Immediately following the events at the preserve, Lori Fitzgerald is pacing the carpet in the living area of her dorm room. An equally concerned group of Companions sit around her- Hannah Frost, Ben Prescott, Michael Harms, Rachel Ellis, Kaity Klingbeil, and Finch Hale. It is quite obvious who is missing though, and everyone clearly feels it.

"Wait, a gunshot?!" Ben vocalizes pure worry and terror evident. He is clearly as close to the edge as she is.

"Lori takes a panicked breath. "I know," she says, voice lacking any confidence. "We combed the entire place but couldn't find a trace of them. Or… or the bullet."

"You need to take a deep breath," Michael tells her, seeing how unhealthy she's acting.

"I can't!" she snaps at him. "He's missing and it's all my fault!"

Everyone is silent for a long moment, deep in thought, before Ben speaks up. "Well, what do we do now? We can't just hang around here." He rises, determined as fear becomes anger. "My little brother might be out there right now with some character and we need to get him back."

"We'll think of something," Lori assures him, trying to switch back to being a leader and thinking straight. "Finch-"

The projection has her two fingers to her temple- eyes glazed over. "I'm searching the entire campus for his genetic signal. It may take me about half an hour to canvas it all."

"Then we wait and come up with a plan for what we do when we find out where he is," Lori concludes calmly. She can see Ben is still on edge and kneels in front of him. "I will save him, Ben. He is alive and I swear to you I am going to save him and my sword is going to meet whoever did this," she vows to her friend.

Ben just looks down. "If he's alive…"

"We can't talk like that," Hannah scolds him. She turns to her roommate, getting geared up. "You have anything you need from me Lori. Charlie is the number one priority from here on-"Lori's phone rings in her pocket. They all look around to see everyone is there as she glances at whom it is- going white.

"It can't be." She answers as everyone leans in. "Commander Lucas?" Everyone else lets out the smallest of gasps.

A familiar voice responds, frantic. "Lori, we're in-"

"Charlie!" Lori says with relief, causing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.

The voice is suddenly silenced and replaced by unhinged, menacing laughter. "Oh, don't be giving the game away so quickly. Hello Ms. Fitzgerald," he addresses her, sending a chill down her spine.

"You son of a bitch," she tells him with pure venom. "He better not be hurt or I swear-"

"I don't think you're in a position to be talking to me like this, considering I have a gun to your best friend's head," he informs her, draining all of her bravado. "I have your heart Lori, the weak link, and you are going to give me what I want."

"I can't give you the book," she informs him with narrowed eyes, voice cold as ice. "I won't."

"Not for your very best friend?" he sings.

"If I gave you the book my very best friend would never forgive me. Make no mistake, I'm going to find him and you are going to lose," she threatens.

Lucas chuckles a moment, growing more serious. "He said the same thing, but you're both wrong. You have exactly one day to call me with your change of heart, otherwise he dies." He hangs up and she throws her phone to the carpet in frustration.

"Commander Intense and Crazy has Charlie?!" Hannah processes, relief replaced by fear in everyone once again.

Lori takes a moment before giving orders, pointing at Kaity. "Get DIZ on the phone now! I want to know what the hell happened the he's loose!" Kaity nods and gets on it, dialing. "Finch, keep searching. We're going after him as soon as we have a location."

"I feel a need to mention there is still a character out there," Rachel brings up, finger in the air.

"They'll understand," Lori says, making a decision on her priorities. "He said I have a day to give him the book, but we're going to find him and go in swinging first."

"Why did he take Charlie instead of you?" Hannah can't help but ask, curious.

Lori shrugs. "He called him the weak link. I don't know." Kaity and Finch look at one another a moment in horror before burying it. Everyone else is just as confused as Lori. "He's Commander Insane now," she quips.

Kaity hangs up the phone. "They're-they're not picking up."

Lori sighs in frustration. "Figures. Keep trying. We're getting answers and we're sure as hell getting my best friend back unharmed if I have anything to say about it." Everyone nods in agreement as the sword appears in her hand- all invested in a singular mission of getting their friend back no matter what.

XXX

So follow me down

Lori stands with the glowing Disney Encyclopedia. She sighs and pulls out her phone.
Where to?
Outta this town

Charlie examines his map and grabs his flashlight.
With you
Girl, you're movin way

Hannah is typing away at her computer.
Too slow

So follow me down

Michael grabs his first aid backpack and throws it on his shoulders.
Which way?

Rachel is performing on stage when her phone rumbles in her boot.
Down, down, down

Ben looks at his phone, adjusting his tie.
I'll show you around

Kaity is drawing pictures of the group absently in her dorm room.
Okay
There's a place we gotta go

Finch puts the two fingers to her temple and her eyes glaze over.

Follow me, follow me

Lori, Charlie, Hannah, Michael, Ben, Kaity, Finch, and Rachel 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 Eleven: Freedom

XXX

Meanwhile, Charlie sits struggling in a very dark room with all the walls made of concrete. There is nothing but rates in one corner and a ladder that leads directly up to the ceiling in another. He is both tied to the chair and has the handcuffs behind his back. But he is clearly not as worried as the pacing Commander Lucas, giving him a smirk. "She's going to kick your ass," he informs his captor.

"I would watch my language if I were you," Lucas says, pointing the gun at him. "I don't have to give you back with a tongue."

Charlie rolls his eyes. "According to you, you have no plans of giving me back at all."

