Lori Fitzgerald is clearly very bored. She has her back against the wall and is stretching an elastic band with both hands, bringing it back after a moment and then repeating. She is dressed down in clearly borrowed sleeveless shirt and running shorts from her roommate, though she still retains her usual sneakers.

The training room is relatively empty outside of two athletes in the cold tub. Michael Harms is standing at the counter folding laundry, constantly glancing over at her to measure her progress. Charlie Prescott is over by the table enthusiastically practicing taping technique on Sara, one of the athletic trainers.

Lori stops and looks at Michael. "This is boring. Can I do something else yet?"

He gives her a stern look. "Lori, that's what you've said about the last four exercises. Just do your repetitions and then you can move on."

"But I don't really feel like this is helping me," she whines. He just stares at her for a moment before she backs down. "Alright. Alright. You supposedly know best."

Charlie finishes closing off the ankle tape job and looks up at Sara. "How about that one?"

She flexes her foot, smiling widely. "These are getting much better. I would almost let you tape an athlete with this."

He beams with pride. "Can I do one more?" She nods, switching feet and he gets started. "So what're you doing over Spring Break, Charlie?" she asks kindly.

He sighs. "I'll be waiting for school to start again. But I haven't really been thinking about it. We have to meet with our counselors about our schedules next year," he explains to answer her quizzical looks.

"We've been trying to coordinate," Michael joins in. "Lori's been dreading it."

Lori grimaces as she snaps the band on her hand. "I'm just going to go in there and find out I have to take Organic Chemistry which might end up physically killing me. Okay, now what?"

"You do it again," Michael answers. "I said two sets." Lori groans and starts the exercise, but her phone goes off. She grabs it and checks her new messages. "No phones while you're doing rehab," he lectures her.

"Sorry, it's Hannah." Her looks conveys what it is and he nods in understanding. "It looks like we have a visitor when we get back to the room."

XXX

Lori and Charlie enter the room, her obviously pretty worn out, and find Lori's roommate Hannah Frost sitting at her desk on her laptop. Next to her is a porcelain figure of Bo Peep. "One minute the book goes off. The next she's on your desk," she explains. "Scared me out of my wits."

"It's Bo Peep!" Charlie exclaims, running over and picking her up.

"Careful!" Hannah shouts, grabbing her back and setting her on the desk. "You could break her. It took me a while to even get her to move. She was just sticking to pretending she was a lamp." Charlie looks sad, so she gives him a pat on the back to cheer him up.

Bo Peep turns to Lori. "But she said that you'd be able to send me home. I need to get back to Kristin. She can't sleep at night without my light on." Everyone looks baffled by this.

"Who's Kristin?" Lori vocalizes their question. "You're Molly's toy. Andy plays with you all the time."

Bo Peep briefly looks sad before regaining her composure. "Molly's mom sold me in a yard sale more than three years ago. I live with Kristin now," she explains calmly. The group takes this in for a moment before she continues. "And I really need to get back to her before bedtime. Please help me."

Lori nods. "Of course. It might take a bit though. We have some things to figure out apparently."

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 12: Has Everybody Picked a Moving Buddy?

XXX

The next afternoon, Ben Prescott straightens his tie as he takes a seat in a small office. He places a sheet of paper from a folder he's carrying on the table between himself and the counselor across from him. "I've pretty much mapped it all out. Just check it over, unlock registration, and then I can get out of your hair."

The counselor looks the paper over. "You're a business student correct?" he asks in a dull monotone.

Ben nods. "Yeah, I committed at the end of sophomore year."

"Has anyone told you about the changes to the program?"

This takes a prepared Ben off-guard. "Excuse me?"

XXX

Charlie sits in a similar situation in a larger office. An older woman looks at him over her glasses while skimming through his file. He takes a deep breath and smiles. "So since Professor Moore is on maternity leave, I will be clearing you for registration," she explains.

He nods, pulling out a piece of paper from a similar folder. "That sounds fine. I pretty much have everything figured out, but I'm more than open to suggestions." She regards it, clearly surprised.

"This is quite a loaded schedule," she notes grimly.

"It's less credits than I'm doing this semester and I'm pulling A's in all of those," he explains. She regards him a moment before flipping pages and looking at his file.

"So you are. Have you considered the Fast Track program?" she inquires, clearly having an idea.

