Disclaimer: I don't own Community. If I did, there would be more shamelessly gloopy fluff.
Chapter 8 - Seasonal Holiday Celebrations
Week 12
The school day was drawing to an end on the last day before the winter break, and Annie only had one Christmas card left to hand out. She had tried to get it to Jeff earlier, but what with the fight and his study group having an end of semester party, she hadn't had an opportunity. She was content to wait in the main body of the library however and keep an eye on the door to Study Room F for him to emerge.
She was only waiting about an hour when she heard people start to leave – first Troy and Abed, then that strange old man who kept looking at her chest and the blonde witch, and finally Jeff and the African-American lady who frightened Annie a little (she'd got it into her head that Annie was trying to steal Jeff away from the blonde or something, and didn't approve) – Shirley, Annie thought her name was. They talked for a moment, hugged and headed off in opposite directions. Annie stood up from her hiding place and started running.
"Jeff!"
He smiled at her. "Oh hi, Edison. What are you doing here?"
"I haven't had a chance to give you your Christmas card – your face is a mess!" She blurted out as she got a close up look.
Jeff took the card and smiled ruefully. "Being punched repeatedly in it will do that. I'm just going to have to rely even more on my sparkling personality for the next few days."
Annie smiled, but her face fell slightly as Jeff put the card in his backpack and didn't get anything out for her. Jeff noticed.
"Yours is in my car, walk with me Edison." He offered her his arm. Annie does a small happy bounce and links up.
On the way to the car park they talk about what they will be doing for the holiday – Jeff will be moving out of the dorm into a motel before spending Christmas itself with his mother and moving into a new apartment in the New Year – his condo has finally sold and he has money again. Annie will be volunteering with a homeless charity. Jeff knew it was unlikely she would spend it with family and it eased his conscience a little to hear she wouldn't be alone.
They'd reached the car. Jeff opened it up and dug out a small bag and handed it to Annie.
"Don't open it until I've gone. Happy holidays, Edison." He leaned forward and gave the little girl a big hug. She hugged him back. "And you Jeff. See you in the new year."
Jeff got in his car, waved once and drove away.
Annie waved back and started walking to her own car. As she went she opened the card and read the message inside.
I'm ashamed to say it did not occur to me until after I bought this card that I have no idea whether or not you observe Christmas. So please take this as my sincerest best wishes that you experience all the joy of the season in whatever way is most fitting to the rite or tradition that means most to you. Thanks to your companionship and support, this semester has been both less tedious and more successful than it would ever have been otherwise or than I had any right to expect.
I am now, and will always be,
Your friend.
Jeff Winger.
Annie could barely finish reading through the tears that sprang up in her eyes. She wiped them, and then noticed there was something else in the bag. She took out a package and opened it up. It was a cheap plastic doll of Snow White, with it's fringe carefully pinned back to look like Annie's usual style. There was a tag on the box.
For my real life Disney princess. JW
This time, Annie let the tears flow.
XXXXXX
Winter Break
Joelle Dawson is a fundamentally quiet person who never uses more words than are absolutely necessary, sufficiently so that those people who are aware of her existence tend to define her by it and frequently mock her for it. She has precisely two friends in Greendale (a fact which does not greatly trouble her, as she has always found her own company to be sufficient) - Annie Edison and Marcia Green. She suspects Annie is friends with her because the other girl is terrified of being alone and can't afford to be choosy, but she has no idea why Marcia is, one thing that cannot be said about Marcia is that she lacks company. Perhaps it's merely that Joelle listens to her anecdotes without interrupting. One thing that is often overlooked about quiet people however is that when they are not talking they are usually listening and paying attention in other ways and thus tend to notice things that otherwise would be private. Thus it was that on Friday 18 December she sent Marcia a text message.
Mar, you doin anythin 2moro? JoL
And got a reply a few minutes later.
Nothing unusual, why? MG
Annies Bday. She shouldnt be on her own.
It was a few minutes before Marcia replied, the news had obviously taken her by surprise.
I'll call her. How does a trip to the mall followed by dinner sound?
To Joelle, it sounded like having her teeth pulled without anaesthetic. What she actually said was
Fine, txt me time&place. C U then.
