After a weeklong Spring Break, Lori Fitzgerald enters her dorm room dragging her suitcase behind her. She raises an eyebrow at the sight of the projection Finch Hale sitting up perfectly straight on the couch. The room is dark with the only light coming from the flickering of the television, illuminating DVD cases strewn all about the floor.

Lori takes a breath, flipping on the light. "Finch?" she questions.

The projection turns to her now, giving a small smile. "I followed your advice," she reports, gesturing to the television. "I have officially watched all of Doctor Who."

Lori smirks, clearly amused, and steps further into the room. "You mean the new series, because you know there's-"

"Negative," the projection corrects logically. "I have watched from the First Doctor onward."

"Jesus."

Finch rises and turns off the television. "I actually found it to be quite enjoyable. I could critique several points the made as illogical, but I understand the purpose is to create an atmosphere of adventure." She turns to face Lori, adjusting her glasses. "So with that in mind I found it to be the favorite of the shows I watched."

Lori holds a hand up. "Shows? As in… more than one?"

Finch nods. "I also watched the entire series of LOST, Once Upon a Time, and Teen Wolf. Though I found the last one wasn't really wasn't what I expected. It is not a nature documentary at all."

Lori can't help but let out a snorting laugh. "Those are Hannah's, so you can take that up with her. I'm glad you had a good week though." She gives the projection a quick pat on the back. "I missed you though, all of you honestly. It gets pretty lonely up in Canada by your lonesome as I'm sure you can imagine."

Finch takes a long beat to really think about this before shrugging and shaking her head. "I couldn't imagine." Lori goes to comment when there is a loud crash from the bedroom.

"What was that? Hannah's not back, is she?"

Finch shakes her head. "We have had a guest for the last half of the week. The book activated shortly after you left."

Lori nods and sighs, a little annoyed this is just coming up now. "Two questions. Why are you letting him just roam around campus?"

"After making him well aware of boundaries and conduct of this world I found it cruel to force him to stay here with me- especially when he must perform functions that I do not," Finch alludes matter-of-factly.

"Gross," Lori says with a finger up to derail that train of thought. "Follow-up: why is he getting in through the window? We're on the second floor." Dodger then strolls in from the bedroom, humming to himself. When he sees Lori he puts a paw up for a high five, only to pull it way when she goes for it.

"And he happens to be one cool quadruped," he chuckles, winking at Lori. "If I can make my way around the streets of the Big Apple without causing a ruckus, then this is a piece of cake."

Lori rolls her eyes, but is clearly charmed as she kneels next to him. "Oh boy. If it isn't the coolest dog in school?"

"You got that right." He gives her a true once-over. "And you must be the world famous Lori F. I keep hearing about."

"Please don't call me that."

Dodger doesn't give any clue he's heard her. "I must admit I always pictured you… cooler. You should find some sunglasses or something for when you meet us, because the build-up really doesn't match the pay-off."

Lori folds her arms defensively. "Sorry to disappoint you. I can see you're not in a hurry to get back though, so you'll have to bear with me."

"It'll be like I was never missing from what I'm told. Yeah, I'm smart enough to keep up. So I've been taking in the sights while I waited around for you." He examines his paw, bored. "Not that there's much to see here to keep one interested."

Lori lets out a breath through her nose, becoming a little less charmed with his attitude. "Well I'm here now, so-"Her roommate Hannah Frost abruptly enters the door and shuts it behind her. She takes a few gasping breaths, leaning against the door. "What-?"

"We have a situation," Hannah croaks between breaths.

Lori waves a hand. "Don't worry. The character is here. He got in through the window and I trust he is clever enough that no one saw him."

Hannah finally steadies her breathing and steps forward, shaking her head. "Not a character problem. Companion problem. Any ideas?" she inquires, playing a bit of a game.

"Did you and Caleb break up?" Lori goes to instantly. "Because that is going-"

"No." Hannah is about to make her guess again, but decides against this plan. "Just- you won't guess it."

Lori crosses her arms, rising. "Then why did you give me the option?! That seems really unfair." There is a knock. Hannah gives a nod to be ready and opens it to let Kaity Klingbeil in. She looks dazed and unfocused, almost shuffling into the room more than walking. Lori instantly picks up on the fact that something isn't right. "Kaity?" she asks gently, as the artist looks around the room without seeing anything really. "What- I wasn't- I mean you haven't-"

"There's a dog in the room," Kaity says finally in a slow monotone. She kneels next to him, but seems to realize something is up. "Wait, I-I know why there's a dog in the room. Give me a second." She holds her head in her hands for a long beat before finally reaching what she was searching for. "Oh right, we chase Disney characters."

She goes to pet Dodger, but he steps away from her. "Back off kid. I don't like to be man-handled by just anybody. That includes touching of any sort."

Lori roughly pulls Hannah to a corner of the room as Finch just observes the situation. "Did-did aliens take her brain?" Hannah looks down, hesitating. "Hannah? Nothing you say is going to surprise me at this point really. That's the life we lead. So let's just get it out in the open."

Hannah nods, adjusting her headband before starting. "From what her parents told me it was a rough week for her. She asked them to take her to her previous psychiatrist. He had a recommendation even he didn't expect her to take him up on, but she did."

Kaity seems to have finally come up with something and looks to them. "The dog just talked."

