Monday morning, Hannah Frost enters the dining room with her hand in her boyfriend's, Caleb Dean. Both are all smiles and laughing together as she details some of her past adventures- able to be completely open and honest.

"Wait, you went on a date with Mater?" he inquires.

She nods, grabbing a bowl of cereal. "We went for a drive. Before the fair it was the best date of my life." She smirks as Caleb raises an eyebrow. "He was quite charming." They take a seat at the usual table, her taking a bite when her roommate Lori Fitzgerald takes a seat across from her.

"Good morning!" she tells the two enthusiastically, setting a plate of pancakes down.

Hannah gives her a look. "You seem particularly enthused, considering I had to drag you out of bed with the promise of blueberry pancakes."

Lori sits, still trying to be upbeat while becoming serious. "Honestly, I'm trying to put on a brave seize-the-day sort of attitude for Charlie. I had trouble even getting him to leave our room," she admits sadly.

Caleb nods sympathetically. "I'm not surprised. It may have only been a day, but he was trapped alone with a mad man. Some PTSD is bound to surface."

"DIZ officially left this morning according to the security cameras," Hannah reports, earning a happy sigh from Lori. "That should help." At that moment, Charlie Prescott walks slowly up to the table, still looking a little out of it, and takes a seat right next to Lori. Hannah smiles gently at him. "Hey."

Charlie turns to Lori, close to tears. "Kaity and Ben just got here," he whispers frantically. "I don't want to have to sit by Kaity. Please."

Lori instantly nods, rising. "Okay," she tells him, voice low and soothing. "I'll take care of it. You just enjoy your breakfast." She rises and heads back towards the food area while Charlie just picks at his meal. Hannah turns from him to see Caleb is looking at her confused.

She leans in to him, whispering. "Okay, so there was some tension before the whole kidnapping event. Kaity, the one you haven't met, punched Charlie in the face and tried to attack him."

"Seriously?!" Caleb reacts, causing Charlie to look up. He tries to play it off, shaking his fist at Hannah. "Why would you spoil the episode for me Hannah? You know I've been too busy to watch Game of Thrones!" They have lost his interest and Charlie looks down again. "Why-how-?" he whispers.

"She's bipolar and it got the better of her," Hannah rapidly explains. "She eventually apologized, but they didn't really patch things up."

Caleb whistles. "So before he gets kidnapped the poor kid gets assaulted by a fellow Companion. Rough." Lori comes back to her seat, nudging her best friend.

"Kaity is avoiding me like the plague, but I did speak to Ben," she tells him, running a hand through his hair. He doesn't even seem to notice, which greatly worries her- but she buries it. "They are going to sit on the other side of the table and understand if you're not really up for conversation." He gives the smallest hint of a smile before returning to picking at his cereal. "Anything to make you comfortable, okay?"

Caleb leans in towards Hannah again. "Kaity's avoiding her because of the punching?"

"Well, that was water under the bridge," Hannah whispers back. "Then we found out she and Finch were the ones who gave them the idea to kidnap Charlie by going behind our backs to feed DIZ false information. It backfired horribly obviously. Lori was kind of pissed and benched her."

Caleb nods, reflecting on this. "That's when you're out until you learn your lesson, right?" Hannah nods in confirmation as Rachel Ellis and Finch Hale join the table- the projection carrying both trays.

"Morning everyone," Rachel says with cheer. "Charlie, how are we doing?"

"I'm fine," he says instantly, not really meaning it.

Everyone's aware of it and Rachel goes to follow up, but Lori cuts in. "Isn't tomorrow your audition for the play? I mean I know it is auditions for the secondary characters and I just guessed you'd-"

"It is actually," Rachel admits proudly. "It's going to be a little rough with everything but I thought I'd go for it."

"Good luck," Lori tells her.

She smirks. "In theatre you say break a leg."

"Right,' Lori says awkwardly. "That."

"Thanks," Rachel adds, followed by an uncomfortable silence.

Hannah sees Caleb leaning in and shrugs. "I-I have no idea what this one is about." At this moment, Kaity Klingbeil and Ben Prescott enter and silently take their seats as far away from Charlie as they can manage- both silent and somber.

After a moment of tense silence, Caleb speaks up. "Kaity?" She looks at him curiously. "Hi. I'm Caleb Dean, the new Companion. You were the only one I didn't have the pleasure of meeting. I look forward to working with you." He extends his hand and she shakes it quickly before turning her attention to her food. Michael Harms comes in; humming to himself, only to halt at seeing the only open spot left at the table is next to Ben.

"Soon we'll need a bigger table," he quips, earning a small and polite laugh from his friends. "Is-is is alright if I take this, Prescott?" he says quietly. Ben doesn't even look at him, so he sighs. "Ben?" There is the subtlest shake of the head from Ben, so Michael sadly pulls up another chair between Hannah and Lori at the other end. Lori pats him on the knee and he just nods, still looking at Ben.

Hannah turns only to jump a little at how close Caleb is. "Whoa."

"Well?"

She sighs before starting in a whisper, trying desperately to be quiet enough at a silent table. "I'm gathering the whole sedated his girlfriend after he punched Charlie has left the two not quite the best of friends."

Caleb shakes his head in disbelief. "Wow. You all are certainly like a family with all the fighting and side-arguments. Like mine at least," he admits. "Jolene's cool though."