"No," Lucas admits, putting the gun down. "Ms. Fitzgerald managed to rip away my command and my dreams, so I am going to take away the one thing in this world she cares about. And I am going to do it slowly in front of her while she begs me." He pulls out a knife and smiles at his reflection in it. Charlie is trying to remain brave, despite now being pretty scared. "If you behave I might be more merciful though."

"I'm not afraid of you," Charlie tells him, summoning all his bravery. "My best friend has faced down the God of Death himself and emerged stronger on the other side. Plus, she has all my other friends with her. Finch is probably tracking me now."

Lucas smirks. "Oh, I've made sure we're in a pretty secure location. Unfortunately, you were asleep for that part."

"Have the bump on the back of my head to prove it," Charlie mutters. Lucas starts up the ladder, reaching the ceiling and throwing back a tile to expose a room above them.

"I have a few calls to make," he tells his captive. "Stay put for me. I can't see you getting into too much trouble, but knowing you…"

Charlie smiles. "I'll do the best I can." He exits, closing the tile to seal the room again, and Charlie starts struggling even more frantically against the ropes. The only thing he manages though it to knock the chair sideways. He is unable to get back up and groans. "Great."

Suddenly, there is the sound of squeaking from the only vent in the room- almost as if someone is cursing in a high-pitched voice. "Hello?" The squeaking stops instantly and his eyes widen. "No! It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. Maybe we can get out of here together," he offers.

There is a long beat before he sees a small monkey head appear out of the vent, eyes narrowed skeptically. He breaks into a smile of relief. "Hey, Abu." The monkey is surprised to hear his name and starts to chatter again. "You're looking for Lori right?" He nods. "I'm her best friend. I can get you to her, but I'm kind of stuck right now."

Abu thinks on this before nodding. He emerges from the vent and goes to play with the handcuffs, sticking his tail into the lock. Charlie is clearly relieved to not be alone. "I'm so glad you're here. I know she'll find me, but there's no harm in helping speed the process along." After a moment the monkey removes his tail and lets out some sounds of anger, kicking the cuffs. "We need the key, huh?"

Abu nods just as the tile in the ceiling flips up again. His eyes widen. "Quick, hide," he tells his new friend. "Get in my pocket so he doesn't know you're here." Abu ducks into his jacket pocket and Charlie hunches a little so the new bulge in his coat can't be seen. "I'd hate to think of what he'll do."

Lucas appears and notes Charlie on his side, letting out a cluck of disappointment as he makes his way over. "Looks like someone didn't behave." He throws the chair up and slaps Charlie hard across the face. Abu rattles in his coat but Charlie covers over is with a cry of pain.

Lucas points a finger at him. "You'll sit there and keep quiet… or I'll start taking off fingers." He takes a sip of water from a water bottle he carries, pours some over Charlie- revealing it to be alcohol, and goes to the corner with the crates to stare at his phone. Charlie shakes the vodka from his eyes and sees the outline of the keys in his pocket.

"We need to get our hands on those," he whispers, feeling Abu nod from his pocket. The monkey cautiously pops up to help clean him up- making him smile. "Something tells me the book was definitely looking out for me when it sent me you. Lori won't be able to call it-"The water bottle nearly hits his head as it is thrown.

"I said shut up!" Charlie immediately quiets as Abu ducks down into his pocket again. He tries to remain calm, but it is clear his resolve has cracked just a fraction after what has just occurred.

XXX

Exactly twenty minutes later, Finch enters the art building stealthily, hands to her temple and eyes glazed over. Lori is half a step behind her with the rest following behind.

"He's in this building," Finch informs the others in a whisper. Lori makes the sword appear in her hand.

Hannah puts a hand on her roommate's shoulder. "Lori, I don't know if guns' blazing is the best idea here," she admits. "With DIZ not picking up I think we need to consider the possibility that he might not be the only one."

Lori shakes her arm free. "Then I'll take them all out." Hannah sighs but backs off. "Plus, I have Finch." Finch stops in front of the doors to the theatre. Lori nods and turns to her Companions. "Everyone else stays back," she orders. "Last time… things didn't go as well," she says with eyes on Rachel, resolve cracking a bit. They all nod as she turns to Finch, who silently opens the door.

The two go running in only to halt. Nothing is there- the space is completely empty. "I-I don't understand," the projection says, voice echoing in the empty theatre. She walks to the center, clearly very confused. "According to my scans, Charlie Prescott should be right here. In fact it's still trying to tell me he's right here."

"You can come in!" Lori shouts, and the others practically run in. Her voice doesn't betray anything. "He's not here," she tells them, throwing the sword in frustration- vanishing before it hits a wall. Everyone just watches her silent, as Finch paces the theatre- trying to make sense of everything. She let out a cry of frustration before sinking to her knees, hand running though her hair. "This is all my fault," she says in her smallest voice, broken as tears start to appear.

Michael looks at Hannah knowingly. "I knew it would be coming eventually." Hannah nods and the two sit on either side of her- her putting an arm around her roommate. Meanwhile, Ben helps Finch search every corner of the room. "Hey, you know this isn't going to help find him," he tells her gently.

Lori takes a deep breath and pulls it together. "I'm trying to be all big and confident… for everyone. But he's my best friend and I don't even want to picture life-"

"Then don't," Hannah cuts her off, hopeful. "We're going to find him. It's natural to be scared, but we can't lose our heads over this. No more just running into situations. We have to think this out as a team. We're here for you and going through the same thing."

"We have to make sure there is still a Lori intact to reunite with him," Michael finishes. Both are relieved when she smiles. "Group hug?"