"Mood stabilizers," Hannah answers Lori's dumbfounded look, handing a bottle over. "That- that over there is Kaity on pills."

"But she hates pills." Lori starts in the bottle closely. "She says they never make her seem quite right."

"Obviously," Hannah snorts. "I could barely keep a conversation going with her the whole ride back- she actually got sick and I had to pull over. The doctor said it was just her getting used to them after so long, but-"

"Does Ben know?" Lori interjects suddenly. She presses when Hannah doesn't say anything. "Did she tell her significant other she was going to start taking pills for her bipolar disorder? Or are we going to have to be there when that happens?"

"No," Hannah shakes her head. "They haven't talked all week."

Lori looks skyward. "Shit." There is a knock at the door, and the both freeze as they instantly know who it has to be.

Dodger sees them and bumps into Lori from behind. "Try to keep your cool," he tells her. Lori shoots him a glare.

"I'll let Charlie in and talk to him?" Hannah suggests. Lori nods in agreement and she opens the door. Charlie Prescott comes barreling in and nearly knocks his best friend over as he tackles her for a hug. Hannah seizes the moment to step out before Ben Prescott can join everyone.

"Hannah?!" the tie-clad Ben questions. "Not cool."

"We need to talk before you go in there," she tells him seriously, putting a hand on his shoulder to show how much she means it. "It's really important."

Ben picks up on this, nodding. "Okay. Absolutely. I'm listening."

"When I picked Kaity up this morning, her parents told me she had visited some doctors over the break." Ben takes a sharp breath, but she tries to ignore it and continue on calmly. "They gave her mood stabilizers, and she's not exactly herself in there. She's… she's… "Ben takes another shuddering breath and steps back.

"This is my fault," he whispers.

"Ben-"

"This is all my fault," he dismisses her sympathy. "I pushed her to this." He awkwardly starts fiddling with his tie. "How-how-?"

"It's a big difference," she shoots straight with him.

He is clearly beginning to get worked up, hands moving faster and more erratic. "I-I don't know if I can see her like that. I-"He is surprised when Hannah pulls him in for a hug.

"It's okay. Take all the time you need before you go in there," she comforts. "It's going to be okay." He gives in, sinking his head into her shoulder. "I've got you. We'll get through this. As long as you never speak of this to anyone."

Ben looks up, smirking. "There we go. I was starting worry you weren't the same Hannah either for a second."

"Shut up," she says gently, making both of them smile.

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 Fourteen: I Went Outside the Line

XXX

About an hour later, Lori is lying face down on her bed with Charlie perched at her side. He perks up when Michael Harms enters the room and makes his way over to sit beside them. "So I hear we're not off to the best start."

Lori looks up at him. "I'm convinced my life is some kind of reality show. One day you're all just going to come clean that it's all been this huge practical joke." She flips over so she is on her back, gesturing wildly. "Because this can't be real. There is no way my life went from what it was to having this much drama. If someone had told me this is what would happen when I started allowing Companions, when I started having friends…"

Charlie lies beside her, frowning. "Do you really mean that?"

She ruffles his hair, adamantly shaking her head. "Of course not. I'm sorry," she apologizes sincerely at even insinuating that. "I'm just being… it's a lot. I never thought I'd have to proctor a discussion between two people where they are dating and now one is taking mood stabilizers for her bipolar disorder without telling the other."

Michael lies down on the other side of her so they're all in a line, crushed together comfortably on her small bed. "Hannah's managing, Lores. She's still talking with him. Who would have thought it'd be her ever talking him down from a ledge? With Dodger keeping Kaity occupied?"

"You're telling me," Lori rolls her eyes. "Can we temporarily change the subject, if even for a moment?" she asks her two closest friends.

"How was the hockey game?" Charlie asks.

"I didn't end up going," she says simply. "It wouldn't be any fun without you."

He looks at her sadly. "I'm-"

"Charlie, we talked about this. Every day of the break," she adds. "He's your brother. I understand." They sit in silence for a long beat.

"Jolene and I came up with an idea," Michael says finally. "She would like to have dinner with the two of you- a sort of double date where you two aren't a couple."

"Okay," Lori says hesitantly. "I mean I'd love to, but why?"

"She feels that she hasn't really gotten a chance to meet you guys properly. She only really met you on the day your boyfriend broke up with you. So she figures it's about time I properly introduce her to the two most important friends in my life."

Lori sits up. "Does this include our whole "extreme role playing game" thing, or are we going to be normal people?"

"She wants normal people," he answers honestly. "I think now would be a good time to sort of… win her over to the idea of what we do. She refuses to talk about it, and I want her more open in a way- someone I can talk to about this sort of thing rather than her always deflecting."

Lori is starting to see Michael's true aim. "And you think meeting the two of us will help with that?"

"Come on. We know Charlie could win over anyone. That's his essential role on our team outside of keeping you from losing your mind."

"He does have a point."

"Maybe she'd even be willing to try a run as a Companion so I don't have to feel like I'm neglecting her for the work," Michael throws out what is clearly his big hope.

Lori is hesitant. "She doesn't seem very keen on that idea from what I've heard."
"I'm hoping I can win her over," Michael shrugs.

"I wouldn't push it though," Lori warns in a sad tone that reflects her personal experiences. "You have a good thing going."

Her tone makes him concede a bit. "I suppose so, Lores. I just… sometimes I envy how easy Hannah has it with Caleb."