"Have you told her?" Hannah asks.

"Tonight. We hang out around two to three times during the week- you know doing homework and talking. She's going to freak out, but it'll be alright." Everyone continues to eat silently as a figure comes up behind them, whistling to gain all their attention.

"Boy, you come into this world expecting party and you get funeral!" At this, Kuzco takes the open spot beside Ben, propping his feet on the table. "I haven't seen faces this glum since I almost bulldozed Pacha's entire village," he reminisces. "Changed my mind in the end though, since I'm such a nice guy."

Finch turns to Lori. "I believe the book has gone off."

Everyone can't help but smirk or giggle at this. "A little slow to the draw today, are we?" Rachel comments.

Finch looks down, a little embarrassed. "My apologies."

Hannah turns the attention back to Kuzco. "Really? Such a nice guy? I seem to recall some events you're skipping over."

"Unimportant," Kuzco waves them off. "The whole llama part of the story is severely overrated. So why are we all so glum, especially now that we know I'm paying a visit? Yay me!"

"Yesterday was a little rough is all," Caleb speaks up, clearly enjoying his first real encounter with a Disney character. "And I don't think we were expecting such a quick turnaround."

Kuzco rises and throws his arms out grandly. "Well I'm here, so let's cut to the chase. Party. Tonight."

Lori shakes her head. "I don't-"

"I'll take care of everything," he insists, heading for the door.

Lori goes to stop him. "I don't think you should just be wandering around-"

"Lori, I'm an emperor," he cuts in, insulted. "I know how to navigate and take care of myself." She puts her hands up and just watches him go, walking through a revolving door.

"That's the kitchen," Ben calls after him.

Kuzco exits, still trying to maintain his pompous exit. "I knew that." With that, he heads out the real door onto campus.

"Are you going to follow him?" Michael inquires. Lori shakes her head and returns to her breakfast. He meets her eyes. "Lori, he has no money, and he doesn't have any clue where he is or how to behave. He could get lost really easily."

She just looks at him before leaning back and groaning, knowing he's right. "I'm too old for this." She then takes off after him.

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

Caleb is right next to her doing the same, nudging her playfully.

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, Rachel, and Caleb 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 Twelve: Look at Me and My Bad Self

XXX

Later that afternoon, Finch is walking to class with Ben and Kaity. "I thought you were planning on talking to her," he reminds his girlfriend.

She tucks a piece of hair behind her ear, uncomfortable. "I was, but then she was just sitting there and I… I just froze. It didn't help that Charlie was right next to her- still obviously traumatized," she argues.

"She's not going to bite you," Ben reminds her playfully.

She glares at him, not having it. "I know, but I royally screwed up."

"We royally screwed up is the proper term," Finch adds, trying to help.

Kaity just shrugs. "And I just- I keep waiting for the day she finally has enough and gives up on me," she admits, upset. "She can promise it isn't happening, but they always do. And then one day they've just had enough."

Ben stops her, hands on her arms. "Kaity-"

She looks him right in the eye. "Her best friend was kidnapped because of me! I learned the lesson, loud and clear, but how do I face her after that?"

He rubs his hands up and down, trying to calm her. Finch just kind of stands to the side awkwardly, observing. "I know it's hard, but she appreciates when you show bravery like that. That's what she likes about you."

"I merely apologized… and discovered the true location of Charlie Prescott," Finch contributes. Kaity narrows her eyes, irritated. Ben bites his lip before turning to the projection.

"Finch, can we get some alone time," he asks, nodding to Kaity. "Just the two of us."

She looks slightly upset by this, but instantly nods. "Affirmative. I apologize. I will see you later this afternoon." She continues towards her class, leaving the two alone.

Kaity sighs and smiles in a silent thank-you. "She can be exhausting."

"She's my friend," he tells her, not putting up with this. "And right now I don't have an astounding number." She looks down and he takes a moment before coming up with something to try and cheer her up. "Maybe I can go talk to Lori. I know she should be getting out-"

Kaity kisses him, lighting up. "Thank you." She does it again, this time a little longer before leaning into him. "It's hard to believe we're already coming up on Spring Break," she changes the subject. "I feel like we just got back."

"I know," he agrees. "I'm looking forward to it though. Charlie could use some time at home, and I know things are getting pretty hard for Mom and Dad with her cancer getting worse."

She kisses him again. "Everything's going to work out." They then hear the chime of the bell telling them she's late and pull apart, walking quickly. "I'm going to miss you all week. You'll have to call me every day, okay?"

Ben nods before suddenly having an idea. "Maybe I can just… talk to you in person?"

She looks at him in confusion. "I-I don't understand."

"You can come home with me for the week," he suggest grandly as they arrive at the classroom door. "Meet my parents, see my hometown. We could spend the whole week together- like one big date." Kaity doesn't speak for a long moment, desperately trying to keep he face neutral. His smile drops. "Unless you don't want to," he adds, playing with his tie. "I understand if you want some time apart."

She takes him before forcing a smile. "Sure." He looks up, beaming. She likes this expression a lot more, so she keeps going. "I'd love to. Really. I'll talk to my parents this afternoon. Have a good one."

"I love you," he tells her as she opens the door.

"I love you too." She heads in, ignoring the professor, and goes to her seat. She takes a moment before putting her head in her hands. "Oh no."

