Annie winced as the news cut to a shot of a roof that had been caved in by a toppled tree. Every damaged home, every crushed car, every broken tree branch felt like a tiny pinprick in her soul. From a distance, it had all looked so beautiful. She hadn't considered the impact… The news was reporting widespread power outages, and it made her feel almost guilty to be warm and safe in a fancy new building.

"Wow, it looks dangerous out there," she said sadly. She could see Jeff nodding his head slowly out of the corner of her eye. "I guess it's not safe to drive anywhere."

"Yeah, guess we're stuck here." Something strange in Jeff's tone caused her eyebrows to knit together. She glanced over at him, but his expression only left her more nonplussed.

"Wait, are you happy about this?" she asked incredulously.

Jeff jerked slightly, then turned to look at her. "Well I–" he began, looking abashed, "I mean, it's like a snow day, you know? I always loved those as a kid."

Annie's eyebrows rose. "But… it's Saturday. We'd be off anyway." Her mind drifted to the ordered and annotated list of things to get done she'd written down before heading out to the bar the previous evening. With an internal sigh, she silently mourned the lost productivity.

"Ok, Britta," Jeff snarked. "Thanks for killing my buzz."

Annie side-eyed him for a moment, then turned back to the TV. Strangely, Jeff looked more relieved than annoyed. "Ugh, that's just heartbreaking," she said in response to an interview with a young family whose house had been heavily damaged.

"Yeah," Jeff concurred. "What do you say we do something else? I've had about all I can take of catastrophe."

Part of Annie agreed with Jeff, but part of her felt like it was a tiny betrayal to close her eyes to the suffering of others. She ended up setting a bargain with herself: for now, she'd try her best to forget the TV and enjoy the unexpected extra time with an old friend. But as soon as conditions were safe, she was going to find someplace to volunteer with a relief or cleanup effort.

"Okay," she said grudgingly. "So, uh, what do you want to do?"

Jeff looked over at the clock on the cable box. "Well, it's almost 10:30. I usually go to the gym Saturday mornings. We can't go to my gym, but this building has a fitness center."

The idea of a workout did appeal to Annie, but there was one problem. "That sounds good, except I don't have any clothes. I can't really work out in this." She gestured to the snug slacks she was wearing and Jeff's baggy sweatshirt.

"Oh, right…" Jeff pursed his lips in thought. He brightened suddenly as an idea seemed to occur to him, but then he frowned almost immediately. "I might have a solution."

Annie raised an eyebrow at him. "You don't seem very happy about that."

Jeff grimaced. "My neighbor Corinne. She's about the same size as you. I bet she'd let you borrow some clothes."

Annie smiled. "Oh, that's a good idea, and I'd love to meet one of your neighbors!"

Jeff's grimace only deepened.

"What's wrong?"

"You'll see." Jeff closed his eyes, as though steeling himself for something unpleasant. "Hold on, I've got to get ready."

He disappeared into his room, leaving Annie alone with the distressing images still being depicted on the television. She watched for another minute before shutting it off and wandering over to the bank of windows lining one of the living room walls. The world outside still appeared frozen in place, and Annie couldn't help but let out a slight gasp upon seeing it again.

She remained by the windows, mesmerized by the view, until Jeff returned a few minutes later. "Ok," he said reluctantly, "let's go." Annie turned and immediately had to stifle another gasp. He'd changed into athletic wear for the gym, and despite covering his abs, his skin-tight tank top wasn't doing much to hide the contours of his muscles, and his arms and most of his shoulders were bare.

Annie felt her cheeks grow hot and quickly turned away, lest she become mesmerized by this newest view. "I'm ready!" she yelped, and hurried towards the door.

Once in the hallway though, she had to hang back and allow Jeff to lead the way. As they started down the hall, Annie's eyes settled on his shoulders, and the way his muscles rippled when he–

Nope!

In a momentary panic, Annie redirected her gaze. Unfortunately, the new target her eyes had chosen ended up being even worse. The shorts Jeff was wearing, while not quite as snug as his tank top, still gave her a rather nice view of his well-shaped–

Well now, what an interesting ceiling the hallway had!

