A piece of art takes up about half the room on the upper floor of the art center. The canvas is covered in abstract brush strokes of all colors. Someone spreads a roller in a corner with blue paint before climbing a ladder to observe her entire piece. She is very tiny with baggy grey sweatpants, black sweatshirt, and slippers. Her blonde hair covers one of her dark blue eyes and rounds out around the middle of her back.

She shrugs in satisfaction at the piece, pleased but not ecstatic. She climbs down and grabs a small brush to sign her name when the door is thrown open. A figure with short brunette hair and sneaker rushes across the room, stepping on her painter's palette and leaving a multi-colored footprint clearly on display in an empty part of the campus.

"Hey!" she bellows as the figure runs out the other door without a glance. "Oh no you don't." She drops the brush and takes off after her, though at a much slower pace. She follows her down the stairs and towards the front door only to crash into a younger boy going the same way. "Out of my way! I'm trailing an art saboteur," she dismisses, running out the doors.

"Sorry!" the boy apologizes, following her out. They both see the brunette art saboteur shouting towards the roof of the building- the boy instantly heading to her side.

"It's going to be alright! I will catch you!" she shouts as the artist heads for her.

"You have some nerve!"

"Can you just give us a minute?" the boy asks politely.

"Buzz off kid. I have spent months on that painting and in one step you have completely ruined everything!"

The girl barely looks at her, eyes still peeled on the building. "In the middle of something. Charlie, can you take care of this?" The boy, Charlie Prescott, gently guides Kaity- who is about his size- out of her face.

This doesn't stop her from shouting. "How would you like it if I sabotaged something of yours?!" She notices a book next to the girl and snatches it up. "How about if I ripped a page out of this?!"

Charlie puts his hands up, desperately trying to calm her. "You're really angry. Sorry about all this. Trust me, she's sorry too. Please just give that back." Suddenly, a girl falls onto the one shouting up and they both hit the ground. "Lori!" He runs over to Lori Fitzgerald and helps up the girl in a billowing yellow dress and hat who is on top of her before also helping up his best friend.

"Thank you," the girl says with a clear proper British accent. Kaity sighs completely frustrated at being ignored. She throws open the book and goes to rip out the first page when she notices a poem. She reads it quickly before looking at the girl who fell and then the title of the book.

Her eyes widen comedically as she puts things together. "No way. No way!" The girl in the dress, Jane the artist is realizing, dusts herself off as Lori grimaces and moves her arm.

"Now, I believe I know who the three of you are from stories," Jane begins with a smile.

Lori looks confused, stopping midway of cracking her back. "Three of us?" She then truly notices Kaity and sees she's holding the book. "Charlie, why does she have that?" she asks, voice getting higher.

"Charlie Prescott," Jane deduces with a smile.

Charlie is equally panicking. "She grabbed it before I could do anything!"

Lori walks up to the girl, mind still reeling. "Did you read the poem inside? Did you read it?!"

"Lori Fitzgerald," Jane continues, too excited to notice the commotion.

"This can't be happening," the girl finally whispers, dropping the book.

Lori grasps her by her shoulders. "Just… did you read it?" she asks kindly. "Could you read it?" She finally nods and Lori takes a step back, wind knocked out of her.

Jane finishes with a flourish. "And of course Kaity Klingbeil- an artist like myself I understand."

The girl, Kaity, is officially panicking now at this. "What is going on?! Just… tell me!" she begs.

"She's a Companion," Charlie finally voices aloud in shock as they both stare at her.

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 Five: No Respect for Personal Boundaries

XXX

About a half hour later, Lori and Charlie sit in the school café with Kaity and Jane. Charlie and Lori have finishes their pint of ice cream, Kaity hasn't even started her, and Jane regards her cautiously.

Charlie gives his spoon a final lick, a big kind smile on his face. "And that's pretty much what we do. It can be exhausting and frustrating but we've learned a lot of things about ourselves and each other. It's how I finally got a best friend." Lori gives him a smile as Kaity observes.

Jane finally takes a taste of her ice cream, giving a nod of approval. "If I may add, they are becoming quite famous in my world. Mickey Mouse himself has been collecting all the stories and experiences for records. He very much hopes to meet you one day."

Charlie's practically jumps up and down. "That would be so cool! Lori, we could meet Mickey Mouse! And he wants to meet you!"

Lori smiles, obviously more hesitant. "That's great Charlie, really." She looks at Kaity, who is still lost in thought. "I've been trying to put my finger on it this whole time. I seem to be recalling you from somewhere- I mean you look familiar."

