Sunday night, Hannah Frost opens her door to find her boyfriend Caleb Dean standing there. The two instantly become awkward with one another, her looking down as he clears his throat. "So… I've been out the entire weekend dealing with a hangover," he begins, ashamed. "And I don't remember everything, but I'm positive I ruined-"
"Not here," she warns. "Not now."
"Hannah-"
"This is a private conversation." She opens the door to reveal practically all the Companions gathered in the living area: Ben Prescott, Kaity Klingbeil, Finch Hale, and Rachel Ellis. She gestures to them. "And we are very much not alone right now."
"I can see that," Caleb nods, understanding.
Ben notices the two of them and with a pat on Kaity's back makes his way over. "Everything-"
"It's fine," Hannah dismisses, heading over to the couch. Ben follows with a look at Caleb, who steps into the room a moment later.
"So I'm guessing this has to do with a series of texts I received about Michael?" Everyone nods in agreement. He leans against one of the walls- a good distance from Hannah to give her space. "How are things looking?"
Ben starts playing with his tie. "Michael says he'll discuss everything with us when they get back."
They sit in silence for a minute before Rachel speaks up. "So is not knowing about his mom a new Companion thing?" she asks bluntly. "Did I just not get the memo on everyone's back backstories yet?"
"It's a Power Trio thing," Kaity corrects her, earning a questioning look from the room. "Come on," she sighs. "The group of us may all be best friends and spend an unhealthy amount of time together, but there are three people who are in a league of their own. We know it and secretly wish we had it too."
"I knew there was something about his mom," Hannah speaks up, a little defensive. "He muttered about her when the two of you were sick from Madam Mim. But he never offered-"The door opens and Lori Fitzgerald steps in with a small suitcase, looking tired.
She sees everyone there and switches into leader mode. "They're stopping to drop off their stuff in the room first. It's been a long weekend for him, so… be patient. Please." Everyone nods as she moves the suitcase into the bedroom, emerging after a minute to wait with everyone.
Then an exhausted and depleted Michael Harms enters with Charlie Prescott right behind him. He stops just looking at everyone from the doorway, tearing up instantly. Lori doesn't waste a beat and steps forward, pulling him into for a hug. Everyone else just waits as she pulls back and leads him to sit on the couch, holding his hand as he does.
He takes a deep breath, wipes his eyes, and turns to face the concerned group. "So… as you all know I went home this weekend because my mom… she's had mental issues since my dad died. And when I was there things were well enough that she carried on. We made it work. But she's been slipping these past couple years with me at school despite agreeing to visit someone weekly." It starts to get harder for him, but Lori just squeezes his hand to silently cheer him on. "So… she… she's completely slipped from reality. She doesn't even know who I am- won't talk to anyone except when she screams and throws things. It's… bad."
Hannah crosses her arms. "Well… is there a plan or something they can do to make her better?" she demands a little harshly, clearly upset at where she thinks this is leading.
Michael nods. "The solution's obvious. I need to move back home." Everyone reacts accordingly, looking shocked and sad- voices all crying out things at once. He just lets them bounce off. "After this semester, I go back home and stay there."
Ben plays with his tie, distressed. "Harms, there has-"
"You can't-"Hannah talks over him.
Michael cuts everyone off as the other go to say their piece too. "Guys, I've been over this with the two of them," he says with a gesture to a stoic Charli and Lori. "It's what needs to be done. She's my mom- the only family I have left. She needs me and so I need to be there."
"But what about being a doctor?" Rachel can't help but mention. "It's just about your only dream."
"It can still happen. I can eventually come back to school."
"What about Jolene?" Caleb brings up his cousin.
"I will talk to her first chance I get," he vows. "I… I honestly wanted you guys to know first. You're my best friends and I'm so grateful I got to be part of this adventure and know you all." Lori stares off into space as his voice chokes up, trying to keep it together. "I know it's hard and I'm going to miss all of you so much, but it-"They hear the filing cabinet in the next room which disrupts their rapt attention at Michael's speech. LORI runs and comes out a moment later with the glowing book. The two of them make eye contact. "It's not going to change anything," he tells her.
"I know," she says sadly. "Let's move out guys." Everyone puts on their coats and grabs flashlights to get ready, all dragging their feet and seeming generally melancholy. Except Kaity- who has a pretty big smile on her face.
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 Sixteen: I Came Home
XXX
About fifteen minutes later, everyone is combing the preserve carefully with flashlights in all directions. Kaity however is hiding in the back away from Lori and Michael at the front. Hannah notices this and drifts back next to her. "You're lucky she's too distracted to pay any attention to you," she warns.
