Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Community.
A/N: Thank you all for supporting me as I wrote this! I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Once again, thank you so much! I didn't expect to get as much support as I did. This is very much fluff but I wrote it for closure. Thank you all once again and I can't wait to write a new fanfiction!

Chapter 11: Epilogue

Six months later.

Annie was in therapy twice a week now and seemed to be really improving. Annie always had Britta tag along for one of the two of her weekly therapy sessions. Britta didn't try to interject with her thoughts, she didn't cut into Annie's time with the therapist, she was just there for Annie. Annie was very honest in therapy as well as at home. She would always come in to talk to Britta at night. Annie immediately told Britta when she was having suicidal thoughts, or when she had cut herself again. Annie hadn't been too bad though. No trips to the ER or mental hospital, just trips to a physiatrist and a therapist.

The whole group was supportive of Annie in July they all went with her to see her mom's grave, which wasn't a good idea in Britta's head, but it had to be done. Shirley would come over to apartment Pedison/Trobed to talk to Annie and be a "motherly figure," Pierce paid for the therapy, Troy and Abed always kept an eye out for her and were always there to listen, Britta was her best friend. They did everything with Annie from talking to watching movies to shopping- Britta was always there for her. And then there was Jeff. Jeff always called Annie to tell her goodnight and texted her most mornings saying: "Good morning! :)" Jeff always asked Annie not just how she was doing but how she was feeling too. Jeff was there a few times to come to therapy for Annie when Britta couldn't go, and the best thing Jeff did was not go all "Winger" on Annie like he would with other girls.

Britta couldn't help the voice inside her head from going "awwh" when Jeff made Annie dinner, or when he was there to hang out with her. But there was also this other voice in Britta's head that was fading away. A voice that said: "He's going to hurt her." As this six months passed Britta ignored that voice, for Jeff was being so good to Annie, she had no reason to pay attention to it. Three months after the suicide attempt, Jeff would talk to Britta about Annie. Britta wasn't going to lie it was totally adorable. And it wasn't until Jeff called Britta to talk about Annie did Britta say: "Jeff, you don't just like Annie, I think you love her."

On Thanksgiving everyone joined at Pierces house for dinner. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. People were laughing, dancing, and reflecting on past Greendale experiences. Everyone was enjoying themselves, except Britta. She kept quietly to herself with a beer and sat while everyone played tennis on the Wii. Today, November twenty second, thirteen years ago in 1999 was the day that Britta lost Riley. She couldn't stop thinking about that night and the night not too long ago when Annie almost lost her life.

Annie ran over to Britta out of breath from playing the Wii. She sat down right next to her on the arm the recliner.

"I totally kicked Jeff's ass at tennis."
"Did not!" Britta heard Jeff yell from across the room, she had no choice but to laugh a little.
"Well anyway I just came over to ask if everything was okay."
"No yeah, everything great," Britta lied.
"It was today wasn't it?"
"Huh?"
"Today was the day that Riley-"
"Yeah, it was today," Britta paused fighting tears, "Normally I don't celebrate Thanksgiving because of that."
"Come here," Annie opened her arms for a hug, which Britta needed.
"Follow me," Annie lead Britta to a balcony overlooking Pierce's large backyard.
Once outside Britta put her beer down on the railing and just looked into the sky. The air was cold but welcoming.
"How are you holding up?" Annie asked.
"Well, I'm fine just a little down. I've never really liked Thanksgiving because of what happened." Annie nodded.
"Yeah how long has it been since you celebrated it last?"
"Thirteen years."
"Oh, well you're celebrating it now…?" Annie's statement sounded more like a question. "Here's what were going to do Britta. You're going to name a few things your thankful for right now and celebrate what you're thankful for, and not the past."
"Um, okay? I'm uh, thankful for the study group, you're like family." Britta smiled a little, "my apartment that I share with three awesome people, my cats, uh… You."
"You're thankful for me?"
"Well yeah, I'm thankful that you're here and that you've come so far," Britta stopped and smiled a little, "I'm very thankful for my lil' sis because you're my best friend." Britta laughed while wiping a tear from the corner her eye. "You're the best Annie, thank you."
Britta hugged Annie.
"Love you girl," Britta said into Annie's hair.
"You too Britta, I'm very thankful for you."

