Disclaimer! I do not own Community, or any of its characters or locations. I didn't own it in the prologue either, in which I forgot to put a disclaimer. So….yep. Enjoy!

Annie walked through the library with a bounce in her step, humming 'Daybreak' as she went. The rollercoaster of emotions from the past two months had finally come to an end for the most part, and she could finally relax and focus on the upcoming semester at Greendale. She could hardly contain a relieved sigh at the thought of even being at Greendale once more, where not even a week ago she had no longer been a student. But that was done now, the group had managed to get re-enrolled and they had all made up their biology credit in time for the new semester. Everything was back on track.

Annie was in the middle of brainstorming for which class the group could take for the semester as she rounded the corner into the study room. She stopped short, her smile widening ever so slightly when she noticed who was sitting at the table.

Jeff was sitting in his usual spot, his hand running over one of the splintered cracks in the wooden surface left by a fire axe at the beginning of the semester, in an event he had kindly requested no one ever mention again ever. Jeff was staring at his laptop, but she could tell from his unfocused gaze that he wasn't paying attention. He had a small slip of paper in his other hand, folded up and clenched tightly between his fingers. She furrowed her brow slightly, tilting her head to one side as she observed the seemingly invaluable scrap of paper. What could it be? She cleared her throat a bit to announce her presence.

"Hey, Jeff!" she said, smiling brightly.

He snapped out of his trance, a look of worry crossing his face for a split second before he wiped the expression and replaced it with a weak smile. Annie took notice however, and her smile faltered slightly. Jeff Winger's mask rarely came off, even for a second. Something was definitely bothering him.

"Hey Annie, what are you doing here? Schools out, remember?" he said, smirking in an attempt to cover up his momentary lapse in swagger. He was attempting to deflect her, she thought.

She made her way over to the chair adjacent to him, scooting it to the side so she faced him in profile. She paused a moment, trying to devise a way to get him to spill the beans on what was worrying him.

"I stopped by to grab a course book! I had forgotten to grab one earlier, and what with us not being students here a week ago I wasn't really thinking about it then. I was looking for ideas on which class we should all take next semester! Anyway, what's your excuse? You were here first, mister. You're usually never here unless you have to be. Is everything ok?" Annie said in a rush.

She had meant to sound more laid back and nonchalant about the questioning, but she was fairly certain she had managed to sound exactly the opposite of that. In fact, she was pretty sure everything she said came out as one word. Annie was not good at thinking on her feet. She was a planner; spontaneity was not in her repertoire just yet. She scanned Jeff's face as she waited for an answer, playing with the hem of her sundress like she tends to do when she's nervous or excited.

Jeff's mouth curled up at one side, his eyes casting a look of amused exasperation as he sighed and straightened up in his chair. He knew what she was doing, she could tell. Cue the patented Winger evasiveness. She was surprised though when he nodded and looked up at her, about to speak again. Looks like she could save the Disney face for a rainy day, she thought with a laugh.

"Yeah," he said, "Everything's ok, don't worry. Just... trying to figure out my next move I guess." He hesitated for a moment, as if trying to decide what he should do next. He looked down at the paper in his hand, his thumb running over the thick crease. He held it up to her without a word.

Annie looked from Jeff to the paper, unsure of what information it held. She must've had a worried look on her face, because she heard him chuckle and say "Don't worry Annie; it's nothing bad I promise. I don't have cancer or anything like that." She looked up at him, her eyes wide. "Jeff! Don't even joke about that!" He laughed again, and indicated the paper once more with a nod.

She reached out and took it, carefully unfolding it as she glanced back up at him uncertainly, though she wasn't quite as worried as before. She flattened the paper with her hand as her eyes scanned over it. A look of confusion gave way to wide-eyed realization as she began to comprehend the words scrawled on the paper in Jeff's handwriting:

William Winger

2222 Marine St.

Boulder, CO 80302

303-555-5460

Annie stared at the words. William Winger. Jeff's dad, it had to be. He'd found his dad? How long had he been looking? Why didn't he say anything before? What was he going to do? She tore her eyes away from the paper and met his gaze. He was looking up at her, his head bowed forward as he leaned slightly away, the expression on his face one that was expecting reprimanding. She thought offhandedly about how adorable it looked before she returned her attention to the matter at hand.