Kaity smirks. "What can I say? I'm taking advantage of the situation."
"You could at least try to wipe that smile off you face."
"Why should I? I'm looking forward to no longer having weekly check-ups with our local Doctor. Plus not having to deal with him in general. The maybe there won't be such a power vacuum in here."
Hannah rolls her eyes. "Kaity, stop. This is a really sad thing. We're losing one of our best guys."
"It's kind of hard to see it that way when he sedated me," Kaity reminds her as she moves hair from in front of her eye, looking nonchalant.
Hannah looks at her a moment before speaking again. "Listen, you're not fooling me with the tough act. But at least show some respect for a fellow Companion."
"I'm not acting. That's Finch's new job, remember."
Finch flinches in front of her, and Rachel who is next to her bitterly turns around having heard it too. "Hey! How about you shut up?!" she shouts, causing Lori to look back and see what it going on.
Her flashlight settles on the small blonde. "Kaity?"
Kaity glares at Rachel who can only look smug. "Busted."
Lori comes up to her. "What are you doing here? You're benched. Unless there's something you want to say?" she probes.
"I do actually," Kaity decides, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Lori." There is a long beat as Lori just stares at her passively. "Okay?"
Lori turns around to keep walking. "Kaity, go back to your room."
Kaity's jaw drops. "Lori, I-"Something suddenly snatches Lori from the ground, whisking her into the trees. The Companions immediately cluster together in the spot, frantic.
"Lores!" Michael shouts.
"Lori!" he best friend follows.
Finch puts two fingers to her temple, eyes glazing over. "I'm picking up her heat signature right over there." They take off for the familiar Library Tree, unable to see Lori is shakily standing on a branch at the top, sword appearing in her hand.
"Listen here," she warns a shadow behind her. "You do not want to mess with me!" she shouts with a swipe to the person's arm. They let out a cry of pain and back into a pool of light where she can see it is Tarzan. The sword instantly vanishes as he hands go to her mouth. "Oh my God! I'm so sorry," she apologizes frantically. "I'm sorry. I didn't- I thought you were one of the bad guys. Oh, I'm so sorry." She smacks her forehead. "It appears I may have been overacting."
"Lori!" Ben shouts from below.
Lori looks at Tarzan, who is clenching the cut while he studies her. "Those would be my friends. Give me one minute." He leans close as she shouts down. "I'm fine! It's Tarzan!" Her shouts force him to comically jump back and cover his ears.
"Are you sure?!" her metaphorical brother shouts back.
"Absolutely! Just give us a minute!" She turns back to him as he slowly uncovers his ears. "Please tell me you've met Jane and understand at least some of the words I'm saying. That you know about 'strangers like you' and all that. Otherwise this one is really going to suck."
Something about what she says clicks for him and he smiles. "Lori?"
"Yes!" she smiles, pointing to herself. "That's me. You've heard of me?"
"Jane told me about Lori." He takes her hand and holds it up to his- dwarfing hers. He then checks her heartbeat, making her a little uncomfortable but she takes it, and nods as if this is confirmation. "Lori will help me get home to Jane."
Lori beams. "Yes. I will." She sighs in relief. "Thank God for Jane right? Otherwise you might have pushed me out of the tree by now for the whole cutting you thing. Me, I'm not good in trees. Ask Dumbo… if he ever learns to talk."
"No," Tarzan disagrees, thumping his chest. "Good heart."
She laughs at this. "You can't tell that about someone just by looking at them. For example, I just took a sword to your arm, so I'm not my best self today. Now, will you please help me down and we can work on getting you back to your jungle." Tarzan nods, scooping her up and depositing her on the ground gently after he jumps from the tree in front of her Companions. "Thank you. Everyone, this is Tarzan. He's going to be staying with us for a bit. Tarzan, these are my friends."
"Companions," he says, looking them over.
"Also true," Lori gives him. She looks him over, frowning slightly. "Let's get you back and into some… clothes." He frowns at this, bad memories clearly. "Temporarily," she adds, holding both hands out. "It's just how things are done here. Trust me." They start heading back. Kaity runs up next to her.
"Lori, I just- I'm not sure what you want from me. I just apologized."
"Yes, but that's not what I'm looking for," Lori tells her. "That's not what the issue is."
"Then what exactly do I need to do?" Kaity demands, a little frustrated.
"That's for you to figure out," Lori shrugs. "If it's any consolation, I know you can figure it out. I always believe that you will figure it out."