"I've never heard of it," he answers warily. She gets up, grabs a pamphlet from the desk and hands it to him.

XXX

Lori and her Companions all sit at dinner. Ben and Charlie both look upset and are merely picking at their food. Hannah tries to lead the conversation, constantly looking over at the two concerned. Lori and Michael do the same.

"So I just need to harness a little more fire-power and I think I break the restrictions on the program," Hannah concludes.

Michael laughs. "Hannah, the project is to make English fun for elementary students."

She points her fork at him, passionate. "And my whole basis is doing that while furthering their knowledge with technology. They go hand in hand these days. So I just need to access something bigger."

Lori nods. "Well, good luck with that." She warily looks at the other two. "How about you guys? How was your day?" They're both silent.

"I think I'm done," Ben finally announces.

"Me too," Charlie agrees. They both rise and head to put their dishes away before exiting. The remaining three takes this in for a second before Michael elbows Lori.

"You take Charlie, I take Ben."

"Deal," she agrees instantly. They both rise and hastily go to follow them. Hannah watches them go, throwing her hands up.

"Hey! You're just going to leave me here by myself!"

"Sorry!" Lori shouts back.

Hannah crosses her arms, grumbling to herself. She then notices a flier for the library on the wall next to her and smiles, inspiration having struck. "That might just be the boost I need." She gets up excited and practically sprints out of the cafeteria.

XXX

Michael rushes and catches up to Ben as he sulks towards the dorms. "Prescott, what's up?" No answer or acknowledgement. "Hey, you know you can talk to me?" Still nothing. "Alright, I get it. I won't pry, but just know-"

"I have another two years," Ben cuts in. Michael nods but is still lost.

"Okay, you're going to have to be more specific. Of what?"

The two halt as Ben faces Michael, frustration pouring out. "Of here. They changed the program and now to get all the classes I need it's going to take me another two years."

"Hey, so what? That means you'll be around when we graduate," Michael encourages, obviously not that upset by this revelation.

"It's not necessarily the classes, though I'm not looking forward to those," Ben starts, venting. "I don't… I'm paying for this myself. I refused to get any help from my step-father. He respected the choice. But six years of school… I never planned for that. I don't know how I'm going to do it- if I can do it. I might have to leave. I might not graduate. Or I can end up in debt for the rest of my life. My options aren't looking so hot."

They start walking again. "Well, if anyone can figure out a way to make it work, it's you. Just… take a breath. Think of some options. Get a job on campus. Take out some loans. Maybe go to your step-father is there is no other option." Michael puts a hand on his shoulder. "It's going to be alright," he promises soothingly.

"That doesn't make my mind any clearer though," Ben sighs.

XXX

Lori enters the freshman boy's lounge and finds Charlie curled up on the couch. She takes a seat next to him and gives it a moment before speaking, voice laced with calm and concern. "Do you want to go to the pier?" He shakes his head.

"They want to fast track me," he begins. "I'll take all these fancy tests at the end of this year and skip a lot of my classes. "

"Well, what's the matter with that? You might even get to skip Organic Chemistry!" Lori declared, trying to brighten his mood. He frowns even deeper.

"They think they can have me out by the end of next year."

Lori catches on and frowns, but quickly buries her own emotions. "Oh… And how do we feel about that?"

He shrugs. "I'm used to it, you know. I've always been pushed along at the breakneck pace and I've been fine. There wasn't anything keeping me in grade school, middle school, especially not high school. But here… Lori I'll miss out on two years with you," he says, getting to the real heart of the matter. "I don't know if I want that."

Lori tries to remain objective. "What does it mean if you don't do it?"

"It means for the first time in my life I hold myself back. I'm not sure I can do that either, especially telling my dad I passed by an opportunity like that."

"And what about financially? Two years is a lot of money to save."

"Ah, I'm full ride for all four. So that part doesn't matter." She can see he is clearly to odds, so she gently and awkwardly puts her hand on his shoulder, giving a comforting smile.

"I'm not going to tell you what to do. I'm not even going to say what I want you to do. It's your choice. But I promise from the bottom of my cold heart I will support you either way."

He gives her a genuine smile. "Thanks. And your heart's far from cold."