Kaity quickly shakes her head. "Unless you run in the art circles we never had a class together. And I'm positive I've never seen you before."

"I think it's just you've seen her when we've snuck around the art building late at night- like last year with Ben," Charlie deduces.

Kaity gestures to him as she rises. "That must be it. Now this has been fun, but I have a painting I know have to fix before the end of the week," she says with some ire.

"I'm sorry about that," Lori says sincerely, rising as well. "But before you go, what do you say to the offer of joining us? We don't have an artist and you might be able to provide some new perspective."

Kaity sighs. "Listen, I'm not the type who runs with a team or really has friends. You don't want me as a Companion but you just don't realize it yet." She then pauses, looking at Jane. "But I suppose all this arguing is a foregone conclusion since apparently according to her I already am."

Jane looks up from eating her ice cream. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"Well, I don't put stock in that," Lori informs her. "The only one who can make these choices is you." Kaity looks up at her with complete respect and almost a little bit of awe. "And I completely understand where you're coming from because I see a lot of myself in you," Lori admits.

"That's impossible!" Kaity argues.

"Actually, she's telling the truth," Charlie cuts in.

Lori nods at him before turning back. "So I'd really like you to give me a chance to show you what this- what we can do for you. So how about a trial basis? You work as a Companion for the rest of the week and then you can give me a more finite decision?" She extends her hand. "I know what's it's like to be lonely- feel like there's this piece missing. I think I might be able to fill that. But again, the decision is completely up to you."

Kaity looks up at her, a smile having appeared on her face during this speech. "Yes!" she exclaims. "I'm willing to try, especially if you're leading us."

Lori laughs at her enthusiasm. "I'd like for you to stop by tomorrow and meet everyone else. We'll get to work on sending Jane back." Kaity nods and starts out, looking over her shoulder multiple times with a smile. Lori takes the hand Kaity left hanging and runs it through her hair, amused.

"I like her," Charlie decides. "We finally have someone my size." Lori can't help but laugh as she sits to finish her ice cream.

XXX

The next morning, Lori stands in front of her assorted Companions on the couch in the lounge- Charlie, Michael Harms, Hannah Frost, and Ben Prescott. Jane sits in the chair next to them, sketching.

"Remember, we're not going to ambush the girl," Lori lectures. "We're going to be patient and nice to her, alright?"

Hannah rolls her eyes. "Lori, we know how to behave. Stop lecturing us like we're all Charlie's age."

"Hey!" Charlie glares at her.

She nudges him. "It was a joke."

He crosses his arms. "Still… low blow. You're the one who treated Michael and Ben-"

"This time I will be much friendlier and open to the possibility," Hannah insists. "Scout's honor."

At that moment, a breathless Kaity runs in. She's still in her outfit from yesterday-now covered in a myriad of paint colors. "I'm sorry that I'm late," she says, voice high with excitement and energy. "I know it's not the best first impression, but I was inspired after our conversation and was working all night on a new piece."

"All night?" Lori asks, noticing everyone looking her over.

Kaity shrugs, unaware. "I couldn't sleep anyway. So these must be the Companions."

Hannah rises on her crutches with a warm smile. "I'm Hannah Frost. It's very nice to meet you and just know you can come to me for absolutely anything." She points a crutch at the others. "Ben Prescott- Charlie's step-brother. Michael Harms- or the Doctor as he is often referred to."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Michael greets.

Ben smirks. "I wasn't expecting someone so tiny."

"Believe it or not, I'm a sophomore," Kaity says with a smile. "It's what's underneath the wrapping paper that counts. At least, that what my mom would tell me to make me feel better." Everyone laughs politely as she stands there warmly. "So… what are we up to today, Ms. Lori?"

Hannah guffaws and Lori shoots her a glare. "You can just call me Lori."

Kaity sits in the other chair, a little lost. "But you're our leader. Don't I have to show you some form of respect?"

Lori sits on the floor in front of them. "Really, it's alright. So Jane… what are you up to?"

Jane finally tunes back in. "It's really quite exciting," she begins. "My father and I are planning this trip to Africa to study the gorillas." Lori and the others clue in, but Kaity is a little confused. "It's quite riveting. The only thing is I'm quite worried about spending so much time away from England. I'm sure it'll get along without us but I really can't imagine being anywhere else."

"So wait… I've only seen the movie like twice. She hasn't met Tarzan yet?" Kaity asks.

"Who's Tarzan?" Jane asks. Lori flinches.