Hannah nods. "Oh, I think so." They close in on her, squishing her as she laughs.

"Alright. Alright. That's enough," Lori laughs. They pull apart and help her to her feet. "Thank you."

"He's nowhere in here," Ben reports, him now clearly being the one panicking. "Lori, he's not here. What if- I should have-"

"Calm down," Lori tells him, trying to be calm herself. "This isn't your fault in the slightest."

Finch sees how everyone is reacting and makes a decision, stepping forward. "Lori Fitzgerald is right. It is mine."

Hannah waves her off kindly. "Finch, we need to consider the fact that he's somehow interrupting your signals. He intends for us not to find him." She snaps her fingers. "Maybe I can use my computer to-"

Finch refused to be forgotten so easily. "I will not allow blame to be removed for I am the reason Charles Prescott was taken in the first place."

This has everyone attention. Kaity moves towards her and growls under her breath. "Finch-"

"No. We cannot afford to lie anymore. What we did was a mistake."

Lori takes in the two of them, eyes narrowing as she folds her arms. "One of you had better start talking real fast."

"I know I'm all ears," Rachel adds.

Kaity tries but can't bring herself to say it- knowing how disappointed everyone is about to be. "Please-"

"I accept all responsibility," Finch cuts in, completely calm and ready to accept punishment. "Kaity Klingbeil approached me with the intention of deceiving DIZ since nothing was being done about the situation after Lori Fitzgerald was shot. For the sake of her well-being I consented. We thus sent e-mails impersonating Lori Fitzgerald which detailed our group falling apart so as to convince Higgins that we were no longer a threat. One of our e-mails listed Charlie Prescott as the weakest link of the group and this is where I believe Lucas got his information from." Everyone takes this in, Lori just staring them down. "He took Charlie Prescott because of our actions."

Ben reacts first, clearly reeling. "How-how could the two of you? The two of you-!"

Kaity goes up to her boyfriend. "I'm sorry. I never thought-"

"Oh, it's clear the two of you didn't think at all," Michaels scoffs, clearly very angry.

"It was with the intention of protecting Lori Fitzgerald-"Finch argues as it is logical, which it was to her.

"But you clearly didn't think of anyone else!" Ben snaps at her, earning her shock as he loses all control. "Because of the two of you Commander Insane has my brother! I can't protect him! We can't even find him!"

Michael puts a hand on his arm. "Ben-"

"He could be torturing him for all we know and we can't get to him! He is fifteen years old! He is probably scared out of his mind and he is alone with a psychopath!" The two back up at his intensity. "Who was thinking of him, huh?! Who was thinking of him?!"

"Ben," Lori tells him, earning his attention instantly. She nods "Let me handle this, okay?" He backs down instantly, silently fuming. Kaity steps forward but she gets between them, gravely serious. "Kaity, I basically took you off the bench after Donald. But I'm afraid the both of you are on it."

Finch looks at her. "But I'm necessary to-"

"We'll manage," Lori says, trying to keep her voice calm despite the feelings she is currently having. "For the time being I feel it's best the two of you head back." She stares them down until they nod and start for the door. "I cannot begin to express how unbelievably disappointed I am in the two of you. There is a reason I wanted to leave them alone for the time being, especially when I was on crutches. We do not keep secrets from one another, and when something goes wrong we do not try to hide our mistake for as long as we did. We'll keep you two posted."

Kaity turns and looks at her boyfriend in one last desperate attempt. "Ben-"

He looks down and Lori gets in the way again. "Two of the most important people in his life honestly put his little brother in danger. You're going to have to give him a minute. I expected a lot better from both of you and I can promise a much longer conversation when all of this is over."

There is a long moment of silence after the two exit, Lori putting a hand on Ben's arm. He nods in thanks for her handling that. She then turns to her roommate. "Hannah, let's get back and get you hooked up. We're going to stop trying to contact DIZ and treat the situation as if they're in on it from here on out."

"How long are you going to keep them out?" Rachel asks, taken aback by this whole thing and truly seeing Lori as a leader.

"I'm never quite sure," Lori admits. "I just get this feeling when I should let them back in. I trust my gut."

They start out of the theatre, stars twinkling in the twilight hours. "Lori, I think we need to consider if Hannah can't find him," Ben tells her.

Lori wraps her arm around his, both of them comfortable with this. "She will. She's never failed us before," she assures him.

"But if she doesn't and we run out of time. Handing over the book is the only thing that could save his life. And it wouldn't even work for Lucas anyway-"

"Ben, I know this is going to be hard. I understand that your entire world seems like it's crumbling down. But you need to believe me in my saying I feel the same exact way. And most of all, I need you to trust me. When it comes to Charlie we are very much on the same page. Trust my calls and judgment," she requests.

He shakes his head. "You're not the ones who will have to tell our parents." He walks past her at a faster pace.

Rachel speaks from beside her, trying to be comforting. "Don't take it-"

Lori shrugs. "I don't. He's hurting. We all are." Rachel just looks in her direction, amazed at this side of Lori- the one who is very much a leader and cares very deeply for all of them.

XXX

About four hours later, Lucas has drifted off against the crates. Charlie tests this by gently kicking the previously thrown water bottle. It makes a noise but he doesn't stir.

He whispers into his jacket. "Alright, we should be good." Abu scrambles out as silent as can be. "Do you think you can grab the keys?" Abu gives him a look, almost insulted. "You're right. I apologize. I should have known better. Just please be quiet as you can." Abu waves his hand with a small squeal and creeps over, climbing atop the crates.