Meanwhile, Ben arrives at the science building just in time to see Lori exiting with Michael and Charlie. He grabs her by the arm.

"Hey, can I borrow you for a minute?" He looks up at her two science study partners. "Normally I wouldn't mind you guys being around, but it's kind of a private thing."

Michael nods, elbowing her. "We'll meet you at lunch, Lores." He heads off with a reluctant Charlie, who keeps looking back at them. Finally, he takes the younger boy's hand and gives him a little tug to get him moving.

Ben waits for them to be out of earshot before speaking to Lori. "It's about Kaity. She wanted me to talk to you about her being benched."

Lori is instantly skeptical, raising an eyebrow. "Why isn't she talking to me herself?"

"Because she isn't sure what to say," he offers, desperately trying to crack her. "I know she regrets what she did and I've forgiven her for the part she played. It was stupid, but I think she knows that."

"Still not answering my question."

"She's afraid of you," Ben tries another tactic. "Afraid of talking to you. Afraid you're going to give up on her once and for all because of how much Charlie means to you. So she doesn't want to even approach you with the idea because of what you might say."

Lori snorts. "This could all apply to you, but apparently she's talking to you."

Ben sighs, seeing he's making no progress. "She looks up to you Lori. Your opinion means a lot to her. I almost think she worries Caleb is meant to be her replacement in some respects."

Lori looks him over before beginning her take on things. "Ben, she's not coming to me because she still feels guilty. That will affect her when we're out there so she needs to overcome that. When she comes to me is how I'll know that she's ready to come back. It's one of those leader things."

"I get that," Ben admits. "Just… she could really use a break for once. From all this needing to be brave and pushing herself. We've all grown quite a bit the hard way, and I think for once we should just make it easy for someone because we all know the next hurdle is going to suck even more. It's just what our lives have become- constant battles."

This seems to get to Lori a bit, but she tries to recover. "This almost sounds like you're quitting on me, honestly," she jokes before getting serious again. "Everyone's had a rough go, but they've pulled through the best they could. It's all we can do at this point since DIZ ended up being a major wash."

Ben throws his hands up, frustrated at her constant rebuttals. "You're just not… getting it and being so stubborn."

"I'm sorry," she says flatly, folding her arms. "Then help me get it."

He finally comes clean. "Lori, in all honesty, this is a boyfriend thing for me. I think for once she should be able to rely on me to help her. I want to be that guy for her," he tells her passionately. "So I'm asking. We've all been through a particularly rough semester and it's only spring break. Let Kaity be a full Companion again, for both our sakes," he finishes, pleading.

Lori has clearly been worn down a lot, and uncrosses her arms. "I'll consider it."

He spontaneously kisses her cheek. "Thank you. I'll see you later. Have a good one." He takes off back towards the dorms as she just watches him go, frozen.

"You too." She then heads towards the cafeteria, lost in thought.

XXX

That evening, Lori is lying back on Hannah's bed while her roommate does her homework next to her. Kuzco is meanwhile trying to decorate the room with what's left from Charli's birthday last semester, but growing quite frustrated as some streamers refuse to stay.

Hannah glances at her, frowning. "You're not actually considering that weak of a request, are you?"

She shrugs, staring at the ceiling. "He made some… alright points. It was sweet."

Hannah closes her book. "Lori, we all just went through hell. What we need isn't sweet, it's consistency," she points out. "And that comes from a leader who doesn't go back on rulings just because someone's being the good boyfriend she wish she had."

Lori sits up. "Wow. Low blow."

Hannah raises a finger. "But true blow." Lori gives a reluctant nod of agreement. "You wish you had that. It's understandable. But it you make an exception now then you're going to have to open yourself up to a lot more. So I wouldn't even start."

"You know, you're really good at this," Lori tells her with a sincere smile. "You should be the leader."

"Sorry, but it isn't my calling," Hannah quips back. "I'm much more the tech back-up sidekick kind of girl. And even now I'm a little stretched because you've just acquired a male version."

Lori waves a hand. "Ah, you were here first. If someone has to go it'll be him."

"Loyalty?"

"Seniority. You have tenure. I show no favoritism." The streamers fall again and Kuzco growls, earning their attention. "How goes it?"

"At this rate with these supplies I'm going to need a few years," Kuzco deduces.

Lori gestures to the book. "I don't know if we can keep you for that long. Even for a great party."

He smiles up at her, turning up the flirting. "It might go faster if-"

"We're not spending any money," she shuts him down. "You have to deal with what you have like we agreed."

He goes back to it, grumbling to himself. "Now you sound exactly like Pacha." Charlie enters the bedroom, looking very tentative. Lori hops off the bed to greet him.

She puts an arm around him. "Hey, squirt. What can we do for you?"

"I was thinking about going to the library and wanted to know if you'd like to come with me," he asks very quietly. "I know it's a little late though."

Hannah opens her book again. "No thanks."

"I'm not really in the mood either," Lori admits. "But thanks for asking."

He nods, looking out the window at the darkness. "Alright. I think I'll just forget it and go to my room then." He starts for the door, but Lori instantly picks up on what's happening and changes her tune.

"You know what I do have a book I should bring back." She grabs one from Hannah's pile.

"That's-"

Lori dismisses her with a wave goodbye. "Hold down the fort." She heads out the door with a much more relieved Charlie. "I didn't see you at dinner."