"Oh boy," Michael sighs.

Lori tries to cover, stumbling over her words as she jumps up. "He's just a person you might probably maybe end up meeting on your trip to Africa and helping you out as an African tour guide of sorts hypothetically."

Ben sighs. "Smooth." He turns to Kaity. "We try to guide them and learn from them. We don't want to give details and spoil their story," he says a little too harshly.

Kaity shrinks back, her positive mood drying up. "I'm sorry."

Michael steps in, patient and kind as always. "It's fine. You didn't-"

She shrinks back more. "No. Clearly I'm just messing things up. I should go." She runs out.

Lori glares at the assortment on the couch. "Well, that was nice. Way to handle that one!"

"I was telling her the truth!" Ben defends. "If she's going to be a Companion she has to know these things!"

Hannah nods. "Ben's right. But can I just mention that there's something off about her," she adds, suspicious. "You shouldn't just take her at face value because she added a Miss in front of your name."

Lori gives her a withering look. "That has nothing to do with it and you know it."

Charlie steps between the two groups, hands up. "Let's all just calm down. We all really didn't put our best foot forward. Let's just take a step back. We'll figure this out."

"Thanks," Lori says to him.

He touches her arm. "You know I've always got your back."

Hannah still looks suspicious. "Alright, but there's still something about her."

"I know. I see it too," Ben agrees.

"I will keep that in mind," Lori informs them, calming down. "It's true we don't know much about her. She could be sent by Victoria or Rachel or something. But she wants to be here and I see no reason to throw her out yet. Just one mistake that I think we've all made."

Jane looks at them all incredulously. "And you guys spend the majority of your time together. It's a wonder you've survived."

Michael shrugs, taking everyone in. "It's not really what we planned, but we care enough about each other that we know little things like this are going to happen and it just can't be taken personally. I have no plans on leaving." The others nod in agreement, backing him up.

Jane regards this curiously. "Interesting."

Ben turns back to Lori. "I'll go apologize to her tonight- you know, find out where she lives and visit her."

She puts a hand on his arm, smiling genuinely. "Thank you. I just… I recognize who she is and think we can do a lot for her. And who's to say what she could do for all of us."

XXX

After dinner the evening, Ben climbs to the third floor of the upperclassman dorm, wandering down the hallway examining the names beside the door. He glances up to see her emerging from the RA's room, still in the same clothes. He starts for her.

"Yes, I won't be gone longer than two hours," she says to someone inside, obviously in a foul mood. "And you can put that in the report for my mother!" She slams the door as he reaches her.

"Is everything alright?" She jumps and backs up against the door.

"Yes," she says quickly. "I was just negotiating with my RA about staying out after curfew to work on my art," she says, though to Ben it is quite obvious she's lying.

"You have a curfew?" he plays along, eyebrow raised suspiciously.

Kaity snorts. "Of course I don't. I'm a college student. It was a joke." She folds her arms, defensive and hostile. "What can I do for you… Tim was it?"

"Ben," he corrects. "I just wanted to apologize about earlier. We've all made some mistakes when it comes to the characters. I was being unnecessarily harsh and extremely rude. I'm the newest and I should be helping you fit in because believe me it's crazy."

She isn't moved. "Whatever. It didn't bother me. I need to get going." She moves and despite her efforts to get him to follow her he sees her name on the door.

"You live with the RA? I thought they only do that-?"

"Drop it," she orders harshly.

"Okay, just hear me out for one minute. There honestly aren't too many ways you can genuinely piss Lori off. All things considered she just gets frustrated or upset really. But getting her angry, that takes lying to her. I'm just warning you- don't lie to her or be anything but honest." He looks at the name again and the pieces come together.

"And what would make you think I'm hiding something?" she says coldly.

"Because I know who you are now." This makes her go pale and drops her arms. "It took looking at your full name, but I figured it out. So I'm giving you this chance because she needs to know."

She quickly regains her harsh attitude. "You don't scare me Ken."

"Do the right thing," he asks. "Otherwise, you're really starting off on the wrong foot." She starts walking away, done. "Lori's right. We support each other and get everybody through some pretty rough things. We could be there for you, but for us to trust you first you need to trust us."

"I'm not very good at that," she admits, pausing.

"None of us were at first, honestly. It's a lesson you'll learn pretty early on. Do the right thing. Be honest." She just walks down the stairs and he sighs. "Ken?" he mutters to himself, upset at this. He heads back down to his room where Michael is doing homework on the couch.