"So how was your thanksgiving Annie? Britta?" Annie's therapist asked.
"Oh it was nice, we spent it at Pierce's house all together," Annie enthused while sitting on a leather couch next to Britta.
"Yeah it was good," Britta looked over at Annie and smiled remembering their conversation from last Thursday night.
"Dr. Sandoval I think Britta would like to say something."
"Annie dear I've told you call me Cara, I already know I'm a doctor; we don't need to reiterate it."
Annie laughed and apologized.
"So Britta?" Cara looked up from her note pad and smiled at Britta.
"Well, um, as you know I lost a dear friend thirteen years ago and last Thursday was the first Thanksgiving I've celebrated since. This isn't my therapy session so we don't need to go on-"
"No I think that's fantastic that you were able to do that." Annie's therapist smiled at Britta's statement. "Well Annie how are you doing?"
"Well I'm doing okay…"
"Just okay?"
"Well yeah I guess it's the holidays."
"Do you have any idea why the holidays bring you down?"
"Not really, I guess it's just the memories of when I was a child celebrating with my mom and dad."
"How did you celebrate with your family?"
"I didn't, we never did. I just miss the idea I guess."
"Well describe to me how you feel."
"Sad, alone, and cheerless, like I have no energy."
"Are you feeling sad because you miss you mom and your relationship with your dad? Or because of the your new 'family' is this study group?"
"Oh, I'd spend most holidays with my study group regardless if my mom was still here. We haven't talked in a while, but I guess it's just knowing that I'll never be able to smooth things over with her."
Annie's therapist jotted down some notes and Britta squeezed Annie's hand.
"I know this is easier said than done, but you need to let go."
Annie nodded, "I know I do."
"I want you to think about a time you were happy." Britta watched Annie reminisce. "Who was with you, where were you, what happened?"
Annie's eyes closed, "It was about a year ago. I was with my study group and my roommates were having their house warming party. Britta, Shirley, Troy, Abed, Jeff, and Pierce were all there. Britta plugged in her iPod and the song 'Roxanne' played. Everyone was dancing, singing, and having a blast." She paused as Britta was smiling upon remembering that night. "That was the night that I realized that my study group is my family. I was invited to their party not because they felt compelled to invite me, but because they wanted me there. Once we were dancing and singing, I realized that I was loved by them and that I love them." Annie opened her eyes and looked at Britta who was smiling.
Cara laughed, "That sounds like you had fun."
"Oh we did," Britta assured her.
"Well Annie, sometimes the best way to start 'letting go', is to be with the people that care the most about you. Live more in the moment, and just remember that you're study group is your family. Surround yourself with moments like you just described, and when you feel blue, think about the future, and don't dwell on your past."
Annie soaked up this information and Britta still held her hand. Britta wasn't there for any other reason other to help Annie. Annie wanted Britta to come because it made her feel like she wasn't alone.

Once the session wrapped up Britta and Annie walked to Britta's car. Outside the warm therapist office was windy and cold. Britta and Annie put on their jackets and walked to the car. Britta ignited the engine and let the car heat up. Once the car was warm and toasty the girls stripped of their jackets. Annie took off her cardigan leaving her in a tank top and skirt. Her scars turned into faded white lines on her wrist as well as her legs and hips.

Britta reached into the back seat of her car and pulled out a gift for Annie.

"What's that?"
"I bought this for you because I'm proud of you for coming this far in recovery. So when I saw your scars are healing I thought you could wear this specifically for Pierce's 'blowout' sixty eighth birthday party."
Annie opened the bag to see a two piece bandeau bikini. It was tiffany blue with white bows on the hips and in the middle of chest. When Britta was doing shopping at Victoria's Secret she saw this bikini that had Annie's name all over it. Being that summer had been long over, it was in the clearance section, so Britta bought it thinking Annie could wear it to Pierce's pool birthday party. It was in the end of November and thankfully his pool was heated.
"Britta, thank you! It's so cute!"
"If you don't feel comfortable wearing it this weekend at Pierces swim party you can always wear it later."
"No, no I think I can wear it my scars are fine."
"Well I'm glad you like it."
"Britta I love it! Thank you for getting it for me!"
Annie hugged Britta with the swim suit in her hand. With that Britta began to drive home. The gift was much more than a bathing suit. It meant that Annie was getting better, and she was moving on. All summer she wore tee shirts or didn't swim or run around in a swim suit and Britta normally sat out with her. But this weekend would be the first time since spring break Annie wore a swim suit.

The week flew by. Pierce's party was on the first of December. Apparently Pierce invited everyone from the 'Hipsters', to Garrett, the Dean, pretty much all of Greendale was going to be at this party. Pierce's backyard was really nice. His pool was heated, and had a swim up bar. Troy wasn't kidding when he said Pierce's house was the place to party, it was huge. Pierce kept bragging that there would be a photo booth, a nacho machine, swimming, a bonfire, alcohol, and karaoke. Every suspected Pierce was watching the teenage spoiled brats on MTV's "My Super Sweet Sixteen."

The first, the day of Pierce's party, was surprisingly warm and sunny. Annie, Troy, Abed, and Britta arrived at two in their bathing suits and with gifts. At three the rest of the study group arrived. Shirley brought Andre, and Jeff brought his Blackberry. Everyone was having a blast before they even got in the pool. Britta challenged Abed to a game of air hockey, Troy was trying to be a grown up by talking to Pierce, Andre, and Shirley but ended up playing winner of the air hockey tournament. Meanwhile Jeff and Annie were playing Wii tennis and Jeff was losing badly.