"Speaking of, I'm surprised you consider us to be the two you're closest to," Lori changes the subject abruptly. "You used to consider Hannah your best friend if I remember."

"Or maybe Ben," Charlie adds.

"Things shift and change I suppose," Michael contemplates. "We have a lot more in common than I do with her, spend more time together. Honestly, I can't imagine my life being the same without them, but I don't know if I could actually make it without the two of you," he admits. "I know that sound ridiculous-"

Charlie jumps up. "Not at all. In fact I think this calls for a group hug."

"I concur," Lori adds, tackling him in a hug with Charlie joining her. They start tickling him.

"Hey! Hey! I thought this was about making Lori feel better!" He turns a bit and earns a knee accidently in his side. "Ow, that's my spleen!" They all start laughing together, the two sitting on top of him. "Now, can you please get off? It's starting to get hard to breathe."

"Ah, we'll get off when we feel like it," Lori says playfully.

They sit for a moment before Charlie speaks up, concerned. "I'm worried about Kaity."

"We all are," she assures him. "But we'll get her through this. We're in this together."

"But more importantly, we're all one big family," Michael says in a muffled voice. Lori stiffens at the word.

"I don't know about that," she says, trying to play off her fear at the meaning of the term. "I'm not quite ready for all of us to buy a house together in San Francisco. It's cute that you feel that way though. Let's get off him and check on them." They climb off, help him up, and head out of the bedroom ready to get back in on the action.

XXX

The next afternoon, Hannah jogs out of her class and down the hallway, clearly rushing. She bobs and weaves through people only to crash into someone and gets sent flying back onto her backside.

"I'm sorry," a familiar controlled voice says. She looks up only to see it is Brett Edwardson. "You should really pay attention when you are running though."

"I know," she agrees. "I'm in a hurry to meet a friend." He helps her up gently, handing her books from off the floor. "You are quite solid." She then blushes at what she's said

He smiles, both of them clearly more comfortable than they have been before. "I work out," he offers, blushing a bit.

This makes Hannah smiles, but she shakes her head clear. "You see, my friend, she's going through some rough stuff and I'm hoping I can sort of- why am I telling you this?" she realizes she's babbling.

He shrugs, still smiling at her fondly. "I have one of those faces I suppose. The kind you at least seem to tell everything to."

She rolls her eyes playfully. "Right. She's- you know Kaity Klingbeil? Ever heard of her?"

"She's a member of your posse," he offers. "She's also pretty well known around school for suffering from bipolar disorder."

"Yes. Wait, my posse?"

"Some say cult. I prefer to give you the benefit of the doubt. You're just a group of really good friends, something not a lot of people can or sometimes desire to find."

"We're all just friends," she assures him.

"Who never seem to be without at least one of the others," he counters.

She takes a step closer, taking the bait. "I'm alone now."

He closes the gap between them. "But rushing to another, so I thing that argument becomes void."

"I forgot," she laughs. "Pre-law."

"And I forgot how pretty your smile is," he practically whispers.

It's like a jolt to her, making her realize just how close they are and how she's talking to him. She takes a few steps back and swallows, looking down. "I should stop bothering you. You don't care-"

"I care," he cuts her off.

She narrows her eyes. "Right."

"Hannah, believe me, I care about what you're saying to me. There is a heart in here and let me check…," he puts a hand to his chest, "beating."

Hannah is really put off by how different this Brett in front of her seems, but is clearly trying to keep a distance. "You're being particularly charming today, may I just say."

He shrugs. "You seem to bring it out in me."

It has officially become too much. She tries to go around him. "I… I need to go. Right now. Goodbye, Brett."

"It was nice-"

"Bye," she says, pushing past him forcefully and continuing down the hallway.

"Hannah!" She finds herself stopping and looking back. "She was my partner in Gym one time. Never had a bad word to say though I had many against myself. So I'm wishing her all the best. I am capable of caring for other people outside of myself. I just haven't really ever put it in practice."

"Sounds good. Whatever." She practically runs away from the situation to the art building, ashamed and mad at herself for what has just happened. She enters on of the studios to see Kaity sitting in front of a blank canvas, staring intently at it. Ben is standing just behind her. Hannah shakes off her own personal troubles and comes to stand next to him. "What's-?"

Ben looks completely solemn. "She called me-"

"Nothing's happening," Kaity cuts in, voice slightly higher than monotone. "Something's supposed to happen. There's supposed to be a picture." Hannah watches as Ben puts his head in his hands for a moment, but quickly pulls it together.

"Kaity, we talked about this," he says gently. "You make the picture. You just need to come up with an idea."

Kaity stares at it for a beat, paintbrush in her hand. She starts shaking her head, trying to be frustrated but not quite capable of expressing it. "It's not working. I-I-"

Ben can't help but sigh. "Normally she'd be throwing things or at least be using some colorful language," he whispers to Hannah. "Now she just looks…"

"Lost," Hannah finishes, completely agreeing.

Kaity drops the brush and grabs her head, desperately trying to concentrate. "I can't find it. I'm not lost. It's lost."

"She's completely out of it," Hannah shakes her head. "Have you told her what you think-?"

"No. She made it clear this is her choice."

"Then what are you going to do?"

Ben comes up behind Kaity and gently massages her shoulder. "Support her no matter what."