Standing outside the north entrance of Greendale Mall at 12:30 the next day, Joelle quickly realised the flaw in their plan - it being the last Saturday before Christmas the place was heaving. She was only waiting a couple of minutes though before she saw Annie's head, capped with a purple beret, bobbing through the crowd. She waved until Annie saw her and waved back and started moving in her direction. By the time hugs and a birthday card had been exchanged they heard a cheery voice crying "coming through!" in the distance and they were soon joined by Marcia - more hugs, and another card exchanged.
"Right! let's get inside." Said Marcia. "Follow me!" And she was off, ploughing through the crowds like a Russian icebreaker in the Arctic Ocean. Annie and Joelle scrambled to keep up.
Thanks in no small part to Marcia's enthusiasm, Annie found herself having fun despite the fact she wasn't usually the sort of girl who would go into shops, try on outfits for the fun of it and then leave. Especially the sort of outfits Marcia thought it was fun to try on.
("Isn't this a bit, well, thin?" Annie said about one outfit in the third shop they stopped in.
"Annie, you need to wear something other than pastel cardigans if you want the boys to notice you, you know." Marcia had scolded her by way of reply.
"If she didn't wear anything other than a pastel cardigan I think the boys would definitely notice her." Joelle had said. Marcia had looked at her as if she couldn't believe the other girl could say anything so brazen, then hooted with laughter. Annie merely went pink with embarrassment.)
Half way through the afternoon and their feet were starting to hurt from all the walking. (And in Annie's case the horribly impractical shoes Marcia had made her try on which she almost fell off of. But still bought.) They found a Starbucks with an empty table and sat down with some relief, after placing their orders they settled down to some trivial conversation about their purchases and what they were doing for the holidays. After their orders arrived, Marcia made an excuse and went to the bathroom, she'd had an idea.
She dug out her phone, opened up the contact list and scrolled down to "bed hair, abs" and started typing.
Jeff, it's Annie's birthday today and Joelle and I are taking her to dinner at Paolo's on West & 7th. I think she'd like it if you could come - table is booked for 5PM. Marcia
Nodding with satisfaction, she completed her business and went back to the others.
As was usually the case with Marcia, the conversation came round to guys. "I'm actually seeing someone now, just the one guy." She said, as though monogamy was something shocking.
"Oh! Do tell!"
"Do you remember Jack from the Halloween party?" Joelle nodded, Annie was less sure. "We've been on and off for a while now, but we're definitely on at the moment."
"That's wonderful Marcia," Annie smiled a genuinely warm smile.
"So Annie," Marcia asked. "Have you heard anything from Jeff?"
Annie's smile went away. "He's busy closing a deal on a new apartment before he goes to spend the holiday with his mother. I haven't seen him since the last day of school, he did give me a nice card and present though."
Annie described what Jeff had given her.
"Wow, that's so cor-" Marcia started saying, before abruptly stopping when Joelle kicked her under the table. Joelle nodded meaningfully in Annie's direction and Marcia took a good, hard look at the expression on the brunette's face.
"Oh, you poor thing." She said as realisation hit her. "You've got it hard for that big idiot, haven't you?"
All of a sudden, Annie was on the verge of tears. "It's not his fault." She said miserably. "He's always made it clear that we're just friends and I'm just a kid who's too young for that sort of thing."
Joelle had no idea what to say, so she gave Annie a napkin and pulled her in for a hug instead.
It seemed to be the right thing to do as Annie dabbed her eyes and gave Joelle a smile of gratitude. "I can wait a couple of years - he might change his mind if I'm no longer somebody he can't even take to a bar."
"Annie Edison!" Said Marcia sharply. "You will not put yourself on ice for two years on the off-chance some guy might change his mind! You will put yourself out there and you will find someone who appreciates what an amazing girl you are!"
Annie sat up in surprise at Marcia's tone of voice but it seemed to work, a little. "Yes mother." She said with a straight face.
Marcia's phone chose that moment to vibrate.
You need a grown up to buy the wine, don't you?:-) I'll see you there. JW
Crap. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Marcia thought to herself. On the other hand, this is probably the closest thing to a date with him she's likely to get and if she changes into some of the stuff we got her to buy she'll definitely look grown up…
XXXXXX
Paolo's Restaurante Italiano, 5PM
Annie had thought Marcia was being ridiculous when she insisted the girls find a changing room and put their new purchases on for dinner, especially as the red dress was somewhat… cleavagey and didn't even reach her knees. She was rather enjoying the attention she was getting as she took off her coat and handed it to the concierge though. However she had refused point blank to walk through Greendale's snowy streets in the ridiculous heels, compromising on carrying them and putting them on just outside the restaurant while slipping her flats into her handbag. The concierge showed them to a booth at the back and gave them their menus.