Charlie holds his breath as the monkey holds the crate by the tail and leans in to reach for the keys. He starts to slide them out, only to lose his grip and they fall back into the pocket. They both sit silently, relieved when Lucas doesn't move. He slides it out completely the second time and makes his way back over with them above his head. "Good job." Abu bows and places them in the handcuffs, unlocking them.

The noise of them falling to the ground however is enough to make Lucas shoot up. Charlie flinches as he notices Abu and lunges for him. The monkey manages to dodge but is snatched in the second attempt.

"Well, what do we have here?" Lucas smiles, cutting his small arm with the knife.

Charlie desperately tries to untie the knots with his now free hands. "Please, don't hurt him!" he begs. "It was my idea! He had nothing to do with this!" He is slapped across the face once again.

"You need to learn how to keep your mouth shut," Lucas growls. Abu doesn't take kindly to this and bites down hard on his hand. Lucas drops him and he takes off for the vent, dragging the handcuffs behind him so they can't be used again. He pounds on the vent, unable to reach him. "Come out, you little rat!" Abu starts taunting him by blowing a raspberry, causing Charlie to giggle.

Lucas seizes the opportunity to gag his captive with a handkerchief, before stalking the vent and waiting for any sign of his furry foe with steely determination. Charlie just continues to work at the knots around his wrists.

XXX

Meanwhile, everyone minus Kaity and Finch are gathered after getting breakfast to-go in Lori and Hannah's bedroom. Hannah is typing as fast as she can and navigating all sorts of menus.

Ben looks at his watch. "Well? We've got twelve hours left."

"This isn't magic," Hannah tells him without looking up. "It's going to take some time."

"Time that we don't have," Ben says with the roll of his eyes.

She gives him a hard look. "Ben, you know I love you but I kindly suggest you leave the room before I bring this down on your head."

Ben smirks and obliges, rising. "I love you too, but if you don't find my brother I'll bring it down over your head."

Hannah waves her hand at him, smiling. "Ah, you're too chivalrous to smash a laptop over a woman. I have nothing to fear." Her smile makes him genuinely smile. "I'm doing everything I can," she promises him.

"I know," he tells her. "Thank you. I'll give you some space."

Michael rises as well. "In fact, we all should. We'll be in the living room." Michael, Ben, and Rachel sit in the lounge where the group of to-go boxes sits. Michael looks at Lori's with a frown. "She didn't eat anything."

Ben shrugs. "She's really worried- almost more than I am. Luckily, she keeps herself together a lot better," he gives her credit.

"She hasn't sat down either," Michael adds.

"We're not going to be able to take care of her in any way until she has him back and can ruffle his hair like usual. She's not going to devote a moment to herself until then."

Michael sighs. "I know. I can't help but worry about her though. It's my job in this group. She worries about all of us and I worry about her." They sit in silence a moment. "I'm sorry you're life suck right now- myself included."

"We'll deal with all that once this is done."

Rachel speaks up after another long moment of silence. "She really cares about him, doesn't she?" she says quietly. "I mean… as much as he cares about her."

Ben and Michael both look at her as if she's crazy. "Without a doubt," Ben reflects. "They have been pretty much since he sat next to her the first day of class. It's actually a pretty inspiring."

"The two are inseparable," Michael adds. "And it took both of them to make it that way. Why?"

Rachel shrugs. "No reason. I just made some perhaps hasty and incorrect judgments."

Michael puts a hand on her back, understanding. "She accepts all forms of apologies. But that is the one thing you should never doubt, because Lori would-"

"Walk through fire for him?" Rachel cuts in.

Ben snorts. "Well, that's not very big. We'd all do that." His phone rings and he sighs. "It's Kaity. I should talk to her."

"She made a mistake," Michael offers. "She obviously didn't want him to get hurt."

"I know. I just worry about the two of us if he is." He eventually decides on hitting ignore and sits back- closing his eyes.

Meanwhile, Lori sits next to Hannah in their bedroom. "Okay, in all honesty without any pressure-"

"It's so much information to go through I don't know," Hannah admits. "I'm trying to find his cell phone signal but I'm looking through basically every electronic device on campus by myself."

"Can I help?" Lori offers, seeing how stressed and under pressure her roommate feels.

Hannah shakes her head. "You'd need to be around my caliber to pull something like this off. I can count the number of people on one hand, and unfortunately none of them are in the next room."

Lori realizes exactly who she means, and thinks on it for a moment before speaking up. "Hannah, if you think he can help us… now is the time," she approaches the huge subject.

Hannah head turns to her so fast is nearly gives her whiplash, eyes wide and not really grasping what she's saying. "What-?"

Lori nods, having made the decision. "Hannah, he has Charlie and we have around eleven hours to find him otherwise he could kill him. This is a drastic time and if you think he can help then I think you should call him. And secrets- secrets just make things harder in the relationship. I know from experience. He seems like a good guy and he makes you happy. I'd be more than willing to make him a Companion if he chooses or after this he can just be sort of in on the subject like Jolene."

Hannah is still in disbelief. "Lori, are you serious?"

"Yes," she nods, completely okay with this. "For you and Charlie. I need to give you your best chance to be happy. And that means telling the potential most important person in your life what you're part of." Hannah hugs her, huge smile on her face.

She scrambles off the bed. "I'll go meet him right away. I think if he accepts he will make a fantastic Companion."

Lori smiles at how happy she is. "I don't doubt it."