Jeff stopped at the first door they came across, and Annie, who was still busy studying the ceiling, promptly crashed into him.

"Ooof!"

"What– Are you ok?"

Running into Jeff felt a little like running into brick wall. Annie stepped back quickly and mumbled an apology. Jeff gave her a curious look, then turned towards the door. He hesitated a moment, then raised his arm to knock.

After a few seconds, a latch clicked and the door swung open. A strong odor of saffron immediately assaulted Annie's nostrils, and she had to fight back a sneeze. Standing in the doorway was an older woman, though Annie would've been hard-pressed to guess her age. Her skin seemed unnaturally taut around her face and her fiery red hair had clearly been dyed that way. She was about Annie's height, and her slim, wiry build indicated that she took care of herself. She was dressed in some comically fuzzy slippers and a flowing purple bathrobe that appeared to be made of silk. Her green eyes glistened as she gazed at Jeff, a predatory smile on her lips.

"Why, Jeffrey Winger," she drawled, "whatever did I do to deserve such a treat?"

Jeff appeared to be suppressing a shudder as he responded. "Hi Corinne, I was hoping you could help me out with something. But first, let me introduce you to my friend Annie."

Corinne turned to face her, and Annie stepped forward and extended her hand, a wide smile on her face. "Hi! I'm Annie Edison."

Corinne gave her an appraising look, then reached out in turn and lightly shook Annie's hand. "My, aren't you a pretty little thing?"

Annie felt herself flush, but her smile widened even further. "Oh! Thank you so much!"

"It's a pleasure dear, I'm Corinne Patterson." She withdrew her hand and looked between Annie and Jeff. "Now what can I help you two with this morning?"

"Well, I sorta got a little drunk at the bar last night and Annie helped me get home. But with the weather and all, she's pretty much stuck here and doesn't have a change of clothes." Jeff was rambling and speaking too quickly, and Annie could tell he felt uncomfortable. She couldn't remember ever seeing him rattled like this. "I thought you two were about the same size, so I was hoping–"

"How old are you, hon?" Corrine stared intently at Annie, an amused smile tugging at her lips.

"Um, I'm twenty-three." Annie was so surprised by the question, she didn't have time to consider whether it was polite or not.

Corinne turned back to Jeff. "So… Annie here needed to borrow some clothes, and you thought to yourself 'who's the closest match I know for a lovely young twenty-three-year-old'?" she teased the words out slowly, clearly enjoying herself. "Why, that's just so flattering, I don't see how I could possibly say no." She turned her smile on Annie, a twinkle in her eye. "Though I must say, I'm a bit jealous, dear. What I wouldn't give to be stuck in this man's home without any clothes."

Annie's eyes bulged as Corinne turned in one fluid motion, then raised one finger over her shoulder and beckoned them to follow. Annie and Jeff exchanged an awkward glance, then entered after her.

"Fine spot of weather we're having, isn't it?" Corinne said casually as she led them into her living room.

"It's crazy," Annie replied, "I've never seen anything like it." She did a quick survey of her surroundings. Corinne's condo was dominated by large, ostentatious furniture that looked simultaneously impractical and expensive. Gaudy crystal decorations were everywhere, often acting as prisms when catching the bright lights and painting the rooms in tiny rainbows. Every color imaginable seemed to be represented somewhere, but somehow the kaleidoscopic scheme worked. For a decorating style, it was about as far from Jeff's condo as you could get.

"I'll say. I grew up in the South, so I never really liked the cold. It was my husband that brought me to Colorado," Corinne said wistfully as they approached what Annie suspected was the entrance to Corinne's bedroom. "Now Jeffrey, wait here while I take Annie back to pick out something to wear. You can sit that sweet ass of yours wherever you like."

Annie caught the look of panic on Jeff's face and had to suppress a giggle. Corinne waved her past and Annie entered the bedroom. The decorating was much more subdued than the rest of the condo, but she immediately noticed that the myriad of throw pillows was arranged by color rather than size, and gave an approving nod.