Michael sees Tarzan's arm and starts looking through his backpack. "Here, let me fix that up for you." Tarzan looks at him skeptically as he pulls out a bandage, looking to Lori for advice.
"It's okay," Lori tells her new friend. "He's the best doctor I know. I trust him with my life." Tarzan seems to accept this and lets Michael tie a bandage around his arm.
"There we go." Lori puts an arm around him, smiling sadly as they continue walking back to their rooms.
XXX
A few minutes later, Hannah is raiding the closet in the boy's dorm room with Michael, Ben, and Caleb looking on. She steps back, hand on her chin. "Unfortunately, it doesn't look like a lot will fit him. You guys just aren't… tall enough," she goes with.
Michael snorts. "That's one way of putting it I guess," making muscles with his arms.
"Caleb, you might be our best bet," Hannah decides as she looks all the clothes she pulled over again.
Ben sighs and moves to hang up the ones she pulled off. "We should just have a set of clothes on stand-by for occasions like these."
"I will talk to the boss and see if we have room in the budget. I doubt it since we don't have a budget, but it's worth a mention," Hannah tells him, being snarky. She nods at Caleb, becoming a little harder. "Come on." They start out but Ben grabs her arm, worried. She pats it. "I'll be okay. It needs to happen eventually." He nods and she heads out with him.
"I'm going to tell Jolene," Michael decides. "She just texted me that she's still up." Ben pats him on the back and sends him on his way. He heads into the bedroom and starts some homework when Finch enters, making him jump. "Just as sneaky as always. Hey, Finch. What can I do for you?"
"Are the others here?" she questions, stepping over to his desk.
He shakes his head. "Michael just went to talk to Jolene. Charlie is with Lori and Hannah. He's pretty much lived in their room since he was kidnapped, honestly," he admits a little sadly. "But if that's what gets him through it…"
"I'm having difficulty understanding what is occurring with Michael Harms," the projection cuts to the chase. "I do not understand why he would abandon Lori Fitzgerald as one of her closest Companions."
"He's not abandoning her," Ben sets her straight. "Harms would never abandon Lori."
"Then why does he intend to leave?"
"He has to." He plays with his tie, unsure just how to explain this but giving it a shot. "When you have a family you are willing to do anything for them. Even if it sometimes hurts or makes you unhappy."
Finch nods, but then frowns. "But in a previous conversation with Charles Prescott he mentioned that Lori Fitzgerald and her Companions are family as well."
"Charlie's exaggerating a bit," Ben disagrees. "We're all just a group of really good friends. He's still a kid and going to blow things up a little more than everyone else. Your family is typically your parents- birth or adopted, your siblings- birth or adopted, and anybody who comes along with that like a grandparents or aunt," he explains. "Then eventually you get married and start your own family. Is this making sense?"
"Affirmative," Finch confirms. "I think I have grasped a better understanding on what it means to be part of a family. Thank you."
He goes back to his homework. "You know any time for anything. You could stick around if you want."
She smiles at the offer. "Negative. I have homework I need to download and the Wi-Fi in your room is awful." This makes him laugh as she goes to leave, but hesitates at the door. "So there is nothing we can do to keep Michael Harms from leaving… because she is his mother?"
"I'm afraid not. It'll be a huge loss, but we'll get through it. I think we've got more than enough people."
"Something tells me Lori Fitzgerald would accept smaller numbers if she could keep Michael Harms."
"You're absolutely right," Ben concurs. Finch heads out and he begins writing. "But there's nothing she can do this time either."
XXX
Meanwhile, Jolene Dean throws her door open and tackles Michael Harms in a hug. "Oh thank God. I was hoping you'd come tonight." She pulls him inside to the couch, facing him. "Tell me everything, Michael."
He hesitates before starting what he has obviously planned. "I should probably start with the big part of things- the one that affects you and me."
"You're not coming back to Trinity." His eyes go wide and she just shrugs sadly. "I kind of figured. I know how much your mom means to you and how big of a heart you have."
He skips to his next part. "So I understand if-"
She stops him with a hand on his face. "I know what you're doing too. You're here to tell me how hard this going to be, how much long-distance relationships suck. You're telling me that your mother is going to come first and it's okay if I'm not comfortable with that. You're giving me an out with no hard feelings, because like I said you're that kind of guy." He nods, leaning into her hand. She moves towards him and puts her other hand on the other side of his face. "And if I know you so well, then you should know me well enough to know what my answer to all that will be." They look at each other for a long minute, her just smiling at him. He smiles back and kisses her deeply.