Hannah suddenly halts. "What if he can't read the book?" she asks, afraid.

"I think in this case we'll make an exception," she shrugs. "Don't take too long okay?" Hannah nods and runs out. Lori stares at the book on her desk. "I know you want him safe too. You've known him as long as I have."

XXX

Finch sits by herself in the library, reflecting upon the situation. She is clearly feeling guilty and hating the fact the fact that she now has the capability to feel it. She puts her fingers to her temple and her eyes glaze over, going over the information for what has to be the hundredth time.

Finally, something strikes her and she rises, heading for a room in the back of the library. She starts rooting through drawers and pulling out maps, looking through them as fast as she can- tearing the room apart trying to find something.

XXX

Hannah sits across from Caleb Dean in the living area of his dorm room, him still in his pajamas and her hands in his as she stares at him expectantly. He takes a deep breath. "Run that by me one more time," he request, mind obviously spinning.

Hannah takes a deep breath. "The short version is Lori owns a magical Disney encyclopedia that brings the characters to our world in order to learn lessons. We serve as her Companions and help her to deal with all the craziness that comes with it- including being attacked by villains… occasionally."

Caleb sits back. "Yep. That's basically what I thought I heard," he says, voice squeaking a bit.

Hannah can see he's not taking it the best. "So I know how all this sounds, but I swear to you it's the truth," she pleads with him. "You deserved to know." Caleb says nothing and she starts to get nervous, pulling her hands away. "You know-"

He takes her hands back. "Hold on. I'm processing." They sit for a moment before he lets out a deep breath and his eyes meet hers. "Jolene hinted that you guys get into some capers, but I never quite expected this as opposed to an extreme book club or something."

"In a way, we kind of are," Hannah admits, earning a laugh.

"I have some questions- ones for Lori too actually- but those can wait," he admits before rising. "Let me grab my computer and we'll head back to your place."

She gives him a quick kiss. "Thank you for believing me."

He wraps an arm around her waist. "Hannah, you're worried about your friend. I can tell. So we're going to go save him. I actually want to thank you for trusting me with this- so soon too. I know the club is very exclusive."

"I trust you and I wanted you to know. If I hid this from you- that's a big secret that could change a lot of things. It could in the end ruin our relationship, and I really don't want that. Lori knows that from experience and didn't want that for Michael and Jolene or for us."

Caleb nods, thinking. "I can't wait to meet her." He grabs his laptop from his room and salutes her. "Let's go save your friend." They head out.

"Now this can be just a one-time thing though," she reminds him. "You don't have to become what we call a Companion."

He nods. "I think I need to give things some thought, and see if I can stand Lori."

"Just…don't be too hard on her now," Hannah requests. "Charlie means a lot to her and right now she seems to be coming off as slightly like Captain Ahab chasing Moby Dick."

"It was a joke, Hannah," he assures her. "But I'll keep that in mind. She must really care about him."

Hannah becomes serious. "When I met Lori Fitzgerald she had us all, including herself, convinced that she was incapable of loving anybody. Now… now I can't imagine a person more willing to go the distance for someone else than my roommate. Just never tell her I said that!"

"You have an image to maintain?"

"Exactly! Can't have her head getting too big now."

XXX

Lucas paces, growing agitated at the lack of a phone call. Charlie is starting to drift off, but desperately tries to stay awake- terrified of what can happen if he does. As Lucas starts towards him Abu makes a racket from the vent to attract his attention away from the captive, and managing to make Charlie alert enough that he sits up straighter.

Lucas looks at his knife and then back at Charlie. "They're running out of time," he sings. "I'm thinking a finger for every ten minutes. Then we'll go to the toes."

Charlie does his best to just stare back.

XXX

About an hour later, Caleb and Hannah are both atop her bed typing away- so in sync they don't even need to say anything as they show each other some of the things they find- causing the other to nod and navigate new windows on the their own. The others sit about, watching and listening in a light trance while Lori paces in front of them.

Michael grabs Lori's arm. "Might I recommend you getting some rest?" She just looks at him, though clearly exhausted. He intertwines his hand with hers. "I figured as much. Can you at least sit down for five minutes… for me?" She obliges and he puts an arm around her. "You're doing great," he tells her what she needs to hear. "I know it's hard to not just fall apart, but you're doing amazing."

She sighs. "Thank you." There is a beat before she speaks up. "Tell me he's going to be okay. I'll believe it if you say it- because we're all in this, but the three of us-"

"He's going to be okay. The three of us still have a lot of science to look forward too." She starts to drift off on his shoulder.

Ben looks at his watch and fiddles with his tie. "We're running out of time."

Caleb gives him a patient smile. "Listen, we're doing everything we can. Some things just aren't making sense though," he admits.

Hannah concurs. "We keep getting pulled back to the theatre, same spot as Finch, but we were there. We know it isn't right. So we're trying to go around that signal and find the true location."

Everyone waits before Ben speaks again. "Lori, I think we need to consider handing the book over to him." She sits up, shaking her head.

"We can't do that, Ben. We absolutely cannot."

"For Charlie even?"

"Ben, you know I hate saying this so much, but the book is bigger than Charlie." He glares at her, so she explains. "I would never say it about anything else, even myself. But it is the fate of every Disney character that has ever and can ever exist. Donald told me how they lived in fear of someone enslaving or exploiting them. Which means it can also make a lot of difference for the rest of the world depending on how they are used. I'm the only person who stands between them and anyone willing to do that. Handing over the book signs my death warrant and all of theirs. I have to protect them, be the hero of their story. I understand that especially now. Charlie would never want that choice to be made. We both know that."