XXX

Hannah is sitting in her room on her bed typing on her laptop, purpose clearly in mind. "Alright, and now we access the computer. And now…"

The screen starts glitching and she panics. "Shoot! What did I do wrong?" The screen starts to display files of hers being opened and copied. She types frantically but nothing is happening. "Hey! Hey! No library computer could get past my firewall. What's going-"

The screen goes black and she freezes, recognizing the situation. "Is it…?" White type appears across the screen.

'Do you still have the book?'

"It's you," she breathes. She pulls out her phone and starts texting madly, depositing her laptop on her desk and grabbing Lori's, opening programs. Lori and Charlie enter a minute later.

"What's- why do you have my computer?" Lori questions darkly. Ben and Michael come running in, everyone waiting for Hannah to explain.

"So I decided to get my needed power I could tap into a computer in the library so I could run my stuff," she explains quickly, typing madly. "Temporary in, do the project, pull out."

Ben gives her a look. "Really Hannah?"

"Don't judge me," she snaps at him. "I was using my resources! Anyway, I must have activated whatever was lurking in there. It's back." She gestures to her desk and Lori looks at her screen. Her jaw promptly drops. "That one's locked so I'm trying to hack it and find out where it's coming from with yours."

"What is it?" Michael asks as Lori sits in Hannah's chair.

"Something or someone that knows about us. What do you need me to do?" she asks Hannah, ready to take orders on this one.

"You need to keep it online," she responds. "It got through my firewalls Lori. This thing is going to take me a while to peg down. Keep it running."

Everyone but Hannah gathers around and she types 'Yes' and waits.

'Am I speaking to Lori Fitzgerald or Hannah Frost?' Everyone takes in a shocked breath, Lori clearly unnerved.

"Okay, that's beyond creepy," Michael vocalizes. "How-"

"It has access to Hannah's files," Lori deduces. "Anything she's put on here it knows."

She types 'It depends on who's asking'

'So we're going to play like this' Lori smirks.

'Let the chess game begin' As if on cue a chess game appears on the screen.

"What?"

'I win, you answer all my questions. You win; I answer all of yours'

Lori smiles and gets comfortable. "I think I may have found a way to distract it. Charlie, I'm going to need you. I have never played chess in my life." He pulls up a chair next to her.

"Right here."

She types 'Deal'. A move is then made on the chessboard and the game begins.

XXX

Michael is sitting with Hannah on her bed as she types and navigates menus and options at an intense pace, face blank in concentration. Charlie and Lori are at her desk still locked in their virtual game of chess. Ben just leans against Lori's desk with Bo Peep next to him, bored.

Lori groans and runs her hand through her hair. "It got another one. I've never actually played chess before, but this is what I think losing looks like."

"Yeah," Charlie admits to her. "This is what it looks like. How's it going over there?"

Hannah sighs. "I'm making decent progress I suppose."

Michael shrugs. "I have no idea what she's doing or how she does it so fast. How about you FG?" Lori naturally doesn't respond and he turns his attention back to Hannah.

Ben straightens something on the desk before speaking up. "Do I need to be here? I feel like I'm no help on any front."

Bo Peep pulls his sleeve. "Well, maybe you can help me get home. I'm looking for Kristin. She's a real sweetheart," she coos.

"Do you miss Woody or any of the others even?" Ben asks harshly. "It seems all you talk about is this Kristin." She quiets herself, unsure of how to respond. Lori glances back to glare at him.

"Ben! We are nice to the magical characters that have come to teach us life lessons." She makes a move on the screen and takes a pawn. "Ha! Suck on that!"

Charlie beams. "I think you're starting to get this." Ben again takes the four of them and sighs to himself, having lost all of their attention again.

"And to think I have two more years of this to look forward to." This catches everyone's attention and they look over at him.

"What was that?" Lori questions.

"What did you just say?" Hannah adds.

Ben lets the cat out of the bag, crossing his arms. "I found out I'm going to have to take two more years worth of classes to meet the new requirements for a business degree."

"And this is what you were upset about at dinner?" Hannah asks, confused.

Lori agrees. "Yeah, it's not that much of a big deal. Then you get to stick around."

"He's more worried about the financial aspect," Michael brings into the conversation. The others nod, now understanding.

"Oh, you could get a job on campus," Hannah genuinely offers. "I just saw on Facebook that the Security Department needs someone. You're pretty trustworthy and it could help to have a man on the inside."

