aren't we?" Ben smirks.

"You bet! And maybe now that we're all working together we'll stand a better chance."

Ben stares at Hannah for a moment. "I still don't get what you see in her," he admits.

"That's okay," Michael answers honestly. "I'm the one who has to see it."

XXX

The next morning Hannah joins the group for breakfast, everyone enjoying their meal in silence. She takes an awkward beat before clearing her throat to gain everyone's attention. They all politely look at her as she fumbles for words.

"I just… I want… I'm sorry. Last night made me think about how much of a brat I've been about his whole ordeal when the last thing we need is to start fighting one another. So I am officially done, both in my head and out loud. I am going to trust the two of you as Companions, give you the benefit of the doubt."

"Thank you," Michael offers with a smile.

"Yeah, that means a lot," Ben adds.

Hannah crosses her arms, voice colder. "I didn't say that made us sappy friends, now did I?" she says defensively. "Just because we're Companions together doesn't mean we're anything else. For the record I still don't care for either one of you as people. But I won't complain about working together. So stop being pansies and get a grip. Especially you Ben, you newbie. Don't tell you're going to be like this after every character?" Ben turns to Lori for a response, but she is ignoring the comment and eating. He sighs and starts to pick at his food, almost resigned to what has just occurred.

XXX

Tune in next week when a mysterious illness ravages the group as a villain arrives to knock them down a peg, possibly fatally