He shrugs weakly, showing how tired he looks. "I wasn't too hungry so I just snacked in my room. Plus, I was catching up on some homework since I fell a day behind."

"Understandable," Lori admits. She heads out of the dorm, but then notices he's no longer beside her. In fact, he has paused at the doorway with his breathing escalating.

She walks back to him, instantly trying to calm him. "It's alright," she tells him quietly. "I'll be right beside you the whole time and we know how tough I am. No one would dare cross me." He smiles but is still can't bring himself to leave. She kneels and looks him in the eye, completely sincere. "Charlie, trust me, I want to keep you locked up in your room too after everything. And I know I failed on making sure nothing ever happens to you, but it is never going to happen again." She rises and extends her hand to him. "Trust me."

He finally nods and takes it. "You can hold it the entire time if you want," she tells him, sensing his worry. He then takes a step out of the building and they slowly start walking. It clearly overwhelms him though and soon he's hyperventilating. This soon makes him grimace in pain and start crying. Lori looks down at him, clearly concerned. "Hey. Hey. What's-?"

"I broke my stitches," he cries and she notices blood soaking through his shirt. "My stab wound is-"

She pulls him back towards the dorm so his breathing can get under control. She tries to remain calm for his sake. "Alright, we'll take you back to the Doctor. I'll have Ben run and get whatever you need from the library, okay?" She can see how upset he is over how he's acting. "We'll take this one step at a time. I'm here for you like always. It's you and me, buddy."

"I hate being scared," he admits.

She puts an arm around him and gently pulls him to her. "It happens to the best of us. Come on." They start walking and she sadly kisses the top of his head, clearly worried about him. "I love you."

"I still love you too, Lori," he tells her. "You don't have to be scared of that." She then squeezes him closer, smiling.

XXX

Meanwhile, Caleb is doing homework in the room of his cousin Jolene Dean. She is engrossed in her Anatomy textbook, so he clears his throat to earn her attention.

"So I had a talk with Hannah this weekend," he starts tentatively, unsure how best to broach this.

"Do tell," Jolene tells him, curious.

"Well, she actually came to me because she wanted to tell me about her and her friends… extracurricular activities." Jolene instantly registers what he's talking about and becomes much more guarded. "Charlie had been kidnapped by-"

She puts a hand up. "I'm not the biggest fan of talking like this. I've gotten really good at pretending it's just some intense card game they play. I like my version, especially when my boyfriend is involved."

He puts a hand on her knee. "Jolene, I joined them after we found him." Her eyes widen before she pulls it under control. "I officially joined the ranks so to speak."

She shrugs, trying to go back to not really caring. "Well, you've always been more adventurous than I have."

He shakes his head. "It's not necessarily about the whole Disney deal- though I did meet a Mayan emperor today. I just… you know how rough these past few years have been for me," he opens up. "And though you've stuck by me there hasn't been the best support system to help."

"I did it because I knew you were better than that."

"I know and I appreciate that. But I see how the group of them interacts around one another and I jumped at the chance to be part of that. The opportunity to have this group of people around you- from Michael to Charlie to Rachel to Lori. She's something."

"I'm not going to argue, but you shouldn't do anything stupid," she lectures, seeing how invested he is in this. "Don't just follow her blindly like I think some of them do. Especially my boyfriend who recklessly endangers himself because of the same things you see in her. Use that brain of yours," she finishes, knocking her fist against his head.

He smiles at her. "I will. I promise. Plus, now I can keep a better eye out on Michael and Hannah."

"I don't worry about them. They need to be keeping an eye on you… or they'll answer to me." She goes back to her homework.

"Have you ever thought of joining? It's actually-"

"I have no interest," she tells him, not bothering to look up, "and we both know I'm busy enough as it is. I don't have anything I need smoothed over or fixed in my life like you band of misfits."

"We…we use the term Companions… like in Doctor Who."

"Whatever," she dismisses. "It doesn't matter to me. It's just a card game after all."

XXX

The next afternoon, Rachel is sitting in the seat of the theatre among a large group of kids. She's trying to keep calm as the girl on stage finishes to polite applause, hands the script back to the director, and exits.

"Rachel Ellis?" She pulls out her cane and uses it to head down the stairs to near the middle of the stage as everyone watches in uncomfortable silence. "That's good." He goes to hand her a script, but realizes the issue. "Umm… the monologue we've been doing…"

She folds the cane with a patient smile. "I figured we'd be using that one, so I memorized it in advance."

The director nods clearly relieved. "Then let's hear it."

Rachel takes a minute to put on this persona of a bubbly girl gossiping with her friend. "'Well, Tommy proposed to me again. Tommy really does nothing but propose to me.'" Everyone laughs a bit, and this seems to drive her even more as she adds arm movements. "'He proposed to me last night in the Music-room, when I was unprotected, as there was an elaborate trio going on. I didn't dare to make the smallest repartee, I need hardly tell you. If I had, it would have stopped the music at once. Musical people are so absurdly unreasonable. They always want one to be perfectly dumb at the very moment when one is longing to be absolutely deaf.'" She finishes with a slight bow, having won the entire room over.

The director makes a note. "Very good. That'll be enough. Thank you."

She unfolds the cane again. "Thank you." She heads out of the theatre and pumps her fist in joy. Kaity and Kuzco come up to her, having been waiting.