Jeff Winger walked through the door a couple of minutes later, almost shockingly punctual for him. He was greeted with a broad smile.
"Buonasera, Signor Winger - it's so nice to see you again."
"And you, Paolo," Jeff grinned and returned the other man's hug.
"What can we do for you tonight?"
"I'm here to meet some friends, three young ladies?"
"Ah! They arrived only a few minutes ago, signore." He winked at Jeff and started leading him to the back of the restaurant. "Such beautiful young ladies, you've excelled yourself tonight Signor Winger." He whispered. "And here we are." Jeff thought Paolo was simply laying it on with a trowel, but he was actually pleasantly surprised by what he saw. He nodded affably to the girls.
"Marcia, a delight as always." For a larger girl she did indeed look good, especially in a top showing enough cleavage to cause a traffic accident.
"Joelle, that dress is stunning. It suits you." Joelle smiled and nodded - Jeff wasn't being particularly flattering, he was genuinely surprised to see how nice the redhead looked when she made an effort. The third girl in the red dress was new to him, presumably Annie had gone to the ladies room.
"And who's your hot frie-" She turned to look at him with a happy smile on her face. "Hi, Jeff."
"Edison? Wow. Just… wow." He held out a hand to her. "Stand up - let me get a good look at you."
Annie took it, and slid out of the booth, stood in front of Jeff and turned through a full circle. "What do you think?"
"...you're taller." Was the first thing he could get out. She rolled her eyes.
"I'm wearing heels."
"Yes, yes you are." He looked at her legs for longer than was strictly necessary to verify this fact then forced himself to look upwards. Don't stare at her cleavage, Winger! Well, maybe a glimpse. Annie was blushing mightily under the unexpected attention, but she had a happy smile on her face.
Jeff's mind flashed back to the study session before the debate and the first time he'd noticed that Annie was not just a substitute kid sister he was fond of but a beautiful young woman. In particular he remembered the amount of time and effort it had taken to fight down that awareness and get back to a place he was comfortable in. It's going to be a lot harder to come back from this, he thought to himself, while sternly ignoring the voice that was asking him just exactly why he'd want to.
"We'd better take our seats before the entire restaurant thinks I'm some sort of pervert."
"It's a bit late for that." Joelle muttered. Annie slid into the booth and Jeff followed her. As Annie sat down, she felt her phone vibrate in her handbag. The message was from Marcia.
He isn't looking at you like a little girl now.
Annie smiled back across the table at her.
The dinner was actually fun. Jeff was sitting directly opposite Joelle and finding her green eyes surprisingly distracting - funny I never noticed that about her before he thought to himself, but then he'd turn to Annie and see her bright blue ones. I've obviously been sensitised to eyes. Joelle didn't say much, but Jeff was swiftly finding out that when she did it was surprisingly perceptive and often with a certain biting wit. Better not introduce her to Abed - their children would be terrifying.
Perhaps inevitably, the conversation was dominated by Jeff and Marcia - not so much talking to each other as telling rival anecdotes that the others would chip in on occasionally. Even though it was her birthday, Annie was more than happy to let her friends do the heavy lifting and relax into her booth seat and becoming increasingly aware as she did so that Jeff's arm was draped artfully casually across the top of the seat and only inches from her shoulders.
Time flew past, and it was a surprise to all of them that more than two hours had gone by when the dessert plates were cleaned away. Joelle hinted they should probably get ready to leave as the restaurant - which was heaving - would surely need the table. Jeff took the point, but ordered a round of Sambucas for all, saying he wished to propose a toast. Make it good, Winger.
"Here's to the three qualities that make the perfect woman - intelligence" he nodded at Joelle; "Wit;" - Marcia. "And beauty"- Annie, who blushed. "Here's to the man who's been lucky enough to spend an evening surrounded by a surfeit of all three - " he bowed slightly to the group. "And most especially, here's to the young lady who owns them all on this her special day. Happy Birthday, Annie."
