Chapter Text
“Annie’s been hurt.”
The words echoed in Abed’s head as he raced through the halls of Greendale. He doesn’t remember the name or the face of the person that sought him out to relay those panicked words, but he remembers their voice. It was shaking and their breath smelled of cheap beer. Abed had pushed passed the person and rushed to the Ladders classroom but when he’d arrived no one was being let in. He tried to yell, tried to explain that his friend was in there, but somewhere along his path he’d lost his voice.
Through the small window of the classroom door he could make out the huddle of paramedics called to the scene. And beside them, on the floor, just peaking out from behind one of their medical bags, a pair of feet and the little black flats Annie had slipped on that morning.
An alarm was screaming somewhere but none of the bystanders seemed to notice as they stayed rubbernecking outside of the classroom. Abed winced at the high pitched sound ringing in his ears. He tried to form words around the sound but it felt as if his tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth, his jaw cemented shut as he clenched his teeth. He needed someone that could talk, someone that could get them in and closer to her. He turned on his heel and raced once more through the halls. He passed students studying for exams, emptying their backpacks into lockers, walking to class and gossiping as if their world wasn’t in chaos. He wanted to scream at them, ask them how they could be so calm. Annie was hurt, didn’t they care?
Jeff’s feet were up on his desk, his hands behind his head, the absolute picture of ignorant contentment when Abed burst into his office a minute later.
“What’s up, buddy?” Jeff asked casually, casting a quick glance over Abed’s panicked features.
Abed tried to respond, unclenching his jaw and forming syllables on his tongue, but when he finally spoke, in a strangled voice he barely recognized as his own, there was just one word: “Annie.”
He didn’t wait for Jeff to respond before he quickly turned and ran back down the hall. Abed knew the other man would follow, especially if it was something about Annie. It was well known Jeff had a protective instinct when it came to the youngest member of their group and Abed trusted that to continue. Sure enough Jeff’s long legs caught up and then overtook Abed as they raced down the hallway. Abed wasn’t surprised when the older man seemed to know exactly where they were going. Ladders wasn’t scheduled to be over for another twenty minutes.
The paramedics were wheeling out a stretcher as the pair turned the corner. Although she was covered in a sheet they could make out Annie’s brown hair, her head wrapped tightly in a brace to keep her still. Jeff reached her first and Abed fought an unexpected urge to push him out of the way. Annie was looking up at the taller man, her eyes shining through the pain.
“It was worth it.”
Abed’s lungs clenched as he watched the pair. Jeff was returning her small smile and Abed’s eyes darted in confusion between the two. This wasn’t a time for smiling. Annie was hurt, didn’t they care? Before he could try to process further the paramedics wheeled her away, a sharp bump causing her to yell out in pain. As the stretcher turned the corner Abed moved to follow it but a hand on his shoulder held him in place. He jumped and shuffled sideways out of Jeff’s grasp but otherwise stayed where he was.
“I need a drink.” Jeff’s voice was different, softer than normal, but Abed couldn’t quite place why. “Come on.”
Once back in his office Jeff set to work pouring two equal glasses of scotch. He pushed one towards Abed who hadn’t moved from his spot by the door after it shut firmly behind him.
“Have a drink.”
“Drinking is what got Annie hurt.” Abed’s voice was dispassionate but he was sure by the way Jeff’s eyes grew wide his anger came across all the same.
“She’s going to be fine, Abed.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do.” Jeff stood and crossed the room until he was encroaching on Abed’s space. “She’s Annie Edison. The worst that will happen is that she has to actually rest for a week.”
Abed’s fingers were tapping anxiously against his thigh but he clenched his teeth and gave a sharp nod. As much as he hated to admit it, Jeff had a point. She’s Annie Edison. After all these years together Abed had yet to see something that could truly knock the young woman sideways. While he didn’t take the proffered drink he settled himself into one of the chairs beside Jeff’s desk and tried to focus on anything besides the image of Annie laid out on the stretcher.
“I’ll text the group.”
“Only Britta’s left. Unless you count Chang and the Dean.”
Fifteen minutes later the pair were joined by the trio. Abed wondered, not for the first time, how Chang had successfully weaseled his way into the group after so long but ignored the thought as the man's brow furrowed in familiar worry. Jeff was just pouring a round for them when a shrill ringing from Abed’s pocket caused them all to jump in collective anxiety.
“Hello, is this Abed Nadir?” a voice on the line asked once Abed had answered.
“Yes.”
“My name is Dr. Bridger. I’m calling about Annie Edison.” That had his attention and in a moment he’d turned on the speaker and waved the others over to him.
“Is she okay? What happened? When can I see her?” All the words he’d wanted to ask earlier but hadn’t been able to form spilled from his lips in quick succession.
“Everything is alright, Mr. Nadir. Her head and neck are stabilized and she’s currently sleeping off the shock with help from a heavy does of pain medication.” Abed felt his own shock begin to fade as he listened to the doctor’s soothing voice. “Now, I have you listed here as her emergency contact.”
Abed ignored the sharp look Jeff shot in his direction and focused on the phone in his hand. “Yes, that’s correct.”
“Perfect. We suspect that Ms. Edison will be able to leave here tomorrow afternoon but you’re welcome to come see her before then if you are able.”
“Yes! Yes of course. Thank-” Jeff wrapped his fingers around Abed’s wrist and pulled the phone in his direction.
“Hi, sorry, this is Jeff Winger, another friend of Annie’s. Is anyone else listed there that may be allowed to come visit?”
There was a moment of silence before the voice returned, “Sorry, Mr. Winger, you are not listed. Ms. Edison will likely be able to see more visitors tomorrow once we’re sure she’s recovering. Mr. Nadir?”
Abed pulled his wrist out of Jeff’s grasp and leaned back. “I’m here.”
“Just head to reception once you’ve arrived and they’ll point you in the right direction.”
“Thank you, Dr. Bridger.”
The screen switched to black and Abed felt a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Annie’s okay. While he repeated those words over and over in a calming mantra he felt a room of eyes focused on him. The Dean and Chang were having a silent conversation with lots of shrugging and pointing and darting eyes between him and Jeff. Britta was grinning and she placed a hand on his to give it a gentle squeeze. Jeff’s face he couldn’t quite figure out. He wasn’t smiling but he wasn’t frowning either. He was just staring at the phone in Abed’s hand with a deep crease between his eyebrows.
“Cool.” Abed stated in his usual monotone as he stood and moved swiftly to the door. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”