"Hey," she greets, causing Rachel to face her general direction. "I got out of the art room and figured you'd be just about auditioning. How'd it go?"

"I nailed it," Rachel boasts. "I memorized the whole thing in advance and didn't stumble even once."

Kuzco puts a hand to his chin in thought. "I did theatre once- it was a one-man show. A musical actually since I have such a good range."

Rachel recognizes the voice and clears her throat. "No offense meant, but are you supposed to be around him? You technically are still benched."

"He accosted me," Kaity informs her friend.

"I'm trying to get the artist of the group to help supply much needed decorations to my "Lift Everyone's Sprits Because You're All Bumming Me Out" party," Kuzco whines.

"That's… oddly specific," Rachel offers.

Kaity rolls her eyes. "It's ridiculous. I refused, since I don't have the time for such nonsense. And I'm not supposed to interact with you, unless you're supposed to teach me about how full of myself I am. I don't know if among my enormous pile of issues that is one of them. I sure hope not."

They start out the building. "I'm not really sure why I'm here either," Kuzco admits in a moment of humility. "I don't have much to provide or offer. So I'm just doing what I know. Don't tell Lori that though. She thinks I have a plan."

Rachel snorts. "Something tells me you didn't pull one over on her-hence why she's letting you wander a bit."

"You're lucky," Kaity adds. "Usually after a crisis she never lets the character out of her sight."

"No one can smother me," Kuzco informs the two grandly. "Many have tried, but I just can't be pinned down. Oh, watch out." He helps Rachel around a trash can she almost runs into. "You almost ran straight into a can for garbage it looks like."

Rachel seems a little taken aback by the gesture from him. "Thank you. I would like to say I would have managed, but-"

"Come on. Nobody's that heartless to let you possibly hurt yourself," he says, showing a very different side of himself. He quickly buries this however in favor of his other persona. "We need you in good condition for that part you're going to get. Maybe I can give you some acting tips."

Rachel laughs. "We'll see. I kind of have my own thing going."

"Alright. Just trying to be of service," he mumbles to himself.

XXX

The next day, Wednesday, Kuzco sits legs crossed atop the table in the living area of the boys' dorm. Ben and Michael sit in the chairs on either side of him. "So with my prolonged stay and attempts to decorate the room of the ladies upstairs, I fear Lori has grown a little sick of me," the emperor admits. "So she suggested, on a whim, that I locate the two of you. She mentioned my expertise in friendship that I gained on my journey. My plethora of experience is at your service."

Ben rolls his eyes. "I knew she'd get sick of us fighting eventually."

"Are we really fighting though?" Michael questions. "I mean, we still worked together and are living quite in harmony from what I've observed. You've just… been talking to me less."

Kuzco claps and rises, happy. "Well, my job is done then."

"I'm still pissed at you though," Ben admits.

And the emperor sits back down again, tired of their drama already. "And so it begins."

"Ben, I can't take back what I did," Michael reminds him, at his end about what to do. "I wouldn't take back what I did. You just said you needed some time to come to terms with that. After this week I think there's a lot more you can put your attention into rather than being pissed at me. For example, how Charlie splits his stitches just trying to leave the building at night."

Ben crosses his arms, becoming defensive. "I just felt like last week I was going crazy with the amount of people making my life miserable. You, Kaity, Finch, even Lori with her refusal to hand that book over at times."

"And you've forgiven them! What makes me so different?!"

Kuzco puts his hands up, silencing them. "Guys, I think I see what the problem is here. And I have just the solution. Where is the nearest waterfall?" They both just look at him. He shakes his head as if it's easy. "You obviously need to do a trust fall down a waterfall with the both of you tied to the same log by a vine. It's the best way to bring people together."

They both just stare at him in disbelief for a long moment before Michael speaks first. "I'll take a hard pass."

"You think we need a trust exercise?" Ben questions a little harshly.

Kuzco nods, trying to come up with another idea. "These are just the relationship dynamics I see at work- balance of power and all that."

"That's not a problem," Ben informs him, almost insulted. "I know this guy would take a bullet for me he's got such a bleeding heart. I know he's willing to step up and do anything it takes- even if it means sacrifice on his part. He cares that much about me."

"And I know he'd do the exact same," Michael agrees.

Ben doesn't like this answer, finally having hit the proper nerve. "No. I wouldn't. And that's the problem."

"Oh, now we're getting somewhere!" Kuzco exclaims, excited and rubbing his hands together.

Michael is clearly lost at this crisis Ben is going through. "What are you saying? You're not-"

"You did what you needed to do to protect Charlie," he reveals his self-loathing. "Everyone seems to know what to do for Charlie except me, and it's clear. I'm so selfish-"

"Ben-"

"I'm so selfish and only think of myself," he plows through. "I have since I was a stupid kid who did drugs and ended up in jail. I never think of anyone but myself, and on the chance I do it's never to the same extent that any of you would go. You're a much better friend to me than I can ever be to you. And I've been realizing it a lot lately, Harms."

Michael emphatically shakes his head, upset his friend feels this way. "That's complete nonsense. Saying something about the future is one thing, but you'll never know until the situation appears. You didn't stop until we found Charlie, didn't think about anything else. And I know you'll have my back. You need to start giving yourself more credit, Prescott."

