Hannah Frost hops up onto her bed and takes a spot next to Michael Harms. She holds the television remote in her hands and looks down to examine it in the dark, missing the elated expression on his face as she scoots towards him.

"I wasn't aware you were into Doctor Who," she says as she presses play. A guilty look crosses her face. "I mean, I'm sure Lori told me at some point but-"

He shrugs it off. "It's fine. What episode?"

"I'm on Family of Blood." She hands him a cup of hot chocolate from her dresser and takes one herself.

He gives her a mock serious look. "You're going to throw me in the middle of a two-parter. That's pretty merciless. Have some respect for the guest," he jokes dramatically, making her laugh. The two settle in as it begins and he stares at her shoulder for a moment before raising his arm to put it around her.

Just as he is about to, the door is thrown open and the light clicked on as Lori Fitzgerald dances into the room. "Guess who has two arms again?!" She sings. She raises both arms, the right now free of its cast, and points to herself."This girl!" She starts waving it around the air in front of her. "I can get dressed by myself! I can carry my own stuff!"

She takes off at a run and hops on the bed, moving between the two as they laugh at her antics. She puts her arms around both. "Oh, the possibilities are endless!" She drops her arms as she notices the television. "Oh, Doctor Who!" She runs back and turns off the light before joining them again. "Can I get a cup of hot chocolate too?" she inquires, noticing their drinks.

"Of course. We had one ready," Michael comments. He passes it to her from off the dresser to her outstretched right hand. However, it almost seems to get dragged down by the weight and spills all over Hannah's comforter. They all jump up.

"Oh no!" Lori panics, clearly apologetic. "I'm so sorry. I didn't- it just-"

"It's fine," Hannah assures her, gathering the comforter before it sinks through to the mattress. "It's cheap and washable. Don't worry." Lori still looks a little upset, so Michael nudges her.

"Yeah. Your arm's just really out of shape El Loco." Her mood doesn't change."Lori, it happens to everyone. You went over six weeks without using it. Maybe you could stand for a visit to my neck of the woods in the training room," he offers. She smiles at this, cheering up.

"I might just take you up on that." They climb onto her bed, her grabbing the remote. She recognizes the episode and gives Hannah a stern look. "Now, you can't start in the middle of a two-parter. Let's watch the first one!"

"See, at least she has manners." Hannah gives him a fake laugh, throwing her comforter into the laundry and climbing up to join them.

XXX

The Companions are all gather for breakfast, Hannah and Michael as well as Charlie Prescott and his step-brother Ben Prescott. Lori arrives a moment later, carrying her tray in her left arm out of habit. Michael instantly rises to help pull out her chair. She waves him off.

"Don't worry. I can pull my own chair out now." She shifts her food to her right arm and promptly drops it. "I should have seen that coming," she admits, ducking under the table to clean up the mess. Michael and Charlie are instantly helping her.

"Aren't you going to be chivalrous, Ben?" Hannah asks, coldly. He just glares at her before returning to his meal. Michael sets Lori's tray on the table and she takes her seat. "I mean it might be the only chance you stand at getting a girl." He grows more annoyed, tensing but trying to ignore her.

Hannah continues, "I mean looks-no, talent-no, good upbringing-no, compassion-no, intelligence- big no. Yeah, it might be your only shot." Ben turns his attention to Lori for help, but she is merely flexing her right arm- lost in her own little world. He gives a sound of disgust before dramatically rising and storming out. "Was it something I said?" Hannah asks coyly. Lori rises and takes off after him, crashing into him at the entrance.

"Hey, Hannah means no harm. There's no reason-"

"Yes," Ben interjects, clearly peeved. "Yes there is Lori. She is being cruel and spiteful to me. And she does it because she can get away with it!" he argues accusingly.

Lori takes a step back, confused at his tone. "Why are you saying that like it's my fault? I'm not her mother."

That's it. Ben just lets all his frustration come pouring out. "No, but you're the leader of this team. It might help if you actually buckle down and start taking this seriously. Because you don't lead!"