"I do," Ben admits. She puts her hand over his. "I do."

Her phone rings and she snatches it, only to answer in a monotone. "Finch."

"Lori Fitzgerald, I think I have discovered the issue," her voice comes over, frantic and honestly a little excited.

Lori puts a hand to her head, not wanting to deal with this. "Finch, you're supposed to be benched and away from this- whatever that means for you."

"But this is about Charlie Prescott. I believe I can confirm his location. We were in the right place," she informs her leader.

Lori sighs, done. "You're making no sense and I wouldn't push my patience today."

"I looked into the building schematics," Finch reports, earning some interest. "I need to speak with Rachel Ellis immediately since she knows the area the best."

Lori decides to give her a break, for Charlie. "Fine." She goes to hand off the phone.

"And I am sorry, Lori Fitzgerald," Finch says, clearly sincere. "Charlie Prescott is in danger because of my actions and it upsets me so deep down in my code it almost makes me ill. I made a wrong decision in not trusting you- one I do not intend in making again. I have still yet to realize sometimes that you are very capable of your own self-preservation. I will do everything I can from a distance to deliver your best friend back to you."

Lori is moved by this and swallows a lump in her throat. "Thank you." She helps Rachel grab the phone.

"Rachel Ellis?" Finch inquires, impatient.

"Speaking."

"I have looked over schematics of the theatre in depth. Apparently, there used to be some sort of trap door under the stage that was used during performances a long time ago- one that could even raise a performer up if necessary on hydraulics."

Rachel nods, thinking about it. "Yeah, then some kid got hurt when it malfunctioned so they vowed to never use it again. So far they've kept to that. I've never even seen it. I hear they store props down there though."

"But it would still be present, and it would have to be under the stage," Finch reminds her. "But no one would really be aware of it."

It hits Rachel and she smiles. "Oh my God. You're right." Everyone's attention is now on her as she rises. "I'm such an idiot! Finch and you two are right!" she tells Hannah and Caleb. "He's under the stage in the room for the trapdoor! We were literally on top of him!"

Lori nods at this. "Alright, everyone. Get ready to head out. We leave as soon as possible!" She takes the phone back as everyone puts on their coats and gets ready. "Finch, come over there as soon as you can," she decides.

"I thought-"

"You're forgiven," Lori says, smiling. "You learned from your mistake I feel and did a great job, Finch. Get over there."

She can hear Finch smiling as well. "Affirmative." She hangs up and grabs the book from her desk.

Caleb approaches her, a little nervous as the new guy. "Lori, I think I have an idea- knowing it's the trapdoor. It might not be necessary, but it may make sure the odds are in our favor."

She nods warmly at him. "Let's hear it. I'll take anything we've got."

XXX

Lucas has clearly gone out of his mind in boredom and is now throwing various props from the crates at Charlie, making him flinch away in terror. "A boy who was always the smartest in the room, but never had anyone until this girl shows up and takes pity on him," he taunts.

"Stop it!" Charlie shouts, though the gag makes it too muffled to understand.

"Do you know what I'm going to do when she gets here?" Lucas holds up his gun. "Something I've wanted to do for a long time… and then I blow her brains out in front of you. And it'll be all your fault."

Abu goes to make a racket again, but his ears hear voices coming from above. He takes off down the vent to meet them.

XXX

Lori throws open the doors to the art building, sword appearing in her hand. Everyone follows and she turns to face them, serious and determined.

"Everyone clear on what we're doing?" They nod ad Finch joins them, earning a nod. "Caleb?"

He looks up from staring at the sword in awe and pats his laptop. "Just like we talked about."

Lori nods. "Alright, let's hope this all goes with everyone walking away. He's… insane so everyone be careful. Let's not waste another minute." They all start in but she holds Michael back. "Doctor, if something-"

He shakes the medical kit backpack. "I have your back."

She presses on. "But if it comes to it, I want you to have the book." He frowns, realizing what she's talking about. "I think with all of them you could handle it just fine. I would to Charlie, but he's so young still."

"Don't talk like this, Lores," he warns. "We're not losing you."

"Just wanted to make that known… in case."

"Lores don't do anything stupid," he continues. "We all need you- especially Charlie."

"You know I'll do whatever needs to be done. And we have to distract him with his only goal. We both know that's a bullet between my eyes." He hugs her. "I'm not ready to leave you yet, so I will do everything in my power. I just wanted to make sure a safety net was in place for the book."

Hannah sticks her head in as they pull apart, eyebrow raised. "What's going on?"

"Just keeping her from being a complete self-sacrificial idiot," Michael admits.

Hannah smiles. "Good." They head in, Lori getting herself mentally prepared.

"No casualties…" she whispers. She heads in only to feel something on her shoulder, making her jump. She looks to see Abu waving frantically. "Abu?" He screeches and runs to a spot on the floor, jumping on it. Lori smiles, putting it together. "You know exactly where he is." She notices the scratch on his arm. "You've been protecting him, haven't you?" He nods and she kisses his head. "Thank you. Now let's save our friend. I have an idea." She starts to whisper into his ear while everyone gets in position.

XXX

Lucas holds the knife to Charlie's throat, pretending to stab him only to break out into hysterical laughter. "The book will be mine," he tells Charlie. "That little pest in the vent- I will control him! I bet you didn't know it- but you can exert control over them with the book. It's a nifty little feature Walt never intended. I wonder if I told Lori that what she'd do. Maybe become as power hungry as myself," he giggles at the thought.