Once more people arrived people went outside to the pool. Annie took off her sundress to reveal her bikini that Britta got her. Annie looked fantastic in her swim suit, and from five feet away you couldn't see Annie's scars one bit. Annie was chased into the pool by Jeff, Abed did a cannonball into the deep end, and Britta not wanting to jump in was pulled in the pool by her waist by Troy and then kissed on the cheek. Shirley and Andre stuck their feet in the pool sitting next to the bar area and "awwed" at Troy and Britta. Pierce was still greeting guests by the door.

Once Shirley found her camera, she insisted someone take a High School Musical picture. Troy insisted he be in the picture because of his name being the same name as Zac Efron's character, Abed was on the end next to Troy. Britta stood next to Troy and held hands with him and Annie who insisted that Jeff be in this picture he held hands with Annie. On the count of three everyone jumped and about five tries later, they got a picture of everyone striking a pose in the air.

The karaoke was right next to the pool on the patio. Annie and Britta belted out Lady Gaga's "Just Dance." Then the Dean arrived, and after forcing Jeff to sing the song "Kiss from a Rose" Garrett decided to sing the "Lazy Song" which was slightly disturbing, especially the "Hands in the pants" verse. Troy and Annie sang some Disney which was hilarious, and Pierce sang Pat Benatar. Everyone assumed that he had been drinking because no one could actually make out the song lyrics but the beat defined the song as "Love is a Battlefield."

Everyone was enjoying themselves between the photo booth, karaoke, and the bar. There was a wide selection of food at the buffet from sandwiches, to pizza. The weather was nice enough that people set up their towels to sit on the grass and listen to karaoke with their paper plates full of food. Andre and Shirley stat together, Troy, Britta, and Abed shared two towels to sit on and Jeff and Annie sat right by them on their own towel. After listening to the Dean sing "Rolling in the Deep" people started to go up to the microphone and talk about how great Pierce is. Pierce was drinking with the hipsters and appreciated everyone saying nice things about him.

After Troy and Abed spoke/rapped about how Pierce is, Jeff spoke, then Annie, Shirley, and Britta. Everyone was surprisingly sincere. After people got back to singing Jeff decided to walk around Pierce's large backyard. Annie got up and followed. They found themselves in a quiet, private, little corner in the backyard. After discussing the landscape Jeff decided this would be the time.

"Milady?" Jeff smiled at Annie
"Yes Milord."
"I need to tell you something."
"Alright…"
"I've waited a long time to tell you this because I wanted you to get better before I did…" Annie nodded for him to continue, "Well earlier this year when you were almost out of my life was the hardest thing to watch you go though. I care about you so much Annie." They turned and faced each other and Jeff held Annie's hands. "When I was holding your hair while you were throwing up I realized the saying 'you don't know what you've got until it's gone' also applies to when you almost lose something too, Annie I thought you were going to die on me. It was at that moment did I truly understand what you meant to me Annie. You're the greatest thing to ever happen to me at Greendale, besides the study group itself. If I were to lose you Annie, my life would be miserable." Annie looked at Jeff almost in tears with a smile. Jeff turned to look at Annie and stoked her brown hair and tucked it behind her ear. "Annie, I've known you for while now and I want to say this now before I lose my chance. Annie, I love you and I never want to lose you."

And no more words were exchanged. He captured her lips with his and her hands wrapped around his neck and his moved through her hair. The two stayed like that in the private area in Pierce's backyard covered but trees and greenery as the sun disappeared.

"Jeff," her nose touched his nose as both of their eyes were closed still. "I love you too Jeff," she paused to kiss him once more, "thank you for watching everything."

They stayed like that for a while people until they started to walk back to Pierce's house hand in hand.

It was late and space was limited around the bonfire. Some people had left but the study group remained. Annie sat on Jeff's lap and Britta sat on Troy's. Annie abruptly got up to fetch something from her bag. Britta followed Annie into the house for Annie's purse. Annie pulled out a sheet of paper.
"What's that Annie?"
"Oh just a note."
"Annie, is that you're mom's?"
"Yes, it's my mom's note."
Britta was confused as she and Annie walked over to the bonfire and Annie took one last look at the note. Annie folded it up one last time.
"I forgive her and what she wrote for me," she announced to Britta. "But I think it's time that I move on and let go."
"Are you going to burn it?"
"Duh-doy," Annie responded with a smile.
"One," Annie began the counting.
"Two…" Annie closed her eyes and Britta grabbed Annie's hand.
"Three," Annie tossed the note that started it all into the fire and went to hug Britta. And just like it was gone and Annie had let go of the past.

It was a remarkable feeling knowing that Annie had let go and was moving on. Britta couldn't help but feel like a good big sis when Annie said "I couldn't have done this without you, I love you Britta."
Britta replied, "I love you too Annie."
"Thanks big sis."
"Anytime little sis."

End