When they finish she turns around and leans into him. "We'll figure this out. I'll just be a doctor first and support us until you get there yourself. Which you will with my help." She intertwines her hands with his. "I'm not letting you go."
"Thank you," he says with a scratchy throat full of emotion. "I'm so lucky I have all of you. To think before Lori I though being on your own was the better option. "
"Well, it's not," Jolene scoffs. "And I'll be happy to prove that anytime." He just holds her to him and the two of them sit there enjoying each other's company.
XXX
Hannah and Caleb enter his room, waving at his roommates playing Super Smash Brothers on the television as they head into the closet. Hannah just stands with her back to him. "Hannah." She starts pulling things down. "Hannah."
"Let me get my job done and then we'll talk," she tells him, holding up a pair of sweatpants.
He rubs the back of his head. "Or I could start apologizing now because it's going to take a while before you even consider forgiving me."
She turns to face him, trying to hold a lot of things back. "I'm just mad you didn't tell me," she starts with. "I could've helped you. I wouldn't have made you… I'm so guilty right now," she admits, choking up. "I can barely look at you without thinking that I was the one who put you through that. I was a horrible girlfriend who pressured you back into an addiction. But then I get pissed that I feel that way. Because if you had told me, if you had trusted me-"
He grabs her arms, steadying her. "In my defense, it's not the best opener. Telling you that when my fiancée died I drunk myself into a stupor. I doubt it would get a second date."
She looks at him and she is taken aback by the hurt in her eyes. "But Friday night? It would've been so easy to say to me that you didn't want to drink and it was personal." She pulls away from him. "I would have understood."
"I just wanted you to have a good time," Caleb backpedals; realizing humor will not win him this battle. "I figured I could suck it up and handle one. Obviously it wasn't true. I'm so sorry Hannah," he tells her sincerely. "It was awful and I'm so sorry I did that to you- put any guilt on you at all."
She stands there for a moment before speaking again. "Were you ever going to tell me? Was that ever in the plan?"
"Eventually," he admits. "When I opened up about Megan, which is really difficult to do when I'm not intoxicated."
She shakes her head, gathering up the clothes she selected. "It was really hard even then. It was a way I never wanted to see you and I was completely unprepared to help you. You were sobbing and crying and-"
"There's nothing you-"
"Yes there was!" she shouts at him, crying now. "There always is. I've been there and I would be dead if it weren't for Ben and Lori and the rest of them. And I think that really hurt me to. I've been through a lot in a short amount of time and I've learned what it means to trust and depend on people completely. I've learned it gives me more peace of mind than I thought possible. And to encounter this situation where my own boyfriend couldn't trust me… it hurts. It hurts a lot and it feels like it pulls me backwards to places where I don't want to be anymore. I can't help you if you won't let me." She looks at the clothes, wiping her eyes. "I should get these to Tarzan." She starts for the door, but he blocks her.
"So where do we stand?" he asks, knowing there's nothing he can say to her right now to make up for how she feels.
"I need a break." His face basically crumbles. "I'm not breaking up with you," she clears up. "I told you I'm serious about this relationship and I mean it. But there's about a million feelings going through me right now and I need to sort them out. I need time. And I need you to trust me with that."
He nods, understanding. "Okay. I'll give you all the space you need. Tell Lori-"
She rolls her eyes. "Not like that. I can still be around you with everyone else, but I need process time for us."
He steps aside so she can get through. "Take all that you need. I'll be here… because I need you Hannah."
"I don't need you though," she tells him. "I don't need any guy. I learned that. It's that I want you in my life. Which let me assure you I still very much do." She goes to head out but pauses. "Do you remember anything you said in the car?"
"It's all fuzzy honestly. Enough to know I was awful."
"Good," she nods, crying again. "One of us should have the pleasure of a do over." With that she leaves walking tall and strong, leaving a crestfallen Caleb staring after her.
XXX
The next morning, Lori comes back from breakfast with a plate full of fruit and a bowl of cereal. She walks into the bedroom where Tarzan is sitting on the floor, staring at his sweatshirt and sweatpants in disdain.
She hands him the fruit and sits on her bed. "Here we are. I went scavenging just for you." She takes a bite as he looks the cubes of fruit over skeptically. "I promise it's real. It's just been frozen for a bit." He takes a bite and luckily likes it enough to continue eating. "For lunch we'll bring you with us, but I felt that was too big of a first step at the moment considering how much you hate pants. Then we'll figure out what you have to teach us and send you back home before you know it. I've done it a lot so trust me no one will even know you were gone."
