Hold My Hand

I own nothing

Summary: One-shot. All Annie wants is for someone to hold her hand.

"Good morning Abed!"

"Hi Annie. Where's Shirley?"

"Oh, she went to see her obstetrician. Britta and Chang went with her."

Abed looked up from his anthropology textbook. "What about Troy, Jeff, and Pierce?"

Annie shrugged. "Jeff's sick, Troy has all-day football practice, and with Pierce, you never know. I guess it's just you and me today."

Abed nodded, his face blank as usual. "Did you finish your anthropology homework?" Annie nodded. "Of course." After a few moments, the two fell silent. The room was silent for several minutes, except for Annie humming a soft melody to herself.

"I didn't know you were a Beatles fan."

Annie looked up, startled by the sudden breaking of the silence. Abed's face was still blank, and he was motionless, staring at her from across the table.

"What?"

"You're a Beatles fan. Wasn't that "All You Need Is Love" you were just humming?"

"Um… yeah. How did you recognize that?"

Abed shrugged. "I have good listening skills."

"Do you like that song?"

Abed shook his head. "Music carries no enjoyment for me."

Annie nodded. "Is that why the only thing on your iPod is an audiobook version of The Lord of the Rings?"

"Sure is."

"Then how did you know what song I was singing?"

"What do you mean?"

"If you don't enjoy music, why do you listen to it?"

"Songs are like movies. You have to understand them to succeed in America."

Annie grinned. "Well, do you recognize this one?" She hummed again, louder this time.

Abed's face remained expressionless. "'Here Comes the Sun'. One of the few songs written by George Harrison."

Annie's grin changed to a frown. "Who's that?"

"The quiet Beatle."

"Oh. And this one?" She hummed one final time.

"Easy. That's 'I Want to Hold Your Hand'."

"Yep. I love that song."

"I figured you did."

Annie frowned. "You figured I liked that song?"

Abed nodded. "Sure. I mean, it's a classic, and it pertains a lot to your life."

"What?"

"Well, you liked Troy for so long, and then Jeff, and you never got to hold someone's hand. Holding hands is but a small gesture of affection, but it means so much."

Annie's mouth dropped open. "Abed, can I ask you something?"

"By all means."

Annie took a deep breath. "When was the last time you held someone's hand?"

Abed thought for a moment before saying "Last semester, Jenny let me hold her hand once."

"Just once?"

"Yeah. But I didn't mind."

Annie hesitated for a few moments before asking her next question. "And what did it feel like?"

"Nothing."

Annie's heart sank. "Really?"

"Yep. But this is me we're talking about."

"Oh yeah. Abed, you should show more emotion."

Abed looked up again. "Excuse me?"

"You should show more emotion. I mean, the way you act makes Spock look like a drama queen."

Abed shrugged. "All right. Does this work for you?" To Annie's utter surprise, he reached across the table and grasped her right hand in his left.

Annie's eyes grew wide. Her face broke into a wide grin, as did Abed's. It was the first time his face had changed from his usual flat expression since Annie had arrived.

A tear ran down Annie's cheek. "How's it feel?" Abed asked.

Annie laughed, embarrassed. "Amazing."

Abed's smile grew wider. "How about we skip class today and go get a coffee? I mean, your first time holding someone's hand has to be celebrated."

Annie laughed again. "That'd be great." As the two headed for the door, hands still entwined, Annie looked at the cute Iranian boy next to her. "Thanks, Abed."

Abed squeezed her hand. "Don't mention it."