Annie anxiously sipped her water as she waited inside the restaurant. She knew she shouldn't be this nervous. She was just having lunch with Britta and Shirley. It wasn't like she was fighting a supervillain or anything.

But she couldn't help being apprehensive. She had barely seen either of them since the night she was almost killed by Evil Annie. And now they were about to spend the next few hours together.

She knew this was going to be hard. After the way she had treated them, along with everyone else, she wasn't looking forward to 'the talk'. But last night had finally made her realize that she needed her family to get through this. So when she woke up this morning she decided to start making amends, beginning with seeing Britta and Shirley.

"Annie!" Annie got up from the table as Shirley ran over and wrapped her in a tight hug. "It's so good to see you. How are you sweetie?"

"I'm…" Annie stuttered, not sure how to truly answer the question. Luckily Britta arrived just then, saving Annie from having to answer the question. "Britta, hey." She hugged Britta as the two of them exchanged pleasantries.

The three women sat down at the table and opened their menus, not speaking as they surveyed the selections. Despite them all being glad to see each other there was definitely tension in the air. Each of them seemed to be avoiding looking at each other, paying particular attention to their menu.

"Well, I think I'll have the Chinese Chicken salad." Britta said as she put down her menu.

"I thought you didn't eat meat, as you've told us numerous times." Shirley pointedly said.

"I'm getting it without the chicken."

"Then what's the point in getting it if you're taking out the main ingredient?"

"Because I like the other ingredients."

"Oh sure. Just like when I made you homemade chicken soup when you were sick and Abed told me you just ate the noodles."

"I still don't get why you made me chicken soup if you know I'm a vegetarian?"

"Maybe because that's what nice people do when someone they care about is sick. What should I have made you, hot lettuce soup?"

"You guys." Annie exclaimed. They stopped bickering as they say how upset Annie was getting.

"I'm sorry sweetie." Shirley said

"Yea, sorry Annie." Britta quickly followed up with.

Annie scrunched up her face in annoyance at their apology as she put her menu down. "No, I'm the one who should be apologizing. I'm sorry for how I've been treating you two."

"Annie, it's ok."

"No Shirley, it's not. I shouldn't have been so harsh and dismissive to you. You two are family, and I should have been able to turn to you instead of pushing you away."

"Yea, you should have." Britta said, before slinking down a little in her chair due to Shirley's stern gaze. "I mean. Yes, it sucks how you've treated us. But, I get why you did. You were dealing with this huge personal thing and you wanted some time alone before you could see anyone."

"But I should have just told you that. Instead of being rude and dismissive."

"Annie." Shirley said. "What you're going through is huge. If it were me I'm not sure if I would be freaking out or searching for everyone who was ever mean to me. It's understandable that you would need time to process everything. But, I don't ever want you to think you can't turn to us if you're in pain. That's what family is. Being there for one another, both good times and bad."

Annie looked at Shirley, who was giving her a stern yet loving gaze. She finally smiled a bit apprehensively. "Ok. Next time I'll try not to push everyone away when I need them."

Things gradually started improving after the ice was broken. They ordered lunch (Britta got into a ten minute argument with the waiter when she was informed they couldn't make Chinese Chicken salad without chicken) and were able to talk. They told her about everything that had been going on in the last month (Abed was patrolling again and Shirley was retraining herself so she could eventually patrol also, Britta was campaigning against Laybourne's campaign to run for mayor) while Annie opened up on how it felt to deal with having super strength. She told them about what had happened last night after yelling at Jeff (she left out how she almost used Adderall and what happened when she returned home) and the three of them tried to figure out what it all meant. But it was well over an hour until she finally got around to the real reason she wanted to see them first instead of anyone else; to gain a woman's perspective on her situation with Jeff.

"Annie, you are not a terrible person." Shirley said.

"Yes I am. How else would you describe it? I've treated Jeff horribly. He's been so patient during all of this. He's constantly trying to do anything he can to help and I either ignore him or chew him out."

"Annie, you know you're allowed to chew out a guy at times, right?" Britta said.

"This isn't occasionally Britta. This has gone on for a solid month. And even with how I'm feeling, Jeff doesn't deserve to be treated this badly. I think..." She hesitated as she tried to find the right way to voice what she wanted to say. "I think I actually wanted Jeff to yell and berate me. I've been feeling so terrible about myself that I wanted something to focus my anger on. So I went out of my way to make Jeff that obstacle. But instead he's been completely patient and understanding. Last night was the first time he's been angry with me since this started and that was just to call me out on what I've been doing."