"Jeff… this is huge. Are you sure about this?" she asked, a look of concern plastered across her face. He seemed to relax a bit at her less than severe reaction. He shrugged.

"I'm… pretty sure. After giving that whole speech yesterday at the trial, and the past two months- well, past two semesters really -I feel like it's time to stop settling for the guy I am and start trying to be the guy I can be. You know, someone who's not a pompous, jaded ass...right?" He smiled as he said the last bit, and Annie smiled back her heart swelling. He continued, "I can't really explain it, but I just feel like I can't start working on me until I find this guy and verbally tear him a new asshole to make up for all the crap he put me and my mom through, you know? I thought that might be the smart, responsible thing to do." He faltered at the end of his explanation, staring back at the screen on his laptop, which Annie noticed was completely blank.

She was smiling like an idiot by now. Her face was starting to hurt. She reached a hand over and rest it over his, dipping her head to meet his downturned gaze.

"Jeff, it's great. I think it's the right thing to do. I mean it's like you said, right? It's time to just stop hating ourselves? This could be a big step. I think you should go for it." She spoke gently, seemingly trying to avoid startling him into changing his mind.

His expression was one of contemplation for a few moments, and then,

"Man, I'm glad someone listens to those dumb speeches I'm always giving. I just make 'em all up on the spot." Annie rolled her eyes at him. Of course he'd break the tension with sarcasm. Though she couldn't help but notice it was much more sincere than usual.

"Seriously, Jeff! It'll be really good. I could go with you if you want!" She tried to meet his gaze but he was staring intently at his hands. Realizing what she said, her eyes widened, and she quickly added, "We could all come with you! Moral support?" She posed the question tentatively, hoping she covered up her mistake adequately enough. She didn't want him thinking she was reading into things. She had taken to being extra cautious with Jeff when it came to that. He spooked easily.

Jeff looked up at her, his eyebrows raised slightly. He was smiling though, so that was a good sign.

"I appreciate that Annie. I think this is something I need to confront on my own though. You know, inner demons and stuff. I think I can handle it." He briefly placed his free hand on top of hers before motioned for the slip of paper. Annie handed it over.

She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at his refusal, but she understood all the same. Facing a parent, and your past, was a terrifying prospect, but he did bring up a very good point. She tried not to think about that. She turned her attention back to Jeff and nodded.

"I totally understand. It's a really big step you're taking Jeff! I'm glad you decided to go for it. I'm so proud of you!" As she finished speaking she perked up, eyes widening along with her smile as she bounced slightly in her chair, driving home the notion that she was in fact very excited for her very tall, handsome friend.

At this, Jeff began to laugh, seeming to revel momentarily in her happiness on his behalf. Inwardly, Annie began to cheer even louder. She was witnessing history unfold in front of her eyes as far as she was concerned. Jeff Winger had admitted a problem he had, resolved to face said problem, and genuinely laughed in her presence. Those three things may not all happen again at the same time, unless she had anything to say about it. She would worry about that later though.

Somewhere in the middle of her inner monologue she realized they had stood up, and were headed to the door. Before she could organize her thoughts, Jeff had begun speaking again, glancing over at her as he spoke.

"So have you found any potential candidates for the Greendale Seven Study Group class? I'm sure you've got lists upon lists of pro's, con's, level of difficulty, optimal timeframe perhaps? I'm excited to hear your ideas." He smirked at her as he approached the library entrance, pulling open the door and gesturing for her to proceed, his eyes dancing as he nodded silently, implying his half of their usual exchange.

Milady.

She smiled bashfully, curtsying slightly and silently returning the gesture- Milord- before walking out into the cool evening air. She paused slightly, falling in step with Jeff as he caught up, before putting on an affronted expression.

"Jeez, you make it sound like an obsession! What makes you think I've even made any decisions yet anyway?" Jeff stopped walking, raising his eyebrows at the young woman. He smirked.