Ben takes some of that to heart, but quickly shuts it down. "What if I'm just not a good person?"

"Then we wouldn't be here," Michael tells him. "You might not know this, but the group of us can be very choosy when it comes to who we hang out with." He rises and starts towards him. "So you need to forgive yourself and then you might just find it in your heart to forgive me."

They both take a beat before Ben sniffles and shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant. "Ah, I did that a long time ago."

"You could've fooled me," Michael laughs with a quick hug. "We've got to stick together, or all these ladies will tear up apart."

"We have Caleb now. We stand a better chance."

They both look back as Kuzco practically dances on the table. "Wow. I am brilliant! Well, I should go see if Lori needs me to repair any other relationships. I really am an expert in friendships. You should come to my party tomorrow evening, boys. We're finally getting it off the ground."

"Will do," Michael says as the emperor heads out, still raving about what a good job he did. He and Ben both laugh when the Doctor gets a text. "It's Hannah. Charlie wants to come back here, but it too petrified to leave the room. She offered to walk him down if we wanted."

Ben is already at the door, concerned. "Come on." The two quickly start down the hallway. "I'm starting to get really worried about him."

"Maybe he should talk to someone," Michael suggests. "It's clear he has some form of PTSD from my diagnosis."

"And say what?" Ben can't help but ask. "That he was kidnapped and now is not coping so well? That could ruin everything." Michael gives him a look. "Listen, I know Lori wouldn't care if he's the reason we had to come clean, but I know it's not the preferred option." They reach upstairs and meet Caleb, who is walking with Charlie clutching his hand. At the sight of his older brother, he run and hugs him around the waist. "Hey, kid," he greets. "We came to walk back with you."

He can see his little brother is close to tears. "I know I'm being silly. But when I even think about walking alone it just gets so hard to even breathe."

"You're fine," Caleb speaks for everyone. "It's completely understandable."

Michael pats the new Companion on the back. "We can take him-"

"I'll walk with you guys if that's alright. I'm trying to get to know everyone- form some attachments so you know you can trust me and all that."

"Being the new guy can be awkward," Ben remembers. "It's fine though. We all like you." They start down the hallway, Ben and Michael clearly having a conversation about Charlie only with how they look at one another. Caleb instantly picks up on it.

"It looks like you two are doing alright now."

"That's how it works around here," Michael tells him. "You fight, but things always work out because we all belong together. At least that's what I've always believed."

"Me too," Charlie mutters.

Caleb nods, clearly liking this idea and camaraderie. "I'm looking forward to it."

XXX

Everyone including Kuzco is sitting at the table enjoying dinner with a little more lifted spirits and discussion. Charlie is however merely looking out the window at the setting sun, and suddenly rises- earning everyone's attention. "It's getting dark," he informs them. "We should head back."

"It's fine," Hannah dismisses patiently. "We'll walk with you in a bit."

Charlie shakes his head. "No."

"You haven't even touched your dinner," Ben lectures, trying to be reasonable. "You need to eat something."

"No," Charlie says, starting to panic. "We really should-"

Lori smiles up at him. "Charlie. We're all here. It's okay. Nothing is going to happen when we walk back. You need to be brave. I know you can do it," she comforts him. He still looks on the brink of crying though.

Kuzco hits the table and rises, having an idea. "I'll walk back with him. Kaity, why don't you join us?" he adds nonchalantly.

"Me?"

Charlie shakes his head. "She's benched. She can't-"

"Lori?" the emperor defers to the leader.

She looks very hesitant at the idea. "I could just go with and-"

Kuzco leans over and whispers to her, "Lori, I've been doing a good job with all this so far. In fact, I think it might be why I'm here. Trust me. I have this one."

Lori gives in, nodding. "Alright. Be careful." The trio head out and walk about halfway in silence towards the dorms- Charlie trying to stay as far away from Kaity as possible.

Kuzco suddenly stops and snaps. "Oh, I forgot something," he says, obviously being a horrible actor. "I'll be right back. Wait right here." He starts running back, leaving the two alone in the dark. Charlie just keeps turning in circles and soon begins to hyperventilate again.

Kaity does her best to comfort from afar. "Hey, it's alright. You're okay. I'm right here and… and you know I wouldn't let anything happen to you," she tells him before seizing the moment. "Charlie, I am so unbelievably sorry for what I did to you. I know that doesn't make it right, but I feel-"

He grabs his chest. "I don't- I'm having trouble-"

"Okay, big moments for later," she decides, closing the gap between them and putting an arm on his shoulder. "Let's see. Do you remember how in The Lorax the whole point of the book is that you can put yourself into it?" she starts ranting, just going. "Where was that in the movie? And the fact that he actually comes back in the end? Don't even get me started. That movie ruins the entire point of my beloved book and I'll be glad the day they stop making Seuss adaptions. They just never live up to the immense quality on the books. Though I would argue the one with Mike Myers is the worst and haunts the dreams of children everywhere," she continues babbling, noticing he is now has his arms wrapped around her and his breathing has slowed as he watches her.

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"Because I managed to distract you long enough that your breathing's normal again." Charlie then notices this as well. "I've had it happen before with my hallucinations," she admits. "You need to take your mind off it, so I just started rambling about something I knew we both liked. It's usually a pretty good technique for getting over this kind of stuff. But notice, we're in the dark and nothing bad is happening!"