Lori crosses her arms, taking a split-second to smile that she can do that again, defensively. "I think I'm doing a pretty good job for-"

"Of course you'd think that! You don't see it! You let Hannah walk all over you! You pick favorites like no one's business! You rely too much on others to call shots! You do not welcome newcomers; instead you just make them feel awkward and isolated! I've been trying to overlook it, just see the positives because there are some big ones. But I just can't anymore! You literally fail at each and every point on the leader checklist and I'm getting pretty fed up with all of it!"

Lori is taken aback, and stumbles for something. "Okay, now you're being as mean as Hannah was to you."

"No, I'm just being honest. I'm sorry there's no one to defend you and coddle you. But maybe you know how it feels now." He storms out, leaving her speechless and clearly very hurt.

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 11: Two Words: Oh Kay

XXX

Lori is struggling to get her coat on, clearly still frazzled from her conversation with Ben that morning. She picks the book up from her desk, only for her right arm to drop it. She gives a mental scream of annoyance as Hannah swoops in to grab it.

"Thanks," she mutters.

Hannah pats her shoulder comfortingly. "He's wrong." Lori looks at her. "I happen to think you have been and will continue to be an excellent leader. He's just being a baby."

Lori looks suspicious. "And you're not just trying to make me feel better?"

"Of course not!" They head out the door and down the hallway. "You're smart. You're… stubborn. You have all the qualities you need. And you are a lot better than when we started. You've managed to bring us all a lot closer… in a lot of senses," she fishes for words.

Lori scoffs. "It really just sounds like you're humoring me. You lack conviction and substance."

"Fine then," Hannah concludes. "Don't believe me. But I know what I think."

Lori and Hannah walk down the stairs in silence, before Lori turns to her. "Thanks for trying anyway."

"Of course. Besides, since when should you ever listen to Ben Prescott about anything?" They exit the dorm and find Michael and a moody Ben waiting. "Alright, leader, what's the plan?" Ben rolls his eyes. Lori opens her mouth when Charlie comes sprinting up, huffing and puffing.

"I found him. I got your text when I was walking back so I thought I'd just swing by the clearing and the ladder tree. He's waiting for you. Come on!" They follow him as he takes off again.

"Who is it?" Hannah asks.

"It's someone who's here to help Lori with her arm!" he shouts back as they start through the preserve.

"Great job, buddy! You're the best." They arrive at the familiar clearing and notice Phil standing by a tree and examining the sword buried in front of it. "Phil!" Lori recognizes. He walks over to them and looks her up and down.

"Is this the girl, kid?" he questions gruffly. Charlie nods proudly. He walks around her, giving her another once-over. "This is the hero?!" he exclaims in disbelief. Ben chokes back a laugh. "I don't think there's much I can do. She seems like a lost cause. Besides, I'm retired."

"Since you succeeded with Hercules?" Hannah asks.

"Hercules? Never heard of him."

"Oh, so we're still hung up on Achilles," Charlie recalls. Hannah nods in agreement.

This sets Phil off. "Oh, that heel!" Lori picks him up and holds him at her eye level before her can continue.

"Listen, let me be honest. I can only send you home once I learn something. I'm not going to be able to make my magic work unless you help train me. I mean, watch this." She sets him down, having his full attention.

"Hand me the book." Hannah does and Lori promptly drops it. She shrugs meekly and Phil smacks his hand to his face.

"That's going to be a lot of work," he laments. "An awful lot of work."

"I'm up for it," Lori smiles. "I also run a lot, so help with that might be good. And I have a bow-and arrow! We can-"

"Let's start simple, kid." Phil contemplates for a moment. "I'm going to see what I can round up around here- scour the place. Meet me back here tomorrow afternoon and we'll get to work."

"Thank you so much! You won't regret this!"

"If it's what I have to do to get back to the nymphs," Phil concludes, looking a disgusted Hannah over. "I have a feeling people here are less understanding judging from her expression."

"You could say that," Hannah admits with a big, fake smile.

"Now ham scray. I have work to do." The group heads back, Ben walking next to Lori.