"It's lost." She gestures to her head. "It's all cloudy and I can't find it."

"It's okay," he comforts her. "You'll figure it out. Maybe a break will help."

Kaity takes a long moment before nodding. "Alright. I think I want to take a nap." He helps her off the stool, hand supporting her back.

"That sounds like a great plan," he agrees, leading her out.

Hannah whispers to him as he walks by. "Kaity would never quit. She'd never leave."

He gives her a cold look. "You think I'm not aware of that?" He walks off with Kaity, gentle as can be. Hannah just stares after them, clenching her jaw in determination.

"I think this calls for Dodger. He must be for her." She starts to head out, but pauses. "Or maybe he's for me," she admits, scared and guilty.

XXX

Meanwhile, Finch is reading in the library at a cubicle. Suddenly, Rachel Ellis takes the seat across from her- huge smile on her face.

Finch glances up to see it's her. "What assistance may I be to you Rachel Ellis? I am currently trying-"

"Good," she interrupts, folding her cane. "I got you this time."

"I do not comprehend-"

"I sat in a few wrong cubicles trying to find you. Beside the point," she dismisses with a wave of her hand. "But guess what? Kayleigh Sullivan was caught drinking in the theatre last night! Isn't that great?!"

Everyone shoots her a look, making Finch look a bit uncomfortable. "Thank you for the information… If you'll excuse me-"

Rachel sighs. "Finch, she was in the play," she breaks it down. "She was Sharon. She's out of the play now."

"So the director must find another to take the role, affirmative?"

"Yes. He was just going to cast a student director, but I talked to him about this friend of mine I practice with who has the accent nailed," Rachel says gleefully. "She couldn't audition because she's a transfer and was getting her footing, but now she is all set. He said he would consider her for an audition before he makes a final decision if she came in tomorrow!"

"Well that sounds like an excellent solution," Finch agrees, returning to her reading as the story has ended.

Rachel rises. "So we should go practice so you're ready for tomorrow."

Finch catches on and shoots up as well. "Halt. You are speaking of myself?"

Rachel taps her chin. "Well, the name I gave him was Finch Hale now that I think about it, so it must be." She laughs, unable to see how uncomfortable Finch looks. "Come on. Time's a wasting!"

"Negative. I cannot-"

"You can," Rachel disagrees, leaning over the desk towards her. "We both know that. We just need to hammer out your timing a tiny bit. The problem is that you're scared, which happens to every single person. I promise you."

Finch shakes her head. "My programming does not-"

"Finch, even you know you are beyond your programming. You can't let it hold you back," she encourages. "You're never going to find a life outside of Lori and the book if you refuse to take a chance at something new. You have to get out there and try. We get to be great at one thing if we're lucky, but we'll never know what it is unless we look for it." Finch doesn't say anything, so she tries a different route. "At least audition. If you don't make it who cares? But what if you do?"

Finch looks around, still processing reasons to hesitate. "Lori and her Companions-"

"Anyone who says a word about it can go through me," Rachel vows intensely. "And you know Lori would never be anything but supportive of your efforts to figure out who you are anyway."

Finch tries another. "I do not wish-"

"Just answer me this. Does it make you happy?"

"I did quite enjoy it," the projection admits.

Rachel smiles. "I thought so. And we both know you deserve to be happy. So let's go get you more familiar with the script so you absolutely nail it." She starts walking.

"Rachel Ellis, a robot can't be in a play," Finch says to her back, looking down.

Rachel looks over her shoulder with a wide smile. "Then it's a good thing you're not a robot." She keeps walking, Finch clearly touched and following her.

"Statistically it would not hurt to make an attempt," she concedes, helping steer Rachel around a computer station.

"Alright, alright, alright." Finch merely looks at her confused, and Rachel sighs at the silence. "That was Matthew McConaughey. God, if you're going to be an actor you really need to learn your celebrities. But we will save that for after you get the part."

"Perhaps you should not be accepting that statement as a given."

"Shut up and move!" the blind girl bosses as the two exit the library on a mission.

XXX

That evening, Ben opens his door to find Hannah. She stands there for a minute before words just come flooding out uncontrollably. "I flirted with Brett Edwardson. That wasn't what I was going to say when I came in. I was going to talk about Kaity. Funny what comes flying out of you though."

She walks past him and falls onto the couch as he raises an eyebrow. "Brett Edwardson? As in-?"

"Yep. I ran into him and he was flirting," she offers, clearly full of self-loathing.

Ben nods, processing. "And you flirted back?"

"And I flirted back!" She pulls at her hair in anger. "God! I didn't even mention that I had a boyfriend- the best boyfriend I think I have ever possessed personally. Possessed is such a creepy turn to say. Scratch that and replace it with something else."

He takes a seat in the chair next to her; trying to be patient despite thinking she is insane. "May I inquire why you're not discussing this with him rather than me?"

"Because I needed someone who would be harsh and judge me," she admits, staring up at him. "I always know where to go for that."

"Thanks."

"Any time. So… yell and judge. Tell me what a horrible person I am. Please."

Ben sighs. "Go take this up with your boyfriend Hannah," he says finally, distinctly tired and refusing to judge. "That's what he's for."

She rises, glaring at him. "Fine. I will. You've gone soft." She heads for the door but stops at it, softening as she faces him again. "You realize if she stays on those pills she will never be the same again, right? Your life with her, if I'm being frank, will be miserable."