He just stands there for a moment before speaking up. "I don't think things will be the same between us, but I do want to be friends again. You just… you really hurt me. Friends shouldn't do that and it really threw me off. So I'll try, but I don't know if it'll work."

"I know," she understands. "We'll just take it a day at a time. Thanks for being honest about your feelings though."

He shrugs. "You deserve that. Everybody does."

Kuzco comes back down the path and beams at the two of them being so close and talking, rubbing his fist on his shoulder. "Well, am I a genius or am I a genius? You're all fixed! I should open up a business or something!"

"The jury's still out," Kaity says with a roll of her eyes. "Let's get back." The trio then starts for the dorms, and she sees Charlie's nervousness is creeping back up on him a bit. "The thing is Jim Carrey could at least move around in the costume and be animated. Mike Myers seems like he's fighting the costume the entire time." Charlie just nods, keeping his attention on her and his arms wrapped around hers- letting her protect him.

XXX

Lori is grabbing a few books from the library when she spots Finch sitting at a table by herself. She makes her way over and sees she is deep in a business book, writing down numbers and figures. "What're you looking at?" she inquires.

"I have a business project due tomorrow," the projection informs her. "I am currently waiting for my partners- Karen and Robert Rowell."

Lori nods. "I'll leave you be then."

"Negative," Finch disagrees. "I feel there is something you want to speak with me about. Hence why you made your way over here to inquire with me."

Lori lets out an awkward smile, knowing she's been seen through. "It's just… you helped us find Charlie. You fixed everything and earned being taken off the bench. But I don't know if I should be letting you so off the hook yet. Do you have any idea what you put all of us through?" she lectures.

"You are referring to the condition of Charlie Prescott," Finch recognizes. "Lori Fitzgerald, I have not stopped monitoring him since we collected him. I am constantly checking in on his location just to make sure he is somewhere safe. I am experiencing what is called fear for him- for all of you."

Lori's not ready to let her off the hook yet. "What you did though was so unbelievably stupid."

"If you don't mind my saying so, the guilt you are projecting me at his current condition is as well," Finch fires back, taking Lori quite by surprise.

"That was well played," she admits. "I have to give you that. I don't know if I can take you giving me sass as well after Rachel's joined up."

Finch begins writing again. "I promise to continue monitoring all of your states and react the moment the readings for any of you don't make sense. For I protect Lori Fitzgerald and her Companions now. I have expanded my primary directive."

"That's good to hear. I don't want anyone getting hurt like that again and you're the best defense we have against that with DIZ gone. I don't know if I could take it- losing one of them. I'd rather pull this whole operation apart and never see them again than have that."

Finch thinks on this before speaking up. "If the day comes when Lori Fitzgerald wishes to carry on without her Companions, know I will still continue by her side. You are my reason for being created as you know."

"I think we've moved past that though," Lori reminds her. "You have a group project with your friends after all. I'm sure it's a lot of fun- once you get past all the disgusting numbers and math."

"Robert Rowell actually asked to go on a romantic encounter with me just last week," Finch fully discloses with not hesitation. "It has made things slightly awkward, though we are hopeful to resume our previous relationship."

Lori blink, mind clearly not having processed what was just dropped on her. "Run that by me again."

Finch can see she worded it incorrectly. "I believe you call it a date."

Lori is suddenly very interested, sitting across from her. "What'd you say?"

"The truth. I wasn't built for romantic feelings. Truthfully, I wasn't even built for any sort of feeling. It is not part of my design and I do not believe myself to be capable of it."

Lori shakes her head at this, not liking what she heard. "I wouldn't cut yourself down too much. Like you said, you weren't supposed to have emotion but now you care so much about Charlie that you're monitoring his position." She rises and pats her on the back. "You're still growing. That's what college does to you- turns you into someone you never quite imagined being. Both through the people you meet and the things you find yourself doing- in our case it being a magical book. But when you look back you wouldn't be the person you began as for anything in the world. In your case, it's just a much faster process as there was literally nothing to begin with."

"Thank you, Lori Fitzgerald. I will remember those words."

"Have fun. Enjoy it," she finishes telling her friend almost like a parent before heading to check out her books.

XXX

Charlie shoots up in the middle of the night with a large gasp from a nightmare. He looks to see he is still in his room with Ben and Michael soundly asleep. He lifts up his shirt to see the stitched stab wound is still there as well. He grabs his Louis stuffed animal and heads for the door, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

He opens the door to the hallway, but then comes to a complete halt. The hallway is empty and dimply lit- not exactly a situation he would prefer. He pulls the stuffed alligator to him and tries to keep his breathing under control. He for a minute considers turning back, even heading back into the bedroom. But he steels himself and returns to the door- knowing he has to be brave and get to his best friend.

He starts down the hallway. "First was Ariel. Then was Simba who talked about responsibility," he whispers to himself, applying Kaity's technique. "That was followed by Mrs. Potts- no. Pluto was next. She was after that."

Their door is open and he heads in, taking a deep breath against the wood that he made it. He walks into the bedroom and climbs onto Lori's bed where a cover and pillow is waiting for him across from her- stepping over Kuzco in a sleeping bag on the floor. Despite his attempts to be quiet, she sits up and smiles at him gently.

"You could have texted me," she whispers. "I would have walked with you."