She hung her head in frustration while the two women looked at her. "What does that say about me?"

"Annie." Britta said. "What you've been doing isn't that uncommon. A lot of times when someone has a internal conflict they look for something external to focus their anger and frustration on. You trying to pick fights with Jeff was your way of dealing with your frustration."

Annie thought about what Britta had said for a few moments. "So how do I fix this?"

"You can start by apologizing to Jeff." Shirley said.

"It's not that simple."

"It never is. But the first step is simply saying 'I'm sorry'. The rest, however hard it is, will work itself out. I've seen the way you two look at each other for years. Even during your brief separation I knew you'd work it out eventually."

Annie sighed deeply as she prepared to bring up the other issue she wanted to discuss. "There's one other thing. Ever since I gained super strength Jeff and I…haven't had… relations…and, I'm not sure if I can."

"Annie, if you're not ready Jeff should realize that. I mean, we all know how much he loves sex, but I think he can put a hold on his libido for your sake." Britta said.

"Britta's right sweetie. After Aaron was born it was almost three months before Abed and I had sex. I was tired, cranky, I had put on weight. My breasts were constantly sore from all the feedings. Sex was the last thing I could think of. And Abed understood. He was supportive and never pressured me. And when I was finally ready." Shirley smirked as she remembered that night. "Trust me; it was well worth the wait."

"It's not that I don't want to." Annie said. "We haven't gone this long without…" She quickly whispered the word "sex", ignoring the Britta and Shirley's smirks at seeing a bit of the old Annie come out. "Shut up. The last time we went this long without doing it was during our separation after Troy was attacked. And this is worse since we're still living together. "

"But if you're not ready."

"It's more than just how I feel. Yes, some of it has to do with me feeling different. But really." She sighed deeply before she continued. "I'm afraid I'll hurt him."

She scowled as Britta and Shirley started giggling. "It's not funny. I can lift a car right over my head. It's perfectly reasonable to expect that I could hurt Jeff….in the heat of the moment."

She waited impatiently as Britta and Shirley tried to control their giggling. Britta waved her hands in front of her as she stopped. "I'm sure it's not that bad Annie."

"Yes it is. I tested myself." Annie sadly said.

Both women looked at Annie, not sure how to react to this news.

"Well Annie." Shirley said slowly and solemnly. "It's going to be hard. But it's possible you two can work through this. When Andre cheated on me I never thought I could forgive him. But with time and effort I was able to-."

"NO." Annie shrieked, shocked that they would even think that. "I did not cheat on Jeff. I…went to dildopolos and bought…something to see if I could have sex."

She closed her eyes as Britta and Shirley started laughing at this news. "So, what happened?" Britta said in between fits of giggles.

Annie's face turned bright red as she buried her face in her hands. "I broke it in half."

People at the nearby tables looked over as Britta and Shirley exploded with laughter over this. "I guess you can call that a new form of circumcision." Britta said, causing another round of laughter from the two women.

"This isn't funny. I'm terrified I'll hurt Jeff if we have sex and now I have proof that I will. I'm a freak. I might as well be a side show attraction. 'Have sex with this woman and she'll crush your penis in half!'"

Britta and Shirley stopped laughing at Annie's outburst, finally seeing the seriousness of Annie's dilemma. "Wow, you have grown Annie. I remember when you couldn't even say the P word." Britta said, trying for a bit of lightness.

Annie smiled at Britta's response before worry took hold of her. "What am I going to do?"

"Well." Shirley said. "Before you were able to hug us without hurting either of us. I'm sure with enough self control you can have sex without hurting Jeff."

"Self control, sure." Annie softly said, privately thinking about how she loved how uncontrollable sex with Jeff was. Even after all this time it was still hard for her to let herself go. But when it came to being intimate with Jeff she felt a true sense of freedom and unrestraint. And now because of her 'condition' she might never have that again. "As long as I watch myself things should be fine." She sadly sighed at how careful she would have to be now.

Britta looked at Annie, concerned at how sad she looked. "Annie, it will happen. It might take some time, but it will happen."

Annie tried to put on a happy face, since they didn't get why this was upsetting her (and she didn't want to get into it). "Yea, I'm sure it will. I just have to be careful and watch myself."

They stayed for a little while longer before they all left. Afterwards Annie went for a walk to think things over.