Lori looks at him, twiddling her thumbs. "I want-"

Ben is in no mood for it. "I just wanted to thank you for proving me right yet again." Her face falls. "Maybe you could have involved everyone in that and not just assume it was just for you. Maybe we could all use training of some sort."

"Do you want to come then?" she tries, trying to bury her growing irritation and anger.

"No, no. I'm good. Let's face it, you just weren't meant to be a group person. You're not used to it. But, thank you for asking for a mere Companion's opinion, o wise leader. Oh wait, you never do." He walks faster to pull away from her. Lori's expression grows even more annoyed and she sticks her tongue out at his back.

XXX

The next morning before class, Michael opens the door to the training room in the basement of the gym. Lori and Charlie follow behind him. It is a large room with many tables and cabinets, a cold tub and ice machine in one corner. Three or so athletes are lounging around and smile when they see Michael.

"Michael!" one exclaims. Michael walks up and high fives him. "Are you working today?" he asks, excited.

"No, I'm just introducing some friends and showing them around."

"Did I hear you say friends?" a higher voice exclaims. A woman in her mid-twenties sticks her head out of the office door connected to the training room. She has brunette straight hair, brown eyes, and a large smile. Her face lights up at the site of Charlie and Lori. A moment later another head pops out above her- this one about thirty with blonde hair in a ponytail, blue eyes, and a much more serious and tired expression. They emerge as Michael walk over to greet them.

"Guys, this is Sara," he introduces, gesturing to the brunette who waves. "And this is Jen," he adds, gesturing to the blonde who nods. "They are the athletic trainers here and my bosses. These are my friends Lori and Charlie."

"Lori?" Jen says curiously, recognizing the name. "This is the one with a communicated fracture from falling out of a tree?" She walks over and starts looking at her arm.

"What can I say? Huge klutz. That's me," Lori offers, a little uncomfortable by the poking and prodding.

"She might be a repeat visitor," Michael admits.

Lori grits her teeth in pain as Jen pokes her. "Fingers crossed."

"Anyway, she's suffering from not having a right arm for six weeks. I thought maybe we could lend her a hand since we're between seasons," he asks. Jen look skeptical, but Sara jumps in clapping her hands.

"Absolutely for a friend of yours! She can sign up for a time- how about when you're working so you can help her out?"

"As long as it doesn't distract from your work," Jen warns. Sara laughs.

"Jen, this is Michael. It'd probably take him less time than it would for us and we have degrees."

"I still have a lot to learn though," Michael offers humbly. "Go ahead," he tells Lori. "I'm going to chat for a minute." He heads over to the athletes as Lori enters the office and signs a slot on a posted sign-up sheet. She and Charlie go to leave, but Sara shuts the door and smiles at them. Jen returns to her crowded desk and begins working again.

"I just have to say how great it is to meet you two especially," Sarah begins, lowering her voice so Michael won't hear. "When we hired Michael we were lucky if we could drag a sentence out of him that wasn't medical jargon."

"He was very reserved, even I'll admit," Jen agrees.

"But this semester, when he met you, we can have whole conversation about his weekend. He's even started talking causally to the other athletes."

Jen nods. "It's been a complete 180. He obviously holds the two of you in very high esteem."

Lori smiles sincerely. "Thank you for all this. I'll try not to disappoint."

Jen turns back to her typing. "Like I said, as long as it doesn't interfere with his work." Sara opens the door to the office and they exit, but Charlie stops in front of her.

"Can I come too?" he asks.

"Sure," Sara instantly agrees. "Maybe we can even show you a thing or two. We'll need two new student workers next year."

Jen sighs, as if she needs another thing to think about. "Don't even remind me." Michael walks back over and the three head out.

"Catch you later Michael!" the athlete he was talking to shouts at him.

"Absolutely!" Michael concurs. He turns to Lori and Charlie. "It's a great place, isn't it? Jen can be pretty guarded, but they're both really funny and amazing."

Lori observes him for a moment before speaking up. "This job means a lot to you."