He then stabs Charlie in the side, making him cry out in pain.

"Oh, my hand slipped," he apologizes. "Can you imagine her taking control of the world with an army at her backs? Then again, perhaps that's all the group of you are right now to her. Collateral damage she can afford to lose. Maybe that's why she's not coming?!" He throws his arm about grandly before pointing the gun at Charlie's gut.

Suddenly, Abu tackles him from the vent, sending the gun to the floor beside Charlie. He wrestles with the creature on his face just as the ceiling falls on the stairs. A group starts down-Finch enters first, cracking her knuckles, with Lori right behind, sword in hand, and then Hannah, Ben, and Michael.

Charlie's face lights up. "Guys!" Lucas throws off Abu and doesn't have a moment to recover as Finch runs over and punches him in the face. Ben runs for Charlie and starts to work on untying him- Finch covering his back. Lori rushes in and goes to swipe the sword, but Lucas throws her back into the crates. Michael helps her up and she rushes again, swiping at the arm while Finch delivers a roundhouse kick to his face. He swipes at her with the knife, but she easily counters with Finch continuing to deliver blows.

Ben undoes the gag really quickly before returning to his hands. "I knew you'd find me," Charlie tells him.

"Of course."

Finch delivers a kick to the stomach while Lori slams the hilt of the sword into the back of his head. He desperately reaches into his pocket and activates some sort of magnet. This sends Finch to the floor in agony, distracting Lori enough that she is shoved into the crates and repeatedly hit in the face. She shoves him away with Michael's help, but has trouble rising without the Doctor's help. Hannah rushes in with the book but Lucas kicks Ben to the ground and clicks the gun against Charlie's head- halting the whole battle. Abu does manage to snatch the magnet and drag it into the vent, so Finch can recover and rise. Lori puts her hands up- recognizing their position.

"Don't do it," she begs, bleeding from the forehead. "Please…"

"Get rid of the sword," he orders. Lori hesitates. "I mean it. Even the projection isn't fast enough before I pull the trigger." She recognizes that and drops it. It vanishes before hitting the floor. "Everyone back up. Now!" They all do, Ben stepping reluctantly away from his brother. Charlie has his eyes locked on Lori, really scared.

"Leave him be," she begs, eyes locked on his as well. "We both know what really needs to happen here. And killing my best friend isn't it. That's not how you control the book." She walks toward him slowly, hands still up.

Michael can see where this is going and is terrified. "Lores don't-"

"Stay back!" Lucas shouts, nervous and unsure at what she's doing. She just keeps inching forward.

She looks at Charlie, giving him a brave smile. "I guess you knew the right move to play in the end- the right card to pull." She takes the gun and moves it so it is directly on her forehead- away from Charlie. She locks eyes with Lucas.

"Lori!" Charlie shouts, terrified.

"No!" Hannah shouts, lunging forward. Ben holds her back. "No!"

"We need to trust her," Ben whispers to both her and a white Michael.

"You still won't ever get the book," Lori informs him, taking a step forward. He steps back so his arm is fully extended, still not clear on what's going on. "You will never accomplish anything you have planned. But I will do whatever it takes to save him. And that means giving you what you want so they can escape."

"Shit," Hannah whispers, desperately trying to remain in place.

Lori takes another step, eyes fierce. "Come on! Do it!" He takes a step back at her intensity- now that he what he wants he is unsure what to do. She takes another. "Finish it!"

"Finch, do something," Michael whispers.

Finch is desperately examining the situation. "I do not see how to tackle the situation without harming Lori Fitzgerald. Trying to-"

Lori and Lucas take another step. "Now!" she shouts, pulling back. As Lucas processes the area of ground he stands on suddenly rises, smashing him violently into the ceiling. He is then pinned there unable to move while she grabs the gun from his hand. Ben runs back to untie Charlie while Lori lets out a huge sigh of relief and grabs a crate for balance. One of the tiles swings up and Caleb sticks his head in.

"Get him?" he asks.

"Got him!" Lori smiles. "Great work! You really saved this one."

Hannah tackles her in a hug before shoving her. "Lori that was pure insanity. What if he really-"

Lori shrugs, extending the gun. "I had an insurance policy." She shows Hannah that all the bullets were missing. Abu drops on her shoulder, all of them in his arms. "That's what he was doing while we distracted him- just in case." Hannah and Michael are both speechless. "I would have told you, but it needed to be convincing." She looks at the pinned Lucas. "Call DIZ and have them collect him. Something tells me they'll answer now- the selfish bastards."

Ben finishes and Charlie rises, clutching his side in pain. Lori runs up to him, ruffling his hair. "Are you okay?" He just hugs her tight, and she finally relaxes for the first time all day. "Thank God."

"He said-"

Lori shakes her head. "Don't even worry about it right now." He runs to Ben and hugs him even tighter.

Hannah gestures to her phone- someone having answered. "Higgins, fine time to finally answer. Oh sure, you had problems. Listen, we have-"Caleb helps her up the stairs.

Ben looks his brother over, Michael already stepping in to examine the stab wound. "I was so worried. I love you so much, buddy."

"I love you too."

"I'm so sorry for not sticking up for you. You and I are a team- always. And no girl is going to get in the way of that."

Charlie smiles at this, Abu leaping into his arms. "It's fine." Caleb lowers the trapdoor so a dazed Lucas hits the ground.