"Because you're Annie. You're a pathological list-maker." He said, as if it was obvious. Who was she kidding, it was obvious. Of course she had done all of that already. He went on, "You make lists for everything. I seem to recall you mentioning your backpack selection process being particularly grueling. You've got a list, and I think you've already made up your mind." He gave her a triumphant look, seemingly deciding his victory was all but assured. She tried her best to ignore it and focused on pretending to be disgruntled.

"For your information, I haven't even looked at the course listings yet!" She retorted, trying desperately to sound convincing. In reality, he was exactly right. She had spent all last night researching and narrowing down her choices to a shortlist of twenty. She had planned on deciding on the class tonight, at the library. She hated that he was right.

She turned quickly, trying to avoid eye contact with him as she attempted to stay three steps ahead so as to not give herself away. Unfortunately for her, he was too fast. He caught up to her easily, lazily strolling beside her as his infuriatingly smug smirk grew even wider.

"You'd make a terrible lawyer, you know that Annie? You are an awful liar." She spun on him unexpectedly.

"Yeah well, I'm just as qualified as you aren't I?"

Even Annie was taken aback by her sudden reaction. It came out a little more heated than she had intended, almost sounding angry. Being teased about her unflinchingly rigid planning habits had never really bothered her before. But now, after her conversation with Abed a few weeks ago, Jeff's teasing remarks seemed to have struck a nerve. She didn't want to be the uptight, controlling girl in the group.

In any event, she had gotten her point across fairly effectively. Jeff stood there open-mouthed for a second, taken aback by her unexpected outburst. He held up his hands in surrender, an unidentifiable expression on his face.

"Whoa, sorry there cowgirl. Fine, you are a fantastic liar. You should run for a political office. Am I forgiven?"

Annie shook her head and sighed. "Yeah, sorry Jeff, I don't know where that came from."

"It happens. Consider it ancient history! Anyway my car's over here" He gestured to his Lexus, and began walking once more, headed toward his car. He slowed down and turned to the side, seeming to have remembered something as he called back to her. "Before I head out though, I would like to hear if you have any class ideas. Honestly."

Annie's car was in the other direction, but she couldn't help but smile for what felt like the hundredth time during their short conversation as she nodded her head silently and followed, wanting to continue talking for a few more minutes. Annie explained to Jeff the criteria for how she would pick their classes, and he patiently listened as she walked him through every detail of the difference between weighted and non-weighted courses.

When they finally reached Jeff's car, they stood staring at each other for a few seconds, and then each began to speak at the same moment. Jeff pursed his lips and nodded his head, signaling for her to go first.

Annie blushed a bit as she began to speak, seeming to have reverted back to the old sophomore version of her. She had to fight the urge to start playing with her hair. Why now?

"Ok, so you were right. I do have a list of classes." She ignored the hint of a smirk that appeared on his lips as she continued. "I have a bunch picked out and I just wanted to look into them more and see which ones would be best for the group to take. I came to the library to look them up in more detail but obviously I got distracted." She tried her best to shoot Jeff an accusatory glare, but judging by the look on his face she had failed miserably.

Jeff tried his best to look apologetic, and Annie could tell it was a face he very rarely attempted to use. A strange cross between a grimace and a smile crossed his face, and Annie couldn't help but let out a laugh. Jeff rubbed the back of his head as he leaned against the side of his black Lexus.

"I'll just go ahead and let you know now that whatever you pick, I'm on board for. As long as it's not Calculus, or Physics, or like, Quantum Mechanics and Dark Matter within the Block Universe or something crazy like that." He glanced over at her, becoming slightly…shy maybe? She couldn't quite tell. She mentally pinched herself, making sure all of these new Jeff emotions she was witnessing were in fact real.

"Sorry I distracted you, though." He spoke sincerely, looking everywhere but at her, seeming uncomfortable. It took Annie a second to realize why he had suddenly become self-conscious, before she remembered his reason for being in the library. She let out a tiny gasp.

"Oh! Jeff, I almost forgot! I'm sorry, you didn't distract me really I was just…" She trailed off, realizing that her apologies would fall on deaf ears. She bit her lip uncertainly as she studied Jeff's face, which was lost in thought once more. Hesitantly, she spoke up.