Annie turned to see Corinne slowly closing the door behind them, and eyeing Jeff the entire time. When the door finally clicked closed, she turned and laid a hand over her chest. "Oh, I would do such dirty things to that man!"

This time Annie didn't bother to suppress her giggle. In spite of, or perhaps because of, how uncomfortable she made Jeff, Annie was really starting to like Corinne.

"Now," Corinne announced as she strode past Annie, "before we talk clothes, let's talk Jeff." She sat down on the bed and patted the surface next to her. Annie gulped, but took a seat next to Corinne. "I should warn you first, dear: I'm a bit blunt, in case you haven't noticed. I hope it doesn't offend you, but it's just the way I am and I'm too old to go changing every little thing about myself."

Annie gave a dismissive wave that was slightly at odds with the trepidation Corinne's stated choice of topic was beginning to make her feel. "You should meet my friend Abed. You would get along great."

Corinne smiled as she reached out to pat Annie's hand. "So, how do you and Jeff know each other?"

Annie brightened. "Oh, we went to Greendale together."

Corinne glanced over at the closed door. "At the same time? That sounds like a story I'll have to pry out of him at some point." Her expression indicated that she looked forward to the prying. "But on to the important stuff, dear. Are you two an item?"

"No!" Annie yelped. "I mean, we've– but we've never– and we're not–" It was a question Annie had expected, given what little she knew of Corinne. But somehow the asking of it still left her flustered.

Corinne inched closer to Annie and rubbed her back reassuringly. "Oh, sweetie. I think you just told me everything I need to know. But if you're willing to share, I'd like to know more."

Annie felt a swell of emotion at the maternal tone in Corinne's voice. It also didn't help that their topic of discussion was already digging into feelings she'd thought long buried. She took a deep breath to settle herself and tried to think of the best place to begin. "Well, our history is… complicated."

Oh god, she sounded like Jeff.

Corinne laughed and patted Annie again. "I'd already guessed that, dear."

Annie couldn't help but laugh as well, which helped her to relax. Blunt she may be, but there was something about Corinne that put Annie at ease. "We've never dated. But all throughout college there was this general feeling of 'would they? might they?' It never went anywhere, although we did make out a few times."

"Mmm, now I'm really jealous of you," Corinne chuckled. "Have you ever slept with him?"

"Only last night."

Corinne's eyebrows shot up and Annie gasped.

"Nonono! That was just sleep! He doesn't have a couch and there was no place else–" Annie's cheeks felt like they were on fire. "He was too drunk anyway…" she finished meekly.

Corinne looked at Annie affectionately. "Oh, you really are a sweetheart, aren't you? And adorable too. Tell me though, did you want to date him?"

Annie closed her eyes and sighed. "For a while… more than anything." She shook her head and directed an earnest look at Corinne. "But it was… just a crush. I was really unpopular in high school, and Jeff was like, the coolest guy on campus. Guys like him never used to talk to me. And even though he could be a jerk sometimes, he always made up for it. He really cared about me. About all of us."

"Us?"

"There's a group of our friends. We started out as a study group, but we sort of became like family."

"I see."

Annie had a feeling she knew what Corinne would ask next, and for some reason she felt compelled to answer even before being asked. "We never dated because Jeff– Well, the first time we kissed, I was only eighteen." Corinne's eyebrows rose again. "But it wasn't– it was just to win a debate."

"Oh my, I like those rules!" Corinne enthused.

Annie huffed out a laugh. She couldn't help but wonder what Corinne was like when she was younger. Part of her wished she'd known her at Greendale; she would've loved to see her go head to head with Pierce.

"We kissed again at the end of our freshman year. Really kissed. I pretty much obsessed over him that whole summer." Whenever Annie thought back on those days, it felt like an out-of-body experience. A part of her still went all gooey inside anytime her mind replayed their kiss outside the dance. But then she'd remember the first day of their sophomore year… "I was nineteen by then, but he just felt guilty about how young I was. He didn't want to date me, but he'd always get insanely jealous whenever I showed interest in another guy."

