Disclaimer: So Weird does not belong to me.

SUMMARY: The So Weird gang prepares for the final showdown between good and evil.

Fi's INTRODUCTION: Can you stop the outcome of a future that has already been set into motion? It's like asking what the meaning of life is. There isn't an answer – no one is going to give you the answer. But somehow you still hope that you can take control of the future, no matter how dreary it may seem. If you knew a storm was brewing, would you do something to stop it? And can you do anything to stop it, when you have no control over the world around you?

CHAPTER ONE

They had finally made it home, but not without consequence. It had been almost two weeks since the incident in the Dream Plane, and things had never been so normal. Molly had just wrapped up her tour – none the wiser to what had happened that night – and she was glad to have finally finished up her last performance and returned home. Clu and Carey had gone ahead and arrived in Hope Springs a week early, leaving enough room on the bus for Annie, Jack, Fi, Molly Irene and Ned. Even then, it had been crowded.

Fi had been reluctant to step into the new home Molly had bought after she left for Seattle. There wasn't anything that was really hers that was there. Her old home, though … it had been all hers, and she deeply missed it.

But she didn't let something like that bother her. At least, not on the outside. She continued to keep up her smile and her work … which wasn't much of anything. The foursome - Fi, Clu, Annie and Jack - tried to enjoy it, but in the back of their minds they all kept questioning when was it going to end?

Fi looked up just as Clu entered the room. He gave her a sloppy grin and then jumped onto the couch, causing Fi to cry out in surprise.

"What are you doing?" She demanded.

"I was actually thinking," Clu started, peering over his shoulder to make sure no one else was listening. "Why don't we throw Annie a surprise party?"

Fi grinned. "That's a great idea, Clu! This way we can give her a proper fare-well."

Clu sighed, resting his head back against the couch and closing his eyes. "I can't believe she's leaving. It doesn't even feel right."

Fi solemnly nodded her head, but didn't bother to reply. Ever since the four had gotten back from the Dream Plane things had been … different. Annie had shied away from Jack, and the older boy had let her. Now the two only spoke to each other when the need called for it. Fi felt weird being around Clu, after she'd technically kissed him - even if it hadn't been the Clu she knew. Whenever she was around him she kept getting these crazy thoughts. Then he would mention something about Annie, and a small part in her mind would remind her that in the other world, Annie and Clu had dated.

Even Clu seemed disturbed when he had the time to reflect, though he hid it well behind his laid back attitude. No one would say it, but things were different.

Fi shook her head, staring up at the ceiling. "Maybe I shouldn't have come home."

Clu gave her a startled look, sitting up. "What? No, you had to."

"We can't sit around and not talk about what happened," Fi finally said. "It's been two weeks -."

"Look, I know you're as worried as I am, but what can we do? It's not like anything has happened to push us into action. Besides, Jack and Annie are practically useless. Annie's leaving soon."

Fi rolled her eyes, and just like that the conversation was dropped. Neither wanted to think about it – not really.

"Move over," Jack snapped, storming into the room and pushing between Clu and Fi. The two gave him startled looks but the moody boy ignored them. He picked up the remote and hastily began to flip through channels, practically grinding his teeth in frustration.

"Dude …" Clu started, before letting the word trail off. Jack gave him a dirty look out of the corner of his eye before looking back at the TV.

"I cannot wait to be out of this mad house," Jack exploded. He turned the TV off and then disappeared into another room.

"I'm worried about him," Fi said, watching her brother's retreating back.

Clu nodded. "You and me both," He agreed.

Fi stood and stretched. "You want to go for a walk? I was thinking we could head to the mall or something."

"Sure," Clu agreed with a grin. "Oh, why don't we see if Annie wants to come?" Fi's smile faltered for a moment and then she forced it back.

"Sure," She said.

"Maybe we can talk her into telling us why her and Jack aren't talking," Clu added, more to himself than Fi. She heard him, though, and felt a little relieved. He was just worried about his two friends, that was all.

"I'll run upstairs and get her," Fi said, sprinting backwards and giving Clu a salute.

SO WEIRD

"Annie!?" Fi called, knocking lightly on the other girl's door. Until Annie was moved out, they were sharing a room. It wasn't so bad, and for the most part the two enjoyed staying up late and whispering – it was so normal.

The blond looked up from where she was packing up several boxes, and called out, "Come in!"

Fi did just that, looking in surprise at how quickly Annie had everything packed up. "Can't wait to leave?" She asked uncertainly.

Annie tossed her an apologetic look. "Sorry. I just figured you'd want the extra space. Soon it's going to be your room."

"Yeah, but you're not leaving for another three days. It's been your room for a year; I'm not going to move you out of it."

Annie smiled. "All the same, I'd like to be prepared." She turned back to the box and continued packing away her clothes. Fi took a seat on the bed and watched for a few moments before laying back.

"I bet things are going to be weird living with your parents again," She said quietly.

Annie hesitated. "Is it weird? For you – coming back to all this, I mean."

Fi didn't say anything for several moments, before shaking her head. "No," She whispered.

Annie looked solemnly down at her box and bit her lip. Then she looked back at Fi. "It will all be over soon, won't it?"

Fi frowned, giving the other girl a confused look. "What?"

"All of this," Annie said, waving her arm around the room. "Everything we've worked for. I'm going to be leaving and you're just going to pick up where it left off, right?"

"I don't know," Fi said quietly. It was something she didn't want to dwell on. What had happened in the past? – that was fine. What the future would hold – not so much. She forced a smile and sat up. "Hey, me and Clu were going for a walk into town. You want to come?"

"Sure!" Annie said, quickly standing up, knocking one of the boxes over in the process. The box then collided with one of Fi's that had been packed up and stored when she moved out. Tons of items spilled onto the floor. Annie groaned, turning to pick the stuff.

"Don't worry about it," Fi called from the door. "We'll pick it up later!"

"Alright," Annie said, quickly turning on her heel and following after her friend.

Neither girl noticed the little floppy disk that stumbled out of the box and landed innocently on the floor.