He shrugs, more like himself than he has been for a while. "It was something I had to do. I love you."

She smiles back. "I love you too."

"I love you both also," they hear from Hannah in her bed.

"And you all love me," Kuzco follows. This earns a laugh from everyone as the two lie back down and get comfortable.

In fact, Lori is almost asleep when Charlie speaks up again. "Lori?"

"Yep?"

"I don't like it when you kiss my head," he tells her as if it can't wait until morning. "I prefer when you ruffle my hair. So please don't do that again."

"Alright," she agrees. "I hear you."

"Good. Good night."

"Good night."

XXX

The next afternoon, Ben opens the door to find a hesitant Kaity. He can see something's bothering her. "What-?"

"I can't go spend spring break with you," she says before she loses her nerve. "I'm sorry, but I'm just not ready for that. I'm not sure I'm put together enough for a week in a strange place with your family- despite you and Charlie being there. I'm so sorry," she says again, watching his face fall.

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" he questions.

"Because I've done nothing but be horrible to you these past few weeks. I wanted to be a good girlfriend just like you were doing for me," she admits, looking down so her hair covers her face. "I just wanted to do what you wanted to make you happy. But you're worth more than that. I need to be honest with you… and now I am. I'm sorry." She can see he's not taking this as well as she had hoped. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he covers, seeing how hard this was for her. "It's fine. I'm glad you told me before I made you miserable." She doesn't respond, and that seems to upset them both more. "Do you want to come in?"

"I have to go to the art room." She kisses his cheek, holding his hand for a moment. "Thank you for being so understanding. Maybe one day. I love you."

"I love you too." She heads out and he closes the door, putting his head against it. This sends him to the ground as Michael enters a moment later. He rubs his head as his friend stares down at him. "I have another flaw. I tend to move too fast when it comes to relationships because I get swept up in it all," he laments.

"I just walked past her," Michael tries comforting. "She didn't seem scared off."

Ben puts his head in his hands, still lying on the carpet. "Trust me, there was some skittishness. Why do I screw everything up?"

"Shall I go for the emergency supply of chocolate?"

This gets Ben to sit up. "Probably."

"I'll eat half so you don't feel as guilty." He helps him to his feet. "I'm sure it's not as bad as you think. I think you two are good together, Prescott. You've been through a lot separately and together. Giselle had faith in you." He comes out of the bedroom with a large back of Snicker's and the two get to work- tearing off the wrappers of their first and hitting them together before stuffing their faces.

XXX

That evening, everyone is cramped in the girls' dorm room as music plays from Hannah's laptop- dancing and having a great time after a long and rough week. Caleb notices Rachel hanging out by a wall and comes up to her. "Taking a break?"

"That and working up some nerve." She then answers his unspoken question. "I accused Lori of some stuff that wasn't true. I'm just scared to admit I was wrong though. I know it's stupid."

"It's human," he counters, sympathizing. "I'm sure she won't hold it too much against you. We all make mistakes."

"I was the new kid for all of ten minutes, so I don't have too much advice for you. But what I do have is don't go off your surface assessments of the relationships they all have. For example, Lori and Hannah fight like an old married couple. But they are without a doubt two of the most functional roommates I have ever met."

"Do you have that with anyone yet- close relationships?"

"They're still warming up to me. I knew them before, so that helps. It was a character that blinded me- Gaston."

Caleb is instantly apologetic. "Oh, I'm so sorry. That must have been-"

"That's my other piece of advice," she rubs it off. "Watch out for villains. They will genuinely try and kill you. We wouldn't want that to happen. So don't get stuck with your back against the wall. Stick with Lori. She usually handles it pretty well."

"Thanks. And you do have one person now. We'll always have each other," he jokes, making her laugh.

"Wish me luck." He watches her make her way over and be guided to Lori. The two talk for a few moments before Lori gives a nod and puts a hand on her shoulder, accepting the apology. Caleb is then distracted as Charlie runs up- looking much better- and pulls him onto the dance floor to join them.

Lori then takes a look around, unfortunately seeing that Kaity is still trying very hard to stay clear of her. She sighs and then notices Ben and her seem to be a little ways apart. But she is distracted when Kuzco comes in front of her holding the book. "Don't you want to wait until the end of the party?" she asks him. "You put so much work into it."

He clearly wants to, but plays it off. "Lori, stop being so demanding. I have an entire empire to rule, okay? You aren't the first priority." She rolls her eyes and opens it to a glowing poem.

"Thank you for everything you did. You actually know a lot more about friendship than you give yourself credit for. It's not perfect, but it's definitely a lot better."

He shrugs. "I'll pass that onto Pacha. It's really a compliment for him since he taught me everything I know. Probably why I mention him so much- like you do with Charlie." She gives him a hug for his humility before turning her attention to the book. "Just do me a favor and get better party supplies. One cannot have a proper groove with what you had."

"We'll consider it," she promises. "'Cause this perfect world begins and end with What's his name?"

"Lori's her name," Kuzco manages to say. "Boom baby!" He then vanishes in a burst of light, his efforts not in vain as everyone continues to enjoy the party around them with one another- at peace and having fun for at least one moment in their crazy lives.

XXX

Tune in next week as everyone tries to stay sane in the lead-up to Spring Break and Lori considers some possibilities after a meeting with her counselor.