Tarzan looks up at her. "You are very nice. Jane made you sound… different."
Lori snorts. "Jane caught me at a bad time. I have a steep learning curve when it came to you guys. But now I provide room service!" she says with her mouth full. "Great, right?"
"You also seem sad," he observes.
Lori catches on instantly. "Oh, so that's what your visit is about." She hops off the bed and sits across from him on the floor. "Yes. I am," she readily admits. "My second best friend, who is a distance away from my first but still means a lot being my brother and all, has a sick mom. So he is going to leave and probably not come back for a long time. I'm putting on a brave face to support him because it's not his fault, but it sucks so much. I don't want to lose him as my friend. I don't know if I can lose him. I'd be dead like six times over without him honestly."
"He must go?"
"Yeah. I'm sure you understand taking care of your mom."
Tarzan nods in agreement. "Yes. I am lucky my family is in one place and I did not leave to England."
Lori raises an eyebrow. "One place?" She realizes her mistake and backpedals. "Oh, no. I see where you got confused. I meant metaphorical big brother… which probably doesn't help you either," she reflects. "Michael and I aren't related," she puts it bluntly.
"Neither am I to apes," he counters. "But they are still family."
"Okay. Now I see where we lost one another. My Companions aren't my family. It took forever to even admit they're my friends… which I do now." She takes a bite of her cereal. "I learned that lesson like over a year ago. But I don't know… family just seems more permanent. It makes me think that there's nothing that can come between you. I doubt after we graduate I'll see some of them outside of reunions. We'll go our separate ways like friends always do. This is all just temporary. And that's okay. I've always known it. Who know if they'll even stick around after we're done with the book? We're already being pulled apart." She pauses. "Even maybe Charlie," she whispers.
Tarzan suddenly rises, surprising her. "I think I know lesson."
Lori rises as well. "Something quick and efficient like vine-sliding? Because that was awesome and I always wanted to do it as a kid."
"No. Make you understand. Make you see where you belong."
Lori puts her bowl down. "Alright. How do you want to start?"
"We find friends. We let you just see." He starts for the door and she runs after him frantically.
"I thought we talked about baby steps!" she shouts after him. "Just please don't run in front of any cars!"
XXX
Kaity answer her door between classes about an hour later to find Ben standing there. She lets him in, having texted him to come over. "I don't know what to do," she admits. "Lori still has me benched and I'm not really sure why my apology wasn't enough."
Ben sits on her couch, nonplussed. "I'd hate to say it, but Lori always has her reasons. We just need to think about this."
Kaity huffs, pacing. "She's just mad about the Power Trio breaking up is all."
Ben gives her a look. "I don't think they would like to be called that. Lori wouldn't want us to say Charlie and Michael-"
"Everybody keeps assuming I mean it as an insult," Kaity vents, throwing her hands up. "I don't. It's an observation. She's closer to them than she is us. And that's not a big deal. They're her brother and best friend. Of course she likes them more than us." She flops on the couch next to him.
Ben takes a beat before smiling and putting a hand on her knee. "Hannah told me that I'm her metaphorical big brother."
"Really?" Kaity asks, seeing how excited he is over this.
He nods, reflecting. "I just try really hard to never take it for granted- all this. It honestly makes me think about my dad- my biological one."
Kaity raises an eyebrow. "Really? Because you've always avoided ever mentioning him."
"I try to forget him," Ben admits. "I know I can't though. He taught me only a few things. He-"
"What's bringing this on?" Kaity can't help but ask.
"I figured you could use somebody talking about their feelings to you for once instead of the other way around," he admits, voice betraying how big this is for him. "It's basically a distraction," he jokes.
She puts her hand over this, realizing how big this is too. "Pretty big one. But continue with what your dad taught you."
"He taught me I never wanted to treat a woman like he treated my mom."
"Which you don't," Kaity cuts in. "You know I'd be out in a heartbeat if you did. No kidding around."
"He taught me how to tie my shoes… which was necessary. But for the longest time he taught me that you don't want to be too close to your family," he admits. "Because family will always disappoint you or leave you or never be what you need or expect. They always let you down."
Kaity waits a beat before asking the obvious. "How does this relate to Hannah then, because-"
He pats her hand. "I'm getting there. Patience. It's a long distraction with many layers." He continues after a breath. "I stuck to that way of thinking for a long time- kept my distance from my mom, my step-dad, and Charlie- got me into all sorts of trouble. But I'm starting to realize my dad was never a good teacher. Everything he taught me about family is wrong… and I learned it by being here. From Hannah, Lori, Harms, and from you and my brother. Family will always be there for you… from your brother getting kidnapped to helping you get the girl." He thinks on what he has just said. "Which I guess means I consider all of you to be my family. I owe Finch an apology. I might have lied to her."