"How'd it go?" he asks.

Ben fiddles with his tie. "I don't think she likes me very much. But it's clear to me she needs us, so I really hope she decides to stick around." Michael shrugs, still hesitant. His phone rings and he picks it up.

"Hey." A voice says something and he's on his feet. "I'll be right down." He hangs up. "Hannah's having another anxiety attack. She needs us to calm her down and take her mind off things. You up for sitting through an episode of Doctor Who?"

Ben instantly agrees. "Yeah, I'll bring some homework and come." He heads into the bedroom and gathers books. "I thought she was doing better."

"Better doesn't mean perfect. She's bound to have setbacks. Let's go. Charlie's naturally already there." They head out to join their friends.

XXX

Kaity emerges from English class the next day, sulking with a frown on her face. She is surprised when Hannah hobbles into her path with an almost obnoxious smile.

"Sorry," she apologizes. "I just figured I'd walk with you. Lori did invite you to the movie right? You see, Captain America is her favorite Avenger. I'm more partial to Tony Stark as-"

"She did," Kaity answers, walking past her. "I was thinking about skipping though. I'm just in one of those moods where I don't want to be around people."

Hannah catches up to her, still smiling. "It'll be fun. And you did promise her a week of Companion activities if I remember correctly. We'd really like to get to know you more." Kaity keeps her head down. "Are you alright?"

"Just shut up! Shut up!" she snaps.

Hannah tries to keep the smile on. "Okay, you're acting really funny."

Kaity groans. "Just leave me alone." She pushes past her and knocks her off her feet, but doesn't glance back. "Stay away from me!" She continues out the building as Hannah tries to get her footing once again.

"I'm really starting to not like her," she mutters as she hoists herself back onto her crutches. "Maybe she is working with Victoria? I'd better talk to Lori."

XXX

A little bit later, a concerned Lori opens the boy's dorm door to find a grumpy Kaity. Arguing is clear from the bedroom, but she ignores it as she welcomes Kaity in with a smile.

"I'm so glad you made it. Everyone, Kaity's here!" They're all suddenly quiet as the two enter the bedroom. "Listen, I heard things got a little heated this afternoon with you and Hannah," she says, trying to keep everything calm.

"Could you please tell your people to stop ambushing me throughout my day?" Kaity asks, annoyed. "First it was Bill, and then it was her. It feels like everyone's attacking me and I hate it."

Lori picks up on her attitude and puts and arm on her shoulder. "Hey. Hey. It's alright. No one's attacking you. What's really the matter?" She shrugs it off.

"She has something she needs to tell you," Ben suggests.

Kaity glares at him. "No. I don't." Ben gives her a pleading look, so she turns away. "I'm fine."

"Kaity, you can tell us," Michael tries kindly. "We want to help." Charlie nods.

Kaity just looks at the ground. "Like I said I'm-"

"She's bipolar," Ben gushes. Everyone looks at him, confused. "She suffers from bipolar disorder," he explains more calmly. "She has a mental illness." At this, Kaity takes a step away from everyone- glaring at Ben.

Lori turns to her, disbelieving. "What? You didn't-?"

Hannah snaps, something hitting her. "That's where I know you from! You lived downstairs last year. We'd always make a card and sign it whenever you ended up in the hospital. Wow, this is so much worse than her being a spy," she adds.

"You're sick?" Charlie whispers. She continues backing up, but the others start to advance on her.

"You lied to me?" Lori asks, almost hurt.

Kaity finally snaps at Ben. "I hate you!" She runs out and slams the door behind her. Lori goes to follow, but Hannah grabs her arm.

"Hold on a minute, Lori," Hannah requests. "We need to talk about this. This changes everything. We can't have her as a Companion." Lori takes a step back, unsure.

"Why not?!" Charlie questions harshly.

"Hannah's right Lores," Michael tells her calmly. "We have enough on all our plates without dealing with someone whose mood is going to flip like a dime. She's going to be all over the place and we don't need someone like that," he reasons logically.

Ben holds a finger up. "Now I think we're being unfair. We can't discriminate-"

"You're the one who revealed her in the first place?!" Hannah shouts, officially elevating things. Lori just takes it all in, cogs desperately turning.

Ben meets her anger and frustration. "Because I gave her the opportunity to be honest and she didn't take it. We needed to know this though so we could work around it and understand her!"

Michael taps a medical book on the desk, appealing to Lori. "Think about this logically. The temper tantrums, the possible hallucinations, the mania. We are not prepared for any of it. We don't know how to handle her."