He nods, annoyed she's pointing out the obvious. "I know."

"And you're still not going to tell her how you feel?" she questions harsher than she intended.

He raises an eyebrow at her. "She's the girl I'm in love with, so you take care to watch what you say about her in front of me." He waits for her to back down.

She doesn't crossing her arms. "No. No, she's not." This clearly hits him, but he doesn't have much time as Finch and Rachel enter with Dodger.

"What can I do for all of you?" Ben questions, a little surprised at the new company.

"They're all in Lori's room, so we came here to practice," Rachel informs him.

"For what?" Hannah inquires.

Finch goes to answer, but Rachel elbows her, or at least tries and phases through her. "Secret. Just don't bother us." They start for the bedroom.

"I'm with them," Dodger walks past, nodding. "She has sunglasses. Clearly she's the cool one." Rachel snorts at this.

Finch halts though, turning to Ben. "One moment. I just want to express my concern for the chemical signatures I'm registering in the brain of Kaity Klingbeil."

"Stay out of her brain, Finch," he warns. "That's personal."

Finch shakes her head. "I am under orders from Lori Fitzgerald that cannot be overwritten."

Ben groans, frustrated. "God, everybody just stay out of it. Kaity made her choice and we need to honor it."

Hannah just keeps staring him down. "If this is just about you throwing a fit that she didn't include you-"

"It's not. Drop it. Okay?!"

"Okay," she finally gives in, hands up. "But you both deserve better than a life with a girl who can barely remember who she is." She storms out, slamming the door.

Dodger rolls his eyes. "You guys are just full of drama in these parts, aren't you?" he asks Rachel.

"Yeah, I'm starting to learn that if it's not one thing there will always be another," Rachel admits. "Let's get to work. Good luck with your thoughts Benjamin."

They head into the bedroom before he shouts after them. "Finch, seriously, stay out of her head. It's crowded enough in there as it is."

Finch pokes her head out. "Benjamin Prescott, seriously, orders from Lori Fitzgerald. And I am quite worried about her as well. It is what I can do. So negative." He is floored by the amount of sass she had just given them.

"You are a horrible influence on her, Rachel!"

"Good! About time somebody was!"

"I'm sticking with you guys," Dodger says. "You clearly know how to work a conversation. Have fun out there, buddy." Ben leans back in the chair with a sigh.

XXX

The next evening, Michael and Jolene Dean are sitting at an outdoor café waiting for the other half of their double date. She looks around, quite baffled as she zips up her jacket. "I have to say, this was an interesting place for dinner." A cold winds blows by and she shivers. "Insisting we be outside on a cool spring day. Did Lori pick it?"

"It was a… necessary choice," he dodges. "You'll see." At that moment, Lori and Charlie come up to the table with wide smiles and on their best behavior. But all Jolene notices is that Dodger is perched next to Lori's side, tail wagging as he winks at her.

"Jolene," Lori extends her hand. "It's so nice to finally properly meet you." She just stares at the hand and Lori awkwardly lowers it. "As I'm sure you gathered I'm Lori and this is Charlie." He waves.

"What's with the dog?" she questions harshly.

Dodger raises an eyebrow. "I happen to have a name. It would be-"

Jolene covers her mouth, reeling. "You did not. You brought a character to dinner. You literally brought a Disney character to dinner with us."

"It was necessary that someone watched him," Lori explains, trying to remain patient.

"We couldn't have waited until after to have dinner?" Jolene questions.

Lori is trying to keep from being annoyed, though it isn't easy. "We never know how much time we have between honestly. So we make it work. That's how our lives just kind of work." She sits and everyone follows as a waiter comes up.

He gestures to Dodger, who has his teeth bared at Jolene. "Miss, you need a leash on him if he's going to-"

"Trust me, he is exceptionally well-behaved," Lori smiles sweetly. "Right?" Dodger sighs and plays along, sitting right beside her and letting her pet him. He even lets his tongue stick out to be the picture of innocence.

The waiter hesitates. "Still-"

"Please. We don't man-handle him. It's quite rude." The waiter doesn't say anything more, so she takes this as having won. "I'll have an iced tea, please."

"Me too please," Charlie echoes.

"Same please," Michael smiles.

Jolene rolls her eyes. "Water."

"Can I get the same for him?" Lori adds, scratching Dodger behind the ears.

The waiter nods. "Be right back with that." He walks away and Jolene lets out a groan.

"I can't believe you all actually pulled this," she sighs. "I've made my position on this whole affair very clear."

"She seems like a keeper," Dodger snorts.

"Behave," Lori tells him. "Listen, I know this isn't ideal. I can see you want no part or discussion about the hijinks we end up getting ourselves into. I want to respect that." She gives Michael an apologetic look, but he nods in understanding and agreement.

"I appreciate that," Jolene calms a bit, becoming her usual polite self.

"So let's just try to salvage this dinner before we all end up hating each other and making awkward first impressions. Tell us about yourself Jolene. Why did you want to be a-"The waiter bring the drinks, putting a bowl of water ad Dodger's feet.

"Thanks man," he says, making everyone at the table mentally panic. "Now just pull me up a chair and I'll be all set."

The waiter reels back so Lori stands grandly. "Boom! You've just been pranked by ABC! The cameras sure got that face I hope! Come on, man. A talking dog."