"Yeah," he admits as they exit the gym. "It does."

XXX

Hannah and Michael are sitting in the lounge that afternoon evaluating each other's Western Civilization research papers drafts, due tomorrow. Michael is writing comment while Hannah is mercilessly hacking and slashing her way through with red pen. They both finish and hand the papers back.

Michael is in awe. "I just learned so much about the Blitz that I never even considered. The in depth examination of Churchill is almost… legit."

"Legit?" she questions.

"As in worthy of actual publication,' he explains, blushing a bit. She doesn't notice as she examines her paper again.

"You flatter me. Yours isn't so bad either. Just a lot of grammar mistakes, but you said you were expecting those."

"That's why I needed you. I just never seem to catch them on my own. I'm used to Science Shorthand." They sit in silence for a beat. "So what'd Ben say that has Lori so upset?" he asks.

"You can tell?" she asks honestly. He nods.

"I've become pretty good at reading her, I'd say." Hannah takes a moment before speaking up.

"He said that she's an awful leader." Michael thinks on this for a moment.

"Well, I really wouldn't consider her a leader at all honestly," he admits. Hannah gives him a sharp look.

"Now why would you say something like that?!" She catches her tone and is instantly apologetic. "Sorry, that was defensive."

"That's fine. I honestly see us more as one big group that helps one another. She doesn't really stand out or take charge, you know. It probably doesn't help that we've had to carry her things around and such for the past month. She isn't a commanding presence. She hides and cowers as much as we do. Most times she doesn't even come up with the ideas! Do you get what I'm saying?"

Hannah thinks on all this. "I do, and I'm starting to see your point unfortunately. Just don't tell her that."

"Hiding things to coddle her? Worried she can't handle it? Yet another sign maybe." Hannah nods, lost in thought.

XXX

Over in the preserve, Lori lets out a cry and falls on her face into the grass. "No. No. No. How do you expect me to train you when you can't even finish a simple obstacle course?!" Phil shouts from the side-lines. Around the clearing is a shoddy obstacle course of things from around the clearing- a mud pit, some hurdle, a flag in a tree, and the library ladder on the ground which Lori has just tripped while running through. Charlie sits under a nearby tree doing his homework.

"I'm trying," Lori says weakly as she pulls herself to her feet and goes back to the beginning. She is sweaty, dirty, and exhausted.

"Obviously not enough," Phil patronizes. She tries and makes it through the ladder. "Alright, find a rhythm. Climb the tree." She attempts to scale the tree to reach the flag but her arm gives out. She hits the ground, and pounds her fist on the trunk, clearly frustrated.

"That's not going to do it. Push harder!" Lori tries and fails again. "Come on. Put your back into it. I have yet to see one thing that even places you around the category of hero. I look at you and I see nothing special." Lori falls a third time. "I see-"

Lori has had enough of the pushing. "Shut up!" she snaps. "Shut up! I can't, okay! I just can't!" She slides down the tree, exhausted and frustrated and a little insecure.

Phil continues pushing. "Oh, I don't even have a breath to waste on quitters. It looks like I'll have to move in since I'm never going home."

"I'm not a quitter!" she shouts at him, rising so she towers over him.

"Really? Then what are you doing? 'Cause it looks like you're wasting my time!" Lori is fed up and attempts to pull the sword out of the ground next to her but fails.

"Wh-what?" she asks baffled, trying again but with no success.

Phil nods knowingly. "Just like I thought. And you tried to tell me it was your sword."

"But-but it is. Why can't-"

"Read the hilt." She notices writing on the grip for the first time spiraling around it.

She begins to read. "'Only the one worthy of this sword shall be able to wield it' That makes no sense. Just half a week ago I…" she stumbles, broken.

"Forget it. Let's try the course again. Come on, to the start." He turns to see Lori taking off through the trees back towards campus. He sighs sadly. "Just like I expected… doesn't ever get any easier though." Charlie appears next to him.

"Let me talk to her." He runs after her. Phil examines the sword and sighs.

"This is why I retired- can't help but be disappointed."