"Don't we just treat her like everybody else?" Charlie asks, not getting it.

"But she isn't like everybody else!" Hannah shouts at Charlie.

Lori is instantly in the conversation, stepping protectively in front of him. "Stop! Just… stop."

"I say we put this to a vote," Hannah decides. The others nod.

"No." They turn to Lori, who is using her calmest and coldest voice that clearly puts her in control of the situation and gives her back the upper hand. "There is not going to be any vote," she orders in a way that makes them nod. "Let me remind you this isn't a democracy. I'm the one who is stuck with the book no matter what. Honestly, all of you could cut and leave whenever you wanted- not that I believe any of you ever would. That's why we're not a team, but instead you are my Companions. This is my burden and I get to choose who I want around me to help me get through it." She meets eyes with each of them. "I'm the leader and this is a leader decision. And whatever it is I expect the group of you to respect and honor it as my Companions. Understand?"

"Absolutely perfectly," Charlie says instantly from behind her while the other give small nods, a little scared.

"What are you going to do then?" Hannah questions.

"I'm going to do some thinking," Lori admits, sounding a little lost again. She exits, hands on her temple.

XXX

Lori enters her room and takes a deep breath against the door. Jane rises from her desk, sketches covering the whole thing.

"There you are," she says, a little peeved. "Just when are you going to get on this and send me back home? I've done nothing but sit around and stop ignoring me."

Lori nearly snaps, but pulls it together. "I told you how it works. You go home when the lesson has been learned." She opens the book on her bed. "So far, nothing," she says with a gesture.

Jane notes her mood, sitting again. "You seem quite stressed."

"Do I?" Lori asks, finally losing it. "That's because I am! Along with sick and tired of this entire thing. I have to make decisions that quite frankly I have no backing to make other than I accidently opened a stupid book! I don't even-!"

"Lori, take a deep breath." She does, climbing on her bed to lie down. "If there's anything you really showed me these past few days it's that there is nothing getting between the group of you. And that girl seems like she needs something like that. You talked about dealing with things you didn't expect and adapting. This is one of them. She could be a missing piece you didn't even know wasn't there. But that's just my thoughts."

Lori takes this in when her phone rings. She sits up and answers. "Kaity?!"

"Listen, I just- I'm sorry I ran out like that," Kaity's voice stumbles. "But I just… I couldn't do it."

"Why didn't you just tell me?" she asks, hurt coming through.

She hears Kaity sigh sadly. "I'm… I'm used to people treating me differently because of who I am and what I have. And I've dealt with it pretty easily- keeping myself away from people."

"Then why did you want to be a Companion?" Lori questions.

"Because the idea of that book and you made me think things could be different," she admits so quietly Lori almost misses it. "You said you were like me, but I cannot see that at all. Instead, I see this amazingly brave individual with great friends and I wanted… I want to be you- or at least more like you. So I thought I could change. But I thought you wouldn't give me a chance if you knew."

"Kaity-"

"I still want that chance though. I've only had a glance at what you have and I want to be a part of it. So I'm begging you to accept me for who I am. You know the darkest part of me- the things in my brain I haven't controlled my entire life. I'm used to being alone, but for the first time I don't want to be."

"There's a lot we'd have to work around," Lori admits, still indecisive.

"And you think I don't know that?! That has been my entire life."

"I'll get back to you," Lori says finally, still lost.

"I'll be in the Art Building. My painting's due tomorrow and even though I'm in a valley as my mom always put it I need to drag myself out of bed to finish it." Lori hangs up and sits on her desk despite the pictures, staring at the wall. Charlie enters a moment later and nods at a puzzled Jane before joining her.

He takes a moment for her to calm down before beginning. "Lori, I know you better than anyone. That's a given. You know this." She nods. "So that means I know you won't discriminate, because if you do it here then where does the line get drawn? How exclusive are we going to be towards people who need this book and us? Because where does it end if we start here, despite what Hannah and the Doctor are arguing? I know that's what you're thinking about on this dock as the sun sets because I know you better than anyone."

He takes a breath, looking at her as he continues. "But most of all deep in my bones I know you're a better person than even considering this." She just looks at him for a long moment with an empty expression before he nods confidently and turns back. She nods as well and turns back.

XXX

After the sun's gone down, Ben finds Lori sitting in the library alcove lost in thought. He sits next to her, playing with his tie before speaking up. "She didn't remember my name when I talked to her. Am I really that forgettable?"

"Of course you aren't," she says as if it's obvious.