"What are you gonna say to him?" She asked meekly, as if expecting him to lash out at her. Instead, he simply smiled tightly, meeting her gaze finally.

"Hadn't thought about it really. I'm headed there tomorrow first thing. It's a long drive to Boulder from Greendale. I guess I was just gonna….wing it. Hope for the best, you know?" He fidgeted nervously as he awaited her response, unsure of what to do. Annie gave him a reassuring look and tried to formulate her next response.

She once again recalled her conversation with Abed in the Dreamatorium a few months earlier, smiling vaguely. 'Wing it,' she thought, eyes becoming unfocused as she remembered more details about their rather intense journey of discovery within the barren room, promising each other to stop planning things out so much and just start winging it. It would probably be more exciting, more unpredictable and dangerous, she thought to herself. She hadn't really applied the lesson too much lately.

Jeff loudly cleared his throat, tearing her back to the present, standing beside the tall man in the deserted Greendale parking lot beside his car. She smiled back at him. No time like the present, she thought.

Then, throwing caution to the wind- and with minimal forethought- she flung her arms around him, gathering him up in a tight hug. She heard him grunt and felt slightly guilty for knocking the wind out of him before she felt him return the hug and all other thoughts left her head.

She sat there enjoying the consequences of her hasty decision, namely being completely surrounded by Jeff Winger, thinking to herself that she should have begun winging it a long time ago. She made another to-do list in her head, making sure to put that right at the top. Reluctantly, she pulled away, smoothing out her now slightly disheveled sundress. She apologized once more, craning her neck to meet his eyes in their still very close proximity.

"It'll go great, Jeff, I know it. I'll be rooting for you." She gave him an uncharacteristically sly wink as she took a step back. He chuckled and gave her an appraising look, running his hand through his hair again. He seemed surer of himself now, Annie noted, allowing herself to feel pride at the idea that she had helped restore some of his confidence.

"Thanks, Annie, I know you will." He pushed himself away from his car door and made his way around to the driver's side. He paused when he opened the door, looking over at her.

"You're pretty important to me, have mentioned that before? Drive safe, I'll see you guys at your place Saturday." With a genuine smile, he climbed into his car and began pulling away into the darkness.

Annie waved after him, feeling dizzy. So many things had happened in such a short period of time, she couldn't wrap her head around it; Jeff resolving to confront his dad, expressing emotions beyond arrogance, barely using any sarcasm, and genuinely seeming…sincere. It was all very… un-Jeff-like. For the moment though, she couldn't bring herself to care. For all the charm he had when he acted aloof and sarcastic, sincere Jeff was equally as appealing. At the moment, however, she chose to focus only on the part where he had said she was important. He had said it before, sure, but in the context of their conversation it seemed to hold even more significance. She bit her lip and grinned, her eyes fluttered involuntarily at the thought.

Slowly, she began walking to her beat up old Accord, smiling like an idiot along the way. When she finally cleared her head enough to focus on driving, she began her journey home. Within the silence of her car, her thoughts once again began to wander. So far, in one attempt of acting spontaneously, without any forethought, it had resulted in a decidedly satisfying turn of events. She really, really needed to wing it more. She made a mental note to give Abed a nice big hug as well when she got back to the apartment.

She did just that when she returned, which Abed accepted with a very confused look on his face. When she entered her room, she sat down at her desk and pulled out the Greendale course book and her list of courses, ready to once again narrow down their options. She half-heartedly erased three courses from her list right away:

Calculus 116, Physics 101, and Quantum Mechanics and Dark Matter within the Block Universe.

A/N- Boom. So I don't have a great grasp on the formatting process when it comes to uploading, so italics that indicate thought or emphasize certain words may be missing. Hopefully I'll figure it out as I go. Also, story notes: I feel like Jeff is/will be slightly OOC for this chapter and the next, but he's going through some stuff. Annie is just hard to write for me. One more serious chapter, then shenanigans for a bit after that! Sound good? Excellent. Be sure to review and I will do my best to respond to you guys as soon as I can! Sorry for the giant addendum here. I'll see myself out now..

-TA