"You poor thing," Corinne sympathized. "That must have been so frustrating. And confusing, especially for someone so young. I'm not sure how I would've handled something like that at that age."

Frustrating and confusing. Yeah, that about summed it up.

"During our second year, I spent a lot of time reading into things that apparently weren't there. In our third year, Jeff seemed to finally get over our age difference. A few times I thought maybe he was ready to–" Annie's lip quivered slightly as she drew in a tremulous breath. "But he just seemed to have… other priorities."

Corinne paused, a pensive look on her face. "So, how do you feel about him now?"

That was the million-dollar question, wasn't it? What surprised Annie most, though, was that she actually had an answer.

"Well, until last night I hadn't seen him since last June. After graduation, he stopped coming to group activities as much and we slowly lost touch." They'd kept inviting him for months, but eventually the excuses started repeating themselves and the hint was finally taken. "I still–" Annie hesitated, but was again surprised that she didn't need to collect her thoughts. She already knew how she felt. "He's still like family to me, and I'd love for him to be a part of my life. Our time apart was probably a good thing, though. It was… difficult… for me to move on when he was always around. But I've got some distance now and we can finally move forward just as friends. He's never going to want more than that, and I can't–" She stopped again, as though expecting the words would be difficult to say. They weren't. "I can't go down that path again."

Corinne nodded slowly, then suddenly wrapped Annie in a tight hug. Annie was taken a bit off guard, but soon found herself returning the hug just as fiercely. When they pulled apart, she was amazed to see tears glistening in Corinne's eyes.

"Thank you for sharing all that, dear. I realize we don't know each other that well yet, so I appreciate the trust you've shown me." The corners of her lips turned up into a sly smile. "And for what it's worth, I think Jeff is an idiot for not wanting to date you."

Annie narrowed her eyes playfully and smiled at Corinne. "He is, isn't he?"

Corinne barked out a laugh. "That's the spirit! Now, let's find you something to wear." She made as if to rise off the bed, but hesitated with her hands on her knees. "Just… one more thing. I think you're right to move on if Jeff isn't willing or able to return your feelings. I'd just– I'd hate for you to dismiss those feelings as nothing more than a crush. Crushes don't tend to last four years, dear."

With that, Corinne popped up off the bed and disappeared into a large walk-in closet, leaving Annie on the bed with a sudden fluttering in her stomach.

Annie heard the flick of a light switch, and Corinne's voice joined the new glow of light in emanating from the closet. "Are you coming, dear?"

Annie slowly rose from the bed and made her way over to join Corinne. The closet was neatly arranged, with rows of shoes running the length of the floor on every side, above which hung crisply pressed pants, shirts, dresses and jackets, and finally, a top shelf ran around three sides of the closet, lined with a multitude of hats of varying sizes. Much like the décor of the condo, the clothes ran the gamut from somewhat conservative to things Craig Pelton would delight in.

Corinne had been picking through some of the less outlandish garments, and looked over when Annie entered. "There you are. Now I–" She stopped herself and eyed Annie closely. "You look like you've got something to say."

There was something Annie wanted to ask. But it felt awkward, and she wasn't as comfortable with being blunt as–

"Come on, out with it," Corinne chided her. "The only thing that bothers me is when people don't say what's on their minds."

Annie intended to make something up, but Corinne seemed to have a strange power over her. And before she knew it, she was blurting out the question. "Why would you tell me to move on, and then tell me that my feelings for Jeff were more than just a crush?"

A melancholy smile spread across Corinne's lips. "Well, sweetie, you shared with me, so I suppose it's only fair that I share with you. You see, your situation with Jeff reminds me of something that happened to me. When I was younger, well, I was never as pretty as you are dear, but I had my share of boys chasing after me." Corinne puffed herself up slightly at that, though Annie doubted she even realized she was doing it.