"Really? What show?" the waiter asks, having regained his color.

"I can't do this," Jolene decides, rising. "This-some other time."

Lori stands in front of her, seeing how desperate Michael is. "Wait. Just sit down and we'll-"

Jolene pushes past her, but with a little more force than intended. Lori is sent to the ground, letting out a hiss of pain.

"Is this part of the show?" the waiter asks Charlie. He scribbles on a napkin 'Robot Dog Traveling Theatre Company' and gives it to him.

"Catch it Wednesdays on NBC."

"She said-"

"Have a great one," he dismisses the man as Michael hands him a five. Jolene goes to help Lori up, clearly apologetic, but Dodger gets between the two growling.

"I would stay away from her if you don't want to get hurt," he says in a dangerous tone. "So think of your next move very carefully." Jolene steps back, hands in the air.

"Dodger," Lori chides. "I'm sorry. He didn't-"

"Take me home," Jolene asks Michael. "Please just take me home."

Michael sees how uncomfortable she is with this whole affair, with this whole part of his life, and makes his decision. "I will. Let's go." He puts a hand on her back. "I'll see you guys later," he says, resisting the urge to look Lori over. She nods at him that she's okay and the two depart.

Dodger instantly reverts to normal as Lori gives him a look. "I'm not going to apologize. I don't like her because she clearly didn't like you. I wasn't about to let her pull anything on you."

Lori sighs, a little defeated. "I know." She hugs him, surprised he lets her. "Thank you."

Charlie helps her up and she ruffles his hair. "That was as close to a disaster as one could get," he can't help but say. She gives a small laugh and leans on him for support as they limp off, Dodger at her other side. "Does it bother you that he picked her?"

"No," she admits instantly. "That's how it's supposed to be," she says a little wistfully. "I won't take it personally at all because I know as soon as he's done talking to her he's coming right to us. We are his best friends after all."

XXX

Meanwhile, Ben is watching a movie with a silent and rigid Kaity. He just stares at her for a long moment, beginning to realize that this isn't his girlfriend like Hannah said.

She stands up. "I need to take my pill."

He holds his tongue a moment, before speaking up. "Maybe you should skip it for a day? You're still getting sick and sleep an awful lot, so maybe it'll be good to take a break."

She just stares at him for the longest of moments, face blank. She looks about ready to agree, but the Ben smiles at her. She blinks and continues towards the bathroom. "No. I need to take the pill. I need to be normal."

He watches her disappear before letting out a deep breath, burying his head in his hands. But suddenly something clicks together about the situation and he rises at the epiphany. He quickly runs out of the room, slamming the door behind him in his hurry.

XXX

On another floor, Caleb Dean opens his room door to find a very distressed incarnation of his girlfriend almost crying outside it. "You should break up with me," Hannah says instantly. "Right now. Because I'm a horrible person."

He blinks. "Or I could grab my shovel and help you hide the body," he tries a joke, smiling at her.

She shakes her head. "Seriously."

He shouts back to his roommates. "Someone take my controller. I'm going to be a bit." He steps out into the hallway with her, shutting the door behind him. "Super Smash tournament with some guy friends," he answers the unasked question. "We are allowed to have friends outside the other Companions right?" She starts crying and he gently grabs her shoulders. "Okay, enough with the attempts at humor. What is eating away at you that is worth a break-up?"

"I ran into Brett Edwardson in the hallway yesterday. He flirted with me… and I flirted back," she admits. "Plus I didn't tell you about until right now."

"Which is a day ago, so I'm waving that reason away right now," Caleb tells her.

She shrugs. "Fine. But I still flirted with another guy, which is sort of cheating. And you should definitely not stick around with a cheater. You're better than that." She pulls away from him as he processes.

He finally forces her to meet his eyes. "Hannah I think we have a real problem here and it's not you and Brett Edwardson."

"Yes it is!" she sobs, now fully crying.

He tries to comfort her, but she won't let him. "I've flirted too," he says finally. "I was getting a coffee over spring break. She was cute and made a remark. I noticed and remarked back. I didn't tell her I was dating anyone. It's natural and flattering and makes you feel good that people still notice you. It's human," he tries to get through to her, patient to a fault. "But I know I don't want to date her or be with her because I am beyond happy with you. If she had asked, I would have told her as much. Do you want to date Brett rather than me?"

"No!" Hannah shouts. "Of course not!"

He shrugs. "Then I see no problem. We both want to be with each other, we are, and we have normal human interactions. That all seems pretty good to me, and certainly not worth breaking up with you over." He reaches for her again, and this time she lets him. He gently wipes away her tears. "If it makes you uncomfortable though, then I encourage you to avoid flirting with him for your conscience. But I'm fine."

She takes a steadying breath. "What's the real problem then?"

"That you've hit the point where you're looking for an excuse to break up with me."

"I'm not-"

"Its fine," he assures her. "We're exiting the honeymoon phase and starting to get a little more serious. I'm now a Companion and spending time with your friends. You hang out with my cousin. It's the point where we end things before we get too serious or really invest into this."

"I don't think I've ever really made it to that point," Hannah admits.