She missed Jeff. Even though they lived together she felt like they had been roommates during the last month instead of husband and wife. She wanted to be with him. For them to talk and laugh again. For the two of them to hold each other and kiss and be close to one another once more. And while she wasn't exactly thrilled at now having to show restraint and watch herself when they had sex, she would rather that then not have it with Jeff at all.

She started walking home, thinking of a way to take the first and hardest step; which was truly apologizing to him for everything.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

William Winger walked purposely through Hawthorne manor. The place had changed little since he had moved in there. Not that he cared at all about its appearance. To him it wasn't a home; it was a base of operations. A stronghold to carry out his plans in.

He clutched Osbourne's book tightly as he walked. He had already been fearful of losing the book. But after Evil Jeff almost took it away from him yesterday his fears had increased tenfold. The power and information from that book was irreplaceable. He had to make sure it never left his hands again.

He unlocked the door to the basement and made his way down the stairs, trying to ignore the padded walls. The last thing he needed was to imagine the uses Pierce had had for this room. He walked over to the individual chained to one of the walls. He was slumped over with a black cloth bag over his head. William took some smelling salts out and held them under his nose until the man jerked to consciousness. "Wake up. I need information."

"What else can you possibly need from me?" The man said hoarsely.

William held the book close to the man, knowing he'd barely be able to see it through the cloth. "I need to know how to ensure this book never leaves me. That it's bound to me and no one else can use the information inside it."

"Why don't you try eating it?"

William leaned forward and punched the man in the face. "I've kept you alive because you're useful to me. But maybe you've outlived your usefulness."

"This hardly seems useful. I'd welcome death over this."

William punched the man again, having a flashback of Christof mocking him. He almost killed him, but stopped at the last minute. The man might provide him more information. "Stay here and rot for all I care. I'll be back when you're more cooperating." With that William walked upstairs and locked the door.

William hadn't noticed the key to the chains fall out of his pocket when he was beating the man. But the man had heard it fall to the ground. He felt around until he found it and unlocked the cuffs. Rubbing his hands he unsteadily got to his feet. His legs were shaking from not having walked in so long. He tore the cloth off his head and felt around the walls until he pushed a section of wall aside, revealing a narrow hidden passage. Feeling his bones pop and snap he gingerly got to his knees and started crawling through the hole. After a while he made it to a grate. He pushed it open and crawled out into the side yard.

As quickly as his unsteady legs could carry him the man scuttled through the yard. Once he was at the front gate he punched in the lock code and the gate swung open. He hurried down the street, trying to figure out who he should call for help.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Abed, can you come in here for a minute?"

Abed hit pause on the latest kick puncher movie and walked into their bedroom. As soon as he walked in he stopped and stared at what he saw.

"Wow."

Shirley was standing there in her Saint Justice costume, wearing a huge smile on her face. "It fits, it actually fits." She jumped in the air in victory. "After Aaron I wasn't sure…" She shrieked in delight over this moment.

Abed walked over to Shirley and wrapping his arms around her as he kissed her. "That's great. I'm proud of you. But are you sure you're ready to go back out there?"

Shirley nodded her head. "I think it's time. Aaron is getting older. And with Annie not sure when she'll be able to patrol it would be good to have one more person looking out for the citizens. Though you remember what we agreed on, right?"

"If we're both active both of us don't patrol at the same time. One of us stays in if the other is out. For Aaron's sake."

"Right. I'm determined for us to have it all. Both of us can raise a loving child while protecting Greendale."

"Like at the end of The Incredibles."

They looked over in surprise as they heard the phone ring. What was surprising about it was that it wasn't their cell phones, but the rarely used separate land line installed specifically for emergencies. Abed went over and picked it up.

"Hello."

He listened in silence for several minutes as the person on the other line talked. When he put the phone down he turned to Shirley, looking more shocked and surprised then she ever thought possible.

"We have to leave right now."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Shit." Jeff muttered as he dug his keys out of his pocket. He had smelled something burning down the hallway and now knew it was coming from his apartment. Hoping he could catch it before the whole place went up in flames he quickly unlocked the door and threw it open. But as soon as he got inside he just stood there in surprise.

Annie was standing next to the kitchen table, which had been set for two with each of their favorite dishes from their favorite Thai restaurant. Despite the windows being open the smell of burnt smoke hung heavily in the air. She looked up at him with a guilty smile on her face. "I originally was making a fabulous home cooked meal. But I accidently burned it. So I came up with this in a pinch."

Jeff smiled warmly at her as he took off his jacket. "It looks great. We haven't eaten there in a while."