"But there was this one boy in college that was… well, he was sweet and all, but for some reason I just never thought of him romantically. He sure thought about me that way though. He even told me so. But you know me, I told him right where he stood." Annie could imagine how such a conversation would go with Corinne. She was relieved she would likely never have to witness one.

"It didn't seem to bother him though, so we ended up becoming friends. I enjoyed spending time with him, but that was all there was to it. I figured he'd just had a crush on me, and it eventually went away. Then one day, he comes to me like some scene in a cheesy movie and tells me that he's in love with me." Corinne shook her head and looked genuinely heartbroken. "I laughed right in his face. I wasn't trying to be cruel or anything, I just– I didn't think he was serious."

Corinne fell silent for a moment and Annie studied her. She may not have had romantic feelings for whoever this boy was, but he was her friend and she clearly cared about him. She hadn't meant to hurt him, but she did, and it was evident that even after all these years, it still tore her apart. Annie wondered if Jeff had ever felt that way any of those times he'd hurt her.

Corinne sighed, then continued. "I thought we'd keep on being friends like we had been, and for a while we did. But he was different. Eventually he told me that as hard as he tried, he just loved me too much to handle being that close if I didn't feel the same way." She reached out and placed a hand on Annie's forearm, squeezing lightly to emphasize her point. "But you see, just because he needed to move on didn't mean that his feelings for me weren't real. You have to… love yourself… enough to know when you need to walk away."

Annie sniffled and tried to blink away the tears that were pooling in her eyes. She stepped close to Corinne and wrapped her in a hug. "What happened to that boy?" she asked with an unsteady voice.

Corinne gave Annie a squeeze, then pulled back and regarded her with a soft smile.

"I married him."

Annie felt her heart turn into goo as she clasped her hands under her chin. "Aww!"

Corinne's smile widened and Annie could've sworn she even blushed a little. "Not right away mind you. At first, I didn't think he'd go through with it. When he did, I was more mad than anything else. But as time went on, I started to feel like there was this gaping hole in my life. I thought I was just sad over losing a friend, but it kept gettin' worse."

"One day I was leaving class and I saw him. He was at the other end of the hall talking to some professor. He never noticed me, but even just seeing him from a distance filled me with so much– well, it all sort of clicked into place after that." Corinne shrugged like it was no big deal, but Annie could still read the emotions behind her eyes. It may have taken her a while to realize it, but this boy had been the love of her life.

Annie bounced on her toes and had the urge to hug Corinne again. "That's so sweet!"

"He gave me twenty-eight wonderful years and three lovely children that don't visit as often as I'd like." Corinne winked at her and turned back around. "Come now, dear, we've got to get you some clothes. If we take much longer, Jeff will think we're up to something naughty."

Annie let out a surprised laugh.

"You think I'm joking?" Corinne turned her head and directed a wry smile at Annie. "You're sweet, dear. But if there's one thing I know about men, it's that all their minds work the same way. Some are just better at hiding it than others. Jeff strikes me as someone that's not particularly good at hiding it." She pulled a couple shirts off their hangers and held them up to examine them. "He won't really think that's what we're up to, but the thought will enter his little brain. And once it's there, it won't leave. You mark my words, the first thing he'll ask you when you're alone is 'what were you guys doing in there'?" She delivered the last bit in a low, oafish tone.

Annie let out another laugh. "Well, I'll let you know if you're right."

They then got down to the task of picking out some clothes for Annie to wear. They weren't exactly the style that she normally wore, but Corinne was the same height as her, and they were almost an exact match in figure. The one major difference was in chest size, however, which made for a somewhat uncomfortable fit when it came to a sports bra.

"Gosh, I'm almost spilling out of this," Annie groused as she tried adjusting the fit for the umpteenth time.

Corinne, however, wore a rather bemused look. "I don't know, honey, I think it's perfect."

Annie shot her an incredulous look. "Perfect? I feel like there's enough pressure that if they pop out, they might hit me in the face."

Corinne grinned at her. "But just imagine the look on Jeff's face when we walk out there!" Annie gasped and Corinne burst out laughing. "Do me a favor sweetie, make sure to run on the treadmill next to him. I bet you he trips at least three times."