He smiles down at her. "Well this is what it looks like. You come up with something, and think it the excuse that is worth ending things over. But I'm refusing to give in," he declares, getting emotional himself. "I am falling for you unbelievably fast and consider you to be among the greatest people I have ever met. You give me hope I haven't felt since I lost the love of my life. Hope that in life we might get more than one." He clears his throat. "Thus we're not going to play this game, because I respect you too much. I'm going to ask you point blank: in or out?"

Hannah doesn't miss a beat, hugging him tight. "In. Couldn't be more in if I tried."

He kisses the top of her head. "Then don't try to force me into breaking up with you again. Be in with me."

"Okay," she agrees. "Okay. I'm sorry for ever doubting you. I'm just so new at this. I'm scared you're going to break me if I don't break you first," she admits the true heart of the problem.

"We're both pretty cracked. The best people are. But I am going to treat you the way you deserve to be treated," he vows. "We may go the distance. We may not. But I will always have intense regard for your feelings every step of the way. You trusted me with your secret. Now trust me with you."

She puts both hands on either side of his face, eyes locked on his. "I do." He kisses her for a long moment, before playing with the stitching on his shirt. "Do you want to go back in or-?" He kisses her again until they both need to come up for gasps of air.

"I was losing pretty badly anyway," he says low and out of breath. She laughs before going in for a third kiss.

XXX

Jolene and Michael enter her dorm room, standing in silence for a long moment. Finally, she puts a hand on his arm. "Michael, I'm never going to be a Companion," she tells him bluntly.

"I know," he admits, looking down.

"Do you?" she pushes. "Because you keep pushing me-"

"I did," he cuts in. "I know I did. I apologize. I was just seeing what you could be rather than what you are. All that you do and put up with for me already."

Jolene takes this in. "If this isn't-"

"You're enough," Michael promises before she can even finish. "Way more than enough. I promise. Don't think you're holding me back or aren't right for me. Because you are. I just make mistakes sometimes. But I promise I will never push you on the matter again. I will respect you and your decision."

Jolene gives him a quick kiss. "Go make sure she's okay. And apologize to her for me."

"I will," he promises, not even hesitating. "Thank you." With a quick kiss on the cheek he's out the door, leaving her to stare after him with very mixed emotions.

"Here I was starting to think I came first."

XXX

Around midnight, Kaity is staring at the blank canvas in the art room. She turns at a knock to see Ben, who had something clutched in his hand.

"I'm working," she tells him, slightly more adjusted to the pills. "At least, I'm trying to. I still can't seem to find anything. And you left last night, which is rude."

"I'll explain everything. But that's what I wanted to talk to you about." He sits next to her and turns her stool to face him. "I know why you did this."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she dismisses, not following.

He drops a picture into her hand. It is one of the two of them dancing on Valentine's Day. "This is what I was doing last night. I had to run to the photo lab and get this developed."

"Why?"

"It proves my point. You started taking those pills because you love me," he says gently. "After these past couple of weeks, you thought I deserved normal. I deserved for this to be easier."

"And it is," she says adamantly, some of the fog clearing as she talks to him. "This is what I want."

"But I should tell you that I don't," Ben informs her bravely. "I don't want you like this."

"I don't understand…"

He takes her hands. "This is not the Kaity I fell in love with right here. I need to tell you that rather than pretending you're the same."

"We are," she argues.

"No," he counters, calm but determined to get his point across. "You don't have her emotions. You don't have her thoughts. You don't have everything that together makes the girl I chose to be with. I didn't choose you. I respect what you did for me, but I don't want you. I want my girlfriend, Kaity Klingbeil."

Kaity smiles at him crying. "You love her," she realizes. "I didn't think anyone could. But you'd pick her over this."

"I would. And I'd hate to ruin the romantic moment, but I can name seven other people who would as well."

Kaity nods, floored by how much he loves her and his acceptance of her illness. "I'll stop taking the pills," she promises. "I'm sorry I ever took them in the first place. I thought- I thought I was doing you a favor."

"You weren't. You were being an idiot- one of the things I love about Kaity Klingbeil," he chuckles. "Next time just call me though for a consult, even if we are in the middle of an awkward moment. I may save some effort and suffering on your part. I can pull off a few surprises."

"I swear I will," she answers, kissing him quickly.

"You don't kiss right like this," Ben admits.

She shrugs. "You'll have to make due. It'll take me a few days for these to fully wear off."

"Screw it," he decides. "As long as my Kaity doesn't mind me cheating."

"She's cool with it," Kaity says instantly.

"Great," he shoots right back, kissing her again.

XXX

The next morning, everyone sits at breakfast outside of Rachel and Kaity, listening as Ben fills them in. "So it's going to take a few days to flush everything out, but by the end of the week she should be back to her old self," Ben informs everyone as he eats his eggs.

"That's great," Lori speaks for everyone. "I'm still not sure how Dodger fit into all of this though. We might not be able to send him back yet."

"Oh it should work," Hannah cuts in. "I think he was here for me- very indirectly though. We actually didn't talk much."

"How so?" Michael pushes.

"It's like the song goes. I have nothing to worry about in my relationship. My fears were unfounded."

Lori takes a beat before shaking her head. "That seems like a bit of a stretch."

"I kind of agree," Caleb even throws out. "Though it was a good lesson."

"Finch! Finch!" They all turn to see Rachel coming up to the table, practically jumping up and down. "I just talked to him. Check your e-mail." Finch puts her fingers to her temple, eyes glazing over.