XXX

Hannah opens the door and finds Charlie. "What happened?" she questions, leading him inside. Lori is perched on her desk, knees curled up into her chest and rocking slightly. She is just staring off into the room, though clearly not really there. "She's doing this weird thing. I've only seen it once or twice when she's really upset," Hannah explains.

"Don't worry about it. Just… can you give us some space? I've got this."

"Are you sure?" He nods confidently and she gathers her computer. "I'll be in the lounge then. Holler if you need me." She exits and Charlie takes a moment to just observe her.

"What're you doing?" he asks, kind and merely curious. She doesn't look at him but clearly registers the question.

"It's just this stupid thing I've done since I was little. You'll just laugh."

"I promise I won't. I'd never laugh."

She takes a moment before sighing, opening up. "One time we were at the beach and I got all worked up- I can't even remember what it was. So I went out to the pier outside our cottage, looked out, and just thought it through. So now it's just kind of what I do. I just… I pretend I'm on a pier and looking off into the sunset. I can see the water on the horizon, the colors. It just… I don't know why but it makes me feel better. And this is the only spot in here I can really… 'visit the pier' from." She glances at Charlie. "Like I said, completely stupid," she dismisses.

He shakes his head. "Not at all." He climbs on the desk and sits next to her. "I think it looks pretty beautiful." She gives him a smile.

"You don't have to humor me."

"No, I can see it," he assures her. "There's just a sliver of sun left, making the water look almost silver. And the sky is just purples, pinks, and oranges. It's very soothing. Now, are we allowed to talk while we're here?"

"I don't know. I've never been here with anyone. I'm not positive on the rules from here," she admits. They sit in silence for a beat. "Am I a bad leader?" she squeaks, finally letting her confusion and hurt show through.

"So that's what this is really about." Lori nods and he takes a minute before carefully answering. "If I can be honest, I don't think you're a leader yet. You have moments of it, but you're not fully there. That's why you could use the sword against Mim; you were saving us and taking a stand. But now… now you need a fourteen year old to tell you if you're a good leader."

"I never expected this. I'm not quite sure I want it."

"I know," he soothes. "But I have every faith in you. You're going to become the person Merlin talked about. I can't promise it'll be soon… or easy even. But I can promise you will get there. And you know what's really good about being a leader?"

"What?"

He bumps her shoulder. "You're not alone, because you have people to lead. We're here for you too. Even if you have a weakness or a doubt, you have us. We make up for each other's shortcomings." They sit for a moment, staring off into the distance. "I think the sun's vanished now."

Lori nods in agreement. "Yeah. It's time to go." They both rise.

"Will I ever be invited back?" he inquires.

"Anytime either of us wants we'll go together." She takes a moment to compose and put herself back together, putting on a determined face. "Let's go take down that obstacle course. Text the others. We need everyone on this one."

Charlie smiles, happy to have her back. "Aye aye!" He pulls out his phone and starts texting.

XXX

Lori arrives back at clearing with all her Companions following her. Phil walks up to her. "I was hoping you'd come back. Doubting it," he admits, "but hey I've been wrong before. Ready to try again?"

"One thing," she conditions. "You said I have to finish the obstacle course. You never said I have to finish it alone. My Companions are going to help me."

"That's kind of cheating," Michael admits.

"No. No," Phil interjects. "Let's see what she has in mind. I'm curious."

He backs off and Lori huddles the group together. "Alright, follow behind me. We stick together. We finish together. Got it?"She ends with confidence. Everyone nods. "Alright then." They line up at the starting line.

Phil throws a flag up. "Go!" The group takes off, leaping the hurdles one by one. They reach the mud and start crawling through, Lori constantly looking back.

"Hannah, help Charlie," Lori orders. Hannah helps pulls Charlie along behind her. They all emerge and roll a sideways log. "Push!" They push is across the clearing. They reach the ladder and start through it, Michael stopping her from falling over. "Thanks."