Ben gives her a look. "Even you'd help me stay here?" he asks, disbelieving.

"Like I said, it could make you an asset," she admits, her voice betraying a little bit of hurt at the question. Ben catches this and instantly softens. "I think they're starting to pick up on me hacking into their files all the time. And maybe it wouldn't be so bad to be stuck with you," she finally admits.

This gets Ben to smile. "Thanks Hannah. I'll look into that as soon as I get back." He looks at the group for a moment before nodding to himself. "Maybe it won't be so bad after all." He looks at Bo Peep, who has remained silence since his last question. "Would you have stayed with Andy if you had the chance?"

Her eyes narrow. "What kind of question is that?!" she asks angrily.

Ben takes a step back having not expected that kind of answer. "Oh, so you do miss them then?"

"Of course I do!" she lectures. "But there's nothing I can do, nothing I could change! And I don't think I would if I could," she admits, softening.

"I just… when I start to dwell on it I just try to remember the times I had," she says nostalgically. "How wonderful it was. Things and people happen for a reason. Enjoy the time you have. You don't know when it's going to end. So I cherish those moments, just like I cherish them now for when I have another family. You learn as a toy- that's how it always works." Everyone sits in silence taking that statement in. Charlie is tearing up and wipes his nose.

"I want to stay the extra two years!" he shouts suddenly, gaining everyone's attention. He wipes his eyes before the tears fall. "I don't want to leave yet. I want this. I finally found what I've been looking for my entire life. I'm going to cherish these moments and get as many of them as I can. I'm not going to take the tests. I'm staying with my friends. I'll explain it to my dad. He has to get it. He has to."

Hannah voices the other's confusion. "Did I miss something? What's going on?"

"Charlie could've graduated two years early," Lori explains. "For the record, I would've supported you either way but I'm really happy you picked the option I wanted. I'd be lost without you," she admits to him with a wide smile.

"I'm sure you'd have been fine."

"I doubt that," Michael cuts in. "I for one am I also pretty ecstatic that nothing if going to break up Lori and her Companions anytime soon. If any of us left it'd be like a missing piece of the puzzle."

"In fact, I'd probably be dead by now like three times over," Lori casually admits. "Wait… four. Yeah, four times over."

This makes Hannah think of something else that needs to be discussed. "Speaking of that, what are we doing for Spring Break? Last time we left the book and had a villain prowling around when we got back."

"But if she takes it and we're not around. Can she handle it all by herself?" Michael responds with the other side of the argument.

"It's a chance I'm just going to have to take," Lori dismisses. She examines the board and frowns. "Charlie, I don't think I have any moves yet. How're we looking?" she asks Hannah.

"I'm still working. Keep stalling."

Charlie examines the board before pointing wildly. "Wait! You can checkmate! Just move that there!"

Lori notices it and high-fives him. "Like I said, lost without you." She makes the move and wins the game. "Now, who's up for getting some questions answered while we wait?"

"I do!" everyone responds in unison, Michael and Ben moving in behind the two of them to observe.

The white font appears 'What do you want to know?'

Lori rubs her hands together. "Oh, where to begin?"

"Almost got it!" Hannah calls. "Just have to clear this one last hurdle!"

Lori doesn't even notice. "Let's start simple."

She types 'Who are you?'

'I'm here to protect you.'

'From who?'

'What you're going up against. DIZ has planned for this and will guide you along.'

Charlie's face lights up in recognition. "DIZ. Merlin mentioned them."

He leans over and types 'Tell us about DIZ'

Hannah prepares to hit the last key dramatically. "And… "The screen suddenly goes red on laptop in front of Lori and Charlie. Their eyes widen and she starts to panic.

"What's happening?!"

White words briefly pop up. 'The password is where he promised to meet you' The screen then abruptly goes back to red with SECURITY COMPROMISED flashing big and bold upon it. Lori starts hitting keys furiously and the others just look on baffled.

Hannah has missed all this and throws her arms up in triumph as files appear on Lori's laptop in her lap. "I did it. I'm-"Suddenly the laptop explodes, causing everyone to duck and Hannah to scream in surprise. After a moment, she opens her eyes to see the screen is cracked and the device is both smoking and nonfunctional. "No way. No. No," she voices her disbelief, frantically hitting keys as if to magically fix everything.