"I received the part?!" she exclaims suddenly. "He has chosen me to represent Sharon?!"

"Affirmative!" Rachel cheers, hugging her. "You did it! I'm so proud of you! This is going to be so much fun!"

"What are we celebrating?" Michael speaks for everyone's confusion.

"I have received a part in the school play," she tells all of them, a little hesitant. "I shall be Sharon, who is the third most important character in terms of plot and the second if one goes by words in the lines I speak."

Hannah puts a hand up, incredulous. "Wait a moment; you're going to be in the play?"

"Affirmative," Finch responds.

Michael can't help but raise an eyebrow. "As in you have to get on stage and act… like express yourself as an actor?"

"Affirmative," Rachel says snappily. "Is there a problem with that?" she inquires, locking eyes with everyone around the table.

Lori smiles in approval. "Absolutely not, right?" She raises her eyebrows at everyone, making sure they all shake their heads before turning to Finch. "I for one am very proud of you, Finch. First of all that you even went for it in the first place."

"It took some convincing, but I'm pretty persuasive," Rachel rubs her knuckles on her blouse.

"You're really becoming your own person," Lori continues with pride. "Branching out and doing new things. This is all I want for you. To find something you love for when we send the book back."

"I know I'll buy tickets for two shows now," Charlie adds. "One for Rachel and one for Finch."

Lori ruffles his hair. "I think I'll do the same."

"Thank you, Lori Fitzgerald," Finch accepts, sitting back down after pulling out a chair for Rachel. "Your approval of choices I'm making on my own means a lot. So does the support all of you are giving me. I'm starting to have a glimmer of what a future could look like for me. I just had to be brave enough to go after it."

"Now that sounds like the lesson," Caleb nudges Hannah.

"How?" Hannah questions, folding her arms playfully.

"Oliver and Company is about finding your place and realizing it doesn't always fall in line with everyone else," Caleb tries. "But you have to be where your heart is, what makes you feel happy and at home."

"Fine," Hannah gives up. "She obviously wins." Everyone laughs and goes back to breakfast, chatting with one another.

XXX

Hannah is walking down the hallway later that day when she sees Brett. She halts as he spots her and makes his way over. "We meet again," he begins.

"We sure do," she answers, taking a deep breath.

"How-?"

"I have a boyfriend," she cuts in. "Caleb Dean. He's amazing. And I know it's completely normal and okay that you flirted and I flirted back. Especially given our history I was extremely flattered at how you seemed to be taking genuine interest in me. But Caleb Dean is my boyfriend and though it is okay that I flirted I do not wish to do that again. Because he is amazing and I feel like I owe that to him," she says almost all in one breath. "So I think it's best that I just keep walking so as to remove temptation."

"Oh," Brett answers, having barely kept up, though clearly disappointed. "Okay I guess?"

"You don't get to sound like that," she warns him. "You did this. I'm happy now. Please, if you do care about people as you claim to do now, leave me alone. Respect my wishes and decisions."

"As you wish," he nods. "Have a great life Hannah. He's lucky to have you." He starts to walk away from her. "Luckier than he can ever know," he mutters under his breath.

Hannah lets out a huge sigh of relief as if a weight has been lifted from her chest. She keeps walking, pulling out her phone to text Caleb: 'Just wanted to say "Still in."'

XXX

That evening, everyone is gathered around Dodger in Lori and Hannah's dorm room. "So we're not exactly sure what the exact lesson was or who it was for," Lori tells him, book in her hands. "But a lot of people learned a lot of things, so we're going to assume you had a hand in one." She opens the book to a glowing poem. "Apparently we had a winner."

"Sure seems like it," he nods. "It's been fun kids."

"I have a question," Charlie cuts in. "You don't like to be man-handled. You didn't even let any of us touch you."

"Your point?" the dog inquires.

"Except Lori. You even let her hug you."

"That is because that girl is hands down the coolest girl there is," he tells them all, completely serious. They all look to her as she tries to hide her blushing. "Every single person in this room owes where they are right now to her. She makes people better. It looks like she made me a little better too. So… go ahead."

"Really?" Charlie gets excited.

"Why not?" Charlie hugs him, everyone else joining for a group hug.

"Tell Oliver I miss him," Charlie whispers.

"I will." They all pull away and he nods at Lori who nods back. He then puts his bandanna in her hand to her surprise. "A gift for you," he says with a wink.

"I-I couldn't."

"I'll find another one," he shrugs. "It's to remind you how cool you are, even if not exactly what one expects."

She tucks it into the book. "Thank you. It will make the perfect bookmark. Why should I worry? Why should I care? I may not have a dime But I've got street savoir faire" she sings. He vanishes in a burst of light and she closes the book.

"You are pretty cool," Caleb of all people tells her. She looks over all her Companions.

"Only because of you guys."

"I think this calls for a group hug," Michael declares, he and Charlie leading the way in tackling her. Everyone else follows.

"No! No! Stop!" she shouts as everyone piles on top of her, before breaking out into hysterical laughter as they all just sit on top of her. "I can't breathe."

"It's good to be back at school," Ben voices. Everyone nods in agreement before rolling off and spreading out on the carpet together, just enjoying each other's company.

XXX

Tune in next week as Hannah's birthday rolls around, making it a day the rest of the Companions shall come to fear. Except Lori- she's not having any of that.