"Would you like to take care of him, boss?" he asks Lori. She shakes her head and instead nudges Ben.

"Go ahead. This one time." Ben nods and cracks Lucas once really hard across the face, shaking his fist out afterwards.

"That's for my brother, you asshole." Charlie looks up at Caleb, surprised to see him.

"Hi," he tells the new guy, who is significantly taller than him.

"Hey," Caleb offers, supporting him as he nearly falls over from a wave of exhaustion. "Glad to finally meet you."

"Same here. Did Kaity get some work done or…"Everyone laughs at the joke, all tension finally drained as everything has worked out. He hugs Abu to him. "Thank you so much."

Lori pats the monkey as well. "Yes. You did great." Hannah gives her the book and she opens it to a glowing poem. "Let's get you home. One trick ahead of disaster They're quick, but I'm much faster" Abu vanishes in a grand bow. "Let's go home."

XXX

Lori exits her bedroom into the living area where Caleb, Hannah, Ben, and Finch are all sitting. "He's asleep," she tells them, looking expressly at Ben. "The Doctor's keeping an eye on him. He asked if he could stay here tonight."

Ben plays with his tie. "I don't know if I want to-"

Hannah rises and pats his arm. "We'll get a sleeping bag for you."

"Thank you." They head into the closet.

Lori turns to Caleb, beaming but serious. "I will never be able to thank you for what you did. Without you, this could have all ended very differently."

He nods. "I was happy to help."

"I understand you have some questions."

"I think I had a lot of them answered as I went," he informs him, ticking them off on his fingers. "The hours are crazy, the missions are insane, you all might be slightly crazy, but you all are great friends with an excellent leader who are all willing to do anything for one another. Oh, and there's Disney characters. So I think I have a better grasp."

She laughs as Hannah comes back in. "So…" she broaches, "you called me boss… does that-"

He salutes. "If you're willing to have me." Hannah is practically hopping up and down. "I think I can be of some use to you."

"In one of Hannah's heartbeats. Welcome aboard as a Companion, Caleb Dean." She extends her hand, but he just hugs her.

"I figured since we all hugged so much." Lori laughs and shakes her head, Hannah joining. "What?"

"Inside joke." Hannah notices Finch lost in thought. "Finch, are you alright?"

"I have just edited my primary objective," she informs them.

Lori raises an eyebrow. "To what?"

"I shall protect Lori Fitzgerald… and her Companions," she says with determination. "I will not just look out for you, but I will prevent anything like this situation from happening ever again. To any and all of us."

Lori gives her a thumbs-up. "Sounds good to me." She yawns. "Let's get some sleep." Caleb kisses Hannah goodnight before heading out with Finch. Lori and Hannah make their way into their room.

"Give me a minute to call Kaity," Ben tells them, dialing his phone. "Hey, everything's fine. He's back. No one got hurt. He was in a trapdoor under the theatre actually. Yeah. We're getting some rest now. I'll- I'll see you tomorrow," he says a little nervously. "I love you too." He hangs up and heads into the bedroom to see everyone is already out. He kisses Charlie on the forehead before curling up in the sleeping bag and drifting off as well.

XXX

Higgins is loading up the truck with the last of the supplies and takes one last look over the campus with a sad smile. A Soldier comes up to him, hesitant to ask but curiosity getting the better for him. "Sir, there's something I still don't understand."

He pauses, so Higgins nods for him to continue. "Lucas had to get that lock pick somewhere and I'm just saying it's awfully convenient that we lost signal on all the phones just as Lori was desperately calling us for help with her friend. Something doesn't add up. And I don't like the idea that Charlie could have been killed because we refused to step in."

"Headquarters knew they were never going to trust us," Higgins admits. "This group has been tainted for them by Lucas- we just needed to drive that completely home. She had to sever all ties to this branch effectively they felt. We had eyes on the situation- the boy was never going to be seriously harmed. We never stood a chance after he shot her. We all have to go."

"But what happens next?"

"Oh, things are definitely escalating. They'll need help."

The soldier shrugs. "She seems to be doing alright."

"She never wanted the responsibility to begin with. And they've just begun scratching the surface on the horrors that can come out of that monstrosity of a book. It's a shame everyone wants it so bad. I think my plan of action would just be to burn it," he admits. "But she's stuck with it- that was Lucas's mistake. He thought removing her from the equation by directly going after her was the answer. But this one is going to take more gentle care than brute force. We know from experience she can handle that quite well," he hints. "So we give her some time- let one of the big villains really let loose on her."

"And then she'll come back to us?"

Higgins shakes his head. "Our part is unfortunately done permanently. We are all to be re-assigned to new departments for our failure. But they will eventually turn to DIZ again for what they need… relief. And she'll be there to offer it to them."

"She?" the soldier asks, almost scared.

"Yes, DIZ feel Commander Abbot will be able to save this. They plan on sending in a more… delicate and feminine touch to win her over."

"And the end goal?"

"That's still the same." He climbs in the truck and the soldier heads back to his own car. "Pretty unfortunate too. I really like the girl," he says to himself. "Shame the idiot sent her the book and signed her death certificate himself- whether it be by character or Commander Abbot. Let's move out!" he shouts, the trucks starting on the road out of campus. "So in the end it all went according to plan- albeit a revised one." He watches as they turn out of campus for good. "A real shame indeed."

XXX

Tune in next week as a character bursts onto the scene ready to bring some groove as everyone deals with the fallout of what has occurred- especially the newest Companion as he adjusts to an entirely new group of people.