Annie was blushing bright red and tilting her eyes slightly down at the table as her friends repeated the Happy Birthday. "Thanks Jeff, that was sweet." She said in a somewhat shaky tone of voice. Jeff was somewhat surprised to see Marcia looking at him with a cool and appraising stare, entirely devoid of humour.
Jeff paid the bill - waving away suggestions from the girls that it should be split - and offered them lifts home in his car.
"Thanks Jeff, but Marcia's offered me a lift." Said Joelle, much to Marcia's surprise. "Can you get Annie home?"
"Not a problem - "Jeff said.
"There's no need, I can walk - " Annie said at the same time.
"Don't be silly, Edison. It's dark and cold and snowing, and you're not exactly dressed for the conditions." Jeff shushed her when she tried to object further.
They were outside the restaurant now. Joelle hugged Annie and - slightly more hesitantly - Jeff. Marcia did likewise, but as she closed in on Jeff she whispered in his ear -
"You and I need to have a talk about what you're doing to that girl. Soon." Jeff had not the faintest idea what Marcia was talking about and settled for bidding the girls farewell and walking Annie in the direction of his car. He noticed she'd got shorter of a sudden - while he'd been saying goodbye to Joelle and Marcia she'd taken the opportunity to change back into her flats. They linked arms and Jeff led Annie to his car, chatting idly about the day they'd had but not saying much of any consequence.
"Look Jeff, thanks for offering but you really don't have to," Annie said when they reached his car.
"Edison - this is my formidable face now." He put on one of his more carnivorous courtroom faces. "You are not walking home in this weather dressed like that. If I have to pick you up and stuff you in the car, I will. Now get in."
Annie sighed and got in, Jeff put her bags in the back, got in the driver's side and started the engine. Annie started giving directions and Jeff carefully followed them, not taking any chances in the conditions. Annie called out at one point that he could drop her off there as it was only two blocks for her to walk, but Jeff told her to just keep giving directions until they reached her front door. When they got there he was shocked.
"You live here?" He stared at a glaring neon sign that said DILDOPOLIS in huge letters. "Annie, you can't!"
"It's a flat above the shop. It's the only thing I could afford." She said. "But it's mine and I don't need anybody to tell me whats good for me!"
"It's not about telling you what to do Annie, it's about being a friend who's worried."
"Thanks Jeff, but please don't."
"I'm walking you to your front door at least." When Annie still looked defiant he added "I've got your bags in my trunk, this is the only way you're going to see them again…"
Annie sighed, admitting defeat. Jeff collected the bags from his trunk and followed her up a dank flight of stairs to a door with three locks on it and peeling paint.
Annie unlocked the door. "Thanks for a great evening Jeff. I'd invite you in but…"
"I understand, Edison." Jeff smiled ruefully at her. "I don't want to leave my car unattended any longer than necessary in this neighbourhood anyway."
Annie stood on tiptoe to hug Jeff and kiss him on the cheek. "Merry Christmas, Jeff."
"Happy Birthday, Edison."
Annie slipped through the door. Jeff stayed put until he heard the locks close, then turned and walked back to his car. He neither saw nor heard Annie slide down the door until she was sitting in a ball on the floor crying her eyes out. Why, Annie, why do you let him get to you like this? It's all a game to him and you're just another piece on the board, she cried to herself.
XXXXXX
It's three days after Christmas before Marcia finally runs Jeff to ground. Faced with the option of either call-blocking her to stop the texts or agreeing to meet her, Jeff has chosen the latter course and they're meeting for lunch at a bar ten minutes walk from the college. The bar is almost empty, Jeff has ordered a scotch and Marcia a soda and lime. "This isn't a social visit, Jeff." She says when he raises an eyebrow in surprise.
"Okay, Marcia." He sighs, "what's all this about?"
"I want to warn you about the game you're playing with Annie and tell you to stop it."
"What? I'm not playing a game with Annie! She's a great girl and a friend who helps me out with study and homework but she's no more than that and I've never implied otherwise."
"Were you there at her birthday dinner, Jeff? Or do your study sessions always follow the 'stand up so I can see exactly how hot you are, I'm going to spend the rest of the session with my arm almost-but-not-quite draped across your shoulders and propose an amazing toast describing you as my perfect woman' pattern?"