"You can set it straight later. Or she'll figure it out. She's very smart- gets it from you."
He smirks. "I know Lori worries about what will happen when all of this is over. But I don't. You don't just go through what we did and drift apart."
"You don't necessarily know that," she cautions him.
"No. But I believe it. I actually believe in something again." Kaity sits for a moment before shooting to her feet.
"I think I figured it out," she shouts, excited. "Come on. We need to get something from my studio." She pulls him out of the room. Neither of them has noticed Lori and Tarzan dangling from her bedroom window by a bed sheet, having heard most of the exchange.
Lori lets go and drops to the ground, shaking out her arms. "Something tells me we weren't supposed to hear any of that."
He drops next to her. "You need to hear though."
"Well, we did. Now can we get lunch? My arms and abs are killing me. No more vine work for today."
"Lunch sounds good," he admits, pulling the bed sheet down.
Lori starts around the building to the sidewalk with him right behind her. "Wow. That is so much harder than it looks."
XXX
Around the same time, Rachel and Finch are in Rachel's room practicing their lines off book. "Make it a little harsher- angrier," Rachel provides a note. "Lynn just slept with your boyfriend and he left you. Pretend… pretend she just threatened Lori and you're trying to hurt her back with words."
Finch nods, gearing up before letting pure fury out. "'You'll never understand what you've done! Your entire life was pointless, so you had nothing better to do than go and ruin mine! He was everything to me! I was going to marry him but now he's convinced he loves you!'" She immediately pulls it back. "Better?"
"Great," Rachel gives a thumb's up. "Let's take five."
Rachel takes a swig of water. Finch suddenly speaks up. "What is your family like?"
Rachel takes a beat before answering honestly. "Distant is probably the word I would use. I don't see them a lot- didn't see them at all during Spring Break. They're the kind of parents who are always working and my older sister had fifteen years on me so I only really got to see her when I was little. The last time I saw her was when she visited the hospital with her husband- who I barely know because that's how often she'd bring him by." Rachel realizes how that all sounded. "Don't get me wrong. I know they love me and are being extremely supportive of the whole 'losing my sight' thing. I get calls once a week instead of every two now. But I don't know if they really… care about me. Or if they even like me as a person." She's trying to play it off and be matter-of-fact, but it is clear she's hurt by this.
"At least take comfort in the fact that you have a family," Finch offers.
Rachel groans. "I've always hated that excuse. It's not like if I was starving and had only an apple you would say that my issues aren't real because at least I have the apple. See my point?"
"But I do not even have the apple in your case," Finch counters. "Rachel Ellis, I do not have a family. I do not have parents or sibling in any capacity. I was crafted and created in a lab with no intention of ever feeling human connection. I'm not related to anyone."
Rachel just stares at her, blinking a few times. "I'm sorry you feel that way," is all she says. "Let's run the scene again. Take our minds off of it."
XXX
That afternoon, Michael answers his door to find Kaity and in genuinely surprised. "Ben's-"
"Ben's in class," Kaity nods. "I know. I came here to see you."
He looks puzzled. "We're not having a meeting until Wednesday."
She rolls her eyes. "I know that too."
"You never just casually visit me," he points out.
She is exasperated but reins it in so not to ruin the moment. "I know. But… I wanted to give you something. A thank-you present for everything you have done for me."
"Kaity, you don't- I know you're not exactly destroyed to see me go."
"That's where you're wrong," she vehemently disagrees, handing him a small box. "You and I may not have the best history of the closest friendship, but we're family. And I am going to miss you so much," she admits in a moment of vulnerability before toughening up. "But I'm not going to panic or lose it and hallucinate you all over the place. Part of you is always going to be with us. You are always going to be a huge part of my life."
He doesn't know what to say to that. "Kaity-"
"Open it." He does to reveal a sketch of everyone sitting around and laughing, even Caleb is tucked in the corner. "It was going to be for Lori," she admits. "I won't lie. But I think I'd rather give it to you, so you know we're always with you too." He just takes a moment before he hugs her.
"Thank you so much."
She gives him the smallest of pats on the back before pulling away. "The pleasure was all mine Doctor. Lori never needed me to apologize to her. She always needed me to fix things with you. I'm not going to say I'm not going to be bitter over the whole sedation thing anymore, but I won't hold it against you. We protect each other after all." She steps back, already playing off the moment. "See you later."