Annie could feel herself turning beet red, but part of her resolved to test out Corinne's theory. As they set about picking an outfit for Annie to wear after the fitness center, she immediately directed the conversation back to Corinne's family in an effort to avoid further discussion on the topic of Jeff. She learned that Corinne had two daughters and a son, all in their thirties and with families of their own. Her husband had been an executive with a company that sold athletic equipment and apparel, specializing in winter sports, which was how they'd ended up in Colorado. He'd died over ten years earlier from a heart attack.

"Now that he's gone, I keep telling myself I'll move back someplace warmer, but I just never seem to get around to it." Annie made a sympathetic noise. She figured the memory of her husband was what kept Corinne tied to Colorado, along with the fact that their children had grown up there.

"Ok!" Corinne exclaimed. "I think that should settle you for today. If you're still stuck here tomorrow, come see me again. Who knows what this weather is doing."

Annie beamed at Corinne. "Are you kidding? I'm going to come see you regardless. Thank you so much!"

"You can thank me by bringing Jeff with you," Corinne said with a wink. "I do so enjoy making that man squirm. Oh, and the less clothing he's wearing, the better."

At first, Annie had found Corinne's openly suggestive comments towards Jeff somewhat appalling. But now having gotten to know her better, she could hardly wait to watch her in action again.

They exited Corinne's bedroom into the main part of the condo. Jeff was sitting on a large white recliner, his nose buried in his phone. He glanced up as the women approached, and Annie watched his expression change from indignant impatience to shocked panic as his suddenly bulging eyes took in her scant outfit. Her form-fitting spandex shorts ended about a quarter of the way down her thighs and the matching tank top left much of her midriff bare. Sneakers and ankle socks completed the outfit, but it was the combination of the tank top and sports bra that seemed to discomfit him the most. It only lasted a fraction of a moment, but Annie remembered Corinne's words and had to hold back a laugh.

Corinne, however, had no such compunctions and guffawed loudly.

Jeff composed himself quickly and stood, electing to pretend as though nothing had happened. "About time. Are you ready?"

"Yep!" Annie chirped as she quickly tied her hair into a ponytail.

At the doorway Corinne handed over the neatly folded post-workout clothes to Annie as Jeff mumbled his thanks. Corinne turned her gaze on him, and said with a mischievous smile "Anything for you, Jeffrey. And I do mean anything."

Jeff's face resembled that of a Fear Factor contestant that had just been sealed in a bug body bag, and he looked only too happy to begin making his escape down the hallway.

"Thanks again! It was so nice meeting you!" Annie said cheerfully as she started after Jeff.

"You too, Annie." After a strategic moment's silence, Corinne called after them in a singsong voice, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

Annie felt herself flush and spun back, but Corinne had already disappeared into her condo. When she turned again, she caught Jeff's eyes snapping up to meet hers, having previously been focused somewhere lower. Part of her wanted to be offended. But it had taken years for her to get used to the idea that she was actually hot. And after her experiences in high school, being able to get the attention of a guy like Jeff made her feel really good about herself.

She arched her back slightly and could've sworn Jeff twitched with the effort not to look. "Shall we?" she said casually and started off without waiting for Jeff's response.

They made a quick stop at Jeff's condo and as Jeff was putting the key into the lock, he cleared his throat. "So, uh, what were you guys doing in there?" he asked with affected nonchalance.

Annie erupted into laughter. Corinne had been right. Jeff stared at her dumbly while she tried to get herself under control.

"What's so funny?"

Annie waved a hand, but needed a minute before she was able to speak. "Nn– nothing. Just ss– something Corinne said."

Jeff gave her a look like she was crazy, and opened the door. Annie dropped off the second set of clothes and they proceeded down to the fitness center. They each went through their own series of exercises, and Annie tried with varying amounts of success to keep her eyes to herself when Jeff was lifting weights. When Jeff jumped on one of the treadmills for what he called his "cooldown run," Annie saw her opportunity and occupied the machine next to him.

Jeff tripped four times.