Though he hadn't meant anything by what he said she still winced as it reminded her that they hadn't eaten together in such a long time. She went over to him and took hold of his hand. "Jeff, please sit down."

He didn't say anything as she led him to the table, not sure where things were going. Though he took it as a good sign that she wasn't being dismissive or confrontational. He sat down as she sat in her seat.

Annie took a deep breath as she looked at Jeff. "Jeff, I'm sorry. For how I've been treating you. This, what happened to me had been really hard for me to deal with. And you've been so good to me through all of this."

"Annie-."

"No!" She quickly looked guilty as she lowered her voice. "Sorry. Just let me say this. Yes this has been hard for me. More so then I could have imagined it would be. But I shouldn't have treated you the way that I have. And for that I'm sorry."

"Annie, I know this has been hard for you. It's been hard on me to. I've just done everything I could think of to help you through this."

"I know Jeff, and I appreciate it. Jeff, I know how this is going to sound. But I have to say it. Before when I kept snapping at you, I wanted to fight with you. I wanting something to focus my frustration on, and it was easiest to make it you."

"Annie. I know." He said softly.

She looked at him as she chuckled darkly. "How long have you known. Because I didn't completely figure it out until today."

"I had my suspicions. But I didn't truly put it together until last night when you were furious that I didn't yell at you for almost using Adderall."

She involuntarily shuttered at the memory of being in that Montana ally. "Britta said it's not that uncommon of a thing. That when someone has an internal conflict they look for or create an external one to focus their frustration on."

"Well Britta would know. She was the psych major and aced all those classes. I just don't get why you would want me to be that guy. The belligerent abusive husband. Especially when you know how much I've fought not to be like that."

"Jeff I know. I know it was a terrible thing. I just, I screwed up." Her voice cracked as tears formed in her eyes.

"Hey." Jeff got up and knelt in front of her chair, taking hold of her hands. "It's ok. We all sometimes do things that hurt those we care about. Hell, I can't count the number of times I hurt you when we were at Greendale. But the important thing is to learn from those mistakes, so we don't make them again."

"Right, because you easily did that when we were at Greendale." She softly said.

She groaned in frustration, having made fun of him during this. But Jeff simply chuckled at it. "Yes, it took me a while to get it. But I finally have. Or at least think I have."

She gently ran her fingers on the inside of his wrists. "Why after all of this you've been so good to me?"

"Annie, I promised to stand by you, for better or worse. I think we can attest that all of this, counts as being in the worse category. And you're not the only one here who's given the other reasons not to be with each other. After everything that happened back in school, back just after graduation, it's a miracle we've ended up where we are now. I've already lost you plenty of times. I'm not about to lose you now."

Jeff ran his fingers lightly up her arms, smiling when he saw her flinch. "I guess your newfound strength hasn't stopped you from being ticklish."

"Stop that. It tickles." She giggled. He continued fluttering his fingers over her arms, causing her to inch back in her seat. "I could throw you across the room if I wanted to mister."

"Sounds sexy." He looked up at her as they both stopped giggling. Jeff pulled at her arms as she fell into his lap. They inched forward slowly until his lips pressed against hers. She stiffened for just a moment before she relaxed and melted into him. She moved her hands over his back and sides as her tongue slipped into his mouth. They playfully fought for dominance over their kiss as his hands gently roamed her body, as if he was rediscovering her all over again.

It was nice, she thought. Being in Jeff's arms kissing him. Despite what other's thought, once they officially started going out it was several months before they first had sex. They had been content to spend hours just making out for the sake of kissing, without it leading anywhere else.

But that wouldn't do right now. After going so long without touching each other they both felt a fire inside of them that intensified with each passing moment. While Annie was still worried about hurting Jeff, there was no way she would be able to go on without feeling Jeff inside of her.

Just then both of their phones went off at the same time. After several rings it stopped, only for their phones to again start another series of rings. They managed to ignore four sets of rings. But just as Jeff was furiously unbuttoning her blouse the emergency land line started ringing. Jeff groaned in frustration as he reluctantly stopped. "Someone better be dead or dying." He got up and picked up the phone. "This better be good." He listened to the speaker when he suddenly dropped the phone.

"Jeff, what is it?"

Jeff picked up the phone and dully listened to the speaker as he tried to process what he just heard. "Yea, ok Abed. We'll be there as soon as possible."

"Jeff, what is it?" Annie said as Jeff hung up the phone.

"Pierce. He's alive."