The computer by the rest of the group simply returns to the typical screen. Lori wastes no time in hopping onto the bed and staring at her broken laptop in absolute horror.

"My laptop!" She grabs it from her and cradles it to her chest. "What just happened?!" Hannah's face goes blank with realization.

"It beat me," she says in a monotone. "It beat me again. It knew I got in so it took care of the problem."

Ben claps his hands together. "Well, that was a great way to spend a Friday night," he says sarcastically.

"My laptop!" Lori cries again, still in shock.

"I'm just glad it was yours," Hannah admits. Lori gives her a petrifying glare, but she just shrugs it off. "Hey, I custom built mine from scratch. Everything is exactly the way I want it. It took me three years."

Lori examines the broken thing. "What-what am I going to tell my parents?!"

"Well, this time you can actually blame Hannah," Michael jokes. This even gets Lori to chuckle a little.

"Please tell me we got something out of all this though from your conversation," Hannah practically begs.

Charlie holds up a piece of paper. "Well… I managed to write the last thing down. 'The password is where he promised to meet you'. Lori, do you know what it means?"

She shakes her head. "I have no idea. I really don't. Okay, let's all put our head on straight,' she begins, calming down. "First, let's send her home. I think our little group therapy session today got done what we needed to." Everyone nods in agreement and she opens the book to the glowing poem. "I believe it's our destiny You've got a friend in me"

Bo Peep curtsies. "Thank you." She vanishes in a burst of light.

Lori closes the book, still grasping everything that has just occurred. "Now, tomorrow we need to find the computer you hacked into. This needs to end."

"Oh, you can bet on it. It beat me twice," Hannah says with determination and anger. "It's going down. I will have my revenge and avenge your laptop Lori. Oh, you bet I will."

Ben just puts his head in his hands. "Well, on that dark note I think I'll be heading home. Good night everyone!"

XXX

Hannah and Lori enter the library first thing Saturday morning to find the first computer they used the first time out of order. They both frown.

"It took out this one too." Lori nods in agreement.

"How long do you think we'll have to wait?"

Hannah thinks for a moment before finally offering up the bad news. "They won't have the budget to fix that until next semester- maybe even longer." Lori looks frustrated as the two head out. "In the meantime, we need to work on that password and strengthen our defenses for the final battle."

"You realize you don't sound scary or threatening when you do that."

"Well, I'm going for dramatic. But I am pissed it managed to beat me. And it won't happen again," she assures her roommate.

XXX

A week later, Lori walks with Charlie to the parking lot where Ben had pulled the car up to the curb. "But it's a whole week!" he exclaims sadly.

"I know. A break will be good for all of us though." He nods in agreement before looking up at her.

"I'm going to miss you."

Lori decides to take the light-hearted approach. "Nah. You'll forget about me real quick."

"Never!" he says in horror. She laughs and ruffles his hair.

"I will call you, alright? I promise. Stay out of trouble and have fun relaxing. No homework."

"I promise. I won't touch a single schoolbook." Ben emerges and puts his suitcase in the trunk and Charlie's as well.

Lori leans up against the car next to him. "So I heard someone got a job."

He smiles at her. "Yeah. They were nervous at first with my criminal record, but I managed to persuade them I had turned my life around." He holds up a large keychain, loaded with at least two dozen various keys of many shapes and sizes. "And it came with some benefits. Anywhere on campus."

Lori can't help but beam at him in pride. "Great. We'll work around you schedule though. I know how important this is to you."

Ben looks at her, baffled by this statement. But then he smiles at her compassion, putting the keys away. "Thanks. I appreciate that. Alright, let's get going," he tells his step-brother. "Mom's going to be expecting us with her famous lasagna."

Charlie nods. "I'm drooling already. Bye Lori."

"Bye buddy," she says with a wave. They climb in and drive off. She looks after them sadly for a minute before she abruptly shakes her head clear. "Get a grip. It's only a week. If you're this much of a wreck now, I'd hate to see you if her did leave two years early."

XXX

Lori packs the last of her things into her suitcase on her bed. Hannah has already left and her parents will be here any minute. She goes to the filing cabinet and pulls out the book. She holds it above her suitcase for a moment, debating to herself. Finally she sets it in there and zips the suitcase up.

XXX

Tune in next week as Hannah's favorite day of the year rolls around once the group returns and the chaos is swift and imminent with no signs of mercy