A Toast to Innocence - Part 4 (epilogue)
Title: A Toast to Innocence (4/4)
Summary: It’s been fourteen years since they all graduated, twelve since she got married, and thirteen since she’s seen him.
Spoilers: Nothing specific, but assume through 3.10
Rating: PG
Warnings: light swearing and a little alcohol consumption
Word Count: ~330
Disclaimer: Community belongs to NBC and Wizard Master Dan Harmon. This little tidbit was written out of nothing but pure love for the show and a desire to show the network just how much we want it back. #sixseasonsandamovie <3
A/N: Thank you all for coming along with me on this little journey. I know it was short, and I know some would like to see more chapters, but I’m afraid this is it. Jeff and Annie have found each other again, and now they’ll just have to figure out the rest on their own. That being said, I do have a few little outtakes brewing, mostly of the Jeff-meets-Annie’s-kids variety. So keep a look out for those in the future ;)
And now, without further ado, an epilogue of sorts… or maybe I should call this an anti-logue?
Part Four
“Jeff.”
He’s glaring out through the glass doors after Annie, where she disappeared into the crowded Greendale hallways only moments before, angry and near tears and so, so frustrating- But he manages to pull his glower away to level it at Abed instead. “What?” he snaps.
Abed takes his ire in stride, as always. “You need to go after her, Jeff.”
His eyes widen in outrage. “You think I should apologize to her? She’s the one-”
“It doesn’t matter,” Abed cuts him off. He leans forward, emphasizing each word with a finger jabbing into the surface of the study room table. “You need to go after her now, and tomorrow, and the day after that, and any other time that she needs it. It’s not about either one of you admitting that you’re wrong. It’s about being there, and never letting her get away.”
Jeff splutters for a moment. “What do you mean- Abed, we’re not- There’s nothing-”
Abed shakes his head and stands, shouldering his bookbag as he does so. He stops with his hand on the back of his chair and pins Jeff with his deepest, most shaman-y gaze ever. “You can keep telling yourself that, Jeff. But someday, years from now, you’re going to run into her somewhere. A mall, a gas station, a grocery store maybe. And she’ll be married and have kids and will have told herself that she’s happy, but she won’t be, and you’ll both know it, but you’ll also know that there’s no going back. There’s no way to reclaim all the time you’ve lost.”
Jeff stares at him, then swallows hard. “That’s… That’s ridiculous,” he whispers, but his voice is shaky and void of its previous vehemence.
Abed nods and shrugs in a kind of take it or leave it gesture, and then turns and exits the study room.
Jeff sits at the table for another moment, eyes and thoughts wild, and then he lurches to his feet, grabs his things, and goes after her.
Fin.
This fic is dedicated to my parents, who are such real world versions of Jeff and Annie that it makes my head hurt sometimes. Thankfully, someone long ago gave them a speech much like this one from Abed, and now 32 years of marriage and six kids later, they’re still ridiculously in love.
Part One . Part Two . Part Three . Part Four
Summary: It’s been fourteen years since they all graduated, twelve since she got married, and thirteen since she’s seen him.
Spoilers: Nothing specific, but assume through 3.10
Rating: PG
Warnings: light swearing and a little alcohol consumption
Word Count: ~330
Disclaimer: Community belongs to NBC and Wizard Master Dan Harmon. This little tidbit was written out of nothing but pure love for the show and a desire to show the network just how much we want it back. #sixseasonsandamovie <3
A/N: Thank you all for coming along with me on this little journey. I know it was short, and I know some would like to see more chapters, but I’m afraid this is it. Jeff and Annie have found each other again, and now they’ll just have to figure out the rest on their own. That being said, I do have a few little outtakes brewing, mostly of the Jeff-meets-Annie’s-kids variety. So keep a look out for those in the future ;)
And now, without further ado, an epilogue of sorts… or maybe I should call this an anti-logue?
Part Four
“Jeff.”
He’s glaring out through the glass doors after Annie, where she disappeared into the crowded Greendale hallways only moments before, angry and near tears and so, so frustrating- But he manages to pull his glower away to level it at Abed instead. “What?” he snaps.
Abed takes his ire in stride, as always. “You need to go after her, Jeff.”
His eyes widen in outrage. “You think I should apologize to her? She’s the one-”
“It doesn’t matter,” Abed cuts him off. He leans forward, emphasizing each word with a finger jabbing into the surface of the study room table. “You need to go after her now, and tomorrow, and the day after that, and any other time that she needs it. It’s not about either one of you admitting that you’re wrong. It’s about being there, and never letting her get away.”
Jeff splutters for a moment. “What do you mean- Abed, we’re not- There’s nothing-”
Abed shakes his head and stands, shouldering his bookbag as he does so. He stops with his hand on the back of his chair and pins Jeff with his deepest, most shaman-y gaze ever. “You can keep telling yourself that, Jeff. But someday, years from now, you’re going to run into her somewhere. A mall, a gas station, a grocery store maybe. And she’ll be married and have kids and will have told herself that she’s happy, but she won’t be, and you’ll both know it, but you’ll also know that there’s no going back. There’s no way to reclaim all the time you’ve lost.”
Jeff stares at him, then swallows hard. “That’s… That’s ridiculous,” he whispers, but his voice is shaky and void of its previous vehemence.
Abed nods and shrugs in a kind of take it or leave it gesture, and then turns and exits the study room.
Jeff sits at the table for another moment, eyes and thoughts wild, and then he lurches to his feet, grabs his things, and goes after her.
Fin.
This fic is dedicated to my parents, who are such real world versions of Jeff and Annie that it makes my head hurt sometimes. Thankfully, someone long ago gave them a speech much like this one from Abed, and now 32 years of marriage and six kids later, they’re still ridiculously in love.
Part One . Part Two . Part Three . Part Four