"You too Kaity," he smiles at her. "Feel free to stop by even if Ben isn't around."
She smiles back. "I might actually take you up on that. I've got to get as much time with you in while I can." She walks away as he closes the door, neither noticing a teary Lori and Tarzan crouched in the air duct next to the door.
"That's my Companions," she says proudly.
"You choose them well."
"No," she disagrees. "No, they choose me. And is still astounds me. Come on. We can say you're my visiting brother and you can sit on Organic Chemistry." She goes to climb out.
"I don't need to."
She punches him in his good arm. "Yeah, but we're having a good time the two of us. Let's keep it going… and get out of here before I cough up a lung." He nods and helps her down to the ground, two dusty people making their way down the hallway.
XXX
After classes, Hannah is typing away on the computer at the desk, focused as a hawk, while Finch sits next to her. "What exactly are we trying to achieve?" the projection questions.
"We are trying to find a way that Michael can stay. A list of places his mom could go to help her or something like that."
Finch can see her turmoil easily. "You do not want to lose him."
"Nobody does," she corrects harshly. "But I seem to be the only one actually willing to do something about it."
"Ben Prescott explained to me he has to go be with her," Finch feels the need to explain. "She's his family."
"Well, we're his friends," Hannah counters.
"But family is-"
Hannah gives her a look. "Finch, a friend is one of those crazy words that makes no absolute sense. It can be a lot of things." She leans back, something else taking the forefront of her mind. "Like love. Sometimes I hate love." Finch is now just staring at her, confused. "Caleb and I… there's a lot of complicated stuff going on. He said he loves me and can't remember it. Which is okay, because it was a sucky declaration."
"Do you love him?"
Hannah puts a hand to her chest, tearing up. "I think I do. It wouldn't hurt this much otherwise, right?"
"So what he did changes nothing then?"
"I wish it was that easy," Hannah admits. "Like I said, love is complicated. But you never give up on the people you love either."
Finch considers this. "Like how you won't give up on losing Michael Harms?"
"Pretty much," she can't help but agree. "Especially since Lori would be so lost without him. And so would I." Finch rises, deep in thought. "Hey! Where are you going?"
"I have some things I need to process," she tells her tech-savvy friend. "I will keep searching though and let you know if I figure anything out."
"Okay. Don't think too hard." They both smile as Finch exits. Hannah returns to her mission at hand.
"Love…" Finch whispers as she exits the dorm room before heading off at a brisk pace.
XXX
Lori comes running into the boys' dorm room with Tarzan right behind her to see Charlie waiting. "Hey, what's the matter? What's wrong?" Charlie gestures to the closed bathroom door sadly.
"He's been in there for an hour," he tells her. "Just like back at his house. I thought it was time to call you."
She frowns. "Good call." She turns to Tarzan. "We're going to have to postpone a bit. I need a minute to take care of my friend. Make yourself at home." He nods and sits on the couch. She tentatively knocks on the bathroom door. "Can we come in?" No one answers. She slowly opens the door to find Michael lying on his back on the floor. She joins him on one side while Charlie does the other. "Doctor, we talked about this," she reassures him. "It's going to be alright. It's going to be just fine."
"No, Lores," he disagrees. "Thanks for pretending though."
"We said we'd help you through this," Charlie reminds him. "We mean it. We can talk or we can distract you. Whatever you need right now."
Lori sits up. "Can we at least move this party to my bed like usual? I'm not exactly a fan of staring at the toilet." He nods and they all stand up, heading for the door. "How about we do some homework, be productive? We don't even have to talk about it. We still have a month."
"Okay," Michael agrees.
"Come on Tarzan," Lori tells the man on the couch. "We're moving the party to my place." He jumps up to join them as she puts an arm around Charlie and Michael. "My boys."
XXX
That evening, Finch and Rachel are walking back from the theatre after practice. "You're being awfully quiet tonight," the blind girl notes. "Hardly said anything outside your lines."
"I wish to amend a previous statement from yesterday," Finch tells her friend. "I have gained greater insights into the manner and have realized I was incorrect."
"Really?" Rachel says, intrigued.
Finch nods. "I have a family," she declares. "It may not be in the conventional sense, but I am starting to believe there is no such thing for this term. For it may not have been the intention when I was programmed, but I have had a family since the first day I was activated. My family consists of Lori Fitzgerald, Benjamin Prescott, Hannah Frost, Charles Prescott, Michael Harms, Caleb Dean, Kaitlyn Klingbeil, and you Rachel Ellis." She waits, but Rachel says nothing. "You are not saying anything."