They reach the tree. "Somebody give me their shoulders." Ben sighs as everyone looks at him and kneels down, allowing Lori to get her muddy footprints on his shoulder. As he rises she manages to reach up and grab the flag. "We did it! We did it!" she cries triumphant. She falls down laughing. Charlie and soon Michael and Hannah join her. "We did it! How was that Phil?"

Phil gives a thumbs-up. "That was what I have been looking for."

Lori rises, humbled. "I know I still have a long way to go, an incredibly long way. But I figure this," she pulls the sword from the ground and tosses it at his feet, "might be a solid starting line. Two words: going the distance."

"But that was three words," Phil counts, confused. Charlie laughs.

Lori smiles. "If you say two words before it, doesn't matter. It sounds cooler and more official."

"I might have to try that," Phil contemplates. Lori grabs the book from Charlie and opens it to a glowing poem. "Well, it looks like I've done my job."

"I won't let you down," Lori promises. "Can you promise me one thing though?"

"What?"

"Don't give up. The person you're looking for, he's coming. Just don't give up yet."

Phil looks skeptical. "How am I going to know?"

"Ah, it'll hit you," Lori offers as she goes to read the poem.

"Wait!" Charlie interjects. "Phil I have a favor too."

"Shoot."

"If when you meet this person Lori's cryptically referring to mentions us, please tell him I miss him. And that I'm doing better," he says, beating around the bush.

Phil doesn't know what to make of that. "Weird request… but alright. I will. Anything else? Don't brush my teeth on Tuesdays, open a sandal store, don't eat pears?"

Lori contemplates but shakes her head. "I think we covered it."

"Two words then: have a good life." Lori gives a thumbs-up.

"Now you got it! I'm not your one last hope And, Phil, it's up to you "He vanishes in a burst of light and Lori picks up the sword, admiring the words.

"Where are we going to put that?" Hannah asks.

Lori shrugs. "I figured we rebury it, just in case. You never know when we might need it again."

XXX

Hannah and Michael are watching Doctor Who together when there's a knock on the door. "It's open, Charlie," she shouts. A girl with dark eyes and long black hair walks in apologetically. "Sorry, I thought you were our frequent flier."

The girl clears her throat as Hannah pauses the television. "I'm sorry to bother you and your…"

"Friend. Michael," Hannah answers, hopping off the bed.

The girl nods. "But the girl downstairs is in the hospital again, so we thought we'd make a card to send to her. Would you sign it?"

"Absolutely." She grabs a pen and starts writing a note. "Is this the only time this year?"

"So far."

"What's she have?" Michael asks.

"A mental condition. Schizophrenia I believe." The girl admits.

"I've never met her personally," Hannah also admits. She hands the card back with a lengthy message and her signature.

Michael looks confused. "But you sign the card?"

"Just because I don't know her doesn't mean I can't feel for her. I'll walk you out, Missy." Michael watches her go, amazed by her compassion and kindness.

"I love you," he whispers to himself. He realizes what he just said and his eyes widen comedically.

XXX

Ben opens his door to find Lori staring at her watch. He goes to speak but she holds up her finger.

"And… there." She looks up at him. "You month is up. But more pressingly, I owe you a huge apology. You were right on all counts. I am not a good leader."

Ben shakes his head. "No, I was being harsh. I'm the one who's sorry."

"Ben. You were honest with me. And that is a quality any leader needs if they're going to get better. I honestly hope you decide to stay on and if you do I hope I can always expect that type of brutal honesty from you." Ben admires her for a minute.

"I promise and I'm in." He shakes her hand. "This is honesty too. Sometimes you never cease to amaze me with how you deal with things."

She shrugs. "I try my best. I'm trying my best. And don't listen to Hannah. You may not have chivalry, but you have honesty. I personally find that very attractive, but that's just me. See you for breakfast tomorrow?"

"Yeah." He watches her walk away with a smirk. "Always manages to reel you right back in, you sucker." Once she's down the hallway, he shakes his head and closes the door.

XXX

Tune in next week as Spring Break looms and plans for the future are forced to take shape in unexpected and perhaps unwanted ways