"Dammit Marcia." Jeff is getting irritated now. "A couple of things. Firstly, Annie did look great - uncomfortably so, frankly - oh, and before we go further, just whose idea was it to wear that dress and heels combination for dinner, anyway? Don't you dare tell me it was hers. I know Annie too well for that." Marcia shifts uncomfortably in her seat and doesn't meet Jeff's glare.
"I'll take that as confirmation. And secondly I apologise if I got the wrong idea - from you - but I thought you invited me to help Annie feel a bit special on her birthday. Are you really beating me up because I followed your plan too well?"
Marcia is somewhat taken aback by the force of Jeff's counter-attack.
"Okay Jeff, maybe I didn't brief you well enough and maybe I overlooked just how awesome you are" - even Jeff couldn't miss the sarcasm in her voice - "but do you remember what you said at Halloween?"
Jeff stayed silent, forcing Marcia to continue.
"You said we couldn't assume that just because Annie has coped well with a challenging life that therefore she has the experience to handle predators."
"Yes, so?"
"You're a predator, Jeff! And you can't even help it - it's your default mode! Even when you think you're being nice and platonic when girls like Annie look at you they see somebody out of a Twilight novel!"
"Low blow, Marcia," but Jeff had a lazy smile on his face and was looking her straight in the eyes.
"Oh, don't even think you can do it to me mister - if you're a sparkly vampire then I'm Buffy Summers."
Jeff chuckled softly at that. "Yeah, that's a crossover that needs to happen. Okay, so what exactly is your point, Marcia?"
"Look Jeff, here's the deal - what you probably haven't taken into consideration is that you're probably the first reasonably good looking -"
"Very good looking."
"I'm talking now, pretty boy. The first reasonably good looking guy since - well, pretty much ever - to treat Annie with even a little bit of kindness and respect. It's understandable that she's crushing hard on you right now -"
"What?"
"Really, Jeff? You're going to try to pretend you haven't noticed?"
"Seriously Marcia, I haven't - either you're misreading her or she's really good at hiding it."
"Or you've got all the emotional sensitivity and awareness of a tree stump." Marcia snarked back at him, Jeff grinned back.
"As I was saying," Marcia continued, "Annie is crushing on you at the moment. Heck, I can even see a scenario where I'd be in favour - you're less of a jerk when she's around and she's less neurotic and wound up when you are, you seem to be good for each other, somehow - so if you were to be serious about it and willing to get in for the long haul I might even go along with it. If you show any sign of treating her as one of your disposable flings however, and feel you can just walk away and leave her behind with a broken heart, then I will break you.
"Until you manage to achieve such an epiphany you need to ignore Annie's crush, continue being a friend and stop showing any interest in her, no matter how hot she looks at any given time. Just be kind, don't give any feedback and it'll fizzle out in time."
"There's no need for threats - that's pretty much what I was planning on doing anyway," said Jeff dryly. "But I'll bear it in mind. Are you sure she's crushing on me?"
"Yes Jeff, the pretty teenage girl with deep blue eyes and a big smile is crushing on you. Does that sufficiently massage your ego?"
"It'll do for now." He said dryly, draining the last of his Scotch. "Look - if the unpleasant bit is over, can I get you a proper drink and a lunch menu?"
"Hell, yes. If you're paying I'll have an Armagnac."
Jeff nodded his head in respect for the sophisticated choice and went to the bar.
When he got back, he placed Marcia's drink and a menu in front of her and took his seat. Then he held his drink up.
"Team Annie." He said.
"Team Annie." Marcia replied, clinking glasses.
XXXXXX
(New Year's Eve, Jeff is drinking at an exclusive bar that's having a fancy dress party to see in the new year, he's wearing his cowboy outfit.)
"Hey! You in the cowboy hat! Buy me a drink!" He turns around and smiles when he sees a familiar face.
"Professor Slater - long time, no see."
"Call me Michelle, Jeff. Where's that drink?"
When midnight comes round, they kiss when the lights go out. They don't stop when they come back on, they barely do on the drive back to Slater's apartment or for much of the next day.
XXXXXX
Author's note:Annie's date of birth is revealed to be 19 December 1990 in a freeze frame bonus in episode 6x03, "Basic Crisis Room Decorum." She never had a birthday episode on the show, so I'm giving her one now...