"I never agreed with you in the first place," she reminds the projection with a smug smile. "I'm glad you figured it out though."
There is a beat before Finch speaks again. "You realize they are your family too then? They care about you a great deal. And I can assure you they quite like you."
Rachel smiles. "I know. It helps when someone says it though. Thanks."
"No problem." They keep walking, not noticing Lori and Tarzan in a tree above them.
Lori watches them go before turning to him. "I think I've figured some things out." She goes to climb down but only succeeds in falling out of the pavement below. "Obviously nothing about tree climbing though."
XXX
Lori has gathered everyone in her room a short time later, book in her hand and a loincloth-clothed Tarzan at her side. "Alright," she begins. "I know it's been a rough day after some rough news. But I think I know what I needed to learn to send Tarzan back home. And I got it through listening to things you guys were saying all day." They all look in shock. "It involved trees and vines and I'm sorry for snooping but I get why I need to hear it. Kaity, you're off the bench by the way."
"Really?" she smiles.
Lori nods proudly. "Yeah. I couldn't have asked for anything better. And I doubt you were going to tell me about it which proves your point even more. You're ready." Kaity nods, Ben wrapping an arm around her.
"Thank you."
Lori turns her attention back to the group. "I think it's no secret that I've always thought that when we close this book for good, whenever that may be, that I believed we would drift apart. I thought this was the only thing holding us together, that I was the only thing holding us together. That losing Michael in a month will mean the end for him and me." She then shakes her head. "But that's so untrue."
Hannah just looks at her, surprised. "Lori-"
"I've never had friends who didn't leave," their leader admits. "Something too big happens and part of it is my fault because I pull away but they never come after me. I never had that so I thought… you guys…"
Tarzan steps in. "It's okay. They know."
She shakes her head. "No. I have to get this out. You have to know. And I think the best way is with a Muppet quote. 'I've found a whole bunch of friends who have the same dream. It kind of… it kind of makes up like a family.'" She smiles at all of them with tears in her eyes, and they just smile back. Ben takes a step forward.
"Lori, we knew when you signed up that you had this crazy view we were going to abandon you eventually," he informs her. "And I'm so glad we've finally gotten through to you."
"It's not the book," Rachel concurs. "It's never been the book. It's what we share with each other- some more than others we'll admit," she adds, elbowing Finch next to her.
Kaity wraps an arm around Michael's. "It's what will help us get through the rough stuff- like one of our founding members leaving us. He's still always going to be a member of this crazy family though."
Hannah turns back to Lori, needing her to hear something. "But we are a family because we count on everyone here. And that is thanks to you being the center and showing us how. A true leader like always."
"We love you," Charlie finishes.
Lori lets out a happy sob. "And I love you all too." They all come in for a hug, laughing together. When they pull away she turns to her new friend. "Tarzan, this is my family."
"It is a very good one," he agrees. "I must go home to mine now." She opens the book to a glowing poem.
"Thank you," she tells him sincerely. "You've helped me with a lot of things I never imagined when I got snatched out of that tree."
"I will tell Jane of new Lori. Bold. Kind. Awesome." She hugs him quickly.
"Tell her I said hello by the way," Kaity adds. "She was my first Disney character after all."
"That's right," Ben remembers. "I forgot that."
Lori playfully rolls her eyes. "Let's not bore him with the memories. Oh, the power to be strong And the wisdom to be wise All these things will come to you in time" He vanishes in a burst of light and she turns to everyone, shutting the book. "Ice cream run and some studying?" All chime in with agreement enthusiastically. "Meet everyone there." They all head out as she moves with Hannah to grab their coats. "Don't think I don't notice you and Caleb. We're going to talk later."
"It's funny," Hannah reflects. "I remember when you didn't care about my love life."
"Oh, I still don't," Lori scoffs. "You know I love you though." Hannah smiles as Lori passes off her coat before grabbing her own, the blonde hugging her roommate suddenly. "Boy, it must be bad," Lori says, half-joking half-serious.
Hannah pulls back with a sad smirk. "You have no idea."
XXX
Ben and Charlie finish putting on their coats in a hurry and race each other out the door. Michael just stares after them a minute as he puts on his own coat before wandering into the living area and falling back on the couch. He stares at the walls for a long minute before he just breaks down into tears, sobbing into his hands… alone.
XXX
Tune in next week as Michael ties up some loose ends, one of which is making sure Lori will be able to defend herself when he is gone.