He shrugs at this. "Okay, but I am the most useless member of this team." She raises an eyebrow at him. "You're the leader, Michael keeps us all safe, Hannah keeps us from getting caught, Charlie practically keeps us together, and I just have a dumb set of keys and tag along. Why do you even keep me around?" he concludes.

She thinks before answering. "Because you saved me when I was down a hole. No one else could have done that." He nods, still not convinced though. "And you are honest with me about practically everything like no one else is. You are important to me and the others too. That is why we keep you, because we like you," she concludes.

He's still frowning. "Doesn't stop me from being the forgettable one though."

"We'll never forget about you," she insists. "And if Kaity gets to know you I'm sure she'll come to feel the exact same way."

"She hates me."

"She's mad at you. There's a difference. Trust me, I know." She puts her hands over his. "We wouldn't be able to do it without you. She'll see that and come to respect you."

He smiles. "You realize this is the first conversation we've had this semester without arguing?"

"It's nice," she admits. They sit for a moment before she pulls her hand away. "I can't help but notice you haven't tried convincing me yet."

"Don't have to," he simply replies before rising and leaving with a smile and wave. She waves back.

XXX

Kaity is kneeling on the floor of an art room painting up a storm with a smaller brush, wiping sweat from her brow. She looks up at a knock and rises as Lori and Jane enter.

"Welcome," she greets, seeming much more stable. "I was just finishing up."

"I wanted to ask a few questions about… it," Lori admits.

Kaity nods, cleaning her brushes as she begins. "It started when I was little. I'd have these long bouts of depression, sometimes so bad I'd hallucinate," she begins honestly and matter of factly. "That's when I end up in the hospital. But as I got older it switched off with these spells of euphoria. I'd be so happy and excited one day, the next I wouldn't leave my bed. Mom called them my peaks and valleys. It's rapid cycling so I switch quite erratically-sometimes within hours."

Lori sits on a stool, considering this. "Haven't you tried medication or-"

"I've done it all," Kaity informs her. "But all the pills do is make me fuzzy so I can't really feel anything. I don't want that. So I choose to cope with what I have."

"That's very brave," Lori says with admiration.

She shrugs, not convinced. "Art helps too. It's my escape. It's the only reason my parents even let me go to college- well that and that I'd be living with the RA who'd give them constant updates. You see, they're very protective." She pauses, washing her hands. "But recently it hasn't been helping as much," she says, scared and sad before turning back to them. "That's why I'm glad you guys came along." She goes back to stare at her project.

Lori nods and rises, decision made. "And that's why I want you to be a Companion." She looks up suddenly to be greeted by Lori's kind smile. "I am not going to exclude you because of this. That would be wrong. I think the book knows who needs help, who needs us, and you do. So even though this was nowhere in the plan I want you to be part of this- even though I'm honestly hoping to wrap this all up by the end of the semester."

"This wasn't in my plan either, but I wouldn't change it. You mentioned my choice. This is it. This is what I want," Kaity says, voice filled with passion.

Lori nods and extends her hand. "Then I'd like to officially welcome you as a Companion." Kaity instantly shakes it. "So would you like to witness some magic, because I think it's about time we sent Jane home?" Kaity nods.

"I'm certainly looking forward to Africa and this Tarzan more," Jane admits. "I'm interested in what unexpected possibilities it might hold. Thank you." Lori nods and opens the book to a glowing poem.

"Trust your heart Let fate decide To guide these lives we see" Kaity watches in amazement as she vanishes in a burst of light.

"That was so cool." Lori finally looks at the painting and sees the canvas has been severely cropped so it's only the footprint with some burst of color around it.

"You kept it?"

Kaity nods proudly. "Yeah, it inspired me to scale back and go with something different. It's a step towards a new beginning- an unbeaten path."

Lori regards it; hand on her chin, before merely shrugging. "Yeah, I'm not getting any of that. But what can you expect of a Science major?" Kaity smiles. "I'll see you for breakfast tomorrow."

"I don't really- being around all those people…"

Lori nods in understanding. "Alright, but it won't be the same without you." She starts out.

"I'll be there!" Kaity shouts after her. "Thank you… so much." Lori merely exits. Kaity Klingbeil stares at her new painting before hanging it up on the wall and heading for the door and clicking out the light with a last glance at it, finally satisfied with her creation.

XXX

Tune in next week as Kaity tries to fit in as best she can as the Companions try to adjust to her presence. Meanwhile, Lori might just have a date and Ben in none too pleased.